rply, a view they would not have
allowed had not Tayoga been sure no enemy was near.

"Now let the spectators come on," said Willet genially, "because we
won't be on display forever. After a while we'll get sleepy, and then it
will be best to put out the fire."

The flames leaped higher and the glowing circle widened. Robert, leaning
against a tree, with his blanket wrapped around him and the cushion of
dead leaves beneath him, felt the grateful warmth upon his face, and it
rejoiced body and mind alike. Tayoga and the hunter were in a similar
state of content, and they were silent for a while. Then Robert said:

"Who's looking at us now, Tayoga?"

"Two creatures, Dagaeoga, that belong upon the ground, but that are not
now upon it."

"Your answer sounds like a puzzle. If they're not now upon the ground
they're probably in the air, but they're not birds, because birds don't
belong on the ground. Then they're animals that have climbed trees."

"Dagaeoga's mind is becoming wondrous wise. In time he may be a sachem
among his adopted people."

"Don't you have sport with me, Tayoga, because bear in mind that if you
do I will pay you back some day. Have these creatures a mean, vicious
look?"

"I could not claim, Dagaeoga, that they are as beautiful as the deer
that came to look at us but lately."

"Then I make so bold as to say, Tayoga, that they have tufted ear tips,
spotted fur, and short tails, in brief a gentleman lynx and a lady lynx,
his wife. They are gazing at us with respect and fear as the wolf did,
and also with just as much malice and hate. They're wondering who and
what we are, and why we come into their woods, the pair of bloodthirsty
rabbit slayers."

"Did I not say you would be a sachem some day, Dagaeoga? You have read
aright. An Onondaga warrior could not have done better. The two lynxes
are on a bough ten feet from the ground, and perhaps in their foolish
hearts they think because they are so high above the earth that we
cannot reach them."

"You're not going to shoot at 'em, Tayoga? We don't want to waste good
bullets on a lynx."

"Not I, Dagaeoga, but I will make them acquainted with something they
will dread as much as bullets. It's right that those who come to look at
us should be made to pay the price of it."

"So you think that Monsieur and Madame Lynx have looked long enough at
the illustrious three?"

"Yes, Dagaeoga. It is time for them to go. And since they do not go of
their own w