Tom Fish sat silent and alone, a little apart from all the others, during
the whole time. He eyed Big Buffalo sharply when no one save Ree observed
him, but the gruesome scalp no longer hung at the Indian's belt.

Fishing Bird was there and seemed especially friendly, though, not being
a sub-chief, as was Big Buffalo, he did not pretend to any special
dignity, but enjoyed himself in sports with the other young Indians and
John.

When at last the Delawares settled down to business, there was a great
deal of talk before an agreement was reached, that the boys should have a
tract embracing about 200 acres, which the Indians marked off, in
exchange for three red blankets and a bolt of blue cloth. It was a rather
dear price, John thought, but Ree declared it was a bargain, for they
secured just the land they wanted. Moreover, they retained the friendship
of the Indians, and even though they should be obliged to pay for the
land a second time to the United States government or the State of
Connecticut, they could well afford to do so, under these circumstances.

There was general hand-shaking as the Delawares went away, though Tom
Fish discreetly disappeared for the time, vowing he would give his hand
to "no bloody varmint."

The Indians insisted that the young "Long Knives" (Ree and John) should
return their visit the second day following, for a ratification of the
bargain they had made. This the boys regretted, as it would probably
delay the completion of their cabin; but they were obliged to accept the
invitation, and did so.

The next day, Wednesday, however, work on their rude dwelling was
resumed, and Tom Fish turned in and helped like a good fellow. A
fire-place and chimney had already been built of flat stones from along
the margin of the river, and this day, so industriously did all apply
themselves, that the roof and door were finished and the cabin
practically completed except for the improvements to be added from time
to time.

Words can hardly express the boys' pleasure as they built a fire for the
first time in the big fire-place and found that their chimney did its
work admirably. Without loss of time they at once moved into their new
house from the brush shack in which their home had been; and by the
cheerful fire light, as the night came on, they placed their things in as
orderly a manner as possible, and found themselves quite comfortable,
though much remained to be done, the chinking of the walls