He came to the little bark hut which he now considered his own.
The night had fallen again, but some coals still glowed under the
ashes, and there was plenty of dry wood. He did everything
decently and in order. He took the pelt from the bear, carved
the body properly, and then, just as the Indians had done, he
broiled strips over the coals. He ate them one after another,
slowly, and tasting all the savor, and, intense as was the mere
physical pleasure, it was mingled with a deep thankfulness. Not
only was the life nourished anew in him, but he would now regain
the strength to seek his comrades.
When he had eaten enough he fastened the body of the bear, now in
several portions, on hooks high upon the walls, hooks which
evidently had been placed there by the former owner of the hut
for this very purpose. Then, sure that the savor of the food
would draw other wild animals, he brought one of the stepping
stones and placed it on the inside of the door. The door could
not be pushed aside without arousing him, and, secure in the
knowledge, he went to sleep before the coals.
CHAPTER IV
THE RED CHIEFS
Henry awoke only once, and that was about half way between
midnight and morning, when his senses, never still entirely, even
in sleep, warned him that something was at the door.
Pages:
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79