d do all these chaps manage to sleep in this little hut?" asked a
settler.

"A nice time they must have of it on the ground, especially when it
rains," added another, pointing up through the roof, which was open,
to let out the smoke.

"But," said the missionary, "everything is in remarkable order here.
Don't you see that each man has his place, and on the side of the
lodge a snug chance to stow away or hang up his personal effects. We
whites could scarcely arrange the little space with more fairness and
mathematical precision, so as to make the most of the room."

It was indeed so; and much did the callers marvel at the intelligent
system that prevailed.

"Some one has had a hand in the ordering of affairs here, who has more
intellect than we are accustomed to attribute to the red man;" and
the minister glanced at the young Indian, as if to say, "It must be
due to him."

But twilight was falling, and the villagers started on their way home.
Scarcely, however, had they passed the hedge of elders and the rows of
young oaks that hid the abode of the Indians from view, when from
within the wigwam there went up a startling whoop and yell, mingled
with derisive laughter.

Mrs. Payson stood still, pale with terror, as if expecting to see the
savages rush out to massacre them. But they kept within their tent,
their horrible whoopings and mockings continuing until the whites were
well away.

"I do not like the sound of those yells," said the missionary,
soberly.

"O, the Indians are only amusing themselves by trying to scare the
women and children," replied Mr. Caswell, merrily.

"There is more than that intended," returned the minister. "There was
the bitterest irony and hatred expressed in those tones. If the
authors of them dared, or it was in their plan to do so now, they
would spring upon us with the eagerness of so many beasts of prey."

The next day eight of the Indians walked into the village, one after
the other, as is the Indian way, and called at the hotel to beg. They
had found their tongues over night, and could manage, not only to
understand, when it was for their interest, what was said to them, but
in broken English make reply. They were a fine set of men,
physically--tall, broad-chested, erect; and, wrapped in their white
and red blankets, they made a formidable appearance. There was no
touch of fawning or crouching in their manner. They demanded the
articles given them, rather than begged. You wo