.

"Moreover," suggested Dan, "I vote for roasting the goose at once."

"Ay, and eating him right away," said Archie. As the invalid followed
this up with a feeble cheer, the proposal was carried into effect
without delay.

The islet was low and flat, and so thickly covered with bush that it
afforded a most enticing spot for a night-encampment. There was also
plenty of dead wood on it, with which to replenish the fire, and various
peeps through sundry openings afforded exquisite views of woodland and
river with which to charm the eyes. Over all, the sun was pouring his
noontide rays in a glorious flood.

We need not waste time in going into the details of the feast that
followed: how the goose was delightfully plump and tender--especially
tender to teeth that would have scarcely observed the difference if it
had been tough--how, in addition to the goose, they had wild-ducks
enough--shot earlier in the day--to afford each one a duck to himself,
leaving a brace over, of which Okematan ate one, as well as his share of
the goose, and seemed to wish that he might eat the other, but he
didn't, for he restrained himself; how they drank tea with as much gusto
and intemperance as if it had been a modern "afternoon"; and how, after
all was over, the Red-man filled the pipe-head on the back of his iron
tomahawk and began to smoke with the air of a man who meant business and
regarded all that had gone before as mere child's-play.

The afternoon was well advanced when the feast was concluded, for
appetites in the wilderness are not easily or soon satisfied.

"I feel tight," said Billie with a sigh and something of pathos in his
tone, when he at last laid down his knife--we cannot add fork, for they
scorned such implements at that time.

"That's right, Little Bill," said Archie, "try another leg or wing--now,
don't shake your head. We've come on this trip a-purpose to make you
fat an' strong. So you must--here, try this drum-stick. It's only a
little one, like yourself, Billie."

"True, Archie, but I'm too little to hold it. I feel like an egg now."

"Hallo! Oke, are you overcome already?" asked Archie.

"The sun sinks to rest at night and the birds go to sleep. If we intend
to hunt we must begin now."

"It's always the way," returned the boy with an air of discontent;
"whenever a fellow gets into a state of extreme jollity there's sure to
be something bothersome to come and interrupt us. Obfusticate your
facul