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. He rose
cautiously upon his arm, saw a dark muzzle at the crevice, and
behind it a pair of yellow, gleaming eyes. He knew at once that
it was a panther, probably living in the swamp and drawn by the
food. It must be very hungry to dare thus the smell of man.
Henry's hand moved slowly to the end of a stick, the other end of
which was a glowing coal. Then he seized it and hurled it