The improved state of our apartment and the large and cheerful fires they kept up produced in us a sensation of comfort to which we had long been strangers.

In the evening they brought in a pile of dried wood which was lying on the riverside and towards which we had often cast a wishful eye, being unable to drag it up the bank.

The Indians set about everything with an activity that amazed us.

Indeed contrasted with our emaciated figures and extreme debility their frames appeared to us gigantic and their strength supernatural.

These kind creatures next turned their attention to our personal appearance and prevailed upon us to shave and wash ourselves.