We contemplated them for a while.

Then Bickley shook his head and began to rub his stomach with appropriate contortions.

Clearly they were quick-minded enough for they saw the point.

At some words the girls brought the platters to the chief and others, who took from them portions of the food at hazard and ate them to show that it was not poisoned, we watching their throats the while to make sure that it was swallowed.

Then they returned again and we took some of the food though only Bickley ate, because, as I pointed out to him, being a doctor who understood the use of antidotes; clearly he should make the experiment.
However, nothing happened; indeed he said that it was very good.
After this there came a pause.