The whole population at once scattered through the grove, and soon a huge pile of dead wood was collected.
The boys now made a little heap of dried leaves, placed a few grains of powder in a hollow at the top and, the flint and steel being put into requisition, the flame soon leaped up, amid a cry of astonishment and awe from the women and children.

Wood was now laid on, and soon a great fire was blazing.

The men gathered round and sat down, and the women and children gradually approached, and took their places behind them.
The evening was cold and, as the natives felt the grateful heat, fresh exclamations of pleasure broke from them; and gradually a complete babel of tongues broke out.

Then the noise was hushed, and a silence of expectation and attention reigned, as the lads cut off slices of the meat and, spitting them on pieces of green wood, held them over the fire.

Tom made signs to the chief and those sitting round to fetch meat, and follow their example.