Sometimes they waited for a few days at villages, where great festivities were held in their honor The news of their coming, in many cases, preceded them; and they and their convoy were often met at the stream, or other mark which formed the acknowledged boundary between the hunting grounds, by large bodies eager to receive and welcome them.
They had, by this time, made considerable progress in the language, knew all the names of common objects, and could make themselves understood in simple matters.

The language of savage people is always simple.

Their range of ideas is narrow; their vocabulary very limited, and consequently easily mastered.
Ned knew that, at any time, they might come across people in a state of active warfare with each other; and that his life might depend upon the ability to make himself understood.

Consequently he lost no opportunity of picking up the language.

On the march Tom and he, instead of walking and talking together, each went with a group of natives; and kept up a conversation, eked out with signs, with them; and consequently they made very considerable progress with the language..