"We walked all night, so we will cook some food and he will sleep." They at once took possession of one of the empty huts, which was just as it was left by its proprietor.

One of the women brought a brand or two from her hearth.

An earthen cooking pot was filled with water and placed above it, and a few handfuls of rice dropped in.

Two or three snakes, cut up into small pieces, and some pepper pods were added; and then Meinik went out, talked to his acquaintances, and arranged for the purchase of the boat.

Stanley watched the fire.
In an hour, Meinik returned.
"The boat is a good one," he said, "and the nets in fair order.