Uncle Eb thought of going on, but the night was coming fast and there would be no moon and we were footsore and hungry.

Women and children came over to our fire, after supper, and made more of me than I liked.

I remember taking refuge between the knees of Uncle Eb, and Fred sat close in front of us growling fiercely when they came too near.

They stood about, looking down at us and whispered together, and one young miss of the tribe came up and tried to kiss me in spite of Fred's warnings: She had flashing black eyes and hair as dark as the night, that fell in a curling mass upon her shoulders; but, somehow, I had a mighty fear of her and fought with desperation to keep my face from the touch of her red lips.

Uncle Eb laughed and held Fred by the collar, and I began to cry out in terror, presently, when, to my great relief, she let go and ran away to her own people.