274 A CLEVER STRATAGEM. 



respects to those described by Jack Harvey, gathered around the blaze, which 

 was burning brightly in a small space. They were naked, except around the loins, 

 had bushy hair, wore huge rings in their ears and noses, carried spears, and were 

 as hideous travesties upon the human form divine as can be imagined. 



Since the camp-fire of Dick's friends was out of sight of this group, it was 

 clear that Mr. Godkin and his companions knew nothing of the natives, though 

 it was not so clear that the latter were not aware of the location of the others. 



The wild men, as it seems proper to call them, were lolling on the ground and 

 smoking, with the exception of two of their number, who were busily employed in 

 cooking supper. The carcass of some animal was suspended on a strong stick, 

 which, in turn, was supported by forked supports, so far removed from the flames 

 that they were safe against being burned apart. 



After the carcass had been exposed to the fire until it was affected by the heat, 

 the two savages turned the stick so as to expose the other side. Inasmuch as the 

 longitudinal support ran through the middle of the body, it was easy to subject 

 every part of it to an equal degree of heat. 



In short, the process resembled that which is sometimes seen in our own country 

 when a party of hunters or farmers engage in roasting the carcass of a hog or some 

 big game. 



The other wild men, who were lolling on the ground, seemed to find much com- 

 fort in smoking their long-stemmed pipes. They showed no impatience for their 

 supper, though, by this time, the hour had become well advanced. 



What produced the awful impression that suddenly flashed upon Dick Brownell, 

 it is impossible to say, but, all at once, he asked himself the question whether that 

 body which was being prepared with such thoroughness did not belong to the same 

 race as those that were turning every side of it so regularly to the blaze. 



It was a fearful query, indeed, that rose, unbidden, in the mind of the youth, and, 

 for the moment, it almost overcame him. He felt faint and leaned against the 

 nearest tree 'or support. 



It would seem that, with the doubt thus formed, the lad ought to have felt that 

 the last place in the world for him was where he stood. He should have lost no 

 time in taking himself from the neighborhood, no matter whither his footsteps led 

 him. 



But there was a horrible fascination in the sight, which, for the time, held him 

 rooted to the spot. Much as he wished to fly, he lacked the power to do so. 



" Suppose they discover me," was his thought ; " will they not serve me as they 

 are serving that thing ? " 



Suddenly one of the savages, whose duty it was to attend to the turning of the 

 spit, raised his face and looked in the direction of the spectator. The firelight, 

 falling on his countenance, made one of the most hideous pictures it is possible to 

 describe. 



Dick asked himself whether it was possible the native had heard or seen any- 

 thing to awaken his suspicion. The youth was standing well back in the gloom, 



