Chigwooltz, the Frog. 83 



of bark at the shore end of the float, and sit down 

 behind it in darkness. 



Presently two points of light would begin to shine, 

 then to scintillate, out among the lily pads, and Chig- 

 wooltz would come stealing in, his eyes growing big- 

 ger and brighter with wonder. He would place his 

 forearms akimbo on the edge of the float, and lift 

 himself up a bit; like a little old man, and stare stead- 

 fastly at the light. And there he would stay as long 

 as I let him, just staring and blinking. 



Soon two other points of light would come stealing 

 in from the other side, and another frog would set his 

 elbows on the float and stare hard across at the first- 

 comer. And then two more shining points, and two 

 more, till twelve or fifteen frogs were gathered about 

 my beacon, as thick as they could find elbow room on 

 the float, all staring and blinking like so many strange 

 water owls come up from the bottom to debate 

 weighty things, with a little flickering will-o'-the-wisp 

 nodding grave assent in the midst of them. But 

 never a word was spoken; the silence was perfect. 



Sometimes one, more fascinated or more curious 

 than the others, would climb onto the float, and 

 put his nose solemnly into the light. Then there 

 would be a loud sizzle, a jump, and a splash; the 

 candle would go out, and the wondering circle of 



