92 THE BED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. 
every one's surprise, pointed to Teddy, at the same time 
making a gesture toward the rafts, and moving his jaws 
in imitation of eating. 
The cold perspiration broke out on the boy's freckled 
face. He was absolutely too frightened to speak. 
The Ayan chief stepped forward boldly, and laid his 
hand on Ted's shoulder. This familiarity, however, was 
indignantly resented by Carlo, who bounded to the rescue 
with a deep growl, and doubtless would have attacked the 
stranger had not little Nat held him by the collar. 
I don't think he wants to hurt us," said Nat, 
looking up with a fearless smile into the dark face of 
the Indian. 
The Ayan's grim features relaxed, and he patted 
Nat's head several times, in token of amity. 
An animated pantomime now ensued, aided by the other 
savages, who had come ashore, and crowded around the 
whites with intense but apparently not ill-natured curi- 
osity. 
Joe, the guide, was the first to catch an inkling of 
their meaning. 
" They want us go visit village," he interpreted to Mr. 
Button. " Have plenty eat. Injun women want to see 
white men." 
" Are you sure, Joe, they don't mean harm to us ? " 
" No hurt. See, no war arrows — only moose." 
After a short consultation with the boys, Mr. Dutton 
decided that it w^ould be wise to accept the invitation. 
