Page:Barbour--Metipoms Hostage.djvu/204

190 ingratiating tail, and the boy for loneliness called the sorry creature to him and patted him, at which the dog, surprised as delighted  with such uncommon kindness, licked his  hand and curled up against his body.

Slowly the sun neared the western slope of the hill and the heat diminished, and David thought of food. The council yet continued and the gathering near by was larger than before, with many squaws standing  about the fringe. Finding John, David made known his desire for food, and then seated  himself in the shade of the lodge to await  the arrival of the old crone. And while he sat there there came a stirring in the village  and a youth shouted shrilly, and the cry  was taken up by others. Then an Indian drum began to sound, and David, having  arisen to look, saw a dozen or more of the  younger men stepping about in a wide circle  in ridiculous postures while the older men  stood by applauding with shouts and gestures. But the women had hurried to their houses, and now David saw them dragging  their goods outside the doors. The drum went on monotonously and the boys, prancing and chanting in high voices, formed in  line and went weaving in and out between the