Monsieur Garay wishes to spend the next two hours with his own wise thoughts and who are we to break in upon such a communion ?" "The words of wisdom fall like precious beads from your lips, Great Bear.

For two hours we will leave our guest to his great thoughts." At half past six came the question, "Your papers ?" once more, and Garay burst forth with an angry refusal, though his voice trembled.
Willet shrugged his shoulders, turned away, and helped the lads prepare a most luxurious and abundant evening meal, Tayoga adding wild grapes and Robert nuts to their varied course of meats, the grapes being served on blazing red autumn leaves, the whole very pleasing to the eye as well as to the taste.
"I think," said Willet, in tones heard easily by Garay, "that I have in me just a trace of the epicure.

I find, despite my years in the wilderness, that I enjoy a well spread board, and that bits of decoration appeal to me; in truth, give an added savor to the viands." "In the vale of Onondaga when the fifty old and wise sachems make a banquet," said Tayoga, "the maidens bring fruit and wild flowers to it that the eye also may have its feast.

It is not a weakness, but an excellence in Great Bear to like the decorations." They lingered long over the board, protracting the feast far after the fall of night and interspersing it with pleasant conversation.

The ruddy flames shone on their contented faces, and their light laughter came frequently to the ears of Garay.