“See what a dust he kicks up,” said another, as he observed the smoke.
A spark at this moment flew out and lighted on Pounder, who gave a growl, and said the beast had snapped at him. He could scarcely be restrained from attacking it with his fists.
All were gratified, however, at the warmth produced; for the day was cold, and they had not on their clothing, or else did not know how to use it. They accordingly huddled about the fire, and soon came to regard it as a necessity.
“How can we keep it from running away?” asked one, who thought of their misfortune when they should be without it.
“How can we take it with us when we move?” asked another. “I would not like to take hold of it or lead it.”
“Fire-tamer can catch another,” answered Koree, “for he is skilled as a hunter of this monster, as well as a manager of it.”
They wondered most at the voracity of the beast, who ate all the brush and logs they could carry to him.
“He grows bigger at once on what he feeds,” said one, as the fire increased with the supply of several trees; “see how fat he is getting, and how he struggles at his meals. One would think the tree is alive at which he is eating, and that he is fighting to kill it, as when a tiger eats an alligator.”
When the fire died down, and it was not convenient to get more wood, Cocoanut-scooper threw in some vegetables and fruits, saying: