“Well, they arn’t blacks certainly, Mas’ Don; but I’m pretty suspicious about the other thing. I once thought as Tomati was laughing at us, but it’s all true. Why, what d’yer think I see only yes’day?”
“Numbers of things. But what in particular?”
“Why, one of the big chiefs who come ashore in that long canoe. You know; the one with a figure-head with its tongue sticking out?”
“Yes; I know.”
“Well, he’d got a flute.”
“What of that? Men have flutes at home. Uncle Josiah had one.”
“What was it made on?” whispered Jem.
“Box-wood, with ivory mountings.”
“Well, this chiefs flute was of ivory altogether—I mean, of bone.”
“Well?”