Then taking his bread, he went off to a short distance, and sat down to eat it, while a meal was prepared for the travellers, who then settled down to rest till the heat of the day was past.
But after a few minutes the boys were on their feet again, and ready to explore about the outskirts of the patch of woodland chosen for their resting-place; and on reaching the fire they found that the black had come close up, and seeing his grubs neglected, was busy roasting and eating them.
He looked up, laughing good-humouredly, drew out three or four of the freshly-roasted delicacies from the embers with a bit of pointed stick, and held them up to the boys.
“Good,” he said.
“Well, you eat ’em,” replied Norman.
The black needed no further invitation, but devoured the nicely-browned objects with great gusto, and smacked his lips.
“I say,” cried Tim; “they don’t smell bad.”
“Ugh!” ejaculated Rifle.
“Seems so nasty,” said Norman, as he watched the black attentively, while the fellow carefully arranged some more of the delicacies among the embers. “They’re great fine caterpillars, that’s what they are.”
“But they smell so good,” said Tim. “I’ve often eaten caterpillars in cauliflower.”