With a yell of terror the three blacks started backwards, tripped over each other, and fell in a heap. Kon-garn surveyed the struggling mass calmly.
"Where am I?" he asked. "And what is all this about? Is it you, Pilla and Inda?"
They struggled to their feet and looked at him distrustfully.
"You are dead," said Pilla firmly. "Why do you talk?"
"I do not know why, indeed, since it is evident that I am talking to fools," said Kon-garn rudely. "What has happened to you, that you and this stranger have suddenly gone mad? Ky! how hungry I am! Have you food?"
The brothers suddenly began to laugh helplessly.
"Food!" said Inda. "There is more food than ever you saw before, Kon-garn, and a few minutes ago you were part of it."
"That is a riddle I am too tired to guess," said Kon-garn crossly. "I only wish that any food were part of me, for I feel as though I had never eaten in my life."
"It is certainly two moons at least since last you ate," Pilla told him.
"I said already that you were mad, and I grow more sure of it every minute," said poor Kon-garn. "Who are these who lie beside me?"