VII.

BIG TOM.


From the conduct of the Indians towards Tom, it was evident that his
time for torture had not yet arrived. He therefore had tact enough to
remain "weak" as long as possible, tottering languidly about the
grounds whenever they allowed him the liberty of exercising his limbs,
and drinking the mixtures and decoctions of Ka-te-qua with the patience
of a martyr. In the meantime, the shrewd fellow took care to win the
good-will of the tribe by taking apparent interest in their games, and
showing a great amount of admiration at their feats of strength and
agility. He amused them too by the display of numerous accomplishments
peculiar to himself, such as whistling in close imitation of the songs
of various birds, and performing feats of jugglery that he had long ago
learned in his native town. He could bark like a dog and howl like a
wolf; imitate the distant tramping of horses' feet, and give the sound
of a whizzing arrow so perfectly that the oldest chiefs would turn their
head quickly in the direction of the sound. Neither at this, however,
nor at any other of Tom's performances, would they show the slightest
change of countenance, for an Indian never allows himself to exhibit
feelings of surprise, considering it quite beneath the dignity of his
race to do so. Even when, by some dexterous trick, Tom would show them
two or three acorns under a leaf where their reason told them there
could be none, and then as mysteriously cause the same acorns to