the birds themselves. He had, besides, a particular way of motion with
his body, that at a distance might be taken for the clapping of their
wings, insomuch that he has often deceived ourselves, and put us to
confusion, as he started out of his hiding-place.

"As for thyself, I say nothing, I am too full of the good things thou
hast feasted me with, to treat on that subject; but I thank thee, and
take thee by the hand, leaving to my fellow-guests the care of
acquitting themselves of that duty."

After this, he sits down, and some other younger, and in course of less
note, for they pay great respect to age, gets up, and makes a summary
recapitulation of what the first speaker has said; commending his manner
of singing the praises of the master of the feast's ancestors: to which
he observes, there is nothing to be added; but that he has, however,
left him one part of the task to be accomplished, which is, not to pass
over in silence the feast to which he and the rest of his brethren are
invited; neither to omit the merit and praises of him who has given the
entertainment. Then quitting his place, and advancing in cadence, he
takes the master of the treat by the hand, saying, "All the praises my
tongue is about to utter, have thee for their object. All the steps I am
going to take, as I dance lengthwise and breadthwise in thy cabbin, are
to prove to thee the gaiety of my heart, and my gratitude. Courage! my
friends, keep time with your motions and voice, to my song and dance."

With this he begins, and proceeds in his _Netchkawet_, that is,
advancing with his body strait erect, in measured steps, with his arms
a-kimbo. Then he delivers his words, singing and trembling with his
whole body, looking before and on each side of him with a steady
countenance, sometimes moving with a slow grave pace, then again with a