“And eat a big black bear steak every hour or so,” said Robert.

“If we feel like it that’s just what we’ll do,” laughed Willet.  “It’s our night, now.  Surely, Robert, you’re the greatest hunter in the world!  Neither Tayoga nor I saw a sign of game, but you walked straight to your bear.”

“No irony,” said Robert, who, nevertheless, was pleased.  “It merely proves that Areskoui had forgiven me, while he had not forgiven you two.  But don’t you notice a tremendous change?”

“Change!  Change in what?”

“Why, everything!  The whole world is transformed!  Around us a little while ago stretched a scrubby, gloomy forest, but it is now magnificent and cheerful.  I never saw finer oaks and beeches.  That sky which was black and sinister has all the gorgeous golds and reds and purples of a benevolent sunset.  The wind, lately cold and wet, is actually growing soft, dry and warm.  It’s a grand world, a kind world, a friendly world!”

“Thus, O Dagaeoga,” said Tayoga, “does the stomach rule man and the universe.  It is empty and all is black, it is filled and all that was black turns to rose.  But the rose will soon be gone, because the sunlight is fading and night is at hand.”

“But it’s a fine night,” said Robert sincerely.  “I think it about the finest night I ever saw coming.”

“Have another of these beautiful broiled steaks,” said Willet, “and you’ll be sure it’s the finest night that ever was or ever will be.”

“I think I will,” said Robert, as he held the steak on the end of a sharpened stick over the coals and listened to the pleasant sizzling sound, “and after this is finished and a respectable time has elapsed, I may take another.”

The revulsion in all three was tremendous.  Although they had hidden it from one another, the great decrease in physical vitality had made their minds sink into black despair, but now that strength was returning so fast they saw the world through different eyes.  They lay back luxuriously and their satisfaction was so intense that they thought little of danger.  Tandakora might be somewhere near, but it did not disturb men who were as happy as they.  The night came down, heavy and dark, as had been predicted, and they smothered their fire, but they remained before the coals, sunk in content.

They talked for a while in low tones, but, at length, they became silent.  The big hunter considered.  He knew that, despite the revulsion in feeling, they were not yet strong enough to undertake a great campaign against their enemies, and it would be better to remain a while in the valley until they were restored fully.

Beside their fire was a good enough place for the time, and Robert kept the first watch.  The night, in reality, had turned much warmer and the sky was luminous with stars.  The immense sense of comfort remained with him, and he was not disturbed by the howling of the wolves, which he knew had been drawn by the odor of game, but which he knew also would be afraid to invade the camp and attack three men.