For a time Jake Golcher paid no attention to the whites, but watched the Senecas, while they the roaring fire, as though it gave him a good deal of satisfaction.  
In counting the Indians, Fred Godfrey saw that two were missing, but before he formed any guess as to the cause of their absence they reappeared, their coming announced by the terrific of a young pig, that they had managed to steal somewhere.
 
As they entered the circle of light, they were seen to be holding a plump little porker between them, while he struggled fiercely and emitted screams like the of a locomotive whistle.
 
It was a piece of good fortune that they were enabled to secure such a prize, when so many of the from Wyoming almost perished with hunger.
 
The cries of the little porker were soon hushed in death, and he was dressed with considerable skill. Conveniences not being at hand for scalding him, it became necessary to prepare him for the table without that desirable process.
 
When he was ready for the coals the latter were raked out, and Aunt Peggy was invited to come forward and display her skill.
 
"I'd like to see me cook for you scand'lous villains," she snapped out; "I would do it if I had a lot of p'ison to put in the meat, but not otherwise."
 
Her refusal probably would have ended in serious consequences to herself, but Mr. Brainerd and Maggie urged her to comply, all saying they were extremely hungry, and in no other way would they be able to secure any food.
 
In to their wishes she stepped forward, and, being furnished with a keen hunting-knife by one of the , plied it with the skill for which she became famous years before.
 
The pig was in prime condition, and, if properly prepared, would have made an enjoyable for the table.
 
But time and circumstances did not favor elaborate cookery, and Aunt Peggy, in grim silence, cut off slices that were nicely by being with green sticks, and held over the glowing coals.
 
In a few minutes a thin steak was browned and ready for the palate.
 
"I'll take that, old woman," said Jake Golcher, reaching out for it.
 
"I'd like to see you get it," said the lady, whipping it away from him; "you good-for-nothing, scand'lous , don't you know that ladies orter be waited on fust?"
 
And with these scarifying words, she walked over to Maggie and Eva, and, cutting the steak in two, handed half to each.
 
"That's just what I was going to do," Golcher, annoyed by the broad grin that Caucasian and American faces alike.
 
"You know it's a falsehood," replied Aunt Peggy, in the same peppery style; "you're too mean ever to think of anything decent and Christian-like, you vagabond—oh-h-h-h, how I ache to get hold of you!"
 
The Tory fought rather shy of her, for in sooth she was a lady to be .
 
Eva Brainerd walked straight to where her father sat, and said:
 
"Papa, I shall not eat a mouthful until you do."
 
"I can't eat very conveniently with my hands tied behind me, but I shall never consent to that and allow you to go hungry."
 
"But I can get more of Aunt Peggy."
 
"Perhaps so and perhaps not."
 
"Then we will eat it between us. There, you take a bite and I will do the same, and we will keep it up until nothing is left."
 
"That is a good arrangement," replied her parent, smiling at the of the affectionate child, and complying with her request.
 
He took a good mouthful, and she followed. Eva forced the last bit upon her father, who, in spite of himself, was compelled to eat two-thirds of the piece, which, after all, was the proper thing to do.
 
Before the feast was finished Aunt Peggy had another slice ready, which was handed over to Maggie, who walked directly to where Fred Godfrey sat on the log.
 
"Brother Fred, this is for you."
 
He consented to share it with her as their parent was doin............