In the course of
time they grew tired, and I very sleepy. I made signs as though I would
sleep on the floor in my blankets, but they gave me one of their bunks
with plenty of dried fern and grass, on to which I had no sooner laid
myself than I fell fast asleep; nor did I awake till well into the
following day, when I found myself in the hut with two men keeping guard
over me and an old woman cooking. When I woke the men seemed pleased,
and spoke to me as though bidding me good morning in a pleasant tone.
I went out of doors to wash in a creek which ran a few yards from the
house. My hosts were as engrossed with me as ever; they never took their
eyes off me, following every action that I did, no matter how trifling,
and each looking towards the other for his opinion at every touch and
turn. They took great interest in my ablutions, for they seemed to have
doubted whether I was in all respects human like themselves. They even
laid hold of my arms and overhauled them, and expressed approval when
they saw that they were strong and muscular. They now examined my legs,
and especially my feet. When they desisted they nodded approvingly to
each other; and when I had combed and brushed my hair, and generally made
myself as neat and well arranged as circumstances would allow, I could
see that their respect for me increased greatly, and that they were by no
means sure that they had treated me with sufficient deference--a matter
on which I am not competent to decide.
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