Matters now began to look more serious than at first.  Darkness was coming on, and our captors lighted a large fire near to the spot where we were bound, and those among them who acted the part of cooks began dressing the evening meal.  They then sat down to discuss it--an operation which was soon concluded.  We in the meantime were left bound to the trees, watching what was going on.  After supper, a similar fire having been lighted near where we were bound, the principal Indians took their seats round it and began to smoke their long pipes, while, as I suspected, they deliberated on our fate.  They were some little distance off, but the flames from the fire cast a red glow on their figures, and enabled me to observe the expression of the countenances of those turned towards me, from which, with painful anxiety, I endeavoured to learn how they were disposed towards us.  Though I could hear their voices, I could not understand a word that was said.