I thanked him by signs, and showed how I appreciated his gift by immediately eating it up.  He and his companions, on observing how hungry I was, again laughed.  One of them now pointed to the sun, which was getting low, and made me understand that I must accompany them.  As I knew that I had no chance of escaping, I nodded,--as much as to say that I was ready to go if they wished it,--and tried to look as cheerful as possible.