“I will get a young one,” said Fire-tamer, who thought a small fire was an immature or half-grown animal, and that it could be easily managed. But the Ammi were afraid, and would not allow the beast to be brought to the camp, dead or alive; and so they went on shivering, and it took them some time to shiver into sense. CHAPTER XXXV. [Illustration] The next day Fire-tamer, who had been hunting in the Swamp, returned to the Ammi, with a piece of burning wood. Having seen a tree struck by lightning, which was nearly consumed, and thinking he understood the habits of the beast, he raked in the ashes till he found this brand. Bringing it with him, he thought, as the fire curled on the end of it, like a snake, that he had caught a wood-eating animal. “There he comes with a little one,” said Koree, as Fire-tamer approached the Ammi. Gimbo was horrified, and ran away. The rest, though prohibiting its introduction the day before, had suffered so much during the night from cold, that they were now willing to give it a trial, which Gimbo thought very inconsistent in them. Fire-tamer laid it down, when, to the surprise of all, it did not run away. He then brought leaves to feed it, when it flamed up, or became “mad,” as they thought. None, however, would come near enough to feel its effects; when they said it was of no use as a warmer. [Illustration: THE WOOD-EATING ANIMAL IN THE CAMP OF THE AMMI.] “Wait till he shakes himself,” said Fire-tamer, “and you will get a fanning from his wings that will warm you all over.” He then fed the monster with brush, when to the surprise of all, who now approached with confidence, it ate greedily, and soon warmed them perceptibly. “See how he cracks the bones with his teeth,” said Pounder, in admiration of its strength, as the fire crackled and the sparks flew. “See what a dust he kicks up,” said another, as he observed the smoke. A spark at this moment flew out and lighted on Pounder, who gave a growl, and said the beast had snapped at him. He could scarcely be restrained from attacking it with his fists. All were gratified, however, at the warmth produced; for the day was cold, and they had not on their clothing, or else did not know how to use it. They accordingly huddled about the fire, and soon came to regard it as a necessity. “How can we keep it from running away?” asked one, who thought of their misfortune when they should be without it. “How can we take it with us when we move?” asked another. “I would not like to take hold of it or lead it.” “Fire-tamer can catch another,” answered Koree, “for he is skilled as a hunter of this monster, as well as a manager of it.” They wondered most at the voracity of the beast, who ate all the brush and logs they could carry to him.