They observed also that some of the fruits and roots which Cocoanut-scooper had tried to warm by placing them near the fire (for they were frozen) became scorched, or boiled in their own juice, and thereby much changed in taste. They found them better for the change; so that they soon sought to do by design what they first did by accident—prepare their food by fire—which was the beginning of the art of cooking. They also discovered that their food, thus treated, was more tender and wholesome, so that they could eat many things which were before too hard or tough, and they thereby greatly increased their food, which was a matter of importance at a time when it was being reduced by the cold. They also observed that when the fire was burning at night, it illumined the space about them, making a kind of artificial day. Night fled from it, as well as Cold and wild beasts, and stayed away as long as it remained. By its means they could see without sun, or moon or Aurora Borealis; and to overcome darkness in this way seemed the greatest triumph yet made by man or beast. Taking a stick one night which had been lighted at a heap of coals, Fire-tamer was enabled, by carrying it around, to find a wolf skin which Koree had lost, and which could not be found in the dark. This opened the eyes of the Ammi, and from that moment they began to use fire for light, as well as heat; and that stick was the first candle of the human race. That day could be carried about in small pieces seemed astounding. Through this discovery Fire-tamer gradually became the most important man among the Ammi. Neither the strength of Pounder, nor the courage of Koree, nor the wisdom of Abroo impressed the populace so much as the mastery by this man of the wood-eating beast. He was appealed to in all matters relating to fire. No other would venture to manage the animal. Fire-tamer came at length to be thought sacred. The beast, it was believed, dared not touch him. And Fire-tamer artfully used this mystery to strengthen his influence among the Men. He purposely kept them in ignorance and fear of the monster. He meant to keep control of this interest, which he had the wisdom to perceive was soon to become the most important one among the Ammi. He had, in short, a “corner” on fire, and meant to keep it.