But
they cared nothing for marbles, or circus, or swimming,
or anything. He reminded
them of the imposing secret, and raised a ray
of cheer. While it lasted, he got them interested in a new device. This
was to knock off being pirates, for a while, and be Indians for a
change. They were attracted by this idea; so it was not long before
they were stripped, and striped from head to heel with black mud, like
so many zebras-all of them chiefs, of course-and then they went
tearing through the woods to attack an English settlement.