- That afternoon Matt sits in the cabin doorway, wishing he could tell his dad about the bear.
- This gets him to worrying about his dad, and wondering why he isn't back yet and whether something bad has happened—Matt hugs himself, but he can't get rid of the cold in his gut.
- Suddenly a war-painted Indian walks into the clearing, and Matt almost jumps.
- It's only Attean though, come by to invite Matty boy to the bear feast.
- Matt waste no time saying yes and follows Attean to his village. It's a long walk, and it's getting dark, but Matt refuses to complain.
- They cross a river in a canoe and finally arrive. Matt is beyond excited.
- He sees the fire and boiling kettles of meat, and the Indians sitting by the fire and milling around; they are painted and wearing their best clothes.
- Nobody pays attention to Matt except the row of people facing him, who stare at him with blank faces. Then Saknis gets up, looking king-like in his paint and finery, and welcomes Matt to the feast.
- The others repeat his welcome, and then it's party time.
- Saknis motions for quiet, takes a swig from a long pipe, and offers it to Attean; Attean joins him in the circle and takes a swig himself.
- Then he speaks and acts out the story of killing the bear. He's really good at it, and everyone watches, laughs, and gets into the story.
- Now it's time to dance. A snakelike Native American Congo-line forms, weaving around the fire to the rhythm of a rattle.
- Attean yanks Matt into the line, and Matt soon follows the rhythm and the movement—and before long he feels like the rhythm swallows him, like he belongs.
- When the dancing ends, Matt is exhausted and more than ready to scarf down delicious bear stew.
- He sees that Attean isn't eating. Attean explains that since he killed the bear, he doesn't eat it. Matt can tell he's proud of that, and he doesn't mind at all.
- As for Matt, he wolfs down more stew.
- As the night wears on, Matt gets sleepy, but the Indians keep talking, laughing, and partying—Matt can't believe he used to think they were "a dull lot" (16.32).
- As an Indian starts telling another story, Matt can't keep his head up anymore, so Attean brings him to a wigwam along with a mat for him to curl up on.
- Matt wakes up once and hears the Indians dancing again, but he's more than happy to stay in Snoozeville.