"Well, then," began the captain, "I was once in a country where it was
very cold, and the poor people could scarcely keep themselves from
starving.
"They were clothed partly in the skins of beasts, made smooth and soft
by some particular art; but chiefly in garments made from the outer
covering of an animal cruelly stripped off its back while alive.
"They lived in houses partly sunk below the ground. These houses were
mostly built of stones or of earth hardened by fire.
"The walls of the houses had holes to let in light; but to prevent the
cold air and rain from coming in, they were covered with a sort of
transparent stone, made of melted sand.
"As wood was rather scarce, they used for fuel a certain kind of stone
which they dug out of the earth, and which, when put among burning
wood, catches fire and makes a bright flame."
"Dear me!" said Harry. "What a wonderful stone! Why didn't you
bring a piece home with you, father?"
"I have a piece, which I will show you some time," replied the captain.
"But to go on with my story.
"What these people eat is remarkable, too. Some of the poor people eat
fish which had been hung up and smoked until quite dry and hard, and
along with it they eat the roots of plants, or coarse, black cake made
of powdered seeds.
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