ThuswasIreceivedintothehorde。Red-Eyepaidnofurtherattentiontome，andIwasatlibertytowhimperandsobtomyheart’scontent。Severalofthewomengatheredcuriouslyaboutme，andIrecognizedthem。Ihadencounteredthemtheprecedingyearwhenmymotherhadtakenmetothehazelnutcanyons。
Buttheyquicklyleftmealone，beingreplacedbyadozencuriousandteasingyoungsters。Theyformedacirclearoundme，pointingtheirfingers，makingfaces，andpokingandpinchingme。Iwasfrightened，andforatimeIenduredthem，thenangergotthebestofmeandIsprangtoothandnailuponthemostaudaciousoneofthem——noneotherthanLop-Earhimself。Ihavesonamedhimbecausehecouldprickuponlyoneofhisears。Theotherearalwayshunglimpandwithoutmovement。Someaccidenthadinjuredthemusclesanddeprivedhimoftheuseofit。
Heclosedwithme，andwewentatitforalltheworldlikeacoupleofsmallboysfighting。Wescratchedandbit，pulledhair，clinched，andthreweachotherdown。
IrememberIsucceededingettingonhimwhatinmycollegedaysIlearnedwascalledahalf-Nelson。Thisholdgavemethedecidedadvantage。ButIdidnotenjoyitlong。Hetwisteduponeleg，andwiththefoot（orhind-hand）madesosavageanonslaughtuponmyabdomenastothreatentodisembowelme。Ihadtoreleasehiminordertosavemyself，andthenwewentatitagain。
Lop-EarwasayearolderthanI，butIwasseveraltimesangrierthanhe，andintheendhetooktohisheels。Ichasedhimacrosstheopenanddownarun-waytotheriver。Buthewasbetteracquaintedwiththelocalityandranalongtheedgeofthewaterandupanotherrun-way。Hecutdiagonallyacrosstheopenspaceanddashedintoawide-mouthedcave。
BeforeIknewit，Ihadplungedafterhimintothedarkness。ThenextmomentIwasbadlyfrightened。I
hadneverbeeninacavebefore。Ibegantowhimperandcryout。Lop-Earchatteredmockinglyatme，and，springinguponmeunseen，tumbledmeover。Hedidnotriskasecondencounter，however，andtookhimselfoff。
Iwasbetweenhimandtheentrance，andhedidnotpassme;yetheseemedtohavegoneaway。Ilistened，butcouldgetnoclewastowherehewas。Thispuzzledme，andwhenIregainedtheoutsideIsatdowntowatch。
Henevercameoutoftheentrance，ofthatIwascertain;yetattheendofseveralminuteshechuckledatmyelbow。AgainIranafterhim，andagainheranintothecave;butthistimeIstoppedatthemouth。I
droppedbackashortdistanceandwatched。Hedidnotcomeout，yet，asbefore，hechuckledatmyelbowandwaschasedbymeathirdtimeintothecave。
Thisperformancewasrepeatedseveraltimes。ThenI
followedhimintothecave，whereIsearchedvainlyforhim。Iwascurious。Icouldnotunderstandhowheeludedme。Alwayshewentintothecave，neverdidhecomeoutofit，yetalwaysdidhearrivethereatmyelbowandmockme。Thusdidourfighttransformitselfintoagameofhideandseek。
Allafternoon，withoccasionalintervals，wekeptitup，andaplayful，friendlyspiritarosebetweenus。
Intheend，hedidnotrunawayfromme，andwesattogetherwithourarmsaroundeachother。Alittlelaterhedisclosedthemysteryofthewide-mouthedcave。Holdingmebythehandheledmeinside。Itconnectedbyanarrowcrevicewithanothercave，anditwasthroughthisthatweregainedtheopenair。
Wewerenowgoodfriends。Whentheotheryoungonesgatheredaroundtotease，hejoinedwithmeinattackingthem;andsoviciouslydidwebehavethatbeforelongIwasletalone。Lop-Earmademeacquaintedwiththevillage。Therewaslittlethathecouldtellmeofconditionsandcustoms——hehadnotthenecessaryvocabulary;butbyobservinghisactionsI
learnedmuch，andalsoheshowedmeplacesandthings。
Hetookmeuptheopenspace，betweenthecavesandtheriver，andintotheforestbeyond，where，inagrassyplaceamongthetrees，wemadeamealofstringy-rootedcarrots。Afterthatwehadagooddrinkattheriverandstarteduptherun-waytothecaves。
Itwasintherun-waythatwecameuponRed-Eyeagain。
ThefirstIknew，Lop-Earhadshrunkawaytoonesideandwascrouchinglowagainstthebank。Naturallyandinvoluntarily，Iimitatedhim。ThenitwasthatI
lookedtoseethecauseofhisfear。ItwasRed-Eye，swaggeringdownthecentreoftherun-wayandscowlingfiercelywithhisinflamedeyes。Inoticedthatalltheyoungstersshrankawayfromhimaswehaddone，whilethegrown-upsregardedhimwithwaryeyeswhenhedrewnear，andsteppedasidetogivehimthecentreofthepath。
Astwilightcameon，theopenspacewasdeserted。TheFolkwereseekingthesafetyofthecaves。Lop-Earledthewaytobed。Highupthebluffweclimbed，higherthanalltheothercaves，toatinycrevicethatcouldnotbeseenfromtheground。IntothisLop-Earsqueezed。Ifollowedwithdifficulty，sonarrowwastheentrance，andfoundmyselfinasmallrock-chamber。
Itwasverylow——notmorethanacoupleoffeetinheight，andpossiblythreefeetbyfourinwidthandlength。Here，cuddledtogetherineachother’sarms，wesleptoutthenight。
CHAPTERVI
Whilethemorecourageousoftheyoungstersplayedinandoutofthelarge-mouthedcaves，Iearlylearnedthatsuchcaveswereunoccupied。Noonesleptinthematnight。Onlythecrevice-mouthedcaveswereused，thenarrowerthemouththebetter。Thiswasfromfearofthepreyinganimalsthatmadelifeaburdentousinthosedaysandnights。
Thefirstmorning，aftermynight’ssleepwithLop-Ear，Ilearnedtheadvantageofthenarrow-mouthedcaves。
ItwasjustdaylightwhenoldSaber-Tooth，thetiger，walkedintotheopenspace。TwooftheFolkwerealreadyup。Theymadearushforit。Whethertheywerepanic-stricken，orwhetherhewastoocloseontheirheelsforthemtoattempttoscrambleuptheblufftothecrevices，Idonotknow;butatanyratetheydashedintothewide-mouthedcavewhereinLop-EarandIhadplayedtheafternoonbefore。
Whathappenedinsidetherewasnowayoftelling，butitisfairtoconcludethatthetwoFolkslippedthroughtheconnectingcreviceintotheothercave。
ThiscrevicewastoosmalltoallowforthepassageofSaber-Tooth，andhecameoutthewayhehadgonein，unsatisfiedandangry。Itwasevidentthathisnight’shuntinghadbeenunsuccessfulandthathehadexpectedtomakeamealoffofus。HecaughtsightofthetwoFolkattheothercave-mouthandsprangforthem。Ofcourse，theydartedthroughthepassagewayintothefirstcave。Heemergedangrierthaneverandsnarling。
Pandemoniumbrokelooseamongsttherestofus。Allupanddownthegreatbluff，wecrowdedthecrevicesandoutsideledges，andwewereallchatteringandshriekinginathousandkeys。Andwewereallmakingfaces——snarlingfaces;thiswasaninstinctwithus。
WewereasangryasSaber-Tooth，thoughourangerwasalliedwithfear。IrememberthatIshriekedandmadefaceswiththebestofthem。Notonlydidtheysettheexample，butIfelttheurgefromwithinmetodothesamethingstheyweredoing。Myhairwasbristling，andIwasconvulsedwithafierce，unreasoningrage。
ForsometimeoldSaber-Toothcontinueddashinginandoutoffirsttheonecaveandthentheother。ButthetwoFolkmerelyslippedbackandforththroughtheconnectingcreviceandeludedhim。Inthemeantimetherestofusupthebluffhadproceededtoaction。Everytimeheappearedoutsidewepeltedhimwithrocks。Atfirstwemerelydroppedthemonhim，butwesoonbegantowhizthemdownwiththeaddedforceofourmuscles。
ThisbombardmentdrewSaber-Tooth’sattentiontousandmadehimangrierthanever。HeabandonedhispursuitofthetwoFolkandspranguptheblufftowardtherestofus，clawingatthecrumblingrockandsnarlingasheclawedhisupwardway。Atthisawfulsight，thelastoneofussoughtrefugeinsideourcaves。Iknowthis，becauseIpeepedoutandsawthewholebluff-sidedeserted，saveforSaber-Tooth，whohadlosthisfootingandwasslidingandfallingdown。
Icalledoutthecryofencouragement，andagainthebluffwascoveredbythescreaminghordeandthestoneswerefallingfasterthanever。Saber-Toothwasfranticwithrage。Timeandagainheassaultedthebluff。
Onceheevengainedthefirstcrevice-entrancesbeforehefellback，butwasunabletoforcehiswayinside。
Witheachupwardrushhemade，wavesoffearsurgedoverus。Atfirst，atsuchtimes，mostofusdashedinside;butsomeremainedoutsidetohammerhimwithstones，andsoonallofusremainedoutsideandkeptupthefusillade。
Neverwassomasterlyacreaturesocompletelybaffled。
Ithurthisprideterribly，thustobeoutwittedbythesmallandtenderFolk。Hestoodonthegroundandlookedupatus，snarling，lashinghistail，snappingatthestonesthatfellneartohim。OnceIwhizzeddownastone，andjustattherightmomenthelookedup。Itcaughthimfullontheendofhisnose，andhewentstraightupintheair，allfourfeetofhim，roaringandcaterwauling，whatofthehurtandsurprise。
Hewasbeatenandheknewit。Recoveringhisdignity，hestalkedoutsolemnlyfromundertherainofstones。
Hestoppedinthemiddleoftheopenspaceandlookedwistfullyandhungrilybackatus。Hehatedtoforegothemeal，andwewerejustsomuchmeat，corneredbutinaccessible。Thissightofhimstartedustolaughing。Welaughedderisivelyanduproariously，allofus。Nowanimalsdonotlikemockery。Tobelaughedatmakesthemangry。AndinsuchfashionourlaughteraffectedSaber-Tooth。Heturnedwitharoarandchargedthebluffagain。Thiswaswhatwewanted。Thefighthadbecomeagame，andwetookhugedelightinpeltinghim。
Butthisattackdidnotlastlong。Hequicklyrecoveredhiscommonsense，andbesides，ourmissileswereshrewdtohurt。VividlydoIrecollectthevisionofonebulgingeyeofhis，swollenalmostshutbyoneofthestoneswehadthrown。AndvividlydoIretainthepictureofhimashestoodontheedgeoftheforestwhitherhehadfinallyretreated。Hewaslookingbackatus，hiswrithinglipsliftedclearoftheveryrootsofhishugefangs，hishairbristlingandhistaillashing。Hegaveonelastsnarlandslidfromviewamongthetrees。
Andthensuchachatteringaswentup。Weswarmedoutofourholes，examiningthemarkshisclawshadmadeonthecrumblingrockofthebluff，allofustalkingatonce。OneofthetwoFolkwhohadbeencaughtinthedoublecavewaspart-grown，halfchildandhalfyouth。
Theyhadcomeoutproudlyfromtheirrefuge，andwesurroundedtheminanadmiringcrowd。Thentheyoungfellow’smotherbrokethroughandfelluponhiminatremendousrage，boxinghisears，pullinghishair，andshriekinglikeademon。Shewasastrappingbigwoman，veryhairy，andthethrashingshegavehimwasadelighttothehorde。Weroaredwithlaughter，holdingontooneanotherorrollingonthegroundinourglee。
Inspiteofthereignoffearunderwhichwelived，theFolkwerealwaysgreatlaughers。Wehadthesenseofhumor。OurmerrimentwasGargantuan。Itwasneverrestrained。Therewasnothinghalfwayaboutit。Whenathingwasfunnywewereconvulsedwithappreciationofit，andthesimplest，crudestthingswerefunnytous。Oh，weweregreatlaughers，Icantellyou。
ThewaywehadtreatedSaber-Toothwasthewaywetreatedallanimalsthatinvadedthevillage。Wekeptourrun-waysanddrinking-placestoourselvesbymakinglifemiserablefortheanimalsthattrespassedorstrayeduponourimmediateterritory。Eventhefiercesthuntinganimalswesobedevilledthattheylearnedtoleaveourplacesalone。Wewerenotfighterslikethem;wewerecunningandcowardly，anditwasbecauseofourcunningandcowardice，andourinordinatecapacityforfear，thatwesurvivedinthatfrightfullyhostileenvironmentoftheYoungerWorld。
Lop-Ear，Ifigure，wasayearolderthanI。Whathispasthistorywashehadnowayoftellingme，butasI
neversawanythingofhismotherIbelievedhimtobeanorphan。Afterall，fathersdidnotcountinourhorde。Marriagewasasyetinarudestate，andcoupleshadawayofquarrellingandseparating。
Modernman，whatofhisdivorceinstitution，doesthesamethinglegally。Butwehadnolaws。Customwasallwewentby，andourcustominthisparticularmatterwasratherpromiscuous。
Nevertheless，asthisnarrativewillshowlateron，webetrayedglimmeringadumbrationsofthemonogamythatwaslatertogivepowerto，andmakemighty，suchtribesasembracedit。Furthermore，evenatthetimeI
wasborn，therewereseveralfaithfulcouplesthatlivedinthetreesintheneighborhoodofmymother。
Livinginthethickofthehordedidnotconducetomonogamy。Itwasforthisreason，undoubtedly，thatthefaithfulcoupleswentawayandlivedbythemselves。
Throughmanyyearsthesecouplesstayedtogether，thoughwhenthemanorwomandiedorwaseatenthesurvivorinvariablyfoundanewmate。
Therewasonethingthatgreatlypuzzledmeduringthefirstdaysofmyresidenceinthehorde。Therewasanamelessandincommunicablefearthatresteduponall。
Atfirstitappearedtobeconnectedwhollywithdirection。Thehordefearedthenortheast。Itlivedinperpetualapprehensionofthatquarterofthecompass。Andeveryindividualgazedmorefrequentlyandwithgreateralarminthatdirectionthaninanyother。
WhenLop-EarandIwenttowardthenorth-easttoeatthestringy-rootedcarrotsthatatthatseasonwereattheirbest，hebecameunusuallytimid。Hewascontenttoeattheleavings，thebigtoughcarrotsandthelittleropyones，ratherthantoventureashortdistancefartherontowherethecarrotswereasyetuntouched。WhenIsoventured，hescoldedmeandquarrelledwithme。Hegavemetounderstandthatinthatdirectionwassomehorribledanger，butjustwhatthehorribledangerwashispaucityoflanguagewouldnotpermithimtosay。
ManyagoodmealIgotinthisfashion，whilehescoldedandchatteredvainlyatme。Icouldnotunderstand。Ikeptveryalert，butIcouldseenodanger。Icalculatedalwaysthedistancebetweenmyselfandthenearesttree，andknewthattothathavenofrefugeIcouldout-foottheTawnyOne，oroldSaber-Tooth，didoneortheothersuddenlyappear。
Onelateafternoon，inthevillage，agreatuproararose。Thehordewasanimatedwithasingleemotion，thatoffear。Thebluff-sideswarmedwiththeFolk，allgazingandpointingintothenortheast。Ididnotknowwhatitwas，butIscrambledallthewayuptothesafetyofmyownhighlittlecavebeforeeverIturnedaroundtosee。
Andthen，acrosstheriver，awayintothenortheast，I
sawforthefirsttimethemysteryofsmoke。ItwasthebiggestanimalIhadeverseen。Ithoughtitwasamonstersnake，up-ended，rearingitsheadhighabovethetreesandswayingbackandforth。Andyet，somehow，IseemedtogatherfromtheconductoftheFolkthatthesmokeitselfwasnotthedanger。Theyappearedtofearitasthetokenofsomethingelse。
WhatthissomethingelsewasIwasunabletoguess。
Norcouldtheytellme。YetIwassoontoknow，andI
wastoknowitasathingmoreterriblethantheTawnyOne，thanoldSaber-Tooth，thanthesnakesthemselves，thanwhichitseemedtherecouldbenothingsmoreterrible。
CHAPTERVII
Broken-Toothwasanotheryoungsterwholivedbyhimself。Hismotherlivedinthecaves，buttwomorechildrenhadcomeafterhimandhehadbeenthrustouttoshiftforhimself。Wehadwitnessedtheperformanceduringtheseveralprecedingdays，andithadgivenusnolittleglee。Broken-Toothdidnotwanttogo，andeverytimehismotherleftthecavehesneakedbackintoit。Whenshereturnedandfoundhimthereherragesweredelightful。Halfthehordemadeapracticeofwatchingforthesemoments。First，fromwithinthecave，wouldcomeherscoldingandshrieking。ThenwecouldhearsoundsofthethrashingandtheyellingofBroken-Tooth。Aboutthistimethetwoyoungerchildrenjoinedin。Andfinally，liketheeruptionofaminiaturevolcano，Broken-Toothwouldcomeflyingout。
Attheendofseveraldayshisleavinghomewasaccomplished。Hewailedhisgrief，unheeded，fromthecentreoftheopenspace，foratleasthalfanhour，andthencametolivewithLop-Earandme。Ourcavewassmall，butwithsqueezingtherewasroomforthree。I
havenorecollectionofBroken-Toothspendingmorethanonenightwithus，sotheaccidentmusthavehappenedrightaway。
Itcameinthemiddleoftheday。Inthemorningwehadeatenourfillofthecarrots，andthen，madeheedlessbyplay，wehadventuredontothebigtreesjustbeyond。IcannotunderstandhowLop-Eargotoverhishabitualcaution，butitmusthavebeentheplay。
Wewerehavingagreattimeplayingtreetag。Andsuchtag！Weleapedtenorfifteen-footgapsasamatterofcourse。Andatwentyortwenty-fivefootdeliberatedropcleardowntothegroundwasnothingtous。Infact，Iamalmostafraidtosaythegreatdistanceswedropped。Aswegrewolderandheavierwefoundwehadtobemorecautiousindropping，butatthatageourbodieswereallstringsandspringsandwecoulddoanything。
Broken-Toothdisplayedremarkableagilityinthegame。
Hewas\"It\"lessfrequentlythananyofus，andinthecourseofthegamehediscoveredonedifficult\"slip\"
thatneitherLop-EarnorIwasabletoaccomplish。Tobetruthful，wewereafraidtoattemptit。
Whenwewere\"It，\"Broken-Toothalwaysranouttotheendofaloftybranchinacertaintree。Fromtheendofthebranchtothegrounditmusthavebeenseventyfeet，andnothingintervenedtobreakafall。Butabouttwentyfeetlowerdown，andfullyfifteenfeetoutfromtheperpendicular，wasthethickbranchofanothertree。
Asweranoutthelimb，Broken-Tooth，facingus，wouldbeginteetering。Thisnaturallyimpededourprogress;
buttherewasmoreintheteeteringthanthat。Heteeteredwithhisbacktothejumphewastomake。
Justaswenearlyreachedhimhewouldletgo。Theteeteringbranchwaslikeaspring-board。Itthrewhimfarout，backward，ashefell。Andashefellheturnedaroundsidewiseintheairsoastofacetheotherbranchintowhichhewasfalling。Thisbranchbentfardownundertheimpact，andsometimestherewasanominouscrackling;butitneverbroke，andoutoftheleaveswasalwaystobeseenthefaceofBroken-Toothgrinningtriumphantlyupatus。
Iwas\"It\"thelasttimeBroken-Toothtriedthis。Hehadgainedtheendofthebranchandbegunhisteetering，andIwascreepingoutafterhim，whensuddenlytherecamealowwarningcryfromLop-Ear。I
lookeddownandsawhiminthemainforkofthetreecrouchingcloseagainstthetrunk。InstinctivelyI
croucheddownuponthethicklimb。Broken-Toothstoppedteetering，butthebranchwouldnotstop，andhisbodycontinuedbobbingupanddownwiththerustlingleaves。
Iheardthecrackleofadrytwig，andlookingdownsawmyfirstFire-Man。Hewascreepingstealthilyalongonthegroundandpeeringupintothetree。AtfirstI
thoughthewasawildanimal，becauseheworearoundhiswaistandoverhisshouldersaraggedpieceofbearskin。AndthenIsawhishandsandfeet，andmoreclearlyhisfeatures。Hewasverymuchlikemykind，exceptthathewaslesshairyandthathisfeetwerelesslikehandsthanours。Infact，heandhispeople，asIwaslatertoknow，werefarlesshairythanwe，thoughwe，inturn，wereequallylesshairythantheTreePeople。
Itcametomeinstantly，asIlookedathim。Thiswastheterrorofthenortheast，ofwhichthemysteryofsmokewasatoken。YetIwaspuzzled。Certainlyhewasnothing;ofwhichtobeafraid。Red-Eyeoranyofourstrongmenwouldhavebeenmorethanamatchforhim。Hewasold，too，wizenedwithage，andthehaironhisfacewasgray。Also，helimpedbadlywithoneleg。Therewasnodoubtatallthatwecouldout-runhimandout-climbhim。Hecouldnevercatchus，thatwascertain。
ButhecarriedsomethinginhishandthatIhadneverseenbefore。Itwasabowandarrow。Butatthattimeabowandarrowhadnomeaningforme。HowwasItoknowthatdeathlurkedinthatbentpieceofwood？ButLop-Earknew。HehadevidentlyseentheFirePeoplebeforeandknewsomethingoftheirways。TheFire-Manpeeredupathimandcircledaroundthetree。AndaroundthemaintrunkabovetheforkLop-Earcircledtoo，keepingalwaysthetrunkbetweenhimselfandtheFire-Man。
Thelatterabruptlyreversedhiscircling。Lop-Ear，caughtunawares，alsohastilyreversed，butdidnotwintheprotectionofthetrunkuntilaftertheFire-Manhadtwangedthebow。
Isawthearrowleapup，missLop-Ear，glanceagainstalimb，andfallbacktotheground。Idancedupanddownonmyloftyperchwithdelight。Itwasagame！
TheFire-ManwasthrowingthingsatLop-Earaswesometimesthrewthingsatoneanother。
Thegamecontinuedalittlelonger，butLop-Eardidnotexposehimselfasecondtime。ThentheFire-Mangaveitup。Ileanedfaroutovermyhorizontallimbandchattereddownathim。Iwantedtoplay。Iwantedtohavehimtrytohitmewiththething。Hesawme，butignoredme，turninghisattentiontoBroken-Tooth，whowasstillteeteringslightlyandinvoluntarilyontheendofthebranch。
Thefirstarrowleapedupward。Broken-Toothyelledwithfrightandpain。Ithadreacheditsmark。Thisputanewcomplexiononthematter。Inolongercaredtoplay，butcrouchedtremblingclosetomylimb。A
secondarrowandathirdsoaredup，missingBroken-Tooth，rustlingtheleavesastheypassedthrough，archingintheirflightandreturningtoearth。
TheFire-Manstretchedhisbowagain。Heshiftedhisposition，walkingawayseveralsteps，thenshifteditasecondtime。Thebow-stringtwanged，thearrowleapedupward，andBroken-Tooth，utteringaterriblescream，felloffthebranch。Isawhimashewentdown，turningoverandover，allarmsandlegsitseemed，theshaftofthearrowprojectingfromhischestandappearinganddisappearingwitheachrevolutionofhisbody。
Sheerdown，screaming，seventyfeethefell，smashingtotheearthwithanaudiblethudandcrunch，hisbodyreboundingslightlyandsettlingdownagain。Stillhelived，forhemovedandsquirmed，clawingwithhishandsandfeet。IremembertheFire-Manrunningforwardwithastoneandhammeringhimonthehead……andthenIremembernomore。
Always，duringmychildhood，atthisstageofthedream，didIwakeupscreamingwithfright——tofind，often，mymotherornurse，anxiousandstartled，bymybedside，passingsoothinghandsthroughmyhairandtellingmethattheywerethereandthattherewasnothingtofear。
Mynextdream，intheorderofsuccession，beginsalwayswiththeflightofLop-Earandmyselfthroughtheforest。TheFire-ManandBroken-Toothandthetreeofthetragedyaregone。Lop-EarandI，inacautiouspanic，arefleeingthroughthetrees。Inmyrightlegisaburningpain;andfromtheflesh，protrudingheadandshaftfromeitherside，isanarrowoftheFire-Man。Notonlydidthepullandstrainofitpainmeseverely，butitbotheredmymovementsandmadeitimpossibleformetokeepupwithLop-Ear。
AtlastIgaveup，crouchinginthesecureforkofatree。Lop-Earwentrighton。Icalledtohim——mostplaintively，Iremember;andhestoppedandlookedback。Thenhereturnedtome，climbingintotheforkandexaminingthearrow。Hetriedtopullitout，butonewaythefleshresistedthebarbedlead，andtheotherwayitresistedthefeatheredshaft。Also，ithurtgrievously，andIstoppedhim。
Forsometimewecrouchedthere，Lop-Earnervousandanxioustobegone，perpetuallyandapprehensivelypeeringthiswayandthat，andmyselfwhimperingsoftlyandsobbing。Lop-Earwasplainlyinafunk，andyethisconductinremainingbyme，inspiteofhisfear，I
takeasaforeshadowingofthealtruismandcomradeshipthathavehelpedmakemanthemightiestoftheanimals。
OnceagainLop-Eartriedtodragthearrowthroughtheflesh，andIangrilystoppedhim。Thenhebentdownandbegangnawingtheshaftofthearrowwithhisteeth。Ashedidsoheheldthearrowfirmlyinbothhandssothatitwouldnotplayaboutinthewound，andatthesametimeIheldontohim。Ioftenmeditateuponthisscene——thetwoofus，half-growncubs，inthechildhoodoftherace，andtheonemasteringhisfear，beatingdownhisselfishimpulseofflight，inordertostandbyandsuccortheother。Andthererisesupbeforemeallthatwasthereforeshadowed，andIseevisionsofDamonandPythias，oflife-savingcrewsandRedCrossnurses，ofmartyrsandleadersofforlornhopes，ofFatherDamien，andoftheChristhimself，andofallthemenofearth，mightyofstature，whosestrengthmaytracebacktotheelementalloinsofLop-EarandBig-ToothandotherdimdenizensoftheYoungerWorld。
WhenLop-Earhadchewedofftheheadofthearrow，theshaftwaswithdrawneasilyenough。Istartedtogoon，butthistimeitwashethatstoppedme。Mylegwasbleedingprofusely。Someofthesmallerveinshaddoubtlessbeenruptured。Runningouttotheendofabranch，Lop-Eargatheredahandfulofgreenleaves。
Thesehestuffedintothewound。Theyaccomplishedthepurpose，forthebleedingsoonstopped。Thenwewentontogether，backtothesafetyofthecaves。
CHAPTERVIII
WelldoIrememberthatfirstwinterafterIlefthome。
Ihavelongdreamsofsittingshiveringinthecold。
Lop-EarandIsitclosetogether，withourarmsandlegsabouteachother，blue-facedandwithchatteringteeth。Itgotparticularlycrispalongtowardmorning。
Inthosechillearlyhourswesleptlittle，huddlingtogetherinnumbmiseryandwaitingforthesunriseinordertogetwarm。
Whenwewentoutsidetherewasacrackleoffrostunderfoot。Onemorningwediscoverediceonthesurfaceofthequietwaterintheeddywherewasthedrinking-place，andtherewasagreatHow-do-you-doaboutit。OldMarrow-Bonewastheoldestmemberofthehorde，andhehadneverseenanythinglikeitbefore。
Iremembertheworried，plaintivelookthatcameintohiseyesasheexaminedtheice。（Thisplaintivelookalwayscameintooureyeswhenwedidnotunderstandathing，orwhenwefelttheprodofsomevagueandinexpressibledesire。）Red-Eye，too，whenheinvestigatedtheice，lookedbleakandplaintive，andstaredacrosstheriverintothenortheast，asthoughinsomewayheconnectedtheFirePeoplewiththislatesthappening。
Butwefoundiceonlyonthatonemorning，andthatwasthecoldestwinterweexperienced。Ihavenomemoryofotherwinterswhenitwassocold。Ihaveoftenthoughtthatthatcoldwinterwasafore-runnerofthecountlesscoldwinterstocome，astheice-sheetfromfarthernorthcreptdownoverthefaceoftheland。Butweneversawthatice-sheet。Manygenerationsmusthavepassedawaybeforethedescendantsofthehordemigratedsouth，orremainedandadaptedthemselvestothechangedconditions。
Lifewashitormissandhappy-go-luckywithus。
Littlewaseverplanned，andlesswasexecuted。Weatewhenwewerehungry，drankwhenwewerethirsty，avoidedourcarnivorousenemies，tookshelterinthecavesatnight，andfortherestjustsortofplayedalongthroughlife。
Wewereverycurious，easilyamused，andfulloftricksandpranks。Therewasnoseriousnessaboutus，exceptwhenwewereindangerorwereangry，inwhichcasestheonewasquicklyforgottenandtheotherasquicklygotover。
Wewereinconsecutive，illogical，andinconsequential。
Wehadnosteadfastnessofpurpose，anditwasherethattheFirePeoplewereaheadofus。Theypossessedallthesethingsofwhichwepossessedsolittle。
Occasionally，however，especiallyintherealmoftheemotions，wewerecapableoflong-cherishedpurpose。
ThefaithfulnessofthemonogamiccouplesIhavereferredtomaybeexplainedasamatterofhabit;butmylongdesirefortheSwiftOnecannotbesoexplained，anymorethancanbeexplainedtheundyingenmitybetweenmeandRed-Eye。
ButitwasourinconsequentialityandstupiditythatespeciallydistressesmewhenIlookbackuponthatlifeinthelongago。OnceIfoundabrokengourdwhichhappenedtolierightsideupandwhichhadbeenfilledwiththerain。Thewaterwassweet，andIdrankit。I
eventookthegourddowntothestreamandfilleditwithmorewater，someofwhichIdrankandsomeofwhichIpouredoverLop-Ear。AndthenIthrewthegourdaway。Itneverenteredmyheadtofillthegourdwithwaterandcarryitintomycave。YetoftenIwasthirstyatnight，especiallyaftereatingwildonionsandwatercress，andnooneeverdaredleavethecavesatnightforadrink。
AnothertimeIfoundadry;gourd，insideofwhichtheseedsrattled。Ihadfunwithitforawhile。Butitwasaplaything，nothingmore。Andyet，itwasnotlongafterthisthattheusingofgourdsforstoringwaterbecamethegeneralpracticeofthehorde。ButI
wasnottheinventor。ThehonorwasduetooldMarrow-Bone，anditisfairtoassumethatitwasthenecessityofhisgreatagethatbroughtabouttheinnovation。
Atanyrate，thefirstmemberofthehordetousegourdswasMarrow-Bone。Hekeptasupplyofdrinking-waterinhiscave，whichcavebelongedtohisson，theHairlessOne，whopermittedhimtooccupyacornerofit。WeusedtoseeMarrow-Bonefillinghisgourdatthedrinking-placeandcarryingitcarefullyuptohiscave。ImitationwasstrongintheFolk，andfirstone，andthenanotherandanother，procuredagourdanduseditinsimilarfashion，untilitwasageneralpracticewithallofussotostorewater。
SometimesoldMarrow-Bonehadsickspellsandwasunabletoleavethecave。ThenitwasthattheHairlessOnefilledthegourdforhim。Alittlelater，theHairlessOnedeputedthetasktoLong-Lip，hisson。Andafterthat，evenwhenMarrow-Bonewaswellagain，Long-Lipcontinuedcarryingwaterforhim。Byandby，exceptonunusualoccasions，themennevercarriedanywateratall，leavingthetasktothewomenandlargerchildren。Lop-EarandIwereindependent。
Wecarriedwateronlyforourselves，andweoftenmockedtheyoungwater-carrierswhentheywerecalledawayfromplaytofillthegourds。
Progresswasslowwithus。Weplayedthroughlife，eventheadults，muchinthesamewaythatchildrenplay，andweplayedasnoneoftheotheranimalsplayed。Whatlittlewelearned，wasusuallyinthecourseofplay，andwasduetoourcuriosityandkeennessofappreciation。Forthatmatter，theonebiginventionofthehorde，duringthetimeIlivedwithit，wastheuseofgourds。Atfirstwestoredonlywaterinthegourds——inimitationofoldMarrow-Bone。
Butonedaysomeoneofthewomen——Idonotknowwhichone——filledagourdwithblack-berriesandcarriedittohercave。Innotimeallthewomenwerecarryingberriesandnutsandrootsinthegourds。Theidea，oncestarted，hadtogoon。Anotherevolutionofthecarrying-receptaclewasduetothewomen。Withoutdoubt，somewoman’sgourdwastoosmall，orelseshehadforgottenhergourd;butbethatasitmay，shebenttwogreatleavestogether，pinningtheseamswithtwigs，andcarriedhomeabiggerquantityofberriesthancouldhavebeencontainedinthelargestgourd。
Sofarwegot，andnofarther，inthetransportationofsuppliesduringtheyearsIlivedwiththeFolk。Itneverenteredanybody’sheadtoweaveabasketoutofwillow-withes。Sometimesthemenandwomentiedtoughvinesaboutthebundlesoffernsandbranchesthattheycarriedtothecavestosleepupon。Possiblyintenortwentygenerationswemighthaveworkeduptotheweavingofbaskets。Andofthis，onethingissure：ifoncewewovewithesintobaskets，thenextandinevitablestepwouldhavebeentheweavingofcloth。
Clotheswouldhavefollowed，andwithcoveringournakednesswouldhavecomemodesty。
ThuswasmomentumgainedintheYoungerWorld。Butwewerewithoutthismomentum。Wewerejustgettingstarted，andwecouldnotgofarinasinglegeneration。Wewerewithoutweapons，withoutfire，andintherawbeginningsofspeech。ThedeviceofwritinglaysofarinthefuturethatIamappalledwhenI
thinkofit。
EvenIwasonceonthevergeofagreatdiscovery。ToshowyouhowfortuitouswasdevelopmentinthosedaysletmestatethathaditnotbeenforthegluttonyofLop-EarImighthavebroughtaboutthedomesticationofthedog。AndthiswassomethingthattheFirePeoplewholivedtothenortheasthadnotyetachieved。Theywerewithoutdogs;thisIknewfromobservation。ButletmetellyouhowLop-Ear’sgluttonypossiblysetbackoursocialdevelopmentmanygenerations。
Welltothewestofourcaveswasagreatswamp，buttothesouthlayastretchoflow，rockyhills。Thesewerelittlefrequentedfortworeasons。Firstofall，therewasnofoodthereofthekindweate;andnext，thoserockyhillswerefilledwiththelairsofcarnivorousbeasts。
ButLop-EarandIstrayedovertothehillsoneday。
Wewouldnothavestrayedhadwenotbeenteasingatiger。Pleasedonotlaugh。ItwasoldSaber-Toothhimself。Wewereperfectlysafe。Wechanceduponhimintheforest，earlyinthemorning，andfromthesafetyofthebranchesoverheadwechattereddownathimourdislikeandhatred。Andfrombranchtobranch，andfromtreetotree，wefollowedoverhead，makinganinfernalrowandwarningalltheforest-dwellersthatoldSaber-Toothwascoming。
Wespoiledhishuntingforhim，anyway。Andwemadehimgoodandangry。Hesnarledatusandlashedhistail，andsometimeshepausedandstaredupatusquietlyforalongtime，asifdebatinginhismindsomewaybywhichhecouldgetholdofus。Butweonlylaughedandpeltedhimwithtwigsandtheendsofbranches。
Thistiger-baitingwascommonsportamongthefolk。
Sometimeshalfthehordewouldfollowfromoverheadatigerorlionthathadventuredoutinthedaytime。Itwasourrevenge;formorethanonememberofthehorde，caughtunexpectedly，hadgonethewayofthetiger’sbellyorthelion’s。Also，bysuchordealsofhelplessnessandshame，wetaughtthehuntinganimalstosomeextenttokeepoutofourterritory。Andthenitwasfunny。Itwasagreatgame。
AndsoLop-EarandIhadchasedSaber-Toothacrossthreemilesofforest。Towardthelastheputhistailbetweenhislegsandfledfromourgibinglikeabeatencur。Wedidourbesttokeepupwithhim;butwhenwereachedtheedgeoftheforesthewasnomorethanastreakinthedistance。
Idon’tknowwhatpromptedus，unlessitwascuriosity;
butafterplayingaroundawhile，Lop-EarandIventuredacrosstheopengroundtotheedgeoftherockyhills。
Wedidnotgofar。Possiblyatnotimewerewemorethanahundredyardsfromthetrees。Comingaroundasharpcornerofrock（wewentverycarefully，becausewedidnotknowwhatwemightencounter），wecameuponthreepuppiesplayinginthesun。
Theydidnotseeus，andwewatchedthemforsometime。
Theywerewilddogs。Intherock-wallwasahorizontalfissure——evidentlythelairwheretheirmotherhadleftthem，andwheretheyshouldhaveremainedhadtheybeenobedient。Butthegrowinglife，thatinLop-Earandmehadimpelledustoventureawayfromtheforest，haddriventhepuppiesoutofthecavetofrolic。Iknowhowtheirmotherwouldhavepunishedthemhadshecaughtthem。
ButitwasLop-EarandIwhocaughtthem。Helookedatme，andthenwemadeadashforit。Thepuppiesknewnoplacetorunexceptintothelair，andweheadedthemoff。Onerushedbetweenmylegs。Isquattedandgrabbedhim。Hesankhissharplittleteethintomyarm，andIdroppedhiminthesuddennessofthehurtandsurprise。Thenextmomenthehadscurriedinside。
Lop-Ear，strugglingwiththesecondpuppy，scowledatmeandintimatedbyavarietyofsoundsthedifferentkindsofafoolandabunglerthatIwas。Thismademeashamedandspurredmetovalor。Igrabbedtheremainingpuppybythetail。Hegothisteethintomeonce，andthenIgothimbythenapeoftheneck。
Lop-EarandIsatdown，andheldthepuppiesup，andlookedatthem，andlaughed。
Theyweresnarlingandyelpingandcrying。Lop-Earstartedsuddenly。Hethoughthehadheardsomething。
Welookedateachotherinfear，realizingthedangerofourposition。Theonethingthatmadeanimalsragingdemonswastamperingwiththeiryoung。Andthesepuppiesthatmadesucharacketbelongedtothewilddogs。Wellweknewthem，runninginpacks，theterrorofthegrass-eatinganimals。Wehadwatchedthemfollowingtheherdsofcattleandbisonanddraggingdownthecalves，theaged，andthesick。Wehadbeenchasedbythemourselves，morethanonce。I
hadseenoneoftheFolk，awoman，rundownbythemandcaughtjustasshereachedtheshelterofthewoods。
Hadshenotbeentiredoutbytherun，shemighthavemadeitintoatree。Shetried，andslipped，andfellback。Theymadeshortworkofher。
Wedidnotstareateachotherlongerthanamoment。
Keepingtightholdofourprizes，weranforthewoods。
Onceinthesecurityofatalltree，weheldupthepuppiesandlaughedagain。Yousee，wehadtohaveourlaughout，nomatterwhathappened。
AndthenbeganoneofthehardesttasksIeverattempted。Westartedtocarrythepuppiestoourcave。Insteadofusingourhandsforclimbing，mostofthetimetheywereoccupiedwithholdingoursquirmingcaptives。Oncewetriedtowalkontheground，butweretreedbyamiserablehyena，whofollowedalongunderneath。Hewasawisehyena。
Lop-Eargotanidea。Herememberedhowwetiedupbundlesofleavestocarryhomeforbeds。Breakingoffsometoughvines，hetiedhispuppy’slegstogether，andthen，withanotherpieceofvinepassedaroundhisneck，slungthepuppyonhisback。Thislefthimwithhandsandfeetfreetoclimb。Hewasjubilant，anddidnotwaitformetofinishtyingmypuppy’slegs，butstartedon。Therewasonedifficulty，however。Thepuppywouldn’tstayslungonLop-Ear’sback。Itswungaroundtothesideandthenoninfront。Itsteethwerenottied，andthenextthingitdidwastosinkitsteethintoLop-Ear’ssoftandunprotectedstomach。
Heletoutascream，nearlyfell，andclutchedabranchviolentlywithbothhandstosavehimself。Thevinearoundhisneckbroke，andthepuppy，itsfourlegsstilltied，droppedtotheground。Thehyenaproceededtodine。
Lop-Earwasdisgustedandangry。Heabusedthehyena，andthenwentoffalonethroughthetrees。IhadnoreasonthatIknewforwantingtocarrythepuppytothecave，exceptthatIWANTEDto;andIstayedbymytask。ImadetheworkagreatdealeasierbyelaboratingonLop-Ear’sidea。NotonlydidItiethepuppy’slegs，butIthrustastickthroughhisjawsandtiedthemtogethersecurely。
AtlastIgotthepuppyhome。IimagineIhadmorepertinacitythantheaverageFolk，orelseIshouldnothavesucceeded。Theylaughedatmewhentheysawmeluggingthepuppyuptomyhighlittlecave，butIdidnotmind。Successcrownedmyefforts，andtherewasthepuppy。HewasaplaythingsuchasnoneoftheFolkpossessed。Helearnedrapidly。WhenIplayedwithhimandhebitme，Iboxedhisears，andthenhedidnottryagaintobiteforalongtime。
Iwasquitetakenupwithhim。Hewassomethingnew，anditwasacharacteristicoftheFolktolikenewthings。WhenIsawthatherefusedfruitsandvegetables，Icaughtbirdsforhimandsquirrelsandyoungrabbits。（WeFolkweremeat-eaters，aswellasvegetarians，andwewereadeptatcatchingsmallgame。）
Thepuppyatethemeatandthrived。AswellasIcanestimate，Imusthavehadhimoveraweek。Andthen，comingbacktothecaveonedaywithanestfulofyoung-hatchedpheasants，IfoundLop-Earhadkilledthepuppyandwasjustbeginningtoeathim。IsprangforLop-Ear，——thecavewassmall，——andwewentatittoothandnail。
Andthus，inafight，endedoneoftheearliestattemptstodomesticatethedog。Wepulledhairoutinhandfuls，andscratchedandbitandgouged。Thenwesulkedandmadeup。Afterthatweatethepuppy。Raw？
Yes。Wehadnotyetdiscoveredfire。Ourevolutionintocookinganimalslayinthetight-rolledscrollofthefuture。
CHAPTERIX
Red-Eyewasanatavism。Hewasthegreatdiscordantelementinourhorde。Hewasmoreprimitivethananyofus。Hedidnotbelongwithus，yetwewerestillsoprimitiveourselvesthatwewereincapableofacooperativeeffortstrongenoughtokillhimorcasthimout。Rudeaswasoursocialorganization，hewas，nevertheless，toorudetoliveinit。Hetendedalwaystodestroythehordebyhisunsocialacts。Hewasreallyareversiontoanearliertype，andhisplacewaswiththeTreePeopleratherthanwithuswhowereintheprocessofbecomingmen。
Hewasamonsterofcruelty，whichissayingagreatdealinthatday。Hebeathiswives——notthatheeverhadmorethanonewifeatatime，butthathewasmarriedmanytimes。Itwasimpossibleforanywomantolivewithhim，andyettheydidlivewithhim，outofcompulsion。Therewasnogainsayinghim。
Nomanwasstrongenoughtostandagainsthim。
OftendoIhavevisionsofthequiethourbeforethetwilight。Fromdrinking-placeandcarrotpatchandberryswamptheFolkaretroopingintotheopenspacebeforethecaves。Theydarelingernolaterthanthis，forthedreadfuldarknessisapproaching，inwhichtheworldisgivenovertothecarnageofthehuntinganimals，whilethefore-runnersofmanhidetremblinglyintheirholes。
Thereyetremaintousafewminutesbeforeweclimbtoourcaves。Wearetiredfromtheplayoftheday，andthesoundswemakearesubdued。Eventhecubs，stillgreedyforfunandantics，playwithrestraint。Thewindfromtheseahasdieddown，andtheshadowsarelengtheningwiththelastofthesun’sdescent。Andthen，suddenly，fromRed-Eye’scave，breaksawildscreamingandthesoundofblows。Heisbeatinghiswife。
Atfirstanawedsilencecomesuponus。Butastheblowsandscreamscontinuewebreakoutintoaninsanegibberingofhelplessrage。ItisplainthatthemenresentRed-Eye’sactions，buttheyaretooafraidofhim。Theblowscease，andalowgroaningdiesaway，whilewechatteramongourselvesandthesadtwilightcreepsuponus。
We，towhommosthappeningswerejokes，neverlaughedduringRed-Eye’swife-beatings。Weknewtoowellthetragedyofthem。Onmorethanonemorning，atthebaseofthecliff，didwefindthebodyofhislatestwife。
Hehadtossedherthere，aftershehaddied，fromhiscave-mouth。Heneverburiedhisdead。Thetaskofcarryingawaythebodies，thatelsewouldhavepollutedourabiding-place，helefttothehorde。Weusuallyflungthemintotheriverbelowthelastdrinking-place。
NotalonedidRed-Eyemurderhiswives，buthealsomurderedforhiswives，inordertogetthem。Whenhewantedanewwifeandselectedthewifeofanotherman，hepromptlykilledthatman。TwoofthesemurdersIsawmyself。Thewholehordeknew，butcoulddonothing。
Wehadnotyetdevelopedanygovernment，tospeakof，insidethehorde。Wehadcertaincustomsandvisitedourwrathupontheunluckyoneswhoviolatedthosecustoms。Thus，forexample，theindividualwhodefiledadrinking-placewouldbeattackedbyeveryonlooker，whileonewhodeliberatelygaveafalsealarmwastherecipientofmuchroughusageatourhands。ButRed-Eyewalkedrough-shodoverallourcustoms，andwesofearedhimthatwewereincapableofthecollectiveactionnecessarytopunishhim。
ItwasduringthesixthwinterinourcavethatLop-EarandIdiscoveredthatwewerereallygrowingup。Fromthefirstithadbeenasqueezetogetinthroughtheentrance-crevice。Thishadhaditsadvantages，however。IthadpreventedthelargerFolkfromtakingourcaveawayfromus。Anditwasamostdesirablecave，thehighestonthebluff，thesafest，andinwinterthesmallestandwarmest。
ToshowthestageofthementaldevelopmentoftheFolk，Imaystatethatitwouldhavebeenasimplethingforsomeofthemtohavedrivenusoutandenlargedthecrevice-opening。Buttheyneverthoughtofit。Lop-EarandIdidnotthinkofiteitheruntilourincreasingsizecompelledustomakeanenlargement。Thisoccurredwhensummerwaswellalongandwewerefatwithbetterforage。Weworkedatthecreviceinspells，whenthefancystruckus。
Atfirstwedugthecrumblingrocksawaywithourfingers，untilournailsgotsore，whenIaccidentallystumbledupontheideaofusingapieceofwoodontherock。Thisworkedwell。Alsoitworkedwoe。Onemorningearly，wehadscratchedoutofthewallquiteaheapoffragments。Igavetheheapashoveoverthelipoftheentrance。Thenextmomenttherecameupfrombelowahowlofrage。Therewasnoneedtolook。
Weknewthevoiceonlytoowell。TherubbishhaddescendeduponRed-Eye。
Wecroucheddowninthecaveinconsternation。A
minutelaterhewasattheentrance，peeringinatuswithhisinflamedeyesandraginglikeademon。Buthewastoolarge。Hecouldnotgetintous。Suddenlyhewentaway。Thiswassuspicious。ByallweknewofFolknatureheshouldhaveremainedandhadouthisrage。Icrepttotheentranceandpeepeddown。Icouldseehimjustbeginningtomountthebluffagain。Inonehandhecarriedalongstick。BeforeIcoulddivinehisplan，hewasbackattheentranceandsavagelyjabbingthestickinatus。
Histhrustswereprodigious。Theycouldhavedisembowelledus。Weshrankbackagainsttheside-walls，wherewewerealmostoutofrange。Butbyindustriouspokinghegotusnowandagain——cruel，scrapingjabswiththeendofthestickthatrakedoffthehideandhair。Whenwescreamedwiththehurt，heroaredhissatisfactionandjabbedtheharder。
Ibegantogrowangry。Ihadatemperofmyowninthosedays，andprettyconsiderablecourage，too，albeititwaslargelythecourageofthecorneredrat。
Icaughtholdofthestickwithmyhands，butsuchwashisstrengththathejerkedmeintothecrevice。Hereachedformewithhislongarm，andhisnailstoremyfleshasIleapedbackfromtheclutchandgainedthecomparativesafetyoftheside-wall。
Hebeganpokingagain，andcaughtmeapainfulblowontheshoulder。Beyondshiveringwithfrightandyellingwhenhewashit，Lop-Eardidnothing。Ilookedforastickwithwhichtojabback，butfoundonlytheendofabranch，aninchthroughandafootlong。IthrewthisatRed-Eye。Itdidnodamage，thoughhehowledwithasuddenincreaseofrageatmydaringtostrikeback。Hebeganjabbingfuriously。Ifoundafragmentofrockandthrewitathim，strikinghimonthechest。
Thisemboldenedme，and，besides，Iwasnowasangryashe，andhadlostallfear。Irippedfragmentofrockfromthewall。Thepiecemusthaveweighedtwoorthreepounds。WithmystrengthIslammeditfullintoRed-Eye’sface。Itnearlyfinishedhim。Hestaggeredbackward，droppinghisstick，andalmostfelloffthecliff。
Hewasaferocioussight。Hisfacewascoveredwithblood，andhewassnarlingandgnashinghisfangslikeawildboar。Hewipedthebloodfromhiseyes，caughtsightofme，androaredwithfury。Hisstickwasgone，sohebeganrippingoutchunksofcrumblingrockandthrowingtheminatme。Thissuppliedmewithammunition。Igavehimasgoodashesent，andbetter;
forhepresentedagoodtarget，whilehecaughtonlyglimpsesofmeasIsnuggledagainsttheside-wall。
Suddenlyhedisappearedagain。FromthelipofthecaveIsawhimdescending。Allthehordehadgatheredoutsideandinawedsilencewaslookingon。Ashedescended，themoretimidonesscurriedfortheircaves。IcouldseeoldMarrow-Bonetotteringalongasfastashecould。Red-Eyesprangoutfromthewallandfinishedthelasttwentyfeetthroughtheair。Helandedalongsideamotherwhowasjustbeginningtheascent。Shescreamedwithfear，andthetwo-year-oldchildthatwasclingingtoherreleaseditsgripandrolledatRed-Eye’sfeet。Bothheandthemotherreachedforit，andhegotit。Thenextmomentthefraillittlebodyhadwhirledthroughtheairandshatteredagainstthewall。Themotherrantoit，caughtitupinherarms，andcrouchedoveritcrying。
Red-Eyestartedovertopickupthestick。OldMarrow-Bonehadtotteredintohisway。Red-Eye’sgreathandshotoutandclutchedtheoldmanbythebackoftheneck。Ilookedtoseehisneckbroken。Hisbodywentlimpashesurrenderedhimselftohisfate。
Red-Eyehesitatedamoment，andMarrow-Bone，shiveringterribly，bowedhisheadandcoveredhisfacewithhiscrossedarms。ThenRed-Eyeslammedhimface-downwardtotheground。OldMarrow-Bonedidnotstruggle。Helaytherecryingwiththefearofdeath。IsawtheHairlessOne，outintheopenspace，beatinghischestandbristling，butafraidtocomeforward。Andthen，inobediencetosomewhimofhiserraticspirit，Red-Eyelettheoldmanaloneandpassedonandrecoveredthestick。
Hereturnedtothewallandbegantoclimbup。
Lop-Ear，whowasshiveringandpeepingalongsideofme，scrambledbackintothecave。ItwasplainthatRed-Eyewasbentuponmurder。Iwasdesperateandangryandfairlycool。Runningbackandforthalongtheneighboringledges，Igatheredaheapofrocksatthecave-entrance。Red-Eyewasnowseveralyardsbeneathme，concealedforthemomentbyanout-jutofthecliff。Asheclimbed，hisheadcameintoview，andIbangedarockdown。Itmissed，strikingthewallandshattering;buttheflyingdustandgritfilledhiseyesandhedrewbackoutofview。
Achucklingandchatteringarosefromthehorde，thatplayedthepartofaudience。AtlasttherewasoneoftheFolkwhodaredtofaceRed-Eye。Astheirapprovalandacclamationaroseontheair，Red-Eyesnarleddownatthem，andontheinstanttheyweresubduedtosilence。Encouragedbythisevidenceofhispower，hethrusthisheadintoview，andbyscowlingandsnarlingandgnashinghisfangstriedtointimidateme。Hescowledhorribly，contractingthescalpstronglyoverthebrowsandbringingthehairdownfromthetopoftheheaduntileachhairstoodapartandpointedstraightforward。
Thesightchilledme，butImasteredmyfear，and，withastonepoisedinmyhand，threatenedhimback。Hestilltriedtoadvance。Idrovethestonedownathimandmadeasheermiss。Thenextshotwasasuccess。
Thestonestruckhimontheneck。Heslippedbackoutofsight，butashedisappearedIcouldseehimclutchingforagriponthewallwithonehand，andwiththeotherclutchingathisthroat。Thestickfellclatteringtotheground。
Icouldnotseehimanymore，thoughIcouldhearhimchokingandstranglingandcoughing。Theaudiencekeptadeath-likesilence。Icrouchedonthelipoftheentranceandwaited。Thestranglingandcoughingdieddown，andIcouldhearhimnowandagainclearinghisthroat。Alittlelaterhebegantoclimbdown。Hewentveryquietly，pausingeverymomentorsotostretchhisneckortofeelitwithhishand。
Atthesightofhimdescending，thewholehorde，withwildscreamsandyells，stampededforthewoods。OldMarrow-Bone，hobblingandtottering，followedbehind。
Red-Eyetooknonoticeoftheflight。Whenhereachedthegroundheskirtedthebaseofthebluffandclimbedupandintohisowncave。Hedidnotlookaroundonce。
IstaredatLop-Ear，andhestaredback。Weunderstoodeachother。Immediately，andwithgreatcautionandquietness，webeganclimbingupthecliff。Whenwereachedthetopwelookedback。Theabiding-placewasdeserted，Red-Eyeremainedinhiscave，andthehordehaddisappearedinthedepthsoftheforest。
Weturnedandran。Wedashedacrosstheopenspacesanddowntheslopesunmindfulofpossiblesnakesinthegrass，untilwereachedthewoods。Upintothetreeswewent，andonandon，swingingourarborealflightuntilwehadputmilesbetweenusandthecaves。Andthen，andnottillthen，inthesecurityofagreatfork，wepaused，lookedateachother，andbegantolaugh。Weheldontoeachother，armsandlegs，oureyesstreamingtears，our，sidesaching，andlaughedandlaughedandlaughed。