CHAPTERXV
Lop-Eargotmarried。Itwasthesecondwinterafterouradventure-journey，anditwasmostunexpected。Hegavemenowarning。ThefirstIknewwasonetwilightwhenIclimbedtheclifftoourcave。IsqueezedintotheentranceandthereIstopped。Therewasnoroomforme。Lop-Earandhismatewereinpossession，andshewasnoneotherthanmysister，thedaughterofmystep-father，theChatterer。
Itriedtoforcemywayin。Therewasspaceonlyfortwo，andthatspacewasalreadyoccupied。Also，theyhadmeatadisadvantage，and，whatofthescratchingandhair-pullingIreceived，Iwasgladtoretreat。I
sleptthatnight，andformanynights，intheconnectingpassageofthedouble-cave。Frommyexperienceitseemedreasonablysafe。AsthetwoFolkhaddodgedoldSaber-Tooth，andasIhaddodgedRed-Eye，soitseemedtomethatIcoulddodgethehuntinganimalsbygoingbackandforthbetweenthetwocaves。
Ihadforgottenthewilddogs。TheyweresmallenoughtogothroughanypassagethatIcouldsqueezethrough。
Onenighttheynosedmeout。Hadtheyenteredbothcavesatthesametimetheywouldhavegotme。Asitwas，followedbysomeofthemthroughthepassage，I
dashedoutthemouthoftheothercave。Outsideweretherestofthewilddogs。TheysprangformeasI
sprangforthecliff-wallandbegantoclimb。Oneofthem，aleanandhungrybrute，caughtmeinmid-leap。
Histeethsankintomythigh-muscles，andhenearlydraggedmeback。Heheldon，butImadenoefforttodislodgehim，devotingmywholeefforttoclimbingoutofreachoftherestofthebrutes。
NotuntilIwassafefromthemdidIturnmyattentiontothatliveagonyonmythigh。Andthen，adozenfeetabovethesnappingpackthatleapedandscrambledagainstthewallandfellback，Igotthedogbythethroatandslowlythrottledhim。Iwasalongtimedoingit。Heclawedandrippedmyhairandhidewithhishind-paws，andeverhejerkedandlungedwithhisweighttodragmefromthewall。
Atlasthisteethopenedandreleasedmytornflesh。I
carriedhisbodyupthecliffwithme，andperchedoutthenightintheentranceofmyoldcave，whereinwereLop-Earandmysister。ButfirstIhadtoendureastormofabusefromthearousedhordeforbeingthecauseofthedisturbance。Ihadmyrevenge。Fromtimetotime，asthenoiseofthepackbeloweaseddown，I
droppedarockandstarteditupagain。Whereupon，fromallaround，theabuseoftheexasperatedFolkbeganafresh。InthemorningIsharedthedogwithLop-Earandhiswife，andforseveraldaysthethreeofuswereneithervegetariansnorfruitarians。
Lop-Ear’smarriagewasnotahappyone，andtheconsolationaboutitisthatitdidnotlastverylong。
NeitherhenorIwashappyduringthatperiod。Iwaslonely。Isufferedtheinconvenienceofbeingcastoutofmysafelittlecave，andsomehowIdidnotmakeitupwithanyotheroftheyoungmales。Isupposemylong-continuedchummingwithLop-Earhadbecomeahabit。
Imighthavemarried，itistrue;andmostlikelyI
shouldhavemarriedhaditnotbeenforthedearthoffemalesinthehorde。Thisdearth，itisfairtoassume，wascausedbytheexorbitanceofRed-Eye，anditillustratesthemenacehewastotheexistenceofthehorde。ThentherewastheSwiftOne，whomIhadnotforgotten。
Atanyrate，duringtheperiodofLop-Ear’smarriageI
knockedaboutfrompillartopost，indangereverynightthatIslept，andnevercomfortable。OneoftheFolkdied，andhiswidowwastakenintothecaveofanotheroneoftheFolk。Itookpossessionoftheabandonedcave，butitwaswide-mouthed，andafterRed-Eyenearlytrappedmeinitoneday，Ireturnedtosleepinginthepassageofthedouble-cave。Duringthesummer，however，Iusedtostayawayfromthecavesforweeks，sleepinginatree-shelterImadenearthemouthoftheslough。
IhavesaidthatLop-Earwasnothappy。MysisterwasthedaughteroftheChatterer，andshemadeLop-Ear’slifemiserableforhim。Innoothercavewastheresomuchsquabblingandbickering。IfRed-EyewasaBluebeard，Lop-Earwashen-pecked;andIimaginethatRed-EyewastooshrewdevertocovetLop-Ear’swife。
FortunatelyforLop-Ear，shedied。Anunusualthinghappenedthatsummer。Late，almostattheendofit，asecondcropofthestringy-rootedcarrotssprangup。
Theseunexpectedsecond-croprootswereyoungandjuicyandtender，andforsometimethecarrot-patchwasthefavoritefeeding-placeofthehorde。Onemorning，early，severalscoreofusweretheremakingourbreakfast。OnonesideofmewastheHairlessOne。
Beyondhimwerehisfatherandson，oldMarrow-BoneandLong-Lip。OntheothersideofmeweremysisterandLop-Ear，shebeingnexttome。
Therewasnowarning。Onthesudden，boththeHairlessOneandmysistersprangandscreamed。AtthesameinstantIheardthethudofthearrowsthattransfixedthem。Thenextinstanttheyweredownontheground，flounderingandgasping，andtherestofuswerestampedingforthetrees。Anarrowdrovepastmeandenteredtheground，itsfeatheredshaftvibratingandoscillatingfromtheimpactofitsarrestedflight。I
rememberclearlyhowIswervedasIran，togopastit，andthatIgaveitaneedlesslywideberth。Imusthaveshiedatitasahorseshiesatanobjectitfears。
Lop-Eartookasmashingfallasheranbesideme。Anarrowhaddriventhroughthecalfofhislegandtrippedhim。Hetriedtorun，butwastrippedandthrownbyitasecondtime。Hesatup，crouching，tremblingwithfear，andcalledtomepleadingly。I
dashedback。Heshowedmethearrow。Icaughtholdofittopullitout，buttheconsequenthurtmadehimseizemyhandandstopme。Aflyingarrowpassedbetweenus。Anotherstruckarock，splintered，andfelltotheground。Thiswastoomuch。Ipulled，suddenly，withallmymight。Lop-Earscreamedasthearrowcameout，andstruckatmeangrily。Butthenextmomentwewereinfullflightagain。
Ilookedback。OldMarrow-Bone，desertedandfarbehind，wastotteringsilentlyalonginhishandicappedracewithdeath。Sometimeshealmostfell，andoncehedidfall;butnomorearrowswerecoming。Hescrambledweaklytohisfeet。Ageburdenedhimheavily，buthedidnotwanttodie。ThethreeFire-Men，whowerenowrunningforwardfromtheirforestambush，couldeasilyhavegothim，buttheydidnottry。Perhapshewastoooldandtough。ButtheydidwanttheHairlessOneandmysister，forasIlookedbackfromthetreesIcouldseetheFire-Menbeatingintheirheadswithrocks。
OneoftheFire-Menwasthewizenedoldhunterwholimped。
Wewentonthroughthetreestowardthecaves——anexcitedanddisorderlymobthatdrovebeforeittotheirholesallthesmalllifeoftheforest，andthatsettheblue-jaysscreamingimpudently。Nowthattherewasnoimmediatedanger，Long-Lipwaitedforhisgrand-father，Marrow-Bone;andwiththegapofagenerationbetweenthem，theoldfellowandtheyouthbroughtupourrear。
AndsoitwasthatLop-Earbecameabacheloroncemore。
ThatnightIsleptwithhimintheoldcave，andouroldlifeofchummingbeganagain。Thelossofhismateseemedtocausehimnogrief。Atleastheshowednosignsofit，norofneedforher。Itwasthewoundinhislegthatseemedtobotherhim，anditwasallofaweekbeforehegotbackagaintohisoldspryness。
Marrow-Bonewastheonlyoldmemberinthehorde。
Sometimes，onlookingbackuponhim，whenthevisionofhimismostclear，Inoteastrikingresemblancebetweenhimandthefatherofmyfather’sgardener。
Thegardener’sfatherwasveryold，verywrinkledandwithered;andforalltheworld，whenhepeeredthroughhistiny，blearyeyesandmumbledwithhistoothlessgums，helookedandactedlikeoldMarrow-Bone。Thisresemblance，asachild，usedtofrightenme。IalwaysranwhenIsawtheoldmantotteringalongonhistwocanes。OldMarrow-Boneevenhadabitofsparseandstragglywhitebeardthatseemedidenticalwiththewhiskersoftheoldman。
AsIhavesaid，Marrow-Bonewastheonlyoldmemberofthehorde。Hewasanexception。TheFolkneverlivedtooldage。Middleagewasfairlyrare。Deathbyviolencewasthecommonwayofdeath。Theydiedasmyfatherhaddied，asBroken-Toothhaddied，asmysisterandtheHairlessOnehadjustdied——abruptlyandbrutally，inthefullpossessionoftheirfaculties，inthefullswingandrushoflife。Naturaldeath？Todieviolentlywasthenaturalwayofdyinginthosedays。
NoonediedofoldageamongtheFolk。Ineverknewofacase。EvenMarrow-Bonedidnotdiethatway，andhewastheonlyoneinmygenerationwhohadthechance。
Abadrippling，anyseriousaccidentalortemporaryimpairmentofthefaculties，meantswiftdeath。Asarule，thesedeathswerenotwitnessed。
Membersofthehordesimplydroppedoutofsight。Theyleftthecavesinthemorning，andtheynevercameback。Theydisappeared——intotheravenousmawsofthehuntingcreatures。
ThisinroadoftheFirePeopleonthecarrot-patchwasthebeginningoftheend，thoughwedidnotknowit。
ThehuntersoftheFirePeoplebegantoappearmorefrequentlyasthetimewentby。Theycameintwosandthrees，creepingsilentlythroughtheforest，withtheirflyingarrowsabletoannihilatedistanceandbringdownpreyfromthetopoftheloftiesttreewithoutthemselvesclimbingintoit。Thebowandarrowwaslikeanenormousextensionoftheirleapingandstrikingmuscles，sothat，virtually，theycouldleapandkillatahundredfeetandmore。ThismadethemfarmoreterriblethanSaber-Toothhimself。Andthentheywereverywise。Theyhadspeechthatenabledthemmoreeffectivelytoreason，andinadditiontheyunderstoodcooperation。
WeFolkcametobeverycircumspectwhenwewereintheforest。Weweremorealertandvigilantandtimid。Nolongerwerethetreesaprotectiontobereliedupon。
Nolongercouldweperchonabranchandlaughdownatourcarnivorousenemiesontheground。TheFirePeoplewerecarnivorous，withclawsandfangsahundredfeetlong，themostterribleofallthehuntinganimalsthatrangedtheprimevalworld。
Onemorning，beforetheFolkhaddispersedtotheforest，therewasapanicamongthewater-carriersandthosewhohadgonedowntotherivertodrink。Thewholehordefledtothecaves。Itwasourhabit，atsuchtimes，tofleefirstandinvestigateafterward。Wewaitedinthemouthsofourcavesandwatched。AftersometimeaFire-Mansteppedcautiouslyintotheopenspace。Itwasthelittlewizenedoldhunter。Hestoodforalongtimeandwatchedus，lookingourcavesandthecliff-wallupanddown。Hedescendedoneoftherun-waystoadrinking-place，returningafewminuteslaterbyanotherrun-way。Againhestoodandwatcheduscarefully，foralongtime。Thenheturnedonhisheelandlimpedintotheforest，leavinguscallingquerulouslyandplaintivelytooneanotherfromthecave-mouths。
CHAPTERXVI
Ifoundherdownintheoldneighborhoodneartheblueberryswamp，wheremymotherlivedandwhereLop-EarandIhadbuiltourfirsttree-shelter。Itwasunexpected。AsIcameunderthetreeIheardthefamiliarsoftsoundandlookedup。Thereshewas，theSwiftOne，sittingonalimbandswingingherlegsbackandforthasshelookedatme。
Istoodstillforsometime。Thesightofherhadmademeveryhappy。Andthenanunrestandapainbegantocreepinonthishappiness。Istartedtoclimbthetreeafterher，andsheretreatedslowlyoutthelimb。
JustasIreachedforher，shesprangthroughtheairandlandedinthebranchesofthenexttree。Fromamidtherustlingleavesshepeepedoutatmeandmadesoftsounds。Ileapedstraightforher，andafteranexcitingchasethesituationwasduplicated，forthereshewas，makingsoftsoundsandpeepingoutfromtheleavesofathirdtree。
ItwasborneinuponmethatsomehowitwasdifferentnowfromtheolddaysbeforeLop-EarandIhadgoneonouradventure-journey。Iwantedher，andIknewthatI
wantedher。Andsheknewit，too。Thatwaswhyshewouldnotletmecomenearher。IforgotthatshewastrulytheSwiftOne，andthatintheartofclimbingshehadbeenmyteacher。Ipursuedherfromtreetotree，andeversheeludedme，peepingbackatmewithkindlyeyes，makingsoftsounds，anddancingandleapingandteeteringbeforemejustoutofreach。Themoresheeludedme，themoreIwantedtocatchher，andthelengtheningshadowsoftheafternoonborewitnesstothefutilityofmyeffort。
AsIpursuedher，orsometimesrestedinanadjoiningtreeandwatchedher，Inoticedthechangeinher。Shewaslarger，heavier，moregrown-up。Herlineswererounder，hermusclesfuller，andtherewasaboutherthatindefinitesomethingofmaturitythatwasnewtoherandthatincitedmeon。Threeyearsshehadbeengone——threeyearsattheveryleast，andthechangeinherwasmarked。Isaythreeyears;itisasnearasI
canmeasurethetime。Afourthyearmayhaveelapsed，whichIhaveconfusedwiththehappeningsoftheotherthreeyears。ThemoreIthinkofit，themoreconfidentIamthatitmustbefouryearsthatshewasaway。
Whereshewent，whyshewent，andwhathappenedtoherduringthattime，Idonotknow。Therewasnowayforhertotellme，anymorethantherewasawayforLop-EarandmetotelltheFolkwhatwehadseenwhenwewereaway。Likeus，thechanceisshehadgoneoffonanadventure-journey，andbyherself。Ontheotherhand，itispossiblethatRed-Eyemayhavebeenthecauseofhergoing。Itisquitecertainthathemusthavecomeuponherfromtimetotime，wanderinginthewoods;andifhehadpursuedherthereisnoquestionbutthatitwouldhavebeensufficienttodriveheraway。Fromsubsequentevents，Iamledtobelievethatshemusthavetravelledfartothesouth，acrossarangeofmountainsanddowntothebanksofastrangeriver，awayfromanyofherkind。ManyTreePeopleliveddownthere，andIthinkitmusthavebeentheywhofinallydroveherbacktothehordeandtome。MyreasonsforthisIshallexplainlater。
Theshadowsgrewlonger，andIpursuedmoreardentlythanever，andstillIcouldnotcatchher。Shemadebelievethatshewastryingdesperatelytoescapeme，andallthetimeshemanagedtokeepjustbeyondreach。
Iforgoteverything——time，theoncomingofnight，andmymeat-eatingenemies。Iwasinsanewithloveofher，andwith——anger，too，becauseshewouldnotletmecomeupwithher。Itwasstrangehowthisangeragainstherseemedtobepartofmydesireforher。
AsIhavesaid，Iforgoteverything。InracingacrossanopenspaceIranfulltiltuponacolonyofsnakes。
Theydidnotdeterme。Iwasmad。Theystruckatme，butIduckedanddodgedandranon。Thentherewasapythonthatordinarilywouldhavesentmescreechingtoatree-top。Hedidrunmeintoatree;buttheSwiftOnewasgoingoutofsight，andIsprangbacktothegroundandwenton。Itwasacloseshave。Thentherewasmyoldenemy，thehyena。Frommyconducthewassuresomethingwasgoingtohappen，andhefollowedmeforanhour。Onceweexasperatedabandofwildpigs，andtheytookafterus。TheSwiftOnedaredawideleapbetweentreesthatwastoomuchforme。Ihadtotaketotheground。Therewerethepigs。Ididn’tcare。Istrucktheearthwithinayardofthenearestone。TheyflankedmeasIran，andchasedmeintotwodifferenttreesoutofthelineofmypursuitoftheSwiftOne。Iventuredthegroundagain，doubledback，andcrossedawideopenspace，withthewholebandgrunting，bristling，andtusk-gnashingatmyheels。
IfIhadtrippedorstumbledinthatopenspace，therewouldhavebeennochanceforme。ButIdidn’t。AndI
didn’tcarewhetherIdidornot。IwasinsuchmoodthatIwouldhavefacedoldSaber-Toothhimself，orascoreofarrow-shootingFirePeople。Suchwasthemadnessoflove……withme。WiththeSwiftOneitwasdifferent。Shewasverywise。Shedidnottakeanyrealrisks，andIremember，onlookingbackacrossthecenturiestothatwildlove-chase，thatwhenthepigsdelayedmeshedidnotrunawayveryfast，butwaited，rather，formetotakeupthepursuitagain。Also，shedirectedherretreatbeforeme，goingalwaysinthedirectionshewantedtogo。
Atlastcamethedark。Sheledmearoundthemossyshoulderofacanyonwallthatout-juttedamongthetrees。Afterthatwepenetratedadensemassofunderbrushthatscrapedandrippedmeinpassing。Butsheneverruffledahair。Sheknewtheway。Inthemidstofthethicketwasalargeoak。Iwasveryclosetoherwhensheclimbedit;andintheforks，inthenest-shelterIhadsoughtsolongandvainly，Icaughther。
Thehyenahadtakenourtrailagain，andhenowsatdownonthegroundandmadehungrynoises。Butwedidnotmind，andwelaughedathimwhenhesnarledandwentawaythroughthethicket。Itwasthespring-time，andthenightnoisesweremanyandvaried。Aswasthecustomatthattimeoftheyear，therewasmuchfightingamongtheanimals。Fromthenestwecouldhearthesquealingandneighingofwildhorses，thetrumpetingofelephants，andtheroaringoflions。Butthemooncameout，andtheairwaswarm，andwelaughedandwereunafraid。
Iremember，nextmorning，thatwecameupontworuffledcock-birdsthatfoughtsoardentlythatIwentrightuptothemandcaughtthembytheirnecks。ThusdidtheSwiftOneandIgetourweddingbreakfast。Theyweredelicious。Itwaseasytocatchbirdsinthespringoftheyear。Therewasonenightthatyearwhentwoelkfoughtinthemoonlight，whiletheSwiftOneandI
watchedfromthetrees;andwesawalionandlionesscrawluptothemunheeded，andkillthemastheyfought。
ThereisnotellinghowlongwemighthavelivedintheSwiftOne’stree-shelter。Butoneday，whilewewereaway，thetreewasstruckbylightning。Greatlimbswereriven，andthenestwasdemolished。Istartedtorebuild，buttheSwiftOnewouldhavenothingtodowithit。AsIwastolearn，shewasgreatlyafraidoflightning，andIcouldnotpersuadeherbackintothetree。Soitcameabout，ourhoneymoonover，thatwewenttothecavestolive。AsLop-Earhadevictedmefromthecavewhenhegotmarried，Inowevictedhim;
andtheSwiftOneandIsettleddowninit，whilehesleptatnightintheconnectingpassageofthedoublecave。
Andwithourcomingtolivewiththehordecametrouble。Red-EyehadhadIdon’tknowhowmanywivessincetheSingingOne。Shehadgonethewayoftherest。Atpresenthehadalittle，soft，spiritlessthingthatwhimperedandweptallthetime，whetherhebeatherornot;andherpassingwasaquestionofverylittletime。Beforeshepassed，even，Red-EyesethiseyesontheSwiftOne;andwhenshepassed，thepersecutionoftheSwiftOnebegan。
WellforherthatshewastheSwiftOne，thatshehadthatamazingaptitudeforswiftflightthroughthetrees。SheneededallherwisdomanddaringinordertokeepoutoftheclutchesofRed-Eye。Icouldnothelpher。Hewassopowerfulamonsterthathecouldhavetornmelimbfromlimb。Asitwas，tomydeathI
carriedaninjuredshoulderthatachedandwentlameinrainyweatherandthatwasamarkofishandiwork。
TheSwiftOnewassickatthetimeIreceivedthisinjury。Itmusthavebeenatouchofthemalariafromwhichwesometimessuffered;butwhateveritwas，itmadeherdullandheavy。Shedidnothavetheaccustomedspringtohermuscles，andwasindeedinpoorshapeforflightwhenRed-Eyecorneredhernearthelairofthewilddogs，severalmilessouthfromthecaves。Usually，shewouldhavecircledaroundhim，beatenhiminthestraight-away，andgainedtheprotectionofoursmall-mouthedcave。Butshecouldnotcirclehim。Shewastoodullandslow。Eachtimeheheadedheroff，untilshegaveovertheattemptanddevotedherenergieswhollytokeepingoutofhisclutches。
Hadshenotbeensickitwouldhavebeenchild’splayforhertoeludehim;butasitwas，itrequiredallhercautionandcunning。Itwastoheradvantagethatshecouldtravelonthinnerbranchesthanhe，andmakewiderleaps。Also，shewasanunerringjudgeofdistance，andshehadaninstinctforknowingthestrengthoftwigs，branches，androttenlimbs。
Itwasaninterminablechase。Roundandroundandbackandforthforlongstretchesthroughtheforesttheydashed。TherewasgreatexcitementamongtheotherFolk。Theysetupawildchattering，thatwasloudestwhenRed-Eyewasatadistance，andthathushedwhenthechaseledhimnear。Theywereimpotentonlookers。
Thefemalesscreechedandgibbered，andthemalesbeattheirchestsinhelplessrage。BigFacewasespeciallyangry，andthoughhehushedhisracketwhenRed-Eyedrewnear，hedidnothushittotheextenttheothersdid。
Asforme，Iplayednobravepart。IknowIwasanythingbutahero。Besides，ofwhatusewouldithavebeenformetoencounterRed-Eye？Hewasthemightymonster，theabysmalbrute，andtherewasnohopeformeinaconflictofstrength。Hewouldhavekilledme，andthesituationwouldhaveremainedunchanged。HewouldhavecaughttheSwiftOnebeforeshecouldhavegainedthecave。Asitwas，Icouldonlylookoninhelplessfury，anddodgeoutofthewayandceasemyragingwhenhecametoonear。
Thehourspassed。Itwaslateafternoon。Andstillthechasewenton。Red-EyewasbentuponexhaustingtheSwiftOne。Hedeliberatelyranherdown。Afteralongtimeshebegantotireandcouldnolongermaintainherheadlongflight。Thenitwasthatshebegangoingfaroutonthethinnestbranches，wherehecouldnotfollow。Thusshemighthavegotabreathingspell，butRed-Eyewasfiendish。Unabletofollowher，hedislodgedherbyshakingheroff。Withallhisstrengthandweight，hewouldshakethebranchbackandforthuntilhesnappedheroffasonewouldsnapaflyfromawhip-lash。Thefirsttime，shesavedherselfbyfallingintobrancheslowerdown。Anothertime，thoughtheydidnotsaveherfromtheground，theybrokeherfall。Stillanothertime，sofiercelydidhesnapherfromthebranch，shewasflungclearacrossagapintoanothertree。Itwasremarkable，thewayshegrippedandsavedherself。Onlywhendriventoitdidsheseekthetemporarysafetyofthethinbranches。Butshewassotiredthatshecouldnototherwiseavoidhim，andtimeaftertimeshewascompelledtotaketothethinbranches。
Stillthechasewenton，andstilltheFolkscreeched，beattheirchests，andgnashedtheirteeth。Thencametheend。Itwasalmosttwilight。Trembling，panting，strugglingforbreath，theSwiftOneclungpitiablytoahighthinbranch。Itwasthirtyfeettotheground，andnothingintervened。Red-Eyeswungbackandforthonthebranchfartherdown。Itbecameapendulum，swingingwiderandwiderwitheverylungeofhisweight。Thenhereversedsuddenly，justbeforethedownwardswingwascompleted。Hergripsweretornloose，and，screaming，shewashurledtowardtheground。
Butsherightedherselfinmid-airanddescendedfeetfirst。Ordinarily，fromsuchaheight，thespringinherlegswouldhaveeasedtheshockofimpactwiththeground。Butshewasexhausted。Shecouldnotexercisethisspring。Herlegsgaveunderher，havingonlypartlymettheshock，andshecrashedonoveronherside。This，asitturnedout，didnotinjureher，butitdidknockthebreathfromherlungs。Shelayhelplessandstrugglingforair。
Red-Eyerusheduponherandseizedher。Withhisgnarlyfingerstwistedintothehairofherhead，hestoodupandroaredintriumphanddefianceattheawedFolkthatwatchedfromthetrees。ThenitwasthatI
wentmad。Cautionwasthrowntothewinds;forgottenwasthewilltoliveofmyflesh。EvenasRed-Eyeroared，frombehindIdasheduponhim。SounexpectedwasmychargethatIknockedhimoffhisfeet。I
twinedmyarmsandlegsaroundhimandstrovetoholdhimdown。ThiswouldhavebeenimpossibletoaccomplishhadhenotheldtightlywithonehandtotheSwiftOne’shair。
Encouragedbymyconduct，Big-Facebecameasuddenally。Hechargedin，sankhisteethinRed-Eye’sarm，andrippedandtoreathisface。ThiswasthetimefortherestoftheFolktohavejoinedin。ItwasthechancetodoforRed-Eyeforalltime。Buttheyremainedafraidinthetrees。
ItwasinevitablethatRed-Eyeshouldwininthestruggleagainstthetwoofus。ThereasonhedidnotfinishusoffimmediatelywasthattheSwiftOnecloggedhismovements。Shehadregainedherbreathandwasbeginningtoresist。Hewouldnotreleasehisclutchonherhair，andthishandicappedhim。Hegotagriponmyarm。Itwasthebeginningoftheendforme。Hebegantodrawmetowardhimintoapositionwherehecouldsinkhisteethintomythroat。Hismouthwasopen，andhewasgrinning。Andyet，thoughhehadjustbeguntoexerthisstrength，inthatmomenthewrenchedmyshouldersothatIsufferedfromitfortheremainderofmylife。
Andinthatmomentsomethinghappened。Therewasnowarning。Agreatbodysmasheddownuponthefourofuslockedtogether。Weweredrivenviolentlyapartandrolledoverandover，andinthesuddennessofsurprisewereleasedourholdsononeanother。Atthemomentoftheshock，Big-Facescreamedterribly。Ididnotknowwhathadhappened，thoughIsmelledtigerandcaughtaglimpseofstripedfurasIsprangforatree。
ItwasoldSaber-Tooth。Arousedinhislairbythenoisewehadmade，hehadcreptuponusunnoticed。TheSwiftOnegainedthenexttreetomine，andI
immediatelyjoinedher。Iputmyarmsaroundherandheldherclosetomewhileshewhimperedandcriedsoftly。Fromthegroundcameasnarling，andcrunchingofbones。ItwasSaber-ToothmakinghissupperoffofwhathadbeenBig-Face。Frombeyond，withinflamedrimsandeyes，Red-Eyepeereddown。Herewasamonstermightierthanhe。TheSwiftOneandIturnedandwentawayquietlythroughthetreestowardthecave，whiletheFolkgatheredoverheadandshowereddownabuseandtwigsandbranchesupontheirancientenemy。Helashedhistailandsnarled，butwentoneating。
Andinsuchfashionwerewesaved。Itwasamereaccident——thesheerestaccident。ElsewouldIhavedied，thereinRed-Eye’sclutch，andtherewouldhavebeennobridgingoftimetothetuneofathousandcenturiesdowntoaprogenythatreadsnewspapersandridesonelectriccars——ay，andthatwritesnarrativesofbygonehappeningsevenasthisiswritten。
CHAPTERXVII
Itwasintheearlyfallofthefollowingyearthatithappened。AfterhisfailuretogettheSwiftOne，Red-Eyehadtakenanotherwife;and，strangetorelate，shewasstillalive。Strangerstill，theyhadababyseveralmonthsold——Red-Eye’sfirstchild。Hispreviouswiveshadneverlivedlongenoughtobearhimchildren。
Theyearhadgonewellforallofus。Theweatherhadbeenexceptionallymildandfoodplentiful。Irememberespeciallytheturnipsofthatyear。Thenutcropwasalsoveryheavy，andthewildplumswerelargerandsweeterthanusual。
Inshort，itwasagoldenyear。Andthenithappened。
Itwasintheearlymorning，andweweresurprisedinourcaves。Inthechillgraylightweawokefromsleep，mostofus，toencounterdeath。TheSwiftOneandIwerearousedbyapandemoniumofscreechingandgibbering。Ourcavewasthehighestofallonthecliff，andwecrepttothemouthandpeereddown。TheopenspacewasfilledwiththeFirePeople。Theircriesandyellswereaddedtotheclamor，buttheyhadorderandplan，whileweFolkhadnone。Eachoneofusfoughtandactedforhimself，andnooneofusknewtheextentofthecalamitythatwasbefallingus。
Bythetimewegottostone-throwing，theFirePeoplehadmassedthickatthebaseofthecliff。Ourfirstvolleymusthavemashedsomeheads，forwhentheyswervedbackfromthecliffthreeoftheirnumberwereleftupontheground。Thesewerestrugglingandfloundering，andonewastryingtocrawlaway。Butwefixedthem。Bythistimewemaleswereroaringwithrage，andwerainedrocksuponthethreementhatweredown。SeveraloftheFire-Menreturnedtodragthemintosafety，butourrocksdrovetherescuersback。
TheFirePeoplebecameenraged。Also，theybecamecautious。Inspiteoftheirangryyells，theykeptatadistanceandsentflightsofarrowsagainstus。Thisputanendtotherock-throwing。Bythetimehalfadozenofushadbeenkilledandascoreinjured，therestofusretreatedinsideourcaves。Iwasnotoutofrangeinmyloftycave，butthedistancewasgreatenoughtospoileffectiveshooting，andtheFirePeopledidnotwastemanyarrowsonme。Furthermore，Iwascurious。Iwantedtosee。WhiletheSwiftOneremainedwellinsidethecave，tremblingwithfearandmakinglowwailingsoundsbecauseIwouldnotcomein，Icrouchedattheentranceandwatched。
Thefightinghadnowbecomeintermittent。Itwasasortofdeadlock。Wewereinthecaves，andthequestionwiththeFirePeoplewashowtogetusout。
Theydidnotdarecomeinafterus，andingeneralwewouldnotexposeourselvestotheirarrows。
Occasionally，whenoneofthemdrewinclosetothebaseofthecliff，oneoranotheroftheFolkwouldsmasharockdown。Inreturn，hewouldbetransfixedbyhalfadozenarrows。Thisruseworkedwellforsometime，butfinallytheFolknolongerwereinveigledintoshowingthemselves。Thedeadlockwascomplete。
BehindtheFirePeopleIcouldseethelittlewizenedoldhunterdirectingitall。Theyobeyedhim，andwenthereandthereathiscommands。Someofthemwentintotheforestandreturnedwithloadsofdrywood，leaves，andgrass。AlltheFirePeopledrewincloser。Whilemostofthemstoodbywithbowsandarrows，readytoshootanyoftheFolkthatexposedthemselves，severaloftheFire-Menheapedthedrygrassandwoodatthemouthsofthelowertierofcaves。Outoftheseheapstheyconjuredthemonsterwefeared——FIRE。Atfirst，wispsofsmokearoseandcurledupthecliff。ThenI
couldseethered-tonguedflamesdartinginandoutthroughthewoodliketinysnakes。Thesmokegrewthickerandthicker，attimesshroudingthewholefaceofthecliff。ButIwashighupanditdidnotbothermemuch，thoughitstungmyeyesandIrubbedthemwithmyknuckles。
OldMarrow-Bonewasthefirsttobesmokedout。A
lightfanofairdriftedthesmokeawayatthetimesothatIsawclearly。Hebrokeoutthroughthesmoke，steppingonaburningcoalandscreamingwiththesuddenhurtofit，andessayedtoclimbupthecliff。
Thearrowsshoweredabouthim。Hecametoapauseonaledge，clutchingaknobofrockforsupport，gaspingandsneezingandshakinghishead。Heswayedbackandforth。Thefeatheredendsofadozenarrowswerestickingoutofhim。Hewasanoldman，andhedidnotwanttodie。Heswayedwiderandwider，hiskneesgivingunderhim，andasheswayedhewailedmostplaintively。Hishandreleaseditsgripandhelurchedoutwardtothefall。Hisoldbonesmusthavebeensadlybroken。Hegroanedandstrovefeeblytorise，butaFire-Manrushedinuponhimandbrainedhimwithaclub。
AndasithappenedwithMarrow-Bone，soithappenedwithmanyoftheFolk。Unabletoendurethesmoke-suffocation，theyrushedouttofallbeneaththearrows。Someofthewomenandchildrenremainedinthecavestostrangletodeath，butthemajoritymetdeathoutside。
WhentheFire-Menhadinthisfashionclearedthefirsttierofcaves，theybeganmakingarrangementstoduplicatetheoperationonthesecondtierofcaves。
Itwaswhiletheywereclimbingupwiththeirgrassandwood，thatRed-Eye，followedbyhiswife，withthebabyholdingtohertightly，madeasuccessfulflightupthecliff。TheFire-Menmusthaveconcludedthatintheintervalbetweenthesmoking-outoperationswewouldremaininourcaves;sothattheywereunprepared，andtheirarrowsdidnotbegintoflytillRed-Eyeandhiswifewerewellupthewall。Whenhereachedthetop，heturnedaboutandglareddownatthem，roaringandbeatinghischest。Theyarchedtheirarrowsathim，andthoughhewasuntouchedhefledon。
Iwatchedathirdtiersmokedout，andafourth。AfewoftheFolkescapedupthecliff，butmostofthemwereshotoffthefaceofitastheystrovetoclimb。I
rememberLong-Lip。Hegotasfarasmyledge，cryingpiteously，anarrowclearthroughhischest，thefeatheredshaftstickingoutbehind，theboneheadstickingoutbefore，shotthroughthebackasheclimbed。Hesankdownonmyledgebleedingprofuselyatthemouth。
Itwasaboutthistimethattheuppertiersseemedtoemptythemselvesspontaneously。NearlyalltheFolknotyetsmokedoutstampededupthecliffatthesametime。Thiswasthesavingofmany。TheFirePeoplecouldnotshootarrowsfastenough。Theyfilledtheairwitharrows，andscoresofthestrickenFolkcametumblingdown;butstilltherewereafewwhoreachedthetopandgotaway。
Theimpulseofflightwasnowstrongerinmethancuriosity。Thearrowshadceasedflying。ThelastoftheFolkseemedgone，thoughtheremayhavebeenafewstillhidingintheuppercaves。TheSwiftOneandI
startedtomakeascrambleforthecliff-top。AtsightofusagreatcrywentupfromtheFirePeople。Thiswasnotcausedbyme，butbytheSwiftOne。Theywerechatteringexcitedlyandpointingherouttooneanother。Theydidnottrytoshoother。Notanarrowwasdischarged。Theybegancallingsoftlyandcoaxingly。Istoppedandlookeddown。Shewasafraid，andwhimperedandurgedmeon。Sowewentupoverthetopandplungedintothetrees。
Thiseventhasoftencausedmetowonderandspeculate。
Ifshewerereallyoftheirkind，shemusthavebeenlostfromthematatimewhenshewastooyoungtoremember，elsewouldshenothavebeenafraidofthem。
Ontheotherhand，itmaywellhavebeenthatwhileshewastheirkindshehadneverbeenlostfromthem;thatshehadbeenborninthewildforestfarfromtheirhaunts，herfathermaybearenegadeFire-Man，hermothermaybeoneofmyownkind，oneoftheFolk。Butwhoshallsay？Thesethingsarebeyondme，andtheSwiftOneknewnomoreaboutthemthandidI。
Welivedthroughadayofterror。Mostofthesurvivorsfledtowardtheblueberryswampandtookrefugeintheforestinthatneighborhood。AndalldayhuntingpartiesoftheFirePeoplerangedtheforest，killinguswherevertheyfoundus。Itmusthavebeenadeliberatelyexecutedplan。Increasingbeyondthelimitsoftheirownterritory，theyhaddecidedonmakingaconquestofours。Sorrytheconquest！Wehadnochanceagainstthem。Itwasslaughter，indiscriminateslaughter，fortheysparednone，killingoldandyoung，effectivelyriddingthelandofourpresence。
Itwasliketheendoftheworldtous。Wefledtothetreesasalastrefuge，onlytobesurroundedandkilled，familybyfamily。Wesawmuchofthisduringthatday，andbesides，Iwantedtosee。TheSwiftOneandIneverremainedlonginonetree，andsoescapedbeingsurrounded。Butthereseemednoplacetogo。
TheFire-Menwereeverywhere，bentontheirtaskofextermination。Everywayweturnedweencounteredthem，andbecauseofthiswesawmuchoftheirhandiwork。
Ididnotseewhatbecameofmymother，butIdidseetheChatterershotdownoutoftheoldhome-tree。AndIamafraidthatatthesightIdidabitofjoyousteetering。BeforeIleavethisportionofmynarrative，ImusttellofRed-Eye。Hewascaughtwithhiswifeinatreedownbytheblueberryswamp。TheSwiftOneandIstoppedlongenoughinourflighttosee。TheFire-Menweretoointentupontheirworktonoticeus，and，furthermore，wewerewellscreenedbythethicketinwhichwecrouched。
Fullyascoreofthehunterswereunderthetree，dischargingarrowsintoit。Theyalwayspickeduptheirarrowswhentheyfellbacktoearth。IcouldnotseeRed-Eye，butIcouldhearhimhowlingfromsomewhereinthetree。
Afterashortintervalhishowlinggrewmuffled。Hemusthavecrawledintoahollowinthetrunk。Buthiswifedidnotwinthisshelter。Anarrowbroughthertotheground。Shewasseverelyhurt，forshemadenoefforttogetaway。Shecrouchedinashelteringwayoverherbaby（whichclungtightlytoher），andmadepleadingsignsandsoundstotheFire-Men。Theygatheredaboutherandlaughedather——evenasLop-EarandIhadlaughedattheoldTree-Man。Andevenaswehadpokedhimwithtwigsandsticks，sodidtheFire-MenwithRed-Eye’swife。Theypokedherwiththeendsoftheirbows，andproddedherintheribs。Butshewaspoorfun。Shewouldnotfight。Nor，forthatmatter，wouldshegetangry。Shecontinuedtocrouchoverherbabyandtoplead。OneoftheFire-Mensteppedclosetoher。Inhishandwasaclub。Shesawandunderstood，butshemadeonlythepleadingsoundsuntiltheblowfell。
Red-Eye，inthehollowofthetrunk，wassafefromtheirarrows。Theystoodtogetheranddebatedforawhile，thenoneofthemclimbedintothetree。WhathappenedupthereIcouldnottell，butIheardhimyellandsawtheexcitementofthosethatremainedbeneath。Afterseveralminuteshisbodycrasheddowntotheground。Hedidnotmove。Theylookedathimandraisedhishead，butitfellbacklimplywhentheyletgo。Red-Eyehadaccountedforhimself。
Theywereveryangry。Therewasanopeningintothetrunkclosetotheground。Theygatheredwoodandgrassandbuiltafire。TheSwiftOneandI，ourarmsaroundeachother，waitedandwatchedinthethicket。
Sometimestheythrewuponthefiregreenbrancheswithmanyleaves，whereuponthesmokebecameverythick。
Wesawthemsuddenlyswervebackfromthetree。Theywerenotquickenough。Red-Eye’sflyingbodylandedinthemidstofthem。
Hewasinafrightfulrage，smashingaboutwithhislongarmsrightandleft。Hepulledthefaceoffoneofthem，literallypulleditoffwiththosegnarlyfingersofhisandthosetremendousmuscles。Hebitanotherthroughtheneck。TheFire-Menfellbackwithwildfierceyells，thenrusheduponhim。Hemanagedtogetholdofaclubandbegancrushingheadslikeeggshells。Hewastoomuchforthem，andtheywerecompelledtofallbackagain。Thiswashischance，andheturnedhisbackuponthemandranforit，stillhowlingwrathfully。Afewarrowsspedafterhim，butheplungedintoathicketandwasgone。
TheSwiftOneandIcreptquietlyaway，onlytorunfoulofanotherpartyofFire-Men。Theychasedusintotheblueberryswamp，butweknewthetree-pathsacrossthefarthermorasseswheretheycouldnotfollowontheground，andsoweescaped。Wecameoutontheothersideintoanarrowstripofforestthatseparatedtheblueberryswampfromthegreatswampthatextendedwestward。HerewemetLop-Ear。HowhehadescapedI
cannotimagine，unlesshehadnotslepttheprecedingnightatthecaves。
Here，inthestripofforest，wemighthavebuilttree-sheltersandsettleddown;buttheFirePeoplewereperformingtheirworkofexterminationthoroughly。
Intheafternoon，Hair-Faceandhiswifefledoutfromamongthetreestotheeast，passedus，andweregone。
Theyfledsilentlyandswiftly，withalarmintheirfaces。Inthedirectionfromwhichtheyhadcomeweheardthecriesandyellsofthehunters，andthescreechingofsomeoneoftheFolk。TheFirePeoplehadfoundtheirwayacrosstheswamp。
TheSwiftOne，Lop-Ear，andIfollowedontheheelsofHair-Faceandhiswife。Whenwecametotheedgeofthegreatswamp，westopped。Wedidnotknowitspaths。Itwasoutsideourterritory，andithadbeenalwaysavoidedbytheFolk。Nonehadevergoneintoit——atleast，toreturn。Inourmindsitrepresentedmysteryandfear，theterribleunknown。AsIsay，westoppedattheedgeofit。Wewereafraid。ThecriesoftheFire-Menweredrawingnearer。Welookedatoneanother。Hair-Faceranoutonthequakingmorassandgainedthefirmerfootingofagrass-hummockadozenyardsaway。Hiswifedidnotfollow。Shetriedto，butshrankbackfromthetreacheroussurfaceandcowereddown。
TheSwiftOnedidnotwaitforme，nordidshepausetillshehadpassedbeyondHair-Faceahundredyardsandgainedamuchlargerhummock。BythetimeLop-EarandIhadcaughtupwithher，theFire-Menappearedamongthetrees。Hair-Face’swife，drivenbythemintopanicterror，dashedafterus。Butsheranblindly，withoutcaution，andbrokethroughthecrust。Weturnedandwatched，andsawthemshootherwitharrowsasshesankdowninthemud。Thearrowsbeganfallingaboutus。Hair-Facehadnowjoinedus，andthefourofusplungedon，weknewnotwhither，deeperanddeeperintotheswamp。
CHAPTERXVIII
OfourwanderingsinthegreatswampIhavenoclearknowledge。WhenIstrivetoremember，Ihaveariotofunrelatedimpressionsandalossoftime-value。Ihavenoideaofhowlongwewereinthatvasteverglade，butitmusthavebeenforweeks。Mymemoriesofwhatoccurredinvariablytaketheformofnightmare。Foruntoldages，oppressedbyproteanfear，Iamawareofwandering，endlesslywandering，throughadankandsoggywilderness，wherepoisonoussnakesstruckatus，andanimalsroaredaroundus，andthemudquakedunderusandsuckedatourheels。
Iknowthatwewereturnedfromourcoursecountlesstimesbystreamsandlakesandslimyseas。Thentherewerestormsandrisingsofthewaterovergreatareasofthelow-lyinglands;andtherewereperiodsofhungerandmiserywhenwewerekeptprisonersinthetreesfordaysanddaysbythesetransientfloods。
Verystronguponmeisonepicture。Largetreesareaboutus，andfromtheirbrancheshanggrayfilamentsofmoss，whilegreatcreepers，likemonstrousserpents，curlaroundthetrunksandwritheintanglesthroughtheair。Andallaboutisthemud，softmud，thatbubblesforthgases，andthatheavesandsighswithinternalagitations。Andinthemidstofallthisareadozenofus。Weareleanandwretched，andourbonesshowthroughourtight-stretchedskins。Wedonotsingandchatterandlaugh。Weplaynopranks。Foronceourvolatileandexuberantspiritsarehopelesslysubdued。Wemakeplaintive，querulousnoises，lookatoneanother，andclusterclosetogether。Itislikethemeetingofthehandfulofsurvivorsafterthedayoftheendoftheworld。
Thiseventiswithoutconnectionwiththeothereventsintheswamp。Howweevermanagedtocrossit，Idonotknow，butatlastwecameoutwherealowrangeofhillsrandowntothebankoftheriver。Itwasourriveremerginglikeourselvesfromthegreatswamp。Onthesouthbank，wheretheriverhadbrokenitswaythroughthehills，wefoundmanysand-stonecaves。
Beyond，towardthewest，theoceanboomedonthebarthatlayacrosstheriver’smouth。Andhere，inthecaves，wesettleddowninourabiding-placebythesea。
Therewerenotmanyofus。Fromtimetotime，asthedayswentby，moreoftheFolkappeared。Theydraggedthemselvesfromtheswampsingly，andintwosandthrees，moredeadthanalive，mereperambulatingskeletons，untilatlasttherewerethirtyofus。Thennomorecamefromtheswamp，andRed-Eyewasnotamongus。Itwasnoticeablethatnochildrenhadsurvivedthefrightfuljourney。
Ishallnottellindetailoftheyearswelivedbythesea。Itwasnotahappyabiding-place。Theairwasrawandchill，andwesufferedcontinuallyfromcoughingandcolds。Wecouldnotsurviveinsuchanenvironment。True，wehadchildren;buttheyhadlittleholdonlifeanddiedearly，whilewediedfasterthannewoneswereborn。Ournumbersteadilydiminished。
Thentheradicalchangeinourdietwasnotgoodforus。Wegotfewvegetablesandfruits，andbecamefish-eaters。Thereweremusselsandabalonesandclamsandrock-oysters，andgreatocean-crabsthatwerethrownuponthebeachesinstormyweather。Also，wefoundseveralkindsofseaweedthatweregoodtoeat。
Butthechangeindietcausedusstomachtroubles，andnoneofuseverwaxedfat。Wewereallleananddyspeptic-looking。ItwasingettingthebigabalonesthatLop-Earwaslost。Oneofthemcloseduponhisfingersatlow-tide，andthentheflood-tidecameinanddrownedhim。Wefoundhisbodythenextday，anditwasalessontous。Notanotheroneofuswasevercaughtintheclosingshellofanabalone。
TheSwiftOneandImanagedtobringuponechild，aboy——atleastwemanagedtobringhimalongforseveralyears。ButIamquiteconfidenthecouldneverhavesurvivedthatterribleclimate。Andthen，oneday，theFirePeopleappearedagain。Theyhadcomedowntheriver，notonacatamaran，butinarudedug-out。
Therewerethreeofthemthatpaddledinit，andoneofthemwasthelittlewizenedoldhunter。Theylandedonourbeach，andhelimpedacrossthesandandexaminedourcaves。
Theywentawayinafewminutes，buttheSwiftOnewasbadlyscared。Wewereallfrightened，butnoneofustotheextentthatshewas。Shewhimperedandcriedandwasrestlessallthatnight。Inthemorningshetookthechildinherarms，andbysharpcries，gestures，andexample，startedmeonoursecondlongflight。TherewereeightoftheFolk（allthatwasleftofthehorde）thatremainedbehindinthecaves。Therewasnohopeforthem。Withoutdoubt，eveniftheFirePeopledidnotreturn，theymustsoonhaveperished。
Itwasabadclimatedowntherebythesea。TheFolkwerenotconstitutedforthecoast-dwellinglife。
Wetravelledsouth，fordaysskirtingthegreatswampbutneverventuringintoit。Oncewebrokebacktothewestward，crossingarangeofmountainsandcomingdowntothecoast。Butitwasnoplaceforus。Therewerenotrees——onlybleakheadlands，athunderingsurf，andstrongwindsthatseemednevertoceasefromblowing。
Weturnedbackacrossthemountains，travellingeastandsouth，untilwecameintouchwiththegreatswampagain。
Soonwegainedthesouthernextremityoftheswamp，andwecontinuedourcoursesouthandeast。Itwasapleasantland。Theairwaswarm，andwewereagainintheforest。Lateronwecrossedalow-lyingrangeofhillsandfoundourselvesinanevenbetterforestcountry。Thefartherwepenetratedfromthecoastthewarmerwefoundit，andwewentonandonuntilwecametoalargeriverthatseemedfamiliartotheSwiftOne。
Itwaswhereshemusthavecomeduringthefouryears’
absencefromtheharde。Thisriverwecrossedonlogs，landingonsideatthelargebluff。Highuponthebluffwefoundournewhomemostdifficultofaccessandquitehiddenfromanyeyebeneath。
Thereislittlemoreofmytaletotell。HeretheSwiftOneandIlivedandrearedourfamily。Andheremymemoriesend。Wenevermadeanothermigration。I
neverdreambeyondourhigh，inaccessiblecave。Andheremusthavebeenbornthechildthatinheritedthestuffofmydreams，thathadmouldedintoitsbeingalltheimpressionsofmylife——orofthelifeofBig-Tooth，rather，whoismyother-self，andnotmyrealself，butwhoissorealtomethatoftenIamunabletotellwhatageIamlivingin。
Ioftenwonderaboutthislineofdescent。I，themodern，amincontestablyaman;yetI，Big-Tooth，theprimitive，amnotaman。Somewhere，andbystraightlineofdescent，thesetwopartiestomydualpersonalitywereconnected。WeretheFolk，beforetheirdestruction，intheprocessofbecomingmen？AnddidIandminecarrythroughthisprocess？Ontheotherhand，maynotsomedescendantofminehavegoneintotheFirePeopleandbecomeoneofthem？Idonotknow。
Thereisnowayoflearning。Onethingonlyiscertain，andthatisthatBig-Toothdidstampintothecerebralconstitutionofoneofhisprogenyalltheimpressionsofhislife，andstampedtheminsoindeliblythatthehostsofinterveninggenerationshavefailedtoobliteratethem。
ThereisoneotherthingofwhichImustspeakbeforeI
close。ItisadreamthatIdreamoften，andinpointoftimetherealeventmusthaveoccurredduringtheperiodofmylivinginthehigh，inaccessiblecave。I
rememberthatIwanderedfarintheforesttowardtheeast。ThereIcameuponatribeofTreePeople。I
crouchedinathicketandwatchedthematplay。Theywereholdingalaughingcouncil，jumpingupanddownandscreechingrudechoruses。
Suddenlytheyhushedtheirnoiseandceasedtheircapering。Theyshrankdowninfear，andquestedanxiouslyaboutwiththeireyesforawayofretreat。
ThenRed-Eyewalkedinamongthem。Theycoweredawayfromhim。Allwerefrightened。Buthemadenoattempttohurtthem。Hewasoneofthem。Athisheels，onstringybendedlegs，supportingherselfwithknucklestothegroundoneitherside，walkedanoldfemaleoftheTreePeople，hislatestwife。Hesatdowninthemidstofthecircle。Icanseehimnow，asIwritethis，scowling，hiseyesinflamed，ashepeersabouthimatthecircleoftheTreePeople。Andashepeershecrooksonemonstrouslegandwithhisgnarlytoesscratcheshimselfonthestomach。HeisRed-Eye，theatavism。