  “See, mother, what a fine rabbit I have caught,” cried Rago as he ran up to his mother. Rago sat down on the ground and began to skin the little rabbit with his sharp stone knife. He left one end smooth so that it would not hurt his hand. Then he had a splendid sharp knife which he could use for many things. When he had skinned the rabbit he laid the skin on the ground to dry. Then the sister and brother ate “This is good,” said Goni, as she ate the raw flesh. Rago cracked the bones with his stone hammer and sucked the marrow from them. “Here is a fine bone for you, Goni,” said Rago. “You can crack it with your teeth.” Suddenly Rago jumped to his feet. “What do I hear?” he said. “Come, get into this fir tree quickly.” They were just in time, for a huge rhinoceros came to the very spot where the children had been sitting. “I am glad we aren’t down there,” said Rago. “I am sure he can’t see us up here,” said their mother, “for the rhinoceros cannot see very far away.” “Is he a very fierce creature?” asked Goni. “Yes, indeed,” answered Rago. “No animal likes to meet the rhinoceros, he is so fierce and huge. “He uses his tusked snout to strike with. “Even the mammoth and fierce sabretooth fear him. “He must be very angry at something. “You can hear him grind the wood with his strong teeth. “I wonder what he is so angry about.” As they were watching the huge creature, they saw a man running in the distance. The man had a torch in his hand, and waved it as he ran. Back of him were other men all running toward the rhinoceros. They all carried burning torches. “I guess that is why he is so angry.” “They are the Tree-dwellers who belong to the clan that lives some distance away.” “Why does the leader wear skins over his shoulder?” asked Goni. “This shows that he is very brave,” answered their mother, “because he must first kill the wild animals, before he can wear their skins.” “See, he has feathers in his hair and a necklace about his neck.” “These Tree-dwellers wear teeth strung on sinews about their necks, and arms and ankles. “This shows that they have killed many wild beasts, and they are very proud to wear their teeth. “The more necklaces and feathers and skins they have the braver they are.” “See how near the leader goes to the rhinoceros,” shouted Rago. “All of the other men are following him, waving their firebrands.” “They are driving him toward “He will surely fall.” Just then the huge rhinoceros lost his footing and fell over the steep cliff. Then the leader with some of the men climbed down the cliff. They knew that the beast was dead, and they wished to take back trophies to show their clan how brave they had been. “Our people will praise us,” said the leader, “when we take these trophies back with us.” |
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