CHAPTER VII THE FIRE

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“I am tired and hungry,” said Goni.

“All right,” said the leader, “let us look for food.

“There are plenty of roots and nuts around here.”

“Here are some acorns, Goni; eat them.”

Rago found his own food as did all of the men.

After they had eaten all they wished they started off again.“The trees might be safer,” said the leader, “for our torches have gone out and it is getting late.”

“I can already hear the growls of the cave bear.”

“They have been asleep all day and are looking for a feast.”

“All for the trees!” shouted the leader.

So they all climbed the trees and nimbly swung from branch to branch.

“That largest horse is leading the herd up the trail.”

“I wonder if there are any wild beasts lying in wait for them!”

“Where do the horses go at night?” asked Goni.

“To the grassy plain outside the forest,” answered the leader.

“They have to eat the green grass which they find there.”

“Here we are,” said the leader, as all of the men suddenly jumped to the ground.There were many Tree-dwellers squatting around the fire.

One strong Tree-dweller woman was feeding the fire with huge cedar logs.

Some of the young boys were playing that a cave bear had come suddenly upon them.

They had make-believe torches with which they were pretending to frighten the fierce bear.

They all stopped and looked at Rago and Goni and their mother, who had baby sister in her arms.

Baby sister began to cry when she saw so many people.

Goni clutched Rago’s arm.“I am afraid, Rago,” said Goni.

Rago was frightened also. He didn’t go very near the fire.

“You need not be afraid,” said the leader. “The fire is our friend. It will not hurt you.”

The children ran toward Rago and Goni and pushed them toward the fire.

“It will not hurt you,” they cried.

“It will keep you warm, and protect you from the wild beasts.

“See, here is some roasted squirrel’s meat which you may have.

“Taste it and see how good it is.”Rago had never eaten roasted meat before.

“It is good,” said Rago. “I have never eaten roasted meat before.

“How did you learn that meat could be roasted?”

“One day, Strong-arm, the leader of our clan, threw down a squirrel near the fire. It was so near that the fire scorched it.

“When Strong-arm ate the squirrel’s meat it tasted so good that he told the other people in the clan about it.

“Since then we often roast our meat because we like it better than raw meat.”

“Do you like roasted meat, mother?” asked Rago.

“Here is a piece of meat for you, baby sister,” said Goni.

“Come, sit down with us,” said the children.

“Strong-arm has something to show us.”Strong-arm was sitting near the fire with the other Tree-dwellers about him.

He was telling them all about the hunt that day.

He told them how the huge rhinoceros had fallen over the cliff.

He showed them the tusks, and teeth and claws.

The Tree-dwellers were all very much pleased, and they praised the men for their bravery.

When he had finished talking, Strong-arm jumped up.

“Let us all play the hunt of today,” he said.

“You be the leader, Strong-arm,” they shouted.

“All right,” said Strong-arm; “let us pretend that the huge rhinoceros is here and we will show you just what we did.”

So the men played the hunt.

They acted just as if it were real.

“This is our hunting dance,” said one of the children to Rago.

“We have a hunting dance every night after the men return from the hunt.

“These make us brave and teach us how to hunt together.

“They teach all of the people how to do their part.

“Some day we shall be brave enough to take part in a real hunt.”

“I hope to be brave enough to be a leader,” said Rago.

“Yes,” said the other child, “I do too.”


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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