The Later Cave-Men Part 23

When Fleetfoot announced his return, it was Flaker who heard his whistle. It was he who shouted the glad tidings to all the Cave-men.

And though he was lame, he was the first who ran ahead to greet him.

Fleetfoot and his companions had halted on a hillside not far from the cave. It was from this hill that Fleetfoot whistled so as to announce his return. Here his companions waited, while Fleetfoot advanced alone.

While Fleetfoot greeted his friends and showed them his wonderful necklace, his companions chanted his brave deeds in a victory song. It was thus that the Bison clan learned of Fleetfoot's brave deeds. It was thus that they learned of his courage which came from fasting and prayer.

When the song was ended, Bighorn advanced with Fleetfoot, and together they escorted the brave young men to the cave of the Bison clan. There they feasted, and rested, and played games until it was time for Fleetfoot's last test.

Meanwhile the young men became acquainted with Flaker. Fleetfoot had told them about him. He had shown them the dagger Flaker made and the engraving of the Big Bear. And so the young men were glad to see him and make him one of their brotherhood.

When the time came for Fleetfoot's last test, he asked permission to speak. And when Bighorn nodded his head, Fleetfoot told the people the story of how he and Flaker had worked and played together. He told of Flaker's bravery the day he was hurt by the bison. He told of Flaker's poniard which he used to kill the cave-bear. He told of the tools which Flaker had made for working bone and horn.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _A Cave-man's nose ornament._]

Then he said that the people of the Bison clan had taught them to wors.h.i.+p the G.o.ds. He said that Flaker had the favor of the G.o.ds and that his prayers would bring success. And he urged the Cave-men, on account of these things, to forget that Flaker was lame, and to admit him into the ranks of the full-grown men.

The Cave-men listened to what Fleetfoot said and they all gave a.s.sent.

And when they made ready to receive Fleetfoot, Flaker was brought forward. The nose of each of the boys was pierced and they were given nose ornaments. On account of his bravery Fleetfoot was given a baton which showed that he might lead the men. And Flaker, too, received a baton, but his was to show that he could lead in the wors.h.i.+p of the G.o.ds.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _A Cave-man's baton engraved with wild horses._]

And so every one knew that Fleetfoot and Flaker were brave young men.

They had pa.s.sed the tests that had been given for courage, and patience, and self-control. Fleetfoot's companions stayed at the cave until the ceremonies were ended. Then they renewed their vows to help one another and took leave of the Bison clan. And Fleetfoot, having done his duty, was free to return to Willow-grouse.

#THINGS TO DO#

_See if you can make such a victory song as you think the young men sang. See if you can make the speech which Fleetfoot made for Flaker._

_Dramatize this lesson, and then draw a picture of the part you like the best._

_See if you can make a baton._

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THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Why do you think people began to live in places where there were no caves? Can you think what kind of a shelter they might find?

Find out all you can about the difference between the winter and summer coat of some animal you know.

Which skins do you think would be used for curtains and beds? Which skins would be used for clothing? Which for the heavy winter coats?

_Willow-grouse_

Soon after the salmon feast, Willow-grouse saw her people again. When they went away, no one knew why she stayed behind. When they returned, no one noticed how eager she was to hear all that was said. So Willow-grouse kept her secret from every one in the clan.

Many days the people hunted; but, at length, there were signs of the coming cold. It was then that the wise men gave an order to prepare for the journey to the winter home.

All but Willow-grouse obeyed; but she heeded not what was said. It was not because she did not hear the command. It was not because she did not care to live with her own people. It was simply because she remembered Fleetfoot and was waiting for his return.

And so, when the women chided her for being a thoughtless girl, they little thought that Willow-grouse was making plans of her own. In the confusion of packing, n.o.body noticed that she stayed behind, and many moons pa.s.sed before they learned what Willow-grouse did.

As soon as her people were out of sight Willow-grouse began to make ready for Fleetfoot. There was no cave near at hand, but there were high overhanging rocks. Under one of these the people had camped. They found the roof and back wall of a dwelling ready-made. So they simply camped at the foot of the rock and built their camp-fire.

Willow-grouse knew that the bare rock was a good shelter in summer.

But she also knew that it would soon be too cold to live in such an open s.p.a.ce. So she cut long poles and braced them under the roof so as to make a framework for front and side walls. Then she covered the framework with plaited branches, and left a narrow doorway which she closed with a skin.

It was hard work to make the rock shelter, but Willow-grouse did not mind it. She kept thinking of Fleetfoot all the time, and she hoped the rock shelter would be their new home.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _An Eskimo drawing of reindeer caught in snares._]

When Willow-grouse looked at her dress, she saw it was much the worse for wear. So she set snares in the reindeer trails and caught two beautiful reindeer.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "_A piece of sandstone for flattening seams._"]

The soft summer skins of the reindeer had short, fine hair.

Willow-grouse sc.r.a.ped and pounded them and then polished them with sandstone.

Willow-grouse took great pains in making her new garments. She flattened the seams with a piece of sandstone until they were nice and smooth. Then she gathered fossil sh.e.l.ls from the rocks and trimmed the neck and sleeves. And she made a beautiful headband and belt, and pretty moccasins for her feet.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _A reindeer snare._]

And when the time drew near for Fleetfoot's return, Willow-grouse dressed in her new garments. She put on the necklace of fossil sh.e.l.ls and thought of Fleetfoot's last words.

Fleetfoot kept his promise. When the new moon came he appeared. Then Willow-grouse became his wife and he lived with her in their new home.

#THINGS TO DO#

_Look at the picture of a rock shelter on page 14._

_Find some large rocks and put them in your sand-box so as to show a natural rock shelter. Make a framework for front and side walls, and see if you can make it into a warm hut. Model the upper valley._

_Find a piece of sandstone which you can use in polis.h.i.+ng skins._

_Dress a doll the way you think Willow-grouse dressed. Dress a doll the way you think Fleetfoot dressed._

_Find pretty seeds and sh.e.l.ls which you can use in tr.i.m.m.i.n.g belts and headbands. Before sewing the seeds or sh.e.l.ls on the band, lay them so as to make a pretty pattern. After you have made your pattern draw it on paper, so that you can look at it while you are tr.i.m.m.i.n.g the band._

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