If Flaker is lame, how will he be able to get food? What do you think he can do that will be useful to the clan?Do you think the Cave-men took as good care of the sick, and the lame, and the old people, as we do? What could they do for them?Why did the men use weapons more than tools? Why did the women use tools more than weapons?Think of as many tools as you can that the women used.How Flaker Learned to Make Weapons of BoneBefore Flaker was hurt he and Fleetfoot had planned to do many things. But now Flaker was lame, and all the Cave-men knew he would never be able to hunt.When Flaker first knew it, he was very sad. And so Fleetfoot tried to comfort him. Each day he brought him a bird or a rabbit, and he told him all that had happened.For a while Flaker thought that if a man could not hunt, there was nothing else for him to do. But soon he found there were many things to do besides going out to hunt.Flaker began by doing a few little things to help Fleetfoot. He helped him flake heads for harpoons and javelins and make strong shafts.When Greybeard and Fleetfoot praised his work, Flaker was very happy. And so Flaker busied himself in the workshop when the men went out to hunt. Sometimes Chipper helped him, and often Greybeard worked with him.When Flaker was tired he would look at the trophies which were fastened on the wall near the cave. He was always glad to see the locked antlers of the two stags.A wedge or tent pin.As he looked at the strong antlers, he could almost see the handsome stags. He thought of them standing head to head ready to strike deadly blows. And he wished he had had such powerful weapons to meet the bison’s charge.The children wanted to be good to Flaker and so they brought him the antlers they found. They liked to play with the antlers, and their mothers used them in many ways. They had learned to cut them with choppers and chisels, and sometimes they cut them with stone knives.All the women used the small prongs of the antlers. They used them as wedges in prying the bark loose from the sap-wood of young trees. All the women had learned to make hammers of antler by making two cuts near the base. And sometimes they used the broad end of the brow antler instead of a stone chisel.The head of a javelin.Once when Flaker was watching Antler, he thought she was making a dagger. But Antler had not thought of making a dagger. She wasmaking a hammer and wedge. When she had finished, she dropped the long beam of the antler upon the ground and went away with her tools.Flaker kept his eyes fixed upon the long beam. The more he looked at it, the more it looked like a dagger. At length he reached and picked it up. Then he took his knife and began to cut it.That night when Fleetfoot came home, Flaker gave him a dagger of reindeer horn. Fleetfoot showed it to Bighorn, who took it, then tossed it on the ground.Bighorn had never seen such a dagger. He thought a good dagger had to be made of stone. So he made fun of Flaker’s weapon, then thought no more about it.But Greybeard and Chipper did not make fun of the weapons Flaker made. They tried the dagger next day, and found that it stood the test. So they asked Flaker to make each of them daggers and javelins of reindeer horn.THINGS TO DOTell all you know about the antlers of full-grown stags. Tell all you know about the antlers of other reindeer.Look at the antlers in the pictures on pages16,17,108, and121. Find the part that would make such a wedge as is shown on page119. Find the part that would make such a hammer as is shown on page74. Find a part for a chisel or scraper. Find the long beam that was used in making such a dagger as is shown on page123. Do you think that Flaker’s first dagger was carved in this way? Can you tell why the Cave-men carved their weapons?Act out the part of this story you like best.Draw one of these pictures:—Flaker watching for Fleetfoot’s return.The children bringing antlers to Flaker.The women at work making tools.Fleetfoot showing the dagger to Bighorn.Greybeard and Chipper asking Flaker to make daggers.Make as many simple tools as you can out of bone or horn. Find ways of using them.XXVIIITHINGS TO THINK ABOUTWhat do you think Flaker used in cutting the antler? What tools will he need to use in making weapons of bone or horn?What do you think the first saws were? How do you think people came to use saws? How large do you think they were?What are files used for? Can you think what the first files were like? What do you think they were used for?How Flaker Invented the SawA small antler.How glad Flaker was when Greybeard and Chipper asked him to make them some daggers! He looked at all the antlers the children had brought. He thought of the reindeer he had seen with antlers such as these. He remembered the handsome reindeer with their deadly weapons, and at length he chose the large antlers which had belonged to a handsome stag.Flaker looked at the long beams and decided to use them for daggers. He took his knife to cut off the prongs, but he could scarcely cut them with a knife.Flaker knew that the women cut the prongs with a chopper, but a chopper was a woman’s tool. And Flaker wanted to be like the men. And so he kept working with his knife, but he wished he had taken a beam which the women had left.A knife with two blades, a saw, and a file, all in one.When he was tired using his knife, he played with some flint flakes. He ran his fingers over the sharp edges. Then he carelessly pressed off tiny flakes.But Flaker soon tired of this and he picked up the antler again. He pushed a flint flake back and forth upon one of the prongs of the antler.Flaker was simply playing at first; but when he saw that the flint was cutting, his play became real work. And he kept on pushing and pulling the flake until the prong fell to the ground. Then he sawed off other prongs, but he did not know he was sawing.Flaker had never seen a saw and he did not know what it was. He did not know that when he pressed off the tiny flakes he made the teeth of a flint saw.But Flaker had made a saw. It was only the rough edge of a flint flake. No doubt such rough edges had been made many times before. But Flaker learned to use the rough edge by pushing and pulling it back and forth.A Cave-man’s dagger of carved antler.When Flaker sawed the prongs from the beam, some of the places were rough. So he rubbed them with the face of the flint until he made them smooth. When Flaker did this, the flake, which had been only a knife, became a file as well as a saw.Greybeard and Chipper tried the new daggers and found that they were sharp and strong. And the next time they went on the chase they took the new weapons along.Bighorn saw the new weapons, but he said little about them. For Bighorn knew better than to make fun of weapons Greybeard used.Nothing pleased Flaker more than to be able to help Greybeard. And so he cherished the new tool that he used in shaping reindeer horn. Sometimes he showed it to Greybeard, who was always kind to the boys. But even the wise old man had no idea of what a wonderful tool it was.The other Cave-men saw the tool, but they thought very little about it. They cared a great deal about the weapons they used in the chase. But few of the Cave-men ever thought of making anything they did not need right away.And so little was said about the new tool which was a knife with two blades, a saw, and a file, all in one. Nobody dreamed at that time that the little tool was the forerunner of a great change.THINGS TO DOIf you can strike off a large flint flake with three faces, see if you can make it into a knife-saw-file.Look at the picture, or at the real tool you have made, and find the plain face that can be used as a file.Find the two edges which can be used as knives. Find the edge which has a crest of teeth, and which can be used as a saw.Draw one of these pictures:—The women chopping prongs from the beam of the antler.Flaker sawing the prongs off the antler.XXIXTHINGS TO THINK ABOUTCan you think why the females and the young males of the reindeer herd could drive the old stags away during the winter? Could they do it in the summer?Why can the reindeer walk easily in the snow or on slippery places?What is it that makes the clicking sound when reindeer walk or run?Why were the Cave-men careful to make no mistake in the dance?The Reindeer DanceFleetfoot did not hunt with the men, but he learned many things from them. In early winter, he heard them tell stories of dangerous encounters with ugly stags. When the old stags shed their antlers, he saw the men dance the reindeer dance.Fleetfoot mimicked the reindeer’s movements and the grunting sounds they made. But he was not allowed to join with the men in dancing the reindeer dance. Only brave men were allowed to join in the dance. Only the bravest men were allowed to lead.A Cave-man’s mortar stone for grinding paint.But Fleetfoot stood near and saw everything that was done. Some of the men put on headdresses made of the antlers of the reindeer. Others put on reindeer suits without the headdress of antlers. Those that were to be the Cave-men painted their faces and carried trophies.Fleetfoot wished that he could have a headdress and take part in the dance. He wondered how long he would have to wait before he could dance with the men. He wondered how many brave things he must do before he would rank as a man.And when Fleetfoot saw the men standing in silence while Greybeard made offerings to the gods, he looked at the brave old man and wondered how a man could be so wise. Then he thought of Chew-chew’s stories of brave men of olden times.At length Fleetfoot saw Flaker, who was sitting all alone. He went and sat beside him and they watched the men dance.The men had finished dressing, and the women were seated on the ground. They had rolls of skin, and rude drums, and rattles of reindeer hoofs.At a signal from Bighorn, a group of men came dancing to the music of the rattles. They moved about and made low grunting sounds as though they were a reindeer herd.Then the music changed. The women drummedupon skins and hummed in a weird way. They tried to show by the sound of the music the coming of a storm.A drum.At the first sound of the weird music, the reindeer pricked up their ears. Then the larger reindeer that had lost their antlers started off to make-believe higher lands. There they made believe paw the snow until they found the moss. As the music of the storm grew louder, the herd followed to the higher lands. And with many an angry threat they drove the old stags away.Then the drumming and humming became fainter, and at last the sounds died away. But still the faint clicking of the rattles marked each step of the men in the dance.Another signal from Bighorn marked the change to a new scene. Trails were marked upon the ground and sticks placed for hills and streams.While the reindeer pretended to feed, a group of Cave-men appeared. Bighorn, who was still the leader, sent Little-bear to watch where the trail crossed the hills. Chipper was sent to lie in wait at the spot where the trail crossed the river. And Bighorn, himself, took his stand at the point where the trails crossed.When the men took their places, others crept back of the herd. Only the light music of the rattles sounded as the reindeer moved about.As the men came nearer the reindeer herd, the sentinels showed signs of fear. The clicking of the rattles was quicker. The herd became thoroughly alarmed and the women shook the rattles and made a loud din.Then the reindeer started on their old trails and came near the spots where the men were hid. The clicking of the rattles marked the time for the running, and the beating of the drum showed when javelins were hurled. Soon the shouts of the men and the rattles and drums made a loud noise.All the Cave-men enjoyed the dance. They danced it without a mistake. And so they felt sure that the god of the reindeer would give them success in the chase.THINGS TO DOModel in your sand-box the spot where the reindeer dance was danced.Model the trails where the Cave-men thought the reindeer would run when alarmed.Make rattles of something which you can find, and show how to mark time with them.If you can get a skin, see if you can stretch it over something so as to make a drum. Try different ways, and tell which is best.Dramatize this lesson.Draw a picture to illustrate it.XXXTHINGS TO THINK ABOUTCan you think why hunters frequently have famines? At what season of the year would they be most likely to have a famine?Can you think why they did not preserve and save food in times of plenty?If game should be scarce on a hunting ground, do you think all of the people could stay at home? What do you think would happen at such a time?Have you ever heard that the Indians used to be afraid of having their pictures taken? Why were they afraid of it?Fleetfoot Prepares for His Final TestToward the close of winter rumors of famine came to the Bison clan. Several times people came from neighboring clans and asked Antler for food. There was plenty of meat in the cave, so she gave to those who asked. The strangers soon went away, and the Bison clan forgot about them.The next summer game was scarce on several of the old hunting grounds. There was not enough food for all. People began to wander away from their old homes. Small groups of men, women, and children, set out in different directions.Game was still plenty on the lands of the Bison clan. When the neighbors knew this, they came to hunt on these lands. The day Fleetfoot went away to fast, strange people came and camped.The next day the Bison clan drove them away. A few days later other strangers came, and they, too, were driven away. Bighorn was angry when the strangers first came, but soon he became alarmed.Just as the men and women were holding a council to consider what to do, the strangers disappeared. Not until Fleetfoot returned did the Bison clan know who they were or why they came.“People began to wander away from their old homes.”Before Fleetfoot went away to fast, he had been curious about the Big Bear. He had heard many stories about the Big Bear ever since he was a child. He had heard that the Big Bear guarded the game and kept the animals in the rocky cavern. He had wondered if he could climb the mountains and find the cave of the Big Bear.Before Flaker was hurt, the boys had planned to go to the mountains. They had planned to make friends with the Big Bear and learn where he kept the game. They had planned to climb the highest peaks and see what there was beyond.Once, when the boys asked Greybeard if they might go to the mountains, Greybeard said, “No, no, my children! Wait a while. You are not yet old enough to go.”And so the boys waited, but they still talked about going to the cavern of the Big Bear. After Flaker was hurt they still planned, but they planned for Fleetfoot to go alone.One day when the boys were talking together, Greybeard came to Fleetfoot and said, “The time you have waited for has come. Prepare for your final test.”This was glad news for Fleetfoot. At last he was to have a chance to prove himself worthy to rank with the men. Flaker rejoiced with Fleetfoot, yet he could not help feeling sad.The Bison clan had decided that Fleetfoot should go to a quiet spot. There he was to fast and pray until he received a sign from the gods. And when he had donetheir bidding, he was to return for his final test. This test once passed, Fleetfoot would be counted one of the men.Before Fleetfoot went, Greybeard instructed him in the use of prayers and charms. Antler gave him a magic powder and showed him how to prepare it from herbs. And the men told him of their tests, and the signs they received from the gods.Flaker had listened to every word that Greybeard had said. He had thought of all the dangers which Fleetfoot might encounter. And he wondered if there was not a way to protect Fleetfoot from harm.Flaker knew that the reindeer dance was a prayer of the Cave-men to their gods. He knew each movement in the dance was to help the gods understand. He felt sure that the gods would help Fleetfoot if he could make them understand. And so he determined to make a prayer which Fleetfoot could carry with him.The engraving of a cave-bear on a pebble.Perhaps you will think that the prayer Flaker made was a very strange prayer. But many people in all parts of the world have made such prayers. It was a prayer to the Big Bear of the mountains. Flaker scratched it upon a smooth pebble with a flint point. It was a picture of the Big Bear, and Flaker made it so that Fleetfoot could control the actions of the Big Bear.When Flaker gave the prayer to Fleetfoot he told him to guard it with great care. Fleetfoot took the prayer and promised to keep it near his side. Then the boys made an offering to the Big Bear and asked him to guide the way.When at length Fleetfoot was ready to start, Greybeard spoke these parting words: “Forget not the offerings to the gods, and remember they must be made with true words and a faithful heart.”THINGS TO DOShow in your sand-box where you think the mountains were. Model them and show that they were almost covered with snow. Show good places for neighboring hunting grounds.Tell why game might be scarce in some hunting grounds and plenty in others.Dramatize this story. Draw pictures which will show what happened. See if you can engrave some animal upon wood or soft stone.XXXITHINGS TO THINK ABOUTWhere do you think Fleetfoot will go while he is away from home?Find a picture of a glacier, and see if you can tell how a glacier is made. In what places does the snow stay all the year round? If a great deal of snow falls each year, what do you think will become of it?Find out whether there have ever been glaciers near where you live. If there have, see if you can find any traces of them.Fleetfoot Fasts and PraysNone of the Cave-men knew where Fleetfoot would go to fast and pray. He scarcely knew himself, but allthe time he kept thinking of the Big Bear of the Mountains. And so he turned his steps toward the high mountain peaks.He followed the bison trail, for that was a sure guide. It led up the river a long way, and then skirted a dark forest. He crossed the river and went to the forest. There he sought out a lonely spot where he stayed several days.As soon as he had made a fire, Fleetfoot made offerings to the gods. His offerings were fish he caught in the river and birds he caught in snares.Although Fleetfoot offered meat to the gods, he did not taste it himself. When he was ready to sleep, he rubbed a pinch of wood-ashes upon his breast and prayed thus to the fire god: “O fire god, hover near me while I sleep. Hear my prayer. Grant good dreams to me this night. Grant me a sign that thou wilt aid me. Lead my feet in the right way.”The first night Fleetfoot had no dreams. The second night he dreamed he was a child again and that he lived in his old home. The third night he dreamed of the Big Bear of the Mountains. He thought that he climbed the mountain crags and went to the Big Bear’s cave. He dreamed that the Big Bear spoke to him and asked him whence he came. Then strange people seemed to come out of the cave and wave their weapons in a threatening way. After that Fleetfoot remembered nothing except that the Big Bear seemed like a friend.At daybreak Fleetfoot awoke, and at once he thought of his dream. He took the pebble from a little bag.Then he made an offering to the bear as he spoke these words: “O Big Bear! O mighty hunter! Show me the way to thy caverns. Show me where thou keepest the game. Give me strength to meet all dangers. Fill my enemies with fear.”Then, remembering what Greybeard had said, Fleetfoot gave offerings to all the animals he hoped to kill. In this way he thought the gods would help him when he went out to hunt.As soon as the offerings were made, Fleetfoot looked for a sign from the gods. The winds began to blow. Dark clouds began to climb the sky. Then the thunders pealed through the heavens.A stone borer, used in making a necklace.Fleetfoot, faint from his long fast, took courage from these signs. The winds seemed to be messengers bearing his prayer to the gods. The dark clouds seemed to be the enemies he would meet on the way. The peals of thunder sounded to him like promises of strength. The bright lightning in the sky flashed a message of hope. A flock of swallows circling near seemed to point the way. And so Fleetfoot refreshed himself and started toward the mountains.It would take too long to tell all the things that happened to Fleetfoot before he returned. One of the first things he did was to kill a cave-bear and take the trophies.When Fleetfoot started out again, he wore a necklace of bear’s teeth. He wore thempartly because they were trophies and partly because they were charms.Fleetfoot followed the trail along the edge of the forest until he reached a ridge of hills. Behind him lay the River of Stones and all the places he had known. Before him lay a pretty valley about a day’s journey across. To his left the snow-covered mountain peaks shone with a dazzling light.He stopped only to sleep and to make offerings to the gods. Fleetfoot was full of courage, and yet he was weak from his fast. He longed to be strong against all foes. He longed to be a great hunter. He longed to strengthen his people and to meet the dangers which threatened his clan.At midday he reached the river, where he sat down to rest. Then he went up the little river, which flowed over a rocky bed.Fleetfoot followed the river until he came to a spot where it seemed to end. Great masses of snow and ice covered the river bed. Farther up they reached the top of the cliffs and stretched out into the valley.It was the melting of this glacier which fed the little stream.Fleetfoot stood and gazed at the glacier with its rough billows of snow and ice. He looked at the green forests which stretched to its very edge. He looked at the great ice sheets which covered the mountain peaks. He looked at the bare crags which jutted out from the rocks. And he wondered if the Big Bear’s cave was in one of these rocks.“It was the melting of this glacier which fed the little stream.”Then he crossed the stream and approached the cliff on the opposite side. There he found a cave, and he looked about, but he found no one at home.As Fleetfoot was looking about, he began to think of Chew-chew. Everything upon which his eyes rested seemed to speak of her. And yet he could not remember seeing the place before.Night came again and Fleetfoot slept. Again he saw the Big Bear in his dreams. Again he saw the enemies of his clan, and again he dreamed of his old home.For several days Fleetfoot explored the country near the mountains. He found several good hunting grounds, but he did not find the Big Bear.As the days passed it seemed to Fleetfoot that he was no longer alone. He heard no steps, and he saw no tracks; yet he felt sure that some one was near.One morning, when he awoke, there was some one watching him through the thick leaves. He grasped his spear and was ready to throw, when he heard a merry laugh.Then a lovely maiden appeared with dark and glossy hair. Her eyes shone with the morning light and her breath was as fresh as the dew.Fleetfoot dropped his spear and stepped forward to greet the girl. A moment they gazed in each other’s eyes, and then they knew no fear.They sat on a mossy bank where they talked for a long, long time. And Fleetfoot learned that she was called Willow-grouse and that her people were away.Before he could ask her more, she inquired from whence he came. And then she asked him what had brought him so far away from his home.While Fleetfoot was telling his story, Willow-grouse listened with sparkling eyes. When he had finished, her eyes fell, and she seemed to be buried in thought. Willow-grouse knew that her own people were plotting against the Bison clan. She wanted Fleetfoot to stay with her; and she feared that if she told him what her people were doing, he would go away.For a few minutes Willow-grouse kept silent; but, at length, she decided to speak. She told Fleetfoot of the famine of the springtime and of the scarcity of game. She told how the people separated and traveled far and wide. Many of her own people had been to the grounds of the Bison clan. Now the clans were at the rapids. But as soon as the salmon season was over, they were going to attack the Bison clan.When Fleetfoot heard what Willow-grouse said, he gave up his search for the Big Bear. He decided to go to the salmon feast and learn what the clans were doing. He hoped he could do this and still have time to warn the Bison clan.THINGS TO DOSee if you can find a way of making a glacier in your sand-box.Model a river valley whose upper part is filled with a glacier. Show where the bed and banks are covered with snow and ice. Show where the cliffs are covered. Show where the ice-sheets are. Show on the sand-map Fleetfoot’s journey to the place where he fasted. Show the remainder of his journey.Draw pictures of the following:—Fleetfoot prays to the fire-god.Fleetfoot receives signs from the gods.Fleetfoot standing on the ridge of hills.Fleetfoot’s meeting with Willow-grouse.XXXIITHINGS TO THINK ABOUTCan you think why the salmon feast was at the rapids of the river?Show in your sand-map a place where rapids might be. If there is a river near you which has rapids, go to the spot and see if you can tell what it is that makes the rapids.Show in your map the hunting grounds of the clans which met at the rapids. Find the trails they would follow in going to the rapids.Find out all you can about the habits of the salmon.A necklace of fossil shells.The Meeting of the ClansAt his parting from Willow-grouse, Fleetfoot gave her a necklace of fossil shells. Then saying, “We shall meet when the new moon comes,” he started on his way.He followed Sweet Briar River on his way to the meeting of the clans. At sunset he knew he was nearing the place where Willow-grouse said they had met. He could hear the roaring of the rapids, and above this sound, the shouts of the clans.Fleetfoot waited for the cover of darkness, for he did not wish to be seen. Then he approached cautiously toward the spot where the camp fire crackled and blazed. In the light of the flames dark trunks of oaks and fir trees stood out of the blackness. Then moving forms appeared on the banks and lighted the clans seated around the fire. At first Fleetfoot did not go near enough to see the faces distinctly. But he could tell from the various movements that they were preparing for a dance.All eyes seemed fixed on an old woman who was offering gifts to the gods. She lifted hot stones from the fire and dropped them into a basket of water. Then she took a piece of salmon and dropped it into the water.As Fleetfoot watched the old woman, he thought of Chew-chew and his old home. Then he wondered if all women would look like Chew-chew when they grew old.When the offerings were made, the men began a war dance. Some were dressed in masks of horses, and others wore masks of reindeer and cattle.When the men took off their masks, Fleetfoot looked as if in a dream. For among the strangers moving about there appeared familiar forms.For a few minutes Fleetfoot could not tell whether he was awake or asleep. What he saw seemed very real, and yet it seemed like a dream. He had almost forgotten his own people. He had not seen them since the day he was lost. And now, only a few paces away, stood Scarface and Straightshaft. Then other familiar forms appeared moving near the fire. And among the women who had beaten the drums were Chew-chew and Eagle-eye.When Fleetfoot saw his mother and Chew-chew, he almost shouted for joy. He wanted to go and speak to them, but something seemed to hold him back.Then his heart began to beat so loud and so fast that Fleetfoot was afraid he would be discovered; so he hurried away from the spot to a hollow tree where he spent the night.For a long time he lay awake thinking about what to do. He could not go back to Willow-grouse and leave his work undone. He could not make himself known to Cave-men who were planning to attack the Bison clan. He could not return to the Bison clan without learning the enemies’ plans.And so Fleetfoot took the pebble from its bag and asked the Big Bear for aid. Then he fell asleep and did not awake until the break of day.All through the day he watched the clans. He saw them fish at the rapids and feast and play around the fire. He saw them go to a smooth spot near the bank where they played games. When night came he said to himself, “I’ll watch the dance and learn their plans.”Scarface offered gifts to the gods before the dance began. As he performed the magic rites, all the people were still. Every eye was turned toward the old man. No one suspected danger.Fleetfoot, watching from a safe retreat, had heard a rustling sound. And, looking in the direction from which the sound came, he saw a big tiger in a neighboring tree.The tiger had crept out on a strong branch and was watching for his prey. The eyes of the big cat snapped fire as they followed each movement that Scarface made.There was not a moment to be lost. The tiger was about to spring. Fleetfoot’s spear whizzed through the air and dealt a powerful blow. Another followed, but with less force although Fleetfoot hurled it with all his might.With a cry of rage the tiger turned, and leaving Scarface upon the ground, he sprang toward Fleetfoot. And the Cave-men grasped their weapons and rushed to the spot.They found the tiger dying from the effect of the first blow. They watched his death struggles. Then they looked for the man who had hurled a spear that struck a death blow.If Fleetfoot had not been struck senseless, he might have made his escape. But as it happened, the Cave-men found him lying on the ground, and they raised him up and carried him to a spot near the bright camp-fire.THINGS TO DOShow on your sand-map where the clans had camped. Show where you think Fleetfoot watched. Show where the ceremonies were performed.Draw one of these pictures:—Fleetfoot bids farewell to Willow-grouse.The clans seated around the camp-fire.Fleetfoot watching the dance.Fleetfoot saves Scarface’s life.Watch a cat as it springs upon a mouse, and then think of the tiger as he sprang upon Scarface. Model it in bas-relief.XXXIIITHINGS TO THINK ABOUTWhat do you think the people will do with Fleetfoot?Can you think of any way that Fleetfoot might prevent them from attacking the Bison clan?What Happened when the Clans Found FleetfootWhile Chew-chew and Eagle-eye were attending to Scarface, others took care of Fleetfoot. They knew nothing about him except that he had saved Scarface’s life. Everybody wanted to see him; and so a great crowd gathered around.People looked at the strange young man as he lay pale and still on the ground. They looked and looked again, then said, “How like he is to Scarface.”Eagle-eye had not forgotten Fleetfoot. She never spoke of him, but she still hoped that he was alive andthat she would see him again. When strangers came she always inquired for tidings of the lost boy.And so when Eagle-eye heard what the people said, she pushed her way through the crowd. The moment she saw him, she cried, “Fleetfoot!” and then bent over his lifeless form.Chew-chew, hearing Eagle-eye’s cry, hurried to the spot. She knelt by his side and murmured his name, and thought of Scarface when he was young.Those who stood near turned and asked, “Who is Fleetfoot?” Many of the people had never heard of him. Others had heard of Eagle-eye’s boy. All were curious to know more about the strange young man. All were anxious to know if he was dead or alive.Fleetfoot was not dead. He was only stunned by the tiger’s blow. When Eagle-eye bathed him with cold water, he began to show signs of life. When at length he opened his eyes, he knew that he was recognized.When those who stood near found out who the young man was, they shouted the tidings to those who were farther away. Then the people rejoiced and thanked the gods for thus befriending them.Before Fleetfoot slept that night, he wondered how the meeting would end. He wondered if he could find a way to prevent an attack upon the Bison clan. And, turning once more to the Big Bear, he soon fell asleep. Next morning the people caught salmon just below the rapids. They feasted a while and then played games in which Fleetfoot took part.When the games were over, the young men crowded around him. They asked him how he could throw a spear so as to strike a deadly blow. Fleetfoot told all he knew about the use of spears and harpoons, but he scarcely knew himself how he had thrown with such force.But he took two spearheads in his hand, just as he had held them when he saw the tiger. He threw one at a mark and the spear went with such force that the young men shouted for joy. Then they all practiced throwing until they could throw in the same way. It was in this way that people learned to hurl weapons with a throwing-stick. Instead of hurling one spear by resting the butt against the barb of another, as Fleetfoot had done when he threw at the tiger, they learned to shape sticks for throwing spears, and they called them “throwing-sticks.”A throwing-stick.The older men watched as Fleetfoot showed the young men how he threw spears and harpoons. And soon they all agreed to ask Fleetfoot to lead in the dance that night.Scarface invited him to lead, and Fleetfoot accepted. He was glad to lead in a real hunting dance, but he was still more glad to have a chance to prevent an attack upon the Bison clan. And so he resolved to plan a dance which would make them forget their plan.When the time came to begin the dance, Fleetfootwas ready to lead. He knew that the men all wanted to find good hunting grounds. So he showed them where to find such grounds and what trails to follow.
If Flaker is lame, how will he be able to get food? What do you think he can do that will be useful to the clan?Do you think the Cave-men took as good care of the sick, and the lame, and the old people, as we do? What could they do for them?Why did the men use weapons more than tools? Why did the women use tools more than weapons?Think of as many tools as you can that the women used.
If Flaker is lame, how will he be able to get food? What do you think he can do that will be useful to the clan?
Do you think the Cave-men took as good care of the sick, and the lame, and the old people, as we do? What could they do for them?
Why did the men use weapons more than tools? Why did the women use tools more than weapons?
Think of as many tools as you can that the women used.
How Flaker Learned to Make Weapons of Bone
Before Flaker was hurt he and Fleetfoot had planned to do many things. But now Flaker was lame, and all the Cave-men knew he would never be able to hunt.
When Flaker first knew it, he was very sad. And so Fleetfoot tried to comfort him. Each day he brought him a bird or a rabbit, and he told him all that had happened.
For a while Flaker thought that if a man could not hunt, there was nothing else for him to do. But soon he found there were many things to do besides going out to hunt.
Flaker began by doing a few little things to help Fleetfoot. He helped him flake heads for harpoons and javelins and make strong shafts.
When Greybeard and Fleetfoot praised his work, Flaker was very happy. And so Flaker busied himself in the workshop when the men went out to hunt. Sometimes Chipper helped him, and often Greybeard worked with him.
When Flaker was tired he would look at the trophies which were fastened on the wall near the cave. He was always glad to see the locked antlers of the two stags.
A wedge or tent pin.
As he looked at the strong antlers, he could almost see the handsome stags. He thought of them standing head to head ready to strike deadly blows. And he wished he had had such powerful weapons to meet the bison’s charge.
The children wanted to be good to Flaker and so they brought him the antlers they found. They liked to play with the antlers, and their mothers used them in many ways. They had learned to cut them with choppers and chisels, and sometimes they cut them with stone knives.
All the women used the small prongs of the antlers. They used them as wedges in prying the bark loose from the sap-wood of young trees. All the women had learned to make hammers of antler by making two cuts near the base. And sometimes they used the broad end of the brow antler instead of a stone chisel.
The head of a javelin.
Once when Flaker was watching Antler, he thought she was making a dagger. But Antler had not thought of making a dagger. She wasmaking a hammer and wedge. When she had finished, she dropped the long beam of the antler upon the ground and went away with her tools.
Flaker kept his eyes fixed upon the long beam. The more he looked at it, the more it looked like a dagger. At length he reached and picked it up. Then he took his knife and began to cut it.
That night when Fleetfoot came home, Flaker gave him a dagger of reindeer horn. Fleetfoot showed it to Bighorn, who took it, then tossed it on the ground.
Bighorn had never seen such a dagger. He thought a good dagger had to be made of stone. So he made fun of Flaker’s weapon, then thought no more about it.
But Greybeard and Chipper did not make fun of the weapons Flaker made. They tried the dagger next day, and found that it stood the test. So they asked Flaker to make each of them daggers and javelins of reindeer horn.
THINGS TO DO
Tell all you know about the antlers of full-grown stags. Tell all you know about the antlers of other reindeer.Look at the antlers in the pictures on pages16,17,108, and121. Find the part that would make such a wedge as is shown on page119. Find the part that would make such a hammer as is shown on page74. Find a part for a chisel or scraper. Find the long beam that was used in making such a dagger as is shown on page123. Do you think that Flaker’s first dagger was carved in this way? Can you tell why the Cave-men carved their weapons?Act out the part of this story you like best.Draw one of these pictures:—Flaker watching for Fleetfoot’s return.The children bringing antlers to Flaker.The women at work making tools.Fleetfoot showing the dagger to Bighorn.Greybeard and Chipper asking Flaker to make daggers.Make as many simple tools as you can out of bone or horn. Find ways of using them.
Tell all you know about the antlers of full-grown stags. Tell all you know about the antlers of other reindeer.
Look at the antlers in the pictures on pages16,17,108, and121. Find the part that would make such a wedge as is shown on page119. Find the part that would make such a hammer as is shown on page74. Find a part for a chisel or scraper. Find the long beam that was used in making such a dagger as is shown on page123. Do you think that Flaker’s first dagger was carved in this way? Can you tell why the Cave-men carved their weapons?
Act out the part of this story you like best.
Draw one of these pictures:—Flaker watching for Fleetfoot’s return.The children bringing antlers to Flaker.The women at work making tools.Fleetfoot showing the dagger to Bighorn.Greybeard and Chipper asking Flaker to make daggers.
Make as many simple tools as you can out of bone or horn. Find ways of using them.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
What do you think Flaker used in cutting the antler? What tools will he need to use in making weapons of bone or horn?What do you think the first saws were? How do you think people came to use saws? How large do you think they were?What are files used for? Can you think what the first files were like? What do you think they were used for?
What do you think Flaker used in cutting the antler? What tools will he need to use in making weapons of bone or horn?
What do you think the first saws were? How do you think people came to use saws? How large do you think they were?
What are files used for? Can you think what the first files were like? What do you think they were used for?
How Flaker Invented the Saw
A small antler.
How glad Flaker was when Greybeard and Chipper asked him to make them some daggers! He looked at all the antlers the children had brought. He thought of the reindeer he had seen with antlers such as these. He remembered the handsome reindeer with their deadly weapons, and at length he chose the large antlers which had belonged to a handsome stag.
Flaker looked at the long beams and decided to use them for daggers. He took his knife to cut off the prongs, but he could scarcely cut them with a knife.
Flaker knew that the women cut the prongs with a chopper, but a chopper was a woman’s tool. And Flaker wanted to be like the men. And so he kept working with his knife, but he wished he had taken a beam which the women had left.
A knife with two blades, a saw, and a file, all in one.
When he was tired using his knife, he played with some flint flakes. He ran his fingers over the sharp edges. Then he carelessly pressed off tiny flakes.
But Flaker soon tired of this and he picked up the antler again. He pushed a flint flake back and forth upon one of the prongs of the antler.
Flaker was simply playing at first; but when he saw that the flint was cutting, his play became real work. And he kept on pushing and pulling the flake until the prong fell to the ground. Then he sawed off other prongs, but he did not know he was sawing.
Flaker had never seen a saw and he did not know what it was. He did not know that when he pressed off the tiny flakes he made the teeth of a flint saw.
But Flaker had made a saw. It was only the rough edge of a flint flake. No doubt such rough edges had been made many times before. But Flaker learned to use the rough edge by pushing and pulling it back and forth.
A Cave-man’s dagger of carved antler.
When Flaker sawed the prongs from the beam, some of the places were rough. So he rubbed them with the face of the flint until he made them smooth. When Flaker did this, the flake, which had been only a knife, became a file as well as a saw.
Greybeard and Chipper tried the new daggers and found that they were sharp and strong. And the next time they went on the chase they took the new weapons along.
Bighorn saw the new weapons, but he said little about them. For Bighorn knew better than to make fun of weapons Greybeard used.
Nothing pleased Flaker more than to be able to help Greybeard. And so he cherished the new tool that he used in shaping reindeer horn. Sometimes he showed it to Greybeard, who was always kind to the boys. But even the wise old man had no idea of what a wonderful tool it was.
The other Cave-men saw the tool, but they thought very little about it. They cared a great deal about the weapons they used in the chase. But few of the Cave-men ever thought of making anything they did not need right away.
And so little was said about the new tool which was a knife with two blades, a saw, and a file, all in one. Nobody dreamed at that time that the little tool was the forerunner of a great change.
THINGS TO DO
If you can strike off a large flint flake with three faces, see if you can make it into a knife-saw-file.Look at the picture, or at the real tool you have made, and find the plain face that can be used as a file.Find the two edges which can be used as knives. Find the edge which has a crest of teeth, and which can be used as a saw.Draw one of these pictures:—The women chopping prongs from the beam of the antler.Flaker sawing the prongs off the antler.
If you can strike off a large flint flake with three faces, see if you can make it into a knife-saw-file.
Look at the picture, or at the real tool you have made, and find the plain face that can be used as a file.
Find the two edges which can be used as knives. Find the edge which has a crest of teeth, and which can be used as a saw.
Draw one of these pictures:—The women chopping prongs from the beam of the antler.Flaker sawing the prongs off the antler.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
Can you think why the females and the young males of the reindeer herd could drive the old stags away during the winter? Could they do it in the summer?Why can the reindeer walk easily in the snow or on slippery places?What is it that makes the clicking sound when reindeer walk or run?Why were the Cave-men careful to make no mistake in the dance?
Can you think why the females and the young males of the reindeer herd could drive the old stags away during the winter? Could they do it in the summer?
Why can the reindeer walk easily in the snow or on slippery places?
What is it that makes the clicking sound when reindeer walk or run?
Why were the Cave-men careful to make no mistake in the dance?
The Reindeer Dance
Fleetfoot did not hunt with the men, but he learned many things from them. In early winter, he heard them tell stories of dangerous encounters with ugly stags. When the old stags shed their antlers, he saw the men dance the reindeer dance.
Fleetfoot mimicked the reindeer’s movements and the grunting sounds they made. But he was not allowed to join with the men in dancing the reindeer dance. Only brave men were allowed to join in the dance. Only the bravest men were allowed to lead.
A Cave-man’s mortar stone for grinding paint.
But Fleetfoot stood near and saw everything that was done. Some of the men put on headdresses made of the antlers of the reindeer. Others put on reindeer suits without the headdress of antlers. Those that were to be the Cave-men painted their faces and carried trophies.
Fleetfoot wished that he could have a headdress and take part in the dance. He wondered how long he would have to wait before he could dance with the men. He wondered how many brave things he must do before he would rank as a man.
And when Fleetfoot saw the men standing in silence while Greybeard made offerings to the gods, he looked at the brave old man and wondered how a man could be so wise. Then he thought of Chew-chew’s stories of brave men of olden times.
At length Fleetfoot saw Flaker, who was sitting all alone. He went and sat beside him and they watched the men dance.
The men had finished dressing, and the women were seated on the ground. They had rolls of skin, and rude drums, and rattles of reindeer hoofs.
At a signal from Bighorn, a group of men came dancing to the music of the rattles. They moved about and made low grunting sounds as though they were a reindeer herd.
Then the music changed. The women drummedupon skins and hummed in a weird way. They tried to show by the sound of the music the coming of a storm.
A drum.
At the first sound of the weird music, the reindeer pricked up their ears. Then the larger reindeer that had lost their antlers started off to make-believe higher lands. There they made believe paw the snow until they found the moss. As the music of the storm grew louder, the herd followed to the higher lands. And with many an angry threat they drove the old stags away.
Then the drumming and humming became fainter, and at last the sounds died away. But still the faint clicking of the rattles marked each step of the men in the dance.
Another signal from Bighorn marked the change to a new scene. Trails were marked upon the ground and sticks placed for hills and streams.
While the reindeer pretended to feed, a group of Cave-men appeared. Bighorn, who was still the leader, sent Little-bear to watch where the trail crossed the hills. Chipper was sent to lie in wait at the spot where the trail crossed the river. And Bighorn, himself, took his stand at the point where the trails crossed.
When the men took their places, others crept back of the herd. Only the light music of the rattles sounded as the reindeer moved about.
As the men came nearer the reindeer herd, the sentinels showed signs of fear. The clicking of the rattles was quicker. The herd became thoroughly alarmed and the women shook the rattles and made a loud din.
Then the reindeer started on their old trails and came near the spots where the men were hid. The clicking of the rattles marked the time for the running, and the beating of the drum showed when javelins were hurled. Soon the shouts of the men and the rattles and drums made a loud noise.
All the Cave-men enjoyed the dance. They danced it without a mistake. And so they felt sure that the god of the reindeer would give them success in the chase.
THINGS TO DO
Model in your sand-box the spot where the reindeer dance was danced.Model the trails where the Cave-men thought the reindeer would run when alarmed.Make rattles of something which you can find, and show how to mark time with them.If you can get a skin, see if you can stretch it over something so as to make a drum. Try different ways, and tell which is best.Dramatize this lesson.Draw a picture to illustrate it.
Model in your sand-box the spot where the reindeer dance was danced.
Model the trails where the Cave-men thought the reindeer would run when alarmed.
Make rattles of something which you can find, and show how to mark time with them.
If you can get a skin, see if you can stretch it over something so as to make a drum. Try different ways, and tell which is best.
Dramatize this lesson.
Draw a picture to illustrate it.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
Can you think why hunters frequently have famines? At what season of the year would they be most likely to have a famine?Can you think why they did not preserve and save food in times of plenty?If game should be scarce on a hunting ground, do you think all of the people could stay at home? What do you think would happen at such a time?Have you ever heard that the Indians used to be afraid of having their pictures taken? Why were they afraid of it?
Can you think why hunters frequently have famines? At what season of the year would they be most likely to have a famine?
Can you think why they did not preserve and save food in times of plenty?
If game should be scarce on a hunting ground, do you think all of the people could stay at home? What do you think would happen at such a time?
Have you ever heard that the Indians used to be afraid of having their pictures taken? Why were they afraid of it?
Fleetfoot Prepares for His Final Test
Toward the close of winter rumors of famine came to the Bison clan. Several times people came from neighboring clans and asked Antler for food. There was plenty of meat in the cave, so she gave to those who asked. The strangers soon went away, and the Bison clan forgot about them.
The next summer game was scarce on several of the old hunting grounds. There was not enough food for all. People began to wander away from their old homes. Small groups of men, women, and children, set out in different directions.
Game was still plenty on the lands of the Bison clan. When the neighbors knew this, they came to hunt on these lands. The day Fleetfoot went away to fast, strange people came and camped.
The next day the Bison clan drove them away. A few days later other strangers came, and they, too, were driven away. Bighorn was angry when the strangers first came, but soon he became alarmed.
Just as the men and women were holding a council to consider what to do, the strangers disappeared. Not until Fleetfoot returned did the Bison clan know who they were or why they came.
“People began to wander away from their old homes.”
Before Fleetfoot went away to fast, he had been curious about the Big Bear. He had heard many stories about the Big Bear ever since he was a child. He had heard that the Big Bear guarded the game and kept the animals in the rocky cavern. He had wondered if he could climb the mountains and find the cave of the Big Bear.
Before Flaker was hurt, the boys had planned to go to the mountains. They had planned to make friends with the Big Bear and learn where he kept the game. They had planned to climb the highest peaks and see what there was beyond.
Once, when the boys asked Greybeard if they might go to the mountains, Greybeard said, “No, no, my children! Wait a while. You are not yet old enough to go.”
And so the boys waited, but they still talked about going to the cavern of the Big Bear. After Flaker was hurt they still planned, but they planned for Fleetfoot to go alone.
One day when the boys were talking together, Greybeard came to Fleetfoot and said, “The time you have waited for has come. Prepare for your final test.”
This was glad news for Fleetfoot. At last he was to have a chance to prove himself worthy to rank with the men. Flaker rejoiced with Fleetfoot, yet he could not help feeling sad.
The Bison clan had decided that Fleetfoot should go to a quiet spot. There he was to fast and pray until he received a sign from the gods. And when he had donetheir bidding, he was to return for his final test. This test once passed, Fleetfoot would be counted one of the men.
Before Fleetfoot went, Greybeard instructed him in the use of prayers and charms. Antler gave him a magic powder and showed him how to prepare it from herbs. And the men told him of their tests, and the signs they received from the gods.
Flaker had listened to every word that Greybeard had said. He had thought of all the dangers which Fleetfoot might encounter. And he wondered if there was not a way to protect Fleetfoot from harm.
Flaker knew that the reindeer dance was a prayer of the Cave-men to their gods. He knew each movement in the dance was to help the gods understand. He felt sure that the gods would help Fleetfoot if he could make them understand. And so he determined to make a prayer which Fleetfoot could carry with him.
The engraving of a cave-bear on a pebble.
Perhaps you will think that the prayer Flaker made was a very strange prayer. But many people in all parts of the world have made such prayers. It was a prayer to the Big Bear of the mountains. Flaker scratched it upon a smooth pebble with a flint point. It was a picture of the Big Bear, and Flaker made it so that Fleetfoot could control the actions of the Big Bear.
When Flaker gave the prayer to Fleetfoot he told him to guard it with great care. Fleetfoot took the prayer and promised to keep it near his side. Then the boys made an offering to the Big Bear and asked him to guide the way.
When at length Fleetfoot was ready to start, Greybeard spoke these parting words: “Forget not the offerings to the gods, and remember they must be made with true words and a faithful heart.”
THINGS TO DO
Show in your sand-box where you think the mountains were. Model them and show that they were almost covered with snow. Show good places for neighboring hunting grounds.Tell why game might be scarce in some hunting grounds and plenty in others.Dramatize this story. Draw pictures which will show what happened. See if you can engrave some animal upon wood or soft stone.
Show in your sand-box where you think the mountains were. Model them and show that they were almost covered with snow. Show good places for neighboring hunting grounds.
Tell why game might be scarce in some hunting grounds and plenty in others.
Dramatize this story. Draw pictures which will show what happened. See if you can engrave some animal upon wood or soft stone.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
Where do you think Fleetfoot will go while he is away from home?Find a picture of a glacier, and see if you can tell how a glacier is made. In what places does the snow stay all the year round? If a great deal of snow falls each year, what do you think will become of it?Find out whether there have ever been glaciers near where you live. If there have, see if you can find any traces of them.
Where do you think Fleetfoot will go while he is away from home?
Find a picture of a glacier, and see if you can tell how a glacier is made. In what places does the snow stay all the year round? If a great deal of snow falls each year, what do you think will become of it?
Find out whether there have ever been glaciers near where you live. If there have, see if you can find any traces of them.
Fleetfoot Fasts and Prays
None of the Cave-men knew where Fleetfoot would go to fast and pray. He scarcely knew himself, but allthe time he kept thinking of the Big Bear of the Mountains. And so he turned his steps toward the high mountain peaks.
He followed the bison trail, for that was a sure guide. It led up the river a long way, and then skirted a dark forest. He crossed the river and went to the forest. There he sought out a lonely spot where he stayed several days.
As soon as he had made a fire, Fleetfoot made offerings to the gods. His offerings were fish he caught in the river and birds he caught in snares.
Although Fleetfoot offered meat to the gods, he did not taste it himself. When he was ready to sleep, he rubbed a pinch of wood-ashes upon his breast and prayed thus to the fire god: “O fire god, hover near me while I sleep. Hear my prayer. Grant good dreams to me this night. Grant me a sign that thou wilt aid me. Lead my feet in the right way.”
The first night Fleetfoot had no dreams. The second night he dreamed he was a child again and that he lived in his old home. The third night he dreamed of the Big Bear of the Mountains. He thought that he climbed the mountain crags and went to the Big Bear’s cave. He dreamed that the Big Bear spoke to him and asked him whence he came. Then strange people seemed to come out of the cave and wave their weapons in a threatening way. After that Fleetfoot remembered nothing except that the Big Bear seemed like a friend.
At daybreak Fleetfoot awoke, and at once he thought of his dream. He took the pebble from a little bag.Then he made an offering to the bear as he spoke these words: “O Big Bear! O mighty hunter! Show me the way to thy caverns. Show me where thou keepest the game. Give me strength to meet all dangers. Fill my enemies with fear.”
Then, remembering what Greybeard had said, Fleetfoot gave offerings to all the animals he hoped to kill. In this way he thought the gods would help him when he went out to hunt.
As soon as the offerings were made, Fleetfoot looked for a sign from the gods. The winds began to blow. Dark clouds began to climb the sky. Then the thunders pealed through the heavens.
A stone borer, used in making a necklace.
Fleetfoot, faint from his long fast, took courage from these signs. The winds seemed to be messengers bearing his prayer to the gods. The dark clouds seemed to be the enemies he would meet on the way. The peals of thunder sounded to him like promises of strength. The bright lightning in the sky flashed a message of hope. A flock of swallows circling near seemed to point the way. And so Fleetfoot refreshed himself and started toward the mountains.
It would take too long to tell all the things that happened to Fleetfoot before he returned. One of the first things he did was to kill a cave-bear and take the trophies.
When Fleetfoot started out again, he wore a necklace of bear’s teeth. He wore thempartly because they were trophies and partly because they were charms.
Fleetfoot followed the trail along the edge of the forest until he reached a ridge of hills. Behind him lay the River of Stones and all the places he had known. Before him lay a pretty valley about a day’s journey across. To his left the snow-covered mountain peaks shone with a dazzling light.
He stopped only to sleep and to make offerings to the gods. Fleetfoot was full of courage, and yet he was weak from his fast. He longed to be strong against all foes. He longed to be a great hunter. He longed to strengthen his people and to meet the dangers which threatened his clan.
At midday he reached the river, where he sat down to rest. Then he went up the little river, which flowed over a rocky bed.
Fleetfoot followed the river until he came to a spot where it seemed to end. Great masses of snow and ice covered the river bed. Farther up they reached the top of the cliffs and stretched out into the valley.
It was the melting of this glacier which fed the little stream.
Fleetfoot stood and gazed at the glacier with its rough billows of snow and ice. He looked at the green forests which stretched to its very edge. He looked at the great ice sheets which covered the mountain peaks. He looked at the bare crags which jutted out from the rocks. And he wondered if the Big Bear’s cave was in one of these rocks.
“It was the melting of this glacier which fed the little stream.”
Then he crossed the stream and approached the cliff on the opposite side. There he found a cave, and he looked about, but he found no one at home.
As Fleetfoot was looking about, he began to think of Chew-chew. Everything upon which his eyes rested seemed to speak of her. And yet he could not remember seeing the place before.
Night came again and Fleetfoot slept. Again he saw the Big Bear in his dreams. Again he saw the enemies of his clan, and again he dreamed of his old home.
For several days Fleetfoot explored the country near the mountains. He found several good hunting grounds, but he did not find the Big Bear.
As the days passed it seemed to Fleetfoot that he was no longer alone. He heard no steps, and he saw no tracks; yet he felt sure that some one was near.
One morning, when he awoke, there was some one watching him through the thick leaves. He grasped his spear and was ready to throw, when he heard a merry laugh.
Then a lovely maiden appeared with dark and glossy hair. Her eyes shone with the morning light and her breath was as fresh as the dew.
Fleetfoot dropped his spear and stepped forward to greet the girl. A moment they gazed in each other’s eyes, and then they knew no fear.
They sat on a mossy bank where they talked for a long, long time. And Fleetfoot learned that she was called Willow-grouse and that her people were away.
Before he could ask her more, she inquired from whence he came. And then she asked him what had brought him so far away from his home.
While Fleetfoot was telling his story, Willow-grouse listened with sparkling eyes. When he had finished, her eyes fell, and she seemed to be buried in thought. Willow-grouse knew that her own people were plotting against the Bison clan. She wanted Fleetfoot to stay with her; and she feared that if she told him what her people were doing, he would go away.
For a few minutes Willow-grouse kept silent; but, at length, she decided to speak. She told Fleetfoot of the famine of the springtime and of the scarcity of game. She told how the people separated and traveled far and wide. Many of her own people had been to the grounds of the Bison clan. Now the clans were at the rapids. But as soon as the salmon season was over, they were going to attack the Bison clan.
When Fleetfoot heard what Willow-grouse said, he gave up his search for the Big Bear. He decided to go to the salmon feast and learn what the clans were doing. He hoped he could do this and still have time to warn the Bison clan.
THINGS TO DO
See if you can find a way of making a glacier in your sand-box.Model a river valley whose upper part is filled with a glacier. Show where the bed and banks are covered with snow and ice. Show where the cliffs are covered. Show where the ice-sheets are. Show on the sand-map Fleetfoot’s journey to the place where he fasted. Show the remainder of his journey.Draw pictures of the following:—Fleetfoot prays to the fire-god.Fleetfoot receives signs from the gods.Fleetfoot standing on the ridge of hills.Fleetfoot’s meeting with Willow-grouse.
See if you can find a way of making a glacier in your sand-box.
Model a river valley whose upper part is filled with a glacier. Show where the bed and banks are covered with snow and ice. Show where the cliffs are covered. Show where the ice-sheets are. Show on the sand-map Fleetfoot’s journey to the place where he fasted. Show the remainder of his journey.
Draw pictures of the following:—Fleetfoot prays to the fire-god.Fleetfoot receives signs from the gods.Fleetfoot standing on the ridge of hills.Fleetfoot’s meeting with Willow-grouse.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
Can you think why the salmon feast was at the rapids of the river?Show in your sand-map a place where rapids might be. If there is a river near you which has rapids, go to the spot and see if you can tell what it is that makes the rapids.Show in your map the hunting grounds of the clans which met at the rapids. Find the trails they would follow in going to the rapids.Find out all you can about the habits of the salmon.
Can you think why the salmon feast was at the rapids of the river?
Show in your sand-map a place where rapids might be. If there is a river near you which has rapids, go to the spot and see if you can tell what it is that makes the rapids.
Show in your map the hunting grounds of the clans which met at the rapids. Find the trails they would follow in going to the rapids.
Find out all you can about the habits of the salmon.
A necklace of fossil shells.
The Meeting of the Clans
At his parting from Willow-grouse, Fleetfoot gave her a necklace of fossil shells. Then saying, “We shall meet when the new moon comes,” he started on his way.
He followed Sweet Briar River on his way to the meeting of the clans. At sunset he knew he was nearing the place where Willow-grouse said they had met. He could hear the roaring of the rapids, and above this sound, the shouts of the clans.
Fleetfoot waited for the cover of darkness, for he did not wish to be seen. Then he approached cautiously toward the spot where the camp fire crackled and blazed. In the light of the flames dark trunks of oaks and fir trees stood out of the blackness. Then moving forms appeared on the banks and lighted the clans seated around the fire. At first Fleetfoot did not go near enough to see the faces distinctly. But he could tell from the various movements that they were preparing for a dance.
All eyes seemed fixed on an old woman who was offering gifts to the gods. She lifted hot stones from the fire and dropped them into a basket of water. Then she took a piece of salmon and dropped it into the water.
As Fleetfoot watched the old woman, he thought of Chew-chew and his old home. Then he wondered if all women would look like Chew-chew when they grew old.
When the offerings were made, the men began a war dance. Some were dressed in masks of horses, and others wore masks of reindeer and cattle.
When the men took off their masks, Fleetfoot looked as if in a dream. For among the strangers moving about there appeared familiar forms.
For a few minutes Fleetfoot could not tell whether he was awake or asleep. What he saw seemed very real, and yet it seemed like a dream. He had almost forgotten his own people. He had not seen them since the day he was lost. And now, only a few paces away, stood Scarface and Straightshaft. Then other familiar forms appeared moving near the fire. And among the women who had beaten the drums were Chew-chew and Eagle-eye.
When Fleetfoot saw his mother and Chew-chew, he almost shouted for joy. He wanted to go and speak to them, but something seemed to hold him back.
Then his heart began to beat so loud and so fast that Fleetfoot was afraid he would be discovered; so he hurried away from the spot to a hollow tree where he spent the night.
For a long time he lay awake thinking about what to do. He could not go back to Willow-grouse and leave his work undone. He could not make himself known to Cave-men who were planning to attack the Bison clan. He could not return to the Bison clan without learning the enemies’ plans.
And so Fleetfoot took the pebble from its bag and asked the Big Bear for aid. Then he fell asleep and did not awake until the break of day.
All through the day he watched the clans. He saw them fish at the rapids and feast and play around the fire. He saw them go to a smooth spot near the bank where they played games. When night came he said to himself, “I’ll watch the dance and learn their plans.”
Scarface offered gifts to the gods before the dance began. As he performed the magic rites, all the people were still. Every eye was turned toward the old man. No one suspected danger.
Fleetfoot, watching from a safe retreat, had heard a rustling sound. And, looking in the direction from which the sound came, he saw a big tiger in a neighboring tree.
The tiger had crept out on a strong branch and was watching for his prey. The eyes of the big cat snapped fire as they followed each movement that Scarface made.
There was not a moment to be lost. The tiger was about to spring. Fleetfoot’s spear whizzed through the air and dealt a powerful blow. Another followed, but with less force although Fleetfoot hurled it with all his might.
With a cry of rage the tiger turned, and leaving Scarface upon the ground, he sprang toward Fleetfoot. And the Cave-men grasped their weapons and rushed to the spot.
They found the tiger dying from the effect of the first blow. They watched his death struggles. Then they looked for the man who had hurled a spear that struck a death blow.
If Fleetfoot had not been struck senseless, he might have made his escape. But as it happened, the Cave-men found him lying on the ground, and they raised him up and carried him to a spot near the bright camp-fire.
THINGS TO DO
Show on your sand-map where the clans had camped. Show where you think Fleetfoot watched. Show where the ceremonies were performed.Draw one of these pictures:—Fleetfoot bids farewell to Willow-grouse.The clans seated around the camp-fire.Fleetfoot watching the dance.Fleetfoot saves Scarface’s life.Watch a cat as it springs upon a mouse, and then think of the tiger as he sprang upon Scarface. Model it in bas-relief.
Show on your sand-map where the clans had camped. Show where you think Fleetfoot watched. Show where the ceremonies were performed.
Draw one of these pictures:—Fleetfoot bids farewell to Willow-grouse.The clans seated around the camp-fire.Fleetfoot watching the dance.Fleetfoot saves Scarface’s life.
Watch a cat as it springs upon a mouse, and then think of the tiger as he sprang upon Scarface. Model it in bas-relief.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
What do you think the people will do with Fleetfoot?Can you think of any way that Fleetfoot might prevent them from attacking the Bison clan?
What do you think the people will do with Fleetfoot?
Can you think of any way that Fleetfoot might prevent them from attacking the Bison clan?
What Happened when the Clans Found Fleetfoot
While Chew-chew and Eagle-eye were attending to Scarface, others took care of Fleetfoot. They knew nothing about him except that he had saved Scarface’s life. Everybody wanted to see him; and so a great crowd gathered around.
People looked at the strange young man as he lay pale and still on the ground. They looked and looked again, then said, “How like he is to Scarface.”
Eagle-eye had not forgotten Fleetfoot. She never spoke of him, but she still hoped that he was alive andthat she would see him again. When strangers came she always inquired for tidings of the lost boy.
And so when Eagle-eye heard what the people said, she pushed her way through the crowd. The moment she saw him, she cried, “Fleetfoot!” and then bent over his lifeless form.
Chew-chew, hearing Eagle-eye’s cry, hurried to the spot. She knelt by his side and murmured his name, and thought of Scarface when he was young.
Those who stood near turned and asked, “Who is Fleetfoot?” Many of the people had never heard of him. Others had heard of Eagle-eye’s boy. All were curious to know more about the strange young man. All were anxious to know if he was dead or alive.
Fleetfoot was not dead. He was only stunned by the tiger’s blow. When Eagle-eye bathed him with cold water, he began to show signs of life. When at length he opened his eyes, he knew that he was recognized.
When those who stood near found out who the young man was, they shouted the tidings to those who were farther away. Then the people rejoiced and thanked the gods for thus befriending them.
Before Fleetfoot slept that night, he wondered how the meeting would end. He wondered if he could find a way to prevent an attack upon the Bison clan. And, turning once more to the Big Bear, he soon fell asleep. Next morning the people caught salmon just below the rapids. They feasted a while and then played games in which Fleetfoot took part.
When the games were over, the young men crowded around him. They asked him how he could throw a spear so as to strike a deadly blow. Fleetfoot told all he knew about the use of spears and harpoons, but he scarcely knew himself how he had thrown with such force.
But he took two spearheads in his hand, just as he had held them when he saw the tiger. He threw one at a mark and the spear went with such force that the young men shouted for joy. Then they all practiced throwing until they could throw in the same way. It was in this way that people learned to hurl weapons with a throwing-stick. Instead of hurling one spear by resting the butt against the barb of another, as Fleetfoot had done when he threw at the tiger, they learned to shape sticks for throwing spears, and they called them “throwing-sticks.”
A throwing-stick.
The older men watched as Fleetfoot showed the young men how he threw spears and harpoons. And soon they all agreed to ask Fleetfoot to lead in the dance that night.
Scarface invited him to lead, and Fleetfoot accepted. He was glad to lead in a real hunting dance, but he was still more glad to have a chance to prevent an attack upon the Bison clan. And so he resolved to plan a dance which would make them forget their plan.
When the time came to begin the dance, Fleetfootwas ready to lead. He knew that the men all wanted to find good hunting grounds. So he showed them where to find such grounds and what trails to follow.