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diff --git a/26989-h/26989-h.htm b/26989-h/26989-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..882bb28 --- /dev/null +++ b/26989-h/26989-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2228 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of B. C. 30,000, by Capt. S. P. Meek + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + h1,h2 {text-align: center; font-weight: normal;} + h2 {margin-bottom: 2em;} + hr {width: 45%; margin: 1em auto; visibility: hidden;} + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin: 0 1em 0 0; padding: 0; text-align: center; width: 382px;} + .trn {border: solid 1px; margin: 3em 15%; padding: 1em; text-align: justify;} + img {border: none;} + p.cap:first-letter {float: left; margin-right: .05em; padding-top: .05em; font-size: 300%; line-height: .8em;} + .dcap {text-transform: uppercase;} + .bk1 {width: 15em; margin: 2em auto; padding: 1em; text-align: center; border: solid 2px;} +// --> +/* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of B. C. 30,000, by Sterner St. Paul Meek + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: B. C. 30,000 + +Author: Sterner St. Paul Meek + +Release Date: October 21, 2008 [EBook #26989] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK B. C. 30,000 *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/001.png" width="382" height="400" alt="" title="" /> +<b><small><i>With a roar, the apemen charged.</i></small></b> + +<div class="bk1"><small>Back in the dim dawn of civilization +Anak the Hunter stands in his might +before the encroaching Neanderthal +men.</small></div></div> + +<h1><big>B. C. 30,000</big></h1> + +<h2>By Capt. S. P. Meek</h2> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">A scream</span> of rage split the +darkness. From the side +of the fire where the women +sat darted Esle, the +High Priestess, a bloody bit of +liver in her hand. Following her, +and snarling like +an enraged cat, +came one of the +maidens of the +tribe. The aged +hag, Esle, whose +duty it was to declare to the tribe +the will of Degar Astok, the mighty +one who dwelt in the heavens and +sent the storms to enforce his will, +came to a pause before Uglik, the +Chief and tribal Father.</p> + +<p>"Una was eating +of the man's +piece," she +shrilled as she +held the fragment +aloft.</p> + +<p>Uglik dropped the thigh bone +from which he had been ripping +the meat in huge chunks. He took +the liver from Esle and examined +it.</p> + +<p>"Bring me my spear!" he roared +as he lunged forward and grasped +Una by the hair. "Una has stolen +that which is tabu to her and I +will punish her."</p> + +<p>Una moaned with fright but attempted +no resistance. Uglik +grasped his spear and raised it over +his head.</p> + +<p>"Hold, Father!" came a clear +voice from the group of hunters +who sat near the chief.</p> + +<p>Uglik paused in amazement at +the interruption. Anak, the Chief +Hunter, rose to his feet and made +a step forward.</p> + +<p>"She stole it not," he said. +"Anak, the Chief Hunter, gave it +to her."</p> + +<p>Uglik released the girl and stared +at the hunter in surprise. Anak returned +the stare coolly and Uglik +raised his throwing-spear threateningly. +Anak did not let his gaze +wander from the Father's, but his +grasp tightened ever so slightly on +the sharp flint smiting-stone which +he had taken from the skin pouch +which dangled from his leather +waist belt before he had made his +announcement.</p> + +<p>"Anak, the Chief Hunter, gave +it to her," he repeated slowly. +"Anak killed the buck, and half of +the liver is, by the law of the +tribe, his to dispose of. Does the +Father deny the right?"</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Uglik</span> lowered the point of his +spear and thought rapidly. +Anak's act constituted unheard-of +rebellion against his authority. On +the other hand, the Chief Hunter +was the cleverest tracker of the +tribe and a mighty warrior in battle. +The tribe of Ugar had lost +most of its warriors in their long +six-month march north from the +fertile valley where the Mediterranean +Sea now rolls. Uglik was +too wise a leader to waste men on +a trivial quarrel, able though he +felt himself to kill Anak, should +the latter cry the rannag, the duel +to the death by which the Father +must at any time prove to any challenger, +his right to rule.</p> + +<p>"It is the right of the killer to +dispose of half of the liver of the +kill," he conceded. "It is also the +right of the stronger to take what +he wills from the weaker. To Esle +belongs the liver. The girl will not +be punished. Anak will join me at +meat."</p> + +<p>Anak's face flushed momentarily +at the arrogant tone of the Father's +ruling. He realized, as well as +Uglik, what had caused the Father +to condone his semi-rebellion. He +shrugged his shoulders and sat +down beside Uglik.</p> + +<p>Uglik ate slowly, looking meditatively +at Una as she tore off +chunks of the meat with her strong +teeth and swallowed them. The girl +was about eighteen and in the first +flush of womanhood. Her tawny +brown skin gleamed like satin in +the firelight, which was reflected +from her slightly curling masses +of black hair. She stood eight +inches over five feet and her entire +body was built on generous lines, +lines of perfect health and almost +masculine strength. Anak's eyes +followed the direction of Uglik's +gaze and he grew thoughtful in +turn.</p> + +<p>"Is the Father satisfied with the +Chief Hunter?" he asked ceremoniously.</p> + +<p>"The Father is," replied Uglik in +similar vein.</p> + +<p>"Then the Chief Hunter has a +boon to ask."</p> + +<p>"Name it."</p> + +<p>"I desire that maiden, Una, be +given to me."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>Uglik could hardly believe his +ears. All of the women of the tribe +belonged of immemorial right to +the Father. While he might lend +one for a time to a favored hunter +as a mark of distinction, the suggestion +that he completely relinquish +his claim to one of them, +and a young and handsome one +at that, struck him with such astonishment +that he was momentarily +speechless.</p> + +<p>"I desire that the maiden, Una, +be given to me," repeated Anak. +"She pleases me. I would have her +carry my weapons on the march +and sleep by my side in the camp."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Uglik</span> leaped to his feet, spear +in hand, but before the Chief +Hunter's cool gaze, he wavered, +again. Men were too scarce to +waste, unless it became necessary.</p> + +<p>"I will consider the matter," he +said shortly. "I may lend her to +you for a time, but I will not give +her to you. Such is not the law."</p> + +<p>"The Father who ruled before +you gave women to his favored +hunters," replied Anak. "I was the +son of such a one."</p> + +<p>"And Degar Astok assumed the +form of a lion and punished him +for his impiety by destroying him," +retorted Uglik.</p> + +<p>"Then Uglik killed the lion and +so became Father," replied Anak, +"since none dared challenge the +slayer of Degar Astok. Is it not +possible that Esle, who was young +and who favored Uglik in those +days, made a mistake? Despite his +death, Degar Astok still has +power."</p> + +<p>Uglik's face flushed at the hunter's +words.</p> + +<p>"Degar Astok may be robbed of +one body, but he still lives," he +answered. "Say no more. I will +consider your request."</p> + +<p>Anak saluted and strode to the +other side of the men's fire. He +dropped down beside Invar, the +youngest of the hunters. It was +on his recommendation that Invar +had been initiated into the ranks +of manhood a full season before +his time. The young hunter looked +up with adoration in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"This I saved for my friend, +Anak," he said proudly as he extended +a generous chunk of liver. +"Invar will be honored if his friend +will eat of the liver of his kill."</p> + +<p>Anak took the morsel with thanks +and ate it slowly. His thoughts ran +to the tall maiden whom he had +requested from the Father, and his +blood boiled at the way he had +been put off. He was half inclined +to cry the rannag, but he was not +yet ready for the death duel which +would determine whether he or +Uglik would rule the tribe. There +was no other solution, for, while +he ruled, the Father's word was +law, subject only to the higher law +of Degar Astok as given out by +the High Priestess. This overlordship +was more nominal than actual, +for those priestesses who lived +long lives were invariably those +who found that the will of the +Father coincided exactly with the +law of Degar Astok. Anak revolved +the problem in his mind for +a time, but the repletion of raw +meat in his stomach was not conducive +to protracted thought. Gradually +his head slumped forward and +he slept sitting. The other hunters +followed his example, leaving the +youths from ten to seventeen to +guard the camp, keep the fires going, +and rouse the hunters should +need arise.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">The</span> night passed slowly without +alarms. Womoo, the lion, +roared in the distance, and from +near at hand came the coughing +laugh of Kena, the jackal, who always +prowled around the camp +when the tribe fed on meat. Gradually +the sky grew lighter. One of +the children moaned in his sleep +and raised his head. He rose, and +with a word to the youth on guard, +trotted off toward the stream which +gurgled near the camp. He disappeared +in the darkness. Suddenly +there came a sudden scream, shut +off in mid-note. Hardly had the +cry ceased than the hunters were +on their feet with spears ready in +their hands.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" cried Uglik.</p> + +<p>"Loda went to the stream to +drink," stuttered the guard. "He +screamed, and I saw a gray shape +run off into the darkness. It ran +like Grup, the bear, but it was +small."</p> + +<p>"Bring fire!" cried Anak.</p> + +<p>The youth seized a burning +brand and led the way toward the +stream. By the light of the torch +Anak scrutinized the ground carefully. +With a sudden exclamation, +he pointed out to Uglik the print +of a long and narrow, but unmistakably +human, foot in the mud by +the river bank. Uglik studied it +carefully.</p> + +<p>"What think you?" he demanded +of Anak.</p> + +<p>"It is the mark of man, yet not +of our tribe," replied the Chief +Hunter. "Such marks have I never +seen."</p> + +<p>"Wait until Degar Astok sends +the light," directed Uglik. "As soon +as you can trail, the hunters will +go in pursuit."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Slowly</span> the light grew +brighter. As soon as he could +pick out the trail, Anak led the +way, Uglik with the warriors and +youths following closely. The trail +led straight up the valley for a +half mile before it turned and followed +a branch of the stream which +came from a ravine in the valley +wall. The hunters went a hundred +yards up the ravine following +Anak. The Chief Hunter paused +and held up his hand. He sniffed +the air and then led the way cautiously past +a projecting shoulder +of rock. On a ledge, half way up +the hillside, sat two monstrous +things.</p> + +<p>They were manlike and yet hardly man. +Their bodies were covered +with stiff, coarse, gray hair which +lengthened into a mane on the head +and neck. Their foreheads were low +and receding, an impression which +was heightened by the enormously +developed brow ridges, although +the cranial capacity of the creatures +was not small, as was evidenced +by enormous bulges at the +back of their heads. They walked +on two legs but with a peculiar +slouch, the torso inclined forward +from the hips, and their eyes bent +perpetually on the ground. Their +arms were long and at times they +bent forward so much that it appeared +almost as though they were +going on all fours. A close examination +of their hands would have +shown that it was impossible for +them to hold a needle between the +thumb and forefinger.</p> + +<p>"Gumor, the gray ape!" cried +one of the hunters.</p> + +<p>"It is not Gumor," replied Anak, +"although they are like his cousins. +See what they eat!"</p> + +<p>As the hunters of the Cro-Magnon +tribe of Ugar saw the meat +which the Neanderthalers were +tearing, a cry of wrath broke from +them. Uglik stepped forward and +raised the war cry of the tribe. +The Neanderthalers looked stupidly +down at him for a moment. The +huge male dropped the meat he +was eating and rose, his mane and +beard bristling with rage. With a +roar, he charged down the slope, +a huge flint smiting-stone in either +hand.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">The</span> hunters closed up on +Uglik. As the attacker came +within range, he was saluted with +a shower of stones which sprang +harmlessly from his huge rounded +chest. Uglik hurled his spear. It +pierced the apeman's shoulder but +did not make him pause. Other +spears were hurled and struck their +mark, but without a pause the +Neanderthaler came on with howls +of rage and pain, bloody froth +flying from his lips.</p> + +<p>Anak had not thrown his spear, +and Invar, who stood beside his +hero, had likewise retained his +weapon. The apeman came on with +a rush. Uglik sprang forward to +meet him, but another hunter was +directly in the path of the attack. +He swung his flint smiting-stone +with a will, but his blow was futile. +He went down before a sweep +of the apeman's arm, his skull +crushed to fragments.</p> + +<p>Uglik struck at the attacker. The +Neanderthaler turned toward him, +but as he did so, Anak hurled his +spear. At close range, the stone-tipped +weapon passed nearly +through the apeman. He stopped +his rush and began to cough up +blood from a pierced lung. Anak +seized Invar's spear and sprang to +the attack. An unfledged youth who +craved distinction, rushed ahead of +the Chief Hunter, but his act +spelled his doom. One blow of the +huge smiting-stone laid him dead. +Anak hurled Invar's spear and +again his weapon found its mark. +The Neanderthaler roared with +pain and sank gradually to his +knees. Uglik dashed in, knife in +hand. He threw himself on the +prostrate monster and stabbed him +again and again. The blows struck +home, but with a last effort the +apeman threw off his assailant and +struck at him with the huge stone +which had already robbed the tribe +of two of its members. Before the +blow could fall, Samo, one of the +hunters, threw himself in the way +and took the blow on his arm. The +arm bone snapped like a pipestem, +but it was the monster's dying effort. +With a shudder, he fell back +dead.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">A ferocious</span> howl rent the +air. With a smiting-stone in +each hand, the female charged down +at them. She was somewhat smaller +than the male, but still a match +for any two of the men. Uglik's +face paled as he wrenched Invar's +spear from the dead male and +turned to face her. The howl was +repeated from farther up the ravine. +Two more males were approaching +at a lumbering run, +smiting-stones in either hand. Uglik +was a brave man, but he was +also a cautious leader. He did not +care to expose his tribe to almost +certain annihilation and he led a +wild retreat down the valley, Samo, +with his arm hanging limp, bringing +up the rear. The Neanderthalers +did not follow into the +open valley.</p> + +<p>Again at the camping place, +Uglik called his hunters into council. +The situation was grave +enough. With the Neanderthalers +so near them, it meant eventual +annihilation to stay where they +were, yet there was no place they +could go. They had been driven +from their old home by hordes of +men who came up from the south. +They had fought to retain their +ancestral hunting grounds where +they had dwelt since the beginning +of time, but a series of defeats at +the hands of overwhelming numbers +had dwindled down the tribe +until a migration was necessary. +They had followed the migrating +game toward the unknown north.</p> + +<p>Several times they had tried to +stop, but each time they had found +the land in possession of other and +stronger tribes. Their men had +been killed and their women stolen +until they again took up their +march to the north. From the hundred +that had formerly called Uglik +"Father," there now remained +only a score of women and children, +a half dozen youths, and five +able-bodied hunters, besides Uglik.</p> + +<p>South, they dared not go. North, +there lay unknown horrors. West +lay the raging sea. East, the Neanderthalers +blocked the way.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">The</span> council broke up with no +action decided on. Faced with +the alternatives of moving or staying, +there seemed to be little +choice. Only death faced them, +whichever way they turned. Uglik +posted guards about the camp and +announced that he would retire and +consult with Degar Astok as to +their future course.</p> + +<p>As he disappeared into the +woods, Esle sidled up to Anak.</p> + +<p>"It seems that Degar Astok no +longer loves Uglik," she said slyly. +"Does not the Chief Hunter +agree with me?"</p> + +<p>Anak looked at the withered hag +coldly.</p> + +<p>"Who am I to tell his Priestess +whom Degar Astok loves?" he +asked. "You are his voice and +should know."</p> + +<p>"True, Anak, I am his voice, and +the God loves me," she went on, +"yet it may be that men do not +always love me. Uglik thinks that +I have given him false counsel and +he is ready for a new Priestess to +announce the will of Degar Astok +to him. He believes that a new and +younger Priestess would bring back +the favor of the God."</p> + +<p>"What is that to me?" asked +Anak.</p> + +<p>"You desire the maiden, Una?"</p> + +<p>"And if I do?"</p> + +<p>"You are not to have her. Uglik +will never grant your request. Already +he plans to make her the +High Priestess, should an accident +happen to me."</p> + +<p>Anak started. If Esle spoke the +truth, it ended his chances of having Una. +All women were tabu to +all save the Father, but the High +Priestess was doubly sacred.</p> + +<p>"What am I to do?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>Esle smiled slyly.</p> + +<p>"I was the Voice of the God +before Uglik was Father," she said +in a low voice, "and I would be +so after he is gone. Cry you rannag +on him. I know many things, and +I will cast a spell on him so that +victory will be easy for you. Then +will you be Father. The maiden +Una will be yours, and old Esle +will remain the High Priestess."</p> + +<p>"To give me false counsel as +you have Uglik, and in time to +plot my overthrow and death with +another," said Anak sternly. "No, +woman or devil, whichever you are, +I want no help of yours. If I ever +cry rannag on Uglik, I will defeat +him by my strength or not at all. +If I win to be Father, be assured +that an 'accident' will happen to +you shortly."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Esle</span> frothed at the mouth +with rage.</p> + +<p>"You shall never have the +maiden!" she screamed. "Rather +will I kill her than that you shall +have her. It was in my mind to +make you Chief and to lead you +from this trap that Uglik had +brought you into, but you have +sealed your doom and hers. I go to +prepare a curse."</p> + +<p>She turned to depart, but Anak +grasped her by the arm.</p> + +<p>"Listen, woman," he said sternly +as he raised his spear, "it is in my +mind to kill you and make an end +of your evil plottings."</p> + +<p>"Spare me! Spare me, noble +Anak!" shrieked the hag, dropping +to her knees as the flint point of +Anak's spear hovered over her. "I +will not harm her nor you, either. +I will soften Uglik's heart toward +you and make him give you the +maiden. I will declare it is the +will of the God."</p> + +<p>Anak lowered the spear.</p> + +<p>"As long as Una is safe, your life +is spared," he said grimly; "but +pray to Degar Astok to keep her +safe. Should any harm befall her, +your life will answer for it."</p> + +<p>"I will weave spells to guard her +from harm, Anak," she cried eagerly. +"Only let me live, brave hunter!"</p> + +<p>Anak spurned her contemptuously +from him. The hag scuttled +away and took the path into the +woods which Uglik had taken +earlier. Later in the day she returned +with the Father. Uglik announced +briefly that it was the will +of Degar Astok that they remain +at their present camping place.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Then</span> began a time of horror +for the children of the tribe. +If one of them strayed for even a +short distance from the circle of +the camp fire at night, there came +a scream from the darkness and the +tribe would mourn another lost +member. The tales of man-eating +giants and ogres which even yet +haunt the dreams of childhood have +descended to us through the ages +from those grim times when the +race of men learned the lesson of +fear of the dark that they are now +slowly and painfully unlearning.</p> + +<p>Anak did not renew his request +for Una. He knew from her smiles +that the maiden was more than +willing to become his property, but +in the face of their daily peril, he +was not willing to precipitate a +crisis which might easily cost the +tribe most or all of their few remaining +warriors. He kept a sharp +watch on Esle and on Uglik, but +neither the High Priestess nor the +Father seemed to notice the girl.</p> + +<p>As time went on, the Neanderthalers +lost their fear of the fire +and grew bolder. Their gray shapes +could be seen prowling around at +night, just outside the protecting +circle of light. The climax came at +last. There was a scream in the +night. A howl of triumph came +from the darkness. The quickly +aroused hunters could see nothing +at which to cast their spears.</p> + +<p>"Who is missing?" demanded +Uglik as the hunters returned +empty handed.</p> + +<p>"The maiden, Una," cried Esle +shrilly.</p> + +<p>Anak rushed at her, spear in +hand.</p> + +<p>"Unsay those words, hag of evil +omen!" he roared. "Where have you +hidden her?"</p> + +<p>"Ask of the cousins of Gumor," +she replied as she ducked behind +the protecting frame of Uglik. +"They have taken her from us."</p> + +<p>Anak dropped his spear and +buried his face in his hands. When +he raised his head again, resolution +showed in his handsome face.</p> + +<p>"Prepare spears and throwing-stones," +he cried. "To-morrow we +attack the cousins of Gumor. Either +they or we shall be no more when +the night falls again."</p> + +<p>A murmur of dissent went around +the camp. Uglik sprang to his feet.</p> + +<p>"What means the Chief Hunter +of the tribe of Ugar?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"I mean that to-morrow we settle +for all time who rules in this valley, +the tribe of Ugar or the +cousins of Gumor."</p> + +<p>"And has the Father no voice in +the council of the tribe?"</p> + +<p>"We have come to the end," replied +Anak. "If we do not strike +now, soon we will be too weak to +strike. To-morrow we attack!"</p> + +<p>"I am Father of the tribe of +Ugar," replied Uglik with a dangerous +note in his voice. "No one +gives orders here except me. On +you, Anak, the Chief Hunter that +was, I place the word of death! +Slay him!"</p> + +<p>The hunters raised their spears +doubtfully. Anak raised his, ready +to cast it at Uglik. Before a blow +could be struck, a figure sprang +across the fire and took a stand, +back to back with Anak.</p> + +<p>"Who strikes my friend, strikes +me!" cried Invar.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Uglik</span> gave a gasp at this fresh +defection from his authority. +He roared to the hunters to strike. +The three hunters remaining to the +tribe advanced half-heartedly. None +of them cared to face Anak; and +Invar, young as he was, had already +proven himself a mighty warrior. +Uglik shouldered them aside with +a roar of wrath. Before he could +attack, Anak's cry stopped him.</p> + +<p>"Hold, Uglik!" cried the Chief +Hunter. "If you attack, the tribe +will lose most or all of its hunters. +You have put the death word on +me, as is your right. I go now +against the cousins of Gumor, and +that, I think, is death. Let me go +in peace and with weapons. Before +they tear me limb from limb, at +least one of them will not be alive."</p> + +<p>"And I go with Anak!" cried +Invar. "More than one of the cousins +of Gumor will know that the +Chief Hunter of the tribe of Ugar +and his friend have visited their +home."</p> + +<p>Uglik paused. No trace of fear +entered his heart, but the wily politician +saw the force of Anak's argument. +He would gain doubly by +the course that the hunter had +proposed.</p> + +<p>"Go in peace, and with weapons," +he said as he lowered his spear. +"Esle will take your weapons and +make spells over them that will increase +their might. At dawn you +shall go. The word of death is on +you, so come not back to the tribe +again. Once you leave the camp, +you are outlaw."</p> + +<p>"So be it!" replied Anak.</p> + +<p>Shortly before the dawn, Esle +crept to Anak's side.</p> + +<p>"I've wrought spells over your +weapons, Chief Hunter," she said +softly, "and over those of your +companion. Remember this when +the cousins of Gumor attack you."</p> + +<p>"I will, hag of evil," said Anak +grimly. "Better will it be for you +that we never return."</p> + +<p>"Why leave?" came Esle's insinuating +voice. "I am still ready to +help you. Cry rannag on Uglik in +the morning. Your weapons have +had my attention and his have not. +That alone would decide the fight. +Slay him and the warriors of the +tribe will fight at your back. I +know spells, and mayhap, they will +prevail even against the cousins of +Gumor."</p> + +<p>"I go but for vengeance, Esle," +said Anak wearily. "With Una +gone, I have no desire to live."</p> + +<p>"There are other maidens who +are fair, Anak, and when you are +Father you will have them all."</p> + +<p>"Leave me, Esle," said Anak +shortly. "I desire none but Una."</p> + +<p>"And may the cousins of Gumor +crack your bones between their +teeth," she hissed venomously as +she slipped away into the darkness.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">As</span> the sun rose above the +horizon, Anak and Invar took +their way up the valley. Each carried +three flint-tipped throwing-spears, +while a good supply of flint +throwing-stones were in their skin +pouches. Half a mile from camp, +Anak turned to his companion.</p> + +<p>"I thank you for coming with +me," he said, his hand on Invar's +shoulder. "It is the deed of a brave +man."</p> + +<p>Invar flushed and looked down.</p> + +<p>"The least that I can do is to go +to Degar Astok with my friend," +he said.</p> + +<p>"It is the deed of a brave man, +yet I think we are not yet ripe to +die."</p> + +<p>"We go against the cousins of +Gumor, do we not?" asked the lad.</p> + +<p>"We do."</p> + +<p>"And is that not death?"</p> + +<p>"Mayhap, and yet, I have a plan. +We may live."</p> + +<p>"How can we two expect to do +what all the tribe of Ugar dare not +try?"</p> + +<p>"The tribe of Ugar, or a dozen +tribes of Ugar, could not conquer +with Uglik leading them," replied +Anak, "yet we two may do so. Hark +now to my plan. Like Gumor, the +gray ape, his cousins walk ever +with their eyes cast down. While +we have been hunting, I have been +spying on them in their home. +Never have I seen one look up, +and it may be that they cannot. +Above or on a level with us, they +can easily kill us. If we stand on +the rocks above them, they cannot +see us and will be at our mercy. +They can run as fast as we on level +ground, but going uphill, we will +leave them as Guno, the deer, leaves +Kena. They are few in number; I +have watched and seen but two +hunters and three females. It is +my plan to scale the cliffs and +watch them below us. When the +time is ripe, we will launch our +throwing-spears. If we fail to make +a kill, we will bound up the hill +and escape to strike again."</p> + +<p>Invar looked with admiration at +his leader. The habit of connected +thought and reasoning was new in +the world in those days. Such boldness +of conception as was shown by +Anak's plan was a thing for marvel. +As the ramifications of the plan +seeped into Invar's brain, his face +glowed with enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Anak should be Father of the +tribe of Ugar!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"That may yet come to pass," replied +Anak enigmatically. "If I kill +Uglik, however, it will be to avenge +Una, not to win the chieftainship. +Now keep silence, for here is the +home of the cousins of Gumor."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Cautiously</span> the two hunters +passed the mouth of the ravine +and climbed the slopes of the valley. +Once on the level ground, they +moved to the edge of the ravine +and looked down into it. Nothing +could be seen moving. Anak led +the way a hundred yards farther +up the ravine.</p> + +<p>"Below us is a cave where dwell +two," he whispered. "Make ready +your spear while I sound the challenge."</p> + +<p>He raised his voice in a wild +howl of challenge. For a moment +there was silence. Then from the +ravine came a hoarse rumbling bellow. +An enormous male made his +appearance, his mane and beard +bristling with rage. He darted his +eyes hither and thither, seeking +the source of the challenge. Again +a hoarse roar came from his broad, +thick lips. As it rose to a crescendo, +Anak hurled his spear.</p> + +<p>His aim was true. The point +struck the Neanderthaler at the +junction of his neck and shoulder. +As it struck, the haft flew from +the spear and bounded down the +slope. The first point made only a +surface wound.</p> + +<p>The apeman roared with pain and +rage. Still he did not see his enemies. +With careful aim, Invar +launched his weapon. The stone-tipped +spear struck the giant's +groin, but the haft broke and the +head was barely buried in the flesh. +The Neanderthaler pricked up his +pointed, lobeless ears, and located +the source of the shout. By bending +back his torso, he looked upward. +With a roar of rage he +started up the slope, a huge flint +smiting-stone grasped in each hairy +paw.</p> + +<p>Anak and Invar dashed up the +slope ahead of him. The keenness +of the Chief Hunter's powers of +observation was attested by the fact +that they easily increased their distance +from their pursuer. As they +ran, Invar's foot dislodged a boulder +which thundered down the +slope. The Neanderthaler did not +see it coming until it was too late +to dodge. The stone took him full +in the chest and he rolled down +the slope, a shower of smaller stones +going with him.</p> + +<p>He smashed against a tree. With +shouts of triumph, Anak and Invar +bounded down the slope. The Neanderthaler +was dying, his chest +crushed in. Invar raised a spear and +drove it at his heart. The weapon +struck fair, but again the head of +the spear came off the shaft. A +sudden thought illuminated Anak's +brain.</p> + +<p>"Esle!" he cried in rage. "She +had our weapons last night!"</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">He</span> studied the two spears remaining +in his hand. Each of +them had the hide lashing which +bound the head to the haft cut +through. The weapons were useless.</p> + +<p>Invar's face paled. From up the +slope a roar assailed their ears. The +female was rushing down at them, +smiting-stones in hand.</p> + +<p>"Fly, Invar!" cried Anak. "Run +up the slope and throw down stones +at her. I will hold her for a moment."</p> + +<p>"Invar stays with his friend!" +cried the boy stubbornly as he +gripped his useless throwing-spear.</p> + +<p>"Run up the slope!" stormed +Anak. "It is our only chance. Remember +how the male died!"</p> + +<p>Slowly the idea penetrated Invar's +brain. With a shout he dashed +away. He circled the oncoming female +and got above her. Anak +hurled one of his crippled spears. +It struck her full in the chest, but +made only a flesh wound as the +handle dropped away. The female +roared with rage and hurled herself +at the hunter. Anak leaped to +one side and ran for dear life. +The clumsy female checked her +rush and turned after him. He +rapidly gained on her. A shout +from above reached him.</p> + +<p>"Run to your left, Anak!"</p> + +<p>The hunter swerved sharply to +his left. Invar threw his shoulder +against a huge boulder on the slope. +The stone rocked but did not fall. +Again the lad exerted himself until +his muscles cracked under the +strain. The boulder tottered for a +moment and then rolled down the +slope, gathering momentum as it +rolled. It was deflected from the +direct line of the female's attack, +but a smaller stone it dislodged +struck her on the shoulder and +knocked her from her feet.</p> + +<p>"More stones, Invar!" cried Anak.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">The</span> two exerted themselves and +an avalanche of rocks thundered +down the slope. The female strove +to rise, but she was overwhelmed. +Down the slope rushed the two +hunters, intent on finishing her +with their smiting-stones and +knives. She lay in a twisted heap, +whimpering plaintively. Invar's +knife found her heart, and she sank +back dead.</p> + +<p>"Well struck, Invar!" cried Anak. +"Would that we had spears. Others +of the cousins of Gumor are coming."</p> + +<p>Bellowing roars came from higher +up the ravine. The two hunters +bounded back up the slope. Down +the ravine came another female, +followed by a fourteen-year-old +boy. Contemptuous of their assailants, +the hunters betrayed their +whereabouts with shouts. The female +accepted the challenge and +climbed heavily up the slope toward +them, the boy trailing her and aping +her cries with shrill shouts.</p> + +<p>The hunters allowed her to approach +to within a few yards before +they threw their combined weight +on a huge mass of rock. The boulder +gave and thundered down the +slope. It brushed past the female but +did not strike her.</p> + +<p>"Higher up and try again, Invar!" +cried the Chief Hunter.</p> + +<p>They bounded up the slope. Anak +paused and hurled a flint throwing-stone +with deadly aim. It struck the +female a glancing blow on the face, +tearing the flesh from one of the +prominent brow ridges. She stopped, +momentarily blinded. Invar raised +a rock high above his head with +both hands and cast it at her. It +struck her on the chest and she fell +backwards. Again Anak's strategy +was successful and an avalanche of +rolled rocks overwhelmed her. The +boy turned to fly, but the fleet-footed +Invar overtook him and the +knives of the two hunters quickly +put an end to his career.</p> + +<p>As they bent over his dead body, +a shrill scream rose on the air. It +was not the voice of an apeman, +or an apewoman, but held a human +quality. The hunters straightened up +and sought the source of it. Again +came the scream. From the mouth of +a cave above them bounded a girl. +She won momentarily to freedom, but +a huge Neanderthal male followed +her from the cave. His hairy arm +seized and dragged her back.</p> + +<p>"Una!" cried Invar and Anak in +one voice.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Forgotten</span> were strategy and +tactics. Anak bounded up the +slope, Invar at his heels. Into the +mouth of the cave they charged. +The huge male dropped the girl +and faced them with a growl. Anak +hurled a throwing-stone, but his +aim was poor. It rebounded harmlessly +from the great arched chest +of the Neanderthaler. With a roar, +the apeman charged.</p> + +<p>The hunter sidestepped the rush +and swung his smiting-stone. The +blow was deflected by the upraised +arm of the apeman and fell on his +shoulder. Invar hurled a throwing-stone +which found the monster's +face and made him pause. The apeman +recovered himself and rushed +at the youth. The boy met him, +smiting-stone in hand, but one +swing of the heavier flint broke +through his guard and stretched +him senseless on the floor, blood +flowing from a gash in his head.</p> + +<p>Anak hurled another throwing-stone +which caught the apeman on +the back of the head, dazing him. +With a shout, Anak closed. The +effects of the blow had been only +momentary and the Neanderthaler +met his rush with both his stones +swinging. One of them tore a long +gash down Anak's back while the +other laid open his thigh. The apeman +dropped his stones and wound +his long hairy arms about the +hunter's body. Anak threw himself +back and the two rolled on the +floor, the apeman striving to crush +the life out of his slighter opponent, +while Anak smote futilely with +his smiting-stone at the hairy body. +Slowly, the hunter's ribs gave under +the pressure. Spots of fire +danced before his eyes. He strove +valiantly, but his muscles were as +a child's, compared to the enormous +development of his opponent. With +a gasp, his body went limp.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Una</span> had watched the struggle +with horror-stricken eyes. As +the apeman's grip tightened about +Anak's body, she gave a low moan. +Her gaze fell on the discarded +smiting-stones of the Neanderthaler. +She sprang forward and lifted one +in both hands. The apeman threw +back his head to give a roar of +victory. The note never issued from +his throat. The huge flint which he +had chipped patiently to a sharp +edge, struck him on the back of +the head. With a gasp and a convulsive +shudder, the apeman rolled +over, his skull crushed in.</p> + +<p>Invar slowly recovered consciousness, +and now sat up. He looked +dully at the dead body of the +Neanderthaler. Beside it, Anak lay +in a pool of blood. He staggered +to his feet, asking dully:</p> + +<p>"Is Anak with Degar Astok?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet," replied Una. "Help me +to stop the flow of his blood."</p> + +<p>"He said there were five of the +cousins of Gumor," said the boy as +he looked around apprehensively. +"We have slain but four."</p> + +<p>Una pointed toward the ravine.</p> + +<p>"The other lies there," she said. +"This one slew his mate an hour +gone. I think he designed me to +take her place."</p> + +<p>Fever took Anak, and for three +days he hovered between life and +death. Then he slept and woke +conscious, although his strength +was badly sapped by the fever. +There was no lack of food, for +game was plentiful and Invar had +found and mended the throwing-spears +which Esle had tampered +with. Slowly Anak recovered his +strength. A month after the fight +he stretched his muscles and announced +himself as well.</p> + +<p>"I return to-day to the tribe of +Ugar," he announced.</p> + +<p>"Can you return?" asked Invar +doubtfully. "Remember the word of +death."</p> + +<p>"That, let Uglik answer," replied +Anak. "In peace or in war, I will +return. Soon the winter will come +and here are warm caves and game +in plenty. Here shall the tribe +make a home."</p> + +<p>"Where you go, there go I," exclaimed +Invar.</p> + +<p>"And I likewise," said Una.</p> + +<p>"Una will stay here until we return," +replied Anak in a tone which +brooked no argument.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">The</span> girl pouted, but a sharp +word from Anak settled the +matter. Throwing-spear and smiting-stone +in hand, the two hunters +approached the camping place of +Uglik's tribe. They were within a +hundred yards before they were +seen. Esle set up a shrill cry.</p> + +<p>"Here come those on whom the +Father passed the death word. Slay, +oh, hunters!"</p> + +<p>Anak raised his hand and made +the sign of peace.</p> + +<p>"Wait before you attack two such +as we," he said. "We are bearers of +good tidings. By our hands, the +cousins of Gumor have died. Think +you, do you care to attack two +such as we?"</p> + +<p>The hunters looked at one another +doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"He lies!" shrilled Esle.</p> + +<p>"We do not lie!" retorted Anak. +"Their bones, picked clear by +Kena, lie in their ravine. We come +in peace to lead you to their home. +There are warm caves and game in +plenty. We will rejoin the tribe if +the Father will remove the death +word. Otherwise, attack us if you +dare, and the tribe of Ugar will +join the cousins of Gumor."</p> + +<p>Uglik's face plainly showed hesitation.</p> + +<p>"The death word his been +passed," he said doubtfully. "It can +be withdrawn only by a sacrifice +to Degar Astok."</p> + +<p>"We two have offered five of the +cousins of Gumor, and a boy. Is +that not enough?"</p> + +<p>"It must be a human sacrifice!" +cried Esle.</p> + +<p>"Then, hag of evil omen, traitor +to Uglik, attempted slayer of Invar +and me, I offer you!" cried +Anak furiously, his spear raised.</p> + +<p>"Sacrilege!" she shrilled, darting +behind Uglik. "Slay the defamer of +the God!"</p> + +<p>"What mean these charges, +Anak?" asked Uglik darkly.</p> + +<p>"Esle tampered with our spears, +which you ordered her to strengthen +for the battle with the cousins of +Gumor," said Anak. "They broke in +our hands. With only smiting-stones +and knives, we overcame +them. Further, she tried to plot +with me to kill you and take your +place."</p> + +<p>"He lies!" cried Esle in a quavering +voice. Uglik turned a black face +on her.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">"Enough!"</span> he roared. "The +sacrifice is sufficient. I withdraw +the death word. Anak, the +cause of dissension between us is +gone. Rejoin the tribe in peace."</p> + +<p>"I bow to the Father," replied +Anak, suiting his action to his +word. "The tribe of Ugar has +gained three members."</p> + +<p>"Three?" asked Uglik.</p> + +<p>"The maiden, Una, was not slain, +but borne away alive by the cousins +of Gumor. I have rescued her and +she waits in the valley of plenty."</p> + +<p>"Then Degar Astok was right +when he told me he should have a +new High Priestess," said Uglik, +licking his lips. "She shall come to +my cave and take the place of that +worn-out hag, Esle."</p> + +<p>"She will dwell in mine," said +Anak shortly. "I have taken her for +mine and I will not give her up."</p> + +<p>"The word of the Father is the +law of the tribe," said Uglik.</p> + +<p>"That is true. I ask that the +maiden whom I have taken in war +be given to me in peace."</p> + +<p>"The maiden, Una, dwells in the +Father's cave!" said Uglik.</p> + +<p>"Then cry I rannag on you, Uglik, +the Father!" cried Anak. "I +challenge you to the fight to death, +which you may not refuse and +continue to rule."</p> + +<p>"And on you I pass the death +word!" shouted Uglik. "Hunters—"</p> + +<p>"The Father may not pass the +death word on one who has cried +rannag," retorted Anak. "Such is the +law!"</p> + +<p>"Such is the law!" echoed the +hunters, glad of an excuse not to +attack the two hunters of whose +prowess they knew so much.</p> + +<p>Uglik looked from one group to +the other.</p> + +<p>"When the sun starts to rest, the +rannag will be fought," he answered. +"When I have slain this +traitor, Una becomes High Priestess. +Hunters, bind the hag, Esle, that +she may not escape. Anak, lead the +way to the valley of plenty."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Packing</span> up was a simple +matter for the tribe of Ugar. +In five minutes they were following +Anak to the valley of the Neanderthalers. +When they arrived, +Uglik picked out the largest of the +caves, and told the hunters to +choose their own. In a few minutes +the tribe was established in their +new home. Esle was released from +her bonds, for it was essential that +the High Priestess of Degar Astok +prepare the ground for the rannag.</p> + +<p>Anak and Invar walked slowly +up to the cave where Una waited.</p> + +<p>"Uglik is a mighty warrior," said +Invar doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"So is Anak," was the reply. +"Further, I have a plan."</p> + +<p>"Then are Uglik's days numbered," +replied Invar with delight. +"Tell me what I am to do to aid +you."</p> + +<p>"When we get to the cave, you +may cut off my hair and beard."</p> + +<p>Invar started back aghast.</p> + +<p>"Your strength will go with it," +he protested. "The glory of the +warrior is his beard."</p> + +<p>"I do not believe it," said Anak. +"By cutting it, I will rob Uglik of +a handhold he could use to my +downfall. Fear not, I know what I +am doing."</p> + +<p>With a flint knife, Invar slowly +and painfully hacked off Anak's +long hair and beard. When the +operation was over, Anak smeared +himself plentifully with the fat of +a wild pig which had fallen to one +of Invar's spears the day before. +When he was ready, he threw himself +down to sleep. When he had +dropped off to slumber, Una rose. +She took the liver of the pig from +the back of the cave and approached +the doorway.</p> + +<p>"Where go you, Una?" demanded +Invar.</p> + +<p>"I take this to the Father that +he may strengthen himself for the +rannag," she said enigmatically. +"Should not the best be given to +the Father?"</p> + +<p>Invar's hand tightened on his +throwing-spear.</p> + +<p>"Minded am I to slay you," he +said darkly.</p> + +<p>"And fight to the death with +Anak when he awakens? Listen, oh, +fool, if the Father eats greatly, he +will be slow and Anak may slay +him with ease."</p> + +<p>A light of admiration flashed into +Invar's eyes.</p> + +<p>"It is well thought," he said.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">With</span> a swift glance around, +Una took from her girdle a +tiny skin packet. She opened it and +displayed a brown powder.</p> + +<p>"This, Esle gave me," she whispered. +"She said that Uglik had +threatened her death and she wished +Anak to kill him. If I give Anak +this, Degar Astok would make him +strong."</p> + +<p>"Why did you not do so?"</p> + +<p>"Because I am a woman, and I +know a woman's heart. It would +have the opposite effect. I will rub +it into the liver I give to Uglik."</p> + +<p>With the aid of the women, Esle +laid out a rough oval on the ground +where the two combatants were to +meet. Throwing-stones and spears +were not allowed in rannag, the two +combatants fighting their duel with +smiting-stones and flint knives +only. At the appointed hour, the +two combatants appeared, stripped +to their loin-clothes only. The +Father was hideous with streaks of +paint, red, yellow, white, and black. +Anak glistened from his coat of +grease, but his skin was bare of +ornament.</p> + +<p>The two combatants took their +places, while around the fighting +ground gathered the hunters and +youths, throwing-spears in hand. +Their privilege and duty it was to +slay either of the fighters who fled +or who was forced out of the ring. +Esle intoned a long prayer to Degar +Astok. The word for combat was +given. The two men approached +each other cautiously. The Father +confident in his strength, but +he felt heavy and lethargic. Anak +was clear-eyed and alert, ready to +take advantage of any opening offered +him.</p> + +<p>The two men circled, wary as great +jungle cats. Anak, suddenly ducked +his head and rubbed his eyes. +With a roar of triumph, Uglik +charged.</p> + +<p>Outside the ring, there was a +commotion. A woman's scream, rent +the air. Invar leaped to Una's side, +to find her wrestling with Esle.</p> + +<p>"Kill her, Invar!" shrieked the +girl. "She tried to cast a spell on +Anak."</p> + +<p>The young hunter forced open +the High Priestess' hand. In it was +grasped a bit of shiny quartz with +which she had reflected the sun +into the hunter's eyes. With upraised +hand, he struck her to the +ground.</p> + +<p>"She shall be judged after the +rannag," he said. "Take you this +spear, Una, and drive it through +her if she moves."</p> + +<p>The girl took the spear. Invar returned +to watch the fight. Anak +had sidestepped the first rush of +the Father and his smiting-stone +had bit heavily into Uglik's shoulder. +Uglik had whirled and charged +again. Anak made as if to leap to +one side. As Uglik changed his direction +to meet him, Anak swayed +back. Again his smiting-stone bit +heavily into the Father's side. With +a cry of pain, Uglik paused and +changed his tactics. He approached +cautiously, ready to leap to either +side. Farther and farther Anak retreated +until the hunters at the +end of the oval raised their spears +in anticipation. Then Anak charged.</p> + +<p>Uglik was taken by surprise. His +blow glanced off Anak's upraised +stone while an upward sweep of +the weapon took him in the neck. +He dropped his stone and threw +his arms around Anak's body. Well +had Anak planned when he greased +his body, for Uglik's grip failed. +Anak shook him loose and struck +again. Once more Uglik grasped +him, and this time threw him +heavily to the ground. Again the +grease made his hold slip. Anak +struggled to his feet, but it was +evident that the fall had hurt him.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Uglik</span> followed up his advantage. +He warded off the +blow of the hunter's stone and again +flung him to earth. Anak dropped +his stone.</p> + +<p>Uglik's hands fastened on the +hunter's throat, and mercilessly he +banged Anak's head on the rocky +ground. Anak wound his mighty +legs about the Father's middle. Silently +they put forth their strength. +Uglik's hold was the more deadly, +and slowly the hunter weakened.</p> + +<p>"The Father kills!" screamed +Esle.</p> + +<p>She strove to rise to her feet, +but Una had her orders from Invar. +She pressed home the spear. With +a sob, Esle fell back.</p> + +<p>Anak's tongue began to protrude +from his mouth and his eyes +swelled. An expression of triumph +spread over Uglik's face, which +suddenly changed to one of amazement, +and then to pain and fear.</p> + +<p>As they rolled over, Anak had +felt something pierce his leg. The +pain was nothing, but it persisted. +As his consciousness slipped away, +only that one feeling remained. He +reached down to his leg. Thrust +deep into his thigh was a knife-like +sliver of flint. With a supreme +effort, he rallied his failing consciousness +and grasped it. The +Father's chest was directly over +him. With his last conscious effort, +he thrust upward with the fragment +of flint. His aim was true. +Uglik suddenly released his hold +and raised himself to his knees, +his hands plucking at his chest. +For a moment he swayed forward +and back. Then, with a cry, he +pitched forward, blood gushing +from his chest over the unconscious +hunter.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Anak</span> recovered consciousness +to find his opponent lying +dead before him, the sliver of flint +buried in his heart. He staggered +to his feet and tried to speak. His +vocal cords refused to act and he +massaged his throat gently.</p> + +<p>"I am Father of the tribe of +Ugar by right of rannag," he said +hoarsely. "Do any challenge the +right?"</p> + +<p>There was no answer. Anak +stepped to Una's side.</p> + +<p>"Uglik spoke truth when he said +that Una would be High Priestess +of Degar Astok," he said. "This I +now proclaim her. You, Esle, +stripped of your office, shall do +menial tasks for all who will until +death claims you. If your homage +wavers, death will not be long.</p> + +<p>"Lo, I make a new law for the +tribe. No longer shall all the women +belong to the Father, but to those +to whom the Father awards them. +To each hunter, I now give one +woman. He shall take her to his +cave and hunt for her. She shall +obey him and no other. The others +shall live in a woman's cave, and +shall be tabu until they are chosen +by one who has no woman, or until +a hunter desires more than one +woman to chip his flints and dress +his skins. Hunters, choose your +women and take up caves. Here +stays the tribe of Ugar forever, and +we will allow no others in the +valley."</p> + +<p>Followed by Una he strode toward +the Father's cave. Below the +hunters and the women eyed one +another a trifle fearfully. At last +Invar stepped forward and grasped +one of them by the arm.</p> + +<p>"Come to my cave!" he ordered.</p> + +<p>The woman followed him submissively.</p> + +<div class="trn"><b>Transcriber's Note:</b> +This etext was produced from <i>Astounding Stories</i> April 1932. +Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. +copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and +typographical errors have been corrected without note.</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of B. C. 30,000, by Sterner St. Paul Meek + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK B. 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