diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26989-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 56311 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26989-h/26989-h.htm | 2228 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26989-h/images/001.png | bin | 0 -> 28729 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26989-page-images/p005.png | bin | 0 -> 1448057 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26989-page-images/p006.png | bin | 0 -> 1499635 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26989-page-images/p007.png | bin | 0 -> 1507328 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26989-page-images/p013.png | bin | 0 -> 1547206 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26989-page-images/p014.png | bin | 0 -> 1583658 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26989-page-images/p015.png | bin | 0 -> 1604679 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26989-page-images/p016.png | bin | 0 -> 1620455 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26989-page-images/p017.png | bin | 0 -> 1627285 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26989-page-images/p018.png | bin | 0 -> 1489025 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26989-page-images/p019.png | bin | 0 -> 1501167 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26989.txt | 1456 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26989.zip | bin | 0 -> 25419 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
18 files changed, 3700 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/26989-h.zip b/26989-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8be87ef --- /dev/null +++ b/26989-h.zip 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. C. 30,000 *** + +***** This file should be named 26989-h.htm or 26989-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/9/8/26989/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/26989-h/images/001.png b/26989-h/images/001.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6e62315 --- /dev/null +++ b/26989-h/images/001.png diff --git a/26989-page-images/p005.png b/26989-page-images/p005.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b23640c --- /dev/null +++ b/26989-page-images/p005.png diff --git a/26989-page-images/p006.png b/26989-page-images/p006.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ba3d9fc --- /dev/null +++ b/26989-page-images/p006.png diff --git a/26989-page-images/p007.png b/26989-page-images/p007.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..736c642 --- /dev/null +++ b/26989-page-images/p007.png diff --git a/26989-page-images/p013.png b/26989-page-images/p013.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cca152e --- /dev/null +++ b/26989-page-images/p013.png diff --git a/26989-page-images/p014.png b/26989-page-images/p014.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bd66887 --- /dev/null +++ b/26989-page-images/p014.png diff --git a/26989-page-images/p015.png b/26989-page-images/p015.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2f538d7 --- /dev/null +++ b/26989-page-images/p015.png diff --git a/26989-page-images/p016.png b/26989-page-images/p016.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..520bbcb --- /dev/null +++ b/26989-page-images/p016.png diff --git a/26989-page-images/p017.png b/26989-page-images/p017.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8d726ad --- /dev/null +++ b/26989-page-images/p017.png diff --git a/26989-page-images/p018.png b/26989-page-images/p018.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1a68ea7 --- /dev/null +++ b/26989-page-images/p018.png diff --git a/26989-page-images/p019.png b/26989-page-images/p019.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2adcc82 --- /dev/null +++ b/26989-page-images/p019.png diff --git a/26989.txt b/26989.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2e6c25a --- /dev/null +++ b/26989.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1456 @@ +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: ASCII + +*** 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 + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: _With a roar, the apemen charged._] + +B. C. 30,000 + +By Capt. S. P. Meek + + + Back in the dim dawn of civilization + Anak the Hunter stands in his might + before the encroaching Neanderthal + men. + + +A scream 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. + +"Una was eating of the man's piece," she shrilled as she held the +fragment aloft. + +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. + +"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." + +Una moaned with fright but attempted no resistance. Uglik grasped his +spear and raised it over his head. + +"Hold, Father!" came a clear voice from the group of hunters who sat +near the chief. + +Uglik paused in amazement at the interruption. Anak, the Chief Hunter, +rose to his feet and made a step forward. + +"She stole it not," he said. "Anak, the Chief Hunter, gave it to her." + +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. + +"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?" + + * * * * * + +Uglik 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. + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +"Is the Father satisfied with the Chief Hunter?" he asked ceremoniously. + +"The Father is," replied Uglik in similar vein. + +"Then the Chief Hunter has a boon to ask." + +"Name it." + +"I desire that maiden, Una, be given to me." + +"What?" + +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. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Uglik 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. + +"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." + +"The Father who ruled before you gave women to his favored hunters," +replied Anak. "I was the son of such a one." + +"And Degar Astok assumed the form of a lion and punished him for his +impiety by destroying him," retorted Uglik. + +"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." + +Uglik's face flushed at the hunter's words. + +"Degar Astok may be robbed of one body, but he still lives," he +answered. "Say no more. I will consider your request." + +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. + +"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." + +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. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +"What is it?" cried Uglik. + +"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." + +"Bring fire!" cried Anak. + +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. + +"What think you?" he demanded of Anak. + +"It is the mark of man, yet not of our tribe," replied the Chief Hunter. +"Such marks have I never seen." + +"Wait until Degar Astok sends the light," directed Uglik. "As soon as +you can trail, the hunters will go in pursuit." + + * * * * * + +Slowly 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. + +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. + +"Gumor, the gray ape!" cried one of the hunters. + +"It is not Gumor," replied Anak, "although they are like his cousins. +See what they eat!" + +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. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +A ferocious 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. + +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. + +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. + +South, they dared not go. North, there lay unknown horrors. West lay the +raging sea. East, the Neanderthalers blocked the way. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +As he disappeared into the woods, Esle sidled up to Anak. + +"It seems that Degar Astok no longer loves Uglik," she said slyly. "Does +not the Chief Hunter agree with me?" + +Anak looked at the withered hag coldly. + +"Who am I to tell his Priestess whom Degar Astok loves?" he asked. "You +are his voice and should know." + +"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." + +"What is that to me?" asked Anak. + +"You desire the maiden, Una?" + +"And if I do?" + +"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." + +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. + +"What am I to do?" he demanded. + +Esle smiled slyly. + +"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." + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Esle frothed at the mouth with rage. + +"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." + +She turned to depart, but Anak grasped her by the arm. + +"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." + +"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." + +Anak lowered the spear. + +"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." + +"I will weave spells to guard her from harm, Anak," she cried eagerly. +"Only let me live, brave hunter!" + +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. + + * * * * * + +Then 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. + +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. + +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. + +"Who is missing?" demanded Uglik as the hunters returned empty handed. + +"The maiden, Una," cried Esle shrilly. + +Anak rushed at her, spear in hand. + +"Unsay those words, hag of evil omen!" he roared. "Where have you hidden +her?" + +"Ask of the cousins of Gumor," she replied as she ducked behind the +protecting frame of Uglik. "They have taken her from us." + +Anak dropped his spear and buried his face in his hands. When he raised +his head again, resolution showed in his handsome face. + +"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." + +A murmur of dissent went around the camp. Uglik sprang to his feet. + +"What means the Chief Hunter of the tribe of Ugar?" he demanded. + +"I mean that to-morrow we settle for all time who rules in this valley, +the tribe of Ugar or the cousins of Gumor." + +"And has the Father no voice in the council of the tribe?" + +"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!" + +"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!" + +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. + +"Who strikes my friend, strikes me!" cried Invar. + + * * * * * + +Uglik 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. + +"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." + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +"So be it!" replied Anak. + +Shortly before the dawn, Esle crept to Anak's side. + +"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." + +"I will, hag of evil," said Anak grimly. "Better will it be for you that +we never return." + +"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." + +"I go but for vengeance, Esle," said Anak wearily. "With Una gone, I +have no desire to live." + +"There are other maidens who are fair, Anak, and when you are Father you +will have them all." + +"Leave me, Esle," said Anak shortly. "I desire none but Una." + +"And may the cousins of Gumor crack your bones between their teeth," she +hissed venomously as she slipped away into the darkness. + + * * * * * + +As 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. + +"I thank you for coming with me," he said, his hand on Invar's shoulder. +"It is the deed of a brave man." + +Invar flushed and looked down. + +"The least that I can do is to go to Degar Astok with my friend," he +said. + +"It is the deed of a brave man, yet I think we are not yet ripe to die." + +"We go against the cousins of Gumor, do we not?" asked the lad. + +"We do." + +"And is that not death?" + +"Mayhap, and yet, I have a plan. We may live." + +"How can we two expect to do what all the tribe of Ugar dare not try?" + +"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." + +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. + +"Anak should be Father of the tribe of Ugar!" he cried. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Cautiously 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. + +"Below us is a cave where dwell two," he whispered. "Make ready your +spear while I sound the challenge." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Esle!" he cried in rage. "She had our weapons last night!" + + * * * * * + +He 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. + +Invar's face paled. From up the slope a roar assailed their ears. The +female was rushing down at them, smiting-stones in hand. + +"Fly, Invar!" cried Anak. "Run up the slope and throw down stones at +her. I will hold her for a moment." + +"Invar stays with his friend!" cried the boy stubbornly as he gripped +his useless throwing-spear. + +"Run up the slope!" stormed Anak. "It is our only chance. Remember how +the male died!" + +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. + +"Run to your left, Anak!" + +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. + +"More stones, Invar!" cried Anak. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +"Well struck, Invar!" cried Anak. "Would that we had spears. Others of +the cousins of Gumor are coming." + +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. + +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. + +"Higher up and try again, Invar!" cried the Chief Hunter. + +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. + +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. + +"Una!" cried Invar and Anak in one voice. + + * * * * * + +Forgotten 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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Una 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. + +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: + +"Is Anak with Degar Astok?" + +"Not yet," replied Una. "Help me to stop the flow of his blood." + +"He said there were five of the cousins of Gumor," said the boy as he +looked around apprehensively. "We have slain but four." + +Una pointed toward the ravine. + +"The other lies there," she said. "This one slew his mate an hour gone. +I think he designed me to take her place." + +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. + +"I return to-day to the tribe of Ugar," he announced. + +"Can you return?" asked Invar doubtfully. "Remember the word of death." + +"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." + +"Where you go, there go I," exclaimed Invar. + +"And I likewise," said Una. + +"Una will stay here until we return," replied Anak in a tone which +brooked no argument. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +"Here come those on whom the Father passed the death word. Slay, oh, +hunters!" + +Anak raised his hand and made the sign of peace. + +"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?" + +The hunters looked at one another doubtfully. + +"He lies!" shrilled Esle. + +"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." + +Uglik's face plainly showed hesitation. + +"The death word his been passed," he said doubtfully. "It can be +withdrawn only by a sacrifice to Degar Astok." + +"We two have offered five of the cousins of Gumor, and a boy. Is that +not enough?" + +"It must be a human sacrifice!" cried Esle. + +"Then, hag of evil omen, traitor to Uglik, attempted slayer of Invar and +me, I offer you!" cried Anak furiously, his spear raised. + +"Sacrilege!" she shrilled, darting behind Uglik. "Slay the defamer of +the God!" + +"What mean these charges, Anak?" asked Uglik darkly. + +"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." + +"He lies!" cried Esle in a quavering voice. Uglik turned a black face on +her. + + * * * * * + +"Enough!" 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." + +"I bow to the Father," replied Anak, suiting his action to his word. +"The tribe of Ugar has gained three members." + +"Three?" asked Uglik. + +"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." + +"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." + +"She will dwell in mine," said Anak shortly. "I have taken her for mine +and I will not give her up." + +"The word of the Father is the law of the tribe," said Uglik. + +"That is true. I ask that the maiden whom I have taken in war be given +to me in peace." + +"The maiden, Una, dwells in the Father's cave!" said Uglik. + +"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." + +"And on you I pass the death word!" shouted Uglik. "Hunters--" + +"The Father may not pass the death word on one who has cried rannag," +retorted Anak. "Such is the law!" + +"Such is the law!" echoed the hunters, glad of an excuse not to attack +the two hunters of whose prowess they knew so much. + +Uglik looked from one group to the other. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Packing 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. + +Anak and Invar walked slowly up to the cave where Una waited. + +"Uglik is a mighty warrior," said Invar doubtfully. + +"So is Anak," was the reply. "Further, I have a plan." + +"Then are Uglik's days numbered," replied Invar with delight. "Tell me +what I am to do to aid you." + +"When we get to the cave, you may cut off my hair and beard." + +Invar started back aghast. + +"Your strength will go with it," he protested. "The glory of the warrior +is his beard." + +"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." + +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. + +"Where go you, Una?" demanded Invar. + +"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?" + +Invar's hand tightened on his throwing-spear. + +"Minded am I to slay you," he said darkly. + +"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." + +A light of admiration flashed into Invar's eyes. + +"It is well thought," he said. + + * * * * * + +With a swift glance around, Una took from her girdle a tiny skin packet. +She opened it and displayed a brown powder. + +"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." + +"Why did you not do so?" + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Kill her, Invar!" shrieked the girl. "She tried to cast a spell on +Anak." + +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. + +"She shall be judged after the rannag," he said. "Take you this spear, +Una, and drive it through her if she moves." + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Uglik followed up his advantage. He warded off the blow of the hunter's +stone and again flung him to earth. Anak dropped his stone. + +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. + +"The Father kills!" screamed Esle. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Anak 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. + +"I am Father of the tribe of Ugar by right of rannag," he said hoarsely. +"Do any challenge the right?" + +There was no answer. Anak stepped to Una's side. + +"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. + +"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." + +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. + +"Come to my cave!" he ordered. + +The woman followed him submissively. + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + This etext was produced from _Astounding Stories_ 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. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of B. C. 30,000, by Sterner St. Paul Meek + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK B. C. 30,000 *** + +***** This file should be named 26989.txt or 26989.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/9/8/26989/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/26989.zip b/26989.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8d773a7 --- /dev/null +++ b/26989.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b4de999 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #26989 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26989) |
