When Rago and Long-head reached the fire, the men had already returned.
They were sitting on the ground about the fire.
Rago ran up to Goni, saying, “Here are some fine blueberries, Goni. I thought you would like them.”
“Where did you get the basket, Rago?” asked Goni.
“I made it from rushes,” said Rago. “Long-head showed me how to make it.
“Some day I will show you how to make a basket just like this one.
“Where is baby sister?” asked Rago.
“She is in there,” said Goni, pointing to the shelter.
“The wind is so cold that the children are in there.”
Rago walked over toward Long-head. He was talking to the men in a very excited way.
Rago knew he was telling them of his narrow escape from the wolf.
The men were listening and asking questions.
“You must be more careful in the future, Long-head,” they said.
“You are a brave boy, Rago,” said Strong-arm. “We are glad you have come to live with us.”
This pleased Rago very much.
“Let us play it,” said the men.
So they pretended that one man was the fierce wolf, and another played that he was Rago.
Then the man who played that he was Rago rushed upon the wolf, waving his torch in his eyes.
The Tree-dwellers were very much interested.
“Now let us play it,” said one of the older boys.
So the boys had their hunting dance. They were glad to play what the men had played.
After the hunting dance the men told about the animals which they had seen that day.
They pretended that they were animals and showed just how the animals acted.
Strong-arm held up the skin of a gopher which he had killed.
He told how the gophers lived among the tall grass, and how quick one had to be to catch them.
Strong-arm showed the other Tree-dwellers how he had caught this gopher.
Another man told how he had chased a cave bear back to its den with his torch. He showed just how he had done this.
“Indeed, the fire is our friend,” he said, “for I could not have frightened the cave bear without a torch.”
Rago listened while the man talked. He was anxious to learn, so he could be brave.
One by one the men became drowsy and stretched themselves on the ground near the fire.
“Where will you and Goni sleep tonight?” asked Rago of his mother.
“You need not be afraid to sleep on the ground. The fire will protect you.”
“We shall sleep on the ground,” answered his mother. “Goni is not afraid now.”
“Yes,” said Goni. “I shall sleep on the ground.”
One of the women took her place by the fire. She would watch all night while the others slept.
Soon all was very quiet. The Tree-dwellers were fast asleep.
Only the sounds of the wild beasts could be heard as they hunted their prey.
The Tree-dwellers were safe, because the fire would protect them.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE:
Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.