The Washington herald., 1911-08-06

game Inag TOdneu thioubh WV
ests .n.
A thousand years before this, other hunt, unit
ers probably rested here from their hard
hunts after the mastodon, that, in the long
ago hourished in America, roaming over
what is now populous country. :
MANY years previous TO this, in what IS
known as the Tertiary age, men were also
hunting the mastodon and its huge ally, the
mammoth, that occasionally wandered down
into the central portion OF Europe.
there then lived mighty race of hunters.
They were men of tall stature, herc9leah
build large as the largest men t o. soIay rsce
their skins had, through long exposure TO the
elements, become tanned SO that they were
dark -hued; but their hair was long ana ngnt;
Dressed in the skins Of animals and armed
with clubs of stone and various weapons OF
a rude cha racter, they must nave Preseh'o
a formidable appearance.
These wild men lived in series OF caves
that had been formed m lofty cliff. The
latter they ascended as a lookout, from where
they obtained an extended view Of the sur
rounding country and could desery an enemy
long before his approach.
From the rocky crag that surmounted the
cliff, the country stretched away, covered
with dark green forest hills and valleys,
reaching up to great ranges OF tSs Mid
country flowed silvery stream, that glisten
ed brightly. in the sunlight on its way to the
Northern Sea.
One day there was an unusual excitement
in the vicinity Of the caves. Numbers OF
men stood about, talking and gesticulatrng
earnestly, one pointing to the lofty. crag
above them and then away to the distant
mountains. ....
While they spoke, a messenger, young boy,
came up, and they Immediately repaired to
the entrance Of one of the largest caves, where
they threw down their arms upon the ground
before entering. As the big. men filed in,
there seemed nothing but gloom to greet
them, but in few moments N subdued light
waited portion, upon which sat a man Of COM
manding appearance.
His seat was hewn from a mighty tree, the
roots of which with mastodon tusks formed
huge animal. and all about the floor were
scattered trophies of the chase, while the
walls Of the chamber were ornamented with
war-like weapons, lances, tipped, with stones,
and clubs with polished sides and hammer.
There were a number Of people in the
apartment, women and children, engaged in
sewing skins, while men were busy chipping
pieces OF flint, making arrows for the hun
ters.
The men who had been summoned ap-
preached the central figure, and, making a
profound obeisance, waited to be addressed
by him who was their chief-their king in all
the term implies.
lO tEc IdlitsI Vi Cne group lie ealQ.
We'll, lilo, what tidings?"
Meme" was the reply. "Our men have
lcen on the watch since early day, but no
sign has been SEEN"
This day." again spoke the, chief, "my
;me expires. 1t has long been the custom Of
vnr people that the succession be given to
the one who shall, upon the expiring day,
resent to us the strangest and most remark.
able creation. Many. days ago ten Of our
brave youths started for distant lands to en-
itln MT 10 thaxy
cd, You, Illio, brought the two.horned giant,
and served your time. You, Bracrock, led
strange and unknown bird from the land
OF the setting sun"
his head, with a respectful gesture, "single-
handed killed the hairy elephant, the forest
king Of the north, and bore its ivory tusks
hither as proof Of your valor.''
done" responded the chief, courteously. But"
he continued, when l summoned you. I
that none of these youths returns before the
setting sun, what then? Our people. accord
mot 50, chief" said an old arrow-maker,
who had joined the group. "By general
consent you may continue. / bear in mind,
when ohild, the young men sent forth were
all killed in foreign lands or kept as slaves,
and the chief, my father, was continued un.
til the next season. True, there was trouble
but it was crushed out"
And the old man tapped the chiefs stone
club with significant gesture.
Illio turned to speak again, when n shout
was heard, and a messenger came running
into the cave with the news that party was
approaching.
Good" said the chief, spfinging up, and
throwinh chain of beads around the
neck of the youth. Summon now all the peo
pie, and when the young men are ready bring
them before me-"
In short time men and women began to
file into the cave, the former, stalwart fel-
furs.
They stationed themselves against the
walls Or reclined upon the soft skins and
-, spoke in quiet tones. Finally the stone hall
Il, tln ncuIII, and II riIr,nl In 4