The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1915-06-23

First he split 1t down the center fol
notchcs in the surface upon either side
Of the split portion Now he carefully
unwrapped the rawhde that binds the
spearhead into his old haft. and fol-
want of water to moisten IL crammed
the whole unfragrant mass into his
mouth that II might be softened by
warmth and saliva.
For several minutes he busted him.
self in shaping the point of the new
shaft that 1t might exactly fit the In.
equalities IN the shank of the spear.
head. BY the time this was done the
rawhide had been sufficiently mois-
tened to permit him to wind 1t tightly
about the new shaft into which he had
set the spearhead
AS he worked he heard the noises of
the jungle about him. There were
many familiar voices. but more strange
ones. Not once had the cave bear
spoken: nor Zor. the mighty lion of the
Neocene: nor Co. the saber toothed
tiger. He missed the believing Of the
bull Dos and the kissing and whisting
of monster saurian and amphibian.
To M 1t seemed silent world.
Propped up against the bole of the
tree before him grinned the hideous
head of the man hunter, the only IA
miliar object in all the world about
| him.
Presently he became aware that the
lesser apes were creeping warily closer
to have a better look at him. He wait
eye he glimpsed one quite near. and
then in a low voice he spoke in the
! language that his allies of yesterday
had understood: and though ages had
elapsed since that long gone day. the
little monkey above him understood.
for the language Of the apes can never
: change.
"why do you fear M, the son of
NuT asked the man. when has he
ever harmed the ape people?"
"The hairless ones kill us with sharp
sticks that fly through the air." replied
the monkey. "or with little sticks that
make a great noise that kill us from
afar. But you seem not to be Of these.
We have never seen one like you until
now. Do you not wish to kill us?'
"Why should ~ replied M. 1T is
better that we be friends. All that
wish Of you Is that you tell me which
Of the fruits that grow here be safe for
me to eat and then direct me to the sea
beside which dwell the tribe of M. my
father"
The monkeys had gathered in force
by this time. seeing that the strange
white ape offered no harm to their fell
low, and when they learned his wants
they scampered about I'm all directions
to gather nuts and fruits and berries
for him.
1t is true that some of them forgot
what they had intended doing before
the task was half completed, and end
ed by pulling one another's tails and
frolicking among the higher branches,
or else ate the fruit they had gone to
gather for their new friend, but few
there We're with greater powers of
concentration tnan their fellows, who
returned with fruit and berries and
caterpillars, all of which M devoured
with the avidity of the half furnished.
OF the whereabouts of the tribe of
his father they could tell him nothing,
for they had never heard Of such a
people, or of the great sea beside
which he told them that his people
dwelled.
His breakfast finished and his spear
repaired, M set out toward the plain
to bring down one of the beasts he
had seen grazing there. for his stom-
ach called aloud for flesh. Fruit and
bugs might be all right for children
and ape people. but a full grown man
must have meat. warm and red and
dripping.
Closest to him as he emerged from
the jungle browsed small herd of
zebra. They were directly up wind.
and between him and them were
patches Of tall grass and clumps Of
trees scattered about the surface of
the plain.
M wondered at the strange beasts,
admiring their gaudy markings as he
came closer to them. Upon the edge
OF the herd nearest him a plump stall
lion stood switching his tail against
the annoying flies. occasionally raising
his head from his feeding to search
the horizon for signs of danger. sniff
ing the air for the telltale scent Of an
enemy. 1t was he that M selected
for his prey.
Stealthily the cave man crept |
through the tall grass, scarce a blade
moving to the sinuous advance Of his
sleek body. Within fifty feet Of the
zebra M stopped, for the stallion was
giving evidence of restlessness. as
though sensing intuitively the near APP
preach Of foe he could neither see
nor hear nor smell
The man. still prone upon his belly.
drew his spear into the throwing
grasp. With the utmost caution he |
wormed his legs beneath him, AID
then. like lightning. and all with a
s,t. Ia, A.. l..