Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-07-19

To NJ 1t seemed silent world.
Propped up against the bole Of tho
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 better look at him. He wait
ed silently until from tho tail of his
eye he glimpsed one quite near, and
then in q 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 people7"
1.-THE hairless ones kill as 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
1
"Why should I7' 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 In all directions
to gather nuts and fruits and berries
| for him.
It 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 were with greater powers Of
concentration than their fellows, who
returned with fruit and berries and
caterpillars, all Of which NJ devoured
with the avidity Of the half famishedL
OF the whereabouts Of the tribe Of
his father they could tell him nothing.
for they had never heard of such
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 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 az he
came closer to them. Upon the edge
Of the herd nearest him 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. It was he that NJ selected
for his prey.
Stealthily the cave man crept
through the tall grass, scarce 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 intuittvely the near APP
proach 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, and
then. like lightning, and all with
single movement, he leaped to his feet
and cast the stone tipped weapon at
his quarry.
With snort Of terror the stallion
reared to plunge away, but the spear
had found the point behind his shout
der even as he saw the figure Of the
man rise from the tall grass. AS the
balance Of the herd galloped madly OF.
their leader pitched headlong to the
earth.
M ran forward with ready knife,
but the animal was dead before he
reached its side. The great spear had
passed through its heart and was pro
truding upon the opposite side Of tbs
body. The man removed the weapon.
and with his knife cut several long
strips Of meat from the plump
launches. .s
Ever and anon he raised his head .
scan the plain and jungle for evidences
Of danger, shifting the breeze just -
had the stallion he had killed
His work was but partially com
pleted when he caught the scent Of
man vet long way OF. He knew
that he could not be mistaken, Jet
never had he sensed so strange an
odor. There were men coming. hs
knew, but Of the other odors that ac-
companied them he could make moth.
ing. for khaki and guns and sweaty
saddle blankets and the odor OF tanned
leather were to Nus nostrils as would
Greek have been to his ears.
It would be best, thought M, TO re
treat to the safety Of the forest until
he could ascertain the number and
kind Of beings that were approaching,