I
The cold weight of bitter glacial winter lay heavy upon the Dordogne
region of southwestern France. Grass and sedge tuft were hidden beneath a
mantle of ermine snow. The last withered oak and sycamore leaves had long
since fluttered to the ground and only bare branches were left pointing
skyward like dead fingers. The bushes stuck straight up like bundles of
stiff rods. No sounds could be heard except faint whisperings of sleet
blown over the snow-crust and of rending creaking frost gnawing into
every hole and crevice.
Bison, moose, stag, ox and every other hoofed and horned beast of meadow,
mountain and glade were assembled near the base of the southern slope
of a long high ridge bristling with outcropping limestone crags and
pinnacles. Every pair of horns and eyes was directed upward and every
heart beat fast with great awe and fear.
For a monstrous creature was lumbering down the slope toward them,
plowing its way irresistibly through the snow-packs like an avalanche
launched from the heights—a strange beast of another world descending as
it were from the sky. Its huge head crowned with peaked forepart, nigh
equalled in bulk the Bison’s body. A ponderous nose-lip dangled from its
face, writhing python-like, between two long cream-colored tusks which
swept downward then outward, then upward and forward to their polished
tips in three graceful, twisting curves. And yet the colossal head was
but a fragment compared with the vast body behind it. Both were thatched
with jumbled masses of shaggy hair fluffed and tossed about by the breeze
like tasseled plumes. The massive hulk was borne along upon four hairy
pillar legs, each rivalling in girth the wrist of a stout oak which stood
in the giant’s path, thrust upward through the snow like a great gnarled
fist. The lowermost branch rising some twelve feet above the ground,
barely cleared the shaggy head-peak as it passed beneath. Such was the
Hairy Mammoth, monarch of the bleak northern wastes and largest of all
creatures ranging the length and breadth of Europe.
[Illustration: THE ARRIVAL OF THE MAMMOTH]
As his eyes fell upon the formidable hedge of bristling horns, he
momentarily slackened his pace and took stock of the seemingly
overwhelming odds upon which he was advancing. Fight? Yes and no. The
Mammoth well knew the full measure of his own gigantic strength and how
to make good use of it when occasion demanded; but there are always more
ways than one to accomplish desired results—so the Mammoth reasoned—and
he was a creature of far from low intelligence.
Crunch, crunch, his ponderous feet rose and fell amid the flying
snow-clods as he bore down upon the group of horned animals, calmly and
deliberately as though without fear or thought of hostile purpose.
Another and smaller individual trailed in the giant’s wake. Like the
latter, its head and body were buried in masses of tangled hair, so thick
and matted that the creature resembled a small haystack supported by four
short peg-legs, which latter were barely visible beneath the mass. But
none heeded this the smaller of the pair. All eyes were centered upon the
shaggy giant with the snake-like trunk and curling tusks.
The latter was only ten paces distant when suddenly two of the horned
heads detached themselves from their fellows as their owners sprang
forward to meet him. One of them was a thick-set individual almost hidden
beneath a flowing hair-mantle and bearing two hook-like horns plastered
across his brow; the other a more slender animal with short hair and long
scraggly antlers. They were the Musk Ox and Reindeer, migrants from the
northern ranges.
“The Mammoth!” they cried joyfully. “Hail Hairi, lord of the Tundr! Does
the Storm Wind drive the mightiest of the grass-eaters before it as it
does us more humble folk?”
The Mammoth, who had halted momentarily with trunk and tasks thrown into
a defensive posture, now emitted an astonished bellow. His ears flapped
violently and his trunk waved in joyful recognition.
“Hail, old comrades! Peace be with you and yours,” he replied. “Good
indeed it is to see once more two of the Northland’s best and bravest.
The Storm Wind? Aye. The Mammoth finds no favor there. But it is not from
it that I flee, nor snow nor the frost which thickens the waters and
makes all trees look like dead sticks. It is because of the ice-mountains
that have sealed every drinking hole and food patch. I must eat and drink
to live and as Death is my last choice, I made haste to seek this land of
plenty—and friends.”
As he concluded, his gaze shifted inquiringly from the Musk Ox and
Reindeer to their associates. Sunshine by the cubic yard now exuded
from every pore of the huge body—ten-hundred weight of concentrated
benevolence and good will. His two friends of the tundras gazed
apprehensively at their horned associates, then at the shaggy colossus.
In the latter’s beaming features and breezy manner was no vestige of the
caution and timidity which might have been expected of him in a situation
fraught with such grave uncertainties; but he had staked all on his sound
judgment of animal nature and had already determined how the present
occasion should be dealt with.
“Comrades,” he began in a deep voice. “Fate was kind to reunite me with
two life-long friends and with their friends all gathered together to do
me honor. Words fail me; but I am mightily pleased.”
He paused, gazing benignly upon the serried host. Every horned head
lifted; every pair of eyes looked up in astonishment. Even the small
haystack behind the Mammoth raised its head in amazement at the latter’s
eloquent outburst, then its attention shifted to the array of hoofed and
horned animals.
“Moo Hooes!” it grunted and without another word, turned away and began
rooting about in the snow. It may be inferred that the creature was a pig
but although possessing piggy eyes and ears, its nose bore a long glossy
horn pointing forward and upward, which in itself was most remarkable and
unswinelike. Moo Hoo, by the way, was a name for any hoofed and horned
animal. It might be complimentary or otherwise, depending on the way one
said it. The small haystack’s way of saying, was far from complimentary.
For a few moments, all was still. The Mammoth stood immobile and
expectant—a mountain of majestic grandeur. A slim figure emerged from the
throng of horned animals and faced him. It was the Red Deer or Stag.
“Your arrival is—I make bold to say—a surprise to us,” he said timidly.
“We, too, are pleased to meet the mighty Mammoth; but caution is our
watchword and we look upon all strangers as intruders. We are in the
midst of an important meeting which may be proceeded with after your
departure. And now what more before we are deprived of your august
presence?”
The great Elephant’s gorge began to rise. This was a new and decidedly
unpleasant idea—his being left out of any animal doings. His was a
sociable nature, ever eager to meet new faces and never forgetting
the old ones—you may be sure of that. With an effort he kept back the
storm-clouds and continued to bathe all present in the sunshine of his
genial personality.
“But my journey’s end is reached,” he remarked cheerily. “Meeting? You
see I am just in time; and here I stay to make your better acquaintance.”
The hoofed and horned animals inclined their ears forward to catch every
word. This was an unheard-of thing; an elephant trying to enter their
charmed circle. They studied his curling tusks and stumpy feet with the
greatest care, then shook their heads.
“So you wish to join our herd?” the Stag demanded. “First, you must
qualify. Every new member must have hoofs and horns. They are quite
important; in fact, necessary.”
“Of course; and so now I may consider myself one of you?”
“Pr-r-op! Not so fast, if you please. Things must follow in their proper
order. I see no horns. You do not seem to have brought them with you.
Possibly you have shed them for the cold weather.”
“Indeed, no. Here they are almost touching the end of your nose,” and
Hairi raised his trunk on high so that his tusks might show to the best
advantage.
“Horns?” grunted the Moose; “but they grow from your mouth. Odd; most
peculiar, I say.”
“Oomp, oomp; most peculiar.” The Mammoth’s tone and manner now reeked
with biting sarcasm. “So you think that my horns should grow from
somewhere else; out of my back perhaps or possibly from my heels like
lark’s spurs. What would you suggest? I am willing to please anybody
within reason.”
The Moose began to feel ridiculous. His pride was hurt. “But they should
grow up, not down,” he protested sullenly.
“Indeed! What do the rest of you think about it?” demanded the shaggy
giant as he glanced along the rows of curious faces. “Up or down; down
or up? Which is proper? My horns grow down then up again, so I am right,
either way. But I mean to be reasonable and listen. Can anybody answer?”
None appeared to have enough wits left to give an answer. The Mammoth
gazed blandly at the sea of upturned faces before him and resumed:
“Now that everybody is satisfied, I will take my proper place among you.
Next comes the choice of my assistant. What is it now, old Bramble-head?”
he bellowed at the Moose who showed symptoms of wishing to start an
argument. “Would you expect me to manage your affairs alone? I need help.
Who will dispute that?”
He looked so huge, stern and overpowering, that several high-strung
spirits who were pawing the ground and gathering courage to protest,
decided to wait. All stood at attention. The Mammoth paused for a moment
to impress them with the importance of what he was about to say.
“My friends,” he began in low deep tones, which grew louder and more
dramatic as he proceeded. “Fellow Moo Hooes; People with the split feet;
I will now choose as my chief helper, the most famous warrior in all
Tundr. His skill, courage and other noble qualities have won the esteem
of every creature that creeps or runs. His strength——”
“But who is he? Tell us,” cried a score of impatient voices.
The huge Elephant raised his trunk aloft. “Owk, owk; see all,” he
thundered. “Look upon the chosen one, come in all his glory to help me
guard your future and preserve the peace! Behold my friend, adviser and
fellow-worker, the Woolly Rhinoceros!”
All eyes were now turned upon the small haystack which until this moment
had not shown the slightest interest in what was going on. The Mammoth
held the center of the stage and meanwhile the Rhinoceros was entirely
ignored. His huge companion’s stirring eloquence rumbled like thunder
above him, a dull flow of meaningless words; then suddenly his own name
rang out loud and clear, followed by death-like silence.
He raised his head from the grass-tufts which had hitherto claimed his
attention and blinked at the herd of animals as though observing them
for the first time; then with slow and measured steps he advanced to the
Mammoth’s side and looked up at him inquiringly. This was the signal
for a great buzz of excitement which swept over the vast assemblage
like a rustling breeze. A heavy-set individual with flaring nostrils and
bloodshot eyes suddenly stepped forward. It was the Bison.
“May the rocks fall upon his head,” he roared in great wrath. “One is
enough to swallow; two, more than we can chew. Let this Tundr-pig be cast
out in the snow.”
The Mammoth turned quickly to his companion. “There, Wulli, did you hear
what he said? It is high time you asserted yourself.”
Wulli’s eyes glistened. He glared savagely at the Bison. The latter
caught sight of the sharp horn poised threateningly on the Rhino’s nose.
He trembled and looked at the ground.
“I spoke the name of my future helper,” the Mammoth bellowed. “Do you all
agree? If not, why not?”
“Your friend is not acceptable,” snorted the Bison, taking fresh courage
at the interruption. “His horns are not the same size and they grow out
of his nose.”
“Horns?” The Mammoth bent forward and studied Wulli’s face with wondering
interest; “How remarkable! I thought he had only one, but there is
another—a little horn trying to hide behind the big one. Hold your head
down Wulli so that all can see. Two horns; just the right number—no
more, no less.”
The Rhinoceros bowed his head, too confused to express the resentment
that raged within his breast. What the Mammoth had said was true enough.
Horn Number Two was a small affair—no more than a knob—but its silent
eloquence was convincing. All gazed upon it wonderingly; all but the
Moose and Bison who appeared to have taken a sudden and strong dislike to
their new champions.
“Suppose they are horns,” the Bison sniffed. “They grow too queerly to
please me. As for his feet; look at them. Do any but turtles have feet
like those?”
“But he has horns and two of them,” the Mammoth insisted. “You said so
and all can see that you spoke the truth. And now, Moo Hoo with the loud
voice, be warned. Use well-chosen words when you speak of the Rhinoceros.
He fights silently, but one thrust is usually enough; and if he needs
help, I stand beside him.”
No answer. The Mammoth gazed about him with the air of one whose manner
of argument is beyond dispute.
“Good; we have heard all that is to be said. The Woolly Rhinoceros can
consider himself a full-fledged Moo Hoo from nose to tail. With his help,
I intend to preserve order and keep the peace. From now on, quarrelsome
and other objectionable characters will be severely dealt with.” He
glanced meaningly at the Moose and Bison.
The two trouble-makers thus designated, put their heads together for a
moment; then the Bison turned and faced the Mammoth. His eyes sparkled as
with the thought of sweet revenge soon to be meted out to his detested
rivals.
“So say all of us,” he bawled loudly: “Objectionable characters must be
punished. Is it not so?”
He glanced from one face to another amid low murmurs of approval. The
Mammoth hesitated before this sudden outburst. In the other’s sneering
manner, he sensed mischief directed against the Rhinoceros and himself.
“Quite so,” he cautiously admitted. “To what or whom do you refer? It
will be duly considered by one and all of us.”
“We demand action, not mere words,” the Bison roared. “Our leaders and
fighters must play the part of their own choosing. I insist that the
Mammoth and Rhinoceros do their duty or be cast out into the snow as
cowards and braggarts.”
On hearing himself thus fiercely arraigned, Wulli lurched forward and
squealed angrily:
“What duty? Oo-wee! do not keep me waiting. Must our talking be done with
crossed horns?”
The Bison made haste to respond and thus avoid a clash. “We are
surrounded by blood-thirsty beasts,” he bellowed. “One among them is the
dread of all grass-eaters. I demand that the Mammoth and Rhinoceros visit
the great Rock and drive him from his den.”
Wulli’s jaws set themselves tightly together. He looked straight into the
other’s eyes without winking. “And this beast; who is he? His name?”
As if in reply, a faint rumble as of distant thunder was borne from the
opposite heights far across the valley—a deep bass roar followed by a
hoarse throaty cry:
“Gr-rr-r-un-nn-n Wau-au-gh-h!”
Every hoofed and horned animal trembled at the sound. The Bison was the
first to recover his composure. He leered vengefully at the Mammoth and
Rhinoceros:
“The Cave Lion himself has spoken. There sounds his challenge. Let our
new-found champions go forth and drive him from his den.”