Can you think why the salmon feast was at the rapids of the river?
Show in your sand-map a place where rapids might be. If there is a
river near you which has rapids, go to the spot and see if you can
tell what it is that makes the rapids.
Show in your map the hunting grounds of the clans which met at the
rapids. Find the trails they would follow in going to the rapids.
Find out all you can about the habits of the salmon.
[Illustration: _A necklace of fossil shells._]
_The Meeting of the Clans_
At his parting from Willow-grouse, Fleetfoot gave her a necklace of
fossil shells. Then saying, "We shall meet when the new moon comes,"
he started on his way.
He followed Sweet Briar River on his way to the meeting of the clans.
At sunset he knew he was nearing the place where Willow-grouse said
they had met. He could hear the roaring of the rapids, and above this
sound, the shouts of the clans.
Fleetfoot waited for the cover of darkness, for he did not wish to be
seen. Then he approached cautiously toward the spot where the camp
fire crackled and blazed. In the light of the flames dark trunks of
oaks and fir trees stood out of the blackness. Then moving forms
appeared on the banks and lighted the clans seated around the fire. At
first Fleetfoot did not go near enough to see the faces distinctly.
But he could tell from the various movements that they were preparing
for a dance.
All eyes seemed fixed on an old woman who was offering gifts to the
gods. She lifted hot stones from the fire and dropped them into a
basket of water. Then she took a piece of salmon and dropped it into
the water.
As Fleetfoot watched the old woman, he thought of Chew-chew and his
old home. Then he wondered if all women would look like Chew-chew when
they grew old.
When the offerings were made, the men began a war dance. Some were
dressed in masks of horses, and others wore masks of reindeer and
cattle.
When the men took off their masks, Fleetfoot looked as if in a dream.
For among the strangers moving about there appeared familiar forms.
For a few minutes Fleetfoot could not tell whether he was awake or
asleep. What he saw seemed very real, and yet it seemed like a dream.
He had almost forgotten his own people. He had not seen them since the
day he was lost. And now, only a few paces away, stood Scarface and
Straightshaft. Then other familiar forms appeared moving near the
fire. And among the women who had beaten the drums were Chew-chew and
Eagle-eye.
When Fleetfoot saw his mother and Chew-chew, he almost shouted for
joy. He wanted to go and speak to them, but something seemed to hold
him back.
Then his heart began to beat so loud and so fast that Fleetfoot was
afraid he would be discovered; so he hurried away from the spot to a
hollow tree where he spent the night.
For a long time he lay awake thinking about what to do. He could not
go back to Willow-grouse and leave his work undone. He could not make
himself known to Cave-men who were planning to attack the Bison clan.
He could not return to the Bison clan without learning the enemies'
plans.
And so Fleetfoot took the pebble from its bag and asked the Big Bear
for aid. Then he fell asleep and did not awake until the break of day.
All through the day he watched the clans. He saw them fish at the
rapids and feast and play around the fire. He saw them go to a smooth
spot near the bank where they played games. When night came he said to
himself, "I'll watch the dance and learn their plans."
Scarface offered gifts to the gods before the dance began. As he
performed the magic rites, all the people were still. Every eye was
turned toward the old man. No one suspected danger.
Fleetfoot, watching from a safe retreat, had heard a rustling sound.
And, looking in the direction from which the sound came, he saw a big
tiger in a neighboring tree.
The tiger had crept out on a strong branch and was watching for his
prey. The eyes of the big cat snapped fire as they followed each
movement that Scarface made.
There was not a moment to be lost. The tiger was about to spring.
Fleetfoot's spear whizzed through the air and dealt a powerful blow.
Another followed, but with less force although Fleetfoot hurled it
with all his might.
With a cry of rage the tiger turned, and leaving Scarface upon the
ground, he sprang toward Fleetfoot. And the Cave-men grasped their
weapons and rushed to the spot.
They found the tiger dying from the effect of the first blow. They
watched his death struggles. Then they looked for the man who had
hurled a spear that struck a death blow.
If Fleetfoot had not been struck senseless, he might have made his
escape. But as it happened, the Cave-men found him lying on the
ground, and they raised him up and carried him to a spot near the
bright camp-fire.
#THINGS TO DO#
_Show on your sand-map where the clans had camped. Show where you
think Fleetfoot watched. Show where the ceremonies were performed._
_Draw one of these pictures:_--
_Fleetfoot bids farewell to Willow-grouse._
_The clans seated around the camp-fire._
_Fleetfoot watching the dance._
_Fleetfoot saves Scarface's life._
_Watch a cat as it springs upon a mouse, and then think of the
tiger as he sprang upon Scarface. Model it in bas-relief._