What do you think Flaker will do while Fleetfoot is gone? What do
you think the Bison clan will do when Fleetfoot returns?
Which do you think will be the greater man--Fleetfoot or Flaker?
What things do you think Fleetfoot will do? What do you think
Flaker will do?
_Fleetfoot's Return_
[Illustration: _A fragment of a Cave-man's baton, engraved with the
heads of bison._]
Flaker missed Fleetfoot more than he could tell. Awake, he thought of
his dangerous journey. Asleep, he was with him in his dreams. Many,
many times each day he prayed for Fleetfoot's safe return.
Ever since the strangers had camped on their lands, the Bison clan had
been anxious. When questioned about it, Greybeard was sad and Bighorn
shook his head. So the women were trying to arouse their courage, and
Flaker was carving prayers.
When Fleetfoot announced his return, it was Flaker who heard his
whistle. It was he who shouted the glad tidings to all the Cave-men.
And though he was lame, he was the first who ran ahead to greet him.
Fleetfoot and his companions had halted on a hillside not far from the
cave. It was from this hill that Fleetfoot whistled so as to announce
his return. Here his companions waited, while Fleetfoot advanced
alone.
While Fleetfoot greeted his friends and showed them his wonderful
necklace, his companions chanted his brave deeds in a victory song. It
was thus that the Bison clan learned of Fleetfoot's brave deeds. It
was thus that they learned of his courage which came from fasting and
prayer.
When the song was ended, Bighorn advanced with Fleetfoot, and together
they escorted the brave young men to the cave of the Bison clan. There
they feasted, and rested, and played games until it was time for
Fleetfoot's last test.
Meanwhile the young men became acquainted with Flaker. Fleetfoot had
told them about him. He had shown them the dagger Flaker made and the
engraving of the Big Bear. And so the young men were glad to see him
and make him one of their brotherhood.
When the time came for Fleetfoot's last test, he asked permission to
speak. And when Bighorn nodded his head, Fleetfoot told the people the
story of how he and Flaker had worked and played together. He told of
Flaker's bravery the day he was hurt by the bison. He told of Flaker's
poniard which he used to kill the cave-bear. He told of the tools
which Flaker had made for working bone and horn.
[Illustration: _A Cave-man's nose ornament._]
Then he said that the people of the Bison clan had taught them to
worship the gods. He said that Flaker had the favor of the gods and
that his prayers would bring success. And he urged the Cave-men, on
account of these things, to forget that Flaker was lame, and to admit
him into the ranks of the full-grown men.
The Cave-men listened to what Fleetfoot said and they all gave assent.
And when they made ready to receive Fleetfoot, Flaker was brought
forward. The nose of each of the boys was pierced and they were given
nose ornaments. On account of his bravery Fleetfoot was given a baton
which showed that he might lead the men. And Flaker, too, received a
baton, but his was to show that he could lead in the worship of the
gods.
[Illustration: _A Cave-man's baton engraved with wild horses._]
And so every one knew that Fleetfoot and Flaker were brave young men.
They had passed the tests that had been given for courage, and
patience, and self-control. Fleetfoot's companions stayed at the cave
until the ceremonies were ended. Then they renewed their vows to help
one another and took leave of the Bison clan. And Fleetfoot, having
done his duty, was free to return to Willow-grouse.
#THINGS TO DO#
_See if you can make such a victory song as you think the young men
sang. See if you can make the speech which Fleetfoot made for
Flaker._
_Dramatize this lesson, and then draw a picture of the part you
like the best._
_See if you can make a baton._