of them had slept during the day, but now they were wide awake.

[Illustration: _The upper part of the river valley_]

Hippopotamuses were snorting and blowing.
They were splashing in the water.
They were crashing through the underbrush along the banks.
Straight-tusked elephants were trumpeting and bellowing.
Lions were roaring.
The hunted animals were seeking a place of refuge.
Sharptooth was used to these sights and sounds.
She felt safe in the old oak tree.
She tied herself to a strong branch and soon was fast asleep.
She slept all through the long night.
Many of the wild beasts, too, were soon asleep.
Some of the hunted creatures found places of refuge.
Some beasts of prey were soon satisfied.
Then they stole back to their dens and slept.
But all of the wild animals did not fare so well.

[Illustration: "_Hippopotamuses were snorting and blowing_"]

Not all of the hunted creatures found places of refuge.
Not all of the beasts of prey found food.
Some beasts of prey hunted all through the night and were still hungry
when morning came.

THINGS TO DO

_Cut a hippopotamus or a straight-tusked elephant from paper._
_Tell how little boys and girls that you know are taken care of at
night._
_Tell how the Tree-dwellers took care of their children._

IX.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

At the drinking-place the river banks were low.
In many other places they were high and steep.
In some places there was a solid wall of rock.
In others the rocks were broken and worn.
In some places there were deep holes in the rocks.
We call these holes caves.
They were made long ago.
Can you think how they were made?
Can you think what the caves were used for?

_Sharptooth Goes to the River_

Before sunrise the next morning Sharptooth awoke.
She opened her eyes and looked out upon the hills.

[Illustration: "_Hyenas were stealing down to their caves_"]

She heard animals moving about.
A large cave-bear was passing by toward his cave.
Hyenas, too, were stealing down to their caves.
Many flesh-eating animals were slinking away to their dens.
They were tired with their night's work.
Most of them had eaten until they were satisfied, and now they were
ready to sleep through the day.
The wild cattle were coming back to the hills.
The baby awoke.
Sharptooth played with him a moment.
Then she put him under her arm and sli