n the vicinity; but the exigencies of
the perpetual search for food led them several miles further away
during day.

They were moving slowly down wind, and warily because the advantage was
with whatever beast might chance to be hunting ahead of them, where
their scent-spoor was being borne by the light breeze. Suddenly the
two halted simultaneously. Two heads were cocked upon one side. Like
creatures hewn from solid rock they stood immovable, listening. Not a
muscle quivered. For several seconds they remained thus, then Korak
advanced cautiously a few yards and leaped nimbly into a tree. Akut
followed close upon his heels. Neither had made a noise that would
have been appreciable to human ears at a dozen paces.

Stopping often to listen they crept forward through the trees. That
both were greatly puzzled was apparent from the questioning looks they
cast at one another from time to time. Finally the lad caught a
glimpse of a palisade a hundred yards ahead, and beyond it the tops of
some goatskin tents and a number of thatched huts. His lip upcurled in
a savage snarl. Blacks! How he hated them. He signed to Akut to
remain where he was while he advanced to reconnoiter.

Woe betide the unfortunate villager whom The Killer came upon now.
Slinking through the lower branches of the trees, leaping lightly from
one jungle giant to its neighbor where the distance was not too great,
or swinging from one hand hold to another Korak came silently toward
the village. He heard a voice beyond the palisade and toward that he
made his way. A great tree overhung the enclosure at the very point
from which the voice came. Into this Korak crept. His spear was ready
in his hand. His ears told him of the proximity of a human being. All
that his eyes required was a single glance to show him his target.
Then, lightning like, the missile would fly to its goal. With raised
spear he crept among the branches of the tree glaring narrowly downward
in search of the owner of the voice which rose to him from below.

At last he saw a human back. The spear hand flew to the limit of the
throwing position to gather the force that would send the iron shod
missile completely through the body of the unconscious victim. And
then The Killer paused. He leaned forward a little to get a better
view of the target. Was it to insure more perfect aim, or had there
been that in the graceful lines and the childish curves of the little
body below