ained with amusing gesture, "but the fellow would not. He saw
my weapon! I think he would have given all his throw-stones to possess
it!"

Otah was not pleased. He would have admonished, except that Mai-ak told
a story well; besides, Mai-ak was a great hunter.

But there came another such day, and then others. First Lok reported and
then Mai-ak again. The reports became frequent. Kurho's men were forever
near, watching in silence this new weapon in the hands of the Gor-wah
tribe across the river.

And then Mai-ak brought a message ... there had been another encounter,
no insults this time but rather a sullen understanding. Kurho was aware
of the new weapon; it made his own people uneasy and restless; such a
thing at loose in the valley could only spell threat to all peoples!
But, if it was to be, then what the tribe of Gor-wah devised Kurho's
tribe would also devise. They would devise more and better!

Otah listened, growled in anger. "Kurho says this? Kurho, who has
boasted that he will take the whole valley?" Then he paused and
considered sensibly. "Mai-ak, take answer. You will say that we go in
peace. Say that never do we intend to cross the river. And say
also"--Otah paused, groping--"say also that we shall be ready for any
who do choose to cross!"

The Old One nodded approval, but no one saw; and no one saw the dark
furrow of doubt like a shadow of doom across his face.

"Kurho speaks big," sneered a young one, new in Council. "We have heard
it before, always it is Kurho's tribe who is greatest in every deed...."
He spat in contempt.

* * *

Days were gone, endless days without incident. But the reports came
in--a mere trickle at first, and then in great tide. Kurho's tribe had
indeed devised. Their weapon had been observed! Dak returned one day in
high excitement, stumbling across the ledge from a long day's journey.

"Kurho has devised better! We bring Obe the Bear, but they have now
slain the great-toothed one. I saw it, I swear! They slew him easily!"
He gasped for breath, then gained his feet and gave them eloquent
gesture of what he had seen.

There could be no doubt. Kurho now had a weapon much more facile, more
deadly.

Otah accepted grimly. Now it was he who must prove! He went to work at
once, he and Gral, devising a weapon to meet the threat--more
sharp-edged and deadly, of greater length and balance. It took days. And
days more to seek out the place of the great-toothed