ared not go. North, there lay unknown horrors. West lay the
raging sea. East, the Neanderthalers blocked the way.

* * * * *

The council broke up with no action decided on. Faced with the
alternatives of moving or staying, there seemed to be little choice.
Only death faced them, whichever way they turned. Uglik posted guards
about the camp and announced that he would retire and consult with Degar
Astok as to their future course.

As he disappeared into the woods, Esle sidled up to Anak.

"It seems that Degar Astok no longer loves Uglik," she said slyly. "Does
not the Chief Hunter agree with me?"

Anak looked at the withered hag coldly.

"Who am I to tell his Priestess whom Degar Astok loves?" he asked. "You
are his voice and should know."

"True, Anak, I am his voice, and the God loves me," she went on, "yet it
may be that men do not always love me. Uglik thinks that I have given
him false counsel and he is ready for a new Priestess to announce the
will of Degar Astok to him. He believes that a new and younger Priestess
would bring back the favor of the God."

"What is that to me?" asked Anak.

"You desire the maiden, Una?"

"And if I do?"

"You are not to have her. Uglik will never grant your request. Already
he plans to make her the High Priestess, should an accident happen to
me."

Anak started. If Esle spoke the truth, it ended his chances of having
Una. All women were tabu to all save the Father, but the High Priestess
was doubly sacred.

"What am I to do?" he demanded.

Esle smiled slyly.

"I was the Voice of the God before Uglik was Father," she said in a low
voice, "and I would be so after he is gone. Cry you rannag on him. I
know many things, and I will cast a spell on him so that victory will be
easy for you. Then will you be Father. The maiden Una will be yours, and
old Esle will remain the High Priestess."

"To give me false counsel as you have Uglik, and in time to plot my
overthrow and death with another," said Anak sternly. "No, woman or
devil, whichever you are, I want no help of yours. If I ever cry rannag
on Uglik, I will defeat him by my strength or not at all. If I win to be
Father, be assured that an 'accident' will happen to you shortly."

* * * * *

Esle frothed at the mouth with rage.

"You shall never have the maiden!" she screamed. "Rather will I kill her
than that you shall have her. It was in my mind to ma