t conquer with
Uglik leading them," replied Anak, "yet we two may do so. Hark now to my
plan. Like Gumor, the gray ape, his cousins walk ever with their eyes
cast down. While we have been hunting, I have been spying on them in
their home. Never have I seen one look up, and it may be that they
cannot. Above or on a level with us, they can easily kill us. If we
stand on the rocks above them, they cannot see us and will be at our
mercy. They can run as fast as we on level ground, but going uphill, we
will leave them as Guno, the deer, leaves Kena. They are few in number;
I have watched and seen but two hunters and three females. It is my plan
to scale the cliffs and watch them below us. When the time is ripe, we
will launch our throwing-spears. If we fail to make a kill, we will
bound up the hill and escape to strike again."

Invar looked with admiration at his leader. The habit of connected
thought and reasoning was new in the world in those days. Such boldness
of conception as was shown by Anak's plan was a thing for marvel. As the
ramifications of the plan seeped into Invar's brain, his face glowed
with enthusiasm.

"Anak should be Father of the tribe of Ugar!" he cried.

"That may yet come to pass," replied Anak enigmatically. "If I kill
Uglik, however, it will be to avenge Una, not to win the chieftainship.
Now keep silence, for here is the home of the cousins of Gumor."

* * * * *

Cautiously the two hunters passed the mouth of the ravine and climbed
the slopes of the valley. Once on the level ground, they moved to the
edge of the ravine and looked down into it. Nothing could be seen
moving. Anak led the way a hundred yards farther up the ravine.

"Below us is a cave where dwell two," he whispered. "Make ready your
spear while I sound the challenge."

He raised his voice in a wild howl of challenge. For a moment there was
silence. Then from the ravine came a hoarse rumbling bellow. An enormous
male made his appearance, his mane and beard bristling with rage. He
darted his eyes hither and thither, seeking the source of the challenge.
Again a hoarse roar came from his broad, thick lips. As it rose to a
crescendo, Anak hurled his spear.

His aim was true. The point struck the Neanderthaler at the junction of
his neck and shoulder. As it struck, the haft flew from the spear and
bounded down the slope. The first point made only a surface wound.

The apeman roared with pain and rage