that, struck him with such astonishment that he was
momentarily speechless.

"I desire that the maiden, Una, be given to me," repeated Anak. "She
pleases me. I would have her carry my weapons on the march and sleep by
my side in the camp."

* * * * *

Uglik leaped to his feet, spear in hand, but before the Chief Hunter's
cool gaze, he wavered, again. Men were too scarce to waste, unless it
became necessary.

"I will consider the matter," he said shortly. "I may lend her to you
for a time, but I will not give her to you. Such is not the law."

"The Father who ruled before you gave women to his favored hunters,"
replied Anak. "I was the son of such a one."

"And Degar Astok assumed the form of a lion and punished him for his
impiety by destroying him," retorted Uglik.

"Then Uglik killed the lion and so became Father," replied Anak, "since
none dared challenge the slayer of Degar Astok. Is it not possible that
Esle, who was young and who favored Uglik in those days, made a mistake?
Despite his death, Degar Astok still has power."

Uglik's face flushed at the hunter's words.

"Degar Astok may be robbed of one body, but he still lives," he
answered. "Say no more. I will consider your request."

Anak saluted and strode to the other side of the men's fire. He dropped
down beside Invar, the youngest of the hunters. It was on his
recommendation that Invar had been initiated into the ranks of manhood a
full season before his time. The young hunter looked up with adoration
in his eyes.

"This I saved for my friend, Anak," he said proudly as he extended a
generous chunk of liver. "Invar will be honored if his friend will eat
of the liver of his kill."

Anak took the morsel with thanks and ate it slowly. His thoughts ran to
the tall maiden whom he had requested from the Father, and his blood
boiled at the way he had been put off. He was half inclined to cry the
rannag, but he was not yet ready for the death duel which would
determine whether he or Uglik would rule the tribe. There was no other
solution, for, while he ruled, the Father's word was law, subject only
to the higher law of Degar Astok as given out by the High Priestess.
This overlordship was more nominal than actual, for those priestesses
who lived long lives were invariably those who found that the will of
the Father coincided exactly with the law of Degar Astok. Anak revolved
the problem in his mind for a time, but the rep