ath. The Swift
One and I were aroused by a pandemonium of screeching and gibbering. Our
cave was the highest of all on the cliff, and we crept to the mouth and
peered down. The open space was filled with the Fire People. Their cries
and yells were added to the clamor, but they had order and plan, while
we Folk had none. Each one of us fought and acted for himself, and no
one of us knew the extent of the calamity that was befalling us.

By the time we got to stone-throwing, the Fire People had massed thick
at the base of the cliff. Our first volley must have mashed some heads,
for when they swerved back from the cliff three of their number were
left upon the ground. These were struggling and floundering, and one
was trying to crawl away. But we fixed them. By this time we males were
roaring with rage, and we rained rocks upon the three men that were
down. Several of the Fire-Men returned to drag them into safety, but our
rocks drove the rescuers back.

The Fire People became enraged. Also, they became cautious. In spite of
their angry yells, they kept at a distance and sent flights of arrows
against us. This put an end to the rock-throwing. By the time half
a dozen of us had been killed and a score injured, the rest of us
retreated inside our caves. I was not out of range in my lofty cave, but
the distance was great enough to spoil effective shooting, and the Fire
People did not waste many arrows on me. Furthermore, I was curious.
I wanted to see. While the Swift One remained well inside the cave,
trembling with fear and making low wailing sounds because I would not
come in, I crouched at the entrance and watched.

The fighting had now become intermittent. It was a sort of deadlock. We
were in the caves, and the question with the Fire People was how to get
us out. They did not dare come in after us, and in general we would not
expose ourselves to their arrows. Occasionally, when one of them drew in
close to the base of the cliff, one or another of the Folk would smash
a rock down. In return, he would be transfixed by half a dozen arrows.
This ruse worked well for some time, but finally the Folk no longer were
inveigled into showing themselves. The deadlock was complete.

Behind the Fire People I could see the little wizened old hunter
directing it all. They obeyed him, and went here and there at his
commands. Some of them went into the forest and returned with loads of
dry wood, leaves, and grass. All the Fire People