Meanwhile the Lali, to whom we will now return, had been passing through a crisis no less serious than that of their enemy. After failing to overtake the Ammi, whom they had prepared to overwhelm, as we have related, by amassing against them the fugitives from the north, they returned discouraged to their camp, there to encounter discontent among their allies, and finally division. They were even threatened at one time with extermination by the new-comers, which they averted by inducing the latter to pass on. The allies accordingly began an exodus, and were soon out of sight.
But they devoured, before going, nearly all the means of the Lali, and carried off what they could not eat, so that, with the coming of the snow and cold, the Lali were left in destitution. This was relieved by catching some of the animals that had come from the north, and by gathering those that had perished in the snow. They also learned to eat, as all do in time of war or famine, many new kinds of food, and gathered leaves and sprigs, which till then had not been tasted.
The flight of the Ammi before the allied Apes, which has already been described, proved a serious loss to the Lali. These had hoped, on conquering the Ammi, to take possession of Cocoanut Hill, and the stores amassed there; and, had they succeeded, they would have had enough, both for themselves and their allies, for some time, and could have lived in comfort.
When, accordingly, it was discovered that Sosee was the cause of the flight of the Ammi, and so of the misfortunes of the Lali, they resolved to put her to death.
Several attempts were at once made at this, but singular obstacles arose from the complications of the Apes with her, which secured her protection by starting fights among themselves.
One, Hang-from-the-vines, who had led the combined forces in search of the escaping Ammi, first flew at her, and would have torn her to pieces, but for the intervention of Ilo and Oboo, who had her in charge. Ilo seized him by the throat, while Oboo snatched her away to a place of safety. Hang-from-the-vines now turned in his rage to Ilo, and these two fought together, and both received bites and scratches; but, as Ilo fought for love and Hang-from-the-vines for revenge, Ilo was successful, though the other was the greater warrior.
Ilo marched proudly from his victory over Hang-from-the-vines, expecting to receive the admiration of the people, and especially of Sosee, who had been an indifferent lover.
Great was his disappointment, therefore, when Oboo claimed the girl. “For,” said Oboo, “I rescued her when about to be slain by Hang-from-the-vines, capturing her from you both, as you had captured her from the Ammi in the first place. If she was yours then, she is mine now, and I will keep her.”
This was too much for Ilo. Transported by rage he next sprang at Oboo; when a fiercer fight ensued than when they both fought against Hang-from-the-vines. Hair and blood flew; growls and bites came from both mouths; and, as when the Wind and Snow had recently engaged in battle, these mighty chiefs filled the air with confusion and wide-resounding thunders.