“I can make better arrows than Quickfinger,” he said. “Arrows are better than spears or harpoons. I have taught Bolo, and he will help me make them. I will teach you, too. The women must make the bowstrings. Soon we will have plenty of weapons.”
“One Eye is wise and prudent,” cried the cave men joyfully. “We will do whatever he says. He will take care of us.”
But they did not know that Flame had taught Bolo and Fisher a greater lesson than how to make arrows. She made the boys promise to keep secret what she taught them. She did not believe it was right for all the Clan to know how to make fire. She thought the Fire-god would be angry if she told them.
Years after, when Flame was dead, Bolo and Fisher thought the rest of the people ought to know, too. They did not believe the Fire-god would be angry if they taught them all. So one day, when they were both old men, they gathered the Clan together—but that is another story.
CHAPTER V
A Long Search and What Came of It
Many days went by and still Stitcher did not come back to the Valley of Caves. One Eye took his bow and arrows and went here and there among the hills, but nothing could he find of either Stitcher or little Antelope. He was very sad, for he remembered how pretty little Antelope used to run out to meet him when he came home after a hunt, and what fine shirts of reindeer and wolf-skins Stitcher made for him. One day he came back to the caves after being gone a long time. He threw himself wearily down and said very sadly:
“They are dead. I will search no more.”
But Bolo did not believe his mother was dead.
“I am going to try to find them,” he said. “Make me a strong bow and a quiver full of fine arrows, for I may be gone a long time.”
One Eye shook his head mournfully.