They feared that the fire had been driven away.
Yet they hoped to find a few live coals that they could kindle into a flame.
But not even a stone was left on the spot to mark the place where the fireplace had been.
Everything had been swept away by the flood.
Firekeeper searched in vain for a spark.
When at last she knew that the fire was gone, she wrung her hands and wailed.
The people joined in Firekeeper’s cries until Strongarm comforted them.
Strongarm hoped that their neighbors still had fire and sent Sharpeyes to find out.
Then he crept through the mouth of the cave to see what had happened there.