The children scuttled away and threw themselves down on heaps of skins which lay about the cave, and were soon sound asleep. At least the others were asleep, but for some reason Firetop and Firefly stayed awake. Maybe they had eaten too much. At any rate they lay in their corner, on their own heap of skins and watched Hawk-Eye and Limberleg and Grannie and the others as they sat about in the cheerful glow of the fire. Nobody had said anything for a long time, and the Twins were beginning to feel quite sleepy, when Hawk-Eye spoke. What he said made them sit up and listen with all their ears. Of course neither Hawk-Eye nor Limberleg thought for a moment that the Twins were awake or listening. Grown people are often very stupid about such things! Anyway, they were awake, and they did listen, and this is what they heard.
Hawk-Eye said, “I am going across the river to-morrow.”
“Why are you going?” asked Big Ear.
“I want to see what lies beyond the blue hills that the sun climbs over,” Hawk-Eye answered.
“But no one of our clan has ever gone across the river. Our hunting-grounds have always been on this side,” said Long Arm.
“It’s time some one did go, then,” said Hawk-Eye. “Game will be plentiful now everywhere, but after the reindeer go, there is a long time that we have little food. We need to find new hunting-grounds. I am going to seek them.”
“Then I am going, too.” It was Limberleg who spoke. “I can hunt. I can trap as well as anybody. And I can throw a spear as straight. I am not afraid. Grannie will look after the children while we are gone.”
When he heard that, Firetop poked Firefly in the ribs.
“I am going with them,” he whispered.