“What did you kill?” he said to Limberleg.
“Nothing,” said Limberleg.
“But I did,” shouted Firetop.
He told all about killing the grouse. You should have seen Hawk-Eye then! He was just as pleased as our fathers are when we get A in arithmetic!
“I guess you can take care of yourselves,” he said, when he had heard the story. “You don’t need me.” Then he laughed and made his face look scared. “Will you let me go with you to the land where the sun rises?” he said. “I am very small, but I can climb trees! I am afraid to go alone. I need you to kill bison and mammoths for me to eat!”
Firetop, Firefly, and Limberleg laughed at this until they nearly choked. Then Firetop wagged his head at his father.
“You shouldn’t have followed me,” he said. “I shall have to spank you. But you are too small to send alone to the cave, so I’ll have to let you come with me.”
