Fever took Anak, and for three days he hovered between life and death. Then he slept and woke conscious, although his strength was badly sapped by the fever. There was no lack of food, for game was plentiful and Invar had found and mended the throwing-spears which Esle had tampered with. Slowly Anak recovered his strength. A month after the fight he stretched his muscles and announced himself as well. "I return to-day to the tribe of Ugar," he announced. "Can you return?" asked Invar doubtfully. "Remember the word of death." "That, let Uglik answer," replied Anak. "In peace or in war, I will return. Soon the winter will come and here are warm caves and game in plenty. Here shall the tribe make a home." "Where you go, there go I," exclaimed Invar. "And I likewise," said Una. "Una will stay here until we return," replied Anak in a tone which brooked no argument. * * * * * The girl pouted, but a sharp word from Anak settled the matter. Throwing-spear and smiting-stone in hand, the two hunters approached the camping place of Uglik's tribe. They were within a hundred yards before they were seen. Esle set up a shrill cry. "Here come those on whom the Father passed the death word. Slay, oh, hunters!" Anak raised his hand and made the sign of peace. "Wait before you attack two such as we," he said. "We are bearers of good tidings. By our hands, the cousins of Gumor have died. Think you, do you care to attack two such as we?" The hunters looked at one another doubtfully. "He lies!" shrilled Esle. "We do not lie!" retorted Anak. "Their bones, picked clear by Kena, lie in their ravine. We come in peace to lead you to their home. There are warm caves and game in plenty. We will rejoin the tribe if the Father will remove the death word. Otherwise, attack us if you dare, and the tribe of Ugar will join the cousins of Gumor." Uglik's face plainly showed hesitation. "The death word his been passed," he said doubtfully. "It can be withdrawn only by a sacrifice to Degar Astok." "We two have offered five of the cousins of Gumor, and a boy. Is that not enough?" "It must be a human sacrifice!" cried Esle. "Then, hag of evil omen, traitor to Uglik, attempted slayer of Invar and me, I offer you!" cried Anak furiously, his spear raised. "Sacrilege!" she shrilled, darting behind Uglik. "Slay the defamer of the God!" "What mean these charges, Anak?" asked Uglik darkly. "Esle tampered with our spears, which you ordered her to strengthen for the battle with the cousins of Gumor," said Anak. "They broke in our hands. With only smiting-stones and knives, we overcame them. Further, she tried to plot with me to kill you and take your place." "He lies!" cried Esle in a quavering voice. Uglik turned a black face on her. * * * * * "Enough!" he roared. "The sacrifice is sufficient. I withdraw the death word. Anak, the cause of dissension between us is gone. Rejoin the tribe in peace."