"As long as Una is safe, your life is spared," he said grimly; "but pray to Degar Astok to keep her safe. Should any harm befall her, your life will answer for it." "I will weave spells to guard her from harm, Anak," she cried eagerly. "Only let me live, brave hunter!" Anak spurned her contemptuously from him. The hag scuttled away and took the path into the woods which Uglik had taken earlier. Later in the day she returned with the Father. Uglik announced briefly that it was the will of Degar Astok that they remain at their present camping place. * * * * * Then began a time of horror for the children of the tribe. If one of them strayed for even a short distance from the circle of the camp fire at night, there came a scream from the darkness and the tribe would mourn another lost member. The tales of man-eating giants and ogres which even yet haunt the dreams of childhood have descended to us through the ages from those grim times when the race of men learned the lesson of fear of the dark that they are now slowly and painfully unlearning. Anak did not renew his request for Una. He knew from her smiles that the maiden was more than willing to become his property, but in the face of their daily peril, he was not willing to precipitate a crisis which might easily cost the tribe most or all of their few remaining warriors. He kept a sharp watch on Esle and on Uglik, but neither the High Priestess nor the Father seemed to notice the girl. As time went on, the Neanderthalers lost their fear of the fire and grew bolder. Their gray shapes could be seen prowling around at night, just outside the protecting circle of light. The climax came at last. There was a scream in the night. A howl of triumph came from the darkness. The quickly aroused hunters could see nothing at which to cast their spears. "Who is missing?" demanded Uglik as the hunters returned empty handed. "The maiden, Una," cried Esle shrilly. Anak rushed at her, spear in hand. "Unsay those words, hag of evil omen!" he roared. "Where have you hidden her?" "Ask of the cousins of Gumor," she replied as she ducked behind the protecting frame of Uglik. "They have taken her from us." Anak dropped his spear and buried his face in his hands. When he raised his head again, resolution showed in his handsome face. "Prepare spears and throwing-stones," he cried. "To-morrow we attack the cousins of Gumor. Either they or we shall be no more when the night falls again." A murmur of dissent went around the camp. Uglik sprang to his feet. "What means the Chief Hunter of the tribe of Ugar?" he demanded. "I mean that to-morrow we settle for all time who rules in this valley, the tribe of Ugar or the cousins of Gumor." "And has the Father no voice in the council of the tribe?" "We have come to the end," replied Anak. "If we do not strike now, soon we will be too weak to strike. To-morrow we attack!"