By these and similar devices they could live in the cold longer than other animals, and they made many improvements in their condition, which would have defied the weather had it been of an ordinary kind. But a glacial period had set in, which was to last, not for a winter, but for an age. The snow was falling that was to pile up in mountains, and to march for centuries over the land as glaciers, and no life could resist it; and hence, when they were satisfied that there was to be no thaw, or early return of warmth, they asked themselves whether they should not abandon their homes and their country. “The cold has come to stay,” said Cocoanut-scooper, “and we cannot always dig for a living. The hogs and tapirs which excel us in rooting, have left, and we should not try to live where a hog can’t.” “Our fingers and toes are frozen,” said Gimbo, “and if we don’t soon get away we will have nothing to walk away with.” “How do we know,” asked Koree, “that we will find it better elsewhere?” “I notice,” replied Abroo, “that none of the birds or beasts that go are ever seen to come back, and they all go one way.” “Perhaps they are frozen, and can’t return through the snow,” remarked Koree. “The birds, which do not have to walk, do not come back any more than the beasts,” retorted Abroo. “I think,” said Gimbo, “that any place where one can’t walk on four feet is no place to live,” and he raised himself up on his hind feet to warm his hands by blowing them—a method that they had only recently learned. At this moment a great roar was heard in the mountains, and a shaking of the earth like that which followed the upheaval of the Alps. A rush of snow descended from a high peak, crashing into the valley below, and burying everything beneath it. It was the first avalanche seen by man, and it laid the foundation of a mighty glacier which was to be followed by others in its march across the country. The Ammi were frightened at this new wonder, and thought that part of the sky had fallen, and that the gods would come next. Gimbo died from the fright, not so much because of what he saw and heard, as from the expected descent of the gods. Thus passed away the last four-footed man. After regaining their composure they quickly decided to flee from the Cold, the Famine and the falling Heavens. It was, accordingly, determined to go South; and they immediately began preparations for the exodus. As soon as they were ready, they therefore left their ancient Paradise of Cocoanut Hill—the first Eden of the Human Race—driven by the cold, bleak God of Snow; but they sought another Eden. As they started South, Koree and Sosee led the way, not caring whither they went, so they went together. They directed their steps toward Egypt and Western Asia, whence their ancestors had come.