But Science has shown us that the only stable fact in the world to-day is the process of _change_, how man has evolved through the ageless past and the direction of the social current. In this little book I have sought, in a series of stories or sketches, to present only the _first steps in human progress_ as elaborated by Lewis J. Morgan in his brilliant work on Ancient Society. If they stimulate the young folks to a more comprehensive study of the struggles of primitive man and the causes of his slow but steady advance, they shall have fulfilled their purpose. THE AUTHOR. A SONG OF THE “CAVE PEOPLE” _By Gerald J. Lively_ Hear now a tale—a tale of human genesis, A tale of first endeavor, The dawn-flush in the night. It’s a long, long way to go, to those days of long ago, But your baby feet have trod it, oh ye children of the light. Dark were our early days—night and cold encumbered us, Driving us to trees and caves Who had no eyes to fight. Yet it still seems very near, does that dreary age of fear, When we trembled in our shelters at the noises of the night. Prey to all the stronger beasts—mock of half the lesser ones; Little, less, and lower ones Marvelled at our shame. Till from out our utter need came the thought, and came the deed, And we won our way to freedom with the all-compelling flame. Noises we misunderstood—dreams that came to trouble us; Shades that shrank and lengthened And danced about our way. Our world was full of hosts of goblins, gnomes, and ghosts— Are ye still afraid of goblins, oh ye children of the day? Stark—but for flint and bone—pitted we our wit against The sabre-tooth and cave-bear And beasts we slew for food; But the fiercest fight began when we slew our brotherman: Oh children of the daylight, have ye lost the taste for blood? Dim is the tale we tell: dust of Time has muffled it; Far apart the happenings That made ye lords of earth. By the ages in between times ye know and pleistocene Have pity on our childish ways and pride in all our worth. CONTENTS Pages The Fire Beast 15 The Ornament of Big Nose 27 When Run Fast Went Hunting for a Wife 41 Little Laughing Boy 53 Hunting an Echo 69 The Flood 81 Big Foot’s New Weapon 95 The First Planting 109 The First Pot 123 The Arrow Throwers 137