But not even a stone was left on the spot to mark the place where the fireplace had been. Everything had been swept away by the flood. Firekeeper searched in vain for a spark. When at last she knew that the fire was gone, she wrung her hands and wailed. The people joined in Firekeeper’s cries until Strongarm comforted them. Strongarm hoped that their neighbors still had fire and sent Sharpeyes to find out. Then he crept through the mouth of the cave to see what had happened there. The water had gone down in the large cavern, but it was still rumbling below. The floor of the cave was wet and slippery and covered with fine mud. Slowly Strongarm groped his way through the dark and damp cavern. He wanted to find Sabre-tooth’s skin. He moved his hands over the floor of the cave and into each corner and crevice. But no trace of the skin could he find. Then the Cave-men hunted for their weapons, but they, too, had been carried away. The Cave-men had lost all they had in the flood. When they saw Sharpeyes coming they went to meet him, but he brought them no good news. There was no more fire on the wooded hills. There was sorrow everywhere. THINGS TO DO _Show what the Cave-men did when they went back to the cave. Draw a picture of them._ _Tell a story of what you think happened at one of the other caves._ XVII THINGS TO THINK ABOUT How do you think the Cave-men will get fire? Where can fire be found without making it? If the Cave-men had seen a place where there were natural fires, do you think they would remember where it was? What do you think happened to the wild animals during the flood? _The Council_ The cave was too damp to live in for several days after the flood. The Cave-men camped at its mouth and waited for it to dry. Not an animal came near them during that time. Many animals had been drowned in the flood. Many more had escaped to higher lands. The Cave-men were safe for a time, but they had to live on bark and roots. They knew that the animals would return, so they began to make new weapons. It was well that they made them as soon as they did, for the animals soon came back. At first the animals kept away from the cave, but when they no longer saw the fire, they began to come up nearer. Then the Cave-men were frightened. Some of them wanted to leave the cave and live as the Tree-dwellers had lived. But Strongarm wanted to stay in the cave and to keep all the people in the clan together. He knew that they could not keep together unless they had fire again. So he talked with the bravest men, and they decided to hold a council. Messengers were sent to call all the people to a meeting at the fire clan’s cave. By midday they had assembled. They had not held many councils. They were not used to obeying. At first there was great confusion, and loud and boisterous talking. Each had a plan of his own.