But soon they became more quiet and began to listen to the wisest men. All eyes were soon turned toward an old man who had been their mightiest hunter. But now he was getting old, and his strength was beginning to fail. The old man arose in the silence, and thus he spoke to his people: [Illustration: “_The old man arose in the silence, and thus he spoke to his people_”] “Many years have we lived on these hillsides. Our fathers lived here before us. They lived many years without fire. They lived, and they worked, and they waited. The fire god came among them. He gave them burning branches. He told them they were his children. He asked them to feed him daily. We have always tried to obey him. We have always fed him daily. He has given us his protection. But the water god was angry. He came in all his fury. He drove us from our dwelling. He rushed upon our fire god. He drove him far away. Now the water god has gone. Our fire god may return. He may be near us now. We must search till we surely find him. We must bring him home again.” For a moment the old man was silent. He waited for some one to speak. At last Strongarm asked the old man if he knew where the fire god now lived. To this the old man responded: “That no one knows truly. I have heard that he dwells in the dry wood. But he seems not to hear our voices. I have heard that he dwells in the mountains. Our fathers have been to the mountains. They were hunting the musk sheep and the marmot. One night they were tired and hungry. They were seeking a place of refuge. They saw a light in the distance. They ran to it. They found the flaming fire. It gave them its protection. I have heard there are dark chasms. I have heard that the fire springs from them. I think I can find these mountains. But my steps are getting feeble. I need the help of a young man. Who will go on this long hard journey?” Then Sharpeyes stepped forward and said that he would go with the old man. Everybody knew that Sharpeyes was a brave young man, and so it was agreed that he should be the one to go. THINGS TO DO _Think of the old man as he talked to the people._ _Think of Sharpeyes as he stepped forward and said that he would go._ _Draw one of these pictures._ _Play holding a council._ XVIII THINGS TO THINK ABOUT When you go traveling where do you stay at night? Where do you think the old man and Sharpeyes stayed? Where do you get food when you travel? Where would the Cave-men get food? What new clothing do you need before you go? What clothing do you think the Cave-men needed to get ready to go? Did the Cave-men need anything that you do not need? Why? _The Way to the Fire Country_ The Cave-men knew that the fire country was far away from the wooded hills. They knew that the journey was a dangerous one, and that the old man and Sharpeyes might never return.