So they did all they could to help them prepare for the journey. Much of the way was rocky, and they knew their bare feet would blister. So they tried to make something to protect their feet. [Illustration: _How the sandal was put on the foot_] They had not yet learned to make shoes and stockings, but they had often bound grass about their feet. They had even learned to make braided grass sandals. They braided the grass, then sewed it. Braided grass sandals were good while they lasted, but they soon wore out. So they made new sandals of thick, tough skin. [Illustration: “_They made new sandals of thick, tough skin_”] Part of the way was through thorny thickets, so they needed something to protect their legs. They had not yet learned to make trousers or leggins, but they cut strips of skin to wind around their legs. Skins that were worn as clothing by day served as blankets by night. They dared not burden themselves with food, but trusted to killing game on the way. So they were careful to take their best spears and axes. They knew that their weapons might break, so they took tools and straps to mend them. [Illustration: _The tool bag for carrying tools and straps_] Everybody helped the old man and Sharpeyes. Everybody arose early the morning they went away. Sharpeyes and the old man put on their new clothing, and the women brought them food to eat. As the old man slung a hollow gourd over his shoulder, Firekeeper came up and gave him a skin bag. Nobody knew what the bag was for until Firekeeper showed them that it would hold water. The old man was glad to take it and leave the hollow gourd at home. Then the old man and Sharpeyes took leave of their kinfolk and started out on the long journey. THINGS TO DO _Make a pair of sandals of something that you can find growing out of doors._ _Draw a picture of the Cave-men helping the old man and Sharpeyes get ready._ [Illustration: “_Then the old man and Sharpeyes took leave of their kinfolk and started out on the long journey_”] XIX THINGS TO THINK ABOUT How do you think Firekeeper made the skin water bag? Where did the Cave-men get water? When did they need to carry water? Name as many things as you can that they could use for carrying water before they learned to make water vessels. What do we use to carry water? Where does the water that we drink come from? _How Firekeeper Made the Skin Water Bag_ The Cave-men watched the old man and Sharpeyes until they passed out of sight. Then the men went out on the hills, while the women and children dug roots near the cave. After a while they climbed a large oak tree and sat on its strong spreading branches. Then Brighteyes asked Firekeeper about the bag, and how she happened to make it. All the children liked to hear Firekeeper talk. She often told them of the brave deeds of their fathers.