A solitary5 figure was making its way across the meadows towards the Vézère river. It was the figure of a man bearing over one shoulder a flint-ax—a keen blade of lustrous6 grey bound to a stout7 wooden shaft9. Pic the Ape Boy, grown to manhood after two years of travel and adventure in the north, was nearing his home at last.
As he reached the river and halted to gaze at the familiar scenes about him, he became imbued10 with the spirit of gladness which shone from every inanimate object, even the ordinarily cold limestone11 cliffs. The warm sunlight glare reflected from rock and river, diffused12 through his brain and body a sense of lazy comfort. It cast over him a spell too subtle to resist. With a sigh of content, he stretched himself full-length upon the grass near the river[171] bank and gazed abstractedly at the ripples13 and whirling eddies14 as they sped past to mingle15 with the waters of the Dordogne. By degrees, his mind wandered, his eyes closed and his thoughts relapsed into reveries, then fanciful visions.
He was alone, high upon a rock, squatting16 before his fire, gazing through the smoke-wreaths. Slowly the latter gathered in volume until they were expanded into a pair of gigantic figures—a mammoth17 and rhinoceros18. Other forms followed one after another—four-footed beasts of every shape and kind until a mighty19 throng20 was assembled about him, pressing threateningly forward. He turned to flee into his cave but it had disappeared. In its place, stood the Hairy Mammoth and Woolly Rhinoceros, their faces stern and filled with deep reproach. He averted21 his gaze expecting to encounter the menacing beast-throng; but all had vanished. In their stead, a pair of eyes flashing like red-hot coals pierced him through and through. His brain burned as the mad stare was directed upon him from two cavernous sockets22 surmounted23 by great bone-ridges. A sloping forehead took shape above the eyes; an arched nose, protruding25 muzzle26 and chinless jaw27 below. The face became a head mounted on bull-neck and massive shoulders.
“Who are you and why do you come here?” Pic boldly demanded; but cold sweat dampened his[172] forehead and he cowered28 in terror, for the head was drawing nearer and nearer, muttering low growls29 and gnashing its teeth the while.
“Who am I? I was a man before I became mad. See me now. Men cannot live alone nor can they live with animals. You have done both. The Ape Boy will be the same as I unless”—and the voice grew deep and solemn—“he takes heed30 before it is too late.”
Pic could now feel the hot breath of the Neander Giant. He endeavored to rise and flee but his muscles would not respond. He averted his face and strove to call for aid; but his tongue was numb31 and no sound came.
The rocks seemed to rise and float away. He heard voices; then a sense of earthly things crept over him, with a change from gloom to light. He opened his eyes and saw not one but a score of faces scowling32 fiercely upon him. With a startled exclamation33, he strove to rise but found himself held fast in the grip of many hands.
“Who are you? From where do you come?” demanded a red-eyed fellow as he threatened Pic with his upraised ax.
Overwhelmed by his rude awakening34, Pic was slow to respond. A violent kick in the side aroused him from his stupor35.
“I am a man like yourself,” he hastened to reply.[173] “Back all of you and let me rise. I have just returned. My cave is in the high rock overlooking the valley;” and he pointed36 in the direction of Moustier.
Again he attempted to stand but the hands still held him fast. The man who had first spoken, shook his ax and snarled37 angrily:
“You lie; the Cave Lion lives there as we all know.” He threw back his arms and displayed a hideous38 breast-scar not entirely39 healed. “Behold his work! The bones of him who fared worse are scattered40 upon the ledge;” and he made a horrid41 grimace42 as though not at all pleased at the recollection.
Pic saw and hesitated. In the face of such evidence, it seemed a waste of words to parley43 with his captors; nevertheless he made the attempt.
“Grun Waugh may be there now,” he snarled; “but the cave is mine. Loosen my hands, so that I may visit the Rock and drive the beast from his den8.”
At this brazen44 insolence45, every face became a picture of amazement46, changing to furious rage as its significance dawned upon all. The fierce looks and growls of the Cave-men boded47 ill for Pic who now realized that his words were neither wise nor well-chosen. He glanced curiously48 from one to another. In them, he recognized human beings of his[174] own tribe; natives of the lower Vézère Valley, the same as he. He noted49 their hollow eyes, sunken cheeks and emaciated50 forms. He had seen such things before; the results of cold, hunger and disease and a spring season of fruitless hunting. Famine had hardened every ridge24 and furrow51 and made hideous the features of these famished52 men. To them, strangers were unwelcome at best; but the sight of the newcomer’s well-rounded figure was more than these hungry mortals could endure. One of the band bent53 down and smote54 Pic’s cheek with his open palm.
“So we have a lion-tamer come amongst us,” he sneered55. “We, your good friends will accompany you to the Rock and learn how cave-lions are managed.”
“To the Rock with him,” cried a voice. “The braggart56 shall furnish sport for us and the Lion both, provided the beast is at home and ready for another meal.”
Pic was jerked roughly to his feet—a vigorous young giant standing57 amidst an emaciated horde58. His ax—which until this moment had escaped the notice of his captors—was now exposed to view. The man who had struck him, bent low to secure the weapon. As his eyes caught the great blade’s lustrous gleam, he jumped back with an astonished yell:
[175]
“The flint! Arrah! Come all and see.”
Every pair of eyes followed the outstretched arm and hand pointing to earth—at the blade of Ach Eul lying upon the ground.
A great commotion59 followed as the warriors60 surged around their captive for a closer view of the wonderful flint. In the excitement, Pic was left the freedom of his limbs. He was preparing for a bold dash to freedom when suddenly a voice bellowed61 from the outskirts62 of the group: “Stand back, crow’s meat;” and a burly figure forced its way toward the prisoner, thrusting aside those in front of him with no gentle hand.
All fell back and made room to let him pass. From the manner in which they submitted to his rude buffeting63, Pic knew that the chief of the band was approaching. The burly newcomer was a man of broad shoulder and powerful limb. In spite of his famished condition, his arm and body muscles bulged64 through their drawn65 skin-covering and concealed66 all but the joints67 of his big-boned frame. As he glanced curiously at Pic, then at the ax lying upon the ground, a look of astonishment68 came over his face. He bent low and clutched the wooden haft.
“None can mistake this blade,” he muttered. “How came it here?” He turned to his prisoner. “Who are you?” he roared. “Common beasts do[176] not go about alone, bearing chieftains’ blades. How did you come by this flint? Quick, answer before I stir your tongue with a burning brand.”
“I am not a chieftain,” Pic protested loudly. “But the ax is mine; rightly won and mine to hold and fight for if need be;” then as low growls greeted these bold words, his voice softened69 and became appealing. “Hear me, you warriors,” he pleaded, glancing from one face to another. “For three long winters, have I lived alone with the finger of scorn pointing at me—one who would neither hunt nor fight. All men are warriors; some are flint-workers but not one can make flints as they should be made. I have striven to be that one. I have searched in vain for what would make me that one; and now I know it cannot be. No longer will I live alone nor with”—he checked himself and went on—“Now I have returned to live as a man should. My arm is strong, seasoned for the hunt and prepared to cross axes with any man. The Ape Boy has passed away. Pic the——”
He got no farther. A bedlam70 of howls and yells rent the air:
“Death to the renegade! Arrah! Burn the Ape Boy! To the Rock; to the Cave Lion with him! Kill; kill!” The fierce Cave-men surged about him so furiously that no ax could be brought to bear, so much were one and all of them hampered71 by the[177] eagerness of their fellows. Above the tumult72 now thundered the chieftain’s loud command: “Silence! Stand back, all of you,” and as the howls subsided73 into snarls74 at his bidding, he stepped forward and shook his ax-blade in Pic’s face.
“Ape Boy? Agh-h! Now we know you—friend of beasts, enemy of men. The Cave Lion is too gentle for such as you. Back to the shelter with him,” he roared. “No beast shall cheat the stomachs of starving men.”
In a moment, Pic was overpowered and borne to the ground. While half a dozen of his captors held him down and pinioned75 his arms behind him, others bound his wrists together with strips of hide. When he was thus securely trussed, the Cave-men helped him to his feet; and then, with their captive in the center, and the blade of Ach Eul borne triumphantly76 on the burly chieftain’s shoulders, they began their march across the meadows towards the overhanging cliffs bordering the valley.
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1
blighted
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| adj.枯萎的，摧毁的 | |
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withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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3
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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withering
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| 使人畏缩的，使人害羞的，使人难堪的 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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8
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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9
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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imbued
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| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的过去式和过去分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
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11
limestone
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| n.石灰石 | |
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diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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13
ripples
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| 逐渐扩散的感觉( ripple的名词复数 ) | |
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14
eddies
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| （水、烟等的）漩涡，涡流( eddy的名词复数 ) | |
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15
mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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16
squatting
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的现在分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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17
mammoth
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| n.长毛象；adj.长毛象似的，巨大的 | |
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rhinoceros
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| n.犀牛 | |
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19
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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20
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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21
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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22
sockets
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| n.套接字，使应用程序能够读写与收发通讯协定(protocol)与资料的程序( Socket的名词复数 )；孔( socket的名词复数 )；（电器上的）插口；托座；凹穴 | |
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23
surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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24
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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25
protruding
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
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26
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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27
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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28
cowered
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| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的过去式 ) | |
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29
growls
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的第三人称单数 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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30
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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31
numb
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| adj.麻木的，失去感觉的；v.使麻木 | |
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32
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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33
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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34
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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35
stupor
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| v.昏迷；不省人事 | |
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36
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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37
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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38
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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39
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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40
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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41
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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42
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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43
parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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44
brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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45
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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46
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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47
boded
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| v.预示，预告，预言( bode的过去式和过去分词 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待 | |
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48
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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49
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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50
emaciated
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| adj.衰弱的，消瘦的 | |
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51
furrow
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| n.沟；垄沟；轨迹；车辙；皱纹 | |
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52
famished
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| adj.饥饿的 | |
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53
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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54
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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55
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
braggart
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| n.吹牛者；adj.吹牛的，自夸的 | |
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57
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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58
horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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59
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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60
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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61
bellowed
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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62
outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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63
buffeting
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| 振动 | |
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64
bulged
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| 凸出( bulge的过去式和过去分词 )； 充满； 塞满（某物） | |
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65
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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66
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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67
joints
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| 接头( joint的名词复数 )； 关节； 公共场所（尤指价格低廉的饮食和娱乐场所） （非正式）； 一块烤肉 （英式英语） | |
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68
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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69
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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70
bedlam
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| n.混乱，骚乱；疯人院 | |
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71
hampered
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| 妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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72
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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73
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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74
snarls
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| n.（动物的）龇牙低吼( snarl的名词复数 )；愤怒叫嚷（声）；咆哮（声）；疼痛叫声v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的第三人称单数 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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75
pinioned
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| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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76
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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