At times, parties of men would detach themselves from the fire and sally forth9 in search of game. Rarely did they come back with anything worth eating. The little they did kill was poor enough and they ate it then and there. Not infrequently, a band would return numbering one or two less than when it set forth. At such times, those returning would appear well-fed and contented10 and would curl up by the fire to rest and aid their digestion11. It was a case of each man for himself. He who hungered, must go forth and hunt his food. If he perished from weakness or exposure or was slain12 by wild beasts, his troubles were ended and his companions devoured13 what was left of him.
Totan and a dozen of his followers14 had but recently returned to Castillo from one of these hunting-trips. They and the rest of the band were now gazing down the mountain side at two men near its base who were slowly ascending15. Even at that distance, Totan recognized one of the newcomers. “Gonch!” he exclaimed in surprise. “I thought him dead long before this. And who is it that I see with him? It must be the Mammoth16 Man, maker17 of wonderful flints.”
When the pair had completed two-thirds of the ascent18, their forms and features could be easily distinguished19 by those watching from above. All recognized Gonch. The one with him was but a boy. A murmur20 of voices broke the stillness. Totan[132] scowled21 and gnashed his teeth until his jaws22 cracked. “I fear that our comrade will be disappointed with the welcome we give him,” he growled23. “It will be a warm one.” He looked knowingly at the fire as he said this, meanwhile licking his lips and grinning like a hyena6.
Gonch arrived at the end of his long climb and stepped upon the cave-threshold. The boy Kutnar stood behind him. No shouts nor other noisy welcome greeted his appearance. He brought no food and his companion was a boy—not a man as might have been expected.
Such a reception was no more nor less than Gonch had anticipated and he was prepared for it. Neither his wit nor courage had deserted24 him and he now saw the need of both.
“I have come back as I promised,” he began boldly. “The journey has been a long one. I have survived much danger and suffering but I am here and alive.”
“Alive? Yes, for a time,” said Totan in as honeyed a voice as a bear would be capable of. “We see that you have brought the Mammoth Man with you. The journey must have been too much for him. He appears to have shrunken. No doubt you can explain why.”
“Young he is but more than match for our best hunter,” Gonch replied without flinching25. “None can equal his skill with the fling-stone. If you do not believe, try him.”
Everybody laughed, not with genuine humor but[133] in the only way these savage26 men knew how to laugh. One of them, a young fellow barely out of his teens, strutted27 forward and sneered28 in Kutnar’s face. Up to this time, the latter had remained a passive listener and spectator, staring curiously29 at the throng30 but at the sound of taunting31 laughter and the sight of him who sneered, he drew back and scowled angrily.
“A match!” roared the hetman springing to his feet. “Into the cave, every one of you, and give the youngsters plenty of room. Let the Stone Thrower try him. If he fails, I will be the first to pick his bones.”
Thus cautioned, the Castillan tyro32 selected his best stone and placed it carefully in the cleft33 end of his fling-stick. Kutnar did not hesitate, even though this was his first test in single combat. In a moment he saw what was expected of him. Quick as lightning, he unwound the thong34 from his waist and set a pebble35 in place.
“Good,” muttered Gonch between his clenched36 teeth. “The boy bears himself like a true warrior37. I would be his friend if I could be anyone’s. No man, young or old, lives who can best him at his own game.”
Totan was now in fine spirits. This was good sport, a fight to the death, although rough and tumble with stout38 cudgels and grown men would have been better. Stone-throwing was child’s play but there was novelty in such a contest and it might prove entertaining. He hustled39 his followers out[134] of the way into the cave-entrance and thus gave the two gladiators the whole threshold to themselves. Kutnar took his place at one extremity40 of the ledge41; the Stone Thrower stood at the other. The spectators howled joyfully42; then at a sign from Totan, all became quiet.
Swish! The Castillan drew back his arm and made the first throw—not badly aimed but Kutnar saw the stone coming and dropped flat. The missile whizzed over his head. Instantly he was up again, whirling his sling43. Hiss44! the pebble sped like a bullet. No chance to dodge45 a thing like that. Before the Stone Thrower could tell what struck him, he lay sprawling46 upon the ledge. His skull47 was cracked but there was no more than a bruise48 upon his temple to show for it.
Nobody laughed this time. All stared in wonder at the fallen man, then at the boy. Kutnar had no eyes for those about him. He stood motionless, mouth half-open, watching the contortions49 of his victim. This was the first human being he had slain. A fair fight and not one of his choosing but his triumph was tinged50 with remorse51. It was with such feelings that he crossed the ledge and stood over the vanquished52. Every pair of eyes followed him. Every voice was hushed. The stillness of death was in the air. And then as every Castillan waited breathless anticipating the final blow, the victor kneeled upon the rock and rubbed his foeman’s forehead.
A chorus of astonished grunts53 arose. Kutnar[135] heard the sound of bare feet scraping on the ledge behind him. He looked around and saw the giant hetman.
“Well done,” growled the Castillan leader. “Even though it were a lucky stroke, a boy who can use a toy like that must be good for something. And yet you are but a child. The Mammoth Man is not a child.” As he said this, he scowled at Gonch who was standing54 near. The latter made haste to divert his chieftain’s mind.
“The boy is a skilled hunter,” he explained. “He can kill food enough for a dozen men. If you do not believe, try him.”
The cave-men were now gathering55 about the lad, pointing at both him and the sling he held. By look and act it was clear that they were deeply impressed with the way he had borne himself. Even the hetman eyed him approvingly. “Here, you,” he said to the men nearest him. “Take him down to the river and see what he can do.”
The boy gazed longingly56 at the fire. He felt cold and tired. He would have given almost anything for a chance to warm his body and rest himself but this could not be. Those chosen to escort him were already descending57 the mountain side and beckoning58 him to follow. Kutnar looked appealingly at Gonch, but the latter’s back was turned, so he merely sighed and went away with the cave-men for a test of his skill at food-gathering.
When the party had taken itself off, Totan led the Muskman to one side. “Son, did you say?[136] But that does not make him the father. What has become of the Mammoth Man? You promised to bring him with you.”
Gonch gave a brief account of his doings in the Mousterian country and his dealings with Pic, the Weapon Maker. He described the latter as a hetman too, but made no mention of his physical powers.
“A hetman?” Totan lifted his eyebrows59, then scowled darkly. “He would be no more than a flint-worker here. But you have not yet said why he failed to come with you.”
“I used the boy as a lure,” chuckled60 Gonch. “The Mammoth Man is following to rescue him. The son is a prize in himself but before long we will have the father too.”
“That may be,” Totan grumbled61. “But I would have preferred the man. You should have brought him with you to make sure.”
“More easily said than done,” the Muskman replied. “No man could force him to do anything against his will.”
“No man?” The hetman scowled with wounded pride and jealousy62 of the unknown champion. Gonch gazed at him vindictively63.
“He would yield to no man, for no man is stronger or braver than this giant weapon maker. He is mightier64 than the Cave Lion, larger than yourself and——”
“You lie,” roared the now thoroughly65 aroused hetman, beating his bristly chest with both fists and[137] displaying his great bull-teeth. “No human being is my equal. I could eat your lion-man.”
Gonch exulted66 inwardly although he was careful not to betray his true feelings and draw the other’s rage upon himself. “You might find him a big mouthful,” he said. “This weapon maker can crush men’s bones in his hands. I have felt his grip. Never have I known such power. That is why I used trickery to bring him here. Such a big strong man.” Gonch lowered his voice and said, “Perhaps it is well that I did not bring him. It is not yet too late. He may be induced to return. We can send the boy to him and——”
“Ar-r-r!” Totan’s face swelled67 and reddened as though it would burst. He was no coward and the knowledge that there existed a foeman worthy68 of his steel, only aroused his fighting spirit. He was like a pit-dog held in leash69, all aquiver with waiting for the joy of blood and battle. For a moment, the fight-lust nearly robbed him of speech.
“Bring me this man,” he snarled70 in a choking voice. “He is mine—mine; I will tear him to pieces with my teeth and eat his living body. Bring him to me and quickly. I cannot wait.”
“Have patience; he will soon come,” was the answer. Totan could only glare and pant. He listened sullenly71 as Gonch told of Pic’s pursuit. The Mousterian weapon maker was like a lion robbed of its cub72. He would come; no doubt about that.
The hetman was only partly appeased73. There was some pleasure in his feelings of anticipation[138] but he felt a consuming impatience74 to get the Lion-Man—as he called him—within his reach. His fingers itched75 for him so, he could hardly wait.
“But the Lion-Man might not come,” he growled irritably76. “In that case, I am sure that things will go hard with you.”
Gonch pretended not to see the implied threat as he answered, “Do not worry. He will come,” and there the conversation ended, for although Totan fretted77 and fumed78, he saw that he could do nothing but wait and give Gonch the time needed to make good his promise.
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1
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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frayed
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| adj.磨损的v.（使布、绳等）磨损，磨破( fray的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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nourishment
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| n.食物，营养品；营养情况 | |
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penury
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| n.贫穷，拮据 | |
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hyena
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| n.土狼，鬣狗 | |
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hyenas
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| n.鬣狗( hyena的名词复数 ) | |
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corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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9
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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digestion
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| n.消化，吸收 | |
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slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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13
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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mammoth
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| n.长毛象；adj.长毛象似的，巨大的 | |
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maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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flinching
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| v.（因危险和痛苦）退缩，畏惧( flinch的现在分词 ) | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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strutted
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| 趾高气扬地走，高视阔步( strut的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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taunting
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| 嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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tyro
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| n.初学者；生手 | |
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cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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thong
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| n.皮带；皮鞭；v.装皮带 | |
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pebble
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| n.卵石，小圆石 | |
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clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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hustled
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| 催促（hustle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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43
sling
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| vt.扔；悬挂；n.挂带；吊索，吊兜；弹弓 | |
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44
hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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45
dodge
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| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
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46
sprawling
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| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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48
bruise
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| n.青肿，挫伤；伤痕；vt.打青；挫伤 | |
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49
contortions
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| n.扭歪，弯曲；扭曲，弄歪，歪曲( contortion的名词复数 ) | |
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50
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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52
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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53
grunts
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的第三人称单数 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说； 石鲈 | |
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54
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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55
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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56
longingly
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| adv. 渴望地 热望地 | |
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57
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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58
beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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59
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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60
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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62
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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63
vindictively
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| adv.恶毒地；报复地 | |
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64
mightier
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| adj. 强有力的，强大的，巨大的 adv. 很，极其 | |
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65
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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66
exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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67
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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68
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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69
leash
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| n.牵狗的皮带，束缚；v.用皮带系住 | |
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70
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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71
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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72
cub
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| n.幼兽，年轻无经验的人 | |
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73
appeased
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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74
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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75
itched
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| v.发痒( itch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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76
irritably
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| ad.易生气地 | |
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77
fretted
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| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
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78
fumed
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| 愤怒( fume的过去式和过去分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
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