k upon it, and thought that it was done.

But Willow-grouse, who had been watching him, spoke up and said, "No,
there is one thing more. You must put a groove in each of the barbs to
carry the magic poison."

And so, although Willow-grouse learned a great deal from watching
Flaker use his tools, she taught him something he did not know.

When the harpoon was really finished, Flaker gave it to Fleetfoot. And
all the Cave-men gathered around to see the new harpoon.

When everybody had seen it, Fleetfoot placed the harpoon upon his
throwing-stick and hurled it again and again. To the people who stood
near, the barbs carried the harpoon through the air like the wings of
a bird. The deep grooves which held the poison carried sure death with
each wound. And the throwing-stick with which it was hurled helped in
getting a firm hold and a sure aim.

[Illustration: _Harpoons with several barbs._]

#THINGS TO DO#

_Find a piece of soft wood and trace the outline of a harpoon upon
it. See if you can whittle a harpoon with barbs._

_Experiment until you can tell whether you like to have a ridge on
the base of the harpoon head._

_Draw one of these pictures:_--
"_Heavy snowstorms came and the wild animals went away._"
_Fleetfoot and Willow-grouse find some dried meat in a tree._
_Fleetfoot and Willow-grouse arrive at the cave of the Bison clan._
_Flaker working at the barbed harpoon._
"_The barbs carried the harpoon through the air like the wings of
a bird._"

XXXVII

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

How did people sew before they had needles? What bones do you think
the Cave-men would use first in making needles and awls? Why would
people want the hardest bones for needles?

[Illustration: _A bone pin._]

[Illustration: _A large bone needle._]

See if you can find out where the hardest bones are found.

See if you can think of all the things that would have to be done
in making a needle out of a piece of ivory or a large bone.

Why do we sometimes wax thread? What do you think the Cave-men
would use instead of wax?

Why did the Cave men make holes in their awls? What were the first
holes which they made in their needles used for?

How do you think they would think of carrying the thread through
the needle's eye?

Why do we use thimbles when we sew? When do you think peop