OF THE CHASE

I

_The Reindeer Start for their Summer Home_

Every winter the reindeer came to the wooded hills where the Cave-men
lived. No matter how deep the snow, they always found food. Sometimes
they stretched their slender necks and ate moss from the trees. Again
they scraped up the snow with their forefeet and found dry grass.

The reindeer liked cold weather. They liked the north wind that
brought the snow. As soon as the snow began to melt, they started
toward the mountains. In the high valleys among the mountains, there
was snow all the year round.

One morning the Cave-men awoke and found the south wind blowing. All
the people were glad; for they knew it would drive the winter away.

The reindeer sniffed the warm wind and knew it was time to go. Each
leader signaled to his herd. And soon the wooded hills were dotted
with small herds moving toward the ford.

Straightshaft saw what the reindeer were doing and he signaled the
news to the men. Then the Cave-men gathered around Scarface, who was
to lead them in the hunt.

The children had listened to all that was said about the great herd.
They could scarcely wait to see it. Fleetfoot pulled his grandmother's
hand and started up the cliff. Chew-chew wanted to see the herds meet
at the reindeer ford. All the women wanted to see the great herd
before it went away. So they all climbed the cliff where they could
get a good view.

When the children saw a herd near the river, they clapped their hands
and shouted. Then Chew-chew pointed out many herds and they all danced
for joy.

The scattered herds were coming slowly down the little valleys. Each
followed a handsome leader headed toward the ford.

[Illustration: _A reindeer._]

"Look!" said Chew-chew as the leader of a herd plunged into the river.

The herd plunged too, for reindeer know it is best to follow their
leader. The reindeer swam through the deep water and waded out to the
opposite bank. Then the frightened creatures hurried on toward the
well-known ford.

[Illustration: "_The reindeer swam through the deep water and waded
out to the opposite bank._"]

"Why did the reindeer jump into the river?" asked Fleetfoot of
Chew-chew. Before she could answer Eagle-eye pointed to a big
cave-bear. The cave-bear was going into a thicket when Fleetfoot
heard his mother say, "Cave-bears and hyenas hide in the thickets.
They lie in wait for the herds."

Scarface seemed to be lying in wait on s