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THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

What way can you use a spear besides thrusting it with one or both
hands?

What changes do you think the Cave-men made in their spearheads
when they began to throw spears? What changes do you think they
made in the shafts?

How do you think the Cave-men made straight shafts for their
spears? What do we do with wood when we wish to bend it?

_Why the Cave-men made Changes in their Weapons_

[Illustration: _A stone knife._]

While the Cave-men were resting from the hunt, they did a great many
things. They practiced running; they hunted for stuff to make new
weapons; they worked upon their weapons and trophies; they learned new
hunting dances. No matter what they did, they always asked their gods
to help.

[Illustration: _A laurel leaf._]

[Illustration: _Laurel leaf-shaped spear point._]

All the later Cave-men learned to make light spears and javelins. The
clumsy spear which served Strongarm so well was not what Scarface
needed. But in the days of the early Cave-men the heavy spear was a
good weapon. Strongarm cared as much for his spear as you do for your
dog. It was like a friend in time of need. Few animals could withstand
Strongarm's blow when he grasped his spear in one or both hands and
lunged forward with all his might. His spear was a powerful weapon.
But Strongarm lived in the age of combat when people fought animals at
close range.

The later Cave-men did not make light spears and javelins all at once.
They began by throwing heavy spears. Chew-chew could tell of many a
hunter who lost his life throwing a spear. Sometimes it was because
the spear was too heavy to throw with enough force. Sometimes it was
because the shaft was crooked and the spear did not go to the right
spot.

When the Cave-men practiced throwing, they did not stand still and
throw. They took aim and threw as they ran. That was the kind of
practice they needed for the real chase.

The mark, too, was a moving mark. It was made of a bundle of branches,
or an old skin stuffed with leaves. While one man dragged it by a long
cord, the others ran after it, throwing their spears.

A Cave-man could wound an animal with a spear, but he could not give a
deadly blow. There was always danger of the wounded animal turning
upon the hunter. A skilled hunter with a good spear ran little risk in
throwing it. But not all the Cave-men had enough skill. Not all of the
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