see nothing at which to cast their
spears.

"Who is missing?" demanded Uglik as the hunters returned empty handed.

"The maiden, Una," cried Esle shrilly.

Anak rushed at her, spear in hand.

"Unsay those words, hag of evil omen!" he roared. "Where have you hidden
her?"

"Ask of the cousins of Gumor," she replied as she ducked behind the
protecting frame of Uglik. "They have taken her from us."

Anak dropped his spear and buried his face in his hands. When he raised
his head again, resolution showed in his handsome face.

"Prepare spears and throwing-stones," he cried. "To-morrow we attack the
cousins of Gumor. Either they or we shall be no more when the night
falls again."

A murmur of dissent went around the camp. Uglik sprang to his feet.

"What means the Chief Hunter of the tribe of Ugar?" he demanded.

"I mean that to-morrow we settle for all time who rules in this valley,
the tribe of Ugar or the cousins of Gumor."

"And has the Father no voice in the council of the tribe?"

"We have come to the end," replied Anak. "If we do not strike now, soon
we will be too weak to strike. To-morrow we attack!"

"I am Father of the tribe of Ugar," replied Uglik with a dangerous note
in his voice. "No one gives orders here except me. On you, Anak, the
Chief Hunter that was, I place the word of death! Slay him!"

The hunters raised their spears doubtfully. Anak raised his, ready to
cast it at Uglik. Before a blow could be struck, a figure sprang across
the fire and took a stand, back to back with Anak.

"Who strikes my friend, strikes me!" cried Invar.

* * * * *

Uglik gave a gasp at this fresh defection from his authority. He roared
to the hunters to strike. The three hunters remaining to the tribe
advanced half-heartedly. None of them cared to face Anak; and Invar,
young as he was, had already proven himself a mighty warrior. Uglik
shouldered them aside with a roar of wrath. Before he could attack,
Anak's cry stopped him.

"Hold, Uglik!" cried the Chief Hunter. "If you attack, the tribe will
lose most or all of its hunters. You have put the death word on me, as
is your right. I go now against the cousins of Gumor, and that, I think,
is death. Let me go in peace and with weapons. Before they tear me limb
from limb, at least one of them will not be alive."

"And I go with Anak!" cried Invar. "More than one of the cousins of
Gumor will know that the Chief Hunter of the tribe