ively. "We're pretty
small to go back alone," sobbed Firefly. "And besides, we want to see
what lies beyond the blue hills across the river."

It may be that Hawk-Eye was a little pleased at their courage in
following them. Anyway, he said: "Well, you can climb like squirrels.
We shall not be gone many days. Come along." Firetop sprang up and
whooped for joy. Firefly turned a somersault. Hawk-Eye and Limberleg
laughed. They couldn't help it. You see, even in those early times
parents were fond of their children, although they didn't know any
better punishment for them than spankings. There are some parents like
that yet.

"Now, what shall we have to eat?" said Firefly, when everybody was happy
again.

"We'll have to find something," said Hawk-Eye to Limberleg. "You take
the children down into the meadow. I see carrots growing down there.
I'll hunt in the woods. Listen for my call, and when you hear it, come
to that big oak tree as fast as you can."

Limberleg and the Twins started at once down the bluff toward the river.
The bushes grew thick along the slope, and as they scrambled through
them they made a crashing noise. Firetop was ahead, then came Firefly,
and last of all Limberleg.

Suddenly there was a loud whirring sound, and out of the bushes in front
of them flew a great wood grouse!

Instantly Firetop braced himself and flung his spear, and before
Limberleg or Firefly could catch up with him, he was far beyond them
down the slope, struggling with the wounded bird. When they reached
him, he had killed it. Limberleg was delighted. She patted Firetop and
called him a great hunter, and said she was glad he had come with them
after all.

Maybe you think Firetop wasn't a proud boy then! He waggled his red
head and swaggered up the slope toward the big oak tree with the huge
bird on his shoulder. Limberleg and Firefly stayed behind to hunt in
the bushes for the grouse's nest. Firefly found it, and there were
seven eggs in it! Then Limberleg patted Firefly. "Your father and I
will not need to get any food for you," she said. "Maybe you will hunt
for us." They went up the slope after Firetop, carrying the eggs.

When they reached the big oak tree on the bluff, Limberleg took the
feathers off the grouse and cut it into chunks with her flint knife.
They had no fire, so they ate it raw. They ate five of the eggs and
left two for Hawk-Eye. They saved the legs of the grouse for him, too.
T