Chapter VI

           Whilethemorecourageousoftheyoungstersplayedinandoutofthelarge-mouthedcaves,Iearlylearnedthatsuchcaveswereunoccupied.Noonesleptinthematnight.Onlythecrevice-mouthedcaveswereused,thenarrowerthemouththebetter.Thiswasfromfearofthepreyinganimalsthatmadelifeaburdentousinthosedaysandnights.

           Thefirstmorning,aftermynight’ssleepwithLop-Ear,Ilearnedtheadvantageofthenarrow-mouthedcaves.ItwasjustdaylightwhenoldSaber-Tooth,thetiger,walkedintotheopenspace.TwooftheFolkwerealreadyup.Theymadearushforit.Whethertheywerepanic-stricken,orwhetherhewastoocloseontheirheelsforthemtoattempttoscrambleuptheblufftothecrevices,Idonotknow;butatanyratetheydashedintothewide-mouthedcavewhereinLop-EarandIhadplayedtheafternoonbefore.

           Whathappenedinsidetherewasnowayoftelling,butitisfairtoconcludethatthetwoFolkslippedthroughtheconnectingcreviceintotheothercave.ThiscrevicewastoosmalltoallowforthepassageofSaber-Tooth,andhecameoutthewayhehadgonein,unsatisfiedandangry.Itwasevidentthathisnight’shuntinghadbeenunsuccessfulandthathehadexpectedtomakeamealoffofus.HecaughtsightofthetwoFolkattheothercave-mouthandsprangforthem.Ofcourse,theydartedthroughthepassagewayintothefirstcave.Heemergedangrierthaneverandsnarling.

           Pandemoniumbrokelooseamongsttherestofus.Allupanddownthegreatbluff,wecrowdedthecrevicesandoutsideledges,andwewereallchatteringandshriekinginathousandkeys.