До Адама

           Andfrombranchtobranch,andfromtreetotree,wefollowedoverhead,makinganinfernalrowandwarningalltheforest-dwellersthatoldSaber-Toothwascoming.

           Wespoiledhishuntingforhim,anyway.Andwemadehimgoodandangry.Hesnarledatusandlashedhistail,andsometimeshepausedandstaredupatusquietlyforalongtime,asifdebatinginhismindsomewaybywhichhecouldgetholdofus.Butweonlylaughedandpeltedhimwithtwigsandtheendsofbranches.

           Thistiger-baitingwascommonsportamongthefolk.Sometimeshalfthehordewouldfollowfromoverheadatigerorlionthathadventuredoutinthedaytime.Itwasourrevenge;formorethanonememberofthehorde,caughtunexpectedly,hadgonethewayofthetiger’sbellyorthelion’s.Also,bysuchordealsofhelplessnessandshame,wetaughtthehuntinganimalstosomeextenttokeepoutofourterritory.Andthenitwasfunny.Itwasagreatgame.

           AndsoLop-EarandIhadchasedSaber-Toothacrossthreemilesofforest.Towardthelastheputhistailbetweenhislegsandfledfromourgibinglikeabeatencur.Wedidourbesttokeepupwithhim;butwhenwereachedtheedgeoftheforesthewasnomorethanastreakinthedistance.

           Idon’tknowwhatpromptedus,unlessitwascuriosity;butafterplayingaroundawhile,Lop-EarandIventuredacrosstheopengroundtotheedgeoftherockyhills.Wedidnotgofar.Possiblyatnotimewerewemorethanahundredyardsfromthetrees.