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“We could do both,” Jondalar said

Several people ser?” someone remarked, Ayla wasn’t sure who

“Eager, yes, though not usually for hunting anihter followed

Ayla caught sight of the speaker It was Kareja, the leader of the Eleventh Cave Ayla recalledimpressed, but she didn’t like the tone of her co fun of Jondalar, and Ayla had too recently been the object of si A flush of color tinted his face, but henot to show it

“I guess that did sound a little eager, and I know it seems as if we can’t do it all, but I think we can When ere living with the Mamutoi, Ayla, on her horse, helped the Lion Camp drive bison into a surround,” Jondalar tried to explain “A horse can run faster than any person, and we can direct the horses where ant theo We can help drive those bison, and head them off when they try to break away And you’ll see how easy it would be to bring down a giant deer with this spear-thrower Probably more than a couple I think you will all be surprised at what this can do” He held up the hunting weapon as he spoke It was a rather flat, narroooden shaft that seemed far too simple to do all that the returned traveler claimed for it

“You’re saying you think we can do it all?” Joharran asked

The gathering was interrupted by people of the Third Cave bringing food After a leisurely midday meal, further discussion revealed that the location of the bison herd was not far from a previously built surround that could be repaired andthe corral trap, and if they could get it ready, and if the bison didn’t wander away, they would hunt the bison the iant deer Ayla listened carefully when the talk turned to the strategic planning of the hunt, but she did not volunteer herself and Whinney to help She would see how things worked out

“Well, let’s see this wonderful neeapon, Jondalar,” Joharran finally said

“Yes,” Manvelar said “You’ve made me very curious We can use the practice field in Grass Valley”

11

The practice field was near the foot of Two Rivers Rock and consisted of a central runway of dirt that had been trarass around it was flattened by theon it One end of the run was e section of lie, which had fallen soes were rounded with the wear of ti feet At the other end four hides rapped and tied around bundles of dry grass that poked through several previous spear holes On each of the hides, the shape of a different animal was painted

“You’ll have to ets farther away, at least twice the distance,” Jondalar said

“Twice the distance?” Kareja asked, eyeing the wooden implement in his hands

“At least”

The object Jondalar held had been carved froth of his forearers to his elbow It was narrow and flat, with a long groove down the center and two leather loops near the front A backstop at the rear had a tapering prong extending from it, a hook that fit into a hole carved into the butt of a light spear