Part 11 (1/2)

Bodo grew to be a large boy.

He made many friends among the Tree-dwellers, but he liked One-Ear best of all.

The boys liked to hunt together.

When they had enough to eat they liked to play.

One night as they were watching a herd of wild cattle, a young cow caught their eye.

She was running down toward the marsh.

The boys wondered why she was going.

They chased her down the trail.

When the cow saw what the boys were doing she started off through the underbrush.

It was no longer safe to follow, so the boys gave up the chase.

Darkness came on.

The boys dropped their clubs and climbed a tree, where they spent the night.

They slept until the break of day.

As they were rubbing their sleepy eyes, they heard a queer sound close by.

”What is that?” said Bodo.

The boys listened.

All was still.

But they were sure that some animal was near.

There was a clump of alders within a stone's throw.

Perhaps a bear was hiding there.

The boys were eager to find out, but they knew better than to rush into danger.

So they waited and listened.

All was quiet.

Bodo threw a stick.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”_They crept up softly and peeped into the alders_”]

Not a sound could be heard.

He called out.

Still there was no sound.

The boys slipped down the tree and picked up their clubs.

They crept up softly and peeped into the alders.

”There's nothing there,” said One-Ear.

Bodo knew better.

He noticed a hump among the leaves.

He reached out his hand and touched it.

It was a little calf that had been hid there by its mother.

It scarcely moved as Bodo touched it.

Its mother had taught it to lie still.

Many people might have pa.s.sed it by.

But Bodo had sharp eyes, and besides he was very hungry.

So the boys killed the calf and began to eat the raw flesh.

They ate until they were satisfied.

Then they played among the trees.