Read Ebook: Pic the Weapon-Maker by Langford George Osborn Henry Fairfield Author Of Introduction Etc

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Ebook has 1183 lines and 58042 words, and 24 pages

"But my journey's end is reached," he remarked cheerily. "Meeting? You see I am just in time; and here I stay to make your better acquaintance."

The hoofed and horned animals inclined their ears forward to catch every word. This was an unheard-of thing; an elephant trying to enter their charmed circle. They studied his curling tusks and stumpy feet with the greatest care, then shook their heads.

"So you wish to join our herd?" the Stag demanded. "First, you must qualify. Every new member must have hoofs and horns. They are quite important; in fact, necessary."

"Of course; and so now I may consider myself one of you?"

"Pr-r-op! Not so fast, if you please. Things must follow in their proper order. I see no horns. You do not seem to have brought them with you. Possibly you have shed them for the cold weather."

"Indeed, no. Here they are almost touching the end of your nose," and Hairi raised his trunk on high so that his tusks might show to the best advantage.

"Horns?" grunted the Moose; "but they grow from your mouth. Odd; most peculiar, I say."

"Oomp, oomp; most peculiar." The Mammoth's tone and manner now reeked with biting sarcasm. "So you think that my horns should grow from somewhere else; out of my back perhaps or possibly from my heels like lark's spurs. What would you suggest? I am willing to please anybody within reason."

The Moose began to feel ridiculous. His pride was hurt. "But they should grow up, not down," he protested sullenly.

"Indeed! What do the rest of you think about it?" demanded the shaggy giant as he glanced along the rows of curious faces. "Up or down; down or up? Which is proper? My horns grow down then up again, so I am right, either way. But I mean to be reasonable and listen. Can anybody answer?"

None appeared to have enough wits left to give an answer. The Mammoth gazed blandly at the sea of upturned faces before him and resumed:

"Now that everybody is satisfied, I will take my proper place among you. Next comes the choice of my assistant. What is it now, old Bramble-head?" he bellowed at the Moose who showed symptoms of wishing to start an argument. "Would you expect me to manage your affairs alone? I need help. Who will dispute that?"

He looked so huge, stern and overpowering, that several high-strung spirits who were pawing the ground and gathering courage to protest, decided to wait. All stood at attention. The Mammoth paused for a moment to impress them with the importance of what he was about to say.

"But who is he? Tell us," cried a score of impatient voices.

The huge Elephant raised his trunk aloft. "Owk, owk; see all," he thundered. "Look upon the chosen one, come in all his glory to help me guard your future and preserve the peace! Behold my friend, adviser and fellow-worker, the Woolly Rhinoceros!"

All eyes were now turned upon the small haystack which until this moment had not shown the slightest interest in what was going on. The Mammoth held the center of the stage and meanwhile the Rhinoceros was entirely ignored. His huge companion's stirring eloquence rumbled like thunder above him, a dull flow of meaningless words; then suddenly his own name rang out loud and clear, followed by death-like silence.

He raised his head from the grass-tufts which had hitherto claimed his attention and blinked at the herd of animals as though observing them for the first time; then with slow and measured steps he advanced to the Mammoth's side and looked up at him inquiringly. This was the signal for a great buzz of excitement which swept over the vast assemblage like a rustling breeze. A heavy-set individual with flaring nostrils and bloodshot eyes suddenly stepped forward. It was the Bison.

"May the rocks fall upon his head," he roared in great wrath. "One is enough to swallow; two, more than we can chew. Let this Tundr-pig be cast out in the snow."

The Mammoth turned quickly to his companion. "There, Wulli, did you hear what he said? It is high time you asserted yourself."

Wulli's eyes glistened. He glared savagely at the Bison. The latter caught sight of the sharp horn poised threateningly on the Rhino's nose. He trembled and looked at the ground.

"I spoke the name of my future helper," the Mammoth bellowed. "Do you all agree? If not, why not?"

"Your friend is not acceptable," snorted the Bison, taking fresh courage at the interruption. "His horns are not the same size and they grow out of his nose."

"Horns?" The Mammoth bent forward and studied Wulli's face with wondering interest; "How remarkable! I thought he had only one, but there is another--a little horn trying to hide behind the big one. Hold your head down Wulli so that all can see. Two horns; just the right number--no more, no less."

The Rhinoceros bowed his head, too confused to express the resentment that raged within his breast. What the Mammoth had said was true enough. Horn Number Two was a small affair--no more than a knob--but its silent eloquence was convincing. All gazed upon it wonderingly; all but the Moose and Bison who appeared to have taken a sudden and strong dislike to their new champions.

"Suppose they are horns," the Bison sniffed. "They grow too queerly to please me. As for his feet; look at them. Do any but turtles have feet like those?"

"But he has horns and two of them," the Mammoth insisted. "You said so and all can see that you spoke the truth. And now, Moo Hoo with the loud voice, be warned. Use well-chosen words when you speak of the Rhinoceros. He fights silently, but one thrust is usually enough; and if he needs help, I stand beside him."

No answer. The Mammoth gazed about him with the air of one whose manner of argument is beyond dispute.

"Good; we have heard all that is to be said. The Woolly Rhinoceros can consider himself a full-fledged Moo Hoo from nose to tail. With his help, I intend to preserve order and keep the peace. From now on, quarrelsome and other objectionable characters will be severely dealt with." He glanced meaningly at the Moose and Bison.

The two trouble-makers thus designated, put their heads together for a moment; then the Bison turned and faced the Mammoth. His eyes sparkled as with the thought of sweet revenge soon to be meted out to his detested rivals.

"So say all of us," he bawled loudly: "Objectionable characters must be punished. Is it not so?"

He glanced from one face to another amid low murmurs of approval. The Mammoth hesitated before this sudden outburst. In the other's sneering manner, he sensed mischief directed against the Rhinoceros and himself.

"Quite so," he cautiously admitted. "To what or whom do you refer? It will be duly considered by one and all of us."

"We demand action, not mere words," the Bison roared. "Our leaders and fighters must play the part of their own choosing. I insist that the Mammoth and Rhinoceros do their duty or be cast out into the snow as cowards and braggarts."

On hearing himself thus fiercely arraigned, Wulli lurched forward and squealed angrily:

"What duty? Oo-wee! do not keep me waiting. Must our talking be done with crossed horns?"

The Bison made haste to respond and thus avoid a clash. "We are surrounded by blood-thirsty beasts," he bellowed. "One among them is the dread of all grass-eaters. I demand that the Mammoth and Rhinoceros visit the great Rock and drive him from his den."

Wulli's jaws set themselves tightly together. He looked straight into the other's eyes without winking. "And this beast; who is he? His name?"

As if in reply, a faint rumble as of distant thunder was borne from the opposite heights far across the valley--a deep bass roar followed by a hoarse throaty cry:

"Gr-rr-r-un-nn-n Wau-au-gh-h!"

Every hoofed and horned animal trembled at the sound. The Bison was the first to recover his composure. He leered vengefully at the Mammoth and Rhinoceros:

"The Cave Lion himself has spoken. There sounds his challenge. Let our new-found champions go forth and drive him from his den."

The Valley of the V?z?re was a storm-shelter, a haven of refuge for all animals. Only since the last full moon, had a message come telling of tremendous climatic changes going on in the northern world. A strange piercing chill was creeping slowly southward by way of the Baltic Valley. It brought news of the advancing ice-fields and of bitter winter soon to come. To everything through whose veins ran warm life-blood, it whispered:

"Make way for the Storm Wind, all ye who run, swim or fly. To the V?z?re, ye creatures of mountain, forest and plain. Seek shelter where even the storm wrath may not enter. Woe to ye who neither hear nor heed!"

But all heard and heeded and hastened southward while behind them, across hill and dale, over forest and meadow, colossal mountains of ice glided irresistibly onward. The V?z?re welcomed the swarms of fugitives within its sanctuary even as the north wind howled at its gates and all western Europe lay prostrate beneath the shadows of the glaciers.

Wherever peaceable creatures thrive, savage beasts will always be found preying upon them; and, sad to relate, the V?z?re Valley--haven of refuge for all animals--had its share of those who continually annoyed the true lovers of peace. The Panther, Lynx and Wolf being the first on the ground, found abundant food--for the easy hunting; so easy, that in time, the fact became known throughout the world.

News travels fast among beast-folk; particularly if it is good news. The flesh-eaters of Africa finally became interested in the glowing accounts of opportunities awaiting them to the north and decided to have a look for themselves.

To reach France, it was necessary for them to cross the Mediterranean Sea or make a long journey around it. However, everything was conveniently arranged for them to make the trip without wetting their feet and that, too, by the shortest possible route.

As it chanced, Sicily and Italy were connected to each other and to Africa, thus forming a land bridge over which those who chose could enter southern Europe. The Lion, Leopard, Hyena and others were not long in crossing. Soon they arrived in France where an unpleasant surprise awaited them. The climate was cold and raw. Ice and snow confronted them at every turn. Being southern animals, they found themselves unprepared for such a change. Were it not for the hunting, every one of them would have turned about and gone back home.

But the hunting was excellent; so they stayed. Game was far more plentiful than reports had led them to believe. That being so, the rest soon took care of itself. Their fur and fuzz thickened to shaggy hair and underwool. Caves and rock-shelters gave further protection against the cold. The newcomers finally threw off all home ties and became full-fledged French citizens with new names: the Cave Lion, Cave Leopard and Cave Hyena.

For a time their frequent raids on the cloven-footed animals passed almost unnoticed. The latter had not yet learned to appreciate their danger. Those who fell victims were too dead to tell of their experiences while others fortunate enough to escape, thanked their lucky stars and thought no more about it. They made no concerted effort to protect themselves; and so, for a time, their enemies did about as they pleased.

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