West of Eden

his hands, then touched the representation of the mastodon. The other nodded and smiled, repeating "waliskis" over and over. But what did it mean? Did these Tanu also have mastodons? There was no way to tell, not if they couldn't speak to each other. The other now pulled gently at the bowl until Kerrick released his grip, then turned and went back to the trees with it.
    When he returned the bowl was filled with cooked vegetation of some kind, lumpy and white. The hunter scooped out some of the food with his fingers and ate it, then put the howl on the ground. Kerrick did the same; it tasted quite good. As soon as he did this the stranger turned and hurried back under the trees again. Kerrick waited, but he did not return.
    Their meeting seemed to have ended. No one appeared when Kerrick called out, and when he went slowly across the field to look in the grove of trees he found it empty. The encounter was puzzling—but encouraging. The dark hunter had shown no weapons, but had brought water and food. Kerrick picked up the bowl, retrieved his spear, and returned to the tents. The hunters on guard called out when he appeared and Herilak ran up the hill to greet him. He tasted the food, approved of it—but had as little idea of its significance as Kerrick had.
    The sammads gathered to listen when he returned, and he had to tell the story over and over again.
    Everyone wanted to taste the new food and the bowl was quickly empty. The bowl itself was an object of great interest. Herilak turned it over and over and tapped it with his knuckles.
    West of Eden - Harry Harrison
    "It is hard as stone—but too light to be stone. And this mastodon is just as hard. I understand none of this."
    Even Fraken would not venture an opinion. This was all new to him as well. In the end Kerrick had to decide for himself.
    "I'm going to go back tomorrow, in the morning, just like today. I'll bring them some meat in the bowl.
    Perhaps they meant to share food with us."
    "Perhaps they meant for you to feed the mastodons with it?" Sorli said.
    "We have no way of knowing anything," said Kerrick. "I'll bring them some of our meat. But not in their bowl. Let me bring them one of the woven trays with the designs."
    Before it became dark Armun took the best tray, one that she had woven herself, and washed it clean in the river. "It is dangerous to go back," she said. "Someone else can go."
    "No, these hunters know me now. And I feel that the danger is over, the worst part was when I first went up there. These new Tanu hunt these grounds and we must be at peace with them if we are to stay. And we have nowhere else to go. Now we will eat, but save the best pieces of meat to put on the tray for me to take with me."
    There was no one in the, meadow below the grove when Kerrick arrived there the following morning. But when he threw his spear aside and went across the grass with the tray a familiar figure appeared under the trees. Kerrick sat down and put the tray down before him. This time the other came forward without fear and sat in the grass as well. Kerrick ate a piece of meat, then pushed the tray over and watched while the hunter took a piece and ate it with signs of pleasure. Then he turned and called out loudly. Five more hunters, all black-haired and beardless, dressed in the same manner, appeared from the grove and walked towards them.
    Now it was Kerrick's turn to be fearful. He sprang to his feet and backed away. Two of the newcomers were carrying spears. They stopped when he moved and looked at him with open curiosity. Kerrick pointed at them and made motions of throwing a spear. The first hunter sensed his meaning and called back what must have been a command for they placed the spears on the grass before they started forward again.
    Kerrick waited, arms folded and trying not to show concern. It all looked peaceful enough—but they could be concealing blades under their white leather. They wouldn't even need blades, the six of them could overwhelm him and kill him easily enough if they wanted to. He would have to take that chance.
    Either that or turn and run.
    West of Eden - Harry Harrison
    When they came closer Kerrick saw that two of them were carrying short clubs. He pointed to these and made clubbing motions. They stopped and talked among themselves, and it took them awhile to understand his meaning. Apparently the lengths of wood were not clubs at all. One of them went back to the spears and Kerrick stood ready to run again. But