Flint Dog

Chapter 10: The Chief

  It took a long time getting back, making a trail as they went. It was almost sunset when they arrived back. Father went straight to Strong Man's hut.

  "Shall I go home?" asked Youngest, thinking Father had forgotten about him.

  "No, you can come with me. After all, you found the menhir," replied Father.

  Youngest suddenly felt very nervous. Strong Man was such an important man and Youngest had never really been anywhere near him before. Now he was about to go into his hut and speak to him!

  "Can't you tell him you found it, Father?" suggested Youngest.

  Father chuckled. "Strong Man is a wise and brave man, and he's also very kind. You need never fear your Chief. He cares for us all and every single one of us is important to him, especially you little ones."

  "Why especially us, Father?" asked Youngest.

  "Because one day you'll be the Hunters, and one of you will be the new Chief. You are our future. You'll go on and discover new things to make your lives easier and our tribe bigger. That's very important indeed."

  They arrived at the chief's hut. It was larger than the others in the village. There were mammoth's tusks around the doorway. Youngest thought that was magnificent.

  "One day I'll build a whole hut out of mammoth's tusks and bones," he thought to himself.

  Father called out to Strong Man. His wife rushed out and ushered Father and Youngest in. Like their own hut, it was very gloomy, but as Youngest's eyes adjusted to the lack of light, he noticed that it was full of fine fur skins. Whereas he had a goat skin for sleeping, the chief had wolf skins and mountain lion skins. There were many spears and axes propped up against the wall. Youngest gazed around in amazement. Strong Man saw his wonder.

  "So, how would you like to be a chief like me?" he asked Youngest.

  Youngest nearly jumped out of his skin. He'd been completely engrossed in taking in the finery of the hut. For a second he was too surprised to speak. He hugged Flint tight to make him brave. Then he saw Father looking at him expectantly so he quickly pulled himself together.

  "It would be brilliant," he bubbled enthusiastically. "I'd have a hut like this one except it would be made from mammoth bones. Oh, and my wife would be younger than yours," he added without thinking.

  Then, as he caught Father's horrified expression, he realised what he'd said. How could he have been so rude? But Strong Man and his wife burst out laughing. The old lady came forward and hugged him.

  "I should hope she will be younger than me!" she chuckled. "My sons are Hunters now and my daughters have sons and daughters of their own. It would be a shame if you had to join with an old Birth-giver like me!"

  "I didn't mean to be rude!" muttered Youngest, looking down and red in the face with embarrassment. He fiddled with Flint.

  "You are not rude, you are honest, and I respect honesty," answered the chief, still smiling, "And what is this?" He gently took Flint from Youngest's hands.

  "This is my flint dog," said Youngest proudly. "White Tail died and there weren't any new puppies so Father gave me a dog made of stone. He's called Flint."

  Strong Man inspected Flint carefully.

  "He is a very handsome dog indeed." He gravely handed Flint back to Youngest.

  Then he turned to Father.

  "So, what news of our menhir?"

  "The best news! Youngest here jumped onto a rocky ledge to eat his noontime meal and discovered that it was not a ledge at all but a boulder. And I am convinced that it is the ideal boulder for our menhir. I have marked a trail and I will take you tomorrow at sunrise. I truly believe our search is over."

  "Well," Strong Man turned to Youngest. "So are you not only honest, but clever too. You have found our menhir. I see I will have to watch you carefully or I'll wake up one day and find the village has a new chief! Well done, Youngest."

  He laid his hand on Youngest's head. It was Youngest's proudest moment.

  "And well done, Flintworker. I know how hard you have toiled in searching for our stone. Tomorrow we will go and see what you have found."

  And with that, Father and Youngest left the hut.

  "Father, I ?" began Youngest once they were outside, wanting to apologise for his big mouth.

  "It's all right," father interrupted him. "The chief is very pleased with you. Now, let's tell the others our tidings."