"Andre Norton - Breed To Come - uc" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

gives to others the fruits of his hunting. And this is a
shameful thing, so we do not speak of it, even among
ourselves, unless there is great need.

"But of the hunting sign on the tree, that we must
speak of—all warriors together. For we are not so rich
in game that we can allow others to take our country
for their own. And we shall also tell this to the west-
ern kin. They come soon for the Trials. Go and eat,
warrior. I shall take your words to the other cave
Elders."

20

The visitors had been in sight of the cave scouts since
midaftemoon, but their party did not file into their
usual campsite until after nightfall. This was the al-
ternate season when the western clans came to the
caves. Next season Furtig's people would cross coun-
try for the Trials.

All the young unmated warriors who were to take
part in the coming contests scattered along the in-
road (unless their Elders managed to restrain them
with other duties). Though it was ill mannered to
stare openly at their guests, there was naught to pre-
vent their watching the travelers from cover, making
comparisons between their champions and those
marching in the protect circle about the females and
younglings, or, better still, catching glimpses of their
Choosers.

But to Furtig none of those were as attractive as
Fas-Tan of the cave of Former. And his interest was
more for probable rivals than for the prizes of battle

21




BREED TO COME

the other tribe could display. Not, he reflected .rueful-
ly, that he had much chance of aspiring to Fas-Tan.

Through some trick of heredity which ran in her
family, she had odd fur coloring which was esteemed,
along with the length of that fur, as beauty. The soft
fur about her head and shoulders was nearly three