Then it was that he urged Akut onward,
for now they were headed westward toward the coast. The old ape
thought that they were searching for a tribe of his own kind, nor
did the boy disabuse his mind of this belief. It would do to tell
Akut of his real plans when they had come within sight of civilization.
One day as they were moving slowly along beside a river they came
unexpectedly upon a native village. Some children were playing
beside the water. The boy's heart leaped within his breast at
sight of them--for over a month he had seen no human being. What
if these were naked savages? What if their skins were black? Were
they not creatures fashioned in the mold of their Maker, as was
he? They were his brothers and sisters! He started toward them.
With a low warning Akut laid a hand upon his arm to hold him back.
The boy shook himself free, and with a shout of greeting ran forward
toward the ebon players.
The sound of his voice brought every head erect. Wide eyes viewed
him for an instant, and then, with screams of terror, the children
turned and fled toward the village.
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