This time she did not shrink, but acknowledged his gift
with a smile that, had she known it, was more than ample payment
to the affection starved boy.
The sleeping problem vexed Korak. He knew that the girl could not
balance herself in safety in a tree crotch while she slept, nor
would it be safe to permit her to sleep upon the ground open to
the attacks of prowling beasts of prey. There was but a single
solution that presented itself--he must hold her in his arms all
night. And that he did, with Akut braced upon one side of her and
he upon the other, so that she was warmed by the bodies of them
both.
She did not sleep much until the night was half spent; but at last
Nature overcame her terrors of the black abyss beneath and the
hairy body of the wild beast at her side, and she fell into a deep
slumber which outlasted the darkness. When she opened her eyes the
sun was well up. At first she could not believe in the reality of
her position. Her head had rolled from Korak's shoulder so that
her eyes were directed upon the hairy back of the ape. At sight
of it she shrank away.
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