They were friends--companions--that was all. Both might have been
boys, except for the half tender and always masterful manifestation
of the protective instinct which was apparent in Korak's attitude.
The little girl idolized him as she might have idolized an indulgent
brother had she had one. Love was a thing unknown to either; but
as the youth neared manhood it was inevitable that it should come
to him as it did to every other savage, jungle male.
As Meriem became proficient in their common language the pleasures
of their companionship grew correspondingly, for now they could
converse and aided by the mental powers of their human heritage
they amplified the restricted vocabulary of the apes until talking
was transformed from a task into an enjoyable pastime. When Korak
hunted, Meriem usually accompanied him, for she had learned the
fine art of silence, when silence was desirable. She could pass
through the branches of the great trees now with all the agility
and stealth of The Killer himself. Great heights no longer appalled
her. She swung from limb to limb, or she raced through the mighty
branches, surefooted, lithe, and fearless.
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