The Land of Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel [231]
“It looks like a herd of aurochs or bison stopped here not too long ago, judging from those prints,” Kimeran said.
“They may return to the water to drink here regularly. If we stay awhile, we could hunt them,” Jonokol said.
“Or I could go look for them on Racer,” Jondalar said.
“Most of us are running out of spears to hunt with,” Jondecam said. “I broke another one the last time we went hunting, both the shaft and the point.”
“This looks like a region that should have good flint,” Jondalar said. “If I can find some, I’ll make new points.”
“I saw a stand of straight trees on our way here, younger than those in that copse, that would make good shafts,” Palidar said. “It’s not far away.”
“Some of those bigger ones would make good shafts for a couple of new pole-drags to bring some fresh meat to the Cave we want to visit,” Jondalar said.
“A few young bulls at this time of year would give us fresh meat and some for drying, and fat for traveling cakes and fuel for lamps, and a hide or two,” Ayla said. “We can make new footwear from the skins. I don’t mind walking barefoot most of the time, but sometimes I want protection for my feet and my footwear is wearing out.”
“And look at all those cattails and reeds,” Beladora said. “You can weave footwear from those, too, and we can make new sleeping rolls, and baskets and pads and many other things we need.”
“Even gifts for the Cave we want to visit,” Levela said.
“I hope we don’t take too long. I’m awfully close to home, and I’m getting anxious,” Amelana said. “I can’t wait to see my mother.”
“But you don’t want to return empty handed, do you?” the First said. “Wouldn’t you like to bring a gift or two for your mother, and maybe some meat for your Cave?”
“You’re right! I should do that, so it doesn’t look like I’m just coming home begging,” Amelana said.
“You know that you wouldn’t be begging even if you didn’t bring anything, but wouldn’t it be nice to give them something?” Levela said.
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They all decided it was time to take a few days to hunt and gather food to resupply their traveling larder, and restock equipment that was showing signs of hard use. They were excited about finding a place with such abundance.
“I want to get some of those berries. They look perfect for picking,” Levela said.
“Yes, but first I want to make a picking basket, something to wear around my neck so I can use two hands to pick,” Ayla said. “I want enough to dry some for traveling cakes, but then I need to weave a mat or two to dry them on.”
“Will you make a basket for me?” Zelandoni said. “Picking is something I can do.”
“I’d like to pick, too. Will you make a basket for me?” Amelana said.
“Show me how you make yours,” Beladora said. “Picking with both hands is a good idea, but I always carried the basket on my arm.”
“I’ll show you all, including the children. They can help, too,” Ayla said. “Let’s go get some of those reeds and cattails.”
“And collect the roots to eat with the evening meal,” Beladora said.
Wolf was watching Ayla and Jonayla, and finally yipped to get the woman’s attention. He was running toward the open field, then running back. “You want to do some exploring and hunting, too, Wolf? Well, go ahead,” she said, giving him a hand signal that he knew meant he was free to go his own way.
The women spent the afternoon pulling and digging up plants from the muddy edge of the lake: the tall phragmite reeds, whose plume-like tops towered over both Jondalar and Kimeran, and slightly shorter cattails, whose spikes were fruiting with edible pollen. The fresh rootstalks and lower stems of both plants could also be eaten either raw or cooked, as well as the little bulblets that grew from the cattail rhizomes. Later the dried old stringy roots could be pounded into flour for making a kind of bread,