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water in the river. Vaguely troubled as to what may
have caused this burned area, Nis-We-Bask prepared to spend the night, and on
the morrow start the journey home. Even as he sat by his fire Nis-We-Bask
became aware of being watched in the half light of twilight. He could not see
who or what could be the cause of it. There had been no sign of bears or other
large animals, yet that feeling of being watched persisted. Then he remembered
Kae-lth's remarks to the effect that this was where the legendary giants had
vanished. Still, why believe old squaws' tales?
"Those were only to frighten small children. The feeling of being
watched became stronger, then the creatures appeared; the things that had been
watching Nis-We-Bask. Even as he saw
them he knew what they were. They were the Bow-iss, neither man or animal yet
with the cunning and vileness of both. Creatures which in olden times, had
boldly stolen children and woman from the tribes; but they were supposed to
have disappeared a long time back. The Bow-iss slowly shambled toward
Nis-We-Bask making peculiar sounds as if laughing at some monstrous joke.
"Panic stricken, yet quite unable to move, Nis-We-Bask watched the
slow approach.
"Then
the creatures circled him, removed his bow and arrows and knife; then with two
in front and two behind they marched him back the way they had come.
"Nis-We-Bask
though terrified had time to observe these creatures closely. Each was about
the size of a youth, though in shoulder breadth equal to a man, bowlegged and
with long unkempt hair of a dirty brown color. Each was clad in loincloth and
sandals of some smooth, shiny material, and at each belt was a knife
and a small box-like affair which appeared to be a
weapon of some sort. The creature in the lead headed for a low overhanging
cliff at the base of which an opening to a cave was visible, followed by
Nis-We-Bask and the other Bow-iss. Nis-We-Bask would have fled