The Thinking Rocks

by Butkus, C. Allan

  His attention was drawn back to the outside of the cave. Lomasi was angry and was yelling at Morf. Strangely Morf seemed to be arguing with Lomasi. The voices got louder and there was the sound of something striking flesh, then it sounded as though someone fell. He could hear Morf speaking, no; it sounded more as if Morf was pleading with Lomasi, his voice was low and submissive. Even though Cano couldn't understand the words, he could tell what was happening. Lomasi was going to make Morf come in after him. While he was fighting with him, Lomasi would join the attack. Cano's mind was racing, trying to figure a way out, a way to escape. A movement near his foot caught his attention. A large snake was crawling toward the entrance of the cave. In the dim light at the entrance to the cave Cano saw that it was the dirty brown color of the snake. It was one of the ones that live in the rocks and can kill with its teeth. Cano was squatting down and had been still as he thought about escape. The snake started to pass him as if he didn't exist. Cano's hand was close to the snake's head and he was afraid if he tried to move it, the snake would strike. The snake was watching what was happening outside the entrance. It lay in a flat coil with its tongue flicking in and out. If Morf came in now, he would die.

  Cano tried to breathe as shallowly as he could, he didn't want the snake to notice him. Then the unexpected happened, the snake turned and started to crawl back into the depths of the cave. Cano saw his chances of survival crawling away with the snake. Without reasoning why he did it, he seized the snake behind the head and lifted it from the ground. The snake was almost as long as Cano was tall and it fought like a fury. It was heavy and twisted furiously, looking for a way to escape. Cano grabbed it in the center of its body with his other hand to keep it from breaking free. It twisted its body violently trying to free itself; it wound its tail around his arm and started squeezing. The battle was soundless and may have continued until one side overpowered the other, but it was at this moment that Morf, with his hands outstretched defensively, reluctantly entered the cave. Cano saw a form entering the cave and decided that even if this was his snake, he was going to give it to whoever was coming into the cave. He screamed as loud as he could and threw the snake at the approaching figure. The force of Cano's throw was enough to cause the snake to lose his grip on Cano's arm; it flew through the air until it landed on Morf's out-stretched hands. Fortunately for Morf the snake landed on its back and couldn't strike. Morf didn't want the snake any more than Cano, so he threw the snake over his head and dived to the ground beside the entrance to the cave. The snake spun through the air and landed at Lomasi's feet, this time on its belly. The snake was altogether unhappy in the treatment it had been getting and it wanted to express its displeasure. It was mean to start with, but now it had developed an attitude. Lomasi on the other hand was not fond of snakes; they were not on his list of favorite creatures. To say he moved away quickly would be inadequate. He moved with surprising speed. It appeared as though he only touched the ground at great intervals. He was vocal in his retreat and quite expressive.

  Morf was watching Lomasi from his spot near the cave entrance. He had known Lomasi for a long time, but he was amazed by how agile he was. He was able to jump amazingly high and still turn in the air before landing. He appeared to never lose sight of the snake. Each time he jumped, he increased the distance from the snake.

  The snake was not impressed. It crawled off into the rocks looking for something to kill.

  Lomasi returned when he was sure the snake was gone. He approached Morf slowly and said, "If you ever tell anyone about what happened just now, you will not live to see the sunset on that day!” Softly, with malice dripping from each word he said, "Do you understand?"

  Until then Morf had not moved, slowly he nodded his head. Then he asked, "Do you still want me to go in there after him?"

  Lomasi looked at him for a long time, and then he sighed and looked away. "No, I have a better idea. We will build a fire and smoke him out. Gather some dry wood."

  Just as Morf moved off, it started to rain. He started to say something to Lomasi about the rain, but decided against it. He gathered wood in the rain as Lomasi watched in disgust. Lomasi's anger grew. He was close to his enemy, but he couldn't get to him. The rain was ruining his plan. He looked over at Morf gathering wood in the rain. Why is it that fools surround me? There must be another way. He sat looking at the mouth of the cave. He had another idea; he smiled in a grotesque way. "Morf, drop that wood and come over here," he called. When Morf got there he told him his plan. They would block the entrance to the cave with rocks. Cano would be trapped inside and die.

  Inside the cave Cano could hear them digging and scrapping, but couldn't tell what they were up to. Then he heard a crashing sound as a boulder slid down and blocked the entrance. He could here them laughing on the other side of the boulder. He heard Lomasi shouting and the sound of more rocks being piled at the cave entrance. Cano could do nothing, but sit quietly and hope they would leave soon. Without thinking about it he drifted off to sleep. When he woke, he couldn't remember where he was, then, feeling a weight in his lap, he slowly shifted his position without thinking. A snake stirred and then gently slid away from its warm resting place without a sound. Cano sat there; he was instantly covered in sweat. Things couldn't get any worse; he had to get out of here, but how?

  A long time had past with no sound from outside the cave. He moved carefully to the rubble at the entrance. He explored the rocks, trying to determine if there was a way that he could get out. The only sound that he could hear was that of the falling rain. After a cautious survey he was sure that he would never be able to get out the way he got in.

  He was exhausted, trapped and hungry. His body sought escape from the pain; and he leaned against the cave wall and fought against the thought of sleep

  .

  Back at the river

  Earlier in the day at the river, Gennos and Na'pe had sat without speaking. They were tied to another tree, under the watchful eyes of Lork. The situation was tense; Lork was in a foul mood. Lomasi had impressed him with what would happen if he returned and found that the last two prisoners had escaped. Lork had assured him in no uncertain terms that they would be there when he returned. As Gennos thought back about the escape he tried to determine if he could have done anything differently. When he had seen Cano strike Lomasi and knock him out of the dugout he started to attack Lork. When he had twisted around to see what Lork was doing he was surprised to see that he had a spear-thrower and a spear in one hand, but his other arm held a spear and it was pointed at him. Their eyes met and time seemed to stop. Gennos had been in danger before, but this was different. He was a breath away from death; his next action could end his life. The man looking at him was no longer Lork; he was Death. Gennos was not afraid to die, but few get to choose when they die. On this day, at this moment, he had the choice. Though no words were spoken Gennos knew that if he made a suspicious move he was dead. His mind was racing; he could tip the dugout over, but was stopped by two things. One was the thought that Na'pe might be hurt or drowned; they were both tied to the dugout. The second was the look in Lork's eyes’; they were as cold as river rocks. Consequently, he did nothing and lived. Still he wished he could have done something. Frustration ate at his stomach, he felt useless not just because of his twisted leg, but also for his inaction.

  Gennos hoped Cano and Dola would be able to evade Lomasi. He knew that if Cano lived he would be back to rescue them. Na'pe had been quiet and watched the escape without any visible signs that she was excited. She may have doubted that she would be included in the escape plans, even though she had been assured that they would all escape together. I will have to speak with her and convince her that we will leave together. She will be ready, as I will when Cano returns, he thought. Thinking back to the escape, Gennos remembered how Lork had shouted orders that had forced them to retrieve Lomasi's unconscious body from the river. Even appearing to not understand what was being said, and making mistakes in the handling of the dugout h
ad not helped. They had retrieved his unconscious body before it had floated by. As soon as Lomasi was in the dugout, Lork fitted a spear to the spear-thrower and drew back to cast the spear at the fleeing prisoners.

  Gennos saw the danger and even at the risk of his own life he lunged to the side of the dugout, spoiling Lork's shot. Nevertheless, Gennos's heart almost stopped as the spear arched through the air toward his brother. He was certain at this distance Lork would not miss, even with the lurching of the dugout. The spear descended with surprising speed and seemed destined for Cano's back. But the spear did miss, and he was glad to see his brother rush off into the brush after he grabbed the spear.

  Lomasi was groggy from Cano's blow and was slow to regain consciousness. When his head cleared he became his nasty self again. He directed Lork to beach the dugout and tie the prisoners to a tree. He then screamed at Morf to beach the other dugout. When this was accomplished, he gathered his men together and they ate as they tended their wounds. He then explained his plan to recapture the prisoners. He didn't believe the escapees would venture far from the river. They would lay a false trail toward the mountains and then double back and try to rescue the other prisoners. Lork would stay at the river and act as a decoy. Morf would leave with Lomasi to follow the trail of the escapees, but they would double back and wait for the rescue attempt. Lork was not to talk to Na'pe or Gennos, and they were to be kept tied. Lork was to be within spearing distance at all times.

  Lomasi was in such a rage that neither Lork nor Morf spoke. He had not acknowledged that Lork had probably saved his life when he had been drifting face down in the river. He seemed even more hostile to Lork because of his actions. This was because now he should be in debt to Lork and he didn't want to admit it. He had to find some way to belittle Lork's actions and turn them to his advantage. Lork and Morf were content to follow orders. Lomasi went to great extremes to explain how Morf had been the one that had allowed the prisoners to escape. He would keep on explaining it, and repeating it, until everyone stopped remembering what had actually happened, and believed what they were told had happened. It had worked before and would work again.

  After the preparations were completed, the pursuers took their spear-throwers and an extra spear and left the river. Lomasi was certain that they would catch the escapees quickly. He thought that by this time they would have doubled back and be waiting just inside the heavy brush for a chance to rescue the other prisoners. He thought they would make their move when he and Morf were gone, following the false trail.

  Lork was happy that he didn't have to track the escapees. This way he could stay away from Lomasi and he wouldn't have to charge around the woods looking for prisoners. He didn't think the escapees would stay near the river. If he were one of them he would try to get as far away as possible. He watched as Lomasi and Morf moved to the place where the escapees had entered the brush. When they disappeared from sight he moved into the shade. He would watch the prisoners carefully. He didn't want to be the target of Lomasi's anger when he returned.

  Lomasi followed the trail of the escapees toward the hills. The trail was easy to follow, too easy he thought. He circled back toward the river to wait for them. Hey found a place to hide that gave them a clear view of Lork and the prisoners, but out of sight.

  Later when the sun was overhead, Lomasi started to have second thoughts about the plan. The longer he waited here the farther the escapees would have traveled. He finally reasoned that they weren't coming; they were going. Gruffly, he ordered Morf to follow him and he set off for the trail the escapees had left leading to the hills.

  Later that same day, Dola had finally reached the river below where Lork watched over the prisoners. He still had quite a way to go to get to the campsite where Cano had told him to wait. He was tired and hungry, but his leg was much better. After getting a drink from the river, he looked around and saw birds eating berries from some bushes nearby. He couldn't identify what kind of birds they were, but he didn't care. He was more interested in the berries. As he approached the birds they flew off, scolding him in shill voices. He sampled a berry; it was the color of fresh blood and sweet. He stood watching the river as he savored the taste. When he found that the berry didn't hurt him, he gathered and began eating them as quickly as he could. When he had finished eating he got another drink at the river and then noticed that his hands were stained the color of the berries. He rubbed them with water but the stain remained. He then scooped up some wet sand and rubbed the stains until they faded.

  He stood and looked around; he had hoped that he would come out above where he had escaped. He found that he was much farther down the river than he had ever been before. He started upstream and found the brush dense and extremely difficult to travel through. One of his fears was that he might stumble into Lomasi's camp before he realized it. As he surveyed his surroundings he noticed that the other side of the river was relatively flat and that the vegetation was like tall grass. He realized that if he could get over there it would make traveling faster and he wouldn't have to worry about blundering into Lomasi's camp. He paused before continuing, unless he had made his camp on that side of the river. I'll just have to be careful he thought. As he moved on he noticed the river narrowed up ahead. When he got to the narrow place he saw that the river had rapids and that it would be difficult to cross there. He continued up the river until he found a place where the surface of the river was relatively flat. He saw something floating with the current that looked strange. It was a log and perched on top of it was a turtle.

  Dola smiled; that looks like a good way to travel. It's just like we did when we had our raft. Then an idea came to him, if the turtle could do it, so could he. He was able to find a suitable log without much difficulty. Placing his spear on top of the log he pushed off into the current. As he moved away from shore he found that if he kept kicking and trying to reach the river bottom with his legs he could propel the log across the current. He was about half way across the river when his legs started to get tired and he decided to drift. As he was drifting along he started to think about how smart he was. Cano and Gennos would be proud of him. Then another thought struck him, the big fish that had killed Hopi was still in the river, this river. With renewed strength and determination he reached the other shore. Taking his spear from the log he moved off into the tall grass. He found that the grass grew in the water, and it came up to his knees. The going was slow so he headed farther inland, away from the river. Soon he found dry ground, and the grass was still so tall that it reached to his shoulders. It was almost ideal, he could move quickly and if he needed to hide, all he had to do was duck down. Soon it started to rain, but he kept traveling up stream as he scanned the other bank of the river.

  The Dark Place

  Cano awoke slowly and he was relaxed. He knew where he was, but not how to escape. As he started around the cave he was surprised to find that he could see faintly. He could make out the shape of the cave; it was circular. Some places in the cave were black, other places where gray and some details could be seen. He slowly realized that if that was true, then light must have been getting in from the outside. He sat quietly, moving only his eyes. The floor of the cave was sandy, but it looked as though there were random piles of rocks scattered about. As he watched, one of the 'piles of rocks' moved slowly across the cave floor. As it neared another "pile of rocks", he heard the distinctive buzzing of a rattlesnake. The sound caused the hair on the back of his neck and on his arms to stand up. He suppressed a shudder. The first snake stopped instantly, after a few moments it moved slowly away. The warning buzz of the rattler stopped as the other snake crawled away.

  Cano stared down at the area around his feet. He thought he could see small stones; at least he hoped they were small stones. Slowly he reached down and picked one up, it was cool to the touch. The coolness of the stone triggered something he had once heard. Snakes like to lie around in the sun, but they can get too hot. When that happens, they go to where it's cooler. Slowly
he moved his head to look at the cave wall he was leaning against. It was pockmarked and had cracks running through it. He tried to see more clearly, but was handicapped by the lack of light. He tried to determine if anything could be hiding in the cracks. He could see no movement. Ever so slowly he stood. From where he stood he couldn't see the ceiling of the cave. As he stood there, he realized that he could smell rain above the musky flat smell of snakes. Looking toward the center of the cave, he could see that it appeared to be lighter there. If light and the smell of rain can get in here, I should be able to get out. Taking the stone he had picked up, he flipped it toward the center of the cave at what appeared to be another "pile of stones". The stone hit something soft and the "pile of rocks" struck out in different direction a number of times. Well, Cano thought, I know where I can't go.

  He stood thinking for several moments. Then he had an idea. Slowly crouching down, he carefully picked up several stones and held them in one hand and held Lomasi's spear in the other. After straightening up he flipped another stone at the snake he had hit before. It repeated its performance before realizing that there wasn't anything out there to bite. Then it slowly crawled away into the darkness. Cano examined the floor in front of him as best he could, then he took a careful step. He stood still, watching and listening. Nothing happened. He brought his other foot up. Still no sounds of warning. He moved slowly and carefully toward the center of the cave, toward the dim light above. Twice more he had to use stones to move snakes out of the way. After what seemed an eternity, he stood in a faint pool of light near the center of the cave. Apprehensively, he looked around at the cave walls. In front of him the wall was dark; no features were visible. Near the ceiling there appeared to be a ledge protruding from the wall. It looked as though the light was coming from above the ledge. If he could climb the dark wall he might be able to reach the ledge. The major problem was that he couldn't see if there were any hand or footholds he could use to climb. It was just too dark to see. Slowly he turned and examined the walls at the sides of the ledge. They were dimly lit and he could see that there were places that he could climb. The problem was that he couldn't get to the ledge from the places that he could climb.