The Boy of the Painted Cave (14 page)

They covered the grave with the rib bones of mammoths and threw on handfuls of earth and stones. After they filed out of the cavern, they rolled great boulders over the opening to block off the entrance from hyenas and wolverines.

Then, standing on the cliff overlooking the valley, Volt gathered the clan people around him. He held up Graybeard's amulets, his graven stones and bison horn, and gave them to Tao. “This day we accept Tao as our new Cave Painter,” he said. “It is the wish of Graybeard and the will of the spirits.”

Kala came forward with a new deerskin pouch. She placed it over Tao's shoulder, a proud smile on her wrinkled old face.

Tao reached out and touched her arm. Then he felt the dampness gathering in the corners of his eyes and he turned quickly. Together, he and Ram climbed down the cliff and into the valley. They walked across the verdant sea of waving grass, past the wandering herds of horses and antelope, and headed for the river. There they would cross over into the land of the Mountain People, where Tao knew he would have to prove himself again.

But he did not want to think of this just yet. For now he was following his dream. He was walking in Graybeard's footsteps.