'Yes, I have seen them, though they live mostly to the north and
west. But it is not a good likeness.'
Exasperated: 'Why, Kalus? Why isn't it a good likeness?'
'Because the bear is standing---in life a bear only stands when it is
going to fight---and still he is only a head taller than the tribesman.
I tell you, the bears of the north are much larger.'
'Tribesman?' In her haste she had failed to note the two fur-clad
Neanderthals which stalked it, spear in hand, from behind a group of
rocks. The face of the nearer was hard and set, with swept-back
cheekbones and heavy, prominent brow. Eyes animal, and yet not animal.
The caption said something about, EARLY MAN IS BELIEVED TO HAVE
SUCCESSFULLY HUNTED.....
'No. It can't be.' Her eyes went wide. 'Your people look
like this?' This time he had no reservations.
'Yes.'
She sat there numb. The realization of the truth had quite overwhelmed
her. Mindless, soulless animals returning to the form of their
primitive ancestors were one thing. Men..... But it was more than even
that. For the first time in her life she knew, really knew, that Man
had once been caught in between, neither fully instinctive nor rational,
animal nor human, left to cross the tenuous bridge alone, and for
thousands of years.
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