Jack London. Before Adam -
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my mind never to return to my mother and the Chatterer. I would
go far away through the terrible forest, and find some tree for
myself in which to roost. As for food, I knew where to find it.
For the last year at least I had not been beholden to my mother
for food. All she had furnished me was protection and guidance.
I crawled softly out through the bushes. Once I looked
back and saw the Chatterer still chanting and teetering. It was
not a pleasant sight. I knew pretty well how to be cautious,
and I was exceedingly careful on this my first journey in the
world.
I gave no thought as to where I was going. I had but one
purpose, and that was to go away beyond the reach of the
Chatterer. I climbed into the trees and wandered on amongst
them for hours, passing from tree to tree and never touching
the ground. But I did not go in any particular direction, nor
did I travel steadily. It was my nature, as it was the nature
of all my folk, to be inconsequential. Besides, I was a mere
child, and I stopped a great deal to play by the way.
The events that befell me on my leaving home are very
vague in my mind. My dreams do not cover them. Much has my
other-self forgotten, and particularly at this very period. Nor
have I been able to frame up the various dreams so as to bridge
the gap between my leaving the home-tree and my arrival at the
caves.
I remember that several times I came to open spaces. These
I crossed in great trepidation, descending to the ground and
running at the top of my speed. I remember that there were days
of rain and days of sunshine, so that I must have wandered
alone for quite a time. I especially dream of my misery in the
rain, and of my sufferings from hunger and how I appeased it.
One very strong impression is of hunting little lizards on the