THE BEAR
On awakening the next morning after a restful night, Hawk Eye said:
"Fresh meat tastes better than pemmican. I will take my bow and arrows
and see what game I can find. In the meantime you might gather some dry
wood and start a fire."
After a plunge in the cool waters of the lake, he set out. For some
distance he traveled to the north, and on emerging from the timber, he
came upon a hillside covered with low bushes. He had set an arrow
against the bowstring in readiness for whatever kind of game might
suddenly start up. As he looked about, a rabbit darted across an open
space. But before it could reach cover, Hawk Eye's arrow brought it
tumbling to the ground.
"Enough for our morning meal," he observed. After retrieving the arrow,
he slung the dead rabbit over his shoulder and started on his way back
to camp.
As there was no special trail leading toward the water, he followed a
course indicated by several landmarks he had made note of when first
setting out. After crossing an open space, he paused at the edge of the
timber belt that lined the banks of the river. He thought he had heard a
slight noise in the underbrush. As the sound was not repeated, he strode
in among the trees, setting an arrow against the bowstring. Presently he
heard a pounding noise followed by a wheeze, and as he peered among the
tree trunks, he made out the form of a huge black bear.
Surprised for a moment, the bear halted; then with a grunt took a step
forward. Unprepared for such big game, Hawk Eye dropped into a backward
walk, keeping his eyes fixed upon the animal, which now quickened its
steps. Raising his bow and continuing to step backwards, he aimed an
arrow at the heart of the bear and let fly. With a cry of pain and rage
it tore the barbed shaft from its bleeding side and rushed at him.
Before he could fit another arrow to the string, his heel caught on a
projecting root and he found himself sprawling upon the ground.
Springing to his feet, he attempted to recover his bow which had dropped
from his hand, but before he could pick it up, the infuriated animal was
almost upon him. Avoiding its outstretched paws, he ran toward the
river.
As he went crashing through the tangled underbrush, he felt for his
hunting knife. Although somewhat relieved at finding it still in his
belt, he knew that his strength and skill would be unequal to the task
of slaying the ferocious animal. His principal hope lay in reaching the
spot where Raven Wing had kindled the fire for their morning meal. Once
there ahead of the bear he could rely on Raven Wing and the loaded gun
he had left with him.
Soon, however, this hope disappeared. The bear was gaining on him. Due
to its great weight it easily crashed through the thick underbrush and
tangled vines that impeded his own progress.
Closer came the great lumbering animal and he could almost feel its hot
breath upon his neck as he fought his way through a dense thicket toward
the river.
Continuing on as best he could he came to an open space, covered with
wide flat rocks. A short distance ahead rose a giant boulder. Scattered
about its base lay a number of big rocks. Leaping upon one of them, he
managed to jump to a narrow ledge upon the almost perpendicular side of
the great boulder. From there he worked his way up to its flat-topped
surface by clinging to crevices and projecting pieces of granite.