THE KILL
The bear had made straight for the big boulder. Discovering that even by
standing on its hind feet it could not reach the ledge upon which Hawk
Eye had leaped from the nearby rock, it came down on all fours and began
to circle the base of the boulder. On coming to a point where the base
extended for some considerable distance, it managed to climb up the
steep incline by means of its strong claws. At a point further up,
however, the flat surface of the summit projected like the rim of a hat
and forced the panting animal to merely cling to its position. At length
it managed to get one front paw over the edge. At once Hawk Eye stabbed
it with his knife. Roaring with pain, it pulled it down. After a few
minutes it worked its way to one side where the rim was less pronounced
and getting a firm hold on a shelf of rock with its hind feet, again
stretched over a front paw. Before Hawk Eye could use his knife its
other paw came above the rim and its head appeared. Growling and showing
its teeth, it dug the claws of its hind feet into the slanting rocky
side and raised itself.
Hawk Eye had only his knife. No loose rocks lay upon the flat surface.
Holding it firmly in his fist he began to maneuver for a fatal plunge at
the animal's throat. But the knowing beast kept its head in motion,
making it well nigh impossible for him to avoid her gaping jaws. For
several minutes he attempted to plunge the sharp blade into its throat.
Suddenly the foothold it had managed to maintain with its hind feet gave
way, and in order to avoid plunging down the side of the great boulder,
the bear desperately pressed its chin upon the top of the rim to keep
from falling.
The animal's mouth now being closed by the pull-down of its body, and
its head held rigid by its weight, Hawk Eye seized the opportunity he
had been waiting for. Advancing cautiously with knife in hand, he came
down on his knees and whipped the sharp blade across the side of its
throat.
The hold of its front paws weakened, its head slipped off the ledge top,
and its heavy body hurtled to the ground. For a short time the mortally
wounded animal rolled about, moaning and pawing the ground until, with a
final quiver, it lay still.
[Illustration: ITS HEAVY BODY HURTLED TO THE GROUND.]
Hawk Eye climbed down the rock and gazed silently at the huge body.
Then looking up into the sky, he murmured: "O Great Mystery, my heart is
glad that you have aided me to gain a necklace of bear claws. My spirit
sings because you have looked with favor upon the offering of my most
beloved possession."
Squatting down beside the bear's body, he lifted one of the paws and
carefully examined the great claws before commencing to remove them one
by one with his knife.
[Illustration: {Campsite.}]
When all had been cut away, he placed them in the doeskin pouch that
hung at his belt. He also slit the pelt down the belly and cut a number
of juicy steaks.
"I will return with Raven Wing for the pelt," he thought, as he retraced
his steps to the spot where he had dropped his bow and quiver of arrows.
After some little distance he came upon them and the body of the rabbit
which he had killed.
As he made his way back to the shore, he noticed that the sun was high
in the heavens. Raven Wing by this time must be wondering what had kept
him away for so long a time. Quickening his steps into a run, he soon
came to their beached canoes. A fire which had been kindled on the sand
had burned down to a heap of dead ashes. He looked about for Raven Wing.
He was nowhere in sight.
[Illustration: {Bear.}]