|
The sun was rising
over the Mississippi at Casqui. People were waking and getting ready
for the day's chores. Runs-Like-Wind was getting her son, Smiles-A-Lot,
to put on his winter furs, for it was a big day for him. He would go
on his first game hunt with the men. Smiles-A-Lot's uncle, Solemn-Bear,
had been up for hours, he was one of the night guards the night before.
He walked in just as his brother, Kicking-Eagle, awoke. Kicking-Eagle
was getting ready to take Smiles-A-Lot on the hunt. Solemn-Bear went
over to his bed to sleep a little before the hunt. Kicking-Eagle took
Smiles-A-Lot outside with some dried venison and corn for breakfast.
They went into the woods near the river to practice on Smiles-A-Lot's
hunting skills. The snow was thin today, but it looked like the Winter
Gods would send more that night. As they ate breakfast and tried to
stay warm, Kicking-Eagle went over all the hunting tips and tricks he
knew. Smiles-A-Lot had heard them all, but he listened obediently. The
sun was higher and it started to warm, it was time to meet the other
men and leave on the hunt.
Smiles-A-Lot and Kicking-Eagle returned to the village to leave with
the other hunters. They left the village traveling upstream. When the
sun was high, they saw a group of deer feeding in an open field. As
the humans circled the deer to be upwind, Smiles-A-Lot could feel his
heart rising in his chest; he readied his bow in anticipation of an
open shot. As he had less experience, the hunters let Smiles-A-Lot shoot
first. He hit a nice 9-point buck and knocked him down long enough for
a second arrow to finish the job. Arrows rained on the deer and in the
end, five of the group of twenty were left for the hunters. They all
picked up their kills to return home. Smiles-A-Lot was proud of his
buck, but he knew that he would have to carry it home, and it weighed
at least 25 pounds more than him. But, he struggled to get it on his
shoulders and half-carried half-dragged it home. Two hours and three
drops later, they arrived home. Smiles-A-Lot was sure to hold the deer
as high as his tired muscles would let him. Everyone congratulated him
on his kill.
That night, there was a great celebration of life as the tribe feasted
on Smiles-A-Lot's and the other hunter's kills. And there was plenty
left in storage, there would be no threat of starvation this winter.
After slapping Smiles-A-Lot on the back and telling the story many,
many times, Kicking-Eagle went to bed early. He was assigned to be night
guard for tonight. He got between his bear skins and drifted off to
sleep. The party lasted many hours into the night, and everyone went
to bed late and with there stomachs full. As Smiles-A-Lot, Runs-Like-Wind,
and Solemn-Bear returned, they were all very quiet so as to not wake
Kicking-Eagle.
Kicking-Eagle awoke as the moon shone down on his face through the smoke
hole in the roof. He walked around to wake himself; Kicking-Eagle looked
for his hatchet in some pots on a table and found it behind them. He
grabbed it and placed it on his belt. Kicking-Eagle went over to Solemn-Bear
to ask him about the party's conclusion, but he was in a deep trance.
Kicking-Eagle threw another log on the fire before he left. He noticed
it had started snowing. As he walked out the door, Kicking-Eagle turned
around to have another look at his wonderful home and yawned.
Kicking-Eagle walked through the village noting evidence of the party
earlier. He climbed the tower and relived the guard there. He looked
out over the Mississippi valley for enemy tribes as the night wore on.
What a wonderful day it had been, he could only hope tomorrow would
be even better.
|
