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The next dawn found them a day’s walk from their village. They came across a trail of blood. Wolf Eyes saw it and wondered what had caused it.
He said, “Maybe there was another hunting party sent out from the village that had good luck.”
Red Talon said, “Thank the Great Spirit for good hunting.” He had been the one that climbed the vine.
They did not disturb the blood trail, but hurried on to the village.
It was late afternoon when they approached the village. They walked past the cornfields and gardens still being tended by women and children. The corn was just now knee high, but the crop was good. They got a good welcome from the people. The people helped them with their loads. The hunters were in need of a bath again because of the blood that still drained from the meat. They had been carrying and pulling it all day. It was now a time for clean up and relaxation.
After clean up, they gathered with the people at the main campfire, which had been set for the occasion of their return. The hunters were greeted by their wives and some of their children. They were brought roasted deer meat, roasted tubers, flat bread and sassafras tea.
The mood of everyone was jovial. The hunters told their story about how they had tracked the bear and how the bear had stopped in the stream to catch a fish. The story contained the fight they had with him and the climbing of the vine. Chief Silver Eagle spoke to each one, and they smoked the ceremonial pipe.
Then Wolf Eyes asked, “What about other game that has been killed while we were away?”
Silver Eagle said, “I know of no other game that has been killed recently. Why do you ask?”
Wolf Eyes looked troubled and said, “On our return, about a day’s walk from here, we found a blood trail where an animal had been killed. We were hoping that you had sent another hunting party out.”
“No,” said Silver Eagle. “ What could the meaning of this be? We must send a hunting party out to investigate. Someone could be encroaching on our lands... Wolf Eyes, rest tonight and leave first thing in the morning. Take a party of two warriors and two runners with you. When you find the answer, send a runner if you need help.”
That night Wolf Eyes went to his house with his wife. There he played with his nephew, while Waving Willow fixed a meal. They had moved into their summerhouse on the last full moon. It was a house 40 feet long and 20 feet wide. It had walls of woven grass mats and a roof of layered hickory strips. It was divided down the center by an interior wall. The children lived on one side with an elderly woman. He and his wife had the other side to themselves.
“What do you think you will find out about the blood trail?” asked Waving Willow.
Wolf Eyes said, “ It’s puzzling for someone to come so close and kill our game. It may be someone who does not know we are here and that those are our hunting grounds.”
“I was in hopes that you could stay a few days and enjoy the bounty of your hunt. This bed gets lonely when you are away.”
Wolf Eyes turned with a questioning look on his face that broke in to a smile, and then they both laughed.
As dawn broke the birds were singing. It was a beautiful spring day. Wolf Eyes lay there listening for a few minutes. Then he got up and went outside to breathe in the fragrant fresh air.
“Halito, Red Talon,” said Wolf Eyes.
“Halito,” said Red Talon.
They looked at each other for an instant, and then both of them took off running to see who could get to the river first. It was a dead heat as they both dove into the water and swam to the middle of the river before they surfaced. They both were gulping in huge quantities of air.
“ Whew,” said Wolf Eyes. “ What a beautiful morning!”
They stayed there a few minutes just enjoying the coolness of the water. They could look down and see fish swimming along the bottom.
“ Let’s take it easy going back. We need to preserve our strength for the mission today,” said Red Talon.
They took it easy going back to the bank. They went to their houses and got their medicine bags, war clubs, lances and bows. When they came out, they walked to the front of the council hut and met the other members of the mission. There were Loot and Fire Cub, the runners.
Chief Silver Eagle said,” Go like the wind and good luck. Maybe it’s nothing.”
Wolf Eyes said, “ We will soon see what is the cause of this mystery.”
And with that they were off, Wolf Eyes leading the way at a trot. They disappeared into the woods. Waving Willow and the children watched them go.