THE SNOW

THE SNOW

The mountain trails had deep snow on the ground and a strong wind out of the northwest. The winter that mother earth has given us was the coldest in many seasons, in the foothills of the Nantahales and the head waters of Shooting Creek. The snow is deep the closer you come to the smoke covered mountains to the north of us. 1, Red Wolf, just got married for the second time. My first wife was killed in *an attack on our village by the Seneca because we were friends to the Catawba. They have been fighting with the Seneca for a long time now. I took a young wife, she is about fourteen seasons in age but for her young age she is a very good woman. We were married only eight moons ago. I really miss her. You would think at my age of thirty five seasons, I would be getting use to being away from family but you don't. I really do miss Running Spring. I have got to move, the cold is getting to me. I have been here in one spot too long, I must move down the mountain towards the tree line where I can find wood to build a fire to warm this body of mine. My father, Running Fox, went to meet with some friends from the Creeks. He will be back in three or four moons. Our little village has only about twenty braves in it. We are one of the smallest villages. My father is the leader of our village, as was his father.

I can see the tree line ahead, just a few hundred feet down the mountain, but I see smoke. It could be the Seneca on a war party. I must move slowly to find out who it is, so they do not know I am here. I must get closer so I can see who they are. It can't be more than one or two of them because they covered their back trail very good. Then I heard someone say, "Why don't you come on in my old friend" and I said, "Is that you, Big Bear?" "Yes it is my old friend". Red Wolf replied, "What are you doing up here?" Big Bear said, "I talked to your new young wife and she told me that you came hunting here a few moons ago, so I came to meet you, my old friend". Red Wolf said, "Where did you get the deer?" "Well", said Big Bear, "I was just sitting here trying to stay warm till you came my old friend, when what do you know, this deer just walked right up to me. I pulled back my bow and let my arrow fly". "Where is yours, my friend. It is not like you to come back without a deer". "I put it by the big rocks; you can see them from here, right up there. I was so very cold, I was coming down to build a fire to get warm. Then I would go back and get the deer". "When you have warmed yourself, my friend, we will go and get your deer and take it to your wife, Running Spring and maybe she will give us a big, hot meal to eat". Red Wolf said, "That sounds like a fine idea" and when they were warmed, they took their deer and went to the village. Running Spring was happy to see her husband, Red Wolf and their friend, Big Bear. She did fix them a hot meal and they gave thanks to the spirits of the deer for what they had given up for them. next

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