Primitive emotions are near the
surface at all times, and under primitive conditions are very
ready to appear. Rolf and Quonab felt that now it was war.
Chapter 37. The Pekan or Fisher
There was one large track in the snow that they saw several times
-- it was like that of a marten, but much larger. "Pekan," said
the Indian, "the big marten; the very strong one, that fights
without fear."
"When my father was a papoose he shot an arrow at a pekan. He
did not know what it was; it seemed only a big black marten. It
was wounded, but sprang from the tree on my father's breast. It
would have killed him, but for the dog; then it would have killed
the dog, but my grandfather was near.
"He made my father eat the pekan's heart, so his heart might be
like it. It sought no fight, but it turned, when struck, and
fought without fear. That is the right way; seek peace, but
fight without fear. That was my father's heart and mine." Then
glancing toward the west he continued in a tone of menace: "That
trap robber will find it so. We sought no fight, but some day I
kill him."
The big track went in bounds, to be lost in a low, thick woods.
Pages:
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203