There must be no fire for her man that day, nor next day, nor for a handful of days. Dêh-Yān spied from her bush, her patient from his cave, and once heard the three hunters pass below him. A sprinkle of fresh snow had covered the girl's tracks, or this story would never have been written, but they had lit upon one of her springes and were justly scandalised. Her motive in absconding was still a mystery, but such conduct was outrageous. They would see the matter out, and were curious in devising punishments for the truant.
But next day the girl beheld them in full flight down the glen before an angry bear.
This was to exchange one danger for another. It might well be that the dream portended this. Wolf the dwellers in the cave did not fear, for no wolf could climb so steep a face, but wherever a man can go on rocks a grizzly can go.
Dêh-Yān told her fears to her husband, who bade block the cave-mouth with big stones and let a spear be always beside him. Poor defence, but better than none; his arms were regaining flesh.
THE GHOST-BEAR
The cold increased. Pŭl-Yūn, debarred his usual exercise, suffered in his circulation and felt nipped within the robes which his nurse heaped upon him.