Can you think why hunters frequently have famines? At what season of the year would they be most likely to have a famine?
Can you think why they did not preserve and save food in times of plenty?
If game should be scarce on a hunting ground, do you think all of the people could stay at home? What do you think would happen at such a time?
Have you ever heard that the Indians used to be afraid of having their pictures taken? Why were they afraid of it?
Fleetfoot Prepares for His Final Test
Toward the close of winter rumors of famine came to the Bison clan. Several times people came from neighboring clans and asked Antler for food. There was plenty of meat in the cave, so she gave to those who asked. The strangers soon went away, and the Bison clan forgot about them.
The next summer game was scarce on several of the old hunting grounds. There was not enough food for all. People began to wander away from their old homes. Small groups of men, women, and children, set out in different directions.
Game was still plenty on the lands of the Bison clan. When the neighbors knew this, they came to hunt on these lands. The day Fleetfoot went away to fast, strange people came and camped.
The next day the Bison clan drove them away. A few days later other strangers came, and they, too, were driven away. Bighorn was angry when the strangers first came, but soon he became alarmed.
Just as the men and women were holding a council to consider what to do, the strangers disappeared. Not until Fleetfoot returned did the Bison clan know who they were or why they came.