“People began to wander away from their old homes.”
Before Fleetfoot went away to fast, he had been curious about the Big Bear. He had heard many stories about the Big Bear ever since he was a child. He had heard that the Big Bear guarded the game and kept the animals in the rocky cavern. He had wondered if he could climb the mountains and find the cave of the Big Bear.
Before Flaker was hurt, the boys had planned to go to the mountains. They had planned to make friends with the Big Bear and learn where he kept the game. They had planned to climb the highest peaks and see what there was beyond.
Once, when the boys asked Greybeard if they might go to the mountains, Greybeard said, “No, no, my children! Wait a while. You are not yet old enough to go.”
And so the boys waited, but they still talked about going to the cavern of the Big Bear. After Flaker was hurt they still planned, but they planned for Fleetfoot to go alone.
One day when the boys were talking together, Greybeard came to Fleetfoot and said, “The time you have waited for has come. Prepare for your final test.”
This was glad news for Fleetfoot. At last he was to have a chance to prove himself worthy to rank with the men. Flaker rejoiced with Fleetfoot, yet he could not help feeling sad.
The Bison clan had decided that Fleetfoot should go to a quiet spot. There he was to fast and pray until he received a sign from the gods. And when he had done their bidding, he was to return for his final test. This test once passed, Fleetfoot would be counted one of the men.