“It was the melting of this glacier which fed the little stream.”
Then he crossed the stream and approached the cliff on the opposite side. There he found a cave, and he looked about, but he found no one at home.
As Fleetfoot was looking about, he began to think of Chew-chew. Everything upon which his eyes rested seemed to speak of her. And yet he could not remember seeing the place before.
Night came again and Fleetfoot slept. Again he saw the Big Bear in his dreams. Again he saw the enemies of his clan, and again he dreamed of his old home.
For several days Fleetfoot explored the country near the mountains. He found several good hunting grounds, but he did not find the Big Bear.
As the days passed it seemed to Fleetfoot that he was no longer alone. He heard no steps, and he saw no tracks; yet he felt sure that some one was near.
One morning, when he awoke, there was some one watching him through the thick leaves. He grasped his spear and was ready to throw, when he heard a merry laugh.
Then a lovely maiden appeared with dark and glossy hair. Her eyes shone with the morning light and her breath was as fresh as the dew.
Fleetfoot dropped his spear and stepped forward to greet the girl. A moment they gazed in each other’s eyes, and then they knew no fear.
They sat on a mossy bank where they talked for a long, long time. And Fleetfoot learned that she was called Willow-grouse and that her people were away.