Before he could ask her more, she inquired from whence he came. And then she asked him what had brought him so far away from his home.
While Fleetfoot was telling his story, Willow-grouse listened with sparkling eyes. When he had finished, her eyes fell, and she seemed to be buried in thought. Willow-grouse knew that her own people were plotting against the Bison clan. She wanted Fleetfoot to stay with her; and she feared that if she told him what her people were doing, he would go away.
For a few minutes Willow-grouse kept silent; but, at length, she decided to speak. She told Fleetfoot of the famine of the springtime and of the scarcity of game. She told how the people separated and traveled far and wide. Many of her own people had been to the grounds of the Bison clan. Now the clans were at the rapids. But as soon as the salmon season was over, they were going to attack the Bison clan.
When Fleetfoot heard what Willow-grouse said, he gave up his search for the Big Bear. He decided to go to the salmon feast and learn what the clans were doing. He hoped he could do this and still have time to warn the Bison clan.
THINGS TO DO
See if you can find a way of making a glacier in your sand-box.
Model a river valley whose upper part is filled with a glacier. Show where the bed and banks are covered with snow and ice. Show where the cliffs are covered. Show where the ice-sheets are. Show on the sand-map Fleetfoot’s journey to the place where he fasted. Show the remainder of his journey.
Draw pictures of the following:—
Fleetfoot prays to the fire-god.
Fleetfoot receives signs from the gods.
Fleetfoot standing on the ridge of hills.
Fleetfoot’s meeting with Willow-grouse.