Mother Bear thought she might be able to save herself and her cubs. But what would become of the boy? She loved him too well to let the bear hunters kill him.
Just then the porcupine, the Chief of the animals, passed by the bear tree. Mother Bear saw him. She put her head out the bear-tree window and called to him. He came and sat under the bear-tree window, and listened to Mother Bear's story of her fears for the boy.
When she had finished, Chief Porcupine said he would call a council of the animals, and see if they could not save the boy.
Now the Chief had a big voice. As soon as he raised his voice, even the animals away on the longest trails heard. They ran at once and gathered under the council tree. There was a loud roar, and a great flapping of wings, for the birds came, too.
Chief Porcupine told them about the fears of Mother Bear, and of the danger to the boy.
"Now," said the Chief, "which one of you will take the boy, and save him from the bear hunters?"
It happened that some animals were present that were jealous of man. These animals had held more than one secret council, to plan how they could do away with him. They said he was becoming too powerful. He knew all they knew,—and more.
The beaver did not like man, because men could build better houses than he.
The fox said that man had stolen his cunning, and could now outwit him.