Jesse has inherited his Grandfather’s ranch and now must fight his father to keep it while on a quest to find Coyote and his spirit animal.

In Western Native American lore Coyote was either the maker of the earth or the messenger to those who made the earth. It was Coyote who was tricked in making death a part of life. I apologize to any who may be offended by my use of Coyote. He is central to the story and used with much respect. Native Americans have much for which to be respected; their love and care of the earth and the sacrifices made for this great land.

I hope you enjoy my first attempt a story for Big Closet. Please, any comments that will help me become a better write are always welcome. And, if I have borrowed anything from someone unknowingly, please forgive me.

This Chapter has some violence in it. In nature predator animals kill and eat other animals. The old and infirm are eaten to make room for those to carry the species forward.

As always Thank you's to Hope for helping edit this chapter. Any further slips, drips, or errors are all mine. Barb

Chapter 6 The Hunt

{{With all the different smells around the lake, how am I to tell which belongs to the cows}} asked Jesse. {{It has rained since I last saw the cows. Wouldn't that have washed away the scent.}}

Two Bears responded, {{Can you tell the difference between a rose and a carnation if you were to smell them? Search the ground until you find the tracks of the animal you want to follow, and then it is easier to follow the scent. Once you have learned the scents of the animals, you won't have to look for their tracks. The scents are still there after the rain. Some scents may have mixed with the one you are wanting to follow, but if you concentrate you'll be able find the scent you want.}}

Jesse padded off in the direction to where she had seen the cattle come to the lake to drink. It was just a few minutes before she found the tracks for which she was looking. A few sniffs and she had the scent imbedded into her memory. She followed the tracks until they disappeared in the underbrush. Cattle follow the same trails over and over as it is easier than pushing through the brush. They are smart enough not to stay in the same place too long, but as long as they do not feel threatened and there is food to eat they won't wander far.

Jesse set off at an easy gate that would cover ground quickly, but that would not tire the others. They loped along for about two hours when the smell of the cattle became stronger. The wind was blowing into Jesse's face, and she could smell the cattle quite clearly. She slowly crept to the edge of the brush surrounding the small glade. Jesse walked back to the others. “I have found the cattle. There are the three; the two cows and a calf. The calf still suckles at its mother's teats. The calf would be the easiest to kill, and if I had pups to feed, I would go for the easy kill. I don't want to deprive the mother of its young and without the calf suckling, the cow would suffer and possibly die. I have never killed anything with my fangs. I am not sure how to do it.”

“Most wolf pups learn by play and from their parents. I would not expect you to know how to kill the old cow,” said Coyote. “I can sense that the old cow will never calve again. It is the way of nature to remove the old and infirm, so that those that can carry the species forward may live and have food. We will drive the old cow down this trail and Two Bears will do the killing.”

Coyote changed to the size of a normal coyote. Then Coyote and Jesse crawled through the underbrush to get upwind of the cows. The smell of the two predators made the cows nervous. They began to move toward the trail that Coyote and Jesse just left, eying the direction of the wind. Jesse had described the cows to Two Bears so he would know which animal to take. The older cow seemed to be pushing the mother and her calf to the trail. If the predators broke cover, it seemed as if she was willing to sacrifice herself for the others.

When the older cow reached the trail to the lake, Coyote and Jesse broke cover. The cows started running down the path aware that there may be other wolves to ambush them along the trail. There was no choice. The cows would run away from the predators they could see, and trust their luck to run past the ambush of the other wolves.

They caught the scent of Two Bears as they passed him. The frightened animals tried to run faster down the trail. The mother and calf were in front of the older cow by several yards. Two Bears charged out of his hiding place to give chase.

Despite their size bears are swift animals. In short distances, they can be amazingly fast. Two Bears caught the older cow in just a few yards. With his massive paw, he tripped the cow by swiping her back legs out from under her. As she struggled to get up. Two Bears plunged his large insizors into the neck of the animal severing her spine. The cow did not suffer long as the bear crushed her spine.

Coyote walked up to the cow and said, {{Thank you sister cow for giving your life that we may eat. Now go in peace and find a new home.}} With that the cow breathed its last and was dead.

Jesse walked up to Coyote and said, {{Please, You eat first as You are our honored guest. Then Two Bears will eat as he is my honored guest. I will eat last. I am unsure how to go about eating as a wolf except to try and tear the meat loose and swallow it whole.}}

Coyote laughed, {{When you are a canine that is about all there is to it. There is not much chewing that can be done on soft meat.}} They ate their fill, then Two Bears began to drag the rest of the cow back to their camp. Jesse would help until she tired. It took about four hours to drag the remains of the cow back to the camp. Two Bears and Jesse walked into lake to clean the blood off their fur. They walked back and shook the water from their fur. Two Bears walked into the lodge and returned in his human form.

{{Jesse you will remain in wolf form for a seven days,}} said Coyote. {{You may change into wolf form in times of dire need or when you seek higher spiritual learning in this place. The other times when you will need to change to your wolf form is when you feel the need to run with your pack. They'll offer you membership, but do not take a mate from the pack as the Great Spirit instructed you. Your mate is not on this mountain. The Great Spirit has another journey for Me. Therefore, I must leave. I'll be back from time to time to speak with you and to help as needed.

Coyote turned to Two Bears, {{My old friend, train our young student well. She has a great future in front of her and she has caught the eye of the Great Spirit. It was a pleasure to hunt with you again. Take care of yourself.}}

Two Bears responded, "My old friend there is always too much time between our visits. I'll be glad of the day when I can come live with you. I've my task before me, and I'll train Jesse well." With that Coyote walked into the forest and was gone.