David C. McLavic - 37. Chapter 37

The snows came. I always thought there was a lot of snow back home, but not any longer. I would have been isolated until the snow melted if it wasn't for Bobby. December was a rough month on the mountain. The stream of water became a trickle which I knew would be a river in the spring when the snow melted. I was afraid I may have moved the cabin too close to that water stream.

One other event happened before the snow hit. A hunting party of four Indians came. Bobby said that on the other side of the mountain, there was a camp of Indians and a group of Christians that worked with the Indians, teaching them English, and improvements to their living style. According to Bobby that meant moving from tents to wooden houses.

“Have you ever met these Indians?”

“No, but my dad has along with the other Loggers. They told us the trees have a spirit. Then when Mrs. Cummings's husband got killed, the Indians said he killed the spirit of the tree and now the tree has justice.”

I knew about the spirit of the tree. Uncle Joe told me and for me what Uncle Joe said was the truth.

I was out gathering fallen twigs and limbs when I saw two men, Bobby told me later they were Indians, silently walking toward the cabin. The tried the door, I was close enough that I could hear Wolf’s grow from inside the cabin. The Indians also heard and took off running back the way they came.

That evening I told Bobby about these men. He said they would come back but with a larger group. There was no way I could protect myself against a large group. I wasn’t sure Wolf and I could defend ourselves. I told Bobby if more than two came I would need the help of the men.

“If they come it will be out of curiosity. The trees talk to them and they will tell them that you are a friend.”

A little hope but a little hope is better than none.

The weak passed and there were no more Indian visitors. Or so I thought. It was a Wednesday night and Bobby was staying over. We had just finished eating a hamburger and Wolf was chewing on one of his bones. I found dog food at the store, and after several tries, he would eat it, but only if I used a meat-flavored broth.