hide behind those bushes.â
The settled in and waited, hoping the deer would show.
The wait was short, three appeared, one buck and two does, cautiously looking left then right, they walked toward the stream. Out of nowhere, their gray wolf attacked the deer, driving them toward the waiting hunters. As the deer bolted directly toward them, Jim lifted the pole with the knife, and like a javelin, hurled it toward one of the does. It connected, just above the doeâs right front leg. The doe was able to shake it loose and ran after the other two deer. The wolf, ignoring Jim and Lucas, took off after the deer. Jim picked up the pole and shouted.
âFollow the trail of blood!â
âOkay, dad.â
The two hunters ran as fast as they could, following the wounded deer, it was loosing blood and slowing down. Just then they heard a crash and saw the wolf knock the deer down and hold it by its throat.
âLetâs get it dad!â
But Jim was concerned; he didnât know how the wolf would react. Would it protect its kill, or would it allow Jim to take the deer?
âLetâs wait for a few minutes to see what the wolf will do.â
It took the wolf five or so minutes to suffocate the deer. He then released its grip on the deerâs throat and glancing at Jim and Lucas, he slowly slinked away.
âWow, dad did you see that?â Lucas exclaimed.
âI think heâs reciprocating for all the fish dinners we gave him.â
They went to the fallen deer, âIt weighs about 70-80 pounds I guess,â Jim said. âYou grab the hind legs while I take the front legs and,â he looked around, âWeâll take it over to that tree,â he motioned with his head.
âWe need to hang the deer, head down and drain the blood, I saw that on a hunting show once. You see dad, sometimes I watch stuff on TV other than junk,â Lucas said.
They found a sturdy branch and while Jim held up the deer, Lucas securely tied the hind legs of the slain doe to the branch with some nearby vines.
âThis will be gross, but I have to cut the throat so the blood can drain out.â
âAt least Jill doesnât have to see this.â
â I sure wouldnât want to see that either,â Alicia remarked.
It took them almost all morning to skin the deer and cut it into pieces. As they worked, they saw a pair of yellow eyes peering at them. Jim threw a few pieces of deer meat toward the eyes and watched as the wolf devoured them.
âDad, letâs give him some more, he looks hungry.â
As they cut and portioned the meat, they tossed chunks to the wolf, which by that time was only ten feet from them, and getting closer, but not in a menacing way.
They made a sleigh out of branches and cedar boughs, loaded the meat onto the sleigh and started back to camp. The wolf followed them, but stayed back about fifty feet. When they arrived at camp, Mary was ecstatic when she saw the meat. Jill muttered âYuk,â but looked on with interest.
They immediately started to roast the meat and it wasnât long before the aroma was driving everyone nuts, including Jill.
That evening as they sat around the fire, Jim and Lucas told the story of how they had killed the deer or more correctly how they had help from the wolf to kill the deer.
âThe wolf seemed to understand that we were waiting for the deer, donât ask me how, but Iâm sure it knew what we were trying to do.â
âThat wolf is becoming a really good friend to us,â Mary said.
âYeah, and thatâs a blessing,â Jim replied.
There was a loud howling noise off in the distance and their wolf that had been sitting close by, stood up and howled back.
There were a few more howls from the wolf in the distance, and then answering howls and yelps from nearby. Then all was quiet.
âWhat was that all about dad?â Lucas questioned.
âThatâs how wolves communicate with each
Roderick Gordon, Brian Williams