A big fire was soon burning in the center of the clearing and before long there were strips of smoked venison roasting over it. With the flour Hawk furnished, the women made pan bread. There was enough for everyone to get a share. Afterward, Hawk was invited to sleep in Wounded Bear’s tipi, so he spread his bedroll inside and passed the night there. Up early the next morning, he found Swift Runner waiting for him with two horses that belonged to Wounded Bear, one to ride and one to pack meat. With Wounded Bear and several others there to see them off and wish them good hunting, they set out at once for the east side of the Big Belt Mountains.

* * *

After a ride that Hawk estimated to be close to ten miles, they came out of the hills near Hound Creek. There were no deer to be seen, but there was plenty of sign that suggested it was a regular feeding and watering spot for them. Hawk decided to put the horses out of sight and wait in hopes deer came out of the mountains to the creek, thinking there was a good chance of it. While they waited, he gave Swift Runner a little training on sighting and firing his new rifle, so if deer did show up, the boy would be ready to actually shoot at one. Swift Runner had no problem holding the rifle properly and aiming it. After Hawk was satisfied that the boy wasn’t likely to shoot him or himself, they settled back and waited. As the sun came up and it grew later and later, Hawk was afraid they had not picked a good spot. But just before he suggested they should move farther around the mountain, one lone buck came out of the trees above them and stopped to sniff the air. Hawk counted ten points on the antlers. He was not a young buck. Swift Runner immediately raised his rifle to his shoulder, but Hawk took hold of the weapon to stop him from shooting. “Wait,” he whispered. “There should be more.” Swift Runner understood and nodded apologetically. At the boy’s young age, he was an experienced hunter. But he was so eager to fire his new weapon that he forgot to wait for the does that were waiting in the trees for the all clear from the buck.