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Show 16 He jumped up and ran to his snare just in time. Another few seconds and the rabbit would have been gone. He was happy with the size of his catch. There would be enough meat to do him for two days at least, maybe three. He skinned the rabbit, scraped the hide and laid it on a flat rock to dry. He took the meat back to the stream, and washed it clean in the ice cold water. It made his tender hands ache. He dried them and rubbed some of the fat from the rabbit into the raw sores. He built a fire and cut some forked limbs from a wild rose bush for a support to cook the meat on. He sharpened one stick and drove it through the rabbit's long back. He then tied the legs to the stick with the long strips of bark he had pulled from the green rose bushes. The meat was ready for the fire. He secured the limbs in the ground on each side of the hot coals and laid the rabbit across them. It began to sizzle and spit as the heat drew the juices to the surface. Nuiji turned the meat constantly, with great skill. Too much of the juice must not be wasted. By twisting the stick just so, most of it would run back along the cooking meat and keep it moist. The smell teased the boy's hunger and he grew anxious. At last it was done and Nuiji had a feast. He dozed in the late afternoon sun. When he woke up, he felt much better. His strength was returning. He would spend one more night here, then his body would be ready- He took the two large stones he had heated in the fire and placed them inside the cave. Later, as he lay on his fur mat in the warm shelter, he reached out and touched the walls. "My brother, the cave, you saved me from my enemies and I shall not forget you." His eyes closed. "Oh, Great Spirit," he whispered, "Give me the strength I need to walk the path home. r J £ ;n5 j ^ c He was on his way as soon as it was light. He watched the sun creep over the edge of the earth and begin its climb into the sky. He made good |
