King of the Mountain

By Lucien Plante

A birth is taking place, not a birth that will be recorded for a later celebration. It is the birth of a bear; a birth that goes near unnoticed by its mother.

Bill is a Marine who married his college sweet heart, and now he is without her. He decides that he needs to go to the mountains - the mountains his father brought him as a boy. This is where he will get his head clear and figure out what he must do with his life. What will Bill discover up in the mountains?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491713686

Lucien Plante

Lucien did in fact spend a hitch in the Marines. The route Bill travels in the story Lucien and his sons traveled for wilderness trips. It is a beautiful country. As for the bear he never met up with either of them on any of his trips.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Bear

The Bear earlier had found a hillside with a southern exposure. She decided to make this her refuge and home for the long winter’s hibernation. It would not take long for her to dig into the hillside under the large hemlock. She had done this same thing many times in the past and seemed to know just were to dig. As she dug pulling rocks and other debris from her would be den. The telltale signs of time and battle would remind her she was no longer a young bear. Not young but still a formidable animal to see and for certain not one to be messed with.

At this time the old sow knew she would not have many more seasons for berthing and raising her young. Defending herself and her young over the years had taken its toll on her massive body.

She worked through the morning and now with the den finished it was time to do some serious eating. It would not be long and she would find herself in the den for another winter. What she ate now would have to nourish her and the young she carried through the long winter months.

Once the cubs were born this same food store would have to supply the rich milk the cubs would need to get a good start on life. The right start would turn them into four or five pound butter balls in no time.

It was a cold midwinter morning, just the same a wonderful day outside. The sun was shining and there was but a very lite breeze. Inside a darken room it was also special, there was a birth taking place. A birth no one would celebrate or mark on a calendar for record of celebration. You see the birth of a bear in the wild is a very solitude moment, one nearly unnoticed by even the mother.

The instinct for survival is a wondrous thing to watch. The cubs very soon after birth as if working with radar worked their way to the sow’s breast to suckle. They would spend much time in the warmth and security of her breast. The rich milk would turn them into little butter balls before the sow was ready to wake and leave the den in early spring.

Housed in the den was a whole world for the cubs and at present they knew not of spring or an outside world. But spring would come and with it a very large world would open up to them.

Still this would not happen the first time she left the den and more then not it would happen for several trips. It would be some time before mother would take the cubs along with her.

The pair of cubs, brothers would have much to learn. Their life more than not may well depend on then learning quickly.

Late one day the sow awoke still in half a daze. She stretched and for the first time the cubs realized mom was more than a tit, a feed station to be had when the notion came. Oh she was large, very large. Oh ya she was their whole world, of heat and food. For that was all that existed for them at present.

The cubs were not a surprise to mom. She knew she would have them but just when they arrived she wasn’t sure. The sow made a desperate effort to check out her young. The cubs had come into the world while she drifted between the worlds of sleep and awake.

Now looking in near slow motion the old gal staggered to her feet to see what the outside world looked like.

Getting out of the den felt great, it felt good to stand in the sun and breathe fresh air. By all means it was nice but not nice enough to keep her outside. Returning to the den she was careful not to step on her young. Laying down next to them she was quickly back to sleep.

It would be a couple more weeks before she would repeat the same act and again she would realize it wasn’t time. But the time would come as it did each year in the past and it would continue to in the future.

This day came one day when she awoke stretching and giving the cubs the once over. She once again staggered to her feet and out the den. This day was different, the sun warmer, the snow shrinking and the sound of water running could be heard. She felt the beginning of hunger, yes it really was spring.

Turning she went back to the den, this time to check on the cubs before going out to forge. Entering the den she found them still asleep curled in a ball where she had left them.

Going down the hill she felt a little unsteady with her joints being a little stiff and her head not totally clear. As she walked breathing the fresh air her head would clear. Still the old joints were slow to respond. They were a bit slower at getting to normal whatever that was.

She well knew it was time that made her stiff old body feel like that and time would be its only relief. That is with help from the warming sun. This is what she at present needed an easy walk. Well an easy walk and something to eat.

Her wondering brought her to a small stream where she enjoyed a drink of cold fresh water. Her first sense going to den last fall. Following the stream she found a bunch of trout which had been trapped in a pocket of water. Some of which had died during the winter. They must have got stuck there during an early freeze. This only meant they would be easier to catch and eat.

Spending nearly half an hour at the pool she satisfied her needs for the time being and headed back to the den. She needed something to eat at present but not nearly like she would in a short while.

On her way back she picked up the scent of what might be another meal. But she would not veer from her destination. This same scene would be replayed a number of times. As she became more confident with her cubs being alone, the length of time she stayed out would lengthen.

Finally day came for the sow to take the cubs on their first excursion outside the den. Little did the cubs know that soon they would leave this den never to return? For them there were many things needing to be discovered. The sow on the other hand had many things to teach her cubs. Things about hunting and what to do if in danger. There were many grasses, roots, berries and grubs to learn about and where to find them.

The cubs would do very well in this land of plenty and their summer would be one of eating, playing and learning from the sow. The sow on the other hand enjoyed the warm sun on her achy joints and old wounds. Yes life on this side of the mountain was good.

This year would be no different than any other year of her life. Soon summer would turn into fall and fall into winter. With these changes the telltale signs of age would reaper and she would be reminded she was getting to be an old timer on the mountain.

Then one day while foraging down the valley she caught in the wind the scent of a stranger. There were in fact other bears in the valley but the sow well knew all of them. Normally this section of the mountain was used and traveled by sows and their cubs.

But the scent that now lingered with her was a different smell. It was the scent of a male what was he doing here.

She well knew with exception to the breeding season an adult male had no interest in her or any other sow. This being the case he could only be here for one reason. To fill his gut with young cubs, unprotected young cubs.

The male would quietly patrol the mountainside looking for a cub or cubs separated by any distance from their mother. He would then charge in to make the snatch. If all went well before the mother would realize what was happening he’d be on his way with a fresh meal.

Ma decided this would make a good practice for the boys. So with a signal of danger she shagged the cubs up a tree and ran off into the brush. Once inside the brush she turned to watch the boys. They had done well with the drill so she waited a spell to see if they would stay up. The sow knowing well this could very well save their lives someday.

Every three or four days when out with the cubs she would get scent of the stranger. With this exception there was never any contact physical or visual. She knew he was big because of his territorial markings. She also hoped their paths would never cross.

Maybe it was this no contact that caused her to let her guard down some. Hell what danger could come from anything that was never seen. And for that matter not always scented. Still????

One day while making her regular vigil down into the valley the strangers scent was picked up. This day as other days would go by with this fellows scent lingering in the air. So she thought. Must be he had not long ago marked his area and the scent still lingered.

Now it was late September and what was going on in the lives of the bears was like the sun rising and setting, it just happened. This built in clock told them it was time to build their fat reserve for winter hibernation. The big male was no exception to this rule and he too was building his reserve for winter.

The big difference between these big males and the rest were they didn’t much care what put the wait on them. You have it, they would even eat the young of their own species. Cubs were just another meal. And a good one at that. You see there is little to no paternal instinct in the males, just their own comfort and survival.

Once the so called act of lust was over the sow went one way and the boar went his. He didn’t even take time to get a pizza (Joke). Ma was the one who did all the protecting, teaching and feeding. While he went onto to new and greener pastures.

So it was a beautiful day indeed, with the exception of his sent. As she lay basking in the late summer sun the cubs played nearby. This serene setting wouldn’t last forever. As the once quite setting was shattered with screams of pain and terror from the cubs.

Turning the sow saw the big male with one of her cubs in his mouth. This cub was being held by one of his feet while the other was being mauled on the ground. With claws that could strip the bark from a tree. The young cub was about to be shredded.

Quicker than a cat can pounce on a mouse the big female was on her feet and without concern for herself she charged the big male. He was taking care of business and paid no attention to her charge. That is until she ran into him. The sow hit him with the fury only a mother could muster up to protect her cub. It was like getting hit by a Ford truck with teeth and claws. The fight would have been much worse if the boar would have been older and more experienced. Dropping the cub to face his attacker he saw before him a larger than normal female. With what seemed for the young male a larger than normal will to protect her young?

The cub hitting the ground needed no instructions on what to do. Ma didn’t have to shag him up any tree no sir. No sooner had his feet hit the ground he was gone and up the nearest tree. the nearest big tree. Oh did I mention to the top of the big tree. He wanted some distance between himself and what was going on below.

With all the fury that could be produced by one who wanted to kill and the other who planned on not being the killed. It was go for the gusto. With claws and teeth slashing and clawing both animals got tore up some. For certain the fight would have lasted longer but the meal just wasn’t worth the cost to his body.

So with this in mind the boar ran off with the sow in hot pursuit. The chase didn’t last long and after a short distance the boar was out of sight. With assurance he would not follow her back, she returned to her cubs.

On her return she found one up a tree and got to the other in time to see it struggle with its last few breaths. The young cub up the tree was called from the tree. Ma needed to check him out. Descending from the tree with his now injured paw was painful and he wanted Ma to know it. So he did a bit of crying. As a matter of fact he wanted all to know of his injury.

Once on the ground the sow checked the cub and licked his injured paw. The cub would be lonesome for his brother for several days and so would the sow. Still time would take care of that as it would take of their physical wounds.

The sow decided it was time to move from the neighborhood after all it was better to be able to raise one cub then none. This would keep them both occupied with new adventures for a while. That is new adventures and body healings. Not to mention it may also save their lives.

Chapter 2

A new beginning

Whenever possible she would roll her massive body in the mud to keep the wounds sealed. To ease the fever in her wounds she would soak her now heavy body in the fresh cold streams they would come onto. They had traveled a whole day before she decided to hold up and let her body do some healing.

After a couple days of rest they would travel another full day. It was a slow trip but one with definite direction. Never traveling for more than a day or two. There was plenty of food along the way some of it being things the cub had not yet been introduced to.

The last several days gave the sow a chance to introduce the cub to man. They had on several occasions come close to people out deer hunting. They also had the good luck of coming onto what was left to a field dressed deer. Which was new to the cub and always a good meal.

The journey brought them out of the Adirondack Mountains to the St. Lawrence River basin. Food was abundant and if you wanted, the wooded area was large enough to avoid man all together. The area she pick was a large tract of wilderness with farms on its out skirts.

Little did she care about the town’s name that lay but five or so miles away? Norfolk was a small farm community that enjoyed a variety of interest. That is interest such as beef, dairy, sheep, goats, elk, buffalo and hog farming.

After several days of scouting the area she picked a hardwood ridge to den in. There was already a natural den in a mass of rock. It was nearing that time again and the pair went on one last feeding. This feeding binge would last several days before returning to the den for winter.

As they forged out they discovered a hog farm. She wasn’t willing to make her herself known to whoever ran this place and decided to pass on the hogs. At this time of year there were hunters in the woods. Walking along the back side of the fenced in area (some fifty acres) made the hogs uneasy that had ventured out from the pig barn.

Oh she knew of hogs and their noise ways from time past. They were always nervous and running around. She knew this because she had been brought to this very area by her ma. That is when she was but a cub. Oh it was a long time ago and the pickings were indeed good then also. So it seemed to be still the same. Lots of food and lots of noise pigs.

Turning to leave the area she came onto a dead hog. First it was her nose that pick up the dead pig then her weak eyes spotted it. Oh ya there it was, just on the other side of the fence. Laying there sprawled out and very stiff. It was so close to the fence surely she could grab it and be back to this side without notice.

Like a deer she quickly jumped the fence grabbed the hog and like a large cat she was back over the fence. Then with near not a sound she ran off into the woods. If one would have been standing there he would have wondered if what he saw had actually happened. It took but a second.

The sow and cub gored themselves on the dead hogs over the next several days ingesting all their stomach would hold at any given time. Life was good.

No one would ever notice this act of snatching pigs, not now not ever. You see it wasn’t uncommon to have hogs get injured or killed and it wasn’t uncommon to have them eaten by scavengers.

The barn for the hogs was a large free stall divided into a couple large pens these pens in turn opened to the outside. With so many pigs to run free in the piggery ever so often pigs would get hurt and yes some would die. Some farmers would blame it on coyotes and it may or may not have been true.

Just remember the coyotes in this area got blamed for a lot of things they had nothing to do with. Blame the coyotes or not it was a good set up for the bears. Besides there were a lot of coyotes if they got blamed and a few were shot no-one would notice there were less.

Finally the day came, it was time for the sow and cub to go to den. This is where they would spend the winter. So two very well-conditioned bears entered their den for a winters rest. It was not long before any sign of tracks in the snow would be covered with fresh snow.

So to the best knowledge of anyone there were no bears living in the area. Although over the years there had been sightings of bears now and then. Just the same it seemed none ever settled in, they just passed through.

One afternoon the young bear found himself on the outside of the den breathing the cold air in. This activity was not the norm for such a young bear but not so uncommon for an older one. Deciding he was more tired than hungry he crawled back into the den. It was still a bit early to be out of the den looking for food. It for certain was early by a long shot back in the mountains and would more than not never happen.

As time goes so did their time in the den and so on a bright sunny day the pair woke and ventured from the den. With the hog yard not far away it would be their choice for dining this day. Not to mention it was an easy first meal. So they headed out.

The pair stumbled along trying to regain their legs under them. It took but a short time to find the yard. It took even less time to find something to eat. But it wasn’t a hog, no it was a winter kill whitetail deer.

Being still a little doped up from their sleep it didn’t take long to satisfy their appetite. By any stretch it was a small meal, Just the same it was a meal and it was satisfying. With this task taken care of they crawled under a large spruce tree to rest.

It would be a couple days and the young bear would be up, this time he’d go hog hunting for himself and alone. Another very unusual thing for such a young cub to be doing on his own. It was pretty late in the day so he would not be easily noticed. After a short search he located one. Pulling it from the frozen ground he dragged it off a short distance and went to eating.

It was a small pig and the sow for sure would have been able to eat it all herself. No sooner had this idea passed through his head when the sow showed up. As he had imagined the old sow grabbed the pig and trotted off. That would be the last freebee they’d get. There were no more dead pigs in the pasture. Least wise there was none at present.

During the next couple days they discovered a corn field still standing. So again they found a new home nearby. That is it wasn’t more than ten minutes from the corn. And corn was always a good find.

This time their new home was under the base of a big old blow down. As the days warmed up and with bellies full they found more corn fields of standing corn. It wouldn’t be long and they would find they had competition for the standing corn. Oh it wouldn’t be another animal no. It was a big nosey machine.

The big machine stripped the corn from the fields. Finally one day the