The Tohabi Trail

By Paul R Jones

(about 128,605 words)This is the story of a Tribe of pre-American Indians while they were still on the Eurasian continent. It is the story of their lives, their triumphs, their trial, and tribulations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Dec 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781304705976

Book preview

The Tohabi Trail

The Tohabi Trail

Written By Paul R. Jones

Copyright 2013 by Barry Lee Jones

ISBN: 978-1-304-70597-6

T. his work is licensed under the Creative Commons attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivs 2.0 Generic License.  To view a copy of this license, visit

Http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

Cast of Characters and Tribal Divisions

Ah-keeta: A scout of the Ooi-nahpi band.  Married to Tcharopi of the Kwanchita band. Ahreewah: Dog that belongs to Tosiwahra and Kucheet. Son of Sahree.

Amahee: Mowak’s (Nanishtak’s) dog. Son of Sahree and Watsu.

Bee-kwati band: A band of the Zhiutsu tribe which Chilikwa and Nazhtiah belonged.

Charkow: Eight year old son of Tsaquena, Esakari’s second wife. Changed name to Koraak (the Raven).

Chilikwa: Oldest of two sisters who survived disaster of the Zhiutsu tribe and widow of Kwahla.

Ekativo: A young warrior who went on the spirit walk last year and never returned.

Elanatu: The second youngest member of the Nareybo council and the head of the Ooi-nahpi band.

Esakari: The leader of the Kee-na band of the Tohabi tribe and Nakatsi’s (Pee-ah’s) father.

Ewaletsi: The daughter of Chilikwa and Pee-ah.

Gazhintz: The dead husband of Yoyanzh.

Hahi-teki tribe: Tabitsana had been betrothed to the son of the leader of this tribe.

Haskupi tribe: A mythical, all-female band of the Uwee-pi people.

Hawalani: Son born to Tosiwahra and Kucheet.

Honzhee: Slave woman captured from Slave-Takers. Huhwali: Son born to Pee-ah and Nazhtiah.

Hutsi-tahi: The leader of the Pawkatsu band of the Tohabi tribe.

Kahesa: Four year old daughter of Yalis, Esakari’s third wife.

Kee-na band: The band of the Tohabi tribe headed by Esakari.

Keswahbo: Leader of the Twam-tchi band which was buried under a mud-slide. Koraak: See Charkow.

Kucheet: A slave girl owned by Tohutsu’s father, Tuha-tahi. She married Tosiwahra.

Kwahla: Leader of the Zhiutsu tribe and husband of Chilikwa and Nazhtiah.

Kwanchita band: Band of the Tohabi, led by Twaniwah.

Mowak: A young man of Tohutsu’s age group.

Muquakroo: Spirit head of the Tohabi tribe.

Muwara: A slave woman owned by Elanatu.  Captured from the Twanapi tribe.  Pee-ah’s half sister.

Nakatsi: A fifteen year old warrior of the Tohabi band. Captured from the Twanapi tribe. He changed his name to Pee-ah.

Nanishtak: The name taken by Mowak while walking with the spirits.

Nanu-yuka band: Band led by Tahi-buti.

Nareybo council: The leaders of the Tohabi tribe.

Nazhtiah: Chilikwa’s younger sister and widow of Kwahla.

Nuh-epi tribe: The tribe that Watoya and Tabitsana came from.  Cousins of the Tohabi tribe.

Ooi-nahpi band: The band of the Tohabi headed by Elanatu.

Pawkatsu band: The band of the Tohabi headed by Hutsi-tahi. Pee-ah: See Nakatsi.

Parotivo: Nineteen year old son of Hutsi-tahi.

Quinzhia: Four year old son of Keswahbo, chief of the Twam-tchi band.

Sahree: A wolf-dog owned by Nakatsi.

Tabitsana: The mother of Tohutsu and the sister of Watoya.

Tahi-buti: Leader of the Nanu-yuka band.

Tahoyo-vitsis: A ceremony to bestow manhood on boys.

Talow-oti: A young scout from the Ooi-nahpi band.

Tanitsu: Female.

Tcharopi: The wife of Ah-keeta.

Tohabi: The tribe that captured Nakatsi and into which he was adopted.

Tohalani: Mowak’s (Nanishtak’s) father.

Tohutsu: Thirteen year old daughter of Tabitsana. A friend of Nakatsi.

Tookiah: Eight-year old daughter of Keswahbo, chief of the Twam-tchi band.

Toshkia: Warrior of the Bee-kwati band of the Zhiutsu tribe.

Tosiwahra: A young hunter of the Tohabi tribe. He sold Sahree to Esakari and married the slave girl, Kucheet.

Tsaquena: The second wife of Esakari and mother of Charkow.

Tsitsu: Wife of Elanatu. Chief of the Ooi-nahpi band. Tsoinoshka: A scout of the Ooi-nahpi tribe.

Tuha-tahi: The husband of Tabitsana and Tohutsu’s father.

Twam-tchi band: Band led by Keswahbo. Buried under a mud-slide.

Twanapi: The tribe from which Nakatsi and Muwara had been captured.

Twaniwah: The youngest of the Nareybo council and leader of the Kwanchita band of the Tohabi tribe.

Uwee-pi: People of a species related to modern man.

Wahee-yah band: Band formed by, and led by, Tosiwahra and Pee-ah.

Watoya: The wife of Esakari and Nakatsi’s adopted mother.

Watsu: Black and white female dog, given to Quinzhia by Esakari.

Yalis: Esakari’s third wife and mother of Kahesa.

Yokwahp: Warrior of the Bee-kwati band of the Zhiutsu tribe.

Yoyanzh: Old medicine woman of the Pawkatsu band.

Zhee-nahb: The Creator of the Earth and all living things.

Zhiutsu: The tribe to which Chilikwa and Nazhtiah belonged, cousins of the Tohabi.

Prologue

In the beginning.

Tens of thousands of years ago, prevailing wind currents swept moisture from warm equatorial seas and carried it to be mixed with the frigid air of the Polar Regions.

Snow that accumulated in great amounts did not all melt during the summers. The growing depth of snow, compressed by its own weight, turned into an expanding blanket of ice that was nearly two miles thick, and eventually covered almost one third of the Earth’s land surface.

Winds that blew from the southwest, across eastern Siberia and the extreme northwest corner of North America, were dried as they passed across the high mountains to the south and west.  Rivers of ice flowed from the mountains, but long summer days caused winter snow on the low lying plains to quickly disappear. Permafrost penetrated up to eighty feet into the tundra soil and only plants with shallow roots could grow.

To the south of this treeless land, a forest extended thousands of miles from east to west.  From the southern edge of the treeless tundra, the forest reached south across ice-filled mountain valleys to the southern shores of Asia.

Spring on the tundra was a time of renewal, marked by a wave of color that spread northward as shallow rooted plant life bloomed. Herds of herbivores left the protection of the forest to graze and browse on the lush new plants and give birth to their young.

Predators joined the game animals as they migrated northward. Packs of wolves and wild dogs, along with large and powerful members of the cat family, followed the herds, waiting for the young, old, sick, or weak to provide the necessary nourishment to survive.

Nomadic tribes of people roamed the forests and frozen plains in search of game. They gathered roots, berries, and edible plants to provide the essentials for life in this harsh environment.

This tale is about life with one of those tribes, the relatives of whom may have migrated south. The descendants of those who crossed the southern mountains may have, after the passage of over ten thousand years, given birth to modern civilization on lands ruled by the Chinese Emperor, Yao.

The people in this story did not migrate to the south however, but that is what this tale is about.

Chapter 1

The Race

The young man often came to the rocky outcrop above the winter encampment to catch the last rays of the afternoon sun.

Braids of shiny black hair, wrapped in otter skin, framed the high cheek bones of his brown face and rested against the front of his tan colored caribou skin shirt.

Facing the sunset, he could see to the silver-white mountain peaks that rose above the forest.  To his left, the glistening flow of ice pushed great piles of debris as it wound its way from the high mountains to the foothills.  To his right, he looked down on the tops of the pine, spruce, and larch trees of the conifer forest that stretched as far as one could see, broken only by the twisted path of the river that flowed from the melting ice.  Below were the council lodges, where the leaders of the tribe had been meeting through the day, making plans to follow the caribou herds from the foothills to the tundra far to the north. He could also see smoke from the campfires of the six bands of the Tohabi tribe.  He had been awakened this morning when the crier of the Kee-na band had gone through camp shouting the names of those who were to be available to attend the council meeting. His name was among those called, and he had spent most of the day waiting to be summoned. His father, Esakari, had finally sent word that he would not be needed until after nightfall.

His thoughts drifted to that day, ten winters past, when he became one of the Tohabi.  Memories were vivid, though he had lived only five winters when warriors of the Tohabi attacked the village of the Twanapi tribe to which he had been born. He still dreamed of the last time he had seen his first mother. She was holding him under her arm as she ran into the forest. He had gone flying into the undergrowth when she fell, the sharp bone point of a lance protruding from her breast. A hand had encircled his ankle as he tried to wriggle out of sight. He recalled his indignant outrage at being carried by one foot, head down and arms flailing, back to the flickering light of the burning lodges.  On being tossed without ceremony onto a pile of rubble, Nakatsi had bounced to his feet and charged. A vestige of a smile crossed his face on remembering the taste of greasy leather when his teeth bit into the calf of his captor’s leg.  The laughter of others in the band of raiders had quickly tempered the warrior’s cry of fury. The hands and feet of the five year old were tied with leather thongs to prevent further damage to those who had made a prisoner of him.

Six Twanapi women, in addition to young Nakatsi, were taken by the Tohabi warriors. The five year old boy had made the long trek across the mountains to the Tohabi camp lashed to a travois dragged by one of the captive women. His dreams were still filled with these happenings.

Nakatsi’s senses were quickly returned to the present by a rustling of branches on a bush that grew along the trail below. He relaxed when Tohutsu, a young girl with a round brown face that was framed by long black hair, materialized from the shadows.  She was followed by a huge gray dog, Sahree.

Hi, little sister, greeted Nakatsi. Why have you come to this place?

I am not your little sister, the girl, Tohutsu, replied in a miffed voice. Why do you men get to do all of the exciting things?

When the great Zhee-nahb made the earth and all living things, he decided that men would have the responsibilities of hunting the wild animals, protecting the tribe, and raiding other tribes to provide slaves and women to do the things women do, he replied.  Why the sad face?

Ekativo went last year and never came back. I am afraid that I will not see you again.

Ekativo couldn’t stalk a dead horse without scaring it. He didn’t have Sahree with him, either, Nakatsi replied with bravado.  I will come back."

I will miss Sahree, too, but I am glad he will be with you, Tohutsu pouted as she rubbed the dog’s gray head and scratched between the round tips of his ears.

The sun had fallen into the blazing pit behind the gleaming mountain peak, and the western sky turned brilliant orange. Dark shadows deepened in the valley below.

I must go, said Nakatsi. The Nareybo council will be gathering again. I’ll walk back to the camp with you, Tohutsu mumbled.

The two young people, followed by Sahree, descended into the deepening shadows toward the twinkling lights of campfires that were beginning to penetrate the dusk.

The Nareybo, or leaders of the tribe, were gathered to bestow upon Nakatsi the rites of Tahoyo-vitsis that would make him a potential leader of the tribe. If all went well, when the night was over, Nakatsi would be sent, by himself, to wander throughout the wilderness with only the spirits to guide him.

The council lodges were built at the approximate center of the encampments of the six bands of the Tohabi. They were arranged in a circle, and each band had built its own council lodge. A very large Nareybo lodge, where all of the leaders could meet, had been built by people from all of the bands. The dome-shaped structures were built with frameworks of poles, tied together with rawhide thongs, and covered by cured skins of horses and bison. In each lodge, smoke from the central fire pit escaped through a hole in the top of the structure.

As the evening session began, each participant ducked through the eastward facing entrance of the Nareybo lodge, paused to let his eyes adjust to the dim light, then edged his way from left to right, around the perimeter of the lodge so that he never passed between another council member and the fire pit.  When each member reached his designated position, determined by rank, he squatted cross legged on robes of wolf or lion skin.

In the honored spot directly across the fire pit from the opening, sat Muquakroo, spiritual head of all the Tohabi.  Soon, only the lowest ranking position, just to the right as one entered the lodge, was empty.

More fuel was placed on the fire. Muquakroo picked up the speak-stick and began to chant:

2.  "We, the six bands of the Tohabi, brother to the wolf, and

People of the mountains,

Make this fire to honor Zhee-nahb,

Maker of the earth and giver of life.

We have come to place a young warrior,

In the hands of the Great Spirit,

That he may be guided and shaped,

Into a leader of our people.

The wisdom of Zhee-nahb is needed

Through times of cold and hunger,

To find the game animals,

So our people will be warm and well fed."

3.  After a long pause he added, Who brings this young warrior to Zhee-nahb?

The man to the right of Muquakroo rose, took the speak-stick from the medicine man, and spoke. I, Esakari of the Kee-na band of the Tohabi, present my son, Nakatsi, to Zhee-nahb, maker of the earth and giver of life.  May Zhee-nahb accept him and make him into a fierce warrior and a skilled hunter.  Nakatsi has proven that he has the greatest strength and is the most cunning fighter of all the young men of the Tohabi.  He has the stealth to stalk the most alert and fastest game in the forest. When he throws the lance, it travels far and does not stray from the target.  When Zhee-nahb determines that a new leader is needed to guide the Tohabi, he will find that the one known as Nakatsi has the wisdom to show the way the Tohabi must travel to survive and prosper forever. With these words, I place the life of my son, Nakatsi, in the hands of Zhee-nahb to do with as he wishes.  He returned the speak-stick to Muquakroo.

Muquakroo spoke once more. Does any member of this council wish to challenge the right of the one known as Nakatsi to walk with the spirits and live in the presence of Zhee-nahb so that he may achieve the wisdom to someday lead the Tohabi?

To the left of Muquakroo, a man of short stature, but muscular physique, jumped to his feet and grabbed the speak-stick.  I, Hutsi-tahi, of the Pawkatsu band of the Tohabi, challenge the right of the one called Nakatsi to walk with the spirits. My son, Parotivo, is older and much stronger. He would be a better leader of the Tohabi if Zhee-nahb should decide a new leader is needed. I say that Parotivo should be the one to walk with the spirits.  Then he threw the stick to the ground before the medicine man.

The voice of Muquakroo was low but very distinct in the suddenly silent lodge. This challenge can be satisfied in only one way.  A contest will be held when the sun rises to determine which candidate is most qualified.  Two lances will be placed at the Lookout Rock.  The candidates will start from the front of the council lodge.  At my signal, they will retrieve the lances, and return to the entrance to the council lodge.  From there, they will hurl their lances at a target that will be placed at the edge of the encampment. The one who hits the target first will walk with the spirits. After a short pause he added, Since the caribou are beginning to move along the north trails, the Tohabi must be ready to travel when Father Sun has walked his path two times.

Council members began to file through the opening of the lodge, knowing that much had to be done during the next two days.  Esakari found Nakatsi waiting near the lodge for news of the council’s decision.

Hutsi-tahi has challenged your right to be the one to walk with the spirits, said Esakari.  He then told Nakatsi all that had happened in the council meeting. We must talk about what to do because Parotivo is much older and stronger than you.

I can run faster than he can on those stubby fat legs, said Nakatsi. I am the one who will walk with the spirits.  Will the lances be placed at the Lookout Rock?

Yes, but if you reach the lances first and then try to pass him coming down the trail, he may try to take your lance away. You must hold back until he retrieves his lance and then follow him down the trail.  When you reach the bottom of the trail, you can sprint past him and win.  I know you can throw the lance better than he can.  Now you must get some rest before morning.

Don’t worry, father.  Even if he gets back to camp first, he can’t hit the target with a lance.  I have proven that I am better than he is many times.

Unlike many of the young men of the tribe, Nakatsi liked to rise early and enjoyed the cool, still morning air. The glow in the eastern sky grew brighter, and a crowd began to form in front of the council lodge.  Nakatsi’s eyes wandered over the gathering and settled on the shining black hair of Tohutsu, who was standing near the big gray dog, Sahree.  The smile he directed toward her was filled with confidence.

The race began as Muquakroo drove the point of his lance into the ground.  Nakatsi sprinted to a quick lead, then maintained a position a few paces in front of Parotivo, covering the distance with a long, effortless stride.  Parotivo, with his shorter and more powerful legs tried to make up the gap that separated them, but Nakatsi had no trouble maintaining his position.  The trail soon began to rise, and Parotivo was beginning to breathe in gasps. His stride shortened and became choppy. Perhaps a half an hour had passed when Nakatsi reached the ledge upon which a lookout was posted. He quickly covered the last few paces to the two lances jutting from the ground, grasped one of them, and then backed away and braced himself in case his adversary wished to bring the dispute to a climax.

Parotivo, with rivers of sweat flowing from his body and breathing with great difficulty, was in no mood to waste energy. He simply grabbed the second lance and, with a malevolent look at Nakatsi, turned and started the descent that would take him back to camp. Nakatsi followed a few paces back. As the two runners were negotiating the turn that marked the halfway point on the trail, Parotivo suddenly stopped, turned, and drove his shoulder into Nakatsi’s midriff, knocking him from his feet. Nakatsi rolled smartly to the side in anticipation of continued attack, but Parotivo turned and resumed the race.  When Nakatsi regained his feet and continued pursuit of his antagonist, he found he had not only lost considerable in distance, but had twisted his ankle during the altercation. Pushing the pain from his mind as best he could, Nakatsi tried to close the gap, but found he was hard pressed to keep the space between Parotivo and himself from growing.

Parotivo had nearly reached the spot from where the lances were to be hurled by the time Nakatsi entered the village.  While he watched, Parotivo engaged the butt of his lance to the prong of his spear- thrower and launched his spear toward the rawhide target erected at the far edge of the campsite.  The missile arched forward and passed the target at least three paces to the left.

Affixing the thrower to his lance, Nakatsi limped to the spot in front of the council lodge.  As he was setting his feet, Parotivo drove himself into the small of Nakatsi’s back, and the spear-thrower and spear went flying.  The young warrior of fifteen winters found himself face down in the dirt.  Parotivo rolled onto his feet, but just as he was about to dive for the lance, a deep and ominous rumble penetrated his awareness.  He turned his head and was looking at the bared teeth that lined the cavernous mouth of Sahree.

Nakatsi, on seeing the paralyzed condition of his adversary, calmly retrieved the fallen lance and spear-thrower and whipped the spear forward.  The target was penetrated dead center.

The sun had nearly reached the middle of the eastern sky and the entire encampment was taking on a sense of excitement. Preparations for the migration to the summer hunting grounds were moving forward at a frantic pace.  Living structures were being dismantled and prepared for transport.  Tonight the Tohabi would bivouac as though they were on the trail. Early tomorrow, each band would begin the journey to its northern hunting territory.

Nakatsi’s journey had been planned for some time, and the disruption of last night only delayed the journey that should have started this morning. First however, the tribal leaders must give final instructions. The meeting that had been adjourned the night before was immediately reconvened. Each member filed into the council lodge as on the previous night. The main difference was the absence of Hutsi-tahi, who, with his son Parotivo, departed smoldering with anger and resentment. Silence settled over the lodge as Muquakroo received the speak-stick.

We must complete these details quickly.  Not all of us are as lucky as Esakari to have a wife such as Watoya to take charge of preparations for our journey to the northern hunting grounds.  Bring the young warrior before us so that he may receive his instructions.

Ekativo arose, stepped backward, and made his way to the entrance.  Nakatsi, you are instructed to come before the council.

Nakatsi followed his father into the lodge and, as he had been instructed by his father, circled from left to right behind the seated leaders to the lowest ranking position and remained standing.

Again Muquakroo’s voice filled the lodge. Nakatsi, your life has been given to Zhee-nahb so that he may bestow upon you the wisdom of the ages.  You will walk with him throughout the season of hunting and gathering.  You must listen to the spirits around you so you can gain all of the wisdom the greatest of all spirits sees fit to give you.  When the time of falling leaves is upon the earth, you must find your way back to us. You know our ways, and need only to read the signs we will leave along our trail, to learn of the place where the people of the mountains choose to make their home during the time when ice and snow visit our land. Twaniwah, leader of the Kwanchita band will speak.

The young warrior sitting nearest the entrance, and across the fire pit from Nakatsi, arose and accepted the speak-stick.  He said, Nakatsi, I have been on the journey you are about to begin.  In order to reach the spirits, you must eat no food until the sun has crossed the sky three times.  I present this gift so that you will return to us before the spirits of terrible snows come to live on this land.

Twaniwah circled behind the others members of the council and placed a knife of obsidian on the robes behind which Nakatsi was standing.

Twaniwah had returned the speak-stick to Muquakroo and seated himself.  Muquakroo passed the speak-stick to Elanatu, leader of the Ooi-nahpi band.

Nakatsi, you must find a place where you can be at peace with yourself and the things around you.  Build a sweat-lodge and cleanse your mind and body.  Give prayer chants to the Great Spirit, and seek his help in making your journey successful. Elanatu turned and placed a pair of boots, lined with otter fur, on the robe.

Elanatu passed the stick to Keswahbo, chief of the Twam-xtchi band, who advised, Nakatsi, after you have fasted for three days, you must travel throughout Zhee-nahb’s land, and when you awake each morning, go to a place where you can see the sun begin its journey across the sky, and make a prayer chant to the Great Spirit. Keswahbo then circled to Nakatsi’s robe and placed a pair of leggings upon it.

The chief of the Nahu-yuka band, Tahibuti, accepted the speak-stick and instructed Nakatsi, Stop frequently during your journey, and cleanse your body and soul. Meditate, pray, observe and listen to the things around you, for these things are the creations of Zhee-nahb. Then Tahibuti presented a parka made from caribou skin with a hood trimmed with wolverine fur, and handed the stick to Esakari.

A troubled look was on Esakari’s face as he began. Nakatsi, my son, this day you have won a great honor.  You have also gained an enemy and I must caution you that the envy of Parotivo cannot be taken lightly. Parotivo has twice been passed over for this honor and his being defeated by one so much younger has caused Hutsi-tahi great shame. I must caution you to watch behind yourself until you are far from this place.  Be observant of your dog Sahree, for he can see, hear, and smell much that you cannot. I have great belief in your ability to live with Zhee-nahb, and I know you will learn all that he can teach.  When you feel the breath of the ice spirits, you will return to us.  Esakari then presented Nakatsi with a roll of sleeping robes, made from bison skins, to keep him warm during the cold nights.

Muquakroo reclaimed the speak-stick and rose.  His body was old and withered, but he stood firmly and spoke with a steady, resonant voice. Nakatsi, I have watched you with great pride since the day you came to live with us. You have learned your lessons well. Never have I seen a young person so quickly gain skills needed to survive in this harsh land.  Your accuracy with a sling or lance is the equal of any warrior I have known during my long life. You speak the languages of the brown bear, the wolf, the lion, tiger, and even the saber tooth cat so well that they sometimes answer.  The ability you have displayed in reading the signs of the animals and to stalk game will be of great value to our people for many years.  Because you have learned so well, I know you will be at our winter encampment.  If the Great Spirit permits me to be there, we will meet again when all animals make ready for the time of ice and snow. Muquakroo then motioned that Nakatsi was to come and stand before him and then placed a small leather bag, tied with a thong, around Nakatsi’s neck. This medicine bag contains things that are sacred to the greatest of all spirits. If you keep these things with you at all times, Zhee-nahb will know where you are and will protect you from evil spirits that may search you out as you travel the trails of this earth.

Then Muquakroo turned to the others and said, Father Sun is traveling toward the mountains in the west.  We have many things to do. This council meeting has ended.

The council members stepped into the sunlight, and were greeted with frantic preparations that were now well underway.  Coverings of lodges had nearly all been unlaced, removed, and placed on travois, built with the poles that had formed frameworks of winter shelters.  The people of the Kee-na band of the Tohabi would sleep under the stars on this night.

Sahree is ready, a small voice behind him said.

Nakatsi turned and was looking at the top of Tohutsu’s cascading hair.  Nakatsi’s mother, Watoya, was standing beside Tohutsu.

Come to our lodge.  I have your things ready to travel, Watoya said.

When they arrived at the site of Esakari’s lodge, Nakatsi found that the two younger wives, Yalis and Tsaquina, under the direction of the more experienced Watoya, had the family almost prepared for the journey.  Sahree, with a travois attached to the leather harness on his back, was tied to a stake. While Nakatsi was tying the bundle of gifts from the Nareybo council to the travois, Tohutsu held up a pouch made of caribou skin. This is a back pack, said Tohutsu. It is fixed so you can strap it to your back and Sahree will not have to carry everything.

Sahree thanks you, laughed Nakatsi.  I promise I will not make Sahree do all of the work.

Watoya handed Nakatsi another bundle.  I know the council gave you warm clothing to wear, but I made something for you in case you wish to impress others you meet along the way.  I also prepared a supply of pemmican for trail food.

Nakatsi unrolled the bundle and found leggings and a shirt of white deerskin, decorated with fur of otter and ermine. The whole bundle, including the food, fit neatly into the back pack Tohutsu had given him.

Filled with deep emotion, Nakatsi was suddenly faced with his first problem of becoming a man. How could he express his feelings to his mother without acting like a child? Watoya, understanding Nakatsi’s dilemma, simply laid her hand on his face, smiled, and turned back to the job at hand. The women of the Tohabi did not expect men to express their appreciation in public, but what she had read in Nakatsi’s face made her feel better than anything he could have said.

May I walk a ways with you? asked Tohutsu as she took Sahree’s leash.

Only to where the trail to Lookout Rock begins, answered Nakatsi, Beyond there, I am forbidden to associate with women.

I do not believe you. I have heard some of the stories that have been told by others that have been on the spirit walk.  Then Tohutsu became more serious.  I have heard that Parotivo and some of the others have made a plan to follow you and try to scare you.  I don’t believe the others would do anything to hurt you, but Parotivo is very angry. He still remembers the trick you played on him last year in the cave.

I still can’t believe he could be so dumb as to think a slave woman that belonged to a warrior such as Elanatu would want to meet with him, Nakatsi grinned.  When he heard the growl of the brown bear, he almost ran out of his skin. He is lucky that Elanatu didn’t find out he had eyes for Muwara or he may have found his breechclout filled with hot pitch.

Nakatsi noticed that the melting snowdrifts that had been shaded from the sun were beginning to give birth to the remains of last winter’s living, and the air had taken the fetid odor of the fruits of human metabolism.  The movement of caribou isn’t the only sign that the time to move camp has come, he remarked.

They had reached the trail to Lookout Rock, and Tohutsu, with moisture-filled eyes, said softly, Nakatsi, you are my best friend.  I will see you next winter.

Nakatsi took Sahree’s leash. I shall look forward to seeing you when the snow spirits come to the tundra, he said, and turned to the trail and began to climb toward the trees above Lookout Rock.

Chapter 2

Nakatsi’s Journey Begins

A damp chill was in the air when Nakatsi reached the top of the mountain ridge above the encampment and entered the forest.

The injured ankle had nearly been forgotten, but the long climb from the encampment increased the soreness. Sahree, we must find a place to stay out of sight for a few days, he confided.  I cannot go far on this ankle, besides, I am hungry for some of the pemmican that Watoya put in the pack.

Shadows were growing longer, and finding an adequate haven was becoming critical.  He looked back and saw the parallel lines made by the travois when he crossed patches of snow, and thought of Parotivo. He had crossed several small streams that fed water from melting snow banks into the river. When he reached the next stream, he removed his belongings from the travois and hid them beneath the vertically standing roots of a tree that had been toppled during a recent storm. The travois was weighted with a stone and dragged to the next stream. With Nakatsi carrying the travois frame, they doubled back to where the pack was hidden.

No one fool enough to follow us, will find us here, he said, searching in his pack for one of the intestines stuffed with pemmican.

The forest was engulfed with the eerie glow of twilight, when he felt, more than heard, the vibration deep in Sahree’s chest.  Nakatsi raised himself until he could see the vague shapes of three people, hunched over looking at the parallel lines left by the travois.  We should have started sooner.  The trail is getting hard to see, one of the voices said.

I could follow this trail anywhere, a voice he recognized as belonging to Parotivo sneered.  Be quiet, he may not be far ahead of us.

Nakatsi and the dog waited quietly until enough time had passed for the trackers to reach the next stream, then Nakatsi cupped his hands around his mouth.  Aah-ree-rowrah, the caterwaul of the saber toothed scimitar cat rolled from Nakatsi’s throat.

The forest was deathly quiet. Even the wind seemed to succumb to the frightening sound. Scimitar was the most deadly of the killers that roamed the forest.  Even the giant mammoth, avoided by tundra lions, was food for this predator. The scimitar would spring from ambush, to his victim’s back and drive his seven inch long canine teeth into the spine, causing instant paralysis.

Hammering feet, accompanied by the sound of bodies crashing through brush, interrupted the silence. Darkness was complete, and the audience could only appreciate, in silence, the drama of stark terror experienced by those on the trail. Soon the forest returned to normal. A distant owl hooted. Pine trees groaned as they rocked gently back and forth in the night breeze.  The sound of water percolating over rocks soon brought sleep to the ones who wished to travel with the Great Spirit, Zhee-nahb.

The young warrior was awakened by the warmth on his sleeping robes from sunshine filtering through the trees. His muscles were stiff and sore from exertion of the day before, and he felt the dull pain of his injured ankle.  The ankle was badly swollen, and the color had changed to deep purple tinged with green and yellow.  This was not the place he had wanted to spend the first days of his adventure.

Oh, great! How am I going to walk with this? he exclaimed to the dog.

Injuries such as his were not uncommon among the Tohabi. Last year a hunting party, under the command of Esakari, surrounded a small herd of horses, and as Tosiwahra was about to drive his lance into the right shoulder of the lead mare, the horse whirled and reared up on her hind feet. The foot of the young hunter had been wedged between two rocks, and his ankle was badly twisted when he retreated. Watoya, who often was called on to heal, had the young man soak his foot in the ice cold water of the river.  Within two days the swelling had disappeared and the pain was gone.

Nakatsi soaked his foot in the cold water of the stream until it was numb, and repeated chants that Muquakroo had taught him.  He could detect no indication that the swelling was reduced.  Finally he lashed his pack to the travois and hitched it to Sahree.  Picking up a small dry sapling to support his weight, he began to hobble down the side of the mountain, following the bank of the stream.

Rest stops were taken regularly, and by the time the sun was directly overhead, the young warrior and his dog found themselves at the edge of a mountain meadow. Water was backed up behind a dam that beavers had built near the place where the stream dropped into a deep gorge. Willows and alder bordered the pond, and an image of trees and snow-covered mountain peaks was on the mirror-like surface.

This is the place! Nakatsi exclaimed to the dog, recognizing the mystic feeling one has in places that are special to the spirits.  We will stay here until I have completed my fast.

The two found a spot to camp, situated so it would catch the first rays of the morning sun.  Their new home was located behind the bordering fringe of trees and could not be easily seen by anyone, or anything, that might happen by.

Midday was spent soaking the injured ankle while Sahree explored the willows that bordered the beaver pond.  The dog soon disappeared in hot pursuit of an arctic hare that had only partially changed its attire from winter white to summer brown.  Sahree’s lips held telltale tufts of rabbit fur when he returned.

I guess I will never get you to share your catch, Nakatsi sighed.

He heard a pair of geese honking in the weeds near the pond, and began to search through his gear for the hunting bola Esakari had presented to him last year during puberty rites. Nakatsi had used it to bring in the first ptarmigan during the hunting competition. It was made with five strands of braided hair from the tail of a horse.  The strands were tied together on one end, while the other ends were weighted with nodules of bone. Nakatsi had spent long hours practicing his technique of casting the bola so that it spread properly to ensnare game birds that came within