The Mountain Man Takes a Bride

By John J. Law

"You want that Indian woman? You're going to have to get through me first to do it!" the young man said.
"We had a deal! Tell him, Indian!" 
The old man turned to the old Indian, Heron's father expecting sense and reason. He did not get either.
"I think it would be better if you both settled this first. Whoever would win, would get my daughter."
The old mountain man couldn't believe the words that came out of the old Indian's mouth.
"We both settle this first? What are you talking about old man? We had a deal!"
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.C. Hulsey Books
• Release date: Dec 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223686859

Book preview

One: The Old Moose

The large moose had lived a long and fruitful life. It had walked the land for many years, much longer than it could count, and very long for its standards. At the back of its head, it did feel a slight heaviness for having lived so long. It was a familiar feeling shared by all animals that had been long-lived like itself.

Having lived as long as it did, the moose had lost count of all the times it had almost died. It had lost count of all the times wolves had almost torn it to shreds, or a young grizzly had tried to maul it. As far as it could remember, it had always survived such encounters, relying on its speed or brute strength to carry it through. The memories were stored inside its primal brain, and somewhere inside, it had suffered trauma. The traumatic memories of such encounters had helped it to stay alert and stay alive all this time. The moose had always found a way to survive. Now, as it munched on some tall grass, it was calm and relaxed. There was no sign of danger, and it felt quite relaxed and secure. It had no idea, that it should have been more alert to its surroundings. The moose had no idea, that its long life was now about to come to an abrupt end in the hands of the deadliest predator anywhere on the planet. It was now being stalked by a human hunter.

If the old moose had any idea of its impending doom, it would have done something. Perhaps it would have sniffed out the hunter and made a desperate lunge towards it. After all, with its large horns and powerful build, such a strategy would have definitely been feasible. Physically, the human was no match for the moose in every single way. He was smaller and did not have the animal's pure strength or speed. Its powerful legs could either outrun him or kill him with a single kick. Physically, the hunter was no match for this large and powerful animal. However, all those physical attributes would come to naught for but one thing; the old hunter was a lot more cunning than the large and powerful moose could ever be.

Two: The Signs of Old Age

The old mountain man had been stalking the old moose for some time now. He had always noticed it lurking and lingering in the area for some time now. The moose often left telltale signs of its passing. Droppings or tracks on the ground to indicate that it had been here. The old hunter had never really been at the area when the large animal was around, but today was different. Today he would be lucky and the old animal would not be.

The old moose had no idea that the hunter was hiding behind some bushes and crouched and ready to attack. His presence in the area was completely oblivious to the moose, as