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,OB5ABI 

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,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,FR$Y ,P]LMAN 

,TEXT 3 

,J\RNEY TO ! ,BEG9N+ 

  

,IT WAS FE> ( ! MANHUNT]S :O KILL$ MY UNCLE ,TOP9BI T HAT R\S$ ME TO TRAVEL ON ! PA? T[>D ! MORN+ SUN FROM1 ! ,BISON ,PRAIRIE ON ! LONG LAKE TO ! BEAV]LODGE VILLAGE ON ! /RAIT4 

,?\< COMPANION$ BY A HORSE WEI<$ D[N BY DEAD LEAV]S1 LIKE ,TOP9BI US$ TO GO1 ,I DID NOT FOLL[ ! TRAIL 9 ,HCMR* ( OBJECTS BUT ( KN[L$GE4 ,I W5T AS A SC\T1 TO LE>N IF T HE ANGRY SUN W\LD CONT9UE TO W>M ! LODGES ( HIS GR&*ILDR5 9 ! ,BISON ,PRAIRIE4 ,AS ,I W5T FUR!R EA/1 ! WIDE TRAIL1 ITS BU%ES REMOV$1 ITS TREES FELL$1 WAS LIKE A SC> G\G$ BY SOME UNFEEL+ BEA/ ?AT DE/ROYS ALL LIFE ON ITS PA?4 ,I ?\<T ?AT BY SC\T+ ,I C\LD LE>N :Y SU* A P[]FUL CREATURE 9SI/S ON FOLL[+ PA?S ( DE] & ( ,ROOTK9 :O DID NOT SC> ! =E/4 

,! SI<T ( SO MANY BE+S DEPRIV$ ( LIFE = NO REASON FILL$ ME ) SORR[1 & AT A CROSS+ ) A FAMILI> DE] TRAIL ,I /RAY$ FROM ! WIDE PA? & GUID$ MY HORSE NOR?W>D T[>D A LAKE ONCE F> REMOV$ FROM ! PA?S ( UNFEEL+ ,9VAD]S1 :]E DE] PLAY AMONG SP>SE TREES ON GRE5 GR\ND ?AT SURR\NDS WAT] AS /ILL & BLUE AS ! SKY4 

,! MOM5T ,I SAW ! GREAT TREE ?AT HAD WITNESS$ MY LOVE FIFTE5 SPR+S E>LI]1 ALL ! PA9 FL[$ FROM MY HE>T1 ALL ! SORR[ FROM MY M9D4 ,I LET ! HORSE ROAM1 SAT NE> ! ROOT ( ! TREE1 TOOK A LOCK ( BLACK HAIR FROM MY BUNDLE1 & SANG4 

,= TWO DAYS MY VOICE ROAM$ OV] ! WAT] BETWE5 ! GRASSY %ORES S++ ( BIRDS :O RETURN$ :5 ! SN[S MELT$ & ! TREES BIR!D NEW LEAVES1 S++ ( ,ROOTK9 :O HAD W&]$ H]E FROM ! L& ( ICE & W\LD W&] NO FUR!R1 S++ ( ,UDATONTE :O TOOK W9T]'S COLD FROM ME BY GUID+ ME TO ! SPR+ W>M? ( ?IS TREE4 

,& AS ,I SANG MY BODY FILL$ ) JOY1 MY LIMBS GREW AS LI<T AS ! LIMBS ( A WEI<TLESS DE] HOPP+ AMONG ! TREES1 A DE] RUNN+ TO ! GRASSY %ORE TO LAP ! LAKE'S BLUE WAT]1 SUDD5LY />TL$ BY ! REFLECTION ( ANO!R DE] LAPP+ BESIDE HIM1 />TL$ BY ,UDATONTE ALONGSIDE ME 9 ! %APE ( A Y\NG DE] NUDG+ MY SIDE ) H] NOSE1 S++ ME H] DREAMS BY T\*4 ,MY M9D1 V]Y F> FROM ! DEAD BE+S ALONG ! WID5$ PA?1 SUDD5LY KNEW IT WAS NOT A DE]1 NOR ANY LIV+ BE+1 ?AT WAS NUDG+ MY SIDE4 

,! B>REL-5D ( A RIFLE WAS PRESS$ 9TO MY >M4 ,! MAN :O PO9T$ IT HELD MY HORSE'S RE9S 9 HIS O!R H&4 

,TE>S CAME TO MY EYES1 NOT SO MU* FROM FE> AS FROM DEEP SORR[1 = ! COM+ ( ?IS MAN PUT AN ABRUPT 5D TO ALL ! BEAUTY1 LOVE1 JOY4 ,I S5S$ ! QUE/ION ON ! LIPS ( ! BIRDS1 ( ! TREES1 EV5 ( ! WAT] & ! GRASS3 ,:Y1 9 ! MID/ ( ?IS GRE5 :]E ALL =MS ( NEWBORN LIFE TRU/+LY WRAPP$ !MSELVES ) AIR'S W>M? & JOYFULLY ABSORB$ E>?'S MOI/URE1 :Y WAS ?IS SMIRK+ CREATURE ) HIS KILL+-/ICK H]E AT ALL8 

,BUT ! QUE/ION /AY$ MUTE1 AS IF IT W]E NOT HE :O HAD TO ANSW] BUT WE1 AS IF ! BIRDS1 TREES1 LAKE1 GRASS & ,I EXI/$ ONLY ON ! SUFFRANCE ( ?IS MAN1 AS IF ! SUN C\LD W>M ! LIV+ ONLY ) HIS CONS5T1 AS IF ! GREAT MY/]Y HAD COME TO DEP5D ON ONE'S DI/ANCE FROM ! 5D ( HIS KILL+-/ICK4 

0,GIT UP (F ! GRASS10 HE ORD]$1 PO9T+ ! RIFLE AT MY HE>T AS ,I ROSE %AK+ LIKE A LEAF 9 ! W9D1 ) A FE> ,I HAD NOT FELT S9CE MY SEP>ATION FROM ,UDATONTE4 

,:AT ,I HAD LE>N$ FROM UNCLE ,TOP9BI'S DEA? WAS BE+ CONFIRM$3 9 ! VIC9ITY ( SU* A P]SON1 ALL LIFE BECAME A HUNT$ ANIMAL4 0,I'LL PAY = :ATEV] H>M MY HORSE DONE10 ,I (F]$ WEAKLY1 KN[+ ?AT HE1 )\T A TRACE ( GREATNESS OR VALOR1 )\T EV5 A %[ ( EXCELL5CE1 BUT SIMPLY BY MOV+ A F+]1 C\LD TAKE ALL ! MONEY1 ! FURS & ! HORSE4 

0,:AT DO !Y CALL YE1 ,YALL]-FACE-9-!-SKY80 HE SPAT1 LAU<+4 

0,BURR-NET10 ,I ANSW]$1 PRON\NC+ C>EFULLY4 0,JACOB LIURR-NET40 

0,B>NETS ( ,NOO ,J]SEY80 HE ASK$1 & L[]$ ! RIFLE :5 ,I NODD$4 0,Y\ RANG]S GONNA HAVE Y\R HEADS BL[N (F ,I RCMPASS+ ON PROP]TY LOOK+ LIKE R$SK9S40 ,HE DROPP$ MY HORSE'S RE9S & WALK$ QUICKLY T[>D ! =E/4 

,I SIL5TLY ?ANK$ ,WIMEGO MY FA!R = GIV+ ME ?IS ,HNCOND LIFE1 & PULL$ CLO? PANTS & A COTTON %IRT FROM ! ,I'NR /ACK1 MASK+ MYSELF BE=E PROCE$+ T[>D ! BEAV] VILLAGE4 

,LONG BE=E MY PA? REA*$ ANCI5T ,%UTAHA'S TRAIL1 ,I WAS GREET$ BY AX-M>K$ /UMPS1 MORTALLY W\ND$ TREES1 DI'L RITUS-SURR\ND$ CAMP SPOTS4 ,:5 ,I HE>D PI]C+ %\TS 9 ! LANGUAGE ( ,SCABEAT]S & !IR ,SCALP] K91 ,I QUICK- NNOD MY PACE1 CIRCL+ ! \TSKIRTS ( ! VILLAGE ( DAMS HU ILL ON L&1 AT LA/ REA*+ ! WOODS BEH9D ! GREAT LODGE ,I ,IML1 /&S ON ! GRAVES ( \R ANCE/ORS & PAUS+ AMONG ,IT@<@<M'H TO WAT* *ILDR5 PLAY+4 

,MY TIR$ HORSE'S NEI< BETRAY$ MY PRES5CE TO A SILK-CLAD Y\NG/] PLAY+ SC\T :O %\T$1 0,LOOK1 IT'S *IEF ,TOPEE NN-BEE ) ! FUR %IPM5T60 

,F\R GIRLS1 ?REE 9 DRESSES & ONE 9 DE]SK91 RAN T[>D ME AFT] ! BOY4 0,MAIS CE N'E/ PAS ,TOP9BI1 CE DOIT ETRE L'ONCLE ,JACQUES10 EXCLAIM$ A TALL1 ?9 GIRL ) EYES AS GRE5 & HAIR AS YELL[ AS MY SI/]'S4 

,:]EUPON ! Y\NGE/ GIRL DANC$ >\ND ! BOY ,M9T+1 AS IF TO REPROA* HIM1 0,IT'S NOT ,TOP9BI BUT UNCLE ,JACK10 A REFRA9 ! BOY 9T]SP]S$ )1 0,BUT ,I'M ! ONE :O SAW ,IIIH PACK40 

0,BESIDES1 HE'S NOT Y\R UNCLE10 ! BOY DECL>$ AS HE LEAP$ \T4 ( ! CIRCLE1 0& HE'S ,B51 LIKE ME1 NOT ,JACK40 

0,BI5V5UE10 SAID ! TALL GIRL SMIL+1 WALK+ T[>D ME EXT5D+ H] H&4 0,JE SUIS TA NIECE ,M>TI ET VOICI MA SOEUR ,MOLLY40 

,! BOY WAS JUDGE ,JAY-MAY'S SON ,B5JI-MAY1 ,M>TI EXPLA9$2 ! Y\NGE/ GIRL WAS NOT ! BOY'S SI/] BUT HIS NIECE1 ,M>GIT'S GR&DAU<T] ,M>IANNE ,BROOKS1 & ! BLACK-BRAID$ GIRL 9 DE]SK9 :O /UDI$ ME FROM H] PO/ BETWE5 TWO TREES WAS ,M5DIDETI FROM ,K>ONTA51 0MAIS ICI ON L'APPELLE ,ANNE2 ELLE E/ NOT] PRECEPTRICE40 

,M5DIDETI GL>$ ) BURN+ EYES AT ! FUR LOAD ON ! HORSE & *ANT$1 9 ,UDATONTE'S TONGUE1 0,!Y SAY ,OB5ABI ! SON ( ,NANIKIBI DOES NOT SWIM 9 ! BLOOD ( HIS BEAV]K940 

,I TRI$ TO KEEP MY EYES FIX$ ON H]S1 BUT %AME =C$ M9E T[>D ! BRAID ( WAVY HAIR & !N T[>D ! GR\ND-- %AME ( :AT %E SAW1 ( ALL ,I WAS IMP]SONAT+4 

,MY ?\<TS W]E DR[N$ BY ! VOICES ( ,B5JI-MAY & ,M>IANNE :O RAC$ EA* O!R T[>D ! GREAT LODGE %\T+1 0,FA!R1 ,MAMAN6 ,IT'S UNCLE ,B5 AVEC LES F\RRURES DU P>QUE AUX VA*ES60 

,SOON AUNT ,M>GFT WAS EMBRAC+ ME1 0,BI5V5UE1 ,JACQUES1 MAIS QUELLE SURPRISE60 ,TE>S FL[+1 ALL H] EMOTIONS WORN EXT]NALLY LIKE CLO!S4 

,A Y\NG] WOMAN1 UND\BT$LY ,GRETA-MAY ,BROOKS1 RAN BEH9D ,M>GFT1 AVOID$ GLANC+ AT ME1 GRABB$ ,M>IANNE BY ! H& & HA/ILY DISAPPE>$4 

,AS ,I MOV$ HESITANTLY T[>D ! BACK 5TRANCE1 JUDGE ,JAY-MAY %\T$ = SOMEONE TO TAKE *>GE ( ! HORSE & ITS LOAD1 !N PATT$ ME ON ! BACK & CALL$ ME PRODIGAL SON1 HIS EYES %IFT+ BETWE5 ME & ! PELTRY4 

,AT LA/ ,WABNOKWE EM]G$1 ?91 FRAIL1 UN*ANG$ BUT = ! H9T ( GRAY FUR!R LI<T5+ H] YELL[ HAIR4 0,I ?ANK ! RIS+ SUN--0 %E BEGAN 9 ! TONGUE ( \R ,ROOTK91 BUT SPEAK+ IT NASALLY1 LIKE ! HABITANTS1 & !N %E TOO ?REW H] >MS >\ND ME & WEPT1 0,MON PETIT FR]E40 ,I S5S$ %E ALREADY KNEW :Y ,I HAD COME4 

,I EXPLA9$ TO ,WABNOKWE ?AT ,I W\LD FEA/ & SLEEP ONLY AFT] SMOK+ & C\NCIL+ ) MY K9 ( ! ,/RAIT4 ,W ALK+ AWAY FROM ! AFT]NOON SUN T[>D ! RIV]BANK1 ,I WAS /RUCK BY A S\ND & SI<T MORE HIDE\S ?AN ALL ! /UMPS & 9JUR$ TREES4 ,AN OM9\S SCREE* FILL$ ! AIR & SMOKE BLACK5$ ! SKY AS IF ! ,/RAIT'S WAT] W]E BOIL+ & RIS+ 9 GRAY /EAM1 ITS BANKS %RIEK+ FROM PA94 ,LOOK+ PA/ 9T]V5+ TREES T[>D ! WAT]1 MY EYES SAW SOME?+ MY M9D REJECT$3 AN ISL& WAS FLOAT+ 9 ! /RAIT1 MOV+ UP/REAM1 C9D]S & SMOKE EM]G+ FROM ITS TALLE/ LODGE4 

,SO 9TRUSIVE1 SO UNNATURAL A SI<T CAN BE DESCRIB$ ONLY ) ! HABITANTS' WORD B>B>E4 ,YETI FELT IT WAS ,I :O WAS \T ( PLACE &1 REFLECT+ ON MY E>LI] %AME1 ,I WOND]$ IF IT WAS %AME OV] MY BE+ H]E AT ALL1 OR %AME OV] MY FEEL+ \T ( PLACE ON GR\ND :]E MY GR&MO!RS LAY BURI$4 

,WABNOKWE & ,JIM-MAY L$ ME TO ! H\SE & RE/OR$ MY CALM BY MAK+ ! WONDR\S S\NDS EM]GE FROM !IR MUSIC 9/RUM5TS4 ,:5 ! MUSIC 5D$1 ! C\NCILROOM ( ! GREAT LODGE WAS CR[D$ ) K9 ,I HADN'T SE5 = ELEV5 SPR+S4 ,SEV]AL ( ! ,MAY *ILDR5 W]E 9 ! CIRCLE3 ( C\RSE PLAYFUL Y\NG ,B5JI-MAY1 HIS SLI<TLY OLD] SI/] ,C>RIE-MAY1 :O SEEM$ TO WI% %E W]E ELSE:]E1 & Y\NG ,JIM-MAY1 A PHYSICAL REPLICA ( HIS FA!R1 BUT ) P5SIVE EYES4 

,C\S9S ,BE? ,LION1 ,LISA ,WILL-YAMS & ,LIKET ,KAMPO SAT NEXT TO EA* O!R & :ISP]$1 AS 9SEP>ABLE AS !Y HAD BE54 ,! =M] F\R? COM] ( !IR WORLD1 AUNT ,MONFK UNACCOMPANI$ BY H] HUSB& ,KUY]YE1 SAT ALONGSIDE & :ISP]$ ) ! O!R ?REE4 ,AUNT ,M>GIT'S TW9 ,JOZET SAT NEXT TO H] HUSB& ,WIT-NAGS ACROSS ! CIRCLE FROM ME4 

,I PREP>$ A PIPE & AIM$ ! SMOKE T[>D ! OP5+ BEH9D ME & C>RI$ ! PIPE TO ,WIT-NAGS1 :O PASS$ IT DIRECTLY TO ,JAY-MAY4 ,! PIPE/EM HAD B>ELY REA*$ ! JUDGE'S M\? :5 ,WIT-NAGS BUR/ ) IMPATI5CE4 0,WE ALREADY KN[ ALL AB\T Y\R UNCLE'S DEA?1 IF ?AT'S :AT Y\'RE HID+ BEH9D ?IS SMOKESCRE540 

,MUMBL+ TO AUNT ,MONIK1 0,LA DEMOCRATIC DE TES BEAUX- FR]ES E/ UNE TYRANNIE10 ,LIKET ROSE1 READY TO LEAVE 

,ANGRY EYES ( ,MONLK & ,M>GIT S\<T !IR SI/]'S1 UNTIL AT LA/ ,JOZET :ISP]$ TO ,WIT-NAGS1 0,MAIS TAIS-TOI1 MON VIEUX1 ET LAISSE-LE FUM] ET P>L]1 PUISQU'IL E/ V5U JUSQU'ICI40 ,LIKET SAT D[N1 & ALL EYES TURN$ TO ME4 

,I ?ANK$ ! LIFE-GIV+ P[]S = PRES]V+ SO MANY ( MY K9 = ?IS GA!R+4 ,:ILE ,WABNOKWE WAS TRANSLAT+ = ,WIT-NAGS' & ,JAY-MAY'S B5EFIT1 ,WIT-NAGS %\T$1 0,Y\'RE WA/+ \R TIME1 ,BURR-NET4 ,COME TO ! PO9T6 ,& SPEAK ,AM]ICAN4 ,WE ALL KN[ Y\'RE AS CONV]SANT ) IT AS Y\R SI/]40 

,JAY-MAY !N TOLD ,WABNOKWE1 0,IF Y\R K9SMAN 9SI/S ON US+ HIS [N LANGUAGE1 PLEASE REFRA9 FROM TRANSLAT+ UNTIL HE />TS TALK+ S5SE40 

,I W5T ON TO DESCRIBE ! CIRCUM/ANCES ( UNCLE ,TOP9BI'S DEA?1 JU/ AS C\S9 ,%&O HAD N>RAT$ !M3 ! NI<TLONG TORTURE1 ! FATAL WEAKNESS1 ! F9AL FALL4 

,AL?\< ,WABNOKWE1 ON ! V]GE ( TE>S GAVE AN ABBREVIAT$ SUMM>Y ( MY ACC\NT1 ,WIT-NAGS 9T]RUPT$ BE=E %E WAS DONE1 & FURI\SLY ASK$ ME1 0,:O TOLD Y\ ?IS FAIRY TALE1 ,BURR-NET8 ,*IEF ,TO-P9-A-BEE'S <O/8 ,WE LE>N$ ! FACTS FROM PEOPLE :O SAW1 ) !IR [N EYES1 H[ & :Y ! *IEF DI$4 ,HE DI$ BECAUSE HE FELL (F HIS HORSE4 ,HE FELL BECAUSE HE WAS TOO DRUNK TO RIDE40 

,AUNT ,M>GIT1 VISIBLY IRRITAT$1 SAID QUIETLY TO H] HUSB&1 0,MAIS ,%&O ETAIT AVEC ,TOP9BI60 

,IT WAS ,WIT-NAGS :O ANSW]$1 0,IS ,BURR-NET SETT+ DRUNK>D ,%&O'S V]ACITY ABOVE A SURVEY+ CREW'S80 

,WABNOKWE1 BIT+ H] LIP FROM FRU/RATION1 URG$ ME TO DISREG>D ! 9TRUSIONS4 

,I TOLD H] ,I HAD NOT COME AS ! VOICE ( \R ,BISON ,PRAIRIE K91 BUT ONLY AS A SC\T2 ?AT \R K9 W]E NOT ( ONE VOICE2 SOME W]E ALREADY PREP>+ PA9T2 O!RS WANT$ ! KILL]S TURN$ OV] TO ,TOP9BI'S VILLAGE1 /ILL O!RS 9SI/$ NOT ONLY ?AT ! KILL]S BE BR\<T TO JU/ICE BY ?OSE :O 5GAG$ !M1 BUT ALSO ?AT TORTUR]S & MANHUNT]S1 IF !Y HAD TO BE NURTUR$1 BE 5C\RAG$ & GUID$ TO PRACTICE !IR >TS AMONG EA* O!R & NOT AMONG \R K94 ,\R GIRLS W]E NO LONG] S5T TO ! =E/ TO FA/4 ,\R BOYS GO TO FA/+ LODGES )\T BE+ TOLD ?AT !IR ISOLATION IS CONT9UALLY PROTECT$ BY >M$ SC\TS4 

,I !N SAID ?AT ,%&O WAS PREP>+ TO ACCOMPANY A MAN 9 SE>* ( A L& BEYOND ! ,LONG ,RIV] F> FROM ! SETTLEM5TS ( ! ,9VAD]S1 & ?AT ,I HAD COME TO ! ,/RAIT TO LE>N IF MY SI/] & C\S9S C\LD DREAM ( ACCOMPANY+ !IR WE/]N K9 TO SU* A L& IF IT W]E F\ND4 

,MY LA/ /ATEM5TS HIT ! GA!R+ LIKE A SUDD5 ?UND]/ORM4 

0,QUELLE HORREUR60 SAID ,LIKET4 

0,MAIS TU ES F\1 MON FR]E60 ,WABNOKWE EXCLAIM$4 

,AUNT ,MONIK & EV5 AUNT ,JOZET GL>$ AT ME ) 9DIGNANT DISBELIEF4 

,WE'RE LIKE HUNT$ ANIMALS2 WE CANNOT LIVE 9 CON/ANT FE>1 ,I TRI$ TO EXPLA91 BUT WAS CUT %ORT BY ,M5DIDETI1 :OSE NE>:ISP] 9 ,UDATONTE'S TONGUE WAS LIKE W9D %AK+ FALL LEAVES4 0,IT IS SAID ! E>? & SUN GAVE Y\R GR&FA!R /R5G?1 RA9 QU5*$ HIS ?IR/1 & ! GREAT TREES PROTECT$ HIM4 ,YET Y\ SPEAK ( W&]+ TO PRAIRIES & PLA9S ) LITTLE RA9 & FEW TREES4 ,Y\ SPEAK ( A L& ) FEW RIV]S & NO LAKES = Y\R CANOES4 ,ONCE !RE1 WILL Y\ GIVE *ASE TO ! BISON HUNT]S :O LIVE !RE AS Y\'RE BE+ *AS$8 ,:OSE PROTECTION WILL Y\ SEEK :5 ,9VAD]S FOLL[ Y\ ACROSS ! ,LONG ,RIV]80 

,! UNANSW]ABLE QUE/IONS POS$ 9 ,UDATONTE'S MUSICAL TONGUE MADE ME SEE MYSELF AS ,I WAS SE51 & ,I WAS HORRIFI$4 0,LA FILLE A RAISON10 ,LISA SAID1 ADMONI%+ ME4 

,LIKET SAID1 0,LA BELLE PRESQU'FLE PRIVEE DE SES >BRES1 DE SES ANIMAUX1 ET MA9T5ANT DE SES G5S--C'E/ L'5F]60 

,AUNT ,M>GIT WAS 9 TE>S1 AS WAS MY SI/]4 ,MY HEAD FELT LIKE A RATTLE1 EMPTY YET BANG+4 

,C\S9 ,BE?1 READY AS EV] TO GIVE ALL ( H]SELF TO ! UN%ELT]$1 TOOK IT ON H]SELF TO DEF5D ME4 0,N\S N'AVONS PAS LE DROIT DE LE JUG]4 ,M5DIDETI CONNAIT L'HORREUR1 MAIS N\S N'5 SOMMES PAS LES VICTIMES4 ,QUI SOMMES-N\S S9ON LES 9/ITU- TRICES1 LES FEMMES1 LES S]VANTES DES 5VAHISSEURS80 

,AT ?IS PO9T ,JAY-MAY APP>5TLY GUESS$ ! SUBJECT ( \R DISCUSSION4 0,DO ,I UND]/& ?AT Y\R BRO!R WANTS ?IS MATT] BR\<T BE=E ! HEADMAN80 

,WABNOKWE ANSW]$1 0,! WAY A HUNT$ ANIMAL W\LD WI% TO REASON ) HIS HUNT]40 

,WIT-NAGS RESPOND$ )1 0,IF HE WANTS GOV]NM5T PROTECTION1 IS HE WILL+ TO TALK AB\T RELOCAT+ TO PREMISES :]E SU* PROTECTION IS FEASIBLE80 

,JAY-MAY SAID1 0,HE MADE SOME REF]5CE TO ?AT PREA*]'S ,NEW ,CAYN9 ACROSS ! ,LONG ,RIV]40 

0,IF Y\'D SAID ?IS 9 ,5GLI%1 IT W\LD HAVE BE5 ! MO/ S5SIBLE ?+ Y\'D EV] SAID10 ,WIT-NAGS SAID TO ME4 ,TO ! JUDGE HE ADD$1 0,?AT PREA*] IS DO+ ,GOD'S WORK \T !RE40 ,M5DIDETI EXT5D$ H] >MS W+LIKE4 0,! C>RION BIRDS HAVE SI<T$ RAW FLE%40 ,ALL BUT TWO SMIL$4 

,JAY-MAY ROSE AS IF TO /RIKE H]4 0,I'LL NOT HAVE ?AT HEA!N CA/+ SPELLS AT MY EXP5SE60 

,B5JI-MAY1 ,MOLLY & ,M>TI PULL$ ,M5DIDETI \TSIDE4 ,M>GIT KEPT ! JUDGE FROM FOLL[+4 ,WABNOKWE TOLD ,JAY-MAY1 0,MY BRO!R IS H]E TO SEE ?AT \R UNCLE'S MURD]]S >E BR\<T TO JU/ICE40 

0,WE W\LD ALL LIKE TO SEE JU/ICE DONE10 ,JAY-MAY SAID4 0,BUT LET ME BE BLUNT4 ,! (FICIAL REPORT ( Y\R UNCLE'S DEA? WAS SUBMITT$ BY SEV]AL PEOPLE ( SUB/ANCE4 ,DOES Y\R BRO!R WI% TO *ALL5GE ?IS REPORT 9 C\RT ) A /ORY HE HE>D FROM A C]TA9 ,MONSIEUR ,%&ONE80 

,AUNT ,M>GIT PLEAD$1 0,MAIS TU ES 9SUPPORTABLE6 ,%&O E/ MON NEVEU60 

0,Y\R RELATIVE ,%&O IS NOT A /RANG] TO ! C\RT1 HAV+ BE5 CONVICT$ 4 4 ,JAY-MAY SPOKE ON4 

,BUT ,I ROSE FROM ! CIRCLE1 SUFFOCAT+4 ,! AIR WAS LIKE ! GRAY SMOKE ,I HAD SE5 OV] ! /RAIT1 ! VOICES M]G$ 9TO A DEAF5+ D9 ABOVE :I* ,I HE>D ,UDATONTE'S MUSICAL VOICE LIKE A DI/ANT HUM4 ,I /UMBL$ T[>D CLE> AIR1 TO A SPOT OV]LOOK+ ! N[ CALM RIV]4 ,! SUN HAD SET BEH9D ! GREAT LODGE4 ,I LONG$ TO BE ) ! *ILDR5 PLAY+ AMONG ! TREES SEP>AT+ ME FROM ! WAT]4 

,9 ! D>K5+ LI<T ! *ILDR5 APPE>$ TO BE RE5ACT+ ! SC5E 9SIDE3 ,B5JI-MAY WAS SITT+ UNCOM=TABLY1 LIKE HIS FA!R1 :ILE ,M5DIDETI1 H] >MS EXT5D$1 SANG ( GRE$Y VULTURES CIRCL+ HI< ABOVE !IR PREY4 ,B5JI-MAY ROSE1 /ICK 9 H&1 FRE$ HIMSELF FROM ,M>TI'S RE/RA9+ GRASP1 & RU%$ T[>D ,M5DIDETI4 

,! TWO GIRLS HID BEH9D TREES1 & :5 ,B5JI-MAY /OPP$ TO LOOK1 HE WAS CAU<T 9 AN AMBU%4 ,N[ IT WAS ,M>TI :O RU%$ T[>D HIM1 NE>LY EXPOS+ H]SELF TO A BL[ FROM HIS /ICK1 :5 ,M5DIDETI LEAP$ FROM BEH9D A BU% & D[N$ HIM1 S5D+ ! /ICK FLY+4 ,M>TI HELD ! BOY'S FEET1 ,M5DIDETI HIS %\LD]S1 AS !Y C>RI$ HIM TO A SPOT BEH9D TWO TREES4 

,! BOY'S FREE H& FLAIL$ VIOL5TLY 9 ! AIR UNTIL IT EMB$D$ ITSELF 9 ! LONG BRAID1 LOOS5+ A CURTA9 ( BLACK HAIR :ILE ,M5DIDETI /RUGGL$ TO TE> (F HIS %IRT & TIE UP HIS H&S ) IT4 ,ALL ,I C\LD SEE ?R\< ! N>R[ OP5+ BETWE5 ! TWO TREES WAS ! BOY'S HEAV+ *E/ & ! BLACK HAIR ABOVE IT1 HIS LEGS1 PRESUMABLY /ILL HELD BY ,M>TI1 BE+ HIDD5 FROM ME BY ! TREE ON ! RI<T1 HIS HEAD BY ! TREE ON ! LEFT1 SO ?AT ! BOY'S BODY APPE>$ LIKE A CONVULS+1 BEHEAD$ TORSO4 

,AS ! CURTA9 ( HAIR DESC5D$ T[>D ! TORSO LIKE A %EET ( BLACK RA91 A HI<-PIT*$1 SAD VOICE ROSE ABOVE ! TREETOPS ) ! SONG ( A GIRL CELEBRAT+ ! RETURN ( H] SI/]'S BELOV$ :ILE M\RN+ ! ABS5CE ( H] [N Y\NG LOVE AMONG ! VICTORS4 

,MY HEAD1 NO LONG] A RATTLE BUT MORE LIKE A BUCKET HEAVY ) TREE SAP1 FELL BACK TO RE/ ON ! TREE TRUNK BEH9D ME4 ,9 ! MOONLESS D>K1 ,I C\LD B>ELY DI/+UI% ! HUMAN FIGURES FROM ! 9T]V5+ BU%ES %AK+ 9 ! W9D1 YET /ILL ,I RAIS$ SLEEP-HEAVY LIDS & KEPT MY EYES FIX$ ON ! TORSO1 = ,I HAD BECOME 5TRANC$ BY ! GAME & 9TOXICAT$ BY ! MELODY4 ,! HAIR HUNG OV] ! BOY'S *E/ LIKE DROOP+ BRAN*ES ( A WILL[ OR LIKE ! R\ND$ POLES ( A CIRCUL> LODGE SUSP5D$ ABOVE SLEEP]S4 

,! SONG1 ?\< N[ ONLY A HUM B>ELY AUDIBLE ABOVE ! RU/LE ( %AK+ BU%ES1 NEV]!LESS DR[N$ \T ! NOISES ?AT HAD COME FROM ! LODGE BEH9D ME1 ! CONT9UAL COM+S & GO+S1 ! MULTI-L+UAL %\T+4 

,SUDD5LY EV5 ! HUM CEAS$1 ! *E/ /OPP$ HEAV+1 NO W9D %OOK ! BU%ES1 ! WORLD WAS P]FECTLY /ILL4 

,A G5TLE BREEZE FROM ! WE/ %AKES ! BU% BE=E ME EV] SO SLI<TLY1 TURN+ ! BLACK HAIR BEYOND IT 9TO %IMM]+ DROPS ( RA9 ?AT FALL ALONG 9T]MITT5T /R&S1 5CIRCL+ ! HEADLESS TORSO LIKE TRANSP>5T WALLS ( A CIRCUL> BLACK T5T4 

,:ILE ALL ELSE /AYS MOTIONLESS & SIL5T1 ! BLACK T5T SL[LY DESC5DS UNTIL ! 5DS ( ! /R&S T\* ! REGION NE> ! TORSO'S NECK2 H]E ! T5T BEG9S TO SWEEP ALONG ! TORSO'S L5G?1 HOV]+ ABOVE ! HE>T BE=E PROCE$+ T[>D ! NAVEL1 /OPP+1 RETURN+ T[>D ! HE>T & NECK ONLY TO RESUME ! FIR/ C\RSE YET AGA91 /ROK+ ! TORSO RHY?MICALLY LIKE A CURTA9 ( RA9 C>ESS+ A NEWLY PLANT$ FIELD1 LIKE WAVES ( OCEAN WAT] SWEEP+ OV] S& & !N REC$+1 LIKE FLOCKS ( BIRDS FLY+ S\?W>D 9 FALL & 9 SPR+ RETURN+4 

,N[ ! TORSO'S HEAV+ RESUMES1 NO LONG] RESI/+ BUT RESPOND+1 ITS RISES & FALLS CONV]G+ ) ! RHY?M ( ! WAVES /ROK+ IT1 LIKE ! E>? :5 IT PU%ES UP %OOTS 9 SPR+ & REA*ES UPW>D T[>D ! SUN & CL\DS ?AT C>ESS H]1 UNIT+ H]SELF & ! SKY 9TO A S+LE PULSAT+ BE+4 

,ALL AT ONCE MY /OMA* HEAVES & MY :OLE BODY />TS TREMBL+1 = \T ( ! COM] ( MY EYE1 TO ! LEFT ( ! TREE ?AT HIDES ! HEAD FROM MY VIEW1 ,I SEE F\R GU%+ /REAMS ( LIQUID1 EA* %AP$ LIKE AN >*4 ,! GU%+ CEASES :5 ! TRANSP>5T T5T REA*ES ! TORSO'S NECK & !N RESUMES :5 ! BLACK T5T AGA9 SWEEPS T[>D ! NAVEL4 ,FUR!R TO ! LEFT1 ON ! SPOT :]E ONE ( ! GU%+ >*ES REA*ES GR\ND1 A SAPL+ EM]GES1 & GR[S L>G] ) EV]Y %[] ( BLACK RA92 :]E A SECOND /REAM HITS GR\ND AN EGG CRACKS1 A T9Y BIRD EM]GES1 /&S FAC+ ! /REAM1 FILLS ITS BEAK ) BLACK LIQUID & EXT5DS ITS W+S2 A ?IRD JET L&S ON A WORM & ELONGATES IT 9TO ! WRI?+ BODY ( A SNAKE2 :ILE ! F\R? /REAM %[]S ! BODY ( A FURRY ANIMAL ?AT RISES ON ITS H9D LEGS LIKE A BE>1 EXPOSES ITS *E/ TO ! /REAM & HEAVES 9 RHY?M ) ! ONRU%1 LIKE ! TORSO B5EA? ! T5T ( HAIR4 

,%AK+ ) REPULSION1 ,I CIRCUMV5T ! >*ES & CRAWL T[>D ! /RAIT'S %ORE4 

,DESC5T TO ! WAT] 

  

,I /UMBLE T[>D A SPLIT TREE AT ! WAT]'S $GE & LEAN AGA9/ A R\NDI% ROCK BEL[ ITS OV]HANG+ BRAN* AS FOG SETTLES OV] ! /RAIT4 

,SUDD5LY ! ROCK MOVES1 AS IF IT W]E ALIVE4 ,I QUICKLY REALIZE IT'S ,I :O JUMP$ AT ! SMOK+ ISL&'S SCREE*4 ,MY E>S CONT9UE TO BUZZ ) ?REAT5+ S\NDS3 RAIL+ LAU<T] ?AT SEEMS TO COME FROM ! GREAT LODGE1 ! MELODY ACCOMPANY+ ! GU%+ ( ! >*-%AP$ /REAMS4 ,5VELOP$ BY FOG AT ! /RAIT'S $GE1 TRAPP$ BETWE5 ! SMOK+ ISL&1 ! MOCK+ LODGE & ! HORRID GU%+1 ,I FEEL LIKE A /ALK$ ANIMAL 9 A FIELD ( =CES IT CANNOT GRASP4 ,LONG+ TO FLEE1 ,I REMOVE MY BUNDLE'S LOCK ( HAIR & CLUT* IT 9 MY RI<T H&4 

,!RE'S A S\ND 9 ! FOG1 :I* ,I FIR/ TAKE = WAT] LAPP+ ! %ORE BUT SOON ID5TIFY AS ! SWI% ( A PADDLE4 ,I FILL ) JOY AS ,I DI/+UI% ! \TL9E ( A CANOE AS IT GLIDES TO %ORE4 ,A H& GROPES T[>D M9E1 GRASPS1 PULLS ME 94 ,I 5T]1 GRATEFULLY KNEEL BEH9D A SIL5T FIGURE AS %E PADDLES T[>D ! MIDDLE ( ! /RAIT4 ,SOON WE'RE GLID+ PA/ L& :I* MU/ BE ! ,ISLE ( ,FRUIT ,TREES ACROSS FROM ,UDATONTE'S ,K>ONTA51 AWAY FROM ! CRAMP+ ALT]NATIVES ( =C$ ESCAPE OR DEA?1 T[>D A PLACE :]E SE$S & DREAMS CAN GR[ UNH9D]$4 0,NEW CORN GR[S ONLY :]E ! OLD PLANTS >E DE/ROY$10 ! PADDL+ FIGURE *ANTS 9 ,UDATONTE'S MELODI\S TONGUE4 

,! VOICE IS /RANGE4 ,LEAN+ =W>D1 ,I MAKE \T WAVES 9 H] BRAID'S HAIR6 ,FE> %>P5S MY AW>5ESS ( MY :]EAB\TS1 & ,I REALIZE ) DISMAY ?AT ! L& WE'RE PASS+ IS TOO %ORT TO BE ! ,ISLE ( ,FRUIT ,TREES1 ?AT ! PREVI\S ISL& WAS ! ,ISLE ( ,S]P5TS :]E HABITANTS ONCE KEPT !IR HOGS1 ?AT ! L& WE'RE PASS+ IS ! FI%]'S ISLE1 ?AT WE HAV5'T BE5 MOV+ T[>D ,K>ONTA5 AT ALL1 BUT RA!R NOR?W>D T[>D ! GATE :]E ! ,CLE> ,LAKE EMPTIES 9TO ! /RAIT1 & ?AT WE'RE HEAD+ DIRECTLY 9TO ! M\? ( ! ,MOM+- L& ,RIV]4 

,BY ! DIM LI<T ( FOGG$ SUNRISE ,I MAKE \T FLOAT+ OBJECTS2 :5 NE> ONE ,I SEE IT'S A CORPSE6 ,N[ ,I HE> %\TS & GUN%OTS4 ,! PADDL] BANKS ! CANOE NE> ! RIV]'S B5D1 LEAPS \T & RUNS T[>D ! D94 

,I />T TO TREMBLE :5 A VOICE NE> MY CANOE DRAWLS3 ,I'LL SK9 ?IS YALL] *IEF FUR ME YUNGUNS4 ,ANO!R %\TS3 CANT YA SEE SUR T'ANT NO *EEF BUT A YALL] SKWA--NU?9 BUT A YALL] SKWA8 

,A RIFLE %OT DEAF5S ME2 MY >M BUMS ) PA92 MY RI<T H&'S TI<TLY GRIPP$ CONT5TS >E GONE6 ,DI/RACT$ BY ! PA91 ,I LOOK UP ONLY :5 ! CANOE MOVES4 ,! FOG HAS LIFT$4 ,ALONG ! BACK ( ! GIRL PADDL+ FALLS A LONG BRAID ( /RAI<T BLACK HAIR4 ,UDATONTE6 ,I EXT5D MY LEFT H& T[>D H] %\LD]1 BUT CAN'T REA* IT1 AS IF %E W]E GLID+ 9 A DIFF]5T CANOE DIRECTLY AHEAD ( M9E4 

,WE RETURN TO ! RIV]M\?1 PASS ! ,CLE> ,LAKE'S %ORE1 5T] ! /RAIT & HEAD T[>D ! %ORE ) ! R\NDI% ROCK & ! D\BLE-TRUNK$ TREE4 ,:]E ,JAY-MAY'S RECTANGUL> LODGE /OOD1 !RE'S A LONG B>K M\ND CONSI/+ ( SEV]AL CONNECT$ R\ND LODGES ) OP5 TOPS & S\?-FAC+ 5TRANCES4 

,MASK$ FIGURES EM]GE FROM ! LONG LODGE1 DANC+ TO A DRUMBEAT1 HUMM+ A MELODY SUNG AT ! PLANT+ ( COM- SE$S4 ,! FIR/ DANC] C>RIES AN OBJECT4 ,I CRY \T FROM HORROR :5 ,I RECOGNIZE ! OBJECT AS A H&4 

,%E :O BR+S ME TO ?IS1 NEV] %[+ H] FACE1 CANNOT BE ,UDATONTE4 ,I SLIDE TO ! CANOE FLOOR1 WEAK FROM PA9 & DISMAY1 YET /ILL LONG+ TO BE TAK5 TO ! HEAL+ BLUE WAT] ( ! LAKE SURR\ND$ BY GRASS4 ,! CANOE MOVES4 ,AS IF MY LONG+ HAD BE5 HE>D4 

,BUT :5 ,I LOOK \T ,I REALIZE ) RETURN$ DISMAY ?AT WE'RE NOT HEAD+ 9L& T[>D ! ,GRASS ,LAKE NOR WE/W>D T[>D ! ,LONG ,RIV] BUT NOR?W>D ACROSS ! ,CLE> ,LAKE & ?R\< ! UPP] /RAIT BESIDE ! ,P59SULA'S ?UMB4 

,DAY & NI<T %E PADDLES1 N[ ACROSS ,SAGI ,BAY BETWE5 ?UMB & =EF+]1 N[ T[>D ,MI%ILIMAK9A AT ! TIP ( ! LONG F+]S1 N[ S\? AGA9 PA/ ! VILLAGE ( ! LEAN+ TREE1 ACROSS ! BAY TO ! LITTLE F+]1 D[N ! L5G? ( ,MI%IGAMI1 NOT ONCE PAUS+ TO ALLEVIATE MY PA91 & 9/EAD ( HEAD+ T[>D SUNSET & ,LONG ,RIV] AT ! ,LAKEBOTTOM'S PORTAGE1 COMPLET+ A CIRCLE BY TURN+ T[>D ,BISON ,PRAIRIE AT ! WRI/'S CREASE1 C>RY+ ! CANOE OV] ! ,KEKIONGA PORTAGE TO HURRY BACK--:5 SUDD5LY %E /OPS BY A %ORE :]E ! LODGES >E FLATT5$1 ! CORNFIELDS BURN$1 & RUNS T[>D A FIELD ( FALL5 TREES :I* RES\NDS ) ! D]ISIVE LAU<T] ( VILLAGE-DE/ROY]S4 

,I LOSE CONSCI\SNESS :5 SOME?+ %>P CRA%ES 9TO MY HEAD--& REGA9 IT /RET*$ \T ON ! CANOE FLOOR1 %IV]+ FROM COLD1 HEAD SPLITT+1 >M BURN+1 TRY+ TO REMEMB] :AT ,I WAS FLEE+ & :]E ,I WAS RU%+4 ,P[]FUL >MS LIFT ME1 & ,I LOOK UP AT AN ANCI5T FACE1 WR9KL$ LIKE B>K4 

,I'M C>RI$ 9TO A CIRCLE ( SITT+ WOM5 & PLAC$ ON ! GR\ND NE> ! FIRE AT ! C5T]4 ,! B>K-FAC$ WOMAN *ANTS A MELODY ,I LA/ HE>D :5 MY C\S9'S SON WAS BORN1 O!RS RISE & BEG9 TO DANCE >\ND ME & ! FIRE1 EA* ADD+ ANO!R MELODY1 O!R WORDS1 SOME 9 H>MONY1 O!RS 9 DISSONANCE ) ! RE/4 ,! VOLUME RISES1 ! PACE QUICK5S1 ! DANCE BECOMES FR5ZI$ & MY HEAD ?REAT5S TO EXPLODE4 ,I USE UP MY REMA9+ 5]GY RIS+ TO MY FEET & /UMBL+ \T ( ! CIRCLE4 

,! DANCE /OPS4 ,MY CAPTOR RU%ES AT ME2 %E RETURNS ME TO ! C5T] & S+S ME A RIDDLE AB\T A MAN :O CAME FROM ! ,SUNRISE ,M\NTA9S TO ! VALLEYS ( ! ,WABA% LOOK+ = SE$S4 ,%E TELLS H[ ! MAN PLUCK$ H] LOV]'S C\RAGE 9 ! =E/S ( ,KEKIONGA1 SEIZ$ H] BRO!R'S /R5G? 9 ! VALLEY ( ! GREAT ,KANA:A1 FIL*$ H] FA!R'S G5]OSITY AT ! CROSS+ PA?S ( ,PICKAWILLANY1 PLUND]$ H] GR&MO!R'S VISION ON ! %ORES ( ,MI%IGAMI1 S[$ HIS PILF]$ SE$S1 REAP$ !IR FRUIT1 & GREW FE>FUL1 WEAK1 MEAN & BL9D1 = HE S[$ ONLY LEAVES1 HAV+ DE/ROY$ ! SE$S1 BE+ A MAN :O PUT LA/ ?+S FIR/4 

,H] SONG DONE1 %E & ! O!R WOM5 PUT \T ! FIRE & DISP]SE ) ITS A%ES1 LEAV+ ME %IV]+ ) COLD & PA94 ,R$FROCK$ SOLDI]S EM]GE FROM ! =E/1 RAIL & KICK ME1 POKE MY BODY ) SURVEY+ 9/RUM5TS2 A SCALP+ KNIFE CUTS ! SA% ?AT HOLDS MY BUNDLE1 MOVES T[>D MY HEAD--!N PAUSES ABOVE MY EYES1 GLI/5+1 & )DRAWS AS ,R$COATS & 9/RUM5TS RETURN TO ! =E/ FLEE+ FROM A BE> :O AMBLES T[>D ME C>RY+ A /ICK4 

,I /RET* MY LEFT H& T[>D MY SPILL$ P5DANT1 BUT ! BE> PICKS IT UP & AS %E TIES IT >\ND H] NECK ,I SEE BEL[ ! BE>'S HEAD ! BODY ( AN ANCI5T WOMAN COV]$ TO ! WAI/ BY :ITE HAIR4 ,APPREH5SIVELY ,I GA!R ! RE/ ( MY BUNDLE'S CONT5TS1 BUT CAN'T F9D ! FRAGM5T ( B>K SCROLL4 

,MY FRI<T GR[S :5 C\NTLESS O!RS APPROA*2 BODIES ( Y\NG & OLD WOM5 & M51 %ORT BE>D$ M51 *ILDR5 ) HEADS ( WOLVES1 MOOSE1 BE>1 FOX1 DE]1 OR TOPP$ BY HEADS ( TURTLES1 H]ONS1 HAWKS1 EV5 /URGEONS & WAT]SNAKES4 ,! GREATE/ NUMB] =M 9TO A L>GE CIRCLE AT ! V]Y FR+E ( ! =E/1 O!RS 9TO A SMALL] CIRCLE 9SIDE ! L>G]1 :ILE SCORES GA!R NE> MY SIDES & FEET4 

,! BE>WOMAN UNROLLS OV] ME A SCROLL :I* DEPICTS A PALM1 ITS F+]TIPS BY MY FEET1 ITS WRI/ BY MY NECK4 ,! FIGURES NE>E/ ME PILE UP DRY /ICKS :I* ! BE>WOMAN PROCE$S TO LI<T1 AB&ON+ H] [N /ICK 9 ! ?IRD FIRE4 ,TRAPP$ BETWE5 SCALP+ ,R$COATS1 MASK$ CAPTORS & ?REE RAG+ FIRES1 ,I /RUGGLE TO %AKE (F ! SCROLL COV]+ ME & TO RISE--BUT A FOX & A BEAV] RU% TO KEEP MY FEET D[N1 :ILE ! BE>WOMAN REPLACES ! SCROLL4 

,A SONG ) WORDS ( ANCI5T ,RIV]PEOPLE BEG9S 9 ! \T] CIRCLE BEH9D MY HEAD1 ANO!R IS SUNG ON MY RI<T 9 ! LANGUAGE ( ,TURTLEFOLK1 A ?IRD BEL[ MY FEET & ON MY LEFT 9 ! TONGUE ( ,ROOTK94 ,?OSE 9 ! MIDDLE CIRCLE DANCE1 ! PA? ( !IR MOVEM5T =M+ ! \TL9E ( A H&4 ,MY ANXIETY GR[S :5 ! 9N]MO/ FIGURES :IRL & LEAP ) UNRE/RA9$ VIGOR >\ND EA* FIRE1 ?OSE ON MY RI<T REPEAT$LY NAM+ ,TIOSA ,RONDION1 ?OSE BY MY FEET ,MI%ILIMAK9A1 ?OSE ON MY LEFT ,BISON ,PRAIRIE4 

,! *ANT+1 DANC+ & :IRL+ GR[ EV] MORE FR5ZI$--:5 ALL AT ONCE ! CIRCLES BECOME AN 9*OATE MULTITUDE AS A H>E ) A /ICK *ASES ! GR\P ON MY RI<T1 EXT+UI%ES ITS FIRE1 REPEATS ?IS BY MY FEET & PROCE$S TO EXT+UI% ! FIRE ON MY LEFT4 ,H]E ! :ITEHAIR$ BE>WOMAN BLOCKS HIS PA?4 ,! H>E TRIES TO *ASE H]4 ,BUT :5 BE>S FROM EV]Y QU>T]1 ALL >M$ ) /ICKS1 5CIRCLE HIM1 ! H>E SLIPS HIS MASK OV] MY HEAD & FLEES TO ! FR+E AS A BEAV]4 ,N[ ! 5RAG$ BE>S CLOSE !IR CIRCLE >\ND ME1 POK+ ME ) !IR /ICKS4 

,MY FEET SUDD5LY FRE$ BY MY CAPTORS1 ,I LEAP AWAY FROM ! /ICKS & TRIP HEADFIR/ 9TO ! FIRE6 ,! BE>WOMAN EXT+UI%ES MY BURN+ HAIR AS WELL AS ! FIRE & !N VANI%ES ) H] SCROLL & ALL H] ?RONG4 

,ALONE1 COLD1 WRI?+ ) PA91 ,I'M HORRIFI$ BY ! ?\<T ?AT ! GRAY MOON ON ! HORIZON IS ! RIS+ SUN & ?AT ,I'M NE>LY BL9D4 ,SOME?+ COLD T\*ES MY 9JUR$ >M1 S5D+ A %UDD] D[N MY SP9E4 ,ON MY RI<T LIES A BODY ,I MU/ HAVE LOOK$ OV] TO SEE ! HORIZON4 ,APP>5TLY A Y\NG WOMAN1 %E SEEMS TO HAVE BE5 PU%$ UP FROM ! E>? LIKE A FL[]4 ,WEAKLY PULL+ ME1 %E'S TRY+ TO RISE & MAKE ME RISE ) H]4 

,TURN+ MY HEAD1 ,I MAKE \T BODIES EV]Y:]E & ! FIGURE ( A MAN REMOV+ ROBES1 CUTT+ P5DANTS1 TAK+ E>R+S4 ,LOOK+ UP ,I SEE AGITAT$ BLACK %APES :OSE EXCIT$ CRIES ID5TIFY !M AS RAV5S WAIT+ = ! SCAV5G] TO BE DONE ) HIS PICK+4 ,MOV+ T[>D MY COMPANION & ME1 ! SCAV5G] RO>S ) LAU<T]--& /OPS ABRUPTLY :5 MY COMPANION RISES & %\TS A CURSE 9 ! ,TURTLEFOLK TONGUE3 ,MAY Y\R *ILDR5'S *ILDR5 SCAV5GE Y\R GRAVE & FIL* Y\R BONES = TROPHIES6 

,%E GROPES T[>D MY BUNDLE1 REMOVES MY >RO:EAD1 PLACES H] H&S UND] MY >MPITS TO HELP ME RISE1 & AIMS ! >RO:EAD AT ! SCAV5G] AS IF IT W]E A SPE>4 ,AL?\< UNSCA!D1 HE QUICKLY GA!RS UP HIS TROPHIES & FLEES4 

,MY COMPANION LOOKS >\ND AS IF 9 SE>* ( SOME?+ AMONG ! PLAGUE'S H>VE/ ( BODIES1 AMONG ! B>R5 TREES ) SPR+ BUDS SWALL[$ BY W9T]'S RETURN1 & %E WAILS1 AS IF TO GIVE VOICE TO ! DESOLATION4 

,%E WALKS SUPPORT+ ME TO ! CANOE ON ! /RAIT'S %ORE1 PADDLES AWKW>DLY ACROSS ! /RAIT1 & AL?\< NOT H]SELF /RONG1 WALKS ON1 SUPPORT+ ME1 OV] ! L5G? ( ,MOM+- L& TO ! ,GREAT ,FALLS4 ,H]E %E PAUSES1 COLLECTS ICY WAT] 9 CUPP$ H&S1 & APPLIES IT OV] MY EYES4 ,NEI!R ! WAT] NOR H] SAD WAIL IMPROVE MY SI<T BUT ! WEI<T ( MY HEAD IS LI<T5$ BY ! UNTIR+ DET]M9ATION ) :I* %E GUIDES ME ALONG ! BANK ( ! ,EA/]NMO/ ,LAKE TO :]E ! WAT]S FL[ \T ( ! L& ?R\< ! GREAT ,NOR!RN ,RIV]4 

,MY LEFT H& ) ALL ! WEI<T BEH9D IT RE/+ ON H] SUPPORT+ %\LD]1 %E SEEMS TO BECOME ?9N] & SMALL]1 YET %E TRODS ON T[>D ANCI5T ,HO*ELAGA1 ! ISL& VILLAGE4 ,H]E %E RU%ES FROM AB&ON$ R\ND LODGES TO AB&ON$ LON<\SES1 !N RUNS 9 DESP]ATION TO ! %ORE :]E BE>D$ M5 C>RY BAGS FROM FLOAT+ ISL&S & %E CURSES3 ,DE/ROY]S ( SE$S6 ,MAY ALL Y\ REAP TORTURE1 POISON & DE/ROY Y\6 

,BO? ( US /UMBLE FROM EXHAU/ION AS %E PULLS ME ON T[>D ANCI5T ,/ADACONA1 ! VILLAGE ON HILLS OV]LOOK+ ! RIV]1 :]E ON ! RU9S ( DE/ROY$ LON<\SES1 BE>D$ M5 GA!R & DISP]SE1 5T]+ & LEAV+ SQU>E LODGES4 

,MY GUIDE LEAVES ME & RUNS 9TO A LON<\SE ?AT /ILL /&S4 ,I HE> A *ILD'S VOICE SCREAM ) FRU/RATION1 & 9 ! DI/ANCE AN E*O ?AT = AN 9/ANT RESEMBLES ! SCAV5G]'S LAU<T]4 

,MY COMPANION RETURNS1 /ILL AS DEA?1 9 ! >MS ( A TALL WOMAN 9 OTT]SK94 ,! WOMAN PLACES ! SMALL BODY ON ! GR\ND & MY COMPANION VANI%ES1 AS IF SWALL[$ BY ! E>? ?AT PU%$ H] UP4 

,I COLLAPSE FROM EXHAU/ION & FROM MY NEW & MO/ PA9FUL LOSS4 ,! OTT]WOMAN PULLS MY %ELL \T ( MY BUNDLE & FIXES IT OV] MY RI<T EYE :ILE S++ 9 ! TONGUE ( ANCI5T ,OCEAN%ORE ,ROOTK9 ( E>?'S EXHAU/ION FROM SWALL[+ SO MANY CORPSES & ( A NEW E>? ?AT WILL RISE FROM ! CORPSES' BONES2 & AS %E S+S1 FLOAT+ ISL&S CR[D$ ) BE>D$ M5 FROM ,HO*ELAGA1 PAUSE BY ! %ORE TO GA!R ,/ADACONA'S BE>D$ M54 

,! OTT]WOMAN PICKS ME UP & C>RIES ME LIKE A *ILD YET FUR!R T[>D ! SUNRISE1 CROSS+ /REAMS BY RAFT OR CANOE1 NEV] SL[+ H] PACE NOR CEAS+ H] SONG4 

,ALL ! FLOAT+ ISL&S >E CONGREGAT+ AT ! ,NOR!RN ,RIV]'S 5ORM\S M\? :]E ! ,GREAT ,LAKES' WAT]S FL[ 9TO ! SALT SEA4 ,BE>D$ M5 (F] US KNIVES & ROPES :ILE PULL+ ON ! OTT]SK94 ,! WOMAN RU%ES PA/ !M T[>D ! S\!RN 5TRANCE ( A LODGE AT L&'S 5D4 ,I VAGUELY REMEMB] HAV+ DREAD$ ?IS LODGE1 BUT NO LONG] KN[ :Y4 

,! WOMAN TAKES MY FEA!R FROM MY BUNDLE1 RU%ES TO A COM]1 RETURNS ) A L>GE BAG1 REMOVES A %ELL ID5TICAL TO M9E & PLACES IT OV] MY LEFT EYE4 

,I'M C>RI$ \T ( ! LODGE & DEPOSIT$ ON SOME?+ S(T & YIELD+4 ,TWO H&S REMOVE ! %ELLS FROM MY EYES4 ,I'M A/\ND$ BY ! LI<T6 ,I CAN SEE--BUT TOO LATE TO VIEW ! FACE ( ! TALL ,ROOTWOMAN2 EV5 H] OTT]SK9 ROBE REC$ES 9 ! DI/ANCE AS ,I RISE 9 ! AIR ON ! S(T BACK ( A RAV54 

,! BIRD SWOOPS T[>D LONGBE>D$ M5 :O1 ON SEE+ US1 GA!R UP FURS1 ROPES1 KNIVES1 & FLEE TO FLOAT+ ISL&S4 ,! RAV5 FLIES EA/W>D OV] ! L& SURR\ND$ BY SALT SEA1 !N S\?W>D OV] %ORES ( EA/]N ,ROOTK9 & ,L5APIK91 EA/W>D AGA9 OV] ! L& ( /ONE GIANTS & FEA!R$ S]P5TS1 & :]EV] %E SWOOPS D[N1 HORSES RE> UP & ?R[ (F LANCE->M$ RID]S2 C[S1 %EEP1 HORSES1 RATS & M5 ) GUNS RACE EA* O!R TO CR[D$ ISL&S FLOAT+ \T TO SEA4 

,RAV5 & ,I *UCKLE OV] ! SIMPLICITY ( \R /RATAGEM3 ! BE>D$ M5 TAKE BIRD & RID] = A S+LE BE+1 AN 9V9CIBLE DEITY COM+ TO RECLAIM H] 9VAD$ L&4 

,RETURN+ NOR?W>D1 ,I =GET MY PA9S ON SEE+ ! GREAT RIV]'S BANKS LU% ) LEAVES & MULTICOLOR$ FL[]S1 TEEM+ ) ANIMALS1 %IMM]+ ) ! EC/ATIC MOTION ( ,TALAMATUN DANC]S 9 MYRIAD CAMPS ( LON<\SES4 

,AT LA/ ,I SEE ! OTT]WOMAN1 PADDL+ UP/REAM ALMO/ AS QUICKLY AS ! RAV5 FLIES1 ! WAT] 9 H] CANOE'S *ANNEL SEEM+ TO BE RU%+ UP/REAM ) H]4 ,BETWE5 EA* /ROKE %E ?R[S A %ELL1 & :]E ! %ELLS L&1 BIRDS HAT*1 TREES BLOOM1 VILLAGE FIRES >E LIT1 C\NCILGR\NDS ?ROB ) ORGIES ( R5EWAL4 

,/RAPP+ ! CANOE TO H] BACK1 ! OTT]WOMAN RUNS FROM ! %ORE ( ! ,EA/]NMO/ ,LAKE TO ! ,SUNRISE ,M\NTA9S & RESUMES H] WAT] J\RNEY :]E ! BODY ( ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV] IS F$ BY ! \T/RET*$ >MS ( TWO RU%+ M\NTA9 RIV]S4 ,D[N/REAM AT ! VALLEYS :OSE M\?S KISS ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV]1 AT ! ,MUSK+UM1 ,KANA:A1 ,SCIOTO1 ,OMAUMEK1 ,K5TAKI1 ,WABA%1 & !N UP/REAM ALONG ! %ORES ( ! ,LONG ,RIV]1 %E PAUSES TO PLACE %ELLS ON M\NDS %AP$ LIKE M\NTA9S1 BREA/S1 BE>S1 S]P5TS1 ?UND]BIRDS4 ,BONES EM]GE FROM ! M\NDS & BLOOM 9TO BODIES ( ,RIV]PEOPLE1 ,TELLEGWI1 :O DANCE 9 MASKS ( WOLVES1 S]P5TS & MOOSE4 

,?R[+ H] REMA9+ %ELLS T[>D E>?LODGES 9 WE/]N PRAIRIES & /ONELODGES 9 DI/ANT CANYONS ( ! ,SUNSET ,M\NTA9S1 %E RUNS TO ! %ORE ( ,MI%IGAMI1 FILLS H] BAG ) /ONES1 & WALKS OV] ! H&-%AP$ ,P59SULA1 S[+ /ONES :I* BECOME ,NE%NABEK1 ! FIR/ PEOPLE4 

,SCORES ( ,NE%NABEK PADDLE FROM ,KI*IGAMI T[>D ! ?REE COM]S ( ! H&1 :ILE ,TALAMUTUN FROM ,MOM+L& & ,TELLEGWI FROM ! RIV] VALLEYS RU% TO M+LE ) !M4 ,AS ! RAV5 RISES 9TO MOONLESS NI<T1 />S LI<T UP ! GREAT CIRCLES SURR\ND+ ! ,P59SULA4 ,! SOO?+ UP & D[N RHY?M ( H] W+S PUTS ME TO SLEEP4 

,I F9D MYSELF AT ! V]Y $GE ( SALT WAT] :]E NOR!RN L&S 5D1 DANC+ ALONGSIDE NAK$ ,NE%NABEK >\ND A FIRE ?AT W>DS (F ICY ,DIG[94 ,I FEEL FREE1 MY HEAD IS CLE>1 MY FEET /RONG1 MY RI<T H& GRASPS A SPE>H&LE & MY BUNDLE HOLDS A PACKET ( FI%BONES4 

,:5 \R DANC+ SLACK5S1 ,DIG[9 EXT+UI%ES \R FIRE & TRIES TO HOLD D[N ! RIS+ SUN1 BUT WE *ASE AFT] HIM ?R\< ?ICK =E/S ALONG ! PA?S HE FLATT5S DISGUIS$ AS A MON/R\S BISON ) S]P5T'S FACE & BIRD'S FEET2 WE CONQU] ! MON/] & CELEBRATE A FEA/4 

,! MON/]'S ANGRY SPIRIT CAUSES E>? TO %AKE & FLOOD1 SO WE FLEE ACROSS A L& ( S& :]E \R FEET BURN & \R ?ROATS P>* UNTIL AT LA/ WE REA* A WORLD :]E WE NE$ NEI!R FIRE NOR SPE>S1 A WORLD ( P]PETUAL LU%NESS & W>M? :]E WE S+ ) BIRDS1 DANCE ) BE>S1 HOP ) H>ES & SLI!R ) SNAKES1 :]E WE BA! \RSELVES ) SUN1 TRAVEL ) />S & WRAP \RSELVES ) MOONLI<T :ILE WE B$ ) BEAUTIFUL E>?4 

,ALONE ) ! FULL MOON1 ,I DIP MY HEAD TO SIP WAT] FROM A /ILL POND4 ,A FACE RISES1 ITS LIPS KISS M9E4 ,9 ! %ELL-LESS TURTLE ) BEAV]'S HEAD & GLI/5+ SILV]Y-GRAY SCALES ,I RECOGNIZE ! ONE ,I'M SEEK+4 

,I L[] MY BUNDLE 9TO ! POND BUT ! WAT] MUDDIES & %E VANI%ES4 ,SL[LY ,I CRAWL 9TO ! POND AFT] H]1 WADDL+ ON TURTLE FEET TO ! V]Y BOTTOM ( ! WAT]Y WORLD4 ,I S5SE MYSELF BECOM+ LIQUID1 FULL1 UNB\ND$4 

,REEM]G5CE 

  

,I DISSOLVE4 ,!RE'S ONLY WAT]4 ,WAT] ) A DREAM 9 ITS DEP?S1 LIKE MOON'S REFLECTION1 A LIQUID YOLK WRAPP$ 9 A WAT]Y BLANKET1 A SE$ 9 A WOMB1 A DREAM ?AT'S R\S$ :5EV] SUN'S YELL[ HAIR C>ESSES OR MOON'S COOL TONGUE LICKS ! WAT]'S SURFACE & MAKES IT RIPPLE4 

,SUN'S W>M /R&S P5ETRATE1 MAKE ! DREAM RISE LIKE A BUBBLE & BREAK ?R\< ! SURFACE AS FOAM1 :I* BECOMES A RA9B[ UNIT+ WAT] ) SKY :ILE ITS MOI/URE FALLS & DISSOLVES4 

,LOVE-PLAY ( SUN & MOON ON WAT]'S SURFACE R\SES ! DREAM AGA91 MAK+ IT FLY UPW>D1 FRAGM5T 9TO MYRIAD P>TICLES :I* DANCE FR5ZI$LY UNTIL1 EXHAU/$ & AMORPH\S1 !Y FALL BACK AS SLIME & MUD1 ONLY TO RISE YET AGA91 9TOXICAT$ ) DESIRE1 & HEAVE UPW>D 9 A GU% ?AT PULLS UP WAT]'S BOTTOM & S5DS MUD & SLIME DANC+ T[>D ! SKY4 

,WAT] RU%ES UPW>D TO RECLAIM ! FRAGM5T+ MUD1 BUT ITS DOM9ION IS OV]TURN$4 ,! MUD DRIES 9 BAK+ SUN & H>D5S 9TO M\NTA9S4 ,BOTTOM IS TOP4 

,DESIRE SATISFI$1 ! FRAGM5TS RELAX1 FALL BACK1 TRY TO DISSOLVE1 TRY TO BECOME ONE AGA94 ,BUT ! UNITY IS RUPTUR$4 ,RA!R ?AN LY+ NAK$ & ?IR/Y BETWE5 WAT] & SKY1 FRAGM5TS :O FLEW \T ON W+S WADDLE BACK ON PADDLES1 BUT !N RETURN AGA91 BODIES 9 WAT]1 SN\TS SNIFF+ AIR1 OSCILLAT+ BETWE5 L& & WAT] LIKE BEAV]S1 UNDECID$4 

,WAVES & TORR5TS WA% D[N ALL :O TRY TO WADDLE UP%ORE1 UNTIL E>? />TS TO PLAY ) ! WAT]1 TO TRAP IT BETWE5 H] ROCKY BONES4 ,TURN+ ! WAT] 9TO H] BODY'S BLOOD1 E>? DECORATES H] MOI/5$ FLE% ) HAIR & WELCOMES ! SILV]Y-GRAY SCAL$ TURTLE SPAWN+ ON ITS SURFACE4 ,:5 RECKLESS FEA/+ BY ! TURTLE'S *ILDR5 ?9S E>?'S LU% HAIR1 ! P>5T TURNS ON ! *ILDR5 &1 LIKE ! WAT] ?AT RECLAIM$ RIS5 MUD1 SWALL[S ! (FSPR+4 

,!Y GIVE !MSELVES--BUT ONLY :5 !Y CAN'T AVOID BE+ EAT54 ,MANY FLY 9TO ! AIR1 O!RS CRAWL UND] ROCKS1 YET O!RS WALK TO D5S4 ,SOME ( US JO9 ! FLI]S 9 !IR NE/S1 ! CRAWL]S UND] !IR ROCKS1 ! WALK]S 9 !IR D5S4 

,SOME ( US NURTURE A DREAM1 :I* SOON GNAWS \R DEP?S4 ,HID+ \R DREAM1 WE WAKE ! O!RS ON A MOONLESS NI<T & 9VITE !M TO FEA/ ON A FOOD ?AT EM]GES ONLY AFT] D>K1 A FOOD WE NAME ,DIG[94 

,\R K9 DESC5D FROM TREES1 EM]GE FROM ROCKS & D5S1 & WAIT = \R SIGNAL1 :5 ALL P\NCE AT ONCE & TE> (F *UNKS ( ,DIG[94 ,/R5G!N$ & 9TOXICAT$ BY :AT WE EAT1 WE DANCE FR5ZI$LY1 CIRCL+ ! SPOT EC/ATICALLY1 /RET*+ \T LIMBS T[>D ! SKY UNTIL WE FALL TO ! GR\ND EXHAU/$4 

,! MORN+ AFT] ! FEA/1 WE WAKE SURR\ND$ BY 5ORM\S FI%BONES :I* >E ALL ?AT REMA9S ( \R P>5T1 & BY H]BS PU%+ UP FROM ! GR\ND1 B]RIES RIP5+ ON BU%ES1 FRUIT SPR\T+ ON TREES4 ,E>?'S HAIR IS R5EW$6 ,IT GR[S \T ( ! SAME DREAM+ SLIME WE'RE MADE (6 

,YET \R K9 TURN FROM US1 AVOID US1 SOME EV5 RUN FROM US4 ,WE LOOK AT \RSELVES1 AT ALL ?OSE IMPLICAT$ 9 ! DE$1 AT ! W+$ ONES ) CURV$ BEAKS & CLAWS1 AT ! FURRY ONES ) FANGS1 & AT ! SL[1 WEAK %ELL-LESS TURTLES ) SILV]Y-GRAY SCALES1 & WE SEE :AT ! O!RS >E SEE+1 WE SEE ! ONE WE NAM$ ,DIG[91 ! UNQU5*ABLE1 ! FLE%- EAT]1 ! DEV\R] ( K94 

,! MOM5T WE RECOGNIZE \RSELVES1 E>? BEG9S TO %AKE1 *ASMS OP51 PRAIRIES RISE UP 9TO M\NTA9S1 =E/S >E DR[N$ BY BRACKI% WAT]S4 ,WE FLEE T[>D NE/S1 UND] ROCKS1 9TO D5S1 BUT \R C\S9S REFUSE TO %ELT] US4 ,EV5 C>RION BIRDS & WOLVES1 5RAG$ AT US = IMPLICAT+ !M 9 \R DE$1 TURN AGA9/ US & ?REAT5 TO DO ) US :AT WE DID ) ,DIG[94 ,IF ONLY WE HADN'T IMPLICAT$ O!RS6 

,! %AK+1 ! HO/ILITY1 ! ?REATS DON'T 5D UNTIL WE AGREE TO TAKE \RSELVES & ! REMA9S ( \R P>5T AWAY FROM \R MOI/1 W>M HOME4 ,) HEAVY HE>TS WE TRUDGE BEYOND =E/'S 5D TO :]E E>?'S SK9 IS SCOR*$4 ,TO AVOID BURN+ ALL F\R LIMBS ON ! HOT S&1 WE WALK ON H9D LEGS ONLY2 \R SCALES FALL (F \R DRI$-UP SK9S2 ONLY ?OSE ON TOES & F+]S REMA94 ,MANY DESPAIR & RETURN TO ! L& ( \R PLANT-EAT+ K94 

,?OSE ( US :O AT LA/ REA* S&'S 5D1 AV]SE TO RAW FLE% S9CE ! MORN+ AFT] \R DE$1 ACQUIRE A TA/E = ROA/$ FLE% :5 WE F9D A GIANT BURNT BY A =E/ FIRE4 ,TY+ /ONES TO TREE /EMS1 WE /ALK ! GIANT'S K91 & CONV9CE !M TO (F] !MSELVES TO US BY REM9D+ !M WE'RE ALL ,DIG[9'S GR&*ILDR54 

,WE COME TO A LU% =E/ ON A TONGUE ( L& B\ND$ BY ICE M\NTA9S & SALT SEA4 ,H]E G5]\S WAT] C\S9S ATTA* !MSELVES TO \R POLES1 FLEET DE] GIVE !MSELVES :5 WE LE>N TO DELIV] \R /ONE-TIPP$ /EMS FROM ,IB[S1 EV5 5ORM\S BISON OCCASIONALLY PAUSE 9 ! PA? ( \R SPE>S4 

,COV]+ \RSELVES ) \R C\S9S' SK9S DUR+ EV] LONG] & COLD] NI<TS1 WE RECOV] ! W>M? WE LEFT ONLY :5 WE GORGE & 9TOXICATE \RSELVES ON \R C\S9S' FLE%1 & :5 WE HUDDLE >\ND MOI/5$ HOT /ONES 9 BISON SK9 T5TS :]E REUNIT$ FRAGM5TS DISSOLVE 9TO W>M SWEAT4 

,BUT A FIRE BLAZES ACROSS ! SKY & MELTS ! ICE M\NTA9S1 FLOOD+ =E/S ) COLD SLU%1 WA%+ \R C\S9S & E>?'S LU%NESS 9TO ! SALT SEA4 ,ON PADDLE-SIHOES ?AT HOLD US ABOVE DEEP SN[1 WE FLEE BEH9D H>ES & DE] TO :]E GREAT M\NTA9S RISE4 

,H]E WE P>T SADLY ) SI/]S & BRO!RS :O TAKE ! SLOPE FAC+ SUNSET & WE W&] 9TO WOODL&S B\ND$ BY SEAS ( SWEET WAT]4 ,WE KN[ ! MOM5T WE >RIVE ?AT WE WILL W&] NO MORE4 ,\R FIR/ HOME C\LD NOT HAVE BE5 MORE LU%1 MORE BEAUTIFUL4 

,! C\S9S :O WELCOME US TO ,KI*IGAMI1 ?IS L& ( GREAT LAKES1 SEEM TO HAVE =GIV5 OR =GOTT5 \R DE$4 ,AS 9 ANCI5T DAYS1 BE>1 BEAV]1 DE]1 MUSKRAT & M>T5 :ISP] TO US 9 ! =E/1 SP>R[ & GULL S+ TO US1 /URGEON VISIT US 9 DREAMS4 ,!Y %[ US ! PA?S1 GUIDE US TO AN ISL& ) R$ /ONES1 LEAD US TO ROOTS1 B]RIES1 TREE NECT>1 WAT] RICE1 & ON A W9DLESS DAY TAKE US TO A BIR* GROVE :]E ! V]Y B>K S+S ( LODGES ?AT HOLD W>M?1 ( CONTA9]S ?AT HOLD TREE SUG>1 ( CANOES ?AT FLOAT ON SWEET WAT]4 

,YET SOME ( US AGA9 GR[ RE/LESS ) A DREAM ?AT GNAWS \R DEP?S4 ,WE SET \T1 UNEXPECT$LY REA* ,B[ET+1 ! CAT>ACT :]E ,KI*IGAMI'S WAT]S FL[ \T1 SMA% \R CANOES1 & RETURN TO \R CAMP ON FOOT4 ,SETT+ \T AGA9 9 NEW CANOES1 :I* WE C>RY PA/ ! CAT>ACT1 WE COME TO AN ISL& AT ! C5T] ( ! LAKES4 ,FOLL[+ ONE & !N ! O!R SIDE1 WE LE>N ! ISL& IS A GIANT'S RI<T H&4 ,AFT] SLEEP+ & FEA/+ ON ! GIANT'S PALM1 WE C>RY \R CANOES UP ! GIANT'S BODY1 FOLL[ A /REAM1 & REA* A BEAUTIFUL RIV] ?AT FL[S FROM ! SUNRISE4 

,WALK+ T[>D A CAMP+ SPOT1 WE COME TO TRACKS MADE BY TWO-LEGG$ WALK]S4 ,A SI/] TELLS US ?AT !SE TRACKS W]E NOT MADE BY ,NE%NABEK1 & WE GR[ FE>FUL1 S9CE WE1 ! ,NE%NABEK1 ! ,ROOTK91 >E ! ONLY UPRI<T WALK]S 9 ALL ,KI*IGAMI4 

,! TRACKS MU/ BE ,DIG[9'S4 ,WE PREP>E TO FLEE4 ,BUT \R UNCLE /OPS US BY SAY+ ?AT ,NE%NABEK DO NOT FLEE FROM ,DIG[92 !N HE TELLS US HIS DREAM3 ,I SAW A H>E :O TOLD ME HE WAS ,WISKE1 ! GIV]4 ,HE TOLD ME HE WAS ONCE AS WEAK AS ! FIR/ ,NE%NABEK1 UNTIL HE 9/IGAT$ ! SLAY+ ( ,DIG[94 ,! DE$ MADE HIM POT5T4 ,:5 ! FLEE+ ,NE%NABEK GREW HUNGRY1 HE GAVE A TREE /EM ! PO9T$ %APE ( HIS LONG MEMB] & SO MADE ! FIR/ SPE>4 ,:5 WE GREW COLD1 HE RUBB$ HIS MEMB] ON DRY /ICKS & MADE !M FLAME4 ,HE GUID$ US TO ! L& ( ICE & MADE \R FIR/ >R[1 B[ & SN[%OE4 ,:5 WE REA*$ ,KI*IGAMI HE GAVE US ! CANOE & ! B>K LODGE4 ,HE COMM&S ! DE] TO (F] !MSELVES TO \R >R[S4 ,HE EV5 SPEAKS TO ! W9D & ! RA94 ,:5 ,I BEGG$ = HIS P[]S1 ! H>E VANI%$4 

,EMBOLD5$ BY HIS DREAM1 WE NAME \R UNCLE ,WISKE & FOLL[ HIM1 BY ! LI<T ( ! FULL MOON1 T[>D ! S\RCE ( ! TRACKS MADE BY PEOPLE :O >E NOT ,NE%NABEK4 ,WE COME TO A BRU%LESS FIELD CLE>$ NEI!R BY /ORM NOR BY FIRE1 !N TO A CAMP ( R\ND1 BREA/-%AP$ M\NDS SURR\ND$ BY A MUD EMBANKM5T4 ,CLIMB+ A HILL1 WE REA* A GA!R+ MORE NUM]\S ?AN SEV]AL CAMPS (,NE%NABEK4 

,HOM$ M5 LEAN+ ON SPE>S SUCK RE$S ATTA*$ TO B[LS & EMIT SMOKE4 ,WOM5 WE>+ BISON ROBES DANCE1 WAIL & %\T 9COMPREH5SIBLE S\NDS4 ,AT ! C5T] ( ALL IS A MON/R\S S]P5T ) SEV]AL COILS & GAP+JAWS4 

,TELLEGWI1 ONE ( US :ISP]S1 NAM+ ! /RANG]S ,S]P5TS4 ,ALL AT ONCE A NAK$ GIRL RUNS UP ! HILL1 PA/ HORN$ M51 PA/ WAIL+ WOM51 /RAI<T 9TO ! S]P5T'S JAWS4 ,WE NOTICE ?REE O!R NAK$ GIRLS DANC+ 9 ! FIELD BEL[ ! HILL4 ,RU%+ D[N1 WE AMBU% EA* 9 TURN AS %E BEG9S TO RUN UPHILL1 & WE C>RY !M TO ! RIV]'S %ORE1 F> FROM ! S]P5T'S JAWS4 ,WISKE PROMPTLY IMPREGNATES ALL ?REE VIRG9S ) HIS L>GE MEMB]4 

,ONLY ! =E?\<T ( A NEPHEW :O HAD BR\<T ! CANOES FROM !IR HID+ PLACES SAVES ,WISKE'S MEMB] FROM BE+ CUT TO PIECES BY ! SPE>S ( PURSU+ HOM$ M54 

,ON \R RETURN J\RNEY ,WISKE ALT]NATELY BOA/S ( \R EXPLOIT AS A SECOND VICTORY OV] ,DIG[91 & V[S TO RETURN ) A CANOE C>AVAN ( >M$ NEPHEWS TO A*IEVE SU* A VICTORY4 ,HE SAYS ! ,TELLEGWI1 EV5 ! ?REE BRIDES1 >E NOT PEOPLE BUT EMBODIM5TS ( ,DIG[91 :OSE SPIRIT AB&ON$ \R P>5T'S BODY JU/ BE=E \R DE$1 & CAME H]E TO WAIT = \R COM+4 

,! J\RNEY IS LONG4 ,WE /RAY FROM \R PA? TO SEEK BISON = ! /RANGE WOM54 ,ONE ( !M LE>NS TO SPEAK1 & EV5 TO DISPUTE ) ,WISKE3 ,WE HAVE FLE% FROM E>?1 LIFE FROM ! SUN & BLOOD FROM ! SKY1 LIKE Y\4 

,WISKE SAYS3 ,IF ! ,TELLEGWI W]E C\S9S ( ! ,NE%NABEK1 !Y W\LD HAVE HAD TO DEVISE ! SPE>1 FLEE OV] ! L& ( ICE1 & >RIVE 9 ,KI*IGAMI BE=E US1 ALL )\T ! H>E'S GUIDANCE4 ,?AT'S UN?9KABLE4 ,Y\ >E ,DIG[94 

,! BRIDE RESPONDS3 ,C\S9S OR NOT1 \R GR&MO!RS W]E CAMP$ ON ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV] BE=E !RE W]E ANY ,NE%NABEK1 :5 A M\NTA9-SIZ$ :ITE S]P5T DESC5D$ FROM ! NOR? & SWALL[$ PEOPLE1 ANIMALS1 TREES & L&4 ,NO ,WISKE /OPP$ ! S]P5T1 & WE HAD TO FLEE TO ! S\?1 :]E WE ACQUIR$ ! SE$-SCATT]+ P[]S ( ! W9D4 ,:5 WE RETURN$ ! S]P5T RETREAT$1 = :I* WE ?ANK HIM :5EV] WE GIVE \R SE$S TO E>?4 

,BY ! TIME WE REA* \R ,ROOTK9'S %ORE1 ,WISKE1 LIKE ! RE/ ( US1 WE>S A BISON'S HEAD & ROBE1 EMITS SMOKE FROM A PIPE1 & WAVES A SPE>4 

,\R SURPRIS$ K9 DON'T GREET US ) WELCOM+ LAU<T]4 ,!Y %[] US ) >R[S & COME AFT] US 9 SWIFT CANOES4 ,WE FLEE MORE QUICKLY ?AN WE FL$ FROM ! ,TELLEGWI4 

,WISKE REMOVES HIS BISON COV]+S & SWIMS T[>D \R K9 %\T+ OBSC5ITIES4 ,! RE/ ( US PADDLE )\T PAUSE TO A SPOT HALFWAY BETWE5 HO/ILE K91 A PLACE ON ! PALM1 BY ! ?UMB & WRI/1 BY A BEAV]POND NEXT TO A /RAIT4 

,\R NEW K9SWOM5 GIVE BIR? TO DAU<T]S & A SON4 

,BE=E LONG1 BISON HUNT]S FROM ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV] AS WELL AS DE]HUNT]S FROM ! NOR? HE> US LE>N+ EA* O!R'S SONGS1 APPROA* \R CAMP1 & AT LA/ SMOKE ) US4 ,FROM ! VISITORS WE LE>N ?AT ,WISKE1 HAV+ V[$ TO DEFEAT ,DIG[9 = ! SECOND TIME1 L$ A C>AVAN ( >M$ NEPHEWS1 NOT ?R\< ! /RAIT TO :]E ,TELLEGWI W>RIORS WAIT$1 BUT T[>D ! SUNSET & D[N A LONG RIV]4 ,!Y F\ND A CAMP ( /RANG]S & PROMPTLY ATTACK$1 CONV9C$ ?AT ! /RANG]S W]E ,TELLEGWI1 EV5 ?\< !IR LODGES /OOD ON GR\ND & NOT ON M\NDS1 M5 WORE NO BISON HEADS1 Y\? C>RI$ B[S & NOT SPE>S4 

,! /RANG]S' DISC]NM5T WAS NO GREAT] ?AN ,WISKE'S1 = !Y HA/ILY REV5G$ !MSELVES ON ! ,NE%NABEK BY ATTACK+ A B& ( ,TELLEGWI BISON HUNT]S4 RETURN ) A /RANGE Y\? :O TELLS US1 9 BROK5 ,ROOTSPEE* AID$ BY SIGNS1 ?AT HIS K9 >E NOT MON/]S1 MAN-EAT]S OR S]P5TS2 ON ! CONTR>Y3 ,WE FL$ FROM A L& F> TO ! S\? :]E /ONE GIANTS1 MAN-EAT]S & GREAT-HORN$ S]P5TS PUR- SU$ US4 

,! /RANG] LE>NS TO DISPUTE ) US MORE QUICKLY ?AN HE LE>NS \R SPEE*1 & :5 HE HE>S \R ACC\NT ( ! FIR/ ,WISKE'S VICTORY OV] ,DIG[91 HE PROTE/S3 ,WISKE DID NOT SLAY T HE GREAT TURTLE1 S9CE E>? /ILL RE/S ON ! TURTLE'S BACK4 

,LAU<+1 WE NAME HIM ,TURTLEP]SON1 ,TALAMATUN1 SOME:AT UNFAIRLY1 S9CE ,NE%NABEK TRACE !IR DESC5T TO ! TURTLE81 :]EAS ! /RANG] CLAIMS TO DESC5D FROM A WOMAN :O ,ML FROM ! SKY1 = :OSE SAKE A BEAV] & A MUSKRAT NE>LY HUR/ !IR LUNGS DIV+ TO ! BOTTOM ( ! SEA = E>? TO PLACE ON ! TURTLE'S BACK4 

,! Y\? TELLS US3 ,:5 Y\R ,WISKE ATTACK$ US1 WE ?\<T ! MAN-EAT]S W]E AFT] US AGA91 SO WE BROKE CAMP & CROSS$ ! ,LONG ,RIV] ON RAFTS & LOGS4 ,BUT ! CLOS] WE GOT TO ! SUNRISE1 ! MORE \R SC\TS SPOKE ( ! ?+S WE FE>$1 ( E>!N GIANTS1 ( HORN$ S]P5TS1 ( SPE>->M$ M5 :OSE V]Y TONGUE RESEMBL$ ! TONGUE ( \R OLD PUR- SU]S4 ,:5 Y\R P>TY REA*$ US1 WE W]E RELIEV$ TO LE>N \R ATTACK] WAS A M]E H>E1 & WE /RET*$ \R MEMORIES TO CAT* EV]Y FAMILI> WORD SPOK5 BY ! ,RIV]WOMAN AMONG ! PEACEMAK]S1 \R TONGUES BE+ ANCI5TLY RELAT$4 ,WE W]E 5RAPTUR$ BY Y\R K9SWOMAN'S DESCRIPTION ( A VA/ WOODL& ) BEAV] & DE]1 & )\T BISON TO TRAMPLE \R CORNFIELDS4 

,WE EXPECT ! ,TALAMATUN'S NUM]\S K9 TO >RIVE ANY DAY FROM !IR SUNSET CAMPS1 BUT CANOES ( DE]HUNT]S FROM ! NOR? >RIVE 9/EAD & 9VITE US TO A GREAT FI% FEA/ AT ! CAT>ACT ( ,B[ET+4 

,\R GUE/ ACCOMPANIES US TO ! NOR?1 FE>FUL ?AT SOME?+ T]RIBLE HAPP5$ TO HIS K94 

,AT ! C\NCIL1 A ONE->M$ W>RIOR SPEAKS ( ,WISKE'S SECOND & L>G] C>AVAN ( >M$ NEPHEWS3 ,F9D+ NO CAMPS ON ! ,LONG ,RIV]1 WE PADDL$ UP ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV] & ATTACK$ VILLAGES ) & )\T M\NDS4 ,AT FIR/ ! BESIEG$ TOOK !IR REV5GE BY TURN+ ON EA* O!R4 ,BUT :5 !Y BEGAN TO MAKE COMMON CAUSE ) EA* O!R & AGA9/ US1 ,WISKE FL$4 ,! RE/ ( US APPEAS$ \R PURSU]S BY (F]+ PROTECTION FROM ! MON/] ,DIG[91 SOME TO ONE CAMP1 SOME TO ! O!R4 ,N[ ALL >E SUSPICI\S ( ,NE%NABEK2 EV]Y VILLAGE S+S ( W>2 

,ON HE>+ ?IS1 WE S5D A PEACE P>TY T[>D SUNSET 9 SE>* ( ! /RANG]S4 ,AFT] A LONG ABS5CE1 ! PEACEMAK]S B&S ( FRATRICIDAL MANHUNT]S ROAM ! WOODS & 9DISCRIM9ATELY ATTACK BISON HUNT]S1 DE]HUNT]S1 TRAVEL]S1 EV5 VISION SEEK]S4 ,RUMORS GR[ EV] MORE T]RIFY+4 ,EA* VILLAGE ?9KS ITS MORTAL 5EMY LODGES 9 ! VILLAGE AT TWO REMOVES4 ,YET ,I RETURN HOME ONLY TO F9D \R UNCLE RECRUIT+ /ILL ANO!R >M$ C>AVAN6 

,A NEWLY PA9T$ Y\? RISES & ASKS 9DIGNANTLY3 ,:]E W\LD WE BE )\T \R UNCLE'S GUIDANCE1 HIS GIFTS1 HIS PROTECTION FROM ,DIG[91 HIS /RIV+ 4 4 4 

,BE=E ! Y\? IS DONE1 AN OLD ,ROOTWOMAN PULLS ,WISKE 9TO ! CIRCLE BY ! E> & ASKS3 ,:AT GUIDANCE8 ,:AT GIFTS8 ,:AT PROTECTION8 ,WAS IT ?IS H>E OR \R GREAT-GR&MO!R :O PULL$ A DEAD BISON FROM A ROCKSLIDE & PLAC$ A %>P ROCK 9 H] SON'S H&2 :O SAW LI<TN+ /RIKE DEAD BRU%WOOD & EV] AFT] KEPT A FIRE/ICK2 :O FOLL[$ A DUCK TO :]E RICE GR[S1 A BEE TO :]E SAP OOZES1 A BE> TO :]E B]RIES RIP52 :O HE>D FROM A /URGEON AB\T ! CANOE & W5T ) A :ITEFI% TO F9D ! R$ ROCK8 ,:AT'S ?IS ONE'S GIFT BUT TO TURN \R Y\? 9TO HOLL[ RE$S FILL$ ) HIS W9D8 ,:O IS ! ,DIG[9 WE NE$ PROTECTION FROM IF NOT ?IS BOA/]8 

,WISKE'S EYES LOOK TO ! SKY1 AS IF 9VIT+ ! CL\DS TO /RIKE US ) LI<TN+ & TO DR[N US1 BUT :5 SEV]AL WOM5 APPROA* HIM ) /ICKS 9 !IR H&S1 HE SL9KS AWAY T[>D ! =E/4 

,! CL\DS SUDD5LY RELEASE A TORR5TIAL /ORM1 & ?R\< ! LI<TN+ & ?UND] ! WOM5 %\T3 ,GO TO A L& ( ICE1 OR ( RAMPANT FLOODS1 OR ( S& :]E NO RA9 FALLS1 NO RICE GR[S1 NO SAP OOZES4 ,!RE F9D NEPHEWS :O NE$ Y\R GIFTS6 

,AFT] ! /ORM1 PEACE P>TIES SET \T 9 F\R DIRECTIONS4 ,BUT BY ! TIME ! PEACEMAK]S REA* !IR DE/9ATIONS1 ! :OLE WORLD IS *ANG$4 

,MO/ ,TALAMATUN >E HEAD+ T[>D ! SUNRISE1 MANY ,TELLEGWI T[>D SUNSET4 ,SOME >E JO9+ EA* O!R 9 VILLAGES NOR? ( ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV]4 

,ROOTK9 :O JO9$ ) ,TELLEGWI >E MOV+ TO VALLEYS S\? ( ! RIV]2 ?OSE :O JO9$ ) ,TALAMATUN >E HEAD+ T[>D SUNRISE & ! SALT SEA4 

,:5 WE RETURN TO \R 5CAMPM5T1 WE F9D ,TALAMATUN LODG$ 9 ! ,MORN+L& ACROSS ! /RAIT2 !Y NAME ! /RAIT'S %ORES ,K>ONTA54 

,TIOSA ,RONDION1 PLACE ( ! BEAV]DAMS1 IS ! NAME ! ,TURTLEFOLK GIVE \R VILLAGE4 ,IT IS NO LONG] A M]E CAMP4 ,WE1 ! BEAV]*ILDR51 PEACEMAK]S ( NOR!RN SPEE* & S\!RN WAYS1 MA9TA9 ?REE EV]-LIV+ FIRES ON ! TRIANGUL> C\NCIL- GR\ND ( ,TIOSA ,RONDION4 ,>\ND !SE FIRES WE S+ & C\NCIL ) ,ROOTK91 ,RIV]PEOPLE & ,TURTLEFOLK FROM ! F\R DIRECTIONS ( ! CIRCLE SURR\ND+ ! H& 9 ! LAKES4 

,\R MA9 DISPUTES >E ) EA* O!R1 & ON COLD W9T] NI<TS !SE NEV] 5D4 ,A Y\? :O RETURNS FROM A DE]HUNT RIDICULES HIS SI/] = RUNN+ NAK$ 9 A NEWLY PLANT$ FIELD4 

,! GIRL RETORTS3 ,I'M NOT LIKE ?OSE :O FOOL E>? BY EAT+ ! FLE% & GIV+ H] ! BONES1 NOR ?OSE :O FOOL ! SKY BY BURN+ ! TOBACCO & GIV+ HIM ! SMOKE4 

,:O LEADS Y\ TO IT1 Y\R [N DREAM OR Y\R GR&MO!R'S8 ! BOY TAUNTS4 

,!IR BISON-HORN$ C\S9 ASKS ! BOY3 ,& :O LEADS Y\8 ,GR&MO!R OR ! SLY EMBROIL]8 ,I'VE SE5 Y\ PLACE BEA- V]TEE? & HAWKFEA!RS ON ! ROCK BY ! SPLIT TREE Y\ ?9K NO ONE RECOGNIZES1 ONE TRUNK LEAN+ OV] WAT]1 ! O!R OV] L& LIKE A GIANT H>E'S E>S4 

,:5 ! SN[S MELT1 ! ?REE LEAVE ,TIOSA ,RONDION & GO %>P5 !IR [N WAYS1 ! BOY ACCOMPANY+ HIS UNCLE TO ! FI% FEA/ AT ,B[ET+1 ! GIRL ACCOMPANY+ H] FA!R TO ! /RAWB]RY FE/IVAL 9 ,MORN+L&1 !IR C\S9 ACCOMPANY+ HIS MO!R TO ! FE/IVAL ON ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV] :]E ,TELLEGWI FROM EV]Y QU>T] M]GE ! BONES ( !IR DEAD 9 A COMMON GRAVE UND] A RIS+ M\ND ?AT BONDS ! DESC5DANTS 9 R5EW$ K9%IP4 

,DISPUTES RESUME ! MOM5T ! ?REE RETURN1 & CONT9UE ?R\< ! MEAL ( SQUA% 9 MAPLE SYRUP1 DE]MEAT ) CORN1 BISON *UNKS 9 BEAN SAUCE4 ,! DISPUTANTS PAUSE :5 ! GIRL FILLS A PIPE & PASSES IT TO H] C\S91 :5 TOBACCO FRAGM5TS REUNIT$ BY A FLAME EM]GE FROM ! B[L AS SMOKE & RISE TO ! SKY LIKE ! BUBBLES ( LONG+ ?AT ONCE PULL$ UPW>D FROM OCEAN'S FLOOR4 

,WE'RE /ILL LE>N+ EA* O!R'S WAYS & SONGS1 & EMBELLI%+ \R [N1 :5 CANOES >RIVE FROM ! NOR? &1 ) AN URG5CY WE'VE S5S$ ONCE BE=E1 9VITE US1 NOT ONLY TO A FI% FEA/1 BUT ALSO TO ! FIR/ BONE FE/IVAL HELD BY ,NE%NABEK4 

,AT ,B[ET+ WE HE> ( GREAT :ALES SWIMM+ TO E>? FROM :]E ! SUN RISES 9 ! SALT SEA4 ,WE HE> ?IS1 NOT FROM A PROTECTION-(F]+ LONG-E>$ H>E1 BUT FROM A TALL ,ROOTWOMAN COV]$ BY AN OTT]SK9 ROBE DECORAT$ ) OCEAN%ELLS4 

,MANY ( US />T TO %AKE2 COLD SWEAT DRIPS D[N \R FACES4 

,SOME?+ ( VA/ IMPORTANCE IS AB\T TO SLIP \T ( MY GRASP4 ,I REA* \T TO HOLD ON--BUT IT'S ALREADY TOO LATE4 ,!RE'S A FLAPP+ ( W+S4 

,I WAKE LEAN+ AGA9/ A R\NDI% ROCK BY A SPLIT TREE AT WAT]'S $GE2 ! NI<T IS MOONLESS2 FOG LICKS ! WAT] ( ! /RAIT4 

,H[ DID ,I GET H]E8 ,!RE'S A PACKET ( FI%BONES 9 ! BUNDLE BESIDE ME4 ,I FA9TLY REMEMB] HAV+ BE5 UND] ! WAT]4 ,DID ,I CLIMB \T BY ! TREE'S ROOTS8 

,I FEEL LI<T1 AS IF ,I W]E FLOAT+2 ,I F9D MYSELF SITT+ ON A B$ ( D[N4 ,I REMEMB] FALL+ ASLEEP ON A RAV5'S BACK4 ,WAS IT %E :O JU/ FLEW (F8 ,RAIS+ A FEA!R T[>D MY EYES1 ,I CAN SEE ITS \TL9E1 BUT NOT ! H& ?AT HOLDS IT4 

,FEA!R & BUNDLE >E H]E4 ,BUT ,I'M NOT H]E4 ,YET ,I'M ABLE TO PUT ! FEA!R 9TO ! BUNDLE4 ,IT'S AS IF ,I W]E A DREAM )\T A M9D OR A BODY4 

,I HE> ! SWI% ( A PADDLE 9 ! WAT]4 ,A FIGURE APPROA*ES ?R\< ! FOG1 EA* H& EXT5D+ SOME?+4 ,I REA* \T2 MY LEFT H& GRASPS A %ELL1 A SMALL OCEAN %ELL2 MY RI<T TI<T5S ITS GRIP ON A MASK ) A FACE AS WR9KL$ AS ! %ELL'S4 

,I LIFT ! MASK TO :]E MY FACE %\LD BE4 ,I'M SUDD5LY ELSE:]E4 ,I'M ! P]SON :OSE MASK ,I WE>4 

,! MASK IS SMOO? N[1 ,I HAVE A Y\NG WOMAN'S BODY4 ,! AFT]NOON SUN IS 9 MY EYES1 BUT ,I CA/ NO %AD[4 

,I FA9TLY REMEMB] HAV+ EM]G$ FROM A PLACE UND] ! GR\ND1 OR FROM A CAVE1 OR A WOMB4 

,LOOK+ BEH9D ME ,I REMEMB] ,I'VE JU/ COME \T ( ! LONG M$IC9E LODGE4 ,AN ANCI5T WOMAN1 MY GR&MO!R1 EM]GES AFT] ME1 H] H& EXT5D+ SOME?+4 ,IT'S A %ELL4 

,%E BIDS ME SIT NEXT TO H]1 UNROLLS A DIS9TEGRAT+ SCROLL :I* DEPICTS F\R ALIGN$ CIRCLES 9 A LONG RECTANGUL> 5CLOSURE1 LIKE ! LODGE ,I'VE JU/ BE5 ?R\<1 & PO9T+ TO A T9Y %ELL-LIKE =M AT ! WE/]N $GE ( ! RECTANGLE1 %E />TS TO S+4 

,%E S+S ( ! LOVE-PLAY ( SUN & MOON ?AT R\S$ A DREAM TO RISE FROM OCEAN'S FLOOR4 ,MOV+ H] F+] FROM ! %ELL TO %APES 9SIDE ! CIRCLES1 %E S+S ( ! TIME :5 ! FIR/ PEOPLE FEA/$ 5DLESSLY ON E>?'S SUMPTU\S FRUITS & SKY'S SWEET NECT>1 ( ! TIME ( ! SEP>ATION FROM K91 ( ! J\RNEY TO ! L& ( ICE1 & ( ! F\R? AGE :5 ! PEOPLE REA*$ ! %ORES ( ,KI*IGAMI & RECOV]$ ! K9%IP1 ! BEAUTY & ! ABUNDANCE !Y HAD LO/ 9 !IR W&]+S4 

,C>EFULLY ROLL+ & TY+ ! FIR/1 ,GR&MO!R UNROLLS A SECOND1 NEW] SCROLL1 ) L9ES & OVALS & ! \TL9E ( A H& 9 ! C5T]4 ,I RECOGNIZE ! PA?S FROM OCEAN%ORE TO SUNSET4 ,%E *ANTS 9 A M\RNFUL WAIL AS %E GUIDES MY EYES FROM ! %ELL-LIKE %APES BY ! SUNRISE $GE T[>D ! TURTLE- & BE>-LIKE %APES ALONG ! RIV] & ! LAKES4 

,%E S+S ( ! TIME ( H] FIR/ FI% FEA/ AT ,B[ET+1 :5 AN OCEAN%ORE ,ROOTWOMAN BR\<T %ELLS FROM ! SEA & A MESSAGE FROM ! OTT]3 GREAT :ALES HAD COME FROM ! SUNRISE TO ! %ORES ( ! ISL& BEYOND ! M\? ( ! ,NOR!RN ,RIV] & HAD SWALL[$ ! ISL&'S PEOPLE1 *IPMUNKS1 SQUIRRELS & RABBITS4 

,TE>S COME TO ,GR&MO!R'S EYES AS H] F+] FOLL[S A L9E ALONG ! BOTTOM ( ! SCROLL1 PAUS+ AT SPOTS :]E BLACK W+S ( C>RION BIRDS HOV] OV] SKULLS1 EA* SPOT DESIGNAT+ A ,TELLEGWI M\ND VILLAGE ON ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV]1 :]E ,GR&FA!R'S PEOPLE WITNESS$ MORE DEA?S ?AN :5 ! :ITE S]P5TS HAD DESC5D$ FROM ! NOR?4 

,%E S+S ( ! TIME ( MY MO!R'S BIR? 9 ,TIOSA ,RONDION1 :5 ,GR&FA!R W5T TO ! LA/ BONE FE/IVAL ON ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV] & NEV] RETURN$1 :5 ,TELLEGWI FROM EV]Y QU>T] >RIV$ ) ! BONES ( !IR K9 & WAIL$ ( DEA?S SO NUM]\S ?AT EV5 ! C>RION BIRDS W]E REPELL$3 ,TELLEGWI FROM ! OCEAN%ORE *ANT$ ( :ALES ?AT DISGORG$ %ORT- /ATUR$ MANLIKE CREATURES ) COV]$ BODIES & ! PALLOR ( DEA? ON !IR FACES2 EV]Y DIRECTION 9 :I* ! FACES TURN$1 HEAL?Y M5 & WOM5 GREW FEV]I%1 R$ SPOTS APPE>$ ON *E/S & /OMA*S1 BLOOD RAN FROM EV]Y ORIFICE1 BODIES BECAME WA/$4 

,TELLEGWI FROM ! S\? *ANT$ ( GIANT DOGS ) M5'S HEADS ?AT SPAT FIRE & KILL$ ALL PEOPLE & ANIMALS 9 !IR PA?4 ,ANGRY VILLAG]S DANC$ & SANG1 !N AMBU%$ ! MON/]S & KILL$ !M1 ONLY TO SUCCUMB TO FATAL TORTURES S5T AFT] !M BY ! MON/]S' <O/S4 

,SURVIVORS C>RI$ ! BONES ( !IR DEAD K9 TO ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV]1 RAIS$ A M\ND OV] !M1 & :ILE !Y BUILT & *ANT$1 !Y BECAME DELIRI\S & *ILL$1 !IR GRO9S SWELL$ & TURN$ D>K1 !Y DISGORG$ A BLACK POISON4 ,9 A FEW DAYS ! HALF-RAIS$ M\ND WAS SURR\ND$ BY CORPSES2 ! DEAD HAD SWALL[$ ! LIV+4 

,S\?BRAN* ,ROOTK9 :O VISIT$ ,TIOSA ,RONDION SAID ALL ! M\ND VILLAGES ( ! ,MUSK+UM1 ,SCIOTO1 ,OMAUMEK & ,WABA% VALLEYS W]E AB&ON$4 

,! FEW SURVIV+ ,RIV]PEOPLE HAD TAK5 ! BONES ( !IR K9 TO ! VILLAGE ( ,CAHOKIA ON ! ,LONG ,RIV]1 :]E SURVIV+ ,TELLEGWI FROM EV]Y QU>T] CONGREGAT$ = !IR LA/ BONE FE/IVAL1 RAIS$ A GREAT M\ND1 BURI$ L>GE GIFTS1 PLEAD$ ) ! DEAD TO SP>E ! LIV+1 BUT ALL TO NO AVAIL4 

,:5 ! PLAGUE BROKE \T 9 ,CAHOKIA1 MANY FL$ TO WE/]N PLA9S & M\NTA9S1 DET]M9$ TO =GET BONE FE/IVALS1 RIV] VILLAGES1 M\NDS1 ANCE/ORS1 AS WELL AS !IR LA/ M\ND- BUILD+ K9 :O P]I%$ :ILE RAIS+ ! GREATE/ ( ALL !IR M\NDS4 

,! BONE FE/IVAL CEAS$ TO BE CELEBRAT$ 9 ,B[ET+4 ,AFT] ,GR&FA!R'S DEA?1 ,GR&MO!R BECAME KEEP] ( ! SECOND FIRE 9 ,TIOSA ,RONDION1 & %E W5T TO ! ,B[ET+ FI% FEA/ EV]Y SPR+ TO TAKE P>T 9 ! DO+S ( ! M$IC9E LODGE4 

,! YE> ( MY BIR? A SECOND MESS5G] FROM ! EA/ >RIV$ 9 ,B[ET+ & SANG ( ISL&S ?AT FLOAT$ FROM ! SUNRISE & COLLID$ ) ! L&1 ( MANLIKE BE+S WE>+ GLI/5+ KNIVES :O CAME (F ! ISL&S SPITT+ FIRE1 ( A FEV] ?AT ATTACK$ ALL ,EA/BRAN* ,ROOTK9 :O HAD CONTACT ) ?OSE BE+S3 HE>TS RAC$1 SK9S BL$ & TURN$ YELL[2 SUDD5LY ! FEV] RETREAT$1 ONLY TO RETURN MORE VIOL5TLY2 PEOPLE VOMIT$ BLOOD & !N BLACK S&4 

,( EV]Y T5 ,ROOTK9 9 ! COA/AL VILLAGES1 ONLY ONE SURVIV$4 ,SOME ( ! SURVIVORS S\<T REFUGE 9 ! JO9T VILLAGES ( ,TURTLEFOLK & ,ROOTK9 ALONG ! BANKS ( ! ,NOR!RN ,RIV]1 BUT ! /RANGE ISL&S HAD ALREADY 5T]$ ! RIV]'S M\?1 !IR SORC]Y HAD ALREADY ATTACK$ ,NE%NABEK & ,TALAMATUN VILLAG]S4 

,PEOPLE :O HAD NEV] SE5 ! SEA MON/]S LAY WRI?+ ON ! GR\ND1 !IR SK9S SWELL$1 BLI/]$ & OOZ$2 ! HEAL?IE/ FELT ! GREATE/ PA9 & DI$ FIR/2 9 A LONGLODGE ( ?IRTY PEOPLE1 TWO SURVIV$3 A GR&MO!R & A BABY4 

,! VILLAGES ALONG BO? BANKS ( ! ,NOR!RN ,RIV] BECAME DESOLATE4 ,AT ! BEAUTIFUL HILL VILLAGE ( ,/ADACONA1 NUM]\S M5 FROM ! SEA SPAT FIRE AT ! FEW SURVIV+ ,TURTLEFOLK1 & !N SWALL[$ ! YELL[ CORN & ! SQUA%ES & BEANS ( !IR MANGL$ VICTIMS' LU% FIELDS4 

,SURVIVORS FL$ 9TO ! WOODL&S BY ! ,EA/]N ,RIV]2 O!RS FL$ WE/W>D1 BUT ! SORC]Y FLEW AHEAD ( !M FA/] ?AN CANOES4 

,NO SEA MON/]S HAD REA*$ ! ISL& VILLAGE ( ,HO*ELAGA1 YET IT WAS A BURIAL GR\ND4 ,ITS LODGES HELD UNBURI$ CORPSES ( ,TURTLEFOLK1 ,ROOTK9 & NEWLY ADOPT$ REFUGEES4 ,! FEW :O SURVIV$ W]E TORM5T$ BY BLI/]S :I* CRU/$1 IT*$ & PA9$2 :5 ! CRU/S FELL (F1 ! SK9 /AY$ M>K$ BY PITS4 ,MANY M>K$ SURVIVORS ACCOMPANI$ ,ROOTK9 TO ! ,BAY ( ,ROLL+ ,:ITE ,S&S 9 ! NOR!RN ,MORN+L&1 & A FEW EV5 TO ! ,B[ET+ CAT>ACT & ! %ORES ( ,KI*IGAMI4 

,! YE> ( MY FIR/ BLE$+ ,I ACCOMPANI$ ,GR&MO!R TO ! SPR+ DO+S AT ,B[ET+4 ,! REFUGEES FROM ! EA/ :O HOV]$ >\ND ! M$IC9E LODGE REPELL$ ME4 ,SOME HAD SWOLL5 TONGUES & DI/RU/$ PEOPLE1 ANIMALS & E>?2 SOME HAD NO MEMORY ( K92 SOME HAD SWOLL5 EYES & W]E V5GEFUL1 GLOOMY1 9DIFF]5T TO EV]Y?+4 

,9 ,TIOSA ,RONDION1 A Y\NG & HEAL?Y DE]HUNT] BEGAN TO GIVE ME SONGS4 ,I LONG$ TO GO ) HIM TO A HUNT+ LODGE 9 ! NOR!RN =E/4 ,BUT ! ,OCEAN%ORE ,ROOTWOMAN VISIT$ MY DREAM3 %E WAS %ORT & OLD1 H] SI<TLESS EYES & H] TONGUE W]E SWELL$1 H] SK9 WAS BROK5 BY PITS4 

,I DID NOT ANSW] ! HUNT]'S SONGS1 BUT CONT9U$ TO GA!R ,GR&MO!R'S H]BS & TO ACCOMPANY H] TO ! SPR+ DO+S 9 ,B[ET+4 ,I /AY$ AWAY FROM ! SOMB] & IRRITABLE REFUGEES FROM ! EA/1 & M+L$ ) ,KI*IGAMI ,ROOTK9 & ) ,P59SULA C\S9S :O BURN$ ?REE FIRES 9 ,MI%ILI- MAK9A JU/ S\? ( ,B[ET+ & 9 ,BISON ,PRAIRIE AT ! OPPOSITE CORN] ( ! ,P59SULA BY ! WRI/'S CREASE4 

,:5 ,GR&MO!R ASK$ IF ,I FELT READY1 ,I FOLL[$ H] 9TO ! CR[D$ M$IC9E LODGE4 ,I FELL TO ! GR\ND :5 HIT BY ! %ELL ?R[N BY ! ,OCEAN%ORE ,ROOTWOMAN & ROSE AGA9 :5 %E SANG2 %E WAS EXACTLY AS ,I HAD SE5 H] 9 MY DREAM4 

,GR&MO!R EM]GES FROM ! LODGE AFT] ME1 GIVES ME ! %ELL ?AT HIT ME1 BIDS ME SIT NEXT TO H] AS %E UNROLLS H] SCROLLS & S+S H] SONGS1 ?OSE ( ! F\R AGES & ?OSE ( ! GREAT *ANGES4 ,:5 H] SONGS >E DONE1 %E ROLLS ! SCROLLS1 TIES !M1 & GIVES !M TO ME4 

,A FEW DAYS LAT] ,I & ! LODGE WOM5 ?R[ E>? OV] ,GR&MO!R'S GRAVE4 

,I WAIT = ! DO+S TO BE OV] & SEEK \T ! ,OCEAN%ORE ,ROOTWOMAN4 ,I CONFESS TO H] ?AT MY M9D IS ON A Y\NG DE]HUNT]1 ?AT ,I'M REPELL$ BY ! M$IC9E LODGE1 BY H]1 BY ! OTT] & ! %ELL & EV]Y?+ ?AT COMES FROM ! SALT SEA1 & ?AT ,I'M NOT A WOR?Y KEEP] ( ,GR&MO!R'S SCROLLS4 ,I UNROLL ! SCROLL ?AT %[S ! *ANGES & MIGRATIONS & ,I TELL H] ,I LE>N$ ONLY ONE ?+3 :ATEV] COMES WE/W>D FROM ! OCEAN BR+S DESOLATION4 

,! OLD WOMAN CAN'T SEE ! SCROLL ,I HOLD BE=E H]4 ,%E TELLS ME TO JO9 ! DE]HUNT] & BE> HIM *ILDR51 TO KEEP ! SCROLLS1 TO =GET ! M$IC9E LODGE UNTIL ! %ELL & ! OTT] VISIT MY DREAMS4 

,I RETURN TO ! VILLAGE BY ! BEAV]DAM & ANSW] ! DE]HUNT]'S SONG4 ,I GO ) HIM TO HUNT+ LODGES 9 ! NOR!RN =E/4 ,I BE> HIM A SON & A DAU<T]4 ,I REPLACE ,GR&MO!R AS KEEP] ( ,TIOSA ,RONDION'S SECOND FIRE & ,I SEE TO IT ?AT ! FLAME NEV] DIES4 ,BUT IT BURNS = NO ONE4 ,NO ,RIV]- PEOPLE EV] C\NCIL OR SMOKE >\ND MY FIRE2 ! NE>E/ ,TELLEGWI >E 9 A BAY BEYOND ! ,LONG ,LAKE ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! ,P59SULA4 

,I GO NOR? ) ! HUNT] LESS & LESS FREQU5TLY1 PREF]R+ TO PADDLE ALONE TO ! SMALL ISLE AT ! 5TRANCE TO ! ,/RAIT1 :]E ,I FI%1 OR TO ! LONG ISLE ACROSS FROM ,TIOSA ,RONDION1 :]E ,I GRAB TURKEYS1 OR TO ! L>GE ISLE D[N/REAM1 :]E ,I GA!R FRUITS & B]RIES4 

,I MO/ 5JOY PADDL+ TO ! BEAUTIFUL ,ISLE ( ,RATTLESNAKES :]E1 ALL ALONE UND] A FULL MOON1 ,I S+ ! SONGS ,GR&MO!R TAU<T ME AB\T MY SILV]Y-GRAY SCAL$ ANCE/ORS DUR+ !IR FIR/ AGE2 OR PADDL+ TO ! ,ISLE ( ,:ITE ,TREES AT ! V]Y 5D ( ! ,/RAIT :]E1 DANC+ ALONE AMONG ! TREES1 ,I FEEL ! JOY ( ! FOAMLIKE BE+S :O FLEW UP FROM WAT] T[>D SKY & SLID BACK D[N ALONG ! RA9B[4 

,MY P5SIVE DAU<T] WAT*ES A ,TELLEGWI AUNT DANCE TO ! GR[+ CORN & LI/5S TO A ,NE%NABEK AUNT S+ TO H]BS & ROOTS4 ,MY SON W&]S ) HIS FA!R 9 ! NOR!RN =E/2 !Y RETURN ) DE]MEAT ON !IR DOG-DRAWN TRAVOIS1 SOMETIMES ) BE>4 ,BUT ! YE> ! BOY'S UNCLE PREP>ES A DREAM LODGE AFT] ! SN[S MELT1 NEI!R ! BOY NOR ! MAN RETURNS4 

,BIRDS FLY S\?1 !N NOR?1 !N S\? AGA91 BUT NEI!R BOY NOR MAN RETURNS4 

,! SON ( ! WOMAN :O KEEPS ! ?IRD FIRE GIVES MY DAU<T] A P5DANT2 %E GR[S BL9D TO ONE AUNT'S DANCES1 DEAF TO ! O!R'S SONGS1 & ACCEPTS ! GIFT4 

,ONLY !N DOES H] BRO!R RETURN1 9 A CANOE LAD5 ) OBJECTS ?AT >E NOT ( ?IS WORLD1 ) A B& ( M5 :OSE SK9S >E G\G$ BY DEEP PITS4 

,MY SON AVOIDS ME4 ,I F9D HIM HOV]+ >\ND ! FIR/ FIRE1 LI/5+ TO /ORIES AB\T ,WISKE1 GIV+ ! Y\NG N>RATORS OBJECTS FROM HIS CANOE1 & TELL+ ! Y\? ( ! LONGBE>D$ M5 FROM ! SALT SEA :O >E RAIS+ /ONE LODGES 9 ALL ! ,NOR!RN ,RIV]'S AB&ON$ VILLAGES1 FROM ! M\? TO ,HO*ELAGA4 

,IT IS SAID ?AT SOME ( !M HOLD CONTE/S AT KILL+ PEOPLE ) !IR FIRE/ICKS4 ,:5 TOLD WE W> ONLY TO AV5GE DEAD K91 !Y LAU< AT US = CALL+ PETTY FEUDS W>S4 ,!IR BE>D$ FACES BEAM :5 !Y'RE NE> ! SK9S ( DEAD BEAV]1 M9K OR M>T54 ,?OSE >E ! ?+S !Y W> OV]4 ,!Y KILL ! LIV+ & HO>D ! DEAD4 ,! MORE DEAD ?+S !Y HO>D1 ! MORE !IR P[] GR[S4 

,MY SON'S EYES GLEAM ) PRIDE1 AS IF ! P[]S HE DESCRIB$ W]E HIS [N4 

,YET ?IS BOY :O'D ONCE HELP$ TRACK MOOSE 9 MIDW9T] W9DS SITS CLOSE TO ! FIRE WRAPP$ 9 FUR & %IV]S1 C\<S & DRIPS4 ,I /AY CLOSE TO HIM AFT] ! O!R Y\? DISP]SE4 ,HE'S SOMB] & IRRITABLE4 ,HE TELLS ME3 ,FA!R & ,I W]E RETURN+ BY WAY ( ! ,MORN+L&4 ,WE PAUS$ AT A FE/IVAL4 ,! PLAGUE BROKE \T4 ,BODIES LAY ON ! GR\ND WRI?+ ) PA94 ,C]TA9 M5 MOV$ AMONG ! DEAD & DY+ & /RIPP$ !M ( ROBES1 P5DANTS1 BELTS4 ,I CRAWL$ TO ?OSE M54 ,I WAS ALIVE6 ,I HELP$ !M /RIP CORPSES4 ,I F\ND A CA*E ( FURS 9 A LODGE4 ,! M5 GAVE ME GIFTS4 ,!Y ADOPT$ ME4 ,!Y TOOK ME ) !M TO ,/ADACONA TO DELIV] ! ANIMAL SK9S4 ,I SAW ! BE>D$ M5 :O LAU< :5 WE TALK ( \R K9%IP ) ANIMALS4 ,I SAW !IR FACES BEAM :5 !Y SI<T$ \R BUNDLES ( FUR4 ,!Y GAVE ME %IMM]+ KNIVES & AXES %>P] ?AN /ONE4 

,I SAY TO MY SON3 ,?OSE :O D5Y !IR K9%IP ) ANIMALS D5Y PEOPLE AS WELL4 ,9 \R SONGS1 ! P[]S Y\ PRAISE >E P[]S ( ! DEV\R] ( LIFE1 ! UNQU5*ABLE ,DIG[94 

,HE SAYS3 ,I SANG \R SONGS4 ,I PREP>$ TO DREAM4 ,I KEPT BONES 9TACT4 ,BUT ,I SAW A :OLE VILLAGE SUCCUMB EV5 AS !Y DANC$ & SANG4 ,MY FA!R :ISP]$ TO ANIMALS1 DREAM$ ( !M4 ,HE ALWAYS KEPT !IR BONES 9TACT4 ,HE WAS ONE ( ! FIR/ TO P]I% AFT] TWO DAYS ( 9DESCRIBABLE PA94 ,! ANIMALS DIDN'T PROTECT HIM4 ,!Y MOCK$ HIM4 ,!Y BETRAY$ HIM4 ,I WRI!D HELPLESSLY ALONGSIDE HIM4 ,BUT ,I CRAWL$ AWAY FROM ?AT FIELD ( CORPSES4 ,I NO LONG] WANT$ TO DREAM ( ANIMALS4 ,! P[] ?AT DEV\R$ SO MU* LIFE SO QUICKLY WAS GREAT]4 ,I UND]/OOD ?IS AFT] ,I MET ! ,LONGBE>DS4 ,:Y DO !Y ?RIVE & MULTIPLY :ILE WE DIE & DW9DLE8 ,BECAUSE !Y'RE NOT GUID$ BY \R DREAMS4 ,!Y SCATT] BONES & ?R[ !M 9TO CAMPFIRES4 ,!Y KN[ H[ TO SQUEEZE P[] OV] ! LIV+ \T ( ! SK9S ( ! DEAD4 ,BUT !IR P[] IS NOT 9 ! ANIMALS OR 9 E>?4 ,!IR P[] IS 9 AXES & KNIVES %>P] ?AN /ONE1 & 9 FIRE/ICKS ?AT KILL AT %ORT & LONG DI/ANCES4 ,?IS IS ! P[] ?AT PROTECTS & GUIDES ME4 

,SCAV5G]S :O REAP PLAGUE'S H>VE/ HAVE TWI/$ HIS PIT-M>K$ SPIRIT4 ,I SAY NO?+2 ,I WALK1 ALMO/ RUN AWAY FROM MY SON4 ,9 HIS UND]/&+1 IT IS NOT ! E>?-CLAIM] & K9-DEV\R]1 BUT E>? & K91 :O >E MON/]S1 & HIS KILL+ MISSIONS MAKE HIM ,WISKE1 ! WORLD-*ANG]1 ! SLAY] ( ,DIG[94 

,I PADDLE TO ! ,ISLE ( ,RATTLESNAKES4 ,!RE1 AMONG ! TREES BEH9D ! S&Y BEA*1 ,I SEE ! OTT] EM]GE FROM ! /RAIT & WALK T[>D ME ) A %ELL4 ,! %ELL T\*ES ME4 ,I FALL TO ! GR\ND4 ,:5 ,I RISE ,I HE> ! SONGS ,I'VE SUNG ALL MY LIFE ) MELODIES & WORDS ,I'VE NEV] HE>D BE=E4 

,:5 ,I RETURN TO ! VILLAGE1 MY SON & HIS B& HAVE LEFT TO REFILL !IR CANOES ) SK9S2 NONE ( ! ,/RAIT'S Y\? ACCOMPANI$ ! B&2 NONE HAVE PIT-M>K$ SK9S4 

,I RU% TO MY DAU<T]'S LODGE2 %E HAS GIV5 BIR? TO A SON4 ,I TAKE ! BABY 9 MY >MS1 C>RY HIM TO ALL ! LODGES1 & 9VITE HIS GR&P>5TS1 AUNTS & C\S9S TO GA!R BY ! FIRES4 

,I PLACE ! BABY ON HIS BACK AT ! C5T] ( ! C\NCIL- GR\ND1 >RANGE ! MASK$ DANC]S 9 CIRCLES )9 CIRCLES & S+ ! MELODIES & WORDS AS ! OTT] SANG !M1 NO LONG] REPELL$ BY OTT]1 %ELL OR SALT SEA1 = ,I SUDD5LY KN[ ?AT ! %ELL IS NOT DEA?1 ?AT ! OTT]'S MESSAGE IS BEAUTIFUL1 ?AT ! GREAT WAT] IS ! S\RCE ( ALL ?AT EM]G$ FROM IT1 NOT ONLY ( MON/]S RECLAIM+ LIFE1 BUT ALSO ( A DREAM ?AT ROSE T[>D ! SKY4 

,S++ ( ! LIFE ?AT FIR/ EM]G$1 ,I FEEL ! WAT] HEAV+ & RETREAT+ 9 MY *E/1 RU%+ LIKE RIV]S AMONG MY BONES1 LODG+ LIKE LAKES 9 MY FLE%4 ,I FEEL MYSELF & ! BABY & ! K9 >\ND US TRANSPORT$ TO ! LU% W>M? ( ! FIR/ AGE1 OR TO ,KI*IGAMI :5 WE FIR/ >RIV$4 

,LIFE ROSE UP FROM ! OCEAN FLOOR1 ?IS BABY EM]G$ FROM MY DAU<T]'S WOMB1 ,I ROSE FROM ! GR\ND ON ! BEA* ( ,RATTLESNAKE ,ISLE1 ,TELLEGWI WILL RISE AGA9 9 ! VALLEYS ?AT KISS ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV] & ,TALAMATUN 9 ! VILLAGES ALONG BO? BANKS ( ! ,NOR!RN ,RIV]4 

,NO *ANGE IS F9AL4 ,:5 ! PRE>RANG$ H>E BREAKS ?R\< \R CIRCLES & EXT+UI%ES ! FIRES1 ,I PLACE A /ICK 9 MY GR&SON'S H&4 ,! BABY RE/LESSLY WAVES >MS & LEGS T[>D ! SKY4 ,I NAME HIM ,W$ASI1 FI<T]1 :5 HE %AKES ! /ICK AT ! H>E4 ,I FALL 9 EC/ASY ALONGSIDE ! *ILD & AT LA/ DISSOLVE 9 SLEEP4 

,! FOLL[+ SPR+ ,I TAKE MY DAU<T]1 H] HUSB& & !IR *ILD TO ! FI% FEA/ AT ,B[ET+4 ,I RE5T] ! M$IC9E LODGE4 ,A G5]ATION HAS PASS$ S9CE MY PREVI\S VISIT4 

,WE R5EW \R VISIT EV]Y SPR+1 BUT ONLY F\R TIMES4 

,RETURN+ TO ,TIOSA ,RONDION FROM \R LA/ VISIT TO ,B[ET+1 WE SEE \R K9 ON %ORE GE/ICULAT+ FRANTICALLY1 SOME PO9T+ NOR?W>D1 O!RS TO ! GR\ND4 ,!Y WANT US TO FLEE4 ,! GR\ND IS CR[D$ ) CORPSES2 ! PLAGUE HAS CROSS$ ! /RAIT & REA*$ ! PLACE ( ! BEAV]DAMS4 

,I PRESS ! *ILD TO MY BREA/2 HIS MO!R & FA!R PADDLE ) ALL !IR /R5G?4 ,WE'RE JO9$ BY CANOES RU%+ \T ( ,SAGI ,BAY4 ,GR&*ILDR5 ( ,TURTLEFOLK1 ,RIV]PEOPLE & ,ROOT- K9 >E ALL FLEE+ FROM ! ,P59SULA ?AT HAD BE5 !IR HOME S9CE ! F\R? AGE BEGAN4 

,AT ! TOP ( ! ?UMB WE SEP>ATE FROM ,TALAMATUN C\S9S :O GUIDE !IR B>K CANOES AS GRACEFULLY AS ,ROOTK9 T[>D ! ,MORN+L&'S NOR!RN ,BAY ( ,:ITE ,S&S4 ,AS WE GLIDE PA/ ! TIPS ( ! F+]S & 5T] ! LONG LAKE ,MI%- IGAMI1 WE'RE JO9$ BY SURVIVORS FROM ,MI%ILIMAK9A1 & AS WE CROSS ,MI%IGAMI1 CANOES FROM ,BISON ,PRAIRIE APPROA* US4 ,! ?REE FIRES >E EXT+UI%$ 9 EV]Y CORN] ( ! ,P59SULA4 

,MANY RU% TO ! C>RY+PLACES1 DET]M9$ TO CROSS ! ,LONG ,RIV] & W&] PA/ ! PRAIRIES T[>D ! PLA9S & M\NTA9S BEYOND ! SUNSET4 

,WE F9D REFUGE ON AN ISL& 9 ! GRE5 BAY ON ! SUNSET %ORE ( ,MI%IGAMI4 

,I UNROLL ! SCROLL ) ! *ANGES & ET* 9TO IT ! BEAV]*ILDR5 & ALL !IR ,P59SULAK9 MIGRAT+ FROM ! C5T] TO ! P]IPH]Y4 

,VISIT+ ,NE%NABEK FROM ,KI*IGAMI SMOKE AT ! FIR/ FIRE ( \R NEW C\NCILGR\ND4 ,I LI<T ! SECOND FIRE1 & ! GRE5 BAY'S ,TELLEGWI %>E !IR SONGS ) US1 BUT !SE LA/ ,RIV]PEOPLE 9 ! ,GREAT ,LAKES DO NOT S+ ( M\NDS OR BONES OR ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV]4 ,! ?IRD FIRE REMA9S UNLIT2 ITS KEEP] LIES UNBURI$ 9 ,TIOSA ,RONDION & H] SON1 MY DAU<T]'S HUSB&1 CANNOT BR+ HIMSELF TO REPLACE H]4 

,SOON AFT] MY DAU<T] GIVES BIR? TO A SECOND SON1 A CANOE C>AVAN >RIVES ) MY SON & ) GOOD NEWS FROM ! EA/3 \R ,TALAMATUN C\S9S 9VITE US TO R5EW \R K9%IP BY CELEBRAT+ A FE/IVAL ( BONES AT ! ,BAY ( ,:ITE ,ROLL+ ,S&S 9 ! ,MORN+L&4 

,TOGE!R ) MY SON & MY DAU<T]'S FAMILY 9 ONE CANOE1 HEAD+ T[>D A FE/IVAL ( R5EWAL ) ! C\S9S :O COMPLETE US1 ,I JOY\SLY ANTICIPATE LIFE'S REEM]G5CE4 

,I AM NOT READY = ! FEV]1 ! CRACK+ SK91 ! BLI/]S4 ,DID ,I FAIL TO HE> ! OTT]'S MESSAGE 9 ITS 5TIRETY8 ,WAS IT NECESS>Y TO RE5ACT ! MURD] ( ,DIG[9 AS WELL8 

,I TELL MY DAU<T]3 ,Y\R HUSB& IS DEAD4 ,TAKE ! *ILDR5 & ! SCROLLS & FLEE TO ! SUNSET4 ,I CAN NO LONG] TEA* Y\ ! SONGS4 

,! PA9 IS UNBE>ABLE4 ,I TE> (F ! MASK4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
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