Chapter Twelve
It took him all day to find one small deer and bring it back. The dog was up, its great head swinging to and fro, its eyes bright with joy when it saw him. Nameless Fox cut the hindquarters off the deer, put one to cook, and threw the dog the rest.
2 After the first hindquarter was cooked, he cooked the other while he was eating. When he was done, he threw the dog his scraps, but the dog still looked longingly at the remaining hindquarter.
3 "No!" snapped Nameless Fox, "That's mine for tomorrow. Now I'm going to sleep!" He crawled into his bedroll and was quickly asleep.
4 When he awoke, he felt hot breath on his face, and opened his eyes to find the huge dog straddling him, looking down at him strangely. Nameless Fox knew he couldn't get to his sword, and his knife would barely annoy this great animal.
5 But the dog did not threaten him. It began to happily lap his face. "Stop that!" cried Nameless Fox, "Stop that! Your tongue is like a grinding stone!"
6 The dog looked at him, disappointed, backed off and let him get up, then came forward again, putting his head against Nameless Fox's chest, and shaking it back and forth.
7 Then Nameless Fox remembered how pleased he had seemed when he'd ruffed his mane and began to do it vigorously. The dog began to make a low, soft growl. "You like that, don't you, Big Fellow?" Nameless Fox laughed. "Well, I guess you're all right now."
8 The dog walked over to the hindquarters and sat down beside it. Nameless Fox shook his head, cut off a good portion for himself, and gave the dog the rest.
9 He hid the cat skins and the deer skins in a place that would stay dry, then started off. Even if he found nothing today, the skins would make the trip worth his trouble. His provisions were almost gone. He would probably have nothing to eat for at least two days, unless the hunting was good.
10 The dog followed him to the spring, and continued to trail him as he headed into the foothills. Nameless Fox turned. "Look, Big Fellow, you can't follow me. You can't go where I'm going! This is your world. You are free and wild. You do not belong in a man's place! Go on! Get out of here!" He picked up a stone and threw it, being sure to miss. The dog jumped back and looked hurt.
11 "Go on, damn it!" cried Nameless Fox, "Get out of here!" He felt awful, but he knew he had to do it.
12 Head hung low, the dog headed off, looking back several times. During the day Nameless Fox thought he saw him on the ridges just behind him, but he was not sure. His whole day's hunting produced only one spear-back but it was good eating, and its needles would bring a good price.
13 He had just finished eating when he heard a noise in the brush and thought the dog had returned. But then he heard two other noises coming from different directions.
14 Casually he made hs way to his weapons, snatched up his sword and shield, and took shelter under the rock. Barely was he in position, when five raggedly dressed men rushed out of the darkness with loud, fierce cries.
15 Five to one were not good odds, but these men were poorly armed, and not seasoned fighters. Nameless Fox held them at bay, for some time. Then, trying to dodge a spearman's thrust, he tripped.
16 Before Nameless Fox could recover, the man dug the barb of his spear into his leg and drew it back, slashing it open. The man rose his weapon to deliver the death blow, when suddenly a deafening roar split the air, and a huge mouth closed on the spearman's throat and shoulder. He was lifted into the air, and shaken like a child's cloth doll.
17 One of his companions tried to come forward to help him, but a paw with claws like daggers ripped away half the man's face, and he fell to the ground, his blood pouring from him. The other three turned and fled, but one did not get far. The dog dropped his first kill, took two great bounds, and brought down a third outlaw!
18 Two great blows from his forepaws was all it took! The dog walked back and looked at Nameless Fox, who was desperately trying to stop the bleeding in his leg. The dog gave a great roar and shot into the darkness.
19 Nameless Fox had heard the legends...kill a dog's mate or one of its cubs, and it would follow you to the end of the world. Nothing but death would keep it from your throat. 20 A few minutes later there was a horrible scream from the darkness, then, silence, and a while later another scream. Nameless Fox knew those particular outlaws would kill no more. 21 It seemed like forever before the bleeding stopped, and he dared not move for fear it would start again, but he was so cold; so awfully cold!
22 Somehow he made it to his bedroll. Fortunately his water skin was by it and he drank deeply, then fell into a deep, dark sleep.
23 He was somewhat aware of the dog returning, and dropping its kill at his feet. But the hours after that seemed to swim, to be not quite real.
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