187 The women returned to their own business. Mad
Cat returned with a bride. The woman was everything Mad Cat had ever
said of her, and more. She looked forward, she said, to being the lady
of an estate, even if it was a cave in the desert!
188 Her son,who with a little reluctance, had accepted the name
Stinging Cat, in honor of his first meeting with his father, was
beginning to treat his father with proper respect. Though there was
still a sharp word now and then, they were usually followed by
encouragement and explanation. It was working out well.
189 Two days before their planned departure Great Mountain and Swift
Deer were making their way through the marketplace on one of their many
errands, when Great Mountain suddenly stopped. "Remember that Chieftain
I had that trouble with?" he asked.
190 "What about him?" inquired Swift Deer.
191 "He's right up ahead of us, and three of his men are in the crowd
behind us."
192 "If he picked a place for an ambush," exclaimed Swift Deer, "it's a
bad one! This crowd is full of our people. One cry and they'll be all
over them!"
193 But as The Chieftain approached, he put his hands together, locking
his fingers and raising them before him; the Giant's sign of peace and
good intent. Great Mountain answered and the two men approached.
194 "Be at peace, Great Mountain," the old man began, "I no longer hold
for you any bitterness. That sorrow that was in my heart over the loss
of a foolish and arrogant son is long forgotten. I am now only an aging
grandfather who brings a proud son to the father who should know him.
For a son should be at his father's side, not spend all his days with
his