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The whole time taken； from lifting the sticks to the blazing
fire； was less than one minute。
This is the ancient way of the Indian； Rolf had often heard of it
as a sort of semi…myth； never before had he seen it； and so far
as he could learn from the books； it took an hour or two of hard
work； not a few deft touches and a few seconds of time。
He soon learned to do it himself； and in the years which
followed； he had the curious experience of showing it to many
Indians who had forgotten how； thanks to the greater portability
of the white man's flint and steel。
As they walked in the woods that day； they saw three trees that
had been struck by lightning during the recent storm； all three
were oaks。 Then it occurred to Rolf that he had never seen any
but an oak struck by lightning。
〃Is it so； Quonab？〃
〃No； there are many others； the lightning strikes the oaks most
of all； but it will strike the pine； the ash； the hemlock； the
basswood； and many more。 Only two trees have I never seen
struck； the balsam and the birch。〃
〃Why do they escape？〃
〃My father told me when I was a little boy it was because they
sheltered and warmed the Star…girl； who was the sister of the
Thunder…bird。〃
〃I never heard that； tell me about it。〃
〃Sometime maybe； not now。〃
Chapter 12。 Hunting the Woodchucks
Cornmeal and potatoes； with tea and apples； three times a day；
are apt to lose their charm。 Even fish did not entirely satisfy
the craving for flesh meat。 So Quonab and Rolf set out one
morning on a regular hunt for food。 The days of big game were
over on the Asamuk； but there were still many small kinds and
none more abundant than the woodchuck； hated of farmers。 Not
without reason。 Each woodchuck hole in the field was a menace to
the horses' legs。 Tradition； at least； said that horses' legs
and riders' necks had been broken by the steed setting foot in
one of these dangerous pitfalls： besides which； each chuck den
was the hub centre of an area of desolation whenever located； as
mostly it was； in the cultivated fields。 Undoubtedly the damage
was greatly exaggerated； but the farmers generally agreed that
the woodchuck was a pest。
Whatever resentment the tiller of the soil might feel against the
Indian's hunting quail on his land； he always welcomed him as a
killer of woodchucks。
And the Indian looked on this animal as fair game and most
excellent eating。
Rolf watched eagerly when Quonab； taking his bow and arrows； said
they were going out for a meat hunt。 Although there were several
fields with woodchucks resident； they passed cautiously from one
to another； scanning the green expanse for the dark…brown spots
that meant woodchucks out foraging。 At length they found one；
with a large and two small moving brown things among the clover。
The large one stood up on its hind legs from time to time； ever
alert for danger。 It was a broad； open field； without cover； but
close to the cleared place in which； doubtless； was the den；
there was a ridge that Quonab judged would help him to approach。
Rolf was instructed to stay in hiding and make some Indian signs
that the hunter could follow when he should lose sight of the
prey。 First； 〃Come on〃 （beckoning）； and； second； 〃Stop；〃 （hand
raised； palm forward）； 〃All right〃 （hand drawn across level and
waist high）； forefinger moved forward； level； then curved
straight down； meant 〃gone in hole。〃 But Rolf was not to sign
anything or move； unless Quonab asked him by making the question
sign （that is waving his hand with palm forward and spread
fingers）。
Quonab went back into the woods； then behind the stone walls to
get around to the side next the ridge； and crawling so flat on
his breast in the clover that； although it was but a foot high；
he was quite invisible to any one not placed much above him。
In this way he came to the little ridge back of the woodchuck
den； quite unknown to its occupants。 But now he was in a
difficulty。 He could not see any of them。
They were certainly beyond range of his bow； and it was difficult
to make them seek the den without their rushing into it。 But he
was equal to the occasion。 He raised one hand and made the query
sign； and watching Rolf he got answer； 〃All well； they are there。〃
（A level sweep of the flat hand and a finger pointing steadily。）
Then he waited a few seconds and made exactly the same sign；
getting the same answer。
He knew that the movement of the distant man would catch the eye
of the old woodchuck； she would sit up high to see what it was；
and when it came a second time she would； without being exactly
alarmed； move toward the den and call the young ones to follow。
The hunter had not long to wait。 He heard her shrill； warning
whistle； then the big chuck trotted and waddled into sight；
stopping occasionally to nibble or look around。 Close behind her
were the two fat cubs。 Arrived near the den their confidence was
restored； and again they began to feed； the young ones close to
the den。 Then Quonab put a blunt bird dart in his bow and laid
two others ready。 Rising as little as possible； he drew the bow。
'Tsip！ the blunt arrow hit the young chuck on the nose and turned
him over。 The other jumped in surprise and stood up。 So did the
mother。 'Tsip！ another bolt and the second chuck was kicking。
But the old one dashed like a flash into the underground safety
of her den。 Quonab knew that she had seen nothing of him and
would likely come forth very soon。 He waited for some time； then
the gray…brown muzzle of the fat old clover…stealer came partly
to view； but it was not enough for a shot； and she seemed to have
no idea of coming farther。 The Indian waited what seemed like a
long time； then played an ancient trick。 He began to whistle a
soft； low air。 Whether the chuck thinks it is another woodchuck
calling； or merely a pleasant sound； is not known； but she soon
did as her kind always does； came out of the hole slowly and ever
higher； till she was half out and sitting up； peering about。
This was Quonab's chance。 He now drew a barbed hunting arrow to
the head and aimed it behind her shoulders。 'Tsip！ and the chuck
was transfixed by a shaft that ended her life a minute later； and
immediately pre… vented that instinctive scramble into the hole；
by which so many chucks elude the hunter； even when mortally
wounded。
Now Quonab stood up without further concealment； and beckoned to
Rolf； who came running。 Three fat woodchucks meant abundance of
the finest fresh meat for a week； and those who have not tried it
have no idea what a delicacy is a young； fat； clover…fed
woodchuck； pan…roasted； with potatoes； and served at a blazing
campfire to a hunter who is young； strong； and exceedingly hungry。
Chapter 13。 The Fight with the Demon of the Deep
One morning； as they passed the trail that skirts the pond；
Quonab pointed to th