The Way of the Dogs (The Colter Saga Book 2)

by Joel Baker

  “If you mean it James, let’s start now,” Molly said. I can tell from the look in your eye, you can’t wait to go hunt that bear. If it means so much to you, I want to be a part of it. Now you tell me how to kill a bear and let’s get this done.”

  “No limits?” James asked.

  “No limits,” Molly said.

  ****

  The bear was seen again three days later. It was by the creek not far from James and Molly’s homestead. James knew they had to act. He talked to the council and they agreed to lock things down until the hunt was over. Next James went and saw Willie Anderson. Willie lived three ridges east of Haven. James explained the situation to Willie and asked him to talk with him and Molly. Willie said he’d be happy to as long as those dogs weren’t around.

  Willie came over and had dinner with Molly and James two days later. After dinner they retired to the front room for coffee. Willie brought out his pipe and after it was lit, blew smoke rings over everyone’s heads.

  “Now the first thing to know about a black bear,” Willie started looking up at the ceiling, “is that a black bear is almost blind. He makes up for it with his sense of smell and hearing. If he knows you’re there, he’ll find you. No doubt about it, so listen carefully. One of the most important things for you to remember is to remove your scent as much as possible. Bears know what people smell like. They can smell your shampoo, soap, or if you’ve been smoking. Instead of wandering right up to you, they'll just turn and go the other way.”

  “Are they that shy?” Molly asked.

  “Black bears are very timid and seldom looking for trouble,” Willie said. “If they are cornered, well it’s a different story. Any wild animal learns at a young age to steer clear of humans. They know man is a murdering creature, who sometime kills for no reason. Wild animals don’t understand why, so they just try to stay away from people.”

  “What else?” Molly asked.

  Are you going to use a hunting stand?” Willie asked.

  “I don’t think so. Do you think we should?” James asked.

  “Well, as I understand it, you’re not hunting any bear,” Willie said. “You got one bear in mind to kill. Is that right?”

  It was clear Willie enjoyed being in the spotlight and was warming to the topic. It had been some time since anyone had asked Willie his opinion about anything. Like most old people, Willie just wanted to be appreciated.

  “Yes, an old male black bear,” Molly said.

  “A hunting stand is out then,” Willie said. “You aren’t that lucky to have one particular bear stroll by. You could stalk him down the hard way, on foot and in his territory. I wouldn’t suggest that either. Your best bet is to lure him to one spot and kill him there.”

  James and Molly both nodded in agreement.

  “Now to lure him, you need to get something he really wants,” Willie said. “A male bear in the spring only wants two things. I suggest you use food. The other, well, you already got all the problems you can handle. James, who are you taking with you?”

  “Molly,” James said.

  “Seriously,” Willie said. “Who are you taking with you?”

  “Molly and I are going after this bear, Willie,” James said. “What do we need to know?”

  There was a long period of silence as Willie looked at James, then Molly, and then back to James.

  “What kind of rifles are you carrying?” Willie asked.

  “I’ve got a double barrel fifty caliber side by side,” James said. “Molly has an over under thirty shotgun. Both of them are breech load. She can hit a target from thirty yards every time.”

  “Not when it’s standing eight feet high on its back legs and roaring, or worse yet, charging through the brush faster than either of you can run by a long ways,” Willie said shaking his head. “Well, so be it. I warned you, and it’s about all I can do.”

  “I get your point Willie,” Molly said. “I really do. But someday we may have to face bigger challenges than this and I refuse to run and hide. This is no time to go all weak. Now tell us, how do we kill this bear?”

  “Okay,” Willie said, “You got some kind of grit, Molly. I admire that, I truly do. Let me ask you. Does this bear you’re hunting ever show up at the same spot more than once?”

  “Yes,” Molly said. “Usually it’s on the other side of the creek a little downstream from where we sit.”

  “Okay, here’s what you do,” Willie said. “Drag a bunch of black berry brambles over on the far side of the stream and leave them. Do it right before dawn. Leave them lay all day until sunset. Then go pull the black berry brambles at night over onto the East Ridge. The dogs still own that ridge don’t they?”

  “Willie, you don’t understand,” James said. “They don’t own…”

  “Yes, the dogs still own the East Ridge,” Molly butted in. “Do we bring out those black berry limbs every day?”

  “Yes,” Willie said looking at James then back to Molly. “The bear will figure out in a day or two if he wants black berries, he needs to come during the day. Bears are very smart critters for sure.”

  “Why have the berries there only during the day?” Molly asked.

  “You do not want to take on a full grown black bear when it’s dark out. If the berries are only there during the day, He can’t stop himself. Have everyone stay away from the sides the creek until the bear is dead. Warn your neighbors too.”

  “When the bear comes, where will we be?” James asked.

  “You’ll be in a blind we’re going to build on this side of the creek,” Willie said. “I’ll put the blind some fifty or sixty yards from the pile of berry brambles. The bear will probably come for the berries just after dawn or just before sunset. You two will be in the blind. James, take the first shot. If you don’t kill him out right, he’ll charge. He won’t see you, but he’ll know where you are. Once he charges you have maybe ten seconds to stop him.”

  James and Molly looked at each other.

  “Listen, Mrs. Colter,” Willie said. “You can stay here in the house rather than crouching in that blind waiting for a bear to show up.”

  “Thank you for the offer, Willie, and it is tempting,” Molly said. “But we think it’s important we do this together. It may sound odd to you, but this is something we must do together.”

  Willie smiled knowingly. “It’s not strange at all, Mrs. Colter. I’ve been testing myself all my life. That’s how we tell if we’re really alive, now isn’t it?”

  Chapter 26

  The next day James and Molly rode house to house warning everyone not to cross over the creek day or night until the bear was killed. At the same time, they inquired if those with children might have had a close encounter with a dog or if the children had said or done anything they considered peculiar. No one had.

  They returned home to find Samson, Shannon, and Sheila all watching Willie finish building the blind by the creek. It was camouflaged with cut branches. The sides were a little over four feet tall. The roof was also layered with limbs and leaves. It left a window two feet high facing the creek. When they stood, they should have a clear view of the black berry brambles and any animal paying them a visit.

  “Willie, it’s a beautiful blind if I do say so,” Molly said admiring the structure.

  “It’s not the first one I built,” Willie said. “It’s not even the best. Just remember the walls will not stop a charging bear. You haven’t changed your mind now have you Mrs. Colter?”

  “No, Willie, I haven’t,” Molly said. “Thanks for all your help.”

  “James, don’t forget I get the pelt for a rug,” Willie said.

  “I won’t Willie, and thanks,” James said.

  Willie left after lunch and Molly changed into her hard work clothes. Tight denim pants, long sleeve checked shirt, leather vest, and high top boots that came up almost to her knees. She walked into the kitchen where James was finishing scrubbing out the big pans.

  “Are you kidding me? Those are your work clo
thes?” James asked. “You look terrific!”

  “Oh, stop it!” Molly said, smiling as she pulled on her gloves. “You won’t think so after we drag those black berry brambles off that ridge. Let’s get going.”

  It took two hours and lot of hard work to drag and pile the black berry brambles next to the creek. The brambles contained lots of ripe and not so ripe berries. James decided to hoist the branches up in the tree at night. They would lower them to the ground during the day.

  He tied the limbs together with a rope and pulled them up into the tree. The bear would be able to smell the berries, just not see them. It would drive the bear crazy looking for them.

  As the sun set the black berry brambles were snug up in the tree. Both James and Molly heard what they thought were snorts and huffing during the night. At sunrise bear tracks were all over the ground under the tree. It was obvious the bear had spent some time looking for the berries. They lowered the brambles and stacked them in a pile under the tree.

  With the brambles in place, James and Molly entered the blind. The two sat for some time peering through the branches on the side of the blind. It was a chilly morning so Molly had on a leather jacket. She held her loaded rifle on her lap as she sat on the floor.

  James was the first to spot the bear some distance off. The bear approached slowly. He stopped and sniffed the air every step or so. The bear appeared almost dainty as he walked. James knew black bears can walk through a forest and make no noise in spite of the size and weight. Their claws retract and they place one foot pad down slowly. If they break a twig or a branch, it’s to let another bear know they are around.

  The bear stopped two hundred yards away from the stack of black berry brambles. It looked around and sat down staring at the blind. Both James and Molly looked through the limbs on the side walls of the blind. They had the eerie feeling the bear was looking directly at them. For whatever reason, the bear turned and ambled back toward the west ridge.

  The brambles were in place at daybreak on the second day. Low cloud cover limited visibility. By the time the brambles were in place and the Colters in the blind, a thin fog lowered and covered the berry brambles. A short time later a black form appeared out of the haze. James could hear an occasional snort before he finally saw the bear eating berries off the brambles.

  James signaled to Molly to release the safety on her rifle. James sighted down the barrel of his gun and aimed just behind the right front leg of the bear. After a moment to empty his lungs of air, James pulled the trigger.

  ****

  The bear grunted as it dropped to the ground. After a second, it righted itself and began to lumber slowly towards the creek and the shooting blind on the other side.

  The bear roared as it entered the creek and James fired a second time. It hesitated as it absorbed the impact of the slug swinging its head from side to side as if it tried to understand what was happening. The bear stood still for a second, trying to determine how badly it was hurt.

  The bear knew death was near. It raised its massive head a last time looking for the cause of its pain. It seemed to be deciding whether to just lie down and die, or to charge. The bear’s eyes came into focus and it charged.

  After his second shot, James watched as the bear stood in the creek and seemed to falter. He cracked the breech on his rifle and took out the spent cartridges. James looked up in time to see six hundred pounds of black bear hurdling out of the creek towards the blind not fifty feet away and moving fast.

  James pulled two shells from his pocket, dropping one in his haste. He shoved the remaining shell into the chamber and closed the breech. The bear hit the blind just as James heard the roar of both barrels of Molly’s rifle fired at close range. One swipe with the bear’s claws destroyed the blind and knocked James and his rifle ten feet away. The last James remembered before he passed out, was the weight of the bear landing on him and smell of its fur.

  ****

  Molly did as James indicated and released the safety on the rifle. She jumped in shock to the explosion of James first shot. The blast reverberated off the walls of the blind. Molly hadn’t expected it to be so loud and she was momentarily confused. The second report of James rifle caused a ringing in her ears. She looked out towards the bear in time to see it charge out of the water and in a direct path towards the blind and her.

  Molly raised her rifle to her shoulder and sighted down the barrel. All she could see was black fur so she pulled both triggers as the blind exploded around her. She looked and couldn’t find James. The bear lay at her feet and she realized James must be under the bear. She grabbed the back leg of the bear and pulled and pushed with all her strength. Finally Sheila ran out of the house and over to the blind to help her pull the bear off James.

  Molly didn’t think James was breathing and began pounding on his chest with her fists.

  James opened his eyes and sat up with a gasp, filling his lungs with air.

  “Why are you beating the crap out of me?” James asked.

  “James… Oh, James… I thought you were dead,” Molly cried, as she hugged his head to her breast. “I saw you drop your bullets and I thought we were going to die.”

  “Shells, Honey,” James said. “We call them shells for rifles.”

  “Oh for God’s sakes, James, what difference does it make?” Molly asked. “We’re alive and the bear is dead. I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life!”

  “Want to do it again?” James asked.

  “You bet I do,” Molly said and then kissed James hard on the mouth.

  Chapter 27

  James, Molly, and Shannon had a meeting with the teacher at the school. It was regularly held in the spring to introduce the children entering kindergarten the next year. It was also a time for any new children to the area to meet the other kids in the class.

  Shannon was so excited to be going to school she could hardly stand it. They left early and it was a beautiful evening in May, so they decided to walk the mile to the school rather than take the buggy. Samson followed a short distance behind the three.

  “Shannon, stop running ahead of us,” Molly said. “We’ll get there soon enough.”

  “I know Mommy,” Shannon said. “This is so exciting! Just think, I’ll be able to read, write, and play with my friends at recess.”

  “I know and it is exciting,” Molly said. “Do you remember the little talk we had about your gift?”

  “You mean about Samson, Mommy?” Shannon asked.

  “Yes, I mean Samson,” Molly said.

  “I shouldn’t say anything about it. Not even to my best friends. It’s a family secret and a special gift. It’s so special other people might act funny if they knew about it,” Shannon said in a voice indicating she had memorized it.

  “Do you promise?” Molly asked.

  “I promise,” Shannon said looking very solemn.

  “Did you tell Samson about going to school?” James asked.

  “Shannon gave her father a funny look.

  “Daddy, I told you, it doesn’t work like that,” Shannon said. “Besides, I’m just learning, so there’s a lot I don’t know how to do.”

  James was confused about what exactly Samson and Shannon were able to say to each other. He knew ‘say’ was the wrong word. As he understood it, they seemed to pass information in a very indirect way. A way he might never understand.

  “Do you know why Samson didn’t help us when we had to kill the bear?” James asked.

  “Yes,” Shannon answered. “I asked him. Samson didn’t think the bear did anything wrong. It was old and just looking for some berries to eat. He didn’t see way the bear had to die. If it had become mean, Samson said they would have killed it.”

  “We’re at the school,” Molly said. “Can we stop talking about how Samson feels and act like we’re a normal family?”

  ****

  It was a chilly September afternoon when James, Molly, and Shannon decided to go for a walk in the woods looking for like
ly dead trees to be cut for firewood. Most of the houses had been converted to coal, but for some reason James still preferred wood. The fallen leaves made a shushing sound as they scuffed their shoes along the ground. James walked ahead of the two girls, but could still hear their conversation.

  “Is anything happening at school? Do you like your teacher?” Molly asked.

  “Oh, I just love Miss. Clark,” Shannon said. “She is the best teacher ever. Whenever the boys tease us, she makes them stop. I hate boys.”

  “I know what you mean,” Molly said.

  “I told Sarah about my new baby brother,” Shannon said.

  Molly and James stopped walking.

  “What did you say,” James asked.

  “I told Sarah about my new baby brother,” Shannon repeated. “She’s my very best friend.”

  “Honey, what makes you think I’m going to have a baby?” Molly asked.

  “Samson told me,” Shannon said.

  “Don’t you think I would know first, Shannon?” Molly asked.

  “I guess so,” Shannon said.

  Molly looked over at James and shrugged her shoulders.

  “It’s going to be a boy too,” Shannon said with a big smile. “It will be wonderful having a little brother.”

  First Molly and James looked at each other stunned. Then James got a huge grin on his face. Molly smiled and started laughing. James hugged Molly swinging her around in circles.

  “Samson told me,” James said and both he and Molly couldn’t stop laughing.

  ****

  It was late November and James knew he would have to push it if he was going to finish the Christmas gifts for Shannon and Molly. He was in his woodshop constructing a small cradle for Shannon’s dolls. The large cradle was for the baby Molly was going to have in April. Neither he nor Molly doubted it was going to be a boy.

  James was putting scraps of wood into the heater stove when he heard a knock on the workshop door. He went to the window to make sure it wasn’t Molly or Shannon.