Atondido Stories
sky. Bear showed the greatest anger and annoyance. Because of
his great strength, he had no fear of the new race that was said
soon to be coming, and he had always been inclined to look with
scorn on Deer's timid and impatient ways. "Deer has forsaken
us," he said; "he deserted us in the hour of our danger, and that
is contrary to forest laws and to our code of defence." And he
thought to himself, "I shall punish him for this when the time
comes."
In the late autumn, the time agreed upon came for the ani-
mals to leave the earth, and Rainbow again made his bright path
for them to the sky. Bear was the first to go up because he was
the leader, and because with his great weight he wanted to test
the strength of the bridge of burning colours over which they
had to pass. When he had almost reached the sky, he met Deer
on the path waiting to welcome the animals to their new home.
And he said to him in anger, "Why did you leave us behind,
without warning, for the land of the Turtle? Why did you desert
the Great Council? Why did you not wait until all could come to-
gether? You are a traitor to your comrades, and you have been
false to our faith." And Deer answered, also in anger, "Who are
you to doubt me or my faith? None but the Wolf may ask me
why I came or question my fidelity. I will kill you for your inso-
lence." Deer had grown very proud since he had gone to live in
the sky, and he was no longer timid as he had been on earth. His
eyes flashed in his fury, and he arched his neck and lowered his
antlered head, and rushed madly at Bear to push him from the
path.
But Bear was not afraid, for he had often tested his strength
with Deer upon the earth. His low, hoarse growls sounded all
over the sky, and he prepared to fight. They came together with
a shock. For a long time they battled, until the bridge of burning
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