,A ,,RELIC ,,( ,,! ,,PLIOC5E
  ,I WA% MY H&S ( HM AT ! />T4 ,I _C "F
8 TALES1 NOR W ,I 2 RESPONSI# = !M4 ,I
MAKE ^! PRELIM9>Y RES]V,NS1 OBS]VE1 Z A
GU>D ^U MY [N 9TEGR;Y4 ,I POSSESS A
C]TA9 DEF9ITE POSI;N 9 A SMALL WAY1 AL A
WIFE2 &=! GD "N (! -MUN;Y T HON\RS MY
EXI/;E ) XS APPROVAL1 &=! SAKE ( H]
PO/];Y & M9E1 ,I _C TAKE ! *.ES ,I ONCE
DID1 NOR FO/] PROBABILITIES )! C>E.S
IMPROVID;E ( Y\?4 ,S1 ,I REP1T1 ,I WA%
MY H&S ( HM1 ? ,NIMROD1 ? MI<TY HUNT]1 ?
HOMELY1 BLUE-EY$1 FRECKLE-FAC$ ,?OMAS
,/EV5S4
  ,HAV+ BE5 H"O/ 6MYF1 & 6:AT"E
PROSPECTIVE OLIVE BRAN*ES MY WIFE MAY 2
PL1S$ 6T5D] ME1 ,I C N[ AF=D 6BE G5]\S4
,I % N CRITICIZE ! TALES TOLD ME 0,?OMAS
,/EV5S1 &1 FUR!R1 ,I % )HOLD MY JUDG;T4
,IF X 2 ASK$ :Y1 ,I C ONLY ADD T JUDG;T
,I H N"O4 ,L;G H ,I POND]$1 WEI<$1 &
BAL.ED1 B N"E H MY 3CLU.NS BE5 TWICE !
SAME--=SOO?6 2C ,?OMAS ,/EV5S IS A GRT]
MAN ?AN ,I4 ,IF HE H TOLD TRU?S1 WELL &
GD2 IF UNTRU?S1 / WELL & GD4 ,= :O C
PROVE8 OR :O 4PROVE8 ,I ELIM9ATE MYF F !
PROPOSI;N1 :ILE ^? ( LL FAI? MAY D Z ,I
H D"O--G F9D ! SAME ,?OMAS ,/EV5S1 &
4CUSS 6HIS FACE ! V>I\S MATT]S :1 IF
=TUNE S]VE1 ,I % RELATE4 ,Z 6": HE MAY 2
F.D8 ,! DIREC;NS >E SIMPLE3 ANY": 2T #EC
NOR? LATITUDE &! ,POLE1 ON ! "O H&2 &1
ON ! O!R1 ! LIKELIE/ HUNT+ GR.DS T LIE
2T ! EA/ COA/ ( ,SIB]IA & F>!RMO/
,LABRADOR4 ,T HE IS "!1 "S":1 )9 T
CLE>LY DEF9$ T]RITORY1 ,I PL$GE ! ^W (
AN HON\RA# MAN ^: EXPECT,NS 5TAIL /RAI<T
SP1K+ & "R LIV+4
  ,?OMAS ,/EV5S MAY H TOY$ PRODIGI\SLY )
TRU?1 B :5 WE F/ MET 7X 7 WELL 6M>K ?
PO9T71 HE W&]$ 96MY CAMP :5 ,I ?"\ MYF A
?\S& MILES 2Y ! \T]MO/ PO/ ( CIVILIZ,N4
,AT ! SI<T ( 8 HUMAN FACE1 ! F/ 9 WE>Y
MON?S1 ,I CD H SPRUNG =W>D & FOLD$ HM 9
MY >MS 7& ,I AM N 0ANY M1NS A
DEMON/RATIVE MAN72 B 6HM 8 VISIT SEEM$ !
MO/ CASUAL ?+ "U ! SUN4 ,HE J /ROLL$ 96!
LI<T ( MY CAMP1 PASS$ ! "T ( "D AF !
CU/OM ( M5 ON B1T5 TRAILS1 ?REW MY
SN[%OES ! "O WAY &A C\PLE ( DOGS ! O!R1
& S MADE ROOM = HMF 0! FIRE4 ,SD HE'D J
DROPP$ 9 6BORR[ A P9* ( SODA & 6SEE IF
,I _H ANY DEC5T TOBA3O4 ,HE PLUCK$ =? AN
ANCI5T PIPE1 LOAD$ X ) PA9STAK+ C>E1 &1
)\T Z M* Z 0YR L1VE1 :ACK$ HALF ! TOBA3O
( MY P\* 96HIS4 ,YES1 ! /UFF 0 FAIRLY
GD4 ,HE SI<$ )! 3T5T;T (! J1 & LIT],Y
ABSORB$ ! SMOKE F ! CRISP+ YELL[ FLAKES1
& X DID MY SMOK]'S HE>T GD 62HOLD HM4
  ,HUNT]8 ,TRAPP]8 ,PROSPECTOR8 ,HE
%RU7$ 8 %\LD]S ,NO2 J SORT ( KNOCK+ R.D
A BIT4 ,_H -E UP F ! ,GRT ,SLAVE "S "T
S9CE1 & 0 ?9K+ ( TRAPS+ OV] 96! ,YUKON
C.TRY4 ,! FACTOR ( ,KO%IM _H SPOK5 AB !
4COV]IES ON ! ,KLONDIKE1 & HE 0 (A M9D
6RUN OV] =A PEEP4 ,I NOTIC$ T HE SPOKE
(! ,KLONDIKE 9 ! >*AIC V]NACUL>1 CALL+ X
! ,RE9DE] ,RIV]--A 3CEIT$ CU/OM T ! ,OLD
,"TRS EMPLOY AG/ ! ,,*E*AQUAS & ALL
T5D]FEET 9 G5]AL4 ,B HE DID X S NAIVELY
& Z S* A MATT] ( C\RSE1 T "! 0 NO /+1 &
,I =GAVE HM4 ,HE AL _H X 9 VIEW1 HE SD1
2F HE CROSS$ ! DIVIDE 96! ,YUKON1 6MAKE
A LL RUN UP ,=T O' ,GD ,HOPE WAY4
  ,N[ ,=T O' ,GD ,HOPE IS A F> J\RNEY 6!
NOR?1 OV] & 2Y ! ,CIRCLE1 9 A PLACE ": !
FEET ( FEW M5 H TROD2 & :5 A NONDESCRIPT
RAGAMU69 -ES 9 \ (! NI<T1 F NO": 9
"PICUL>1 6SIT 0"O'S FIRE & 4C\RSE ON S*
9 T]MS ( 8TRAPS+0 & 8A LL RUN10 X IS
FAIR "T 6R\SE UP & %AKE (F ! DR1M4 ,":=E
,I LOOK$ AB ME2 SAW ! FLY &1 "UN1?1 !
P9E B\<S SPR1D =! SLEEP+ FURS2 SAW !
GRUB SACKS1 ! CAM]A1 ! FRO/Y BR1?S (!
DOGS CIRCL+ ON ! $GE (! LI<T2 &1 ABV1 A
GRT /R1M] (! AURORA1 BRIDG+ ! Z5I? F
S\?-EA/ 6NOR?-WE/4 ,I %IV]$4 ,"! IS A
MAGIC 9 ! ,NOR?L& NI<T1 T /1LS 9 ON "O L
FEV]S F MAL>IAL M>%ES4 ,Y >E CLUT*$ &
D[N$ 2F Y >E AW>E4 ,!N ,I LOOK$ 6!
SN[%OES1 LY+ PR"O & CROSS$ ": HE _H
FLUNG !M4 ,AL ,I _H AN EYE 6MY TOBA3O
P\*4 ,HALF1 AT L1/1 ( XS GDLY /ORE _H
VAMOS$4 ,T SETTL$ X4 ,FANCY _H N TRICK$
ME AF ALL4
  ,CRAZ$ ) SU6]+1 ,I ?"\1 LOOK+ /1DFA/LY
AT ! MAN--"O ( ^? WILD /AMP$]S1 /RAY$ F>
F 8 BE>+S & W&]+ L A LO/ S\L "? GRT
VA/;SES & UN"KN DEEPS4 ,OH1 WELL1 LET 8
MOODS SLIP ON1 UNTIL1 MAYHAP1 HE GA!RS 8
TANGL$ WITS TGR4 ,:O "KS8--! M]E S.D (A
FELL[-CR1TURE'S VOICE MAY BR+ ALL /RAI<T
AG4
  ,S ,I L$ HM ON 9 TALK1 & SOON ,I
M>VELL$1 = HE TALK$ ( GAME &! WAYS "!(4
,HE _H KILL$ ! ,SIB]IAN WOLF ( WE/]NMO/
,ALASKA1 &! *AMOIS 9 ! SECRET ,ROCKIES4
,HE AV]R$ HE KNEW ! HAUNTS ": ! LA/
BU6ALO / ROAM$2 T HE _H HUNG ON ! FLANKS
(! C>IB\ :5 !Y RAN 0! HUNDR$ ?\S&1 &
SLEPT 9 ! ,GRT ,B>R5S ON ! MUSK-OX'S
W9T] TRAIL4
  ,& ,I %IFT$ MY JUDG;T ACLY 7! F/
REVI.N1 B 0NO A3.T ! LA/71 & DEEM$ HM A
MONU;TAL E6IGY ( TRU?4
,:Y X 0 ,I "K N1 B ! _S MOV$ ME 6REP1T A
TALE TOLD 6ME 0A MAN :O _H DWELT 9 ! L&
TOO L;G 6"K BETT]4 ,X 0 (! GRT BE> T
HUGS ! /EEP SLOPES ( ,/ ,ELIAS1 N"E
DESC5D+ 6! LEVELS (! G5TL] 9CL9ES4 ,N[
,GOD S 3/ITUT$ ? CR1TURE = XS HILLSIDE
HABITAT T ! LEGS ( "O SIDE >E ALL (A
FOOT L;G] ?AN ^? (! O!R4 ,? IS MI<TY
3V5I5T1 Z W 2 R1L;Y ADMITT$4 ,S ,I HUNT$
? R>E B1/ 9 MY [N "N1 TOLD X 9 ! F/
P]SON1 PRES5T T5SE1 PA9T$ ! REQUISITE
LOCALE1 GAVE X ! NEC G>NI%+S & T\*ES (
V]ISIMILITUDE1 & LOOK$ 6SEE ! MAN /UNN$
0! RECITAL4
  ,N HE4 ,_H HE D\BT$1 ,I CD H =GIV5 HM4
,_H HE OBJECT$1 D5Y+ ! DANG]S ( S* A
HUNT 0VIRTUE (! ANIMAL'S 9ABIL;Y 6TURN
AB & G ! O!R WAY--_H HE D"O ?1 ,I SAY1
,I CD H TAK5 HM 0! H& =! TRUE SPORTSMAN
T HE WAS4 ,N HE4 ,HE SNI6$1 LOOK$ ON ME1
& SNI6$ AG2 !N GAVE MY TOBA3O DUE
PRAISE1 ?RU/ "O FOOT 96MY LAP1 & BADE ME
EXAM9E ! GE>4 ,X 0 A ,,MUCLUC (! ,9NUIT
PATT]N1 SEW$ TGR ) S9EW ?R1DS1 & DEVOID
( B1DS OR FURBEL[S4 ,B X 0 ! SK9 XF T 0
REM>KA#4 ,9 T X 0 ALL ( HALF AN 9* ?ICK1
X REM9D$ ME ( WALRUS-HIDE2 B "! !
RESEMBL.E C1S$1 = NO WALRUS "E BORE S
M>VELL\S A GR[? ( HAIR4 ,ON ! SIDE &
ANKLES ? HAIR 0 WELL-NI< WORN AWAY1 :AT
( FRIC;N ) "UBRU% & SN[2 B >.D ! TOP &
D[N ! M %ELT]$ BACK X 0 CO>SE1 DIRTY
BLACK1 & V ?ICK4 ,I "P$ X ) DI6ICULTY &
LOOK$ 2N =! F9E FUR T IS -MON ) NOR!RN
ANIMALS1 B F.D X 9 ? CASE 6BE ABS5T4 ,?1
H["E1 0 -P5SAT$ = 0! L5G?4 ,9DE$1 !
TUFTS T _H SURVIV$ WE> & TE> M1SUR$ ALL
( SEV5 OR EI<T 9*ES4
  ,I LOOK$ UP 96! MAN'S FACE1 & HE PULL$
8 FOOT D[N & ASK$1 8,F9D HIDE L T ON YR
,/ ,ELIAS BE>80
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,NOR ON ANY O!R
CR1TURE ( L& OR SEA10 ,I ANSW]$ C&IDLY4
,! ?ICK;S ( X1 &! L5G? (! HAIR1 PUZZL$
ME4

8,T10 HE SD1 & SD )\T ! SLI<TE/ H9T (
IMPRESSIVE;S1 8T CAME F A MAMMO?40

  8,NONS5SE60 ,I EXCLAIM$1 = ,I CD N
=BE> ! PROTE/ ( MY UNBELIEF4 8,! MAMMO?1
MY DE> SIR1 L;G AGO VANI%$ F ! E>?4 ,WE
"K X ONCE EXI/$ 0! FOSSIL REMA9S T WE H
UNE>!D1 & 0A FROZ5 C>CASE T ! ,SIB]IAN
SUN SAW FIT 6MELT F \ ! BOSOM (A GLACI]2
B WE AL "K T NO LIV+ SPECIM5 EXI/S4 ,\R
EXPLOR]S--0
  ,AT ? ^W HE BROKE 9 IMPATI5TLY4 8,YR
EXPLOR]S8 ,PI%6 ,A W1KLY BRE$4 ,LET U
HE> NO M ( !M4 ,B TELL ME1 ,O MAN1 :AT Y
MAY "K (! MAMMO? & 8 WAYS40
  ,2Y 3TRADIC;N1 ? 0 L1D+ 6A Y>N2 S ,I
BAIT$ MY HOOK 0RANSACK+ MY MEMORY =
:AT"E DATA ,I POSSESS$ ON ! SUBJECT 9
H&4 ,62G9 )1 ,I EMPHASIZ$ T ! ANIMAL 0
PREHI/ORIC1 & M>%ALL$ ALL MY FACTS 9
SUPPORT ( ?4 ,I M5;N$ ! ,SIB]IAN S&-B>S
T AB.D$ ) ANCI5T MAMMO? B"OS2 SPOKE (!
L>GE QUANTITIES ( FOSSIL IVORY PUR*AS$ F
! ,9NUITS 0! ,ALASKA ,-M]CIAL ,-PANY2 &
AC"KL$G$ HAV+ MYF M9$ SIX- & EI<T-FOOT
TUSKS F ! PAY GRAVEL (! ,KLONDIKE
CREEKS4 8,ALL FOSSILS10 ,I 3CLUD$1 8F.D
9 ! MID/ ( DEBRIS DEPOSIT$ "? C.T.S
AGES40
  8,I REMEMB] :5 ,I 0 A KID10 ,?OMAS
,/EV5S SNI6$ 7HE _H A MO/ 3F.D$ WAY (
SNI6+71 8T ,I SAW A PETRIFI$ WAT]-MELON4
,H;E1 ?\< MISTAK5 P]SONS "S"TS DELUDE
!MVS 96?9K+ T !Y >E RE,Y RAIS+ OR EAT+
!M1 "! >E NO S* ?+S Z EXTANT WAT]-
MELONS80
  8,B ! "Q ( FOOD10 ,I OBJECT$1 IGNOR+ 8
PO9T1 : 0 PU]ILE & )\T BE>+4 8,! SOIL M/
BR+ =? VEGETA# LIFE 9 LAVI% ABUND.E
6SUPPORT S MON/R\S CRE,NS4 ,NO": 9 !
,NOR? IS ! SOIL S PROLIFIC4 ,]GO1 !
MAMMO? _C EXI/40
  8,I P>DON YR IGNOR.E 3C]N+ _M MATT]S (
? ,NOR?L&1 = Y >E A "Y MAN & H TRAVELL$
LL2 B1 AT ! SAME "T1 ,I AM 9CL9$ 6AGREE
) Y ON "O ?+4 ,! MAMMO? NO L;G] EXI/S4
,H[ D ,I "K8 ,I KILL$ ! LA/ "O ) MY [N
"R >M40
  ,?US SPAKE ,NIMROD1 ! MI<TY ,HUNT]4 ,I
?REW A /ICK ( FIREWOOD AT ! DOGS & BADE
!M QUIT _! UNHOLY H[L+1 & WAIT$4
,UND\BT$LY ? LI> ( S+UL> FELIC;Y WD OP5
8 M\? & REQUITE ME = MY ,/4 ,ELIAS BE>4
  8,X 0 ? WAY10 HE AT LA/ 2GAN1 AF !
APPROPRIATE SIL;E _H 9T]V5$4 8,I 0 9
CAMP "O "D--0
  8,":80 ,I 9T]RUPT$4
  ,HE WAV$ 8 H& VAGUELY 9 ! DIREC;N (!
NOR?-EA/1 ": /RET*$ A ,,T]RA ,,9COGNITA
96: VA/;S FEW M5 H /RAY$ & FEW] EM]G$4
8,I 0 9 CAMP "O "D ) ,KLOO*4 ,KLOO* 0 Z
H&"S A LL ,,KAMOOKS Z "E :9$ 2TWIXT !
TRACES OR %OV$ NOSE 96A CAMP KETTLE4 ,H]
"F 0 A FULL-BLOOD ,MALEMUTE F ,RUSSIAN
,PA/ILIK ON ,B]+ ,SEA1 & ,I BR$ H]1 &)
"U/&+1 \ (A CL1N-LE7$ BIT* (! ,HUDSON
,BAY /OCK4 ,I TELL Y1 ,O MAN1 %E 0 A
CORK] -B9,N4 ,&
N[1 ON ? "D ,I H 9 M9D1 %E 0 BR"\ 6PUP
"? A PURE WILD WOLF (! WOODS--GREY1 &
L;G ( LIMB1 ) BIG LUNGS & NO 5D ( /AY+
P[]S4 ,SAY6 ,0 "! "E ! L8 ,X 0 A NEW
BRE$ ( DOG ,I _H />T$1 & ,I CD LOOK =W>D
6BIG ?+S4
  8,Z ,I H SD1 %E 0 BR"\ N1TLY 6PUP1 &
SAFELY DELIV]$4 ,I 0 SQUATT+ ON MY HAMS
OV] ! LITT]--SEV5 /URDY1 BL LL BE7>S--:5
F 2H CAME A BRAY ( TRUMPETS & CRA% (
BRASS4 ,"! 0 A RU%1 L ! W9D-SQUALL T
KICKS ! HEELS (! RA91 & ,I 0 MIDWAY 6MY
FEET :5 KNOCK$ FLAT ON MY FACE4 ,AT !
SAME 9/ANT ,I HE>D ,KLOO* SI<1 V M* Z A
MAN DOES :5 Y'VE PLANT$ YR FI/ 9 8
BELLY4 ,Y C /AKE YR SACK ,I LAY QUIET1 B
,I TWI/$ MY H1D >.D & SAW A HUGE BULK
SWAY+ ABV ME4 ,!N ! BLUE SKY FLA%$
96VIEW & ,I GOT 6MY FEET4 ,A HAIRY M.TA9
( FLE% 0 J 4APPE>+ 9 ! "UBRU% ON ! $GE
(! OP54 ,I CAU<T A RE>-5D GLIMPSE1 )A
/IFF TAIL1 Z BIG 9 GIR? Z MY BODY1 /&+ \
/RAI<T 2H4 ,! NEXT SECOND ONLY A
TREM5D\S HOLE REMA9$ 9 ! ?ICKET1 ?\< ,I
CD / HE> ! S.DS Z (A TORNADO DY+ QKLY
AWAY1 "UBRU% RIPP+ & TE>+1 & TREES
SNAPP+ & CRA%+4
  8,I CA/ AB = MY RIFLE4 ,X _H BE5 LY+
ON ! GR.D )! MUZZLE AG/ A LOG2 B N[ !
/OCK 0 SMA%$1 ! B>REL \ ( L9E1 &! "W+-
GE> 9 A ?\S& BITS4 ,!N ,I LOOK$ =! SLUT1
&--& :AT D Y SUPPOSE80
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4
  8,MAY MY S\L BURN 9 A ?\S& HELLS IF "!
0 ANY?+ LEFT ( H]6 ,KLOO*1 ! SEV5 /URDY1
BL LL BE7>S--G"O1 ALL G"O4 ,": %E _H
/RET*$ 0 A SLIMY1 BLOODY DEPRES.N 9 !
S(T E>?1 ALL (A Y>D 9 DIAMET]1 & >.D !
$GES A FEW SCATT]$ HAIRS40
  ,I M1SUR$ ?REE FEET ON ! SN[1 ?REW AB
X A CIRCLE1 & GL.ED AT ,NIMROD4
  8,! B1/ 0 ?IRTY L;G & TW5TY HI<10 HE
ANSW]$1 8& XS TUSKS SCAL$ OV] SIX "TS
?REE FEET4 ,I CDN'T 2LIEVE1 MYF1 AT !
"T1 = ALL T X _H J HAPP5$4 ,B IF MY
S5SES _H PLAY$ ME1 "! 0 ! BROK5 GUN &!
HOLE 9 ! BRU%4 ,& "! WAS--OR1 R1 "! 0
N--,KLOO* &! PUPS4 ,O MAN1 X MAKES ME
HOT ALL OV] N[ :5 ,I ?9K ( X ,KLOO*6
,ANO!R ,EVE6 ,! "M (A NEW RACE6 ,&A
RAMPAG+1 RANT+1 OLD BULL MAMMO?1 L A
SECOND FLOOD1 WIP+ !M1 ROOT & BRAN*1 (F
! FACE (! E>?6 ,D Y WOND] T ! BLOOD-
SOAK$ E>? CRI$ \ 6HI< ,GOD8 ,OR T ,I
GRA2$ ! H&-AXE & TOOK ! TRAIL80
  8,! H&-AXE80 ,I EXCLAIM$1 />TL$ \ (
MYF 0! PICTURE4 8,! H&-AXE1 &A BIG BULL
MAMMO?1 ?IRTY FEET L;G1 TW5TY FEET--0
  ,NIMROD JO9$ ME 9 MY M]RI;T1 *UCKL+
GLEE;LLY4 8,WDN'T X KILL Y80 HE CRI$4
8,WASN'T X A B1V]'S DR1M8 ,_M'S ! "T
,I'VE LAU<$ AB X S9CE1 B AT ! "T X 0 NO
LAU<+ MATT]1 ,I 0 T DANG$ MAD1 :AT (!
GUN & ,KLOO*4 ,?9K ( X1 ,O MAN6 ,A BR&-
NEW1 UNCLASSIFI$1 UNCOPY"R$ BRE$1 & WIP$
\ 2F "E X OP5$ XS EYES OR TOOK \ XS
9T5;N PAP]S6 ,WELL1 S 2 X4 ,LIFE'S FULL
( 4APPO9T;TS1 & "RLY S4 ,M1T IS BE/ AF A
FAM9E1 &A B$ S(T AF A H>D TRAIL4
  8,Z ,I 0 SAY+1 ,I TOOK \ AF ! B1/ )!
H&-AXE1 & HUNG 6XS HEELS D[N ! VALLEY2 B
:5 HE CIRCL$ BACK T[>D ! H1D1 ,I 0 LEFT
W9D$ AT ! L[] 5D4 ,SP1K+ ( GRUB1 ,I MI<T
Z WELL /OP L;G 5 6EXPLA9 A C\PLE (
PO9TS4 ,UP "!ABS1 9 ! MID/ (! M.TA9S1 IS
AN ALMI<TY CURI\S =M,N4 ,"! IS NO 5D (
LL VALLEYS1 EA* L ! O!R M* Z P1S 9 A
POD1 & ALL N1TLY TUCK$ AWAY ) /RAI<T1
ROCKY WALLS RIS+ ON ALL SIDES4 ,& AT !
L[] 5DS >E ALW SMALL OP5+S ": ! DRA9AGE
OR GLACI]S M/ H BROK5 \4 ,! ONLY WAY 9
IS "? ^! M\?S1 & !Y >E ALL SMALL1 & "S
SMALL] ?AN O!RS4 ,Z 6GRUB--Y'VE SLU%$
>.D ON ! RA9-SOAK$ ISL&S (! ,ALASKAN
COA/ D[N ,SITKA WAY1 MO/ LIKELY1 SEE+ Z
Y'RE A TRAVELL]4 ,& Y "K H[ /UFF GR[S "!
--BIG1 & JUICY1 & JUNGLY4 ,WELL1 T'S !
WAY X 0 ) ^? VALLEYS4 ,?ICK1 RI* SOIL1 )
F]NS & GRASSES & S* ?+S 9 PAT*ES HI<]
?AN YR H1D4 ,RA9 ?REE "DS \ ( F\R DUR+ !
SUMM] MON?S2 & FOOD 9 !M =A ?\S&
MAMMO?S1 6SAY NO?+ ( SMALL GAME = MAN4
  8,B 6GET BACK4 ,D[N AT ! L[] 5D (!
VALLEY ,I GOT W9D$ & GAVE OV]4 ,I 2GAN
6SPECULATE1 = :5 MY W9D LEFT ME MY D&]
GOT HOTT] & HOTT]1 & ,I KNEW ,I'D N"E "K
P1CE ( M9D TILL ,I D9$ ON ROA/$ MAMMO?-
FOOT4 ,& ,I KNEW1 AL1 T T /OOD =
,,SKOOKUM ,,MAMOOK ,,PUKAPUK--EXCUSE
,*9OOK1 ,I M1N "! 0 A BIG FI<T -+4 ,N[ !
M\? ( MY VALLEY 0 V N>R[1 &! WALLS /EEP4
,HI< UP ON "O SIDE 0 "O ( ^? BIG PIVOT
ROCKS1 OR BALANC+ ROCKS1 Z "S CALL !M1
WEI<+ ALL (A C\PLE ( HUNDR$ TONS4 ,J !
?+4 ,I HIT BACK = CAMP1 KEEP+ AN EYE OP5
S ! BULL CDN'T SLIP PA/1 & GOT MY
AMMUNI;N4 ,X WASN'T WOR? ANY?+ )! RIFLE
SMA%$2 S ,I OP5$ ! %ELLS1 PLANT$ ! P[D]
"U ! ROCK1 & T\*$ X (F ) SL[ FUSE4
,WASN'T M* (A *>GE1 B ! OLD B\LD] TILT$
UP LAZILY & DROPP$ D[N 96PLACE1 ) J
SPACE 5 6LET ! CREEK DRA9 NICELY4 ,N[ ,I
_H HM40
8,B H[ DID Y H HM80 ,I QU]I$4 8,:O "E
HE>D (A MAN KILL+ A MAMMO? )A H&-AXE8
,&1 = T MATT]1 ) ANY?+ ELSE80
  8,O MAN1 H ,I N TOLD Y ,I 0 MAD80
,NIMROD REPLI$1 )A SLI<T MANIFE/,N (
S5SITIVE;S4 8,MAD CL1N "?1 :AT ( ,KLOO*
&! GUN4 ,AL1 0 ,I N A HUNT]8 ,& 0 ? N
NEW & MO/ UNUSUAL GAME8 ,A H&-AXE8 ,PI%6
,I DID N NE$ X4 ,LI/51 & Y % HE> (A
HUNT1 S* Z MI<T H HAPP5$ 9 ! Y\? (! _W
:5 CAVEM5 R.D$ UP ! KILL ) H&-AXE ( /"O4
,S* WD H S]V$ ME Z WELL4 ,N[ IS X N A
FACT T MAN C \TWALK ! DOG OR HORSE8 ,T
HE C WE> !M \ )! 9TELLIG;E ( 8 5DUR.E80
  ,I NO4$4
  8,WELL80
  ,! LI<T BROKE 9 ON ME1 & ,I BADE HM
3T9UE4
  8,MY VALLEY 0 P]H FIVE MILES >.D4 ,!
M\? 0 CLOS$4 ,"! 0 NO WAY 6GET \4 ,A
TIMID B1/ 0 T BULL MAMMO?1 & ,I _H HM AT
MY M]CY4 ,I GOT ON 8 HEELS AG HOLL]$ L A
FI5D1 PELT$ HM ) COB#S1 & RAC$ HM >.D !
VALLEY ?REE "TS 2F ,I KNOCK$ (F = SUPP]4
,DON'T Y SEE8 ,A RACE-C\RSE6 ,A MAN &A
MAMMO?6 ,A HIPPODROME1 ) SUN1 MOON1 &
/>S 6REF]EE6
  8,X TOOK ME TWO MON?S 6D X1 B ,I DID
X4 ,& T'S NO B1V] DR1M4 ,R.D & R.D ,I
RAN HM1 ME TRAVELL+ ON ! 9N] CIRCLE1
EAT+ J]K$ M1T & SALMON B]RIES ON ! RUN1
& SNAT*+ W9KS ( SLEEP 2T4 ,( C\RSE1 HE'D
GET DESP]ATE AT "TS & TURN4 ,!N ,I'D H1D
= S(T GR.D ": ! CREEK SPR1D \1 & LAY
ANA!MA ^U HM & 8 ANCE/RY1 & D>E HM 6-E
ON4 ,B HE 0 TOO WISE 6BOG 9 A MUD PU4LE4
,ONCE HE P9N$ ME 9 AG/ ! WALLS1 & ,I
CRAWL$ BACK 96A DEEP CREVICE & WAIT$4
,:5"E HE FELT = ME ) 8 TRUNK1 ,I'D BELT
HM )! H&-AXE TILL HE PULL$ \1 %RIEK+ FIT
6SPLIT MY E> DRUMS1 HE 0 T MAD4 ,HE KNEW
HE _H ME & DIDN'T H ME1 & X NE> DROVE HM
WILD4 ,B HE 0 NO MAN'S FOOL4 ,HE KNEW HE
0 SAFE Z L;G Z ,I /AY$ 9 ! CREVICE1 & HE
MADE UP 8 M9D 6KEEP ME "!4 ,& HE 0 D1D
"R1 ONLY HE _HN'T FIGUR$ ON ! -MISS>Y4
,"! 0 NEI GRUB NOR WAT] >.D T SPOT1 S ON
! FACE ( X HE CDN'T KEEP UP ! SIEGE4
,HE'D /& 2F ! OP5+ = H\RS1 KEEP+ AN EYE
ON ME & FLAPP+ MOSQUITOES AWAY ) 8 BIG
BLANKET E>S4 ,!N ! ?IR/ WD -E ON HM &
HE'D RAMP R.D & RO> TILL ! E>? %OOK1
CALL+ ME E "N HE CD LAY T;GUE TO4 ,? 0
6F"R5 ME1 ( C\RSE2 & :5 HE ?"\ ,I 0
SU6ICI5TLY IMPRESS$1 HE'D BACK AWAY
S(TLY & TRY 6MAKE A SN1K =! CREEK4
,"S"TS ,I'D LET HM GET ALM "!--ONLY A
C\PLE ( HUNDR$ Y>DS AWAY X WAS--:5 \
,I'D POP & BACK HE'D -E1 LUMB]+ AL;G L !
OLD L&SLIDE HE WAS4 ,AF ,I'D D"O ? A FEW
"TS1 & HE'D FIGUR$ X \1 HE *ANG$ 8
TACTICS4 ,GRASP$ ! "T ELE;T1 Y SEE4 ,)\T
A ^W ( W>N+1 AWAY HE'D G1 TE>+ =! WAT] L
MAD1 S*EM+ 6GET "! & BACK 2F ,I RAN
AWAY4 ,F9,Y1 AF CURS+ ME MO/ HORRIBLY1
HE RAIS$ ! SIEGE & DELIB]ATELY /ALK$ (F
6! WAT]-HOLE4
  8,T 0 ! ONLY "T HE P5N$ ME1--?REE "DS
( X1--B AF T ! HIPPODROME N"E /OPP$4
,R.D1 & R.D1 & R.D1 L A SIX "DS' G-Z-,I-
PL1SE1 = HE N"E PL1S$4 ,MY CLO!S W5T
6RAGS & TATT]S1 B ,I N"E /OPP$ 6M5D1
TILL AT LA/ ,I RAN NAK$ Z A SON ( E>?1 )
NO?+ B ! OLD H&-AXE 9 "O H& &A COB# 9 !
O!R4 ,9 FACT1 ,I N"E /OPP$1 SAVE = PEEPS
( SLEEP 9 ! CRANNIES & L$GES (! CLI6S4
,Z =! BULL1 HE GOT P]CEPTIBLY ?9N] &
?9N]--M/ H LO/ S"EAL TONS AT L1/--& Z
N]V\S Z A S*OOLM>M ON ! WR;G SIDE (
MATRIMONY4 ,:5 ,I'D -E UP ) HM & YELL1
OR LA9 HM )A ROCK AT L;G RANGE1 HE'D
JUMP L A SKITTI% COLT & TREM# ALL OV]4
,!N HE'D PULL \ ON ! RUN1 TAIL & TRUNK
WAV+ /IFF1 H1D OV] "O %\LD] & WICK$ EYES
BLAZ+1 &! WAY HE'D SWE> AT ME 0 "S?+
DR1D;L4 ,A MO/ IMMORAL B1/ HE WAS1 A
MURD]]1 &A BLASPHEM]4
  8,B T[>DS ! 5D HE QUIT ALL ?1 & FELL
6:IMP]+ & CRY+ L A BABY4 ,8 _S BROKE &
HE 2CAME A QUIV]+ JELLY-M.TA9 ( MIS]Y4
,HE'D GET ATTACKS ( PALPIT,N (! HE>T1 &
/A7] >.D L A DRUNK5 MAN1 & FALL D[N &
B>K 8 %9S4 ,& !N HE'D CRY1 B ALW ON !
RUN4 ,O MAN1 ! GODS !MVS WD H WEPT ) HM1
& Y YRF OR ANY O!R MAN4 ,X 0 PITI;L1 &
"! 0 S ,I M* ( X1 B ,I ONLY H>D5$ MY
HE>T & HIT UP ! PACE4 ,AT LA/ ,I WORE HM
CL1N \1 & HE LAY D[N1 BROK5-W9D$1 BROK5-
HE>T$1 HUNGRY1 & ?IR/Y4 ,:5 ,I F.D HE
WDN'T BUDGE1 ,I HAM/RUNG HM1 & SP5T !
BETT] "P (! "D WAD+ 96HM )! H&-AXE1 HE
A-SNI6+ & SO2+ TILL ,I "W$ 9 F> 5 6%UT
HM (F4 ,?IRTY FEET L;G HE WAS1 & TW5TY
HI<1 &A MAN CD SL+ A HAMMOCK 2T 8 TUSKS
& SLEEP -=TABLY4 ,B>R+ ! FACT T ,I _H
RUN MO/ (! JUICES \ ( HM1 HE 0 FAIR
EAT+1 & 8 F\R FEET1 AL"O1 ROA/$ :OLE1 WD
H LA/$ A MAN A TWELVEMON?4 ,I SP5T !
W9T] "! MYF40

8,& ": IS ? VALLEY80 ,I ASK$

  ,HE WAV$ 8 H& 9 ! DIREC;N (! NOR?-EA/1
& SD3 8,YR TOBA3O IS V GD4 ,I C>RY A
FAIR %>E ( X 9 MY P\*1 B ,I % C>RY !
RECOLLEC;N ( X UNTIL ,I DIE4 ,9 TOK5 (
MY APPRECI,N1 & 9 RETURN =! MO3AS9S ON
YR
[N FEET1 ,I W PRES5T 6Y ^! MUCLUCS4 ,!Y
-MEMORATE ,KLOO* &! SEV5 BL LL BE7>S4
,!Y >E AL S\V5IRS ( AN UNP>ALLEL$ EV5T 9
HI/ORY1 "NLY1 ! DE/RUC;N (! OLDE/ BRE$ (
ANIMAL ON E>?1 &! "YE/4 ,& _! *IEF
VIRTUE LIES 9 T !Y W N"E WE> \40
  ,HAV+ E6ECT$ ! EX*ANGE1 HE KNOCK$ !
A%ES F 8 PIPE1 GRIPP$ MY H& GD-NI<T1 &
W&]$ (F "? ! SN[4 ,3C]N+ ? TALE1 = : ,I
H ALR 4CLAIM$ RESPONSIBIL;Y1 ,I WD
RECOMM5D ^? ( LL FAI? 6MAKE A VISIT 6!
,SMI?SONIAN ,9/ITUTE4 ,IF !Y BR+ !
REQUISITE CR$5TIALS & D N -E 9 VAC,N "T1
!Y W UND\BT$LY GA9 AN AUDI;E )
,PROFESSOR ,DOLVIDSON4 ,! MUCLUCS >E 9 8
POSSES.N1 & HE W V]IFY1 N ! MANN] 9 : !Y
7 OBTA9$1 B ! MAT]IAL ( : !Y >E -POS$4
,:5 HE /ATES T !Y >E MADE F ! SK9 (!
MAMMO?1 ! SCI5TIFIC _W A3EPTS 8 V]DICT4
,:AT M WD Y H8