Mountain Lions and Wolves

The next morning after breakfast, they started on the trail again. They were nearing the peak of the mountain. They traveled at a fairly good pace because they had divided the supplies between the horse and the donkey. They stopped for a moment, so Ronald could check his compass. Suddenly an urgent call broke the silence; it was Lewin! Ronald whipped around he saw a flying object go through the air and knock Lewin to the ground. It was a mountain lion! Ronald took it all in with a glance. Then he ran toward his donkey and snatched his rifle. Aiming at the mountain lion, he pulled the trigger just as the mountain lion raked his claws across Lewin. Lewin screamed. Then the mountain lion seemed to freeze. A few tremors ran through its body and then it collapsed. Ronald went towards Lewin and the lion. First he checked to see that the mountain lion was truly dead. Then he inspected Lewin, he was unconscious. Ronald looked up, spotting Sir Tallon he called out, “Start a fire and boil some water.”

Sir Tallon stared for a moment, and then nodded. The claws of the mountain lion had inflicted long gashes down Lewin’s side, ripping his shirt to pieces. Ronald ripped off the rest of Lewin’s shirt. When the water was boiling, Ronald cleaned the wounds and then placed a poultice it over them. Lewin stirred, and his eyes flew open with a start. Ronald leaned over him. “Don’t worry, everything is all okay.” Ronald said reassuringly.

Lewin’s lips moved. “What happened?” he whispered.

“I heard you shout and killed the mountain lion with my rifle.” Ronald said.

The boy relaxed. “Thanks, I saw it on a branch and tried to warn you.” Lewin whispered.

“You did it just in time. He missed you by inches. He’d have killed you if you hadn’t rolled over.” Ronald said, “You’ve been cut up pretty bad, though.”

“I feel as if I’m in twenty pieces!” Lewin groaned, grimacing with pain.

Ronald made a bed on the ground and moved Lewin onto it.

Lewin had a high fever that evening. He moaned as Ronald placed cool

cloths on his head. He changed the poultice several times, the gashes were red and angry looking. This went on for three days. At the end of that time, Lewin’s fever was gone, and he could sit up. Ronald bound his side with bandages.

After four more days, Lewin declared he could ride the horse. Ronald wasn’t sure, but Lewin insisted. So, they set off, with Lewin riding. Soon after that, he was able to walk long distances again. It hurt still if he turned suddenly, but other than that, he seemed all right. Every night, Ronald bathed the wounds, and they seemed to be improving. Ronald said that if he got tired he had to ride again but Lewin didn’t want to. Though, Lewin usually had to give in, near the end of the day.

It was a few days later that, one evening, Ronald heard the howling of wolves. They were on their trail! In front of them was a rock wall. There was no escape but behind them, and that’s was where the wolves were.

“Quick!” Ronald exclaimed, “Find somewhere we can stay the night and be protected!”

Lewin was studying the rock wall in front of them. “Ronald! Here’s a cave!”

Ronald looked where Lewin was pointing. “There’s no cave there.” He started to say, but then he looked closer. There was a cave! At first, it had looked like an indent in the rock. The three of them with the two pack animals hurried in just in time. Wolves snapped at them, sharp teeth showing, and growling. Soon the travelers were hard at work defending themselves.

Near morning Ronald was just running a wolf through with his sword, when suddenly they heard a rumbling sound. The wolves disappeared, and Ronald was just about to congratulate the others on their great defense when the sound grew louder. Suddenly across the opening poured rocks. “It’s an avalanche!” shouted Ronald.

Finally, the noise stopped. Ronald, Lewin and Sir Tallon walked to where the opening had been. In the flickering light of the fire they had made, they could see that massive rocks were piled across it. They tried to move them, but it was no use. They were trapped!

End of Chapter Thirteen

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