The Gathering

“The tribal leaders ridiculed Smoha and said he must stop sharing his dreams because they already had a shaman. The shaman told the leaders and members of the tribe that Smoha was controlled by an evil spirit and must be cast out. Finally, the chief listened to the shaman and ordered Smoha cast out of the tribe before his test of manhood. Driven out from his people many miles from home, he found himself near Fire Mountain. It was a forbidden place for the people of the tribe because of the bad magic there. Many braves never came back after venturing to the mountain.

“Smoha made a fireless camp at the base of the mountain. Bobcats, cougars, and wolves lived in these woods. Also, there were black bears and the horrible bear, which is what the tribes called the grizzly, the largest and most powerful of all predators. The moon was out, but it was hard to see in the brush where Smoha made his bed. As he lay there, he could hear wolves howling to the moon. He figured they were not a threat, as they were too far away. He heard the hoot of an owl and the rustle of what he thought must be a raccoon in the bushes. He put on the outer garment, called a ruaha by some tribes; it would keep him warm. He also had the knife his father gave him, the blade made from bone and the handle from wood interlaced by animal leather to make it easy to handle. The spear he had was longer than most with a bone spearhead, and the shaft was made from the hardest wood his father could find. As he lay there, he prayed to the Great Spirit to protect him and give his life purpose.