Death on the Trek by Kaye George

in rivers and streams. Beaver sent water over the mountains to make waterfalls, and dug deep holes to make lakes.
    Panan stopped the Saga there and did not go on to tell of Beaver invading villages and devouring people. That was a good part to omit. The Hamapa did not need to be reminded of things that would eat them at this time. The ending, Jeek remembered, was that Dakadaga commanded that beavers only eat fish.
    I told you , Mootak thought-spoke to Jeek. There are no beavers in that river. It flows freely and has no dams.
    Jeek told Mootak that he did not want to hear any more. It took him a long time to fall asleep that night.

Chapter 13
    Everyone knew that they would reach the riverbank at the end of the next day of trekking. To Jeek, it seemed that they walked more and more slowly as Sister Sun sank before them. No one wanted to reach the wide water.
    At last, they were standing on the banks of the river. It was not far below them since the banks were short and not steep. Sharp rocks stuck out of the water here and there, creating ripples and pleasant musical tones.
    Hama summoned Bahg Swiftfeet to her side. She had a private conversation with him. He nodded. Bahg gave a long look to his mate, Fee Long Thrower, who held their baby boy. Then he walked down the small slope and put one foot into the quickly flowing stream. Jeek hoped that Bahg would not be swept away by a deceptive strong flow beneath the surface.
    It is not too cold , Bahg sent back for everyone.
    He took another step, and another, until the water reached just under his arms. He was not yet halfway across.
    Come back , Hama summoned. It is too deep to wade across. We will have to cross it some other way.
    Discouraged, they sat and ate the hard, tough, dried Hooden meat. Soon, Hama told them to go to sleep without a Saga. Jeek wondered if that was the idea of Hama or of Panan. There was much grumbling about not having a Saga. Jeek thought it was a mistake not to have it. The Hamapa needed encouragement. They needed their spirits lifted. Going to sleep with no Saga, no singing, no dancing, was not the way to do this. But he was not an Elder and would try not to think against them.
    Everyone began laying out a place to sleep in the open, beside the noisy flowing water, since no trees lined the banks. Jeek had not slept well the night before, and he could not sleep now either. He crept off and strolled away from the tribe. He found a deer path through the nearby woods and followed it for a short length. He was thinking of turning around to go back when he was surprised to find Gunda ahead of him.
    He stopped and thought-spoke softly, Gunda, what are you doing out here?
    And Jeek, you? Why are you out here?
    I could not sleep. There are so many troubles.
    Gunda nodded in agreement. Her birth-mother was the Hama and her seed giver the Hapa, so Jeek did not expect her to say anything against them, about how they were causing some of the troubles.
    But she surprised him. If only Hapa would quit talking about how awful Panan One Eye is, and about how we should not let Tikihoo travel with us. She stared at him with those deep, leaf-colored eyes. The light of Brother Moon caused them to glint like water. Or maybe Hama should make a Pronouncement. Or maybe there should be a meeting about this matter.
    I agree. Something should be done. There is nothing you or I can do. The Elders must guide us and lead us.
    Gunda agreed with that also. Come, comfort me . She opened her arms and Jeek stepped closer. They embraced for a long time. Water flowed from the eyes of Gunda.
    They touched their lips together. Jeek thought that he might melt into Brother Earth. In all the blackness of the moment, this was a spot of brilliant light for him.
    They walked slowly back to the encampment, holding hands.
    At first sun, Jeek was reluctant to get up. Gunda, curled up nearby, slept on while the others stood and packed up their things, as they had done every day on the trek. However,