The House of Crow

Chapter 9

LeRue stopped when the bear did an unusual thing. It launched itself from the bank at Crow, growling, “Gotcha!”

At the sound of the voice, Crow threw himself toward the overhanging bank. The bear hurtled past the now crouching Crow striking the river in an explosion of water. In an instant, Crow leaped upon the back of the bear as the strong current rolled Crow and the bear downriver.

LeRue heard Crow yell, “Quick. He"s knocked himself out!” It wasn"t for long. Suddenly, to LeRue"s amazement, the bear stood up dumping Crow into the river. Blood flowed from the bear-man"s scalp, “Gee-horse-a-fats, ye damned near kill"t me Crow!”

“Couldn"t ye just say howdy?” Crow asked, wading to the man and throwing his arms around him. “Come on let"s get dried off afore we freeze.”

With arms across the others" shoulders, they turned to head for the bank then stopped. There was LeRue, knee-deep in the river, crouched with his rifle at the ready, his fur hat c****d over one eye and his mouth forming a perfect “O.”

“LeRue, this here is Buford, who is supposed to be in Saint Louis. You"ll learn to like him, but never turn yer back on him!”

The Present

Charles grinned at the story, as he took a sip of beer. Uncle Bill continued, “Well, Grandpa Crow, LeRue and Buford loaded up their furs and headed for what they called the rendezvous. It was a meeting place where the mountain men brought their furs to sell and replenish their supplies. They would meet up with old friends and find out who"d lived or died. The Cache Valley Rendezvous of 1826 was special and is still talked about today…”