While the man talked on the phone, Ginger asked if there was a motel around where she could stay the night. James said, “Yes, there is a hotel. However, you are perfectly welcome to stay at my house for the night. There is a guest bedroom just off the garage. It has its own bathroom with a shower. I will bring you into town in the morning for breakfast and then we can get your backpack repaired or we can find you another one at the small sporting goods store.” Ginger looked James in the eyes and said, “I will accept your offer, however, I intend to pay you for allowing me to use your guestroom.” James laughed and said, “By the time you pay for the repairs on your rifle and your backpack, you might want to reconsider paying for your lodging. I fear that the rifle parts are not going to come cheap. Not in this part of the country.”
When James carried Ginger’s backpack into the upholstery shop, the woman took one look at the damage and said, “I have repaired worse than this. If you have a half hour to wait, I can make the repairs right now.”
When the woman laid the repaired backpack on the counter, she turned it so Ginger could see the repairs. Then she said, “I sewed a new piece of canvas over the existing to strengthen it, then sewed the shoulder strap onto the new patch. I also took the time to do the same thing to the other shoulder strap to insure it will not fail.” Ginger shook the woman’s hand and asked how much she owed her, the woman said, “Fifty dollars will cover it.” Ginger was pleased with the repairs and the price.
When they returned to the gun shop, the owner smiled and said, “Good news. I found a shop that was willing to remove a stock from a new gun on their shelves and sell it to us. They will order a new one to replace the one they sold us. The stock will be here on the delivery truck around ten o'clock tomorrow morning. It will only take me a few minutes to insure it is the same length as the original and then install the stock on your rifle.” Ginger shook the man’s hand and thanked him for working so hard to help her.
When Ginger and James climbed into the cab of the truck, James said, “It has been a long time since we had lunch. Could I interest you in a good sit down meal while we are in town? I know of a wonderful little restaurant that serves incredible food. I am buying dinner if you are interested.” Ginger said, “I am rather hungry. I would be pleased to join you, but I insist on buying the meal. You have done enough for me and I want to repay the debt. I truly appreciate your friendship and help.”
As James started the truck, he said, “That knee of your looks like it needs some antibiotic and a bandage. I will stop at the drug store on the way if you want to pick up some supplies.” Ginger inspected her skinned knee and said, “I am beginning to think there is some gravel in the wound. I can feel something inside that does not feel like it is part of me.” When James pulled into the parking lot of the pharmacy, he walked around to the passenger side where Ginger had just stepped down on the pavement and said, “Let me look at your leg.” When he pressed around one of the deep cuts, he said, “I think a trip to the urgent care would be advised, unless you are able to dig the gravel from the wound on your own.” Ginger looked at her knee again and said, “I guess I should have a doctor look at it. I would not want to get all the way up into the mountains and discover I needed to see a doctor. Besides, I cannot dig around in my own knee with a knife; I am a chicken that way.”
While James waited in the waiting room, Ginger had her leg looked at. When she walked out of the patient area, she stepped up to the receptionist’s counter and paid for the doctor’s services in cash. When she walked to where James sat waiting for her, she said, “Thank you for being so patient with me. I have hiked hundreds of miles in these mountains and never have fallen or injured myself.” James looked down at her knee and asked, “Was it as bad as it looked?” Ginger giggled and said, “The doctor scraped a small stone and some sand out from under my skin. I also had to have a tetanus shot. I am afraid that I cried when he dug out the stone. I also have three stitches in the cut just under my kneecap. The doctor showed me how to remove them after ten days.”
James stood up, gave Ginger a hug and said, “Would you like some food before I take you home and tuck you in for the night?” Ginger giggled and said, “Yes, the food sounds good.”
As they sat in the restaurant and finished the spaghetti dinners they had ordered, James asked where Ginger lived, other than the hunting cabin along the river. She explained that she lived a few miles up the Sable River, towards the top of the mountain at the mouth of the river. James thought about the place where Ginger was talking about. He was not certain he had ever hiked that far up the mountain.
***
Ginger woke to the smell of coffee brewing. She got up, used the bathroom, dressed, packed her backpack and then joined James in the kitchen. When she walked up to the counter, she could see bacon and eggs cooking on the stove. She looked at James and said, “If you keep feeding me such wonderful meals, I will not want to leave this quaint little city.” James poured a cup of coffee, set in on the counter and then asked if she wanted sugar or cream in her coffee. She explained that she normally drank her coffee black, since they seldom had sugar or fresh cream at the cabin. As James put the food he had cooked onto two plates, they walked over to the table and sat down. As they ate, James discussed the long hike Ginger would have to get back to her cabin at the top of the mountain. As they talked, James explained that he intended to hike that far after he opened up his hunting cabin.
Later that morning, James took Ginger on a short hike. He showed her a place where the river formed a small deep pool. There was a rope hanging from a tree branch and three young girls were swinging on the rope out over the deepest part of the pool and then dropping down into the cold water. As they watched the children play, James asked, “Would you mind a hiking partner for a few miles? I decided this morning to hike up to my cabin and spend a few days up there. The bugs should not be too bad yet and I really need to make certain the bears have not gotten inside.”
As James drove Ginger back to the gun shop to pick up her repaired rifle, Ginger agreed to him joining her. As they continued to discuss the adventure, Ginger said, “If you would not mind, I would spend a couple days with you at your cabin and then you could join me at my cabin at the top of the mountain. There are three cats and three of us women who live there. There is a spare bedroom where you could be comfortable for a day or two. I would show you the beautiful scenery at the top of the mountain, and then I would hike back down the mountain and return you to your cabin. I would then spend a few days at my own hunting cabin and try to hunt down a huge buck that wanders around that area.” As they drove into the parking lot of the gun shop, James said, “I will think on that for a few minutes. I just might take you up on your offer.”
When the gun owner handed Ginger her repaired rifle, she shouldered it and checked that it still fit her well. Then the gunsmith explained that he had disassembled the rifle and inspected the firing mechanism and the lever action to insure no internal damage had occurred when she fell on top of the gun. He also explained that he had test fired the rifle to insure that the alignment of the sights remained true. When Ginger asked for the price of the repairs, she was quite pleased with the man’s work and the price. Before she left the store, she purchased another box of shells from the gunsmith. Ginger had only seven shells left for her rifle and was concerned that she might run low if she had to defend herself from a hungry pack of wolves.
When James and Ginger returned to James’s home, he had made up his mind to join Ginger for a few days and make the long journey to his cabin and then on up the mountain to where Ginger lived. He quickly packed a few days of food into his backpack that sat on a table in his garage, and then strapped his rifle and scabbard onto the side. Then he packed two boxes of shells and began checking to insure he had not forgotten anything important. Once he was dressed and ready to hike, they shouldered their packs and headed out the driveway. As James closed the wooden gate that blocked access to his driveway, the raven landed on the top of a fence post and
squawked at the two hikers. The bird seemed to have something important to tell James, but James had no idea what all of the bird’s chatter really meant. Ginger spoke to the bird as she walked past and said, “Tell her we are on our way.” James looked at Ginger and considered what she had said to the bird, but decided not to comment over her words.
As they walked through the campground where Ginger had stumbled and fallen, they continued down towards the river until they found the well-worn trail that followed the river for five or six miles upstream. The trail they were on would eventually end at a wooden bridge that crossed the river. There, once they crossed over the Sable River, the trail would again follow the river, except they would then hike on the river’s west side. They would arrive at Monique’s hunting cabin about three hours after crossing the bridge if they turned south. If they turned north, they would find James cabin within an hour’s walk. However, today they would hike to Ginger’s hunting cabin and spend the night.
James asked if they would make it to the cabin before dark.” Ginger said, “If we don’t we will simply sleep with the bears along the trail, they seldom mind as long as we don’t smell like fish or something good to eat.” James laughed and said, “I was afraid you might say that.”
Ginger stopped abruptly in front of James and said, “Almost missed the trail to my hunting cabin.” She stepped up on top of a flat stone and said, “This stone is the marker for the trail to my cabin. We have about another two miles to walk.” James commented that no one walking along the trail would ever realize that a cabin existed here in the forest. The trail looked more like an animal trail than a path to a hunting cabin. When they arrived at the cabin, it was midafternoon.
Just as James spotted the cabin through the trees ahead of them, a bird squawked in a tree over their heads. Ginger stopped walking, looked up at the raven and then returned her attention to the trail. As she walked, James said, “I would give anything to know what that silly bird is trying to tell me.” Ginger said, “The bird is trying to warn you that a black bear has taken up refuge in your cabin.” James laughed and said, “Okay,” but he did not discuss Ginger’s words with her.
When Ginger found a key for the front door in the outhouse, she opened the door and stepped inside. Then she took off her backpack and sat it down on a long bench. James placed his backpack alongside of Ginger’s and then joined her outside to begin cutting some firewood. As they worked, the raven sat in a tree over the cabin and watched the humans go about their tasks. Once they had enough wood to keep the cabin warm for the night and allow them to cook a meal, Ginger climbed up into the loft and opened small windows on each end of gable ends. Then she carried her bedroll up into the loft and laid it out on top of one of the cots. She spoke to James and said he could use the second cot up in the loft; explaining that sleeping high up over the main floor would allow them time to wake up and grab their rifles if a bear tried to break into the cabin while they slept. James looked at Ginger and said, “Here in this cabin you seem very concerned about the bears attacking you, yet you were willing to sleep on the ground along the trail on our way up here. I think you were pulling my leg when you said we could sleep on the trail.” Ginger laughed and said, “I have been forced to sleep outdoors with the bears, but let me assure you that sleeping is not what I did. Instead, I sat by the fire with my rifle in my lap and hoped that I survived until daylight.” James began to laugh and said, “I feel better now. For a while this afternoon, I felt rather concerned about my masculinity when you spoke of sleeping outdoors. I too have slept under the stars on this mountain, twice to be exact; however, I was with six other hunters and we took turns standing watch on one occasion. The other time was in the dead of winter when the bears were hibernating.” Ginger patted James on the shoulder and said, “Don’t think for one moment that the bears do not cause me concern. You certainly realized that when I discovered my rifle was broken, I did not enter the forest until I had made repairs. Without my rifle, I find myself very concerned about being a late night snack for a hungry bear or a pack of wolves.”
While Ginger prepared them some food, James went back outside and cut more firewood. Then he carried three large armfuls of wood into the cabin and stacked it in a corner of the cabin. The wood would remain dry inside the cabin in case Ginger or Natalie every needed a quick fire during a rainstorm or a snow blizzard.
***
When Ginger and James woke in the morning, light was shining in the two windows of the loft. James got up and started a fire in the small stove to warm the cabin and put a pot of water on to heat for coffee and oatmeal. As he returned to his bed, Ginger said, “Thank you. I am too cold to move from these blankets.” Then she giggled and said, “I guess I should dress and get around. I have a need to breathe some of the fresh air outdoors.” James laughed and said, “When you return, I will take my turn.”
While Ginger was in the outhouse, James made some coffee and stirred the oatmeal into the boiling water. When she returned, James poured some of the hot water into a pan on the counter for them to wash in. Then he took his turn outdoors. When he returned, breakfast was ready. Ginger had browned some bread over the fire and spread butter on both pieces. When they began eating their breakfast, Ginger said, “If we pack up and leave this cabin within the next half hour, we should arrive at Monique’s cabin just before the start of the evening meal. I am certain she will wait for us if we are a few minutes late.” James looked into Ginger’s eyes and asked, “How would Monique know that we are on our way? How would she know that we would arrive just before supper?” Ginger laughed and said, “The raven will tell her.” James finished his breakfast and then began packing up his bedroll. As he worked, Ginger said, “When we arrive at Monique’s cabin, you will gain an understanding of how this mountain and the creatures that live here communicate. I realize there is much you do not understand about the presence of the raven in your life, or about me. Those things will become clear to you in the next few days.”
When they rejoined the river trail, the hike to Gordon’s Crossing took them almost two hours. As they crossed the bridge, James asked, “Do you think Monique and Natalie would be upset if we checked out my cabin before visiting them?” Ginger stopped walking and stepped up beside him. She said, “I can send the raven to explain things to her. I am certain she will understand. If you wish to check out your cabin today, now is the time to head in that direction. If we go to your cabin first, we will run out of light and not be able to complete the trip to Monique’s cabin today. Can we stay in your cabin for the night?” James explained that even if a bear had taken up residence in the cabin, the beds in the loft would remain undisturbed. The bedding and everything they would need for the night was stored in bear proof cabinets.
Once they turned north, they followed the river trail for another hour before they arrived at the trail that would take them up to the top of the ridge to James cabin. The climb up the steep trail to the top of the ridge was strenuous, but they made good time.
When they were within a few hundred yards from the cabin, Ginger spoke to James. She said, “Do you remember when I spoke to you about a bear entering your cabin and taking up residence? I suspect we should be prepared for that bear to attempt to defend its present domain. The raven says the bear is in your screened in porch basking in the sun.” Ginger pulled her rifle from the scabbard and racked a live round into the chamber. James could not believe Ginger’s words, but did not intend to ignore what she said. He also insured his rifle was loaded and ready to defend against a bear attack.
When they got near the cabin, they began to talk loudly, hoping to frighten any bear in or around the cabin. When James took another step towards the front door of the cabin, a black bear jumped up from the porch where it had been resting and ran back into the cabin. Ginger raised her rifle and aimed it towards the back of the house, prepared to defend both of them if the bear charged in their direction. When the bear ran out the back door and turned towards them, it suddenly skidded to
a halt, turned and ran off into the thick forest. James said, “Ginger, stand at the ready to protect yourself. I am going to unlock the screen porch door and slowly enter my cabin. Hopefully only the one bear was inside.” Just as he finished speaking, the raven squawked at them. Ginger said, “Go carefully, but it appears only the one bear has entered your cabin.” James looked up into the tree at the large black bird and said, “I need to have a friend like that.” Ginger giggled and said, “Actually, you already do.”
Once James had entered his cabin and checked every room, he walked out the back door and spoke to Ginger. He said, “The bear is gone. You may enter now.” As Ginger stepped into the back door, she gasped over the damage the bear had caused to the kitchen. The bear had torn the kitchen to pieces; every cupboard door hung from a single hinge or was lying on the floor. The bear had torn open the flour cans and cereal boxes and spread them around the room. There was bear scat on the floors and it appeared that the mice had begun to rummage through the foodstuffs. James said, “The rest of the house seems to be okay, the bear just tore up the kitchen as it searched for food.”
When they had rehung the backdoor, they sat some lumber beside it so they could nail it shut before they headed up to Monique’s cabin tomorrow. The lumber across the door would insure the bear could not tear it down again. Then it was time to begin cleaning up the kitchen. After an hour, James said, “Enough. We have done all we can do to clean up the mess. I will build a fire to burn the garbage we carried outside so the animals have no reason to return.” When he stepped out the back door, Ginger heard him yell at the bear. She had just walked out the front door towards the river. She intended to look over the edge and down into the river valley. When James yelled, she racked a shell into the chamber of her rifle as she ran around the house to where James stood. The bear was standing near the back door and James was behind the woodpile. James had no place to escape. He was slowly backing up around the woodpile as the bear slowly stepped forward towards him. The bear began to bluff charge and then run back a few feet. James picked up an axe and intended to defend himself if the bear charged. The bear charged again, this time it did not stop. It ran up within four feet of James and rose up on its hind legs. Ginger had seen enough of this aggressive animal. She took careful aim and slowly squeezed the trigger. She needed a killing shot on the bear or it might attack James. Ginger knew that a wounded bear was more dangerous than an angry bear.
Ronnie Coleinger: A Winter Collection Page 15