Hedge of Thorns: Balks I lead the black donkey, zig-zagging down from the ridge top via the game trail. The travois poles scrape along through the dust and clatter over rocky patches. After a particularly rough area, I stop and tighten the ropes securing the load. As we go, I’m watching for signs of bear.
Hedge of Thorns: Butchery Back at the hanging carcass, I make another cut between the twelfth and thirteenth ribs, sever the spine, and on through the far side. The midsection drops onto the hide. Quickly, I cut away the first strip of boneless back strap meat and lay it aside. Then, I remove the second
Hedge of Thorns: Bobby Ought I hitch Carbon to a nearby sapling. Then I look up, and spot six slats nailed to the maple trunk, ladder-wise, and above them a medium-sized rusting steel platform. Dangling from a short chain on the platform sways a greening copper tag. I reach for it, and read our name.
Hedge of Thorns: Carbon Works “No more noise out of you for a while,” I said, while grasping his muzzle. “Scare away my deer one more time, and I promise I’ll smoke the meat off your carcass.” His ears swivel, but he stands quietly. To ensure the jack stays somewhat near, I tie a heavy
Hedge of Thorns: Beast My arrow landed somewhere in the grasses to my left, and I plunge in that direction in the hope of finding it again. Sweeping the plants from side-to-side, I hunt for the teal colored fletching. When I finally glimpse it, a strong push in the middle of my back sends me
Hedge of Thorns: Upright Ears At first light, I wriggle my pack straps onto my shoulders, snug them down, and cinch the waist strap as well. The gate hinges operate smoothly enough, which is good, because I haven’t oiled them in a few weeks, but I don’t want to delay setting out to do that
Hedge of Thorns: Bear Bait No matter how often I consider the jar of bear grease on my pantry shelf, I can’t convince myself it’ll be sufficient for another whole winter. I’m irritated with myself that despite the hunting I’ve done the last several years, and the wandering I’ve done to find drawing subjects, I
Hedge of Thorns: Ink Vigorous scrubbing with soapwort in some spring water gets rid of the stench, and I bring a half bucket full of water to the porch before I re-bundle the hunting blind. If it’s not raining in the next day or two, I’ll be going out with it again. Tending Tumble threw
Hedge of Thorns: Delayed I’m alone again, with all the ingredients I need to make a fresh batch of ink. The thorns Tumble prepared are waiting. The bobcat, I want to try drawing the bobcat kitten. Can my skills convey the impression of soft fur, taut straining muscles, its solid weight? Ink takes time: grinding
Hedge of Thorns: Departure There’s a scraping sound, then Bobby gives a couple of yelps and combines my name with an obscenity. I didn’t expect better behavior from my brother, but it’s going to cost him. I scoop part of the piled food from Bobby’s plate to Tumble’s. When the men come in, my brother