John and Argent by cmsix

Chapter 7

I woke the next morning right around sunrise. For the first time since the plane ride, before I left my old life, I was brought around by the sounds of other people moving about. It was a nice feeling. Gema and Merita brought me a morning cup of some sort of tea. It was pleasant tasting and hot. I enjoyed it and thanked them. Since I had a practically new body of course I had a morning erection and I guess that they spotted it poking out a bump in my Carhartts since they giggled and told me where the men went to piss in the mornings.

It wasn't a long walk to the communal pisser but it was far enough to keep the delicate aroma from camp. Unlike the bushes I had been using there were also some rudimentary benches made of small timber and extending over a fairly deep trench. This was also the first time I'd been able to sit on something to take a shit in this new life. They even had some small pieces of a mossy type material to wipe my nasty ass with. I felt like a new man.

This reminded me of one of the main things that I would request in my three thousand pound allotment next year. I would be getting one titanium bathtub whether I needed it or not. I was getting damned tired of bathing in the river and I was sure I would get even more annoyed with it in the fall and winter as the water got colder and colder and then froze.

When I got back to the campsite there was a little breakfast ready and what ever it was that I ate tasted pretty damned good. Gema and Merita had fixed my plate but I knew that all of the women had taken part in getting the food cooked.

Gigo and Dergo approached me and wanted to discuss the upcoming hunt. I asked them if they had time to show me the route to the upper steppes today and maybe where we might find the bison. They were glad to oblige. I told them that I would need to return to my cave for at least a night or two. They said that the best route up was on the way anyway.

We set out a little later and after about three miles they showed me a wide path headed up. It was a fairly gentle incline and surprisingly wide. I kept a watch on it all the way up and I felt sure if a little work was done removing some of the larger rocks that Sally and Jane could pull the wagon to the top.

We hadn't been up on top for more than ten minutes before Dergo pointed off to the west toward what looked like a large black spot of low ground that was moving. I examined it with the binoculars and saw that it was a herd of bison. There must have been a thousand milling about and grazing. The heard let me know at once that I would soon be the proud mate of two beautiful young women.

I asked Gigo and Dergo if they could come back to my cave with me and told them that if they could I would be able to return with them tonight. They agreed and we set out.

When we rounded the last bend and headed toward the cave Dergo spotted the fence and the horses right away. He dropped into stealth mode and when Gigo saw the horses he did too.

"No. Those horses are not for hunting."

"Why not?" Dergo asked.

"They are my horses. They help me. Just wait and you will see their use."

When we walked into the cave the wolf cub's smell was apparent and Gigo and Dergo were amazed again.

"There are wolf young in your cave." Gigo said.

"Yes, they are mine also. When they grow they will help me too."

"How can wolf cubs help you?" Dergo asked.

"When they are older they will keep watch at night as I sleep. Nothing can slip up on them in the night."

"Why should they watch for you while you sleep?" Gigo asked.

"Because I feed them now and take care of them. I captured them when they were even younger and they know that I care for them now."

Giving what modern man would call a shrug Gigo and Dergo forgot the cubs and stared at the wagon. Of course they had never even seen anything with a wheel on it and they were very curious. Before they could ask I told them that they would see what it was for shortly and picking up three lead ropes I went to fetch the horses.

Sally and then Jane were easily caught and led to the cave entrance. Tying Jane to the wall I put the harness on Sally. Then I tied her and harnessed Jane. After asking Gigo and Dergo to stand outside; with less trouble than I had been expecting I led Jane in and hooked her to the wagon, returning for Sally and hooking her up also. Mounting the wagon box and signaling the horses with a light slap of the reins, they pulled the wagon outside, stopping when I pulled back slightly on the reins, about twenty feet from the caves entrance. I opened the wagon's top and began loading a few things inside the box. I got all my other firearms and plenty of ammunition. I took the spotting scope and a couple of skinning knives. I also carried plenty of rope.

Then I loaded the tender trap into the wagon and with not much difficulty called the pups to me and put them in the trap, later giving them a pan of water and a good portion of the deer meat. I also put the deer hide that they were used to sleeping on in with them. Gigo and Dergo just looked on in amazement.

Lastly, taking another lead rope I went to fetch Ben. He gave me a little evasion but eventually stood still for me to attach the lead rope to his halter. I brought him to the wagon and tied him to the back, then put on his bridle and saddle. After closing up the doors to the cave Gigo and Dergo just watched wide eyed as I climbed to the wagon box and sat on the bench.

"Come on and climb up. There is plenty of room and the seat is nice. It will be much easier than walking back. You will see."

At first they looked as if they'd been asked to cut their own throats but they were eventually convinced that it was safe and they got aboard. They took a death grip on the seat as Sally and Jane moved off and very nearly panicked as we began moving. They settled down after a time.

They were both silent for about a mile and then Gigo started with questions about the wagon. I told him what it was called and that it was for carrying things that were too bulky or heavy for me to carry myself. He asked why I needed to carry so much and I asked him if he didn't think that it would be much easier to carry five or six bison in the wagon than it would be to carry them on his back. The light shined for him then as he kept looking back at the wagon and then at the horses pulling it.

"Why is one horse following the wagon and what is that tied to his back? Gigo asked.

"That is called a saddle on his back. It is for me to sit on when I ride him."

"What is ride?" Gigo asked.

"I get up and sit on the saddle and when he walks he carries me."

"Why would you do that?" Dergo asked.

"He can walk farther than I can without getting tired. He can also run and take me faster than I can run."

Gigo and Dergo both looked at me suspiciously for a moment. They didn't want to say that they thought I was lying but I could tell that they didn't really believe it. They let riding the horse drop for other questions though.

"How did you make the horses pull it? How did you catch them without killing them?" Dergo asked.

"That is what I built the fence for. First I let the horses go up into the blind canyon then kept them in it with fires until the first fence was finished. Then I built the small pen and caught all the horses in it. After that I let all the horses out except the three I have now, then I trained the three to do what I wanted them to do."

The rest of the trip back to their camp was spent with me telling them about the wagon and the horses and the wolf cubs. I was glad to get the story told to them, as I knew there would be hundreds more questions when we arrived.

I was an even bigger surprise this time than before when I'd stepped out to show myself to Gema and Merita. No one screamed and ran away but all of them were amazed. When I got down off the wagon after Gigo and Dergo made their exit Gema and Merita were at my side at once and both were asking questions. I told them that I was hungry and thirsty and that I had many surprises for them and everyone else but that I needed food and drink first. They left like a shot and began getting me something to eat and drink.

I let Gigo and Dergo do the best they could with the wagon explanations. I was already enough of an oddity and they felt important as they explained things. Hell they were important and I knew that it would make me all the more acceptable to them if I let them steal the limelight. I was happy to relinquish it.

I made sure that they told everyone that these horses were not to be hunted and that they should not approach them without me, as they were easily frightened. I could tell that I wouldn't have any trouble on that score since I was sure that they were all aware of the damage a horse could do if it bolted.

I unsaddled Ben and led him to the stream for a drink and then off to a grassy area that was easily within sight of the camp. None of the horses had liked the hobbles when I had given them their lessons about them but they were all familiar with dealing with them by now.

When I had Ben hobbled I removed the harness from Sally and Jane, led them over for a drink and took them over by Ben. I hobbled both of them also and then returned to the wagon to stow the harness. I looked in at the cubs and they had finished the meat and were sleeping. I didn't bother them, as there had been plenty of excitement already.

I went over to the rock ledge and sat down. Gema and Merita came to me at once with a plate, which seemed to be made from the hip bone of some animal and a larger than expected wooden cup full of another type of tea. The tea and the food were both good. I tried to determine what type of small vegetables I was eating but didn't have a clue. They tasted fine so I didn't worry about it. Gema told me that the meat was some of the last from the deer hunt that I had watched. I guessed that everyone now knew that I had been watching that hunt.

"After tomorrow we will be eating bison but after all the cleaning and carrying we might not want to see it." I told them.

"Gema and I will want to see it. We will be proud when our mate brings in our bride payment. The shaman will be here tomorrow and we hope the first of the bison will be here waiting so we can settle the date for our mating." Merita said.

They were sitting on either side of me as I ate. When Merita said this I put an arm around each of them and hugged them to me.

"Gema and you don't want the bison here any more than I do." I told them and then gave each of them a kiss on the cheek.

They both blushed furiously and then giggled.

"John, you must not kiss us before we are mated." Gema said shyly.

"Maybe one more time will not hurt." Merita offered and then quickly kissed me on the cheek.

Gema saw it and she had to sneak a kiss too. I can assure you that I didn't mind. I did look up and see that Geera was looking our way. When I caught her eye she blushed also and then looked away.

After eating Gigo and Dergo came to me as Gema and Merita left to help clean up. They wanted to discuss how I would hunt. I told them that I wanted to go onto the steppes alone and that if I couldn't spot the herd I would come back and let them help me find one. They told me that there would be plenty of bison and that I would surely see them when I walked out onto the steppes.

Mentioning that after the bison were killed I would want to bring the wagon up to help carry them down, I asked if the men could move the large rocks out of the trail so that the wagon and horses would not be blocked. They assured me that they would take care of it.

Everyone seemed to want to retire early that evening and Gema and Merita came for me shortly after sunset telling me that my bed was ready and that I should get plenty of rest for the hunt tomorrow. As they led me to my bed I told them that I would never be able to truly rest until we were mated. As I sat on the bed they were both giggling and after looking around to make sure no one was watching they each gave me a kiss on the cheek before scampering off.

I was up early the next morning and went straight to the wagon. I let the pups out of the trap and set it out of the way but near the entrance to the dwelling. After letting the pups down to sniff one at a time and as they finished their business I put them back into the trap. They didn't like staying in it but they had to and I guess somehow they understood because they didn't resist.

Searching around in the refuse from last night's meal I found some large bones with a little meat still left on them. I put these into the trap with the pups to give them something to chew on.

Soon others were coming out of the dwelling and I had some explaining to do about the pups. It was over and done with much sooner than I would have thought and soon enough Gema and Merita were bringing my breakfast. The tea this morning was like that I'd had yesterday morning and the breakfast was as good.

Later as I was saddling Ben and harnessing Sally and Jane I noticed one of the oldest boys watching me intently. I called him over and he told me his name was Jonoco. I asked him if he would be going with us on the hunt and he told me that he would be going to help with the cleaning and carrying of the bison.

I asked him if he thought he could hold the horses for me while I was killing the bison. He said that he would try but that he didn't know how. I spent about twenty minutes telling him what to do and warning him that he should always move slowly around them and especially not to wave his hands around as it might frighten them. He said that he understood, so when I had finished harnessing and hitching the team I had him take Sally's lead rope and lead her a little. Of course Jane, the wagon and Ben had to come too. Jonoco was amazed that they followed him quietly and that he didn't have to pull hard on the rope. When he stopped they also stopped at once.

Jonoco smiled wide and told me that he was sure that he could take care of the horses while I was hunting. Gigo and Dergo came up just then and I made sure that it would be all right.

One older man and two older women were staying at the camp. I asked them to keep an eye on the pups and told them they wouldn't have to do anything but that I would feel better if they would just look at them once in a while. They told me that they would.

We left shortly. Gigo and Dergo rode with me on the bench again and I had Jonoco ride on the wagon's top. We were at the trail up in what seemed no time. Jonoco got off at once and took hold of Sally's lead while Gigo, Dergo and I were climbing down from our perch. I took a few minutes to remove the top from the wagon and stow it in its rack under the wagon box then Gigo, Dergo and I headed for the top. The rest of the men started up too and I saw that they were removing the loose rocks and boulders from the path as they went.

Gigo and Dergo stopped about fifty feet from the top and I continued. As I walked out onto the steppes I took my glasses and scanned across the wide expanse of grass. I spotted what I thought was the same herd of bison that we'd seen the day before. They were nearly a mile from where they had been when we saw them last but were actually a little closer to me.

There was a good breeze blowing toward me from the herd and I moved out toward them at a slow pace. I went unnoticed and I stopped on a small rise while still about four hundred yards from them. I attached the bipod legs to the M1's barrel and took a prone position. I scanned the herd through the scope as I let my heart rate level off from the walk.

When I felt that my heart rate was normal I sighted on my first selection and started firing. The bison didn't pay any attention to the blasts except to look toward me and then return to grazing. At this distance the bison I took fell before the sound from the blast even reached the herd. I dropped fifteen bison before they got anxious. I had already told Gigo that when I made it thunder three times rapidly I would be ready for some help so I triggered three shot fast and then I stood up.

The bison noticed me then after the three shots and when I stood. They didn't panic but they did all start moving off. Gigo and Dergo reached me about five minutes later and could hardly believe it. I told Dergo that we should probably get the others to come up so they could begin and so that I could go and get the wagon. He turned back and ran to the head of the trail. Gigo and I walked to the dead bison.

Gigo was dumbstruck again when we actually came to them. He was really having a hard time believing it. Finally he looked at me and smiled.

"You killed fifteen and you only needed to kill ten today."

"With the wagon to help we can take care of fifteen today. Besides we will need some extra to feed all the people that will come to the mating. When the shaman tells what I offered for my mates and then tells who my mates are to be don't you think that many will come?" I asked.

"Many. All will come." Gigo said.

Within ten minutes most of the others were with us. The shaman had arrived by now also and I was introduced to Georgo. He congratulated me on my kills and then did some kind of short ceremony. After he finished they all fell to their tasks and I turned around and headed down for the wagon.

Georgo followed me and after we were about a hundred yards from the others he asked to speak to me. I stopped and in a few minutes my estimation of his skills went up considerably.

"The thunder in your hands is amazing. I heard it as I was arriving. It would be better if all the other camps did not learn of it. It is powerful magic and if they learn of it they will be both jealous and frightened. Especially after seeing that you control horses and wolf cubs." Georgo said.

"I understand, but all those from this camp already know of it. I will be glad to keep it secret but will the others?" I asked him.

"I will speak to them. They will not reveal the secret of the magic if I ask them not to." Georgo said.

"I can take the horses and the wolf cubs back to my cave before the others come if you think I should." I told him.

"We will need something to show to help explain how you can kill fifteen bison in one day. We can let them see the horses and your wagon and the wolf cubs. It will let them know that you have powerful magic without telling them all there is to know about it. It will give them all much to talk and think about." Georgo said.

"I will do as you suggest then. I also have some questions that I would like to ask you Georgo but I do not know your ways and I am not sure that it is allowed."

"You will find that all Shaman are jealous of their magic ways but I will answer if I can." Georgo said.

"I understand and it is not magic that I want to know about. There are more things that I think I should show you before I let the others see and there are things about the ways and customs of the people that I need to know."

"Geera told me that you were more wise than you appeared. What do you want to know and what can you show me in return?" Georgo asked.

I knew now that I had guessed correctly. Secret knowledge was Georgo and probably all the other Shaman's stock and trade. He seemed unusually canny and so I decided to see if I could knock his socks off from the start. From watching the camp I had confirmed my suspicion that starting a fire was a tedious process for them.

"I can show you how to make fire from rocks, almost at once. I do have many questions though."

I had Georgo's attention now. He looked around quickly to assure himself that no one was near us. Satisfied he turned back to me and searched my face trying to decide if I was telling the truth or not.

"You and I should find time to talk alone at length then. I will be happy to tell you of our customs." Georgo told me.

"Maybe you can come with me to my cave for a while. It is an easy journey in the wagon."

"I think you are right. We would not be disturbed at your cave. Perhaps tomorrow or the next day." Georgo said in agreement.

We parted and my trip down to the wagon was uneventful. Jonoco was waiting patiently when I arrived and as I mounted the seat I motioned for him to join me. Sally and Jane had less trouble with the trail than I'd imagined. It was a little tight in a place or two but nothing was critical. We topped out onto the steppes and headed directly toward the busy workers.

Within and hour, six of the bison had been gutted, skinned and cut up into large parts. There was plenty of room for them all in the wagon and we put the rolled skins on top. I tied them down with some of the rope and turned to head back. Gigo sent three men to follow me and Jonoco followed too. I told them that they could all ride with me on the wagon as soon as I got it to the lower level.

The trip down the trail was no more trouble than the one up. The wagon's brakes were more than equal to the task and soon I was in the valley again with Jonoco and the others all riding on the seat with me. When we got back to the camp the three men unloaded the wagon while I stole a chunk of the meat for the pups and refilled their water pan. They were arguing over the meat as we left for the next load.

I carried six more bison and all the rest of the skins on the second load. On the third load I got the balance of the bison meat. Geera asked if I could also carry certain parts of the entrails. I told her that I could carry all of them. Apparently they usually discarded most of these parts when hunting bison, as it was a long way to carry them even though most of them could be used with careful cleaning. It was soon all loaded into the wagon and what little was left for the scavengers didn't amount to much.

I waited at the top while most of the others headed down. Apparently the smell of the dead bison and of their blood from the skinning and cleaning had carried. Dergo told me that I should hurry and leave since he could see three cave lionesses stalking us. He pointed them out to me and I found them easily with the glasses.

I shouldered the thirty ought six and dispatched them quickly. A few of the men came back at the sound of the shots and when I asked they told me that they would be proud to skin the dead predators for me. I took the wagon over near them and their skins were in the wagon and I was headed back in short order.

Dergo was smiling about the cave lions and he asked me what I would do with the skins. I told him that with new mates I would need new sleeping furs. He grinned at me and then slapped my back and laughed.