Arm Bow awoke with a start. It was evident that he and Desert Rain had slept longer than usual. The camp was already alive with activity. He shook his head and wiped the sleep from his eyes, recalling that they had gotten back to their tipi late last night from their adventures on the high trail.
    Desert Rain rose from her sleep as she too heard the commotion in the encampment. "What's happening?"
    "I don't know," Arm Bow replied as he pulled his breach clout around him and began to tie the leather thong at his waist. "I will find out."
    Desert Rain watched her husband leave, grabbed her calf-hide tunic and began to dress.
    Arm Bow stepped into the morning light. By the looks of the sun he had slept till almost noon. There were children running around the encampment screaming for others to follow them. There were so many people yelling that he couldn't determine the exact nature of the emergency, but it was clear that there was indeed an emergency.
    Arm Bow grabbed one of the children as he ran by. "What is it? What's happened, Small Bear?"
    "It's Beaver Tail! We were crossing the rock bridge to get to the berry patch. Halfway across, Beaver Tail fell!"
    "Did he fall to the bottom of the ravine?"
    "No, he's hanging on, but he can't last long. We must hurry!"
    Arm Bow released the boy and ducked back inside his tipi.
    "What is it? What's happened?" Desert Rain asked.
    "One of the children has fallen from the rock bridge. I must go to help."
    Arm Bow grabbed his moccasins and started back toward the tipi flap.
    "Aren't you going to take a rope?"
    Arm Bow stopped and looked back at the rawhide he had twisted into a sturdy rope. "No, I know those rocks well. They are rough and jagged. They would chew the rope to shreds, the weight would be too much for it to bear."
    "Well, be careful, my husband."
    Arm Bow glanced at his adoring wife. "I will, my sweet Rain. I will be careful."
    He turned and disappeared once again through the tipi flap.

    Beaver Tail clung to the rock like a spider on its web. He chanced a look down only once, and the fear that gripped him only made him more determined to never let go.
    He spoke to himself, trying to imagine what his grandfather would say if he were still alive and here to help him. Hold on, Beaver Tail. Your friends will bring help. They would never let you fall. Hold on, it will not be long.
    He looked up, tempted for a moment to attempt to climb higher, but fear gripped his heart once again and he squeezed the rocks tighter than ever. "I am not doing so well, my Grandfather," he whispered. "Not so well at all."
    Hold on, Beaver Tail. You will become a valiant warrior, do not fear. Beaver Tail closed his eyes. He could see his grandfather's smiling face, speaking these words of comfort. How he missed his grandfather, but the old man had always promised to be there for him. Even death could not part their spirits.
    Beaver Tail heard movement on the rocks above him, then a voice yelled out. "Beaver Tail, where are you?"
    "Down here! I'm here!" the boy shouted as loudly as his small lungs would allow.
    "Help is coming! Hold on!" Crow Woman shouted.
    Arm Bow ran toward the rock bridge. He could see many children, some women and a few men running ahead of him. It was times like this that demonstrated the love of his people for their children. Children were a precious gift from Usen, they were to be cherished and loved. Each member of the tribe was responsible for each other's children, and the children were taught respect for their elders and their ancestry. That was the way of Teneh, The People, and Arm Bow took it to heart. Some day, he hoped to have children with Desert Rain and he would want the others to care for his offspring as he cared for theirs. He ran harder.
    Crow Woman was standing on the edge of the rock bridge, pointing out to the others where she had heard Beaver Tail answer her call. Arm Bow pushed to the front of the crowd. "Crow Woman, keep the children away from the bridge. I will climb down and bring Beaver Tail back up with me."
    A young warrior stepped forward. "I will help."
    Arm Bow smiled at his best friend. He and Cloud Maker had themselves crossed this rock bridge as youths. They knew every inch of the rocks. They had both been fascinated by the legend of the bridge. Legend told that many moons ago, there was a great drought upon the land. The animals scavenged for food, but the fruits and berries had dried up and not much could be found. Across the wide ravine, the animals noticed a large, luscious patch of berries, but could not reach it. Even Hummingbird was too weak to fly the distance across the ravine. All seemed lost, until Fox stepped forward with an idea. He had every animal gather stones and throw them into the ravine. As the pile of stones rose higher and higher, a rock bridge began to form until they were able to step out on the rocks and cross to the berry patch.
    Arm Bow knew that it was this berry patch that tempted all children to cross the bridge. He also knew that they were not supposed to cross it by themselves, but that had never stopped him and Cloud Maker, and it obviously hadn't stopped the children that morning. He patted Cloud Maker on the shoulder and the two men set off across the bridge.
    "Beaver Tail, are you there?" Arm Bow yelled.
    "I'm Here! I'm Here!" the frightened boy shouted in return.
    "I'm coming down for you!" Arm Bow sat down on the edge of the bridge, looking for any sign of the stranded boy.
    "What shall we do?" Cloud Maker asked.
    Arm Bow began to don his moccasins. "I'll climb down to the boy. I think I know the rocks well enough to bring him up."
    Cloud Maker smiled. "I remember, Bow. I remember the day you were challenged to climb down the rocks and into the ravine. No one thought you could do it. No one thought you would do it."
    Arm Bow looked up at his friend. "Fond memories we have, my friend."
    "Yes, fonder still since you did not die." Cloud Maker laughed out loud then and slapped his friend on the top of his head.
    "Arm Bow! Be careful!"
    Arm Bow turned at the sound of Desert Rain's voice as she cried from the edge of the bridge.
    Arm Bow stood up. "I will, my love! Do not worry about me!"
    He turned once again to his friend. "Cloud Maker, take care that Rain does not come out onto the bridge. Care for her, my friend. I will return."
    Cloud Maker nodded. "You know I will, my friend. Hand the boy up to me. All will be fine."
    Arm Bow turned and began to climb down the steep pile of stones. He realized immediately that some things had changed since he last descended to the ravine below. The rocks had shifted and settled with time. Some were rough, some smooth, some loose, some firm. Many were dislodged and fell, tumbling to the valley floor. He tried not to let any of them fall in Beaver Tail's direction, but he wasn't sure exactly where the boy was. Each time a stone was dislodged, Arm Bow would yell, "Rock!" in order to warn the boy to keep his head down.
    He moved slowly, carefully, as precisely as possible. He kept his body in control at all times, not wishing to become off balanced in the descent. The rocks slipped beneath his feet and he grabbed a larger rock for stability. "Beaver Tail! Where are you?"
    "Here! I'm here!"
    Arm Bow could tell that the young boy was tiring quickly, his voice getting increasingly weaker. "Hold on, Beaver Tail! I'm coming!"
    Beaver Tail slumped against his rock perch. "I know. Grandfather said you would come." he said weakly.
    Finally Arm Bow caught sight of the boy. He was straddling a large boulder that jutted out from the side of the rock structure. He was hugging the rock, slumped over it like a warrior asleep on his pony. The boy wasn't looking around, wasn't moving. Had he fallen farther? Was he still alive? "Beaver Tail! Beaver Tail! I'm right above you! I'm coming." He saw the child move slightly, but he did not answer. Arm Bow had to reach him and quickly.
    Beaver Tail could hear Arm Bow scrambling on the rocks over head, but fear was taking its toll on his young muscles. He began to shake as every muscle twitched in his arms, his legs, his abdomen. "I cannot hold on much longer, Grandfather. I'm so frightened." he whispered.
    I'm here, Beaver Tail. You are not alone.
    His grandfather's voice made him look up. He smiled as he looked into his grandfather's wrinkled face. "Thank you, Grandfather. I knew you would come to rescue me."
    You must turn loose of the rock, my son.
    "But, I cannot. I will surely fall."
    No, you will not fall. I am here. Take my hand.
    Beaver Tail looked to the valley below, then back up into the eyes of his grandfather. "I'm not afraid now, Grandfather. Am I a warrior now?"
    Soon, Beaver Tail. Very soon. Take my hand.
    For the first time since his fall, Beaver Tail felt no fear at all. He reached up to take his grandfather's hand. It was strong and firm and lifted him easily from the rock ledge. "Thank you, Grandfather. I knew you would come."
    Arm Bow smiled broadly. "Well, my little warrior, I'm not quite old enough to be called grandfather, but you may call me uncle."
    "Yes, uncle," Beaver Tail said as he collapsed into his rescuer's arms.
    Arm Bow struggled for balance, hugged Beaver Tail closely to his bosom, and began his ascent.

Chapter 3 - Song On The Midnight Wind

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