Instead of entering the trap, Jesse put all of his remaining strength into his back legs and launched himself almost straight up. The hunters hollered in surprise as Jesse crashed heavily into the fence above the doorway. With his tremendous speed, he smashed through the fence. Now spinning out of control, Jesse relaxed his body and allowed his massive weight to fall onto the flimsy structure of ladders and supports that angled over the killing pen. Wood snapped and shattered as he tumbled earthward. He could hear the hunters crying in terror as the structure collapsed all around them. His only concern, however, was for Tayna.
Jesse crumbled hard onto the ground, rolling out of control until he crashed against something large yet soft. The scent of her fur crushed up against his nose told him immediately that it was his mate. She was lying on her side at the back of the pen.
“Tayna, are you hurt?”
“My shoulder,” she cried. “It hurts so much.”
Jesse saw an arrow embedded in the smooth flesh above her front leg.
“Don't move!”
He grabbed the arrow with his large, flat teeth and gently, but firmly, pulled it out of her body.
“You have to try to stand up!”
“I'll try.”
Shakily, Tayna made it to her feet. Jesse quickly glanced around at the chaos surrounding the collapsed trap. Many were helping their fallen comrades. Others were now running for their weapons, unwilling to let their quarry escape. They would vent their anger for this disaster on the deer.
“Run, Tayna. Now is our only chance!”
Tayna bolted forward, jumping over fallen wood and several wounded hunters. In a couple more leaps, she would make it to the thick brush.
Jesse rose and attempted to join her, but something grabbed his shoulder. He was pinned! He tried to shake off the restraint, but it held fast. He was captured! At least he had saved Tayna.
“Run, Tayna!” Jesse yelled. “Don't look back! Run!”
“Jesse.”
“Run!” Jesse tossed himself back and forth. He couldn't escape the grip on his shoulders.
“Jesse, wake up. You're having a bad dream.”
Jesse threw open his eyes. His uncle held him by the shoulders. Jason was on the other side of his sleeping bag, looking concerned. Jesse's chest was heaving.
“Calm down now, Jesse. It's all right.”
“Did she make it?”
“Did who make it?” asked Jason.
Jesse bolted upright and looked around the camp-site. Slowly, he began to realize that the whole episode must have happened in his dreams.
“It was all so real… “
Uncle Matthew patted him on the back. “Do you want to tell us about it?”
Jesse sat upright, trying to collect his thoughts and then told his cousin and uncle about his incredible dream. Jason looked at his father, and his uncle nodded, knowingly.
“I think what you had was more than just a dream.”
“Why did I dream that I was a deer, Uncle Matthew? Why didn't I dream that I was just myself?”
“Animals are sacred to our people, Jesse. They are part of us, spiritually. Sometimes, we become associated with one type of animal. They become almost like a guardian angel. They help to look after us and help us grow. Perhaps that is what you experienced. The deer might be your source of strength.”
“What about that trap, Dad?” asked Jason. “Didn't you once tell me about a method of catching deer just like that?”
His father nodded. “Yes, it did sound just like the large herding traps our ancestors used to use. There were so many deer in those days that we could catch over a hundred deer in a couple of weeks. The meat and fat from the captured deer would keep our people fed throughout the winter.”
“But you said that those traps hadn't been used for over a hundred years,” pointed out Jason. “How would Jesse know about them?”
“Actually, it has been over two hundred years,” calculated Uncle Matthew. “But think also about Jesse's description of the clothing. Our people haven't dressed like that for over two hundred years, either.”
Jesse was confused. “So what does it mean?”
“I think it means that you had a vision from the past. Why you had that vision, I don't know. Perhaps it was a message of some kind. But I would guess that the symbol of the deer is significant.”
“Man, that's not fair,” muttered Jason, half-jokingly. “This is my vision quest and it's my cousin from the city who receives the visions.”
Uncle Matthew grasped Jason on the shoulder. “Be happy for Jesse. Everyone reaches this important milestone in their own time. Your time just wasn't tonight. It's almost a new day. You two should try and get some more sleep.”
While the sun was still glowing red in the eastern sky, they packed up camp and began to follow the flow of the gurgling creek. While walking, Uncle Matthew demonstrated to Jesse the proper use of a compass. He explained how to find north with the needle and then how to use landmarks to ensure a proper heading. Jason also pointed out that moss could be used to find north, as moss tended to grow on the north side of a tree to avoid the harsh light of the sun. Using his new-found knowledge and checking his compass every so often, Jesse figured that the creek was taking them in a northwest direction.
It was well into the afternoon when Uncle Matthew slowed the pace and began to look around. He approached a small mound only a stone's throw away from the meandering creek. He then brushed away some leaves and lifted up an egg-shaped stone.
“For making corn flour,” explained Uncle Matthew, crouching once again and placing the stone back into the dirt.
“What is this place?” asked Jesse, looking at the large mound under the leaves.
Uncle Matthew spread his arms out. “This whole area used to be a small village. A Wendat village.”
Jesse's eyes widened. “Wendat? Really? Our ancestors used to live right here? So where are all the scientists who like to dig up this sort of thing?”
“No one knows about it.”
“Wow, that's even better! You could become famous, Uncle Matthew. We should call up Discovery Channel or something.”
Uncle Matthew frowned. “Why disturb this place? Look around, Jesse. This is the way it should stay, as it has for centuries. There are people buried here, resting in peace with the Creator. Think about it. Would you like it if someone started digging up your father's grave, just to see what was in it?”
Jesse shivered at the thought. “No.”
“Just because this site is hundreds of years old doesn't mean we should disrespect the dead.”
“You know what?” Jason chimed in, smiling. “Your dad and my dad were the ones who found this place. Now, only the three of us know of its location. I guess you can call it a family secret.”
Jesse had never been given the responsibility of keeping such an important secret. He felt honoured and proud to be included. He looked once again at the mound.
“I promise that I won't tell anybody about the village.”
Uncle Matthew smiled. “Thank you. Actually, it's amazing that no one has come across this site before now. We aren't that far away from Midland and the Ste. Marie