While the beast feasted on its prey, I began working my way silently down
the path. But the great cat's ears were keen, for I was not quite past
her when she stopped eating and began circling downwind of me. Watching
her, I felt an overwhelming respect. She was easily ten times as massive
as I was. But not a sound could be heard as she moved among the grasses.
She spotted me, and I knew real fear. I raised my bow, arrow notched,
as she came toward me. She roared, and it was all I could do not to drop
my bow. Instead, I stood perfectly still while she sampled my scent, as
if wondering what type of beast I was.
Looking back on it, I cannot say whether I was not eaten because she was
sated on the stag, or whether she did not view me as food. In any case,
after she had gone back up the trail, I passed swiftly down to the lake,
thanking the Father of Beasts for my life.
Tim