Arrowmaker

I liked all the swamp and its critters.  Leopard frogs can be heard at night along with whippoorwills.  I enjoy the hooting of owls.  Geese nest here.  Their resonant, honking calls are exciting sounds.  Lots of ducks nest in this swamp.  A fox comes to my cabin to get food.  I also feed wolves.  I get sturgeon, whitefish and even a few salmon from my weir. 

When I started hunting, problems arrived.  I shot ruffed grouse and many deer.  My fish and venison drying and smoking racks attracted black bears.  Later the grizzly arrived and drove out the black bears. 

The grizzly tore apart my drying racks and ate much of the meat.  I had food stored in my cellar.  When the grizzly was digging into my cellar, I shot this massive creature.  The shot didn’t seem to harm the bear because it sprang at me.  Before I could escape, a paw hit me, breaking my legs.  I managed to crawl into my cabin and closed the door.  The bear is eating the remainder of the food I was smoking and drying. 

I have tied splints to my legs.  I don’t think they’re healing well.  I’m having trouble getting around.  The bear is always close to my cabin.  I’m going to write my journal and put it away before I get too feeble for such work, or any work. 

I’ve had a good life in the swamp.  I’m sure I could’ve stayed longer if I had not put out all the food and attracted a grizzly.  This swamp has been my home.  The Indian legends say the swamp is a place of refuge for the wilderness.  If I had the choice again, I would heed the legends and not do any unnecessary harm to the swamp.  I could have purchased food from town.  I shouldn’t have started hunting because, according to the legends, the area is a refuge.  I’ve enjoyed the time I’ve had in this place.  I should not have started hunting because I didn’t really need the food.  I am writing my journal because I want to continue the message I’ve learned and tell others that this swamp is a world of the spirit.  All can come here to rest and renew themselves.  Such a place is not just for hunters.  All creatures are connected and they are protected in the swamp.