Defiant

John had been in search of game in Northern part of the Colony of Pennsylvania, when he suddenly came upon a young grizzly bear.  In his attempt to defend himself against the animal’s attack, his musket misfired and failed him and he was forced to fight off the bear with only his hunting knife. During the horrendous struggle that ensued, he did manage to kill the bear, but his body paid the price for his victory over his adversary.  He found himself in excruciating pain from the many lacerations that had been inflicted upon him by the bear.  At this moment, his two most pressing concerns are shelter and the immediate treatment of his injuries.  He realizes that it’s imperative for him to return to his campsite where he will be able to make an attempt at repairing the damages that the bear has inflicted upon him.  While he rests, he will attempt to regain some of his strength.  John is thankful that he has survived this attack.  He is one of the few men that can say they have survived the attack of the mighty Grizzly Bear and lived to speak about it.

     After John was back at his campsite for a short period of time, he decided it will be in his best interests if he began sewing up his injuries. He knew that once the flesh around his various wounds began to die, he would be unable to service his injuries successfully.  He also knew that neatly sewed stitches will always leave far smaller scars on your body than if the wounds are allowed to heal by themselves without stitches.  Each time the stitching needle pierced his flesh, he felt the pain from his injuries. As he began pulling the thread closed, he could feel the pain of his flesh being drawn back to its original position.  He had very little doubt in his mind that he will be weak, sore, and stiff after this encounter that he had just been in.  Had the grizzly bear been a little larger, the immediate circumstance surrounding his experience would have been quit different.  He understood that he would have become the bear’s dinner tonight, instead of the bear becoming his newly acquired meat supply while he is recuperating from his direful injuries.

     By the time John had sewn himself and bound all of his wounds it was time for him to lie down on his bed of furs so he can rest his exhausted body.  He knew that he is living in a hard and barbaric wilderness where no pardons are given or granted for foolishness.   Stupidity of any type isn’t acceptable in the wilds of this wilderness.  Those who make errors do so at the risk of their own lives.   John realizes that he is damn lucky to have this cave in which to recuperate.  The cave will keep him out of the weather during the time he is recovering from his injuries.  If it becomes necessary for him to leave the cave in his present physical condition, his odds of surviving would be greatly reduced .  He also realizes that he will be somewhat incapacitated by these wounds because of his inability to move about freely.  His brother, the bear, has provided him with the necessary food that will be required for him to regain his physical strength.  Once his body is healed, he can thank the bear for the nourishment that it has provided him during his time of need.