Courage by Joseph G. Udvari Page B

job.
    â€œNow Jim, it’s your turn.”
    â€œI like my hair and beard, I think it makes me look distinguished. Do you have to cut it all off?”
    â€œI suppose you could keep it for a little while longer but you definitely need a trim, and after you’re done, it’s Jill’s turn. No one volunteered to cut Mary’s hair but Jill ran to the tent, returning with one of her elastic hair bands and carefully pulled her mother’s hair into a short ponytail. Mary laughed and commented that she hadn’t had a ponytail since she’d been a teenager.
    It took nearly two hours to cut everyone’s hair, but they all looked a little more civilized when the job was complete .
    â€œTomorrow when we go down to the stream, we have to do a good wash, body, hair and all!” Mary strongly suggested, and they all knew not to argue with her.
    After supper, which consisted of a little meat and some berries, Mary made popcorn over the campfire.
    â€œThanks mom, this is really a treat,” Lucas said and Jill agreed wholeheartedly.
    The next morning arrived, with a clear blue sky and high up a plane was visible again.
    â€œLook Lucas, it’s the plane,” Jim said pointing to it.
    â€œBut you said it was too far up for them to see us.”
    â€œAnd it probably is, but we can still try to signal them.”
    â€œDad, should we go to the stream to get water and maybe do some fishing before we move our campsite to the plane?”
    â€œIt’s a good idea. Mom and Jill can do some packing up while you and I go the stream.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
    â€œSearch and Rescue HQ. This is ‘Firefox One’ and ‘Two’ reporting. A full grid search has been completed as per the flight plan. It was extended to 100 kilometers east and west of the base line connecting Williams Lake and Prince George. No sign of any plane or survivors. Waiting for further instructions. Out.”
    â€œThis is Search and Rescue HQ. Acknowledged. ‘Firefox One’ and ‘Two’, return to your base and wait further instruction. Out.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
    Two mornings later there was a light dusting of snow on the ground, it made everything look clean and white.
    â€œWe are going down to the stream see if we can catch some fish and bring water back,” Jim said.
    â€œGood luck,” Mary called after them.
    Lucas and Jim headed down to the stream. When they got there Jim looked at the mud at the edge of the stream made soft by the snow and saw a lot of paw prints, some he could identify and some he couldn’t.
    â€œLucas, let’s see if we can catch some fish and head back to camp. There are bear and wolf tracks here and I think they were made this morning.”
    â€œDad, the wolf just showed up.”
    â€œHe’s expecting some fish, I guess.”
    They dug some worms and as before, they caught fish. In just minutes they had seven trout.
    â€œLet’s give the wolf three, there’s a lot of protein in fish and that’s probably why he’s looking forward to the fish snacks. Don’t forget the water Lucas!”
    â€œI won’t dad. The wolf is friendly, but he still keeps his distance.”
    â€œI guess he’s still not sure about us.”
    They were walking back to camp when they heard growling and then they heard Mary screaming ‘Jim!’
    â€œLet’s run, I think there may be trouble!” Jim said.
    They rushed back in time to see a wolf pack circling the camp and it appeared they were planning to attack.
    Jim began to yell and holler from a distance. The pack raised their heads in his direction; one yelp and they went for Jim and Lucas. They were out in the open and presented an easy target.
    â€œLucas, you stay behind me, I’m going to throw them the fish, that should slow them down and then run, maybe we can get to your mom and Jill.”
    A big black wolf, probably the leader, went directly for Jim, but paused