Daughter of the Eagle by Don Coldsmith Page B

astride her and held her tightly until her struggles ceased.
    Somehow there was little triumph in the face of Long Walker as he rose. Eagle Woman rolled over and sat up, spitting dirt and grass from her mouth. She was completely exhausted and would gladly have concluded the entire Challenge then and there except that it was now impossible.
    Because, she recalled wearily, she was still ahead. She could not concede while she was winning, even if she wished. The contests must go on. How long would it be until Long Walker conceded her right to warrior status? Or,
she thought gloomily, until she was beaten badly enough to be able to concede with dignity? She looked for Long Walker to see if he appeared ready to give up.
    The young man had gone down to the stream’s edge, followed by some of his supporters and young admirers. He was on his knees in the shallows, pouring water over his head and shoulders.
    â€œEagle Woman,” called Standing Bird, “the next choice is yours. What shall it be?”
    The girl had been looking at the stream, longing to immerse her tired, hot, dirty, and sore body in its cooling waters. Without even looking around she answered immediately. “Swimming!”

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    The People straggled upstream, the distance of a long bow shot, to the swimming place. By tradition the tribe loved water when it was available. Swimming, for skill as well as enjoyment, was a major activity of the Rabbit Society. Whenever possible the People camped near a stream usable for swimming.
    The streams that meander across the rolling prairie twist and turn to form loops and arcs and deep, clear pools beneath rocky ledges. It was to one of these favorite swimming places that the group now moved.
    Standing Bird sent two youngsters splashing across the stream to a ledge a stone’s throw from where they stood. They placed two willow sticks, as thick as one’s finger and a hand’s span in length, on the flat stone shelf. The competitors would race to retrieve a stick and return it to the hand of Standing Bird.
    Eagle Woman, now breathing more easily, was gaining in confidence. As a child she had been easily the best swimmer in the Rabbit Society. It was said that the girl could swim
like an otter. Many times during their early years she had defeated Long Walker.
    Bobcat placed his hand affectionately on his sister’s arm. “This contest is yours, Eagle Woman. You are like a fish in the water. Show them!”
    Heavy betting had resumed, for the People knew quite well that this was an area of skill for Eagle Woman. Larger bets were made now on the total outcome of the Challenge. The girl was still ahead in the contests, and this was conceded by most to be her best opportunity.
    She glanced over at Long Walker. He had discarded his hunting shirt, and she could plainly see the injury she had inflicted on his neck. Her fury had cooled now, and she felt a sympathy for her friend and a slight regret for having hurt him. Aiee , how had they become involved in this stupid contest? She would be so happy when it was over and they could return to a normal relationship. If, indeed, that could ever be.
    Eagle Woman was almost preoccupied with her thoughts when Standing Bird dropped the stone to signal the start. She managed to gather her muscles and spring forward to strike the water at the same moment as Long Walker.
    Quickly she began to outdistance him, sliding through the water with smooth efficiency. She reached the ledge, grasped one of the sticks, and turned. She thrust the twig between her teeth and pushed away from the rock shelf.
    Eagle Woman had hardly started her next stroke before she collided forcibly with the rapidly approaching Long Walker. Half stunned, she floundered for a moment, then surfaced, disoriented. At arm’s length Walker was just picking up his willow twig from the rock ledge.
    The girl resumed her swim for a moment before she realized that her mouth was empty. The willow cutting was