season is just a few days away and I'm going to let you rest for I want you to be in good shape the night it opens.'
It was wonderful indeed how I could have heart-to-heart talks with my dogs and they always seemed to understand. Each question I asked was answered in their own doggish way.
Although they couldn't talk in my terms, they had a language of their own that was easy to understand. Sometimes I would see the answer in their eyes, and again it would be in the friendly wagging of their tails. Other times I could hear the answer in a low whine or feel it in the soft caress of a warm flicking tongue. In some way, they would always answer.
VIII
THE DAY HUNTING SEASON OPENED, I WAS AS NERVOUS AS Sarnie, our house cat. Part of that seemingly endless day was spent getting things ready for the coming night.
I cleaned my lantern and filled it full of oil. With hog lard I greased my boots until they were as soft as a hummingbird's nest. I was grinding my ax when Papa came around.
He smiled as he said, 'This is the big night, isn't it?'
'It sure is, Papa,' I said, 'and I've waited a long time for it.'
'Yes, I know,' he said. 'I've been thinking- there's not too much to do around here during the hunting season. I'm pretty sure I can take care of things, so you just go ahead and hunt all you want to.'
'Thanks, Papa,' I said. 'I guess I'll be out pretty late at night, and I'll probably have to do a lot of sleeping in the daytime.'
Papa started frowning. 'You know,' he said, 'your mother doesn't like this hunting of yours very much. She's worried about you being out all by yourself.'
'I can't see why Mama has to worry,' I said. 'Haven't I been roaming the woods ever since I was big enough to walk, and I'm almost fourteen now.'
'I know,' said Papa. 'It's all right with me, but women are a little different than men. They worry more.
'Now just to be on the safe side, I think it would be a good idea for you to tell us where you'll be hunting. Then if anything happens, we'll know where to look.'
I told him I would, but I didn't think anything was going to happen.
After Papa had left, I started thinking. 'He doesn't even talk to me like I was a boy any more. He talks to me like I was a man.' These wonderful thoughts made me feel just about as big as our old red mule.
I had a good talk with my dogs. 'I've waited almost three years for this night,' I said, 'and it hasn't been easy. I've taught you everything I know and I want you to do your best.'
Little Ann acted like she understood. She whined and saved me a wash job on my face. Old Dan may have, but he didn't act like it. He just lay there in the sunshine, all stretched out and limber as a rag.
During supper Mama asked me where I was going to hunt.
'I'm not going far,' I said, 'just down on the river.'
I could tell Mama was worried and it didn't make me feel too good.
'Billy,' she said, 'I don't approve of this hunting, but it looks like I can't say no; not after all you've been through, getting your dogs, and all that training.'
'Aw, he'll be all right,' Papa said. 'Besides, he's getting to be a good-size man now.'
'Man!' Mama exclaimed. 'Why, he's still just a little boy.'
'You can't keep him a little boy always,' Papa said. 'He's got to grow up some day.'
'I know,' Mama said, 'but I don't like it, not at all, and I can't help worrying.'
'Mama, please don't worry about me,' I said. 'I'll be all right. Why, I've been all over these hills, you know that.'
'I know,' she said, 'but that was in the daytime. I never worried too much when it was daylight, but at night,
