362 Lunch (1/2)

After a while of frantically pulling the deer, I arrived at the lake I see every morning. It took a lot of strength and perseverance, and I wondered if everyone on the hunt did this every time, even though there were many of us.

When we saw the lake, we both sped up and dunked the deer into the lake.

Breathing on my shoulder, I asked Samija.

”Do you travel this far every time?

”Yes.

What did you do before the others came?

”Well, we kill them closer to the lake. There are several points.

Yeah, that's right.

Today we just went where we could find them. I figured with the elephants around, it wouldn't be a problem to tow them.

I don't know if I'd call it being smart or not. I guess that's what you have to do to live in this forest.

The rest can be found at .......

Samija was about to say something, but stopped in mid-sentence. Obviously, she was about to slip up.

I show my mischievous side and ask her.

”What's next?　What?

”Nothing, man! Let's just get some food!

Ugh.

The answer came in the form of a nice punch to the side.

I rubbed my aching side and followed Samija around the lake.

I was so tense before I killed the deer, and so distracted afterwards, that I didn't notice that the sun was already a little past midnight.

As soon as I began to recognize the area, my stomach began to lament its lack of content.

”Oh, I'm definitely getting really hungry.

You know what? I don't feel like eating in that area, so let's eat over there.

Okay.

Sámiá walks at a brisk pace. I'm desperately trying to keep up with her. When we were within sight of the sunken tree, we both decided to settle down.

As I hadn't been exercising much lately, Samija volunteered to pick up the firewood, out of concern for my health.

While she was gathering the firewood, I gathered some stones from around the area to make a small fireplace.

But it was a simple one, just three or four stones in a row. But it is still useful enough to heat the small pot I brought with me.

When the fireplace is ready, fill the pot with water from the lake. Lunch (unfermented bread with sweet and spicy meat) will not be ready for a while.

As I was preparing, Samija came back from picking up firewood.

This is about right, isn't it?