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LEARNING HIS CRAFT

My wife was at work so I started out alone for a walk in the woods behind our house. I took the usual path, winding down a hill through a forest of oak, maple, sourwood and mountain laurel.
    It was winter but a rather pleasant day for that time of the year. The leaves had all fallen, except for the laurel, of course. I think this fact may have saved me from a bad experience.
    I was halfway to the creek and had reached a huge maple we call 'the butt tree' because it has a huge knot on its side that looks like a massive butt. There was a flash of movement up the hill and to the right. When I swung in that direction I saw a young mountain lion who was evidently stalking me as he moved parallel to my course.
    The beast was about half grown and he was still bigger, and much longer, than a german shepherd. When he saw he had been discovered he jumped behind a tree to conceal himself. It was somewhat comical. After a moment he took a peak at me from behind the tree.
    When he saw that I was just standing and watching him, he forsook his stalk and trotted away to the north up a steep ridge where I suspect their cave must be.
    I had my gun with me so I continued my stroll, but I'll never forget being used by a novice to perfect his craft. By the way, always check your back trail periodically.
    CE Wills
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