Page 8 of Mail Order Meeting
Chapter Three
After Sebastian leftfor work the following day, Lula went to visit Ella.She was worried about her friend.They had tea together before Lula rushed home to do her daily chores, before they all needed to meet at Maggie’s place.
As she walked into Maggie’s cabin, Lula felt strong.Like she could conquer anything.She was excited to be hunting again and certain she could learn a lot about hunting in Alaska by working with Belle.
Belle looked at Lula after lunch.“How brave do you feel today?”
“Very!Why?”
“I thought we might take rifles today and see if we can get a brown bear.There’s so much meat in a bear, and it would finish filling up Sally’s cold house.”
Lula grinned.“Well, then, we’ll have to build another!I’m so excited!I’ve always wanted to hunt bear!”
“Bears are dangerous.You need to be sure to kill it with your first shot if possible.Otherwise, they’ll go after you, and they can run faster than we can.I promise!”Belle said.
“I’ll shoot for the head.”
“No, it’s best to shoot just behind the shoulder.There’s a better chance of the bear going down.If you shoot at the head and miss, you’ll just make the bear angry.”
“I never miss,” Lula said with a grin.
Belle laughed.“I noticed that.Let’s go then.Do you have a rifle, or do you want to use Everett’s?”
“When I was first married, my husband bought me a boy’s rifle.It’s easier for me to handle because it’s shorter.”She didn’t mention that she’d sold all her ball gowns and jewelry so they would have the money to do it.Lula pursed her lips.“Would you mind if we stopped by my cabin on our way to find a bear?”
“That sounds good.”
As they made their journey to Lula’s cabin, she said, “I wish we hunted with rifles more.”
“Bullets are very expensive here.And some game we hunt wouldn’t leave enough meat left if we used a bullet.With the arrows, there’s a great deal more meat.”
“I brought bullets,” Lula said.“A lot of them.”
“You thought to bring bullets?”Belle asked.“I wish I’d thought of that.I may buy a few from you.”
“You’re not buying anything from me.I’ll give them to you, as I’m certain whatever you shoot will be going into my mouth as well as yours.”
Belle nodded.“Especially if we get a bear.A bear would feed both of our families for a month and a half.”
“I’ve never had bear meat.”
