BIGFOOT

The "Hiders" were a small band of Mill Creek Indians, who fled from Northern California to Central Oregon in the early 1900s. They wanted to escape the California "Guardsmen," who were hunting them down and killing them. As a Stone-Age tribe, they continued their traditional way of life, especially celebrating their ceremonies and dances by feasting on salmon. Each fall several tribal members would undertake the dangerous journey to the Oregon Coast for the prized fish. The salmon were placed in a large rucksack and hidden in a deep stream. The thrashing fish attracted a hungry predator. The Hiders were fearful that a large bear was after their fish and decided to scare him off by shattering arrows around him. Startled by the noise, the creature stood up to escape and slid right into the line of fire. It was not a bear. It was Bigfoot. He roared in pain and gave chase to the fleeing Indians. Weeks later, he tracked them to their lava cave, high up Paulina Mountain, along the way capturing a "hostage." As he approached their cave, he found himself surrounded by the "small creatures" determined to stop him at all costs. He suddenly received some unexpected help. Now the scales were tipped in his favor.