Frightful's Mountain

Frightful continues to provide food for Oksi, and eventually, a gust of wind helps Oksi take flight again. Just as Oksi is learning to fly, Bando comes to Sam’s mountain to announce the arrival of his baby daughter, whom he and Zella named Samantha. Sam is overwhelmed to have a “namesake” (214).

Meanwhile, Perry Knowlton works to hack Blue Bill and Screamer to freedom. He withholds food from them to encourage them to hunt. On the day that the children from Delhi visit Perry and the birds, a bald eagle attacks Blue Bill. While Perry nurses Blue Bill, Screamer takes flight and his first steps toward independence. Back on Sam’s mountain, Oksi also gains independence and has her first successful hunt. Frightful stays near her offspring and continues to return to Sam’s mountain at night. Blue Bill eventually strikes out on his own as well; although Screamer and Blue Bill were raised in part by Perry, they didn’t imprint on humans. Frightful, however, still feels torn between staying on Sam’s mountain and migrating as the weather changes. Sam wants Frightful to go south as she should and resolves not to feed her in an effort to force her to leave.