The Squaw

The story revolves around Elias P. Hutcheson, a boastful and careless individual, who encounters a mysterious and menacing cat while exploring a city fosse. The cat, reminiscent of a “squaw” (an old-fashioned term for a Native American woman), seems to be haunting Hutcheson and his companions. As they observe the cat from a distance, Hutcheson’s inflated ego and careless attitudes are gradually deflated by the cat’s unsettling presence. The story explores the themes of pride, vulnerability, and the power of nature to humble human arrogance. Ultimately, Hutcheson’s encounter with the cat serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of underestimating the unknown and the natural world.