[Note: Today’s column was written by Frank Coate, Bill Coate’s nephew and author of “The Coate Closet.”]
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He crouched in the brush and remained as still as humanly possible on that hot summer day. Although his heart was racing, somehow he managed to control his breathing. He had never fired a gun or pulled the trigger on a crossbow, let alone throw a spear. The moment of truth was near. He heard the approach of his nemesis. His adrenaline topped out. NOW!
He leaped out of his hiding place and chucked the spear directly at his target. He was as surprised as the spear would have been if it had suddenly become a living missile. It was flying as straight as an arrow.
Although it didn’t have a lot of height, it was a powerful chuck. It angled up a degree or so during the first 25 meters, and then dropped a degree or two during the last 25 meters.It was on that downward slope that panic set in. Now that he knew it was going to find its target, it didn’t seem as much fun anymore. Was he ready for this? Did he really want this?