What reassures the boy that he is destined to travel east?

While John is on the journey he feels he is destined to take, he gets several “signs” that he is doing the right thing. These signs are based on superstitions believed by the primitive Hill society in which John lives. John is apprehensive as he takes off on his journey; however, when he sees an eagle flying east, he knows that he is going in the right direction to fulfill his dream of finding the...

While John is on the journey he feels he is destined to take, he gets several “signs” that he is doing the right thing. These signs are based on superstitions believed by the primitive Hill society in which John lives. John is apprehensive as he takes off on his journey; however, when he sees an eagle flying east, he knows that he is going in the right direction to fulfill his dream of finding the Place of the Gods.  John also sees three deer with a white fawn heading east during his time of meditation and fasting, and he realizes that it is a “holy” sign.  The final sign that John gets is when he kills a panther that attacks the white fawn.  He kills it in one shot and roasts the meat of the panther for his dinner. John also finds a knife and avoids a hunting party of the Forest people.  At this point in the story, John says, “So I knew my magic was strong and my journey clean, in spite of the law.” The gods seem to have provided a way for John to be successful on each step of his journey, and John sees all of these signs as positive for what he wishes to accomplish.