THE RACE
Teni and his new friend took Mavo by the hand and climbed out on the
rocky shelf, which was the only yard these children had.
They walked toward a place where some women were making jars from clay.
One woman was mixing the clay with water, while another shaped the jars
with her hand.
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Near-by, on the ground, were many jars of different shapes which were
being dried by the sun.
The cliff-dwellers used these jars for holding water.
The children watched the women for a while, then went to another part of
the cliff where other women were weaving baskets from cedar fibers.
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The baskets were closely woven, so that they could be used to carry
water.
As the children stood there, Demino came down the ladder with a water
jar on his head, and behind him came his wife with the baby on her back.
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"Let us have a race," said Teni. Mavo wanted to run too, but Teni said
she was too little.
The boys climbed down to a lower shelf where more cliff people were
gathered.
Here were other boys, and they wanted to race too.
They were soon on the sandy ground below the cliff and ready for the
start.
One of the boys had a large dog. He wanted him in the race too, because
he could run so fast.
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They started off toward a hill. The boys were to race to the hill and
back. The boy who won was to ride a pony belonging to one of the men.
On and on they ran, while the cliff people strained their eyes watching
them.
Teni seemed in the lead, but just as they were nearing home the large
dog dashed ahead and won the race.
Teni came next.
The dog wagged his tail as the boys ran up to him.
He looked at Teni, as much as to say, "You may have the ride."
Now the pony was led up, and Teni was lifted to its back.
Teni could ride a pony, because all Indian boys are taught to ride when
they are very young.
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So he started off, sitting very straight and looking proudly before him.
Mavo clapped her hands and said, "Hurry back, Teni."
"I will," answered Teni, as the pony galloped away.
The boy and the pony were soon hidden by the thick dust.
In a short time Teni was back.
He jumped down quickly and patted the pony's head, happy because he had
had so fine a ride.
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Just then some men came up.
They had been hunting, and now all the people crowded round to see the
fine game they had brought.
The hunters were very hungry, so they all turned back to the cliff
village to cook the deer and rabbits which they had killed.
There was great haste to prepare the food for the hungry men.
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