“let us race back,” said teni, “and i will tell mavo what the spirits in the fire said.”

away they ran as fast as they could, and the race was soon over.

teni was a good runner, but he did not win this time.

mavo was awake and very glad to see her brother.

she jumped up to meet him and led him to a part of the room where two women stood over a fire.

teni watched them as they mixed the ground corn with water and poured this on a hot stone.

the women were very busy, so that they did not notice the children.

they had much piki to make, for the men would soon be home.

“may i have some?” said mavo.

then the women looked up and saw the three children standing near them.

they gave mavo a piece of piki for herself and another for teni.

the other little boy was not hungry, but sat down with the others while they ate.

47

demino was just coming back from the store-room with some dried peaches and powdered buffalo’s meat.

he placed this food on the floor and heated another stone for the women, so that they could make more piki.

just then baby awoke and began to cry, so his mother gave him a warm drink of herbs and water.

mavo said, “i will give the baby some of this piki;” but the mother shook her head and said, “no, baby is too little.”

teni took the beads from his sister’s neck and gave them to the little one.

soon baby was happy playing with the beads and pulling at mavo’s loose skin dress.

teni’s clothes were of skin too; even his little moccasins were made of soft skin.

in winter these cliff indians wore heavier skin clothing, and long leggings which came up to their knees.

they never needed caps, for their hair was long and thick.

they loved to wear bright beads and bracelets, and often painted their faces with gay colors.chapter vii