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Show 19 "You must dance with the snake now," Ahote said.y "But it's not the time," Chua said. "There hag been no snake race. The snake not even been blessed." i4°\ * \<\ Ahote was not listening. He shoved the snake into Chua's mouth. The flat head pressed against Chua's cheek. Fear washed over phjia. The snake felt cold against his tongue. Ahote kept the heel of his hand against Chua's mouth so he couldn't spit the snake out. Chua wanted to scream but knew it was too dangerous. He must keep his heart j right at least while he had the snake in his mouth. How he hated Ahote! He let the feelings go and grabbed the snake's body near his waist. Excitement rose inside him as he stroked the cool slick surface of the snake. He was dancing with a snake, a rattler! For a moment he pictured himself back with im Hanai and Cheauka in the circle of the clan. The sound of Ahote's voice droning to an imaginary drum brought him back to his place. Chua could tell that Ahote was hallucinating again. Ahote moved away and began to dance with the visionaiy men around him. His feet beat a steady rhythm as his body bent and rose. Holding onto the head, Chua carefully took the snake out of his mouth. He released it gently on mother earth. "Go with the blessings of the universe," he said and backed quickly away, allowing the snake to return to the desert, Ahote went on dancing and didn't notice. |