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Show 79 Pavati stood back from the crowd on a small hill. Her eyes met Chua's. She smiled at him before he could turn away. I should be angry with her, thought Chua, but I can't. She cares for me, I know. "Ready," shouted the starter. Strength filled Chua's body. Chosovi must be his. With a burst of speed Chua pulled ahead of Toho on the flat mesa, but as they came to the low hills, he could hear the padding of Toho's sandals. Chua knew Toho was catching up. Chua pushed his legs faster. The boys climbed the rocky part of the trail. Toho leaped ahead. He had climbed the rocks to the spring for years, and he was good at it. Chua managed to stay just behind him, though. Toho jumped down onto the mesa again. Could Chua catch him? Toho was fast, and the villagers cheered now that he was ahead. Chcua looked into the sky. A cloud shaped like his mother's face smiled at him, giving him strength. Clawing Eagle pushed him forward. Strength came to him like water gushing from a spring. #\) (j\,i^^\^^{^^ I am coming, Chosovi, he thought. You are mine. He could see the trails of sweat on Toho's bare back. Chua's breath was on Toho's neck. Chua pulled up even with Toho, but he did not look over at him. His concentration was on the finish line. He must cross it first. Chua could feel Toho's eyes on him. Chua ran faster, but so did Toho. Hard things - 1 can do the hard things, ^ f e c ^ ^ thought. The boys ran together as they had the day they had run up the wash to the spring. Chua could hear Chosovi's shrieks above the crowd. "Kwaaa, Kv/aaa," called the high-pitched voice. |