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Show ^ 44 Chua had heard that the salt cave was quite a distance to the north. Maybe they could send Ahote to get salt. It would take him many days to get there and back. "Weil keep looking for salt," Apa said. "And we have enough com for a little while. I'm grateful." She put the few extra cobs in a basket to take back to their rooms. "Why do you think this entire dwelling was abandoned?" asked Chua. j)jj^- "I don't know," said his mother. "Maybe they left the area because of drought. Or maybe the clan continued its migration to another place. I justdon't know." They walked past another room. Apa stopped in the doorway. "Look, here's a metate and mono. Now I can grind the com into finer meal." Chua picked the grinding stone and pestle up and carried them to their rooms. On the way they passed the great kiva, the underground room where the men met to worship. I'm old enough to be initiated, thought Chua, but we don't have a clan. Wuwuchim, time for initiation, will come as the weather grows cold, and I'll be alone. Alone, he thought, feeling sorry for himself. CHAPTER 11 Chua awoke as Sotuknang began to paint the sky. "I'll leave Chosovi with you today, Mother, while I go for water. Have her fly to me if you are in trouble." "Thank^" Apa said. "I'm going early to avoid the Bear Clan boy," Chua said. ( \ |