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Show 116 Chua quickly replaced the blanket. "He's calm when it's dark," "He's hungry," Toho said, "but how do we feed him when he is thrashing wildly?" "I think he wants to be free of the net," Chua said, standing up. "Let's remove the net and put the perch on the ground with the rabbit near the end of the tether." Toho carefully lifted the covered bird. Chua removed the lower part of the net, and set the rabbit on the ground. Toho placed the blanketed eagle next to it. Chua slowly removed the cover, and Quahu ate. The eagle held his head high. He was the power of the sky; the one to take the messages back to Father Sun, thought Chua. "Thank you for coming to us," Toho said. "Your feathers are beautiful. They will make good prayers." Toho wedged the perch between two rocks, and hobbled around to stand by Chua. "Thank you, my brother. I couldn't have done this without you." Curia felt strong inside. He and Toho were becoming hunters. He was learning the skills of a man. Father, I hope you can see me now, thought Chua, looking at the splash of stars across the desert sky. He raised his arms in gratitude. Toho and Chua snuggled deep into their blankets to escape the cold night breeze. "Are you worried about your mother?" Toho asked. "Yes," Chua said. "I hope Ahote hasn't returned." |
