By the time the party had traveled two miles, Gesnip, with her load, and
Cleeta, whose bare brown legs were growing very tired, lagged behind.
"O dear," said the elder sister, "we shall surely be too late to go into
camp with uncle." Just then a whoop sounded behind them, and a boy of
thirteen, dressed in a rabbit-skin shirt, carrying a bow in his hand,
came panting up to them.
"Payuchi," said Gesnip, eagerly, "carry my basket for me and I will tell
you some good news."
"No," replied Payuchi, shaking his head, "it is a girl's place to carry
the basket."
"Just this little way, and it is such good news" urged Gesnip. "It will,
make your heart glad."
"Very well, then, tell it quickly," said the boy, changing the basket of
mussels to his own broad back.
"Sholoc has come from Santa Catalina with baskets of abalone and fish,
and with ollas all speckled, and strings of money. He is near the top of
the grade now. Upon hearing the good news the lad darted away at a great
pace, his sisters following as fast as they could. Sholoc and his party
had stopped to rearrange their loads, so the children overtook them at
the head of the trail leading to their home.
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