The women put the mongongo nuts into the pot with water and some roots. They used a long stick to mash everything together. As Mandy watched, her stomach began to growl.
"You can do this," said Twi. She gave Mandy the stick. Mandy stirred the dark red mixture.
"When the hunters return," said Twi, "we can all enjoy the meal."
Vinnie ran fast until he finally caught up with Kashe and Gau. They were standing in front of the fallen antelope and smiling.
"Good fortune!" Kashe said to Vinnie. "Usually antelopes can run for a whole day before the poison spreads. This one was weak."
Other hunters appeared from different directions.
"Did the boy get it?" asked a man.
Kashe turned to Vinnie and smiled. "Perhaps your arrow got this one, Vinnie."
Vinnie shook his head. "I was too scared to shoot." He showed them his arrow.
Kashe stuck his chest out. Vinnie noticed those six scars on his right side.
"In our tribe, you become a man after your first kill," said Kashe. "Look here." He pointed to one of his scars. "I got this when I was your age."
"Did an animal attack you?" asked Vinnie.
Kashe laughed. "No, I killed a male antelope. That’s why I have scars on my right side. If it had been a female, I would have scars on my left side."
Kashe then pointed to his eyes. "These scars make me see clearer. The ones on my arms help me shoot better. The scars on my chest help me to stay calm when hunting."
"Didn’t it hurt?" asked Vinnie. He shivered at what might have made those scars.
Kashe laughed again. "Pain is part of growing up."
Suddenly Gau shouted loudly. He pointed toward the trees. Two large black rhinos were stamping their feet.
"We must leave," warned Kashe. "We have disturbed them."
Gau and Kashe began to slowly walk backward. But the angry animals charged the group.
"I didn’t know rhinos ran so fast!" cried Vinnie as he ran with the men. Vinnie’s heart was racing too. Suddenly he heard a scream.
"Gau!" shouted Kashe, looking around. Gau lay on the ground. A rhino had slashed Gau’s leg with his horn.
"We must get him to the village," said Kashe.
"Where are the rhinos?" Vinnie asked.
"They’re gone for now," said Kashe. "Quick, help me."
They carried Gau to the village. Kashe explained to everyone what had happened.
Gau was placed near a fire in front of one hut. He was in a lot of pain.
"Call the healer," ordered Kashe.
Frightened, Mandy ran to Vinnie.
"Did he say healer?" gulped Vinnie.
Vinnie remembered the healers from their Iroquois travels.