The two runners stopped when they reached the other end of the course, but already two other runners had taken their places, darting off like foxes the moment the original two crossed a certain line that was marked by a bush that lay across the track.
This change was made at each end of the course, so all the sixteen contestants took turns.
But it was permissible to put the same runner in as many times as necessary, and it so happened that, whenever one side would get a lead over the other, the best runners were called on to go in repeatedly.
Behind each of the runners chosen to take up the race next stood two old men, who were each holding a long eagle feather. With these feathers they repeatedly touched the calves of the runners’ legs, at the same time muttering a prayer to the Sun Father, imploring him to give the runners the speed of the eagle.
The spectators showed much excitement as the race continued.
“Um-o-pah! um-o-pah!” they shouted, wildly waving their hands to the winners.
They were urging them to “hurry up.”
In vain the boys looked for John Swiftwing.
“It’s strange he has not been chosen to take part in this race,” said Frank. “I have been told by one of the old chiefs that he was swifter than all their other runners before he went away to school.”
“Are there no other races?” asked Hodge.