Adventure Magazine Cover, December 18, 1919 — page 168: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

154 _ very bad medicine for him, but not so bad as if he stuck his ax in the woman’s head. A strong mediciné has shown him he can not: always do as he promises. But it is very bad not to keep a vow. It will hurt him with his people unless he can get some good-luck medicine. The medicine of the white woman works against him all the time.” | “He must have seen you, yet he did not offer to fight you,” I said. “Why should he fight me?” asked the Pillager in surprize. “He had no fight with me except as my coming let him make good his promise. When the woman reached him first his vow was spoiled; he had no promise left, so he threw away his ax to tell every one the vow was dead. But it is very bad for him.” ‘There was almost a touch of sympathy in the Pillager’s voice as he said the last. “How long must we wait ,before we show the robes and offer to trade?” I asked. “Now is a good time. Le Borgne knows bad luck is biting his heels. He is afraid that everything is against him. He needs a strong medicine. He is not thinking of feasts and a new wife.” T WAS pleasant indeed to get into ac- tion again. . As we passed the girl’s hut I called out to her, and she opened the door a crack and spoke— ; “Can we do it tonight?” Owing to the fear and confusion over Le Borgne’s behavior we could have done it then if we had had her at the corral. The guards about her hut were still in hiding. “Tt must be tonight if I fail in what I’m about to try. I am going to offer to buy you first.” “Buy me?” she faintly repeated. you have no goods.” “Tf I fail we will get away tonight,” I comforted. “When I call your name step to the door and touch the writing on the bark, then get back out of sight.” At this point Chief of the Wolves ran up and reminded that we were not to talk with the white woman. However, he was very civil about it and displayed. no arro- gance. His gaze rested on the Pillager with a sort of worshipful admiration, and he added: “T saw the Chippewa chief drop to the ground. I thought he was about to drop “But Adventure What a battle into Le Borgne’s arms. }?? that would have been! “Notalong battle—justa cracked skull and the Minnetareses would have to look for a new war-chief,’’ calmly retorted the Pillager. Now old Choke-Cherry came trotting up, his broad face picturing deep trouble. “T have been to see my brother,” he whispered. “Bad spirits are around him. Never before has a Minnetaree chief cast his robe and not done as he said.” - “‘He needs new medicine,” I advised. “He will give many ponies for a new medicine,’ eagerly cried Choke-Cherry. “Has the white man some magic he will trade for ponies?”’ “I have some medicine I will trade,” I replied. “I don’t know whether I will trade for ponies, or robes, or something else. It is a very strong medicine and will kill all bad luck, but I will not trade it for poor ponies. -I want ponies such as the Chey- ennes have.” Choke-Cherry’s face showed great fear. — If he told this to his brother, the chief would bitterly upraid him for not turning over the two Assiniboins to the Cheyennes for the ten ponies offered. “We have many g@od robes,” he cried. “‘Let the white man bring out his medicine. I will tell the village to be ready to trade. If the medicine is new and strong and will help the heart of Le Borgne to grow stout again, and his head to grow clear again, we will give every robe in the five villages.” “We will see,” I carelessly answered, walking away. “‘Now is the time,’’ muttered Flat Mouth as I hurried to get the pack. kava “The best of times,” I rejoiced. ‘Le Borgne i is afraid his buffalo manito has lost its strength. He cast his robe and made himself a foolish man. The villages will think his war-medicine is spoiled. He must get good-luck medicine, or else there will be a new war-chief.”’ The Pillager well understood the method of offering a white robe for sale and under- took charge of the arrangements. Two upright stakes were placed before the door of the hut facing Miss Dearness’ prison. Across these supports he placed a third stake. The open space before the hut was packed. The roofs of the surrounding huts were covered with the curious. The Pillager took advantage of the opportunity | GOMMIGIOOLKS 1 > (E@)