Adventure Magazine Cover, February 3, 1921 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

14 ‘‘My eyes are open,” grunted Sitting Bear after a few minutes of waiting. » The trapper continued his study of the western horizon until Garcia came back with a bundle of dry grass and two small pieces of bone. Behind the trader streamed men, women and children; for the word was passed that Hits the Sky was a magician, whose magic would eat up the medicine of the white-hair, or else he would be killed. Arranging the dry grass beside him and holding the pieces of bone in his right hand, the trapper said to Sitting Bear, “Your eyes are sharp? If little birds flew up at your feet, all black except one which was white, and then flew to the ground to hide, your eyes could follow the trail of the white bird?” “Tam of the kaitsenko. cine arrow in battle. that?” “Then look!’ And the trapper extended the bits of bone for the chief to examine. “These are the little white birds.” And he tossed them in the air that all might see. Tossing up some of the dried grass, he continued: “Here are the feathers the birds shall wear. I shall send little birds flying one at a time. ‘The bones in this hand will pass into some of the feathers. The sharp eyes of Sitting Bear shall see which bundle they en- ter and he shall pick out that grass bird when it falls to the ground?” The chief grunted in disgust at such child- ish play. I carry the medi- Does a blind man do “Tf that is the medicine of Hits the Sky | then the Kiowas are sad for they know the white-hair’s medicine will eat it up>and we shall have a white man to hide in the ground.” The trapper smiled grimly and dexter- ously twisted some of the dead grass and tossed it into the air. Sitting Bear’s gaze never left the hand holding the pieces of bone. The trapper worked more rapidly, sending up the wisps of grass until three were in the air at once. Sitting Bear jeered: “The medicine is very weak. Hits the Sky has spilled water in it. He does not dare wrap up the bone.” Smiling broadly, Joe opened his hand. One piece of bone was missing. Exclama- tions arose from the intensely interested spectators. The chief sternly accused— “You dropped it between your legs!” Adventure The trapper pointed to a twisted bit of grass close to the chief’s knee. The chief snatched it up, and for a moment his ex- pressionless face betrayed chagrin as his fin- gers felt a hard substance inside the grass. Reluctantly opening the grass, he came to the piece of bone. Deep silence fell. Holding up the remaining bone for all to: see, the trapper selected three bunches of grass, and all knew the bone was to take flight in one of these. Sitting Bear breathed heavily and leaned forward and concentrated his attention. Joe selected a twist of grass and, seemingly using only the tips of his fingers, formed it into a compact mass and sent it flying from his left hand. The remaining two followed in quick succession, only there was the slightest trace of awkwardness in rolling the third. Sitting Bear shouted, or onsip!” (bones) and triumphantly plucked the last decoy from the air. The spectators hurled gibes at the white man. Then the expression on the chief’s face stilled their scoffing. Their great leader had been baffled for the second time. They knew it before he tore open the grass and found nothing. With a snarl of rage ‘Sitting Bear snatched up the second wisp, and this too was empty. The trapper had concealed the bone in the first decoy. Oe shouted for Oakes to come forward and @isplay his medicine. The gambler advanced, cards in hand. Sitting Bear motioned him to be seated. For afew moments the trapper stared at the picture framed by the opening of the tent, that of the fierce face of the Pit River Indian bowed over his notched stick. LEAPING to his feet, the chief ‘Now we'll see that medicine of yours that’s to eat me up,” jeered the gambler. “Jest a simple little trick. Prob’ly ye know all bout it,’”’? mumbled Joe as he gath- ered the grass close to one knee and opened his hand to show the two pieces of bone. “I sorter twist some grass round the bones an’ ye’re to guess which bundle o’ grass has th’ bone.” “TY know. I’ve been watching you. Go ahead. You'll find it different from fooling these idiots.” ‘Words to warm Sittin’ B’ar’s heart if he could catch ’em,”’ said Joe, diffidently se- lecting some grass and fumbling it. into a NOO|KS AUG : eo (C@