Tom Anderson, Dare-Devil: A Young Virginian in the Revolution — page 331: what you’re looking at

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

A PRINCESS AND A CANNIBAL 213 Voodoo charm worn round the neck of the Carib Macaya. It was cabalistic and cannibalistic. A very great Voodoo queen who lived on a slope of Soufriére, in Guadeloupe, had owned the charm. It had never failed. Macaya had given the Devil-Queen six goats, a head-kerchief of yel- low silk, and a calabash of sugar for the charm. Would it take dye off of a white skin? If worn day and night — yes! This state of understanding had been arrived at through no less a person than the Carib’s master. Dick Knatchbull had laughed himself sick over the Carib’s de- sire to play “fives.” Ishmael had a pack of greasy, flabby “cyards.” With Dick for interpreter, a trade was broached. Macaya’s wonderful Voodoo charm might be Ishmael’s in exchange for the cards and some instruction in the game of “fives.” Ishmael eyed the bait. “ Whut-all will it c’yo, Marse?”’ cautiously. Dick grinned. “Scurvy, toothache, leprosy, jealousy — and snakebite.” ‘Ainh bad-off wid none er dem. Is it good ter take any- thing off’n anybody’s skin? Air kinder dye?” Knatchbull turned a queer look on Ish. “Whose skin? Yours?”’ “No, sir. Off’n whi’-folks skin.” pick looked darkly suspicious. “Who do you belong bon “Dar!” thought Ishmael. “Done ketched me.” To “disermember”’ his owner’s name would “make folks s picion I b’long ter po’-whr’-folks.” “Me, Marse? Er—m—m-—lI b’longs ter Miss-ter-rer- rer-chew-er-ra — Lady live up here a piece. In Hawk Nes’. Yasser. De Princess! She de one.”’ “Do you know a mulatto they call the Marquis of Carabas?”’ “No, Marse,” regretfully “dat I donh.” “Gord knows Marse Tom ainh no nigger!’ was his reflection. “En’ I ainh gwine tell no lie on Gord!” “You’re an old liar!” CORNICLMOOO@ “eS (©) mn