Adventure Magazine Cover, December 18, 1919 — page 170: what you’re looking at

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

156 for,” I corrected. ‘My medicine has told me in my sleep that I could make a good trade here. I am waiting to see what my medicine meant.” « Men darted away to inform Le Borgne of the powerful medicine. Others scoured the village to round up property. A scene of amazing activity followed. In a short time seven horses were brought up, each loaded with robes, dressed leather, moc- casins and embroidered leggings. Without bothering to glance at this, the first bid, the Pillager shook the calf’s tail as a sign of refusal. Choke-Cherry dashed frantically among the men and hooted long-winded speeches to which no one seemed to pay: arly atten- tion. He was exhorting them to greater efforts. in syndicating their goods. As proof of his own desire to help win the miracle for the good ofthe village, he brought out his medicine-pipe, newly. deco- rated with feathers and hairs. The horses and truck were left at one side, and the warriors separated to round up more collateral. A warrior returned from Le Borgne’s hut saying the chief wished the robes to be bought in with no delay and delivered to him. After receiving them he would come out and see his people. I fancied that in each mind was the fear that unless the robes were delivered, per request, he would come out anyway, to see his people, and would come with his wrist thrust through the loop of his war-ax. Seven more horses were brought forward, this time the _ pick of the herd, and in addition to the robes were many of their copper kettles. As their superstition forbad them cooking meat in their earthen pots, the offer of the kettles was conclusive proof of their deter- mination to-procure the robes. Again Flat Mouth shook the tail. Again the Minnetarees scattered for more goods. Chief of the Wolves, I noted, darted away toward his uncle’s hut, and with my gun in my lap I thereafter kept an eye out. It was while the savages were collecting their third batch of goods that Le Borgne came hurrying toward us, his nephew walking behind him. The chief carried his ax. He had been told the robes were not to be bought in a hurry and he was very angry, a sullen rage that burned on top of his former wrath when he was compelled to violate his vow. He wore his robe. Adventure The Pillager gave me a quick look, and I patted my gun and smiled grimly. If Le Borgne attempted to get the robes by casting his robe again and slaying the first alien he met, he would never more than get started in lifting his ax. The Pillager, who was naked to his clout, pickec up his robe and threw it over his shoulder. i followed his example, borrowing one hanging inside the porch where I sat. - Le Borgne grasped the significance of our action and surveyed us in silence for several moments through his smoldering eye, his ghastly grin making him look like a death’s head. “The day is warm,” he boomed, slipping off his robe and giving it to Chief of the Wolves to hold. “Tt is very warm in the sun,” agreed the Pillager, dropping his robe to the ground. I was glad to throw mine off. ITH this unspoken agreement that there should be no casting of robes, the chief took afew minutes to sweep his eye over the horses and goods and the white robes and, more precious than all, the calfskin. His voice was unsteady as he asked— “Where did the white man get these medicine robes and the hide?” ‘Far from here,” I briefly replied. Le Borgne turned on_ his _ people and warned: “This is no time to bring a few ponies. This is a big medicine sale. It must end quickly. Mighty medicine does not like to be hung out in the sun waiting for a buyer.” Then to me, the Pillager inter- preting: “Go to all the Minnetaree huts and take all you find, save only that one hut.” And he pointed to where the girl was imprisoned. He was practically offering all movable property in the village. I haveno doubt but that he would have thrown in the huts * if we had had a way to take them with us. I shook my head. The Pillager reached down and wagged the tail. My refusal threw the chief into a parox- ibe of rage, yet he restrained himself and said: “Go to all the Minnetaree huts! Go to all the Mandan huts on the Missouri! Take what you will—all the ponies you will. If any Mandan tries to stop you, tell him I sent you!” Gomichooks ia ie (E@