Red Plume — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

60 RED PLUME. ‘The Yankee knew that it would be impossible to comply with this request, as the man’s skull was thoroughly shattered, and his brains, if any he had, must have completely left it, and he was somewhat puzzled to tell what to do. But his impudence again came to his aid, and he gravely assured the anxious relatives that it was beneath his dignity, and contrary to his practice, to exercise that portion of his sublime art upon - any person of less consequence than a chief, and that, even if he could so far lower his professional standard, his big medi- cine arrow would not consent to aid him in the work. They were obliged to be content with this. answer, as the great magician was inexorable, and he was soon provided with supper, and put to sleep, with his harpoon, on a comfortable couch. During the next day, Eben Gookin was the acknowledged lion of the village. To be sure, he was unfavorably regarded by an old woman, who, during many years, had been the established practitioner; but he easily disarmed her resent- ment by refusing to interfere with her treatment in any cases, and by actually asking her advice concerning the chief, and employing her to prepare for him certain soothing draughts and mild dressings for his wounds. An eminent city physi- cian could not more effectually have flattered the vanity of a village apothecary, by inviting him to a consultation, than Eben smoothed the ruffled feathers of that ancient mistress of roots and herbs. As for himself, his position was unquestionable; the won- derful manner in which he had restored Nip-muck-we to life had made him facile princeps, monarch of all he surveyed, in the “ big medicine” and magical line of business, He had no difficulty in refusing such cases as he thought beyond his skill, or in objecting to any thing that might give him trouble, for he could always consult his famous harpoon, and that in. — variably told him to do just as he pleased, and no one dared to question its decrees. Still, with all his popularity, he was making no progress with his great object, the release of Ellen and himself froni the clutches of the Blackfeet. That, however, it was necessary to leave to time and opportunity, and he congratulated himself, in the mean time, that he had his cousin to himself, and that comiclbooks.com