Conjurers—Old Tapastanum—Boasting—Challenge Accepted—Medicine Man’s Tent—Bogus Bullet—Detected—Conjurer’s Defeat and Fall.
Not long after the visit to the mission and the School Mr Ross was visited by a number of old pagan medicine men and conjurers, the most noted of them being old Tapastanum, who, having heard of the visit of the young gentlemen from across the sea to the family of Sagasta-weekee, was anxious to make them a visit of ceremony. Tapastanum’s principal reason for a ceremonious visit was that he should not be eclipsed by “the Black-coat Man with the Book.”
Mr Ross, while receiving these old men as he received all Indians, in a civil manner, was not at all kindly disposed toward them, as he knew their influence was harmful and that they were a curse and a malediction to the people. Their very presence in an Indian village is a source of terror and fear. They never hunt or fish themselves as long as they can frighten other people into being blackmailed by them.
The coming of these men very much excited Sam and Alec, who had heard such extraordinary things about them. Some firmly believe that they are in league with the devil, and by his direct assistance are able to perform all the wonderful things of which they boast. Others, however, believe that they are rank impostors. The boys, who had heard so many conflicting things about these conjurers, tried to coax Mr Ross to get them to show off some of their pretended power.
For a time Mr Ross, who considered them only as clever scoundrels or unmitigated humbugs, objected, as he did not wish to seem in any way to encourage them. However, one day as they, from Mr Ross’s reluctance to put them to the test, became exceedingly boastful of their powers to do such wonderful things it was decided to give them an opportunity.
“What do you say you can do?” asked Frank of old Tapastanum.
“Do,” he replied, “I can so conjure that you cannot hit me with a bullet, or tie me so that I cannot spring up loose; and fire will not burn me, or water drown me.”
“All right,” said Frank, “one thing at a time. We will try the first, and see if we cannot hit you with a bullet.”
“What you give?” was the request of the old fellow.
“O, indeed, that is what you are after; well, what do you want?”