The Treasure of Nugget Mountain | Page 3

the softer notes announced something good. After this had continued some time, the medicine-man burst forth from his improvised temple, and ran round the circle shrieking like a madman. This performance was followed by a dance, slow and grotesque, made more so by the fact that he wore a horrible mask, and had all sorts of curious and ugly objects hung over his body, and the dance was accompanied by an intoned song. Both song and dance were violent at first, becoming quieter by degrees, till at last the medicine-man seated himself, his head between his knees, and remained silent and motionless for a long time. At last he sprang up, and an-nounced the result of his inquiry." Hear, hear, ye sons and daughters of the Apaches I This is what Manitou, the great good Spirit has revealed to me. Intschu-Tschuna and Winnetou the Apache chiefs, and Old Shatterhand, who has become our white chief, will ride to the dwelling place of the pale-faces. The good Manitou will protect them. They will go through many adventures without harm, and will come back to us safely. Nscho-Tschi too, who will stay longer among the palefaces, will come back to us safely, and there is but one of them whom we shall never see again."
He paused, and his head was bowed as if to show his grief over this last announcement.
"Ugh, ugh, ugh," cried the Indians, curious to hear more, yet not daring to ask. But as the medicine-man remained bowed down and silent, little Sam Hawkins, my true friend and faithful comrade, lost patience and cried: "Who is it that will not return? Let the man of medicine tell us."
For a long time there was no reply; then the medicine man raised his head slowly, looked at me, and said: "It were better not to have asked. But since Sam Hawkins, the curious pale-face, has forced me to say it, I will tell you it is Old Shatterhand who will never return. Death will seize him in a short time. They who would come back safely must not stay near him, for they who are near him shall be in danger, and they who are at a distance from him shall be safe. How!"
Now Old Shatterhand was the name that had been given to me, because of the reputation my strong hands had earned in knocking down any one who attacked me. Intschu-Tschuna and Winnetou glanced at each other as they heard these words One could not say whether or not they believed them, but they knew the fatal effect of the words on those men whom they had picked out to protect us. If they believed it dangerous to be near me the safety of the entire party would be imperiled. Intschu-Tschuna took both my hands, and speaking very loud so that every one could hear, reminded his people that the medicine-man had sometimes made mistakes in his prophecies, and that only time could show whether he had spoken truly in this instance. Scarcely were his last words uttered than Sam Hawkins stepped forth and said: "No, we need not leave it to time. There is a means by which we can discover at once whether the medicine-man has announced the truth. Not only the red men, but the white have their medicine-men who can read the future, and I, Sam Hawkins, am the most renowned among them."
"Ugh, ugh," cried the Apaches amazed.
"Yes, you wonder at that. Heretofore you have considered me an ordinary trapper, because you did not know me. But you shall find out that I know more than my prayers. Let some of my red brothers dig a small, but deep hole in the earth with their tomahawks."
"Would my white brother look into the middle of the earth?" asked Intschu-Tschuna.
"Yes; for the future lies hidden in the bosom of the earth and in the stars, and since I cannot read the stars in broad daylight, I must turn to the earth for that which I wish to know."
Some of the Indians had at once complied with his request, and were digging a hole with their tomahawks.
"Don't try any humbug, Sam," I whispered." If the Indians see through your nonsense it will make matters worse."
"Humbug I Nonsense!" he retorted. "What are the medicine-man's practices but humbug and nonsense? What he can and dare do, I can and dare do also, my cautious young professor. I know what I'm about. If nothing is done to reassure them we shan't be able to do anything with the men who go with us.
"I know that, but I beg you not to do anything ridiculous."
"Oh, it's solemn, perfectly solemn; don't you worry."
In spite of his assurance I felt considerable anxiety; I knew him too well. He was a born joker, and forever