Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

DANGER IN THE DARK. 297
and remarkable firmness, with, however, a single exception,
poor Wimple, he boo-hooed ! Stouter hearts
than his have oft given way to despair, and that too
under lighter trials. The chief sternly refused to
give them any other satisfaction as to what would
likely be their fate, than to inform them, they were
bound for Red river.
The marauders proceeded with their captives and
their booty about a half day's journey, when calling
a halt, they encamped for the night.
Fortunately for the prisoners, Burbanks was something
of a dare devil as well as a wit. Oonceiving it
possible to take advantage of the ignorance and
superstition of their captors, and possessing, as he did,
more than ordinary magnetic power, he approached
the chief unexpectedly, and in a bold, resolute manner
slapping him on the shoulder, then looking him sternly
in the eye, said: "Villain, do you know that I 'm in
compact with the devil, and possess the power of
witchcraft ~ You're a fugitive from justice, and to
escape the gallows have fled civilization. Look up;
face me, I tell you; there now, you are bewitched,
and can move neither hand nor foot!"
And sure enough, the fellow stood powerless, and
was at once subjected, mentally and bodily, to complete
mesmeric control. After causing him to go
through a variety of singular maneuvers; to the great
amazement of the Indians, the magnetizer commanded
him to speak to the savages in their own tongue, and
tell them of the infernal power he was master of; and
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