The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-02-21

or Indians.
Grignon simply stood at distance, wav-
ing his arms at times, and giving words of
command. Every word was obeyed.
First they all began to dance.
Then they all knelt down.
Then they touched hands and could not
sever themselves from one another's con-
tact. One Indian suddenly rushed wildly
around, with the others all joined to him,
trying to free themselves but utterly una
bic, yelling and bowling like wild beasts.
At last shout from Grignon, and the
charm was dispelled. They sprang back
from one another, and stood motionless,
like so many statues.
Suddenly they all began to shiver as
though they wero suffering from intense
cold. They gathered their blankets closely
around them, their teeth chattering and
every limb trembling.
In an instant they were painting as though
with extreme heat and drawing difficult
breaths, gasping and flinging off those
blankets which but moment before they
had wrapped so tightly about them.
This then passed.
They began to bark like dogs.
They went down on all fours, and evi-
IDENTIFY imagined that they were of the ca
nine species.
Then they tried to initiate the motion
and croaking of frogs. After this they
went through performances too numerous
to mention. AT one time they became rigid
and arranged themselves like the stakes of
tent-heads together, feet outward
Then four of them knelt down and tried to
run about with four others on their backs
then they all jumped wildly up in the air,
and began to flap their hands. At last
they made furious onset upon one anoth-
er with fists, nails and teeth, and if they
had not left their weapons behind, they
certainly would have done some frightful
injury.
The two Indians who held the horses
looked on in horror, bewildered and strlpe-
fled not knowing what to do. They
would have fled in their fright, but dared
not leave their companions behind. Orig
non stood calm with frowning brows, watch
ing the uproar, himself the presiding spir-
it of the scene. My companions were CON
founded. Even some of them, as they af-
terwards told me, thought that Grignon
was the devil.
At last Grignon gave loud shout.
The Indians fell flat on the ground.
They lay for some time as if dead.
Then Grignon waved his arms, and they
rose to their feet. All looked bewildered
and frightened. With terrified glances
they regarded first Grignon and then one
another.
The Indian is superstitious, like all sava-
ges ; in fact, like all human beings. These
men saw in Grignon a terrible demon, who
could exert over them any power he chose.
He advanced toward them
They turned and ran toward their horses.
Grignon ran after them.
Away they went. They urged their hor-
ses at the top Of their speed.
Grignon followed them short distance.
Then he turned back and came into our
enclosure.
Gather up these bottles" said he.
"Tackle up the cattle, and let us be
marching"
Instantly our men rose and obeyed.
Grignon took heavy glass of whiskey,
and then lay down in one of the wagons,
utterly exhausted.
We travelled all that day. and the next
night unmolested. Grignon slept long
and soundly. After resting long time,
we pushed on our teams, so as to get as far
beyond the hostile Indians as possible. We
saw nothing more of them.
"They won't dare to pursue u.s." said
Grignon, confidently. "They'n go back
and tell such story as will be the wonder
of the savages for many long year"
Grignon was right. Not only did they
not pursue us, but for all the remainder of
the year, and for the next, no travellers on
that route were molested.
81 don't see, said |, chow you man
aged to do those tricks ON the open ground
without any table"
Grigon smiled.
"Only clumsy performers use tables"
said he. 81 could have done far more
wonderful things, but they would have
been thrown away on those savages. I'll
reserve my good tricks for San Francisco"
And so he did for of all the Wizards,
magicians, and conjurers that have visi-
ted the Golden State, none have won such
fame or excited such wonder as my friend
Grignon.