The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1947-07-24


up roots and pine knots. The
tribesmen of Nipegosis had done
this against the long winter for
their Conjuror. They did not
treat his as it had been their GUS
tom to treat other elders who
could no longer provide for them
selves.
Old Nipegosis was a wizard
still. They had seen wonderful
things he had performed-and
heard of more. They still regard
ed him with an inherent super
stitiouS awe. The breeds might
jeer at him, but the bloods knew
misfortune would overtake them
if they neglected Nipegosis.
He had no diciples. He was the
last COnjuror of his trib=. He
was very old and he had little
strength. His head, projecting
from the blanket that enveloped
him, was bald and looked like
the head of turtle with its prom
inent nose, beady, filmy eyes and
skin like Water-SOaked and sum
dried leather. His hand shook as
he filled and lit his pipe. After
the exertion of putting chunk
in the stove ne sat exhausted,
trembling.
Old, very old, and very wise.
The success of his magic came a
great deal from his long know
ledge of the ways of men and
of Nature. 1t is possible that in
his frances his subconscious mind
worked out various problems and
announced prophecies based upon
observation long stored, released
by the state of swoon, with the
vital functions very low but the
subnormal brain alert.
Many of his predictions had
come true, more and more as
his years advanced. Magic is the
secret of the unknown and, with
out question, Nipegosis had ways
and means of obtaining know
ledge that others could not guess.
Add such matters to his own in
nate wisdom and he produced
wizardry.
There were few occasions now.
upon which to practice it, few to
witness it, even when the rem
nants of the tribe made White
Rock their headquarters in spring,
summer and fall. But the room
was stocked with the parapher-
MALTA of his profession, gathered
through scores of years, inherited,
some of it.
Skulls of bear and bison painted
with various devices, old baskets
whose patterns were runeS. Rat
ties, war clubs and tomahaWks
with which to fight the evil
spirits. Medicine drums, carved
spears and wands of ceremony,
decorated with tufts of feathers.
Wooden bowls carved in weird
designs. Plummed bonnets, marks
that represented totem birds and
beasts, set with teeth carved
from cachalot ivory, eyed with
shell nacre brought from the Big
Salt Water to the west. Empty
shells of terrapin, antlerS, curious
ly twisted growth Of trees. medl-
cine bags. herbs, skins Of marten
and ermine. Mats and blankets.
A totem pole, carved and painted,
that reached to the roof-the
family tree of NipegosiS.
An hour before, an Indian had
driven his dog sled swiftly
through the deserted street Of
White Rock and left with the Con-
Juror the hind quarters of fresh
" killed moose. It was tribute as
much as kindly service. He spoke
briefly and vanished in tho grow
ing dusk Marion Macleod did
not see him. busy in the cabin
she and her brother occupied.
Will Macleod was out after game
himself, to feed his dogs.
Marion set out food for him
on the back of their stove against
his return, ate her own supper,
filled pail with broth for Nipe-
gosis, took a lantern and went to
the wizards house, closa-Wrapped
against the bitter cold. She had
been calling on NipegOsis at least
once a day since their arrival. A
traders niece, born to listen to it,
she could speak his tongue we'll
enough, as could her brother:
though Nipegosis sometimes used
words and strung phrases she
could not understand, scraps Of
a dying tongue already discarded
by the present generation.
She knew nothing Of the moose
quarters. The wind had filled in
the light trail of runners and
paws with drift.
Light showed dimly through
the ice-glazed windows of the
Conjuror'3 house. His two lamps
were of stone, with animal fat.