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Murfree, Mary Noailles, 1850-1922

"The Frontiersmen"

"
It was at this group that Tus-ka-sah looked with an intent gaze and a
sort of indignant question in his manner, and presently an elderly
Cherokee, one of the cheera-taghe of the town, detached himself from it
and came toward him. Despite this show of alacrity Cheesto distinctly
winced as he contemplated the sullen and averse mien of his client or
parishioner, for the relation in which Tus-ka-sah stood toward him
partook of the characteristics of both. The professional wiseacre,
however, made shift to recover himself.
"I will tell you what you have come to tell me," the prophet said
quickly. "The spell on Amoyah does not work."
Tus-ka-sah assented surlily, gazing meanwhile at the face of the
conjurer. It was a face in which the eyes were set so close together as
to suggest a squint, although they were not crossed. He had an uncertain
and dilatory tread, the trait of one who hesitates, and decides in
doubt, and forthwith repents; being in his prophetic character an
appraiser of the probable, and the sport of the possible. He wore many
beads in strings around his neck, and big earrings of silver, heavy and
costly.


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