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Harte, Bret, 1836-1902

"Drift from Two Shores"

" He was said to be small and
exceedingly youthful in appearance. Indeed, his earlier
appellative, "He Wipes his Nose on his Sleeve," was said to have
been given to him to indicate his still boy-like habits.
It was night in the encampment and among the lodges of the "Pigeon
Toes." Dusky maidens flitted in and out among the camp-fires like
brown moths, cooking the toothsome buffalo hump, frying the
fragrant bear's meat, and stewing the esculent bean for the braves.
For a few favored ones spitted grasshoppers were reserved as a rare
delicacy, although the proud Spartan soul of their chief scorned
all such luxuries.
He was seated alone in his wigwam, attended only by the gentle
Mushymush, fairest of the "Pigeon Feet" maidens. Nowhere were the
characteristics of her great tribe more plainly shown than in the
little feet that lapped over each other in walking. A single
glance at the chief was sufficient to show the truth of the wild
rumors respecting his youth. He was scarcely twelve, of proud and
lofty bearing, and clad completely in wrappings of various-colored
scalloped cloths, which gave him the appearance of a somewhat
extra-sized pen-wiper.


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