DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Fanfare, November 1950

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Fanfare, November 1950

Page 9

of the wiser men of the tribe the problem of bald---and thus weak-looking---chiefs. Little had he dreamed, then, as he cast his vote, that someday he, Eagle Eye, would become bald and thus subject to that selfsame law which he had helped to establish. But Fate is unpredictable, as the chief now sadly realized.
A low moan broke into his retrospection. There, in the sagebrush, not ten yards away, lay a figure. He knelt beside the man. Wise old eyes peered up at him from deep sockets in a weazened, ancient face. One word he distinguished from the harsh whispers which escaped the dry lips---water.
He went quickly to a near-by stream and returned with a small amount of the wanted liquid in a hastily-devised, leafen cup. The eyes were grateful as the old Indian slowly but greedily drank from the container. A few more words came to the old man as Chief Eagle Eye bathed his face; and then came sleep.
Gently lifting the man, the chief carried him to a cave in the near-by mountains where he had played as a child. There he made the old man comfortable and went in search of food.
For days he tended to the convalescent's wants, and gradually learned his story. It was simple: The old one---a medicine man from a far-off tribe---had wandered astray in search of a much-needed herb. While hunting, one morning, he had stumbled on a loose stone, and, falling, hit his head on another. All day---weak from loss of blood ---he had lain in the sun. Finally Eagle Eye had heard his moan.

Many days were spent in the procuring the various items which were necessary to make the powerful drug that Bird-Fowl said would end Eagle Eye's troubles. But finally they were prepared.
The medicine man had become a changed person. Again a light of confidence danced in his eyes, he regained his vigor, a nervous excitement seemed to possess him. Gone was the old man with the gentle eyes and softly-spoken words. In his place was a new and dynamic character.
As the days had passed and they had added more and more of the needed items to their store, the medicine man became more and more excited in proportion. By the time all the preparations were complete he lived in a frenzy. But at last that time came.
A large fire was built around the clay cauldron which they had made for the occasion. In went a mixture of ptarmigan blood and water; beaten sparrows' eggs were added and the whole mess was allowed to come to a slow boil. When it had boiled for a few minutes a bit of vulture tongue, crushed grackle bone, and some gyrfalcon eyes were dumped in and the resulting concoction was stirred. After some stirring the fire was put out and the brew was allowed to start cooling.
That night it was applied to the Chief's barren pate, and then came the wait. Weeks passed. Little dots could be seen here and there on the chief's sun-beaten head. The dots increased and grew. Chief Eagle-Eye was happy.
His return to the tribe was a momentous occasion. He was welcomed with great gusto. After all, a chief with feathers instead of hair is quite a celebrity.
The End
page 9

Saving...

of the wiser men of the tribe the problem of bald---and thus weak-looking---chiefs. Little had he dreamed, then, as he cast his vote, that someday he, Eagle Eye, would become bald and thus subject to that selfsame law which he had helped to establish. But Fate is unpredictable, as the chief now sadly realized. A low moan broke into his retrospection. There, in the sagebrush, not ten yards away, lay a figure. He knelt beside the man. Wise old eyes peered up at him from deep sockets in a weazened, ancient face. One word he distinguished from the harsh whispers which escaped the dry lips---water. He went quickly to a near-by stream and returned with a small amount of the wanted liquid in a hastily-devised, leafen cup. The eyes were grateful as the old Indian slowly but greedily drank from the container. A few more words came to the old man as Chief Eagle Eye bathed his face; and then came sleep. Gently lifting the man, the chief carried him to a cave in the near-by mountains where he had played as a child. There he made the old man comfortable and went in search of food. For days he tended to the convalescent's wants, and gradually learned his story. It was simple: The old one---a medicine man from a far-off tribe---had wandered astray in search of a much-needed herb. While hunting, one morning, he had stumbled on a loose stone, and, falling, hit his head on another. All day---weak from loss of blood ---he had lain in the sun. Finally Eagle Eye had heard his moan. Many days were spent in the procuring the various items which were necessary to make the powerful drug that Bird-Fowl said would end Eagle Eye's troubles. But finally they were prepared. The medicine man had become a changed person. Again a light of confidence danced in his eyes, he regained his vigor, a nervous excitement seemed to possess him. Gone was the old man with the gentle eyes and softly-spoken words. In his place was a new and dynamic character. As the days had passed and they had added more and more of the needed items to their store, the medicine man became more and more excited in proportion. By the time all the preparations were complete he lived in a frenzy. But at last that time came. A large fire was built around the clay cauldron which they had made for the occasion. In went a mixture of ptarmigan blood and water; beaten sparrows' eggs were added and the whole mess was allowed to come to a slow boil. When it had boiled for a few minutes a bit of vulture tongue, crushed grackle bone, and some gyrfalcon eyes were dumped in and the resulting concoction was stirred. After some stirring the fire was put out and the brew was allowed to start cooling. That night it was applied to the Chief's barren pate, and then came the wait. Weeks passed. Little dots could be seen here and there on the chief's sun-beaten head. The dots increased and grew. Chief Eagle-Eye was happy. His return to the tribe was a momentous occasion. He was welcomed with great gusto. After all, a chief with feathers instead of hair is quite a celebrity. The End page 9