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A white man, like yourselves; one who has been long with our tribe a captive taken many years ago from some of the countries south. He is Shebotha's own slave, and watches over the paleface when she is out of the toldo."
For by the shuffling of footsteps, and a wheezing noise Shebotha's slave being afflicted with asthma they can tell that he is close by the entrance.
She has slept but little from the day of her entrance under Shebotha's roof, and no great deal since she last lay on her own bed at home. What sleep she now gets is only in short snatches; when tired nature can no longer continue the struggle with thoughts all the while torturing her. No wonder at sweet slumber being thus long denied her, with such memories to keep her awake!
This motley conglomeration is for the most part arranged against the inner wall of the hut, and opposite the entrance, so as to be observable by any one looking in at the door, or even passing by it. For its purpose is to impress the superstitious victims of Shebotha's craft with a belief in her witching ways.
As the gaucho gathers himself, stunned and somewhat dazed by the fall, 'tis to learn that for that night his riding double is at an end, with Shebotha sharing the saddle; for the sorceress is no longer to be seen! There is no mystery about Shebotha's disappearance nor aught out of the way save in the adroitness with which the aged crone contrived to effect her escape.
For she, too, anticipates the effect it will have on Shebotha's slave, from actual knowledge not by guessing, as with Gaspar. Knowing herself now at liberty and free to depart, without saying another word, she turns her back upon them; and gliding away with the agile, stealthy step peculiar to her race, soon passes beyond their sight.
In any case, he seems to be contented as Shebotha's slave; and, perhaps ignorant of there being any better, serves her with a fidelity worthy of a better mistress. No watch-dog at that toldo's door were more to be trusted than he. She inside has no intention, nor ever had, of tempting him to be untrue to his trust. Even could he be induced to let her pass out, what purpose would it serve?
Liberty? Mine's gone long ago. I'm but a poor slave Shebotha's slave. I can never be free again; no, never!" "You may be free now this very moment if you wish it." "If I wish it! Ha, ha, ha! That's a good joke! If I wish it! Only show me the way, and let Mam Shebotha go to " "Never mind Mam Shebotha. Listen to me, who am of the same race and people as yourself.
Never before has the sorceress been out of her toldo to stay for any continued time; above all, never during the hours of night. Why should she be absent now, and so long? While asking herself these questions, the captive has not the slightest intention to take advantage of Shebotha's absence, and make trial to escape. Well knows she that would be idle, and she could not get away if she tried.
Nacena, from a better knowledge of the situation, is of course the chief adviser, and it ends in her determining to show a bold front, and pass out as if already armed with Shebotha's permission. If interrupted, they can then make a rush for it. In short, after a hurried consultation, they can think of no other way, much less a better one.
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