human
Look here, exclaimed Frank,
gpt
I found it put right to one side of the door sill, he explained.
human
How we missed finding it last night I don't know.
gpt
What can it mean?
human
Looks as if some mischievous kid had put it there,
gpt
I don't think there are likely to be any 'mischievous kids,' as you call them, about here, Billy,
human
Well, I give it up, said Harry;
gpt
I never was much good at reading riddles.
human
Just let me look at it a moment, shipmate, put in Ben Stubbs quietly.
gpt
I kinder think I have an inkling of what it means.
human
It's some kind 'er voodoo for certain shu, exclaimed Pork Chops.
gpt
I wouldn't touch dat lilly bottle fo' all de money in dis yer worl'.
human
What did you say it was, Pork Chops, you inky pirate?
gpt
Lan' sakes, don' snap me up dat er way, Marse Stubbs, gasped the old negro,
human
I only said I wouldn' touch dat bottle. It's voodoo fo' shu'.
gpt
Right you are, my boy, cried Ben,
human
Obeah! exclaimed Frank,
gpt
Why, it's a form of witchcraft used by the ignorant negroes of the West Indies and Bahama islands, explained Ben.
human
It's meant as a warning to any one on whose doorstep it is placed. In this case, as I take it, it means, 'Don't come no further.'
gpt
Well, laughed Frank,
human
That's a puzzle to me too, remarked Ben.
gpt
Then Seminoles don't use nothing like this that ever I heard of.--What's that?