His people, however, were not equally satisfied by a regulation of trade which worked so manifestly against them, and began to show signs of discontent.

Upon this a crafty and unprincipled trader revealed a secret to the Blackbird, by which he might acquire unbounded sway over his ignorant and superstitious subjects.

He instructed him in the poisonous qualities of arsenic, and furnished him with an ample supply of that baneful drug.

From this time the Blackbird seemed endowed with supernatural powers, to possess the gift of prophecy, and to hold the disposal of life and death within his hands.

Woe to any one who questioned his authority or dared to dispute his commands! The Blackbird prophesied his death within a certain time, and he had the secret means of verifying his prophecy.