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LIVES of FAMOUS
INDIAN CHIEFS

FROM COFACHIQUI, THE INDIAN PRINCESS. AND

POWHATAN; DOWN TO AND INCLUDING

CHIEF JOSEPH AND GERONIMO.

Also an answer, from the
latest research, of the query.

WHENCE CAME THE INDIAN ?

Together with a number
of thrillin|;Iy interesting

INDIAN STORIES AND ANECDOTES FROM HISTORY

COPIOUSLY AND SPI.F.NDI DI.Y I IMS IRATK O. IN I'AK I
BY m-R SFF.CIAL AKTIST

NOR MAX B. WOOF)

HsMonan I.i-.fi'.. «- -A \ ■;•.«! t ..• I'-e Wh lo <• l. ,.■ . p.-. ;■«;..
twelve cdilio-:-) v 1 \ N..x% N, ^.... :.,. ^ \, ,^ , . . ..... .,

a v;:':'i.jii:>j:i v! :n..4r".v r •>-.<*' it •' .•' v .-. ."

PLBI.ISHFn B\

AMERICAN INDIAN HISTORICAL PrHLISMINt. l uMPANV
Brady Block, Airurx. In

\ "'" 8267B

(>op3rrigbted in 1906 by American Indian Historical Puhliiihinc Co.,
Aurora, Illinoia.

All rights of every kind rewr\'e<l

MbNTINa AND •MDtMO BY THE HCHRY O. tME^ANO COw

ENQRAVINO •¥ THE |i«LANO>«ALTON CO.

CHlCAOO.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT.

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

Who has observed closely and recorded justly the
character of the Red Man, and who, in the words
of Chief Quanah Parker, is the ** Indian's Presi-
dent as well as the white man's," this volume
is respectfully dedicated by

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Introdi^itiox, .......... 11

CHAPTER r.
<r»FArniQri, The Tndian Princess, 21

('IfAPTER II.
Powhatan, ok Wah-Un-So-Na-Cook, 41

CHAPTER in.
Massasoit. The Friend op the Puritans, ..... 65

CHAPTER IV.
Kisi. Phimp, ok Metacomet, The Last of the Wampanoacs, 85

CHAPTER V.

P««'*TiAr. The Red Napoleon, Head <!hief of the Ottawas and

o?:i:anizek of THE First Great Indian Confederation, . 121

CHAPTER Vi.

I^»..vN. cK Tal-Ga-Yee-Ta, The Caytca (Minco) Chief. Oratou
AND Friend of the White Man. Also a Hkief Sketch ok
«V»KNSTALK. .......... 173

CHAPTER VII.
' xpTAiN Joseph Brant, or Thay-EnDa-Ne-Gea, Principal

S\«HEM OF THE MoiIAWKS AND HkAD CHIKF OF THE luOQlOlS

< 4 >N federation. ......... 101

CHAPTER VIII.

Kf.i> jArKET. or Sa-Go-Ve\Vat-Ha, "The Keeper Awake." The

Indian Demosthenfs. Chief of the Senecas. '-'37

CHAPTER IX.
I.iTTLF. Turtle, or Miuuikiniqua, War Chief of the Miamis, and

( ONl^UEROR of HaRMAR AND St. ClAIK, ..... -X3

CONTENTS.

IXTRODUtTION, .......... 11

aTAPTER I.
CoFACHiQui, The Indian Princess, 21

CirAPTER II.
Powhatan, or Wah-Un-So-Na-Cook 41

CHAPTER III.
Massasoit. The Friend op the Puritans, ..... 65

CHAPTER IV.

Kiv«, Pini.iP, (h: Metacomet, The Last of the Wampanoacs, 85

CH APT KK V.

PoNTiAi . The Hei) Xapoleon, Heap Chief of the Ottauas and

()i:(;anizei: of the Fhjst CiREat Indian Confederation, . IJl

CIIAPTKR VI.

l^M.AN. OK Tai.-(Ja-Yee-Ta, The CAYr<:A (Min«:o) Chief, Ouatok
AND Friend of the White Man. Also a Hi:ief Sket<'H of
Cornstalk, . . . . . . . 17.'i

CHAPTER VH.

Caitain .Tcjseph Brant, or Thay-Fn-Da-Xe-CiEa, Principal
Sa< HEM OF the Mohawks and Head Chief of the luogrois
Confederation. . . . . 191

CHAPTER Vni.

Red .Jacket, or Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha, "The Keeper Awake." The

Indian Demosthenes. Chief of the Senecas, . 237

CHAPTER IX.

Ln*TLE Tl'rtle, or Mn'HiKiNiQiJA, War Chief of the Miamis, and

CoNgrEKOR OF Harmar and St. Clair, ..... JS.'i

viii CONTENTS.

PAGE

CHAPTER X.

Tecumskh, or **The Shootixg Star," Famous War-chikp op the
SuAWKEEs, Organizer of the Second Great Indian Confed-
eration AND General in the British Army in the War of
1812 317

CHAPTER XI.
Black Hawk, or Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-8he-Kia-Kiak, and His War, 363

CHAPTER XII.

Shabbona, or Bun.T Like a Bear, The^ White Man's Friend, a

Celebrated Pottawatomie Chief 401

CHAPTER XTII.

Sitting Bull, or Tatanka Yotanka, The Great Sioux Chief and

Medicine Man, ......... 443

CHAPTER XIV.

Chief Joseph, of the Xez Perces. or Hin-Mah-Too-Yah-Lat-
Kekt, Thunder Rolling in the Mountains. The Modern
Xenophon, .......... 497

CHAPTER XV.

Geronimo, or Go-Yat-Thlay. The Yawner. The Renowned

-Apache Chief and Medicine .M.\n 5-J!i

CHAPTER XVI.

Quanah Parker, Head Chief of the C'omanches. With an
Account of the Captivity of His Mother. Cynthia Anne
Parker, Known as "The White Comanche," 563

CHAPTER XVII.
A Sheaf of Good Indian Storif.s From History. .... 589

CHAPTER XA'III.
Indian Ane<'DOTES and Incidents, Humorous and Otherwise, . 673

CHAPTER XTX.
Whence Came the Aborigines of America f .... 721

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

1 Frontispiece.

2 CoFACUiQUi, The Indian Princess 19

3 Amsrican Horse, Sioux Chief, 29

4 Powhatan, 39

5 Captain Smith and Pocahontas, 49

6 Pocahontas, or Ladt Bebecca, 59

7 Ope-Chan-Ca-Nough, 69

8 Massasoit and Pilgrims, 79

9 Xelue Jumping Eagle, 89

ID King Philip, or Metacomet, 99

II Phiup Rejecting Eluot's Preachinc, .... 109

I'J PoNTiAC, The Red Napoleon, 119

13 mont<'alm at massacre op quebec 129

14 Hollow-Horn Bear, Sioux Chief, 139

15 Major Campbell and Pontiac, 149

16 Hollow Horn, 159

17 Starvfj) Rock, 169

18 Ixx?AN, The Mingo Orator, 179

19 Ixkjan and the Two Hunters, ...... 189

20 Joseph Brant, Mohawk Chief, 199

21 KiNf; Hendrick, Mohawk Chief, 209

i!-j Sir William Johnson and the Mohawks 219

ir3 Leading Hawk, 229

24 Rkd Jacket, Seneca Chief and Orator, .... 239

25 Massacre at Wyoming, 249

26 Corn Planter, Seneca Chief, 259

27 Adolph Knock and Family, 269

2*i Red Jacket Presenting Deer, 279

L'<t Little Turtle, Miami War-chief, ^ 289

30 Little Turtle's Warriors Chasing St. Clair's Scout, 209

31 Ouray, Late Principal Chief of Utes 309

32 TecuAseh, The Noblest Indian of Them All, 310

:<3 Tecumseh Rebuking Proctor, 329

;u The Prophet, Brother of Tecumseh, 339

.^5 Red Cix)ud, Noted Sioux Chief, 349

.16 Death op Tecumseh, 359

37 Black Hawk, Sac and Fox Chief, 369

3<* Buffalo Hunt, 379

X UST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PA«R

39 Keokuk, Sac and Fox Chief, 389

40 Shabbona, "The White Man's Friend/* Pottawatomie

Chief, 399

41 FbRT Dearborn Massacre, 409

42 Annie Red Shirt, Indian Beauty, 419

43 Wauboxsie, Pottawatomie Chief, .... 429

44 Plan op Sittino Bull's Tepee, 440

45 Sitting Bull, Noted Sioux Chief and Medicine Man, . 441

46 Sitting Bull's Family, 451

47 Chief Gall, Sioux War-chief, 461

48 Chief One Bull and Family, 471

49 Rain-In-The-Face, Noted Sioux Warrior, .... 481

50 Sitting Bull's Autograph, 486

51 Indlan Village, 491

52 Chief Joseph, op the Nez Perces, Greatest Indian SiNrr.

Tecumseh, 501

53 Buckskin Charue, War-chief of Utes, 511

54 ''Comes Out Holy,'' Sioux, 521

55 Geronimo, Noted Apache Chief and MEDiaNE Max, 531

56 Group op Apacwes, 541

57 Naiche, Apache Chiep, 551

58 Quanah Parker, Comanche Chief, 561

59 Quanah Parker and Two of His Wives, 571

60 Comanche Indians Stealing Cows, 581

61 Needle Parker, Indian Beal-ty, 591

62 The Mohawk's Last Arrow, 601

63 Lone Wolf, Orator and Principal Chief of the Kiowas, 611

64 Kiowa Annie, Noted Indian Beauty, 621

65 Se-Quo-Yah, The Cherokee Cadmus 631

66 Big Tree, Second Kiowa Chief, 641

67 Sataxta, Kiowa Chief and Noted Orator, .... 651

68 Chief Simon Pokagon, Pottawatomie, .... 661

69 Dr. Charles A. Eastman, 671

70 Dr. Carlos Montezuma, 681

71 The Last Shot, 691

72 Chief Charles Journey Cake, 701

73 Indian Maiden in Japanese Costume 713

74 Japanese Maiden in Indian Costume 725

75 Map Showing How America Was Peopled. . " . 737

76 Japanese Man in Garb of Indlan, 749

77 Indian Man in Japanese Garb, 761

INTKODUOTION.

E do not propose to apologize for writing this
book, for the reasons that those who approve
would not consider it necessary and those who
oppose would not accept the apology. Therefore,
we can only offer the same explanation as that
made twenty-four centuries ago by the ** Father
of History " when he said : ** To rescue from oblivion the noble
cfeeds of those who have gone before, I, Herodotus of Halicar-
nasstis, write this chronicle."

We deem it well, however, to mention a few of the many
reasons which impelled us to attempt the somewhat laborious but
i.\>njrenial task of preparing this work.

First of all, we were gratified and inspired by the kind
riKi^eption accorded our first literary venture, ** The White Side
€»f a Black Subject," which is now out of print after reaching
twelve editions. Added to this was the still more generous treat-
ment of our second production, **A New Negro for a New Cen-
tury." Nearly a hundred thousand copies of this book have been
isohl up to date, and the demand is still increasing.

Having done what we could to vindicate the Afro-American,
we next l)egan to consider the First American, when by chance
a copy of Thatcher's ** Indian Biography " fell into our hands.
We read this book with nuich interest, and were impressed with
two facts. P'irst of all, we noticed that while the author gav(»
the lives of a few chiefs well known to this generation, he filled
the bixik up with village or sub chiefs, of whom even historians
of this age never heard. Then, too, the book in (piestion was
seventy-four years old.

Thatcher's biography tended to create an appetite for that
kind of literature, and we incjuired for other lives of noted

12 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

Indians, but, strange to say, could only hear of one other book
devoted to that subject. This was a small volume written by
S. G. Goodrich, sixty-two years ago, and he gave only short
sketches of perhaps half a dozen Indians of the United States,
but the greater portion of the contents was devoted to the Indians
of Peru and Mexico.

We now concluded that if there were only two books giving
the lives of famous Indians, and both of these published so
many years ago, there was certainly room for another book on
the subject, which should be confined to the Indian tribes of the
United States and cover their entire history from Powhatan to
the present time.

We trust we will not be misunderstood. We know that many
Indian books have been written since the date of those men-
tioned, but they were on ** The Indian Wars," ** The Pioneer
and the Indian," '' The Winning of the West," '' The Manners
and Customs of the Indian," ** Folklore Tradition and Legend,"
and many other phases of the question. We know that Pontiac,
Brant, Red Jacket, Tecumseh, Shabbona, Black Hawk, Sitting
Bull, and perhaps others, have had their lives written, but in
each of these cases an entire book is devoted to one Indian and
his war. Our claim is that we have written the only book giving
in a condensed form the lives of practically all the most famous
Indian chiefs from the Colonial period to the present time.

Lest it be thought that we have an exaggerated idea of our
people's interest in the Indian, we will digress long enough to
prove the statement to our own satisfaction, and we trust also
to that of the reader.

Mrs. Sigoumey has well said with reference to this point :

* * Ye say they all have passed away.

That noble race and brave,
That their light canoes have vanished

From off the crested wave;
That 'mid the forests where they roamed

There rings no hunter's shout.
But their name is on your waters;

Te may not wash it out.

INTRODUCTION, 13

"Ye say their conelike cabins

That clustered o 'er the vale
Have fled away like withered leaves

Before the autumn gale.
But their memory liveth on your hills,

Their baptism on your shore ;
Your everlasting rivers speak

Their dialect of yore. ' '

We have ventured to add a third verse :

Ye say no lover wooes his maid,

No warrior leads his band,
All in forgotten graves are laid,

E 'en great chiefs of the clan ;
That where their council fires were lit

The shepherd tends his flock,
But their names are on your mountains

And survive the earthquake shock.

The mark of our contact with the Indian is upon us indelibly
and forever. He has not only impressed himself upon our peop-
raphy, but on our character, lang:uage and literature.

Bancroft, our greatest historian, is not quite right when he
-yiys, ** The memorials of their former existence are found only
in the names of the rivers and mountains.'' These memorials
have not only permeated our poetry and other literature, but
they are perpetuated in much of the food we eat, and every men-
tion of potatoes, chocolate, cocoa, mush, green corn, succotash,
hominy and the festive turkey is a tribute to the red man, while
the fragrance of the tobacco or Indian weed we smoke is incense
to their memory.

On one occasion, according to yEsop, a man and a lion got
into an argument as to which of the two was the stronger, and
thn.s contending they walked together until they came to a statue
n-presenting a man choking and subduing a lion. **. There,''
exelaimed the man, " that proves my point, and demonstrates
that a man is stronger than % lion." To which the king of beasts
replied, '* When the lions get to be sculptors, they will have the
lion choking and overcoming the man."

II l.Il'KS OF FAMiil S I\Iil.\\ iinKFS.

The Indians are neither sculptors, painters nor historians-

The only record we have of many of their noblest chiefs,
greatest deeds, hardest fought battles, or sublimest flights of
eloquence, are the poor, fragmentary accounts recorded and
handed down by their implacable enemies, the all-conquering
whites.

It is hard indeed for one enemy to do another justice. The
man with whom you are engaged in a death struggle is not the
man to write your history ; but such has been the historian of the
Indian. His destroyer has covered him up in an unmarked
grave, and then written the story of his life.

Can any one believe that the Spaniards, cruel, hard-hearted
and remorseless as the grave, who swept whole nations from the
earth, sparing neither men, women nor children, could or would
write a true story of their silent victims?

Is it not reasonable to believe that had Philip, Pontiac, Corn-
stalk, Tecumseh, Black Hawk or Chief Joseph been able to fling
their burning thoughts upon the historic page, it would have
been very different from the published account!

We believe that God will yet raise up an Indian of intel-
lectual force and fire enough to write a defense of his race to
ring through the ages and secure a just verdict from generations
yet unborn.

In the preparation of this work we have honestly tried to do
the subject justice, and have endeavored to put ourself in the
Indian's place, as much as it is possible for a white man to do.

We have prosecuted the self-imposed task with enthusiasm
and interest from its inception to its completion. We fully agree
with Bishop Whipple when he said: ** Our Indian wars were
most of them needless and wicked. The North American Indian
is the noblest type of a heathen man on the earth. He recognizes
a Great Spirit ; he believes in immortality ; he has a quick intel-
lect; he is a clear thinker; he is brave and fearless, and until
betrayed, he is true to his plighted faith ; he has a passionate love
his children, and counts it joy to die for his people. Our
terrible wars have been with the noblest types of the

ixrnoDucTtoN.

tndiaji^ ami with men who hail been the while man's friend*
Kiecklet said (he Sioux were the finest type of wild men he had
over neen. Ok! traders say it used to be the boast of the Sioux
that iJiey had never taken the life of a white man. Lewis and
Clark, Governor Stevens and Colonel Steptoe bore testimony to
Om devotiHl friendship of the Nez Peree for the white man/*

One evidence that our Indian wars were unnecessary is seen
ic thr fact that while our eountry has been constantly involved
itt ihem, Canada has not had any; although our Government has
iiptfnt for the Indiant$ a hundred dollars to their one.

Tliey recognize, as we do» that the Indian has a possessory

right lo tlie soil. They i)urchase tJiis right, as we do, by treaty";

htti their treaties are made with the Indian subjects of His

Majesty, the King, wliile our Government has enacted the farce

., - >: ift treaties with Indian tribes or their representatives,

rv were sovereign nations. Those tribes of blanket

htUan*, roaming the wilderness and prairie, livini^r by hunting,

trapping, finfaing or plundering, without a code of law^s to prac-

tJCt, or a government to maintain, are not nations, and nothing

in their hi»tor>* or condition could properly invest them with a

Tla^re are other lessons we can learn from Canada concem-
*^f the Indian <|uestion. They set apart a permanent reserva-
'«»a for them; they s<*ldom move them, while our Government
^ continually moved whole tribes at the demand of greedy
^hitv ni«>n who were determined to have the Indian's land by

^■"' 1T18 or foul» generally the latter. Moreover, the Canadian

[it selects agents of hisjh character, who receive their
ippointmenta for life; they make fewer promises, but they
Tulfif them; they give the Indians Christian missions, which
'^^^ the hearty mipport of Christian people and all theii* efforts
jr luward self help and civilization.

In 1862 Bishop Whipple visited Washington, and had a long
faR: with President Lincoln. Said he: ** I found the President
^j ulirtiTL* listener. As I repeated the story of specific acts of
>- (oil the part of Indian agents of that period) the

16 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

President said: 'Did you ever hear of the Southern man who
bought monkeys to pick cotton? they were quick; their long,
slim fingers would pull out the cotton faster than Negroes ; but
he found it took two overseers to watch one monkey. This
Indian business needs ten honest men to watch one Indian
agent.' " In speaking of this interview with the Bishop, Lincoln
afterwards said to a friend : ** As I listened to Bishop Whipple's
story of robbery and shame, I felt it to my boots "; and, rising
to his full height, he added: ** If I live this accursed system
shall be reformed." But unfortunately he did not live to carry
out his plans. However, we are glad to note an improvement
in the condition of our Indians, of recent years, which shows
that the public conscience has at last been aroused, and one
object of this book is to further that good work.

Another object is to disprove the oft-quoted saying of General
Sherman that *' the only good Indian is a dead one."* We have
written the biographies of twenty or more famous chiefs, any one
of whom was a good Indian, or would have been had he received
kind treatment from the whites, who were almost invariably the
aggressors. It makes one's soul sick to read of the white men
selling the Indian ** fire water," to brutalize and destroy; of
violated treaties; of outrageous treatment which aroused the
worst passions of the Indian's nature.

In selecting the subjects for our biographical sketches, we
were confronted with an embarrassment of riches. And while
there are none in the book which could well have been omitted,
yet there are many outside richly deserving a place in it. There
are so many famous chiefs, we found it impossible to give them
all a place in one volume. So we tried to select those who, in
our judgment, were the greatest, those who for special reasons
could not be omitted, and those whom we thought would make
the most interesting sketches.

We may say in this connection, that we refrained from

*" <^ the biographies of mixed breeds, such as Osceola Powell,

^ Sherman used this phrase at a banquet at Delmonico'ji. New York in the
9.

INTRODUCTION. 17

Weatherford or Red Eagle, simply because we knew, from our
experience with other books, that people would be prone to say
that their greatness was due to the infusion of the blood of the
superior white race. As far as we know, all of our subjects
treated at length were full-blooded Indians, except Sequoyah
and Quanah Parker, and most of them, as we shall see, were
nature's noblemen.

We have enjoyed peculiar facilities for prosecuting our
studies on Indian biography and history, having free access to
the four great libraries of Chicago.

For the benefit of others interested in the same subject, we
will mention a few of the many books we found helpful, in the
preparation of this work, besides the two already named.

At the head of the list we place Roosevelt's ** Winning of the
West," Parkman's " Conspiracy of Pontiac,*' Mason's '* Pioneer
History," Ellis's ** Indian Wars of the United States." In our
judgment these are about the strongest books we have read on
the subject, especially in relation to the Indian, the pioneer, and
the border wars.

In the next group we place Dunn 's * * Massacres of the Moun-
tains/' Finerty's ** War-path and Bivouac/' Helen Hunt Jack-
son *s ** Century of Dishonor," and Ef?gleston's ** Biographies of
Brant, Red Jacket, Tecumseh," etc.

In adition to our library w^ork, we spent much time traveling
amoncf the Indian tribes and making the acquaintance of many of
the most famous living chiefs, and cultivating their friendship,
so we record many of the incidents in the book as an eye-witness.
We referred to the Indian in this introduction as a so-called
'* vanishing race." As a matter of fact the Indian is not vanish-
ing: at all but slowly increasing in numbers. The census of 1890
irave the numl)er of Indians in the United States as 248,25:^,
while that of 1900 srave the total as 270,544, a net gain of 22,291
in ten years.

Another erroneous conception many people have of the Indian
we can only call attention to here. They somehow have come to
believe that the Red Man is very dignified and solemn, has no

18 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

appreciation of the ludicrous, or conception of a joke. Never
was a g:reater mistake. No one enjoys what he considers a good
joke more than an Indian. You will find some evidence that he
can be as funny as his white brother, in the chapter on * * Indian
Anecdotes."

We determined to have the illustrations one of the very best
features of the book, fully in keeping with the subject matter;
and, wherever possible, absolutely authentic. For this reason
alone, the publication has been held back several months, the
publishers sparing neither pains nor expense in procuring pic-
tures from photographers and collectors, who made a specialty
of the Indian, such as D. P. Barry, Drake, the Field Museum,
the Newberry Library and the Ethnological Bureau at Washing-
ton; some of the latter being copies of paintings made before
photography was known. We also procured photographs of sev-
eral rare paintings never published in any book before.

Should the book prove instructive in demonstrating that there
is a brighter, better side to Indian life and character than is
usually seen, the author will feel that he has not written in vain,
and he will be gratified if, in addition to this, it also gives
pleasure.

^ \

CHAPTER I.
COFACHIQUI, THE INDIAN PRINCESS.

A TRUE STORY OF DE SOTO AND HIS CAVALIERS.

COFACHIQUI seems to have been the name of a populous
and wealthy Indian province visited by Hernando De
Soto and his army of adventurers and cavaliers in their
wanderings in seardi of gold. They also applied this name to the
beautiful and intelligent young queen or princess who ruled the
Indians of this and a confederation of neighboring tribes.

It is impossible to trace the route traversed by De Soto, as
it was at times an aimless wandering through what is now the
States of Florida, Georgia, and, perhaps, the border of South
Carolina. But Indian traditions locate Ynpaha, the capital of
thr province of Cofachiqui, at what is now Silver Bluff, on the
east bank of the Savannah river, in Barnwell county, South
Carolina. From time to time rumor reached De Soto and his men
of this great princess, a veritable '* She-\Vho-Must-Be Obeyed,"
whose subjects were so devoted and faithful that her slightest
wish was law.

On day an Indian youth, who had been brought into camp
with other prisoners, told the Spaniards that all the neighboring
chiefs paid tribute to this great ruler, and sent her at stated
intervals provision, fine clothing and gold. The cavaliers cared
nothing for the provision and clothing, but they were all interest
when gold was mentioned, and asked the youth many (juestions,
through their interpreter, which he answered in full. He told
how the gold was taken from the earth, how it was melted and
refined. His description was so exact that the Spaniards had no
longer any doubt. They were greatly elated at the news, and after
robbing and plundering the Indians who had fed and sheltered

22 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

them during the winter months — the usual return for such
kindness — they broke camp and marched northward. Many times
during the march the Spaniards were on the verge of starvation
and wandering aimlessly in the wilderness, where they must have
perished, had they not been rescued and fed by the simple-
minded, hospitable natives. Even those from whom they received
such timely aid were often robbed and murdered indiscrim-
inately. No doubt the Indians regarded them as demons rather
than Christians, for the unprovoked savage ferocity of the Span-
iards would be beyond belief if the sickening details were not
piously set forth by the historian of the expedition.

On the 28th day of April, 1540, De Soto and his Spaniards
reached the neighborhood of Cofachiqui. * While the army
camped for the night the enterprising Juan De Anasco with a
band of thirty foot-soldiers went out to reconnoiter. They soon
found a broad, well-worn path leading along the banks of a large
river, probably the Savannah. They followed this path about
two leagues when, just as it grew dark, they reached a landing
opposite a large Indian town. There was no means of crossing
the river, neither would it have been prudent to have crossed
with such small numbers, not knowing the kind of reception to
expect, or the force they might encounter.

So Anasco dispatched couriers back in the night to inform
De Soto of their discovery. By daylight the vanguard of the
army, consisting of one hundred horse and as many foot, was in
motion, led by De Soto himself. When he reached the banks of
the river, and the natives upon the opposite shore caught sight of
his glittering dragoons on their magnificent steeds, they were
struck with amazement and consternation.

The interpreter shouted loudly for some one to bear a mes-
sage to their chief. After some little hesitation and deliberation,
the Indians launched a large canoe, in which six warriors took
seats. They were men of fine appearance and probably the coun-

rs of the chief. Quite a number of lusty men grasped the

and the canoe was driven rapidly through the water. De

'ho had watched these movements with interest, knew he

COFACniQUI, THE INDIAN PRINCESS. 23

was about to be visited by the head men of the town. He there-
fore ordered his showy throne or chaii of state, which he had
with him for such occasions, to be placed in position. Here he
took his seat with his officers around. The distinguished natives
landed without any apparent fear, and, advancing toward the
Spaniards, all six of them at the same time made three profound
bows, the fijrst toward the east, to the sun, the second toward the
we«t, to the moon, and the third to De Soto. ** Sir,'* said their
spokesman, ** do you wish peace or war? " ** Peace," answered
the Spanish general, as usual, ** not war "; adding that he only
asked passage through the territory and provision, in order to
reach other provinces, which were his destination; he desired
rafts and canoes also to cross the army over the river, and lastly
friendly treatment while he was marching through the country
to that he might cause it the least damage possible.

Peace, the ambassadors said they could promise ; as for food,

they had themselves but little, because during the past year a

pestilence had swept off many of their people and driven others

from their villages into the woods, so that they had not planted

their fields : and although the pestilence was now over, yet many

of the Indians had not returned to their homes. The settlement

opposite alone had escaped the scourge. They went on to explain

that their chief was a woman — a young princess, but recently

raised to the position. They would return and bear to her the

request of the strangers, who in the meantime must await her

answer with good confidence, however, for although their ruler

^as a maiden, she had the judgment and spirit of a man, and

they doubted not would do for the Spaniards all she possibly

could. With this the six envoys returned to their boats, and

I croBsingr the river were soon last to sight in the waiting crowd

, open the other shore. After a short interval the Spaniards saw

a decided commotion among the Indians. A large and highly

decorated canoe appeared and was hastily made ready, mats and

fwhions were placed in it and a canopy raised over one end.

Then quite a gorgeous palanquin was seen borne by four stalwart

Jwn. descending toward the stream, a young scjuaw, evidently

24 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

the princess, descended from it, and seated herself in the canoe
that had the awning.

Eic^ht Indian women followed, taking the paddles; the men
went in the other canoes. The women rowed the princess across
the river, and when she stepped out of her barge they followed,
walking up the bank after her. If there were any among the
cavaliers who knew classical history they must have been
reminded (although the scene was rustic and simple in compari*
son) of Cleopatra going up the river Cydnus to meet Mark
Antony, when according to Shakespeare,

"The barge she sat in, like a burnish 'd throne^
Bum'd on the water. . . .
. . . For her own person,
It beggar 'd all- description: she did lie
In her pavilion. . . .

Her gentlewomen, like the Xereids,
So many mermaids, tended her . . .
. . . At the holm
A seeming mermaid steers. ' '

The princess, making a low and graceful bow before the
Spanish general, seated herself upon the throne, which he brought
and placed for her at his side, and without waiting an instant
began to speak. She repeated what her warriors had said ; that
the pestilence of the past year made it impossible for her to fur-
nish the amount of provision she would wish, but that she would
do all in her power. And that De Soto might see her will in her
deed, she gave him at once one of her two storehouses of com,
collected in her village for the relief of her people who had
escaped from the pestilence ; the other one she requested De Soto
to kindly spare, for her own necessities were great.

She said she had another store of corn in a neighboring vil-
lage, part of which he could take if necessary. She offered half
of her own residence for De Soto's accommodation, and half of
the houses in the village as barracks for his soldiers. If it would
please him more, she and all her people would abandon the
Ullage and retire to a neighboring one. She also promised that

COFACHIQUI, THE INDIAN PRINCESS. 25

by the next day rafts and canoes should be in readiness to trans-
port the Spaniards across the river.

Abbott informs us that *' The generous soul of De Soto was
deeply touched as he assured her of his lasting friendship and
that of his sovereign.'' But there is not the slightest evidence
that De Soto was ever actuated by a generous motive. We are
inclined to believe, with Joel Chandler Harris, that the truth
seems to be that De Soto and his men cared nothing for the
courtesy and hospitality of the Queen and that they were not
moved by her beauty and kindness.

According to the historian of the expedition, the Spaniards
had quite a conversation with the young princess and were aston-
ished at her sound judgment and well ordered ideas. But they
also noticed that the Indians of this tribe were more refined and
intelligent in appearance, more affable and less warlike, than tho
othere they had met in their explorations. They were, moreover,
quite graceful and attractive, and almost as white as the Span-
iards.

While talking the princess had quietly and slowly unwound
a long string of pearls, as large as hazelnuts, that coiled three
tinu'S around her neck and fell to her waist. When the inter-
vit»w was over she handed the string of pearls to Juan Ortiz, the
interpreter, and told him to give them to tho governor. The
interpreter told her his commander would appreciate them more
if presented with her own hands. She replied that she dare not
<lo that for fear of being considered immodest. De Soto now
inquired of the interpreter what was said, and being informed,
answered with much earnestness like a truly gallant cavalier
: which he was not) : ** More than the pearls themselves would
lvalue the favor of receiving them from her hands; and in
wting .so she would not go against modesty, for we are treating
of peace and friendship, of all things the most important, most
•erious between strange people." Having heard this the princess
vme and with her own fair hands suspended the string of
fwtly pearls around the neck of De Soto. The governor then
imse and taking from his finger a gold ring set with a handsome

'J(i i.ii'hs or iw.Mors ixnf.w (iukfs.

vwhy that he always woi-c < wliicli In* liad ptohaMy pillaged troii-
the Peruvians) he irave it to the prineess. She received it witli
great dignity and placed it on one of her fingers.

Grace King, in her book, ** De Soto and His Men in Florida,' '
says, in this connection: ** This little ceremony over, she took
her leave and returned to her village, lea>nng the Spanish cava-
liers charmed and half in love with her, not only on account of
her mind, but of her beauty, which they vowed then and ever
afterward she possessed to the extreme of perfection. And so
also then and afterward they called her by no other name or
title than La Sanora, the lady of Cof achiqui ; and the name was
right, says the chronicler, for a lady she was in all respects.'*
The master of camp arrived with the rest of the army and it was
put across the river next day by means of the rafts and canoes
provided by the Indians.

De Soto and his cavaliers found themselves surrounded by
the most hospitable Indians they had yet seen. They were sup-
plied with everything the land afforded and rested in comfortable
houses and wigwams under the shades of the mulberry trees.

The soldiers were so delighted with the situation that they
were anxious to form a settlement there : but De Soto refused to
forget the only object of the expedition, which was to search for
gold and other treasures. The general was a man of few words
but an iron will, and his determination had the desired effect.
His men soon recovered their energies. While enjoying the hos-
pitalities of the princess they found out the burial place of her
people, and robbed their graves, according to the Spanish his-
torian, of three hundred and fifty weight of pearls, and figures
of babies and birds made from iridescent shells.

Learning that the widowed mother of the princess lived in
retirement about forty miles down the river, and that she was
said to be the owner of many fine pearls, De Soto determined to
get her in his power. He pretended, however, to be actuated only
by a desire to make sure of peace and tranquillity as long as he
was in the country.

At his recpiost Cofachicjui dispatehod twelve of her principal

COFACHIQUI, THE INDIAN PRINCESS. 27

officers inviting her mother to come to town and meet a people
never before seen by the Indians and see the wonderful animals
on which they rode. The Queen's mother, instead of complying,
sent her daughter a severe reprimand for having admitted into
Ijer capitol a body of strangers of whom she knew nothing. All
this being reported to De Soto made him more determined than
ever to get her in his power. Accordingly he ordered Juan De
Anasco to take thirty soldiers, and disregarding the privacy and
seclusion of the queen mother to bring her kindly but with force
with him to the camp. Anasco, although the day was well
advanced, set out at once on his mission. A young warrior about
the age of the princess was appointed by her to be guide for the
party. The princess also gave him special in8ti:uctions that when
the men neared the dwelling place of the queen mother, he was to
go in advance and warn her of the Spaniards coming, and suppli-
cate her to go peaceably and as a friend with them, and he was
to be sure and say that her daughter and all her people made the
^me petition to her. The young warrior had been reared in the
very arms of the queen mother, and she loved him as her own
son, and the princess chose him for this very reason, hopin<x that
love for the messenger would mitigate the pain inflicted by this
message. The young warrior matched his princess chief in looks
and learning and was strikingly attractive in face and figure.
He wore a diadem of rarest feathers, a mantle of finest and softest
deerskin. At his back was a magnificent bow just his own height
and an elegant quiver of arrows.

About midday the party stopped to eat and to rest awhile
under the shade of a grove of trees, for it was (jiiite warm.
Sittmg apart the guide seemed to give himself up to thought,
resting his head on his hand and every now and then breathing a
low sigh. Presently he took his quiver of arrows and placing it
before him on the ground, began slowly to draw them out one by
one and passed them to the Spaniards, who broke into exclama-
tions of surprise and pleasure, for each one was difTerent fi'oni
the other and had a beauty and novelty of its own. In polish and
workmanship they were indeed remarkable. Some w»Me WppM

COFACBIQII, THE ISDIAX PIUSCKSS. -U

But it was also doomed to failure. The ciueen mother heard of
his appn)aeh and with a few attendants secretly fled to another
retreat far away. After a fruitless search of six days, the canoes
returned. De Soto never again attempted to get possession of the

widow.

In the meantime, while Anasco was engaged in these unsuc-
cessful expeditions, De Soto had been making anxious inquiries
respecting the silver and gold he had been informed was to be
found in the province. He began by summoning the princess
before him and his officers and commanding her to bring all the
yellow and white metals and pearls she possessed, like the finger
rings and pieces of silver and pearls and stones set in the rings
that the Spaniards showed her. The princess replied that both
the white and yellow metals were to be found in great abundance
in her territory'. She immediately sent out Indians to bring him
in specimens. They quickly returned laden with a yellow metal
'''^niewhat resembling gold in color, but which proved to bo
copper. The shining substance which he had supposed was silver
^vasnothinir but a worthless species of mica or quartz. The sight
'>f tln'sc articles dissipated, in an instant, all the bright and
chiimrical h(>p«*s which had prompted the Spaniards to under-
^ak»Mhis lon<jr and perilous expedition.

It would seem that the warm-hearted princess sympathized
^^ith the Spaniards in their great disappointment, or she may
have feared they would vent their rage on her hapless people;
'^^rtain it is. she informed them that while there were no precious
i^t^'m-s in her realm, they did have great abundance of pearls.
'"intinir with her fingers to a temple that stood upon a neighhor-
'"}.' mound, she said: *' That is the burial place of the warriors
"f this village, there you will find our pearls. Take what you
^^i^h: and if you wish more not far from here there is a village
which wa.s the home of my forefather: its temple is far larger
than this, you will find there so many pearls that even if you
loaded all your horses with them and yourselves witli as much as
>"ii could carry, you would not come to the end of tlioni. Many
.V'-ars ha\> my people been eoUoeting and storinir pearls. Take

.32 LIVKS OF FAMOUS ISDIAN CHIEFS.

all, and if you still want more, we can get more, and even moi
still for you from the fishing places of my people."

This groat nows and the magnificently queenly manner i
which it was told soon raised the drooping spirits of the Spai
iards and ci^nsoloii them for the bitter disappointments about tl
gold and silver.

The fact of her inviting the Spaniards to ransack the toml
of her fort»fathers for pearls, seems, as. Goodrich says, ** utterl
inconsistent with all our notions of the reverence for ancesti
which is so striking a characteristic of the Indians. We shoul
have a strong doubt of the truth of the statement, were it n(
distinctly asserteil in both the narratives of the expedition." 1
our mind there is only one of two explanations of it — either tl
two historians deliberately falsitieil their statements to cover u
the impious sacrileire of IX* Soto and his cavaliers, or else tl
princi^ss was intimidateil until she pursued the peace-at-any-pric
I>olicy, even to the profanation of her ancestors' tombs.

The Spaniards s<x>n visited the temple which the princess ha
pointed out and tixik from it pearls amounting to fourtee
bushels, aceordinL' to one author, while others record a very muc
larger amount.

Two days latrr De Soto, with a large retinue of his o^
()ffict»rs and of the hous4»hol(l of the princess, started out to vi«=
the lar^'e temple at Talonieco, as it was called, situated upon tl
hi<:h bank of the river about three miles distant.

The country throuirh which they passed en route was vei
fi'itilc and in places covered with fruit tnvs filled with ripe fru
whicli tin* Spaniards picktHl and ate with relish, while they ca
trratulat^'d theins<*lves that the golden dawn of a realization <
tlicir dreams was brit:ht<*ning before them.

Th<*y fiuind this village contained about ^ve hundred cabin
all Hulistantially Imilt, and from its superiority of size aH
a|)p<'nrarHM» over other villages they inferred it had one day be€
the scat and residence of several powerful chiefs. The chief
residcnee on a mound rose larger and more conspicuous than th
others, but it was in turn dominated by the temple. The Span

Mi*€je% in fut, ecmld mBirnQdng but the temple it it looBied
up liefore them on a commanding eminence at ibe nde of thie
deKTted village. As it was by far the largest and moet imposing
edito flugr nw m their jonmegr throof^ the Soathland it merili
ftdoeriptkm. It was about three hnndred tffsi in length Iqr one
knndred and twenty in breadth, with a tall pointed roof that
^ittofed like an endumted palaee. Canee, slender and snpple,
vow into a fine mat, served for thatching, and this was stodded
vittioinipon row of all kinds and sizes of shelb with the bri|^
■de oat There were great sea shells of cnrions shapesi emehs
ttdpariwinkles — a marvel of playing light and color.

6nee King has given such a full description d the interior
ettlds temple that she must have received her information from
Ae neords of the historians of the ezpeditkm. Said sbe»
^'nmnring open the two large doors the Spaniards paused at
tteflmdiold spellbound. Twelve gigantic statues of wood con-
fronted them, counterfeiting life with such ferocity of expression
Md such audacity of posture as could not but awe them. Six
stood on one side and six on the other side of the door as if to
Mrd it and to forbid any one to enter. The first ones, those
next the door, were giants about twelve feet high, the others
diminished in size by regular gradation. Each pair held a
different kind of weapon and stood in attitude to use it. The
firet and large5?t raised in both hands great clubs, ornamented a
quarter of their length with points and facets of copper; the
''wond brandished broadswords of wood shaped much like the
steel swords of the Spaniards. The next wielded wooden staves
ibout six feet long, the end flattened out into a blade or paddle.
The fourth pair had tomahawks with blades of brass or flint ; the
fifth held bows with arrows aimed and strung, drawn ready to
shoot; the sixth and last statues grasped pikes pointed with
copper.

'^Passing between the file of monsters the Spaniards entered
^ great room. Overhead were rows of lustrous shells such as
covered the roof, and strands of pearls interspersed with strings
<>t bright feathers, all seemed to be floating in the air in wildering

34 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

tapestry. Iiooking lower the Spaniards saw that along the upper
sides of the four walls ran two rows of statues, figures of men
and women of natural size, each placed on a separate x>edestal.
The men held various weapons and each weapon was ornamented
with strings of pearl. The women had nothing in their hands.
All the space around these statues was covered with shields of
skins and fine cane mats. The burial chests were placed on
benches around the four sides of the room, but in the center upon
the floor were also rows of caskets, placed one on top of another
in regular gradation like pyramids. All the caskets, large and
small, were filled with pearls; and the pearls, too, were dis-
tributed according to size, the largest in the largest caskets, the
smallest, the seed pearls, in the smallest caskets. In all there was
such a quantity of pearls that seeing it with their own eyes, the
Spaniards confessed that what the princess had told them about
the temple was truth and not pride and exaggeration. As she
declared, even if they loaded themselves with as much as they
could carry (and there were more than nine hundred of them)
and loaded their three hundred horses with them, they could not
take them all, there would still be hundreds of bushels of them
left. And in addition there were great heaps of the largest and
handsomest deerskins, dyed in different colors, and skins of other
animals dressed with the hair on — cured and dressed as per-
fectly, the Spaniards said, -as could have been done in Germany
or Muscovy. Around this great room were eight small rooms all
filled with different weapons — pikes, clubs, tomahawks, bows
and arrows of all varieties and of the most exquisite workman-
ship; some with three-pronged heads, like harpoons, some two-
pronged; some with chisel ed^es, like daggers; some shaped
like thorns. In the last room were mats of cane, so finely woven
that there were few among the Spanish crossbowmen could have
put a bolt through them."

The revenue officers now proposed to take from the spoils the

royal fifth that belonged to his imperial majesty and to carry it

away with them. But De Soto said that this would only embar-

movements of the army with excessive luggage, that even

COFACHIQUJ, THE INDIAN PMINCE88. 35

now it eonld not ouny its neeenaiy munitioDB and provisioDS.
" Th^ were not dividing the land now/' he reminded them^
" only exploring it "

Sodi 18 the atoiy taken from the hiatorians of the expedition.
Bnt, aa Joel Chandler Harria says: '' It ia juat aa well to believe
a little of tlua aa to believe a great deal. It waa an eaqr, matter
for the aorvivora of the expedition to exaggerate theae things
and they probably took great libertiea with the faeta, bnt there
ia no donbt the Indiana poaKssed many pearla. Mnasela like
theae from whieh they took the gema are atill to be found in the
snail atreama and ereeka of Georgia, and an enterpriaing hoy
ought even now be able to find a aeed pearl if he aonght for it
patiently/'

It ia not to be doubted that rich atorea of pearla were found.
Some were distributed to the officers and men, but the bulk of
ten, strange to aay, were left undiaturbed to avrait the return
of the Spaniards another day. It is said that De Soto dipped
into the pearls and gave his two joined hands full to each cava-
lier to make rosaries of, he said to say prayers for their sins on.
^'e imagine if their prayers were in proportion to their sins they
must have spent the most of their time at their devotions.

The Spaniards were greatly elated at the discovery of these
riches. Some of them must have known that real pearls were
<«tiinated at a value next to diamonds, and there were undoubt-
rfiy many real pearls of great value in so large a collection,
possibly rivaling the one possessed by Philip XL of Spain, which
was about the size of a pigeon efig and valued at one hundred and
*i^.v thousand dollars, or that of Cleopatra, which was valued at
three hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars.

De Soto was urged to establish his colony in this country,
vhich was at once beautiful, fertile and rich in treasures. But
tbe persistent spirit of De Soto was not to be turned from its one
P^t all-absorbing object, the search for gold. He was a man
rf few words but of wonderful will power.

Accordingly he eagerly inquired of the Indians if they knew
of any still greater land or chief farther inland. The princess

36 LHES OF FAMOUS ISDIJS CHIEFS,

and her advisers had learned by this time that the best way to
get rid of such unwilling guests was to answer such questions
in the affirmative. They assured him that further on was a
greater and more powerful chief ruling over a richer country
called Chiaha. He determined at once to march thither. In
answer to the objections of those who wished to remain where
they were, he urged that in consequence of the recent pestilence
there was not sufficient provision in the country to support the
army for a month. That by continuing their march they might
find gold mines. Should they fail, they could then return, and in
the meantime, the Indians having replanted their land, there
would be abundance of food. He had his way and preparations
were made for the journey.

The conduct of the Spaniards had been so cruel during their
stay at Cofachiqui that the princess and her people had come to
regard them with fear and hatred. There were some indications
that the princess so far distrusted the treacherous and marble-
hearted Spaniards, that, like her more prudent mother, she was
about to secretly escape from them by flight. In some way De
Soto heard of this and appointed a guard who was to keep a con-
stant watch upon the princess, so that she could by no possibility
escape. And when he took up his march for Chiaha, ^lay 4, 1540,
the princess who had received him with so much grace, dignity
and hospitality was compelled to accompany him on foot with an
escort of female attendants. Even the old Spanish chronicler is
moved to remark that, '* it was not so good usajro as she deserved
for the good will she showed and the good entertainment that she
made him."

We fully agree with him, for there are but few instances in
all history of baser ingratitude. One reason why De Soto made
the princess his prisoner and carried her with the expedition was
to use her influence in controlling the Indians along his line of
march. In fact, the Indians of Florida, ^lexico and Peru were
80 loyal and devoted to their rulers that they often refrained
from attacking the Spaniards, lest they should imperil their lives.
It ▼' 1 this case that the Indians not onlv did not attack

COFACHIQUI, THE INDIAN PEINCESS. 37

the invaders while the princess was with them, but at her com-
mand they supplied them with guides to conduct them through
the wilderness^ porters to carry their extra baggage and provision
as it was needed along the route through her domain.

Bnt had the Spaniards treated the princess and her people
kindly and with justice all this would have been done from
motives of hospitality and good will. Kindness begets kindness
even among savage races.

De Soto did not accept the spirit of the letter from the noble
Ittbella, in which she wrote, *' I will no longer persevere in this
invasion of the lands of others which is always plunging me more
and more deeply into difficulties." Instead of this he followed
the infamous example which Pizarro, in Peru, and Cortez, in
Mexico, had set him. There is nothing whatever to justify his
•ttion, as it was alike cruel, dastardly and unnecessary.

After being dragged a prisoner in the Spanish army for two
or three weeks and covering a distance of about three hundred
niilcs, she found an opportunity to escape from her treacherous
4nd brutal captors. Passing one day through a thick forest she
M(i her attendants suddenly darted from the train and disap-
pwred. De Soto never saw her or heard from her again, though
^vm' effort was made to recapture her, partly because of the
casket of splendid pearls which one of her attendants carried off
^th her. Undoubtedly a band of her warriors were in renclt»z-
^«us there to receive her.

The historian of Florida, Oarcilasode la Vega, terminates his
amount of this princess by declaring that she possessed a truly
^lesoul and was worthy of an empire. Shame for his country-
DK'nhas induced him to suppress all mention of the brutal indig-
nity to which she was subjected by De Soto, and for which, as a
<'astilian knight, he deserved to have been de])riv(Ml of liis spurs.
The Portuguese narrator who accompanied the expedition states
the facts too circumstantially to leave us in any doubt about the
matter, and the noble and generous Cofachiijui is to be numbered
wnong those who suffered by trusting to the honor and justice of
the plunderers of the New World.

LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

Again quoting from Joel Chandler Harris (Uncle Remus), we
feel moved to say that ** De Soto's expedition was organized by
the spirit of greed. It spread desolation wherever it went and it
ended in disaster and despair. De Soto himself found a grave in
the waters of the Mississippi, and the survivors who made their
way back home were broken in health and spirit."

An attempt has been made to throw a halo of romance over
the march of the Spaniards through the wilderness of the New
World, but there is nothing romantic or inspiring about it. It
was simply a search for riches in which hundreds of lives were
most cruelly sacrificed and thousands of homes destroyed.

The only permanent good which resulted from it was the dis-
covery of the Father of Waters and this noble, Indian PrincesB
Cofachiqui.

[.^

CHAPTER n.
POWHATAN, OB WAH-UN-SO-NA-COOK.

WHEN the Ei^rlidi ocdonists first landed in Vurgiiua, fin
1607, they fonnd the eoontry oeenpied by Hum Umei
tribes of natives known t^ the general names Ifan
hack, Monaeans and Powha^ans,

Of these the two former might be ealled higjhland or momitaibi
Indians, because they occupied the hill oonntiy east of the AUe-
Skany ridge, while the Powhatan nation inhabited the lowland^
ng^oa extending from the seacoast westward to the falls of tl
riTen and from the Patuxent southward to Carolina.

^Ir. Jefferson, in his ** Notes on Virginia," estimates that the
Powhatan confederacy at one time occupied about eight thou-
sand square miles of territory, with a population of about eight
thousand people, of whom twenty-four hundred were warriors.
When it is remembered that there were thirty tribes in this coali-
tion, and that this estimate is less than one hundred warriors to
the tribe, it seems moderate enough, especially since it is recorded
^y an early writer that three hundred warriors appeared under
one Indian chief in one body at one time and seven hundred at
another, all of whom were apparently of his own tribe.

Moreover, the Powhatan confederacy inhabited a country
upon which nature bestowed her favors with lavish profusion.
Their settlements were mostly on the banks of the James, Eliza-
I'^th, Nansamond, York and Chickahominy rivers, all of which
abounded with fish and fowl. The forest was filled with deer and
^d turkey, while the toothsome oyster was found in great
abundance on the shores of the Chesapeake and its numerous
'Diets. Indeed, the whole region seems to have been a veritable
paradise for hunter and fisherman. Vast quantities of corn, too,

42 LIVES OF FAMOUS IS VI AS CHIEFS,

yearly rewarded even the crude agriculture of the Indians,
bestowed as it was upon the best portion of a fertile soil.

Captain John Smith, the hero and historian of early Virginia,
informs us that at one time ** the rivers became so covered with
swans, geese, ducks and cranes that we daily feasted \iith good
bread, Virginia pease, pumpions (pumpkins) and putchamins (a
wild plum), fish, fowl and diverse sorts of wild beasts so fat as
we could eat them." He might have added, "And the barbarous
people showed us no little kindness," but at first were ready to
divide with them their ample store, for on one occasion when
Smith undertook an exploring tour .into the interior late in the
season a violent storm obliged him and his men to keep Christmas
among the savages. **And we were never more merry," he
relates, ** nor fed on more plenty of good oysters, fish, flesh, wild
fowl and good bread, nor ever had better fires in England."

The mention of oysters here is the first account of this palat-
able bivalve we have found in history. They also graced the first
Thanksgiving dinner, as will be seen in another chapter. But it
might be asked, why is it, since Virginia was a land of such great
abundance of food, we read so much of famine and ** the starving
time " among the colonists at Jamestown? Simply because the
men sent over by King James were for the most part so idle,
improvident and utterly worthless that they would have literally
starved to death ** with stewed pigeons flying into their mouths."

Shortly after the settlement at Jamestown Captains Smith
and Newport, accompanied by twenty-three others, sailed up the
James river to its falls. A few miles below where Richmond now
stands, near what is known as Mayo's plantation, they visited an
Indian village of a dozen houses called Powhatan. Here they met
and were entertained by the leading chief, or werowance, of the
Powhatan confederacy, who, strange to say, was also called Pow-
hatan. Indeed, the English understanding but little of the
Indian language, and hearing this name often mentioned, and
always with awe or reverence, by turns regarded it as the name of
a river, of the country, of the people, of a town and of their head
sachem.

POWHATAN, OB WAH-VN-SONA-COOK. 43

But little is known of this, the first interview between Captain
Smith and company and the great sagamore and his people, but
it is recorded that the English were kindly and hospitably
received, as they usually were, and feasted on fruit, fish and
vegetables, as well as roast deer and cakes.

Bancroft says the savages at first murmured at this intrusion
of strangers into the country; but their crafty chief disguised/
his fear and would only say, **They hurt you not; they take but
a little waste land."

But even Powhatan grew suspicious of a cross which Newport
insisted on erecting as a sign of English dominion until the latter,
probably at the suggestion of Smith, told him the arms repre-
sented Powhatan and himself, and the middle their united league.
The interview ended by the return of the explorers to Jamestown,
but before doing so Newport presented the chief with a hatchet,
with which he was much delighted.

The English invested savage life with all the dignity of
European courts. Powhatan was styled ** king " or ** emperor,"
his wives, of whom he had many, were ** (|ueens," his daughter
was a ** princess " and his principal warriors were ** lords of
the kin^om.'*

In his younger days Powhatan had been a great warrior.
Hereditarily he was sachem of eight tribes and by his arras he
subdued twenty-two others, so that at this time he was the mighty
werowance, or sagamore, of thirty of the forty tribes of Virginia.
This great chief has been called the Indian Caesar, and certainly
his system of government was strikingly similar to that of the
Roman Empire, for the hereditary chiefs or ** kings " of the sub-
ject tribes were permitted to rule their own people as before the
conquest and their local laws and customs were not interfered
with on condition of their paying annual tribute to Powhatan of
* skinnes. beads, copper, pearle, deere, turkies, wild beasts and
eorae. What he commandeth they dare not disobey in the least
thing." Moreover, as if to make the resemblance more remark-
able, his subjects regarded him as half man and half god, just as
the Roman people regarded their emperors as demi-gods.

44 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

lie is described as a ** tall, well-proportioned man \vith a
mwer looke, his head somewhat gray, his beard so thinne that it
•<<eemeth none at all, his age neare sixtie, of a very able and hardy
iKxly, to endure any labor/' And certainly the extent of his
conquests, his unlimited power over his subjects and the pomp
which he maintained invested Powhatan with no little courtly
though savage dignity.

Besides this village of his own name where he entertained
Hmith and Newport, Powhatan had a larger town on the York
river called We-ro-wo-eo-mo-co, a hunting town in the wilderness
called Orapax, and others. At each of his hereditary towTis there
wau a house built in the form of a long arbor for his especial
reception, and when the great chief made a visit to one of his
towns a feast was made ready in advance and spread in the long
house. A mile from Orapax, deep in the woods, he had another
arbor-like house in which he kept all his treasures, such as furs,
cof)f)er, pearls and beads, to have them ready for his burial.
Though isolated, the contents of this treasure-house were never
disturbed, but whether this was due to the terror inspired by the
owner or to superstitious reverence is not known. Perhaps it was
both.

It is said that Powhatan had twenty sons and eleven daugh-
ters living at the time of the Jamestown settlement. We know
nothing of his sons except Nanta(|uans, who is described as **the
most manliest, comliest and boldest spirit, ever seen in a savage."

Pocahontas, the favorite daughter of Powhatan, was thought
to have been born in 1594, which would make her about thirteen
years of age at the time of Captain Smith's trial before her
august father. Nothing is known of her mother; she was simply
one of Powhatan's numerous wives, and it is within the bounds
of possibility that, growing tired of her, the chief had presented
her to one of his subj(»cts whom he wished to honor, for such was
his custom.

The Indians believed that a knowledge of the real names of
persons gave their enemies power to cast spells upon them, so
they were frequently known by several names and endeavored to

POWHATAN, OS WAH-UN^SO-NA-COOK. 45

ecmeeal their true ones. They also had a eustom of changing the
name npon great occasiona.

Poeahontaa, aignifying, it is said, '' Bright Stream Between
Two Hills," was the household name of Powhatan's ^* dearest
dan^ter." She had also two other names, Amonate and
Matoaka, the last being her " real name." Besides her favorite
brother, Nantaquans, we know the names of two sisters, Mata-
ehanna and Cleopatre. The real name of Powhatan, it seems, was
Wah-un-ao-na-cook. This powerful Indian sagamore was at first
attended by a bodyguard of forty or fifty tall warriors, which
was increased to two hundred after hostilities commenced with
the English.

Captain Smith informs us that '' every night upon the foare
quarters of his house are four sentinels, each from other a slight
shoot, and at every halfe houre one from the corps on guard doth
hollow, shaking his lips with his finger betweenc them, onto
whom every sentinel doth answer round from his stand ; if any
faile, they presently send forth an officer that beateth him
i*xtremely." This is the first description we have of the Indian
warwhoop still in vogue among certain tribes, and while it was a
safeguard to prevent surprise, it must have tended to murder
sleep about every half-hour during the watch of the night.

We also read that Powhatan had a flei^t, of which he was very

proud. It consisted of a large number of the canoes called ** dug-

; nuts," which are still in use among some tribes of Indians. These

Wts were made by a very lal>orious ])rocess. Trees of a kind of

timber which would float readily were felled by fire and from the

I trunks a boat was shaped and hollowed out by means of burning

I and scraping with shells and tomahawks.

[ The family of Powhatan was numerous and influential.

B«*«ides his sons and daughters there were also thret* brothers
* younger than himself; and upon them successively (and not his
*>n8) according to their several ages, custom seems to have
fw^uired that the government should devolve after his own death.
The eldest, Opitchipan, accordingly succeeded him, in form at
'<^t. But this chief proved to be an inactive and unambitious

46 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

man, owing in part to the fact that he was well advanced in
years. He was soon thrown into the shade by the superior energy
and greater talent of Ope-chan-ca-nough, who, before many years,
ruled the entire federation acquired by Powhatan. Of the
younger brother, Kekataugh, scarcely anything is known. He is
thought to have died before an opportunity occurred to show his
ability in a public station.

It was Ope-chan-ca-nough, then sachem of the Pamwnkies,
who captured the indomitable Captain Smith while the latter
was engaged in exploring the Chickahominy river.

Having gone as far as they could in a barge, Captain Smith
left it moored in the middle of a small lake out of the reach of
the savages on the banks, and accompanied by Robinson, Emry
and two friendly Indians, pushed on up the stream in a smaller
boat. Those with the barge were ordered on no account to go
ashore. But the order was disobeyed and they came near forfeit-
ing their lives by their rashness, for two or three hundred Indians
lay in ambush on the banks. When, on landing, the English dis-
covered the crouching savages, they fled precipitately to their
boat and escaped, leaving one of their number, George Cassen, a
prisoner. Him the Indians compelled to show the direction taken
by Smith, after which he was put to death in a barbarous manner.

Smith's party was overtaken among the Chickahominy
swamps or ** slashes," as they are called in Virginia, Robinson
and Emry were killed and Smith himself captured, but only after
a terrible resistance. He fought like a lion at bay, tied one of
the Indian guides to his left arm for a shield, killed three Indians,
wounded several others and would have escaped had he not
stepped backward into a deep quagmire.

He now surrendered to the Indian sachem Ope-chan-ca-nough,
who conducted him in triumph through the Indian villages on
the Potomac and the Rappahannock, thence to his own town,
Pamunkey. At this place the medicine men practiced incanta-
tions and ceremonies for the space of three days, hoping to
obtain some insight into the mysterious character and designs
of the captive in order to determine his fate. By this time Smith

had m owa n fd lui Mpton that thqr f ear^ ta infliet the daatfi
penalty witiMwl the eonenrrenee of their great werowanee, Pow-
hataxL Aeemding^ he was coovejred to We-ro-wo-ao-mo-eo-y the
fsfotita hQnie of thia ehieftain of the ehkfiiy on the YoA riter,
a few uilea item the hiatorie field of Yoristowiu

Arrrfing at We-ro-wo-eo-nio-eo» Captain Sndih waa detained
near the town nntil preparationa had bieen made to reeeive him
inatate. When Powhatan and hia train had tinie to array
advea in all '* their greateat braveriea '' the noted priaoner
admitted to the great ehief 'a preaenee. Powhatan '^ looked erety
ineh & king "' aa lie eat on a kind of throne in* the hmi^ioiia^
eo¥«red with a robe of raecoon akin, and with a eoronet^of
imrneiiae gaily colored pinmea on hia head* Hia two faforite
dani^teiB aat on ri^t and left while filea of warrion and womeii
of rank, hia jbvorite wivea or aistera^-were ranged around the halL

On Shnith'a entrance into the hall of atate a gxeat about aioae
from those present. At a signal a handsome Indian woman, per-
haps a sister of the great chief, whom Smith styles ** the Queen
of Appamatuck," brought water in a copper basin to wash the
prisoner's hands, while her companion presented a bunch of
feathers with which to dry them.

Powhatan now proceeded to question Smith closely as to
where he was from, where he was going, what brought the whites
to his country, what were their intentions, what kind of a coun-
try they lived in and how many warriors they had. No doubt
the captain was equal to the occasion, but it is quite probable
that the grim old savage regarded him as a liar. Again quoting
Smith, **A long consultation was held, but the conclusion was,
two great stones were brought before Powhatan, then as many
savages as could, layd hands on him, dragged him to them and
thereon layd his head," in position to be crushed with a war club.
A stalwart warrior was appointed executioner. The signal was
given, the grim executioner raised his heavy war club and another
moment had decided the fate both of the illustrious captive and
his colony. But that uplifted bludgeon was not destined to fall
upon the head of Smith. Matoaka, or Pocahontas, the eV

48 LIVES OF FAMOrS I\DIAX CHIEFS.

daughter of Powhatan, sprang from her seat, and rushing
between the big warrior and his intended victim, she clasped
**hi8 head in her arms and laid her own upon his to save him
from death." She held on with the resolution of despair until
her father, yielding to her frantic appeals, lifted them up and
ordered Smith to be released. *'The Emperor was contented; he
should live to make him hatchets" (like the one Newport had
presented) **and her beads and copper trinkets."

Ridpath well says, ** There is no reason in the world for doubt-
ing the truth of this affecting and romantic story, one of the
most marvelous and touching in the history of any nation."

Bancroft also records the incident as a historical fact and
moralizes on it by saying, *'The gentle feelings of humanity are
the same in every race and in everj' period of life ; they bloom,
though unconsciously, evert in the bosom of a young Indian
maiden."

The truth of this beautiful story was never doubted until
1866, when the eminent antiquarian. Dr. Charles Deane, of Cam-
bridge, Massachusetts, in reprinting Smith s first book, **The
True Relation of 1609," pointed out that it contains no reference
to this hair-breadth escape. Since then many American historians
and scholars have concluded that it never happened at all, and in
order to be consistent they have tried to prove that Smith wa«
a blustering braggadocio, which is the very last thing that could
in truth be said of him. The rescue of a captive doomed to death,
by a woman, is not such an unheard-of thing in Indian stories.

If the truth of this deliverance be denied, how then did Smith
come back to Jamestown loaded with presents when the other
tliree men were killed, Oeorge Cassen, in particular, in a most
liorrible manner? And how is it, supposing Smith's account of it
to bo false, that Pocahontas aftt*rward frecjuently came to James-
town with her attendants bringing baskets of corn and was, next
to Smith himself, the salvation of the colony? She was also sent
by her father to intercede with Smith for the release of prisoners.
The fact is, nobody doubted the story in Smith's lifetime and he
had enemies eHoucrh. Pocahontas never visitiMl Jamestown after

POWBATAN, OB WAff-UN^SONA-COOK.

Smith went to England ic October, 1609; until she wiik kidnapi
and taken there in Aprils 1613, by the infamous Captain Argan, ^
with the aid of Japazawa, the ehief sachem of the Patawomeke^

or Potomaes. i

It is true there is no mention of Pocahontas saving the li
of Smith in the **True Relation/' but it must not be forgotten
that it m eonfei^ed that the editor came upon his copy at seeotid
or third hand ; that is, we suppose that it hatl been copied in
MS. He also confesses to select iug what he thought **fit to b«
printed/* ''Can any one doubt/' says Eggleston. **that the «
*Tnie Relation' was carefully revised, not to say corrupted, ii
the interest of the company and the colony T And, if so, whi
more natural than that the hostility of so great a chief m Pow-
hatan would be eoDcealed? For the great need of the colony was
3 fresh supply of colonists. Nothing would have so much tended
to check emigration to Virginia (especially women) as a belief
that the most powerful neighboring prince was at war with the
settlement."

But Smith does mention the thrilling incident in his letter to
Queen Anne, on behalf of his protege, and rings the changes on
it. Said he, ** Pocahontas, the King's most dear and well-beloved
daughter, being but a child of twelve or thirteen years of age,
whose compassionate, pitiful heart, of desperate estate, gave me
much cause to respect her. " . . . . For * * at the minute of my
execution she hazarded the beating out of her own brains to save
mme; and not only that, but so prevailed with her father that
I was safely conducted to Jamestown. ' '

The amiable young ** princess," Pocahontas, became the first
Christian convert in Virginia, as well as the first bride, when she
married John Rolfe, in 1613. At her baptism she received the
name *'Lady Rebecca," no doubt in allusion to Rebekah, the wife
of Isaac, who became the mother of two distinct nations and two
nuumer of people.

In 1616 she and her husband went to England. Here the
"LadyEebecca" received great attentions at court and was enter-
tained by the Bishop of London. Pocahontas remained in Eng-

52 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

land about a year ; and when, with her husband and son, she was
about to return to Virginia, with her father's counselor, Tomo-
como, she was seized with smallpox at Gravesend and died in
Jime, 1617, aged twenty-two.

It may assist the reader to remember the place by recalling
that at Gravesend her beautiful life came to an end and she
found a grave under the chancel of the parish church.'

John Rolfe returned to Virginia and became a prominent
oflBcial of the colony. Ilis son, Thomas Rolfe, was taken to
London, where he was brought up by an uncle. When he was a
young man he came to Virginia, and, as *' Lieutenant Rolfe,"
commanded Fort James, on the Chickahominy.

In 1644, when about twenty-six, he petitioned the Governor
for permission to visit his great uncle, Ope-chan-ca-nough, and
his aunt, Cleopatre, who still lived in the woods on the York
river. He married a young lady of England, became a gentle-
man of **note and fortune'* in Virginia, and some of the most
prominent families of that State are descended from him.

John Randolph, of Roanoke, was the best known of his
descendants and was proud of his Indian blood. His manner of
walking and the peculiar brightness of his eyes are said to have
shown his origin, and he once said he came of a race who never
forgot a kindness or forgave an injury. Randolph was sixth in
descent from Pocahontas, through Jane Rolfe, her grand-
daughter. **And," as John Esten Cook says, **the blood of Pow-
hatan mingled with that of his old enemies. Dead for many
years, and asleep in his sepulcher at Orapax, the savage old
Emperor still spoke in the voice of his great descendant, the
orator of Roanoke.*'

The crafty Powhatan, seeing how much superior the English
weapons were to his own, determined to possess some of them.
Accordingly, after sparing the life of Captain Smith, he told him
that they were now friends and that he would presently send him
home, and when he arrived at Jamestown he must send him two
great guns and a grindstone. He also promised to consider him
his son iuul give him the country of Capahowosick.

rOWHATAN, OR WAH-ON-SO-NA'COOK. 53

Smith was shortly afterward sent to Jamestown with twelve
guides and arrived safely after seven weeks' captivity. Here he
treated his savage guides with great hospitality and showed Raw-
hunt, their leader, two demi-colverins (long cannon carrying a
nine-poand shot) and a millstone to carry to Powhatan. The
Indians^ however, ** found them somewhat too heavy.'* To give
them a wholesome fright. Smith caused a cannon to be loaded with
stone and fired among the boughs of trees filled with icides. The
effect may easily be imagined.

Presents of various toys and trinkets were now given the
Indians for Powhatan and his family and they went away satis-
(fed.

During the same winter Smith visited Powhatan in company
with Newport Attended by a guard of thirty or forty men ibey
ailed as far as We-ro-wo-co-mo-co the first day. Here Newport's
eourage failed him. But Smith, with twenty men, went on and
visited the chief at his town.

Powhatan exerted himself to the utmost to give his adopted

son a royal entertainment. The warriors shouted for joy to see

Smith; orations were addressed to him and a plentiful feast

provided to refresh him after his journey. The great sachem

received him, reclining upon his bed of mats, his pillow of dressed

skin lying beside him with its brilliant embroidery of shells and

beads, and his dress consisting chiefly of a handsome fur robe.

Along the sides of the house sat twenty comely females, each

with her head and shoulders painted red and a great chain of

white beads about her neck. ** Before these sat his chief est men

in like order, and more than fortie platters of fine bread stood in

two piles on each side of the door. Foure or five hundred people

made a guard behind them for our passage ; and Proclamation

was made, none upon paine of death to presume to doe us any

wrong or discourtesie. With many pretty discourses to renew

I thdr old acquaintance, this great king and our captain spent the

time, till the ebbe left our barge aground. Then renewing their

feast with feates, dauncing and singing, and such like mirth, we

loartered that night with Powhatan."

54 LIl'LS OF bASlOlS ISDIAS CHIEFS.

The next day Captain Newport came ashore and was received
with savage pomp, Smith taking the part of interpreter. New-
port presented Powhatan with a boy named Thomas Salvage. In
return the chief gave him a servant of his named Namontaek,
and several days were spent in ** feasting, dancing and trading,"
during which time the old sachem manifested so much dignity
and so much discretion as to create a high admiration of hii
talents in the minds of his guests.

Newport had brought with him a variety of articles for barter,
such as he supposed would command a high price in com. Not
finding the lower class of Indians profitable, as they dealt on a
small scale and had but little corn to spare, he was anxious to
drive a bargain with Powhatan himself. This, however, the
haughty chief affected to decline and despise.

** Captain Newport," said he, **it is not agreeable to my great-
ness to truck in this peddling manner for trifles. I am a great
werowance and I esteem you the same. Therefore laj me down
all your commodities together; what I like I will take and in
return you shall have what I conceive to be a fair value."

Newport fell into the trap. He did as requested, contrary to
Smith's advice. Powhatan selected the best of his goods and
valued his corn so high that Smith says it might as well have been
purchased in old Spain. They did not get four bushels, where
they expected twenty hogsheads.

It was now Smith's turn to try his skill; and he made his
experiment not upon the sagacity of Powhatan but upon his sim-
plicity. Picking up a string of large brilliant blue beads he
contrived to glance them as if by accident, so that their glint
attracted the eye of the chief, who at once became eager to see
them. Smith d«»nied having them, then protested he could not
sell them as they were made of the same stuff as the sky and
only to be worn by the greatest kings on earth.

Pow^hatan immediately became ** half-mad" to own ''such
strange jewels." It ended by Smith securing two or three hun-
dred bushels of com for a pound or two of blue beads. Having
loaded their barges, they floated with the next tide. They

FOWSATAN, OR WAH-UN-aO-NA-COOE. fiS

iho Tinted Ope-ehan-iai-iioiie^ before their return and ''fitted
(hiidiief with blue beads on the same terms.'*

On September 10, 1608, Smith was made President of the
eokny and ihingi had began to ran smoothly when the marplot
Newport returned with several wild schemes. He bron^t with
bin Olden from King James for a coronation of Powhatan as
Smperor, together with elaborate presents for the old chief. A
more foolish thing was never perpetrated. Smith, with his nsoal
baidMDse, protested against it He well knew that it would tend
toinereise the hau^ty chief's notions of his own importance and
make it impossible to maintain friendly relations with him.
Kndiiig l& opposition in vain he insisted on at least trying to
fet Powhatan to come to Jamestown for the ceremony, and even
offered to go himself and extend the invitation to the chief.

Smith took with him four companions only and went across
tte woodi l^ land, about twelve miles, to We-ro-wo-co-mo-co.
Powhatan was then absent at a distance of twenty or thirty miles.
Pocahontas immediately sent for him and he arrived the follow-
u^ day. Smith now delivered his message desiring him to visit-
**hig father" Newport at Jamestown for the purpose of receiving
the newly arrived presents and also concerting a campaign in
eommon against the Monacans. But this proud representative in
the American forest of the divine right of kings haughtily
lulled, ''If your King has sent me a present, I also am a King
•iri this is my land ; eight days I will stay to receive them. Your
father is to come to me, not I to him, nor yet to your fort ; neither
^1 1 bite at such a bait ; as for the Monacans I can revenge my
ewn injuries."

** This is the lofty potentate," says a charming writer, ** whom
Smith could have tickled out of his senses with a glass bead and
^0 would have infinitely preferred a big shining copper kettle
to the misplaced honor intended to be thrust upon him, but the
effer of which puffed him up beyond the reach of negotiation."

After some further general conversation Smith returned with
^ inswer. If the mountain would not come to Mahomet, then
**lwmct must go to the mountain. The presents were sent by

56 LIVKS OF FAMOrs ISDIAN CHIEFS.

water around to We-ro-wo-co-mo-co and the two captains with a
>;uard of fifty men went by land. Smith describes the ridiculous
ceremony of the coronation, the last act of which shows that the
old sachem himself saw the size of the joke. **The presents were
broufjht him, his basin and ewer, bed and furniture set up, his
scarlet cloak and apparel with much adoe put on him, being
assured they would not hurt him. But a foule trouble there was
to make him kneel to receive his crown; he not knowing the
majesty, nor wearing of a crown, nor bending of the knee,
endured so many persuasions, examples and instructions as tyred
them all. At last by bearing hard on his shoulders, he a little
stooped, and thrt»e having the crown in their hands, put it on his
head, when by the warninjr of a pistol! the boats were prepared
with such a volly of shot, that the king started up in a horrible
feare, till he saw all was well. Then, remembering himself, to
congratulate their kindness, he gave his old shoes (moccasins)
and his man tell (of raccoon skins) to Captain Newport.'* The
mountain labored and brought forth a mouse.

Little was heard of Powhatan for some time after this, except
occasionally through the medium of some of his tribes, who
refused to trade with the English in consequence of his orders to
that effect, lie had evidently become jealous, but appearances
were still kept up, and in December, 1008. the Emperor (for he
is now one of the crowned heads) invited the captain to visit him.
lie wanted his assistance in building a house, and if he would
bring with him a grindstone, fifty swords, a few muskets, a cock
and hfn, with a (juantity of beads and copper, he might depend
upon getting a shipload of corn.

Smith accepted the invitation and set off with a pinnace and
two barges manned by forty-six volunteers. It was on this occa-
sion that a severe storm drove Smith and his men to seek shelter
and spend Christmas with friendly Indians, where they enjoyed
the good cheer and hospitality mentioned elsewhere in this nar-
rative.

They reached We-ro-wo-co-mo-co January 12, quartered with-
out much ceremony at the fii-st house they found, and sent to

POWHATAS, OR WAHUNSOXA-COOK. 57

Powhatan for a supply of provisions. The wily old chief fur-
nished them Avith plenty of bread, venison and turkeys, but pre-
tended not to have sent for them at all. In reply Smith asked if
he had forgotten his own invitation thus suddenly, and then
produced the messengers who had carried it, and who happened
to be near at hand. Powhatan affected to regard the whole affair
as a mere joke and laughed heartily. Smith reproached him with
deceit and hostility. The chief replied by wordy evasions and
seemed very indifferent about his new house. Tie demanded guns
and swords in exchange for corn, which Smith, of course, refused.
By this time the captain was provoked and gave the chief to
understand that necessity might force him to use disagreeable
wpedients in relieving his own wants and the need of the colony.
Powhatan listened to this declaration with cool gravity and
replied with corresponding frankness. Said he, ** I will spare you
^hatlcan and that within two days. But, Captain Smith, I have
^me doubts as to your object in this visit. I am informed that
.von wish to conquer more than to trade, and at all events you
know my people must be afraid to come near you with their corn
^ Ions: as you so armed and with sueh a retinue. Lay aside your
^•"apons then. Here they are needless. AVe are all friends, all
P^whatans. " The information here alluded to was probably
•-'ainKl from the two Dutchmen who bad deserted the colony and
'-'one among the Indians.

A (Treat contest of ingenuity now ensued ])etween the English-
i"'"^!! and the savage, the latter endeavoring to tempori/e only for
^h'' I>nrp<>se of puttinir Smith and bis men ofV tlxMr Lniard. lie
'•^IK'fially insisted on the propriety of laying aside their arms.

"Captain Smith," be continued. "I am old and I know well
^ht^diftVrence between peace and war. T wish to live (|uietly with
.^'<'U and I wi^^h the same for my successors. Now, rumors which
i^ach me on all hands make me uneasy. What do you expt^et to
pain by destroying us who provide you with food? And what
^'an you get by war if we escape you and hide our provisions in
^newo(Kls;' AVe.are unarmed, too, you see. Do you believt* me
^^i^ii a fool as itot to prefer eating good jneat, sleeping (piietly

58 LIVES OF FAMOUi INDIAN CHIEFS.

w-ith my wives and children, laughing and making, merry with
you, having copper and hatchets and anything else — as your
friend— to flying from you as your enemy, lying cold in the
woods, eating acorns and roots, and being so hunted by you mean-
while that if but a twig break, my men will cry out, 'There comes
Captain Smith.' Let us be friends, then. Do not invade us with
such an armed force. Lay aside these arms. '^

But Smith was proof against this eloquence, which, it will be
conceded, was of a high order. Believing the chief's purpose was
to disarm the English and then massacre them, he ordered the
ice broken and the pinnace brought nearer shore. More men were
then landed preparatory to an attack.

The white man and the Indian were well matched in general
intelligence, insight into character and craftiness. No diplomacy
inferior to that of the Indian Emperor could have so lonjr
retained the upper hand of Smith. No leader of less courage and
resources than John Smith could so long have maintained a starv-
ing colony in the hostile dominions of the great Powhatan.

While waiting until the reenforcements could land. Smith
tried to keep Powhatan engaged in a lengthy conversation. But
th(^ Indian outwitted him. Leaving three of his handsomest and
most entertaining wives to occupy Smith's attention, Powhatan
slipped through the rear of his bark dwelling and escaped, while
his warriors surrounded the house. When Smith discovered the
danger he rushed boldly out. Flourishing his sword and firing
his pistol at the nearest savage he escaped to the river, where his
men had just landed.

The English had already traded a copper kettle to Powhatan
for eighty bushels of corn. This was now delivered, and with
loaded muskets they forced the Indians to fill the boat

By the time this was done night had come on, but the loaded
vessel could not be moved until high tide. Smith and bis men
must remain ashore until morning. Powhatan and his warriors
plotted to attack them while at their supper. Once again Poca-
hontas saved Smith. Slipping into the camp she hurriedly
warned him of his danger and revealed the whole plot. The cap-

POirUATAN. r>A' n AH I W-SO'SA COOK. i}\

tain offered her handsome presents and rewards, but with tears
in her eyes she refused them all, saying it would cost her her
life to be seen to have them.

Presently ten lusty warriors came bearing a hot supper for
the English and urging them to eat. But Smith compelled the
waiters first to taste their own food as' an assurance against
poison. He then sent them back to tell Powhatan the English
were ready for him.

No one was permitted to sleep that night, but all were
oidered to be ready to fight any moment, as large numbers of
Indians could be seen lurking around. Their vigilance saved
them, and with the high tide of the morning the homeward trip
wneommenced.

Sneh benefits resulted from the marriage of Bolfe and Poea-
kntas that Governor Dale piously ascribed it to the divine
approval resting on the conversion of the heathen, and reflecting
ttat another daughter of Powhatan would form an additional
pledge of peace, sent Ralph Hamer and the interpreter, Thomas
Smge, to Powhatan to procure a second daughter for himself.

They found the aged chief at Matchcat, further up the river
ftan We-ro-wo-co-mo-eo, and after a pipe of tobacco had been
passed around Powhatan inquired anxiously about his daughter's
welfare, "her marriage, his unknown son, and how they liked,
'ived and loved together." Hamer answered that they ** lived
<^riily and lovingly together," and **that his daughter was so
*fil content that she would not change her life to return and
Kve with him, whereat he laughed heartily and said he was very
(lUdofit."

Powhatan now asked the particular cause of Mr. Hamer 's
^t. On being told it was private, the Emperor ordered the
^^^ cleared of all except the inevitable pair of queens, who sat
^ either side of the monarch. Hamer began by saying that he
^ the bearer of a number of presents from Governor Dale,
*"*«isting of coffee, beads, combs, fishhooks and knives, and a
P'^^'Juse of the much-talked-of grindstone whenever Powhatan
^ould send for it. He then added that the Governor, hearing of

62 LfVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

the fame of the Emperor *s youngest daughter, was desirous of
making her **his nearest companion and wife." He conceived
there could not be a finer bond of union between the two people
than such a connection ; and, besides, Pocahontas was exceedingly
anxious for her sister's companionship at Jamestown. He hoped
that Powhatan would at least suffer her to visit the colony when
he should return.

Powhatan more than once came very near interrupting the '
delivery of this message. But he controlled himself, and when
Hamer had finished, the Emperor gracefully acknowledged the
compliment, but protested that his daughter had been three days
married to a certain young chief. To this the brazen Hamer
replied that this was nothing; that the groom would readily ■
relinquish her for the ample presents which Governor Dale would
make, and further that a prince of his greatness might easily ]
exert his authority to reclaim his daughter on some pretext. To
this base proposition the old sachem made an answer of which
the nobility and purity might have put to shame the unscrupulous
Hamer. He confessed that he loved his daughter as his life and
though ho had many children he delighted in her most of all. He
could not live without seeing her every day and that would be
impossible if she went among the colonists, for he had resolved
upon no account to put himself in their power or to visit them.
He desired no other pledge of friendship than the one already
existing in the marriage of his Pocahontas, unless she should die,
in which case he would give up another child. lie concluded
with the following pathetic elociuonce : **I hold it not a brotherly
part for your King to endeavor to bereave me of my two darling
children at once. Give him to understand that if he had no
pledge at all, he need not distrust any injury from me or my
people. There has already been too much of blood and war; too
many of my people and of his have already fallen in our strife,
and by my occasion there shall never be any more. I, who have
power to perform it, have said it ; no, not though I should have
just occasion offered, for I am now grown old and would gladly
end my few remaining days in peace and quiet. Even if the Eng-

POWHATAN, OR WAHUNSONA-COOK. 63

lish should oflfer me injury, I would not resent it. My country is
large enough and I would remove myself further from you. I
hope this will give satisfaction to my brother. He can not have
my daughter. If he is not satisfied, I will move three days*
journty from him and never see Englishmen more."

His speech was ended. The barbarian 's hall of state was silent.
The council fire unreplenished had burned low during the inter-
view and the great crackling logs lay reduced to a dull heap of
embers— fit symbol of the aged chieftain who had just spoken.

As Mason well says, **Call him a savage, but remember that

his shining love for his daughter only throws into darker shadow

the infamous proposition of the civilized Englishman to tear

away the three day«' bride from the arms of her Indian lover and

give her to a man who had already a wife in England. Call him

[ a barbarian, but forget not that when his enemies hungered he

f gave them food. When his people were robbed, whipped and

r imprisoned by the invaders of his country, he had only retaliated

[ and had never failed to buy the peace to which he was entitled

without money and without price. Call him a heathen, but do

not deny that when he said that, if the English should do him

an injun-, he would not resent it but only move further from

[them, he more nearly followed the rule of the blaster, of whom
he was iornorant. than did the faithless, pilfering: adventurei-s at
[ the fort, who rolled their eyes heavenward and called themselves
^'hristians. ' '

No candid person can read the history of this famous Indian
^than attentive consideration of the circumstances under which
'ewas placed without forming a high estimate of his character
3s a warrior, statesman and a patriot. His deficiencies were those
^^ education and not of genius. His faults were those of the
P^ple whom he governed and of the period in which he lived.
HLs^eat talents, on the other hand, were his own ; and these are
acknowledged even by those historians who still regard him with
prejudice.

Smith calls him **a prince of excellent sense and parts, and a
great master of all the savage arts of government and policy.''

Ul'KS OF FAMOrs JXDJAS CHIEFS.

lie dieil in 1618, just one year after tlie untimely death t^
Pocahontas. **full of years anil satiated with fi^htinin^, and tla
delights of savage life." He is a prominent character in the earl^
history of our country and well does he deserve it. In his prim^
he was as ambitious as Julius ra»sar and not U»ss successful, con
sidering his surroundinvrs. lie and Pocahontas weiv the rea
**F. P. V's," for, lH\vond controversy, they were of the ^'Pira"
Pamilies of Virginia.''

\\ froi

CHAPTER lir.
MA8SAB(>n\

THE FRIENB OF THE PI R1TAN«,

XJ^re, Enj:?litthniHi!" A terfific pmi (»r tluui*ii*r|
froni a cluiitllB«4 sky would not havt* Hilton Uln.*t I tin
Ply mouth Fathers an did these startlinpr wurda It vviit
March Ifi, 1621. tt remarkably plea^tit day, and they had asiMfm-
H<x1 in town meeting to plan and diHCU.Hg wayn and means for t
^ust interests of the colony. So engrti««iHl \vi»re they with t
MttT under coni*ideration they did not notit^*' the approach ol
a sflliiaiy Indian as he stalked boldly through th<^ strfH't of the^
village until he advanced towards the astonished group, and with
hand outstretched in a friendly gesture and with perfectly intel-
^i^ble English addressed them with the words, ** Welcome, Eng-
lishmen!" The astonished settlers started to their feet and
grasped their ever ready weapons. But reassured by his friendly
K^ures and hearty repetition of the familiar English phrase in
which only kindness lurked, the settlers cordially returned his
greeting and reciprocated his ** welcome," which is the only one
^he Pilgrims ever received.

*'He who would have friends must show himself friendly."
fhis their dusky guest had done and it paved the w^ay for a
pleasant interview, which resulted in mutual good. Knowing
^"at the way to the heart lies through the stomach, they at once
?ave their visitor **strong water, biscuit, butter, cheese and some
Piidding, with a piece of mallard. ' '

The heart of the savage was gained ; the taciturnity charac-

^istie of his race gave way and he imparted valuable informa-

'^o» much of it pertaining to things they had long desired to

*^o^. Thgy ascertained that his name was Samoset, that he was

» 65

66 Ul'ES OF FAMOrS ISDIAS CHIEFS.

a subordinate chief of the Wainpaiioaj? tribe, and his hunting-
grounds were near the island of Monhegan, which is at the mouth
of Penobscot Bay. With a strong wind it was but a day's sail
eastward, but it re<iuired five days to make the journey by land.
This was a noted fishing place and he had learned something of
the English language from cn»ws of fishing vessels which fre-
quented his coast. He told them the country in their vicinity
was called Pawtuxet ; that four years previous a terrible pesti-
lence had swept off the tribt^s that inhabited the district, so
that none remained to claim th«» soil.

He also informed them that a powerful sachem named Massa-
soit was their nearest neighbor. He live<l about ^lontaup (after-
ward corrupted by the English into Mount Hope), and was chief
of the Wampanoag tribe as well as head sachem of the Pokanoket
confederacy of thirty tribes. Massjisoit. he said, was disposed to
be friendly. But another tribe, eallrd the Nansets, weri» greatly
incensed against the English, and with just cause. Samoset was
able to define this cause, whicli also served to explain the fierce
attack the Pilgrims received from the savages in their memorable
** First Encounter."

It seems that a captain by the name of Hunt who had been
left in charge of a vessrl by Captain John Smith, while exploring
the coast of New England in 1<)14, had exasperated the Indians
beyond enduraiict*. Captain Smith thus records this infamous
crime in his *MJenerale Historic of New England.'' *'He (Hunt)
betraied foure and twentie of these poorc salvages aboord his
ship, and most dishonestly and inhumanely for their kind usage
of me and all our men, carried thiMu with him to Maligo, and
there for a little private gaine sold those silly salvages for Rials
of eight; but this vilde act kt»pt him ever after from any more
emploiement to these parts."

Samoset had heard from his re<l brothers all about this kid-
naping, as well as the attaek on the Pil^M'inis in revenge for it.

The secjuel of Hunt's outrageous erinie is (\n\U' interesting.
He sold his victims, as we have seen, at Malaga, for eighty pounds
each, but some of them, including an Indian by the name of

MASSASOIT. 67

Squanto, were ransomed and liberated by the monks of that

island.

Squanto now went first to Cornhill, England, afterward to
London. Here he acquired some knowledge of the English lan-
guage and obtained the friendship and sympathy of ^Ir. John
Slaney, a merchant of that city, who protected him and deter-
mined to send the poor exile back to his native land.

About this time (1619) Sir F. Gorges was preparing to send a
ship to New England under the command of Captain Thomas
Dernier, and it was arranged for Squanto to embark on board
this ship. **When I arrived," says Dermer in his letter to
Purchas, **at my savage's native country, finding all dead
(because of the pestilence), I traveled along a day's journey to
a place called Nummastaquyt, where, finding inhabitants, I dis-
patched a messenger a day's journe\' further west, to Pacanokit,
which bordereth on the sea : whence came to see me two kings,
^ttpnded with a guard of fifty armed men, wlio ])oin<^ well satis-
^<'d with thnt my savage and I diseonrsed unto them (])eing
Jt^iroiis of novelty) gave me content in whatsoever T demanded.
Here I redeemed a Frenchman, and afttM-wards another at ^las-
stachnsitt. who three years since escaped shipwreck at tlu^ north-
east of Cape Cod.''

One of these two * 'kings," as th(» saehenis were frecpiently
♦'ntitled by the early writers, must have been ^lassasoit, the other
^as probably his ])rother, Quadepinah.

The jrood Captain Dermer was faithful to his trust and deliv-
•"red the poor exile Sfpianto to his native* land, but not to liis own
[•♦^ople at Plymouth, as they had been swept oH' by the pestilence
Jn his absence, lie. however, IxM'anit* a loyal subj(»ct of Massasoit.
He was introduced to the p]nglis]i settlers at Plymouth by Samo-
•'^^t on his third visit. S<iuanto was disposed to i-eturn good for
^vil, and forgettinir the outraure of the* knave who had kidnaped
him and remembering oidy the great kindness whieh lie had
^'eeived from his benefactor, Mr. Slaney, and from the* people
?(*nerally in London, in generous recpiital now attacdied himself
<»rdially to the Pilgrims and became their firm fri(Mid. His

■

^^|H

B iv

I^L^ ti ^

H ^^^^^^^fiiifc, ^1^ _^^^^r w

^^^H

I ^^si,^^ 'V. ISV ^^^^^

^^^1

^fc* ^^^t^Sl/j^

p^Mn

^Hw 1: '^^^f?'^3fc^

P|^H

^^^^1

■

^B OPE CH ANCA-NOUG H.

See paffr 4C, ^^^^H

MA88A80IT. 71

of it, except the last elause. He observed the sword and armor
of Winslow during the harangue, and, when he had ceased speak-
ing, signified his disposition to commence the proposed trade
immediately by bujring them. They were not, however, for sale ;
and after a brief parley Winslow was left behind as a hostage in
the enstody of Quadepinah, while Massasoit and twenty unarmed
followers met Standish, Williamson and six musketeers at the
brook which divided the parties.

The sachem and his retinue, marching in Indian file one

behind the other, led by the chief, were escorted to the best house

in the village. Here a green rug was spread upon the floor and

several cushions piled on it for his accommodation. Presently

Governor Carver entered the house in as great state as he could

command, with beat of drum and blare of trumpet, and a squad

of armed men as a bodyguard. The Governor took the hand of

Massasoit and kissed it. The Indian chieftain immediately

imitated his example and returned the salute.

The two leaders now sat down together and regaled them-
selves with refreshments consisting chiefly of **strontr waters, a
thing the savages love very well ; and the saclu^m took such a
large draught of it at once as made him sweat all the while he
staid." The white man's **firewater" thus in evidence in this
treaty has been the most fruitful source of the red man's ruin
from that day to the present time. Following are the terms of
the treaty concluded upon this occasion :

1. That neither he nor any of his (Massasoit's) should
. injure or do hurt to any of their people.

2. That if any of his did any hurt to any of theirs, he should
•end the offender, that they might punish him.

3. That if anything were taken away from any of theirs, he
should cause it to be restored, and they should do the like to his.

^- That if any did unjustly war against him, they would aid
aim; and if any did war against them, he should aid them.

5. That he should send to his neighbor confederates, to
mform them of this, that they might not wrong them, but might
"C likewise comprised in these conditions of peace.

MdMSASOiT.

" !

After the eon elusion of thm f^imouB treaty, Mas^l
eondueted by the Goveroor to the brocik and rejoined liis pi
lea ring hostages behiiKl Pre9«?iitly \un brother, Qiiiidrpii
came over with a retinue, and wh« enterlained wilh like hnspi
ity. The next day, on an invitation from the chief. Htandish
AlJerton retumed his visit and were n*ifaled with '* three or to,
P"ound-nuts and some tohaeeo,*' f»rivereu>r Tarver sent for t
chief's kettle and returnal it '*fidl uf pem^e, whieh pleaseil th
well, and so they went their way/*

The next intennew the colonists had with Majina^^oit was
July, 1621, At this time an embassy eonaisting of Edward W
low and Stephen Hopkins, with Hfjuanto tm interfireter, wa« i»
to make the sachem a formal viait iit Mantaup, his seat near
Narra'piaimett bay. The objects of thiw embaaay were, »ay« Moi
'*that forainnueh as his mibjeets eanie often and without
^ upon all occiisinnH iiniontr«t un, heeoinintr, in fjirt. n Hud annoy-
ance to the colonists as they went to the sea shore in search of
lobsters and to fish. Men, women and children were always hang-
ing about the village, clamorous for food and pertinaciously
inquisitive." It was partly to abate this nuisance and ** partly,"
says tiie old chronicle, "to know where to find our savage allies,
if occasion served, as also to see their strength, explore the coun-
try, make satisfaction for some injuries conceived to have been
done on our parts, and to continue the league of peace and
friendship between them and us." The ''injuries" here men-
tioned refer to the fact that the colonists shortly after their
arrival found com buried in the ground. Seeing no inhabitants
in the neighborhood, *'but some graves of the dead newly
buried,'' they took the corn with the intention of making full
satisfaction for it whenever it became practicable. The owners
^'^re supposed to have fled through fear. It was now pro-
»^ that the owners of this com should be informed by Massa-
2^' ^^ they could be found, that the English were ready to pay
^th an equal quantity of corn, English meal, or *'any other
^ . *^^^ they had to pleasure them withal"; and full satis-
^^ offered for any trouble which the sachem might do

74 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

them the favor to take. All of which shows that the Pilgrim
Fathers were scrupulously just in their dealinpi with the Indians.
The two ambassadors and their guide, bearing presents for the
sachem, started on their journey through the forest. Much they
marveled at the well-nigh infallible skill of Squanto in always
leading right, even when confronted with a mazy labyrinth of
paths pointing in every direction. They met several bands of
Indians en route, and partook of such hospitality as they had to
offer. Their number was augmented by six stalwart savages,
who insisted not only on bearing them company but bearing their
arms and baggage. At the various fords the friendly Indians
carried the Englishmen over dry-shod upon their shoulders^
which is quite remarkable, in view of the proverbial laziness of
the Indians in general and those of the New England coast in
particular.

In due time the envoys arrived at Montaup, or Sowams, the
residence of Massasoit. The sachem was not at home, but was
quickly summoned by a runner and was saluted by his visitors
with a discharge of nuisketry. lie welcomed them heartily after
the Indian manner, took them into his lodge and seated them
by himself. The envoys then delivered their message and pres-
ents, the latter consisting of a cof)per chain and a horseman's
coat of red cotton embroidered with lace. Massasoit proudly
hung the chain about his neck and arrayed himself in this superb
garment without delay, evidently enjoying the admiration of his
people, who gazed upon him at a distance. The great chief now
gathered his leading warriors around him, and after the pipe of
peace had been smoked by all, he answered the message in detail.
Expressing his desire to continue in jx^ace and friendship with his
neighboi-s, he promised to promote the traffic in furs, to furnish
a supply of corn for seed and, in short, to comply with all their
requests.

The two commissioners stated the ease concerning the too
frequent and protracted visits of the Indians to the colony with
great tact and delicacy, assuring the sachem that he himself or
any he might send would always be welcome. ''To the end that

MASS A so IT. /.')

we might know his messengers from others," wrote Winslow,
''we desired Massasoit, if any one should come from him to us, to
send the copper chain, that we might know the savage and harken
and give credit to his message accordingly."

As it grew late and he offered no more substantial entertain-
ment than this, *'no doubt for the sound reason," as Thatcher
says, ''that he had nothing to offer," his guests expressed a desire
to retire for the night. The chief at once complied with their
request in the language of Winslow, ''He laid us on the bed with
himself and his wife, they at one end and we at the other,
it being only planks laid a foot from the ground, and a thin mat
upon them. Two more of chief men, for want of room, pressed
by and upon us, so that we were worse weary of our lodging than
of our journey."

The next day the two ambassadors had no breakfast, but the
morning was taken up in receiving, as visitors, several subor-
dinate sachems and their warriors, and in witnessing Indian
games which had been gotten up for their entertainment. About
noon lilassasoit, who had gone hunting at dawn, returned, bring-
ing with him two large fishes which he had speared or shot with
arrows. These were soon boiled and divided anionj? forty persons;
this was the first meal taken by the envoys for a day and two
nijrhts.

The afternoon passed slowly away and ajrain tlir two white

men went supperless to bed, only to spend another sleeph^ss ni^ht,

J b^ing kept awake by vermin, liun«;er and noise of the sava*res.

I f'riday morning they arose at dawn resolved to inniiediately eoni-

t mence their journey home. At this Massasoit jrreatly inipor-

1 tuned them to remain lonfjer with him. **Biit we d(»terniined,"

I they recorded in their graphic narrative, ''to keep tht» Sabbath at

i h<»me, and feared that we should either be li«rht-hea(le(l for want

<^f sleep, for what with bad lo<lgin<rs, the savajres' barbarous sing-

j »Dg (for they used to sing thenisi^lves to sle(»p), liee and fieas

'Within doors and mosquitoes without, we eould hardly sl(»ep all

the time of our being there; we much fearing that if we should

^y any longer we should not be able to recover home for want of

71)

LIIKS OF FAMOl.'i IMHAS CHIFFS.

strenjrth; so that ou the Friday mornin? befoi'e the sunrising we
took our leave and departed, Massasoit being both srrieved and
ashanieil that he could no better entertain us." It is thiti
apparent that Massasoit, in spit** of his many virtues and th^
eoneeiled fact that he was the greatest chief of all th*- New En*.'-
land tril>es of this peri<Kl. was in his housektvpinir the sniall»^i
possible renioviH.1 alcove brut*' litV-.

With the stivams and bays swarniinir with tish. tlu- nfiiihb«ir-
ing forest filleil with turkey, deer and i»ther game, he and his
people seem to have livetl in s«Mni-starvation. Tliis fact is all th-
more startling when it is contrasted with the irreat abundance
enjoyed by Powhatan. Joseph Brant. \i^d Jacket aiid others,
mentioned elsewhere, and their tribi^. But it is als*.) true of thi<
great chief that despite his pinchini: jHivnty. when the tt-st came
he proved to Ix^ pure gold retiiUMl by tin*.

Thatcher informs us that **Massiis«>it *s friiMhlship was aL'ain
testeil in March. 1622. when an Indian known to be under
Squanto's intluence came ruiniinir in ann»nir a party of n»lonisl>
with his face gashed and the bhxxl fresh upon it. calliuir out t«»
them to dee for their lives, and then bx>king b*'hin<l him as if
pursaed. On coming up he told them that the Indians under
Ibaafloit were gathering at a certain place for an attack u[H)n
thi» colony: that he had reeeivetl his wounds in eons^Mpiencv of
oppfmnif *^r " 1 -sijrns and had barely escaped from them with
hui Mtt^ i ! Mfi oceasioneil no little alarm, althouiih the c«>r-

rveliu!2« of !l wiMt flnlly denied by Ilobbamak. a Pokanoket Indiaa
lioif at Pfyiiiiiyrh. who r^'commended that a mess*»iiger he sent
rn«!v »,, Sdwuiim for the purpose of asccrtainintr the truth-
d«>fM» ajul the UH^Ksenger, findinir everything in its
stjitt*, iiifoniictl Massasoit <»f the reports circulatetl
ile was excessively inct*nsed against S^pnmto. but
^ *n the (iovt-mor for the opinion of his fidelity
Kill him to retain, an<l ilirected the messengpT'
1 1 be shonlil instantly apprisi* him of nny mn-
liglll Hi any further time take place." This*
^ ii^irln ^r^^" >>*?en a plot *»n the part of Squanto-

MAS8AS0IT. 77

out of jealousy, to array the colonists against their ally, but
happily for both parties it miscarried through the common-sense
suggestion of Hobbamak.

Early in the spring of 1623 news came to Plymouth that Mas-
sasoit was very sick at his home, and it was determined to send
Mr. Winslow to pay him a second visit in token of the friendship
of the colonists. That gentleman started on his journey at once,
taking with him Hobbamak as guide and interpreter, and accom-
p)anied by *'one ^fa.ster John Hampden, a London gentleman
who had wintered with him and desired much to see the country
and the Indians in their wig^vam homes." This Hampden after-
ward became Cromwell's distinguished friend and counselor, and
is alluded to in Gray's ** Elegy."

The envoys had not gone far before they met some Indians

who told them ^lassasoit was dead. The white men were shocked ;

and Hobbamak began to wail forth his chief's death song: **0h,

ereat sacht-ni. Oh, great heart, with many have I been actjuainted,

\m non«^ t-ver erjualed tiKH*/' Then turning to his companions he

siti<l, "r)h. blaster Winslow. his like you will never st*e again.

H^" was not like other Indians, false and ])loody and implacable;

ta kind, easily appeased when an<i:ry, and reasonable in his

ronuireinents. He was a wise sachem, not ashamed to ask advice,

eovoming belter with mild, than other chiefs did with severe

roeasures. I fear you have not now one faith fid friend left in

thewipvams of the red men." He would then break forth again

in loud lamentations, **(*nough," says Winslow. *'to have made

the hard«i«t heart sob and wail." But. time pn^ssed, and AVins-

^^w. bidding Hobbamak *'loave wringing of his hands" and

Wlow him, trudged on through the forest until they eanit* to

^-<^rbitant s village. The saehcni was not at home but his squaw

'nfonneil them that Mas.sasoit was not yet dead, thouiih he could

^areely live long enough to j)ermjt his visitors to close his eyes.

Believing that while there was life there was hope, the envoys

prised on and soon reached ^lassasoit's humble abode. *'When

^^ arrived thither," wrote Winslow. *'w(» found the house so

Wlthat we could scarce get in, though they used their best dili-

78 LIVES OF FA Mors ISIJIAS CHIEFS,

^ence to make way for us. They were in the midst of their
charms for him, making sneh a iieudish noise that it distempered
us who were well, and then*fi»rr was unlike to ease him that wa.s
sick. About him were six or eight women who chafed his arms.
legs and thighs, to keep heat in them. \Vlien they had made an
end of their charming, one tokl liim that his friends, the English,
were come to see him. Having undei'standing left, but his sight
was wholly gone, he asked who was come. They told him Wins-
now, for they can not pronounce the letter L, but ordinarily N in
the place thereof. He desired to speak with me. When I came
to him they tohl him of it. he put forth his hand to me, which I
took. Then he said twice, though very inwardly, *Keen Wins-
now?' which is to say, 'Art thou Winslow?' I answered 'Ahhe,'
that is, *Ves.' Then he doubled these words: 'Matta neen
wonckanet namen Winsnow': that is to say, *0, Winslow, I shall
never see thee airain.' " Hobbamak was now called in and desired
to assure the sachem of the (Governor's kind remembrance of him
in his afiiiction. and to inform him of the medicine and delica-
cies they had brought with them for his use. Winslow, who
seems to have possessed some knowltnltre of tin* healing art, then
prnceedrd to use measures f(ir his relief, consisting of a "confec-
tion of many comfortable conserves," which soon worked a cure.
The convalescent sachem said, *'Now I know that the English are
imlred my friends, and love me; while I live I will not forgt»t this
kindness."

As Martyn well says. *' Noilly did he keep his word : for, after
requesting Mhe pale- face medicine' to exercise his skill upon
othci-s of his tribe, who were down with tlie same disease which
had laid him low. his trratitude was so warm that he disclosed
to Winslow, through Hobbamak. the fact that a widespread and
wrll matured conspiracy was afoot to exterminate Weston's
colony, in reveii'-re fo]' iiijurii-s heaped ui»on the Indian; thaf all
thr northeastern tribes wen* in the leaLnie: and that the massacre
ivas to include the PilL'rims also, lest they should avenge the fall
of thrir nriirbboi-s. "

''A chief was hen- at the settinir of the sun,'' added Massa-

\ T -^ *

■.V \

MA8SAS0IT. 81

Boit, ''and he told me that the pale-faeea did not love me, else
they would visit me in my pain, and he urged me to join the war
party. But I said, *No.' Now, if you take the chiefs of the
league and kill them, it will end the war-trail in the blood of
those who made it, and save the settlements." The chief's advice
was afterward taken by Miles Standish and his men, and proved
to be successful in nipping the conspiracy in the bud.

Mr. Winslow remained severid days and his fame as a physi-
cian spread so rapidly that great crowds gathered in an encamp-
ment around Montaup to .gain relief from various ills. Some
came from the distance of more than a hundred miles. But on
bearing of the plot alwve mentioned, immediately started for

The other leading events in the life of Massasoit may be soon
detailed. In 1632 he was assaulted at So warns by a party of Nar-
nganaetts and obliged to take refuge in the home of an English-

nian. His situation was soon ascertained at Plymouth, and an
armed force being promptly dispatched to his relief under his old
Wend Standish, the Narragansetts were compelled to retreat.

Massasoit and ninety of his people were also present at the
first celebration of Thankspivincr in the autumn of 1621, and
^'^re feasted by the colonists for three days, thonjrh the Indians
«>ntributed five fat deer to the festivity. Oysters, turkey and
P'lnipkin pie also graced this occasion, and no Thanksgiving
i^'ast is considered comphtc to-day without these essentials.

Governor Winthrop records this anecdote of the great sachem :

'^t seems that his old friend *Winsnow,' made a trading voyage

^^ Connecticut, during the summer of 1634. On his return he

'"t his vess<»l upon the Narragansett coast, for some reason or

I '^w. and commenced his journey for Plymouth across the woods.

I 'Jndinjr himself at a loss, probably, as to his route, he made his

[ ^^' to Sowams, and called upon his ancient accjuaintance, the

sachem. The latter gave him his usual kind welcome, and upon

"'s resuming his journey offered to conduct him home, a pedes-

^"an journey of two days. He had just dispatched one of his

"ampanoags to Plymouth with instructions to inform the friends

s'j /./r/..s <n' F.iMtfi s /.\7>/.L\ ( nihFS.

of Wiii'-lou tlijii lit' w.'is (It'jul. ;iinl to pri'suado tln'in of tliis
inilaiiclioly tact by spfcilyinir siicli particulars as their own
injrcimity iiii»rht siitr^est. All this was done aceonlin^lv; and
the tiding occasioned, as nii^ht he expected, a very unpleasant
excitement throujrhout the colony. In the midst of it, however,
the sachem entiTed the village attended by Winslow, with more
than liis usual eomplaeeney in his honest and cheerful coun-
tenance. He was aske<l why such a n^port had been circulated
the day previous. 'That Winsnow miLdit be the more welcome/
h(» answered, *and that you mijrht be th<» more happy; it is my
custom.' He had n)me thus far to enjoy the surprise personally;
and he returned homeward more frratitied by it, without doubt,
than he would have been by the most fortunate foray among the
Narra.irans(»tts. "

We have seen it intimated more than once that Massasoit*8
fear of those warlike nei^hboi's lay at the foundation of his
friendship for the En^dish settlers. It mijrht have l>een nearer
the truth, considerin»r all the known facts in the ease, to say that
his interest hap[)ened to coincide with his inclination. At all
events, it was in th(» powiM* of any of the other sachems of the
suroundin«r country to have established the same friendly rela-
tion with the colonists had they Ix'en pr(uni)ted by as much good
breedin<r or «:ood sense. *M)n the contrary,'' as Thatcher says,
**t]i(* Massachusetts wc]e plottinjr and threateninsr on one hand,
as we have se<Mi — not without provocation, it must ]>e allowed—
while tin- Narrairansctt sachem, upon the othcM', had sent in hi»
comi>liments as early as 1()22, in the shai)e of a bundle of arrows*
tied up with a rattlesnak<'\s skin. Nor should we forget the
wretch(»d feebleness ot* the colony at tlu' period of their first;
ac<iuaintance with ^lassasoit. IndciMl tlic instant measures which
he took for theii* r»'licf and protection look inori' like the prompt —
inirs of compassion than either hope ov fear. A month previous
\() his appearance ainon<: them, they wen* reduced to such ^
pitiable condition by sickness, that only six or seven men of thei^
whole number wen* able to perform labor in tlu' o[)en air; an^-
probably their entire fighting force, coidd they have been mxai^^

MA8SA801T. S3

tewd together, would scarcely have equaled that little detach-
ment of twenty which Massasoit brought with him into the vil-
lage, delicately leaving twice as many with the arms of all behind
him, as he afterward exchanged six hostages for one. No
wonder the colonists 'could not yet conceive but that he was will-
ing to have peace with them/ ''

Massasoit was unique among Indian sachems, in the fact that
he was ever a lover of peace ; nor is he known to have been once
engaged in waging war with the powerful and warlike tribes who
envimned his territory. All the native tribes of New England
but the Pokanoket confederation were involved in dissensions and
ware with each other and the white settlers; and all shared
sooner or later the fate which he avoided. This chief vied with
Tanonicas and Miantonomoh, the Narragansett sachems, in giving
a hearty welcome to Roerer Williams at the time of his banish-
ment from Salem, when he **fled from Christians to the savages,
who knew and loved him, till at last he reached the kind-hearted
hut stupid Indian heathen, ^lassasoit." Those three friends in
his time of di.stress shouted their welcome sjiliitation of "Wha-
ehfer, wha-cheer?'' and grasped his hand with cordial sympathy
as he stepped ashore.

The reason for this warm weleome aecoi'ded Roger Williams
the Baptist, the father of *'sonl liberty,'' is obvious when it is
i^niHiibered that he took great interest in the Indians, so master-
ins their dialeets as to be able to prej)are "a key to the lan-
inicU'es of America." Exeept Eliot, his eoworker, he was the
ninst sueeessful missi(mary among thi* Indians of this period.
"My sours <lesire." he said. *'was to do tlii* natives good." And
later he wrote. **r;od was pleased to give me a painful, patient
spirit, to hxlire with them in their filthy, smoky holes to gain their
tnntni»\ ' '

Whih* at Plymouth h(^ had written a pamphlet against the
valiility of the colonial charter and submitted it to (iovernor
Bradford. This he afterward published while at Salem, and in
tt he said : **Why lay such stress upon your patent from King
James! *Tis but idle parchment ; James has no more right to

84 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

frive away or soil Massasoit 's lands, and cut and carve his coun-
try, than Massasoit has to si»ll James' kingdom or to send his
Indians to colonize Warwickshire." Thus did he run a tilt
against the established law and order of his time; but while it
endeared him to Massasoit, who became to him **a friend in need
and a friend in deed/' it led to his banishment from Salem **in
winter snow and inclement weather'*— without guide, without
food, without shelter, he suffered tortures. *' Fourteen weeks,"
he wrote, **I was sorely tossed in a bitter season, not knowing
what bread or beil did mean." He must inevitably have perished
in the frozen wilderness without crivinfr to the world his immortal
idea, had he not found shelter an<l food with Massasoit.

Great events turn on soeniinKl.v trivial circumstances. AVho
shall say that Massasoit, in savin j? the life of the great reformer,
did not preserve to all time tho casket containing the priceless
jewel — religious tolorance.

Bancroft well says of Kogei; Williams: ''In the capacious
recesses of his mind, he had revolved the nature of intolerance,
and he, and he alone, had arrived at the grand principle which is
its sole effeetual remody. lie announced his discovery under the
simple proposition of the sanctity of conscience. The civil magis-
trate should restrain crime, but never control opinion; should
punish guilt, but never viobite the freedom of the soul." This
divinely inspired iden of the pioneer American reformer is
embodied in the first artiel(» of amendment to our Constitution:
** Congress shall make no law n»specting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exen'ise thereof."

Tracing the efK^'ect back to its cause, wo find behind this first
article of amendment and responsihh* for it, Roger Williams,
and behind him, aiding, though in ignorance, we find the great-
hearted, honest, benevolent savage, Massasoit.

CHAPTER IV.
KINQ PHILIP, OB METACOMET.

THE LAST OP THE WAMPANOAGS.

THE ''great and good Maasaaoit" waa gathered to his fathers
in the year 1661, but to the last remained firm in his
fidelity to the English. Near the close of his life he took
bis two sons, Wamsutta and Pometacom, or Metacomet, to Plym-
outh and requested the Oovemor in token of friendship to give
them English names. They were very bright, attractive young
men of fine physical developments.. The Governor related to the
aged sachem the history of Philip and Alexander, the renowned
Kings of Macedon, and gave to Wamsutta, the older, the name of
Alexander, the Conqueror of Asia, and to his younger brother
the less renowned name of Philip, and by these names they are
known in history. The two young chieftains married sisters, the
luuidsome daughters of the sachem of Poeasset. The wife of
Alexander was named Wetamoo, who, as we shall see, had an
eventful life and a sad and untimely death. The wife of Philip
M the euphonious name of Wootonekanuske.

Alexander became sachem on the death of his father and was
deeply grieved that the English were so rapidly increasing, while
his people were decreasing. ^loreover his lands were fast slip-
ping away to the possession of the English. Year by year the
territory of the Wampanoags had nan-owed until they had noth-
ing left they could call their own but the two narrow p(»nin-
solas of Bristol and Tiverton on the east coast of Narragansett
hay.

There were personal grievances also on both sides. With
prosperity came avarice. Unprincipled men flocked to the new
elements which sprang up everywhere; the Indians were

86 LIVES OF FAMOUS IS'DIAS CHIEFS,

despised and often harshly treated ; and the forbearance which
marked the Pilgrims with the Indians was forgotten. The Eng-
lish were <|uick to notice a ehanjje in the Indians and a less
friendly disposition in their younj? chief.

It was decided to summon Alexander before the Plymouth
court to answer char^res of plotting against the colony. The
sachem refused to come. Upon this, (lovernor Prince assem-
bled his counselors, and, after delilx^ration, ordered Major Josiah
Winslow, son of Massasoit's old friend, Edward Winslow, to
take an armed force, jro to Blount Hope and arrest Alexander and
bring him to Plymouth. This was accordingly done, and though
his rage knew no bounds, he was forced at the muzzle of a gun
to march in front of his captors. The indignity offered him
crushed his kingly spirit. He was taken alarmingly ill with a
burning fever, caused by his fury, grief and humiliation. His
warriors, greatly alarmed for the saf<*ty of their beloved chief-
tain, entreated that they might be pi'rmitted to take Alexander
home. The privilege was granted on condition that the chief's
son should be sent to them as a hostage, and the sachem returned
as soon as he had recovered.

The warriors, accomi)anied by Alexander's beautiful queen,
Wetamoo, started on the sad journey, bearing their unhappy and
suffering chieftain upcm a litter on their shoulders. Slowly they
traveled until they arrived at Taunton river! there they took to
canoes, but had not paddled far before it became evident that
their chieftain was dying. Landing, they placed him on a grassy
mound under an ovei-shadowing tn»e. While the stoical warriors
gathered around in stern sadness and the faithful and heroic
Wetamoo held the head of her dying lord and wiped his clammy
brow, his proud spirit departed **for the land of the hereafter."

This event filled the hearts of his people with sullen and
vindictive malice, for they believcnl Alexander to have been
poisoiKMJ by the English. Wi^tainoo immediately became th€
unrelenting foe of the English. She was by birth a princess iti
another tribe, one of the numerous '* squaw sachems" of NeV
England, and able to lead three hundred warriors into the field

KING PHILIP, OB METACOMET. 87

All the energies of her soul were aroused to avenge her husband's

death.

Alexander was succeeded by his brother Philip, who also be-
came the head of the Pokanoket confederacy, and in a few years,
by his superior diplomacy, he held sway over nearly all the tribes
of New England. Philip, of Mount Hope, was a man of superior
endowments and one of the few Indians acknowledged by all his-
torians to have been truly great. lie clearly understood the
power of the English and the peril he encountered in measuring
arms with them. And yet he also saw that unless the encroach-
ments jof the English could be arrested his own race was doomed
to destruction. He deliberately made up his mind to avenge his
brother s untimely death ; to drive the English from the country
or perish in the attempt. Had he belonged to the proud Cau-
casian race, and especially the Anglo-Saxon division of it, he
would have been called a patriot; but, belonging to a so-called
inferior raet*. wo find that Hubbard and other earlier historians,
\vh»'iiever they had occasion to mention his name, pay him the
pa.<sinir compliment of ''oaititT/' 'Miellhound/' 'Miend," *'arch-
r»Vr' and various similar desi<rnations of respect and afVeetion.
^♦'rily it makes a trreat difTerenee as to whether it was my bull
-'>iv<l your ox. or viee versa. Philij) and his W.nnpanonirs are
unlucky enoutrh, like the lion in the fable, to have no painter.

At one time Philip is thoujiht to have been (piite interested

m the Christian reli^Mon, **but,^' as Abbott say.s, ''ap{)arently

fonsecinir that with the introduction of Christianity all the

P^'culiarities in manners and customs of Indian life rmist pass

^^"'^y, he adopted the views of his father, Massasoit, and became

^•ittHy opposed to any chanjre of reli^rion among his peo{)l(»."

Mr. GfMxlkin, speaking of the Wampanoatrs, says: ''TluM-e are

'''■'f)»' that have hopes of the greatest arid cliiefest sachem, lunncd

Wiilip. Some of his chief men. as I hear, stand well inclined to

hf-HT tho irosjiel, and himself is a person of good nndei-standing

and knowh^lge in the best things. I have heard him speak very

pxwj words, arguing that his conscience is convicted. But yr*t,

though his will is bound to embrace Jesus Christ, his sensual

LIl'Lai OF FJMOL'S IM)JAS CUIEFi>.

aiul rarnal lusts an- stroiit.' l)aiKls to liolil him last luuler Satan's
(Uniiinion."

Hi»fore tin* war Hcv. John Klliot. tht* jrreat apostle to the
Indians. luailr th«' most prrsistt*nt efforts to induce Philip to
tMubraeo Cliristianity. The courtly savaire had always received
his aiirumonts and persuasions politely, but without other effect.
One day he took hold of a l^uttim on Klliot's reirulation black
!hreadi»are eoat and said. "I eare no more for your religion than
I do for that old button. I-et me hear no more about it."

The eharaeter of IMiilip is furtln'r illustrated by an incident
whieh hai)|)ened in lllH."). At that time he heard that a Christian
Indian named Assasamot\vh. whom the et»lonists calletl Jdin
<iibbs. ha<l spoken ilisrespeet fully of his father. ^lassasoit. It
was not a mere personal insult but a violation of reverence due
from a subject to his kinu. and thi* «it!'ender forfeited his life,
aeeordinir lo their eoile, at the haiul t>f the nearest relative, who
Thus beeame th»* *'avrni:"r of bliMMl."

lleariuir that .Vssa^amooyb was on the islaml of Nantucket
I'hilip took a eanoi* and wi-nt in jmrsnit. The ot^ender vm
siitinir at the tabji- of om* o\' thr eolonists when a messenger
inched in bn-athlt^sly and infoi*metl him that the dreadfid
■ixenLier waN lu-ar tli'- dooi". A>>;;i^aino«\vh had but just time to
' mnIi from the h«>Hv uIi.'ti tl!«' riira_:'d i-hifftain was u|>on hlB.
l*tom hou^f \o h«»ii«<'- thr liiili.ni ■'••1 lik"* a fiinhteni'd deer, closdj
ptifNUt'd by IMplip wiili bi-.-ind!^)!- d ti>niahawk. who eon.sidend
hiiiis.'lf but till* lionoivd lA.riiTov nf iiiNtir''. Assasaunioylu how-
•\*'v at li'iii:!!! 1. .-ip.-d ;i b;:?!k .ind ] 'Ihul:'!!!',: into a forest eluded
his uu\ With di!'*^"il:y tl:.* .-. .'..niNTN th.-n Nuer-M-ded in purdui-
!»».• fill- lif»' ».f h:< :!;t- Tiil'-«1 vi.-vv, ^y n v-'.-v h»avy ransom.

Vhr j!iMtt'-^'!!!L' >'.:•!■-":« ••■I'l'^ j'-.v. .ia'\''- a!ii| m»>n» threateniDft
•11 thr hori oTi. a!i«i \v!:'!. . :".■'■ ;» ••■■•. :!.•■!''■ \\;!>; no open ruptnie.
%••» iHMFiv Th:Mi:>. '■.■;'I ;!*•■' •'£. .:_:■• ; '•>■. ■'■ii:i-;iT,-d an itnpendiil^

h 's i:.if

' ■■'VI*'

t'l-'

:••'.• 'i d?"eams. but

Iti that suivrsti-

J 'h,;! Tuanv of the

KING POIUP. OB METACOMKT.

wilouigt* at thb time began to ^vt! way to RuporstitioiM fears,

Amodi; other Hiinirs it way flii^nerti'd llmt a sigiT tif iTTipf*niiin^ evil
in ibe fonij of ?in Indian bcjw was el early defined airaiiist the
Wveiist, mid during ihv eelijmt^ uf the moon the fij^ire nf an
Imlmnsailp vrnn deiirly ^ainni iinpriiitecl on !fs difik. The nortlt-
em fie»ven-H trio wed with auroriil HjrJjts uf unusual bnliiancy;
tro©|>sof phantotn hon«i*theii wer** lit*ard to djLsh throiii^'h the air;
the Ri^liitijL' of the niy^ht-wirnl whs like the mMind of whii*tHng
Wleti«; and the howlin*^ of wolves wai^ fierc<*r and more eoniitJint
than ^iHiial These tbintrs, the snp*^i"^titioiiK depliired, were wanj*
kp that the colonists were about to he severely pnnij*he<l ft*r
tkip mm, among whieh they named profane swearing, the
i»flert of bringing up their ehihlren in more rigid observances,
thr liceiminjr of ale houses^, and the wearing of h>n$f hair liy the
^mt and of gay apparel by the women. The more extreme even
declarpd that they were about to Im* "jndgvd" for not exteniiinat-
inf Ihp Quakers,

Historians hii%*e given Philip credit for a grand Reherm\ eon-
w^\ with deep foresiglit and carried on witli ttie most crafty
ind persevering dissimuhition — ^a scheme to lull the iinHpicionH at
thp white* by a constant show of friendship, till a general com*
himtioTi of all the Indian tribes emild be formed to est ir pate
Uim at a single blow. The English meantime felt an if standing
^'^ a powder maganne which might explode at any time. They
*m* fully persuaded that a plot was making for their destriK?-
tioii. They frit that Rometbing must be done to niet't the coming
Storm or dissipate it before it shouhl Imrst on their heads,

^VTiat continued them in this belief w^aji the fact that Philip
hefted every effort fo accumulate guns and ammunition for
ttiiwjirHors, Unlike Powhatan, he sncceederl in obtaining a, good
^My nf the deadly weapons of the EngliHh, and even made a
pnt effort in obtain the fonnula for making gimpowder. His
*n«i bt'came exfjert marksmen and continually practiced athktic
wercises, all in pursuit of their common purpose.

In 1671 Philip was discovered to be making warlike prepara*
tions and summoned to a conference with the Plymouth govern-

92 LIVES OF FAMOUS IXDIAN CHIEFS.

ment at Taunton. lie rolnsod to come unless accompanied by his
men. The conference took place in the meeting-house at Taunton.
On one side of the house were ranged Philip's fierce looking war-
riors, attired, painted and armed as for battle. Their long black
hair, their eyes glittering with treachery and hate, their fantastic
f)lunies and decorations contrasted strangely with the prim and
austere Puritans with plain garb, close-cut hair and solemn coun-
tenances as they ranged themselves on the opposite side of the
fehurch. The Massachusetts commissioners, three gentlemen, were
to sit alone near the altar as umpires. No fair-minded man can
fail to admire the character developed by Philip in these
arrangements.

Philip alone was the Indian orator and managed his case,
which was manifestly a bad one. with such adroitness, that we
doubt not Prince Talleyrand himself, the world's mast skilful
diplomat, would have assigned him a high place among diploma-
ti.sts. Philip charged the whites with depredations upon his corn-
fields and denied that he <*ntertained any hostile design; and
proini)tly explained his preparations for war as intended for
defense against the Narrairansetts. Evidence was at hand, how-
ever, to show that he was on terms of more intimate friendship
with the Xarragansetts at this time than ever before. Ilis plans
were by no means perfected and he denied any hostile purposes,
signed a new treaty and agreed to surrender all his guns. He is
said to have been friirhtened into this agreement, but his history
is written only by his foes. Philip and his warrioi-s immediately
gave up their guns, seventy in number, and promised to send in
the rest within a iriven time. It was also agreed in the council
that in case of further troubles both parties should submit their
complaints to the arbitration of ^lassaehusetts.

This settlement, apparently so important, amounted to noth-
ing. The Indians were ever ready, it is said, to sign any agree-
ment whatever which would extricate \hn\\ from a momentary
difficulty, but such promises were broken as promptly as made—
on the white man's theory, perhaps, that '*all is fair in love and
>r." Certain it is that Philip, having returned to Mount

KINO FEIUF, OS MSTACOMET. 93

Hope, aent in no more guns, bat was hxmy as ever gaining
reMrarees for war and entering into alliances with other tribes.

At last Philip was notified from Plymouth that unless the
anns were given up by September 13, force would be used to
compel the act. At the same time messengers were also dis-
patched to the government of Massachusetts, at Boston, which, it
will be remembered, was chosen as umpire to arbitrate between
the two contending parties. Philip, shrewd enough to have per-
cdved the jealousy and rivalry between the two colonies, set off
at once to Boston, and thus assumed the position of the 'Maw and
order" party. With the rarest diplomacy he flattered the Massa-
ehnsetts colony by certain territorial concessions and made such
an adroit statement of his case, representing that Plymouth had
encroached on the other colonies by summoning him for trial
before her own court, and virtually declaring war without con-
niltiiig them, that the Bostonians not only refused to help Plym-
outh at this time but coolly criticised her action as wronjr and
unwarrantable. They also wrote a letter to Plymouth, assuminp:
that there was perhaps equal blame on both sides, and declarinp:
that there did not appear to be sufficient cause for the Plymouth
people to commence hostilities. In their letter they wrote : ** We
do not understand how Philip hath subjected himself to you.
But the treatment you have given him, and your proceedings
toward him, do not render him such a subject as that, if there be
not at present answering to summons there should presently be a
proceeding to hostilities. The sword once drawn and dipped in
blood may make him as independent upon you as you are upon
Mm." In short, the Bostonians believed that the whole difficulty
arose from the Puritans' **lust for inflicting justice" and might
have been avoided.

It was while Philip was at Boston that Josselyn, the English
traveler, saw him. * * The roytelet of the. Pokanokets, ' ' he informs
% "had a coat on and buskins set thick with beads in pleasant
wild work, and a broad belt of the same. His accoutrements
were valued at twenty pounds. . . . Their heads are their
money; of these there are two sorts, blue beads and white beads;

94 LIVES OF FAMOUS IXDIAN CHIEFS.

the first is their gold, the last their silver. These they work o
of certain shells, so cunningly that neither Jew nor devil o
counterfeit/'

Philip, bent on gaining further time for his plans and prep
rations, signed a new treaty, in which he confessed himself t
author of the troubles and stipulated to pay a hundred poun
*'in such things as he had" as an indemnity for the expense
which he had subjected the colony. Furthermore, he covenant
to deliver **five wolves' heads if he could get them, or as mai
as he could procure until they came to five wolves' heads yearly

Three years now passed of strained intercourse and suspieio
peace. This interval was used by the sachem to concert a mc
elaborate plan for the exterminatioii of the English. Ancie
enmities were forgotten. All the New England tribes except tl
Mohegans and the remnant of the Pequots were united in a gre
confederacy, of which Philip was to be the chief. The Xarraga
setts alone agreed to furnish four thousand warriors. 0th
tribes were to furnish their hundreds or their thousands, accor
ing to their strength. Hostilities were to commeuee in the sprii
of 1676 by a simultaneous assault upon all the settlements, so;
to prevent aid being sent from one part of the country to anoth€

As Philip s deep laid plans ap[>roached maturity he becan
more independent and bold in his demeanor. The Governor <
Massachusetts, becoming convinced that a dreadful conspira(
was in prosrress. s«Mit an amba.ssiidor to Philip demanding 2
explanation of these threateniuir appearances, and desirii
another treaty of peace and friendship. The proud sache
haughtily replied to the ambassador: *'Your Governor is but
subject of Kins Charles of Enirland. I shall not treat with
subject. I shall only treat with the Kintr. my brother. When I
comes I am ready."

Just before the outbreak John Borden, a Rhode Island nu
and a great friend of Philip, tried to dissuade him from wa
His r«i>ly is r»*markal>l«*: **The En<rlish who came first to tl
country were but a handful of p<:*ople. forlorn, poor and d
tressed. ^ly father did all in his power to ser\'e them. Othc

KING PHILIP, OS METACOMET. 05

came. Their nnmbers increased. My father *s counselors were
alanned. They urged him to destroy the English before they
became strong enough to give law to the Indians and take away
their country. My father was also the father to the English. He
remained their friend. Experience shows that his counselors
were right. • The Epglish disarmed my people. They tried them
by their own laws, and assessed damages my people could not pay.
Sometimes the cattle of the English would come into the corn-
fields of my people, for they did not make fences like the Eng-
lish. I must then be seiyjed and confined till I sold another tract
of my country for damages and costs. Thus tract after tract is
gone. But a small part of the dominion of my ancestors remains.
I am determined not to live till I have no country."

"This," says a writer, "is a declaration of war more striking
in its origin, more true in its statements, than any with which we
Me acquainted. It is the mournful summary of accumulated
'^ngs that cry aloud for battle, not for revonfro alone, but for
the very existence of the oppressed. It is the sad note of prrpara-
tion sounded bj^ a royal leader that summons to thoir last conflict
theaborisrinal lords of New England."

The burning words were followed by burninfr deeds. Though
still unprepared for war, the pent-up fury of his warriors could
hardly be restrained. They became very insol(^nt and boastful,
and would actually sharpen their knives and tomahawks upon
the door-sills of the colonists, talking; in mysterious phrase of
the ffreat deeds they wore about to perform.

One of the most intelligent of Elliot's converts was Jobn
Sassamon, who had acquired considerable education, and bad
h<^nie quite an efficient apent in Christian missions to tho
Indians. Tie was also a pfreat help to Elliot in translatinir the
Bibl«' and other books into the Indian lanpruafre. He lived in
semi-civilized style upon Assawompset Neck, with his family,
incliulincr a very pretty daujrhter, whom be called Assowetoujrb,
but who was called by the Puritans the less sonorous name of
Betty. The noted place in i\Iiddleborou<rh now called Betty's
Neck is immortalized by the charms of Assowetoujrh. Sassamon,

1>6 LIVES OF FAMOUS ISDIJS CHIEFS.

though sustaining the most intimate and friendly relations
the English, was a subject of King Philip, and beean
private seeretar>'. o

Soon after this Sassamon became acquainted with PI
conspiracy in all its appalling extent and magnitude of d
He at once repaired to Plymouth and informed the.(joveri
his discovery, but enjoined the strictest secrecy respectii
communication, assuring the Governor that should the Ir
learn that he had betrayed them his life would be the inev
forfeit. Sassamon soim after resigned his position as PI
secretary, and returning to Middlebo rough, resumed his en
ment as teacher and preacher to the Indians.

By some unknown means Philip learned that he had
betrayed by Sassamon. and early in tht* sjiring of 1675. Sasj
was suddenly missing. Suspicion inunediately arose that h
been murdered cither by Philip or some of his friends. A
search the body whs found beneath the ice of Assawompsc^t
in ^liddleborou^h. The murderers, hoi)inp: to escape susf
left his hat and gun upon the ic(\ that it nii^ht be supi)o>
had drowned himself or fallen in by aecident : but up(
examination of the body it api)eare(l that his neck had
broken, *' which,'' says Dr. Mather, "is one Itulian iva\j of
dcring.'^ Three Indians were arresti'd and put upon tr
Plymouth, in June, before a jury eonijiosed of (iglit Engli?
and four Indians. In that snpei-stitions age the colonists
but too ready to beli(*ve anythin«r and everything which
ported a charge airainst Philij). Tlie lead(M' of the three Ir
arrested was Tobias, one of Pliilij)'s councilors. Dr. Jtk
Math<»r says of him: "When Tobias ennie near the dea<l
it fell a bhMMlin«^ on fresh, as if it liad been newly slain, all
was buried a considerable time before that.''

blatters lookiMl very black for Tobias, and blacker still
a ('o)irrn'u nf Indian, om* Patuekson. was found who, from a
l)ori!i»r hill, elainied to hav<» witn(^ssed the death of Sas.sam
tlie hands of To])ias and the othcM's. Patuekson had not da
tell wliat he had s<'en before this, ])ecause of fears for his ow

KIKG FSIUP, OR METACOMET, 97

The three men were all eonyicted and hung. Philip was
Ug^ exasperated when he heard of the execution. He did not
deny their agency in the affair, but contended that ''the English
bad nothing to do with one Indian's killing another." To make
matters worse, Philip was apprehensive that he also might be
Udnaped and hung, as indeed was contemplated, as we learn
from a letter written by Governor Winslow, July 4, 1675, in
itiieh he says: "I do solemnly protest, we know not anything
from us which might have put Philip upon these motions, nor
htve heard that he pretends to suffer any wrong from us, save
ooly that we had killed some Indians, and intended to send for
lumself for the murder of John Saasamon." We are curious to
how what more provocation the good Governor wouldvdeem
Deeeaniy before Philip would have a just ''casus bcUt."

The murder of Sassamon precipitated the conflict. At that
time Philip was training his forces, but had not fully matured hifc
plans. The Narragansetts, who had entered into the plot and
were to furnish four thousand warriors, were not yet ready. But
Philip could no longer restrain the vindictive spirit of his young
Wampanoag warriors, who were roused to a frenzy, and immed-
iately commenced a series of the most intolerable annoyances,
shooting the cattle, frightening the women and children, and
insulting wayfarers wherever they could find tln»m. According to
Abbott, **The Indians had imbibed the superstitious notion, which
had probably been taught them by John Sassamon, tliat the party
which should commence the war and shed the first blood would be
defeated. They therefore wished, by violence and insult, to pro-
voke the English to strike the first blow." Nor had they long to
wait. On Siinday, June 20, 1675, a party of eight Indians, bent
on mischief, entered the little settlement of Swanzey, ransacked
a house while the settlers were at church and shot the peaceful
cattle pasturing on the green. Becoming very much exasperated
At the attempt of the Indians to force an entrance into his house,
a settler fired at and wounde<l one of the savages, who
raJIenly away with bloody threats. The first blood was nov
and the drama of war was opened. In view of the alarmu

98 LUES OF FAMOIS ISDIAS CHIEFS.

of affairs, messengers were dispatched to Boston and Plymouth.
Thursday, the 24th, was appointed as a day of fasting and
prayer.

On that day the villajie wore the stillness of a Sabbath. The
pious people were returninir with thoughtful faces from the log
church. The rough street, filled with stumps, wound past the
cabins with their little clearings, and through the noonday
shadows of the primeval forest. Suddenly there were two sharp
reports, two putYs of smoke, and two manly forms lay prostrate,
one of them dead. The English were dumb with horror. Two
who were dispatcheil for a '*chirurgeon" were shot dead in the
road, at the same time reil flames burst through the roofs of a
dozen vabins.

lA^aving their slain where they had fallen, sixteen men and
fifty-four women and children fleil to a large house, where they
prepareil to fight for their lives. In another part of the town
six others were killeil and their bixlit^ shockiniily mutilated in
attempting to reach this placv of s^iifety. One story is recorded
of a servant girl in a cabin, who hid two little children under a
largi* brass kettle, tiivtl at an Indian entering the house, and,
failing to kill him, beat him otT bv throwing a shovelful of live
coals in his face, st> that he was found in the wixxls dead from
his wounds. As the terrible ut \vs quickly spn^ad through the
colonies, little conipanios of moii were s<Hm raistH.1. The people
lH»sioi:ed in the ^tron^ house at Swaiizey wen^ ivlieved, and soon
a force of more than a hniulretl men was colbvted at that ill-fated
viJlairv*. An expedition was sent to attai-k Philip at Mount Hope;
but that wily sachem. tVarinir a trap and saving how untenable
the littlt^ peninsula was for successful defense, had withdrawn
his entire t\>»\v and taken a strong stratCiric pt>sition in the midst
of the iin'at Porass^^t swamp, wlu'iv he was tiimlly located by
Captain Ohuivh and his nu^n.

Tn the meaTitirne \\w Massa^'husetts troops had marched into
the NarraLraiisi'tt eountrv. ajid witli irreat show of force con-
o:';.;-d a treaty with \\w Narrairansotrs, which they faithfidly
observ.^.l whi!.- the colonists \\«'re in siirht. The united forces

KING PHILIP, OR METACOMET. 101

then marched on Philip, still intrenched in the preat swamp.
The colonists, knowinjj: the intellectual supremacy of Kinp: Philip
as the commanding genius of the war, determined to kill or
capture him, and offered large rewards for his head.

After the English were led into an ambush and fifteen of
them killed, they concluded that, as three sides of the swamp
were surrounded by water, they had only to closely guard the
land side, and Philip would be starved out and forced to sur-
render, as the Indians had but a limited store of provisions. So
they built a fort and kept guard for thirteen days.

But Philip and his warriors had been biLsy constructing rafts
and canoes, and one dark night he floated all his fighting men,
numbering some two hundred, across the river, and continued
bis flight far away into the unknown and almost unexplored
wilderness of the interior of Massachusetts. Wetamoo, the widow
of his brother Alexander, who was ever at Philip's side, together
with some of her warriors, escaped with him. lie left a hundred
starving women and children in the swamps, who surrendered
theinsi^lves the next morning to the English.

Philip had now penetrated the AVilderness and otTected his
escape beyond the reach of his foes. He had the boundless forest
around him for his refuge, with the opportunity of enicM-jring at
his leisure upon any J)oint of attack along the Xcnv England
frontier he might choose. Brookfield, an exposed settlement of
twenty families, was the first to suffer. Twenty horsemen coming
to its dt'fense, were ambushed in a deop gully, and eleven killed.
Emboldened by this success, three hundred Indians, yc^lling
likvti.Mids and brandishing tho'w bloody weapons, rushed into the
settlement. The terrified people gathered for defense in the
stronir»?^t house, from the loopholes and windows of which th(\v
, saw the torch applied to their homes. In an hour every cabin,
with all its household furniture, most of it brought from Eng-
land, was a heap of smoldering embers.

The Indians now surrounded the house in which the people
were gathered. Inside, feather beds were fastened to the walls
for protection. Outside the Indians exerted tlicir utmost inge-

1^2 UrE:< OF FAMOrs IS'DiAS CHIEFS.

nnify for twr> flays to fin* the buildinsr. They wrapped around
their arrows hemp dipped in oil. and settin«r them on fire, shot
them on the dr>\ inflammahle roof. Several times the biiildiog
was in a blaze, but by great effort the inmates extinguished it.
One night a fire was built against the very door, but the colonists
rushed out to a near-by well and procured water to quench it.

TSTien the ammunition of the colonists was running low, and
they were exhausted by two days and as many nights of incessant
conflict, and ready to despair, the Indians made a last desperate
effort to fire the building. Filling a cart with hemp, flax and the
resinous boughs of fir and pine, fastening to the tongue a succes-
sion of long poles, they set the whole contents on fire and pushed
it against the garrison house, whose walls were as dry as tinder.

But at that critical instant, when all hope was gone, Major
Willard, of Boston, with forty-eight dragoons, charged through
the Indians, scattering them right and left, and entered the gar-
rison. The burning cart was rolled away from the building, and
a providential shower aided in extinguishing the flames which
had been kindled.

The savages, after firing a few volleys into the fortress, sul-
lenly retired. Durinc this remarkable siege, one white man was
killed and many wounded, while the Indians' loss was about
eighty killed.

It is said that ^lajor AVillard. who thus rescued the people of
Brookfield from a cruel death, suffered military censure and dis-
grace for having gone there instead of remaining at Hadley,
where there were no Indians.

The fate of Brookfield was also meted out to Hatfield, Deer-
field. Xorthfield and Spriuiriield, while North Hampton, Worces-
ter and Iladley, though lacking the name, became *'battlefield3.'*

A curious incident is recorded in eonnecticm with the Indians'
attack on Iladley, which occurred on Sabbath morning of Sep-
tember 1, whil(» the people were attending public worship. This
town had thnv conii>anies oru:anized for defense, but the sudden-
ness of the attack caused the people to become panic-stricken;
they w«^re about to fly iu tlic wildest confusion, like sheep assailed

KiaO PHILIP, OB METACOMET. 103

by wolves. Suddenly a stranger of large size, commanding

appearance, loud voice and flowing, gray hair and beard,

appeared in their midst with a rallying cry and drawn sword.

His strange military aspect, and authoritative manner, quickly

inspired all with courage. They fought with desperate valor

under his leadership, and after a bloody battle the savages were

defeated and driven away. The people of Hadley now tunied to

look for their deliverer, but he had disappeared, as suddenly as

he had come, and was never seen again. They firmly believed

him to have been the angel of the Lord, and so it passed into the

traditions of the place. Years afterward it was discovered that the

stranger was William Goffe, one of Cromwell's major-generals,

and one of the judges who signed the death warrant of Charles

Tm called by the royalists ''regicides.'* Many of these judges

were executed when Charles II. became King. Three of them—

Oen. William Goffe, his father-in-law. Gen. Edward Whalley, and

Col. John Dixwell, fled to America on board the same ship that

broujrht the first news of the restoration of the monarchy. They

arrived in Boston July, 1660, and made their abode at Cam-

bridtre. Soon after this a feneinsr-master erected a platform on

the Boston Common and dared any man to fiprht him with swords.

^'Offp, armed with a hnpe cheese covered with a cloth for a

shield, and a mop filled with muddy water, appeared before the

champion, who immediately made a thrust at his antajronist.

Ooffe caugrht and held the fencinjy-master's sword in the cheese

: and besmeared him with the miid in his mop. The enrajred

fencing-master cauorht up a broadsword, when (Joffe cried,

i "Hold! I have hitherto played with you; if you attack me, I

i Hill surely kill you.*' The alanned champion dropped his sword

and exclaimed, **Who can you be? You must be either Goi\\\ or

^^Tialley, or the devil, for there are no other persons who could

keatme.'*

! Peeling insecure at Cambridge, for Charles II. oft'ered large

rewards for their arrest, and sent officera to take theui, the

"regicides'* fled to New Haven, where the Rev.' !Mr. Davenport

and the citizens generally did what they could to protect them.

KISG PHILIP, OK METACOMET. 105

The critical moment arrived, and the English being in the
midst of the ambush, a thousand Indians sprang up from their
concealment, as if by magic, and poured a deadly fire upon the
straggling column. Then, with exultant yells, they rushed from
even' quarter to close assault. The English were taken entirely
by surprise, and being scattered in a long line of march, could
only resort to the Indian mode of fighting, each one from behind
a tree. But they were entirely surrounded and overpowered.
Some, in their dismay, leaped into the branches of the trees,
hoping thus to escape observation. The savages, with shouts of
derision, mocked them for a time, and then killed them.

But eight escaped to tell of the awful tragedy. Ninety young
men of the very flower of Essex county were thus slaughtered.
The little stream running through the south part of Deerfield, on
whose banks this dreadful tragedy occurred, has since been
known as Bloody Brook, from the fact that the water was dis-
eolored as a result of this slaughter. Captain ]\Ios(»]y licard the
firing at Deerfield, only five miles distant, and inninMliat<'ly
marched to their rescue, but got thcM-e too late, llr and his
sevent}' men, however, fell upon the Indians with undaunted
t'ourage. Keeping his men in solid phalanx he broke throuirli \\w
lines of the savages, again and atrain eutting down all in si^ht,
hut losing heavily every minute. Aided by the* swa.ni]\ tlie forest,
and overwhelming numbers, the Indians niaintain<'<l tlie iitrht
^'ithmnch fierceness for six houi^s, and in the end ]\Iosely an<l his
men would probably have shared the same fate as tliose for wlioni
^hey thus imperiled tlieir lives, had not reinfoi-ecMnents aiiived
at the critical moment, consisting of o\w liundred and sixty
friendly Mohegan Indians under the eonnnand of ^lajor Treat.
These fresh troops fell vigorously u])on the foe, and the sava ires
fled, leaving ninety-six of their lumiber dead. Philip himself is
said to have commanded in this bloody fight, and his men, though
defeated in the end, were greatly encouraged an<l emboldeiKMl.

The two captains, Mosely and Treat, eneam])ed near by in
an open space, and attended to the burial of the dead the follow-
inirday. They were deposited in two pits, the colonists in one and

KING PfflLiP. OK METAVOMiCf.

pieked meiiy forced an entrance into the fort nf n point in the
n?ar. not so strongly defended. In a moment they were supported
hy hundreds more. Once within the enclosure the real stnigj^le
^Ti« Imt eotumeneed. The shrieks of the ^^iiva^^s mtngled with
the roflr **f imisketry. ** It was/' as Au^ustua Lynch Sla^on say«,
ihe g:reat »lru!^de of New England. On the one hand fonjjht
thf^ lljitiisaiid luiiian warriorn, inspired by every feeling of
p^tr'^t^^Tii. TinTrt'^fr r^A'^'riLrf"\ *hf' si't^n' nf ny^prr^^^init. nnr! ^^v^' fnr
thdrfaBoilies. lliey fouf^t for their native land. On the otiier
were tbe ecdcmistBy the offspring of an age of intoleranee and
biiitidaiii, of war and r^wlotion. Exiled from, their natiVe land,
these tnen of iron had wrought oat for themadvea rode hornet
in tbe wilderneas. Dniess they eonld maintaiti their aettlemente
in New Enf^and i^ainat the savages there was no plam under the
bending sky where they might live in liber^ and peaee. The
inhospitable earth would disown her children. So they fought,
nerved by the thought of wife and child, by the memory of the
past, by the hopes of the future."

The conflict raged for three hours without decisive results,
but with great slaughter on both sides. The English could not
be driven from the fort, nor could they dislodge the Indians. At
^ast the ammunition of the savages ran low, and above the tumult
was heard the shout of Captain Church crying, **Pire the wig-
wams!" The order was obeyed, and to the din of battle was
added the thunderous roar of flames mingled with the shrieks
^d wailings of old men, women and children, as they were
roasted alive in the fiery furnaces. Quarter was neither asked
nor given, as the combatants fought like demons, contending for
every foot of ground. When night came on, with a heavy snow-
storm, the savages retreated to the smoky depths of the swamp,
where many perished with the cold.

The English were left in possession of the charred fort, but it
^^ a dearly bought victory. Since daybreak the colonists had
'narched sixteen miles and fought this terrible battle without food
or rest Nor did they stop when the victory was won, but hastily
^Uecting their dead and disabled, they placed them on quickly

I ....

lOS LUES OF F.\}lorS IM)IAN CHIEFS,

inipn)vist»<l litttM-s, and wearily trudjrt*<l away into the forest on
the ivturn niaivh. As they slowly stunibliHl over the rough
places, or plowo<l thtMr way thronjrli the <leep snow, l)earing their
slain, many a bravt* roinrade sank l»y the way to rise no more.
In this (h'eisive battle a thousaml warrioi's wt're killed and hun-
<lri'<ls mon* were captun'd. Ht»sid(»s the non-eombatants, nearly
all the wounded perisluMl in the tianies. The pritle of the Xarra-
nansi'tts perislu'd in a day, but iM«rhty F^nirlish soldiers, ineludin}!
six ea[)tains, were killed, and one hundred and fifty others
wounde<l. Those of the Iiulians who eseapinl, led by Philip,
ajrain repaired to the Nipnnieks. With the opening; of spring the
war was renewed with more violence than ever. AVith the decline
of their fortunes, the Indians jrrew des|H'rate. and swept the
frontier with resist h'ss fury. Lancaster, Medfield, Groton and
Marlboro were laid in ashes. Weymouth, within twenty miles of
Boston, met tbe same fate. On (»very hand were st^en traces of
nnirder ami rapine*. Hut the end was near at hand; the resources
<»F the savaires were wasted and their number daily decreasing.

In A[)ril, ('an<ni<'het, the trreat sacbem of the Narraganaetts,
and, next to Philip, tbe master spirit (»f tbe war, was capturei^i.
on the banks of tbe HIackstoue. Tbe Kn^rlish otVered to spare his==
life if he woubl brinir about a treaty of peace. But the sugge^^

tion was scornfully rejectetl. It was ('am»nchet who, when th

Kn«rlisb d<*manded that be sbnuld surn'uder some of Philip '
men, wbo were with liim on a fornuM* occasion, replied, **Not
Wampanoair nor tlie pariiiL' of a Wampanoa»r's nail shall fc^JH
delivered up.'' Wlien told that be must die be made this nieu tk-
orable answer: *'I like it well: I shall di*» before my heart is
soft, or I have said anytbiii'^' unworthy of myself." Because '^lo
bad refused to viobite tbt* laws of hospitality by surrendering irkis
fri(»nds to certain dejitb or slavery, bis father bad l)e*»n inurder^*ci.
his warriors slain by tbe hundred, bis women and children burned
alive in tbe wiL'Wjniis of tlic fort. Yet for all this he uttered not
a word of n'])roacli. S<*ornini: to save liis lif»» by the submissiou
of his people to su<'li coruiuerors. be calmly folded his arms across
his kindly breast, and witli bra<l erret and eye that never (pmiled.

.■•,!;Y

>«

KING PHILIP, on MBTACOMBT. Ill

received the fatal bullets in his heart. In all the lore of chivalry
and war there can not be found a more heroic soul.

Like his father, Miantonomo, Canonchet (or NanuntemOy as
he is sometimes called) was a friend to the heroic Roger Williams, .
who tried to dissuade him from becoming an ally to Philip. Mr.
Villiams, now seventy-seven years of age, told him that ^'Massa-
chusetts could raise ten thousand men, and even were the Indians
to destroy them all. Old England could send over an equal num«
her every year until the Indians were conquered." To which the
noble young chief proudly and generously replied: "Let them
come, we shall be ready for them ; but as for you. Brother Will-
iams, you are a good man ; you have been kind to us many years;
not a hair of your head shall be touched." And when the town
of Providence was nearly destroyed by the Indians, it was Canon-
chet who gave orders that the person and property of Roger
Williams should be spared, and he was obeyed. And yet there
are those who think the Indian is devoid of gratitude.

The death of Canonchet, his most formidable ally, had a very
d^'pressin? effect on Philip, and marked the bejrinning of the
^nd, for their friendship was like that of David and Jonathan,
stronirest in adversity. Other influences were also at work which
^^Te surely undermining the power of Philip. Having had their
stores of corn and other provision destroyed by the English, and
"^in? prevented from planting more by the desolation of war,
ois warriors were forced to a diet almost entirely of meat. This
caused many to fall a prey to disease. Moreover, the allied tribes
•^ran to murmur in open discontent and rebellion, sayinj? that
Philip had promised them easy victories and much plunder, but
Instead they had grained nothini; by this war but hardship, suffer-
^^?and the hatred of the En^rlish. Nothinjr succeeds like success,
"^t it is also true that nothinjr fails like failure.

Captain Church was made commander-in-chief of all the
lorees, with full power to conduct the w^ar in his own way. lie
abandoned the English method of warfare and f ou<rht the Indians
^th their own methods. Offers of peace were made to all who
^^re discerninsr enoufrh to see that their cause was hopeless,

KING PHILIP, OR METACOMET. 113

fled so precipitately that his wampum belt, covered with beads,
and silver, the ensign of his princedom, fell into the hands of the
English, who also captured his wife and only son, young Meta-
eomet, both of whom were doomed to slavery and shipped to the
^Vest Indies. His cup of misfortune was now filled to the brim.
"My heart breaks," said he in the agony of his grief, **now I am
ready to die. ' *

Philip now began, like Saul of old, when earth was leaving
him, to look to the powers beyond it, and applied to his magicians
and sorcerers, who, on consulting their oracles, assured him that
no Englishman should ever kill him, as indeed many had tried to
do, and so far had failed. This was a vague consolation, yet it
seems to have given him, for a while, a confidence in his destiny,
and he took his last stand in the middle of a dense and almost
inaccessible swamp just south of Mount Hope, his old home,
where he had spent the only happy years of his eventful life. It
^vas a fit retreat for a despairinpr man, bein^r one of those waste
^nd dismal places hid by cypress and other trees of dense folia^^e,
fhat spread their gloomy shades over the treacherous shallows
•iiid pools beneath.

In the few dry parts oaks and pines grew, and, between them
a brushwood so thick that man or beast could hardly penetrate;
^'H the long, rich grass of these parts wild eattle fed, unassailed
kv the hand of man, save when they ventured beyond the con-
fines of the swamp. There were wolves, deer and other wild
animals, and wilder men, it was said, were seen here, supposed to
have been the children of some of the Indians who had either
'^on lost or left here, and had thus grown up like denizens of this
^'M. dismal swamp. Here, on a little spot of upland, the baffled
^Weftain gathered his little band around him. and, like a lion at
^. made his last stand.

In this extremity, an .Indian proposed to seek peace with the
Enirlish: the haughty monarch instantly laid him dead at his
wt. as a punishment for his temerity and as a warninsr to others.
I^nt this act led to his own undoing. The brother of this mur-
dered Indian, named Alderman, indignant at such severity,

114 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

deserted to the Engrlish, and offered to guide them to the swamp
\vher(» Philip was secreted. Church and his men gladly accepted
the ofler, and immediately followed the traitor to the place and
surrounded the Indians.

The night before his death it is said that Philip, **like him of
the army of ilidian," had been dreaming that he was fallen into
the hands of the English ; he awoke in alarm and told it to his
men and advised them to fly for their lives, for he believed it
would come to pass. Now, just as he was telling his dream, he
was startled by the firat shot fir^d by one of the English, who had
surrounded his camp. Seizing his gun and powderhom he fled
at full speed in a direction guarded by an Englishman and the
traitor. Alderman. The Entrlishman took deliberate aim at him
when he was only a few yards away, but the powder was damp
and the gun missed fire, as if in fulfilment of the oracle. It was
now the Indian's turn, and a sharp report rang through the
forest and tiro hulhts, for the gun was (Joiihlc charged, pa.ssed
almost directly throu!J:h the heart of the heroic warrior. For an
instant the majestic frame of the chieftain (juivered from the
shock, and then he fell heavily and stone dead in the mud and
water of the swamp.

The traitorous Indian ran eagerly to inform Captain Church^
that he had shot Kinir Philip, and Church, by a prearranged,
signal, called his soldiei-s together and informed them of th^
death of their forniidabh* foe. The eor])se was dragged out o'£
the swamp, as if it had been the carcass of a wild beast, to where
the ground was dry. Captain Church then said : ** Forasmuch as
he has caused many an Knglisluiuurs body to lie unburied and to
rot above the ground, not one of his bones shall be buried.'*
Accordingly, an old Indian ext'cutioner was ordered to cut off his
head and (piarter his body, which was immediately done. Philip
had a mutilated hand, caused hy the bursting of a pistol; this
liand was given to Aldennan, who shot him. as his share of the
spoil. Captain Church informs us that Alderman preserved it
in rum and carried it annind the country as a show, **and accord-
ingly he got many a penny by exhibiting it." The head was sent

KiNO PHiUP, QM MBTACOMET. 116

to Plymonth, where it was set up on a gibbet and expoaed for
twmty yeara, while the four qnartera of the body were nailed to
as many treea, a terrible exhibition of the barbarism of that age.

"Such," said Edward Everett, ''was the fate of Philip. He
Iiad fought a relentless war, bnt he f onght for his native land,
for the mound that covered the bones of his parents; he fought
for his squaw and papoose; no— I will not defraud them of the
acred names whieh our hearts understand— he fought for his
wife and child/'

Philip, of Mount Hope, was certainly one of the most illus-
trioQg savages upon the North American continent. The inter-
pootion of Providence alone seems to have prevented him from
otennmating the whole English race of New England. Though
In diaracter has been described only by those who were exas-
perated against him to the- very highest degree, still it is evident
tbat he possessed many of the noblest qualities which can embel-
lish any character.

ilrs. Rowlandson, wl)o was captured by the Indians at the
time Lancaster was destroyed, met King Philip on several occa-
sions and received only kind usage at his hands. She says in
her narrative : **Then I went to see King Philip" (who was not
present at the attack of Lancaster), **and he bade me come in
and sit down, and asked me whether I would smoke, a usual com-
pliment, now-a-days, among saints and sinners, but this no ways
suited me. During my abode in this place, Philip spoke to me
to make a shirt for his boy, for which he gave me a shilling.
Afterward he asked me to make a cap for his boy, for which he
invited me to dinner. I went, and he gave me a pancake, about
M big as two fingers; it was made of parched wheat, beaten, and
Wed in bear's grease, but I thought I never tasted pleasaiiter
meat in my life." She met Philip again at the rendezvous near
Mount Wachusett. Kindly, and with the courtesy of a polished
Hentleman, he took the hand of the unhappy captive and said :
*% two more weeks you shall be your own mistress again." In
fte last talk she had with Philip, he said to her, with a smile on
Ws face: "Would you like to hear some good news? I have a

116 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

pleasant word for you. You are to go home to-morrow,"
did.

That majmanimity and gratitude were prominent eh
istics of this preat chieftain is shown by his treatraeni
Leonard family, who resided at Taunton and erected
forge which was established in the English colonies,
living at Mount Hope, Philip had a favorite summer r
Fowling Pond, near Taunton, and thus became acquaint
the Leonards, who treated him and his warriors with
kindness, repairing their guns, and supplying them wi
tools as the Indians highly prized. *' Philip," says Abbo1
become exceedingly attached to this family, and in gr
at the commencement of the war, had given the strictes
that the Indians should never molest or injure a Leonard,
bending that in a general assault upon the town his
the Leonards, might be exposed to danger, he spread th
of his generous protection over the whole place." T
Leonard family did for Taunton what the family of L
unable to do for Sodom. The Indians were often seen n(
in large numbers, but it was spared the fate of thirtee
(owns, some of them hirger than Taunton.

**IIis mode of making war," says Francis Baylies
-{pcret and terrible. He seemed like a demon of destrueti(
ing his bolts in darkness. With eautious and noiseless ste
shrouded by the deep shade of midnight, he glided fi
;;h)omy depths of the woods. lie stole on the villages an(
tnents of New England, like the pestilence, unseen and u
His dreadful ageney was felt when the yells of his f(
roused his victims from their slumbers, and when the fli
[heir blazing habitations glared up<m their eyes. His p
•ould be traced by the horrible desolation of its progress
•rimson print upon the snows and the sands, by smoke a
by houses in ruins, by the shrieks of women, the wai
nfants, and the groans of the wounded and dying. Well
nior^^ ^o have been called the * terror of New England.'
lid he transcend the usiiges of Indian warfar

TIktoi^ tiie geoenlity of the Indiaos irare often inhmnaiiy
yet H does not appear tlmtFluUpwatfperwHQU^Tindi Hie

eiia% waasalkmal, not individnal. Nor is there any evidence
flat Philip ever ordered a eaptiire to be tortured, whUe it ia nnde-
oiaUe Oat the Eni^iah, in eereral instan0el^ eorr^ndered their
eqvtiYei to the horrid barbarities of their aavage alliee.

is Abbott well says, ^'We most remember that the Indians
\m no ehnmielers.of their wrongs, and yet the colonial his-
torittis fnmish ns with abnndant incidental evidence that out-
nges were perpetrated by individnab of the cdonists, which
^nm snfSciait to drive any people mad. No one can now con-
temidate the doom of Metacomet, the last of an iUnstrioas line,
hit with emotions of sadness/'

"Even tliat he Kved is f or h(^ wmfOLtror^B tongae,
Bj torn sloae his dsafh-soag bbosI be simg.
No ehronieles bat theirs shall tell

His mournful doom to future times,
May these upon his virtues dwell,

And his fate forget his crimes ! ' *

Philip's war was not only the most serious conflict wliich New
England ever sustained against the savages, biit the most fatal to
the aborigines themselves. The great tribe of the Narragansetts,
rfold, the leading tribe of New England, was almost entirely

; exterminated; hardly a hundred warriors remained. The last
duef of either tribe capable of leading the Indians to battle had
faBen. Philip's son was sent to Bermuda and sold as a slave.
"The war cost the colonies half a million of dollars, and the lives
of abont six hundred men, the flower of the population. Thirteen
towns and six hundred houses were burned, and there was hardly

I a family in the country that had not occasion to mourn the death
rf a relative.

CHAPTER V.
PONTIAC, THE RED NAPOLEON.

HEADCIIIEP OF THE OTTAWAS; AND ORGANIZER OP THE FIRST GREAT
INDIAN CONFEDERATION.

IT has been said that the history of the United States began
with the triumph of the English on the heights of Abraham,
resulting in the immediate fall of Quebec and the inevitable
surrenderof all Canada.

This memorable event took place September 13, 1759, and
from New Hampshire to Georgia the American colonists wel-
<^nae(l the news with exuberant rejoicings.

But their joy was premature and of short duration, for
^^ough the French had been subdued, and were suinj: for peace,
Wr Indian allies, under the indomitable Pontiac, had, in the
Jj^nmia^'eof Paul Jones, **just begun to fight.''

This remarkable sachem was principal chief of the Ottawas,
i^nJ the virtual head of a loose kind of confederacy, consistin^r
"fth»* Ottawas, Ojihways and Pottawatomies. Over those around
•^'ni. his authority was almost despotic, and his power extendcMl
la?" htTond the limits of the three united tribes. His influence
^3.s j;r.»at amonjr all the nations of the Illinois country; while
'ritm the sources of the Ohio to those of the Mississipi)i, and.
•fi'Imi. to the farthest boundaries of the wide-spread Al^oncpiin
^^^^, his name was known and respected.

H«^ is said to have been the son of an Ottawa chief and an
'Oihuay mother, a circumstance which i)roved an advantage to
hiiij by increasing his influence over both tribes. Hut the mere
^^^t that Pontiac was born the son of a chief would, as Parkmaii
says. **in no degree account for the extent of his power: for,
anjonjr Indians, many a chief's son sinks back into insignificance,

121

122 LirE.S OF FAMOrs ISDIAN CUIEFS.

while the oft'sprinjj: of a comnion w«Trrior may succeed to his
place/' Anion*: all the wild tribes of the continent, personal
merit is indispensable to piinin^ or preserving dignity. Courage,
resolution, wisdom, address and elo(|uence are sure passports to
distinction. With all these Pontiac \tas preeminently endowed,
and it was chiefly to them, urged to their highest activity by a
vehement ambition, that he owed his greatness, for all authorities,
and especially those who came personally in contact with him,
concede the fact that he was indeed great.

A traveler who visited his country about 1760 mentions him
in the following terms: ** Pontiac, their present King or
Emperor, has certainly the largest empire and greatest authority
of any Indian chief that has appeared on the continent since our
acquaintance with it. lie puts on an air of majesty and princely
grandeur, and is greatly honored and revered by his subjects."

Pontiac is said to have commanded the Ottawas at Braddock's
defeat, and was tiealed with much honor by the French officers.
The venerable Pierre Chouteau, of i^t. Louis, remembered to
have seen Pontiac a few days before the assassination of that
chief, attired in Il:e complete uniform of a French officer, which
had been given him by the ^Marquis of Montcalm, a short time
before the fall of Qu(»bee.

An ("ijibway Indian told Parkman that some portion of his
flower was to be ascribed to his b(Mn*r a chief of the Mttai, a
nia«j:ical association anion*r the Indians of the lakes, in which
character he oxfM'ted an infinenee on the sui)erstitions of his fol-
lowers.

The trreat chief jiossessed many resources. His intellect was
stroiiL! and eapaeious. wliile his commanding energy and subtle
ei-aft eouhl mat eh tlu^ best of liis wily race. But, though capable
of nets of lofty niatrnaiiimity, he was a thorough savage, sharing
all their passions and prejudices, their fierceness and treachery.
Vet liis faults wen* those of his race; and they can not eclipse
his nobler (pialities, the trreat powers and heroic Anrtues of his
mind.

At the time of which we write. Pontiac made his home at an

POSTIAC, THE BSD NAPOLEON. 123

Ottawa village about five miles above Detroit, on the opposite
or Canadian side of the river. He lived in no royal state. His
cabin was a small, oven-shaped structure of bark and rushes.
Here he dwelt witli his squaws and children ; and here, doubtless,
he might often have been seen, carelessly reclining his half-naked
form on a rush mat, or bearskin, like any ordinary warrior. But
his vigorous mind was ever active — ^thinking, scheming, plotting,
if you will, how to most effectually unite all the scattered tribes,
many of them his hereditary foes» in one great far-reaching effort
to regain what the French had lost, by driving back the English
invaders from his land.

The first time Pontiac stands forth distinctly on the page of
history, or rather stalks across that page, was in 1760, about a
year after the victory of the English at Quebec.

On September 12, 1760, the famous major, Robert Rogers,
received orders from Sir Jeffrey Amherst to ascend the lakes
with a detachment of two hundred rangers in fifteen whaleboats
and take possession, in the name of his Britannic majesty, of
Detroit, Miehillimaekinac, and other western posts included in
the late capitulation. On November 7 they reached the mouth
of a river called by Rogers the Chogage. Weary with their long
voyage they determined to rest a few days, and were preparing
their encampment in the neighboring forest when a party of
Indian chiefs and warriors entered the camp.

They proclaimed themselves an embassy from Pontiac, **King
and Lord of that country," and informed Rogers and his rangers
that their great sachem, in person, proposed to visit the English;
that he was then not far distant, coming peaceably, and that he
desired the major to halt his detachment **till such time as he
could see him with his own eyes."

The major drew up his troops as requested, and before long
Pontiac made his appearance. He wore, we are told, **an air
of majesty and princely grandeur." lie saluted them, but the
salutation, so far from being another ** Welcome, Englishmen!"
was very frigid and formal. He at once sternly demanded of
Bofjers his business in his territory, and how he had dared to

124 LIVES OF FAMOUS IXDTAN CHIEFS.

venture upon it without his permission. Roarers ver>" prudently
answered that he had no desipi apiinst the Indians, but, on the
contrary, wished to remove from their country a nation who had
been an obstach^ to mutual friendship and commerce between
them and the En<rlish. He also made known his commission to
this effect, and concluded with a present of several belts of
wampum. Pontiac received them with the single observation, ''I
shall stand in the path you are walking till morning," and gave
at the same time, a small string, of wampum. **This," writes the
major, * * was as much as to say I must not march farther vrithout
his leave."

Such, undoubtedly, was the safest construction, and the sequel
shows that Pontiac considered it the most civil. Before departing
for the night he inquired of Rogers whether he wanted anything
which his country afforded : if so, his warriors should bring it for
him.

The reply was discreet as the offer was generous, that what-
ever provisions might be brought in should be well paid for.
Probably they were: but the English were, at all events, supplied
the next morning with several bags of parched corn, game and
other necessaries. Pontine himself, at the second meeting, offered
the pipe of peace, which he and Rogei-s smoted by turns. He
declared that he thereby made peace with Rogera and his rangers;
and that they should pass through his dominions, not only
unmolested by his subjects, but protected by them from all other
parties who might incline to be hostile.

A cold storm of rain set in, and the rangers were detained
some days in their enrampment. During this time Rogers had
several interviews with Pontiac, and was constrained to admire
the native vigor of his intellect, no less than the singidar control
he exercised over his own warrioi*s and all the Indians in the
lake n^gions. In the course of their conversation, Rogers informs
us that the great eliieftain ** often intimated to him that he should
he content to rei*rn in liis country, in subordination to the King
of (Jreat Britain, and was willing to pay him such annual
ackncnvledgment as he was able in furs, and to call him Uncle,"

rOMTlAC, THE MED KAPOLEOS. 125

Knglmd was rnndi in his thoog^ts, and he several times expresaed

a desire to see it. He told Bogen that if he would conduct him

there he would give him a part of his country. He was willing to

grant the English favors, and allow them to settle in his domin-

mm, but not unless he could be viewed as a sovereign; and he

give them to understand that unless they conducted themselves

agreeaUe to his wishes, '*he would shut up the way and keep

them out"

"As an earnest of his friendship," continued Rogers, "he sent
one hundred warriors to protect and assist us in driving one
liimdred fat cattle, which we had brought for the use of the
detaehment from Pittsburg, by the way of Presque Isle. He
likewise sent to the several Indian towns, on the south side and
west end of Lake Erie, to inform them that I had his consent to
come into the country. He attended me constantly after this
interview till I arrived at Detroit, and while I remained in the
country, and was the means of preserving the detachment from
the fury of the Indians, who had assembled at the mouth of the
strait, with an intent to cut us off. I had several conferences
^th him, in which he discovered great strength of judgment,
*nd a thirst after knowledge, lie was especially anxious to be
wwde acquainted with the English mode of war, to know how
their arms and accoutrements were provided, and how their cloth-
ing wa.s manufactured. ' '

Up to this time Pontiac had been in word and deed the fast
friend and ally of the French; but it is easy to discern the
motives that impelled him to renounce his old adhen»nce. The
American forest never produced a man more shrewd, politic and
ambitious. Ignorant as he was of what was passing in the world,
he could clearly see that the French power was on the wane, and
he knew his own interest too well to prop a falling cause. By
niaking friends of the English he hoped to gain powerful allies,
who would aid his ambitious projects, and give him an increased
influence over the tribes; and he flattened himself that the new-
comers would treat him with the same studied respect which 1
French had always observed. In this and all his other expe

126 LIVES OF FAMOUS ISDIAS CHIEFS.

tions of advantajje from the English, he was doomed to disap-
pointment.

There seems no reasonable doubt of the sincerity of Pontiac's
friendship toward the English at this time, and we can not
forbear thinking how diflPerent might have been the record of
the historian, had the English authorities pursued a friendly and
conciliatory policy toward the Indians in general, and this
mighty chieftain in particular. What massacres and devastation
might the country have been spared.

Instead of **a work of love and reconciliation" toward the
Indians the exact opposite policy was pursued by the English.
Flushed with their victory over the more formidable French,
they bestowed only a passing thought on the despised savages,
and greatly underrated their warlike prowess.

A number of things tended to enrage the Indians against the
English invaders of their land, for such they regarded them from
the first. It will be remembered that Pontiac. in his interview
with ^la.jor Rogers, made his overtures of friendship and alliance
with the English conditional . Ilis whole conversation sufficiently
indicated that he was far from considering himself a concpiered
prince, and that he expected to be treated with the respect and
honor due to a king or emperor by all who came into his coun-
try or treated with him. In short, if the English treated him in
this manner they were welcome to come into his country, but if
they treated him with neglect and contempt, **he should shut up
the way and keep tliem out.''

The English (//(/ treat him and his people with neglect and
contempt, and as a conseciuence the might}' chief was justly
indignant.

From the small and widely separated forts along the lakes
and in the interior, the red men had, with sorrow and anger, seen
the fhur-dr-lis disappear and the cross of St. Oeorge take its
place. Toward the intruders— victors over their friends, patrons
and allies— the Indians maintained a stubborn resentment and
hostility.

The Indians were ever lovrrs of the French, and for good

PONTIAC, THE RED SAPOLEOS. 127

reasons, for when, as Parknian says, '*the French had possession
of the remote forts, they were accustomed, with a wise liberality,
to supply the surrounding Indians with puns, ammunition and
clothing, until the latter had forgotten the weapons and gar-
ments of their forefathers and depended on the white men for
support. The sudden withholding of these supplies was, there-
fore, a grievous calamity. Want, suflPering and death were the
consequences, and this cause alone would have been enough to
produce general discontent. But, unhappily, other grievances
were superadded. When the Indians visited the forts, after the
English took possession, instead of being treated with politic
attention and politeness, as formerly, they were received gruffly,
subjected to indignities, and not infrequently helped out of the
fort \^*ith the butt of a sentry's musket or a vigorous kick from an
officer. These marks of contempt were unspeakably galling to
their haughty spirits.

Moreover, the wilderness was overrun witli Innital Enjrlisb
traders, who plundered, swindled and cursed llic warriors,
feles changing them into vagabonds by the rum traffic.

Meanwhile the subjugated Frriicli, still siiiartiipj: under their
'^^^^at, dispatched emissaries to almost <'very villa cr<' and council
house, from the lakes to the unilf. sayinir that tin* Kntrlish had
tomied a deliberate scheme to ext<M'iiiiru't(* the* (Mitirc Indian rae<\
and with this design had already be^un to hem th<*ni in with a
^'hain of forts on one side and setth^iHMits on the oIIkm*. Kinii
Louis of France, they said, had of late yrars bmi slrM^pinir. and
^hat, during his slumbers, the p]ns:lish had sci/cd ii|)on ('ana<lji :
hut that he was now awak(* aeain. and that his ariiii«\s were
<idvancing up the St. Lawrenc*^ aii<l the Mississi|)|>i to drive out
the intrudei-s from the country cd' his rrd chihlrcn. Th«' French
tradinir companies, and, it is said, the otTH«^t'rs of th«^ crown also,
flistributed with a liberal hand the ni<>ri' substantial encourage-
ment of arms, ammunition, clothing and provisions.

The fierce pa.ssions of the Indians, iwcit^d by their wrongs
and encouraged by the repres»-ntations of the Freneli, wtM-e
farther wrousht upon by disturbing inHuenees of another kind.

12S LUES OF FAMOrS ISDIAX CHIEFS.

A jrroat prophd arose anionjr the Delawares, preaching the recov-
ery of the Indian's huntinjr grounds from the white man. and
claiming to have received a revelation direct from the Great
Spirit. Vast throngs, including many from remote regions,
listened spellbound by his wild elo<:iuence. The white man was
driving the Indians from their country, he said, and unless the
Indians obeyed the (ireat Spirit, and destroyed the white man,
then the latter would destroy them.

This was the state of afTairs among the Indians in 1761 and
1762. Eveiy where was discontent, sullen hatred and dark fore-
bo<ling j>assi<m.

Pontiac saw his opportunity: he maintained close relations
with tlie great Delaware prophet, and, like Philip before and
Tecumseh after him, he determined to unite all the tribes he
could reach or intiuence in a gigantic conspiracy to exterminate
their connnon enemy, with the help of Prance, whom, he
intended, should n*i:«iin her foothold on the continent.

**The plan of opt-ration." says Thatcher, ''adopted by Pontiac
evinces an <'Xtraordinary genius, as well as courage and energy
of the hiirhest orrler. This was a sudd«»n and contemporaneons
attack upon all the British posts on the lakes—at St. Joseph,
Ouiateiion, Orern Ray, ^lichiliiinnrkinae. Detroit, the Manmee
and tht' Sandusky— and also upon the forts at Niagara, Presque
Ish*. Le Boeuf, V^'raiiiro and Fort Pitt. Most of the fortifications it
tln'se jiliMM^s were slisrht. bring rather conuui'reial depots than mil-
itjiry establishnwMits. Still, airainst th«» Indians they were strong-
linlds. and tin- po^^itions had hoon s^^ ju<liciously seleete^l by tke
Fi-oneh that to this day they coniniand the irreat avenues of coa-
niunication t»> tin* world of w<hhIs and waters in the remote Norfll
and West. It was nianit'rst to Pontiac, familiar as he was wiA
the geo'-rrapliy of this vast tract (►f ctnintry, and with the prie-
tical, if not the teehnical. maxims of war. tliat the possession or
Tih* dostruetirm of th«'>r ]>osts— sayinir nothing of their gani-
sons — w(»nld be emphatically *slmttintr up the way.' If the sur-
prise could be simultaneous, so that evt-ry KnL'lish banner which
waved upon a line of thousands of miles should be prostrated at

.i .

PONTIAC, THE RED NAPOLEON, 131

the same moment, the garrisons would be unable to exchange
assistance, while, on the other hand, the failure of one Indian
detachment would have no effect to discourage another. Cer-
tainly, some might succeed. Probably the war might begin and
be terminated with the same single blow; and then Pontiac would
again be Lord and King of the broad land of his ancestors."

But it was necessarj', first of all, to form a belligerent com-
bination of the tribes, and the more extensive the better. To
this end, toward the close of 1762, dark mysterious messengers
from this Napoleon of the Indians, each bearing a war belt of
wampum, broad and long as the importance of the occasion -
demanded, threaded their ways through the forest to the farthest
'chores of Lake Superior, and the distant delta of the Mississippi.
On the arrival of these ambassadors to a tribe, the chief warriors
would assemble in the council house. Then the orator, flinging
down the red-stained tomahawk before his audience, would
deliwr. with energetic emphasis and action the iiK^ssajre from his
'<^rd. Tht^ keynote was war! On a certain day in ^lay, after so
^lany moons, the Indians, from lakes to ^rulf, were to take the
war-path simultaneously, destroy the Knglish fort nearest, and
'hen throw themselves on the unprotected frontier.

"The bugle call of such a mighty leader as Pontiac," as
Mason says, ** roused the remotest tribes. Eveiy where they
joined the conspiracy, and sent lofty messages to Pontiac of th<'
dmis they would perform. The ordinary pursuits of life were
-ivin lip. The warriors danced the war-dance for wet^ks at a
^•nie, S(juaws were set to sharpening knives, mouldiiiir hulh'ts
^dmixint: war paint. Children caught the IVver, and practiinc'
incessantly with bows and arrows. For tlie one time in their liis-
^^0'. a hundred wild and restless tribes were animated by a
^'nsle inspiration and purpose. That which was incapable of
^nJon. nnited. Conjurors practiced their arts. ^lagieians con-
sulted their oracles. Prophets avowed revocations from the ^lost
"'?h. Warriors withdrew to caves and fastnesses, where, with
fasting and self-torture, they wrought themselves into more fear-
ful excitement and mania. Young men sought to raise their

132 LUES OF FAMOIS IXDIAN CHIEFS.

courage by eating raw flesh and drinking hot blood. Tall chief-
tains, crowned ^nth nodding plumes, harangued their followers
nightly, striking everj' chord of revenge, glor\% avarice, pride,
patriotism and love, which trembled in the savage breast.

** As the orator approached his climax he would leap into the
air, brandishing his hatchet as if rushing upon an enemy, yelling
the war-whoop, throwing himself in a thousand postures, his eyes
aflame, his muscles strained and knotted, his face a thunderstorm
of passion, as if in the actual struggle. At last, with a tri-
umphant shout, he brandishes aloft the scalp of the imaginary
victim. Ilis elotpience is irresistible. His audience is convubed
with passionate interest, and sways like trees tossed in the
tempest. At last, the whole assembly, fired >vith uncontrollable
frenzy, rush together in the ring, leaping, stamping, yelling,
brandishing knives and hatchets in the firelight, hacking and stab-
bing the air, until the lonely midnight fori^t is transformed into
a howling pandemonium of devils, from whose fearful uproar the
startled animals, miles away, flee frightened into remote lairs."

The time for the bursting of the storm drew near. Yet at
only one place on the frontier was there the least suspicion of
Indian disturbance. The garrisons of the exposed forts reposed
in fancied security. The arch conspirator, Pontiac, had breathed
the breath of life into a vast conspiracy, whase ramifications
spread their network over a region of country' of which the north-
w^^stern and southeastern extremities were nearly two thousand
niiK\s apart. Yet the traders, hunters, scouts and trappers who
were ritrht anionir the Indians, and were versed in the signs of
approaehintr trouble, susp(»cted nothing wrong. Colossal con-
spiracy I Stupendims deceit I

Pnntiae arrantred to nuM*t the chiefs of the allied tribes, from
far and near, in a grand war council, which was held on the
l)anks (»f the Aux Ecorces, or Etorces, a little river not far front
Detroit, on April 27, ITfvi. Parknian has given us the beat
description of what occurred at this council. Said he, **Oii tte
l(»nir-expected morning heralds passed from one group of lodges
to another, callintr the warriors in loud voice to attend the great

PONTIAC, THE RED NAPOLEON. 133

council before Pontiac. In accordance with the summons they
came issuing from their wigwams— the tall, half-naked figures of
the wild Ojibways, with quivers slung at their backs, and light
warclubs resting in the hollow of their arms; Ottawas, wrapped
close in their gaudy blankets; Wyandots, fluttering in their
painted shirts, their heads adorned with feathers and their leg-
gings garnished with bells. All were smm seated in a wide circle
upon the grass, row within row, a grave and silent assembly.
Each savage countenance seemed carved in wood, and none could
have detected the deep and fiery passion hidden beneath that
immovable exterior.

"Then Pontiac rose; according to tradition, not above middle
height. Ilis miLscular figure was cast in a mold of remarkable
symmetry and vigor. Ilis complexion was darker than is usual
^thhis race, and his features, though by no means regular, had
» bold and stem expression, w^hile his habitual bearing was
iniperious and peremptory, like that of a man accusloined to
^^'^paway all opposition by the force of his imperious will. On
^x'casions like this he was wont to appear as befitted his power
3nd eharaeter, and he stood before the eouiieil plumed and
painted in the full costume of war.

*'IiOoking around upon bis wild auditors he be'/an to speak,
^th fierce gesture and loud, impassioned voice: and at every
pause, deep guttural ejaculations of assent and approval
I'esponded to his words. Said be: *It is iinj)ortant, my brothers,
that we should exterminate from our land this nation, whose only
object is our death. You must be all sensible, as well as myself,
that we can no longer supply our wants in tbe way we wiM'e accus-
tomed to do with our fathers, the French. Tbey sell us their
?oods at double the price that tlu* French made* us \)i\\\ and yet
their merchandise is good for nothintr: for no sooner have we
boujrht a blanket or other thing to cov<'r us, than it is nec(»ssary
to procure others again.st the time of departure for our wintering
ground. Neither will they let us have them on credit, as our
brothers, the French, used to do. AVhen I visit tbe English chief
snd inform him of the death of anv of our comrades, instead of

134 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

lamenting, as our brothers, the French, used to do, they
game of us. If I ask him for anything for our sick, he r(
and tells us he does not want us, from which it is appar
seeks our death. We must, therefore, in return, destroy
without delay; there is nothing to prevent us; there are b
of them, and we shall easily overcome them— why should ^
attack them 1 Are we not men ! Have I not shown you th
I received from our Great Father, the King of France ! I]
us to strike— why should we not listen to his words! W]
you fear T The time has arrived. Do you fear that our br«
the French, who are now among us, will hinder us? Th
not acquainted with our designs, and if they did know
could they prevent them? You know as well as myseli
when the English came upon our lands, to drive from the
father, Bellestre, they took from the French all the gun
they have, so that they have now no guns to defend then
with. Theivfore, now is the time : let us strike. Should tl
any French to take their part, let us strike them as we
English. I have sent belts and speeches to our friends, the
peways of Saginaw, and our brothers, the Ottawas of ^I
maoinae, and to those of the Riviere a la Tranche (T
rivor'i, in\itinir them to join us, and they will not dela
the meantime, lot us strike. There is no longer any time 1
and when the English shall be defeatini, we will stop th
so that no nion* shall return upon our lands."

He also assureil them that the Indians and their 1
brothers would again tiglit side by side against the comm<
as they did in other yeai"s on the ^lonongahela. when the b
of the English had Invn trauipltnl in the bkxKly mire of •

The orator, having laslied his audience into fury, c
soothed them with the story of the Delaware prophet, a
mentioned, who had a dream in which it was revealed to hi
by traveling in a certain direction he would at length rea
abode of the "Great Spirit,'' or blaster of Life.

''After many days of journeying, full of strange incic
-ontinutv] Pimtiac, ''he saw In^fore him a vast mountain <

FONT I AC, THE BED NAPOLEON, 135

diQg whiteness, so predpitons that he was about to torn back in
despair, when a beautiful woman arrayed in white appeared and
fhm accosted him : 'How can you hope, encumbered as you are,
to succeed in your design f Oo down to the foot of the moun-
tain, throw away your gun, your ammunition, your provisions
and your clothing ; wash yourself in the stream which flows there,
and you will then be prepared to stand before the Msster of
life.' The Indian obeyed, and again began to ssoend among
the rocks, while the woman, seeing him still discouraged, laughed
at big f aintness of heart and told him that, if he wished for suc-
eesB, he must dimb by the aid of one hand and one foot only.
After great toil and suffering, he at length found himself at the
nmmit The woman had disappeared, and he was left alone. A
rieh and beautiful plain lay before him, and at a little distance
Ik saw three great villages, far superior to any he had seen in
any tribe. As he approached the largest and stood hesitating
vkether he should enter, a man, gorgeously attired, stepped
f<nrth, and, taking him by the hand, welcomed him to the celestial
>Me. ,He then conducted him into the presence of the Great
Spirit, where the Indian stood confounded at the unspeakable
splendor which surrounded him. The Great Spirit bade him be
seated, and thus addressed him : * I am the Maker of heaven and
^h, the trees, lakes, rivers and all things else. I am the Maker
of mankind ; and because I love you, you must do my will. The
land on which you live I have made for you, and not for others.
Wiy do you suffer the white man to dwell amon<]^ you? My
duldren, you have forgotten the customs and traditions of your
forefathers. Why do you not clothe yourselves in skins, as they
^W, and use the bows and arrows, and the stone-pointed lances,
^hich they used ? You have bought ^ns, knives, kettles, and
blankets from the white man, until you can no longer do without
fl»eni; and what is worse, you have drunk the poison fire-water,
^Wch turns you into fools. Fling all these things away; live as
.vonr wise forefathers lived before you. And as for these Eng-
lish-these dogs dressed in red, who have come to rob you of
}our hunting-grounds and drive away the game— you must lift

136 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

the hatchet against them. Wipe them from the face of the earl
and then you will win my favor back again, and once more
happy and prosperous. The children of your great father, t
King of France, are not like the English. Never forget that th
are your brethren. They are very dear to me, for they love t
red men, and understand the true mode of worshipping me.' "

Such is the tale told by Pontiac to the council, quoted 1
Parkman from statements recorded both by Indians and Ca
adians who were present.

Before this vast assembly dissolved, the great chiefta
unfolded his wide-laid plans for a simultaneous attack on all i
forts in possession of the English. The 7th of May, 1763, w
named as the day of destruction, and his schemes, which we
constructed with the white man's skill and the red man's eu
ning, met the hearty approval of all the assembled chiefs ai
warriors, and the great council dissolved.

The plan was now ripe for execution, and with the sudde
noss of a whirlwind, the storm of war burst forth all along t
frontier. Nine of the British forts, or stations, were capture
Some of the garrisons were completely surprised and massacr
on the spot; a few individuals, in other cases, escaped. In a
of most, if not all of the nine surprisals, quite as much ^
effected by stratagem as by force, and that apparently by a p
concerted system, which indicates the far-seeing superintended
of Pontiac himself.

In this storm of war, the most thrilling and tragic seer
were enacted at Mackinaw, or ]\Iichilliniackinac, and Detro
The former was the scene of a bloody siivajre triumph; the latt(
of a long and perilous siege, in which the savage besiegers we
under the personal command of the givat Pontiac. As it is t
only recorded instance of the protracted siege of a fortifi
civilized garrison by an army of savag(»s, we will tell the story
detail, but will first briefly describe the successful stratagt
which resulted in the captun^ of Michillimackinac and the slauf
ter of the garrison.

The name ^lichillimackinac, which, in the Algonquin tong

PONTIAC, THE BED NAPOLEON. 137

signifies the Great Turtle, was first, from a fancied resemblance,
applied to the neighboring island and thence to the fort.

By reason of its location on the south side of the strait,

between lakes Huron and Michigan, Michillimackinac was one of

the most important positions on the frontier. It was the place of

deposit and point of departure between the upper and lower

countries; the traders always assembled there on their voyages

to and from Montreal. Connected with it was an area of two

acres, inclosed with tall cedar-wood posts, sharpened at the top,

and extending on one side so near the water's edge that a western

wind always drove the waves against the foot of the stockade.

; The place at this time contained thirty families within the

palisades of the fort, and about as many more without, with a

f garrison of about thirty-five men and their officers, according to

Warning of the tempest that impended had been clearly
?iven; enough, had it be«'n heeded, to have averted the fatal dis-
aster. Several of the Canadians least hostile to the En«rlisli had
thrown out hints of approaching danger, and one of them had
'ventold Captain Etherinirton, the commander, that the Indians
M formed a design to destroy, not only his <;arrison, but all the
Enfjlish on the lakes. Etherington not only turned a deaf ear
to what he heard, but threatened to send prison<'r to Detroit the
n^xt persim who should disturb the fort with such tidings. Only
the (lay before the tragic 4th of June an Indian named AVawa-
tani, an Ojibway chief, who had taken a fancy to Alexander
Honn-, a trader, who was in the fort, came (nei* and first advised,
then urged, and finally begtred Henry on his knees, to leave the
fort that nijrht. But all in vain !

The morning of June 4, the birthday of King George, was
warm and sultry. The plain in front of the fort was covered
with Indians of the Ojibway, Chippewa and Sac ti-ibes.

Early in the morning, many Ojibways came to the fort, invit-
ing the oflficers and soldiers to come out and see a grand game
of ball, or haggattaivay, which was to be played between their
nation and the Sacs, for a high wager. In consequence of this

l.SS Lirt:s OF FAMoi s /.v/)/.i.v rniFFS.

iiivitatinii. t)u' plan* was soon dt^siTtcHl of hall* its tonants, aud
tlu» tratrs of till' palisadf wciv w'uh* c^pi'ii. Groups of soldiers
stfMul in tlu* shadi' lookini; at the sport, most of ihcm without
thi ir arms,

Sohrr Indian diii'fs st<HKl as if intently watching the for-
tuni»s of tilt' iranu'. In fact, liowfvtT. thrir thoujrhts were fir
otlicrwiso iMnplovfd. Lar^e nninlu'i-s of stpiaws also mingled in
tlu* crowd, hut •rradualiy >rathcrin^ in a ^roup near the open
urates. And, stran^rc to say. in spite (»f the warm day they were
irrapfHit to tht thnmt in htankrts,

Hairjrattaway has always been a favorite pame with many
Indian trilx's. At I'ither extn*niity <»f the open jiround, from
half a mile to a mile apart, st<HMl two posts, which eonatituted
the stations or iroals of the parties. Kxcept that the ball wai
nnich smaller and that a hat or raek«'t much like those used in
lawn tennis served instead of the kick, the L^ame was identical
with our well-known f<»otl»all. an*l just as hrutal.

The hall was start«'d from the middle (»f the «rround. and the
«rame was for each side t(» kerp it from t<»uehin^ their own post
and drivr it a«rainst that of thrir advei-sarits. llundivds of lithe
and at:ile liirures were l«*apinir ami hound injjr over each other,
turninir handsprings and somersaults, strikin*; with the bats,
trippinir each other up, every way, any way, to «ret at the ball
and foil the adversary. At one immient the whole weiv crowdoil
together, a <|rnse throntr t)f «'oml»jitants, all stru*ri;linp for the
hall: at the next, they are scatten-d aiiain. antl runnin*^ over the
•rriuind liki' houmls in fid I chase. Kacli, in his I'xcitement. yelled
ami shouted at the hei^dit of his voier.

Suddeidy \]u' hall roso liii:li, ami desremlintr in a wide cur\'e,
fell near the iiate of the f<)rt. This was no chance stroke, hut a
part of a precoiirerted stiatairiMM to iiisun' the surprise and
(l<'str\icti»ni of tin* L'arri^j'U. Tlif players instantly hounded
toward tin* hall, a rushiipj. maddened ami tunndtuous throng.
hut jjist as they ne;ii"ed the j^'ates, the shouts of sport chan^red
.suddenly to the feitM-jcnis war-wli«M>p. Tho sipiaws threw open
their blankets. exj)osiiiL^ the liuus. hatchets and knives, and the

PONTIAC, THE BED NAPOLEON, 141

players instantly flung away their bats and seized the weapons,

before the amazed English had time to think or act. They at once

M upon tl.e defenseless garrison and traders, butchered fifteen

on the spot, captured the rest, including the commander, while

everything that had belonged to the English was carried off or

destroyed, though none of the French families or their property

was disturbed. It is said that these captives were afterward

ransomeil at Montreal, at high prices.

As we have seen, it was a part of Pontiac's plan that each

tribe should attack the fort or English settlement nearest to

them. For this reason, and because it was the largest and best

fortified place, he took personal command at the siege of Detroit.

This settlement was founded by La ^lotte Cadillac in 1701,

and contained at this time, according to Major Rogers, about

twenty-five hundred people. The center of the settlement was

the fortified to\Mi or fort, which stood on the western margin of

the river, and contained about a hinulred housi»s, eonipactly built,

'^»d surrounded by a palisade twenty-five feet hi»:h, with a

''J»>^tion at each corner, and b]oek-h()us(»s over tlie irates.

Tho crarrison of the fort consisted of one hundred and twenty
f^ndish soldiers, under the command of ^la.jor (Jladwyn. There
^*'re also forty fur traders, and the ordinary Canadian inhal)-
'^JJntsof the place, who could not be trusted in ease of an Indian
nutbreak.

T^wo small armed schooners, the Beaver and tli(» (Jladwyn,
''•y anchored in the river, while the ordnanee of the fort eon-
*^isted of two six-pounders, one three-pounder and tliree mortars;
^^^' f»f an indifferent (piality. Th(» settlement outside the fort,
'^^'"♦'tchinir about eight miles along both sides of the Detroit river,
^"nsistod of the dwellings of Canadians, and three Indian vil-
''^-'-s. the Ottawas and Wyandots, on the east, and the Pottawat-
"fi^iwon the west side of the stream.

"Such was Detroit— a place whose defences could have
'Wosedno resistance to a civilized enemy, and yet, situated as it
^^^ at a strategic point on the bank of a broad navigable river
^i" removed from the hope of spetnly sueeor, it could only

142 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

ivly, ill the terrible struggle that awaited it, upon its own s
HtriMigth and feeble resources/' as Parkman well says.

l^n the afternoon of May 5 a Canadian woman, the wil
St. Aubin, one of the prominent settlers, crossed the river t(
Ottawa village to buy some maple sugar and venison. She
Murprised at finding several warriors engaged in filing off
tfuii-barivls, so as to reduce them, stock and all, to the leng
iihoiit a yard. Such a weapon could easily be hid imd
hhinkot. That night the woman mentioned the circumstaii"
n neighbor, the village blacksmith. '*0h," said he, **
oxphiins it." ** Explains what!" '*The reason why so i
Indians have lately wanted to borrow my files and saws."

It is not known whether this circumstance reached the
of the commander; if so, it received no attention at his hi
Hut, in the hour of impending doom, the love of an In
maiden interposed to save the garrison from butchery.

In the Pottawatomie village, it is said, there lived an <
way girl, who could boast a larger share of beauty than is
nH>n to the wigwam. She had attracted the eye of Oladwyn,
had taken great interest in her, and as she was very bright,
given her some instruction. AVhile she, on her part, had be-
nmoh attached to the handsome young officer. On the after
of May 6, Catharine— for so the officers called her— came t(
fort and repaired to Trladwyn's qu(irtei*s, bringing with li
pair of elkskin moccasins, ornamented with beads and porcii
work, which he had recpiested her to make. But this time
girls eyes no longer sparkled with pleasure and excitement,
face was anxious, and her look furtive. She said little and
left the room; but the sentinel at the door saw her still ling(
at the street corner, though the hour for closing the gates
nearly come.

At length she attracted the attention of Gladwyn hin

The major at once saw that the girl knew something whicl

feared yet longed to tell. Calling her to him, he sought to

her secret, but it was not for a long while, and under so

« that she should not be betrayed, but rather prote

PONTIAC, THE USD NAPOLEON. 143

dxNiId it become necessary, that the dusky sweetheart spoke.

**To-iiiorrow," she said, "Pontiac will come to the fort with

nxty of his chiefs, and demand a council. Each will be armed

wifh a gun cut short, and hidden under his blanket. When all

are assembled in the council-house, and after he has delivered

bis speech, he will offer a peace belt of wampum, holding it in a

mersed position. This will be the signal of attack. The chiefs

win spring up and fire upcfla the officers, and the Indians in the

itreet will fall upon the garrison. Every Englishman will be

lolled, but not the scalp of a single Frenchman will be touched."

Gladwyn believed the maid, and the words of warning spoken,

she went back to her people. The guards that night were

Ambled. At times the watchers on the walls heard unwonted

•oonds, borne to them on the night wind from the distant Indian

villages. They were the steady beat of the Indian drum and the

dirill ehoruses of the war-dance.

The next day, about ten o'clock, the great war chief, with his
tieaeherous followers, reached the fort, and the gateway was
thrown open to admit them. All were wrapped to the throat
in colored blankets, their faces smeared with paint, and
their heads adorned with nodding plumes. For the most part,
they were tall, strong men, and all had a pait and bearing of
Pwuliar stateliness. The leader started as he saw the soldiers
<lrawnup in line, and heard the ominous tap of the drum. Arriv-
ing at the council-house they saw Gladwyn, with several of his
officers, in readiness to receive them, and the observant chiefs
did not fail to notice that every Englishman wore a sword at his
^de and a pair of pistols in his belt, and the conspirators eyed
^ch other with uneasy glances.

**^Vhy,*' demanded Pontiac, **do I see so many of my father's
young men standing in the street with their guns?" Gladw>Ti
'^plied through his interpreter, La Butte, that he had ordered
the soldiers under arms for the sake of exercise and discipline.
Pontiac saw at once that the plot was discovered. lie did not
tose control of himself, however, but made the customary speech,
"^^'igh the signal for attack was not given. After a short and

144 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

uneasy sitting lie and his chiefs withdrew with marked discoi
fiture and apprehension.

Oladwyn has been censured for not detaining the chiefe
hostages for the good conduct of their followers. ** Perhaps
as Parkman says, **the commandant feared lest should he anre
the chiefs when gathered at a public council and guiltless as y
of open violence, the act might be interpreted as cowardly ai
dishonorable. He was ignorant, moreover, of the true nature
extent of the plot.'*

Balked in his treachery, the great chief withdrew to his \
Inge, enraged and mortified, yet still resolved to persevere. Tl
(iladwyn had suffered him to escape, was to his mind ample pre
either of cowardice or ignorance. The latter supposition see
ing the more j)robable, he determined to visit the fort once m(
and convince the English, if possible, that their suspicions agaii
him were unfounded.

Accordingly, on the following morning he repaired to 1
fort, with three of his chiefs, bearing in his hand the saei
calumet, or j)ipe of peace, the bowl carved in stone, and the st
adorned with feathei-s. Offering it to Gladwyn, he address
him and his oflieers as follows: **^ry fathers, evil birds hi
sung lies in your ear. We that stand before you are friends
the English. We love them as our brothei-s, and, to prove c
love, we have come this day to smoke the pipe of peace/*
hi8 departure, he gave the pipe to Major Campbell, second
oommand, as a further pledge of his sincerity.

That afteriuMUi, the better to cover his designs, Pontiac cal
the young men of all the tribes to a game of ball, which t<
place in a neighboring tield. with great noise and shouting.
nightfall the garrison was startled by a bui-st of loud, shrill ye
Tho drums beat to arms and the troops were ordered to tb
|Mwts; but the alarm was caused only by the victors in the I
K»mo announeing tboir s\ieeo^s by these discordant outer
Moamvhile Pimtiae spent the afternoon consulting with his chi
^0\v to compass the ruin of the Kuirlish.

^ho next dav, about elovon oVloik. tlie common behind

PONTJAC, THE RED NAPOLEON, 145

fort was again thronged with Indians ; Pontiac, advancing from

among the multitude, approached the gate, only to find it closed

and barred against him. He shouted to the sentinels, and

demanded why he was refused admittance. Gladwyn himself

replied that the great chief might enter, if he chose, but the

crowd he had brought with him must remain outside. Pontiac

rejoined that he wished all his warriors to enjoy the fragrance

of the friendly calumet. But Gladwyn was inexorable, and

replied that he would have none of his rabble in the fort.

Instantly the savage threw off the mask of deceit he had worn so

long, and, casting one look of unspeakable rage and hate at the

fort, he turned abruptly from the gate and strode toward his

followers, who lay in great numbers flat on the ground beyond

reach of gunshot. At his approach, they all leaped up and ran

off "yelping," in the language of an eye witness, *Mike so many

devils.*' They rushed to the house of an old English woman

and her family, beat down the doors and tomahawked the

inmates. Another party jumped into their canoes, and paddled

^'ith all speed to the Isle of Cochon, where dwelt an Knirlishnian

named Fisher, formerly a sergeant of the rejrulars. llini they

also killed and scalped.

That niirht, while the garrison watched with sleepless appre-
l^^nsion, the entire Ottawa village was removed to the west side of
the river. **\Ve will be near them," said Pontiac. The jmsition
taken by the Indians was just above the mouth of Parent's
creek.

Inuring the night a Canadian, named Desnoyers, came down
the river in a canoe, and landing at the water gate, informed the
S^arrison that two English offieei-s, Sir Kobert Davei-s and (^ap-
tain Rol)ertson, had been murdered on Lake St. Clair, and that
Pontiac had been reinforced by the whole war stren^'th of the
^jibways. If the Indians had prior to this, as it is claimed, a
'orceof from six hundred to two thousand, these aeeessions would
"^ke them quite formidable.

Every Englishman in the fort, whether trader or soldier, was
^ow ordered under arms. No man lay down to sUm^i), and the

146 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

commander walked the ramparts all night. Not till the blush of
dawn tinged the eastern sky did the fierce savages, yelling with
infernal power, come bounding naked to the assault.

The soldiers looked from their loopholes, thinking to see their
assailants gathering for a rush against the feeble barrier. But
in this they were agreeably disappointed. For though their
clanwrs filled the air, and their guns blazed thick and hot^ while
the bullets pelted the fort with leaden hail, yet very few were
visible. Some were sheltered behind barns and fences, some
skulked among bushes, others lay flat in hollows of the ground;
while those who could find no shelter were leaping about with the
agility of monkeys, to render it impossible for the marksmen at
the fort to hit them. Each had filled his mouth with bullets, for
the convenience of loading, and each was charging and firing
without suspending these swift movements for a moment.

At the end of six hours the assailants grow weary and witl:^-
drew. It was found that only five men had been wounded in tKo
fort, while the cautious enemy had sustained but trifling loss.

Gladwyn, believing the affair ended, dispatched La Butte, a
neutral interpreter, accompanied by two old Canadians, Chape-
ton and Oodefroy, to open negotiations. Many other Canadian
inhabitants took this opportunity of leaving the place.

Pontine reerived the three ambassadors [)olitely, and heartl
their olVei-s of peace with set^niing ae(|uiescenee. lie, however,
stepped aside to talk the matter over with the other chiefs, after*
which Pontine (leelannl that, out of their earnest desire for 9^
lasting treaty, they wished to hold council with their English,
fathers themselves, and they were es[)eeinlly desirous that Major
Campbell, the veteran officer, second in command at the fort,
should visit their camp.

When the word reached Cnmpbell he prepared at once to go,
in si)it(* of (Jlndwyn's fears of trenchery. lie felt, he said, no
fear of the Indians, with whom ho hnd nlwnys biHMi on the most
friendly terms, (ilndwyn, with some hesitation, gave a reluctant
consent. Campbell left the fort accompanied by Lieutenant
MeDougal, and attended by La Butte and several other Cana-

PONTIAC, THE BED NAPOLEON. . 147

dians. A Canadian met them and warned the two British officers
they were entering the lion's den, but the brave men refused to
turn back.

As they entered the Indian camp a howling multitude of

women and children surrounded them, armed with clubs, sticks

and stones. But Pontiac, with a word and a gesture, quelled the

mob, and conducted them to the council-house, where they were

surrounded by sinister faces. Campbell made his speech. It was

heard in perfect silence, and no reply was made. For a full hour

the unfortunate officers saw before them the same concourse of

dark faces bending an unwavering gaze upon them. At last

Campbell rose to go. Pontiac made an imperious gesture for him

to resume his seat. **My father," said he, **will sleep to-night in

the lodges of his red children." The gray-haired soldier and his

companion were captives.

Many of the Indians were eager to kill the captives on the
spot; but Pontiac protected them from injury and insult, and
conducted them to the house of M. Meloehe, near Parent 's creek,
where good quarters were assigned them, and as much liberty
allowed as was consistent with safe custody. The peril of their
situation was diminished by tlie eireumstance that two Indians
^adbeen detained at the fort as prisoners, for some sli^rht oH't^nse,
a few days prior to this, and it is quite possibh* Pontiac desijjrned
to effect an exchanjre.

Late the same night La Butte returned with anxious face to
t^e fort. Some of the officers suspected him, no doubt unjustly,
^th a share in the treachery. Feeling the suspicion, he s[)ent the
remainder of the night in the narrow street, gloomy and silent.

Thatcher informs us concerning these two prisoners that
^IcDougal effected his escape, *'but ^lajor Campbell was toma-
hawked by an infuriated savage named "Wasson, in revenge for
^"c death of a relative. One account says ^they boiled his heart
and ate it, and made a pouch of the skin of his arms!' The
'^'•utal assassin fled to Saginaw, apprehensive of the vengeance of
Pontiac; and it is but justice to the memory of that chieftain to
^y that he was indignant at the atrocious act and used every

148 ' UrKS OF FAMOl'S L\DIAS CHIEFS.

possible exertion to appreheiul the murderer. Doubtless had he
been eapUired the chief would have inllieted the death penalty.'*

It is said that the wily chieftain found out in some manner
that the Ojibway maiden, Catharine, disclosed the plot to
Oladwyn, and ordered four Indians to take her and bring her
before him. The order was promptly oljeyed, according to the
diai'y of a Canadian who was eontemporarj', and having arrived
at the Pottawatomie \illa«re, they seized Catharine "and obliged
her to march before them, uttering: cries of joy in the manner
they do when they hold a victim in their clutches on whom they
are ?oin«r to exercise their cruelty; they made her enter the fort,
and took her before the eonnnandant (OladwjTi), as if to .confront
her with him. and asked him if it was not from her he had
learned their desjfrn: but they were no better satisfied than if
they had kept theuiselves quiet. They obtained from that oflker
brna*! and Immm* for tluMnselv«»s and for her. They then led her to
Ihrir eliiet* ( Ponliae) in tlie villa<re.''

It will 1)(» renu'nilH*red that ht*fore the frirl imparted her
s<*cn»t, wliieh was (b^stined to save the lives of all in the fort,
<Iladwyn sob'mnly in-omised tliat slie should not be betrayed, hot
rather protect t-d should it become necessary. And now the
fxiiri'ncy lias arisen: Catbarine and her captors are in the fort.
Hut when did a white man ever keep his sacred word to a&
Indian? <lladwyn did not betray her, it is true, for he made no
answer to the (piestions asked him. But he afforded her only
sueh [)n)teetion in this, her hour of peril. **as the wolf shows to
the lamb, or tbe kite to the dove." He jrave beer to the four
Indians, who were al n\Mdy auLM-y, to enraire them still more, and
also sui)plied Cat ha line with be<T. wliieh may have been the
startinjr ]>oiiil r>f lirr ruin, as we shall s«»e.

But be (li<l not lift a fin<j[«M' to save or protect the one to whom
he i»i'obably owed his lilV. hut permitted her to be dragged from
th<' fort into tb«* pres<'n(M» of the (Miraired Pcnitiac, who, according
to anotbiT Canadian tr;iditi(Hi. S4'ized n bat or racket used by the
Indians in their ball L'anie. an<l tio<:ir<*d her until life was almost
extinr*t. An old Tn<lian told Henry Conner, formerlv United

PONTIAC, THE BED NAPOLEON, 151

States interpreter at Detroit, that Catharine survived her terrible
punishment and lived for many years; but having contracteil
intemperate habits, she fell, when intoxicated, into a kettle of
boiling maple sap, and was so severely scalded that she died in

consequence.

Pontiac proceeded to redistribute his forces. One band hid
in arabush along the river below the fort. Others surrounded
the fort on the land side. The garrison had only three weeks'
pmisions, and the Indians determined that this scanty store
should not be replenished. Every house in Detroit was searched
for grease, tallow, or whatever would serve for food, and all the
pronsions were placed in a public storehouse.

The Indians, with their usual improvidence, had neglected to
pro\ide against the exigency of a siege, thinking to have taken
Detroit at a single stroke. The Canadian settlers were ruthlessly
<iespoiled of their stores, and the food thus obtained was wasted
^vitb characteristic recklessness. Aggravated beyond endurance
^bey complained to Pontiac. lie heard them, and made the fol-
^'^^vini: characteristic reply :

"I do not doubt, my brothers, that this war is very trouble-
'><^'me to you, for our warriors are continually passing and n^pass-
in?throu«rh your settlement. I am sorry for it. Do not think I
'Approve of the damage that is done by them; and as a proof of
^Ws. remember the war with the Foxes and the i)art which I
^'»k in it. It is now seventeen years since the Ojibways of Mich-
jJJimackinae. combined with the Sacs and Foxes, came down to
destroy you. Who then defended you ? Was it not I and my
}'^'un«: men ? Mickinac, great chief of all these nations, said in
rouneil that he would carry to his village the head of your com-
mandant— that he would eat his heart and drink his blood. Did
I not take your part ? Did I not go to his camp, and say to
him. that if he wished to kill the French he nuist first kill me
ami my warriors? Did I not assist you in routing them and
driving them away? And now you think I would turn my arms
against you! No, my brothers; I am the same French Pontiac
uho as.sisted you seventeen years ago. I am a Frenchman, and I

152 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

wish to die a Frenchman ; and now I repeat to you that you a
I are one— that it is for both our interests that I should
avenged. Let me alone. I do not ask you for aid, for it is not
your power to give it. I only ask provisions for myself and m
Yet, if you are inclined to assist me, I shall not refuse you.
would please me, and you yourselves w^ould be sooner rid of y<
troubles; for I promise you, that as soon as the English
driven out, we will go back to our villages, and there await
arrival of our French father. You have heard what I have
say; remain at peace, and I will watch that no harm shall
done to you, either by my men or by the other Indians."

Pontiac promptly took measures for bringing the disord<
complained of to a close, while at the same time he provided si
tenance for his warriors, a veritable commissary departrtiei
'*and, in doing this, he displayed,'* as Parkman says, **a poli
and forecast scarcely paralleled in the history of his race/' 1
fii-st forbade the commission of farther outrages, on the penal
of condign punishment. lie next visited in turn the families
the Canadians, and, inspecting the property belonging to the
ho assigned to each the share of provisions which it must furni
for the support of the Indians. The contributions thus levi
were all collected at the house of ^Meloche, near Parent's cre<
whence they were regularly issued to the Indians of the differe
camps.

Knowing that the character and habits of an Indian woi
render him incapable of being a judicious commissary. Ponti
availed himself of Canadian help, employing one Quilleriez a
several others to discharge, under his eye, the duties of tl
office. But he did another thing which revealed his genius 1
command, and proved him to be an Indian Napoleon. Anxio
to avoid offendinc: the Canadians, yet unable to make compen!
tion for the provisions he had levied, Pontiac issued promisso
notes, drawn upon birch-bark, and signed with the figure of
otter, the totem to which he belonged. Under this was drawn 1
representation of the particular article for which the bill ^
valid — as a gun, a bag of corn, a deer, a hog, or a beef. Th

PONTIAC, THE RED NAPOLEON. 153

bills passed current among the Canadians and Indians of the
period, and were faithfully redeemed after the war. As Good-
rich says, *'The *Pontiac treasury notes/ we believe, were never
Wow par. Repudiation was unknown under savage rule in
Michig:an and Canada. Let the barbarian chief enjoy the full
applause due to his financial honor. His modern successors
might find something in his example worthy of imitation."

Not one of the Ottawa tribe dared to infringe the command
he had given, that the property of the Canadians should be
respected. They would not so much as cross the cultivated fields
but followed the beaten paths ; in such awe did they stand of his
displeasure. A few young Wyandots, however, still committed
«i?htly depredations on the hog-pen of Baby, an old friend of
Pontiac. The Canadian complained of the theft to Pontiac, and
desired his protection. The great chief hastened to the assist-
ance of his friend, and, arriving about nightfall at the house,
^^alked to and fro among the barns and onelosures. At a late
hour he saw the dark forms of hog thieves stealing through the
^Wm. **Go back to your village, you Wyandot dogs,'! he
shouted: *'if yon tread again on this man's land, you shall die/'
They slunk away abashed; and from that time forward Baby's
property was safe. Pontiac could claim no legitimate authority
f'vpr the Wyandots, but his powerful spirit foreed respi^et and
^)bedienee from all who approached him.

One nitrht at an early period of the siege, Pontiac entered the
house of Baby, and seating himself by the fire, looked for some
time steadily at the embers. At length, raising his head, he
said he had heard that the English had offered the Canadian a
hiLshel of silver for the scalp of his iv'umd. Baby ch^elared that
the story was false, and assured him that he would never betray
him. Pontiac studied his features keenly for a moment and
f*'plie<l: "^Fy brother has spoken the truth, and I will show liim
that I believe him.'^ So saying, he wrapper! his blanket around
"im, and *May like a warrior taking his rest,'' in peaceful slum-
ber until morning.

Some time after this our old friend Rogers, of Rogers's

LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

ingers, arrived at Detroit with a detachment of troops, and 1

3xt day sent a bottle of brandy by a friendly Indian, as

resent to Pontiae. The other chiefs urged him not to drinli

or fear of poison. Pontiae heard 'them through, and boh

replied: **It is not possible that this man, who knows my h

for him, and who is also sensible of the great favors I have dc

him, can think of taking away my life"; then putting the c

to his lips he drank a draught without betraying the slight

apprehension. He could practice treachery himself, yet scorn

to suspect it in white men.

Weeks rolled by with no change in the situation at Detn
The British commander-in-chief at New York, unmindful of 1
Indian outbreak, had, as usual in the spring, sent a detachmc
up the lakes \vith food, ammunition and reenforcements for 1
different forts.

On May 30 some faint specks appeared on the distant wate
horizon. They grew larger and blacker. The sentry in t
bastion called aloud to the officers, who eagerly ran to look w
spy-glasses. They recognized the banner of St. George, float
at the masthead of the leading boat of the long expected f
The officer at once gave command for a salute of welcome. V
the sound of the booming cannon died away, every ear
strained to catch the response. It soon came, but instead of
lery, it was a faint but unmistakable war-whoop. The fa
the English grew pale. The approaching flotilla was w
with breathless anxiety. When it was well in view, a nur
dark and savage forms rose up in the boats. The flotilla
the hands of the Indians, In the foremost of the eighteen
there were four prisoners and only three Indians. In tb
the Indians outnumbered the white men and compelled
row. Just as the leading boat was opposite the Beave
small schooner which lay at anchor before the fort (the
having been sent to hasten and escort this very flotilla)
soldiers was seen to seize a savage by the hair and belt
him overboard. The Indian held fast to his enemy's <
drawing himself upward, stabbed him again and ag?

PONTIAC, THE BED NAPOLEON. 155

:nife and then dragged him overboard. Both sank grappled in

»ach other's arms. The two remaining Indians leaped out of the

i>oat. The prisoners turned, and pulled for the distant schooner,

shouting aloud for aid. The Indians on shore opened a heavy fire

upon them, wounding one of their number, and the light birch

canoes gave chase, gaining on them at every stroke of the oar.

Escape seemed hopeless, when the report of a cannon burst from

the side of the schooner. The ball narrowly missed the foremost

canoe, beating the water in a line of foam which almost capsized

the frail craft. At this the pursuers drew back in dismay ; and

the Indians on shore, being in turn saluted by a second shot,

ceased firing and scattered among the bushes. The prisoners thus

rescued were greeted as men snatched from the jaws of death.

This, in brief, was their story. Lieutenant Cuyler had left

Fort Niagara on May 13 with twenty barges, ninety-six men and

a plentiful supply of provisions and ammunition. Coasting

alons the northern shore of Lake Erie, they had passed tlu'

J»nne(l schooner (iladwyn without seein«r it, and, of course, knew

n^thinjr of the Indian hostilities. On the twrntVMMirhth of the

"»'^nth. the Hotilla landed at Point PclfO, not far from the mouth

^'^ the Detroit river. The boats were drawn on the l)each, and

^^♦^ party prepared to encamp. A man and a boy went to »rather

^rewfHHl at a short distance from the spot, wlien an Indian

^'*ap»il out of the woods, seized the boy by the hair, and toma-

"awkeil him. The man ran into the camp slioutinjr that the

^V'XxLs Nvere full of Indians. The report was true, for i\nitiac

W stationed the Wyandots at this very spot to int(M*cept tradinj]^

w>ats or parties of troops. Cuyler (piickly foi-med his soldiers

into a semicircle before the boats, just as the Indians opened

^^^' For an instant there was a hot blaze of nnisketry on both

%h*s: thon the Indians broke out of the woods in a body, and

nished fiercely upon the center of the line, which trave way in

^^^H' part: the men flinging down their jiuns, running: panic-

stncken to the boats and stru<rgling with ill-din^cted etVorts to

shove them into the water. Five were set afloat, and pushed ofl'

irom the shore, crowded with the terrifled soldiers, huddled

156 LIVES OF FAMOUS IXDIAN CHIEFS.

together like sheep in the shambles. Never was rout more com-
plete or soldiers more unnerved and demoralized.

Cuyler, seeing himself deserted by his men, as he afterward
stated, waded up to his neck in the lake and climbed into one of
the rt^treating boats. The Indians, on their part, pushed two
more Iwats afloat and went in pursuit of the fugitives, three boat-
loads of whom allowed themsi*lves to be captured trithoui resist-
ance. Think of it, two boatloads of Indians capture three boat-
loads of Engliah, who seemingly made no effort to escape the fate
of horrible torture which awaited all but a few, who were
enslaved. The other two boats, in one of which was Cuyler him-
self, effectetl their t^cape. and returning to Niagara, he reported
his loss to Major Wilkins, the commanding officer. Between
thirty and forty men. some of whom were wounded, were
crowded in these two boats. These, with the three rescued at
Detroit, wore all of the ninety-six which sur\nved the ill-fated
t*.\p«*diti<)n.

Tin* little schooner TJladwyn. having passed the flotilla prob^
ably in the niirht or during a fog, reached Niagara without
mishap. She was still riding at anchor in the smooth river above
the falls, when Cuyler and the renuiant of his men returned and
i('pnrt(Ml the tcrriblr disaster that had befallen him. This officer,
and the survivors of his [)arty. with a few other troops spared
from tlio LMrrison of Niauara, were onh^red to embark on board
()f her, and make the best of their way back to Detroit. The
foreo, amountintr to sixty men, with such ammunition and sup-
plies as could be spared from the fort, was soon under sail. In
due time they entered the Detroit river, and were almost insight
of tin* fort, but the critical part of the undertaking .still remained.

Tile !iv«*r wa*^ in some jilaces narrow, and more than eight
liun(lre<l Indians W(»re (ni the alert to intercept their passage. On
the afternoon of the 2*5d the schcK^ner began to move slowly up
rh«' river, with a L'«'ntle breeze, which gradually died away, and
left the vessel iM-calined in the narrow channel opposite Fighting
Island, and within gunshot of an Indian ambiLsh.

< )f the sixty men on luiard all were crowded below deck except

PONT I AC, THE RED SAPOLEOS. 157

*n or twelve, in hopes that the Indians, eneourajred by this
pparent weakness, might make an open attack. At sunset the
nards on board the vessel were doubliHl. Hours wore on, and
lothing had broken the deep repose of the nitrht. At last, the
splash of muffled oars was heard. Dark objects came niovin«r
swiftly down the stream toward the vessel. The men were
ordered up from below and took their places in perfect silence.
A blow on the mast with a hammer was to be the si<rnal for
firing. The Indians, gliding stealthily over the water in their
birch canoes, thought the prize was theirs. At last the hanuiier
struck the mast. The slumbering vi*ssel burst into a blaze of
cannon and musketrj', which illumined the night like a flash of
li?btning. Grape and musket shot flew, tearing among the
canoes, sinking some outright, killing fourteen Indians, wound-
ing about twenty more and driving the rest in consternation to
the shore. As the enemy opene<l fire from thtMr breastwork, the
M:li«N.nt*r weisrhed anchor, and, driftiiiir with the riv(M''s tide.
J^'»atMl down out of danger. Sever;il dnys aft«*rwanl. with a
favorini: wind, she again attempted to aseeiid. This tiiin* slie
^^as succ^-ssful. for though the Indians fiiydat h^r constantly
^J^»ni the shore, no man was hurt. As slie |)ass<Ml th«* Wyandot
^iilaire she sent a shower of grape anioni: its yelpini: inhabitants,
".^ which st^veral were killed: and tlien. furlinL' \u'V sails, lay
P^(vful]y at anchor by the side of lirr oompaninn vessel, abreast
f>Uh9 fort.

The s<*h<^mer brought to the trnrri^nn a nnidi-nr.MhMl supply
^f men. amniuniti(m and provisions. She also hnmirht tin
important news that a treaty of peaee was eoneluded Ix^tween
France and England. But l^ontiae refns.Ml to brjievt- it, and
his war went on.

The two sch<K)ners in the river were re^jarded l>y thr Indians
«ith mindeil rage and superstition: not alone on aeeount of th»»
broadsides with which their camps W(n*e bomhardfd. l)nt the
knowledge that the vessels served to connect the isolated gar-
rison i^nth the rest of the world. They detennined. therefore, to
lestroy them. The inventive genius of Pontiac caused a fire '

158 IJl'ES OF FAMOtS IXDIAS CHIEFS.

In bi* constructed by lashin«r to«rethor a number of canot-s, piW
liijrh with a vast (|uantity of conibustibles. A torch was appHed
in several places, and the thintr of (h»st ruction was pushed off
into the current.

But fortune or Providence protected the schooners, the blaz-
inj^ raft passed witliin a hundred fi*et of them, and floatinj!
hannlessly down the stream, consumed nothing but itself. This
attemi)t was several tinn»s repeated, but Oladwyn, on bis part.
provided boats and Hoatinjr lojis. which were moored by chains at
sr)me distance above the vessels, and foiled every attempt.

In the meantime, unknown to the parrison. Captain Dalyell
wa** on his way to Detroit with twenty-two barjres, bearing two
hundred and eijrhty men, witli several small cannon, and a fresh
sui»ply of provisions and anununition. Under cover of night and
fotr they reached the fort in safety, but not until they sustained
an attack from the Indians wliich ri'sulte<l in the loss of fifteen
men. With tliis expi-dition was Major Koirei-s, commander of the
famous Koir«'rs's KauLvrs. ami twenty of his men.

Captain l)aly«-ll lia^l a c(mferen<-e with <iladwyn. ami
rejj nested permissinii to mareli out on the foUowinjr night ami
attack thi* Indian <-amp. The eonimander. better accpiainted with
the position of afVairs. ofiposi^d it: but Dalyell urged the matter
so sfroniily. (Iladwyn »:av«' a reluctant consent. About tiro
oVIock on tin* moi-ninL' <»!' .Inly '^1. the irates were silently opened.
and two Imndrrd and fifty men man-bed up the road along fle
river's siion*. In the rivrr. keepinir abreast of the troops, two
bati-aux. ••acli can-yini: a swivel i:un. Wi-re rowed with maBed
• )ai-s. As tlit-r*' was no moon shiiiim:. everythinfr seemed flfor
abli' til st!ik«* a deadly blnw at tin* «-amp of Pontiac. But ttaoOl^
th«\v kn* \v it not. that viizilnnt ami crafty chieftain was appriMJI
n\' this iin»v«Mi It'll t by his spi«*s. and with several hundM
Inilians lay in anibii>h at th«* bridL'** across Parent's creek, aaiv
and a half fmnr tin- f<»rt. A^ tlie KiiLrlish drew near the dangli'-
Miis |»;iss Th»'y riHilrl disiM-m the house of Meloehe. nientionrf
Iff* Hi*. ?]]>on a risint: LMtnmd in tin- l.-i't. while in fnuit the brid^
waN dimly visibli*. nnd tlie lid'jes Iw-yond it seemed like a wall of

FONTIAC, TEE RED NAPOLEON.

W«lffie8s» pftrtly due to the fog rising from the riwf, TUe"
i^vinee guard werL* half way over the bridge and the main
My jfist entering upon it. Suddenly there wai* a wild w^ar-
whoop in the darkness, and the ridges, fences, trees and anything
wbH ecjidd afford shelter to a savage, burst into flame. Half
tliedvance guard fell at the firat discharge; the territiixl sur*
^mn fled to the rear, and in a moment the whole column was
tiimwti into confusion. Dalyell rushed to the front and did what
becoukl to rally his men. His clarion voice rang out above this
Mmml din* But atl in vain. He received several wounds, and
was in thi' net of rescuing a disabled soldier when he was killed*
Itmgaid that Pontiae ordered the head of the gallant captain to
**^cut nif and set upon a post. The total command was deraoral-
uetl by his falK In this crisis Major Rogers and his twenty
^n^m, followed by a number of the regulars, took possession of
4*tmDs: bouse, which conimanded the road, owned by a Ctanadian
•^nini CBitipau. Barricading the windowH, they hebl the sav-
^P>ii\\ bay and covered the retreat. Captain Grant hurried for-
*ird and took another strong position near the river. From
**P^ he ordered the two armed bateaux to return to a point
Of^posite Campau ft house, and open a fire of swivels in order to
*^tter the Indians and rescue Rogers and liis men. This was
pmmptly done, and the gallant Rogers and his handful of
, rang^r^^ who, by their courage, saved the command from total
destruction, were in turn rescued, just as the savage horde was
about to overpower them by sheer * force of numbers. The
ttngers made their way to the fort under cover of the cannonade.
The fight at Bloody Run, as Parent's creek has since been
called, cost the garrison at Detroit fifty-nine men killed and
rounded, according to Parkman, while Thatcher, strange to say,
stimates the loss of the English at seventy men killed and forty
Tounded. This was the last important event attending the prose-
ation of the siege.

Not long after this, the schooner Gladwyn, having been sent
own to Niagara with letters and dispatches, made the trip in
tfety. She was now returning, having on board Horst, her

162 LIVES OF FAMOUS ISDIAN CHIEFS.

master ; Jacobs, her mate, and a crew of ten men, besides six
Iroquois Indians, supposed to be friendly to the English. Slie
entered the Detroit river on the night of September 3, and in the
morning the six Indians asked to be put ashore, and the request
was foolishly granted.

That they went at once to Pontiac with a report of the weak-
ness of the crew there can be no doubt. Certain it is, the wind
failing, the schooner anchored about nine miles below the fort-
Here she was attacked by three hundred and fift>' Indians, at
night. The savages swarmed over the sides of the vessel by
scores, but they were met with such desperate courage and furious
resistance that in a few minutes the English had killed and
wounded more than twice their own number. There were (wly
twelve men on board and they killeil and wounded twenty-seven
Indians: of the wounded, eisrht diet! in a few da>-s. But resist-
ance was useless. Ten or fi ftt^t^n Iiulians surrounded each cal-
lant defender. Just as all s*^«iii«n1 over. Jacobs, the mate,
shouted, **Fire the inairazine. boys, and blow her up!'' This
ilesperate coinmand savt^i her and her crew. Some Wyandots
understoml the nieaninir of the words, and gave the alarm to
their companions. AVith a wild cry <»f tern>r the Indians leaped
from the vessel into the water, and all were seen swimminc and
<living in all (lin-etions, to eseai>e the explosion. The* sava2«
iV]^\ not renew th*^ attack.

The next niorninir the Oladwyn sailtnl up the river, reachinf
th»- fort siif»'ly. Six of hn* «-ivw ♦-seapeil unhurt: of the other
>ix. two. inehidini: Horst. the master, were killeil ami four
s» rioiisly wounded, while the Indians had seven men killeil ont-
riu'ht. and ahoiit twt-nty wounded, of whom eight were known to
have died within a iVw days. Tlie wholr action lasted but a fe*
minutes, but tlie tiereeness of the struirgle is apparent f rom thf
i..>s on l»oth sides. The survivors of the little crew each received
a nindal.

The news of the disaster at Bhxnly Run, following on fl*
}]♦ • Is i.f tlir ill-fated C'uyhr's expedition, was conveyed to Niag-
ara l»y the schooner 01a«hvyn on the last voyage, just recorded.

FONTiAC, TEK RED NAPOLEON. 163

Theae diaastera at the aiege of Detroit, together with the fact
thit nine out of the twelve forts on the frontier had been cap-
tured i^ Pontiac '8 warriors, forced Sir Jeffrey Amherst to the
KiQetant eonclnsion that the tribes had risen in a general insur-
Kction. As conunander-in-chief of the English forces, he saw
the time had come for decisive action with a large force if he
vould regain what was lost, and force the Indians into subjec-
tion.

Aceordingly, he dispatched two armies, from different points,
into the heart of the Indian country. The command of the first
ns given to Colonel Bo(|uet, with orders to advance from Phil-
adelphia to Fort Pitt, and thence to i)enetrate into the midst of
the Delawares and Shawnees. The other army, under Colonel
Btidstreet, was to ascend the lakes and force the tribes of Detroit
*od the regions beyond to unconditional submission.

The first expedition, that under Colonel Boquet, was very
successful. lie met the Indians at Bushy Run, and in a two-
'k^'s' battle— one of the b<»st contested over f<ni*rht hot ween white
wd ivd men— rout etl thrm completely. He now eonipellod the
Indians to sue for peace and surrender th«Mr captiv«»s.

XewTj of Bo<iuet's victory, and the approach of Colonel Brad-
street \iith a force of three thousand men, soon reached the
Indians besie^ring Detroit, in the summer of 17(14. Pontiac was
too well aware of the superiority of the Entrlish arms to indulire
*hopc of resistinsr successfully so great a force in battle. Many
^f Hs allies were now ready to desert him and make peace with
tfccEnjrlish. Early in the summer of 1764, a irrand council was
Wdat Niagara by Sir William Jolnis(ni and Colonel Bradstnn't,
»ho stopped there on his way to Detroit and the Northwest.
Xearly two thousand Indians attended, including representa-
tives from twenty-two different tribes, eleven of them Western— a
fart strikingly indicating the immense train of operations man-
aged by the influence of Pontiac. Before Bradstreet and his
army reached Detroit, Pontiac and his Ottawas abandoned the
siege, at least temporarily, and repaired to the Illinois. His
allies at Detroit made a treaty of peace with Colonel Bradstreet,

164 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

and thus ended the siege which had continued a year, but, as
Rogers says, **/«(? (Pontiac) would not be personally concernedin
it, saying, that when he made a peace, it should be such a one as
would be useful and honorable to himself and to the King of
Great Britain. But he has not as yet proposed his terms,"

What the great chief attempted to do about this time was
to rally the western tribes of Indiana and Illinois into a new con-
federation to resist the English invaders to the last. Crossing
over to the Wabash, he passed from village to village, among the
Kickapoos and the three tribes of the Miamis, rousing them by
his eloquence and breathing into them his own fierce spirit of
resistance.

He next, by rapid marches, crossed to the banks of the Mis-
sissippi, and summoned the four tribes of the Illinois to a general
council. But these degenerate savages, beaten by the surround-
ing tribes for several ^renerations past, had lost their warlike
spirit, and though still noisy and boastful, they had become "like
women, using only tongues for weapons.'' They showed no
zeal for fight, nor did they take any interest in the schemes of the
great war chief of the Ottawas.

But Pontiac knew how to deal with such cravens. Frowninir
on the cowerinjz assembly, he exclaimed: '*If you hesitate.!
will consume your tribes as a fire consumes the dry grass on the
prairie.'* They did not hesitate, but professed concurrence in
his views at once. It is quite* probable, however, those threaten-
ing words cost Pontiac his life, as will be seen. Even cowards
have good memories.

Leaving the Illinois, lie hast(*iu'(l to Fort Chartres, at the head
of four hundred warriors, and demanded men and ammunition,
which St. Ange. the commander, politely refused to grant. H^
also sent an embassy all the way to New Orleans to demand help
from the French government, and to convey a war belt to the dis-
tant tribes of Louisiana, urging them, in the name of the mighty
Pontiac, to prevent the Enirlish from ascending the Mississippii
which his military genius fon^saw th(\v would attempt. In this
he was right, but their attempts were completely foiled.

PONTIAC, THE RED NAPOLEOX. 105

The principal mission of the ambassadors was, however, a
complete failure. The government was about to be transferred
from France to Spain. The Governor granted an interview and
explained the true situation. From France no help was to be

expected.

When the report of this embassy reached Pontiac, he saw that
all was lost. The foundation of all his ambitious schemes had
been French interference. He had believed a lie*and rested his
hopes on a delusion. As Mason says, "His solitary will, which
lud controlled and combined into cooperation a hundred restless
tribes, had breathed life into a conspiracy continental in its pro-
portions, and had exploded a mine ramifying to forts, isolated
by himdreds of miles of unbroken wilderness, could no longer
uphold the crumbling fabric. His stormy spirit had warred
withdestinyv and had been conquered."

For the proud Pontiac there remained but two alternatives—
destmction or submission. With a hell of hate in his heart he
cbose the latter. At Fort Quiatenon, on the Wabash, near the
ote of Lafayette, Indiana, he met George Croghan, the commis-
ooner appointed by Sir William Johnson, and formally ten-
dered the traditional calumet of peace. Pontiac and his retinue
8ko accompanied Crojrhan to Detroit, and in the same old coun-
eil-hall where he and his sixty chiefs had attempted to destroy the
garrison, the terms of peace were arranjred, and ratified by
^presentatives from Ojibway and Pottawatomie tribes, Aufjust
27,1764.

Pontiac s speech on this occasion, in reply to that of Croghan,
^rieh in fisrures and symbols, and is, therefore, (luoted in full : .

"Father, we have all smoked out of this pipe of peace. It is
your children's pipe; and as the war is over, and the Great
Spirit and Giver of Light, who has made the earth and every-
tting therein, has brought us all together this day for our mutual
Sood, I declare to all nations that I have settled my peace with
.von before I came here, and now deliver my pipe to be sent to
Sir William Johnson, that he may know I have made peace, and
taken the King of England for my father, in the presence of all

166 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

the nations now assembled; and whenevier any of those natioi
^o to visit him, they may smoke out of it with him in peae
Fathers, we are oblijred to you for li<rhting up our old council-fii
for us, and desirin»r us to return to it ; but we are now settled c
the Miami river, not far from hence. Whenever you want us yc
will find us there.

**Our people love liquor, and if we dwelt near you in our ol
village of Detroit, our warriors would be always drunk, aii(
quarrels would arise between us and you."

The wise chief could see that drunkenness was the bane of hi
whole unhappy race, and therefore chose to be remote from ih
white settlement, lie kept his young men away from whisk}'
When will the white chiefs be as wise and keep whisky away froii
their young men?

The following spring, 1766, Pontiac was as good as his word
and visited Sir William Johnson at his castle on the Mohawk, ant
in behalf of the tribes lately banded in his confederation con
rludod a treaty of peace and amity.

From this time he disappt»ai-s from the page of history, onl:
to reappear in the closing scene in the eventful drama of hi
life. He is brlieved to hav(» lived like a common warrior, with ;
remnant of his tribe, in dift'erent parts of what is now the State
of Indiana and Illinois.

Ill April. 17r)J), \w went to St. Louis, and made a two days
visit with his old friend, St. Ange, who was then in command fl
that post, having oft'ered his services to the Spaniards after tb
cession of Louisiana. St. Ange, Pierre Chouteau and other prii
eipal inhabitants of the little settlement, entertained him an
his attendant chiefs with cordial liosj)itality for several day
Hilt hearing that there was a large assembly of Illinois Indiat
at Cahokia, on tlie Illinois side of the river, Pontiac, against tt
advice of his friends, determined to go over and see what wl
going forward. It was at this tiiiK^ lie was arrayed in the fu
iinifoi'in of a French ofTieer, which ha<l been presented to himb
the ^Maniuis of ^Montcalm as a token of esteem, and this fa<
tended to excite uneasiness, as well as to enrage the Englis

PONT I AC, THE RED NAPOLEON. 167

traders at'Cahokia, who believed the chief did it to add insult to

injun*.

The gathering in progress proved to be a trading and drink-
ing bout, in which the remorseless English traders, as usual, plied
the Indians with whisky, in order to swindle them, while intoxi-
cated, out of their furs. The place was full of Illinois Indians,
but Pontiac held them in contempt, and accepted the hospitality
of the friendly Creoles of Cahokia, and, at such primitive enter-
tainment the whisky bottle would not fail to play its part.
Pontiac soon became intoxicated himself, and starting to the
neighboring woods was shortly afterward heard singing magic
songs, in the mystic influence of which he reposed the greatest
confidence.

An English trader, named Williamson, was then in the vil-
lage, who, in common with the rest of his countrymen, regarded
Pontiac with the greatest distrust, probably augmented by the
visit of the chief to St. Louis, and while the opportunity was
favorable, determined to efVeet his destruction. Approaching
astrolliiiir Indian of the Kaskaska ])an(l of the Illinois tribe, he
Wibed him with a barrel of whisky and a j)roniise of a further
reward to murder the fjreat chief.

It will be remembered that Pontiac incurred the hatred of
this tribe by sayin^i: to them wlien in council, ''If you hesitate, I
^ill consume your tribes as the fire consumes the dry tri-^ss on
the prairie." No doubt those words had be<^n ranklin^r in tlie
lieartsof the Illinois Indians ever since, for an Indian never for-
?^tsa friend or forgives an injury, and now th(» hour of reven«re
ha.seonie. The bargain was (luickly made. The assassin ^rlided
up behind Pontiac in the forest and buried a tomahawk in the
eighty brain in which all ambitions were (b^ad forever.

Thus basely terminated the career of the warrior, whose
?reat natural endowments made him the greatest of his race, but
his memory is still cherished by the renmant of tb(^ tribes who
Mt the power of his influence.

The body was soon found, and tlie villajie b(^canie a i)an(le-
moninm of howling savages. His few friends seized their arms

168 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

to wreak vengeance on the perpetrator of the murder, but the
Illinois, interposing in behalf of their countryman, drove them
from the town. Foiled in their attempt to obtain retribution they
fled to the tribes over whom Pontiac had held sway, to spread
the tiding and call them to avenjre his murder. Meanwhile St.
Anjre procured the body of his ^uest, and mindful of his former
friendship, buried it with warlike honors near the fort under his
command at St. Louis.

A war of extermination was declared against the abettors of
this crime. Swarms of Ottawas, Sacs, Foxes, Pottawatomies and
other northern tribes who had been fireil by the eloquence, or
led to victory by the martyred chief, descended on the prairies
of Illinois, and whole villages and tribes were extirpated to
appease his shade.

It was at this time that the famous ''Starved Rock" took its
expressive but unpoetical name. It is a rocky bluflf about six
miles below the beautiful city of Ottawa. Illinois, named after
the tribe of which Pontiac was head chief. The ^reat rock over-
liantrs the slujrtrish Illinois river on the left bank, and is about
one hundred and twenty-five feet hijili and inaccessible except
by a narrow and difficult path in the rear. Its top is nearly an
acre in extent. Here La Salk' and Tonty built a palisade, wliieh
they named Fort St. Louis, and collected at its base about twjenty
thousand Tmlians. whom they formed iiit«) a defensive leagiK
apain.st the encroachments of the dn'iuh^d Iroquois.

Traditi<m stat«'s, thnt in tin- war of extermination which
followed the cold-blooiled and unpr<)vnk«'<l murder of Pontiac
in time of peacM\ a n»mnant of tln' Illinois Indians made their last
stand at this famous strontrhold. Il«M'e th«*y were besieged Vy ft
vastly superior force of Pottawatoniic-s. But the besieged knew
thjit a few warriors could d«*riMi<l lliis rock airainst a host, and
defied tln'ir encniit'S for a tiin«' and ki'pt them at bay. Hunger
and thirst, more forniidablH cncnii<-s, linwcvcr, soon accomplished
what the foe was unnhlj* to cfVcrt. Tlicir- small <|uantity of pro-
visions fjuiekly fnilcd, and tln-ir suj»j)ly <d' water was stopped by
the iMn-niy siv«TinL' the cnrds id' rawhirlc allndied to the vess»*ls

• : N^'>

171

i tjrirlfch th<*y 4*Jcv*ikHl it from the river below, TfiUB environed
by relentlesB foes, th^ took a last lingering look at their beau-
tifnl hunting grounds, spread out like a panorama on the gendy
roiling river and slowlj gave way to despair.

Charles TinmiiiiTi gajrs of this tragic ^vent, ''Day followed day,
and the last lingering hope was abandoned. Their destiny was
sealed, and no ehange for good eonld possibly take place, for the
htunan bloodhounds that watched their prey were utterly without .
mercy/ The feeble white-haired chief crept into a thicket and
breathed his last. The recently strong warrior, uttering a pro-
tracted but feeble yell of exultation, hurled his tomahawk at some
fiend below and then yielded himself up to the pains of his condi-
tion. The blithe form of the soft-eyed youth parted with his
strength, and was compelled to totter and fall upon the earth and
die. Ten weary, weary days passed on, and the strongest man
and the last of his tribe was numbered with the dead. **

Years afterward their bones were seen whitening on the
summit of this lofty fortress, known since as ** Starved Rock."

All this horrible torture and slaughter was because a brutal
English Indian trader (and most of them were brutal) bribed
^ Indian already drunk on the whisky he had supplied, to
murder probably one of the greatest warriors and rulers of all
history, considering his environment.

"But,'' as Parkman, the great chieftain's biographer, strik-
'^glysays, ** Could his shade have revisited the scene of murder,
»Jis savage spirit would have exulted in the vengeance which
ovenvhelmed the abettors of the crime. Tradition has but faintly
Pr^erveil the memory of the event ; and its only annalists, men
^no held the intestine feuds of the savage tribes in no more
account than the quarrels of panthers or wildcats, have left but
a meager record. Yet enough remains to tell us that over the
grave of Pontiac more blood was poured out in atonement than
wed from the hecatombs of slaughtered heroes on the corpse
«^ Patroclus.

'Neither mound nor tablet marked the burial-place of Pon-
tic. For a mausoleum, a city has risen above the forest hero,

172

LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

knd the race whom he hated with sach burning rancor tramp!
with unceasing footsteps over his forgotten grave.* But
became a model and inspiration for subsequent chiefs."

Michigan, where his eventful life was largely spent, aj
Illinois, where it ended, have each a beautiful city preserving li
name. It is also embalmed in tradition and legend. And natar
kinder than man, had built for him a colossal monument whi(
will endure for ages, and be known throughout all time i
"Starved Rock."

♦F. M. Crunden, Librarinn. Public Library of St. Lriuis. wrote the aathor: " It i«
lieved that Pontiao wan buried 0:1 the :^to of the preseut Southern Hotel here; af*
tablet marking his burial-pl:ice is thera now."

CHAPTER VI.

LOGAN, OR TAL-GA-TEETA, THE CAYUGA (MINGO)

CHIEF.

OBATOB AND FRIEND OP THE WHITE MAN. ALSO, A BRIEF SKETCH
OF CORNSTALK.

THIS unfortunate chief is better known to the world by the
eloquent and pathetic speech, which he has left as a
record of his misfortunes and sorrows, than by his ex-
ploits in war. His father, Shikellimus, was a Cayuga chief, whose
iMnue was on the borders of Cayuga Lake, in New York. He
vas a personal friend of the benevolent James Logan, the inti-
mate friend of William Penn and the founder of the Logonian
Library, at Philadelphia. The name of the second son was prob-
ably derived from this person.

Logan inherited his gifts and noble nature from his father,
who was ever a lover of peace, and also known as the white man's
Wend. His wigwam was famed far and near as the abode of
kwpitality, friendship, and kindness. It was a wigwam, but
^^re was something of the halo about it which invested a feudal
^tle in the days of English chivalry and romance.

Shikellimus was a good provider, and those who gathered
around his comfortable fire, which was lighted for every stranger
ky the forest chieftain, felt the independence of the lone traveler
Mi some old baronial hall; and he who presided at the feast to
^hich all were welcome, was not less noble or less dignified than
*n English lord. Had there been a pen to record his hospitality
Md table talk, there would probably have been seen in it more
'risdom than entered into the discourse of many a prince or
potentate. But, alas, for forest eloquence, it was wafted only by
the breeze, and its echo died away forever.

173

174 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

So much for the environment of the home of his childhood
Another thinjr which no doubt influenced his character was the
fact that in boyhood he came under the influence of the sweet-
spirited ^loravian missionaries, with their gentle manners and
soothing words. There was about him a similar quiet and soft-
ened dignity, a refinement of sentiment and delicacy of feeling,
which characterizes none but the lofty, and exhales from none
but the pure.

Logan moved in early life to the banks of the Juniata, which
is a beautiful little river, flowing through a wild, romantic coun-
try, watered also by the Sus(|uehanna. In a pleasant valley he
built his cabin, and married a Shawnee wife. Thus he became
identified with the Shawnees and Delawares, though belonginfi
to the Six Nations. Logan inherited his father's talents ol
oratory and bid fair to be equally prosperous. He took no pari
in the French and Indian war of 1760, nor that of Pontia<
which followed, exce])t to assume th(» rcle of peacemaker.

His house, like his father's, was the Indian's and the whit
man's home, the dwelling-place of love. Alas! that the milk o
human kindness in his bosom should ever have been turned t
gall by cruel and inhuman wrouirs. In his childhiKxl a littl
cousin had been taken cai>tive by white men, under aggravatin
circumstances, but for this he did not become the foe of th
white race.

"Porgive and forget." seems to have been his motto at th:
'ime; and he lived to be an aged man, b«^fore vengeance too
q MCgri on of his soul.

In all the country where he dwelt he was known, and to ever
yttage L(^:an was welcome; terror did not creep into the heal

voman nor fear disturb the little child, when his footstef

heard at their doore. And this, as was afterwards proved

lot because he had not all the traits which make a bra^

ior, but from a settled prineipl«* that all men were brothel

ahoald love one another.

Miniiie Myrtle, in her interestinir book, **The Iroquois,'' sa J
Ugail: **He set forth at one time on a hunting expeditioi

LOGAN, TEK CATUOA (MINGO) CHISF. 175

ana was alone in the forest Two white hnntera were enr^aged
in the same sport, and having killed a bear in a wild gorge, were
abont to rest beside a babbling spring, when they saw an Indian
form reflected in the water. They sprang to their feet and
grasped their rifles, but the Indian bent forward and stmck the
rifles from their hands, and spilt the powder from their flasks.
Then stretching forth his open palm in token of friendship, he
seated himself beside them and won his way to their hearts.
For a week they roamed together, hunting and fishing by day
and deeping by the same fire at night. It was Logan, and hence-
forth their brother. At the end of their hunt, he pursued his
way over the AUeghenies, to his lodge, and they returned to their
homes, never again to point a gun at an Indian's heart

"Some white men on a journey stopped at his cabin to rest.
For amusement a shooting match was proposed, at which the
wager was to be a dollar a shot. During the sport Logan lost
five shots, and when they had finished he entered his lodge and
brought out five deerskins in payment of his losses, as a dollar
a skin was the established price in those days and the red man's
money. But his guests refused to take them, saying they had
only been shooting for sport and wished no forfeit. But the
honorable Indian would take no denial, replying, *If you had lost
the shots I should have taken your dollai's, but as I have lost, take
my skins. '

"Another time he wished to buy p:rain, and took his skins to
i tailor, who adulterated the wheat, thinking the Indian would
wo/ know. But the miller informed him, and advised him to
*Pply to a magistrate for redress. lie went to a Mr. Brown,
who kindly saw that his loss was made up, for Lojxan came often
to his house, and he knew his noble heart and fjrrieved to see him
wronged. As he was waiting the decision of the magistrate, he
played with a little girl, who was just trying to walk, and the
mother remarked that she needed some shoes, which she was not
able to purchase for her.

**The child was very fond of Logan and loved to sit upon his
H»e, and when he went away was ready to go too. He asked the

176 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

mother if he might take her to his cabin for the day, and she,
knowing well the attention which would be bestowed upon her
in the Indian's lodge, consented. Toward night there was a
little anxiety about the child, but the shades of evening had
scarcely begun to deepen, when Logan was seen wending his way
to the cottage with his precious charge ; and when he placed her
in her mother's arms, she saw upon her feet a tiny pair of moc-
casins, neatly wrought and ornamented with beads, that his o\ni
skilful hands had made. Was not this a delicate way of showin&r
gratitude and expressing friendship? Was it a rude and savage
nature that prompted this attention to a little child, to gladden
a mother's heart? Not all the refined teachings of civilization
could have invented a more beautiful tribute of sympathy and
grateful affection."

The hunters and backwoodsmen of the period describe Logan
as a chief or headman, among the outlying parties of Senecas
and Cayugas, and the fragments of broken tribes that lived along
the upper Ohio and its tributaries.

They tell us he was a man of splendid appearance, over six
feet tall, straight as a spear-shaft, with countenance as open as
it was brave and manly, until the wrongs he endured stamped on
it an expression of gloomy ferocity. lie had always been the
friend of the white man, and had been noted particularly for his
kindness and gentleness to children. Up to this time he had liveil
at peace with the borderei-s, for thougli some of his kin had btvii
massacred by the whites years before, he had forgiven the deed —
probably because he had knowledjie of the fact that others of his
relatives and people had been concerned in ecjually bloody mass:i-
cres of the whites.

A skilled marksman and mighty hunter, of commanding pres-
ence, who treated all men with irrave courtesy and dignity, and
exaet(Hl the same treatment in return, he was a prime favorite
with all tlie white hunters and borderers whose friendship and
puxlwill was worth having. They admired him for his skill and
courage, and they loved him for his straightforward integrity
antl his noble loyalty to his friends of l)oth races.

LOGAN, THE CAYUOA (MINOO) CHISF 177

In the ''American Pioneer** an old hunter is quoted as saying
that he considered "'Logan the best specimen of humanity he
ever met with, either white or red. ' '

Logan was never tempted to touch a drop of **fire-water"
nntil after his great wrongs kindled revenge in his soul. He
adopted few of the customs and rejected all the vices of civiliza-
tion. Such was Logan before the evil days came upon him and
his heart was fire<I with the passion for revenge. And such,
indeed, would have been recorded of many other Indians had they
received the same kind treatment they extended to the whites.
Bat, **alas for the rarity of human charity under the sun."

Early in the spring the border settlers began to suffer from

the deeds of straggling bands of Indians.* Horses were stolen,

» one or two murders were committed, the inhabitants of the more

outlying cabins fled to the forts, and the frontiersmen began to

threaten fierce vengeance.

On April 16 an Indian trader by the name of Butler had his
store attacked and plundered by a roving band of Cherokees. Of
the three men in charge at the time one was killed, another
womn]e<l, but the third made his escape and raised the alarm.
Immediately after this, Connolly, who was acting as Governor
Diinniore's lieutenant on the border, issued an open letter, com-
mandinjr the frontiersmen to hold thenis(*lves in readiness to repel
any attack of the Indians, as the Sha\niees were known to be
hostile.

Anion*? the backwoodsmen was one Michael Cresap, a Mar}'-
land borderer, who had moved to the banks of the Ohio to estab-
lish a home for his family. Roosevelt, in **The Winning of the
West," says of Cresap : **Ile was of the regular pioneer type ; a
jrood wocKlsnian, sturdy and brave, a fearless fighter, <levote(l to
his friends and his country; but alas, when his blood was heated,
and his savage instincts fairly roused, inclined to regard any
r»Ml man, whether hostile or friendly, as a being who should be

•Thatcher «iyj» thew n>bberie5i were all charxed to Indians, ** though i)erhaprt. not
jqctly, fur it in well known that a large number of civilixe<l advent urern were traversing the
frontieni at thi» lime, who M>raetimes di5gui«ed thenawlveft as Indians and rommitteil many
depmlations and e\-en murder."

178 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

slain on sight. Nor did he condemn the brutal deeds
others on innocent Indians."

Cresap, who had been appointed a captain of the
militia, was near Wheeling at the time Connolly's le
received, with a band of hunters and scouts. These were
men who had adopted many of the ways of the Indians, ii
their method both of declaring war and fighting. Of cou
put a very liberal interpretation upon the order given
Connolly to repel an attack and proceeded to declare wj
regular Indian style. Calling a council, they planted
post, and after marching around it many times, brandish
hatchets, knives, swords or whatever weapon they car
at a signal from their It^ader struck the post, leavii
weapons sticking in it, and waited eagerly for a chance 1
their common enemy, the Indians.

Unfortunately, as is often the case, the first blood s
that of friendly Indians. It seems that Butler, the
trader, hoping to recover some of the peltries of whieli
been robbed by the C'herokees, had sent two friendly S
in a cano(» to th(» place of massacre. Cresap and
ambushed these friendly Indians on the 27th near Capt
killed and scalped them. Some of the more humane
frontiei-smen strongly j)r()teste(l against this outrage
large majority of them were exeited and enraged by th
of Indian hostilities, and threatened to kill whoever in
with them, cn!*sing th(» ti'adei*s as being woi-se than the In(
was often the case. Cresaj) boasted of the murder, ar
said a word airainst scalpinii. The next day he again
his men and attaeke<l another party of Shawnees, who I
trading near Pittsbnrir, kilh^l one and wounded two otl
of the whites beinir also wounded.

Shortly after this Cresap and his band started to
eamp, then located at Yellow Creek, some fifty miles
After niarehinir severid inil<*s tln\v began to reflect on w
were about to do; eallintr a halt, they discussed the f
the eanip tb(\v wen* L^<»in<r to attaek eonsistiHl of frit^idly

LOGAN, TEE CAYUGA (MINGO) CHIEF. 181

and maioiy women and children ; their better natare aaaerted
itself^ and they immediately returned home.

"But/' as Roosevelt says, "Logan's people did not profit by
(^resap's change of heart. On the last day of April a small
party of men, women and children, indnding almost all of
Ix)gan'8 kin, left his camp and crossed the river to visit Daniel
Creatfaouse, as had been their custom; for he made a trade of
selling rum to the savages, though Cresap had notified him to
stop. The whole party were plied with liquor, and became help-
lesljr drunk, in which condition Oreathouse and his associate
criminals fell on and massacred them, nine souls in all. It was
an inhuman and revolting deed, which should consign the names
of the perpetrators to eternal infamy. ' '

The whole family of Logan perished in this and other similar
inasgacres; in one of the last were his brother and sister.

It will excite the wonder of no man that Logan from this
moment breathed nothing but vengeance against the treacherous
and inhuman whites. A general Indian war immediately fol-
lowed. Lopan was the foremost in leading his* countrymen to
tbe slaughter of their perfidious enemies. On July 12, with a
party of only eisrht warriors, he attacked a settlement on the
Muskinjnim, captured* two prisoners and carried them off. When
they arriveil at an Indian town, they delivered them to the
inhabitants, who at once prepared to put them to death by
torture. Logan, however, in the heat of his vindictive feelings,
displayed the humanity of his nature. He cut the cords of one
of the prisoners, a man named Robinson, who was about to be
burned at the stake, and saved his life at the risk of his own. A
few (lays aften^v^ard he suddenly appeared to this prisoner WMth
some pimpowder, ink and a wild-goose quill, wherewith to make
a pen, and dictated to him a note. This note was afterward tied
to a war-club and left in the house of a settler, whose entire
family had been butchered by the savages. It was brief, but
' written with ferocious directness to the man whom he wrongly
believed to be the author of his heart-rending troubles. It read
as follows :

182 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

** Captain Cresap:

**\Vhat did you kill my people on Yellow Creek for! The
white people killetl my kin at Conestoga, a great while ago, and
I thought nothing of that. But you killed my kin again on
Yellow Creek, and took my cousin prisoner. Then I thought I
must kill too; and I have been three times to war since; but all
the Indians are not angry, only myself.

**July 21, 1774. Captain John Logan."

The frontier was now in a blaze, and the Indians made
preparations for war. The Mingos, Shawnees, Delawares,
Wyandots and outlying Iroquois, especially the Senecas,
together with a party of warriors of the Miamis from western
Ohio, all banded themselves together, under the command of
Cornstalk, the great Shawnee chieftain, and Logan.

Meantime Governor Dunmore was making ready a formid-
able army with wliich to overwhelm the hostile Indians. The
plan was to raise three thousand men; one half, or the northern
wing, was to be under the eomniand of Lord Dunmore in person,
while th(» other, eomposed eiitin»ly of border men, living among
the mountains west of the Hhu* Kidjie, was under (Jen. Andrew
Lewis.

Both wings were ordered to take a position at Point Pleasant,
where the Great Kanawha empties into the Ohio. The division
led by Lewis reached this place and, having camped on a jut of
land betwet^n the two rivers, waited the coming of Lord Dun-
more and his connnand.

But the crafty Cornstalk did not propose to wait for the
coming of the other wing; through his runnei-s he had full
knowledijre of th(» , movements of the frontier militia. lie was
greatly outnumbered ; but he had at his ccmmiand over a thou-
sand warriors, the very i>iek of the young men to be found among
the tribc^s between the (Jieat Tjakes an<l th(» Ohio. His foes were
divided, and he determined to strike a decisive blow before they
were again united. Aceordinjjrly. he le<l his long file of warriors
to the moutli of the Kanawha, and attacked the division under
Lewis on the morning of October 10, 1774, about daylight.

LOGAh, THE CAYUGA (MINGO) CHIEF. 1<S3

This battle, knoA^Ti in history by two names— Point Pleasant
and the Great Kanawha— was purely an American affair, because
it was fought solelj^ by the backwoodsmen on one side, and Amer-
ican Indians on the other. It was Greek meetinjr Greek, or,
better still, white American meetinjr red, and was one of the most
stubbornly fought and bravely contested in the annals of history.
The fight was a succession of single combats, each man shelter-
in? himself behind a stump, or rock, or tree-trunk, or whatever
was at hand. The backwoodsmen were the best shots, but the
Indians excelled in the art of hiding and shielding themselves
from harm. The two lines, though more than a mile in length,
were so close together that many of the combatants grappled in
hand-to-hand combat, using knife or tomahawk. The crack of
the rifles was continuous, while above the noise could be heard
the groans of the wounded and the shouts of the combatants, as
each encouraged his own side or jeered at the enemy. The
cheers of tlie wliites mingled with the war-wlioops of the Indians.
The ohiffs C'>ntiniied to exhort their warrioi-s to still vrreater
deeds of valor.

Cornstalk, the commander of the savatres. distinguished hun-
s»'lf in all his maneuvers throughout the engatrenient by the skill
as well as the braveiy of a consummate general. Durinir the
whole of the day his stentorian voice was heard throughout the
ranks of his enemies, vociferating. **Be strong! he sti-ong!"
Aftt^r an incessant fire of about twelve hours' dni-ation dai'kness
put an end to the contiiet. The Indians now made a most skilful
retreat, carrying all their wounded in safety across the Ohio, and
the Americans were too exhausted to j>nrsue them.

This battle was not only stubbornly eonti^sted hut bloody.
The whites, thoutrh claiming the victory, had sntTered more than
their foes, and indeed had won only because it was against the
entire policy of Indian warfare to sutler a severe loss, even if a
nctory could be gained thereby. Some seventy-five of the whites
had been killed or mortally wounded, and one hundred and forty
severely or slightly wounded, so that they lost a fifth of their
entire number. Of the Indians, the loss was not much more than

LOGAN, THE CAYUGA (MINGO) CHIEF. 185

prophet was forced to go to the mountain ; as it was deemed
ainolutely imperative to have an understanding with tiiis great
leader, and learn his intentions. Accordingly a messenger was
sent to interview Logan. John Gibson, a frontier veteran, who
iiad long lived among the Indians and knew thoroughly both
tbeir language and their manners and customs, was chosen for
this task. To him Logan was willing to talk. Taking him aside,
iKsnddenly addressed him in a speech that will always retain its
place as one of the finest outbursts of Indian eloquence recorded
in the history of our country. John Gibson was a plain, honest
backwoodsman, utterly incapable of "doctoring" a speech for
the better, so he took it down in writing, translating it literally,
and, returning to camp, put it into Dunmore's hands. The Gov-
ernor then read it in council before the entire frontier army,
including George Rogers Clark and Cresap, to whom Logan
imputed the butchery of his family.

The speech, when read, proved no acknowledgment of defeat,
nor expression of desire for peace, but rather a pathetic recital
of the heartbreaking wrongs which had been perpetrated against
"im, even though innocent of harming the whites, and a fierce
justification of the vengeance he had taken. The justly famous
•"^eech is as follows :

"I appeal to any white man to say if ever he entered Logan's

fabin hungry and he gave him not meat ; if ever he came cold

' and naked and he clothed him not ? During the course of the

'ast long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his camp, an

advocate for peace.* Such was my love for the whites that my

wuntrymen pointed as I passed and said, * Logan is the friend

of the white man. ' I had even thought to have lived with you,

but for the injuries of one man. Colonel Cresap, the last spring,

in cold blood and unprovoked, murdered all the relations of

Logan, not even sparing my women and children. There runs

not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This

called on me for revenge. I have sought it. I have killed

many. I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country I

^ LofBn here refers to the French and Indian and Pontiac wars, when he refused, pusi-
Chrdy, to join the Jndians, though often urged to dig up the hatchet.

ISO LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

rejoice at the beams of peace ; but do not harbor a thought that
mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turr
on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan '
Not one/'

The backwoodsmen listeneil with almost breathless attention U
the reading of this speech, and many of them no doubt regretted
the wanton and brutal murder. They were so much impressed
by it, that it was the one subject of conversation around the
evening campfire, and they continually attempted to rehearse it
to each other.* This was especially true of the last clause; one
would ask the question, **Who is there to mourn for Logan!"
and another would answer with much feeling, **Not one." But
they were very well aware that Daniel Greathouse, and not
Michael Cresap, was the guilty fiend who wantonly murdered
this innocent family, and when the speech was read George
Rogers Clark turned to Cresap and said, **You must be a very
great man, that the Indians shoulder you with every mean thing
that has happened.'' AVhereat Cresap, much angered, swore that
he had a good mind to tomahawk Greathouse for this heinous
murder. We can only express a regret that Cresap did not carry
out his threat, and a hope that some Indian meted out justice to
Greathouse as he richly deserved.

Concerning this powerful address, Thomas Jefferson says: *'I
may challenge the whole orations of Demosthenes and Cicero, and
of any more euiinent orator — if Europe has furnished more
eminent— to produce a single j)assage superior to the speech of
Logan"; and Cinton, in his *' Historical Discourse," subscribes ta
this noble eulogium :

**01<1 IjO^u was the white man's frienil;
But injuries forced his love to end;
Of children, wife and kindred shorn,
None left for him to joy or mourn,
lie rose in calm, vindictive ire,
And bade them, by their fathers slain,
No more in voiceless peace remain,
But lift the brand, and battle cry,
For vengeance, if not victory." f

♦Jefferson's Manuscript
t Minnie Myrtle.

LOGAN, THE CAYUGA (MINGO) CHIEF. 187

Roosevelt saj-s, of the close of his career, ** Proud, gloomy
Logan never recovered from the blow that had been dealt him ;
he drank deeper and deeper, and became more and more an
implacable, moody and blood-thirsty savage, yet with noble qual-
ities that came to the surface now and then. Again and again
he wrought havoc among the frontier settlers ; yet we several
times hear of his saving the lives of prisoners. Once he saved
Simon Kenton from torture and death, when Girty, moved by
a rare spark of compassion for his former comrade, had already
tried to do so and failed. At last he perished in a drunken
brawl by the hand of another Indian. ' '

We notice the authorities differ in their account of Logan's
death. Drake says of him: **The melancholy history of Logan
must be dismissed with no relief to its gloomy colors. He was
himself a victim to the same ferocious cruelty which had already
rendered him a desolate man. Not lonjr after the treaty (of
^Vavne at Griviivill(') a party of whites miirdeivd him as h** was
Miirniiiir from Detroit to his own country. "

There were none to mourn for Logan ; but as Jefferson well
says, "his talents and misfortunes have attached to him the
respect and commiseration of a world/'

Cornstalk died a noble death, but by an act of cowardly
treachery, which is or.e of the darkest stains on tin* pa«res of our
frontier history. In the early part of the year 1777 he eanie into
tl»e tjarrison at Point IMeasant to explain that, while he was anx-
J'Histo keep the terms of the treaty his warriors were determined
toiro to war: and frankly added, that if they did he would be
^"iiipelled to join them. lie and three oth(»rs, inelndinir his son,
Ellinipsico. and the chief. Red Ilawk, were retained as hostaires
ari'l Ci^ntined in the fort. About this time a member of a com-
pany of ranirers was killed by the Indians near the foi't ; whcre-
lipon h.is comrades, headed by their captain, one John Hall,
nished furiously into the fort to murder the Indian prisoners.
Cornstalk heard them rushing in and knew what to expect.
\ever for an instant did his coura<ie fail him. Turning to
Ellinipsico. the youngest of the group, he thus exhorted him:

18S LIVES OF FAMOrs IXDlAy CUIKFS.

''My son, tlie Great Spirit has seen fit that we should die together,
iind has sent you to that end. It is his will, and let us submit."
Then, drawinjr his blanket around him, with the grace and dignity
t»r a Roman Senator, he faced his assassins, and fell dead, pierced
by M*vt*n or eijrht bullets. The other helpless and unarmed
Indians were butchered at the same time.

Mr. Withera, in his ** Chronicles," writes thus of Cornstalk
an<l this indefensible murder: *'Thus perished the mighty Corn-
stalk, a saclu^m of the Shawne(»s, and King of the Xorthem Ccm-
r«*(lefaey, in 1774, a chief remarkable for many great and good
qualities. He was disposed to be at all times the friend of the
white men, as he ever was the advocate of honorable peace. But
\vh(»n his country's wroncs * called aloud for battle,' he became
tin* thunderbolt of war, and made her oppressors feel the weight
of his uplifted arm. His noble bearing, his generous and disin-
terested attachment to the colonies when the thunder of British
eaniion wns reverbei'ati ntr throu^frh the land, his anxiety to pre-
sei-ve \\w frontier of Viririnia from desolation and death, the
<»)).ieet of his visit to Pnint Pleasant — all conspired to win for him
the esteem ami respect of others: while the untimely and perfid-
ious manner of his death caused a do(»p and lasting regret to
pervade the bosoms even of those who were enemies to his nation,
and excited the just indiirnation of all toward his inhuman and
barbarous murderei-s. "

CHAPTER Vn.
CAPTAIN JOSEPH BRANT, OR THAYENDANEGEA,

ntlNOPAL SACH£M OP THE MOHAWKR, AND HEAD CHIEF OP
THE IROQUOIS CONFEDERATION.

THIS remarkable man was bom on the banks of the Ohio in
1742. His father, who bore the unpronounceable and
mispellable name of Tehowaghwengaraghkmn, was a
sabordinate chief of the Wolf totem or clan of the Mohawk tribe.
There were two other rival clans among the Mohawks, known
M the Tortoise or Turtle, and the Bear, while among the entire
Iroquois confederation there were eight, the other five being the
ffane. Snipe, Ilawk, Beaver and Deer clans.

The following interesting legend is told of the anct^stoi-s of
«"rhero. The scene is laid at what is known as the Little Falls
oHhe Mohawk:

"Long ago, when the river was broader and the falls more

'^fty, a feud arose between two young chiefs of the respective

<*lans of the Mohawk nation, the Wolf and the Tortoise. * A

Diaiden of the Bear totem was the cause of the feud, as maidens

often are. She was loved by both the young chiefs, and for a

time she so coquetted that each thought himself beloved by her

'1 return. Her father was a stern old warrior, and loved his

<?hild tenderly. Both chiefs had fought the ^lingoes and Mohe-

?ans by his side, and the bravery of each entitled him to the hand

of the maiden. Her affections were at length stirred by the more

Ernest importunities of the Wolf, and she promised to become

his bride. This decision reached the ears of the Tortoise, and

the embers of jealousy, which disturbed both while unaccepted

miters, burst into a flame of ungenerous revenge in the bosom of

the disappointed lover. He determined to possess the coveted

191

194 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

Brant's father died in the Ohio country and his mother
returned to Canajoharie, on the Mohawk, Mrith the two younger
children— Mar}', or Mollie, as she was usually called, and Joseph.

By traffic with the Indians for furs, Sir William Johnson
ac(iuired a large fortune. He erected two splendid and spacious
buildings, which he called the ** Castle" and **IIall,'' respect-
ively, occupying one in winter, the other in summer.

Pour or five years after he built the castle, the wife of Colonel
Johnson, as he was then called, a plain, fair-haired German girl
of humble lineage, died, leaving her husband one boy, John, and
two baby daughters. One day the widower attended a muster of
the county militia.

As an officer came riding by on a prancing steed, a bright-
eyed, red-clH»ekiHl Indian girl of sixteen, a real beauty, with her
white tet»th, long, flowing black hair, and a form of rare sym-
metry and grace, laughingly bantered him for a ride. The officer
told her she might jump on if hHc could. Quick as a flash the
agile girl leape<l up on the horse behind the gallant rider, and
clinging to him, her hair and ribbons blowing wildly in the
breeze, rode round and roimd on the flying steed before the
applauding crowd.

One man t(K)k more than ordinary interest in the incident. It
was the susceptible and lonely widower. That night MoUie
Hrant, Jaseph's sister, who was the dusky beauty, went home
with the baronet to Johnson Castle, Iw^coming thenceforth the
mistress alike of it and its proprietor. The motherless daughter
were assigned a[)artments of their own, where they lived in com —
pl(»te seclusion under the eare of a devoted friend of their mother -.
Hii officer's widow. Their time was occupied with needlework O'wr
study. Their library consisted of the Bible and prayer-boolw ,
Uollin's *'Ancient History," and a few English novels of th<3
jx'riod. A game of clu^ss, a walk in the park, or a drive along th^
I'iver road, constituted their only annisements. At the age of
sixteen they had never seen a lady other than their govemesfi'-
Oecasionally some jreiitleman visitor came to Johnson Hall. This
served to br(»ak the monotony for the lonely girls, to whom such

CAPTAIN JOSEPH BRANT, OR THAYENDANEGKA. 195

a guest was always presented. They married early, and their
father built for, them two elegant stone residences a few miles
f n»m the castle.

Par different from this conventual life of the two daughters

was that led below stairs by their father. Prom the first, Sir

William aeciuired great influence over the warriors of the far-

fameil Six Nations or Iroquois Confederation. The negotiations

of the British Government with these Indians were all carried

on through him. The castle was his storehouws where large siip-

l>lii» of guns, ammunition and trinkets were kept for trade.

Around the castle were clusters of cabins for the accommodation

of Indians who came to traffic.

Sir William also kept a bounteous table open to every comer.

The Indians would visit him day and night, sleeping in the halls,

on the steps or in the cabins, as suited their fancy, and faring

on their host's sumptuous provision for days at a time. The

natural genius of the baronet for controlling the restless red men

^aspreatly aided by his questionable alliance with ^lollie Brant.

She was immensely popular, |)osse8sed a shrewd intelligence, and

acquired great influence over her people. Sir William, moreover,

^y this alliance, for he married her near the clos(» of his life in

^fJer to make her children legitimate, won the hearts of the

^«rriors. His castle, to which they were always glad to come,

*"«« considered the splendid establishment of one of their own

Pwple. The Indians formally adopted thr baronet into the

Mohawk nation: they then gave him an Tndinii name and made

^Jni a war-chief.

Brant is said to have taken that name from the faet that after
^fc'^rtoath of his father, the mother married an Indian who w(»nt
">' the name of Brant among the English. Thay-<'n-da-ne-gea
»«»ul(l naturally be called by the surname of his sti^pfather. At
"fsthe was known as Brant s Joseph, afterward Joseph Brant.

Women are often designing, and use their inHiienee over men
"^r their own purposes. It is natural to find that **Miss Mollie
"fant" made use of her influence over Sir William to further the
intprests of her brother Jos<»ph. As he was an unusiuilly intelli-

196 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

gent lad he soon became the recipient of Sir William's boant
and was sent by him to school at Lebanon, Connecticut. Th
school was taught by Rev. Eleazer Wheelock. In Dr. Wheelock
letters to Sir William Johnson, Joseph Brant is frequently we
spoken of, as ** Joseph and the rest of the boys are well, studioi
and diligent''; ** Joseph is indeed an excellent youth."

He was employed by the baronet to assist in his duties
Indian commissioner. He acted as interpreter, and was oft<
sent on long journeys, to the wild Indians of the West. In tl
work he early exhibited rare diplomatic ability. Moreover, Bra
took great interest in things spiritual, and aided materially
translating portions of the Bible, the prayer-book and ritual, ir
the Mohawk tongue.

At the time of Sir William Johnson's death, Brant was
powerful Mohawk sachem. John Johnson, the only son of i
William, inherited the title and much of the wealth; while G
Johnson, Sir William's son-in-law, became Indian Commission
with Joseph Brant as his private secretary.

Meanwhile the Revolution was approaching. New York cc
stantly protested her loyalty, but still claimed her liberl
Political discussion became loud and heated. The people foa
themselves ranged into two hastile parties. The great majori
were patriots. They believed in the colonies having justice, coi
what would. These were the Whigs. But there was also
minority party who retained their old attachment to Englan
who justified the home government, and abused the Whigs. Th<
were the Conservatives, or Tories. The one demanded a change
a reform. The other replied, **Let well enough alone; peac
peace!'' when there was no peace.

These party dissensions reached the Mohawk valley, where
majority of the people were enthusiastic Whigs. The Johnsoi
however, were Tories. Proj)erty and aristocracy are conservati
The Johnsons wen* very wealthy and eared nothing for the tax
tea. What was it to them if troops were (juartered in Bostc
It cost them nothing. So they wanted things to continue as tl

CAPTAIN JOSEPH BRANT, OR THATENDANEGEA. 197

Brant had now become, by the exigencies of war, by his con-
nection with the Johnsons, and by his own superior mind and
gift for leadership, the most powerful and influential of the
Iroquois war-chiefs.

Before the Americans were yet sure whether Brant would
take up the tomahawk against them, his old school-master was
asked to write to him on the subject.

President Wheelock accordingly wrote Brant a very long
letter, using every argument in favor of the colonists that he
thought would have weight with an Indian. Brant answered with
Indian wit that he very well remembered the happy hours he had
spent under the Doctor's roof, and he especially remembered the
family prayers, and, above all, how his school -master used to pray
"that they might be able to live as good subjects, to fear God
and honor the King."

Meantime the American successes in Canada were, for a time,
very influential with the Indians on the Amt^riean bonliT, many
of whom took sides with the colonies. It is possible that Brant,
H felt the power of success and wavered a little at this critical
time, though he always denied it. In speaking of this period long
afterward. Brant said: **When I joined the English in the
he^nning of the war, it was purely on account of my forefathers'
^nfraprements with the King. I always looked on these engage-
nients. or covenants between the King and the Indian nations, as
a saerod thing; therefore I was not to be frightened ])v the
threats of rebels at the time."

Encouraged by the Johnsons and other Tories, who wished
him to see the mother-country, that he might judgt* of her
f^iircps and population, Brant sailed for England in Ihe fall
"f 1775. On his arrival in London he was eonduetod to a rather
obscure inn, called **The Swan With Two Necks.'' All haste
^vas made, however, to provide statelier lodgings for tlit^ g]-(»at
''Indian Kincr," as the Englishmen called him. But Brant
politely but firmly declined, declaring that the i)eople at ''Tlie
Swan" had treated him so kindly he preferred to stay there.

**In this Joseph showed his innocence, '* as Mason says. '*IIe

UW LIl'KS (tF FAM01 S JSPIAS CHIEFS.

mistook the broad sniili* and hearty handshake, which forms such
an important part of the landlord's stock in trade, for the gen-
uine article. If he was taken in by the patronizing airs of the
shrewd tavern-keeper. Brant showed no other si^s of verdanQr.
He dressed in Europi^an elothinp of the best quality. His
courtly manners and elear-eut Endish caused the throng; of titled
men and jt^wi-lfd women who souirht his company and presseci
upon him the hnnoi-s of tht* caprtal to lose sijrht of the fact that
this hirdly p'ntlemnn of fon*itrn aeciMit aii<l distin^iished air
was, in fact, a red-fistiMl savaire. accustomed to lead his yelling
band of braves to midniirht m.nssaeres.

**\Vheu hi" appcariMl at court on visits of business or cere-
mony, he laid aside his European habit, and wore a ssorgeous
costume of the fashion of his i-wn people. Bands of silver eneir-
cled his sinewy arms. Tall plumes adorned his head-dress, and
hijrhly colored fabrics, huntr with copper pendants, formed hw
elothinir. The siurht of a irlitterinir tomahawk with his full name.
*J. Thay-«*n-da-iu'-L'«»a.' euL'ravi'd on it must have shocked the
lailirs at iMiurt.**

BTjmt was much lioiiizfd while in Eneland. He was courted
by that <'il»'bratiMl w«nshii)er of trreat men. Boswt-11; and sat for
liis picture twi«'«- durinir th«' visit, once at Boswell's request, and
om-i' tor tin- Eju-1 of Wjirwirk. who eaust^d Ronuiey. the eminent
painter, to iiiak<» a portrait «>f him for his eol]«'etion.

lb- liouirht a L'old rinir duriiiL^ his stay, upon which he had
his full naiiir ♦•ULTavrd, tliMt his lindy ruiirht b<* identified in eiK
of Ills il«'Mth in th»' roiiiintr !»attlfs.

H»'t*(»n- \u' Ii't't HiiL!land h«* promis«Ml to load thi-ee thousand
Indians intn Uh- fi«-ld on th*- royal sid.-. Returnintr to America,
by way nf Ni-w Vurk. i-arly in thf spriuL', In* was secretly landed
at sunn* ijiiii-1 split ni'ar thr city. Fn^n here he undertook the
ilanir-rnns jnui-ni-y thnm«jh thf country to Canada, and sue-
ciMil.ii. ( )ri nat'lMTiL' <'aria<bi. In- at om-c collecttnl a larce
I'l.ir.- (.r" Thtliaiis. wliji-li h«- plac«'il at the disposal t»f Sir
Oiiy ( 'ail't«»n. •■niiiTiiandri- of tb»' royal forces in Canada. Carl*--
ton ordtri-d him with six hnndivd Tro<jU<»is to join a company

1,.\

CAPTAIN JOSEPH BBANT, OB THAYBNDANEGBA. 201

of regnlarg in dislodging the Americans from a point of land

about forty miles above Montreal, known as the Cedars. The

Ameriean commander, Bedell, when he saw the English and

Indians approaching, deserted, nnder pretense of going for

rpinforcements. The command was left to Major Butterfield,

vho seems to have been almost as cowardly as Bedell. After

a brief fipht with musketry, he was intimidated by a threat that

tbe Indians would have no mercy if the Americans held out any

'onger, and surrendered, against the wishes of his men. He had

nardly surrendered when a detachment was sent to his relief by

Arnold, which was attacked by Brant and his Indians, arid, after

a stubborn fight, captured. The savages murdered several of the

prisoners before they could be stopped. Brant immediately

exerted himself in every way to prevent a massacre. One of the

prisoners, Captain McKinistry, who was wounded, was selected

oy the Indians to be put to death by torture. Brant would not

Permit this, but a chief's influence is not very great in such cases,

^nd it was with a great deal of trouble that he prevented it. To

^the the feelinsrs of his warriors, he and some of the British

officers made up a purse, with which they bought the Indians an

^x to roast instead of Captain McKinistry, who was treated with

^ much kindness by the young chief that he and Brant became

fast friends. In after years Brant never passed down the

"udson without visiting the captain at his home. Arnold secured

*^^ exchange of the prisoners by promising to release British

Prisoners in return, which promise was never fulfilled.

In 1777 Brant gathered a large force of Indians at 0(iuaga,

^^ the Susquehanna. The settlers on the frontier trembled, and

^here was reason for fear, for Brant was planning an attack

^*p<m Cherry Valley. lie approached the settlement with his

^'ulians one bright ^lay morning, and took an observation from

^he distant woods. It happened at this moment that the boys of

^ ho settlement were parading in front of the rude fort with their

Voodcn svi'ords and guns. Brant mistook the amateurs for real

'^)Jdiers. He, with his party, moved to a hiding-place along the

^oad8ide, hoping to intercept some one who would give them

*Jl)2 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

information. That morning Lieutenant Wormwood, a rich yo
man from the Mohawk, who had come over to Cherry Valle
toll the inhabitants that reinforcements would be sent, sta
home. He was accompanied by one Peter Sitz, who bore doi
dispatches, one true, the other exagprerating the strength of
tiefense at the fort. Wlien they reached the place where
Indians were in hiding Brant hailed them, but instead of ans^
ing they put spurs to their horses and tried to pass. But
savages fired at them, killing the lieutenant outright, and
horse on which Sitz rode. The Indians now rushed out
scalped Wormwood and captured Sitz, who delivered the Ik
dispatches to Brant. By this means he was fortunately dece:
as to the strength of Cherry Valley, and retired. It is said
the chief regretted the death of the young man, as they
formerly been friends.

Brant's forces at Oquaga continued to increase; all belli
he was preparing for a hostile movement. The people of
fnmtier wen* in terror; (ieneral Herkimer, who was an old nc
bor and friend of Brant, determined to visit him, hopini
influence him to remain neutral, and, failing in this, to cap
the chief if ])<Kssil)le. lie sent a messenger, inviting Brant h
interview with him at Unadilla, and marched to this place '
over three hundred militia. Brant moved to meet him with s
five hundre<l braves; he encamped within two miles of Ilerki
and S(»nt a messentr<»r to the genei-al.

** Captain Brant wants to know what you came here f
said the messenurer.

**r merely came \o se<' and talk with my brother. Cap
Brant,'' answered Herkimer.

**l)o nil these men want to talk with Captain Brant, ti
in<|uired the Indian. '*I will carry your talk to Captain Bi
hut von must not come any farther."

Tlin»ngh m«'ssengers a meeting was appointed to take ]
nhout niiilway between the two eneam[)ments. After Ilerk
«iul l»i« party luid been on the ground some time Brant an<
(^nds iirrivrd. greeted the general and b<»gan to converse

. CAPTAIN JOSEPH BBANT, OM THAYBNDANBOBA. 203

witehed his face with a keen ^e. In fact, each obaerved the
other with ill-disguiaed fmspicion.

"Hay I inquire the reason of my being so honoredT" said the
polite chief .

"I eame only on a friendly visit," answered Herkimer.

**Aiid all these have come on a friendly visit, toof " and Brant
eyed Herkimer *s companions. ''All want to see the poor Indians T
It i« very kind," he added, with just a: little curl of the lip.

General Herkimer wished to go forward to his camp, but
Bnnt informed him he was quite near enough at present, and
tluit he must not proceed further in that direction. Herkimer
qoestioned Brant about his feelings and intentions with regard
to the war between England and the colonies, to which the sachem
filled earnestly : "The Indians are iii concert with the King, as
their fathers were. We have yet got the wampum belt which the
Bug gave us, and we can not break our word. You and your
followers have joined the Boston people against your sovert»ign.
Yet, althoufrh the Bostonians are resolute, the King will humble
them. General Schuyler was very smart on the Indians in his
treaty \^ith them, but at the same time he could not afford to
pve them the smallest article of clothing. The Indians have
^de war before upon the white people when they were all
^ted; now they are divided, and the Indians are not fright-
ened.'' Brant peremptorily refused to surrender the Tories in
his party, when this was demanded, but agreed to meet Herkimer
on the following morning.

That night Ilerkiiner laid a dark plot \o niassaere the ehief
*nd his few attendants at the next meeting, the following day.
But Brant was wary. At the appointed time he inarehed up to
General Herkimer with great dignity.

**I have five hundred warriors with me, armed and ready for
l>attle," said he. **You are in my power; but as we have been
friends and neighbors I will not take advantage of you." As he
said this he gave a signal to his waiting band, and with a war-
whoop that made the forest resound they swept around the spot
ready for any work their chief had for them to do. Restraining

204 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

his men, Brant faced Herkimer and his raw recruits, and ^
a haughty gesture said: ** You may go." The colonists took
hint and went at the highest possible speed.

Joseph Waggoner, one of Herkimer's party, in a wri
statement, declared that the general appointed himself and tl
others to be present at this meeting, and at a signal from
to shoot Brant and his three attendants upon the spot. This
not a very honorable or friendly intention, but white mei
Indian warfare often become as treacherous as the Indians tl
selves, and it is a relief to know that the plan failed for
reason given.

The savage war had now conmienced. The tomahawk
scalping-knife were combined with British bayonets for the de
tat ion of the frontier. Burgoyne, who had superseded Sir
Carleton as commander of the royal forces in Canada, in in
iiig Now York, detached St. Leger against Port Stanwix
Schuyler, on the ^lohawk. Brant and his Indians formed a
of this force. Colonel (tansevoort, the commander of the I
declared his determination to defend it to the last extren
But the fortifications were weak, and the garrison in peril,
body of militia was raised in the valley of the Mohawk for
relief of the place. Our old friend. General Herkimer, took
conunand and, early in August, began his march for the fort.
Leger, hearing of his approach, dispatched a strong forc<
British and Indians to meet them. Brant, knowing from exj
once that the militia would advance without much ordei
]>recauti()n, ])lanned an ambush, which the misconduct of
Americans and their commander enabled him to carry into el
with such success as to cause them a severe loss. He placed
warrioi's in an ambush where there was a causeway and br
crossing a low nuirsh. They were arranged in a circle witl
o]>ening at the bridge. As soon as the main body had crc
this marsh, a band of warriors rushed in to close the gap oi
circle. complottOy incliKsing the militia, with the exception o:
supply train antl rear guard, which had not entered the cause

Herkimer's tii-st intimation of the vicinitv of an enemv

CAPTAIN JOSEPH BBANT, OB THATENDANEGEA, 205

a terrific Indian yell, followed immediately by so heavy and well-
aimed a volley as brought nearly every man in his advanced body
to the ground. A frightful struggle ensued. Prom every side
the savages poured in the most galling fire. Every time the
niilitia attempted to break through the fatal lines which encircled
them, they were beaten back with fearful slaughter. Yet they
bravely maintained a most stubborn resistance by posting them-
s^ves in Indian fashion behind logs and trees.

Observing that a savage, waiting till a colonist had discharged
bis gun from behind a tree, would rush forward and tomahawk
him before he could reload, they placed two men behind each
tree, one reserving his fire for the defense of his companion,
landing themselves pressed on all sides, the militiamen disposed
themselves in a circle. It was a small wheel within a larger one.
Just as the Indians charged on their foes with desperate
valor, using the murderous bayonet, as well as the tomahawk, a
sudden storm which had come up unnoticed by the stru«rirlin<r
^mbatants broke upon them with tropical fury. Unearthly
bolts of lightning, followed by peal after peal of sky-splitting
thunder, lent horror to the scene. The trees of the forest writhed
and swayed in the fury of the tempest. In a moment a mighty
flood of waters burst forth from the surcharged clouds, danipen-
^ugthe powder and rendering some of the guns of the combatants
^less. The conflict of men became puny in coniparis(m with the
<^nflict of the elements. The noise of battle was but a stillin»ss
^ontra.sted with the awful roar of th(» storm. Th(» awed com-
batants desisted. The dark clans of Thay-en-(la-ne-tr(»a witlidn^w
'n sullen rage to the sheltering distance.

The storm lasted about an hour, and th(* Anierieans availed
themselves of this opportunity to take a ni(»re advantuL^eous
position.

When the fighting was again renewed, the red men wtM-e
r<*enforced by a detachment of Johnson's CJreens. As the royalists
advanced upon the American militia, neighbor n^eognized neigh-
bor, and with the bitter hatred of civil warfan\ tlie battle was
waged more fiercely. The Americans fired n{)on the (Jreens as

'^M LTTEA f>f FAMOUS ISDIAS CHIEFS.

tiu»y (sme up* and tbeiL with nneontrollable ferocity, sprai
&nm dii! shelterins tre«» uid attacked them with their bayoDCi
ami the butts of rhmr mxakets. The contest grew even closei
and mililiamtgi and T^xies. some of whom were neighbors an
mlativesv thmttlnd and stabbed one another, often dying graf
plftd toicf^dier.

Xear the ei>ininjeiieeiiieiit of the action a musket ball passe*
thromdL ami kiLLed General Herkimer's horse^ and shattered hi
own leic ioHt bek»w the knee. With perfect composure and co<
eoorage. he ordervd the saddle to be taken from his dead hors
and pUeed against a large beech tree near. Seated there, wit
his nen faihng all around him, and the bullets of the enem
tike drrring sleel. the intrepid old general calmly gave his order
Whm advised to take a less exposed position, his reply was, ''S<
I will face the enemy," and he continued to command his men
at the same time coolly taking out his tinder-box and lighting hi
pipe, he smokeil it with the greatest composure. He did not Ion;
survive the battle, but died at his home near by.

A body of two hundred and fifty men of the garrison wen
in the meantime advancing to the relief of Herkimer's party
They fell upon the Indians and Tories, put them to niut, cap
tureil their provisions and baggage, with five standards, am
returmnl in safety. Brant now drew oflf his bravt*s, and one ol
the bUHxlit»st battles of the war ended.

Herkimer's disaster produced no disheartening otTects iip*^i
the garrison. They repulsed every attack, and refused! to listei
to any mention of a surrender, although th<\v no longer had an;
hojH* of iHMUg relieved.

As it was of the utmost importance to reduce this plaee, ii
onU»r to leave no military j>ost in the hands of the American
which might thn^aten tho riirht fiank of Burgoyne's army in il
appn^aeh. St. lA*gt»r tn«\i the arts of intimidation. On August
he sent a tlag to the fort with a summons to surrender, in whic
he exaggi^rattnl his own stn^igth, and represented that Burgoyi
had entennl Allviny in triumph, after laying waste the who
luntry in his viotorious march. He further stated that Bra

CAPTAIN J08SPH BBANT, OB THAYRNDANEOSA. 207

ud his Indiana were detenninedy if they met with farther resist-
asee, to massacre every aool on the Mohawk river ; and, in caae
thqr were obliged to wait any longer for the surrender of Fort
Sdiiqrler, every man in the garrison would be tomahawked.

Oaosevoort, maintaining his inflexible resolution, was not
inoyed in the slightest degree by these threats, but determined
to make one more attempt to obtain relief. Two of his ofHcers
volunteered their services, and with much difficulty and many
riventnres, made their way through the cordon of the enemy
toGemuin Flats, from which place a message was sent to (General
Sehi^er, at Stillwater. Measures were instantly taken to relieve
I the fort. Greneral Arnold offered to conduct the expedition, and
a brigade was detached for this purpose.

But an opportunity presented itself for directing a stratagem
•gainst the enemy. Among the Tory spies recently captured
^ a half-witted fellow named Hon- Yost Schuyler; he was tried
V court-martial and condemned to death. His mother and
^Fother interceded with Arnold on his behalf; the jreneral at
first was inexorable, but at last proposed terms on which he would
Prant Ilon-Yast's pardon. lie must hurry to Fort Schuyler and
aJann St. Leber's army, so that he would raise the siege. The
Wish fellow immediately accepted these conditions, and his
fcfothor iH^came a hostage in his stead. Hon- Yost now made
rrantreinents with a friendly Oneida Indian to aid him, and,
after firing stn-eral shots through his clothes, the two men starti'd
^y different rout(*s to St. Ij«»ger's army.

Brant's Indian warriors had b«»en morose and dissatisfied

since the battle of Oriskany, th(»y had In^en promised an easy

Riiceess and much plunder, and they had found neither the one

nor the other. They were now holding a great pow-wow to

•^^nsiilt the spirits about the success of the present siege. In the

midst of the ranting and drumming, and dancing, and other

m.^'sterious jugglery, IIon-Yo^t arrived in camp. Hon- Yost was

well known to be on their side, and they crowded around liini to

hear the news. With the trickery of a half-witted man hi* did

not deliver his message in plain words. He knew the efTeet of

208 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

mystery with an Indian. He shook his head ominously,
pointed to his riddled clothes to denote his narrow escape 1
the coming foe.

**How many men— how many men are there!" asked
eager Indians.

Hon-Yoet looked up and pointed to the leaves of the 1
over his head. The report ran like wild-fire through the ca
it quickly reached the ear of the commander. St. Leger seni
Hon- Yost. The wily fellow adopted a different policy in tal
to the English commander. He told a straight and pitiful st
how he had been captured, tried and condemned; how, on
way to his execution, finding himself carelessly guarded, he
fled, thinking he would die any way, and he would as sooi
shot as hung. His escape had been narrow, as the colonel id
see by looking at his clothes. And the Americans were comii
great force to raise the siege. Wliile Hon-Yost was being ii
viewed at headquarters, the Oneida messenger arrived
wampum to say that the Americans were indeed coming in g
force. Of course, after all this, the spirits consulted in
pow-wow gave ominous warnings. St. Leger saw that the Ind
were about to decamp: he tried to reassure them; he call<
council, but neither the influence of Thay-en-da-ne-gea nor thi
Johnson was of any avail.

**The pow-wow says we nuist go— the pow-wow says we i
go." persisted the Indians. And the besieging army went
fast as they could, strewintr their baggage along the route.

The simpleton, whose well-told lie was responsible for
.sudden departure, went with them a few miles, and then
trived to slip away. Tie reported to General Arnold,
promptly released his brother, and ^ave him a full pardon.

Brant was again at 0<|uaga in 1778. the terror of the boi
Women turned pale and children trembled at his very name.
the bitter animosity of the day no story of cruelty was too l
to be lai<l upon Brant, the ureat chief of these savage warr
Brant felt k(M^nly the hatred with which he was reganie
after life among frontiersmen. The proud chief wished t

CAPTAIS JOSEPH BRANT, OR THAYENDANEGEA. 211

regarded as a gentleman in every respect. *'He always denied,"
as Edward Eggleston says, **that he had ever committed any act
of cruelty during this cruel war, and none has been proved
against him, while many stories of his mercy are well authenti-
cated. He led, indeed, a savage force, and fought in the savage
way, as the English officials who managed the Indian alliance
desired. When Indians were accused of cruelty Brant would
return the charge upon the whites, who sometimes, in fact,
exeelW the savagi^s in their revengeful barbarity. To Brant tin*
civilizefl custom of imprisoning men was the worst of cruelty; a
man's lil)erty. he held, was worth more than his life. Of the
Indian custom of torture he did not approve, but when a man
must die for a crime, he thought it better to give him some chance
to make atonement in a courageous and warrior-like death than
to execute him after the manner of the whites by the humiliating
fallows. Brant used in after-life to defend the Indian mode of
warfare. He said the Indians had neither the artillery, the nuni-
'•^^rs, the forts, nor the prisons of the white uwu. In place of
artillery they must use stratagem; as their Fohm^s were small.
t^vnmst use every means to kill as many of the enemy with as
'^malla Itvss to themselves as possible; and, as they ha<l no prisons.
th«ir captives must, in some eases, bt* kille<l. He hehl it more
^"TOful to kill a suffering person, and thus put an end to his
iiii.M'n'. ' '

Ihirin*: the summer of 177S, when every l)oni«-rrr iremblnl
^'"'liis lite, a boy named William MeKonn was one day rakintr
''•*>' in a tit'ld alone; wh(*n. hapjxMiinL' to tnrn around, lie saw an
I'l'lian very near, and involuntarily raise<l bis rake for defense.

"Don't be afraid, young man. I shan't hurt yon.'' sai<l the
ln<lian. **r'an you tell me where Foster's h<inse is?" The y«»uth
"^^'Mhe directions, and then asked, ''Do you know Mr. '

lamsliirhtly actpiainted with him. I saw him once ^
^^'^' " answered the Indian. * * What is your nap
M^Koun." '^Oh. you are a son of Captain Mi
^^ th«' northeast i)art of town, I suppose. I J
^'Owell: he lives neighbor to Mr. Poster.

212 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

very, very well, and a very fine fellow he is, too. I know several
more of your neigfhbors and they are all iine men."

*'What is your name?*' the boy ventured to ask. The Indian
hesitated a moment and then said: **My name is Brant."
**What! Captain Brant?'' cried the boy, eagerly. **No; I'm
a cousin of his," answered the chief, smiling, as he turned away.

The first blow that Brant struck in 1778 was at a small settle-
ment about ten miles from Cherry Valley. The inhabitants were
aroused by the terrible war-whoop in the dead of night; some
escaped, the rest were taken prisoners. Under Brant's guidance
there was no massacreing of helpless women and children. The
houses and barns were fired, and their flames lighted up the
country; the men were tied and carried into captivity. Brant
had left one large house unburned. Into this he gathered the
women and children, and here he left them unharmed.

The alarming news that Brant's forces were increasing, and
that he was fortifying himself at Unadilla, reached Cherry
Valley. Captain McKoun, of that place, very foolishly wrote
Brant a challenge to meet him either in single combat, or with
an equal number of men, with the insulting addition that if
Brant would come to Cherry Valley they would change him
**from a Brant to a goose." This letter was put in the Indian
postoflfieo ; in other words, it was tied to a stick and put in an
Indian foot-path, and was sure to reach the chief.

Brant received it in due time, and referred to it in this post-
script to a hotter written to a loyalist a few days after: **I heard
that thr Cherry Valley pt»of>le are very bold and intend to make
nothintr of us; th<\v call us wild geese, but I know the contrary-
I mean now to figlit the cruel rebels as well as I can."

Early in the fall of 1778 Brant, with his Indian army, made
an attack upcm Ct rnian Flats, the finest and richest part of
^foliawk Valley. Fortunately four scouts from the settlement
were out ; three of them were killed by the Indians, but the
fouith one escaped to warn the settlers. Men, women and chil-
dren took to Forts Dayton and Herkimer, near by, for safety.
Brant did not know that his approach was expected. The Indians

rirrj/v jOf^Frn liHisr, on thaykndanegea.

213

lino Trie srttH'ni''ni irum differon! rlin/eUinis, that lin'y

Flake it entirely by Hurjiriiw?. Tlioy found tht^ haimes

A moment mcire and the settleuieiil was in n lilazt\

^h family eoiild s«*e from the forts its own hon»e and the Ktored^

I fruits of their year s lahur fast hnminjc? m\k But they nii^ht

Mlwnkful they were not in the hoUHe.s.

1 TImi Indians dared not brave the artillery of tln^ forts, but

pltl be stvn rushintr into the paKtnres after the cattle, and

pvinflt away sht*ep and horses. They left the settlers nothin^%

f(trttifiat«*]y they had foun<l only two men to kill.

A war of n'taliation waa now bc^irun. A regiment of AaitM-

tnifipK niarehed upon Brant s head(|uarten;. They ap-

NcheiJ Unndilhi with the irreateKl eaution, thinkinjjf to surprise

InilianK in their homes, but IndiunR are not often so sur-

*rd* They found that Unadilbi had been deserted several

^\\ Capturing a h>yalist» they made him guide them In

^uaga. ThiH ti»wn had b**en just deserted in the greatest ctm-

on, aod mueh of the Indians* portable property was left

Here were a number nf weJI-huilt houses w^hieh denoted

»nt'»*<«fforta at eivilization. The enlonial soldiers feasted upon

i»nltry, fruit and vt'getahh^s of the red men ; ami then every-

png Wan deatn>yeil by fii-e.

Nctr If) this place was an Indian fort. This, too, was laid in

^^^' On the return two mil]» were burned and the village of

Milia wax left in a blaze.

•^Ba hit* mined villaires Bnuit <lrt(»nrnur<l to return to

for winter cpiartei-s. While on the w^ay he was met by

WtfrX. Butler, who. with a f»»ree of loyalists, was marehiiiig

^•llack the settlements, and he brought ordei-s for Brant to

^Kat The grreal sachem was mueh displeased to he put in a

pw>riinate poeition under this young math or rather young

^ivhom he disuliked. He was at length persuaded to join

s^ever, with a foree nf some five hun<lred warriors.

«lriB late in the fall. The scattered settlers had returned

'lamies thinking it was too late in the season for furth(*r

•' '"-TH the Indiana, as Brant and his warriors had. as they

214 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

supposed, gone into winter quarters at Niagara. They therefor
did not apprehend an attack on the settlement.

The fort at Cherry Valley was the church, surrounded with
stockade and garrisoned by eastern soldiers, who knew little o
Indian fighting. They heard rumors of an approach from th
Indians, but did not credit them fully. They did, however, 8efl(
out scouts, who went a few miles, built a fire and lay down t
sleep, without appointing a guard. They awoke to find them
selves prisoners.

Butler and Brant approached the settlement on a stormj
night. They fired upon a straggling settler, who escaped to giv(
the alarm. But, strange to say, the commander did not yel
believe the Indians were coming in force, until they burst like i
storm upon the settlement, surrounding the houses and murder-
ing the inhabitants as they came forth.

The house of Mr. Wells, a prominent citizen, was first sur-
rounded, and every person in it was killed by the ferocious
Seneeas, who were fii*st to rush into the village. Captain Alden,
the unwise commander, paid for his folly with his life. He and
the other officers were (luartered among the settlers outside the
foi-t, and as soon as the alarm was heard he tried to reach the
fort, but a savage hurled his tomahawk at his head with deadly
cfVeet. Thirty-two settlers, mostly women and children, were
killed, although some of them escaped to the woods and from
tliero to tin* ^lohawk Valley. Brant greatly regretted the raurd^
of tli<' Wells family, with whom he was well acquainted; although
he had \v'u\\ to anticipate the Indians and reach the Wells houat
before the Seneeas, but failed. He now asked after Captain
MeKonii, and was informed that he had probably escaped to the
Mohawk with his family.

''lie sent me a challenge once,'' said Brant. **I have no^
come to accept it. He is a fine soldier thus to retreat."

'* Captain McKoun would not turn his back upon an eneinf
when there was any probability of success," answered ^
informer.

''I know it," said Hrant. ''He is a brave man, and I wouU

CAPTAIN JOSEFS BMANT, OM TSAYENDANEGEA. 215

have given more to take him than any other man in Cherry
Valley, but I would not have hurt a hair of his head."

Throagh all that terrible straggle, here and elsewhere, in
which so mneh blood was shed, and so many heart-sickening
scenes were enacted by both parties, Brant was generally found
on the side of mercy ; but it was his misfortune to be under the
eommand of Tories, whom he declared, ''were more savage than
the savages themselves. * *

We have called Walter N. Butler a fiend, and an incident is
reeorded of the massacre at Cherry Valley which tends to prove
it Butler ordered a little child to be killed because he was a
Rbel. Brant interfered and saved him, remarking: ''This child
a not an enemy to the King, nor a friend to the ^colonies; long
kfore he is old enough to bear arms the trouble will be settled."

During thistmaasacre Brant entere<i a house where he found
a woman going about her regular duties.

"How does it happen you are at this kind of work while your
neighbors are all murdered around you?'' exclaimed the chief.

"We are King's people," answered the woman.

"That plea won't save you to-day, 'J said Brant.

"There is one Joseph Brant ; if he A with the Indians, he will
aave us," said the woman.

"lam Joseph Brant," answered the chief; **but I am not in
command, and I don't know that I can save you, but I will do
what I can."

At this moment some Senecas approached the house. **(iet
into bed and pretend you are sick," said Brant. The woman
hurried into bed and Brant met the Sen(»cas.

"There's no one here but a sick woman and her children,"
•wd he. He prevailed upon the Indians to leave, after a little
conversation. When they were out of sijrht he went to the door
«nd gave a long, shrill yell. Immediately some Mohawks came
'nnning across the fields.

"Where is your paint?" Brant called out to them. **Here,
M my mark upon this woman and her children." The order
^ obeyed, and Brant turned to the woman sayinp, ** You axe

216 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

now probably safe, as the Indians will understand and respec
that sign."

The loyalists and Indians gained no success by an attempted
assault on the fort, while the garrison dared make no sally, o:
account of the superior numbers of the Indians. The enem;
encamped for the night in the valley, and spent most of th
night distributing and dividing plunder. There were thirty o
forty prisoners, men, women and children, who spent a sleeplea
night, fearing that torture was reserved for them ; but the nex
morning the whole force marched down Cherry Valley creek
On the morning of the following day, the prisoners were al
gathered together, and were informed that the women were al
to be sent back with the exception of Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Campbel
and their children. It seems that the husbands of these tw(
women had been active in border warfere, and it was resolved, »
a punishment, to keep their families in captivity. These women
and children were finally exchanged for British prisoners among
the Americans.

Among other captives the Indians carried away, at this time,
a man named Vrooman, who was an old friend of the chief.
Desiring to give his friend a chance to escape, Brant sent him
back about two miles to get some birch-bark. lie, of courae,
expected to see no more of him, but what was his surprise wheiif
a few hours after. Vrooman came hurrying up with the bark,
which the chief did not want. Brant said afterward that he had
sent him back on purpose to give him a chance to escape, but he
was such a big fool he did not do it and he was compelled to take
him to Canada.

In 1780, when Sir John Johnson and Brant led a desolating
army through the Schoharie and ^lohawk valleys. Brant's
humanity was again displayed. On their way to Fort Hunter an
infant was carried off. The frantic mother followed them as far
as the fort, but could get no tidings of her child. On the morn-
ing after the departure of the invaders, and while General Van
Rensselaer's officers were at breakfast, a young Indian eafl*
bounding into the room, bearing the infant in his arms and a

CAPTAIN JOSEPH BBANT, OB THATENDANEGEA. 217

letter from Captain Brant, addressed to *'The Commander of the
Rebel Army. ' ' The letter was as follows : * * Sir,— I send you, by
one of my runners, the child, which he will deliver, that you may
know that whatever others may do, I do not make war. upon
women and children. I am sorry to say that I have those engaged
with me who are more savage than the savages thems(*lves." He
named Colonel John Butler, who commanded the Tories at
Wyoming, and his son, Walter N., the commander of the British
and Indians at Cherrj' Valley. The former occurred July 3,
1778; the latter, November 10, of the same year.

These were among the most bloody massacres of Indian war-
fare. But let it never be forgotten, that the commander and
instigator of the butchery of aged non-combatants, women and
children, at each place, was a white 7na)i, We have seen how
Brant restrained the fiendish barbarity of the younger Butler at
Cherry Valley. And, as to W^yoming, it has been proven that the
''Monster Brant," as Campbell calls him in his '^Certnule of
^V^'oming/' was not prrst nt at that inassaen\

The Indians who fought with the Loyalists at Wyoming were
not Mohawks, but Senecas, under tlieir war-chief, (Ji-en-gwa-tah,
which signifies '*he who goes in the smoke."

It was at WyominiT where \ho garrison sallied forth under
Colonel Zebulon Butler, the comniander, to attack the Tories and
Indians, under the command of John Butler. The Americans
^ ♦re ambushed and only a remnant regained the fort. A demand
wa.s sent in for the surrender of the fort, aeeonipanied by one
hundred and ninety-six bloody scalps. takcMi from the slain.
^Hen th«* best terms were asked, the infamous John Butler
f^plied, *'the hatchet." It will be noticed that the hostile com-
manders bore the same name, as they were cousins and had been
«1^1 friends.

It was believed for many years that Brant and his ^lohawk
warriors were engaged in the invasion of Wyoming. Historians
^'established reputation, such as Gordon, Ramsey, Thaeher, Mar-
*all, and Allen, assert that he and John ButltM* were joint eoni-
^nders on that occasion, and upon his nKMiiory rested the foul

21S

LJIKS OF FA}fOPS ISDIAX CHIEFS,

imputation of bein^ a participant in the horrid transactions of
Wyoniinjr. Misled by history, or rather ''historical imagina-
tion/' Campbell, in his 'Utertnide of Wyoming," makes the
Oneida say :

**This is no time to fill Ihc joyous cup;
The iiianiinoth foinos— the foe— the monster Branty
With all his howling, ^lesolatini^ band."

And sijjain :

•Scorning lo wiehl the hnteliet for his tribe,
Yiainst Brant hini8t»lf T went to battle forth;
An-iirae«l Brant! lie left of all my tribe
Nor man, nor ehihl, nor thing of living birth.
No! not the <Iog that watcheil my household hearth
KscaptHi that night of blood upon the plains.
All i>erishM. I alone am left on earth!
To wh<»m nor relative nor blood remains-
No, not a kiiulrfd drop that runw in human veins."

Brant always clenicd any participation in the invasion, but Ac
evidi'iKM^ of history srt'im'd a^'ainst him, and the verdict of tt*
world was that 1h» was one of the chief actors in that horribfc
tra*rrdy. From this aspci-sion ^Ir. Stone vindicated his charaeter
in his **Life of Brant." A reviewer, nnderstoi>d to be Cahb
Ciishinjr. of Massachusetts, disputed the point, and maintaiDMl
that Stone had not made out a clear case for the sachein. Umrifr
inir to remain (Icmmmv^hI, if he was so. Mr. Stone made a jouniV
to the Seneca country, where he foui»d several survivin^^ warrioil
who were en^a^ed in that campai*rn. The celebrated Seneca ehid^
Kavundvowand. better known as Captain Pollard, who wii •
younjj: ehief in th(» battle, jrave Mr. Stone a clear account of ftp
(*veiits, and was positive in his declarations that Brant and Ibl
Moliawks were not enjia^'ed in that campaign. The Indians iMMl
j)rincij)al]y Senei'ns. and were letl by Oi-en-gwa-tah, as belop
mentioned. John Brant, a son of the Mohawk sachein. whites
KnL'lnnd in 182^5, on a mission in behalf of his nation, opened t
eoii-espondenee with Mr. Campbell on the subject of the injnstiw

CAPTAIN JOSEPH BRANT, OB THAYENDANEGEA. 221

which the latter had done the chief in his ** Gertrude of Wyo-
ming/' The result was a partial acknowledgment of his error by
the poet in the next edition of the poem that was printed. He did
not change a word of the poem, but referred to the use of Brant's
name there in a note, in which he says: **IIis son referred to
documents which completely satisfied me that the common
accounts of Brant's cruelties at Wyoming, which I had found in
books of travels, and in Adolphus's and other similar histories of
England, were gross errors. . . . The name of Brant, there-
fore, remains in my poem a pure and declared character of
fiction." This was well enough, as far as it went; but an omis-
sion, after such a conviction of error, to blot out the name
entirely from the poem, was unworthy of the character of an
honest man; and the stain upon the poet's name will remain as
long as the blot upon a humane warrior shall endure in the epic.
Pollowing is a part of the letter written by Campbell to John
Brant: ** Sir,— Ten days ag:o I was not aware that such a person
existed as a son of the Indian leader, Brant, who is mentioned in
^0' poem, * Gertrude of Wyoming/ ... . Lastly, you assert
that he was not within many miles of the spot when the battle
Hich decided the fate of Wyoming took place; and from your
*^ffer of reference to living tvitncsscs, I can not but admit the
^'isertion.''

Another of Brant's exploits was the destruction of Minisink,
'^^ar the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. With a band
^f sixty Mohawks and twenty-seven Tories dispraised as Indians,
^fant stole upon the Minisink people, whoso first vvarninjr was
he burning of houses. Most of the inhabitants i\(H\, but some
^*'ro killed and othei*s taken captive. The houses wore plundered
'*id burned, property destroyed and cattle driven away.

In a massacre during this raid one nuiu, ]\Ia.jor Wood, was
tK)ut to be killed, w^hen, either by accident or (h^si^ni, he made a
r«sfmic signal, though he did not bcloufr to the ord(»r. Hrant
^hs an enthusiastic Freemason, and at once n^seuod him. When
^e Indian leader found out the deception, he boiled over with
4ge, but yet spared his life. The captive, on his part, it is said.

222 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

felt bound to join the order immediately on his release from cap
tivity.

In the summer of 1779, the colonies resolved on a united effor
to crush the power of the Six Nations by an invasion of theii
country. The command was given to General Sullivan, who went
to work as one in earnest. He decided that the expedition should
advance in three divisions. The left was to move from Pittsburg,
under Col. Daniel Broadhead ; the right from the Mohawk, under
Gen. James Clinton, while Sullivan was to lead the center from
Wyoming.

General Clinton, with seventeen hundred men, reached Otsego
Lake, the source of the Susquehanna. In doing this Clinton bad
traversed a portage of about twenty miles, conveying his baggage
and two hundred and twenty boats. Owing to the dry season
there was not sufficient water to float any craft larger than an
Indian canoe. While waiting for orders Clinton employed his
men damming up the outlet of the lake, which raised the surface
of the water several feet. When the order came, everv^thing was
in readiness; the dam was torn away, and the outnishing torrent
carried with it the large boats filled with troops and supplies,
where nothing but Indian canoes had ever been seen before. The
sight astonished the Indians, who concluded that the Great Spirit
must have made the flood to show that he was angry with them.

The two armies met at Tioga in the latter part of AugosU
forming together a force of five thousand men. On August 26
tliis powerful body marched into the Indian eountrj'. At tht*
Indian village of Newtown, where Elmira now stands, Sullivan
found a force of twelve hundred Tories and Indians under the
eonunand of Sir John and (luy Johnson, Col. John and Walter X-
Butler, and Joseph Brant.

The battle began at once and raged all day. The Americana
gradually forced the <*neniy back. So many Indians were killed
that *'the sides of the rocks next the river appeared as thottgli
blood had been poured on them by pailfuls.''

All was lost. The Indian warriors fled, taking women aw
hildren with them, and leaving their fertile country, with i1

CAPTAIN JOSEPH BRANT, OR THAYENDANEGEA. 223

populous and welMaid-out villages, its vast fields of waving
grain, its numerous orchards, laden with the ruddy fruit, open
to the destroyers' advance. Town after town was laid in ashes.
Of Kanadaseagea, the capital of the Senecas, not one house was
left standing. Genesee, the principal western town, containing
all the winter stores of the confederacy, was completely oblit-
erated. Nor were they the ordinary wigwams and cabins, but
frame houses, some of which were finely finished, painted and
provided with chimneys. These invaders found themselves in a
veritable garden, with a soil that needed but to be tickled with a
crude implement, to make it laugh with a golden harvest.

A soldier took the pains to measure an ear of com which he
plucked from the stalk and found it to be twenty-two inches long.
Another soldier made a rough count of the number of apple trees
in a single orchard which was on the point of destruction. He
estimated that there were fifteen hundred bearing trees. Nor
was thivS unusually large. Of the number of orchards, the men
said they were '* innumerable." This, probably, included those
of peach and pear trees. They were the product of the toil and
care of generations of Iroquois. ** A wigwam can be built in two
or three days," the Indians sadly said; **but a tree takes many
years to grow again. ' '

One can not help but contrast the indications of great abun-
dance found here with the abject poverty of the ** great and good
Massasoit," mentioned in another chapter. But ^lassasoit lived
•nan inhospitable country and his career was near the beginning
of the intercourse between the white and red races. Evidently
the enterprising Iroc|uois had learned much of agriculture and
horticulture from the thrifty farmers near thoiii.

(General Sullivan had now destroyed their homes and driven
their families abroad to strange and inhospitable regions. ]\Iore
than forty of the villages were laid in ruins. As Mason says,
"The landscape was no longer variegated with fields of golden
grain, with burdened orchards, staggering beneath their tinted
fruitage, with verdant pastures, dotted over with sleek and peace-
ful herds, nor with waving forests of ancient trees, whose emerald

224 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

foliage formed such a rich contrast with the sunny sky anc
winding river. As far as the eye could stretch, the prospee
presented a single ominous color. That color was black It wft
a landscape of charcoal ! The American general was happy."

The sorrows of the Iroquois became the source of dissension
There arose a peace party. The leader of it was a young Senea
chief named Red Jacket. lie had the gift of eloquence. H(
spoke with thrilling earnestness of the folly of war, which wu
driving them forever from the lovely valley which they had
inherited from their fathers: a war, too, in which they fou|^t
not for themselves, but for the English. ** What have the Englid
done for us,*' he exclaimed, with flashing eye, drawing his prod
form to its fullest height, and pointing with the zeal of despaii
toward the winding Mohawk, **that we should become homelei
and helpless wanderers for their Rakes?" His burning wordi
sank deep into the hearts of his passionate hearers. It wai
secretly resolved by his party to send a runner to the American
army, and ask them to offer j)eaoe on any terms.

Brant heard of this plot to make peace. lie kept his own
counsel. The runner left the camp. Two confidential warriors
were summoned by him. In a few stern words he explained to
tht»m that the American fiajr of truee nnist never reach the Indian
eanip. Its Warers must be killed on the way, yet with such
seereey that their fate should not Ih» known. The expectant peace
party, waiting for the message in vain, were to believe that the
Anierieans had scornfully refused to hear their prayer for peace
The plot was carried out. The flag of truce never arrived.

Meantime Colonel Hroaclhead, leading the expedition frotf
Pittsburg, ascended the Allegheny with six hundrtni men. His
purpose was to create a diversion that would help the genera
eaini)aign. Besides doing that he destroyed many villages anc
eornfiebls, and returne<l after a month's absence without the loss
of a man.

The winter of 1779-80 was one of 4inprecedented rigor. Th<
shivering Trocpiois, at Niagara, suffered severely; but the fire o:
hate burned in the heart of Brant as hot as ever. He had lon|

CAPTAIN JOSEPH BRANT, OR THAYENDANEGEA. 225

meditated a terrible revenge upon the Oneidas, who had refused
to follow his leadership, and persisted in neutrality. Upon them
he laid the blame of all his disasters. That winter he led his
warriors across frozen rivers and through snowy forests, to the
home of the unsuspecting Oneidas. Of what followed we have
no detailed history. It is only known that Brant fell upon them
Hithout mercy, that their villages and wigwams, their store-
houses and council buildings were suddenly destroyed, that vast
numbers of them were slain, and that the survivors fled to the
white men for protection. The poor refugees, stricken for a
fault which was not their own, were allotted rude and comfort-
less quarters near Schenectady, where they were supported by the
Government till the close of the war.

The Tories and Indians, to the number of about one thousand,
under Sir John Johnson, Brant and Complanter, planned
another invasion of the Mohawk settlements. Brant's appetite
for vengeance was unabated. He was ambitious to surpass the
work of Sullivan.

On the morning of October 16, 1780, the occupants of the little
fort at Middleburg, far down the ^lohawk Valley, looked out at
sunrise on a startling sight. In every direction barns, hay-stacks,
gnmaries and many houses were on fire. Everywhere the people
fled, abandoning everything in their madness of fear. Their
alarm was justifiable. Brant's army, without a moment's warn-
ing, was upon them.

At first the Tories and Indians mounted their little cannon
and prepared to besiege the fort. But meeting with a stubborn
resistance, and finding that the siege would delay them. Brant,
a past-master of guerrilla warfare, gave up the notion of taking
the fort, and swept on down the valley. In their eoui*se the
whole valley on both sides of the ^lohawk was laid in ruins.
Houses and barns were burned, the horses and cattle kill*^! or
driven off, and those of the inhabitants who were not safely
within the walls of their fortifications were either killed or taken
captive.

The very churches were fired,

226 LIVES GF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

But the torch of destruction was stayed wherever liv
Tory. They passed by the homes of all who were loyal to
land. Then one of the strange sides of human nature ass
itself. The settlers, furious at their own wrongs, and aflame
passion at the sight of their Tory neighbors' immimity
harm, issued from the forts and with their own hands applie
torch to all houses left standing, thus completing the work ^
transformed a verdant valley into a mighty cinder.

The goal of the expedition was Schenectady, but the inv
never reached that settlement. Flying horsemen had long
carried the news of the invasion to Albany. Too much tim«
been taken up in the advance. General Van Rensselaer, y^
r,trong force, was on the way to meet the enemy. Brant and »
son began a retreat, but it was now too late. A heavy battl
fought. At sunset the advantage was with the Americans.
Van Rensselaer, who was proverbially slow or incompetent, i
to push it. That night was of unusual darkness and favore
retreat of the enemy.

An amusing thing happened at this time. Nine Tories
hurrying through the forest in full retreat. Suddenly a
voice cried out in the darkness, *'Lay down your arras. *'
obeyed promptly and were made prisoners. Every Tor>'
KtMnirely pinioned and hn] away. In the morning they f
themselves in a little block-house. Their captors were i
militiamen. The nine had surrendered to the seven.

According to Eggleston another curious incident happen
connection with this expedition. *'The famous Cornplanter,
connnanded the Senecas who served under Brant, was a
hre<Hl. He said of himself: *When I was a child and begj
play with the Indian hoys in the village, they took notice o
skin Ix'ing a different color from theirs and spoke about i
incpiired of my mother the cause, and she told me that my f
wns a white man/ Cornplanter 's father was, in fact, an Ii
trader named O'Bih'I. who was settled in the Mohawk Vail
tlie time of its invasion. Durinir the progress of the army
planter went with a band ot Indians to his father's house

CAPTAIN JOSEPH BRANT, OB THATENDANEGEA. 227

taking him prisoner, marched off with him. After going some
ten or twelve miles, he stopped abruptly, and, walking up in
front of his father, said: *My name is John O'Beel, commonly
called Cornplanter. I am your son. You are my father. You
are now my prisoner and subject to the customs of Indian war-
fare. You shall not be harmed. You need not fear. I am a
warrior. Many are the scalps which I have taken. Many
prisoners I have put to death. I am your son. I am a warrior.
I was anxious to see you and greet you in friendship. I wont to
your cabin and took you by force, but your life shall be spared.
Indians love their friends and their kindred, and treat them with
kindness. If now you choose to follow the fortunes of your
yellow son, I will cherish your old age with plenty of venison
and you shall live easy. But if you prefer to return to the arms
of your pale-face squaw and the caresses of your pale-face chil-
dren, my brothers, it is well. You are free to choose. ' The old
man preferred to go back and Cornplanter sent him with an
Indian escort."

The last scene of the bloody drama on the Mohawk took place
October 24, 1781. The British force of regulars, Tories and
Indians, to the number of a thousand, were under the command
of Major Ross and Walter N. Butler. The Americans, under the
command of Colonels Rowley and Willett, met the invaders near
Johnson Hall and a battle immediately ensued. The advantage
was with the Americans, and the enemy retreated, in a northerly
course along West Canada creek, pursued by Willett. Night
came on and Willett and his force encamped in a thick wood
upon the **Royal Grant/' which Sir William Johnson obtained
from King Hendrick, the Indian chief, in a dreaming contest.

The next day the Americans overtook the enemy, commanded
by AValter Butler, on the opposite side of the stream. A brisk
fire was kept up across the creek, by both parties, until Butler
was shot in the head by an Oneida Indian, who knew him and
took deliberate aim. His men now fled in eonfusion. The
friendly Oneida bounded across the stream, and found his victim
not dead, but writhing in great agony. The l)loody Tory who had

22S LIVES OF FAMOf'S IXDIAX CUIEFS.

never shown mercy to others begged piteously for his life, ''Save
mo! Save me!" he eried'out. *'(tive me quarter!" while the
tomahawk of the warrior glittered over his head. ''Me give you
Sherry Falley (iuarterl" shouted the Indian, and buried his
hatchet in the head of his enemy. He took his scalp, and, with
the rest of the Oneidas, continued the pursuit of the flying host
The body of Butler was left to the beasts and birds, without
burial, for charity toward one so inhuman and blood-stained had
no dwelling phu*e in the b<»s«>m of his foes. The place where he
fell is still called Butler \s Ford. The pursuit was kept up until
evening, when WiHett, eomi>letely successful by entirely routing
and dispersing the enemy, wheeled his victorious little army and
returned to Fort Dayton in triumph.

Quite a different fate was in store for the second in command
at Cherr>' Valley, the humane Brant. At the close of the Anle^
ican Revolution, when the treaty of peace was made between
(Jreat Britain and the United States not one word was said in it
about the Six Nations. It was ever thus. Indians have a great
sense of their own ditrnity and importance. They were mndi
hurt at being thus overlooked by the power they had aided ao
materially in the late war. Brant immediately exerted himaelf
to get a home for his people. The Mohawks had left forever
their own beautiful country in New York and were now encamped
on the Am«*riean si(l<* of Niagara river.

The Soneeas, who were very anxious for the Mohawks in any
future wai-s, ofTiMvd thrm a home in the Genesee Valley. But
Brant sai<l the ^Mohawks wen* determined to *'sink or
witli the Kndisli. A«M-nnlingly, ln» went tt) Quel)ee. and w
aid of (H'lieral llaMiniainl. sn-uretl a irrant of land on
river, whieh Hnws into Lake Krie. Brant and his Mo
n'crived a title to tlir land on l>()tli sides of the river fr
Tiioiitli to its soiiree. Tliis made a traet both beautiful and:
iwi-lve ini]«'s \vi«|e ami «»iie bundred miles long. The MoIk^
s«Hm after tnnk possrssimi of their new home.

The Baroness De Kiedesel. a charming Oerman lady, who was
vife of tlie L^-ni-ral eomniandinL' the Hessians durinc Bar-

CAPTAIN JOSEPH BHANT, OB THAFENDANSQEA. 231

poyne's campaign, met Brant at Quebec. She says in her
nemoirs: "I saw at that time the famous Indian chief, Captain
Brant. His manners are polished; he expressed himself with
Huency, and was much esteemed by General Ilaldiman. I dined
with him once at the general's. In his dress he showed off to
advantage the half military and half savage costume. His coun-
tenance was manly and intelligent, and his disposition very
mild."

Like other ambitious warriors, since and before, Brant
planned at one time a confederacy of the Northwestern tribes,
over which he should be the head chief. lie never succeeded in
uniting the Indians, however.

In 1785 Brant made a second visit to England, and was
received with more splendor and ceremony than before. This
H-as in consideration of his eminent services for the crown during
the Revolution. He was well acquainted with Sir Guy Carlton,
afterward I^rd Dorchester. Earl Moira, afterward Marquis of
Hastings, had formed an attachment for Brant and gave him
his picture set in gold. Lord Percy, who afterward became Duke
of Northumberland, had been adopted by the Mohawks, and on
the occasion of his adoption Brant had given him the name of
Thorighwegeri, or the Evergreen Brake.

Brant, therefore, had many friends among the nobility, and
^as presented at court. He.refused to kiss the King's hand, but
Gallantly oflFt^ed to kiss the hand of the Queen, lie became <iuite
'i favorite with the royal family. The Prince of Wales, after-
ward Georpe TV., who was then very wild, took a good deal of
Plea.sure in the sachenrs company. lie invited Brant to go with
him on some of his rambles, in which he visited places, as Brant
afterward said, **very (|ueer for a prince to go to." lie was
«ften a piiest at the Prince's table, where he met many Whig
Wders, among them, the celebrateil Charles James Pox. Brant
'^•amed from the conversation of these Whig leaders to have
^ueh less respect for the King than he had bt»(»n taught in
America. Pox presented the chief with a silver snuff-box with
kis initials engraved upon it.

n^ UVKS OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

f^TKtit nK't^ in society, a nobleman ( ?) save the mark ! of whom
ht- ^UfA iK^nt the scandalous story that his honors were purchased
M 1^ ^^xpouse of the virtue of his beautiful wife. This nobleman
xv*!jf ft^Jishly hectored Brant rather rudely upon the wild cus-
Vw^ aihI manners of the Indians.

""Thon* are customs in England also which the Indians think
^v^ry ^^imnge, ' ' said the chief coolly. * * And pray what are they!*'
t»\|umHl the nobleman. **Why, the Indians have heard," said
Krtint. **that it is a practice in England for men who are born
chiefs to sell the virtue of their squaws for place and for money
U^ b^iy their venison.'' It is unnecessary to add that the nobl^
iMMU was effectually silenced.

Kggleston informs us, that, ** while Brant was in London a
j^rtMit masquerade was given, to which he was invited. He needed
no mask. He dressed himself for the occasion in his rich semi-
sin'nge costume, wore his handsome tomahawk in his belt, and
pniiitod one-half his face in the Indian manner. There were some
Turks also present at the ball. One of them examined Brant
vtTV closely, and at last raised his hand and pulled the chief's
Uoinan nose, supposing it to be a mask. Instantly Brant gave
the war-whoop and swung his glistening tomahaw^k around the
Turk's head in that dangerous way in which Indians handle this
\v('ai)on. It was only an Indian joke, but the Turk cowered in
nl).j<»ct terror and the ladies shrieked and ran as though they had
biM'u in as much danger as the settlers' wives and daughters of
Aiiiorica, who had dreaded this same sound but a few years
1)1*1 ore.

Having accomplished the purpose of his visit to England,
which was some reparation to the ^lohawks for losses sustained
in the war, and money with which to build a church and school-
liouse, Brant returned to Canada.

He now began his labors for the improvement of his people,
and hoped to induce them to devote themselves more to agricul-
ture.

The Western nations still looked to the great war-chief for
ce. Brant thus retained his importance. He was undtf

CAPTAIN JOSEPH BRANT, OB THATENDANEGEA. 233

half-pay as a British officer, and held the commission of colonel
from the King of England, though he was usually called captain.

When he visited Philadelphia, then the capital of the United
States, the new government offered to double his salary and
make him many presents if he would influence the Western
nations for peace. Brant refused the offer, knowing that he
would be accused of duplicity if he received anything from the
United States. An Indian chief quickly loses his influence if he
is suspected of being mercenary.

Brant, in fact, joined the Western Indians, and is said to have
been present with one hundred and fifty Mohawks in the fierce
battle which resulted in St. Clair's defeat, though this fact is
disputed. It is well known that Little Turtle commanded the
Indians in that battle, and it hardly seems reasonable that the
great war-chief and head of the Iroquois would take second place
to another.

He erected for himself a fine mansion on the western shore of
Lake Ontario, where he lived in ^reat splendor. Here he held
bis barbaric court, **with a retinue of thirty negro servants, and
surrounded by gay soldiers, cavaliers in powdered wigs and
warlet coats, and all the motley assemblage of that picturesque
era.''

His correspondence, of which much is yet extant, reveals a
'"Ugfred and powerful intellect, on which his associations with
^bite men had exerted a marked influence. He encouraged mis-
sionaries to come among his people, and renewed his Christian
professions, which had, perhaps, been suspended or eclipsed
^hile he was hurling his warriors like destroying thunderbolts
on the people of the Mohawk Valley. His letters reveal a proud,
sensitive spirit, jealous of its dignity, and which could not brook
tbe slightest imputation of dishonor. His mind was eminently
diplomatic and nothing escaped his attention, whether in the
cabinets of ministers or around the council fire of distant trilx's
of Western Indians.

The oft-quoted saying that, **uneasy lies the head which wtnus
a crown." was demonstrated in his career. On one of his Kastcrn

2.S4 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

trips, a Dutchman from the Mohawk Valley, whose entire family
had been killed by Brant's warriors, swore vengeance. The man
shadowed him day and night, seeking an opportunity to kill him.
Brant had taken a room in a New York hotel, w^hich fronted on
Broadway. Looking out of the window, he saw his enemy on
the opposite side of the street aiming a gun at him. Our old
hero. Colonel Willet, interfered. He assured the Dutchman,
whose name was Dygert, that the w^ar was over, and he would
be hanged if he murdered the chief. This so frightened the man
that he went home without carrying his threat into execution.
Thus we find that the very man who refused burial to the body
of Walter X. Butler, saved the life of Brant. The chief had
planned to return through the ]Mohawk Valley, but learning of
a plot to assassinate him en route he changed his course and went
home another way. lie was most cordially abhorred, and lived
and died virtually an exile from his native land.

Nor was his aseendaiiey among the Iro(|uois maintainwl with-
out some heartburning. His old enemy. Red Jaeket, the orator,
gathennl a number of malcontents around his standard, and at
a pretended meeting of the sachems of the conftnleraey, durini:
Brant's absence, he was impeached and formally deposed from
the position of head chief of the Six Nati(ms. When Thay-en-da-
ne-gt*a heard of it on his return, be boldly confronted his enemies
in public council ; he defied them, denied their calumnies and
charges, and demanded a fair trial before his people. The mili-
tary fame and pn^tigi* of the great war-chief overcame even the
burning elixpienw and invectives of Keil Jacket, and Brant
triunipluHl over all opposition.

Brant pn^vinl eonelnsively that he had always been loyal to
:he British cause, and the lu^st inteivst of the Six Nations.

It is a little ivmarkable. there fon\ that among his warmest
pornonal friends was Colonel Aaron Burr, who was afterward a
traitor to bis country, in thought and intention, if not in actual

nel Burr was at this time in the zenith of his popularity.
^^rant a letter of iiun><hioTion t«» his talented daughter,

CAPTAIN JOSEPH BRANT, OR TEAYENDANEGEA, 235

Theodosia, then but fourteen years old. Her father said of
Brant in this letter: ** Colonel Brant is a man of education—
speaks and writes the English perfectly — ^and has seen much of
Europe and America. Receive him with respect and hospitality.
He is not one of those Indians who drink, but is quite a gentle-
man; not one who will make you fine bows, but one who under-
stands and practices what belongs to propriety and good breed-
ing. He has daughters; if you could think of some little present
to send to one of them— a pair of earrings, for example— it would
please him."

Theodosia Burr received Brant with great hospitality, and
gave him a dinner party, to which she invited some of the most
eminent gentlemen in New York. Several years afterward, when
Theodosia was married, she and her husband visited Brant and
his family at Grand River.

Brant died in 1807, at the age of sixty-four years, leaving
unfinished his work for the security of the Mohawks in the full
j)ossession of their lands. Amon^ his last words he said to the
chief, Norton: **IIave pity on the poor Indian; if you can pet
any influence with the great, endeavor to do them all the good
you can.'*

A few years before the chief's death he had built a large
house on a tract of land at the head of Lake Ontario, a pi ft from
the King. He had a number of nepro slaves whom he had
captured during the war and who lived with him in contentment,
it is said, satisfied with the Indian customs.

The great chief was buried beside tlie church which he had
built at Grand River, the first church in upper Canada. There
is a monument over his grave, said to have cost thirty thousand
dollars, with the following inscription:

**This tomb is erected to the memory of Thay-en-da-ne-gea, or
Capt. Joseph Brant, principal chief and warrior of the Six
Nations Indians, by his fellow-subjects, admirers of his fidelity
and attachment to the British crown."

On the death of Joseph Brant, his youngest son, John, became
chief, and head of the confederacy. He was a gentlemanly young

236 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CEISFS.

nian and distinguished himself on the British side in the war of
1812, and was given a captain's commission.

In 1832 he was elected a member of the Provincial Parliament
for the county of Ualdimand.

lie and his youngest sister, Elizabeth, lived in their father's
house in civilized style, but their mother preferred to live among
the Indians in the ]VIohawk village at Grand River. A gentlemah
and his daughters who visited them in 1819 found the parlor
carpeted and furnished with mahogany tables, the fashionable
diairs of the day, a guitar, and a number of books. Miss Brant
proved to l)e *'a noble-looking Indian girl." The upper part of
her hair was done up in a silk net, while the long lower tresses
hung down her back. She wore a short black silk petticoat, with
a tunic of the same material, black silk stockings and black kid
shoes. She was remarkably self-possessed and ladylike. She
afterward married William Johnson Kerr, a grandson of Sir
William Johnson, and they lived together happily in the Brant
house.

CHAPTER VIII.
RED JACKET, OR SA-GO-YE-WAT-HA,

THE SENEGAS.

THE subject of this sketch was certainly the greatest orator
of the Six Nations, and it is doubtful if his equal was
ever known among all the American Indians. His birth
is supposed to have taken place about the year 1750, under a
^n«at tree which formerly stood near the spring of water at
Canoga p<flnt on the west shore of Cayuga Lake, in Western New
York.

His parents were of the Seneca tribe, the most western of the
Iroquois confederation, and lived at Can-e-do-sa-ga, a large
Indian village on the present site of Geneva.

At the time of his birth, owing to scarcity of game, his
parents, with others, were hunting on the west shore of Cayuga
Lake. The locality has been purchased by eludge Sackett, of
Seneca Falls, who derived the statement here (juoted from the
great orator himself. When interrogated about his birthplace
the sachem would answer, counting on his fingers as he spoke,
**One, two, three, four above John Harris/' meaning four miles
above where Harris kept his ferry across tlie Cayuga, before the
erection of the bridge.

The orator, whose eloquence was the pride of tlie race, and
the special glory of the Senecas, owed nothing to the advantages
of illustrious descerft, but was of humble parentage. He was a
Cayuga on his father's side, and the Cay u gas claim to have been
a thoughtful and far-seeing people. The fact of his possessing
wonderful eloquence was never disputed at any time. The name
which Red Jacket received in his infancy was 0-te-tiana, and

237

238 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

signified '* Always Ready." Acconling to the custom of his
people, when he became chief he took another— Sa-go-ye-wat-ha,
which means **The Keeper Awake/'

But little is known of his history until the campaign of Snt
livan, when Red Jacket must have been about twenty-nine yean
of age.

Tradition says that he was remarkably swift in the chaae and
possessed a marvelous power of endurance. For these reasons,
he was very successful in hunting. On account of his fleetness
he was often employed as a messenger or "runner** by his people
in his youth, and afterward in a like capacity by the British
officers during the Revolution.

According to Mr. Stone, the learned Indian biographist,
Sa-go-ye-wat-ha obtained the name of Red Jacket from the fol-
lowing circumstance: ** During the War of the Revolution he
made himself very useful to the British officers as a nSeissenger.
He was doubtless the more so because of his intelligence and gift
for oratory. In return for his services the officers presented the
young man with a scarlet jacket, very richly embroidered." One
can imagine the immense pride with which the ** Young Prince of
t\w AVolf rian." as his adniirin»r people were accustomed to call
him, donned this brilliant garment. lie took such delight in the
jacket that he was kept in such garments by the British ofBeen
during the Hevohition. This i)eculiar dress became a mail: ef
distinction and gave him the name by which he was afterwtrd
best known. Kvcn after the war, when the Americans widied
to find a way to liis heart, they clothed his back with a red jidset

It has ])een almost tlie univei-sal testimony of books that Bed
Jacket, the Indian orator, like the two greatest of the andeat
world, Demosthenes and Ticero, was a coward. This inferenee
has been drawn very naturally, perhaps, from the fact that he
trenerally, but not always. ()i)posed war and seldom wielded the
tomahawk. But the old m<m of liis nation, who knew him best
and the motives from wliicli lie acted, deny the charge. Many
even as,serted tliat lu* was ])rave, thouiili prudent, and not at all
la^*' * *n tlie <iualities they admire in a warrior. They assign

BED JACKET, OH SA-GOYEWATHA. 241

other reasons for his persistent opposition to war, and maintain
that his superior sagacity led him to see its consequences to the

Indian.

In the Revolutionary contest the red men generally enlisted
on the side of the British, believing it to be for their interests.
They could not understand anything of the real nature of the
controversy of the two rival powers, and were justifiable in
stii(lyin»r their own interest alone. In taking the British side the
Iro(|uois were strongly influenced by the Johnsons, the Tory
leaders of New York, and their powerful ally. Captain Joseph
Brant, the great war-chief of the Mohawks. But it was all done
in spite of the gloquent protest of Red Jacket. **Let them alone,"
said the wise man and orator. **Let us remain upon our lands
and take care of ourselves. What have the English done for
ws?" he exclaimed, drawing his proud form to its fullest height
and pointing with the zeal of despair toward the winding
Mohawk, **that we should become homeless «and helpless wan-
tlerersfor their sakes?''

But his motives were impugned and misunderstood. Some of
"is own warriors called him a coward and promptly followed
^ornplanter and Brant to battle. These two chiefs seemed to have
M a contempt for Red Jacket because of his supposed coward-
ice. They nicknamed him Cow-Killer, and often told with much
'^'iisto a story at his expense. This story was to the effect that
^t the eommeiicement of the Revolutionary War, the young
^'hjef, with his usual eloquence, exhorted the Indians to
eoura}?e, and promised to be with them in tlie tliiekest of the
%ht. When the battle came off, however, he was missing,
havintr stayed at home to cut up a cow which he had cap-
tured. This story, with the speech just (juoted in opposition to
war, tended to convince many of the Indians that the Seneca
sachem was a coward.

But when the very things he prophesied literally happened,
u'hen in the progress of the war, as we have recorded in the Hf(»
of Brant, Sullivan's army destroyed forty populous towns, with
many orchards and fields of golden grain; when the Senecas were

242 LirKS OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

driven further west, and the proud Mohawks across the boundary
into Canada, the deluded Indians saw that Red Jacket, the sage,
was a true prophet. Had they followed his advice all would have
been well, but they refused, and the Mohawks had '^become
homeless and helpless wanderers" for the sake of the British,
who cared nothing for them when the war was over.

At the close of the Revolution, the influence of Red Jacket
was restored ; for the reason that even his enemies had to concede
that he was right, that he opposed war not from cowardice, but
t)ecau8e his sagacious mind could see the end from the beginning,
and he knew that in any case it must end disastrously for the
Indian. He is to be commended for acting witl^ wisdom and
prudence. Another sage of old has said: "'A prudent man
foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on
and are punished.'*

No one accused Washington of cowanlice, when he adviseti his
countrymen to keep neutral and make no entangling alliance with
a foreign power. This, in its last analysis, was about the same
position taken by Red Jacket. Why, then, should it be assumeil
that he was a coward ?

But there are other positive proofs of Red Jacket 's courago.
On one occasion the Mohawks challenged the Senecas to a game
of ball. The challenge was accepted, and a large number of the
Irocjuois had gathered to witness the game.

Many valuable artieh»s, such as ornaments, weapons, belts and
furs were bet on the result of the game. The stakes were placed
under the eare of a company of aged Indians and the game was
called. The ])all was of deerskin: the bats, or rackets, were
woven with deei-skin thongs. A certain number of players were
eluxsen ui)on each side. They were entin»ly nude except a breech-
eloth about their loins. Each party had a gate, or two p<ilt»s,
planted ill the ground about three rods apart. The aim of the
playei-s on eaeh side was to drive the ball through their own
gate a speeiiied number of times. It took several contests to
deeide th(» mateh. The playei-s, ]>rovided with bats, were ranged
in opposite lines, and between them stocxl two picked players.

RED JACKET, OR SA-GOTEWATHA, 243

•
one from either side, who were expected to start the game. Some-
times a pretty Indian girl, very gayly dressed and decked with
silver ornaments, ran between the lines until she reached the two
leaders in the center, when she would drop the ball between them.
The instant it touched the ground each of the two Indians would
make a struggle to start the ball toward his own gate.

It was a rule of the game that the ball must not be touched by
fwt or hand. But a player might strike it with, or catch it on,
his racket and run with it to the goal, if he could. But the
opposite side would have men stationed to guard against such
^•as>' success. A fierce struggle for the possession of the ball was
wntinually in progress, and players were fre(|uently hurt, some-
times severely. .It was usually taken in good part, but at this
' particular game a Mohawk player struck a Seneca a hard blow
^th his bat. Instantly the Senecas dropped their bats, took up
the stakes that they had laid down in betting, and returned to
their own country. Three weeks after Red Jacket and some other
^^hiefssent a belligerent message to the Mohawks deuianding satis-
faction for the insult. Brant immediately cuIUhI a council of his
P^ple. and it was decided to recommend a frioiully council of
Ml nations to settle the difference. The Senecas consented to
this, and the council met. Ked Jacket was opposed to a recon-
^^•iliation. He made a stirring speech, in which he ])ictured the
offense in its blackest light, and was in favor of nothiiitr less
than war. But the older Senecas, and among tliem C'ornplanter,
^*ho had not yet lost his inHuence, were opposed to a break
l^t'tween the two nations, and proi)osed tliat presents should be
^ade in atonement to the young man who liad been injured.
The Mohawks consented to this, and the pipe of peace was
Anally smoked in friendship.

Now, remember, it was Red Jacket who sent tlie belligerent
Jnessage to the Mohawks, demanding satisfaction for the injury
to the young man, and insult to his tribe. lie it was who favon^l
war, as the only way in which it could be wiped out. In the
event of hostilities, he well knew that he and his tribe would be
arrayed against the terrible Mohawks, under the command of

244 LIFES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

their great war-chief, Captain Brant, whose name was a terror
to white and red foe alike. There was certainly no evidence of
cowardice in this transaction.

A treaty was made with the Six Nations on the part of the
United States at Port Stanwix, in 1784. General Lafayette was
pn^sent at this council, and was struck with the eloquence of Red
Jacket. The war-chief of the Senecas, Cornplanter, was in favor
of peace, while Red Jacket, who was called a coward, useii all
his elo(|uence in favor of war.

There are only two ways to account for his action at this
time. Either he was a courageous leader, or else he believed the
war policy would be the most popular, at least with the Senecas-
Red Jacket and the Senecas also took part in the war of 1812.
As early as 1810 the orator gave information to the Indian
agent of attempts made by Tecumseh, the Prophet, and others, to
draw his nation into the great Western combination ; but the war
of 1812 had scarcely commenced, when the Senecas volunteered
their services to their American neighbors. For some time these
were rejected, and every exertion was made to induce them to
remain neutral. The Indians bore the restraint with an ill grace,
but said nothing. At length, in the summer of 1812, the English
unadvisedly took possession of Grand Island, in the Niagara
Kiver, a valuable territory of the Senecas. This was too much
for tlie pride of such men as Red Jacket and Farmer's Brother.
A council was called immediately— the American agent was sum-
moned to attend— and the orator arose and thus addressed him:

*' Brother!'' said he, after stating the information received,
*\vou have told us we had nothing to do with the war between
you and the British. But the war has come to our doors. Our
property is seized upon by the British and their Indian friends.
It is necessary for us, then, to take up this business. We must
defend our property ; we must drive the enemy from our soil.
If we sit still on our lands, and take no means of redress, the
British, following the customs of you white people, irill hold then
hy conquest: and you, if you conquer Canada, will claim them
on the same principles, as con(iuered from the British, Brother,

BED JACKET, OH SAGOTEWATHA. 245

we wish to go with our warriors and drive off these bad people,
and take possession of those lands. ' '

The effect of this reasonable declaration, and especially of the
maimer in which it was made, was such as might be expected. A
grand council of the Six Nations came together, and a manifesto,
of which the following is a literal translation, according to
Thatcher, was issued against the British in Canada, and signed
by all the grand coimcilors of the Confederation :

*'We, the chiefs and coimcilors of the Six Nations of Indians,
residing in the State of New York, do hereby proclaim to all
the war-chiefs and warriors of the Six Nations, that war is
declared on our part against the provinces of Upper and Lower
Canada. Therefore, we do hereby command and advise all the
war-chiefs to call forth immediately the warriors under them,
*nd put them in motion to protect their rights and liberties,
which our brethren, the Americans, are now defending/'

^Ve regret that no speech of Red Jacket on this meinorabN'
^asion is preserved. But his eloquence, and that of his brotluT
<^*fefs, must have inspired the warriors to great zeal and coura*:**:
^^r although the declaration was made (juite late in 1812, we fin<i
'luite a number of them in the battle near Fort (Jeorge. An
"fficial account of this action was given by (Jeneral Hoyd, und(»r
'Jate of August 13. The enemy were completely routed, and a
lumber of British Indians (Mohawks) w(»re captured by our
allies. **Those,'' continued the general in his re])ort, *'who par-
^i<?ipated in this contest, particularly the Imlians, conducted with
"^at bravery and activity. Cieneral Porter voluntrrnMl in tli<'
affair, and Major Cliapin evinced his accustomed /<*al and cour-
3|rp. The regiilai-s under Major Cuniniintrs, as far as tln*y wen'
•nirajied conducted well. The principal chiefs who h'd tln'
warriors this day were Farmer's BrothiM*, Ked Jacket, Jjittlc
fiilly. Pollard, Black Snake, Johnson, Silver Heels, Captain
HaJftown, Major Henry O. Ball (Corni)lanter's son) and Cap-
tain Cold, who was wounded. In a council which was held with
them yesterday, they covenanted not to scalp or niiinhM*. and I
am happy to say that they treated the prisonei-s with humanity.

246 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

committed no wanton cnieltics on the dead, but obeyetl orders,
and behaved in a »oldier-like manner."

Thatcher says: *'We believe all the chiefs here mentioned
were Senecaa except Captain Cold." In his next bulletin, the
Ueueral reports, **The bravery and humanity of the Indians were
et|ually conspicuous." Another authority quoted in Nile's
**Register" says, *'They behaved with great gallantry and
betrayed no disposition to violate the restrictions which Boyd
had imposed."

''These restrictions," as Thatcher says, "it should be observed
in justice to Red Jacket and his brave comrades, had been pre-
viously agreed upon at the grand council, and the former prob-
ably felt no humiliation in departing in this particular from the
usual savagery of his warriors. We have met with no authentic
charges against him, either of cruelty or cowardice, and it is
well known tliat he took part in a number of sharply contested
engagements/'

Is not all this a eoniplt»te vindication of Retl Jacket s courage?

Of the boyh(H)d of this great sachem we know nothing. Like
many another he owed his celebrity to the troublous times in
which h<» lived. The powers of the orator can only be exhibited
on occasions of great interest; and the mighty intellect of Ked
Jacket could not have exercised itself upon theology, philosophy,
or law. for the Indian was a stranger to all these things. lie was,
however, a natural logician, and had gifts which, in a white man,
would have insure<l success as a lawyer. One of the first forensic
efforts of the young chief was in l)ehalf of the women of his
people, who, among the Inxiuois, were i>ermitted to exert their
influence in all public and im]>ortant matters. And to this
extent. 1h(» Six Nations of this pt^riod were more civilized than
many of the ivhitr nations of the iwoitieih century, includini
our (nni.

In the year 1791, when Washington wished to secure th

neutrality of tin* Six Nations, a deputation was sent to treat witfe: i
tlieiii, but was not favorably receiv<Hl, as many of the youn-^^^
chiefs were for war and sided with the British. The women, ^s

SED JACKET, OR SA-GOTEWATHA. 247

is usual, preferred peace, and argued that the land was theirs,
for they cultivated and took care of it, and, therefore, had a
right to speak concerning the use that should be made of its
products. They demanded to be heard on this occasion, and
addressed the deputation first themselves in the following words:

"Brother:— The Great Ruler has spared us until another day
to talk together ; for since you came here from General Wash-
ington, you and our uncles, the sachems, have been counseling
together. Moreover, your sisters, the women, have taken the same
into great consideration, because you and our sachems have said
80 much about it. Now, that is the reason we have come to say
something to 3'ou, and to tell you that the Great Ruler hath pre-
served you, and that you ought to hear and listen to what we
women shall speak, as well as the sachems; for tve are the owners
of this land, AND IT IS OURS ! It is we that plant it for our
and their use. Hear us, therefore, for we speak things that con-
cern us and our children; and you must not think hard of us
while our men shall say more to you, for wr have told them/'

They then desi^mated Hi'd Jacket as thrir spoaker, and he
took up the speech of his clients as follows :

"Brothers from Pennsylvania: You that are sent from (jen-
eral Washington and by the thirteen fires; you havr been sittin*;
side by side with us every day, and the (Jreat Ruh'r has ap[)ointed
ns another pleasant day to meet again.

**Xow, listen, brothers; you know it has been th<' nM|u<'st of
our head warriors, that we are left to answer for our woiikmi. who
^^ to conclude what ought to b<» done by both saelienis and war-
riors. So hear what is their conclusion. Tlie business you come
on is very troublesome, and we have been a lon<r time considering
it: and now the elder of our women have said that our sachems
and warriors must hrlp you, for the good of them and their
children, and you tell us the Americans are strong for peace.

**Xow, all that has been done for you lias been done by our
women; the rest will be a hard task for us: for the people at the
setting sun are bad people, and you have come in too much haste
for such great matters of importance. And now, brothei-s. you

24S LIVKS OF FAMOrs IMUAS CUIEFS.

must I(N)k when it is lifxht in tlio morning, until the setting sun,
and you nuist reach your neck over tlie land to take in all the
lijrht you can to show tht» dan«r('r. And thest* are the words of
our wonitMi to you, and the saehenis and warriors who shall go
with you.

"Now, brothel's from Pennsylvania and from (ieneral Wash-
in«rti»n. I have told you all I was dirceted. ^Make your mindfi
easy, and let us throw all eare on the merey of the CJreat Keeper,
in hopes that he will assist us.*'

"So," as Minnie Myrtle says. *• there was peace instead of
war, as tluM'e wouhl (»ftt'n he if the voiee of women could bi*
hi*ardl and thoutrh the Smeeas, in i-evisinjr their laws and cus-
toms, have in a measuiv aee<Hle<I to the civilized barbarism of
treating; the opinions of wcmien with contempt, where their
int»»n»st is iM|ual, they still can not siirn a treaty without the con-
siMit of fint'fhinls (»/' tin wtftlnrs!''

On another oerasion the women sent a messa*re, which Red
Jaekt»t delivered for thrni. saying' that they fully concurred in
the opinion <»f \\\nr saelirnis, that tlu» white people had Iven the
causi' of all tln' Indians' disti-esses. The white people had
pressed an<l s<iue(v.e<l tlhMn to^ethi'r. until it ^rav<» them jrreat pain
at tlieii- hetirts. One of th<» white woin«'n ha<l told the Indians to
repent : and they now. in tniii. ealled (»n the white people to
repent — they liavin*^' as nnieh need of re]»entanee as the Indians.
They, therefon*, hopetl the pale-l'jiers would repent and wrong
the Indians no iiion*. but ;rive baek the lantls th<\v had taken.

At the t<»nnination of the Uevolution. the Indians who were
tlu' allies of the Knirlish were lel't to take eare of themselvi*s as
best they eould. Tliouirh they had I'tMiirht desperately in their
own way, and intlieted evei-y speeies of sutVerin^ on oiw piH)ple,
Wjishinirton extend<'tl to them the hand of friendship and offered ^
tlH-m prott-etion. His kindness w(m him the jrratitude of the -^^
Indians, lb* undoubtedly tillrd :i |>laee in their atfeetions nevei"^:^
oeenpied by ;iny other wliit<' man. save Ko^er Williams, or Will — ^
i:im Penn. His inlhienre over the Indians helps to explain tht^^ t
t'aet tlint in ;ill snbs<M|neiit wars the Srneeas were either neutral o— ~r

USD JACKET, OR SA-GO-TB-WAT-EA. 251

kyilto the Amerieaiu; proof that the ''Father of Hia Country"
WIS abo revered by.hia red children.

Bed Jaeket waa one of fifty chiefiei who yiaited President
Washington at Philadelphia, then the aeat of government, in
1792. While there the President presented him with a silver
BKdil, on which Washington, in military uniform, was repre-
KQted as handing a long peace-pipe to an Indian chief with a
Klip lock decorated with plumes on the top of his head, while
a wbite man was plowing with a yoke of oxen in the background.
TUs last figure was probably intended as a hint for the Indians
to abandon war and the chase, and adopt the peaceful pursuits of
agriculture. On the reverse side was the eagle, and motto of
oar eoontry, "JS PlutibuB Unum,** Indians prefer ornaments
of sflver to those of gold, for they are more becoming to their
^ lUn. Red Jacket prized this medal very highly. He wore
It cm all state occasions. Nevertheless, sad to relate, it is stated
that the beloved medal was more than once in pawn for whisky.

The medal in question was quite large. The exact dimensions
Were seven inches long by five broad. The last heard of the
"^al was in 1867, when it was in possession of Brigadier-Gen-
eral Parker, of Grant's staflf, who was at that time chief sachem
ofthe Six Nations.

While in Philadelphia, each member of the deputation of
^hiefe received from General Knox, on the part of the Govern-
^t, a military uniform such as was worn by the officers,
^egether with a cocked hat. When Red Jacket's suit was offered
^im he sent back word to General Knox that he could not con-
ristently wear such a garb, as he was not a war-chief, an<l
!^uested that a diflTerent suit might be given him, more suitable
ohis station. But when the plain suit was brought to him, ho
Mined giving up the regimentals, coolly remarking that though
« a sachem he could not wear a military uniform in time of
>eace, yet in time of war the sachem joined the warriors, and he
ould therefore keep it till war broke out. when he could assume
military dress with propriety.
On one occasion, being invited with several of his people to

i.TJ j.!i i:s OF F.iMors isnijs (IIIEFs.

dine at the home of an officer, he ate very heartily of several
kinds of meat; and seeing;: the surprise of the host, he remarked
that he belonged to the Wolf Clan, and ** wolves were always fond
of meat."

About the year 1790, a council was held on the shore of Lake
Canandaigua to negotiate a purchase of land from the Indians.
After two days spent in discussing the terms, a treaty was
agreed upon, and only wanted the formality of a signature to
make it complete, when Red Jacket, who had not yet been heard,
arose to speak. An eye-witness thus describes the scene:
*'With the grace and dignity of a Roman Senator, he drew his
blanket around him, and with a piercing eye surveyed the multi-
tude. All was hushed; nothing interposed to break the silence,
save the gentle rustle of the tree-tops, under whose shade they
were gathered. After a long and solemn, but not unmeaning
pause, he commenced his speech in a low voice and sententious
style. Rising gradually with the subject, he depicted the primi-
tive simplicity and happiness of his nation, and the wrongs they
had sustained from the usurpations of white men, with such bold
but faithful eloquence that every auditor was soon roused to ven-
geance or incited into tears. The effect was inexpressible. But
ere the emotions of admiration and sympathy had subsided, the
white men became alarmed. They were in the heart of an Indian
country, surrounded by more than ten times their number, who
were inflamed by the reraerabrailce of their injuries and excited
to indignation by the eloquence of a favorite chief. Appalled
and terrified, the white men cast a cheerless gaze upon the hordes
around them. A nod from the chiefs might be the onset of
destruction. At this portentous moment, Parmer's Brt)ther
interposed. He replied not to his brother chief, but with sagacity
truly aboriginal, he caused a cessation of the council, introduced
good cheer, commended the eloquence of Red Jacket, and before
the meeting had reassembled, with the aid of other prudent
chiefs, he had moderated the fury of his nation to a more salu-
tary view of the question before them."

The fame of his great eloquence gained Red Jacket a powerful

BSD JACKET, OR SA-GO-YS^WAT'-HA. 2B3

mfliienee» not only in his own tribe but among all the Six Natidu
of Indians. ''I am an orator; I was bom an orator/' was his
boMtfol declaration; and to all fnture generations his name
will descend enrolled on the list with Demosthenes and Cicero
in mdenty and Pitt, Henry or Webster in modem times; and
thoogh a Pagan and belonging to a rude, nncnltnred race, his
Tiees were no greater than those of men who lived all their lives
imder Christian influences. He strenuously opposed every effort
to introduce Christianity among his people, for he could not
nnda!8tand how it could be so valuable or necessary, when he saw
luw little it influenced the conduct of white men and the wrongs
tky inflicted in the name of their God upon the red man. He
eoDld not make the distinction between those who possessed reli-
Sion and those who merely professed it ; and as he came in contact
with very few who walked uprightly, he naturally concluded that
t idigion which did no more for its followers was not worth
•dopting. He believed the Great Spirit had formed the red and
white man distinct ; that they could no more be of one creed than
wie color ; and when the wars were over and there was nothing
DM)re for them to do, he wished his people to be separated
Witirely from white men, and return as much as possible to their
<ddeQstoms.

He saw his people wasting away before the pale- faces ; as he
wwcsaid in a speech before a great assemblage: **We stand a
*Dttll island in the bosom of the great waters. We are encircled—
we are encom{)assed. The Evil Spirit rides upon the blast, and
the waters are disturbed. They rise, they press upon us, and the
waves once settled over us, we disappear for ever. Who, then,
Uvea to mourn us? None! What prevents our extermination?
Nothing! We are mingled with the common elements."

From all accounts, the first missionaries sent among the
Senecas^were not very judicious, and did not take the wisest
worae to make their religion acceptable to any people, and espe-
dally to a wronged and outraged race. In 1805 a young mis-
aonary by the name of Cram was sent into the country of the
ffiz Nations. A council was called to consider whether to receive

254 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

him, and after he had made an introductory speech. Bed Jacket
made the following reply :

''Friend and Brother: It was the will of the Great Spirit
that we should meet together this day. He orders all things, and
has given us a fine day for our council. He has taken his garment
from before the sun and caused it to shine with brightness upon
us. For all these things we thank the Great Buler, and Him
only!

"Brother, this council-fire was kindled by you. It was at
your request that we came together at this time. We have
listened with joy to what you have said. You requested us to
speak our minds freely. This gives us great joy, for we now con-
sider that we stand upright before you and can speak what we
think. All have heard your voice and can speak to you as one
man. Our minds are agreed.

** Brother, listen to what we say. There was a time when our*
forefathers owned this great island. Their seats extended from
the rising to the setting sun. The Great Spirit had made it for
the use of Indians. He had created the buffalo, the deer and
other animals for food. He had made the bear and the beaver.
Their skins serveil us for clothing. He had scattered them over
the country and taught us how to take them. He had caused
the earth to produce corn for bread. All this he had done for
his red children because he loved them. If we had some dis-
putes about our hunting-ground, they were generally settled
without the shetlding of much blo<Kl. But an evil day came upon
us. Your forefathers crossed the gn»at water and landed upon
this island. Their numbers were small. They found us friends
and not enemies. They told us they had fled from their own _
country on account of wicked men, and had come here to enjoy —
their religion. They asked for a small seat. We took pity 00=
them and granted their request, and they sat down amongst us - -
We gave them corn and meat; they gave us poison (rum) j g —
return.

**The white people, brother, had now found our countrw^
Tidings were carried back, and more came amongst us. Yet liw^^

BED JACKET, OB SA-QOYEWAT-EA. 255"

did not fear them. We took them to be friends. They called us

brothers;' we believed them, and gave them a larger seat. At

length their numbers had greatly increased. They wanted more

land ; they wanted our country. Our eyes were opened, and our

ndnds became uneasy. Wars took place. Indians were hired to

fight against Indians, and many of our people were destroyed.

They also brought strong liquor amongst us. It was strong and

powerful and has slain thousands.

"Brother, our seats were once large, and yours were small.
You have now become a great people, and we have scarcely a
place left to spread our blankets. You have got our country,
but are not satisfied ; you want to force your religion upon. us.

"Brother, continue to listen. You say that you are sent to
instract us how to worship the Great Spirit agreeable to his
mind; and if we do not take hold of the religion which you
vhite people teach, we shall be unhappy hereafter. You say
that you are right, and we are lost. IIow do we know this to bo
true? We understand that your religion is written in a book. If
it was intended for us as well as you, why has not the Great
Spirit given to us— and not only to us, but to our forefathers—
the knowledge of that book, with the means of understanding it
rightly? We only know what you tell us about it. IIow shall we
hiow when to believe, being so often deceived by the white
people?

"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve
the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white
people differ so much about it? Why not all agree, as you can
all read the book ?

"Brother, we do not understand these things. We are told
that your religion was given to your forefathers, and has been
handed down from father to son. We, also, have a roliirion which
was given to our forefathers, and has been handed down to us,
their children. We worship in that v.ay. It teaches us to be
thankful for all the favors we receive ; to love each other, and be
united. We never quarrel about relijrion. because it is a matter
which concerns each man and the Great Spirit.

40* LUES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

^^l^thor, we do not wish to destroy your religion or take it
^\v^tt >^Hi ; we only want to enjoy our own.

''Brt>ther, we have been told that you have been preaching to
tlh"^ white people in this place. These people are our neighbors.
Wo «rt* ac<iuainted with them. We will wait a little while and see
\vh«t effect your preaching has upon them. If we find it does
Uu'iii giKKl, makes them honest and less disposed to cheat Indians,
wo will consider again of what you have said.

** Brother, you have now heard our talk, and this is all we
have to say at present. As we are going to part, we will come
and take you by the hand, and hope the Great Spirit will protect
you on your journey, and return you safely to your friends."

According to the suggestion of their orator, the Indians
moved forward to shake hands with the missionary; but he
refused, saying, ** There was no fellowship between the religion
of God and the Devil." Yet the Indians smiled and retired
peacefully.

At another time Red Jacket said, referring to this same
unwise missionary: **The white people were not content with
the wrongs they had done his people, but wanted to cram their
doctrines down their throats.''

The great chief could never be induced to look upon Chris-
tianity with favor. But it was the pagan white people, with
whom he came in contact, who poisoned his mind, and prejudiced
him at^ainst the missionaries and their religion. They, knowing
that the missionaries were the true friends of the Indian, and ]
understood their own evil machinations, wished to banish them
from the reservations. j

Red Jacket lost ten or eleven children by consumption, the
)ir\m destroyer of so many of all races. A lady once asked him
whether he had any children living. **Red Jacket was once t
•rreat man, and in favor with the Great Spirit," sorrowfully
answered the chief. *'He was a lofty pine among the smaDcr '
trees of the forest; but after years of glory he degraded himsdi
by drinkinji: the fire-water of the white man. The Great Spiri
IS looked upon him in an<rer and his lightning has stripped th

BED JACKET, OR SAGO-TEW AT-U J. 257

pine of its branches, and left standing only the scarred trunk
dead at the top."

Had he hated the white men sufficiently to resist their tempta-
tions, he might have been the glory and the savior of his people.
The word which in Seneca is used to express strong drink very
truly and emphatically describes it as **the mind destroyer."
This was its office, and if the noble mind of Red Jacket had not
been partly destroyed by its agency, he would have seen clearly
through the dark plots of his enemies, and been able to counter-
plot to their destruction and thus rescued his people from the
irrasp of their pursuers.

We find no evidence that he was addicted to any other debas-
ing? vice except intemperance, while his life exemplified many
ennobling virtues. He had an intuitive perception of propriety,
88 was observed by an incident which occurred while a white
gentleman was traveling with a party of Indian chiefs and their
interpreter. Red Jacket was one of the party, but he whs
uniformly grave. The others were much inclined to merriment,
and during an evening, when they were gathered around the
fire in a log cabin, the mirth was so great and the conversation
^ jocular, that Red Jacket was afraid the stranger, who could
not understand their language, would think himself treated with
impoliteness, and infer that their sport was at his expense. He
evidently enjoyed their happiness, though he took no part, but
after a while he spoke to Mr. Parish, the interpreter, and
rtHjuested him to repeat a few words to Mr. Hospres, which were
as follows: **W> have been made uncomfortable by the storm;
We are now warm and comfortable ; it has caused us to feel cheer-
ful and merry; but I hope our friend who is traveling with us
will not be hurt at this merriment, or suppose that we are taking
advantage of his ignorance of our language to make him in any
manner the .subject of mirth.'' On being assured that no such
snspicion could be entertained of the honorable men who were
present, they resumed their mirth and Red Jacket his gravity.

WTien Lafayette visited Buffalo in 1825, among those who
thronged to pay their respects was Red Jacket. AVhen the chief

:K>S LIVES OF FAMOUS ISDIAN CHIEFS.

w«s inlnxluced to Lafayette he said: **Do you remember beinj
at the treaty of peace with the Six Nations at Fort Stanwix?'
**Yt^*' answered the general, "I have not forgotten that greal
c\HUioil. By the way, what has become of that young chief whc
opiHiseil so eloquently the burjing of the tomahawk?" '*He is
before you/' said Red Jacket.

''Time has worked great changes upon us both," said Lafay-
ette. '* Ah," replied the chief, *'time has not been so severe upon
you as it has upon me. It has left you a fresh countenance and
hair to cover your head; while to me— behold!" The chief
pulled a handkerchief from his head and disclosed its baldnen.
But Lafayette did not leave him to think thus harshly of time;
but proved to him that the ravages had been nearly the same
u^on both, by removing a wig and exposing a head almost as
bald as the chief's; upon which he remarked, with much pleai-
antry, that a scalp from some bystander would renew his youth
in the same manner !

Red Jacket pn*ten(U*(l to uiidei'stand no language but his own.
and entertainiMl a <:r(*at dislike for English. He would not reply
to any of Lafayette's <|ii(»stions until his interpreter had trans-
lated them into Sciirca. Ijevasseur states that in his conference
with Lafayette, he evidently comprehended everything uttered
in his pres(Mic(\ while he would speak only Lidian; and that his
former hi<rh oi)inioii of the ^reneral seemed to be nmch increued
hy a few ehanee-inedh'v Seneca words, which the latter had Ifep
trocKl fortune to r(»ni(*niber, and the courtesy to repeat.

Thatcher informs us that <m another occasion the notorioM
fanatic, Jemima Wilkensoii, while trying to make proselyte^
invited the Seueeas to a conference. This strange woman pro-
fessed to be the world's Savior at his sec(md appearance upon
eartli, and was then living in fine style in the western part of
New York State with her dupes. Red Jacket attended the coon-
eil with liis peoj)le and listened patiently to the end of a long
addn-ss. ^lost of it h(» probably undei^stood, hut instead of
replyin*: to her arjzunient in d(»tail, he laid the axe at the root of
•authority. Ilavinj: risen very gravely and spoken a few

^i YORK
; " ~^ o .» p V

BED JACKET, OR SAGOYKWATHA, 261

words in Seneca, he noticed her inquire what he was talking
about! '*IIaI" he exclaimed, with an arch I(M)k— ''she inspiivd
—she Jesus Christ— and not know /wc/iVi/*/" The solidity of her
pretensions was at once decided adversely, in the minds of at
It ast the heathen part of her audience.

The crifted sachem on one occasion used the followintr fiprura-
tive lanpuagre, in speaking of the encroachments of th<» white
jM^ople :

"We first knew you a feeble plant which wanted a little earth
whereon to grow. We gave it you ; and afterward, when we could
h;ive trod you under our feet, we watered and protected you;
;in(I now you have grown to be a mighty tree, whose top reaches
\hi^ clouds, and whose branches overspread the whole land, whilst
we, who were the tall pine of the forest, have become a feebh*
plant and need your protection.

"When you first came here, you clung around our knee and

e.ilJrd nsftithfr: we took you by th<» han<l and called you brothel's.

Von have grown greater than we, so that wo can no longer reach

up to your hand; but we wish to cling around ycnir knee and be

railed your children. " Is not this at once beautiful and pathetic ?

But Sa-go-ye-wat-ha could be sarcastic, as well as pathetic:

in fact he ran the whole gamut, and was deficient in nothing

t-ssf-ntial to eloijuence.

Minnie ^lyrtle. in her book. **Tlie T!"0(|uois. " relates the fol-
lowing incident:

'*A young French nobh^nan visited HuiTalo on one occasion.
and having heard much of the fame of Red Jacket, sent him word
that he wished to see him, and invited him to come the next day.
Red Jacket received the message, and aflVcted great contempt,
s;iyintr: *Tell the jf(nin<f nuni if he wishes to visit the old chief lie
will find him with his nation, where other strangers pay theii-
respects to him. and Red Jacket will be glad to see him.' Th(»
count sent back word that he had taken a long journey and was
fatigued : that he had come all the way from P^rance to see th«'
great orator of the Seneca nation, and ho[)ed he would not refuse
to m<n*t him at Buffalo. 'Tell him,' said the snreastic chief, tluit.

262 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

Iiaving come so far to see me, it is strange lie should stop withii
Keven miles of my lodge. ' So the young Frenchman was oblige
to seek him in his wigwam; after which he consented to diD<
with the count at Buffalo, and was pronounced by him a greate
w<mder than Niagara Falls itself."

On another occasion he was visited by a gentleman whi
talked incessantly and to little purpose, and who would go ven
near the person he was addressing and chatter about as intel
ligibly as a magpie. Red Jacket, receiving the message that i
stranger wished to see him, dresse<l himself with great care, anc
came forth in all his dignity. One glance of his keen eye wat
sufficient for him to understand the character of his guest anri
listening a few moments with contempt in all his features, he
then went close to him and exclaimed. *'Cha ! cha! cha!" as fast
HM he could speak, and turned on his heel to his own cabin **a.<
straight as an Indian," nor deigned to look behind him while
in sight of th(» house occupied by the loquacious stranger, whc
st(K)d for once speechless!

Like other great oratoi-s, he had his full share of vanity. H€
was fully aware of his importance, and disposed to make othei^
aware of it. Colonel Pickering was often employed by the gov-
•M-iunent to negotiate treaties, and would take down the speeches
on the occasion in writing. At one time, when lied Jacket wai
thr orator, he thought he would note the words of the interpretei
whilst the chief was himself speaking. He immediately paused
and on being recpiested to proceed, said, '*\o, not whilst yon hold
down your head." "Why ean you not speak whilst T write'
'*Bt»cause, if you look nie in the eye, you can tell whether I tel
you th(» truth."

At another time he turned his head to speak to a thin! person
wh(»n Red Jacket very haughtily rebuked him. saying. ''W'hei
a Seneca speaks h(» ought to be listened to with attenticm f mm on
end of this great islam! to th(^ other."

When he returned from Philadelphia, he was in the habit (
using his oratorical pciwers lo embellish the manner of his rece]
^ion, and would eolleet around him the chiefs and people of h

RED JACKET, OR SAGOTE-WATHA, 2G3

nation, and, dressed in his uniform, with the cocked hat under
his arm, would personify the President, and bow to all present
as if they were the company in the great saloon, imitating the
manners and gestures of the original with true grace and dignity,
and then entertain his audience with the compliments and atten-
tions which had been bestowed upon him.

When invited to dine or be present at any social function
amon^ white people, he conformed with wonderful tact to the
custonus to which he was a stranger, never manifesting any sur-
prise or asking any questions till he could consult some friend
whose ridicule he did not fear. lie once told a gentleman that
when he dined with President Washington, a man ran oflP with
his knife and fork every now and then and returned with others.
"Now," said Red Jacket, *'what was that for?"

The gentleman told him that there were a great many kinds
of dishes, each cooked in a different manner, and that the plates,
J^ivHs and forks were changed every time a new dish was
brought on.

"Ah/' said Red Jacket thoughtfully, '*is that it? You must
thtn suppose that the plates and knives and forks retain the taste
ofthecookt^ry?'' *'Yes/'

"Have you then,'' demanded the chief, *'any method by
\vhich you can change your palates every time you ehanjre your
plate? For I think the taste would remain on the palat<' loiitrer
than it would on the plate/'

"We are in the habit of washing that away by drinking
wine." answered the gentleman.

'*Ah.'' said Red Jacket, **now I understan<l it. I was por-
snafled that so general a custom among you must !)(» founded in
reason, and I only regret that when T was in Philadelphia I did
not undei-stand it. The moment the man went ofT with my {)late,
I would have drunk wine until he brought me another: for
although T am fond of eating, T am more so of drinking.''

K<*d Jacket was extremely fond of sugar. lie was onec* at the
table of Captain Jones, the interpreter. ]\Irs. Jones handed him
hi.s coffee without sugar, for a joke.

264 UVKS OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

**My son/' said the chief, looking at the captain severely,
"'do y^u allow yuur 8i|uaw thus to trifle with your father T'*
The children gigi^led. ''And do you allow your children to make
sport of their chief?*' added Red Jacket. Apologies were made
and the sugar-bowl was handed to the offended chief. He filled
his cup to the brim with sugar and ate it out by the spoonful with
the utmost gravity.

Eggleston informs us that, ^'Red Jacket could see no justice
in the white man's court of law. An Indian who had broken
into a house and stolen some small article of value was indicted
for burglary. Red Jacket made a long speech in court in his
defense. But the Indian was sentenced to imprisonment for
life, much to the orator's disgust. After the proceedings were
over Red Jacket left the courthouse in company with the law-
yers. Across the street was the sign of a printinj?-office with
the arms of the State, represent in jr Liberty and Justice. Red
Jacket stopptnl and pointed to the sign.

'*\Vhat him call?" demanded the chief.

** Liberty," answered the bystanders.

**Ugh!" said the sachem.

**^Vhat him call?" pointing to the other figure upon the
sign.

* 'Justice," was the answer.

*'When* him live now?** inquired the chief.

Red Jacket was one day met going the opposite direction
from an execution to whi^h everybody was crowding. lie was
asked why he, too, did not go. *' Fools emmgh there already.
Battl»* is the place to see men die," he auiswered.

Although fond of go<Hl things. Red Jacket had a great con-
tempt for a sensualist. When asked his opinion of a chief
appropriately named Hot Bread, who was known to be indolent
and gluttonous, he exclaimed. ^'AVaugh! big man here (laying
his hand upon his abdomen "l, but very small man here," bring-
ing the palm of his hand with sitrnifieant emphasis across his
foreh(»ad.

For a long time th<» great chief refused to sit for his portrait.

RED JACKET, OR SAGOYEWATUA. 265

often importuned. **When Red Jacket dies/' he would
say, "all that belongs to him shall die too/' But at length an
appeal to his vanity availed, and on being assured that his
picture was wanted to hang with those of Washington and
Jefferson, and other great men in the National Galleries, he
consented; and having once broken his resolution, no longer
resisted, and was painted by several artists. The one by Weir
is considered best, and was taken during a visit of the chief
to New York, in 1828, at the request of Dr. Francis. He dressed
iumself with great care in the costume he thought most becom-
ing and appropriate, decorated with his brilliant war-dress, his
tomahawk, and Washington medal. He then seated himself in
a large arm-chair, while around him groups of Indians were
• reclining upon the floor. He was more than seventy years of
age at the time, but tall, erect and firm, though with many of the
traces of time and dissipation upon his form and countenance.
lie manifested great pleasure as the outlines of the picture were
^lled up. and especially when his favorite medal came out in
full relief: and when the picture was finished, started to his
M and clasped the hand of the artist, exclaiming, **Good!
good!"

One who knew him remarks, **That his characteristics are
preserved to admiration, and his majestic front exhibits an
attitude surpassing eveiy other I have ever seen of the human
skull."

Mr. Stone, in his '*Life of Red Jacket,'' *rives an account of
an interview between that chief and Rev. Dr. Breckenrid«re,
which took place at the residence of (Jeneral Porter, Black
Koek, NVw York, in 1821.

General Porter's wife was a sister to Dr. Breckenri(l<:e, and
he was visiting them at the time. Several chiefs. includin»r
Red Jacket, were invited to dine with the general and meet his
kinsmen.

**0n the appointed day,'* wrote Dr. Breckenridge, *'they
made their appearance in due form, heade<l by Red Jacket, to
fhe number of eight or ten besides himself. He wore a b]u(»

266 LIVES GF FAMOUS INDIAS CHIEFS.

dress, the upper garment cut after the fashion of a hunting-
shirt, with blue leggings, a red jacket and a girdle of red about
his waist. I have seldom seen a more dignified or noble looking'
body of men than the entire group.

** After the introduction was over, and the object of the invi-
tation stated, Red Jacket turned to me familiarly and asked:
*What are you? You say you are not a government agent; aiv
you a gambler (meaning a land speculator), or a black-coat
(clergj-man), or what are youT

**I answered, *I am yet too young a man to engage in any
profession; but I hope some of these days to be a black-coat.'

**He lifted up his hands, accompanied by his eyes, in a most
expressive way ; and though not a word was uttered, even* one
fully understood that he very distinctly expressed the senti-
ment, *What a fool!' I commanded my countenance and seem-
ing not to have observed him, I proceeded to tell him somethinir
of our colleges and other institutions."

It was during this interview that the objects of speculators
were so explained to him that he understood their evil cK^iffns:
and the true nature of the missionary enterprise was made
clear to his comprehension, so that his enmity was never after-
ward so bitter. AVhen assured that by the eoui-se he was pursu-
ing, he was doing more than any one else to break up and drive
away his i)eople. and that the effect of the teachings of the
missionaries was to preserve them, he <rrasped the hand of tb'
speaker and said: **If this is so it is new to me, and I will lay
it up in my mind." pointing to his noble forehead, **and talk
of it to the chiefs and the people."

Dr. Breckenridjie continnes: "Red Jacket was about sixty
yeai-s old at this time, and had a wi^ather-beaten look, which ace.
and more than all, intemperance, had pnxluced: but his general
appearance was strikin«r, and his face noble. His lofty and
capacious forehead, his piercintr black eye, his gently curved
lips, fine cheek and sliditly a<iuiline nose— all marked a great
man: and as sustained and expressed by his dignified air, made
a deep impression on all who saw him. All these featnrw

RED JACKET, OR SA-GOYEWATHA, 267

became doubly expressive, when his mind and body were set in
motion by the effort of speaking— if effort that may be called
which flowed like a stream from his lips. I saw him in the
wane of life, and heard him only in private, and throu«rh
a stupid and careless interpreter. Yet. notwithstanding these
disadvantages, he was one of the greatest and most eloijuent
orators I ever knew. 1 1 is cadence was measured, and yet very
musical : and when excited he would spring to his feet, elevate
liis head, expand his arms and utter with indescribable effect of
manner and tone, some of his noblest thoughts.''

General Porter speaks of him as a man endowed with great
intellectual powers, and who, as an orator, was not only unsur-
passed, but unequaled by any of his contemporaries. Although
those who were ignorant of his language could not fully appre-
<*iate the force and beauty of his speeches, when received
throu^'h the niediimi of an interpreter — generally coarse and
fluiiLsy— yet such was the peculiar gracefulness of his j)ersoii,
attitudes and action, and tlie mellow tones of his Seneca dialeet,
and such the astonishing effects i)roduced on that part of the
Jiuditor}' who did fully understand him, and whose souls
•ippeared to be engrossed and borne away by the orator, that he
^^as listened to by all with perfect delight. His figures were
fro([uently so sublime, so apposite and so beautiful that the
interpreter often said the English language was not i-ieh enough
'^ allow of iloing him justice.

Another gentleman says: *'It is evident that the best trans-
'ations of Indian speeches must fail to express the beauty and
^"Miniity of the originals— especially of sue.h an original as
'^♦"d Jacket. It has been my good fortune to hear him a few
^'m«^. but only in late years, when his powers were enfeebled
".^'H<reand intemperance; but I shall n(»V(M- forget th(* inipi-ession
made on me the first time I saw him in eouneil. The Knglish
anpuage has no figures to convey the true meaning of the*
riginal, but though coming through the medium of ati illiterate
iterpreter. I saw the dismembered parts of a splendid oratioTi."
Through the machinations of his great rival, Cornplanter.

2()S IJl'Eii OF FAMOLU ISDIAX CHIEFS.

Mod Jacket was onco accused of bein^r a wizard, and actually
tried for witchcraft. Very likely hi* was accused of spitting
tin* at iiijrht or soiin* other wizard's performance. At any rate
lied .laeki't aroso and made his <>wn defense. Eg«;leston M^:
•*For tliree hoiiis lir spoke witli the most wonderful eloquenee,
movinir the Indians in spite of theniselvt^s. They were divided.
A bare majority was in favor of Red Jacket and his life WM
saved." We tiuestijui whether his jifi* was actually in aqj
tlanirer, even liad the ileeisitMi none atrainst him. for the reaioii
that Heil Jacket hail a s:reat many wliite friends, and thiy
woiUd certainly have interfereil in his l>ehalf. as they did is
the ease of otiier Indians <»f less pn>minence accused of witdn
erafl at the same time.

Near the close of hi^ lift', Ked Jacket was formally deposed
by twenty-six i*hi»'fs nf hi> tribi*. This was due partly to the
i'-aliMiNV ot' rivj'l I'hief^, Imit mainly !>erausi' of his opposition
to ih>' Christran party, ami on aiM-ntint i^^i his inti'niperate habits.

l^iiT Ki'd .I;irk-' was !i.»r vi^T prtpai'»Ml Tti <tibmit patiently to
^lu'h ilt'L:r:hiai!i«!;. •■Np.-i--al:y wlii-i: hi- kn»'W s«» well the true
»'..»Tt\,'N K\\ ii'.'v,- wjio .''^ii-'..! ••. N.ir was he by any nietni
^•' »'.r;i'li iiruir?" rl'.i- .••.!! •-..*. -!* li-.^ lijn] habits as not to fed
ori'.ix'tM^illy. '.•.■••i\ii»N ir« »'.. • I'.r.y. 'loTh tlw ei>nsi*ifiusness of Ul

p»»\\ t *■ :'•

•.»i t!-. .••".,

-f -i....:- . -l* -h;.ll not bi' said of me"-

t|'..''.i^^-.'

'}> ..*,: .».-:

.... ^, ;ti. _. _.'....,v ..r' a rit't-y siiul in his eye—

•It ^?'.r

".»* ':»: ^.-'i

•-.;• S..-,-.-v. .u;i:-'Ma livMd in insignifitmifc

aM.{ «{•■ ■•

'!■ -i:^- .'• .'

A' I-,.-..'!, '.» av»»rts:e myself of if;

\- ] ••

• ■■- I ■ '•■ In rtm-, he roiiii^

1 V. ••■

.,. .. _.--^-..

■I : • ^ • •;' o::< wen^ made to fH^

" th- h.iiu.*lessne« af|i

ly a !rionfh had elapii|

■I "f the «*hiefs of W

^\ \ • > vs • . ■ , ■ • • :vi>' r «>oiineil.hoiise of

y u-u< reail. and tht*n

>• r.' »*a Indians, ^id

•J rlu- .-iinunon j)e«>pl<^.

HED jacket, or SA-aO'Tn-WAT-HA. 271

and that was of general indignation at the contumely cast on so
great a man as Red Jacket. Several other chiefs addressed
the eonneil to the same effect. The condemned orator rose
slowlj, as if grieved and humiliated^ but yet with his ancient
air of command.

*'My Brothers/' he said after a solemn pause, **you have
this day been correctly informed of an attempt to make me ait
down and throw off the authority of a chief, by twenty-six
nusfmided chiefs of my nation. Tou have heard the statements
of my associates in council, and their explanations of the foolish
charges brought against me. I have taken the legal and proper
^y to meet these charges. It is the only way in which I could
notice them. Charges which I despise, and which nothing would
induce me to notice but the concern which many respected
chiefs of my nation feel in the character of their aged comrade.
^Vere it otherwise, I should not be before you. I would fold my
, anas and sit quietly under these ridiculous slanders.

"The Christian party have not even proceeded legally,
according to our usages, to put me down. Ah! it grieves my
fceart, when I look around me and see the situation of my people
•^in old-time united and powerful, now divided and feeble. I
^H sorr}' for my nation. When I am gone to the other world—
^hen the Great Spirit calls me away — who among my peoplo
can take my place? Many years have I guided the nation."

Here he introduced some artful observations on the origin
of the attack upon him. Tie then alluded to the course taken by
fhe Christians, as ruinous and disgraceful, especially in their
abandonment of the religion of their fathers, and their sacrifices,
for paltry considerations, of the land given them by the Great
•Vrit. As for the '' Black-Coats/' Mr. Calhoun had told him at
Washington, four years before, that the Indians must treat with
them as they thought proper; the Government would not inter-
fere. '*I will not consent,'' he concluded, sagaciously identify-
ing his disgrace with his opposition to the Christians, **I will
not consent silently to be trampled under foot. As long as I
can raise my voice, I will oppose such measures. As long as T

272 LIVES or FAMOUS ISDIAX CHIEFS.

can stand in my moccasins, I will do all that I can for my
nation/* It is scarcely necessary' to add that the resnlt of the
conference was the triumphant restoration of the orator to his
former rank.

In a council which was held with the Senecas by Oeneral
Tompkins, of New York, a discussion arose concerning somo
point in a treaty made several years before. The agent stated
one thing and Red Jacket another, insisting that he was correct.
He was answered that it was written on paper, in the record of
that treaty, and must be so.

"The paper then tells a lie," said the orator, **for I have it
written here (placing his hand upon his brow). You Yankees
are bom nith a feather between your fingers, but your paper
does not speak the truth. The Indian keeps his knowledge here :
this is the book the Great Spirit has given him and it does not
lie." On eonsultins the documents more particularly, it was
found that the Indian record was, indenL the most correct!

Red Jacket s early youth was spent in the beautiful valley
of the Oenesee: there were his favorite hunting grounds, ami
there his memorj' loved to linger. During the strife of war^
and the more bitter strife of treaties, he had indulged very littli»
in his favorite pastime; and when a day of comparative quiet
came. he. in company with a friend, took his gun and went forth
to enjoy one more hunt in this favored region. They had gon*-
but a short distance, however, when a clcarimj opened befon-
them. With a contemptuous sneer, tht* old man turned aside
and wandered in another direction. In a little* while he came
to another, and Imiking over a fence, he saw a white man hold-
ing a plow, which was turning up the earth in dark furrows
over a large field. Again he turncil sadly away, and plungeil
deeper in the forest, but soon another open field pn^sented it.self :
and though he had l)een all his life oppresses] with the woes of
his people, he now for the first time sat down and wept. There
was ni> longer any hope— they had wasted away.

A gentleman who knew Red Jacket intimately for half a
century, says: '*He was the most graceful public speaker I

BSD JACKET, QIC SA-QO-YB-WAT'EA. 273

^ver hetnL His stature was above the middle size ; his eyes fine,
tod exprearive of the intellect which gave them fire ; he was
fluent without being too rapid; and dignified and stately, with-
out rigfidity. When he arose, he would turn toward the Indians
ud ask their attention to what he was about to say in behalf
Af tlie Commissioner of the United States. He would then turn
toward the Commissioner; and with a slight but dignified inclina-
tion of the head, proceed. ' '

Red Jacket visited the Atlantic cities repeatedly, and for
the last time as late as the spring of 1829. He was, on these
oceasions, and especially on the latter, the object of no little
eoriority and attention. He enjoyed both, and was particularly
earefal to demean himself in a manner suited to the dignity of
kn rank and reputation.

One of the Boston papers contained the following mention
«f his Visit to that city: "Red Jacket.— This celebrated Indian
^Wef. who has recently attracted so much attention at New
^ork and the Southern cities, has arrived in this city, and has
accepted an invitation of the Superintendent to visit the New
England Museum this evening, March 21, in his full Indiam
'^ome, attended by Captain Johnson, his interpreter, by whom

those who wish it can be introduced and hold conversation with

him/'

Boston, then as now, was nothing if not literary, and a
I^etical friend does him but justice in thus alhidinfr to his
"ashington medal, his forest costume and the stately carriage
^hich the chieftain still eallantlv sustained :

'Thj garb— though Austria's bosom-star would frijjhten
That medal pale, as diamtrnds, the dark mine.

And George the Fourth wore, in the dance at Brighton,
A more bet'oming evening dress than thine.

*Yet 'tis a brave one, scorning wind and weather.
And fitted for thy couch on field and flood.

As Rob Roy *s tartans for the highlan<l heather.
Or forest green for England *s Robin Hood.

274 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

**ls strength a monarch 'h merit f— like u whaler V—
Thou art as tall, as sinewy, and as strong
As earth's first kings— the Argo's gallant sailors—
Heroes in history, and gods in song.

' ' Who will believe that, with a smile whose blessing
Would, like the patriarch's, soothe a dying hour;
With voice as low, as gentle, and caressing,

As e 'er won maiden 's lip in moonlight bower ;

"With look like patient Job's eschewing evil;
With motions graceful as a bird's in air;
Thou art in truth, the veriest devil

That e'er clenched fingers in a captive's hair!

"That in thy veins there springs a poison fountain.
Deadlier than that which bathes the Upas tree;
And in thy wrath a nursing cat o ' mountain
Is calm as her babe's sleep compared to thee!

"And underneath that faco, like summer *8 oceans-
Its lip as moveless, and its eheek sih <-lenr—
Slumben* a whirlwin<l of the heart 's emotions.

Love, hatred, pride, hope, sorrow— all, save fear.

"Love— for thy land, as if she were thy daughter;
Her pipes in peace, her tomahawk in wars;
Hatred of missionaries and cold water;

Pride— in thy rifle-trophies and thy scars;

"Hope— that thy wrongs will be by the Great Spirit
Remembered and revenged when thou art gone;
Sorrow— that none are left thee to inherit

Thy name, thy fame, thy passions and thy throne/'

This poet is not tho only civilized authority who noticed
that Red Jacket possessed pei'sonal attractions which jrreatly
aided his forensic success, for one of the most distinjruished
public men of the State of New York was wont to say that the
chieftain reminded him stronjxly of the celebrated John Ran-
dolph, of Roanoke, in his b(»st estate, and that these two were
the only oratoi's of nature he had ever heard or seen.

In the last stanza quoted is an allusion to the melancholy
domestic circumstances of the subject of them. lie had been —

nKD JACKET, on SAQOYKWAT'EA. 275

acoordiug to Thatcher — the father of thirteen children, during
his lifetime, and had buried them all.

Some time after this visit to the Atlantic cities, he was
invited to the launching of a schooner which was named after
him. He christened the vessel with a short speech.

''You have a great name given to you/' said he, addressing
the ship, "strive to deserve it. Be brave and daring. Go boldly.
' into the great lakes and fear neither the swift wind nor the
strong waves. Be not frightened nor overcome by them, for it
is in resisting storms and tempest that I, whose name you bear,
obtained my renown. Let my great example inspire you to
courage and lead you to glory."

Of the domestic character and habits of the great Indian
orator we know, of course, very little. It has not been the
custom of civilized or Christian people to relate much ooncem-
inj? the home life of eminent Indians.

We know, however, that Rod Jacket separated from his first
wife after she had become the mother of several children, and
that her infidelity was the alle^red cause. The repugnance which
he ever afterward manifested toward her is in accordance with
his known moral purity of character.

Red Jacket married a second wife. She was the widow of a
chief named Two Guns, and a woman of fine face and bearing.
She l>ecame interested in Christianity, and thought of joining
the church; w^heroupon Red Jacket was enraged. He said that
they had lived happily tojrether, but that now if she joined the
party to which her husband was opposed, he would leave her.
His wife, however, joined the church, and Red Jacket immedi-
ately left her and went to the other reservation.

But he was not happy separated from thase he loved, and
those ho left were not happy without him. He missed the
caresses of the children, and especially the youngest daughter,
of whom he was very fond. Through the agency of this little
girl a reconciliation w^as efi'ected. He even promised that he
would never again interfere with his wife's religious privileges,
and to his credit be it said, he kept the promise.

276 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

The great orator was suddenly taken ill of cholera morbus
in the council house, where he had gone that day dressed with
more than ordinary care, with all his gay apparel and orna-
ments. When he returned he said to his wife, **I am sick; I
could not stay till the council had finished. I shall never
recover." He then took off all his rich costume and laid it
carefully away; reclined himself upon his couch and did not
rise again till morning, or speak except to answer some slight
question. His wife prepared him medicine which he patiently
took, but said, **It will do no good. I shall die." The next
day he called her to him, and requested her and the little girl
he loved so much, to sit beside him, and listen to his parting
words.

**I am going to die," he said. **T shall never leave the house
again alive. I wish to thank you for your kindness to me. You
hax^c loved me. You have always prepared my food and taken
care of my clothes, and been patient with me. I am sorry I ever
treated you unkindly. I am sorry I left yon. beeause of your
new religion, and I am convinced that it is a good religion and
has made you a better woman, and wish you to persevere in it.
I should like to have lived a little longer for your sake. I meant
to build you a new house and make you more comfortable, b\it
it is now too late. But I hope my daughter will remember what
I have often told her — not to go in the streets with strangei-s or
improper persons. She must stay with her mother, and grow
up a respectable woman.

''When T am dead it will be noised abroad through all the
world— they will hear of it across the great waters, and say,
'Red Jflcket, the great orator, is dead.' And white men will
come and ask you for my body. They will wish to bury me.
But do not let them take me. Clothe me in my simplest dress-
put on my leggings and my moccasins, and bang the cross which
I have worn so long, around my neck, and let it lie upon my
bosom. Then bury me among my people. Neither do I wi«h
to be buried with Pagan rites. I wish the ceremonief
you like, according to the customs of your new

RKD JACKHr'. OK SAGO-YK-WAT-UA

277

ehoofie. Your miniBter sayB (he dead will ruse, I*erhap8 they
will. If they liu, I wish to mn with iriy ohi i'oinradeK. I do
not wish ti» rise anions piUt-fmes^ I wish to be surrounded by
red men* l)n not ruaki^ a feant accord ingr to the euHtoins of the
Indians. Whenever my friends chose, they could come and
feast with ttu* when T was well, and I do not wish tht^se who
have never eaten with me in my cabin to surfeit at luy funeral
feast/'

When he hatl finished, he laid himself ajfaiii upon tlic «M»ueh
and liid not risi* a^rain. lie lived several days, hut was uiohI of
the time in a stufjor, or else delirious. He often asked for Mr.
Harris, the missionary, and afterwartl would unctJUHeiously
mutter—**! do not hate him — he thinks ! hate hiui. but 1 dn
not. I would not hurt him/' The missionary was s*Mit for
repeatedly, bi*t he did not return till the chieftain was dead.
When the messenger told him Mr. Harris had not eoiiie. lie
replied. **Very well. The (Jreat Spirit will order it as he sees
lM?8t, whether I have an opportunity to speak with him/* Again
he would murmur, **Tle accused me of being a snakf\ and Iryinc
to bile somehoily. This was very true, and I wish lo n']yk^nt and
make satisfaetitm/'

Whether it was Mr, Harris that he referred t(^ all the time
he was talking rn this way could itoi hr ascertained, as In* did not
H»^*m to ecutiprehend if any direct rpicstion was put to him. but
frtuu his remarks, and his known mmity to him, tliis was the
natural suppmitlori.

The croes which he wore was a very rich one, of stones set
in gold, and very lar^e: it was given to him, hut by whcmi Ids
friends ui'ver knew. This was all th+' Mniameiit which he
requested should he buried with him.

It certainly was very remarkable that lii^il Jacket, after a
life of sworn enmity to Christianity, slunild be s(» influenced by
llie unobtrusive example of his (liristiau wife, as to abjure
Pagan rit«*s and recfuest Christian burial. Hut sueh was
dlv the case, as we are informed by Minnie Myrtle,
*^e among the Iroquois, especially the Sen

278 LtVKS OF FJMOrS IXDiAX CHIEFS.

and got her information concerning ''the closing scene'* from
the sachem 8 favorite stepdaughter.

The wife and daughter were the only ones to whom he spoke
parting words or gave a parting bleasing: but as his last hour
drew nigh, his family all gathered around him. and mournful
it was to think that the children were not his own— his were all
sleeping in the little churchyard where he was soon to be laid—
they were his stepchildren-^the children of his favorite wife.
It has been somewhere stated that his first wife died before him,
but this is a mistake: she was living at the time of his death.

His last words were still, **Where is the missionary^'* He
then clasped the little girl, whom he loved so devotedly, to his
bosom : while she sobbed in anguish her ears caught his hurried
breathing— his arms relaxed their hold— she looked up. and he
was gone. There was mourning in the household, and there
was mournin$r amonsr tin* peoph*. Th«' orator. t\\K' irreat man of
whom they wen* still proud, whilf they lamented his deireneraey.
was jione. He had been a tnie thfnitrh mistaken friend, and who
would take his plaiv ."

All his re<|uests were eomplitnl with strict ly. The funeral
took placi* in tin- little mission ehureh. with appropriate but
most simple ei*nMiionii*s. In these the Pairans t<M>k but little
inten*st. WrapiK*d in profound and solemn thouirht, they, how-
ever, waited patiently their tfrminatitui. Siiiin* of them then
anise, and sueifssively addn*ss«Hl their eountrynien in their own
lanirnairt*. Th«*y n*eount(Hl tin* exploits and th»* virtu»*s of him
whos«* remains tliey wen* now abi»ut t»» lM*ar to his last home.
Thfv renit'nilM*n'd his own pn»phi*tir ai>peal— '*\Vho shall take
my place amonir my people?" Th^y thought of the aneient irh»ry
of thoir nation, anil they hMtknl an»nnd them on its miscrahh*
remnant. The contrast made their hearts sick, antl tears triekK*<l
down their cheeks. Well niiirht they we«'p! The stmnjr war-
rior's arm was moulderimr into dust, and the eye of the eifteil
r»rator was culd antl motionless forever.

The last cmincil he attended h*- ri»Ciinnnended tn both parti^-s
aniontr his pecipli-. tin* Miristian anil Pamni. that ihev should

-t^r-ii"^'

'••?:•*

nm J xcKFi on s iao vt: ivatha.

281

1w to qmirret im iirmv, but mv.h i\mt\ b«»lievi* jictinrdiiig to Ma

own way. In his last public k{mm*<*1i tu his people lie said: **I

Hfu about lo leave yon, and when I am gone, and my warning

ithnU nil longer be heard or rej^arded, the craft and avarice of

tht* white man will prevatL Many winters have T breasted the

KtMnn, but I nm an aged tree and cau stand no lonjrer. My

lt*Mve»( an* fallen* my branehcR are withered, and I am shaken

hy every br*^ze. Scnm iny aged trnnk will lie prostrate, and

the fool of the exnitirjtr foe of the Indian may be placed upon

it in safety; for I have none who will be able to avenge such

nil indif^nity. Think not T mourn for myself. I go to join the

sjMrits of my fathei-s, where age can not come; Imt my heart

fails me when T think of my people, wht^ are ho soon In lie

^cutti'red and forgotten/'

Iti less than nine year« after hia death **the craft and avarice
^'tthe white man'* had prevailed, an he predicted, and ** every
f*>ot of the ancient inheritance of the Seneeas was ceded to the
wbit»* man. in exchange for a tract west of the ^lississippi,"
Through the intervention of the Friends, however, this calamity
^^ averteil, and for the first and only time, the Indians
H'fcm^reil Iheir land after it had l>een fraudulently c>bfained.

K&i Jacket was buried in the little mission f»urying-L' rounds
«* the gateway of what was. once an old fort,

A simple stone was erected to mark his grave, and the spot
J^oejiaie a report for travelers from far and near.

The followinji inscription was cut on his tonibst(Ui«* :

SA410YE WAT-HA.
THE KEEPER AWAKE,
KEr» JArKET,
• nWKF OF THE

\Vni,r TRIBE OE THE HEXErAS.

l>io<i, Jj»ii, *jn, 1830.

.\gpd, 78 yeurs.

Ilia beadatone wai4 desiderated by relic-hunting vandals, until
ham oaioe disappcan^l from Die nuirble.

fkmii* among thf»si' who knew anil liontoed him. wished tc

urMs OP FAMOUS nfpidH mmwB.

\ bis remaltis to 111? ww e^metety at Buffalo. They even*
bim to be tlmtiterred aud placed in a leaden eoffin, pre^
parfttoty te a second biiiial. But ere their desire was aeeom-
piiahed, his fiuoily had beard of what they eousidered the
terrible sacrilege, aiid immediately demanded that lie should be
giveti up* They had removed from the Bufifalo to the Cat-
tamugiift reservation, and therefore did not wish to bury hsm
again iti the tntssion ehurehyard, so they bronght his preeioitii
dust to their own dwellings where for many years it remained
tmburied. They almost felt as if he would rise up to curse *
if they allowed him to lie ^de by side with those he so
cordially hated. He did not wish to rise with paie^f&eeSf whom
he considered the despoilers of his people^ nor to mingle his
red dust with that of his white foes.

Beeent^ a apleudid monument, surmounted by a statue of
the great Seneca orator, has been erected in the beautiful cit>'
of Buffalo.

CHAPTER IX.
LITTLE TTTRTLE, OR MICHIKINIQFA,

\VAB-CH1EP OP THE MIAMIB, AND CONQUEROR OP HARMAR AND

ST. CLAIR.

JUDGED from his succesH on the field of battle and his
sagacity in council, Little Turtle deserves to rank among
the four greatest American Indians, the other three being
Pontiac, Tecumseh and Chief Joseph. Indeed, when it is remem-
bered that ''nothing succeeds like success,'* and that he alone
of all the Indian commanders had three victories to his credit
(for the defeat of the whites at Blue Lick, in Kentucky, is also
conceded to him), he might be regarded as in some respects the
greatest American Indian.

Little Turtle was thought to have been bom on the banks of
the Miami River, in Ohio, about the year 1747. lie was the son
of a Miami chief, but his mother was a Mohegan woman, prob-
ably captured in war and adopted into the tribe. As the Indian
maxim in relation to descents is generally the same with that
of our obsolete civil law in relation to slaves, that the condition
of the offspring follows the condition of the mother,* Little Tur-
tle had no advantage whatever from his father's rank. lie, how-
ever, became a chief at an early age, for his extraordinary
talents attracted the notice of his countrymen in boyhood.

His first services worthy of mention were those of a young
warrior in the ranks of his tribe. Here the soundness of his
judgment and his skill and bravery in battle soon made him
chief, and finally bore him on to a commanding influence, not
only in his own nation, but among all the neighboring tribes.

Notwithstanding his name. Little Turtle was at this time at
"least six feet tall ; strong, muscular and remarkably dignified

♦ " Partus §»pnlur ventrem *

283

284 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

in his manner, though of a somewhat morose eoiiutenanee and
apparently very crafty and subtle. As a warrior he was fear-
less, but not rash; shrewd to plan, bold and energetic to
execute— no peril could daunt and no emergency could surprise
him. ■ Politically he was the first fbllower of Pontiac, and the
latest model of Tecumseh. He indulged in much the same
gloomy apprehension that the whites would overtop and finally
uproot his race; and he sought much the same combination of
the Indian nations to prevent it.

Long after the conclusion of the peace of 1783, the British
retained possession of several posts within our ceded limits on
the north, which were rallying-points for the Indians hostile to
the American cause, and where they' were supplied and subsisted
to a considerable extent, while they continued to wage that
war with us, which their civilized ally no longer maintained.
The infant Oovernment made strenuous exertions to pacify all
these tribes. With some they succeeded, but the Indians of the
Miami and Wabash would consent to no terms. They were
strong in domestic combination, besides receiving encourage-
ment from across the Canadian border.

Little Turtle, ably assisted by Blue Jacket, head chief of the
Shawnees of this period, and Buekongahelas. who led the Dela-
wares, formed a confederation of the Wyandots, Pottawato-
inies, Chippewas, Ottawas, Shawnees. I)fla wares and Miamis,
and parts of several other tribes.

These were substantially the same tribes who had thirty years
l)efore been united under Pontiae, and formed an e:fact prece-
dent for the combination of Tecumseh and his brother at Tippe-
canoe some years after, as will be seen.

On September 13, 1791— all attempts to conciliate the hostih*
tribes, who were now ravaging the frontiers, having Ihh^u
abandoned— Oeneral Harmar, under the direction of the Federal
Government, marched against them from Port Washington,
where Cincinnati now stands, with three hundred and twenty
regulars, who were soon after joined by a body of militia, mak-
ing the whole force about fifteen liundred m(»n.

LITTLE TURTLE, OK MICHIKINigVA. 285

When they reached the Miami villages they were found
deserted by the Indians. The army burned them, destroyed the
standing com, and then encamped on the ground. An Indian
trail being discovered soon after, Hardin, with one hundred
and fifty militia, properly ofiicered, and thirty regulars, com-
manded by Captain Armstrong, was sent in pursuit.

In a prairie at the distance of six miles, the Indians had
formed an ambush on each side of their own trail, where they
were concealed among the bushes and long grass. All unsus-
picious of danger the troops followed the trail, but were no
sooner inyolved within the snare laid for them than the enemy
poured in a heavy fire from both sides. Greatly to the mortifi-
cation of their colonel, the militia broke ranks at once and fled,
deserting the regulars, who stood firm till nearly all of them
were killed.

The Indians remained on the field, and during the night
held a dance of victory over their dead and dying enemies. To
this ceremony Captain Armstronp was a constrained and
unwilling witness, being sunk to his neck in mud and water,
within a hundred yards of the scene.

The life of Ensign Hartshorn was also saved by his having
accidentally fallen over a log hidden among the weeds and grass.
During the night both these officers eluded the notice of their
enemies, and reached camp before sunrise.

Apparently disheartened by the result of this skirmish,
Ilarmar broke up his camp in a day or two afterward and
retreated nearer the settlements. On the second day of the
march, when about ten miles from the ruined villages, the gen-
eral ordered a halt, and sent Colonel Hardin back to the main
town with some sixty regulars and three hundred militia.
Hardin had no sooner reached the point to which he had been
ordered, than a small body of Indians appeared on the ground.
After receiving the fire of the militia, the savages broke into
separate parties, and by seeniinjr to fly. as if panic-stricken,
encouraged the militia to follow in pursuit. The stratagem was
successful. The militia had no sooner disappeared in chase of

286 LUES OF FAMOUS ISDIAS CHIEFS,

the fugitives, than the regulars, thus left alone, were suddenly
assaulted by large numbers of the foe, who had hitherto
remained in eoneealment.

The Indians precipitated themselves upon the sixty regulars
under Major Willis, but were received with the most inflexible
determination. The Indian war-whoop, so appalling even to
the bravest hearts, was heard in cool, inflexible silence. The
whirling of the tomahawk was met by the thrust of the bayonet.

Nothing could exceed the intrepidity of the savages on this
(K*casion: The militia they appeared to despise, and with all
the undauntedness conceivable threw down their guns and
rushed upon the bayonets of the regular soldiers. Quite a few
of them fell, but being far superior in numbers the regulars
\Yere soon overpowered; for, while the poor soldier had his
bayonet in one Indian two more would sink their tomahawks
ill his head. The defeat of the troops was complete, the dead
and wounded were left on the field of action in [)ossession of the
savages.

In the meantime, the militia came stra*i«:ling in from their
vain and hopeless pursuit, and the struir'rile was renewed for
a time, but when they realized that the re<riilai*s had been almost
annihilated diirin*: th<Mr absence, they lost heart and retreated.

Of the n*irulai*s en»ra*red in this most sanmiinary battle only
ten escaped back to the camp, while the militia, under Hardin.
lost ninety-eij:ht in killed and ten otliei*s wounded.

After this unfortunate repulse. Harniar retired without
attemptint: anythintr further. The e<»n(luct of Ilarmar and
Hardin did not escape severe criticism and censure, not, it
would setMii, without cause.

Of the eleven hundred or more men under the command of
Haniiar in this expedition, there were three hundred and twenty
rt^^niliu-s and seven hundred and eighty militia. But he sent
only thirty re*rulars and one hundred and fifty nrilitim t* *"
fii-st iMiiraiieineiit. and only sixty regulars and tlu
militia to the second.

Why was it he always sent the ni"'

t.trn.K rvHTLK, ok michikimqua.

287

attack the Inilian^ and ki^pt Iht* best soldiers idle in the cAinpf
Was it to insure his owd safety, by having a strong guard
jlway» praneut ?

A|?iiin, it in noticed that, in both cases, instead of advaucinji
hiirMf with the main body, he sent Colonel Hardin to lead the
forlorn hope. He was always ready to ijive the command,
'tior* hut in hi8 lexicon there was no such word as **Come!'*
Conawjuentiy the word **fair' was written so plain that **hr
who nm» might read/' Cohmel Hardin, for his part, displayed
ent courage, and but little skill as nn Indian fi|t?hter, as he
aiiihuHhed an*l out-t;eneraled on both iJceaBions. In fact,
only iteneralfihip shown in this campaig:n waa that evinced
the Indian commander, who was none otlier than the hero
'thin sketch, LittJe Turtle,
(jtneral Uaruian deeply chagrined, returned to Fort Wash-
im. He and Hardin both demanded a court-martial; the
pter was unanimously and honorably acrtuitted. Harraar was
dcqaitted, but imniediati/ly afterward resigned his commis-

EUted by their success, the Indians continued their depreda-
WiK wilh pjreater au<bicily than ever» and the situation of the
bnlien* k^camr tndy alarming.

Th»? early movements of the newly organized Ftnieral Gov-
bment were difficult and embarrassing. With a view, how-
fr, to the defense nf the northern and western frontiers, an

was passed by C<mgress for increasing the army; St* Clair,

Goveniur of the Northwestern territories, received a coiu-
n» major-general, and steps were taken for raising the

^^t£im*H»t and the levies, the command of which was to be
rn to rtcneral Butler.

K^fi«hington, who was President at this time, had been

rfy eluigrined by the mortifying disasters of General Har-

rV expedition against the Mianiis, resulting from Indian

hu«hi^ In taking leave, therefore, of his old military com-

SL Clair, he wished htm success and honor, and added

amipiDXi warning: **You have your instructions from the

288 LIVES OF FAMOVS IS'DIAS CHIEFS '

Secretary of War. I had a strict eye to them, and will add but
one word— Beware of a surprise! You know *now the Indians
fight. I repeat it^Beware of a surprise!" With these warn-
ing words sounding in his ear, fresh with Washington's awful
emphasis, St. Clair started to the front to assume command.

**01d men for council, young men for war," is a good maxim
which was not regarded at this time. St. Clair was not only
old and infirm, but weak and sick with an attack of gout, and
at times almost helpless. Moreover, he had been very unfortu-
nate in his military career in the Revolutionary War. Neither
he nor the second in command, Maj.-Gen. Richard Butler,
possessed any of the qualities of leadership save courage. The
whole burden fell on the adjutant-general. Colonel Winthrop
Sargent, an old Revolutionary veteran, without whom the expe-
dition would probably have failed in ignominy even before the
Indians were reached, and he showed courage and ability of n
high order; yet in planning; for battle he was unable to remedy
the blunders of his superiors.

Napoleon is (pioted as saying, ''Better an anny of deer led
on by a Jion than an army of lions led on by a deer." In the
light of subsequent events, this was much like an army of deer
l(»d on by a deer.

The troops were, for the most part, of wretched stuff. St.
Clair was particularly unpopular in Kentucky, and no volun-
teers could be found to serve under him. The militia of Ken-
tucky had been called on, and about one thousand reluctantly
furnished by draft; but as they were all unfavorable to the
commander-in-chief, many destM-tions took place daily. They
st'cnied to think that the only possible outcome of this expedi-
tion was defeat.

St. Clair made his headquartei-s at Fort Hamilton, now
Hamilton, Ohio, about twenty-five miles northward of Port
Washin^rton, or Cincinnati.

The season was already advanced before St. Clair
fit'ld. The whole force of regulars and levies able to
Fort Washington did not much exceed

•1

LiriLt: rvHru:. oh micuikisk^v*

21)1

De^i'rtioii reduced the number to about fourteen iiumli^*! before

Uiey hud lulviinced Lir into the hostile territory. Continuing

Ifae mareb» however* on the 3d of November he enciiniped on a

piece of GommftDdiuiT grcmnd, within fifteen miles of the ^liami

vilUgcft. An interval of only seventy paces was left between

the two win|j« of the army. The rijjht was in some decree

protected by a creek with a steep bank; the left by cavalry and

pickets. Colonel Oldham, who eommaDded the remains of the

Kentucky levies, was sent aen^ss the creek and took a position

"11 the firxt rining ^'round b«n*oTul it, about a quarter of a inik'

^liJ^taiit. Indiana were svvn during the afternoon atnl evening,

**lfiilking alxuit the camp, ami were fired at by the sentinels,

M neither St. Clair nor Bntler took any adecnuite measures

^" Wanl off the impending bhiw, or |»i"event a surprise. Indeed,

^^ley dicl not expect to be attacked.

Mi*antinje the Indians were holding a grand war council.

'h<* plan of attack was deeidi*d, and the order and rank of the

^'•Hoiis tribes settled, and ptrsitioiiH ansiL^neil them. The Wyau-

''*5t*i stretched to the wewt: the DehiwareK were Htationed next

*^ them; the Senecas third in order, while the other tribes and

^Hifa t(H)k fiimtlar positions on the i>ther side. The Turtle.

^^tini^ OS eomntander- in -chief, superintended and stimulated

^^^ whole, but headed no particular detachment; the arm of

^tit* warrior was to do much, but tfie eye and voice of the chief-

*in much more. Nothing ha[>[>ened during the night tn alarm

'^•«^ Americnns, and the noist* au<l slir of the outskirts in the

^*Hy part of the evening grailually subsided. All at bi^ngth

^■^'Un silent, and it might well be suppose<l, as it probably was.

^hnt the enemy had taken advantage of the darkne.ss of the

*^'l?ht to make pood a precipitate i*etreat. or that tb(*ir whole

^Ofe,^ as yet consisted only of a few scouting and scalping par-

*^*iR. Bnt they were soon undeceived.

On the mornintr of November 4, the Hiilitia were violently
^^lAcketl between dawn and sunrise by a large boily of Imlians,
^Ho, with terrific yells, poured in a volley of musketry along
^'^ witire Irnsrth of the pieket 1iri«\ Never w^as surprise more

292 LIVES OF FAMOUS ISDIAN CHIEFS.

complete. The ranks of the militia were thrown into conftuion
at once by the fury of the .onset, the heavy firing, and the
appalling whoops and yells of the throngs of painted savages.

After a brief resistance they broke and fled in wild panic to
the camp of the regulars* among whom they rushed like f right-
ened sheep, spreading confusion and demoralization.

The troops sprang to arms as soon as they heard the firing
at the picket line, and their volleys checked the onrush of the
savages, but only for a moment. The plumed warriors divided
and filed off to either side, as if at the command of their leader,
completely surrounding the camp, killing the pickets and
advancing close to the main lines.

The battle was now fiercely contested on both sides, but it
was almost a hopeless struggle for the Americans from the
beginning, as it was impossible for the gunners to hit an enemy
they could not set*, as they crept from tree to tree, and lo«r to log.
The soldiei*s stood in close order in the cent«T, where their ranks
were steadily thinned by the rapid fire or hnrtlingr tomahawk
of the Indians.

The Indians fought with great courage and ferocity, and
slaughtered the bewildered soldiers like sheep, as they vainly
fired through the dense smoke into the surrounding wwhIs.

The best description of this Imttlo we have seen is given in
Roosevelt's **Winning of the \\Vst." volume IV. chapter 1, in
which he says: **The officers behaved very wflK chetM*ing and
encouraging their men; but they were the s|)reial tarirets of the
Indians, and fell rapidly. St. Clair and Hutl«*r. by their ei>ol
fearlessness in the hour of extreme peril, made* some amends for
their shortcomings as comman<lei-s. They walked up and down
the lines from Hank to Hank, passing and repassing each other;
for the two lines of battle were facing outward, and each
general was busy trying to keep his wing from falling back.
St. Clair's clothes were pierced by eight bullets, but he was
himself untouched. He wore a blanket coat with a hood; he
had a long queue, and his thick gray hair flowed from under
his three-cornered hat; a lock of his hair was carried off bv a

LITTLE TURTLE, OB MICSIKINIQUA.

ballet. Several times he headed the charges, sword in hi
General Butler had his arm broken early in the fight, bul
continued to walk to and fro along the line, his coat ofl^ and
wounded arm in a sling. Another bullet struck him in the f
inflicting a mortal wound ; and he was carried to the middl
the camp, where he sat propped up by knapsacks. ]
and horses were falling around him at every moment. St. C
sent an aide, Lieut. Ebenezer Denny, to ask how he was; be
played no anxiety, and answered that he felt well. "W
speaking, a young cadet, who stood near by, was hit on
knee-cap by a spent ball, and at the shock cried aloud ; whe
the general laughed so that his wounded side shook. The i
left him; and there is no further certain record of his ;
except that he was slain ; but it is said that in one of the Inc
rushes a warrior bounded toward him and sunk the tomah]
in his brain before any one could interfere.

*' Instead of being awed by the bellowing artillery,
Indians made the gunners a special object of attack. Man a
man was picked off, until every officer was killed but one, '
was wounded; and most of the privates were slain or disab
The artillery was thus almost silenced, and the Indii
emboldened by success, swarmed forward and seized the gi
while at the same time a part of the left wing of the ai
l)egan to shrink back. But the Indians were now on compi
tively open ground, where the regulars could see them and
at them; and under St. Clair's own leadership the troops rus
fiercely at the savages, with fixed bayonets, and drove them h
to cover. By this time the confusion and disorder were gn
while from every hollow and grass patch, from behind e\
stump and tree and fallen log, the Indians continued their i
Again and again the officers led forward the troops in bayr
charges; and at first the men followed them with a will. E
charge seemed for a moment to be successful, the Indians ris
in swarms and running in headlong flight from the ba'
In one of these charges (\)lonel Darke's battalion d^
Indians several hundred yards, across the 1:

2W LIVES OF FA3iOrS ISDIAX CHIEFS.

Wabash; but when tht* colonel halted and rallied his men. he
found the savages had closed in behind him. and he had to fight
his way back, while the foe he had been chasing at once turned
and harrassed his rear. He*was himself wounded, and lost most
of his command. On reentering camp he found the Indians
again in possteion of the artillery and baggage, from which
they were again driven: they had already scalped the slaioL
who lay about the guns. [Major Thomas Butler had his thigh
broken by a bullet ; but continued on horseback in command of
his battalion until the end of the fight. The only regular r^-
ment present lost every officer killed or wounded. The com-
mander of the Kentucky militia. Colonel Oldham, was killed
early in the action, while trying to rally his men and berating
them for cowards.

**The charging troops could accomplish nothing permanent.
The men were too clumsy and ill-trained in forest warfare to
overtake their fleet, half-naked antaeronists. The latter never
n.»eeived the shock: but thouch they fled they were nothini*
daunted, for they turned the instant the battalion did and fol-
Kiwed flrinif. and, indeed, were only visible when raised by a
oharjre.

"The Indian attack was relentl»?ss, and could neither be
avoided, parried nor met by counter assault. For two hours
thi* soldiei's kept up a slowly lesseniuir resistance: but by degrees
thi'ir ht^arts fail«'d. In vain the officers tried, by encouragement,
l»y jf'iM-s. and even ]>lows. to drive them back to the ficht. They
w«T»^ unnerved.

"There was but one thins: to do. If possible the remnant
of th»' army must Im- saved, and it could only be done by instan:
riiirht. even at tht* f'ost of abandoning the wounded. The broad
rond by which th** army had advancer! was the only line of
n-trt-rit. The artillery had already been spiked and abandoneil.
Most r»f tht' horses hail b»'en killt'd. but a few were still left, and
on one of tht'Sn St. Clair mountiMl. He irathered together those
fraLMtu'iUs of the diflVn-nt battalirtns whieh contained the few
nun who still k«'r»t heart an<l head, and ordered them to charge

LITTLE TUBTLE, OR MICHIKINIQUA, 295

and regain the road from which the savages had cut them off.
Repeated orders were necessary before some of the men could
be roused from their stupor sufSciently to follow the charging
party; and they were only induced to move when told that it
was a retreat.

''Colonel Darke and a few officers placed themselves at the
head of the column, the coolest and boldest men drew up behind
them, and they fell on the Indians with such fury as to force
them back well beyond the road. This made an opening through
which the rest of the troops pressed 'like a drove of bullocks.**

"The Indians were surprised by the vigor of the charge and
puzzled as to its object. They opened out on both sides and half
the soldiers had gone through before they fired more than a
chance shot or two. They then fell on the rear and began a
hot pursuit. St. Clair sent his aide, Denny, to the front to try
to keep order, but neither he nor any one else could check the
flight. Major Clark tried to rally his battalion to cover the
retreat, but he was killed and the eflFort abandoned."

As soon as the men realized that in flight there lay some
hope of safety they broke into a stampede which soon became
uncontrollable. Even St. Clair admitted in his dispatches that
this retreat **was a precipitate one, in fact, a flight." Most of
the militia threw away their arms and accoutrements, and in
their headlong flight the weak and wounded, and even some of
the women who were with the army, were knocked down and
ruthlessly trampled by the terrified men.

The pursuit continued about four miles, when the Indian
commander, Little Turtle, restrained his dusky warriors, saying
they had killed enough and should now divide the spoils. The
natural greediness of the savage appetite for plunder made the
rod men willing to obey this command, otherwise hardly a man
would have escaped.

General St. Clair tried to stay behind and stem the torrent
of fugitives, but failed utterly, being swept along in the mad
stampede. He now attempted to ride to the front to rally the

♦ Van Cleve's Journal.

200 LIVES OF FAMOUS IM>LL\ CUIFFS.

troops, but the clumsy pack-horse which he rode could not be
pricked out of a walk. The flight continued from half-past
nine until after sunset, when the routed troops reached Fort
Jefferson, some thirty miles distant, completely exhausted.

One day's hurried flight had carried them over a space
which covered a fortnight's advance. Here they met the
detached regiment, three hundred strong, which had been sent
by St. Clair after the deserters. Leaving their wounded at
Fort Jefferson, the retreat was continued until the half-armed
rabble reached Fort Washington and the log huts of the infant
city of Cincinnati.*

The loss in this disastrpus expedition amounted to upward
of nine hundred men, including fifty-nine officers. Of these six
hundred and thirty were killed, and two hundred and eighty
wounded. Only one or two were taken prisoners, as the savages
killed every one who fell into their hands. It is said that the
influence of Little Turtle prevented any captives being tortured
but he could not prevent one case of cannibalism.

In Brickell's Narrative it is stated that the savage Chip-
I>ewas from the far-off North devoured one of the slain 8oldier8.t
probably in a spirit of ferocious bravado-, the other tribes
expressed horror at the deed.

St. Clair's defeat, with the possible exception of that of Brad-
dock, was the most complete and overwhelming in the annals
of Indian warfare. He and his apoloprists always claimed that
he was overpowered by numbers: but as no English historian
makes the Indians more numerous than the Americans, some
credit must be given to them upon other grounds than the
pretext of numerical superiority. Indeed, their attack was con-
ducted with astonishing intrepidity. After the first volley of
firearms, they fought every inch of the field hand to hand, with
their tomahawks.

* Washington was called " the Cincinnati of the Weivt/ Hence it wa<« an easy and
natural change from Fort Washington *o Cincinnati.

fin our in\'esti|cationA we have found several cas^e.^ oi cannibalism, but they hat*
alwa>f< been Canadian Indian?, etfjecially the tribes livinic near lake;* Huron and Superior.
We l>elieve it was not common.

nritj: ii irn.h m: mu iniasiQtw.

"M: luxivtiUH vvi'iv neh \\\ spuil, 1 1 icy got iiorsjt% ca!tlt% tvnts»
giin», ixxv^y powder* bnn<*ts» clothirji:, lilaukets and a suppVv ot"
provmiivRS— ill »hort. iVi*rythiii«r (hey iieedeiK

l*hatcher i» ronponsiblo Uw the statement that **an American
ic<»r, who eneountereti a party of thirty Indians near th<*
lltle-gromicl, a day or two after the defeat, and was detained
by tht»iu till they were made to believe him a friend to their
caiifiie, from Canada, was informed that \\\v number of the
Indians enitraped in the battle wan twelve Inuidred, of whom the
iarin'r portion weiv Mianus. besities lialf -breeds and rene«:ades,
ineludinif among the latter the notorious Simon Girty." This
ofiieer wan also informed that the nuntber killed on the Indian
side wiiK fifty-six.

Thi'^e Kiivai^i*}* were returninir homv wiOi tlieir Hhnre of the
piutider. One of Ihem had a hundnnl and twenty-aeven Ainer-
kain scalpA, strung on a pole» and the re«t were latien with
Vik ' -ther artielex of dilTerent vnlnes. They had also tliree

p4t I .i«s, rarr^'ing an many ke^ of wine ami spirits as could
br piled cin their liacks.*

Wli^n the remnant of the Khattered army reaehed Fort
W v^ - -fiii, St. (Hair dispatched bin aide, the ever ready Lieut,
K Denny, to carry the newn to Philadelphia, the national

eapiial.

Thtf manijer in which the news of this disaster affected
\Vafihtn$;toD is thus described by Mr. Rush. Said he. **Mr.
Ljesr (the Pri*Hidenl*8 private secretary) saw a storm was ^atb-
ermfT. tn the «*;ony of his emotion he ( Washinirton) struck
him clrneluHl hnnd^ witli fearful force aj^ainst his forehead, and
in a paroxysm of aniniish exclaimed - *It's all over! St. Clair a
diffiralrd— itmted; the offierrs nearly all killed — the men by
whole^le— that brave army cut to pieces— the rout complete!
Too rfiockini! to think of— and a Rurprisf! in the bargain 1' He
itttt?n*d all this with |>reat vehemence. Then he paused and
walkiHl nljout the room several times, agitated, but sa>nnj^ noth*
in^ Mciir the door he stopptHl short and stood still a few

U*l •tJit«iii»nl Idiil* tneitt>Uin the enAy victory of the Inrliaiu

298 LIVEii OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

seconds; then turning to the secretary, who stood amazed at
the spectacle of Washington in all his wralh, he again broke
forth :

'* *Yes, sir. Here, in this very room, on this very spot, I
took leave of him; I wished him success and honor. *You have
your instructions,' I said, *from the Secretary of War; I had a
strict eye to them, and will add but one word— beware of a
surprise! I repeat it— beware of a surprise! You know how
the Indians fight us. He went off with that as my last solemn
warning thrown into his ears. And yet to suffer that army to
be cut to pieces, hacked by a surprise— the very thing I guarded
him against! O, God! O. God! He's worse than a murderer!
How can he answer it to his country? The blood of the slain
is upon him — the cui*se of widows and orphans— the curse of
heaven ! ' "

This torrent came out in tone appallin^^ Mis very frame
shook. **It was awful!" said Mr. Lear. "More than once he
threw his hands up as he hurled imprecations upon St. Clair."
^Fr. Lear remained speechless — awed into breathless silence.
Presently the roused chief sat down on the sofa once more. He
seemed conscious of his passion, and uncomfortable. He was
silent; his wrath bejian to subside. He at len^rth said, in an
altered voice: **This must not *ro beyond this room." Another
[)aus(* followed — a loiiirer one — when he said in a tone (piite low,
** General St. Clair shall have justice. I looked hastily throujrh
th(* dispatches- saw the whole disaster, but not all the particu-
lars. I will hear him without prejudice: he shall have full jus-
tice: yes. lonjr, faithful and meritorious siM-viees have their
claims."

Washin^rton was now perfectly calm. Half an hour had
irone by: the storm of inditrnation and passion was over, and no
si«j:n of it was afterward seen in his conduct or heard in his
convei*sation. His wrath on this occasion was pei-liaps never
before aroused to so crreat a (le«rree, excej)t when Ik^ confronted
Lee, when the latter was i-etreatin*^ at the battle of Monmouth.

The eft'ect of this teri'ible disaster was at once encourajrinii

• (

UTTLK TrnriK. on MlClUKlNtQVA,

'\(\\

Lfttle Turtle and hw formidnblo ooafVdemtion, mu\ t-onv-
K^ndingly depressing to the ynuthfnl coverrinient and the »et-
?rs of the Northwest Territory, where Indian depredations
lerc^aned alarmingly.

Congreiw noon took the necessary steps to raise and eriuip
dot her army, and tendered the eoniniand to Gen. Anthony
fayne, commonly called '*Mad Anthony** heeanse <»f his intrepid
murage and enerpy. General Wayne aeeeptetl the eoniniimd
condition that sufficient time be allotted him to thorou^^hly
rill his raw recruits, \Va>*ne proved to be the rlplit man for
place and fully sustained the reputation he had won at
tony Point and other Imttles of the Revolution. lie swm had
militia luider sucli perfect discipline that fTiey were rea<ly
id anxious to meet the enemy.

Pcrhtti>s no man in the eountry was hvWw ciualified to meet

be einersreneieg of an Indian warfare in the wcmxIs. Thatcher

1is*K '"The Indians were themselves, indeed* sensible of this

el, and the meiv intelligence of his approiyh had its eftVet on

Iheir spirits. They universally eaHed him the ' Black Snake/

Ifnim the Huperior cunninij which they aserikHl to him; and

pvt'ij allowed hiui the credit nf bi*inir a fair match for Bucknnga-

|Hui, Blue Jacket or the Turtle hintself/*

Wayne prosecuted the decisive eampaign cd' ITlU with a

hpirit which justified the estimate of his enemy, although, owing

*^* the difficulties of transpiirtint' stores and provisions through

*• i*Slilerue««, which at that time couUl not be traversed by

^'a*forw, he was unable to commence operations until near mid*

h^miniT, He had already, in the hvW of the previous season

•^'^ti'd Pf)rt Recovery, on the site of St. ('lair*s defeat; and

\^t\y in August, he raised a fortification at the confluence of the

Ao-Olaixe and Miami, which he named P<»rt Oetiance. His*

^Wle force was now nearly tw^o thousand regulars, exclusive of

*'Wt-n hundred mounted Kentni*ky militia, under Tb-nrral Scutt.

"*TT he had expected to surprise thr niMgid»oring villages of

^ti*" enrmy ; and the more effectually to insure the success of his

"*HfMfr*if«iti»» he had not only a<lvanced thus far by at) oljseure

302 LIVES OF FAUOUS JXDIAS CHIEFR,

and very difficult route, but taken pains to clear out two roads
from (ireen villa in that dii'ection, in order to attract and divert
the attention of the Indians, while he marched by neither. But
his generalship proved of no avail. The Turtle and his warriors
kept too vigilant an eye on the fw they were now awaiting, to
be easily surprised, even had not their movements been quick-
ened, as they were, by the information of an American deserter.

On the 12th of the month the Cieneral learned from mime of
the Indians taken prisoners, that their main body occupied a
camp near the British fort at the rapids of the Miami. But he
now resolved before approaching them much nearer to tr^" tht»
effect of one more proposal of peace. He had in his army a man
named Miller, who had long l)een a captive with some of the
tribes, and spoke their language, and he st»lected him for the
hazardous undertaking.

Miller did not want to go; he believe<l the Indians wore
determined on war. and that they would not respect a tlag of
truce, but would probably kill him. <Ieiieral Wayne, howevor.
assured Miller that he would hold the M^rht prisoneis then in his
custody as pledges for his safety, and that he might take with
him any escort he desired. Thus eneouraged. the soldirr con-
sented to go with tlu' message: and to attend him, he soh'ct«M|
from the prisoners one of the men and a squaw. With thi»s4> hr
h'ft camp at 4 p.m. on the l:^th, and at daybreak next mornini:
arrived at the tents of tlu* hostile chiefs, which were near
to«:;4»thor. and known by his attrndanls, without being diseov-
<m-im1. \\v immediately display(»d his white tlair and proelainHMJ
himself **a mes.sengrr with a ]>raee talk." Instantly he wa<
assailed on all sides, with a hitloous yell, while some of tlu*
Indians shouted. "Kill the runnerl Kill the spy I" But whm
he addressed them in their own language and explained to them
his real eharaettM*. they sus]H»iided the blow, and took him into
custody. Mr showed and explained the urt-nerars letter, not
oinitting the p<»sitive assuranee that if they did not send the
bearer baek to him by the Kith of the month, he would at sunset
on that day cause every Indian in his eamp to be ])ut to death.

LITTLE TURTLE, OR MlCniKlNIQVA, .103

Miller was closely confined and a council called by the

chiefs. On the 15th he was liberated, and furnished with an

answer to General Wayne, which was **that if he waited where

he was for ten days, and then sent Miller for them, they would

treat with him; but that if he advanced, they would give him

battle." The ^renerars impatience had prevented his waiting

the return of his minister. Miller came up with the army on the

16th, however, and delivered the answer; to which he added,

that *'from the manner in which the Indians were dressed and

painted, and the constant arrival of parties, it was his opinion

they had determined on war and only wanted time to muster

their whole force."*

This intelligence caused Wayne to rapidly continue his
inarch down the ]Mauniee.

Meantime the red men, through their runners, had full
knowledge of his movements. During the night preceding the
liattle of Fallen Tinib(»i*s, the chiefs of the different tribes of the
t*onfederati()ii held a council, and it was proposed by some to go
lip and attack (Jeneral Wayne in his encampment. The propo-
sition was opposed, and it was determined to wait until the next
ilay and fight the battle on ground of their own selection, in
front of the British fort. Little Turtle, more wise than the
f)ther chiefs. (lisapprov(»d of this plan, while Blue Jacket was
warmly in favor of it. The former disliked the idea of fighting
Wayne under present eirouinstances, and was even inclined to
make peace. Schoolcraft informs us that, in his speech in the
council, he said, **\Ve have beaten the enemy twice, under
separate commanders. We can not ex|)ect the same good fortnne
to always attend us. The Americans are now led by a chief who
never sleeps. The ni^ht and the day are alike to him; and
(luring all the time that he has been marching upon our vil-
latres. notwithstanding the watchfulness of our young men. we
have never been able to suri>ris(» him. Think well of it. There
is something whispers me, it would be prudent to listen to his
of!*e!-s of peace.'' On this he was reproached by one of the

* Marshall.

304 LIVES OF FAMOUS !ND!AS CHIEFS.

chiefs witk cowardice, and that ended the conference. Stung
to the quick by a reproach which he felt he never merited,
he would have laid the re viler dead at his feet ; but his was not
the bravery of an assassin. He took his post at the head of the
Miamis when the battle was fought, determined to do his dnty;
and that event proved that he had forme<l a very correct esti-
mate of the ability of General Wayne.

Having been reinforced by sixteen hundred Kentuckians.
under the brave general, Charles Scott, Wayne's army now nnra-
bered about four thousand men, and he was ready for battle.
He used every caution while in the Indian's country, and
invariably went into camp about the middle of the afternoon,
in a hollow square, which was inclosed by a rampart of logs. He
was well aware that hundreds of eyes were watching his eveo'
movement from tree and bush, and he was determined never to
be surprised.

The battle of Fallen Timbers, so oalloil be(»iniS4» at this place
a large number of forest trees had been blown down ])y a tor-
na<lo, was fought August 20, 1794.

The Indians took this position because it would give thoiii
favorable covert for their nio<le of warfare, and prevent tin'
successful use of cavalry. Moreover, it was practically uniW
the guns of the British fort, on the iFauniee, from whence the
Indians doubtless expected aid. The savages were fonmnl in
three lines, within supporting distance of each other, and extend-
ing for nearly two miles at right angh^ with the river.

A selected battalion of mounted volunteers moved in front
of the legion, commanded by Major Prie<\ who was ordereil to
keep sufficiently in advance so as to give timely warning for
the troops to form for action. After advancing about five miles.
Major Price's corps received the fire of the enemy, who were
secreted in the high grass and behind buslu^s, and fell back to
the main army. The legion was inuuediately forme<l into two
lines and ordered to ehargt* with trailed arms and rouse the
Indians from their coverts with point of bayonet, and when up
to ileliver a elosi> and well direct(»d fire on their backs, followeil

LITTLK TURTLE. OR MlCniKfNSgFA. ^C^

by a brisk chart*t\ an hh not to givi* th**rn time Ut reload* The
oa^alry whk ordcreii to make a wide eireuit and attack the
Indiaim after they were driven from their pofdtion. But so
Impefuoiii* wai* the phari^e of the well-trained infantry, they had
the red men routed and in full retreat l>tffore the cavalry could
head them off. The Indiana were dri\"en in the eonme of an hour
several niilefi thnmgh the thick woods by less than half their
numbers.

The panic-stricken savages were chased with great slaughter
to the very walls of the British fort of Maumce, the connnander
(jf which had promised, in cast^ of defeat, to open the gates and
pve them protection. But he probably had no real intention of
doing so; certain it is, the gates reinain*''d f*lc»sed while scores of
IiKiians were cut down without mercy by the *'Long Knives/**
even while huddled about the gatea clamoring for admiasion.
Thus it vinn that this fort, instead of being a place of refuge,
became a del union and a snare, and a veritable death trap to the
muted Indians.

General Wayne, in his official report, gave his killed as
thirty-eigbt, and his wounded, one hundretl and one. The lorn
of the Indians could not be definitely aseertaine<i, but, inasmuch
ii they bad two thousand warriors engaged, it mUBt have been
preat

The formidable confederation of tribes was so completely
onished, they did not recover from the eflfects of it for twenty
years. After d^troying all the cornfields of the Indians for
miles around, and laying waste all their towns, \Va>"ne gave the
savages to understand that their alternative was peace or
destruction.

Seeing only starvation confronting them, and knowing, from
sad experience, the folly of expecting aid from the British or
Canadians, the Indians determined tn m^ke a trefity wdth
WaynjB in the summer of 1795. This was ratitied at Oreenviiie,
Ohio, August 7. Red men were present to the number of eleven

«The name ** Long Knives " had been given by the Indians to the Amerie&n wiLdiern
before this battle, but it was now revived as the Kentucky cavalry, who did much of tlie
■laughter, were all armed with long swords.

306 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

hundred and thirty, including a full delegation from every
hostile tribe. By the conditions of this treaty the Indians sol-
emnly covenanted to keep the peace, and agreed to cede to our
Government a vast tract of land lying in the present States of
Ohio, Indiana and Michigan.

The Government in its turn agreed to pay the tribes annui-
ties aggregating nine thousand five hundred dollars, and
acknowledge the Indian title to the remaining territories, prob-
ably with the usual mental reservation, until such time as the
white men wanted to settle on it. In addition to this, all
prisoners on both sides were to be restored.

Dawson, in his memoirs of General Harrison (who was
educated in General Wayne's family), has given some interest-
ing reminiscences respecting the conclusion of this peace. He
states that Little Turtle took a decided part against the giving
up of the large tract of country which General Wayne required
on the part of the T^nitod Stat(»s. This circumstance, however,
was not unfavorable to the attainment of the object, as it was
evident there was a violent jealousy of the Turtle among most
of the Ottawas, Chippewas and Pottawatoniies, so that they
invariably opposed everything which he advocated. And as
tiny and their friends constituted tlie majority of the council
the Turtle was always in the minority. The su[)erionty of his
mind was conspicuous not only in their company, but in bis
deportment in the society of white p(M)ple. All the chiefs were
invited, in their turns, to the general's table, and on these occa-
sions the most of them showed themselves still savages. But the
Turtle seemed to readily adopt the ways of civilization, and. in
comparison with his biother chiefs, was (|uite a gentleman.

After the peac(* was concluded, the Turtle settled upon Eel
River, about twenty miles from Fort Wayne, where the AmtMJ-
cans erected for him a comfortable* house. He frecpiently visited
the seat of govennnent, both at Philadelphia and Washington.
His ivilized life being observed, the Indian agents were

d' (Jovernment to furnish him with every reason-

tion for his comfoi'table subsistence, lioping that

LlTTLh: TVRTtK. OB MICfflKiyfQVA.

:\Q7

Ka!Ji|»lt* mi*j}it prove bunt'tieia! in tlR*ir <*Xf'rtinns !it civili/e

Me other Indiiins.
I Thatcher informs iis Ihut, * 'These indulgences, however,
riitirely destroyed, for a lime at lenst, the Turtle's intluence
umon^ the savages; for some envied his ^o(h\ fortune, and
uthers suspected his honesty. Beini; perfeetly senBible of this,
and not a little chagrined by it, we may fairly presume that he
made various attempts to recover his popularity. This was
probably the secret of his opposition to the interests of the
United States, on more occasions than one. where it vnis not alto-
*^ther indispensable. But we certainly m^d not deny fiiin on
that account the credit of real patriotism, which he manifested
at all tim<^. The truth is, that in some indi fife rent eawes» when
he might have yielded to the deiiiands of the American author-
ities without disgrace, he opposed them chiefly for the sakt» of
H^tainini^ or retraininjr his influence witli his countrymen,
^m Schoolcraft, who speaks of Little Turtle in very com pi i-
Hbntary t(»rms, j^ives him the credit of doinir at least as umch ns
' any other Indian in America **to abolish the rites nf Imninn
sacrifice/* By this he means the torture of pris4)ncrs, especially
hurninfj them at the stake. In this he is undonbtefTly riirhf. for
(he Turtle uniformly enjoyed the reputntic^i of bciner as huiimne
as he was brave. Xo prisoner was ever reserved 'or tortur-e by
his warriors.

Nor was this the only ease in which he acted the part of a
reformer, so much needed anions: his countrymen. He was the
first chief to ori^rinate an efficient system of measures for th*-
suppression of inlemperanee amonir his people. Ami never was
a similar system so loudly called for. for the condition of his
people wm truly deplorable. The Turtle was no less mortified
than incensed by these abuses, lie saw his eountrynien de-
stroyed, and ilestroyin^ each other, every day in peace, and no
tribe was nmre besotted than the Eel Kiver ^liamis; and he
fid reds of them in war, at one time, surprised and niassa-
their cups without resistance, tike sheep assailed by
on the very ground still red and \vet with his victories.

308 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

Possibly chairrin was as stroni? a motive with him aa philan-
thropy. But, however that mitrht be, he devoted himadf. with
his usual energy to the correction of the evil. In ISOS. or
1803, he went before the Legislature of Kentucky, attended hf
his friend and interpreter, Captain Weils,* and made hia appeil
to them in |>erson. A committee was apfiointed to eourider
the subject, and we believe a law was passetl to prevent the aale
of whisky to the Indians, as he desired. He also visited the
Ijegislature of Ohio, and made a highly animated addreaa. , Hia
description of the Indian traders was drawn from life, when he
said, "They stripped the poor Indian of skins, gun, blanket,
everything— while his squaw and the children dependent on
liim lay starving and shivering in his wigwam." Thateher
informs us that nothing came of this eloquent speech except the
empty honor of a(l<ln'S8ing that august body.

Little Turtle sivms to have been an all-round reformer. He
it was who first introduced the practice of inoculation for the
prevention of smallpox among the Indians — a scourge second
only to whisky, as we learn from the European (London) Maga-
zine, of April, 1802. The article was compiled from American
papei's, and made this statement: **La8t winter, there was a
grand embassy of Lulians to the Pn^ident and Congress at
Washington. Little Turtle was the head warrior. The Presi-
<ient had supplie<l them with plows, spinning-wheels, etc.,
and to crown all he explained to them how the Oreat Spirit had
made a donation to the white men— first to one in England (Dr.
Jenner), and then to one in America (Dr. Waterhouse, of Bos-
ton)— of a means of preventing the smallpox. Such a confi-
dence had the eopper-colored King in the words of his 'Father,'
that he subniitttnl to be inoculated, together with the rest of the
warriors. It further appears that h(» took a quantity of the
vaoeiiie matter home with him, which he probably administered

*This Captain William WelU, i^'hcn a lad, wa;* captureil with four otherM while hunt-
inK near l^misville, Kentucky. The Indiaiit) oonveycd them t«> Imliana. Afterwarti
WeH< wa.H takon to a villHge of the Miuinis in Ohio. an«i. on beiuK adopted into the trilic
became a l>r<»ther-in-law t(» Little Turtle. He afterward left the Indian!^ to l»ee<»me one «»f
Wayne's seout-. and wa-* killetl :it the Fort DearlMirn ina>«acre in ISllJ. lie left a family of
half breed rhildren. aiiil for hini \\p\U street. (Iiieafto, is nanietl.

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UTTLh n KTLh. iHi MiVHUHSlQlA. *\\\

ill person: aiicl thflt not lonj? afterward fifteen mmv of his trib^*
yi&ited the seat uf ^t»veniment in purwuit of the isiiniu remedy/*
We ishall coiielude onr sketch of this eminent chief with a
few anecdotes preserved by Mr, Dawsoo :

■*\Vhat distinjjnitthed him most/' ways th«t writer. *'was his
jirdeiit desire to be informed of iiU that relates to our infititu-
lions; and he seemed to possess a mind capable of understand-
ing and vaJuint^ the advantagres of civilized life, in a deg^ree far
?iiiperior to any other Indian of his time. During the frequent
visits which he made to the seat of government, he examined
everything he saw with an intpiiaitive eye, and never failed to
eiiibraee every opportunity to acquire information by iniinirin^
of thos*^ with whoui he could take that liberty.

■*Upon hiH return frorji Philadelphia, in 1707, he vinited
fiovenior llarrison, at that time a captain in the army, and
commander at Fort Washington, He told the captain he had
H:^en many things, which he wished to have explained, but said
he was afraid of giving oifense by asking too many questions.
">Jy friend here,* said he, meaning Captain Wells, the inter-
preter, * being about as ignorant as myself, conld give me but
little Hatisfacfion.' He then desired the captain to inform him
Iiow our Govern men t was formed, and what particular powers
and duties were exercised by the two houses of Congress^ by
the President, the Secretaries, etc. Being satisfied on this sub-
ject, he told the captain he had become acquainted with a great
warrior while in Philadelphia^ in whose fate he was much inter-
*^ted and whose history he wished to learn. This was no other
than the immortal Kosciusko; he had arrived at Philadelphia
€i short time before, and hearing that a celebi-ated Indian chief
Mas in the city, he sent for him. They w*ere mnttially pleased
M'ith each other, and the Turtle's vimts were often repeated.
When he went to take his final leave of the wounded patriot, the
latter presented Little Turtle with an elegant pair of pistols, and
a splendid robe, made of sea otter's skin, worth several hiuidred
dollars,

'*The Turtle now told his host that he wished very much tn

317

had ri*CA*in*d ihos^ grievous

crippli'd nm\ iTiflrin, TLe

know in what wars hh trh^nd
wonncfal whidb b;ai rrndi*r4^<1 him »<i»
eaptain ibowed hlnu uptm u ump 4}f Kurope, tht^ situation of
PdUuidy and exphnnotl tn him thi* imurpatioii» of Uh territory
by the neighboring powen—the exertions of Koseiiud^o to free
hiB eonntry from this foreign yirice— his first victories, and his
•final defeat and eaptivity. While he was describing the last
nnsoeeessfiil battle of Koscinsko, the Turtle seemed scarcely
aUe to ecmtain himself. At the conclusion he traversed the
room with great afi^tation, violently flonrished the pipe toma-
hawk whidi he had been smoking, and ezdaimed, ^Let that
wmnan take care of herself '^meaning the Empress Catharine—
'this may jret be a dangerous man I*

''The captain explained to the Turtle some anecdotes respect-
ing the Empress and her favorites, one of whom — the King of
Poland—had at first been by her elevated to the throne and
afterward driven from it. He was much astonished to find
that men, and particularly warriors, would submit to a woman.
He said that perhaps if his friend Kosciusko had been a portly,
handsome man, he might have had better success with her
majesty of all the Russias, and might by means of a love-intrigue
have obtained that independence for his country, to which his
skill and valor in the field had been found unequal.

**The Turtle was fond of joking, and was possessed of con-
siderable talent for repartee. In the year 1797 he lodged in a
house in Philadelphia, in which was an Irish gentleman of con-
siderable wit, who became much attached to the Indian and
frequently amused himself in drawing out his wit by good-
humored jests. The Turtle and this gentleman were at that
time both sitting for their portraits— the former by order of the
President of the United States, the picture to be hung up in the
war-office— to the celebrated Stewart. The two meeting one
morning in the painter's studio, the Turtle appeared to be
rather more thoughtful than usual. The Irishman rallied him
upon it, and affected to construe it into an acknowledgment of
his superiority in the jocular contest. *He mistakes,' said the

LITTLE TURTLE, OR MICHIKINIQVA. 313

Turtle to the interpreter, *I was just thinking of proposing to
this man, to paint us both on one board, and here I would stand
face to face with him, and berate him to all eternity.' "

Little Turtle opposed the designs of Tecumseh and the
Prophet, from the time of their first appearance on the political
stage, and it was owing to his influence that very little was
effected by them among the Miamis, as well as other tribes, for
a long time. Had he lived through the war of 1812, he would
undoubtedly have exerted himself more energetically for the
American interest than ever before. The following communi-
cation indicates the part he was prepared to take, subsequent to
the battle of Tippecanoe. The '* witness" probably acted as
amanuensis :

**FoRT Wayne, 25th Jan., 1812.
* * ( iovERNOR Harrison :

''My friend.— I have been re(iuested by my nation to speak to
you, and obey their request with pleasure, because I believe their
situation requires all the aid I can afTord them.

''When your speech by ^Ir. Dubois was received by the
^liamis, they answered it, and I made known to you their
opinion at that time.

**Your letter to William Wells, of the 23d November last,
lias been explained to the ^lianiis and Eel River tribes of Indians.

*'^Iy friend, althouerh neither of these tribes have had any-
thing to do with the late unfortunate affair which happened on
the Wabash, still they all rejoice to hear you say, that if those
foolish Indians which were en*rafred in that action would return
to their several homes and remain quiet, that they would be
pardoned, and again received by the President as his children.
We believe there is none of them that will be so foolish as not
to accept of this friendly offer; whilst, at the same time, I assure
you, that nothing shall be wanting on my part to prevail on
them to accept it.

**A11 the Prophet's followers have left him (with the excep-
tion of two camps of his own tribe) : Tecumseh has just joincvl
liim with eight men only. No danger can be apprehoivdvH\ ^Tv^\\\

314 LIVES OF. FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

them at present. Our eyes will be constantly kept on them, and
should they attempt to gather strength again, we will do all in
our power to p fevent it, and at the same time give you immediate
information of their intentions.

"We are sorry that the peace and friendship which has so
long existed between the red and white people, could not be
preserved, without the loss of so many good men as fell on
both sides in the lat^ action on the Wabash ; but we are satis-
fied that it will be the means of making that peace which ought
to exist between us more respected, both by the red and the
white people.

"We have been lately told by different Indians from that
quarter, that you wished the Indians from this country to visit
you ; this they will do with pleasure when you give them infor-
mation of it in writing.

**My friend, the clouds appear to be rising in a different
quarter, which threatens to turn our lipht into darkness. To
prevent this, it may require the united efforts of us all. AVe
hope that none of us will be found to shrink from the storm
that threatens to burst upon our nations.

"Your friend,

**(X) MlSCHECANOCQUAH,*()R LlTTLP: TrRTLE.

*'For the ^liami and Eel River tri])os of Indians.
** Witness, Wm. Turner, Rurireon's ^Inte. V. S. Army.
**I certify that the above is a true translation.

'*Wm. Wells.''
We thus find that the Turtle's sympathies were with the
Americans in the war of 1812, which was about to burst forth
in all its fury. But he was not destined to be an active partici-
pant in the stirring scenes that succeeded.

He died while on a visit to the commandant at Port Wayne,
July 14, 1812, deeply deplored by the whites as well as his own
people.

ITis last disease, according to the report of the army surgeon,
was go"* «^d from it he was a great suffenM*, but he endured it

•hikiniqiia

LITTLE TUBTLE. Oli MWRfKlNlQFA

**witb the characteristic eampcistire of his race/' He died on i1
turf of his open camp and whs buried by his friend, the cor
niandant, with honors of war.

He was said to be sixty-five years of age by those who 1
the opportimity of learning the fact from himself. T
aeeount would make him forty-five at the time of his gr^
victory over St. Clair; and about thirty at the breaking: out
the American Bevolution, during which he no doubt laid the
foundation of his fame. It is known that the Miarnis gave ai
much trouble during that period as any other tribe on the e
tinent ever did in as few years, and the Turtle was then t
rising young chief.

There is one other story of Little Turtle which is too g
to omit. When the celebrated French traveler, Volney^made th
acquaintance of the Turtle he asked what prevented him from
living among the whites, and if he were not more comfortable
in Philadelphia than upon the banks of the Wabash ? To which
he replied, ** Taking all things together, you have the advantage
over us ; but here I am deaf and dumb. I do not talk your lan-
guage; I can neither hear nor make myself heard. When I
walk through the streets, I see every person in his shop employed
about something, one makes shoes, and another hats, a third
sells cloth, and every one lives by his labor. I say to myself,
* which of all these things can you do?' Not one. I can
make a bow or an arrow, catch fish, kill game and go to war;
but none of these are of any use here. To learn what is done
here would require a long time. Old age comes on. I should be
a piece of furniture, useless to my nation, useless to the whites
and useless to myself. I must return to my own country."

Savage and heathen as he was, because of his environment,
he always had an intense longing for better conditions for him-
self and people ; which goes to prove that Little Turtle was one
of nature's noblemen.

CHAPTEK X.
TECUMSEH, OR '*THE SHOOTING STAB.''

FAMOUS SHAWNEE WAR-CHIEF— ORGANIZER OP SECOND GREAT

INDIAN CONFEDERATION AND GENERAL IN THE BRITISH ABMT

IN THE WAR OP 1812.

I'DOED froTU whatever staiitipaint ymi will, the siibjc
thh sketch was certainly one id the greatett, if no

very greatest American Incliau,
The name Tecumseh means '*Tbe Shooting Star/' at

very appropriate, and seems to have been prophetica oi
meteoric career and brilliant genius, to say not I oE

numerous journeys to distant triben. whieh were aecoi
with incredible speetK

This great chief was bom at the old Indian town of 1
Ohio, on the Mad River, in 1768.

His father* a Shawnee chief named Puckeshinwau, was
in the battle of Kanawha, in 1774.

His mother was thoujiht to have been a Creek or Cherol
Her name was Jlelhoataske. and she is said to have been a
eomely. intelli^reTit iukI very respectable woman.

There is a story that he and his brother, Elskwatawa, the
Prophet, were twins, and even that a third brother, Kumshaka,
were the offspring of the same mother at the same birth, though,
according to one account, the Prophet and a twin brother were
some years younger than Tecumseh. Eggleston is of the opinion
that the Prophet and a twin brother were born in 1771.

We hear little or nothing of Kumshaka, and the presumption
is that he died young.

There were seven children in this interesting family, two
others— Cheeseekau, the oldest brother, and ^lenewaula-Koosee,

317

318 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

or Tecumapease, the name given to her later in life, according
to the Indian usage, to signify her relationship to the great
Tecumseh — were also famous.

His father's death occurring when Tecumseh was but six
years old, he was placed under the charge of his oldest brother,
Cheeseekau. The latter was a brave man, of noble char-
acter. His chief occupation and care was the proper training of
the young Tecumseh, who was early recognized as the hope of
the family, and coming leader of his people.

It was Cheeseekau who instructed the fatherless boy thor-
oughly, until he was

* ' Skilled in all the games of hunters,
Learneil in all the lore of old men ;
In all youthful sports and pastimes.
In all manly arts and labors.''

It was tliis saiiu' older brothcM* who, by constant and zealous
labor, imbued bis mind with a love for truth, a ready generosity,
a manly coura^^e in battle, and a di*rnified fortitude in sufferintr.
He also drilbnl bim in tbe art of el()<|uenee, and wrought into his
mind \ho idea wbieb afterwtjrd became tbe inspiration of the
irreat eliieftain— that of tbe salvation of bis people from the
white man.

Teeumseb always cberislied tbe warmest affection for his
only sister, Teeumapease. She is described as being '^sensible.
kind-bearted and uniformly exemplary in her conduct." and
must have been an attractive i>erson. with a commanding char-
acter, for she is known to have exercised a remarkable influence
over tbe females of her trilx*. She was married to a brave
cnlled Wase^^oboab, or Stand Firm. Tbe mutual affection
between the brother and sister continued through life. She was
jdwnvs his favorite. Tbe first fruits of the chase belonged to
Teeumapease. The eboieest presents of the white man to Tecum-
seh, or the best of bis share of the spoils of war, became trophies

lor bis sist<'r.

ucated by the care of bis elder brother, and cherished by
»ction of a noble sister, Tecumseh fxn^w to manhood

• i .' -: v

TECVM8EH, OB "THE SHOOTING STAB." 321

War was his mling passion even in Ids earlier years. . He
soon became a recognized leader of his companions. Mimic com-
bats and sham battles were his favorite sports. While his
brother, the Prophet, remained at home engaged in idle and
disreputable intrigues, Tecumseh followed the hunters in their
chase and the war parties on their way to battle. The Indian
warfare which raged during his earlier years made a great
impression on his mind. He must have heard, around the camp-
fires, the stories of the Indian conflicts of the Revolution, the
genius of Brant, the murder of ComstalM the massacre of the
Moravian Indians, as well as stories of the great Pontiac and
his far-reaching confederacy. These were the things upon
which his youthful imagination was nourished.

Tecumseh was only sixteen years of age when he took part in
his first battle, near where the city of Dayton, Ohio, now stands.
It is said that the boy took fripht and fled. A similar story is
told of the great Seneca chief, Red Jacket, and of Frederick the
(rreat. But, if true, it is the only time he was ever guilty of
such weakness.

Shortly after this he participated in an attack on a flatboat
descendinjr the Ohio River. At this time he foupht like a young
lion, completely wipinju: out the stain of cowardice. All the
boatmen were killed but one, who was reserved for torture.
Strange to say, since it eonld not have been an unusual occur-
rence, the young warrior had never before witnessed such a
scene. Pilled with horror, he remonstrated against the practice
with such eloquence that all agreed that they would never burn
another prisoner. Prom that time forth no prisoners were
burned by any war party of which Tecumseh was a member.

AVhen he was nineteen yeai's of a^e, Tecumseh and Chees(»e-

kau took a lonir journey to the South. This, the older brother

believed, would tend to enlarge the understanding of his pupil

with general ideas. They traveled as far as the country of the

Creeks and Cherokees, and found the latter engaged in a war

with the whites.

The two brothers and their band of warriors at once enlisted
11

322 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

in the struggle. In an attack on a certain fort Cheeseekau led
the charge. Just before the attack he told his followers that in
the conflict he would be shot in the forehead and killed. The
premonition was verified literally, for he fell, pierced by a bullet
midway between the eyes. As he fell mortally wounded upon
the battlefield he exclaimed with his expiring breath, ** Happy
am I to thus fall in battle, and not die in a wigwam like an old
squaw." The Indians, panic-stricken at the fall of their leader,
as well as the fulfillment of the prophecy, fled in all directions.

After the fall of Cheeseekau the band of warriors chose
Tecumseh, though the youngest of the party, as their leader.
To show himself worthy of this honor Tecumseh took ten men,
and going to the nearest white settlement attacked and killed all
the men and took the women and children prisoners. No expedi-
tion was thought complete without Tecumseh, and his military
genius won him jrreat renown.

One ni^ht Tecumseli, with a dozen warriors, was encamped
on the Alabama River. All of the men had lain down for the
night except the young chief, who was dressing some meat by the
fire. Suddenly the camp was attacked by thirty white men.
With a shrill cry Tecumseh roused every warrior to his feet.
Their leader at their head, the Indians rushed furiously toward
a certain point in the circle formed by their foes. Two white men
were killed outright, and the others, giving way before the
impetuous charge, suffered Tecumseh and his band to break
through and make their way to their boats.

After an absence from Ohio of three yeai-s, during which
Tecumseh had many adventures, and visited all the Southern
tribes, he returned to his people in the fall of 1790.

During his absence General llarmar had been defeated and
his army cut to pieces by the Indians under the famous ^liami
chief. Little Turtle, and the Shawnee sachem. Blue Jacket.

lie was in time, however, to take part in the defeat of Gen-
eral St. Clair by the Indians under Little Turtle, which was the
sive \'ictory ever gained by the American Indians,
was also present at the battle of Fallen Timbers, so

TECUMSSE, on ''TBE SBOOTiNG SfA&." 323

called because the battlefield was covered with fallen forest
tm^ wrecked by some tortiada. It was in this battle that Mad
Anthony Wayiie ermhed the Indian power of the Ohio Valley.
He did not attend the council of (jreenvilk% when the treaty
Was made with the Indians, hut remained at home in his wig-
wam, sullen and angry, lie was at this time still quite younj*
t^Ut a man of influence and importiince in his nation, for Blue
Jacket, the principal chief of the Shawnees, made haste to visit
hiin on Deer Creek and explain the terms on Avhich peace had
I>een made.

He now gathered about him a band of warriors, of whom

^e became chief. These roving Shawnees, after moving several

^naes, accepted an invitation from the Delawares and settled on

^h« White River, in Indiana, in 1798. Here Tecumseh remained

^^veral years, peacefully occupied in hunting. During this

^^Xue he was extending his influence among the difTerent tribes,

^•"id a<iding to his band of followers.

Many incidents are related of him during his sojourn on the
^^^hite River. lie was a great hunter, partly as a matter of
*l>ort, and partly because it enabled him to give the highly
l^i-ized venison to the sick and poor of his tribe. One day a
^Tamber of young Shawnee warriors wagered him that each of
^^em could kill as many deer in a three days' hunt as he.
**^*cumseh quietly accepted the challenge, and the hunters made
^heir preparations that evening for a start before daylight the
'^ext morning. At the end of the three days the crowd of
Wsters once more assembled around the eanip-fln» of their vil-
lage. The largest number of detM-skiiis brought in by any one of
the party was twelve. Tecumseh brought with him thirty.

A characteristic anecdote is told of him while he and a party
of Indians were on a visit to Ohio in 1803. It seems that a
<»rpulent and cowardly Kentuckian was in the territory at the
time for the purpose of exploring lands oji the !Mad River. lie
lod|:ed one night at the house of Capt. Abner Barrett, residing
on the headwaters of Buck Creek. In the course of the evening
ke learned, with apparent alarm, that there were some Indians

324 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS

cncanipod within a short distance of the house. While the con-
versation was going on the door opened and Teeuniseh stalked
in with his dignified manner. lie saluted Captain Barrett, and
then, observing the agitated visitor, contemplated him scornfully
for a minute or two, and turning to the host, and pointing to
the agitated Kentuckian, he exclaimed: **A big baby!" **A
big baby!" He stepped across the room and, patting the Ken-
tuckian on the shoulder, repeated the contemptuous remark, **A
big baby ! Won't hurt you !" The stout Kentuckian was greatly
alarmed, and all present amused.

In the year 1805 a portion of the Shawnee nation residing
on the headwaters of the Auglaize River, wishing to reassemble
their scattered people, sent a deputation to Tecumseh and his
party (then living on White River), and also to a body of the
same tribe upon the Mississiniway, another tributary of the
Wabnsh, iiivitiiiir thein to remove and join their brethren on th<'
Au»rlaize Kiver. To this }>n>i)ositioii both parties assented: and
the two bands met at (ireeiiville, on their way tliither. There
tlirouirh the inHuenee of Lauh'wasikaw. or the Loud Voice,
Teeuniseh 's brother, they concluded to establish themselves: and
aeoordintily the project of iroiuir to the Au'rlaize was abandoned.

This is the fii^st incident recorded of Laulewasikaw. Tin*
name '*Loud Voice" is thonirht to refer to his self-assertion
and boast fulness, as nnieh as to his i-eally stentorian voice. It
is thouiiht that Teeuniseh was behind his brother in inHuenciui;
the two parties to unite toirether at (Jreenville, as it increased
the number of liis ininiediate followers.

It liappened about this time that an old ^^hawnee Indian, by
the name of IVnairasheira, or Tlie-Chani:e-ot*-FeatlhM*s. "who had
tor some years bem eiiLrairt'd in the resjx'ctable calling of n
prophet," fell sick and died. As soon as the news of the old
prophet s death reached Laulewasikaw he rolled his eye (he
had but one^ piously towanl heaven and fell on his face in
a trance, and contiiiueil a liMiir time motionless and apparently
without any siiins of lift-.

He was suppt>sjMl to be dead and preparations wen* made for

TECUM8EH, OR "THE SHOOTING STAR.'* 326

his burial. All the principal men of the tribe were assembled,
and they were in the act of bearing him away to his grave, when
he suddenly revived and uttered these words: "Be not
alarmed— I have seen heaven. Call the tribe together, that 1
may reveal to them the whole of my vision.'^ The tribe was
accordingly collected together, and he proceeded to inform them
that two beautiful young men had been sent from heaven by the
Great Spirit, who addressed him in the following language:
**The Great Spirit is angry with you, and will destroy all the
red men, unless you abandon drunkenness, lying and stealing.
If you will not do this and turn yourselves to him, you shall
never enter the beautiful place which we will now show you."

He was then conducted to the gates of heaven, where he was
indulged with a sight of all its glories, but not permitted to
enter. After being tantalized in this manner for several hours
he was ordered to return to the earth, to inform the Indians of
what he had seen and urge them to repent of their vices, and
they would visit him again. It was in consequence of this
vision ( ?) that Elskwatawa assumed the name and functions of
a prophet, and soon acquired an extraordinary celebrity. He
established headquarters at Greenville and proclaimed himself
a Prophet and Reformer in place of the departed Change-of-
Feathers. Prophetwise, he now assumed a new name, that of
Tenskwatawa, which signifies **The Open Door." This name
pointed him out as a means of deliverance to his people.

He soon gathered around him a large band of adherents
from the Sha>^Tiees, Delawares, Wyandots, Pottawatomies, Otta-
was, Chippewas and Kickapoos. To these he boldly announced
that the Great Spirit, who had made the red men, was not the
same who had made the white men; and that all their misfor-
tunes was due to the fact that they had forsaken the mode of
life designed for them, and imitated the manners of the whites.

In this address he harangued against witchcraft, a thing
much believed in by the Indians, and said that those who prac-
ticed it or remained bewitched could not enter heaven. He next
denounced drunkenness, and stated on his journey to heaven

326 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

the first place he came to was the dwelling of the Devil. Here
he saw all who had died drunkards, with flames of fire issuing
from their mouths. lie admitted that previous to this he had
himself been a drunkard, but his vision had frightened him so
that he drank no more. Such was the effect of his preaching
against this pernicious vice that many of his followers became
alarmeil and ceased to drink the '* firewater," or *' crazy water,"
as whisky was appropriately called by the Indians. lie also
preached earnestly against the intermarriage of whites and
Indians, saying that this was one of the chief causes of their
unhappiness. And yet he often boasted that his own grand-
parents were a noble Creek warrior, and the daughter of one
of the Governors of South Carolina. But as there is not a
scintilla of corroborative evidence we are forced to conclude
that however truly the Prophet foretold the future, he lied
about the past. The Prophet advocated a comnumity of goods,
an adjustment of thin«jrs whioh would have well suited that
indolent ivforiner. lie also i>reaelied, what Tt^euinseh constantly
praetieed, the duty of the youn;z to support and cherish the
aixed and infirm. lie denounced innovations in the drt*ss and
habits of the re<l nn'u. and appealed to thrir national pride, by
boastiuiT ol" tlh' superiority of tlu* Shawntvs ov«'r other nations.
Ih' i^roniistHJ to his faithful adherents who would oht'v his injuiu*-
tions all tlu* eomfort and happiness enjovi-d by tht-ir aneestoi-s.
]><'t"«MV tln' ailvt'ut of the whitt-s.

Finally he aiuuniiuMMl that tlu* (in^at i^jnrit had given him
powor ti> cont'iuiiul his t'noniit*s. to vuw all diseases, and to pro-
vi'iit lit'ath. t'itht'r fi-i»ni sii-kness ov on the battletitdd.

TluM-t' ran ho no doubt that the Prophet succeeded in deeeiv-
ini: hiinsrlf. and was a tit-ni b.-lievn* in \ho nietho<ls and measures
he ad\oeated. Neitlu'i- is \hovo any doubt that Teeuniseirs
irradually deveiopini: siOh-nn-s in^pirt^l aihl shaped the Prophet's
plans. Hi^ was \]u' inasteT* minvi wliieli eontn^lltMl the tribes
thrvmirh the niaehinatioiw y^( ilie Prophet.

Klskwatawa shared t.> some extent the irreat talents of his
brot* it nn"i:ht hav.^ htvn ^aid of hini: "His virtues

TECUMSEH, OR '*THK SHOOTING STAR.' ^ ■

another *s, hiR faults wero his own/' He was neither courageous
nor truthful, but eunning, shrewd and hoastfuL He eqiial<
his famous brother in eloquence, and surpassed him in grace:
manners. :S

Opposition was naturally made to the innovations of the ]
prophet by the neighboring chiefs, who felt that he sought
undermine their power. A course of fanatical i>ersecution ig
witchcraft was hegiiix, shocking in its cruelty and injustice, I
only too much resembliug something which occurred at Salem,
among people of our own enlightened raee.

The superstition of the Indiana was m great that if tlse
Prophet denounced some chief who oppofWHl him as a wi/-ard^ a
U^ss of reputation and perhaps of life ensm?d, Several Dela-
wares were among the first victims. An old woman wa
denounced as a witch, and was called upon repeatedly to §rive
up her charm and medicine-bag. Slio was put to the stake and
burned. As she was dying, she exclaimed that her grandson^
who was out hunting, had it. He was pursued and arrested.
He confessed that he had borrowed the charm, and by meains
of it had flown through the air over Kentucky to the banks of
the Mississippi and back again between twilight and bedtime.
He insisted, however, that he had returned the charm to his
grandmother, and was finally released.

On the following day an old chief named Teteboxti was
accused of being a wizard. Knowing that his doom was fixed,
the old man arrayed himself in his finest clothes and confronted
the grim circle of inquisitors in the council-house. The trial
was speedy. The sentence was passed. The old chief calmly
assisted in the construction of his own funeral pile. Touched
by his white hairs, the council became merciful. They voted to
tomahawk him and bum his body afterward. This was done.
A council was held over the wife of Teteboxti and his nephew,
Billy Paterson. The latter died like a Christian, singing and
praying. Preparations were then made for the burning of
Teteboxti 's wife, when her brother, a young man of twenty,
suddenly stai||ed up and bravely led her by the hand out of the

328 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

house. He returned to the amazed council and said **Tlie
Devir' (alluding to the Prophet), *'has come among us, and we
are killing? each other/' lie then reseated himself. This seemed
to break the spell and to awaken the Indians to a realization of
what they were doing, and put a stop for a time to further
persecution among the Delawares.

But with other tribes the witchcraft delusion continued, until
flovernor Harrison was .iustly alarmed. He knew that although
the Indians had been (juiet for ten years, and no ordinary leader
could rouse them, yet deceived l)y a mask of religion, they might
once more plunge the frontiers into bloody war. Moreover, his
sympathies were touched by the stories of the poor wretches
doomed to a horrible death by this strange delusion. Accord-
ingly he sent the Indians an earnest letter, urging them in tlie
name of the Seventeen Fires (States) to drive out the Prophet,
and boldly asserted that the latter was a fraud. He told the
Indians thnt \ho ])roten(li'i- couhl work no miracles. '*Ask of
him to cause tlie sun to stand still, the moon to alter its course,
tli(^ rivers to vvi\s{' to How, or tlie dead to rise from their graves."

lint this letter did not accomplisli the end desired. For a
time, it is tni<', the pei*seentions entii'ely eeas(*d. but the influence
of the Pi'0|)liet was increased l)y his aee(»|)ting (lovernor Har-
rison's challenire to woi'k niii'aeles. lleai'intr by chance from an
educated white man that an eeli|)se of the sun would occur on a
certain day, he boldly aiuiouneed that on sneh a day he would
cause darkness to cover tlie sun. The I'eports of this prophecy,
and the fact that lie had aeec^pt od the (iovcM-nor's challenge,
spread abroad, and on the appointed day there was a large
body of Indians, from all the nei«rhl)0]*in*r tribes, assembled.

An liour befoi-e noon the Prophet, dresscMl with dazzling
splendor, came ont of his wiirwani. and sti-ode with slow and
stately stei)s toward the eentc^r of the large circle. Extending
his right arm and tui'ning his fact^ toward the heavens, he pro-
nounced an unintelligible incantation. As he proceeded a disc
of darkness was obsei-ved to be slowly a|)pearing upon the edge
of the sun. Tlu* eves of the vast assemblage werA turned from

TECIMSEIL on ''THE SUOOTISG STAI!/' -VM

the Prophet toward the phenomenon. As the moments pro-
§rressed the dark spot enlarged. It grew darker and darker.
The multitude was thrilled with awe. Not a few believed the
end of the world was at hand. The deep shadows, the darkened
air, the increasing obscurity, which at sunset would have
attracted no attention, occurring in the middle of the day, with
the sun in high heaven, seemed portentous and awful. The
Prophet alone remained calm. At the moment of total eclipse
he cried out in a loud voice, "Behold ! did I not prophesy truly T
Darkness has come over the sun as I told you."

The reports of this miracle ( ?) gave a wonderful impulse to
the fame of the Prophet. Tecumseh now appeared on the scene,
lie took care to lend the aid of his powerful name and influence
to the Prophet by an ostentatious reverence. The latter returned
the compliment by pointing out Tecumseh as the leader chosen
by the Great Spirit to save the Indians. The brothers were thus
a mutual benefit. The Indians were fired with fanaticism and
eager for a fight under such heaven-appointed leaders.

The whites were alarmed. The ever increasing throng of
savages about Tecumseh and his brother seemed ready to break
out into inolence. At a council in Ohio, Tecumseh made a three
hours* speech. He reviewed all the treaties with the white men,
and undertook to prove that all had been broken by the enemies
of his people. The Indians were roused to a perfect frenzy by
his fiery eloquence.

In the spring of 1808 the Pottawatoniies and Kickapoos
erranted the two brothers and their ])and a tract of land on the
Tippecanoe, one of the tributaries of the Wabash River, in
western Indiana. Here they established a villaprcs which came
to be known as the Prophet's town. They drew around them a
large body of Indians from a number of tribes. The Prophet's
followers now for the first time bepran to combine warlike sports
with their religious exercises, showing that Tecumseh 's genius
for war was gradually predominating over the Prophet's relig-
ious fanaticism. The great plan to which Tecumseh now devoted
all his genius and energies was nothing less than a mighty con-

332 LirSS OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

federation of all the Indian tribes, to drive the white men b^ond
the Alleghenies.

As the great scheme took shape in his mind it became leas and
less that of a mere temporary alliance, such as Pontiae had
sought; and more and more that of a ''great and permanent
confederation, an empire of red men, of which Tecumseh should
be the leader and Emperor/' For about four years he traveled
incessantly in the propagation of his enterprise. Now he visited
the farthest extremity of Lake Superior. At another time he
passed through the unknown regions beyond the Mississippi.
Again he labored with the Creeks of the South, securing Bed
Eagle, or Weatherford, as his most illustrious convert.

In 1810 it was reported that Tecumseh controlled more than
sixteen hundred warriors. The National Government became
alarmed, for it was evident that the exposed settlements of
Indiana were in danger.

In September, 1809, a treaty was concluded at Port Wayne,
betwet*n the Dela wares, ]\Iianiis and Pottawatomies, and General
Harrison, Governor of the territory and Commissioner on the
part of the United States. By this treaty the Indians ceded to
the Government a tract of land extending: sixty miles alon^ the
Wabash above Vincennes. This was done without the advice or
knowledge of Tecumseh, and neither the Prophet nor any of his
followers were present during the transaction. They had no
claim on the land in question, it having: been in the legal pos-
nession of the ^liamis time out of mind, while the Shawnees
v-ore only sojourners. The chiefs of the other tribes attended
iho council, and advised the cession, and the transaction was in
^very respect regular and equitable from the white man's stand-
yioint. Yet Tecumseh, who had been absent during the negotia-
tions on a mission of intrigue among the different tribes, was
^Hlflamed with anger when he returned and heard what had been
iJllNie. He openly threatened to kill the chiefs who had signed
tAi^ treaty, and declared his determination to prevent the land
f|)l^lHi beinsr surveyed and occupied by the Americans. Harrison
l|^^ of this sent Mr. Dubois to Prophet's Town to

TECUMSEB, OR **THE SHOOT I SG ST AH.

discover more fully, if possible, the designs of the brothers. The
mesa^iger was kindly received, but nothing was aocomplishe
To the suggestion that he should go to Vincennes and presc
his complaints to the Governor, the Prophet replied, **The Gw
Spirit has fixed the spot for the Indian to kindle his camp-flrn
and he dare not go to any other. Elskwatawa's and hi
brother Tecumseh's must be on the banks of the Tippecanoe, or
the Great Spirit willbe angry with them. Evil birds have car-
ried false news to my father, the Governor. Let him not believe
that Elskwatawa, the Prophet, wishes to make war upon him ant
his i)eople.*' This ended the interview.

Shortly after this Governor Harrison sent Mr. Baron, wif
a letter to Tippecanoe. When this messenger reached fl
Prophet's town he was received in a very dramatic fashion. S
was first conducted ceremoniously to the place where the Prophet,
surrounded by a number of Indians, was seated. **The Prophet
looked at me,'' said Mr. Baron, **for several minutes, without
speaking or making any sipi of recognition, although he knew
me well. At last, in a tone expressive of anger and scorn, he
said: *For what purpose do you come here? Bronilette was
here; he was a spy. Dubois was here; he was a spy. Now you
have come ; you, too, are a spy. There is your grave ! Look on
it!' The Prophet then pointed to the ground near the spot
where I stood!"

Prom a lodge near by issued the majestic form of Tecumseh,
who said in a cold and haughty tone: **Your life is in no
danger. Say why you have come among us." The messenger,
in reply, read the letter from Governor Harrison urging them to
submit to the Government.

**I know your warriors are brave," the Governor wrote, "but,
ours are not less so. What can a few brave warriors do against
the innumerable warriors of the Seventeen Fires? Our blue-
coats are more numerous than you can count; our hunters are
like the leaves of the forest, or the grains of sand on the Wabash.
Do not think that the red-coats can protect you ; they are not able
to protect themselves. They do not think of going to war witl

UrES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CBIEFB.

If they did, voti would in a few moons sec oor flag wavt*
over ail the forts of Canada. What rea^ia have yoti to eoiDplaiu
of the Seventeen FiresT Have they taken anything from yon!
llave they ever violated the treaties made with the red meot
You xiiy they have purehnsed lan<h« frotn thoee who bad iio
ri^ht to ^ell them. 8how that this^ i.s so and the land wit) h^
itkMtaiitly restort^. Show tia the ri*?htfiil owners. I have full
jHiwer to iirnuita* this hiiKiHess; hut if you would rather chttj
your eoiTiplaintf* Wfore your great father at Washin^on, yottw
ghtill he nHlitlgiHl.'* V

Pleased with thb letter, Teeumseh said that he would oow
go to Viiieeimes and show the Governor thii! he had been listeti-
in^ to had tnen when he was tohl that the Indians wished Id
m$iiB war. Ila liad never been to see the Goveiioar, but nmumk-
bered him as a very young man ri<£ng beside General Wagme.
Thirty of his principal men, he said, would attend him, but the
party would probably be larger, as many of the young men
would wish to go.

Notwithstanding the request which the Governor made, on
hearing this, that but few should come, four hundred descended
the Wabash on the 12th of August. Painted in the most terrific
manner, and armed with tomahawks, they were well prepared
for war in case of an attack.

Governor Harrison had made arrangements for holding the
council on the portico of his o^vn house,* and here, attended by
civil and military officers, a small guard of soldiers and many
citizens of Vincennes, he awaited the arrival of Tecumseh. It was
the 15th of August, 1810. At the appointed hour, Tecumseh,
attended by about forty warriors, made his appearance, with
much dancing and various curious incantations by the Prophet.
Advancing within thirty or forty yards of the house, the chief
suddenly halted, as if awaiting some movement on the part of the
Governor. An interpreter was sent to invite him and his fol-
lowers to the portico, but Tecumseh declined this invitation.

*The old Harrison mansion is stiU standing at Vinoennea, and was seen by the
a few years ago.

TECUMSEff, OR **THE SHOOTING ST AH.

Baying tJiat lie thought a grove upar by, to which he pointed £
spoke, was a more sui table place. The (loveruor >i
point, chairs and beuehefl were removed to the grove, bui
Indians, according to their habit, sat upon the grasB.

The eonncil was opened by Teciim»eh, who stated his pos
on the irritatioi^ question between the whites ami his r
Referring to the treaty made by the Governor at Port ^
the pnnioim year, he boldly deelared that he was determ
tight against ttie cession of lands by the Indians unless a:^enl
to by iiU the tribes acting in concert.

He admitted that he had threatened to Mil the chiefs v
siinied the Fort Wiiyne treaty, and furthermore, he did
intend to let the village chiefs manage their affairs Icm
would place the power heretofore vested in them in the
the war-ehiefiL The Americans had driven the Indians uq
seacoast, and would soon drive them into the lakes; and while
he disowned any intention of making war upon the United States,
he asserted in the most emphatic language, that he would oppole
any further intrusion of the whites upon their lands. He made
a summary of the wrongs his people had 'suffered from the dose
of the Revolution to that day. It .was plain that this appeal
** struck fire" in the hearts of his own people, who would have
followed his commands to the death.

Having finished his speech, Tecumseh turned to seat himself,^
when he observed that no chair had been provided for him. Gov-
ernor Harrison immediately ordered one, and, as the interpreter
handed it to him, he said, **Your father requests you to be
seated." **My father?" said Tecumseh; **the sun is my father
and the earth is my mother, on her bosom will I repose"; and
drawing his blanket about him with as much dignity as a Roman
Senator would his toga, he seated himself among his warriors on
the ground. We challenge the world to produce a more eloquent
sentence than this.

Replying to this address, Governor Harrison declared that
the Indians were not one nation, having a common property in
the land. The Miamis were the real owners of the tract on the

338 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

replied that he would make known his views to the President^
^but there was no hope of their being agreed to.

''Well/' said Tecomseh, ''as the Great Chief is to settle the
matter, I hope the Great Spirit will put enough sense into his
head to cause him to give up the land ; it is true, he is so far off
he will not be injured by the war; he may sit still in his town
and drink his wine, while you and I will have to fight it out"

This prophecy, it will be seen, was literally fulfilled, and the
great chieftain attested that fulfillment with his blood. The
Governor, as he was about to leave, proposed to Teeumseh that
in the event of war between the Indians and the United States,
he would use his influence to put an end to the cruel mode of
warfare which the Indians were accustomed to wage upon
prisoners or helpless women and children. To this he cheerfully
consented; and, to his everlasting credit, it is recorded that he
faithfully kept the pledge.

Teeumseh must have known that his demands would never
be acceded to by the United States, for from this time forward
the attitude of himself and brother became distinctively hostile.
The p:reat war-belt was sent around to the neighboring? tribes,
who were invited to join in a confederacy to '* confine the great
water'' and prevent it from overflowing: them. The matchless
elocjuence and sagjacity of Teeumseh brought most of the tribes
into the alliance.

In the spring of 1811 Governor Harrison sent a boat up the
Wabash loaded with salt for the Indians, that article constituting;
a part of their annuity. Five barrels were to be left with the
Prophet, for the Kickapoos and Shawnees. Upon the arrival of
the boat at Tippecanoe, the Prophet called a council, by which
it was decided to seize all the salt. This was accordingly done;
though the year previous the Prophet had refiLsed to take any.

AVhen Governor Harrison referred to the seizure of this salt,
at the next council held with the Indians, Teeumseh hissed back
to him, that the Governor was hard to please; he was angry at
one time when the Indians took no salt and another year because
thev did take it.

TECVM8EH, OB "THE 8H00TIN0 8TAS.'' 337

Governor for his hasty action. He begged another interview and
declared that he did not intend to attack him, and said that eer- *
tain white men were the instigators of the whole thing. In the
light of subsequent events, the last statement was true, and those
white men were British officers.

Governor Harrison consented to meet him again the next day,
and this time Tecumseh comported himself with dignity and
courtesy. In the course of the talk, the* Governor asked the
sachem whether he would oppose the survey of the lands. To
which he replied that nothing could shake the determination of
himself and followers to insist on the old boundary. When he
sat down, his leading chiefs followed with the declaration that
the Wyandots, Eickapoos, Pottawatomies, Ottawas and Winne-
bagos had entered the Shawnee league and would stand by
Tecumseh to the end.

Harrison said he would make known this decision to the
President, but he was Certain that the claim of Tecumseh would
never be acknowledged, as the land in question was bought from
the Miamis, the original owners, who alone had the right to sell.

On the following day the Governor visited Tecumseh in his
camp, attended only by the interpreter, and was very politely
received. A long conversation followed, in the course of which
the chieftain repeated his sentiments expressed in the council.
He viewed the policy of the United States, in purchasing the
lands from the Indians, as a mighty flood, which, unless checked,
would drown all his people. The confederacy which he had
formed to prevent such sales without the consent of all the tribes
was the dam he was building to resist the flood. He added that
he should be reluctant to take part in a war with the Seventeen
Fires, and if the Governor would induce the President to give
up the lands lately purchased, and agree never to make another
treaty for land without the consent of all the tribes, he would
be their faithful ally, and assist them in the war, which he knew
was about to take place with England; but if this was not
done, he would be compelled to unite with the British, who were
very anxious to enlist his warriors for allies. The Governor

I^^DB

PUBUL Lli

TECUM8EH, OR "THE SHOOTING STAR." 341

The last council with Tocumseh was held at Vincennes July
27, 1811, but nothing was accomplished. The chasm could not
be bridged, since neither of the parties concerned would yield a
point. War must come. Two days after the council adjourned
the great chieftain set oif on a journey to the South.

In a letter to the War Department, just after this council.
Governor Harrison speaks of **the implicit obedience and respect
which the follower of Tecumseh pay to him," as wonderful.
He says: **If it were not for the vicinity of the United States,
he would perhaps be the founder of an empire that would rival
in glory ^lexico or Peru. No difficulties deter him. For four
years he has been in constant motion. You see him to-day on
the Wabash, and in a short time hear of him on the shores of
Lake Erie or aiichigan, or on the banks of the Mississippi; and
wherever he goes he makes an impression favorable to his pur-
pose. He is now upon the last round to put a finishing stroke
to his work. I hope, however, before his return, that that part of
the work which he considered complete will be demolished, and
even its foundation rooted up.''

Tecumseh visited the Choetaws, Greeks or ]Muskogees, Semi-
noles and other tribes. His success was marvelous. There seemed
no resisting his persuasive elo(juence. In most instances the
detennination was unanimous to dig up the hatchet whenever he
was ready for them.

Like other great generals, Tecumseh gave close attention to
details. He invented a calendar showing the exact day on which
they were to strike the white settlements. This he did by making
little bundles of sticks painted red. Each bundle contained sticks
e<iual to the number of days that would pass before the one
arrived which he had indicated to them. Every morning they
were to throw away a stick. Thus it was that the Seminoles, in
the war which followed, beeame widely known under the name
of **Red Sticks. '' Tecumseh also directed the Indians, that should
the question be asked, why he had come so far? to answer, that
he had advised them to till the soil, to abstain from the use of
"firewater," and to live peacefully with the white people.

At Tuckabatchee, Alabama, Teeumseh addi*pssed the coiiodr
of the (Vefk nation, but niut a silent opponent in the principal
chief, Big WaiTitvr. lie at once divineil the fee lings of this
cliief. Angrily stamping his foot on the ground, h<? Itxikefd into
the eyes of Big Warrior and said: *'Yonr blorwi is white, Ymi
have taken my talk and the sticks, and the wain pi i in, and the
hatchet, but you do not mean to tight, I know the reason. You
do not believe the Great Spirit has sent me. You shall know, I
leave Tnekahatehee directly and shall go straiijht to Detroit;
when I arrive there, I will stamp on the ground with my fnot
and shake down everj' house in Tnekaliatehee/- This was a wild
threat^ and Rig Warrior was dumfoundeiL lie and his iH^ople
were superset it ioim and began to dread TecuniKch's arrival at
Detroit. They often met, talked over the strange attair, and
actually tried to compute the time it would take the great chief-
tain to reach that town. When the morning of the day fixed
upon arrived, an awful rumbling of the ground was heard ; the
earth began to shake and down came the flimsy lodges. The
frantic Indians ran to and fro shouting: '*Tecumseh has got
to Detroit!" The threat had been fulfilled and the warriors no
longer hesitated to go to war with the great leader.

All this was produced by the historical earthquake of New
Madrid, on the Mississippi. Strange as it may seem, it is said
to have taken place the very day Tecumseh reached Detroit, and
in exact fulfillment of his threat.

During the absence of Tecumseh in the South, the Indians
at Prophet's Town were so warlike and aggressive that Governor
Harrison determined to march to that place and settle the diffi-
culties with the Indians, or break up their rendezvous.

Accordingly, on September 26, 1811, at the head of nine
hundred troops, he started on this expedition. Six days after-
ward the army encamped on the eastern bank of the Wabdsh,
two miles above the present bustling city of Terra Haute. Here
a log fort was constructed, and named by the soldiers Port
Harrison.

Leaving a small guard at the new fort, the troops advanced

TECUM8SH, OB "THE SHOOTING STAR.** 343

along the east bank of the Wabash, until they passed Big Baeooom
Creek. Here it was determined to cross to the other side of the
river, to avoid a dense woody shore, where there was danger of
ambush. This was effected at a point near the town of Monte-
zuma, Indiana. Advancing still further, at the mouth of the
Vermilion River he built a block-house to protect his boats and
heavy baggage, and proceeded thence to the immediate vicinity of
the Prophet's town. He was desirous of attacking this as soon as
possible, because he knew that Tecumseh might return any day.

The army encamped for the night about three-quarters of a
mile from the Prophet's town on the now famous Tippecanoe
battleground, seven miles northeast of the city of JLafayette.
The place was a beautiful spot of timber-land, about ten feet
higher than the marshy prairie in front, which stretched away
toward the Prophet's town, and nearly twice that height above a
similar prairie, on the other side, across which sluggishly flowed
a small stream, its course marked by willows and brushwood.

At this point he was met by ambassadors, who asked that the
white men refrain from hostilities until the following day, when
a peace talk could be had. Harrison, however, was too prudent
to be deluded into a belief that no danger threatened. The army
settled itself for the night in order of battle, the men sleeping
on their arms. Notwithstanding the truce those of the soldiers
experienced in Indian warfare fully expected an attack before
morning light.

Meanwhile the Indians were by no means idle. All night long
the chiefs sat in council. A dozen different plans for the attack
were proposed. At one time it was decided to meet the whites
in council on the next day, agree to their proposals, and with-
draw, leaving behind two Winnebagos, who were to rush forward
and assassinate the Governor. This was to be the signal for
battle. Later in the night, which was dark and rainy, the plan
was changed. The Prophet, mixing some mysterious concoction
of ** hell-broth," pretended to read in it the fact that one-h
of Harrison's army was dead and the other half crazy. Er
aged by this assurance, the whole body of warriors, 9

UrBS OF FAMOUS INDIAN CBIEFS.

Tnorainj*, began to creep aeross the miry pSme
America u cainp,
^ after four in the morning, nr sentinel who w^a ^zing
. lih* prHiHt* before him, had his attention roused by a
oH>vriin*nt an \tn Rurface, Not a breath of wind wa^
\ yet the tiill grass was waving as if under the influence
I ig breeM', Rapidly the noise1e?» waves approached
m *y broke against the rising ground at his feet.

e?*' he shouted^ but no voice answered. 8ud-
the quick thought of a backwoodsman, he stooped
oking through and under the grass, beheld an Indian
tDing toward him! He fired; in an instant fl
c ft --whoop* the nightmare of all who slept in i
I lian country* was heard on all sides*, and the force of
lo/age warriors nished upon the American lines. The Indians
were commanded by White Loon, Stone Eater and Winnemac,
the Pottawatomie chief who had professed so much friendship
for the Governor, at the time of the first council at Vincennes.
The guard gave way at the point of attack, but the men who had
been sleeping on their arms were immediately prepared to receive
the Indians bravely. The suddenness of the attack might have
created a panic even among veterans, yet the men stood their
ground, though only one in twenty had ever been under fire
before. But many of them were Kentuckians, and **the bravest
of the brave."

The camp-fires were quickly extinguished, that their light
might not assist the Indians, and the battle raged in the darkness
on all sides. Elskwatawa had prophesied that the American bul-
lets vyould rebound from the bodies of the Indians, and that they
would be provided with light, while all would be ** thick dark-
ness" to their enemies. He had evidently heard of Moses and
Pharaoh. For some reason, however, he did not personally try
the truth of his prophecies by engaging in the fight; unwilling
*'to attest at once the rival powers of a sham prophecy and a
real American bullet." Stationing himself on a small hill near
at hand, he chanted a war-song, and presided like an evil genius

TBCUM8EH, OB "THE SHOOTING 8TAE." 345

over this battle. Though inyisible in the darkness, his shrill and
piercing voice could be distinctly heard above the noise. To
the messengers that came to tell him that, despite his assurances,
his followers were falling, he said : ''Tell them to keep on fight-
ing and it will be as the Prophet has said."

In the confusion of the sudden attack the large white horse
of Governor Harrison could not be found, and he mounted a
borrowed plug of a different color instead. This circumstance
doubtless saved his life. One of his aides, who also rode a white
horse, fell in the very beginning of the attack, pierced by a dozen
balls. There can be no doubt he was mistaken for his chief,
whom the Indians determined to kill at all hazards.

During the battle General Harrison rode from one side of
the camp to the other, disposing his men to the best advantage,
and inspiring them by his personal courage. A ball passed
through his hat and another his hair, but he escaped unhurt. At
one time he stopped to reprove a cowardly French ensign, who
sheltered himself behind a tree, and told him he oufjht to be
ashamed to be under shelter when his men were exposed.

The Frenchman, when the battle was over, complained bit-
terly. **I vas not behind de tree,'* he said; **de tree vas before
me. Dere vas de tree, and here vas my position ; how can I help t
I can not move de tree ; I can not leaf ray position."

The Indians made use of deer hoofs instead of drums to
signal an advance or retreat; making with them certain rattling
sounds. Never were savages known to battle more desperately.
For once they quite abandoned their practice of fighting from
behind shelter, and rushed right up to the bayonets of their foes.
The conflict lasted until shortly after daylight, when with a last
charge the troops routed the savages and put them to flight.

When the Indians fled the whites found thirty-seven of their
own number killed and one hundred and fifty-one wounded.
Twenty-five of the latter died of their wounds. The loss of the
Indians was thought to be equally great.

The Prophet's influence was gone forever. **You are a liar,'*
said a Winnebago warrior to him whom they had lately revered

need to

trm OF FAMOVn ISDiAM €0i£FS.

m BMiODtiig^r fmni the Gn^at Spirit, ""for y%m told na timt
[te people wem de»d ar erazj, when they wer^ all in tl
I mm and fought life^ the deril/'
^ The Prtophel neplied, in b tone strangelj differc*nt ffum ihil n
_, whieb h^ was ae^UHtomed to use, that iher^ had iM^n suine mi^- V
te in the cotopounding of his **iiifdi>iii#;'* The curasrd
^iam hmtid him and threateoied him witk deatli, bttt finalij

k^md littn,
^ The »tr4*4^id day after the battle the Americana adTaiieed tu
ilie Pmphift'^ tovfiL No defiant war-wboop greeted them,
piw was deivrifid, haWiig litn^ti iihuridoDed in a panieu
[ Tfa4* Indiaim, lutin! i-ivUbi'd than mi^ tribt^ bad left
tbeir bewiebold fitrnitnre, maoy firearms (supplied by tlie
itish), great qcian lilies uf eom, nnmbets of he^ and chJi^eieL
Tfee only inhabitant was an aged chief with a broken le^, who

chief and provided sufficient food to last him several dajrs, they
told him to say to the Indians that those who should leave the
Prophet and return to their own tribes should be forgiven.
Then taking the provisions for their own use the entire village
was destroyed.

Tecumseh was already on his way home, after a very aaeeess-
ful trip. Red Eagle and the Creeks were preparing for war.
The Cherokees, the Osages, the Seminoles, were all ready to take
up the hatchet.

The great confederacy seemed almost an accomplished fact-
Confident and exultant, Tecumseh hurried back to the Prophet's
town. He was ignorant of what had happened. As he and his
party approached they gave the salute-yell. Instead of a wild
chorus in answer from the direction of the village, all was as
silent as the tomb.

Anxious and alarmed, he hurried forward. He soon saw the
spot where the village had stood, but not a cabin was to be seen.
He nibbed his eyes and looked again, to see if it was not a
dream, a nightmare. Not so. The village had disappeared.
Only heaps of ashes marked its sight; ''Simply this and nothing

TECUMSKH, OB '*THB SHOOTING 8TAE.'' 347

more.*' All its fortifications, all the stores of ammmiitioii, anna
and provision, the result of years of weary toil, were gone.
Tecumaeh knew at once what had happened. He was OTer-
whelmed with sorrow. Just at the moment of apparent triomph
he found the very foundation of the structure dissolved in thin
' air. Guided by some stragglers, Tecumseh hurried to the eamp^
where the disgraced Prophet awaited, with fear and trembling^
his brother's return. Great and terrible was Tecumseh 'a anger.
He bitterly reproached his brother, and was so enraged that
he seized the unfortunate impostor by the hair and shook him
until life was well nigh extinct The battle had been fought in
direct opposition to his orders.

The Prophet was an object of contempt ever afterward. The
very boys yelled and jeered at him as he sneaked through a vil-
lage. Yet, because he was Tecumseh 's brother, he was saved
from further punishment.

Tecumseh wrote to General Harrison that he desired to go
to Washin^on and see the Great Father. The request was
granted, but he was required to fro alone. This wounded the
spirit of the disappointed man. The would-be emperor refused
to go without a retinue. Filled with unutterable fury, he joined
the English army in Canada. When invited to take part in a
peace council, he said : **No ! I have taken sides with my father,
the King, and I will suffer my bones to bleach on this shore
before I will recross that stream to take part in any council of
neutrality."

Tecumseh took an active part in the war and before long
found himself at the head of seven hundred warriors. Nearly
all the war-chiefs followed his lead and went over to the British
side. Shortly after this, because of bravery in what is known as
the battle of Brownstown, and in recognition of his eminent
ability, Tecumseh was made a bripradier-general in the British
army. He is thought to have been the only American Indian
who ever held so high a position, except Gen. Ely S. Parker, of
the Rebellion.

Major-General Brock, a brave and generous gentleman, was

348 UVBS OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

now* in comnmnd of the British army. He was as mnch honored
and respected by his Indian ally as Greneral Proctor, his soeecsHw;
was afterward despised.

General Brock and Teenmseh, with their combined foree, took
a position at Sandwich, a place opposite Detroit Here the com-
mander-in-chief asked his ally what sort of a coontiy he would
have to pass throng^ in order to get to Detroit. Teenmsck,
taking a roll of elm bark, and extending it on the gromid and
securing it in place 1^ four stones, drew his scalpins-knifc,
and, with the point, etched upon the bark a plan of the eoontiy,
showing its hills, rivers, woods, morasses and roadsL Fleased
with this unexpected talent in Tecumseh, as well as hj Oe fact
that he induced the Indians not of his immediate party to enai
the river first. General Brock took oif his splendid saah and, in
the presence of the army, placed it around the body of the ddef.
Tecumseh received the honor with e\'ident gratification: but
next day seen without his sash. General Brock, fearing
thinjr had displeased the chief. s«.*nt his interpreter for an explan-
ation. The latter so4in n-turneil with the n»port that Tecumsph,
not wishing to wear such a mark of distinction, when an older.
and as he said, abler warrior than himself was present^ had
transferrer! the sash to Roundhead, the Wyandot chief.

In this the great chief showe<l his shrewdness, knowing the
Indian's love of display and the tendency in human nature to
jealoiLsy. Moreover, he would not Ik* so conspicuous in battle.

As is well known, the American general. Hull, made a
cowardly surrender of Detroit. lie was court-martialed and
sentenced to be shot, but was pardoned because of his age and
his si'rviees during the Revolution.

At the time of the surrender, Oeneral Hrook asked Tecumseh
not to allow the Indians to abuse the prisoners. **IIave no fear."
he replied: '"I d^-spise them too much to meddle with them."'

The surrender of Detroit expose*! the whole Northwestern
frontier to the ravages of the enemy. < lenend Brock was killetl
at the battle of Queenstown and the command of the British
army devolve<l upon Oeneral PnM-tor. He hiu\ under him in the

TBCUM8EH, OB **THB SHOOTING 8TAS." 351

spring of 1813 fourteen hundred British and eighteen hundred
Indian allies, commanded by Tecumseh. The Americans to meet
this force had only twelve hundred troops and a small force
of Indians, under the command of (General Harrison;. but they
were Americans, and many of them from Kentucky.

One of the most disastrous affairs of the war was in connec-
tion with the attack upon Fort Meigs. It seems that Colonel
Dudley and his force had been sent to the opposite side of the
river to seize a battery erected by the enemy and spike the can-
non. They gained possession of the battery, but before they
could complete their work the enemy rallied in overwhelming
numbers. Nearly every one who escaped the rifle and tomahawk
was captured, Dudley being one of those who was tomahawked
and scalped.

The prisoners were taken to Proctor's headquarters, where
the Indians tomahawked such as they pleased. More than twenty
were murdered in this horrible manner. General Proctor made
no attempt to restrain them, but was looking calmly upon the
fiendish work, when he heard a voice in the Indian tongue
shouting something at the rear. Turning his head he saw Tecum-
seh dashing forward, his horse at full speed. The instant he
reached the spot he leaped off, and seeing two Indians in the act
of killing an American, seized one by the throat and the other ^
by the breast and hurled them to the ground. Drawing his
tomahawk and scalping-knife he sprang between the Indians and
their victims, and, brandishing the weapons with the fury of a
madman dared any one of the bloodthirsty savages to attempt to
injure another prisoner. His consuming wrath cowed all, and
they slunk away from him. Turning to Proctor, he sternly
demanded why he had not stopped the massacre.

**Sir," replied the British general, **your Indians can not
be restrained.''

''Begone!" thundered Tecumseh; **you are not fit to com-
mand ! Go home and put on the petticoat of a squaw !*'

Call him barbarian, if you will, but remember, that of the
two commanders the fiend who looked on complacently d\mxi%

VES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CMiEFS^

[micliery of defenseless white prif^jners, was whUB\

ko risked his life to prevent it, was a red man.

^ JUiother iiititatice in the career of this truly great man is

»»ii by Drake. Shorlly after he had stopped the slaughter

the captives he iioticetl a atnatl group of Indians interested

KotIlethm^^ Colonel Elliott said to him: '* Yonder are four

lu' your people who have been taken prisoners; you may do what

ou please with thenu" Teemnseh walked over to the group and

round four Hhawaees, who, while Hghtini? on the side of the

. Lie ri cans, had been cuptun*d. *VFriends," said Tecumseh,

■Oolonel Elliott has plaeed you under my eharge and I will

td you back to your nation, with a talk to your people/* ^|

~' Aecordingly, he took them with the array as far as Raisin^
from whieh point their return home would be less dangerous,
and then sent two of his warriors to aecompany them with a
friendly message to their chiefs. They were thus discharged,
under their parole not to fight against the British during the
war.

Tecumseh was an unruly ally, because he despised Proctor.

One day, provisions being scarce, salt beef w^as given the English

soldiers, while the Indians received only horse-flesh. Angered

at the outrage, Tecumseh strode to Proctor's tent and demanded

an explanation. Seeing the English general about to treat the

complaint with indifference, Tecumseh significantly struck the

It of the commander's sword, touching at the same time the

idle of his tomahawk, and said: **You are Proctor. I am

sumselu" This hint at a mode of settling the diflSculty

lught Proctor to terms at once.

After an unsuccessful attempt to reduce Port Stephenson,

iien garrisoned by one hundred and sixty men commanded by

ajor Croghan, Proctor and his forces retreated to Maiden.

About this time, an American citizen, Captain Le Croix, was

rested by order of the British commander and confined on

d a ship, to be sent to Montreal. Tecumseh had an especial

•• Le Croix, and it may have been because of his

!f chief that he was seized. Tecumseh, suspect-

TECUM8EH, OB "THB 8H00TIN0 8TAE." 353

ing that Le Croix had been impriaoned, called on General Proctor,
and asked if he knew anything of his friend. He even ordered
the British general to tell him the truth, adding, ^'If I ever detect
^ yon in a falsehood, I, with my Indians, will immediately abandon
you.'' The general was obliged to acknowledge that Le Croii:
was a prisoner. Tecumseh then demanded that his f Hend shonld
be instantly liberated. General Proctor vnrote a line stating
that the ^'King of the Woods" desired the release of Captain
Le Croix, and that it mnst be done at once. The order was
obeyed. Tecumseh treated the American commander with equal
contempt A recent writer gives a challenge which that great
chief sent to General Harrison at the first siege of Fort Meigs.
It was as follows:

''General Harrison: I have with me eight hundred braves^
You have an equal number in your hiding place. Come out with
them and give me battle. You talked like a brave when we met
at Vincennes, and I respected you, but now you hide behind logs
and in the earth, like a ground-hog. Give me answer.

** Tecumseh."

The Americans always had great confidence in Tecumseh,
though he was an enemy. Once when the English and Indians
were encamped near the River Raisin, some Sauks and Winne-
bagos entered the house of a Mrs. Rulaud and began to plunder
it. She immediately sent her little daughter to ask Tecumseh to
come to her assistance. The chief was in council and was making
a speech when the child entered the building and pulled the
skirts of Tecumseh 's hunting-shirt, saying, **Come to our house,
there are bad Indians there." Tecumseh did not wait to finish
his speech, but walked rapidly to the house. At the entrance he
met some Indians dragging a trunk away. He knocked down the
first one with a blow from his tomahawk. The others prepared
to resist. "Dogs!" cried the chief, **I am Tecumseh!" The
Indians immediately fled and Tecumseh turned upon some Eng-
lish officers who were standing near: "You," said he, "are
worse than dogs, to break your faith with prisoners." The
officers immediately apologized to Mrs. Ruland, and offered to

liTil

UrKS OF FAMOiS ISDIAN CHIEFS.

pn\ it iiunnl Hnmnd iwr honnv. She declined this offer, howi*ver,
nnyiuy; thiit ^he wun not ufriiid &o loug as that man, poiuting to

The lit mi(*e(*Miit whit^h uttended llie efforts af the Britlsli
eauH4'd T<*einim«*h not only to loa*- heart* but tlij^ipated what little
fdilh hi* had f<*lt in IVoeton He seriously meditated a wiHi-
liniwul from the eoiiie^t, Ai3i^*mbliiig the Bhawnees, Wyandot^i
utjfl OttnwRK. who w^'re under \m eoinrruiiid, Ijedechired hm inten-
tion t(» theni, lit* tohl them tlmt vvtien tljey h«d taken up the
tonmliiiwk ntid ji*ni*^d ihi'ir fnlhrr, the Khn^, they were proiuisitl
ldt*iity iif white men to fi|?ht with them; **biit the number is not
miw jj:rt*iiter/' miid he, "than at the com men cement of the war;
and wt^ iirr treated by them like the docs of snipe hunters; we
aiv ahvayH sent ulK'ud to gfart tht ffamr. It k better that we
should return to niir own country, and let the Americans come
on HUti Htrht tht* British/'

To this proposition his followers agreed; but the Sioux and
Chippewas discovering his intention, went to him, and insisted
that inaamueh as he had first united with the British, and had
Innni instrumental in bringing their tribes into the alliance, he
ought not to leave them; and through their influence he was
finally induceii to remain.

Tecuwseh's last grudge against Proctor was on account of
tko retreat of the Englisli from Maiden, after Commodore Perry's
" e Erie, The Indians did not understand the
tin^venieittii of ^i iia\iil battle, and General Proctor, who doubtless
ilr^^»det^ tin* itifhienee of a defeat upon them, said to Tecuniseh,
'*M>' iWt Ha* >^ Wpped the AnH^rieans, but the vessels being much
tiU\ir%Hl h^n^v i^^^e to Put-in-Bay to refit, and will be here in a
few da>^"

TV s\\^ Ills of TeeunKwh were 5Jix>n aT\>QS)ed, however,
^)Mi he t\ it he pew^ived imlicjinons of a plan to retreat
ttcmk Uaiki \Vkwi He spoke u> Pnvii^r ^m^ the subieet, that
#raif«lif f«MRmtNl loM him that hi* w^ns ^^uly ij^^inir to swod all his
ralMMiit Xip f}^ TImibm^ wbeir** tWy ^>%iisli5 W mei by a rein-
frrrwre^f ar^! lie saafe. T*iy^ai5;isse34. Ik^tbi^ vr r, ft Jf 5«re tkat the

TECUM8EH, 0» ''THE SHOOTING STAB." 355

commander was meditating a retreat. He demanded, in the name
of his Indians, that he be heard by General Proctor. Audience
was granted him on September 18, and the Indian orator
delivered his last speech, a copy of which was afterward found
in Proctor's baggage when it was captured. We can only quote
two paragraphs from it here :

**You always told us,'* said he, ''you would never draw your
foot off British ground; but now, father, we see that you are
drawing back, and we are sorry to see our father doing so with-
out seeing the enemy. We must compare our father's conduct
to a fat dog that carries its tail on its back, but when affrighted
droi>s it between its legs and runs off. Father, listen! The
Americans have not yet defeated us by land ; neither are we sure
they have done so by water; we, therefore wish to remain here
and fight our enemy, should they make their api>earance. If they
defeat us, we will then retreat with our father.

** Father, you have got the arms and ammunition which our
great father sent to his red children. If you have an idea of going
away, give them to us and you may go, and welcome. For us,
our lives are in the hands of the Great Spirit. We are deter-
mined to defend our lands, and if it be his will, we wish to
leave our bones upon them."

In spite of Tecumseh's protest, Proctor burned Maiden and
began a retreat. He pretended from time to time that he would
halt and give battle. When the retreat commenced, Tecumseh
said, **We are now going to follow the British, and I am sure
that we shall never return." At last, on October 5, Proctor was
forced to halt and oppose the pursuing Americans in the battle of
the Thames. Just before the engagement Tecumseh said to the
group of chiefs around him: ** Brother warriors, we are about
to enter into an engagement, from which I shall never come out—
my body will remain on the field of battle." Unbuckling his
sword and handing it to a chief, he said, ** When my son becomes
a noted warrior and able to wield a sword, give this to him."

The battle which followed was for a time fiercely contested, and
the position selected was well adapted for defense. The Indians,

35S LIVES OF FAMOUS IXDIAX CHIEFS.

for the Indian cause and country, faint are the prospects that
Teeuniseh, the Kon, will ever ecjual, in wisdom or prowess, Tecnm-
seh. the father/'

The name of Teeumst^h s son was Pu«reshashenwa. The prince
regent also settled upon him an annual pension, in consideration
of his father's services. He was treatetl with mach respect,
because he was the son of his father, and removed to Indian
Territory with the remnant of the Shawnee nation.

Tecumseh is described as a perfect Ai)ollo in form, his face
oval, his nose straight and ha^idsome, and his mouth regular and
beautiful. His ey(^, singularly enough, were *' hazel, clear and
pleasant in convei-sation, but like balls of fire when excited by
anger or enthusiasm." His bearing was thjtt of a lofty and noble
spirit, a true **King of the \W>ods," as the English called him.
He was temperate in his habits, loving truth and honor better
than life. He w;!s .-m irlcnl Indian, inu\ ])()th in body and mind
the line-t llower of the abori'jinal AnuTJcan race.

Possrssiiiur a cenius whicli must have made him eminent in
any air** or country, like Hrant, Poiitiac and King Philip, his
illustT'ious predccM'csors. Ik* ]:ad failed: yot lik«' them he was
great in dt'i'cat. IN* was \ho fii-st irr<'at eliicftain to prohibit the
niassarrr oi' iirism.vr^.

Tnnii]>ull. in his ** Indian Wars." tlius rrlVi-s to this renowned
leader: "lb* was tin* most (^xtraortliiiary Indian that has ever
appeared in liistoiy. His aente innlerstanding very early in life
informed liim lliat lii^ eoininyin»-n liad lost their importance:
that tli«'y were Liiadually yieMiii«j In tlie wliites. who were accpiir-
intr an iniposinLT inllueiu-c nvn- tlieni. Instiirated by tlu^se con-
siderations, and peilijips by Ins natural fn-ocity and attachment
to war. In* 1hm-;i?ii.' a <leci(l«Mi riimiy to the wliites. with a!i
invineihlr detei'minatinn tn i-.-lzjijh fm- hi^ rouiitry the proiitl

ind«*pendener sl;r lijtd lost.

Aware, at l<'ni:tli. <»t' tlie r\t«'iit, nnmi»er and power c»f the
Tnitrd States. l'«' iM-i-.-iine fully enuviiirrd i))i tlie futility of any
siiiL'le nation <•!* i'«m1 ni-u att^-niptiuL' to r.»p.* with them.

**II(^ rorm«'«l, tlierrfoi-«\ tin- «rrand selieuu- of uniting all tho

fi.

tribes east of the MiBsissippi into bofitility agaiast tlie Uni
States. This was a field worthy of Ma great and commandi
genius/'* , ji

Besides several towns in different States ehrtBtened in
honor, his name was also borne by one of the greatest of Ai
lean generals.

At the meeting of the Bepublican National Committee
Wa^ington, November 23 ^ 1891, to select a city in which to hi
a Presidential eonventioBj President Palmer, of the World's F
Commission, gave in ah eloquent plea for the selection of Detr
the promise to tafee the visitors thirty miles over into Canada *
view the spot where Tecumseh, '*the greatest Indian the Am«<
ican continent ever knew, was slain, '* i

Paradoxical as it may seem, he was a savage^ ytt wy ^j
nature's noblemen. ":

The words of Hamlet apply to this "King of the Woods" in a
striking manner:

* * See, what a grace was seated on this brow
Hyperion 's locks ; the front of Jove himself ;
An eye like Mars^ to threaten and command ;
A station like the herald Mercury,
New-lighted on a heaven-kissing hill ;
A combination, and a form, indeed,
Where every god did seem to set his seal,
To give the world assnrance of a man. ' '

CHAPTER XI.

BLACK HAWK, OR MA-KA-TAI-ME SHE-KIA-KIAK,
AND HIS WAR.

GREAT warriors among the Indians, like those of the
favored white race, learned from those who preceded
them. We have seen that King Philip united the tribes
of New England against their common enemy, the whites, in the
first great Indian war, and his example was copied in turn by
l^ontiac and Tecumseh.

Black Hawk led a band of his own warriors and fought under
Tecumseh in the war of 1812, and must have gained much
inspiration as well as a knowledire of the most effectual methods
of fitrhting the Americans, from that great chieftain. Certain it
is. Black Hawk also sought to form a confederaticm of the neigh-
boring tribes, including the Pottawatomies, Winnebagos, Chip-
pewas, ^lenomonees and Ottawas. But they had not foreotten
the lessons of the preceding half-century or more, and remained
neutral.

He also visited the commander of the British forces at
Maiden, opposite Detroit, hoping to gain encouragement and
munitions of war, but in this he was disappointed. The com-
mander, knowing the power of the Americans and the feeble
r(»sf)urces of the Indians, strongly advised against a hopeless war.
This was not the kind of advice the enraired cliief wanted, and,
of course, it was declincMil.

What was the cause of the Black Hawk War? There are
s«^veral answers to this (|uostion. but we think the explanation
of Black Hawk himself in his autobiography is authentic and the
real "casus hcUi/' This autobiography was dictated to an aman-
uensis, by means of an interpreter. In it the chief said :

363

LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CBIEFK

*Vin 1804 one of our people killed an Ainerican and wu^
captured and eonfined in the prison at 8t, Loui8 far the offense*
Wc* held a council ni our village to see what could be done for
hini^ and deti^nuine^l that Qnjisihquaini', Pashepaho, Onehequaka
and lla«htH|unrh!<|na should go down tn St. Louis, see our Ami^r-
iran father aod tlo all thi'V coiihl io have our friend released
by paying for the pt^rson killed, thun covering the blofxl and sati»*
fyin^ the relation** of the nnirdered man; thia bein^ the only
meana with im for saving a perK^m who had killed another, and
we then thou^dit it was the Haine way with the whites.

•'The party atarted with the good wishes of the whole nation,
who had high hopes that the emissaries would accomplish the
ohjeet of their niisj^ion.

**The relations of the prisoner blacked their faces and fasted,
holding the Hreat Bpirit wouhl inkt* pity on them and retnm
husbafHl ami father to his s<>r rowing wife and weeping chil-
dren.

**Quash(piame and party remained a long time, but finally
returned and encamped a short distance below the village. They
did not come up that day, nor did any one approach their camp.
They appeared to be dressed in fine coats and had medals. Prom
these circumstances we were in hopes that they had brought
good news.

** Early the next morning the council lodge was crow^ded.
Quash(juame and party came up and gave us the following
account of their mission :

** *0n our arrival at St. Louis we met our American father
and explained to him our business, urging the release of our
friend. The American chief told us he wanted land. We agreed
to give him some on the icfst side of the Mississippi, likewise more
on the Illinois side opposite JeflFerson. When the business was
all arranged we expected to have our friend released to come
home with us. About the time w^e were ready to start our
brother was let out of prison. He started and ran a short dis-
tance, when he was shot dead!'

^*This was all they could remember of what had been said

BLACK BAWK AND HIS WAB. 365

and done. It subsequently appeared that they had been drunk
the greater part of the time while at St. Louis.

^'This was all myself and nation knew of the so-called treaty
of 1804. It has since been explained to me. I found by that
treaty, that all of the country ^east of the Mississippi and south of
Jefferson was ceded to the United States for one thousand dollars
a year. I will leave it to the people of the United States to say
whether our nation was properly represented in this treaty t Or
whether we received a fair compensation for the extent of
country ceded by those four individuals t

''I could say much more respecting this treaty, but I will not
at this time. It has been the origin of all our serious diflScultiea
with the whites."

On June 27, 1831, Black Hawk made a treaty with General
Gaines, and gave a reluctant consent to abandon his village and
cornfields on the Rock River in Illinois and join Keokuk's band
on their reservation in Iowa. General Gaines believed the trouble
was ended, and so it probably would have been had the whites
observed the provisions of the treaty. The Indians had been
promised com to supply the wants of their families in lieu of
that which was left in their fields, but the amount was so meager
that they began to suffer.

In this emergency, a party of Sacs, to quote the language of
Black Hawk, crossed the river **to steal corn from their own
fields."

Moving with his band up Rock River, he was overtaken by
a messenger from General Atkinson ordering him to return
and recross the Mississippi. Black Hawk said he was not on the
warpath, but going on a friendly visit to the village of White
Cloud, the Winnebago Prophet, and continued his journey. Gen-
eral Atkinson now sent imperative orders for him to return at
once, or he would pursue him with his entire army and drive him
back. In reply Black Hawk said the general had no right to
make the order so long as his band was peaceable, and that he
intended to go on to the Prophet 's village.

When Black Hawk reached a point about forty miles above

366 LirMS OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

lie anc^

Dixon's Perry he was met in council by some Pottawatcmne

Winnebago chiefs. They ai^ured Black Hawk that their people
would not join him in making war upon the United States, eonfl
trary to his expeetationa Blaek Ilnwk bow saw that the Prophrl
and others had misrepresented the plans and intentions of the^*
tribes, and res^jlved to send a f!a^ of truce to General AtkirMstm
and ask permission to descend Rock River, recross the JliKsissipjjl
and return to their reservation.

Atioiit this time tfenera! White*sides had concentrated a larjt??
force of militia at Dixon s Perry, and, at the soHeitation of Major
Stilhimn, permitted him to take out a scouting party of 27i*
mounted men. Tiiey iiKeeoded Rock River to the mouth of Syca-
more Creek and eucain|H'd within a few miles of Blaek Hawk'^
band* but i^orant of that fact. Indian aeouts soon reported to
Blaek Hawk that a lar*je company of mounted militia wer^
cominfT hnvard bin camp, and the chief at once dispatched thn**-*
warriors with a white flag of truce, and an invitation for th^
officers to visit his camp. The whites paid no attention to thi^^
flag, but captured the messengers, killing the flag-beared^
instantly. Black Hawk also sent five others to look after th^
flag-bearers. They were pursued and one killed, but th^
remainder, together with the two flag-bearers, made their escape=^
in the confusion incident to making preparation to charge the^
Indian camp.

When the old chief heard that his flag of truce was disre-^
garded and two of his warriors killed, he gave the war-whoop
and prepared to meet the whites. lie had only about forty
mounted warriors, the others being absent on a hunting trip.
Having taken a position in a copse of timber and underbrush
near Sycamore Creek, he waited the approach of the whites.
The soldiers advanced in disorderly fashion, and, having crossed
the creek, were surprised by a terrific war-whoop from the
Indians who were concealed in the bushes and with deadly aim
commenced firing into their ranks. Judging from the yelling of
the Indians their number was variously estimated at from one
to tno thousand. The entire party was thrown into such con-

. BLACK HAWK ASD HIS l^AR.

nion lliat Major Strllinaii hat! no coiitro! uT {\u^m ami onlerod

? treat

The forty Indiana put (he two hundred and seventy to flight,
lining a dozen and lostimj only two or three.

With one exeeption the entire coiiii»any continued their flight
! Dixon's Perry, a distance of thirty miles; some never stoppi'tl
pill they were safe at home.

Black Hawk and fifteen warriors soon gave np the chase, and
turne*! to his camp. But the remainder pui-sned the fugitives
^eral miles, overtaking? and killing a few whose horses were t<Mj
^w to keep out of their way.

Among the slow mounted of the retreating party was a ^(eth-
pst preacher, who adopted a novel jdan to save himself and

se. On coming to a ravine he left the main track and followed
|wn the ravine until he found a place where the banks wei^
fp enough to shelter himself and horf?e from \iew, and remained
bve for two hours in safety. lie had (he precaution to keep a
id count of the Indians as they crossed the ra\ine. When
^y had returned and continued on their way to their camp, he
jfr his hidintr-place and trotted leisnrely along to Dixon's Ferry,
lieh he reached about sunrise the next mcu*ning.

When he reporti'd the stratagem by which he was saved, and
was asked the number of the pui*suing Indians, he promptly
;>lied ""^twcntif-five by actual couni.^' CJreat indignation was
Inifested by some of the brave vohinteei's, who reachetl caujp
reral hours before him and reported t!ie number of the Indians
at fifttfn hundred to two thousand. Rut t!ie minister w*as well
known by many of the volunteers as a high-toned Christian giii-
tleman whose veracity had nevei' been quest ionL*d, and they stood
by him, and no violence was attempted.

The news of Stillman's defeat **by two thousand bloodthirsty
[rlian wnrriors" * Hp!va<l fast, far and wide, and Oovernor Rey-
Jds, of Illiuois, called for more volunteers.

Wlien the news reached M^ashington General Scott was
iered to take a thousand soldiera and proceed to the si^at of
|r and take the conunand. While en route this armv w^as

LIVES OF FAMOUS INBUN CBIEFS.

attacked by cbolera, which swept off a large number and
dered the remainder unfit for service. It is now geoeraJ]
conceded that the vioktion of a flag of tnice^ which m renpect^
in all eivi listed wars, the wanton murder of its bearers, and tl
attack upon a mere remnant of Black Hattk*s band when su
for peace, precipitated a war which couJd have been and sboidd^
have been avoided.

As ptx^itive pnxjf that the volunteers were gtiilty of precif
tating the war by killing the bearer of the wliite Hag of truce,
quote the narrative of Elijah Kilbourn, one of tbe scouts
neetetJ with Stillinan*s command. It seems that ivilbourn
captured by Black Hawk dtiriug tbe war of 1812, and adopts
into hia tribe* Tic finally escaped, and was again captured b jr^n
three of Black Hawk's braves at the battle of Sycamore CreegH
The utory aiao showN the noble character of Black Hawk, and will
be told in Kilbourn 'b own language, Baid he: ''Wi^ had bren
scouting through the country that lay about Port Stephenson,
when early one morning one of our number came in with the
intelligence that the fort was besieged by a combined force of
British and Indians. We were soon in the saddle and riding
with all speed in the direction of the fort, hoping to join in the
fight. But in this we were disappointed, as we learned that the
brave little garrison, under the command of Major Crogan, had
repulsed the enemy with great slaughter. We learned, however,
that Black Hawk, the leader of the savages, at the termination
of the battle, had gone back with twenty of his warriors, to his
village on Rock River, and we determined at once to follow him.

**At sunrise the next morning we were on his trail and fol-
lowed it with great care to the banks of a stream. Here we
ascertained that the savages had separated into nearly equal
parties — the one keeping straight down the bank of the stream,^
while the othfr had crossed to the other side and continued
toward Rock River. Our leader now detailed four of us to
follow the trail across the stream, while he with the rest, some
seven or eight in number, immediately took the one down the
bank. •

BLACK HAWK ASD HIS WAB.

371

-** During the roiii'st? of the following niomincr we came across
eat many different trails, and by these we were 80 perplexed
[hat we resolved to return to the main body, but from the signs
i^e had already seen we knew that such a step would be attended
Krith the ^^eatest danger. It was at last decided that it would be
far more safe for all hands to separate, and each nuin look out for
bimself. This resolve was immediately put into execution, and a
few^ minutes later found me ah>ne in the g'reat wilderness. I had
)ften been so before, but never had I been placed in a situation
m dangerous as the present one, for now on all sides I was sur-

Kided by hostile Indians.
'I encountered nothing very formidable till some two hours
re sunset, when, just as I emerged from a tangled thicket, I
Saw an Indian on his knees at a clear, sparkling spring, slaking
his thirst. Instinctively I placed my rifle to my shoulder, drew
k bead upon the savage and pulled the trigger. Imagine, if you
can, my feelings as the tlint came down and was shivered to
^ces without igniting the priming,

P*The next moment the savage was up on his feet, his piece
Med directly at me and his finger pressintr the trigger. There
^no escape. I had left my horse in the woods some time before,
thicket behind me was too dense to permit me to enter it
quickly, and there was no tret* within reach of sufficient
to protect me from the aim of my foe, who, now finding me
j^^is mercy, advanced, his gun still in its threatening rest and
^B^red me to surrender. Resistance and escape were alike out of
^■question, and I accordingly delivered myself up his prisoner,
Roping by some means to escape at some future period. He now
me, in good English, to proceed in a certain direction, I
(red him and had not gone a stone's throw before, just as I
bed a thick clump of trees, I came suddenly upon an Indian

the one to which my captor muloubtedly belonged.

f* As we came up all the savages, some six or eight in number,

I quickly and appeared much surprised at my sudden appear-

umongst them; but they offered me no hariu, and they

Ived with most marked respect to my caplor, whom^ upon a

372

UrSS OP FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

elofie inspectioii I reeognised to be Black Hawk hhnselt The tall
ebief, with his keen eyv^ looked every inch a warrior.

'* *The white mole digs deep, but Makataiineshe Kiakialr
(Blaek Hawk) flies high and can see far off/' mid th^ chieftain
in a deep firuttural tone, addre^ing me. He then tvlaunl lit Im fol-
lowers the oeeasion of my capture, and as lie did so tber 0Mr^
»t me Sereeiy and handled their weapoi^ in a threatening man
Iter, htit at the eonelufiioQ of hk remarl^ they appeared betier
pleased, although I vms the reeipient of many a pa^np frown.
He now informed me that he kai! told hk young men that tbef
were to consider me a brother, as he waa going to adopt me tntis
the tribe,

''This was to me little better than death itaett but tberp wm^
no attematiTe. and so I wan obliged to snbmit, with tbe hope oi
making my escape at some future time. The eommunietiioa c»t
Blaek Hawk, moreover, cati^ied n»e great astonishment, and afl*^''
p#]tr!dc*rintj the mf*tti*r T wt*« fin^ilK* f->i-f>or| to set d^^^Ti ?-*^ ? ^*
cause one of those unaccountaoie wnims to which the sava^^^'
temperament is often subject.

"The next morning my captors forced me to go with them -^^^
their village on Rock River, where, after going through a tedio^— ^**
eeremony. I was dressed and painted, and thus turned from ^
white man into an Indian.

**For nearly three years ensuing it was my constant study ^0^^
give my adopted brothers the slip, but during the whole of tlu^^
time I WHS sjo carefully watched and gruarded that I never foun^^^
an opportunity to escape.

*' However, it is a long lane that has no turning, and so i
proved in my caijo. Pretending to be well satisfied with my neiB^^^
mode of life^ I at last gained upon the confidence of the savages-^ — ^
and out* day when their vigilance was relaxed, I made my escap^^
and returned in safety to my friends, who had mourned for wf^^
as dead.

"Many years after this I was a participant in the battle atr
Creek, which is a tributary of Rock River. I waf^
fpy the Government as a scout, in which capacity it:

' BLACK HAWK AND HIS WAB. 373

was admowledged I had no superior, but I felt no pride in hear-
ing myself praised, for I knew I was working against Black
Hawk, who, although he was an Indian, had once spared my life,
and I was one never to forget a kindness. And, besides this, I
had taken a great liking to him, for there was something noble
and generous in his nature. However, my first duty was to my
country, and I did my duty at all hazards.

''Now you must know that Black Hawk, after moving west of
the Mississippi, had recrossed, contrary to his agreement; not,
however, from any hostile motive, but to raise a crop of com
Emd beans with the Pottawatomies and Winnebagos, of which his
Dwn i>eople stood in the utmost need. With this intention he had
gone- some distance up Bock River, when an express from Gen-
eral Atkinson ordered him peremptorily to return. This order
the old chief refused to obey, saying that the general had no
right to issue it. A second express from Atkinson threatened
Black Hawk that if he did not return peaceably force would be
resorted to. The aged warrior became incensed at this and
utterly refused to obey the mandate, but, at the same time, sent
word to the general that he would not be the first to commence
hostilities.

**The movement of the renowned warrior was immediately
trumpeted abroad as an invasion of the State, and with more
rashness than wisdom, Governor Reynolds ordered the Illinois
militia to take the field, and these were joined by the regulars
under General Atkinson, at Rock Island. Major Stillman, having
under his command two hundred and seventy-five mounted men,
the chief part of whom were volunteers, while a few, like myself,
were regular scouts, obtained leave of General Whitesides— then
stationed at Dixon's Perry— to go on a scouting expedition. I
knew well what would follow; but still, as I was under orders, I
was obliged to obey, and together with the rest proceeded some
thirty miles up Rock River to where Sycamore Creek empties
into it. This brought us to within six or eight miles of the camp
of Black Hawk, who, on that day, May 14, was engaged in pre-

;•• _■•' '_*.:J. '._. -:_ ' i_» *

.•1 '.'

- •'• I i*-«»« Ti ■

r- V

■; **'-." -V--.- :«

V ■. .r ".'.IT ■'.*.-• ■.'. -r-

■//

f.-j.i-'

BLACK HAWK AND HIS WAB. 375

tribe by Black Hawk, had lived nearly three years among them,
and by escaping had incurred their displeasure, which could only
be appeased with my blood. Added to this, I was now taken
prisoner at the very time that the passions of the savages were
most highly wrought upon by the mean and cowardly conduct of
the whites. I therefore gave up all hope, and doggedly deter-
mined to meet stoically my fate.

''Although the Indians passed and repassed me many times
during the day, often bestowing on me a buffet or a kick, yet not
one of them seemed to remember me as having formerly been one
of the tribe. At times this infused me with a faint hope, which
was always immediately after extinguished, as I recalled to mind
my recognition by Black Hawk himself.

"Some two hours before sunset Black Hawk again came to
where I was bound, and having loosened (he cords with which I
was fastened to a tree, my arms still remaining confined, bade
me follow hin\. I immediately obeyed him, not knowing what
was to be my doom, though I expected nothing short of death by
torture. In silence we left the camp, not one of the savages
interfering with us or offering me the slightest harm or indignity.
Por nearly an hour we strode on through the gloomy forest, now
and then starting from its retreat some wild animal that fled
upon our approach. Arriving at a bend of the river, my guide
baited, and turning towards the sun, which was rapidly setting,
he said, after a short pause :

** 'I am going to send you back to your chief, though I ought
to kill you for running away a long time ago, after I had adopted
you as a son, but Black Hawk can forgive as well as fight. When
you return to your chief I want you to tell him all my words.
Tell him that Black Hawk's eyes have looked upon many suns
but they shall not see many more, and that his back is no longer
straight, as in his youth, but is beginning to bend with age. The
Great Spirit has whispered among the tree-tops in the morning
and evening, and says that Black Hawk's days are few, and that
he is wanted in the spirit land. He is half dead, his arm shakes
and is no longer strong, and his feet are slow on the warpath.

376

LI FES OF FAMOUS IXDIAX CEJEFS.

Tell him all thi^ and tell him too/ eontiinxd the untutored lieio
of the forest, with trembling emotion and marfaed emphasa. *that
Black llawk would have been a friend to the whites, but they
would not let him, and that the hatAet was dug up by them-
selves and not bj the Indians. Tell tout chief diat Bla^ Hawk
meant no harm to the {^lefaces when he eame aero» the MisBis-
sippi. but came peaceably to raise com for his starving women
and children, and that even then he would have gone back; but .
when he Jsent his white flae the braves who carried it were treated
like sijuaws and one of them inhumanly shoL Trfl him, too.' he
concluded with terrible force, while his eyes fairly flashed fire,
"that Blnrk flaurk iri.ll have revenge, and that he will never stop
until the Gn='at Spirit shall say to him. Come away/

"Thus sayinir. he lo^jsened the cord that bound my arms, and
aft^r m'vinjf me particular directions as to the best course to
j»iir>i;»' Tm ii.y f-wfi .•;;:i.|.. I.;-.]- u'l^ fan-w^ll r.nd stniek off int"
th»' tr;: ■>'!•'•*.- :♦.:•»--♦. to <:* ^u.u:*-!!':*^ that rinal struniile which was

AM. •...':; •!,*' W ::.:>•?• a irris and the Pottawatomies ha*^
r.'^niv*'.! tr, tyiV.*' rj, p;^ rt [:i t\,^ war. y^^t a l*\v yoiin^ warri<"»r^
fp'i:; »■^.^^■\l <'\ Th»'^^' tr:l'*'<. erii^oM^-iitrd I'V Black Hawk's eas^'
vi«-t"!;.' •iv»r S^.ilr-.ari's raw rHcruitv. «lt-ri.l^'it to join his banc^
Tip. v.. f..r:::..irt..,I rr.;^r,y .K'pp.'datir.ns aiii»»ni: the settlements alon ^
tli»' V'>x a:.<l Illinois riv.-r^.

Wh'-n t}i«- warrinr-s n-tiirn'^d fmm their huntinir expeditioi^^^
Hhi'-k Ilavk r-orir'.Titrat»Ml his entin.- fnrct-. consisting of abou
tiv»- hiin«lr»-d warriors. af^M-nrdinir tu his own statement, at a poin
Im'T •.'.♦•♦.[! tli«- lio^-k and Wisc<'»n>in rivers.

<;»rj»'ral Atkin-on. with a f<.>rce of nearly two thousand men
pn-sMMJ r,n to in.«-t liiin. Hut the wily chief declined to risk j^=^
hatth- with such rxlds and withdrew into the wilderness. Genera!^
Atkirl^orl follow. d. iucurrinir the danu'er of an ambuscade, bu^
Hlaek I lawk couM not be bmuudit to a stand.

Wh.-n Hhn-k Hawk reached the Mississippi River, he let niostr
" his woiii.-n and «']iihhvn d»'sc»*nd it in canoes, but a majority^
•aptun-d by th«* whites and quite a number drowned.

BLACK EAWK AND HIS WAR, 377

Wifh the main body of his warriors he approaehed the river,
intending to eroaSy but was met at this point by the steamboat
Warrior.

The ehief was so touehed by the suffering of the women and
children, the starving condition of Us men, and the utter hope-
lessness of continuing the unequal struggle, that he decided to
surrender. Accordingly, he sent a hundred and fifty warriors
to the edge of the stream with a flag of truce. An effort was also
made to communicate with the Winnebago interpreter onl)oard
the boat. But either the interpreter failed to understand what
was shouted to him by the Indians on shore or he was treacherous
and failed to report the message correctly to Captain Throck-
morton, of the Warrior, or Lieutenant Eingsburg, who com-
manded the troops, for certain it is those on the boat paid no
attention to the white flag of truce or the expressed desire on
the part of Black Hawk to surrender.

Orders were given to shell the Indians on the shore with
musketry and a six-pounder loaded with canister. It resulted
in killing twenty-three Indians outright and wounding a large
number. The savages were trying to surrender, and were so
astonished at this unexpected attack, that they fired only a few
random shots, one of which passed through a man's leg on the
Warrior.

As the wood began to fail, and night was approaching, the
Warrior went on to Prairie du Chien. The final battle of the
^ar occurred the next day, August 2. This is known as the battle
of Bad Axe and was fought where the little stream by that name
;joins the Mississippi. The account we give of it is quoted from
Slack Hawk's autobiography, in which the chief said : ** Early in
the morning a party of whites, being in advance of the army,
came upon our people, who were attempting to cross the Mis-
sissippi. They tried to give themselves up; the whites paid no
attention to their entreaties, but commenced slaughtering them.
In a little while the whole army arrived. Our braves, but few
in number, finding that the enemy paid no regard to age or
sex, and seeing that they were murdering helpless women and

378

^rm OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

Uttle ehildreii, determined to fight until they were killed. As
many women as could commenced swimming the MissiBsippi, witli
their ehildren on their backs, A number of them were drowned,
and some shot befoi'e they could reach the opptisite shore.

**Thi8 massacre, which terminated the war, lasted about
hours. Our lo^ in killed was about sixty, besides a n%
that was drowned. The loss of the enemy could not be
tained by my brakes exactly ^ Imt thoy think that they
about sixteen during the action/'

It was afterward catiniateil that the loss of the Americanj^
in killed and woimdcd was twenty*seven— that of tlie Iiidiait:^
nearly two hundred.

In reviewing the Black Hawk "War the student of history^
forced to the conelusion that it was caused by the white man's
avarice and detenu i nation to s^rindle the Indian out of \m
birthright, the finest lauds of AViseonsin, Missouri and Illinois^
for the usual mess of potta^'c. It began by the deliberate murder
of the bearer of a white flag of truec (which is respected by
every civilized nation on earth), and it ended in an indiscrim-
inate massacre of men, women and helpless children, while the
chief and warriors were suing for peace, and actually trying Xa
surrender.

Having escaped through the lines of the American army*
Black Hawk, with a snifill party, flp^i fn tlu- Winrii^bntTo villngc^
at La Crosse. On his arrival here he entered the lodge of thdr
chief and told him he intended giving himself up to the Ameri-
can war-chief and die if it pleased the Great Spirit. Black
Hawk still retained his medicine bag, which he now presented to
the chief, and informed him that it was **the soul of the Sae
nation— that it never had been dishonored in any battle; take it,,
it is my life— dearer than life— and give it to the American
chief!" The Winnebago chief received it, promised to tdK
special care of it, and said if Black Hawk's life was spared he
would send it to him, but for some unknown cause this promise
was never fulfilled.

During his stay at this village the squaws made him a suit of

BLACK UAIVK AND HIS IV AR,

381

;tte d^^rskin, which he wore when he went with several Win-
nebagoa to Prairie du Chien and gave himself up.

On August 27, 1833* about noon. Black Hawk and his com-
paniom ealled the Prophet, surrendered to General Street at
Prairie du Chien.

On September 7, Black Hawk, no,w a prisoner of war, together
with the Prof)het and others, were taken on board the steamer
Winnebago and sent to Jefferson Barracks, in charge of Lieut.
*JeiTerRon Davis, of whom the chief said: **He is a good and
brave young chief, with whase conduct I was much pleased, and
treated iis with great kindness."

We are here reminded that at least four men w^ho took part
in the Black Hawk War were heard of again. Col. Zachariah
Taylor and Capt. Abraham Lincoln each became President;
Lieut. Jefferson Davis, Taylor's son-in-law% President of the
Southern Confederacy, while Gen. Winfield Scott, **the hero of
four wars.*' escaped the cholera, which almost destroyed his
mrmy^ to become a strong Presidential probability, and the
standard-bearer of the Whig party.

While Black Hawk was not equal to Pontiac, Brant or Ticuin-
•eh as a warrior and leader of men, yet his skill in oratory
placed him in the class with Red Jacket, Logan, or even the
gifted TecuHiaeh. Fortunately many of his speeches were made
under circumstances w^hich have permitted them to be preserved ;
and though they were probably ** revised,** in some instances, by
admiring friends, yet he undoubtedly possessed a peculiar poet-
ical eloquence all his own.

When the fallen chieftain entered the presence of General
Street as a prisoner he thus addressed him: **You have taken
me pri!«oner with all my warriors. I am much grieved, for I
expected if I did not defeat you to hold out much longer and
giw yon more trouble before I surrendered. I tried hard to

g you into ambush, but your last general understands Indian

ling. The first one w^as not so wise. AVTien I saw I could
not beat you by Indian fighting, I determined to rush on you and
fight you face to face. I fought hard, but your guns were well

UVES QF FA Macs iSDfAN CBIMFS.

aimed. The bullets flrw like birds in the sir, and whizzed hj
oiir ears like mod through the trees in winter, ^ly warriuf*
fell around me; it began to look dismaL I saw my evil (lay
at band. The sun rose dim on ns in the morning and at nigbt
it sank in a dark eloud, and looked like n ball of Ore. That W3£
tbe last sun that shone on Black Hawk, His heart h ilead and
no longer beats quick in his bosom. He is now a prisoner tt»
the w^hite man; they will do with him as they wish. But he eiui
stand torture and is not afraid of death. He is no coward
Black Hawk is an Indian.

*'He has done nothing for which an Indian ought to bf
ashamed. He has fought for his count rynien^ the sqnaws aaJ
pappooses, a^inst white iiwn, %iiio came year after year tn
cheat him and take away their lands. You know the cause of
our making war. It is known to all white men. They uugbt ti»
be ashamed of it. The white men despise the Indians and dri^"^
them from their homes. But the Indians are not deceitful* The
white men speak bad of the Indian and look at him spitefaUy.
But the Indian do<^ not tell lies; Indians do not steal.

"An Indian who is as bad as the white men could not h^^
in our nation ; he would be put to death and eaten up by the
wolves. The white men are bad schoolmasters; they carry fak«
looks and deal in false actions; they smile in the face of the
poor Indian to cheat him ; they shake them by the hand to ^^
their confidence, to make them drunk, to deceive thciu. Wc t''^'
them to let us alone and keep away from us ; but they followed
on, and beset our path as they coiled themselves among us, like
a snake. They poisoned us by their touch. We were not safe, ^e
lived in danger. We w^ere becoming like them, hypocrites and
liars, adulterers, lazy drones— all talkers and no workers.

**We looked up to the Great Spirit. We went to our great
father. We were encouraged. His great council gave us fair
words and big promises; but we got no satisfaction. Things
were growing worse. There were no deer in the forest. The
opossum and beaver were fled; the springs were drying up and
our squaws and pappooses without victuals to keep them f^^

SLACK HAWK AND HIS WAB.

3S3

ig; we called a great council ana built a large fire. Tho
•it of our fathers arose and spoke to us to avenge our wrunt?s
or die. We all spoke before the council-fire. It was warm and
plettwint. We set up the war-whoop, and dug up the tomahawk;
knives were ready, and the heart of Black Hawk swelled
in his bosom when he led his warriors tc> battle. He is
Rfied. He will go to the world of spirils contented. He has
? hin duty. His father will meet him there and commend him.
sek Hawk is a true Indian and disdains to cry like a
lie feels for his wife, his children and his friends. But
ioc« not care for himself. He cares for his nation and the
liiins. They will suffer. He laments their fate. The white
I do not scalp the head; but they do worse — they poison the
it m not |mre with them. His countrymen will not be
fp^, but they will, in a few ye^i-s, become like the white
, m that you can't trust them, and there must be, as in the
^t(* settlements, nearly as many oflficers as men, to take care of

I and keep them in order.

J**Parewell, my nation! Black Hawk tried to save you and

nge your wrongs. He drank the blood of some of the whites.

an been taken prisoner and his plans are stopped. He can

|ni» more. He is near his end. His sun is setting and will

fao more. Farewell to Black Hawk."

Black Hawk at the time of his imprisonment was sixty-six
ftFs of atre.

Some time during the month of September the United States

m Ijvaty with the Sacs and Foxes bj' which six million acres

[choice land were ceded, containinjr the rich lend mine near

|l«aia. In payment for this cession the United States agreed

pay an annuity of $20,000 for thirty years; to support a

i^kxmith and gun.smith in addition to those then employed; to

the debts of the tribes; to supply provisions; and, as a

anl for the fidelity of Keokuk and the friendly band, to

^w a rcifterva^jon to be made for them of forty s<|uare miles, on

Iowa River, to include Keokuk's principal village/' This

»ty also required that Black Hawk, his two sons, the Prophet,

384 UVE8 OF FAMOUS INDIAN CEIEFB,

Neopope {the seeotid chief) and five others of the hostile band
were to remain in the hands of the whites as hostages during tk
pleasure of the President of the United States.

The captive Indians were sent to Washington by order of
President Jackson, and arrived at their destination April 2%
1833. The day following Black Hawk had a long interview
with the President i it is'said that his first greetiog on meeting
the President was, *'I am a man, and you are another,"

**Okl Hickory'* had had a wide experience with IndianSp and
at once made them feel at ease by greeting them kindly, and
after having the articles of dress proidded for them exhibited
he told Blaek Hawk they would he delivered to him for dirtribib
tion. He then add tihqr woiild have to leave shortly to FortraB
Monroe and remain nntil he gave them jiermusion to return to
their eonntry. That date depended upon the eondnet of the
Indians, but he hoped they would soon evince good feeling and
thereby shorten the time.

During this interview Black Hawk gave a brief history of
the cause of the war, saying: **We did not expect to conquer
the whites; no. They had too many houses, too many men. I
took up the hatchet, for my part, to revenge injuries which my
people could no longer endure. Had I borne them longer without
striking, my people would have said, * Black pawk is a woman,
he is too old to be a chief; he is no Sac' These reflections
caused me to raise the war-whoop. I say no more of it, it is
known to you. Keokuk once was here; you took him by the
"hand, and, when he wished to return to his home, you were will-
ing. Black Hawk expects that, like Keokuk, we shall be per-
mitted to return too.'*

The President assured him that he was acquainted with the
essential facts of the war, and that the chief need feel no uneasi-
ness about the women and children whom they had left behind.
Th6y would be looked after and protected 'from their Indian
foes.

On April 26 the captives arrived at Portress Monroe. Here
•^ived much kindness, and though confined were not

BLACK HAWK AND HIS WAR. ?>><o

shackled, and their imprisonment made as easy as possible. But
they pined for the free air of the prairies, for their rude wig-
>vams and the companionship of their families. Time passed
slowly, with little to occupy their minds, but their own sad
thoughts.

We can not help but wonder if the mind of Black Hawk at
this time reverted to the young war-chief (Jefferson Davis) who
treated him so kindly while on board the steamer Winnebago
t?n route for Jefferson Barracks ; who was destined at the down-
fall of the Confederacy to be a United States prisoner and con-
fined in Fortress Monroe, the same grim bastile in which he was
now incarcerated.

Fortunately their behavior was satisfactory to the President
and by special order the prisoners were released the 4th of June.

It was thought wise by the (Jovemment to impress the
Indians by a contrast of their own feeble resources with the vast
wealth and great population of the Americans, by giving them a
view of several large cities on their journey home. So the
day following their release from prison the Indians and their
escort took a steamer for Baltimore, by way of Norfolk.

When Black Hawk and his party arrived in Baltimore they
found that the Great Father, President Jackson, was also in that
city. In an interview with the chief, the President said :

''When I saw you in Washington, I told you that you had
behaved very badly in going to war against the whites. Your
conduct then compelled me to send my warriors against you, and
your people were defeated with great loss, and several of you
surrendered, to be kept until I should be satisfied that you
would not try to do any more injury. I told you, too, that I
would inquire whether your people \\ished you to return,
and whether if you did return there would be any danger
to the frontier. General Clark and General Atkinson, whom
you know, have informed me that your principal chief and
your people are anxious you should return, and Keokuk has
asked me to send you back. Your chiefs have pledged them-
selves for your good conduct, and that you will never atrain take

3S0 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

up tlie hatchet ajrainst the whites, and I have given directions
that you should be taken to your own country.

** Major Garland, who is with you, will conduct you through
some of our towns. You will see the strength of the white
people. You will see that our young men are as numerous as
the leaves in the woods. What can you do against us? You
may kill a few women and children, but such a force would
H(K>n be sent against you as would destroy your whole tribe. Let
the rod men hunt and take care of their families. I hope they
will not again raise the tomahawk against their white brethren.
We do not wish to injure you. We desire your prosperity and
improvement. But if you again make war against our people I
shall send a force which will severely punish you. When you
gi> back, listen to the councils of Keokuk and the other friendly
chiefs; bury the tomahawk and live in peace with the people
on the frontier. And T pray the Great Spirit to give you a
snuv>th path and a fair sky to return."

From Haltimoro the party, condnoted by Major Garland.
wont to Pbiladolphia. Horo the Indians visited the mint and
oaoh n^eoiviHl a number of now coins, of which thoy were very
pnnid.

New York was the next oity visitoii. lloro the Indians were
amaxt^l at the size of the "villap''' and tlu- vast throuirs of
people which gnvtoil thoni at cvrry lurr.. Iniiivd. all alonir the
route they won^ dint\i and wint\i and avJ.] niirh killed with
kindness^ Black Hawk alsi-^ roooivod a larizo niinibor of vahiable
prwients.

One of the nn-^st inton-^lini: ir.i^idon^s of wl.ai nrlirhT bo called
ihoir triumphal tour, was a brief visi* t.^ :1u >^»nocas. at their
<^\meibhou5*o on tboir iv<irv;n:or. ir. X-.w York. The Seneca
chi'^fl*in, Captain lV:::-rv: K.
i>wj>eett\l msn. oxprt^sstV. l.is pl-.r
tlKM tx^ $Kv to tboir bv^n^t^ ^.r. r. :^:.\
\m1, and ^-jovt r r.\^rf : •^::

^'lur ■

i^^^":'.

r.r."

. an a^rod and

SV,"!*',

r.' V.

::t^:

ir.:: ihoni, nrdni:

.. oV.^.

- -...

v.-.o

.-f r.-i-nd. :o c-ilti-

\ : f.c,

". " "*~ '»''

,v,.

■ vh-if inon.

,>,.,

.*"■ JI •■

-. Vr-^Th-r of the

.< >":">;

<k:":;

:i:i

^^■'^rds of a wise

BJACK n ijvh Axn His war.

3S7

erxxl limn. We are strangers to each other, though we have

tiic&ame coh>r, and the same (treat Spirit made uh all and ^ave

i^si thk country together. Brothers, we have seen how prcat a

l>^?opIe the whites are* They are very rich and very strong. It

i^ folly for us to fi^jht against thein. We shall ^o home with

xaauch knowledge. For myself, I shall advise my people to be

^^iet, and live like good men. The advice which you gave us,

^ > tt^ther, is very good» and we tell you now we mean to walk the

straight path in tht* future, and to content ourselves with what

^vii have and with the cultivation of our lands.**

From Buffalo the Indians traveled by water to Detroit.
After leaving this city no incident of importance occurred until
they reached Fort Armstrong, Rock Island, about the 1st of
August. Port Armstrong had been selected as the most appro-
priate place for the dismissal of the Indians.

Keokuk was away on a taiffalo hunt when Black Hawk
'Arrived, but hurried to the place, attended by a large party, as
^<^i\ as he heard the news, A large room in the garrison was
pt^pwetl for the reception of the tivo parties. About ten o'clock
™kuk «ppeai*ed at the head of a hundred warriors. Profound
wncc prevaileil until the arrival of Black Hawk and his party,
•^ they came in Keokuk and the chiefs of his band arose and
•hook hands wnth him and the rest. Black Hawk and party
^^^ around and seated themselves opposite Keokuk; but h©
^ his «on showed in their looks their dejection and humilia-
hon, for they knew that after years of rivalry the time of
'•^niMph far Keokuk, the younger chieftain, had arrived.

Major Garland broke the silence by saying that he was glad
'^ ibd so much good feeling in the tribe toward Black Hawk
^<i his party. He was confident, from what he had seen and
^^fi^ that they would have no more trouble among themselves.
"<!had but little to say as the President s speech to Black Hawk
^id all, and this would now be read and interpreted to the
^^diaiiis. This was accordingly done, when Keokuk arose and
^id impressively ;

**I have listened to the talk of our Great Father. It is

tJn*:H ay famous isihax iRiHF^,

true; Vkn plodgcd our houom with tho6# of oitr yoiin^ briTei;, fc
their IitH*rat]ori. We thuught much of it; our councils wel
loni?; their wives nml t'hilt]rt*n wen* in our thoughts*. When
1 Hiked of them our henrfs were full. Their wives and ehildi
eame to tis, which madp u» fe^*l like* woiweii; but we were met
The word which we »en1 to our fireat P«th*>r was one word, tl:
word of all. The heart of our (Ireat Blather wbs good; h^
»poke like the fatht^r of children. The (ireat Hpirit made his
heart bi^ in council, We received our brothers in friendship;
our hearts are jjood towanl thetn. They once listened to bad
counsel; now their ears are closed. I give my hand to them;
when they shake it they shake the hand of aJL I will shake
hands with thetn and then I am done." flj

Major Garland now delivered th6 nitwit humiliating insult

ainl Om^ link (rMli"s( rut Hlrn-k lljiwk lirvfl r'\ «'r tiM-rivi-d. TTe ^^uA

he wished all present clearly to understand that the President
considered Keokuk the principal chief of the tribe, and in the
future he should be acknowledged as the only one entitled to that
distinction. He wished Black Hawk to listen and conform to
his counsels. The two bands that had heretofore existed in the
tribe must be broken up.

When this cutting speech was translated to Black Hawk a
bad matter was made worse by a blunder of the interpreter, who
represented Major Garland as declaring that Black Hawk must
conform to the counsels of Keokuk.

The chief was infuriated, and rising to his iVet» his eyea flash-
ing fire, he replied: **I am an old man; I will not eonfonti to
the counsel of any one. I will act for myself; no one shall
govern me. I am old ; my hair is gray. I once gave counsels to
my young men; am I to conform to others? I shall soon go to
the Great Spirit, where I shall rest. What I said to our Great
Father in Washington, I say again : I will always listen to him.
I am done.*'

It was the last flickering spark of grandeur and greatness.
His words caused a stir among the listeners. The interpreter
hastened to explain that he was only requested to listen to the

KEOKUK,

HEAD CHIEF OF SAC AND FOX TRIBE.
ttmrliST df Sntittuonian IjnMttution. 8«« |liiti! 3Btt.

BLACK HAWK AND BIS WAB. 391

counsels of Keokuk. Black Hawk made no reply, but seemed
absorbed in his own gloomy thoughts, until Keokuk said to him
in an undertone: *'Why do you speak thus before the white
men f I will speak for you, you trembled and did not mean what
you said." Black Hawk nodded assent and Keokuk said:

*'Our brother, who has again come among us, has spoken,
but he spoke in wrath, his tongue was forked ; he spoke not like
a man, a Sac. He knew his words were bad ; he trembled like
the oak, whose roots have been washed by many rains. He is old ;
what he said let us forget. He says he did not mean it ; he wishes
it were forgotten. I have spoken for him. What I have said is
his own words, not mine. Let us say he spoke in council to-day ;
and that his words were good; I have spoken."

Major Garland that evening invited the principal chiefs,
including Black Hawk, to meet him at his quarters. After sev-
eral speeches had been made by the other chiefs, Black Hawk
arose, and in a calm but somewhat subdued manner, said: **I
feel that I am an old man. Once I could speak, but now I have
little to say. To-day we meet many of our brothers. We are
glad to see them. I have listened to what my brothers said;
their hearts are good; they have been like Sacs since I left
them ; they have taken care of my wife and children, who had no
wigwam. I thank them for it ; the Great Spirit knows I thank
them. Before the sun sets behind the hills to-morrow I shall see
them. I want to see them. When I left them I expected to
return. I told our Great Father, when in Washington, I would
listen to his counsels ; I say so to you. I will listen to the counsel
of Keokuk. I shall soon be far away. I shall have no village,
no band ; I shall live alone. What I said in council to-day I wish
forgotten. If it has been put upon paper, I wish a mark to be
drawn over it. I did not mean it. Now we are alone; let us say
we will forget it. Say to our Great Father and Governor Cass
that I will listen to them. Many years ago I met Governor Cass
in councils, far across the prairies to the rising sun. His counsels
were good. My ears were closed. I listened to the Great Father
across the waters. My father listened to him, whose band was

urga €fW FJMOCM ntKAM cmawM.

I Md «■ Mr pKTt J tkMfc Mr Grtttt PMIer Ih^ irtil k bi
BeiioU; IwmMii vr ikail mm 9 !• Ac OiMt SpM,
! we tksO rei£. He wem m tki9«i^ hb gmeU vOh^ Tt
MV BKvr ivl^i^ B^^ v^ troited m with IfmrfiwaM Wc Qmik
tkim. We tksiilr yoii ^id Mr, Spwme^m for mom^ vitfc m
Ymmt rmd w loot ^id craokecL We im
■^ kfofTp What 7«ii voe witli n we feit m
tei mmt tfitsA mmag tlMB. We Mt §^i^ Tm
^B, WbM J«m eoQip npcni tlie MiMMppi
19 ^T wifvain. I lift Te ood^ nq^r. On jtmr rotd I
wiere mf tiIIj^p <ni«e miL Na one INm there mfwi wM uepK
I gtfe j'oo fv Iiftiid; we isHy omr met agmtci. I staD iM!
UMiwfcrr 7«ii* The Gf«f Sptrit iHll be with jott and T^r
vHfs ftod efaildn'n. Btf^fore tlip nm rws I AaH ittafi to «f
fa"iHy llr mm will be here In «e voa lieftirp j»ki ea I wSl
j ji^k# > hands with my brothers myw, and then I am done/'

In September, 1837, a delegation of Sacs and Poxes, and
snolher of Sionx and lowas visited Washington, and at the sag-
ggsikm of the President, extended their tonr throng the priu-

The idea of in« ing the untutored mind of poor Lo with

^ar w^th, Dorobensf arrd importance as a nation, seems to have
heeo » favorite one with many of our Presidents. We presiune
1^ deleeation, which included both Black Hawk and Keokuk.
^m mitflbly iiDpr*?^®^!. as have been many others since.

This tour extende^J to Boston, where the delegation was
Iffi^ed by Edward Everett, then Governor of ^lassachusetts,
of the best speet hes ever delivered to Indians, at the coO-
of which Keokuk and Black Hawk each made eloquei^^
Presents w>'re then distributed to. the Indians by tb^
Qj^ffffcor Keokuk received a splendid sword and brace o'
^^^^ bb little son a nice little rifle, the other chiefs loO^
^g0i^ *^iid Black Hawk a sword and brace of pistols. At tl^^
cerenionif-s in the Capital, the Indians entertain^^
ud niOtiir- d Bostonians with a war-dance.

BLACK HAtiK ASD lilH WAB,

393

r>n after his rrlurn from Boston Black Hawk moved
!)uT wc»t to the Des Moines River, near the storehouse of an
lian trader, where he had previously buill a good house for his
ore home. His family included his wife, two sons, Nashashuk
[(lamesett, and an only daughter and her husband.
[As he had given up the chase entirely, having suflfieient means
hia aunuities, he now turnetl his attention to the improvc-
^t of bis grounds, and soon had everything comfortable
tend him. Here he had fi'equent visits from the whites, who
jie through curiosity to see the great war-chief, but all were
Be welcome and treated with great hospitality.
lOn the Fourth of July, 1838, Black Hawk was at a celebra-
%m in Port Madison, by special invitation. Among the toasts
forth by the occasion was the following:
**Our illustrious guest, Black Hawk. May his declining years
[is calm and serene as his previous life has been boisterous
full of warlike incidents. His attachment and present
padiship to his white brethren fully entitle him to a seat at
^festive l>oard/'

I As soon as this sentiment was drunk, Black Hawk arose and
uvered the following speech, which was taken down at the time
llwo interpreters, and by them furnished for publication :
I** It has pleased the Great Spirit that I am here to-day— I
' eaten with my white friends. The earth is our mother— we
now on it— with the Great Spirit above us — it is good. I
we are all friends here. A few summers ago I was fighting
Bt you— I did wrong, perhaps; but tJiat is past— it is
i— let it be forgotten.
f'Rock River was a beautiful country— I liked my towns, my
Selds, and the home of my people. I fought for it. It is
[yottni— keep it as we did— it will produce you good crops.
*I Xhmk the Great Spirit that I am now friendly with my
' ren. AYe are here together — we have eaten together—
imIs— it is yrnir wish and mine* I thaak you for your

iiisiiip.

}1 wjui onee a great warrior — I am now poor. Keokuk haa

:i94 UVKS OF FAMOl\S ISDJAN CBtEFS,

been the cause of my present situation— but do not attaeh bltme
to Mm. I atu now^^ old. I have looked upon the ]ili^isi|»pt
River since I was a child, I love the great river* I have dwell
Dear its banks from the time I was an infant I look upoo it
O0W. I shake hanck mth you, and as it is my wish, I hope jm
are nil my friends/*

Black Hawk always felt an unreleuting hatred for Kebknk,
whom he averred excelled him in nothing but drinkiog whisky.
Keokuk was, however, beyond his influence, as he was recognisifd
as the principal chief of the tribe by the T'^nited States {rnveiti*
ment. He was undoubtedly a man of great talents, excelled »»
an orator and diplomat. Seeing how utterly hopeless it wss \»
go to war with the United Stat^, he advocated peace at an/
price, even the sale of 26,500,000 acres of the ftnent land in Mis-
fiouri, Wiseon?^in and IlHnois, at thrt^* cents an acre.

Accoroing xo ius autobiog:rapny Black HawK was oom at lut
Sac village on the Rock River in the year 1767. His father's
name was Pyesa. He was also a chief of the Rock River band
of the Sac tribe, but not very prominent, it would seem.

The subject of this sketch was full six feet in height, and well
proportioned. It will be remembered that there is a tone of
melancholy in all his speeches, as if he considered his life's
career ended, and expected his troubles to end in a speedy death.
His proud heart was broken by the cruelty of the Government in
deposing him and recognizing his rival, Keokuk, as the principal
chief. After this was done he seemed to have lost interest in
life and to actually desire the rest of the grave. Nor had he
long to wait, but passed away October 3, 1838, at the age of
seventy-one years. But he failed to find the much desired repose
in the grave, for some of that same race which kept him moving
on while living turned ghoul and dug up his bones. This fact
is learned from the following letter written to the Burlington
Hawk Eye by Capt. James H. Jordan, a trader among the Sacs
and Poxes before Black Hawk's death, who was present at the
funeral, in which he says :

H^ , 1 Hawk was buried on the northeast quarter of Section

BLACK HAWK AND HIS WAR. 395

2, Township 70, Range 12, Davis County, Iowa, near the north-
east corner of the county, on the Des Moines River bottom, about
ninety rods from where he lived when he died, on the north side
of the river. I have the ground on which he lived for a door-
yard, it being between my house and the river. The only mound
over the grave was some puncheons split out and set over his
grave and then sodded over with bluegrass, making a ridge
about four feet high. A flagstaff some twenty feet high was
planted at the head, on which was a silk flag, which hung there
until the wind wore it out. My house and his were only about
four rods apart when he died. He was sick only about fourteen
days. He was buried right where he sat the year before, when
in council with the Iowa Indians, and was buried in a suit of
military clothes, made to order and given to him when in Wash-
ington City by General Jackson, with hat, sword, gold epaulets,
etc.

*^The Annals of Iowa of 1863 and 1864 state that the old
chief was buried by laying his boily on a board, his feet fifteen
inches below the surface of the ground, and his head raised
three feet above the ground. On his left side was a sword
presented him by General Jackson ; on his right side a cane pre-
sented him by Henry Chiy, and one given him by a British
officer, and other trophies. Three medals hung about his neck,
from President Jackson, ex-President John Quincy Adams, and
the city of Boston, respectively. The body was covered with
boards on each side, six feet lon*r, which formed a ridge; the
^rabies being closed by boards the whole was covered with blue-
grass sod. Near the tiajjrstaff was the usual hewn post inscribed
with Indian characters representing his warlike exploits, etc.
Enclosing all was a strong circular ])icket fence twelve feet high.
His body remained here until July, 1839, when it was carried
off by a certain Dr. Turner, then living at Lexington, Van Buren
County, Iowa. Captain Horn says the bones were carried to
Alton, Illinois, to be mounted with wire. Mr. Barrows says
they were taken to Warsaw, Illinois. Black Hawk's sons, when
they heard of this desecration of their father's grave, were very

LIVES OF FAMOUS INMA^^ CHIEFS.

indig:tiaTit, and eornplained of it to Ctovernor LiicaSj of ^o^Ya» and
his *ixcellfin:y eiiiuscd the bones U* W bmii|ihl back to Burlingtun
in the full of 1839, or spring of 18411 Whon the sons came ht
take posi^B^lon of them, finding them safely stored 'in a gCMxl
dry phiei*/ i}wy k*ft them there. The bones were subsequently
pbicod in the collection of the BiirliosLfton (Jeokiprical and His-
torieal Society, and it is thought that they pemlied in the fin%
which destroyed the building and all the society's collections iu
1855; though the editor of the AnmiLs (April, 1865, p, -478)
sa>'s there is ^^otxl reason to believe that the bones were not
destroyed by the fire, and be is credibly informed that tliey
are bow at the residence of a former officer of said societj% and
thus escaped that catastrophe/'

In closini; this narrative of the life of this ooble old chief
it may be just to speak briefly of his pcraoQal traits. He was
an Indian, and from that standpoint we must judge him. The
make-up of his character comprised those elements in a marked
degree which constitutes a noble nature. In all the social rela-
tions of life he was kind and affable. In his home he was
the affectionate husband and father. He was free from many
vices that others of his race had contracted from their associa-
tion with the white people, never using intoxicating beverages
to excess. As a warrior he knew no fear, and on the field of
battle his feats of personal prowess stamped him as the ** bravest
of the brave.*' But he excelled as an orator and counsellor of
his people rather than a military hero. His love of his country,
his home, his lands, and the rights of his people to their broad
domain, moved his great soul to take up arms. Revenge or
conquest formed no part of his purpose. Right was all he
demanded, and for that alone he waged the unequal contest
with the superior race to the bitter and inevitable termination.

The Black Hawk Watch Tower, as it is called, is situated on
the Rock River a short distance from the Mississippi. It had
been selected by Black Hawk's father as a lookout, at the first
building up of the Sac village. From this point they had an
unobstructed view up and down both rivers for many miles, and

BLACK HAWK AND HIS WAS. 397

across the prairiAs as far as the vision could penetrate. The
** Tower'* is now a summer resort for the people of Rock Island.

In his autobiography Black Hawk says: ''In 1827, a young
Sioux Indian got lost on the prairie in a snowstorm, and found
his way into our Village. Although he was an enemy, he was
safe while accepting the hospitality of the Sacs. He remained
there for some time on account of the severity of the stomL
Becoming well acquainted, he fell in love with the daughter of
one of the head men of the village where he had been enter-
tained, and before leaving for his own country, promised to
come back for her at a certain time during the next summer.

**In July he made his way to the Rock River village, where
he secreted himself in the woods until he could meet the maiden
he loved, who came out to the field with her mother to assist her
in hoeing com. Late in the afternoon her mother left her and
went to the village. No sooner had she got out of hearing, than
he gave a loud whistle, which assured the maiden that he had
returned. She continued hoeing leisurely to the end of the row,
when her lover came to meet her, and she promised to come to
him as soon as she could go to the lodge and get her blanket, and
together they would flee to his country. But, unfortunately for
the lovers, the girl's two brothers had seen the meeting, and
after procuring their guns started in pursuit of them. A heavy
thunderstorm was coming on at the time. The lovers hastened
to and took shelter under a cliff of rocks, at Black Hawk's Watch
Tower. Soon after a loud peal of thunder was heard, the cliff
r>f rocks was shattered in a thousand pieces, and the lovers
buried beneath, while in full view of her purauing brothers.
This, their unexpected tomb, still remains undisturbed.

**This tower, to which my name has been applied, was a
favorite resort, and was frequently visited by me alone, when
X could sit and smoke my i)ipe and look with wonder and
pleasure at the grand scenes that were presented by the sun's
fays even across the mi*?hty water. On one occasion a French-
man, who had be(»n nuikin<r his homo in our village, brought his
violin with him to the tow(»r, to play and dance for the amuse-

tirES OF FJMOCS INDIAN CHIEFS,

ment of a nun^bcr of otir people^ who had assembled til«n^ )
wUto ^l^iMWTtfl with his buck to the cliff, aecideiitally fell
it Klid was killed by the fall. The Indians sny that always it
tll6 Siiiie time of the yf.'^r soft strains of the yiolin ean be beinl
MtrAatepot;'

Thft following beautiful word painting by a recent
tho toirarivo take fnmi the Raek Island fmioii:

BUkCfC HAWK^ WATCH TOWER,
ar JCKNie u, rowLci.

^'BaaailM tCMw! immmm an hinoi^*
'BUk ia Ipfittd. la iiJil-tloi# miivtf rj,
QiM»4 with tol» dl laiBaa lore,
CNfmd witk biaitty ftiA sawttit t» rimttu

Kaitibig "'-ti!t 'Bud blABil and ^Ul,
Abofvc^ 1 ^I'lrK t»rtni«]]y and fffiLii4»
Tower tL_ __^: :_-..5> iiKiBaKii^ _i

**A landmark for all to admire and wonder,
Witk tkj kistory ancient, for nations to ponder,
Boldlj tkou Hftest tkj kead to tke Imeeze,
Crowned witk tkj phunes. tke nodding trees.

''Years now are gone — forerer more fled,
Siwre tke Indian erept witk eatlike tread,
Witk moeeasined foot, witk eagl^ ere—
Tke red men our foes in ambosk lie.

''The owl still kis nigkthr rigil keeps,
Wkile tke rirer, below kim, pea^fefullr sleeps.
Tke wkippoorwill utters kis plaintive err,
Tke trees still wkisper^ and gently sigh.

'^Tke pale moon stiU creeps from ker daily rest,
Tkrowing ker rays o >r tke rirer *^ dark breast^
Tke katjrdid and eriieket. I trow.
In days goae by, ekirruped^ eren as now.

^*Iw£An! tky eamp-ftres no longer are smoldering.
Tky bones *^fentk tke forest moss long luiTe been moXdecis^
Tki» ^^ Great Spirit '"' ekums tkee. He leadetk tky tribe.
To iiew knnting-grottttds not won witk a bribe.

'•^ Ott tky Watck Tow> the palefaw his home* now a&akesy
His dwelling^, the site oi the forest tree takes.
itooie are thy wigwams, the wild deer long fied.
EkMk Hawk, witk kis tribe, lie sileat and dend.^*

CHAPTER Xn.

SHABBONA, THE WHITE MAN'S FRIEND— THE CELE-
BBATED POTTAWATOMIE CHIEF.

S Saul also among the prophets?" Is Shabbona classed
among the famous Indian chiefs? He who was only chief
of a small band or village?

Yes, and for the best of reasons.

' ' Howe 'er it be, it seems to me,
Tis only noble to be good ;
Kind hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood. ' '

However, we will tell the story of his life, and let the reader
judge whether he is rightly classified.

According to his own statement he was bom in an Ottawa
village about the beginning of the Revolutionary War, in the
year 1775 or 1776.

We have before us, as we write, three different sketches of
his life, and though they all agree as to the date, they mention
three distinct birthplaces, widely separated. Thus we find that
jVIatson, his principal biographer, says **he was born at an Indian
village on the Kankakee River, in what is now Will County,
Illinois." Caroline M. Mcllvane, librarian of the Chicago His-
torical Society, in her interesting sketch of Shabbona, says, **he
was bom at an Indian village on the Maiimee River"; while
one of the speakers at the dedication of the Shabbona monu-
ment, which occurred at Morris, Illinois, October 23, 1903, said :
** Shabbona was bom at the principal village of the Ottawas in
Canada." Who shall decide when the doctors disagree?

His father, a nephew of the illustrious Pontiac, was a war-
chief of the Ottawas, and was undoubtedly a man of ability,

401

LiVSS OF FAMOUS JNBIAN CBIEFS.

as lie was one of the eoiimiissioners represent in g liis tribe io
Wa>Tie's treaty at Greenville, in 1795, and made a speech on
that occasion. ^|

When Bhabbona was an infant his parents moved to Canail^™
where the boy grew up and was instructed in all the Indimi
lore of his day* In youth he excelled all eompetitora m tW
many feata of strength, speed and eiidtiranee. His name ti
usually interpreted to mean *' Built like a bc*ar/* and it was
certainly appropriate, as he wa« Bve feet nini* inehes in heiglil,
well proportioned, thouirh with veiy broad, deep chesty heay>*
«h«mlderK. lar^ri* neek and a hrad of extraordinary i^\u\

Mr, Gurdon S, Hubbard, ai^ent of the American Pur Cowi-
pany, at Chicago, said of Shabbona : **From my tln^t acquaint-
ance with him. which began in 1818, to his death. I was
impressed with the nol)ility of his character. Physically he was

tioned, strong and active, with a face expressing great strength
of mind, and goodness of heart."

Fur traders who knew him in the prime of his life, speak of
him as a very handsome Indian, excelling in horsemanship, danc-
ing and athletics of all kinds.

The name of the subject of this sketch was spelled many
different ways, but was usually pronounced as though spelled
Shab-o-nay. Hon. George M. Ilollenback, of Aurora, Illinois,
says: **I have heard *The Old Settler' pronounce his own nam**
many times and it was always as though it was spelled
8hal>o-neh."

3Iatson, in ** Memories of Shaubena," says, **In four treaties
where his signature appears, the orthography varies, and each
of his etlucated descendants and connections spell the name
different, I have in my possession, either written or printed,
seventeen different ways of spelling the name. Some of these
are so unlike that it is hard to believe they were intended for
the same person."

The French form of the name was Chamblee, and this spell-
ing was used by his old friend Sauganash, or Billy Caldwell, in

8SABB0NA, THE WHITS MAN'S FBIEND, 403

the following doeament, the original of which reposes in the
archives of the Chieago Historical Society :

''This is to certify that the bearer of this name, Ghamblee,
was a faithfol companion to me dnring the late war with the
United States. The bearer joined the late celebrated warrior,
Tecnmseh, of the Shawnee Nation, in the year 1807, on the
Wabash Biver, and remained with the above warrior from the
commencement of hostilities with the United States until our
defeat at Moravian Town, on the Thames, October 5, 1813. I
have been witness to his intrepidity and courageous warrior
conduct on many occasions, and he showed a great deal of
humanity to those unfortunate sons of Mars who fell into his
hands.

''Amhurstburg, August 1, 1816. B. Caldwell,

''Captain I. D."

We have decided to adopt the style used in spelling the
town in Illinois named for the chief, as also on the monument
over his grave.

About the year 1800, according to a letter from Prances R.
Ilowe, ot Porter Station, Indiana, a grandniece of Shabbona,
**an extended hunting excursion brought him from the Ottawa
country into the Pottawatomie hunting grounds, where he was
kindly received by a chief and his family. The young hunter
made such a fine impression on Spotka and his wife that they
gave him their daughter in marriage/' This Pottawatomie wife
of Shabbona was Wiomex Okono, whose home, according to Miss
Mcllvane, was located where the city of Chicago now stands.*
On the death of Spotka, and before he was forty years old, our
hero was made chief of his adopted nation. He soon afterward
moved his band to what has since been called Shabbona 's Grove,
in the southern part of De Kalb County. Here he resided until
1837.

In the summer of 1807, when Shabbona was on the Wabash,
he spent some time at the Shawnee village with Tecumseh. This

* llAtsoD loeatM this Pottawatomie band, into which Shabbona married, on the Illinoii
River, a abort distanee above the mouth of the Fox.

was probably his first acquamtance with the great chief. On r
wariD day in early Indian tsitinmer, in 1810, while Shabbona and
his young men were playini? ball, Tecumseh, accompanied by
three chiefs, mounted on spirited blaek ponies, rode into the
village. On the next day a favorite fat dog was killed and a
feast made for the distini^uisbed visitors. On their departure
their host accomponied them, stirred by Teeuniseh's eloquence
on behalf of his pet scheme of uniting aU the Western tribes io
a eonfedemtion, to wage war against the whites.

The five? chiefs now visited the Winnebago® and Menomonees.
Passing through Green Bay they erassed the southern part of
Wisconsin to Prairie du Chien. Prom here they descended the
Mississippi to Rock Island, and visited the Sac and Pox village
of Wapello and Black Hawk,

Shabbona now returned to his village, but Teeumseh aad
party continued down the river to St, Louis,

The following summer Shabbona was present at the second
council at Vincennes, which ended as the former one, without
any concessions on either side, and consequently without effect-
ing a reconciliation.

The next day after the council Shabbona started on a journey
South, with Teeumseh and two other Shawnee chiefs. They
spent several months among the Creeks, Cherokees and Choc-
taws. Returning to the Wabash late in the fall, about two
weeks after the battle of Tippecanoe, they saw the remains of
soldiers which had been dug up by the Indians and scattered
over the battlefield.

In the summer of 1812 messengers from Teeumseh visited
many villages in northern Illinois, informing the tribes that war
had been declared between the United States and England, and
offering the warriors large sums of money to fight for the latter.
These emissaries wished to capture Fort Dearborn before the
garrison knew that war existed. Shabbona intended at first to
remain at home and take no part in the war, but hearing that a
number of warriors from other villages and a few from his own
had left for Chicago, he mounted his pony and followed them.

8HABB0SA, THE WHITE MAN'S FBISND. 405

Shabbona and a few warriors arrived at Chicago on the after-
noon of the fatal day of the Fort Dearborn massacre. This was
August 16, 1812, the same day of the cowardly surrender of
General Hull at Detroit.

The chieftain and his young warriors were horrified at the
sight of blood and carnage. The sand along the beach where
the massacre had occurred was dyed and soaked with the blood
of forty-two dead bodies of soldiers, women and children, all of
whom were scalped and mutilated. The body of Capt. William
Wells, for whom Wells street, Chicago, is named, lay in one
place, his head in another, while his arms and legs were scattered
about in different places.

The captain had been very friendly with Black Partridge,
and that chief now gathered up his remains and gave them
decent burial near where they were found, but the remains of
the other victims of the massacre lay where they had fallen
until the rebuilding of Port Dearborn, in 1816, when they were
collected and interred by order of Captain Bradley.

The prisoners who had been spared were taken to the Indian
camp, which was near the present crossing of Jackson and
State streets, and closely guarded.

John Kinzie, whose residence stood on the north bank of the
river opposite the fort, had been the Indian trader at this place
for eight years, and, of coui*se, he had many friends among
the savages. As a special favor he was permitted to return to
his own house, accompanied by his family, including a step-
daughter (the wife of Lieutenant Helm) now badly wounded.

The evening after the massacre the chiefs present held a coun-
cil to decide the fate of the prisoners, and it was agreed to deliver
them to the British commander at Detroit, according to the
terms of surrender. This would have been done, but unfor-
tunately many warriors from a distance came into camp after
dark, who were thirsting for blood, and seemed determined
to murder the prisonei*s, in spite of the decision of the chiefs
in council and the stipulated terms of surrender.

Black Partridge and Shabbona, with a few of their warriors,

live:^ of famous Indian caiBrs,

deteriiitneil to make an effort to protect the inmates of KinJEJ*''*
hoiUR' from the tomaliawks of the bloodthirsty savBgie^; iicc<ir(i-
ingly they took a position on the poreh with their rifles crossing
the dot>rway. But the guard was overpowered by sheer numbers,
an a Uirg^ party of hostile savages^ with their faces painted.
nisJied by them, forcing their way into the house. The parlor
and i!iit ting- room were quickly filled with Indian^ who stooJ
with fiejilping*kiiives and tomahawks in hand, waiting the sigTui
from their leader to commence the bloody work. Jlrs. Kinztt*,
with her children, and Mrs* Helm, sat in a back room weeping
at the thought of the horrible death which awaited them in i
moii»ent. Even Black Partridge was in utter despair, and mi
to Mrs. Kinzie, *'\Ve have done ever^^thing in our power to Siit
you, but now all b lo^ : you and your friemU, together with Ih^
prisoners at the camp, hiU be slain/' But there was a chief
in the camp who had more intluenee than either Black Partri^g^
or Shabbona. At the instant Black Partridge spoke a loud
whoop was heard at the river. He immediately ran to see what
it meant, and in the darkness saw a canoe approaching, and
shouted to its occupant, **Who are you, friend or foe?'' The
new comer leaped ashore exclaiming in reply, **I am Sauga-
nash.'' His voice rang out like a trumpet on the still night air,
reaching the ears of Mrs. Kinzie and her friends in the back
room of her house, and a faint hope sprung up in her heart.
She knew Sauganash, or Billy Caldwell, the halfbreed, could
save them if he only reached the house in time. Black Partridge
now shouted, ** Hasten to the house, for our friends are in
danger and you alone can save them!" The tall, manly-looking
chief, ^ith his head adorned with eagle feathers and rifle in
hand, ran to the house, rushed into the parlor, which was still
full of scowling savages with weapons drawn, and by entreaties,
^ and threats of the dire vengeance of his friend and kinsman, the
^^ great Tecumseh, who never, when present, allowed a massacre
^^^^£pri»onen$, he prevailed on them to abandon their murderous
^^^HBttns, Through his influence Kinzie 's familv and the prisoners

ll""""""""""'"

SIJAHlyOXA, Till': WIllTK MAS'S FlUKMh 117

It was afterward found that a young half-breed girl, who had
been in Kinzie s family for some time, where she had received
kind treatment, seeing the hostile savages approaching, ran to
Billy Caldweirs wigwam, and informed him of their danger,
Avhen he hastened to the rescue just in time. This young
half-breed girl afterward married a Frenchman named Joseph
Pathier.

Sauganash, or Billy Caldwell, one of the heroes of the Port
Dearborn massacre, was a son of Colonel Caldwell, of the British
army, who for many years was stationed at Detroit. His mother
was a squaw of great beauty and intelligence, a connection
(possibly a sister) of the renowned Tecumseh. He was known
by the name of Sauganash, which in the Pottawatomie language
means an Englishman. Billy Caldwell had a good education
for that time, was a very popular chief, the idol of his band, and
possessed a remarkable influence over the entire tribe. He lived
at Chicago twenty-six years in a cabin located on the north side
of the river, near where North Water crosses La Salle street. He
went west with his tribe in June, 1836, and died in Kansas some
years after this.

Late in the autumn after the Chicago massacre, just as Shab-
bona and his band were about to start on their winter hunt,
two messengers from Tecumseh arrived at his villajre. They
brought a good-sized packafje of presents, consistinjr of beads,
rings and various kinds of ornaments, intended mainly for the
squaws. Tecumseh had sent the wanii)uin to Shabbona, asking
him to bring his warrioi-s and join his forces, and for their
services they were promised a large amount of British gold.
Tecumseh 's emissaries said, moreover, that all the Pottawatoinies
along the Illinois and its tributaries, ineluding the bands of
Black Partridge, Conio, Senachwine and Comas, had dug up the
hatchet and pledged their support; and that Thomas Porsji:h, a
trader at Peoria, had raised a company of French and half-
breeds and gone to the war. These statements all proved to be
false. Not one of the bands mentioned had agreed to go to w^ar,
and Shabbona afterward said had he known the true factxS he

Km uvks of famous ixdias chikfs.

v^ oil 111 Uitvt' rniiainci! at hoiin'. cUid ('ontiiui«xl the hunt, whieh
\*oij|iI h#jvr htu'U iiion* prnHtahlr.

I J lit l)«-li(>vii](; thi' II 'port, th«* winter hunt was indefinitely
p«Mtf>orH-(i, and the foHcnvin^ day Shabl)oua started for the seat
of uar at thr liead of twenty-two warriors. When they reached
th^St. .low-jih River they fell in with Colonel Dixon's recniits.
rormiMint( of a ]ar»re nuinlx-r of warriors led by Black Hawk, who
fiad followed around the hike from (freen Bay.

Shal)boiia became an aide to iJeneral Teeuniseh, served until
the end of the war, and st<HMl by his side when he fell in the
battle of the Thames. He always revered the memoiy of
Teenmseh and loved to talk about him.

In jrivinfr his account of the death of Teeuniseh to the cariy
net tiers around him. Shabbona said that on the morning of the
battle of the Thames, Teeuniseh. Billy Cahlwell and himself
■Ai-p' sittinL' on a h*\: in-jir tlic cjinip-firr. sniokin*^ their pipes.
v\lM-n ii nH'ssenL'^T canir to Tt*ciniis«^li. sMyin'j <Ieneral Proctor
wi^lii'd to set* liiin ininiedintrly. Th«- cliit'f nrosr and went hastily
to tin- tr^MM-ral's ln'jid<|UJirt»Ts. but sonn returned, looking quite
nii'Innrlioly. witht)ut sjiyini: a word. w]ien Hilly Caldwell said to
hinj, "Fatlirr. wliat an- w«' 1o do.' Slijill wr tiirlit the Araer-
i«';ins"V' To wliich he n-pl'MMl, ^'V.-s. my son: before sunset ve
will b«' in llh'ir siMok<\ as th«*y miw* now nuircliini: on to us. Bnt
tin* ir«*n«*ral w;mts you. ^lo, my snn. I sliaii nrvi-r see you a^in/*
'{'♦•(•iimsi'h a[)p«';irtM|. In* sjiid, to luivr a pr«*s«'ntinient that the
im|)«'ndinL' bnttl** W4»nld !)»• liis la^t. 'i'iM'ums«*li |>osted his war-
riors in tin- thick timlMT (hinkini: tin- Bi'itisli line, with himself
;it tln'ir ImnkI. and lirt-r ;i\\;iit»'d thi- ;ipi»!o:irh of the Americans.
S»Min th«* hiiltli- (M)mmrn«'<*d. atni tin* In«li;in !'itl«'s were f ast thin-
nin'j- tln" ninks ot' tin' .\iin-!'if;ni>. wln-n ;i l;ir'j»- body of horsemen
\\r!-«' srt'ii Mpproai-liin-j' on a l:;i1Io|). Thfs.' tronp«M's ranie bravely
«.n initil tli»-y app!-n;ii'}if«| tlir li!if of bjittl.-, wlii-n Teeuniseh aiul
liis wa!Tiiii's s[)r;in'j fi»r-\v;ir(| uilli iIm- Sli;i\vn«'e war-whoop t"
iiii'it tli»' «-lini-'j«-. l''«»?- ;i !iiMi'i. nt ;ill \\;i> i-<.n I'li^jjon, briiii: a lian-l-
In hand li'jlit, ;inil ni;iiiy \\'r-i- >l;iin "H Imtli viid«'s. TerUins^-li.
\ftrr dis^'hai-'jin'j liis rill. , was :il»<."iT in Tntnaliawk the man ou

sn ABBOXA, THE WUITK MAS'S FUIKMK 411

a white horse (Col. R. M. Johnson), when the latter shot him
with a pistol. The tomahawk, missing its deadly aim, took
effect on the withers of the horse, while Tecumseh, with a shrill
whoop, fell to the ground. Shabbona said he was standing by
the side of Tecumseh when he received the fatal shot, and sprang
forward, to tomahawk the slayer of the great chief, but at that
instant the horse reared and fell, being pierced by many bullets,
and the rider, badly wounded, was thrown to the ground but
rescued by his comrades. The warriors, no longer hearing the
voice of Tecumseh, fled from the field, when the battle ended.

That night, after the battle, Shabbona accompanied a party

of warriors to the fatal field and found Tecumseh 's remains,

where he fell. A bullet had pierced his heart and his skull was

broken, probably by the breech of a gun; otherwise the body

Was untouched. Near Tecumseh 's remains lay the body of a

large, fine-looking warrior, decorated with plumes and paint,

^hom the soldiers, no doubt, mistook for the great chief, as it

^as scalped and large portions of skin stripped from the body.

Oil the day of the battle Tecumseh was dressed in plain buckskin,

^^aring no ornaments except a British medal suspended from

^he neck by a cord. The fact that Tecumseh was very modest

and never wore anything to distinguish him from his warriors,

^ough a British general as well as head chief of the Indian

Confederation, was one cause of his great popularity. He was

^^e with his men, and rule^ by force of character and actual

ability. This habit probably saved his life in other battles, and

Ms body from being mutilated by tjie Kentucky soldiers, many

of whom were backwoodsmen who fought the Indians in their own

Way.

Shabbona^s narrative is the most interesting, ana probably
the most authentic account of the death of Teeuniseli we liave
found in history. Many years after, when Col. Richard M.
Johnson was Vice-President of the United States, Shabbona
visited Washington, and the two got together and had a long
conversation about the battle of the Thames and the death of
Tecumseh. Before leaving Washington Colonel Johnson pre-

412 LIVES OP FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

rbe-i

pfsV

sen ted thti chief a heavy solid gold ring, in token of friendsbipt
wbieh he wore until the day of his death, and by his request
it was buried with him.

At lhe time of the Winnebago War, in the Hiimnier of 1827,
the sett lei's along the frontier were very mneh alarmed, as it
was thought that the Pottawatomies were about to take part m
it. It was now that Shabbona first earned his title of ''The]
white man's friend/* by mounting his pony and visiting almi
every Pottawatomie village in the State, explaining to the (Mth
the folly of going to war with the United States, and in most
cases his arguments were Buccessful.

Big Thunder, who liad a village on the Ki^shwankee^ aesr
where Belvidere now stands, had agreed to go to war; but when
Bhabbona visited him, and pointed out the impossibility of con-
quering the whites, he changed his mind, and, returning the
wampum which tht^ Winm-hnL^os hnd stmt him. dreided to reTuaiii
at peace. Shabbona also visited Big Foot's village, but here his
mission was a failure. Big Foot was in favor of uniting all the
Western tribes to make war on the frontier and drive the whites
from the country. He had promised Red Bird, the noted Win-
nebago chief, to become his ally, and should take up the toma-
hawk when the war began.

Soon after Shabbona 's visit Big Foot and his band came to
Chicago to draw their annual payment from the Government,
and while there they deported themselves in a way to alarm the
people.

The night after drawing their pay some of the Indians
painted their faces, danced around the agency-house singing war
songs, and occasionally yelling at the top of their voices. On the
following night Fort Dearborn was struck by lightning and set
on fire, when several buildings were burned. Big Foot and his
warriors refused to render any aid in extinguishing the flames,
but stood by as idle spectators.

The Indians were encamped in a grove north of the river
and appeared sulky and unfriendly, constantly avoiding con-
versation with the whites, but frecpiently engaged in earnest con-

8HABB0NA, THE WHITE MAN'S FRIEND. 413

Tersation with each other. It was also noticed that they would
stop talking as soon as other Indians or whites approached. In
« few days the band left at night for their village, and their
strange conduct caused the people to believe they intended evil.

The next day after Big Foot's departure the citizens called
« meeting to discuss the situation and plan for their safety. This
meeting was attended by whites, half-breeds and Indians. It
was decided at this meeting to send Shabbona and Billy Caldwell
as messengers to Big Foot's village to get an explanation of their
strange conduct and learn, if possible, what they intended to do.
The two chiefs started on their mission the following morning.

Big Foot was a large, raw-boned, big-footed, dark-visaged
Indian. His countenance was bloated by intemperance. He is
said to have ruled over his band with despotic sway, and usually
his will was law. His village was on the banks of the lake, which
formerly bore his own name, but is now called Lake Geneva.

When Shabbona and Billy Caldwell reached their destination
they thought it prudent for one to hide in the cedar timber on
the ridge overlooking the villaire, to watch proceedings, while
the other had the interview with Bi^ Foot and his band. It was
Shabbona who rode boldly into the village, but the meeting
between the two chiefs was far from friendly.

Big Foot at once accused Shabbona of being a friend of the
whites and a traitor to his tribe, saying had it not been for him,
Billy Caldwell and Robinson, all of the Pottawatomies would
unite with the AVinnebajros in makinjr war on the Americans;
to which Shabbona replied that he could not assist the Winne-
bagos against the United States, as the whites were so strong
they must eventually confjuer, and the war could only result in
the ruin of that tribe. A larpre number of warrioi*s had collected
nround the two chiefs, listening to their convei*sation, when Big
Foot became so enraged that he seized his tomahawk and would
have killed Shabbona had not the warriors interfered and pre-
vented it. Shabbona was now disarmed, bound and thrown into
an unoccupied wigwam and guarded by two warriors to prevent
his escape.

414

LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CEIEFS,

Billy Cal dwells from his hiding pliiee, was watching clQSL*t|,
and when he tsaw his friend ist ripped of his ami^t. bound and \i4
away, probably to be put to death, he became alarmed, fearini;
he uiight meet the same fate if caujyht ; eonsei^uently he mouiited
his pony and hastened back to Chieago ant! reported Shabboni
either killed or a pris^mer in Big Foot s village. The citiit-ite
were greatly alarmed, as their wor^t feam were confirmed. Shtb-
b<)na had l>een known by the people of Chicago a long time. He
was held in high eNtiniation by both whites and Indians, sod
all were grieved at hin hm». But while grief and excitement wa«
at its height, Shabbona returned, his pooy covered with foiin,
and the grief was turned into rejoicing.

It seems that a eouocil was called the night after he was
taken captive, to consider what to do with him. It was decided
in council that it was unsafe to keep Bhabbona a prisonen as bis
band and other bands, as well as the whites at Chicago, whoee
messenger he was, would certainly come to his rescue, and if
executed his death would be avenged. So, against the protest of
Big Foot, who was still enraged at him, the warriors decided to
set him free the next morning. This was accordingly done, and
when his belongings, including his pony, were returned to hiin.
a friend whispered in his ear to ride for his life, as Big Foot
would surely pursue and he would be killed if overtaken. This
accounted for the foam on the pony. It was. indeed, a race for
life, as Big Foot anfl four warriors were hot on his trail for
many miles, but Shabbona 's pony proved to be the best.

During the period from 1823 to October 3, 1828, Fort Dear-
bom was not permanently occupied by troops. Consequently
for five years the citizens of Chicago were without protection.

The inhabitants of Chicago consisted principally of French,
half-breeds and a few Yankee adventurers engaged in the fur
trade. The people had been on good terms with the Indians, and
often exchanged friendly visits nith them ; but now war existed
between the whites and Winnebagos, and it was known that Bi?
Foot's band, and perhaps other of the Pottawatomies, were
ready to join them. With the exception of the bands controlled

8HABB0NA, THE WHITE MAN'S FRIEND. 415

by Shabbona, Billy Caldwell and Robinson, the country for two
hundred miles around was full of discontented Indians, who
were liable to dig up the tomahawk at any time. So the citizens
almost imagined they were in danger of a second massacre. But
Shabbona quieted their fears by offering to bring his warriors to
Chicago and guard it, if it became necessary, and his proposition
the people hailed with much rejoicing. Happily this was not
found necessary, as shortly after this an express came from
Oaleua with the good news that the Winnebago war was over
and Red Bird a prisoner.

In the summer of 1829, a Connecticut Yankee, by the name
of George Whitney, came to Shabbona 's village for the purpose
of trading ^ith the Indians. W^hitney's outfit consisted of a
covered wagon drawn by two mules, and loaded with a miscel-
laneous stock of articles of Indian traffic, including a barrel of
whisky. The Indian trader had with him a jolly young half-
breed named Spike, who performed the duties of teamster,
cook and interpreter.

After pitching his tent in the edge of Shabbona 's grove near
the village, Whitney enjoyed an excellent trade with the Indians,
especially in whisky. ^lany Indians got drunk and became noisy
and abusive to their families, seeing which, Shabbona went to
Whitney and requested him not to sell any more whisky to his
people; but regardless of this request. Whitney continued to
sell his distilled damnation to all who had the price. At this
Shabbona became justly indignant, and going to his tent one
morning he told the trader that if he did not leave the grove
that day he would be at the trouble of moving him. As soon
as Shabbona had gone, Whitney asked Spike what the angry
chief had said. **He said," answered Spike, *'that if you are
found here at sunset your scalp will be seen to-morrow morning
hanging on the top of that pole," pointing to a high, straight
pole used by the Indians in their crane dances.

On hearing this WTiitney turned pale and trembled ; he began
at once to take down his tent and pack his goods: at the same
time he ordered Spike to catch the mules and hitch them to the

410 LIVKS OF FAMOrs IM)IA\ CHIEFS.

wa^on as soon as possible. When ovorythinf? had been ha8til,y
tumbled into the wagon, Whitney seized the reins, and whippier g
his mules into a gallop, quickly disappeared in the direction of
Chicago, and \ras never heard of again in that part of tbe
country.

What a pity white men have not pluck enough to- try Use
same experiment when they see a saloon is about to be foro^»d
on to them against their wills, to debauch their sons.

The Sacs and Foxes, Winnebagos and Pottawatomies held, a
council in February, 1832, at Indiantown. Black HaviT'lc,
Neopope, Little Bear and many other chiefs of their tribe wexe
present. White Cloud, or the Prophet, represented the Winne-
bagos, while Shabbona, Waba, Shick Shack, Meommuse, Wasea.^iN'-
Sheatee, Kelto, Autuckee and Waubonsie were the PottawatOKxiic
chiefs in attendance.

The object of this council was to unite the different tribes i»
a war against the frontier settlements, hoping to check or dri"^^
back the tide of emigration, and save their villages and hunt:imi
grounds from the encroachments of the whites. During 'tlM
council, which lasted a number of days, many speeches ve«*«
made for and aprainst such a union. The Winnebago cHi^t
White Cloud, called the Prophet, was the leading spirit of "tte
council. His zeal and oratory gave liini great intluenee. He s»i^»
in one of his speeches, **If all the tribes are united, their ^var-
riors will be like the trei»s of the forest'': to which Shabboca
replied, **Yes, but the soldiers of the whites will outnumber ^^^
leaves on the trees.''

Shabbona, while not a great orator, passessed honesty a^"
gootl judgment, and this in a measure atoned for his lack ^^
eloquence. After tlie death of Black Partridge and Senachwii^^
no chief among the Pottawatomies had as much influence ^^
Shabbona. AVliile Black Hawk was a prisoner at Jefferson Bai*"
racks, in the fall of 1832, he told Thomas Forayth, the form^''
agent of the Sacs and P^xes, that, had it not been for Shabboa^
the whole Pottawatomie natitm would have joined his standard
and then he could liave continued the war for years, die-

8HABB0NA, THE WHITE MAN'S FRIEND, 417

his own terms of peace, and his people would not have been
ushed and humiliated.

s evidence of the influence of Shabbona it is said that, at the
intown council, he induced all the Pottawatomie chiefs
>t Waubonsie to oppose the onion of the tribes against the

lack Hawk now regarded his scheme as a failure, and
iting his pony left for home with a sad heart. However,
^rophet, Neopope and Wisshick were not so easily discour-

and started on a mission to the villages on the upper Rock
p, and in Wisconsin. A few of the chiefs accepted the
pum, and promised support in case of war, but most of the
lebagos, remembering the disastrous war of a few years ago
r Red Bird, remained neutral and advised against another
inter with the whites. But Neopope and AVisshick reported
all the Pottawatomies at the north and most of the Winne-
s would join him in a war if he would come up in their
try.

deceived by these false statements, Black Hawk determined
rosecute his original plans and started up the Rock River

his entire band.

^''hen Black Hawk ascended to the present site of Byron
out meeting the expected nMiiforeements, he became dis-
aged. After fixing his eainp on a stream, since appro-
tely called Stillman's Run, he dispatelied a runner for his
'riends in arms, Shabbona and Waubonsie*, who immediately
ed to his camp. After dinner Black Hawk took his two
ids a short distance, and seating themselves on a fallen tree,
)ld them the story of his wrongs. Said he, **I was born at
Sac village, and here I spent my childhood, youth and
hood. I like to look upon this place, with its surroundings
ig rivers, shady groves and green prairies. Here is the
e of my father and some of my children ; here I expected to
and die and lay my bones by the side of those near and

unto me; but no\T, in my old age, I have been driven from
lome, and dare wA look aerain upon this loved spot." Here

LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHiEFS.

the old chief broke down and wept, a rare thing for an Intiian
After wiping his tears away he eontinued, almost heartbroken,^
"Before many moons you, too, will be compelled to leave your
homes, the hannts of your youth; your villages, cornfields and
hunting grounds will be in possession of the whites, and by them
the graves of your futhers will be plowed over, while ycmr
people will be driven westward toward the setting sun to find s
new home beyond the Father of Waters/* M

This prediction was fulfilled in both cases. Continuing, tif^
aged chief said, **We have always been as brothers; have fought
side by side in the British War j have himted together and ale]
under the same blanket ; we have met in council at religfoi
feasts; our people are alike and our interests the same,

**I am now on the warpath. Runners have been sent
different villages bearing wampum and asking the chiefs
meet my band in eouncih Once united we would be so stroo^
the whites would not attack us, but would treat on favoraWt!
terms, and return to me my village and the graves of m^*
people."

Shabbona» in i^ply, said he could not join him in a w«r
against the whites; that Governor Clark, General Cass and his
friends at Chicago had made him many presents, some of which
he still kept as tokens of friendship, and while in possession
of these gifta he could not think of raising the tomahawk against
their people. Shabbona also declined to attend the prc»posetl
council, and advised Black Hawk to return west of the Missis-
sippi as the only means of saving his people; the two chiefs
parted, to meet no more in this life.

Waubonsie, seeing the decided stand taken by Shabbona, also
refused to take part in the approaching war. However, Wau-
bonsie agreed to attend the council of chiefs.

The next day after this interview Shabbona mounted his
poTvv m]t] %vi^r»t to T>ixnT>V Fr^rr^' to offer the service of himseU
and warriors to General Reynolds.

There was among the volunteers a worthless vagabond named
George McKabe, who was employed as cook in one of the com-

SHABBONA, THE WHITE MAN'S FRIEND, 421

panies. McKabe was married to an Indian squaw belonging to
Black Hawk's band, but was too lazy to hunt or work and spent
his time loafing around the village drinking whisky and stealing
from the settlers. He joined the volunteers at Black Hawk's
suggestion who thought it well to have a spy among the whites
to inform him of their plans, and warn the Indians when an
attack was intended.

This wretch, who was equal to any villainy, whether it con-
cerned friend or foe, while strolling through Stillnian's camp at
Dixon's Perry, saw Shabbona when he arrived, and told some
of the rangers that he was a Sac Indian belonging to Black
Hawk's band, and there as a spy. The rangers, believing
^[cKabe's story, dragged Shabbona from his pony, disarmed
him, and abused him in a shameful manner. In vain he
exclaimed in his broken English, **Me Shabbona; me Pottawat-
omie; Neconche moka man*' (a friend of the white man). The
drunken ruffians paid no attention to him and would have
murdered him outright had not Mr. Dixon, the keeper of the
ferry, heard of it and hurried to his rescue. This gentleman
had knouTi Shabbona a number of years, and claiming him for
his friend and guest he was permitted to take the chief to his
home, and afterward introduced him to Oovernor Reynolds,
General Atkinson, Colonel Taylor and others, and he became a
prime favorite with officei's and men.

Black Hawk's grand council was interrupted by the arrival
of a messenger with his pony in a frallop, brinpufj tidings of the
approach of Stillman's army. Some of the chiefs were on the
way but had not yet arrived, and those who were present,
including Waubonsie, mounted their ponies and rode back to
their villages with all s])eed.

So the council never met, and Black ITawk failed to obtain
the aid of the friendly chiefs; some even became allies of the
whites.

There were, however, certain disaffected Pottawatomies,
belonging to different bands, who joined Black Hawk. These,
with a few Sac and Fox warrioi's and Winnebagos committed

LIVMB or FAMOrS INDIAN CHIEFS.

in if thu™

y outrages ami murders on the defenseless settlers along th^
iijois, Pox and Roek rivers, and their trihutaries. Many
utliers %vould have been butchered had they not received waniiJig
from their friend in need and friend indeed, Shahbona*

The nijiht after Stillman's retreat, as Shabbona was sleeptnj
t his home he was awakened bj a messenger, who reported that
n battle had been fought and Blaek llawk*s hand had been vioH
us. The chief knew on!y too well that w^ar parties wouf^
lomed lately sent out to murder the nearest settlers. So he
made a hasty preparalion to warn them of daiijier. Having
itched his son, Pypejiree, to Iloldernuin s Grove settlement
. his nephew; Pyps, to those on Pox River, he mounted his
ftest pony and started for Bureau and Indian Creek.
^ We can not help but think that the w^ordf* of llje hymn
w^riter would apply as well to this heathen, hurr>ing to save the
lives of those nominal Christians, as it would to the Christian
missionary hastening to save the heathen :

'*Take your life in your hand,
Go quick while you may;
Speed away, speed away, speed away ! ' '

The first house Shabbona reached was that of Squire Dim-
mick, who lived near the present site of La Moille. When
informed of his danger, Dimmick replied that **he would stay
until his corn was planted," adding that **he had left the year
before, and it proved a false alarm, and he believed it would be
so this time." Shabbona 's reply to this was, *'If you will stay
at home, send off your squaw and pappooses, or they will b^
murdered before the rising of to-morrow 's sun ! ' ' Shabbona had
now mounted his pony again, and as he turned to go he raised
his hand above his head, and in a loud impressive voice exclaimed
'*Auhaw Puckegee" (you must leave) and started off in a gallop
to warn others. This last remark caused Dimmick to change his
mind, and hastily putting his family and a few things into a
wagon he left his claim, never to return.

Shabbona continued to ride until he had warned all the set-

8HABB0NA, THE WHITE MAN'S FRIEND. 423

tiers on Bureau and Indian creeks, and they at once fled to
Hennepin, Peoria and Springfield, where they remained until
the war was over, while a few never returned to their claims. It
was not a false alarm the settlers received, for during the night
of the same day that Shabbona notified them, Girty, a notorious
half-breed, led a band of about seventy warriors to Bureau.
During the night this band of cut-throats visited almost every
house in the settlement, in some of which they found the fire
still burning, but were surprised to find their intended victims
had fled. Girty 's band encamped in the edge of the timber west
of the present site of Princeton.

When Shabbona 's nephew, Pyps, had warned the settlers on
Pox River of the commencement of hostilities, he went on a visit
to a young squaw, of whom he was enamoured, at Rochell *s vil-
lage, south of the Illinois. After remaining a few days, he was
returning home by way of Indian Creek when he noticed a large
body of Indians entering the timber within six miles of the settle-
ment. Hurrying home, he immediately informed Shabbona
about the Indians and also of having noticed some of the settlers
still in their cabins.

Knowing that these settlers would be almost certain to fall
victims to these savages, Shabbona determined to po and warn
them a second time. Accordingly, jibout midnight, after giving
some directions to his family and friends, in case he should be
killed, which he knew would be his fate if seen by the liostih»s,
Shabbona started for the Indian Creek settlement.

He thus deliberately periled his life to save his white friends.
It was certainly one of the most courageous deeds recorded in
history, for —

**Tho noblest place a man can die
Is where man <lics for man.'*

But he seems to have been protected by Providence, for the
Sac bullet was never moulded that was destined to lay our hero
low.

Shabbona arrived at his destination about sunrise, before the

424

UFES OF FAMOUS IHntAS CBtEFS.

people were out of ImhI, with his pony in a foam of swiemt. Hi-
quickly in formed the welllerH that a larcne band of hostile l£Klms>«
were seen in the timber about nix miles above on the eveoinr
before, and nnle^ they left iiimiediately thry wotild «lRimt
eertainJy be killed. On hearing fhla^ HalL, one of the letidttiE
etti2eiL%^ was in fav^r of starting for Ottawa a I anee. But
another man with greater influence, by the n^me of UaTtv
opposeil it, saving he did not fear the Indiana, and nti redslchi
eon Id drive him from liia hcmie. tin fortunately the ernin-sel of
Bavis prevailed, and the settler!^ refnaed to heed the wartime of
Bhabbona* and, strange to aay. made no preparation for defctiie.

On the fatal day of the Indian Creek massacre, about fcmr
o'clock in the afternoon of May 20, 1S32, the red fiends made
their attack under the leadership of Girty, the infaroatia half-
breed. Moat of the men were at work in the blacksmith shop, and
th** wonv+^n hiisv viifh tht^Ir hoiifipholil nfTnir^. Th** whif^* wi^fe
completely surprised and shot do^-n before they could make an
effectual resistance.

In less time than it takes to record it, fifteen people were
butchered, including Hall and Davis; the entire community was
wiped out of existence, except a few who were in the field, and
the two sisters, Sylvia and Rachel Hall, carried off into captivity.

The next day after the massacre, a company of rangers from
Chicago and vicinity, under Captain Naper, and also a party
from Putnam County, visited the scene of horror and buried the
dead« A fine monument was aftenvard erected over the remains
of the victims by their surviving friends, containing the names
and ages of those massacred.

The Hall sisters were conveyed on horseback to Black Hawk's
camp, near the present site of Madison, Wisconsin. Meantime
their brother, John W. Hall, marched with his regiment as far
north as the lead mines of Galena. Here he informed Col. H.
Gratiot, agent of the Winnebagos, of his sisters' captivity, and
the gallant colonel employed two chiefs. White Crow and Whirl-
ing Thunder, to ransom the captives, and they started at once
to Black Hawk's camp. A council was now called and it

8HABB0NA, THE WHITE MAN'S FRIEND. 425

agreed to ransom the prisoners for two thousand dollars and
forty horses, besides a quantity of blankets, beads, etc. But the
matter was not yet ended ; a young chief claimed Rachel as his
prize, intending to make her his wife, and was unwilling fo
give her up. lie even threatened to tomahawk her rather than
let her go. After some delay a compromise was effected by
giving him ten horses; but before parting with her he cut off
two of her locks of hair as a trophy. The girls were now taken
to Galena, where they were rejoiced to meet their brother, John
W., whom they supposed was killed in the massacre.

An account of the capture of these sisters having been pub-
lished throughout the country, the people everywhere were much
rejoiced at their deliverance. The people of Galena also vied
with each other in honoring them and bestowing presents, includ-
ing several handsome dresses, made in the latest fashion.

After about a week's stay at Galena they started to St. Louis,
accompanied by their brother, on board the steamer Winnebajro—
the same boat, by the way, on which Black Ilawk himself was
afterward conveyed to Jefferson Barracks.

At St. Louis the sisters were entertained by Governor Clark.
During their stay with the Governor's family money amounting
to $470 was collected for them, besides many valuable presents.
It was here they were met by Rev. Erastus Horn, an old friend
of their father, who conveyed them to his home in Cass County,
Illinois. When their brother, John W. Hall, married and set-
tled in Bureau County, the two girls made their home with him.
The State Legislature presented them with a (juarter section of
canal land near Joliet, and Congress afterward made an appro-
priation of money for their benefit.

Sylvia, the older, married Rev. AYilliam Horn, and estab-
lished a home at Lincoln, Nebraska. Rachel married W^'illiam
^lunson and settled at Freedom, La Salle County, near the scene
of her captivity. Here she remained until her untimely death a
few years afterward.

When Pyps, Shabbona's nephew, notified the settlers on
Pox River he came to a family by the name of Harris. It seems

426

tbat lb: Harris and his two sons were away at tim time huntinf
fheir hancB, wlii<!h had strayed off the day before^ so the f axnily
liad no meanfl of escape except on foot. This would oot have
been io bad, but for the fact that old ^Ir. Combs, Mrs. Harria<fcd
'tmHuirf made his bmne with ber, and being eonfined to Ida bed
with inflammatoiy rhemnatiam, eonld not go mOi tte tustOf
in their fli^^t Mhl Harria regretted to kaTO him to ahnoat
certain death. But the old hero exclaimed, **¥k0 for your
liTca, and lea^e me to nqr fate; I am an old man and can life
bat a abort time at any, rate." Mrs. Harrk and Hie grand-
dnldren left him with aore hearts, never expecting to see Urn
again. Traveling alowlj on foot thej were overtaken bgr flie
AmentB and Clarka, and later by Mr. Harria and hia two aooa.
In doe time th^ arrived at Plainfidd.

Soon after the departure of the Harria family, the hoitte waa
entered by a party of Indians, who, finding supper on the table
sat down and ate. During the meal they talked about the
escape of their intended victims, and one remarked to the rest,
**Shabbona did this." Verily, **the way to a man's heart is
through his stomach." Others besides ** civilized man can not live
without cooks," or at least it is here demonstrated that even
savages appreciate good cooking. Mrs. Harris was a famous
cook of that day, and this fact probably saved her father's life.
It is more than probable that had the Indians discovered
** Grandpa Combs" before they had eaten that good supper,
while they were hungry and savage, the old gentleman would
have been tomahawked and scalped. But after supper the
Indians were in a better humor, and instead of killing the help-
less old man, they actually administered to his wants, and tried
to make him comfortable. Not only so, but for nearly a week
they visited him daily, supplying him with food and drink.
Thus matters continued until Harris's House was visited by a
company of rangers commanded by Captain Naper, who found
old Mr. Combs so much improved in health that he was able to
go with them to Plainfield, and afterward to Chicago with his
friends. He survived the war several years, and often spcke of

SHABBONA, THE WHITE MAN'S FRIEND. 427

his kind treatment from the Indians when he expected to be
killed.

While the regular array, under the command of General
Atkinson, camped at Dixon's Ferry waiting for reinforcements
to enable them to pursue Black Hawk, a number of Pottawatomie
warriors joined it and were mustered into service. The warriors
were led by Shabbona, Waubonsie and Billy Caldwell. General
Atkinson, after consulting with his officers and other parties
about the merits of the three chiefs, gave the command of the
warriors to Shabbona. This gave offense to the other chiefs,
each of whom expected the honor, and they shortly left the
service, taking with them some of the warriors. Shabbona and
his band remained with the army during the campaign, doing
good service as scouts, and keeping General Atkinson posted on
the movements of Black Hawk.

General Atkinson and his army came up with Black Hawk's
band near four lakes, where tliey wen* secreted in the thick
timber, surrounded by water and swampy land. An attempt
was made to construct rafts to cross the water, but, night coming
on, it was abandoned. In the darkness of the night some of
Black Hawk's warriors came within hailing distance of the army
and shouted across the narrow lake and swamp that Black
Hawk's braves could whip Atkinson's army, and their squaws
could whip Shabbona 's warriors. At these taunting words
Shabbona became very indignant and asked permission of the
general to take his warriors around the head of the lake and
attack Black Hawk's men during the darkness of the night, but
the request was not granted.

Next day the army went around the lake to attack the enemy.
Shabbona, at the head of his warriors, was ordered to charge
the enemy. The order was obeyed. The Indians, yelling their
war-whoop, charged through the timber, but met with no resist-
ance, as Black Ilawk and his warriors had fled during the night.

In the winter of 18:U and 1832, Governor Clark, of St.
Louis, who had been appointed general Indian agent of the Wep
hearing that Shabbona had prevented the Pottawatomies fi

L/rA;,*i OF F J Mors iNniAs cuiE^S.

becoming nllii^i** of Hlaek Hawk* sent him a nuiiiher of presents^
among which wau a handsome fur hat with a mide silver baud
War and carnage were rcprc«cEited on one mde of thi^ silver buni
on the other friendship. pii>e of peace, etc. For imfe keeping
Shabbona carried this hat to his friend, John M. Gay, who lived
a few miles north of what is now Wvanet. Mr, Gay put it for
safe keeping in the garret, but the following spring, during lb€
Black Hawk war, he and his family fled from home, leaving the
hat, with many other thinps, in hij« honi^e. On retumini: at
the close of the war he found that the Indianii had carried o9
mcBt of hm things, including Shabbona 's hat* After the war tl
ehief called for his hat, and was much grieved to find it gone^i
The Tndiaas %vho stole the hat took it to Black Hawk's camp
and presented it to that chief, and it was worn by him at Uie
great feast and council near four lakes. It was afterward picked
up on the battlefield of Wisconsin River by one of General
Dodge's rangers, who carried it to Galena, where it was kept
some time as one of the trophies of the war. Some years after
the close of the war this hat was recognized by an Indian as
the one stolen from Gay's house and worn by Black Hawk at the
Council of Pour Lakes.

The prediction made by Black Hawk that Shabbona would
soon be compelled to abandon his beloved village and go
West to a reservation was fulfilled in the summer of 1836. At
that time the Indian agent, Capt. J. B. Russell, notitied the
chief that his band must remove to the lands assigned them by
the Government, in accordance with the treaty, as no one but
himself and family could remain at the Grove. In imagination
I hear some one say, **But this Government order applied only to
Shabbona 's band. Of course, the Government would not be so
ungrateful to *The White Man's Friend' as to force Mm to
leave his happy home, where he had spent the roost of his life,
and go to a new reservation in a distant State.'* Oranting that
this was the intention of the Government, it was still a cruel
deed to force the chief in his declining years to make a eh<noe
between his village and his band. Let it not be forgotten that

^^ WA I' HOAhi i-., I or TAW ATOM IK * H 1 Kk'\

^W WHOSE Vir.r.AGF STCH>Ii VKAn AURORA. ILL,

I tkmrifay of Sinilhfiotilun Iiixlitiition. Sec fmge 417

■ *"

SUABBOXA, THE W UlTE MASS FKIESD. 431

not only Shabbona, but practically his entire band of warriors,
fought on the side of the whites during the Black Hawk War,
besides saving the lives of many settlers by warning them of
danger. Common justice, to say nothing of gratitude, should
have impelled the Government to make an exception in the case
of Shabbona and his band. A reservation should have been
given them around and including Shabbona 's Grove, and the
title should have been secured to them,

' ' While the grass grows
And the water flows. ' '

"Consistency is a jewel,'' but our Government never dis-
played any of it in its dealings with the Indians. Black Hawk's
warriors, who arrayed themselves against the Government, were
sent across the Mississippi to a reservation in the rich land of
Southeastern Iowa, while Shabbona 's warriors, who fought
bravely as allies of the Government, are banished to a reserva-
tion in distant western Kansas, a somewhat'arid and inhospitable
region. Friend and foe are treated exactly alike, when a few
greedy white men covet the Indian's village and cornfields. The
ways of our Government in its dealings with the Indians are
past finding out.

When notified by the agent, Shabbona said he did not like to
leave his happy home, but could not think of being separated
from his people, therefore he would go with them. The agent
offereil to move them at the expense of the Government, but Shab-
bona said he did not recjuire it, as they had plenty of ponies to
carry all their tents, and the hunters could supply them with
food w^hile making the journey.

Shabbona 's band left their grove in September, but stopped
on Bureau Creek about six weeks, engaged in hunting and fish-
ing. Here he received the visits from a number of settlers,
some of whom were the people he had warned during the Black
Hawk War. These now expressed their gratitude by bringing
into his camp green corn, melons, scpiashes and fruit of all kinds,
and in return he sent them turkovs and v<'nison.

432 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

Shabbona was a£9icted with ague at this time and seemed
very grateful to his white friends for their visits and presents.
He told them he had hunted on Bureau thirty years in succes-
sion, but this was probably his last hunt, as he was going to his
reservation in the Par West in a few days, where he expected
to leave his bones. He was very sad at the thought of being
compelled to leave the country where he had spent his infancy,
youth and manhood, and be forced in his old age to seek a new
home in a distant land. At the time of his departure for
Kansas his band consisted of one hundred and forty-two per-
sons, old and young, and they had one hundred and sixty ponies.
The journey was resumed late in October.

Soon after Shabbona and his band settled on the reservation
in western Kansas, the Black Hawk band of Sacs and Foxes
were moved from Iowa to the same locality. This band, under
the leadership of Neopope, who was second in command during
the war, settled on a reservation only about fifty miles from
Shabbona 's. Neopope had often declared he would kill Shab-
bona, Pypegee and Pyps for notifying the settlers of dangjer
and fighting against them during the late war. Shabbona had
been warned of these threats, but did not believe he would ever
be harmed.

In the fall of 1837, Shabbona, Pypegee, Pyps and five othei-s
went on a buffalo hunt about one hundred miles from home.
Neopope heard of it, and thinking this a good time to take his
revenge, raised a war party and followed them.

About midnight, when all were asleep, this party of Sacs
and Foxes attacked the camp, killing Pypegee and Pyps and
wounding another hunter, who was overtaken and slain. Shab-
bona, his son. Smoke, and four others escaped from the camp,
but Neopope and his warriors were hot on their trail and pursued
them almost to their village. The fugitives reached home the
third day, more dead than alive, having traveled more than one
hundred miles on foot, without rest or food. Knowing that he
would be killed if he remained in Kansas, the aged chief left
immediately for his farm in De Kalb County. Illinois, accom-

XIlAHHOWt, Till': WIUTK MAS's FinKSlK VX\

panied by his family, consisting of two squaws, children and
grandchildren, about twenty-five people in all. He arrived at
tis destination the latter part of November, 1837.

Some time during the spring of 1838, some of Shabbona's
family discovered an old decrepit squaw hid in the thick timber
near the village. Her face was partly covered with a buckskin
headdress, and highly colored with different kinds of paint.
Strange to say, she was armed with rifle, knife and tomahawk,
and a jaded pony hitched near by showed evidence of a long
journey. The aged squaw would give no account of herself, nor
could they get her to tell whence she came or her destination.
She seemed sullen and morose, and having been furnished with
food, mounted her pony and left the grove. It was afterward
learned that this old squaw was not a squaw at all, but Neopope,
the war-chief of Black Hawk 's band, who had assumed that dis-
guise and was there to assassinate Shabbona. Having been dis-
covered and fearing detection caused him to leave without accom-
plishing his object. Shabbona did not know the true character
of the old squaw until he visited Kansas, after the death of
Neopope, and the incident was told by some of his friends.

In the spring of 1849 Shabbona, with his family, went to
visit his band in Kansas and remained there over two years. As
soon as he was gone certain parties made affidavits that he had
sold and abandoned his reservation and jrone West to live. These
papers were sent to the General Land Office at Washington, and
the Commissioner decided that by abandoning his land Shabbona
had forfeited his right to the reservation. When he returned
in the fall of 1851 with his family, he was amazed to find the
whites in possession of his village, cornfields and grove.

When he found himself deprived of all that he held dear,
he broke down and cried like a child, ^lany days he gave him-
self up to sadness and refused to be comforted, and each night he
went to a lonely place in the grove and prayed to the Great
Spirit. To add insult to injury, the white ruffian who now had
possession of the grove cursed the aged chief for cutting a few
camp poles, and burning a few dry limbs for cooking, and

UVMS OF FAMOUS LNDiAN CHIEFS.

tere ^ to leave **hm'* grove, which had been Shabbona^iJ
l^foi ty yeai*s. Re was now old— past tbr»?eseore and!
a— DO longer capable of getting a lining by hunting:, arj
•merly^ and with a number of small grandchildren depeBtliiiSf
1 him for support. With a sad heart Shabbona looked for the

: time upon the graves of departed loved ones, and then leflfl
tie grove forever.

— j ibbona never could understand why the GovernmeTil

lispossess him of his reservation in his old age, jmt when

i*eeded it most* Can you understand it, gentle reader!

^ ; aged chief and his family now camped in a grove of

Oaber on Big Rock Creelc, w^here he remained some time unde-

ied what to do. Here his w^bite friends of other days came

J see him and brought many presents. ■

It was during his stay at this place that the citizens ot
Ottaw^a, at ih^ soli citation of ex-F^heriff Ocorp? E, Wallifr,
raised money to buy and improve a small tract of land on the
south bank of the Illinois River, two miles above Seneca, in
Grundy County. Here his friends built a comfortable frame
dwelling, with fencing and other improvements, and presented
it to Shabbona for a home. The house was pleasantly situated
and commanded a splendid view of the river, but Shabbona
preferred to live in a wigwam and the residence was used only
as a storehouse.

The Government gave him an annuity of two hundred dollars,
as a Black Hawk War veteran; this fund, supplemented by
gifts from his friends, kept him above want.

While living at this place, Shabbona received a call from
Williamson Durley, of Putnam County, who gave him a special
invitation to visit at his house. Mr. Durley had been a merchant
at Hennepin a number of years, and Shabbona often traded
with him for goods for his band, paying for them in furs. Their
business relations were pleasant and Shabbona regarded Mr.
Durley as one of his best friends.

While on this visit Shabbona was accompanied by three
daughters and his grandson, a lad of twelve years of age, named

SHABBOXA, THE WHITE MAS'S EHIEM). 4.35

Smoke. At the suggestion of Mr. Durley the whole party dressed
themselves in full Indian costume, with feathers, paint, rings,
beads, etc., and mounted on horseback they visited Hennepin,
i^rhere they attracted much attention. All the citizens turned
out to honor them with a hearty reception.

At different times Shabbona was selected by the Pottawatomie
tribe to represent their interest at the National Capital. On one
of these visits to Washington, General Cass introduced him to
the President, some of the members of Congress, heads of depart-
ments and others. A large crowd had collected in the rotunda
of the capitol to see Shabbona, when General Cass introduced
him to the audience, saying, *' Shabbona is the greatest red man
of the West; he has always been a friend to the whites and
saved many of their lives during the Black Hawk War." At
the conclusion of this speech people came forward to shake
hands with the chief, and many of the ladies met him with a kiss.

On another of the trips to Washington, while Shabbona, with
other chiefs, was standing on the east portico of the capitol
engaged in conversation an elegantly dressed gentleman
approached the group, and, looking earnestly at Shabbona,
exclaimed, **Were you not in the battle of Frenchtown in 1813?"
On receiving an affirmative answer, he continued, **Do you
remember saving the life of a wounded lieutenant from Kentucky
by the name of Shelby?" The chief remembered the incident,
when the gentleman exclaimed, **Well, I am that same Lieu-
tenant Shelby!" ^Ir. Shelby showed his gratitude by the pres-
entation of several gifts.

Hon. Perry A. Armstrong, of ^lorris, Illinois, for many years
an intimate friend of Shabbona, says: **We were in Joliet one
chilly night in November, 1857, and put up at the Exchange
Hotel. Arising a little after daylight, we opened the window-
blind of our bedroom, when we noticed an Indian slowly walk-
ing up and down the sidewalk opposite the hotel, beating his
arms around his body to keep up a circulation of blootl. A high,
tight-board fence stood on the west of the sidewalk, close up to
which we beheld three persons lying, well wrapped in blanket

LIVEM OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

On reaching the street we were greeted with 'Boozliu eoodm
nkon* (How clo you do, my friend), in the famtliar voice af
Shabbona. His wife» daughter and firandehild were aleepm^
sweetly and comfortably under the shells? r of the board leBce,
wrapped in their own blankets, to which the old chief had added
his while he kept watch and ward during the long eold night oter
his sleeping loved ones, although he was over fonracore years o(^
age. Always considerate of the rights and eom forts of others
Shahhona was diffident and cautious in approaching the }mmt
of a svhite man. He had reached Joliet late the night previom
and was too diffident to wake anybody to ask for shelter. Plac-
ing this high fence won It} ward off the fierce western wind, be
arranged his wife and daughter and little grandchild S0 ihaf
could be comfortable, and gave them his own blanket, while be
kept himself from chilling by constant exercise/' U

On one nf'r.'isTon SlmMinnn %vns nn a bunting trip in the hif "
woods of the Kankakee River, hoping to find a deer, accompanied
by his family and some friends from Kansas. While the old
chief and his friends were off hunting the man who owned the
grove where they were encamped came and abused the squaws
by calling them hard names, and ordered them to leave. He
even tore down one of the tents in his anger. Of course Shabbona
was indignant when he returned and heard of it, and determined
to move his camp the next morning.

That evening about sunset the owner of the timber, accom-
panied by two of his neighbors, returned to the Indian camp,
when the old chief offered his hand, at the same time exclaiming,
'*Me Shabbona.'' This introduction usually acted as a talisman
among settlers, by giving him a hearty welcome wherever his
camp was pitched, but with this ruffian it failed of its magical
effect. His answer was to inform the chief, with an oath, that
if he did not immediately leave he would destroy his tents.
Shabbona took out some pieces of silver and offered them to him
in payment for a few tent poles and firewood. But this did not
satisfy the enraged man. Being in a terrible rage, his. voice
raised to a high pitch, he told the chief that if he did not leave

SHAHHOXA, THE WHITE MAS'S EKIESD. 437

his timber at once he would move him, ami, in carrying out his
threats, upset a kettle containing the Indian's supper. This
M'as too much for the old chief. It was now his turn to get angry,
because forbearance had ceased to be a virtue; therefore, he took
his tomahawk and knife out of his belt, laying them on the
ground by the side of his rifle, and then going up to the man, said
to him in broken English, his eyes flashing fire, that if he did
not shut his mouth he would knock every tooth down his throat.
The owner of the timber was completely cowed, he turned pale,
and without saying another word made a hasty retreat, leaving
Shabbona to move his encampment when it suited him.

One Fourth of July the people of Ottawa, Illinois, determined
to celebrate in grand style, and at the same time raise a fund
for the benefit of Shabbona. Mounted on his favorite pony,
with all his Indian costume, the aged chief led the procession.
That evening they gave a splendid ball in a large hall ; and as
the price of the tickets was high and the attendance large,
quite a sum of money was realized. One of the belles of that
city proposed that Shabbona should be asked to select the pret-
tiest lady at the ball, thinking, of course, she would be the
favored one.

The proposition was accepted with hilarious approval, because
there were many others who had claims to beauty. When all the
ladies were seated around the hall and the old chief was informed
by his friend, George E. Walker, of what they wished him to
do, he accepted the task, and with a broad smile on his face
and a merry twinkle in his eye, which meant fun, he started at
the lower end of the hall, and by a sign made them understand
that he wished them to rise seriatim, as he came to each, and
required them to walk up the length of the hall and back again
and be seated before he examined the next. This he did to every
lady in the hall, examining their dress, form and gait as critic-
ally as a horse jockey would a horse before purchase. None
escaped the examination, old or young, from the girl in her
teens to the aged matron, even including Okono, his four-hun-
dred-pound squaw. When all had been examined in this way

438 UVSS OF FAMOUS iHDtAN CMIBFS.

he approached hia wife, ttlupped her on the jshoulder, and
remarked, *VMuch big, heap prtltiest squaw."

There was n loud shout of Approval — not of his judgment of
Iieauty, but of bin gmnl sense jind knowledge of htiinau nature,
Ha<i he selected one of the many really beautiful youug ladies,
by that flele(!tion he would have offended the rest, but by choo^
ing his own srjuaw, he turned the whole affair into a huge joke,

Mataon in forma ua that a few years before his death, {he
agtd chief gave all hia family Christ iau names, in addition t©
their Indian nMme«» iisHuniin^ the name of Benjamin himself*

Our ta\\Tiy hero passed fiway at his residence on the lUinois
Riven July 17, 1859, aged eighty -four years, and was buried
with mueh ceremony in Morris Cemetery.

For many years no stone marked the grave. But at the
twenty-ninl!! sinnnirl rfuiLinTi of thr^ (^Id Settlt^rs of La Sal It-
County, Illinois, held at Ottawa on August 19, 1897, with several
thousand people present, Hon. Charles P. Gunther, of Chicago,
offered a motion for the appointment of a committee of Old Set-
tlers to devise ways and means for the erection of a suitable
monument to the memory of Shabbona, to be placed where he
was buried, which motion was unanimously carried. After the
committee was appointed, it organized by electing P. A. Arm-
strong, president; C. P. Gunther, R. C. Jordan and G. M.
Hollenbeck, vice-presidents; L. A. Williams, secretary, and E.
Y. Griggs, treasurer. They now became incorporated under the
statute as **The Shabbona Memorial Association."

All this resulted in raising funds and erecting a monument,
which was unveiled and dedicated October 23, 1903.

The president of the association, Hon. Perry A. Armstrong,
of Morris, in dedicating the monument, used com, beans,
pumpkins and tobacco, instead of com, wine and oil, stating that
**they were native products of North America, and used by the
Indians. Corn and beans were their staff of life, pumpkins
and squashes their relishes, and tobacco their solace. They used
it in their pipes but never chewed it."

Short addresses were also made by ex-Congressman Hender-

8HABB0NA, THE WHITE MAN'S FRIEND.

son, of Princeton ; Hon. M. N. Armstrong, of Ottawa, and Hon.
R. C. Jordan. The latter began by saying, ** Character speaks
louder than words. A great man never dies. And great are the
people who are great enough to know what is great. Man has
shown an innate goodness by his disposition in all ages to laud
the good deeds of his fellows. And that he has ever cherished
ideals higher than self is proven by the tributes offered to the
memory of his dead.*'

By the side of Shabbona slumber his wife, Canoka; Mary,
his daughter ; his granddaughter, Mary Okonto, and his nieces,
Metwetch, Chicksaw, and Soco.

The monument is a huge bowlder of granite, fit symbol of
the rugged, imperishable character of him who sleeps beneath,
and contains the simple inscription :

** SHABBONA, 1775-1859."

PLAN OF SITTING BULL S TEPEE,
KB DIUWN B¥ SCOUT ^t-LIS«>N.

Sr« t^BC tM.

CHAPTER XIII.
SITTING BULL, OR TATANKA YOTANKA,

THE GREAT SIOUX CHIEF AND MEDICINE MAN.

I HE Sioux or Dakota Indians were first seen by the French
explorers in 1640, near the head waters of the Missis-
sippi River. The Algonquins called them Nadowessioux,
ice the name gradually became shortened into Sioux. This
the largest family or confederation in the Northwest and
iivided into a number of tribes, known as the Santee, Sisse-
Wahpeton, Yankton, Yanktonnais, Teton, Brule, Ogalalla
Uncpapa. These are all Sioux proper, and still number
y thirty thousand tall, well-built Indians, with large fea-
and heavy, massive faces. They are perhaps the finest
of plains Indians, who, until recent years, lived by hunting
uffalo.

t one time their territory extended east of the Mississippi
from the source of the ** Father of Waters'' to the upper
)uri, but they live at present chiefly in the States of North
South Dakota.

ndoubtedly the most famous leader of the Sioux was the
»ct of this sketch. He was great in si>ite of the fact that he
a medicine man, rather than chief proper, and that his
lie was mightier than his tomahawk.

itting Bull was born on Willow Creek, Dakota, in 1837. He
id to have been an Uncpapa, though he signed the treaty
168 as an Oglala.

[e is described as a heavy built Indian, with a large, mas-
head, and, strange to say, hrown hair, which is very rare
ig Indians. His complexion was also light and his face
y marked with smallpox. He was about five feet ten inches

443

4M urss or famous ivdiam vbikwb.

a fine pliysiqiie and strildQK qppcannee^ witt
hooked nooe, and fieree half-Uoodriiot eyes
fawa mndcr biowa which indicate large p c i c ep t i y e ofyma. Jail-
w^ ftmm hit photograph, taken in a atanding pnaitinn, he itm
J ig M y bow-legged, and wore hia hair in two hea^ hmk
: on either aide in front of hia shooldenL

Sitting Bnll'a repotaticHi waa more of flie agitator aai
than of the warrior. Aa Cyroi Townaend Bradkx, ■
hB ''Indian Fights and Fighten,'* well aaji» "The Indiam aU
ke had a big head but a little heart, and they esteeoMd Mb
of a coward; in spite of this his inilnenee over tte
and the Indians waa paramonnt, and reoMined ao aalil
|» death.

^'Perhaps he lacked the physical conrage which ia neeesMiy
im flirting; bnt he must have had abundant mond courage, for
he was the most implacable enemy and the moat dangeroos—
heeause of his ability, which was so preat as to overcome the
Indian *s contempt for his lack of personal eouraiee— that the
Tnited Stat«*s had ever had anump the Indians. He was a
stratearist. a tar-tirian— everythinjr but a fiphter. However, his
lack of fi^htint; qnalitif^s was not serious, for he gathered
around him a dauntl«*ss array of war-chiefs, the first among
them bein^r Crazy Ilorsi*, an OL'alj»lla. a skilful and indomitable,
as well as a brave and ferocious leader." There was probably
no other Sioux wlio could mak** so i)roud a showing of the com-
bined essentials of leadership as this prophet, priest, medicine
Bian and chief.

The leading events of the early part of his career were
ivcorded by himwlf antl ft-ll into thi* hands of the whites by an
aeeident soon after the Phil. Knanii-y massiu*re. It seems that
a Yanktonnais Indian broujrht to Fort Huford an old roster-
hook of the Thirty-first Infantry, which had on the blank sidt-s
of the leaves a S4*ries of portraitun*s of the doings of a mighty
warrior. They W4*nf rather skilfully exix-utetl in brown and
yaek inks, with coloring addeil for the horses and clothing.
Ihe totem in thr comer of i-aeb pictotrraph. a buffalo bnll on

SITTiya BILL, THE (iUEAl SIOl'X CHIEF. 41.")

its haunches, connected with the hero by a line, revealed the fact
that it was a history of Sitting Bull, who with a band of warriors
had been committing depredations in that part of the country
for several years.

The Yanktonnais Indian finally admitted that he had stolen
it from Sitting Bull and sold it for a dollar and a half's worth of
supplies. Almost every picture of the first twenty-five repre-
sents the slaughter of enemies of all sorts— Indians and white
men, women and children, frontiersmen, railroad hands, team-
sters and soldiers. He was as impartial as death itself, and all
was grist that came to his mill. The next lot of about a dozen
show his exploits as a collector of horses, a pursuit at which
he was a brilliant success. The last few pictures represent him
ai' leader of the Strong Hearts— a Sioux fraternity of warriors
noted for their bravery and fortitude— charging two Crow vil-
l|tges. In one of these encounters thirty scalps were taken.
These picture diaries are usually correct in detail. Ordinarily
they are made on buffalo robes, or buckskin, and are kept by
the hero to display among his own people who are acquainted
with the facts of which he boasts. In this case there were sol-
diers at the fort who could vouch for the truth of some of the
picture records.

While, therefore. Sitting Bull was not a chief of any great
prominence during **the piping times of peace,'' he had a record
as a fighter and a reputation as a skilful coniniander, which
made him a powerful loadstone of attraction to the discontented
Sioux of the agencies. These always thought of him, and flocked
to his camp at the first outbreak of hostility.

It was stated at one time that Sitting Bull, while hating the
white Americans, and disdaining to speak their language, was
yet very fond of the French Canadians, that he talked French
and that he had been converted to Christianity by a French
Jesuit, named Father De Smet. It is uncertain how much truth
there is in the statement, but there is probably some foundation
for it. Certain it is, the French Jesuits have always been noted
for their wonderful success in gaining the affections of the

446 Lirsa or FAuoua Indian chimtm.

Indians, as well as for the transitory nature of their <
It is quite possible, that Father De Smet may not only' liam
baptized Sitting Bull some time, but induced him and his brmTes
to attend mass, as performed by himself in the wilderness. There
was never any real evidence of a diange of heart, and the benefits
of the conversion were only skin deep, as far as preventing
cruelty in war was concerned.

It can not be denied that Sitting Bull was an Indian of
unusual powers of mind, and a warrior whose talent amounted to
genius. He must have been a general of the highest order, to
have set the United States at defiance, as he did, for ten long
years. That he was able to do this so long was owing to his
skilful use of two advantages : a central position surrounded by
''bad-lands," and the quarter drde of agencies from which he
and his band drew supplies as wards of the Government, and
allies, every campaign. These so-called **bad-lands" are large
sections of clay soil, baked into chasnis, four or five feet wide
and perhaps twenty feet deep, by the long and intense droughts
of that climate. X^^s rough country, impassable for wagons,
surrounded the hostiles at the time of which we write.

In the face of these advantages and of Sitting Bull 's talents
as a warrior, the Government decided to pacify them by giving
the Indians all they asked, in the treaty of 1868.

Thus matters stood from 1868 to 1875, when Sitting Bull,
accompanied by Red Cloud and Spotted Tail, visited the national
capital. The three distinguished Sioux chiefs attracted marked
attention, and were feasted and entertained by some of the lead-
ing men of the nation. General Grant was then President and
the Great Father granted an audience with the three chiefs.
The President and his advisers tried to induce the Sioux leaders
to sign a new treaty, because— well— ^oW had been discovered in
the Black Hills, most of which by treaty belonged to the Sioux,
but the three chiefs stubbornly refused to sign any treaty what-
ever, even at the request of the Great Father.

** Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war." She
also has her defeats, and this was one of them. Finding nothing

SITTING BULL, THE GREAT SIOUX CHIEF. 447

could be accomplished in the way of a new treaty, or peaceable
settlement of the vexatious question, it was determined in 1876
to try one more campaign against Sitting Bull and his hostiles.

When gold was discovered in the Black Hills, there was the
usnal rush of miners and turbulent frontier population. Not-
withstanding the fact that our authorities warned the emigrants
to keep away, thousands of desperate men were soon engaged
in the scramble for the precious metal. By way of retaliation,
the Sioux left their reservation and began burning houses, steal-
ing horses and killing settlers in Montana and Wyoming. A
strong force of regulars under Generals Crook and Terry
marched against them in the mountainous country of the Upper
Yellowstone, and several thousand warriors under Sitting Bull
were driven back toward the Big Horn mountains and river.

Gen. George A. Custer and Major Reno were sent forward
with the Seventh Cavalrj' to locate the hostiles. Custer started
on June 22d, and early in the morning of the 25th, 1876, discov-
ered the camp of Sitting Bull. The village extended three and
a half miles up the Little Big Horn and is estimated to have
contained at least five thousand people.

Any one else but Custer would have waited for reinforce-
ments, or retired without risking a battle with such tremendous
odds against him, but this was not Custer's way.

It is quite probable he did not realize what a fearful hornet's
nest he was about to stir up. Certain it is, Custer, as had always
been his custom, divided his command into three parts— one
division under Major Reno, one under Captain Benteen, the
third commanded by himself. Reno was ordered to charge the
lower end of the village, Benteen to charge the center on the
opposite side, and he intended to strike the enemy on the upper
end of the valley.

The particulars of what followed can never be known, since
Custer and every one of his immediate command were killed.
As in the case of the fall of the Alamo, in 1836, none of the
soldiers survived to tell the story.

There were, however, two survivors who were not soldiers in

UrSM Olf FAMOUS INniAS rniii^s.

the stiieteHt nms/t of the terrn. They were Curley, the V

*rDi^

aeaot, who escaped by letting down hm hair and dannin^ mw
blanket^ aiid thim dbgiuHing himK^lf aa a Sioux. He elainis to
have found an iin^tiardeii pmm through which he e^eaped am)
tehaye informed Cleneral Custer of it. He even urged Custer to
mount luB lU'H horfte and ride for his* life. But that gallant hero
preferred !<* tli** l>y his men, rather than attempt to escape in
tihis selfish uuuiiier.

The other sonriyor was Comanche, the famoitti horae of
'Captain Keogh, a relative of General Cnster. He wm foimd
about a day's journey from the battlefield, and as he had seven
bad wounds, and was very weak from loss of blood, the soldiem
never expected to get him back to camp, but by eonstruetiiig a
stfong litter of poles and army blankets this was aceomplidied.
With the best of treatment the equine hero fully recovered, and
was given an honorable discharge. Special provision was made
for the care and support of Comanche at Port Riley. Once in
a while, when the cavalry troops were on inspection, Comanche
was led out, saddled and bridled, but no one ever sat in his saddle
after the battle of the Little Big Horn.

Custer's command used the dead bodies of their horses killed
by the Indians for a barricade. As the soldiers began the attack
with a charge, every horse had been saddled. When, however,
Comanche was found he was stripped of his saddle, bridle
and accoutrements. It is therefore supposed that the Indians
stripped and left him, believing he could not recover.

He is known to be the sole survivor of the cavalry horses, as
the body of every other horse was found among the heaps of
slain.

Comanche was one of the original mounts of the Seventh
Cavalry, which was organized in 1866, and had been in almost
every battle with the Indian service of that thrilling period. He
was now taken in charge by Captain Rowlan and sent to Fort
Riley, where for fourteen years he roamed the pasture at will,
and was the pet of the Seventh Cavalry. He received the
kindest of treatment until he died of old age, November 6, 1891.

SITTING BULL, TEE GREAT SIOUX CHIEF, 449

At the time of his death it was estimated that he was forty-five
years old. This is the more remarkable when it is remembered
that few horses reach the age of thirty-five years.

Comanche's skin w^as stuffed and mounted and placed in
the museum of the Kansas State University. It was afterward
on exhibition at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where it
was seen by the author.

As there were no white survivors of the Custer fight on
Little Bijr Horn, the historian is compelled to get his informa-
tion from the Indian leaders.

Sitting Bull, Gall and Rain-in-the-Pace, Itiomagaju, have
each been induced to give their versions of it. We have not
thought it best to quote Sitting Bull's statement. He was absent
at the time of the battle ** making medicine," took no active
part in it, and we consider the whole story as either drawn on
his iniajrination. or that of the reporter who interviewed him.
We (piote the account of Rain-in-the-Face, because he at least
was present at the battle, and is the accredited slayer of Capt.
Tom Custer.

It seems that Kain-iii-the-Face had waylaid and murdered
Dr. Ilouzinger, a veterinary surgeon, and Mr. Baliran, a sutler,
who were stragglers in the rear, at the time of the Yellowstone
expedition under General Stanley. Not long after this Rain-in-
the-Faee, with other young Sioux, took part in the Sun Dance,
a cerenioninl porforniance of great torture in which the aspir-
ants give final proof of endurance and courage which entitles
them to the toga virilis of a full-fledged warrior. One feature
of it was the suspension in air of the candidate by a rawhide
rope passed through slits cut in the breast, or elsewhere, until
the flesh teai*s and he falls to the ground. If he faints, falters or
fails, or even gives way momentarily to his anguish during the
period of suspension, he is called and treated as a squaw for the
rest of his miserable life.

Edward f^smond says, *' Rain-in-the-Pace was lucky when he
was so tied up; the tendons gave way easily, and he was released
after so short a suspension that it was felt he had not fairly

45tl

Ijrius (IF FA MO IS INmAN CUIBFS

won his spurs. Sttting Bull, the chief niedicioe maUt deeUfc
Ihiit the lej^t wn« unsatisfacton^ Rain-in-the-Faee tbereuf
ckfied Sitting Bull to do his warst, declaring then? was no U
vtmld wring a rmimuir of pain from his lips,

''Sitting: Bull WHK i^ipial to the oceamon. He cut di?eii siit:<i t|||
the back over the kidneys, the hoUoi**s remaitiiug wrn* bii
i^iiou^h almost to take in a doseil fist years after, aad pajs^ tl
rawhide rope through them. For t%TO days the yrmng IndiH
hong suspended, tauntinj^ his torturers, jeering at theio* defyin
theai to do their worst, while sinjring his war aongw and brai&tiii
of his deeds. The loui^h flesh, museles and tendons* would
tear loose althoutrh he kieked and stniirijled violently t»* i,*^
free. Finally, Sittini; Bull, siJtisMiHl that Hiiin-in -the- Pare 1|
courage and enduninee WTre ahovt* prmif, ordered buffalo %kn\
In he tied to hig legs, nofl thi^ ndiletl weight, with tconie ukui
vigorous kicking, enahh^d the* Indian Stoic tt> break frei^. It"
was one of the most wonderful exhibitions of stoieisni, endunHHv
and courage ever witnessed among the Sioux, where these qu^i-
ities were not infrequent. "

Rain-in-the-Face had passed the test. No one thereafli^r
(piestioned his courage. He was an approved wafrior, iiideetl,
It was while suspended thus that he boasted of tJie niurder of
Dr. llouzinger and ifr, Bali ran, and was overheard by Charh v
Reynolds, the scout, who told Custer and the regiment, Raio-iu-
t he-Pace was arrested at Standing Roek Agency by a scjnaci <if
soldiers under the eoumiand of Capt, Tom Custer, wham ll^^
Indians called Little Hair, to distinguish him from hk hrotht^r,
the general, whom they called Long ITair, lie was put in \l^^*
guard-house and condemned to exeeutiou, but, with the aid of
white prisonem. made his escape. Before doing so, howeveri 1'*
told Tom Custer, in the event of Ms escape, he would cut hi*
heart out and eot it.

Frt)m now on we will let the noted warrior tell his own story
as found in Outdoor Life, of March, 1903:

"I rejoined Sitting Bull and Gall. They were afraid to
fouie and get me there. I sent Little Hair a picture, on a pi^

SITTIXG BILL, THE GBEAT SlOrX CHIEF, 45;i

of biift'alo skin, of a hloody hoart. lh» knew 1 didn't forjret my
vow. The next time 1 saw J^ittle Hair, ujrli ! I ^ot his heart.
I have said all/'

And, Indian-like, he stopped. But we wanted to hear how
h<» took Tom Cluster's heart. ^IcFadden, who is quite an artist
as well as an actor of note, had made an imajrinary sketch of
'^Custer's Last Charjrc." lie pot it and handed it to Rain,
sayinjr: **Does that look anything like the fipht?'* Rain studied
it for a long time, and then burst out laujrhinp.

'*No,'' he said, **this picture is a lie. Those lonp swords,
have swords — they never fought us with swords, but with guns
jind revolvers. These men are on ponies— they fought us on
foot, and every fourth man held the others' horses. That's
always their way of fighting. We tie ourselves onto our ponies
and fight in a circle. These people are not dressed as we dress
in a fight. They look like agency Indians— we strip naked and
have ourselves and our ponies painted. This picture gives us
bows and arrows. We w^ere better armed than the long swords.
Their guns wouldn't shoot but once— the thing w^ould not throw
out the empty cartridge shells. (In this he was historically cor-
rect, as dozens of guns were picked up on the battlefield by
(Jeneral Gibbon's command, two days after, with the shells still
sticking in them, showing that the ejector wouldn't work).
When we found they could not shoot we saved our bullets by
knocking the long swords over with our war-clubs— it was just
like killing sheep. Some of them got on their knees and begged;
we spared none— ugh I This picture is like all the whit* man's
I)ictures of Indians, a lie. I will show you how it looke('."

Then turning it over he pulled out a stump of a lead pencil
from his pouch and drew a large shape of a letter S tunned
sidewise. *'llere/' said he, *'is the Little Big Horn River; w<»
had our lodges along the banks in the shape of a bent bow."

'*How^ many lodges did you have?'' asked Harry.

''Oh, many, many times ten. We were like blades of grass."
[It is estimated that there were between four and six tlumsand
Indians, hence there must have been at least a thotisand lodges.]

'*Thiit tii^rlU \V(* had h Ui^ tVmt uful Ihr »i*alp danm Tint
Sitting liull cajui' up und iiiiidt? luiotht^r spn-cH. lli* muL * 1
told you how it would Ih.\ I umih jy^reat ioedieLnt% My m»*iJidi»
wanned yotir hmrtH and iijad«? you bravt*/

**ne talked a lotij^ tiixie. Alt tlie Iiidiariii lE^v^ Mm thf cnMit
of winning tht^ fight hpcaufte hi it medicine* won it. But ht? wjikhi
in the flirht. Gal! got nmd at Sitting* Bull tlmt nieht, OaU Kni4:
*We did the fighting, you only made inpdjcjne. It would k»vr
htH^n tht? saiue anyway/ Their hearts were bad tnwnrds **iH'n
other after that always*

'* After that fight we eonld have killed aU the otbefs on X^
hill (Keno^s comma od) but for the quarrel between Oa!l iHwl
Sitting Bull, Both wanted to Im* head i*hief. Bcmie of tUt-
[ndjans said Oall was right and went with him. Bonie mii^I
Sitting Bull was. I didn4 care, I was my own diief and hml
my bad young men; we would not obey either of them mill's**^
we wanted to, and they feared us.

**I was sick of fighting— I had had enough. I wanted to dance.
We heard more Tong swords were coming With wheel guns (artil-
lery, Oatlings). We moved camp north. They followed many
days till we crossed the line into Canada. I stayed over there
till Sitting Bull came back, and I came back with him. That is
all there is to tell. I never told it to white men before."

When he had finished, I said to him: **Rain, if you didn't
kill Long Yellow Hair, who did?" **/ chm't know. No one
knows. It was like running in the dark." **Well," asked Mac,
*'Why was it Long Yellow Hair wasn't scalped, when every one
else was? Did you consider him too brave to be scalped?"

'*No one is too brave to be scalped; that wouldn't make any
difT'erence. The squaws wondered afterward why they couldn't
find him. He must have lain under some other dead bodies. I
didn't know, till I heard it long afterward from the whites, that
he wasn't scalped."

Rain-in-the-Pace was about sixty-two years of age at the time
of his death, which occurred at Standing Rock Agency, North
Dakota, September 12, 1905, and was the last chief to survive

SITTING BILL. THE GREAT SIOVX CHIEF. 457

and tell the tale of the Custer fight. Gall and Sitting Bull having
both gone to hunt the white buffalo long since. Rain could
write his name in English. He was taught to do it at the
World's Fair in order to sell Longfellow's poem entitled, '*The
Revi^nge of Rain-in-the-Face." He didn't know the significance
of it after he had written it. His knowledge of English was
confined to about thirty words, but he could not say them so
any one could understand him, though he could understand
almost anything that was said in English. The author recalls
seeing him at the World's Fair while hunting Indian data. He
l(H>ked then very much like his picture and walked with crutches.

Like many other Indians, his gratitude was for favors to
(M>ni<» and not for favoi-s already shown. You could depend upon
any promise he made, but it took a world of patience to get him
t<» promise anything. Even at the age of sixty he was still a
ll<»rcules. In form and face he was the most pronounced type of
tlio ideal Fonimore Cooper dime novel Indian in America.

Upon the arrival of news of the Custer fight at Fort Leaven-
worth. Kansas, General ^liles and the Fifth Infantry were
ordered to proceed to the scene of hostilities and form part of
the large command already there. The order was at once
obeyed.

On October 18 Lieut.-Col. E. S. Otis, commanding a battalion
of four companies of the Twenty-third Infantry, was escort-
iiitr a wagon train of supplies from Olendive, Montana, to the
cantonment, when he was attacked by a large force of Indians.
The soldiers had a hard fight to ke<»p the animals from b<Mng
stani|)eded, an<l the train from capture. They finally l)eat ofl'
the Indians, and during a temporary cessation of hostiliti<»s, a
messenger rode out from the Indian lines, waving a paper, which
was left on a hill in sight. When it was picked up Colonel Otis
found it to be an imperious message, probably written by sonu*
half-breed, but dictated by the subject of this sketch. It ran
as follows:

" Yki.i.owstonk.

**I want to know what yon are doinj; traveling on this road.

•I'lS Lit E:i OF tdUOVS tSmjS CtiiKFS,

Y<Hi *«(*iin? nU the butTiilo iiwitv% 1 want to hunt in tliis plaer. I
want ¥011 to ttim baek from liertf« If yoii dooH I will figtit pm
aguin, I want you to leave what you hare got ben? aoil tttm
liiick from here,

**I am your friend.

**SlTTtNO Bviam

*T mean all the rations you have got ami snme pnvdct.^
\\'ish yon ivould write as soon ust you nin/'

Thi^ docuiDeut was certainly utii(|ue in Indtnn warfare »
il illuHlrates both the spirit and naivete of the noted chief.

Colonel Otis dispatched a seout to Silting Bull mith ik
mfcriTiHtion that he intended to take hiB wa^on traia throu|^ lo
headqtmrteni in spite of all the Indians on earth, and if Sittiaf
Bull wanted to have a ii|iht, he (OtiK) would be glad to aeeonuni*-
date him at any time and on any terms. The train aooo starts
and flii^ Tndians as pronaptly refiumed the attaek. But ihe^
engagement was soon terminated by a flag of truce. A messenger
from the Indians stated that they were tired and hungry and
wanted to treat for peace.

Otis invited Sitting Bull to come into his lines, but that wily
chief refused, although he sent three chiefs to represent him.
Otis had no authority to treat for peace, but he gave the Indians
a small quantity of hard bread and two sides of bacon. He also
advised them to go to Tongue River and communicate with his
superior officer. General Miles. The train now moved on. and
after following a short distance with threatening movements
the Indians withdrew.

The same night Otis met General Miles with his entire force,
who sent the train on to the cantonment, and started after
Sitting Bull. !Miles's little army at this time numbered three
hundred and ninety-eight men, with one Gatling gun. With
Sitting Bull were Gall and other noted chiefs, and one thousand
warriors of the !Miniconjous, San Arcs, Brules and Uncpapas.
together with their women and children, in all over three thou-
sand Indians, ililes overtook Sitting Bull on October 21, at
Cedar Creek, when that chief asked for an interview^ which was

SITTING JiVLL, TlfK GKKAT SlorX CHIEF. 450

arranged. Sittin<r Bull was attended by a sub-chief and six
warriors, Miles by an aide and six troopers. The meeting took
place at a halfway point between the two lines, all parties being
mounted.

In his ** Indian Fights and Fighters," Cyrus Townsend
Hrady says of this interview: ** Sitting Bull wanted peace on
the old basis. The Indians demanded permission to retain their
arms, with liberty to hunt and roam at will over the plains and
through the mountains, with no responsibility to any one, while
the Government required them to surrender their arms and
come into the agencies. The demands were irreconcilable, there-
fore. The interview was an interesting one, and though it began
calmly enough, it grew exciting toward the end.

*' Sitting Bull, whom Miles describes as a fine, powerful, intel-
ligent, determined looking man, was evidently full of bitter and
poi-sistent animosity toward the white race. He said, *No Indian
that ever lived loved the white man, and no white man that ever
lived loved the Indian; that God Almighty had made him an
Indian, but He didn't make him an agency Indian, and he didn't
intend to be one.' The manner of the famous chief had been
cold, but dignified and courteous. As the conversation pro-
jrressed, he became angrry— so enraged, in fact, that in Miles's
words, *he finally gave an exhibition of wild frenzy. His whole
manner seemed more like that of a wild beast than a human
being. His face assumed a furious expression. His jaws were
tightly closed, his lips were compressed and you could see his
(\ves glisten with the fire of savage hatred.'

**One can not help admiring the picture presented by the
splendid, though ferocious, savage. I have no doubt General
^liles himself admired him.

**At the height of the conference, a young warrior stole out
from the Indian lines and slipped a carbine under Sitting Bull's
blanket. He was followed by several other Indians, to the
number of a dozen, who joined the band, evidently meditating
treachery. !Miles. who with his aide, was armed with revolvers
only, promptly recpiired these new auxiliaries to retire, els^ '

4W UVE^ fit' FAMors INinjN VUIEFS.

eoiifi!ri*nt!c wutUd bf* termttiati*d iiumetliatclv. His flemanil m
n*luctantJy obeyed. AfltT some further tllk s fiectincl mMittC
wm appointed for the morrow, and the conferenee brokv yp

** During the nif^ht JHles movt*d h\^ commaiid in positiim U*
hi* able to intercept the niovemetit of the IndiauK the nr%% %U}\
There was another interview with the picturesque and Imp^Tiaa
»Mivfli^e, whiwM* ei)ri<liliorii5 of jiettce were found to h<» iihKohitelj
impo8i«iblet since they involved the sbandonment of all militfrii
pmtn^ the withdrawal of all settlei^ garrisons, etc, from ih
country, lie wanted everything: and would give nothing,
«poke like a conqueron and looked like one. although his
quent itetions wei-e not in keeping with the part- Jtilt^ seeii
Ihe futility of further discussion, peremptorily broke up the<
fenfnee. He told Bitting Bull that he would take no adviiDfi
i»f the flag of truce, but that he would give him just fift*
inirmteii to get haek to his people to prepam for 6ghting. Sh^^u^
Hij^' (ii^fianct*. the chiefs rode biiek to the Indian lines.

** There was •mounting in hot haste' and hurried prepara-
tionii made for inimediatt* battle on both sides. Watch in hand
Miles checked off the minuter, and exactly at the time appointed
he ordered an Hdvance. The Indiana liet fire to the dry gm^,
which was not yet covered with snow, and the battle vmst
joined amid clouds of flame and smoke. Although outnumbered
nearly three to one^ the attack of the soldiers was pressed home
so relentlessly that the Indians were driven back from their
eainp, which fell into the possession of Miles.

**The Sioux were not beaten, however, for the discomfited
warriors rallied a force to protect their flying women and ehil-
dreUt under the leadership of Gall and others, Sitting Bull not
l)eing as much of a fighter as a talker. They were led to the
fight again and again by their intrepid chiefs. On one occasioiiy
so impetuous was their gallantry that the troops were forced
to form a scjuare to repel their wild charges. Before the battle
was over— and it continued into the next day— the Indians had
been driven headlong for over forty miles.

*'They had suffered a serious loss in warriors, but a greater

SITTIXO BULL, THE GREAT SIOIX CHIEF. 463

in the destruction of their eanip e<iuipa«:e, winter supplies and
other property. Two thousand of them came in on the third day
and surrendered under promises of good treatment. Several
hundred broke into small parties and scattered. Miles 's little
force was too small to be divided to form a guard for the
Indians; he had other things to do, so he detained a number of
the principal chiefs as hostages, and exacted promises from the
rest that they would surrender at the Spotted Tail or Red Cloud
Agency — a promise which, by the way, the great majority of
them kept. Sitting Bull, Gall and about four hundred others
refused to surrender, and made for the boundary line, escaping
pursuit for the time being.''

Here they were joined by the brothers Iron Horn and Rain-
in-the-Face, each leading a band.

Sitting Bull now determftied to make his home in British
America, and seemed to be on friendly terms with his cousin
John of the same surname. His following was augmented by
discontented Indians from the reservations, who were continually
crossing the boundary to join the famous chief. Canada thus
became the sanctuary of refuge for the Indian, as it had formerly
been for the Negro slave, but the two races were impelled by
entirely different motives. That of the Negro was to escape
cruel servitude, often with the accompaniment of the overseer's
lash or the bloodhound's fangs; while the incentive of the Indian
in fleeing from our reservations was the hope of escaping
impending starvation. One of the military commanders, in his
official report, says, '*The hostile body was largely reenforced by
acces.sions from the various agencies, where the malcontents were,
doubtless in many cases, driven to desperation by starvation and
the heartless frauds perpetrated on them"; and that the Interior
Department is obliged to confess that, **Such desertions ^\Vre
largely due to the uneasiness which the Indians had long felt
on account of the infraction of treaty stipulations by the while
invasion of the Black Hills, seiiously aggravated at the most
critical period by irregular and insufficient issues of rations
necessitated by iniide(|iiat<' and d^^layed appropriations."

4I»4 LIVKS OF FAMOUS J.V/lf.4A CHIKFH.

\tnh*i.H[, \{ Ntn iiK*tl ill ihim* dark tlay>> llie **iipparuiit piir]
uf Hk* *fovt:rinii<^rjl to abiiiKJ<m than Uiii* n^HrrvalHiti Imliaiiii) U)„
jslHTViitum/'

Vh if to add imnh to injury, about this time a eoiiimissi^
(^mKJMtiiig of BH|2.-ni»n, A. 11. Terry, lion. A. Xh Ijawrence ai
Coli>m-4 (now (jeiieral) Corbiti, secrt^ary, was sent Jo CatiadH to
treat with Hitting BulL and the malcontents them at Fort Walsk
General Ti^rry ri^cupitulated to them tho advantages of being afafl
peace with the Unitrd States^ the kintUy ( 1) trealmcnl that 0II"
wurrt*ndereei prminrrs had received » and staid: **The President
invilt*** you to eoine to the boundary of hiii and yoxir eount
and there ^ive up your arm« and a in munition, and th*^nee go
the ageneies to which he will aKHipn you, and there ^ive up yc
hor^ea, eiceptinp !hof«e whieh are required for peace pnrpn
Your arms and hoi'ses will then be fiold, and with all the mom
nhtiiiiied for them eoWH will hv houfrht nm\ Kent to you/'

The reference to the kindly treatment received by the sur-
rendered prisoners would have been amusing if it had not been
pitiful. At that moment there were Indians in the council who
had left our reservations solely to escape starvation, and the
Indian chiefs knew all about this.

The Indians must have been totally without sense of humor
if they could have listened to the commissioners without laugh-
incr. Sitting BulTs reply, which we can only quote in part is
worthy of being: put on record among the notable protests of
Indian chiefs against the oppressions of their race. Said he:
'*For sixty- four years you have kept me and my people and
treated us bad. What have we done that you should want us to
stop? We have done nothing. It is all the people on your
side that have started us to do all these depredations. We could
not'go anywhere else and we took refuge in this country. . . .
I would like to know why you came here? In the first place I
(lid not give you the country, but you followed me from one
place to another, so I had to leave and come over to this country.
. . . . You have got ears to hear, and eyes to see, and you see
liow I live with th(»se people. You see me. Here I am. If vou

SITTING BULL, THE GREAT SIOUX' CHIEF. 465

think I am a fool, you are a bigger fool thau I am. This house
i« «. medicine-house. You come here to tell us lies, but we don't
Wiiiit to hear them. I don't wish any such language used to me—
thstt is to tell me lies in my Great Mother's (Queen Victoria's)
ho\ise. This country is mine, and I intend to stay here and to
raise this country full of grown people. See these people here.
^V"te were raised with them [shaking hands with the British

officers] . That is enough, so no more The part of the

cc>\intry you gave me you ran me out of I wish you to

ST'O back and take it easy going back."

After several others had spoken, and the Indians seemed
^l>f)ut to leave the room, the interpreter was directed to ask the
^c^lJowing questions: ** Shall I say to the President that you
''^fuse the offers that he has made to you? Are we to under-
^'^ ^nd that you refuse those offers ? ' ' Sitting Bull answered : * * I
^^^iild tell you more, but that is all I have to tell. If we told you
*^Dre, you would not pay any attention to it. This part of the
^^^iintry does not belong to your people. You belong to the
^^trher side, this side belongs to us."

Thus the conference closed. The Indians positively refused
*^^|rive up all their weapons, to exchange their horses for cows
*^ t\d the priceless privilege of being shut up upon reservations,
^^IT which they could not go without being pursued, arrested and
'brought back by troops.

Sitting Bull did not believe the cows- would materialize if
ills people gave up their horses. He had long since lost faith in
the Oovernment which, as he expressed it, ''had made fifty-two
treaties with the Sioux and kept none of them."

It was also in this connection that the great Indian leader
made his famous reply: '*Tell them at Washington if they have
one man who speaks the truth to send him to me, and I will listen
to what he has to say."

The country originally owned and occupied by the Sioux
extended many miles beyond the Canadian boundary line.
Hence they had claims to territory in both countries, but their
lot at this period was indeed sad. Those bands on our side

4G6 Lli KS OF FAMdUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

wen^ for the most part confined tt> i-e^ervjitionN wh*>r^, ?ty
of erofj failure *mti tlie olht*r rnu.si^ already givt'ti, they
thiTuleiied vnth starvHtii^n.

Those nialeontent Iiidiaiisi under Sitting Bull, on the
adinn side, en jay eel liberty, but they had little el«*e. The"
Canadian Ciovernnient would give them protection but no m\>*
plies. And now the buffalo, on which they depended nminiy
for subsistenee, wtks being praduaUy exterminated or dpiven off*

Besides the conmiission appointerl V>y the rjoverninent at
least two enterprisiujir Chicago pafi^i^ ^qixX reporters all the way
to Canada to interview the Iildian sphinx of the Northweftt,
These interviews took place at Fort Walsh, in the pre^nee dM
Major Walf^h, who seems to hflve been a prifne favorite witi
Sitting Bull and all his followers. In the first one, it in ^^tated:

**At the appointed time, half* past eight, the lamps were
Ufifhted and the mo«t m>"Bterioiis Indian chieftain who ever floiir-
ished in North America was ushered in. There he stood, his
blanket rolled back, his head upreared, his right moccasin put
forward, his right hand thrown across his chest. I arose and
approached him, holding out both hands. He grasped them
cordially. * How ! * said he, * How ! ' At this time he was clad in
a black and white calico shirt, black cloth leggins and mocca-
sins, magnificently embroidered with beads and porcupine quills.
He held in his left hand a foxskin cap, its brush drooping to his
feet; with the dignity and grace of a natural gentleman he
had removed it from his head at the threshold. His eyes gleamed*
like black diamonds. His visage, devoid of paint, was noble and
commanding; nay, it was something more. Besides the Indian
character given to it by high cheek-bones, a broad, retreating
forehead, a prominent, aquiline nose and a jaw like a bull-dog*s,
there was about the mouth something of beauty, but more an
expression of exquisite irony. Such a mouth and such eyes as
this Indian's, if seen in the countenance of a white man would
appear to denote qualities similar to those which animated the
career of Mazarin. Yet there was something wondrously sweet
in his smile as he extended to me his hands.

SITTING BULL, THE GREAT SIOIX CHIEF. 467

*'Such hands! They felt as small and soft as a maiden's, but
when I pressed them I could feel the sinews beneath the flesh
quivering hard like a wild animal's. I led him to a seat, a
lounge set against the wall, on which he sat w^th indolent grace,
^rajor Walsh, brilliant in red uniform, sat beside him, and a
portable table was brought near. Two interpreters brought
chairs and seated themselves, and at a neighboring desk the
stenographer took his place. I afterward learned that two Sioux
chiefs stood on guard outside the door, and that all the Indians
in the fort had their arms ready to spring in case of a suspected
treachery. On the previous night two of the Indians had been
taken suddenly ill, and their sickness had been ascribed by some
warriors to poison. So restless and anxious were all the savages
that nothing but the influence and tact of Major Walsh could
have procured for me and for your readers the following val-
uable, indeed, historical, colloquy with this justly famous Indian.

'*I turned to the interpreter and said, 'Explain again to
Sitting Bull that he is with a friend.' The interpreter explained.
'Banee!' said the chief, holding out his hand again and pressing
mine.

''Major Walsh here said: 'Sitting Bull is in the best mood
now that you could possibly wish. Proceed with your questions
and make them as logical as you can. I will assist you and trip
you up occasionally if you are likely to irritate him.'

'*Then the dialogue went on. I give it literally :

" ' You are a great chief,' said I to Sitting Bull, 'but you live
behind a cloud. Your face is dark, my people do not see it. Tell
me, do you hate the Americans very nuieh?'

"A gleam as of fire shot across his face.

'"I am no chief.'

"This was precisely what T expected. Tt will dissipate at
once the erroneous idea which has prevailed that Sitting Bull
is either a chief or a warrioi-.

" 'What are yon?'

" 'I am,' said he, crossing both hands upon his che.st, slightly
nodding, and smiling satirically, 'a man.'

'1m

UVES OF FAMOUS rNDlAN VHfKFS.

*■ *What diK'H lie iiiuaii r 1 imiHitTil, lumiiiK l*i Mnjor WaUli.
'lie meatjJi/ rvspuTidt'il tin.* iimjor. "U* kt^cp ytm tit ii^ttontnci*
his secret if he tiiiii. Urn position anionp: his bands m nnomalotu
His own tribe, the Uiiepapaa, are not nil in fealty to liinu Par
of Tn^arly twenty different tribes of Rioiix, besidt*j* a ri*mnant
the Uncpapas, abide with hitn. So far as I have h^arned, he riil*^^
over these fragments nf tribes, which coinpo«se hi^* camp c^|
twenty-five hundre<i including between eight hnndred and nine
hundred warriors, by sheer compelling force of intellect atid
wilL I believe that he understands nothing particularly of war
OP military tactics, at least not enough to give him the skill or
Ihe right to command warriors in battle. lie is supposed to have
guided the fortunes of several battles, inehidiug the fight in
which Custer felL That supposition, as you will presently find,
is partially erroneous. His word was always potent in the camp
or in the fields but he has usually left to the war-chiefs the duties
appertaining to engagements. "VS^en the crisis came he gave his
opinion, which was accepted as law.'

** *What was he then?' I inquired, continuing this momentary
dialogue with Major Walsh. *Was he, is he, a mere medicine
manf

** 'Don't for the world,' replied the major, * intimate to him,
in the questions you are about to ask him, that you have derived
the idea from me, or from any one, that he is a mere medicine
man. He would deem that a profound insult. In point of fact
he is a medicine man, but a far greater, more influential medicine
man than any savage I have ever known. He has constituted
himself a ruler. He is a unique power among the Indians. To
the warriors, his people, he speaks with the authority of a Robert
Peel, to their chiefs with that of a Richelieu. This does not
really express the extent of his influence, for behind Peel and
Richelieu there were traitors and in front of them were factions.
Sitting Bull has no traitors in his camp; there are none to be
jealous of him. He does not assert himself over strongly. He
does not interfere with the rights or duties of others. His power
consists in the universal' confidence which is given to his judg-

SITTING BULL, THE GREAT SIOUX CHIEF. 469

nieiit, which he seldom denotes until he is asked for an expression
of it. It has been, so far, so accurate, it has guided his people
so well, he has been caught in so few mistakes and he has saved
even his ablest and oldest chiefs from so many evil consequences
of their own misjudgment, that to-day his word among them all
is worth more than the united voices of the rest of the camp,
lie speaks ; they listen and they obey. Now let us hear what his
explanation will be ? '

** *You say you are no chief?' *Xo!' with considerable
hauteur.

** *Are you a head soldier?' *I am nothing— neither a chief
nor a soldier. ' * What, nothing ? ' * Nothing. '

** *What, then, makes the warriors of your camp, the great
chiefs who are here along with you, look up to you so? Why do
they think so much of you?' Sitting Bull's lips curled with a
])roud smile. *0h, I used to be a kind of a chief: but the Amer-
icans made me go away from my father's hunting ground.'

'* *You do not love the Americans?' You should have seen
this savage's lips. *I saw to-day that all the warriors around
you clapped their hands and cried out when you spoke. What
you said appeared to please them. They liked you. They
seemed to think that what you said was rijjht for them to say.
If you are not a great chief, why do these m(»n think so much of
you?'

**At this. Sitting Bull, who had in the meantime bt»en leaninjz
hack against the wall, assumed a posture of mingled toleration
nnd disdain.

** * Your people look up to men because they are rich ; because
they have much land, many lodges, many s(|uaws.' *Yes/

'* * Well, I su])pose my people look up to me because 1 am
poor. That is the ditVerence.' In this answer was concentrated
all the evasiveness natural to an Indian.

** 'What is your feeling toward the Americans now?' He did
not t*ven deign an answer. lie touched his hip, where his knife
was.

**I asked the int(M'pret<'r to insist on an nnswci-.

47*1 LIVENS Of t'AMois ismjs c/z/^r^.

'* 'Lbten/ naid Sitting Bull, not cliangiiig bis pCKttii««
pott] tig liijs right hand out upon my knee. 'I told Utem ii
what m^ ijotionis wer^— that I tliil p«t want to go hack
Every time that I had any difficulty with them tbey Jitrt»ck
fin*t. I want to live in p^ace/

** 'Have yon an implacable enmity to the AmertMMf W(
you live with them in peace if they allo\re«d you to do mi; fir
you think you can only obtain peace here?* *The \\Ttitf! Mol
ig good.'

*** Better than the Great Father T* 'ITough!' And then,
after a pause, Sitting Bull continued; ^Tbey [the Comi
nioners] asked me to-day to give them my horeea. I botiglil
hort»es and they are mine* I bought them from men whu ej
tip the SlisKiuri in Mackinaws. They do not belong to
(Jovernment. neither do the rifles. The riflt*^ are ah»o mine,
tmtight them: I pJ^id for them. Why I should give them up, I
do not know, I will iiui ^^ivc them up.*

** 'Do you really think, do your people believe that it is
wi«c to reject the proffers that have bet?n made to you by the
United Htates Commissioners f Do not some of you feel aa if
you w*i*re destined to lose your old hunting grounds! Don't you
see thiit yon will probably have the ^me difficulty in Canadii
that you have had in ih<^ United States?' *The White Mother
doi^s not lie/

** * Do you ext>ect to live heiv by hunting? Are there bulfalo^
tniough? Call your people subsist on the game here!* *I don't
know. I hope so, '

'* 'If not, are any part of your pec»ple disposed to take up
agriculture? Would any of them raise steers and go to farming?'
*I doG*t know/

*' 'What will they do, then?* * As long as there are buffaloes
that is the way we will live/

** *But the time will come when there uill be no more buffa-
loes.* 'Those are the words ot an American/

** *How long do you think the buffaloes w^ill last?' Sitting
Bull arose. *We know/ said he, extending his right hand with

SITTISa BILL, THh GREAT SIOUX CHIEF. 473

an impressive gesture, *that on the other side the buffaloes will
not last very long. Why? Becausi* the country over there is
poisoned with blood— a poison that kills all tlie buffaloes or
drives them away. It is strange/ he continued, with his peculiar
smile, *that the Americans should complain that the Indians kill
buffaloes! We kill buffaloes, as we kill other animals, for food
and clothing, and to make our lodges warm. They kill buffaloes
for what? Go through your country. See the thousands of
carcasses rotting on the plains. Your young men shoot for
pleasure. All they take from a dead buffalo is his tail or his
head, or his horns, perhjps, to show they have killed a buffalo.
What is this? Is it robbery? You call us savages. What are
they? The buffaloes have come north. We have come north to
find them, and to get away from a place where the people tell
lies.'

'*To gain time, and not to dwell importunately on a single
point, I asked Sitting Bull to tell me something of his early
life. In the first place, where he was born? *I was born on
the ^lissouri River: at least I recollect that somebody told me
SD— I don't know who told nie or where I was told of it.'
* * * Of what tribe are you y 'I am an Uncpapa. '
*' *0f the Sioux ?' 'Yes; of the great Sioux nation.'
** *Who was your father?* 'My father is dead.'
** *Is your mother living?' *My mother lives with me in my
lodge.'

** * Great lies are told about you. White men say that you
lived among them when you were young; that you went to
school; that you learned to write and read from books; that
you speak English; that you know how to talk French?' 'It is
a lie.'

'* 'You are an Indian?' (Proudly) 'I am a Sioux.'
**Then suddenly relaxing from his hauteur. Sitting Bull
began to laugh. 'I have heard,' he said, 'of some of these stories.
They are all strange lies. What I am I am,' and here he leaned
back and resumed his attitude and expression of barbaric
grandeur. 'I am a man. I see, I know; I began to see when I

474 UrEM OF FJMOFH INDIAX CHIKFS.

was not yet born— when I was not in my mother's urnm. It
tht^n I began to study about my pc^ople. I i^tudrnl nlMnii ii
things, I studied about tbe smallpox, that w»s kiiling my
people— the great sickness that was killinn: the women and
children. I was so interested that I turned over on my mh.
The Great Spirit must have told me at that time (and here he
nnconiicioiisly revealed his secret), that I would be the man
be the judge of all the other Indians — n big; man, to decirle far
them in all their wa}^/

** 'And yi>ji have since deeided tor themf* *I xpeak. It
enough. ' ,

** * Could not your people, whom you love so well, giet nn
with t he Amerieans f ' No ! '

'' * Whyf* *I never taught my people to trnst Americans, I
have told them the truth — that the Americans are g^reat Hal's. I
never dealt with the Americans. Why should I? The hmd
belonged to my people. I say I never dealt with them — I mean
I never treated with them in a way to surrender my people's
rights. I traded with them, but I always gave full value for
what I got. I never asked the United States Government to
make me presents of blankets or cloth, or anything of that
kind. The most I did was to ask them to send me an honest
trader that I could trade with, and I proposed to give him
buffalo robes and elkskins, and other hides in exchange for
what we wanted. I told every trader who came to our camps
that I did not want any favors from him— that I wanted to
trade with him fairly and equally, giving him full value for
what I got, but the traders wanted me to trade with them on
no such terms. They wanted to give little and get much. They
told me if I did not accept what they gave me in trade they
would get the Government to fight me. I told them I did not
want to fight. '

** *But you fought?* *At last, yes; but not until I had tried
hard to prevent a fight. At fii-st my young men, when they
began to talk bad, stole five American horses. I did not like this
and was afraid something bad would come of it. I took the horses

SJTTIXn BILL, rUh. (Hn.AT sun \ illlEF. 17.')

away from them and jrave thcMu back to the Americans. It did
no ^ood. By and hy we had to fii^rht/ '*

The reporter now drew from the great leader his version of
the Little Big Horn fight, and the death of Custer. But, as
neither party to the dialogue were in the battle, this part of the
interview must of necessity be the work of imagination and will
not be quoted. It is impossible for any one to give an authentic
description of a battle fought in his absence.

John P. Finnerty, the war correspondent for the Chicago
Times, also visited Sitting Bull, while he and his band were
encamped on Mushroom Creek, Woody Mountain, in the summer
of 1879.

His experience with the ** Sphinx'* was somewhat different
from that of the other reporter.

The invitation to make this visit .also came from Major
Walsh, of the mounted police, who called at General Miles 's
camp, on Rocky Creek, a few days previous. We can only
quote a few paragraphs bearing directly on the famous chief :

**So," thought I, **I am going to see the elephant. I have
followed Sitting Bull around long enough, and now I shall
behold *the lion in his den,' in earnest. Presently the tramping
and shouting of the scalp-dance ceased, and the chiefs, their
many colored blankets folded around them, after the fashion
of the ancient toga, came filing down to the council, seating
themselves according to their tribes in a big semicircle.

**Major Walsh had chairs placed for himself and me under
the shade of his garden fence. The chiefs seated themselves on
the ground, after the Turkish fashion. Behind them, rank
after rank, were the mounted warriors, and still further back,
the squaws and children. The chiefs were all assembled, and I
inquired which was Sitting Bull, ^lle is not among them,' said
Major Walsh. *IIe will not speak in council where Americans
are present, because he stubbornly declares he will have nothing
to do with them. You will see him, however, before very long.'

**Soon afterward, an Indian mounted on a cream-colored
pony, and holding in his liand an eagle's wing, which did duty

47<j UVES OF FAMOUS fXDUN CHmfS.

for a fan, spurnnl in back of the chiffs and Mtar^d siolklly ftir
a minute or two at me. Ilia iiHit, purtini in the ordinary Sioux
fashion, was without a plume. His broad faec^ and wide jaws
w*ere destitute of paint » and as he »at there ou his horse* regard^
mtX nie with a look w*hieh seemed blended of curiosity and
iii>K.»lence, I did not need to be told tluit he was Sitting BulL

'' 'That is old Bull himself/ said the mnjor, *ne will he»r
everything, but will say nothing until lie feels called upon to
atritate something with the tribe?*

"After a little, the noted savage dismounted, and led iiis
liorae partly into the shade. I noticed he was an inch or iwu
over the mediuni height, broadly built, rather bow-legginl, I
thought, and he limped slightly, as thmigh from an old woun»l.
He sat upon the ground* and was soon engirdled by a en>wd of
young warriors, with whom he was an especial favorite, as*
representing the unquenchable hostility of the aboriginal savage
to the hated palefaces.

**I amused myself on July 31 by accompanying the major
to a bluff immediately overlooking the Sioux camp, and from
which a complete view of the numbers and surroundings of that
great horde of savages could be obtained. I thought there
were, at the lowest calculation, from one thousand to eleven
hundred lodges in that encampment. There must have been
twenty-five hundred fighting men, at the least, in the confed-
erated tribes. Arms and ammunition were plentiful, but food
of any kind was scarce. The Indians did not seem to trouble
themselves about concealing their strength; on the contrary,
they seemed to glory in it, and the young warriors wore an air
of haughty hostility whenever I came near them. Their leaders,
however, treated me respectfully. Sitting Bull only stared
at me occasionally, but was not rude, as was often his habit
when brought in contact with people he supposed to be Amer-
icans, whom he hated with inconceivable rancor. He said to
Larrabee, the interpreter: 'That man (meaning me) is from
the other side. I want nothing to do with the Americans. They
do not treat me w^ell. They cheat me when T trade. They have

SITTING BULL, TUE GREAT SIOI'X CHIEF, 477

my country now. Let them keep it. I never seek anybody.
Least of all do I seek any Americans. '

**This rather nettled me, for I had made not the slightest
attempt to speak to Mr. Bull, and, in fact, did not care much to
interview him, as he had been long ago pumped dry about his
hatred of our people, and that was about his chief stock-in-trade,
although I am not going to deny that he had some great mys-
terious power over the Sioux, and especially over his own trilx'
of Uncpapas. He was, in fact, their beau-ideal of implacable
hostility to the palefaqe, and he shouted at the United States,
from the safe recesses of the Queen's dominions, 'No surrender!'

** 'Tell Sitting Bull,' I said to Larrabee, 'that if he does not
seek me, neither do I hini. I am not going to beg him to speak
tome.'

* ' The interpreter laughed and said : ' It is just as well not
to take any notice. lie may be in better humor by-and-by.*

"Many of the high-minded and most of the vicious men
among the Indians of the Northwest found their leader in Sitting
Bull, who, although often un])opular with his fellow-chiefs,
was always potent for (»vil with the wild and restless spirits
who believed that wiw against the whites was, or ought to be, the
chief object of their existence. This was about the trui^ status
of the Indian agitator in those days. lie had strong personal
magnetism. His judgment was said to be superior to his courage,
and his cunning superior to both. He had not, like Crazy IToi^sc,
the reputation of being recklessly brave, but neither was he
reputed a dastard. Sitting Bull was simply prudent and would
not throw away his life, so long as he had any chance of doing
injury to the Americans.

**It is true that the wily savage was to all intents and pur-
poses, a British subject, but his intiuence crossed the line, and
no settlers would veiituiv on ]\Iilk River until the implacable
savage was thoroughly whipped and humbled. T don't care
what any one says about Sitting Bull not having be<Mi a warrior.
If he had not tlu* sword, ho ha<l at least the magic sway of a
Mohammed over the rude war tribes that engirdled him. Every-

LI FES OF FAMOUS ISniAN CIIIBFS,

6t to loatl him lo suppose they were ouly gtiing in to the JMBency
on a visit to their friends.

'* Perfectly Katis^ed with them* arrnn»?eiiient«, I retiinwd i '
little after diifk to Sittinir HiiU's Udgv, when* tin* miWitT* wb
euuld not speak a word of the Indian laiisnia^. wu)^ hAvinil fi
lont*»rrme time, and growinir somewhat nnxiouii for my s«fity-
We were hoth very tired And aocin lay down to re«t^ wliil(* 1
entfiiired the old ehief in eonversation, Sittinii Bull'ii fnniily {it|
fhiit time eormisted of hi« two wives (sisterB). two dauidMCT
nnd three sons, the inkiest being a daughter of seventeen, ih
ttther daughter being nest, abont fourteen, the eldest son, CwdJ
Foot (si nee dead), seven years oki. and the two youngest bt)*!!
were twins, born about three weeks before the battle of the Liltlei
Rifr Horn* and were, therefore, not nior^ than four and a h&l^
years old : one of the twins was named Ih-pe-ya^ns-pa-pi,
the fnel that his mother ^fled and abandoned him in the tepee/'
at the time of the battle. The accompanying cut shows the
arrangement of beds, etc., in the lodge, while we were there.

**I continued in conversation with the chief until abont mid-
night, when I fell asleep. I must have been asleep less than an
hour, when I was awakened by the sharp crack of a rifle ringing
out on the still night air, and the simultaneous war-whoop of
contending savages. The camp was instantly in a state of the
wildest confusion. Indian women, seizing their babies, fled,
screaming, they knew not whither, for safety ; warriors suddenly
awakened from their si umbel's, seized their arms and flew with
the speed of the wind to the aid of their comrades, who were
already engaged in conflict with an enemy, whose presence
could only be determined by the sharp report and flashes of
fire from their guns, as they fired in the darkness upon the
Sioux camp. Here was an opportunity for the soldier and myself
to prove our friendship, by aiding the Sioux warriors in their
defense of the camp, which we ])roceeded to do. by seizing our
rifles and hastily joining the warriors, who, by this time, had
turned the enemy, whose firing soon ceased altogether,, and we
«>" returned to the camp, where comparative quiet was restored;

sirniSG ui'LL. Tin-: (hieat skk \ <'im:i\ iv;

but no one slept any more that night. Our muscles were strained
and our nervous systems were unstrung.

"The fact that myself and companion took part in the
defense of the camp was favorably commented on by all, and in
all probability saved our lives, for the Indians are very super-
stitious, and their blood was up; something was wrong; in fact,
tilings had been going wrong for several days. There must be a
* Jonah' in the camp, and how easy it would be to find a pair of
'Jonahs' in the persons of two white men in camp; but our
])roiiipt action had made a most favorable impression, and
diverted their thoughts from the subject of Monahs,' and I
improved the opportunity by comparing their uncertain, hunted
existence with the happy life of their friends at the agencies
in Dakota, whose wives and little ones were even then sleeping
peacefully in their beds, without fear of being disturbed by
prowling bands of Indian foes.

** A number of warriors followed cautiously after the retreat-
ing Blackfeet, but failed to come up with them. They returned
to camp about ten in the morning, and reported finding blood-
stained bandages on the trail, so there must have been some of
the enemy wounded. Among the Sioux, no one was hurt, nor
did they lose any hoi'ses on this occasion. But danger was yet
lurking near. About two in the afternoon, a warrior came into
camp and reported the discovery of a small herd of buffalo,
about foiu" miles from camp. A})out thirty warriors mounted
their horses and went out to kill them: among tlie num})er was
Scarlet Plume, a popular young l)!'av(\ who was a favorite witli
every one. The warrioi-s approached tlir buffalo under cover,
till they were within easy rifle range, when they opened fire and
killed all but one, which struck on across the plain, seemingly
unhurt. Young Scarlet Plume alone gave chase, following the
animal and finally killing it near the h(»ad of a ravine, running
up from the Milk Kiver, wliieli at that point was densely
studded with timber, lie had killed his last buft'alo. He was
alone and more than a mile from his companions. A party of
Blackfeet braves, concealed in the timber, had been watching

4S4 LIFES OF FAMOUS lyUIAN CHIEFS.

his movements, and now, while he was busily engaged skinninsr
the buffalo, they approached, under cover of the ravine, shot
him, took his scalp and made good their escape. His body was
found by his father. Old Scarlet Thunder, and was brought by
him into camp, a little before sunset that evening. Then indeed
there was weeping and wailing in that camp. Language utterly
fails me when I try to describe the scene that followed. His old
mother, his five sisters, and scores of friends and relatives, ton*
their hair, sla.shed their limbs with knives, till the ground where
they stood was wet with hot human gore; they rent their pir-
ments, calling in a loud wailing voice upon the name of the lost
son and brother.

**It was no time for negotiations. Not a time for anythinir.
in fact, but silence and obscurity on my part; sa with my com-
panion, I sought the seclusion of Sitting Bull's tepee, where we
spent till* niirlit in fitful and univfivshinir slumber. Early in
tlie mornin*:. at the fii-st faint dawn of day, I was awaken*-']
by a call from C'liief (iall. whom T j<^ined in a walk about th-
eamj). He informed me that tlie twenty lodges he had proinis»Ml
me ha<l silently taken their departure during the nitrht. and
that T wouhl find them in the evenin«r encamped about twenty
miles down the Milk l^iver. lie said that five women and nin*'
ehihlren helonniiiL' to the party, hut who had no hoi*s<>^, hn'i
remained behind, and desii-e<l to ri<le in my wagon, lie aK"
informed mi^ that Strontr Hand wouhi return with me to Poplar
Ci'eek. AceorvlinLdy. as s<M»n as hn^akfast was over, we liitelh-^l
up the mules, and w«'re only too triad to tret away from a pla«- .
wheiN'. to say the h^ast. oui* expei'ience had been very unplea.Siint
StT-ontr Hand was returnintr afoot. an<l at his susxgestion. I
loane<l him my horse, to enable him to travei'se the river bottom^
in <|uest <»f dep]-. Tin* wonwn and ehildren climbed in the wajien
with th«MT' m«'at:«'i* etVeets. and we hetran moving out of \hv
eamf). Strong: Hand ridiuL' just in advanee of the mules, while
I occupied a Seat witli the driver.

**Tt was neai'ly dark wlien w.- rame up with the twenty
kxL'es sent on ahead by Cliief ^Jall. Strong Hand was theR*

SITTING BULL, THE OEEAT SIOVX CHIEF, 485

with plenty of good venison, and we soon had a hot snpper. We
returned in safety to Port Buford, where, I hope, with a par-
donable degree of pride I turned over to Major Brotherton the
first fruits of my labor, twenty lodges of the hostile Sioux, and
submitted an official report to be forwarded to General Terry,
of this, my visit to the camp of Sitting Bull."

A short time after this. Scout Allison heard from an Indian
who arrived from Sitting Bull's camp that an open nipture had
occurred between Chief Gall and Sitting Bull. This was occa-
sioned by the discovery of some of the adherents of Sitting Bull
that Chief Gall had instigated the desertion of the twenty
lodges who had come with Allison to Buford. Concealment
being no longer possible. Chief Gall, characteristically prompt in
action, had leaped into the midst of the camp, and publicly
called upon all who acknowledged him as chief to separate them-
selves from the followers of Sitting Bull, and prepare
immediately to follow him to Fort Buford. It was a bold thing
to do, and the first time in the history of the reign of Sitting
Bull that his authority had been set at defiance. It was clearly
a test of supremacy, and Chief Gall came ofl^ victorious, taking
away from Sitting Bull fully two-thirds of the entire band.

On July 20, 1881, Sitting Bull with the remainder of his
band, surrendered at Fort Buford. Two days later all the
captive hostiles, numbering 2.829, were turned over to the agent
at Standing Rock, North Dakota.

Ellis, in his ** Indian AVars." informs us that **For a time the
old chief acted like a goml Indian. He exhi])ited hinisolf for
we<*ks in New York and other cities, when* he naturally aroused
much interest and curiosity. A striking scene was that observed
in 1883, when, at one of the railway stations of the AWst, Sitting
Bull sat on a windy eminence selling his autographs for a
dollar and a half apiece. In the smiling group of purchasers
gathered around him were Generals IT. S. Grant and P. II.
Sheridan, Carl Schurz, W. ^I. Evarts, a number of United
States Senators and Congres.smen, several British noblenn^n,
l)esides Berlip bankers. German prof essoins, railway presidents.

/JTA-S f^F FAMOrs tSDIAN CHIKFS.

'^*-^

'In July \\m\ Aii^niMt. 1888, Silting Bull, at K mnft^renee
jit Sinmliiii: Itork, intlui^iicHl bin triln* to n^fuse tn relinqumh
Ihoir l*iiu]«, Ilr wati us itoHiint «» cvi*t% ami, Imt for hm deat
miiKl haw bi*t*n tlu* loading actar in thi* I ant outbreak/'

Xothirm mort* is hi'iird af Sit tin ir Bull until 189tX whi*ti thaf
Hi range hnlluinriatioin tho xMi's-sinli eraze, took pussc^ssion of si>rni*
of the Bioux banilH. Tliig Ktrop^ delusion st^nm to have had its
oripn in iilxnit the foUowing manner, as we learn from a letter
wrifti^!! fo iirjhrnl Milrs hy \\\\ \\y\\\\ iiffirrr statiomd n^ I '^^
Angeles, California, and bearing the date of November 28, 1890.

In it the officer says: **I know you will be surprised when
I say to you, I have found the Messiah, and the story of my
finding him is as follows: Last spring an Indian called and
said he would like to speak to the commander. I took him into
the room, and he gave me a history of himself. He said
his name was Johnson Sides; that he was known as the Peace-
maker among all Indians and whites of Nevada, where he lived.

*'To substantiate his statement he showed me a medal which
he carried strung around his neck, on which was a legend to
the effect that he was presented with the medal by some Chris-
tian society for his efforts toward doing good to his fellowmen,
whether white or red.

**He could talk very good English, was dressed like an
ordinary laborer, but had the Indian's way of wearing his
hair. He told me he knew the Bible; that he was desirous of
making peace with every one, and that is why he was named
Peacemaker. lie said that Indians had come from far and near
to see him, and he pulled out a pipe, such as are made by
Northern Indians, which pipe was recognized as having come
from either Montana or Dakota. Johnson Sides said it came

siTTiSG HI LL, I in: gui:m sioi .\ ciiikf. \S7

from Dakota, and tlie kind of clay of which it was made could
not be found in Nevada, and that the stem was of a peculiar
wood, not found in Nevada or California. He mentioned the
names of the Indians who had visited him, and the tribes to
which they belonged; also gave the time they had called.

**I firmly believe that this is the good-natured Indian that
has caused all this trouble; that he has taught the members of
his tribe the story of Christ, or the Messiah, and the time when
he will once more visit this earth, as it has been taught him by
the Christian people interested in his welfare. He has told
these visiting Indians of the paradise in store for all people
when the Son shall once more visit the earth; and the Indian's
paradise is whatever his ima^nation may lead him to believe,
the same as the white man's. He has no doubt delivered the
story in its true light, and the Indians, in retelling the story,
have warped and woven it according to their understanding."

It is believed that some of the Sioux of the Standing Rock
Agency were among those who visited Johnson Sides, and it is
thought that the Messiah craze and ghost dance grew out of
the excitement incident to their report of the visit, warped by
an overwrought imagination.

While matters were thus shaping themselves, the wily old
medicine man, Sitting Bull, bided his time watching for an
opportunity to regain his former prestijre. Vague traditions
had always existed concerning the second coming of Christ.
Pontiac, Tecumseh and Black Hawk were each in touch with
a ** prophet*' who fired the imaginations of warriors and head
chiefs to a frenzy.

So the sagacious leader believed that once more his hour
had struck. Was not he, Sitting Bull, a great Medicine Man f
A religious teacher? And shall he not Irad his people in this?
Clearly this w^as his opportunity, but in order to be an effectual
leader, he must first see the Messiah. This he actually claimed
to have done, and the story was related to Mr. Zook, a Montana
ranchman, as follows:

** Sitting Bull was hunting one day near the Shoshone moun-

Ltrm OF FdMors iXBiAN cmtEWs.

taiJis, ami sb nifrlit eami* nti tie was mimA nitb a strangi* ff^lin&
and at first involtiolarily. but Biisll.v with aiacrily. he (tylkwi^i
a sitar, wtiieh movmi wentwarcl through the sky. All aii|bt III*
star guhlftl liinit and near rnrirning h^ met the ^li^^^iah, cUd in
a whift* roW. ITia hair flow<*cl u|wvn tii?* ^houhl^^nt, bin lieanl
waK hmg, and around \\\^ brad shaue u brlgbt halo. Wirn I
Sitting Bull behHd thia wonderful apparition, ht* fatnt#Hi ami
had a utran^ drpam* A baJsd of Cheyenne^ and Arapahii^f;*
who had lonjyr si nee been dead« appeared to hhti and daae«d
inviting him to join them* Pri-sently he was rniUired to iii»
i^naes, and the Memah spoke to him. fie askrd him if thr
Tiidbni9 would not rejoiee to sset' their dead kindred und the
liulTala p^toret! Ig life, and Sitting Bull assured him that they
would be deeply gratified. Then the Measiah told him that
lie had come to save the m^hite men^ but that they pef^ecnt«d
him ; anrl now he had eome to r^^scue the long-toniientiMi
Indian. lie showed him the holes in his hands, made by the
nails when he was crucified, to convince him that he was the
same Christ who had appeared nineteen hundred years ago. All
day Christ instructed him and gave him evidence of his power.
He said that the white men had come to take him, but as they
approached the soil became quicksand and the men and horses
sank. As evening came on, he bade Sitting Bull depart; and
although he had been hunting away from his tepee for ten
sleeps, he came to it in a very few minutes. He told his people
his story and sent others to verify his statements, and they
told the same tales."

When the Indians heard of this wonderful vision of Sitting
Bull, they came in swarms and pitched their tepees around him.
Tliere, at his suggestion, they inaugurated the ** worship
dances/' and forming a ring to the number of three thousand
people, they danced around Sitting Bull and his chiefs, while
chanting a monotonous accompaniment of weird strains. Thus
they danced all night, or until they dropped down from sheer
exhaustion, when others would take their place.

Sitting Bull .soon became the acknowledged leader in this

sini$; lULL. Tin: (iin.M sKu \ ( iin:r. \s$

slrjin«:e I'orni of worship, which spread like wildfire aniou»r the
Sioux of the reservations.

Indian Agent McLaughlin called on Sitting Bull at his camp
on Grand River, forty miles southwest from Fort Yates, and
had an earnest talk with the great medicine man, hoping to
dissuade him and his deluded followers from their absurd action
and unwarranted expectations.

Sitting Bull seemed a little impressed, but still assumed the
role of big chief before his followers. **IIe finally,'' said
^fcLaughlin, **made me a proposition, which was that I should
accompany him on a journey to trace from the beginning the
story of the Indian Messiah, and when he reached the last tribe,
or where it originated, if they could not produce the man who
started the story, and we did not find the new Messiah, as
described, upoa the earth, together with the dead Indians
returning to reinhabit this country, he would return convinced
that they (the Indians) had been too credulous and imposed
upon, which report from him would satisfy the Sioux, and all
practices of the ghost societies would cease; but if we found
the Messiah, they be permitted to continue their medicine prac-
tices, and organize as they are now endeavoring to do.

**I told him that this proposition was a novel one, but that
the attempt to carry it out would be similar to an attempt to
catch up with the wind that blew last year, but that I wIsIumI
him to come to my house, where I would give him a whole night,
or a day and a night, in which time I thought I could convince
him of the absurdity of this foolish craze, and the fact of his
making me the proposition that he did was a convincing proof
that he did not fully believe in what he was professing and he
tried so hard to make others believe.

**He did not, however, promise fully to come into the agency
to discuss the matter, but said he would consider my talk and
decide after deliberation.''

Nothing came of it, however, and when it was found that
neither cajolery nor threats availed with Sitting Bull his arrest
was determined on. It was held that his failure to send his

LI FEB OF FAMOUS IKDIAN CHIEFS.

children to the agency seliool, and to report in petrntnL wa^j a
sufficient breach of peace to justify such a step.

The warrant for the arrest was sent in the form tif

Folio wing: telegram :

**ilEADiiUARTKEa DBa^ABTMENT OF DAKCfTA,

'•St, Paul, Minn., De<!. 12, lim.
*^Tv Communilimj Offlctr, Fori Yaies, Nmih Dtikuta:

**The division commander \m% directed that you innkt*
your t^pecial duty to si^eure the person of Sit tin*? Bull. Ttili tii
tlie Tuilian agent to cooperate and render such aK^istanee i»"
best promote the purixme in view.

**AcknQwledfft^ reeeijit, ami if onl prffecfly eli*ar, n*\mf\^
hack.

**By ecminaind of (Jeneral liuijer.

(Sigupd) *'M* Bahrre,
'' AftaiHtant Adjutant-tJenerah**

After Colonel Drum, tbt^ eonimiindRnt \i\ F<»rt Vates, had
consulted with Major McLaughlin, the Indian a great, it wbj*
decided that the arrest should be effected through the Indian
police.

Accordingly, a band of police, under the command of Lieut
Henry Bull Head, was detailed to make the capture.

The Indian police, to the number of forty, set out to pcrfonii
their errand, followed at f>ome distance by two troops of cavalry
under Captain Fetchet and a body of infantry, under Colonel
Drum,

Five miles from Hittinfr BulPs eamp, the troops and police
held a consultation. It wa?^ agreeil that the soldiers shonht
station themnelveK within two nv three niilesii of tlie Indian camp,
where they could be reaflily Hiirnnled.

Lieutenant Bull I lend now jicleeted ten policemen, inclmlin^^
Sergeants Shave Head and Red Tomahawk, and at their head
enteRHl the house abuut 5:50 oVl(K*k on the inorninfr of I>t*eemher
15, and arrested Sitting Bull. lie occupied considerable time
in dressinjr, and at first accepted his arrest quietly; but while
dressing, his son, Crowfoot, commenced upbraiding him for

SITTING BULL, THE GHEAT SIOUX CHIEF, 493

agreeing to go with the police. On this Sitting Bull became
stubborn and refused to go. After some parleying, the police
removed him from the house and found themselves and pris-
oner in the midst of a howling mob of ghost-dancers, frenzied
with rage.

In a letter written by Major McLaughlin we learn what
happened at this time. Said he: **The policemen reasoned
with the crowd, gradually forcing them back, thus increasing
the open circle considerably; but Sitting Bull kept calling upon
his followers to rescue him from the police; that if the two
principal men, Bull Head and Shave Head, were killed, the
others would run away; and he finally called out for them to
commence the attack, whereupon Catch-the-Bear, and Strike-
the-Kettle, two of Sitting Bull's men, dashed through the crowd
and fired. Lieutenant Bull Head was standing on one side of
Sitting Bull and Sergeant Shave Head on the other, with Ser-
geant Red Tomahawk behind, to prevent his escaping. Catch-
the-Bear 's shot struck Bull Head on the right side, and he
instantly wheeled and shot Sitting Bull, hitting him in the left
side, between the tenth and eleventh ribs, and Strike-the-Kettle's
shot having passed through Shave Head's abdomen, all three
fell together. Catch-the-Bear, who fired the first shot, was
immediately shot down by Private Lone Man."

It is said that while reeling. Sitting Bull managed to draw
a revolver, which exploded just as he fell, the ball entering
Bull Head's thigh. At the same instant the second sergeant.
Red Tomahawk, shot the old chief in the stomach.

The fight now became general. Sitting Bull's followers
swarmed around the police and guns were clubbed. The ground
was strewn with broken stocks and bent barrels.

The entire force of Indian police under Red Tomahawk
now engaged in the fray, but were getting the worst of it and
retreated to Sitting Bull's house. At this instant the white
soldiers arrived and quickly formed for action.

The cavalry, under Captain Pechet, charged the Indians,
while the artillerv, under Lieutenant Brooks, boiran to shell

IJVES OF FAMOrS INDiAN €UIE¥S

\\\mi\ ivitli tiieir lIi^tchkisL^ and Uatling ifuns, and \\\^ hijsUl*^
flt*d ia disorder,

Thoug:h badly wounded, Sitting? Bull emwled into \\\v
h\m\\i*% and, liku Custer Wfare him. made bis 'Mast stand/' fi^ht^
in If d(*spi*nitely with his Wincdie^ten He was dragged forth iml
an Indian policeman spranji forward with a smalt pole, ustni mv
th«? sides of waironH, and beat in his head, w*hile others broke his
rifle over his head, and B!a»hed his face horribly with tlieir
knives.

Lieutenant Sloeum did all he eould to prevent this brutal-
ity, but the Indian poliee wen* infuriated on aceonnt of their
Iri^ and beyond hi& control.

Thus died one of the greate^iit, and certainly the mmt famoui
Indian since Teeuniseli. He divides honoi^ with Little Turti«\^
in having; planned and gained the greatest victories ever aehievHl
by the Indian over his white foe. Nor will any warrior of the
future surpass Sittine: Bull, for the last great battle between
the two races has been fought. It will be remembered that three
among the greatest of the Indian chiefs, Philip, Pontiae and
Sitting Bull, were slain by Indians.

Many sensational writers profess to believe that Sitting Bull
was murdered, and that when his arrest was arranged it was
understood that an excuse was to be found for putting him out
of the way.

We can not believe that our Government and militar>'
authorities would plot a deliberate and horrible murder. This
has never been our record in disposing of vanquished foes. We
firmly believe that had the great leader submitted to arrest
quietly his life would have been spared. But it was Sitting
Bidl who alarmed the camp and ordered the attack, which was
commenced by his own warriors.

The fight which resulted was brief but desperate, and there
fell of the ghost-dancers, besides Sitting Bull, Catch-the-Bear,
Black Bird, Little Assiniboine, Crow Foot (son of Sitting Bull,
seventeen years old). Spotted Horse Bull, a chief; Brave Thun-
der, a fhief, and Chase, badly wounded.

SITTING BVLL. THE GKKAT SIOUX CHIEF. 495

Of the police there were killed, Bull Head, the lieutenant in
command ; Shave Head, first serj^?ant ; Little Eagle, fourth ser-
geant; Afraid-of-Soldiers, private; John Armstrong and Hawk
Man, special police, and Middle, mortally wounded.

The bodies of the Indian police were all buried with military
honors in the agency cemetery at Port Yates a few days later.
But the surviving police and their friends objected so strenu-
ously to the interment of Sitting Bull among their dead that he
was buried in the cemetery of the post, some distance away.

Hundreds of tourists go each year to see the last resting-
place of this truly great Indian; and, vandal-like, rob the grave
and vicinity of whatever they can find, as relics.

Sitting Bull was an enigma, and never fully understood by
white man or Indian. He prided himself, like all medicine men,
in being mysterious; the fact that he was a true patriot, from
the Indian's standpoint, none can question.

His old friend and fellow-chief, Rain-in-the-Face, was buried
by his side. United during most of their stormy lives, it was
appropriate that **in death they were not divided.'' Both sleep
peacefully in the Indian cemetery of the Standing Rock Reserva-
tion. The name. Standing Rock, comes from a solitary stone
which stands on the bank of the Missouri River at this point.
Following is the legend :

Long years ago, probably before Columbus' caravels crossed
to the western world, a Ree Indian took a Sioux squaw for his
second w^ife. His first spouse, and mother of his child, could
not brook the rival and daily pined in silence and sorrow. In
vain her husband's assurances that she was still first in his
heart and home. The sight of the usurper ate into her heart,
and at last, with her babe on her shoulders, she fled as did
ITagar with Ishmael, although in this case it was Sarah who left
her husband's home. Her friends followed her, pleading with
her to return, since only death and starvation awaited her, but
she kept on her way until she reached the bank of the Missouri.
There she sat with the child on her shoulders, paying no heed
to her friends, until at last she broke her silence. ** Leave me,"

UFM^ OF FAMOUS fNDfJN CHIEFS,

sliaU m

jihe mhh *'I aiu lumiug to stone, and my child and I
dt b«*ft' forever/' Eveu as she spoke tlie ehansrt? came over her,
and there the uiothar and child lut to-day. The IndiiinB mlM
iht* Standi ni: Roek ^*wnk«n,'* or holy, nnd for eentiiries vatiw
ofTi^riniss were laid before it. The Government placed it up^Ki
a pe* testa I, and $phiiix*Iikt* it hmkn toward the Eai?t, over tht*
land from wlncli the Indian haR lia?^ driven forever.

CHAPTER XIV.

CIIIEP JOSEPH, OP THE NEZ PERCES, OR TIIN-MAII.
TOO-YAII-LAT-KEKT.

TIH'XDER ROLIJNG IN TIIK MOUNTAINS— TIIK MOOFHIN XKNOPHON.

f^P^HIS remarkable man, and greatest Indian sinc(» ToiMunst^li,
I was bom, according to his own statement, in eastern
Oregon, in the year 1841.

In the North American Rcvif\i% of April, 1879, is an artiele
dictated by Joseph, in which he states that his tribe was oriiri-
nally called the Chute-pa-ln, and gives the origin of the name
Xez Perees (nose pierced), as applied to them, as follows:

*'AVe did not know there were other people besides the
Indian until about one hundred winters a^o, wIkmi some men
with white faces came to our country. They brou^^ht many
thin»rs with them to trade for furs and skins. They brought
tobacco, which was new to us. Tliey also brought guns witli
flint stones on them, which frightened our women and children.

**Our people could not talk with these white- faced men. but
they used signs which all people understand. These men were
Frenchmen, and they called our people *Xez Perees,^ because
they wore rings in their noses for ornam(»nts. Although very
few of our people wear them now, we nvo still ealle(l ]\v tlie
same name.

**The first white men of your people who came to our coun-
try were named Lewis and Clark. They also brought many
things onr people had never seen. They talked straight and
j>ur people gave them a great feast, as proof that their hearts
were friendly. These men were very kind. Th(\v made presents
to our chiefs and our people ma(h* j)resents to them. We
had a great many liorsos, of whi(»h we trave tliem what

497

I Gil

40S LiiKS Oh h tMors f\ftijs vniRFB,

lh«y needed^ and they gave \\% ^\m% i\m\ tolincco in retnm.
All llie Nc3i Pi^rcm rnndi* friend* witli Iii*wi» and (Hark, and
Hl^rftHl tci Jrt th(*ni imm tliroui=jli tlunr i^>im1ry, and n**ver to
riinkt^ wnr on wliih* mt*n. This [>rtiiiiii<i** the Ney; Ferci*^ have
ncvvr bnikt*n, No whiti* niiin eiin juvtim* them of had fuith and
»IH»Hk with H i<t might ttminn*- It him mIwh)** b*eii th»* pridt*
th»* Xt*/ I\*r(*t*?« that tht*y \v<*rf thi* friinMU of tht* whit** mini/

rhit*f jMwpir?! falhi*r was idwi ;i ehief, «nd ealh'cl Jtjwrpb?
Tt isivnm that Ihin name* vcim |eivt*n to him by R*'V. Mr. Spauld*
Injr, whri wa» asf^oeiatt'd with Dr. Mart*im Whitman, and at cil
tiim* a mtK«ionary to the k>w<*r Ni*^ IVret^i.

A atranp* man whk fild Ji>««ph, a sturdy, ^itroriiz-hnilt maf
with a will lit iron and a fot\***itrht that m*vi*r failt'd him. ^^avv
wh**n hr* wrHnmiiHl the Am^ric^nn to hia c?otintry, 11^.* had oMtme
slnifiK^* notiijfi^, too, nne of which w*as that **iio man owmMJ any
part II f tlie i*iirth, and a man eoiild nut mW wh^it tie di<i not
own/* lit* s^*m» to havi* Imhmj an ahori^imil Tlenry OtMirgi? in
hi8 idea that tiwncrKhip in land t^hotiltl U^ limited to oc-enpatie|^fl

In T85fi novemor RtovonN and Rev; Mr. Spaiddiotr invitee!"'
alt the -\l'/» IVrei'ji to a ireaty coiiticil. Ohl Josiph was* prej^ent,
and when Mr, Spiiuldintr urtred him to sitrn the treaty, be
ani5wcred, '*Why do yon aak me to siini away my country f It
is your business to talk to us about spirit matters, and not to
talk to us about parting with our land/'

When Oovernor Stevens also urjred liim to siprn the treaty h^
refused, sayinjr, '*I will not sijrn your paper; you go wher
you please, so do I ; you are not a child, I am no child ; I ca
think for myself. No man can think for me. I have no oth
home than this. I will not jrive it up to any man. My peo'
would have no home. Take away your paper, I will not to^
it with my hand !''

Old Joseph was as firm as a rock and would never
away his rijrhts to Wallowa (Winding Water), claiming
it had always belonjrod to his people and their title shon
perpetuated. Tie even went so far as to enclose the entire
with poles firmly planted in the yrround, and said, **Insi^

CBIEF JOSEPH. OF THE NEZ PERCES. 499

boundary is the home of my people. The white man may take
the land outside. Within this boundary all our people were
born. It circles around the jrraves of our fathers, and we will
never give up these graves to any man."

Deluded old Joseph! Vain was your effort; nor would a
Chinese wall have long been an effectual barrier against the
encroachments of the whites, who had seen and coveted the
beautiful valley of the *' Winding Waters." Ere long white
settlers established homes inside the boundaries of the aged
chief, in spite of his remonstrance. And the United States
Oovernment, instead of protecting him in his rights, coolly
claimed that it had bought all the Nez Perees country outside
of Lapwai reservation fnmi Chief Lawyer and othe!*s.

On account of these encroachments another treaty was made
in 1863. By this time old Joseph had become blitid and feeble,
and could no longer speak for his peo]>le. It was then that
young Joseph took his father's phice as chief, and made his
first speech to white men. Said he to the agent who held the
council: **I did not want to come to this council, but I came,
hoping that we could save blood. The white man has no right
to come here and take our country. We have never accepted
any presents from the Covernment. Neither Lawyer nor any
other chief had authority to sell this land. It has always
belonged to my people. It came unclouded to them from our
fathers, and we will defend this land as long as a drop of
Indian blood warms the hearts of our men."

The agent told Joseph he had orders from the Great White
Chief at Washington for his band to go upon the Lapwai Reser-
vation, and that if they obeyed he would help them in many
ways. **You inust move to the agency," he said. To which
Joseph replied, **I will not. I do not need your help; we have
plenty, and we are contented and happy if the white man will
let us alone. The reservation is too small for so many people
with all their stock. You can keep your presents; w(» can go
to your towns and pay for all we need: we have ])lenty of
hoi-ses and cattle to sell, and we won't have any help I'mm you;

:aM) Ul'ES OF FAMorS ISDIAS CHIEFS.

wo a IV fnv now; w<* can <^o where we please. Our fathers were
liorn here. Here they lived, hi*iv tht\v diet!, here are their
i:raves. We will nevor leave them."* The agent went away, and
ihe Indians had peace for a little while.

In hi.s narrative younjr Joseph said. '*Soon after this my
father sent for me. I saw he was dyinp. I took his hand in
mine. He said: *My son. my body is returning to my mother
earth, and my spirit is goinj; very soon to see the (Jreat Spirit
rhief. When I am gone, think of your country. You are the
ehief of th«»se people. They look to you to guide them. Always
ivmember that your father never sold his eountrj'. You must
stop your eai-s whenever you are asktnl to sign a treatj' selling
your home. A few yeai*s more and white men will be all annin*i
you. They have their eyes on this land. My son, never forgi*t
my dying words. This country holds your father's body. Never
sell the bones of your fatluM* and your mother.' T presst^d
my Intliet's linnd and tuM him I would prot<*ct his irrave wit!i
my lit'«'. My t.-jtlief smiled juid pas^iMl jnvay to the spirit land.
1 l>uri«*d liiin in tlmt iM-antifiil valley of " Wiiidinii Waters." I
\o\t' that land mnrc t]i;m jill tlie rest t)t" the world. A man
wliii Nvinild lint lovf liis father's LMave is worse than a wild
aiMinal. "

S|>okeii like th<' iiohh* son nf an eipially noble sire. Inspired
\\\ s\u'\\ words «»f l)iu-ninL' palriotisni. is it any wonder that
\t>nnir .Iov,'|)h resisted t]i«- ♦'n<-i'o;ic]nn«'nt*^ of the whites ant!
till- nia«-hination^ of thr ( lovernnwnt antlioritic^ to the bitter
rui\. and not only iiavr tht-m "a r(in \'or \\w\v money." but the
njo^t stuhhoiiily rontt-strd ranipaiLin of all oui- Indian wai*s?

('hi»*f .loNijtIi. of thi^ N« / P<!-«-rs. w.Mv more tlian six feet in
beii-dit. of maLinifiiM-nt physi.jUr. stiikin-ly liainlsnme and irraee-
f\d. with a nativt- tli-jnity, ;in«l a mind of Lir«*at stn»ngth. He was
;» \v\\r pati-iot and in di-fms.- «>f his rountry fvinetMl the trenin^
of a natni'al l>«)iii •jm-'ial. and co-ild lir liavt* ivceiviMl tile train-
iuil "f W«*^t P"-!it. li'' Would ha\«- h.i-nm,' the perr «d* (Irant. Lre
^f SlhTina!! lb' «M»jidurted. a-- w;l! Im- -^^'t'w. oiii* (»f the most
* 'ud n»ast«''l\- !.n-.;{iv ■": *':. ;;!:!i.Ml> -f wai'fare.

CniEF JOSEPH. OF TEE NEZ PEBCES. 503

He was, moreover, as eloquent as Logan or Red Jacket, and
a gifted logician, who could not be refuted. He disposed of thi*
question in dispute in a manner that was at once logical anil
unanswerable. Said he, **If we ever owned the land we own
it still, for we never sold it. In the treaty councils the commis-
sioners have claimed that our country had been sold to the
(jovernment. Suppose a white man should come to me and say,
* Joseph, I like your hoi-ses and I want to buy them.' I say to
him, *No, my horses suit me; I will not sell them.' Then he
jroes to my neighbor and says to him, Moseph has some good
horses. I want to buy them, but he refuses to sell.' My
neighbor answei-s, *Paj' me the money and I will sell you
Joseph's horses.' The white man returns to me and says,
•Joseph, I have bought your horses and you uuist let me have
them.' If we sold our lands to the Government this is the way
they were bought."

After the wrong was consummated, when Joseph was per-
mitted to go to Washington and talk to our wise men, he said,
*'I have asked some of the gn^at white chiefs where they get
their authority to say to the Indian that he shall stay in one
place, while he sees white men going where they please*. They
can not tell me." That (piestion will never be answered.

In his re])ort of September. ISTf), (Jen. O. O. Howard said, *' I
think it a great mistake to take from Jost^ph an<l his band of
Nez Perces Indians that (the Wallowa) valley. The white peopl'*
really do not want it. They wish to be bought out. I think
gradually this valley will b«» abandoned by the white people,
and f)ossibly Congress can be indneed to let these really peace-
able Indians have this poor valley for their own."

Lieut. -Col. 11. Clay Wood was another member of the com-
mission who. in his report of August 1, ISTi). on *'The Status of
young Jose])h and his band of Nez Perces Indians," gave his
opinion that the (Government had so far failed to comply with
its agreements in the treaty of 1855; that none of the \e/ Perces
were bound by it. He also made a minority report, as commis-
sioner, recommending that although Joseph's band would have

otM Ul'L.S OF FJMOf a LMJIJ.\ ViUBf^.

to he mf^voti pvmiujilly* yrt that» '*tintil Jcifltf*|ih wmnnilH ?«ome
fivurt net ttf htwtinty, fort'e Hboald not be iisfd to pul him hihiii
miy rt*Ki'rvation."

The other memlH^rs of tht* eonmiiNHion. D, H, Jeronm William
Stlektiey and A, (*. Bai-Hiow, imiRt havi* madr a vrty ili(Ten.*ril
irport, far eprtaiii it ij<. the Doinirtnunit of tlio Interior, fielin^i
on lt« ivoomiueiiilalioiis, oniereti the uoU'treaties to W plaeed mj
the Lap wilt TT»er\'HtiotL

By virtue of hi« ofllei* nn crmmmmler of thnt dislrirL tien^rul
Ilowiirtl was the ny^tmi 1o unforee thiM order. 11 1^ riiel the iion*
treaties in May, and found, tm he iiiiiKt have antieipateiL that
thi*y were unwillini? to go an the rem*rvatioti,

<ietieral llowiird held thret^ comieils with tht* ma lee intent
Indiana at Fort li^ipwai, the atation^af the Indian ai^'eney far
tht» Nez Pej'ees reservation. Nait! to he the hivelient valley i»f
Idaho. The last of these councils, that of May 7, 1877, was indeed
a stormy session. The principal speaker on this occasion was Too-
Ilool-Hooi-Suit, who was a dreamer as well as a prophet, priest
and chief. He taught that the earth having been created by
God in its completeness, should not be interfered with, disturbed
or improved by man, and that if the Indians continued steadfast
in their belief, a great leader would be raised up in the East,
at a single blast of whose trumpet all the dead warriors would
start suddenly into life, and that the millions of braves thus
collected woidd expel the white man from the ccmtinent of
America, and repossess it for their own dusky race. The old
dreamer was a man of great importance and remarkable
influence among the Indians.

As the council proceeded, Too-IIool-IIool-Suit arose and said
to General Howard: **The Great Spirit Chief made the world
as it is, and as he wanted it, and he made a part of it for us to
live upon. I do not see where you get authority to say that we
shall not live where he placed us.** Chief Joseph says General
Howard now lost his temper, and said: **Shut up! I don't
want to hear any more such talk. The law says you shall go
upon the reservation to live, and I want you to do so, but you

CHIEF JOSEPH, OF THE NEZ PEECES. 505

persist in disobeying the law [meaning the treaty]. If you
do not move I will take the matter into my own hand and make
you suffer for your disobedience.**

Too-IIool-Hool-Suit answered: **Who are you, that you ask
us to talk, and then tell me I shan't talk! Are you the Great
Spirit ? Did you make the world T Did you make the sun ? Did
you make the river to run for us to drink! or the grass to grow?
Did you make all these things, that you talk to us as though wr
were boys! If you did, then you have the right to talk as
you do."

General Howard replied, "You are an impudent fellow, and
I will put you in the guard-house," and then ordered a soldier
to arrest him. Too-Hool-IIool-Suit made no resistance. He
asked General Howard: **I8 that your order? I don't care. I
have expressed my heart to you. I have nothing to take back.
I have spoken for my country. You can arrest nie, but you
can not change me or make me take back what I have said."

Continuing, Joseph said: **The soldiei-s canio forward an<l
seized my friend and took him to the guard-lioiiso. My nuMi
whispered among themselves whether they slioiiM let tins tliiiiL'
be done. I counseled them to submit. If I had said nothing,
General Howard would never have given another unjust onU'v
ajrainst my men. I saw the danger, and, while they dra^^irrd
Too-ITool-Hool-Suit to prison, I arose and said: '/ <itn (/oing tit
talk now. I don't care whether you arrest me or not.' I tui-ned
to my people and said: *The arrest of Too-lIool-lIool-Snit was
wrong, but we will not resent the insult. We were invited to
this council to express our hearts, and we have done so.' Too-
HooUlool-Snit was a prisoner five days ]»efore he was releasi'd.'*

This Indian chief was, therefon', put under military arrest
and eonfininl for ^ve days for delivering himself of what GtMirral
Howard calls a ''finule^^ in a council to which the Indians had
been invited to come for the purpose of consultation and
expression of sentiment. As the Indian Conniiissioner, in his
Annual Report for 1878, well says, *'If such and so swift
penalty as this, for Miradc^s* in council were the law of our

l»iiil« rs|H'i*mlly iti the UiHtriet of i'otnnibi»i^ tt would \ie 'nojiis'^
cHUHi* of ciHiiplninr wbi^ii IiidiHns suffer for it. But consiulemtf
lla* fn*qui*iio\ ItHM^'lh and Hiifety tif Miradcn' in all parts af
Ainerkii, it KCH*mi« ititjimt iiat to permit Indiims 1o iHiver them,
lloivi'ver. iht*y do etmit* under flu* liviid of *MpnntftntHiiiK pniduc-^
tion^of the siiiTt iind «n Indian on u n*?«ervntion is fiiv^^tt^l with *^
ut) such proprtetorsliip in nnytlnnn: whii^h coint*s uudrr ihni
head/*

The po«?itioii of tht* CfOVf*rnnii>n! whk now pbnn tn \)u* Tiidiani
Thry ninst. pi to th«* n**M*rvwlion or fi^jht, Thoy de(»i*U*d li* jro

Jc«iii*ph wrute: **I j<iaid in my hviiri thni ralhi^r than hav
\n\r T wonkl give iip my (Kmnlry, I would eive up ray father's
irruve. I ivonhl jifi^'e up »*vi*rythitjt: nithi*r than have the hhKHl
of white mini ujiun the haridit of iny iie<*pk\ Oeneral Howard
refnsrd in nUmv nn* nior** thjin (hjrty ihiys to move my peopli*
and tlieir stock. I said to him, 'My people have always been the
friends of the white man. Why are you in such a hurry? I
can not p:et ready to move in thirty days. Our stock is scattere<l,
and Snake River is very hijrh. Let us wait until fall, then the
river will be low. We want time to hunt up our stock and gather
supplies for winter. We want the people who live upon the
lands we are to occupy at Lapwai to have time to gather their
harvest."

General Howard replied, **If you let the time run over one
day, the soldiers will be there to drive you on the reservation,
and all your cattle and horses outside the reservation at that
time will fall into the hands of the white men."

It does seem that this great liaste was unnecessary and posi-
tively cruel, and that those Indians should have been given time
to collect their stock, their sole means of subsistence, and get them
safely over the river. But the theory is, we must have firmness
in dealing? with the Indian, if we have nothing else; yet this
time it proved to be a serious and costly blunder. Joseph truly
said, '*If Oenoral Howard had given me plenty of time to
gather up my stock and treated Too-Hool-Hool-Suit as a man
should ))e treated, thcrr ivonld have been no war.'*

CHIEt JOSEPH, OF THE NEZ PEKCES, .lO?

The Indians went to make their preparations; tliey looked
on their old home and their love for it increased at the thought
that they were about to be deprived of it by fraud, even though
they had never sold or signed it away. Too-Hool-Ilool-Suit's
indignation burned because of his imprisonment for the offense
of telling his convictions in the council, the very thing he was
expected to do. There w^as a warrior whose father had been
killed by a white man, and the wrong was unrebuked. There
were the two warriors who had been whipped by one Harry
Mason. These formed a war party, and determined, over
Jaseph's counsel, to fight the soldiers when they came. It is
said that at this time. Chief Joseph rode one day through his
village, with a revolver in each hand, saying he would shoot
the first one of his warriors who resisted the Government.
Finally, they gathered all the stock they could find, preparatory
to moving. A heavy rain raised the river so high some of the
cattle could not be taken across. Indian guards were put in
cliarge of the cattle left behind. White men attacked these
guards and took the cattle. After this Joseph could not restrain
his young men and the warfan* began.

It was the desire of Joseph and others that the settlers
shouhl not be molested, in the hope that they would remain
neutral; but it was voted down in the war-council, on the
grounds that it was the settlers who brought on all the trouble,
because they wanted the Ne/ Perces' land and stock, and, in fact,
some of them actually got both.

The Indians now bought arms and annnunition wherever
they could. They practiced military movements, in which they
were already quite proficient. Ocneral Shanks says that
* 'Joseph's party was thoroughly disciplined; that they rode at
full gallop along the mountain side in a steady formation by
fours; formed twos, at a given signal, with perfect precision,
to cross a narrow bridge; ihon galloped into line, i-eined in to
a sudden halt, and dismounted with as much system as n^gu-
lars.'^

June 13 arrived; the thirty days were up; the soldiers had

mn UVM.^ OF FJXtat s ISDIAX r W/A>X

|]0f <M>mi\ Over nil Halnmn Ittver threo ImJiftitN kfllM ati old
heniiii ninchiiinn iiaii»t'd Ili^viur, The Innh* of hliwKi wht^hinl
ihfir i»pp^tit4*K, ttiiti thi* ik*xT cliiv four jnorv tVIl viotiujft* ^tounl-
in J? th**fr lifn's**^, Wwy hurritMl to Caniast Prairie, tvb^n* the main
hinly nt Indbifm wmm I'lieiirnpi*/!, Kiditiir thnvu^h tht* I'jimp tbin*
tliMpliiyf^d tlu* xpoih of their hhn^kheil mul exhorted the othi*^
to joif) Ihrin, Ji)9^*ph hik] his hri»1h(>r» i^llaciit, were not lit
tliH emitp; they hwd plaetHl their teptn*is sortie ilistatiee frotu the
othen^i tm nvmnnl of Joie^ph'sii wife, who waj^ niek atu) wantm!
ipiiet. White Bird, the next iti rank jiiid iniluenei*, pive way.
Hiding thronirh tht* eairi[>, he exelaiiiied, ''AH TiniHt join lunv.
There b blfM«h Yon will he puninhed if yoii delay/' HeveiitH*ii
warriors* joined the three and they hurried hark to Hahnon
River* Ei^ht mart* fell vietinm to them, inehidintr Harry ^la^iiun,
who had whipped the two Indiaim.

On the nipht of June 14 another party attacked the people
of the Cottonwood House, a ranch used as a frontier inn, on
the road between Mount Idaho and Fort Lapwai. At ten o'clock
they were warned by a messenger of the approachin«r Indians,
and hurriedly started to Mount Idaho, two on horseback, the
rest, including: several women and children, in a farm wajroii.

When they had covered ten miles of their journey they were
overtaken by the Indians. Two men and a boy were killed and
the others badly w^ounded, two men subsequently dying of their
injuries.

Joseph protested against hostilities until he saw that war
was inevitable. He then took command and moved his w^arriors
to White Bird Canon, where they prepared to fight the soldiers.
Nor had they long to wait. Colonel Perry, at the head of ninety
soldiei's, was soon on the road from Port Lapwai. On the
evening of the 16th he reached Orangerville, four miles from
Mount Idaho, where he w^as joined by ten citizens. Marching
on through the night, he reached White Bird Canon at daylight
and began the descent of the broad trail, hoping to surprise the
Indians. But the vigilant Joseph's keen eye was the first to
discover the group of horsemen silhouetted against the sky at

CHIEF JOSEPH, OF THE SEZ PEKCES, 509

the head of the canon, just as the sun was risinjr. **(iet the
white man's glass! Tell White Bird. Horses! The soldiei-s
are here!" he shouted in command.

Some of his young men became a little nervous as they saw
the soldiers approaching and suggested that it would be better
to move across the Salmon River, where the soldiers could not
reach them. **No," said Joseph, **we will fight them here."
The women and children were sent across the river and a party
of mounted warriors under White Bird took a position in
ambush behind a ridge on the south side of the canon. The rest,
under Joseph, were crouched on the ground, squarely across
the trail, hidden behind rocks and in hollows. On came the
soldiers until well within range, when every bush and rock
poured out its fire. At the same time White Bird's men
appeared on the left and poured in another deadly volley. The
soldiers were falling fast, and the order was shouted to fall back
to the next ridge. This was immediately done, but with the
enemy at their heels there was no time to stop. While the
offieei-s were trying to rally their men the Indians were pressing
along the sides of the caiion to gain the head and cut off retreat.
Part of the command reached the ascent and hurried out. The
remainder, under Lieutenant Theller, were cut off, and most
of them, including the gallant lieutenant, were killed. Across
the rugged country the Indians pursued the flying troops for
twelve miles. But once out of that death trap the oftieei-s
obtained control, and the retreat was eondueted with some
degree of order. Foni* miles from Blount Idaho Joseph with-
drew his men. He had fought and won his first battle, even
though largely outnumlK^red by his enemy.

Joseph says of this eneountcr: "We numlxM-ed in that battle
sixty men, and the soldi(M*s one hundred. The fight lasted but
a few minutes before tlic soldiers retreated. They lost thirty-
three killed, and had seven wounded. When an Indian fights,
he only shoots to kill: ])ut soldiei-s shoot at random. Norte of
the soldiei*s were sealpcMl. W(* do not bi^lieve in scalping, nor
in killing wounded niiMi. Soldiers do not kill many Indians

TbttiF^

mt\ t/f £5 OF rjMOVS iSBlJS LtilEFJi.

iinli^^ Ih^f are Wi>uti<ltHl ami left ti|Hiii the biitU«tfiekl.
iht^y kUi ItKlittim.*'

The itulilno* rrputnttoti of thif Nifx Pere9 wms altend. It
wmilci f^iuir* m slrongiT forrc Ios^iTmJuc* ihenu Kcittforceiuffits
wen.^ urtk^reil fron) all tlu* iteiifhborin^ forts. Skinnjaliicu; uid
miiirir t*tt^^meii(^ crmliuiiHl.

While «ra ill tigs for th<*«r netiiforeenii^iiU » iktartimf nt wjw swit
under Cafttain Wliipfilr to ullack C^hii^f IirM))cifi^4^lft«s ami bz»
bind, ami britic tfaeiti in b^fori' thff hud time to join ihr
hoiftilc^ Whii>pl<* dtiieon^Ted flip ird turn in ih*^ 0€j|Hibariicx»d
nf Mount Idalio, asd dtapati^bed Ijieutetiiitit Raiim wilii Xm
fiteked iiH»n and a seout nanwd F<^<*r !o n^eoiinmirr. Fullimin^
thin advanop iftmrd fit a Ai^Utnt^ of n milf' with h\% matn fimv.
the aound nf firing wa* heard at the frrml. Hurrying ftirward
ivith km eotninand, Wbi|T|tli* wax horrifkHl to find tliat 11mm
aiKl ev«*ry mjin In his ilHaehmi'nt had hkH*ii kilV*fl. A wiispany
of m*v«*n!i-rri vuhmt^Hi'si. under raptain HandaU* was atiaeki*il
on th»^ Mimnt Idaho mad; two were ki11**d ami two womidrd.
All won hi have lie^n cut to pieees, had not Caplatn Whipple
ami his company hurried to the rescue. As to Tjnokini* l!flas^
his i'ainp wn^ destroyed* and f^even hnndred and twrntj-fivc
poniex eaptnntl. btit lie atid his warriors all (-satpetl and jciiiied
Jf»*w*pli.

Meant hill*, ttt*n**ral Hom^ard was at Port Lapwai ioipatiPQtjt
waifin»r for rt*iriforet loerils. But the aecoiinta <if Indian hiirfiiiai
('a I IK' ha thick ami faist that further delay, though desirable,

WfMS v<*t tiDprpsHihl**.

Ma^itii. tit hi?s aeeonnl of ihij* exi>edition, aays: *'Th** JiUle
imiid r>f itien — eavHlry and infantry— tCHSDt her with an iiltl
riioiiataiti lic)wil/er and two (iiitlini; pruns, an^ drawn up in
niarehhii? order. Tlie train of pa<*k-nui!es, \fith Ihrir mtmriotft*

Iliads uf aioniNnilit^ii siml provision, Toove re^tlf?5Rly hark anil
t'-.h.v*T,| In fJH* p;inidi'-trroiiinl. The Indrv^-^ m )'»*+- I'-i^r*- «^i*^
thi* tinkliriL' h<»ll attached to her neck, stands thoughtful and
attentive, ready to lead her n^tless followers along the stony
trail.

BUCKSKIK (IIARUE,
W4ft illlKK or THE tTKS.

niiEF JOSEPH, OF I HE A/;/ rEi:< es. T)!.)

**The last farewells are said. The last mule pack is adjusted.
The last red-shirted artilleryman takes his stand by his gun.
There is a moment of <|uiet. Suddenly the commanding officer
shouts, * Attention!' and then a moment later, 'Column, march!'
Every man steps off with his right foot. The cavalry are in
front. The proud bell-mare, with her cavalcade of mules, stub-
bom to all else, but to her yielding the most perfect obedience,*
follow, and behind them, in column of fours, come the infantry."

On July 11, General Howard and his little army of four
hundred fighting men, besides teamsters and train men, came
in sight of the enemy.

Joseph, at the head of about three hundred warriors, had
crossed the country to the Lapwai reservation and taken a
position on the Clearwater, and was waiting to give battle,
having erected breastworks of the most approved pattern.

This was done with the assistance of the squaws, who fought
as hard as the men, and, as usual, worked harder.

The soldiers advanced in line of battle, leaving the supply
trains unguarded. From the high point of vantage he had taken,
Joseph was quick to notice this and dispatched thirty warriors to
attack them. An officer with his field glass cauirht this movement
just in time to send a messenger to warn them to hurry
into the lines. A company of cavalry also galloped to their
protection. The Indians gained the smaller train, killed two
packers and disabled their animals, but were driven off by the
fire of the cavalry. The large train, however, gained the lijc-s
uninjured. The battle raced all that afternoon, with its charges
and countercharges, its feinting and fighting. During the
night both parties kept up a desultory fire while strengthening
their positions. The battle was renewed in the morning, and
continued with no perceptible advantage to either side until
the middle of the afternoon. At that tim<» a fresh company of

♦ The author's father has taken larc? tlrovesof mule? fnnii I^xington, Kentucky, on
foot to New Orleans, with no holp but one assi««tant an«i an old white mare. If this queen
of the drove was inclined to bite or kirk her followers on the slinhtest provocation, her in-
fluence over them was wonderful. Without her no fence would hold them over night;
with her in their midst no fence was necessary, for where she was there would they be aUa

UFES Of FAMOCS IXDIAX CBIUFS.

1 I 1^*UI

cavalry iwen farced General Howard's connDand. The trfwipa
naw redoubled their effort by diarging the enemy s line fiB^
the left- For a short time the Indians fought denperalely fmni
behind their nieky breastworks, hut at length efjive way and tl«!
in all directions, bounding from iHJck to rock through the ravine
or plunging into the river out of sight ooly ta reappear
its swift current bad borne them out of range. The 7ici0iioQi
trtmps pressied them so ckisely that tlic Indian canip, with its
bliirikets, biiflfalo robes and cooking ntensib fell into their banfk
The TniUans, however, made their escape with their henis and
Mtiffieient supplies for their purpose, and Wftire the soldiers
mndd cross the Clearwater, a large body of warriors was seen
on I he right front, apparent ly returning for an attack. WTiile
preparations Vien* being made to meet this force, the remainder
of the Indiann continued their ttight and escaped. The returo-
in^ warriors, hnvnisr aeeomplished their purpnst^ bv tlik fn>'
shortly disappeared. In the morning the troops continued to
pursue the retreating Indians, only to fall into an ambush by
the rear-guard of the Nez Perces, and be thrown into confusion.

As Dunn says: ** Night found the Indians safely encamped
in an almost impregnable position, at the entrance of Lolo trail.
Joseph had fought his second battle, against heavy odds, and
though beaten, had brought off his forces most creditably."

Finding they were largely outnumbered, the Indians
retreated through the mountain pass to Bitter Root valley, over
what General Sherman says **Is universally admitted by all
who have traveled it— from Lewis and Clark to Captain Win-
ters—as one of the worst trails for man and beast on this con-
tinent." The Nez Perces came safely over this trail, encum-
bered with their women and children and herds.

In the valley of the Lou-Lou they were confronted by a
hastily built fort, held by Captain Rawn with a. few regulars
and some volunteers. Looking-Glass said to them, **We will not
fight the settlers if they do not fight us. We are going by you
to the buffalo country. Will you let us go in x)eace?" Rawn
replied, **you can not go by us." To this the Indian answered,

CHIEF JOSEPH, OF THE NEZ PERCES, 515

"We are going by you without fighting if you will let us, but
we are going by you anyhow."

The volunteers now interfered, and told the commander
the Nez Perees had always been **goo<l Indians." The settlers
on the Bitter Root had no grounds for complaint in their con-
<luet, as they passed eacli year to and from the buffalo country.
Besides, in the expressive frontier phrase, **they had not lost
any Indians," and consequently were not hunting for any.
The Indians might pass, and Ood speed them out of the country.

The Nez Perees not only passed by in peace, but they stopped
at the villages of Stevensville and Corvallis and traded with the
whites. They also left a spy at Corvallis, who stopped until
Howard had come up and passed on, and then sped away to
Joseph with full particulars.

Meantime General Gibbon, with about two hundred cavalry,
had hastened from Helena across to Fort Missoula, on the
Bitter Root, but arrived too late to intercept Joseph. Gibbon
followed the Indian trail, and overtook* them August 8. Wait-
ing through the night for **that dark still hour which is just
before the dawn," he swept through the camp in a furious
charge, completely surprising the Indians. It seems that Joseph
and his men supposed the war was over, and having started to the
buffalo country, were careless about posting sentinels. Though
taken by surprise. General Joseph rallied his warriors and
recaptured the camp. He also drove the soldiers back to a
grove of timber, where they erected rude barricades, and made
a stand.

Joseph said of General Gibbon: ** Finding that he was not
able to capture us, he sent to his camp for his big guns (cannon),
but my men had captured thetn and all the ammunition. "We
damaged the big guns all we could and carried p^
and lead." At eleven o'clock that night the
leaving Gibbon wounded and his command
could not pursue. Joseph had fought

The Nez Perees remained long e
but when General Howard joined

516 UVBH or FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

HaBBoek scouts, grhonHike, dug up the bodies, and in the pre^
*»iice of oflicei'8 ami men* sealpi'd and mutilated thcnu The l>ody
of LookJn^^tldfts, their ablest diplomat, who fell here, wis
ahu«c?d in Ihi^ mannpr, nH hough the Xex Perces, being neither
civilized imr the billies of eiirilizfltion, neither took sadpn n^^r
muiiififviL It IK also their proud boHst that tbey never inm!»'
wnr on women und children while the war lasted. -Joseph m\d:
**Wi.* would feel ashauied to do so cowardly an acL"

Continuing' the retreat, Joj^ph and his band crossed the
continental divide again into Idaho, and camped on the great
Cniiias prairie^ on the Yellowstone, west of the National Part
He had replentshe<i his supplies, captured two hundred and
fifty gtxMj hornes, and his forces were in excellent condition.
Heneral lIcmard'H troopg also camped in the prairie a day^s
march behind, Lieiiteoant Bacon had been dispatched with a
S(|nttd of men to hold Tacher^s Pass, the most accessible roadway
over the divide into the park. The pickets and sentinels were
posted, and the weary ttoopers were soon sleeping, unconscious
of war's alarms.

In the faint starlight dark forms might have been seen
creeping through the tall grass. Halter ropes and hobbles were
cut and bells removed from the necks of the bell-mares. Creep-
ing away in the same manner, but with less caution, a slight
noise was made. **What was that?" asked a picket of a com-
rade. *' Nothing but a prowling wolf," was the reply. For
some time nothing could be heard in the camp but the regular
footfalls of the sentinel. Suddenly a troop of horsemen came in
sight, riding back over the trail of the Indians. They rode in
column of fours, regularly and without haste. **It must be
Baeoirs men returning," said the pickets. On came the troopers
to the very lines of the camp, but when they were challenged
by the sentinel they answered with a war-whoop. At once
pandemonium was let loose. A wild yell arose, followed by a
fusillade of small arms, which startled the soldiers and stampeded
the horses and nniles, which were seen scampering away, with
heads in the air, nostrils spread, snorting with excitement, fol-

CEIEF JOSEPH, OF THE NEZ PERCES. 517

lowed by the Indians, yelling like demons. We must credit the
great chieftain with a successful surprise.

The Nez Perces next eluded Bacon and retreated through
Tacher's Pass into the beautiful National Park. In the region
of the hot springs and geysers, they met a party of travelers.
It consisted of Mr. Cowan, his wife, sister-in-law, brother-in-law
and two guides. Three of the men were left for dead, but the
other, together with the two ladies, were carried into captivity.
Horrible fate! General Howard said they were ** afterward
rescued." But Joseph said, **0n the way we captured one
white man and two white wometn. We released them at the end
of three days. They were kindly treated."

On September 9 word was brought that General Sturgis was
coming from the Powder River country with three hundred and
fifty cavalry and some friendly Crows. Joseph was now between
the two forces. Can the Indian chieftain again escape? Yes,
this savage, with a genius for war which would have made him
famous among the military heroes of any age or country, made
a feint toward the West, fooling Sturgis, and sending him on
a wild-goose chase to guard the trail down the Stinking Water.
At the same time Joseph and his people, under cover of a dense
forest, made their way into a narrow and slippery canon. This
was immensely deep, but the almost perpendicular walls were
but twenty feet apart. Through this dark chasm slipped and
floundered the cavalry and infantry. It must have been a
strange sight as the column moved slowly along the bottom of
the defile, men, horses, pack-nuiles and artillery, with only a
narrow ribbon of sky high above them. All in vain, Joseph
again escaped.

There was but one way to reach them and t
direct pursuit. All day long the Indians retrea
desperately as they went, and at dark the exhau
withdrew to camp at the mouth of the canon,
accomplished during the day except to ro
dred ponies which had been abandoned
while they continued their fli<rht on fre»

51 S UVBS OF FAMOUS fNDiAN CHIMW^.

they wonJd, the soliliera could nat dimitiish tbt- tijstane^ betwi
piirmjed and purnuera.

The Nez Perees retreated up the JtuRsetshell River, and then,
turning hntk of the Judith Mountains, stniek the Mis^uri
Septendier 23, nt Cow Island, General Joseph had fought hh
fourth battU\ against a greatlj superior force, %Thieh he had hdd
in check, while he brought oft his own people in comparative
Miifi^ty. CrosHin^ the Missouri, thf> N**z Perccs moved on leisurely
to the north- Having repulsed the forces of Howard, GibkuL
and Sturgis, each in turn, the Indians began to feel iseciire. Tli
wen? now entering a lieantifnl country, a veritaWe paradii
lyilijj between the Bear Paw and Ijillle Hoeky Miuintains. It ir
also rich in runianee an*! tradition^ and the reputed loeality of
the '*Lo8t Cabin of Montana/' the new El Dorado of rainere"
thoughts by day and dreams by night.

The Indians establi^^lKnl their camp on Bnnke Creek, a trihii-
tary of Milk River, within a day's march of the British domin-
ions.

There was yet one hope. Days before, a messenger had
embarked in a canoe and started down the Yellowstone River
to Fort Keough, to inform Gen. N. A. Miles, the commandant,
of the situation. General Miles at once put his forces in order
and started northward to intercept the wily Joseph. He reached
the Indian camp on the morning of September 30, at the head
of three hundred and seventy-five men, and at once began the
attack.

The Nez Perces knew of their coming only long enough to
take a position in the ravines of the creek valley, and await the
attack. General Miles ordered a charge upon the Indian camp,
which succeeded in cutting it in two and capturing most of
their horses. The soldiers, however, recoiled under the deadly
fire of the Indians, with one-fifth of their force killed and
wounded.

Joseph's warriors, though surprised, proved themselves
worthy of the reputation they had established at Camas prairie.
Big Hole and elsewhere, and fought with great valor. The con-

CHIEF JOSEPH, OF THE NEZ PERCES. 519

tinuous fire and unerring aim of their magazine guns at close
range inflicted a loss to General Miles of twenty-six killed and
forty wounded, while Joseph's loss for the first day and night
was eighteen men and three women.

Each side found foemen worthy of their steel. Never, on
any occasion, did the American Indians display more heroic
courage, and never did the American soldiers exhibit more
unshaken fortitude.

For four days and as many nights the two forces faced each
other. The whites controlled the situation, as escape from the
ravine was cut off, but were unwilling to attempt to capture
the camp by storm. They knew, from their first experience,
that such an attempt would involve a terrible loss of life. Mean-
time, Joseph strengthened his intrenchments and prepared for
a siege. He also dispatched a messenger to Sitting Bull, who
was just over the line of the British dominions with twelve hun-
dred discontented and hostile Sioux. The hope was that this
chief and his warriors would come to their relief; but for some
reason Sitting Bull failed them in their extremity.

The Indians could not escape through the lines without
abandoning their wounded and helpless. Joseph said of this
battle: '*\Ve could have escaped from Bear Paw Mountain if
we had left our wounded, old women and children behind. Wc
were unwilling to do this. We had never heard of a wounded
Indian recovering while in the hands of white men. I could not
bear to see my wounded men and women suffer any longer; we
had lost enough already. General Miles had promised that we
might return to our country with what stock we had left. I
believed General Miles, or I never ivouUl have surrendered, I
have heard that he has been censured for making the promise
to return us to Lapwai. lie could not have made any other
terms with me at that time. I would have held him in check
until my friends came to my assistance, and then neither of the
generals nor their soldiers would have ever left Bear Paw
^Mountain alive.*'

On the morning of October 5 Joseph and his band surren-

LiVm QF FAMOUS INBIJN CHIEFS.

dered— tbose who were bft, OUacut, his brother, had feHi
here at Snake Crf?L*k, with twenty- s4-'ven olhem. White Bird ha^l
ilown in the night ^ith a haiia of otie htmdred ond fin:* inelv
injr Jtjsepirs thuighter. They reach*'d the liritisih Duminiimg]
joined SiUiag Bull. So, to stop any further hlocnhihed^
Joseph now hiiDded hm gun to General Mik*«« in Iho pr
of General Howard, who arrived the diiy pre%noii» with i
e?«ie<)H, and Kuid with impresi^Tve di^rnity : "Ti*1l Gent- nil ITfl
I know his heart. What he told me hefore I have in my
I am tiRHl of fi^htini^« Oiir ehiefM are killed. lif<M>kiii|t43t
in dejid^ Too-Hool'HiM>U8nit m dead. The old men are all dc
It in the youn^ men who say ye>f or nu- lie who le^l an
yonng men (Olhicut) m dead. It is eoM and we have
blankets. The little ehildreti are fretMcing to deiith. My peop
Rome of them, have run away to the hit1s« and have no blmli
no food; no one knows where they are — jierhap® Freesillg
death. T want U) h;ne time to look for my ehildren^ a0d wet
how many of them I can find. Maybe T shall find tMni amotie
the dead. Hear me, my ehiefs. I am tired : my heart is siek
and sad. Prom when* the sun now^ stands I will fight no m&re
against the white man forever,"

**Thua/' says General Slierman. "has terminated one of the
most extraordinary Indian warn of whieh there is any reoorti/*

The Indiana throntrliaiit displayed a eon rage and skill that
elicited universal praise; they abstained from sealping, let cap-
ti%'e women po free, did not commit indiseriminate murder of
peaeeful families, whieh is usnal, and fon^ht with almost scien-
tific skill, nsinsi advance and rear guards, Hkirniish lines and
field fortifications.

Gen. Nelson A. ^Iilt*s, perhaps the ^eatej^t living authority,
as he is certainly one of our ablest generals and most Rueces^
ful Indian fi«:hters, says in his report: **As these people have
been hitherto loyal to the Government, and friends of the white
race, from the time their country w^as first explored, and in
their skilful campaipi have spared hundreds of lives and thou-
sands of dollars' worth of property, that they might have

k::

CHIEF JOSEPH, OF THE NEZ PEBCES. 523

destroj'^ed, and as they have been, in ^y opinion, grossly
wronged in years past; have lost most of their ponies, property
and everything except a small amount of clothing, I have the
honor to recommend that ample provision be made for their
civilization, and to enable them to become self-sustaining. They
are sufficiently intelligent to appreciate the consideration which,
in my opinion, is due them from the Government. The Nez
Perces are the boldest men, and the best marksmen of any
Indians I have encountered, and Chief Joseph is a man of more
sagacity and intelligence than any Indian I have ever met.
He counseled against the war, and against the usual atrocities
practiced by Indians," and is far more humane than such leaders
as Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. The campaign of the Nez
Perces is a good illustration of what would be the result of bad
faith or ill-treatment toward the large tribes of mountain
Indians that occupy most of the Rocky Mountain range."

It must be understood that Joseph surrendered on honorable
terms. General Miles said: **I acted on what I supposed was
the original design of the Government to place these Indians
on their own reservation, and so informed them, and also sent
assurances to the war parties that were out and those who had
escaped, that they would be taken to Tongue River and retained
for a time, and sent across the mountains as soon as the weather
permitted in the spring.'' The Indians understood also that
they were to retain what stock they still had. General Howard
also concurred in these conditions and gave orders to General
Miles to send the Indianh to his department in the spring, unless
he received ** instructions from higher authority."

The terms of this surrender were shamefully violated.
Joseph and his band were taken first to Fort Lincoln, then to
Fort Leavenworth, afterward to the Quapaw Agency, Indian
Territory. At Leavenworth they were placed between a lagoon
and the river, the worst possible place for sanitary conditions
that could have been selected, with no water but that of the
**Big Muddy" to drink. All were affected by the* poisop'
malaria of the camp.

S2i LirMS OF FAMOUS tNDlAN CMIMFS,

Jn^pph said, **Many of my people mekenecl and died, and
biined them in tliis strange land. I can not tell bow much my
heart Ruffered for my people while at Leavenworth, The Great
Spirit Chief, who rulea above, seemed to be lookin^^ some other
way^ and did not see what was being done to my people." Yet
he iH just and magnaninious enoujrh to add in the same connee*
tion r '*I believe General Miles would have kept his word if
he eould have done so* I do not blame him for what we have
suffered si net* the surrender, T do not loiow who is to blam^.
We gave up all our horses, over eleven hundred, and all our
saddles, oVer one hundred^ and we have not heard fromi them
since. Somehody ha& got our horses.*^

As Helen Hunt Jaekson well says in her ** Century of Dist-
honor," **This narrative of Chief Joseph's is profoundly tonch-
injr: a very Iliad of tragedy, of dignified and hopeless sorrow;
and it stands supported by the official records of the Indian
Bureau.''

The Indian Commissioner, in his Annual Report for 1878,
says: ** After the arrival of Joseph and his band in Indian
Territory, the bad effect of their location at Port Leavenworth
manifested itself in the prostration by sickness at one time of
two hundred and sixty out of the fgur hundred and ten, and
within a few months in the death of more than one-quarter of
the entire number/'

It is ^ratifyin<]j to record that General Miles left no stone
unturned to have the conditions of the surrender respected.
Some seven years later, when he had been promoted, he suc-
ceeded in having Chief Joseph and the remnant of his band
returned to the neighborhood of their old home. Joseph and
a few others were placed at the Colville Agency, in Washington,
and the remainder were put with their people on Lapwai reser-
vation.

A few years ago Chief Joseph attended the commencement
ejxercises of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, and there sat
at the same banquet table with Gen. O. 0. Howard. The two
former foes, but at that time fast friends, toasted each other.

CHIEF JOSEPH, OF THE NEZ PERCES, 525

A special correspondent of the Inter Ocean wrote of this inci-
dent : /

** These two men were the chief opposing: fi^ires in a most
remarkable Indian war Uventy-seven years ago. During this
war, in 1877, Chief Joseph's battle line was fourteen hundred
miles long. lie proved one of the greatest foes who ever fought
against an American army, but his present attitude is vastly
different, as was shown ly his speech at the banquet. He spoke
in the Indian Janguage, the literal translation being as follows:

** *Friends, I meet here my friend, (Jeneral Howard. I used
to be so anxious to meet him. I wanted to kill him in war.
To-day I am glad to meet him, and glad to meet everybody here,
and to be friends with (Jeneral Howard. We are both old men,
still we live, and I am glad. We both fought in many yvnrs and
we are both alive. p]ver since the war I have made up my mind
to be friendly to the whites and to everybody. I wish you, my
friends, would believe me as I believe myself in my lieart in
what I say. When my friend General Howard and I fought
together I had no idea that we would ever sit down to a meal
together, as to-day, but we have, and I am glad. I have lost
many friends and many men. women and children, but I have
no grievance against any of the white people, (JtMieral Howard
or any one. If (Jeneral Howard dies first, of course I will be
sorry. I understand and I know that learning of books is a nice
thing, and I have some children here in school from my tribe that
are trying to learn something, and I am thankful to know there
are some of my children here struggling to learn the white man's
ways and his books. I repeat again I have no enmity against
anybody. I want to be friends to everybody. I wish my chil-
dren would learn more and more every day, so they can mingle
with the white people and do business with them as well as
anybody else. I shall try to get Indians to send their children to
school.' "

During the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, at St. Louis, in
1904, Chief Joseph was one of the gi^eatc^st attractions at the
Indian Congress, i\w early part of the season. Hut th(» thought

526

LIVES OF FAMOUS IN DUN CBIEFS.

of exhibiting himself for money whs very distasteful aud linmil-
iating to tlie proud eJiieftaiTi, This, together with his habit of J
brooding over the i^TODgs and afflictions of his unhappy people, :|
broil gilt on a sicknes^H, He went back to tlie rej^^rvation the
L*arly part of July, but it was siiupO" goin^ hoim* to die, lie
lingered along until the 21«t day of the following September,
when his great bouI took its flight to the ** Great Spirit Chief/*
wlio will judge between htm and the C^oveminent who (it would
alnnjst Beem) deliberately wasted and destroyed one of the
noblest and most civilized of the native Ameriean tribes.

Soon after hia death, Dr, E. H, Latham, the agency physi-
cian, was interviewed by a newKpaper reporter, and he declared
that * 'Joseph bad diinl of a broken heart.''

No people on earth have a nobler patriotism, or greater
love for their country than the Indians. We doubt not tJie
doctnr's diatriKYsis \rn^ eorreet, and we firuily Vielieve thnt thou-
sands of other leaders of that race have died of the same malady.

All fair-minded people now believe it was a mistake, and a
burning shame, to take the Wallowa valley away from Joseph
and his band for the benefit of a few greedy settlers, when
there were at that very time teeming millions of acres of land
just as good, and open to settlement, throughout eastern Oregon
and border States. All the vast treasure and bloodshed would
have been saved, and to-day there would have been in that
valley of ** Winding Water" one of the most civilized, pros-
perous and progressive Indian settlements in America.

It would actually pay our Government in dollars and cents
to mete out the same protection and justice to the Indian as it
does to every one else under the flag whose skin is white. What-
ever the theory may be, the practice has been to regard the
Indian as the legal prey and predestined victim for every white
scoundrel who wanted to rob or even murder him, and he was
often justified on the theory that **the only good Indian is a
dead one. ' '

But it is a long lane that has no turn. Those broken-hearted
martyrs, like Joseph, have not died in vain. We seem to be

CHIEF JOSEPH, OF THE NEZ PERCES.

527

enlering on a new era of human brotherbcKicI, in whicli the value
ia placed un the jewel rather than the color of the casket con-
taining it. Manhood, worth, \nrtne, are now sought for and
honored even by the proud Anglo-Saxon, regardleas of race or
color*

The proof of tliis statement \h found in the splendid monu-
ment erected by the Washington University State Historical
Society over the remains of Chief Joseph.

We are indebted to Prof. Edmond S. Meany, secretary of the
above society, for an account of the exercises held at the unveil-
iniJ and dedication of the monument. This took place ati
Nespelim, Washington, June 20, 1905, in the presence of a large
number of white and Indian friends and admirers of the great
chief*

The monument ia of white marble and measures seven and
one-half feet in height. On the front is carved a fine portrait
fif the famous warrior. On the base, below this portrait, in
large raised lettei-s, appeal's the name, CHIEF JOSEPH. On
one side is his Nez Perce name, Ilin-Mah-Too-Yah-Lat-Kekt,
and its translation, "Thunder Rolling in the Mountains." On
the other side* **Hr led his people in the Nez Perce war of
1S77, Died 21 September, 1904, age, about 60 years/' On the
back of the shaft: ** Erected 20 June, 1905, by the Washington
Umveraity State Historical Society/*

We also received from an Indian correspondent, Tom Eagle
Blanket* of Nespelim, a newspaper containing a report of the
exercises of the occasion. Several speeches were made by repre-
f«*nlatives of both races. The principal Indian orator was
yellow Bull, an aged Nez Perce from ]\Iontana, who was a sub-
• chief, n^xt in rank to the yountjer Joseph, at the time of the
war, and fouytht with him, side by side. Though old and blind.
Yellow Bull walked erect and made quite an imposing appear*
aiiw in his rich Indian dress. He spoke very earnestly, and
fenid in part: **I am Very glad to meet you all here to*day,
iny brotliers and sisters, and children and white friends, WTien
the Creator created U8. he put \m on this earth, and the flowers

52S

UrE^ OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

on the earth, and lit" takes us all in his arms and keeps us
peace and frieiidi<hipp and our friendship and peace shall never^
fade, but it will shine forever. Our people love our old cus-
toms. I am very glad to see our white friends liere attending
this cereniony. and it seems like we all have tlie same sad
feelingH, and that would seem like it would wipe my tears,
Joseph is dead; but his words are not dead; his words will live
forever. This juoninnent will 8t a n d— Joseph ^s words %vill stand
as lontr as this monument. We (the red and the white people)
are both here; and the Oreat Spirit looks down on us both; and
now if we are good and live right, like Joseph, we shall see him-
I have finished. ■'

As soon as tlie two widows of Joseph and other old squaws
who wert^ with the fi|?htin^ Nex Perees during the war heard
the voice of Yellow Bull once more, and his words of the dead
chieftain, they broke forth into loud wailing, thus proving that
Indian women love as devotedly, and mourn for the loved and
lost, exactly like their white sisters.

After electing Albert Waters chief, to succeed Joseph, the
bands returned to their homes and reservations.

CHAPTER XV.
GERONIMO, OR GO-YAT-THLAY, THE YAWNER,

THE RENOWNED APACHE WARRIOR AND MEDICINE MAN.

WITH the possible exception of the Sioux, the Apaches
were the most formidable of all our Western Indian
tribes. Indeed it is conceded that in cunning, ferocity
and endurance they have never had an equal on this continent,
or a superior on this globe.

General Crook, who was an acknowledged authority, has
seen an Apache lope for fifteen hundred feet up the side of a
mountain without showing any sign of fatigue, there being
neither an increase of respiration or perspiration. A band of
Apaches have been known to ambush a party of whites on an
open plain, where there was neither tree, shrub, nor blade of
grass growing. It was done by burrowing in the sand and
covering their bodies, all but their eyes, and remaining motion-
less until the unsuspecting whites were within a hundred yards
of them.

Capt. John G. Bourke, who served under Crook against the
Apaches, thus describes those warriors: ** Physically, he is per-
fect; he might be a triHe taller for artistic effect, but his
apparent 'squattiness' is due more to great girth of chest than
to diminutive stature. His muscles are hard as bone, and I
have seen one light a match on the sole of his naked foot.
Twenty years ago, when Crook took him in hand, the Apache
had few wants and cared for no luxuries. War was his business,
and victory his dream. To attack a ^Mexican camp or
Lge, and run off a herd of cattle, mules or sheep, he
■vel hundreds of miles, incurring every risk and
« which would have been extolled in an
520

531)

LIFES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

biKtoHcfl] novel if it had happened in a raid hy Highlanders
upon Southrons; but when it was pour stock or your frietulit,
it beeame quite a differeut matter. He wore no clothing what-
ever» savf? a narrow piece of efilieo or buckskin ah nut the loin»,
a hehnet, also of buckskin, pletiti fully ereste^i \nth the pluoiHifi*
of the wild turkey and eajjle, and lonic-leg^ed nioeeasins, held
to the waist by a strinpr, and turned up at the toes in a shield
whieh proteeti^l him from stones and *eholla' cactus. If he fell
thirsty he drank from the nearest brook; if there %vas no brcN>k
near by. he went without, and, piittinjj a stone or twig in liiii
mouth to induce a flow of saliva, journeyed on. When he
demred to comnninieate with friends at home, or to put himself
in eorrespondenee wilIi persona whose co*)peration had been
promised, he rublmi two stickH together^ and denm si^al »iii€»ke
roHi'd to the s^enith and was answered from peaks twenty and
thirty miles away. By nightfall his bivouae was pitchetl at a
diHtanee from water, genernlly on the flank of a rocky moun-
tain, along whieh no trail would be left, and up whieh no force
of cavalry ctnild hope to ascend without making & ncise^ to
awaken the dead.'*

The Apaehe had another practice which made it fitil! mon*
difficult to trail or capture a rowing band. After striking* a
murderous blow, and when clasely pursued, they would break up
into small parties, which, if hard pressed, would eontinue to
dissolve until each one was pursning his way alone through thi'
mountain fastnesses. When pursuit was suspended and the
danger over, they reunited at some remote rendezvous well
known to alL

Another great advantage which the Apaehe had over tbe
soldier is the fact that these people were familiar with all the
ravines, caverns, canons, defiles, gor«re8 and plae^ inaccessible
to horses, which are almost innumerable in the mountain ranches
of Arizona^ New Mexico and across the headwaters of the Rio
drande. The Apache, wlieu on a raid, could live on rats, mice,
terrapin and rabbits; and if all these failed and he wa» hard
pressed, he would kill and eat his horse.

GEROMMO, THE REXOWNED APACHE WARRIOR. 533

Among the arts possessed by these red men was that of
concocting a beverage from the maguey plant, called "Tizwin,"
compared to which fusel oil and Jersey lightning are as mild
and harmless as Jersey milk. But the Apaches are not at all
squeamish as regards the flavor of their liquors; strength and
results are all that is demanded, and **Tizwin" had plenty of
both. So when they wished to indulge in a debauch they would
drink copious draughts of this horrible concoction, which
brought out all the latent demon in them, provided it had not
already come to the surface.

Ellis, in his ** Indian Wars," says: **The climate of Arizona
and other parts of the Southwest, for weeks at a time, is like
a furnace. Were not the air dr>', life would be unbearable to
the whites. If those who remained at home had any conception
of the sufferings of our officers and soldiers when prosecuting
their Indian campaigns, their lips, instead of speaking criticism,
would utter expressions of wonder and admiration.

'*When the troops Mere trying to run down the Apaches, the
thermometer, day after day. marked one hundred and twenty
degrees, and often more. The metal work on their guns became
so hot that it could not be touched with the bare hand. The
air pulsated and the soil was baked under their feet. Some-
times, when aflame with thirst, they toiled mile after mile,
cheered by the expectation of reaching some spring, they found
the Apaches had been there ahead of them and befouled it
beyond all use for man or ])east."

Various reasons have ])iM*n assigned to account for the
Apache outbreak of the spring? of 1885. Perhaps the following
is the most proliable of those mentioned. Rendered desperate
by long-enforced temperance restrictions, the Apaches con-
cocted a quantity of their native drink, **Tizwin," and the
braves got uproariously drunk. With returning sobriety came
repentance and a wholesome fear of General Crook, who was
then in command of the forces in the Southwest and had super-
' vision of the posts and reservations. Such spre»/s by his Indian
eharges were strictly forbidden, and surely punished. Lieuten-

534

LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CBIBFS.

ant Davis, in command of the poetj was intemewed regarding
their ofrense and the probability of punislimeiit. '* I must report
the matter to General Crook," replied the officer; **I can not my
what steps he will see fit to take in the matter."

The bravi3s withdrew anxious and fearful, bnt conceal inej
their real feelings beneath a sullen gravity* The envoys reported
the onunmm reply of tbe lieutenant to the others of the band,
and the matter was discussed at length. Among thosa who had
the most to say wn^ a woman, llnera, the squaw of Mantrus, one
tif the prineipal ehiefs of the Apaches, wbo posaesKcd an influ-
ence over tile braver sehlom equaled by Indian women, Moih?
than once her intercession cast the balance in the fate of a
captive, and meant death by tortnm or life and adoption into
the tribe. She now addressed the warrioi^s about as follows:
"Are you men, old women or children f If old women and
ehildren you will stay here and wait to receive your punishment.
But if you are warriore you will take the warpath, and then
the *Grey Fox' must catch you before you are punished. May-
be-so you go to Sonora, and he no catch you. I have spoken."

To her fierce utterances they listened with attention, because
she told them what they wanted to hear, and the next day saw
them upon the warpath. They had escaped punishment, for a
time at least, for it is an axiom of Indian w^arfare, the truth
of which is at once apparent, that you can not do anything to
an Indian until you have caught him.

The loader of this band of Chiricahua Apaches is the subject
of this sketch— the far-famed Geronimo, the best advertised
Indian on earth. He is a son of Tah-Clish-Un, and a pupil of
Cochise, from whom he had learned every detail of Indian gen-
eralship, and had succeeded him in his marvelous influence over
the tribe.

Lieut. Britton Davis, Third Cavalry, under whose control the
Chiricahuas were, telegraphed at once to General Crook a report
of the case, but the wires were working badly and the message
was never delivered. Had the message reached Crook, he w^ould
at once have taken action to head them off and it is quite probable

GERONIMO, THE RENOWNED APACHE WARRIOR. 535

no trouble would have occurred, as he would have nipped it in the
bud.

The troops were at once prepared for pursuit, and the long
chase began about the middle of April, 1885. Their earliest
field of operations was in that portion of New Mexico between
the Ladron and Magdalena Mountains and the boundary of
Arizona, and just north of the Gila River. **Geronimo knows
this country as well as if he had made it himself," was the
quaint remark of a newspaper correspondent; and indeed it
would not have suited his purpose better, had it been made to
order.

From mountain fastnesses beyond the reach of the ordinary
white soldier, the warriors of Geronimo and Naiche could look
down upon the troops sent in pursuit. From their hiding-places
among the caves and canons they could make a sudden dash
upon scouting parties, or cut off supply trains; and the cunning
savages knew how to time these descents so as to avoid danger
of diminishing their band.

**But,'' as Kelsey says, **it was not only in finding secure
hiding-places that the Indians were too much for the whites.
Had that been all, they might have been surrounded by a cordon
of soldiers and reduced by famine. They had pathways known
only to themselves, by which they could elude pursuit. Issuing
from their rocky caves and lofty eyries, the untiring children of
the plains would descend upon the isolated settlements which are
scattered over the two territories, and write in fire and blood the
message of defiance to the general whom they had once feared.
Now and then, perhaps a captive woman or child would be car-
ried off to a fate worse than death; but more often all fell
beneath the murderous stroke of the Apache. Possessing them-
selves of the horses which had once belonged to the murdered
settler, they would ride off. However hot the pursuit they were
not to be caught.

The cavalry must have rest, not only for themselves, but for
their horses. But if the steeds of the Indians tired, they had
but to steal others at the settlements which they passed, and

hlVBS OF FAMOUS INDIAN CEIEFM,

^esMy mDimted, tlie unwearied red men laugli«d at the wfaiti!
toeu s best speed. From ninety to one hundred miles in the
i^ui'se of tlie day vk*m no unusual aehieYement^ tiiough tbcy
were encumbered with their women and childreo; and if aeees-
sity required they could travel much farther without resting;*"

General Crook had a theorj' that the best way to catch
Geronimo and his band of marauders was to employ other
frieodiy Apache warriora as scoutSj trailera and lodlao police.

This was accordingly done, and between two and three hun-
dred were sworn into the service of the United Stales^ and
placed under the command of Captain Crawford*

With the aid of these Apache scouts they were now able to
match cunning with cunning, to interpret the smoke aignala^ to
trail the enemy night or day where no track waa visible to tlie
eyes of the regulars.

Geronimo now fled across the Mexiciin line into the proTinc<*s
of Chihuahua and Sonora, where in the Sierra Madre Mountains
the country was even more rugged than on the American side.

Fortunately a treaty existed with Mexico at this time,
whereby troops from either country were permitted to cross the
boundary when in chase of fugitive Indians.

Geronimo had with him when he started thirty-four war-
riors, eight boys and ninety-one women, who were almost as
fierce as the bucks. Never did so small a band of savages give
our Government as much trouble.

General Crook and Captain Crawford were on their mettle,
and the pursuit was continued across the Rio Grande. From
place to place along the border the soldiers followed the fugi-
tives. Now and again a sudden encounter would result in the
death of one or two on either side, and the retreat of the
Apaches.

The soldiers and Indian scouts pushed matters so hard that
they finally corraled Geronimo. They held him just one night,
when he escaped again and the flight was continued. Several
nights later he had the temerity to steal into camp with four
warriors, and, seizing a white woman, told her that the only

GEEOSIMO, THE BENOWNED APACHE WAEEIOB, 537

way to save her life was to point out his wife's tent. She
obeyed. Geronimo set her doi^Ti, caught up his squaw, and was
off before the alarm could be given.

During the fall of 1885, the death of Geronimo was regu-
larly reported about every two weeks, but during the first part
of November he was sufficiently alive to have three running
fights with the pursuing soldiers.

The Mexicans had also suffered severely from the depreda-
tions of the marauding Apaches, and they, too, had organized
a company of irregular troops from the Tarahumari Indians,
who were almost as wild and fierce as the Apaches themselves,
and had been their mortal enemy for the past two hundred
years. This company, one hundred and fifty strong, officered by
^lexicans and under the command of Santa Anna Perez, a cap-
tain in the ^lexican army, had trailed a band of thieving
Apaches seventeen days,

^leantirae Captain Crawford and his regulars and Indian
scouts were relentlessly pursuing Geronimo and his band, and
during the month of Januarj% 1886, they came up with them
near Nacori, in the State of Sonora, and surrounded their
camp just before daylight. For once Geronimo was surprised;
probably worn out at last by the continuous pursuit, the Indians
slept sounder than usual. Certain it is, the surprise was com-
plete, and after a few volleys had been fired the Indians saw
their case was hopeless and prepared to surrender.

Hoisting a white flag, which was the signal for the firing to
cease, and relyinsr on the white man's chivalry, the squaws of
the camp were dispatched, as messengers, to the commanding
officer. The squaws stated that Geronimo, Xaiche and their
warriors wished to confer with Captain Crawford; that they
were worn out with the long chase, and were ready to meet
General Crook and surrender to him. They had no terms to
propose, but would throw themselves on the mercy of the
victor. Captain Crawford now demanded that they should
surrender their horses, mules, wagons, ammunition and camp
outfit. His requirements were at once complied with, and it

538 LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

i«

was agreed that a conference should be held the ne^t day to
arrange a meeting between General Crook and the hostiles.

Thus matters stood when the band of thie^^ing, murdering
Apa<?hes pursued by the Mexican soldiers, reacJied Geronimo'si
band. The fugitives found their comrades treating with ;i
United States officer. They had literally jumped out of the
frying-pan into the fire. The Mexicans were hot in pursuit, and
were not to he deprived of their revenge simply because their
foes had received unexpected reinforcements. They promptly
opened fire, which was as promptly returned. Suddenly aboT«
the conflict a shrill voice is heard : "For God's sake, stop firing!
These are United States troops/*

The captain at onm ordered his men to stop, but before the
eommand was understood, there was a report from a Mexican
rifle, and the gallant (^aptain Crawford fell back with a bullet
ill hi*? brnin. Witli a imittcrrd f*urH*\ u younL' Ap:u*h*' oalled
Dutchy returned the shot and avenged the death of his beloved
captain that he was unable to prevent.

In this unfortunate skirmish the Mexicans lost one of their
bravest officers, Mauricio Coredor, who was one of their l)est
Indian fighters, and had rendered great service to both nations
by ridding the earth of Victorio, that bloodthirsty and cruel
Apache, a worthy predecessor of Geronimo. They also lost
another officer and two privates; while four of their number
were wounded, or, according to some accounts, nine.

Of the United States force, two privates were wounded; the
commanding officer being the only one whase injury was fatal.

WTien the firing ceased. Lieutenant ^laus, the second in com-
mand, accompanied by one comrade, advanced to confer with
Capt. Santa Anna Perez. The United States uniform is not
always an all-sufficient guarantee in such cases, and the Mexican
commander was doubtful what course to pursue. Lieutenant
iMaus proposed that when they should reach Nacori, he would
produce papers to show that he was what he claimed to be. But
Captain Perez resolved that he would not fail in discretion and
refused to allow an Apache to approach his camp, even though

CKVOSlMCh TUF EKXOWNED AFACHK WARnUlf!

"h'M)

led Slates seoiit. Mattel's between the two oHieers were
adjusted, by each giving the other a letter, statioy: the
inaiuier in which the tight occun-ed; so that neither would h(*
cenisun*<]l hy his superior officer for firing upon the troops of a
friendly nation. Having escorted the body of Captain Crawford
to Nacori, where it was temporarily interred (and afterward
conveyed to Kearney, Nebraska, for burial), Lieutenant Maus
tiK>k the command and encamped with all his force on the bank
nf the San Bernardino Creek, whence he sent a courier to Fort
Buwie 1o inform (ieneral Crook of the request of (Jeronimo's
band for an interview, looking to a surrender. Meanwhile, as
usual, the wishes of the settlers had far outrun the facts, autl it
Was eontidently asserted that Geronimo had already surrendered
with all his warriors, (jeneral Crook at once assented to the
iviiuest, and set ofT for the rendeajvous*

The journey of forty miles was soon made and communica-
tions iipened with the hostiles, whose camp was about twenty*
five miles south of that of Lieutenant Maus. The Indians called
for niore time, on tlie plea that it w^as difficult to collect all the
limves belonging to the band, as they were scattered through a
rough mountain country ditlrteult of access by couriers. ^lean-
tiine the settlers were anxions for the surrender, for well they
knew that their lives and stock were in constant jeopardy
lorhile Cferonimo and his marauders were at large, so they gave
their imaginations full rein, and had the whole business
mrrangeil to tln-ir satisfaction several times before General Crook
1»d even fixed a date for it. So it came about that the slippery
Geronimo surrendered as many times in the spring of 188<) as
he had been killed the previous falK Unfortunately for the
pcacf and safety of the people of the three territories, surren-
dt^ritig in imagination and on paper was no more effective than
killing done in the same way; and Geronimo remained in his
eaunp until the latter part of March.

At last tlie interview took place under the shade of large
iycatnore and cotton wood trees. Captain Bourke, who was
present, made a verbatim record of the conference. Said he:

LIVES OF FAMOUS INBlAif CBIBWB.

**neroniiDO began a long disqmEttioB upon the eaiss^ wUek
Induai'd the outbreak from Camp Apache; he Mamed *ChaH*
'Mickey Pre*?/ and Lieut. Britton Davis, who, he charged, wtrt
unfriendly to him. lie was told by an Indian named 'XodidcAj'j
and by the wife of 'Mangns,' that the white people were 9010
to mud for him, arresrt and kill him; he had been praying
the Dawn (Tapida) and the Darkness, to the Sun (Chigo-na-ayl^
and the Sky (Yandestan), to help him and put a stop to tho
bad stories that people were telling about him and what th^
had put in the papers. [The old €hief was here apparent];
alluding to the demand made by eertain of the South wester
journals at the time of his surrender to Crook in 1883. that
should be handed.] I don't want that any tnore; when a
tries to do right, iiueh storit*® ought not to be put in the
papers. What is the matter that you [General Crook] don^
si^eak to me! It would l>e better if you woidd speak to me *Lnd
look with a pleasant face; it %vould make better feeling; I irould
be glad if you did. I'd be better satis6ed if you would talk
to me onee in a while. Why don't you look at me and amile
at me? I am the same man. I have the same feet, legs and
hands, and the sun looks down on me a complete man; I wish
you would look and smile at me. The Sun and the Darkness,
the Winds, are all listening to what we now say. To prove to
you that T am now telling you the truth, remember I sent you
word that I would eome from a place far away to speak to you
here, and you see me now. Rome have eome on horseback and
some on foot ; if I were thinking bad or if I had done bad. I
wiiuld never have come here. If it had been my fa 'lit would I
have eome so far to talk with youf He then expressed his
delight at seeimr *Ka-e-ten-na' onee more; he had lost all hope
of ever haviug that pleasure; that was one reason why he had
left Camp Apaehe.

**To this speech General Crook replied, through the inter-
preter, * I have heard what you have said. It seems very strange
that more than forty men should be afraid of three; but if you
left the reservation for that reason, wdiy did you kiU innoc^it

•I
'I

' i.

i'i

li'

GEKONIMO. THE KENOWNEB APACHE WAEEIOE,

p^fHe. 8neakin«: aM over the countiy to do if? What dii
innocent people do to you that you should kill theun ste
horses, and slip around in the rocks like coyotes? Wli
that to do With killing innocent people? There is not
passes that you don't hetir fo<»lish stories in your own earn
you are no child— yon don't have to helieve them. You
ised me in the Sierra Madre that Ihaf peace should I
you have lied about it. When a man has lied to uie once
some better proof than his own word before I can belieii
again. Your story about beiny^ afraid of arrest is all
there were no orders to arrest you. You sent up some o|
people to kill *Chato' and Lieutenant Davis, and th
started the story that they had killed them, and thus yi
a threat many of your peojjle to go out. Everything till
did on the reservation is known ; there Is no use for you I
to talk nonsense. I am no child. You must make up youi
whether you will stay out on the warpath or surrender %
ditionally. If you stay out 111 keep after you and kill t%
one if it takes fifty yeai-s. You are making a great fuss
ing *Ka-e-ten-na'; over a year ago I asked you if you
e to bring *Ka-e-ten-na* back, but you said 'no.* It's
thing for you, Geronimo, that we didn*t bring 'Ka-e-
back, because 'Ka-e-ten-na' has more sense now" than a
rest of the Chirieahuas put together. You told me the sa"
of a story in the Sierra Jladre, but you lied. What e
have I of your sincerity? How do I know whether or t
are Ijnng to me? Have I ever lied to youf I have sai
have to say; you had better think it over to-night and
know in the morning.' *'

Thus the conference ended with the best of prospect
treat>% aud an immediate end of hostilities. The India
subdued and had determined to surrender, but it w^as i
"'lere is one pow^r w^hieh was not taken into accoua
ved to be more potent for evil thau the repri
'overnment— Crook and his army— were fop
appeared at this turning point of the ^

544 UVEH OF FAMOVH INDIAN CBIKFB,

ami proveii to lit* »trongi*r than IT nek Bam, by promptly undoinj
flU that (^nmk and tht* lamented Crawford had done.

Aeeoi\lin(> to Captain Bourke, *' *Akhise' and 'Ka-e-ten
oanie and h wakened Cieneral Crook before it was yet daylight,
Ifarch 28, and informed him that ^Nachita/ one of the Chirica-
hua chiefs, was so drunk he eonldn't stand up and was lyinf
prone on the ^'ronnd; rather Chiricahuas were also drnnk, bat
none so dnuik as *Naehita/ Whinky had been sold them by a
rani^ai named Tribollet, who lived on the San Bernardino raneh,
on the Mexican side of the line, about four hundred yards fronj
the boundary. These Indians asked permission to take a sfjuad
of their soldiei's and irnard Tribollet and his men to keep them
from selling any more of the soul-destroying stuff to the Chiri-
cahuas. A beautifid commentary upon the civilization of tlie
white man ! When me n^aehod Cajon Bonito, the woods ant!
grass were on t'rt*: fnur or five Chirieahua nuilo^si, already sad-
dled, \vere wandering about without riders. Pretty soon we
eame upon *Geronimo/ *Kuthli' and three other Chiricahua
warriors riding on two mules, all drunk as lords. It seemed to
me a great shame that armies could not carry with them an
atmosphere of military law which would have justified the hang-
ing of the wTetch, Tribollet, as a foe to human society. Upon
arriving at San Bernardino Springs, Mr. Frank Leslie informed
me that he had seen this man Tribollet sell thirty dollars' worth
of mescal in less than one hour— all to Chiricahuas— and upon
being remonstrated with, the wretch boasted that he could have
sold one hundred dollars' worth that day at ten dollars a gaflbn
in silver. That night, during a drizzling rain, a part of the
Chiricahuas — those who had been drinking Tribollet 's whisky—
stole out from Klaus' camp and betook themselves to the moun-
tains, frightened, as was afterward learned, by the lies told
them by Tribollet and the men at his ranch. Two of the war-
riors, upon sobering up, returned
doubt at all that, had General Ciivok
comniand of the Department of Aris
runners from among their own peo]

GEROMMO, THE RENOWNED APACHE WARRIOR. 545

one without a shot being fired. Before being stampeded by the
lies and the vile whisky of wicked men, whose only mode of
livelihood was from the vices, weaknesses, or perils of the human
race, all the Chiricahuas— drunk or sober— were in the best of
humor and were quietly herding their ponies just outside of
Maus* camp.

Thus was one of the bravest, and, up to this point, most suc-
cessful generals and his army, defeated by one villainous wretch
with a barrel of cheap whisky. What did Tribollet care how
many settlers' homes were burned, their stock driven oflf, and
their families butchered, if he could only sell his vile adulter-
ated whisky at **ten dollars a gallon in silver."

Many settlers of the Southwest had long believed that Gen-
eral Geronimo was a better officer than General Crook, and this
result, just at the time of the proposed surrender, seemed to
justify them.

About the most charitable construction we can put upon
General Crook s action, or rather want of action, is that he was
failing at this time, by reason of age, and ** eight years of the
hardest work of his life.*' He certainly was slow, careless and
showed a lack of firmness in dealing with the villainous wretch,
Tribollet.

If no other way was open, he could have arrested him, or
acted on the suggestion of the Apache scout, and detailed a
squad of soldiers to guard Tribollet and his men to keep them
from selling whisky to the Indians, contrary to orders.

General Crook now tendered his resignation as commander
of the Department of the Southwest, and was succeeded by
Gen. Nelson A. IMiles.

General Crook's policy had been to surround the hostiles

and crush them as an anaconda does his prey; but he might as

well have tried to crush an air-cushion. General Miles, who

" ■• most successful Indian fighter, because he was somehow

'^"eseyit when hostile Indians were ready to sur-

more active and vigorous campaign. He

't of offering a reward for each Indian

.vlfi

UVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CStEFS,

m'^^ig—

or heiid nf an Indian bmiiiriit in. It is said tlmt the price id
ftn ortiinary brave was $50, while G^ronimo, dead or aUi%i Wm
worth $2»0(KI to tin* one who should kill or fflpltire him- In
spite of th«^* dnii*tie nje»Kureii, those who predicted a sp
end of the war were diHiim^d to disap point merit,

Capt* IL W, Lawtim, Pmirth Cavalry, took the field with Im
command, May 5. 1885. He intendeil at first to ftperate excln*
rively in Mexico, as it waK thought that (tfronimo had fied tii hia
gtn>n|fhold in the Sierni Mai!ri\ But this was only n ni»L* fa
»§end the soldiers on the wrong trail, while the band of that wily
chief broke up into aniall conipauies and raided through imuth-
weHfi^rn AriKOua and northwestern l*^onora, lint Lawton iwoo
learned Ihe deception and faUowed the raiding parties.

Captain Lawton'a eonmiand coBsisted of thirty-live men of
Troop B, Fourth (.'avalry. twenty Indian fieouts.. twenty men

of fVvTnpMTiv TV Kv_'iiHi hi frui ♦?■>', mul t^n

^(-h frnin^ pr-*^Vi

detachments of scouts and infantry took the places of those first
sent out, and by the first part of July the Apaches had been
driven southeast of Oposura. Up to this time Lawton's com-
mand had marched a distance equal to two-thirds of the breadth
of the continent, surprised the hostiles once, and forced them to
abandon their camps on three different occasions. The country
at this time was burned over, and in many places there was
neither grass nor water.

** Every device known to the Indian," wrote Captain Law-
ton, **was practiced to throw me off the trail, but without avail.
My trailers were good, and it was soon proven that there was
not a spot the enemy could reach where security was assured.''

During the month of July the cavalry were so worn out, a
fresh start was made with only infantry and Indian scouts.
Assistant Leonard Wood was given the command of the infantry,
while Lieutenant Brown led the scouts. These charged the
camp of the hostiles and captured all their ponies and baggagr,
but the elusive Geronimo and his band escaped, to supply theiQ*
selves with fresh horses from the nearest corral.

When the infantry in turn became exhausted and

GEKONIMO, THE BENOWNED APACHE WABRIOB, 547

worn out on the rocks, they were sent back to the supply camp
for rest, while fresh cavalry, under Lieut. A. L. Smith, con-
tinued the campaign.

General Miles s order at this time was: ** Commanding?
officers are expected to continue a pursuit until capture, or
until they are assured a fresh command is on the trail." In
obedience to this command, the hunt for Geronimo was taken
up by twenty-five different detachments representing four regi-
ments.

This continuous trailing, together with five encounters, soon
convinced the Apaches that there was no safety in Arizona, and
they hurried to the mountain fastnesses of the Sierra Madre in
Sonora, where they frequently rise 6,000 and 7,000 feet above
the plain, which is a mile above sea level.

Surgeon Wood, in his report, describes Sonora as '*a con-
tinuous mass of mountains of the most rugged character. Range
follows range witli hardly an excuse for a valley, unless the
narrow canons be so considered.'* Spencer says these caiions
are a mile deep.

Lawton's command now resumed the trail, clinging to it like
bloodhounds, in spite of heat, hunger, thirst and fatigue.
Geronimo and Xaiche could not shake him off. Pursued and
pursuers reached a point three hundred miles south of the
boundary line.

The relays of troops on their trail night and day were too
much even for Geronimo s band, in spite of their marvelous
powers of endurance. Tliey were nt last perfectly exhausted
and willing to surrend(»r. At this time Lieut. C. B. Gatewood,
of the Sixth Cavalry, at the risk of his life, went into Geronimo 's
camp, where he met him face to face and demanded his sur-
render. As he and his entire ])au(l were helpless and hopeless
they expressed themselves as willing to submit.

The only terms Lawton or his superior, (Jeneral Miles, would

consider was unconditional surrender. At last, after some eon-

wiili hig warriors, the oft-killed and much surrendering

to the United States authorities on

54S

LirBS OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

itMUlSwm

the morning oi September 3, 1886, at Skeleton CaBoa, Ai
Wlit*n the band surrendered. General Miles noticed that Chief
Naiehe was not among the Indians; and messengers were sent
after him to induce hira to ciime in; but he delayeci until i\w
evening tif the next day. The ehief exphiinetl that liin delay was
due to two n*asniis. In the tii-st place, he was fearful of beitiE
treated m hi» grandfather, Mangus Colorado* had been, that
is, murdered after he surrendered. ^d

1118 second reason for delay was that he thought it apprtrV
priate that he, the son of the ^reat war-chief, Cochise, and tin*
first chief of the Chiricuhuas, should be the last to lay down
bis arms and cease fijrhtini? the white men, whom he and hiij
fathei^ had fought for two centuries.

Never waa the surrender of so small a niimher of aava;:
deemed of more iuiportance. Twenty-two warriors comprised
the rntin* fitrhtinfr t'oree that remained. Ahmit rii;hfi'c*n months
had been spent in the pursuit, which covered a distance of two
thousand miles. General Miles had been in command just
twenty-one weeks, during which time his men traversed more
than one thousand miles.

The Geronimo war, now ended, had cost the Government
more than a million dollars.

When the news was received, and confirmed by later reports,
that TSferonimo and his band had actually surrendered, there
was much rejoicing throughout western Texas, New Mexico,
Arizona, and even across the Rio Grande in Mexico. Bonfires
were made, and congratulatory telograms poured in upon Gen-
eral Elites and Captain Lawton from many sources. Families
who had been in daily terror of their lives, now felt they could
retire at night with some assurance of living to see tlie suariiflH
of the next morning. ^^

It was not thought prudent to let Geronimo and his Imotl^
remain in the Southwest, even an United States prisonpfR, im fli
settlers would have still been in terror lest tli ' '

break out of the reservation or prison and
tions.

GEEONIMO, THE RENOWNED APACHE WABRIOB, 549

For this reason, Geronimo and sixteen members of his band,
including the leading chiefs, were sent to Fort Pickens, Florida.
The rest of his band, and the four hundred Chiricahua and
Warm Spring Indians of Fort Apache were sent to Fort Marion,
near St. Augustine, Florida, about the same time. May 1, 1887,
the prisoners from the latter fort were removed to Mount Ver-
non, Alabama, to improve their health. Here they were after-
ward joined by Geronimo and the other prisoners from Fort
Pickens.

At least two of the officers engaged in this campaign after-
ward became distinguished in the Spanish-American and Philip-
pine wars. We refer to Capt. H. W. Lawton and Surgeon
Leonard Wood, whose subsequent histories are well known.

Capt. John G. Bourke, near the close of his work, **0n the
Border with Crook, '* states that a number of the prisoners sent
to Florida, including **Chato" and his band, **had remained
faithful for three years, and had rendered signal service in the
pursuit of the renegades." Continuing, he wrote, **Yet, every
one of those faithful scouts— especially the two, *Ki-e-ta' and
Martinez, who had at imminent personal peril gone into the
Sierra Madre to hunt up * Geronimo' and induce him to sur-
render — were transplanted to Florida, and there subjected to
the same punishment as had been meted out to * Geronimo.'
And with them were sent men like *Goth-Kli' and ^To-Klanni,'
who were not Chiricahuas at all, but had only lately married
wives of that band, who had never been on the warpath in any
capacity except as soldiers of the Government, and had devoted
years to its service. There is no more disgraceful page in the
history of uur r* hi titans with the Anit*ricaii Indians than that
which conceals the treach^^ry vimted upiin the Chiricahuas who
rt.*miitni*d faithful in their allegiance to our people."

If !ht«e statenuTitK are triu% and they are tiunted from

Hwnmrnt** ftf tbi* War Department, thun the loyal Indians of

peri<xl huve betm tti riiily wn>iii**'d. And every honorable

lid that reparation be made
even after the lapse

r>5a

UTBS OF FAMOUS tNBIAN CHiBWS,

of jTpars, If these Indians were tm justly imprisaiieil. as j& hfw
elaitnecL the aeeutuulatin^ yeara only serre to augnietit ike
tdtatDe 4*f those renpotisihle for such an outrapp,

In tile sprintr of 1S89 a ttehtHi] \vm o^wnecl for the liMtifi
children at Mount Vernon, Alabama^ anc! Ui^ronimo wat eot
only pn?!ient at the o|H*ii*iig, hut a^tod n» head n^hpr g o tht
oecaaion.

On Oe!oljt*r 4* lKi*4, Uerotiimo and a portion of his
includini! Naielu* ami othi^r ehit^fs, were removiHl to Port
Oklahoma. Thi*y now nund>er 2441 |HMiple and are caHe»d prison-
ers of Wjir.

Naiche. tli** laat of tin* band to surrender, i«?i*it» to be, aecorfl-
ing to HLh own atatemeiil. an ht*reditary ehief of the ChiHcafaiis
Apaehes, lie \% gaid lo he a clever arlii^t, and a eraek AoL
either with the priantive Iww and am>w or Wineh^Hit^r rifle. Ue
is now one of the I'nited Stnft'S stililiera at Fort Hill, havjntr
enlisted as a Government scout.

As we were anxious to learn more of these two noted Indians,
especially Geronimo. we determined to make a visit to Port SilL
which is in Comanche County, Oklahoma Territory, three miies
from Lawton. This we did in April of 1905.

The commandant at the fort, Lieul, Georj^e A. Purin^oo.
extended everv courtesv, and among other thins^ gave me this
bit of information. Said he: ''When Geronimo was ahout to
start to Washintrton I trave him a eheek for $171. He took it lo
Lawton and deposited $170 of it in the bank, and started \^
Washintrton with only $1 in his [Hveket. But wherever the traia
sto|)ped and people learned that Geronimo was on board
crowded around the car windows and bought his atito^fupll
fast as he could write it at 50 cents each." The interp
Geor»ie ^I. Wratton. who was with Geronimo, snid I*** had trwu
pettiiiiT him from one depot to another heeatls*e of tl:. '■
crowdin»r around. ea*rer for his autograph. He attra^f _
attention than any one in Washington^ the Pr«»?!ideiit tl
exee[)ted. lie soon had his pockets full of niouey,
a trunk and filled it with izood clothes, and

GERONIMO, THE RENOWNED APACHE WARRIOR. 553

pocket when he returned to Fort Sill, ahead of the interpreter,
having become separated from him in Washington.

The commandant also informed us that Qeronimo's
imprisonment was of the mildest form possible. His treatment
is kind and humane, and, in fact, he is a well-to-do Indian, with
money in the bank at Lawton and the proceeds of a herd of
about two hundred cattle, kept on the reservation by his good
friend, Uncle Sam. Continuing, the lieutenant said, warming
with his theme: **Why, as a matter of fact, Geronimo enjoys
comparative freedom. Besides going to Washington City
recently and coming all the way back by himself, he is contin-
ually going somewhere. Here is a letter which I have just
received from one of the Miller Brothers, proprietors of 101
Ranch of Bliss, Oklahoma, asking me to let Geronimo be with
them June 11 in their great Wild West Cowboy and Indian •
outfit, which is being arranged to entertain the National
Editorial Association, which will meet at Guthrie about that
time. They propose to pay Geronimo his own price, and I am
perfectly willing he should go and earn something for himself.
Out of the fifty or sixty thousand people expected on the ground
that day, it is thought that at least ten thousand will come
purposely to see Geronimo, as he is the best advertised Indian
in America. Just last night I gave him a permit to visit Quanah
Parker, and he will go to-day. Here he enjoys comparative
liberty and protection, but should the President pardon him,
and he return to his old haunts in Arizona or Texas, there are
a number of white men, whose families he and his warriors
butchered, have sworn to kill him on sight."

In walking around the grounds of the fort, I went into a
sutler's store and purchased a bow and arrow made by (Jeron-
imo, but I failed to find the chief, and was passing near the
depot, going to the home of Mr. Wratton, the interpreter, to
make inquiry, when the station agent called to me and said
Geronimo was then in the depot waiting for a train. Hurrying
back, I found the noted chief on the platform of the depot ; he
took my proffered hand with a smile and a hearty **How!*' and

LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

pulled me up on the platform. I had expected 10 see a ^ray-
haired^ sour-Aisag^i, skinny-looking' old Indian « uilh a ifewiwl
on his face and nervous tvvitehin^ finc:ers, as if eager to fihed
man* hlc»od. But instead I snw a smiling, well-kept, well-clressnl
Itidinn* about five feet nine ineht*s tull, mth square shoidder^
and deep ehest. indieating the marvelons power of enduranee
for wlileh he and his warriors were nitted. His aetual wei*jhT
that liny was 1G9 pmimlH, bnt an old si>ldier who had folliiwal
hi in over detieri and mountain ani^nred itie that hm fi^htinir
weight used to b** al>ont a ton*

lie is rather darker than the avera-^'e of the Apaehe^i, lus
skin beini? more of a ehoeolate than eop[ier ci^lor. He haii the
usual Indiiui features with broad faee and high and prominent
eheek bones, eaeh covered at the time with a vermilion spot ahont
the dze of a silver dollar. But the most remarkable of all Im
features are his eyes, which are keen and bright and a decide
blue, something very rare among Indians.

He was dressed in a well-fitting blue cloth suit of citizen's
clothes, and it was hard to realize that he was the same Indian
designated by General Miles as **the tiger of the human race.''
I found that w^hile he was quick to understand much that was
said to him, he spoke but a few words of English, therefore I
suggested by signs that we go to the interjjreter's house and
have him talk for us. Turning to the station agent and lookins?
up the track he asked, **IIow much?" The agent pulled out
Geronimo's open-faced silver watch from his vest pocket and
running his finger around the dial, and half around again, he
indicated an hour and a half. **Good," he exclaimed, and we
started off to the interpreter's house, about one-fourth of a
mile across the prairie from the depot. Imagine the writer and
Geronimo walking arm in arm across the pasture. Well, that
is what happened. There are other things besides politics which
make strange companions.

About half way to the house there was a little stream to
cross, its width being a good jump for a man. Now I rather
excelled in jumping in my college sports and saw a chance to

GEKONIMO, TBE RENOWNED APACHE WABRIOR. 555.

test the old chief's activity, so running forward, I vaulted over
the stream, but it required an effort, and to my astonishment
Geronimo leaped it with ease and went a foot farther than
where I landed.

Near the interpreter's yard was a prairie-do*^ town, the
first I had ever seen. It consisted of a number of little hills with
a hole in the side least exposed to rain ; on top of some of these
hills prairie does were to be seen, and heard, barking .at us
as we approached until we got quite near, when they would
dart into their holes. The aged chief noticed them, and throw-
ing an imaginary Winchester to his shoulder and sighting along
the barrel, he made his mouth •** pop ' ' several times in imita-
tion of a gun. In the distance I noticed three more hills, each
with a prairie dog sentinel on top. Calling his attention to
them by pointing in that direction, he' at once raised the sights
on his imaginary gun and again his **popI pop! pop!" was
heard, showing that his eyes are still good.

When we reached the house of the interpreter, George M.
Wratton, and I had explained the object of our call, and con-
vinced him that I was a historian searching for facts and
information, he was ready to help me. T found him a very
intelligent, well informed gentleman, who. as the commandant
had assured me, probably knows more about Geronimo than the
ehief does himself.

Mr. Wratton was present, and one of the two interpreters
who did the talking, when (leronimo surrendered to General
Miles. He was a famous seout during the G(»ronimo war and
is now interpreter at Fort Sill. lie it was who interpreted
(leronimo's speech to the **(ireat Father," President Koosevelt,
in Washington, as also the reply. ^ly first question to Geronimo
was, ** Where were y<m born?" **Tn Arizona," was the reply.
**now^ old are ycm?" 'Tie says ho is seventy-three," said my
interpreter, *'but I tell you ho is at least eighty, if not more."
Continuing, he added, '*I don't ])elicve he knows his age, few
Indians do." 'Ts ho a full-blood Indian?" I asked. '*Yes,"
was the reply. *'Then how is it that he has a Mexican or Spanish

556

UF[C.H OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

namef (leronimo is fronj mm of those ku^mges and is Uie
n^me as Oerome." The cthief's reply was that this name m^&
niven him iti Mexico many years ago, when but a youth, and
itmk the plaen of his Iiulian name, afi it was nnieh ea»kr to
prcmounci*.

'*Do you know thin Indian iminr?" I asked. **and will ymi
kindly write it on my note-book?" * ^Certainly/' he answ^rei
iind tliJM is what he wrote: **f;o-Yat-Thlay/' llavinsr obtaifidl
tlinmsih the interpreter a proniise from Geroninio to write his
imtoKraph on my bow and note-book, we returned to the depot.
wlit*re thiK promise was at once made goi*d* While waitinir for
the* tniifm* whieh wert^ to nieet al Fort Kill, I showed Geponimo
n Iniok whieh T had honjjrht in Lawion that morning. It was &
ahari histriry of thf Comanche and Apache tribes and eontaine*!
a number of Indian pictures, includinfr several of Geroniino,
If*' WMS r?rently interested in thesr rnits, fspeeinlly thosi-^ nt
himself, and took pains to show them to the other Indians
around. At last he turned to me, and pointing first to himself
and then to the picture, he uttered one expressive word, **Me."

A few minutes later Geronimo and the writer waved a last
adieu to each- other from the rear platforms of receding trains
and the interview ended. I learned at Fort Sill that Geronimo,
in point of fact, is not a chief at all, that honor belonging to
Naiche, but, like Sitting Bull, is an Indian medicine man with
the authoritj^ of a chief. Be that as it may, he is recognized
not only as a chief but as the most famous living chief. The
words of Spartacus to the irladiators would be as true if spoken
by this barbarian, **Ye call me ehief and ye do well."

While in Washinirton last March attending the inauguration
of President Roosevelt, (icronimo called on the President,
accompanied by the i\ve other elaiefw wIkv were in the procession,
and his interpreter, Mr. Wratton. At this time he made the
followincr address to the ^Hireat Father," through hiM inter-
preter, and received a characteristic reply;

GERONIMrj's APPEAL.

''Great Father, I look to ymi aa I hiok to Gtid*.

GEBONIMO, TEE BENOWNED APACEE WAERIOB, 557

your face I think I see the face of the Great Spirit. I come
here to pray to you to be good to me and to my people.

**When I was young, many years ago, I was a fool. Did I
know that I was a fool ? No. My heart was brave. ^ly limbs
were strong. I could follow the warpath days and nights with-
out rest and without food. I knew that fear of me was in the
heart of every chief of red men who was my enemy.

**Then came the warriors of the Great White Chief. Did I
fear them? No. Did I fear the Great White Chief? No. He
was my enemy and the enemy of my people. His people desired
the country of my people. My heart was strong against him. I
said that he should never have my country.

** Great Father, in those days my people were as the leaves of
the trees. The young men were strong. They were brave. The
old men were glad to die in battle. Our children were many.
Should we let strangers take their country from them? No.
Should our women say that our livers were white? No. I
defied the Great White Chief, for in those days I was a fool.

**I had a bad heart, Great Father. My heart was bad then,
but I did not know it. Is my heart bad now? No. My heart
is good and my talk is straight. I am punished and I suffer.
I ask you to think of me as I was then. I lived in the home of
my people. I was their chief. They trusted me. It was right
that I should give them my strength and my wisdom.

'*When the soldiers of the Great White Chief drove me and
my people from our home we went to the mountains. When
they followed we slew all that we could. We said we would not
be captured. No. We starved, but we killed. I said that we
would never yield, for I was a fool.

"So I was punished, and all my people were punished with

me. The white soldiers took me and made me a prisoner far

from my own country, and my people were scattered. What

niiiio then? Was he the great chief of the Apache

His hands were tied. He was no more than a

^er Indians have homes where they can

urns OF FAMors in dun cn!hfs.

livi^ mid \h* happy. I aud iliy people liave no hom<^. Tlie place
where we are kept in had far us. Our cattle can not live in that
jthiee. Wfc? are siek there and we die. White men are in the
eoimtry that wtiN my home. I pray you to tell them to go away
and lot Miy pi^iple ^o there ami he happy.

*'(ireat Father, luy hand^ are tied as witli a rope. My hejirt
in no longer bad. I will tell my people to obey no chief but the
(?reat White Chief* I pray you to cut the ropes and make tm
tTfK\ Let me die in my trwn country, an old man who has be^-i
puniRheil enough and m free/*

kdohkvei.t'b eki*lt*

**neriinimo. T tio not see how I ean irnint your prayer. You
upeak truly when you say that you have been foolish. I am
(arlad that you have eeased to commit follies. I am glad that you '
are trying to live at peaec and in friendship mth the whit^
penp]t\

'*T have no an^er in my heart against you. I even wish it
were only a question of letting you return to your country as a
free man. Then I should not' have the same feeling- about it.
T must think and aet for the good of all the people of this
eountry.

''You must remember that there are white people in your old
home. It is probable that some of these have bad hearts toward
you. If you went back there some of these men might kill you-
or make trouble for your people. It is hard for them to forget
that you made trouble for them. I should have to interfere
between you. There would be more war and more bloodshed.

**My eountry has had enough of these troubles. I want peac^
for all. for botli the red and the white men. You and youx^
I^Miplr are not confined within doors. You are allowed to cu't:
th(* timber and till your farms. The results of your labor ar<^
i'i)V youi- own benefit.

"T feel, (Jei'oniino, that it is best for yoii to stay where y<
ai-e. Foi- the ]^resent. at least. T ean not ^ive you f\ny p\
of a elianire. I will confer with the CommfsssiofH^r and wit
S<'eretarv of AVnr about vour ease, but I

GERONIMO, THE RENOWNED APACHE WABRIOR. 569

out any hope for you. That is all that I can say, Geronimo,
except that I am sorry, and have no feeling against you."

We have had some correspondence with Mr. Wratton, the
interpreter, and are indebted to him for much information con-
tained in this sketch. In a recent letter, he says: "Geronimo
has a daughter at Port Sill named Eva, aged sixteen years; a
daughter at Mescalero, New Mexico, named Lena, aged twenty
years ; also a son at ^lescalero, New Mexico, aged about eighteen
years. The aged chief also thinks he has some children living
in Old Mexico, whe were captured by the Mexicans many years
ago."

Geronimo was the most conspicuous figure at Miller Brothers'
*Last Buffalo Hunt," at Ranch 101, near Bliss, Oklahoma Ter-
ritory, June 11, 1905. And when one of the visitors, Dr. Homer
^r. Thomas, of Chicago, shot and wounded a buffalo from his
automobile, it was Geronimo who rushed forward and finished
the animal with neatne^ss and dispatch.

His latest achievement was his marriage to his eighth wife,
a widow named ^Fary Loto, which took place Christmas day.
Perhaps now he will be more contented at Fort Sill.

CHAPTER XVI.
QUANAH PARKER, HEAD CHIEF OF THE COMANCHES

WITH SOME ACCOUNT OP THE CAPTIVITY OF HIS MOTHER, CYNTHIA
ANNE PARKER, KNOWN AS ''THE WHITE COMANCHE."

UP to this point we have refrained from writing the biog-
raphy of half-breed Indians, lest people should imagine
their greatness was due to the infusion of the blood of
the superior white race. But the story of Quanah Parker is so
interesting, and he has such a remarkable personality in many
ways, that we have decided to make an exception in his case.
Then, too, as will be seen, his mother, Cynthia Anne Parker,
at the time of his birth, was to all intents and purposes an
Indian, though born of whjte parents.

It is said on good authority that the Apaches and Comanches
are related through intermarriage and consanguinity, and at
one period formed a single tribe.

During a scarcity of food these people were divided into
the mountain tribes, who pledged their word and honor to their
brothers who lived on the fish, water- fowl and swine, that they
would never eat the fish from the streams, nor the fowls from
the waters, nor the hogs from the mud. Their bottom-land
brothers were to abstain from the game of the mountains and
plains. This treaty, made in the time of famine, was sacredly
kept in the days of plenty, and ever afterward those highland
Indians refused to eat pork, fish or water-fowl.

The best account of Cynthia Anne Parker and her famous
-**-^li- is found in White's ** Experiences of An Indian
^'i quotes an article from General Alford on
'' in which the general says:

("ations of heroism which illumine

LIVES OF FAMOUS IHBUN CEIE^B.

th** pages of Texas histor>^ perhaps none shtn^ willi a brif^tcr
halo than the eaptun? of Port Parker. In 1833 & sxmXl esA^mr
formed in Illinois, moved la the then Mexican provinee of
Tex^, and settled in a beaxitiful and fertile regioii on the
Navasota River, about two miles from the present city of Groc$-
beek, the eounty seat of LimeiitoQe County. The colony eoo-
sisted of nine familic*. in all thirty- four persons, of which Elder
John Parker wai5 the patriarehal head. They erected a block-
house, which was known as Fort Parker, for protection afainsi
^bf Biiiiaults of hostile Indians. This struetnre was made oE
solid lo|^, closely knit together and hewn down so as to iiiak«
a e*jmpaet iM*rfei!*t scjnare, without openinsr of any kind until it
reached a height of ten or twelve feet» where the structure
widened on each side, forming a projection imposdhle to dinih.
The lower 8tor\% reached only hy an interior ladder, was tisr*l
m a place of storage for provisions. The upper stor%* was
divided into two large rooms with port-holes for the use of guns.
These rooms were also the living rooms, and reached only hy a
ladder from the outside, which was pulled up at night, after
the occupants had ascended, making a safe fortification against
any reasonable force unless assailed by fire.

'* These hardy sons of toil tilled their adjacent fields by day,
always taking their arms with them, and retired to the fort at
night. Success crowned their labors and they were prosperous
and happy. On the morning of May 18, 1836, the men left as
usual for their fields, a mile distant. Scarcely had they left
the inclosure when the fort was attacked by about seven hun-
dred Comanches and Kiowas, who were waiting in ambush. A
gallant and most resolute defense was made, many savages being
sent to their '* happy hunting grounds,'' but it was impossible
to stem the terrible assault, and Fort Parker fell. Then began
the carnival of death. Elder J*>hn Parker, Silas JL PHiker.
Ben F. Parker, Sam ]M. Frost and Robert Frost were killed and
scalped in the presence of their horror-stricken families. Mrs.
John Parker, Granny Parker and ^Irs. Dut>^ were dangerooslr
wounded and left for dead, and the following were earned tBfo

QUANAH PABKEB, HEAD CHIEF OF THE C0MANCHE8. 566

a captivity worse than death: Mrs. Rachel Pluramer, James
Pratt Plummer, her two-year-old son, Mrs. Elizabeth Kellogg,
Cynthia Anne Parker, nine years old, and her little brother,
John, aged six, both children of Silas M. Parker. The remainder
of the party made their escape, and after incredible suflfering,
being forced even to the dire necessity of eating skunks to save
their lives, they reached Fort Houston, now the residence- of
Hon. John H. Reagan, about three miles from the present city
ol Palestine, in Anderson County, where they obtained prompt
succor, and a relief party buried their dead.''

Cynthia Anne Parker and her little brother, John, were held
by separate bands. John grew up to athletic young manhood,
married a beautiful, night-eyed young Mexican captive. Donna
Juanita Espinosa, escaped from the savages, or was released by
them, joined the Confederate army under Gen. II. P. Bee,
became noted for his gallantry and daring, and at last accounts
was leading a happy, contented, pastoral life as a ranchero,
on the Western Llano Estacado (Staked Plains) of Texas.

Four long and anxious years had passed since Cynthia Anne
was taken from her weeping mother's arms, during which t'me
no tidings had been received by her anxious family, when in
1840, Col. Len Williams, an old and honored Texan, Mr. Stout,
a trader, and Jack Harry, a Delaware Indian guide, packed
mules with goods and engaged in an expedition of private
traffic with the Indians. On the Canadian River they fell in
with Pahauka's band of Comanches, with whom they were on
peaceable terms. Cynthia Anne was with this tribe, and from
the day of her capture had never beheld a white person. Colonel
Williams proposed to redeem her from the old Comanche who
held her in bondage, but the fierceness of his countenance
warned him of the danger of further mentioning the subject.

Pahauka, however, reluctantly permitted her to sit at the

foot of a tree, and while the presence of the white men was

doubtless a happy event to the poor stricken captive, who in

her doleful captivity had endured everything but death, she

^»«" ward. As she sat there, musing perhaps,

56fi

lirHS OF FAMOUS iHBiJLB CBiS^A.

of disclUDt relatii-es tnd friends, and her bereaTement al tlif
bf'^jniiiti^ niid iirograBi of bcr dtstren^ tb^- employed etf^f
liemuMtiri! jirt to rvoko from her some expreEsiot} of her ft*!-
ium* They told her of her relntivv^ft and her pUrmates^ ami
ittked whit iDe«a^* of love she would mnd them, but whe had
bt^ti commanded to iiilenee. and with no hope of rel^ito? wu
afraid to appear «ad or dejected, and by a atoieal efforl eoo*
trolled her emotionii* lest the terrors of her eaplirity fthcinld be
increi^ed. Bot the anxiety of her mind vem betrayrd by the
qujfer of her lips, flbowtng that she was not initieui^lhle to the
eomaioa feelinpi of htimaBity.

A» the yearn rolled by Cynthia Anne developed the eharm
of captivating womanhood, and the heart of more than one
dii«ky warrior wbm picreed by the elysiait darta of her tau^inf
eyi^ iind the ripple of her silvery voice, and laid at her feet Iha
tr<^tfi>iM*H mT flu* #4iM?;»r. \trn>titj t?n^ niitnJw*?* whom hrr ^-^fM^na
charms brought to her shrine was Peta Nocona, a redoubtable
young Comanche war-chief, in prowess and renown the peer of
the famous **Big: Foot," who fell in a desperate hand-to-hand
combat with the famous Indian fighter, Capt. Shapley P. Ross.
of Waco, the illustrious father of the still more distinguished
son. Gen. Sul Ross, now the Governor of Texas. It is a remark-
able and happy coincidence that the son, emulating the father's
contagious deeds of valor and prowess, afterward, in single
combat, in the valley of the Pease, forever put to rest the brave
and knightly Peta Xocona.

Cynthia Anne, stranger now to every word of her mother
tongue, save only her childhootl name, became the bride of the
brown warrior, Peta Nocona, bore him three children, and loved
him with a fierce passion and wifely devotion, evinced by the
fact that, fifteen years after her capture a party ui hunttrs.
including friends of her family, visited the Comanche eDeainp-
mont on the upper Canadian River, and recognizing Cyntliia
Anne, through the medium of her name, endeavored to indu
h<'r to return to her kindred nnd the abode of dvilbalioii
shook her head in a sorrowful neiiative-

QUANAH PAEKEB, HEAD CHIEF OF THE C0MANCHE8. 567

little naked barbarians sporting at her feet, and the great, lazy
chief sleeping in the shade near by, the locks of a score of fresh
scalps dangling at his belt, replied: **I am happy wedded, I
love my husband and my little ones, who are his, too, and I
can not forsake them/'

The account of the death of Peta Nocona, and the recapture
of Cynthia Anne Parker, is best told in a letter written by
(lovernor Ross to Gen. George F. Alford, from which we will
([uote a few paragraphs. It was dated :

'* Executive Office, Austin, April 18, 1893.

**My De^vr General— In response to your request, I herewith
inclose you my recollections, after a lapse of thirty years, of the

events to which you refer On December 18, 1860,

while marching up Pease River, I had suspicions that Indians
were in the vicinity, by reason of the great number of buffalo
which came running toward us from the north, and while my
command moved to the low ground T visited neighboring high
points to make discoveries. To my surprise I found myself
within two hundred yards of a large Comanche village, located
on a small stream winding around the base of a hill. A cold,
piercing wind from the north was blowing, bearing with it
clouds of dust, and my presence w^as thus unobserved and the
surprise complete.

**In making disposition for the attack the sergeant and his

twenty men were sent at a gallop behind a chain of sand hills to

cut off their retreat, while, with my forty men, I charged. The

attack was so sudden that a large number were killed before

they could prepare for defense. They fled precipitately, right

into the arms of the sergeant and his twenty. Here they met

with a warm reception, and finding themselves completely

encompassed, every one fled his own way and was hotly pursued

and hard pressed. The chief, a warrior of great repute, named

■*H..with an Indian girl about fifteen years of age

* behind him, and Cynthia Anne Parker,

""t two years old in her arms,

together. Lieut. Tom

Li VMS OF FAMOUS IS DUN CBISFS.

Kelliheir and I pursued them* and after mnning about a mil
Kelliheir ran up by tht" side' of Cynthia Anne's horse, and suf
posinff her to be a man, was in the aet of shooting her when sh<?"
held up her child and stoppcnl.* I kept on iilone at tht! lop of my
horse s speed, after the chief, and about half a tnile further,
when io about twenty yards of him, I fired mj pistol, strikiDp
the ijirh whom I siippoBed to he a nmu, nn she rode like one,
and only her head was visihh^ above the buffalo robe %rith which
she wa^ wrapped— near the heart, killing her instantly. And
the same ball would have killed botli but for the shield of the
ehit'f. which Inni^ dowTi, coverinsr his hack. When the jtrirl fell
from the horsi% dead, she pulled the chief olT also, but he eauj^ht
on his feet, and, before steadying himself, my horse, running at
full speed, was nearly upon him. when he sped an arrow, which
struck my horse and caused him to pitch or *buck/ and it was
witli the trrpf4f***Ht (lifTfir*n1ty T r'onlH kt^ep my saddle, m^fiTitii^n*^
narrowly escaping several arrows coming in quick succession
from the chief's bow. Being at such disadvantage, he undoubt-
edly would have killed me, but for a random shot from my pistol
while I was clinging with my left hand to the pommel of my
saddle, which broke his right arm at the elbow, completely
disabling him. My horse then becoming more quiet, I shot the
chief twice through the body ; whereupon he deliberately walked
to a small tree near by, the only one in sight, and leaning against
it with one arm around it for support, began to sing a weird,
wild song— the death song of the savage. There was a plaintive
melody in it which, under the dramatic circumstances, filled my
heart with sorrow. At this time my Mexican servant, who had
once been a captive with the Comanches and spoke their lan-
guage as fluently as his motlb'r tongue, came up in company
with others of my men. Throii«rh him I sunuuoned the chief to
surrender, but he promptly freatetl every overture with con-
tempt, and emphasized his lefusal with a savage attempt to
thrust me through with his lance* which he still held in

* Another account says she threw bac!k hrr ml>e, bdd ber eMl'^ in Uttut Of b«r muiSii
claimecl in broken Spanish. " Americano! Aniericanqi!"

QUANAH PARKER, HEAD CHIEF OF THE C0MANCHE8. 569

left hand. I could only look upon him with pity and admirar
tion, for, deplorable as was his situation with no possible chance
of escape, his band utterly destroyed, his wife and child cap-
tives in his sight, he was undaunted by the fate that awaited
him, and as he preferred death to life, I directed the Mexican to
end his misery by a charge of buckshot from the gun which he
carried, and the brave savage, who had been so long the scourge
and terror of the Texas frontier, passed into the land of the
shadows and rested with his fathers. Taking up his accoutre-
ments, which I subsequently delivered to Gen. Sam Houston, as
Governor of Texas and commander-in-chief of her soldiery, to
be deposited in the State archives at Austin, we rode back to the
captive woman, whose identity was then unknown, and found
Lieutenant Kelliheir, who was guarding her and her child,
bitterly reproaching himself for having run his pet horse so
hard after an old squaw. She was very dirty and far from
attractive, in her scanty garments, as well as her person, but
as soon as I looked her in the face, I said: *Why, Tom, this is
a white woman; Indians do not have blue eyes.' On our way
to the captured Indian village, where our men were assembling
with the spoils we had captured, I discovered an Indian boy
about nine years old, secreted in the tall grass. Expecting to
be killed, he began to cry, but I made him mount behind me and
carried him along, taking him to my home at Waco, where he
became an obedient member of my family. When, in after
years, I tried to induce him to return to his people, he refused
to go, and died in McLennan County about four years ago.

**When camped for the night, Cynthia Anne, our then
unknown captive, kept crying, and thinking it was caused by
fear of death at our hands, I had the Mexican tell her in the
ComaDche language, that we recognized her as one of our own
•I>eopIe and would not harm her. She replied that two of her
» m addition to tbe infant daughter, were with her when the
distressed by the fear that they had
wever, that both escaped, and
) chief of the Comanche

070

LI FES Of FAMOUS IS DUN CSISFS.

tribe, and the beautiful city of Qua&ah, oow the cotuiiv
fteat of nardeman County, is named iu Ws hcinor. Th-
nth^p mn tiled mmte jreare ago on the plains, Tbi'ough u*
>[exiean intPrpretMr I then a&ked her in ghe ine the hisli^ry
of ht»r life uith the Indtans, and the ciretniistaaees attetrilifi.'
her capture by thetii* whieh she promptly did in a Tety iiitr^lli
gent manner, and a^ the faeti^ detailed by her eorrespN>nded irtt^
the ttia.ssiK're at Parker's Port in ISM, I was impressed with U
belief that she was CjTiHuii Aime Parker*

"Returning to my post, I sent her and her eliild to
ladies at Camp Cooper, where she received Ibi* att4*[iiii>i]
m*x and situation demanded, and at the same titne I disp€tG
a me^enger to CoL Isnae PurktT» her unele, near Wi^therfo
Parker Count>% namin] a*5 bi» mennirial, for hi* was nuitiy jfwuj
a dijttingiiished ti>enalor in the Congress of lh«* Republic* an
in the Tjepislature e>f the Btate after annexation, Wlien Colon*
Pjirker came to my |*os! I si^nt \\w inessenger with him to Caiiip
Ccx>per, in the eapaeity of interpreter, and her identity wv
soon discovered to Colonel Parker s entire satiisf action. She had
been a captive Just twenty- four y**ans and seven months^ an*l
was in ht^r thirty- fourth year when recovered. I remain » my
dear fifenenil,

^'gSlifl^rely your friend,

'*L_ S. Ross."

A few more incidents of her subsequent life are told by Gen*
oral Alford. Said he: ''Cynthia Anne and her infant liar-
barian were taken to Austin, the capital of the State; the immor-
tal Sam JIouBton was fioveruor, the Secession Convention was
in session. She was taken to the mac^nifieeut Statehouse. whert^
this au trust body was hnldinir ^ave discussion as to the policy
of wi I hi I rawing from the Union, Comprehending not one word
of her niother tonuue, slie concluded it was a council of mighty
eliiefs. assembled for the trial of her life, and in great alarm
tried to make her escape. Her brother. Col. Dan Parker, who
r<»sided near Parker's Hhif!', in Andei-son County, was a member
of the Tieizislature from that county, and a colleague of this

• I

•^•M

QUANAH PARKER, HEAD CHIEF OF THE COMANCHES. 573

writer, who then represented the Eleventh Senatorial District.
Colonel Parker took his unhappy sister to his comfortable home,
and essayed by the kind oflSces of tenderness and affection to
restore her to the comforts and enjoyments of civilized life, to
which she had been so long a stranger. But as thorough an
Indian in manner and looks as if she had been a native bom,
she sought every opportunity to escape and rejoin her dusky
companions, and had to be constantly and closely watched.

**The civil strife then being waged between the North and
South, between fathers, sons and brothers, necessitated the
primitive arts of spinning and weaving, in which she soon
became an adept, and gradually her mother tongue came back,
and with it occasional incidents of her childhood. But the ruling
passion of her bosom seemed to be the maternal instinct, and
she cherished the hope that when the cruel war was over she
would at least succeed in reclaiming her two sons, who were
still with the Comanches. But the Great Spirit had written
otherwise, and Cynthia Anne and Little Prairie Flower were
called in 1864 to the Spirit Land, and peacefully sleep side by
side under the great oak trees on her brother's plantation near
Palestine.

**Thus ends the sad story of a woman whose stormy life,
darkened by an eternal shadow, made her far-famed throughout
the borders of the imperial Lone Star State.

** Cynthia Anne's son has been for some years the popular
hereditary chief of the once powerful confederacy of Comanche
Indians, which, though greatly decimated by war and the
enervating influences of semi-civilization, is still one of the
most numerous tribes in the TTnited States. He is intelligent
and wealthy; in personal appearance he is tall, muscular and
graceful in his movements; is a friend of the white man, and
rules his tribe with firmness, moderation and wisdom. He is
located on his picturesque reservation in Oklahoma, not many
miles distant from the city of Quanah, so named in his honor.

**A few yeai's since I met the chief in Wichita Falls, and
when informed that I had personally known his pale-faced

LiVE^ OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

moiht^r, Ujuthia Anne^ or I'relock—ass she was e«tl4^ by Ibc
Indiaps— he liad a thousand qu^tions to ask about her peffsoml
np|>earauci?, size, shape, form, height* weight, oolor of hair iL»d
eyea. etc. He gave me a eordial invitation to \*isit him at hk
*tepet%' or wigwatii, near Fort Sill, profusely promising all thr
fish, gBme, ponies and squaws I desiired/'

General Alford'a iitatement that Quanah is the hereditary
chief i« ineorrt'ct. It is true he is the son of Chief Peta Nocom,
but it by no means •follows that the son of a chief will sueeeed
to the chief laincy» by * 'divine right" of inheritanee- The son
of a common warrior, if he poss^ses the elements of leadership,
foree of eha meter, elw^uence in council, and general ability,
will stand n mucli better show of becoming a chief, than the sail
of a eliief lacking in these essentials,

Fortniittt*'ly we know how (jitanah Parker beeame chief; h^
told juirt <ir his ^ttiry to the author of this book and the entire
account to E. E. White, the special Indian Agent As the story
is very romantic and interesting we will give it in full.

Said ^Ir. White: ''By the death of his father and the
recapture of his mother, Quanah was left an orphan at an age
which could not have been more than twelve years. The same
disaster that reduced him to orphanage also made him a pauper.
Although the son of a deceased chief, now having no parents,
no home and no fortune, he became, not the ruler of his tribe,
but a waif of the camp. But being self-reliant, an expert archer,
a successful hunter for one of his age, good natured and intelli-
gent, he made friends, among the boys of the tribe at least, and
found whereon to lay his head, and plenty to eat and wear.
And while orphanage and poverty entailed sorrow and suffering
upon the young savage, it was happily contrary to nature for
those sad misfortunes to divest him of the 'divine right' to love
and be loved. And although he was half a savage by blood and
a eoniplete one by habit and association, abundant proof that he
was not devoid of the finer instincts of humanity is found in
tht' ardent and constant love which he has always borne for his
first wife. Weekeah, and the strong and undying affection and

QUAXAH PARKEB, HEAD CHIEF OF THE C0MANCHE8. 575

sjTnpathy that he has always exhibited for his most unhappy
mother. It is said that his first question upon surrendering the
trilx* to General ^lacKenzie, in 1876, was concerning her, and
that his first request was for permission to go to see her, her
death not then being known either to himself or the general.

*' Proof of his captive mother's love for him, and the senti-
ment of her nature, are shovm in the name she bestowed upon
him, its meaning in the Comanche language being fragrance.
I was one day on the prairie with a large party of Comanches.
We stopped at a spring for water, and the chiefs, Tabannaka
and White Wolf, the Jonathan and David of the tribe, walked
down the branch a short distance and gathered a large handful
of wild mint. Holding it to my nose. White Wolf said, *Quanah,
quanah. You take it.' I said, * Sweet smell; is that quanah?'
They replied: *Yes; quanah — heap good smell.' Then pluck-
ing a bunch of wild flowers they inhaled their fragrance to show
me what they meant, and then handing them to me said, * Quanah
— (juanah— heap quanah— good smell.'

** Quanah 's best friend and most constant playmate in his
orphanage was Weckeah, Chief Yellow Bear's daughter. They
rode her father's ponies to the water holes, played through the
camps together, and were inseparable. He shot antelope and
other game for her amusement, and she learned to bead his moc-
casins and ornament his bow quiver.

**The years went by and Quanah and Weckeah were no
longer papooses. They were in the very bloom of young man-
hood and womanhood, and each in form and feature without
flaw or blemish. But they did not know that they loved each
other.

** There were other young men in the village, however, and
one day one of them, gaudily painted and bedecked with beads
and small mirrors, caiiio near Yellow Bear's tepee, blowing his
reed flutes. Three days later he came again, and nearer than
before. Only two days passed until he came the third time.
Spreading his blanket on the grass in front of Yellow^ Bear's
tepee, and seating himself on it, he looked straight at the door-

676

UFES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

hauf

way and played softly all the love aoogs of the tribe. Wecl
fdiawed not her face to the wooer. Her heart was thTobbiit^
violetitly whh a seniiation that had never thrilled her befct^,
but it was not regpongive to the nnit^ of the liutes.

''Nor had Quanah l>eeij unoljservant and there were siruiL'e
and violent piilfiatjona throuirh his veins also. It was the fimi
time lie bad i^ver seen the arts of the lover attempted to W
employed on Wt^ckeah. Instantly his very stml was aflame wilii
lave for her. There was just one hot, ecstatic, overpowering
fluah of love, and then tiiere oame intx) hia leaping heart tlii^
ebillinir, an^onizing thought that this wooing might be h]
Weckeah s favor or encouragement. Then a Ycry tempest
eofltendinf^ eniotions* ra^ed in his breast.

*'^\Vhen the min's rays began to slant to the east there camt*
to Yellow Bear*^ tepee a rich old chief by the name of Eckiton-
cup, who had beeiK wheii a yoimsr man, thp rivn! of Pt^ta Xocon«
for the heart and hand of the beautiful * White Comanche/
Cynthia Anne Parker. Eckitoacup and Yellow Bear sat down
together, on buffalo robes under the brush wickiup in front of
the tepee. They smoked their pipes leisurely, and talked a long
time, not in whispers, but very slow and in low tones. WTien
Quanah and Weckeah met that evening it was with feelings
never experienced before by either of them.

** Weckeah was greatly agitated. She fluttered like a bird,
and kneeling at Quanah 's feet, she locked her arms around his
knees, looked up in his face and begged him to save her.

^*The lover with the flutes was Tannap, the only son of rich
old Eckitoacup. Weckeah abhorred him, but his father had
offered Yellow Bear ten ponies for her. Yellow Bear loved his
daughter, and notwithstanding it was the tribal custom he was
loth to sell her against her will. He had given Eckitoacup no
answer for the present, and Weckeah implored Quanah to get
ten ponies and take her himself.

''Quanah was filled with deepest pity for Weckeah, and
alarmed at the prospect of losing her, for he owned but one
pony, and Tannap 's father owned a hundred. After telling

QlfANAH PABKEB, HEAD CHIEF OF THE COMANCHES. 677

"Weckeah to be brave and note everything said and done in her
sight and hearing, Quanah tore away from her, and gathering
all of his young friends together, explained his situation to
them. They loved him and hated Tannap, but calamities in war
had made them all poor like himself. They separated to meet
again in secret with others next morning. During the day nine
ponies were tendered to him, which, with the one he owned
made ten. These Quanah accepted on condition that others
should be received in exchange for them whenever he could get
them, which he was ambitious and hopeful enough to believe
he could some day do.

** Driving these ponies, with the haste of an anxious lover, to
Yellow Bear's tepee, Quanah there met old Eckitoacup, who
greeted him with a taunting chuckle of exultation and a look
of wicked revenge. His spies having informed him of the action
of Quanah 's friends, he had raised his bid to twenty ponies.
This being an exceptionally liberal offer, Yellow Bear had
promptly accepted it, and now the jealous and unforgiving old
savage was exulting in his triumph over the poor but knightly
rival of his arrogant and despised son, and gloating in his
revenge upon the valiant and rising son of his own late success-
ful and hated rival.

** Entering the tepee, Quanah found Weckeah prostrated at
her mother's feet in deepest distress. In two sleeps Tannap
would bring the twenty ponies and claim his prize. Weckeah
was heartbroken and Quanah was desperate. He hurried back
for another consultation with his friends, but not to ask for
more ponies. It was to submit a new and startling proposition
to them— to tell them of a new thought that had come to him—
a new resolution that had taken possession of his very soul.
Though he himself did not suspect it, the star of a new chief was
about to rise above the horizon.

"The new scheme promising spoils and adventure, as well
as triumph over a hated rival, Quanah 's zealous young friends
agreed to it with an enthusiasm which they could hardly avoid
showing in their faces and actions.

IJVEH OF FAMOIS fXDIAK CBIEFS,

'*The utihappjr loYers stole another brief twiltgfal meetiiig la
the shadows of Yellow Bear*s tepee. Weckeah s qtiiek em
noted with inereasing admiration and confidonee that tlie pan
two days had marked a i^reat change in Quanah, He was mm
no ionfjer a boy. He seemed to have grown taller, was mow
serious and thoughtful, and s^poke \rith an evident eourage iind
consciousne^ of strength which gave her great hope and eom-
fort. lie told her that their only hope was in flight, and, assh^
knew, acconling to the inexorable hiw of the tribe^ that ni^iit
eertain death to him and at least the delivery of herself t<i
Taimap, and p<]>ssibly death to herself also^ if they shoidd be
overtaken.

*' Weekeah, instead of being deterred by the hajsarda of tlie
attempt at elopement, was eager to go, for in that step she
eould Kee the posi^ibility of a life of happiness, and eseape froin
a fate which, in hi^r detestation of Tannap, she regarded as even
worse than death.

*Must at moondown the next night, which, from the descrip-
tion given me, I suppose was about eleven o'clock, Quanah and
one of his friends met Weekeah at the door of her father's tepee
and conducted her to the edge of the camp, where their horses
and twenty-one other young men were waiting.

**Then began the most remarkable elopement, and, in some
respects, at least, the most remarkable ride ever known on the
plains, among either whites or Indians.

** Quanah took the lead with Weckeah next behind him, and
the twenty-tw^o young men following in single file. For seven
hours they did not break a lope, except to water their ponies
in crossing streams. At daylight they stopped to graze their
ponies and make a repast on dried buffalo meat. Here Weckeah
saw w^th pride and increasing confidence that many of those
twenty-two tall sinewy young men carried guns, and all of
them revolvers, shields, bows, and quivers full of arrows, and
were mounted and equipped throughout as a select war party.

** Stopping only a few hours, they changed their course, sepa-
rated and came together again at a designated place at sunset.

QUANAU FABKEB, HEAD CHIEF OF TEE C0MANCHE8, 579

There they stopped again until moondown, and then resuming
their journey, traveled together all night.

**They were now in Texas, and dared not travel any more
in daylight. When night came on they changed their course
again, separated into couples, and traveled that way several
nights, coming together at a place which, from the description, I
think probably was Double Mountain, in Scurry County, Texas.
There they stopped several days to recruit their ponies, subsist-
injr themselves on game, which then abounded in that region.
Prom that place they traveled in couples from high point to high
point until they came to a river, which I suppose, from the
description, was one of the main branches of the Concho, and
there they established their rendezvous, and, as Quanah
expressed it, * went to stealin ' bosses. '

**It has been said— indeed, I believe it has been universally
conceded— that the Comanches, before their subjugation, were
*the finest horse thieves the world ever saw.' Whether this has
been conceded or not, I am sure no one who knew them then
will deny that it was a well-deserved 'compliment.' And I
doubt not that Quanah and his bridal party, or bridle party,
whichever it may seem most appropriate to call it, contributed
generously to the weaving of that wreath for the tribal brow.

"Eckitoacup's band being utterly unable to follow the trail,
the fugitives remained undiscovered in that region for more
than a year, and, in Quanah 's own candid and comprehensive
language, *just stole bosses all over Texas.' In a few months
they had a large herd, including many valuable American horses
and mules.

**But it was not long until the young men began to sigh
for *the girls they had left behind them, and to venture back, a
few at a time, to see them, and always with laudations of their
chief, and glowing accounts of the magnitude and ^profits' of
their 'business.' They invariably returned with their sweet-
hearts, and many other Indians, of both sexes, also. With
Quanah 's encouragement their visits became frequent, and at
the end of a year his band numbered several hundred.

LirES OF FAMOUS INUUN CBiMFB,

**But through rhose visits old Eekitoaetip bad beaM of tb§
fiif^itive, and waH now eomJDg with a !ar(^ war part^' to piinisb
him mill take WfH*k4'a)L WcM^keah B\mhi beeame badljr fright-
oihh], Hlie would ict*l Wliittd Qiiuriah friiiij the ilirection
Tmnmp\ M[>p roach, HaMp hi*r arum aniitiid him and t>f?g hii
not to giv<* hiT ii|K But hi*r rntrratiins w«*re wholly unnete
ftftty, Quaiinli, of his owii aciijrct wa« n*ady to die rather th»
milft^r hi*r to ta* taken fnim him.

"^Hekltoacnp found (Jiiannh s hand tmj*teil for battle, llil
was aKtoiitidc*d at thi*ir riiiriilK*ra mid btH*aiue ao alarmed for hiij
own fMifety that he waa i;lad to agn^ to an offer of ooiuproinis
rather than risk the hazard of battle. Four chiefs were
from each side to meet half way between the two bands and
arraiige the eompromise. After a preat deal of smoking anil
bagiprUnir Eckitoaeiip^s niet^ proposed to aecept nineteen horsci,
the pick of (jimnah*a herd, in full aatlsf action of all demands.
Quannh promptly approved the ugreement with the cheerful
and significant ohservatiou that he knew a ranch where he eoiild
get nineteen others just as goml in a few hoiirs«

"This gave Quannh the ri^hl to return to the tribe, and 4i
the Texans hacl him [»retty w^^ll * located* in that rendezvotis
and were becoming (fniti* *i!npudent' and inhospitable to him,
and his band was now ttm lar^e to la* lon^r concealed anywheiv
in the State, he followed chiae after Eckitoacup. Continuin*r
in the territory, to I'eceive aeei^ona from the other bamls,
includinj^ KcUitoaeup's, he simhi iH^eame the acknowledged chief
of the trihe, and as a war-chief, before beinj? overpowered and
conquered, he had achieved *;reat renown for prowess, euterprific.
sagacity and true niilitary ^eniu.^. his sway perhaps never beiajl
greater, or even as great, as it is at the present day. He lives
in a picturesque valley on the south side of the Wichita Moun-
tains, where he owns a g:ood home, a hundred horses, perhaps a
thousand cattle, and has two hundred and fifty acres of land
in cultivation, thoujrh I doubt if he has ever plowed a furrow
himself, or would do it if he could. Weckeah presides over his
household, happy and contented, proud of her husband, with

584 LIFKS OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

diately boarded the 'Prisca train, and in due time found myieli
at Cache, which is located at the foot of the Wichita Motint&uii

r found the chief in his bu^i^ just starting out of town, and
seeitjmi^ly in a hurry, but when I introduced myself and stateni
m^ business, he aliiehted from the buggy and expressed himself
as willing to talk.

Though a half-breed, Quanah Parker has every appearaoee
of a typical Indian, being tall, straight, athletic and an deHE
as the fullbloods of his tribe. He rules his people with wisdom
and moderation, by sheer force of character, and is very popular
with both white and rtnl neighbors. He is quite wealthy, aii<l
ambitious withal to represent the new State, shortly to he fomn^I
of the two territories, in the United States Senate. He argues
that a large percentage of the population of the new State will
be of his race, who will also be affected by many of the laws
to be enacted, therefore there should be an Indian in the United
States Senate, or it would be another case of taxation without
representation.

As the j)opulation of the new State will be of both races, so
a logical representative in the Senate should belong to both races.
All of which clearly means Chief Parker. And he is perfectly
willing to serve his people in that august body, when the time
comes. And indeed the new State might hunt further for sen-
atorial timber and fare worse, only in case of his election he
would likely be refused a seat on the grounds of being a polyga-
amist. The prophecy that ** seven women shall take hold of one
man'* was fulfilled in his case; but of late years he has reduced
his harem.

He prides himself on being a personal friend of President
Roosevelt and was one of the six chiefs who were in the parade
at the time of the inauguration last March, the others being
Little Plume, of the Blackfoot tribe; American Horse and Hol-
low Horn Bear, of the Sioux; Gemnimo, of the Apaches, and
Buckskin Charley, of the Utes. When we were seated in the
shade the chief said: **What do you want to talk about!*' I
answered by way of a leader, **Tell me of your last trip to Wl

QUANAH PARKER, HEAD CHIEF OF THE C0MANCHE8. 585

ington and the President's inauguration.*' He proceeded to
comply, with the request, but as this was reported in all the
papers at the time, we will omit it and refer to something of
more general interest.

The chief was easily understood, but spoke somewhat broken,
and in a manner peculiar to the Indian. We will try to give his
exact language: '*How about the President's wolf hunt in the
big prairie," we asked. **It's like this," he answered. ** Presi-
dent came along in his special car. It stopped. President stood
on platform of car, fix glasses on his nose, look all over crowd.
I standing back good way among Injuns. President see me,
motion first with one hand, then two hands, like this, but I
no go."

*'Why you no go," I asked in astonishment, **when the
President motioned for you to come?" **How I know he mean
me ? Plenty Injuns in crowd, other chiefs around. Might mean
other chiefs, so I no go at first; then he sent messenger after
me. Messenger say, * President Roosevelt want to see Chief
Quanah Parker at car.' Then I know he mean me and I follow
messenger to car through crowd; we elbow our way through
crowd like this, and this [showing me how it was done]. Presi-
dent reach out over heads of people and grip my hand, so. He
then give me big pull right up steps side him, shook my hand
may-be-so like pump handle and pat me on back with other
hand. He made a little speech and say, *this is my friend, Chief
Quanah Parker. I met him in Washington City. He friend to
white and father to red man and * titled to respect and honor of
both.'

"Then people in crowd around car shout out, 'two big chiefs,
big white chief, big red chief, both good men, and good friends,'
and they do like this [clapping his hands], long time. President
say: 'W^on't you go hunting with me in big prairie, and stay
week and show us where to find the wolves?' I went with him,
stayed five days, took tent, camping and cooking outfit, and some
of my men and my family, or some of my family ; had good time,

5?s*>

UVE8 0F FAMOUS iS'DiAN CHiEFS.

Continoiiig, 111 if ehic^f saiil: "'' Prudent Rocvercll^ him M
right 4 htm dxlfereiil from JIcKinley and Cleveland* They my
Up in the air, fstauding on their dignity, hut him down benr an
level vnth the people. Him Injons* President^ as well as whlXe
man's President. Him all kind&of mail; when he with eowtwjiw
he cowboy; wheti be vnlh Hough RiderB» be rongbest rider iif
all: when ht vriih stataitnen, he state^nnan; and wben be with
Injuns, he jast like Injun ; all same he white iDJun. We per*
nonal frieiida« I tiilk tu him and ii&e intluenee with Mm for
pardon (jeroninio* I got message for Geronijuo, but I no tdt
yon, tell him ttr»t/' **Tht'ii you will be going to Port Sill in a
few days to deliver the President's message!" I i^ntiired to
remark, Bnt the n^ply waHj *'No! no! I much heap big chief;
he eome to fiee me/^ ^^H

I told him I realized that fact and intetided to give him a
pood mention in my Indian history I wns ]tt^t i^f^iipletintr. r '^'^
asked him if he could furnish me a late photograph to enable
nie to have a good cut made for the book. He said that he and
(leronimo had some pictures taken together in Washington City,
and added, **They no come yet, may-be-so they come to-morrow,
may-be-so next week; when they come I send you one.*' The
chief kept his word, and some time afterward I got a photo-
graph from him.

It was hard to realize as I saw^ the good-natured looking
Comanche Indians loafing or trading in the stores of the enter-
prising little town of Cache, that only a few years ago some of
tliose same warriors had doubtless made night hideous with
their dreaded war-whoop, which is said to resemble the 'rah,
'rah! of the college boys.

Quanah Parker is really a great man, and a born ruler. He
seems to combine the shrewdness and stoieism of the Indian
with the intelligence and dii)Uiniacy of the white race. Ilf?
manages to conciliate that eleirn^Tit of hia tribe which batei? the
whites and doggedly opposes all innovations, while ^igorou
advocating progress.

When the lands were allotti'<l to the

QUANAH PASKER, HEAD CHIEF OF THE COMANCHES, 587

them to choose good farmiDg lands and become peacfeable, indus-
trious citizens of the United States. They took his advice and
chose lands close to those of their chief, thus forming a
Comanche settlement and village which is beautiful for situation
at the base of the picturesque Wichita Mountains, about eight-
een miles from the military post of Port Sill.

About two and one-half miles from Cache, on the south side
of one of the Wichita Mountains, stands Quanah's home, known
as the ** White House of the Comanches.*' It is quite an imposing
square, two-story frame building, with wide galleries running
entirely around it. It gleams startlingly white and tall against
the blue of the sky and the vivid green of the prairie, and pre-
sents a striking contrast to the somber gray and brown of the
mountain side, which forms a background.

Built in the days when lumber had to be hauled hundreds of
miles over rough prairie trails, it cost at least double what it
would to-day. It is said to contain thirty rooms, and is fur-
nished with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of civili-
zation. Over the organ in his parlor hangs a life-sized oil
painting of his white mother, to which the chief proudly calls
the attention of all his visitors. For many years his was the
only house on the reservation, and it became an object of wonder
to the Indians and of interest to the white visitors.

The shrewd chief is a good financier, and looks after his own
interest closely; owning large droves of cattle and at least a
hundred ponies, and controlling thousands of acres of land, the
allotments of his wives and children. To-day there are three
*' ladies of the White House," To-ah-nook, Too-pay and Too-ni-ce
(we never supposed a lady could be too nice). They have sepa-
rate apartments and each has her own sewing machine, of which
she is as proud as a small boy with a new toy.

Quanah not only belongs to the two races, but is somewhat

dual-natured. In appearance, as we have stated, he is decidedly

» Indiaii than white, and when he is with the f ullbloods, the

n leggings, gaudy blanket and eagle-plume

•* his stalwart person. But when

588

LIFES OF FAMOrS lyDIAX CHIEFS.

mingling with his white friends, be adopts the garb of civilii»» ^
tian— cutaway eoat, stiffly laundered linen and soft felt hat,

Too-ni-ee, his youngest wife, aceonipanies him on his tnji
abroad, when she, too, dresses like the white ladies at the agency/
and poses as '*Mrs. Quanah Parker/' driving with the chief in
his hand^tme tumottt behind his team of prize-^winniiig sorreb,
that even a Kecituckian might admire. U

Quanah has a large family of children^ and is giving aH af
them good edueational advantages, at the mission schools oo^
the reservation, the large school at Chiloeeo, Oklahoma, and
C« rl ifik% Pen usy 1 vaniii .

Wi* met one of his sons, Baldwin, who is a spriuthtly anif
handjiome yonth of alMHit seventeen, tlit^ day we spent at Cache^
und from him derived much of the information contained in thifl
chapter, lie has also a beautiful and accomplished daughter.
Needle Parker, whosf ^tuh sweet face resembles somewhat the
portrait of her grandmother. She also brings to mind one of
the night-eyed Castilian beauties of old Mexico, whose blood
mingles with and tinges the life-current of the Comanche Indians.

CHAPTER XVII.
A SHEAF OF GOOD INDIAN STORIES FROM HISTORY.

I. AN INDIAN STRATAGEM.

DURING the Revolutionary War, a regiment of soldiers was
stationed upon the confines of an extensive savanna in
Georgia. Its particular oflSce was to guard every avenue
of approach to the main army. The sentinels, whose posts pene-
trated into the woods, were supplied from the ranks; but they
were perpetually surprised upon their posts by the Indians and
borne off their stations, without communicating any alarm or
being heard of afterward.

One morning, the sentinels having been stationed as usual
over night, the guard went at sunrise to relieve a post which
extended a considerable distance into the wood. The sentinel
was gone. The surprise was great; but the circumstance had
occurred before. They left another man, and departed, wishing
him better luck. **You need not be afraid," said the man, with-
warmth, **I shall not desert."

The sentinels were replaced every four hours, and, at the
appointed time, the guard again marched to relieve the post.
To their inexpressible astonishment the man was gone. They
searched around the spot, but no traces of him could be found.
It was now more necessary than ever that the station should not
remain unoccupied; they left another man and returned to the
guardhouse.

The superstition of the soldiers was awakened and terror ran
through the regiment. The colonel, being apprised of the occur-
rence, signified his intention to accompany the guard when they
reliefved the sentinel they had left. At the appointed time, they
•^ together; and again, to their unutterable wonder,
589

•

A SBEAF OF GOOD INMAN STORII^S*

they found tlie post vacant, and the man gone. Uod^r
circumiitaiiees, the colonel hesitated whether he ahuttld station
a whole coinpaoy on the spot or whether he should aimiti swbmit
the post to a single sentinel, The cause of these repealed disap-
pearances of men whose courage and honesty wero nerer
peeled miiat be discovered, and it seemed not likely thai
iliseovery conld be obtainetl by pei*sistin^ in the old method.

Three brave men were now lost to the retEriment, and
assign the fourth seenMtl nothing less than giving him ttp
destrtiction. The poor fellow whose turn it was to take
station, though a man in other respects of Ineomparable
tion, trenjbled from head to foot.

**f must do my duty/' said he to the officer; **I knovr
but I should like to lose my life with more credit-" "I will
leave no man/* said the colonel, '* against his wilL" A tma
immediately stepped from the ranks and desired to tAkd the
post. Every mouth commended his resolution.

**I will not be taken alive," said he, *'and you shall hear of
me at the least aUirm. At all events. I will fire my piece if I
hear the least noise. If a crow chatters, or a leaf falls, you shall
hear my musket* You may be alarmed when nothing is the
matter; but you must take the chance as the condition of th*
discovery.*'

The colonel applauded his courage, and toUl him he would do
right to fire upon the least noise that he eould not satisfactorily
explain. His comrades shcvok hands with him, and left hioi
with a melancholy foreboding. The company marched back
and awaited the event in the jiruardhouse.

An hour had now elapseil and every ear was upon the rack
for the disehargt:^ of the musket, when, upon a sudden, the report
was heard. The guard inniiediately marched, accompanied, as
hefoi^, by the colonel and some of the nuist €*xperienced officers
of the regiment.

As they approached the post they saw the man advancing
toward them, dragging another man on the ground l>y the hair
of his head. When they came up to him, it appeared to be an

A SHEAF OF GOOD INDIAN STORIES, 593

Indian whom he had shot. An explanation was immediately
required.

''I told you, colonel/' said the man, **that I should fire if I
heard the least noise. That resolution I took has saved my life.
I had not been long at my post when I heard a rustling at some
short distance ; I looked and saw a wild hog, such as are common
in the woods, crawling along the ground, and seemingly looking
for nuts under the trees, among the leaves.

**As these animals are so very common,*! ceased to consider
it seriously, but kept my eyes fixed upon it, and marked its
progress among the trees; still there was no need to give the
alarm. It struck me, however, as somewhat singular to see this
animal making, by a circuitous passage, for a thick grove
immediately behind my post. I therefore kept my eye more con-
stantly fixed upon it, and, as it was now within a few yards of
the coppice, I hesitated whether I should fire.

**My comrades, thought I, will laugh at me for alarming
them by shooting a pig. I had almost resolved to let it alone,
when, just as it approached the thicket, I thought I observed it
give an unusual spring. I no longer hesitated; I took my aim,
discharged my piece, and the animal was immediately stretched
before me, with a groan which I thought to be that of a human
creature.

**I went up to it, and judge of my astonishment when I
found that I had killed an Indian. He had enveloped himself
with the skin of one of these wild hogs so artfully and com-
pletely, his hands and his feet were so entirely concealed in it,
and his gait and appearance were so exactly correspondent to
that of the animals, that, imperfectly as they were always seen
through the trees and bushes the disguise could not be detected
at a distance, and scarcely discovered upon the nearest inspec-
tion. He was armed with a dagger and a tomahawk.''

The cause of the disappearance of the other sentinels was
now apparent. The Indians, sheltered in this disguise, secreted
themselves in the coppice, watched for the moment to throw oflF

^*'*****n« buzst upon the sentinels without previous alarm,

LIVES OF FAMOrs INDIAN CUIEFB.

and, 1t:»o tiuiek to give th<*ni an opportiKiity to dischsrgi^ ihdr
pieeeB, either stabbed or tomahawked theiiL They then bore theif
bodies away and eoGcealcd t lie in at some distatice in the leavf^
M'hieli were thick on the g^roiind.

IL THE MOHAWK'S LAST ARBOW,

When the Grand Monarque, Louis XIV,, nded France, k
appointed one of his favorite courtiers, the Chevalier de Fron
tenac, Governor-General of New Franee, or Konnedieya,* Soim-
years after Count de Frontenae became vieeregent, the war
like Five Nations (aftem^ard six), *'The Romans of Ainerica,"
proved themselves soldiers of the highest order. This they did
not only by carrying their arms among the native tribes a
thonsand miles away, and striking their enemies alike upon th«
lakes of Maine, the mountains of Carolina and the prairies of
^fisMOuri: hut they had already bearded one European army
beneath the walls of Quebec, and shut up another for weeks
within the defenses of Montreal, with the same courage that,
half a century later, vanquished the battalions of Dieskau, upon
the banks of Lake George.

To punish the savages for their ** insolence, " and bring them
under subjection, the commander-in-chief, the veteran Gov-
ernor Frontenae, organized an expedition to invade the country
of the Five Nations, and marshaled his forces at La Chine on
July 4, 1696. The aged chevalier was said to have other objects
in view besides the political motives for the expedition.

It seems that many years previous, when the Five Nations
had invested the capital of New France and threatened the
extermination of that thriving colony, a beautiful half-blood
girl, whose education had been commenced under the immediate
auspices of the Governor-General, and in whom, indeed, M. de
Frontenae was said to have a parental interest, was carried oflf,
with other prisoners, by the retir inu' foe. Every effort had been
made in vain during the occasional cessations of hostilities

♦Since corrupted into Canada. " Beaut) ful Water,

amber-like color of many of its streams.

[frobably to faAHl frdm ll^^

LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS. 595

between the French and the Iroquois, to recover this girl; and
though, in the years that intervened, some wandering Jesuit
from time to time averred that he had seen the Christian cap-
tive living as the contented wife of a young Mohawk warrior,
yet the old nobleman seems never to have despaired of reclaim-
ing his ** nut-brown daughter." Indeed the chevalier must have
been impelled by some such hope when, at the age of seventy,
and so feeble that he was half the time carried in a litter, he ven-
tured to encounter the perils of an American wilderness and
place himself at the head of the heterogeneous bands which now
invaded the country of the Five Nations, under his command.
Among the half-breed spies, border scouts and mongrel
adventurers that followed in the train of the invading army
was a renegade Fleming of the name of Hanyost. This man in
early youth had been made a sergeant-major, when he deserted
to the French ranks in Flanders. He had subsequently taken
up a military grant in Canada, sold it after emigrating, and
then, making his way down to the Dutch settlements on the
Hudson, had become a sojourner among their old allies, the
Mohawks, and adopted the life of a hunter. Hanyost, hearing
that his old friends, the French, were making such a formidable
descent, did not hesitate to desert his more recent acquaintances
and offer his services as a guide to Count Frontenac the
moment he entered the hostile country. It was not, however,
mere cupidity or the habitual love of treachery which actuated
the base Fleming in this instance. Hanyost, in a difficulty with
an Indian trapper, which had been referred for arbitrament to
a young Mohawk chief, Kiodago (a settler of disputes), whose
cool courage and firinness fully entitled him to so dis-
tinguished a name, conceived himself aggrieved by the award
which had been given against him. The scorn with which the
arbitrator met his charge of unfairness stung him to the soul,
and fearing the arm of the powerful savage, he had nursed the
revenge in secret, whose accomplishment seemed now at hand.
•ant of the hostile force which had entered his
Mb, his band at a fishing station, or summer

506

LtFjLs or Fjkuovs ixniAK caiEra.

caoip, among the wild MIK aod when Hanyoftt informei] tkt
eommander of the French forces that bj surprising tlim pmstj
Mm loD^'lost da lighter, the wife of Kiodago, migltt be ooee mtft
given to his arms, a small but effieieot force wnn liKitatitif
detached from the main body of the army to strike the blow. A
doKen mii&keteera. with twenty-five pikemen, led severally by tie
Baron de Bekaoeourt and the Chevalier de Oraia, tbe former
having the chief command of the expedition^ were aecil upm
this duty, with Hanyneit to uniide them to the nllaee of KiodagD.
Many houm were con^imefj upon thc« march, as the moldiera were
not yet habituated to the wildeme$«.s; hot just beforf* dawn o&
tlie second day the party found tliemsehes in the neighborhood
of the Indian viUage^

The place was wrapped in repose, and the two eavaUeft
trnntefl that the mirprise would be so complete that their com*
mander's daughter must certainly be taken* The baron, a&er
a eareful examination of the hilly passes, determined to head
the onslaught, while his companion in arms, with Hanyost to
mark out his prey, should pounce upon the chieftain's wife.
This being arranged, their followers were warned not to injure
the female captives while cutting their defenders to pieces, and
then, a moment being allowed for each man to take a last look
at the condition of his arms, they were led to tbe attack.

The inhabitants of the fated village, secure in their isolated
situation, aloof from the war-parties of that wild district, had
neglected all precaution against surprise, and were buried in
sleep when the whizzing of a grenade, that terrible but super-
seded engine of destruction, roused them from their slumbers.
The missile, to which a direction had been given that carried it
in a direct line through the main row of wigwams which formed
the little street, went crashing among their frail frames of
basket-work, and kindled the dry mats stretched over them into
instant flames. And then, as the startled warriors leaped, all
naked and unarmed, from their blazing lodges, the French
pikemen, waiting only for a volley itum Uir triu^k^z-K-^ft^, loi-
lowed it up with a charge still more fatat The wretcbed_

LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS. 597

savages were slaughtered like sheep in the shambles. Some,
overwhelmed with dismay, sank unresisting upon the ground,
and covering up their heads, after the Indian fashion when
resigned to death, awaited the fatal stroke without a murmur;
others, seized with a less benumbing panic, sought safety in
flight, and rushed upon the pikes that lined the forest paths
around them.

Many there were, however, who, schooled to scenes as dread-
ful, acquitted themselves like warriors. Snatching their weapons
from the greedy flames, they sprang with irresistible fury upon
the bristling files of pikemen. Their heavy war-clubs beat down
and splintered the fragile spears of the Europeans, whose cors-
lets, ruddy with the reflected fires amid which they fought,
glinted back still brighter sparks from the hatchets of flint
which crashed against them. The fierce veterans pealed the
charging cry of many a well-fought field in other climes; but
wild and high, the Indian war-whoop rose shrill above the din
of conflict, until the hovering raven in mid air caught up and
answered that discordant shriek.

De Grais, in the meantime, surveyed the scene of action
with eager intentness, expecting each moment to see the paler
features of the Christian captive among the dusky females, who
ever and anon sprang shrieking from the blazing lodges, and
were instantly hurled backward into the flames by fathers and
brothers, who even thus would save them from the hands that
vainly essayed to grasp their distracted forms. The Mohawks
began now to wage a more successful resistance, and just when
the fight was raging hottest, and the high-spirited Frenchman,
beginning to despair of his prey, was about launching into the
midst of it, he saw a tall warrior who had hitherto been forward
in the conflict, disengage himself from the mclcc, and wheeling
suddenly upon a soldier, who had likewise separated from his
party, brain him with a tomahawk before he could make a move-
ment in his defense. The quick eye of the young chevalier, too,
caught a glance of another figure, in pursuit of whom, as she
[ with an infant in her arms, from a lodge on the further

Lll^ES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

side of the v^illage, the luckless Frenehman had met his dmuL
It wan the Christian captive, the wife of KiodHgo, beneath frhiis^
hand he had fallen. iTie ehief now stood over the body of his
vietini, brandishing ii war-dub wliieh he had snatched from i
dyin^ Indian near Qtik'k as thought, De Grais leveled a
pistol at his head, when the track of the fiyitipr girl brought
her directly in his line *jf Ni^ht, and he withheld his firc
Kiodaj^o, in the meantime, had been cut off from the rei*t of hii
peo|>le by the mildiers, who elojietl in n|>on the space which his
terrible arm had a moment before kept open. A cry of agony
eseapcd the liiphRouled savage, as he saw how thus the last
hope was lost. lie made a gesture as if about to a^ain rush into
the fray, and sacrifiee his life with his tribesmen ; and then per-
ceiving how futile must be the act, he turned on his heel, and
bounded after !iis retreating wife, with arms outstretched to
shield her from the droppin'^ shots of tfir* onf^Tny.

The rising sun had now lighted up the scene, but all this
passed so instantaneously that it was impossible for De Grais
to keep his eye upon the fugitives amid the shifting forms that
glanced continually before him; and when, accompanied by
Ilanyost and seven others, he had got fairly in pursuit, Kiodago,
who still kept behind his wife, was far in advance of the chev-
alier and his party. Her forest training had made the Christian
captive as fleet of foot as an Indian maiden. She heard, too,
the cheering voice of her loved warrior behind her, and pressing
her infant to her heart, she urged her flight over crag and fell
and soon reached the head of a rocky pass, which it would take
some moments for any but an American forester to scale. But
the indefatigable Frenchmen are urging their way np the steep;
the cry of pursuit grows nearer as they catch a sight of her
husband through the thickets, and the agonized wife finds her
onward progress prevented by a ledge of rock that impends
above her. But now again Kiodago is by her side; he has lifteit
his wife to the clift' above, and placed her infant in her arms;
and already the Indian mother is speeding on to a eavern amons
the hills, well known as a fastness of safety.

LIVL'S OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS. 599

Kiodago looked a moment after her retreating figure, and
then coolly swung himself to the ledge which commanded the
pass. He might now easily escape his pursuers; but as he
stepped back from the edge of the cliflf and looked down the
narrow ravine, the vengeful spirit of the red man was too
strong within him to allow such an opportunity of striking a
blow to escape. His tomahawk and war-club had both been
lost in the strife, but he still carried at his back a more efficient
weapon in the hands of so keen a hunter. There were but three
arrows in his quiver, and the Mohawk was determined to have
the life of an enemy in exchange for each of them. His bow
was strung quickly, but with as much coolness as if there was no
exigency to require haste. Yet he had scarcely time to throw
himself upon his breast, a few yards from the brink of the
declivity, before one of his pursuers, more active than the rest,
exposed himself to the unerring archer. He came leaping from
rock to rock, and had nearly reached the head of the glen, when,
pierced through and through by one of Kiodago 's arrows, he
toppled from the crags, and rolled, clutching the leaves in his
death agony, among the tangled furze below. A second met a
similar fate, and a third victim would probably have been added,
if a shot from the fusil of Hanyost, who sprang forward and
caught sight of the Indian just as the first man fell, had not
disabled the thumbjoint of the bold archer, even as he fixed
his last arrow in the string. Resistance seemed now at an end,
and Kiodago again betook himself to flight. Yet anxious to
divert the pursuit from his wife, the young chieftain pealed a
yell of defiance, as he retreated in a diflFerent direction from that
which she had taken. The whoop was answered by a simul-
taneous shout and rush on the part of the whites ; but the Indian
had not advanced far before he perceived that the pursuing
party, now reduced to six, had divided, and that three only
followed him. He had recognized the scout, Hanyost, among his
enemies, and it was now apparent that that wily traitor, instead
of being misled by his ruse, had guided the other three upon
the direct trail to the cavern which the Christian captive had

600

Lll'ES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CETBFB,

takeiL Quick an thought, the Ihlahawk acted upofi tlie tiii|i
81 an. Makitif^ ^ few steps within a thieket» still to niisleail \m
premnt pursuem, he bounded across a moimtain torrent, and
then leavinji his foat-marks dashed in the yielding hank, h<*
tuTOi'd shortly oo a rock beyond, recrossed the stream, and coo
eealed himself behind a falling tree; while his pursuers pas«^l
wjlhin a few paces of his covert.

A broken hillock now only divided the chief from the p<iiil
to which be had directed his wife by another route, ami to whlfl
the remaining party^ consisting of De Graia, IlEnymt and
French mimketeer, were hotly iirinuir their way. The hnnt€
warrior ^rronnd Ihm teeth with rage when he heard the voice
the treaeheruuH Fleniin^ in the glen bt*low him; and springii
from crag to crag, he circled the rocky knoll, and planted
foot by the roots of a bla»itcd oak. that shot itii Hmha above
cavern^ just as hia wife had reached the spot, and pressing
babe to her bosom, 8ank exlmiistet] ainoiij^^ the tlow^ers Uiat wave<!
in the moist breath of the cave. It chanced that at that ver>'
instant, De Grais and his followers had paused beneath the oppo-
site side of the knoll, from whose broken surface the foot of the
flying Indian had diseni^^aired a stone, wliieh eraekling among the
branches, found its way through a slight ravine into the glen
below% The two Frenchmen stood in doubt for a moment. The
musketeer, pointing in the direction wlience the stone had rolleil,
turned to receive the order of his officer. The chevalier, who
had made one step in advance of a broad rock between them,
leaned upon it, pistol in hand, half turning toward his followers
while the seout, who stooil furthest out from the steep bank^
bending forward to discover the mouth of the cave, must have
caught a glimpse of the sinking female, just as the shadowy
form of her husband was disi>layed above her. God help thee
now, bold archer I thy tjuiver is empty: thy game of life is nearly
up; the sleuth-hound is upoo thee; and thy scalp-loek, whose
plumes now^ flutter in the breeze, will soon be twined in iiJk

fin ire rs of the vengeful renegade. Thy
noble savage has still one arrow left !

w4fe— But hold! the

A SHEAF OF GOOD INDIAN ST0BIE8, 603

Disabled, as he thought himself, the Mohawk had not dropped
his bow in his flight. His last arrow was still gripped in his
bleeding fingers; and though his stiffening thumb forbore the
use of it to the best advantage, the hand of Kiodago had not
lost its power.* The crisis which it takes so long to describe
had been realized by him in an instant. He saw how the French-
men, inexperienced in woodcraft, were at fault; ho saw, too,
that the keen eye of Ilanyast had caught sight of the object of
their pursuit, and that further flight was hopeless, while the
scene of his burning -village in the distance inflamed him with
hate and fury toward the instrument of his misfortunes. Brac-
ing one knee upon the flinty rock, while the muscles of the other
swelled as if the whole energies of his body were collected in
that single effort, Kiodago aims at the treacherous scout, and the
twanging bowstring dismisses his last arrow upon its errand.
The hand of the Spirit could alone have guided that shaft ! But
Waneyo smiles upon the brave warrior, and the arrow, while it
rattles harmless against the cuirass of the French officer, glances
toward the victim for whom it was intended, and quivers in the
heart of Ilanyost! The dying wretch grasped the sword-chain
of the chevalier, whose corslet clanged among the rocks, as the
two went rolling down the glen together; and De Grais was not
unwilling to abandon the pursuit when the musketeer, coming
to his assistance, had disengaged him, bruised and bloody, from
the embrace of the stifl^ening corpse.

What more is there to add. The bewildered Europeans
rejoined their comrades, who were soon after on their march
from the scene they had desolated; while Kiodago descended
from his eyrie to collect the fugitive survivors of his band, and,
after burying the slain, to wreak a terrible vengeance upon their
murderers; the most of whom were cut oflf by him before they
joined the main body of the French army. The Count de Fron-
tenac, returning to Canada, died soon afterward, and the exist-
ence of his half-blood daughter was soon forgotten. And—
though among the dozen old families in the State of New York

*The Eni^lish mode of holding the arrow, as represented in the plate, is not common
a-nong our aborigines, who use the thumb for a purchase.

604 LIVKB OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS,

who have Indiao blood in tlieir veinii, many trace their
from the offspring of the noble Kiodago and his Cbristlan wife-
yet the band of genius, as displayed iti the admirable picttire of
Chapman, which we reproduce, has aloue rescued from oblivim
the UiriUing scene of the Mohawk's LAST ARROW!

IIL AUDUBON *S NIGHT OF PEBIU

**0n my return from the upper Mississippi," said John J.
Audubon, the celebrated ornithologist, '*! fouFKi mj'self oblip^d
to cross one of the wide prairies which, in that portion of thi*
United States^ vary the appetiranee of the country. The weatbcr
was fine; all around me was as fresh and bh>oming as if it h«d
just issued from the bosom of Nature. Jly knapsaek, my gun
and ray do^ were all I had for baggage and company, Th^
track that I follo\\ed was an old Indian trail, and as darkneiss
overshadowed the prairie, I felt some desire to reach at least
a eopse in which I mi^ht lie down to rest. The night-hawks
were skimming over and around me, attracted by the buzzing
wino^s of the beetles, which form their food, and the distant
howling of wolves pave me some hope that I should soon arrive
at the skirts of some woodland.

**I did so; and almost at the same instant a fire-light
attracted my attention. I moved toward it, full of confidence
that it proceeded from the camp of some wandering Indians. I
was mistaken. I discovered by its glare that it was from the
open door of a small log cabin, and that a tall figure passed
and repassed between it and me, as if busily engaged in house-
hold affairs.

*'I reached the place, and presenting myself at the door,
asked the tall figure, which proved to be a woman, if I might
take shelter under her roof for the night. Her voice was gruff
and her attire negiigently thrown about her. She answered
in the affirmative. I walked in, took a stool and quietly seated
myself by the fire.

*'The next object that attracted my attention was a finely
formed young Indian resting his head between his hands, with

A SHEAF OF GOOD INDIAN STORIES. 605

his elbows on his knees. A long bow rested against a log wall
near him, while a quantity of arrows and two or three raccoon
skins lay at his feet. lie moved not— he apparently breathed
not.

* * Accustomed to the habits of the Indians, and knowing that
they pay little attention to the approach of civilized strangers
(a circumstance which in some countries is considered to evince
the apathy of their character), I addressed him in French, a
language not unfrequently partially known to the people in that
neighborhood.

*'He raised his head, pointed to one of his eyes with his
finger, and gave me a significant look with the other. His face
was covered with blood. The fact was that about an hour or
so before this, as he was in the act of discharging an arrow at
a raccoon in the top of a tree, the arrow had split upon the
cord and sprung back with such violence into his right eye
as to destroy it forever.

''Feeling hungry, I inquired what sort of fare I might
expect. Such a thing as a bed was not to be seen, but many
large untanned bear and buffalo hides lay piled up in a corner.
I drew a fine timepiece from my breast and told the woman
that it was late and that I was fatigued. She had espied my
watch, the richness and beauty of which seemed to operate upon
her feelings with electrical quickness. She told me {hat there
was plenty of venison and jerked buffalo meat, and that on
removing the ashes I should find a cake. But my watch had
struck her fancy, and her curiosity had to be gratified by an
immediate sight of it. I took off the gold chain that secured
it from around my neck and handed it to her. She was all
ecstasy, spoke of its beauty, asked me its value and put my
chain around her brawny neck, saying how happy the posses-
sion of such a watch would make her.

''Thoughtless, and, as I fancied myself in so retired a spot
secure, I paid little attention to her talk or her movements.
I helped my dog to a good supper of venison, and was not long
in satisfying the demands of my own appetite.

LI FES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CRISFB.

**The Indian rose from his seat as if in extreme snSe
He passed and repassed me several times, and enee pioi^ed mr
OH the arm so violently that the pain nearly brought forth la
exckniation of anger, I looked at him; his eye met mine, Iwi
his look was so forbidding that it struck a ebiil to to tbe flKut
nervous part of my sj'stem, lie again leatad binsself, diw lof
biitcber's knife from its greasy scabbard, ejtmnined its ed|gf m
I would do tliat of a razor su^pc^eted dull, rcplaeed it, and a^m
taking his tomahawk from his belt, filled the pipt? of it wt4
tobaec?o, and sent me cxpre»i;ive glances whenever tior boSttB
ehaneed to Imve her hack toward lis,

'^Xever until Ihat niotuent had my senses been awakeximl lit
the danger which I now anapeeted to be about me. I returned
glance for glance to my companion, and rested well a;ssurpcl
that whatever enemies I might have, he was not one of tln-tr
numl)er, I asked the woman for my watch^ wound it up, aitd
under pretense of wishing to see how the weather might prob-
ably be on the morrow, took up my gun and walked out of the
cabin. I slipped a ball into each barrel, scraped the edges of
my flints, renewed the primings, and returning to the hut, gave
a favorable account of my observations. I now took a few
bearskins, made a pallet of them, and calling my faithful dog
to my side, lay down, with my gun close to my body, and in a
few minutes was to all appearances fast asleep.

*'A short time had elapsed when some voices were heard, and
from the corner of my eyes I saw two athletic youths making
their entrance, bearing a dead stag on a pole. They disposed of
their burden, and asking for whisky, helped themselves freely to
it. Observing me and the wounded Indian, they asked who I
was, and why that rascal (meaning the Indian, who, they knew,
understood not a word of English) was in the house. The
mother— for so she proved to be— bade them speak less loudly,
made mention of my watch, and took them to a comer, where
a convei-sation took place in a low tone, the purport of which
it required little shrewdness in me to guess. I tapped my dog
gently; he moved his tail, and with indescribable pleasure I

A SHEAF OF GOOD INDIAN STORIES. 607

saw his fine eyes alternately fixed on me, and raised toward the
trio in the comer. I felt that he perceived danger in my situa-
tion. The Indian exchanged a last glance with me.

**The lads had eaten and drunk themselves into such condi-
tion that I already looked upon them as Jwrs de combat, and the
frequent visits of the whisky bottle to the ugly mouth of their
dam I hoped would soon reduce her to a like state. Judge of my
astonishment, reader, when I saw this incarnate fiend take a
large butcher's knife and go to the grindstone to whet its edge.
I saw her pour the water on the turning stone, and watched
her working away with the dangerous instrument until the
cold sweat covered every part of my body, despite my determina-
tion to defend myself to the last. Her task finished, she walked
to her reeling sons and said, 'There, that'll soon settle him.
Boys, you kill the Indian and then for the watch !'

**I turned, cocked my gunlocks silently, touched my faithful
companion, and lay ready to start up and shoot the first that
might attempt my life. The moment was fast approaching, and
that night might have been my last in this world, had not
Providence made preparations for my rescue. All was ready;
the infernal hag was advancing slowly, probably contemplating
the best way of despatching me whilst her sons should be
engaged with the Indian. I was several times on the eve of
rising and shooting her on the spot ; but she was not to be pun-
ished thus. The door was suddenly opened, and there entered
two stout travelers, each with a long rifle on his shoulder. I
bounced upon my feet, and making them most heartily wel-
come, told them how well it was for me that they should have
arrived at that moment. The tale was told in a minute. The
drunken young men were secured, and the woman, in spite of h
defense and vociferations, shared the samie fate. The Ind:
fairly danced with joy, and gave us to understand that as
could not sleep for pain, he would watch over us. You ni
suppose we slept much less than we talked.

**The two strangers gave me an account of their once h
been themselves in a somewhat similar situation. Da^

LJVm OF FAMOUS INIHAN CUSEFS.

fair and rosy^ and with it the punishrritmt of our cuptives.
were quite sol)ei*e<i. Their feet were unbownd, but their annf
were «till securely tied. We marched them into the woocb 0I
the road* and havin^r tlispose*! of them as regulators were wotrt
to trejU such wreteht»», we set fire to the cabin, gave all their
skins and implements to the young Indian warrior and pro-
eeetled, well pleasied* toward the settlements. ■

** During upvvard of twenty-five veal's, when my wauderings
e^ttended to all parts of our eijuntry, this was the only lime
at which my life was in danger from my ftdlow-creaturis.
fndeed, so little risk do travelers run in the United Btates that
nil out* born there ever dreams of any to be encountered on the
rood ; and I ean only aeeount for the oeeurrenee by Mupposi:
that the inhabitants of the cabin were not Americans/*

IV, AN HUUa OF TERBQR, AND MIDNIGHT FEAST

The following story, though somewhat similar to the fore-
going, had a very different termination:

The year 1812 was one of anxiety and alarm to the frontier
settlers of our eountry, for the Indians, incited by British emis-
saries, were sullen, and in many portions of the Ohio Valley
and on the Canadian border openly hostile to the Americans.

Three families dwellinir in a little settlement on the banks of
a small stream which emptied into Lake Erie had refrained in
every way possible from giving offense to their Indian neighbors,
the Miamis of the Lake, whose nearest village was thirty miles
distant. However, to be safe, they built a block-house sur-
rounded by a tall stockade, and always had their guns and other
weapons ready for use.

One dark niu:ht, Elinor Spicer, who lived in one of these
isolated cabins, heard some one call in front of his house. It
was late, and Spicer 's family, with the exception of himself
and wife, had retired. Seizing his rifle, Elinor, in spite of his
wife's entreaty that he should pay no attention to the hail,
opened the door and stepped outside.

A large Indian, mounted on a big raw-boned gray horse, with

A SHEAF OF GOOD INDIAN STORIES, 609

a deer across the withers, and a rifle in each hand, confronted
the settler.

'*WTiat do you want?'' the white man asked. The Indian
replied in the Wyandotte tonfarue, a language perfectly unintel-
ligible to Spicer.

** Speak English! Speak English!" shouted Spicer, **or as
sure as a gun is iron I will draw a bead on you."

The Indian was not alarmed by this threat, since he under-
stood not one word of it. But he knew three English words,
and now used them to good purpose. Pointing to the cabin, he
exclaimed, ** Injun tired, cold, sleepy," and Minor understood
at once that he desired a night's lodging.

Now, among the frontiersmen, hospitality was universal.
The latchstring literally hung on the outside. No matter how
humble the guest, and whether friend or foe, shelter was never
denied, and even the last crust would be divided with the
stranger. In the 'present instance the request was promptly
granted, Spicer showing the Indian where to put his horse, and
then, it must be confessed with inward misgivings, leading the
way into the house, the Indian bringing in his venison.

The good woman fairly trembled with terror as she looked
upon the towering form and forbidding face of their savage
guest, as he hung up his venison with an air of proprietorship;
after which he placed his guns and tomahawk in a corner of the
back room which served as kitchen.

With his scalping-knife the Indian now cut a large piece
from the venison and intimated by signs that he was hungry
and desired Mi*s. Spicer to cook it for him. Airs. Spicer com-
plied with the request, her husband standing near, his rifle
always within reach, watching every movement of the sullen-
faced guest, regretting more and more that he had permitted
him to enter. He consoled himself with the thought that had
he refused he would have incurred his undying hatred, and
resolved, while seemingly at ease, to be on the alert for treachery,
and repay it with death.

The wife broiled the meat upon the coals, seasoned it well

T'-,

H*"!

A SHEAF OF GOOD INDIAN ST0EIE8. 613

''Shall I shoot him in his tracks?'* thought Spicer, whose
hand was now upon his gun. **No, I can't shoot a man in my
own house whose back is toward me, but if he draws the bolt of
the outside door, or makes a motion to attack us, he will find me
ready. ' '

By this time the savage had reached the corner, and stood
silently listening to see if he had awakened any one. Satisfied
that he had not, he took up his glittering scalping-knife. Mrs.
Spicer shuddered as he passed his fingers across the edge of
the blade to assure himself of its keenness. Already she seemed
to feel the cold steel upon her naked flesh. She touched her hus-
band 's hand as if to urge him to shoot. He gave her hand a
reassuring pressure, and grasped his gun, awaiting the Indian's
onslaught.

The savage, however, seemed in no haste, and instead of
turning toward the door of the cabin, or the room in which
Spicer and his wife lay, he quietly stole toward the opposite
corner of the room. Surprised and puzzled, Spicer and his
wife watched the Indian's mysterious movements, which in
another minute explained themselves.

Reaching the corner where the venison hung, he took it down,
and laying it upon the floor, deftly cut off a piece weighing a
pound or two, and then made his way back to the fire and placed
it on the embers. Carefully wiping his seal ping-knife and
placing it again with his weapons, he sat down before the fire,
watching his meat cook, and, when it was done to his satisfac-
tion, he devoured it with much apparent relish, and lay down
again and was soon sleeping the sleep of the weary.

Indians as a rule (especially those around the great fresh-
water lakes) dislike salt and pepper, and Mrs. Spicer had so
seasoned the venison she cooked for her guest that it was
unpalatable, and with innate delicacy he attempted to conceal
the fact that it was not done to his liking by slipping it into
his pouch. Both Spicer and his wife knew in an instant that
this was the case, when the Indian, unconscious how near his
dislike for pepper and salt had brought him to death, sat down

fil I LIVES OF FAMQVS iXiJlAN CHtfSFS.

ta watch his venisiin liroiL Their uiindH at ease, they too,
»oaii peacefulJy sleeping.

Afterward, when iht* Indian^ who came sei^on after seaspn
to visit Spicer and his family* learned enouerh Ert^Ufib to
speak quite well, he told them that upon the occasion of his
first visit to their eabin he had lost his trail, and had been
^ided to their door by the ligrht from the window. He had
left his father, w^ho was too tired to travel farther, in an
abandoned hiinting-hiit they found in the woods, and had gives
him his blanket. The other rifle was his father's, and the neit
morning he went baek to him, and the two found their trail and
went onward to their village.

Every spring and autumn the Indian, w^ho called binBelf
'*Heno/' which is the Wyandot for *' Thunder," used to call
at the cabin of the Bpicer's with gifts of game and skins, and
when the settler upon one of these \isits, told him of the hour
of terror he spent watching his movements the first night of
their acquaintance, Heno, w^ho was a merry fellow in spite of
his looks, chuckled softly to himself, the humor of the situation
evidently striking him forcibly.

Heno became very fond of the Spicer children, and upon
his visits to their home they w^ould importune their father to
tell again the tale of Heno's midnight raid upon his venison, the
Indian accompanying the narrator with expressive pantomime,
which much delighted himself and his auditors^

V. STORY OF AN HONEST INDIAN.

The inhabitants along the north shore of Lake Superior are
nearly all Indians, who are largely dependent upon the fisheries
for their living; when these fail or are good, so is their general
condition. It has been my good fortune, writes Stanley Du
Bois, to spend many summers there.

^ly custom is to get a large mackinac boat, the white man's
improvement on the birchbark canoe, to put into it my tent,
stores, camping and other equipment, and, together with a
couple of Indians, to sail along the north shore of the great

A SHEAF OF GOOD INDIAN ST0BIE8. 615

lake, usually making a new camp every night, not bound by any
hard and fast rule to do so ; staying longer if it is agreeable or
too stormy to make sailing safe or pleasant. Sometimes I have
to anchor and ride out a heavy swell, for there are hundreds
of miles of shore line where the rocky cliffs come down to the
water's edge, and if there is any surf there is no such thing as
landing from a boat. One evening, having made a landing,
pitched the tent, and had a good supper, while sitting alone, the
Indians busy about the boat hauled up on the narrow beach, a
huge dog came stalking up to me. He was in a pitiable condi-
tion. Evidently he had been in a fight with a bear or lynx, or
some other fierce, powerful creature, for nearly half his scalp
had been torn loose from his skull and hung down over his face,
completely blinding one eye. At first I was uncertain how to
act, but I soon saw that he meant no harm, really in dog lan-
guage he very plainly gave me to understand that he looked
to me for relief. Going into the tent I got a needle and thread,
and together we went down to the water's edge, where I washed
the dirt and vermin out of the great wound, and tWn placing
the skin back where it belonged sewed it up. The Indians
pricked a quantity of balsam blisters, and after smearing that
plentifully over the edges of the wound, we gave the dog his
supper. During the night he disappeared.

The Indians and myself finished the season according to our
pleasure, and the incident of the dog was fast becoming a fading
memory. Two years later, with these same two Indians, I was
again sailing along the north shore of Lake Superior. Seeing
a little wooden pier put out into the water we headed for it.
As soon as we came near, some twenty-five or thirty half-wild,
savage dogs stormed out on the pier and threatened to eat us
alive. An elderly Indian came down from the shore, and with
a stout club beat them mercilessly and drove them to the shore ;
all except one, who, changing his bark of anger and defiance to
yelps of delight, fawned and whined on me most unaccountably,
and despite blows and commands refused to leave.

**Now I know who fix my dog; come to my house, I too wish

UrES OF FAMOUS IN DUX CHISWS.

tu thank you as well as my dog," That was the greeting I
received, aDd the first I had heard of the miitilated dog of twc
ye»ars previous*

The hoiifte was a log hut of one rooiu only on the gromitl
floor, with a low, dark loft above; no luxuries and few com-
forts anywhere. His wife busied herself to get im something t^
mt\ it didn't take lon^, and when dinner was called we sal
down to the table. Reverently bowing their headsi he asked
God 8 blessing on what wa» beft>re uh, a broiled wliitetisli and
a bucket of water, that was all, for the seasoir^i Hslung so fur
had been a failure. The man and children could speak fairly
giKjd Ensflish, his wife could not speak it at alL After our
nteal I gave him a little ba^ of amoking tobaeeo. It wasithe
fir«t he had used for several months, and you can hardly tmum
how happy he was. Moved by its influence and of gratitude
for my f'?tro tf> hT*^^ f^n^r, hv fold tnr n ^tninL'i' f^xpf^rii^Ti* **v:*
had come into his life. I have taken the liberty of altering his
broken English and idioms into plain talk, but the facts are
just as he told me that beautiful summer day, with the hum
of the wind through the great pine trees over and back of his
home, and the wash of the waves on the rocky shore in front.
But for the little group around that home it was a grand soli-
tude for hundreds of miles in every direction. This is his
story :

**Some thirty years ago there came to my cabin a youn?
Englishman, not a hunter or a fisherman, but one who would
sit for hours at a time on that old bent tree yonder, and make
the strangest and sweetest music I ever heard. I never saw an
instrument like his. lie made me forget myself, and sometimes
when he would play I would cry just like a dog. Then he
would put that aside and go off into the woods alone, taking
with him a stranger and even more curious instrument. Wliat
he was trying to do I do not know, but he looked into it, and
then made marks in a book. I said he went alone, but that is
hardly true; no white man went with him, only one of my
little boys. They are men grown now, and have families of

A SHEAF OF GOOD INDIAN STORIES. 617

their own. One day a sailboat came to my little pier, and a
gentleman called out, * Hello Baker! you must go back with me
right away,' and after a few minutes' talk he called out to me,
'I am going away, but will be back again. Keep what is mine
till I return,' and they sailed away.

**That was more than thirty years ago, and he has not
returned yet. If you care to see what he left with me I will
show it to you."

We went back into the cabin, and his wife climbed into the
loft overhead and passed down a violin case, a theodolite, and a
small, silver-trimmed leather grip. Opening the case he took
out as fine a violin as it has ever been my pleasure to handle.
There was no name of maker or owner on it. The strings were
loose, but after tuning it up as best T could after so long a time
out of use, I found it had a marvelously pure, sweet, strong
tone. The theodolite was of London make, and had seen much
hard usage, but was in good condition. Opening the grip, which
was not locked, we took out and laid on the table a surveyor's
memorandum book, a few pencils, a silver telescopic penholder
with a gold pen in its end. and an intaglio seal cut in a red
stone in the other end, the letter B, some postage stamps, some
sheets of paper and envelopes, and a small copy of Shakespeare's
plays. Turning to the fly leaf of the book I read the name in
pencil, **S. Baker."

*'This is not all," said the Indian to his wife, and she went
up to the loft again and brought down a canvas bag. It would
have held about a quart. Unt.>nng the string which closed it
he turned the contents out on the table, gold and silver coins.
We counted it. Sixty-two sovereigns and a few small pieces of
silver, all English money.

To say that I was amazed but mildly expressed my thoughts
at the time. Here was an Indian family, poor as poverty, yet
with over three hundred dollars in gold for years in their cabin,
and knowing its purchasing power perfectly well all the time. I
asked him why he did not use it to buy necessities at such a
time as this. He gave me a look of mingled sorrow and wonder

LIVES OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.

that I would so much m suggest isueli a tiling, and said that these
lhtni3 were left with him for safe keeping, and that he wmiM
sooner starve than betray his trtist. They were starring then,
and it was not the first time so either. I tried to persuade him
to u»e it^ but he said '*No,*' and put it all hack into the bag,
and everything belonging to the young stranger was taken ap
and put away in the loft*

The next day I went away. ^ly summer trip« took me
where for several years, but this past sumnier I was back to the
north shore of Lake Superior again. Having a mind to look up
my old Fodian friend, I went to the plaee where we bad parted
OOmpiiny. but the little pier was wholly gone. We made a land-
itig and soon eame upon the niiris of the house. The roof bail
fallen in and the walls were partly rotted down. The little
garden patch was a tangle of briers and weeds ; desolation
rei gn ed h vp r \' w h *^ rv ,

A couple of days later, still sailing along the shore, we came
in sight of a long, strong, handsome pier, with a tall flagstaff on
its outer end. Back of it, about a hundred yards up the shore,
was a tiny Indian village of maybe two hundred souls. Landing
at the dock, a handsome young man greeted me and trailed me
by name. He was a grandson of my old Indian friend. T
immediately asked him of his grandfather.

**Come and see where we have laid him," was his answer;
and taking me by the hand he led me to a beautiful little
grassy plot, surrounded with a neat white paling fence. There,
beside the wife of his youth, who had shared with him his
privations, his joys and his sorrows, there his children had
reverently laid him away.

We then went to the home of the young Indian. He had a
neat story-and-a-half house, nearly covered with trailing vines.

was well furnished, a cabinet organ, a sewing machine, some
)ks and pictures, a gasoline stove, carpets, curtains and other
furniture of civil iscation. He was a prosperous lumberman, and
full-blooded Indian.

asked him regarding the violin, theodolite, books, money,

A SHBAF OF GOOD WDIAS STORIES.

619

etc. The money had been used after his jyrand father's death,
the other articles he has in his possession now.

Going back as well as w*e could we came to the conclusion
that tbey originally belonged to the man who afterward became
Sir Samuel Baker, but we could not be certain. Of this w^e
are sure, that the keeping of the money and other valuables
1|K» many years was a rare example of fidelity. And the strangest
part of it all is, that my knowledge of it, and yours^ should
come about through kindness to a dog in distress. I have had
considerable experience with Indians, from the far North of
our land to South America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Times without uinuber have I trusted my person and valuables
to them, and in not a single instance was the confidence mis-
placed.

VL ''GO!*' A STORY OF RED CLOUa

The new El Dorado was in sight, writes Calkins, Gordon a
party of twelve tired frontiersmen had mounted the high divide
which separates the sources of the Running Water from those
of the Cheyenne. For five weeks the men had shoveled drifts,
buffeted blizzards and kept a constant vigil among the intermin-
able sand-hills. By means, too, of stable canvas, shovels, axes,
iron picket-pins and a modicum of dry feed, they had kept in
good condition the splendid eight-mule team which drew their
big freighter.

In fact '* Gordon 'a outfit*' was a model one in every respect,
and probably no similar body of men ever faced our snow*bound,
trackless plains, better equipped for the adventure. And now
the muffled marchers eheered as *'Cap'' Gordon halted them
and pointed to a blurred and inky upheaval upon the far rim of
a limitless waste of white. The famous Black Hills, a veritable
wonderland, unseen hitherto by any party of whites save the
men of Cluster s expedition, lay before them.

Two more days and tlie gold-seekers would gain the shelter
of those pine-covered hills, where their merry axes would **eat
chips** until shelter, comfort and safety from attack were

t lu

.4"

A SHEAF OF GOOD INDIAN 8T0BIE8. 623

The Indian stretched his lean arm and shojited, "Go!** still
more savagely. It was immensely fiurny. Gordon's men jeered
the solitary autocrat, and laughed until their icicled beards
pulled. They bade him get into a drift and cool oflf ; asked him
if his mother knew he was out, and whether his feet were sore,
and if it hurt him much to talk, and if he hadn't a brother who
could chin-chin washtadof.

His sole answer to their jeering, as he rode alongside, was
''Go! go! go!" repeated with savage emphasis and a flourish of
his arm to southward.

The footmen were plodding a dozen rods in the rear of their
freight wagon, and still laughing frostily at this queer specimen
of ** Injun," when the savage spurred his pony forward. A few
quick leaps carried him up to the toiling eight-mule team. His
blanket dropped around his hips, and a repeating carbine rose
to his face. Both wheelers dropped at the first shot, killed by
a single oimce slug. A rapid fusillade of shots was distributed
among the struggling mules, and then the Sioux was off, shaking
his gun and yelling defiance, his pony going in zigzag leaps and
like the wind.

Slen ran tumbling over each other to get into the wagon and
at their guns. The teamster and two or three others, who,
despite the cold, carried revolvers under their great coats, jerked
their mittens and fumbled with stiff fingers for their weapons.
They had not been nerved up with excitement, like the Sioux,
and before they could bring their guns to bear, the savage was
well out upon the prairie.

And when these men tried, with rifle or revolver, to shoot
at the swiftly mo\nng erratic mark presented by the cunning
Sioux and his rabbit-like pony, the cutting wind numbed their
fingers and filled their eyes with water, the glistening snow
obscured their front sights, and they pelted a white waste harm-
lessly with bullets.

The anger which raged in them when they knew the Sioux
had escaped scot-free was something frightful. Six mules of
the splendid eight lay weltering in blood; another was disabled.

A SEEAF OF GOOD INDIAN 8T0BIE8. 625

was an exchange of shots, and the Sioux's pony dropped in its
tracks. The Indian dodged out of sight, and Gordon pushed
wearily on with a grin of hate under his icicles.

He took up the Sioux tracks, and noted with satisfaction
that the Indian's moccasined feet punched through the light
crust at every other step. In just a little while !

But he followed an hour or more among a seemingly inter-
minable tangle of gullies without catching a glimpse of the
wary dodger. Then he emerged into a wider valley, to find that
the artful rascal had escaped out of range and out of sight
upon a wind-swept stretch of river ice.

Gordon ground his teeth and swept over the smooth surface,
sweating, despite the sharp cold, from fierce exertion. At a
turn in the river he saw the Sioux ; but there were others, more
than a score of them, mounted and approaching the runner.
The mule-killer's camp or town was close at hand.

Exhausted from his long run, Gordon, in his own language,
** threw up the sponge." He hastily sought the cover of river-
drifts, and scooped himself a kind of rifle-pit. Then, with a pile
of cartridges between his knees and slapping his hands to keep
his fingers ready for action, he waited, meaning to do what
execution he could before the end.

There was considerable parley among the Sioux, and then
only a single Indian advanced toward the white man. This one
came on foot within gunshot, then stopped and shook his blanket
in token that he wanted to approach and talk.

Gordon laughed. The situation seemed to him grimly
humorous. He motioned to the Indian to come on, and kept
him well covered with his rifle. A moment later, however, he
lowered his gun.

Whatever fate awaited Gordon, he knew that he stood in no
danger of a treacherous stroke from the approaching Sioux. It
was the chief. Red Cloud.

Gordon arose, and the chief came forward with a hand out-
stretched. **My young man has killed your mules," was Red
Cloud's greeting in the Sioux Tongue.

UVhS OF FAMQVM iNDtJX CBIBFB.

Gordon und<?i*AttxKl. **Y€«/' h^ aaiil, **and I vrill no! take"
your hami iintil you haw done right/'

The grmve old chief drew hm blanket about hia lihoiilders
with a shrug. ^'Now listen/^ he said. **If one of your soldiers
bad approached a party of my fioldiero and had killeil all their
horB4% and so crippled them and escaped, your peopk* would
have made him a bigr captain. It ta bo« My yoiini^ man is veiy
bra?e* He did m he was told. You can not come here and tabi^
my country— not yet, I have watehed your a<lvatice and ^om-
plaiiii.'d to your soldiers at White River, When I saw they did
not go out and catch you m our Great Father hm said tbe|fl
should do, I nent my yount? man to stop y<iu* You will find
your KoldicrM fit the three forks of Wliite River, Now go!"

And wilhcnit another word, Rt^ Cloud turned u{)on his heel
and jitiilked >tway*

This time Gordon was glad enough to obey the injunction
to **go." Three days later his little party filed in at the military
camp on White River, and when, some time afterward, their
boxes of freight had been recovered, not so much as a blanket
or a pound of sugar had been taken by Red Cloud 's Sioux.

VII. McDOUGAL AND HIS KIND INDIAN NEIGHBOR.

One James McDougal, a native of Argyleshire, having
emigrated to upper Canada, from anxiety to make the most of
his scanty capital, purchased a location where the price of land
was merely nominal, in a country sparsely settled, and on the
extreme verge of civilization. His first care was to construct
a log house in which to live, and a barn for his few domestic
animals, consisting of cattle, sheep and hogs. This task finished,
he busily employed himself in bringing a few acres of ground
under cultivation, and, though his task was hard and slow, yet
he became in a rough way fairly comfortable, as compared with
the poverty he had left behind.

His greatest discomforts were distance from his neighbors,
the church, the markets and even the mill : and along with these

A SHEAF OF GOOD INDIAN 8T0BIE8. 627

the suspension of those endearing charities, and friendly offices,
which lend such a charm to social life.

On one occasion, Mr. McDougal found it necessary to take
a sack of grain to the nearest mill, about fifteen miles distant,
over a rough country. He got an early start, hoping to make
the journey and return by sunset of the same day. In his
absence, the care of the cattle devolved on his wife, and as they
did not come up to the bam as usual at the close of day the
careful matron went in quest of them.

Beyond the mere outskirts of the cleared land there was a
forest, which to her, unpracticed in woodcraft, became a terra
incognita; tall trees arose on every side— **a boundless contig-
uity of shade"— and with neither compass nor notched trees to
guide her, it is not surprising that she soon found herself com-
pletely lost. Having wandered aimlessly until almost exhausted
and completely discouraged, she dropped down by a large tree
and wept bitterly.

At this moment the noise of approaching footsteps was
heard. Her heart almost ceased beating with terror, for she
knew that fierce wild beasts roamed through that forest. It
proved to be neither bear nor panther, but what has been desig-
nated as *'The still wilder Red Man of the Forest." An Indian
hunter stood before her, a veritable ** stoic of the woods, a man
without fear."

Mrs. McDougal knew that Indians lived a*, no great dis-
tance, but as she had never seen a member of the tribe, her
emotions- were those of terror, quickening every pulse and yet
paralyzing every limb. The Indian's views were more compre-
hensive; he had observed her, without being observed himself.
He recognized her person, knew her home, comprehended her
mishap, divined her errand and immediately beckoned her to
follow him. The unfortunate woman understood his signal, and
obeyed it, as far as terror left her power; and after a lengthened
walk, which added not a little to her previous fatigue, they
arrived at the door of an Indian wig\vam.

Her conductor, by signs, invited her to enter; but this she

UVK8 OF FAMOVM IN BIAS CB1EFS.

ptrm^ently refused to do, dreading thr eoiifli*qui»oe*, preferriiiir
Amth in thv open air to the tender mereies of eminiliaU withiii*
Peivi^ivinK lipf rHui*tiiniH>, and .<«UftniidBg her feelings, the fiimptt-
able Indiiin nmhefl into his wigwam and h^ld a h^Miy eonsulta-
tion with his wife, who, in a few minat^, also app^»n?d, and, b/
{!tfrtain sitrns and s%'iiipathjes known only to femak^, ealmed
the stmuiKiT s fears, and iuductHl her to FOtor their lowly nbode
Venition wan instantly prei>areil for supper, and Mrs, McDoiigal,
thoni£h ittill alanned at the strangenens of her situation, fonnd
the fnod well eooketl, and, in her hunj.'rj' condition, delicious.
Aware that their guest was weary, the Indians stretched two
tli'cr^kinit aenym the wi^-am. thus dividing it into two apart-
tm^ntK. M8t« and »oft turn were then spread upon the floor of
each, and the vim tor was piven to understand that the further
room from the entmnee wm for her aceommodation. But here
again her courage failed her, and to the most pressing entreaties
she replied by signs, as well as she could, that she would prefer
to sit and sleep by the fire. This determination seemed to puzzle
the two entertainers sadly, often they looked at each other and
conversed softly in their own language, and, at last, the red
took the white woman by the hand, led her to her couch and
became her bedfellow. In the morning she awoke greatly
refreshed, and anxious to depart, without further delay — but
her host and hostess would on no account permit it. Breakfast
was prepared— another savory and well-cooked meal — and then
the Indian conducted his guest to the very spot where the cattle
were grazing. These he kindly drove from the woods, on the
verge of which Mrs. McDougal saw her husband running about
everywhere, hallooing and seeking for her in a state of mind
bordering on distraction. Great was his joy, and great his
gratitude to her Indian benefactor, who was invited to the houst^
and treated to the best the larder afforded, and presented on his
departure with a suit of clothes.

Some time after this the Indian returned and endeavored t^
induce Mr. ^McDougal to follow him into the forest. But thSs
invitation was positively declined— and the poor savage went ^otx

• » . . t

A SHEAF OF GOOD INDIAN ST0BIE8. 633

beautiful picture of sylvan life; that the McDougal colony will
wax stronger, till every acre of the beautiful prairie is forced to
yield tribute to the plow and sickle.

VIII. STORY OF SEQUOYAH, THE CHEROKEE CADMUS.

About the year 1763 a child was bom to an Indian woman
in the old Cherokee country of Georgia. He was on his father's
side the grandson of a German by the name of Guess, or Ghiest,
and was given the name George Guess, though he is better known
as Se-Quo-Yah. He was early impressed with the thought of the
superiority of the white over the red race, and wisely concluded
that much of this was due to the white man's learning, and
ability to represent his thoughts on paper in a way to mean
the same thing to every one who saw it ; unlike the picture writ-
ing then in vogue among the Cherokees, which was necessarily
lacking in clearness and liable to misinterpretation.

He could neither read nor speak any language other than
Cherokee, but he was a close observer, and a mechanical genius,
and determined to invent a system of writing his language. In
5W)me manner, Se-Quo-Yah found out that the writing of the
white man consisted in the use of characters to represent sounds.
At first he thought of using one character for each word ; but
this was not possible because there are so many words it com-
plicated matters too much. He finally concluded that as there
were eighty-six syllables in Cherokee, he would form a series
of eighty-six characters to represent them. He found that these
characters could be so combined as to represent every word in
the Cherokee language. ^lany of these characters were taken
from an English spelling-book which he managed to get hold
of. Some are Greek characters, and others are letters of the
English alphabet reversed, the rest were specially invented.

It happened, too, from the structure of the Cherokee lan-
guage or dialect, that the syllabic alphabet is also in the nature
of a granmiar; so that those who know the language by ear and
master the alphabet, can at once read and write. Owing to the

UrBS OP PJM0V8 tSBUK CHiMFB,

esrlrraie simplicity* uf thin tvfitfiii. It can be ae(|uir^l in a fi
da^B. Some have t^vifii leametJ it in 4me day; wtui'b U cvitai:
Tefjr remarkable.

Sa much for rhe invention. The reader is no doubt interestinl'
in knowing more of the history of the inventor of this wonder*
fu) alphabet, which h&n proven such a blessing to the Cherokecs.
The only n»iuorkiible thini^ about Se-Qno-Yali a early ycant
ttppi^ani la have lx*en his prefen^nce for playing alone and
bnlhlinir hou>ie« uf sticks in the woods, rather than to join in thi*
aportM 4)f Indian children of hJii a^e. His mother owned a ft*w
eowM xUhI funikhrd her the meanK of livtnif. When her mn
wa» jifrtiwn to he n sturdy boy he ]nnH a Hubstantial mllkhoiise,
wh»^rc^ he helped hm mother with the dairy work, showing him-
self an expert dairyman and addjn^ uiaterially to her profits.

H© early displayed great intere?it in natural forms ftnd
unusual power of observati<>n, aiid developed much ^kill in
representing what he saw in drawing. His pictures were at first
as crude as the common picture-writing of his people ; but with
practice his animals and men assumed more and more a living
shape and an accurate expression of action. He became famed
as an artist, and many visited his mother's cabin to see his
pictures and to watch the wonderful process of their creation.

When he had reached early manhood this same artistic faculty
led him to desire to create objects of beauty, and he turned his
attention to making the silver ornaments so much prized by his
people, such as armlets, brooches and clasps. There was great
demand for these products of his hands, owing to the novelty
of their design and the fineness of their execution. But Se-Quo-
Yah possessed a practical vein of artistic talent. Not content
with making silver trinkets, he became a blacksmith, and turned
out from his forge the finest spades, rakes and hoes, which were
highly appreciated by some of his tribesmen who failed to per-
ceive the artistic quality of his silver work.

There was an individual (juality about his hoes as well »s
his bracelets which he valued and desired to have the credit ol
and he wished to put some mark upon his work that would prov^

A SHEAF OF GOOD INDIAN STORIES. 635

it to be his own. With this thought in mind, he went to a white
neighbor with whom he was on the most friendly terms, and
asked him to write his name on paper. Mr. Lowrey wrote it,
using his English name, George Guess. From this Se-Quo-Yah
-made a die with which he stamped all the articles of silver or
iron that he made.

His work had not only put much money in his pouch, but
was fast making him the most popular young man of the tribe.
This popularity came near being his ruin. The young men
flocked about him, praised his skill, and envied him the gain it
brought him. He requited their flattery with generous enter-
tainment, according to the fashion of his people. Unfortunately
contact with the white man had changed this fashion for the
worse. Indians of an earlier generation hpd entertained their
friends with feasts of game and sweet potatoes; but the young
braves of 1800 and thereabouts preferred rum. Se-Quo-Yah
would buy a keg of rum, and with a party of companions, would
retire into tl\e woods to remain until the rum supply was
exhausted and they had recovered from its effects. The work
of the forge stood still ; money was getting low in the pouch.

Through the efforts of his good friend, Mr. Lowrey, Se-Quo-
Yah was aroused to a sense of his folly and degradation before
it was too late to break away from his bad habits; he gave up
his idle companions, resumed his work with renewed industry
and spent his leisure time among the more sedate and intelli-
gent men of his tribe.

Among the people in whose society he was now to be found,
a frequent subject of discussion was the wonderful power pos-
sessed by the white man of making curious marks upon paper,
which meant the same thing to every white man to whom they
might be shown; unlike the Indian's picture-writing, which
meant this or that, according to the interpretation put upon it.
Some characterized it as sorcery ; some reverently called it a gift
of the Great Spirit to his favorite children ; some believed it to
be a mere trick, and with the object of detecting the fraud would
show a written sentence to one white man after another, expect-

UrhS OF FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS

mg mme variation in the interpretation. Se-Quo-Yah aJotte fwv-
nauoeecl it an art which might be praetieed hy all tnen, if Ihif
had only the ingenuity. He express^ the belief thai he misii
**talk on paper/' and in spite of the ridicule of his frlemls trt
to work to make good his aisertion.

In the woods he gathered birch bark which he separated into
thin sheetn; on theie, with dyes extracted from plants, be pamfrd
pictures, eaeh one of which represented the name of some natural
object. This processs was very laborious and he abaodonad it
when he found that he had aeeumulated a number of cfaAi^eteri
greater than he could remember, while the TO^mbulary of the
language itill remained far from complete.

He now procured coarse paper and made a rough hook,
which he began another series of experiments. At this point
he had some a^istance from a eoUection of ''talking leaTe*,*'
as the Indians called a printed page. Aji English speltint^-book
fell into his hands, but he could not read a word of it; he did
not even know any English, but the ** talking leaves" were cov-
ered all over with figures of distinct shape, such figures as he
was taxing his ingenuity to invent. Some of them he copied and
adopted in his work, where, however, they play a part quite
unlike that with which we associate them in the English
alphabet. For instance, among the eight\'-six characters of the
alphabet invented by Se-Quo-Yah, we recognize the forms of our
W, H, B and other letters, but W stands for the sound la, and
the others represent sounds just as far from their English equiv-
•ilents.

After a]>out two yeai-s' work Se-Quo-Yah had the satisfac-
tion of seeing that he had really achieved the end for which he
had laboreil so patiently. lie had made a complete alphabet of
the Cherokee language, an alphabet of which it may safely be
affirmed that it is the most perfect in the world, since its charac-
ters represent exactly the sound for which they stand, unlike the
ters of our English alphabet, which in many cases do not
augtrest the sound of the word they spell. For example, a
kee who read the letters b-u-t would take for granted that

A SHEAF OF GOOD INDIAN STOBIES. 637

he had spelled the word beauty; reading 1-e-g, he would pro-
nounce it elegy. The consequence of this is that when a Chero-
kee schoolboy has once mastered the alphabet he knows how to
read without any further labor. There are no spelling lessons
to learn. If he hears a word correctly pronounced he knows
exactly what letters must be used to form it.

Having composed his alphabet, Se-Quo-Yah tested it by
teaching it to his little daughter, six years old. To his joy, he
found that as soon as she had become familar with the charac-
ters she could form correctly any word he spoke.

It had taken him two years to perfect his method; it took
him a longer time to convince his people of its value. During
those years, his neglect of his forge and the chase, his idle
dreaming over his ** talking leaves," had aroused the ridicule
and contempt of his neighbors and the head men of his tribe,
and angered his wife, who resented finding her husband a lazy
drone in place of the prosperous blacksmith she had married.
The most kindly opinion expressed of him was that he was
insane; even the children laughed at the madman and his
** talking leaves." When he assured them that those ** talking
leaves" contained a secret of inestimable value to the Cherokee
nation, they only laughed the more and passed on, shaking their
heads and saying. **Poor old Se-Quo-Yah!"

With considerable difficulty he persuaded his old friend, Mr.
Lowrey to come to his cabin and make a test of his discovery.
^Ir. Lowrey consented from mere good-nature, not expecting to
learn anything of interest. Se-Quo-Yah asked him to dictate
to him some words and sentences, which he wrote in his char-
acters. He then called in his little daughter, who read without
difficulty the sentences that she had not heard spoken. There
was no possibility of doubting that here was a great discovery.
Mr. Lowrey became Se-Quo-Yah 's earnest helper in his efforts
to gain recognition. But the obstacles in the way were hard to
overcome. Prejudjce against ** white men's ways," distrust of
a thing so contrary to the traditions of the tribe, fear of sorcery,
all had to be met and conquered. At length the chiefs of the

(Bi ursi OF FAMOUS ism AS caiMFs.

tiatjiin ecm«enttHl to n piiblie teist of Se-Qiio- Yah *b claims,
number of llu* most itildli^^nt young men of Ihc trib** wiri*
selechHl and plaeiKl und^T his tuition. The rvsult eoiifirmt*iI in
the mtnds of the more Hupt^nftitioiut their Wlief tti tlu* nmgiuM
nature of Se-Qnt»-Yah« f)iiirHc*1ent. Stniu* of the sdiolHn*
k^araed the alphabet in thn** clriys ami were then able ti> n^nti
anything that Be-Qiio-Yah had written at the dictation ef aoy
nf the jndg^es. The triumph i^f the inventor was eoinplete, M

The tide onee turned swelled to a fl*KKi. So many NtntieBt*
floekiHi ttlKHit the master that he eouhl not teach them all Thr
youth of the nation were seized with a mad desire for knowledp
of the "'talking k»avt*ij/* The old men he^ran to gnimble about
the Kpell of enrhHntinent that Re-Quo* Yah had cast over the
young br»vi*«, makfng them inditTerent to the eorn*danQe ami
negteetful of the ehaae, while they spent their da>^ poring ovi