A Child of the Sea; and Life Among the MormonsWilliams, Elizabeth Whitney
History
A Child of the Sea; and Life Among the Mormons
Williams, Elizabeth Whitney
Beaver Island (Mich.); Latter Day Saints -- Michigan; Strang, James Jesse, 1813-1856
The chief walked into the circle with a proud and haughty tread, waving
his hand for all to be silent. I knew nothing of what he said, but my
father told me when I was old enough to understand. I remember his form.
He was tall and stately, with a fine appearance, and was dressed as
became the chief of the proud Ottawa tribe. Many silver ornaments were
on his breast. He talked a long time, while all listened in stately
silence.
After a time he was silent and two more forms appeared within the
circle. The first to enter was the Canadian Indian. His step was firm,
his head high, his look bold; he was dressed in bright red, with beaded
leggings and many feathers around his head. The other one came in with a
soft and silent step. His form was slight and willowy. He was dressed in
a deer skin suit, with beaded leggings, silver ornaments on his breast,
and a band about his head filled with eagle feathers. He came close to
the Chief, his eyes were looking down, his face seemed sad. He was
Mary's true lover, the son of a chief of the Chippewas, whose father had
died, leaving him in the care of Mary's father. His father had been a
great warrior and owned much land, but had lost it all in long wars with
other nations. The name of this young chief was Sha-wan-nib-in-asse
(southern bird). Mary and he had been raised together with the
understanding they would be joined in marriage sometime, but in one of
the chief's trips to Canada with his young daughter, the chief of a
tribe there had asked for Mary for his son. Being rich, Chief
Ossawinamakee thought it best to give his daughter to the rich chiefs
son. Very soon the chief presented the Canadian Indian with a pair of
leggings and moccasins, saying they were a present from his daughter.
The young Indian expressed his thanks with many bows casting many looks
of triumph at Mary's lover. When Mary saw these presents given she
almost gave a scream. She stepped forward as if to take them from his
hands.
ALL ENJOYMENT.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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