Anecdotes of the American Indians, illustrating their eccentricities of character
History
Anecdotes of the American Indians, illustrating their eccentricities of character
Indians of North America -- Anecdotes
The Indian, on the other hand, appeared overjoyed at the success of his
manœuvre—and never did a human being frisk about and gesticulate
with greater animation. We have heard, or read, of a professor of
signs: and supposing such a character were wanted, the selection could
not—or, at least should not—be a matter of difficulty, so long as even
a remnant remains of the aborigines of North America. All travellers
agree in describing their gestures as highly dignified, eloquent, and
intelligent: and we have the authority of Mr. M’Dougal for saying,
that the hero of the present strictly authentic tale, proved himself
to be a perfect master of the art. The restoration of the child—the
beauty and wide extent of the prairies, and various other circumstances
combined—flashed across our countryman’s mind—operating conviction
where jealously and distrust had lurked before. Mr. M’Dougal, in a
trice, examined the soil, and immediately saw the propriety of the
advice given by the _untutored one_. By a sort of tacit agreement, a
day was fixed for the removal of the materials of our countryman’s
cabin, goods and chattels;—and the Indian, true to his word, brought
a detachment of his tribe to assist in one of the most romantic
“flittings” that ever was undertaken either in the old or new world. In
a few days a roomy log-house was fashioned, and a garden formed in a
convenient section of the beautiful prairie, from which the smoke was
seen curling, and the woodpecker tapping at no great distance. M‘Dougal
was greatly pleased at the change—and no wonder, seeing that he could
almost boast of a body-guard as bold as the bowmen of Robin Hood. His
Indian friend speedily became a sort of foster brother, and his tribe
as faithful as the most attached Tail of Gillies that ever surrounded a
Highland chieftain. Even the stupid kine lowed, on finding themselves
suddenly transferred to a boundless range of richest pasture:—and, up
to the date of the last advices, were improving rapidly in condition,
and increasing in numbers.
The little garden was smiling like a rose in the desert-grass,
overabundant, was gradually giving way to thriving crops, and the kine
so well satisfied with their _gang_, that the herds and enclosures
were like unheeded to keep them from the corn. The Indians continued
friendly and faithful—occasionally bringing presents of venison and
other game, and were uniformly rewarded from the stores of a dairy,
overflowing with milk, butter, and cheese.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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