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
Attached as the Red man was to his own mode of life, he was induced
at length to form a part of the establishment, in the capacity of
grieve, or head shepherd—a duty he undertook most cheerfully, as it
still left him opportunities of meeting and communing with his friends,
and reconnoitering the altering denizens of the forest. Let us hope,
therefore, that no untoward accident will occur to mar this beautiful
picture of sylvan life; that the M’Dougal colony will wax stronger,
till every section of the prairie is forced to yield tribute to the
spade and the plough.
THE REFORMED INDIAN.
Some of the Indians believe, that the “Evil Spirit” is the maker of
spirituous liquors, from which, notwithstanding, hardly one of them can
refrain. An Indian near the Delaware Water Gap, told Mr. Heckewelder,
a missionary, that he had once, when under the influence of strong
liquor, killed the best Indian friend he had, fancying him to be his
worst avowed enemy. He said that the deception was complete; and that
while intoxicated, the face of his friend presented to _his_ eyes all
the features of the man with whom he was in a state of hostility. It is
impossible to express the horror which struck him, when he awoke from
that delusion. He was so shocked, that from that moment, he resolved
never more to taste of the maddening potion, of which he was convinced
the devil was the inventor; for that it could only be the “Evil Spirit”
who made him see his enemy when his friend was before him, and produced
so strong a delusion on his bewildered senses, that he actually killed
him. From that time until his death, which happened thirty years
afterwards, he never drank a drop of ardent spirits, which he always
called “the devil’s blood;” and was firmly persuaded that the devil, or
some of his infernal spirits, had a hand in preparing it.
FIDELITY.
Among the North American Indians, one of the first lessons they
inculcate on their children, is duty to their parents, and respect for
old age; and there is not among the most civilized nations, any people
who more strictly observe the duty of filial obedience. A father need
only to say, in the presence of his children, “I want such a thing
done”—“I want one of my children to go upon such an errand”—“Let me see
who is the good child that will do it.” The word _good_ operates as
it were by magic, and the children immediately vie with each other to
comply with the parent’s wishes. If a father sees an old decrepid man
or woman pass by, led along by a child, he will draw the attention of
his own children to the object, by saying, “What a _good_ child that
must be, which pays such attention to the aged! That child, indeed,
looks forward to the time when it will likewise be old, and need its
children’s help.” Or he will say, “May the Great Spirit, who looks upon
him, grant this _good_ child a long life!”
STRATAGEM DEFEATED.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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