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
Many years after this, the Indian’s benefactor was taken prisoner by an
Indian scout, and carried into Canada. He was saved from death by one
of the tribe, who asked leave to adopt him in the place of a son, who
had fallen in battle. Through the winter, he experienced the customary
effects of savage hospitality. The following summer as he was at work
in the forest alone, an unknown Indian came to him and appointed a
meeting at a certain place, on a given day. The prisoner consented;
but afterwards, fearing mischief might be intended, he neglected the
engagement. The Indian again sought him, reproved him for his want of
confidence in him, and assured him the meeting would be for his good.
Encouraged by his apparent friendship, the man followed his directions.
He found the Indian provided with muskets, ammunition, and knapsacks.
The Indian ordered him to arm himself and follow him. Their course was
to wards the south, and day after day the Englishman followed, without
being able to conjecture the motives of his guide. After a tedious
journey, he arrived at the top of an eminence, commanding a view of a
country somewhat cultivated and populous. “Do you know that country?”
said the Indian, with an arch smile. “Oh, yes! it is Litchfield,”
replied the white man, as he cordially pressed his hand. “Many years
ago, you give weary Indian supper there,” said he. “He promise to pay
you, and he pay you now. Go home, and be happy.”
HEAD WORK.
Colonel Dudley, governor of Massachusetts, in the beginning of the last
century, had a number of workmen employed in building him a house on
his plantation; and one day as he was looking at them, he observed a
stout Indian, who, though the weather was very cold, was a naked as
well as an idle spectator. ‘Hark ye, friend,’ said the governor, ‘why
don’t you work like these men, and get clothes to cover you?’ ‘And
why you no work, governor?’ replied the Indian. ‘I work,’ answered
the governor, putting his finger on his forehead, ‘with my head, and
therefore need not work with my hands.’ ‘Well,’ replied the Indian,
‘and if I would work, what have you for me to do?’ ‘Go kill me a calf,’
said the governor, ‘and I will give you a shilling.’ The Indian did
so. The governor asked him why he did not skin and dress it. ‘Calf
dead, governor—give me my shilling; give me another,’ said the Indian,
‘and I will skin and dress it.’ This was complied with. The Indian
then went to a tavern with his two shillings, and soon spending one
for rum, returned to the governor, saying, ‘Your shilling bad, the man
no take it.’ The governor believing him, gave him another; but soon
returning in the same manner, with the second, the governor discerned
his roguery; however, he exchanged that also, reserving his resentment
for a proper opportunity. To be prepared for it, the governor wrote a
letter directed to the keeper of Bridewell, in Boston, requesting him
to take the bearer and give him a sound whipping. This he kept in his
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account