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
Having performed this ceremony, he desired men, women and children to
arrange themselves in separate bodies. To the men he gave hatchets, to
the women beads, and to the children rings. He then ordered his drums
and trumpets to sound, which highly pleased the company and set them to
dancing.
Being desirous of ascending the hill, under which the town was built,
the natives conducted them to the summit; where they were entertained
with a most extensive and beautiful prospect of mountains, woods,
islands and waters. They observed the course of the river above, and
some falls of water in it; and the natives informed them that they
might sail on it for three months; that it ran through two or three
great lakes, beyond which was a sea of fresh water, to which they
knew of no bounds; and that on the other side of the mountains there
was another river which ran in a contrary direction to the south-west,
through a country full of delicious fruits and free from snow and ice;
that there was found such metal as the Captain’s _silver_ whistle and
the haft of a dagger belonging to one of the company which was gilt
with _gold_. Being shown some copper, they pointed to the northward,
and said it came from Saguenay. To this hill Cartier gave the name of
_Montreal_, which it has ever since retained.
[Illustration]
MILLY FRANCIS.
Duncan M’Krimmon, (a resident of Milledgeville, a Georgia militia
man, stationed at Fort Gadsden,) being out one morning on a fishing
excursion, in attempting to return, missed his way, and was several
days lost in the surrounding wilderness. After wandering about in
various directions he was espied and captured by a party of hostile
Indians, headed by the well known prophet Francis. The Indians having
obtained the satisfaction they wanted respecting the determination
of government, the position of the American army, &c. they began to
prepare for the intended sacrifice. M’Krimmon was bound to a stake,
and the ruthless savages having shaved his head and reduced his body
to a state of nudity, formed themselves into a circle and danced round
him some hours, yelling most horribly. The youngest daughter of the
prophet, about fifteen years of age, remained sad and silent the whole
time. She participated not in the general joy, but was evidently, even
to the affrighted prisoner, much pained at the savage scene she was
compelled to witness. When the burning torches were about to be applied
to the fagots which encompassed the prisoner, and the fatal tomahawk
was raised to terminate forever his mortal existence, Milly Francis,
(for that was her name,) like an angel of mercy, placed herself between
it and death, resolutely bidding the astonished executioner, if he
thirsted for human blood, to shed hers; being determined, she said, not
to survive the prisoner’s death. A momentary pause was produced by this
unexpected occurrence, and she took advantage of the circumstance to
implore upon her knees the pity of the ferocious father, who finally
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account