History of the Indians, of North and South AmericaGoodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold)
History
History of the Indians, of North and South America
Goodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold)
Indians of North America -- History; Indians of South America -- History
Soon after Jenny had left Mrs. T. for the camp, where all things were
ready for her execution, a messenger arrived in haste, and informed
Mrs. T. of what was passing in the camp, and that Jenny was immediately
to die. She hastened to the scene, with the intention of rescuing
her; but Jenny, the moment she saw her carriage coming at a distance,
imagining, doubtless, what her object was, standing in her grave,
caught the muzzle of the gun, the prepared instrument of her death,
and, pointing it to her heart, entreated the executioner to do his
duty. He obeyed, and she fell dead!
We are not told how it happened that the son suffered his mother to die
for him, or whether he could have prevented it. It seems, however, that
he was despised for permitting it, and that his own conscience goaded
him. The friends of the old man whom he had murdered taunted him, “You
coward, you let your mother die for you; you are afraid to die.” Unable
to endure all this, he stabbed a son of his former victim, but not
until five years had elapsed since the death of his mother.
He returned home with indications of triumph, brandishing his bloody
knife, and, without waiting for inquiry, confessed what he had done. He
told his Indian friends that he would not live to be called a coward.
“I have been told,” he said, “that I fear to die. Now you shall see
that I can die like a man.” A wealthy planter, whose house he passed,
he invited to see how he could die. This was on Sunday. Monday, at
twelve o’clock, was the day he appointed for his self-immolation.
Here a scene was presented which baffles all description. Soue walked
forward and backward again, still keeping in his hand the bloody
knife. With all his efforts to conceal it, he discovered marks of an
agitated mind. The sad group present consisted of about ten men and as
many females; the latter with sorrowful countenances were employed in
making an overshirt for Soue’s burial. The men, all except two of his
brothers, were smoking their pipes with apparent unconcern. Several
times, Soue examined his gun, and remained silent. His grave had been
dug the day before, and he had laid himself down in it, to see if it
suited as to length and breadth.
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