The following striking display of Indian character occurred some years
since in a town in Maine. An Indian of the Kennebec tribe, remarkable for
his good conduct, received a grant of land from the state, and fixed
himself in a township, where a number of families settled. Though not ill
treated, yet the common prejudice against the Indians prevented any
sympathy with him. This was shown at the death of his only child, when
none of the people came near him. Shortly afterwards he went to some of
the inhabitants, and said to them, "When white man's child die, Indian man
be sorry--he help bury him: when my child die, no one speak to me--I make
his grave alone--I can't live here."
He gave up his farm, dug up the body of his child, and carried it with him
two hundred miles through the forest, to join the Canada Indians. What
energy and depth of feeling does this specimen of Indian character
exhibit!
[Illustration: Indian with his Tomahawk.]
INDIAN INTEGRITY.
A Spanish traveller met an Indian in the desert; they were both on
horseback. The Spaniard, fearing that his horse, which was none of the
best, would not hold out till the end of his journey, asked the Indian,
whose horse was young, strong, and spirited, to exchange with him. This
the Indian refused. The Spaniard therefore began a quarrel with him. From
words they proceeded to blows. The aggressor being well armed, proved too
powerful for the native. He seized his horse, mounted him, and pursued his
journey.
He was closely followed to the nearest town by the Indian, who immediately
complained to a judge. The Spaniard was obliged to appear, and bring the
horse with him. He treated the Indian as an impostor, affirming that the
horse was his property, that he had always had him in his possession, and
that he had raised him from a colt.
There being no proof to the contrary, the judge was about dismissing the
parties, when the Indian cried out,--"The horse is mine, and I'll prove
it!" He immediately took off his mantle, and with it instantly covered
the head of the animal; then addressing the judge,--"Since this man," said
he, "affirms that he has raised the horse from a colt, command him to tell
of which eye he is blind." The Spaniard, who would not seem to hesitate,
instantly answered, "Of the right eye." "He is neither blind of the right
eye," replied the Indian, "nor of the left."
The judge decreed him the horse, and the Spaniard to be punished as a
robber.
INDIAN POLITENESS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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