The boys' book of Indian battles and adventures, with anecdotes about them
History
The boys' book of Indian battles and adventures, with anecdotes about them
Indians of North America -- Anecdotes
The Indian, on the other hand, appeared overjoyed at the success of his
manœuvre—and never did a human being frisk about and gesticulate with
greater animation. We have heard, or read, of a professor of signs: and
supposing such a character were wanted, the selection could not—or, at
least should not—be a matter of difficulty, so long as even a remnant
remains of the aborigines of North America. All travellers agree in
describing their gestures as highly dignified, eloquent, and intelligent:
and we have the authority of Mr. M’Dougal for saying, that the hero of
the present strictly authentic tale, proved himself to be a perfect
master of the art. The restoration of the child—the beauty and wide
extent of the prairies, and various other circumstances combined—flashed
across our countryman’s mind—operating conviction where jealously and
distrust had lurked before. Mr. M’Dougal, in a trice, examined the soil,
and immediately saw the propriety of the advice given by the _untutored
one_. By a sort of tacit agreement, a day was fixed for the removal of
the materials of our countryman’s cabin, goods and chattels;—and the
Indian, true to his word, brought a detachment of his tribe to assist
in one of the most romantic “flittings” that ever was undertaken either
in the old or new world. In a few days a roomy log-house was fashioned,
and a garden formed in a convenient section of the beautiful prairie,
from which the smoke was seen curling, and the woodpecker tapping at
no great distance. M’Dougal was greatly pleased at the change—and no
wonder, seeing that he could almost boast of a body-guard as bold as the
bowmen of Robin Hood. His Indian friend speedily became a sort of foster
brother, and his tribe as faithful as the most attached Tail of Gillies
that ever surrounded a Highland chieftain. Even the stupid kine lowed, on
finding themselves suddenly transferred to a boundless range of richest
pasture:—and, up to the date of the last advices, were improving rapidly
in condition, and increasing in numbers.
The little garden was smiling like a rose in the desert—grass,
overabundant, was gradually giving way to thriving crops, and the kine
so well satisfied with their _gang_, that the herds and enclosures were
like unheeded to keep them from the corn. The Indians continued friendly
and faithful—occasionally bringing presents of venison and other game,
and were uniformly rewarded from the stores of a dairy, overflowing with
milk, butter, and cheese.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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