The Middle Five: Indian Boys at School — John Shaqi
The Middle Five: Indian Boys at SchoolLa Flesche, Francis
History
The Middle Five: Indian Boys at School
La Flesche, Francis
Indians of North America -- Juvenile literature
"I would like it," he promptly replied.
"Will you stay?"
"Yes."
It was soon reported to the superintendent that a new pupil had come.
When the afternoon session opened and the pupils were seated, Little
Tail was given a seat at one of the desks, but to our delight he slid
down and sat on the floor. The teacher rapped the top of his desk with
a ruler and cried, "Silence!" and order was restored.
"What is the name of the new boy?" he asked.
"Thin'-je-zhin-ga," answered one of the boys.
Gray-beard tried to repeat the name, but only set the whole school
laughing. While this was going on, Little Tail reached down to his
belt and drew out a roll of milkweed fibre. It was his ammunition. He
tore off enough to make a bullet, chewed it, and, bringing the breach
of the pop-gun to his mouth, inserted the ball, twisting the gun with
his hands while he pressed the wad in with his teeth, making many
motions with his head. By pounding the butt of the rammer on the floor,
he drove the ball to the firing point; then raising the gun he began
forcing the ball with vigorous thrusts, aiming it at a mischievous
boy who sat opposite making faces at him. Bang! went the weapon; the
bullet, instead of hitting the object aimed at, struck Gray-beard in
the face, and made him throw his head back. We covered our faces to
suppress the giggles that bubbled up at this mishap. The wounded man
looked sharply at the young artillerist, who, seeing the mischief he
had done, very slyly thrust his gun into his robe, and, keeping an eye
on his victim, sat perfectly still.
The teacher looked serious, then we became scared. After a moment his
face relaxed, and he said in a pleasant tone, "We must have the name
of the new boy on the Register, but we cannot have any name that is
unpronounceable. We shall have to give him an English name. Will you
suggest one?"
A number of hands went up and as many historic names were offered and
rejected. Finally it was determined to call him William T. Sherman and
that name was entered upon the Register.
After school a few boys were detailed to wash and dress the new
arrival; so, with arms full of clothing, towels, and other bathing
appliances, the lad was taken up to the boys' dormitory. The first
thing to be done was to cut his long hair. A towel was put around his
neck, and soon the shears were singing a tune about his ears. He seemed
to enjoy it, and laughed at the jokes made by the boys; but when by
some chance he caught sight of his scalp-lock lying on the floor like a
little black snake, he put his fists into his eyes and fell to sobbing
as though his heart would break.
"Pshaw!" said little Isaac, rubbing his closely cropped head, "mine was
longer than yours when it was cut off, but I didn't cry!"
"Mine too!" exclaimed Abraham, picking up the braided look and putting
it where his had been; at which the rest of the boys laughed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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