American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-06-07

thing resembling conversation ever passed between
them. The weather dreary and comIortless
A thick, small rain, such as usually falls in North
America during thaw, filled the air and the wig
wan under which we sat- Afforded but an imperfect
shelter from it. ] passed the time in the most
gloomy and Responding reflections. saw no means
by which could return to the trading post; and
the behaviour of the Indians made me doubt it they
would be inclined to grant me that support and pro-
lection without which could not long exist. One
man gazed on me So constantly and steadily, that
his scrutiny annoyed me and attracted my particu-
lar attention. He appeared to be the youngest OF
the party and was very reserved and unprepossess-
ing in his aspect; and seemed to know me, but |
could not recolect of ever having seen HIM before
In the afternoon the rain ceased and the Indians
began to prepare for travelling. When they had ac.
coutred themselves they all rose from the ground
without speaking word and walked away-one
man taking the lead. perceived that they did not
intend that should be one Of the party, but fol-
lowed them Immediately; and addressing myself to
the person who preceded the Others told him that
must accompany them, as | could neither live in
the woods alone, knew in what part OF the coun-
try was. lie stopped and surveyed me from head
so foot, saying "Where IS your gun Where is
your knife !! Where is your tomahawk % replied
that had lost them among the ice :" My friend"
returned he, " don't make the Great Spirit angry
by saying what is not. That man knows who you
are" pointing to the Indian who had observed me
so tlosey,-"w all know who you are You have
come TO trade with and suppose your com
panions have concealed themselves at distance
lest The appearance of number Of white men
should intimidate US. They are right: experience
has taught us TO fear white men but their art no,
their strength makes US tremble. Go away we do
not wish to have any transactions with you. We
are not to be betrayed by liquid fires or any thin,
else you can offer US. None of US shall harm YOU
! have spoken the truth, Tor have not two mouths
When he had finished this Grafton he remaine,
silent and felt at loss what to reply. At last II
repeated my story and endeavored to convince HIN.
that neither had any companions was at all in III
situation to trade with his people, or do them the
slightest injury. tIe listened calmly TO nv argp-
ments and seemed to think there was some weight
i'll them ; and the young man already mentioned.
stepped forward and said" Let the stranger ,po
with us-the bones Of my father cry out against our
leaving him behind | am young, bet | dare 10 ad
wise Listen tor once to the counses of Thakaka-
werente." The first speaker then waved his hand
as signal that ] should follow them and the
whole parry proceeded in the same order as before !
Our leader pushed forward, apparently without
the least hesitation, though accustomed as was to
the woods, could not discover the slightest trace
OF ioot?ah He sometimes slackened his pace for |
few moments ard looked thoughlully at the trees i
AID then advanced as fast as before None of ths |
party spoke word the Tustlmg OF the dry leaves
under their feet the only sound that disturbed
the silence of the forest Though freed from the
lear oil pershing Tor want. ctuld not reflect uponl
my situation without uneasness and alarm and nv
chance OF being able to return to the post seemed
to diminish every step took felt excessively
tatigued, not having enjoyed any natural or compos-
ed sleep the preceding night and The roughness of
the ground over which We passed, added to nv
WEAKNESS IN an intolerabe degree but could not
venture to rest by the way, lest should lose seht
Of the Indians forever.
Boon after sunset we stop, for the night and the
men set about lecing wiEwam while the women
kindled fire. One OF the party had killed small
deerin the course OF our Journey and he mmediat+lv
proceeded to skin the animal that a norton ~ I,
might be dressed for supper When the yenison was!
ready they all sat down and partook of it and ibe
raj allowance was handed to me; but the same ST
ience prevailed that had hitherto been observed
among them and the comforts of "A plenrful re.
past ate' long tourney did not appear in the least
degree to promote social communication. The meal
being finished the filled their pipes with oder,
ierous herbs and began 10 smoke in the most sedate
manner; and the women prepared beds by Spread
ing skins upon the gIound. Tie composed demesn
or OF the party harmonized we'll with the silence
ana gloomlness OF the night; and it seemed thar
the awful solitude OF the forests in which thew lived
and the sublime and enduring forms under which
nature continually presented herself to their eyes,
had impressed them with sense of their own in
significance and of the transformers of their daily
occupations and enjoyments. and rendered them
thougnttui' taeiturn and unacceptable | seated
myself at the root OF large tree near the w,gwam
and continued observing its inmates till overcome
by fatigue, sunk into deep sleep.
About midnight ! was awakened by some one
pulling my hand; and on looking up, i perceived
the Indian who had opposed my accompanying
them and whose name was Outalisso, standing be-.
side me He put his finger on his lips by way of
enloining silence and motioned that should rise s.
iohow MN ooeyed and be led me behind large