Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-10-18
From the National Inteliigencer.
THE INDIANS SEEING THE PLAY.

THE INDIANS SEEING THE PLAY.
II was a novel and exciting specta-
Gle al the Theatre on Saturday night,
on the occasion of Miss NELsoN's bene-
fit. The boxes and the paraqueite
were filled. On the left of the stage
sat a delegation of Indian chiefs repre-
sentlng the Sioux, Ioways, Sacs, and
Foxes, of the Missouri river. With a
single exception, not one of them had
ever before visited the settlements Of
his white brethren. Before them, in
the paraquette, they beheld a crowd Of
civilized men, mingled with whom were
the kindred of some of them, the Sioux
from the falls of st. Anthony !; part of
these dressed in the military coats, with
ep~aulettes, and hats, with silver bands,
and others in the new blankets and leg.
gins they had hat day received as a
present from their Great Father. In
the boxes was an array of females,
looking with strange interest on these
sons OF the forest. But the attraction
for the party on the left of the stage
was the agile and fairy figure of the
Mountain Sylph. AS she descended,
and her feet touched lightly the stage,
their cries mingled with the plaudits Of
their white brethren. AS she moved
from place to place, appearing and van
ishing with a rapidlty that reminded
them of the fleetness of deer in their
native hunting grounds, their interest
became more intense. One of them,
Pa-la.ne a-pa-pi, (The Man struck by
a Rickara,) a young chief ofthe Yanc-
tons, suddenly rose, and threw ut her
feet the splendid war cap, composed of
feathers of the war eagle, which he
had often worn in bloody conflicts with
the enemies ofhis people. Most grace
fully did the Sylph receive the offering,
and appended it to her own rich cos.
tune.
A few moments passed, and an aged
Sac chief, Po.ko.ra, (The Plume,)
who during a long life has been dis.
tinguished for his friendship for the
Americans, especially in the war Of
1912, moved by a sudden impulse,
made to her an oblation ofhis v war
cap. To.ka.ca, (The Man that lnfic.
ted the First Wound,) a celebrated
brave of the Yanctons, almost imne.
diately afterwards presented her with
a splendid robe of the skins OF the
white wolf, which he had worn only AT
the more imposing ceremonies of his
tribe. A buffalo robe, richly orna.
mented, was next the gift of Ha.sa.za,
(The Forked Horn,) the second chief
of the Yanctons. And Mou.ka.ush-
ka, (The Trembling Earth,) a young
brave of rank, of the same tribe, be.
slowed another robe, of similar fabric
aud workmanship. At the ~presenta-
ton his of gift, each ofthese chiefs and
warriors addressed to the Sylph some
words of compliment the last decla.
ring that he made his offering "to the
beauty of Washington" With grace
full ease she expressed her regret that
she could not speak 10 them in their
native language, and thank them for
their splendid donations. And she re-
quested the Interpreter 10 tell them
tildl Sic Sllouiu CfCI iG8diu iiitii uS
friends and brethren. Then, advan.
cling to the box, she presented to each
a beautiful ostrich plume, which they
Immediately placed upon their head
dresses. AT the close, as she was as
cending, she spread over her brow the
splendid war cap ofeagle feathers, pro.
ducing a most magical effect.
1t would be vain TO attempt TO con.
vey 10 those who we're not present an
idea of the impression created by such
an unwonted and unexpected exhibit
ton of interest and admiration by these
untutored men, who, for the first time,
witnessed what they must have deemed
a more than human exertion ofpower.
And well may the Sylph felicitate her
self upon having kindled so wildly
their susceptibilities, and obtained from
them such costly token, of their admi-
ration.