Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-03-02
M | s C ELL A N Y.
AN INDIAN CHIEF,
.-~~seEHcE RETURNED.

from UtIca. He brought his lamilv with
him, among whom was widowed daugh.
ter with an only chid-a fine boy about
four years old. You will recoiIect that
the country around was an uabroken
Forest and This was the domain Of the
savage tribes.
Judge w. saw the necessity of keeping
on good terms with the Tndi ms, for as he
was nearly alone, he was completely at
heir mercy. Accordingly he took every
opportunity 10 assure them Of his kindly
feelings and 20 secure good. in return.
SeveraI Of the chiefs came to see him. and
all appeared pacific. Butthere was one
thing that troubled him; an aged chief OF
the Seneca tribe, and one Of great influ,
ence, whoresided at the distance of half a
Idozsn miles, had no: yet been to see hun;
nor could he, by any means, ascertain the
views and feelings Of the sachem, in re-
| spect to his settlement 10 that region. AT
last he sent him a message, and the answer
was, that the chief would visit him on The
morrow. .@
True 10 his appointment the sachem
came. Judge w. received him with
marks of respect and introduced his wife,
his daughter and the little boy. The in
terview that followed was deeply interest,
| ing. Upon its results, the Judge concsiv-
ed that his security might depend. and he
was, therefore, exceedingly anxious to
to make favorable impression upon the
distinguished chief. He expressed to him
his desire to settle in the country; 10 live
on terms Of amity and good fellowship
with the Indians; ard 10 be useful TO
them by introducing. among then the ar:s
| of civiiz ,,ion.
! The chief heard him out, and then sHiI,
!" Brother, you ask much, and you pro-
mise much. What pledge can you give
Of your good faith2" - .=
1.-The honor Ct man that never knew
deception" was The reply
The white mans word may be good
to the white man, vet it is out wind when
spoken 10 the Indian" said the sachem.
81 have PIT my life into your hands, 81
said the Judge; /" is not this az evidence
Of ny good intentions? | have placed
confidence in the Indian, and will not
believe thar he will abuse or betray the
trus, that is thus reposed."
$50 much is weIl,"' replied the chief;
"the Indian will repay confidence with
confidence; if you will trust he will trust
you. But | must have pledge. Letthis
ooy 60 with me to my wigwam will
bring him blck in three days with my
answer -
II an arrow had pierced the bosom of
the mother, she could not have felt a.
deeper pang than went to her heart, as the
Indian made this proposal. She sprang
from her seat, AID rushing 20 the
boy, who stood at the side OF the sa-
chem, looking into his face with pleas
cd wonder and admiration she encircIcd
him in her arms, and pressing him close
to her bosom, was abou: 10 hy from The
room. A gloomy and ominous frown
came over the sAchem's brow, bet be did
not speak.
But not so with Judge w. He knew
that the success of their enterprise, the
very lives Of his family, depended ppon
the decision Of the moment. STAY. stay,
my daughter !" said he Bring back tie
boy, | beseech you. He is not more TO
you than TO me. | would not risk the
| hair OF his head. But. my child, he mnst
90 with the chief God will watch over
Ihiml He will be as safe 10 the saehem's
fwigwam as beneath our roof and in your
arms" .-.. IT,
The agonized mother hcsitated fur a
moment; she then slowly returned p'ac-
ed the GOV on the knee of the chief and
kneeling at his feet, burst into food
Of tears. The gloom passed fom the
sachem's brow. but be said 10; word.
He arose, took the boy in his arms and
| departed.
shall not at;emp: to describe the &c ony
of the mother for the three ensuing days.
}She was agita,ed By contendIng hopes and
! fears. Ia the night she awoiSe from Sleep,
Iseeming to hear the screams OF her child
calling upon lis mJther for hrIT! Bat
ithe time wore away-and the third day
came. How slowly did the hours rassl
The morning wancd away; nooa aTT'"-
ed and The afternoon was now far a1-
vanced; vet the sachen came not. In"fe
was gloon over the whole household.
The mother was pale and silent, as II de-
spair was settling co!diy around her heart
Judge w. walked TO aud fro, g"Iag every
few minutes TO the door. and looking
through the opening in the forest to"ard
the sachem's abode.
At last, as the rays of the setting sun
were throwR upon the tops Of the foreS
laround, the eagle feathers of the chieltaiI
were seen dancing above the bushes il
the distance. He advanced rapidly, anc
the little boy was at his side. He wa
gaiy alfred as young chief--hs fec
being dressed in moccasins; fine heave
skin was over his shoulders, and eagles