Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1842-05-21
TRUSTING AN INDIAN CHIEF,
OR CONFIDENCE RETURN

TRUSTING An INDIAN CHIEF,
OR CONFIDENCE RETURNED.
The following in teresrng account from Merry's
Museum, Is, think incorrect IN one particular"
The scene Of the story was our birthplace, and
i, has bee IN familiar to Us from our boyhood. We
have always understood tina, IT little gir
and not n boy that was entrusted TO the Indian
chief Cincinnati Gazette.
One of the fire, settlers in Western n. York,
was Judge W. who established himself at Whites
town, about miles from Utica. He brought his
family with hun, among whom was widowed
daughter viii, an only chiId-a fine boy of ebou,
4 years old. You will recoliect that the country
around was unbroken forest, and this vas Tho
domain Of tho savage tribes.
Judge w saw the necessity of keeping on
good terms with the Indians, for as he was nearly
alone, he completely al their mercy. Accor-
dinghy, he took every opportunity to assure them
of his Kindly feelings, and to secure their good
will in return. Several of the chiefs came to see
him, and all appeared pacific But there was on Q
thing that troubled him; aged chief of the
Seneca tribe and one of great influence, who
resided ut distance OF about six miles, had not
yet been 10 sec hun; nor could no by any means,
ascertain tho feelings and views of the sachem IN
respect to his settlement IN that region. Al last
he sent him message and the answer was, that
tho chief would visit him on the morrow.
True 10 his appointment, the sachem car1o.-
Judge w. received him with marks OF respect,
aud Introduced his wife, his daughter, aud the
little boy The interview that followed was deep
" interesting. Upon its results the Judge cons
coived that his security might depend. and he
was. therefore, exceedingly anxious TO make e ia
vorable impression upon the distinguished chief
He expressed TO him his desire to settle IN the
country, to live on terms of amity md good fell
lowship With tho Indians; 10 no useful to them by
introducing among them tho arts Of civilization.
The chief heard him out, and then said. Bro
Their, You ask much, and you promise much
What pledge can you give of your faithY
The honor OF n man that never knew dece7~
tom was the reoly.
'The white mans word may be good 10 the
white man We, is bu, ind when spoken to the
Indian said the sachem.
Il have put my life into your hands, said the
Judge; is not this evidence of my good inten-
,ionst have placed confidence in the Indian,
and | will not believe that he will abuse or be-
tray tho trust that Is thus reposed'
so much is WELL replied the chief; the Indian
will repay confidence with confidence; IT you
will trust him, ne will trust you. But must
have pledge. Let this boy go with me to my
wigwam; | will bring him back IN three days
with my answer
1t an arrow had pierced the bosom of the mo-
Their, she could not have felt deeper pang than
went TO her heart, as tho Indian made this propo-
sal. She sprang from her seat, and rushed 10 the
boy who stood The side of the sachem, looking
into his face with pleased wonder and admiration,
she eucircied him IN her arms, and pressing him
close to her bosom. about to fly from the room.
gloomy and omnous frown came over the
chem's brow. but he did no, speak.
But not with Judge w He knew tina, the
success of the enterprise, the very lives of his
family depended upon the decision of tho mos
men,. Stay. stay, my daughtern said he
Bring back the boy, beseech you | would no,
risk hair of his head. He is not more dear to
you, than me. But my child, he must go with
the chief. God will watch him. He will
be as safe in the sacbem's W gwam as beneath our
roof and in your arms
shall not attempt to describe the aConv Of the
mother for the three ensuing days. She was aCi-
tated by contending hopes and fears. In the
night she awoke from her sleep, seeming to hear
the screams of her child calling upon its mother
for help! But The time wore away-and the
third day came. How slowly did the hours pass,
The morning waned awav-noou arrived, and
the afternoon was now far sdvanced; yet the
sachen came not. There gloom over the
whole household. The mother was pale and ST.
lent, as If despair was setting coldly around her
heart Judge w. walked TO End fro, going every
few minutes TO the door. and looking through the
opening IN the forest, towards the sachems abode.
AT last, as The rays of the setting
thrown upon The tops of the forest around. the
eagle feathers OF the chieftain were seen dancing
above tho bushes IN the distance. He advanced
rapidly, and the little boy at his side He
was gaily attired young chief-his feet be-
ing dressed in meccssns; fine beaver skin wa,