The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-05-16
Ffom the Knickerbocker.
The LOST Eawu,

| NIc tIllloIy VI hihdlsdsi gave IIse 10
numerous domestic disquietudes. The
following is one among The many ins,an-
ces known to 'IloLABEE,' as the writer
was called by the Indians.
The organization Of the Choctaw Ma
ton parlakes of a military as well as civ
! il character. The principal chiefs are
called colonies; the next grade majors.
and the sub-chlels captains. The cap.
tans have districts, and the men, women
and children are all registered by their
respective captains. Thus the strength
of the nation is at all times asccrtained
by calling a council. White men and
women are adopted into the nation by
marriage. Occasionally the compliment,
has been paid to a white man. who has
entitled himself To their confidence chill
dren Of enemies killed in battle, and chill.
dren Of persons among them, who have
no parental protection. Many families
were separated; a portion cmigra'ing,
while Others renamed behind.
Instances Of strong attachment are TO
be found among them, which would sell
dom find a precedent in civilized life.
These, however, are characteristic Of In
dians in general. The bane of polyXa-
my tends to weaken human affection, ex-
cept in cases where the mind shows it,
self superior to the laws and usages of
society. The names of Indians depend
more on circumstances than on parentage;
and the time Of giving name To a war
Tor, hunter, or a girl, is indefinite.
BLACK WOLF was the son of chief.
When quite a child, he was scnt to n
missionary school. He remained until
his manhood was nearly developed; hav-
ing given evidence, such as is rarely seen
in Indian youths, of rondness for study.
The female children seldom acquire much
learning, their time being generally en-
Ployed in learning the use of the needle
and such other arts as may be useful in
after life !; for the females form the work
ing class. Some exceptions are to be
found, in which females show fond
ness for books. or this description was
a quarterblood, Of great beauty, who
from her delicate complexion was called
WATER LILY. She remained at the
school as an assistant-,eacher, quite neg
Iecied by her parents, who could discov-
er nothing in her delicate form, or her
londness for books, tina, could add TO their
comfort; and they were very willing she
should remain as long as the missiona-
rles would take care of her. A simiari-
ly Of thought is not unirequently a,ten-
ded by kindred interest in feeiing.
Black Wolf and Water Lily were often
seen reading from the same book, look
ing over the same map, or tracing the
trail TO the new home of their nation,
which was at this time a matter Of all. alb
sorblng interest. the majority having al
ready made their arrangements to remove.
Black Wolf received his name from an
act OF high daring. When but youth,
he was one day in pursu, Of some small
game, with party Of Indian boys
Their dogs had scented an animal, and
followed it to n swamp. The others
were for calling them of, but Black
Wolf still urged them on, himself follow
ing close, without noticing that his COM
panlons were more cautious. lie was
lost in the thickct, yet still continued the
pursuit. The dogs soon had the crea-
ture at bay; and no sooner had they
grapped, than the Indians knife was in
the animals heart. 1t proved a Jiack
aCoD, of the largest size, the skin of which
he brought off as a trophy.-lis youth
made this act the more daring; and he
was soon known by the name which his
earl disregard for danger had fairly earn.
ed for him; and was allowed caste in
the nation seldom accorded to one so
young.
The course Of Black VOLTS studies
was destined TO a sudden interruption
His family was among the first to emf.
CRATE, and he was summoned home to
prepare for departure. Until this mo-
ment, he had not known that to leave
Water Lily was matter al all TO be re.
GREETED, lie now found. however, that
his feelings were deeply interested; but
he had too much Of the Indian to make
it known, The hour Of departure had
been watched by Water Lily. She felt
that much Of the interest of the school
would be lost when Black Wolfh gone
Love has its resources as well among the
children Of the fores, as among more civ.
ilized man. Black Wolf was at length
ready TO leave. He looked in vain fol
Water Lily, and was compelled 10 de-
part without seeing her. He found HIM
self frequently looking back, in hopes lc
catch glimpse Of her, bu, nothing coull