Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-04-04
THE LOST RAWN.

TEE removal Of the Choctaws from Mis- ,
sissippi to their new homes west ofthe Ter
ritory Of Arkansas, gave rise to numerous
domestic disquietudes. The following is
one among the many instances known 10
'HoLAnEE,' as the writer was called by the
Indians. s.'s,f u II
The organization Of the Choctaw Nation
partakes OF military as well as civil charac-
ter. The principal chiefs are called colonies;
the next grade majors, and the sub-chiets
captains. The captains have districts, and
the men, women and children are all regis
tered by their respective captains. Thus
the strength Of the nation is at all times as
certained by calling council. White men
and women are adopted into the nation by
marriage Occasionally the compliment
has been paid to white man, who has en-
titled himself to their confidence children
Of enemies killed in battle, and children Of
persons residing among them. who have no
parental protection. Many families were
separated portion emigrating, while 9TH
ers remained behind.
Instances of strong attachment are to be
found among them, which would seldom
find precedent in civilized life. These
however are not characteristic Of Indians in
general. The bane Of polygamy tends to
weaken human affection, except in cases
where the mind shows itself superior TO the
laws and usages Of society. The names of
Indians depend more on circumstances than
on parentage; and the time Of giving a
name 10 a warrior, hunter, or a girl, is
indefinite.
BLACK WoLF was the son of chief
h When quite child, he was sent to a mis-
sionary school. He remained until his
manhood was nearly developed; having given
evidence, such as is rarely seen in Indian
youths, of fondness for study. The female
children seldom acquire much learning,
their time being generally employed in
learning the use of the needle, and such 9TH
er arts as may be useful in after life; for
r the females form the working class. Some
: exceptions are to be found, in which females
show fondness for books. OF this de-
y scription was quarer-blood, Of great beau
= ty, who from her delicate complexion was
: called WATER LILY. She remained at the
:. school as an assistant-teacher, quite neg
g lected by her parents, who could discover
nothing in her delicate form, or her fondness
u for books, that could add to their comfort
/ and they we're very willing she should re.
Il main as long as the missionaries would take
c care of her. A similarity of thought is moi
= unfrequently attended by kindred interest
:, IN feeling. Black Wolf and Water Lii,
. were oiten reading from the same book
looking over the same map, or tracing the
ly trail to the new home of their nation
If which was at this time matter of allah
sorbing interest, the majority having already
made their arrangements to remove. Black
4 Wolf received his name from an act of higl
q daring. When but youth, he was one da,
r. in pursuit of some small game, with part,
mi of Indian boys. Their dogs had scented al
!. animal, and followed it to swamp. TIL,
" others were for calling them off, but BlacI
Wolf still urged them on, himself followin,
" close, without noticing that his companion
were more cautious. He was soon lost il
the thicket, yet still continued the pursuit
The dogs soon had the creature at bay ant
be no sooner had they grappled, than the In
dams knife was in the animals heart.
IN proved black ,oOT, of the largest size, tn
- - skin of which he brought off as trophy
His youth made this act the more daring
III and he was soon known by the name whic
ID his early disregard for danger had fair
earned for him and was allowed a caste il
the nation seldom accorded to one so young
to The course of Black VOLTS studies wa
its destined to a sudden interruption Hi
as family was among the first to emigrate, an
~ he was summoned home TO prepare for de
We parture. Until this moment he had nc
We known that to leave Water Lily was matte
at all to be regretted. He now found, how
ever, that his feelings were deeply Interest
H. ed but he had too much Of the Indian I
make it known The hour of departur
it. had been watched by Water Lily She fe
ar that much fthe interest Of the school woul
'r; be lost when Black Wolf had gone. Low
10 has its resources as well among the childre
m of the forest as among more civilized maj
VS. Black Wolf was at length ready to leaye.-
I'd, He looked in vain for Water Lily, and WI
q compelled to depart without seeing her.
j. He found himself frequently looking bacl
o; in hopes to catch glimpse of her, b,
r., nothing could he see.' He was very though
4, ful; his pace slackened, and his eyes wei
Id, on the ground. He would not go back, "
gn to proceed was painful, even TO poignanc
81 A deep sigh escaped him the school wi
& no longer visible He was at last reluctan
ly hurrying on, when his attention was a
re- tracted by small twig, placed in the cent
of the road He approached il rapidly, an
|, found suspended from it well-known strr
of wampum He seized it eagerly, presst
zee it to his lips, aud placed it in his bosom
= the same time a tear swelled in his eye. an
:. he audibly pronounced the name of 'Wat'
! Lily L ~ s r
of of In an instant she was at his side. Hi