The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-03-31
From the Knickcrbocker, for March.
,ghe Loci va WI.

The remova! of the Chocaws from Mississippi TO
their homes west Of the Territory of Arkansas,
gave rise numerous domestic dsquietudes. The
following is one among the many instances known
tolIolabee, 'as the writer called by the Indians
The organization of the Choctnw Nation parlukes
of military well as civil character. The prin-
cpa chiefs are called colonies he next grade majors
and the sub-chiefs captains The captains have dis
;ricts, and the men and children all regis
tered by their respective captains Thus the strength
Of the nation is Mt all times asceraincd by calling
council White and women nro adopted into
the nation by marriage. Occasionai!y the compliment
has been paid TO a white man, who has entitled him
self to their confdence children Of enemies killed in
battle, and children of persons residing among Them
who have parental protection. Many families
separated; portion emigt,ing, while Others
remained behind.
Instances orstrong attachment are to be found a.
mong them, which would seldom find precedent in
civilized life These however are characteristic
of Indians in general The bane Of poygamy. tends
weaken human affection, except in where
tho mind shows itself superior the laws aud usages
of society. The Of Indians depend on
circumstance than parentage; and the time of Civ
ing a warrior, hunter, a girl, is alike
indefinite.
Black " off was The son Of chief When quite
child, he sent TO a missionary school lie
manned until his manhood was nearly developed hav-
ing given evidence such as is rarely in Indian
youths,o fondness FOR study The female children
seldom acquire much Learning, their time being gem
orally employed in learning the Of the needle and
such other arts may be useful in after life; Tor the
females form the working class. Some exceptions
are be found, in which females show a fondness
for books. OF thus desc plion quarter-hood of
great beauty, who from her delicate complexion was
called Water Lily. She remained at the school
assistant teacher. quite neglected by her parents,
who could discover nothing in her delicate form, or
her fondness for books that could add to their
fort; and they were very willing she should remain
as long the missionaries would take Of her.
similarity of thought is not unfrequently attended
by kindred interest in feeling. Black Wolf and
Water Lily were often seen reading from the same
book, looking the same map, or tracing therail
to the new home Of their nation, which at this
time matter OF all absorbing interest, the majority
having already made their arrangements TO remove
Black Wolf received his name from act Of high
daring. When but a youth, he day in pur-
suit of some small game, with party of Indian boys
Their dogs had scented animal, and followed it to
a swanp. The others were for calling them oif,but
Black Wolf still urged them Oh, himself following
close, without noticing that his companions were
more cautious. lie was lost in the thicket, yet
still continued the pursuit The dogs soon had the
creature at bay; and no sooner had they grappled,
than the Indians knife in the animals henrt.-
1t proved black wolf Of the largest size, the skin Of
which he brought of trophy. His youth made
this nc, the more daring; and he was soon known by
the name which his early disregard for danger had
fairly earned FOR him; and allowed caste in the
nation seldom accorded to young.
The course of Black VOLTS studies was destined
10 sudden interruption. His family was among the
first to emgrate, and he summoned home TO pre-
pare for departure: Until this moment he Ind not
known that 10 leave Water Lily was matter at all
10 be regretted. He now found, however, that his
feelings were deeply interested; but he had too much
of the Indian to mako it known. The hour OF de-
parture had been watched BY Water Lily. She felt
tina, much cr the interest Of the school would be lost
when Black Wolf had been gone. Love has its re-