The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-06-18
Trusting an Indian Chief.

Il 4 WV
ed himself at Whitestown-about tou
miles from Utica. He brought his fami
" with him, among whom was a widow
ed daughter with an only child-a I'M
bow about four years old. You will rec'
olIect that the country round was an un'
broken forest, and this was the domain o
the savage tribes.
Judge W.. saw the necessity of keeping
on good terms with the Indians, tor as ne
was nearly alone, he was completely a
their mercy. Accordingly he took every
opportunity to assure them of his klndly
feeling and ensure their good will in re-
turn. Several of the chiefs came to see
him, and all appeared pacific. But there
was one thing that troubled him. An ag'
ed chief of the Seneca tribe, and one OF
great influence, who resided at the distance
of half a dozen miles, had not yet been to
see him, nor could he by any means as
certain the views and feelings OF The sach-
EN-, in respect to his settlement In ina re-
g:on. AT last he sent him a message, u
the answer was that the chief would Visit
him on the morrow.
True to his appointment the scahemcame.
Judge w. received him with marks OF
respect, and introduced his wife, daugh-
ter and little boy. The interview that
followed was Interesting. Upon ITS re-
suits, the Judge was convinced his securl>
ty might depend, and he was therefore,
exceedingly anxious to make a favorable
impression upon the distinguished chief.
He EXPRESSED to him his desire 10 settle in
the country, 10 live on terms ofamily and
good fellowship with the Indians, aud TO
try to be useful to them, by introducing
among them the arts OF civilization.
The chief heard him oul and then said,
brother, you ask much, and promise
much. What pledge can you give OF
your faith?'
''The honor of a man who never knew
deception" was the reply.
"The white mans word may be good
10 the white man, yet it is but wind when
spoken to the lndian,' said the sachem.
81 have put my life in your hands," re-
piled the Judge, "is not that an evidence
of my good intention2 | have placed con-
fdence in the Indian, and will not believe
tina: he will abuse or betray the trust thus
reposed."
$50 much is WELL" replied the chief,
"lhe Indian will repay confidence, if you
will trust him, he will trust you. But !
must have a pledge. Let this boy so
with me 10 my wigwam, will bring him
back in three days with my answer"
II an arrow had pierced the bosom Of
the mother, she could not have felt a dee .
er pang than went 10 her heart, as The Ia
dian made this proposal. She sprang
from her seat and running 10 the boy no
stood by the side Of tie sachem looking
into his face with pleased wonder and ad-
miration, she encircled him tn her arms,
and pressing him close to her bosom was
about TO fly from The room. A gloomy
and ominous frown came over the sach-
ems brow, but he did not speak.
But no, so with the Judge. He knew
that the success of their enterprise, the
lives of his family depended upon The de-
cision of the moment 'Stay, stay. my
daug hter," said he bring back the boy /
beseech you. He is no more 10 you than
10 me. | would not risk a hair of his
head. But, my child, he must 90 with
the sachem. God will watch over
him He will be as safe in the sachem's
wigwam as beneath our roof and in your
arms" The agonized mother hesilated
for a moment; she hen slowly returned,
placed the boy on the knee of the chief,
and kneeling at his feet burst into a flood
of tears. The gloom passed from the
sachem's brow but he said not a word.-
He arose took the boy in his arms and
departed.
shall not attempt to describe the ag-
ony of the mother for the three ensuing
days. She was agitated by c%onlending
hopes and fears. In the night she awoke
from 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 away;
noon arrived E; yet The sachem came not.
There was gloom over the whole houses
hold. The mother was pale and silent,
as despair was setting coId'y around her
heart. Judge w. walked TO an fro, 60
every few minutes to the door, and
through the opening in the for
towards the sachem's abode.
At last the rays of the setting sun were
upon the tops oflhe forest around,
the eagle feathers of the chieftain were
seen dancing above the bushes in the dis
He advanced rapidly and the liz
lie boy was at his side. He was gaily
alfred as a young chicf-his feet being
in moccasins a fine beaver skin
on his shoulders, and eagles feathers
were stuck into his hair. He was ia ex-
spirits, and so proud was he of his
that he seemed two inches taller
han before. Fe was soon in his mothers
arms, and in that brief minute she seemed
% pass from death un o life. 1t was a hap