Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-11-19
Evil Overcome by Good.


WIN. Betram, who in 1878 travelled
through the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, the
Cherokee country &c relates the following
adventure, which strikingly illustrates the
force with which a defenceless condition ac-
companied by a spirit Of good will, appeals
10 the worst of men.
81 had now passed the utmost frontier of
the white settlements on that border. Ii was
draw ing towards The close of the day, and
nothing had appeared 10 rnfle the happy mo-
ments OF evening contemplation, when on a
sudden, an lndianappeared crossing The path,
at Il considerable distance before me. On
pefcelving that he was armed with a rifle,
the first sight OF him startled me, and | en-
dcavored TO elude his sight, by stopping my
pace and keeping large trees between MS; but
he espled me, and turning short about, set
spurs 10 his horse, and came up in full gal
lop. ] never before this was afraid of the
sight Of an Indian, but at this time | must
own that my spirits were very much agita-
ted. l saw at once, that, being unarmed, |
was in his power; and having but few
oments 10 prepare | resigned myself entire
ly TO the will Of the Almighty, trusting in
his mcrcies for my preservation; my mind
then became tranquil, and | resolved TO meet
the dreadful foe with resolution and cheerful
confidence. The intrepid Seminole stopped
suddenly, three or four yards before me, and
silently viewed me, his countenance angry
fierce, shifting his rifle from shoulder TO
shoulder, and looking about Instantly on all
sides. l advanced towards him, and with
an air Of confidence offered hin my hand
Iiailing him brother. At this he hastily Jerk
ed back his arm, with a 10 Jk OF malice, race
and disdain, seeming every way concerned;
when again looking at me more attentiyely
spurrcd up TO me, and with dignity in looks
and action, gave Inc his hand. Possibly the
silent language Of his soul during tho mo-
ment of suspense (for ] believe his design
was 10 kill me, when he first came np) WIS
after this manner: '.White nan, thou art nv
enemy, aud thou and thy brethren may have
killed mine; yet it may moi be so, and even
were that the case, thou art now alone, and
in my power. Live! the Great Spirit forbids
me 10 touch thy life. Go TO thy brethren,
tell them thou sawest an Indian in the forest
who knew how TO be humane and compass
slonate." In fine, we shook hands and par
ted IN a friendly manner, in the midst Of a
dreary Wilderness; and he informed me of
the course and distance 10 the trading house
where | found he had been extremely i'll
treated the day before"
On reaching The trading company, and re.
latlng his adventures on the road, particular
ly the last with the Indian, the author goes
on TO say that the chief replied, with a coun-
tenance that at once bespoke surprise and
pleasure, ''my friend, consider Yourself a for
tunate man. That fellow is one of the grea-
test villains on earth, a noted murderer, and
outlawed by his countrymen. Last evening
he was here, we took his gun from him, broke
It IN pieces, and gave him a severe drubbing.
He, however, made his escape, carrying off
new rifle gun, with which he said, going
oil, he would kill the first white man he met"
The reflections Of The author, on contem-
plating the behaviour OF this Indian towards
him, so soon after his ill-~lreatment, are that
''the moral principles which direct the saw
age to vlrtuous and praisworlhy actions, must
be lnnate-tl'ey not having the assistance Of
letters, or those means of education, in the
schools of philosophy where the virtues, sem
lumenls, aud actions of the most illust,ous
characters are recorded and exhibiled-or
they must be under the immediate influence
and guidance Of a more divine and powerful
pcrceptor, who or those occasions, instantly
inspires them, and as with a ray of divine
light, points out TO them at once the dignity,
proprlety, and beauty OF virtue"