The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1848-06-21
THE INDIAN CHIEF.

and was first published in lecture deliver.
ed BY William Tracy, Esq, Of Utica, on the
early history of Oneida county.
One of the first settlers in Western New
York was Judge W, who established
himself at Whitcstown, about four miles
from Utica. lie brought his family with
him, among whom was widowed daugh-
ter with an only chid-a fine boy about
four years old. You will recolect the coun-
try around was an unbrokcn forest and this
was the domain of the savage tribes.
Judge W. saw the necessity of keep
ing on good terms with the Indians, for as he
was nearly alone, he was completely al their
mercy. Accordingly he took every oppor.
tun,y TO assure them Of his kindly feelings,
and to secure their good will in return. Sew
eral OF the chiefs came to see him, and all
appeared pacific. But there was one thing
that troubled him; all aged chic; Of the One
ida tribe, and one of great influence, who
resided at distance of dozen miles, had not
yet been 10 see him. nor could he ascertain
the views and feelings of the sachem in re-.
spect to his settlement in that region. At
last he sent him message, aud the answer
was that the chief would visit him on the
morrow.
True to this appointment, the sachem
came; Judge W. received him with
marks of respect. and introduced his wife,
his daughter and little boy. The interview
that followed was interesting. Upon its re-.
suit the Jud ge was convinced his security
might depend, and he was therefore exceed
ingly anxious TO make favorable impression
upon The distinguished chef. He express
ed his desire to settle in the country, to live
on terms of amily and good fellowship with
The Indians, AID to be useful to them bv in.
Producing among them the arts Of civiza.
ton.
The chief heard him out, and then said:
Brother, you ask much and you promise
much. What pledge can you give Of faith!
The white mans word may be good to the
white man, vel il is wind when spoken TO
the Indian
4 have put my life in you hands, said the
Judge. is moi that an evidence of my good
intention? | have placed confidence in The
Indian, and will not believe that he will a
buse or bclray the trust that it thus repos-
ed.'
so mu:h is WELL replied the chief. the
Indian will repay confidence with confidence
if you will trls, him. he will trust you.'
Let this boy 90 with me to my wigwam
II will bring hrm back in three days with
my answcrp
If an arrow had pierced bosom of,hc mo-
thcr. she could not have felt deeper pang
than went 10 her heart. as the Iudian made
this proposal. She sprang forward, and
running to the boy, who stood a. tho side OF
the sachen,, hooking luto his face with pleas.
ed wonder and admiration. she encirclcd
him in her ar.ns, and pressing hin to her
bosom, was about to fly from the room.
A gloomy and ominous ir,wn came over the
sachem's brow but he did no, speak,
But not so with Judge W. He
knew that the SUCCESS of their enter rise, the
lives his family, depended on decision Of
moment.
STAY, stav. my daughter he said. Bring
back the boy, | bcseech you. lie is not
more to YOU than to me. would not risk
a hair of his head. But my child, he must
90 with the chief. God will watch over
him! He will be as safe in the sachem's
wigwam as beneath our own roof
The agonzed mother hcstatcd for mo-
mcn,; she then slowly returned, placing the
box on the knee of the Chief and kncelng
at his feet, burst into food of tears. The
gloom passed from the sachcm's brow, but
he said not word. lie arose and depart
cd.
shall not attempt to describe the agony
of the mother for the ensuing three days.
She was agitated by contending hopes and
fears. In tho night she awoke from sleep,
seeming to her the screams Of the child call
ing on ITS mother for help. Blu, the time
wore slowly away--and the third day came.
How slowly did the hours pass. The morn
ing waned away, noon arrived, yet the "a
chem came not. There was gloom over
the wh,le household. The mother was pale
and silent, Judge W-walked the floor
to and fro, going every few minutes to the
door, and looking through the opening IN
The forest towards the sachcm's abode.
Al last Inc rays Ol tile SeltlliS sui "e'e
thrown upon the tops OF the trees around
the Gayle feathers of the chief were seer
dancing above the bushes il the distance
He advanced rapidly-and the little boy
at his side. lie was gaiIy attired as young
chicf-his feet being dressed in moccasns, q
fine beaver skin was on his shoulders, and
eagle feathers stuck in his hair. He was lr
excellent spirits, and so proud was he of hi:
honors that he seemed two inches taller thar
he was before. He was soon in his moth
cr's arms, and in that brief minute she seem
ed TO pass from death to life. 1t was hap
py meeting-toq happy for me to describe
The white man has conquered! said the
sachem; thereafter lot US be friends. Yot
have have trusted on Indian, he will repay