The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-07-15
The Indian cater.

York, was Judge W, who established /
himself at Whltestown-about four miles
from UGca. He brought his family with
him, among whom was widowed daugh- !
Ter with an only child--a fine boy about |
Tour years old. You viii recollect the
country around was an unbroken 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 alone he was completely at their
mercy. Accordingly he took every oppor-
tunity to assure them Of his kindly feelings,
and to secure their good will in return.
Several Of the chiefs came to see him, and
all appeared pacifc-But there was one
thing that troubled him; an aged chief Of
the Oneida tribe, and one Of great influence,
who resided at the distance of a dozen
miles, had not yet been to see him, nor
could be ascertain the views and feelings Of
the sachem in respect to his settlement in
that region. At last he sent him a message,
and the answer was that the chief would
visit him on the morrow.
True 10 his 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 Judge was convinced his security
might depend, and he was therefore exceed
ingly anxious of making a favorable i'm
preston upon the distinguished chief. He
expressed his desire to settle in the country,
to live on terms Of amity ard good fellow
ship with the Indians, and to be useful 10
them by introducing among them the arts Of
| civilization.
The chief heard him out and then said:
Brother, you ask much and you promise
much. What pledge can you give of your
faith? The white mans word may be good
TO the white man, yet it is wind when spok-
en- to the Indian
Il have put my life in your hands, said
the Judge, rs not that an evidence Of my
good intention? | have placed confidence
in the Indian and will not believe that be
will abuse and betray the trust that is thus
reposed.
SO much is well, replied the chief, the
Indian will repay confidence with conf
dence, If you will trust, he will trust you.
Let the boy 60 with me to my wigwam-I
will bring him back in three days with my
answer
If an arrow had pierced the bosom Of the
mother, she could not have felt deeper
pang than went to her heart, as the Indian
made this proposal. She sprang forward,
and running to the boy, who stood at the
side Of the Sachem, looking into his face
with pleased wonder and admiration, she en-
circled him in her arms, and pressing him
to her bosom, she was about TO fly from the
room. A gloomy and ominous frown came
over the Sachem's brow, but he did not
speak.
But not SO with Judge W. lie
knew that the success Of their enterprise,
the lives Of his family, depended on de-
cision Of moment.
Stay, stay, my daughter, he said. Bring
back the boy, beseech you. He is moi
more TO you than TO me. | would not risk
a hair Of his head. But my child, he must
go with the Chief. God will watch over
him! He will be as safe in the Sachem'
wigwam, as beneath our own roof
The agonised mother heSitated for a mo.
ment; she then slowly returned, placing the
boy on the knee Of the Chief, and kneeling
at his feet, burst into flood Of tears. The
gloom passed from the Sachem's brow,
but he said not word. He arose and de-
parted.
shall not attempt to describe the agony
OF the mother for the ensuing days. She
was agitated by contending hopes and fears,
In the night she awoke from her sleep,
seeming to hear the screams Of her child
calling on its mother for help. But the
time slowly wore away-and the third day
came. How slowly did the hours pass.
The morning waned away, noon arrived;
yet the Sachem came not. There was q
gloom over the whole household. The
mother was pale and silent. Judge W
walked the floor to and fro, going every
few minutes to the door, and looking thro'
the opening in the forest towards the Sa.
chem's abode.
At last the rays Of the setting sun were
thrown upon the tops Of the trees around,
the eagle feathers Of the Chief were seen
dancing above the bushes in the distance.
He advanced rapdly-and the little boy
was at his side. He was gaily attired as a
young chie(-his feet being dressed in moe.
casins, fine beaver skin on his shoulders,
and Gag lie feathers were stuck in his hair.
He was in excellent spirits, and so proud,
was he Of his honors, that he seemed two
inches taller than he was before. He was
soon in his mothers arms, and in that brieI
minute she seemed to pass from death 10
life. 1t was happy meeting-too happy
for me to describe.
The white man has conquered said the
Sachem; hereafter let us be friends. You
have trusted an Indian; he will repay you
with confidence and friendship.
He was as good as his word; and Judge
W lived for many years in peace
with tie Indian tribes, and succeeded in
laying the foundation OF a fourishing and
prosperous comnunity.-W. Tracy.
.sThey thas seek We EarIy shall Find NE. >,