Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-07-07
The Indian Chief.

The following beautiful story is literally
true, and was first published in a lecture de-
livered by William Tracy, ESQ, of Utica,
on the early history of Oneida county, New
York.
One Of the first settlers Of Western New
York was Judge W, who established
himself at Whitestown, about four miles from
Utica. He brought his family with him
among whom was a widowed daughter with
an only child, a fine boy about four years old.
You will r~ecollect the country was an I'M
broken forest, and this was the domain Of
the savage tribes.
Judge W saw the necessity of keep
ing on good terms with the Indians, as lie
was nearly alone, and completely at their
mercy. Accordingly he took every opportu-
nifty to assure them of his kindly feelings,
and to secure them of his good will in re-
turn. Several of the chiefs came 10 see him,
and all appeared pacific. But there was one
thing that troubled him; an aged chief of the
Oneida tribe, and one of great influence, who
resided at a distance of a dozen miles, had
not been 10 see him, nor could he ascertain
the views and feelings of the sachem in re-
gard to his settlement in that region. At last
he sent him a message, and the answer was
hiiut hiS CiiiO "Oulu NlSlh nun III VIC llOlIOhs
True to disappointment, the sachem came /;
Judge W received him with marked re-
spect, and introduced his wife, his daughter
and little boy. The interview that followed
was interesting. Upon its result the Judge
was convinced his security might depend,
and he was exceedingly anxious to make a
favorable impression upon the distinguished
chief. He expressed his desire to settle in
! tho conptru ap1 Ia liuo ~ ,,rr,c sc ,ro;,,
and good fellowship with the Indians, and
TO be useful to them by introd ucing 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 spoken
to the Indian"
d" have put my life in your hands," said
the Judge, sis not that an evidence of my
good intention | have placed confidence
in the Indian, and will not believe that he
will abuse or betray the trust that is thus
reposed."
80 much is WELL" replied the chief;
the Indian will repay confidence with con-
idence-if you will trust, he will trust you."
"Let this boy go 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 run
ming to the boy, who stood at the side OF
the sachem, looking in his face with pleas
ed wonder and admiration, she encircled
him in her arms, and pressing him TO her
bosom, was about to fly from the room. A
gloomy and ominous frown came over the
sachem's brow, but he did moi speak.
But not so with Judge W.. He knew
that the success of their enterprise, the lives
of his family, depended on the decision of a
moment
Stay, stay, my daughter" he said
Z" Bring back the boy, | beseech you. He is
not more to you than to me. | would moi
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 sach-
ems wigwam as beneath our own roof
The a~gonized mother h~esitated for a mo-
meDt; she then slowly returned, and placing
the boy on the knee OF the chief, and kueei,