Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-04-03
TIE INDIAN CHIEF.
OR THE
TEST OF \ MOTHERS CONF
DENCE.

rom otiea' lie bronght his family with
Aim, among whom was widowed daughter
with an only child-a fine boy about four
! years old. You viii recollect, the coun-
try around was an uabroken forest, and tins
vas the domain of the savage tribes.
Judge W saw the necessity OF
keeping on good terms with the Indians, for
as be vas nearly alone, be was completely
at tbeiE mercy. Accordingly be ,ock every
/ opportunity to assure them of his kindly
feelings, and to secure their good viii in
return. Several Of the chiefs came to see
him, aud all appeared pacific. Bat there
vas one thing that troubled him; IN aged
chief Of the Oneida tribe, and one OF great
influence, who resided at a distance Of a doz-
en- niles, had not yet been to see him, nor
could be ascertain the views AMI feelings
] Of the sachem IN respect to his settlement
II that region. At last he sent him mes
sage, and the answer was that the chief
would visit him on the morrow.
True TO bis appointments The sachen came;
Judge W--receiyea him With marks
Of respect, and introduced his wife, his
daughter, and little boy. Tic interview
that followed was interesting. Upon its
result the judge was convinced his security
might depend, and he was therefore exceed
ingly anxious to make favorable impress
sion upon the distinguished chief. lie ex-
pressed his desire to settle in the country,
to live on terms of amity and good fellowship
with the Indians, and to be useful to them
by introducing amopg them the arts OF
civilization.
/ The chief heard hin oct, and then said, !,
f'Brother. Won ask much and you premise
much. What pledge can you give Of your
faith! The white mans word may be good
's''''' sriita MAJ, W. it is zzind shan s.nl,-
en- to the Indian
81 have put my life in your hands, said
the judge; ''isnot t5at an evidence Of my
good Intentions; I have placed eonflance
/ in the Indian, and viii not abuse Or betray
! the rast that is thus reposed.'
$50 much is we'll replied the ehoif '';be
IndiaG will repay confidence with conf
dence; if you will trust blm. Let tbs boy
90 with me to my wigwam-I will briag
him back in threw davs with nv answer
II 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 :he hoy, who stood at the
side of the saebem, looking into his face
with pleased wonder and admiration, she
encireled him in her arms, and pressing
him to ber bosom, was about TO fly from the
room. a gloomy and ominous flown came
over the sachem's brow, but he did not
sreak.
But not 50 with Judge W. He
knew that the success Of their enterprize -of
the lives Of his family-depeuded on the
decision Of moment.
'.stay, stay my daughter he said.
"Bring back the boy beseech you. He
* not more dear to you than to me. |
would not risk hag OF his head. God
will watch over hin. BE will be as safe in
the sacheru's wigwam, as beneath our own
roef'
The agonized mother hesitated for
moment; she then slowly returned, placed
the boy on the knee Of the chief, and, kneel-
! ing at his feet, burst into foed Of tears.
/ He arose and departed.
We shall not attempt TO describe the
agony of the mother for the ensuing days.
She was agitated by contendiDg hopes aud
fears. In the night she awoke from sleep
seeming to hear the screams of the child
calling on its mother for help. But the
time wore slowly away, and the third day
came. How slowly did the hours pass.
the morning waned away; noon arrived. yet
the saehem came not. There was a gloom
over the whole household. The mother
was pale and silent Judge Wpa-
ced the floor to and fro, gong every fe"
minutes to the door, and looking through
/ the opening in the forest towards the sacb,
ems abode.
/ At last; as the rays of the setting sun
were thrown upon the tree.tops around, the
eagle feathers Of the chief we're seen dane
/ ing above the bushes in the distance. lie
advanced rapidly, and tho liitls boy was at
his side. He was gailg atsiseai as young
/ chief, bis feet being dressed ia noceasins, 2
fine beaver skin was on bis shoulders, aud
eagle feathers were stuck in his aair. lie
vas ia excellent spirits, and 50 proud va.
/ be of lis honors that be seemed two inches
taller than ha was before. lie was soon IN
his mothers arms, and that brief minute
she seemed to pass from death 70 life. l