The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-05-31
THE SENECA. CHIEF
An Instance Of Indian Fidelity.

Judge W, one of the earliest set
tiers in the Western part of New York,
dwelt at Whitestown, about four miles
from Utica. The whole country around
him wa. an unbroken forest, held by say
ace tribes, who had been for ages the
sole owners of the soil. Judge W,
feeling how much he was at their mercy
in his lonely place, was anxious to keep
on good terms with them, and secure
their good will in return.
Many of the chiefs, hearing of his
friendly ways, had been to visit him, car
ryine presents because of the gifts he
had sent them but he was troubled that
one cid chief of the Seneca tribe, hav-
ing great influence among his people,had
never either visited him or sent him any
signs of welcome since his settlement in
that region.
After some time the Judge resolved to
seek the sachem in his own Nigwan, and
by this mark of attention secure a friend
ship on which, perhaps, his safety might
depend. His family was small-a wild
owed daughter and her only child, fine
boy of four years of age; so, taking
them with him, he set off to pay visit
to the old chief. He found him seated
at the door of his tent, enjoying the
balmy air Of fine summer morning, and
was received by him with grave courtesy
and kindness.
Judge W presented his daughter
and her little son to the aged chief, and
said they had come to live in his coun-
try; they were anxious to dwell on terms
of good fellowship with the Indians, land
be useful to them by bringing among
them the arts of civilization. The chief
listened to his words. and then said:
brother, you ask much and promise
much; what pledge can you give of your
faith p 10
"The honor of man who never knew
decelt," vas the reply.
"The man words may be good to the
white man, yet it is but wind when spo-
ken to the Indian" said the sachem.
81 have put my life into your hands
by coming hither," said the Judge; sis
this not proof of my good intentions
have trusted the Indian, and will not
believe that he will abuse or betray my
/ trust"
So much is well," replied the chief
"the Indian repays trust with trust; if
you trust him, he will trust you. But ]
must have pledge. Leave this boy
with ME in my wigwam, and / will bring
him back to you in three days with my
answer"
If all arrow had pierced the bosom Of
the mother, she could not have felt a
sharper pang than that which the Indi
ans proposal caused her. She flew TO-
|ward her boy, vino STOOD beside the sa
chem, looking into his face with pleased
and innocent wonder, and snatching him
in her arms, would have rushed away
with him A gloomy frown overspread
the sachem's brow, and he remained
silent. Judge W knew that, per
haps. the very lives of himself and fam
lily depended upon. the action Of the mo
ment, and following his daughter as she
was retreating with her child into the
forest, he said hastily:
"Stay, stay, my daughter; bring back
the boy, beseech you. would not
risk hair of his head, for he is not
more dear to you than to me-but, my
child, he must remain with the chief !
God will watch him, and he will be as
safe in the sachem's wigwam as in your
arms beneath our own roof"
She yielded, and her darling boy was
left. But who can describe the agony
of the mother during the ensuing days
Every night she awoke from her sleep
seeming to hear the screams of her chlld
calling upon its mother for help. How
slowly and drearily passed. the hours!-
But at last the third day came. The
morning waned away and the afternoon
was far advanced, yet the sachem came
not. There was gloom over the whole
house; and the mother, pale and silent
walked her room in despair. Judge
W, filled with anxious doubts and
fears, looked through the opening in the
| forest toward the sachem's abode.
At last, just as the rays of the setting
sun were thrown upon the tops of the
tall trees around, the eagle feathers Of
the chief were seen dancing above the
bushes in the distance. He came rapidly
and the little boy was at his side. Hc
was gaily attired as young chief, his
feet dressed in moccasins, a fine beaver
skin thrown over his shoulders, and
/ eagles feathers stuck in his hair, He
was in joyous spirits, and so proud ot
his honors that he seemed two inches
taller than before. He was soon clasped
in his mothers arms, and in that briei
moment of joy she seemed to pass from
/ death to life. ai
"The white man has conquered" SAID
the sachem; thereafter let us be friends
You have trusted the Indian; he will re-
pay you with confidence and kindness:
He was true to his word; and Judge
W lived many years, laying there
the foundation of that fourishing com
munity which has now spread over ;
I wide extent of country. s
4 wM Men are qualified for civil libert.
in exact proportion to their disposition
I RI mt moral chains upop their own aD