National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-05-06
INDLIN ETIOUETTE.

Says q writer in the Overland Monthly for May:
woalockie and Yoatowee were Coneow Indians,
brother and sister, and young children when their
tribe first became acquainted with the Americans.
One morning at daylight q foray was made on
their native village, their parents put to flight,
many were killed, and these children with others
were carried away into captivity. The boy had,
In ten minutes time, torn away q hole in the
chapparal, and hidden himself and his little sis
ter therein SO completely that they would not
have been discovered, If their dog had not fol-
lowed and revealed their hiding-place. BY some
good fortune they were not separated, but were
carried first, In pair Of huge saddle-bags made
for the purpose one suspended on each side Of the
the horse with their heads Just peeping out; and
afteruard In a wagon with q number Of others,
all snugly packed on the floor, and covered with
deer-skins, bear-skIns and other peltries. In
passing through o town the wagon attracted sus-
pIoiou, and was halted and slightly searched by
tie officers Of the law, but nothing was discovered
o6ntraband. With the Strange instinct Of their
racs, the young captives did not cry out or whim-
per, or move muscle; but laid as still as the
young quails in the chapparal when the hawk is
lowering overhead.
The wagon was suffered to proceed, but in an
other town II was halted and searched again
more thoroughly, and the young Indians brought
to light. For the vindIcstion Of the excellent
there should be o prosecution Of the kidnspper,
and he was gently muleted 10 the sum OF 800,
and the good citizens Of the place took away his
csptIves from him, and they became "appren-
ticed" unto theml 1t CHANGED that our little hero
and heroine thus passed into the possession OF a
great phIlsnthropist Of those regions, whose voice
had often been nightly lifted In dsnunciation of
the infsnies Of this Indian slaye-trade." He
kept them some time, and finally transferred
L - 49,
did this philanthropistl The barber did not keep
them long, but sold them for SIS apiece, the
usual prlee OF an Indian boy In those times. Thus
they pasted from one to another, until seven or
eight years had elapsed, and they were grown
nearly to maturity; but they still remained IN.
separated.
At the end Of this period they regainsd their
liberty and at they set out together to return
to their native valley. It was many days journey
for then for they Travelled afoot, but at last they
arrived In sight OF the village wherein they were
born. By some means the news Of their escape
and rstuEn had prsce led them, and the parents
now learned for the first time that their long-lost
children were still alive.
The wanderers now approach the village. They
enter, and are guided BY friends to the paternal
wigwarn, for there are many changes since they
saw the village last. Ascending the earthen
dome, they 20 down the welLworn ladder In the
centte and seat themselves without word. The
father and mother give one hasty glance at them,
but no more, and not o word Is uttered. What
the exceeding great joy Of their hearts IS heaven
and themselves alone know; but from all the
spectator can read In their stern passioness faces
he would not know that they had ever borne 0 ny
children, or neurnad them for years with that
great and unforgstting sorrow that savages some
times know. An hour passes away, and still not
. word u spoken, not even single glance of rec
ognition exchanged.
The returned csptives sit In moticnless silence,
while the father and mother move about the lodge
on their various duties. An hour and half Is
gone. The parents turn now and then sudden
and stolen look upon their children. Two hours
or more elapse. The glances become more fre-
qusnt and holder. It IL now perhaps three hours
since the captivss entered, and yet not whisper.
But Ut last all the fullness Of time Of savage Gus
tom and savage etiquette Is rounded and COM
plets. The waiting hearts Of the aged father and
mother are full 10 bursting. Their eyes are Allied
with tears. They turn and call their children BY
name, they rush to them, they fall upon their
ueeks, and altogether they mingle their tears,
their strange outcriss Of JOY, and their soos.
To the reader this may seem exIravagsnt and
Impossible, but, with the exception Of minor par
ticulars, 10 Is . true story, illustrating social
custom Of this most singular race. In receiving 0
guest the Conoows frequently wait more than
three hours before they address him. The sub
stance Of the above story was narrated to me by
an American who Was an eyewitness Of the cap
ttyes' return.