The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-06-16
A Trait of Indian Life.

An adventurous writer tells the fol
lowing extraordinary story of an Indian
chiefs paternal love Death had taken
the old chiefs son, and his grave was
dug on n small eminence, some furlongs
distant from the fort. On reaching the
spot, we found an immense concourse OF
natives assembled, among whom the
father and family of the deceased were
conspicuous. The former stood on the
brink of the grave in n desponding
mood and, though he permitted no
outward symptom of grief to appear, it
was yet evident to all that mighty and
continued effort alone kept it in restraint.
He appeared to be about fifty years of
! age, and his form and features, though
stern and swarthy, offered model of
manly beauty. The mother and her
daughters were loud in their expressions
of grief ; but that of the father, from its
very calmness, was the more terrible,
and 1 could not but sympathize with
feelings so obviously acute. The weep
ing and wailing of the assembled friends
We're the only sounds to be heard, and
for long while the business for which
they were assembled was suspended, rs
if no one was willing to impose the last
| trial Of their hearts upon the bereaved
parents.
At length the father gave n stern
order that the body should be deposited
in the grave mandate which was re-
luctantly obeyed by her who had equal
cause to mourn their great loss. The
old man then commanded silence, and,
in resolute tone of voice, began to ad-
dress the assembled multitude. Having
called attention to the different events
% l. g l.
he occupied, he proceeded to remind
them-always addressing himself to Mr..
D.-of the domestic Affections he had
death of his eldest and most beloved
"Now," said the old chief, "the
string of my bow is broken, the last
hope of my declining days has forsaken
me. Seek not to dissuade me from the
resolution have adopted, for have re-
solved upon following him, and all you
can urge will be in vain life has no
longer any charm for me. was once n
hunter, but am now no longer so. was
once the proud father of two noble sons;
but, alas where are they9 I was a
warrior, but am no longer so. Where
| fore shall I continue to cumber this
earth with my useless presence
The silence that now prevailed wac sc
deep that not even q breath was audible.
The old man folded his blanket around
him, cast one farewell look on the fair
fields and the broad rolling river in the
vicinity and then, to the surprise of all
present, descended composedly into the
pit, and laid himself upon the corpse of
his departed son.
"Throw in the earth, fill up the grave,
cover up my last earthly residence" he
exclaimed. "Nay, do not hesitate, for
am resolved to die"
Screams of agony arose from the af-
ficted wife and daughters vehement
expostulations were resorted to by all
around but the old chief remained firm.
Not the tenderest entreaties of those
who were dearest TO him among the liv-
| ing-not the eager representations of his
friends, backed by the usually infuen-
tral voice of Mr.. D., could for an instant
shake the resolve of the self-devoted
victim.
81 will die !" said the old man "seek
no longer to prevent it 4; 1 repeat it,
will die !"
When it was found that all expostula-
tions and entreaties were in vain, the
friends held a clamorous council among
themselves, which resulted in a decision
to obey the will of the chief. When he
saw his.wish would be complied with,
he again spoke and gave directions for
the disposal of his property; his horses
were to be divided among his relations,
ten OF the finest being first given to Mr..
d., who was looked upon by the Indians
| as an adopted father. Meanwhile had
advanced to the brink of the grave, in
order to observe narrowly the counte-
nance of the old man. I could perceive
no symptoms of weakness. The same
stern calmness, which was at first per-
ceptible, still continued to characterize
it, and, as the clods of earth began to
shower down upon him, still not a mus
! Gle relaxed. In the midst of the most
fearful howlings and lamentations were
the horrid obsequies performed the
clay and the sand being filed in, the
green sod was at length carefully ar
ranged over the small spot which marked
the last resting place of the living and
the dead.