The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-01-16
PERSONAL "REMINISCENCES OF AN
OCTOGENARIAN.
From The american Sportsman.
BY DIR. GIDEON LINCECUM.

From The american Sportsman.
The morning after the picnic the doctor
took leave of his gay companions and the
two Indians and started alone again on his
rambles of exploration over the unknown
prairies into the heart of the country.
After travelling three or four days he fell
| in with two or three Indian scouts who
invited him to the camp of the tribe, the
Chief Of which, having suspicious of their
white visitor, put him under surveillance
and sent three Of the warriors on his trail
to discover if he had any companions with
him, which he assured the Chief he had
not, but was lone traveller, in search of
some white man who had killed his brother,
plausible, to the Indians, fiction to account
satisfactorily to them for his appearance in
that region alone. The Medicine Man Of
the tribe who was able to speak the Chero-
kee language and converse with the doctor,
soon formed warm attachment for him,
on the principle, we suppose, both
being of the same professionalism "birds
of feather flock together To work
upon the Indians credulty and practice
the part of a great Medicine Man was
the object of the doctor, and by that means
effect his escape, after disarming the Indi-
ans suspicion, and consequently he made
use of some escenses, which had strong
pleasant odor, for this purpose. He told
| the Indians that this " medicine" had the
! peculiar virtue of imparting great strength
! to their young men to enable them to be
successful in war or in hunting the buffalo.
! For the purpose of proving the wonderful
qualities Of his medicine the doctor inausu-
rated dance. He says
After had sung and beat the time till
! the old man got the beat on his drum, we
I commenced moving round and keeping time
with the drum. Then the dance began,
not long till the girls dropped in one by
one, and choosing partners. swelled the
dancing circle very rapidly. When all the
girls had got in, and while we were waiting
for the old musician to tighten and wet his
drum head, | exclaimed aloud, 1--WE chill
dren would be proud of it if all the young
men and women would join US in this grand
tick dance" The old doctor repeated what
| said in language they understood Il had
previously thrown out, on little pieces Of
paper, and rubbed with my hands on the
little girls heads, nearly all the oil of pep
permint had The old man told me that
he heard them say that they smelt the
medicine, and that it had made them feel
lively and fresh. Immediately said aloud
"They have received the strength and the
desire; tell Them old and young, to join in
the dance instantly" Aud in ten minutes
every one that had strength was stamping
away in the immense circling crowd.
started the tunes the old man beat his pot
and tho intoxicated multitude took fire
from the soul-inspiring melody and danced
in perfect frenzy of delight. At last,
when was getting tired of it, we made a
failure in an attempt to perform the eagle
dance. told the old man to tell them the
medicine having evaporated was the cause
of their failure; that had no more now
that | could spare; but when l got back
from my trip after the plant he had told
me of, / would make plenty such good
dancing medicine, that all those old Grip
pied people, when they smell it, shall rise
up and dance like the young people. And
dismissed them until l could have the
materials to make mere medicine. The
crowd, highly pleased, dispersed, and in all
my life | don't think ever heard SO many
people talking at once as they went away.
My old friend met me as came putting
and sweating from this hot exercise, and
saying, "can l ever be able to do the like
of that?" ! assured him he could, and
more too. And now my good maiden met
me with cup of cold water, which was
very acceptable. I lay down on my bed OF
skins, and was soon asleep. | had tri
umphed with my plan to escape-good
confident, sound sleeping went very much
in my favor. The old man told me tina,
the Chief had remarked in his presence
that bad men: or cowardly men, never slept
that sound amongst strangers.
l was up early, and my guard was as
glad to get off to the branch as l was.
After a thorough bath, l returned to my
skins, leaving ny protector behind. The
old doctor was at my place when I got
back and after enquiring for my health,
told me "that the Chief said the three
spies he had sent on my back track are to
return at noon to day; and if he finds you
have made a correct statement, you will be
free to go where you please"
"TLen," said l, Il will set out lust
before shutdown in search of your plant,
and when get back VIC will compound all
sorts of medicines; and have been think
ing that if it will not be dsagrccable to
the Chief, | will make my home with these
kind people, who appear to be 50 we'll
pleased with me-" He said "The Chief
will have no objections, hut for your salts
faction I'll 90 and ask him now" He soon
returned, and said, "The Chief will be
glad for you to stay with us, and thinks
should go with you to get the plant
remarked, "hc is very kind but he is not
apprised of the fact that that plant is one
Of the most powerful medicines, and that
when ! get it, it is necessary for inc to be
alone. | should make the T. ip to and from
the place 1;ithout being seen by anybody"
II" remarked. 1ha: is strange, but not
more so than what | have seen you do
already" "Tell the Chief" sud I, al