The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-11-08


iiized people constantly instead of meeting
them occasionally for few moments, and
compelled to experience the contrast be-
tween the culture and honor of high
bred officers and the ignorance and brnsk-
ness of her own people, it is not surprising
that she was favorably impressed with her
new life.
She saw and heard nothing cruel, moth
ing indel icate, nothing Obtrusive like the
attention of the hateful a ne moosh.-
Here we're men who did not delight in
carnage and torture: no scalp locks attest
ed their prowess; they did not smoke and /
sleep, and sleep and smoke, while weary |
women performed the slavish toll.
Besides, the whole garrison, feeling that |
to Mee-mi they owed their lives, sought to |
contribute to her happiness and content |
ment.
She was indeed treated almost like
queen and officers and men were her will
ing servants. Major Gladwin directed the
! Interpreter to explain to her fully the state
| of feeling among the soldiers, and that she
| had only to express her wishes to have
! them graCified.
! And when at roll l-can he informed the
| troops what a liberty he had conferred on
the young squaw, and commanded them
to see how manfully they could carry out
his policy toward her, they gave way to
| their enthusiasm in loud huZzds.
Soon and naturally appeared her need
! of speaking English, and she entered upon
the task of learning with ability and Perse-
| verance.
But although the ccmmandaut's journal,
from which this sketch is compiled, abounos
with page after page of incidents respecting
Nee mi, space for5ids repeating them.
Rapidly she mastered the new language
and the elements of an education ia it,
| and from the cultured officers around her
acquired a general intelligence probably
beyond the average grade OF frontier white
women.
} But like so many other fairer maidens,
timid Nee mi ''met her fate ;" a wooeI
came in whose net the Wild Pigeon was
! caught.
$ The interpreter was a young French
| creole, captured by the Indians from his
: southern home when a little child, and
q reared in ehe wilds of the northwest, al
y ternately among the natives, the French
e and the English.
S \ devout Catholic, a chivalrous gentle
e man, and brave as a night, yet he possess
ed just that fervid type of heart to be woI
J. by such an artless nature and romantic
z. history as Mee>mi's. Himself dark b.
e birth and bronzed by life of exposure
10 there was a charm in her dusky face
< with its fawn like eyes and blush of limo
g ceuce surrounded by cloud of raven hair
il Aud there was something irresistible il
/ her sadly mellow voice as she trilled tn
t gutturaIs OF the Algonquin tongue.
t. Perhaps had he never seen her but th
I, few times when he was called by the CON
is maudaut to conduct negotiations with he
e, in regard to mOccasIns his hear woul
he have retained its liberty.
E. But when the several events occurred
I'd her simple life as here related-a heroin
rescuing the garrison from massacre, II
or ! gilive from Pontiac's fury, the queen
hearts among tho soldiers, and, lastly, a
o eager student under his instruction.
on surrendered uncOnditionally.
Seeking the commandaut's consent /
ng prosecuted his tender suit for her affection
rs aud in Gne time the bans, showing his su
ny cess, were published to the troops, ant
Tul like everything pertaining to Nee mi, 1
ceived their demonstrative approval
he At length the siege closed, Pontiac al
ut. his warriors retreating at the approach
he an army under Gen. Bradstreet, a prize
he entering the fort, and the way was OPT
ess for the nuptials of the Wild Pigeon.
ng To those, especially who, rescued by h
of faithfulness had loved her so well, the .
TO casion must have been exceedingly thrl
ing. Under the roof of the council houS
to where year before iranspired the eXT
ut, sure of Pontiac's treacheTy, we're array
of in hollow square a throng of officers in f
me uniform, those of the garrison multlpil
mes tenfold by those of the army of reintor'
nj ! nIentS Outside of these were the ia
and file OF the garrison, Mee-mi's Doc
the guard, and beyond these, covering !
lal- whole parade ground, the three thousa
TROOPS newly arrived.
nan At the signal gun Mee-mi made her
and pearance leaning on the arm of her g
liant commandant, preceded by the pri
be- and the happy man whom her artlessn
had conquered. Marching to the cen
lee of the hollox square they halted.
Then, at ringing command from u
: Of Bradstreet the circle of officers came ne
the er. and. drawing their swords, assun
the guard right attitude next,
)wn another order from the general, 5he VIII
hey forcs of troops advanced several steps {
ion. stood at ''present arms" while the sole
a of and stately ceremony of the church mi
hair the Youthful couple man and wife. At
and concluding words of the rite a salvO
inst guns mingled with thousands of huZ
7ere burst on the air, heralding the glad eve
OF the afternoon reception in the Office
sa- quarters, the commaudant's journal sa
the "When my veterans came around, man
rted man, to kiss her hand and speak I'll
ON gratrIations. scarce face was dry fl
lder tears. though why cannot say unles
en- was for very joy in our Indian maids W
TO being. - Christian Union,