West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-02-15
The Indian Who Could Speak Good
English.

In the spring of 1926 stately Indian
Chief, accompanied by three Young
men, who, from their striking resem-
olance OF him, appeared To be his sons,
presented written order, regularly
signed and sealed, from the Agent of the
British Government at Montreal. 10 the
commandant of a store and fort on the
frontier OF the Indian country, for some
powder, which was included in the sub
sldles annually granted TO theAbcrigines.
The robes worn 10y the Chief aud his
retlnue OF sons were of white buffalo skin.
richly ornamented with wampum. and
iringed with long black locks of hair.
Two horns protruded from the head of
the cid Chief, and stuffed blackhawk
was perched between them as his crest
over his shoulders hung n superb red
poncho, and his light blue leggings and
brown moccasins were profusely orna.
mented with silver bells.
The commander of the fort SURVEYED
the noble-looking Indian for some time
with admiration, as he executed the
order presented 10 him.
Look, brother" said the Indian to
the white man who accompanied him To
the stockade in front of the fort; "these
are the chiefs of ten bands of the
Athabasca Chippe, who ate waiting for
the powder of their great father beyond
Salt Lake; and woe TO the Sioux OF the
South when they have il in their
pouchesW
" You speak English WELL sir" said
the commandant, with surprise, IA he
listened TO the Indians voice
&" ought" replied the chief, with
laugh " 1t is my native tongue-I am
Scotchman."
A whatY cried the commandant.
grasping his hand, and looking at him
with surprise; and from what part do
you Gomez"
From Edinburgh"
My own native place And what
part of Edinburgh ?"
From Carruber's Close, where the
houses are loftier than these magnolias.
and the brae sleeper than the activity of
the bluff"
4" am from Old Assembly Close"
cried the Commandant, "and if have
not met you before, you must have been
an extraordinarily quiet boy"
"Ah" cried the Chief, forgetting his
present position in the recollection of his
early days; Z" was Black Mack, the
leader of the bickers in the Nor Lock :;
now, | am Black Hawk, head Chief of
the Chippewas."
The smile instantly passed off the. lips
OF the stately warrior as he said so, and
he became grave and stern.
&" recollect youp cried the Com
mandant, striking his hands together;
Shan Kennedy, the Town Guard, took
you prisoner AZ he did me- You went to
sea, and ! into the army"
The chief burst iDto.a fit of loud
laughter at the mention of John Ken
nedy's name; and, sitting down, while
he waved his hands for his sons to retire,
he exchanged recollections of Edin-
burgh-its ancient days and ways
bickers and toon rats" with his old
comrade for an hour. At last he took
his leave, after having recounted his
story.
" Yes, comrade," he said, lovelier
girl than White Feather never bleached
linen in Beresford Park, and a better
never wore silken kirtle. / became a
son TO her father, and she is now the
mother of these boys My knowledge of
the English tongue, and our increasing
connection with the English fur traders,
induced the tribe, independent of other
circumstances, TO regard me with favor,
and at last they selected me for their
head chief. Farewell Little would
Bailie Beans, who tried me, suppose that
the Chippewa Chief Black Hawk,
is his old friend, ragged Black Mack"