CHAPTER XIV
STUDY OF INDIAN CHARACTER
I NOW found that all my
book knowledge of Indian life and character was empty,
and, for the most part, incorrect. The world has been
taught to admire him for his noble traits, his manly
bearing, and his alleged remembrance of trifling acts
of kindness. The latter, it is true, are remembered,
but more with the expectation of repetition than a
return. Revenge is always sweet to the Indian, though
he is a base coward, and each believes and declares
every other man of the tribe to be a thief and a liar.
They have no confidence in each other, and, of course,
do not expect confidence in return. Their habits are
disgustingly filthy, and their dress, if such it may
be called, extremely unchaste. The men wear cloth
leggins coming to the knees, a breechlet of the same,
a calico shirt, and a blanket completes their toilet.
No hat is worn, but the head is covered with rude
ornaments, and a heavy mass of wampum, often very
expensive, adorns their neck. In winter, moccasins
are worn, but in summer, more frequently, the feet
are bare. The women wear the cloth leggins, a short
skirt of the same material, and an open "short
gown," with the blanket. Frequently the entire
rim of the ear is pierced, and adorned with "jewels
of silver," or something resembling it.
Instinct, more than reason,
is the guide of the red man. He repudiates improvement,
and despises manual effort. For ages has the heart
been imbedded in moral pollution.
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His visits to the mission house are
both in "season and out of season." No room
is too sacred for intrusion, and the mocassined feet
give no warning of approach. Whatever the demand,
it is satisfied, if possible, by those who "watch
their souls," and labor for the improvement and
redemption of the race. Ah! what devout thanksgiving
ascends to Heaven, when one of these children of nature
finds refuge beneath the Cross, and grace commences
its refining process upon the heart! Humble, contrite,
and devout, and the change is visible to all.
The blanket, as worn by
the Indian, is a formidable barrier to his advance
in arts or agriculture; when this is forever dispensed
with, then his hands will be free to grasp the mechanic's
tools or guide the plow. It is both graceful and chaste
in their eye, and to adopt the white man's costume,
is a great obstacle to their becoming Christians;
a requisition too humiliating, for they have personal
as well as national pride.
Observation and experience
alone impart a correct idea of the trials and privations
incident to missionary life among the Indians. Rigid
self-denial, close economy in expenditures, and isolation
from society, are comparative trifles. Parental anxieties,
while the plastic mind of childhood is receiving impress
from the rude and vulgar, who know nothing of the
refinements of the home circle; and finally, a separation
from these cherished objects of his tenderest love—these
are heavy burdens which oppress the heart of God's
servants. It is no marvel to one who has looked upon
the field, that parents and children are often separated,
the latter being sent to the States, and confided
even to the care of strangers. Parental love, the
best of good of the child, and the missionary work
demand the sacrifice.
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In a little time I was
flattered into the belief of having become something
of a favorite. I was certainly an object of curiosity.
The chief showed me special attention, calling often,
and shaking hands in a warm, friendly manner. I had
ingratiated myself into his favor, by acting upon
the advice of the captain, and bestowing attentions
upon the child of his favorite wife. THe women examined
and commented upon the various articles of my dress,
and the children would bring me wild fruit and flowers;
and one evening, enjoying at my window "the sober
twilight gray," two young braves did me the honor
of a serenade.
In preparations for their
"summer hunt," everything that would produce
a sound was brought out, and dancing, drumming, and
chanting, and finally a drunken row occupied the most
of the night.
After some delay, and
not until the sun was high in the heavens, did the
canoe fleet put out for the opposite shore, leaving
a "deserted village" behind. The horses
were made to swim along side. When in the channels,
it became evident to us they were drowning, and Dr.
Williamson and his little son, springing
into a canoe, hastened to the rescue, and saved their
beasts, for which no gratitude was manifested.
A few days previously,
one of the children of the mission family having gone
to the river for water, for convenience stepped into
a canoe, and while he stooped to dip the water, it
became detached from the shore, and in a moment was
moving rapidly down the stream. He being unable to
use the paddle, and the male members of the family
being absent, his mother and aunt, in great distress,
implored the Indian women to go for him; but they
only laughed at their fears. At last, upon the
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thought that they waited for a pledged
reward—"Go, I will pay you well,"
was no sooner uttered, than enough were ready to seize
the paddle, and the most dextrous hand soon reached
the fugitive canoe, and returned the affrighted boy
to the no less affrighted friends.
Since 1824, Dr.
Williamson has devoted himself to the Sioux.
He was a native of North Carolina, and impressed with
the evil of slavery, and to free himself from its
curse, emigrated to Ohio. He had an interesting family,
and a flourishing practice as physician; but a voice
continually thundered upon his conscience, "Go,
preach the Gospel" to the red man. His wife,
unknown to him, was impressed with the same duty,
and all he was, and all he possessed, he laid upon
the alter of the Lord. His sister, too, gave up all
of earth, and became a valuable co-worker in the unpromising
field, but all rejoice in the sacrifice they have
made for Christ.
Chapter XV
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