And it must be borne in mind that St.
Paul was a small trading post, giving yet no sign
of it's unprecedented growth. The council -fire of
the red men was but just extinguished on the east,
and was still brightly blazing on the west side of
the river. Our village was almost daily thronged with
them, where they frequently encamped in larger numbers
than the entire adult male population of the territory.
Tragic scenes were often enacted by them when intoxicated
and provoked by the
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fraud and impositions practiced upon
them by the unprincipled whiskey seller.
A drunken Indian is the
most loathsome, fiendish being that ever wore the
"image of his maker." Alas! we can scarcely
believe humanity could be so fallen even in the savage
state.
The Indians are flattered
with attention, and often become exceedingly obtrusive
and presuming,where it is bestowed. From my début
in St. Paul, they had regarded me with a curious eye,
and bestowed upon me the appellation of Woa-wan-pa
Wa-ma-don-ka Wash-ta (good book woman). Among the
many who honored my "teepee" with a call,
was one of unusually commanding appearance, and of
proud, graceful and dignified bearing. His profuse
ornaments were exhibited for special admiration, and
a smile, a pleasant recognition, or a cordial shake
of the hand was always ready. Early one morning, having
been unusually careful in making his toilet, so that
in his own eyes he was perfectly irresistible, he
called upon me.
Besides the ordinary costume
of calico shirt, cloth "leggins," and "breechlet,"
and the blanket which, in careless negligence, gracefully
enshrouded his person, he wore a huge brass bracelet
scoured to unwonted brightness, and a bear's claw
appended to his numerous silver ear-drops, an additional
number of finger-rings, and a heavy mass of wampum
about his neck, while a new ribbon of scarlet flannel
ornamented his long, braided, black hair, from which
waved two pea-fowl feathers, and is embroidered "leggins"
were fastened with high-colored bead-wrought ties.
His deep, sonorous voice
sounded in the outer room, and by a glance at the
aperture of the door, as it stood
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ajar, his graceful movements were visible
as he loaded his massive red-stone pipe with "kinnekriknick,"
and proceeded to light it. This pipe was polished,
curiously wrought, and so heavily inlaid with lead
that, when used, it was rested on the ground.
An unusual brightness
lurked in his eyes as he drew a whiff or two through
the stem, three feet long, and richly and ingeniously
wrought with highly-colored porcupine quills, and
then passed it until it had made a circuit of the
family—a reassurance of peace and friendship.
During this preamble, a pair of eagle eyes were constantly
peering into my sanctum; and I was about to close
and secure the door, when, with the silent movement
of a cat, he threw it open, proffered his hand in
morning salutation; with a careless, easy grace, took
a seat directly in front, and, with those same eagle
eyes scanning me through and through, commenced a
spirited and animated "talk"—of course
in an unknown tongue. The expressive pantomime bespoke
the importance of the subject. The good lady, knowing
the trepidation of her boarder, came to the "rescue."
Departing from the customary manner of wooing, he
said, "Say to Woa-wan-pa Wa-ma-da-ka that she
must be my wife." In vain it was urged that he
had one, and ought not to have another. "All
the band have as many as they can keep, an I have
but one," was his reply. "she shall have
the best corner of the lodge, and the dark squaw shall
pack the wood and water, plant and hoe the corn; white
squaw may ride by my side in the hunt, and the other
shall carry the game, set the 'teepee,' and cook the
food and hush the papoose, while white squaw eats
with me." Arguments irresistible! To be
permitted to eat with my lord! to be first
in the lodge! But then, to have another
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claiming even a menial's fare as a right,
and regarding mine as her lawful lord and
master, might, and doubtless would, awaken the "green-eyed
monster," and I was incorrigible. "Then
when she is dead," said he, for he declared she
was dying with consumption, and could not possibly
live more than two or three "moons;" but
at last, finding that no arrangement could be made,
he begged a "dollar to buy a new shirt,"
and with a haughty, defiant air took leave. The next
time I saw Osceola, he was howling in loathsome drunkenness,
like a fallen beast, unable to rise, having sought
a position for my especial benefit; and he was frightful
to gaze upon, but too drunk to fear. After this, his
visits became frequent; but in manner he was insolent,
seeking to annoy where he could not intimidate, expressing
his contempt for squaws in general, and "white
squaws" in particular. The last time I saw him
was just before his tribe took up their march towards
the setting sun. He came with the same wife who, six
years before, was so near the "spiritland"
supposing, no doubt, that the past had become oblivious
to "white woman."
A similar, though more
persevering course of wooing formed a chapter in the
experience of my associate, two or three years later.
A young warrior had seen and been pleased with her,
and perhaps encouraged from some attention she thoughtlessly
bestowed, made frequent calls at her house. Unacquainted
with Indian character and customs (for she had been
but a few weeks in the West), she one day gave him
a ring, in hopes that he would be less troublesome.
Mistaking her design, he, in return, presented her
with a trifling ornament he had worn, which, being
accepted, was to him a tacit "engagement;"
and, through an interpreter, he told her that he would
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return and take her to his lodge the
next day. She, however, thought no more of the matter
until he came indeed to claim his "squaw,"
and urged his right with all the eloquence of words
and pantomime. The second day he returned with five
or six young braves, prepared to take by compulsion
what was his by right; and, but for timely interference
and explanation, the consequences might have been
serious.
Chapter 21
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