Gambar halaman
PDF
ePub

*

"That he

the tribes, which was to the following effect: was now about to undertake their cause, and would raise up, and make them a great people; that he would drive the white men back to their own country, and make these lands permanently the land and home of the red man." The Shawnee prophet, brother to the great Tecumseh, followed. He taught many things, and his fame spread amongst all the nations. Tanner says, "It was while I was living at Great Wood river, that news came of a great man among the Shawnees, who had been favored by a revelation of the mind and will of the Great Spirit. He taught that the fire must never be suffered to go out in the lodge; that the Indians must all quit drinking; that they must not strike or quarrel with one another, but live like brothers; and that the Great Spirit would now undertake for them, and all the nations must unite and rise, en masse, and take up arms against the whites, and the Great Spirit would most certainly give them the victory. These two men traveled through nearly all the tribes north, west and south, and encouraged them, unanimously and simultaneously, to arise and gird on their armor, and make one desperate effort to recover their lost country, and to appease the souls of their fathers and countrymen that had been slain by white men. The prophet assured them that the Great Spirit had talked with him, and told him that they should succeed.'

29

They also have prophets of an inferior order, who profess to have visitations from the spirits of their deceased friends and their former prophets, that make to them many important communications. I have observed that these revelations were mostly received while in a state of intoxication, and always told at some public meeting or feast. Polygamy is seldom known amongst these Indians;

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

for however often they may change their wives, if it should be every month, yet a man seldom has two women at one time. And this is, perhaps, owing to the jealousy of the women themselves, for they cannot submit to the state of things connected with a plurality of wives.

Yet, notwithstanding all their vices and superstitions, those Indians are brave and generous. They never say to the stranger, "Be thou fed and warmed," without sharing with him part of what they have. Who ever yet went hungry to an Indian lodge or camp, and was not invited, to eat? It is a custom amongst them in their towns and villages, to select some suitable woman, and make her mistress of ceremonies, and the provider for strangers and visitors; and all the rest of the women are her aids, and must be subservient to her commands. When a stranger goes to an Indian village, all he has to do, is to dismount from his horse, and sit down. Soon some one carries the news to this woman, that there is a stranger in the gate. As soon as her arrangements are made for his reception, she goes herself, or sends a proper person, and invites him in, and gives him food and lodging, if he need them. If he has a message, he tells his' errand, and all his business is soon adjusted. The hospitality of these people is proverbial, as I myself have experienced more or less for forty years. I recollect that on one occasion, being in the woods hunting, and having been unsuccessful in the chase, I had become very hungry. I happened to fall in with an Indian camp, and soon the squaw set before me a pan full of young locusts, that had just came up out of the earth, and had been gathered and fried in bear's oil and sugar. This was the richest dish my benefactors had. At first I was somewhat start

led; but recollecting that John the Baptist, could live on these insects, I thought I might venture, at least, to eat one meal. I therefore sat about the work, and found it a most delicious breakfast, verifying the truth of the saying, that "hunger is the best sauce.' I have yet to go for the first time to an Indian house or camp, and not be invited to eat.

[ocr errors]

In eating, they seldom have more than one ladle in the kettle or tray; and the whole company has to be served with it. When one takes a sup, he hands the ladle to the one that sits next to him, and he to the next, until it goes round. In the mean time, if there be any flesh, you may take a piece of that with your knife, or fingers, and eat away until the ladle comes round. If, however, there is nothing but hommony, you have time enough to chew it well, especially if there be four or five in the circle.

Two white men came to an Indian camp on the Scioto, thirty-seven years ago, very hungry. The females set before them a kettle of hommony, with one ladle in it. One of the men seized it, and fell to work; and instead of handing it to the other, and taking ladle-full about, he ate on with great voraciousness. This waked up the indignation of the women, and one said to the other, "That fellow eats like a hog-he is a hog." She was so much displeased that she took the ladle from him and gave it to the other, exclaiming, "Yute! quis quis!" This is the most contemptuous expression, and the worst name an Indian can make use of in his own language. Yute is the expression of contempt; and quis quis is a hog. Indians cannot swear in their own language.

Great confidence may be placed in their friendship. This also I have experienced in confiding myself, horse, and money, to their care. I was once traveling from De

troit, in the year 1800, in company with two others. We came to the camp of old Tar-hee, or Crane, head chief of the Wyandott nation. We had sold a drove of cattle, and had money, which we gave up to the chief in the evening. The next morning all was forthcoming; and never were men treated with more fervent kindness.

On another occasion I lodged at a camp where many of the Indians were intoxicated, and were singing, dancing, and fighting. I lay down in my blanket by the fire, undisturbed. I do not think one of them trod on my blanket the whole night. I confess, however, that I had some misgivings. In my whole acquaintance with them, I have found them warm and constant friends; but implacable, subtle, and dangerous enemies, who never tire in seeking revenge, and seldom forgive or forget an injury.

CHAPTER III.

Introduction of the Gospel among the Wyandotts-Their degraded condition before this Their reception of the Roman Catholic religion-Its bad effects on their minds and lives-John Stewart-His, conversion-Is impressed to preach to the Indians-Leaves Marietta for this purpose-Comes to Goshen, on the Tuscarawas-Then to the Delawares at Pipetown-Adventures there-Comes to Upper Sandusky-Kindly received by the Walkers-Interview with Jonathan Pointer, who discourages him in his undertaking-First preaching of Stewart among the Wyandotts-Decision of Mr. Walker respecting the Protestant and Catholic Bibles-Stewart departs for MariettaRobert Armstrong-Visits of local preachers to the WyandottsThey are recognized by the Ohio Conference as a missionary station-Rev. James Montgomery appointed missionary-Leaves the station, and becomes sub-agent at Lower Sandusky-Moses Henkle, Sen., supplies his place-First Indian quarterly meeting held at Ebenezer Zane's, November 19th, 1819-Interesting exercise of the meetingExperience of Between-the-logs-Of Hicks-Of Scuteash-Mononcue's exhortation, and his remarks on whisky-Between-the-logs dèscribes their ancient religion, that of the Roman Catholic, and the Seneca and Shawnee prophets-The Wyandott mission peculiarly blessed-Religion alone truly civilizes savage men-The author pursuades them to have a school, and adopt the habits of civilized lifeAddress of the nation, dated August 7th, 1821, to the conference held at Lebanon-Dangerous voyage to Detroit-The bark canoe- -Quarterly meeting at Detroit-Voyage to Portland-Journey to Lower Sandusky-An Indian poney.

HAVING taken these preliminary views, and given a brief outline of the history of this interesting people, .I will now proceed to give an account of the introduction of Christianity among them.

The Wyandott nation being on the borders of the white population, and mixing with the most abandoned and vicious, soon became sunk in the most degrading vices, such as drunkenness, lewdness and gambling, unfil many of them became the most degraded and worthless of their race.

« SebelumnyaLanjutkan »