the indians have been frequently represented as almost devoid of natural affection, or indeed of feeling altogether; but this is a mistake, which probably arises from the great command over their feelings which they are in the habit of exercising, particularly when in the presence of strangers. those persons who have had the best opportunities of knowing the real character of the indians have remarked, amongst many other good traits, the great affection that they have for their children, and the respect which young people pay, not only to their own parents, but to all elderly people.
the children, both boys and girls, appear to be particularly under the care of their mother; she teaches them how to make leggins, moccasins, and many other things that have already been described; and if she be a good mother, as many of these poor squaws are, she is particular in keeping her daughters continually employed, so that they may have the reputation of being[134] industrious girls, which is a recommendation to the young men to marry them.
corporal punishment is very seldom resorted to for the correction of children; but if they commit any fault, it is common for the mother to blacken their faces and send them out of the lodge: when this is done, they are not allowed to eat till it is washed off, and sometimes they are kept a whole day in this situation, as a punishment for their misconduct.
there is a considerable difference in the manners and characters of different tribes, some being brave, honorable, and generous, while others are noted for their treacherous disposition and filthy habits. in many tribes their families appear to be well regulated, and great pains are taken by the chiefs and principal men to impress upon the minds of the younger part of their respective nations what they conceive to be their duty.
when the boys are six or seven years of age, a small bow and arrows are put into their hands, and they are sent out to shoot birds around the lodge or village: this they continue to do five or six years, and then their father procures for them short guns, and they begin to hunt ducks, geese, and small game. in the winter evenings their father will relate to them the manner of approaching a deer, elk, or buffalo, and describe the manner of setting traps for different animals:[135] when he is able, he will take them a hunting with him, and show them the tracks of wild beasts. to all these instructions the boys pay the most earnest attention.
the indians generally appear to be more afflicted at the loss of an infant, or young child, than of a person who has arrived at mature years; the latter, they think, can provide for himself in the country whither he has gone, but the former is too young to provide for himself.
the men appear ashamed to show any signs of grief at the loss of any relation, however dear he might have been to them; but the women do not attempt to conceal their feelings; and on the loss of either husband or child, they cut off their hair, disfigure their faces and limbs with black paint, and even with cuts, and burn all their clothes excepting a few miserable rags.
a striking display of the strong affection that an indian feels for his child occurred some years since in a town in maine. one of the kennebec tribe, remarkable for his good conduct, had received a grant of land from the state, and settled himself in a part of the country where several families were already settled. though by no means ill-treated, yet the common prejudice against indians prevented any sympathy with him; and he felt this keenly, when, at the death of his only child, none of his neighbors came near him to attend the funeral.
[136]
a few months afterwards he announced his intention of leaving the village: he called on some of the inhabitants, and expressed himself in the following manner:—“when white man’s child die,” said he, “indian man be sorry; he help bury him. when my child die, no one speak to me—i make his grave alone—i can no live here.” he gave up his farm, dug up the body of his child, and carried it with him two hundred miles, through the forest, to join the canadian indians.
not long after the first english settlers had established themselves in pennsylvania, during the winter a white man’s child strayed away from his parent’s house; and after having in vain been sought in every direction by the parents for a whole day and night, the father resolved to apply for assistance to one of his indian neighbors, with whom he had always lived on friendly terms. he knew the superior facility with which the indians, who are in the habit of constantly roaming the woods, can detect and distinguish objects of sight and sound.
osamee, for that was the name of the friendly indian, immediately went to the house of the parents, and looking attentively round it, soon discovered the little footsteps of a child, and the direction which they had taken; and although the child’s father could hardly discover the marks and signs by which he was guided,[137] he followed the track with as much apparent ease and confidence as an english traveler would a turnpike road, and after tracing it for about three miles into the forest, he found the poor child lying under a tree, crying bitterly, and almost perishing with cold.
this little incident was the means of reconciling some of the white people to the near settlement of the indians, of whom they had been in dread; but they now rather rejoiced in having such good neighbors; and it would have been well for both parties if the good feelings shown by the indians to the first settlers in some hundreds of instances had met with such a return as men calling themselves christians were bound to make; but, alas! it was far otherwise.
an anecdote which has been preserved, concerning an old mohegan indian named wa-nou, affords a striking example of the strong affection of a father towards his only son.
during the frequent wars which took place between the indians and the white men, the former had defeated a party of english soldiers, and put them to flight. the retreat being without order, a young english officer, in attempting to escape, was pursued by two of the savages, and finding an escape impracticable, he determined to sell his life as dear as possible. he turned round to face his enemies, and a violent conflict commenced, in[138] which he must have soon fallen; but just as one of his assailants was about to raise the fatal tomahawk over his head, an old indian threw himself between the combatants, and the red men instantly retired with respect.
the old man took the young officer by the hand, dispelled his fears, and led him through the forest to his wigwam, where he treated him with the greatest kindness. he seemed to take pleasure in the youth’s company; he was his constant companion; he taught him his language, and made the rude arts of his countrymen familiar to him. they lived happily together, though the thoughts of home would occasionally disturb the englishman’s tranquillity, and for awhile his countenance appeared sorrowful. at these times wa-nou would survey his young friend attentively, and while he fixed his eyes upon him, the tears would start into them.
on the return of spring, hostilities were recommenced, and every warrior appeared in arms. wa-nou, whose strength was still sufficient to support the toils of war, set out with the rest, accompanied by his prisoner. the indians having marched above two hundred miles, at length arrived within sight of the english camp. wa-nou observed the young man’s countenance whilst he showed him the camp of his countrymen. “there are thy brethren,” said he, “waiting to fight us. listen[139] to me. i have saved thy life. i have taught thee to make a canoe, a bow and arrows; to hunt the bear and the buffalo; to bring down the deer at full speed, and to outwit even the cunning fox. what wast thou when i first led thee to my wigwam? thy hands were like those of a child; they served neither to support nor to defend thee; thou wert ignorant, but from me thou hast learnt every thing. wilt thou be ungrateful, and raise up thine arm against the red men?”
the young englishman declared with much warmth, that he would rather lose his own life than shed the blood of one of his indian friends. the old warrior seemed to be overcome by some painful recollection; he covered his face with his hands, bowed down his head, and remained in that posture for some time; then, making as it were a strong effort, he again looked at the young man, and said to him in a tone mixed with tenderness and grief, “hast thou a father?”
“he was living,” said the young man, “when i left my country.”
“oh, how fortunate he is still to have a son!” cried the indian; and then, after a minute’s silence, he added, “knowest thou that i have been a father, but i am no longer so? i saw my son fall in battle; he fought bravely by my side; my son fell covered with wounds,[140] and he died like a man! but i revenged his death; yes, i revenged it.”
wa-nou pronounced these words with great vehemence; his whole frame seemed agitated; his eyes lost their usual serenity, and his chest heaved with deep sighs. by degrees he became more calm, and, turning towards the east, where the sun had just risen, he said,—
“young man, thou seest that glorious light—does it afford thee any pleasure to behold it?”
“yes,” replied the englishman, “i never look upon the rising sun without pleasure, or without feeling thankful to our great father who created it.”
“i am glad that thou art happy, but there is no more pleasure for me,” said wa-nou. a moment after, he showed the young man a shrub that was in full bloom.
“seest thou that beautiful plant?” said he. “hast thou any pleasure in beholding it?”
“yes, great pleasure,” replied the young man.
“to me, it can no longer give pleasure,” said the old man: and then, after embracing the young englishman with great affection, he concluded with these words: “begone, hasten to thine own country, that thy father may still have pleasure in beholding the rising sun and the flowers of spring.”
