 | The wilderness and the war path |  |
APPENDIX.
1. No. I.
(Page II.)
This incident is copied from real life. An adventurous friend of mine, who
made an excursion to the Rocky Mountains, for health and recreation, and to
whom I am indebted for most of the particulars descriptive of the Flatheads,
contained in this article, received from Incillo himself, a narrative of the adventures
of a young warrior of his tribe, which I have followed so far as it
went. It was related by that chief, in reply to questions in regard to the education
of the Flathead youth. He told of a lad who was desirous to be admitted
among the warriors, and who was directed by Incillo to undergo two
trials, similar to those I have described. The first was to return from a distant
hunting camp, to the main encampment of the tribe, which he was to enter
and leave without detection, and to abstract by stealth from the tent of an individual
certain articles. The second was to steal a noted horse from a distinguished
Blackfoot warrior. Both exploits were successfully performed.
The horse was stolen back again by the Blackfeet; and changed hands, I
think, several times, in the course of an exciting rivalry between the two
tribes, for the palm of superiority, in the nomadic accomplishment of stealing
horses.
2. II.
(Page 17.)
A tradition has been current for several years past, among the Indians and
traders, in relation to a very remarkable horse, supposed to be the leader of a
herd of these animals, roaming on the Western plains. Many profess to
have seen the “White Steed,” and describe him as a horse of splendid figure
and action, and of such surpassing fleetness, sagacity, and courage, that he
baffles every attempt to capture him. The extraordinary beauty of this noble
steed, and the exquisite gracefulness of his movements, as he plays round
the grazing drove, or scours the prairie before the eager pursuers, have rendered
of the existence of this fine creature as an admitted fact; and we tell the tale
as it was told to us; but as others may have used the same tale, and we have
no ambition to acquire fame as a taker of other men's horses, we have made
ours a horse of a different colour.
3. III.
(Page 18.)
Incillo is a great hunter of the buffalo, a successful tamer of the wild
horse, and one of the most expert horsemen living. He is friendly to the
white people, and is considered by the traders as an honest man, and a person
of excellent disposition, and capacity. A Roman Catholic priest, who visited
this tribe within the last four or five years, induced the chief and a considerable
number of the people, to embrace Christianity. In the case of the chief,
however, a rather whimsical difficulty occurred. After he had been a convert
some time, the priest admonished him that he had neglected the duty of daily
confession; but Incillo defended himself on the ground that it was necessary
for him as a chief and ruler, to be the exemplar of his people, and to stand,
in their eyes, above reproach, and that he could not, without forfeiting their
respect and obedience, acknowledge himself every day to be a disobedient
subject, a bad man, and an imperfect christian.
4. IV.
(Page 24.)
In this, as well as in all the details of our fiction, we have endeavoured to
adapt our descriptions to the actual forms of Indian life, so that the scenes presented
shall be true pictures of that curious state of human existence.
5. V.
(Page 29.)
An incident of this kind is related, as having actually occurred. One of
those melodious and powerful songsters, who sometimes pour out their wild
notes in the silence of the night, was heard to warble his sweet song, from the
top of a tall tree, over the grave of a distinguished warrior, around which a
mourning train of savage men stood in silence, at the midnight hour. A coincidence
so happy could hardly fail to attract the attention of a superstitious
cannot now remember the occasion, or the authority from which I received it.
6. VI.
(Page 30.)
It is customary among the Northwestern tribes, to expose the bodies of the
dead upon a high platform, until the flesh decays, after which the skeleton is
buried. This will account for what would otherwise seem inconsistent—the
recent interment of the Blackfoot chief, so long after his decease. This custom
also sheds light upon the peculiar phraseology used by the Indians in speaking
of their dead: “the bones of their fathers.” It is in fact to the bones that
the last offices of respect are paid.
7. VII.
(Page 32.)
The principal part in this legend, was published some years ago, by an anonymous
writer, in a Pittsburgh newspaper, who gave the name of the late
venerated Major Denny as his authority. We had heard something of the
story before, though in a less authentic form; and upon conversing with our
distinguished friend, General Harrison, he not only confirmed, but corrected
the writer as to the place, where the treaty must have been held. It was not
at Cincinnati, as was alleged, but at North Bend, that Clarke held the treaty
referred to. The first military post was at the latter place, and it was there
that Judge Symmes intended to establish his city; but accident, or the superior
advantages of the site of Cincinnati, induced a number of persons to cluster
about this spot, and the Fort was brought here.
8. VIII.
(Page 36.)
George Rogers Clarke was a remarkable man. He was one of the noblest
of the sons of Virginia, so prolifie in heroes and statesmen. His talents were
of a high order, his military genius unsurpassed by that of any man of his
age. He seems to have possessed a number of qualifications that are but
rarely combined in the character of one person, and a versatility not often
found united with a sound judgment. To great quickness of perception, and
clearness of mind, Clarke added a solidity of judgment, a boldness of thought,
his designs, the promptness of his decisions, the rapidity of his movements, surprised
his friends as well as his enemies, inspiring fear on the one hand, and
confidence on the other. It was remarked of him that his actions always had
the appearance of rashness, until the results were developed, and then they
seemed to have been conceived in consummate prudence, and profound sagacity.
He was very successful in his military enterprises, some of which were
brilliant. His campaign against Kaskaskia and Vincennes, has seldom been
excelled; there was a boldness, a completeness, an unity, in the plan, a
coolness and brilliancy in the execution that would have done honour to the
most accomplished leader. His appearance and manners were prepossessing
and commanding. On ordinary occasions his address is said to have been dignified
and winning, but in his moments of anger there was a sternness in his
aspect that was terrific. Hence his sway over common minds, which were alternately
allured by his cordiality, and overawed by his energy. Among the
Indians his name was powerful. His rapid marches, and his successes, in his
campaigns against him, made him extensively known and feared, while those
who approached him in friendship, were won by his manners.
9. IX.
(Page 37.)
Another amusing anecdote is told illustrative of the times and the men. An
Indian chief, who had been in the hostile ranks, was in the habit after peace
of visiting Clarke, and became much attached to him. Having both been active
leaders in the then recent wars, their conversation naturally turned upon
those events—the more especially as the native warrior's fund of conversational
lore must have been very limited. On one occasion they amused themselves
with a kind of friendly bragging over each other, in which each enumerated
the victories of his own nation. Using the personal pronoun to designate their
respective nations, the conversation ran thus: “I beat you at such a place.”
“I made you run at such a place.” “I cut you to pieces at such a place.”
“That was very well done, but nothing to compare to the trick I played you,
at such a place.” At length the Indian, in an exulting manner, referred to the
lamentable massacre at the Blue Lick. “I beat you there, badly,—you never
gained such a victory as that.” “No,” replied Clarke, “perhaps we never
did, but you won that by luck”—and then rapidly describing the ground
and the battle, which both of them were familiar with, though neither were
in the engagement, he added, “Now suppose that instead of fighting you here,
on the edge of the water, we had sent a party round here, and attacked you
in this direction, what would have become of you?” The chief considered for
a moment, and then acknowledged himself beaten. “I can't fight with you
any more, General,” said he. “You too much big captain for me.”
10. X.
(Page 43.)
These Indians are properly called the Omawhaws, but the name is more
commonly spoken and written in the abbreviated form in the text. I have
therefore used both forms.
11. XI.
(Page 47.)
The grave of Blackbird is well known to all travellers. In sketching the
character of that chief I have adhered strictly to the account given of him in
Long's First Expedition, where a very interesting history is given of him and
his people. I have added a few particulars from other sources equally authentic.
The pathetic story of Menae, is also founded on fact. The real story is
in the work above quoted.
12. XII
(Page 74.)
This anecdote is also founded on fact.
13. XIII.
(Page 87.)
The characters in this tale are fictitious, and the plot itself is imaginary.
The descriptions are intended to convey accurate ideas of the savage life, as
it exists on the Northwestern border of the United States. I have relied chiefly
on the authority of Gov. Cass, Schoolcraft, Long, and the writer of Tanner's
Narrative.
14. XIV.
(Page 101.)
This incident is taken from real life. The original may be found in a very
curious passage in Tanner's Narrative, an admirable work, which abounds in
singular and valuable information in regard to Indian life and manners. It is
in childhood, and reared among the Chippeways, resorted to an expedient
similar to that described in the text. Her son, and adopted son, almost
famished, had become despondent, and were sunk in a state of hopeless lethargy.
She went out in the night, prayed for some hours alone, and then returning
to the lodge, informed the young men that the Great Spirit had pointed
out to her where to find game, and with much persuasion induced them to
follow her to the place, where they found the bed of a hybernating bear which
supplied an abundance of food. I have no doubt of the truth of the relation.
15. XV.
(Page 111.)
In Long's Second Expedition we have an account of a place passed by the
travellers, which the Indians avoided in consequence of its having been the
scene of a fratricide.
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