THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
THE 
 
 OJIBVAY CONQUEST, 
 
 A TALE OF THE NORTHWEST. 
 
 BY 
 
 KAH-GE-GA-GAII-BOWH, 
 
 OR, 
 G. COPWAY, CHIEF OF TJIE OJIBWAY NATION. 
 
 NEW YORK : 
 
 PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR BY 
 
 GEORGE P. PUTNAM, 155 BROADWAY. 
 1850. 
 
Entered according to .-\ct of Congress in the year 1850, by 
 G . COP W A Y , 
 
 In the Clerk s Office of the District Couit of the United States for the 
 Southern District of New York. 
 
 C . W . BE N EDICT. 
 Siereotyper and Printer, 
 
 201 William st. 
 
THIS SHORT SKETCH 
 
 OF THE 
 
 BRAVERY AND PROWESS 
 OF THE 
 
 C-1&& 
 
 m 
 
 is MOST 
 
 RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO 
 
 COL. T . L . M c K I N N E Y , 
 
 BY HIS FRIEND 
 
 K 
 
NOTE TO THE READER. 
 
 OF all the numerous and populous tribes of Indians 
 found inhabiting the northern part of this continent, at 
 the time of its discovery, the Sioux and Ojibways 
 alone retain anything like their original character. 
 
 Of these two tribes, or nations, the Ojibways inhabit 
 principally the mountainous country about Lake 
 Superior, extending south to the plains of Illinois or 
 Wisconsin, and on the west bordering on that of the 
 Sioux, between whom and they have had a bloody 
 warfare. The Mississippi valley now forms a common 
 boundary, with the exception of the upper or the head 
 of the great river. * 
 
 It is a well-known fact, known by all who have 
 travelled among them, or who are conversant with 
 
Vlll NOTE TO THE READER. 
 
 their past history, and, as traditions transmitted to the 
 present races indicates, that all the country lying 
 south and west of the head of Lake Superior, once 
 belonged to the Sioux. By a constant warfare, carried 
 on for a great many years, and a succession of misfor 
 tunes and defeats, the Sioux were at length compelled 
 to abandon, to their more fortunate enemies, all of 
 their possessions east of the Mississippi river, and even 
 a not inconsiderable portion on the west of its more 
 northern sources. Tradition says that the last decisive 
 battle was fought near the islands of the south-west 
 end of the Superior, known as the " Apostle Islands," 
 on a point where La Point now stands. It is on this 
 circumstance that the following tale is founded. 
 
 This is given in a form which may be interesting to 
 some, \ r ho otherwise might not be interested in the 
 nation, whose ever kind intercourse with the pale 
 faces has ever been apparent. None who have lived 
 any length of time among us, could but have observed 
 the manner of relating historical narrations of by-gone 
 days to the children, as the Ojibways do. 
 
 I am very glad to think that justice has been done 
 
NOTE TO THE READER. IX 
 
 to them by many writers, in their tales, aivd the 
 peculiar romance which belong to them. 
 
 A residence of Teba-koo-ne-wa-we-ne-neh, in the 
 remote west, originated the tale which is now presented 
 to the public. 
 
 KAII-GE-GA-GAH-BOWH, 
 
 Ojibivay Nation. 
 NEW YORK, April 25, 1850. 
 
TO ELIZA . 
 
 I HAVE no words to tell the loveliness 
 
 Which breathes o er thy fair form ; then how much less 
 
 The bright, the pure, the beautiful, the blest, 
 
 Which wake their harmony within thy breast. 
 
 When after weary wanderings by wood, 
 
 And lake, and stream, and mountain wilds, I stood 
 
 Upon thy island home, thy guileless heart 
 
 A healing welcome gave. When forced to part, 
 
 And the frail bark, that o er the waters bore 
 
 Me on my way at last from thy loved shore, 
 
 Receded in the distance from thy view, 
 
 Thy lovely hand waved a most sweet adieu. 
 
 Fair daughter ! accept this tribute of a breast, 
 
 Rich in thy smiles, hath been so richly blest. 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST, 
 
 THE ST. LOUIS. 
 
 THERE is a stream that hath its rise 
 
 Beneath the veil of northern skies, 
 
 Where frosts, and snows eternal meet 
 
 In wild array the wanderer s feet, 
 
 And all, above, beneath, around, 
 
 Is fast in icy fetters bound ; 
 
 A gloomy, wild, a dreary waste 
 
 As ever the eye of man embraced ; 
 
 Where shrub, if shrub perchance be there, 
 
 Blooms not as elsewhere, fresh and fair ; 
 
 But stinted, bare, and small of growth, 
 
 It nestles to the earth as loath 
 
 To spread its branches where the breeze 
 
12 THE JIB WAY CONQUEST. 
 
 "Which passes, kisses but to freeze ; 
 
 And if a flower should rear its head 
 
 From such inhospitable bed, 
 
 When thawing snows may yield a day 
 
 To summer sun s resistless sway, 
 
 It is a flower which doth not blight ( ) 
 
 By frosts that clothe its leaves in white, 
 
 But smiles e en from its bed of snow, 
 
 Like Hope upon the lap of Woe. 
 
 The reindeer there, roams fleet and free, 
 
 And men as wild and fleet as he, 
 
 Though small in size, of iron mould, 
 
 No fear of storms, no thought of cold, 
 
 With limbs unchilled, unslackened pace, 
 
 They fleetly follow in the chase, 
 
 From dawn till twilight, paints the west, ( 2 ) 
 
 Without a moment lent to rest, 
 
 Then stretched at length upon the snows, 
 
 Till morn they find a sweet repose. 
 
 Ah ! little knows the child of ease, 
 Whom everything is culled to please, 
 To whose convenience every shore, 
 From North and South must yield its store, 
 
THE JIB WAY CONQUEST. 13 
 
 And o er whose well protected form 
 
 There never beats the freezing storm, 
 
 Ah ! little knows he of the woes 
 
 "Which gather round the life of those 
 
 Who live, in nature s rudest mood, 
 
 In these deep haunts of solitude, 
 
 For though the tempest s power hath wrought, 
 
 To their bold minds, with danger fraught, 
 
 Though youth and manhood, and old age 
 
 Succeed in their accustomed stage, 
 
 The body bared to every wind, 
 
 The chase that leaves the deer behind. 
 
 The frequent want, the frequent fast, 
 
 Break up life s healthful flow at last, 
 
 And leave a wreck tis dread to see, 
 
 Of what was once so bold and free. 
 
II. 
 
 THE STREAM. 
 
 " THOU fair St. Louis ! such the scene (^) 
 
 From which thy waters flow ; 
 But different far the land of green 
 
 To which from thence they go, 
 For many a long, long mile they speed, 
 
 Through fairer, brighter lands, 
 Tranquil and free like a noble steed 
 
 Unchecked by rider s hands ; 
 From their far source to where they pour 
 
 Into bright Superior s side, 
 All is wild nature on thy shore, 
 
 Man hath not curbed thy tide ; 
 But on thou flowest in thy might 
 
 Untainted as when God 
 First called thee sparkling unto light, 
 
 At his creative nod. 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 15 
 
 The vale through which thy waters sweep, 
 
 The forest shade, the craggy steep, 
 
 The cataract whose thunder fills 
 
 The echoes of an hundred hills, 
 
 The deep ravine, the precious mine, 
 
 Whose ores beneath thy current shine, 
 
 Such is the path thy waters take, 
 
 Ere lost within the Ocean Lake. 
 
 ! often on thy limpid stream, 
 
 Hid from the noon tide s sultry beam, 
 
 By trees, whose giant branches cast 
 
 A deep shade o er me as I passed, 
 
 Hath my light bark now danced along 
 
 To music of some carolled song, 
 
 Or floating, like the lightest bird, 
 
 It only with the current stirred, 
 
 While I have passed hour after hour, 
 
 Beneath the scene s enchanting power, 
 
 The sweetest perfume on the air 
 
 From thousand wild flowers growing there, 
 
 And colors of the brightest hue 
 
 On every side that met the view ; 
 
 The wild rose, with its sw eets beguiling 
 
16 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 Along the shore so brightly smiling, 
 Whose petals falling on the wave, 
 Their own hue to the current gave ; 
 The mellow light of different dyes 
 Which came from forest shaded skies : 
 The stillness, over all that dwelt, 
 So deep it could almost be felt ; 
 All these have held me many a day 
 A willing captive to their sway. 
 
 0, who that has a heart to feel, 
 Would barter one such hour as this, 
 
 For all the gay world can reveal, 
 Or all it ever knew of bliss ! 
 
 Pleasures ! in vain the precious gem 
 Ye seek in fashion s heartless throng, 
 
 Ask those who seek there, ask them 
 Who sought the floating phantom long. 
 
 There s not a joy that throng can give, 
 Which does not cost a pang more deep ; 
 
 There s not a pleasure it bids live, 
 But lulls some virtue into sleep. 
 
III. 
 
 THE DANCE. 
 
 MANY a year lias passed away 
 
 Since at the close of summer s day 
 
 Upon a green and level side 
 
 "Which overlooks St. Louis tide 
 
 A noble band of warriors stood 
 
 Who roam at will this solitude. 
 
 The bow, the spear, the barbed dart, 
 
 Which errs not pointed at the heart, 
 
 The paint in earnest colors spread, 
 
 Not for maid s love, but foeman s dread, 
 
 The plumes which in their raven hair 
 
 Waved graceful at each breath of air, 
 
 The trophies in their battles taken, 
 
 When foeman s prowess had been shaken,- 
 
18 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 Each warrior there, was decked with these, ( 4 ) 
 
 Profuse as summer decks the trees. 
 
 The foremost of this hero band 
 
 A standard carried in his hand, 
 
 Which from its waving top displayed 
 
 A flag most curiously made 
 
 From feathers of the wild bird s wing, ( 5 ) 
 
 Of every shade of coloring. 
 
 He was a youth, in whom combined 
 
 All that was bright, in form and mind ; 
 
 The noble forehead, broad and high, 
 
 The soul that shone within his eye, 
 
 The thoughts which o er his features played 
 
 With quick and ever varying shade, 
 
 The limbs where strength was seen to dwell 
 
 In every full and graceful swell, 
 
 Distinguished him as one of those 
 
 Where nature s fairest gifts repose, 
 
 ME-GI-SI,* such the name he bore, 
 
 The Eagle of the Lonely Shore, 
 
 And as he planted in the ground 
 
 That pinion s shaft amid the sound 
 
 * Name of the eagle. OJIBWAY LANGUAGE 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 19 
 
 Of drum, and song, and echoing shout, ( 6 ) 
 He looked like Mars himself come out 
 To take, as in the days of yore. 
 The van upon the field of gore. 
 Around this shaft with measured pace 
 Each warrior found a ready place, 
 And soon the circling folds advance 
 And mingling in the wild war-dance, 
 While ever and anon a loud 
 And piercing whoop rose from the crowd, 
 lending its accents, shrill and clear, 
 In answering echoes far and near ; 
 And when they died in air away, 
 Each warrior in that dread array 
 Stood like a statue planted deep, 
 So still and firm their track they keep ; 
 While at each pause a brave advanced 
 Within the ring, then round him glanced, 
 And in rude eloquence portrayed 
 The havoc he in war had made, 
 The feats of bravery he had done, ( 7 ) 
 The scalps from slaughtered victims won, 
 As well of fallen warrior bold, 
 
20 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 As wife and child, of these he told, 
 And as he held them out to view, 
 Some of them yet of fresh blood hue, 
 And raised the war whoop loud and high, 
 With swelling breast and flashing eye, 
 He seemed again amid the strife 
 "With which his tale had been so rife 
 That morn had pealed the rolling drum 
 Amid the cry " They come ! They come ! 
 The Sioux ! The Sioux !" And at the sound, 
 Each warrior s foot was on the ground, 
 And knife to knife, and breast to breast, 
 The doubtful strife they long contest. 
 They fought as though their blood were water, 
 Resumed again when ceased the slaughter, 
 They fought like men whose deadly hate 
 Nothing but death could satiate. 
 The Sioux at length were forced to yield 
 And leave to foe a hard-earned field 
 Some fled and some were captive led, 
 Better to have been with the dead, 
 Better by far, for though to-night 
 They have from death a brief respite, 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 They re not deceived, for well they know 
 To-morrow comes the fatal blow, 
 It comes with all the cruel art 
 Hate can invent to wring the heart, 
 When should it quail or yield to fear, 
 They die without a pitying tear, 
 They die and meet the recreant s end, 
 Despised alike by foe and friend. 
 
IV. 
 
 THE WEN D I GO. 
 
 THE dance is o er the revel past, 
 And of that savage host the last 
 
 O 
 
 Hath thrown himself upon the ground 
 And his accustomed slumber found. 
 Close by their side the captives slept, 
 And watch or guard there none was kept, 
 For hand and foot securely tied, 
 Vain were the effort, had they tried, 
 To shake from off their limbs the thong 
 Which bound them in its folds so strong ; 
 Vain, did I say ; no, one was there, 
 Who, though the bands he knew to wear, 
 While eye of foe was on him bent, 
 And to his skill a caution lent, 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 23 
 
 When watchful eyes were sunk to rest, 
 
 And measured breathings heaved the breast, 
 
 Could tear those shackles from his flesh, 
 
 As easy as the spider s mesh. ( 8 ) 
 
 The frosts of many winters sped 
 
 Had left their traces upon his head, 
 
 His life, which passed in constant wars, 
 
 Had marked him with a thousand scars,- 
 
 But every iron muscle told 
 
 That vigor had not yet grown old. 
 
 He might have lost youth s spring and grace, 
 
 But strength had well supplied their place. 
 
 Whether by force or magic spell 
 
 He burst his shackles, none could tell , 
 
 Yet never, but for one brief hour, 
 
 Had they upon his limbs a power. 
 
 Among his native brethren famed 
 
 For many years he had been named 
 
 For feats of strength and wondrous art, 
 
 The WEN DI GO OF ICY HEART. (^) 
 
 In the day s strife of ancient foes, 
 
 To which this night had brought a close, 
 
 His heavy blows, which fell like rain, 
 
24 THE JIB WAY CONQUEST. 
 
 Had worked his way with heaps of slain. 
 Through yielding ranks he held his place, 
 Till like a rock at whose firm base 
 The ocean breaks in murmurs hoarse, 
 ME-GI-SI checked his onward course. 
 As springs the tiger on his prey 
 When pressed by hunger, so sprang they ; 
 Reckless of all that might oppose, 
 They rushed upon each others blows, 
 And grappled with a force they feel 
 To which the grasp of vice of steel 
 "Would be an infant s touch. The knife 
 Then flashes quick in deadly strife. 
 They fought as though on them alone 
 The fortunes of the day were thrown. 
 They fought as if they proudly felt 
 On no mean foe their blows were dealt. 
 Each nerve to its last tension wrought 
 Like meeting thunder-bolts they fought. 
 The "WEN DI GO S superior strength 
 O ercame youth s suppleness at length, 
 And while ME-GI-SI freely bleeds, 
 He of the icy heart succeeds ; 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 25 
 
 His blade is raised to strike the blow. 
 The last he need to strike, when lo ! 
 His threatening arm all sudden stops, 
 And down as by a palsy drops ; 
 He stood a moment fixed and still, 
 Then yielded at ME-GI-SI S will ; 
 And captive now and captor keeping 
 Side by side are calmly sleeping. 
 
 Midnight had passed, and there they lay 
 In rest unbroke, that warrior band ; 
 The powerful conflict of the day 
 Had now relaxed each iron hand. 
 The moon, too, now had sunk to rest 
 Behind the hills which skirt the west, 
 And damp mists from the river rose, 
 And o er the banks in circles close. 
 A silence deep was over all 
 Except the noisy waterfall, 
 That, indistinct by distance, fell 
 Alternately in ebb and swell, 
 When hush ! a careful hand is pressed 
 Upon the brave ME-GI-SI S breast. 
 The touch awoke him quick as thought ; 
 
26 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 He sprang upon his feet and caught 
 
 "Within one hand his ready blade, 
 
 The other on the foeman laid ; 
 
 But when he saw in what calm mood 
 
 The WEN-DI-GO before him stood, 
 
 He did not strike, but for a space 
 
 They looked within each other s face, - 
 
 ME-GI-SI with a blended feeling 
 
 Of awe and wonder o er him stealing, 
 
 And which he could not all conceal 
 
 By the dim light the stars reveal, 
 
 Sternness and dignity alone 
 
 Upon the other s features shone. 
 
 The WEN-DI-GO the silence broke, 
 
 As scarce above his breath he spoke, 
 
 " Youth are you brave ! ffhen follow me ;" 
 
 Thus saying, turning carefully, 
 
 And with a step that had no sound, 
 
 To wake the foe men sleeping round, 
 
 He passed and striding on before, 
 
 Pursued the winding trail that bore 
 
 Through wild grass of a growth most rank 
 
 Along the river s sloping bank. 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 27 
 
 ME-GI-SI for a moment cast 
 His eyes upon him as he passed, 
 Irresolute then quickly sped 
 Along the track the other led, 
 And now by the dim starlight they 
 Together hold their silent way. 
 
V. 
 
 THE CAVE. 
 
 A LEAGUE was passed, yet on they went, 
 Whate er their thoughts, they had no vent ; 
 But mute they still their way pursued, 
 Deeper within the solitude. 
 
 At length the youth impatient grown, 
 Paused and exclaimed in no slight tone 
 " That I am brave no longer thou 
 Canst doubt from what thou seest now, 
 If thou hadst not that lesson learned 
 By yesterday s experience earned. 
 The distance now precludes all fear 
 Of treacherous band or listening ear, 
 Then tell thy wish what e er it be, 
 Thou ll find no coward heart in me, 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 29 
 
 Speak ! or this knife may shame to wear 
 Another sheath than that I bear." 
 " Peace, fool," replied the WEN-DI-GO, 
 As quick he turned and struck a blow 
 That sent the spinning blade so well 
 They could not hear it where it fell. 
 " Check thy hot blood, nor deem that I 
 Have brought thee here for treachery. 
 Think you, had I desired your life, 
 Ere you awoke could not my knife 
 Have borne to your unconscious breast 
 The blow that brings eternal rest ? 
 I have a tale will pierce thy heart 
 Worse than a foeman s barbed dart, 
 Doubt not, but follow me," and then 
 Turned and pursued the trail again, 
 Nor long pursued before around 
 A bold and rocky point it wound, 
 Which sent its craggy summit high 
 Aloft into the dusky sky, 
 And terminated in a cove 
 Formed by the arching rocks above. 
 Here entered they, and on a rock, 
 
30 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 Torn from the roof by some rude shock, 
 
 They took their seat. A wilder spot 
 
 Throughout the universe is not 
 
 As this which now their steps had found, 
 
 Than that by which they were surround. 
 
 Far, far away beneath the ground 
 
 There came a hoarse and gurgling sound 
 
 Of water into fury lashed, 
 
 As o er some precipice twere dashed , 
 
 The owl, scared by their entrance, fled, 
 
 And screamed its notes above their head ; 
 
 Lank wolves, whose den the cave had been, 
 
 Prowled round them as they entered in, 
 
 While just without the cavern s door, 
 
 The waters of St. Louis roar, 
 
 As o er the dizzy fall they flow ; 
 
 And then an hundred feet below, 
 
 With deafening sound they break and boil 
 
 In endless strife and wild turmoil. 
 
 " Here in this dark and gloomy grot," 
 
 The WEN-DI-GO began, " a spot 
 
 Where oft, tis said, the Manitou 
 
 Unveils himself to human view. 
 
THE JIB WAY CONQUEST. 31 
 
 And smiles or frowns as he discovers 
 Of truth or falsehood they are lovers ; 
 Here let me rest while I disclose 
 A tale may leave us no more foes, 
 And the Great Spirit do by me 
 As I shall deal in truth with thee. 
 
 You wonder that I brought you here, 
 But ah ! you know not half how dear 
 Is this wild spot to me. Strange chance 
 Which brings again within my glance 
 The scenes where long, long winters past, 
 When the quiet blood of youth flowed fast, 
 I wandered with my bow well strung 
 And quiver o er my shoulders flung, 
 And if my arrow rightly sped 
 When pointed at the wild bird s head, 
 Whatever fortune might betide, 
 My merry heart was satisfied. 
 Here, too, in after years I roved 
 In fondness with the bride I loved ; 
 This was our home, till that foul day 
 When the accursed Ojibway 
 Rushed down upon us, scattering death 
 
32 THE O JIB WAY CONQUEST. 
 
 Like Evil Spirit s poisoned breath, 
 And with false heart and bloody hand 
 Drove us from our paternal land. 
 Thou knowest well the hatred strong 
 Hath dwelt between our nations lon\ 
 
 O 7 
 
 And from this land where now you see 
 
 The curs d Ojibway roving free, 
 
 Thou knowest by that hated race 
 
 The Sioux was torn till not a place 
 
 By stream or mountain now is left 
 
 Of which he hath not been bereft. 
 
 Strange chance ! Upon that very steep 
 
 Where those we left so lately, sleep, 
 
 My wigwam stood. My bride as bright 
 
 As the unclouded moon at night ; 
 
 Ahpuckways from rushes wove (") 
 
 And sung sweet notes which spake of love, 
 
 While o er the grass with prattling joy 
 
 Gambolled, with happy heart, our boy. 
 
 It was a bright and summer s day ; 
 
 They were alone, I was away 
 
 Upon the wild deer s track. Night fell 
 
 And I returned, but who can tell 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 33 
 
 The anguish of that hour ! I came 
 
 To see my wigwam in a flame, 
 
 My wife was slain, the purple tide 
 
 Was oozing yet warm from her side, 
 
 But still so sweet was that faint smile 
 
 Which shone upon her face the while, 
 
 I could not deem her dead, but flung 
 
 Myself upon the ground, and clung 
 
 To her loved side, kissing away 
 
 The crimson drops of blood that lay 
 
 Sprinkled upon her pallid cheeks ; 
 
 And then in wild and broken shrieks 
 
 I fondly Called upon her name ; 
 
 I kissed her lips ; but closed in death 
 
 Those lips from which there came no breath. 
 
 I sought my boy, but he was gone, 
 
 And I in anguish and alone, 
 
 Stood like an oak. The thunder bird 
 
 Had riven at the spirit s word. ( 12 ) 
 
 Till that day passion s fearful blast 
 
 Had never o er my spirit passed. 
 
 No angry strife, no withering care, 
 
 No burning curse had entered there : 
 
34 THE O JIB WAY CONQUEST. 
 
 My bricfe, my boy, they were the springs 
 That ever moved my spirit s wings. 
 But as I stood and wept to view 
 Her own heart s blood, my bride bedew, 
 And thought upon the hated foe 
 Whose arm had dealt the scathing blow, 
 Dark thoughts within my soul found place 
 In strange and lightening-like embrace. 
 Horror and anguish, and despair 
 Alone at first were mingled there, 
 But these full soon gave place to one 
 Deep, burning passion, which alone 
 Took full possession of my breast. 
 Revenge ! Revenge ! How I caressed 
 The darling thought. All else that life 
 Deems worthy of a mortal s strife. 
 Was swallowed up in this wild thirst 
 For vengeance on the foe accursed. 
 I knelt upon the turf beside 
 The murdered body of my bride, 
 And with one hand upon her head, 
 The other with the warm blood red, 
 There in the presence of the dead, 
 
VI. 
 
 THE COUNCIL. 
 
 UPON a mountain whose high peak 
 The very heavens seems to seek 
 Which rises on the southern shore 
 And looks Superior s waters o er, 
 Are gathering now the few who fled, 
 When yesterday so illy sped. 
 Though the gray dawn of morn appeared, 
 Ere from the cave their course they steered, 
 And many a long mile lay between 
 This place and where the strife had been, 
 The gathered ranks already show 
 ME-GI-SI and the WEN-DI-GO. 
 
 Quickly they come and silent me( 
 
 \ 
 
40 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 Without a word or look to greet, 
 But each as up the steep he wound, 
 Threw himself mutely on the ground, 
 Till of that scattered band the last 
 Had to his place in silence passed. 
 No darkly agitating trace 
 Could be discovered in the face 
 Of ardent youth or furrowed age 
 To tell of passion s inward rage, 
 But, every brow was calm and stern, 
 Whatever smothered fires might burn 
 The WEN-DI-GO, to whom the lead, 
 As well in council as in deed, 
 Had long been given as his due, 
 For wisdom, deep, and courage true, 
 Slowly arose. There was no burst 
 Of passion in his words at first. 
 Bat calmly over each event 
 That marked their recent strife he went, 
 And e en his voice grew sadly mild 
 As his words turned upon his child 
 Whom the great Monitou, he said. 
 Had now restored as from the dead, 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 41 
 
 From which the cheering hope he drew, 
 
 Although their numbers might be few, 
 
 The Monitou was still their friend, 
 
 And would not fail them in the end, 
 
 A hallowed cause like theirs to bless 
 
 With signal and complete success. 
 
 But when he dwelt upon the wrong 
 
 Which they had now endured so long 
 
 From the foul race of Ojibway, 
 
 And pointed to the land that lay 
 
 Far as the eye around could roam, 
 
 And told them, that was once their home, 
 
 But home from which they were expelled, 
 
 And now by hated foemen held, 
 
 The powers which in his bosom reigned, 
 
 But which till then he had restrained, 
 
 Burst forth and like Heaven s lightning glowed, 
 
 While every working feature showed 
 
 The fearful torrent-like control 
 
 Which passion held within his soul. 
 
 Like fire when o er the prairies rushing 
 
 Or torrents from a mountain gushing, 
 
 The impulse of his own was pressed 
 
42 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 With light-like speed from breast to breast. 
 
 No bosom there but was on fire, 
 
 No heart which did not glow with ire ; 
 
 And when he ceased, in such dread yell 
 
 Upon the air their warwhoop fell. 
 
 The wild beast from his covert fled, 
 
 The wild birds screamed above their head, 
 
 And long when from their lips it died, 
 
 It echoed down the mountain s side. 
 
 A free discussion then arose 
 For every warrior to propose 
 What to each one might seem to show 
 The best advantage o er the foe. 
 
 At no great distance to the right. 
 And only hidden from their sight 
 By rocky bluffs, which ledge on ledge 
 Abrupt rose in the water s edge, 
 Within a large and quiet bay 
 A clustering group of islands lay. 
 Here scattered o er the banks of green, 
 And shady groves, there might be seen 
 Many a lodge whose bark so white () 
 Was sending back the noonday light. 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 43 
 
 Upon these isles the Ojibway, 
 
 Since, from their homes they drove away 
 
 The conquered Sioux, had dwelt secure, 
 
 And deeming them at once a sure 
 
 And safe retreat, had gathered all 
 
 Incessant warfare did not call. 
 
 To deeds from deeds already done, 
 
 To keep the land thus foully won. 
 
 To this fair spot each thought was turned, 
 
 And every warrior s bosom burned 
 
 To win again those long-lost isles 
 
 And live within their quiet smiles. 
 
 Here then each heart resolved as soon 
 
 As reached to-morrow s sun its noon, 
 
 To strike a blow should free the land 
 
 From the accursed foemen s hand, 
 
 Or fighting till the last was slain, 
 
 Leave their hearts blood upon the plain. 
 
VII. 
 
 THE SACRIFICE. 
 
 THE day that dawned upon the foe, 
 
 ME-GI-SI and the WEN-DI-GO 
 
 Had left while all unconscious rest 
 
 Was reigning over every breast, 
 
 Awoke the encampment s busy hum, 
 
 And, at the sound of signal drum, 
 
 The warriors gathered round their chief, 
 
 Whose look was stern, whost- words were brief. 
 
 He waved his hand, and quick as thought 
 
 A shaft of stoutest oak was brought 
 
 And planted firmly in the ground ; 
 
 To this with wending thongs were bound 
 
 The captives whose unhappy fate, 
 
 Must gratify their captor s hate. 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 45 
 
 And where is he who always bore 
 The foremost honors heretofore, 
 And where the noble captive he 
 Had led in their late victory ? 
 Strange that he comes not, he, whose hand 
 Was ever first to light the brand, 
 And by whom were the victors tied ; 
 None ever knew the knots to slide. 
 ME-GI-SI, favorite of all, 
 Why comes he not at comrades call ? 
 And why lays he the rest behind, 
 While other hands the victories bind ? 
 These are the questions rapidly 
 From lip to lip are heard to fly. 
 By the Ojibway tis believed 
 That when a mortal hath received 
 A vigorous and fearful fast, 
 And day and night in watching passed, 
 And who hath long withdrawn his mind 
 From all communion with his kind, 
 And hath within the forest s shade 
 His home with evil spirits made, 
 Learning from them each magic art 
 
46 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 Which their instruction can impart, 
 And hath his heart darkly imbued 
 With all of ill, and naught of good, 
 These do a fearful power instil 
 Beyond all merely human skill, 
 Freedom, at will the form to change, 
 The water, earth, or air to range, 
 And most of all they strangely give 
 Desire on human flesh to live. 
 Thus when an hour or more is sped, 
 And still no trace of either fled, 
 They doubt not that the haughty Sioux, 
 With whom ME-GI-SI had to do, 
 Was one of these, and deem full well 
 Their favorite by his magic fell. 
 The unhallowed rites no longer wait, 
 Their thirst for blood to satiate, 
 But with redoubled zeal are made, 
 Because unwillingly delayed. 
 Nothing their vengeance could suggest 
 To daunt the heart or wring the breast, 
 But was prepared with savage art 
 In the dire scene to bear a part. 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 47 
 
 The faggots at the victim s feet, 
 The scourge their naked flesh to beat, 
 The arrows of the pine well dried, 
 The bow to hurl them in their side, 
 And as the flames around them rise, 
 Burning to aid their agonies ; 
 Tortures like these they do not lack 
 The victim s outward sense to rack ; 
 But more tormenting far are those 
 Designed to wake his inward throes, 
 The taunts, the gibe, the goading sneer, 
 The insulting charge of coward fear, 
 Imbecile strength the bow to bend, 
 And erring skill the shaft to send, 
 A soul which could not look on pain, 
 And hands which had no foeman slain, 
 Limbs bowed with grief and not with years, 
 And eyes which shone, but not with tears ; 
 Such were the taunts upon them hurled, 
 As o er their forms the hot blaze curled. 
 
 What sounds are those that fill the air, 
 Above all others echoing there, 
 As doth the cataract s loud roar, 
 
48 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 The brook which murmurs at its shore, 
 Or thunders bursting through the sky, 
 The owlets hoarse and startled cry ? 
 It is the victim s death-song shout 
 Which burst from their firm bosoms out, 
 Casting defiance at their foes, 
 And mocking at the torturing throes 
 Their thirsty vengeance would bestow ; 
 The hissing flames which round them glow 
 To break their courage have no power, 
 But as exulting as in hour 
 When victory hath wreathed their brow, 
 Is the bold shout they put forth now. 
 The noble deeds they have performed, 
 The noble thoughts their hearts have warmed, 
 The sunset land, so bright and fair, 
 Which waits to bid them welcome there ; 
 These are the burden of their song 
 Which swells in such proud notes along. 
 Brave Sons of Nature ! Ye need not, 
 To make you at this moment what 
 Hath been, will be, while time succeeds, 
 And hearts alive to noble deeds, 
 
THE O JIB WAY CONQUEST. 4 Q 
 
 The admiration of mankind, 
 Ye need not in the mazes wind 
 Of the philosophy of schools, 
 To teach you the eternal rules 
 Of fortitude and self-control 
 And all, which doth exalt the soul. 
 
 Fainter and fainter, yet still clear 
 That death-song falls upon the ear 
 Of those who dance around the fires, 
 Where bravery such as this expires. 
 At length each victim s voice is still 
 And vengeance now hath drank its fill. 
 
 The fires are out, the warriors gone, 
 And, MO-NING-WUN-AH ere the sun 
 Sinks to his couch behind the west, 
 Their barks upon thy shores shall rest. 
 
VIII. 
 
 THE LOVERS. 
 
 THE sun had set, the clouds which fringed 
 The sky were gorgeously tinged 
 "With gold, and purple, and all dyes 
 Which make the summer sunset skies 
 So lovely, and whose rays impart 
 To every impulse of the heart 
 Such chastened, hallowed thoughts, as are 
 Akin to the soft light which there 
 Beams forth so beautifully bright, 
 Sweet herald of approaching night ! 
 O er the calm waters of the bay, 
 Where the Ojibway Island lay, 
 Those rays are glanced in many a track 
 To the bright clouds, which send them batjk 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 51 
 
 Beneath the waters where they glow, 
 Forming a mimic heaven below. 
 Oh ! that such hallowed scenes as this 
 Should ever look on ought but bliss ! 
 When the fond soul hath felt the power 
 Of this enchanting, soothing hour 
 To wipe out every stain which care 
 Or sin hath left corroding there, 
 Oh ! why will it again return 
 To drink from the polluted urn, 
 With which guilty pleasures allure 
 The bosoms thus, once, rendered pure. 
 
 This lovely scene has passed away, 
 And the last tints of dying day 
 Are fading from the western skies, 
 When MO-NING-WUN-AH, there arise 
 Along thy shores a voice s wail, 
 Whose accents through thy lovely vale 
 All sorrowful and plaintive spread ; 
 It is the wailing for the dead. ( I9 ) 
 When the light barks, the rest that bore, 
 
52 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 Passed rapidly upon thy shore, 
 
 A maiden band was there to find 
 
 If brother, lover, stayed behind ; 
 
 And as they found them there, or not, 
 
 "With joy or grief they left the spot , 
 
 And now when the faint twilight spreads 
 
 Its sombre veil above their heads, 
 
 The voice of mother, sister, bride, 
 
 Is mingled in the plaintive tide, 
 
 For those they may not greet again, 
 
 Who sleeps upon the battle plain. 
 
 But one was there from whose distressed 
 
 And deeply agitated breast 
 
 No wailings flowed ; she could not weep, 
 
 Her agony was all too deep. 
 
 ME-ME, fair child of light and love ! ( 20 ) 
 
 Lovely and beautiful above 
 
 All earthly power to describe, 
 
 In the soft language of her tribe. ( 21 ) 
 
 She had most fittingly been styled 
 
 The DOVE, so innocent and mild 
 
 The feelings nature had impressed 
 
 Upon her bright and sinless breast. 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 53 
 
 No thought which did not breathe of Heaven 
 
 Had ever to her heart been given, 
 
 No passion angels might not own 
 
 Had ever in her dark eyes shone, 
 
 But all was hallowed, pure and bright 
 
 As heaven s own celestial light. 
 
 The form that held that soul encased 
 
 So sinless, was the no less graced 
 
 "With more that the rapt heart ere deemed 
 
 Of bright when it most fondly dreamed. 
 
 She loved with all the power of such, 
 
 To love when tones from others touch 
 
 The chords which with responsive thrill 
 
 Vibrate in their own heart until 
 
 There is no power or faculty 
 
 Within the soul, all joyously 
 
 "Which doth not tremble with the weight 
 
 Of feeling which it hath in freight. 
 
 Such was the love, so pure, so deep, 
 
 ME-GI-SI from its mystic sleep 
 
 Had wakened never more to rest, 
 
 To life within her gentle breast. 
 
 Thev loved as mortals never should 
 
54 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 To stake the whole life hath of gocrl 
 Upon one cast, and see that fail, 
 0, the sad tortures which assail 
 The trusting heart ! and ME-ME felt 
 Hers with this bitter anguish melt, 
 When he whose smiles alone could givo 
 All for which she would wish to live, 
 Came not, and as she deemed no more 
 Would roam with her their happy shore. 
 
 There was a sweet secluded spot, 
 A gentle point which slightly shot 
 With sloping bank into the bay, 
 Where often at the close of day, 
 Apart from those whose noisy mirth 
 Had in it all too much of earth 
 For pleasures of that hallowed kind 
 Which love had in their hearts enshrined, 
 She and ME-GI-SI passed the hours 
 In weaving garlands of bright flowers, 
 And circling with love s trembling hand 
 Around their brows the fragrant band, 
 Or breathing to each other s ear 
 The tender words they loved to hear, 
 
THE OJTBWAY CONQUEST. 55 
 
 He with a deep and noble feeling 
 His passion s fervent strength revealing, 
 While she with less of words perchance, 
 But with a bright, enrapturing glance 
 From her full eyes responsive turned, 
 To all that in his own heart burned ; 
 Or leaning fondly on his breast, 
 She sung the dying day to rest. 
 
 Now, while with melancholy swell 
 The dirge upon the night air fell, 
 She sought this spot, and, seated there, 
 
 Upon her hands she bowed her fair 
 
 And gentle face, o er which was spread 
 
 The marble paleness of the dead. 
 
 Ah ! ME-ME ! none can ever know 
 
 The full extent of that deep woe 
 
 Which wrung thy heart, until the hour 
 
 When they, like thee, have felt its power 
 While thus she sat, a bark appeared, 
 
 And to this spot its swift course steered. 
 
 A moment, and its prow was fast 
 
 Upon the shore, and from it passed 
 
 A tall and nobie youth, who went 
 
56 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 With gentle steps and slowly bent 
 
 In saddened fondness by her side. 
 
 She saw him not ; for sorrow s tide 
 
 Had swept across her heart until 
 
 Her senses sank beneath its chill. 
 
 But when her name he fondly spoke, 
 
 She raised her head " ME-GI-SI" broke 
 
 In joyful accents, as she sprung 
 
 And round his neck in transport clung. 
 
 The sudden joy his presence brought 
 
 Upon her heart so overwrought, 
 
 Her consciousness fled with the shock, 
 
 And now like ivy to the rock 
 
 She lay in sweet, unconscious rest, 
 
 Entwined around her lover s breast. 
 
 And when at length her eyes unclosed 
 
 To his, on whose breast she reposed, 
 
 The look was all so mild and sweet 
 
 With which those eyes her lover s greet, 
 
 As though their light beamed from a soul 
 
 Into which Heaven s sunshine stole. 
 
 " To what a fearful weight of grief 
 
 Beloved, thou hast brought relief!" 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 57 
 
 Thus she began, " I ask not what 
 
 The reasons why thou earnest not, 
 
 When others of our tribe returned, 
 
 From whom the fearful tale I learned 
 
 That thou hadst fall n beneath the art 
 
 Of one of those of icy heart, 
 
 Once in the power of whose dread spell 
 
 None e er returned his fate to tell. 
 
 It is enough for my glad heart 
 
 To know that here again thou art, 
 
 That oft in this, our loved retreat, 
 
 With gladsome hearts, we yet may meet, 
 
 To tell o er and o er to thee 
 
 How very dear thou art to me, 
 
 And thou to fold me to thy breast, 
 
 And say thou art in that love blest. 
 
 ! when we meet at times like this, 
 
 It seems as though the whole of bliss 
 
 Which ever in the bright world shone, 
 
 Gathers in my poor heart alone ! 
 
 To gaze, in fondness on thy brow, 
 
 And feel thy heart, as I do now, 
 
 Beneath my own so wildly beat, 
 
55 THE O JIB WAY CONQUEST. 
 
 To hear thy words so soft and sweet 
 
 Call me, as oft they do, thy bride, 
 
 ! what hath earth to give beside ! 
 
 "When will the war-cry cease to grieve 
 
 My heart, because it bids thee leave ; 
 
 While I an hundred times a day 
 
 Come to this lovely spot to pray, 
 
 Until it seems my heart would break 
 
 To the Great Spirit for thy sake. 
 
 Say, must thou yet again expose 
 
 Thy life among those cruel foes, 
 
 The fearful Sioux ? but ah, love ! why 
 
 Breaks from thy bosom that deep sigh ? 
 
 Has thy heart any care ? ah, say, 
 
 And let me kiss that care away," 
 
 She said, and with her fingers fair 
 
 She brushed away the raven hair 
 
 Which o er his forehead clustering strayod, 
 
 And then upon his brow she laid 
 
 Her gentle lips. ME-GI-SI felt 
 
 His purpose almost in him melt, 
 
 And for a moment he forgot 
 
 His sad, inexorable lot, 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 59 
 
 So sweet the thrill that kiss had sent 
 
 Through his sad heart ; but when he bent 
 
 His eyes upon her lovely face, 
 
 And saw how deep and pure the trace 
 
 Of trusting love in every look, 
 
 His bosom heaved, and his soul shook 
 
 "With the intensity of pain 
 
 Its breaking chords had to sustain, 
 
 As rushing thoughts again impress 
 
 The withering, blighting consciousness 
 
 That he no more upon that smile 
 
 Which had such power to beguile, 
 
 Could in the bliss of former days 
 
 Fix his full soul s adoring gaze. 
 
 Alas ! he knew the dream was past, 
 
 And this fond look must be his last. 
 
 He knew that should those eyes beam yet 
 
 When he was gone, as when they met, 
 
 He could not, must not, from the sight 
 
 Receive, as he had done, delight. 
 
 He knew if yet that cheek should wear 
 
 The hallowed smiles which now were there, 
 
 The thrills of rapture they impart 
 
60 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST, 
 
 Must fall upon another s heart. 
 
 If those eyes beam! If that cheek glow ! 
 
 Alas ! He doth too sadly know, 
 
 His presence only can awake 
 
 Those smiles which beam but for his sake. 
 
 That he alone can give the light 
 
 "Without which they will sink in night. 
 
 Twas this which gave the deadliest sting 
 
 To all his soul was suffering. 
 
 If he alone might meet the blow, 
 
 And his heart only feel the woe, 
 
 If on his own the blight might rest, 
 
 And leave unscathed her tender breast. 
 
 He could sustain the scathing stroke, 
 
 And firmly meet it like the oak 
 
 Whose trunk lightning indeed misrht break, 
 
 O o O 
 
 But whose firm roots they could not shake 
 
 But that the misery he knew 
 
 Should tear her heart asunder, too ! 
 
 ! that was torture all too deep ; 
 
 He felt these thoughts in tumult sweep 
 
 Across his brain, and when at length 
 
 A powerful effort called the strength 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 6l 
 
 Into his prostrate breast again, 
 
 And he so far o ercame its pain 
 
 As to, in broken words, relate 
 
 The tale he knew must seal their fate. 
 
 It was with accents so subdued, 
 
 In spite of all his fortitude, 
 
 As though at every word he spoke 
 
 A chord within his sad heart broke. 
 
 " Ah ! ME-ME, thou hast been and art 
 
 The sparkling dew-drop of my heart, 
 
 Beneath whose brightness I have felt 
 
 In that of love all feelings melt ; 
 
 0, twas a glorious dream that stole 
 
 So sweetly, purely o er my soul : 
 
 I did not deern that I should wake 
 
 To see my heart with that dream break. 
 
 But, ME-ME, that bright dream is fled : 
 
 Like the cold fingers of the dead, 
 
 I feel its dead joys o er my breast 
 
 In icy suffocation pressed. 
 
 0, what but thee and this dear spot 
 
 Would I not give could I but blot 
 
 From memory all that hath passed 
 
62 THE O JIB WAY CONQUEST. 
 
 Since in this bower we parted last. 
 I ve struggled, but it is in vain ; 
 The fire is in my heart and brain, 
 And will not cease its torturing strife 
 Until extinguished with my life. 
 Thou knowest the totem I have borne 
 Is not such as by thy tribe worn ; 
 That we, unknowing what its name, 
 Have often wondered how it came 
 That I alone have worn a crest 
 Differing so strangely from the rest. 
 Tis strange no more ; the battle-field 
 The mystery hath at length revealed, 
 And thy fond lover hath his sire 
 Among the foe whom thy tribe s ire 
 Hath driven from their native land, 
 A scattered but unconquered band. 
 Yes, ME-ME, I am one of those, 
 Thy nation s fiercest, deadliest foes, 
 "Whom, but a moment since, so true 
 Thou didst well term the fearful Sioux. 
 Fearful they are, and will be yet, 
 To those who shall their path beset. 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. * 63 
 
 Thou knowest between this tribe of thine 
 
 And that which henceforth must be mine 
 
 Exists a hatred strong as death, 
 
 Resigned not even with their breath. 
 
 Judge, then, if they could e en abide 
 
 To see the dove the eagle s bride. 
 
 Alas ! ME-ME, it may not be, 
 
 And were it not, my love, for thee, 
 
 I could rejoice that my firm nerve 
 
 To direful vengeance yet might serve, 
 
 For her whose soft and gentle lays 
 
 Were carolled to my infant days, 
 
 But whom the Ojibway beguiled, 
 
 And robbed at once of wife and child ; 
 
 And I have sworn my soul to give 
 
 To retribution while I live ; 
 
 But short the moments that remain 
 
 Before that vow will be in vain. 
 
 To-morrow s sun will see its beam 
 
 Flashed back in many a war-knife s gleam, 
 
 And yonder waters on whose breast 
 
 The moonbeams now so sweetly rest, 
 
 Shall drink before the day shall close, 
 
64 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 The mingled blood of warring foes. 
 And I shall be amidst the strife, 
 But not as erst, against the life 
 Of sire and kindred warrior, no, 
 My arm must find more fitting foe. 
 Something forewarns me that my blood 
 Shall mingle with to-morrow s flood ; 
 I feel it now within my heart. 
 To-night, for the last time, we part ; 
 And yonder stars which shine so bright, 
 When they come not another night, 
 Will look upon my bleeding form 
 No longer with life s pulses warm, 
 And that brow, cold, and damp in death, 
 So lately hallowed by thy breath. 
 But let it come ! Why should I live 
 When life hath nothing now to give 
 But blighted hopes and vain regrets ; 
 And every lingering sun that sets 
 Adds only to the bitter store 
 With which the heart was charged before. 
 Yet 0, how happy ! were it not 
 That this inexorable lot 
 
THE OJ1BWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 Hath interposed its withering blight 
 Between my heart and all that s bright, 
 How happy to observe each day 
 Beneath thy sweet smile pass away, 
 To feel thy warm breath on my cheek, 
 To see thee, love thee, hear thee speak, 
 And shield thy tender heart from all 
 Which on it might too rudely fall. 
 Bright picture of our former days, 
 But one on which I must not gaze, 
 I ve braved both friends and foemen s power 
 For the enjoyment of this hour, 
 To bathe my soul once more in light, 
 Ere it sink into endless night." 
 
 He paused, and closer to his breast 
 The maiden s form he wildly pressed, 
 As if that pressure could keep under 
 A heart which else would burst asunder. 
 And there they stood, that hapless pair, 
 The victim each of mute despair ; 
 Yet how exalted, noble, pure, 
 The anguish which their souls endure ! 
 "When the full bosom swells like this 
 
66 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 With feelings boundless, fathomless, 
 
 There s something so exalted there, 
 
 That e en though springing from despair, 
 
 The heart would scarce desire repose 
 
 If purchased at the life of those. 
 
 Sensations vague and undefined 
 
 Had agitated ME-JIE S mind 
 
 When first, ME-GI-SI S words conveyed 
 
 The destiny o er them weighed, 
 
 But when at length, she knew the worst, 
 
 And the full truth upon her burst, 
 
 A pang shot through her heart and brain, 
 
 Bat one, and all was calm again ; 
 
 But with that pang had fled all sense 
 
 Of pain or woe forever hence. 
 
 Twas so intense no other grief 
 
 Could wake a throe, however brief, 
 
 And then a holy calmness came, 
 
 Succeeded to the passioned flame, 
 
 Y/hich had so brightly, till that hour. 
 
 Maintained within her breast its power. 
 
 It was a calmness which had birth 
 
 In the conviction that the earth 
 
THE OJlBWAY CONQUEST. 67 
 
 With all its pleasure, all its sweet, 
 
 Had nothing which could ever cheat, 
 
 Even for one brief moment s flight, 
 
 The sadness of her bosom s blight. 
 
 All tranquilly she raised her head, 
 
 Drooping like lily, o er its bed, 
 
 And gently loosed her from the clasp 
 
 Convulsive of her lover s grasp, 
 
 And spoke with look so calm and mild 
 
 It might almost be said she smiled, 
 
 But such a smile, as one might trace 
 
 Upon the cold and marble face 
 
 Of one whose spirit had just riven 
 
 The bonds which checked its flight to heaven. 
 
 " ME-GI-SI, how glad would I 
 
 Lay this poor body down to die, 
 
 Could it but brin^ a^ain to thine 
 
 O O 
 
 The joy that can no more be mine. 
 Let not thy ME-ME S broken heart 
 One sorrow to thine own impart ; 
 0, no, but go, forget, that we 
 Have ever loved so trustfully. 
 Thy duty calls, then be it so, 
 
68 THE JIB WAY CONQUEST. 
 
 And let no thought of me e er throw 
 Across thy breast a single cloud 
 The sunshine of its peace to shroud. 
 "What though this fate shall blight my powers 
 Like early frosts, the gladsome flowers, 
 And my poor body find its rest 
 Full soon, upon the earth s cold breast ? 
 My spirit still shall hover near thee, 
 And this, its only thought to cheer thee, 
 And pour most fondly into thine 
 The light which in itself shall shino. 
 Yes, go, forget that we have met, 
 Or if thou canst not all forget, 
 Think of it as a dream which stole 
 In night s calm hours into thy soul, 
 "Whose memory perchance may cling 
 Around thy softened heart and fling 
 A shade of sadness which you may 
 Not altogether dash away, 
 But which thou shouldst not let control 
 The strength and bravery of thy soul. 
 No, if thou canst not banish all. 
 And memory will, at times recall 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 69 
 
 The gladsome hours our hearts have known, 
 Thrilled by each other s look and tone, 
 There let thy fond thoughts only dwell 
 On this, thy ME-ME loved thee well, 
 And only look on those sweet hour? 
 As thou would st look on lovely flowers, 
 From which the freshness might be fled, 
 But which, though withered, yet would shed 
 Their fragrance sweet as when their hue 
 Was heightened by the night s soft dew. 
 ! let me deem that thus thy heart 
 Will look on me, and I can part 
 With one less pang from all those bright 
 And happy dreams which take their flight, 
 Till on the far-off spirit-shore 
 We meet again to part no more." 
 
 0, Love ! How hallowed, noble, pure, 
 The feeling which thou dost secure 
 Unto the breast where thou dost deign 
 To institute thy perfect reign ! 
 When touched by thee. how all the dross 
 Of earthly passions, which so toss 
 And heave their billows o er the soul 
 
70 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 Before it hath felt thy control, 
 
 By thy strong alchemy expelled. 
 
 Yields up the places it hath held, 
 
 And all that finds acceptance there 
 
 Is hallowed as the breath of prayer, 
 
 And ME-ME, though despair s cold breath 
 
 Had sent the icy chill of death 
 
 Over her bosom s tender chords, 
 
 Yet even then her love found words, 
 
 She fondly hoped might interpose 
 
 A power to sooth her lover s woes. 
 
 But vain ! The love which thus could make 
 
 Such sacrifices, for his sake, 
 
 Had kindled in his heart the same 
 
 Self-sacrificing, generous flame, 
 
 And when his quick sense caught this new 
 
 And last fond proof of love so true, 
 
 And saw and felt himself how much 
 
 The purpose cost which made it such, 
 
 And gazed upon her standing there 
 
 So droopingly and yet so fair, 
 
 It was too much, he could not brook 
 
 That quiet and heart-stricken look. 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 71 
 
 He caught her up and wildly pressed 
 The blighted lily to his breast, 
 And for a moment yielded all 
 His heart and soul to love s fond call, 
 Resolved to brave scorn, torture, death, 
 To save that gentle heart from scath. 
 Fond dreamer, up ! away ! away ! 
 Death and dishonor if you stay, 
 But death and honor if you go 
 Away ! to meet your country s foe ! 
 A moment, and he felt it true, 
 No word broke forth to say adieu, 
 But one long burning kiss he gave 
 Upon that brow he could not save, 
 Then turned and wildly rushed again, 
 With wildered sense and maddened brain, 
 To where his light bark floating lay, 
 And o er the waters shot his way. 
 
IX. 
 
 THE LAST BATTLE. 
 
 Tis noon again. The sun s warm beam 
 Is gleaming brightly o er the stream, 
 Which, with a current calm and slow, 
 Bears on its breast the stealthy foe, 
 Within their light barks noiselessly ; 
 Who now have paused a moment by 
 Its entrance to the crystal bay, 
 Opposed to where the islands lay. 
 A few brief words, to nerve their breast, 
 The WEN-DI-GO to each addressed, 
 With promises of bravery s meed, 
 Shouid they in that day s strife succeed, 
 And meed to warrior s heart more sweet, ( 2i ) 
 Which in the spirit-land should greet 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 73 
 
 Their souls, should death their path beset, 
 
 And when it came, be bravely met. 
 
 These said his bark, whose prow displayed 
 
 A feathery pennon s varying shade, 
 
 Shot from among the rest, and led 
 
 The way around a woodland head 
 
 Which had the bay and isles concealed. 
 
 And now before them lay revealed 
 
 The scenes whose memory around 
 
 Their warmest feelings long had wound, 
 
 And where so soon they must decide 
 
 If once again they shall abide 
 
 Within their quiet spell, or whether 
 
 They and this last hope die together. 
 
 As the last bark in that array 
 
 Came out upon the open bay 
 
 And caught the view, a moment s pause 
 
 Ran through the whole, while each one draws 
 
 A smothered breath and drops a prayer 
 
 For the Great Spirit s guardian care ; 
 
 Then with a shout of curses dread 
 
 To gather upon foemen s head, 
 
 By their strong arms each light bark there 
 
74 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 Sped onwards like a thing of air, 
 
 And should no foemen check their speed, 
 
 Short were the moments that they need 
 
 Ere they shall rest their glancing oar 
 
 Upon the nearest island s shore, 
 
 Where o er the green and shady strand 
 
 The lodges of Ojibway stand, 
 
 Beneath whose shady folds repose, 
 
 Unconscious of approaching foes, 
 
 The chiefs and warriors, but with spear, 
 
 And bow, and war-club lying near, 
 
 Ready, upon the first alarm. 
 
 To be resumed with sturdy arm. 
 
 The foremost of the barks hath now 
 
 Almost upon the shore its prow, 
 
 When sudden from the Ojibway s rang 
 
 The war-cry s blast, and, with it sprang 
 
 Each warrior there upon his feet 
 
 With answering shout, and rushed to meet, 
 
 In strife too wild and dark for name, 
 
 The foe that thus upon them came. 
 
 Then grappled each his nearest foe, 
 
 Nor yielded either till the blow 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 75 
 
 Which drank life s latest current well, 
 Left him all lifeless where he fell. 
 But vain the strife, though for each Sioux 
 There perished of his foemen two, 
 There lived but two of that brave band 
 To track through foes their way to land. 
 ME-GI-SI and the WEX-DI-GO, 
 Around whom fell at every blow 
 Victims to their resistless strength, 
 Had fought their bloody way at length 
 Upon the beach, and there they stood 
 Alone, unconquered, unsubdued, 
 Keeping, like lions fierce, at bay 
 Surrounding foemen s whole array, 
 Or those who were upon them rushing, 
 In ghastly heaps around them crushing. 
 Maddened to see the slaughtering tide 
 And feel their power thus defied, 
 Shame to their courage adding wing, 
 The Ojibways upon them spring 
 Like famished wolves upon the prey 
 That chance hath thrown within their way, 
 And sire and son are borne beneath, 
 
76 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 Their flesh an hundred weapons sheath ; 
 
 And when the rushing crowd gave place, 
 
 Within ME-GI-SI S breast all trace 
 
 Of life with all its pains had fled, 
 
 Mangled he lay among the dead ! 
 
 But from beneath their raining blows 
 
 The WEN-DI-GO again arose, 
 
 And dashing off, as things of naught, 
 
 Those who to stop his progress sought, 
 
 One thrilling yell of scorn he gave, 
 
 Then plunged beneath the blood-dyed wave. 
 
 They saw no more, and whether then 
 
 His spirit passed, or if again, 
 
 Concealed by magic from the view 
 
 He living rose, none ever knew ; 
 
 Still they believe, amid the dirge 
 
 Of winter s winds and water s surge, 
 
 Or in the tempest s blasting hour, 
 
 They hear his voice and feel his power, 
 
 And even upon summer s night, 
 
 When winds are hushed and stars are bright, 
 
 They sometimes see his shadow pass 
 
 Slowly along the moon-lit grass, 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 77 
 
 And then with bloodless lips they tell 
 Of some mischance they know full well 
 To fall on whom the spirit s eye 
 Grlanced angrily as it passed by. 
 
THE REQUIEM. 
 
 THE eve that gathered o er the water, 
 
 Yet crimson with the recent slaughter, 
 
 Came slowly, beautifully on ; 
 
 And when its last faint hues were gone, 
 
 Shadowed in the embrace of night, 
 
 The moon and stars looked down as bright 
 
 As though no scenes of carnage lay 
 
 Where now their beams so sweetly stray. 
 
 Chance led at this delightful hour 
 
 A band of maidens to the bower 
 
 Where ME-ME and her lover parted 
 
 The night before so broken hearted ; 
 
 And there upon a mossy bed 
 
 Lay ME-ME, silent, cold, and dead. 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 79 
 
 With the last look on lover cast, 
 
 Her gentle spirit sweetly passed,- 
 
 And now she lay in cold death sleeping, 
 
 Their watch, the wild flowers o er her keeping, 
 
 And, as they waved with the soft sigh 
 
 Of the night zephyrs passing by, 
 
 Wept dewy tears o er one so fair, 
 
 Laying like blighted rose-bud there, 
 
 And, poured the fragrance of their breath 
 
 To hallow such a tristful death. 
 
 When first beheld, the maidens deemed 
 
 ? Mid flowers and moonbeam s light she dreamed, 
 
 But when they gathered near and felt, 
 
 As by her side they fondly knelt, 
 
 That death s rude fingers had impressed 
 
 Their icy touch upon her breast, 
 
 Stilling each throb of bliss or pain 
 
 Beyond the power to beat again, 
 
 A wailing, low, like sighing tone 
 
 Of winds when through the trees they moan, 
 
 While all around beside was hushed, 
 
 From their full bosoms sadly gushed. 
 
80 THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 
 
 " Heart of our hearts, farewell, farewell," 
 Thus rose the dirge s plaintive swell, 
 " Thou wast the sunbeam, spirit given, 
 But softened like the light of even, 
 Within our darkened bosoms stealing, 
 That kissed the buds of happy feeling, 
 And in the fragrant breath and hue 
 Of sweetest love to flowers drew. 
 0, what shall keep that hue so fair, 
 0, what shall keep that fragrance there, 
 Their warmth, and light, with thee withdrawn. 
 Their hue is fled, their fragrance gone. 
 We withered where our sister fell, 
 Heart of our hearts, farewell, farewell." 
 
 Ere the sad tones had left the ear, 
 
 An airy spirit hovering near, 
 
 Caught up again the lingering strains, 
 
 And in such music as enchains 
 
 The raptured heart in childhood s dreams. 
 
 When in some fairy land it deems 
 
 Mid bright etherial forms, it dwells, 
 
 The requiem around them swells. 
 
THE OJIBWAY CONQUEST. 81 
 
 { There s a bower prepared in the land of the blest, 
 Where the young, and the pure, and the lovely shall 
 
 rest, 
 Who have left the sad earth, where the tempests that 
 
 rushed 
 O er their sensitive bosoms, forever are hushed. 
 
 0, the heart of the dead beat too warmly for earth, 
 Like a bird in the far sunny south that had birth, 
 But which wandered where winds from the northern 
 
 sky passed, 
 Where it sung one sweet strain, then sank in the 
 
 blast. 
 
 So the soul that once dwelt in that fair form of clay, 
 Over which you now weep, that it thus passed away, 
 Like that bird hovered near you, then went to its rest 
 In the sweet spirit home, in the land of the west. 
 
 Weep not that her spirit thus early hath fled, 
 That spirit still lives, though the body be dead ; 
 It lives where its joys pass no more with a sigh, 
 It lives where its happiness never shall die." 
 
NOTES. 
 
 ( ) " It is a kind which cloth not llight." 
 
 In the north and north-west there is a kind of flower which 
 matures late in the fall, and still blossoms in the dead of 
 winter. There is a strange contrast between its snowy bed 
 and its delicate hues. In spring it dies with the snow, and 
 again reappears in the fall. 
 
 ( 2 ) " From dawn till twilight paints, $c." 
 
 The facility to endure long journeys and fatigues has long 
 been the admiration of the people abroad. Those Indians 
 who lived in the north and about the head waters of Lake 
 Superior, are an active and the most energetic race. Long 
 journeys were performed in times of war ; and with little or 
 no rest during the day of hunting. One would hardly credit 
 the feats they can perform in the dead of winter. Over hill 
 and down ravines, covered with snow, they make their snow- 
 shoe track. Through the forest-world, the trees heavily 
 ladened with snow, they seek the game ; and this is done day 
 after day through the period of life. 
 
84 NOTES. 
 
 ( 3 ) " Thou fair St. Louis!" 
 
 There must ever be a peculiar interest attached to the St. 
 Louis river, arising from the consideration that it is the 
 proper source of that mighty chain of waters, which, after 
 pouring their tiae through more than half the extent of the 
 western hemisphere, at last discharge themselves in the Gulf 
 of St. Lawrence, where they mingle with and are lost in those 
 of the Atlantic. But if it had not this fact to draw an 
 interest around it, the character of the river itself is such as 
 to leave an impression upon the mind of one who has glided 
 upon its pure waters not easily to be forgotten. The variety 
 of its scenery the beauty of its evergreen edges the rapid 
 and whirling toss of its waves, and the high cliffs of rocks, 
 where it swells its maddening roar ; all this can be seen in 
 the St. Louis about the extreme west end of Lake Superior, 
 and one can follow it up through its various windings, now 
 narrow, and then widens like a lake. The scenery about the 
 head of Lake Superior is picturesque and grand, and a little 
 way up, farther on, dashing with impetuous fury through some 
 narrow and rocky passes, or over falls, from whose height the 
 beholder becomes dizzy in looking down, make the voyage one 
 of continual excitement and delight. We might here present 
 a more minute description of the onward windings of this 
 river, but we forbear at present, believing none will contra 
 dict us when we say it is not less in grandeur than the 
 scenery on the North River. 
 
 ( 4 ) " Each warrior there was decked with these." 
 
 There is no time in which an Indian brave adorns his person 
 with so much care as when going to war. Here the warrior 
 lays aside the encumbering articles of dress worn at other 
 
NOTES. 85 
 
 times, and only wears those light, and yet, often extremely 
 ornamental, which, without confining in the least the free and 
 easy motion of every limb, exhibits their fine forms to the 
 best posssible advantage. 
 
 ( 5 ) " From feathers of the. wild bird s wingj"* 
 
 The feather flag is the flag which was and, in some parts, 
 is yet used. The feathers of the rare gray eagle are knitted 
 together over four feet long. When ready for war, this is 
 stuck in the centre of the war-party, while now and then the 
 standard-bearer waves it, while the rest send a piercing shout 
 to heaven. 
 
 ( 6 ) " amid the sound 
 
 Of drum, and song, and echoing shout." 
 
 The drum is one of the principle instruments we used in 
 time of war preparations, and at all times, and although very 
 unmusical to finer ears in the civilized world, is by us held in 
 great estimation. It is made by tightly stretching a piece of 
 deer-hido over a hoop, and somewhat resembles a tamborine. 
 The drum-stick is a piece of wood with a short cross at one 
 end, with which the drum is beaten. 
 
 ( 7 ) " The feats of bravery lie had done. 1 1 
 
 At the public dances of our nation is the only place where 
 any one can boast of bravery, and it is not expected a brave 
 should boast at all times, but at such places, of their exploits 
 in battle. On such occasions I have sat to listen to their 
 bold eloquence and graphic descriptions, until my own breast 
 irresistibly caught the passionate feelings of theirs. 
 
86 NOTES. 
 
 ( 8 ) " Could tear those shackles from his flesh" 
 
 I would not like to hazard the assertion, in this enlightened 
 age, that there is such a thing as magic or supernatural 
 agency among the Indians, but I must confess myself unable, 
 as all have done who have witnessed those exhibitions, tc 
 account for satisfactorily ; one of those Indians who pretends 
 to have an intercourse with spirits, will permit himself to be 
 bound hands and feet, then wrapped closely in a blanket or 
 deer s hide, bound around his whole body with cords and 
 thongs, as long and as tightly as the incredulity of any one 
 present may see fit to continue the operation, after which he 
 is thrown into a small lodge. He begins a low, unintelligible 
 incantation to the gods, and increases in rapidity and loud- 
 ness until he works himself up into a great pitch of seeming 
 or real frenzy, at which time, usually three or four minutes 
 after being put in, he opens the lodge and throws out the 
 thongs and hides with which he was bound without a single 
 knot being untied or fold displaced, himself sitting calm and 
 free on the ground. Carver, in his travels, gives a curious 
 and interesting account of an exhibition of this kind, accom 
 panied with a prophecy, which was astonishingly fulfilled. 
 Those who possess this art pretend that a spirit comes and 
 relieves them from their bonds. You say this is superstition. 
 Much of the same kind is among the pale faces. I believe 
 the Indians had, and do have, mesmerism among them. 
 
 (9) " The Wen-di-go of icy heart." 
 
 This Wen-di-go, in the idea of the Indians, is a monster, 
 who lives in the north ; a supernatural being, who roams 
 about the earth in search of victims, for he lives on human 
 flesh. He is represented to be as tall as the pine trees ; a 
 
NOTES. 87 
 
 whirlwind s tread is heard around him wherever he is. 
 Frost and cold are his companions. He is devoid of feeling. 
 " Icy heart." It is believed men have become Wen-di-go s 
 by a mysterious process, and if any one is supposed to become 
 one, he is immediately dispatched. When a Wen-di-go can 
 be killed, it is only done by men who are supposed to have a 
 strong arm, or an array of favorites from the spirits to aid 
 them. 
 
 ( 10 ) " Youth, are you a brave?" 
 
 This is an expression we use in challenging one another 
 when we desire to engage another in any enterprise which 
 requires the exercise of his attribute of the mind. When any 
 one is insulted by another, he immediately calls at the wigwam, 
 and in looking through the lodge, asks him this question, and 
 if he speaks in the affirmative, an appeal then is immediately 
 made to their relative prowess. If he does not so answer, he 
 is immediately branded as an old " woman," an appellation 
 for all cowards, not that all women are cowards, for some 
 deal in cowhides in civilized countries. 
 
 (") Ahpuckw ays from soft rushes wove." 
 
 Ahpuckway is a kind of mat which is made out of the 
 blades of the rush, vulgarly called " cattail," with great 
 skill, for the purpose of covering the wigwams of the natives. 
 They appear at a distance, light, and glisten before the sun. 
 These, too, they make mats for their beds, to repose upon in 
 the night. 
 
 ( 12 ) " Stood like an oak. The thunder bird 
 
 Had riven at the spirits word" 
 Our nation believe that thunder is caused by a large bird 
 
88 NOTES. 
 
 which lives so far up in the sky as not to be visible. The 
 noise is caused by the motion of his wings. This idea, no 
 doubt, they received from the drumming of the pheasant, 
 which so nearly resembles distant thunder. The lio-htninrr 
 
 / O C5 
 
 they imagine the opening and shutting of the bird s eye ; 
 and its fierceness is sometimes so fearful and keen as to ignite 
 the object on which it falls. This happens when fire follows 
 a stroke of lightning. Whenever lightning strikes an object, 
 they think that the bird shoots from its eye a small round 
 stone, which produces the effect ; and assure you that if you 
 will dig and examine where the lightning enters the ground, 
 this stone will be, and has been, found. 
 
 ( 13 ) a IftHiere wander skadoics of the dead 
 
 By the, dim light aurora shed." 
 
 The Indians, unable to account for the various phenomenas 
 of nature, have associated with most of them some curious 
 superstition. The aurora borealis they believe shines to 
 illuminate the pastime of the disembodied spirits, when, in 
 the shadowy land, they gather in the chase, or mingle in the 
 dances, with which they amuse themselves. 
 
 O-ge-chog means shadow, and when applied to man, we 
 say, in reference to his soul, his shadow ; the reality of such 
 attribute they see, yet cannot feel. 
 
 ( 14 ) " Our totem on our little loy." 
 
 Among the Indians each family is designated by some 
 distinguished badge or crest, such as the figure of a swan, 
 deer, crane, eagle, bear, otter, or moose. This emblem we 
 call a totem. The laws relative to it are somewhat curious. 
 It is not permitted for a male and female to intermarry whose 
 
NOTES. 89 
 
 f otem happens to be the same ; they are all considered as 
 Brother and sister. In adopting or inheriting their totem 
 unong the children, the boys and girls take that of their 
 -ather, and sometimes the girls can only take that of their 
 nother. This is only true, as to the different other nations. 
 
 ( r ) " Sweet as the swanks expiring notes." 
 
 Though this is a common-place allusion, yet, the lakes 
 ibout the country where the scenes are we speak of, are 
 ailed with wild fowl, and among which is the most graceful of 
 .ill birds, the swan. 
 
 ( lc ) " Thou shadowy spirit, for whose 
 
 Like all unenlightened nations, our nation have many 
 oxtremely superstitious notions. They believe the visitation 
 of the souls of their departed friends not often to be visible 
 with a natural, body, but they hear them in some way, by 
 the sighing of the winds, the hum of creation, or fancy they 
 ide on the fleecy clouds of an evening sky. 
 
 ( l7 ) " Till shadows both, again we meet. 
 
 Some of the ideas in reference to the immortality of the 
 ;oul they represent under the idea of a shadow. Their ex 
 planation which they generally give of the reason why they 
 oury their dead with weapons of hunting and war, food, and 
 ipparel, is so curious and ingenious that we cannot help 
 elating it The Indian is asked why he does this. His 
 cply is, that the shadow of the body has left for the distant 
 A^est ; that the soul needs the shadow of these articles, 
 ind not the material. The shadow of these things serves to 
 the soul as they did to the body while living. 
 
90 NOTES. 
 
 ( 18 ) u Many a lodge, whose bark so white" 
 
 The lodges are made by poles stuck in the ground, and 
 these meet at the ends, which, in meeting, lap over and are 
 tied, and these are covered with the white birch. This kind 
 of bark is so white that when many are seen at a distance 
 they appear as though there were more than what is really 
 the number. 
 
 This bark is used for almost every purpose. We cover our 
 wigwams with it make our canoes vessels for water, and 
 the dishes we used to eat out of. Fancy work-boxes are made 
 out of this material. Our songs of war, triumphs, and 
 traditions, are recorded on this bark. 
 
 One Indian family often have five thousand, six thousand, 
 eight thousand, and ten thousand dishes, to gather sap from 
 the noble trees, in the spring, and the bark holds the sugar 
 which has been made. 
 
 ( 19 ) " It is the wailing for the dead." 
 
 The evening is always the time the friends of the deceased 
 collect around their graves, and sing a low, wailing sound of 
 the voice. Often, by the banks of the Mississippi, we have 
 heard the Ojibway sing the death-song, and the voice seems 
 to creep over the distant hills, which sound, they believe, aids 
 the soul in travelling to the distant west. When the shadows 
 of the red races collect from the valleys of that Happy Land, 
 they send their echoing shouts to each other from hill to hill. 
 
 ( 20 ) " Me-me^fair child of light and love." 
 
 This is one of the most harmless of birds, which you call 
 dove. A beautiful legend is told to the children, of this bird, 
 
NOTES. 
 
 91 
 
 when in flocks they return from the north in the spring, in 
 the wigwam. 
 
 ( 21 ) " In the soft language of her tribe." 
 
 Travellers have found the language of the Ojibway to be 
 very musical, and at the same time to be one of the most 
 noble in America. This is susceptible of expressing the 
 nicest shade of thought by endless modifications of the verb. 
 The language of the nation has justly been called the " Greek 
 of America." 
 
 (--) u And meed to warrior^s heart more sweet." 
 In the idea of the Indian, bravery is the key that unlocks 
 the entrance to the most exalted joys of the Great West, or 
 future state. The peaceful and Christian virtue of humanity, 
 forgiveness, and benevolence, are powerless to open the gates 
 of an Indian s Paradise. 
 
 Things have changed, and now it is otherwise. Once, the 
 Indian brave adored the man who recognized him as a noble 
 warrior ; yet, however he may now admire that quality in 
 man, it has been so refined by education, he yet loves to 
 exhibit that manliness which exalts and ennobles man. 
 Never will a true Indian stoop to low cunning and meanness 
 which characterizes the higher state of pretended civilized 
 life of other nations. 
 
 One of the greatest reasons which has made the pale face 
 desist in his endeavors to civilize the Indian, is because he 
 could not subdue the high state of noble independence in 
 him, as though it was necessary that his spirit was to be 
 subdued first, before he could be taught the noble spirit of 
 Christian morals. 
 
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