There are different tribes. Some are called Crees, others Ojibways or
Salteaux, and these are constantly at war with the Sioux to the south,
chiefly found across the United States boundary. There are also found
on the prairies Assiniboines, Blackfeet, Bloodies, and others with
scarcely more attractive names. All these people were at that time sunk
in the most abject state of heathenism, and were constantly at war with
each other. They were clothed chiefly in skins made into leather,
ornamented with feathers and stained grass and beads. The tents of the
prairie Indians were of skins, and those of the Indians who inhabit the
woods of birch bark. Many had rifles, but others were armed only with
bows and spears, and the dreadful scalping-knife. Of these people the
Sioux bore the worst character, and were the great enemies of the
half-bred population of the settlements. These halfbreds, as they are
called, are descended from white fathers and Indian mothers. There are
some thousands of them in the settlements, and they live chiefly by
hunting and fishing, and retain many Indian customs and habits of life.
Such was the strangely mixed community among whom we found ourselves.
The autumn was coming on, and the days were shortening, but the weather
was very fine--sharp frosts at night, though warm enough, yet bracing,
with a bright sky and pure atmosphere during the day. Sometimes a light
silvery mist or haze hung over the landscape. Such is the Indian
summer, the most delightful period of the year in North America.
The day's work was over, and while my brother and I were preparing the
table, and Sam Dawes was cooking the supper, we were startled by a loud
and peculiar shout, or rather shriek. Our father, who had been sitting
reading, started up, and taking his rifle from the wall, turned to the
door. Sam, quitting his frying-pan, also took down his rifle and
followed with us. In the distance was an Indian decked with war paint
and feathers bounding over the ground towards us, while further off were
five or six more, as if in hot pursuit of the first.
"That first fellow is an Ojibway by his adornments, and a young man by
the way he runs," observed Sam. "He's seeking protection here, that's
poz."
"And he shall enjoy it, though we should have to fight for him,"
observed my father warmly. "We must teach the Red men that we always
protect those in distress."
The fugitive came on at great speed. He was flying for his life. His
pursuers, however, were gaining on him. They had fire-arms in their
hands, but did not use them.
"They have exhausted their powder," observed my father. "That is
fortunate."
The young Indian was within fifty yards of us. We could see the gleam
of the scalping knives which his foes had drawn, thirsting for his
blood. He bounded on up to the door of the hut and fell exhausted
within. Then for the first time his pursuers perceived that we stood
armed at the entrance. Guessing truly that we possessed plenty of
ammunition, and two or more of their number might fall if they attempted
to advance, they paused, casting glances of disappointed vengeance
towards their victim, who lay unconscious behind us. Our father told
Malcolm and me to take him in and to try and revive him. We did so, and
when we had moistened his lips with water he quickly revived. Springing
up he seized Malcolm's gun and hurried to the door. The other Indians
had not moved. On seeing him, however, they instantly darted behind
some trunks of trees for shelter, and then we saw them darting away till
they got beyond range of our fire-arms. The young Indian would have
followed, but my father restrained him, and gave him to understand that
though he had saved his life he had no intention of allowing him to take
the lives of others. Darkness was coming on, and we soon lost sight of
the band. Having closed our door with more than usual care, we placed
food before our guest, of which he eagerly partook, and then told us
that his name was Sigenok; that he with others of his tribe had been out
hunting, and had been surprised by a war party of Sioux, who had taken
the scalps of all the rest. He had wandered away unarmed from the camp
when he saw all his companions killed. To revenge them, which the
Indian thought was his first duty, was then impossible, so he took to
flight, hoping to retaliate on another occasion. His wary foes,
however, discovered his trail and followed. He had caught sight of them
when they were not aware of it, and redoubled his speed, making for the
settlements. He gave us to understand that he could not have continued
his flight many more hours, and that he was very grateful to us for
preserving his life. We had brought a dog from England, and we had
lately got another, both very sagacious animals, and so we stationed
them outside the hut at a little distance to give us due notice should
the Sioux return.
Sigenok, as soon as he had satisfied his hunger, proving his confidence
in us, laid himself down in a corner of the room and was immediately
fast asleep. He spent two days with, us to recover his strength, which
had been greatly tried, and then set off to carry to his tribe the sad
tidings of the loss of their friends. For an Indian, he was a
good-looking young man, and decked with his war paint and feathers he
had a picturesquely savage appearance.