HISTORY, MANNERS, AND CUSTOMS
OF THE
North American Indians.
REVISED BY THOMAS O. SUMMERS, D.D.
Nashville, Tenn.:
SOUTHERN METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE.
1859.
Prefatory Note.
This volume is one of a series of books fromthe ready and prolific pen of the late GeorgeMogridge—better known by his nom de plume,“Old Humphrey.” Most of his works werewritten for the London Religious Tract Society,and were originally issued under the auspices ofthat excellent institution. In revising them forour catalogue, we have found it necessary to makescarcely any alterations. A “Memoir of OldHumphrey, with Gleanings from his Portfolio”—acharming biography—accompanies our editionof his most interesting works.
Every Sunday-school and Family Libraryshould be supplied with the entertaining and usefulproductions of Old Humphrey’s versatile andsanctified genius.
T. O. SUMMERS.
Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 27, 1855.
PREFACE.
The present volume is in substance a reprintfrom a work published by the London ReligiousTract Society, and is, we believe, chiefly compiledfrom the works of our enterprising countryman,Catlin. It is rendered especially attractive bythe spirited and impressive pictorial illustrationsof Indian life and scenery with which it abounds.
Great changes have occurred in late years, in thecircumstances and prospects of the Indian tribes,and neither their number nor condition can beascertained with much accuracy. We have endeavouredto make the present edition as correctas possible, and have omitted some parts of theoriginal work which seemed irrelevant, or not wellauthenticated. We have also made such changesin the phraseology as its republication in thiscountry requires.
THE
INDIANS OF NORTH AMERICA[7]
CHAPTER I
It was on a wild and gusty day, that Austinand Brian Edwards were returning home from avisit to their uncle, who lived at a distance offour or five miles from their father’s dwelling,[8]when the wind, which was already high, rosesuddenly; and the heavens, which had for somehours been overclouded, grew darker, with everyappearance of an approaching storm. Brian wasfor returning back; but to this Austin would byno means consent. Austin was twelve years ofage, and Brian about two years younger. Theirbrother Basil, who was not with them, had hardlycompleted his sixth year.
The three brothers, though unlike in somethings—for Austin was daring, Brian fearful, andBasil affectionate—very closely resembled eachother in their love of books and wonderful relations.What one read, the other would read;and what one had learned, the other wished toknow.
Louder and louder blew the wind, and darkergrew the sky, and already had a distant flash andgrowling thunder announced the coming storm,when the two brothers arrived at the rocky eminencewhere, though the wood was above them,the