TRADITIONS
OF THE
NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS:
BEING
A SECOND AND REVISED EDITION
OF
"TALES OF AN INDIAN CAMP."
BY
JAMES ATHEARN JONES.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. I.
———
LONDON:
HENRY COLBURN AND RICHARD BENTLEY,
NEW BURLINGTON STREET.
LONDON:
F. SHOBERL, JUN., LONG ACRE.
Designed & Etched by W. H. Brooks, A. R. H. A.
I bore her away in my arms from the battle of Warriors. page 23.
London, Published by Colburn & Bentley, April 1830.
TO
WASHINGTON IRVING, ESQ.
THESE VOLUMES
ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED
BY HIS FRIEND AND COUNTRYMAN,
THE AUTHOR.
ADVERTISEMENT.
It has been thought that the introduction prefixed to the first edition,and which was intended as a mere framework upon which to hang thetraditions, was not satisfactorily contrived, and that the title did notset forth the true nature of the work. I think so myself, and havetherefore suppressed that introduction, and given to the work a strictlyaccurate title. I have supplied the place of the introduction with abrief statement of the opportunities I have had of studying the Indiancharacter, and with an exhibition of proofs of the genuineness of thetraditions themselves. The public having been pleased to say that "ifthe matter was genuine, the manner was good," and that a successfulattempt to "stamp the legends with the character of authenticity" wouldelevate them to the dignity of "historical records," I have been at somepains to collect and offer the required proofs.
INTRODUCTION.
I was born within twelve miles of a principal tribe of Indians, withintwo miles of a small band, and within six miles of two other small bands,of that tribe. They were a remnant of the Pawkunnawkuts, who, at thefirst settlement of the country, were a very numerous, powerful, andwarlike nation, but at the time of my birth had dwindled in numbers toabout five hundred souls, and were restricted in territory to some sixor seven thousand acres. They then, and at present, sank theirprimitive appellation in the less poetic name of Gayheads, which wasgiven them by the white people with reference to the little elbow orpromontory of land where they lived. Though the manners and customs ofthe Whites had made sad inroads on the primitive Indian character,there yet remained, at the time of my birth, enough to make themobjects of ardent and profitable interest.
The recollections of my earliest childhood are of Indians. Mygrandfather had an old Indian woman in his house for the greater part ofthe first fifteen years of my life. Our house-servants andfield-labourers were chiefly Indians. It was my grandfather's custom,and had been that of his ancestors, ever since their settlement, ahundred and fifty years ago, in the vicinity of the tribe, to takeIndian boys at the age of four or five years, and keep them until theyhad attained their majority, when they usually left us, chiefly tobecome sailors—an employment in which their services were speciallyvalued. During my minority we had three of these little foresters in ourhouse, and these drew around them their fathers, and mothers, andsisters, and brothers: very frequently our house was an "Indian Camp"indeed. From the boys I learned the sports and pastimes of Indianchildhood, and,