112

NIKKANOCHEE IN HIS CAPTIVITY.

to a deserted house, and here he satisfied his hunger. It was then getting dark, but the soldiers saw him, and set off after him at full gallop. In vain he hid himself in the grass, and lay as still as a partridge, for they discovered him and took him away.

Austin. I wonder that Econchatti-mico, his father, or the brave Oceola, his uncle, did not rescue him. Hunter. It is thought that they did return upon the back trail, for Newnansville was shortly after surrounded by Indians, with Oceola at their head; but just then a reinforcement of soldiers arrived, and the Indians were obliged to retire. Had not the soldiers come up just in time, the whole garrison might have fallen by the rifles and scalping knives of enraged Seminoles. Nikkanochee passed a year with the family of Colonel Warren, and was beloved by them all. There was, no doubt, much sympathy felt for him, as the nephew of a well-known warrior, and the son of the king of a warlike people. Nikkanochee was afterwards taken under the protection of a gentleman, who became much attached to him. He was educated with other children, and taught to bend his knee in prayer, and to offer praise to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Thus, in the providence of God, was Nikkanochee brought from being a heathen to be a worshipper of the true God and Jesus Christ.

Brian. How much longer did he remain abroad? Hunter. A very few years, during which he became expert in climbing, swimming, loading the rifle, and using the spear. He was bold enough to attack the

racoon and otter, and was not afraid even of the alligator; few of his years were more hardy, or could bear an equal degree of fatigue. His kind protector, who adopted him as his own child, brought him over to England in the year 1840, since which time he has written an interesting history of his young charge. In the first page is an animated figure of Nikkanochee, dressed up as a Seminole warrior, with his cap, feathers, shield, bow, arrows, quiver, pendent ornaments, and mocassins. You cannot look at it, without feeling an interest in the welfare of the young Seminole. But I have given you a long account. May Nikkanochee grow up to know Him whom to know is life eternal, and become as celebrated for virtue and piety as his ancestors and relations were for valour and war.

I

The religion of the Red Indians-Medicine, or Mystery-Rain making-Marriage-Flattening the heads of children-Cradles -Practice of shaving the head-Exposure of the aged-The Leaping Rock-Catching white fish-Fasts, feasts, and sacrifices-Runners-Indian_squaws, with their customary employments-Pipe smoking-Dog feast-A common life scene among the Indians-Smoking a shield-Pipes-Pipe of peace-Indian burial-Resting-place for the dead.

In the next visit of the three brothers to the hunter, he pointed out to them the great influence that religion had on the character of a people and a country. A

RELIGION OF THE RED INDIANS.

115

false religion brought with it a train of unnumbered evils; while a knowledge of the true God, and a living faith in the Saviour who died for sinners, continually promoted among mankind principles of justice and kindness, and communicated to their hearts the blessings of peace and joy. "True it is," said he, "that among professedly Christian people there is much of evil; much of envy, hatred, malice, and uncharitableness; of injustice, covetousness, and cruelty: but this proceeds not from Christianity, but from the fallen state of human nature, which nothing but the grace of God can renew, and from the great number of those who profess to be Christians, while they are uninfluenced by the gospel of the Redeemer. Christianity will neither allow us to dishonour God by bowing down to idols, nor to injure man by injustice and oppression. The Red Indians of North America are not found bowing down to numberless idols, as the inhabitants of many countries are: they worship what they call the Great Spirit,' with a deep reverence, humbling themselves before him, and undergoing selfimposed torments, to gain his goodwill, which the generality of Christians, in the manifestation of their faith, would find it hard to endure. They believe also in an Evil Spirit, as well as in a future state; and that they shall be happy or unhappy, just as they have done good or evil, according to their estimate of those qualities; but this belief is mixed up with mysteries and superstitions without number. I speak of Red Indians in the forest and the prairie, who know nothing

116

THE MEDICINE BAG.

of God's word, and who have never heard the voice of a missionary."

Austin. You told us what the Sioux, the Riccarees, the Tuskaroras, and the Mandans called the Great Spirit. Please to tell us again.

Hunter. The Mandans call him Mah-ho-peneta; the Riccarees, Ka-ke-wa-rooh-teh; the Sioux, Wo-konshe-cha; and the Tuskaroras, Ye-run-ni-yoh. The different tribes believe, that if they are expert in the chase, bold in battle, and slay many of their enemies, they shall live for ever, after death, in beautiful hunting grounds, enjoying the pleasures of the chase continually. You know that we, as Christians, are enjoined to forgive our enemies; but untutored Indians delight in revenge: they love to boast, and to shed blood; but we are taught, by God's holy word, to be humble and merciful. There is one thing that mingles much with the Indian character; and that is, medicine, or mystery. I must try if I can make you understand it.

Austin. Yes; I should like to know all about that very well.

Hunter. Go where you may, among the Ojibbeways and Assinneboins of the north, the Choctaws and the Seminoles of the south, or the Crows, the Blackfeet, and the Shiennes of the west, every Indian has his medicine or mystery bag, which he regards with reverence, and will not part with for any price. He looks upon it as a kind of charm, or guardian spirit, that is to keep him from evil. He