Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Relation Of A Captivity Among The Indians Of North America.
RELATION OF A CAPTIVITY AMONG THE INDIANS OF NORTH AMERICA .
( Concluded from page 387 . )
THE next memorable event that happened to me was my being sold to Monsieur Cuillerie , a Frenchman , with whom I had been acquainted previous to my captivity , and had latterly been frequently at his house near Detroit , in company with Peewash , for the purpose of procuring bread and salt . In these visits I took the opportunity to propose to M . Cuillerie to purchase me from Peewash , whom I knew to be greedy of wealthaccording to their notions of itwhich consist in being
pos-, , sessed of trinkets , as wampum , beads , bracelets , and silver gorgets . This gentleman , on account of a friend of mine , Mr . Stirling , with whom he was very intimate , and who afterwards married his daughter , was very kindly disposed towards me . He made several offers to Peewash for me ; first by bringing to him a horse and a cow , thinking these might prevail upon him , as he had often said how much he liked white people ' s way of living and comforts :
but he had more value , it seemed , for me than to part with me at that pi-ice . However , he at last consented to let me go , in exchange for certain merchandise , which he should choose , to the value of 40-Z ., upon the condition that I was always to remain with M . Cuillerie , and not be allowed to return to the English . This was accordingly promised , although we only intended to keep it so long as it might be of any risk to my benefactor to break the agreement ; for rather than that he should suffer , I was resolved to abide with him , though at the hazard of being again laid hold of by the Indians .
My -mother and brothers took a very affectionate leave of me , and went home loaded with the goods which they had got for me , leaving me overjoyed at the change ' of my situation and circumstances . I immediately threw off my dirty painted shirt , which I had worn for so long without washing , and scrubbed myself for two hours to get the grease and paint off my skin ; then dressing myself , en Canadien , with a clean French shirt and long ruffles , a new breech-clout , with a
mantlet very like the bed-gowns of our ladies , and a pair of new leggens , I began to feel myself a little comfortable . This Frenchman , who had purchased me , being a brother of the former French commandant , a great favourite with the Indians , they had behaved to him with particular favour , in refraining from killing his cattle , poultry , & c . I therefore obtained , at his house , a most substantial supper , genteelly servedwith a good bed for accommodationupon which I slept
, my , better , I think , than I had done for a considerable time past . On the morning I awoke in the happy consciousness of being out of the hands of the Indians , and restored , I imagined , to the certain exercise of liberty , for I thought there was now no doubt of my getting to my friends in the Fort . At all events , 1 felt consoled that , at the worst , I should remain with so good a family until the war should be at an endBut how fleeting and uncertain are the joys and hopes of
. this life ! and how ignorant are weak mortals of what it may please the Almighty to make them suffer in this state of trial avid probationI This moment I was happy beyond expression , the next I was doomed to be as miserable . VOL . II r . 4 D
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Relation Of A Captivity Among The Indians Of North America.
RELATION OF A CAPTIVITY AMONG THE INDIANS OF NORTH AMERICA .
( Concluded from page 387 . )
THE next memorable event that happened to me was my being sold to Monsieur Cuillerie , a Frenchman , with whom I had been acquainted previous to my captivity , and had latterly been frequently at his house near Detroit , in company with Peewash , for the purpose of procuring bread and salt . In these visits I took the opportunity to propose to M . Cuillerie to purchase me from Peewash , whom I knew to be greedy of wealthaccording to their notions of itwhich consist in being
pos-, , sessed of trinkets , as wampum , beads , bracelets , and silver gorgets . This gentleman , on account of a friend of mine , Mr . Stirling , with whom he was very intimate , and who afterwards married his daughter , was very kindly disposed towards me . He made several offers to Peewash for me ; first by bringing to him a horse and a cow , thinking these might prevail upon him , as he had often said how much he liked white people ' s way of living and comforts :
but he had more value , it seemed , for me than to part with me at that pi-ice . However , he at last consented to let me go , in exchange for certain merchandise , which he should choose , to the value of 40-Z ., upon the condition that I was always to remain with M . Cuillerie , and not be allowed to return to the English . This was accordingly promised , although we only intended to keep it so long as it might be of any risk to my benefactor to break the agreement ; for rather than that he should suffer , I was resolved to abide with him , though at the hazard of being again laid hold of by the Indians .
My -mother and brothers took a very affectionate leave of me , and went home loaded with the goods which they had got for me , leaving me overjoyed at the change ' of my situation and circumstances . I immediately threw off my dirty painted shirt , which I had worn for so long without washing , and scrubbed myself for two hours to get the grease and paint off my skin ; then dressing myself , en Canadien , with a clean French shirt and long ruffles , a new breech-clout , with a
mantlet very like the bed-gowns of our ladies , and a pair of new leggens , I began to feel myself a little comfortable . This Frenchman , who had purchased me , being a brother of the former French commandant , a great favourite with the Indians , they had behaved to him with particular favour , in refraining from killing his cattle , poultry , & c . I therefore obtained , at his house , a most substantial supper , genteelly servedwith a good bed for accommodationupon which I slept
, my , better , I think , than I had done for a considerable time past . On the morning I awoke in the happy consciousness of being out of the hands of the Indians , and restored , I imagined , to the certain exercise of liberty , for I thought there was now no doubt of my getting to my friends in the Fort . At all events , 1 felt consoled that , at the worst , I should remain with so good a family until the war should be at an endBut how fleeting and uncertain are the joys and hopes of
. this life ! and how ignorant are weak mortals of what it may please the Almighty to make them suffer in this state of trial avid probationI This moment I was happy beyond expression , the next I was doomed to be as miserable . VOL . II r . 4 D