table by whites, for
we are without the nice perception of natural beauty and sublimity
which the Indian possesses, and therefore cannot convey with accuracy
and fulness his ideas of the external objects from which his figures
and metaphors are drawn. If a bird flits before him, he discerns hues,
and remarks circumstances in its notes and motions, which are
imperceptible to the white man. The same acuteness which enabled an
Indian scout to apprise his commander, and to apprise him correctly,
that an "Indian, tall and very cowardly, with a new blanket, a short
gun, and an old dog," had passed[A] where the utmost industry of his
employer could find no trace or footstep, is carried into every
pursuit, and forms a part of every faculty and quality of the Indian.
But to return to his elocution.

[Footnote A: His stature he determined by the width of his stride, and
his cowardice by his avoidance of remote dangers, and the wide circuit
he took to escape contact with any one, his having a new blanket by
the portion of nap left on the branches of the trees among which he
passed. His having a short gun he discovered by the mark left in the
bark of the tree against which he had leaned the muzzle, and an old
dog by the mumbling of a bone dropped in their path.]

That was a beautiful figure of Tecumseh's to an American, who speaking
of the President of the United States had used the expression "Your
Great Father." "My great father!" exclaimed the indignant chief; "the
_Sun_ is my father, and the earth is my mother, and I repose on her
bosom."

When the Seminoles were defeated by General Jackson, their chief came
into the presence of the victor with all the pride and firmness that
belong to an Indian warrior. The conqueror demanded why he had
surrendered so soon. "I have not surrendered soon," answered the
chief; "I planted and harvested my corn on the right bank of the river
of my people, while I fought the pale-faces on the left." This history
of a warfare protracted to four months--for the period between the
planting and harvesting of maize is of that or greater duration--was
beautiful, though brief, but it was literally true. A gentleman
present assured me that the dignity of his manner, as well as the
matter of his speech, sent a thrill of awe to the bosom of every one
of the assembly.

One of the most beautiful Indian speeches on record is that of Logan,
the Mingo chief. It is one of the most affecting narratives of
indi