NABU-NAA-KEE-SHICK.

OR

THE ONE SIDE OF THE SKY.

THIS distinguished chieftain of the Chippewa nation, acquired in his early life, no inconsiderable celebrity, as a skilful hunter, and a bold and fearless warrior. He was the eldest of four children of O-saa-wese-canno, or Yellow bird, a chief of fame among his tribe, who died when the subject of this notice was only fifteen years of age, and who with a commendable spirit of affection and semi-parental duty, took charge of and made provisions for the remaining members of the family. In the midst of the discharge of those interesting duties he had assumed, he was disturbed by the outbreak of the war of 1812. The Indian tribes in general, now rallied under the banner and became the allies of the British, and from the shores of the St. Lawrence, to the Mississippi border, made the welkin ring with their terrible war cries, while hastening to bathe their hatchets in blood. Young and inexperienced, the ardent spirit of our hero caught the warlike contagion that had spread among his countrymen, and panting with impatience, to signalize his courage and flash his blade in battle, he united himself with the members of his tribe, and companioning with the foremost of several large war parties, rushed into the arena of strife, and under the command of the celebrated Tecumseh, mingled in the terrible conflicts of that chieftain with the whites. This was the commencement of his career as a warrior.

It was not clearly ascertained, what his conduct was on the score of humanity towards the unfortunate persons who became the prisoners of his power, but it is believed by many, who had a knowledge of his character, that his inclinations were merciful, compared with the others of his tribe.

At the termination of the war, he retired to the confines of Lake Superior, devoting his leisure to his family, consisting of his mother, wife, and two children, while with a number of his band, he was diligently engaged in hunting and trapping, until the renewal of the war strife between the Chippewas and Sioux impelled him again to take With a powerful band of bold warriors, he hastened to invade the country of his enemy, with whom he fought a succession of victorious battles.

arms.

Nabu-naa-kee-shick was at the treaty of Prairie du Chien, and soon became distinguished for his decision of character, and his eloquence as an orator, Possessed of a fine person, a handsome set of features, and a vigorous mind, he soon became an object of interest with the Commissioners, who were solicitous of securing his influence with his tribe, in effecting the purposes of the Council. For the accomplishment of this, liberal presents were given him, and a much greater portion of attention paid him, than is usual. In reply to the Commissioners in full council, he spoke forth his sentiments, as follows:

"My father!

I feel my heart beat glad to see you, and I hope you do the same towards me. It has now been very long since I saw my great father at Washington, but I know he has sent you to comfort his red children.

My father!

I have listened to your talk, and feel willing to bury the tomahawk, and be as you wish it, at peace with my red brethren. Let our father fix the boundaries between his children, the O-jibways and Sioux, and we will hunt on our own grounds. My father!

Your children are much in want; we want rifles for our young men and blankets for our squaws. We have come a great way to see you, and we expect to be well treated. Many moons ago our father with the red hair* told us we should receive good things from our great father at Washington, and we hope you have brought them.

My father!

The Great Spirit has given us a clear day to talk by, and a sky without clouds to hear us in. He knows our hearts, he knows we are brave-we look unto the Great Spirit and our father for assistance, and we know they will not neglect us. My father, I have done."

One of the most interesting exhibitions of Indian skill and activity, consists in the execution of their war dances, in which athletic exercise, Nabu-naa-kee-shick particularly excelled. He would assemble his warriors, nearly one hundred in number, painted and disfigured in the most grotesque and hideous manner. Then brandishing their

* General Clark, one of the Commissioners.

tomahawks and spears, while the air resounded with their fiendish yells-would approach in a minatory manner the house of the commissioners. Then forming a ring, they would embody themselves in a circular mass, and dance to the tap of the drum, intermingled with the notes of pipes made of reed.

While engaged in these energetic divertisements, they combined the most odious. contortions of countenance, with the most extravagant attitudes of limb and body, to render their uncouth and savage exercises as imposing and terrific as possible. It is difficult to describe or depict the effect, produced upon the young and undisciplined mind by their frightful and almost demoniacal appearance and acts. It was a concentration of all we have heard of, or read, of the savage character, without the accompaniments of blood and slaughter, and was well calculated to unnerve the stoutest arm, and to quail the most heroic heart.

Nabu-naa-kee-shick with the bodily form and muscle of a Roman Gladiator, was an object magnificent to behold. Flourishing his tomahawk in the air, which he rent with his loud warwhoop, he would dance, with the infuriate fire of the demon flashing from his eye; while his yells would peirce the atmosphere with sounds terrific. In the midst of this apparent agony of effort, he would pause in his careerings and commence a speech, in which he would recount the daring deeds of his sires, as well his own, and tell of the scalps he had taken from the enemy in battle

Then again, he would whirl his tomahawk in token of fury and of proud defiance of his imaginary foe. At every pause, his painted warriors would send forth a shout that tortured earth and sky-and then again intermingling in the tortuous dance, recommence their savage exercises with fiercer fury than before. At the treaty, this chieftain's body was almost naked. A large sash composed of eagles feathers hung pendant from his shoulders, while the same wild ornament adorned his head. His arms were encircled by silver bands, and he wielded a huge war club, the end of which was carved to represent the head of an eagle. He was full six feet in stature, and agility and pride were conspicuous in his tread.