PA 
1898-99. | FAMOUS ALGONQUINS ; ALGIC LEGENDS. 303 
boys,’ who were classmates with him. His weakness was in mathe- 
matical studies, for which he had little taste. His classmates say that 
while they had their occasional caning, Francis never so suffered. The 
masters understood that the proud young Odahwah was doing his daily 
task conscientiously and treated him with sympathy and discretion. He 
was indeed proud of his origin and styled himself in official documents 
and in his literary productions, “a warrior of the Odahwahs,” whom we 
call Ottawas. When acting as interpreter to the Indian department, 
Francis Assikinack read four able papers before the Canadian Institute, 
which may be found in their Journal of 1858 and 1860. In style of 
composition the articles are clearand eloquent. He discussed the origin 
and nomenclature of the Algonquins,their customs, funeral and marriage 
rites, feasts, modes of government, odadems or coats of arms, legends 
and myths. These papers are widely known and rank as valuable 
historical and ethnographic additions to Canadian literature. 
Young Assikinack spent several years in the Indian office, generally 
at Toronto, and was witness to some important negotiations and treaties 
with Ontario Indians. His favorite associates were his» former class- 
mates in the college, with whom he conversed of his people, their history, 
legends and hopes for the future. He also related with flashing eye the 
valourous traditions of his race and among them the exploits of his heroic 
father. Of his people’s prospects he once said, “Yes, we are going, it is 
true, but when we are gone our deeds will still fill many pages in the 
country’s history. We have in Canada mingled in the white man’s 
wars, first against him, then with him and against the common enemy.” 
He did not in his writings refer to Longfellow’s Hzawatha, which had 
been recently published, but felt some disappointment or even resent- 
ment, that the songs and legends of his Algonkian forefathers had been 
set to the tune of an Onondaga pipe. He admitted however, that it is 
impossible to exactly localize the origin of legends of a nomadic race, 
even the Ottawas claim to have come from a region south of the great 
lakes long since the time of Columbus. . 
There were a sad romance and a sad ending to this promising young 
man’s life. He became engaged to a young English lady of position and 
culture, and was congratulated on his happy prospects. After a time he 
fell ill and consulted a physician who found him suffering from a decline 
and could not conceal his anxiety, yet feared to speak the truth too 
rudely, for Francis was a favourite with all who knew him. A friend was 
sought, one who had been with him under Mr. Barron and Mr. Mark- 
land. To him Dr. Hodder said, “Yes, the Indian will die.” On meeting 
his friend Alfred, Assikinack read his fate in his face, and said, “I see I 
