WINTER IN THE BACKWOODS 265 



diately replied, " Father Abraham " ; and directly- 

 asked the gentleman, who was the first Quaker ? 

 He said it was very uncertain, that people differed 

 in their sentiments exceedingly. The Indian 

 perceiving the gentleman unable to solve the 

 question, put his fingers into his mouth, to express 

 his surprise, and, looking steadfastly, told him 

 that Mordecai was the first Quaker, for he would 

 not pull off his hat to Haman.' ' 



Mr. Adair says : " The Cherokees are apt at 

 giving people nicknames. A dull stalking fellow 

 they call a turkey buzzard ; an ill-tempered man, 

 a wasp ; a talkative person, a grasshopper ; a 

 hoarse voice, they say, resembles a bull ; and 

 an interpreter whose manners and conversation 

 are obscene, they call a smock interpreter. 

 The disposition of Indians is naturally proud 

 and self-sufficient : they think themselves the 

 wisest of the sons of men, and are extremely 

 offended when their advice is rejected." 



About noon the sun shone brightly, but a 

 strange stillness seemed to take possession of 

 the woods. There was not a breath of wind, 

 and when we spoke our voices seemed to jar 

 upon us. This stillness communicated itself to 

 the nerves, and though, apparently, there was 



