190 NOTES ON THE NORTHWEST. 



female is capable of the heroism of love, of constancy, to 

 death, and of a nature sensitive in extreme. 



The history of former days, and occurrences of recent date, 

 show that the warrior is possessed not only of animal courage, 

 but of the truest heroism, and fortitude almost superhuman. 

 The deeds that are related of Pontiac, the descent of the 

 alhed Sioux, Sakis, and others, upon the Illinois in 1752, and 

 the contest of the Chippewas with the Saukis, and other 

 events of past time in the Indian annals, show that they have 

 not been surpassed in bravery by warriors of more enlighten- 

 ed nations. And the instances of recent occurrence show 

 that the spirit of former days still lives with them. 



Three years since a small party of sixteen Delaware s and 

 one Potawatami were hunting on the neutral ground between 

 the Missisippi and Missouri. When they were about leaving 

 their camp one morning, they were fired upon by a large party 

 of Sioux, and some of their number wounded. They told the 

 Potawatami to make his escape if he chose, but that they 

 intended to fight by their wounded men, as long as one re- 

 mained alive. They did so, and only the Potawatami es- 

 caped to tell the story. 



More recently, a party of fifteen, of the same tribe, who 

 were trapping otter on the head waters of the Kansas, were 

 attacked by a large party of Sioux and Chiens. The Dela- 

 wares stood their ground until the last man was killed. They 

 are, says the Superintendent, the bravest of the brave. With 

 this excess of courage, they are extremely forbearing, slow 

 to resentment, and acting generally on the defensive. 



Mr. Schoolcraft, speaking of the Indians of Cass Lake, 

 says the Indians approached in their canoes in a body, with 

 a welcome, which could hardly have been more cordial had 

 we been old friends. They represented their residence to be 

 on a large island bearing southwest from the entrance (Col- 



