502 The Book of Woodcraft 



If ever the great Hiawatha was reincarnated it must 

 have been in the form of Tecumseh. Like Hiawatha, he 

 devoted his whole life to the service of his people on the 

 most heroic lines. Like Hiawatha, he plarmed a national 

 federation of all Redmen that should abolish war among 

 themselves and present asolid front to the foreign invader. 

 " America for the Americans" was his cry, and all his life 

 and strength were devoted to the realization of his dream. 

 Vahant as Pontiac, wise as Metacomet, magnificent as 

 Powhatan, kind and gentle as the young Winona, he was a 

 farther-seeing statesman than they ever had had before, 

 and above all was the first leading Redman to put an end 

 to the custom for which they chiefly are blamed, the tor- 

 turing of prisoners. His people were always kind to their 

 own; his great soul made him kind to all the world. He 

 fought his people's battles to the end, and when he knew 

 the cause was lost he laid aside his British uniform, 

 girded himself in his Indian war-chief dress for the final 

 scene, bade good-bye to his men and went forth, like King 

 Saul on Mt. Gilboa's fatal field, to fight and fighting die. 

 And the Star of his race had set. 



Measured by any scale, judged by any facts, there can 

 be but one verdict: He was a great man, an Indian 

 without guile, a mighty soldier and statesman, loved and 

 revered by all who knew him. More than a Red noble- 

 man, he was acclaimed by all his kin who knew his life 

 as in very truth a Son of God. 



KANAKUK, THE KICKAPOO PROPHET 



"My father," he pleaded with President Monroe, "the 

 Great Spirit holds all the world in his hands. I pray to 

 him that we may not be removed from our lands. . . . 

 Take pity on us and let us remain where we are." 



