United States or New Zealand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
If during the still hours of night, an Indian's mind is taken up with thoughts that cause sleep to pass from him, preventing every effort of Morpheus to lock him in fond embrace, he ascribes it to a spirit, which he calls Sa-go-ye-wat-ha. The impressions made are regarded as ominous of some important event, joyful or otherwise, according to the feelings awakened.
"It shall not be said," thought he, "that Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, lived in insignificance, and died in disgrace. Am I not yet strong? Have I not yet power to withstand my enemies?" He set out for Washington, to spread his griefs before his great Father. On arriving there he visited Colonel McKenney, who had charge of Indian affairs.
And though linked with a melancholy association, as connected with the waning history of a people that once laid a claim to greatness, but are now fast passing into obscurity, it is not on this account the less attractive, but presents another reason for our regard. Such was the name of SA-GO-YE-WAT-HA, or, as he has more commonly been called, Red Jacket.
If his thoughts are of a pleasing nature, he is led to anticipate the occurrence of some joyful event. If they are of a melancholy turn, he regards it as foreboding evil. He may be led to dwell with interest on some absent friend; that friend he will expect to see the next day, or soon after. Such was the spirit they called Sa-go-ye-wat-ha.
Stone, "Sa-go-ye-wat-ha was then twenty-nine years old, and though it does not appear that he had yet been created a chief, he nevertheless seems to have been already a man of influence.
Word Of The Day