In the moral sense of the word, they were good; and if they had been Christians, would have been deemed examples for more refined nations.
"A good man, and an angel! these between,
How thin the barrier? What divides their fate?
Perhaps a moment, or perhaps a year;
Or, if an age, it is a moment still."
The following anecdote will not only illustrate the kind feelings of the Indian's heart, but also exhibit his delicacy in bestowing a favour. I had for some time been uneasy at not being able to contribute, by my exertions, a fair share towards the provisions of the common stock of those with whom I resided; and this uneasiness was frequently expressed to Pecoe, the principal difficulty being the want of a canoe—for these vessels were not constructed in general to carry more than one person; I was thus precluded from sharing in the daily excursions on the water.
Gift of a canoe
Pecoe, as I have said, knew that I felt this want, and one morning surprised and delighted me, after a walk in the woods, where he pointed out the silk cotton tree as the material out of which they made canoes. "Why," exclaimed he, as he took a turn towards an inlet of the great river, "here is a canoe already made for you; come, help me to launch it, and let us see how it fits you when afloat." I had recently, for several long intervals, missed him, and having, when inquiring the cause of his absence, received equivocal replies, I thought it was occasioned by some duty connected with his family, and had in consequence forborne to notice it again. He had, however, been in the wood, fashioning a canoe for my use, being the most valuable present he could, at that juncture, have made me; and the manner in which he conducted the matter, considerably enhanced its value. I was now as rich in property as any of the natives, whose ambition seldom soars beyond the possession of a canoe and a stock of hunting and fishing implements, which my friend Pecoe did not forget to provide with the canoe.
My health being perfectly restored, I now joined in all the sports followed by the natives, having previously, at Pecoe's earnest solicitation, learned to swim. Time ran on smoothly, the morning invited me to the woods (my natural home) to hunt for game.
"On a sweet shining morning, thus drawn out,
It seem'd what man was made for, to look round
And trace the full brook, that, with clamorous route,
O'er fallen trees and roots, black curling, wound
Through glens, with wild brakes scatter'd all about."
The days did not linger in their progress, nor did night arrive too soon, the changes being all attended with enjoyments.
"Night bringeth sleep
To the forest deep,
The forest bird to its nest,
To care, bright hours,
And dreams of flowers,
And that balm to the weary—rest."
Discontent is man's great enemy. I believe that, constitutionally, I was fitted to enjoy any station to which the Almighty, in his wisdom, might call me; yet even contentment may be carried to an extreme, and degenerate into apathy, or the want of a healthful spirit into indolence.