Of the next song, I subjoin the music. It seems to have been composed on a young American (a Long-knife), who made love to a Chippewa girl (Ojibway quaince).
OJIBWAY QUAINCE.
Aun dush ween do we nain, Git-chee mo-ko-maum aince Kah zah wah da mood We yá yá hah há we yá yá hah há. We ah, bem, ah dè, We mah jah need dè, We ne moo, sha yun We yà, yà hah hà! we yà yà hah hà! O mow we mah ne We mah jah need dè, O jib way quaince un nè, We yà, yà hah hà! we yà yà hah hà! Kah ween, goo shah, ween nè, Keesh wan zhe e we ye O gah, mah we mah zeen. We yà, yà hah yà! we yà yà hah hà! Mee goo shah ween e goo Ke bish quah bem ah de Che wah nain ne mah de. We yà, yà hah hà! we yà yà hah hà!
The literal meaning of the song, without the perpetual repetitions and transpositions, is just this:
Hah! what is the matter with the young Long-knife? he crosses the river with tears in his eyes. He sees the young Chippewa girl preparing to leave the place; he sobs for his sweetheart because she is going away, but he will not sigh for her long: as soon as she is out of sight he will forget her!
INDIAN MISSIONS.
I have been too long on the other side of the river; I must return to our Canadian shore, where indeed, I now reside, under the hospitable roof of our missionary. Mrs. MacMurray's overflowing good-nature, cleverness, and liveliness, are as delightful in their way as the more pensive intelligence of her sister.
I have had some interesting talk with Mr. MacMurray on the subject of his mission and the character of the people consigned to his care and spiritual guidance. He arrived here in 1832, and married Charlotte Johnston (O,ge,bu,no,qua) the following year. During the five years which have elapsed since the establishment of the mission, there have been one hundred and forty-five baptisms, seven burials, and thirteen marriages; and the present number of communicants is sixty-six.