CHAPTER II.

WHEN the Sabbath School Missionary Society met again, Miss Katherine McEllroy presided, and all present were invited to make all the inquiries they wished. Delia Claiborne did not feel the same freedom in proposing questions to Miss McEllroy, that she did to her cousin Cornelia; but the conversation did not flag at all, for Miranda and Jane Hammond, Sarah and Emma Lanman, belonging to Miss McEllroy's class, asked questions so much faster than their teacher could answer, that she was obliged to check them.

Miranda. Miss McEllroy, will you please to tell us about the Choctaw witches this afternoon? Katharine. Miss Claiborne, what question did you propose, which was to be answered at this meeting?

Delia. Whether it was common for murders to be committed for supposed witchcraft.

Katharine. Yes; many unhappy victims are sacrificed to this superstition every year. With

in three years, in the Yellow Busha settlement alone, twelve persons were murdered! It was but a short time after the death of Ell-e-kee, before two other women were reported to be w.ches, and expected to suffer death. Several of the most respectable half-breed females were greatly alarmed, and Capt. Perry, an influential chief, was at great pains to trace the origin of the rumor, which, after this faithful investigation, soon died away. If a reward is offered large enough to arouse the avarice of the conjurors, no persons who are destitute of power and friends are safe; for their death is certain the moment they are accused.

Sarah. Do they ever accuse white people? Katharine. No; the Indians say the whites and half-breeds eat so much salt, that witch arrows do not penetrate into them.

Miranda. What effect did the kindness of the missionaries produce in their attentions to the afflicted family of Ell-e-kee?

Katharine. It did much to win the confidence of the natives. Afterwards, whenever a family were in affliction, they would send for Mr. Kingsbury; and if he could not visit them, they requested one of his brethren to come.

Some such little circumstances do much to encourage and comfort the hearts of missionaries, who are not so apt to despise the "day of small things," or to neglect watching the hand of Providence, as their Christian friends who sit under the blazing noon of gospel light in New England.

A knowledge of some truths preached by Mr. Kingsbury spread far and wide, and produced some effect upon the minds of a number, who had never heard him preach. A merchant who lived not far from Elliot, refused to sell goods upon the Sabbath, although a neighboring white trader sold to all who came. These tidings to the missionaries were like cold water to a thirsting soul. This was soon followed by a request to have Mr. Kingsbury attend a religious service at the house of the same gentleman every Sabbath; and it was soon apparent that the wife of the principal chief in that district had not heard a preached gospel in vain. Some encouraging movements with regard to temperance were made at a council in August, soon after the arrival of Dr. Pride and Mr. Fisk. Mr. Kingsbury attended this council, and found the whiskey very plenty; but through the influence of

Col. McKee, the United States' Agent, and

Capt. Folsom, it was lock and key till the should be completed. council, a white man

secured and put under business of the council During the session of the was found dead in his

tent; two white men had slept by his side without knowing any thing had happened until they beheld him a corpse.

Sarah. Do you think he had taken too much whiskey?

Katharine. I am inclined to think he did ; for he was well as usual the day before, and ate a hearty supper. Whatever occasioned his death, it seemed to produce some solemnity. Col. McKee requested Mr. Kingsbury to attend the funeral, which he was willing to do. The body was interred without a coffin, or any other shroud than a blanket, at eleven o'clock of the day of his death; and at twelve, Mr. Kingsbury was introduced to all the principal chiefs, and permitted to give them a public talk, to which they gave very good attention.

Jerome. Did the council meet in a townhouse, like the Cherokees?

Katharine. No; the place where the council met at this time was sheltered from the scorch

ing rays of an August sun by the erection of posts, or forks, on which poles were laid, covered by bushes, the sides being all open. The great men of the nation were seated on the ground beneath this shade. A heavy shower began to fall soon after Mr. Kingsbury began his talk, which completely drenched the whole company, except four or five who were fortunate enough to have umbrellas; but notwithstanding the rain, the chiefs listened with deep and fixed attention. When the rain abated, Col. McKee read two letters to the council, who then adjourned till the next morning.

Jerome. Who gave talks the next day?

Katharine. Capt. Folsom, a half-breed chief of extensive influence and considerable information, made a most animated address upon the subject of schools, and opened a subscription for their support. More than a thousand dollars were subscribed immediately, and a large number of cattle!

Emma. They did nobly, Miss McEllroy ; do you not think so?

Katharine. Considering their poverty, they did give a large sum.