It seemed a semi-civil, semi-
religious ceremony. He walked around me again and again, muttering sounds
which the interpreter did not venture to explain; and laying his hand on
me pronounced me 'Con-go-gu-wah,' and instantly, with great apparent
delight, took me by the hand as a brother. I felt badly during the scene,
but it was beyond recall, and supposing it might be useful in a future
day, submitted to the initiation.
"Red Jacket was in appearance nearly sixty years old at this time. He had
a weather-beaten look; age had done something to produce this, probably
intemperance more. But still his general appearance was striking, and his
face noble. His lofty and capacious forehead, his piercing black eye, his
gently curved lips, and slightly aquiline nose, all marked a great man,
and as sustained and expressed by his dignified air, made a deep
impression on every one that saw him. All these features became doubly
expressive when his mind and body were set in motion by the effort of
speaking, if effort that may be called which flowed like a free, full
stream from his lips. I saw him in the wane of life, and I heard him only
in private, and through a stupid, careless interpreter. Yet
notwithstanding these disadvantages, he was one of the greatest men and
most eloquent orators I ever knew. His cadence was measured and yet very
musical. In ordinary utterance it amounted to a sort of musical monotony.
But when excited he would spring to his feet, elevate his head, expand his
arms and utter with indescribable effect of manner and tone, some of his
noblest thoughts.
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