XII. THE COMPLAINT OF A FORSAKEN INDIAN WOMAN.. [When a Northern Indian, from sickness, is unable to continue his journey with his companions, he is left behind, covered over with Deer-skins, and is supplied with water, food, and fuel if the situation of the place will afford it. He is informed of the track which his companions intend to pursue, and if he is unable to follow, or overtake them, he perishes alone in the Desart; unless he should have the good fortune to fall in with some other Tribes of Indians. The females are equally, or still more, exposed to the same fate. See that very interesting work, Hearne's Journey from Hudson's Bay to the Northern Ocean. In the high Northern Latitudes, as the same writer informs us, when the Northern Lights vary their position in the air, they make a rustling and a crackling noise. This circumstance is alluded to in the first stanza of the following poem.] BEFORE I see another day, Oh let my body die away! In sleep I heard the northern gleams; In rustling conflict, through the skies, And yet they are upon my eyes, Before I see another day, My fire is dead: it knew no pain; All stiff with ice the ashes lie; When I was well, I wished to live, But they to me no joy can give, No pleasure now, and no desire. Then here contented will I lie! Alas! ye might have dragged me on Too soon I yielded to despair; When ye were gone my limbs were stronger; My Child! they gave thee to another, -As if he strove to be a man, That he might pull the sledge for me. And then he stretched his arms, how wild! Oh mercy! like a helpless child. My little joy! my little pride! Oh wind, that o'er my head art flying I'll follow you across the snow; My fire is dead, and snowy white Then wherefore should I fear to die? XIII. THE LAST OF THE FLOCK. IN distant countries have I been, |