Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/285

 DELAWARE COUNTY. 261 adherents of anti-rent principles became more bold in the con- fidence of their strength, and by the co-operation and adhesion of some of the leading and most prominent citizens of the town, a great majority of her population were eventually drawn within the meshes of anti-rentism. The first public proceeding on the part of the Indians in Roxbury was a meeting at the public house of Thomas Keater, a respectable citizen of the town, attended by a large concourse of citizens, and the elect in full uniform. The excitement carried with it a novel aspect, which presented itself particu- larly to the young and inexperienced. Many young men of respectability and promise, entered the ranks, and embraced it ardently, but the great majority were those whose habits and reputation would hardly warrant so pleasing an encomium ; who brought with them and incorporated an element in anti- rentism, which however high-toned and worthy of considera- tion the original aims of that organization might have been, was doomed to place a dark stain upon its future history, and defeat eventually its dearest interests. A description of the costume worn by those who appellated themselves Indians, although appropriate here, yet neverthe- less it would be a delicate task even for the pencil of the artist. The covering which concealed the head was usually of sheepskin^ with apertures through which the wearer might discern what was going on in the world without — another corresponding to the mouth, and yet another for the accommo- dation of the nasal organ, through which he inhaled a portion of the aerial element necessary to support the human system. The exposed or outer surface of this mask was usually painted in divers shapes, to accord to^the wearer^s fancy as to making an impression, just as some men wear their hair long or short, curled and tastefully combed, or careless and unassuming. Some, even more given to the wonderful, went so far as to sub- stitute the necessary appendages of some quadrupeds, and