Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. I.djvu/379

Rh The chief of the Coweta tribe arose and said, “We are come five-and-twenty days journey to see you. I have never desired to go down to Charleston, lest I should die by the way: but when I heard that you were come, and that you are good men, I came down to you that I might hear good things.” He then gave the European exiles leave to summon such of their kindred as loved them out of the Creek towns, so that they might live together. “Recal,” added he, “the Yamassees, that they may be buried at peace among their forefathers, and that they may see their graves before they die.”

A Cherokee appeared among the English; “Fear nothing,” said Oglethorpe, “but speak freely.” “I always speak freely,” replied the mountain-chief. “Wherefore should I be afraid? I am now among friends; I feared not when I was among enemies.” And the settlers and the Cherokees became friends.

A Chocta-chief, “Red-Shoes,” came the following year, and proposed to trade, “We come from a great distance,” said he, “and we are a great nation. The French built forts amongst us. We have long traded with them, but they are poor in goods; we desire that a trade may be opened between you and us.”

The good faith which Oglethorpe kept in his transactions with the Indians, his noble demeanour and bearing, the sweetness of his temper, won for him the confidence of the Red-men. He was pleased with their simple manners and customs, and endeavoured to enlighten their minds, and to instruct them in the knowledge of that God whom they ignorantly worshipped.

Oglethorpe framed laws for Georgia; one of which forbade the introduction of intoxicating liquors, another the introduction of slavery. “Slavery,” said Oglethorpe, “is contrary to the gospel, as well as to the fundamental law of England. We will not permit a law which allows such horrid crime.” And when, later, various of “the