148 THE SILVER LAKE STORIES.

ably think it would be a dreadful thing
to live with no other neighbors, but
the red men of the forest, and no white
persons within many miles of you. But
the family of Mr. M found the In-
dians kind, and peaceable, and honest
neighbors, till the white people came
and established villages, and sold the
“ fire-water” to the poor Indians, which
makes brutes of other men as well as
them. |
Soon after Mr. M—’s family settled
in that part of the country, several
chiefs of the different tribes of Indians
about them, sent word to them through
an interpreter, that they were coming