ON BOOKS ABOUT RED MEN

In “ON BOOKS ABOUT RED MEN,” addressed to Richard Wilby, Esq., at Eton College, Windsor, the writer, presumably an uncle, shares his fascination with literature, particularly stories about “Red Indians,” with his nephew, Dick. The uncle reminiscences about his childhood antics inspired by such tales, including his attempts at crafting a tomahawk and a pipe, reminiscent of Hiawatha’s, albeit unsuccessfully.

The uncle endorses “A Narrative of the Captivity and Adventures of John Tanner,” a true account of Tanner’s thirty years among the Indians, published in 1830 by Messrs. Carvill in New York. Tanner’s saga begins in Kentucky, where a young Tanner, against his father’s advice, is kidnapped by Shawnees, setting off a chain of events that lead him to be adopted by the tribe. His narrative weaves through the hardships of adapting to a new culture, including being initially mistreated, learning to hunt for survival, and encountering the spiritual beliefs of his adopted people. Tanner’s experiences reveal both the grueling and mystical aspects of living among the Indians, from facing starvation to having visionary dreams guided by the Great Spirit, and even encountering ghosts.

The uncle points out the stark realities of life among the Indians, which include battling starvation and the dangers of succumbing to alcoholism, a fate that Tanner narrowly avoids. Despite these challenges, Tanner grows into a formidable hunter and a revered member of the community. His life takes a turn towards tragedy, entangled in marital issues and a dispute with a medicine-man, culminating in Tanner self-extracting a bullet from his body, an act showcasing his resilience.

The chapter reflects the uncle’s desire to instill in young Dick a nuanced appreciation for these narratives, not merely as adventures but as windows into the complex realities of cultural differences, survival, and the human spirit’s resilience. Through Tanner’s story, the uncle conveys the broader lessons of courage, adaptability, and the importance of understanding across cultures, while also nurturing a love for true tales of adventure and the human experience.