The Journals & Notebook of
 Nathan Bangs 1805-1806, 1817

 

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Abel Stevens and Nathan Bangs "At the New Year's Dance"
Stevens Life and Times of Nathan Bangs 110-113

On the 1st of January, 1802, he set off to attend some preaching appointments which he had made along the lake shore. The journey was to afford him some farther examples of frontier life. "The roads," he says, "were bad, most of the country being new and in some places a continuous forest from ten to fifteen miles extent. About sunset I came to a creek, the bridge of which was so broken that my horse would not cross upon it, neither could I lead or drive him over the ice as the middle of the creek was not frozen, but the current ran rapidly, making a noise with the broken ice that frightened him. I went up and down the stream for a considerable distance in the snow and ice to find a place on which I might cross. I was more than an hour in making this useless effort. Being compelled either to stay in the woods all night or to return, of the two evils I chose the last. I found on my way back an Indian trader's house, where a number of people were assembled to celebrate the New Year. They were singing, dancing, and drinking at a high rate. I offered money if any two of the men would go with me and help me over the creek; but no one would consent, for the night had fallen and it was cold. The man of the house assured me that if I would stay with him over night I should be well-treated. I accordingly put up my horse and entered the house. I declined the whisky which was offered me, but told the women of the house I should be thankful for something to eat, as I had eaten nothing since early in the morning. She kindly prepared me a good supper."

And now a remarkable but characteristic scene ensued. "Seating myself," he continued, "by the fire, I commenced a conversation with a woman on the subject of religion. I found that she was a backslidden Baptist. While talking with her one and another drew near and formed quite a group of listeners, until finally so many assembled around me that the dance could no go on. A large athletic man now stepped up to me and said, 'Sir, if you will remain here you must be civil; you must not preach.' I replied, 'I am not preaching; but as Providence has cast my lot among you, I think it my duty to talk with those who are willing to hear me on the things that make for their eternal peace. You will not deprive me of this privilege, will you?' 'No,' said he, 'but we must dance,' and he seized the women and dragged them out upon the floor, and resumed the dance with increased hilarity. This they continued until nearly midnight. I then said to the chief trader, who had become very friendly with me, 'With your permission I will address a few words to the people.' He assented, and requested them to give attention. I arose and addressed them in substance as follows: 'It is now midnight, and the holy Sabbath has begun. You have amused yourselves with dancing, I think, long enough to satisfy you, if not to fatigue you, and if you continue it longer you will not only transgress the law of God, but likewise the law of your country. I advise you, therefore, to desist and retire to your rest.' They complied so far as to cease dancing. But the Indian trader came to me and said, 'The Indians are encamped a short distance from us, and they expect a dance here as I have promised them one.' He asked my permission to let them have it. I replied that I had no control over his house or the Indians, but if he would dispense with the revel he would highly gratify me, and, I doubted not, would please God. He rejoined that as 'he had promised them the dance they would expect it, and would be greatly incensed if they were denied it.' He then went to the door and gave the Indian 'whoop,' and down came the savages and began an Indian dance, which, with their drumming upon an old pan, their frequent yells, their stamping and bodily distortions, presented a spectacle fit for pandemonium."

There could be small hope of a serious impression by anything he could say amid such scenes; but it was his rule to lose no opportunity however desperate; he had been faithful to the white dancers; he tried now the Indians. "I requested the trader to assist me in conversing with them. To this he assented, when the chief of the Indians presented himself before me with great dignity and gravity. I asked him if he knew whence they had descended. He replied, "Yes; the Great Spirit at first made one man and one woman, placed them on an island about an acre in size; thence they were driven for an act of disobedience to the continent, and from them they had all descended.' I then gave him an account of the creation of the world, of man in particular, of his fall and its consequences. I asked him if he had ever heard of Jesus Christ. He replied, 'No.' I then gave him an account of our Lord's birth, his life, miracles, and teaching, his sufferings and death. While describing the death of Christ, the chief pointed to his heart and lifted his eyes and hands towards heaven apparently filled with amazement. When I had concluded he clasped me in his arms, kissed me and called me father, and entreated me to come and live with him and be the teacher of his people. After assuring him of my affection for them and the deep interest I felt for their eternal welfare, I told him that I could not comply with his request, but hoped the time was not distant when a Christian teacher should be sent to them. They then retired to their encampment.

"But the worst of this strange night was yet to come. There were two traders present, one of whom, the head man, had become intoxicated and still wanted more liquor; the other refused to let him have it. The dispute ran high, and the drunken trader raised his fist to strike the other, when I stepped in between them and averted the blow. He then swore that if he was not allowed more whisky he would call the Indians and fall upon and murder us all. He accordingly went to the door, gave the horrible, 'whoop!' and the Indians came rushing to the house. Meantime, those within armed themselves as well as they could with sticks and clubs, determined to defend themselves to the utmost. I shuddered for the consequences. The enraged man then said, 'Here are my guards at the door. If you will give me more whisky, well; if you will not, they shall fall upon you, and we will murder you all.' 'Will you?' the other exclaimed, and lifted his arm to strike him down. I again stepped between them, and placing my hand upon the drunken man's shoulder said, 'Come, my friend, let us go to sleep. If you will be my friend, I will be yours!' He consented. We laid down upon a bed, and in a few minutes he was asleep. I then arose; the Indians had retired to their camp, and at dawn of day I started on my way, persuading two men to accompany me to the creek and help me over by laying logs on the broken bridge. I passed on, praising God for delivering me from the perils of this dismal night and for enabling me to prevent the shedding of blood, as well as for the pleasing interview I had with the Indian chief.

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Edited by Scott McLaren
Book History Practicum
University of Toronto