Here are some quotes from "The Oregon Trail" written by Francis
Parkman. It is a true story about his experiences with Indians. He
travelled to Oregon in 1846 and lived with Indians.
"For the most part, a civilized white man can discover very few
points of sympathy between his own nature and that of an Indian. With
every disposition to do justice to their good qualitites, he must be
conscious that an impassable gulf lies between him and his red
brethren. Nay, so alien to himself do they appear, that, after
breathing the air of the prairie for a few months or weeks, he begins
to look upon them as a troublesome and dangerous species of wild
beasts."
"Assume , in the presence of Indians, a bold bearing, self-confident
yet vigilant, and you will find them tolerably safe neighbors. But
your safety depends on the respect and fear you are able to inspire."
"Against most of the neighboring tribes they cherish a rancorous
hatred... This fierce spirit awakens their most eager aspirations, and
calls forth their greatest energies. It is chiefly this that saves
them from lethargy and utter abasement. Without its powerful stimulous
they would be like the unwarlike tribes beyond the mountains,
scattered among the caves and rocks like beasts, and living on roots
and reptiles. These later have little of humanity except the form"
"Their religion, superstitions and prejudices were the same handed
down to them from immemorial time. They fought with the weapons that
their fathers fought with, and wore the same garments of skins. They
were living representatives of the "stone age"; for though their
lances and arrows were tipped with iron procured from the traders,
they still used the rude stone mallet of the primeval world."
"The surrounding group of savages offered no very attractive
spectacle to a civilized eye. Some were cracking the huge thigh-bones
and devouring the marrow within; others were cutting away pieces of
liver, and other approved morsels, and swallowing them on the spot
with the appetite of wolves. The faces of most of them, besmeared with
blood from ear to ear, looked grim and horrible enough."
"few beings have more curiosity than Indians in regard to subjects
within the ordinary range of thought. As to other matters, indeed,
they seem utterly indifferent. They will not trouble to inquire into
what they cannot comprehend, but are quite contented to place their
hands over their mouths in token of wonder, and exclaim that it is
"great medicine". With this comprehensive solution, an Indian never is
at a loss. He never launches into speculation and conjecture; his
reason moves in its beaten track. His soul is dormant"
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