Tecumseh's Quest
The Adventures of an Indian Lad
by
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One day Chiksika called to the twelve year old Tecumseh. “My Brother, you have learned well the ways of the Shawnees in the woods and in the streams and for becoming a strong warrior. Now it is time for you to make your vision quest.”
“I have heard others speak of it, but I am not sure what it is. Tell me, my Brother,” said Tecumseh.
“You must go into the woods alone and remain without eating until you see a vision of great truth and meet your guardian spirit. Your guardian spirit will be in the form of an animal or bird. It will bring you messages of great truths from Wishemenetoo, the Great Spirit, the Grandmother of us all. You must bring evidence such as a feather from this bird or hair from this animal.”
At the appointed time Chiksika came to the wigwam of Tecumapease and led Tecumseh away. He covered the lad's face with charcoal. Chiksika explained that in this way all the people would know that Tecumseh was on his vision quest. They would not disturb him. They would not call him away from his mission and would not offer him any food. This would be a time of fasting and contemplation in complete solitude.
The young Tecumseh took this charge seriously. Off he went into the woods until he was far beyond any sounds of his village. Only occasional chirpings of birds and squirrels, the hum of a bee, and the rustle of leaves and grass in the light wind could be heard. For a while he sat on the warm ground and watched intently as his thoughts wandered aimlessly.
Late in the afternoon, he heard the whistle of a quail and wondered if this might be his spirit. Then the loud call of a crow sounded, and he wondered again, but in the fact of wondering he knew that this must not be it. As night fell he heard the loud and persistent call of a whip-poor-will. This continued so long and so loudly that he thought this must be it. But he was aware of no vision or special truth, and so he dismissed it.
Darkness brought upon him a special self-consciousness. He never had spent a night in the woods completely alone. The question did enter his mind whether he should not give up and try to find his way home. The hooting of an owl seemed at first to emphasize the wisdom of this action, but then it seemed more to be ridiculing the whole idea.
Tecumseh determined that he would admit no thought of doubt nor any feeling of fear. Coming upon a slight clearing in the dense undergrowth and trees, he lay on the ground to sleep. With some difficulty he relaxed and looked at the sky. He saw a shooting star and took this, tecumseh, as a sign for reassurance, and he fell asleep.
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About the Book
Tecumseh, the greatest Shawnee Chief, lives in our history as an outstanding leader, a brave warrior, and a creative thinker. His dream was to unite the Indian tribes into a great confederation that would be able to withstand the encroachments of white settlers. This is the story about a portion of Tecumseh's life as a young lad whose adventures helped to shape the man he was to become. For his special vision quest he had to go alone into the woods to discover a Great Truth and his Guardian Spirit that would guide him the rest of his life. The book should have a special appeal for all children, especially those of ages 8 to 12.
About the Author
James Huston holds degrees from Indiana University and New York University. He was on the history faculty at Purdue University for twenty-five years and Dean of Lynchburg College in Virginia for twelve years.
Anne Marshall Huston has degrees from the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia. She has been a classroom teacher, reading specialist and consultant, and served 22 years on the faculty of Lynchburg College as professor of education and director of the reading clinic.