EDWIN FORREST AND WHITE CLOUD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1055, 22 April 1882, Page 2 (Supplement)

EDWIN FORREST AND WHITE CLOUD.

Many, years ago, while Edwin Forrest was playing an engagement in a Western theatre, White Cloud and a number of other Indian chiefs were on their return from Washington, Stopping in the town over night, they were conducted to the theatre to sec the great A'meticari. tragedian, Mr, Forrest was then in (he; prime of life, his voice being up to the. rnaxirnurn:of astentor. The play on that evenih'l was'jf'Metamora," which is now in Hie ■possession of John M'Cullough. White Cloud and his band of warriors were accommodated with seats in a stage box, The theatre was crowded, and it was very evident that the auditors were jinxious to.observe what effect l the performance would have on the sjmonrpure children of the forest,-; The play ;proceeded, and although the Indians could not understand, a single word that was said, yet they appeared to be much interested, occasionally giving one another a satisfactory grunt. After a while they became rather uneasy, which seemed to be simultaneous among them all, ; This was' more apparent when' the Indian warwhoop came from ibehind the scenes, The eyes of the.audiehce were upon White Cloud, who two or three times grasped the tomahawk in his belt. The other warriors did so likewise, The party were getting more excited as'the play proceeded, They looked at each other with anxiety;, their eyes indexed the factthat their '" soulslwere'.i n arms," Presently Metamora, with iuplifted tomahawk, rushed upon the stage, and when he gave that war.wboop which. ndnebuUjForrest could do, the Indians could 1 remain in their seats no longer. Forrest gave' a secondand a shrill whoop, whereupon.White Cloud and his band,', joining in full chorus, sprang upon the stage, and; brandishing their tomahawks anfl.glilteringkriives, rushed: to-' Wards ; |Metamora r ,. •; Forrest Was -dumbfounded for a, moment; but.he "soon .took'.m.the- situation,,and, finding, that.the r'dal Indians, were on his side, ready to dioon his:behalf, : he felt' that; he;/had,achieved : orie of his greatest triumphs in the profession he .so much-loved - 'during his.eventful life. In detailing this anecdote, -Forrest.! said .that he was .not really; aware thatfhejwasusing an exact "whoop":, fqrreinforcements/jibuti.the.wild Indians derstood it, -, and .responded ■as followers! of j Metamora,..; The houseWas-.throwhi into,the; wildest excitement,, \yhich soon cooled down,with the general Relief;tliatit was the best per-, formance,;and,most .effective'rendition;of :t|ie: Indian play,ever., made, by .the distinguished! 'actor, .;;■.,■■•■'■'.':;■■.. : ''•■.!•■