Hunting Indians in a Taxi-Cab

A whimsical narrator sets out on an odd‑ball quest, treating wooden “Indian” tobacco‑sign figures as prized trophies. He rides a New York taxi to Bleecker Street, where a nine‑foot wooden chief—missing a nose and riddled with weather‑cracks—becomes his latest catch. The story follows his bartering, the careful restoration by a cabinet‑maker, and lively conversations with a sign‑painter about art, tradition, and the fading presence of Native imagery in the modern city.

From the bustling streets to a serene Massachusetts estate, the rescued statue—now perched on a knoll with a flint‑lock in hand—draws curious onlookers and sparks reflections on history, preservation, and the humor of “hunting” in an urban jungle. The narrator’s playful tone and keen eye for detail make this a light‑hearted, thought‑provoking exploration of how objects can become symbols of a disappearing culture.