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Tiiiiii iHiHiiillBi lB P W 
 
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 HIAWATHA: 
 
 THE STORY OF THE IROOUOIS SAGE 
 
 IN PROSE AND VERSE. 
 
 NEW YORK : 
 
 ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH & CO. 
 
 1873- 
 
 7r 
 
 W 
 
 \\^ 
 
 
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 af ^ yiH U WrwiWw f 
 
u 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 In presenting the following observations and verses, the 
 writer does not desire to appear as either a critic or a 
 poet ; the object being rather to indicate the belief 
 that a new "Hiawatha" is among the possibilities of 
 the future, a conviction which is offered in connection 
 with a rhymed version of the Story of Hiawatha, as given 
 in prose by a descendant of the Red Men skilled in the 
 traditions of his race. The observations are presented in 
 the way of helpful suggestions ; while the verses, for which 
 no merit is claimed, may at least add some interest to this 
 brochure. 
 
 New York, 1873. 
 
 ■f.wf 
 
 '■.!/ 
 
 ■; ■ 
 
 ^ 
 
 
J 
 
 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 The Red Man in North America has alternately been the vic- 
 tim of the poet and the politician. The wrongs suffered through 
 the emissaries of the State may be of a more vital character than 
 those inflicted by the Muse, yet they cannot be more real ; for it 
 has been the custom of the poet to clothe the Red Man in a 
 histrionic garb, and invest him with exaggerated action. In 
 literature he has, therefore, on the whole, had more than his due. 
 The " Noble " overshadows the " I'oor Indian." Still there have 
 been exceptions to the general rule, and thus a great character 
 has occasionally been allowed to stand far below the true level. 
 This, perhaps, has been the case with Hiawatha, the Sage of the 
 Iroquois. 
 
 In saying this, however, I have no desire to reflect upon 
 the course adopted by the author of the beautiful poem of 
 " Hiawatha." His representations are, in the main, founded on 
 Indian traditions. He has drawn the character of Hiawatha as 
 the Red Men themselves have often represented it. Besides, he 
 had a perfect right to choose his own point of observation. The 
 liberty that the circumstances of the case afford has not been 
 abused. He has simply selected those aspects best adapted for 
 pictorial effect. Yet while this is an age in which we are ac- 
 customed to view a story on its most winning side, we are 
 nevertheless entitled to the right of independent judgment, and 
 
 ■:» 
 
 
 % 
 
i, 
 
 !;.: 
 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 to the use of the same liberty as is accorded to the Poet, in an 
 effort to present what appears to lie a more probable view of the 
 history of the great Irocjuois Chief. 
 
 At a time like the present, it may appear a somewhat unprom- 
 ising task to present Hiawatha as anything: like a historic person, 
 or seek to preserve the name frotii the atmosphere of grotesque 
 fable. Yet this, perhaps, is a task that might be undertaken ; 
 for when wc remember how easily, with the lapse of time, an 
 individual, even in civilized society, becomes invested with an 
 air of romance, we shall hardly feel inclined to cpiestion the ex- 
 istence of the tendency among rude and uncivilized tribes. 
 
 It has alieady been remarked that Mr. Longfellow was per- 
 fectly justified in presenting that view of the Indian Sage which 
 he has given in his poem; still it will perhaps prove interesting 
 to employ our liberty in making a brief comparison of the Indian 
 who ajipears on his page with the Indian found among the better 
 class of Algic traditions; that is, a comparison of Hiawatha 
 as his character is popularly conceived, and Hiawatha as he 
 possibly was. 
 
 How, then, does the character of Hiawatha appear in the 
 poem of Mr. Longfellow? 
 
 First, however, let us hear what Mr. Schoolcraft says of the 
 sources of the poet's information. 
 
 In speaking of the legends upon which Mr. Longfellow has 
 relied, the historian says, in substance, that they represent Hia- 
 watha on the whole, as an impersonation of evil. The evil is 
 not, indeed, without mitigation, yet the essential badness of 
 Hiawatha is combined with low cunning, ineffable weakness, 
 
 6 
 
wm 
 
 'i 
 
 •t, in an 
 ■w of the 
 
 iinprom- 
 ir |)frson, 
 I^TotL'sque 
 lcrt;ikcn ; 
 ■ time, :in 
 d with an 
 in the cx- 
 ibes. 
 
 V was i)cr- 
 aj»c which 
 interesting 
 the Indian 
 ^the better 
 Hiawatha 
 [itha as he 
 
 )car in the 
 
 says of the 
 
 gfellow has 
 resent Hia- 
 The evil is 
 badness of 
 f weakness, 
 
 INTRODUCTOKV. 
 
 and the paltriest ambition. Consequently we find that the char- 
 acter which the poet represents, continually reminds us of its 
 origin. Certain (jualities may be depressed, and some may be 
 exaggerated, while others may be left out altogether, and yet the 
 feeble trickster is alwavs there, holding himself up to view amid 
 all the affluence of rhythm and imagery and art, as a compound 
 of opposite and often contemptililc qualities. This, once more 
 let it be remembered, I state, not as a fault, but as A/acf. 
 
 I might, perhaps, have been told at the outset that similar 
 characters aliound everywhere in history. There, for instance, 
 is Josheka of the Algonquins ; who finds a parallel, in turn, 
 among the mythical creations of the distant South. Why not, 
 then, place the story of Hiawatha with his? To this it may be 
 replied that, while found among them, it is not of them. The 
 story of Hiawatha evidently belongs to a more modern age, and 
 is not by any means to be properly included in the class of 
 myths at all. The story is essentially of the nature of a h't^cnti. 
 It does not deal with a quality. It sets forth no trancendental 
 truth. It rather tells the story of a life, and gives, seemingly, 
 amid all its wild exaggerations, a modicum of historic truth. Let 
 us, therefore, endeavor to make this more apparent. 
 
 In dealing with the native tribes of America, the historian has 
 generally given almost exclusive prominence to the two branches 
 that so strongly established themselves in Mexico and I'cru. 
 And yet the famous Confederacy of the Iroquois or Five Nations, 
 was established not more than one or two centuries after the 
 Mexican and Peruvian monarchies, and is quite as worthy, 
 in many respects, of high consideration. Especially does this 
 
 7 
 
 ■s. 
 
INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 appear to be the case in connection with the present subject, for 
 the reason that this Confederacy of the Iroquois was founded 
 through the agency of Hiawatha, a fact that Mr. Longfellow's 
 poem does not set forth. This brings the hero within compara- 
 tively modern times, somewhere near the thirteenth century. 
 
 Until about this period the five natirns composing the league 
 were widely scattered over large portions of the country. But 
 an invasion from the north led them, under the guidance of 
 Hiawatha, to unite for the extirpation of the common foe. The 
 League of the Iroquois was fashioned after the Greek Amphic- 
 tyonic League, and while the union was real and practical, each 
 of the five banded tribes was left with its separate and sovereign 
 right. And so conscious were the Indian leaders of the wisdom 
 and advantages of their system, that in the year 1774, they 
 gravely urged it upon the representatives of the Colonies for the 
 acceptance of the American people. Republicanism did not 
 begin with Greece, nor was it the exclusive issue of the Ameri- 
 can Revolution, The white man may be slow to recognize the 
 fact, yet it is nevertheless not too much to affirm, that essential 
 republicanism in this country began with the League of the Five 
 Nations, who were taught the advantages of the system by Hia- 
 watha ; all of which is worthy of finding expression in a pecu- 
 liarly Amcri 'an poem. 
 
 What we may call the historic character of Hiawatha forms a 
 distinct point which the writer desires to present and keep in 
 view ; .and yet there is the separate inquiry, namely, whether we 
 have ground for claiming a loftier character for Hiawatha, and 
 
T 
 
 ibject, for 
 5 founded 
 ngfcUow's 
 compara- 
 intury. 
 
 the league 
 ntry. But 
 uidance of 
 
 foe. The 
 ik Amphic- 
 ctical, each 
 d sovereign 
 the wisdom 
 
 1774. they 
 )nles for the 
 5m did not 
 ■ the Ameri- 
 ecognize the 
 lat essential 
 e of the Five 
 item by Hia- 
 n in a pecu- 
 
 /atha forms a 
 and keep in 
 ^, whether we 
 liawatha, and 
 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 one everyway more dignified and pure, than the conception now 
 before the people. 
 
 The eccentric Thoreau used sometimes to wonder what it was 
 in the character of Christ that made ii certain bishop so bigoted. 
 But Thoreau was not sure'of his fact. There was not anything 
 in the great heart of the Galilean to make a man bigoted. We 
 may nevertheless inquire what there was in the character of Hia- 
 watha to secure the Red Man's universal veneration. They cer- 
 tainly paid no respect to a quality under the form of a person, 
 and therefore are we at liberty to infer that it was the person 
 himself, in whom certain great qualities were found. 
 
 The versions of the Indian legend which has heretofore been 
 followed come from every quarter of North America, and are 
 marked by all that is puerile, extravagant and ridiculous ; yet we 
 have another version which is the peculiar product of the Iroquois 
 mind, and therefore characterized by the same degree of supe- 
 riority that must be confessed as attending the thoughts of the 
 people of that Confederacy. This version of the story of Hia- 
 watha is free from all that is low, puerile, sensual and absurd, 
 and commands respect by its dignity, consistency and general 
 effect. The style of the narrative is comprehensive, the contents 
 brief, and thus the story is sooii told. 
 
 From a consideration of the facts of the case, it would seem, 
 therefore, as if there were room for a new Hiawatha. Yet when 
 Hiawatha comes he must not be too historical. He must speak 
 to us a long way off. His voice must come sounding down from 
 distant times. Here, then, might be suggested a substantial 
 improvement on the present Hiawatha, where we have the 
 
 9 
 
INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 A Vipre they appea'' 
 ,e„,,, i„.™d«ccd without »"*°;^Vi?;^ti™ Fathers in o- of 
 
 :boo^'7cr^--^^^^ 
 
 ascend to heaven, we read: 
 
 He the west of prayer, the Pale face, 
 WUhhU guides ancnuscompan,ons. 
 
 ..And the noble Hiawatha, 
 With his hands aloft extended. 
 Held aloft in sign of welcome, 
 
 Waited, full of exultation, 
 S'lhe' birch canoe with pad les 
 
 Grated on the shining pebbles, 
 
 With the cross upon his bosom. 
 Landed on the sandy margin. 
 
 ™, ct..., is an an^chroni,., *. ""^'^^r.f JXeT. 
 
 Slhf: orX: i:r r t n».ne tin.^.. .*, -el.;^ 
 Sacteriscve,,«asovcrs.a..d^H^« b,,egend.s 
 
 tloWs pa.es '» -^f^ caseh.Ts H.idly devo.t, end .n the 
 quite another. In the on ^^ 
 
appear 
 In one of 
 about to 
 
 too modern, 
 ;d where he 
 )w lepresents 
 the Iroquois 
 through the 
 live religious 
 ng" in Long- 
 i the legend is 
 Lit, and in the 
 
 INTRODUCTORY, 
 
 other he is overflowing with characteristic mischief and fun, steal- 
 ing jovially away from his secluded praying lodge, to watch his 
 grandmother, who surreptitiously, in his absence from home, en- 
 tertains a huge black bear. The legend paraphrased in the 
 verses that follow this introduction do not treat of that matter at 
 all. 
 
 In the Iroquois legend used in the present case, we look in 
 vain for anything that essentially detracts from his dignity, 
 goodness and worth ; and, at the same time, the legend is free 
 from anachronisms. Hiawatha does not enter into the thoughts 
 of the seventeenth century, when the Jesuit roamed the Ameri- 
 can woods, and bought at any price the privilege of sending 
 an Indian child to heaven with a drop of dew. The date of 
 Hiawatha's death is synchronous with the perfect establishment 
 of the Iroquois League, which had already arrived at the height 
 of its glory, and was the dominant Indian power on the North 
 American continent before the white man encroached upon the 
 soil. The Iroquois tradition, indeed, confounds Hiawatha with 
 the more uncertain Tarenyawago, yet he soon emerges in the 
 narrative with a new name, and appears before the antiquary, as 
 he probably was, bearing a lofty, consistent character, shedding 
 equal lustre upon himself and upon the fortunes of his tribe. 
 Such a character hardly deserves to be buried under the debris 
 of ridiculous fable, or stand in the rank with Yennadizze the Idle. 
 The Indian annals show only one such comprehensive and 
 beneficent character, and, therefore, why not let the Red Man 
 dnjoy its benefit ? 
 
 It may indeed be said that the character of Hiawatha, even as 
 
 II 
 
INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 !► ► 
 
 given by the Iroquois, is unreal ; yet it should be remembered 
 that a thirteenth-century myth could not well found a govern- 
 ment, or administer laws. There must have been somewhere 
 a powerful organizing mind — a real personality ; for the work 
 done was both permanent and great. All this implies a great 
 worker. And may not that worker have been Hiawatha ? 
 
 The conception of Hiawatha embodied in the following lines, 
 is therefore offered as more consistent and dignified than that 
 popularly entertained, and which makes the heaven-born Hia- 
 watha appear contemptible, by reducing him, without reason, to 
 all the ordinary straits of the Red Man, and leads him to de?ire 
 conflicts he cannot support and dangers before which he qua^iS. 
 In the Iroquois version, the character of Hiawatha and the inci- 
 dents of his life are always invested with unity and dignity. He 
 never appears childish, but always bears himself with the aspect 
 and temper of the sage. Indeed, the character is drawn so true 
 to nature, that we are led to the conclusion that such a person of 
 Hiawatha once lived, and that his course as a public teacher 
 and benefactor in the after times led the Five Nations to in- 
 vest him with supernatural wisdom and power, and to assign 
 him a fitting end. Thus it was with the Northman's Odin, 
 who, after dying in his bed, like an ordinary mortal, was 
 nevertheless, in course of time, invested with the character 
 and attributes of a god. And it is probable that Hiawatha was 
 no more a myth than Odin, but that both were historical charac- 
 ters ; Indian tradition having left the latter elevated high above 
 the common walks of life, as given, beyond the ordinary race 
 of mortals, to wise, heroic and beneficent deeds. Those persons 
 
 13 
 
INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 inclined to doubt this, should endeavor to tell us who it was 
 that formed the American Amphictyonic League ; who gave the 
 Iroquois legislation and laws ; who, by the power of his genius, 
 banded the P'ive Nations into one ; and who, by the force of 
 his example and the purity of his precepts, cemented the 
 great fabric which stood for many generations in the heart of 
 America as a refuge for those people not exactly included 
 within the League, but who, nevertheless, as history declares, 
 found it as refreshing in their day as the shadow of a great 
 rock in a weary land. 
 
 >3 
 
 1 
 
H 
 
 -^^b^EBtuS^^ 
 
HIAWATHA. 
 
 Tarenyawaoo, from the West Wind sprung, 
 
 Revered in Council and in story sung, 
 
 A chief to Manitou allied by birth, 
 
 With his approval once appeared on earth, 
 
 To guide the Red Man by his counsels wise, 
 
 And ope the passage to immortal skies: 
 
 Hear, then, the story of the Wind-born' Sage, 
 
 The wondrous prophet of a distant age, 
 
 As told in wigwams on Tioga's shore 
 
 By ancient chieftains of the Iroquois. 
 
 The Benefactor. 
 
 Tarenyawago, through tl at North-land wide, 
 
 Whose woods and waters were the Red Man's pride, 
 
 Taught useful knowledge, and each cunning cure 
 
 That simples furnish or deep spells assure ; 
 
 Showed how to foster the green-springing corn, 
 i6 
 
 MU-- 
 
HIAWATHA. 
 
 pride, 
 ire 
 
 And beans bright-blossomed that the fields adorn, 
 
 Where gourds grew portly all the summer day, 
 
 And juicy melons in the sunshine lay. 
 
 The bubbling fountains he revealed with skill. 
 
 Deep dredged each streamlet, and explored each rill. 
 
 Made roomy passage for the finny tribe, 
 
 Then easy taken by the fisiier's bribe ; 
 
 Slew furious monsters that o'er ran the land. 
 
 And thus gave safety to each roving band. 
 
 In wisdom, equal to his wondrous strength, 
 
 The race revered him through the land's great length, 
 
 And chiefs, who listened to his wholesome speech, 
 
 Oft foremost stations in the tribes would reach. 
 
 Tarenyawago also kindly gave 
 
 Alike to chieftain and to common brave, 
 
 Much deep instruction in the simple law 
 
 Reveal'd by Manitou for Iroquois. 
 
 The Magic Canoe. 
 Where'er he journeyed, his light-built canoe. 
 In swift obedience without paddle flew ; 
 
 /) 
 
 ■>,' 
 
 "Ai ^ ^i^ii ' : • : 
 
HIAWATHA. 
 
 His wish propelled it up the tugging stream, 
 And drove it onward where the rapids gleam, 
 To breast the eddies 'neath the granite wall, 
 To skim the surges, or to leap the fall. 
 On land, the birch-boat was obedient still, 
 And felt the magic of his wondrous will ; 
 For at his bidding it quick rose to bear 
 Its mystic master on the trembling air, 
 And thus he darted through the sunny sky. 
 Where dizzy mountains in the haze rush by, 
 And over valleys clad in robes of green. 
 Which rivers broider with their silver sheen. 
 
 Retirement. 
 
 Tarenyawago, when his work was done, 
 
 The people being to his teachings won, 
 
 Next laid the office of a seer aside. 
 
 Though sounding plaudits fill the North-land wide, 
 
 And seeks in private his short day to spend, 
 
 Until, predestined, his career should end : 
 i8 
 
 r r 
 
HIAWATHA. 
 
 For, with the precept, it is his to give 
 
 A life that teaches how the Just should live. 
 
 Hiawatha at Home. 
 
 His home, well-ordered, on Tioga's bank, 
 In style adapted to the humble rank, 
 Which Hiawatha with his people bears. 
 The usual aspect of the Red Man wears. 
 Naught ever marks him from his neighbors round, 
 Except his sanctity and well-tilled ground, 
 Where all the husbandry that masters know 
 His faultless corn-fields in their culture show. 
 Yet ne'er he's wanting in the homage due, 
 For chiefs divided towards Tioga drew, 
 And came from regions both remote and near 
 To pour their cases in his patient ear. 
 Tarenyawago, him they cease to call, 
 But " Hiawatha," or. Surpassing All 
 In Lofty Wisdom, is the peerless name 
 They give to signify his rightful fame. 
 19 
 
HIAWATHA. 
 
 Touched by the passion e'en immortals share, 
 His heart was raptured by a maiden fair, 
 And soon, tlius livinj,', knew t would not he life 
 Without tills maiden for his prudent wife. 
 My I haste advances, he makes known his love. 
 When Kil)blanene, or the (icntle Dove 
 Dissimulation and concealment tries, 
 With face averted and with down-cast eyes ; 
 But tell-tale blushes soon perform their part, 
 When glad she nestles on her lover's heart. 
 
 The Niifiliah. 
 
 With tender watchfulness they bear his bride 
 
 Where stands the wij;wam by Tioga's* side, 
 
 Adorned and furnished in becoming state 
 
 For Hiawatha and his gentle mate. 
 
 Three days of revels are nf.xt quickly spent, 
 
 With mirthful dances and hijjh feasting blent ; 
 
 Which done, the people take their homeward way, 
 
 And leave the lovers with each livelong day. 
 
 Then moons, oft waning, lost their silver sheen, 
 30 
 
HIAWATHA. 
 
 Hut in the wigwam, uncclipscd, wa» seen 
 The tender lustre of love's constant star, 
 Which flitting soul-cluuds had no power to mar. 
 
 iMloona. 
 The Onondaga* now crclonjj rejoice 
 To learn the wi>;wiim knows a little voice. 
 Oft Hiawatha takes the welcome ^ucst 
 And clasps her fondly to his manly breast ; 
 And, while her soft eyes view life's early dawn, 
 Laloona names her, or the Little Fawn. 
 Thus years of plenty roll serenely by. 
 And tribes in hunting with each other vie ; 
 While sweet Laloona, to a woman jjrown, 
 For gentle beauty and high worth is known. 
 
 The Summons. 
 
 Then from the water Hiawatha drew 
 His talismanic and far-famed canoe, 
 Nor used it ever, save when strong desire 
 Led the great Prophet to the council-fire. 
 
 
1i 
 
 HIAWATHA. 
 
 At last the limits of long peace drew near, 
 
 And all the borders were deep stirred by fear ; 
 
 For hostile warriors from the Great Cold Lake 
 
 The southern war-path in fell fury take 
 
 In countless numbers, and the war-whoop rose 
 
 With vengeful fury from their ancient foes. 
 
 While through the people spread the deep dismay, 
 
 The leaders, anxious, took their silent way 
 
 To Hiawatha, whom, serene, they found 
 
 Among the corn-rows of his well-tilled ground. 
 
 The issue stated, and his counsel sought : 
 
 The wise man warned them not to spend for naught 
 
 The people's courage, but united stand. 
 
 And meet the inroads of th' invading band ; 
 
 Hence call a council, and a compact make 
 
 By Onondaga's deep, wide-spreading lake. 
 
 The Assembly. 
 
 Thus Hiawatha his wise counsel gave, 
 
 Which, through the forest, flew from brave to brave. 
 
 32 
 

 HIAWATHA. 
 
 ght 
 
 ive. 
 
 Then quick each leader tribal aims forgot, 
 And marched with ardor to the chosen spot, 
 Where soon assembled a dark, bronzed crowd 
 Of squaws and children and of chieftains proiid, 
 Thus by misfortune to the council brought. 
 Each mind with projects of relief deep fraught. 
 But Hiawatha to the place ne'er came, 
 And expectation soon began to wane. 
 When envoys, going to Tioga's wood, 
 Where stayed the master in abstracted mood, 
 Told the great Prophet their unfeigned desire 
 To greet his presence at the council-fire. 
 
 The Journey. 
 Aroused, he enters his far-famed canoe, 
 Which erst on water as on air swift flew. 
 His loved Laloona at the graceful prow, — 
 For ne'er he travels from Tioga now 
 Without the maiden, his great people's pride, 
 In whom brave chieftains vainly sought a bride. 
 First, slowly moving, with the stream they drift, 
 23 
 
Ofr 
 
 
 HIAWATHA. 
 
 Till near the entrance of So-ha-ri's* rift, 
 
 When Hiawatha, by the mystic spell, 
 
 Whose cunning magic it obeys full well. 
 
 His bark drove onward past the waving brake, 
 
 And swiftly enters Onondaga's Lake. 
 
 When seen approaching the long-circling shore, 
 
 By murky camp smoke high dull-bannered o'er, 
 
 The people wildly run the banks about 
 
 And raise their voices in a joyous shout. 
 
 The magic vessel now shoots up the strand. 
 
 While stalwart chieftains grasp the Prophet's hand, 
 
 And with such honor as the brave deems due 
 
 Receive Laloona from the light canoe. 
 
 TAe Bird of Fate. 
 
 The Sage in silence toward the Council-place, 
 Then walks with dignity and high born grace, 
 Laloona moving with a regal mien. 
 That tells the presence of the Indian Queen. 
 But, scarce arriving on the moss-grown bank, 
 
 lOL 
 
7 
 
 nd, 
 
 HIAWATHA. 
 
 Where sits the Council in well-ordered rank. 
 A dreadful portent soon on hig'.. appears. 
 While muttered thunder smites on savage cars ; 
 For. looking upward in the fair blue sky. 
 A white-plumed Eagle they now clear descry. 
 Which, first, a hand-breadth, next appears a cloud. 
 A bird, whose pinions e'en the sunbeams shroud, 
 A thing of monstrous and unseemly birth, 
 Now swooping swiftly toward the verdant earth. 
 Then soon pale terror strikes the tawny host. 
 Whose oft-tried courage was the people's boast. 
 For ranks of sachems in disorder break, 
 And, flying, refuge in the deep woods take. 
 
 The Death of Laloona. 
 Hut Hiawatha, calm, alone stocd still. 
 Proud on the summit of the Council-hill.* 
 His peerless daughter by his aged side. 
 Prepared the issue of the hour to bide. 
 Yet Fate, who never to the wisest gave 
 The briefest respite, or the great and brave 
 25 
 
' i rw ' i i 
 
 HIAWATHA. 
 
 Indulged one instant past the hapless hour, 
 
 Stays not for Beauty his relentless power ; 
 
 For, as the comet trails the azure sky. 
 
 On rushing pinion the great bird draws nigh. 
 
 And, after circling through the mid-air round. 
 
 Smites fair Laloona to the mossy ground ! 
 
 His beak transfixing her devoted breast, 
 
 Swift sends her spirit to the realm of rest. 
 
 But, see ! the Eagle, is itself laid low, 
 
 Slain by the fury of the vengeful blow ; 
 
 And thus, deprived of his lusty breath. 
 
 With powerless pinions he lies stretched in death. 
 
 The aged Prophet felt the air's dread rush, 
 
 And saw the life-blood from his daughter gush, 
 
 Yet, calm, he stirred not from his standing place. 
 
 Nor moved a muscle of his bronzed face, 
 
 But saw serenely, as becomes the brave. 
 
 The awful judgment the Great Spirit gave. 
 
 The Vow. 
 
 At distance, peering from a moss-grown rock, 
 26 
 
 
 : t- 
 
 H. 
 
z:^ 
 
 "Wiff 
 
 *iw'<«iipi(n9n!i«9ffia?PRa<mp 
 
 th. 
 
 I, 
 ce, 
 
 HIAWATHA. 
 
 Some frightened warriors felt the fatal shock, 
 And now, returning, they upheave the bird; 
 But marvels cease not, and they speak no word, 
 When 'neath the Eagle's white far-spreading wing. 
 Which six strong warriors now could scarce upfling. 
 No trace they noted of the lovely maid 
 Thus strangely summoned to the land of shade. 
 Then came each savage and with dreadful vow 
 Pluck'd a white feather for his painted brow. 
 And ever after on the war-path wore 
 This dread insignia of the Iroquois.' 
 
 In Council. 
 When all was over and the sad truth known, 
 Great Hiawatha sat aside alone. 
 His soul keen smarting with the cutting grief, 
 For which the Prophet could find no relief. 
 But, called from sorrow by the people's woes, 
 Soon to the Council the great Sachem goes, 
 And, clad in wolf-skin, takes the master's seat, 
 Prepared the issue of the tribes to meet ; 
 27 
 
 
HIAWATHA. 
 
 Hearing each caution that the wise men gave 
 With hot invective of the valliant brave. 
 One day quick passes in discursive speech ; 
 But when the issue on the next they reach, 
 Gicat Hiawatha, from his lofty place, 
 Slow rising, counsels with superior grace. 
 
 ;- 
 
 Himvathas Speech. 
 
 Friends, Brothers, Leaders of the valiant bands. 
 
 Whose wigwams cover our wide-spreading lands, 
 
 In vain you, singly, fight the dreaded foe. 
 
 Whose coming portends a great people's woe ; 
 
 In vain you struggle with the Northern hordes. 
 
 While still you follow your divided lords : 
 
 Unite your forces for the common weal. 
 
 And thus your vengeance shall the foeman feel. 
 
 You, warlike Mohawks, by your Tall I'ine Tree,* 
 
 The first great people in the League shall be. 
 
 You, Brave Oneidas, 'gainst the Lasting Stone, 
 
 Recline the second, and ne'er fight alone. 
 38 
 
 \ r 
 
Is, 
 
 ■ A<^ (1! 
 
 HIAWATHA. 
 
 You, Onondagas, by the Shclt'ring Hills, 
 
 With crags deep-frcttcd by the plunging rills. 
 
 Whose voice well-freighted with wise speech is heard, 
 
 Shall take your order in the League, the third. 
 
 Next, Senecas, who in the Wild-wood dwell. 
 
 And know each danger of the chase full well, 
 
 Superior Hunters, for your noble worth 
 
 In our great compact you shall stand the fourth. 
 
 And Wise Cayugas of the Open Field, 
 
 Whose grounds to culture give uncommon yield, 
 
 Well Housed, among us, you the fifth shall stand 
 
 In serried order with the common band: 
 
 To feebler people,' who for aid may call, 
 
 We give the friendship and the strength of all. 
 
 And thus, united, we shall honored be. 
 
 While all the borders of the land are free. 
 
 Rise, Braves! and arm you in united might, 
 
 And meet the foeman in the deadly fight, 
 
 Thus the Great Spirit on your League will smile, 
 
 And give you wisdom to meet every wile ; 
 29 
 
HIAWATHA. 
 
 But scorn this counsel, and his awful frown 
 Shall blight each village and the sorrow crown. 
 While you, forgotten by our ancient race. 
 Shall fall unpitied from your honored place, 
 Enslaved and ruined by the ruthless foe. 
 Who now stands ready for the fatal blow. 
 
 b-. 
 
 The Confirmation. 
 
 Tl.us, Hiawatha : and each burning word 
 With deathless ardor the great Council stirred ; 
 And, with the tumult of prolonged applause, 
 The tribes pledged union for the common cause : 
 In days that followed the invader knew 
 What signal prowess from that compact grew. 
 
 The Translation. 
 
 His mission ended to the sun-bright earth, 
 
 The Seer reminds them of his wondrous birth. 
 
 And, though the people his great presence prize. 
 
 Prepares to journey towards the distant skies. 
 30 
 
7 
 
 ! 
 
 HIAWATHA. 
 
 Again he bids them with united voice. 
 Maintain the compact of their willing choice. 
 Much weighty counsel with his blessing gave. 
 With special caution to each eager brave; 
 Then, viewing sadly the Assembly o'er. 
 Walked down in silence »o the sandy shore. 
 Assumed meet posture in the charmed canoe. 
 Which still the magic of the Master knew. 
 Laid on the gunwale his thin, shrunken hand. 
 And slowly parted from the crowded strand. 
 First, moving lightly o'er the shining mere. 
 Urged by the power of the mighty Seer. 
 The bark went onward for a little way. 
 And passed the entrance of the golden bay; 
 Then rose majestic on the evening air.— 
 Slow sailing upward to those regions fair 
 That ope their portals to the setting sun. 
 With regal splendor when his course is run.- 
 While sweetest music filled each savage ear. 
 And swelled in peans such as angels hear. 
 31 
 
 ■11 
 
 1_ 
 
HIAWATHA. 
 
 Thus, Hiawatha nearcd the happy coast, 
 Of bright Owaync and his winged host; 
 When forth to meet him went a shining band 
 That led the Prophet to the lUessed Land. 
 
 Such is the story that a simple r.ice 
 Oft told in wigwams with untutored grace; 
 Hence came the compact and far-reaching law 
 That bound the peoples of the Iroquois, 
 And when long ages had their cycle tun, 
 The C'.rcat Five Nations left allied as One. 
 
 33 
 
 
I 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 1, Page 16. HiAWiithn'fi mother, a desceiidiint of the daughter of the Moon, 
 wax susceptibb to the influence of the West Wind, which became the 
 frtttver of Hinwatha, or " Mannbozho," In the legend, now paraphrased 
 at a disadvantage, the wife of Hiawatha disappears without mention, 
 evidently not dying young. 
 
 3, P.ige ao. Tioga Lake is now called ' Cross Lake." The Indian name 
 was Tt-MHi^k-too. It is reached by the Seneca River. 
 
 3, Page 34. So-ha-ri's rift is the passage through which the waters of the 
 Onondaga Lake flow into the Seneca River, on its way to Lake Ontario. 
 
 4, Page 95. It Is the unanimous opinion that the League of the Iroquois 
 was formed on the bank of the Onondaga. 
 
 5, Page 37. The Eagle's feather is the sijn of these banded tribes, I give 
 the word Iroquois an arbitrary pronunciation. 
 
 6, Page 38. The characteristics of each of the five tribes are given in ac- 
 cordance with the best authorities. The famous Hrant, whose Indian 
 name was Thayendtrtgea, signifying a Bundle of Sticks, or Strength, 
 was one of the most famous (Jhiefs of the Confederacy. The well known 
 Redjacket was his Son. 
 
 7, Page 39. A few lesser tribes that came under the patronage of the 
 League are sometimes known as a Sixth Nation. A remnant of the On- 
 ondagas still remain in New York State, near Syracuse. 
 
mm 
 
 7