They were nearing the heights of Sillery when Anne closed the book.

"And now for Hiawatha and his white canoe," she said.

"Very well; I will tell you of the good Hiawatha, his daughter, and his

white canoe. He came from the sky one day, in this very wonderful

canoe. He had given up his rights as a deity in order to mingle with

men and teach them wisdom. He was the wisest of all Indians as Nestor

was the wisest of all the Greeks. As a god he was known as

Taounyawatha, and he presided over the fisheries and the waterways.

Whenever there was dissension among the various nations of the

Iroquois, it was his word which settled the dispute. Grey-haired he

was, penetration marked his eye, dark mystery pervaded his countenance.

One day there was internal war and great slaughter followed. The wise

men of the nations got together and summoned Hiawatha. They built

great council fires on the shores of Genentaha Lake, which we call

Onondaga. For three days these fires burned, but the great sage did

not put in appearance, and nothing could be done without his counsel.

When at last messengers found him in his secret abode, he was in a most

melancholy state of mind. Great evil lay in his path, he said; and he

had concluded not to attend the council at Genentaha. But the

messengers said that the great wise men could not proceed with business

until the council was graced with his presence. And if he did not

come, annihilation awaited his children."

Brother Jacques rested on his oars again. Only his voice was with his

narrative; his mind was filled with longing, the same longing which had

always blocked his path to priestly greatness: the love of women.

"So Hiawatha removed his sacred white canoe from the lodge built for

it, and the messengers reverentially assisted him to launch it. The

wise man once again took his accustomed seat, and bade his daughter, a

girl of twelve, and his heart's darling, to accompany him. She

unhesitatingly obeyed; and together they made all possible speed toward

the grand council ground. At the approach of the venerable sage, a

shout of joy resounded throughout the assembled host, and every

demonstration of respect was paid to the illustrious one. As he landed

and was passing up the steep bank toward the council ground, a loud

noise was heard, like the rushing of a mighty wind. All eyes were

instantly turned upward, and a dark spot was discovered rapidly

descending from the clouds above. It grew larger and larger as it

neared the earth, and was descending with frightful velocity into their

very midst. Terror filled every breast, and every one seemed anxious

for his own safety. Confusion prevailed. All but the venerable

Hiawatha sought safety in flight. He gravely uncovered his silvered

head and besought his darling daughter to await the approaching danger

with becoming resignation, at the same time reminding her of the

futility and impropriety of attempting to prevent the designs of the

Great Spirit.




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