“I do not believe any excuses are necessary,” said Faith, “and am expecting a great deal of pleasure.”

“The more extravagant, the better,” cried Anne.  “What can equal the Arabian Nights Entertainment?”

“We are all attention,” said Pownal; “so whistle your apprehensions, Bernard, to the wind.”

Thus encouraged, the young man opened his manuscript, and commenced reading.

  THE LEGEND OF MAGISAUNIKWA AND LEELINAU.

Where the clear Sakimau mingles its waters with the great salt lake, which would be too salt, but for the innumerable rivers that pour themselves into its bosom, the mighty Aishkwagon-ai-bee, whose name, rendered into the language of the pale faces, is the ’Feather of Honor,’ had erected his lodge.  He was the war-chief of a tribe whose name is lost in the mists of antiquity.  He boasted his descent from the great Ojeeg, of whom it is related that he opened a hole in the blue sky and let out the soft, warm air of Paradise, so that it poured down upon the earth, and bestowed summer upon a region before condemned to perpetual cold.  He also liberated the singing-birds from the mocucks, or basket-cages, where they were confined, which, descending through the aperture, have since enlivened the woods and fields with their melodies.  He was unable to return to this world, and may still be seen in the heavens, being changed into the stars called Ojeeg Annung, known to the wise men among the pale faces as the Constellation of the Plough.

Nor was Aishkwagon-ai-bee unworthy of his noble descent.  The grandeur of his thoughts and the boldness of his achievements proved the purity of his blood.  A skillful hunter, a successful warrior, equally renowned for wisdom in council and bravery in action, he enjoyed the highest consideration, not only in his own tribe, but as far as the great lakes to the North, and the river Delaware to the South.  When he pointed to the beautiful scalps that adorned the sides of his wigwam, he could with truth say, there was not one of them but had graced the head of a warrior.

The Sachem had several children, sons and daughters, and among the latter, the lovely Leelinau was the darling of his heart.  The maiden had attained the age of eighteen, and was the admiration of the youth for many days’ journey round.  Her cheeks were the color of the wild honey-suckle, her lips like strawberries, and the juice of the milk-weed was not whiter than her teeth.  Her form was lith as the willow, her eyes sparkled like the morning star, her step was that of a bounding fawn, and her fingers were skilful in weaving the quills of the porcupine.  What wonder if hearts both young and old beat quicker at her approach?