“Can Leelinau be happier.” asked the young hunter, “because another is made miserable?  Were I to kill a warrior for her sake, would not her dreams be disturbed by the groans of his mother?”

The eyes of the Sachem flashed when he heard such language.

“Go,” he said, “if thou art a dove, seek not to mate with the hawk.”

But the resolution of Wampum-hair was not to be shaken by threats or reproaches, nor weakened by the seductions of love.  In the long and final fast which revealed to him his guardian spirit, twelve days with unshaken fortitude, to the wonder of the tribe, had he remained without food before the vision came.  He then beheld a child white as the water-lily leading a little animal unknown to the country.  It was the size of the beaver, and covered all over with long white hair that curled closely to its body.  Its eyes were mild and sweet, and the expression of its face gentler than anything ever seen on earth.  The child laid his hand on the heart of the fainting youth, and an influence soft as the breath of the south wind streamed through his frame, and he was strengthened, and stood upon his feet and partook of food.  Since then the war-song had been hateful to the ears of Wampum-hair, and he loathed the vauntings of the braves.  He preached peace to his people, and endeavored to convince them of the folly of killing their fellow men.  But prejudices old as the mountains were not to be removed by the exhortations or arguments of an obscure youth; and although the old men listened, and some few approved, yet the young men scoffed and burned to distinguish themselves after the manner of their ancestors.  It was fortunate for the young man that opportunities had occurred to test his courage, and that he had never hesitated when others flinched.  His tribe therefore ascribed his conduct to no want of bravery, but to a delusion sent by his guardian genius.  Hence, though his influence was impaired, it was not entirely destroyed.

Thus things continued for some time, till one day the Sachem again addressed Wampum-hair.

“Does the heart of Magisaunikwa still beat softly, like the heart of a deer!”

“It beats like a man’s,” said the young hunter, “and not like that of a vile wild beast.  The Indian should imitate the Good Spirit in his actions, and not destroy his brothers and sisters”

“Yes,” said the Sachem, “his heart is a man’s, though it is soft.  Does Wampum-hair still love Leelinau?”

“The breath of Thequan is not more welcome to the wood-flower which it wakes up to life, or the song of the bird dearer to its mate, than the sight of Leelinau to Magisaunikwa.”

“What would Wampum-hair do to obtain her love?”

“He would climb the sky, or dive to the bottom of the salt lake; all that the Great Spirit could ask would he do.”

“A chief cannot compel the affection of his daughter, but he can give his own consent, and the young bird listens to the voice of its parent.”