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.

“‘If,’ he said, ’the Great Spirit is determined upon our destruction, we shall not escape by removal, nor evade his decrees.’”

“And he was an Indian who expressed that thought?” said madame, wonderingly.

The boat drifted:  not down stream as was natural, but up against the current, contrary to the laws of nature.  Had they all been less interested in what was going on in their minds, they would have at once remarked this phenomenal performance.

“There is a mysterious particle of God in every savage,” replied Brother Jacques, mentally comparing Anne’s eyes with flashing water.  “Well, to go on.  Hiawatha’s daughter modestly acquiesced to her kind parent’s advice, and with patient submission awaited the catastrophe.  All this was but the work of an instant; for no sooner had the resolution of the wise man become fixed and his latest words uttered than an immense bird, with long and pointed beak, with wide extended wings, came down with a mighty swoop and crushed the beautiful girl to the earth.  With such force did the monster fall, and so great was the commotion of the air, that when it struck the ground, the whole assemblage was forced violently back several rods.  Hiawatha alone remained unmoved, and silently witnessed the melancholy end of his beloved.  ’Ai, ai, ai, agatondichou!  Alas, alas, alas, my beloved!  His darling had been killed before his eyes and her destroyer had been killed with her.  His own time on earth was at an end.

“It was found upon examining the bird that it was covered with beautiful white plumage; and every warrior as he advanced plucked a plume from this singular bird, and with it adorned his crown.  And forever after the braves of the confederate nations made choice of the plumes of the white herons as their most appropriate military ornament.

“Hiawatha was not to be consoled.  He remained prostrate three nights and days, neither eating nor drinking.  Then he roused and delivered the great harangue to the multitude, gave them the advice which made them so powerful.  To the Mohawks he said that they should be called the first nation, because they were warlike and mighty; the Oneidas should be second, because of their wisdom; the Onondagas should be third, because they were mightiest of tongue and swiftest of foot; the Cayugas should be fourth, because of their superior cunning in hunting; and the Senecas should be fifth, because of their thrift in the art of raising corn and making cabins.  To avoid all internal wars, all civil strife, they must band together in this wise, and they should conquer all their enemies and become great forever.