Thus discoursed the bright stranger.  The young man awoke.  On stepping out of his lodge he saw the star yet blazing in its accustomed place.  At early dawn the chief’s crier was sent round the camp to call every warrior to the council lodge.  When they had met, the young warrior related his dream.  They concluded that the star that had been seen in the south had fallen in love with mankind, and that it was desirous to dwell with them.

The next night five tall, noble-looking, adventurous braves were sent to welcome the stranger to earth.  They went and presented to it a pipe of peace, filled with sweet-scented herbs, and were rejoiced that it took it from them.  As they returned to the village, the star, with expanded wings, followed, and hovered over their homes till the dawn of day.  Again it came to the young man in a dream, and desired to know where it should live and what form it should take.  Places were named—­on the top of giant trees, or in flowers.  At length it was told to choose a place itself, and it did so.  At first it dwelt in the white rose of the mountains; but there it was so buried that it could not be seen.  It went to the prairie; but it feared the hoof of the buffalo.  It next sought the rocky cliff; but there it was so high that the children, whom it loved most, could not see it.

“I know where I shall live,” said the bright fugitive—­“where I can see the gliding canoe of the race I most admire.  Children!—­yes, they shall be my playmates, and I will kiss their slumber by the side of cool lakes.  The nation shall love me wherever I am.”

These words having been said, she alighted on the waters, where she saw herself reflected.  The next morning thousands of white flowers were seen on the surface of the lakes, and the Indians gave them this name, wah-be-gwan-nee (white flower).

This star lived in the southern skies.  Her brethren can be seen far off in the cold north, hunting the Great Bear, whilst her sisters watch her in the east and west.

Children! when you see the lily on the waters, take it in your hands and hold it to the skies, that it may be happy on earth, as its two sisters, the morning and evening stars, are happy in heaven.