On the banks of @Tioto, or Cross Lake, resided a man who bore the name of @Hiawatha, or the Wise Man.
This name was given him, as its meaning indicates, on account of his great wisdom in council and power in war. Hiawatha was of high and mysterious origin. He had a canoe which would move without paddles, obedient to his will, and which he kept with great care and never used except when he attended the general council of the tribes. It was from Hiawatha the people learned to raise corn and beans. It was through his instructions they were able to remove obstructions from the water courses and clear their fishing grounds. And it was from him they received the help they needed to gain mastery over the great monsters which overran the country. The people listened to him with ever increasing delight, and he gave them wise laws from the Great Spirit; he had been second to him alone before taking up his dwelling with mankind.
Having selected the @Onondagas for his tribe, years passed away in prosperity. The Onondagas assumed an elevated rank for their wisdom and learning among the other tribes, and there was not one of these which did not grant them the superior privilege of lighting the council fire.
But in the midst of the high tide of their prosperity, suddenly there arose a great alarm at the invasion of a ferocious band of warriors from the North of the Great Lakes. As these bands advanced, they made an indiscriminate slaughter of men, women, and children. Destruction fell upon all alike.
The public alarm was great, but Hiawatha advised them not to waste their efforts in a hasty manner. Instead, he told them to call a council of all the tribes that could be gathered together, from the East to the West; and, at the same time, he appointed a meeting to take place on an eminence on the banks of the @Onondaga Lake. There, accordingly, the chief men assembled, while the occasion brought together a vast multitude of men, women, and children. All hoped for some marvelous deliverance.
Three days elapsed, though, and Hiawatha did not appear. The people began to fear that he was not coming, and messengers were dispatched for him to Tioto. They found him depressed, believing that evil would follow his attendance. These fears were overruled by the eager persuasions of the messengers, and Hiawatha, taking his daughter with him, put his wonderful canoe into the water and set out for the council. The grand assemblage that was to avert the threatened danger appeared quickly in sight as he moved rapidly along in his magic canoe. And when the people saw him, they sent up loud shouts of welcome until the revered man landed. A steep ascent led up the banks of the lake to the place occupied by the council. But as he walked up, a loud whirring sound was heard above, as if caused by some rushing current of air. Instantly, all eyes were directed upward to the sky, where they saw a dark spot. It was something like a small cloud, descending rapidly, growing larger and increasing in velocity as it approached. Terror and alarm filled the minds of the multitude and they scattered in confusion. But as soon as he had reached the top of the hill, Hiawatha stood still, causing his daughter to do the same. He deemed it cowardly to fly, and impossible, if it was attempted, to divert the designs of the Great Spirit. The descending object now assumed a more definite aspect; and, as it came nearer, revealed the shape of a gigantic white bird, with wide-extended and pointed wings. This bird came down with ever increasing velocity, until, with a mighty swoop, it dropped upon the girl, crushing her at once to the earth.
The fixed face of Hiawatha alone indicated his consciousness of his daughter's death. In silence, he signaled to the warriors who had stood watching the event in speechless shock. One after the other stepped up to the prostrate bird, which was killed by its violent fall, and selecting a feather from its snow-white plumage, decorated himself with it.
But now a new affliction fell upon Hiawatha, for, on removing the carcass of the bird, not a trace could be discovered of his daughter. Her body had vanished from the earth. Shades of anguish crossed his dark face. He stood apart in voiceless grief. No word was spoken. His people waited in silence, until at length arousing himself, he turned to them and walked in calm dignity to the head of the council.
The first day he listened with attentive gravity to the plans of the different speakers. On the next day he arose and said: "My friends and brothers; you are members of many tribes, and have come from a great distance. We have come to promote the common interest, and our mutual safety. How shall it be accomplished? To oppose these Northern hordes in tribes singly, while we are at variance often with each other, is impossible. By uniting in a common band of brotherhood we may hope to succeed. Let this be done, and we shall drive the enemy from our land. Listen to me by tribes. You, the @Mohawks, who are sitting under the shadow of the great tree, whose branches spread wide around, and whose roots sink deep into the earth, shall be the first nation, because you are warlike and mighty. You, the @Oneidas, who recline your bodies against the everlasting stone that cannot be moved, shall be the second nation, because you always give wise counsel. You, the Onondagas, who have your home at the foot of the great hills, and are
overshadowed by their crags, shall be the third nation, because you are greatly gifted in speech. You, the @Senecas, whose dwelling is in the dark forest, and whose home is all over the land, shall be the fourth nation, because of your superior cunning in hunting. And you, the @Cayugas, the people who live in the open country and possess much wisdom, shall be the fifth nation, because you understand better the art of raising corn and beans, and making lodges. Unite, you five nations, and have one common interest, and no foe shall disturb and subdue you. You, the fishing people who are the not strong, may place yourselves under our protection, and we will defend you. And you of the South and West may do the same, and we will protect you. We earnestly desire the alliance and friendship of you all. Brothers, if we unite in this great bond, the Great Spirit will smile upon us, and we shall be free, prosperous, and happy; but if we remain as we are, we shall be subject to his frown. We shall be enslaved, ruined, perhaps annihilated. We may perish under the war-storm, and our names be no longer remembered by good men, nor be repeated in the dance and song. Brothers, those are the words of Hiawatha. I have spoken. I am done."
The next day his plan of union was considered and adopted by the council, after which Hiawatha again addressed the people with wise words of counsel. At the close of this speech he bade them farewell, for he saw that his mission to the Iroquois was accomplished, and he might announce his withdrawal to the skies. He then went down to the shore, and assumed his seat in his mystical canoe. Sweet music was heard in the air as he seated himself; and while the wondering multitude stood gazing at their beloved chief, he was silently wafted from sight, and they saw him no more. He passed to the Isle of the Blessed, inhabited by @Owayneo, the Great Spirit, and his followers:
