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.
