of furnishing the aspirants of military fame with
an emblem, which was held - in the highest esti-
mation. Succeeding generations imbibed the
custom from this incident, to supply themselves
with a plumage approaching it, as nearly as
possible ; they Selected the plumes of the white
heron.
IliaWatha, the guardian and founder of the
league,having now accomplished the will of the
Great Spirit, and the withdrawal of his daughter
having been regarded by him as a sign thatÉdÉ
mission was ended, he immediately prepared to
make his final departure. Before the gfeat
council, which had adopted* his advice,.dispersed;
he arose, with a dignified air, and addressed
them in the following mâhtter.
“ Friends and Brothers: I have now fulfilled
my mission below. I have taught you arts,
which you will find useful; I liave-|urnished
you seeds and grains for- yoiir gardens ; I have
reihéved1 obstructions iróm your waters, and
made the forest habitable by teaching you to
expel its monsters ; I have-igiveri you fishing
grounds and huhting grounds ; I have instructed
in the" making and use of warlike impieménts ;
I have taught how to cultivate coin. Many
other arts and gifts I have been allowed bythe
Great Spirit to communicate to you. Lastly, I
have aided you to form a league of friendship
and union. If you preserve this, and admit no
foreign élément of power, by the admission of
other nations, you will always he free, numerous
and happy. If other tribes and nations are ad-
mfelf^do your councils, they will sow the seeds
of jealousy and', discord; and you will become
few, feeble and enslaved.
“ Friends and Brothers: Bemember these
words. They are the last you will hear from the
lips of Hiawatha., The Great Master of breath
calls me to go. I -have" patiently Waited his
summons. I. am ready to go. Farewell.” <
| As the-voifee of the wise man ceased, sweet
sounds, fiom the air, burst on the ears of the
multitude^' The whole: sky appearejefto be filled
with melody. And whileall eyes were directed
to catch glimpses of the, sights, and enjoy strains
of the'1,celestial music.that filled the sky, Hiawatha
was seen, seated in his snow-white canoe,
in the mid air, rising with evefy choral chant
that burst out. As he rose, the sounds became
more soft and faint, till he,vanished in the summer
clouds, and the melody ceased. Thus terminated
the labors and cares of Tarenyawagon,
or the Iroquois Quetzalcoatl.