formed the men in a line facing the head chiefs, with the women
and children grouped in an irregular mass behind them. The
singing meanwhile had stopped. The two groups stood facing each
other, attentive and listening.

Then Hahiron, the oldest of the Onondagas, walked back and forth
in the space between the two groups, chanting a welcome. Like
all Indian songs it was monotonous. Every line he uttered with
emphasis and a rising inflection, the phrase "Haih-haih" which
may be translated "Hail to thee!" or better, "All hail!"
Nevertheless, under the moonlight in the wilderness and with rapt
faces about him, it was deeply impressive. Henry found it so.

Hahiron finished his round and went back to his place by the
fire. Atotarho, head chief of the Onondagas, holding in his
hands beautifully beaded strings of Iroquois wampum, came forward
and made a speech of condolence, to which Kathlahon responded.
Then the head chiefs and the minor chiefs smoked pipes together,
after which the head chiefs, followed by the minor chiefs, and
these in turn by the crowd, led the way back to the village.

Many hundreds of persons were in this procession, which was still
very grave and solemn, every one in it impressed by tile sacred
nature of this ancient rite. The chief entered the great door of
the Long House, and all who could find places not reserved
followed. Henry went in with the others, and sat in a corner,
making himself as small as possible. Many women, the place of
whom was high among the Iroquois, were also in the Long House.

The head chiefs sat on raised seats at the north end of the great