Americans were upon the ground, and incessantly pressed upon the
red man, eye to eye. Only powerful leagues like those of the
Iroquois could withstand them.

Thayendanegea sat down, and then there was another silence, a
period lasting about two minutes. These silences seemed to be a
necessary part of all Iroquois rites. When it closed two young
warriors stretched an elm bark rope across the room from east to
west and near the ceiling, but between the high chiefs and the
minor chiefs. Then they hung dressed skins all along it, until
the two grades of chiefs were hidden from the view of each other.
This was the sign of mourning, and was followed by a silence.
The fires in the Long House had died down somewhat, and little
was to be seen but the eyes and general outline of the people.
Then a slender man of middle years, the best singer in all the
Iroquois nation, arose and sang:


To the great chiefs bring we greeting,
All hail! All hail! All hail!

To the dead chiefs, kindred greeting,
All hail! All hail! All hail!

To the strong men 'round him greeting,
All hail! All hail! All hail!

To the mourning women greeting,
All hail! All hail! All hail!