THE LEGEND OF MAGISAUNIKWA AND LEELINAU.

Where the clear Sakimau mingles its waters with the great salt lake,
which would be too salt, but for the innumerable rivers that pour
themselves into its bosom, the mighty Aishkwagon-ai-bee, whose name,
rendered into the language of the pale faces, is the 'Feather of
Honor,' had erected his lodge. He was the war-chief of a tribe whose
name is lost in the mists of antiquity. He boasted his descent from
the great Ojeeg, of whom it is related that he opened a hole in the
blue sky and let out the soft, warm air of Paradise, so that it
poured down upon the earth, and bestowed summer upon a region before
condemned to perpetual cold. He also liberated the singing-birds
from the mocucks, or basket-cages, where they were confined, which,
descending through the aperture, have since enlivened the woods and
fields with their melodies. He was unable to return to this world, and
may still be seen in the heavens, being changed into the stars called
Ojeeg Annung, known to the wise men among the pale faces as the
Constellation of the Plough.

Nor was Aishkwagon-ai-bee unworthy of his noble descent. The grandeur
of his thoughts and the boldness of his achievements proved the
purity of his blood. A skillful hunter, a successful warrior, equally
renowned for wisdom in council and bravery in action, he enjoyed the
highest consideration, not only in his own tribe, but as far as the
great lakes to the North, and the river Delaware to the South. When he
pointed to the beautiful scalps that adorned the sides of his wigwam,
he could with truth say, there was not one of them but had graced the
head of a warrior.