Indian hunters, but he was at length killed, after a long and severe
contest.

A great horned serpent also next appeared on Lake Ontario who, by means
of his poisonous breath, caused disease, and caused the death of many. At
length the old women congregated, with one accord, and prayed to the
Great Spirit that he would send their grand-father, the Thunder, who
would get to their relief in this, their sore time of trouble, and at the
same time burning tobacco as burned offerings. So finally the monster was
compelled to retire in the deeps of the lake by thunder bolts. Before
this calamity was forgotten another happened. A blazing star fell into
their fort, situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence, and destroyed the
people. Such a phenomenon caused a great panic and consternation and
dread, which they regarded as ominious of their entire destruction. Not
long after this prediction of the blazing star it was verified. These
tribes, who were held together by feeble ties, fell into dispute and wars
among themselves, which were pursued through a long period, until they
had utterly destroyed each other, and so reduced their numbers that the
lands were again over-run with wild beasts.

At this period there were six families took refuge in a large cave in a
mountain, where they dwelled for a long time. The men would come out
occasionally to hunt for food. This mammoth cave was situated at or near
the falls of the Oswego River. Taryenya-wa-gon (Holder of the Heavens)
extricated these six families from this subterraneous bowels and confines
of the mountain. They always looked to this divine messenger, who had
power to assume various shapes, as emergency dictated, as the friend and
patron of their nation.

As soon as they were released he gave them instructions respecting the