Fleets of canoes were seen on the bosom of the lake, and every inteterior
warpath was kept open by the foot-prints of the different tribes,
hurrying to obey the summons of Hiawatha. All but the wise man himself
had been there for three days, anxiously awaiting the arrival of
Hiawatha, when a messenger was dispatched after him. They found him
gloomy and depressed. Some great burden appeared to hang on his mind. He
told them that evil lay on his path, and that he had fearful forebodings
of ill-fortune. He felt that he was called to make some great sacrifice,
but he did not know what it was, it seemed to be hid from him. Least of
all did he think it was to be his daughter: ever careful of her, he bade
her kindly to accompany him. Nothing happened to hinder, or at all
interrupt their voyage. The Talismanic canoe, which held them, gllded
silently down the waters of the Seneca; not a paddle was necessary to
give it impetus, while it pursued the downward course of the stream till
they reached the point of the lake outlet. At this point Hiawatha took
his paddle and gave it impetus against the current, until they entered on
the bright and calm surface of the Onondaga, cradled, as this blue sheet
of water is, among the lofty and far-swelling hills. When the white canoe
of the venerable chief appeared, a shout of welcome rang among those
hills. The day was calm and serene. No wind ruffled the lake, and
scarcely a cloud floated in the sky above. But while the wise man was
measuring his steps towards the place designated for the council, and
while ascending from the water's edge, a rumbling and low sound was
heard, as if it were caused by the approach of a violent, rushing wind.
Instantly all the eyes were turned upwards, where a small and compact
mass of cloudy darkness appeared. It gathered in size and velocity as it
approached, and appeared to be directed inevitably to fall in the midst
of the assembly. Every one fled in consternation but Hiawatha and his
daughter. He stood erect, with ornaments waving in his frontlet, and
besought his daughter calmly to await the issue, "for it is impossible,"