said he, "to escape the power of the Great Spirit. If he has determined
our destruction we cannot, by running, fly from him." She modestly
assented and they stood together, while horror was depicted in the faces
of the others. But the force of the descending body was that of a sudden
storm. They had hardly taken the resolution to halt when an immense bird,
with long, extended wings, came down with swoop. This gigantic agent of
the sky came with such force that the assembly felt the shock. The girl
being in a nature, and embodied in the combination of the Terrestial and
Celestial nature, was beautiful and fascinating in her looks and form,
was borne away by this Celestial Bird to be seen no more upon the earth.
But Hiawatha was inconsolable for his loss. He grieved sorely, day and
night, and wore a desponding and dejected countenance. But these were
only faint indications of the feelings of his heart. He threw himself
upon the ground, and refused to be comforted. He seemed dumb with
melancholy, and the people were concerned of his life. He spoke nothing;
he made no answers to questions put to him, and laid still as if dead.
After several days the council appointed a certain merry-hearted Chief to
make him a visit, and to whisper a word of consolation in his ears to
arouse him from his stupor. The result was successful. He approached with
ceremonies and induced him to arise, and named the time when the council
would convene. Yet haggard with grief, he called for refreshments and
ate. He then adjusted his wardrobe and head-dress and went to the
council. He drew his robe of wolf-skin gracefully around him, and walked
to his seat at the head of the assembled chiefs with a majestic step.
Stiliness and the most profound attention reigned in the council while he
presided, and the discussion opened and proceeded. The subject of the
invasion was handled by several of the ablest counselors and the bravest
warriors. Various plans were proposed to defeat the enemy. Hiawatha
listened with silence until all had finished speaking. His opinion was
then asked. After a brief allusion of the calamity which had befallen him