to accompany him. She
unhesitatingly obeyed; and together they made all possible speed toward
the grand council ground. At the approach of the venerable sage, a
shout of joy resounded throughout the assembled host, and every
demonstration of respect was paid to the illustrious one. As he landed
and was passing up the steep bank toward the council ground, a loud
noise was heard, like the rushing of a mighty wind. All eyes were
instantly turned upward, and a dark spot was discovered rapidly
descending from the clouds above. It grew larger and larger as it
neared the earth, and was descending with frightful velocity into their
very midst. Terror filled every breast, and every one seemed anxious
for his own safety. Confusion prevailed. All but the venerable
Hiawatha sought safety in flight. He gravely uncovered his silvered
head and besought his darling daughter to await the approaching danger
with becoming resignation, at the same time reminding her of the
futility and impropriety of attempting to prevent the designs of the
Great Spirit.

"'If,' he said, 'the Great Spirit is determined upon our destruction,
we shall not escape by removal, nor evade his decrees.'"

"And he was an Indian who expressed that thought?" said madame,
wonderingly.

The boat drifted: not down stream as was natural, but up against the
current, contrary to the laws of nature. Had they all been less
interested in what was going on in their minds, they would have at once
remarked this phenomenal performance.

"There is a mysterious particle of God in every savage," replied
Brother Jacques, mentally comparing Anne's eyes with flashing water.
"Well, to go on. Hiawatha's daughter modestly acquiesced to her kind
parent's advice, and with patient submission awaited the catastrophe.
All this was but the work of an instant; for no sooner had the
resolution of the wise man become fixed and his latest words uttered
than an immense bird, with long and pointed beak, with wide extended
wings, came down with a mighty swoop and crushed the beautiful girl to
the earth. With such force did the monster fall, and so great was the
commotion of the air, that when it struck the ground, the whole
assemblage was forced violently back several rods. Hiawatha alone
remained unmoved, and silently witnessed the melancholy end of his
beloved. 'Ai, ai, ai, agatondichou! Alas, alas, alas, my beloved!
His darling had been killed before his eyes and her destroyer h