e has attended the name and memory of Hiawatha. Though
actually an historical personage, and not of very ancient date, of whose
life and deeds many memorials remain, he has been confused with two
Indian divinities, the one Iroquois, the other Algonquin, and his history
has been distorted and obscured almost beyond recognition. Through the
cloud of mythology which has enveloped his memory, the genius of
Longfellow has discerned something of his real character, and has made
his name, at least, a household word wherever the English language is
spoken. It remains to give a correct account of the man himself and of
the work which he accomplished, as it has been received from the official
annalists of his people. The narrative is confirmed by the evidence of
contemporary wampum records, and by written memorials in the native
tongue, one of which is at least a hundred years old.

According to the best evidence that can be obtained, the formation of the
Iroquois confederacy dates from about the middle of the fifteenth
century. There is reason to believe that prior to that time the five
tribes, who are dignified with the title of nations, had held the region
south of Lake Ontario, extending from the Hudson to the Genesee river,
for many generations, and probably for many centuries. Tradition makes
their earlier seat to have been north of the St. Lawrence river, which is
probable enough. It also represents the Mohawks as the original tribe,
of which the others are offshoots; and this tradition is confirmed by the
evidence of language. That the Iroquois tribes were originally one
people, and that their separation into five communities, speaking
distinct dialects, dates many centuries back, are both conclusions as
certain as any facts in physical science. Three hundred and fifty years
ago they were isolated tribes, at war occasionally with one another, and
almost constantly with the fierce Algonquins who surrounded them. Not
unfrequently, also, they had to withstand and to avenge the incursions of
warriors belonging to more distant tribes of various stocks, Hurons,
Cherokees and Dakotas. Yet they were not peculiarly a warlike people.
They were a race of housebuilders, farmers, and fishermen. They had
large and strongly palisaded towns, well-cultivated fields, and
substantial houses, sometimes a hundred feet long, in which many kindred
families dwelt together.

At this time two great dangers, the one from without, the ot