The league of the Iroquois and other legends : from the Indian muse

138 THE LEAGUE OF THE 1BOQVOIS.
~And forth at Hayo-went-ha's call
The widely-scattered chieftains came,
Where fearful shone night's gloomy pall,
Lit with the mighty Council-flame
Far kindled on Yo-non-to, high
4S
Above the Onondaga flood ;
Bright flaring on the midnight sky,
Illuming hill and wave and wood.
Three days that beacon-light had shone
On plumes a thousand warriors wore ;
Still Hayo-went-ha waited lone
Beside Ti-o-to's farther shore,
Nor to the Council came ;
and fleet
Went hunters, swiftest in the chase,
Went messengers with flying feet,
To bring him to the Council-place.
And him they found ;
nor bold and proud
He stood, as one of noble state ;
But sat he mute, in sorrow bowed
The presage of a darker fate.
His breast an evil omen bore,
Foretelling he no more should come
Back from the Council-place, nor more
Be gladdened by the smiles of home.