flourish of his tomahawk he separated the thongs, liberated the
prisoners, and with a wave of his hand commanded silence, while,
shouting in a loud voice, he replied to the old Sachem:

"Our father asks who bound War Eagle's friends! It was the spirits of
darkness that blinded his childrens' eyes to the color of Grey Eagle,
and whispered in their ears, 'they are enemies.' It was the spirit of
darkness that killed War Eagle and whispered in the ears of his braves,
'revenge his death.' It is the voice of the good Manitou that whispered
to the Great Oak, and he has saved his children from the Manitou's wrath
and freed the spirit of War Eagle." This ingenious speech showed the
cunning of some candidates for office even in those early times, and had
the desired effect of winning the confidence of many of his dusky
auditors. Long talks followed within the circle by the Chiefs, while
preparations were being made for feast and dance around the council fire
that night.

Aye, Niagara! thou didst lull with thy awful and solemn voice as anxious
and also as happy hearts beneath the soft furs that wrapped those dusky
maidens--mingling their sweet voices with thy deep bass, dancing beneath
the old trees on thy wild banks--as any there have been since in the
princely halls where the old trees once stood, beneath silks and
diamonds, that rival thy beautiful drops, to music that drowns for a
time thine own tremendous voice.

The attention of the Chiefs being directed to Grey Eagle, the youthful
Chief stepped lightly but proudly in front of them. His manner plainly
indicated him a brave warrior and hunter. As he spoke of his people, now
nearly exterminated, he pointed out to the council the necessity, and
expressed his willingness, of merging their existence in that of another