kes and our silver rivers! Remember, O, Tododaho, that although
the centuries have passed since Manitou took you from us, your name
still stands among us for all that is great, noble and wise! I beseech
you that you give sparks of your own lofty and strong spirit to your
children, to the Hodenosaunee in this, their hour of need, and I ask
too, that you help one who is scarcely yet a warrior in years, one who
invokes thee humbly, even, Tayoga, of the clan of the Bear, of the
nation Onondaga, of thy own great League of the Hodenosaunee!"

He bent his head a little to listen. All the legends and beliefs of his
race, passed from generation to generation, crowded upon him. Tododaho
leaning down from his star surely heard his prayer. Tayoga shivered a
little, not from cold or fear, but from emotion. The mystic spell was
upon him. Far above him in the limitless void little wreaths of vapor
united about a great shining star, taking the shape of a man, the shape
of a great chief, wise beyond all other chiefs that had ever lived, and
he distinctly saw the wise serpents, coil on coil, in Tododaho's hair.
They were whispering in his ear, and bending his head a little farther
he heard the words of the serpents which the rising wind brought,
repeated, from the lips of Tododaho:

"Fear not, O young warrior of the Onondagas! Tododaho leaning down from
his star hears thy pious appeal! Tododaho, for more than four hundred
years, has watched over the great League, night and day! Let the fifty
sachems, old in years and wisdom, walk in the straight path of truth,
and let the warriors follow! Let them be keepers of the faith, friends
to those who have been their friends, sage in council, brave in battle,
and they shall hold their green forests, their blue lakes and their
silver rivers! And to thee, Tayoga, I say, thou shalt encounter many
dangers, but because thy soul is pure, thou shalt have great rewards!"

Then the wind died suddenly. The leaves hung motionless. The vapors
about the great shining star dissolved, the face of Tododaho, with the
wise serpents, coil on coil in his hair, disappeared, and the luminous
heavens were without a sign. But they had spoken.

Tayoga trembled, but again it was from emotion. Tododaho had sent his
words of promise on the wind, and they had been whispered in his ear.
Great would be his dangers but great would be his rewards. He was
uplifted. His heart exulted. His deeds would be all the mightier because