whither is it you are guiding the bark? Mark you
not, love, how we are gliding down the stream towards the dreadful
Oniagarah?"

"Be calm, my Mekaia," answered the lover, "I am but guiding you to
yonder strand, upon which the current sets full and strong. Be calm,
my Mekaia, we are safe."

The maiden held her tongue, for was she not with him she loved? Away
then, away they went, and still onward, while faster, and fleeter, and
more boisterous, the foaming waters flowed around them, and less
distant every moment seemed the dreadful cataract. Its roar was like
that of an approaching cloud from which thunders are issuing. Again
the timid maiden addressed her lover:

"Now tell me, O Moscharr, whither is it you are guiding the bark? See,
the shore is more distant, and hark! what awful noise is that which
strikes mine ear from out of the black curtain ahead of us? It cannot
be the thunders, for there is no cloud; it cannot be the voice of the
Great Spirit, for he is the friend of the Ottawa girl."

"Be calm, my Mekaia," answered the lover, "there is no danger; it is
thy lover that guides the bark, and he will be careful of the flower
of the forest maidens. I see the shore--I see the rock--and whenever I
will I can guide to either."

Away then, away goes their light bark, and still they speed onward
with the swiftness of an arrow from a well drawn bow. The tall dark
forests that rose above their starting-place are fast receding from
view, and hark! pealing like the thunders of heaven, the roar of the
mighty cataract, to come within whose influence is instant
destruction.

"Now tell me, O Moscharr, what dreadful sound is that which breaks in
so loud and angry a tone upon my ear from out of the black curtain?"
demanded the maiden.

"It is the surge breaking on the sandy shore, or the night winds
rushing through the forest," answered he.

"And tell me what are those lifting their white heads before us, as
the snow, which has fallen in a calm, is swept about by the whirlwind
which follows it?"

"Billows breaking on the shoals that surround yon little island."

Away then, away goes their little bark, dashing among the wild waves,
like a leaf caught up into air by the summer whirlwind, till all at
once burst upon the horror-stricken maiden, in their most tremendous
and appalling aspect, the waters of the far-famed, the wondrous
Oniagarah. See the white sheet of foam which rises in spray, mocking
the soaring of the bir