arriors of my own land,
proofs of their wisdom, and sagacity, and valour.

"Brothers and warriors, the history of the red man is found
only in his traditions, it exists but in his memory. Will you
instruct me in those traditions? Will you relate to me the
tales which have been handed down to you from old times--the
traditions which tell of the great actions of your fathers, of
the favours, and mercies, and punishments, of the Great
Spirit? These are the things I would hear. I came hither to
hear them. The Great Spirit forbid you should refuse my
request!"

When M. Verdier had finished his speech, Meshewa, a young warrior of the
Shawano nation, rose and said:

"Brothers and warriors, I am a little man, no higher than the
shoulder of my brother Meshepeshe, yet I must speak, the Great
Spirit bids me speak. He says to me, Wild Horse, rise and
relate a tradition of your nation. I will relate this
tradition, but I will tell you no lie. Who is there that ever
saw Meshewa look upon the ground, or hold his hand before his
eyes, when he told his story? He looks up bold as an eagle, he
opens his mouth fearlessly, and they who hear his words write
them down on the green leaf of their memory.

"Brothers and chiefs, we have here with us a man, whose face
is of the colour of the skin of a plucked plover--he listens.
He has come, as he has told you, from a land which lies beyond
the Great Salt Lake. I believe him, for he does not hide his
face, or look ashamed when he speaks.

"Chiefs and brothers, this man was once a warrior, but, when
he was no higher than the tree of twelve moons, he offered
sacrifice in his own country to the Great Spirit, and knew all
the rites proper to be observed in his worship. When the
winter snows are rushing to the embrace of the Great River,
and the birds have returned to their bowers, and the sap is
recruiting the soul of the thirsty tree, he will go to his
wife and children, who live very far towards the morning sun.
The woman with the bright eyes will come out of her wigwam to
meet him, and will ask him if he has brought back his heart.
His son will climb to his knee, and weep to have the
traditions of our country told him. Our brother will not fear
to answer the questions of the woman, for he is prudent and