IV.

Why stand ye back idly, ye Sons of the Lakes? Who boast of the scalp-locks, ye tremble to take. Fear-dreamers may linger, _my_ skies are all bright-- Charge--charge--on the War-Path, FOR GOD AND THE RIGHT.

Take the following additional example, of a death song. These stanzas have all been actually sung on warlike occasions, and repeated in my hearing. They have been gleaned from the traditionary songs of the Chippewas of the north, whose villages extend through the region of lake Superior, and to the utmost sources of the Mississippi. Those bands are the hereditary foes of their western neighbours, the Dacotahs or Sioux, who are generally called by them, by way of distinction, Na do wä´ sees, that is to say, OUR ENEMIES. The allusions in the songs are exclusively to them. In writing the original, I omit the chorus, as it is not susceptible of translation, and would increase considerably the space occupied.

DEATH SONG.

1. In opening this song the warrior is to be contemplated as lying wounded on the field of battle.

A´ be tuh ge´ zhig, (Under the centre of the sky,) Ne bá baim wä´ wä. (I utter my baim wä wä.)

Baimwäwä, is the sound of passing thunders, which will convey a just idea of the violence of this figure.

2. His thoughts revert to the star of his destiny.

Ain dah´ so gezhig (Every day, thou star!) Ke gá gun o wá bom in. (I gaze at you.)

It is the morning star that is here alluded to.

3. He sees the birds of carnage hovering over the field.

A´ be tuh geézh-ig (The half of the day) Ai be yaun (I abide--gazing) Pe nä se wug. (Ye warlike birds.)

4. He keeps the flight of these birds before his mind and hears their shrill cries.

Pe misk wosh e wug (They fly round the circuit of the sky.) Pe nä´ se wug (The birds--circling) A´ be tuh geezh ig oag. (Round half the circuit of the sky.) The meaning is, approaching him in circle, more nearly, as life becomes fainter in him.

5. This figure is continued. He lies bleeding.

A´ zha waush e wug (They cross the enemy's line) Pe nä se wug. (The birds.)

6. He feels that he is called to another world.

A pit she Mon e doag (The high gods) Ne mud wä wä (My praise) Wá we ne goag. (They sound.)

7. He is content and willing to go.

Kä gait´, ne min wain´ dum (Full happy--I) Ne bun aí kum ig (To lie on the battle-field) Tshe bá be wish e naun. (Over the enemy's line.)

DEATH-SONG--"A´ be tuh gé zhig."

(From the Algonquin of Schoolcraft.)

BY C. F. HOFFMAN.

Under the hollow sky, Stretched on the Prairie lone, Centre of glory, I Bleeding, disdain to groan, But like a battle cry Peal forth my thunder moan, _Baim-wä-wä_!

Star--Morning-Star, whose ray Still with the dawn I see,

Quenchless through half the day Gazing thou seest me-- Yon birds of carnage, they Fright not my gaze from thee! _Baim-wä-wä!_