The next night five tall, noble-looking, adventurous braves were sent to
welcome the stranger to earth. They went and presented to it a pipe of
peace, filled with sweet-scented herbs, and were rejoiced that it took
it from them. As they returned to the village, the star, with expanded
wings, followed, and hovered over their homes till the dawn of day.
Again it came to the young man in a dream, and desired to know where it
should live and what form it should take. Places were named--on the top
of giant trees, or in flowers. At length it was told to choose a place
itself, and it did so. At first it dwelt in the white rose of the
mountains; but there it was so buried that it could not be seen. It went
to the prairie; but it feared the hoof of the buffalo. It next sought
the rocky cliff; but there it was so high that the children, whom it
loved most, could not see it.
"I know where I shall live," said the bright fugitive--"where I can see
the gliding canoe of the race I most admire. Children!--yes, they shall
be my playmates, and I will kiss their slumber by the side of cool
lakes. The nation shall love me wherever I am."
These words having been said, she alighted on the waters, where she saw
herself reflected. The next morning thousands of white flowers were seen
on the surface of the lakes, and the Indians gave them this name,
_wah-be-gwan-nee_ (white flower).
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