VIII. HIAWATHA'S FISHING. FORTH upon the Gitche Gumee, In his birch canoe exulting All alone went Hiawatha. Through the clear, transparent water He could see the fishes swimming See the yellow perch, the Sahwa, Like a sunbeam in the water, See the Shawgashee, the craw-fish, On the white and sandy bottom. With his fishing-line of cedar; On the white sand of the bottom Lay the monster Mishe-Nahma, On each side a shield to guard him, Plates of bone upon his forehead, Down his sides and back and shoulders In his birch canoe came sailing, "Take my bait!" cried Hiawatha, Down into the depths beneath him, "Take my bait, O Sturgeon, Nahma! Come up from below the water, Let us see which is the stronger! And he dropped his line of cedar Through the clear, transparent water, Waited vainly for an answer, Long sat waiting for an answer, And repeating loud and louder, “Take my bait, O King of Fishes!" Quiet lay the sturgeon, Nahma, Fanning slowly in the water, Looking up at Hiawatha, Listening to his call and clamor, His unnecessary tumult, Till he wearied of the shouting; To the pike, the Maskenozha, "Take the bait of this rude fellow, Break the line of Hiawatha ! In his fingers Hiawatha Felt the loose line jerk and tighten; As he drew it in, it tugged so That the birch canoe stood endwise, Like a birch log in the water, With the squirrel, Adjidaumo, Perched and frisking on the summit. Full of scorn was Hiawatha When he saw the fish rise upward, Saw the pike, the Maskenozha, Coming nearer, nearer to him, Reeling downward to the bottom Sank the pike in great confusion, And the mighty sturgeon, Nahma, Said to Ugudwash, the sun-fish, "Take the bait of this great boaster, Break the line of Hiawatha!" Slowly upward, wavering, gleaming Swung with all his weight upon it, |