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again and again; and then the vision came; as it must; and
the knowledge that he sought。
None saw him go; but ten miles southward on the river he met a
hunter and said: 〃Tell the wise one that I have heard the new
song。 Tell him I have seen the vision。 We are of the sunset;
but the new day comes。 I must see the land of Mayn Mayano;
the dawn…land; where the sun rises out of the sea。〃
They saw no more of him。 But a day later; Rolf heard of it;
and set out in haste next morning for Albany。 Skookum the
fourth leaped into the canoe as he pushed off。 Rolf was minded
to send him back; but the dog begged hard with his eyes and
tail。 It seemed he ought to go; when it was the old man they
sought。 At Albany they got news。 〃Yes; the Indian went on
the steamboat a few days ago。〃 At New York; Rolf made no
attempt to track his friend; but took the Stamford boat and
hurried to the old familiar woods; where he had lived and
suffered and wakened as a boy。
There was a house now near the rock that is yet called 〃Quonab's。〃
From the tenants he learned that in the stillest hours of the
night before; they had heard the beating of an Indian drum; and
the cadence of a chant that came not from throat of white man's
blood。
In the morning when it was light Rolf hastened to the place;
expecting to find at least an Indian camp; where once had stood
the lodge。 There was no camp; and as he climbed for a higher
view; the Skookum of to…day gave bristling proof of fear at
some strange object there a man that moved not。 His long
straight hair was nearly white; and by his side; forever still;
lay the song…drum of his people。
And those who heard the mournful strains the night before knew
now from Rolf that it was Ouonab come back to his rest; and the
song that he sang was the song of the ghost dance。
〃Pity me; Wahkonda。 My soul is ever hungry。 There is nothing
here to satisfy me; I walk in darkness; Pity me; Wahkondal〃
End