[SCOTT] CONFEDERACY OF THE SIX NATIONS 237 
now call all the Ro-de-ya-ner-sonh (Lords) to their places and each 
perform the duties conferred upon each of them. This we say and 
do, we four brothers. 
Now we return to you the Wampum which we received from 
you when you suffered the loss by death. We will therefore now 
conclude our discourse, Now point out to me the man whom I am 
to proclaim as Chief in place of the deceased. 
The Ceremony Called “ At the Wood’s Edge” 
1. Now to-day I have been greatly startled by your voice 
coming through the forest to this opening. You have come with 
troubled mind through all obstacles. You kept seeing the places 
where they met on whom we depended, my offspring. How then 
can your mind be at ease? You kept seeing the foot-marks of 
our forefathers; and all but perceptible is the smoke where they 
used to smoke the pipe together. Can then your mind be at ease 
when you are weeping on your way? 
2. Great thanks now, therefore, that you have safely arrived. 
Now, then, let us smoke the pipe together. Because all around 
are hostile agencies which are each thinking, “I will frustrate their 
purpose.” Here thorny ways, and here falling trees, and here wild 
beasts lying in ambush. 
Hither by these you might have perished, my offspring, or, 
here by floods you might have been destroyed, my offspring, or by 
the uplifted hatchet in the dark outside the house. Every day 
these are wasting us; or deadly invisible disease might have destroyed 
you, my offspring. 
3. Great thanks now, therefore, that in safety you have come 
through the forest. Because lamentable would have been the 
consequences had you perished by the way, and the startling word 
had come, “ Yonder are lying bodies, yea, and of Chiefs!” And 
they would have thought in dismay, what had happened, my off- 
spring. 
4. Our forefathers made the rule, and said, “Here they are 
to kindle a fire; here, at the edge of the woods, they are to condole 
with each other in few words.” But they have referred thither 
(That is to the Council House) all business to be duly completed, 
as well as for the mutual embrace of condolence, And they said, 
“Thither shall they be led by the hand, and shall be placed on the 
principal seat.” | 
