COUNCILS AND CEREMONIES OF ADOPTION OF NEW YORK INDIANS 363 



This they said : Thus shall it be done : 

 We will place it by the wall of the house 

 Where the shadow always falls. 



7 Now again another thing you considered, 

 And you said : Perhaps it is not well 



That we leave this here, lest it should be seen 



By our grandchildren who are troublesome. 



Looking and searching everywhere, 



Into every crevice. People will be startled 



At their returning in great consternation, 



Asking what has happened? 



Why is this lying here? For they will continue 



Asking till they learn what they seek. 



At once will they be shaken in mind, 



And thus again will trouble be caused. 



8 Now again another thing they decided, 

 And said : This shall be done. 



We will pull up a pine — a great and lofty tree — 



And will make a deep hole, and drop this thing 



In a swift stream, to be carried out of sight ; 



Then will we replace the pine tree, 



And then never afterward 



Will our grandchildren see it again. 



9 Now again another thing they determined. 

 They said : This will strengthen the House. 

 They said : Now we have finished ; 



The rites we have performed. Soon, perhaps, 



A loss may come. Then this shall be done : 



We will hang a pouch upon a pole, 



Dropping in some mourning wampum, 



Some small strings. It will be taken 



Where they are suffering. It will be allowable 



To stand by the fireplace, 



And to speak a few words, 



Giving comfort to the minds 



Of those who are mourning, 



And then will they be consoled, 



And will follow the great law of peace. 



