  Then the little Hiawatha Learned of every bird its language, Learned their names and all their secrets,— How they built their nests in summer, Where they hid themselves in winter,— Talked with them whene'er he met them, Called them "Hiawatha's chickens." Of all beasts he learned the language, Learned their names and all their secrets,— How the beavers built their lodges, Where the squirrels hid their acorns, Why the rabbit was so timid,— Talked with them whene'er he met them, Called them "Hiawatha's brothers." Forth into the forest straightway All alone walked Hiawatha Proudly, with his bow and arrows; And the birds sang round him, o'er him, "Do not shoot us, Hiawatha!" Sang the robin, sang the bluebird, "Do not shoot us, Hiawatha!" And the rabbit from his pathway Leaped aside, and at a distance Sat erect upon his haunches, Half in fear and half in frolic Saying to the little hunter, "Do not shoot me, Hiawatha!" But he heeded not, nor heard them, For his thoughts were with the red deer; On their tracks his eyes were fastened, Leading downward to the river, To the ford across the river; And as one in slumber walked he. Hidden in the alder bushes, There he waited till the deer came, Till he saw two antlers lifted, Saw two eyes look from the thicket, Saw two nostrils point to windward, And a deer came down the pathway, And his heart within him fluttered, Trembled like the leaves above him, As the deer came down the pathway. |
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