--- title: The Sea-gull, the Ojibwa Legend of the Pictured Rocks of L… — Legends of the Northwest · full text with trees description: The Sea-gull, the Ojibwa Legend of the Pictured Rocks of Lake Superior., «Legends of the Northwest» by Hanford Lennox Gordon: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: MINNETONKA. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8122/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Legends of the Northwest](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8122/) / The Sea-gull, the Ojibwa Legend of the… # The Sea-gull, the Ojibwa Legend of the Pictured Rocks of Lake Superior. The Sea-gull, the Ojibwa Legend of the Pictured Rocks of Lake Superior. of «Legends of the Northwest» by Hanford Lennox Gordon: the whole text, 97 sentences and 1967 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. MINNETONKA.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") PREFACE.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") I have for several years devoted many of my leisure hours to the study of the language, history, traditions, customs and superstitions of the Dakotas.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") These Indians are now commonly called the "Sioux"--a name given them by the early French traders and \_voyageurs\_. "[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") Dakota" signifies \_alliance\_ or \_confederation\_.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Many separate bands, all having a common origin and speaking a common tongue, were united under this name.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") See "\_Tah-Koo Wah-Kan\_," or "\_The Gospel Among the Dakotas\_," by Stephen R. Riggs, pp.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") 1 to 6 inc.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") They were, but yesterday, the occupants and owners of the fair forests and fertile prairies of Minnesota--a brave, hospitable and generous people,--barbarians, indeed, but noble in their barbarism.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") They may be fitly called the Iroquois of the West.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") In form and features, in language and traditions, they are distinct from all other Indian tribes.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") When first visited by white men, and for many years afterwards, the Falls of St. Anthony (by them called the Ha-Ha) was the center of their country.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") They cultivated tobacco, and hunted the elk, the beaver and the bison.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") They were open-hearted, truthful and brave.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") In their wars with other tribes they seldom slew women or children, and rarely sacrificed the lives of their prisoners.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") For many years their chiefs and head men successfully resisted the attempts to introduce spirituous liquors among them.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") More than a century ago an English trader was killed at Mendota, because he persisted, after repeated warnings by the chiefs, in dealing out \_mini-wakan\_ (Devil-water) to the Dakota braves.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") With open arms and generous hospitality they welcomed the first white men to their land; and were ever faithful in their friendship, till years of wrong and robbery, and want and insult, drove them to desperation and to war.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") They were barbarians, and their warfare was barbarous, but not more barbarous than the warfare of our Saxon and Celtic ancestors.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") They were ignorant and superstitious, but their condition closely resembled the condition of our British forefathers at the beginning of the Christian era.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") Macaulay says of Britain, "Her inhabitants, when first they became known to the Tyrian mariners, were little superior to the natives of the Sandwich Islands."[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") And again, "While the German princes who reigned at Paris, Toledo, Arles and Ravenna listened with reverence to the instructions of Bishops, adored the relics of martyrs, and took part eagerly in disputes touching the Nicene theology, the rulers of Wessex and Mercia were still performing savage rites in the temples of Thor and Woden."[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") The day of the Dakotas is done.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") The degenerate remnants of that once powerful and warlike people still linger around the forts and agencies of the Northwest, or chase the caribou and the bison on the banks of the Sascatchewan, but the Dakotas of old are no more.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") The brilliant defeat of Custer, by Sitting Bull and his braves, was their last grand rally against the resistless march of the sons of the Saxons and the Celts.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") The plow-shares of a superior race are fast leveling the sacred mounds of their dead.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") But yesterday, the shores of our lakes, and our rivers, were dotted with their tepees.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") Their light canoes glided over our waters, and their hunters chased the deer and the buffalo on the sites of our cities.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") To-day, they are not.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") Let us do justice to their memory, for there was much that was noble in their natures.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") In the following Dakota Legends I have endeavored to faithfully represent many of the customs and superstitions, and some of the traditions, of that people.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") I have taken very little "poetic license" with their traditions; none, whatever, with their customs and superstitions.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") In my studies for these Legends I have been greatly aided by Rev. S. R. Riggs, author of the Grammar and Dictionary of the Dakota language, "Tah-Koo Wah-Kan," &c., and for many years a missionary among the Dakotas.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") He has patiently answered my numerous inquiries and given me valuable information.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") I am also indebted to Gen. H. H. Sibley, one of the earliest American traders among them, and to Rev. S. W. Pond, of Shakopee, one of the first Protestant missionaries to these people, and himself the author of poetical versions of some of their principal legends; to Mrs. Eastman's "Dacotah." and last, but not least, to the Rev. E. D. Neill, whose admirable "History of Minnesota" so fully and faithfully presents almost all that is known of the history, traditions, customs, manners and superstitions of the Dakotas.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") In \_Winona\_ I have "tried my hand" on Hexameter verse.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") With what success, I leave to those who are better able to judge than I. If I have failed, I have but added another failure to the numerous vain attempts to naturalize Hexameter verse in the English language.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") The Earl of Derby, in the preface to his translation of the Iliad, calls it "That pestilent heresy of the so-called English Hexameter; a metre wholly repugnant to the genius of our language; which can only be pressed into the service by a violation of every rule of prosody."[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") Lord Kames, in his "Elements of Criticism." says, "Many attempts have been made to introduce Hexameter verse into the living languages, but without success.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") The English language, I am inclined to think, is not susceptible of this melody, and my reasons are these: First, the polysyllables in Latin and Greek are finely diversified by long and short syllables, a circumstance that qualifies them for the melody of Hexameter verse: ours are extremely ill qualified for that service, because they super-abound in short syllables.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") Secondly, the bulk of our monosyllables are arbitrary with regard to length, which is an unlucky circumstance in Hexameter.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") \* \* \* In Latin and Greek Hexameter invariable sounds direct and ascertain the melody.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") English Hexameter would be destitute of melody, unless by artful pronunciation; because of necessity the bulk of its sounds must be arbitrary.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") The pronunciation is easy in a simple movement of alternate long and short syllables; but would be perplexing and unpleasant in the diversified movement of Hexameter verse."[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") Beautiful as is the \_Evangeline\_ of Longfellow, his Hexameter lines are sometimes hard to scan, and often grate harshly on the ear.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") He is frequently forced to divide a word by the central or pivotal pause of the line, and sometimes to make a pause in the sense where the rhythm forbids it.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") Take for example some of the opening lines of \_Evangeline\_:[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") "This is the forest prime\|val.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") The murmuring pines and the hemlocks, Bearded with moss, and in gar\|ments green, indistinct in the twilight.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") Loud from its rocky cav\|erns, the deep-voiced neighboring ocean Speaks, and in accents discon\|solate answers the wail of the forest.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") Lay in the fruitful val\|ley.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") Vast meadows stretched to the eastward."[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") Again, in order to comply with the Greek and Latin rule of beginning each line with a \_long\_ syllable, he is compelled to emphasize words contrary to the sense.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") Examples:[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") \_In\_ the Acadian land, on the shores of the Basin of Minas \_Some\_what apart from the village, and nearer the Basin of Minas.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") \_But\_ a celestial bright\|ness--a more etherial beauty.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") \_And\_ the retreating sun the sign of the scorpion enters.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") \_In\_-doors, warmed by the wide-\|mouthed fireplace idly the farmer, \_Four\_ times the sun had ris\|en and set; and now on the fifth day,[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") "Greek and Latin Hexameter lines, as to time, are all of the same length, being equivalent to the time taken in pronouncing twelve long syllables, or twenty-four short ones.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") An Hexameter line may consist of seventeen syllables, and when regular and not Spondiac, it never has fewer than thirteen: whence it follows that where the syllables are many, the plurality must be short; where few, the plurality must be long.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") This line is susceptible of much variety as to the succession of long and short syllables.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") It is however subject to laws that confine its variety within certain limits.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") 1st.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") The line must always commence with a \_long\_ syllable, and close with two long preceded by two short.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") 2d.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") More than two short syllables can never be found together, nor \_fewer\_ than two.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") 3d.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") Two long syllables which have been preceded by two short can not also be followed by two short.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") These few rules fulfill all the conditions of an Hexameter line with relation to order of arrangement."--\_Lord Kames, "Elements of Criticism."[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ One who attempts to write English Hexameter, under the Greek and Latin rules, will speedily be made aware that the English language "super-abounds in short syllables."[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") Why then should we rigidly adhere to rules repugnant to the genius of our language, if they can be modified so as to adapt the sonorous Hexameter to the structure of our mother-tongue?[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") Can they be so modified?[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") I have attempted it.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") I venture to change them as follows:[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") 1st.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") By beginning each line with a \_short\_ syllable instead of a long one.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") And it will be seen that I often begin a line with two short syllables.[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") 2d.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") By often using one short syllable unaccompanied by another.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") 3d.[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") I have increased the average number of syllables in the line to better adapt it to our super-abundance of short syllables.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") 4th.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") In \_Winona\_ I have introduced a rhyme at the pivotal pause of the line, not because my Hexameter requires it, but because I think it increases the melody, and more emphatically marks the central pause.[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") I am not quite sure that, in a long poem, the rhyme is not detrimental.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") That depends greatly, however, upon the skill with which it is handled.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") Surely the same Hexameter can be written as smoothly and more vigorously without rhyme.[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") Rhyme adds greatly to the labor of composition; it rarely assists, but often hinders, the expression of the sense which the author would convey.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") At times I have been on the point of abandoning it in despair, but after having been under the hammer and the file, at intervals for the last four years, \_Winona\_ is at last \_done\_, if not finished.[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") It will be observed that I have slightly changed the length and the rhythm of the old Hexameter line, but it is still Hexameter, and, I think, improved.[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") I am not afraid of intelligent criticism.[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") I invoke it, and will endeavor to profit by it in the future as in the past.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") The reception of my \_Pauline\_ at home and abroad has been so flattering that I have been encouraged to attempt something better.[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") That was my first real effort and full of crudities but if the Legends are received by our best critics as well as \_Pauline\_ was received I shall be well pleased with my efforts.[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") After much thought I have decided to publish the first edition of my \_Legends\_ here at home:[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") 1st Because they pertain particularly to the lakes and rivers to the fair forests and fertile fields of our own Minnesota and ought to be appreciated here if anywhere.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") 2d Because many of our people are competent to judge whether my representations of Dakota customs, life, traditions, and superstitions are correct or not and at the same time the reading public of the North west is as intelligent and discriminating as that of any other portion of our country.[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") If these \_Legends\_ be appreciated and approved by our own people who are familiar with the scenery described and more or less, with the customs, traditions and superstitions of the Dakotas, and if beyond that these poems shall stand the test of candid criticism I may give them a wider publication.[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Legends of the Northwest.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8122/1/) - next →: [H. L. Gordon.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8122/3/) - ↑ back to [Legends of the Northwest](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8122/)