The great hill at the head of Canandaigua Lake, from whence the Senecas sprung, is called Genundewah. Tradition says that it was crowned by a fort to which the braves of the tribe resorted at night-fall, after waging war with a race of giants. These giants were worshippers of Ut-co, or the Evil Spirit, who sent, after their extermination, a great serpent to destroy the conquerors. Quitting its watery lair in Canandaigua Lake, the monster encircled their fortification. The head and tail completed a horrid _ring_ at the gateway, and, when half famished, the wretched inmates vainly attempted to escape. All were destroyed with the exception of a pair, whose miraculous preservation is related in the poem that follows. Ever after Genundewah was a chosen seat of Iroquois Council, and wrinkled seers were in the habit of climbing its sides for the purpose of offering up prayers to the Great Spirit. GENUNDEWAH, [A LEGEND OF CANANDAIGUA LAKE.] BY WILLIAM H. C. HOSMER. WRITTEN AT THE REQUEST OF THE "NEW CONFEDERATION OF THE IROQUOIS," AND PRONOUNCED BEFORE THEM IN GENERAL COUNCIL, AT AURORA, AUGUST 15th, 1845. I. Why, Chieftain, linger on this barren hill That overbrows yon azure sheet below? Red sunset glimmers on the leaping rill, Dark night is near, and we have far to go. This scene--replied he leaning on big bow-- Is hallowed by tradition--wondrous birth Here to my Tribe was given long ago; We stand where rose they from disparting earth To light a deathless blaze on Fame's unmouldering hearth. II. A fort they reared upon this summit bleak Guided by counsel from the Spirit Land, And clad in dart-proof panoply would seek The plains beneath each morn, a valiant band, And warfare wage with giants hand to hand: They conquered in the struggle, and the bones Of their dead foemen on the echoing strand Of the clear lake lay blent with wave-washed stones, And pale, unbodied ghosts filled air with hollow moans. III. Ut-co, the scowling King of Evil, heard The voice of lamentation, and wild ire The depths of his remorseless bosom stirr'd; Of that gigantic brood he was the sire, And flying from his cavern, arched with fire, He hovered o'er these, waters--at his call Up rushed a hideous monster, spire on spire;-- _Call_ so astounding that the rocky wall Of this blue chain of hills seemed tott'ring to its fall! IV. With his infernal parent for a guide, The hungry serpent left his watery lair, Dragging his scaly terrors up the side Of this tall hill, now desolate and bare: Filled with alarm the Senecas espied His dread approach, and launched a whizzing shower Of arrows on the foe, whose iron hide Repelled their flinty points--and in that hour The boldest warrior fled from strife with fiendish power. V.