Where the deer were wont to wander All the hunters took their stations, While the stalkers sought the forest, From its depths to start the deer-herd. Near the shore Win-gin-a lingered That he first might shoot his arrow, And thus have the certain glory Of the White Doe's death upon him. By a pine-tree stood Wan-ches-e With his silver arrow ready; While O-kis-ko, unseen, waited Near by in his chosen ambush, Where he oft had watched the White Doe, Where he knew she always lingered. Soon the stalkers with great shouting Started up the frightened red deer; On they came through brake and thicket, In the front the White Doe leading, With fleet foot and head uplifted, Daring all the herd to follow. Easy seemed the task of killing, So Win-gin-a twanged his bow-string, But his arrow fell beside her As she sprang away from danger. Through the tanglewood, still onward, Head uplifted, her feet scorning All the wealth of bright-hued foliage Which lay scattered in her pathway. Up the high sand-dunes she bounded, In her wake the whole herd followed, While the arrows aimed from ambush Fell around her ever harmless. On she sped, towards the water, Nostrils spread to sniff the sea-breeze; Through the air a whizzing arrow Flew, but did not touch the White Doe; But a stag beside her bounding Wounded fell among the bushes, And the herd fled in confusion, Waiting now not for the leader. On again, with leaping footsteps, Tossing head turned to the sea-shore; For one fatal minute standing Where the White Man's Fort had once stood; In her eyes came wistful gleamings Like a lost hope's fleeting shadow. While with graceful poise she lingered, Swift, Wan-ches-e shot his arrow Aimed with cruel thought to kill her; While from near and secret ambush, With unerring aim, O-kis-ko Forward sent his magic arrow, Aimed with thought of love and mercy. To her heart straight went _both_ arrows, And with leap of pain she bounded From the earth, and then fell forward, Prone, amidst the forest splendor. O-kis-ko, with fond heart swelling, Wan-ches-e, with pride exultant, To the Doe both sprang to claim it, Each surprised to see the other. Suddenly, within the forest, Spread a gleaming mist around them, Like a dense white fog in summer, So they scarce could grope their pathway. Slowly, as if warmed by sunbeams, From one spot the soft mist melted, While within its bright'ning dimness, With the misty halo 'round her, Stood a beautiful white maiden,-- _Stood the gentle, lost Wi-no-na_. Through her heart two arrows crosswise Pierced the flesh with cruel wounding; Downward flowed the crimson blood-tide, Staining red the snow-white doe-skin Which with grace her form enveloped, While her arms with pleading gesture To O-kis-ko were outstretching. As they gazed upon the vision, All their souls with wonder filling; While the white mist slowly melted, _Prostrate fell the wounded maiden_.