It is said that some in the distant north are as large as Erie or Ontario or larger, but I cannot vouch for it, as we warriors of the Hodenosaunee have never been there, hearing the tales from warriors of other tribes that have come down to trade." "It's true, Tayoga," said Willet.

"I've roamed north of the Great Lakes myself, and I've met Indians of the tribes called Cree and Assiniboine, and they've told me about those lakes, worlds and worlds of 'em, and some of 'em so big that you can paddle days without reaching the end.

I suppose there are chains and chains of lakes running up and down a hollow in the middle of this continent of ours, though it's only a guess of mine about the middle.

Nobody knows how far it is across from sea to sea." "We better go in closer to the shore," said Tayoga.

"A wind is coming and on so big a river big waves will rise." "That's so, Tayoga," said Willet.