In musical flow of rhythm and word this poem of early Indian life tells the tragedy of a beautiful maiden whose love for a chieftain led her into jealous revenge. This revenge was the means of destroying not only her rival, but herself. In the telling there are passages of surpassing beauty, pictures of forest life and of Indian customs. The life drama is skilfully handled and the weaving in of the legend of the fire bird shows a knowledge of early American literature that is authoritative.