Two Female and Two Male Figures.
This interesting tableau represents Hiawatha and his friends sailing
in his birch canoe. The arrangement of the scenery is quite simple,
and when properly adjusted, makes one of the finest pictures in this
series. The floor of the stage must be arranged to represent water,
which can be done in the following manner: Nail strips or narrow bands
of wood on each side of the stage, the front ends resting on the
floor, the other ends raised to the height of one foot; at intervals
of ten inches on the strips place stout nails, and to these fasten
stout cord from one side of the stage to the other; across the cords
place strips of light-blue cambric, allowing it to festoon from one
cord to the other; fasten the cambric to the cords with pins, and
paint in a careless manner the ridges to represent miniature waves;
then scatter the surface with isinglass in small particles. Fill up
the background with scenery of a similar character, or with small
spruce trees. An imitation birch canoe can be made of strips of wood,
covered with cloth, painted light brown, and ornamented with bands of
crimson, blue, and white paint; this should be placed in the centre of
the stage, on small ways running across from one dressing room to the
other, and painted the same color as the waves. Grooved pieces of wood
must be fastened to each side of the canoe, so that it can be
propelled across the stage on the ways, and appear to be floating on
the top of the water. Ropes attached to each end, at the bottom of the
boat, passed under the waves, and roved through blocks, can be used to
propel it from one side of the stage to the other. The ways should
extend into the ante-rooms, so that the boat can pass entirely from
the stage. Large leaves and long grasses, made of green cambric, may
be placed around the edges of the water. The boat contains two Indian
braves and two Indian maidens. All are dressed in costumes, which have
been described in the tableau of "Hiawatha and his Bride's Return
Home." Hiawatha is seated in the stern of the boat, holding a paddle
in the water. The other Indian is kneeling in the bow with his bow and
arrow, and in position as if firing to the shore. One of the maidens
is looking intently over the side of the canoe, and the other is
looking upward. Both should have long black hair flowing over the
shoulders. The canoe should move very slow, and should be seen in
motion when the curtain rises; and to have it move in a steady manner,
the ropes should be attached to a windlass below the stage. The scene
must be illuminated by a green fire burned at the side of the stage
opposite the entrance of the canoe. Music soft and plaintive.