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If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Wau-bun - The "Early Day" of the North-West - -Author: Juliette Augusta Magill Kinzie - -Release Date: April 12, 2016 [EBook #51737] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WAU-BUN *** - - - - -Produced by Tom Cosmas from materials generously provided -on The Internet Archive. - - - - - - - - - - -_The Publication Committee of the Caxton Club certify that this is one -of an edition of two hundred and fifty-six copies printed on hand-made -paper and three copies printed on Japanese vellum, and that the -printing was done from type which has been distributed._ - - - - - WAU-BUN - - THE "EARLY DAY" OF THE NORTH-WEST - - [Illustration: JULIETTE A. McGILL KINZIE. - From oil portrait by G. P. A. Healy, painted in 1855,] - - - - - WAU-BUN - - THE "EARLY DAY" OF THE - NORTH-WEST - - - BY - - MRS. JOHN H. KINZIE - - OF CHICAGO - - - NEW EDITION, WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES - BY REUBEN GOLD THWAITES, EDITOR OF "THE JESUIT RELATIONS, - AND ALLIED DOCUMENTS," "WISCONSIN HISTORICAL - COLLECTIONS," "CHRONICLES OF BORDER - WARFARE," ETC. - - - WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS - - - [Illustration] - - - CHICAGO - THE CAXTON CLUB - MDCCCCI - - - COPYRIGHT BY THE CAXTON - CLUB, NINETEEN HUNDRED - AND ONE - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - Editor's Introduction xiii - - Author's Preface xxv - - - CHAPTER I - - Departure from Detroit 1 - - - CHAPTER II - - Michilimackinac--American Fur Company--Indian Trade--Mission - School--Point St. Ignace 5 - - CHAPTER III - - Arrival at Green Bay--Mrs. Arndt--Gen. Root--Political - Despatches--A Summerset--Shanty-town--Mr. Rolette--Indian - Morning Song--Mr. Cadle's Mission--Party at Mrs. Doty's--Miss - Grignons--Mrs. Baird's Party--Hamilton A.--Mrs. Beall 14 - - CHAPTER IV - - Arrangements for Travelling--Fox River--Judge Doty--Judge - Réaume--M. Boilvin--Canadian Voyageurs; Their Songs--The - Kakalin--Wish-tay-yun--Rev. Eleazer Williams--Passage through - the Rapids--Grande Chûte--Christman 25 - - CHAPTER V - - Beautiful Encampment--Winnebago Lake--Miss Four-Legs--Garlic - Island--Wild Rice 40 - - CHAPTER VI - - Breakfast at Betty More's--Judge Law--Fastidiousness; What - Came of It 47 - - CHAPTER VII - - Butte des Morts--French Cognomens--Serpentine Course of Fox - River--Lake Puckaway--Lac de Bœuf--Fort Winnebago 52 - - CHAPTER VIII - - Major and Mrs. Twiggs--A Davis--An Indian Funeral--Conjugal - Affliction--Indian Chiefs; Talk English--The Wild Cat--The - Dandy 58 - - CHAPTER IX - - Housekeeping; The First Dinner 68 - - CHAPTER X - - Indian Payment--Pawnee Blanc--The Washington Woman--Raising - Funds 72 - - CHAPTER XI - - Louisa--Garrison Life--Dr. Newhall--Affliction--Domestic - Accommodations--Ephraim--New Year's Day--Native - Custom--Day-kau-ray's Views of Education--Capt. Harney's - Mince-Pie 80 - - CHAPTER XII - - Lizzie Twiggs--Preparations for a Journey--The Regimental - Tailor 91 - - CHAPTER XIII - - Departure from Fort Winnebago--Duck Creek--Upset in a - Canoe--Pillon--Encamping in Winter--Four Lakes--Indian - Encampment--Blue Mound--Morrison's--A Tennessee Woman 96 - - CHAPTER XIV - - Rev. Mr. Kent--Losing One's Way--A Tent Blown Down--Discovery - of a Fence--Hamilton's Diggings--Frontier Housekeeping--Wm. - S. Hamilton--A Miner--Hard Riding--Kellogg's Grove 107 - - CHAPTER XV - - Rock River--Dixon's--John Ogie--Missing the Trail--Hours of - Trouble--Famine in the Camp--Relief 118 - - CHAPTER XVI - - A Pottowattamie Lodge--A Tempest--Piché's--Hawley's--The - Dupage--Mr. Dougherty--The Desplaines--Mrs. Lawton--Wolf - Point--Chicago 130 - - CHAPTER XVII - - Fort Dearborn--Chicago in 1831--First Settlement of Chicago--John - Kinzie, Sen.--Fate of George Forsyth--Trading Posts--Canadian - Voyageurs--M. St. Jean--Louis la Liberté 140 - - CHAPTER XVIII - - Massacre at Chicago 155 - - CHAPTER XIX - - Massacre Continued--Mrs. Helm--Ensign Ronan--Capt. Wells-- - Mrs. Holt--Mrs. Heald--The Sau-ga-nash--Sergeant Griffith-- - Mrs. Burns--Black Partridge and Mrs. Lee--Nau-non-gee and - Sergeant Hays 171 - - CHAPTER XX - - Treatment of American Prisoners by the British--Captivity of - Mr. Kinzie--Battle on Lake Erie--Cruelty of Gen. Proctor's - Troops--Gen. Harrison--Rebuilding of Fort Dearborn--Red - Bird--A Humorous Incident--Cession of the Territory Around - Chicago 192 - - CHAPTER XXI - - Severe Spring Weather--Pistol-Firing--Milk Punch--A Sermon-- - Pre-emption to "Kinzie's Addition"--Liberal Sentiments 201 - - CHAPTER XXII - - The Captives 206 - - CHAPTER XXIII - - Capt. McKillip--Second Sight--Ball at Hickory Creek--Arrival - of the "Napoleon"--Troubles of Embarkation 224 - - CHAPTER XXIV - - Departure for Fort Winnebago--A Frightened Indian--Encampment - at Dunkley's Grove--Horses Lost--Getting Mired--An Ague Cured - by a Rattlesnake--Crystal Lake--Story of the Little Rail 233 - - CHAPTER XXV - - Return Journey Continued--Soldiers' Encampment--Big Foot - Lake--Village of Maunk-suck--A Young Gallant--Climbing - Mountain-Passes--Turtle-Creek--Kosh-ko-nong--Crossing a - Marsh--Twenty-Mile Prairie--Hasting's Woods--Duck - Creek---Brunêt--Home 245 - - CHAPTER XXVI - - The Agency--The Blacksmith's House--Building a Kitchen-- - Four-Legs, the Dandy--Indian Views of Civilization--Efforts - of M. Mazzuchelli--Charlotte 260 - - CHAPTER XXVII - - The Cut-Nose--The Fawn--Visit of White Crow--Parting with - Friends--Christman--Louisa Again--The Sunday-School 269 - - CHAPTER XXVIII - - Plante--Removal--Domestic Inconveniences--Indian Presents--Grand - mother Day-kau-ray--Indian Customs--Indian Dances--The Medicine - Dance--Indian Graves--Old Boilvin's Wake 276 - - CHAPTER XXIX - - Indian Tales--Story of the Red Fox 287 - - CHAPTER XXX - - Story of Shee-shee-banze 295 - - CHAPTER XXXI - - Visit to Green Bay--Disappointment--Return Journey--Knaggs'-- - Blind Indian--Mau-zhee-gaw-gaw Swamp--Bellefontaine 303 - - CHAPTER XXXII - - Commencement of Sauk War--Winnebago Council--Crély--Follett-- - Bravery--The Little Elk--An Alarm--Man-Eater and His Party-- - An Exciting Dance 314 - - CHAPTER XXXIII - - Fleeing from the Enemy--Mâtâ--Old Smoker--Meeting with - Menomonees--Raising the Wind--Garlic Island--Winnebago - Rapids--The Wau-bee-na-kees--Thunder-Storm--Vitelle-- - Guardapie--Fort Howard 326 - - CHAPTER XXXIV - - Panic at Green Bay--Tidings of Cholera--Green Bay Flies--Doyle, - the Murderer--Death of Lieut. Foster--A Hardened Criminal-- - Good News from the Seat of War--Departure for Home--Shipwreck - at the Grand Chûte--A Wet Encampment--An Unexpected Arrival-- - Reinforcement of Volunteers--La Grosse Americaine--Arrival - at Home 339 - - CHAPTER XXXV - - Conclusion of the War--Treaty at Rock Island--Cholera Among the - Troops--Wau-kaun-kau--Wild-Cat's Frolic at the Mee-kan-- - Surrender of the Winnebago Prisoners 353 - - CHAPTER XXXVI - - Delay in the Annual Payment--Scalp Dances--Groundless Alarm-- - Arrival of Gov. Porter--Payment--Escape of the Prisoners-- - Neighbors Lost--Reappearance--Robineau--Bellair 363 - - CHAPTER XXXVII - - Agathe--"Kinzie's Addition"--Tomah--Indian Acuteness--Indian - Simplicity 372 - - CHAPTER XXXVIII - - Famine--Day-kau-ray's Daughter--Noble Resolution of a Chief-- - Bread for the hungry--Rev. Mr. Kent--An Escaped Prisoner--The - Cut-Nose Again--Leave-taking with Our Red Children--Departure - from Fort Winnebago 380 - - Appendix 387 - - - - Notes--By Reuben Gold Thwaites 393 - - Index 421 - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - - - PAGE - - Juliette A. McGill Kinzie Frontispiece - From oil portrait by G. P. A. Healy, painted in 1855. - - John Harris Kinzie xvi - From copy of oil portrait by G. P. A. Healy, painted by - Daisy Gordon, in possession of Chicago Historical Society. - - Title-Page to the Orginal Edition xxiii - - Michilimackinac 6 - From sketch by Capt. S. Eastman, U. S. A., in Schoolcraft's - "Indian Tribes," vol. iv., p. 188. - - Fort Howard in 1855 14 - From daguerreotype in possession of Wisconsin Historical - Society. - - Four-Legs' Village 42 - Entrance to Winnebago Lake (the present town of Neenah). From - sketch by Mrs. Kinzie, in original edition. - - Fort Winnebago in 1831 56 - From sketch by Mrs. Kinzie, in original edition. - - A Typical Group of Winnebagoes 64 - From photograph in possession of Wisconsin Historical Society. - - Chicago in 1820 140 - From sketch by H. R. Schoolcraft, in "Indian Tribes," - vol. iv., p. 192. - - Chicago in 1831 142 - From sketch by Mrs. Kinzie in original edition. - - Map of Chicago in 1830 142 - (Original by James Thompson destroyed in Chicago fire, - October 9, 1871.) From copy thereof, in possession of Chicago - Historical Society. - - Mark Beaubien 144 - From crayon portrait in possession of Chicago Historical - Society. - - The Chicago Portage 146 - From the first U. S. Government Survey of the region of the - portage and site of Chicago, in possession of Chicago - Historical Society. - - Residence of John Kinzie, Esq. 150 - (The first house built in Chicago.) From sketch by Mrs. - Kinzie, in original edition. - - Old Fort Dearborn, 1803-1812 156 - From sketch by Charles H. Ourand, based upon plans drawn by - Capt. J. Whistler, 1808, in possession of Chicago Historical - Society. - - Shaubena 198 - (Chief of the Pottawattomies.) From photograph of oil portrait - in possession of Chicago Historical Society. - - Big Foot's Village and Lake 250 - From sketch by Mrs. Kinzie, in original edition. - - The Grand Chûte--Fox River 346 - From sketch by Mrs. Kinzie, in original edition. - - Black Hawk 354 - (Head-man of the Rock River Sacs.) From oil portrait by - R. M. Sully, in possession of Wisconsin Historical Society. - - Fort Winnebago in 1834 353 - (Indian agency buildings on hill to left.) From oil painting, - based upon plans and local traditions, by Isaac A. Ridgway. - - - -EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION - - -The early history of Chicago has much to do with the Kinzies and -their connections. It is particularly fortunate that one of this -family should have given to the world, out of the abundance of her -recollections of the "early day," what has become a classic in -the historical literature of the Middle West--the Northwest of a -half-century ago. - -Kinzie is but an abbreviated form of the old Scotch name of Mackenzie. -John Mackenzie must have been among the first subjects of Great Britain -to emigrate to Canada upon the downfall of the French regime; for his -son John (afterwards called Kinzie) was born in Quebec, in 1763, the -year of the Paris treaty. The family soon moved to Detroit, and there -the elder Mackenzie died, during John's infancy. - -The widow had previously been married to a Mr. Haliburton, by whom she -had a daughter, a beautiful and accomplished girl, who in turn became -the mother of General Fleming, Nicholas Low, and Mrs. Charles King, of -New York. John Kinzie was the only issue of the second marriage. In due -time, Mrs. Mackenzie married a third husband--William Forsyth, another -Scotchman, who had come to New York in 1750, fought under Wolfe on the -Plains of Abraham, and was twice wounded. The Forsyths moved to New -York City, whither young John Kinzie was taken. When some ten or eleven -years of age, while at school at Williamsburg, on Long Island, with two -of his half-brothers, Kinzie, a restless, adventurous youth, ran away -to his native town, Quebec. There he was, when nearly starved, picked -up on the streets by a silversmith, and incidentally learned something -of the craft of his benefactor. There are evidences of his being in -Detroit, as a fur-trader, as early as 1795; and by the close of the -century this thrifty young Scotchman is known to have had trading -establishments on the Maumee, at Sandusky, and at St. Josephs, on Lake -Michigan. - -Young Kinzie's life had been a continual romance, but it was no less -so than that of his first love. During one of the numerous forays over -the Virginia border, made by the Shawanese during Lord Dunmore's War -(1774), a band of these barbarians swooped down upon the rude cabin of -Isaac McKenzie, who had established himself at the junction of Wolf's -Creek with the Kanawha River. McKenzie's wife was killed, but their -two young and beautiful children, Margaret and Elizabeth, were borne -away to the great Shawanee town of Chillicothe, in what is now Ohio. -Here, in accordance with Indian custom, the girls were adopted into the -family of a chief, one of whose squaws was assigned to their tender -rearing. - -After eighteen years, when Margaret had developed into a young woman -of rare loveliness, she accompanied her foster-father upon a hunting -expedition to the vicinity of the present Fort Wayne, in Indiana. A -young Shawanee chief, present at the hunt, paid mad suit to this forest -beauty; but, still pining for civilization, she scorned her Indian -lover, and he set out to take her by force, as had ever been among his -people the custom of rejected suitors. At midnight, as the nomadic -village was echoing with the din made by the chief's followers, who -were preparing to assist in this intended capture of a wife, Margaret -silently stole from her wigwam, for it was a case in which custom -decreed that she must rely solely upon herself, and took refuge in the -depths of the forest. Her persistent lover was close at her heels. She -ordered her faithful dog to attack him, and while man and brute were -engaged in savage combat, flew through the woods to the stockade where -the ponies were kept. Leaping on the back of a favorite, Margaret plied -him with rope-end and voice, through seventy-five miles of wilderness, -all the way to her barbaric home in Chillicothe, where the poor animal -dropped dead. Here, at last, she was safe from her lover's attentions. - -Not long after Margaret's thrilling experience, the two girls were -taken to Detroit by their foster-father, who proudly showed them to his -white friends. The old chief, however, recked not of the power of love. -A Scotchman named Clark became enamoured of Elizabeth, and John Kinzie -saw in Margaret his heart's desire. The two couples mated in Indian -fashion, and lived together in the woods for some five years--Elizabeth -bearing two children, and Margaret three (William, James, and -Elizabeth). - -When the strength of Indian power in the country north-west of the Ohio -River was at last broken in the decisive battle at the Fallen Timbers, -followed by the treaty of Greenville (1795), and in another year by -the removal of British garrisons from the posts on the upper lakes, -communication was again possible between the American colonists and -the Northwest. Isaac McKenzie heard of the presence of his daughters -in the Michigan wilderness, and in his old age laboriously worked his -way thither to visit them. There was a pathetic reunion; and when -the white-haired frontiersman went back to Virginia, Margaret and -Elizabeth, declining the legal marriage proffered by their consorts, -followed him to the old home, Margaret leaving her children to be cared -for by their father. - -Elizabeth in due course legally married a Virginian named Jonas -Clybourn, and Margaret also legally united domestic fortunes with one -Benjamin Hall of that state. Sons of these second unions eventually -came to Chicago, and took prominent parts in the drama of pioneer life -in Illinois and Wisconsin. - -In 1800, John Kinzie married Eleanor (Lytle) McKillip, the widow of -a British officer, who had had by him a daughter named Margaret. The -Kinzies, with their infant son, John Harris (born at Sandwich, Ontario, -July 7, 1803), apparently settled at Chicago in the spring of 1804, -John Kinzie being the trader at Fort Dearborn, then just constructed. -Kinzie was also appointed sub-Indian agent, and later was a government -interpreter. His connection with the massacre at Fort Dearborn, in -1812, is best related in _Wau-Bun_ itself. In 1823, he was appointed a -justice of the peace; in 1825, agent at Chicago for the American Fur -Company; he died at Chicago in 1828, aged sixty-five. His four children -by Eleanor were: Jolm Harris (1803), Ellen Marion (1805), Maria Indiana -(1807), and Robert Allen (1810). His two children by Margaret McKenzie -were tenderly reared by Mrs. Kinzie, who, before her marriage, had -been fully informed of the circumstance of the earlier union under the -forest code of the day. - -[Illustration: JOHN HARRIS KINZIE. - -From copy of oil portrait by G. P. A. Healy, painted by Daisy Gordon, -in possession of Chicago Historical Society.] - -It is with John Harris Kinzie that our immediate interest lies. His -early youth was spent in Chicago; he was nine years of age at the time -of the massacre in 1812; during the next four years the family remained -in Detroit, only returning to Chicago when (1816) the former town was -captured by General Harrison; in 1818, he was sent to Mackinac to be -apprenticed to the American Fur Company. Carefully trained to the -conduct of the fur trade, then the principal commercial interest in -the Northwest, young Kinzie was sent, in 1824, to Prairie du Chien, -where he learned the Winnebago language and thereof partly constructed -a grammar. Two years later, we find him installed as private secretary -to Governor Lewis Cass, in whose company he assisted in making numerous -treaties with the aborigines. It was while in this service that he went -to Ohio to study the language and habits of the Wyandots, of whose -tongue he also compiled a grammar. His remarkable proficiency in Indian -languages led to his appointment, in 1829, as Indian agent to the -Winnebagoes, at Fort Winnebago (Portage, Wisconsin). Upon the death of -his father, he fell heir to the Winnebago name, "Shawneeaukee," which -appears so frequently in the text of _Wau-Bun_. - -August 9, 1830, Kinzie--now styled "Colonel" by courtesy, because of -his office as Indian agent--was married at Middletown, Connecticut, -to Juliette A. Magill, the authoress of the book of which this is a -new edition. Very little has been garnered concerning the early life -of Miss Magill. She was born in Middletown, September 11, 1806, but -appears to have lived much in the national metropolis, and to have -enjoyed a wide and intimate acquaintance with the "best families" of -the city; her education was certainly not neglected. - -The honeymoon of the young pair was in part spent in New York City. -They were at Detroit a few weeks after the wedding, however, and thence -took the steamer "Henry Clay" for Green Bay. The text of _Wau-Bun_ -commences with the departure from Detroit, and carries us forward -to their arrival at Green Bay, and later at Fort Winnebago; their -horseback trip to Chicago, the following March, is also interestingly -described. They appear to have permanently made their home in Chicago -in 1834. - -In 1841, Colonel Kinzie was appointed registrar of public lands; -seven years later, he was canal collector at Chicago, occupying the -position until President Lincoln commissioned him as a paymaster in the -Union army, with the rank of major. He was still holding this office -when, in the early summer of 1865, being in failing health, he went to -Pennsylvania in company with his wife and son, but died in a railway -carriage near Pittsburg, upon the 21st of June. His widow, two sons, -and a daughter survived him; together with the reputation among his -contemporaries of possessing a lovable, sympathetic soul, broad enough -to appreciate the many good traits of the commonly despised savage, -concerning whom he knew more than most men. - -Mrs. Kinzie's death came upon September 15, 1870, while spending the -season at Amagansett, on Long Island, New York. She had sent to a -druggist for some quinine, but through inadvertence he instead sent -morphine, in the taking of which she lost her life. The heroine of -_Wau-Bun_, besides wielding a graceful pen and a facile pencil, was -a woman with marked domestic virtues, and in every walk of life a -charming character. - -The first public appearance of Mrs. Kinzie as an author was in 1844, -when there appeared from the press of Ellis & Fergus, Chicago, an -octavo pamphlet of thirty-four pages, with a plate, entitled _Narrative -of the Massacre at Chicago, August 15, 1812, and of Some Preceding -Events_. This publication was anonymous; but as it bore the name of -John H. Kinzie as the holder of the copyright, most readers assumed -that he was the author. In time, it came to be known that his wife had -written the work. The footnote to the opening page of chapter xviii of -_Wau-Bun_ (page 155 of our text) says that her story of the massacre -was first published in 1836; but apparently no copies of this early -publication are now extant. Mrs. Kinzie's narrative was of course -obtained from first hands, her husband and other members of her family -having been witnesses of the tragedy; it has been accepted by the -historians of Illinois as substantially accurate, and other existing -accounts are generally based upon this. With slight variation, the -contents of the pamphlet were transferred to the pages of _Wau-Bun_, of -which they constitute chapters xviii, xix, and xx. - -_Wau-Bun_ itself first appeared in 1856 (8vo, pp. 498), from the press -of Derby & Jackson, New York. A second edition was published in 1857, -by D. B. Cooke & Co., of Chicago, the same plates being used, with -nothing changed but the title-page. Very likely it was printed by Derby -& Jackson, in New York, for the Chicago booksellers named--a familiar -device with the publishing trade. A third edition, an entire reset, in -cheap duodecimo form, without illustrations, was published in 1873 by -J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia (pp. 390). The Lippincotts had, -in 1869, the year before her death, published a novel by Mrs. Kinzie, -entitled _Walter Ogilby_, which apparently had a fair sale; and their -reprint of _Wau-Bun_, which by this time had become scarce and out -of copyright, was no doubt made to still further cultivate a market -created by the novel. Even this reprint is now rare. - -_Wau-Bun_ gives us our first, and in some respects our best, insight -into the "early day" of the old Northwest.[A] The graphic illustrations -of early scenes which the author has drawn for us are excellent of -their kind, indicating an artistic capacity certainly unusual upon -the American frontier of seventy years ago. But better than these is -the text itself. The action is sufficiently rapid, the description is -direct, and that the style is unadorned but makes the story appear to -us the more vivid. Upon her pages we seem to see and feel the life at -the frontier military stockades, to understand intimately the social -and economic relations between the savages and the government officials -set over them, to get at the heart of things within the border country -of her day. It is the relation of a cultivated eye-witness, a woman -of the world, who appreciates that what she depicts is but a passing -phase of history, and deserves preservation for the enlightenment -of posterity. Many others have, with more or less success, written -narratives within the same field; Mrs. Kinzie herself occasionally -trips upon dates and facts, and sometimes she deliberately glosses -where the antiquarian would demand recital of naked circumstance; but -take _Wau-Bun_ by large and small, and it may safely be said that to -students of the history of the Middle West, particularly of Illinois -and Wisconsin, Mrs. Kinzie has rendered a service of growing value, and -of its kind practically unique. - -[Footnote A: Similar reminiscences, almost as excellent in their -way, but more limited in scope, are: Mrs. Charlotte Ouisconsin Van -Cleve's _Three Score Years and Ten_ (Minneapolis, 1888), and Elizabeth -Thérèse Baird's articles in vols, xiv and xv, _Wisconsin Historical -Collections_.] - -It is fitting that the Caxton Club should publish a new edition of this -early Chicago classic, with the needed accessories of notes, index, and -additional illustrations. The book deserves to be better known of the -present generation, who will find in it a charming if not fascinating -narrative, giving them an abiding sense of the wonderful transformation -which seventy years have wrought in the development of the Old -Northwest. - -The present writer has selected the illustrations and furnished the -Notes, Introduction, and Index to this edition, and exercised a general -oversight of its make-up; to others, however, have been left, by the -Caxton Club, the responsibility for the proof-reading of the text. - -Mrs. Eleanor Kinzie Gordon, of Savannah, Ga., a daughter of Colonel and -Mrs. John H. Kinzie, has kindly read the proof-sheets of Introduction -and Notes, and offered several valuable suggestions, which have been -gratefully incorporated in the text. - - R. G. T. - - Madison, Wis., October, 1901. - -[Illustration] - -[** Reproduction of Original Cover - -WAU-BUN, - -THE - -"EARLY DAY" - -IN - -THE NORTH-WEST. - - -BY MRS. JOHN H. KINZIE, - -OF CHICAGO. - - -With Illustrations. - - -NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY DERBY & JACKSON, 119 NASSAU STREET. CINCINNATI: -H. W. DERBY & Co. 1856.] - - - - -PREFACE - - -Every work partaking of the nature of an autobiography, is supposed to -demand an apology to the public. To refuse such a tribute, would be -to recognize the justice of the charge, so often brought against our -countrymen--of a too great willingness to be made acquainted with the -domestic history and private affairs of their neighbors. - -It is, doubtless, to refute this calumny that we find travellers, for -the most part, modestly offering some such form of explanation as this, -to the reader: "That the matter laid before him was, in the first -place, simply letters to friends, never designed to be submitted to -other eyes, and only brought forward now at the solicitation of wiser -judges than the author himself." - -No such plea can, in the present instance, be offered. The record of -events in which the writer had herself no share, was preserved in -compliance with the suggestion of a revered relative, whose name often -appears in the following pages. "My child," she would say, "write -these things down, as I tell them to you. Hereafter our children, -and even strangers will feel interested in hearing the story of our -early lives and sufferings." And it is a matter of no small regret -and self-reproach, that much, very much, thus narrated was, through -negligence, or a spirit of procrastination, suffered to pass unrecorded. - -With regard to the pictures of domestic life and experience (preserved, -as will be seen in journals, letters, and otherwise), it is true their -publication might have been deferred until the writer had passed away -from the scene of action; and such, it was supposed, would have been -their lot--that they would only have been dragged forth hereafter, to -show to a succeeding generation, what "The Early Day," of our Western -homes had been. It never entered the anticipations of the most sanguine -that the march of improvement and prosperity would, in less than a -quarter of a century, have so obliterated the traces of "the first -beginning," that a vast and intelligent multitude would be crying out -for information in regard to the early settlement of this portion of -our country, which so few are left to furnish. - -An opinion has been expressed, that a comparison of the present times -with those that are past, would enable our young people, emigrating -from their luxurious homes at "the East," to bear, in a spirit of -patience and contentment, the slight privations and hardships they -are at this day called to meet with. If, in one instance, this should -be the case, the writer may well feel happy to have incurred even the -charge of egotism, in giving thus much of her own history. - -It may be objected that all that is strictly personal, might have been -more modestly put forth under the name of a third person; or that the -events themselves and the scenes might have been described, while those -participating in them might have been kept more in the background. In -the first case, the narrative would have lost its air of truth and -reality--in the second, the experiment would merely have been tried of -dressing up a theatre for representation, and omitting the actors. - -Some who read the following sketches, may be inclined to believe that -a residence among our native brethren and an attachment growing out of -our peculiar relation to them, have exaggerated our sympathies, and -our sense of the wrongs they have received at the hands of the whites. -This is not the place to discuss that point. There is a tribunal at -which man shall be judged, for that which he has meted out to his -fellow-man. - -May our countrymen take heed that their legislation shall never unfit -them to appear "with joy, and not with grief" before that tribunal! - -Chicago, July, 1855. - - - - -THE "EARLY DAY" OF THE NORTH-WEST - - - - -CHAPTER I - -DEPARTURE FROM DETROIT - - -It was on a dark, rainy evening in the month of September, 1830, that -we went on board the steamer "Henry Clay," to take passage for Green -Bay. All our friends in Detroit had congratulated us upon our good -fortune in being spared the voyage in one of the little schooners, -which at this time afforded the ordinary means of communication with -the few and distant settlements on Lakes Huron and Michigan. - -Each one had some experience to relate of his own or of his friends' -mischances in these precarious journeys--long detentions on the St. -Clair flats--furious head winds off Thunder Bay, or interminable calms -at Mackinac or the Manitous. That which most enhanced our sense of -peculiar good-luck was the true story of one of our relatives having -left Detroit in the month of June, and reached Chicago in the September -following, having been actually three months in performing what is -sometimes accomplished by even a sail-vessel in four days. - -But the certainty of encountering similar misadventures would have -weighed little with me. I was now to visit, nay more, to become a -resident of that land which had for long years been to me a region of -romance. Since the time when, as a child, my highest delight had been -in the letters of a dear relative, describing to me his home and mode -of life in the "Indian country," and still later, in his felicitous -narration of a tour with General Cass, in 1820, to the sources of the -Mississippi[1]--nay, even earlier, in the days when I stood at my -teacher's knee, and spelled out the long word Mich-i-li-mack-i-nac,[2] -that distant land, with its vast lakes, its boundless prairies, and its -mighty forests, had possessed a wonderful charm for my imagination. Now -I was to see it!--it was to be my home! - -Our ride to the quay, through the dark by-ways, in a cart, the only -vehicle which at that day could navigate the muddy, unpaved streets of -Detroit, was a theme for much merriment, and not less so, our descent -of the narrow, perpendicular stair-way by which we reached the little -apartment called the Ladies' Cabin. We were highly delighted with -the accommodations, which, by comparison, seemed the very climax of -comfort and convenience; more especially as the occupants of the cabin -consisted, beside myself, of but a lady and two little girls. - -Nothing could exceed the pleasantness of our trip for the first -twenty-four hours. There were some officers, old friends, among -the passengers. We had plenty of books. The gentlemen read aloud -occasionally, admired the solitary magnificence of the scenery around -us, the primeval woods, or the vast expanse of water unenlivened by a -single sail, and then betook themselves to their cigar, or their game -of euchre, to while away the hours. - -For a time the passage over Thunder Bay was delightful, but alas! -it was not destined, in our favor, to belie its name. A storm came -on, fast and furious--what was worse, it was of long duration. The -pitching and rolling of the little boat, the closeness, and even the -sea-sickness, we bore as became us. They were what we had expected, -and were prepared for. But a new feature of discomfort appeared, which -almost upset our philosophy. - -The rain, which fell in torrents, soon made its way through every seam -and pore of deck or moulding. Down the stair-way, through the joints -and crevices, it came, saturating first the carpet, then the bedding, -until, finally, we were completely driven, "by stress of weather," -into the Gentlemen's Cabin. Way was made for us very gallantly, and -every provision resorted to for our comfort, and we were congratulating -ourselves on having found a haven in our distress, when lo! the seams -above opened, and down upon our devoted heads poured such a flood, -that even umbrellas were an insufficient protection. There was nothing -left for the ladies and children but to betake ourselves to the -berths, which, in this apartment, fortunately remained dry; and here -we continued ensconced the live-long day. Our dinner was served up to -us on our pillows. The gentlemen chose the dryest spots, raised their -umbrellas, and sat under them, telling amusing anecdotes, and saying -funny things to cheer us, until the rain ceased, and at nine o'clock in -the evening we were gladdened by the intelligence that we had reached -the pier at Mackinac. - -We were received with the most affectionate cordiality by Mr. and Mrs. -Robert Stuart,[3] at whose hospitable mansion we had been for some days -expected. - -The repose and comfort of an asylum like this can be best appreciated -by those who have reached it after a tossing and drenching such as ours -had been. A bright, warm fire, and countenances beaming with kindest -interest, dispelled all sensations of fatigue or annoyance. - -After a season of pleasant conversation, the servants were assembled, -the chapter of God's word was solemnly read, the hymn chanted, the -prayer of praise and thanksgiving offered, and we were conducted to our -place of repose. - -It is not my purpose here to attempt a portrait of those noble friends -whom I thus met for the first time. To an abler pen than mine, should -be assigned the honor of writing the biography of Robert Stuart. All -who have enjoyed the happiness of his acquaintance, or still more, -a sojourn under his hospitable roof, will carry with them, to their -latest hour, the impression of his noble bearing, his genial humor, -his untiring benevolence, his upright, uncompromising adherence to -principle, his ardent philanthropy, his noble disinterestedness. Irving -in his "Astoria," and Franchère in his "Narrative," give many striking -traits of his early character, together with events of his history of a -thrilling and romantic interest, but both have left the most valuable -portion unsaid, his after-life, namely, as a Christian gentleman. - -Of his beloved partner, who still survives him, mourning on her -bereaved and solitary pilgrimage, yet cheered by the recollection of -her long and useful course as a "Mother in Israel," we will say no more -than to offer the incense of loving hearts, and prayers for the best -blessings from her Father in Heaven. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -MICHILIMACKINAC - - -Michilimackinac! that gem of the Lakes! How bright and beautiful it -looked as we walked abroad on the following morning! The rain had -passed away, but had left all things glittering in the light of the -sun as it rose up over the waters of Lake Huron, far away to the east. -Before us was the lovely bay, scarcely yet tranquil after the storm, -but dotted with canoes and the boats of the fishermen already getting -out their nets for the trout and white-fish, those treasures of the -deep. Along the beach were scattered the wigwams or lodges of the -Ottawas who had come to the island to trade. The inmates came forth to -gaze upon us. A shout of welcome was sent forth, as they recognized -_Shaw-nee-aw-kee_, who, from a seven years' residence among them, was -well known to each individual. - -A shake of the hand, and an emphatic "_Bon-Jour--bon-jour_," is the -customary salutation between the Indian and the white man. - -"Do the Indians speak French?" I inquired of my husband. "No; this is -a fashion they have learned of the French traders during many years of -intercourse." - -Not less hearty was the greeting of each Canadian _engagé_, as he -trotted forward to pay his respects to "Monsieur John," and to utter -a long string of felicitations, in a most incomprehensible _patois_. -I was forced to take for granted all the good wishes showered upon -"Madame John," of which I could comprehend nothing but the hope that I -should be happy and contented in my "_vie sauvage_." - -The object of our early walk was to visit the Mission-house and school -which had been some few years previously established at this place, -by the Presbyterian Board of Missions. It was an object of especial -interest to Mr. and Mrs. Stuart, and its flourishing condition at this -period, and the prospects of extensive future usefulness it held out, -might well gladden their philanthropic hearts. They had lived many -years on the island, and had witnessed its transformation, through -God's blessing on Christian efforts, from a worldly, dissipated -community to one of which it might almost be said, "Religion was every -man's business." This mission establishment was the beloved child and -the common centre of interest of the few Protestant families clustered -around it. Through the zeal and good management of Mr. and Mrs. Ferry, -and the fostering encouragement of the congregation, the school was in -great repute, and it was pleasant to observe the effect of mental and -religious culture in subduing the mischievous, tricky propensities of -the half-breed, and rousing the stolid apathy of the genuine Indian.[4] - -These were the palmy days of Mackinac. As the headquarters of the -American Fur Company,[5] and the entrepôt of the whole North-West, -all the trade in supplies and goods on the one hand, and in furs and -products of the Indian country on the other, was in the hands of the -parent establishment or its numerous outposts scattered along Lakes -Superior and Michigan, the Mississippi, or through still more distant -regions. - -[Illustration: MICHILIMACKINAC - -From a sketch by Capt. S. Eastman, U. S. A., in Schoolcraft's "Indian -Tribes," vol. iv., p. 188.] - -Probably few are ignorant of the fact, that all the Indian tribes, with -the exception of the Miamis and the Wyandots, had, since the transfer -of the old French possessions to the British Crown, maintained a firm -alliance with the latter. The independence achieved by the United -States did not alter the policy of the natives, nor did our Government -succeed in winning or purchasing their friendship. Great Britain, it -is true, bid high to retain them. Every year the leading men of the -Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottowattamies, Menomonees, Winnebagoes, Sauks, -and Foxes, and even still more remote tribes, journeyed from their -distant homes to Fort Maiden in Upper Canada, to receive their annual -amount of presents from their Great Father across the water. It was -a master-policy thus to keep them in pay, and had enabled those who -practised it to do fearful execution through the aid of such allies in -the last war between the two countries. - -The presents they thus received were of considerable value, consisting -of blankets, broadcloths or _strouding_, calicoes, guns, kettles, -traps, silver-works (comprising arm-bands, bracelets, brooches, -and ear-bobs), looking-glasses, combs, and various other trinkets -distributed with no niggardly hand. - -The magazines and store-houses of the Fur Company were the resort -of all the upper tribes for the sale of their commodities, and the -purchase of all such articles as they had need of, including those -above enumerated, and also ammunition, which, as well as money and -liquor, their British friends very commendably omitted to furnish them. - -Besides their furs, various in kind and often of great value--beaver, -otter, marten, mink, silver-gray and red fox, wolf, bear, and wild -cat, musk-rat, and smoked deer-skins--the Indians brought for trade -maple-sugar in abundance, considerable quantities of both Indian corn -and _petit-blé_,[B] beans and the _folles avoines_,[C] or wild-rice, -while the squaws added to their quota of merchandize a contribution -in the form of moccasins, hunting-pouches, mococks, or little boxes -of birch-bark embroidered with porcupine quills and filled with -maple-sugar, mats of a neat and durable fabric, and toy-models of -Indian cradles, snow shoes, canoes, &c., &c. - -[Footnote B: Corn which has been parboiled, shelled from the cob, and -dried in the sun.] - -[Footnote C: Literally, _crazy oats_. It is the French name for the -Menomonees.] - -It was no unusual thing, at this period, to see a hundred or more -canoes of Indians at once approaching the island, laden with their -articles of traffic; and if to these we add the squadrons of large -Mackinac boats[6] constantly arriving from the outposts, with the furs, -peltries, and buffalo-robes collected by the distant traders, some idea -may be formed of the extensive operations and important position of the -American Fur Company, as well as of the vast circle of human beings -either immediately or remotely connected with it. - -It is no wonder that the philanthropic mind, surveying these races -of uncultivated heathen, should stretch forward to the time when, by -an unwearied devotion of the white man's energies, and an untiring -sacrifice of self and fortune, his red brethren might rise in the scale -of social civilization--when Education and Christianity should go hand -in hand, to make "the wilderness blossom as the rose." - -Little did the noble souls at this day rejoicing in the success of -their labors at Mackinac, anticipate that in less than a quarter -of a century there would remain of all these numerous tribes but -a few scattered bands, squalid, degraded, with scarce a vestige -remaining of their former lofty character--their lands cajoled or -wrested from them--the graves of their fathers turned up by the -ploughshare--themselves chased farther and farther towards the setting -sun, until they were literally grudged a resting place on the face of -the earth! - -Our visit to the Mission school was of short duration, for the "Henry -Clay" was to leave at two o'clock, and in the meantime we were to see -what we could of the village and its environs, and after that, dine -with Mr. Mitchell, an old friend of my husband. As we walked leisurely -along over the white gravelly road, many of the residences of the old -inhabitants were pointed out to me. There was the dwelling of Madame -Laframboise,[7] an Ottawa woman, whose husband had taught her to read -and write, and who had ever after continued to use the knowledge she -had acquired for the instruction and improvement of the youth among -her own people. It was her custom to receive a class of young pupils -daily at her house, that she might give them lessons in the branches -mentioned, and also in the principles of the Roman Catholic religion, -to which she was deeply devoted. She was a woman of a vast deal of -energy and enterprise--of a tall and commanding figure, and most -dignified deportment. After the death of her husband, who was killed -while away at his trading-post by a Winnebago named _White Ox_, she was -accustomed to visit herself the trading-posts, superintend the clerks -and engagés, and satisfy herself that the business was carried on in a -regular and profitable manner. - -The Agency-house, with its unusual luxuries of piazza and gardens, was -situated at the foot of the hill on which the fort was built. It was a -lovely spot, notwithstanding the stunted and dwarfish appearance of all -cultivated vegetation in this cold northern latitude. - -The collection of rickety, primitive-looking buildings, occupied -by the officials of the Fur Company, reflected no great credit on -the architectural skill of my husband, who had superintended their -construction, he told me, when little more than a boy. - -There were, besides these, the residences of the Dousmans, the Abbotts, -the Biddies, the Drews, and the Lashleys,[8] stretching away along the -base of the beautiful hill, crowned with the white walls and buildings -of the fort, the ascent to which was so steep, that on the precipitous -face nearest the beach staircases were built by which to mount from -below. - -My head ached intensely, the effect of the motion of the boat on the -previous day, but I did not like to give up to it; so after I had been -shown all that could be seen of the little settlement in the short time -allowed us, we repaired to Mr. Mitchell's. - -We were received by Mrs. M., an extremely pretty, delicate woman, part -French and part Sioux, whose early life had been passed at Prairie du -Chien, on the Mississippi.[9] She had been a great belle among the -young officers at Fort Crawford; so much so, indeed, that the suicide -of the post-surgeon was attributed to an unsuccessful attachment he -had conceived for her. I was greatly struck with her soft and gentle -manners, and the musical intonation of her voice, which I soon learned -was a distinguishing peculiarity of those women in whom are united the -French and native blood. - -A lady, then upon a visit to the Mission, was of the company. She -insisted on my lying down upon the sofa, and ministered most kindly to -my suffering head. As she sat by my side, and expatiated upon the new -sphere opening before me, she inquired: - -"Do you not realize very strongly the entire deprivation of religious -privileges you will be obliged to suffer in your distant home?" - -"The deprivation," said I, "will doubtless be great, but not _entire_; -for I shall have my Prayer-Book, and though destitute of a church, we -need not be without a _mode_ of worship." - -How often afterwards, when cheered by the consolations of this precious -book in the midst of the lonely wilderness, did I remember this -conversation, and bless God that I could never, while retaining it, be -without "religious privileges." - -We had not yet left the dinner-table, when the bell of the little -steamer sounded to summon us on board, and we bade a hurried farewell -to all our kind friends, bearing with us their hearty wishes for a safe -and prosperous voyage. - -A finer sight can scarcely be imagined than Mackinac, from the water. -As we steamed away from the shore, the view came full upon us--the -sloping beach with the scattered wigwams, and canoes drawn up here -and there--the irregular, quaint-looking houses--the white walls of -the fort, and beyond one eminence still more lofty, crowned with the -remains of old Fort Holmes.[10] The whole picture completed, showed the -perfect outline that had given the island its original Indian name, -_Mich-i-li-mack-i-nack_, the Big Turtle. - -Then those pure, living waters, in whose depths the fish might be seen -gliding and darting to and fro, whose clearness is such that an object -dropped to the bottom may be discerned at the depth of fifty or sixty -feet, a dollar lying far down on its green bed, looking no larger -than a half dime. I could hardly wonder at the enthusiastic lady who -exclaimed: "Oh! I could wish to be drowned in these pure, beautiful -waters!" - -As we passed the extreme western point of the island, my husband -pointed out to me, far away to the north-west, a promontory which he -told me was Point St. Ignace. It possessed great historic interest, as -one of the earliest white settlements on this continent. The Jesuit -missionaries had established here a church and school as early as 1607, -the same year in which a white settlement was made at St. Augustine, in -Florida, and one year before the founding of Jamestown, Virginia.[11] - -All that remains of the enterprises of these devoted men, is the -remembrance of their labors, perpetuated, in most instances, only -by the names of the spots which witnessed their efforts of love -in behalf of their savage brethren. The little French church at -Sandwich, opposite Detroit, alone is left, a witness of the zeal and -self-sacrifice of these pioneers of Christianity.[12] - -Passing "Old Mackinac," on the main land, which forms the southern -border of the straits, we soon came out into the broad waters of Lake -Michigan. Every traveller, and every reader of our history, is familiar -with the incidents connected with the taking of the old fort by the -Indians, in the days of Pontiac. How, by means of a game of ball, -played in an apparently friendly spirit outside the walls, and of which -the officers and soldiers had come forth to be spectators, the ball was -dexterously tossed over the wall, and the savages rushing in, under -pretext of finding it, soon got possession and massacred the garrison. - -The little Indian village of L'Arbre Croche[13] gleamed far away south, -in the light of the setting sun. With that exception, there was no sign -of living habitation along that vast and wooded shore. The gigantic -forest-trees, and here and there the little glades of prairie opening -to the water, showed a landscape that would have gladdened the eye of -the agriculturist, with its promise of fertility; but it was evidently -untrodden by the foot of man, and we left it, in its solitude, as we -took our course westward across the waters. - -The rainy and gusty weather, so incident to the equinoctial season, -overtook us again before we reached the mouth of Green Bay, and kept -us company until the night of our arrival upon the flats, about three -miles below the settlement. Here the little steamer grounded "fast and -hard." As almost every one preferred braving the elements to remaining -cooped up in the quarters we had occupied for the past week, we decided -to trust ourselves to the little boat, spite of wind, and rain, and -darkness, and in due time we reached the shore. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -GREEN BAY - - -Our arrival at Green Bay was at an unfortunate moment. It was the time -of a treaty between the United States Government and the Menomonees -and Wau-ba-na-kees. Consequently, not only the commissioners of the -treaty, with their clerks and officials, but traders, claimants, -travellers, and idlers innumerable were upon the ground. Most of -these were congregated in the only hotel the place afforded. This -was a tolerably-sized house near the river-side, and as we entered -the long dining-room, cold and dripping from the open boat, we were -infinitely amused at the motley assemblage it contained. Various -groups were seated around. New comers, like ourselves, stood here and -there, for there were not seats enough to accommodate all who sought -entertainment. Judge Arndt, the landlord, sat calm and indifferent, -his hands in his pockets, exhibiting all the phlegm of a Pennsylvania -Dutchman.[14] - -His fat, notable spouse was trotting round, now stopping to scold -about some one who, "burn his skin!" had fallen short in his duty, -now laughing good humoredly until her sides shook, at some witticism -addressed to her. - -She welcomed us very cordially, but to our inquiry, "Can you -accommodate us?" her reply was, "Not I. I have got twice as many people -now as I know what to do with. I have had to turn my own family out of -their quarters, what with the commissioners and the lot of folks that -has come in upon us." - -[Illustration: FORT HOWARD IN 1855. - -From daguerreotype in possession of Wisconsin Historical Society.] - -"What are we to do then? It is too late and stormy to go up to -Shanty-town[15] to seek for lodgings." - -"Well, sit you down and take your supper, and we will see what we can -do." - -And she actually did contrive to find a little nook, in which we were -glad to take refuge from the multitudes around us. - -A slight board partition separated us from the apartment occupied by -General Root, of New York, one of the commissioners of the treaty. -The steamer in which we came had brought the mail, at that day a rare -blessing to the distant settlements. The opening and reading of all the -dispatches, which the General received about bed-time, had, of course, -to be gone through with, before he could retire to rest. His eyes being -weak, his secretaries were employed to read the communications. He was -a little deaf withal, and through the slight division between the two -apartments the contents of the letters, and his comments upon them, -were unpleasantly audible, as he continually admonished his secretary -to raise his voice. - -"What is that, Walter? Read that over again." - -In vain we coughed and hemmed, and knocked over sundry pieces of -furniture. They were too deeply interested to hear aught that passed -around them, and if we had been politicians we should have had all the -secrets of the _working-men's party_ at our disposal, out of which to -have made capital. - -The next morning it was still rain! rain! nothing but rain! In spite -of it, however, the gentlemen would take a small boat to row to the -steamer, to bring up the luggage, not the least important part of that -which appertained to us, being sundry boxes of silver for paying the -annuities to the Winnebagoes at the Portage. - -I went out with some others of the company upon the piazza, to witness -their departure. A gentleman pointed out to me Fort Howard, on a -projecting point of the opposite shore, about three-quarters of a mile -distant--the old barracks, the picketed inclosure, the walls, all -looking quaint, and, considering their modern erection, really ancient -and venerable.[16] Presently we turned our attention to the boat, which -had by this time gained the middle of the river. One of the passengers -was standing up in the stern, apparently giving some directions. - -"That is rather a venturesome fellow," remarked one; "if he is not -careful he will lose his balance." And at this moment we saw him -actually perform a summerset backward, and disappear in the water. - -"Oh!" cried I, "he will be drowned!" - -The gentlemen laughed. "No, there he is; they are helping him in again." - -The course of the boat was immediately changed, and the party returned -to the shore. It was not until one disembarked and came dripping and -laughing towards me, that I recognized him as my own peculiar property. -He was pleased to treat the matter as a joke, but I thought it rather a -sad beginning of western experience. - -He suffered himself to be persuaded to intrust the care of his effects -to his friends, and having changed his dress, prepared to remain -quietly with me, when just at this moment a vehicle drove up to the -door, and we recognized the pleasant, familiar face of our old friend. -Judge Doty.[17] - -He had received the news of our arrival, and had come to take us at -once to his hospitable mansion. We were only too happy to gather -together our bags and travelling baskets, and accompany him without -farther ceremony. - -Our drive took us first along the edge of Navarino, next through -Shanty-town (the latter a far more appropriate name than the former), -amid mud and mire, over bad roads, and up and down hilly, break-neck -places, until we reached the little brick dwelling of our friends. -Mrs. Doty received us with such true sisterly kindness, and everything -seemed so full of welcome, that we soon felt ourselves at home. - -We found that, expecting our arrival, invitations had already been -prepared to assemble the whole circle of Green Bay society to meet us -at an evening party--this, in a new country, being the established mode -of doing honor to guests or strangers. - -We learned, upon inquiry, that Captain Harney,[18] who had kindly -offered to come with a boat and crew of soldiers from Fort Winnebago, -to convey us to that place, our destined home, had not yet arrived; we -therefore felt at liberty to make arrangements for a few days of social -enjoyment at "the Bay." - -It was pleasant to people, secluded in such a degree from the world at -large, to hear all the news we had brought--all the particulars of life -and manners--the thousand little items that the newspapers of that day -did not dream of furnishing--the fashions, and that general gossip, in -short, which a lady is erroneously supposed more _au fait_ of, than a -gentleman. - -I well remember that, in giving and receiving information, the day -passed in a pretty uninterrupted stream of communication. All the party -except myself had made the journey, or rather voyage, up the Fox River -and down the Wisconsin to the Mississippi. - -There were plenty of anecdotes of a certain trip performed by them in -company, along with a French trader and his two sisters, now making -their début as western travellers. The manner in which Mademoiselle -Julie would borrow, without leave, a fine damask napkin or two, to wipe -out the ducks in preparation for cooking--the difficulty of persuading -either of the sisters of the propriety of washing and rinsing their -table apparatus nicely before packing it away in the mess-basket, the -consequence of which was, that another nice napkin must be stealthily -whisked out, to wipe the dishes when the hour for meals arrived--the -fun of the young gentleman in hunting up his stray articles, thus -misappropriated, from the nooks and corners of the boat, tying them -with a cord, and hanging them over the stern, to make their way down -the Wisconsin to Prairie du Chien. - -Then there was a capital story of M. Rolette[19] himself. At one point -on the route (I think in crossing Winnebago Lake), the travellers met -one of the Company's boats on its way to Green Bay for supplies. M. R. -was one of the agents of the Company, and the people in the boat were -his employés. Of course, after an absence of some weeks from home, -the meeting on these lonely waters and the exchanging of news was an -occasion of great excitement. - -The boats were stopped--earnest greetings interchanged--question -followed question. - -"_Eh! Bien_--have they finished the new house?" - -"_Oui, Monsieur._" - -"_Et la cheminée, fume-t-elle?_" (Does the chimney smoke?) - -"_Non, Monsieur._" - -"And the harvest--how is that?" - -"Very fine, indeed." - -"Is the mill at work?" - -"Yes, plenty of water." - -"How is Whip?" (his favorite horse). - -"Oh! Whip is first-rate." - -Everything, in short, about the store, the farm, the business of -various descriptions being satisfactorily gone over, there was no -occasion for farther delay. It was time to proceed. - -"_Eh! Men--adieu! hon voyage!_" - -"_Arrachez--mes gens!_" (Go ahead, men!) - -Then suddenly--"_Arrétez--arrétez!_" (Stop, stop!) - -"_Comment se portent Madame Rolette ct les enfans?_" - -(How are Mrs. Rolette and the children?) - - * * * * * - -This day, with its excitement, was at length over, and we retired to -our rest, thankful that we had not General Root and his secretary close -to our bed's head, with their budget of political news. - -My slumbers were not destined, however, to be quite undisturbed. I was -awakened, at the first slight peep of dawn by a sound from an apartment -beneath our own--a plaintive, monotonous chant, rising and then falling -in a sort of mournful cadence. It seemed to me a wail of something -unearthly--so wild--so strange--so unaccountable. In terror I awoke my -husband, who reassured me by telling me it was the morning salutation -of the Indians to the opening day. - -Some Menomonees had been kindly given shelter for the night in -the kitchen below, and having fulfilled their unvarying custom of -chanting their morning hymn, they now ceased, and again composed -themselves to sleep. But not so their auditor. There was to me -something inexpressibly beautiful in this morning song of praise -from the untaught sons of the forest. What a lesson did it preach to -the civilized, Christianized world, too many of whom lie down and -rise up without an aspiration of thanksgiving to their Almighty -Preserver--without even a remembrance of His care, who gives His angels -charge concerning them! Never has the impression of that simple act -of worship faded from my mind. I have loved to think that, with some, -these strains might be the outpouring of a devotion as pure as that of -the Christian when he utters the inspiring words of the sainted Ken-- - -"Awake, my soul! and with the sun," etc. - - * * * * * - -Among the visitors who called to offer me a welcome to the West, were -Mr. and Miss Cadle,[20] who were earnestly engaged in the first steps -of their afterwards flourishing enterprise for the education of Indian -and half-breed children. The school-houses and chapel were not yet -erected, but we visited their proposed site, and listened with great -interest to bright anticipations of the future good that was to be -accomplished--the success that was to crown their efforts for taming -the heathen, and teaching them the knowledge of their Saviour, and the -blessings of civilized life. The sequel has shown how little the zeal -of the few can accomplish, when opposed to the cupidity of the many. - - * * * * * - -Our evening party went off as parties do elsewhere. The most -interesting feature to me, because the most novel, was the conversation -of some young ladies to whom I was introduced, natives of Green Bay, -or its vicinity. Their mother was a Me-no-mo-nee, but their father was -a Frenchman, a descendant of a settler some generations back, and who, -there is reason to believe, was a branch of the same family of Grignon -to which the daughter of Madame de Sevigné belonged. At least, it is -said there are in the possession of the family many old papers and -records which would give that impression, although the orthography -of the name has become slightly changed. Be that as it may, the Miss -Grignons were strikingly dignified, well-bred young ladies, and there -was a charm about their soft voices, and original, unsophisticated -remarks, very attractive to a stranger. - -They opened to me, however, a new field of apprehension; for, on my -expressing my great impatience to see my new home, they exclaimed, with -a look of wonder: - -"_Vous n'avez done pas peur des serpens?_" - -"Snakes! Was it possible there were snakes at Fort Winnebago?" - -"At the Portage! oh! yes--one can never walk out for -them--rattle-snakes--copper-heads--all sorts!" - -I am not naturally timid, but I must confess that the idea of the -_serpens sonnettes_ and the _siffleurs_ was not quite a subject of -indifference. - -There was one among these young ladies whose tall, graceful figure, -rich, blooming complexion, and dark, glancing eye, would have -distinguished her in any drawing-room--and another, whose gentle -sweetness and cultivated taste made it a matter of universal regret -that she was afterwards led to adopt the seclusion of a convent.[21] - -Captain Harney and his boat arrived in due time, and active -preparations for the comfort of our journey commenced under the kind -supervision of Mrs. Doty. The mess-basket was stowed with good things -of every description--ham and tongue--biscuit and plum-cake--not to -mention the substantial of crackers, bread, and boiled pork, the latter -of which, however, a lady was supposed to be too fastidious to think of -touching, even if starving in the woods. - -We had engaged three Canadian voyageurs to take charge of our tent, -mess-basket, and matters and things in general. Their business it was -to be to cut the wood for our fires, prepare our meals, and give a -helping hand to whatever was going forward. A messenger had also been -sent to the Kakalin, or rapids, twenty-one miles above, to notify -_Wish-tay-yun_ (the blacksmith), the most accomplished guide through -the difficult passes of the river, to be in readiness for our service -on a specified day. - -In the meantime, we had leisure for one more party, and it was to -be a "real western hop." Everybody will remember that dance at Mrs. -Baird's.[22] All the people, young and old, that would be gathered -throughout, or, as it was the fashion to express it, _on_ Green Bay, -were assembled. The young officers were up from Fort Howard, looking -so smart in their uniforms. Treasures of finery, long uncalled -forth, were now brought to light. Everybody was bound to do honor -to the strangers by appearing in their very best. It was to be an -entertainment unequalled by any given before. All the house was put -in requisition for the occasion. Desks and seats were unceremoniously -dismissed from Mr. B.'s office, which formed one wing, to afford more -space for the dancers. Not only the front portion of the dwelling, but -even the kitchen was made fit for the reception of company, in case any -primitive visitor, as was sometimes the case, should prefer sitting -down quietly there and smoking his cigar. I do not know that this was -actually done, but it was an emergency that, in those days, had always -to be provided for. - -Nothing could exceed the mirth and hilarity of the -company. No restraint, but of good manners--no excess of -conventionalities--genuine, hearty good-humor and enjoyment, such -as pleasant, hospitable people, with just enough of the French -element to add zest to anything like amusement, could furnish, to -make the entertainment agreeable. In a country so new, and where, in -a social gathering the number of the company was, in a slight degree -more important than the quality, the circle was not always, strictly -speaking, select. For instance, the connexions of each family must -be invited, even if there was something "a little peculiar" in their -appearance, manners, or perhaps vocation, which might make their -presence not quite desirable. - -I was aware of this, and was therefore more amused than surprised when -a clumsy little man, with a broad, red, laughing face, waddled across -the room to where I had taken my seat after a dance, and thus addressed -me: - -"_Miss_ K ----, nobody hain't never introduced you to me, but I've seen -you a good many times, and I know your husband very well, so I thought -I might just as well come and speak to you--my name is A--dt." - -"Ah! Mr. A----, good evening. I hope you are enjoying yourself. How is -your sister?" - -"Oh! she is a great deal worse--her cold has got into her eye, and it -is all _shot up_." - -Then turning full upon a lady[D] who sat near, radiant with youth and -beauty, sparkling with wit and genuine humor: - -[Footnote D: A niece of James Fenimore Cooper.] - -"Oh! Mrs. Beall,"[23] he began, "what a beautiful gown you have got on, -and how handsome you do look! I declare you're the prettiest woman in -the room, and dance the handsomest." - -"Indeed, Mr. A----," replied she, suppressing her love of fun and -assuming a demure look, "I am afraid you flatter me." - -"No, I don't--I'm in earnest. I've just come to ask you to dance." - -Such was the penalty of being too charming. Poor A----, in a cotillion, -was not the least enlivening part of this evening's entertainment. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -VOYAGE UP FOX RIVER - - -It had been arranged that Judge Doty should accompany us in our boat -as far as the Butte des Morts, at which place his attendant would be -waiting with horses to convey him to Mineral Point, where he was to -hold court. - -It was a bright and beautiful morning when we left his pleasant home, -to commence our journey up the Fox River. Capt. Harney was proposing to -remain a few days longer at "the Bay," but he called to escort us to -the boat, and install us in all its comforts. - -As he helped me along over the ploughed ground and other inequalities -in our way to the river-bank, where the boat lay, he told me how -impatiently Mrs. Twiggs,[24] the wife of the commanding officer, -who, since the past spring had been the only white lady at Fort -Winnebago, was now expecting a companion and friend. We had met in -New York shortly after her marriage, and were, therefore, not quite -unacquainted. I, for my part, felt sure that when there were two of -us--when my piano was safely there--when the Post Library which we -had purchased should be unpacked--when all should be fairly arranged -and settled, we should be, although far away in the wilderness, the -happiest little circle imaginable. All my anticipations were of the -most sanguine and cheerful character. - -It was a moderate-sized Mackinac boat, with a crew of soldiers, and -our own three voyageurs in addition, that lay waiting for us--a -dark-looking structure of some thirty feet in length. Placed in the -center was a framework of slight posts, supporting a roof of canvas, -with curtains of the same, which might be let down at the sides and -ends, after the manner of a country stage-coach, or rolled up to admit -the light and air. - -In the midst of this little cabin or saloon was placed the box -containing my piano, and on it a mattress, which was to furnish us -a divan through the day and a place of repose at night, should the -weather at any time prove too wet or unpleasant for encamping. The -boxes of silver were stowed next. Our mess-basket was in a convenient -vicinity, and we had purchased a couple of large square covered baskets -of the Waubanakees, or New York Indians, to hold our various necessary -articles of outward apparel and bedding, and at the same time to answer -as very convenient little work or dinner tables. - -As a true daughter of New England, it is to be taken for granted I had -not forgotten to supply myself with knitting-work and embroidery. Books -and pencils were a matter of course. - -The greater part of our furniture, together with the various articles -for housekeeping with which we had supplied ourselves in New York and -Detroit, were to follow in another boat, under the charge of people -whose business it professed to be to take cargoes safely up the rapids, -and on to Fort Winnebago. This was an enterprise requiring some three -weeks of time and a great amount of labor, so that the owners of the -goods transported might think themselves happy to receive them at last, -in a wet, broken, and dilapidated condition. It was for this reason -that we took our choicest possessions with us, even at the risk of -being a little crowded. - -Until now I had never seen a gentleman attired in a colored shirt, -a spotless white collar and bosom being one of those "notions" that -"Boston," and consequently New England "folks," entertained of the -becoming in a gentleman's toilette. Mrs. Cass[25] had laughingly -forewarned me, that not only calico shirts, but patch-work pillow-cases -were an indispensable part of a travelling equipment; and, thanks to -the taste and skill of some tidy little Frenchwoman, I found our divan -pillows all accommodated in the brightest and most variegated garb. - -The Judge and my husband were gay with the deepest of blue and pink. -Each was prepared, besides, with a bright red cap (a _bonnet rouge_, or -_tuque_, as the voyageurs call it), which, out of respect for the lady, -was to be donned only when a hearty dinner, a dull book, or the want of -exercise made an afternoon nap indispensable. - -The Judge was an admirable travelling companion. He had lived many -years in the country, had been with General Cass on his expedition to -the head waters of the Mississippi, and had a vast fund of anecdote -regarding early times, customs, and inhabitants. - -Some instances of the mode of administering justice in those days, I -happen to recall. - -There was an old Frenchman at "the Bay," named Réaume,[26] excessively -ignorant and grasping, although otherwise tolerably good-natured. This -man was appointed justice of the peace. Two men once appeared before -him, the one as plaintiff, the other as defendant. The justice listened -patiently to the complaint of the one, and the defence of the other; -then rising, with dignity, he pronounced his decision: - -"You are both wrong. You, Bois-vert," to the plaintiff, "you bring me -one load of hay; and you, Crély," to the defendant, "you bring me one -load of wood; and now the matter is settled." It does not appear that -any exceptions were taken to this verdict. - -This anecdote led to another, the scene of which was Prairie du Chien, -on the Mississippi. - -There was a Frenchman, a justice of the peace, who was universally -known by the name of "Col. Boilvin."[27] His office was just without -the walls of the fort, and it was much the fashion among the officers -to lounge in there of a morning, to find sport for an idle hour, and -to take a glass of brandy-and-water with the old gentleman, which he -called "taking a little _quelque-chose_." - -A soldier, named Fry, had been accused of stealing and killing a calf -belonging to M. Rolette, and the constable, a bricklayer of the name of -Bell, had been dispatched to arrest the culprit and bring him to trial. - -While the gentlemen were making their customary morning visit to the -justice, a noise was heard in the entry, and a knock at the door. - -"Come in," cried the old gentleman, rising and walking toward the door. - -_Bell._ Here sir, I have brought Fry to you, as you ordered. - -_Justice._ Fry, you great rascal! What for you kill M. Rolette's calf? - -_Fry._ I did not kill M. Rolette's calf. - -_Justice_ (shaking his fist). You lie, you great rascal! Bell, take him -to jail. Come gentlemen, come, _let us take a leetle quelque-chose_. - -The Canadian boatmen always sing while rowing, or paddling, and nothing -encourages them so much as to hear the "bourgeois"[E] take the lead in -the music. If the passengers, more especially those of the fair sex, -join in the refrain, the compliment is all the greater. - -[Footnote E: Master--or to use the emphatic Yankee term--_boss_.] - -Their songs are of a light cheerful character, generally embodying some -little satire or witticism, calculated to produce a spirited, sometimes -an uproarious chorus.[28] - -The song and refrain are carried on somewhat in the following style: - - Bourgeois. Par derriere chéz ma tante, Par derriere chéz ma tante, - Chorus. Par derriere chéz ma tante, Par derriere chéz ma tante. - - Bourgeois. Il-y-a un coq qui chante, Des pommes, des poires, des - raves, des choux, Des figues nouvelles, des raisins doux. Chorus. Des - pommes, des poires, des raves, des choux, Des figues nouvelles, des - raisins doux. - - Bourgeois. Il-y-a un coq qui chante, Il-y-a un coq qui chante. - Chorus. Il-y-a un coq qui chante, &c. - - Bourgeois. Demande une femme à prendre Des pommes, des poires, des - raves, des choux, &c. Chorus. Des pommes, des poires, &c. - - Bourgeois. Demande une femme à prendre, Demande une femme à, &c. - -And thus it continues until the advice is given successively. - - Ne prenez pas une noire. Car elles aiment trop à boire, Ne prenez pas - une rousse. Car elles sont trop jalouses. - -And by the time all the different qualifications are rehearsed and -objected to, lengthened out by the interminable repetition of the -chorus, the shout of the bourgeois is heard-- - -"Whoop la! à terre, à terre--pour la pipe!" - -It is an invariable custom for the voyageurs to stop every five or six -miles to rest and smoke, so that it was formerly the way of measuring -distances--"so many pipes," instead of "so many miles." - -The Canadian melodies are sometimes very beautiful, and a more -exhilarating mode of travel can hardly be imagined than a voyage -over these waters, amid all the wild magnificence of nature, with -the measured strokes of the oar keeping time to the strains of "_Le -Rosier Blanc_," "_En roulant ma Boule_," or "_Leve ton pied, ma jolie -Bergere_." - -The climax of fun seemed to be in a comic piece, which, however -oft-repeated, appeared never to grow stale. It was somewhat after this -fashion: - - Bourgeois. Michaud est monté dans un prunier, Pour treiller des - prunes. La branche a cassé-- Chorus. Michaud a tombé? Bourgeois. Ou - est-ce qu-il est? Chorus. Il est en bas. Bourgeois. Oh! réveille, - réveille, réveille, Oh! réveille, Michaud est en haut![F] - -[Footnote F: Michaud climbed into a plum-tree, to gather plums. The -branch broke. _Michaud fell!_ Where is he? _He is down on the ground._ -No, he is up in the tree.] - -It was always a point of etiquette to look astonished at the luck -of Michaud in remaining in the tree, spite of the breaking of the -branch, and the joke had to be repeated through all the varieties of -fruit-trees that Michaud might be supposed able to climb. - -By evening of the first day we arrived at _the Kakalin_, where another -branch of the Grignon family resided.[29] We were very pleasantly -entertained, although in my anxiety to begin my forest life, I would -fain have had the tent pitched on the bank of the river, and have -laid aside, at once, the indulgences of civilization. This, however, -would have been a slight, perhaps an affront, so Ave did much better, -and partook of the good cheer that was offered us in the shape of hot -venison steaks and crepes, and that excellent cup of coffee which none -can prepare like a Frenchwoman, and which is so refreshing after a day -in the open air. - -The Kakalin is a rapid of the Fox River, sufficiently important to make -the portage of the heavy lading of a boat necessary; the boat itself -being poled or dragged up with cords against the current. It is one of -a series of rapids and _chûtes_, or falls, which occur between this -point and Lake Winnebago, twenty miles above.[30] - -The next morning, after breakfast, we took leave of our hosts, and -prepared to pursue our journey. The bourgeois, from an early hour, -had been occupied in superintending his men in getting the boat and -its loading over the Kakalin. As the late rains had made the paths -through the woods and along the banks of the river somewhat muddy and -uncomfortable for walking, I was put into an ox-cart, to be jolted over -the unequal road; saluting, impartially, all the stumps and stones that -lay in our way, the only means of avoiding which seemed to be, when -the little, thick-headed Frenchman, our conductor, bethought him of -suddenly guiding his cattle into a projecting tree or thorn-bush, to -the great detriment, not only of my straw-bonnet, but of my very eyes. - -But we got through at last, and arriving at the head of the rapids, I -found the boat lying there, all in readiness for our re-embarking. - -Our Monomonee guide, _Wish-tay-yun_, a fine, stalwart Indian, with an -open, good-humored, one might almost say _roguish_ countenance, came -forward to be presented to me. - -"_Bon-jour, bon-jour, maman_," was his laughing salutation. Again I -was surprised, not as before at the French, for to that I had become -accustomed, but at the respectable title he was pleased to bestow upon -me. - -"Yes," said my husband, "you must make up your mind to receive a very -numerous and well-grown family, consisting of all the Winnebagoes, -Pottowattamies, Chippewas, and Ottawas, together with such Sioux, Sacs, -and Foxes, and Iowas, as have any point to gain in applying to me. By -the first named tribe, in virtue of my office, and by the others as -a matter of courtesy, I am always addressed as '_father_'--you, of -course, will be their '_mother_.'" - -Wish-tay-yun and I were soon good friends, my husband interpreting to -me the Chippewa language in which he spoke. We were impatient to be -off, the morning being already far advanced, and all things being in -readiness, the word was given. - -"_Pousse au large, mes gens!_" (Push out, my men). - -At this moment a boat was seen leaving the opposite bank of the river -and making towards us. It contained white men, and they showed by -signs that they wished to detain us until they came up. They drew -near, and we found them to be Mr. Marsh,[31] a missionary among the -Wau-ba-na-kees, or the New York Indians, lately brought into this -country, and the Rev. Eleazar Williams,[G] who was at that time living -among his red brethren on the left bank of the Fox River.[32] - -[Footnote G: The supposed Dauphin of France.] - -To persons so situated, even more emphatically than to those of "the -settlements," the arrival of visitors from the "east countrie" was -a godsend indeed. We had to give all the news of various kinds that -we had brought--political, ecclesiastical, and social--as well as a -tolerably detailed account of what we proposed to do, or rather what we -hoped to be able to do, among our native children at "the Portage." - -I was obliged, for my part, to confess that, being almost entirely a -stranger to the Indian character and habits, I was going among them -with no settled plans of any kind--general good-will, and a hope of -making them my friends, being the only principles I could lay claim to -at present. I must leave it for time and a better acquaintance to show -me in what way the principle could be carried out for their greatest -good. - -Mr. Williams was a dark-complexioned, good-looking man. Having always -heard him spoken of, by his relations in Connecticut, as "our Indian -cousin," it never occurred to me to doubt his belonging to that race, -although I now think that if I had met him elsewhere, I should have -taken him for a Spaniard or a Mexican. His complexion had decidedly -more of the olive than the copper hue, and his countenance was grave, -almost melancholy. He was very silent during this interview, asking -few questions, and offering no observations except in reply to some -question addressed to him. - -It was a hard pull for the men up the rapids. Wish-tay-yun, whose -clear, sonorous voice was the bugle of the party, shouted and -whooped--each one answered with a chorus, and a still more vigorous -effort. By-and-by the boat would become firmly set between two huge -stones-- - -"Whoop la! whoop! whoop!" - -Another pull, and another, straining every nerve--in vain. - -"She will not budge!" - -"Men, overboard!" and instantly every rower is over the side and into -the water. - -By pulling, pushing, and tugging, the boat is at length released from -her position, and the men walk along beside her, helping and guiding -her, until they reach a space of comparatively smooth water, when they -again take their seats and their oars. - -It will be readily imagined that there were few songs this day, but -very frequent _pipes_, to refresh the poor fellows after such an -arduous service. - -It was altogether a new spectacle to me. In fact, I had hardly ever -before been called upon to witness severe bodily exertion, and my -sympathies and sensibilities were, for this reason, the more enlisted -on the occasion. It seemed a sufficient hardship to have to labor in -this violent manner; but to walk in cold water up to their waists, and -then to sit down in their soaking garments without going near a fire! -Poor men! this was too much to be borne! What then was my consternation -to see my husband, who, shortly after our noon-tide meal, had surprised -me by making his appearance in a pair of duck trowsers and light -jacket, at the first cry of "fast, again!" spring over into the water -with the men, and "bear a hand" throughout the remainder of the day. - -When he returned on board, it was to take the oar of a poor, -delicate-looking boy, one of the company of soldiers, who from the -first had suffered with bleeding at the nose on every unusual exertion. -I was not surprised, on inquiring, to find that this lad was a recruit -just entered the service. He passed by the name of Gridley, but that -was undoubtedly an assumed name. He had the appearance of having -been delicately nurtured, and had probably enlisted without at all -appreciating the hardships and discomforts of a soldier's life. This -is evident from the dissatisfaction he always continued to feel, until -at length he deserted from his post. This was some months subsequent -to the time of which I am writing. He was once retaken, and kept for -a time in confinement, but immediately on his release deserted again, -and his remains were found the following spring, not many miles from -the fort. He had died either of cold or starvation. This is a sad -interlude--we will return to our boating. - -With all our tugging and toiling we had accomplished but thirteen miles -since leaving the Kakalin, and it was already late when we arrived in -view of the "Grande Chûte," near which we were to encamp. - -We had passed the "Little Chûte" (the post where the town of Appleton -now stands) without any farther observation than that it required a -vast deal of extra exertion to buffet with the rushing stream, and come -off, as we did, victorious. - -The brilliant light of the setting sun was resting on the high wooded -banks through which broke the beautiful, foaming, dashing waters of the -Chûte. The boat was speedily turned toward a little headland projecting -from the right bank, which had the advantage of a long strip of level -ground, sufficiently spacious to afford a good encamping ground. I -jumped ashore before the boat was fairly pulled up by the men, and with -the Judge's help made my way as rapidly as possibly to a point lower -down the river, from which, he said, the best view of the Chûte could -be obtained. I was anxious to make a sketch before the daylight quite -faded away. - -The left bank of the river was to the west, and over a portion less -elevated than the rest the sun's parting rays fell upon the boat, the -men with their red caps and belts, and the two tents already pitched. -The smoke now beginning to ascend from the evening fires, the high -wooded bank beyond, up which the steep portage path could just be -discerned, and more remote still, the long stretch of waterfall now -darkening in the shadow of the overhanging forests, formed a lovely -landscape, to which the pencil of an artist could alone do justice. - -This was my first encampment, and I was quite enchanted with the -novelty of everything about me. - -The fires had been made of small saplings and underbrush, hastily -collected, the mildness of the weather rendering anything beyond what -sufficed for the purposes of cooking and drying the men's clothes, -superfluous. The soldiers' tent was pitched at some distance from our -own, but not too far for us to hear distinctly their laughter and -apparent enjoyment, after the fatigues of the day. - -Under the careful superintendence of Corporal Kilgour, however, their -hilarity never passed the bounds of respectful propriety, and, by the -time we had eaten our suppers, cooked in the open air with the simple -apparatus of a teakettle and frying-pan, we were, one and all, ready to -retire to our rest. - -The first sound that saluted our ears in the early dawn of the -following morning, was the far-reaching call of the bourgeois: - -"How! how! how!" uttered at the very top of his voice. - -All start at that summons, and the men are soon turning out of their -tents, or rousing from their slumbers beside the fire, and preparing -for the duties of the day. - -The fire is replenished, the kettles set on to boil, the mess-baskets -opened, and a portion of their contents brought forth to be made -ready for breakfast. One Frenchman spreads our mat within the tent, -whence the bedding has all been carefully removed and packed up for -stowing in the boat. The tin cups and plates are placed around on the -new-fashioned table-cloth. The heavy dews make it a little too damp -for us to breakfast in the open air, otherwise our preparations would -be made outside, upon the green grass. In an incredibly short time -our smoking coffee and broiled ham are placed before us, to which are -added, from time to time, slices of toast brought hot and fresh from -the glowing coals. - -There is, after all, no breakfast like a breakfast in the woods, with a -well-trained Frenchman for master of ceremonies. - -It was a hard day's work to which the men now applied themselves, that -of dragging the heavy boat up the Chûte. It had been thought safest -to leave the piano in its place on board, but the rest of the lading -had to be carried up the steep bank, and along its summit, a distance -of some hundreds of rods, to the smooth water beyond, where all the -difficulties of our navigation terminated. - -The Judge kindly took charge of me, while "the bourgeois" superintended -this important business, and with reading, sketching, and strolling -about, the morning glided away. Twelve o'clock came, and still the -preparations for starting were not yet completed. - -In my rambles about to seek out some of the finest of the wild flowers -for a bouquet, before my husband's return, I came upon the camp fire -of the soldiers. A tall, red-faced, light-haired young man in fatigue -dress was attending a kettle of soup, the savoury steams of which were -very attractive. - -Seeing that I was observing his occupation, he politely laded out a tin -cup full of the liquid and offered it to me. - -I declined it, saying we should have our dinner immediately. - -"They left me here to get their dinner," said he, apparently not -displeased to have some one to talk to; "and I thought I might as well -make some soup. Down on the German Flats, where I come from, they -always like soup." - -"Ah! you are from the German Flats--then your name must be Bellinger or -Weber." - -"No it isn't--it's Christman." - -"Well, Christman, how do you like the service?" - -"Very well. I was only recruited last summer. I used to ride horse on -_the Canawl_, and as I can blow a horn first-rate, I expect I will soon -be able to play on a bugle, and then, when I get to be musician, you -know, I shall have extra pay." - -I did not know it, but I expressed due pleasure at the information, and -wishing Christman all manner of success in his dreams of ambition, or -rather I should say, of avarice, for the hopes of "extra pay" evidently -preponderated over those of fame, I returned to my own quarters. - -My husband, with his French tastes, was inclined to be somewhat -disappointed when I told him of this little incident, and my refusal -of Christman's soup; but we were soon gratified by seeing his tall, -awkward form bearing a kettle of the composition, which he set down -before the two gentlemen, by whom, to his infinite satisfaction, it was -pronounced excellent. - -Every thing being at length in readiness, the tents were struck and -carried around the Portage, and my husband, the Judge, and I followed -at our leisure. - -The woods were brilliant with wild flowers, although it was so late in -the season that the glory of the summer was well nigh past. But the -lupin, the moss-pink, and the yellow wallflower, with all the varieties -of the helianthus, the aster, and the solidago, spread their gay charms -around. The gentlemen gathered clusters of the bitter-sweet (celastrus -scandens) from the overhanging boughs to make a wreath for my hat, as -we trod the tangled pathway, which, like that of Christabelle, was - - "Now in glimmer and now in gloom," - -through the alternations of open glade and shady thicket. Soon, like -the same lovely heroine, - - "We reached the place--right glad we were," - -and without further delay, we were again on board our little boat and -skimming over the now placid waters. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -WINNEBAGO LAKE--MISS FOUR-LEGS - - -Our encampment this night was the most charming that can be imagined. -Owing to the heavy service the men had gone through, in the earlier -part of the day, we took but a short stage for the afternoon, and -having pulled some seven or eight miles to a spot a short distance -below the "little Butte,"[33] we drew in at a beautiful opening among -the trees. - -The soldiers now made a regular business of encamping by cutting down -a large tree for their fire, and applying themselves to the preparing -of a sufficient quantity of food for their next day's journey, a -long stretch, namely, of twenty-one miles across Winnebago Lake. Our -Frenchmen did the same. The fire caught in the light dry grass by which -we were surrounded, and soon all was blaze and crackle. - -Fortunately the wind was sufficient to take the flames all in one -direction, and besides, there was not enough fuel to have made them a -subject of any alarm. We hopped upon the fallen logs, and dignified the -little circumscribed affair with the name of "a prairie on fire." The -most serious inconvenience was its having consumed all the dry grass, -some armfuls of which, spread under the bearskin in my tent, I had -found, the night before, a great improvement to my place of repose. - -Our supper was truly delightful, at the pleasant sunset hour, under -the tall trees beside the waters that ran murmuring by; and when the -bright, broad moon arose, and shed her flood of light over the scene, -so wild yet so beautiful in its vast solitude, I felt that I might well -be an object of envy to the friends I had left behind. - -But all things have an end, and so must at last my enthusiasm for the -beauties around me, and, albeit unwillingly, I closed my tent, and -took my place within, so near the fall of canvas that I might raise it -occasionally and peep forth upon the night. - -In time all was quiet. The men had become silent, and appeared to have -retired to rest, and we were just sinking to our slumbers, when a heavy -tread and presently a bluff voice were heard outside. - -"Mr. Kinzie--Mr. Kinzie!" - -"Who is there? What is it?" - -"I'm Christman; didn't you mean, sir, that the men should have any -liquor to-night?" - -"Of course I did. Has not Kilgour given out your rations?" - -"No! he says you did not say anything particular about it, and he was -not coming to ask you if you forgot it; but I thought I wouldn't be -bashful--I'd just come and ask." - -"That is right. Tell Kilgour I should like to have him serve out a -ration apiece." - -"Thank you, sir," in a most cheerful tone; "I'll tell him." - -Christman was getting to be quite a character with us. - -A row of a few miles, on the following morning, brought us to -Four-Legs' village,[H] at the entrance to Winnebago Lake, a picturesque -cluster of Indian huts, spread around on a pretty green glade, and -shaded by fine lofty trees. - -[Footnote H: The site of the town of Nee-nah.] - -We were now fairly in the Winnebago country, and I soon learned that -the odd-sounding name of the place was derived from the principal chief -of the nation, whose residence it was. The inhabitants were absent, -having, in all probability, departed to their wintering grounds. We -here took leave of our friend Wish-tay-yun, at the borders of whose -country we had now arrived. - -"_Bon-jour, Chon!_" (John) "_Bon-jour, maman._" A hearty shake of the -hand completed his adieu, as we pushed off into the lake, and left him -smoking his kin-nee-kin-nick,[I] and waiting until the spirit should -move him to take up his long _Indian trot_ towards his home in the -Menomonee country. - -[Footnote I: The bark of the red willow, scraped fine, which is -preferred by the Indians to tobacco.] - -With him our sunshine seemed to have departed. The skies, hitherto so -bright and serene, became overcast, and instead of the charming voyage -we had anticipated over the silver waters of the lake, we were obliged -to keep ourselves housed under our canvas shelter, only peeping out now -and then, to catch a glimpse of the surrounding prospect through the -pouring rain. - -It was what might have been expected on an autumnal day, but we were -unreasonable enough to find it tedious; so, to beguile the time and -lessen my disappointment, my husband related to me some incidents of -his early history, apropos to the subject of "Four-Legs." - -While he was living at Prairie du Chien, in the employ of the American -Fur Company, the chiefs and other Indians, from the Upper Mississippi, -used frequently to come to the place to sell their furs and peltries, -and to purchase merchandise, ammunition, trinkets, &c. - -[Illustration: FOUR-LEG'S VILLAGE - -Entrance to Winnebago Lake (the present town of Neenah). From a sketch -by Mrs. Kinzie, in original Edition.] - -As is usual with all who are not yet acclimated, he was seized with -chills and fever. One day, while suffering with an unusually severe -access of the latter, a chief of the Four-Legs family, a brother to -the one before-mentioned, came in to the Company's warehouse to trade. -There is no ceremony or restraint among the Indians, so hearing that -Shaw-nee-aw-kee was sick, Four-Legs instantly made his way to him, to -offer his sympathy and prescribe the proper remedies. - -Every one who has suffered from ague and the intense fever that -succeeds it, knows how insupportable is the protracted conversation -of an inconsiderate person, and will readily believe that the longer -Four-Legs continued his pratings the higher mounted the fever of the -patient, and the more intolerable became the pain of head, back, and -limbs. - -At length the old man arrived at the climax of what he had to say. "It -was not good for a young man, suffering with sickness, and away from -his family, to be without a home and a wife. He had a nice daughter at -home, handsome and healthy, a capital nurse, the best hand in all the -tribe at trapping beaver and musk-rats. He was coming down again in the -spring, and he would bring her with him, and Shaw-nee-aw-kee should see -that he had told no falsehood about her. Should he go now, and bring -his daughter the next time he came?" - -Stunned with his importunate babble, and anxious only for rest and -quiet, poor Shaw-nee-aw-kee eagerly assented, and the chief took his -departure. - -So nearly had his disorder been aggravated to delirium, that the young -man forgot entirely, for a time, the interview and the proposal which -had been made him. But it was recalled to his memory some months -after, when Four-Legs made his appearance, bringing with him a squaw -of mature age, and a very Hecate for ugliness. She carried on her -shoulders an immense pack of furs, which, approaching with her awkward -_criss-cross_ gait, she threw at his feet, thus marking, by an Indian -custom, her sense of the relation that existed between them. - -The conversation with her father now flashed across his mind, and he -began to be sensible that he had got into a position that it would -require some skill to extricate himself from. - -He bade one of the young clerks take up the pack and carry it into the -magazine where the furs were stored, then he coolly went on talking -with the chief about indifferent matters. - -_Miss Four-Legs_ sat awhile with a sulky, discontented air, at length -she broke out, - -"Humph! he seems to take no more notice of me than if I was nobody!" - -He again turned to the clerk--"Give her a calico shirt and half a dozen -bread tickets." - -This did not dissipate the gloom on her countenance. Finding that he -must commence the subject, the father says, - -"Well, I have brought you my daughter, according to our agreement. How -do you like her?" - -"Ah! yes, she is a very nice young woman, and would make a first-rate -wife, I have no doubt. But do you know a very strange thing has -happened since you were here? Our father, Governor Cass,[J] has sent -for me to come to Detroit; that he may send me among the Wyandots and -other nations to learn their customs and manners. Now, if I go, as I -shall be obliged to do, I shall be absent two or three years--perhaps -four. What then? Why, the people will say, Shaw-nee-aw-kee has married -Four-Legs' daughter, and then has hated her and run away from her, and -so everybody will laugh at her, and she will be ashamed. It will be -better to take some good, valuable presents, blankets, guns, &c., and -to marry her to one of her own people, who will always stay by her and -take care of her." - -[Footnote J: General Cass was then Governor of Michigan, and -Superintendent of the North-western Indians.] - -The old man was shrewd enough to see that it was wisest to make the -best bargain he could. I have no doubt it cost a round sum to settle -the matter to the satisfaction of the injured damsel, though I have -never been able to ascertain how much. This, I know, that the young -gentleman took care not to make his next bargain while in a fit of the -ague. The lady up on the Mississippi is called, in derision, by his -name to this day. - -About midway of the lake we passed Garlic Island[34]--a lovely spot, -deserving of a more attractive name. It belonged, together with -the village on the opposite shore, to "Wild Cat," a fat, jolly, -good-natured fellow, by no means the formidable animal his name would -imply. - -He and his band were absent, like their neighbors of Four-Legs village, -so there was nothing to vary the monotony of our sail. It was too wet -to sing, and the men, although wrapped in their overcoats, looked like -drowned chickens. They were obliged to ply their oars with unusual -vigor to keep themselves warm and comfortable, and thus probably felt -less than we, the dullness and listlessness of the cold, rainy, October -day. - -Towards evening the sun shone forth. We had passed into the Fox River, -and were just entering that beautiful little expanse known as Butte des -Morts Lake, at the further extremity of which we were to encamp for the -night. - -The water along its shores was green with the fields of wild rice, the -gathering of which, just at this season, is an important occupation of -the Indian women. They push their canoes into the thick masses of the -rice, bend it forward over the side with their paddles, and then beat -the ripe husks off the stalks into a cloth spread in the canoe. After -this, it is rubbed to separate the grain from the husk, and fanned in -the open air. It is then put in their cordage bags and packed away for -winter use. The grain is longer and more slender than the Carolina -rice--it is of a greenish, olive color, and, although it forms a -pleasant article of food, it is far from being particularly nutritive. -The Indians are fond of it in the form of soup, with the addition of -birds or venison.[35] - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -BREAKFAST AT BETTY MORE'S - - -The earth, the trees, and the shrubbery were all too much filled with -the heavy rain which had fallen to allow us to think of encamping, so -we made arrangements to bestow ourselves in our little saloon for the -night. It was rather a difficult matter to light a fire, but among the -underbrush, in a wild, undisturbed spot there will always be found some -fragments of dried branches, and tufts of grass which the rain has not -reached, and by the assistance of the spunk, or light-wood, with which -travellers always go well provided, a comforting fire was at length -blazing brightly. - -After our chilling, tedious day, it was pleasant to gather round it, to -sit on the end of the blazing logs, and watch the Frenchmen preparing -our supper--the kettle, nestling in a little nook of bright glowing -coals--the slices of ham browning and crisping on the forked sticks, -or "broches," which the voyageurs dexterously cut, and set around the -burning brands--the savory messes of "pork and onions" hissing in the -frying pan, always a tempting regale to the hungry Frenchmen. Truly, it -needs a wet chilly journey, taken nearly fasting, as ours had been, to -enable one to enjoy to its full extent that social meal--a supper. - -The bright sun, setting amid brilliant masses of clouds, such as are -seen only in our western skies, gave promise of a fine day on the -morrow, with which comforting assurance we were glad to take our leave -of him, and soon after of each other. - -We had hardly roused up the following morning, in obedience to the -call of the bourgeois, when our eyes were greeted with the sight of an -addition to our company--a tall stalwart, fine-looking, young "mitiff," -or half-breed, accompanied by two or three Indians. Vociferous and -joyous were the salutations of the latter to their "father" and their -new "mother." They were the first Winnebagoes I had seen, and they -were decidedly not the finest specimens of their tribe. The mitiff, a -scion of the wide-spreading tree of the Grignons, was the bearer of an -invitation to us from Judge Law,[36] who, with one or two Green Bay -friends, was encamped a few miles above, to come and breakfast with him -in his tent. We had not dreamed of finding white neighbors here, but -our vicinity could be no secret to them, as long as there was an Indian -in the neighborhood. So, delaying only for the soldiers to finish their -breakfast, we pushed on for the "Butte des Morts," or, as old Mrs. -Arndt always persisted in calling it, _Betty More's_. - -The white tent of the Judge gleamed in the morning sun as we approached -the little rising ground on which it stood. The river was filled with -canoes paddled principally by squaws. Many Indians were to be seen -on the banks, all with their guns and hunting accoutrements, for the -air was filled in every direction with flocks of teal, which at this -season are most abundant and delicious. The immense fields of wild -rice abounding here and in the little lake below, make this vicinity -their favorite place of resort in the autumn months. The effect of this -nourishing food is, to make the flesh of the birds so fat, so white, -and so tender, that a caution is always given to a young sportsman to -fire only at such as fly very low, for if shot high in the air they are -bruised to pieces, and rendered unfit for eating by their fall to the -ground. - -We were hemmed in by a little fleet of canoes which surrounded us, the -women chattering, laughing, and eagerly putting forward their little -wooden bowls of fresh cranberries as an offering of welcome to me. - -I amused myself with tossing crackers to them, some of which would -reach them, others would fall into the water, and then such a -scrambling and shouting! Hands and paddles were in requisition, and -loud was the triumph of her who was successful in reaching a floating -one. - -Among the Indians with whom Shaw-nee-aw-kee was now engaged in shaking -hands, and who all seemed old friends, were some fine, straight, -well-formed figures, all of them exhibiting frames capable of enduring -fatigue and the hardships of their mode of life. One was describing -with much gesticulation the abundance of the game in the neighborhood, -and he seemed greatly delighted at receiving a quantity of ammunition, -with which he instantly departed to make good his boasts in the matter. - -After walking a short distance we reached the tent, where I was -introduced to Judge Law and a pleasant little gray-haired French -gentleman of the name of Porlier.[37] Several voyageurs and half-breeds -were near, the former busily at work, the latter lounging for the -most part, and going through with what they had to do with a sort of -listless indifference. - -The contrast between the "all-alive" air of the one class and the -apathetic manner of the other, was quite striking. - -After a short conversation among the members of the party, breakfast -was announced, and we entered the tent and took our seats on the -ground around the Indian mat, which supplied the place of a table. - -The post of honor, namely, the _head_ of the table, was of course given -to me, so that I could not only look around upon the circle of the -company, but also enjoy a fine view out of the open door of the tent, -and take an observation of all that was going on at the _side-table_ -outside. Judge Doty sat opposite me, with his back to the opening -of the tent, and the other gentlemen on either hand. We had for our -waiter the tall "mitiff" who had been the messenger of the morning. He -was still in the same garb--calico shirt, bright colored scarf around -his waist, and on his head a straw hat encircled with a band of black -ostrich feathers, the usual dress of his class. - -The tin cups which were to hold our coffee were duly set around, -then breakfast plates of the same metal, with knives and forks, then -followed the viands, among the most conspicuous of which was a large -tin pan of boiled ducks. - -The Judge, wishing to show, probably, that although we were in the vast -wilderness, all fastidious nicety had not been left behind, took up -the plate which had been set before him, and seeing something adhering -to it which did not exactly please him, handed it over his shoulder -to Grignon, requesting him to wipe it carefully. Grignon complied by -pulling a black silk barcelona handkerchief out of his bosom, where it -had been snugly tucked away to answer any occasion that might present -itself, and giving the tin a furious polishing, handed it back again. -The Judge looked at it with a smile of approbation, and giving a glance -round the table as much as to say, "You see how I choose to have things -done," applied himself to his breakfast. - -The trail for Fort Winnebago then led from the shore opposite Butte des -Morts, through _Ma-zhee-gaw-gaw_ swamp, and past Green Lake, and it -was well for the Judge that his horses stood waiting for him to "mount -and away" as early as possible after breakfast, or I am afraid the -story I should have been tempted to tell, would have made his ride an -uncomfortable one throughout the day. - -We had hardly finished breakfast when our hunter, who had received the -ammunition, returned, bringing with him about fifty fine ducks, which -he had shot in little more than an hour. From that time until the close -of our journey, our supply of these delicate birds was never wanting. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -BUTTE DES MORTS--LAKE PUCKAWAY - - -The Butte des Morts, or Hillock of the Dead, was the scene long -since[K] of a most sanguinary battle between the French and the -Mis-qua-kees, or Foxes. So great was the carnage in this engagement, -that the memory of it has been perpetuated by the gloomy appellation -given to the mound where the dead were buried. The Foxes up to this -time had inhabited the shores of the river to which they had given -their name, but being completely overwhelmed and beaten in this -conflict, they retired to the neighborhood of the Mississippi, and -sought an asylum among their allies, the Saukies, or as they are now -called, the Sauks, with whom they became gradually incorporated, until -the combined tribes came to be known, as at present, by the name of -"Sauks and Foxes."[38] - -[Footnote K: In the year 1714.] - -Among the French inhabitants of the upper country, each tribe of -Indians has a particular appellation, descriptive of some peculiarity -of either their habits or their personal appearance. Thus the Chippewas -from their agility are denominated "Sauteurs" or Jumpers; the Ottawas, -the "Courtes-oreilles" or Short-ears. The Menomonees, from the wild -rice so abundant in their country, are called the "Folles Avoines"--the -Winnebagoes, from their custom of wearing the fur of a pole-cat on -their legs when equipped for war, are termed "les Puans"'[39]--the -Pottowattamies, from their uncleanly habits, "les Poux"--the Foxes, -are "les Renards," &c., &c. - -Hence you will never hear a French or half-breed resident of the -country mention an Indian in any other style. "Such a person is a -'Court-oreille.'" "Is that woman a 'Winnebago?'" "No, she is a 'Folle -Avoine.'" In this manner a stranger is somewhat puzzled at first to -classify the acquaintances he forms. - -All the native friends with whom we were here surrounded were -"les Puans," or to use their own euphonious application, the -"_Ho-tshung-rahs_." - -Having with great regret said adieu to our friend Judge Doty, whose -society had contributed so much to the pleasure of our trip, and whose -example, moreover, had given us a valuable lesson to take things as we -find them, we bade good-bye at an early hour after breakfast to our -kind hosts, and set forward on our journey. - -From Butte des Morts to the Portage, the distance by land is about -seventy miles; by water, it is not less than a hundred and thirty, so -serpentine is the course of the river through the low swampy prairies -which stretch over a great portion of this part of the country. - -About six miles above the Butte, a tolerably broad stream called Wolf -River joins the Fox, and as it is much the more direct and promising -of the two, strangers have sometimes mistaken it for the main stream, -and journeyed up it a considerable distance before discovering to their -great chagrin that they must retrace their steps. - -Beyond this place, the river begins to play its pranks with the -compass. As I was always looking out for pretty scenery to sketch, -I was at one spot much attracted by a picturesque group on a bank -quite close to the stream. There were broad overhanging trees, and -two or three wigwams nestled under their shade. Bright-looking -little children, quite unencumbered with clothing, were sporting -about, and their two mothers were sitting on the ground, engaged in -the manufacture of a mat for their lodge. It was a pretty scene, and -I commenced a sketch. As usual, the whole party on the bank set up -a shout when they recognized Shaw-nee-aw-kee--"Ee-awn-chee-wee-rah, -Hee-nee-kar-ray-kay-noo,"[L] It was an occasion on which they became -demonstrative. After a little time we proceeded, and I went on to -complete my drawing. The sun kept coming more and more into the wrong -place. He had been just behind me, presently he was on my left hand, -now he was straight ahead. I moved from time to time; at length the sun -was decidedly on my right hand. What could be the matter? I looked up. -"Oh, here is a pretty scene, I must have this too! But how surprisingly -like the one I have just finished, only in a different direction." -Again we were greeted with shouts and laughter; it was the same spot -which we had passed not an hour before, and having taken a circuit of -nearly four miles, we had returned to find that we had made an actual -progress of only the width of the bank on which the trees and wigwams -stood. Decidedly not very encouraging to an impatient traveller. - -[Footnote L: Father! How do you do?] - -We reached Lake Puckaway late in the evening of our second day from -Butte des Morts. Here lived a white man named Gleason, the same of -whom, owing to his vast powers of exaggeration, poor Hooe[40] was fond -of uttering his little pun, "All is not gold that Gleasons." We did not -seek shelter at his house, for late as the season was, we found the -shore so infested with musquitoes that we were glad to choose a spot as -far as possible from the bank, and make ourselves comfortable in our -boat. - -This lake has its name from the long flags or rushes which are found -in its waters in great abundance, and of which the squaws manufacture -the coarse matting used in covering their wigwams. Their mode of -fabricating this is very primitive and simple. Seated on the ground, -with the rushes laid side by side, and fastened at each extremity, -they pass their shuttle, a long flat needle made of bone, to which is -attached a piece of cordage, formed of the bark of a tree, through each -rush, thus confining it very closely, and making a fine substantial -mat. These mats are seldom more than five or six feet in length, as a -greater size would be inconvenient in adjusting and preparing their -lodges. - -It is a species of labor usually assigned to the elder women of the -family. When they become broken down and worn out with exposure and -hardship, so that they cannot cut down trees, hoe corn, or carry heavy -burdens, they are set to weaving mats, taking care of the children, and -disciplining the dogs, with which every Indian lodge abounds. - -Lac de Bœuf, or Buffalo Lake, into which our course next brought us, -is a lovely sheet of water. In some places its banks are exceedingly -picturesque, with beautiful headlands jutting out into the clear -depths, where they and the magnificent groups of trees which crown them -lie reflected as in a mirror. Now and then we would catch a glimpse of -deer darting across the glades, which at intervals opened through the -woodlands, or a pair of sand-hill cranes would rise, slowly flapping -their wings, and seek a place of more undisturbed repose. The flocks of -teal now skimming the surface of the water, now rising higher towards -the shelter of the forests, tempted our sportsman sorely; but as there -was little prospect of finding his game when it was brought down, he -did not give way to the wanton pleasure of shooting merely to destroy -life. - -In quitting this charming lake, and again entering the narrow, tortuous -course of the river, we bade adieu to everything like scenery, until we -should reach our journey's end. - -We had now seventy miles to pass through a country perfectly monotonous -and uninteresting, the distastefulness of which was aggravated by the -knowledge that we could, had we been provided with horses or a carriage -of any kind, have crossed over to the Portage from Gleason's, through -a pleasant country, in little more than three hours. Even our great -resource, the cheering, animating songs of our voyageurs were out of -the question; for the river, though deep, is so narrow that, in many -places, there is no room for the regular play of the oars; and the -voices of Frenchmen can never "keep tune" unless their oars can "keep -time." Lapierre, one of our men, did his best with a paddle, or, as -he called it, the "_little row_," but it was to no purpose--it _would -not go_. Besides this, the wild rice abounds to that extent in many -places, that it almost completely obstructs the progress of even a -moderate-sized boat, so that a passage through its tangled masses is -with difficulty forced by the oars. Tedious and monotonous as was the -whole course of the two following days, the climax of impatience and -discouragement was only reached when we arrived in sight of the white -walls of Fort Winnebago, looking down from a rising ground upon the -vast expanse of low land through which the river winds. - -[Illustration: FORT WINNEBAGO IN 1831. - -From a sketch by Mrs. Kinzie, in original edition.] - -The Indians have a tradition that a vast serpent once lived in the -waters of the Mississippi, and that taking a freak to visit the Great -Lakes, he left his trail through the prairies, which, collecting the -waters from the meadows and the rains of heaven as they fell, at length -became the Fox River. - -The little lakes along its course were probably the spots where he -flourished about in his uneasy slumbers at night. He must have played -all the antics of a kitten in the neighborhood of the Portage. When the -Fort was first pointed out to me, I exclaimed with delight, "Oh, we -shall be there in half an hour!" - -"Not quite so soon," said my husband, smiling. "Wait and see." We -sat and watched. We seemed approaching the very spot where we were -to disembark. We could distinguish the officers and a lady on the -bank waiting to receive us. Now we are turning our back on them, and -shooting out into the prairie again. Anon we approach another bank, -on which is a range of comfortable-looking log-houses. "That is the -Agency,--the largest house belongs to Paquette, the interpreter,[41] -and the others are the dwellings of our Frenchmen. The little building, -just at the foot of the hill, is the blacksmith's shop, kept there by -the Government, that the Indians may have their guns and traps mended -free of expense." - -"But are we going to stop there?" - -"No; do you not see we are going back to the fort?" - -And, to be sure, our course was now turned, and we were setting in our -first direction. In this manner, after tacking to the right and left, -and putting backwards and forwards during the greater part of two -hours, we at length reached the little landing, on which the assembled -party stood ready to greet us. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -FORT WINNEBAGO - - -Major and Mrs. Twiggs, and a few of the younger officers (for nearly -all of the older ones were absent), with our brother Robert, or, as he -is called throughout all the Indian tribes, "Bob," gave us a cordial -welcome--how cordial those alone can know who have come, like us, to -a remote, isolated home in the wilderness. The Major insisted on our -taking possession at once of vacant quarters in the fort, instead of at -"the Agency," as had been proposed. - -"No--we must be under the same roof with them. Mrs. Twiggs had been -without a companion of her own sex for more than four months, and would -certainly not hear of a separation now. But we must be their guests -until the arrival of the boats containing our furniture," which, under -the care of our old acquaintance, Hamilton Arndt, was making its way -slowly up from Green Bay. - -A dinner had been prepared for us. This is one of the advantages of the -zig-zag approach by the Fox River--travellers never take their friends -by surprise--and when the whole circle sat down to the hospitable -board, we were indeed a merry company. - -After dinner Mrs. Twiggs showed me the quarters assigned to us, on the -opposite side of the spacious hall. They consisted of two large rooms -on each of the three floors or stories of the building. On the ground -floor the front room was vacant. The one in the rear was to be the -sleeping apartment, as was evident from a huge, unwieldy bedstead, -of proportions amply sufficient to have accommodated Og, the King of -Bashan, with Mrs. Og and the children into the bargain. We could not -repress our laughter, but the bedstead was nothing to another structure -which occupied a second corner of the apartment. - -This edifice had been built under the immediate superintendence of -one of our young lieutenants, and it was plain to be seen that upon -it both he and the soldiers who fabricated it had exhausted all their -architectural skill. The timbers of which it was composed had been -grooved and carved; the pillars that supported the front swelled in and -out in a most fanciful manner; the doors were not only panelled, but -radiated in a way to excite the admiration of all unsophisticated eyes. -A similar piece of workmanship had been erected in each set of quarters -to supply the deficiency of closets, an inconvenience which had never -occurred, until too late, to the bachelors who planned them. The three -apartments of which each structure was composed, were unquestionably -designed for clothes-press, store-room, and china-closet; such, at -least, were the uses to which Mrs. Twiggs had appropriated the one -assigned to her. There was this slight difficulty, that in the latter -the shelves were too close to admit of setting in even a gravy-boat, -but they made up in number what was wanting in space. We christened the -whole affair, in honor of its projector, a "Davis;" thus placing the -first laurel on the brow of one who was afterwards to signalize himself -at Buena Vista, and in the Cabinet of his country.[42] - -The bold promontory on which Fort Winnebago was built looked down upon -the extended prairie and the Fox River on one side, and on the other -stretched away into the thickly wooded ridge that led off to Belle -Fontaine and Lake Puckaway. - -In front lay an extent of meadow, across which was the Portage road, of -about two miles in length, leading between the Fox and the Wisconsin -rivers. Teams of oxen and a driver were kept at the Agency by the -Government, to transport the canoes of the Indians across this place, -which at many seasons was wet, miry, and almost impassable.[43] - -The woods were now brilliant with the many tints of autumn, and the -scene around was further enlivened by groups of Indians, in all -directions, and their lodges, which were scattered here and there, in -the vicinity of the Agency buildings. On the low grounds might be seen -the white tents of the traders, already prepared to furnish winter -supplies to the Indians, in exchange for the annuity money they were -about to receive. - -A great concourse had been for many days assembling in anticipation -of the payment, which was expected to take place as soon as -Shaw-nee-aw-kee should arrive with the silver. - -Preparatory to this event, the great chief of the nation, Four-Legs, -whose village we had passed at the entrance to Winnebago Lake, had -thought proper to take a little carouse, as is too apt to be the -custom when the savages come into the neighborhood of a sutler's -establishment. In the present instance, the facilities for a season of -intoxication had been augmented by the presence on the ground of some -traders, too regardless of the very stringent laws prohibiting the sale -of liquor to the Indians. - -Poor Four-Legs could not stand this full tide of prosperity. Unchecked -by the presence of his "father," the agent, he carried his indulgence -to such excess that he fell a victim in the course of a few days. His -funeral had been celebrated with unusual pomp the day before our -arrival, and great was my disappointment at finding myself too late to -witness all the ceremonies. - -His body, according to their custom, having been wrapped in a blanket, -and placed in a rude coffin, along with his guns, tomahawk, pipes, and -a quantity of tobacco, had been carried to the most elevated point of -the hill opposite the fort, followed by an immense procession of his -people, whooping, beating their drums, howling, and making altogether -what is emphatically termed a "_pow-wow_." - -After the interment of the body a stake was planted at its head, on -which was painted in vermilion a series of hieroglyphics, descriptive -of the great deeds and events of his life. The whole was then -surrounded with pickets of the trunks of the tamarack trees, and hither -the friends would come for many successive days to renew the expression -of their grief, and to throw over the grave tobacco and other offerings -to the Great Spirit. - -It was a consolation to find that, although delayed, we were yet in -time to furnish a quantity of white cotton for a flag to wave over -the grave, and also to pay a considerable bill at the sutler's, for -the different articles that had been found necessary for the funeral -parade--it being a duty expected of their father to bury the dead -suitably. - -The funeral observances in honor of the chief had not yet ceased. -Throughout the day, and all that night, the sound of instruments, -mingled with doleful lamentations, and with the discordant whoops and -yells of those in a partial state of intoxication, filled the air, and -disturbed our repose. To these were added occasionally the plaintive -sounds of the Indian flute, upon which the young savage plays when he -is in love. Grief and whiskey had made their hearts tender, and the -woods resounded to their melancholy strains. - -Early the following morning, before I left my room, I was startled -by the sounds of lamentation and woe proceeding from the adjoining -apartment. On entering it, I found several squaws seated on the floor, -with downcast looks expressive of condolence and sympathy, while -in their midst sat a little ugly woman, in tattered garments, with -blackened face and dishevelled hair, sobbing and wailing bitterly. - -Not doubting they were the family of the deceased chief, I was quite -troubled at my inability to express, otherwise than by gestures, my -participation in their sorrows. - -Unacquainted as I was with their customs, I took it for granted from -their wretched appearance that poverty and destitution formed one of -the sources of their affliction. One of the party, at least, seemed -in the very depths of misery. "Can it be possible," said I to myself, -"that this poor creature has only these scanty rags to cover her?" - -Stepping back to my own room, I brought out a pretty calico wrapper, -which I presented to the little dirty, blackened object. She took it, -and commenced a fresh series of sobbing and sighing. I made signs to -her to put it on, opening it and explaining to her how it was to be -worn, and recommending to her, by gestures, to lose no time in making -herself more comfortable. - -At this, the other women burst into a laugh. - -"Very mal-à-propos," thought I, "and somewhat unfeeling." At that -moment my husband entering, explained to me that the chief mourner was -Madame Four-Legs, the widow; that she had undoubtedly a comfortable -wardrobe at home, but that it was part of the etiquette of mourning -to go for a season with neglected persons and blackened faces. All -this was told me in the intervals of shaking hands, and offering and -receiving condolences in the most uncouth, guttural language I had ever -heard. Their "father" at length dismissed them, with a promise of some -presents to help dry up their tears. It must not be inferred that the -grief of the poor little widow was not sincere. On the contrary, she -was greatly attached to her husband, and had had great influence not -only with him but with the nation at large. She was a Fox woman, and -spoke the Chippewa, which is the court language among all the tribes, -so that she was often called upon to act as interpreter, and had, in -fact, been in the habit of accompanying her husband, and assisting -him by her counsels upon all occasions. She was a person of great -shrewdness and judgment, and as I afterwards experienced, of strong and -tenacious affections. - -After breakfast I received a visit from the principal chiefs, who had -put on their best of apparel and paint, to receive their new "mother." - -There was Naw-kaw, or Kar-ray-mau-nee, "the Walking Rain," now -the principal chief of the nation, a stalwart Indian, with a -broad, pleasant countenance, the great peculiarity of which was an -immense under lip, hanging nearly to his chin. There was the old -Day-kau-ray,[44] the most noble, dignified, and venerable of his own, -or indeed of any other, tribe. His fine Roman countenance, rendered -still more striking by his bald head, with one solitary tuft of long -silvery hair neatly tied and falling back on his shoulders; his -perfectly neat, appropriate dress, almost without ornament, and his -courteous demeanor, never laid aside, under any circumstances, all -combined to give him the highest place in the consideration of all who -knew him. It will hereafter be seen that his traits of character were -not less grand and striking, than were his personal appearance and -deportment. - -There was Black-Wolf, whose lowering, surly face was well described -by his name. The fierce expression of his countenance was greatly -heightened by the masses of heavy black hair hanging round it, quite -contrary to the usual fashion among the Winnebagoes. They, for the most -part, remove a portion of their hair, the remainder of which is drawn -to the back of the head, clubbed and ornamented with beads, ribbons, -cock's feathers, or, if they are so entitled, an eagle's feather for -every scalp taken from an enemy. - -There was _Talk-English_, a remarkably handsome, powerful young Indian, -who received his name in the following manner. He was one of a party of -sixteen Winnebagoes, who had, by invitation accompanied their Agent and -Major Forsyth[45] (or the Chippewa as he was called), on a visit to the -President at Washington, the year previous. - -On the journey, the question naturally addressed to them by people not -familiar with Western Indians was, - -"Do you talk English?" - -The young fellow being very observant, came to his "father." "What do -they mean by this? Everybody says to me, _talk English!_" - -The Agent interpreted the words to him. "Ah, very well." - -The next place they arrived at was Lockport, in the State of New York. -Jumping off the canal-boat upon the lock, he ran up to the first man he -met, and thrusting forward his face cried out, "Talk Eengeesh?" - -"Yes," said the man; "do you talk English?" - -"Ya-as." - -[Illustration: A TYPICAL GROUP OF WINNEBAGOES. - -From photograph in possession of Wisconsin Historical Society.] - -From that time forward, he always bore the name of _Talk-English_, and -was registered on the pay-rolls by a title of which he was not a little -proud. - -Hoo-wau-ne-kah, "the Little Elk," was another of the distinguished -men of the tribe. He had likewise been at Washington. Henry Clay, -when he visited them, after looking carefully at the countenances and -bearing of all the members of the deputation, had indicated him as the -one possessing the greatest talent; and he was greatly pleased when -informed that he was the principal orator of the nation, and decidedly -superior in abilities to any other individual of the tribe. - -Wild-Cat, our Indian Falstaff, in all save the cowardice and falsehood, -I have already mentioned. - -Then there was Kau-ray-kaw-saw-kaw, "the White Crow," or Rock River -Indian, who afterwards distinguished himself as the friend of the -whites during the Sauk war. He was called by the French "le Borgne," -from having lost an eye; and the black silk handkerchief, which he wore -drooping over the left side of his face to disguise the blemish, taken -with his native costume, gave him a very singular appearance.[46] - -There was a nephew of the defunct chief Four-Legs, to whom was with -justice given, by both whites and Indians, the appellation of "the -Dandy."[47] When out of mourning his dress was of the most studied and -fanciful character. A shirt (when he condescended to wear any) of the -brightest colors, ornamented with innumerable rows of silver brooches, -set thickly together; never less than two pairs of silver arm-bands; -leggings and moccasins of the most elaborate embroidery in ribbons -and porcupine quills; everything that he could devise in the shape of -ornament hanging to his club of hair behind; a feather fan in one -hand, and a mirror in the other, in which he contemplated himself every -five minutes; these, with the variety and brilliancy of the colors -upon his face, the suitable choice and application of which occupied -no small portion of the hours allotted to his toilet; such made up the -equipment of young Four-Legs. - -This devotion to dress and appearance seemed not altogether out of -place in a youthful dandy, but we had likewise an old one of the same -stamp. Pawnee Blanc, or the White Pawnee, if possible surpassed his -younger competitor in attention to his personal attractions. - -Upon the present occasion he appeared in all his finery, and went -through the customary salutations with an air of solemn dignity, -then entered, as did the others, into the parlor (for I had received -them in the hall), where they all seated themselves upon the floor. -Fortunately, the room was now bare of furniture, but "alas!" thought I, -"for my pretty carpet, if this is to be the way they pay their respects -to me!" I watched the falling of the ashes from their long pipes, and -the other inconveniences of the use of tobacco, or "kin-ni-kin-nick," -with absolute dismay. - -The visit of the chiefs was succeeded by one from the interpreter and -his wife, with all the Canadian and half-breed women, whose husbands -found employment at the Agency, or at the American Fur Company's -establishment. - -By this time my piano had been taken from its case and set up in our -quarters. To our great joy, we found it entirely uninjured. Thanks to -the skill of Nunns and Clark, not a note was out of tune. - -The women, to whom it was an entire novelty, were loud in their -exclamations of wonder and delight. - -"_Eh-h-h! regardez done! Quelles inventions! Quelles merveilles!_"[M] - -[Footnote M: Only look! what inventions! what wonders!] - -One, observing the play of my fingers reflected in the nameboard, -called in great exultation to her companions. She had discovered, as -she thought, the hidden machinery by which the sounds were produced, -and was not a little mortified when she was undeceived. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -HOUSEKEEPING - - -As the boats might be expected in a few days, it was thought best to -begin at once what preparations were in my power towards housekeeping. -These were simply the fitting and sewing of my carpets, in which -I was kindly assisted by Mrs. Twiggs; and the wife of one of our -Frenchmen having come over from the Agency, and made everything tidy -and comfortable, the carpets were soon tacked down, and ready for the -reception of the rest of the furniture. - -I had made many fruitless attempts, both in Detroit and Green Bay, to -procure a servant-woman to accompany me to my new home. Sometimes one -would present herself, but, before we could come to a final agreement, -the thoughts of the distance, of the savages, the hardships of the -journey, or, perhaps, the objections of friends, would interfere to -break off the negotiation; so that I had at length been obliged to rest -satisfied with the simple hope held out by my husband, that one or the -other of his French employés, with his wife, would be contented to take -up their abode with us. - -In this state of things, all difficulties seemed to be obviated by the -proposal of Major Twiggs, that we should take into our service a young -colored girl, whom he had brought from Buffalo, in the spring, to wait -on Mrs. T. until her own servants should arrive from the South. - -Louisa was accordingly sent for, an uncommonly handsome young negress, -with an intelligent but very demure countenance, who called herself -fifteen years of age, but who, from the progress in vice and iniquity I -afterwards discovered her to have made, must have been at least several -years older. Be that as it may, she now seemed to have no fault but -carelessness and inexperience, of both of which I had great hopes she -would improve, under careful training. - -My first week's visit with Mrs. Twiggs had just expired when word -was given that the boats were in sight--the boats that contained our -furniture--and the expected arrival of Louis Philippe to visit Queen -Victoria could scarcely have created a more universal sensation, -than did this announcement in our little community. Although we knew -that some hours must yet elapse before they could reach the spot for -disembarkation, we were constantly on the watch, and at length all the -young officers, followed by as many of the soldiers as were off duty, -accompanied Mr. Kinzie down the bank to the landing, to witness, and if -necessary, to assist in helping everything safe to land. - -Sad was the plight in which matters were found. The water poured out of -the corners of the boxes as they were successively hoisted on shore. -Too impatient to wait until they could be carried up to the fort, the -gentlemen soon furnished themselves with hammers and hatchets, and fell -eagerly to work, opening the boxes to explore the extent of the damage. -Alas for the mahogany! not a piece from which the edges and veneering -were not starting. It had all the appearance of having lain under the -Grande Chûte for days. Poor Hamilton was loud in his protestations and -excuses. - -It was the fault of the men, of the weather, of the way the things -were packed. "Confound it! he had taken the best care of the things he -possibly could--better than he had ever taken before--it _would_ get -done!" - -There was nothing but to be patient and make the best of it. And when -the pretty sideboard and work-table had been thoroughly rubbed and set -up, and all the little knickknacks arranged on the mantel-piece--when -the white curtains were hung at the windows, and the chairs and -dining-table each in its proper place in relation to the piano, our -parlor was pronounced "magnificent." At least so seemed to think -Hamilton, who came to give one admiring look, and to hear the music of -the piano, which was a perfect novelty to him. His description of it to -the young officers, after his return to the Bay, was expressive of his -admiration and wonder--"There it stood on its four legs! Anybody might -go up and touch it!" - -In due time the dinner and tea sets were carefully bestowed in the -"Davis," together with sundry jars of sweetmeats that I had prepared -in Detroit; the iron and tin utensils were placed in a neat cupboard -in the kitchen, of which my piano-box supplied the frame; the barrel -of eggs and tubs of butter, brought all the way from Ohio, were -ranged in the store-room; a suitable quantity of salt pork and flour, -purchased from the Commissary; and there being no lack of game of -every description, the offering of our red children, we were ready to -commence housekeeping. - -The first dinner in her own home is an era in the life of a young -housekeeper. I shall certainly never forget mine. While I was in the -lower regions superintending my very inexpert little cook, my husband -made his appearance to say that, as the payment (then the all-absorbing -topic of interest) would not commence until afternoon, he had invited -M. Rolette, Mr. Hempstead,[48] and four other gentlemen to dine with us. - -"So unexpected--so unprepared for!" - -"Never mind; give them anything you have. They have been living for -some days in tents, and anything will taste well to them." - -My dinner had been intended to consist chiefly of a venison pasty, and -fortunately the only dish among my store was of very large proportions, -so that there was already smoking in the oven a pie of a size nearly -equal to the famous Norwich pudding; thus, with some trifling additions -to the bill of fare, we made out very well, and the master of the -house had the satisfaction of hearing the impromptu dinner very much -commended by his six guests. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -INDIAN PAYMENT--MRS. WASHINGTON - - -There were two divisions of the Winnebago Indians, one of which was -paid by the Agent, at the Portage, the other at Prairie du Chien, by -Gen. Street.[49] The first, between four and five thousand in number, -received, according to treaty stipulations, fifteen thousand dollars -annually, besides a considerable amount of presents, and a certain -number of rations of bread and pork, to be issued in times of emergency -throughout the year. - -The principal villages of this division of the tribe were at Lake -Winnebago, Green and Fox Lakes, the Barribault, Mud Lake, the Four -Lakes, Kosh-ko-nong, and Turtle Creek. Messengers were dispatched, -at or before the arrival of the annuity-money, to all the different -villages, to notify the heads of families or lodges to assemble at "the -Portage." - -When arrived, the masters of families, under their different chiefs, -give in their names, and the number in their lodges, to be registered. -As in paying a certain sum of money is apportioned to each individual, -it is, of course, an object to make the number registered as great as -possible. Each one brings his little bundle of sticks, and presents -it to the Agent to register. Sometimes a dialogue like the following -occurs: - -"How many have you in your lodge?" - -The Indian carefully, and with great ceremony, counts his bundle of -sticks. "Fifteen." - -"How many men?" - -"Two." The Agent lays aside two sticks. - -"How many women?" - -"Three." Three more sticks are separated. - -"How many children?" - -"Eight." Eight sticks are added to the heap. - -"What is the meaning of these two sticks that remain?" - -The culprit, whose arithmetic has not served him to carry out his -deception, disappears amid the shouts and jeers of his companions, who -are always well pleased at the detection of any roguery in which they -have had no share. - -The young officers generally assisted in counting out and delivering -the money at these payments, and it was no unusual thing, as the last -band came up, for the chiefs to take a quantity of silver out of the -box, and request their "father" to pay his friends for their trouble, -seeming really disturbed at his refusal. In this, as in almost every -instance, we see the native courtesy and politeness, which are never -lost sight of among them. If a party comes to their "father," to beg -for provisions, and food is offered them, however hungry they may -be, each waits patiently until one of the company makes an equal -distribution of the whole, and then, taking his share, eats it quietly, -with the greatest moderation. I never saw this rule violated, save in -one instance. - -Our friend. Pawnee Blanc, _the Old Dandy_, once came with a party of -Indians, requesting permission to dance for us, in the open space -before the door. It was a warm, dusty afternoon, and as our friends -grew heated and fatigued with the violent and long-continued exercise, -a pitcher of raspberry negus was prepared and sent out to them. Pawnee -received the pitcher and tumbler, and pouring the latter about half -full, gave it to the first of the circle, then filled the same for the -next, and so on, until it suddenly occurred to him to look into the -pitcher. What he saw there determined his course of action, so, setting -the tumbler upon the ground, he raised the pitcher with both hands to -his lips and gave a hearty pull, after which he went on, giving less -and less, until he was called to have the pitcher replenished. All -present agreed it was the only instance they had ever witnessed, of an -Indian's appearing afraid of getting less of a thing than his share. - -During the payment a good many kegs of whiskey find their way into -the lodges of the Indians, notwithstanding the watchfulness of both -officers and Agent. Where there is a demand there will always be a -supply, let the legal prohibitions be what they may. The last day of -the payment is, too often, one of general carousing. - -When the men begin their _frolic_, the women carefully gather all the -guns, knives, tomahawks, and weapons of every description, and secrete -them, that as little mischief as possible may be done in the absence of -all restraint and reason. I am sorry to record that our little friend, -Pawnee Blanc, was greatly addicted to the pleasures of the bottle. - -Among the presents for the chiefs, which Shaw-nee-aw-kee had brought -from the east, was a trunk of blue cloth coats, trimmed with broad -gold lace, and a box of round black hats, ornamented in a similar -manner. All who are familiar with Indians, of whatever tribe, will -have observed that their first step towards civilization, whether -in man or woman, is mounting a man's hat, decorated with tinsel, -ribbons, or feathers. Pawnee was among the happy number remembered in -the distribution, so donning at once his new costume, and tying a few -additional bunches of gay-colored ribbons to a long spear, that was -always his baton of ceremony, he came at once, followed by an admiring -train, chiefly of women, to pay me a visit of state. - -The solemn gravity of his countenance, as he motioned away those who -would approach too near, and finger his newly-received finery--the -dignity with which he strutted along, edging this way and that -to avoid any possible contact from homely, e very-day wardrobes, -augured well for a continuance of propriety and self-respect, and a -due consideration of the good opinion of all around. But, alas, for -Pawnee! Late in the day we saw him assisted towards his lodge by two -stout young Indians, who had pulled him out of a ditch, his fine coat -covered with mud, his hat battered and bruised, his spear shorn of its -gay streamers, and poor Pawnee, himself, weeping and uttering all the -doleful lamentations of a tipsy Indian. - - * * * * * - -Among the women with whom I early made acquaintance was the wife of -Wau-kaun-zee-kah, _the Yellow Thunder_.[50] She had accompanied her -husband, who was one of the deputation to visit the President, and from -that time forth she had been known as "the Washington woman." She had -a pleasant, old-acquaintance sort of air in greeting me, as much as -to say, "You and I have seen something of the world." No expression -of surprise or admiration escaped her lips, as her companions, with -child-like, laughing simplicity, exclaimed and clapped their hands at -the different wonderful objects I showed them. Her deportment said -plainly, "Yes, yes, my children, I have seen all these things before." -It was not until I put to her ear some tropical shells, of which I -had a little cabinet, and she heard it roaring in her ear, that she -laid aside her apathy of manner. She poked her finger into the opening -to get at the animal within, shook it violently, then put it to her -ear again, and finally burst into a hearty laugh, and laid it down, -acknowledging, by her looks, that this was beyond her comprehension. - -I had one shell of peculiar beauty--my favorite in the whole -collection--a small conch, covered with rich, dark veins. Each of the -visitors successively took up this shell, and by words and gestures -expressed her admiration, evidently showing that she had an eye for -beauty--this was on the occasion of the parting visit of my red -daughters. - -Shortly after the payment had been completed, and the Indians had left, -I discovered that my valued shell was missing from the collection. -Could it be that one of the squaws had stolen it? It was possible--they -would occasionally, though rarely, do such things under the influence -of strong temptation. I tried to recollect which, among the party, -looked most likely to have been the culprit. It could not have been the -Washington woman--she was partly civilized, and knew better. - -A few weeks afterwards Mrs. _Yellow Thunder_ again made her appearance, -and carefully unfolding a gay-colored chintz shawl, which she carried -rolled up in her hand, she produced the shell, and laid it on the -table before me. I did not know whether to show, by my countenance, -displeasure at the trick she had played me, or joy at receiving my -treasure back again, but at length decided that it was the best policy -to manifest no emotion whatever. - -She prolonged her visit until my husband's return, and he then -questioned her about the matter. - -"She had taken the shell to her village, to show to some of her people, -who did not come to the payment." - -"Why had she not asked her mother's leave before carrying it away?" - -"Because she saw that her mother liked the shell, and she was afraid -she would say--No." - -This was not the first instance in which Madame Washington had -displayed the shrewdness which was a predominant trait in her -character. During the visit of the Indians to the eastern cities, they -were taken to various exhibitions, museums, menageries, the theatre, -&c. It did not escape their observation that some silver was always -paid before entrance, and they inquired the reason. It was explained to -them. The woman brightened up, as if struck with an idea. - -"How much do you pay for each one?" - -Her father told her. - -"How do you say that in English?" - -"Two shillings." - -"_Two shinnin--humph_" (good). - -The next day, when as usual, visitors began to flock to the rooms -where the Indians were sojourning, the woman and a young Indian, her -confederate, took their station by the door, which they kept closed. -When any one knocked, the door was cautiously opened, and the woman -extending her hand, exclaimed--"_Two shinnin._" - -This was readily paid in each instance, and the game went on, until -she had accumulated a considerable sum. But this did not satisfy her. -At the first attempt of a visitor to leave the room, the door was held -close, as before, the hand was extended, and "_Two shinnin_" again -met his ear. He tried to explain that, having paid for his entrance, -he must now go out free. With an inexorable shake of the head, "_Two -shinnin_," was all the English she could understand. - -The Agent who had entered a short time before, and who, overhearing -the dialogue, sat laughing behind his newspaper, waiting to see how -it would all end, now came forward and interfered, and the guests were -permitted to go forth without a further contribution. - -The good woman was moreover admonished that it was far from the custom -of white people to tax their friends and visitors in this manner, and -that the practice must be laid aside in future. - -Another instance of the disposition of the Indians to avail themselves -of all the goods that fortune throws in their way, was the following: - -Upon the same trip, while passing through Ohio, one of the party -inquired of the Agent, - -"Do you pay for all those provisions that are set before us at the -hotels?" - -"Yes, why do you ask?" - -"Nothing: I thought you perhaps paid for just what we ate of them." - -At the next stopping place a fine breakfast was set upon the table, of -which, as usual, they partook plentifully. Just as they had finished, -the horn sounded for all to take their places in the stage-coaches. -Each sprang to his feet. One seized the plates of biscuits and poured -them into the corner of his blanket; another the remains of a pair of -chickens; a third emptied the sugar-bowls; each laid hold of what was -nearest him, and in a trice nothing was left upon the table but the -empty plates and dishes. The landlord and waiters, meanwhile, stood -laughing and enjoying the trick as much as any of the spectators. - -Upon another occasion, their "father" had endeavored to impress upon -them the unseemliness of throwing their refuse pieces, bones, and -fragments of food about on the table-cloth, pointing out to them the -orderly manner of the whites at table, and the propriety of keeping -everything neat and nice around them. - -At their next meal, they were served first with a chicken-pie, of which -they ate very heartily, and the accumulation of bones on their plates -was very abundant. Presently another and more favorite dish appeared. -A fine large roasted turkey. A gentleman sat near, and was evidently -preparing to carve it. No time was to be lost. What was to be done with -the bones? They looked around in some perplexity. A large apple-pie was -standing near. The most eager drew it towards him, and quick as thought -all the bones were deposited upon it, while with a triumphant laugh at -the happy idea, he coolly transferred the bird to his own dish, and -proceeded to distribute it among his companions. The amazed stranger -soon joined in the laugh at the unceremonious manner in which his share -of the dinner had vanished. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -LOUISA--DAY-KAU-RAY ON EDUCATION - - -The payment was now over, and the Indians had dispersed and gone to -their wintering grounds. The traders too, had departed, laden with -a good share of the silver, in exchange for which each family had -provided itself, as far as possible, with clothing, guns, traps, -ammunition, and the other necessaries for their winter use. The -Indians are good at a bargain. They are not easily overreached. On -the contrary, they understand at once when a charge is exorbitant; -and a trader who tries his shrewdness upon them is sure to receive an -expressive _sobriquet_, which ever after clings to him. - -For instance, M. Rolette was called by them "Ah-kay-zaup-ee-tah," _five -more_--because, as they said, let them offer what number of skins they -might, in bartering for an article, his terms were invariably "five -more." - -Upon one occasion a lady remarked to him, "Oh, M. Rolette, I would not -be engaged in the Indian trade; it seems to me a system of cheating the -poor Indians." - -"Let me tell you, madame," replied he with great _naiveté_, "it is not -so easy a thing to cheat the Indians as you imagine. I have tried it -these twenty years, and have never succeeded!" - - * * * * * - -We were now settled down to a quiet, domestic life. The military system -under which everything was conducted--the bugle-call, followed by the -music of a very good band, at "réveille;" the light, animated strains -for "sick-call," and soon after for "breakfast;" the longer ceremony of -guard-mounting; the "Old English Roast-beef," to announce the dinner -hour; the sweet, plaintive strains of "Lochaber no more," followed -most incongruously by "the Little Cock-Sparrow," at "retreat;" and -finally, the long, rolling tattoo, late in the evening, made pleasant -divisions of our time, which, by the aid of books, music, and drawing, -in addition to household occupations, seemed to fly more swiftly than -ever before. It was on Sunday that I most missed my eastern home. I had -planned beforehand what we should do on the first recurrence of this -sacred day, under our own roof. "We shall have, at least," said I to -myself, "the Sabbath's quiet and repose; and I can, among other things, -benefit poor Louisa by giving her some additional lessons of a serious -character." - -So, while she was removing the breakfast things, I said to her, - -"Now, Louisa, get your work all finished, and everything put neatly -aside, and then come here to me again." - -"Yes, ma'am." - -We sat down to our books, and read and waited; we waited and read -another hour--no Louisa. - -There was music and the sound of voices on the parade in front of -our windows, but that did not disturb us: it was what we were daily -accustomed to. - -I must go at length, and see what could be keeping my damsel so. -I descended to the kitchen. The breakfast things stood upon the -table--the kettles and spider upon the hearth--the fire was out--the -kitchen empty. - -Passing back into the hall, which extended the whole length of the -house, and opened in front upon the parade, I perceived a group -collected in the area, of all shades and colors, and in the midst, one -round, woolly head which I could not mistake, bobbing up and down, now -on this side, now on that, while peals of laughter were issuing from -the whole group. - -"Louisa," I called, "come here; what are you doing there?" - -"Looking at inspection." - -"But why are not your breakfast tilings washed, and your kitchen swept? -Did I not tell you I wished you to come up and learn your lessons?" - -"Yes, ma'am; but I had to see inspection first. Everybody looks at -'inspection' on Sunday." - -I found it was in vain to expect to do more for Louisa than give her an -afternoon's lesson, and with that I was obliged to content myself. - -I felt that it would be very pleasant, and perhaps profitable, for all -the inmates of the garrison to assemble on this day; one of our number -might be found who would read a portion of the church-service, and a -sermon from one of our different selections. - -I approached the subject cautiously, with an inquiry to this effect: - -"Are there none among the officers who are religiously disposed?" - -"Oh, yes," replied the one whom I addressed, "there is S----; when he -is half-tipsy, he takes his Bible and 'Newton's Works,' and goes to bed -and cries over them; he thinks in this way he is excessively pious." - -S---- was among the officers who had never called upon us; it was fair -to infer that if his religious principles did not correct his own evil -habits, they would not aid much in improving others; therefore, it -seemed useless to call in his co-operation in any scheme for a better -observance of the Lord's Day. - -We had to content ourselves with writing to our friends at the east -to interest themselves in getting a missionary sent to us, who should -officiate as chaplain in the garrison, a plan that seemed to find favor -with the officers. The hope of any united religious services was, for -the present, laid aside. - -The post-surgeon having obtained a furlough, his place was supplied by -Dr. Newhall, of Galena, and thus, by the addition of his gentle, quiet -wife, our circle of ladies was now enlarged to three. Here we were, in -a wilderness, but yet how contented and happy! - -A gloom was soon to replace this envied tranquillity in our home. A -Frenchman, named Letendre, one day suddenly presented himself. He had -come from Chicago, with the distressing intelligence of the extreme, -indeed hopeless illness of our dear relative. Dr. Wolcott. My husband -immediately commenced his preparations for instant departure. I begged -to be permitted to accompany him, but the rapidity with which he -proposed to journey obliged him to refuse my entreaties. In a few hours -his provisions, horses, and all other things necessary for the journey -were in readiness, and he set off with Petaille Grignon, his usual -attendant on such expeditions, leaving Letendre to follow as soon as -recruited from his fatigue. - -Sad and dreary were the hours of his absence, notwithstanding the -kind efforts of our friends to cheer me. In a few days I received the -news of the fatal termination of Dr. W.'s illness, brought by another -messenger. That noble heart, so full of warm and kindly affections, -had ceased to beat, and sad and desolate, indeed, were those who had -so loved and honored him. - -As soon as he could possibly leave his family, my husband returned, -and it was fortunate that he had delayed no longer, for the winter now -began to set in, and with severity. - -Our quarters were spacious, but having been constructed of the green -trees of the forest, cut down and sawed into boards by the hands of -the soldiers, they were considerably given to shrinking and warping, -thus leaving many a yawning crevice. Stuffing the cracks with cotton -batting, and pasting strips of paper over them, formed the employment -of many a leisure hour. - -Then the chimneys, spite of all the currents of air, which might have -been expected to create a draught, had a sad habit of smoking. To -remedy this, a couple of gun-barrels had been sawed off and inserted in -the hearth, one on each side of the fire place, in the hope that the -air from the room below might help to carry the smoke into its proper -place, the chimney. - -The next morning after this had been done, Louisa was washing the -hearth. - -"Pray, ma'am," said she, "what are these things put in here for?" - -I explained their use. - -"Oh, I am so glad it is only that. Uncle Ephraim (Major Twiggs' -servant) said they were to be filled with powder and fired off -Christmas Day, and he was terribly afraid they would blow the house up, -and we in it." - -Ephraim, who was a most faithful and valuable servant, often amused -himself with playing upon the credulity of the younger portions of the -colored fraternity. - -"Is it true," asked Louisa, one day, "that Pill on and Plante were once -prairie-wolves?" - -"Prairie-wolves! what an idea! Why do you ask such a foolish question?" - -"Because uncle Ephraim says they, and all the Frenchmen about here, -were once prairie-wolves, and that, living so near the white people, -they grew, after a time, to be like them, and learn to talk and dress -like them. And then, when they get to be old, they turn back into -prairie-wolves again, and that all the wolves that the officers bait -with their dogs used to be Frenchmen, once." - -After a time, however, I ceased to straighten out these stories of -uncle Ephraim, for I was gradually arriving at the conviction that my -little colored damsel was by no means so simple and unsophisticated as -she would have me believe, and that I was, after all, the one who was -imposed upon. - -The snow this winter was prodigious, and the cold intense. The water -would freeze in our parlors at a very short distance from the fire, -for, although the "fatigue parties" kept the hall filled with wood, -almost up to the ceiling, that did not counterbalance the inconvenience -of having the wide doors thrown open to the outer air for a great -portion of the day, to allow of their bringing it in. We Northerners -should have had wood-houses specially for the purpose, and not only -have kept our great hall-doors closed, but have likewise protected them -with a "hurricane house." But the Florida frontier was not a station -for our southern bachelors to have acquired the knowledge that would -have been available when the thermometer was twenty-five degrees below -zero--at a point that brandy congealed in the sideboard. - -The arrival of Christmas and New Year's brought us our Indian friends -again. They had learned something of the observation of these holidays -from their French neighbors, and I had been forewarned that I should -see the squaws kissing every white man they met. Although not crediting -this to its full extent, I could readily believe that they would each -expect a present, as a "compliment of the season," so I duly prepared -myself with a supply of beads, ribbons, combs, and other trinkets. -Knowing them to be fond of dainties, I had also a quantity of crullers -and doughnuts made ready the day before, as a treat to them. - -To my great surprise and annoyance, only a moderate share of the cakes, -the frying of which had been entrusted to Louisa, were brought up to be -placed in the "Davis." - -"Where are the rest of the cakes, Louisa?" - -"That great fellow, Hancock, came in with the fatigue party to fill the -water-barrels, and while I had just stepped into the store-room to get -some more flour, he carried off all I had got cooked." - -And Louisa made a face and whined, as if she had not herself treated -every soldier who had set his foot in the premises. - -At an early hour the next morning I had quite a levee of the -Ho-tshung-rah matrons. They seated themselves in a circle on the -floor, and I was sorry to observe that the application of a little -soap and water to their blankets had formed no part of their holiday -preparations. There being no one to interpret, I thought I would begin -the conversation in a way intelligible to themselves, so I brought out -of the sideboard a china dish, filled with the nice brown crullers, -over which I had grated, according to custom, a goodly quantity of -white sugar. I handed it to the first of the circle. She took the -dish from my hand, and deliberately pouring all the cakes into the -corner of her blanket, returned it to me empty. "She must be a most -voracious person," thought I, "but I will manage better the next time." -I refilled the dish, and approached the next one, taking care to keep -a fast hold of it as I offered the contents, of which I supposed she -would modestly take one. Not so, however. She scooped out the whole -with her two hands, and, like the former, bestowed them in her blanket. -My sense of politeness revolted at handing them out one by one, as we -do to children, so I sat down to deliberate what was to be done, for -evidently the supply would not long answer such an ample demand, and -there would be more visitors anon. - -While I was thus perplexed those who had received the cakes commenced -a distribution, and the whole number was equitably divided among the -company. But I observed they did not eat them. They passed their -fingers over the grated sugar, looked in each other's faces, and -muttered in low tones--there was evidently something they did not -understand. Presently one more adventurous than the rest wet her -fingers, and taking up a few grains of the sugar put it cautiously to -her mouth. - -"Tah-nee-zhoo-rah!" (Sugar!) was her delighted exclamation, and they -all broke out into a hearty laugh; it is needless to say that the -cakes disappeared with all the celerity they deemed compatible with -good-breeding. Never having seen any sugar but the brown or yellow -maple, they had supposed the white substance to be salt, and for that -reason had hesitated to taste it. - -Their visit was prolonged until Shaw-nee-aw-kee made his appearance, -and then, having been made happy by their various gifts, they all took -their departure. - -About this time, Mr. Kinzie received a letter from Col. Richard M. -Johnson, of Kentucky.[51] This gentleman had interested himself greatly -in a school established in that State, for the education of Indian -youths and children. The purport of his letter was to request the Agent -to use every endeavor to induce the Winnebagoes not only to send their -children to this institution for their education, but also (what was -still more important) to set apart a portion of their annuity money, to -assist in sustaining it. - -There happened to be, at this holiday season, a number of the chiefs in -the neighborhood of the Portage, and a messenger was sent to convene -them all at the house of Paquette, the interpreter, that their "father" -might hold a talk with them. - -On the day appointed they all assembled. The subject matter of the -letter was laid before them, and all the advantages of civilization -and education duly set forth--the benefits which would arise to their -nation, if even a small portion of the younger members could be -well-taught by the whites, and then return to their tribe, to instruct -them in the learning, the arts, manufactures, and habits of civilized -life. To each paragraph, as it was uttered to them, they gave a -unanimous "Humph!" (Good.) - -When their "father's" address was ended, _Day-kau-ray_, the oldest and -most venerable among the chiefs, rose and spoke as follows:-- - -"Father,--The Great Spirit made the white man and the Indian. He did -not make them alike. He gave the white man a heart to love peace, and -the arts of a quiet life. He taught him to live in towns, to build -houses, to make books, to learn all things that would make him happy -and prosperous in the way of life appointed him. To the red man the -Great Spirit gave a different character. He gave him a love of the -woods, of a free life, of hunting and fishing, of making war with -his enemies and taking scalps. The white man does not live like the -Indian--it is not his nature. Neither does the Indian love to live like -the white man--the Great Spirit did not make him so. - -"Father,--We do not wish to do anything contrary to the will of the -Great Spirit. If he had made us with white skins, and characters like -the white men, then we would send our children to this school to be -taught like the white children. - -"Father,--We think that if the Great Spirit had wished us to be like -the whites, he would have made us so. As he has not seen fit to do so, -we believe he would be displeased with us, to try and make ourselves -different from what he thought good. - -"Father,--I have nothing more to say. This is what we think. If we -change our minds, we will let you know." - -It will be seen from these remarks of Day-kau-ray, that the Indians -entertain a conviction that the Great Spirit himself teaches the white -man the arts and sciences, and since he has given the red man no -instruction in these branches, it would be unbecoming in him to attempt -to acquire them in an irregular manner. - -With little incidents of this kind, and with an occasional dinner -or tea-party to the young officers, sometimes given at the Major's -quarters, sometimes at our own, our course of life passed pleasantly -on. At times I would amuse myself by making "something very nice" in -the form of a fruit cake or pie, to send to the quarters of the young -officers as a present, it being supposed that possibly, without a -lady to preside over their mess, it might be sometimes deficient in -these delicacies. Mrs. Twiggs was so fortunate as to have well-trained -servants to do for her that which, thanks to my little dark handmaid, -always fell to my share. - -One day I had made some mince pies, which the Major and my husband -greatly approved, and I thought I would send one to each of the young -officers. - -It happened that my husband, that day, in returning from superintending -his men on the other side of the river, had occasion to call on some -errand at Captain Harney's quarters. - -Dinner had just been placed upon the table, and the Captain insisted -on his visitor's sitting down and partaking Math him, and another -gentleman who was present. The pork and beans were pronounced -excellent, and being removed there followed a mince pie. - -The Captain cut it, and helped his guests, then taking a piece himself, -he commenced tasting it. Pushing back his plate with an exclamation and -a sudden jerk, he called to his servant, a little thick-set mulatto who -waited--"David, you yellow rascal, how dare you put such a pie on my -table?" And turning to the company apologetically, he said-- - -"If there is anything on earth David _does_ understand, it is how to -make a mince pie, and here he has filled this with brandy, so we cannot -eat a morsel of it!" - -"Please, sir," said David, modestly, "I did not make the pie--it is one -Mrs. Kinzie sent as a present." - -The poor Captain was now in a predicament. He raved at himself, at the -same time conjuring my husband most earnestly not to tell me what a -mistake he had made--an injunction that was lost sight of as soon as he -returned to his home. As for the unlucky Captain, he did not venture to -call on me again until he felt sure I had forgotten the circumstance. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -PREPARATIONS FOR A JOURNEY - - -Early in January the snow fell in great abundance. We had an unusual -quantity at the Portage, but in "the diggings," as the lead-mining -country was called, it was of an unheard-of depth--five or six feet -upon a level. - -An express had been dispatched to Chicago by the officers to take -our letters, and bring back the mail from that place. A tough, hardy -soldier, named Sulky, acted as messenger, and he had hitherto made -light of his burden or the length of the way, notwithstanding that his -task was performed on foot with his pack upon his shoulders. But now -Sulky had been absent some weeks, and we had given him up entirely, -persuaded that he must have perished with cold and starvation. - -At length he appeared, nearly blind from travelling in the snow. He -had lain by three weeks in an Indian lodge, the snow being too deep to -permit him to journey. The account he gave put an end to the hopes I -had begun to entertain of being able to visit our friends at Chicago in -the course of this winter. - -We had, before the last heavy fall of snow, been forming plans to that -effect. Captain Harney had kindly commenced preparing some trains, or -boxes placed on sledges, which it was thought would, when lined with -buffalo skins, furnish a very comfortable kind of vehicle for the -journey; and I was still inclined to think a good, deep bed of snow -over the whole country no great obstacle to a sleigh-ride. The whole -matter was, however, cut short by the commanding officer, who from the -first had violently opposed the scheme, declaring that he would order -the sentinels to fire on us if we attempted to leave the fort. So, -finding the majority against us, we were obliged to yield. - -The arrival of sweet, lovely, little Lizzie Twiggs, before January -was quite past, was an event that shed light and joy in at least two -dwellings. It seemed as if she belonged to all of us, and as she -increased in size and beauty, it was hard to say who, among us all, was -most proud of her. If we had ever felt any languid hours before, we -could have none now--she was the pet, the darling, the joint-property -of both households. - - * * * * * - -Whatever regret I might have had previous to this event, at the idea of -leaving my friend for the three weeks to which we proposed to limit our -visit to Chicago, I felt now that she would scarcely miss me, and that -we might hold ourselves in readiness to take advantage of the first -improvement in the weather, to put this favorite project in execution. - -During the latter part of February the cold became less severe. The -snows melted away, and by the beginning of March the weather was so -warm and genial, that we were quite confident of being able to make the -journey on horseback without any serious difficulty. - -Our plans once settled upon, the first thing to be provided was warm -and comfortable apparel. A riding-habit of stout broadcloth was -pronounced indispensable to my equipment. But of such an article I was -destitute. Nothing among my wedding travelling gear seemed in any way -to offer a substitute. What was to be done? The requisite material was -to be found in abundance at the sutler's store (_the shantee_ as it was -technically termed), but how to get it manufactured into a suitable -garment was the question. - -The regimental tailor was summoned. He was cook to one of the -companies, and there were at first some doubts whether he could be -permitted to forsake the spit for the needle, during the time I should -require his services. All his tailoring-work had, heretofore, been -done at odd times on a bench in the company kitchen, and thither he -now proposed to carry the riding-habit. I suggested that, in order to -superintend the work, I should thus be driven to take up my abode for -the time being in the barracks, which would be a decided inconvenience. - -To remedy the difficulty, he was finally so happy as to find a soldier -in "Company D," who consented to officiate in his place as cook until -his term of service to me should expire. - -Behold, then, a little, solemn-looking man in his stocking feet, seated -cross-legged on an Indian mat by my parlor window. He had made all his -arrangements himself, and I deemed it wisest not to interfere with -him. The cutting-out was the most difficult part, and as he had never -made a lady's riding-habit, that task fell to my share. I was as great -a novice as himself, and I must admit that this, my first effort, was -open to criticism. But the little tailor was of a different opinion. He -was in an ecstasy with our joint performance. - -"Upon my word, madam," he would exclaim, surveying it with admiring -eyes, "we shall have a very respectable garment!" I do not know how -many times he repeated this during the three days that the work was in -progress. - -I believe he had not perfect confidence in the culinary powers of his -comrade of "Company D," for regularly a half-hour before beat of drum, -his work was folded and laid aside, his snips gathered up, and all -things being restored to order, he would slip out, resume his shoes, -which, _Turk-like_, he had left outside the door, and speed over to the -barrack-kitchen to see how matters were going on. - -In the meantime, great preparations were making below, under the -supervision of our tidy, active, little French servant, Mrs. -Pillon, the wife of one of the _engagés_, by whom the irregular and -unmanageable Louisa had been replaced. - -Biscuits were baked, a ham, some tongues, and sundry pieces of -salt-pork were boiled, coffee roasted and ground, sugar cracked, -isinglass cut in pieces of the size requisite for a pot of coffee. For -the reception of all these different articles cotton bags of different -sizes had been previously prepared. Large sacks of skin, called by -the Canadians _porches_, were also provided to hold the more bulky -provisions, for our journey was to be a long one. - -The distance from Fort Winnebago to Chicago was not very formidable, -it is true, if the direct route were taken, but that we knew to be -impossible at this season of the year. The route by Kosh-ko-nong was -out of the question; all the Indians being absent from their villages -in the winter, and the ice being now gone, we could have no means of -crossing the Rock River at that place. - -There remained therefore no alternative but to proceed south to Dixon, -or, as it was then called, Ogie's Ferry, the only certain means of -crossing this broad and rapid stream. This route being so much out of -our direct course that we could not hope to accomplish it in less than -six days, it was necessary to prepare accordingly. - -While the wardrobe and provisions were thus in preparation, -arrangements were also to be made as to our retinue and mode of -conveyance. - -Mr. Kinzie decided to take with him but two men: Plante and Pierre -Roy.[52] The former to act as guide, on the assurance that he knew -every mile of the way, from the Portage to Ogie's Ferry, and from -Ogie's Ferry to Chicago. - -The claims of the different saddle-horses were discussed, and the most -eligible one selected for my use. We hesitated for a time between "Le -Gris" and "Souris," two much-vaunted animals, belonging to Paquette, -the interpreter. At length being determined, like most of my sex, by a -regard for exterior, I chose "Le Gris," and "Souris" was assigned to -young Roy; my own little stumpy pony, "Brunêt," being pronounced just -the thing for a pack-saddle. My husband rode his own bay horse "Tom," -while Plante, the gayest and proudest of the party, bestrode a fine, -large animal called "Jerry," which had lately been purchased for my -use, and thus was our _cortège_ complete. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -DEPARTURE FROM FORT WINNEBAGO - - -Having taken a tender leave of our friends, the morning of the 8th -of March saw us mounted and equipped for our journey. The weather -was fine--the streams, already fringed with green, were sparkling in -the sun--everything gave promise of an early and genial season. In -vain, when we reached the ferry at the foot of the hill on which the -fort stood, did Major Twiggs repeat his endeavors to dissuade us from -commencing a journey which he assured me would be perilous beyond what -I could anticipate. I was resolute. - -Our party was augmented by an escort of all the young officers, who -politely insisted on accompanying us as far as Duck Creek, four miles -distant. Indeed, there were some who would gladly have prosecuted the -whole journey with us, and escaped the monotony of their solitary, -uneventful life. In our rear followed an ox-cart, on which was perched -a canoe, destined to transport us over the creek, and also an extensive -marsh beyond it, which was invariably, at this season, overflowed -with water to a considerable depth. We had much amusement in watching -the progress of this vehicle as it bumped and thumped over the road, -unconscious hitherto of the dignity of a wheeled carriage. - -Our little shock-headed, sun-burnt, thick-lipped Canadian (who -happened most miraculously to be the husband of my pretty servant, -Mrs. Pillon), shouted vociferously as the animals lagged in their -pace, or jolted against a stump, "_Marchez, don-g_," "_regardez_," -"_prenez-garde_," to our infinite diversion. I was in high spirits, -foreseeing no hardships or dangers, but rather imagining myself -embarked on a pleasure excursion across the prairies. It had not even -suggested itself to me that a straw bonnet and kid gloves were no -suitable equipment for such an expedition. Never having travelled at so -inclement a season, I was heedlessly ignorant of the mode of preparing -against it, and had resisted or laughed at my husband's suggestions -to provide myself with blanket socks, and a woollen _capuchon_ for my -head and shoulders. And now, although the wind occasionally lifted my -headgear with a rude puff, and my hands ere long became swollen and -stiffened with the cold, I persuaded myself that these were trifling -evils, to which I should soon get accustomed. I was too well pleased -with the novelty of my outfit, with my hunting-knife in a gay scabbard -hanging from my neck, and my tin cup at my saddle-bow, to regard minor -inconveniences. - -On reaching Duck Creek, we took leave of our young friends, -who remained on the bank long enough to witness our passage -across--ourselves in the canoe, and the poor horses swimming the -stream, now filled with cakes of floating ice. - -Beyond the rising ground which formed the opposite bank of the stream, -extended a marsh of perhaps three hundred yards across. To this the men -carried the canoe which was to bear us over. The water was not deep, so -our attendants merely took off the pack from Brunêt and my side-saddle -from Le Gris, for fear of accidents, and then mounted their own steeds, -leading the two extra ones. My husband placed the furniture of the -pack-horse and my saddle in the centre of the canoe, which he was to -paddle across. - -"Now, wifie," said he, "jump in, and seat yourself flat in the bottom -of the canoe." - -"Oh, no," said I; "I will sit on the little trunk in the centre; I -shall be so much more comfortable, and I can balance the canoe exactly." - -"As you please, but I think you will find it is not the best way." - -A vigorous push sent us a few feet from the bank. At that instant two -favorite greyhounds whom we had brought with us, and who had stood -whining upon the bank, reluctant to take to the water as they were -ordered, gave a sudden bound, and alighted full upon me. The canoe -balanced a moment--then yielded--and quick as thought, dogs, furniture, -and lady were in the deepest of the water. - -My husband, who was just preparing to spring into the canoe when the -dogs thus unceremoniously took precedence of him, was at my side in a -moment, and seizing me by the collar of my cloak, begged me not to be -frightened. I was not, in the least, and only laughed as he raised and -placed me again upon the bank. - -The unfortunate saddle and little trunk were then rescued, but not -until they had received a pretty thorough wetting. Our merriment was -still further increased by the sight of the maladroit Pillon, who was -attempting to ride my spirited Jerry across the marsh. He was clinging -to the neck of the animal, with a countenance distorted with terror, as -he shouted forth all manner of French objurgations. Jerry pranced and -curvetted, and finally shot forward his rider, or rather his _burden_, -headforemost, a distance of several feet into the water. - -A general outcry of mirth saluted the unfortunate Frenchman, which was -redoubled as he raised himself puffing and snorting from his watery -bed, and waddled back to his starting-place, the horse, meanwhile, -very sensibly making his way to join his companions, who had already -reached the further bank. - -"Well, wifie," said Mr. Kinzie, "I cannot trust you in the canoe again. -There is no way but to carry you across the marsh like a pappoose. Will -you take a ride on my shoulders?" - -"With all my heart, if you will promise to take me safely"--and I was -soon mounted. - -I must confess that the gentleman staggered now and then under his -burden, which was no slight one, and I was sadly afraid, more than -once, that I should meet a similar fate to old Pillon, but happily we -reached the other side in safety. - -There my husband insisted on my putting on dry shoes and stockings, and -(must I confess it) drinking a little brandy, to obviate the effects -of my icy bath. He would fain have made a halt to kindle a fire and -dry my apparel and wardrobe properly, but this I would not listen to. -I endeavored to prove to him that the delay would expose me to more -cold than riding in my wet habit and cloak, and so indeed it might -have been, but along with my convictions upon the subject there was -mingled a spice of reluctance that our friends at the fort should have -an opportunity, as they certainly would have done, of laughing at our -inauspicious commencement. - -Soon our horses were put in order, and our march recommenced. The day -was fine for the season. I felt no inconvenience from my wet garments, -the exercise of riding taking away all feeling of chilliness. It was -to me a new mode of travelling, and I enjoyed it the more from having -been secluded for more than five months within the walls of the fort, -scarcely varying the tenor of our lives by an occasional walk of half -a mile into the surrounding woods. - -We had still another detention upon the road, from meeting Lapierre, -the blacksmith, from Sugar Creek, who with one of his associates was -going into the Portage for supplies, so that we had not travelled -more than twenty-three miles when we came to our proposed encamping -ground. It was upon a beautiful, stream, a tributary of one of the Four -Lakes,[N] that chain whose banks are unrivalled for romantic loveliness. - -[Footnote N: Between two of these lakes is now situated the town of -Madison--the capital of the State of Wisconsin.] - -I could not but admire the sagacity of the horses, who seemed, with -human intelligence, to divine our approach to the spot where their -toils were to cease. While still remote from the "point of woods" which -foretold a halt, they pricked up their ears, accelerated their pace, -and finally arrived at the spot on a full gallop. - -We alighted at an open space, just within the verge of the wood, -or, as it is called by western travellers, "the timber." My husband -recommended to me to walk about until a fire should be made, which was -soon accomplished by our active and experienced woodsmen, to whom the -felling of a large tree was the work of a very few minutes. The dry -grass around furnished an excellent tinder, which soon ignited by the -sparks from the flint (there were no _loco-focos_ in those days), and -aided by the broken branches and bits of light-wood, soon produced a -cheering flame. "The bourgeois," in the meantime, busied himself in -setting up the tent, taking care to place it opposite the fire, but in -such a direction that the wind would carry the smoke and flame away -from the opening or door. Within upon the ground were spread, first a -bearskin, then two or three blankets (of which each equestrian had -carried two, one under the saddle and one above it), after which, the -remainder of the luggage being brought in, I was able to divest myself -of all my wet clothing and replace it with dry. Some idea of the state -of the thermometer may be formed from the fact that my riding-habit, -being placed over the end of the huge log against which our fire was -made, was, in a very few minutes, frozen so stiff as to stand upright, -giving the appearance of a dress out of which a lady had vanished in -some unaccountable manner. - -It would be but a repetition of our experience upon the Fox River to -describe the ham broiled upon the "broches," the toasted bread, the -steaming coffee--the primitive table furniture. There is, however, -this difference, that of the latter we carry with us in our journeys -on horseback only a coffeepot, a teakettle, and each rider his tin cup -and hunting-knife. The deportment at table is marked by an absence of -ceremony. The knife is drawn from the scabbard--those who remember to -do so, vouchsafe it a wipe upon the napkin. Its first office is to stir -the cup of coffee--next, to divide the piece of ham which is placed -on the half of a travelling biscuit, which is held in the left hand, -and fulfils the office of a plate. It is an art only to be acquired by -long practice, to cut the meat so skilfully as not at the same time to -destroy the dish. - -We take our places around the mat to enjoy what, after our fatiguing -ride, we find delicious food. The Frenchmen are seated at a little -distance, receiving their supplies of coffee, meat, and bread, and -occasionally passing jokes with "the bourgeois," who is their demigod, -and for whom their respect and devotion are never lessened by any -affability or condescension. - -The meal being finished, the table furniture is rinsed in hot water -and set aside until morning. A wisp of dry prairie-grass is supposed, -in most cases, to render the knife fit to be restored to the scabbard, -and there being, at this season of the year, no amusement but that -of watching the awkward movements of the spancelled horses, in their -progress from spot to spot in search of pasturage, we are usually soon -disposed to arrange our blankets and retire to rest. - -At break of day we are aroused by the shout of "the bourgeois." - -"How! how! how!" - -All start from their slumbers. The fire which has been occasionally -replenished through the night, is soon kindled into a flame. The horses -are caught and saddled, while a breakfast, similar in kind to the -meal of the preceding evening is preparing--the tent is struck--the -pack-horse loaded--"_tout démanché_," as the Canadian says. The -breakfast finished, we rinse our kettles and cups, tie them to our -saddle-bows, and then mount and away, leaving our fire, or rather our -smoke, to tell of our visit. - -March 9th. Our journey this day led us past the first of the Four -Lakes.[53] Scattered along its banks was an encampment of Winnebagoes. -They greeted their "father" with vociferous joy--"_Bon-jour, bon-jour, -Shawnee-aw-kee._" "_Hee-nee-karray-kay-noo?_" (how do you do?) To this -succeeded the usual announcement, "_Wys-kap-rah thsoonsh-koo-nee-no!_" -(I have no bread.) - -This is their form of begging, but we could not afford to be generous, -for the uncertainty of obtaining a supply, should our own be exhausted, -obliged us to observe the strictest economy. - -How beautiful the encampment looked in the morning sun! The matted -lodges, with the blue smoke curling from their tops--the trees and -bushes powdered with a light snow which had fallen through the -night--the lake, shining and sparkling, almost at our feet--even the -Indians, in their peculiar costume, adding to the picturesque! - -I was sorry to leave it, as we were compelled to do, in all haste, -Souris, the pack-horse, having taken it into his head to decamp while -we were in conversation with our red friends. As he had, very sensibly, -concluded to pursue his journey in the right direction, we had the good -fortune to overtake him after a short race, and having received much -scolding and some blows from young Roy, whose charge he specially was, -he was placed in the middle of the cavalcade, as a mark of disgrace for -his breach of duty. - -Our road, after leaving the lake, lay over a "rolling prairie," now -bare and desolate enough. The hollows were filled with snow, which, -being partly thawed, furnished an uncertain footing for the horses, -and I could not but join in the ringing laughter of our Frenchmen, as -occasionally Brunêt and Souris, the two ponies, would flounder, almost -imbedded, through the yielding mass. Even the vain-glorious Plante, -who piqued himself on his equestrian skill, was once or twice nearly -unhorsed, from having chosen his road badly. Sometimes the elevations -were covered with a thicket or copse, in which our dogs would generally -rouse up one or more deer. Their first bound, or "lope," was the signal -for a chase. The horses seemed to enter into the spirit of it, as -"halloo" answered "halloo;" but we were never so fortunate as to get a -shot at one, for although the dogs once or twice caught, they were not -strong enough to hold them. It was about the middle of the afternoon -when we reached the "Blue Mound." I rejoiced much to have got so far, -for I was sadly fatigued, and every mile now seemed two to me. In fact, -the miles are unconscionably long in this country. When I was told that -we had still seven miles to go, to "Morrison's," where we proposed -stopping for the night, I was almost in despair. It was my first -journey on horseback, and I had not yet become inured to the exercise. - -When we reached Morrison's[54] I was so much exhausted that, as my -husband attempted to lift me from the saddle, I fell into his arms. - -"This will never do," said he. "To-morrow we must turn our faces -towards Fort Winnebago again." - -The door opened hospitably to receive us. We were welcomed by a lady -with a most sweet, benignant countenance, and by her companion, some -years younger. The first was Mrs. Morrison--the other, Miss Elizabeth -Dodge, daughter of General Dodge. - -My husband laid me upon a small bed, in the room where the ladies had -been sitting at work. They took off my bonnet and riding-dress, chafed -my hands, and prepared me some warm wine and water, by which I was -soon revived. A half hour's repose so refreshed me that I was able -to converse with the ladies, and to relieve my husband's mind of all -anxiety on my account. Tea was announced soon after, and we repaired to -an adjoining building, for _Morrison's_, like the establishment of all -settlers of that period, consisted of a group of detached log-houses or -_cabins_, each containing one or at most two apartments. - -The table groaned with good cheer, and brought to mind some that I had -seen among the old-fashioned Dutch residents on the banks of the Hudson. - -I had recovered my spirits, and we were quite a cheerful party. Mrs. -Morrison told us that during the first eighteen months she passed in -this country she did not speak with a white woman, the only society she -had being that of her husband and two black servant-women. - -A Tennessee woman had called in with her little son just before tea, -and we amused Mr. Kinzie with a description of the pair. The mother's -visit was simply one of courtesy. She was a little dumpy woman, with a -complexion burned perfectly red by the sun--hair of an exact tow-color, -braided up from her forehead in front and from her neck behind, then -meeting on the top of her head, was fastened with a small tin comb. Her -dress was of checkered homespun, a "very tight fit," and as she wore no -ruff or handkerchief around her neck, she looked as if just prepared -for execution. She was evidently awe-struck at the sight of visitors, -and seemed inclined to take her departure at once; but the boy, not -so easily intimidated, would not understand her signs and pinches -until he had sidled up to Mrs. Morrison, and drawing his old hat still -farther over his eyes, begged for a _whang_, meaning a narrow strip of -deer-skin. The lady very obligingly cut one from a large smoked skin, -which she produced from its receptacle, and mother and son took their -leave, with a smiling but rather a _scared_ look. - -After tea we returned to Mrs. Morrison's parlor, where she kindly -insisted on my again reposing myself on the little bed, to recruit -me, as she said, for the ensuing day's journey. My husband, in the -meantime, went to look after the accommodation of his men and horses. - -During the conversation that ensued, I learned that Mrs. Morrison -had passed much time in the neighborhood of my recent home in Oneida -county--that many of the friends I had loved and valued were likewise -her friends, and that she had even proposed to visit me at Fort -Winnebago on hearing of my arrival there, in order to commence an -acquaintance which had thus been brought about by other and unexpected -means. - -Long and pleasant was the discourse we held together until a late hour, -and mutual was the satisfaction with which we passed old friends and -by-gone events in review, much to the edification of Miss Dodge, and of -the gentlemen when they once more joined us. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -WILLIAM S. HAMILTON--KELLOGG'S GROVE - - -The next morning, after a cheerful breakfast, at which we were joined -by the Rev. Mr. Kent, of Galena,[55] we prepared for our journey. I -had reconciled my husband to continuing our route towards Chicago, by -assuring him that I felt as fresh and bright as when I first set out -from home. - -There seemed some apprehension, however, that we might have difficulty -in "striking the trail" to Hamilton's _diggings_, our next point of -destination. - -The directions we received were certainly obscure. We were to -pursue a given trail for a certain number of miles, when we should -come to a crossing into which we were to turn, taking an easterly -direction--after a time, this would bring us to a deep trail leading -straight to "Hamilton's." In this open country there are no landmarks. -One elevation is so exactly like another, that if you lose your _trail_ -there is almost as little hope of regaining it as of finding a pathway -in the midst of the ocean.[O] - -[Footnote O: I speak, it will be understood, of things as they existed -a quarter of a century ago.] - -The trail, it must be remembered, is not a broad highway, but a narrow -path, deeply indented by the hoofs of the horses on which the Indians -travel in single file. So deeply is it sunk in the sod which covers -the prairies, that it is difficult, sometimes, to distinguish it at a -distance of a few rods.[56] - -It was new ground to Mr. Kinzie, whose journeys from the Portage to -Chicago had hitherto been made in the direct route by Kosh-ko-nong. -He therefore obliged Mr. Morrison to repeat the directions again and -again, though Plante, our guide, swaggered and talked big, averring -that "he knew every hill and stream, and point of woods from that spot -to Chicago." - -We had not proceeded many miles on our journey, however, before we -discovered that Monsieur Plante was profoundly ignorant of the country, -so that Mr. Kinzie was obliged to take the lead himself, and make his -way as he was best able, according to the directions he had received. -Nothing, however, like the "cross trails" we had been promised met our -view, and the path on which we had set out diverged so much from what -we knew to be the right direction, that we were at length compelled to -abandon it altogether. - -We travelled the live-long day, barely making a halt at noon to bait -our horses, and refresh ourselves with a luncheon. The ride was as -gloomy and desolate as could well be imagined. A rolling prairie, -unvaried by forest or stream--hillock rising after hillock, at every -ascent of which we vainly hoped to see a distant fringe of "_timber_." -But the same cheerless, unbounded prospect everywhere met the eye, -diversified only here and there by the oblong openings, like gigantic -graves, which marked an unsuccessful search for indications of a lead -mine. - -So great was our anxiety to recover our trail, for the weather was -growing more cold, and the wind more sharp and piercing, that we were -not tempted to turn from our course even by the appearance, more than -once, of a gaunt prairie-wolf, peering over the nearest rising ground, -and seeming to dare us to an encounter. The Frenchmen, it is true, -would instinctively give a shout and spur on their horses, while the -hounds, Kelda and Cora, would rush to the chase, but the "bourgeois" -soon called them back, with a warning that we must attend strictly to -the prosecution of our journey. Just before sunset we crossed, with -some difficulty, a muddy stream, which was bordered by a scanty belt -of trees, making a tolerable encamping-ground; and of this we gladly -availed ourselves, although we knew not whether it was near or remote -from the place we were in search of. - -We had ridden at least fifty miles since leaving "Morrison's," yet I -was sensible of very little fatigue; but there was a vague feeling -of discomfort at the idea of being lost in this wild, cold region, -altogether different from anything I had ever before experienced. The -encouraging tones of my husband's voice, however, "Cheer up, wifie--we -will find the trail to-morrow," served to dissipate all uneasiness. - -The exertions of the men soon made our "camp" comfortable, -notwithstanding the difficulty of driving the tent-pins into the frozen -ground, and the want of trees sufficiently large to make a _rousing_ -fire. The place was a _stony side-hill_, as it would be called in New -England, where such things abound; but we were not disposed to be -fastidious, so we ate our salt ham and toasted our bread, and lent a -pleased ear to the chatter of our Frenchmen, who could not sufficiently -admire the heroism of "Madame John," amid the vicissitudes that befell -her. - -The wind, which at bed-time was sufficiently high to be uncomfortable, -increased during the night. It snowed heavily, and we were every moment -in dread that the tent would be carried away; but the matter was -settled in the midst by the snapping of the poles, and the falling of -the whole, with its superincumbent weight of snow, in a mass upon us. - -Mr. Kinzie roused up his men, and at their head he sallied into the -neighboring wood to cut a new set of poles, leaving me to bear the -burden of the whole upon my shoulders, my only safety from the storm -being to keep snugly housed beneath the canvas. - -With some difficulty a sort of support was at length adjusted for the -tent covering, which answered our purpose tolerably well until the -break of day, when our damp and miserable condition made us very glad -to rise and hang round the fire until breakfast was dispatched, and the -horses once more saddled for our journey. - -The prospect was not an encouraging one. Around us was an unbroken -sheet of snow. We had no compass, and the air was so obscured by the -driving sleet, that it was often impossible to tell in which direction -the sun was. I tied my husband's silk pocket handkerchief over my veil, -to protect my face from the wind and icy particles with which the air -was filled, and which cut like a razor; but although shielded in every -way that circumstances rendered possible, I suffered intensely from the -cold. - -We pursued our way, mile after mile, entering every point of woods, in -hopes of meeting with, at least, some Indian wigwam at which we could -gain intelligence. Every spot was solitary and deserted, not even the -trace of a recent fire, to cheer us with the hope of human beings -within miles of us. - -Suddenly, a shout from the foremost of the party made each heart bound -with joy. - -"_Une cloture! une cloture!_"--(a fence, a fence). - -It was almost like life to the dead. - -We spurred on, and indeed perceived a few straggling rails crowning a -rising ground at no great distance. - -Never did music sound so sweet as the crowing of a cock which at this -moment saluted our ears. - -Following the course of the inclosure down the opposite slope, we came -upon a group of log-cabins, low, shabby, and unpromising in their -appearance, but a most welcome shelter from the pelting storm. - -"Whose cabins are these?" asked Mr. Kinzie, of a man who was cutting -wood at the door of one. - -"Hamilton's," was the reply; and he stepped forward at once to assist -us to alight, hospitality being a matter of course in these wild -regions. - -We were shown into the most comfortable-looking of the buildings. A -large fire was burning in the clay chimney, and the room was of a -genial warmth, notwithstanding the apertures, many inches in width, -beside the doors and windows. A woman in a tidy calico dress, and -shabby black silk cap, trimmed with still shabbier lace, rose from -her seat beside a sort of bread-trough, which fulfilled the office of -cradle to a fine, fat baby. She made room for us at the fire, but was -either too timid or too ignorant to relieve me of my wrappings and -defences, now heavy with the snow. - -I soon contrived, with my husband's aid, to disembarrass myself of -them; and having seen me comfortably disposed of, and in a fair way to -be thawed after my freezing ride, he left me to see after his men and -horses. - -He was a long time absent, and I expected he would return accompanied -by our host; but when he reappeared, it was to tell me, laughing, that -Mr. Hamilton hesitated to present himself before me, being unwilling -that one who had been acquainted with some of his family at the east, -should see him in his present mode of life. However, this feeling -apparently wore off, for before dinner he came in and was introduced to -me, and was as agreeable and polite as the son of Alexander Hamilton -would naturally be.[57] - -The housekeeper, who was the wife of one of the miners, prepared us a -plain, comfortable dinner, and a table as long as the dimensions of the -cabin would admit was set out, the end nearest the fire being covered -with somewhat nicer furniture and more delicate fare than the remaining -portion. - -The blowing of a horn was the signal for the entrance of ten or twelve -miners, who took their places below us at the table. They were the -roughest-looking set of men I ever beheld, and their language was as -uncouth as their persons. They wore hunting-shirts, trowsers, and -moccasins of deer-skin, the former being ornamented at the seams with a -fringe of the same, while a colored belt around the waist, in which was -stuck a large hunting-knife, gave each the appearance of a brigand. - -Mr. Hamilton, although so much their superior, was addressed by them -uniformly as "Uncle Billy;" and I could not but fancy there was -something desperate about them, that it was necessary to propitiate by -this familiarity. This feeling was further confirmed by the remarks of -one of the company who lingered behind, after the rest of the _gang_ -had taken their departure. He had learned that we came from Fort -Winnebago, and having informed us that "he was a discharged soldier, -and would like to make some inquiries about his old station and -comrades," he unceremoniously seated himself and commenced questioning -us. - -The bitterness with which he spoke of his former officers made me quite -sure he was a deserter, and I rather thought he had made his escape -from the service in consequence of some punishment. His countenance -was fairly distorted as he spoke of Captain H., to whose company he -had belonged. "There is a man in the mines," said he, "who has been in -his hands, and if he ever gets a chance to come within shot of him, I -guess the Captain will remember it. He knows well enough he darsn't set -his foot in the diggings. And there's T. is not much better. Everybody -thought it a great pity that fellow's gun snapped when he so nearly -_had_ him at Green Bay." - -Having delivered himself of these sentiments, he marched out, to my -great relief. - -Mr. Hamilton passed most of the afternoon with us; for the storm raged -so without that to proceed on our journey was out of the question. He -gave us many pleasant anecdotes and reminiscences of his early life -in New York, and of his adventures since he had come to the western -wilderness. When obliged to leave us for a while, he furnished us with -some books to entertain us, the most interesting of which was the -biography of his father. - -Could this illustrious man have foreseen in what a scene--the dwelling -of his son--this book was to be one day perused, what would have been -his sensations? - -The most amusing part of our experience was yet to come. I had been -speculating, as evening approached, on our prospects for the night's -accommodation. As our pale, melancholy-looking landlady and her fat -baby were evidently the only specimens of the feminine gender about -the establishment, it was hardly reasonable to suppose that any of the -other cabins contained wherewithal to furnish us a comfortable lodging, -and the one in which we were offered nothing of the sort to view, but -two beds, uncurtained, extended against the farther wall. My doubts -were after a time resolved, by observing the hostess stretch a cord -between the two, on which she hung some petticoats and extra garments, -by way of a partition, after which she invited us to occupy one of them. - -My only preparation was, to wrap my cloak around me and lie down with -my face to the wall; but the good people were less ceremonious, for -at the distance of scarcely two feet, we could not be mistaken in the -sound of their garments being, not "laid aside," but whipped over the -partition wall between us. - -Our waking thoughts, however, were only those of thankfulness for so -comfortable a lodging after the trials and fatigues we had undergone; -and even these were of short duration, for our eyes were soon closed in -slumber. - -The next day's sun rose clear and bright. Refreshed and invigorated, -we looked forward with pleasure to a recommencement of our journey, -confident of meeting no more mishaps by the way. Mr. Hamilton kindly -offered to accompany us to his next neighbor's, the trifling distance -of twenty-five miles. From Kellogg's to Ogie's Ferry, on the Rock -River, the road being much travelled, we should be in no danger, Mr. H. -said, of again losing our way. - -The miner who owned the wife and baby, and who, consequently, was -somewhat more humanized than his comrades, in taking leave of us -"wished us well out of the country, and that we might never have -occasion to return to it!" - -"I pity a body," said he, "when I see them making such an awful mistake -as to come out this way, for comfort _never touched_ this western -country." - -We found Mr. Hamilton as agreeable a companion as on the preceding day, -but a most desperate rider. He galloped on at such a rate that had I -not exchanged my pony for the fine, noble Jerry, I should have been in -danger of being left behind. - -Well mounted as we all were, he sometimes nearly distanced us. We were -now among the branches of the Pickatonick,[58] and the country had -lost its prairie character, and become more rough and broken. We went -dashing on, sometimes down ravines, sometimes through narrow passes, -where, as I followed, I left fragments of my veil upon the projecting -and interwoven branches. Once my hat became entangled, and had not my -husband sprung to my rescue, I must have shared the fate of Absalom, -Jerry's ambition to keep his place in the race making it probable he -would do as did the mule who was under the unfortunate prince. - -There was no halting upon the route, and as we kept the same pace -until three o'clock in the afternoon, it was beyond a question that -when we reached "Kellogg's," we had travelled at least thirty miles. -One of my greatest annoyances during the ride had been the behavior of -the little beast Brunêt. He had been hitherto used as a saddle-horse, -and had been accustomed to a station in the file near the guide or -leader. He did not relish being put in the background as a pack-horse, -and accordingly, whenever we approached a stream, where the file -broke up to permit each horseman to choose his own place of fording, -it was invariably the case that just as I was reining Jerry into the -water, Brunêt would come rushing past and throw himself into our -very footsteps. Plunging, snorting, and splashing me with water, and -sometimes even startling Jerry into a leap aside, he more than once -brought me into imminent danger of being tossed into the stream. It was -in vain that, after one or two such adventures, I learned to hold back -and give the vexatious little animal the precedence. His passion seemed -to be to go into the water precisely at the moment Jerry did, and I was -obliged at last to make a bargain with young Roy to dismount and hold -him at every stream until I had got safely across. - -"Kellogg's"[P] was a comfortable mansion, just within the verge of a -pleasant "grove of timber," as a small forest is called by western -travellers. We found Mrs. Kellogg a very respectable-looking matron, -who soon informed us she was from the city of New York. She appeared -proud and delighted to entertain Mr. Hamilton, for whose family, she -took occasion to tell us, she had, in former days, been in the habit of -doing needlework. - -[Footnote P: It was at this spot that the unfortunate St. Vrain lost -his life, during the Sauk war, in 1832.] - -The worthy woman provided us an excellent dinner, and afterwards -installed me in a rocking-chair beside a large fire, with the "Life -of Mrs. Fletcher" to entertain me, while the gentlemen explored the -premises, visited Mr. Kellogg's "stock," and took a careful look at -their own. We had intended to go to Dixon's the same afternoon, but the -snow beginning again to fall, obliged us to content ourselves where we -were. - -In the meantime, finding we were journeying to Chicago, Mr. Kellogg -came to the determination to accompany us, having, as he said, some -business to accomplish at that place, so Mrs. Kellogg busied herself -in preparing him to set off with us the following morning. I pleaded -hard to remain yet another day, as the following was Sunday, on which -I objected to travel; but in view of the necessities of the case, the -uncertainty of the weather, and the importance of getting as quickly as -possible through this wild country, my objections were overruled, and -I could only obtain a delay in starting until so late in the afternoon, -as would give us just time to ride the sixteen miles to "Dixon's" -before sunset. - -No great time was required for Mr. Kellogg's preparations. He would -take, he said, only two days' provisions, for at his brother-in-law -Dixon's we should get our supper and breakfast, and the route from -there to Chicago could, he well knew, be accomplished in a day and a -half. - -Although, according to this calculation, we had sufficient remaining -of our stores to carry us to the end of our journey, yet Mr. Kinzie -took the precaution of begging Mrs. Kellogg to bake us another bag of -biscuits, in case of accidents, and he likewise suggested to Mr. K. the -prudence of furnishing himself with something more than his limited -allowance; but the good man objected that he was unwilling to burden -his horse more than was absolutely necessary, seeing that, at this -season of the year, we were obliged to carry fodder for the animals, in -addition to the rest of their load. It will be seen that we had reason -to rejoice in our own foresight. - -My experience of the previous night had rendered me somewhat less -fastidious than when I commenced my journey, so that, when introduced -to our sleeping apartment, which I found we were to share with six men, -travellers like ourselves, my only feeling was one of thankfulness that -each bed was furnished with a full suit of blue checked curtains, which -formed a very tolerable substitute for a dressing-room. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -ROCK RIVER--HOURS OF TROUBLE - - -It was late on the following day (March 13th), when we took leave of -our kind hostess. She loaded us with cakes, good wishes, and messages -to her sister Dixon and the children. We journeyed pleasantly along -through a country, beautiful, in spite of its wintry appearance. - -There was a house at "Buffalo Grove,"[59] at which we stopped for half -an hour, and where a nice-looking young girl presented us with some -maple-sugar of her own making. She entertained us with the history of -a contest between two rival claimants for the patronage of the stage -wagon, the proprietors of which had not decided whether to send it by -Buffalo Grove or by another route, which she pointed out to us, at no -great distance. The _driver_, she took care to inform us, was in favor -of the former; and the blush with which she replied in the affirmative -to our inquiry, "Was he a young man?" explained the whole matter -satisfactorily. - -At length, just at sunset, we reached the dark, rapid waters of the -Rock River. The "ferry" which we had travelled so far out of our way -to take advantage of, proved to be merely a small boat or skiff, the -larger one having been swept off into the stream, and carried down in -the breaking up of the ice, the week previous. - -My husband's first care was to get me across. He placed me with the -saddles, packs, &c., in the boat, and as, at that late hour, no time -was to be lost, he ventured, at the same time, to hold the bridles of -the two most docile horses, to guide them in swimming the river. - -When we had proceeded a few rods from the shore, we were startled -by a loud puffing and blowing near us, and looking around, to our -great surprise, discovered little Brunêt just upon our "weather-bow." -Determined not to be outdone by his model, Jerry, he had taken to the -water on his own responsibility, and arrived at the opposite shore as -soon as any of the party. - -All being safely landed, a short walk brought us to the house of Mr. -Dixon.[60] Although so recently come into the country, he had contrived -to make everything comfortable around him, and when he ushered us into -Mrs. Dixon's sitting-room, and seated us by a glowing wood fire, while -Mrs. Dixon busied herself in preparing us a nice supper, I felt that -the comfort overbalanced the inconvenience of such a journey. - -Mrs. Dixon was surrounded by several children. One leaning against the -chimney-piece was dressed in the full Indian costume--calico shirt, -blanket, and leggings. His dark complexion, and full, melancholy eyes, -which he kept fixed upon the ashes in which he was making marks with -a stick, rarely raising them to gaze on us, as children are wont to -do, interested me exceedingly, and I inquired of an intelligent little -girl, evidently a daughter of our host: - -"Who is that boy?" - -"Oh! that is John Ogie," answered she. - -"What is the matter with him? he looks very sad." - -"Oh! he is fretting after his mother." - -"Is she dead then?" - -"Some say she is dead, and some say she is gone away. I guess she is -dead, and buried up in one of those graves yonder"--pointing to two -or three little picketed inclosures upon a rising ground opposite the -window. - -I felt a strong sympathy with the child, which was increased when -the little spokeswoman, in answer to my inquiry, "Has he no father?" -replied-- - -"Oh, yes, but he goes away, and drinks, and don't care for his -children." - -"And what becomes of John, then?" - -"He stays here with us, and we teach him to read, and he learns -_dreadful_ fast." - -When the boy at length turned his large dark eyes upon me, it went -to my heart. It was such a _motherless_ look. And it was explained, -when long afterward, I learned his further history. His mother was -still living, and he knew it, although with the reserve peculiar to -his people, he never spoke of her to his young companions. Unable to -endure the continued ill-treatment of her husband, a surly, intemperate -Canadian, she had left him, and returned to his family among the -Pottowattamies. Years after, this boy and a brother who had also been -left behind with their father found their way to the Upper Missouri, to -join their mother, who, with the others of her tribe, had been removed -by the Government from the shores of Lake Michigan. - -A most savoury supper of ducks and venison, with their accompaniments, -soon smoked upon the board, and we did ample justice to it. Travelling -is a great sharpener of the appetite, and so is cheerfulness, and the -latter was increased by the encouraging account Mr. Dixon gave us of -the remainder of the route yet before us. - -"There is no difficulty," said he, "if you keep a little to the north, -and strike the great _Sauk trail_. If you get too far to the south, -you will come upon the Winnebago Swamp, and once in that, there is no -telling when you will ever get out again. As for the distance, it is -nothing at all to speak of. Two young men came out here from Chicago, -on foot, last fall. They got here the evening of the second day; and -even with a lady in your party, you could go on horseback in less time -than that. The only thing is to be sure and get on the great track that -the Sauks have made in going every year from the Mississippi to Canada, -to receive their presents from the British Indian Agent." - -The following morning, which was a bright and lovely one for that -season of the year, we took leave of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, in high -spirits. We travelled for the first few miles along the beautiful, -undulating banks of the Rock River, always in an easterly direction, -keeping the beaten path, or rather road, which led to Fort Clark, or -Peoria. The Sauk trail,[61] we had been told, would cross this road, at -the distance of about six miles. - -After having travelled, as we judged, fully that distance, we came upon -a trail, bearing north-east, and a consultation was held as to the -probability of its being the one we were in search of. - -Mr. Kinzie was of opinion that it tended too much to the north, and -was, moreover, too faint and obscure for a trail so much used, and by -so large a body of Indians in their annual journeys. - -Plante was positive as to its being the very spot where he and "Piché" -in their journey to Fort Winnebago, the year before, struck into the -great road. "On that very rising-ground at the point of woods, he -remembered perfectly stopping to shoot ducks, which they ate for their -supper." - -Mr. Kellogg was non-committal, but sided alternately with each speaker. - -As Plante was "the guide," and withal so confident of being right, it -was decided to follow him, not without some demurring, however, on -the part of the "bourgeois," who every now and then called a halt, to -discuss the state of affairs. - -"Now Plante," he would say, "I am sure you are leading us too far -north. Why, man, if we keep on in this direction, following the course -of the river, we shall bring up at Kosh-ko-nong, instead of Chicago." - -"Ah! mon bourgeois," would the light-hearted Canadian reply, "would I -tell you this is the road if I were not quite certain? Only one year -ago I travelled it, and can I forget so soon? Oh! no--I remember every -foot of it." - -But Monsieur Plante was convinced of his mistake when the trail brought -us to the great bend of the river with its bold rocky bluffs. - -"Are you satisfied, now, Plante?" asked Mr. Kinzie. "By your leave, I -will now play pilot myself," and he struck off from the trail, in a -direction as nearly east as possible. - -The weather had changed and become intensely cold, and we felt that the -detention we had met with, even should we now be in the right road, -was no trifling matter. We had not added to our stock of provisions -at Dixon's, wishing to carry as much forage as we were able for our -horses, for whom the scanty picking around our encamping grounds -afforded an insufficient meal. But we were buoyed up by the hope that -we were in the right path at last, and we journeyed on until night, -when we reached a comfortable "encampment," in the edge of a grove near -a small stream. - -Oh! how bitterly cold that night was! The salted provisions, to which I -was unaccustomed, occasioned me an intolerable thirst, and my husband -was in the habit of placing the little tin coffeepot filled with water -at my bed's head when we went to rest, but this night it was frozen -solid long before midnight. We were so well wrapped up in blankets that -we did not suffer from cold while within the tent, but the open air was -severe in the extreme. - -March 15th. We were roused by the "bourgeois" at peep of day to make -preparations for starting. We must find the Sauk trail this day at all -hazards. What would become of us should we fail to do so? It was a -question no one liked to ask, and certainly one that none could have -answered. - -On leaving our encampment, we found ourselves entering a marshy tract -of country. Myriads of wild geese, brant, and ducks rose up screaming -at our approach. The more distant lakes and ponds were black with them, -but the shallow water through which we attempted to make our way was -frozen by the severity of the night, to a thickness not sufficient -to bear the horses, but just such as to cut their feet and ankles at -every step as they broke through it. Sometimes the difficulty of going -forward was so great that we were obliged to retrace our steps and make -our way round the head of the marsh, thus adding to the discomforts of -our situation by the conviction, that while journeying diligently, we -were, in fact, making very little progress. - -This swampy region at length passed, we came upon more solid ground, -chiefly the open prairie. But now a new trouble assailed us. The -weather had moderated, and a blinding snow storm came on. Without -a trail that we could rely upon, and destitute of a compass, our -only dependence had been the sun to point out our direction, but the -atmosphere was now so obscure that it was impossible to tell in what -quarter of the heavens he was. - -We pursued our way, however, and a devious one it must have been. -After travelling in this way many miles, we came upon an Indian -trail, deeply indented, running at right angles with the course we -were pursuing. The snow had ceased, and the clouds becoming thinner, -we were able to observe the direction of the sun, and to perceive -that the trail ran north and south. What should we do? Was it safest -to pursue our easterly course, or was it probable that by following -this new path we should fall into the direct one we had been so long -seeking? If we decided to take the trail, should we go north or south? -Mr. Kinzie was for the latter. He was of opinion we were still too far -north--somewhere about the Grand Marais, or Kish-wau-kee. Mr. Kellogg -and Plante were for taking the northerly direction. The latter was -positive his bourgeois had already gone too far south--in fact, that we -must now be in the neighborhood of the Illinois river. Finding himself -in the minority, my husband yielded, and we turned our horses' heads -north, much against his will. After proceeding a few miles, however, he -took a sudden determination. "You may go north, if you please," said -he, "but I am convinced that the other course is right, and I shall -face about--follow who will." - -So we wheeled round and rode south again, and many a long and weary -mile did we travel, the monotony of our ride broken only by the -querulous remarks of poor Mr. Kellogg. "I am really afraid we are -wrong, Mr. Kinzie. I feel pretty sure that the young man is right. It -looks most natural to me that we should take a northerly course, and -not be stretching away so far to the south." - -To all this, Mr. Kinzie turned a deaf ear. The Frenchmen rode on in -silence. They would as soon have thought of cutting off their right -hand as showing opposition to the bourgeois when he had once expressed -his decision. They would never have dreamed of offering an opinion or -remark unless called upon to do so. - -The road, which had continued many miles through the prairie, at -length, in winding round a point of woods, brought us suddenly upon -an Indian village. A shout of joy broke from the whole party, but no -answering shout was returned--not even a bark of friendly welcome--as -we galloped up to the wigwams. All was silent as the grave. We rode -round and round, then dismounted and looked into several of the -spacious huts. They had evidently been long deserted. Nothing remained -but the bare walls of bark, from which everything in the shape of -furniture had been stripped by the owners and carried with them to -their wintering-grounds; to be brought back in the spring, when they -returned to make their cornfields and occupy their summer cabins. - -Our disappointment may be better imagined than described. With heavy -hearts, we mounted and once more pursued our way, the snow again -falling and adding to the discomforts of our position. At length -we halted for the night. We had long been aware that our stock of -provisions was insufficient for another day, and here we were--nobody -knew where--in the midst of woods and prairies--certainly far from any -human habitation, with barely enough food for a slender evening's meal. - -The poor dogs came whining around us to beg their usual portion, but -they were obliged to content themselves with a bare bone, and we -retired to rest with the feeling that if not actually hungry then, we -should certainly be so to-morrow. - -The morrow came. Plante and Roy had a bright fire and a nice pot of -coffee for us. It was our only breakfast, for on shaking the bag and -turning it inside out, we could make no more of our stock of bread -than three crackers, which the rest of the party insisted I should put -in my pocket for my dinner. I was much touched by the kindness of Mr. -Kellogg, who drew from his wallet a piece of tongue and a slice of -fruitcake, which he said "he had been saving for _the lady_ since the -day before, for he saw how matters were a-going." - -Poor man! it would have been well if he had listened to Mr. Kinzie, and -provided himself at the outset with a larger store of provisions. As it -was, those he brought with him were exhausted early the second day, and -he had been _boarding_ with us for the last two meals. - -We still had the trail to guide us, and we continued to follow it until -about nine o'clock, when, in emerging from a wood, we came upon a broad -and rapid river. A collection of Indian wigwams stood upon the opposite -bank, and as the trail led directly to the water, it was fair to infer -that the stream was fordable. We had no opportunity of testing it, -however, for the banks were so lined with ice, which was piled up tier -upon tier by the breaking-up of the previous week, that we tried in -vain to find a path by which we could descend the bank to the water. - -The men shouted again and again in hope some straggling inhabitant of -the village might be at hand with his canoe. No answer was returned -save by the echoes. What was to be done? I looked at my husband and -saw that care was on his brow, although he still continued to speak -cheerfully. "We will follow this cross-trail down the bank of the -river," said he. "There must be Indians wintering near in some of these -points of wood." - -I must confess that I felt somewhat dismayed at our prospects, but I -kept up a show of courage, and did not allow my despondency to be seen. -All the party were dull and gloomy enough. - -We kept along the bank, which was considerably elevated above the -water, and bordered at a little distance with a thick wood. All at -once my horse, who was mortally afraid of Indians, began to jump and -prance, snorting and pricking up his ears as if an enemy were at hand. -I screamed with delight to my husband, who was at the head of the file, -"Oh, John! John! there are Indians near--look at Jerry!" - -At this instant a little Indian dog ran out from under the bushes by -the roadside, and began barking at us. Never were sounds more welcome. -We rode directly into the thicket, and descending into a little hollow, -found two squaws crouching behind the bushes, trying to conceal -themselves from our sight. - -They appeared greatly relieved when Mr. Kinzie addressed them in the -Pottowattamie language-- - -"What are you doing here?" - -"Digging Indian potatoes"--(a species of artichoke.) - -"Where is your lodge?" - -"On the other side of the river." - -"Good--then you have a canoe here. Can you take us across?" - -"Yes--the canoe is very small." - -They conducted us down the bank to the water's edge where the canoe -was. It was indeed _very small_. My husband explained to them that -they must take me across first, and then return for the others of the -party. - -"Will you trust yourself alone over the river?" inquired he. "You see -that but one can cross at a time." - -"Oh! yes"--and I was soon placed in the bottom of the canoe, lying flat -and looking up at the sky, while the older squaw took the paddle in her -hand, and placed herself on her knees at my head, and the younger, a -girl of fourteen or fifteen, stationed herself at my feet. There was -just room enough for me to lie in this position, each of the others -kneeling in the opposite ends of the canoe. - -While these preparations were making, Mr. Kinzie questioned the woman -as to our whereabout. They knew no name for the river but "Saumanong." -This was not definite, it being the generic term for any large stream. -But he gathered that the village we had passed higher up, on the -opposite side of the stream, was Wau-ban-see's, and then he knew that -we were on the Fox River, and probably about fifty miles from Chicago. - -The squaw, in answer to his inquiries, assured him that Chicago was -"close by." - -"That means," said he, "that it is not so far off as Canada. We must -not be too sanguine." - -The men sat about unpacking the horses, and I in the meantime was -paddled across the river. The old woman immediately returned, leaving -the younger one with me for company. I seated myself on the fallen -trunk of a tree, in the midst of the snow, and looked across the dark -waters. I am not ashamed to confess my weakness--for the first time -on my journey I shed tears. It was neither hunger, nor fear, nor cold -which extorted them from me. It was the utter desolation of spirit, the -sickness of heart which "hope deferred" ever occasions, and which of -all evils is the hardest to bear. - -The poor little squaw looked into my face with a wondering and -sympathizing expression. Probably she was speculating in her own mind -what a person who rode so fine a horse, and wore so comfortable a -broadcloth dress, could have to cry about. I pointed to a seat beside -me on the log, but she preferred standing and gazing at me, with the -same pitying expression. Presently she was joined by a young companion, -and after a short chattering, of which I was evidently the subject, -they both trotted off into the woods, and left me to my own solitary -reflections. - -"What would my friends at the East think," said I to myself, "if they -could see me now? What would poor old Mrs. Welsh say? She who warned -me that _if I came away so far to the West, I should break my heart?_ -Would she not rejoice to find how likely her prediction was to be -fulfilled?" - -These thoughts roused me. I dried up my tears, and by the time my -husband with his party, and all his horses and luggage, were across, I -had recovered my cheerfulness, and was ready for fresh adventures. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -BELIEF - - -We followed the old squaw to her lodge, which was at no great distance -in the woods. I had never before been in an Indian lodge, although I -had occasionally peeped into one of the many, clustered round the house -of the interpreter at the Portage on my visits to his wife. - -This one was very nicely arranged. Four sticks of wood placed to form -a square in the centre, answered the purpose of a hearth, within which -the fire was built, the smoke escaping through an opening in the top. -The mats of which the lodge was constructed were very neat and new, and -against the sides, depending from the poles or framework, hung various -bags of Indian manufacture, containing their dried food and other -household treasures. Sundry ladles, small kettles, and wooden bowls -also hung from the cross-poles, and dangling from the centre, by an -iron chain, was a large kettle, in which some dark, suspicious-looking -substance was seething over the scanty fire. On the floor of the lodge, -between the fire and the outer wall, were spread mats, upon which my -husband invited me to be seated and make myself comfortable. - -The first demand of an Indian on meeting a white man is for _bread_, of -which they are exceedingly fond, and I knew enough of the Pottowattamie -language to comprehend the timid "_pe-qua-zhe-gun choh-kay-go_" (I have -no bread), with which the squaw commenced our conversation after my -husband had left the lodge. - -I shook my head, and endeavored to convey to her that, so far from -being able to give, I had had no breakfast myself. She understood me, -and instantly produced a bowl, into which she ladled a quantity of -Indian potatoes from the kettle over the fire, and set them before me. -I was too hungry to be fastidious, and owing partly, no doubt, to the -sharpness of my appetite, I really found them delicious. - -Two little girls, inmates of the lodge, sat gazing at me with evident -admiration and astonishment, which was increased when I took my little -prayer-book from my pocket and began to read. They had, undoubtedly, -never seen a book before, and I was amused at the care with which they -looked _away_ from me, while they questioned their mother about my -strange employment and listened to her replies. - -While thus occupied, I was startled by a sudden sound of "hogh!" -and the mat which hung over the entrance of the lodge was raised, -and an Indian entered with that graceful bound which is peculiar to -themselves. It was the master of the lodge, who had been out to shoot -ducks, and was just returned. He was a tall, finely-formed man, with a -cheerful, open countenance, and he listened to what his wife in a quiet -tone related to him, while he divested himself of his accoutrements in -the most unembarrassed, well-bred manner imaginable. - -Soon my husband joined us. He had been engaged in attending to the -comfort of his horses, and assisting his men in making their fire, -and pitching their tent, which the rising storm made a matter of some -difficulty. - -From the Indian he learned that we were in what was called "the Big -Woods,"[Q] or "Piché's Grove," from a Frenchman of that name living -not far from the spot--that the river we had crossed was the Fox -River--that he could guide us to _Piché's_, from which the road was -perfectly plain, or even into Chicago if we preferred--but that we had -better remain encamped for that day, as there was a storm coming on, -and in the meantime he would go and shoot some ducks for our dinner and -supper. He was accordingly furnished with powder and shot, and set off -again for game without delay. - -[Footnote Q: Probably at what is now Oswego. The name of a portion of -the wood is since corrupted, into _Specie's Grove_.] - -I had put into my pocket, on leaving home, a roll of scarlet ribbon, -in case a stout string should be wanted, and I now drew it forth, and -with the knife which hung around my neck I cut off a couple of yards -for each of the little girls. They received it with great delight, and -their mother, dividing each portion into two, tied a piece to each of -the little clubs into which their hair was knotted on the temples. -They laughed, and exclaimed "Saum!" as they gazed at each other, and -their mother joined in their mirth, although, as I thought, a little -unwilling to display her maternal exultation before a stranger. - -The tent being all in order, my husband came for me, and we took leave -of our friends in the wigwam with grateful hearts. - -The storm was raging without. The trees were bending and cracking -around us, and the air was completely filled with the wild-fowl -screaming and _quacking_ as they made their way southward before the -blast. Our tent was among the trees not far from the river. My husband -took me to the bank to look for a moment at what we had escaped. The -wind was sweeping down from the north in a perfect hurricane. The water -was filled with masses of snow and ice, dancing along upon the torrent, -over which were hurrying thousands of wild-fowl, making the woods -resound to their deafening clamor. - -Had we been one hour later, we could not possibly have crossed the -stream, and there seems to have been nothing for us but to have -remained and starved in the wilderness. Could we be sufficiently -grateful to that kind Providence that had brought us safely through -such dangers? - -The men had cut down an immense tree, and built a fire against it, but -the wind shifted so continually that every five minutes the tent would -become completely filled with smoke, so that I was driven into the open -air for breath. Then I would seat myself on one end of the huge log, -as near the fire as possible, for it was dismally cold, but the wind -seemed actuated by a kind of caprice, for in whatever direction I took -my seat, just that way came the smoke and hot ashes, puffing in my face -until I was nearly blinded. Neither veil nor silk handkerchief afforded -an effectual protection, and I was glad when the arrival of our -huntsmen, with a quantity of ducks, gave me an opportunity of diverting -my thoughts from my own sufferings, by aiding the men to pick them and -get them ready for our meal. - -We borrowed a kettle from our Indian friends. It was not remarkably -clean; but we heated a little water in it, and _prairie-hay'd_ it out, -before consigning our birds to it, and with a bowl of Indian potatoes, -a present from our kind neighbors, we soon had an excellent soup. - -What with the cold, the smoke, and the driving ashes and cinders, this -was the most uncomfortable afternoon I had yet passed, and I was glad -when night came, and I could creep into the tent and cover myself up in -the blankets, out of the way of all three of these evils. - -The storm raged with tenfold violence during the night. We were -continually startled by the crashing of the falling trees around us, -and who could tell but that the next would be upon us? Spite of -our fatigue, we passed an almost sleepless night. When we arose in -the morning, we were made fully alive to the perils by which we had -been surrounded. At least fifty trees, the giants of the forest, lay -prostrate within view of the tent. - -When we had taken our scanty breakfast, and were mounted and ready -for departure, it was with difficulty we could thread our way, so -completely was it obstructed by the fallen trunks. - -Our Indian guide had joined us at an early hour, and after conducting -us carefully out of the wood, and pointing out to us numerous -bee-trees,[R] for which he said that grove was famous, he set off at a -long trot, and about nine o'clock brought us to _Piché's_, a log-cabin -on a rising ground, looking off over the broad prairie to the east. We -had hoped to get some refreshment here, Piché being an old acquaintance -of some of the party; but alas! the master was from home. We found his -cabin occupied by Indians and travellers--the latter few, the former -numerous. - -[Footnote R: The honey-bee is not known in the perfectly wild countries -of North America. It is ever the pioneer of civilization, and the -Indians call it "_the white man's bird_."] - -There was no temptation to a halt, except that of warming ourselves at -a bright fire that was burning in the clay chimney. A man in Quaker -costume stepped forward to answer our inquiries, and offered to become -our escort to Chicago, to which place he was bound--so we dismissed our -Indian friend, with a satisfactory remuneration for all the trouble he -had so kindly taken for us. - -A long reach of prairie extended from Piché's to the Du Page, between -the two forks of which, Mr. Dogherty, our new acquaintance, told us -we should find the dwelling of a Mr. Hawley, who would give us a -comfortable dinner. - -The weather was intensely cold. The wind, sweeping over the wide -prairie with nothing to break its force, chilled our very hearts. -I beat my feet against the saddle to restore the circulation, when -they became benumbed with the cold, until they became so bruised I -could beat them no longer. Not a house or wigwam, not even a clump of -trees as a shelter, offered itself for many a weary mile. At length -we reached the west fork of the Du Page. It was frozen, but not -sufficiently so to bear the horses. Our only resource was to cut a way -for them through the ice. It was a work of time, for the ice had frozen -to several inches in thickness, during the last bitter night. Plante -went first with an axe, and cut as far as he could reach, then mounted -one of the hardy little ponies, and with some difficulty broke the ice -before him, until he had opened a passage to the opposite shore. - -How the poor animals shivered as they were reined in among the floating -ice! And we, who sat waiting in the piercing wind, were not much -better. Probably Brunêt was of the same opinion; for with his usual -perversity, he plunged in immediately after Plante, and stood shaking -and quaking behind him, every now and then looking around him, as much -as to say, "I've got ahead of you, this time!" We were all across at -last, and spurred on our horses, until we reached Hawley's[S]--a large, -commodious dwelling, near the east fork of the river. - -[Footnote S: It was near this spot that the brother of Mr. Hawley, a -Methodist preacher, was killed by the Sauks, in 1832, after having been -tortured by them with the most wanton barbarity.] - -The good woman welcomed us kindly, and soon made us warm and -comfortable. We felt as if we were in a civilized land once more. She -proceeded immediately to prepare dinner for us; and we watched her with -eager eyes, as she took down a huge ham from the rafters, out of which -she cut innumerable slices, then broke any quantity of fine fresh eggs -into a pan, in readiness for frying--then mixed a _johnny-cake_, and -placed it against a board in front of the fire to bake. It seemed to -me that even with the aid of this fine bright fire, the dinner took -an unconscionable time to cook; but cooked it was, at last, and truly -might the good woman stare at the travellers' appetites we had brought -with us. She did not know what short commons we had been on for the -last two days. - -We found, upon inquiry, that we could, by pushing on, reach Lawton's, -on the Aux Plaines, that night--we should then be within twelve miles -of Chicago. Of course we made no unnecessary delay, but set off as soon -after dinner as possible. - -The crossing of the east fork of the Du Page was more perilous than the -former one had been. The ice had become broken, either by the force of -the current, or by some equestrians having preceded us and cut through -it, so that when we reached the bank, the ice was floating down in -large cakes. The horses had to make a rapid dart through the water, -which was so high, and rushing in such a torrent, that if I had not -been mounted on Jerry, the tallest horse in the cavalcade, I must have -got a terrible splashing. As it was, I was well frightened, and grasped -both bridle and mane with the utmost tenacity. After this we travelled -on as rapidly as possible, in order to reach our place of destination -before dark. - -Mr. Dogherty, a tall, bolt upright man, half Quaker, half Methodist, -did his best to entertain me, by giving me a thorough schedule of his -religious opinions, with the reasons from Scripture upon which they -were based. He was a good deal of a perfectionist, and evidently looked -upon himself with no small satisfaction, as a living illustration of -his favorite doctrine. - -"St. John says," this was the style of his discourse, "St. John says, -'He that is born of God, doth not commit sin.' Now, _if_ I am born of -God, I do not commit sin." - -I was too cold and too weary to argue the point, so I let him have -it all his own way. I believe he must have thought me rather a dull -companion; but at least, he gave me the credit of being a good listener. - -It was almost dark when we reached Lawton's. The Aux Plaines[T] was -frozen, and the house was on the other side. By loud shouting, we -brought out a man from the building, and he succeeded in cutting the -ice, and bringing a canoe over to us; but not until it had become -difficult to distinguish objects in the darkness. - -[Footnote T: Rivière Aux Plaines was the original French designation, -now changed to _Desplaines_, pronounced as in English.] - -A very comfortable house was Lawton's, after we did reach it--carpeted, -and with a warm stove--in fact, quite in civilized style. Mr. Weeks, -the man who brought us across, was the major-domo, during the temporary -absence of Mr. Lawton. - -Mrs. Lawton was a young woman, and not ill-looking. She complained -bitterly of the loneliness of her condition, and having been "brought -out there into the woods; which was a thing she had not expected, when -she came from the East." We did not ask her with what expectations she -had come to a wild, unsettled country; but we tried to comfort her with -the assurance that things would grow better in a few years. She said, -"she did not mean to wait for that. She should go back to her family in -the East, if Mr. Lawton did not invite some of her young friends to -come and stay with her, and make it agreeable." - -We could hardly realize, on rising the following morning, that only -twelve miles of prairie intervened between us and _Chicago le Desiré_, -as I could not but name it. - -We could look across the extended plain, and on its farthest verge -were visible two tall trees, which my husband pointed out to me as -the planting of his own hand, when a boy. Already they had become so -lofty as to serve as landmarks, and they were constantly in view as -we travelled the beaten road. I was continually repeating to myself, -"There live the friends I am so longing to see! There will terminate -all our trials and hardships!" - -A Mr. Wentworth joined us on the road, and of him we inquired after the -welfare of the family, from whom we had, for a long time, received no -intelligence. When we reached Chicago, he took us to a little tavern -at the forks of the river. This portion of the place was then called -_Wolf Point_, from its having been the residence of an Indian named -"_Moaway_," or "the Wolf." - -"Dear me," said the old landlady, at the little tavern, "what dreadful -cold weather you must have had to travel in! Why, two days ago the -river was all open here, and now it's frozen hard enough for folks to -cross a-horseback!" - -Notwithstanding this assurance, my husband did not like to venture, so -he determined to leave his horses and proceed on foot, to the residence -of his mother and sister, a distance of about half a mile. - -We set out on our walk, which was first across the ice, then down the -northern bank of the river. As we approached the house we were espied -by Genéviève, a half-breed servant of the family. She did not wait to -salute us, but flew into the house crying. - -"Oh! Madame Kinzie, who do you think has come? Monsieur John and Madame -John, all the way from Fort Winnebago on foot!" - -Soon we were in the arms of our dear, kind friends. A messenger was -dispatched to "the garrison" for the remaining members of the family, -and for that day at least, I was the wonder and admiration of the whole -circle, "for the dangers I had seen." - -[Illustration: CHICAGO IN 1820. - -From a sketch by H. R. Schoolcraft, in "Indian Tribes," vol. iv., p. -192.] - -[Illustration: Copy of the First Map of Chicago. The Original, Made by -James Thompson August 4, 1830, was Destroyed in Chicago Fire, October -9, 1871. - -Copy in Possession of Chicago Historical Society.] - -[Illustration: CHICAGO IN 1831. - -From a sketch by Mrs. Kinzie, in original edition.] - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -CHICAGO IN 1831 - - -Fort Dearborn at that day consisted of the same buildings as at -present.[62] They were, of course, in a better state of preservation, -though still considerably dilapidated. They had been erected in 1816, -under the supervision of Captain Hezekiah Bradley, and there was a -story current that, such was his patriotic regard for the interests of -the government, he obliged the soldiers to fashion wooden pins, instead -of spikes and nails, to fasten the timbers of the buildings, and that -he even called on the junior officers to aid in their construction -along with the soldiers, whose business it was. If this were true, the -captain must have labored under the delusion (excusable in one who -had lived long on the frontier) that the government would thank its -servants for any excess of economical zeal. - -The fort was inclosed by high pickets, with bastions at the alternate -angles. Large gates opened to the north and south, and there were small -portions here and there for the accommodation of the inmates. The bank -of the river which stretches to the west, now covered by the lighthouse -buildings, and inclosed by docks, was then occupied by the root-houses -of the garrison. Beyond the parade-ground which extended south of the -pickets, were the company gardens, well filled with currant-bushes and -young fruit-trees. - -The fort stood at what might naturally be supposed to be the mouth -of the river, yet it was not so, for in those days the latter took -a turn, sweeping round the promontory on which the fort was built, -towards the south, and joined the lake about half a mile below; so that -these buildings, in fact, stood on the right bank of the river, the -left being formed by a long spit of land extending from the northern -shore, of which it formed a part. After the cutting through of tills -portion of the left bank in 1833 by the United States Engineers -employed to construct a harbor at this point, and the throwing out -of the piers, the water overflowed this long tongue of land, and -continually encroaching on the southern bank, robbed it of many -valuable acres; while, by the same action of the vast body of the lake, -an accretion was constantly taking place on the north of the harbor. - -The residence of Jean Baptiste Beaubien[63] stood at this period -between the gardens and the river-bank, and still further south was -a rickety tenement, built many years before by Mr. John Dean, the -sutler of the post. A short time after the commencement of the growth -of Chicago, the foundations of this building were undermined by the -gradual encroachment of the lake, and it tumbled backward down the -bank, where it long lay, a melancholy spectacle. - -On the northern bank of the river, directly facing the fort, was the -family mansion of my husband. It was a long, low building, with a -piazza extending along its front, a range of four or five rooms. A -broad green space was inclosed between it and the river, and shaded -by a row of Lombardy poplars. Two immense cotton-wood trees stood in -the rear of the building, one of which still remains as an ancient -landmark. A fine, well-cultivated garden extended to the north of the -dwelling, and surrounding it were various buildings appertaining to the -establishment--dairy, bake-house, lodging-house for the Frenchmen, and -stables. - -A vast range of sand-hills, covered with stunted cedars, pines, and -dwarf-willow trees, intervened between the house and the lake, which -was, at this time, not more than thirty rods distant. - -Proceeding from this point, along the northern bank of the river, -we came first to the Agency House, "Cobweb Castle," as it had been -denominated while long the residence of a bachelor, and the _sobriquet_ -adhered to it ever after. It stood at what is now the south-west -corner of Wolcott and N. Water streets. Many will still remember it, a -substantial, compact little building of logs hewed and squared, with -a centre, two wings, and, strictly speaking, two _tails_, since, when -there was found no more room for additions at the sides, they were -placed in the rear, whereon a vacant spot could be found. - -These appendages did not mar the symmetry of the whole, as viewed from -the front, but when, in the process of the town's improvement, a street -was maliciously opened directly in the rear of the building, the whole -establishment, with its comical little adjuncts, was a constant source -of amusement to the passers-by. No matter. There were pleasant, happy -hours passed under its odd-shaped roof, as many of Chicago's early -settlers can testify. - -Around the Agency House were grouped a collection of log-buildings, -the residences of the different persons in the employ of Government, -appertaining to that establishment--blacksmith, striker, and -laborers. These were for the most part Canadians or half-breeds, with -occasionally a stray Yankee, to set all things going by his activity -and enterprise. - -There was still another house on the north side of the river, built by -a former resident of the name of Miller, but he had removed to "Rivière -du Chemin," or Trail Creek, which about this time began to be called -"Michigan City."[U] This house, which stood near the forks of the -river, was at this time vacant. - -[Footnote U: I can now recall a petition that was circulated at the -garrison about this period, for "building a brigg over Michigan City." -By altering the orthography, it was found to mean, not the stupendous -undertaking it would seem to imply, but simply "building a bridge over -at Michigan City." An accommodation much needed by travellers at that -day.] - -There was no house on the southern bank of the river, between the fort -and "The Point," as the forks of the river were then called. The land -was a low wet prairie, scarcely affording good walking in the dryest -summer weather, while at other seasons it was absolutely impassable. A -muddy streamlet, or as it is called in this country, a _slew_,[V] after -winding around from about the present site of the Tremont House, fell -into the river at the foot of State street.[W] - -[Footnote V: The proper orthography of this word is undoubtedly -_slough_, as it invariably indicates something like that which -Christian fell into in flying from the City of Destruction. I spell it, -however, as it is pronounced.] - -[Footnote W: A gentleman who visited Chicago at that day, thus speaks -of it: "I passed over the ground from the fort to the point, on -horseback. I was up to my stirrups in water the whole distance. I would -not have given sixpence an acre for the whole of it."] - -At a point, on the south side, stood a house just completed by Mark -Beaubien, sen.[64] It was a pretentious white two-story building, with -bright blue wooden shutters, the admiration of all the little circle at -Wolf Point. Here a canoe ferry was kept to transport people across the -south branch of the river. - -Facing down the river from the west was, first a small tavern kept -by Mr. Wentworth, familiarly known as "Old Geese," not from any -want of shrewdness on his part, but in compliment to one of his own -cant expressions. Near him were two or three log-cabins occupied by -Robinson, the Pottowattamie chief, and some of his wife's connexions. -Billy Caldwell, the Sau-ga-nash, too, resided here occasionally, with -his wife, who was a daughter of Nee-scot-nee-meg, one of the most -famous chiefs of the nation. A little remote from these residences was -a small square log building, originally designed for a school-house, -but occasionally used as a place of worship whenever any itinerant -minister presented himself. - -The family of Clybourn had, previous to this time, established -themselves near their present residence on the North Branch--they -called their place _New Virginia_. Four miles up the South Branch was -an old building which was at that time an object of great interest as -having been the theatre of some stirring events during the troubles of -1812.[X] It was denominated Lee's Place, or Hardscrabble. Here lived, -at this time, a settler named Heacock. - -[Footnote X: See Narrative of the Massacre, p. 155.] - -Owing to the badness of the roads a greater part of the year, the usual -mode of communication between the fort and "The Point" was by a boat -rowed up the river, or by a canoe paddled by some skilful hand. By the -latter means, too, an intercourse was kept up between the residents of -the fort and the Agency House. - -There were, at this time, two companies of soldiers in the garrison, -but of the officers one. Lieutenant Furman, had died the autumn -previous, and several of the others were away on furlough. In the -absence of Major Fowle and Capt. Scott, the command devolved on Lieut. -Hunter. Besides him, there were Lieuts. Engle and Foster--the latter -unmarried. Dr. Finley, the post surgeon, was also absent, and his place -was supplied by Dr. Harmon, a gentleman from Vermont. - -[Illustration: MARK BEAUBIEN. - -From crayon portrait in possession of Chicago Historical Society.] - -My husband's mother, two sisters, and brother resided at the Agency -House--the family residence near the lake being occupied by J. N. -Bailey, the postmaster. - -In the Dean House lived a Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, who kept a school. -Gholson Kercheval had a small trading establishment in one of the log -buildings at "Wolf Point," and John S. C. Hogan superintended the -sutler's store in the garrison. - -There was also a Mr. Lee lately come into the country, living at the -Point, who sometimes held forth in the little school-house on a Sunday, -less to the edification of his hearers than to the unmerciful slaughter -of the "King's English."[65] - -I think this enumeration comprises all the white inhabitants of -Chicago, at a period less than a quarter of a century ago. To many -who may read these pages the foregoing particulars will, doubtless, -appear uninteresting. But to those who visit Chicago, and still more, -to those who come to make it their home, it may be not without interest -to look back to its first beginnings; to contemplate the almost magical -change which a few years have wrought; and from the past to augur the -marvellous prosperity of the future. - -The origin of the name Chicago is a subject of discussion, some of -the Indians deriving it from the fitch or pole-cat, others from the -wild onion with which the woods formerly abounded; but all agree that -the place received its name from an old chief, who was drowned in -the stream in former times. That this event, although so carefully -preserved by tradition, must have occurred in a very remote period, is -evident from an old French manuscript brought by Gen. Cass from France. - -In this paper, which purports to be a letter from M. de Ligney, at -Green Bay, to M. de Siette, among the Illinois, dated as early as 1726, -the place is designated as "Chicagoux." This orthography is also found -in old family letters of the beginning of the present century.[66] - - * * * * * - -In giving the early history of Chicago, the Indians say, with great -simplicity, "the first white man who settled here was a negro." - -This was Jean Baptiste Point-au-Sable, a native of St. Domingo, who, -about the year 1796, found his way to this remote region, and commenced -a life among the Indians. There is usually a strong affection between -these two races, and Jean Baptiste imposed upon his new friends -by making them believe that he had been a "great chief" among the -whites. Perhaps he was disgusted at not being elected to a similar -dignity by the Pottowattamies, for he quitted this vicinity, and -finally terminated his days at Peoria, under the roof of his friend -"Glamorgan," another St. Domingo negro, who had obtained large Spanish -grants in St. Louis and its environs, and who, at one time, was in the -enjoyment of an extensive landed estate. - -Point-au-Sable had made some improvements at Chicago, which were taken -possession of by a Frenchman named Le Mai, who commenced trading with -the Indians. After a few years Le Mai's establishment was purchased -by John Kinzie, Esq.,[67] who at that time resided at Bertrand, or -_Parc aux Vaches_, as it was then called, near Niles, in Michigan. As -this gentleman was, for nearly twenty years, with the exception of -the military, the only white inhabitant of Northern Illinois, some -particulars of his early life may not be uninteresting. - -[Illustration: Map of Chicago Portage, from the First U. S. Government -Survey, Circa 1820. - -In Possession of Chicago Historical Society.] - -He was born in Quebec (L. C.) in 1763. His mother had been previously -married to a gentleman of the name of Haliburton. The only daughter -of this marriage was the mother of Gen. Fleming and Nicholas Low, -Esq., of New York. She is described as a lady of remarkable beauty and -accomplishments. Mr. Kinzie was the only child of the second marriage. -His father died in his infancy, and his mother married a third time a -Mr. Forsyth, after which they removed to the city of New York. - -At the age of ten or eleven years he was placed at school with two of -his half-brothers at Williamsburg, L. I. A negro servant was sent from -the city every Saturday, to bring the children home, to remain until -the following Monday morning. Upon on occasion, when the messenger -arrived at the school he found all things in commotion. Johnny Kinzie -was missing! Search was made in all directions; every place was -ransacked. It was all in vain; no Johnny Kinzie could be found. - -The heavy tidings were carried home to his mother. By some it was -supposed the lad was drowned; by others that he had strayed away, -and would return. Weeks passed by, and months, and he was at length -given up and mourned as lost. In the meantime the boy was fulfilling a -determination he had long formed, to visit his native city of Quebec, -and make his way in life for himself. - -He had by some means succeeded in crossing from Williamsburg to the -city of New York, and finding at one of the docks on the North River -a sloop bound for Albany, he took passage on board of her. While on -his way up the river, he was noticed by a gentleman, who, taking an -interest in the little lonely passenger, questioned him about his -business. - -"He was going to Quebec, where he had some friends." - -"Had he the means to carry him there?" - -"Not much, but he thought he could get along." - -It happened, fortunately, that the gentleman himself was going to -Quebec. He took the boy under his care, paid his expenses the whole -distance, and finally parted with him in the streets of the city, where -he was, in truth, a stranger. - -He wandered about for a time, looking into various "stores" and -workshops. At length, on entering the shop of a silversmith, he was -satisfied with the expression he read in the countenance of the master, -and he inquired if he wanted an apprentice. - -"What, you, my little fellow! What can you do?" - -"Anything you can teach me." - -"Well, we will make a trial and see." - -The trial was satisfactory. He remained in the family of his kind -friend for more than three years, when his parents, who, in removing to -Detroit, had necessarily returned to Canada, discovered his place of -abode, and he was restored to them. - -There were five younger half-brothers of the name of Forsyth. In the -old family Bible, we find the following touching record of an event -that occurred after the family had removed to Detroit: - -"George Forsyth was lost in the woods 6th August, 1775, when Henry Hays -and Mark Stirling ran away and left him. The remains of George Forsyth -were found by an Indian the 2d of October, 1776, close by the Prairie -Ronde." - -It seems a singular fatality that the unhappy mother should have been -twice called to suffer a similar affliction--the loss of a child in a -manner worse than death, inasmuch as it left room for all the horrors -that imagination can suggest. The particulars of the loss of this -little brother were these. As he came from school one evening, he met -the colored servant boy on horseback, going to the common for the cows. -The school-house stood quite near the old fort, and all beyond that, -all that now lies west of Fort street, was a wild, uncultivated tract -called "The Common." The child begged of the servant to take him up -and give him a ride, but the other refused, bidding him return home -at once. He was accompanied by two other boys, somewhat older, and -together they followed the negro for some distance, hoping to prevail -upon him to give them a ride. As it grew dark, the two older boys -turned back, but the other kept on. When the negro returned he had -not again seen the child, nor were any tidings ever received of him, -notwithstanding the diligent search made by the whole little community, -until, as related in the record, his remains were found the following -year by an Indian. There was nothing to identify them, except the -auburn curls of his hair, and the little boots he had worn. He must -have perished very shortly after having lost his way, for the Prairie -Ronde was too near the settlement to have prevented his hearing the -calls and sounding horns of those in search of him. - -Mr. Kinzie's enterprising and adventurous disposition led him, as -he grew older, to live much on the frontier. He early entered into -the Indian trade, and had establishments at Sandusky and Maumee, and -afterwards pushed further west, about the year 1800, to St. Joseph's. -In this year he married Mrs. McKillip, the widow of a British officer, -and in 1804 came to make his home at Chicago. It was in this year that -the first fort was built. - -By degrees more remote trading-posts were established by him, all -contributing to the parent one at Chicago; at Milwaukie with the -Meenomonees; at Rock River with the Winnebagoes and the Pottowattamies; -on the Illinois River and Kankakee with the Pottowattamies of the -Prairies, and with the Kickapoos in what was called "_Le Large_," being -the widely extended district afterwards erected into Sangamon County. - -Each trading-post had its superintendent, and its complement of -engagés--its train of pack-horses and its equipment of boats and -canoes. From most of the stations the "fur and peltries" were brought -to Chicago on pack-horses, and the goods necessary for the trade were -transported in return by the same method. - -The vessels which came in the spring and fall (seldom more than two -or three annually), to bring the supplies and goods for the trade, -took the furs that were already collected to Mackinac, a depôt of the -South-West and American Fur Companies. At other seasons they were sent -to that place in boats, coasting around the lake.[68] - - * * * * * - -Of the Canadian voyageurs or engagés, a race that has now so nearly -passed away, some notice may very properly here be given. - -They were unlike any other class of men. Like the poet, they seemed -born to their vocation. Sturdy, enduring, ingenious, and light-hearted, -they possessed a spirit capable of adapting itself to any emergency. -No difficulties baffled, no hardships discouraged them; while their -affectionate nature led them to form attachments of the warmest -character to their "bourgeois," or master, as well as to the native -inhabitants, among whom their engagements carried them. - -[Illustration: RESIDENCE OF JOHN KINZIE, ESQ. - -(The first house built in Chicago.) From sketch by Mrs. Kinzie, in -original edition.] - -Montreal, or according to their own pronunciation, _Marrialle_, was -their depôt. It was at that place that the agents commissioned to make -up the quota for the different companies and traders found the material -for their selections. - -The terms of engagement were usually from four to six hundred livres -(ancient Quebec currency) per annum as wages, with rations of one quart -of lyed corn, and two ounces of tallow per diem, or "its equivalent in -whatever sort of food is to be found in the Indian country." - -Instances have been known of their submitting cheerfully to fare upon -fresh fish and maple sugar for a whole winter, when cut off from other -supplies. - -It was a common saying, "Keep an engagé to his corn and tallow, he will -serve you well--give him pork and bread, and he soon gets beyond your -management." They regard the terms of their engagement as binding to -the letter. An old trader, M. Berthelet, engaged a crew at Montreal. -The terms of agreement were, that they should eat when their bourgeois -did, and what he did. It was a piece of fun on the part of the old -gentleman, but the simple Canadians believed it to be a signal instance -of good luck that had provided them such luxurious prospects. The -bourgeois stuffed his pockets with crackers, and when sure of being -quite unobserved, would slyly eat one. Pipe after pipe passed--the men -grew hungry, but observing that there were no preparations of a meal -for the bourgeois, they bore their fast without complaining. - -At length the matter became too serious--they could stand it no -longer. In their distress they begged off from the bargain, and gladly -compounded to take the customary rations, instead of the dainty fare -they had been promising themselves with their master. - -On arriving at Mackinac, which was the entrepôt of the Fur Trade, a -small proportion of the voyageur's wages was advanced him, to furnish -his winter's outfit, his pipes and tobacco, his needles and thread, -some pieces of bright-colored ribbons, and red and yellow gartering -(quality binding), with which to purchase their little necessaries from -the Indians. To these, if his destination were Lake Superior, or a post -far to the north, where such articles could not be readily obtained, -were added one or two smoked deer-skins for moccasins. - -Thus equipped, he entered upon his three years' service, to toil by -day, and laugh, joke, sing, and tell stories when the evening hour -brought rest and liberty. - -There was not wanting here and there an instance of obstinate adherence -to the exact letter of the agreement in regard to the nature of -employment, although, as a general thing, the engagé held himself ready -to fulfil the behests of his bourgeois, as faithfully as ever did -vassal those of his chief. - -A story is told of M. St. Jean, a trader on the Upper Mississippi, who -upon a certain occasion ordered one of his Frenchmen to accompany a -party to the forest to chop wood. The man refused. "He was not hired," -he said, "to chop wood." - -"Ah! for what then were you hired?" - -"To steer a boat." - -"Very well; steer a boat, then, since you prefer it." - -It was mid-winter. The recusant was marched to the river-side, and -placed in the stern of the boat, which lay fastened in the ice. - -After serving a couple of hours at his legitimate employment, with the -thermometer below zero, he was quite content to take his place with the -chopping-party, and never again thought it good policy to choose work -for himself. - -There is an aristocracy in the voyageur service which is quite amusing. -The engagement is usually made for three years. The engagé of the -first year, who is called a "_mangeur-de-lard_," or pork-eater, is -looked down upon with the most sovereign contempt by an "_hivernant_," -or one who has already passed a winter in the country. He will not -only not associate with him, but if invited by him to join him in -a friendly glass, he will make some excuse for declining. The most -inveterate drunkard, while tortured by a longing to partake his -favorite indulgence, will yet never suffer himself to be enticed into -an infringement of this custom. - -After the first winter, the _mangeur-de-lard_ rises from his freshman -class, and takes his place where he can in turn lord it over all -new-comers. - -Another peculiarity of the class is their fancy for transforming -the names of their bourgeois into something funny, which resembles -it in sound. Thus Kinzie would be called by one "_Quinze nez_" -(fifteen noses), by another "_Singé_" (monkeyfied). Mr. Kercheval was -denominated "_Mons. Court-cheval_" (short horse), the Judge of Probate, -"_le Juge Trop-bête_" (too foolish), &c. &c. The following is an -instance in point. - -Mr. Shaw, one of the agents of the Northwest Fur Company, had passed -many years on the frontier, and was by the voyageurs called Monsieur Le -Chat.[Y] On quitting the Indian country he married a Canadian lady and -became the father of several children. Some years after his return to -Canada, his old foreman, named Louis la Liberté, went to Montreal to -spend the winter. He had heard of his old bourgeois' marriage, and was -anxious to see him. - -[Footnote Y: Mr. Cat.] - -Mr. Shaw was walking in the Champ de Mars with a couple of officers -when La Liberté espied him. He immediately ran up, and seizing him by -both hands, accosted him-- - -"_Ah! mon cher Mons. le Chat; comment vous portez vous?_" - -"_Tres bien, Louizon._" - -"_Et comment se porte Madame la Chatte?_" (How is the mother cat?) - -"_Bien, bien, Louizon; elle est tres bien._" (She is very well.) - -"_Et tous les petits Chatons?_" (And all the kittens?) - -This was too much for Mr. Shaw. He answered shortly that the kittens -were all well, and bidding him call at his house, turned away with -his military friends, leaving poor Louizon quite astonished at the -abruptness of his departure. - - * * * * * - -Cut off, in the manner described, from the world at large, with no -society but the military, thus lived the family of Mr. Kinzie, in great -contentment, and in the enjoyment of all the comforts, together with -most of the luxuries of life. - -The Indians reciprocated the friendship that was shown them, and formed -for them an attachment of no ordinary strength, as was manifested -during the scenes of the year 1812, eight years after Mr. Kinzie came -to live among them. - -Some of the most prominent events of that year are recorded in the -following Narrative. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -MASSACRE AT CHICAGO[Z] - -[Footnote Z: This Narrative is substantially the same as that published -in pamphlet form, in 1836. It was transferred with little variation to -Brown's "History of Illinois," and to a work called "Western Annals." -It was likewise made, by Major Richardson, the basis of his two tales, -"Hardscrabble," and "Wau-nan-gee."] - - -It was the evening of the 7th April, 1812. The children of Mr. Kinzie -were dancing before the fire to the music of their father's violin. -The tea-table was spread, and they were awaiting the return of their -mother, who had gone to visit a sick neighbor about a quarter of a mile -up the river. - -Suddenly their sports were interrupted. The door was thrown open, -and Mrs. Kinzie rushed in, pale with terror and scarcely able to -articulate, "The Indians! the Indians!" - -"The Indians? What? Where?" eagerly demanded they all. - -"Up at Lee's place, killing and scalping!" - -With difficulty Mrs. Kinzie composed herself sufficiently to give the -information, "That while she was up at Burns', a man and a boy were -seen running down with all speed on the opposite side of the river; -that they had called across to give notice to Burns' family to save -themselves, for _the Indians_ were at Lee's Place, from which they had -just made their escape." Having given this terrifying news, they had -made all speed for the fort, which was on the same side of the river -that they then were. - -All was now consternation and dismay. The family were hurried into two -old _pirogues_, that were moored near the house, and paddled with all -possible haste across the river to take refuge in the fort. - -All that the man and boy who had made their escape were able to tell, -was soon known; but in order to render their story more intelligible, -it is necessary to describe the scene of action. - -_Lee's Place_, since known by the name of Hardscrabble, was a farm -intersected by the Chicago River, about four miles from its mouth. The -farm-house stood on the western bank of the south branch of this river. -On the same side of the main stream, but quite near its junction with -Lake Michigan, stood (as has already been described) the dwelling-house -and trading establishment of Mr. Kinzie. - -The fort was situated on the southern bank, directly opposite this -mansion--the river, and a few rods of sloping green turf on either -side, being all that intervened between them. - -The fort was differently constructed from the one erected on the same -site in 1816. It had two block-houses on the southern side, and on the -northern a sally-port, or subterranean passage from the parade ground -to the river. This was designed either to facilitate escape, in case of -an emergency, or as a means of supplying the garrison with water during -a siege. - -The officers in the fort at this period were Capt. Heald, the -commanding officer, Lieut. Helm, the son-in-law of Mr. Kinzie, and -Ensign Ronan--the two last were very young men--and the surgeon. Dr. -Van Voorhees. - -The command numbered about seventy-five men; very few of whom were -effective. - -[Illustration: OLD FORT DEARBORN, 1803-1812. - -From a sketch by Charles H. Ourand, based upon plans drawn by Capt. J. -Whistler, 1808, in possession of Chicago Historical Society.] - -A constant and friendly intercourse had been maintained between these -troops and the Indians. It is true that the principal men of the -Pottowattamie nation, like those of most other tribes, went yearly to -Fort Maiden, in Canada, to receive a large amount of presents, with -which the British Government had, for many years, been in the habit -of purchasing their alliance; and it was well known that many of the -Pottowattamies, as well as Winnebagoes, had been engaged with the -Ottawas and Shawnees at the battle of Tippecanoe, the preceding autumn; -yet, as the principal chiefs of all the bands in the neighborhood -appeared to be on the most amicable terms with the Americans, no -interruption of their harmony was at any time anticipated. - -After the 15th August, however, many circumstances were recollected -that might have opened the eyes of the whites, had they not been lulled -in a fatal security. One instance in particular may be mentioned. - -In the spring preceding the destruction of the fort, two Indians of the -Calumet band came to the fort on a visit to the Commanding Officer. As -they passed through the quarters, they saw Mrs. Heald and Mrs. Helm -playing at battledoor. - -Turning to the interpreter, one of them, Nau-non-gee, remarked: "The -white chiefs' wives are amusing themselves very much; it will not be -long before they are hoeing in our cornfields!" - -This was considered at the time an idle threat, or at most, an -ebullition of jealous feeling at the contrast between the situation -of their own women and that of the "white chiefs' wives." Some months -after, how bitterly was it remembered! - - * * * * * - -The farm at Lee's Place was occupied by a Mr. White, and three persons -employed by him in the care of the farm. - -In the afternoon of the day on which our narrative commences, a -party of ten or twelve Indians, dressed and painted, arrived at the -house, and according to the custom among savages, entered and seated -themselves without ceremony. - -Something in their appearance and manner excited the suspicions of one -of the family, a Frenchman, who remarked, "I do not like the appearance -of these Indians--they are none of our folks. I know by their dress and -paint that they are not Pottowattamies." - -Another of the family, a discharged soldier, then said to the boy who -was present, "If that is the case, we had better get away from them if -we can. Say nothing; but do as you see me do." - -As the afternoon was far advanced, the soldier walked leisurely towards -the canoes, of which there were two tied near the bank. Some of the -Indians inquired where he was going. He pointed to the cattle which -were standing among the haystacks on the opposite bank; and made signs -that they must go and fodder them, and then they should return and get -their supper. - -He got into one canoe, and the boy into the other. The stream was -narrow, and they were soon across. When they had gained the opposite -side, they pulled some hay for the cattle--made a show of collecting -them--and when they had gradually made a circuit, so that their -movements were concealed by the haystacks, they took to the woods, -which were close at hand, and made for the fort. - -They had run about a quarter of a mile, when they heard the discharge -of two guns successively, which they supposed to have been leveled at -the companions they had left behind. - -They stopped not nor stayed until they arrived opposite Burns',[AA] -where, as before related, they called across to advise the family of -their danger, and then hastened on to the fort. - -[Footnote AA: Burns' house stood near the spot where the Agency -building, or "Cobweb Castle," was afterwards erected.] - -It now occurred to those who had secured their own safety, that the -family of Burns was at this moment exposed to the most imminent peril. -The question was, who would hazard his own life to bring them to a -place of safety? A gallant young officer. Ensign Ronan, volunteered, -with a party of five or six soldiers, to go to their rescue. - -They ascended the river in a scow, took the mother, with her infant of -scarcely a day old, upon her bed to the boat, in which they carefully -conveyed her and the other members of the family to the fort. - -A party of soldiers, consisting of a corporal and six men, had that -afternoon obtained leave to go up the river to fish. - -They had not returned when the fugitives from Lee's Place arrived -at the fort, and fearing that they might encounter the Indians, the -commanding officer ordered a cannon to be fired, to warn them of danger. - -They were at the time about two miles above Lee's Place. Hearing the -signal, they took the hint, put out their torches (for it was now -night), and dropped down the river toward the garrison, as silently as -possible. It will be remembered that the unsettled state of the country -since the battle of Tippecanoe, the preceding November, had rendered -every man vigilant, and the slightest alarm was an admonition to beware -of "the Indians." - -When the fishing-party reached Lee's Place, it was proposed to stop -and warn the inmates to be upon their guard, as the signal from the -fort indicated danger of some kind. All was still as death around the -house. They groped their way along, and as the corporal jumped over the -small enclosure, he placed his hand upon the dead body of a man. By the -sense of touch he soon ascertained that the head was without a scalp, -and otherwise mutilated. The faithful dog of the murdered man stood -guarding the lifeless remains of his master. - -The tale was now told. They retreated to their canoes and reached the -fort unmolested about eleven o'clock at night. The next morning a -party of the citizens and soldiers volunteered to go to Lee's Place, -to learn further the fate of its occupants. The body of Mr. White was -found pierced by two balls, and with eleven stabs in the breast. The -Frenchman, as already described, lay dead, with his dog still beside -Mm. Their bodies were brought to the fort and buried in its immediate -vicinity. - -It was subsequently ascertained, from traders out in the Indian -country, that the perpetrators of this bloody deed were a party of -Winnebagoes, who had come into this neighborhood to "take some white -scalps." Their plan had been, to proceed down the river from Lee's -Place, and kill every white man without the walls of the fort. Hearing, -however, the report of the camion, and not knowing what it portended, -they thought it best to remain satisfied with this one exploit, and -forthwith retreated to their homes on Rock River. - -The inhabitants outside the fort, consisting of a few discharged -soldiers and some families of half-breeds, now entrenched themselves in -the Agency House. This stood on the esplanade west of the fort, between -the pickets and the river, and distant about twenty rods from the -former.[AB] - -[Footnote AB: The present site of the lighthouse.] - -It was an old-fashioned log-building, with a hall running through the -centre, and one large room on each side. Piazzas extended the whole -length of the building in front and rear. These were planked up, for -greater security, port-holes were cut, and sentinels posted at night. - -As the enemy were believed to be lurking still in the neighborhood, or, -emboldened by former success, likely to return at any moment, an order -was issued prohibiting any soldier or citizen from leaving the vicinity -of the garrison without a guard. - -One night a sergeant and private, who were out on a patrol, came -suddenly upon a party of Indians in the pasture adjoining the -esplanade. The sergeant fired his piece, and both retreated toward the -fort. Before they could reach it, an Indian threw his tomahawk, which -missed the sergeant and struck a wagon standing near. The sentinel from -the block-house immediately fired, and with effect, while the men got -safely in. The next morning it was ascertained, from traces of blood to -a considerable distance into the prairie, and from the appearance of -a body having been laid among the long grass, that some execution had -been done. - -On another occasion the enemy entered the esplanade to steal horses. -Not finding them in the stable, as they had expected, they made -themselves amends for their disappointment by stabbing all the -sheep in the stable, and then letting them loose. The poor annuals -flocked towards the fort. This gave the alarm--the garrison was -aroused--parties were sent out, but the marauders escaped unmolested. - - * * * * * - -The inmates of the fort experienced no further alarm for many weeks. - -On the afternoon of the 7th August, Winnemeg, or _Catfish_, a -Pottowattamie chief, arrived at the post, bringing despatches from Gen. -Hull. These announced the declaration of war between the United States -and Great Britain, and that Gen. Hull, at the head of the North-Western -army, had arrived at Detroit; also, that the island of Mackinac had -fallen into the hands of the British. - -The orders to Captain Heald were, "to evacuate the fort, if -practicable, and in that event, to distribute all the United States' -property contained in the fort, and in the United States' factory or -agency, among the Indians in the neighborhood." - -After having delivered his despatches, Winnemeg requested a private -interview with Mr. Kinzie, who had taken up his residence in the -fort. He stated to Mr. K. that he was acquainted with the purport -of the communications he had brought, and begged him to ascertain -if it were the intention of Captain Heald to evacuate the post. He -advised strongly against such a step, inasmuch as the garrison was -well supplied with ammunition, and with provisions for six months. -It would, therefore, be far better, he thought, to remain until a -reinforcement could be sent to their assistance. If, however. Captain -Heald should decide upon leaving the post, it should by all means be -done immediately. The Pottowattamies, through whose country they must -pass, being ignorant of the object of Winnemeg's mission, a forced -march might be made, before those who were hostile in their feelings -were prepared to interrupt them. - -Of this advice, so earnestly given, Captain Heald was immediately -informed. He replied that it was his intention to evacuate the post, -but that, inasmuch as he had received orders to distribute the United -States' property, he should not feel justified in leaving it until he -had collected the Indians of the neighborhood, and made an equitable -division among them. - -Winnemeg then suggested the expediency of marching out, and leaving -all things standing--possibly while the Indians were engaged in -the partition of the spoils, the troops might effect their retreat -unmolested. This advice was strongly seconded by Mr. Kinzie, but did -not meet the approbation of the Commanding Officer. - -The order for evacuating the post was read next morning upon parade. -It is difficult to understand why Captain Heald, in such an emergency, -omitted the usual form of calling a council of war with his officers. -It can only be accounted for by the fact of a want of harmonious -feeling between himself and one of his junior officers--Ensign Ronan, -a high-spirited and somewhat overbearing, but brave and generous young -man. - -In the course of the day, finding that no council was called, the -officers waited on Captain Heald to be informed what course he intended -to pursue. When they learned his intentions, they remonstrated with -him, on the following grounds: - -First--It was highly improbable that the command would be permitted to -pass through the country in safety to Fort Wayne. For although it had -been said that some of the chiefs had opposed an attack upon the fort, -planned the preceding autumn, yet it was well known that they had been -actuated in that matter by motives of private regard to one family, and -not to any general friendly feeling toward the Americans; and that, at -any rate, it was hardly to be expected that these few individuals would -be able to control the whole tribe, who were thirsting for blood. - -In the next place--their march must necessarily be slow, as their -movements must be accommodated to the helplessness of the women and -children, of whom there were a number with the detachment. That -of their small force, some of the soldiers were superannuated, -others invalid; therefore, since the course to be pursued was left -discretional, their unanimous advice was, to remain where they were, -and fortify themselves as strongly as possible. Succors from the other -side of the peninsula might arrive before they could be attacked by the -British from Mackinac, and even should there not, it were far better -to fall into the hands of the latter than to become the victims of the -savages. - -Captain Heald argued in reply, "that a special order had been issued -by the war department, that no post should be surrendered without -battle having been given, and his force was totally inadequate to an -engagement with the Indians. That he should unquestionably be censured -for remaining, when there appeared a prospect of a safe march through; -and that, upon the whole, he deemed it expedient to assemble the -Indians, distribute the property among them, and then ask of them an -escort to Fort Wayne, with the promise of a considerable reward upon -their safe arrival--adding, that he had full confidence in the friendly -professions of the Indians, from whom, as well as from the soldiers, -the capture of Mackinac had been kept a profound secret." - -From this time the officers held themselves aloof, and spoke but little -upon the subject, though they considered the project of Captain Heald -little short of madness. The dissatisfaction among the soldiers hourly -increased, until it reached a high pitch of insubordination. - -Upon one occasion, as Captain Heald was conversing with Mr. Kinzie -upon the parade, he remarked, "I could not remain, even if I thought it -best, for I have but a small store of provisions." - -"Why, captain," said a soldier who stood near, forgetting all etiquette -in the excitement of the moment, "you have cattle enough to last the -troops six months." - -"But," replied Captain Heald, "I have no salt to preserve it with." - -"Then jerk[AC] it," said the man, "as the Indians do their venison." - -[Footnote AC: This is done by cutting the meat in thin slices, placing -it upon a scaffold, and making a fire under it, which dries it and -smokes it at the same time.] - -The Indians now became daily more unruly. Entering the fort in defiance -of the sentinels, they made their way without ceremony into the -officers' quarters. On one occasion, an Indian took up a rifle and -fired it in the parlor of the Commanding Officer, as an expression -of defiance. Some were of opinion that this was intended among the -young men as a signal for an attack. The old chiefs passed backwards -and forwards among the assembled groups, with the appearance of the -most lively agitation, while the squaws rushed to and fro, in great -excitement, and evidently prepared for some fearful scene. - -Any further manifestation of ill-feeling was, however, suppressed for -the present, and Captain Heald, strange as it may seem, continued to -entertain a conviction of having created so amicable a disposition -among the Indians, as would insure the safety of the command on their -march to Fort Wayne. - -Thus passed the time until the 12th August. The feelings of the inmates -of the fort during this time may be better imagined than described. -Each morning that dawned seemed to bring them nearer that most -appalling fate--butchery by a savage foe--and at night they scarcely -dared yield to slumber, lest they should be aroused by the war-whoop -and tomahawk. Gloom and mistrust prevailed, and the want of unanimity -among the officers, debarred them the consolation they might have found -in mutual sympathy and encouragement. - -The Indians being assembled from the neighboring villages, a council -was held with them on the afternoon of the 12th. Captain Heald only, -attended on the part of the military. He requested his officers to -accompany him, but they declined. They had been secretly informed that -it was the intention of the young chiefs to fall upon the officers and -massacre them while in council, but they could not persuade Captain -Heald of the truth of their information. They waited therefore only -until he had left the garrison, accompanied by Mr. Kinzie, when they -took command of the block-houses which overlooked the esplanade on -which the council was held, opened the port-holes, and pointed the -cannon so as to command the whole assembly. By this means, probably, -the lives of the whites who were present in council were preserved. - -In council, the Commanding Officer informed the Indians that it was -his intention to distribute among them the next day, not only the -goods lodged in the United States' Factory, but also the ammunition -and provisions, with which the garrison was well supplied. He then -requested of the Pottowattamies an escort to Fort Wayne, promising them -a liberal reward on arriving there, in addition to the presents they -were now about to receive. With many professions of friendship and -good-will, the savages assented to all he proposed, and promised all he -required. - -After the council, Mr. Kinzie, who understood well, not only the -Indian character, but the present tone of feeling among them, had a -long interview with Captain Heald, in hopes of opening his eyes to the -present posture of affairs. - -He reminded him that since the troubles with the Indians upon the -Wabash and its vicinity, there had appeared a settled plan of -hostilities toward the whites, in consequence of which it had been the -policy of the Americans to withhold from them whatever would enable -them to carry on their warfare upon the defenceless inhabitants of the -frontier. - -Mr. Kinzie recalled to Captain Heald how that he had himself left home -for Detroit the preceding autumn, but, receiving when he had proceeded -as far as De Charme's[AD] the intelligence of the battle of Tippecanoe, -he had immediately returned to Chicago, that he might dispatch orders -to his traders to furnish no ammunition to the Indians; in consequence -of which all they had on hand was secreted, and such of the traders as -had not already started for their wintering-grounds took neither powder -nor shot with them. - -[Footnote AD: A trading establishment--now Ypsilanti.] - -Captain Heald was struck with the impolicy of furnishing the enemy (for -such they must now consider their old neighbors) with arms against -himself, and determined to destroy all the ammunition except what -should be necessary for the use of his own troops. - -On the 13th the goods, consisting of blankets, broadcloths, calicoes, -paints, etc., were distributed, as stipulated. The same evening the -ammunition and liquor were carried, part into the sally-port, and -thrown into a well which had been dug there to supply the garrison with -water in case of emergency; the remainder was transported as secretly -as possible through the northern gate, the heads of the barrels -knocked in, and the contents poured into the river. - -The same fate was shared by a large quantity of alcohol belonging to -Mr. Kinzie, which had been deposited in a warehouse near his residence -opposite the fort. - -The Indians suspected what was going on, and crept, serpent-like, as -near the scene of action as possible, but a vigilant watch was kept up, -and no one was suffered to approach but those engaged in the affair. -All the muskets not necessary for the command on the march were broken -up and thrown into the well, together with the bags of shot, flints, -gunscrews, and in short, everything relating to weapons of offence. - -Some relief to the general feeling of despondency was afforded by the -arrival, on the 14th of August, of Captain Wells[AE] with fifteen -friendly Miamis. - -[Footnote AE: Captain Wells when a boy was stolen from his friends, the -family of Hon. Nathaniel Pope, in Kentucky. Although recovered by them, -he preferred to return and live among his new friends. He married a -Miami woman, and became a chief of the nation. He was the father of the -late Mrs. Judge Wolcott, of Maumee, O.] - -Of this brave man, who forms so conspicuous a figure in our frontier -annals, it is unnecessary here to say more than that he had been -residing from his boyhood among the Indians, and consequently possessed -a perfect knowledge of their character and habits. - -He had heard, at Fort Wayne, of the order for evacuating the fort at -Chicago, and knowing the hostile determination of the Pottowattamies, -he had made a rapid march across the country, to prevent the exposure -of his relative, Captain Heald, and his troops to certain destruction. - -But he came "all too late." When he reached the post he found that the -ammunition had been destroyed, and the provisions given to the Indians. -There was, therefore, now no alternative, and every preparation was -made for the march of the troops on the following morning. - -On the afternoon of the same day, a second council was held with the -Indians. They expressed great indignation at the destruction of the -ammunition and liquor. - -Notwithstanding the precautions that had been taken to preserve -secrecy, the noise of knocking in the heads of the barrels had betrayed -the operations of the preceding night; and, so great was the quantity -of liquor thrown into the river, that the taste of the water the next -morning was, as one expressed it, "strong grog." - -Murmurs and threats were everywhere heard among the savages. It was -evident that the first moment of exposure would subject the troops to -some manifestation of their disappointment and resentment. - -Among the chiefs were several, who, although they shared the general -hostile feeling of their tribe toward the Americans, yet retained a -personal regard for the troops at this post, and for the few white -citizens of the place. These chiefs exerted their utmost influence to -allay the revengeful feelings of the young men, and to avert their -sanguinary designs, but without effect. - -On the evening succeeding the council _Black Partridge_, a conspicuous -chief, entered the quarters of the Commanding Officer. - -"Father," said he, "I come to deliver up to you the medal I wear. It -was given me by the Americans, and I have long worn it, in token of our -mutual friendship. But our young men are resolved to imbrue their hands -in the blood of the whites. I cannot restrain them, and I will not wear -a token of peace while I am compelled to act as an enemy." - -Had further evidence been wanting, this circumstance would -sufficiently have proved to the devoted band, the justice of their -melancholy anticipations. Nevertheless, they went steadily on with the -necessary preparations; and amid the horrors of their situation, there -were not wanting one or two gallant hearts, who strove to encourage in -their desponding companions, the hopes of escape they were far from -indulging themselves. - -Of the ammunition there had been reserved but twenty-five rounds, -beside one box of cartridges, contained in the baggage-wagons. This -must, under any circumstances of danger, have proved an inadequate -supply, but the prospect of a fatiguing march, in their present -ineffective state, forbade the troops embarrassing themselves with a -larger quantity. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -NARRATIVE OF THE MASSACRE CONTINUED - - -The morning of the 15th arrived. All things were in readiness, and nine -o'clock was the hour named for starting. - -Mr. Kinzie had volunteered to accompany the troops in their march, and -had entrusted his family to the care of some friendly Indians, who had -promised to convey them in a boat around the head of Lake Michigan to a -point[AF] on the St. Joseph's river; there to be joined by the troops, -should the prosecution of their march be permitted them. - -[Footnote AF: The spot now called Bertrand, then known as _Parc aux -Vaches_, from its having been a pasture ground to an old French fort in -the neighborhood.] - -Early in the morning Mr. Kinzie received a message from To-pee-nee-bee, -a chief of the St. Joseph's band, informing him that mischief -was intended by the Pottowattamies who had engaged to escort the -detachment; and urging him to relinquish his design of accompanying -the troops by land, promising him that the boat containing himself and -family should be permitted to pass in safety to St. Joseph's. - -Mr. Kinzie declined according to this proposal, as he believed that his -presence might operate as a restraint upon the fury of the savages, so -warmly were the greater part of them attached to himself and his family. - -The party in the boat consisted of Mrs. Kinzie and her four younger -children, their nurse Grutte,[AG] a clerk of Mr. Kinzie's, two -servants and the boatmen, besides the two Indians who acted as their -protectors. The boat started, but had scarcely reached the mouth of the -river, which, it will be recollected was here half a mile below the -fort, when another messenger from _To-pee-nee-bee_ arrived to detain -them where they were. - -[Footnote AG: Afterwards Mrs. Jean Baptiste Beaubien.] - -In breathless expectation sat the wife and mother. She was a woman of -uncommon energy and strength of character, yet her heart died within -her as she folded her arms around her helpless infants, and gazed upon -the march of her husband and eldest child to certain destruction. - -As the troops left the fort, the band struck up the Dead March. On they -came in military array, but with solemn mien. Captain Wells took the -lead at the head of his little band of Miamis. He had blackened his -face before leaving the garrison, in token of his impending fate. They -took their route along the lake shore. When they reached a point where -commenced a range of sand-hills intervening between the prairie and the -beach, the escort of Pottowattamies, in number about five hundred, kept -the level of the prairie, instead of continuing along the beach with -the Americans and Miamis. - -They had marched perhaps a mile and a half, when Captain Wells, who had -kept somewhat in advance with his Miamis, came riding furiously back. - -"They are about to attack us," shouted he; "form, instantly, and charge -upon them." - -Scarcely were the words uttered, when a volley was showered from among -the sand-hills. The troops were hastily brought into line, and charged -up the bank. One man, a veteran of seventy winters, fell as they -ascended. The remainder of the scene is best described in the words of -an eye-witness and participator in the tragedy, Mrs. Helm, the wife of -Captain (then Lieutenant) Helm, and step-daughter of Mr. Kinzie. - - * * * * * - -"After we had left the bank the firing became general. The Miamis fled -at the outset. Their chief rode up to the Pottowattamies and said: - -"'You have deceived the Americans and us. You have done a bad action, -and (brandishing his tomahawk) I will be the first to head a party of -Americans to return and punish your treachery.' So saying, he galloped -after his companions, who were now scouring across the prairies. - -"The troops behaved most gallantly. They were but a handful, but they -seemed resolved to sell their lives as dearly as possible. Our horses -pranced and bounded, and could hardly be restrained as the balls -whistled among them. I drew off a little, and gazed upon my husband -and father, who were yet unharmed. I felt that my hour was come, -and endeavored to forget those I loved, and prepare myself for my -approaching fate. - -"While I was thus engaged, the surgeon. Dr. Van Voorhees, came up. -He was badly wounded. His horse had been shot under him, and he had -received a ball in his leg. Every muscle of his face was quivering with -the agony of terror. He said to me--'Do you think they will take our -lives? I am badly wounded, but I think not mortally. Perhaps we might -purchase our lives by promising them a large reward. Do you think there -is any chance?' - -"'Dr. Van Voorhees,' said I, 'do not let us waste the few moments -that yet remain to us in such vain hopes. Our fate is inevitable. In -a few moments we must appear before the bar of God. Let us make what -preparation is yet in our power.' - -"'Oh! I cannot die,' exclaimed he, 'I am not fit to die--if I had but a -short time to prepare--death is awful!' - -"I pointed to Ensign Ronan, who though mortally wounded and nearly -down, was still fighting with desperation on one knee. - -"'Look at that man,' said I, 'at least he dies like a soldier.' - -"'Yes,' replied the unfortunate man, with a convulsive gasp, 'but he -has no terrors of the future--he is an unbeliever!' - -"At this moment a young Indian raised his tomahawk at me. By springing -aside, I avoided the blow which was intended for my skull, but which -alighted on my shoulder. I seized him around the neck, and while -exerting my utmost efforts to get possession of his scalping-knife, -which hung in a scabbard over his breast, I was dragged from his grasp -by another and an older Indian. - -"The latter bore me struggling and resisting towards the lake. -Notwithstanding the rapidity with which I was hurried along, I -recognized as I passed them the lifeless remains of the unfortunate -surgeon. Some murderous tomahawk had stretched him upon the very spot -where I had last seen him. - -"I was immediately plunged into the water and held there with a -forcible hand, notwithstanding my resistance. I soon perceived, -however, that the object of my captor was not to drown me, for he held -me firmly in such a position as to place my head above water. This -reassured me, and regarding him attentively, I soon recognized, in -spite of the paint with which he was disguised. _The Black Partridge_. - -"When the firing had nearly subsided, my preserver bore me from the -water and conducted me up the sandbanks. It was a burning August -morning, and walking through the sand in my drenched condition was -inexpressibly painful and fatiguing. I stooped and took off my shoes -to free them from the sand with which they were nearly filled, when a -squaw seized and carried them off, and I was obliged to proceed without -them. - -"When we had gained the prairie, I was met by my father, who told me -that my husband was safe and but slightly wounded. They led me gently -back towards the Chicago River, along the southern bank of which was -the Pottowattamie encampment. At one time I was placed upon a horse -without a saddle, but finding the motion insupportable, I sprang off. -Supported partly by my kind conductor, _Black Partridge_, and partly -by another Indian, Pee-so-tum, who held dangling in his hand a scalp, -which by the black ribbon around the queue I recognized as that of -Capt. Wells, I dragged my fainting steps to one of the wigwams. - -"The wife of Wau-bee-nee-mah, a chief from the Illinois River, was -standing near, and seeing my exhausted condition she seized a kettle, -dipped up some water from a stream that flowed near,[AH] threw into it -some maple sugar, and stirring it up with her hand gave it me to drink. -This act of kindness, in the midst of so many horrors, touched me most -sensibly, but my attention was soon diverted to other objects. - -[Footnote AH: Just by the present State street Market.] - -"The fort had become a scene of plunder to such as remained after the -troops marched out. The cattle had been shot down as they ran at large, -and lay dead or dying around. This work of butchery had commenced just -as we were leaving the fort. I well remembered a remark of Ensign -Ronan, as the firing went on. 'Such,' turning to me, 'is to be our -fate--to be shot down like brutes!' - -"'Well, sir,' said the Commanding Officer who overheard him, 'are you -afraid?' - -"'No,' replied the high spirited young man, 'I can march up to the -enemy where you dare not show your face;' and his subsequent gallant -behaviour showed this to be no idle boast. - -"As the noise of the firing grew gradually less and the stragglers -from the victorious party came dropping in, I received confirmation of -what my father had hurriedly communicated in our _rencontre_ on the -lake shore; namely, that the whites had surrendered after the loss of -about two-thirds of their number. They had stipulated, through the -interpreter, Peresh Leclerc, for the preservation of their lives, and -those of the remaining women and children, and for their delivery at -some of the British posts, unless ransomed by traders in the Indian -country. It appears that the wounded prisoners were not considered as -included in the stipulation, and a horrible scene ensued upon their -being brought into camp. - -"An old squaw infuriated by the loss of friends, or excited by the -sanguinary scenes around her, seemed possessed by a demoniac ferocity. -She seized a stable-fork and assaulted one miserable victim, who lay -groaning and writhing in the agony of his wounds, aggravated by the -scorching beams of the sun. With a delicacy of feeling scarcely to have -been expected under such circumstances, Wau-bee-nee-mah stretched a mat -across two poles, between me and this dreadful scene. I was thus spared -in some degree a view of its horrors, although I could not entirely -close my ears to the cries of the sufferer. The following night five -more of the wounded prisoners were tomahawked. - -"The Americans after their first attack by the Indians charged upon -those who had concealed themselves in a sort of ravine, intervening -between the sand banks and the prairie. The latter gathered themselves -into a body, and after some hard fighting, in which the number of -whites had become reduced to twenty-eight, this little band succeeded -in breaking through the enemy, and gaining a rising ground, not far -from the Oak Woods. The contest now seemed hopeless, and Lt. Helm sent -Peresh Leclerc, a half-breed boy in the service of Mr. Kinzie, who -had accompanied the detachment and fought manfully on their side, to -propose terms of capitulation. It was stipulated that the lives of -all the survivors should be spared, and a ransom permitted as soon as -practicable. - -"But, in the mean time, a horrible scene had been enacted. One young -savage, climbing into the baggage-wagon containing the children of the -white families, twelve in number, tomahawked the children of the entire -group. This was during the engagement near the Sand-hills. When Captain -Wells, who was fighting near, beheld it, he exclaimed: - -"Is that their game, butchering the women and children? Then I will -kill too!' - -"So saying, he turned his horse's head, and started for the Indian -camp, near the fort, where had been left their squaws and children. - -"Several Indians pursued him as he galloped along. He laid himself -flat on the neck of his horse, loading and firing in that position, -as he would occasionally turn on his pursuers. At length their balls -took effect, killing his horse, and severely wounding himself. At this -moment he was met by _Winnemeg_ and _Wau-ban-see_, who endeavored to -save him from the savages who had now overtaken him. As they supported -him along, after having disengaged him from his horse, he received his -death-blow from another Indian, _Pee-so-tum_, who stabbed him in the -back. - -"The heroic resolution of one of the soldier's wives deserves to be -recorded. She was a Mrs. Corbin, and had, from the first, expressed the -determination never to fall into the hands of the savages, believing -that their prisoners were always subjected to tortures worse than death. - -"When, therefore, a party came upon her, to make her a prisoner, she -fought with desperation, refusing to surrender, although assured, by -signs, of safety and kind treatment, and literally suffered herself to -be cut to pieces, rather than become their captive. - -"There was a Sergeant Holt, who, early in the engagement, received a -ball in the neck. Finding himself badly wounded, he gave his sword -to his wife, who was on horseback near him, telling her to defend -herself--he then made for the lake, to keep out of the way of the -balls. Mrs. Holt rode a very fine horse, which the Indians were -desirous of possessing, and they therefore attacked her, in hopes of -dismounting her. - -"They fought only with the butt-ends of their guns, for their object -was not to kill her. She hacked and hewed at their pieces as they were -thrust against her, now on this side, now on that. Finally, she broke -loose from them, and dashed out into the prairie. The Indians pursued -her, shouting and laughing, and now and then calling out: - -"'The brave woman! do not hurt her!' - -"At length they overtook her again, and while she was engaged with two -or three in front, one succeeded in seizing her by the neck behind, -and dragging her, although a large and powerful woman, from her horse. -Notwithstanding that their guns had been so hacked and injured, and -even themselves cut severely, they seemed to regard her only with -admiration. They took her to a trader on the Illinois River, by whom -she was restored to her friends, after having received every kindness -during her captivity.[AI] - -[Footnote AI: Mrs. Holt is believed to be still living in the State of -Ohio.] - -"Those of the family of Mr. Kinzie, who had remained in the boat, -near the mouth of the river, were carefully guarded by Kee-po-tah -and another Indian. They had seen the smoke--then the blaze--and -immediately after the report of the first tremendous discharge sounded -in their ears. Then all was confusion. They realized nothing until they -saw an Indian come towards them from the battle-ground, leading a horse -on which sat a lady, apparently wounded. - -"'That is Mrs. Heald,' cried Mrs. Kinzie. 'That Indian will kill her. -Run, Chandonnai,' to one of Mr. Kinzie's clerks, 'take the mule that is -tied there, and offer it to him to release her.' - -"Her captor by this time, was in the act of disengaging her bonnet from -her head, in order to scalp her. Chandonnai ran up, offered the mule as -a ransom, with the promise of ten bottles of whiskey, as soon as they -should reach his village. The latter was a strong temptation. - -"'But,' said the Indian, 'she is badly wounded--she will die. Will you -give me the whiskey, at all events?' - -"Chandonnai promised that he would, and the bargain was concluded. -The savage placed the lady's bonnet on his own head, and after an -ineffectual effort on the part of some squaws to rob her of her shoes -and stockings, she was brought on board the boat, where she lay moaning -with pain from the many bullet wounds she had received in both arms. - -"The horse she had ridden was a fine spirited animal, and, being -desirous of possessing themselves of it uninjured, the Indians had -aimed their shots so as to disable the rider, without injuring her -steed. - -"She had not lain long in the boat, when a young Indian of savage -aspect was seen approaching. A buffalo robe was hastily drawn over Mrs. -Heald, and she was admonished to suppress all sound of complaint, as -she valued her life. - -"The heroic woman remained perfectly silent, while the savage drew -near. He had a pistol in his hand, which he rested on the side of the -boat, while, with a fearful scowl, he looked pryingly around. Black -Jim, one of the servants who stood in the bow of the boat, seized an -axe that lay near, and signed to him that if he shot, he would cleave -his skull; telling him that the boat contained only the family of -_Shaw-nee-aw-kee_. Upon this, the Indian retired. It afterward appeared -that the object of his search was Mr. Burnett, a trader from St. -Joseph's, with whom he had some account to settle. - -"When the boat was at length permitted to return to the mansion of Mr. -Kinzie, and Mrs. Heald was removed to the house, it became necessary to -dress her wounds. - -"Mr. K. applied to an old chief who stood by, and who, like most of his -tribe, possessed some skill in surgery, to extract a ball from the arm -of the sufferer. - -"'No, father,' replied he. 'I cannot do it--it makes me sick -here'--(placing his hand on his heart). - -"Mr. Kinzie then performed the operation himself with his penknife. - -"At their own mansion the family of Mr. Kinzie were closely guarded by -their Indian friends, whose intention it was, to carry them to Detroit -for security. The rest of the prisoners remained at the wigwams of -their captors. - -"The following morning the work of plunder being completed, the Indians -set fire to the fort. A very equitable distribution of the finery -appeared to have been made, and shawls, ribbons, and feathers fluttered -about in all directions. The ludicrous appearance of one young fellow -who had arrayed himself in a muslin gown, and the bonnet of one of -the ladies, would, under other circumstances, have afforded matter of -amusement. - -"Black Partridge, Wau-ban-see, and Kee-po-tah, with two other Indians, -having established themselves in the porch of the building as -sentinels, to protect the family from any evil that the young men might -be excited to commit, all remained tranquil for a short space after the -conflagration. - -"Very soon, however, a party of Indians from the Wabash made their -appearance. These were, decidedly, the most hostile and implacable of -all the tribes of the Pottowattamies. - -"Being more remote, they had shared less than some of their brethren -in the kindness of Mr. Kinzie and his family, and consequently their -sentiments of regard for them were less powerful. - -"Runners had been sent to the villages to apprise them of the intended -evacuation of the post, as well as of the plan of the Indians assembled -to attack the troops. - -"Thirsting to participate in such a scene they hurried on, and -great was their mortification on arriving at the river Aux Plaines, -to meet with a party of their friends having with them their chief -Nee-scot-nee-meg, badly wounded, and to learn that the battle was over, -the spoils divided, and the scalps all taken. - -"On arriving at Chicago they blackened their faces, and proceeded -towards the dwelling of Mr. Kinzie. - -"From his station on the piazza Black Partridge had watched their -approach, and his fears were particularly awakened for the safety -of Mrs. Helm (Mr. Kinzie's step-daughter), who had recently come to -the post, and was personally unknown to the more remote Indians. By -his advice she was made to assume the ordinary dress of a French -woman of the country; namely, a short gown and petticoat, with a blue -cotton handkerchief wrapped around her head. In this disguise she -was conducted by Black Partridge himself to the house of Ouilmette, -a Frenchman with a half-breed wife, who formed a part of the -establishment of Mr. Kinzie, and whose dwelling was close at hand. - -"It so happened that the Indians came first to this house, in their -search for prisoners. As they approached, the inmates, fearful that the -fair complexion and general appearance of Mrs. Helm might betray her -for an American, raised a large feather-bed and placed her under the -edge of it, upon the bedstead, with her face to the wall. Mrs. Bisson, -the sister of Ouilmette's wife, then seated herself with her sewing -upon the front of the bed. - -"It was a hot day in August, and the feverish excitement of fear and -agitation, together with her position, which was nearly suffocating, -became so intolerable, that Mrs. Helm at length entreated to be -released and given up to the Indians. - -"'I can but die,' said she; 'let them put an end to my misery at once.' - -"Mrs. Bisson replied, 'Your death would be the destruction of us all, -for Black Partridge has resolved that if one drop of the blood of your -family is spilled, he will take the lives of all concerned in it, even -his nearest friends, and if once the work of murder commences, there -will be no end of it, so long as there remains one white person, or -half-breed, in the country.' - -"This expostulation nerved Mrs. Helm with fresh resolution. - -"The Indians entered, and she could occasionally see them from her -hiding-place, gliding about, and stealthily inspecting every part of -the room, though without making any ostensible search, until apparently -satisfied that there was no one concealed, they left the house. - -"All this time Mrs. Bisson had kept her seat upon the side of the bed, -calmly sorting and arranging the patch-work of the quilt on which she -was engaged, and preserving an appearance of the utmost tranquillity, -although she knew not but that the next moment she might receive a -tomahawk in her brain. Her self-command unquestionably saved the lives -of all present. - -"From Ouilmette's house the party of Indians proceeded to the dwelling -of Mr. Kinzie. They entered the parlor in which the family were -assembled with their faithful protectors, and seated themselves upon -the floor in silence. - -"Black Partridge perceived from their moody and revengeful looks what -was passing in their minds, but he dared not remonstrate with them. He -only observed in a low tone to Wau-ban-see-- - -"'We have endeavored to save our friends, but it is in vain--nothing -will save them now.' - -"At this moment a friendly whoop was heard from a party of new comers -on the opposite bank of the river. Black Partridge sprang to meet their -leader, as the canoes in which they had hastily embarked touched the -bank near the house. - -"'Who are you?" demanded he. - -"'A man--who are _you?_' - -"' A man like yourself, but tell me _who_ you are'--meaning, tell me -your disposition, and which side you are for. - -"'I am the _Sau-ga-nash!_" - -"'Then make all speed to the house--your friend is in danger, and you -alone can save him.' - -"'_Billy Caldwell_,[AJ] for it was he, entered the parlor with a calm -step, and without a trace of agitation in his manner. He deliberately -took off his accoutrements and placed them with his rifle behind the -door; then saluted the hostile savages. - -[Footnote AJ: Billy Caldwell was a half-breed, and a chief of the -nation. In his reply, "_I am a Sau-ga-nash_," or Englishman, he -designed to convey, "I am a _white man_." Had he said, "_I am a -Pottowattamie_," it would have been interpreted to mean, "I belong to -my nation, and am prepared to go all lengths with them."] - -"'How now, my friends! A good day to you. I was told there were enemies -here, but I am glad to find only friends. Why have you blackened your -faces? Is it that you are mourning for the friends you have lost in -battle?' (purposely misunderstanding this token of evil designs). 'Or -is it that you are fasting? If so, ask our friend here, and he will -give you to eat. He is the Indian's friend, and never yet refused them -what they had need of.' - -"Thus taken by surprise, the savages were ashamed to acknowledge their -bloody purpose. They, therefore, said modestly that they came to beg -of their friends some white cotton in which to wrap their dead, before -interring them. This was given to them with some other presents, and -they took their departure peaceably from the premises. - -"Along with Mr. Kinzie's party was a non-commissioned officer who had -made his escape in a singular manner. As the troops were about leaving -the fort it was found that the baggage-horses of the surgeon had -strayed off. The quarter-master-sergeant, Griffith, was sent to collect -them and bring them on, it being absolutely necessary to recover them, -since their packs contained part of the surgeon's apparatus, and the -medicines for the march. - -"This man had been for a long time on the sick report, and for this -reason was given the charge of the baggage, instead of being placed -with the troops. His efforts to recover the horses being unsuccessful, -he was hastening to rejoin his party, alarmed at some appearances of -disorder and hostile indications among the Indians, when he was met and -made prisoner by To-pee-ne-bee. - -"Having taken from him his arms and accoutrements, the chief put him -into a canoe and paddled Mm across the river, bidding him make for the -woods and secrete himself. This he did, and the following day, in the -afternoon, seeing from his lurking-place that all appeared quiet, he -ventured to steal cautiously into the garden of Ouilmette, where he -concealed himself for a time behind some currant-bushes. - -"At length he determined to enter the house, and accordingly -climbed up through a small back window, into the room where the -family were. This was just as the Wabash Indians left the house of -Ouilmette for that of Mr. Kinzie. The danger of the sergeant was now -imminent. The family stripped him of his uniform and arrayed him in -a suit of deer-skin, with belt, moccasins, and pipe, like a French -engagé. His dark complexion and large black whiskers favored the -disguise. The family were all ordered to address him in French, and -although utterly ignorant of the language he continued to pass for -a _Weem-tee-gosh_,[AK] and as such to accompany Mr. Kinzie and his -family, undetected by his enemies, until they reached a place of safety. - -[Footnote AK: Frenchman.] - -"On the third day after the battle, the family of Mr. Kinzie, with -the clerks of the establishment, were put into a boat, under the care -of François, a half-breed interpreter, and conveyed to St. Joseph's, -where they remained until the following November, under the protection -of _To-pee-nee-bee's_ band. They were then conducted to Detroit, under -the escort of Chandonnai and their trusty Indian friend, _Ke-po-tah_, -and delivered up as prisoners of war, to Col. McKee, the British Indian -Agent. - -"Mr. Kinzie was not allowed to leave St. Joseph's with his family, his -Indian friends insisting on his remaining and endeavoring to secure -some remnant of his scattered property. During his excursions with them -for that purpose, he wore the costume and paint of the tribe, in order -to escape capture and perhaps death at the hands of those who were -still thirsting for blood. In time, however, his anxiety for his family -induced him to follow them to Detroit, where, in the month of January, -he was received and paroled by Gen. Proctor. - -"Capt. and Mrs. Heald had been sent across the lake to St. Joseph's the -day after the battle. The former had received two wounds, the latter -seven in the engagement. - -"Lieut. Helm, who was likewise wounded, was carried by some friendly -Indians to their village on the Au Sable, and thence to Peoria, where -he was liberated by the intervention of Mr. Thomas Forsyth, the -half-brother of Mr. Kinzie. Mrs. Helm had accompanied her parents to -St. Joseph, where they resided in the family of Alexander Robinson,[AL] -receiving from them all possible kindness and hospitality for several -months. - -[Footnote AL: The Pottowattamie chief, so well known to many of the -citizens of Chicago, now residing at Aux Plaines.] - -"After their arrival in Detroit, Mrs. Helm was joined by her husband, -when they were both arrested by order of the British commander, and -sent on horseback, in the dead of winter, through Canada to Fort George -on the Niagara frontier. When they arrived at that post, there seemed -no official appointed to receive them, and notwithstanding their long -and fatiguing journey, in weather the most cold and inclement, Mrs. -H., a delicate woman of seventeen years, was permitted to sit waiting -in her saddle without the gate for more than an hour, before the -refreshment of fire or food, or even the shelter of a roof, was offered -them. When Col. Sheaffe, who had been absent at the time, was informed -of this brutal inhospitality, he expressed the greatest indignation. -He waited on Mrs. Helm immediately, apologized in the most courteous -manner, and treated both her and Lieut. H. with the most considerate -kindness, until, by an exchange of prisoners, they were liberated, and -found means to reach their friends in Steuben County, N. Y. - -"Capt. Heald had been taken prisoner by an Indian from the Kankakee, -who had a strong personal regard for him, and who, when he saw the -wounded and enfeebled state of Mrs. H., released her husband that -he might accompany his wife to St. Joseph's. To the latter place -they were accordingly carried, as has been related, by Chandonnai -and his party. In the meantime, the Indian who had so nobly released -his prisoner returned to his village on the Kankakee, where he -had the mortification of finding that his conduct had excited -great dissatisfaction among his band. So great was the displeasure -manifested, that he resolved to make a journey to St. Joseph's and -reclaim his prisoner. - -"News of his intention being brought to To-pee-nee-bee and Ke-po-tah -under whose care the prisoners were, they held a private council with -Chandonnai, Mr. Kinzie, and the principal men of the village, the -result of which was a determination to send Capt. and Mrs. Heald to the -island of Mackinac, and deliver them up to the British. - -"They were accordingly put in a bark canoe, and paddled by Robinson and -his wife a distance of three hundred miles along the coast of Michigan, -and surrendered as prisoners of war to the Commanding Officer at -Mackinac. - -"As an instance of the procrastinating spirit of Capt. Heald it may be -mentioned that even after he had received certain intelligence that -his Indian captor was on his way from the Kankakee to St. Joseph's to -retake him, he would still have delayed another day at that place, to -make preparation for a more comfortable journey to Mackinac. - -"The soldiers, with their wives and surviving children, were dispersed -among the different villages of the Pottowattamies upon the Illinois, -Wabash, Rock River, and at Milwaukie, until the following spring, when -they were, for the most part, carried to Detroit, and ransomed. - -"Mrs. Burns, with her infant, became the prisoners of a chief, who -carried her to his village and treated her with great kindness. His -wife, from jealousy of the favor shown to "the white woman" and her -child, always treated them with great hostility. On one occasion she -struck the infant with a tomahawk, and narrowly missed her aim of -putting an end to it altogether.[AM] They were not left long in the -power of the old hag, after this demonstration, but on the first -opportunity carried to a place of safety. - -[Footnote AM: Twenty-two years after this, as I was on a journey to -Chicago in the steamer Uncle Sam, a young woman, hearing my name, -introduced herself to me, and raising the hair from her forehead, -showed me the mark of the tomahawk which had so nearly been fatal to -her.] - -"The family of Mr. Lee had resided in a house on the Lake shore, not -far from the fort. Mr. Lee was the owner of Lee's Place, which he -cultivated as a farm. It was his son who ran down with the discharged -soldier to give the alarm of "Indians" at the fort on the afternoon of -the 7th of April. The father, the son, and all the other members of the -family had fallen victims on the 15th of August, except Mrs. Lee and -her young infant. These were claimed by Black Partridge, and carried -to his village on the Au Sable. He had been particularly attached to a -little girl of Mrs. Lee's, about twelve years of age. This child had -been placed on horseback for the march, and as she was unaccustomed to -the exercise, she was tied fast to the saddle, lest by any accident she -should slip off or be thrown. - -"She was within reach of the balls at the commencement of the -engagement, and was severely wounded. The horse set off on a full -gallop, which partly threw her, but she was held fast by the bands -which confined her, and hung dangling as the animal ran violently -about. In this state she was met by Black Partridge, who caught the -horse and disengaged her from the saddle. Finding her so much wounded -that she could not recover, and that she was suffering great agony, he -put the finishing stroke to her at once with his tomahawk. He afterward -said that this was the hardest thing he ever tried to do, but he did -it because he could not bear to see her suffer. - -"He took the mother and her infant to his village, where he became -warmly attached to the former--so much so that he wished to marry her, -but, as she very naturally objected, he treated her with the greatest -respect and consideration. He was in no hurry to release her, for he -was in hopes of prevailing on her to become his wife. In the course of -the winter her child fell ill. Finding that none of the remedies within -their reach were effectual. Black Partridge proposed to take the little -one to Chicago, where there was now a French trader living in the -mansion of Mr. Kinzie, and procure some medical aid from him. Wrapping -up his charge with the greatest care, he sat out on his journey. - -"When he arrived at the residence of M. Du Pin, he entered the room -where he was, and carefully placed his burthen on the floor. - -"'What have you there?' asked M. Du Pin. - -"'A young raccoon, which I have brought you as a present,' was the -reply, and opening the pack, he showed the little sick infant. - -"When the trader had prescribed for its complaint, and Black Partridge -was about to return to his home, he told his friend his proposal -to Mrs. Lee to become his wife and the manner in which it had been -received. - -"M. Du Pin entertained some fears that the chief's honorable resolution -might not hold out, to leave it to the lady herself whether to accept -his addresses or not, so he entered at once into a negotiation for her -ransom, and so effectually wrought upon the good feelings of Black -Partridge that he consented to bring his fair prisoner at once to -Chicago, that she might be restored to her friends. - -"Whether the kind trader had at the outset any other feeling in the -matter than sympathy and brotherly kindness we cannot say--we only know -that in process of time Mrs. Lee became Madame Du Pin, and that they -lived together in great happiness for many years after. - -"The fate of Nau-non-gee, one of the chiefs of the Calumet village, and -who is mentioned in the early part of the narrative, deserves to be -recorded. - -"During the battle of the 15th of August the chief object of his attack -was one Sergeant Hays, a man from whom he had received many acts of -kindness. - -"After Hays had received a ball through the body, this Indian ran up -to him to tomahawk him, when the Sergeant, collecting his remaining -strength, pierced him through the body with his bayonet. They fell -together. Other Indians running up soon dispatched Hays, and it was -not until then that his bayonet was extracted from the body of his -adversary. - -"The wounded chief was carried after the battle to his village on -the Calumet, where he survived for several days. Finding his end -approaching, he called together his young men and enjoined them in -the most solemn manner, to regard the safety of their prisoners after -his death, and to take the lives of none of them from respect to his -memory, as he deserved his fate from the hands of those whose kindness -he had so ill-requited." - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -CAPTIVITY OF J. KINZIE, SEN.--AN AMUSING MISTAKE - - -It had been a stipulation of Gen. Hull at the surrender of Detroit that -the inhabitants of that place should be permitted to remain undisturbed -in their homes. Accordingly the family of Mr. Kinzie took up their -quarters with their friends in the old mansion, which many will still -recollect as standing on the north-east corner of Jefferson avenue and -Wayne street. - -The feelings of indignation and sympathy were constantly aroused in -the hearts of the citizens during the winter that ensued. They were -almost daily called upon to witness the cruelties practiced upon the -American prisoners brought in by their Indian captors. Those who could -scarcely drag their wounded, bleeding feet over the frozen ground, -were compelled to dance for the amusement of the savages, and these -exhibitions sometimes took place before the Government House, the -residence of Col. McKee. Some of the British officers looked on from -their windows at these heart-rending performances; for the honor of -humanity we will hope such instances were rare. - -Everything that could be made available among the effects of the -citizens was offered to ransom their countrymen from the hands -of these inhuman beings. The prisoners brought in from the River -Raisin--those unfortunate men who were permitted after their surrender -to Gen. Proctor to be tortured and murdered by inches by his savage -allies, excited the sympathies and called for the action of the whole -community. Private houses were turned into hospitals, and every one -was forward to get possession of as many as possible of the survivors. -To effect this, even the articles of their apparel were bartered by -the ladies of Detroit, as they watched from their doors or windows the -miserable victims carried about for sale. - -In the dwelling of Mr. Kinzie one large room was devoted to the -reception of the sufferers. Few of them survived. Among those spoken as -objects of the deepest interest were two young gentlemen of Kentucky, -brothers, both severely wounded, and their wounds aggravated to a -mortal degree by subsequent ill-usage and hardships. Their solicitude -for each other, and their exhibition in various ways of the most tender -fraternal affection, created an impression never to be forgotten. - -The last bargain made was by black Jim, and one of children, who had -permission to redeem a negro servant of the gallant Col. Allen, with an -old white horse, the only available article that remained among their -possessions. - -A brother of Col. Allen afterwards came to Detroit, and the negro -preferred returning to servitude rather than remaining a stranger in a -strange land. - -Mr. Kinzie, as has been related, joined his family at Detroit in the -month of January. A short time after suspicions arose in the mind of -Gen. Proctor that he was in correspondence with Gen. Harrison, who was -now at Fort Meigs, and who was believed to be meditating an advance -upon Detroit. Lieut. Watson of the British army waited upon Mr. Kinzie -one day with an invitation to the quarters of Gen. Proctor on the -opposite side of the river, saying he wished to speak with him, on -business. Quite unsuspicious, he complied with the invitation, when to -his surprise he was ordered into confinement, and strictly guarded in -the house of his former partner, Mr. Patterson of Sandwich. Finding -that he did not return to his home, Mrs. Kinzie informed some of the -Indian chiefs, his particular friends, who immediately repaired to -the headquarters of the Commanding Officer, demanded their "friend's" -release, and brought him back to his home. After waiting a time until a -favorable opportunity presented itself, the General sent a detachment -of dragoons to arrest him. They had succeeded in carrying him away, and -crossing the river with him. Just at this moment a party of friendly -Indians made their appearance. - -"Where is the Shaw-nee-aw-kee?" was the first question. "There," -replied his wife, pointing across the river, "in the hands of the -red-coats, who are taking him away again." - -The Indians ran to the river, seized some canoes that they found there, -and crossing over to Sandwich, compelled Gen. Proctor a second time to -forego his intentions. - -A third time this officer was more successful, and succeeded in -arresting Mr. Kinzie and conveying him heavily ironed to Fort Maiden, -in Canada, at the mouth of the Detroit River. Here he was at first -treated with great severity, but after a time the rigor of his -confinement was somewhat relaxed, and he was permitted to walk on the -bank of the river for air and exercise. - -"On the 10th of September, as he was taking his promenade under the -close supervision of a guard of soldiers, the whole party were startled -by the sound of guns upon Lake Erie, at no great distance below. What -could it mean? It must be Commodore Barclay firing into some of the -Yankees. The firing continued. The time allotted the prisoner for his -daily walk expired, but neither he nor his guard observed the lapse of -time, so anxiously were they listening to what they now felt sure was -an engagement between ships of war. At length Mr. Kinzie was reminded -that the hour for his return to confinement had arrived. He petitioned -for another half-hour. - -"Let me stay," said he, "till we can learn how the battle has gone." - -Very soon a sloop appeared under press of sail, rounding the point, and -presently two gun-boats in chase of her. - -"She is running--she bears the British colors," cried he--"yes, yes, -they are lowering--she is striking her flag! Now," turning to the -soldiers, "I will go back to prison contented--I know how the battle -has gone." - -The sloop was the Little Belt, the last of the squadron captured by -the gallant Perry on that memorable occasion which he announced in the -immortal words: - -"We have met the enemy, and they are ours!" - -Matters were growing critical, and it was necessary to transfer all -prisoners to a place of greater security than the frontier was now -likely to be. It was resolved therefore to send Mr. Kinzie to the -mother country. Nothing has ever appeared, which would explain this -course of Gen. Proctor, in regard to this gentleman. He had been taken -from the bosom of his family, where he was living quietly under the -parole which he had received, and protected by the stipulations of the -surrender. He was kept for months in confinement. Now he was placed on -horseback under a strong guard, who announced that they had orders to -shoot him through the head, if he offered to speak to a person upon the -road. He was tied upon the saddle in a way to prevent his escape, and -thus they sat out for Quebec. A little incident occurred, which will -help to illustrate the course invariably pursued towards our citizens -at this period, by the British army on the North-western frontier. - -The saddle on which Mr. Kinzie rode had not been properly fastened, and -owing to the rough motion of the annual on which it was, it turned, -so as to bring the rider into a most awkward and painful position. -His limbs being fastened, he could not disengage himself, and in this -manner he was compelled by those who had charge of him to ride until he -was nearly exhausted, before they had the humanity to release him. - -Arrived at Quebec, he was put on board a small vessel to be sent -to England. The vessel when a few days out at sea was chased by an -American frigate and driven into Halifax. A second time she set sail, -when she sprung a leak and was compelled to put back. - -The attempt to send him across the ocean was now abandoned, and he was -returned to Quebec. Another step, equally inexplicable with his arrest, -was now taken. This was his release and that of Mr. Macomb, of Detroit, -who was also in confinement in Quebec, and the permission given them -to return to their friends and families, although the war was not -yet ended. It may possibly be imagined that in the treatment these -gentlemen received, the British Commander-in-chief sheltered himself -upon the plea of their being "native born British subjects," and -perhaps when it was ascertained that Mr. Kinzie was indeed a citizen of -the United States, it was thought safest to release him. - -In the meantime. General Harrison at the head of his troops had reached -Detroit. He landed on the 29th September. All the citizens went forth -to meet him--Mrs. Kinzie, leading her children by the hand, was of the -number. The General accompanied her to her home, and took up his abode -there. On his arrival he was introduced to Kee-po-tah, who happened to -be on a visit to the family at that time. The General had seen the -chief the preceding year, at the Council at Vincennes, and the meeting -was one of great cordiality and interest. - - * * * * * - -In 1816, Mr. Kinzie and his family again returned to Chicago. The fort -was rebuilt on a somewhat larger scale than the former one. It was -not until the return of the troops that the bones of the unfortunate -Americans who had been massacred four years before, were collected and -buried. - -An Indian Agency, under the charge of Charles Jewett, Esq., of -Kentucky, was established. He was succeeded in 1820 by Dr. Alexander -Wolcott, of Connecticut, who occupied that position until his death in -1830. - -The troops were removed from the garrison in 1823, but restored in -1828, after the Winnebago war. This was a disturbance between the -Winnebagoes and white settlers on and near the Mississippi. After -some murders had been committed, the young chief. Red Bird, was taken -and imprisoned at Prairie du Chien to await his trial, where he died -of chagrin and the irksomeness of confinement. It was feared that -the Pottowattamies would make common cause with the Winnebagoes, and -commence a general system of havoc and bloodshed on the frontier. -They were deterred from such a step, probably, by the exertions of -Billy Caldwell, Robinson, and Shau-bee-nay, who made an expedition -among the Rock River bands, to argue and persuade them into remaining -tranquil.[69] - -The few citizens of Chicago in these days, lived for the most part -a very quiet unvaried life. The great abundance of game, and the -immense fertility of the lands they cultivated, furnished them with a -superabundance of all the luxuries of garden, cornfield, and dairy. The -question was once asked by a friend in the "east countrie:" - -"How do you dispose of all the good things you raise? You have no -market?" "No." "And yet cannot consume it all yourselves?" "No." "What -then do you do with it?" - -"Why, we manage, when a vessel arrives to persuade the Captain to -accept a few kegs of butter, and stores of corn and vegetables, as a -present, and that helps us to get rid of some of it." - -The mails arrived, as may be supposed, at very rare intervals. They -were brought occasionally from Fort Clark (Peoria), but more frequently -from Fort Wayne, or across the peninsula of Michigan, which was still -a wilderness peopled with savages. The hardy adventurer who acted as -express was, not unfrequently, obliged to imitate the birds of heaven -and "lodge among the branches," in order to ensure the safety of -himself and his charge. - -Visitors were very rare, unless it was a friend who came to sojourn -some time, and share a life in the wilderness. A traveller, however, -occasionally found his way to the spot, in passing to or from "parts -unknown," and such a one was sure of a hospitable and hearty welcome. - -A gentleman journeying from the southern settlements once arrived late -in the evening at Wolf Point, where was then the small establishment -of George hunt and a Mr. Wallace. He stopped and inquired if he could -have accommodation for the night for himself and his horse. The answer -was, that they were ill provided to entertain a stranger--the house was -small, and they were keeping "bachelor's hall." - -"Is there no place," inquired the traveller, "where I can obtain a -lodging?" - -"Oh! yes--you will find a very comfortable house, Mr. Kinzie's, about -half a mile below, near the mouth of the river." - -[Illustration: SHAUBENA. - -(Chief of the Pottawattomies.) From photograph of oil portrait in -possession of Chicago Historical Society.] - -The stranger turned his horse's head and took the road indicated. -Arrived at the spot, his first inquiry was: - -"Is this the residence of Mr. Kinzie?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"I should be glad to get accommodation for myself and horse." - -"Certainly, sir--walk in." - -The horse was taken to the stable, while the gentleman was ushered -into a parlor where were two ladies. The usual preliminary questions -and answers were gone through, for in a new country people soon become -acquainted, and the gentleman ere long found himself seated at a -comfortable hot supper--we will venture to say a fine supper--since the -table in this domestic establishment has always been somewhat famous. - -Apparently, the gentleman enjoyed it, for he made himself quite at -home. He even called for a boot-jack after tea, and drew off his boots. -The ladies were a little surprised, but they had lived a good while out -of the world, and they did not know what changes in etiquette might -have taken place during their retirement. - -Before taking his leave for the night, the traveller signified what it -would please him to have for breakfast, which was duly prepared. The -next day proved stormy. The gentleman was satisfied with his quarters, -and having taken care to ascertain that there was no neglect, or -deficiency of accommodation so far as his horse was concerned, he got -through the day very comfortably. - -Now and then, when he was tired of reading, he would converse with -the family, and seemed, upon the whole, by no means disposed to hold -himself aloof, but to indulge in a little becoming sociability, seeing -they were all there away in the woods. - -The second day the weather brightened. The traveller signified his -intention to depart. He ordered his horse to the door--then he called -for his bill. - -"My house is not a tavern, sir," was the astounding reply. - -"Not a tavern! Good heavens! have I been making myself at home in this -manner in a private family?" - -The gentleman was profuse in his apologies, which, however, were quite -unnecessary, for the family had perceived from the first the mistake he -had fallen into, and they had amused themselves during his whole visit -in anticipating the consternation of their guest when he should be -undeceived. - - * * * * * - -It was in the year 1816 (the same year of the rebuilding of the fort, -after its destruction by the Indians), that the tract of land on which -Chicago stands, together with the surrounding country, was ceded to the -United States, by the Pottowattamies.[70] They remained the peaceful -occupants of it, however, for twenty years longer. It was not until -1836 that they were removed by Government to lands appropriated for -their use on the Upper Missouri.[71] - -In the year 1830 the town of Chicago was laid out into lots by -commissioners appointed by the State. At this time the prices of these -lots ranged from ten to sixty dollars.[72] - - * * * * * - -Mr. Kinzie, who from the geographical position of this place, and the -vast fertility of the surrounding country, had always foretold its -eventual prosperity and importance, was not permitted to witness the -realization of his predictions. He closed his useful and energetic life -on the 6th of January, 1828, having just completed his sixty-fifth -year. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -A SERMON - - -Chicago was not, at the period of my first visit, the cheerful, happy -place it had once been. The death of Dr. Wolcott, of Lieut. Furman, and -of a promising young son of Mr. Beaubien, all within a few weeks of -each other, had thrown a gloom over all the different branches of the -social circle. - -The weather, too, was inclement and stormy, beyond anything that had -been known before. Only twice, during a period of two months, did the -sun shine out through the entire day. So late as the second week in -April, when my husband had left to return to Fort Winnebago, the storms -were so severe that he and his men were obliged to lie by two or three -days in an Indian lodge. - -Robert Kinzie, Medard Beaubien, and Billy Caldwell had gone at the same -time to the Calumet to hunt, and as they did not make their appearance -for many days, we were persuaded they had perished with cold. They -returned at length, however, to our infinite joy, having only escaped -freezing by the forethought of Robert and Caldwell, in carrying each -two blankets instead of one. - -Our only recreation was an occasional ride on horseback when the -weather would permit, through the woods on the north side of the river, -or across the prairie, along the lake shore on the south. - -When we went in the former direction, a little bridle-path took us -along what is now Rush street. The thick boughs of the trees arched -over our heads, and we were often compelled, as we rode, to break away -the projecting branches of the shrubs which impeded our path. The -little prairie west of Wright's Woods was the usual termination of our -ride in this direction. - -When we chose the path across the prairie towards the south, we -generally passed Dr. Harmon, superintending the construction of a _sod -fence_, at a spot he had chosen, near the shore of the lake. In this -inclosure he occupied himself, as the season advanced, in planting -fruit stones of all descriptions, to make ready a garden and orchard -for future enjoyment. - -We usually stopped to have a little chat. The two favorite themes of -the Doctor were horticulture, and the certain future importance of -Chicago. That it was destined to be a great city, was his unalterable -conviction; and indeed, by this time, all forest and prairie as it was, -we half began to believe it ourselves. - -On the pleasant afternoons which we occasionally enjoyed as the season -advanced, we found no small amusement in practising pistol-firing. The -place appropriated to this sport was outside the pickets, the mark -being placed on a panel in one of the bastions. The gentlemen must not -be offended if I record that, in process of time, the ladies acquired -a degree of skill that enabled them, as a general thing, to come off -triumphant. One of the ladies was a great shot, having brought down her -grouse on the wing, to the no small delight of Captain Scott[73]--with -regard to the others I am afraid it was more politeness than want of -skill, which induced the gentlemen to yield the palm to them. - -Now and then there was a little excitement within the fort, aroused by -the discovery that _a settler_ had been engaged in selling milk-punch, -instead of milk, to the soldiers, thereby interfering in no small -degree with the regularity and perfect discipline of the service. -The first step was to "drum out" the offender with all the honors -of war--that is, with a party-colored dress, and the Rogue's March -played behind him. The next, to place all the victims of this piece -of deception in the guard-house, where the Commanding Officer's lady -supplied them bountifully with coffee and hot cakes, by way of opening -their eyes to the enormity of their offence. It was not to be wondered -at that the officers sometimes complained of its being more of a strife -with the soldiers who should get into the guard-house, than who should -keep out of it. The poor fellows knew when they were well off. - -Once, upon a Sunday, we were rowed up to "the point" to attend a -religious service, conducted by Father S----, as he was called. - -We saw a tall, slender man, dressed in a green frock coat, from the -sleeves of which dangled a pair of hands giving abundant evidence, -together with the rest of his dress, that he placed small faith in the -axiom--"cleanliness is a part of holiness." - -He stepped briskly upon a little platform behind a table, and commenced -his discourse. His subject was, "The fear of God." - -"There was a kind of fear," he told us, "that was very nearly -a_lee_-a-nated to love: so nearly, that it was not worth while -splitting hairs for the difference." He then went on to describe this -kind of fear. He grew more and more involved as he proceeded with -his description, until at length, quite bewildered, he paused and -exclaimed, "Come, let's stop a little while, and clear away the brush." -He unravelled, as well as he was able, the tangled thread of his -ideas, and went on with his subject. But soon again losing his way, he -came to a second halt. "Now," said he, wiping the perspiration from -his forehead with a red cotton handkerchief many degrees from clean, -"now, suppose we drive back a little piece." Thus he recapitulated -what he wished to impress upon us, of the necessity of cherishing a -fear that maketh wise unto salvation, "which fear," said he, "may we -all enjoy, that together we may soar away, on the rolling clouds of -æther, to a boundless and happy eternity, which is the wish of your -humble servant." And, flourishing abroad his hands, with the best of -dancing-school bows, he took seat. - -It will be readily imagined that we felt our own religious exercises -at home to be more edifying than such as this, and that we confined -ourselves to them for the future. - -The return of our brother, Robert Kinzie, from Palestine (not the Holy -Land, but the seat of the Land Office), with the certificate of the -title of the family to that portion of Chicago since known as "Kinzie's -Addition," was looked upon as establishing a home for us at some future -day, if the glorious dreams of good Dr. Harmon, and a few others, -should come to be realized. One little incident will show how moderate -were, in fact, the anticipations of most persons at that period. - -The certificate, which was issued in Robert's name, he representing -the family in making the application, described only a fractional -quarter section of one hundred and two acres, instead of one hundred -and sixty acres, the river and Lake Michigan cutting off fifty-eight -acres on the southern and eastern lines of the quarter. The applicants -had liberty to select their complement of fifty-eight acres out of any -unappropriated land that suited them. - -"Now, my son," said his mother, to Robert, "lay your claim on the -cornfield at Wolf Point. It is fine land, and will always be valuable -for cultivation--besides, as it faces down the main river, the -situation will always be a convenient one." - -The answer was a hearty laugh. "Hear mother," said Robert. "We have -just got a hundred and two acres--more than we shall ever want, or know -what to do with, and now she would have me go and claim fifty-eight -acres more!" - -"Take my advice, my boy," repeated his mother, "or you may live one day -to regret it." - -"Well, I cannot see how I can ever regret not getting more than we can -possibly make use of." And so the matter ended. The fifty-eight acres -were never claimed, and there was, I think, a very general impression -that asking for our just rights in the case would have a very grasping, -covetous look. How much wiser five and twenty years have made us! - - * * * * * - -During my sojourn of two months at Chicago, our mother often -entertained me with stories of her early life and adventures. The -following is her history of her captivity among the Senecas, which -I have put in the form of a tale, although without the slightest -variation from the facts as I received them from her lips, and those -of her sister, Mrs. William Forsyth, of Sandwich (C. W.), the little -Maggie of the story. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -THE CAPTIVES - - -It is well known that previous to the war of the Revolution, the -whole of the western portion of Pennsylvania was inhabited chiefly by -different Indian tribes. Of these, the Delawares were the friends of -the whites, and after the commencement of the great struggle, took part -with the United States. The Iroquois, on the contrary, were the friends -and allies of the mother country. - -Very few white settlers had ventured beyond the Susquehannah. The -numerous roving bands of Shawanoes, Nanticokes, &c., although sometimes -professing friendship with the Americans, and acting in concert with -the Delawares or Lenapé as allies, at others suffered themselves to be -seduced by their neighbors, the Iroquois, to show a most sanguinary -spirit of hostility. - -For this reason, the life of the inhabitants of the frontier was one -of constant peril and alarm. Many a scene of dismal barbarity was -enacted, as the history of the times testifies, and even those who felt -themselves in some measure protected by their immediate neighbors, the -Delawares, never lost sight of the caution required by their exposed -situation. - -The vicinity of the military garrison at Pittsburgh, or Fort Pitt, -as it was then called, gave additional security to those who had -pushed further west, among the fertile valleys of the Alleghany and -Monongahela. Among these were the family of Mr. Lytle, who, about two -years previous to the opening of our story, had removed from Path -Valley, near Carlisle, and settled himself on the banks of Plum River, -a tributary of the Alleghany. Here, with his wife and five children, -he had continued to live in comfort and security, undisturbed by any -hostile visit, and only annoyed by occasional false alarms from his -more timorous neighbors, who having had more experience in frontier -life, were prone to anticipate evil, as well as to magnify every -appearance of danger. - - * * * * * - -On a bright afternoon in the autumn of 1779, two children of Mr. Lytle, -a girl of nine, and her brother, two years younger, were playing in -a little dingle or hollow in the rear of their father's house. Some -large trees, which had been recently felled, were lying here and there -still untrimmed of their branches, and many logs, prepared for fuel, -were scattered around. Upon one of these the children, wearied with -their sports, seated themselves, and to beguile the time they fell into -conversation upon a subject that greatly perplexed them. - -While playing in the same place a few hours previous, they had imagined -they saw an Indian lurking behind one of the fallen trees. The Indians -of the neighborhood were in the habit of making occasional visits to -the family, and they had become familiar and even affectionate with -many of them, but this seemed a stranger, and after the first hasty -glance they fled in alarm to the house. - -Their mother chid them for the report they brought, which she -endeavored to convince them was without foundation. "You know," said -she, "you are always alarming us unnecessarily--the neighbors' children -have frightened you to death. Go back to your play and learn to be more -courageous." - -So the children returned to their sports, hardly persuaded by their -mother's arguments. While they were thus seated upon the trunk of the -tree, their discourse was interrupted by the note, apparently, of a -quail not far off. - -"Listen," said the boy, as a second note answered the first, "do you -hear that?" - -"Yes," was the reply, and after a few moments' silence, "do you not -hear a rustling among the branches of the tree yonder?" - -"Perhaps it is a squirrel--but look! what is that? Surely I saw -something red among the branches. It looked like a fawn popping up its -head." - -At this moment, the children who had been gazing so intently in the -direction of the fallen tree that all other objects were forgotten, -felt themselves seized from behind and pinioned in an iron grasp. What -was their horror and dismay to find themselves in the arms of savages, -whose terrific countenances and gestures plainly showed them to be -enemies! - -They made signs to the children to be silent, on pain of death, and -hurried them off, half dead with terror, in a direction leading from -their father's habitation. After travelling some distance in profound -silence, the severity of their captors somewhat relaxed, and as night -approached the party halted, after adopting the usual precautions to -secure themselves against a surprise. - -In an agony of uncertainty and terror, torn from their beloved home -and parents, and anticipating all the horrors with which the rumors -of the times had invested a captivity among the Indians--perhaps even -a torturing death--the poor children could no longer restrain their -grief, but gave vent to sobs and lamentations. - -Their distress appeared to excite the compassion of one of the party, -a man of mild aspect, who approached and endeavored to soothe them. He -spread them a couch of the long grass which grew near the encamping -place, offered them a portion of his own stock of dried meat and -parched corn, and gave them to understand by signs that no further evil -was intended them. - -These kindly demonstrations were interrupted by the arrival of another -party of the enemy, bringing with them the mother of the little -prisoners with her youngest child, an infant of three months old. - -It had so happened that the father of the family, with his serving-men, -had gone early in the day to a _raising_ at a few miles' distance, -and the house had thus been left without a defender. The long period -of tranquillity which they had enjoyed, free from all molestation or -alarm from the savages, had quite thrown them off their guard, and they -had recently laid aside some of the caution they had formerly found -necessary. - -These Indians, by lying in wait, had found the favorable moment for -seizing the defenceless family and making them prisoners. Judging from -their paint, and other marks by which the early settlers learned to -distinguish the various tribes, Mrs. Lytle conjectured that those into -whose hands she and her children had fallen were Senecas. Nor was she -mistaken. It was a party of that tribe who had descended from their -village with the intention of falling upon some isolated band of their -enemies, the Delawares, but failing in this, had made themselves amends -by capturing a few white settlers. - -It is to be attributed to the generally mild disposition of this tribe, -together with the magnanimous character of the chief who accompanied -the party, that their prisoners in the present instance escaped the -fate of most of the Americans who were so unhappy as to fall into the -hands of the Iroquois. - -The children learned from their mother that she was profoundly ignorant -of the fate of their remaining brother and sister, a boy of six and a -little girl of four years of age, but she was in hopes they had made -good their escape with the servant girl, who had likewise disappeared -from the commencement. - -After remaining a few hours to recruit the exhausted frames of the -prisoners, the savages again started on their march, one of the older -Indians proffering to relieve the mother from the burden of her infant, -which she had hitherto carried in her arms. Pleased with the unexpected -kindness, she resigned to him her tender charge. - -Thus they pursued their way, the savage who carried the infant -lingering somewhat behind the rest of the party, until finding a spot -convenient for his purpose, he grasped his innocent victim by the feet, -and with one whirl, to add strength to the blow, dashed out its brains -against a tree. Leaving the body upon the spot, he rejoined the party. - -The mother, unsuspicious of what had passed, regarded him earnestly as -he reappeared without the child--then gazed wildly around on the rest -of the group. Her beloved little one was not there. Its absence spoke -its fate, yet, suppressing the shriek of agony, for she knew that the -lives of the remaining ones depended upon her firmness in that trying -hour, she drew them yet closer to her and pursued her melancholy way -without a word spoken or a question asked. - -From the depths of her heart she cried unto Him who is able to save, -and He comforted her with hopes of deliverance for the surviving ones, -for she saw that if blood had been their sole object the scalps of -herself and her children would have been taken upon the spot where they -were made prisoners. - -She read too in the eyes of one who was evidently the commander of -the party an expression more merciful than she had even dared to -hope. Particularly had she observed his soothing manner and manifest -partiality towards her eldest child, the little girl of whom we have -spoken, and she built many a bright hope of escape or ransom upon these -slender foundations. - -After a toilsome and painful march of many days, the party reached the -Seneca village, upon the headwaters of the Alleghany, near what is -now called Olean Point. On their arrival the chief, their conductor, -who was distinguished by the name of the _Big-White-Man_,[AN] led his -prisoners to the principal lodge. This was occupied by his mother, the -widow of the head-chief of that band, and who was called by them the -_Old Queen_. - -[Footnote AN: Although this is the name our mother preserved of -her benefactor, it seems evident that this chief was in fact -_Corn-Planter_, a personage well known in the history of the times. -There could hardly have been two such prominent chiefs in the same -village.] - -On entering her presence, her son presented her the little girl, saying: - -"My mother--I bring you a child to supply the place of my brother, who -was killed by the Lenapé six moons ago. She shall dwell in my lodge, -and be to me a sister. Take the white woman and her children and treat -them kindly--our father will give us many horses and guns to buy them -back again." - -He referred to the British Indian agent of his tribe. Col. Johnson,[74] -an excellent and benevolent gentleman, who resided at Fort Niagara, on -the British side of the river of that name. - -The old queen fulfilled the injunctions of her son. She received the -prisoners, and every comfort was provided them that her simple and -primitive mode of life rendered possible. - - * * * * * - -We must now return to the place and period at which our story commences. - -Late in the evening of that day the father returned to his dwelling. -All within and around was silent and desolate. No trace of a living -creature was to be found throughout the house or grounds. His nearest -neighbors lived at a considerable distance, but to them he hastened, -frantically demanding tidings of his family. - -As he aroused them from their slumbers, one and another joined him in -the search, and at length, at the house of one of them, was found the -servant-maid who had effected her escape. Her first place of refuge, -she said, had been a large brewing-tub in an outer kitchen, under which -she had, at the first alarm, secreted herself until the departure of -the Indians, who were evidently in haste, gave her an opportunity of -fleeing to a place of safety. She could give no tidings of her mistress -and the children, except that they had not been murdered in her sight -or hearing. - -At length, having scoured the neighborhood without success, Mr. Lytle -remembered an old settler who lived alone, far up the valley. Thither -he and his friends immediately repaired, and from him they learned -that, being at work in his field just before sunset, he had seen a -party of strange Indians passing at a short distance from his cabin. -As they wound along the brow of the hill, he could perceive that they -had prisoners with them--a woman and child. The woman he knew to be a -white, as she carried her infant in her arms instead of upon her back, -after the manner of the savages. - -Day had now begun to break, for the night had been passed in fruitless -researches, and the agonized father after a consultation with his kind -friends and neighbors, accepted their offer to accompany him to Fort -Pitt to ask advice and assistance of the Commandant and Indian Agent at -that place. - -Proceeding down the valley, as they approached a hut which the night -before they had found apparently deserted, they were startled by -observing two children standing upon the high bank in front of it. The -delighted father recognized two of his missing flock, but no tidings -could they give him of their mother and the other lost ones. Their -story was simple and touching. - -They were playing in the garden, when they were alarmed by seeing -the Indians enter the yard near the house. Unperceived by them, the -brother, who was but six years of age, helped his little sister over -the fence into a field overrun with bushes of the blackberry and wild -raspberry. They concealed themselves among these for a while, and then, -finding all quiet, they attempted to force their way to the side of -the field furthest from the house. Unfortunately the little girl in -her play in the garden had pulled off her shoes and stockings, and the -briars tearing and wounding her tender feet, she with difficulty could -refrain from crying out. Her brother took off his stockings and put -them on her feet. He attempted, too, to protect them with his shoes, -but they were too large, and kept slipping off, so that she could not -wear them. For a time, they persevered in making what they considered -their escape from certain death, for, as I have said, the children had -been taught by the tales they had heard to regard all strange Indians -as ministers of torture, and of horrors worse than death. Exhausted -with pain and fatigue, the poor little girl at length declared she -could go no further. - -"Then, Maggie," said her brother, "I must kill you, for I cannot let -you be killed by the Indians." - -"Oh! no, Thomas," pleaded she, "do not, pray do not kill me--I do not -think the Indians will find us!" - -"Oh! yes they will, Maggie, and I could kill you so much easier than -they would!" - -For a long time he endeavored to persuade her, and even looked about -for a stick sufficiently large for his purpose, but despair gave the -little creature strength, and she promised her brother that she would -neither complain nor falter, if he would assist her in making her way -out of the field. - -The idea of the little boy that he could save his sister from savage -barbarity by taking her life himself, shows what tales of horror the -children of the early settlers were familiar with. - -After a few more efforts they made their way out of the field, into an -unenclosed pasture-ground, where to their great delight they saw some -cows feeding. They recognized them as belonging to Granny Myers, an old -woman who lived at some little distance, but in what direction from the -place they then were, they were utterly ignorant. - -With a sagacity beyond his years, the boy said: - -"Let us hide ourselves till sunset, when the cows will go home, and we -will follow them." - -They did so, but to their dismay, when they reached Granny Myers' -they found the house deserted. The old woman had been called by some -business down the valley and did not return that night. - -Tired and hungry they could go no further, but after an almost -fruitless endeavor to get some milk from the cows, they laid themselves -down to sleep under an old bedstead that stood behind the house. Their -father and his party had caused them additional terror in the night. -The shouts and calls which had been designed to arouse the inmates of -the house, they had mistaken for the whoop of the Indians, and not -being able to distinguish friends from foes, they had crept close to -one another, as far out of sight as possible. When found the following -morning, they were debating what course to take next, for safety. - -The commandant at Fort Pitt entered warmly into the affairs of Mr. -Lytle, and readily furnished him with a detachment of soldiers, to aid -him and his friends in the pursuit of the marauders. Some circumstances -having occurred to throw suspicion upon the Senecas, the party soon -directed their search among the villages of that tribe. - -Their inquiries were prosecuted in various directions, and always -with great caution, for all the tribes of the Iroquois, or, as they -pompously called themselves, the Five Nations, being allies of Great -Britain, were consequently inveterate in their hostility to the -Americans. Thus, some time had elapsed before the father with his -attendants reached the village of the _Big-White-Man_. - -A treaty was immediately entered into for the ransom of the captives, -which was easily accomplished in regard to Mrs. Lytle and the younger -child. But no offers, no entreaties, no promises, could procure the -release of the little Eleanor, the adopted child of the tribe. "No," -the chief said, "she was his sister; he had taken her to supply the -place of his brother who was killed by the enemy--she was dear to him, -and he would not part with her." - -Finding every effort unavailing to shake this resolution the father was -at length compelled to take his sorrowful departure with such of his -beloved ones as he had the good fortune to recover. - -We will not attempt to depict the grief of parents compelled thus to -give up a darling child, and to leave her in the hands of savages, -whom until now they had too much reason to regard as merciless. But -there was no alternative. Commending her to the care of their Heavenly -Father, and cheered by the manifest tenderness with which she had thus -far been treated, they sat out on their melancholy journey homeward, -trusting that some future effort would be more effectual for the -recovery of their little girl. - -Having placed his family in safety at Pittsburgh, Mr. Lytle, still -assisted by the Commandant and the Indian Agent, undertook an -expedition to the frontier to the residence of the British agent. Col. -Johnson. His representation of the case warmly interested the feelings -of that benevolent officer, who promised him to spare no exertions in -his behalf. This promise he religiously performed. He went in person to -the village of the Big-White-Man, as soon as the opening of the spring -permitted, and offered him many splendid presents of guns and horses, -but the chief was inexorable. - -Time rolled on, and every year the hope of recovering the little -captive became more faint. She, in the meantime, continued to wind -herself more and more closely around the heart of her Indian brother. -Nothing could exceed the consideration and affection with which she -was treated, not only by himself, but by his mother, the _Old Queen_. -All their stock of brooches and wampum was employed in the decoration -of her person. The principal seat and the most delicate viands were -invariably reserved for her, and no efforts were spared to promote her -happiness, and to render her forgetful of her former home and kindred. - -Thus, though she had beheld, with a feeling almost amounting to -despair, the departure of her parents and dear little brother, and had -for a long time resisted every attempt at consolation, preferring even -death to a life of separation from all she loved, yet time, as it ever -does, brought its soothing balm, and she at length grew contented and -happy. - -From her activity and the energy of her character, qualities for which -she was remarkable to the latest period of her life, the name was given -her of _The Ship under full sail_. - - * * * * * - -The only drawback to the happiness of the little prisoner, aside from -her longings after her own dear home, was the enmity she encountered -from the wife of the Big-White-Man. This woman, from the day of her -arrival at the village, and adoption into the family as a sister, had -conceived for her the greatest animosity, which, at first, she had the -prudence to conceal from the observation of her husband. - -It was perhaps natural that a wife should give way to some feelings of -jealousy at seeing her own place in the heart of her husband usurped, -as she imagined, by the child of their enemy, the American. But these -feelings were aggravated by a bad and vindictive temper, and by the -indifference with which her husband listened to her complaints and -murmurings. - -As she had no children of her own to engage her attention, her mind -was the more engrossed and inflamed with her fancied wrongs, and with -devising means for their redress. An opportunity of attempting the -latter was not long wanting. - -During the absence of the Big-White-Man upon some war-party, or hunting -excursion, his little sister was taken ill with fever and ague. She was -nursed with the utmost tenderness by the Old Queen, and the wife of -the chief, to lull suspicion, and thereby accomplish her purpose, was -likewise unwearied in her assiduities to the little favorite. - -One afternoon, during the temporary absence of the Old Queen, her -daughter-in-law entered the lodge with a bowl of something she had -prepared, and stooping down to the mat on which the child lay, said, in -an affectionate accent: - -"Drink, my sister, I have brought you that which will drive this fever -far from you." - -On raising her head to reply, the little girl perceived a pair of eyes -peeping through a crevice in the lodge, and fixed upon her with a very -peculiar and significant expression. With the quick perception acquired -partly from nature, and partly from her intercourse with this people, -she replied faintly: - -"Set it down, my sister. When this fit of the fever has passed, I will -drink your medicine." - -The squaw, too cautious to use importunity, busied herself about in -the lodge for a short time, then withdrew to another, near at hand. -Meantime, the bright eyes continued peering through the opening, until -they had watched their object fairly out of sight, then a low voice, -the voice of a young friend and play-fellow, spoke: - -"Do not drink that which your brother's wife has brought you. She -hates you, and is only waiting an opportunity to rid herself of you. I -have watched her all the morning, and have seen her gathering the most -deadly herbs. I knew for whom they were intended, and came hither to -warn you." - -"Take the bowl," said the little invalid, "and carry it to my mother's -lodge." - -This was accordingly done. The contents of the bowl were found to -consist principally of a decoction of the root of the May-apple, the -most deadly poison known among the Indians. - -It is not in the power of language to describe the indignation that -pervaded the little community when this discovery was made known. The -squaws ran to and fro, as is their custom when excited, each vying with -the other in heaping invectives upon the culprit. No further punishment -was, however, for the present inflicted upon her, but the first burst -of rage over, she was treated with silent abhorrence. - -The little patient was removed to the lodge of the Old Queen, and -strictly guarded, while her enemy was left to wander in silence and -solitude about the fields and woods, until the return of her husband -should determine her punishment. - -In a few days, the excursion being over, the Big-White-Man and his -party returned to the village. Contrary to the usual custom of savages, -he did not, in his first transport at learning the attempt on the -life of his little sister, take summary vengeance on the offender. He -contented himself with banishing her from his lodge, never to return, -and condemning her to hoe corn in a distant part of the large field or -enclosure which served the whole community for a garden. - -Although she would still show her vindictive disposition whenever, -by chance, the little girl with her companions wandered into that -vicinity by striking at her with her hoe, or by some other spiteful -manifestation, yet she was either too well watched, or stood too much -in awe of her former husband, to repeat the attempt upon his sister's -life. - - * * * * * - -Four years had now elapsed since the capture of little Nelly. Her heart -was by nature warm and affectionate, so that the unbounded tenderness -of those she dwelt among had called forth a corresponding feeling of -affection in her heart. She regarded the Chief and his mother with love -and reverence, and had so completely learned their language and customs -as almost to have forgotten her own. - -So identified had she become with the tribe, that the remembrance of -her home and family had nearly faded from her memory; all but her -mother--her mother whom she had loved with a strength of affection -natural to her warm and ardent character, and to whom her heart still -clung with a fondness that no time or change could destroy. - -The peace of 1783 between Great Britain and the United States now took -place. A general pacification of the Indian tribes was the consequence, -and fresh hopes were renewed in the bosoms of Mr. and Mrs. Lytle. - -They removed with their family to Fort Niagara, near which, on the -American side, was the great _Council Fire_ of the Senecas. Col. -Johnson readily undertook a fresh negotiation with the Chief, but in -order to ensure every chance of success, he again proceeded in person -to the village of the Big-White-Man. - -His visit was most opportune. It was the "Feast of the Green Corn," -when he arrived among them. This observance, which corresponds so -strikingly with the Jewish feast of Tabernacles that, together with -other customs, it has led many to believe the Indian nations the -descendants of the lost ten tribes of Israel, made it a season of -general joy and festivity. All other occupations were suspended to -give place to social enjoyment in the open air, or in arbors formed of -the green branches of the trees. Every one appeared in his gala dress. -That of the little adopted child consisted of a petticoat of blue -broadcloth, bordered with gay-colored ribbons; a sack or upper garment -of black silk, ornamented with three rows of silver brooches, the -centre ones from the throat to the hem being of large size, and those -from the shoulders down being no larger than a shilling-piece, and set -as closely as possible. Around her neck were innumerable strings of -white and purple wampum, an Indian ornament manufactured from the inner -surface of the muscle-shell. Her hair was clubbed behind, and loaded -with beads of various colors. Leggings of scarlet cloth, and moccasins -of deer-skin embroidered with porcupine quills, completed her costume. - -Col. Johnson was received with all the consideration due to his -position, and to the long friendship that had subsisted between him and -the tribe. - -Observing that the hilarity of the festival had warmed and opened all -hearts, he took occasion in an interview with the chief to expatiate -upon the parental affection which had led the father and mother of his -little sister to give up their friends and home, and come hundreds -of miles away, in the single hope of sometimes looking upon and -embracing her. The heart of the chief softened as he listened to this -representation, and he was induced to promise that at the Grand Council -soon to be held at Fort Niagara he would attend, bringing his little -sister with him. - -He exacted a promise, however, from Col. Johnson, that not only -no effort should be made to reclaim the child, but that even no -proposition to part with her should be offered him. - -The time at length arrived when, her heart bounding with joy, little -Nelly was placed on horseback to accompany her Indian brother to the -great Council of the Senecas. She had promised him that she would never -leave him without his permission, and he relied confidently on her word -thus given. - -As the chiefs and warriors arrived in successive bands to meet their -father, the agent, at the council-fire, how did the anxious hearts of -the parents beat with alternate hope and fear! The officers of the fort -had kindly given them quarters for the time being, and the ladies, -whose sympathies were strongly excited, had accompanied the mother to -the place of council, and joined in her longing watch for the first -appearance of the band from the Alleghany river. - -At length they were discerned, emerging from the forest on the opposite -or American side. Boats were sent across by the Commanding Officer, -to bring the chief and his party. The father and mother, attended by -all the officers and ladies, stood upon the grassy bank awaiting their -approach. They had seen at a glance that the _little captive_ was with -them. - -When about to enter the boat, the chief said to some of his young men, -"stand here with the horses, and wait until I return." - -He was told that the horses should be ferried across and taken care of. - -"No," said he, "let them wait." - -He held his darling by the hand until the river was passed--until the -boat touched the bank--until the child sprang forward into the arms of -the mother from whom she had been so long separated. - -When the Chief witnessed that outburst of affection he could withstand -no longer. - -"She shall go," said he. "The mother must have her child again. I will -go back alone." - -With one silent gesture of farewell he turned and stepped on board the -boat. No arguments or entreaties could induce him to remain at the -council, but having gained the other side of the Niagara, he mounted -his horse, and with his young men was soon lost in the depths of the -forest. - -After a sojourn of a few weeks at Niagara, Mr. Lytle, dreading lest -the resolution of the Big-White-Man should give way, and measures be -taken to deprive him once more of his child, came to the determination -of again changing his place of abode. He therefore took the first -opportunity of crossing Lake Erie with his family, and settled himself -in the neighborhood of Detroit, where he continued afterward to reside. - -_Little Nelly_ saw her friend the Chief no more, but she never -forgot him. To the day of her death she remembered with tenderness -and gratitude her brother, the Big-White-Man, and her friends and -playfellows among the Senecas. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -SECOND SIGHT--HICKORY CREEK - - -At the age of fourteen the heroine of the foregoing story married -Captain McKillip, a British officer. This gentleman was killed near -Fort Defiance, as it was afterward called, at the Miami Rapids, in -1794. A detachment of British troops had been sent down from Detroit, -to take possession of this post. Gen. Wayne was then on a campaign -against the Indians, and the British Government thought proper to make -a few demonstrations in behalf of their allies. Having gone out with a -party to reconnoitre, Captain McKillip was returning to his post after -dark, when he was fired upon and killed by one of his own sentinels. -Mrs. Helm was the daughter of this marriage. - -During the widowhood of Mrs. McKillip she resided with her parents -at Grosse Pointe, eight miles above Detroit, and it was during this -period that an event occurred, which from the melancholy and mysterious -circumstances attending it, was always dwelt upon by her with peculiar -interest. - -Her second brother, Thomas Lytle, was, from his amiable and -affectionate character, the most dearly beloved by her of all the -numerous family circle. He was paying his addresses to a young lady who -resided at the river Trench,[AO] as it was then called, now the river -Thames, a stream emptying into Lake St. Clair, about twenty miles above -Detroit. In visiting this young lady, it was his custom to cross the -Detroit river by the ferry with his horse, and then proceed by land to -the river Trench, which was, at some seasons of the year, a fordable -stream. - -[Footnote AO: From the French--_Tranche_, a deep cut.] - -On a fine forenoon, late in the spring, he had taken leave of his -mother and sister for one of these periodical visits, which were -usually of two or three days' duration. - -After dinner, as his sister was sitting at work by an open window which -looked upon a little side enclosure filled with fruit-trees, she was -startled by observing some object opposite the window, between her -and the light. She raised her eyes and saw her brother Thomas. He was -without his horse, and carried his saddle upon his shoulders. - -Surprised that she had not heard the gate opening for his entrance, and -also at his singular appearance, laden in that manner, she addressed -him, and inquired what had happened, and why he had returned so soon. -He made her no reply, but looked earnestly in her face, as he moved -slowly along the paved walk that led to the stables. - -She waited a few moments expecting he would reappear to give an account -of himself and his adventures, but at length, growing impatient at his -delay, she put down her work and went towards the rear of the house to -find him. - -The first person she met was her mother. "Have you seen Thomas?" she -inquired. - -"Thomas! He has gone to the river Trench." - -"No, he has returned--I saw him pass the window not fifteen minutes -since." - -"Then he will be in presently." - -His sister, however, could not wait. She proceeded to the stables, she -searched in all directions. No Thomas--no horse--no saddle. She made -inquiry of the domestics. No one had seen him. She then returned and -told her mother what had happened. - -"You must have fallen asleep and dreamed it," said her mother. - -"No, indeed! I was wide awake--I spoke to him, and he gave me no -answer, but such a look!" - -All the afternoon she felt an uneasiness she could not reason herself -out of. - -The next morning came a messenger from the river Trench with dismal -tidings. - -The bodies of the young man and his horse had been found drowned a -short distance below the ford of the river. - -It appeared that on arriving at the bank of the river, he found it -swollen beyond its usual depth by the recent rains. It being necessary -to swim the stream with his horse, he had taken off his clothes and -made them into a packet which he fastened upon his shoulders. It -was supposed that the strength of the rapid torrent displaced the -bundle, which thus served to draw his head under water and keep it -there, without the power of raising it. All this was gathered from the -position and appearance of the bodies when found. - -From the time at which he had been seen passing a house which stood -near the stream, on his way to the ford, it was evident that he must -have met his fate at the very moment his sister saw, or thought she saw -him, passing before her. - -I could not but suggest the inquiry, when these sad particulars were -narrated to me: - -"Mother, is it not possible this might have been a dream?" - -"A dream? No, indeed, my child. I was perfectly wide awake--as much so -as I am at this moment. I am not superstitious. I have never believed -in ghosts or witches, but nothing can ever persuade me that this was -not a warning sent from God, to prepare me for my brother's death." - -And those who knew her rational good sense--her freedom from fancies or -fears, and the calm self-possession that never deserted her under the -most trying circumstances, would almost be won to view the matter in -the light she did. - - * * * * * - -The order for the evacuation of the post, and the removal of the troops -to Fort Howard (Green Bay), had now been received.[75] The family -circle was to be broken up. Our mother, our sister Mrs. Helm, and her -little son, were to return with us to Fort Winnebago--the other members -of the family, except Robert, were to move with the command to Green -Bay. - -Before the time for our departure, however. Colonel Owen, the new -Indian Agent, arrived to take up his residence at the place. Col. R. J. -Hamilton, also, on a visit of business, expressed his determination to -make Chicago his future home. This may be considered the first impulse -given to the place--the first step towards its subsequent unexampled -growth and prosperity. - -The schooner Napoleon was to be sent from Detroit to convey the troops -with their goods and chattels to their destined post. Our immediate -party was to make the journey by land--we were to choose, however, -a shorter and pleasanter route than the one we had taken in coming -hither. My husband with his Frenchmen, Petaille Grignon and Simon -Lecuyer, had arrived, and all hands were now busily occupied with the -necessary preparations for breaking up and removal. - -I should be doing injustice to the hospitable settlers of Hickory Creek -were I to pass by, without notice, an entertainment with which they -honored our Chicago beaux about this time. The merry-making was to be -a ball, and the five single gentlemen of Chicago were invited. Mr. -Dole, who was a new-comer, declined--Lieut. Foster was on duty, but -he did what was still better than accepting the invitation, he loaned -his beautiful horse to Medard Beaubien, and he, with Robert Kinzie and -Gholson Kercheval, promised themselves much fun in eclipsing the beaux -and creating a sensation among the _belles_ of Hickory Creek. - -Chicago was then, as now, looked upon as _the City_ par excellence. Its -few inhabitants were supposed to have seen something of the world, and -it is to be inferred that the arrival of the smart and dashing young -men was an event looked forward to with more satisfaction by the fair -of the little settlement than by the swains whose rivals they might -become. - -The day arrived and the gentlemen set off in high spirits. The took -care to be in good season, for the dancing was to commence at two -o'clock in the afternoon. They were well mounted, each priding himself -upon the animal he rode, and they wore their best suits, as became city -gallants who were bent on cutting out their less fashionable neighbors, -and breaking the hearts of the admiring country damsels. - -When they arrived at the place appointed, they were received with great -politeness--their steeds were taken care of--a dinner provided them, -after which they were ushered into the dancing-hall. - -All the beauty of the neighboring precincts was assembled. The ladies -were for the most part white, or what passed for such, with an -occasional dash of copper color. There was no lack of bombazet gowns -and large white pocket-handkerchiefs, perfumed with oil of cinnamon; -and as they took their places in long rows on the puncheon floor, they -were a merry and a happy company. - -But the city gentlemen grew more and more gallant--the girls more -and more delighted with their attentions--the country swains, alas! -more and more scowling and jealous. In vain they pigeon-winged and -double-shuffled--in vain they nearly dislocated hips and shoulders at -"hoe corn and dig potatoes"--they had the mortification to perceive -that the smart young sprigs from Chicago had their pick and choose -among their very sweethearts, and that they themselves were fairly -danced off the ground. - -The revelry lasted until daylight, and it was now time to think of -returning. There was no one ready with obliging politeness to bring -them their horses from the stable. - -"Poor fellows!" said one of the party, with a compassionate sort of -laugh, "they could not stand it. They have gone home to bed!" - -"Serves them right," said another, "they'd better not ask us down among -their girls again!" - -They groped their way to the stable and went in. There were some -animals standing at the manger, but evidently not their horses. What -could they be? Had the rogues been trying to cheat them, by putting -these strange nondescripts into their place? - -They led them forth into the gray of the morning, and then, such a trio -as met their gaze! - -There were the original bodies, it is true, but where were their -manes and tails? A scrubby, picketty ridge along the neck, and a bare -stump projecting behind were all that remained of the flowing honors -with which they had come gallivanting down to "bear away the bell" at -Hickory Creek, or, in the emphatic language of the country, "to take -the rag off the bush." - -Gholson sat down on a log and cried outright. Medard took the matter -more philosophically--the horse was none of his--it was Lieut. -Foster's. - -Robert characteristically looked around to see whom he could knock down -on the occasion, but there was no one visible on whom to wreak their -vengeance. - -The bumpkins had stolen away, and in some safe, quiet nook, were snugly -enjoying their triumph, and doubtless the deceitful fair ones were, by -this time, sharing their mirth and exultation. - -The unlucky gallants mounted their steeds, and set their faces -homeward. Never was there a more crestfallen and sorry-looking -cavalcade. The poor horses seemed to realize that they had met the -same treatment as the messengers of King David at the hands of the -evil-disposed Hanun. They hung their heads, and evidently wished that -they could have "tarried at Jericho" for a season. Unfortunately there -was in those days no back way by which they could steal in, unobserved. -Across the prairie, in view of the whole community, must their approach -be made, and to add to their confusion, in the rarity of stirring -events, it was the custom of the whole settlement to turn out and -welcome the arrival of any new-comer. - -As hasty a retreat as possible was beaten, amid the shouts, the jeers, -and the condolences of their acquaintances, and it is on record that -these three young gentlemen were in no hurry to accept, at any future -time, an invitation to partake of the festivities of Hickory Creek. - - * * * * * - -In due time the Napoleon made her appearance. (Alas! that this great -name should be used in the feminine gender!) As there was at this -period no harbor, vessels anchored outside the bar, or tongue of land -which formed the left bank of the river, and the lading and unlading -were carried on by boats, pulling in and out, through the mouth of the -river, some distance below. Of course it always was a matter of great -importance to get a vessel loaded as quickly as possible that she might -be ready to take advantage of the first fair wind, and be off from such -an exposed and hazardous anchoring ground. - -For this reason we had lived _packed up_ for many days, intending only -to see our friends safe on board, and then commence our own journey. - -Our heavy articles of furniture, trunks, &c., had been sent on board -the Napoleon to be brought round to us by way of Fox River. We had -retained only such few necessaries as could be conveniently carried -on a pack-horse, and in a light dearborn wagon lately brought by Mr. -Kercheval from Detroit (the first luxury of the kind ever seen on the -prairies), and which my husband had purchased as an agreeable mode of -conveyance for his mother and little nephew. - -It was a matter requiring no small amount of time and labor to -transport, in the slow method described, the effects of so many -families of officers and soldiers--the company's stores, and all the -various et ceteras incident to a total change and removal. It was all, -however, happily accomplished--everything, even the last article sent -on board--nothing remaining on shore but the passengers, whose turn it -was next. - -It was a moment of great relief, for Capt. Hinckley had been in a fever -and a fuss many hours, predicting a change of weather, and murmuring -at what he thought the unnecessary amount of boat-loads to be taken on -board. - -Those who had leisure to be looking out toward the schooner which had -continued anchored about half a mile out in the lake, had, at this -crisis, the satisfaction to see her hoist sail and leave her station -for the open lake--those who were a little later could just discern -her bearing away to a distance, as if she had got all on board that she -had any idea of taking. Here we were and here we might remain a week or -more, if it pleased Capt. Hinckley and the schooner Napoleon, and the -good east wind which was blowing with all its might. - -There was plenty of provisions to be obtained, so the fear of -starvation was not the trouble, but how were the cooking and the table -to be provided for? Various expedients were resorted to. Mrs. Engle, -in her quarters above stairs, ate her breakfast off a shingle with her -husband's jack-knife, and when she had finished, sent them down to -Lieut. Foster for his accommodation. - -We were at the old mansion on the north side, and the news soon flew -up the river that the Napoleon had gone off with "the plunder," and -left the people behind. It was not long before we were supplied by Mrs. -Portier (our kind Victoire), with dishes, knives, forks, and all the -other conveniences which our mess-basket failed to supply. - -This state of things lasted a couple of days, and then, early one fine -morning the gratifying intelligence spread like wild-fire that the -Napoleon was at anchor out beyond the bar. - -There was no unnecessary delay this time, and at an early hour in the -afternoon we had taken leave of our dear friends, and they were sailing -away from Chicago.[AP] - -[Footnote AP: It is a singular fact that all the martins, of which -there were great numbers occupying the little houses constructed for -them by the soldiers, were observed to have disappeared from their -homes on the morning following the embarkation of the troops. After an -absence of five days they returned. They had perhaps taken a fancy to -accompany their old friends, but, finding they were not Mother Carey's -chickens, deemed it most prudent to return and reoccupy their old -dwellings.] - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -RETURN TO FORT WINNEBAGO - - -A great part of the command, with the cattle belonging to the officers -and soldiers, had a day or two previous to the time of our departure, -set out on their march by land to Green Bay, _via_ Fort Winnebago. -Lieut. Foster, under whose charge they were, had lingered behind that -he might have the pleasure of joining our party, and we, in turn, had -delayed in order to see the other members of our family safely on board -the Napoleon. But now, all things being ready, we set our faces once -more homeward. - -We took with us a little _bound-girl_, Josette (a daughter of -Ouilmette, a Frenchman who had lived here at the time of the Massacre, -and of a Pottowattamie mother), a bright, pretty child of ten years of -age. She had been at the St. Joseph's mission-school, under Mr. McCoy, -and she was now full of delight at the prospect of a journey all the -way to the Portage with Monsieur and Madame Jolm. - -We had also a negro boy, Harry, brought a year before from Kentucky, -by Mr. Kercheval. In the transfer at that time from a slave State to -a free one, Harry's position became somewhat changed--he could be no -more than an indentured servant. He was about to become a member of Dr. -Wolcott's household, and it was necessary for him to choose a guardian. -All this was explained to him on his being brought into the parlor, -where the family were assembled. My husband was then a young man, on a -visit to his home. "Now, Harry," it was said to him, "you must choose -your guardian;" and the natural expectation was that Harry would select -the person of his acquaintance of the greatest age and dignity. But, -rolling round his great eyes, and hanging his head on one side, he said, - -"I'll have Master John for my guardian." - -From that day forward Harry felt as if he belonged, in a measure, to -Master John, and at the breaking up of the family in Chicago he was, -naturally, transferred to our establishment. - -There were three ladies of our travelling party--our mother, our sister -Mrs. Helm, and myself. To guard against the burning effect of the sun -and the prairie winds upon our faces, I had, during some of the last -days of my visit, prepared for each of us a mask of brown linen, with -the eyes, nose, and mouth fitted to accommodate our features; and to -enhance the hideousness of each, I had worked eye-brows, lashes, and -a circle around the opening for the mouth in black silk. Gathered in -plaits under the chin, and with strings to confine them above and -below, they furnished a complete protection against the sun and wind, -though nothing can be imagined more frightful than the appearance we -presented when fully equipped. It was who should be called the ugliest. - -We left amid the good wishes and laughter of our few remaining -acquaintances, of whom we now took leave. Our wagon had been provided -with a pair of excellent travelling horses, and sister Margaret and -myself accommodated with the best pacers the country could afford, and -we set off in high spirits toward the Aux Plaines--our old friend, -Billy Caldwell (the Sau-ga-nash), with our brother Robert and Gholson -Kercheval, accompanying us to that point of our journey. - -There was no one at Barney Lawton's when we reached there but a -Frenchman and a small number of Indians. The latter in their eagerness -to say "bonjour," and shake hands with Shaw-nee-aw-kee, passed us by, -apparently without observation, so my sister and I dismounted and -entered the dwelling, the door of which stood open. Two Indians were -seated on the floor smoking. They raised their eyes as we appeared, -and never shall I forget the expression of wonder and horror depicted -on the countenances of both. Their lips relaxed until the pipe of one -fell upon the floor. Their eyes seemed starting from their heads, and -raising their outspread hands, as if to wave us from them, they slowly -ejaculated, "_Manitou!_" (a spirit). - -As we raised our masks, and, smiling, came forward to shake hands with -them, they sprang to their feet and fairly uttered a cry of delight at -the sight of our familiar faces. - -"Bonjour, bonjour, Maman!" was their salutation, and they instantly -plunged out of doors to relate to their companions what had happened. - -Our afternoon's ride was over a prairie stretching away to the -north-east. No living creature was to be seen upon its broad expanse, -but flying and circling over our heads were innumerable flocks of -curlews, - - "Screaming their wild notes to the listening waste." - -Their peculiar shrill cry of "crack, crack, crack--rackety, rackety, -rackety," repeated from the throats of dozens as they sometimes stooped -quite close to our ears, became at length almost unbearable. It seemed -as if they had lost their senses in the excitement of so unusual and -splendid a cortége in their hitherto desolate domain. - -The accelerated pace of our horses as we approached a beautiful wooded -knoll, warned us that this was to be our place of repose for the night. -These animals seem to know by instinct a favorable encamping-ground, -and this was one of the most lovely imaginable. - -The trees, which near the lake had, owing to the coldness and tardiness -of the season, presented the pale-yellow appearance of unfledged -goslings, were here bursting into full leaf. The ground around was -carpeted with flowers--we could not bear to have them crushed by the -felling of a tree and the pitching of our tent among them. The birds -sent forth their sweetest notes in the warm, lingering sunshine, and -the opening buds of the young hickory and sassafras filled the air with -perfume. - -Nothing could be more perfect than our enjoyment of this sylvan and -beautiful retreat[AQ] after our ride in the glowing sun. The children -were in ecstasies. They delighted to find ways of making themselves -useful--to pile up the saddles--to break boughs for the fire--to fill -the little kettles with water for Petaille and Lecuyer, the Frenchmen -who were preparing our supper. - -[Footnote AQ: It is now known as Dunkley's Grove.] - -Their amusement at the awkward movements of the horses after they were -spancelled knew no bounds. To Edwin everything was new, and Josette, -who had already made more than one horseback journey to St. Joseph's, -manifested all the pride of an old traveller in explaining to him -whatever was novel or unaccountable. - -They were not the last to spring up at the call "how! how!" on the -following morning. - -The fire was replenished, the preparations for breakfast commenced, and -the Frenchmen dispatched to bring up the horses in readiness for an -early start. - -Harry and Josette played their parts, under our direction, in preparing -the simple meal, and we soon seated ourselves, each with cup and knife, -around the _table-mat_. The meal was over, but no men, no horses -appeared. When another half-hour had passed, my husband took Harry and -commenced exploring in search of the missing ones. - -The day wore on, and first one of them and then another would make his -appearance to report progress. Petaille and Lecuyer at length brought -two of the horses, but the others could nowhere be found. In time, Mr. -Kinzie and Harry returned, wet to their knees by the dew upon the long -prairie grass, but with no tidings. Again the men were dispatched after -having broken their fast, but returned as unsuccessful as before. - -The morning had been occupied by our party at the encampment in -speculating upon the missing animals. - -Could they have been stolen by the Indians? Hardly--these people seldom -committed robberies in time of peace--never upon our family, whom they -regarded as their best friends. The horses would doubtless be found. -They had probably been carelessly fastened the preceding evening, and -therefore been able to stray further than was their wont. - -A council was held, at which it was decided to send Grignon back to -Chicago to get some fresh horses from Gholson Kercheval, and return as -speedily as possible. If on his return our encampment were deserted, -he might conclude we had found the horses and proceeded to Fox River, -where he would doubtless overtake us. - -Upon reflection, it was thought best to send him once more in the -direction of Salt Creek, when, if still unsuccessful, the former -alternative could be adopted. - -He had not been gone more than an hour, before, slowly hopping out of -a point of woods to the north of us (a spot which each of the seekers -averred he had explored over and over again), and making directly for -the place where we were, appeared the vexatious animals. They came up -as demurely as if nothing had happened, and seemed rather surprised -to be received with a hearty scolding, instead of being patted and -caressed as usual. - -It was the work of a very short half hour to strike and pack the tent, -stow away the mats and kettles, saddle the horses and mount for our -journey. - -"Whoever pleases may take my place in the carriage," said our mother. -"I have travelled so many years on horseback, that I find any other -mode of conveyance too fatiguing." - -So, spite of her sixty years, she mounted sister Margaret's pacer with -the activity of a girl of sixteen. - -Lieut. Foster had left us early in the morning, feeling it necessary to -rejoin his command, and now, having seen us ready to set off, with a -serene sky above us, and all things "right and tight" for the journey, -our friend the Sau-ga-nash took leave of us, and retraced his steps -towards Chicago. - -We pursued our way through a lovely country of alternate glade and -forest, until we reached the Fox River.[76] The current ran clear and -rippling along, and as we descended the steep bank to the water, the -question, so natural to a traveller in an unknown region, presented -itself, "Is it fordable?" - -Petaille, to whom the ground was familiar, had not yet made his -appearance. Lecuyer was quite ignorant upon the subject. The troops -had evidently preceded us by this very trail. True, but they were on -horseback--the difficulty was, could we get the carriage through? It -must be remembered, that the doubt was not about the depth of the -water, but about the hardness of the bottom of the stream. - -It was agreed that two or three of the equestrians should make the -trial first. My mother, Lecuyer and myself advanced cautiously across -to the opposite bank, each choosing a different point for leaving the -water, in order to find the firmest spot. The bottom was hard and firm -until we came near the shore, then it yielded a little. With one step, -however, we were each on dry ground. - -"Est-il beau?" called my husband, who was driving. - -"Oui, Monsieur." - -"Yes, John, come just here, it is perfectly good." - -"No, no--go a little further down. See the white gravel just there--it -will be firmer still, there." - -Such were the contradictory directions given. He chose the latter, and -when it wanted but one step more to the bank, down sunk both horses, -until little more than their backs were visible. - -The white gravel proved to be a bed of treacherous yellow clay, which -gleaming through the water, had caused so unfortunate a deception. - -With frantic struggles, for they were nearly suffocated with mud and -water, the horses made desperate efforts to free themselves from the -harness. My husband sprang out upon the pole. "Some one give me a -knife," he cried. I was back in the water in a moment, and approaching -as near as I dared, handed him mine from the scabbard around my neck. - -"Whatever you do, do not cut the traces," cried his mother. - -He severed some of the side-straps, when just as he had reached the -extremity of the pole, and was stretching forward to separate the -head-couplings, one of the horses gave a furious plunge, which caused -his fellow to rear and throw himself nearly backwards. My husband was -between them. For a moment we thought he was gone--trampled down by -the excited animals, but he presently showed himself, nearly obscured -by the mud and water. With the agility of a cat, Harry, who was near -him, now sprung forward on the pole, and in an instant, with his sharp -jack-knife which he had ready, divided the straps that confined their -heads. - -The horses were at this moment lying floating on the water--one -apparently dead, the other as if gasping out his last breath. But -hardly did they become sensible of the release of their heads from -bondage than they made, simultaneously, another furious effort to free -themselves from the pole to which they were still attached by the -neck-strap. - -Failing in this, they tried another expedient, and by a few judicious -twists and turns, succeeded in wrenching the pole asunder, and finally -carried it off in triumph across the river again, and up the bank, -where they stood waiting to decide what were the next steps to be taken. - -Here was a predicament! A few hours before we had thought ourselves -uncomfortable enough, because some of our horses were missing. Now, a -greater evil had befallen us. The wagon was in the river, the harness -cut to pieces, and, what was worse, carried off in the most independent -manner, by Tom and his companion; the pole was twisted to pieces, and -there was not so much as a stick on that side of the river with which -to replace it. - -At this moment, a whoop from the opposite bank, echoed by two or three -hearty ones from our party, announced the reappearance of Petaille -Grignon. He dismounted and took charge of the horses, who were resting -themselves after their fatigues under a shady tree, and by this time -Lecuyer had crossed the river and now joined him in bringing back the -delinquents. - -In the meantime we had been doing our best to minister to our sister -Margaret. Both she and her little son Edwin had been in the wagon at -the time of the accident, and it had been a work of some difficulty -to get them out and bring them on horseback to shore. The effect of -the agitation and excitement was to throw her into a fit of the ague, -and she now lay blue and trembling among the long grass of the little -prairie, which extended along the bank. The tent, which had been packed -in the rear of the wagon, was too much saturated with mud and water to -admit of its being used as a shelter; it could only be stretched in the -sun to dry. We opened an umbrella over our poor sister's head, and now -began a discussion of ways and means to repair damages. The first thing -was to cut a new pole for the wagon, and for this, the master and men -must recross the river and choose an _iron-tree_ out of the forest. - -Then, for the harness. With provident care, a little box had been -placed under the seat of the wagon, containing an awl, waxed-ends, and -various other little conveniences exactly suited to an emergency like -the present. - -It was question and answer, like Cock Robin: - -"Who can mend the harness?" - -"I can, for I learned when I was a young girl to make shoes as _an -accomplishment_, and I can surely now, as a matter of usefulness and -duty, put all those wet, dirty pieces of leather together." - -So, we all seated ourselves on the grass, under the shade of the only -two umbrellas we could muster. - -I stitched away diligently, blistering my hands, I must own, in no -small degree. - -A suitable young tree had been brought, and the hatchets, without which -one never travels in the woods, were all busy, fashioning it into -shape, when a peculiar hissing noise was heard, and instantly the cry, - -"_Un serpent sonnette!_ A rattlesnake!" - -All sprang to their feet, even the poor shaking invalid, just in time -to see the reptile glide past within three inches of my mother's feet, -while the men assailed the spot it had left with whips, missives, and -whatever would help along the commotion. - -This little incident proved an excellent remedy for the ague. One -excitement drives away another, and by means of this, (upon the -homœopathic principle), sister Margaret was so much improved that -by the time all the mischiefs were repaired, she was ready to take her -place in the cavalcade, as bright and cheerful as the rest of us. - -So great had been the delay occasioned by all these untoward -circumstances, that our afternoon's ride was but a short one, bringing -us no further than the shores of a beautiful sheet of water, now known -as Crystal Lake. Its clear surface was covered with Loons, and _Poules -d'Eau_, a species of Rail, with which, at certain seasons, this region -abounds. - -The Indians have, universally, the genius of Æsop for depicting animal -life and character, and there is, among them, a fable illustrative of -every peculiarity in the personal appearance, habits, or dispositions -of each variety of the animal creation. - -The back of the little Rail is very concave, or hollow. The Indians -tell us it became so in the following manner:-- - -STORY OF THE LITTLE RAIL, OR _POULE D'EAU_. - -There is supposed, by most of the North-western tribes, to exist an -invisible being, corresponding to the "Genius" of oriental story. -Without being exactly the father of evil, _Nan-nee-bo-zho_ is a -mischievous spirit, to whose office it seems to be assigned to punish -what is amiss. For his own purposes too, he seems constantly occupied -in entrapping and making examples of all the animals that come in his -way. - -One pleasant evening, as he walked along the banks of a lake, he saw a -flock of ducks, sailing and enjoying themselves on the blue waters. He -called to them: - -"Ho! come with me into my lodge, and I will teach you to dance!" Some -of the ducks said among themselves, "It is Nan-nee-bo-zho, let us not -go." Others were of a contrary opinion, and his words being fair, and -his voice insinuating, a few turned their faces towards the land--all -the rest soon followed, and with many pleasant quackings, trooped after -him, and entered his lodge. - -When there, he first took an Indian sack, with a wide mouth, which -he tied by the strings around his neck, so that it would hang over -his shoulders, having the mouth unclosed. Then placing himself in the -centre of the lodge, he ranged the ducks in a circle around him. - -"Now," said he, "you must all shut your eyes _tight_, whoever opens -his eyes at all, something dreadful will happen to him. I will take my -Indian flute and play upon it, and you will, at the word I shall give, -open your eyes, and commence dancing, as you see me do." - -The ducks obeyed, shutting their eyes _tight_, and keeping time to the -music by stepping from one foot to the other, all impatient for the -dancing to begin. - -Presently a sound was heard like a smothered "quack," but the ducks did -not dare to open their eyes. - -Again, and again, the sound of the flute would be interrupted, and a -gurgling cry of "qu-a-a-ck" be heard. There was one little duck, much -smaller than the rest, who, at this juncture, could not resist the -temptation to open one eye, cautiously. She saw Nan-nee-bo-zho, as he -played his flute, holding it with one hand, stoop a little at intervals -and seize the duck nearest him, which he throttled and stuffed into -the bag on his shoulders. So, edging a little out of the circle, and -getting nearer the door which had been left partly open to admit the -light, she cried out: - -"Open your eyes--Nan-nee-bo-zho is choking you all and putting you into -his bag!" - -With that she flew, but the Nan-nee-bo-zho pounced upon her. His hand -grasped her back, yet, with desperate force, she released herself and -gained the open air. Her companions flew, quacking and screaming after -her. Some escaped, and some fell victims to the sprite. - -The little duck had saved her life, but she had lost her beauty. She -ever after retained the attitude she had been forced into, in her -moment of danger--her back pressed down in the centre, and her head and -neck unnaturally stretched forward into the air. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -RETURN JOURNEY CONTINUED - - -The third day of our journey rose brilliantly clear, like the two -preceding ones, and we shaped our course more to the north than we had -hitherto done, in the direction of _Big-foot_ lake, now known by the -somewhat hackneyed appellation. Lake of Geneva. - -Our journey this day was without mishaps or disasters of any kind. -The air was balmy, the foliage of the forests fresh and fragrant, the -little brooks clear and sparkling--everything in nature spoke the -praises of the beneficent Creator. - -It is in scenes like this, far removed from the bustle, the strife, and -the sin of civilized life, that we most fully realize the presence of -the great Author of the Universe. Here can the mind most fully adore -his majesty and goodness, for here only is the command obeyed, "Let all -the earth keep silence before Him!" - -It cannot escape observation that the deepest and most solemn devotion -is in the hearts of those who, shut out from the worship of God in -temples made with hands, are led to commune with him amid the boundless -magnificence that his own power has framed. - -This day was not wholly without incident. As we stopped for our -noon-tide refreshment, and dismounting threw ourselves on the fresh -herbage just at the verge of a pleasant thicket, we were startled by -a tender _bleating_ near us, and breaking its way through the low -branches, there came upon us a sweet little dappled fawn, evidently in -search of its mother. It did not seem in the least frightened at the -sight of us. As poor Selkirk might have parodied, - - It was so unacquainted with man, - Its tameness was charming to us. - -But the vociferous delight of the children soon drove it bounding again -into the woods, and all hopes of catching it for a pet were at once at -an end. - -We had travelled well this day, and were beginning to feel somewhat -fatigued when, just before sunset, we came upon a ridge, overlooking -one of the loveliest little dells imaginable. It was an oak opening, -and browsing under the shade of the tall trees which were scattered -around, were the cattle and horses of the soldiers who had got thus far -on their journey. Two or three white tents were pitched in the bottom -of the valley, beside a clear stream. The camp-fires were already -lighted, and the men, singly or in groups, were dispersed at their -various preparations for their own comfort, or that of their animals. - -Lieut. Foster came forward[77] with great delight to welcome our -arrival, and accepted without hesitation an invitation to join our mess -again, as long as we should be together. - -We soon found a pleasant encamping-ground, far enough removed from the -other party to secure us against all inconvenience, and our supper -having received the addition of a kettle of fine fresh milk, kindly -brought us by Mrs. Gardiner, the hospital matron, who with her little -covered cart formed no unimportant feature in the military group, we -partook of our evening meal with much hilarity and enjoyment. - -If people are ever companionable, it is when thrown together under -circumstances like the present. There has always been sufficient -incident through the day to furnish a theme for discourse, and subject -of merriment, as long as the company feel disposed for conversation, -which is, truth to tell, not an unconscionable length of time after -their supper is over. - -The poor Lieutenant looked grave enough when we sat out in advance of -him the next morning. None of his party were acquainted with the road, -but after giving him directions both general and particular, Mr. Kinzie -promised to _blaze_ a tree, or _set up a chip_ for a guide, at every -place which appeared unusually doubtful. - -We now found ourselves in a much more diversified country than any we -had hitherto travelled. Gently swelling hills, and lovely valleys, -and bright sparkling streams were the features of the landscape. But -there was little animate life. Now and then, a shout from the leader -of the party, (for, according to custom, we travelled Indian file), -would call our attention to a herd of deer "loping," as the westerners -say, through the forest; or, an additional spur would be given to the -horses on the appearance of some small dark object, far distant on the -trail before us. But the game invariably contrived to disappear before -we could reach it, and it was out of the question to leave the beaten -track for a regular hunt. - -Soon after mid-day, we descended a long, sloping knoll, and by a sudden -turn came full in view of the beautiful sheet of water denominated -Gros-pied by the French, _Maunk-suck_ by the natives, and by ourselves -Big-foot, from the chief, whose village overlooked its waters. Bold, -swelling hills jutted forward into the clear blue expanse, or retreated -slightly to afford a green, level nook, as a resting-place for the -foot of man. On the nearer shore stretched a bright, gravelly beach, -through which coursed here and there a pure, sparkling rivulet to join -the larger sheet of water. - -On a rising ground, at the foot of one of the bold bluffs in the middle -distance, a collection of neat wigwams formed, with their surrounding -gardens, no unpleasant feature in the picture. - -A shout of delight burst involuntarily from the whole party, as this -charming landscape met our view. "It was like the Hudson, only less -bold--no, it was like the lake of the Forest Cantons, in the picture of -the Chapel of William Tell! What could be imagined more enchanting? Oh! -if our friends at the east could but enjoy it with us!" - -We paused long to admire, and then spurred on, skirting the head of the -lake, and were soon ascending the broad platform, on which stood the -village of Maunk-suck, or Big-foot. - -The inhabitants, who had witnessed our approach from a distance, were -all assembled in front of their wigwams to greet us, if friends--if -otherwise, whatever the occasion should demand. It was the first -time such a spectacle had ever presented itself to their wondering -eyes. Their salutations were not less cordial than we expected. -"Shaw-nee-aw-kee" and his mother, who was known throughout the tribe -by the touching appellation "Our friend's wife," were welcomed -most kindly, and an animated conversation commenced, which I could -understand only so far as it was conveyed by gestures--so I amused -myself by taking a minute survey of all that met my view. - -The chief was a large, raw-boned, ugly Indian, with a countenance -bloated by intemperance, and with a sinister, unpleasant expression. He -had a gay-colored handkerchief upon his head, and was otherwise attired -in his best, in compliment to the strangers. - -It was to this chief that Chambly, or as he is now called Shau-bee-nay, -Billy Caldwell and Robinson were despatched, during the Winnebago -war, in 1827, to use their earnest endeavors to prevent him and his -band from joining the hostile Indians.[78] With some difficulty they -succeeded, and were thus the means, doubtless, of saving the lives of -all the settlers who lived exposed upon the frontier. - -Among the various groups of his people, there was none attracted my -attention so forcibly as a young man of handsome face, and a figure -that was striking, even where all were fine and symmetrical. He too had -a gay handkerchief on his head, a shirt of the brightest lemon-colored -calico, an abundance of silver ornaments, and, what gave his dress a -most fanciful appearance, one leggin of blue, and the other of bright -scarlet. I was not ignorant that this peculiar feature in his toilette -indicated a heart suffering from the tender passion. The flute, which -he carried in his hand, added confirmation to the fact, while the -joyous, animated expression of his countenance showed with equal -plainness that he was not a despairing lover. - -I could have imagined him to have recently returned from the chase, -laden with booty, with which he had, as is the custom, entered the -lodge of the fair one, and throwing his burden at the feet of her -parents, with an indifferent, superb sort of air, as much as to say, -"Here is some meat--it is a mere trifle, but it will show you what -you might expect with me for a son-in-law." I could not doubt that -the damsel had stepped forward and gathered it up, in token that she -accepted the offering, and the donor along with it. There was nothing -in the appearance or manner of any of the maidens by whom we were -surrounded to denote which was the happy fair, neither, although I -peered anxiously into all their countenances, could I there detect -any blush of consciousness, so I was obliged to content myself with -selecting the youngest and prettiest of the group, and go on weaving my -romance to my own satisfaction. - -The village stood encircled by an amphitheatre of hills, so -precipitous, and with gorges so steep and narrow, that it seemed almost -impossible to scale them, even on horseback--how then could we hope -to accomplish the ascent of the four-wheeled carriage? This was the -point now under discussion between my husband and the Pottowattamies. -There was no choice but to make the effort, selecting the pass that the -inhabitants pointed out as the most practicable. Petaille went first, -and I followed on my favorite Jerry. It was such a scramble as is not -often taken. Almost perpendicularly, through what seemed the dry bed -of a torrent, now filled with loose stones, and scarcely affording one -secure foothold from the bottom to the summit! I clung fast to the -mane, literally at times clasping Jerry around his neck, and amid the -encouraging shouts and cheers of those below, we at length arrived -safely, though nearly breathless, on the pinnacle, and sat looking -down, to view the success of the next party. - -The horses had been taken from the carriage, and the luggage it -contained placed upon the shoulders of some of the young Indians, to -be _toted_ up the steep. Ropes were now attached to its sides, and a -regular bevy of our red friends, headed by our two Frenchmen, placed -to man them. Two or three more took their places in the rear, to -hold the vehicle and keep it from slipping backwards--then the labor -commenced. Such a pulling! such a shouting! such a clapping of hands -by the spectators of both sexes! such a stentorian word of command -or encouragement from the bourgeois! Now and then there would be a -slight halt, a wavering, as if carriage and men were about to tumble -backwards into the plain below--but no--they recovered themselves, and -after incredible efforts they, too, safely gained the table land above. -In process of time all were landed there, and having remunerated our -friends to their satisfaction, the goods and chattels were collected, -the wagon repacked, and we set off for our encampment at Turtle -Creek.[79] - -[Illustration: BIG FOOT'S VILLAGE AND LAKE. - -From sketch by Mrs. Kinzie, in original edition.] - -The exertions and excitement of our laborious ascent, together -with the increasing heat of the sun, made this afternoon's ride -more uncomfortable than anything we had previously felt. We were -truly rejoiced when the "whoop" of our guide, and the sight of a -few scattered lodges, gave notice that we had reached our encamping -ground. We chose a beautiful sequestered spot, by the side of a clear, -sparkling stream, and having dismounted, and seen that our horses were -made comfortable, my husband, after giving his directions to his men, -led me to a retired spot where I could lay aside my hat and mask, and -bathe my flushed face and aching head in the cool, refreshing waters. -Never had I felt anything so grateful, so delicious. I sat down, and -leaned my head against one of the tall, overshadowing trees, and was -almost dreaming, when summoned to partake of our evening meal. - -The Indians had brought us, as a present, some fine brook trout, which -our Frenchmen had prepared in the most tempting fashion, and before -the bright moon rose and we were ready for our rest, all headache and -fatigue had alike disappeared. - - * * * * * - -One of the most charming features of this mode of travelling is the -joyous, vocal life of the forest at early dawn, when all the feathered -tribe come forth to pay their cheerful salutations to the opening day. - -The rapid, chattering flourish of the bob-o'-link, the soft whistle of -the thrush, the tender coo of the wood-dove, the deep warbling bass of -the grouse, the drumming of the partridge, the melodious trill of the -lark, the gay carol of the robin, the friendly, familiar call of the -duck and the teal, resound from tree and knoll and lowland, prompting -the expressive exclamation of the simple half-breed, - - "Voila la fort qui parle!"[AR] - -[Footnote AR: How the woods talk!] - -It seems as if man must involuntarily raise his voice, to take part in -the general chorus--the matin song of praise. - -Birds and flowers, and the soft balmy airs of morning! Must it not have -been in a scene like this that Milton poured out his beautiful hymn of -adoration, - - "These are thy glorious works, Parent of Good." - -This day we were journeying in hopes to reach, at an early hour, that -broad expanse of the Rock River which here forms the Kosh-ko-nong. The -appellation of this water, rendered doubly affecting by the subsequent -fate of its people, imports "_the lake we live on_."[80] - -Our road for the early part of the day led through forests so thick -and tangled, that Grignon and Lecuyer were often obliged to go in -advance as pioneers with their axes, to cut away the obstructing shrubs -and branches. It was slow work, and at times quite discouraging, but -we were through with it, at last, and then we came into a country of -altogether a different description. Low prairies, intersected with -deep, narrow streams like canals, the passage of which, either by -horses or carriage, was often a matter of delay and even difficulty. - -Several times in the course of the forenoon the horses were to be taken -from the carriage and the latter pulled and pushed across the deep, -narrow channels as best it might. - -The wooded banks of the Kosh-ko-nong were never welcomed with greater -delight than by us, when they at length broke upon our sight. A ride -of five or six miles through the beautiful oak openings, brought us -to _Man-eater's_ village, a collection of neat bark wigwams, with -extensive fields on each side of corn, beans, and squashes, recently -planted, but already giving promise of a fine crop. In front was the -broad blue lake, the shores of which, to the south, were open and -marshy, but near the village, and stretching far away to the north, -were bordered by fine lofty trees. The village was built but a short -distance below the point where the Rock River opens into the lake, and -during a conversation between our party and the Indians at the village, -an arrangement was made with them to take us across at a spot about -half a mile above. - -After a short halt, we again took up our line of march through the -woods, along the bank of the river. - -A number of the Winnebagoes (for we had been among our own people since -leaving Gros-pied Lake), set out for the appointed place by water, -paddling their canoes, of which they had selected the largest and -strongest. - -Arrived at the spot indicated, we dismounted, and the men commenced the -task of unsaddling and unloading. We were soon placed in the canoes, -and paddled across to the opposite bank. Next, the horses were swum -across--after them was to come the carriage. Two long wooden canoes -were securely lashed together side by side, and being of sufficient -width to admit of the carriage standing within them, the passage was -commenced. Again and again the tottering barks would sway from side to -side, and a cry or a shout would arise from our party on shore, as the -whole mass seemed about to plunge sideways into the water, but it would -presently recover itself, and at length, after various deviations from -the perpendicular, it reached the shore in safety. - -We now hoped that our troubles were at an end, and that we had nothing -to do but to mount and trot on as fast as possible to Fort Winnebago. -But no. Half a mile further on was a formidable swamp, of no great -width it is true, but with a depth of from two to three feet of mud -and water. It was a question whether, with the carriage, we could get -through it at all. Several of the Indians accompanied us to this place, -partly to give us their aid and _counsel_, and partly to enjoy the fun -of the spectacle. - -On reaching the swamp, we were disposed to laugh at the formidable -representations which had been made to us. We saw only a strip of what -seemed rather low land, covered with tall, dry rushes. - -It is true the ground looked a little wet, but there seemed nothing -to justify all the apprehensions that had been excited. Great was my -surprise, then, to see my husband, who had been a few minutes absent, -return to our circle attired in his duck trousers, and without shoes or -stockings. - -"What are you going to do?" inquired I. - -"Carry you through the swamp on my shoulders. Come Petaille, you are -the strongest--you are to carry Madame Kinzie, and To-shim-nuck there, -(pointing to a tall stout Winnebago), he will take Madame Helm." - -"Wait a moment," said I, and seating myself on the grass, I -deliberately took off my own boots and stockings. - -"What is that for?" they all asked. - -"Because I do not wish to ride with wet feet all the rest of the day." - -"No danger of that," said they, and no one followed my example. - -By the time they were in the midst of the swamp, however, they found -my precaution was by no means useless. The water through which our -bearers had to pass was of such a depth that no efforts of the ladies -were sufficient to keep their feet above the surface; and I had the -satisfaction of feeling that my burden upon my husband's shoulders was -much less, from my being able to keep my first position instead of -changing constantly to avoid a contact with the water. - -The laugh was quite on my side when I resumed my equipment and mounted, -_dry-shod_, into my saddle. - -It will be perceived that journeying in the woods is, in some degree, -a deranger of ceremony and formality; that it necessarily restricts -us somewhat in our conventionalities. The only remedy is, to make -ourselves amends by a double share when we return to the civilized -walks of life. - -By dint of much pulling, shouting, encouraging and threatening, the -horses at length dragged the carriage through the difficult pass, and -our red friends were left to return to their village, with, doubtless, -a very exaggerated and amusing account of all that they had seen and -assisted in. - -We had not forgotten our promise to Lieut. Foster to put up a -"guide-board" of some sort, for his accommodation in following us. We -had therefore, upon several occasions, carried with us from the woods -a few pieces, of three or four feet in length, which we had planted at -certain points, with a transverse stick through a cleft in the top, -thus marking the direction he and his party were to take. - -We therefore felt sure that, although a few days later, he would -probably find our trail, and avail himself of the same assistance as we -had, in getting through the difficulties of the way. - -Our encamping ground, this night, was to be not far distant from the -Four Lakes.[81] We were greatly fatigued with the heat and exercise of -the day, and most anxiously did we look out for the clumps of willows -and alders, which were to mark the spot were the water would be found. -We felt hardly equal to pushing on quite to the bank of the nearest -lake. Indeed, it would have taken us too much off our direct course. - -When we, at a late hour, came upon a spot fit for our purpose, we -exchanged mutual congratulations that this was to be our last night -upon the road. The next day we should be at Winnebago! - -Our journey had been most delightful--a continued scene of exhilaration -and enjoyment; for the various mishaps, although for the moment they -had perplexed, had, in the end, but added to our amusement. Still, -with the inconstancy of human nature, we were pleased to exchange its -excitement for the quiet repose of home. - -Our next morning's ride was of a more tranquil character than any that -had preceded it; for at an early hour we entered upon what was known as -the "Twenty-mile Prairie," although it is, in fact, said to be no more -than sixteen or eighteen miles. I can only observe, that if this is the -case, the miles are wonderfully long on the prairies. Our passage over -this was, except the absence of the sand, like crossing the desert. -Mile after mile of unbroken expanse--not a tree--not a living object -except ourselves. - -The sun, as if to make himself amends for his two months' seclusion, -shone forth with redoubled brilliancy. There is no such thing as -carrying an umbrella on horseback, though those in the wagon were able -to avail themselves of such a shelter. - -Our mother's energies had sustained her in the saddle until this day, -but she was now fairly obliged to give in, and yield her place on -little Brunêt to Sister Margaret. - -Thus we went on, one little knoll rising beyond another, from the -summit of each of which, in succession, we hoped to descry the distant -woods, which were to us as the promised land. - -"Take courage," were the cheering words, often repeated, "very soon you -will begin to see the timber." - -Another hour would pass heavily by. - -"Now, when we reach the rising ground just ahead, look _sharp_." - -We looked sharp--nothing but the same unvarying landscape. - -There were not even streams to allay the feverish thirst occasioned by -fatigue and impatience. - -At length a whoop from Shaw-nee-aw-kee broke the silence in which we -were pursuing our way. - -"Le voila!" ("There it is!") - -Our less practised eye could not at first discern the faint blue strip -edging the horizon, but it grew and grew upon our vision, and all -fatigue and discomfort proportionably disappeared. - -We were in fine spirits by the time we reached "Hastings' Woods," a -noble forest, watered by a clear, sparkling stream. - -Grateful as was the refreshment of the green foliage and the cooling -waters, we did not allow ourselves to forget that the day was wearing -on, and that we must, if possible, complete our journey before sunset, -so we soon braced up our minds to continue our route, although we would -gladly have lingered another hour. - -The marsh of Duck Creek was, thanks to the heat of the past week, in a -very different state from what it had been a few months previous, when -I had been so unfortunately submerged in its icy waters. - -We passed it without difficulty, and soon found ourselves upon the -banks of the creek. - -The stream, at this point, was supposed to be always fordable; and even -were it not so, that to the majority of our party would have been a -matter of little moment. To the ladies, however, the subject seemed to -demand consideration. - -"This water looks very deep--are you sure we can cross it on horseback?" - -"Oh, yes! Petaille, go before and let us see how the water is." - -Petaille obeyed. He was mounted on a horse like a giraffe, and, -extending his feet horizontally, he certainly managed to pass through -the stream without much of a wetting. - -It seemed certain that the water would come into the wagon, but that -was of the less consequence, as in case of the worst, the passengers -could mount upon the seats. - -My horse, Jerry, was above the medium height, so that I soon passed -over, with no inconvenience but that of being obliged to disengage my -feet from the stirrups, and tuck them up snugly against the mane of the -horse. - -Sister Margaret was still upon Brunêt. She was advised to change him -for one of the taller horses, but while the matter was under debate, -it was settled by the perverse little wretch taking to the water most -unceremoniously, in obedience to the example of the other animals. - -He was soon beyond his depth, and we were at once alarmed and diverted -at seeing his rider, with surprising adroitness, draw herself from the -stirrups, and perch herself upon the top of the saddle, where she held -her position, and navigated her little refractory steed safely to land. - -This was the last of our adventures. A pleasant ride of four miles -brought us to the Fort, just as the sun was throwing his last beams -over the glowing landscape; and on reaching the ferry, we were at once -conducted, by the friends who were awaiting us, to the hospitable roof -of Major Twiggs.[82] - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -FOUR-LEGS, THE DANDY - - -The companies of the first regiment which had hitherto been stationed -at Fort Winnebago,[83] had received orders to move on to the -Mississippi as soon as relieved by a portion of the fifth, now at Fort -Howard. - -As many of the officers of the latter regiment were married, we had -reason to expect that all the quarters at the post would be put in -requisition. For this reason, although strongly pressed by Major Twiggs -to take up our residence again in the Fort, until he should go on -furlough, we thought it best to establish ourselves at once at "the -Agency." - -It seemed laughable to give so grand a name to so very insignificant -a concern. We had been promised, by the heads of department at -Washington, a comfortable dwelling so soon as there should be an -appropriation by Congress sufficient to cover any extra expense in the -Indian Department. It was evident that Congress had a great spite at -us, for it had delayed for two sessions attending to our accommodation. -There was nothing to be done, therefore, but to make ourselves -comfortable with the best means in our power. - -Major Twiggs had given Mr. Kinzie the old log barracks, which had been -built for the officers and soldiers on the first establishment of the -post, two years previous, and his Frenchmen had removed and put them up -again upon the little hill opposite the Fort. To these some additions -were now made in the shape of a dairy, stables, smoke-house, etc., -constructed of the tamarack logs brought from the neighboring swamp. -The whole presented a very rough and primitive appearance. - -The main building consisted of a succession of four rooms, no two of -which communicated with each other, but each opened by a door into the -outward air. A small window cut through the logs in front and rear, -gave light to the apartment. An immense clay chimney for every two -rooms, occupied one side of each, and the ceiling overhead was composed -of a few rough boards laid upon the transverse logs that supported the -roof. - -It was surprising how soon a comfortable, homelike air was given -to the old dilapidated rooms, by a few Indian mats spread upon the -floor, the piano and other furniture ranged in their appropriate -places, and even a few pictures hung against the logs. The latter, -alas! had soon to be displaced, for with the first heavy shower the -rain found entrance through sundry crevices, and we saw ourselves -obliged to put aside, carefully, everything that could be injured by -the moisture. We made light of these evils, however--packed away our -carpets and superfluous furniture upon the boards above, which we -dignified with the name of attic, and contentedly resolved to await the -time when Government should condescend to remember us. The greatest -inconvenience I experienced, was from the necessity of wearing my straw -bonnet throughout the day, as I journeyed from bedroom to parlor, and -from parlor to kitchen. I became so accustomed to it, that I even -sometimes forgot to remove it when I sat down to table, or to my quiet -occupations with my mother and sister. - -Permission was however, in time, received to build a house for the -blacksmith--that is, the person kept in pay by the Government at this -station to mend the guns, traps, &c. of the Indians. - -It happened most fortunately for us that Monsieur Isidore Morrin was -a bachelor, and quite satisfied to continue boarding with his friend -Louis Frum, dit Manaigre, so that when the new house was fairly -commenced, we planned it and hurried it forward entirely on our own -account. - -It was not very magnificent, it is true, consisting of but a parlor -and two bedrooms on the ground-floor, and two low chambers under the -roof, with a kitchen in the rear; but compared with the rambling old -stable-like building we now inhabited, it seemed quite a palace. - -Before it was completed, Mr. Kinzie was notified that the money for -the annual Indian payment was awaiting his arrival in Detroit to take -charge of it, and superintend its transportation to the Portage, and he -was obliged to set off at once to fulfil this part of his duty. - -The workmen who had been brought from the Mississippi to erect the -main building, were fully competent to carry on their work without an -overseer, but the kitchen was to be the task of the Frenchmen, and -the question was, how could it be executed in the absence of _the -bourgeois_? - -"You will have to content yourselves in the old quarters until my -return," said my husband, "and then we will soon have things in -order." It was to be a long and tedious journey, for the operations of -Government were not carried on by railroad and telegraph in those days. - -After his departure I said to the men, "Come, you have all your logs -cut and hauled--the squaws have brought the bark for the roof--what is -to prevent our finishing the house and getting all moved and settled -to surprise Monsieur John on his return?" - -"Ah! to be sure, Madame John," said Plante, who was always the -spokesman, "provided the one who plants a green bough on the -chimney-top is to have a treat!" - -"Certainly. All hands fall to work, and see who will win the treat." - -Upon the strength of such an inducement to the one who should put the -finishing stroke to the building, Plante, Pillon and Manaigre, whom -the waggish Plante persisted in calling "mon nègre," whenever he felt -himself out of the reach of the other's arm, all went vigorously to -work. - -Building a log-house is a somewhat curious process. First, as will -be conceived, the logs are laid one upon another and joined at the -corners, until the walls have reached the required height. The chimney -is formed by four poles of the proper length, interlaced with a -wicker-work of small branches. A hole or pit is dug, near at hand, and -with a mixture of clay and water, a sort of mortar is formed. Large -wisps of hay are filled with this thick substance, and fashioned with -the hands into what are technically called "_clay cats_," and then are -filled in among the framework of the chimney until not a chink is left. -The whole is then covered with a smooth coating of the wet clay, which -is denominated, "plastering." - -Between the logs which compose the walls of the building, small bits of -wood are driven, quite near together; this is called "chinking," and -after it is done, clay cats are introduced, and smoothed over with the -plaster. When all is dry, both walls and chimney are white-washed, and -present a comfortable and tidy appearance. - -The roof is formed by laying upon the transverse logs, thick sheets of -bark, and around the chimney, for greater security against the rain, we -took care to have placed a few layers of the palisades that had been -left, when Mr. Peach, an odd little itinerant genius, had fenced in our -garden, the pride and wonder of the surrounding settlement and wigwams. - -While all these matters were in progress, we received frequent visits -from our Indian friends. First and foremost among them was "the young -Dandy," Four-Legs. - -One fine morning he made his appearance accompanied by two squaws, -whom he introduced as his wives. He could speak a little Chippewa, and -by this means he and our mother contrived to keep up something of a -conversation. He was dressed in all his finery, brooches, wampum, fan, -looking-glass and all. The paint upon his face and chest showed that he -had devoted no small time to the labors of his toilet. - -He took a chair, as he had seen done at Washington, and made signs to -his women to sit down upon the floor. - -The custom of taking two wives is not very general among the Indians. -They seem to have the sagacity to perceive that the fewer they have to -manage, the more complete is the peace and quiet of the wigwam. - -Nevertheless, it sometimes happens that a husband takes a foolish -fancy for a second squaw, and in that case he uses all his cunning -and eloquence to reconcile the first to receiving a new inmate in the -lodge. Of course it is a matter that must be managed adroitly, in order -that harmony may be preserved. - -"My dear, your health is not very good, it is time you should have some -rest. You have worked very hard, and it grieves me that you should have -to labor any longer. Let me get you some nice young squaw to wait upon -you, that you may live at ease all the rest of your life." - -The first wife consents--indeed, she has no option. If she is of a -jealous, vindictive disposition, what a life the new-comer leads! -The old one maintains all her rights of dowager and duenna, and the -husband's tenderness is hardly a compensation for all the evils the -young rival is made to suffer. - -It was on Sunday morning that this visit of the Dandy was made to us. -We were all seated quietly, engaged in reading. Four-Legs inquired of -my mother, why we were so occupied, and why everything around us was so -still. - -My mother explained to him our observance of the day of rest--that -we devoted it to worshipping and serving the Great Spirit, as he had -commanded in his Holy Word. - -Four-Legs gave a nod of approbation. That was very right, he said--he -was glad to see us doing our duty--he was very religious himself, and -he liked to see others so. He always took care that his squaws attended -to their duty, not reading perhaps, but such as the Great Spirit liked, -and such as he thought proper and becoming. - -He seemed to have no fancy for listening to any explanation of our -points of difference. The impression among the Winnebagoes "that if the -Great Spirit had wished them different from what they are, he would -have made them so," seems too strong to yield to either argument or -persuasion. - -Sometimes those who are desirous of appearing somewhat civilized will -listen quietly to all that is advanced on the subject of Christianity, -and coolly saying, "Yes, we believe that, too," will change the -conversation to other subjects. - -As a general thing, they do not appear to perceive that there is -anything to be gained, by adopting the religion and the customs of the -whites. "Look at them," they say, "always toiling and striving--always -wearing a brow of care--shut up in houses--afraid of the wind and the -rain--suffering when they are deprived of the comforts of life! We, -on the contrary, live a life of freedom and happiness. We hunt and -fish, and pass our time pleasantly in the open woods and prairies. If -we are hungry, we take some game; or, if we do not find that, we can -go without. If our enemies trouble us, we can kill them, and there is -no more said about it. What should we gain by changing ourselves into -white men?"[AS] - -[Footnote AS: It will be remembered that these were the arguments used -a quarter of a century ago, when the Indians possessed most of the -broad lands on the Upper Mississippi and its tributaries.] - -I have never heard that Christian missionaries, with all their efforts -to convert them, have made much progress in enlightening their minds -upon the doctrines of the Gospel. Mr. Mazzuchelli, a Roman Catholic -priest, accompanied by Miss Elizabeth Grignon as interpreter, made a -missionary visit to the Portage during our residence there, and, after -some instruction to them, about forty consented to be baptized.[84] -Christian names were given to them with which they seemed much pleased; -and not less so, with the little plated crucifixes which each received, -and which the women wore about their necks. These they seemed to regard -with a devotional feeling; but I was not sufficiently acquainted with -their language to gather from them whether they understood the doctrine -the symbol was designed to convey. Certain it is, they expressed no -wish to learn our language, in order that they might gain a fuller -knowledge of the Saviour, nor any solicitude to be taught more about -him than they had received during the missionary's short visit. - -One woman, to whom the name of Charlotte had been given, signified a -desire to learn the domestic ways of the whites, and asked of me as -a favor through Madame Paquette that she might be permitted to come -on "washing-day," and learn of my servants our way of managing the -business. A tub was given her, and my woman instructed her, by signs -and example, how she was to manage. As I was not a little curious to -observe how tilings went on, I proceeded after a time to the kitchen -where they all were. Charlotte was at her tub, scouring and rubbing -with all her might at her little crucifix. Two other squaws sat upon -the floor near her, watching the operation. - -"That is the work she has been at for the last half hour," said -Josette, in a tone of great impatience. "_She'll_ never learn to wash." - -Charlotte, however, soon fell diligently to work, and really seemed as -if she would tear her arms off, with her violent exertions. - -After a time, supposing that she must feel a good deal fatigued and -exhausted with unaccustomed labor, I did what it was at that day -very much the fashion to do,--what, at home, I had always seen done -on washing-day,--what, in short, I imagine was then a general custom -among housekeepers. I went to the dining-room closet, intending to give -Charlotte a glass of wine or brandy and water. My "cupboard" proved to -be in the state of the luckless Mother Hubbard's--nothing of the kind -could I find but a bottle of orange shrub. - -Of this I poured out a wine-glass full, and, carrying it out, offered -it to the woman. She took it with an expression of great pleasure; -but, in carrying it to her lips, she stopped short, and exclaiming -"Whiskee!" immediately returned it to me. I would still have pressed it -upon her; for, in my inexperience, I really believed it was a cordial -she needed; but, pointing to her crucifix, she shook her head and -returned to her work. - -I received this as a lesson more powerful than twenty sermons. It was -the first time in my life that I had ever seen spirituous liquors -rejected upon a religious principle, and it made an impression upon me -that I never forgot. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -THE CUT-NOSE - - -Among the women of the tribe with whom we early became acquainted, our -greatest favorite was a daughter of one of the Day-kau-rays.[85] This -family, as I have elsewhere said, boasted in some remote generation -a cross of the French blood, and this fact may account for the fair -complexion and soft curling hair which distinguished our friend. She -had a noble forehead, full expressive eyes, and fine teeth. Unlike the -women of her people, she had not grown brown and haggard with advancing -years. Indeed, with the exception of one feature, she might be called -beautiful. - -She had many years before married a Mus-qua-kee, or Fox Indian, and, -according to the custom among all the tribes, the husband came home to -the wife's family, and lived among the Winnebagoes. - -It is this custom, so exactly the reverse of civilized ways, that makes -the birth of a daughter a subject of peculiar rejoicing in an Indian -family. "She will bring another hunter to our lodge," is the style of -mutual congratulation. - -The Mus-qua-kee continued, for some few years, to live among his wife's -relations; but, as no children blessed their union, he at length became -tired of his new friends, and longed to return to his own people. -He tried, for a time, to persuade his wife to leave her home, and -accompany him to the Mississippi, where the Sacs and Foxes live, but -in vain. She could not resolve to make the sacrifice. - -One day, after many fruitless efforts to persuade her, he flew into a -violent passion. - -"Then, if you will not go with me," said he, "I will leave you; but you -shall never be the wife of any other man--I will mark you!" - -Saying this, he flew upon her, and bit off the end of her nose. This, -the usual punishment for conjugal infidelity, is the greatest disgrace -a woman can receive--it bars her forever from again entering the pale -of matrimony. The wretch fled to his own people; but his revenge fell -short of its aim. Day-kau-ray was too well known and too universally -respected to suffer opprobium in any member of his family. This -bright, loving creature in particular, won all hearts upon a first -acquaintance--she certainly did ours from the outset. - -She suffered much from rheumatism, and a remedy we gave her soon -afforded her almost entire relief. Her gratitude knew no bounds. -Notwithstanding, that from long suffering she had become partially -crippled, she would walk all the way from the Barribault, a distance of -ten miles, as often as once in two or three weeks, to visit us. Then, -to sit and gaze at us, to laugh with childish glee at everything new or -strange that we employed ourselves about--to pat and stroke us every -time we came near her--sometimes to raise our hand or arms and kiss -them--these were her demonstrations of affection. And we loved her in -return. It was always a joyful announcement when, looking out over the -Portage road, somebody called out, "the _Cut-nose_ is coming!" In time, -however, we learned to call her by her baptismal name of Elizabeth, for -she, too, was one of Mr. Mazzuchelli's converts. - -She came one day, accompanied by a half-grown boy, carrying a young -fawn, she had brought me as a present. I was delighted with the pretty -creature--with its soft eyes and dappled coat; but having often heard -the simile, "as wild as a fawn," I did not anticipate much success in -taming it. To my great surprise, it soon learned to follow me like -a dog. Wherever I went, there Fan was sure to be. At breakfast, she -would lie down at my feet, under the table. One of her first tokens of -affection was to gnaw off all the trimming from my black silk apron, as -she lay pretending to caress and fondle me. Nor was this her only style -of mischief. - -One day we heard a great rattling among the crockery in the kitchen. -We ran to see what was the matter, and found that Miss Fan had made -her way to a shelf of the dresser, about two feet from the ground, and -was endeavoring to find a comfortable place to lie down, among the -plates and dishes. I soon observed that it was the shelter of the shelf -above her head that was the great attraction, and that she was in the -habit of seeking out a place of repose under a chair, or something -approaching to an "umbrageous bower." So after this I took care, as the -hour for her morning nap approached, to open a large green parasol, and -set it on the matting in the corner--then when I called Fan, Fan, she -would come and nestle under it, and soon fall fast asleep. - -One morning Fan was missing. In vain we called and sought her in -the garden--in the enclosure for the cattle--at the houses of the -Frenchmen--along the hill towards Paquette's--no Fan was to be found. -We thought she had asserted her own wild nature and sped away to the -woods. - -It was a hot forenoon, and the doors were all open. About dinner -time, in rushed Fan, panting violently, and threw herself upon her -side, where she lay with her feet outstretched, her mouth foaming, and -exhibiting all the signs of mortal agony. We tried to give her water, -to soothe her, if perhaps it might be fright that so affected her; -but in a few minutes, with a gasp and a spasm, she breathed her last. -Whether she had been chased by the greyhounds, or whether she had eaten -some poisonous weed, which, occasioning her suffering, had driven her -to her best friends for aid, we never knew; but we lost our pretty pet, -and many were the tears shed for her. - - * * * * * - -Very shortly after the departure of my husband, we received a visit -from "the White Crow," "the Little Priest," and several others of -the principal chiefs of the Rock River Indians. They seemed greatly -disappointed at learning that their father was from home, even though -his errand was to get "the silver." We sent for Paquette,[86] who -interpreted for us the object of their visit. - -They had come to inform us that the Sac Chief, Black Hawk and his band, -who, in compliance with a former treaty, had removed sometime previous -to the west of the Mississippi, had now returned to their old homes and -hunting grounds, and expressed a determination not to relinquish them, -but to drive off the white settlers who had begun to occupy them. - -The latter, in fact, he had already done, and having, as it was said, -induced some of the Pottowattamies to join him, there was reason to -fear that he might persuade some of the Winnebagoes to follow their -example. - -These chiefs had come to counsel with their father, and to assure him -that they should do all in their power to keep their young men quiet. -They had heard that troops were being raised down among the whites in -Illinois, and they had hopes that their people would be wise enough to -keep out of difficulty. Furthermore, they begged that their father, on -his return, would see that the soldiers did not meddle with them, so -long as they remained quiet and behaved in a friendly manner. - -White Crow seemed particularly anxious to impress it upon me, that -if any danger should arise in Shawnee-aw-kee's absence, he should -come with his people to protect me and my family. I relied upon his -assurances, for he had ever shown himself an upright and honorable -Indian. - -Notwithstanding this, the thoughts of "Indian troubles" so near us, -in the absence of our guardian and protector, occasioned us many an -anxious moment, and it was not until we learned of the peaceable -retreat of the Sacs and Foxes, west of the Mississippi, that we were -able wholly to lay aside our fears.[87] - -We were now called to part with our friends. Major Twiggs and his -family, which we did with heartfelt regret. He gave me a few parting -words about our old acquaintance, Christman. - -"When I went into the barracks the other day," said he, "about the time -the men were taking their dinner, I noticed a great six-foot soldier -standing against the window-frame, crying and blubbering. 'Halloo,' -said I, 'what on earth does this mean?' - -"'Why, that fellow there,' said Christman, (for it was he), 'has -scrowged me out of my place!' A pretty soldier your protege will make, -madam!" - -I never heard any more of my hero. Whether he went to exhibit his -prowess against the Seminoles and Mexicans, or whether he returned -to till the fertile soil of his native German Flats, and blow his -favorite boatman's horn, must be left for some future historian to tell. - -There is one more character to be disposed of--Louisa. An opportunity -offering in the Spring, the Major had placed her under the charge of a -person going to Buffalo, that she might be returned to her parents. In -compliment to the new acquaintances she had formed, she shortened her -skirts, mounted a pair of scarlet leggins, embroidered with porcupine -quills, and took her leave of military life, having deposited with the -gentleman who took charge of her, sixty dollars, for safe keeping, -which she remarked "she had _saved up_, out of her wages at a dollar a -week through the winter." - - * * * * * - -A very short time after we were settled in our new home at the Agency, -we attempted the commencement of a little Sunday School. Edwin, Harry -and Josette, were our most reliable scholars, but besides them, there -were the two little Manaigres, Therese Paquette, and her mother's half -sister, Florence Courville, a pretty young girl of fifteen. None of -these girls had even learned their letters. They spoke only French, or -rather, the Canadian _patois_,[88] and it was exceedingly difficult -to give them at once the sound of the words, and their signification, -which they were careful to inquire. Besides this, there was the -task of correcting the false ideas, and remedying the ignorance and -superstition which presented so formidable an obstacle to rational -improvement. We did our best, however, and had the satisfaction of -seeing them, after a time, making really respectable progress with -their spelling-book, and what was still more encouraging, acquiring a -degree of light and knowledge in regard to better things. - -In process of time, however, Florence was often absent from her class. -"Her sister," she said, "could not always spare her. She wanted her -to keep house while she, herself, went over on Sunday to visit her -friends, the Roys, who lived on the Wisconsin." - -We reasoned with Madam Paquette on the subject. "Could she not spare -Florence on some hour of the day? We would gladly teach her on a week -day, for she seemed anxious to learn, but we had always been told that -for that there was no time." - -"Well--she would see. Madame Allum (Helm) and Madame John, were so -kind!" - -There was no improvement, however, in regularity. After a time Manaigre -was induced to send his children to Mr. Cadle's mission-school at Green -Bay.[89] Therese accompanied them, and very soon Florence discontinued -her attendance altogether. - -We were obliged, from that time forward, to confine our instructions to -our own domestic circle. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -INDIAN CUSTOMS AND DANCES - - -Before we had any right to look for my husband's return, I one day -received a message inviting me to come up to the new house. We all went -in a body, for we had purposely staid away a few days, expecting this -summons, of which we anticipated the meaning. - -Plante, in full glee, was seated astride of a small keg on the roof, -close beside the kitchen chimney, on the very summit of which he had -planted a green bough. To this he held fast with one hand, while he -exultingly waved the other and called out, - -"_Eh! ban, Madame John! à cette heure, pour le rigal!_" - -"Yes, Plante, you are entitled to a treat, and I hope you will not -enjoy it the less that Pillon and Manaigre are to share it with you." - -A suitable gratification made them quite contented with their -"_bourgeoise_," against whom Plante had sometimes been inclined to -grumble, "because," as he said, "she had him called up too early in the -morning." He might have added, because, too, she could not understand -the philosophy of his coming in to work in his own garden, under the -plea that it was too wet and rainy to work in Monsieur John's. - -It was with no ordinary feelings of satisfaction, that we quitted the -old log tenement for our new dwelling, small and insignificant though -it was. - -I was only too happy to enjoy the luxury of a real bed-chamber, in -place of the parlor floor which I had occupied as such for more than -two months. It is true that our culinary arrangements were still upon -no improved plan. The clay chimney was not of sufficient strength to -hold the trammel and pot-hooks, which, at that day had not been quite -superseded by the cooking-stove and kitchen-range. Our fire was made -as in the olden time, with vast logs behind, and smaller sticks in -front, laid across upon the andirons or _dogs_. Upon the sticks were -placed such of the cooking-utensils as could not be accommodated on the -hearth, but woe to the dinner or the supper, if through a little want -of care or scrutiny one treacherous piece was suffered to burn away. -Down would come the whole arrangement--kettles, saucepans, burning -brands, and cinders, in one almost inextricable mass. How often this -happened under the supervision of Harry or little Josette, while the -mistress was playing lady to some visitor in the parlor, "'twere vain -to tell." - -Then, spite of Mons. Plante's palisades round the chimney, in a hard -shower the rain would come pelting down, and, the hearth unfortunately -sloping a little the wrong way, the fire would become extinguished; -while the bark on the roof, failing to do its duty, we were now and -then so completely deluged, that there was no resource but to catch -up the breakfast or dinner and tuck it under the table until better -times--that is, till fair weather came again. In spite of all these -little adverse occurrences, however, we enjoyed our new quarters -exceedingly. - -Our garden was well furnished with vegetables, and even the currant -bushes which we had brought from Chicago with us, tied in a bundle at -the back of the carriage, had produced us some fruit. - -The Indian women were very constant in their visits and their presents. -Sometimes it was venison--sometimes ducks or pigeons--whortleberries, -wild plums, or cranberries, according to the season--neat pretty mats -for the floor or table--wooden bowls or ladles, fancy work of deer-skin -or porcupine quills. These they would bring in and throw at my feet. -If through inattention I failed to look pleased, to raise the articles -from the floor and lay them carefully aside, a look of mortification -and the observation, "Our mother hates our gifts," showed how much -their feelings were wounded. It was always expected that a present -would be received graciously, and returned with something twice its -value. - -Meantime, week after week wore on, and still was the return of "the -master" delayed. - -The rare arrival of a schooner at Green Bay, in which to take passage -for Detroit, made it always a matter of uncertainty what length of time -would be necessary for a journey there and back again--so that it was -not until the last of August that he again reached his home. Great was -his surprise to find us so nicely "moved and settled," and under his -active supervision, the evils of which we had to complain were soon -remedied. - -My husband had met at Fort Gratiot, and brought with him, my young -brother, Julian, whom my parents were sending, at our request, to -reside with us. Edwin was overjoyed to have a companion once more, for -he had hitherto been very solitary. They soon had enough to occupy -their attention, for, in obedience to a summons sent to the different -villages, the Indians very shortly came flocking in to the payment. - -There was among their number this year, one whom I had never seen -before--the mother of the elder Day-kau-ray. No one could tell her -age, but all agreed that she must have seen upwards of a hundred -winters. Her eyes dimmed, and almost white with age--her face dark and -withered, like a baked apple--her voice tremulous and feeble, except -when raised in fury to reprove her graceless grandsons, who were fond -of playing her all sorts of mischievous tricks, indicated the very -great age she must have attained. - -She usually went upon all fours, not having strength to hold herself -erect. On the day of the payment, having received her portion, which -she carefully hid in the corner of her blanket, she came crawling along -and seated herself on the door-step, to count her treasure. - -My sister and I were watching her movements from the open window. - -Presently, just as she had, unobserved as she thought, spread out her -silver before her, two of her descendants came suddenly upon her. At -first they seemed begging for a share, but she repulsed them with angry -gestures, when one of them made a sudden swoop, and possessed himself -of a tolerable handful. - -She tried to rise, to pursue him, but was unable to do more than clutch -the remainder, and utter the most unearthly screams of rage. At this -instant the boys raised their eyes and perceived us regarding them. -They burst into a laugh, and with a sort of mocking gesture they threw -her the half-dollars, and ran back to the pay-ground. - -I think there was but little earnest in their vexatious tricks, for she -seemed very fond of them, and never failed to beg something of "her -father," that she could bestow upon them. - -She crept into the parlor one morning, when straightening herself up, -and supporting herself by the frame of the door, she cried in a most -piteous tone--"Shaw-nee-aw-kee! Wau-tshob-ee-rah Thsoonsh-koo-nee-noh!" -(Silverman, I have no looking-glass.) Her "father" smiling and taking -up the same little tone, cried in return, - -"Do you wish to look at yourself, Mother?" - -The idea seemed to her so irresistibly comic, that she laughed until -she was fairly obliged to seat herself upon the floor and give way to -the enjoyment. She then owned that it was for one of her boys that she -wanted the little mirror. When her father had given it to her, she -found that she had "no comb," then that she had "no knife," then that -she had "no calico shawl," until it ended, as it generally did, by -Shaw-nee-aw-kee paying pretty dearly for his joke. - - * * * * * - -When the Indians arrived and when they departed, my sense of "woman's -rights" was often greatly outraged. The master of the family, as a -general thing, came leisurely bearing his gun and perhaps a lance in -his hand. The woman, with the mats and poles of her lodge upon her -shoulders, her pappoose, if she had one, her kettles, sacks of corn and -wild rice, and not unfrequently, the household dog perched on the top -of all. If there is a horse or pony in the list of family possessions, -the man rides, the squaw trudges after. - -This unequal division of labor is the result of no want of kind, -affectionate feeling on the part of the husband. It is rather the -instinct of the sex to assert their superiority of position and -importance, when a proper occasion offers. When out of the reach of -observation, and in no danger of compromising his own dignity, the -husband is willing enough to relieve his spouse from the burden that -custom imposes on her, by sharing her labors and hardships.[90] - -The payment had not passed without its appropriate number of -complimentary and medicine dances. The latter take place only at rare -intervals--the former whenever an occasion presents itself--demanding a -manifestation of respect and courtesy. - -It is the custom to ask permission of the person to be complimented, to -dance for him. This granted, preparation is made by painting the face -elaborately, and marking the person, which is usually bare about the -chest and shoulders, after the most approved pattern. All the ornaments -that can be mustered, are added to the hair, or head dress. Happy is -he, who, in virtue of having taken one or more scalps, is entitled to -proclaim it by a corresponding number of eagle's feathers. The less -fortunate make a substitute of the feathers of the wild turkey, or, -better still, of the first unlucky "rooster" that falls in their way. -My poor fowls, during the time of payment, were always thoroughly -plucked. - -When their preparations are completed, the dancers assemble at some -convenient place, and then come marching to the spot appointed, -accompanied by the music of the Indian drum and shee-shee-qua or -rattle. They range themselves in a circle and dance with violent -contortions and gesticulations, some of them graceful, others only -energetical, the squaws, who stand a little apart, and mingle -their discordant voices with the music of the instruments, rarely -participating in the dance. Occasionally, however, when excited by the -general gaiety, a few of them will form a circle outside and perform a -sort of ungraceful, up and down movement, which has no merit, save the -perfect time which is kept, and for which, the Indians seem, without -exception, to possess a natural ear. - -The dance finished, which is only when the strength of the dancers is -quite exhausted, a quantity of presents are brought and placed in the -middle of the circle, by order of the party complimented. An equitable -distribution is made, by one of their number; and the object of all -this display having been accomplished, they retire. - -The medicine-dance is carried on chiefly to celebrate the skill of -the "Medicine-man," in curing diseases. This functionary belongs to a -fraternity who are supposed to add to their other powers some skill -in interpreting the will of the Great Spirit in regard to the conduct -of his people. He occasionally makes offerings and sacrifices which -are regarded as propitiatory. In this sense, the term "priest" may be -deemed applicable to him. He is also a "prophet" in so far as he is, in -a limited degree, an instructor, but does not claim to possess the gift -of foretelling future events. - -A person is selected to join the fraternity of the "Medicine-man" by -those already initiated, chiefly on account of some skill or sagacity -that has been observed in him. Sometimes it happens that a person who -has had a severe illness which has yielded to the prescriptions of one -of the members, is considered a proper object of choice from a sort of -claim thus established. - -When he is about to be initiated, a great feast is made, of course at -the expense of the candidate, for in the most simple, as in the most -civilized life, the same principle of politics holds good, "honors must -be paid for." An animal is killed and dressed, of which the people at -large partake--there are dances and songs and speeches in abundance. -Then the chief Medicine-man takes the candidate and privately -instructs him in all the ceremonies and knowledge necessary to make -him an accomplished member of the fraternity. Sometimes the new member -selected is still a child. In that case he is taken by the Medicine-man -so soon as he reaches a proper age, and qualified by instruction and -example to become a creditable member of the fraternity. - -Among the Winnebagoes, there seems a considerable belief in magic. Each -Medicine-man has a bag or sack, in which is supposed to be enclosed -some animal, to whom in the course of their _pow-wows_, he addresses -himself, crying to him in the note common to his imagined species. And -the people seem to be persuaded that the answers which are announced -are really communications in this form, from the Great Spirit. - -The Indians appear to have no idea of a retribution beyond this life. -They have a strong appreciation of the great, fundamental virtues of -natural religion--the worship of the Great Spirit, brotherly love, -parental affection, honesty, temperance and chastity. Any infringement -of the laws of the Great Spirit, by a departure from these virtues, -they believe will excite his anger, and draw down punishment. These -are their principles. That their practice evinces more and more, a -departure from them, under the debasing influences of a proximity to -the whites, is a melancholy truth, which no one will admit with so much -sorrow as those who lived among them, and esteemed them, a quarter of a -century ago, before this signal change had taken place. - - * * * * * - -One of the first improvements that suggested itself about our new -dwelling, had been the removal of some very unsightly pickets -surrounding two or three Indian graves, on the esplanade in front of -the house. Such, however, is the reverence in which these burial-places -are held, that we felt we must approach the subject with great delicacy -and consideration. - -My husband at length ventured to propose to Mrs. "Pawnee Blanc," the -nearest surviving relative of the person interred, to replace the -pickets with a neat wooden platform. - -The idea pleased her much, for through her intimacy in Paquette's -family, she had acquired something of a taste for civilization. -Accordingly a little structure about a foot in height, properly -finished with a moulding around the edge, was substituted for the worn -and blackened pickets, and it was touching to witness the mournful -satisfaction with which two or three old crones would come regularly -every evening at sunset, to sit and gossip over the ashes of their -departed relatives. - -On the fine, moonlight nights too, there might often be seen a group -sitting there, and enjoying what is to them a solemn hour, for they -entertain the poetic belief that "the moon was made to give light to -the dead." - -The reverence of the Indians for the memory of their departed friends, -and their dutiful attention in visiting and making offerings to the -Great Spirit, over their last resting-places, is an example worthy of -imitation among their more enlightened brethren. Not so, however, with -some of their customs in relation to the dead. - -The news of the decease of one of their number is a signal for a -general mourning and lamentation--it is also, in some instances, I am -sorry to say, when the means and appliances can be found, the apology -for a general carouse. - -The relatives weep and howl for grief--the friends and acquaintances -bear them company through sympathy. A few of their number are deputed -to wait upon their "father," to inform him of the event, and to beg -some presents "to help them," as they express it, "dry up their tears." - -We received such a visit one morning, not long after the payment was -concluded. - -A little drunken Indian, named by the French people around, "Old -Boilvin," from his resemblance to an Indian Agent of that name,[91] -at Prairie du Chien, was the person on account of whose death the -application was made. "He had been fishing," they said, "on the shores -of one of the little lakes near the Portage, and having taken a little -too much '_whiskee_,' had fallen into the water and been drowned." -Nothing of him had been found but his blanket on the bank, so there -could be no funeral ceremonies, but they were prepared to make a great -lamentation about him. - -Their father presented them with tobacco, knives, calico and -looking-glasses, in proportion to what he thought might be their -reasonable grief at the loss of such a worthless vagabond, and they -departed. - -There was no difficulty, notwithstanding the stringent prohibitions on -the subject, in procuring a keg of whiskey from some of the traders -who yet remained, so armed with that and their other treasures, -they assembled at an appointed spot, not far from the scene of the -catastrophe, and sitting down with the keg in their midst, they -commenced their affliction. The more they drank the more clamorous -became their grief, and the faster flowed their tears. - -In the midst of these demonstrations a little figure, bent and -staggering, covered with mud and all in disorder, with a countenance -full of wonder and sympathy, approached them and began, - -"Why's what? what? Who's dead?" - -"Who! dead?" repeated they, looking up in astonishment. "Why, you're -dead! you were drowned in Swan Lake! Did not we find your blanket -there? Come, sit down and help us mourn." - -The old man did not wait for a second invitation. He took his seat and -cried and drank with the rest, weeping and lamenting as bitterly as any -of them, and the strange scene was continued as long as they had power -to articulate, or any portion of the whiskey was left. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -STORY OF THE RED FOX - - -The Indians, of whatever tribe, are exceedingly fond of narrating or -listening to tales and stories, whether historical or fictitious. -They have their professed story-tellers, like the oriental nations, -and these go about, from village to village, collecting an admiring -and attentive audience, however oft-told and familiar the matter they -recite. - -It is in this way that their traditions are preserved and handed down -unimpaired from generation to generation. Their knowledge of the -geography of their country is wonderfully exact. I have seen an Indian -sit in his lodge, and draw a map in the ashes, of the North-Western -States, not of its statistical but its geographical features, lakes, -rivers, and mountains, with the greatest accuracy, giving their -relative distances, by day's journeys, without hesitation, and even -extending his drawings and explanations as far as Kentucky and -Tennessee. - -Of biography they preserve not only the leading events in the life of -the person, but his features, appearance and bearing, his manners, and -whatever little trait or peculiarity characterized him. - -The women are more fond of fiction, and some of their stories have a -strange mingling of humor and pathos. I give the two which follow as -specimens. The Indian names contained in them are in the Ottawa or -"Courte Oreilles" language, but the same tales are current in all the -different tongues and dialects. - - -THE STORY OF THE RED FOX - -This is an animal to which many peculiarities are attributed. He is -said to resemble the jackal in his habit of molesting the graves of the -dead, and the Indians have a superstitious dread of hearing his bark at -night, believing that it forebodes calamity and death. They say, too, -that he was originally of one uniform reddish-brown color, but that his -legs became black in the manner related in the story. - -There was a chief of a certain village who had a beautiful daughter. He -resolved upon one occasion to make a feast, and invite all the animals. -When the invitation was brought to the red fox he inquired, "What are -you going to have for supper?" - -"_Mee-dau-mee-nau-bo_," was the reply. - -This is a porridge made of parched corn, slightly cracked. The fox -turned up his little sharp nose. "No, I thank you," said he, "I can get -plenty of that at home." - -The messenger returned to the chief, and reported the contemptuous -refusal of the fox. - -"Go back to him," said the chief, "and tell him we are going to have a -nice fresh body,[AT] and we will have it cooked in the most delicate -maimer possible." - -[Footnote AT: The Indians in relating a story like this, apologise for -alluding to a revolting subject. "You will think this _unpleasant_," -they say.] - -Pleased with the prospect of such a treat, the fox gave a very hearty -assent to the second invitation. - -The hour arrived, and he sat off for the lodge of the chief to attend -the feast. The company were all prepared for him, for they made common -cause with their friend who had been insulted. As the fox entered, -the guest next the door with great courtesy rose from his place, and -begged the new-comer to be seated. Immediately the person next him -also rose, and insisted that the fox should occupy his place, as it -was still nearer the fire--the post of honor. Then the third, with -many expressions of civility, pressed him to exchange with him, and -thus, with many ceremonious flourishes, he was passed along the circle, -always approaching the fire, where a huge cauldron stood, in which the -good cheer was still cooking. The fox was by no means unwilling to -occupy the highest place in the assembly, and besides, he was anxious -to take a peep into the kettle, for he had his suspicions that he might -be disappointed of the delicacies he had been expecting. - -So, by degrees, he was ushered nearer and nearer the great blazing -fire, until by a dexterous push and shove he was hoisted into the -seething kettle. - -His feet were dreadfully scalded, but he leaped out, and ran home -to his lodge, howling and crying with pain. His grandmother, with -whom, according to the custom of animals, he lived, demanded of him -an account of the affair. When he had faithfully related all the -circumstances (for, unlike the civilized animals, he did not think of -telling his grandmother a story), she reproved him very strongly. - -"You have committed two great faults," said she. "In the first place -you were very rude to the chief who was so kind as to invite you, and -by returning insult for civility, you made yourself enemies who were -determined to punish you. In the next place, it was very unbecoming in -you to be so forward to take the place of honor. Had you been contented -modestly to keep your seat near the door, you would have escaped the -misfortune that has befallen you." - -All this was not very consolatory to the poor fox, who continued to -whine and cry most piteously, while his grandmother, having finished -her lecture, proceeded to bind up his wounds. Great virtue is supposed -to be added to all medical prescriptions and applications by a little -dancing, so, the dressing having been applied, the grandmother fell to -dancing with all her might, round and round in the lodge. - -When she was nearly exhausted, the fox said, "Grandmother, take off the -bandages and see if my legs are healed." - -She did as he requested, but no--the burns were still fresh. She danced -and danced again. Now and then, as he grew impatient, she would remove -the coverings to observe the effect of the remedies. At length, towards -morning, she looked, and, to be sure, the burns were quite healed. "But -oh!" cried she, "your legs are as black as a coal! They were so badly -burned that they will never return to their color!" - -The poor fox, who, like many another brave, was vain of his legs, fell -into a transport of lamentation. - -"Oh! my legs! My pretty red legs! What shall I do? The young girls will -all despise me. I shall never dare to show myself among them again!" - -He cried and sobbed until his grandmother, fatigued with her exercise, -fell asleep. By this time he had decided upon his plan of revenge. - -He rose and stole softly out of his lodge, and pursuing his way rapidly -towards the village of the chief, he turned his face in the direction -of the principal lodge and barked. When the inhabitants heard this -sound in the stillness of the night, their hearts trembled. They knew -that it foreboded sorrow and trouble to some one of their number. - -A very short time elapsed before the beautiful daughter of the chief -fell sick, and she grew rapidly worse and worse, spite of medicines, -charms, and dances. At length she died. The fox had not intended -to bring misfortune on the village in this shape, for he loved the -beautiful daughter of the chief, so he kept in his lodge and mourned -and fretted for her death. - -Preparations were made for a magnificent funeral, but the friends of -the deceased were in great perplexity. "If we bury her in the earth," -said they, "the fox will come and disturb her remains. He has barked -her to death, and he will be glad to come and finish his work of -revenge." - -They took counsel together, and determined to hang her body high in a -tree as a place of sepulture. They thought the fox would go groping -about in the earth, and not lift up his eyes to the branches above his -head. - -But the grandmother had been at the funeral, and she returned and told -the fox all that had been done. - -"Now, my son," said she, "listen to me. Do not meddle with the remains -of the Chief's daughter. You have done mischief enough already--leave -her in peace." - -As soon as the grandmother was asleep at night, the fox rambled forth. -He soon found the place he sought, and came and sat under the tree -where the young girl had been placed. He gazed and gazed at her, all -the live-long night, and she appeared as beautiful as when in life. But -when the day dawned, and the light enabled him to see more clearly, -then he observed that decay was doing its work--that instead of a -beautiful, she presented only a loathsome appearance. - -He went home sad and afflicted, and passed all the day mourning in his -lodge. - -"Have you disturbed the remains of the Chief's beautiful daughter?" was -his parent's anxious question. - -"No, grandmother,"--and he uttered not another word. - -Thus it went on for many days and nights. The fox always took care to -quit his watch at the early dawn of day, for he knew that her friends -would suspect him, and come betimes to see if all was right. - -At length he perceived that, gradually, she looked less and less -hideous in the morning light, and that she by degrees resumed the -appearance she had presented in life, so that in process of time, her -beauty and look of health quite returned to her. - -One day he said, "Grandmother, give me my pipe, that I may take a -smoke." - -"Ah!" cried she, "you begin to be comforted. You have never smoked -since the death of the chief's beautiful daughter. Have you heard some -good news?" - -"Never you mind," said he, "bring the pipe." - -He sat down and smoked, and smoked. After a time he said, "Grandmother, -sweep your lodge and put it all in order, for this day you will receive -a visit from your daughter-in-law." - -The grandmother did as she was desired. She swept her lodge, and -arranged it with all the taste she possessed, and then both sat down to -await the visit. - -"When you hear a sound at the door," said the Fox, "you must give the -salutation, and say. Come in." - -When they had been thus seated for a time, the grandmother heard a -faint, rustling sound. She looked towards the door. To her surprise, -the mat which usually hung as a curtain was rolled up, and the door was -open. - -"Peen-tee-geen n'dau-nis!"[AU] cried she. - -[Footnote AU: Come in, my daughter.] - -Something like a faint, faint shadow appeared to glide in. It took -gradually a more distinct outline. As she looked and looked, she began -to discern the form and features of the Chief's beautiful daughter, but -it was long before she appeared like a reality, and took her place in -the lodge like a thing of flesh and blood. - -They kept the matter hid very close, for they would not for the world -that the father or friends of the bride should know what had happened. -Soon, however, it began to be rumored about that the chief's beautiful -daughter had returned to life, and was living in the Red Fox's lodge. -How it ever became known was a mystery, for, of course, the grandmother -never spoke of it. - -Be that as it may, the news created great excitement in the village. -"This must never be," said they all. "He barked her to death once, and -who knows what he may do next time." - -The father took at once a decided part. "The Red Fox is not worthy of -my daughter," he said. "I had promised her to the Hart, the finest and -most elegant among the animals. Now that she has returned to life, I -shall keep my word." - -So the friends all went in a body to the lodge of the Red Fox. The -bridegroom, the bride and the grandmother, made all the resistance -possible, but they were overpowered by numbers, and the Hart having -remained conveniently, waiting on the outside where there was no -danger, the beautiful daughter of the chief was placed upon his back, -and he coursed away through the forest to carry her to his own home. -When he arrived at the door of his lodge, however, he turned his head, -but no bride was in the place where he expected to see her. He had -thought his burden very light from the beginning, but that he supposed -was natural to spirits returned from the dead. He never imagined she -had at the outset glided from her seat, and in the midst of the tumult -slipped back, unobserved, to her chosen husband. - -One or two attempts were made by the friends, after this, to repossess -themselves of the young creature, but all without success. Then they -said, "Let her remain where she is. It is true the Red Fox occasioned -her death, but by his watchfulness and care he caressed her into life -again; therefore she rightfully belongs to him." So the Red Fox and his -beautiful bride lived long together in great peace and happiness. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -STORY OF SHEE-SHEE-BANZE - - -There was a young man named Shee-shee-banze (the Little Duck), paddling -his canoe along the shore of the lake. - -Two girls came down to the edge of the water, and seeing him, the elder -said to the younger, "Let us call to him to take us a sail." - -It must be remarked that in all Indian stories where two or more -sisters are the dramatis personæ, the elder is invariably represented -as silly, ridiculous and disgusting--the younger, as wise and beautiful. - -In the present case the younger remonstrated. "Oh! no," said she, "let -us not do such a thing. What will he think of us?" - -But the other persevered, and called to him, "Ho! come and take us into -your canoe." The young man obeyed, and approaching the shore, he took -them with him into the canoe. - -"Who are you?" asked the elder sister. - -"I am _Way-gee-mar-kin_," replied he, "the great Chief." - -This Way-gee-mar-kin was something of a fairy, for when surrounded by -his followers, and wishing to confer favors on them, he had a habit of -coughing slightly, when there would fly forth from his mouth quantities -of silver brooches, ear-bobs and other ornaments, for which it was the -custom of his people to scramble, each striving, as in more civilized -life, to get more than his share. - -Accordingly, the elder sister said, "If you are Way-gee-mar-kin, let us -see your cough." - -Shee-shee-banze had a few of these silver ornaments which he had got by -scrambling, and which he kept stowed away in the sides of his mouth in -case of emergency. So he gave some spasmodic coughs and brought forth a -few, which the girl eagerly seized. - -After a time, as they paddled along, a fine noble elk came forth from -the forest, and approached the water to drink. - -"What is that?" asked the spokeswoman; for the younger sister sat -silent and modest all the time. - -"It is my dog that I hunt with." - -"Call him to us, that I may see him." - -Shee-shee-banze called, but the elk turned and fled into the woods. - -"He does not seem to obey you, however." - -"No, it is because you inspire him with disgust, and therefore he flies -from you." - -Soon a bear made his appearance by the water's edge. - -"What is that?" - -"One of my servants." - -Again he was requested to call him, and as the call was disregarded, -the same reason as before was assigned. - -Their excursion was at length ended. There had been a little magic in -it, for although the young girls had supposed themselves to be in a -canoe, there was, in reality, no canoe at all. They only imagined it to -have been so. - -Now Shee-shee-banze lived with his grandmother, and to her lodge he -conducted his young friends. - -They stood outside while he went in. - -"Grandmother," said he, "I have brought you two young girls, who will -be your daughters-in-law. Invite them into your lodge." - -Upon this, the old woman called, "Ho! come in," and they entered. They -were made welcome and treated to the best of everything. - -In the meantime, the real Way-gee-mar-kin, the great chief, made -preparations for a grand feast. When he was sending his messenger -out with the invitations, he said to him, "Be very particular to bid -Shee-shee-banze to the feast, for as he is the smallest and meanest -person in the tribe, you must use double ceremony with him, or he will -be apt to think himself slighted." - -Shee-shee-banze sat in his lodge with his new friends, when the -messenger arrived. - -"Ho! Shee-shee-banze," cried he, "you are invited to a great feast that -Way-gee-mar-kin is to give to-night, to all his subjects." - -But Shee-shee-banze took no notice of the invitation. He only whistled, -and pretended not to hear. The messenger repeated his words, and -finding that no attention was paid to them, he went his way. - -The young girls looked at each other, during this scene, greatly -astonished. At length the elder spoke. - -"What does this mean?" said she. "Why does he call you Shee-shee-banze, -and invite you to visit Way-gee-mar-kin?" - -"Oh!" said Shee-shee-banze, "it is one of my followers that always -likes to be a little impudent. I am obliged to put up with it -sometimes, but you observed that I treated him with silent contempt." - -The messenger returned to the chief, and reported the manner in which -the invitation had been received. - -"Oh!" said the good-natured chief, "it is because he feels he is poor -and insignificant. Go back again--call him by my name, and make a -flourishing speech to him." - -The messenger fulfilled his mission as he was bid. - -"Way-gee-mar-kin," said he, pompously, "a great feast is to be given -to-night, and I am sent most respectfully to solicit the honor of your -company!" - -"Did I not tell you?" said Shee-shee-banze to the maidens. Then nodding -with careless condescension, he added, "Tell them I'll come." - -At night, Shee-shee-banze dressed himself in his very best paint, -feathers and ornaments--but before his departure he took his -grandmother aside. - -"Be sure," said he, "that you watch these young people closely until I -come back. Shut up your lodge tight, _tight_. Let no one come in or go -out, and above all things, do not go to sleep." - -These orders given, he went his way. - -The grandmother tried her best to keep awake, but finding herself -growing more and more sleepy, as the night wore on, she took a strong -cord and laced across the mat which hung before the entrance to the -lodge, as the Indians lace up the mouths of their bags, and having seen -all things secure and the girls quiet in bed, she laid down and soon -fell into a comfortable sleep. - -The young girls, in the meanwhile, were dying with curiosity to know -what had become of Shee-shee-banze, and as soon as they were sure -the old lady was asleep, they prepared to follow him, and see what -was going on. Fearing, however, that the grandmother might awake and -discover their absence, they took two logs of wood, and putting them -under the blanket, so disposed them as to present the appearance -of persons sleeping quietly. They then cut the cords that fastened -the door, and, guided by the sounds of the music, the dancing, and -the merry-making, they soon found their way to the dwelling of -Way-gee-mar-kin. - -When they entered, they saw the chief seated on a throne, surrounded -by light and splendor. Everything was joy and amusement. Crowds of -courtiers were in the apartment, all dressed in the most brilliant -array. The strangers looked around for their friend Shee-shee-banze, -but he was nowhere to be seen. - -Now and then the chief would cough, when a shower of silver ornaments -and precious things would fly in all directions, and instantly, a -scramble would commence among the company, to gather them up and -appropriate them. As they thus rushed forward, the brides elect saw -their poor little friend crowded up into a corner, where nobody took -any notice of him, except to push him aside, or step on him whenever he -was in the way. He uttered piteous little squeaks as one and another -would thus maltreat him, but he was too busy taking care of himself to -perceive that those whom he had left snug at home in the lodge were -witnesses of all that was going on. - -At length the signal was given for the company to retire, all but the -two young damsels, upon whom Way-gee-mar-kin had set his eye, and to -whom he had sent, by one of his assistants, great offers to induce them -to remain with him and become his wives. - -Poor Shee-shee-banze returned to his lodge, but what was his -consternation to find the door open! - -"Ho! grandmother," cried he, "is this the way you keep watch?" - -The old woman started up. "There are my daughters-in-law," said she, -pointing to the two logs of wood. Shee-shee-banze threw himself on -the ground between them. His back was broken by coming so violently -in contact with them, but that he did not mind--he thought only of -revenge, and the recovery of his sweethearts. - -He waited but to get some powerful poison and prepare it, and then he -stole softly back to the wigwam of Way-gee-mar-kin. All was silent, and -he crept in without making the slightest noise. There lay the chief, -with a young girl on each side of him. - -They were all sound asleep, the chief lying on his back, with his mouth -wide open. Before he was aware of it, the poison was down his throat, -and Shee-shee-banze had retreated quietly to his own lodge. - -The next morning the cry went through the village that Way-gee-mar-kin -had been found dead in his bed. Of course it was attributed to -over indulgence at the feast. All was grief and lamentation. "Let -us go and tell poor Shee-shee-banze," said one, "he was so fond of -Way-gee-mar-kin." - -They found him sitting on a bank fishing. He had been up at peep of -day, to make preparation for receiving intelligence. - -He had caught two or three fish, and, extracting their bladders, had -filled them with blood, and tied them under his arm. When the friends -of Way-gee-mar-kin saw him, they called out to him, - -"Oh! Shee-shee-banze, your friend. Way-gee-mar-kin, is dead!" With a -gesture of despair, Shee-shee-banze drew his knife and plunged it, not -into his heart, but into the bladders filled with blood that he had -prepared. As he fell, apparently lifeless to the ground, the messengers -began to reproach themselves: "Oh! why did we tell him so suddenly? -We might have known he would not survive it. Poor Shee-shee-banze! he -loved Way-gee-mar-kin so." - -To their great surprise, the day after the funeral, Shee-shee-banze -came walking toward the wigwam of the dead chief. As he walked, he -sang, or rather chanted to a monotonous strain[AV] the following: - - Way-gee-mar-kin is dead, is dead, - I know who killed him. - I guess it was I--I guess it was I. - -[Footnote AV: The Indians sing these words to an air peculiar to -themselves.] - -All the village was aroused. Everybody flew in pursuit of the murderer, -but he evaded them, and escaped to a place of safety. - -Soon after, he again made his appearance, mincing as he walked, and -singing to the same strain as before. - - If you wish to take and punish me. - Let the widows come and catch me. - -It seemed a good idea, and the young women were recommended to go -and entice the culprit into the village, so that the friends of the -deceased could lay hold of him. - -They went forth on their errand. Shee-shee-banze would suffer them to -approach, then he would dance off a little now he would allow them to -come quite near; anon he would retreat a little before them, all the -time singing. - - Come, pretty widows, come and catch me. - -Thus he decoyed them on, occasionally using honied words and flattering -speeches, until he had gained their consent to return with him to his -lodge, and take up their abode with him. - -The friends of the murdered chief were scandalized at such inconstancy, -and resolved to punish all three, as soon as they could catch them. - -They surrounded his lodge with cries and threatenings, but -Shee-shee-banze and his two brides had contrived to elude their -vigilance and gain his canoe, which lay in the river, close at hand. - -Hardly were they on board, when their escape was discovered. The -whole troop flew after them. Some plunged into the stream, and seized -the canoe. In the struggle it was upset, but immediately on touching -the water, whether from the magical properties of the canoe, or the -necromantic skill of the grandmother, they were transformed into ducks, -and flew quacking away. - -Since that time, the water-fowl of this species are always found in -companies of three--two females and a male. - - * * * * * - -The Canard de France, or Mallard, and the Brancheuse, or Wood Duck, are -of different habits from the foregoing, flying in pairs. Indeed, the -constancy of the latter is said to be so great that if he loses his -mate he never takes another partner, but goes mourning to the end of -his days. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI - -A VISIT TO GREEN BAY--MAU-ZHEE-GAW-GAW SWAMP - - -The payment over, and the Indians dispersed, we prepared ourselves -to settle down quietly in our little home. But now, a new source of -disturbance arose. - -My husband's accounts of disbursements as Agent of the Winnebagoes, -which he had forwarded to the Department at Washington, had failed to -reach there, of which he received due notice--that is to say, such -a notice as could reach us by the circuitous and uncertain mode of -conveyance by which intercourse with the eastern world was then kept -up. If the vouchers for the former expenditures, together with the -recent payment of $15,000, annuity money, should not be forthcoming, it -might place him in a very awkward position, so he decided to go at once -to Washington, and be the bearer himself of his duplicate accounts. - -"Should you like to go and see your father and mother," said he to me, -one morning, "and show them how the west agrees with you?" - -It was a most joyful suggestion after a year's separation, and in a few -days all things were in readiness for our departure. - -There was visiting us, at that time, Miss Brush, of Detroit, who had -come from Green Bay with Mr. and Mrs. Whitney and Miss Frances Henshaw, -on an excursion to the Mississippi.[92] Our little india-rubber house -had contrived to expand itself for the accommodation of the whole -party during the very pleasant visit they made us. - -The arrival of two young ladies, was, as may be imagined, quite a -godsend to the unmarried lieutenants, and when, tired of the journey, -or intimidated by the snow which fell eight inches on the 4th of -October, Miss Brush determined to give up the remainder of her -excursion, and accept our pressing invitation to remain with us, until -the return of her friends, we were looked upon as public benefactors. -She was now to accompany us to Green Bay, and possibly to Detroit. - -Our voyage down the river was without incident, and we reached -Green Bay just as all the place was astir in the expectation of the -arrival of one of Mr. Newberry's schooners. This important event was -the subject of interest to the whole community, from Fort Howard -to "Dickenson's." To some its arrival would bring friends, to some -supplies--to the ladies, the fashions, to the gentlemen, the news, for -it was the happy bearer of the mails, not for that place alone, but for -all the "upper country." - -In a few days the vessel arrived. She brought a mail for Fort -Winnebago, which in the winter season only was carried by land to that -place, via _Niles Settlement_ and Chicago. - -In virtue of his office as Post Master, my husband opened the -mail-bag, and took possession of his own letters. One informed him -of the satisfactory appearance of the missing accounts, but oh! sad -disappointment, another brought the news that my parents had gone to -Kentucky for the winter--not to any city or accessible place, but up -"the Sandy," and over among the mountains of Virginia, hunting up old -land claims belonging to my grandfather's estate. - -It was vain to hope to follow them. We might hardly expect to find them -during the short period we could be absent from home--not even were we -to receive the lucid directions once given my father by an old settler -during his explorations through that wild region. - -"You must go up _Tug_," said the man, "and down _Troublesome_, and fall -over on to _Kingdom-come_."[AW] - -[Footnote AW: Three streams or water-courses of that region.] - -We did not think it advisable to undertake such an expedition, so we -made up our minds to retrace our steps to Fort Winnebago. - -No boats were in readiness to ascend the river. Hamilton Arndt promised -to have one in preparation at once, but time passed by, and no boat was -made ready. - -It was now the beginning of November. We were passing our time very -pleasantly with the Irwins and Whitneys, and at the residence of -Colonel Stambaugh, the Indian agent,[93] but still this delay was -inconvenient and vexatious. - -I suggested undertaking the journey on horseback. "No, indeed," was the -answer I invariably received. "No mortal woman has ever gone that road, -unless it was on foot, nor ever could." - -"But suppose we set out in the boat and get frozen in on the way. We -can neither pass the winter there, nor possibly find our way to a human -habitation. We have had one similar experience already. Is it not -better to take it for granted that I can do what you and others of your -sex have done?" - -Dr. Finley, the post-surgeon at Fort Howard, on hearing the matter -debated, offered me immediately his favorite horse Charlie. "He was -very surefooted," the Doctor alleged, "and capital in a marsh or -troublesome stream." - -By land, then, it was decided to go, and as soon as our old -Mee-no-mo-nee friend, "Wish-tay-yun," who was as good a guide by land -as by water, could be summoned, we set off, leaving our trunks to be -forwarded by Hamilton Arndt, whenever it should please him to carry out -his intention of sending up his boat. - -We waited until a late hour on the morning of our departure for our -fellow-travellers, Mr. Wing, of Monroe,[AX] and Dr. Philleo, of -Galena; but finding they did not join us, we resolved to lose no time, -confident that we should all meet at the Kakalin in the course of the -evening. - -[Footnote AX: At that time a delegate to Congress from the Territory.] - -After crossing the river at what is now Despere,[94] and entering the -wild, unsettled country on the west of the river, we found a succession -of wooded hills, separated by ravines so narrow and steep that it -seemed impossible that any animals but mules or goats could make their -way among them. - -Wish-tay-yun took the lead. The horse he rode was accustomed to the -country, and well trained to this style of road. As for Charlie, he was -perfectly admirable. When he came to a precipitous descent, he would -set forward his fore-feet, and slide down on his haunches in the most -scientific manner, while my only mode of preserving my balance was to -hold fast by the bridle, and lay myself almost flat upon his back. Then -our position suddenly changed, and we were scaling the opposite bank, -at the imminent risk of falling backward into the ravine below. - -It was amusing to see Wish-tay-yun, as he scrambled on ahead, now and -then turning partly round to see how I fared. And when, panting and -laughing, I at length reached the summit, he would throw up his hands, -and shout with the utmost glee, "Mamma Manitou!" (My mother is a -spirit). - -Our old acquaintances, the Grignons, seemed much surprised that I -should have ventured on such a journey. They had never taken it, -although they had lived so long at the Ka-kalin,[95] but then there was -no reason why they should have done so. They could always command a -canoe or a boat when they wished to visit "the bay." - -As we had anticipated, our gentlemen joined us at supper. "They had -delayed to take dinner with Col. Stambaugh--had had a delightful gallop -up from the bay--had seen no ravines, nor anything but fine smooth -roads--might have been asleep, but if so, were not conscious of it." -This was the account they gave of themselves, to our no small amusement. - -From the Ka-kalin to the Butte des Morts,[96] where now lived a man -named Knaggs, was our next day's stage. The country was rough and wild, -much like that we had passed through the spring before, in going from -Hamilton's diggings to Kellogg's Grove, but we were fortunate in having -Wish-tay-yun, rather than Mr. H., for our guide, so that we could make -our way with some degree of moderation. - -We had travelled but forty miles when we reached Knaggs', yet I was -both cold and fatigued, so that the sight of the cosy little room in -which we found Mrs. Knaggs, and the bright fire, were most cheering -objects; and as we had only broken our fast since morning, with a few -crackers we carried in our pockets, I must own we did ample justice to -her nice coffee and cakes, not to mention venison-steaks and bear's -meat, the latter of which I had never before tasted, and which, truth -to tell, I never wished to taste again. - -Our supper over, we looked about for a place of repose. The room in -which we had taken our meal was of small dimensions, just sufficient to -accommodate a bed, a table placed against the wall, and the few chairs -on which we sat. There was no room for any kind of a "shake down." - -"Where can you put us for the night?" inquired my husband of Mr. -Knaggs, when he made his appearance. - -"Why, there is no place that I know of, unless you can camp down in the -old building outside." - -We went to look at it. It consisted of one room, bare and dirty. A -huge chimney, in which a few brands were burning, occupied nearly one -side of the apartment. Against another was built a rickety sort of -bunk. This was the only vestige of furniture to be seen. The floor was -thickly covered with mud and dirt, in the midst of which, near the -fire, was seated an old Indian with a pan of boiled corn on his lap, -which he was scooping up with both hands, and devouring with the utmost -voracity. - -We soon discovered that he was blind. On hearing footsteps and voices, -he instinctively gathered his dish of food close to him, and began some -morose grumblings; but when he was told that it was "Shaw-nee-aw-kee" -who was addressing him, his features relaxed into a more agreeable -expression, and he even held forth his dish and invited us to share its -contents. - -"But are we to stay here?" I asked. "Can we not sleep out of doors?" - -"We have no tent," replied my husband, "and the weather is too cold to -risk the exposure without one." - -"I could sit in a chair all night, by the fire." - -"Then you would not be able to ride to Bellefontaine to-morrow." - -There was no alternative. The only thing Mr. Knaggs could furnish in -the shape of bedding was a small bearskin. The bunk was a trifle less -filthy than the floor, so upon its boards we spread first the skin, -then our saddle-blankets, and with a pair of saddle-bags for a bolster, -I wrapped myself in my cloak, and resigned myself to my distasteful -accommodations. - -The change of position from that I had occupied through the day, -probably brought some rest, but sleep I could not. Even on a softer and -more agreeable couch, the snoring of the old Indian and two or three -companions who had joined him, and his frequent querulous exclamations -as he felt himself encroached upon in the darkness, would have -effectually banished slumber from my eyes. - -It was a relief to rise and prepare for the journey of the day. Where -our fellow-travellers had bestowed themselves I knew not, but they -evidently had fared no better than we. They were in fine spirits, -however, and we cheerfully took our breakfast and were ferried over the -river to continue on the trail from that point to Bellefontaine, twelve -miles from Fort Winnebago. - -The great "bug-bear" of this road, Mau-zhee-gaw-gaw Swamp, was the next -thing to be encountered. We reached it about nine o'clock. It spread -before us a vast expanse of morass, about half a mile in width, and of -length interminable, partly covered with water, with black knobs rising -here and there above the surface, to afford a precarious foothold for -the animals in crossing it. Where the water was not, there lay in place -of it, a bed of black oozy mud, which threatened to give way under the -foot, and let it, at each step, sink into an unknown depth. - -This we were now to traverse. All three of the gentlemen went in -advance of me, each hoping, as he said, to select the surest and -firmest path for me to follow. One and another would call, "Here, -madam, come this way!" "This is the best path, wifie--follow me," but -often Charlie knew better than either, and selected a path according to -his own judgment, which proved the best of the whole. - -Once he went picking his way so slowly and cautiously, now pausing on -one little hillock, now on another, and anon turning aside to avoid a -patch of mud that seemed more than usually suspicious, that all the -company had got some little distance ahead of me. On raising my eyes, -which had been kept pretty closely on my horse's footsteps, I saw -my husband on foot, striving to lead his horse by the bridle from a -difficult position into which he had got, Mr. Wing and his great white -floundering animal, lying sideways in the mud, the rider using all -his efforts to extricate himself from the stirrups, and Dr. Philleo -standing at a little distance from his steed, who was doing his best -to rise up from a deep bog into which he had pitched himself. It was a -formidable sight! They all called out with one accord, - -"Oh! do not come this way!" - -"Indeed," cried I, "I have no thought of it. Charlie and I know -better"--and trusting to the sagacious creature, he picked his way -carefully along, and carried me safely past the dismounted company. I -could not refrain from a little triumphant flourish with my whip, as I -looked back upon them, and watched their progress to their saddles once -more. - -Three hours had we been thus unpleasantly engaged and yet we were not -over the "Slough of Despond." At length we drew near its farthest -verge. Here ran a deep stream of some five or six feet in width. The -gentlemen, as they reached it, dismounted, and began debating what was -to be done. - -"Jump off, jump off, Madam," cried Mr. Wing, and "Jump off, jump off," -echoed Dr. Philleo--"we are just consulting how we are to get you -across." - -"What do you think about it?" asked my husband. "Charlie will show -you," replied I. "Come, Charlie," and as I raised his bridle quickly, -with a pat on his neck and an encouraging chirp, he bounded over the -stream as lightly as a deer, and landed me safe on terra firma. - -Poor Mr. Wing had fared the worst of the company; the clumsy animal he -rode seeming to be of opinion when he got into a difficulty that he had -nothing to do but to lie down and resign himself to his fate; while his -rider not being particularly light and agile, was generally undermost, -and half imbedded in the mire before he had quite made up his mind as -to his course of action. - -It was therefore a wise movement in him, when he reached the little -stream, to plunge into it, and wade across, thus washing out, as much -as possible, the traces of the morning's adventures, from himself and -his steed, and the other gentlemen, having no alternative, concluded to -follow his example. - -We did not halt long on the rising ground beyond the morass, for we had -a long stretch before us to Bellefontaine, forty-five miles, and those -none of the shortest. - -Our horses travelled admirably the whole afternoon, Charlie keeping -a canter all the way, but it was now growing dark, and there were no -signs of the landmarks which were to indicate our near approach to the -desired haven. - -"Can we not stop and rest us for a few moments under one of the -trees?" inquired I, for I was almost exhausted with fatigue, and to add -to our discomfort, a cold November rain was pouring upon us. - -"If it were possible, we would," was the reply, "but see how dark it is -growing. If we should lose our way, it would be worse than being wet -and tired." - -So we kept on. Just at dark we crossed a clear stream. "That," said my -husband, "is, I think, two miles from Bellefontaine. Cheer up--we shall -soon be there." Quite encouraged we pursued our way more cheerfully. -Mile after mile we passed, but still no light gleamed friendly through -the trees. - -"We have certainly travelled more than six miles now," said I. - -"Yes--that could not have been the two mile creek." It was eight -o'clock when we reached Bellefontaine.[97] We were ushered into a large -room made cheerful by a huge blazing fire. Mr. Wing and Dr. Philleo had -arrived before us, and there were other travellers, on their way from -the Mississippi. I was received with great kindness and volubility, by -the immense hostess, "la grosse Americaine," as she was called, and she -soon installed me in the arm-chair, in the warmest corner, and in due -time set an excellent supper before us. - -But her hospitality did not extend to giving up her only bed for my -accommodation. She spread all the things she could muster on the hard -floor before the fire, and did what she could to make me comfortable; -then, observing my husband's solicitude lest I might feel ill from the -effects of the fatigue and rain, she remarked in tones of admiring -sympathy, "How kind your companion is to you!" An expression which, as -it was then new to us, amused us not a little. - -Our travelling companions started early in the morning for the fort, -which was but twelve miles distant, and they were so kind as to take -charge of a note to our friends at home, requesting them to send Plante -with the carriage to take us the rest of the distance. - -We reached there in safety, and thus ended the first journey by land -that any white woman had made from Green Bay to Fort Winnebago. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII - -COMMENCEMENT OF SAUK WAR - - -Late in the autumn, after our return, my husband took his mother -to Prairie du Chien for the benefit of medical advice from Dr. -Beaumont[98] of the U. S. Army. The journey was made in a large open -boat down the Wisconsin river, and it was proposed to take this -opportunity to bring back a good supply of corn for the winter's use of -both men and cattle. - -The ice formed in the river, however, so early, that after starting -with his load, he was obliged to return with it to the Prairie, and -wait until the thick winter's ice enabled him to make a second journey, -and bring it up in sleighs--with so great an expense of time, labor, -and exposure, were the necessaries of life conveyed from one point to -another, through that wild and desolate region! - - * * * * * - -The arrival of my brother Arthur from Kentucky, by way of the -Mississippi, in the latter part of April, brought us the uncomfortable -intelligence of new troubles with the Sauks and Foxes. Black Hawk had, -with the flower of his nation, recrossed the Mississippi, once more to -take possession of their old homes and cornfields.[AY] - -[Footnote AY: See appendix.] - -It was not long before our own Indians came flocking in, to confirm the -tidings, and to assure us of their intention to remain faithful friends -to the Americans. We soon heard of the arrival of the Illinois Rangers -in the Rock River country, also of the progress of the regular force -under Gen. Atkinson, in pursuit of the hostile Indians, who, by the -reports, were always able to elude their vigilance. It not being their -custom to stop and give battle, the Sauks soon scattered themselves -through the country, trusting to some lucky accident (and they arrived, -alas! only too often), to enable them to fall upon their enemies -unexpectedly. - -The experience of the pursuing army was, for the most part, to make -their way, by toilsome and fatiguing marches to the spot where they -imagined the Sauks would be waiting to receive them, and then to -discover that the rogues had scampered off to quite a different part of -the country. - -Wherever these latter went, their course was marked by the most -atrocious barbarities, though the worst had not, at this time, reached -our ears. We were only assured that they were down in the neighborhood -of the Rock river, and Kishwaukee, and that they lost no opportunity of -falling upon the defenceless inhabitants, and cruelly murdering them. - -As soon as it became certain that the Sauks and Foxes would not pursue -the same course they had on the previous year, that is, retreat -peaceably across the Mississippi, Mr. Kinzie resolved to hold a council -with all the principal chiefs of the Winnebagoes, who were accessible -at this time. He knew that the Sauks would use every effort to induce -their neighbors to join them, and that there existed in the breasts -of too many of the young savages a desire to distinguish themselves -by "taking some white scalps." They did not love the Americans--why -should they? By them they had been gradually dispossessed of the broad -and beautiful domains of their forefathers, and hunted from place -to place, and the only equivalent they had received in exchange had -been a few thousands annually in silver and presents, together with -the pernicious example, the debasing influence, and the positive -ill-treatment of too many of the new settlers upon their lands. - -With all these facts in view, therefore, their "father" felt that the -utmost watchfulness was necessary, and that the strongest arguments -must be brought forward, to preserve the young men of the Winnebagoes -in their allegiance to the Americans. Of the older members he felt -quite sure. About fifty lodges had come at the commencement of the -disturbances, and encamped around our dwelling, saying, that if the -Sauks attacked us, it must be after killing them; and, knowing them -well, we had perfect confidence in their assurances. - -But their vicinity, while it gave us a feeling of protection, likewise -furnished us with a channel of the most exciting and agitating daily -communications. As the theatre of operations approached nearer and -nearer, intelligence was brought from one of their runners--now, that -"Captain Harney's head had been recognized in the Sauk camp, where it -had been brought the day previous," next, "that the Sauks were carrying -Lieut. Beall's head on a pole in front of them as they marched to meet -the whites." Sometimes it was a story which we afterwards found to be -true, as that of the murder of their agent, Mr. St. Vrain, at Kellogg's -Grove, by the Sauks themselves, who ought to have protected him. - -It was after the news of this last occurrence, that the appointed -council with the Winnebagoes was to be held at the Four Lakes, -thirty-five miles distant from Fort Winnebago. - -In vain we pleaded and remonstrated against such an exposure. "It was -his duty to assemble and talk to them," my husband said, "and he must -run the risk, if there were any. He had perfect confidence in the -Winnebagoes. The enemy, by all he could learn, were now far distant -from the Four Lakes--probably at Kosh-ko-nong. He would set off early -in the morning with Paquette, hold his council, and return to us the -same evening." - -It were useless to attempt to describe our feelings during that long -and dreary day. When night arrived the cry of a drunken Indian, or even -the barking of a dog, would fill our hearts with terror. - -As we sat, at a late hour, at the open window, listening to every -sound, with what joy did we at length distinguish the tramp of -horses--we knew it to be Griffin and Jerry ascending the hill, and -a cheerful shout soon announced that all was well. They had ridden -seventy miles that day, besides holding a long "talk" with the Indians. - -The Winnebagoes in council had promised to use their utmost endeavors -to preserve peace and good order among their young men. They informed -their father that the bands on the Rock river, with the exception -of Win-no-sheek's were all determined to remain friendly, and keep -aloof from the Sauks. To that end, they were all abandoning their -villages and cornfields, and moving north, that their Great Father, -the President, might not feel dissatisfied with them. With regard to -Win-no-sheek and his people, they professed themselves unable to answer. - -Time went on, and brought with it stories of fresh outrages. Among -these were the murders of Auberry, Green, and Force, at Blue Mound, -and the attack on Apple Fort. The tidings of the latter were brought -by old Crély,[99] the father of Mrs. Paquette, who rode express from -Galena, and who averred that he once passed a bush behind which the -Sauks were hiding, but that his horse smelt the sweet-scented grass -with which they always adorn their persons when on a war-party, and -set out on such a gallop that he never stopped until he arrived at the -Portage. - -Another bearer of news was a young gentleman named Follett, whose eyes -had become so protruded, and set, from keeping an anxious lookout -for the enemy, that it was many days after his arrival at a place of -safety, before they resumed their accustomed limits and expression. - -Among other rumors which at this time reached us, was one that an -attack upon the fort was in contemplation among the Sauks. That this -was certainly in no state of defence, the Indians very well knew. All -the effective men had been withdrawn, upon a requisition from General -Atkinson, to join him at his newly-built fort at Kosh-ko-nong.[100] - -Fort Winnebago was not picketed in--there were no defences to the -barracks or officers' quarters, except slight panelled doors and -Venetian blinds--nothing that would long resist the blows of clubs -or hatchets. There was no artillery, and the Commissary's store was -without the bounds of the fort, under the hill. - -Mr. Kinzie had, from the first, called the attention of the officers to -the insecurity of their position, in case of danger, but he generally -received a scoffing answer. - -"Never fear," they would say--"the Sauks are not coming here to attack -us." - -One afternoon we had gone over on a visit to some friends in the -garrison, and several officers being present, the conversation, as -usual, turned upon the present position of affairs. - -"Do you not think it wiser," inquired I, of a blustering young officer, -"to be prepared against possible danger?" - -"Not against these fellows," replied he, contemptuously--"I do not -think I would even take the trouble to fasten the blinds to my -quarters." - -"At least," said I, "if you some night find a tomahawk raised to cleave -your skull, you will have the consolation of remembering that you have -not been one of those foolish fellows who keep on the safe side." - -He seemed a little nettled at this, and still more so when sister -Margaret observed: - -"For my part, I am of Governor Cass' opinion. He was at Chicago during -the Winnebago war. We were all preparing to move into the fort on the -first alarm. Some were for being brave and delaying, like our friends -here. 'Come, come,' said the Governor, 'hurry into the fort as fast -as possible--there is no merit in being brave with the Indians. It is -the height of folly to stay and meet danger which you may by prudence -avoid.'" - -In a few days our friends waked up to the conviction that something -must be done at once. The first step was to forbid any Winnebago coming -within the garrison, lest they should find out what they had known as -well as ourselves for three months past--namely, the feebleness of the -means of resistance. The next was to send "fatigue-parties" into the -woods, under the protection of a guard, to cut pickets for enclosing -the garrison. - -There was every reason to believe that the enemy were not very far -distant, and that their object in coming north was to break away into -the Chippewa country, where they would find a place of security among -their friends and allies. The story that our Indian runners brought in -most frequently was, that the Sauks were determined to fall upon the -whites at the Portage and Fort, and massacre all, except the families -of the Agent and Interpreter. - -Plante and Pillon with their families had departed at the first word -of danger. There only remained with us Manaigre, whose wife was a -half-Winnebago, Isidore Morrin, and the blacksmiths from Sugar Creek, -Mâtâ, and Turcotte. - -At night we were all regularly armed and our posts assigned us. After -every means had been taken to make the house secure, the orders were -given. Sister Margaret and I, in case of attack, were to mount with the -children to the rooms above, while my husband and his men were to make -good their defence as long as possible against the enemy. Since I had -shown my sportsmanship by bringing down accidentally a blackbird on the -wing, I felt as if I could do some execution with my little pistols, -which were regularly placed beside my pillow at night, and I was fully -resolved to use them, if necessity required it, and I do not remember -to have had the slightest compunction at the idea of taking the lives -of two Sauks, as I had no doubt I should do, and this explains to me -what I had before often wondered at, the indifference of the soldier on -the field of battle to the destruction of human life. Had I been called -upon, however, to use my weapons effectually, I should no doubt have -looked back upon it with horror. - -Surrounded as we were by Indian lodges, which seldom became perfectly -quiet, and excited as our nerves had become by all that we were daily -in the habit of hearing, we seldom slept very soundly. One night, after -we had as much as possible composed ourselves, we were startled at a -late hour by a tap upon the window at the head of our bed, and a call -of "Chon! Chon!"[AZ] (John! John!) - -[Footnote AZ: The Indians who had "been at Washington," were very fond -of calling their father thus. Black Wolf's son would go farther and -vociferate "K'hizzie," to show his familiarity.] - -"Tshah-ko-zhah?" (What is it?) - -It was Hoo-wau-ne-kah, the little Elk. He spoke rapidly, and in a tone -of great agitation. I could not understand him, and I lay trembling, -and dreading to hear his errand interpreted. Now and then I could -distinguish the words Sau-kee (Sauks) and Shoonk-hat-tay-rah (horse), -and they were not very reassuring. - -The subject I soon learned was this: A fresh trail had been observed -near the Petit Rocher, on the Wisconsin, and the people at the villages -on the Barribault[101] were in a state of great alarm, fearing it might -be the Sauks. There was the appearance of a hundred or more horses -having passed by this trail. Hoo-wau-ne-kah had been dispatched at once -to tell their father, and to ask his advice. - -After listening to all he had to communicate, his father told him the -trail was undoubtedly that of General Henry's troops, who were said -to have come North, looking for the enemy. That as the marks of the -horses' hoofs showed them, by this report, to have been shod, that was -sufficient proof that it was not the trail of the Sauks. He thought -that the people at the villages need not feel any uneasiness. - -"Very well, father," replied Hoo-wau-ne-kah, "I will go back and tell -my people what you say. They will believe you, for you always tell them -the truth. You are not like us Indians, who sometimes deceive each -other." So saying, he returned to his friends, much comforted. - -The completion of the picketing and other defences, together with -the arrival of a detachment of troops from Fort Howard under Lieut. -Hunter,[102] at our fort now seemed to render the latter the place of -greatest safety. We therefore regularly, every evening before dusk, -took up our line of march for the opposite side of the river, and -repaired to quarters that had been assigned us within the garrison, -leaving our own house and chattels to the care of the Frenchmen and our -friends, the Winnebagoes. - -It was on one of these days that we were sitting at the windows which -looked out on the Portage--indeed, we seldom sat anywhere else, our -almost constant occupation being to look abroad and see what was coming -next--when a loud, long, shrill whoop from a distance gave notice -of something to be heard. "The news--halloo! what could it portend? -What were we about to hear?" By gazing intently towards the farthest -extremity of the road, we could perceive a moving body of horsemen, -which, as they approached, we saw to be Indians. They were in full -costume. Scarlet streamers fluttered at the ends of their lances--their -arms glittered in the sun. Presently, as they drew nearer, their -paint, and feathers and brooches became visible. There were fifty or -more warriors. What could it denote? They passed the road which turns -to the fort, and rode directly up the hill leading to the Agency. -Shaw-nee-aw-kee was absent. The Interpreter had been sent for on the -first distant appearance of the strangers, but had not yet arrived. The -party having ascended the hill, halted near the blacksmith's shop, but -did not dismount. - -Our hearts trembled--it must surely be the enemy. At this moment my -husband appeared in the direction of the Interpreter's house. We called -to entreat him to stop, but he walked along towards the new comers. - - * * * * * - -To our infinite joy we saw the Chief of the party dismount, and all the -others following his example, and approaching to shake hands. - -A space was soon cleared around the leader and my husband, when the -former commenced an oration, flourishing his sword and using much -violent gesticulation. It was the first time I had seen an Indian armed -with that weapon, and I dreaded to perceive it in such hands. Sometimes -he appeared as if he were about to take off the head of his auditor at -a blow, and our hearts sank as we remembered the stratagems at Mackinac -and Detroit in former days. At length the speech was concluded, another -shaking of hands took place, and we saw my husband leading the way to -his storehouse, from which some of his men presently brought tobacco -and pipes, and laid them at the feet of the Chief. - -Our suspense was soon relieved by being informed that the strangers -were Man-Eater, the principal Chief of the Rock River Indians, who had -come with his band to "hold a talk," and bring information. - -These Indians were under the special care of Mr. Henry Gratiot,[103] -and his efforts had been most judicious and unremitting in preserving -the good feeling of this, the most dangerous portion of the Winnebagoes. - -The intelligence that Man-Eater, who was a most noble Indian in -appearance and character, brought us, confirmed that already received, -namely, that the Sauks were gradually drawing north, towards the -Portage, although he evidently did not know exactly their whereabouts. - -There was, soon after their departure, an arrival of another party of -Winnebagoes, and they requested permission to dance for their father. - -The compliment having been accepted, they assembled, as usual, on the -esplanade in front of the house. My sister, the children and myself, -stationed ourselves at the open windows, according to custom, and my -husband sat on the broad step before the door, which opened from the -outer air directly into the parlor where we were. - -The performance commenced, and as they proceeded, following each -other round and round in the progress of the dance, my sister, Mrs. -Helm, remarked to me, "Look at that small dark Indian, with the green -boughs on his person--that is _a Sauk!_ They always mark themselves in -this manner with white clay, and ornament themselves with leaves when -they dance!" In truth, I had never seen this costume among our own -Indians, and as I gazed at this one, with a green chaplet round his -head and his legs, and even his gun wreathed in the same manner, while -his body displayed no paint except the white transverse streaks with -which it was covered, I saw that he was, indeed, a stranger. Without -owing anything to the exaggeration of fear, his countenance was truly -ferocious. He held his gun in his hand, and every time the course of -the dance brought him directly in front of where we sat, he would turn -his gaze full upon us, and club his weapon before him with what we -interpreted into an air of defiance. We sat as still as death, for we -knew it would not be wise to exhibit any appearance of fear, but my -sister remarked in a low tone, "I have always thought that I was to -lose my life by the hands of the Indians--this is the third Indian war -I have gone through, and now, I suppose, it will be the last." - -It was the only time I ever saw her lose her self-possession. She was -always remarkably calm and resolute, but now I could see that she -trembled. Still we sat there--there was a sort of fascination as our -imaginations became more and more excited. Presently, some raindrops -began to fall. The Indians continued their dance for a few minutes -longer, then, with whoopings and shoutings, they rushed simultaneously -towards the house. We fled into my apartment and closed the door, which -my sister at first held fast, but presently came and seated herself -by me on the bed, for she saw that I could not compose myself. Of all -forms of death that by the hands of savages is the most difficult to -face calmly, and I fully believed that our hour was come. - -There was no interruption to the dance, which the Indians carried on -in the parlor, leaping and yelling as if they would bring down the -roof over our heads. In vain we tried to persuade my husband and the -children, through a crevice of the door, to come and join us. The -latter, feeling no danger, were too much delighted with the exhibition -to leave it, and the former only came for a moment to reassure me, and -then judged it wisest to return, and manifest his satisfaction at the -compliment by his presence. He made light of our fears, and would not -admit that the object of our suspicions was in fact a Sauk, but only -some young Winnebago, who had, as is sometimes the custom, imitated -them in costume and appearance. - -It may have been "good fun" to him to return to his village and -tell how he frightened "the white squaws." Such a trick would not -be unnatural in a white youth, and perhaps, since human nature is -everywhere the same, it might not be out of the way in an Indian. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII - -FLEEING FROM THE INDIANS - - -The danger now appeared to have become so imminent that my husband -determined to send his family to Fort Howard, a point which was -believed to be far out of the range of the enemy. It was in vain that I -pleaded to be permitted to remain--he was firm. - -"I must not leave my post," said he, "while there is any danger. My -departure would perhaps be the signal for an immediate alliance of the -Winnebagoes with the Sauks. I am certain that as long as I am here, -my presence will act as a restraint upon them. You wish to remain -and share my dangers! Your doing so would expose us both to certain -destruction in case of attack. By the aid of my friends in both tribes, -I could hope to preserve my own life if I were alone, but surrounded -by my family, that would be impossible--we should all fall victims -together. My duty plainly is to send you to a place of safety." - -An opportunity for doing this soon occurred. Paquette, the interpreter, -who was likewise an agent of the American Fur Company, had occasion -to send a boat load of furs to Green Bay, on their way to Mackinac. -Mr. Kinzie having seen it as comfortably fitted up as an open boat of -that description could be, with a tent-cloth fastened on a framework -of hoop-poles over the centre, and lined with a dark-green blanket; -and having placed on board an abundant store of provisions and other -comforts, he committed us to the joint care of my brother Arthur and -his faithful blacksmith, Mâtâ. - -This latter was a tall, gaunt Frenchman, with a freckled face, a -profusion of crisp, sandy hair, and an inveterate propensity to speak -English. His knowledge of the language was somewhat limited, and he -burlesqued it by adding an _s_ to almost every word, and giving out -each phrase with a jerk. - -"Davids," he was wont to say to the little yellow fiddler, after an -evening's frolic at the Interpreter's, "Davids, clear away the tables -and the glasses, and play _fishes hornspikes_."[BA] But he was a kind, -affectionate creature, and his devotion to "Monsieur Johns" and "Madame -Johns" knew no bounds. - -[Footnote BA: Fisher's hornpipe.] - -Besides these two protectors, three trusty Indians, the chief of whom -was called _Old Smoker_, were engaged to escort our party. The crew of -the boat consisted entirely of French engagés in the service of the Fur -Company. They were six gay-hearted, merry fellows, lightening their -labor with their pipe and their songs, in which they always esteemed it -a great compliment to be joined by any gentleman or lady who listened -to them--but our hearts, alas! were now too heavy to participate in -their enjoyment. - -The Fourth of July, the day on which we left our home, was a gloomy one -indeed to those who departed, and to the one left behind. Who knew if -we should ever meet again? The experience which some of the circle had -had in Indian warfare, was such as to justify the saddest forebodings. -There was not even the consolation of a certainty that this step -would secure our safety. The Sauks might, possibly, be on the other -side of us, and the route we were taking might, perhaps, though not -probably, carry us into their very midst. It was no wonder then that -our leave-taking was a solemn one--a parting which all felt might be -for this world. - -Not _all_, however, for the gay, cheerful Frenchmen laughed and sung -and cracked their jokes, and "assured Monsieur John that they would -take Madame Jolm and Madame Alum safe to '_the bay_,' spite of Sauks or -wind or weather." - -Thus we sat out on our journey. For many miles the fort was in sight, -as the course of the river alternately approached and receded from its -walls, and it was not until nearly mid-day that we caught the last -glimpse of our home. - -At the noon-tide meal, or "pipe,"[104] as it is called by the -voyageurs, an alarming discovery was made--no bread had been put on -board for the crew! How this oversight had occurred, no one could -tell. One was certain that a large quantity had been brought from the -garrison bakery for their use that very morning--another had even seen -the sacks of loaves standing in Paquette's kitchen. Be that as it -may, here we were, many miles on our journey, and with no provisions -for the six Frenchmen, except some salted pork, a few beans, and -some onions. A consultation was held in this emergency. Should they -return to the Portage for supplies? The same danger that made their -departure necessary, still existed, and the utmost dispatch had been -enjoined upon them. We found upon examination that the store of bread -and crackers with which our party had been provided, was far beyond -what we could possibly require, and we thought it would be sufficient -to allow of rations to the Frenchmen until we should reach Powell's, -at the Butte des Morts, the day but one following, where we should -undoubtedly be able to procure a fresh supply. - -This decided on, we proceeded on our journey, always in profound -silence, for a song or a loud laugh was now strictly prohibited until -we should have passed the utmost limits of country where the enemy -might possibly be. We had been warned beforehand that a certain point, -where the low marshy meadows, through which the river had hitherto run, -rises into a more firm and elevated country, was the border of the -Menomonee territory, and the spot where the Sauks, if they had fled -north of the Wisconsin towards the Chippewa country, would be most -likely to be encountered. - -As we received intimation on the forenoon of the second day that we -were drawing near this spot, I must confess that "we held our breath -for awe." - -The three Winnebagoes were in the bow of the boat. Old Smoker, the -chief, squatted upon his feet on the bench of the foremost rowers. We -looked at him. He was gazing intently in the direction of the wooded -point we were approaching. Our eyes followed his, and we saw three -Indians step forward and stand upon the bank. We said in a low voice to -each other, "if they are Sauks, we are lost, for the whole body must -be in that thicket." The boat continued to approach--not a word was -spoken--the dip of the paddle, and perhaps the beating hearts of some, -were the only sounds that broke the stillness. Again we looked at the -chief. His nostrils were dilated--his eyes almost glaring. - -Suddenly, with a bound, he sprung to his feet and uttered his long -shrill whoop. - -"Hoh! hoh! hoh! neetchee (friend) _Mah-no-mo-nee!_" - -All was now joy and gladness. Every one was forward to shake hands -with the strangers as soon as we could reach them, in token of our -satisfaction that they were Menomonees and not Sauks, of the latter of -whom, by the way, they would give us no intelligence. - -By noon of that day, we considered ourselves to be out of the region -of danger. Still caution was deemed necessary, and when at the mid-day -pipe the boat was pushed ashore under a beautiful overhanging bank, -crowned with a thick wood, the usual vigilance was somewhat relaxed, -and the young people, under the escort of Arthur and Mâtâ were -permitted to roam about a little, in the vicinity of the boat. - -They soon came back with the report that the woods were "alive with -pigeons,"[105]--they could almost knock them down with sticks, and -earnestly did they plead to be allowed to shoot at least enough for -supper. But no--the enemy might be nearer than we imagined, the firing -of a gun would betray our whereabouts--it was most prudent to give no -notice to friend or foe. So, very reluctantly, they were compelled to -return to the boat without their game. - -The next morning brought us to Powell's, at the Butte des Morts. -Sad were the faces of the poor Frenchmen at learning that not a -loaf of bread was to be had. Our own store, too, was, by this time, -quite exhausted. The only substitute we could obtain, was a bag of -dark-looking, bitter flour. With this provision for our whole party, -we were forced to be contented, and we left the Hillock of the Dead -feeling that it had been indeed the grave of our hopes. - -By dint of good rowing, our crew soon brought us to the spot where the -river enters that beautiful sheet of water, Winnebago Lake. Though -there was but little wind when we reached the lake, the Frenchmen -hoisted their sail, in hopes to save themselves the labour of rowing -across; but in vain did they whistle, with all the force of their -lungs--in vain did they supplicate _La Vierge_, with a comical mixture -of fun and reverence. As a last resource, it was at length suggested by -some one that their only chance lay in propitiating the goddess of the -winds with an offering of some cast-off garment. - -Application was made all round by Guardapie, the chief spokesman of the -crew. Alas! not one of the poor voyageurs could boast a spare article. -A few old rags were at length rummaged out of the little receptacle of -food, clothing, and dirt, in the bow of the boat, and cast into the -waves. For a moment all flattered themselves that the experiment had -been successful--the sail fluttered, swelled a little, and then flapped -idly down against the mast. The party were in despair, until, after a -whispered consultation together, Julian and Edwin stepped forward as -messengers of mercy. In a trice they divested themselves of jacket and -vest and made a proffer of their next garment to aid in raising the -wind. - -At first there seemed a doubt in the minds of the boatmen whether they -ought to accept so magnificent an offer, but finding, on giving them -a preparatory shake, that the value of the contribution was less than -they had imagined, they, with many shouts, and much laughter, consigned -them to the waves. To the great delight and astonishment of the boys, -a breeze at this moment sprung up, which carried the little vessel -beautifully over the waters for about half the distance to Garlic -Island. By this time the charm was exhausted, nor was it found possible -to renew it by a repetition of similar offerings. All expedients -were tried without success, and, with sundry rather disrespectful -reflections upon the lady whose aid they had invoked, the Frenchmen -were compelled to betake themselves to their oars, until they reached -the island. - -Two or three canoes of Winnebagoes had arrived at the same moment, -and their owners immediately stepped forward with an offering of some -sturgeon which they had caught in the lake. As this promised to be an -agreeable variety to the noon-tide meal, (at least for the Frenchmen,) -it was decided to stop and kindle a fire for the purpose of cooking it. -We took advantage of this interval, to recommend to the boys to stroll -to the opposite side of the island, where the clear, shallow water -and pebbly beach offered temptation to a refreshing bath. While they -availed themselves of this, under the supervision of Harry, the black -boy, we amused ourselves with gathering the fine red raspberries with -which the island abounded. - -Our enjoyment was cut short, however, by discovering that the whole -place, vines, shrubs, and even, apparently, the earth itself, was -infested with myriads of the wood-tick, a little insect, that, having -fastened to the skin, penetrates into the very flesh, causing a -swelling and irritation exceedingly painful, and even dangerous. The -alarm was sounded to bring the boys back in all haste, to the open -and more frequented part of the island. But we soon found we had not -left our tormentors behind. Throughout the day, we continued to be -sensible of their proximity. From the effects of their attacks we were -not relieved for several succeeding days; those which had succeeded in -burying themselves in the flesh, having to be removed with the point -of a penknife, or a large needle. After partaking of our dinner, we -stepped on board our boat, and the wind having risen, we were carried -by the breeze to the opposite verge of the lake, and into the entrance -of the river, or, as it was called, the Winnebago rapids. - -On the point of land to the right stood a collection of neat bark -wigwams--this was Four-Legs' village. - -It was an exciting and somewhat hazardous passage down the rapids -and over the Grande Chûte, a fall of several feet; but it was safely -passed, and at the approach of evening the boat reached the settlement -of the Wau-bee-na-kees at the head of the Little Chûte. These are the -Stockbridge or Brothertown Indians, the remains of the old Mohicans, -who had, a few years before, emigrated from Oneida County in the State -of New York, to a tract granted them by the United States, on the -fertile banks of the Fox River.[106] They had already cleared extensive -openings in the forest, and built some substantial and comfortable -houses near the banks of the river, which were here quite high, and -covered for the most part with gigantic trees. - -It was determined to ask hospitality of these people, to the extent -of borrowing a corner of their fire to boil our tea kettle, and bake -the short-cake which had been now, for nearly two days, our substitute -for bread. Its manufacture had been a subject of much merriment. The -ingredients, consisting of Powell's black flour, some salt and a little -butter, were mixed in the tin box which had held our meat. This was -then reversed, and having been properly cleansed, supplied the place -of a dough-board. The vinegar bottle served the office of rolling-pin, -and a shallow tin dish, set upon the coals at our previous encamping -places, had formed the appliance for baking. The Wau-bee-na-kees were -so good as to lend us an iron bake-kettle, and superintend the cooking -of our cake after Harry had carried it up to their dwelling. - -So kind and hospitable did they show themselves, that the crew of -the boat took the resolution of asking a lodging on shore, by way of -relief, after their crowded quarters in the boat for the last three -nights. Arthur and Mâtâ soon adopted the same idea, and we were invited -to follow their example, with the assurance that the houses were -extremely neat and orderly. - -We preferred, however, at it was a fine night, and all things were so -comfortably arranged in the centre of the boat, to remain on board, -keeping Edwin and Josette with us. - -The boat was tightly moored, for the Little Chûte was just below, and -if our craft should work loose in the rapid current, and drift down -over the falls, it would be a very serious matter. As an additional -precaution, one man was left on board to keep all things safe and in -order, and these arrangements having been made, the others ascended the -bank, and took up their night's lodgings in the Wau-bee-na-kee cabins. - -It was a beautiful, calm, moonlight night, the air just sufficiently -warm to be agreeable, while the gentle murmur of the rapids and of the -fall at no great distance, soon lulled our party to repose. How long we -had slumbered we knew not, when we were aroused by a rushing wind. It -bent the poles supporting the awning, snapped them, and another gust -succeeding, tent and blanket were carried away on the blast down the -stream. The moonlight was gone, but a flash of lightning showed them -sailing away like a spectre in the distance. - -The storm increased in violence. The rain began to pour in torrents, -and the thunder and lightning to succeed each other in fearful -rapidity. My sister sprang to waken the Frenchman. "Get up Vitelle, -quick," cried she, in French, "run up the bank for Mâtâ and Mr. -Arthur--tell them to come and get us instantly." - -The man made her no reply, but fell upon his knees, invoking the Virgin -most vociferously. - -"Do not wait for the Virgin, but go as quickly as possible. Do you not -see we shall all be killed?" - -"Oh! not for the world, Madame, not for the world," said Vitelle, -burying his head in a pack of furs, "would I go up that bank in this -storm." And here he began crying most lustily to all the saints in the -calendar. - -It was indeed awful. The roaring of the thunder and the flashing of the -lightning around us, were like the continued discharge of a park of -artillery. I had with difficulty drawn forth my cloak, and enveloped -myself and Josette--sister Margaret had done the same with Edwin. - -"Oh! Madame," said the poor little girl, her teeth chattering with cold -and fright, "won't we be drowned?" - -"Very well," said my sister to the Frenchman, "you see that Madame John -is at the last agony--if you will not go for help I must, and Monsieur -John must know that you left his wife to perish." - -This was too much for Vitelle. "If I must, I must," said he, and with a -desperate bound he leapt on shore and sped up the hill with might and -main. - -In a few minutes, though it seemed ages to us, a whole posse came -flying down the hill. The incessant lightning made all things appear -as in the glare of day. Mâtâ's hair fairly stood on end, and his eyes -rolled with ghastly astonishment at the spectacle. - -"Oh! my God, Madame Johns! what would Monsieur Johns say, to see you -nows?" exclaimed he, as he seized me in his arms and bore me up the -hill. Arthur followed with sister Margaret, and two others with Edwin -and Josette. Nobody carried Vitelle, for he had taken care not to risk -his precious life by venturing again to the boat. - -On arriving at the cabin where Arthur and Mâtâ had been lodged, a fire -was, with some difficulty, kindled, and our trunks having been brought -up from the boat, we were at length able to exchange our drenched -garments, and those of the children, for others more comfortable, after -which we laid ourselves upon the clean, but homely bed, and slept until -daylight. - -As it was necessary to ascertain what degree of damage the cargo of -furs had sustained, an early start was proposed. Apparently, the -inhabitants of the cottages had become weary in well doing, for they -declined preparing breakfast for us, although we assured them they -should be well compensated for their trouble. We, consequently, saw -ourselves compelled to depart with very slender prospects of a morning -meal. - -When we reached the boat, what a scene presented itself! Bed-clothes, -cloaks, trunks, mess-basket, packs of furs, all bearing the marks of a -complete deluge! The boat ankle-deep in water--literally no place on -board where we could either stand or sit. After some bailing out, and -an attempt at disposing some of the packs of furs, which had suffered -least from the flood, so as to form a sort of divan in the centre of -the boat, nothing better seemed to offer than to re-embark, and endure -what "could not be cured." - -Our position was not an enviable one. Wherever a foot or hand was -placed, the water gushed up, with a bubbling sound, and, oh! the state -of the bandboxes and work-baskets! Breakfast there was none, for on -examining the mess-basket everything it contained was found mingled in -one undistinguishable mass. Tea, pepper, salt, short-cake, all floating -together--it was a hopeless case. - -But this was not the worst. As the fervid July sun rose higher in the -heavens, the steam which exhaled from every object on board was nearly -suffocating. The boat was old--the packs of skins were old--their -vicinity in a dry day had been anything but agreeable--now, it was -intolerable. There was no retreating from it, however, so we encouraged -the children to arm themselves with patience, for the short time that -yet remained of our voyage. - -Seated on our odoriferous couch, beneath the shade of a single -umbrella, to protect our whole party from the scorching sun, we glided -wearily down the stream, through that long, tedious day. As we passed -successively the Kakalin, the Rapids, Dickinson's, the Agency, with -what longing eyes did we gaze at human habitations, where others were -enjoying the shelter of a roof, and the comforts of food, and how -eagerly did we count the hours which must elapse before we could reach -Fort Howard. - -There were no songs from the poor Frenchmen this day. Music and fasting -do not go well together. At length we stopped at Shanteetown,[107] -where the boat was to be unloaded. All hands fell to work to transfer -the cargo to the warehouse of the Fur Company, which stood near the -landing. It was not a long operation, for all worked heartily. This -being accomplished, the voyageurs, one and all, prepared to take their -leave. In vain Mâtâ stormed and raved, in vain Arthur remonstrated. - -"No," they said, "they had brought the boat and cargo to the -warehouse--that was all of their job," and they turned to go. - -"Guardapie," said I, "do you intend to leave us here?" - -"Bien, Madame! it is the place we always stop at." - -"Does Monsieur John pay you for bringing his family down?" - -"Oh, yes; Monsieur John has given us an order on the sutler, at the -fort down below." - -"To be paid when you deliver us safe at the fort down below. It seems -I shall be there before you, and I shall arrange that matter. Monsieur -John never dreamed that this would be your conduct." - -The Frenchmen consulted together, and the result was that Guardapie and -two others jumped into the boat, took their oars, and rather sulkily -rowed us the remaining two miles to Fort Howard. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV - -FORT HOWARD--OUR RETURN HOME - - -We soon learned that a great panic prevailed at Green Bay on account -of the Sauks.[108] The people seemed to have possessed themselves with -the idea that the enemy would visit this place on their way to Canada -to put themselves under the protection of the British Government. How -they were to get there from this point--whether they were to stop and -fabricate themselves bark canoes for the purpose, or whether they were -to charter one of Mr. Newberry's schooners for the trip, the good -people did not seem fully to have made up their minds. One thing is -certain, a portion of the citizens were nearly frightened to death, and -were fully convinced that there was no safety for them, but within the -walls of the old dilapidated fort, from which nearly all the troops had -been withdrawn and sent to Fort Winnebago, some time previous. - -Their fears were greatly aggravated by a report, brought by some -traveller, that he had slept at night on the very spot where the Sauks -breakfasted the next morning. Now, as the Sauks were known to be -reduced to very short commons, there was every reason to suppose that -if the man had waited half an hour longer, they would have eaten him; -so he was considered to have made a wonderful escape. - -Our immediate friends and acquaintances were far from joining in these -fears. The utter improbability of such a movement was obvious to all -who considered the nature of the country to be traversed, and the -efficient and numerous body of whites by whom they must be opposed on -their entrance into that neighborhood. There were some, however, who -could not be persuaded that there was even any security but in flight, -and eagerly was the arrival of the "Mariner" looked for, as the anxiety -grew more and more intense. - -The "Mariner" appeared at last. It was early in the morning. In one -hour from that time, the fearful news she brought had spread the -whole length of "the bay." The cholera was in this country! It was in -Detroit--it was among the troops who were on their way to the seat of -war! Whole companies had died of it in the river St. Clair, and the -survivors had been put on shore at Fort Gratiot, to save their lives as -best they might! We were shut in between the savage foe on one hand and -the pestilence on the other![109] - -To those who had friends "at the East," the news was most appalling. It -seemed to unman every one who heard it. A relative, an officer who had -exhibited the most distinguished courage in the battle-field, and also -in some private enterprises demanding unequalled courage and daring, -was the first to bring us the news. When he had communicated it, he -laid his head against the window sill and wept like a child. - -Those who wished to rejoin friends near and dear, left "the bay" in the -"Mariner"; all others considered their present home the safest, and so -it proved, for the dreadful scourge did not visit Green Bay that season. - -The weather was intensely hot, and the musquitoes so thick that we -did not pretend to walk on the parade after sunset, unless armed with -two fans, or green branches to keep constantly in motion, in order to -disperse them. This, by the way, was the surest method of attracting -them. We had somehow forgotten the apathetic indifference which had -often excited our wonder in old Smoker, when we had observed him calmly -sitting and allowing his naked arms and person to become literally -_gray_ with the tormenting insects. Then he would quietly wipe off a -handful, the blood following the movement of the hand over his skin, -and stoically wait for an occasion to repeat the movement. It is said -that the mosquito, if undisturbed until he has taken his fill, leaves a -much less inflamed bite than if brushed away in the midst of his feast. - -By day, the air was at this season filled with what is called the -Green Bay fly, a species of dragon-fly, with which the outer walls -of the houses are at times so covered that their color is hardly -distinguishable. Their existence is very ephemeral, scarcely lasting -more than a day. Their dead bodies are seen adhering to the walls and -windows within, and they fall without in such numbers that after a high -wind has gathered them into rows along the sides of the quarters, one -may walk through them and toss them up with their feet like the dry -leaves in autumn. - -As we walked across the parade, our attention was sometimes called -to a tapping upon the bars of the dungeon in which a criminal was -confined--it was the murderer of Lieutenant Foster. - -It may be remembered that this amiable young officer had been our -travelling companion in our journey from Chicago the preceding year. -Some months after his arrival at Fort Howard, he had occasion to -order a soldier of his company, named Doyle, into confinement for -intoxication. The man, a few days afterward, prevailed on the Sergeant -of the Guard to escort him to Lieutenant Foster's quarters on the plea -that he wished to speak to him. He ascended the stairs to the young -officer's room, while the sergeant and another soldier remained at the -foot, near the door. - -Doyle entered, and addressing Lieutenant Foster, said, "Will you please -tell me. Lieutenant, what I am confined for?" - -"No, sir," replied the officer, "you know your offence well enough; -return to your place of confinement." - -The man ran down stairs, wrenched the gun from the sergeant's hand, and -rushing back, discharged it at the heart of Lieutenant Foster. - -He turned to go to his inner apartment, but exclaiming, "Ah! me," he -fell dead before the entrance. - -Doyle, having been tried by a civil court, was now under sentence, -awaiting his execution. He was a hardened villain, never exhibiting the -slightest compunction for his crime. - -The commanding officer. Major Clark,[110] sent to him one day to -inquire if he wanted anything for his comfort. - -"If the Major pleased," he replied, "he should like to have a light and -a copy of Byron's Works." - -Some fears were entertained that he would contrive to make way with -himself before the day of execution, and to guard against it, he was -deprived of everything that could furnish him a weapon. His food was -served to him in a wooden bowl, lest a bit of broken crockery might be -used as a means of self-destruction. - -One morning he sent a little package to the commanding officer as a -present. It contained a strong rope, fabricated from strips of his -blanket, that he had carefully separated, and with a large stout spike -at the end of it. The message accompanying it was: "He wished Major -Clark to see that if he chose to put an end to himself, he could find -means to do it in spite of him." - -And this hardened frame of mind continued to the last. When he was led -out for execution, in passing beyond the gate, he observed a quantity -of lumber recently collected for the construction of a new Company's -store. - -"Ah! Captain, what are you going to build here?" inquired he of Captain -Scott,[111] who attended him. - -"Doyle," replied his Captain, "you have but a few moments to live--you -had better employ your thoughts about something else." - -"It is for that very reason, Captain," said he, "that I am -enquiring--as my time is short, I wish to gain all the information I -can while it lasts." - - * * * * * - -We were not suffered to remain long in suspense in regard to the -friends we had left behind. In less than two weeks _Old Smoker_ again -made his appearance. He was the bearer of letters from my husband, -informing me that Gen. Dodge was then with him at Fort Winnebago--that -Generals Henry and Alexander[112] were likewise at the fort, and that -as soon as they had recruited their men and horses, which were pretty -well worn out with scouring the country after Black Hawk, they would -march again in pursuit of him towards the head waters of the Rock -river, where they had every reason, from information lately brought in -by the Winnebagoes, to believe he would be found. - -As he charged us to lay aside all uneasiness on his account, and -moreover held forth the hope of soon coming or sending for us, our -minds became more tranquil. - -Not long after this, I was told one morning, that "_a lady_" wished to -see me at the front door. I obeyed the summons, and, to my surprise, -was greeted by my friend, _Madame Four-Legs_. After much demonstration -of joy at seeing me, such as putting her two hands together over her -forehead, and then parting them in a waving kind of gesture--laughing -and patting me on my arms, she drew from her bosom a letter from my -husband, of which she was the bearer, to this effect--"Generals Dodge -and Henry left here a few days since, accompanied by Paquette; they met -the Sauks near the Wisconsin, on the 21st. A battle ensued in which -upwards of fifty of the enemy were killed--our loss was one killed, -and eight wounded. The _citizens_ are well pleased that all this has -been accomplished without any aid from _Old White Beaver_.[BB] The war -must be near its close, for the militia and regulars together will soon -finish the remaining handful of fugitives." - -[Footnote BB: General Atkinson.] - -The arrival of Lieut. Hunter, who had obtained leave of absence in -order to escort us, soon put all things in train for our return to Fort -Winnebago. No Mackinac boat was to be had, but in lieu of it a Durham -boat was procured. This is of a description longer and shallower than -the other, with no convenience for rigging up an awning, or shelter of -any kind over the centre; but its size was better fitted to accommodate -our party, which consisted of Mr. and Mrs. H., the wife of another -officer now stationed at Fort Winnebago, and our cousin. Miss Forsyth, -in addition to our own immediate family. We made up our minds, as will -be supposed, to pretty close quarters. - -Our crew was composed partly of Frenchmen, and partly of soldiers, and -all things being in readiness, we set off one fine, bright morning, in -the latter part of July. - -Our second day's rowing and poling brought us to the Grande Chûte[113] -early in the afternoon. - -Here, it is the custom to disembark at the foot of the rapids, and, -ascending the high bank, walk around the fall, while the men pull the -boat up, through the foaming waters. - -Most of our party had already stepped on shore, when a sudden thought -seized one of the ladies and myself. - -"Let us stay in the boat," said we, "and be pulled up the Chûte." -The rest of the company went on, while we sat and watched with great -interest the preparations the men were making. They were soon overboard -in the water, and attaching a strong rope to the bow of the boat, all -lent their aid in pulling as they marched slowly along with their heavy -load. The cargo, consisting only of our trunks and stores, which were -of no very considerable weight, had not been removed. - -We went on, now and then getting a tremendous bump against a hidden -rock, and frequently splashed by a shower of foam as the waves roared -and boiled around us. - -The men kept as closely as possible to the high, precipitous bank, -where the water was smoothest. At the head of the _cordel_ was a merry -simpleton of a Frenchman, who was constantly turning to grin with -delight at our evident enjoyment and excitement. - -We were indeed in high glee. "Is not this charming?" cried one--"I only -wish--" - -The wish, whatever it was, was cut short by a shout and a crash. "Have -a care, Robineau! Mind where you are taking the boat!" was the cry, but -it came too late. More occupied with the ladies than with his duty, the -leader had guided us into the midst of a sharp, projecting tree that -hung from the bank. The first tug ripped out the side of the boat, -which immediately began to fill with water. - -My companion and I jumped upon the nearest rocks that showed their -heads above the foam. Our screams and the shouts of the men brought -Lieut. Hunter and some Indians, who were above on the bank, dashing -down to our rescue. They carried us in their arms to land, while -the men worked lustily at fishing up the contents of the boat, now -thoroughly saturated with water. - -We scrambled up the high bank, in a miserable plight, to join in the -general lamentation over the probable consequences of the accident. - -"Oh! my husband's new uniform!" cried one, and - -"Oh! the miniatures in the bottom of my trunk!" sighed another--while, -"Oh! the silk dresses, and the ribbons, and the finery," formed the -general chorus. - -No one thought of the provisions, although we had observed in our -progress to shore, the barrel of bread and the tub of ice, which Lieut. -Hunter had providently brought for our refreshment, sailing away on -the dancing waves. Among the boxes brought to land, and "toted" up the -steep bank, was one containing some loaves of sugar and packages of -tea, which I had bought for our winter's supply, from the sutler at -the post. The young Indian, who was the bearer of it, set it upon the -ground, and soon called my attention to a thick, white stream that was -oozing from the corners. I made signs for him to taste it. He dipped -his finger in it, and exclaimed with delight to his companions, when he -perceived what it was. I then pointed to his hatchet, and motioned him -to open the box. He did not require a second invitation--it was soon -hacked to pieces. - -[Illustration: THE GRAND CHÛTE--FOX RIVER. - -From a sketch by Mrs. Kinzie, in original edition.] - -Then, as I beckoned up all the rest of the youngsters who were looking -on, full of wonder, such a scrambling and shouting with delight -succeeded as put us all, particularly the boys, into fits of laughter. -Bowls, dippers, hands, everything that could contain even the smallest -quantity were put in requisition. The squaws were most active. Those -who could do no better, took the stoutest fragments of the blue paper -in which the sugar had been enveloped, and in a trice, nothing remained -but the wet, yellow bundles of tea, and the fragments of the splintered -box which had contained it. - -By this time, fires had been made, and the articles from the trunks -were soon seen covering every shrub and bush in the vicinity. -Fortunately, that containing the "new uniform," had been piled high -above the others, in the centre of the boat, and had received but -little damage, but sad was the condition of the wardrobes in general. - -Not a white article was to be seen. All was mottled, blue-green, red, -and black, intermingling in streaks, and dripping from ends and corners. - -To add to the trouble, the rain began to fall, as rain is apt to do, in -a wild, unsheltered country, and soon the half-dried garments had to -be gathered out of the smoke, and huddled away in a most discouraging -condition. - -The tent was pitched, wet as it was, and the blankets, wrung out of -the water, and partially dried, were spread upon the ground for our -accommodation at night. - -A Hamburgh cheese which had been a part of my stores, was voted to -me for a pillow, and, after a supper, the best part of which, was a -portion of one of the wet loaves which had remained in a barrel too -tightly wedged to drift away, we betook ourselves to our repose. - -The next morning rose hot and sultry. The musquitoes, which the rain -had kept at bay through the night, now began to make themselves amends, -and to torment us unmercifully. - -After our most uncomfortable and unpalatable breakfast, the first -question for consideration was, what we were to do with ourselves. Our -boat lay submerged at the foot of the hill, half way up the rapids. The -nearest habitation among the Wabeenakees was some miles distant, and -this there was no means of reaching, but by an Indian canoe, if some -of our present friends and neighbors would be so obliging as to bring -one for our use. Even then it was doubtful if boats could be found -sufficient to convey all our numerous party back to Green Bay. - -In the midst of these consultations a whoop was heard from beyond the -hill, which here sloped away to the north, at the head of the rapids. - -"There is John! that is certainly his voice!" cried more than one of -the company. - -It was, indeed, my husband, and in a moment he was amongst us. Never -was arrival more opportune, more evidently providential. - -Not having learned our plans, for the unsettled state of the country -had prevented our sending him word, he had come provided with a boat, -to take us to Fort Winnebago. - -Our drying operations, which we had recommenced this morning, were soon -cut short. Everything was shuffled away in the most expeditious manner -possible, and in an incredibly short time we were transferred to the -other boat, which lay quietly above the Chûte, and were pulling away -towards Winnebago Lake. - -We had resolved to go only so far as the vicinity of the lake, where -the breeze would render the musquitoes less intolerable, and then to -stop and make one more attempt at drying our clothing. Accordingly, -when we reached a beautiful high bank near the Little Butte, we stopped -for that purpose again, unpacked our trunks, and soon every bush and -twig was fluttering with the spoils of the cruel waves. - -Hardly had we thus disposed of the last rag, or ribbon, when the tramp -of horses was heard, followed by loud shouts and cheers ringing through -the forest. - -A company of about twenty-five horsemen, with banners flying, veils -fluttering from their hats, and arms glittering in the sun, rode into -our midst, and amid greetings and roars of laughter, inquired into the -nature and reasons of our singular state of confusion. - -They were Colonel Stambaugh and Alexander Irwin of Green Bay, with -a company of young volunteers, and followed by a whooping band of -Menomonees, all bound for the seat of war.[114] We comforted them -with the assurance that the victories were by this time all won, and -the scalps taken; but, expressing the hope that there were yet a few -laurels to be earned, they bade us adieu, and rapidly pursued their -march. - -We crossed Lake Winnebago by the clear beautiful light of a summer -moon. The soft air was just enough to swell the sail, and thus save the -men their labor at the oar. - -The witchery of the hour was not, however, sufficient to induce us -to forego our repose after the heat and annoyances of the day--we -therefore disposed ourselves betimes to be packed away in the centre of -the boat. How it was accomplished, no one of the numerous company could -tell. If any accident had occurred to disturb our arrangement, I am -sure it would have been a Chinese puzzle to put us back again in our -places. The men on the outside had much the best of it, and we rather -envied those who were off watch their ability to snore and change as -the humor took them. - -We reached Powell's just in time to have gone ashore and prepare our -breakfast, had we had wherewithal to prepare it. We had hoped to be -able to procure some supplies here, for hitherto we had been living -on the remains of my husband's ample stock. That was now so nearly -exhausted that when we found the mess-basket could not be replenished -at this place, we began to talk of putting ourselves on allowance. - -The wet bread, of which there had remained an ample store, had, as -may be readily imagined, soon fermented under the influence of a July -sun. The tea, too, notwithstanding our careful efforts at drying it on -newspapers and pieces of board, ere long became musty and unfit for -use. There was, literally, nothing left, except the sotted meat, and a -few crackers, hardly sufficient for the present day. - -The men were therefore urged to make all the speed possible, that we -might reach Gleason's at Lake Puckway in good season on the following -day. - -At evening, when we stopped to take our tea at a beautiful little -opening among the trees, we found our old enemies the musquitoes worse -than ever. It was necessary to put on our cloaks and gloves, and tie -our veils close around our throats, only venturing to introduce a -cracker or a cup of tea under this protection in the most stealthy -manner. - -The men rowed well, and brought us to Gleason's about eleven -o'clock the next day. We were greeted with the most enthusiastic -demonstrations by my old friend _La Grosse Americaine_ who had removed -here from Bellefontaine. - -"Oh! Mrs. Armstrong," cried we, "get us some breakfast--we are -famishing." - -At that instant who should appear but our faithful Mâtâ, driving the -little old calash in which we were in the habit of making our little -excursions in the neighborhood of the fort. He had ridden over, hoping -to meet us, in the idea that some of us would prefer this method of -reaching our home. - -With provident thoughtfulness he had brought tea, roasted coffee, fresh -butter, eggs, etc., lest we should be short of such luxuries in that -advanced stage of our journey. - -His "Good morning, Madame Johns! How do you dos?" was a pleasant and -welcome sound. - -We could not wait for our breakfast, but gathered round La Grosse -Americaine like a parcel of children while she cut and spread slices of -bread and butter for us. - -After our regular meal was finished it was decided that sister Margaret -should take Josette and return with Mats to open the house and make -it ready for our reception. It had been the headquarters of militia, -Indians, and stragglers of various descriptions during our absence, and -we could easily imagine that a little "misrule and unreason" might have -had sway for that period. - -We had yet seventy-two miles, by the devious winding course of the -river, over first the beautiful waters of Lac de Bœuf, and then -through the low marshy lands that spread away to the Portage. An -attempt was made on the part of one of the gentlemen to create a little -excitement among the ladies as we approached the spot where it had -been supposed the Sauks might pass on their way to the Chippewa country. - -"Who knows," said he gravely, "but they may be lurking in this -neighborhood--yet if so, we shall probably have some signal--we must -be on the alert!" Some of the ladies began to turn pale and look about -them. After an interval of perfect silence, a low prolonged whistle -was heard. There was so much agitation, and actual terror, that the -mischievous author of the trick was obliged to confess at once, and -receive a hearty scolding for the pain he had caused. - -Just before sunset of the second day from Gleason's we reached our -home. Everything was _radiant_ with neatness and good order. With the -efficient aid of our good Manaigre and his wife the house had been -white-washed from the roof to the door sill--a thorough scrubbing and -cleansing effected--the carpets unpacked and spread upon the floors, -the furniture arranged, and though last not least, a noble supper -smoked upon the board by the time we had made, once more, a civilized -toilette. - -Many of our friends from the fort were there to greet us, and a more -happy or thankful party has seldom been assembled. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV - -SURRENDER OF WINNEBAGO PRISONERS - - -The war was now considered at an end. The news of the battle of the -Bad Axe, where the regulars, the militia, and the Steamboat Warrior -combined, had made a final end of the remaining handful of Sauks,[115] -had reached us and restored tranquillity to the hearts and homes of the -frontier settlers. - -It may seem wonderful that an enemy, so few in number, and so -insignificant in resources, could have created such a panic, and -required so vast an amount of opposing force to subdue them. The -difficulty had been simply in never knowing where to find them, either -to attack or guard against them. Probably at the outset every military -man thought and felt like the noble old veteran General Brady,[116] -"Give me two Infantry companies mounted," said he, "and I will engage -to whip the Sauks out of the country in one week!" - -True, but to whip the enemy, you must first meet him; and in order to -pursue effectually, and _catch_ the Indians, a peculiar training is -necessary--a training which, at that day, but few, even of the frontier -militia, could boast. - -In some portions of this campaign there was another difficulty. The -want of concert between the two branches of the service. The regular -troops looked with some contempt upon the unprofessional movements -of the militia--the militia railed at the dilatory and useless -formalities of the regulars. Each avowed the conviction that matters -could be much better conducted without the other, and the militia being -prompt to act, sometimes took matters into their own hands, and brought -on defeat and disgrace, as in the affair of "Stillman's Run."[117] - -The feeling of contempt which some of the army officers entertained -for the militia, extended itself to their subordinates and dependents. -After the visit of the Ranger officers to Fort Winnebago, before the -battle of the Wisconsin, the officer of the mess where they had been -entertained, called up his servant one day to inquire into the Sutler's -accounts. He was the same little "Yellow David" who had formerly -appertained to Captain Harney. - -"David," said the young gentleman, "I see three bottles of -cologne-water charged in the month's account of the mess at the -Sutler's. What does that mean?" - -"If you please, Lieutenant," said David respectfully, "it was to -sweeten up the dining-room and quarters, after them milish officers -were here visiting." - -Black Hawk and a few of his warriors had escaped to the north, where -they were shortly after captured by the One-eyed Day-kay-ray and -his party, and brought prisoners to General Street at Prairie du -Chien.[118] The women and children of the band had been put in canoes -and sent down the Mississippi, in hopes of being permitted to cross and -reach the rest of their tribe. - -The canoes had been tied together, and many of them had been upset, -and the children drowned, their mothers being too weak and exhausted -to rescue them. The survivors were taken prisoners, and starving and -miserable, they were brought to Prairie du Chien. Our mother was at the -fort at the time of their arrival. She described their condition as -wretched and reduced, beyond anything she had ever witnessed. One woman -who spoke a little Chippewa gave her an account of the sufferings and -hardships they had endured--it was truly appalling. - -[Illustration: BLACK HAWK. - -(Head-man of the Rock River Sacs.) From oil portrait by R. M. Sully, in -possession of Wisconsin Historical Society.] - -After having eaten such of the horses as could be spared they had -subsisted on acorns, elm-bark, or even grass. Many had died of -starvation, and their bodies had been found lying in their trail by -the pursuing whites. This poor woman had lost her husband in battle, -and all her children by the upsetting of the canoe in which they were, -and her only wish now was, to go and join them. Poor Indians! who can -wonder that they do not love the whites? - -But a very short time had we been quietly at home, when a summons came -to my husband to collect the principal chiefs of the Winnebagoes and -meet Gen. Scott and Gov. Reynolds at Rock Island, where it was proposed -to hold a treaty for the purchase of all the lands east and south of -the Wisconsin. Messengers were accordingly sent to collect them, and, -accompanied by as many as chose to report themselves, he set off on his -journey. - -He had been gone about two weeks, and I was beginning to count the days -which must elapse before I could reasonably expect his return, when, -one afternoon, I went over to pay a visit to my sister at the fort. -As I passed into the large hall that ran through the quarters, Lieut. -Lacy[119] came suddenly in, from the opposite direction, and almost -without stopping, cried, - -"Bad news, madam! Have you heard it?" - -"No. What is it?" - -"The cholera has broken out at Rock Island, and they are dying by five -hundred a day. Dr. Finley has just arrived with the news." So saying, -he vanished without stopping to answer a question. - -The cholera at Rock Island, and my husband there! I flew to the other -door of the hall, which looked out upon the parade ground. A sentinel -was walking near. "Soldier," cried I, "will you run to the young -officers' quarters and ask Dr. Finley to come here for a moment?" - -The man shook his head--he was not allowed to leave his post. - -Presently, Mrs. Lacy's servant girl appeared from a door under the -steps. She was a worthless creature, but where help was so scarce, -ladies could not afford to keep a scrupulous tariff of moral -qualification. - -"Oh! Catherine," said I, "will you run over and ask Dr. Finley to come -here a moment? I must hear what news he has brought from Rock Island." -She put on a modest look and said, - -"I do not like to go to the young officers' quarters." - -I was indignant at her hypocrisy, but I was also wild with impatience, -when to my great joy Dr. Finley made his appearance. - -"Where is my husband?" cried I. - -"On his way home, madam, safe and sound. He will probably be here -to-morrow." He then gave me an account of the ravages the cholera was -making among the troops, which were indeed severe, although less so -than rumor had at first proclaimed. - -Notwithstanding the Doctor's assurance of his safety, my husband was -seized with cholera on his journey. By the kind care of Paquette and -the plentiful use of chicken-broth which the poor woman at whose cabin -he stopped administered to him, he soon recovered, and reached his home -in safety, having taken Prairie du Chien in his route and brought his -mother with him again to her home. - -The Indians had consented to the sale of their beautiful domain. -Indeed, there is no alternative in such cases. If they persist in -retaining them, and become surrounded and hemmed in by the white -settlers, their situation is more deplorable than if they surrendered -their homes altogether. This they are aware of, and therefore, as a -general thing, they give up their lands at the proposal of Government, -and only take care to make the best bargain they can for themselves. -In this instance, they were to receive as an equivalent a tract of -land[BC] extending to the interior of Iowa, and an additional sum of -ten thousand dollars annually. - -[Footnote BC: A belt of land termed the Neutral Ground of the different -opposing Nations.] - -One of the stipulations of the treaty was, the surrender by the -Winnebagoes of certain individuals of their tribe accused of having -participated with the Sauks in some of the murders on the frontier, in -order that they might be tried by our laws, and acquitted or punished -as the case might be. - -Wau-kaun-kau (the little Snake) voluntarily gave himself as a hostage -until the delivery of the suspected persons. He was accordingly -received by the Agent, and marched over and placed in confinement at -the fort, until the other seven accused should appear to redeem him. - -It was a work of some little time on the part of the nation to persuade -these individuals to place themselves in the hands of the whites, that -they might receive justice according to the laws of the latter. The -trial of Red Bird, and his languishing death in prison,[120] were still -fresh in their memories, and it needed a good deal of resolution, as -well as a strong conviction of conscious innocence, to brace them up to -such a step. - -It had to be brought about by arguments and persuasions, for the nation -would never have resorted to force to compel the fulfilment of their -stipulation. - -In the mean time a solemn talk was held with the principal chiefs -assembled at the Agency. A great part of the nation were in the -immediate neighborhood, in obedience to a notice sent by Governor -Porter, who, in virtue of his office of Governor of Michigan Territory, -was also Superintendent of the North West Division of the Indians.[121] -Instead of calling upon the Agent to take charge of the annuity money, -as had heretofore been the custom, he had announced his intention -of bringing it himself to Fort Winnebago, and being present at the -payment. The time appointed had now arrived, and with it, the main body -of the Winnebagoes. - -Such of the Indians as had not attended the treaty at Rock Island, -and been instrumental in the cession of their country, were loud -in their condemnation of the step, and their lamentations over it. -Foremost among these was Wild-Cat, the Falstaff of Garlic Island and -its vicinity. It was little wonder that he should shed bitter tears, -as he did, over the loss of his beautiful home on the blue waters of -Winnebago Lake. - -"If he had not been accidentally stopped," he said, "on his way to the -treaty, and detained until it was too late, he would never, never have -permitted the bargain." - -His "father," who knew that a desperate frolic into which Wild-Cat had -been enticed by the way was the cause of his failing to accompany his -countrymen to Rock Island, replied gravely, - -"That he had heard of the chief's misfortune on this occasion. How -that, in ascending the Fox River, a couple of kegs of _whiskey_ had -come floating down the stream, which, running foul of his canoe with -great force, had injured it to such a degree that he had been obliged -to stop several days at the _Mee-kan_ to repair damages." - -[Illustration: FORT WINNEBAGO IN 1834. - -(Indian agency buildings on hill to left.) From oil painting, based -upon plans and local traditions, by Isaac A. Ridgway.] - -The shouts of laughter which greeted this explanation were so -contagious that poor Wild-Cat himself was compelled to join in it, and -treat his misfortune as a joke. - -The suspected Indians, having engaged the services of Judge Doty[122] -in their defence on their future trial, notice was at length given, -that on a certain day they would be brought to the Portage and -surrendered to their "father," to be by him transferred to the keeping -of the military officer appointed to receive them. - -It was joyful news to poor Wau-kaun-kau, that the day of his release -was at hand. Every time that we had been within the walls of the fort, -we had been saluted by a call from him, as he kept his station at the -guardroom Window: - -"Do you hear anything of those Indians? When are they coming, that I -may be let out?" - -We had endeavored to lighten his confinement by seeing that he was -well supplied with food, and his "father" and Paquette had paid him -occasional visits, but notwithstanding this, and the kindness he had -received at the fort, his confinement was inexpressibly irksome. - -On the morning of a bright autumnal day, notice was given that the -Chiefs of the Nation would present themselves at the Agency to deliver -the suspected persons as prisoners to the Americans. - -At the hour of ten o'clock, as we looked out over the Portage road, we -could descry a moving concourse of people, in which brilliant color, -glittering arms, and, as they approached still nearer, certain white -objects of unusual appearance could be distinguished. - -General Dodge, Major Plympton,[123] and one or two other officers took -their seats with Mr. Kinzie on the platform in front of the door to -receive them, while we stationed ourselves at the window where we could -both see and hear. - -The procession wound up the hill, and then came marching slowly toward -us. It was a grand and solemn sight. First came some of the principal -chiefs in their most brilliant array. Next, the prisoners all habited -in white cotton, in token of their innocence, with girdles round -their waists. The music of the drum and the Shee-shee-qua accompanied -their death-song, which they were chanting. They wore no paint, no -ornaments--their countenances were grave and thoughtful. It might -well be a serious moment to them, for they knew but little of the -custom of the whites, and that little was not such as to inspire -cheerfulness. Only their "father's" assurance that they should receive -"strict justice," would probably have induced them to comply with the -engagements of the nation in this manner. - -The remainder of the procession was made up of a long train of -Winnebagoes, all decked out in their holiday garb. - -The chiefs approached and shook hands with the gentlemen who stood -ready to receive their greeting. Then the prisoners came forward, and -went through the same salutation with the officers. When they offered -their hands to their "father," he declined. - -"No," said he. "You have come here accused of great crime--of having -assisted in taking the lives of some of the defenceless settlers. When -you have been tried by the laws of the land, and been proved innocent, -then, your 'father' will give you his hand." - -They looked still more serious at this address, as if they thought it -indicated that their father, too, believed them guilty, and stepping -back a little, they seated themselves, without speaking, in a row upon -the ground facing their "father" and the officers. The other Indians -all took seats in a circle around them, except the one-eyed chief, -Kau-ray-kau-say-kah, or the White Crow, who had been deputed to deliver -the prisoners to the Agent. - -He made a speech in which he set forth that, "although asserting their -innocence of the charges preferred against them, his countrymen were -quite willing to be tried by the laws of white men. He hoped they would -not be detained long, but that the matter would be investigated soon, -and that they would come out of it clear and white." - -In reply he was assured that all things would be conducted fairly and -impartially, the same as if the accused were white men, and the hope -was added that they would be found to have been good and true citizens, -and peaceful children of their Great Father, the President. - -When this was over, White Crow requested permission to transfer the -medal he had received from the President, as a mark of friendship, to -his son, who stood beside him, and who had been chosen by the nation -to fill his place as chief, an office he was desirous of resigning. -The speeches made upon this occasion, as interpreted by Paquette, the -modest demeanor of the young man, and the dignified yet feeling manner -of the father throughout, made the whole ceremony highly impressive, -and when the latter took the medal from his neck and hung it around -that of his son, addressing him a few appropriate words, I think no one -could have witnessed the scene unmoved. - -I had watched the countenances of the prisoners as they sat on the -ground before me, while all these ceremonies were going forward. -With one exception they were open, calm, and expressive of conscious -innocence. Of that one I could not but admit there might be reasonable -doubts. One was remarkably fine-looking--another was a boy of certainly -not more than seventeen, and during the transfer of the medal he looked -from one to the other, and listened to what was uttered by the speakers -with an air and expression of even child-like interest and satisfaction. - -Our hearts felt sad for them as, the ceremonies finished, they were -conducted by a file of soldiers and committed to the dungeon of the -guard-house, until such time as they should be summoned to attend the -Court appointed to try their cause. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI - -ESCAPE OF THE PRISONERS - - -The Indians did not disperse after the ceremonies of the surrender had -been gone through. They continued still in the vicinity of the Portage, -in the constant expectation of the arrival of the annuity money, which -they had been summoned there to receive. But the time for setting out -on his journey to bring it, was postponed by Gov. Porter from week to -week. Had he foreseen all the evils this delay was to occasion, the -Governor would, unquestionably, have been more prompt in fulfilling his -appointment. - -Many causes conspired to make an early payment desirable. In the first -place, the Winnebagoes, having been driven from their homes by their -anxiety to avoid all appearance of fraternizing with the Sacs, had -made this year no gardens nor cornfields. They had, therefore, no -provisions on hand, either for their present use, or for their winter's -consumption, except their scanty supplies of wild rice. While this was -disappearing during their protracted detention at the Portage, they -were running the risk of leaving themselves quite unprovided with food, -in case of a bad hunting season during the winter and spring. - -In the next place, the rations which the Agent had been accustomed, -by the permission of Government, to deal out occasionally to them, -were now cut off by a scarcity in the Commissary's department. The -frequent levies of the militia during the summer campaign, and the -reinforcement of the garrison by the troops from Fort Howard had drawn -so largely on the stores at this post, that there was every necessity -for the most rigid economy in the issuing of supplies. - -Foreseeing this state of things, Mr. Kinzie, as soon as the war was -at an end, commissioned Mr. Kercheval, then sutler at Fort Howard, to -procure him a couple of boat-loads of corn, to be distributed among the -Indians. Unfortunately, there was no corn to be obtained from Michigan; -it was necessary to bring it from Ohio, and by the time it at length -reached Green Bay, (for in those days business was never done in a -hurry,) the navigation of the Fox river had closed, and it was detained -there, to be brought up the following spring. - -As day after day wore on and "the silver" did not make its appearance, -the Indians were advised by their father to disperse to their hunting -grounds to procure food, with the promise that they should be summoned -immediately on the arrival of Gov. Porter; and this advice they -followed. - -While they had been in our neighborhood, they had more than once asked -permission to dance the _scalp dance_ before our door. This is the most -frightful, heart-curdling exhibition that can possibly be imagined. The -scalps are stretched on little hoops, or frames, and carried on the -end of a pole. These are brandished about in the course of the dance, -with cries, shouts and furious gestures. The women who commence as -spectators, becoming excited with the scene and the music which their -own discordant notes help to make more deafening, rush in, seize the -scalps from the hands of the owners, and toss them frantically about -with the screams and yells of demons. - -I have seen as many as forty or fifty scalps figuring in one dance. -Upon one occasion one was borne by an Indian who approached quite near -me, and I shuddered as I observed the long, fair hair, evidently that -of a woman. Another Indian had the skin of a human hand, stretched and -prepared with as much care as if it had been some costly jewel. When -these dances occurred, as they sometimes did, by moonlight, they were -peculiarly horrid and revolting. - - * * * * * - -Amid so many events of a painful character, there were not wanting -occasionally some that bordered on the ludicrous. - -One evening, while sitting at tea, we were alarmed by the sound of guns -firing in the direction of the Wisconsin. All started up, and prepared, -instinctively, for flight to the garrison. As we left the house, we -found the whole bluff and the meadow below in commotion. Indians -running with their guns and spears across their shoulders, to the scene -of alarm; squaws and children standing in front of their lodges and -looking anxiously in the direction of the unusual and unaccountable -sounds--groups of French and half-breeds, all like ourselves, fleeing -to gain the bridge and place themselves within the pickets so lately -erected. - -As one company of Indians passed us hurriedly, some weapon carelessly -carried hit one of our party on the side of the head. "Oh!" shrieked -she, "I am killed! an Indian has tomahawked me!" and she was only -reassured by finding she could still run as fast as the best of us. - -When we reached the parade-ground, within the fort, we could not help -laughing at the grotesque appearance each presented. Some without hats -or shawls--others with packages of valuables hastily secured at the -moment--one with her piece of bread and butter in hand, which she had -not the presence of mind to lay aside when she took to flight. - -The alarm was, in the end, found to have proceeded from a party of -Winnebagoes from one of the Barribault villages, who, being about to -leave their home for a long period, were going through the ceremony of -burying the scalps they and their fathers had taken. - -Like the military funerals among civilized nations, their solemnities -were closed on this occasion by the discharge of several volleys over -the grave of their trophies. - - * * * * * - -At length, about the beginning of November, Governor Porter, -accompanied by Major Forsyth and Mr. Kercheval, arrived with the -annuity money. The Indians were again assembled--the payment was made, -and having supplied themselves with a larger quantity of ammunition -than usual, for they saw the necessity of a good hunt to remedy past -and present deficiencies, they set off for their wintering grounds. - -We were, ourselves, about changing our quarters, to our no small -satisfaction. Notwithstanding the Indian disturbances, the new Agency -House (permission to build which had at length been accorded by -Government) had been going steadily on, and soon after the departure of -the Governor and our other friends, we took possession of it. - -We had been settled but a few weeks, when one morning Lieut. -Davies[124] appeared just as we were sitting down to breakfast, with a -face full of consternation. "_The Indian prisoners had escaped from the -black-hole!_ The commanding officer, Col. Cutler,[125] had sent for Mr. -Kinzie to come over to the fort, and counsel with him what was to be -done." - -The prisoners had probably commenced their operations in planning -escape very soon after being placed in the _black-hole_, a dungeon in -the basement of the guard-house. They observed that their meals were -brought regularly, three times a day, and that in the intervals they -were left entirely to themselves. With their knives they commenced -excavating an opening, the earth from which, as it was withdrawn, they -spread about on the floor of their prison. A blanket was placed over -this hole, and one of the company was always seated upon it, before -the regular time for the soldier who had charge of them to make his -appearance. When the periodical visit was made, the Indians were always -observed to be seated, smoking in the most orderly and quiet manner. -There was never anything to excite suspicion. - -The prisoners had never read the memoirs of Baron Trenck, but they had -watched the proceedings of the badgers; so, profiting by their example, -they worked on, shaping the opening spirally, until, in about six -weeks, they came out to the open air beyond the walls of the fort. - -That they might be as little encumbered as possible in their flight, -they left their blankets behind them, and although it was bitter cold -December weather, they took to the woods and prairies with only their -calico shirts and leggings for covering. We can readily believe that -hope and exultation kept them comfortably warm, until they reached an -asylum among their friends. - -It would be compromising our own reputation as loyal and patriotic -citizens, to tell all the secret rejoicings this news occasioned us. - -The question now was, how to get the fugitives back again. The agent -could promise no more than that he would communicate with the chiefs, -and represent the wishes of the officers that the prisoners should once -more surrender themselves, and thus free those who had had the charge -of them from the imputation of carelessness, which the Government would -be very likely to throw upon them. - -When, according to their custom, many of the chiefs assembled at the -Agency, on New Year's day, their father laid the subject before them. - -The Indians replied, that _if they saw the young men_, they would -tell them what the officers would like to have them do. They could, -themselves, do nothing in the matter. They had fulfilled their -engagement by bringing them once and putting them in the hands of the -officers. The Government had had them in its power once and could not -keep them--it must now go and catch them itself. - -"The Government" having had some experience the past summer in -"catching Indians," wisely concluded to drop the matter. - -About this time another event occurred which occasioned no small -excitement in our little community. Robineau, the striker from the -blacksmith establishment at Sugar Creek, near the Four Lakes, arrived -one very cold day at the Agency. He had come to procure medical aid -for Mâtâ's eldest daughter, Sophy, who, while sliding on the lake, -had fallen on the ice and been badly hurt. Her father was absent, -having gone to Prairie du Chien, to place his youngest daughter at -school. Two or three days had elapsed since the accident had happened, -but as a high fever had set in, and the poor girl was in a state of -great suffering, it had been thought best to send Robineau to us for -advice and aid, leaving Turcotte and a friendly Indian woman from a -neighboring lodge to take charge of poor Sophy. - -The commanding officer did not think it prudent, when the subject was -laid before him, to permit the surgeon to leave the post, but he very -cheerfully granted leave of absence to Currie, the hospital steward, a -young man who possessed some knowledge of medicine and surgery. - -As it was important that Sophy should have an experienced nurse, we -procured the services of Madam Bellaire, the wife of the Frenchman -who was generally employed as express to Chicago--and as an aid and -companion, Agatha, daughter of Day-kau-ray, who lived in Paquette's -family, was added to the party. - -Of Agatha I shall have more to say hereafter, but at present I must -proceed with my story. - -The weather was excessively cold when Robineau, Currie and the two -women set out for Sugar Creek, a distance of about forty miles. We had -taken care to provide them with a good store of rice, crackers, tea and -sugar, for the invalid, all of which, with their provisions for the -way, were packed on the horse Robineau had ridden to the Portage. It -was expected they would reach their place of destination on the second -day. - -What, then, was our surprise, to see Turcotte make his appearance on -the fourth day after their departure, to inquire why Robineau had -not returned with aid for poor Sophy! There was but one solution of -the mystery. Robineau had guided them as ill as he had guided the -boat at the Grande Chûte the summer before, and although he could not -shipwreck them, he had undoubtedly lost them in the woods or prairies. -One comfort was, that they could not well starve, for the rice and -crackers would furnish them with several days' provisions, and with -Agatha, who must be accustomed to this kind of life, they could not -fail in time of finding Indians, and being brought back to the Portage. - -Still, day after day went on and we received no tidings of them. -Turcotte returned to Sugar Creek with comforts and prescriptions for -Sophy, and the commanding officer sent out a party to hunt for the -missing ones, among whom poor Currie, from his delicate constitution, -was the object of the greatest commiseration. - -As the snow fell, and the winds howled, we could employ ourselves about -nothing but walking from window to window watching, in hopes of seeing -some one appear in the distance. No Indians were at hand whom we could -despatch upon the search, and by the tenth day we had almost given up -in despair. - -It was then that the joyful news was suddenly brought us, "They -are found! They are at the Fort!" A party of soldiers who had been -exploring had encountered them at Hastings' Woods, twelve miles -distant, slowly and feebly making their way back to the Portage. They -knew they were on the right track, but had hardly strength to pursue it. - -Exhausted with cold and hunger, for their provisions had given out two -days before, they had thought seriously of killing the horse and eating -him--nothing but Currie's inability to proceed on foot, and the dread -of being compelled to leave him in the woods to perish, had deterred -them. - -Agatha had from the first been convinced that they were on the wrong -track, but Robineau, with his usual obstinacy, persevered in keeping -it until it brought them to the Rock River, when he was obliged to -acknowledge his error, and they commenced retracing their steps. - -Agatha, according to the custom of her people, had carried her hatchet -with her, and thus they had always had a fire at night, and boughs -to shelter them from the storms, otherwise they must inevitably have -perished. - -There were two circumstances which aroused in us a stronger feeling -even than that of sympathy. The first was, the miserable Robineau -having demanded of Currie, first, all his money, and afterwards his -watch, as a condition of his bringing the party back into the right -path, which he averred he knew perfectly well. - -The second was, Bellaire having given his kind, excellent wife a hearty -flogging "for going off," as he said, "on such a fool's errand." - -The latter culprit was out of our jurisdiction, but Mons. Robineau was -discharged on the spot, and warned that he might think himself happy to -escape a legal process for swindling. - -I am happy to say that Sophy Mâtâ, in whose behalf all these sufferings -had been endured, was quite recovered by the time her father returned -from "the Prairie." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII - -AGATHA--TOMAH - - -Agatha was the daughter of an Indian who was distinguished by the name -of _Rascal_ Day-kau-ray. Whether he merited the appellation must be -determined hereafter. He was brother to the grand old chief of that -name, but as unlike him as it is possible for those of the same blood -to be. - -The Day-kau-rays were a very handsome family, and this daughter was -remarkable for her fine personal appearance. A tall, well-developed -form, a round sweet face, and that peculiarly soft, melodious voice -which belongs to the women of her people, would have attracted -the attention of a stranger, while the pensive expression of her -countenance irresistibly drew the hearts of all towards her, and -prompted the wish to know more of her history. As I received it from -her friend, Mrs. Paquette, it was indeed a touching one. - -A young officer at the fort had seen her and had set, I will not say -his heart--it may be doubted if he had one--but his mind upon her. He -applied to Paquette to negotiate what he called a marriage with her. I -am sorry to say that Paquette was induced to enter into this scheme. He -knew full well the sin of making false representations to the family of -Agatha, and he knew the misery he was about to bring upon her. - -The poor girl was betrothed to a young man of her own people, and, -as is generally the case, the attachment on both sides was very -strong. Among these simple people, who have few subjects of thought or -speculation beyond the interests of their daily life, their affections -and their animosities form the warp and woof of their character. All -their feelings are intense, from being concentrated on so few objects. -Family relations, particularly with the women, engross the whole amount -of their sensibilities. - -The marriage connection is a sacred and indissoluble tie. I have read, -in a recent report to the Historical Society of Wisconsin, that, in -former times, a temporary marriage between a white man and a Menomonee -woman was no uncommon occurrence, and that such an arrangement brought -no scandal. I am afraid that if such cases were investigated, a good -deal of deceit and misrepresentation would be found to have been added -to the other sins of the transaction; and that the woman would be found -to have been a victim, instead of a willing participant, in such a -connexion. - -At all events, no system of this kind exists among the Winnebagoes. The -strictest sense of female propriety is a distinguishing trait among -them. A woman who transgresses it, is said to have "forgotten herself," -and is sure to be cast off and "forgotten" by her friends. - -The marriage proposed between the young officer and the daughter of -Day-kau-ray, was understood as intended to be true and lasting. The -father would not have exposed himself to the contempt of his whole -nation by selling his daughter to become the mistress of any man. The -Day-kau-rays, as I have elsewhere said, were not a little proud of a -remote cross of French blood which mingled with the aboriginal stream -in their veins, and probably in acceding to the proposed connection, -the father of Agatha was as much influenced by what he considered -the honor to be derived, as by the amount of valuable presents which -accompanied the overtures made to him. - -Be that as it may, the poor girl was torn from her lover, and -transferred from her father's lodge to the quarters of the young -officer. - -There were no ladies in the garrison at that time. Had there been, -such a step would hardly have been ventured. Far away in the -wilderness, shut out from the salutary influences of religious and -social cultivation, what wonder that the moral sense sometimes becomes -blinded, and that the choice is made, "Evil, be thou my good!" - -The first step in wrong was followed by one still more aggravated in -cruelty. The young officer left the post, as he said, on furlough, but -_he never returned_. The news came that he was married, and when he -again joined his regiment it was at another post. - -There was a natural feeling in the strength of the "woe pronounced -against him" by more tongues than one. "He will never," said my -informant, "dare show himself in this country again! Not an Indian who -knows the Day-kau-rays but would take his life if he should meet him!" - -Every tie was broken for poor Agatha but that which bound her to her -infant. She never returned to her father's lodge, for she felt that, -being deserted, she was dishonored. Her sole ambition seemed to be to -bring up her child like those of the whites. She attired it in the -costume of the French children, with a dress of bright calico, and a -cap of the same, trimmed with narrow black lace. It was a fine child, -and the only time I ever saw a smile cross her face, was when it was -commended and caressed by some member of our family. - -Even this, her only source of happiness, poor Agatha was called upon -to resign. During our absence at Green Bay, while the Sauks were in -the neighborhood, the child was taken violently ill. The house at -Paquette's, which was the mother's home, was thronged with Indians, and -of course there was much noise and disturbance. A place was prepared -for her under our roof, where she could be more quiet, and receive the -attendance of the post physician. It was all in vain--nothing could -save the little creature's life. The bitter agony of the mother, as she -hung over the only treasure she possessed on earth, was described to -me as truly heart-rending. When compelled to part with it, it seemed -almost more than nature could bear. There were friends, not of her own -nation or color, who strove to comfort her. Did the father ever send a -thought or inquiry after the fate of his child, or of the young being -whose life he had rendered dark and desolate? We will hope that he -did--that he repented and asked pardon from above for the evil he had -wrought. - -Agatha had been baptized by M. Mazzuchelli. Perhaps she may have -acquired some religious knowledge which could bring her consolation in -her sorrows, and compensate her for the hopes and joys so early blasted. - -She came, some months after the death of her child, in company with -several of the half-breed women of the neighborhood, to pay me a visit -of respect and congratulation. When she looked at her "little brother," -as he was called, and took his soft tiny hand within her own, the tears -stood in her eyes, and she spoke some little words of tenderness, which -showed that her heart was full. I could scarcely refrain from mingling -my tears with hers, as I thought on all the sorrow and desolation that -one man's selfishness had occasioned. - -Early in February, 1833, my husband and Lieut. Hunter, in company with -one or two others, sat off on a journey to Chicago. That place had -become so much of a town, (it contained perhaps fifty inhabitants), -that it was necessary for the proprietors of "Kinzie's Addition" to -lay out lots and open streets through their property. All this was -accomplished during the present visit. - -While they were upon the ground with a surveyor, the attention of my -husband was drawn towards a very bright-looking boy in Indian costume, -who went hopping along by the side of the assistant who carried the -chain, mimicking him as in the course of his operations he cried, -"stick!" "stuck!" He inquired who the lad was, and to his surprise -learned that he was the brother of the old family servants, Victoire, -Geneveive and Baptiste. Tomah, for that was his name, had never been -arrayed in civilized costume; he was in blanket and leggins, and had -always lived in a wigwam. My husband inquired if he would like to go to -Fort Winnebago with him, and learn to be a white boy. The idea pleased -him much, and his mother having given her sanction to the arrangement, -he was packed in a wagon, with the two gentlemen and their travelling -gear, and they set forth on their return journey. - -Tomah had been equipped in a jacket and pants, with the other articles -of apparel necessary to his new sphere and character. They were near -the Aux Plains, and approaching the residence of Glode (Claude) -Laframboise, where Tomah knew he should meet acquaintances. He asked -leave to get out of the wagon and walk a little way. When they next saw -him, he was in full Pottowattamic costume, and although it was bitter -winter weather, he had put on his uncomfortable native garb rather -than show himself to his old friends in a state of transformation. - -On his arrival at Fort Winnebago, our first care was to furnish him -with a complete wardrobe, which, having been placed in a box in his -sleeping apartment, was put under his charge. Words cannot express his -delight as the valuable possessions were confided to him. Every spare -moment was devoted to their contemplation. Now and then Tomah would -be missing. He was invariably found seated by the side of his little -trunk, folding and refolding his clothes, laying them now lengthwise, -now crosswise, the happiest of mortals. - -The next step was, to teach him to be useful. Such little offices were -assigned to him at first as might be supposed not altogether new to -him, but we soon observed that when there was anything in the shape of -work, Tomah slipt off to bed, even if it were before he had taken his -supper. Some fish were given him one evening to scale; it was just at -dark; but Tom, according to custom, retired at once to bed. - -The cook came to inquire what was to be done. I was under the necessity -of calling in my husband's aid as interpreter. He sent for Tomah. When -he came into the parlor, Mr. Kinzie said to him in Pottowattamic:-- - -"There are some fish, Tomah, in the kitchen, and we want you to scale -them." - -"Now?" exclaimed Tom, with an expression of amazement, "it is very -late." - -A young lady. Miss Rolette, who was visiting us, and who understood -the language, could not refrain from bursting into a laugh at the -simplicity with which the words were uttered, and we joined her -for sympathy, at which Tom looked a little indignant, but when he -understood that it was the _white custom_ to scale the fish at night, -and put salt and pepper on them, he was soon reconciled to do his duty -in the matter. - -His next office was to lay the table. There was a best service of -china, which was to be used when we had company, and a best set of -teaspoons, which I kept in the drawer of a bureau in my own room above -stairs. I was in the habit of keeping this drawer locked, and putting -the key under a small clock on the mantel-piece. The first time that I -had shown Tomah how to arrange matters for visitors, I had brought the -silver and put it on the table myself. - -Soon after, we were to have company to tea again, and I explained -to Tomah that the best china must be used. What was my surprise, on -going through the dining-room a short time after, to see not only the -new china, but the "company silver" also on the table. I requested my -mother to inquire into the matter. - -Tomah said, very coolly, "He got the silver where it was kept." - -"Did he find the drawer open?" - -"No--he opened it with a key." - -"Was the key in the drawer?" - -"No--it was under that thing on the shelf." - -"How did he know it was kept there." - -This was what Mr. Tomah declined telling. We could never ascertain -whether he had watched my movements at any time. No one had ever seen -him in that part of the house, and yet there could scarcely an article -be mentioned of which Tomah did not know the whereabout. If any one was -puzzled to find a thing it was always, - -"Ask Tomah--he will tell you." And so in fact he did. He was a subject -of much amusement to the young officers. We were to have "a party" -one evening--all the families and young officers at the fort. To make -Tomah's appearance as professional as possible, we had made him a white -apron with long sleeves to put on while he was helping Mary and Josette -to carry round tea--for I must acknowledge that Tomah's clothes were -not kept in as nice order out of the trunk as in it. - -Tom was delighted with his new costume, as well as with the new -employment. He acquitted himself to perfection, for he had never any -difficulty in imitating what he saw another do. After tea we had some -music. As I was standing by the piano at which one of the ladies was -seated, Lt. Vancleve[126] said to me in a low tone, - -"Look behind you a moment." - -I turned. There sat Tom between two of the company, as stately as -possible, with his white apron smoothed down, and his hands clasped -before him, listening to the music, and on the best possible terms -with himself and all around him. Julian and Edwin were hardly able to -restrain their merriment, but they were afraid to do or say anything -that would cause him to move before the company had had a full -enjoyment of the scene. It was voted unanimously that Tomah should -be permitted to remain and enjoy the pleasures of society for one -evening--but, with characteristic restlessness, he got tired as soon as -the music was over, and unceremoniously took his leave of the company. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII - -CONCLUSION - - -What we had long anticipated of the sufferings of the Indians, began -to manifest itself as the spring drew on. It first came under our -observation by the accounts brought in, by those who came in little -parties begging for food. - -As long as it was possible to issue occasional rations their father -continued to do so, but the supplies in the Commissary Department -were now so much reduced that Col. Cutler did not feel justified in -authorizing anything beyond a scanty relief, and this in extreme cases. - -We had ourselves throughout the winter used the greatest economy with -our own stores, that we might not exhaust our slender stock of flour -and meal before it could be replenished from "below." We had even -purchased some sour flour which had been condemned by the commissary, -and had contrived by a plentiful use of saleratus, and a due proportion -of potatoes, to make of it a very palatable kind of bread. But as we -had continued to give to party after party, as they would come to us to -represent their famishing condition, the time at length arrived when we -had nothing to give. - -The half-breed families of the neighborhood, who had, like ourselves, -continued to share with the needy as long as their own stock lasted, -were now obliged, of necessity, to refuse further assistance. These -women often came in to lament with us over the sad accounts that were -brought from the wintering grounds. It had been a very open winter. -The snow had scarcely been enough at any time to permit the Indians to -track the deer, in fact, all the game had been driven off by the troops -and war parties scouring the country through the preceding summer. - -We heard of their dying by companies from mere destitution, and lying -stretched in the road to the Portage, whither they were striving to -drag their exhausted frames. Soup made of the bark of the slippery elm, -or stewed acorns, were the only food that many had subsisted on for -weeks. - -We had for a long time received our food by daily rations from -the garrison, for things had got to such a pass that there was no -possibility of obtaining a barrel of flour at a time. After our meals -were finished, I always went into the pantry, and collecting carefully -every remaining particle of food set it aside to be given to some of -the wretched applicants by whom we were constantly thronged. - -One day as I was thus employed, a face appeared at the window with -which I had once been familiar. It was the pretty daughter of the elder -Day-kau-ray. She had formerly visited us often, watching with great -interest our employments--our sewing, or weeding and cultivating the -garden, or our reading. Of the latter, I had many times endeavored to -give her some idea, showing her the plates in the Family Bible, and -doing my best to explain them to her, but of late I had quite lost -sight of her. Now, how changed, how wan she looked! As I addressed her -with my ordinary phrase, "_Tshah-ko-zhah?_" (What is it?) she gave a -sigh that was almost a sob. She did not beg, but her countenance spoke -volumes. - -I took my dish and handed it to her, expecting to see her devour the -contents eagerly, but no--she took it, and making signs that she would -soon return, walked away. When she brought it back, I was almost sure -she had not tasted a morsel herself. - - * * * * * - -The boats--the boats with the corn! Why did they not come? We both -wrote and sent to hasten them, but alas! everything and everybody moved -so slowly in those unenterprising times! We could only feel sure that -they would come when they were ready, and not a moment before. - -We were soon obliged to keep both doors and windows fast, to shut out -the sight of misery we could not relieve. If a door was opened for the -admission of a member of the family, some wretched mother would rush -in, grasp the hand of my infant, and placing that of her famishing -child within it, tell us pleadingly, that he was imploring "his little -brother" for food. The stoutest-hearted man could not have beheld with -dry eyes the heart-rending spectacle which often presented itself. It -was in vain that we screened the lower portion of our windows with -curtains. They would climb up on the outside, and tier upon tier of -gaunt, wretched faces would peer in above, to watch us, and see if, -indeed, we were as ill-provided as we represented ourselves. - -The noble old Day-kau-ray came one day, from the Barribault, to apprise -us of the state of his village. More than forty of his people, he -said, had now been for many days without food, save bark and roots. -My husband accompanied him to the commanding officer to tell his -story, and ascertain ii any amount of food could be obtained from that -quarter. The result was, the promise of a small allowance of flour, -sufficient to alleviate the cravings of his own family. - -When this was explained to the chief, he turned away. "No," he said, -"if his people could not be relieved, he and his family would starve -with them!" And he refused, for those nearest and dearest to him, the -proffered succor, until all could share alike. - -The announcement, at length, that "the boats were in sight," was a -thrilling and most joyful sound. - -Hundreds of poor creatures were at once assembled on the bank, watching -their arrival. Oh! how torturing was their slow approach, by the -winding course of the river, through the extended prairie! As the first -boat touched the bank, we, who were gazing on the scene with anxiety -and impatience only equalled by that of the sufferers, could scarcely -refrain from laughing, to see old Wild-Cat, who had somewhat fallen off -in his huge amount of flesh, seize "the Washington Woman" in his arms, -and hug and dance with her in the ecstasy of his delight. - -Their father made a sign to them all to fall to work with their -hatchets, which they had long held ready, and in an incredibly short -time, barrel after barrel was broken open and emptied, while even the -little children possessed themselves of pans and kettles full, and -hastened to the fires that were blazing around to parch and cook that -which they had seized. - -From this time forward, there was no more destitution. The present -abundance was followed by the arrival of supplies for the Commissary's -Department; and refreshed and invigorated, our poor children departed -once more to their villages, to make ready their crops for the ensuing -season. - -In the course of the spring, we received a visit from the Rev. Mr. -Kent, and Mrs. Kent, of Galena.[127] This event is memorable, as being -the first occasion on which the Gospel, according to the Protestant -faith, was preached at Fort Winnebago. The large parlor of the hospital -was fitted up for the service, and gladly did we each say to the other, -"Let us go to the house of the Lord!" - -For nearly three years had we lived here without the blessing of -a public service of praise and thanksgiving. We regarded this -commencement as an omen of better times, and our little "sewing -society" worked with renewed industry, to raise a fund which might be -available hereafter, in securing the permanent services of a missionary. - - * * * * * - -Not long after this, on a fine spring morning, as we were seated at -breakfast, a party of Indians entered the parlor, and came to the door -of the room where we were. Two of them passed through, and went out -upon a small portico--the third remained standing in the door-way at -which he had at first appeared. He was nearly opposite me, and as I -raised my eyes, spite of his change of dress, and the paint with which -he was covered, I at once recognized him. - -I continued to pour the coffee, and as I did so, I remarked to my -husband, "The one behind you, with whom you are speaking, is one of the -escaped prisoners." - -Without turning his head, he continued to listen to all the directions -they were giving him about the repairing of their guns, traps, &c., -which they wished to leave with the blacksmith. As they went on, he -cautiously turned his head towards the parlor door, and replied to the -one speaking to him from there. When he again addressed me, it was to -say, - -"You are right, but it is no affair of ours. We are none of us to look -so as to give him notice that we suspect anything. They are undoubtedly -innocent, and have suffered enough already." - -Contrary to his usual custom, their father did not ask their names, but -wrote their directions, which he tied to their different implements, -and then bade them go and deliver them themselves to M. Morrin. - -The rest of our circle were greatly pleased at the young fellow's -audacity, and we quite longed to tell the officers that we could have -caught one of their fugitives for them, if we had had a mind. - - * * * * * - -The time had now come when we began to think seriously of leaving our -pleasant home, and taking up our residence at Detroit, while making -arrangements for a permanent settlement at Chicago. - -The intelligence, when communicated to our Winnebago children, brought -forth great lamentations and demonstrations of regret. From the -surrounding country they came flocking in, to inquire into the truth -of the tidings they had heard, and to petition earnestly that we would -continue to live and die among them. - -Among them all no one seemed so overwhelmed with affliction as -Elizabeth, our poor _Cut-nose_. When we first told her of our -intention, she sat for hours in the same spot, wiping away the tears -that would find their way down her cheeks, with the corner of the -chintz shawl she wore pinned across her bosom. - -"No! never, never, never shall I find such friends again," she would -exclaim. "You will go away, and I shall be left here _all alone_." - -Wild-Cat too, the fat, jolly Wild-Cat, gave way to the most audible -lamentations. - -"Oh! my little brother," he said to the baby, on the morning of our -departure, when he had insisted on taking him and seating him on his -fat, dirty knee, "you will never come back to see your poor brother -again!" - -And having taken an extra glass on the occasion, he wept like an infant. - -It was with sad hearts that on the morning of the 1st of July, 1833, -we bade adieu to the long cortege which followed us to the boat, now -waiting to convey us to Green Bay, where we were to meet Governor -Porter and Mr. Brush, and proceed, under their escort, to Detroit. - -When they had completed their tender farewells, they turned to -accompany their father across the Portage, on his route to Chicago, and -long after, we could see them winding along the road, and hear their -loud lamentations at a parting which they foresaw would be forever. - - - - -APPENDIX - - -As I have given throughout the Narrative of the Sauk War, the -impressions we received from our own observation, or from information -furnished us at the time, I think it but justice to Black Hawk and his -party to insert, by way of Appendix, the following account, preserved -among the manuscript writings of the late Thomas Forsyth, Esq., of St. -Louis, who, after residing among the Indians many years as a trader, -was, until the year 1830, the Agent of the Sauks and Foxes.[128] The -manuscript was written in 1832, while Black Hawk and his compatriots -were in prison at Jefferson Barracks. - - * * * * * - -"The United States troops under the command of Major Stoddard arrived -here,[BD] and took possession of this country in the month of February, -1804. In the spring of that year, a white person (a man or boy), was -killed in Cuivre Settlement, by a Sauk Indian. Some time in the summer -following, a party of United States troops were sent up to the Sauk -village on Rocky river, and a demand made of the Sauk Chiefs for the -murderer. The Sauk Chiefs did not hesitate a moment, but delivered him -up to the commander of the troops, who brought him down and delivered -him over to the civil authority in this place (St. Louis). - -[Footnote BD: St. Louis, Mo.] - -"Some time in the ensuing autumn some Sauk and Fox Indians came to this -place, and had a conversation with General Harrison (then Governor of -Indian Territory, and acting Governor of this State, then Territory of -Louisiana), on the subject of liberating their relative, then in prison -at this place for the above-mentioned murder. - -"Quash-quame, a Sauk chief, who was the head man of this party, has -repeatedly said, 'Mr. Pierre Choteau, Sen., came several times to my -camp, offering that if I would sell the lands on the east side of -the Mississippi river, Governor Harrison would liberate my relation, -(meaning the Sauk Indian then in prison as above related), to which -I at last agreed, and sold the lands from the mouth of the Illinois -river up the Mississippi river as high as the mouth of Rocky river -(now Rock river), and east to the ridge that divides the waters of the -Mississippi and Illinois rivers, but I never sold any more lands.' -Quash-quame also said to Governor Edwards, Governor Clark and Mr. -Auguste Chouteau, Commissioners appointed to treat with the Chippewas, -Ottowas, and Pottowattamies of Illinois river, in the summer of 1816, -for lands on the west side of the Illinois river: - -"'Your white men may put on paper what you please, but again I tell -you, I never sold any lands higher up the Mississippi than the mouth of -Rocky river.' - -"In the treaty first mentioned, the line commences opposite to -the mouth of Gasconade river, and running in a direct line to the -headwaters of Jefferson[BE] river, thence down that river to the -Mississippi river--thence up the Mississippi river to the mouth of the -Ouisconsin river--thence up that river thirty-six miles--thence in a -direct line to a little lake in Fox river of Illinois, down Fox river -to Illinois river, down Illinois river to its mouth, thence down the -Mississippi river to the mouth of Missouri river, thence up that river -to the place of beginning. See Treaty dated at St. Louis, 4th November, -1804. - -[Footnote BE: There is no such river in this country, therefore this -treaty is null and void---of no effect in law or equity. Such was the -opinion of the late Gov. Howard. (T. F.)] - -"The Sauk and Fox nations were never consulted, nor had any hand in -this Treaty, nor knew anything about it. It was made and signed by two -Sauk chiefs, one Fox chief and one warrior. - -"When the annuities were delivered to the Sauk and Fox nations of -Indians, according to the treaty above referred to (amounting to $1,000 -per annum), the Indians always thought they were presents, (as the -annuity for the first twenty years was always paid in goods, sent on -from Georgetown, District of Columbia, and poor articles of merchandize -they were, very often damaged and not suitable for Indians), until I, -as their Agent, convinced them of the contrary, in the summer of 1818. -When the Indians heard that the goods delivered to them were annuities -for land, sold by them to the United States, they were astonished, and -refused to accept of the goods, denying that they ever sold the lands -as stated by me, their Agent. The Black Hawk in particular, who was -present at the time, made a great noise about this land, and would -never receive any part of the annuities from that time forward. He -always denied the authority of Quash-quame and others to sell any part -of their lands, and told the Indians not to receive any presents or -annuities from any American--otherwise their lands would be claimed at -some future day. - -"As the United States do insist, and retain the lands according to the -Treaty of Nov. 4, 1804, why do they not fulfil _their_ part of that -Treaty as equity demands? - -"The Sauk and Fox nations are allowed, according to that Treaty, 'to -live and hunt on the lands so ceded, as long as the aforesaid lands -belong to the United States.' In the spring of the year 1827, about -twelve or fifteen families of squatters arrived and took possession of -the Sauk village, near the mouth of the Rocky river. They immediately -commenced destroying the Indians' bark boats. Some were burned, others -were torn to pieces, and when the Indians arrived at the village, and -found fault with the destruction of their property, they were beaten -and abused by the Squatters. - -"The Indians made complaint to me, as their Agent I wrote to Gen. -Clark,[BF] stating to him from time to time what happened, and giving a -minute detail of everything that passed between the whites (Squatters) -and the Indians. - -[Footnote BF: Superintendent of Indian Affairs at St. Louis. (Ed.)] - -"The squatters insisted that the Indians should be removed from their -village, saying that as soon as the land was brought into market they -(the squatters) would buy it all. It became needless for me to show -them the treaty, and the right the Indians had to remain on their -lands. They tried every method to annoy the Indians, by shooting -their dogs, claiming their horses; complaining that the Indians' -horses broke into their cornfields--selling them whiskey for the most -trifling articles, contrary to the wishes and request of the chiefs, -particularly the Black Hawk, who both solicited and threatened them on -the subject, but all to no purpose. - -"The President directed those lands to be sold at the Land Office, in -Springfield, Illinois. Accordingly when the time came that they were to -be offered for sale (in the Autumn of 1828), there were about twenty -families of squatters at, and in the vicinity of the old Sauk village, -most of whom attended the sale, and but one of them could purchase a -quarter-section (if we except George Davenport, a trader who resides -in Rocky Island). Therefore, all the land not sold, still belonged to -the United States, and the Indians had still a right, by treaty, to -hunt and live on those lands. This right, however, was not allowed -them--they must move off. - -"In 1830, the principal chiefs, and others of the Sauk and Fox Indians -who resided at the old village, near Rocky river, acquainted me that -they would remove to their village on Ihoway river. These chiefs -advised me to write to General Clarke, Superintendent of Indian Affairs -at this place (St. Louis), to send up a few militia--that the Black -Hawk and his followers would then see that everything was in earnest, -and they would remove to the west side of the Mississippi, to their own -lands. - -"The letter, as requested by the chiefs, was written and sent by me to -General Clarke, but he did not think proper to answer it--therefore -everything remained as formerly, and, as a matter of course. Black Hawk -and his party thought the whole matter of removing from the old village -had blown over. - -"In the Spring of 1831, the Black Hawk and his party were augmented -by many Indians from Ihoway river. This augmentation of forces made -the Black Hawk very proud, and he supposed nothing would be done about -removing him and his party. - -"General Gaines visited the Black Hawk and his party this season, with -a force of regulars and militia, and compelled them to remove to the -west side of the Mississippi river, on their own lands. - -"When the Black Hawk and party recrossed to the east side of the -Mississippi river in 1832, they numbered three hundred and sixty-eight -men. They were hampered with many women and children, and had no -intention to make war. When attacked by General Stillman's detachment, -they defended themselves like men, and I would ask, who would not do -so, likewise? Thus the war commenced. * * * * - -"The Indians had been defeated, dispersed, and some of the principal -chiefs are now in prison and in chains, at Jefferson Barracks. * * * * - -"It is very well known, by all who know the Black Hawk, that he has -always been considered a friend to the whites. Often has he taken into -his lodge the wearied white man, given him good food to eat, and a good -blanket to sleep on before the fire. Many a good meal has _the Prophet_ -given to people travelling past his village, and very many stray horses -has he recovered from the Indians, and restored to their rightful -owners, without asking any recompense whatever. * * * * - -"What right have we to tell any people, 'You shall not cross the -Mississippi river on any pretext whatever?' When the Sauk and Fox -Indians wish to cross the Mississippi, to visit their relations among -the Pottawattomies, of Fox river, Illinois, they are prevented by us, -_because we have the power!_" - -I omit, in the extracts I have made, the old gentleman's occasional -comments upon the powers that dictated, and the forces which carried on -the warfare of this unhappy Summer. There is every reason to believe -that had his suggestions been listened to, and had he continued the -Agent of the Sauks and Foxes, a sad record might have been spared. -I mean the untimely fate of the unfortunate M. St. Vrain, who, a -comparative stranger to his people, was murdered by them, in their -exasperated fury, at Kellogg's Grove, soon after the commencement of -the campaign. - - - - -NOTES - -BY REUBEN GOLD THWAITES - - -1 (page 2).--_Summary Narrative of an Exploratory Expedition to the -Sources of the Mississippi River in 1820; resumed and completed by -the Discovery of its Origin in Itasca Lake in 1832_, by Henry R. -Schoolcraft (Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co., 1855--the year in -which _Wau-Bun_ was written). - -2 (page 2).--The etymology of Michilimackinac (now abbreviated to -Mackinac) is generally given as "great turtle," and is supposed to -refer to the shape of the island. The Ottawa chief, A. J. Blackbird, -in his _History of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan_ -(Ypsilanti, Mich., 1887), pp. 19, 20, gives a far different derivation; -he traces the name back to "Mishinemackinong," the dwelling-place of -the Mishinemackinawgo, a small tribe, early allies of the Ottawas, -but practically annihilated by the Iroquois, during one of the -North-western raids of the latter. - -3 (page 3).---Robert Stuart, born in Scotland in 1784, was educated -in Paris; coming to America when twenty-two years of age, he went at -once to Montreal, connecting himself with the Northwest Fur Company. -In 1810, in connection with his uncle, David Stuart, he joined forces -with John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company, and was one of the party -which went from New York by sea to found Astoria, on the Pacific coast. -In 1812, in company with Ramsay Crooks, he was sent overland to New -York with important despatches for the company--a hazardous expedition, -which consumed nearly a year in its accomplishment. He arrived at -Mackinac in 1819, a partner with Astor in the American Fur Company, -and manager of its affairs throughout the wide expanse of country -which was then served from this entrepôt. After fifteen years upon the -island, where he was the leading resident, Stuart went to Detroit in -1834, upon the closing out of the company's affairs. At that place he -took prominent part in business and public affairs. In 1887 we find him -local director of the poor; in 1839, moderator of the school district; -in 1840-41, state treasurer of Michigan, and from 1841-45, United -States Indian agent for that state. Stuart also took active part in -church work, was insistent on discountenancing the rum traffic, which -always went hand in hand with the fur trade, and bore a high reputation -for personal probity. Dying suddenly in Chicago, in 1848, his body was -taken in a sailing-vessel around by the lakes to Detroit; at Mackinac -Island, en route, it lay in state for several hours. - -4 (page 6).--Rev. William Montague Ferry organized the Presbyterian -church at Mackinac in 1822; it later developed into a mission school. -After suffering many trials and disappointments he was released from -service August 6, 1834, at once settling at Grand Haven, Mich., his -being the first white family at that place. He died December 30, 1867. -Williams's _The Old Mission Church of Mackinac Island_ (Detroit, 1895) -gives a history of this enterprise. - -5 (page 6).--Upon the downfall of New France (1763), the fur trade of -the Northwest fell into the hands of citizens of Great Britain. In -1766, a few Scotch merchants reopened the trade, with headquarters -at Mackinac, employing French-Canadians as agents, clerks, and -_voyageurs_. In 1783-87, the Northwest Company was organized, also -with Mackinac as a center of distribution, as the chief rival of the -Hudson Bay Company and of the old Mackinaw Company. In 1809, John Jacob -Astor organized the American Fur Company. Two years later he secured a -half interest in the Mackinaw Company, which he renamed the Southwest -Company. In the war of 1812-15, Astor lost his Pacific post of Astoria, -which fell into the possession of the Northwest Company, and the trade -of the Southwest Company was shattered. In 1816, Congress decreed that -foreign fur-traders were not to be admitted to do business within the -United States. Under this protection Astor reorganized the American Fur -Company, which flourished until his retirement from business, in 1834. - -6 (page 8).--Large bateaux, about thirty feet long, used by fur-traders -in the transportation of their cargoes upon the lakes and rivers of -the Northwest. The cargo was placed in the center, both ends being -sharp and high above the water. The crew generally consisted of seven -men (_voyageurs_), of whom six rowed and one served as steersman; in -addition, each boat was commanded by a clerk of the fur company, who -was called the _bourgeois_ (master). During rainstorms the cargo was -protected by snug-fitting tarpaulins, fastened down and over the sides -of the boat. - -7 (page 9).--Madame Joseph Laframboise, a half-breed, was the daughter -of Jean Baptiste Marcotte, who died while she was an infant; her mother -was the daughter of Kewaniquot (Returning Cloud), a prominent chief -of the Ottawas. Joseph Laframboise, a devout man, of great force of -character, conducted a considerable trade with the Indians. In 1809, -while kneeling at prayer in his tent near Grand River, on the east -shore of Lake Michigan, he was shot dead by an Indian to whom he had -refused to give liquor. - -His wife, who had generally accompanied him on his expeditions, -continued the business without interruption, and obtained a wide -reputation throughout the Mackinac district as a woman of rare business -talents, and capable of managing the natives with astuteness. Her -contemporaries among Americans described her as speaking a remarkably -fine French, and being a graceful and refined person, despite her -limited education. She invariably wore the costume of an Indian -squaw. Her children were placed at school in Montreal. One of her -daughters, Josette, was married at Mackinac to Captain Benjamin K. -Pierce, commandant of the fort, and brother of President Pierce. Madame -Laframboise closed her business with the American Fur Company in 1821, -and thereafter lived upon the island, where she lies buried. - -8 (page 10).--Samuel Abbott was one of the officials of the American -Fur Company, and a notary and justice of the peace, for many years -being the only functionary on Mackinac Island vested with power to -perform marriage ceremonies. - -Edward Biddle was a brother of Nicholas Biddle, president of the United -States Bank during Andrew Jackson's administration. Edward went to -Mackinac about 1818, and married a pretty, full-blooded Indian girl, -step-daughter of a French fur-trade clerk named Joseph Bailly. The -Biddies lived on the island for fifty years, and were buried there. -Their eldest daughter, Sophia, was carefully educated in Philadelphia -by Nicholas Biddle's family, but finally died on the island, of -consumption. She was, like her mother, a Catholic; but the other -children, also well educated, became Protestants. - -9 (page 10).--For a character sketch of Mrs. David Mitchell, see -Mrs. Baird's "Early Days on Mackinac Island," _Wisconsin Historical -Collections_, vol. xiv, pp. 35-58. - -10 (page 11).--British and Indian forces under Captain Charles -Roberts, from the garrison at St. Joseph, captured the American fort -on Mackinac Island, commanded by Lieutenant Porter Hanks, upon July -17, 1812. The ease with which this capture was made, induced the -British to throw up a strong earthwork on the high hill commanding the -fort, about a half-mile in its rear. This fortification was called -Fort George; August 4, 1814, an attempt was made by the Americans to -retake the island, which has great strategic importance, as guarding -the gateways to Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Superior. There were seven -war-vessels under Commodore Sinclair, and a land force of 750 under -Colonel Croghan. The vessels could effect only a blockade; the military -disembarked at "British Landing," where Roberts's forces had beached -two years before. In the consequent attack, which proved fruitless, -Major Andrew Hunter Holmes, second in command, and an officer of -great promise, was killed. When the island was surrendered to the -United States by the treaty of Ghent (February, 1815), Fort George was -rechristened Fort Holmes, a name which the abandoned ruins still bear. - -11 (page 12).--The author was evidently misled by a typographical error -in some historical work which she had consulted. The date should be -1670. Father Jacques Marquette, driven with his flock of Hurons and -Ottawas from Chequamegon Bay (Lake Superior) by the Sioux of the West, -established himself at Point St. Ignace. There he remained for three -years, until he left with Louis Joliet to explore the Mississippi River. - -12 (page 12).--When, in 1650, the Hurons fled before the great -Iroquois invasion, some of them took refuge with the French at -Quebec, and others migrated to the Mackinac region, and even as -far west as northern Wisconsin. The refugees to Lake Superior and -northern Wisconsin were driven back east again in 1670 (see Note -11), to Mackinac. When Cadillac founded Detroit (1701), some of them -accompanied him, and settled in the outskirts of that town. They -remained without a religious teacher until the arrival of the Jesuit La -Richardie. He established his mission on the opposite bank of the river -from Detroit, at where is now Sandwich, Ontario. This was in order to -avoid conflict of ecclesiastical jurisdiction with the Récollets in -charge at Detroit. The mission house built by La Richardie stood until -after the middle of the nineteenth century; that portion of his church -which was built in 1728 remained until the last decade of that century; -but the addition, built in 1743, is still in good condition, and used -as a dwelling. - -13 (page 12).--Near the modern village of Harbor Springs, Mich. It is -frequently called "Cross Village" in early English-American documents. - -14 (page 14).--John P. Arndt, a Pennsylvania German, arrived in Green -Bay in 1823. He was for many years the leader of the French fur-trading -element on the lower Fox River. He kept the first ferry at Green Bay -(1825), and was as well a miller and a lumberman. - -15 (page 15).--In 1820, Colonel Joseph Lee Smith moved the garrison -from Fort Howard, on the west bank of Fox River, to new quarters, -called Camp Smith, three miles above, on the opposite bank. Camp -Smith was occupied for two years, when the garrison returned to -Fort Howard. A polyglot settlement sprang up between Camp Smith and -the river, popularly called Shantytown, but later (1829) platted -as Menomoneeville. Shantytown was afterward abandoned by the most -prosperous settlers in favor of a point lower down the river on the -same bank, and is but a suburb of the present Green Bay. - -16 (page 16).--The site of Fort Howard (thus named from General -Benjamin Howard), on the west bank of Fox River, was selected in 1816 -by Major Charles Gratiot, of the engineer corps, who prepared the -plans, and was present during the earlier portion of its construction; -its completion was, however, left to the superintendence of Colonel -Talbot Chambers. As per Note 15, the fort was abandoned in favor of -Camp Smith from 1820-22, but was otherwise continuously garrisoned -until 1841. It then remained ungarrisoned until 1849, when it was -occupied for two years. From 1852 forward the fort was unoccupied, save -for a brief period in 1863 by militiamen. The buildings are now for the -most part effaced. - -17 (page 16).--James Duane Doty was born at Salem, N. Y., November 5, -1799. Having studied law, he settled at Detroit in his twentieth year, -and soon became clerk of the Michigan Supreme Court and secretary of -the territorial legislature. In 1820 he made a tour of the upper lakes -in company with Governor Lewis Cass, penetrating to the sources of the -Mississippi. In 1823 he was appointed United States district judge for -that portion of Michigan Territory lying west of Lakes Michigan and -Superior, and for ten years held court both at Green Bay and Prairie -du Chien. In 1834, as a member of the territorial legislature, he -drafted the act which made Michigan a state and Wisconsin a territory. -From 1837-41 he served as delegate to Congress from Wisconsin, and -from 1841-44 as governor of the new territory. Vigorously ambitious -in behalf of Wisconsin, he long though vainly sought to regain from -Illinois the strip of country north of a line drawn due westward from -the southernmost part of Lake Michigan, the ordinance of 1787 having -named this as the boundary between the two states to be erected to -the west of Lake Michigan and the Wabash River; had his contention -prevailed, Chicago would have been a Wisconsin city. Doty served in -the Wisconsin state constitutional convention (1846); was a member of -Congress (1850-53); in 1861 was appointed superintendent of Indian -affairs of Utah, and signed the first treaty ever made with the -Shoshones; and in May, 1863, was appointed governor of Utah, in which -office he died, June 13, 1865. - -18 (page 17).--William Selby Harney, born in Louisiana, entered the -array in 1818 as a second lieutenant. He was made captain in the First -Infantry May 14, 1825, and major and paymaster May 1, 1833; promoted -to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the Second Dragoons August 15, 1836; -brevetted colonel December 7, 1840, for gallant and meritorious conduct -in successive Indian campaigns, and became colonel of his regiment -June 30, 1846. For conspicuous gallantry in the battle of Cerro -Gordo, he was brevetted brigadier-general April 18, 1847, and became -brigadier-general June 14, 1858. He was retired August 1, 1863, and two -years later was brevetted major-general for long and faithful service. -He died May 9, 1889. - -19 (page 18).--Joseph Rolette was a prominent fur trader of Prairie du -Chien, and one of the most marked characters among the French Canadians -of Wisconsin during the first third of the nineteenth century. In the -War of 1812-15, he held a commission in the British Indian department, -and piloted the British troops in their attack on Prairie du Chien in -1814. - -20 (page 20).--Rev. Richard Fish Cadle organized the Episcopalian -parish of St. Paul's, in Detroit, November 22, 1824. In 1828, his -health failing, he went to Green Bay in company with his sister Sarah, -and established an Indian mission school at the now abandoned barracks -of Camp Smith (see Note 15). During the winter of 1828-29, the United -States government granted a small tract of land for the purpose, and -the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of his church erected -suitable buildings thereon. In 1838 the Cadles withdrew from the -work, which had not met with great success. The Indians were either -indifferent to the scheme or bitterly opposed to it, objecting to rigid -discipline being applied to their children. The French also disliked -the enterprise, both because it was a Protestant mission and because -it did not accord with their notions of the fitness of things. Solomon -Juneau, the founder of Milwaukee, once wrote: "As to the little savages -whom you ask about for Mr. Cadle, I have spoken to several, and they -tell me with satisfaction that they are much happier in their present -situation than in learning geography." Mr. Cadle suffered greatly in -health because of the ceaseless worry of his untenable position; but no -doubt many of his troubles were the result of his own highly nervous -temperament. The mission was carried on by others until 1840, and then -succumbed. - -21 (page 21).--Reference is here made to Ursula M. Grignon, daughter -of Louis Grignon, a Green Bay fur-trader, and grandson of Charles de -Langlade, the first permanent white settler in Wisconsin. Later, Miss -Grignon returned to her family at Green Bay, where she died February -22, 1887. - -22 (page 22).--Elizabeth Thérèse Baird was born at Prairie du Chien, -April 24, 1810, a daughter of Henry Munro Fisher, a prominent Scotch -fur-trader in the employ of the American Fur Company. On her mother's -side she was a descendant of an Ottawa chief, Kewaniquot (Returning -Cloud), and related to Madame Laframboise (see Note 7). Marrying Henry -S. Baird, a young lawyer of Mackinac Island, in 1824, when but fourteen -years of age, the couple at once took up their residence at Green Bay. -Baird was the first regularly trained legal practitioner in Wisconsin, -and attained considerable prominence in the political life of the new -territory. He died in 1875. Mrs. Baird was one of the most remarkable -pioneer women of the Northwest; she was of charming personality and -excellent education, proud of her trace of Indian blood, and had a -wide acquaintance with the principal men and women of early Wisconsin. -Her reminiscences, published in vols. xiv and xv of the _Wisconsin -Historical Collections_, are as interesting and valuable of their kind -as _Wau-Bun_ itself. She died at Green Bay, November 5, 1890. - -23 (page 23).--Mrs. Samuel W. Beall. Her husband was a lawyer from -Virginia, and she a niece of Fenimore Cooper, the novelist. In 1835, -the Bealls, who were prominent in the social life of Green Bay, became -rich through land speculation, but subsequently lost the greater -part of their fortune. Beall was shot dead, in the Far West, in some -border disturbance, and his wife devoted the remainder of her life to -charitable work. - -24 (page 25)--Major David Emanuel Twiggs was born in Georgia, and -entered the army as captain of infantry in 1812. He became major -of the Twenty-eighth Infantry in 1814; lieutenant-colonel of the -Fourth Infantry in 1831; colonel of the Second Dragoons in 1836; -brigadier-general in June, 1846; and for gallant and meritorious -conduct at Monterey was brevetted major-general in September of -the same year. Twiggs was dismissed the service in March, 1861, -having while on command in the South surrendered army stores to the -Confederates. He served as major-general in the Confederate army from -1861-65. - -25 (page 27).--Wife of Lewis Cass, then governor of Michigan. - -26 (page 27).--Charles Réaume was born of good family about 1752, at La -Prairie, opposite Montreal. In 1778 we find him at Detroit as a captain -in the British Indian department, in which capacity he accompanied -Lieutenant-Governor Henry Hamilton in the expedition against Vincennes -in December of that year. When George Rogers Clark captured Vincennes -in the following February, Réaume was among the prisoners, but was -allowed to return to Detroit upon parole. He appears to have settled at -Green Bay about 1790, and it is thought received his first commission -as justice of the peace from the British authorities at Detroit. About -1801 he received a similar appointment from William Henry Harrison, -then governor of Indiana Territory, of which what is now Wisconsin was -then a part. In 1818, Governor Cass, of Michigan Territory, appointed -him one of the associate justices for Brown County, of which Green Bay -was the seat. In the same year he removed to Little Kaukaulin, ten -miles up Fox River from Green Bay, and there engaged in trade with the -Indians, in the course of which he fell into drunken habits. In the -spring of 1822 he was found dead in his lonely cabin. He was unmarried. -Réaume, as stated by Mrs. Kinzie, administered justice in a primitive -fashion. During much of his career as a petty magistrate, he was the -only civil officer west of Lake Michigan. Ungoverned by statutes or -by supervision, he married, divorced, even baptized, his people at -will, and was notary and general clerical functionary for the entire -population, white and red. He is one of the picturesque characters in -Wisconsin history. - -27 (page 28).--The father of Nicholas Boilvin was a resident of Quebec -during the American Revolution. Upon the declaration of peace, Nicholas -went to the Northwest, and engaged in the Indian trade. He obtained -from the United States government the position of Indian agent, and -in 1810 went to Prairie du Chien. In 1814, when the British attacked -that post, Boilvin and his family, with other Americans, retired to a -gunboat in the Mississippi River and fled to St. Louis. In addition -to his Indian agency, Boilvin was a justice of the peace, his first -commission being issued by the authorities of Illinois Territory in -1809. He died in the summer of 1827 on a Mississippi River keel-boat, -while en route for St. Louis. At one time he furnished the war -department with a Winnebago vocabulary. - -28 (page 29).--For other Canadian boat-songs, see _Hunt's Merchants' -Magazine_, vol. iii, p. 189; Bela Hubbard's _Memorials of a Half -Century_, and Ernest Gagnon's _Chanson Populaires du Canada_. - -29 (page 30).--The Grignon family are prominently identified with -Wisconsin pioneer history. Their progenitor was Pierre, who had been -a _voyageur_ on Lake Superior at an early date, and an independent -fur-trader at Green Bay before 1763. For his second wife he married -Louise Domitilde, a daughter of Charles de Langlade, the first -permanent settler of Wisconsin (about 1750). By her, Pierre Grignon had -nine children--Pierre Antoine (1777), Charles (1779), Augustin (1780), -Louis (1783), Jean Baptiste (1785), Domitilde (1787), Marguerite -(1789), Hippolyte (1790), and Amable (1795). The elder Pierre died -at Green Bay in 1795, his widow subsequently marrying Jean Baptiste -Langevin. Of the sons of Pierre Grignon, most won prominence as -fur-traders--Augustin, whose valuable "Seventy-Two Years' Recollections -of Wisconsin" are given in vol. iii of _Wisconsin Historical -Collections_, is best known to students of Western history. - -30 (page 31).--Variously spelled in contemporary documents, Grand -Kaccalin, Cacalin, Cockolin, Kackalin, Kakalin, and Kokolow; but later -crystallized into Kaukauna, the name of the modern manufacturing town -now situated upon the banks of this rapid. Dominic Du Charme was the -first white settler there (1793), being followed by Augustin Grignon -(1812). A Presbyterian Indian mission was established at the place in -1822 (see Note 31). - -31 (page 32).--Rev. Cutting Marsh was born in Danville, Vt., July 20, -1800. Prepared for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., he -graduated from Dartmouth in 1826, and from Andover Theological Seminary -in 1829. In October, 1829, he departed for the Northwest as missionary -to the Stockbridge Indians, in the employ both of the American Board -of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and the Society in Scotland for -Propagating Christian Knowledge. The Stockbridges were originally a New -England tribe who had been moved to New York. In 1822-23, along with -Oneidas, Munsees, and Brothertowns, they went to the Fox River Valley -in Wisconsin. The mission to the Stockbridges was first established at -what is now South Kaukauna (see Note 30), and was called Statesburg; -later (1832), it was moved to Calumet County, east of Lake Winnebago, -the new village being called Stockbridge. Their first missionary in -Wisconsin was Jesse Miner, who died in 1829. Marsh served from 1830-48; -thereafter he was an itinerant Presbyterian missionary in northern -Wisconsin, and died at Waupaca July 4, 1873. Marsh's letter-books -and journals, a rich mine of pioneer church annals, are now in the -archives of the Wisconsin Historical Society; his annual reports to the -Scottish Society were published in Vol. XV of the _Wisconsin Historical -Collections_. They bear a curious resemblance in matter and style to -the _Jesuit Relations_ of New France, in the seventeenth century. - -32 (page 32).--Rev. Eleazer Williams was an Episcopalian missionary -to the Oneida Indians, some of whom moved to Wisconsin from New York -in 1821-22. In 1853, Williams, who was imbued with a passion for -notoriety, suddenly posed before the American public as Louis XVII., -hereditary sovereign of France, claiming to be that son of Louis XVI. -and Marie Antoinette who was officially reported to have died in prison -after his parents had been beheaded by the Paris revolutionists. -Although he was too young by eight years to be the lost dauphin, was -clearly of Indian origin, was stoutly claimed by his dusky parents, -and every allegation of his in regard to the matter was soon exposed -as false, many persons of romantic temperament believed his story, and -there are those who still stoutly maintain that his pretensions were -well founded. Williams died in 1858, discredited by his church, but -persisting in his absurd claims to the last. A considerable literature -has sprung up relative to this controversy, pro and con; the most -exhaustive account is W. W. Wight's monograph, Parkman Club _Papers_ -(Milwaukee), No. 7. - -33 (page 40).--Petit Butte des Morts (little hill of the dead) is a -considerable eminence rising from the shores of the Fox River in the -western outskirts of the present city of Menasha; a widening of the -river at this point bears the name of the _butte_. The hill, still a -striking feature of the landscape, although much reduced from railway -and other excavations, commanded the river for several miles in either -direction, and appears to have been used in early days as the site of -an Indian fort; as such, it was probably the scene of several notable -encounters during the Fox War, in the first third of the eighteenth -century. Because of these traditions, and the existence of a large -Indian mound on its summit, it was long supposed by whites that the -entire hill was a gigantic earthwork, reared to bury as well as to -commemorate the thousands of Indians whom the French are alleged to -have here slain. But this is now known to be mere fancy; the hill is -of glacial origin, although no doubt it was at one time used as an -Indian cemetery. Grand Butte des Morts, upon the upper waters of the -Fox River, above the present Oshkosh, has similar traditions as to its -inception, but is of like character; and does not appear to have been -the scene of any important fight. - -34 (page 45).--The present Island Park, an Oshkosh summer resort. - -35 (page 46).--See Gardner P. Stickney's "Use of Maize by Wisconsin -Indians," Parkman Club _Papers_, No. 13. This contains numerous -bibliographical citations. An exhaustive treatise on the use of wild -rice among the northern tribes, by Alfred E. Jenks, will soon be -published by the American Bureau of Ethnology. - -36 (page 48).--John Lawe, whose father was an officer in the British -army. John came to Green Bay in 1797, when but sixteen years old, as -assistant to his uncle, Jacob Franks, an English Jew, who represented -at Green Bay the fur-trade firm of Ogilvie, Gillespie & Co., of -Montreal. On the outbreak of the War of 1812-15, Franks returned to -Montreal, turning over his large business to Lawe, who was, until his -death in 1846, one of the leading citizens of Green Bay; not only -conducting a large fur trade, but serving the public as magistrate and -in other capacities. - -37 (page 49).--Jacques Porlier, a leading fur-trader, and chief justice -of Brown County court. He was a business partner of Augustin Grignon. - -38 (page 52).--The Sacs and Foxes maintained an important confederacy -for about a hundred years, reaching between the routing of the Foxes -by the French, in the first third of the eighteenth century, and the -decimation of the Sacs by the Americans in the Black Hawk War (1832). - -39 (page 52).--This is incorrect. The French popularly called the -Winnebagoes "Puants" (stinkards), a term long supposed to be a literal -translation of _Winepegou_, the name given this tribe by its neighbors. -But later investigation proves that Winepegou meant "men from the fetid -water," or "the fetids." At first, these people were called by the -French, "Tribe of the Sea," because it was thought that salt-water must -be meant by the term "fetid." As the continent was not then thought -to be as wide as it has since proved to be, the early French inferred -that the Winnebagoes must live on or near the ocean, and might be -Chinese. When Champlain sent Jean Nicolet to make a treaty with the -Winnebagoes, he equipped the latter with an ambassadorial costume -suitable for meeting mandarins. Nicolet was much disappointed to find -them at Green Bay, merely naked savages. Baye des Puans (or Puants) was -the French name for Green Bay, until well into the eighteenth century. -It is now thought that the Winnebagoes came to Wisconsin from the Lake -Winnipeg region, and obtained their name from sulphur springs in the -neighborhood of which they had lived. They are an outcast branch of the -Dakotan stock. - -40 (page 54).--Alexander Seymour Hooe was born in Virginia, and -graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1827. At the time of Mrs. -Kinzie's visit, he was a first lieutenant in the Fifth Infantry; he -was made a captain in July, 1838. In 1846 he was brevetted major for -gallant and distinguished conduct at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, -and died December 9, 1847. - -41 (page 57).--Pierre Paquette, local agent of the American Fur -Company, and government interpreter. He was a French half-breed, and -attained wide reputation because of his enormous strength and his -almost despotic control over the Winnebagoes, to whom he was related. - -42 (page 59).--Reference is here made to Jefferson Davis, at this time -second lieutenant in the First Infantry. - -43 (page 60).--This portage was the one used by Joliet and Marquette -in their expedition towards the Mississippi in 1673, and thereafter -persistently followed as one of the chief pathways to the Mississippi, -by French, English, and Americans in turn, until the decline of the fur -trade, about 1840. A government canal now connects the two rivers at -this point; but it is seldom used, for the upper Fox is very shallow, -and the Wisconsin is beset with shifting sandbars, so that few steam -craft can now successfully navigate these waters, except at seasons of -flood. - -44 (page 63).--Old Decorah (sometimes called "Grey-headed" Decorah, or -De Kauray) was a village chief of the Winnebagoes, who served in the -British campaign against Sandusky in 1813. At the time of his death, -soon after Mrs. Kinzie's visit, he was popularly alleged to be one -hundred and forty-three years old. - -45 (page 64).--Robert A. Forsyth, an army paymaster, long engaged in -the Indian department. He died October 21, 1849. - -46 (page 65).--Kawneeshaw (White Crow), sometimes called "The Blind," -was a civil chief and orator of the Winnebagoes. His village was on -Lake Koshkonong. White Crow's devotion to the whites, during the Black -Hawk War, was open to suspicion; like most of his tribe, he was but a -fair-weather ally. - -47 (page 65).--Dandy was the son of Black Wolf, a Winnebago village -chief. He died at Peten Well, on the Wisconsin River, near Necedah, in -1870, aged about seventy-seven years. - -48 (page 71).--Stephen Hempstead, a Revolutionary soldier who had -served as a sergeant in the company of Captain Nathan Hale, moved from -Connecticut to St. Louis in 1811. His daughter Susan was married to -Henry Gratiot, a leading settler in the Wisconsin-Illinois lead region. -Hempstead had two sons, living at Galena, who attained prominence among -the pioneers of the lead region, Edward being a commission merchant and -lead-ore shipper, and Charles a lawyer of distinction. It is uncertain -as to which of these two is meant by Mrs. Kinzie. - -49 (page 72).--Joseph M. Street was born in Virginia, about 1780. -Emigrating to Kentucky in 1805-6, he published the _Western World_ -at Frankfort, and took a conspicuous part in political controversy. -In 1812 he became one of the first settlers of Shawnee-town. Ill. As -a result of his efforts as a Whig partisan, he obtained in 1827 an -appointment to the Winnebago Indian agency at Prairie du Chien, at a -salary of $1,200 per year, to succeed Nicholas Boilvin (see Note 27). -It was to him, as agent, that Winnebago spies delivered up Black Hawk -in 1832. In November, 1836, he was ordered to open a Sac and Fox agency -at Rock Island; and in the fall of 1837 accompanied Keokuk, Wapello, -Black Hawk, and other Indian chiefs and head men to Washington. He -died in office, May 5, 1840, at Agency City, on the Des Moines River, -Wapello County, Iowa. His military title came from a commission as -brigadier-general in the Illinois militia, which he held for a brief -period. - -50 (page 75).--Yellow Thunder, a Winnebago war chief, had his winter -camp at Yellow Banks, on Fox River, about five miles below Berlin, and -his summer camp about sixteen miles above Portage, on the Wisconsin -River. In the War of 1812-15, he took part with his tribe on the side -of the British. He died near Portage, in February, 1874, at the alleged -age of over one hundred years. - -51 (page 88).--Richard M. Johnson was born in Kentucky in 1780. From -1807-19 he was a member of Congress from that State. In 1813 he raised -a volunteer cavalry regiment, of which he was colonel, to serve under -General William Henry Harrison. He distinguished himself at the battle -of the Thames, and was long thought to have killed Tecumseh by his own -hand; but to this doubtful honor he was probably unentitled. Appointed -an Indian commissioner in 1814, he was early in the region of the upper -Mississippi; he is known to have been at Prairie du Chien in 1819. In -that year he left the lower house of Congress to go into the Senate, -where he served until 1829. He was then re-elected to the house, in -which he held a seat until 1837, when he was elected Vice-President of -the United States. He died in Frankfort, November 19, 1850, while a -member of the Kentucky legislature. Johnson had the reputation of being -a courageous, kind-hearted, and talented man. - -52 (page 95).--Apparently a son of François Roy, a Portage fur-trader. - -53 (page 102).--Lake Kegonsa, or First Lake, in the well-known Four -Lakes chain. These lakes are numbered upward, towards the headwaters. -Among early settlers they are still known by the numbers given them by -the federal surveyors; but about 1856, Lyman C. Draper, then secretary -of the Wisconsin Historical Society, gave them the Indian names which -they now bear on the maps--Kegonsa (First), Waubesa (Second), Monona -(Third), and Mendota (Fourth). A fifth lake, called Wingra, also abuts -Madison, but is not in the regular chain. - -54 (page 104).--Colonel James Morrison, who had in 1828 started a -trading establishment at what was called Morrison's (or Porter's) -Grove, nine miles from Blue Mounds. Later, Morrison became one of the -first settlers of Madison, where for many years he kept a hotel. - -55 (page 107).--Rev. Aratus Kent was born at Suffield, Conn., January -15, 1794, and graduated from Yale in 1816. After serving pulpits in the -East, he was, in March, 1829, assigned to Galena, Ill., by the American -Home Missionary Society, having previously asked the society "for a -place so hard that no one else would take it." He organized at Galena -the first Presbyterian church in the lead mines, and there labored -zealously until December, 1848, when he withdrew to other fields. He -died November 8, 1869. - -56 (page 107).--The villages and hunting and fishing grounds of the -Indians were connected by a network of such trails through the forests -and over the prairies. Many of the most important of these were no -doubt originally made by buffalo, in their long journeys between -pastures, or in their migrations westward in advance of oncoming -settlement. The buffalo traces were followed by the Indians upon their -hunts; and the best passes over both the Alleghanies and Rockies were -first discovered and trod by these indigenous cattle. The natural -evolution has been: First the buffalo trace, then the Indian trail, -next the pioneer's path, broadened and straightened at last for wagons, -then the military road, or the plank-road, and finally the railroad. -Broadly speaking, the continent has been spanned by this means. There -are still discoverable, in isolated portions of the Middle West, -remains of a few of the most important of the old Indian trails, such -as have not been adapted into white men's roads. - -57 (page 112).--William Stephen Hamilton, the sixth child of the famous -Alexander Hamilton, was born August 4, 1797. In 1814 young Hamilton -entered the West Point Military Academy, but resigned in 1817, having -received an appointment on the staff of Colonel William Rector, then -surveyor-general of Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. He appears to -have resigned after a few years of service, and sought his fortune -in what is now Wisconsin. We first hear of him in Wisconsin in 1825, -when he bought a herd of cattle in Illinois and drove them overland to -Green Bay, via Chicago, for sale to the garrison at the former place. -Two years later he appeared in the lead mines, toward which was then -a heavy emigration, and settled at and founded what is now Wiota, La -Fayette County. He at once took high rank among the mine operators -of the region. In 1827 he commanded a company of volunteers in the -Red Bird uprising, and during the Black Hawk War (1832) commanded a -company of rangers. Emigrating to California in 1850, enticed thither -by the gold excitement, he settled on a large ranch near Red Bluff, -Tehama County, where he died about 1865. At first buried upon the -ranch, his remains were later removed to Sacramento, but the exact -location of the grave is now unknown. While at Wiota he was visited by -his aged mother and one of his sisters, then residing at Washington, -D. C. By his Wisconsin contemporaries, Hamilton was ranked as a -profound thinker; but his ambition to become a member of the state -constitutional convention failed, because his views were thought to be -too aristocratic to enable him to be a wise law-maker for a frontier -commonwealth. His various business enterprises were unfortunate in -their result. - -58 (page 115).--The Pecatonica River. - -59 (page 118).--Buffalo Grove was a small settlement, commenced about -1827-28 by O. W. Kellogg, ten miles north from Dixon's Ferry, on the -Galena road, or Kellogg's Trail; so called, because, in 1827, Kellogg -first opened this path from Peoria to the Galena lead mines. The trail -originally crossed the Rock River a few miles above the present Dixon; -but in 1828 was diverted to the site of what at first was called -Dixon's Ferry, but later was abbreviated to Dixon's, and finally to -Dixon. - -60 (page 119).--John Dixon was born in Rye, Westchester County, N. Y., -October 9, 1784. For several years he was a tailor and clothier in -New York City; but in 1820 emigrated to the West for the benefit of -his health. Settling near Springfield, Ill., he at first held several -public offices. He went to Peoria County as recorder of deeds--Galena -and Chicago being then included in territory attached to that new -county for administrative purposes. Taking the contract, in 1828, for -carrying the mail between Peoria and Galena, he induced Joseph Ogee, -a French Canadian half-breed, to establish a ferry at the Rock River -crossing (see Note 59). But two years later he bought out Ogee and -settled at the ferry himself, trading with the Indians, speculating in -wild lands, carrying the mail, and in general taking a prominent part -in pioneer enterprises. He died at Dixon, July 9, 1876. - -61 (page 121).--The most important aboriginal highway was the great Sac -trail, extending in almost an air-line across the state, from Black -Hawk's village, at the mouth of Rock River, to the south shore of -Lake Michigan, and then through Michigan to Maiden, Canada. Over this -deep-beaten path, portions of which are still visible. Black Hawk's -band made frequent visits to the British Indian agency at Maiden. - -62 (page 140).--The first Fort Dearborn was built in the summer and -autumn of 1803, by a company of regulars under command of Captain -John Whistler. See description and illustration in Blanchard's _The -Northwest and Chicago_ (Chicago, 1898), vol. i, pp. 333-336. This fort -was destroyed by Indians in 1812, at the time of the massacre. A new -fort was built on the same spot in 1816. A portion of the officers' -quarters in this second fort was still in existence in 1881. - -63 (page 141).--Jean Baptiste Beaubien came to Chicago in 1817, as -local agent for Conant & Mack, a Detroit firm of fur-traders. A few -months later his employers sold out to the American Fur Company, -and Beaubien was displaced. He continued to reside at Chicago, -however, where he acquired considerable property, and married Josette -Laframboise, a French Ottawa half-breed, who had worked in John -Kinzie's family before the massacre. Several descendants of this couple -still reside in Chicago. - -64 (page 143).--Mark Beaubien was a brother of Jean Baptiste. The -latter induced him to come to Chicago, from Detroit, in 1826. He at -once opened a small tavern, which by 1831 had grown to the dimensions -described by Mrs. Kinzie; it was named Sauganash Hotel. Mark was the -father of twenty-three children, sixteen by his first wife and seven by -his second. - -65 (page 145).--Jonathan N. Bailey was appointed postmaster of Chicago, -March 31, 1831. - -Stephen Forbes opened a private school there in June, 1830, assisted by -his wife, Elvira; they taught about twenty-five scholars in the simple -branches of English. - -Hurlbut, in his _Chicago Antiquities_ (1881, p. 349), says that -Kercheval was merely a clerk for Robert Kinzie, not an independent -trader. - -John Stephen Coats Hogan was born in New York City, February 5, 1805, -or 1806; his father, an Irishman, was a teacher of languages in New -York, who had married a French-Canadian woman. Early in his youth, John -was adopted by a Detroit family, and upon reaching maturity went into -trade. He had arrived in Chicago as early as 1830, being that year -elected a justice of the peace. He appears to have been a partner of -the Messrs. Brewster, Detroit fur-traders, and in connection with his -business conducted the sutler's store at Fort Dearborn. In 1832, while -postmaster of Chicago, he served as a lieutenant of militia in the -Black Hawk War. He was in California in 1849, and died at Boonville, -Mo., in 1868. - -William Lee was not an ordained minister; he was a blacksmith by trade, -and an exhorter of the Methodist church. He was at the Calumet as early -as 1830, for in that year he was granted a right to maintain a ferry -there; but later in the year he was listed as a voter in Chicago. Lee -was first clerk of the commissioners' court of Cook County in 1831-32. -He removed to the rapids of Root River in 1835; but subsequently went -to Iowa County, Wis., dying at Pulaski in 1858. - -66 (page 146).--The name is found, with many variants, on some of the -earliest French maps. In 1718, James Logan describes it in detail, in -a communication to the English Board of Trade; and it figures on the -English maps of that period as the "land carriage of Chekakou." - -67 (page 146).--Father of John H. Kinzie, the author's husband. - -68 (page 150).--It was early discovered by the French traders that a -strong current encircles Lake Michigan, going south along the west -shore, and returning northward along the east shore. For this reason -boats usually followed the Wisconsin bank up, and the Michigan bank -down. - -69 (page 197).--Billy Caldwell (Sauganash), an educated half-breed, and -in his later years a leading chief of the united Ottawas, Chippewas, -and Pottawattomies, was private secretary to Tecumseh at the council of -Greenville. In 1816 he was a captain in the British Indian department; -in 1826 a justice of the peace in Chicago; in 1832 an efficient friend -of the whites during the Black Hawk War, yet nevertheless devoted to -the interests of his people. He died at Council Bluffs in 1841, still -claiming to be a British subject. - -Alexander Robinson was a Pottawattomie chief, much respected by the -whites. He long lived at Casenovia, on the Desplaines River, about -twelve miles north-west of Chicago. - -Shaubena (Shabonee, Shaubeenay, etc.), was an Ottawa by parentage, -being born on the Kankakee River in what is now Will County, Ill. -He married into the Pottawattomie tribe, and became its principal -chief. He aided Tecumseh, and was in the Thames battle; but thereafter -devoted his energies to preserving peace between the races. As a -consequence, he greatly angered hostile chiefs, and in 1827 was for a -time a prisoner in the camp of Big Foot, the Pottawattomie chief at -Big Foot Lake (now Lake Geneva). During the Black Hawk War, Shaubena -was successful in keeping the majority of the Pottawattomies and -Winnebagoes from active participation, thereby rendering very valuable -service to the white settlers. He frequently visited Washington on -business for his tribe, and always received marked attention both there -and in the West. Shaubena died at his home on the Illinois River, two -miles above Seneca, July 17, 1859, aged eighty-four years. - -70 (page 200).--Reference is here made to the treaty concluded at -St. Louis, August 24, 1816, with "the united tribes of the Ottawas, -Chippewas, and Pottawattomies, residing on the Illinois and Melwakee -rivers and their waters, and on the southwestern parts of Lake -Michigan." - -71 (page 200).--Treaties were held with the Pottawattomies in 1836, -at Turkey Creek (March 26), Tippecanoe River (March 29 and April 11), -Indian Agency (April 22), Yellow River (August 5), and Chippewanaung -(September 20-23). The principal object of all was to secure the -emigration of the tribe to the west of the Mississippi within two years. - -72 (page 200).--In 1827, Congress granted alternate sections of land -for six miles on each side of the line to aid in building the canal -between Lake Michigan and the Illinois River. One of these alternates -was section 9, town 39 north, range 13 east, embracing what is now -the Chicago business center. In 1830, the canal commissioners--Doctor -Jayne, Edmund Roberts, and Charles Dunn--proceeded to lay out a town -site upon this section; they employed for this purpose James Thompson, -a St. Louis surveyor; his plat covered about three-eighths of the -square mile. These commissioners named the original streets. The -north and south streets they called State, Dearborn, Clark, La Salle, -Wells, Franklin, Market, Canal, Clinton, Jefferson, and Desplaines; -the east and west streets named by them were Kinzie, Carroll, Water, -Lake, Randolph, Washington, and Madison. Many lots were sold at auction -in the first year, prices running from sixty to two hundred dollars. -The section immediately south was No. 16---the section granted by -the general government in every township as an endowment for public -education. Many wise citizens desired this school section reserved -from sale until neighboring settlement had brought up the price; but -land speculators secured the early sale of the lots, and the resulting -educational endowment was meager. - -73 (page 202).--Martin Scott was born in Vermont, and entered the -army as a second lieutenant in 1814. In 1828 he was commissioned -captain of the Fifth Infantry, the post he was filling at the time of -which our author speaks. He was made major of his regiment in June, -1846, in recognition of gallant conduct at Palo Alto and Resaca de la -Palma; in September following he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for -notable services in the several conflicts at Monterey, and was killed -September 8, 1847, in the battle of Molino del Rey. Captain Scott was -an eccentric character, of the misanthropic type, well known throughout -the country as an expert marksman; he had obtained his training among -the sharpshooters of the Green Mountains. His devotion to the chase -partook of the nature of a craze. At the various posts where he was -stationed, he maintained numerous kennels for his blooded dogs; those -at Fort Howard were pagoda-shaped, and presented so striking an -appearance that the little village of dog-houses was popularly styled -"Scott's four-legged brigade quarters." - -74 (page 211).--Sir John Johnson, son and heir of the celebrated Sir -William. When a mere boy, during the Revolutionary War, he led the -Mohawks in forays against the New York settlers. After the war he was -made superintendent-general of Indian affairs in British North America, -and a colonel in the militia of Lower Canada. He died at Montreal, -January 4, 1830, with the rank of major-general. - -75 (page 227) The troops were withdrawn from Fort Dearborn May 20, -1831; the post was re-occupied June 17, 1832, on account of the Black -Hawk uprising. - -76 (page 238).--This is the Fox River of the Illinois; not to be -confounded with the Fox River of Green Bay. - -77 (page 246).--Amos Foster was born in New Hampshire, and was -appointed second lieutenant in the Second Infantry, July 1, 1828. While -stationed at Fort Howard he was killed by a private soldier named -Doyle, February 7, 1832. The details of the tragedy are given by our -author upon pp. 341-343, _post_. - -78 (page 249). [TN: Note 78 missing from this edition.] - -79 (page 251).--The site of Beloit, Wis. This was a favorite camp of -the Turtle band of Winnebagoes. - -80 (page 252).--Reference is here made to the fact that for several -weeks, in 1832, Black Hawk's party of Sac refugees dwelt upon the -shores of Lake Koshkonong. Some interesting prehistoric earthworks -surround the lake, showing that its banks were populated with -aborigines from the earliest times. - -81 (page 256).--See Note 53. - -82 (page 259).--See Note 24. - -83 (page 260).--See Andrew J. Turner's "History of Fort Winnebago," in -_Wisconsin Historical Collections_, Vol. xiv; it contains illustrations -of the fort, the Indian Agency, etc., and portraits of several of the -principal military officers. - -84 (page 266).--Reverend Samuel Carlo Mazzuchelli was born in Milan, -Italy, November 4, 1807, of an old and wealthy family. Becoming a -Dominican friar, he emigrated to Cincinnati in 1828, and two years -later was stationed at Mackinac. Being appointed commissary-general of -his order in the country west of Lake Michigan, he devoted ten years to -constant travel through what are now Wisconsin and Iowa, establishing -churches and schools. In 1843 he revisited Italy to raise funds for -an academy at Sinsinawa Mound, Wis.; seven years later this developed -into the provincial house of the Sisters of St. Dominic. The rest of -his life was spent as teacher here, and as parish priest for the large -neighborhood. He died in 1864, as the result of responding to distant -sick-calls. Mazzuchelli was a man of broad, generous temperament, and -in every way a worthy pioneer of the cross. In 1844 he published at -Milan, a now rare volume devoted to his experiences in the American -wilderness. - -85 (page 269).--See Note 44. - -86 (page 272).--See Note 41. - -87 (page 273).--By the treaty of November 3, 1804, the Sacs and Foxes, -for the paltry sum of $1,000, ceded to the United States Government -50,000,000 acres of land in what are now Missouri, Illinois, and -Wisconsin; this tract included the lead region. Unfortunately, the -Indians were given permission to remain in the ceded territory until -the lands were sold to settlers. This privilege was the seed of the -Black Hawk War. Most of the Sac and Fox villages moved to the west -of the Mississippi River during the first quarter of the century. -Black Hawk's band, living at the mouth of Rock River, alone remained. -Settlement gradually encroached on them, and squatters sought to -oust the Indians from the alluvial river-bottom. Black Hawk did not -consider the squatters as legitimate settlers, and when they persisted -for several seasons in destroying his cornfields, stealing his crops, -and physically maltreating his people, he threatened vengeance. This -led, in 1831, to Governor John Reynolds, of Illinois, calling out -the militia, and in June making a demonstration before Black Hawk's -village. The Sacs thereupon withdrew to the west of the Mississippi, -and promised to remain there. But discouraged by lack of food, and -encouraged by promise of help from the Winnebagoes and Pottawattomies -of Illinois, Black Hawk recrossed the river at Yellow Banks, below -Rock Island, on April 6, 1832. Governor Reynolds again called out -the militia, and secured the aid of United States troops from Fort -Armstrong. The Black Hawk War ensued, ending disastrously for the Sac -leader and his people. - -88 (page 274).--French-Canadian _patois_, so called, is but the -seventeenth-century speech of Normandy and Brittany, with some local -color derived from the Indians and the new conditions of the frontier. -It is a mistake to term this survival a rude dialect, as is so often -done by those English-speaking people who have learned only the modern -and somewhat artificial French of Paris and the Academy. - -89 (page 275).--See Note 20. - -90 (page 281).--Mrs. Kinzie here corrects a popular misconception -regarding the division of labor in an aboriginal household. In a -primitive stage, the Indian male of proper age and normal strength -devoted himself to the chase, to war, and the council, leaving to the -females the care of the household, which included the cultivation of -crops and the carrying of burdens. Aiding the females were those males -who were too young, or otherwise incapacitated for the arduous duties -of the warrior; also, slaves taken or bought from other tribes. Before -whites or strangers of their own race, the Indian warrior disdained to -be seen at menial occupations; but in the privacy of his own people he -not infrequently assisted his women. - -91 (page 285).--See Note 27. - -92 (page 303).--Daniel Whitney arrived at Green Bay in 1816, and was -the founder of Navarino (1830), on the site of the modern city of Green -Bay. He conducted an extensive fur trade in Wisconsin and Minnesota, -built numerous sawmills on Wisconsin waters, developed the shot-making -industry at Helena, Wis., and in many fields was one of the most -enterprising pioneers of Wisconsin. - -Miss Henshaw was a sister of Mrs. Whitney. - -Miss Brush was visiting her relative, Charles Brush, a resident of -Green Bay. - -93 (page 305).--Colonel Samuel C. Stambaugh was Indian agent at -Green Bay in 1831-32. He had been a country newspaper publisher in -Pennsylvania, and received the office as a reward for political -services. The Senate refused confirmation of his appointment, and he -was withdrawn from the agency. He however served the department for -four or five years more as a special agent, when he retired from public -employment. - -94 (page 306).--The name De Pere comes from _rapides des pères_, -referring to the early Jesuit mission (1671-87), at this the first -obstruction in ascending the Fox River. The modern manufacturing city -of De Pere lies on both sides of the rapids, about four miles above the -city of Green Bay. A memorial tablet of bronze was dedicated by the -Wisconsin Historical Society on the site of Father Allouez's mission at -De Pere, in September, 1899. - -95 (page 307).--See Note 30. - -96 (page 307).--Grand Butte des Morts, above Lake Winnebago, is meant; -the party had gone overland from Green Bay, and struck across country -to the south-west of Doty's Island. - -James Knaggs was a Pottawattomie half-breed, who in 1835 became -ferryman, tavern-keeper, and fur-trader in a small way at Coon's Point, -Algoma, now in the city limits of Oshkosh. This was the year before the -arrival of Webster Stanley, the first white settler of Oshkosh. - -97 (page 312).--Bellefontaine was the name of a farm and wayside tavern -owned by Pierre Paquette, the Portage half-breed fur-trader. At this -farm the specialty was live-stock, as Paquette had the government -contract for supplying most of the beef and horses to the Winnebago -tribe. - -98 (page 314).--Doctor William Beaumont was an army surgeon. While -stationed at Mackinac, in 1822, he was called to treat a young man -named Alexis St. Martin, who had received a gunshot wound in his left -side. The wound healed, but there remained a fistulous opening into -the stomach, two and a half inches in diameter, through which Beaumont -could watch the process of digestion. His experiments regarding the -digestibility of different kinds of food, and the properties of the -gastric juice, were continued through several years--indeed, until -Beaumont's death (1853); but the first publication of results was made -in 1833, and at once gave Beaumont an international reputation among -scientists. Through several years, Beaumont (who resigned from the army -in 1839) was stationed at Fort Crawford, where many of his experiments -were conducted. - -99 (page 318).--Joseph Crélie was the father-in-law of Pierre Paquette. -He had been a _voyageur_ and small fur-trader at Prairie du Chien as -early as 1791, and in the early coming of the whites (about 1836) -obtained much notoriety from claiming to be of phenomenal age. He died -at Caledonia, Wis., in 1865, at a time when he asserted himself to be -one hundred and thirty years old; but a careful inquiry has resulted in -establishing his years at one hundred. - -100 (page 318).--General Henry Atkinson, in charge of the regular -troops in the pursuit of Black Hawk (1832), had followed the Sac leader -to Lake Koshkonong. On the night of July 1 he commenced throwing up -breastworks at the junction of the Bark with the Rock River. These were -surmounted by a stockade. The rude fort was soon abandoned in the chase -of Black Hawk to the west; but the site was chosen in 1836 for the home -of the first settler of the modern city of Fort Atkinson, Wis. - -101 (page 321).--Now called Baraboo River. - -102 (page 322).--David Hunter, a native of the District of Columbia, -was then first lieutenant in the Fifth Infantry. He became captain of -the First Dragoons in 1833, and was made major and paymaster in 1842. -On the outbreak of the War of Secession he was at first appointed -colonel of the Sixth Cavalry; but later, in 1861, was commissioned as -major-general of volunteers. Because of gallant and meritorious service -in the battle of Piedmont, and during the campaign in the Valley of -Virginia, he was brevetted major-general. He retired from the service -in July, 1866. - -103 (page 323).--Charles Gratiot, the father of Henry, was born in -Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1753, the child of refugee Huguenots from -La Rochelle, France. Trained to mercantile life in London, he came to -America when not yet of age, and opened a trading-post at Mackinac, -visiting Green Bay and Prairie du Chien as early as 1770. He was a -wide traveler by canoe through the heart of the continent. In 1774 he -opened establishments at Cahokia and Kaskaskia, and very materially -aided General George Rogers Clark with influence and fortune, in the -latter's celebrated expeditions for the capture of the Northwest. One -of his four sons was Henry, to whom our author refers. Henry became a -leader in the development of the Wisconsin-Illinois lead mines, and was -for many years Indian agent in that district, doing good service as -such in the Red Bird (1827) and Black Hawk (1832) uprisings. He died in -Baltimore, Md., April 27, 1836. - -104 (page 328).--The term "pipe" was of more general application than -this, among _voyageurs_. It referred to the occasional stoppage of -work, in rowing, when pipes would be refilled, and perhaps other -refreshment taken. A canoe voyage along the lakes and rivers of the -West was measured by "pipes," which of course were more numerous going -against the current than with it. In the same manner a portage trail -was measured by the number of "pauses" necessary for resting; a rough -path having more such than a smooth, level trail. - -105 (page 330).--Such huge flights of wild doves were still -occasionally to be seen in Wisconsin until about 1878. The present -writer has seen them, especially about 1868, in flocks of such size -as to darken the sun, as at a total eclipse; large fields in which -they would settle would seem to be solid masses of birds; and at night -they would roost upon trees in such numbers as to break the branches. -Farmers and pot-hunters easily killed great numbers with long sticks, -either as they rested upon the trees, or rose from the ground in -clouds, when disturbed. - -106 (page 333).--See Note 31. - -107 (page 337).--See Note 15. - -108 (page 339).--This was during the Black Hawk War (1832). The -fleeing Sacs were retreating up Rock River, to the north-east, and -made a stand on Lake Koshkonong. The people at Green Bay were without -definite information regarding the fugitives, and their number and -capacity to do harm were greatly exaggerated. It was supposed that -they would continue going to the north-east, and seek an outlet -to Lake Michigan at Green Bay. This threw the people of the lower -valley of the Fox River into a panic, which was no less real because -ludicrous in character. See the diary during this flurry, of Cutting -Marsh, missionary to the Stockbridge Indians, in _Wisconsin Historical -Collections_, vol. xv. - -109 (page 340).--General Winfield Scott had been ordered to the seat of -the Black Hawk War by way of the Great Lakes, with reinforcements for -Atkinson. Cholera among his troops had detained him first at Detroit, -then at Chicago, and lastly at Rock Island. Nearly one-fourth of his -force of a thousand regulars died with the pestilence. - -110 (page 342).--Nathan Clark entered the army in 1813, as a second -lieutenant, and became a captain in the Fifth Infantry in 1824--the -rank he held at the time alluded to by Mrs. Kinzie. He was brevetted -major in 1834, for ten years' faithful service in one grade, and died -February 18, 1836. His daughter, now Mrs. Charlotte Ouisconsin Van -Cleve, is the author of a book of reminiscences, which covers much -of the ground traversed by Mrs. Kinzie, _Three Score Years and Ten_ -(Minneapolis, 1888). - -111 (page 343).--See Note 73. - -112 (page 343).--Major Henry Dodge, afterward first territorial -governor of Wisconsin, was, during the Black Hawk War, in charge of the -Michigan militia west of Lake Michigan. Generals James D. Henry and M. -K. Alexander were in charge of brigades of Illinois volunteers. The -combined army of regulars and volunteers had followed Black Hawk to -Lake Koshkonong. While encamped there, Henry, Alexander, and Dodge had -been despatched (July 10) to Fort Winnebago for much needed provisions, -it being the nearest supply point. While they were absent, the fugitive -Sacs fled westward to the Wisconsin River. The troops followed on a hot -trail, and July 21 there ensued the battle of Wisconsin Heights, near -Prairie du Sac. Black Hawk, with sadly diminished forces, continued -his flight to the Mississippi; where, near the mouth of the Bad Ax, -occurred (August 1 and 2) the final battle of the war. - -113 (page 345).--Site of the modern city of Appleton, Wis. - -114 (page 349).--During the battle of Wisconsin Heights, a large party -of non-combatants in Black Hawk's party, composed mainly of women, -children, and old men, were sent down the Wisconsin River on a large -raft and in canoes borrowed from the Winnebagoes. A detachment of -regulars, sent out from Fort Crawford, fired into this party and killed -and captured many. The few who could escape to the woods were afterward -massacred by the band of Menomonee Indians of whom Mrs. Kinzie speaks; -the contingent had been organized in the neighborhood of Green Bay, by -Colonel Samuel C. Stambaugh, former Indian agent. This was the only -exploit in which Stambaugh's expedition participated, for the war was -practically ended before it arrived on the scene of action. - -115 (page 353).--This refers to the so-called "battle of the Bad Ax" -(see last clause of Note 112). Black Hawk endeavored to surrender, but -the party of regulars on the steamer "Warrior" disregarded his white -flag, and he was caught between the land forces under Atkinson and the -fire of the steamer. The Indians were shot down like rats in a trap; -and those who finally managed to swim across the Mississippi, under -cover of the islands, were set upon by the Sioux, who had been inspired -to this slaughter by the authorities at Fort Crawford. The Black Hawk -War, from beginning to end, is a serious blot on the history of our -Indian relations. - -116 (page 353).--General Hugh Brady, then colonel of the Second -Infantry. He had been brevetted brigadier-general in 1822, for ten -years' faithful service in one grade; and was brevetted major-general -in 1848 for meritorious conduct. Brady led the 450 regulars, upon the -trail of Black Hawk, from Wisconsin Heights to the Bad Ax. - -117 (page 354).--May 14, 1832, Black Hawk and fifty or sixty of his -head men were encamped near the mouth of Sycamore Creek, a tributary -of the Rock River. Toward sunset of that day, there appeared, three -miles down the Rock, two battalions of Illinois volunteer troops, a -total of 341 men, under Majors Isaiah Stillman and David Bailey. The -whites had unlimbered for a night in camp, when three Indians appeared -with a white flag, messengers from Black Hawk, who tells us in his -autobiography that he wished at the time to offer to meet General -Atkinson in council, with a view to peaceful withdrawal to the west -of the Mississippi. The troopers, many of whom were in liquor, slew -two of the messengers, the third running back to warn Black Hawk. That -astute warrior drew up twenty-five securely mounted braves behind a -fringe of bushes, and when the whites appeared in disorderly array -fired one volley at them, and rushed forward with the war-whoop. The -troopers turned and fled in consternation, galloping madly toward their -homes, carrying the news that Black Hawk and two thousand blood-thirsty -warriors were raiding northern Illinois. Sycamore Creek was thereafter -known as Stillman's Run. - -118 (page 354).--August 27, 1832, two Winnebago braves, Chætar and -One-Eyed Decorah, delivered up Black Hawk and his Prophet to the -Indian agent at Prairie du Chien, Joseph M. Street (see Note 49). The -fugitives had been found at the dalles of the Wisconsin River, above -Kilbourn City. - -119 (page 355).--Edgar M. Lacey, a native of New York, was at this time -second lieutenant in the Second Infantry; he was commissioned first -lieutenant in 1835, and captain in 1838. From 1831-38 he served at -Forts Winnebago (Portage) and Crawford (Prairie du Chien). He died at -the latter post, April 2, 1839, aged thirty-two years. - -120 (page 357).--Red Bird, a Winnebago village chief, was the leader -of what in Wisconsin history is indifferently called "The Winnebago -War," or "Red Bird's uprising," in 1827. The United States troops, -having quelled the disturbance, proposed to wreak summary vengeance on -the entire tribe unless it gave up the two principal offenders. Red -Bird and a brave named Wekau, who had escaped to the wilderness. The -two men voluntarily surrendered themselves to Major William Whistler, -at the Fox-Wisconsin portage, in July of that year. Red Bird's conduct -on this occasion was particularly brave and picturesque, and he won -the admiration of the troops. He was confined at Prairie du Chien, -and given ample opportunity to escape, for the military authorities -did not know what to do with him; but he proudly refused to break his -parole. After a few months he died from an epidemic then prevalent in -the village, and thus greatly relieved his unwilling jailers. - -121 (page 358).--General George B. Porter, of Pennsylvania, was -appointed governor of Michigan Territory in 1831, to succeed Lewis -Cass. He died in office, in July, 1834. - -122 (page 359).--See Note 17. - -123 (page 360).--Joseph C. Plymton was a native of Massachusetts, and -at this time a captain in the Second Infantry, but held the brevet of -major for ten years' faithful service in one grade. His commission as -major came in 1840; he was made lieutenant-colonel in 1846, and colonel -in 1853; he died on Staten Island, June 5, 1860. Plymton won notice for -gallantry at Cerro Gordo and Contreras. - -124 (page 366).--Apparently Camillus C. Daviess, of Kentucky, a second -lieutenant of the Fifth Infantry. He became a first lieutenant in 1836, -and resigned in 1838. - -125 (page 366).--Enos Cutler, born at Brookfield, Mass., November 1, -1781, graduated at Brown University at the age of nineteen, was tutor -there a year, and then studied law in Cincinnati. He entered the army -in 1808 as lieutenant, was promoted to a captaincy in 1810, serving -through the War of 1812 as assistant adjutant-general and assistant -inspector-general; major in 1814; served under General Jackson in the -Creek War and on the Seminole campaign; made lieutenant-colonel in -1826; colonel in 1836; resigning in 1839, and dying at Salem, Mass., -July 14, 1860. - -126 (page 379).--Horatio Phillips Van Cleve, of New Jersey, was at -this time a brevet second lieutenant of the Second Infantry; he was -regularly commissioned as such in 1834. In 1836 he resigned from -the army to become a civil engineer in Michigan. During the War of -Secession he went out as colonel of the Second Minnesota, was severely -wounded at Stone River, but recovered and served with distinction until -the close of the war, retiring with the rank of major-general. In 1836 -he married Charlotte Ouisconsin Clark, daughter of Major Nathan Clark -(see Note 110). Mrs. Van Cleve, who is still living (1901), was born at -Fort Crawford in 1819, and is said to have been the first woman of pure -white blood born within the present limits of Wisconsin. - -127 (page 384).--See Note 55. - -128 (page 387).--Major Thomas Forsyth, who had been a fur-trader on -Saginaw Bay, at Chicago, on an island in the Mississippi near Quincy, -and at Peoria, was appointed government Indian agent for the Illinois -district at the outbreak of the War of 1812-15. His headquarters were -at Peoria. At the close of the war he was appointed agent for the -Sacs and Foxes, resigning just previous to the Black Hawk War (1832). -Forsyth rendered valuable service to the government while Indian agent, -and has left behind many valuable MS. reports, of great interest to -historical students; a large share of these are in the archives of the -Wisconsin Historical Society. - - - - -INDEX - - - Abbott, Samuel, of American Fur Company, 10, 395. - Agatha, daughter of Decorah, 369-371; - her sad story, 372-375. - Agency City, Iowa, Street at, 404; - treaty of 1836, 409. - Albach, James R., _Annals of the West_, 155. - Alexander, Gen. Milton K., in Black Hawk War, 343, 416. - Algoma, Wis., Knaggs at, 413. - Alleghany Mountains, discovery of passes, 405, 406. - Allen, Col. George W., has negro servant, 193. - Allouez, Father Claude, Jesuit missionary, at De Pere, 413. - American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, operations in - Wisconsin, 401. - American Bureau of Ethnology, publications of, 402. - American Fur Company, at Mackinac, 6-10, 150, 393-395; - at Fort Winnebago, 66, 326, 327, 336, 337, 403; - Fisher's agency, 398; - John Kinzie's agency, xvi; - John H. Kinzie's agency, xvi, xvii, 42-45; - Rolette's agency, 17-19; - absorbs Conant & Mack, 407. - American Home Missionary Society, sends out Kent, 405. - Appleton, Wis., Mrs. Kinzie at site of, 35, 416. - Atkinson, Gen. Henry, in Black Hawk War, 315, 318, 344, 414-417. - Arkansas, early land surveys, 406. - Armstrong, Mrs. ----, tavern keeper, 351. - Arndt, Hamilton, freighter, 58, 69, 70, 305, 306. - Arndt, John P., Green Bay tavern keeper, 14, 396; - at a hop, 23, 24. - Arndt, Mrs. John P., tavern keeper, 14, 15, 48. - Astor, John Jacob, establishes American Fur Company, 393, 394. - Astoria, founded, 393; - fall of, 394. - Auberry (Aubrey), William, killed in Black Hawk War, 317, 318. - Aux Plaines. See River Desplaines. - - Bailey, Maj. David, raided by Black Hawk, 417. - Bailey, Jonathan N., Chicago postmaster, 145, 408. - Bailly, Joseph, fur-trade clerk, 395. - Baird, Elizabeth Thérèse, entertains Mrs. Kinzie, 22; - sketch, 398, 399; - "Reminiscences," xix, 395. - Baird, Henry S., Green Bay lawyer, 22, 398. - Baptists, family servant, 376. - Barclay, Commodore Robert H., British naval officer, 194. - Baye des Puans (Puants). See Green Bay. - Beall, Lieut. ----, in Black Hawk War, 316. - Beall, Samuel W., Green Bay resident, 399. - Beall, Mrs. Samuel W., at Green Bay hop, 23, 24; - sketch, 399. - Bear, in Northwest fur trade, 7. - Beaubien, ----, death of, 201. - Beaubien, Jean Baptiste, Chicago resident, 141; - sketch, 407. - Beaubien, Mrs. Jean Baptiste, in Chicago massacre, 171. - Beaubien, Mark, residence of, 143; sketch, 407; - portrait, 144. - Beaubien, Medard, hunting, 201; - at a ball, 228-230. - Beaumont, Dr. William, at Fort Crawford, 314; - sketch, 413. - Beaver, in Northwest fur trade, 7. - Bee trees, at Piché's, 134. - Beloit, Wis., Mrs. Kinzie at, 411. - Bell, ----, early constable, 28. - Bellaire, ----, engagé, 371. - Bellaire, Madame ----, wife of foregoing, 369-371. - Bellefontaine, wayside tavern, 60, 351, 413; - Mrs. Kinzie at, 308, 309, 312. - Berthelet, ----, fur trader, 151, 152. - Bertrand (Parc aux Vaches), in Chicago massacre, 171. - Biddle, Edward, marries Indian girl, 10, 395. - Biddle, Nicholas, educates Sophia Biddle, 395. - Big Foot, Pottawattomie chief, 247-250; - imprisons Shaubena, 409; - view of village, 250. - Bisson, Mrs. ----, befriends Mrs. Helm, 182-185. - Blackbird, A. J., _History of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians_, 393. - Black Hawk, Sac headman, opposes land cession, 389, 391, 392; - uprising of, 272, 273, 407, 411, 414, 416, 417; - capture of, 404, 417; - portrait, 354. - See also, Black Hawk War. - Black Hawk War, causes of, 411, 412; - murder of St. Vrain, 116; - Stillman's Run, 354; - at Lake Koshkonong, 411, 414, 415; - battle of Wisconsin Heights, 344, 354, 416; - battle of Bad Ax, 353, 354, 416; - effect at Fort Winnebago, 363, 364; - scare at Green Bay, 375; - Stambaugh's expedition, 349; - Winnebagoes in, 65, 404; - Gratiot's services, 414; - Hamilton's operations, 406; - Scott's movements, 415; - Pottawattomies in, 409; - Hogan in, 408; - Street's services, 404; - comments on, 416; - Mrs. Kinzie's account, 314-371; - Thomas Forsyth's account, 387-392. - Black Jim, a negro servant, 180, 193. - Black Partridge, Pottawattomie chief, in Chicago massacre, 169, 174, 175, - 182-184, 189, 190; - illustration of return of medal, 168. - Black Wolf, Winnebago chief, 80, 321, 404. - Blanchard, Rufus, _The Northwest and Chicago_, 407. - Blue Mounds, near Morrison's, 405; - Kinzies at, 103, 104; - in Black Hawk War, 318. - Boilvin, Nicholas, Indian agent and justice, 28, 285; - removed, 404; - sketch, 400. - Boisvert, ----, Green Bay habitan, 27, 28. - Bourgeois, meaning of term, 28, 394. - Brush, Miss ----, sister of Charles, 412; - accompanies Kinzies, 303, 304. - Brush, Charles, Green Bay resident, 386, 412. - Bradley, Capt. Hezekiah, erects Fort Dearborn II, 140. - Brady, Gen. Hugh, in Black Hawk War, 353; - sketch, 416, 417. - Brewster, Messrs., fur traders, 408. - Brothertown Indians, move to Wisconsin, 401; - visited by Mrs. Kinzie, 333-336. - - Brown, Henry, _History of Illinois_, 155. - - Brown County, Wis., early court of, 402. - - Buffalo, hunted by Indians, 405, 406. - - Buffalo Grove, Ill., settled, 406; - Mrs. Kinzie at, 118. - - Burnett, ----, fur trader, 180. - - Burns, ----, in Chicago massacre, 155, 159. - - Burns, Mrs. ----, held captive by Indians, 188, 189. - - Butte des Morts, Grand, legend of, 52; - Mrs. Kinzie at, 48-53, 307-309, 328-330, 413; - Doty at, 25. - - Butte des Morts, Petit, description and tradition, 401, 402; - Mrs. Kinzie at, 40, 349. - - - Cadillac, Antoine de la Mothe, founds Detroit, 396. - - Cadle, Richard Fish, mission school, 275; - greets Mrs. Kinzie, 20; - sketch, 398. - - Cadle, Sarah, at Green Bay mission school, 398; - greets Mrs. Kinzie, 20. - - Cahokia, Ill., Charles Gratiot at, 414. - - Caldwell, Billy (the Sauganash), Pottawattomie chief, 144; - befriends whites, 184, 197, 249; - hunting, 201; - accompanies Kinzies, 234-238; - sketch, 408, 409. - - Caledonia, Wis., Crélie at, 414. - - Calumet County, Wis., Stockbridges in, 401. - - Camp Smith, established, 396, 397; - site of Cadle mission, 398. - - Canada, Sac trail to, from Mississippi River, 121. - - Canadian boat songs, 23-30, 56, 327, 400. - - Canadian voyageurs, 150-154. - - Carlisle, Pa., settlement of, 207. - - Casenovia, Ill., Alexander Robinson at, 409. - - Cass, Lewis, tour to sources of Mississippi, 2, 27, 397; - superintendent of Indians, xvii, 44, 146; - governor of Michigan Territory, 399, 418; - in Winnebago War, 319. - - Cass, Mrs. Lewis, advises Mrs. Kinzie, 27, 399. - - Catherine, a servant, 356. - - Catholics, at Mackinac, 9, 395. - See also, Jesuits and Mazzuchelli. - - Caxton Club, republishes _Wau-Bun_, xx. - - Chætar, a Winnebago, 417. - - Chambers, Col. Talbot, completes Fort Howard, 397. - - Champlain, Samuel de, sends Nicolet to Wisconsin, 403. - - Chandonnai, John B., fur trade clerk, 179, 186, 188. - - Charlotte, a Winnebago woman, 267, 268. - - Chekakou. See Chicago. - - Chequamegon Bay, Marquette driven from, 396. - - Chicago, origin of name, 145, 146; - on early maps, 408; - map of portage, 146; - early voyages to, 1; - early French at, 146; - arrival of Kinzie family, xvi, 138, 139; - John Kinzie's career, 146-150; - the massacre (1812), 155-191; - return of John Kinzie (1816), 197; - burial of massacre victims, 197; - bas-reliefs from massacre monument, 168, 172, 174, 176; - Indian agency, 197, 227; - trail from Dixon's, 117, 121; - from Piché's, 132; - from Portage, 108; - John H. Kinzie at, xvii, xviii, 92-139, 150, 385, 386; - historical relation to Kinzie family, xviii; - town site platted, 200, 409, 410; - Kinzie's Addition platted, 204, 205, 376; - conditions in 1831, 140-145, 197-205; - early postal arrangements, 198, 304, 408; - early sermon, 203, 204; - Methodists at, 408; - early school, 408; - express from Fort Winnebago, 91, 369; - early marketing, 197, 198; - cattle for Fort Howard, 406; - currant bushes from, 277; - ferries, 143, 408; - taverns, 143, 407; - ball at Hickory Creek, 227-230; - fur trade, 408, 419; - early publishing, xviii; - Beaubiens at, 407; - Billy Caldwell at, 409; - Pottawattomie cession, 200; - cholera at, 415; - land grant for canal, 409, 410; - Wright's Woods, 202; - in Peoria County, 407; - site claimed by Wisconsin, 397; - view in 1820, 140; - in 1831, 142; - map of 1830, 142; - Historical Society furnishes illustrations, xvi, 142, 144, 146, 156, - 198, 228; - Mrs. Kinzie's _Narrative of Massacre_, xviii, xix. - See also, Fort Dearborn and Fur Trade. - - Chillicothe, Ohio, McKenzie girls at, xiv, xv. - - Chippewanaung, treaty of 1836, 409. - - Chippewa Indians, French appelation of, 52; - language, 32, 68, 264, 355; - relations to English, 7; - treaty of 1816, 388, 409; - Billy Caldwell, 408, 409; - in Black Hawk War, 320, 329, 351; - met by Mrs. Kinzie, 32; - Blackbird's _History_, 393. - - Cholera, in Black Hawk War, 340, 355, 356, 415. - - Chouteau, Auguste, treats with Sacs, 388. - - Chouteau, Pierre, sr., treats with Sacs, 388. - - Christman, ----, a soldier, 37, 38, 41, 273, 274. - - Clark, ----, marries Elizabeth McKenzie, xv. - - Clark, Charlotte Ouisconsin, marries Lieut. Van Cleve, 418. - See also, Mrs. H. P. Van Cleve. - - Clark, Gen. George Rogers, captures Vincennes, 399. - - Clark, Maj. Nathan, at Fort Howard, 342, 343; - Fort Crawford, 418; - sketch, 415. - - Clark, Gov. William, treats with Sacs, 388, 390, 391. - - Clay, Henry, visits Winnebagoes, 65. - - Clybourn, Archibald, Chicago resident, 144. - - Clybourn, Jonas, marries Elizabeth McKenzie, xvi. - - Conant & Mack, fur traders, 407. - - Cook County, Ill., commissioners' court, 408. - - Cooke & Co., D. B., publish _Wau-Bun_, xix. - - Cooper, Fenimore, novelist, 399. - - Corbin, Mrs. Phelim, heroism of, 178. - - Corn (maize), grown by Northwest Indians, 7, 8. - - Corn Planter (Big White Man), Seneca chief, 209, 211, 215-223. - - Council Bluffs, Iowa, Billy Caldwell at, 409. - - Courtes-oreilles. See Ottawa Indians. - - Courville, Florence, at Sunday school, 274, 275. - - Crélie (Crély), Joseph, Green Bay habitan, 27, 28; - in Black Hawk War, 318; - sketch, 414. - - Croghan, Col. George, attacks Mackinac Island, 395. - - Crooks, Ramsay, expedition from Astoria, 393. - - Cross Village. See L'Arbre Croche. - - Cuivre Settlement, Indian murder at, 387. - - Currie, ----, hospital steward, 369-371. - - Cut Nose (Elizabeth), a Winnebago woman, 269-271, 385. - - Cutler, Col. Enos, at Fort Winnebago, 366, 367, 380; - sketch, 418. - - - Dakotan Indians, Winnebagoes are offshoots from, 403. - - Dandy, son of Black Wolf, 404. - - Dandy, Winnebago chief, 65, 66. - - Davenport, George, purchases Sac Lands, 390, 391. - - David, negro servant, 90, 327, 354. - - Daviess, Lieut. Camillus C., at Fort Winnebago, 366; - sketch, 418. - - Davis, Lieut. Jefferson, at Fort Winnebago, 59, 70, 403. - - Dean, John, sutler at Fort Dearborn, 141, 145. - - De Charme, ----, Michigan fur trader, 167. - - Decorah, Grey-headed (Old), Winnebago chief, 63, 64, 88, 89, 382; - sketch, 403; - his mother, 278-280; - his daughter, 381, 382. - - Decorah, One-Eyed, a Winnebago, 417; - captures Black Hawk, 354. - - Decorah, Rascal, his daughter Agatha, 369-375. - - Decorah (Day-kau-ray) family, Winnebagoes, 269, 270, 372-374. - - Deer, in Northwest fur trade, 7. - - De Langlade, Charles, first white settler in Wisconsin, 398, 400. - - De Langlade, Louise Domitilde, marries Pierre Grignon, 400. - - Delaware (Lenapé) Indians, friends of whites, 206, 207, 211. - - De Ligney, ----, letter to De Siette, 146. - - De Pere, Wis., origin of name, 413; - Mrs. Kinzie at, 306. - - Derby & Jackson, publish _Wau-Bun_, xix. - - De Siette, ----, letter from De Ligney, 146. - - Detroit, founded by Cadillac, 396; - Jesuit mission, 12, 396; - Récollets at, 396; - massacre, 323; - Lytles, 223; - John Kinzie, xiv, xv, 148, 181, 186; - Kinzies, xvi, xvii, 1, 2, 26, 28, 44, 167, 262, 278, 304, 385, 386; - Mackenzies, xiii, xv; - Réaume, 399; - surrendered by Hull, 162, 192; - under English control, 188, 192-196, 224; - lake schooner from, 227; - early wagon from, 231; - cholera at, 340, 345; - Mark Beaubien, 407; - Doty, 397; - Hogan, 408; - Robert Stuart, 393, 394. - - Dickenson's, gossip at, 304; - Mrs. Kinzie at, 337. - - Dixon, John, founder of Dixon, Ill., 406; - entertains Kinzies, 119-121; - sketch, 407. - - Dixon, Mrs. John, entertains Kinzies, 118-121. - - Dixon, Ill. (Ogee's Ferry), genesis of, 406, 407; - Mrs. Kinzie at, 94, 116-122. - - Dodge, Elizabeth, daughter of Henry, 104, 106. - - Dodge, Maj. Henry, in Black Hawk War, 104, 343, 344, 360, 416 - - Dogherty, ----, a Quaker, 134, 136, 137. - - Dole, George W., Chicago settler, 228. - - Dominicans, in Wisconsin, 411. - - Doty, James Duane, entertains Kinzies, 16-27; - accompanies Kinzies, 27, 35, 37, 38, 48, 50, 51, 53; - defends Winnebago suspects, 359; - sketch, 397. - - Doty, Mrs. James Duane, entertains Kinzies, 17, 21. - - Doty's Island, Mrs. Kinzie at, 413. - - Dousman family, residence at Mackinac, 10. - - Doyle, ----, a soldier, hanged for murder, 341-343, 410. - - Draper, Lyman Copeland, names Madison lakes, 405. - - Drew, ----, residence at Mackinac, 10. - - Du Charme, Dominic, settles Kaukauna, 400. - - Duck Creek, Kinzies on, 96, 97, 258, 259. - - Dunkley's Grove, Ill., Kinzies at, 236-238. - - Dunmore's War, McKenzie girls captured in, xiv. - - Dunn, Col. Charles, Chicago canal commissioner, 409. - - Du Pin, ----, French fur trader, 190, 191. - - Durham boats, described, 344. - - - Eastman, Capt. S., view of Mackinac, 6. - - Education, at Chicago, 145, 408; - reservation of school section, 410. - See also, Cadle, Ferry, Mazzuchelli, Marsh, Miner, - Williams, and the several denominations. - - Edwards, Gov. Ninian, treats with Sacs, 388. - - Ellis & Fergus, early Chicago printers, xviii. - - Engle, Lieut. James, at Fort Dearborn, 144. - - Engle, Mrs. James, at Fort Dearborn, 232. - - English, early maps by, 408; - captivity of John Kinzie, 192-196; - campaign against Sandusky, 403; - in War of 1812-15, 186-188; - Indian department, 399; - relations with Iroquois, 206, 211, 215; - relations with North-western Indians, 7, 121, 157, 176, 339, 407-409; - removal of upper lake posts, xv; - occupy Mackinac, 162, 164, 395, 396; - capture Prairie du Chien, 398, 400; - on Mississippi, 403; - at Detroit, 188, 192-196, 224; - fur trade of, 393, 394; - emigration to Canada, xiii. - - Ephraim, Uncle, a negro servant, 84, 85. - - Episcopalians. See Cadle and Eleazer Williams. - - - Fallen Timbers, battle of, xv. - - Ferries, at Chicago, 143, 408; - across Desplaines, 137; - at Detroit, 255. - See also, J. P. Arndt, Dixon, Knaggs, and Ogee. - - Ferry, Rev. William Montague, Presbyterian missionary, 6, 9; - sketch, 394. - - Finley, Dr. Clement A., post surgeon, 305; - at Fort Dearborn, 145; - at Fort Howard, 305; - at Fort Winnebago, 355, 356. - - Fisher, Henry Munro, fur trader, 398. - - Fleming, Gen. ----, grandson of Haliburton, xiii, 147. - - Folles Avoines. See Menomonee Indians. - - Follett, Burley, in Black Hawk War, 318. - - Forbes, Elvira (Mrs. Stephen), schoolmistress, 145, 408. - - Force, George, killed in Black Hawk War, 318. - - Forsyth, Miss ----, accompanies Mrs. Kinzie, 344-352. - - Forsyth, George, lost in woods, 149, 150. - - Forsyth, Maj. Robert A., Indian agent, 64, 366; - sketch, 403. - - Forsyth, Thomas, fur trader, 186; - account of Black Hawk War, 387-392; - sketch, 419. - - Forsyth, William, marries Mrs. Mackenzie, xiii, 147. - - Forsyth, Mrs. William, story of captivity, 205-223. - - Fort Apple River, in Black Hawk War, 318. - - Fort Armstrong, in Black Hawk War, 412. - See also, Rock Island. - - Fort Atkinson, Wis., genesis of, 414. - - Fort Crawford, birth of Charlotte O. Clark, 418; - in Black Hawk War, 416; - Dr. Beaumont at, 413; - Lieut. Lacey, 417; - Mrs. Mitchell, 10. - - Fort Dearborn I (1803-12), built, 407; - description, 156; - John Kinzie, trader, xvi; - Indian agency, 159; - massacre, xvi, 156-191; - views, 156, 172. - - Fort Dearborn II (1816), built, 140, 197, 407; - description, 140-142, 197; - Indian agency, 142, 144, 145, 160, 161, 197; - Hogan, sutler, 408; - garrison in 1831, 144, 145; - offender drummed out, 202, 203; - troops withdrawn (1831), 227, 230-233, 237, 238, 246, 247, 341; - re-occupied (1832), 410. - - Fort Defiance, McKillip killed at, 224. - - Fort George, on Mackinac Island, 395, 396. - - Fort George, on Niagara frontier, the Helms at, 187. - - Fort Gratiot, John H. Kinzie at, 278; cholera, 340. - - Fort Holmes, on Mackinac Island, 11, 396. - - Fort Howard, built, 397; - named from General Howard, 397; - history, 397; - Indian agency, 337, 413; - murder of Lieut. Foster, 341-343, 410; - Kinzies at, 16, 22; - arrival of lake schooner, 304; - imports Illinois cattle, 406; - Col. Smith at, 396; - Chicago troops removed to, 227, 230-233, 238, 246, 247; - Capt. Scott's kennels, 410; - Dr. Finley at, 305; - Fifth regiment, 260; - in Black Hawk War, 322, 326, 337-344, 364; - view, 14. - - Fort Mackinac, Mrs. Kinzie at, 9, 10. - See also, Mackinac Island. - - Fort Maiden, John Kinzie at, 194; - North-western Indians, 7, 157, 407. - - Fort Niagara, Ont., English Indian agency at, 211, 220-223. - - Fort Pitt. See Pittsburg. - - Fort Wayne, Ind., Margaret McKenzie near, xiv; - destination of Chicago garrison, 163-166, 168; - Chicago mail, 198. - - Fort Winnebago, 104, 106, 112; - site of, 59, 60; - description, 260-264; - receives troops from Fort Howard, 339; - Chicago troops at, 233; - Kinzies, xvii, 25, 26, 56-96, 139, 201, 227, 230-233, 260-305, 344-352; - Indian agency, xvii, 57, 58, 60, 68, 72-80, 260-303, 358-386, 411; - daily life, 80-87, 89, 90; - First and Fifth regiments, 260; - Winnebagoes, 60-66, 264-303; - in Black Hawk War, 314-371, 387-392, 416, 417; - surrender of Winnebago suspects, 357-363; - escape of prisoners, 366-368, 384, 385; - payment of Indian annuities, 363, 364, 366; - Indian destitution, 380-383; - first Protestant sermon, 384; - trail from Butte des Morts, 51, 53; - from Chicago, 121; - mail via Green Bay, 304; - land journey from Green Bay, 305-313; - snakes, 21; - Lieut. Davis, 403; - Capt. Hooe, 403; - Lieut. Lacey, 417; - views, 56, 358; - Turner's "History," 411. - - Foster, Lieut. Amos, at Fort Dearborn, 144, 145, 228, 229, 232; - accompanies Kinzies, 233-238, 255, 341; - at Lake Geneva, 246, 247; - murder of, 341-343; - sketch, 410. - - Four Lakes, at Madison, how named, 405; - near Sugar Creek, 368; - Winnebagoes on, 72; - Kinzies at, 100, 102, 103, 256; - in Black Hawk War, 316, 317. - - Four-Legs (Hootschope), Winnebago chief, 65; - offers daughter to John H. Kinzie, 43-45; - Mrs. Kinzie at village of, 41-45, 333; - death, 60-63; - view of village, 42. - - Four-Legs, Madame, at Fort Howard, 344; - at husband's funeral, 62, 63. - - Four-Legs (Young Dandy), Winnebago chief, at Fort Winnebago, 264, 265. - - Fowle, Maj. John, jr., at Fort Dearborn, 144. - - Fox, in Northwest fur trade, 7. - - Fox Indians (Musquakees), French appellation of, 53; - relations with French, 52, 53; - with English, 7; - allied to Sacs, 402; - talk with Harrison, 387, 388; - on Mississippi, 270, 391, 392; - in treaty of 1804, 389, 390; - in treaty of 1816, 411, 412; - Forsyth's agency, 387, 419; - one marries Winnebago woman, 269, 270; - Madame Four-Legs, 62, 63, 344; - met by Mrs. Kinzie, 32; - in Black Hawk War, 314; - at Rock Island, 404. - - Franchère, Gabriel, _Narrative of a Voyage_, etc., 4. - - François, half-breed interpreter, 186. - - Frankfort, Ky., _Western World_, 404. - - Franks, Jacob, fur trader, 402. - - French, early maps by, 408; - rout Foxes, 53, 402; - downfall of New France, xiii, 7; - nature of French-Canadian _patois_, 412; - names for Indians, 53, 54; - as fur trade agents, 394; - as voyageurs, 327-338, 344-352; - as cooks, 31, 37, 47, 101, 102, 236, 251; - related to Winnebagoes, 373, 374, 403; - at Butte des Morts, 49, 402; - Chicago, 142, 146, 158, 160, 407, 408; - Fort Winnebago, 66, 68, 83, 85, 86, 94-97, 260, 262, 263, 269, 271, - 274-277, 285, 320, 322, 327, 365, 369-371, 403; - Green Bay, 23, 398; - in Kinzie's employ, 95-139, 227; - at Barney Lawton's, 235; - Mackinac, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 395; - on Mississippi, 403; - at Prairie du Chien, 398; - on Rock River, 407; - at Sandwich, 12; - Eleazer Williams pretends to be dauphin, 401. - - Frum, Louis (_dit_ Manaigre), at Fort Winnebago, 262, 263, 274-276, - 320, 352. - - Fry, ----, tried by Boilvin, 28. - - Fur trade, features of voyageur service, 150-154; - by English, 394; - at Astoria, 393; - Chicago, 145, 146, 156, 190, 191, 408; - Detroit, 407, 408; - Dixon, 407; - Fort Winnebago, 80; - Green Bay, 14, 396, 398, 402; - on Mississippi, 403; - at Morrison's Grove, 405; - Portage, 405; - Prairie du Chien, 414; - St. Joseph's 180; - operations by Boilvin, 400; - Davenport, 391; - Fisher, 398; - Thomas Forsyth, 387, 419; - Charles Gratiot, 414; - Grignons, 400; - John Kinzie, 146-150, 156; - Knaggs, 413; - Laframboises, 394, 395; - Paquette, 326, 336, 337, 413; - Réaume, 399; - Rolette, 17-19, 398; - Whitney, 412. - See also, American Fur Co., Hudson Bay Co., Mackinaw Co., - Northwest Co., Southwest Co., and Scotch. - - Furman, Lieut John G., at Fort Dearborn, 144; - death, 201. - - - Gagnon, Ernest, _Chansons Populaires du Canada_, 400. - - Gaines, Gen. E. P., removes Black Hawk, 391. - - Galena, Ill., Kent at, 107, 384, 405; - Hempsteads, 404; - Philleo, 306; - in Black Hawk War, 318; - in Peoria County, 407; - trail from Peoria, 406, 407. - - Gardiner, Mrs. ----, hospital matron, 246. - - Garlic Island (Island Park), near Oshkosh, 402; - Wild Cat's village, 358; - Mrs. Kinzie at, 45, 331-333. - - Genéviève, a half-breed servant, 138, 376. - - Glamorgan, ----, Dominican negro, 146. - - Gleason, Luther, settler on Fox River, 54, 56, 350-352. - - Gordon, Daisy, copies portrait of John H. Kinzie, xvi. - - Gordon, Mrs. Eleanor Kinzie, read proof-sheets, xxi. - - Grand Chûte, Mrs. Kinzie at, 35-39, 69, 333, 345-348, 369; - view, 346. - - Grand Haven, Mich., settled, 394. - - Grand Marais, Kinzies near, 124. - - Gratiot, Charles, fur trader, sketch, 414. - - Gratiot, Maj. Charles, plans Fort Howard, 397. - - Gratiot, Henry, son of Charles, 414; - Indian agent, 323; - lead miner, 404. - - Green, Emerson, killed in Black Hawk War, 318. - - Green Bay, 70; - named Baye des Puans, 403; - arrival of Nicolet, 403; - Réaume's career, 27, 28, 399, 400; - fur trade, 396, 398, 402; - hanging of Doyle, 341-343; - in Black Hawk War, 339-344, 375, 415; - Stambaugh's expedition, 349, 416; - Doty's court, 397; - first ferry, 396; - arrival of Winnebago commissioners, 364; - mosquitoes, 340; - Green Bay fly, 341; - residents met at Butte des Morts, 48; - Bairds at, 398, 399; - Bealls, 399; - Cadle's mission, 398; - Charles Gratiot, 414; - Grignon family, 400; - Ursula M. Grignon, 398; - W. S. Hamilton, 406; - Kinzies, xvii, 1, 13-30, 58, 68, 278, 303-306, 326, 344, 386; - Rolette, 18; - Stambaugh, 413; - Whitney, 412. - See also, Fort Howard, Navarino, and Shantytown. - - Greenville, Ohio, treaty of, xv, 408. - - Gridley, ----, a soldier, 35. - - Griffith, ----, a soldier, 185, 186. - - Grignon, ----, half-breed at Butte des Morts, 48, 50. - - Grignon, Misses, described by Mrs. Kinzie, 20, 21. - - Grignon, Amable, son of Pierre, 400. - - Grignon, Augustin, son of Pierre, 400; - fur trader, 402; - at Kaukauna, 400; - "Recollections," 400. - - Grignon, Charles, son of Pierre, 400. - - Grignon, Domitilde, daughter of Pierre, 400. - - Grignon, Elizabeth, assists Mazzuchelli, 266. - - Grignon, Hippolyte, son of Pierre, 400. - - Grignon, Jean Baptiste, son of Pierre, 400. - - Grignon, Louis, son of Pierre, 400; - fur trader, 20, 398. - - Grignon, Marguerite, daughter of Pierre, 400. - - Grignon, Petaille, engagé, 83, 227, 236-238, 240, 250, 252, 254, 258. - - Grignon, Pierre, fur trader, 400. - - Grignon, Mrs. Pierre, marries Langevin, 400. - - Grignon, Pierre Antoine, son of Pierre, 400. - - Grignon, Ursula M., described by Mrs. Kinzie, 21; - sketch, 398. - - Grignon family, at Kaukauna, 30, 31, 307; - at Butte des Morts, 48; - sketch, 400. - - Grosse Pointe, near Detroit, 224. - - Guardapie, Alexis, a voyageur, 331, 338. - - - Haliburton, ----, first husband of Mrs. Mackenzie, xiii, 147. - - Hall, Benjamin, marries Margaret McKenzie, xvi. - - Hamilton, Alexander, father of William Stephen, 406. - - Hamilton, Mrs. Alexander, visits Wisconsin, 406. - - Hamilton, Lieut. Gov. Henry, expedition against Vincennes, 399. - - Hamilton, Col. R. J., at Chicago, 227. - - Hamilton, William Stephen, entertains Kinzies, 107-116; - escorts Kinzies, 307; - sketch, 406. - - Hamilton's Diggings (Wiota), founded, 406; - Mrs. Kinzie at, 107-114, 307. - - Hancock, ----, a soldier, 86. - - Hanks, Lieut. Porter, loses Mackinac, 395. - - Harbor Springs, Mich. See L'Arbre Croche. - - Hardscrabble, early name for Lee's Place, 144. - - Harmon, Dr. E., early Chicago physician, 145, 202, 204. - - Harney, Capt. William Selby, escorts Kinzies to Fort Winnebago, 21, 22, - 25; - at Fort Winnebago, 17, 80, 91, 113, 354; - in Black Hawk War, 316; - sketch, 397. - - Harrison, Gen. William Henry, fights Indians, 404; - at Detroit, xvi, 193, 196; - governor of Indiana Territory, 399; - talks with Sacs and Foxes, 387, 388. - - Harry, a negro servant, 233, 234, 236, 237, 240, 274, 277, 332, 334. - - Hastings's Woods, near Portage, 370; - Mrs. Kinzie at, 257, 258. - - Hays, Sergt. ----, killed in Chicago massacre, 191. - - Hays, Henry, deserts George Forsyth, 148, 149. - - Heacock, Russell E., Chicago resident, 144. - - Heald, Capt. Nathan, in Chicago massacre, 156, 162-168, 186-188. - - Heald, Mrs. Nathan, in Chicago massacre, 157, 179-181, 186-188. - - Healy, G. P. A., portraits of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Kinzie, - _frontispiece_, xvi. - - Helm, Edwin, son of Linai T., 236, 240, 241, 274, 278, 379; - goes to Green Bay, 331, 332, 334-336. - - Helm, Lieut. Linai T., in Chicago massacre, 156, 173, 175, 177, 186, 187. - - Helm, Mrs. Margaret, wife of foregoing, a McKillip, xvi, 224; - narrative of Chicago massacre, 157, 173-191; - goes to Fort Winnebago, 227, 234-259; - at Fort Winnebago, 275, 319, 320, 324, 325; - goes to Fort Howard, 327-337; - returns to Fort Winnebago, 344-352. - - Hempstead, ----, Galena resident, 71. - - Hempstead, Charles, Galena lawyer, 404. - - Hempstead, Edward, Galena resident, 404. - - Hempstead, Stephen, sketch, 404. - - Hempstead, Susan, marries Henry Gratiot, 404. - - Henry, Gen. James D., in Black Hawk War, 321, 343, 344, 416. - - "Henry Clay," early lake steamer, xvii, 1-3, 9, 11-13, 15. - - Henshaw, Miss Frances, visits Kinzies, 303, 412. - - Hickory Creek, early ball at, 227-230. - - Hinckley, Capt. ----, at Fort Dearborn, 231, 232. - - Hogan, John Stephen Coats, sutler at Fort Dearborn, 145; - sketch, 408. - - Holmes, Maj. Andrew Hunter, killed on Mackinac Island, 395, 396. - - Holt, Sergt. ----, wounded in Chicago massacre, 178. - - Holt, Mrs. ----, wife of foregoing, heroism of, 178, 179. - - Hooe, Lieut. Alexander S., at Fort Winnebago, 54; - sketch, 403. - - Hoo-wau-ne-kah (Little Elk), Winnebago chief, 65; - in Black Hawk War, 321, 322. - - Howard, Gen. Benjamin, opinion of treaty of 1804, 388; - name given to Fort Howard, 397. - - Hubbard, Bela, _Memorials of a Half Century_, 400. - - Hudson Bay Company, fur trade of, 394. - - Hull, Gen. William, arrives at Detroit, 162; - surrender, 192. - - Hunt, George, at Wolf's Point, 198. - - _Hunt's Merchants' Magazine_, 400. - - Hunter, Lieut. David, at Fort Dearborn, 144, 376; - escorts Mrs. Kinzie, 344-352; - in Black Hawk War, 322; - sketch, 414. - - Huron Indians, raided by Iroquois, 396; - settle at Point St. Ignace, 396. - - Hurlburt, Henry H., _Chicago Antiquities_, 408. - - - Illinois, embraces Wisconsin, 400; - early land surveys, 406; - Sac and Fox cession (1804), 411; - furnishes cattle for Fort Howard, 406; - in Black Hawk War, 273, 314, 315, 411, 412, 416, 417; - _Wau-Bun_ as historical material for, xx. - - Illinois Indians, early French among, 146. - - Indians, customs and dances, 278-286, 364, 365; - marriage customs, 264, 265, 372-375; - medicine men, 282, 283; - legend of little rail (_poule d'eau_), 242-244; - of red fox, 287-294; - of Sheesheebanze (little duck), 295-302; - feast of green corn, 220, 221; - scalp dance, 364, 365; - dance at Fort Winnebago, 324; - division of labor, 280, 281, 412; - jerking of meat, 165; - mat weaving, 54, 55; - rice harvest, 46, 56; - use of kinnikinick, 42, 66; - mounds at Butte des Morts, 402; - at Lake Koshkonong, 411; - burial customs, 60-63, 284, 285; - payment of annuities, 72-75, 80, 262, 272, 278-286, 363, 364, 366; - in Pontiac's conspiracy, 12; - Black Hawk War a blot on our relations with, 416; - attitude of, to Cadle's mission, 398; - Boilvin's agency, 400; - Forsyth's, 419; - Gratiot's, 414; - Street's, 404; - Stuart's, 393; - at Mackinac, 9. - See also, the several tribes. - - Indiana Territory, embraces Wisconsin, 399. - - Iowa, Mazzuchelli in, 411; - Winnebago Indians in, 357. - - Iowa County, Wis., Hogan in, 408. - - Iowa Indians, met by Mrs. Kinzie, 32. - - Iroquois Indians, friendly to English, 206, 207, 215; - raids of, 393, 396. - - Irving, Washington, _Astoria_, 4. - - Irwin, Alexander, in Black Hawk War, 349. - - Irwin family, at Green Bay, 305. - - Island Park, near Oshkosh. See Garlic Island. - - - Jackson, Gen. Andrew, in Creek War, 418. - - Jayne, Dr. ----, canal commissioner, 409. - - Jefferson Barracks, Black Hawk at, 387, 392. - - Jenks, Alfred E., on wild rice, 402. - - Jesuits, Marquette's operations, 12, 396; - at De Pere, 413; - La Richardie at Sandwich, 396; - _Relations_, 401. - - Jewett, Charles, Indian agent, 197. - - Jews, in fur trade, 402. - - Johnson, Sir John, English Indian agent, 211, 216, 218, 220-223, 410. - - Johnson, Col. Richard M., interested in Indian education, 88, 89; - sketch, 404, 405. - - Johnson, Sir William, English Indian superintendent, 410. - - Joliet, Louis, explores Mississippi River, 396, 403. - - Juneau, Solomon, on Cadle's mission, 398. - - Justice, Réaume's administration of, 399, 400; - Boilvin's, 400; - Doty's, 397; - Lawe and Porlier's, 402; - at Chicago, 408, 409. - - - Karraymaunee (Nawkaw), Winnebago chief, 63. - - Kaskaskia, Ill., Charles Gratiot at, 414. - - Kaukauna (Grand Kaccalin, Cacalin, Cockolin, Kackalin, Kakalin, Kokolow), - first settlement at, 400; - Presbyterian mission, 400, 401; - Mrs. Kinzie, 22, 26, 30-35, 306, 307, 337. - - Keepotah (Kepotah) befriends Kinzies, 179, 181, 186, 188, 196, 197. - - Kellogg, O. W., settles Buffalo Grove, 406; - entertains Kinzies, 116-118; - accompanies Kinzies, 117-139. - - Kellogg, Mrs. O. W., entertains Kinzies, 116-118. - - Kellogg's Grove, Mrs. Kinzie at, 114-118, 307; - St. Vrain killed at, 392; - in Black Hawk War, 316. - - Kent, Rev. Aratus, Galena clergyman, 107, 384; - sketch, 405. - - Kent, Mrs. Aratus, wife of foregoing, 384. - - Kentucky, R. M. Johnson's career, 404, 405; - J. M. Street in, 404. - - Keokuk, Fox chief, 404. - - Kercheval, Gholson, 408; - French nickname for, 153; - fur trader, 145; - sutler at Fort Howard, 364, 366; - at Chicago, 231, 233, 237; - at early ball, 228-230; - accompanies Kinzies, 233, 234. - - Kewaniquot (Returning Cloud), Ottawa chief, 394, 398. - - Kickapoo Indians, fur trade of, 150. - - Kilbourn City, Wis., near Wisconsin River dalles, 417. - - Kilgour, Corporal ----, escorts Kinzies, 36, 41. - - King, Mrs. Charles, grandchild of Haliburton, xiii. - - Kinnikinick, Indian substitute for tobacco, 42, 66. - - Kinzie, Ellen Marion, daughter of John, xvi. - - Kinzie, Elizabeth, daughter of John, xv, xvi. - - Kinzie, James, son of John, xv, xvi. - - Kinzie, John, at Bertrand, Mich., 146, 408; - early life in Chicago, 154, 407; - in Chicago massacre, 154-191; - captivity by English, 192-196; - returns to Chicago (1816), 197; - last years and death, 197-200; - sketch, xiii-xvi. - - Kinzie, Mrs. John, wife of foregoing, 145; - captivity among Senecas, 205-223; - in Chicago massacre, 155; - prophecy as to Chicago land values, 205; - greets authoress, 139; - at Fort Winnebago, 227 , 234-259, 264, 265, 378; - at Prairie du Chien, 354, 356; - has vision of brother's death, 224-227. - - Kinzie, John H., son of foregoing, residence in Chicago, 141, 142; - canoe trip on Fox River, 25-27; - at Fort Winnebago, 69, 71, 74, 76, 87-90, 95, 260-263, 272, 278-304, - 357-386; - journey to Chicago, 94-139; - returns to Fort Winnebago, 253-259, 306-313; - sends family to Fort Howard, 326, 327, 335, 343; - relieves return party, 348-352; - at Rock Island, 355, 356; - at Prairie du Chien, 314; - in Black Hawk War, 314-371, 387-392; - plats Kinzie's Addition, 376; - not author of _Narrative of Massacre at Chicago_, xviii; - sketch, xvi-xviii; - portrait, xxiii; - view of residence, 150. - - Kinzie, Mrs. John H. (Juliette A. Magill), journey to Green Bay, 1-13; - at Green Bay, 13-24; - canoe trip to Fort Winnebago, 25-57; - at Fort Winnebago, 57-96; - journey to Chicago, 96-139; - in Chicago, 139-234; - return to Fort Winnebago, 234-259; - at the fort, 259-304; - visit to Green Bay, 304-306; - horseback trip to Portage, 306-313; - again at Fort Winnebago, 314-326; - fleeing to Green Bay, 326-338; - return to Portage, 339-352; - at the fort again, 353-386; - account of Black Hawk War, 314-371; - _Narrative of Massacre at Chicago_, xviii, xix; - _Walter Ogilby_, xix; - other literary work, xviii-xx; - sketch, xvii, xviii; - portrait, _frontispiece_. - - Kinzie, Maria Indiana, daughter of John, xvi. - - Kinzie, Robert Allen, son of John, xvi; - fur trader, 408; - at Chicago, 227-230; - locates Kinzie's Addition, 204, 205; - hunting, 201; - accompanies John H., 234; - at Fort Winnebago, 58. - - Kinzie, William, born, xv, xvi. - - Kinzie family, relation to Chicago history, xviii; - French nickname for, 153. - - Kishwaukee, Kinzies near, 124; - in Black Hawk War, 315. - - Knaggs, James, early tavern keeper, 307-309, 413. - - - Lacey, Lieut. Edgar M., at Fort Winnebago, 355, 356, 417. - - La Fayette County, Wis., early emigration to, 406. - - Laframboise, Joseph, fur trader, 394. - - Laframboise, Madame Joseph, half-breed trader, 9; - sketch, 394, 395, 398. - - Laframboise, Josette (of Chicago), marries J. B. Beaubien, 407. - - Laframboise, Josette (of Mackinac), marries Captain Pierce, 395. - - Laframboise, Glode (Claude), friend of Tomah, 376. - - Lake Buffalo (Lac de Bœuf), Mrs. Kinzie on, 55, 56, 351. - - Lake Butte des Morts, Mrs. Kinzie on, 45, 46. - - Lake Crystal, Kinzies on, 242. - - Lake Erie, crossed by Lytle, 223; - Perry's battle on, 194, 195. - - Lake Fox, Winnebagoes on, 72. - - Lake Geneva (Big Foot, Gros-pied, Maunk-suck), Shaubena at, 409; - Kinzies on, 245, 247-251, 253; - view, 250. - - Lake Green, Winnebagoes on, 72; - seen by Judge Doty, 51. - - Lake Huron, guarded by Mackinac Island, 395; - early settlements on, 1; - Mrs. Kinzie on, 2, 3, 5. - - Lake Kegonsa (First Lake), how named, 405. - - Lake Koshkonong, on Chicago trail, 94, 108, 122; - Winnebagoes on, 72, 252-254, 404; - in Black Hawk War, 317, 318, 411, 414-416. - - Lake Mendota (Fourth Lake), how named, 405. - - Lake Michigan, 156; - guarded by Mackinac Island, 395; - currents of, 408; - touched by Sac trail, 407; - Pottawattomies on, 120, 409; - fur trade, 6, 394; - early settlements, 1; - in Chicago massacre, 171; - as state boundary, 397; - Mrs. Kinzie on, 12, 13; - bounds Kinzie's Addition, 204; - Dominicans west of, 411; - in Black Hawk War, 415, 416; - Chicago canal, 409. - - Lake Monona (Third Lake), how named, 405. - - Lake Mud, Winnebagoes on, 72. - - Lake Puckaway, Mrs. Kinzie on, 54, 55, 60, 350. - - Lake St. Clair, near Detroit, 224. - - Lake Superior, guarded by Mackinac Island, 395; - fur trade on, 6, 152, 400. - - Lake Swan, near Portage, 286. - - Lake Waubesa (Second Lake), how named, 405. - - Lake Wingra (Dead Lake), at Madison, 405. - - Lake Winnebago, Mrs. Kinzie on, 31, 40-45, 60, 330-332, 348, 349, 413; - Wild Cat's village, 358; - Stockbridges on, 401; - Winnebagoes, 72; - Rolette, 18, 19. - - Lake Winnipeg, Winnebagoes probably from, 403. - - La Liberté, Louis, voyageur, 154. - - Lands, early surveys in Middle West, 406; - public sales of, xviii; - cession by Wisconsin Indians, 355, 357; - Sac and Fox cessions, 387-391, 411, 412; - grant in aid of Chicago canal, 409, 410. - - Langevin, Jean Baptiste, marries widow of Pierre Grignon, 400. - - Lapierre, ----, a blacksmith, 100. - - Lapierre, ----, a voyageur, 56. - - La Prairie, near Montreal, 399. - - L'Arbre Croche, Indian village, seen by Mrs. Kinzie, 12, 13, 396. - - La Richardie, Father Armand de, Jesuit missionary, 396. - - Lashley, ----, residence at Mackinac, 10. - - Lawe, John, Green Bay resident, meets Mrs. Kinzie, 48, 49; - sketch, 402. - - Lawton, Barney, Illinois settler, 137, 138, 234, 235. - - Lead region. Sac and Fox land cession (1804), 411, 412; - early emigration to, 406; - Gratiot in, 404, 414; - Presbyterian mission to, 405; - in Black Hawk War, 412. - - Leclerc, Peresh, half-breed interpreter, 176, 177. - - Lecuyer, Simon, engagé, 227, 236-240, 252. - - Lee, ----, killed in Chicago massacre, 189. - - Lee, Mrs. ----, wife of foregoing, in Indian captivity, 189, 190; - marries Du Pin, 191. - - Lee, William, early Chicago exhorter, 144, 145; - sketch, 408. - - Lee's Place (Hardscrabble), in Chicago massacre, 155-157, 159, 160. - - Legends of Fox River (of Green Bay), 56, 57; - story of the little rail, 242-244; - story of the red fox, 287-294; - story of Sheesheebanze (little duck), 295-302. - - Le Mai, ----, Chicago fur trader, 146. - - Letendre, Jean B., French messenger, 83. - - Lincoln, Abraham, commissions John H. Kinzie, xviii. - - Lippincott & Co., J. B., republish _Wau-Bun_, xix. - - "Little Belt," English war vessel, 195. - - Little Chûte, Mrs. Kinzie at, 35, 333-336. - - Little Kaukauna, Réaume at, 399. - - Little Priest, Winnebago chief, 272. - - Logan, James, mentions Chicago, 408. - - Louisa, negro domestic, 68, 69, 81, 82, 84-86, 90, 94, 274. - - Louisiana Territory, Harrison's governorship, 388. - - Low, Nicholas, grandson of Haliburton, xiii, 147. - - Lytle, ----, Pennsylvania frontiersman, family stolen by Senecas, - 207-209, 212-216, 220, 222, 223. - - Lytle, Mrs. ----, wife of foregoing, captured by Indians, 209-212, 215, - 216, 220-223; - at Detroit, 225, 226. - - Lytle, Eleanor. See Mrs. John Kinzie. - - Lytle, Maggie, flees from Indians, 213-215. - - Lytle, Thomas, flees from Indians, 213-215; - death of, 224-227. - - - McCoy, ----, missionary, 233. - - McKee, Col. Alexander, British Indian agent, 186, 192. - - McKenzie, Elizabeth, adventures of, xiv-xvi. - - McKenzie, Isaac, daughters captured by Shawanese, xiv, xv. - - Mackenzie, John, father of John Kinzie, xiii. - - Mackenzie, Mrs. John, wife of foregoing, xiii; - marries Haliburton and Forsyth, xiii. - - McKenzie, Margaret, adventures of, xiv-xvi. - - McKillip, Capt. ----, marries Eleanor Lytle, 224. - - McKillip, Eleanor (Lytle), widow of foregoing, marries John Kinzie, xvi, - 149, 150. - - McKillip, Margaret. See Mrs. Lieut. L. T. Helm. - - Mackinac Island (Michillimackinac), origin of name, 11, 393; - Hurons at, 396; - calms off, 1; - fur trade of, 150, 152, 326, 394, 395; - massacre at, 323; - held by English, 162, 164, 395, 396; - Presbyterian mission, 6, 9, 394; - Abbott at, 395; - Bairds, 398; - Beaumont, 413; - Edward Biddie's marriage, 395; - Charles Gratiot, 414; - Healds, 188; - Kinzies, xvi, 3-12; - Laframboise, 395; - Mazzuchelli, 411; - Capt. Pierce's marriage, 395; - view, 6. - - Mackinac boats, described, 394; - used in fur trade, 8, 25-27, 344. - - Mackinaw City (Old Mackinac), seen by Mrs. Kinzie, 12. - - Mackinaw Company, fur trade of, 394. - - Macomb, ----, released by English, 196. - - Madison, naming of lakes, 405; - Kinzies near site of, 100; - early tavern, 405. - - Magill, Arthur, at Fort Winnebago, 314; - escorts Mrs. Kinzie, 327-337. - - Magill, Julian, at Fort Winnebago, 278, 379; - goes to Fort Howard, 331, 332. - - Magill, Juliette A., marries John H. Kinzie, xvii. - See also, Mrs. John H. Kinzie. - - Mail service, at early Chicago, 145, 198; - Peoria to Galena, 407. - - Man Eater, Winnebago chief, 253; - in Black Hawk War, 323. - - Manitoulin Islands, calms off, 1. - - Maple sugar, made by Indians, 7, 8. - - Marcotte, Jean Baptiste, father of Madame Laframboise, 394. - - "Mariner," early lake schooner, 339, 340. - - Marquette, Father Jacques, Jesuit missionary, 396; - discovers Mississippi, 403. - - Marsh, Rev. Cutting, missionary to Stockbridges, 400, 401; - diary of, 415; - met by Mrs. Kinzie, 32, 33; - sketch, 401. - - Marten, in Northwest fur trade, 7. - - Mary, a servant, 379. - - Mâtâ, a blacksmith, 320, 327, 330, 334-337, 351; - injury of daughter, 368-371. - - Mâtâ, Sophy, injured on ice, 368-371. - - Mauzheegawgaw swamp, Mrs. Kinzie crosses, 51, 309-312. - - Mazzuchelli, Rev. Samuel Charles, Catholic missionary, 266, 270, 375; - sketch, 411. - - Menomonee Indians, French name for, 8, 52; - relations with English, 7; - salutation of dawn, 19, 20; - marriage customs, 373; - treaty with New York Indians, 14, 15; - fur trade of, 150; - Grignons related to, 20; - in Black Hawk War, 330, 349, 416. - See also Wishtayyun. - - Menomoneeville. See Shantytown. - - Methodists, met by Mrs. Kinzie, 136, 137. - - Miami Indians, friendly in Chicago massacre, 168, 172, 173; - relations to English, 6, 7. - - Miami Rapids, Fort Defiance at, 224. - - Michigan, Sacs in, 407; - Cass's governorship, 44; - Porter's, 358; - early Chicago mail, 198; - militia in Black Hawk War, 416. - - Michigan City, Mich., genesis of, 143. - - Michillimackinac. See Mackinac Island. - - Miller, ----, Chicago resident, 143. - - Milwaukee (Milwaukie), John Kinzie's trade at, 150; - Chicago prisoners at, 188; - Parkman Club _Papers_, 401, 402. - - Miner, Rev. Jesse, missionary to Stockbridges, 401. - - Mineral Point, Wis., Judge Doty at, 25. - - Mink, in Northwest fur trade, 7. - - Minnesota, fur trade in, 412. - - Mishinemackinawgo Indians, name-givers to Michillimackinac, 393. - - Missions, Protestant, at Mackinac, 6, 8-11; - among Winnebagoes, 265-268. - See also, Cadle, Ferry, Kent, Marsh, Mazzuchelli, Miner, Catholics, - Jesuits, and the several Protestant denominations. - - Missouri, Sac and Fox cession (1804), 411; - early land surveys, 406. - - Mitchell, David, resident of Mackinac, 9. - - Mitchell, Mrs. David, at Mackinac, 10, 395. - - Moaway (the Wolf), Pottawattomie Indian, 138. - - Mohawk (Mohican) Indians, in Revolutionary War, 410; - descendants in Wisconsin, 333. - - Montreal, fur trade entrepôt, 151, 154, 393, 399, 402; - Sir John Johnson at, 410; - schools of, 395. - - Morrin, Isidore, government blacksmith at Fort Winnebago, 262, 320, 385. - - Morrison, Col. James, entertains Kinzies, 104-109; - sketch, 405. - - Morrison, Mrs. James, entertains Mrs. Kinzie, 104-107. - - Morrison's (Porter's) Grove, settled, 405; - Kinzies at, 104-107, 109. - - Munsee Indians, move to Wisconsin, 401. - - Muskrat, in Northwest fur trade, 7. - - Musquakees. See Fox Indians. - - Myers, Granny, frontier settler, 214. - - - Nanneebozho, Indian sprite, 242-244. - - "Napoleon," lake schooner, 230-233, 277. - - Naunongee, Pottawattomie chief, killed by Hays, 191. - - Navarino, Wis., founded by Whitney, 412; - Kinzies at, 16, 17. - - Navigation. See Durham boats, Mackinac boats, Portages, Steamers, - Voyageurs, and Newberry. - - Necedah, Wis., Winnebagoes near, 404. - - Neenah, Wis., Mrs. Kinzie on site of, 41-45. - - Neescotneemeg, Pottawattomie chief, 144, 182. - - Negroes, at Chicago, 233, 234; - at Fort Winnebago, 68, 69, 81, 82, 84-86, 90. - See also, Black Jim, David, Ephraim, Harry, and Louisa. - - Newberry, Oliver, owner of Lake schooner, 304, 339. - - New France, downfall, xiii, 394. - - Newhall, Dr. ----, Galena physician, 83. - - New York, William Forsyth at, xiii. - - New York Indians, 26. See also, Waubanakees. - - Nicolet, Jean, discovers Northwest, 403. - - Niles, Mich., John Kinzie at, 146; - on mail route, 304. - - Northwest Company, organized, 394; - Shaw's agency, 153, 154; - employs Robert Stuart, 393. - - Nunns & Clark, piano manufacturers, 66. - - - Ogee (Ogie), John, Indian lad, 119, 120. - - Ogee (Ogie), Joseph, ferryman, 120, 407. - - Ogee's (Ogie's) ferry, Mrs. Kinzie at, 114. - - Ogilvie, Gillespie & Co., fur traders, 402. - - Old Boilvin, a Winnebago, 285, 286. - - Old Queen, mother of Corn Planter, 211, 216-220. - - Old Smoker, an Indian, 327, 329, 341, 343. - - Olean Point, N. Y., Seneca village at, 211. - - Oneida Indians, move to Wisconsin, 401. - See also, Eleazer Williams. - - Oshkosh, Wis., 402; - settled, 413. - - Oswego, Ill., Mrs. Kinzie at, 131. - - Ottawa Indians, French appellation of, 52, 53; - language, 287; - at Point St. Ignace, 396; - at Mackinac, 5-12; - relations to English, 7; - at Tippecanoe, 157; - treaty of 1816, 388, 409; - related to J. P. Beaubien, 407; - met by Mrs. Kinzie, 32; - Blackbird's _History_, 393. - - Otter, in Northwest fur trade, 7. - - Ouilmette, Antoine, Chicago settler, 182, 183, 185, 233. - - Ouilmette, Josette, daughter of foregoing, bond servant, 233, 236, 267, - 274, 277, 334-336, 351, 379. - - Ourand, Charles H., sketch of Fort Dearborn I, 156. - - Owen, Col. T. J. V., Indian agent, 227. - - - Paquette, Pierre, Winnebago interpreter, 57, 88, 95, 130, 272, 284; - marries Miss Crélie, 414; - at Fort Winnebago, 356, 359, 361, 369, 372, 375; - in Black Hawk War, 317, 320, 322, 323, 326-328, 344; - keeps Bellefontaine, 413; - sketch, 403. - - Paquette, Mrs. Pierre, wife of foregoing, 267, 318, 372. - - Paquette, Thérèse, daughter of foregoing, at Sunday school, 274. - - Parkman Club _Papers_, 401, 402. - - Path Valley, Pa., settled, 207. - - Patterson, ----, fur trader, 194. - - Pawnee Blanc (White Pawnee, Old Dandy), Winnebago chief, 66, 73-75. - - Pawnee Blanc, widow of, 284. - - Peach, ----, at Fort Winnebago, 264. - - Peesotum, a Pottawattomie, 175, 178. - - Peoria, Ill., fur trade at, 419; - death of Point-au-Sable, 146; - Lieut. Helm at, 186; - trail to Galena, 406, 407; - Chicago mail, 198. - - Peoria County, Ill., embraces Galena and Chicago, 407. - - Perry, Commodore Oliver H., victory on Lake Erie, 195. - - Peten Well, Wis., Winnebagoes at, 404. - - Petit Rocher, Wis., in Black Hawk War, 321. - - Philleo, Dr. Addison, Galena physician, 306, 310-312. - - Piché, Pierre, a French settler, 121, 131, 132, 134. - - Pierce, Capt. Benjamin K., commandant at Mackinac, 395. - - Pillon, ----, an engagé, 85, 94, 96-99, 263, 276, 320. - - Pillon, Mrs. ----, wife of foregoing, a servant, 94, 96. - - Pipes, as units of measure, 30, 34, 328, 330, 414, 415. - - Pittsburg, protects Western settlers, 206; - Lytle at, 213, 215, 216. - - Plante, ----, an engagé, 85, 95, 103, 108, 121, 122, 126, 263, 276, 277, - 313, 320. - - Plympton, Capt. Joseph C, at Fort Winnebago, 360; - sketch, 418. - - Point-au-Sable, Jean Baptiste, settles at Chicago, 146. - - Point St. Ignace, Marquette at, 12, 396. - - Pontiac, at taking of Mackinac, 12. - - Portier, Jacques, fur trader, 402; - met by Mrs. Kinzie, 49. - - Portage, Wis., winding of Fox River at, 57, 58; - fur trade, 405; - trail to Chicago, 108; - surrender of Red Bird, 417; - supplies for Sugar Creek, 100; - Mazzuchelli at, 266. - See also. Fort Winnebago, Kinzies, and Paquette. - - Portages, Chicago, 146, 408; - Fox-Wisconsin, 60, 403; - Grand Chûte, 85-38, 345-348; - Kaukauna, 31-34; - Little Kaukauna, 35. - See also, the several localities. - - Porter, Gov. George B., Indian superintendent, 358, 363, 364, 366, 386; - governor of Michigan Territory, 418. - - Portier (Porthier), Mrs. Joseph, at Chicago, 232. - - Pottawattomie Indians, French appellation of, 52, 53; - language, 127, 128, 130; - relations to English, 7; - fur trade of, 150; - Point-au-Sable among, 146; - in Chicago massacre, 154-191; - at Tippecanoe, 157; - restrained by Shaubena, 197; - at Chicago, 138; - at Wolf Point, 138; - treaty of 1816, 388, 409; - met by Mrs. Kinzie, 32; - in Black Hawk War, 272, 392, 412; - treaties of 1836, 409; - Ouilmette related to, 233; - Tomah, 376-379; - removal from Lake Michigan, 120. - See also, Big Foot, Billy Caldwell, Black Partridge, Alexander - Robinson, Shaubena, and other chiefs. - - Powell, William, fur trader, 329, 330, 333, 350. - - Prairie du Chien, Wis., fur trade at, 414; - captured by British, 398; - early justice at, 28; - school, 368, 371; - Doty's court, 397; - imprisonment of Red Bird, 417, 418; - Black Hawk's surrender, 354, 355, 417; - Boilvin's agency, 285, 400; - Street's agency, 404; - Fisher at, 398; - Charles Gratiot, 414; - Johnson, 405; - Kinzies, xvii, 42-45, 314, 354-356; - Mrs. Mitchell, 10; - Rolette, 18, 398. - - Prairie du Sac, in Black Hawk War, 416. - - Presbyterians. See Kent, Marsh, Miner, and Stockbridges. - - Proctor, Gen. Henry A., British commandant at Detroit, 186, 192-196. - - Prophet, Black Hawk's adviser, 392, 417. - - Protestants. See the several denominations. - - Puans (Puants). See Winnebago Indians. - - - Quashquame, Sac chief, on land cessions, 388, 389. - - Quincy, Ill., fur trade near, 419. - - Quebec, Wolfe's victory, xiii; - John Kinzie at, xiii, xiv, 147, 148, 195, 196. - - - Réaume, Charles, Green Bay justice, 27, 28; - sketch, 399, 400. - - Récollet missionaries, at Detroit, 396. - - Rector, Col. William, surveyor-general of Illinois, 406. - - Red Bird, Winnebago chief, uprising of, 197, 249, 319, 406, 414; - imprisonment at Fort Winnebago, 357; - sketch, 417, 418. - - Revolutionary War, 399, 400, 410. - - Reynolds, Gov. John, in Black Hawk War, 355, 412. - - Richardson, Maj. ----, _Hardscrabble_, and _Waunangee_, 155. - - Ridgway, Isaac A., view of Fort Winnebago, 358. - - River Alleghany, settlement on, 206, 207; - captivity of Lytle family, 211. - - River Au Sable, friendly Indians on, 186, 189. - - River Bad Ax, battle of, 416, 417. - - River Baraboo (Barribault), Winnebagoes on, 72,270, 321, 366, 382, 414. - - River Calumet (at Chicago), Indians at, 157, 191; - hunters, 201; - Lee, 408. - - River Chicago, 144; - in massacre of 1812, 175; - portage, 146, 408. - - River Des Moines, street on, 404. - - River Desplaines (Aux Plaines), Pottawattomies on, 409; - in Chicago massacre, 182, 187; - Kinzies on, 137, 138, 234, 376. - - River Detroit, Fort Maiden on, 194; - ferry, 225. - - River Du Page, Mrs. Kinzie on, 134-136. - - River Fox (of Green Bay), 410; - Indian tradition of, 56, 57; - Wolf confounded with, 53; - at Portage, 58-60, 403; - as a freight way, 231, 364; - description and tradition of Grand Butte des Morts, 402; - of Petit Butte des Morts, 401, 402; - fur trade on, 396, 399; - Jesuits, 413; - Stockbridges, 333-336; - Winnebagoes, 404; - Fort Howard built, 397; - Camp Smith, 396; - Presbyterian mission on, 32, 33, 401; - Episcopalian mission, 32, 33; - in Black Hawk War, 415; - Kinzies on, 13-60, 101, 327-337; - Wild Cat, 358, 359. - - River Fox (of Illinois), in treaty of 1804, 388; - Kinzies on, 182-134, 237, 238, 410. - - River Gasconade, in treaty of 1804, 388. - - River Grand, death of Laframboise, 394. - - River Illinois, fur trade on, 150; - in treaty of 1804, 388; - Chicago prisoners on, 188; - Mrs. Holt, 179; - Pottawattomies, 409; - Chicago canal, 410. - - River Iowa (Ihoway), Sacs and Foxes on, 391. - - River Jefferson, in treaty of 1804, 388. - - River Kanawha, Isaac McKenzie on, xiv. - - River Kankakee, fur trade on, 150; - Ottawas on, 409; - hostile Indians from, 187, 188. - - River Maumee, John Kinzie on, xiv, 149. - - River Milwaukee (Melwakee), Pottawattomies on, 409. - - River Mississippi, discovered by Joliet and Marquette, 396, 403; - Cass's expedition to sources of, 2, 27, 393, 397; - Pottawattomies west of, 409; - Sacs and Foxes on, 52, 269, 270, 272, 273, 391, 411, 412, 416, 417; - Sac trail to Canada, 120, 121; - Indian lands on, 266; - Sac cessions, 388, 389; - fur trade, 6, 152, 419; - in War of 1812-15, 400; - in Red Bird uprising, 197; - in Black Hawk War, 314, 315, 354, 391, 392; - canoe trips to, 17; - First regiment ordered to, 260; - workmen from, 262; - Green Bay excursionists on, 303; - travellers from, at Bellefontaine, 312; - Boilvin on, 28; - Johnson, 405; - John H. Kinzie, 42-45; - Mrs. Mitchell, 10. - - River Missouri, Pottawattomies on, 120, 200. - - River Monongahela, settlement on, 206. - - River Pecatonica, Mrs. Kinzie on, 115, 406. - - River Plum, settlement on, 207. - - River Raisin, massacre on, 192, 193. - - River Rock, fur trade on, 150; - Chicago prisoners, 188; - Sacs, 387-392; - Winnebagoes, 160, 272; - Black Hawk's village, 407; - in Black Hawk War, 65, 315, 317, 323, 343, 411, 412, 415, 417; - Dixon's ferry, 116-121, 406, 407; - crossing at Lake Koshkonong, 94; - Ogee's ferry, 114; - Mrs. Kinzie on, 252-254. - - River Root, Hogan on, 408. - - River St. Clair, cholera on, 340. - - River St. Joseph's, in Chicago massacre, 171. - - River Susquehannah, limit of white settlement, 206. - - River Thames, Thomas Lytle on, 224-226; - battle of, 404, 405, 409. - - River Tippecanoe, treaty of 1836, 409. - - River Trench. See River Thames. - - River Wabash, Indian troubles on, 167; - hostile Pottawattomies from, 181, 185; - Chicago prisoners on, 188; - as state boundary, 397. - - River Wisconsin, at Portage, 60, 203, 365, 366; - in treaty of 1804, 388; - early canoe voyages on, 17, 18; - Sacs on, 417; - Winnebagoes, 404; - John H. Kinzie, 314; - Roys, 275; - in Black Hawk War, 321, 329, 344, 355, 416, 417. - - River Wolf, mistaken for Fox, 53. - - River Yellow, treaty of 1836, 409. - - Roberts, Charles, canal commissioner, 409. - - Roberts, Capt. Charles, captures Mackinac, 395. - - Robineau, ----, a voyageur, 345; - blacksmith's helper, 368-371. - - Robinson, Alexander, Pottawattomie chief, 144; - befriends whites, 187, 197, 249; - sketch, 409. - - Rock (Rocky) Island, Ill., Davenport at, 391; - Street's agency, 404; - Black Hawk at, 412; - cholera, 355, 356, 415; - treaty, 355, 357, 358. - - Rocky Mountains, discovery of passes, 405, 406. - - Rohl-Smith, Carl, artist of Chicago massacre monument, bas-reliefs by, - 168, 172, 174, 176. - - Rolette, Miss, ----, at Fort Winnebago, 377. - - Rolette, Joseph, Indian sobriquet for, 80; - in Boilvin's court, 28; - at Fort Winnebago, 71; - stories, of, 17-19; - sketch, 398. - - Ronan, Ensign George, in Chicago massacre, 156, 159, 163, 174, 176. - - Root, Gen. Erastus, treaty commissioner, 15, 19. - - Roy, François, fur trader, 405. - - Roy, Pierre, son of foregoing, 95, 103, 116, 126. - - Roy family, at Portage, 275. - - Rum traffic, opposed by Robert Stuart, 393. - - - Sac (Sauk) Indians, allied with Foxes, 52, 402; - relations to English, 7; - great trail to Canada, 120, 121, 123, 124, 126, 407; - in treaty of 1804, 411, 412; - land session by, 387-391; - at Rock Island, 404; - on Mississippi, 269, 270; - Forsyth's agency, 419; - met by Mrs. Kinzie, 32; - in Black Hawk War, 116, 272, 273, 314-371, 387-392, 402, 411, 414-417. - - St. Augustine, Fla., settlement of, 12. - - St. Jean, ----, fur trader, 152, 153. - - St. Joseph's, Ind., fur trade at, 180; - in Chicago massacre, 186-188; - John Kinzie at, xiv, 149; - mission, 233, 236. - - St. Louis, Sac treaty of 1804, 389; - in War of 1812-15, 400; - treaty of 1816, 409; - military post, 387, 391; - treaties at, 387-391; - Hempstead, 404; - Surveyor Thompson, 404. - - St. Martin, Alexis, patient of Dr. Beaumont, 413. - - St. Vrain, Felix, Indian agent, killed in Black Hawk War, 116, 316, 392. - - Saginaw Bay, Mich., fur trade at, 419. - - Salt Creek, Kinzies on, 237. - - Sandusky, Ohio, John Kinzie at, xiv, 149. - - Sandwich, Ont., Jesuits at, 12, 396; - John Kinzie, 194; - Forsyths, 205. - - Sangamon County, Ill., fur trade of, 150. - - Sauteurs. See Chippewa Indians. - - Sawmills, established by Whitney, 412. - - Schoolcraft, Henry R., views from _Indian Tribes_, 6, 140; - _Sources of the Mississippi_, 393. - - Schools. See Education. - - Scotch, in Northwest fur trade, xiii, xiv, 394, 398. - - Scott, Capt. Martin, at Fort Dearborn, 144, 202; - at Fort Howard, 343; - sketch, 410. - - Scott, Gen. Winfield, in Black Hawk War, 355, 415. - - Seneca Indians, captivity of Mrs. John Kinzie, 205-223. - - Seneca, Ill., Pottawattomies near, 409. - - Shantytown (at Green Bay) , genesis of, 396; - Kinzies at, 15, 17, 337. - - Shaubena (Chambly, Shaubeenay, Shaubenah), Pottawattomie chief, befriends - whites, 197, 249; - portrait, 198; - sketch, 409. - - Shaw, ----, fur trade agent, 153, 154. - - Shawanee (Shawnee) Indians, in Dunmore's War, xiv; - capture McKenzie girls, xiv, xv; - at Tippecanoe, 157. - - Shawneeaukee, John H. Kinzie's Indian name, xvii, 5, 43, 45, 49, 54, 60, - 74, 87, 102, 180, 194, 235, 248, 257, 273, 280, 308, 322. - - Shawneetown, Ill., Street at, 404. - - Sheaffe, Col. ----, English officer, 187. - - Sheesheebanze (little duck), story of, 295-302. - - Shoshone Indians, Doty treats with, 397. - - Shot-making, at Helena, 412. - - Sinclair, Commodore Arthur, attacks Mackinac Island, 395. - - Sinsinawa Mound, Dominican Academy at, 411. - - Sioux Indians, raid Chequamegon Bay, 396; - Mrs. Mitchell related to, 10; - met by Mrs. Kinzie, 32; - in Black Hawk War, 416. - - Smith, Col. Joseph Lee, establishes Camp Smith, 396. - - Snakes, at Portage, 21. - - Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, 401. - - Songs, by French-Canadian voyageurs, 28-30, 56, 327, 400. - - South Kaukauna. See Kaukauna. - - Southwest Company, organized, 394; - at Mackinac, 150. - - Spanish land grants at St. Louis, 146. - - Springfield, Ill., Sac lands sold at, 390, 391; - Dixon, 407. - - Stages, at Buffalo Grove, 118. - - Stambaugh, Col. Samuel C., Indian agent, 305, 307; - in Black Hawk War, 349, 416; - sketch, 413. - - Stanley, Webster, founds Oshkosh, 413. - - Statesburg. See Kaukauna. - - Steamers, early, on great lakes, xvii; - on Mississippi River, 353, 416. - See also, "Henry Clay," "Uncle Sam," and "Warrior." - - Stickney, Gardner P., "Use of Maize by Wisconsin Indians," 402. - - Stillman, Maj. Isaiah, routed by Black Hawk, 417. - - Stillman's Run. See Sycamore Creek. - - Stirling, Mark, deserts George Forsyth, 148, 149. - - Stockbridge (Waubanakee, Waubeenakee) Indians, Presbyterian mission to, - 32, 348, 400, 401, 415; - visited by Mrs. Kinzie, 26, 333-336. - - Stockbridge, Wis., Indian village, 401. - - Stoddard, Maj. ----, commandant at St. Louis, 387. - - Street, Gen. Joseph M., Indian agent at Prairie du Chien, 72, 354; - receives Black Hawk, 417; - sketch, 404. - - Stuart, David, with American Fur Company, 393. - - Stuart, Robert, fur-trade agent, entertains Kinzies, 3, 4; - interest in missions, 6; - sketch, 393, 394. - - Sulky, ----, a soldier, 91. - - Sully, R. M., portrait of Black Hawk, 354. - - Sugar Creek, Lapierre on, 100, 320; - Sophy Mâtâ's accident at, 368-370. - - Sycamore Creek, Black Hawk's victory at, 354, 393, 417. - - - Talk-English, a Winnebago, 64, 65. - - Taverns, at Bellefontaine, 60, 351, 413; - at Chicago, 143, 144, 407; - Madison, 405; - Oshkosh, 413. - - Tecumseh, at treaty of Greenville, 408; - killed at Thames, 405, 409. - - Thompson, James, surveys Chicago town site, 409; - his map, 142. - - Thunder Bay, storms off, 1-3. - - Tippecanoe, battle of, 157, 159, 167. - - Tomah, an Indian lad, 376-379. - - Topeeneebee, Pottawattomie chief, befriends Kinzies, 171, 172, 185, 186, - 188. - - Toshunnuck, a Winnebago, 254, 255. - - Trails, evolution of Indian, 405, 406; - great Sac, to Canada, 120, 121, 123, 124, 126, 407; - Butte des Morts to Portage, 51, 53; - Dixon's to Chicago, 117, 120-139; - Dixon's to Peoria, 121; - Fort Winnebago to Chicago, 94-139; - Gleason's to Portage, 56; - Hamilton's Diggings to Kellogg's, 114-116; - Kellogg's to Ogee's, 114; - Morrison's to Hamilton's Diggings, 107-111; - Peoria to Galena, 406, 407; - Piché's to Chicago, 132; - at Portage, 322; - Portage to Chicago, 108. - See also, Portages. - - Trail Creek (Rivière du Chemin), Miller on, 143. - - Treaties, of Ghent, 396; - Paris (1783), 220; - Greenville, 408; - with Sacs and Foxes (1804), 411, 412; - St. Louis (1816), 409; - Sac land cessions, 387-391; - Menomonees and New York Indians (Waubanakees), 14, 15; - at Rock Island, 355, 357, 358; - with Pottawattomies (1836), 409; - with Shoshones, 397. - - Tremont House, Chicago, 143. - - Turcotte, ----, a blacksmith, 320, 369, 370. - - Turkey Creek, treaty of 1836, 409. - - Turner, Andrew J., "History of Fort Winnebago," 411. - - Turtle Creek, at Beloit, 411; - Winnebagoes on, 72; - Kinzies, 251. - - Twenty-mile Prairie, Mrs. Kinzie on, 256, 257. - - Twiggs, Maj. David Emanuel, at Fort Winnebago, 58, 68, 84, 89, 90, 96; - entertains Kinzies, 259, 260; - leaves Fort Winnebago, 273, 274; - sketch, 399. - - Twiggs, Mrs. David E., at Fort Winnebago, 25, 58, 68, 69, 89. - - Twiggs, Lizzie, birth of, 92. - - - "Uncle Sam," early lake steamer, 189. - - - Van Cleve, Lieut. Horatio Phillips, at Fort Winnebago, 379; - sketch, 418. - - Van Cleve, Mrs. H. P. (Charlotte Ouisconsin Clark), wife of foregoing, - _Three Score Years and Ten_, xix, 415. - - Van Voorhees, Dr. ----, in Chicago massacre, 156, 173, 174. - - Victoire, family servant, 376. - - Vincennes, Ind., Indian council at, 197; - in War of Revolution, 399. - - Virginia, capture of McKenzie girls, xiv-xvi. - - Vitelle, ----, an engagé, 335, 336. - - Voyageurs, characteristics of service, 150-154; - pipes as unit of measure, 30, 34, 328, 330, 414, 415; - songs of, 28-30, 56, 327, 400; - on Mackinac boats, 394; - at Butte des Morts, 49; - at Fort Winnebago, 66, 67; - on Lake Superior, 400; - at Prairie du Chien, 414; - in service of Kinzies, 21, 22, 25-57, 327-337. - - - Wallace, ----, at Wolf's Point, 198. - - Wapello, Fox chief, 404. - - War of 1812-15, fur trade in, 402; - Sandusky campaign, 403; - capture of Prairie du Chien, 400; - Col. Cutler in, 418; - Winnebagoes, 404. - - "Warrior," steamer in Black Hawk War, 353, 416. - - Washington, D. C., Shaubena at, 409; - Winnebagoes, 264, 321, 404. - - Waubanakees. See Stockbridge Indians. - - Waubansee, Pottawattomie chief, 128; - befriends whites, 178, 181, 183. - - Waubeeneenah, Pottawattomie chief, 175, 176. - - Waukaunkau (Little Snake), hostage for Winnebago suspects, 357-362. - - Waupaca, Cutting Marsh at, 401. - - Waygeemarkin, an Indian magician, 295-302. - - Wayne, Gen. Anthony, fights Indians, 224. - - Weeks, ----, entertains Kinzies, 187. - - Wekau, a Winnebago, friend of Red Bird, 417, 418. - - Wells, Capt. William, in Chicago massacre, 168, 172, 175, 177, 178; - illustration of death of, 176. - - Wentworth, ----, Chicago tavern-keeper, 143, 144; - met by Mrs. Kinzie, 138. - - Whigs, appoint Street, 404. - - Whistler, Capt. John, builds Fort Dearborn I, 407; - sketch from plans, 156. - - Whistler, Maj. William, receives Red Bird's surrender, 417. - - White, ----, killed in Chicago massacre, 157, 160. - - White Crow (Kauraykausaykah, Kauraykawsawkaw, Kawneeshaw, Le Borgne), - Winnebago chief, 65, 272, 273; - delivers prisoners to whites, 361; - sketch, 404. - - White Ox, a Winnebago murderer, 9. - - Whitney, Daniel, entertains Kinzies, 305; - visits Kinzies, 303; - sketch, 412. - - Wight, William W., on Eleazer Williams, 401. - - Wild Cat, Winnebago chief, 45, 65, 383, 386; - opposes land cession, 358, 359. - - Wild cat (animal), in Northwest fur trade, 7. - - Wild doves, enormous flocks of, 415. - - Wild rice, grown by Northwest Indians, 8, 45, 56; - bibliography, 402. - - Will County, Ill., Ottawas in, 409. - - Williams, Rev. Eleazer, missionary to Oneidas, met by Mrs. Kinzie, - 32, 33; - sketch, 401. - - Williams, M. C., _Old Mission Church of Mackinac Island_, 394. - - Williamsburg, L. I., John Kinzie at, xiii, xiv. - - Wing, ----, accompanies Kinzies, 306, 311, 312. - - Winnebago (Puants) Indians, origin of name "Puants," 52, 53, 402, 403; - vocabulary by Boilvin, 400; - customs and dances, 278-286; - scalp dance, 364, 365; - gather wild rice, 46; - marriage customs, 372-375; - indifferent to education, 88, 89; - effect of missions on, 265-268; - fur trade of, 150; - relations to English, 7; - in Chicago massacre, 160; - at Tippecanoe, 157; - in Red Bird uprising, 197, 249, 319, 406, 417, 418; - in Black Hawk War, 272, 273, 315-371, 387-392, 409, 412, 416, 417; - capture Black Hawk, 404; - surrender of suspects, 357-363; - escape of prisoners, 366-368, 384, 385; - starving time near Fort Winnebago, 380-383; - visit Eastern cities, 64, 65, 75-78; - payment of annuities to, 15, 262, 272, 278-286, 363, 364, 366; - beef and horses, 413; - principal villages of, 72; - on Baraboo River, 72-80; - at Butte des Morts, 48, 49; - Fort Winnebago, 60-66, 72-80, 86-89, 264-303; - Four Lakes, 102; - on Lake Koshkonong, 253; - at Prairie du Chien, 72; - Turtle Creek band, 411; - Street's agency, 404; - White Ox, a murderer, 9; - related to Paquette, 403; - portrait of types, 64. - See also, Fort Winnebago, John H. Kinzie, Mrs. John H. Kinzie, and the - several chiefs. - - Winnebago rapids, Mrs. Kinzie at, 333. - - Winnebago swamp, 121, 123. - - Winnemeg (Catfish), Pottawattomie chief, befriends whites, 162, 163, 178. - - Winnosheek, Winnebago chief, 317. - - Wiota, Wis., founded, 406. - - Wisconsin, Hurons in, 396; - first settled, 398; - Sac and Fox cession (1804), 411, 412; - _Wau-Bun_ as historical material for, xx. - - Wisconsin Heights, battle of, 416, 417. - - Wisconsin Historical Society, Secretary Draper names Madison lakes, 405; - dedicates tablet to Allouez, 413; - possesses Forsyth MSS., 419; - Marsh MSS., 401; - furnishes illustrations to this volume, 14, 64, 354; - _Collections_, xix, 373, 395, 399, 400, 411, 415. - - Wishtayyun (blacksmith), Menomonee guide, 22, 32, 42, 306, 307. - - Wolcott, Dr. Alexander, Indian agent, 197; - household of, 233; - death of, 83, 84, 201. - - Wolcott, Mrs. Judge ----, 168. - - Wolf, in Northwest fur trade, 7. - - Wolf Point, 143-145; - Mrs. Kinzie at, 138; - Hunt and Wallace, 198. - - Wolf's Creek, McKenzie on, xiv. - - Wolfe, Gen. ----, on Plains of Abraham, xiii. - - Wright's Woods, at Chicago, 202. - - Wyandot Indians, relations to English, 6, 7; - John H. Kinzie among, xvii, 44, 45. - - - Yellow Banks, Black Hawk at, 412. - - Yellow Thunder (Waukaunzeekah), Winnebago chief, 75; - sketch, 404. - - Yellow Thunder, Mrs. (Washington Woman), 75-78, 383. - - Young Dandy. See Four-Legs. - - Ypsilanti, Mich., genesis of, 167. - - - PRINTED BY R. R. DONNELLEY - AND SONS COMPANY AT THE - LAKESIDE PRESS, CHICAGO, ILL. - - * * * * * - - -Transcriber Notes - - -Illustrations were moved so that paragraphs were not split and the -illustrations between page 140 and 141 were moved in front of page 140 -(start of Chapter XVII). The hyphenation (or lack thereof) and some -alternate spellings for native words and names (ex., Pottawattomie and -Pottowattamie) were left as printed. 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