n on terms of intimacy, advised me contrary to my wishes, that I
began to doubt whether I had a friend among them.

Keokuk, who has a smooth tongue, and is a great speaker, was busy in
persuading my band that I was wrong, and thereby making many of them
dissatisfied with me. I had one consolation, for all the women were on
my side on account of their cornfields.

On my arrival again at my village, with my band increased, I found it
worse than before. I visited Rock Island and the agent again ordered me
to quit my village. He said that if we did not, troops would be sent to
drive us off. He reasoned with me and told me it would be better for us
to be with the rest of our people, so that we might avoid difficulty
and live in peace. The interpreter joined him and gave me so many good
reasons that I almost wished I had not undertaken the difficult task I
had pledged myself to my brave band to perform. In this mood I called
upon the trader, who is fond of talking, and had long been my friend,
but now amongst those who advised me to give up my village. He received
me very friendly and went on to defend Keokuk in what he had done,
endeavoring to show me that I was bringing distress on our women and
children. He inquired if some terms could not be made that would be
honorable to me and satisfactory to my braves, for us to remove to the
west side of the Mississippi. I replied that if our Great Father could
do us justice and make the proposition, I could then give up honorably.
He asked me "if the great chief at St. Louis would give us six thousand
dollars to purchase provisions and other articles, if I would give
up peaceably and remove to the west side of the Mississippi?" After
thinking some time I agreed that I could honorably give up, being paid
for it, according to our customs, but told him that I could not make the
proposal myself, even if I wished, because it would be dishonorable in
me to do so. He said that he would do it by sending word to the great
chief at St. Louis that he could remove us peaceably for the amount
stated, to the west side of the Mississippi. A steamboat arrived at the
island during my stay. After its departure the trader told me that he
had requested a war chief, who was stationed at Galena, and was on board
the steamboat, to make the offer to the great chief at St. Louis, and
that he would soon be back and bring his answer. I did not let my people
know what had taken place for fear they would be dis