d requested them to come to my
lodge after my people had gone to sleep. They came and took seats. I
asked them if they had received any news from the British on the lake.
They said no. I inquired if they had heard that a chief of our British
Father was coming to Milwaukee to bring us guns, ammunition, goods and
provisions. They said no. I told them what news had been brought to me,
and requested them to return to their village and tell the chiefs that I
wished to see them and have a talk with them.

After this deputation started, I concluded to tell my people that if
White Beaver came after us, we would go back, as it was useless to
think of stopping or going on without more provisions and ammunition. I
discovered that the Winnebagoes and Pottowattomies were not disposed to
render us any assistance. The next day the Pottowattomie chiefs arrived
in my camp. I had a dog killed, and made a feast. When it was ready, I
spread my medicine bags, and the chiefs began to eat. When the ceremony
was about ending, I received news that three or four hundred white men
on horse-back had been seen about eight miles off. I immediately started
three young men with a white flag to meet them and conduct them to our
camp, that we might hold a council with them and descend Rock river
again. I also directed them, in case the whites had encamped, to return,
and I would go and see them. After this party had started I sent five
young men to see what might take place. The first party went to the
camp of the whites, and were taken prisoners. The last party had not
proceeded far before they saw about twenty men coming toward them at
full gallop. They stopped, and, finding that the whites were coming
toward them in such a warlike attitude, they turned and retreated, but
were pursued, and two of them overtaken and killed. The others then made
their escape. When they came in with the news, I was preparing my flags
to meet the war chief. The alarm was given. Nearly all my young men were
absent ten miles away. I started with what I had left, about forty, and
had proceeded but a short distance, before we saw a part of the army
approaching. I raised a yell, saying to y braves, "Some of our people
have been killed. Wantonly and cruelly murdered! We must avenge their
death!"

In a little while we discovered the whole army coming towards us at a
full gallop. We were now confident that our first party had been killed.
I immediately placed my men behind a clu