ster of bushes, that we might
have the first fire when they had approached close enough. They made a
halt some distance from us. I gave another yell, and ordered my brave
warriors to charge upon them, expecting that they would all be killed.
They did charge. Every man rushed towards the enemy and fired, and they
retreated in the utmost confusion and consternation before my little but
brave band of warriors.

After following the enemy for some distance, I found it useless
to pursue them further, as they rode so fast, and returned to the
encampment with a few braves, as about twenty-five of them continued in
pursuit of the flying enemy. I lighted my pipe and sat down to thank the
Great Spirit for what he had done. I had not been meditating long, when
two of the three young men I had seat with the flag to meet the American
war chief, entered. My astonishment was not greater than my joy to see
them living and well. I eagerly listened to their story, which was as
follows:

"When we arrived near the encampment of the whites, a number of them
rushed out to meet us, bringing their guns with them. They took us into
their camp, where an American who spoke the Sac language a little told
us that his chief wanted to know how we were, where we were going, where
our camp was, and where was Black Hawk? We told him that we had come
to see his chief, that our chief had directed us to conduct him to our
camp, in case he had not encamped, and in that event to tell him that
he, Black Hawk, would come to see him; he wished to hold a council with
him, as he had given up all intention of going to war."

This man had once been a member of our tribe, having been adopted by me
many years before and treated with the same kindness as was shown to our
young men, but like the caged bird of the woods, he yearned for freedom,
and after a few years residence with us an opportunity for escape came
and he left us. On this occasion he would have respected our flag and
carried back the message I had sent to his chief, had he not been taken
prisoner, with a comrade, by some of my braves who did not recognize
him, and brought him into camp. They were securely tied with cords to
trees and left to meditate, but were occasionally buffeted by my young
men when passing near them. When I passed by him there was a recognition
on the part of us both, but on account of former friendship I concluded
to let him go, and some little time before the sun went down I
rele