the road from Dixon's to the lead mines. Four
days after, the party of Winnebagoes who had gone out from the head of
Kishwacokee, overtook us, and told me that they had killed four men
and taken their scalps: and that one of them was Keokuk's father, (the
agent). They proposed to have a dance over their scalps. I told them
that I could have no dancing in my camp, in consequence of my having
lost three young braves; but they might dance in their own camp, which
they did. Two days after, we arrived in safety at the place where
the Winnebagoes had directed us. In a few days a great number of our
warriors came in. I called them all around me, and addressed them.
I told them: "Now is the time, if any of you wish to come into
distinction, and be honored with the medicine bag! Now is the time to
show your courage and bravery, and avenge the murder of our three
braves!"

Several small parties went out, and returned again in a few days, with
success--bringing in provisions for our people. In the mean time, some
spies came in, and reported that the army had fallen back to Dixon's
ferry; and others brought news that the horsemen had broken up their
camp, disbanded, and returned home.

Finding that all was safe, I made a dog feast, preparatory to leaving
my camp with a large party, (as the enemy were stationed so far off).
Before my braves commenced feasting, I took my medicine bags, and
addressed them in the following language:

"BRAVES AND WARRIORS: These are the medicine bags of our forefather,
Mukataquet, who was the father of the Sac nation. They were handed down
to the great war chief of our nation, Nanamakee, who has been at war
with all the nations of the plains, and have never yet been disgraced! I
expect you all to protect them!"

After the ceremony was over and our feasting done I started, with about
two hundred warriors following my great medicine bags. I directed my
course toward sunset and dreamed, the second night after we started,
that there would be a great feast prepared for us after one day's
travel. I told my warriors my dream in the morning and we started for
Moscohocoynak, (Apple river). When we arrived in the vicinity of a fort
the white people had built there we saw four men on horseback. One of
my braves fired and wounded a man when the others set up a yell as if
a large force were near and ready to come against us. We concealed
ourselves and remained in this position for some time watching to see
the