told him that he heard what they had decided
upon, and was anxious to be permitted to speak before the council
adjourned. Wacome returned and asked leave for Keokuk to come in and
make a speech. His request was granted. Keokuk entered and addressed the
chiefs. He said: "I have heard with sorrow that you have determined to
leave our village and cross the Mississippi, merely because you have
been told that the Americans were coming in this direction. Would you
leave our village, desert our homes and fly before an enemy approaches?
Would you leave all, even the graves of our fathers, to the mercy of an
enemy without trying to defend them? Give me charge of your warriors and
I'll defend the village while you sleep in safety."

The council consented that Keokuk should be war chief. He marshalled
his braves, sent out his spies and advanced with a party himself on
the trail leading to Peoria. They returned without seeing an enemy.
The Americans did not come by our village. All were satisfied with the
appointment of Keokuk. He used every precaution that our people should
not be surprised. This is the manner in which and the cause of his
receiving the appointment.

I was satisfied, and then started to visit my wife and children. I found
them well, and my boys were growing finely. It is not customary for
us to say much about our women, as they generally perform their part
cheerfully and never interfere with business belonging to the men. This
is the only wife I ever had or ever will have. She is a good woman, and
teaches my boys to be brave. Here I would have rested myself and enjoyed
the comforts of my lodge, but I could not. I had promised to avenge the
death of my adopted son.

I immediately collected a party of thirty braves, and explained to them
the object of my making this war party, it being to avenge the death
of my adopted son, who had been cruelly and wantonly murdered by the
whites. I explained to them the pledge I had made to his father, and
told them that they were the last words that he had heard spoken. All
were willing to go with me to fulfill my word. We started in canoes,
and descended the Mississippi, until we arrived ear the place where Fort
Madison had stood. It had been abandoned and burned by the whites, and
nothing remained but the chimneys. We were pleased to see that the white
people had retired from the country. We proceeded down the river again.
I landed with one brave near Cape Gray, the remainder