rmed by Black Hawk that he would not remove, he gave orders
to his braves, that if the American war chief came to the village to
force them away, not a gun should be fired, nor any resistance offered;
but that they must remain quietly in their lodges and let the war chief
kill them if he chose. Under these circumstances, it is as difficult to
believe that Black Hawk and his band seriously intended to make war upon
the whites at that time, as it is to admit that the United States had a
right to force the Indians to remove to the west side of the
Mississippi, because a few quarter sections of the land at the mouth of
Rock river, had been prematurely sold; while millions of acres around,
were still the property of the United States, and as such, under the
treaty of 1804, the Indians were expressly permitted to live and hunt
upon them.

In the course of this narrative, frequent mention has been made of the
leading chief of the Sac nation, who is highly distinguished by his
influence, pacific character and fine talents. The relation he sustains
to Black Hawk and his band, connects him directly with our narrative. On
this account, as well as to gratify the interest which is felt in his
history, the succeeding chapter will be occupied with a brief sketch of
the life and adventures of Keokuk, the Watchful Fox.

KEOKUK,

THE WATCHFUL FOX

CHAPTER V.

Keokuk's birth--Kills a Sioux when fifteen years old--Prevents the
abandonment of the Sac village--Bold manoeuvre with the
Sioux--Perils his life for the safety of his people--Speech to the
Menominies at Prairie des Chiens--Called upon to lead his braves to
join in the Black Hawk war--Allays the excitement of his people on
this subject--Deposed from his post as head chief and a young man
elected in his place--Re-established in power--Delivers up his nephew
to the whites to be tried for murder--Letter to the Governor of
Illinois--Council at Washington in 1837--Retorts upon the Sioux--His
visit to Boston--His return home--His personal appearance--And his
character as a war and peace chief.

It is no easy task to present in a satisfactory manner, a biographical
sketch of an Indian. However eventful his life may have been, it is only
a few of the more prominent of his deeds which become known to the
world; while the minor incidents, those small matters, which make up the
sum of human character, pass unobserved by his companions, or if
noticed, are soo