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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/12183-0.txt b/12183-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3dac420 --- /dev/null +++ b/12183-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12751 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12183 *** + +WAU-BUN, + +THE + +EARLY DAY IN THE NORTHWEST. + +BY + +MRS. JOHN H. KINZIE, + +OF CHICAGO. + + + + +"If we but knew the exact meaning of the word 'WAU-BUN,' +we should be happy."--_Critic_. + +"WAU-BUN--The dawn--the break of day."--_Ojibeway Vocabulary_. + + * * * * * + +PHILADELPHIA + +1873 + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Every work partaking of the nature of an autobiography is supposed to +demand an apology to the public. To refuse such a tribute, would be to +recognize the justice of the charge, so often brought against our +countrymen--of a too great willingness to be made acquainted with the +domestic history and private affairs of their neighbors. + +It is, doubtless, to refute this calumny that we find travellers, for +the most part, modestly offering some such form of explanation as this, +to the reader: "That the matter laid before him was, in the first place, +simply letters to friends, never designed to be submitted to other eyes, +and only brought forward now at the solicitation of wiser judges than +the author himself." + +No such plea can, in the present instance, be offered. The record of +events in which the writer had herself no share, was preserved in +compliance with the suggestion of a revered relative, whose name often +appears in the following pages. "My child," she would say, "write these +things down, as I tell them to you. Hereafter our children, and even +strangers, will feel interested in hearing the story of our early lives +and sufferings." And it is a matter of no small regret and +self-reproach, that much, very much, thus narrated was, through +negligence, or a spirit of procrastination, suffered to pass unrecorded. + +With regard to the pictures of domestic life and experience (preserved, +as will be seen, in journals, letters, and otherwise), it is true their +publication might have been deferred until the writer had passed away +from the scene of action; and such, it was supposed, would have been +their lot--that they would only have been dragged forth hereafter, to +show to a succeeding generation what "The Early Day" of our Western +homes had been. It never entered the anticipations of the most sanguine +that the march of improvement and prosperity would, in less than a +quarter of a century, have so obliterated the traces of "the first +beginning," that a vast and intelligent multitude would be crying out +for information in regard to the early settlement of this portion of our +country, which so few are left to furnish. + +An opinion has been expressed, that a comparison of the present times +with those that are past, would enable our young people, emigrating from +their luxurious homes at "the East," to bear, in a spirit of patience +and contentment, the slight privations and hardships they are at this +day called to meet with. If, in one instance, this should be the case, +the writer may well feel happy to have incurred even the charge of +egotism, in giving thus much of her own history. + +It may be objected that all that is strictly personal, might have been +more modestly put forth under the name of a third person; or that the +events themselves and the scenes might have been described, while those +participating in them might have been kept more in the background. In +the first case, the narrative would have lost its air of truth and +reality--in the second, the experiment would merely have been tried of +dressing up a theatre for representation, and omitting the actors. + +Some who read the following sketches may be inclined to believe that a +residence among our native brethren and an attachment growing out of our +peculiar relation to them, have exaggerated our sympathies, and our +sense of the wrongs they have received at the hands of the whites. This +is not the place to discuss that point. There is a tribunal at which man +shall be judged for that which he has meted out to his fellow-man. + +May our countrymen take heed that their legislation shall never unfit +them to appear "with joy, and not with grief," before that tribunal! + +CHICAGO, July, 1855. + + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER I. + +Departure from Detroit + +CHAPTER II. + +Michilimackinac--American Fur Company--Indian Trade--Mission +School--Point St. Ignace + +CHAPTER III. + +Arrival at Green Bay--Mrs. Arnot--General Root--Political Dispatches--A +Summerset--Shanty-Town--M. Rolette--Indian +Morning Song--Mr. Cadle's Mission--Party at Miss Doty's--Misses +Grignon--Mrs. Baird's Party--Mrs. Beall + +CHAPTER IV. + +Arrangements for Travelling--Fox River--Judge Doty--Judge +Réaume--M. Boilvin--Canadian Voyageurs: their Songs--The +Kakalin--Wish-tay-yun--Rev. Eleazar Williams--Passage through +the Rapids--Grande Chûte--Krissman + +CHAPTER V. + +Beautiful Encampment--Winnebago Lake--Miss Four-Legs--Garlic +Island--Wild Rice + +CHAPTER VI. + +Breakfast at Betty More's--Judge Law--Fastidiousness; what +came of it + +CHAPTER VII. + +Butte des Morts--French Cognomens--Serpentine Course of Fox +River--Lake Puckaway--Lac de Boeuf--Fort Winnebago. + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Major and Mrs. Twiggs--A Davis--An Indian Funeral--Conjugal +Affliction--Indian Chiefs; Talk-English--The Wild-Cat--The +Dandy + +CHAPTER IX. + +Housekeeping--The First Dinner + +CHAPTER X. + +Indian Payment--Pawnee Blanc--The Washington Woman--Raising +Funds + +CHAPTER XI. + +Louisa--Garrison Life--Dr. Newhall--Affliction--Domestic +Accommodations--Ephraim--New-Year's Day--Native Custom--Day-kau-ray's +Views of Education--Captain Harney's Mince-Pie + +CHAPTER XII. + +Lizzie Twiggs--Preparation for a Journey--The Regimental Tailor + +CHAPTER XIII. + +eparture from Fort Winnebago--Duck Creek--Upset in a +Canoe--Pillon--Encamping in Winter--Four Lakes--Indian +Encampment--Blue Mound--Morrison's--A Tennessee Woman + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Rev. Mr. Kent--Losing One's Way--A Tent Blown Down--Discovery +of a Fence--Hamilton's Diggings--Frontier Housekeeping--Wm. +S. Hamilton--A Miner--Hard Riding--Kellogg's Grove + +CHAPTER XV. + +Rock River--- Dixon's--John Ogie--Missing the Trail--Hours of +Trouble--Famine in the Camp--Relief + +CHAPTER XVI. + +A Pottowattamie Lodge--A Tempest--Piché's--Hawley's--The Du +Page--Mr. Dogherty--The Aux Plaines--Mrs. Lawton--Wolf +Point--Chicago + +CHAPTER XVII. + +Fort Dearborn--Chicago in 1831--First Settlement of Chicago--John +Kinzie, Sen.---Fate of George Forsyth--Trading Posts--Canadian +Voyageurs--M. St. Jean--Louis la Liberté + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +Massacre at Chicago + +CHAPTER XIX. + +Massacre, continued--Mrs. Helm--Ensign Ronan--Captain +Wells--Mrs. Holt--Mrs. Heald--The Sau-ga-nash--Sergeant Griffith--Mrs. +Burns--Black Partridge and Mrs. Lee--Nau-non-gee and Sergeant +Hays + +CHAPTER XX. + +Treatment of American Prisoners by the British--Captivity of Mr. +Kinzie--Battle on Lake Erie--Cruelty of General Proctor's +Troops--General Harrison--Rebuilding of Fort Dearborn--Red Bird--A +Humorous Incident--Cession of the Territory around Chicago + +CHAPTER XXI. + +Severe Spring Weather--Pistol-Firing--Milk Punch--A Sermon--Pre-emption +to "Kinzie's Addition"--Liberal Sentiments + +CHAPTER XXII. + +The Captives + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +Colonel McKillip--Second-Sight--Ball at Hickory Creek--Arrival +of the "Napoleon"--Troubles of Embarkation + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +Departure for Port Winnebago--A Frightened Indian--Encampment +at Dunkley's Grove--Horses Lost--Getting Mired--An Ague +cured by a Rattlesnake--Crystal Lake--Story of the Little Rail + +CHAPTER XXV. + +Return Journey, continued--Soldiers' Encampment--Big-Foot Lake--Village +of Maunk-suck--A Young Gallant--Climbing--Mountain-Passes--Turtle +Creek--Kosh-ko-nong--Crossing a Marsh--Twenty-Mile Prairie--Hastings's +Woods--Duck Creek--Brunet--Home + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +The Agency--The Blacksmith's House--Building a Kitchen--Four-Legs, the +Dandy--Indian Views of Civilization--Efforts of M. +Mazzuchelli--Charlotte + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +The Cut-Nose--The Fawn--Visit of White Crow--Parting with +Friends--Krissman--Louisa again--The Sunday-School + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +Plante--Removal--Domestic Inconveniences--Indian Presents--Grandmother +Day-kau-ray--Indian Customs--Indian Dances--The Medicine-Dance--Indian +Graves--Old Boilvin's Wake + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +Indian Tales--Story of the Red Fox + +CHAPTER XXX. + +Story of Shee-shee-banze + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +Visit to Green Bay--Disappointment--Return Journey--Knaggs's--Blind +Indian--Ma-zhee-gaw-gaw Swamp--Bellefontaine + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +Commencement of the Sauk War--Winnebago +Council--Crély--Follett--Bravery--The Little Elk--An +Alarm--Man-Eater and his +Party--An Exciting Dance + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +Fleeing from the Enemy--Mâtâ--Old Smoker--Meeting with +Menomonees--Raising the Wind--Garlic Island--Winnebago Rapids--The +Waubanakees--Thunder-Storm--Vitelle--Guardapié--Fort Howard + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +Panic at Green Bay--Tidings of Cholera--Green Bay Flies--Doyle, +the Murderer--Death of Lieutenant Foster--A Hardened Criminal--Good +News from the Seat of War--Departure for Home--Shipwreck +at the Grand Chûte--A Wet Encampment--An Unexpected +Arrival--Reinforcement of Volunteers--La Grosse Américaine--Arrival +at Home + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +Conclusion of the War--Treaty at Rock Island--Cholera among the +Troops--Wau-kaun-kah--Wild-Cat's Frolic at the Mee-kan--Surrender +of the Winnebago Prisoners + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +Delay in the Annual Payment--Scalp-Dances--Groundless Alarm--Arrival +of Governor Porter--Payment--Escape of the Prisoners--Neighbors +Lost--Reappearance--Robineau--Bellaire + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +Agathe--"Kinzie's Addition"--Tomah--Indian Acuteness--Indian +Simplicity + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +Famine--Day-kau-ray's Daughter--Noble Resolution of a Chief--Bread +for the Hungry--Rev. Mr. Kent--An Escaped Prisoner--The +Cut-Nose again--Leave-taking with our Red Children--Departure +from Fort Winnebago + +APPENDIX + + + +THE "EARLY DAY" IN THE NORTHWEST. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +DEPARTURE FROM DETROIT. + + +It was on a dark, rainy evening in the month of September, 1830, that we +went on board the steamer "Henry Clay," to take passage for Green Bay. +All our friends in Detroit had congratulated us upon our good fortune in +being spared the voyage in one of the little schooners which at this +time afforded the ordinary means of communication with the few and +distant settlements on Lakes Huron and Michigan. + +Each one had some experience to relate of his own or Of his friends' +mischances in these precarious journeys--long detentions on the St. +Clair flats--furious head-winds off Thunder Bay, or interminable Calms +at Mackinac or the Manitous. That which most enhanced our sense of +peculiar good luck, was the true story of one of our relatives having +left Detroit in the month of June and reached Chicago in the September +following, having been actually three months in performing what is +sometimes accomplished by even a sail-vessel in four days. + +But the certainty of encountering similar misadventures would have +weighed little with me. I was now to visit, nay, more, to become a +resident of that land which had, for long years, been to me a region of +romance. Since the time when, as a child, my highest delight had been in +the letters of a dear relative, describing to me his home and mode of +life in the "Indian country," and still later, in his felicitous +narration of a tour with General Cass, in 1820, to the sources of the +Mississippi--nay, even earlier, in the days when I stood at my teacher's +knee, and spelled out the long word Mich-i-li-mack-i-nac, that distant +land, with its vast lakes, its boundless prairies, and its mighty +forests, had possessed a wonderful charm for my imagination. Now I was +to see it!--it was to be my home! + +Our ride to the quay, through the dark by-ways, in a cart, the only +vehicle which at that day could navigate the muddy, unpaved streets of +Detroit, was a theme for much merriment, and not less so, our descent of +the narrow, perpendicular stair-way by which we reached the little +apartment called the Ladies' Cabin. We were highly delighted with the +accommodations, which, by comparison, seemed the very climax of comfort +and convenience; more especially as the occupants of the cabin +consisted, beside myself, of but a lady and two little girls. + +Nothing could exceed the pleasantness of our trip for the first +twenty-four hours. There were some officers, old friends, among the +passengers. We had plenty of books. The gentlemen read aloud +occasionally, admired the solitary magnificence of the scenery around +us, the primeval woods, or the vast expanse of water unenlivened by a +single sail, and then betook themselves to their cigar, or their game of +euchre, to while away the hours. + +For a time the passage over Thunder Bay was delightful, but, alas! it +was not destined, in our favor, to belie its name. A storm came on, fast +and furious--what was worse, it was of long duration. The pitching and +rolling of the little boat, the closeness, and even the sea-sickness, we +bore as became us. They were what we had expected, and were prepared +for. But a new feature of discomfort appeared, which almost upset our +philosophy. + +The rain, which fell in torrents, soon made its way through every seam +and pore of deck or moulding. Down the stair-way, through the joints and +crevices, it came, saturating first the carpet, then the bedding, until, +finally, we were completely driven, "by stress of weather," into the +Gentlemen's Cabin. Way was made for us very gallantly, and every +provision resorted to for our comfort, and we were congratulating +ourselves on having found a haven in our distress, when, lo! the seams +above opened, and down upon our devoted heads poured such a flood, that +even umbrellas were an insufficient protection. There was nothing left +for the ladies and children but to betake ourselves to the berths, +which, in this apartment, fortunately remained dry; and here we +continued ensconced the livelong day. Our dinner was served up to us on +our pillows. The gentlemen chose the dryest spots, raised their +umbrellas, and sat under them, telling amusing anecdotes, and saying +funny things to cheer us, until the rain ceased, and at nine o'clock in +the evening we were gladdened by the intelligence that we had reached +the pier at Mackinac. + +We were received with the most affectionate cordiality by Mr. and Mrs. +Robert Stuart, at whose hospitable mansion we had been for some days +expected. + +The repose and comfort of an asylum like this, can be best appreciated +by those who have reached it after a tossing and drenching such as ours +had been. A bright, warm fire, and countenances beaming with kindest +interest, dispelled all sensations of fatigue or annoyance. + +After a season of pleasant conversation, the servants were assembled, +the chapter of God's word was solemnly read, the hymn chanted, the +prayer of praise and thanksgiving offered, and we were conducted to our +place of repose. + +It is not my purpose here to attempt a portrait of those noble friends +whom I thus met for the first time. To an abler pen than mine should be +assigned the honor of writing the biography of Robert Stuart. All who +have enjoyed the happiness of his acquaintance, or, still more, a +sojourn under his hospitable roof, will carry with them to their latest +hour the impression of his noble bearing, his genial humor, his untiring +benevolence, his upright, uncompromising adherence to principle, his +ardent philanthropy, his noble disinterestedness. Irving in his +"Astoria," and Franchere in his "Narrative," give many striking traits +of his early character, together with events of his history of a +thrilling and romantic interest, but both have left the most valuable +portion unsaid, his after-life, namely, as a Christian gentleman. + +Of his beloved partner, who still survives him, mourning on her bereaved +and solitary pilgrimage, yet cheered by the recollection of her long and +useful course as a "Mother in Israel," we will say no more than to offer +the incense of loving hearts, and prayers for the best blessings from +her Father in heaven. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +MICHILIMACKINAC. + + +Michilimackinac! that gem of the Lakes! How bright and beautiful it +looked as we walked abroad on the following morning! The rain had passed +away, but had left all things glittering in the light of the sun as it +rose up over the waters of Lake Huron, far away to the east. Before us +was the lovely bay, scarcely yet tranquil after the storm, but dotted +with canoes and the boats of the fishermen already getting out their +nets for the trout and whitefish, those treasures of the deep. Along the +beach were scattered the wigwams or lodges of the Ottawas who had come +to the island to trade. The inmates came forth to gaze upon us. A shout +of welcome was sent forth, as they recognized _Shaw-nee-aw-kee,_ who, +from a seven years' residence among them, was well known to each +individual. + +A shake of the hand, and an emphatic "_Bon-jour_--_bon-jour_," is the +customary salutation between the Indian and the white man. + +"Do the Indians speak French?" I inquired of my husband. + +"No; this is a fashion they have learned of the French traders during +many years of intercourse." + +Not less hearty was the greeting of each Canadian _engagé_, as he +trotted forward to pay his respects to "Monsieur John," and to utter a +long string of felicitations, in a most incomprehensible _patois_. I was +forced to take for granted all the good wishes showered upon "Madame +John," of which I could comprehend nothing but the hope that I should +be happy and contented in my "_vie sauvage_." + +The object of our early walk was to visit the Mission-house and school +which had been some few years previously established at this place by +the Presbyterian Board of Missions. It was an object of especial +interest to Mr. and Mrs. Stuart, and its flourishing condition at this +period, and the prospects of extensive future usefulness it held out, +might well gladden their philanthropic hearts. They had lived many years +on the island, and had witnessed its transformation, through God's +blessing on Christian efforts, from a worldly, dissipated community to +one of which it might almost be said, "Religion was every man's +business." This mission establishment was the beloved child and the +common centre of interest of the few Protestant families clustered +around it. Through the zeal and good management of Mr. and Mrs. Ferry, +and the fostering encouragement of the congregation, the school was in +great repute, and it was pleasant to observe the effect of mental and +religious culture in subduing the mischievous, tricky propensities of +the half-breed, and rousing the stolid apathy of the genuine Indian. + +These were the palmy days of Mackinac. As the head-quarters of the +American Fur Company, and the entrepôt of the whole Northwest, all the +trade in supplies and goods on the one hand, and in furs and products of +the Indian country on the other, was in the hands of the parent +establishment or its numerous outposts scattered along Lakes Superior +and Michigan, the Mississippi, or through still more distant regions. + +Probably few are ignorant of the fact, that all the Indian tribes, with +the exception of the Miamis and the Wyandots, had, since the transfer of +the old French possessions to the British Crown, maintained a firm +alliance with the latter. The independence achieved by the United +States did not alter the policy of the natives, nor did our Government +succeed in winning or purchasing their friendship. Great Britain, it is +true, bid high to retain them. Every year the leading men of the +Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottowattamies, Menomonees, Winnebagoes, Sauks, and +Foxes, and even still more remote tribes, journeyed from their distant +homes to Fort Malden in Upper Canada, to receive their annual amount of +presents from their Great Father across the water. It was a +master-policy thus to keep them in pay, and had enabled those who +practised it to do fearful execution through the aid of such allies in +the last war between the two countries. + +The presents they thus received were of considerable value, consisting +of blankets, broadcloths or _strouding_, calicoes, guns, kettles, traps, +silver-works (comprising arm-bands, bracelets, brooches; and ear-bobs), +looking-glasses, combs, and various other trinkets distributed with no +niggardly hand. + +The magazines and store-houses of the Fur Company at Mackinac were the +resort of all the upper tribes for the sale of their commodities, and +the purchase of all such articles as they had need of, including those +above enumerated, and also ammunition, which, as well as money and +liquor, their British friends very commendably omitted to furnish them. + +Besides their furs, various in kind and often of great value--beaver, +otter, marten, mink, silver-gray and red fox, wolf, bear, and wild-cat, +musk-rat, and smoked deer-skins--the Indians brought for trade +maple-sugar in abundance, considerable quantities of both Indian corn +and _petit-blé_,[1] beans and the _folles avoines_,[2] or wild rice; +while the squaws added to their quota of merchandise a contribution in +the form of moccasins, hunting-pouches, mococks, or little boxes of +birch-bark embroidered with porcupine-quills and filled with +maple-sugar, mats of a neat and durable fabric, and toy-models of Indian +cradles, snow-shoes, canoes, etc., etc. + +It was no unusual thing, at this period, to see a hundred or more canoes +of Indians at once approaching the island, laden with their articles of +traffic; and if to these we add the squadrons of large Mackinac boats +constantly arriving from the outposts, with the furs, peltries, and +buffalo-robes collected by the distant traders, some idea may be formed +of the extensive operations and important position of the American Fur +Company, as well as of the vast circle of human beings either +immediately or remotely connected with it. + +It is no wonder that the philanthropic mind, surveying these, races of +uncultivated heathen, should stretch forward to the time when, through +an unwearied devotion of the white man's energies, and an untiring +sacrifice of self and fortune, his red brethren might rise in the scale +of social civilization--when Education and Christianity should go hand +in hand, to make "the wilderness blossom as the rose." + +Little did the noble souls at that day rejoicing in the success of their +labors at Mackinac, anticipate that in less than a quarter of a century +there would remain of all these numerous tribes but a few scattered +bands, squalid, degraded, with scarce a vestige remaining of their +former lofty character--their lands cajoled or wrested from them, the +graves of their fathers turned up by the ploughshare--themselves chased +farther and farther towards the setting sun, until they were literally +grudged a resting-place on the face of the earth! + +Our visit to the Mission-school was of short duration, for the Henry +Clay was to leave at two o'clock, and in the mean time we were to see +what we could of the village and its environs, and after that dine with +Mr. Mitchell, an old friend of my husband. As we walked leisurely along +over the white, gravelly road, many of the residences of the old +inhabitants were pointed out to me. There was the dwelling of Madame +Laframboise, an Ottawa woman, whose husband had taught her to read and +write, and who had ever after continued to use the knowledge she had +acquired for the instruction and improvement of the youth among her own +people. It was her custom to receive a class of young pupils daily at +her house, that she might give them lessons in the branches mentioned, +and also in the principles of the Roman Catholic religion, to which she +was deeply devoted. She was a woman of a vast deal of energy and +enterprise--of a tall and commanding figure, and most dignified +deportment. After the death of her husband, who was killed while away at +his trading-post by a Winnebago named _White Ox_, she was accustomed to +visit herself the trading-posts, superintend the clerks and engagés, and +satisfy herself that the business was carried on in a regular and +profitable manner. + +The Agency-house, with its unusual luxuries of piazza and gardens, was +situated at the foot of the hill on which the fort was built. It was a +lovely spot, notwithstanding the stunted and dwarfish appearance of all +cultivated vegetation in this cold northern latitude. + +The collection of rickety, primitive-looking buildings, occupied by the +officials of the Fur Company, reflected no great credit on the +architectural skill of my husband, who had superintended their +construction, he told me, when little more than a boy. + +There were, besides these, the residences of the Dousmans, the Abbotts, +the Biddles, the Drews, and the Lashleys, stretching away along the +base of the beautiful hill, crowned with the white walls and buildings +of the fort, the ascent to which was so steep that on the precipitous +face nearest the beach staircases were built by which to mount from +below. + +My head ached intensely, the effect of the motion of the boat on the +previous day, but I did not like to give up to it; so, after I had been +shown all that could be seen of the little settlement in the short time +allowed us, we repaired to Mr. Mitchell's. + +We were received by Mrs. M., an extremely pretty, delicate woman, part +French and part Sioux, whose early life had been passed at Prairie du +Chien, on the Mississippi. She had been a great belle among the young +officers at Fort Crawford; so much so, indeed, that the suicide of the +post-surgeon was attributed to an unsuccessful attachment he had +conceived for her. I was greatly struck with her soft and gentle +manners, and the musical intonation of her voice, which I soon learned +was a distinguishing peculiarity of those women in whom are united the +French and native blood. + +A lady, then upon a visit to the Mission, was of the company. She +insisted on my lying down upon the sofa, and ministered most kindly to +my suffering head. As she sat by my side, and expatiated upon the new +sphere opening before me, she inquired: + +"Do you not realize very strongly the entire deprivation of religious +privileges you will be obliged to suffer in your distant home?" + +"The deprivation," said I, "will doubtless be great, but not _entire_; +for I shall have my Prayer-Book, and, though destitute of a church, we +need not be without a _mode_ of worship." + +How often afterwards, when cheered by the consolations of that precious +book in the midst of the lonely wilderness, did I remember this +conversation, and bless God that I could never, while retaining it, be +without "religious privileges." + +We had not yet left the dinner-table, when the bell of the little +steamer sounded to summon us on board, and we bade a hurried farewell to +all our kind friends, bearing with us their hearty wishes for a safe and +prosperous voyage. + +A finer sight can scarcely be imagined than Mackinac, from the water. As +we steamed away from the shore, the view came full upon us--the sloping +beach with the scattered wigwams, and canoes drawn up here and +there--the irregular, quaint-looking houses--the white walls of the +fort, and, beyond, one eminence still more lofty crowned with the +remains of old Fort Holmes. The whole picture completed, showed the +perfect outline that had given the island its original Indian name, +_Mich-i-li-mack-i-nac_, the Big Turtle. + +Then those pure, living waters, in whose depths the fish might be seen +gliding and darting to and fro; whose clearness is such that an object +dropped to the bottom may be discerned at the depth of fifty or sixty +feet, a dollar lying far down on its green bed, looking no larger than a +half dime! I could hardly wonder at the enthusiastic lady who exclaimed: +"Oh! I could wish to be drowned in these pure, beautiful waters!" + +As we passed the extreme western point of the island, my husband pointed +out to me, far away to the northwest, a promontory which he told me was +Point St. Ignace. It possessed great historic interest, as one of the +earliest white settlements on this continent. The Jesuit missionaries +had established here a church and school as early as 1607, the same year +in which a white settlement was made at St. Augustine, in Florida, and +one year before the founding of Jamestown, Virginia. + +All that remains of the enterprises of these devoted men, is the +remembrance of their labors, perpetuated, in most instances, only by the +names of the spots which witnessed their efforts of love in behalf of +their savage brethren. The little French church at Sandwich, opposite +Detroit, alone is left, a witness of the zeal and self-sacrifice of +these pioneers of Christianity. + +Passing "Old Mackinac," on the main land, which forms the southern +border of the straits, we soon came out into the broad waters of Lake +Michigan. Every traveller, and every reader of our history, is familiar +with the incidents connected with the taking of the old fort by the +Indians, in the days of Pontiac. How, by means of a game of ball, played +in an apparently friendly spirit outside the walls, and of which the +officers and soldiers had come forth to be spectators, the ball was +dexterously tossed over the wall, and the savages rushing in, under +pretext of finding it, soon got possession and massacred the garrison. + +The little Indian village of L'Arbre Croche gleamed far away south, in +the light of the setting sun. With that exception, there was no sign of +living habitation along that vast and wooded shore. The gigantic +forest-trees, and here and there the little glades of prairie opening to +the water, showed a landscape that would have gladdened the eye of the +agriculturist, with its promise of fertility; but it was evidently +untrodden by the foot of man, and we left it, in its solitude, as we +took our course westward across the waters. + +The rainy and gusty weather, so incident to the equinoctial season, +overtook us again before we reached the mouth of Green Bay, and kept us +company until the night of our arrival upon the flats, about three miles +below the settlement. Here the little steamer grounded "fast and hard." +As almost every one preferred braving the elements to remaining cooped +up in the quarters we had occupied for the past week, we decided to +trust ourselves to the little boat, spite of wind, and rain, and +darkness, and in due time we reached the shore. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +GREEN BAY. + + +Our arrival at Green Bay was at an unfortunate moment. It was the time +of a treaty between the United States Government and the Menomonees and +Waubanakees. Consequently, not only the commissioners of the treaty, +with their clerks and officials, but traders, claimants, travellers, and +idlers innumerable were upon the ground. Most of these were congregated +in the only hotel the place afforded. This was a tolerably-sized house +near the river-side, and as we entered the long dining-room, cold and +dripping from the open boat, we were infinitely amused at the motley +assemblage it contained. Various groups were seated around. New comers, +like ourselves, stood here and there, for there were not seats enough to +accommodate all who sought entertainment. The landlord sat calm and +indifferent, his hands in his pockets, exhibiting all the phlegm of a +Pennsylvania Dutchman. + +His fat, notable spouse was trotting round, now stopping to scold about +some one who, "burn his skin!" had fallen short in his duty; now +laughing good-humoredly until her sides shook, at some witticism +addressed to her. + +She welcomed us very cordially, but to our inquiry, "Can you +accommodate us?" her reply was, "Not I. I have got twice as many people +now as I know what to do with. I have had to turn my own family out of +their quarters, what with the commissioners and the lot of folks that +has come in upon us." + +"What are we to do, then? It is too late and stormy to go up to +Shanty-town to seek for lodgings." + +"Well, sit you down and take your supper, and we will see what we can +do." + +And she actually did contrive to find a little nook, in which we were +glad to take refuge from the multitudes around us. + +A slight board partition separated us from the apartment occupied by +General Root, of New York, one of the commissioners of the treaty. The +steamer in which we came had brought the mail, at that day a rare +blessing to the distant settlements. The opening and reading of all the +dispatches, which the General received about bed-time, had, of course, +to be gone through with, before he could retire to rest. His eyes being +weak, his secretaries were employed to read the communications. He was a +little deaf withal, and through the slight division between the two +apartments the contents of the letters, and his comments upon them, were +unpleasantly audible, as he continually admonished his secretary to +raise his voice. + +"What is that, Walter? Read that over again." + +In vain we coughed and hemmed, and knocked over sundry pieces of +furniture. They were too deeply interested to hear aught that passed +around them, and if we had been politicians we should have had all the +secrets of the _working-men's party_ at our disposal, out of which to +have made capital. + +The next morning it was still rain! rain! nothing but rain! In spite of +it, however, the gentlemen would take a small boat to row to the +steamer, to bring up the luggage, not the least important part of that +which appertained to us being sundry boxes of silver for paying the +annuities to the Winnebagoes at the Portage. + +I went out with some others of the company upon the piazza, to witness +their departure. A gentleman pointed out to me Fort Howard, on a +projecting point of the opposite shore, about three-quarters of a mile +distant--the old barracks, the picketed inclosure, the walls, all +looking quaint, and, considering their modern erection, really ancient +and venerable. Presently we turned our attention to the boat, which had +by this time gained the middle of the river. One of the passengers was +standing up in the stern, apparently giving some directions. + +"That is rather a venturesome fellow," remarked one; "if he is not +careful he will lose his balance." And at this moment we saw him +actually perform a summerset backward, and disappear in the water. + +"Oh!" cried I, "he will be drowned!" + +The gentlemen laughed. "No, there he is; they are helping him in again." + +The course of the boat was immediately changed, and the party returned +to the shore. It was not until one disembarked and came dripping and +laughing towards me, that I recognized him as my own peculiar property. +He was pleased to treat the matter as a joke, but I thought it rather a +sad beginning of Western experience. + +He suffered himself to be persuaded to intrust the care of his effects +to his friends, and having changed his dress, prepared to remain quietly +with me, when just at this moment a vehicle drove up to the door, and we +recognized the pleasant, familiar face of our old friend, Judge Doty. + +He had received the news of our arrival, and had come to take us at +once to his hospitable mansion. We were only too happy to gather +together our bags and travelling-baskets and accompany him without +farther ceremony. + +Our drive took us first along the edge of Navarino, next through +Shanty-town (the latter a far more appropriate name than the former), +amid mud and mire, over bad roads, and up and down hilly, break-neck +places, until we reached the little brick dwelling of our friends. Mrs. +Doty received us with such true, sisterly kindness, and everything +seemed so full of welcome, that we soon felt ourselves at home. + +We found that, expecting our arrival, invitations had already been +prepared to assemble the whole circle of Green Bay society to meet us at +an evening party--this, in a new country, being the established mode of +doing honor to guests or strangers. + +We learned, upon inquiry, that Captain Harney, who had kindly offered to +come with a boat and crew of soldiers from Fort Winnebago, to convey us +to that place, our destined home, had not yet arrived; we therefore felt +at liberty to make arrangements for a few days of social enjoyment at +"the Bay." + +It was pleasant to people, secluded in such a degree from the world at +large, to bear all the news we had brought--all the particulars of life +and manners--the thousand little items that the newspapers of that day +did not dream of furnishing--the fashions, and that general gossip, in +short, which a lady is erroneously supposed more _au fait_ of, than a +gentleman. + +I well remember that, in giving and receiving information, the day +passed in a pretty uninterrupted stream of communication. All the party +except myself had made the journey, or rather voyage, up the Fox River +and down the Wisconsin to the Mississippi. + +There were plenty of anecdotes of a certain trip performed by the +three, in company with a French trader and his two sisters, then making +their debut as Western travellers. The manner in which Mademoiselle +Julie would borrow, without leave, a fine damask napkin or two, to wipe +out the ducks in preparation for cooking--the difficulty of persuading +either of the sisters of the propriety of washing and rinsing their +table apparatus nicely before packing it away in the mess-basket, the +consequence of which was, that another nice napkin must be stealthily +whisked out, to wipe the dishes when the hour for meals arrived--the fun +of the young gentleman in hunting up his stray articles, thus +misappropriated, from the nooks and corners of the boat, tying them with +a cord, and hanging them over the stern, to make their way down the +Wisconsin to Prairie du Chien. + +Then there was a capital story of M. Rolette himself. At one point on +the route (I think in crossing Winnebago Lake) the travellers met one of +the Company's boats on its way to Green Bay for supplies. M. Rolette was +one of the agents of the Company, and the people in the boat were his +employés. Of course after an absence of some weeks from home, the +meeting on these lonely waters and the exchanging of news was an +occasion of great excitement. + +The boats were stopped--earnest greetings interchanged--question +followed question. + +"_Eh bien_--have they finished the new house?" + +"_Oui, Monsieur_." + +"_Et la cheminée, fume-t-elle?_" (Does the chimney smoke?) + +"_Non, Monsieur_." + +"And the harvest--how is that?" + +"Very fine, indeed." + +"Is the mill at work?" + +"Yes, plenty of water." + +"How is Whip?" (his favorite horse.) + +"Oh! Whip is first-rate." + +Everything, in short, about the store, the farm, the business of various +descriptions being satisfactorily gone over, there was no occasion for +farther delay. It was time to proceed. + +"_Eh bien--adieu! bon voyage!_" + +"_Arrachez, mes gens!_" (Go ahead, men!) + +Then suddenly--"_Arrêtez! arrêtez!_" (Stop, stop!) + +"_Comment se portent Madame Rolette et les enfans?_" (How are Mrs. +Rolette and the children?) + + * * * * * + +This day, with its excitement, was at length over, and we retired to our +rest, thankful that we had not General Root and his secretary close to +our bed's head, with their budget of political news. + +My slumbers were not destined, however, to be quite undisturbed. I was +awakened, at the first slight peep of dawn, by a sound from an apartment +beneath our own--a plaintive, monotonous chant, rising and then falling +in a sort of mournful cadence. It seemed to me a wail of something +unearthly--so wild--so strange--so unaccountable. In terror I awoke my +husband, who reassured me by telling me it was the morning salutation of +the Indians to the opening day. + +Some Menomonees had been kindly given shelter for the night in the +kitchen below, and, having fulfilled their unvarying custom of chanting +their morning hymn, they now ceased, and again composed themselves to +sleep. But not so their auditor. There was to me something inexpressibly +beautiful in this morning song of praise from the untaught sons of the +forest. What a lesson did it preach to the civilized, Christianized +world, too many of whom lie down and rise up without an aspiration of +thanksgiving to their Almighty Preserver--without even a remembrance of +His care, who gives His angels charge concerning them! Never has the +impression of that simple act of worship faded from my mind. I have +loved to think that, with some, these strains might be the outpouring of +a devotion as pure as that of the Christian when he utters the inspiring +words of the sainted Ken-- + +"Awake, my soul! and with the sun," etc. + + * * * * * + +Among the visitors who called to offer me a welcome to the West, were +Mr. and Miss Cadle, who were earnestly engaged in the first steps of +their afterwards flourishing enterprise for the education of Indian and +half-breed children. The school-houses and chapel were not yet erected, +but we visited their proposed site, and listened with great interest to +bright anticipations of the future good that was to be accomplished--the +success that was to crown their efforts for taming the heathen and +teaching them the knowledge of their Saviour and the blessings of +civilized life. The sequel has shown how little the zeal of the few can +accomplish, when opposed to the cupidity of the many. + +Our evening party went off as parties do elsewhere. The most interesting +feature to me, because the most novel, was the conversation of some +young ladies to whom I was introduced, natives of Green Bay or its +vicinity. Their mother was a Menomonee, but their father was a +Frenchman, a descendant of a settler some generations back, and who, +there is reason to believe, was a branch of the same family of Grignon +to which the daughter of Madame de Sévigné belonged. At least, it is +said there are in the possession of the family many old papers and +records which would give that impression, although the orthography of +the name has become slightly changed. Be that as it may, the Miss +Grignons were strikingly dignified, well-bred young ladies, and there +was a charm about their soft voices, and original, unsophisticated +remarks, very attractive to a stranger. + +They opened to me, however, a new field of apprehension; for, on my +expressing my great impatience to see my new home, they exclaimed, with +a look of wonder,-- + +"_Vous n'avez donc pas peur des serpens_?" + +"Snakes! was it possible there were snakes at Fort Winnebago?" + +"At the Portage! oh! yes--one can never walk out for +them--rattle-snakes--copper-heads--all sorts!" + +I am not naturally timid, but I must confess that the idea of the +_serpens sonnettes_ and the _siffleurs_ was not quite a subject of +indifference. + +There was one among these young ladies whose tall, graceful figure, +rich, blooming complexion, and dark, glancing eye, would have +distinguished her in any drawing-room--and another, whose gentle +sweetness and cultivated taste made it a matter of universal regret that +she was afterwards led to adopt the seclusion of a convent. + +Captain Harney and his boat arrived in due time, and active preparations +far the comfort of our journey commenced under the kind supervision of +Mrs. Doty. The mess-basket was stowed with good things of every +description--ham and tongue--biscuit and plum-cake--not to mention the +substantiate of crackers, bread, and boiled pork, the latter of which, +however, a lady was supposed to be too fastidious to think of touching, +even if starving in the woods. + +We had engaged three Canadian voyageurs to take charge of our tent, +mess-basket, and matters and things in general. Their business it was to +be to cut the wood for our fires, prepare our meals, and give a helping +hand to whatever was going forward. A messenger had also been sent to +the Kakalin, or rapids, twenty-one miles above, to notify +_Wish-tay-yun_,[3] the most accomplished guide through the difficult +passes of the river, to be in readiness for our service on a specified +day. + +In the mean time, we had leisure for one more party, and it was to be a +"real Western hop." Everybody will remember that dance at Mrs. Baird's. +All the people, young and old, that would be gathered throughout, or, as +it was the fashion to express it, _on_ Green Bay, were assembled. The +young officers were up from Fort Howard, looking so smart in their +uniforms--treasures of finery, long uncalled forth, were now brought to +light--everybody was bound to do honor to the strangers by appearing in +their very best. It was to be an entertainment unequalled by any given +before. All the house was put in requisition for the occasion. Desks and +seats were unceremoniously dismissed from Mr. B.'s office, which formed +one wing, to afford more space for the dancers. Not only the front +portion of the dwelling, but even the kitchen was made fit for the +reception of company, in case any primitive visitor, as was sometimes +the case, should prefer sitting down quietly there and smoking his +cigar. This was an emergency that, in those days, had always to be +provided for. + +Nothing could exceed the mirth and hilarity of the company. No +restraint, but of good manners--no excess of conventionalities--genuine, +hearty good-humor and enjoyment, such as pleasant, hospitable people, +with just enough of the French element to add zest to anything like +amusement, could furnish, to make the entertainment agreeable. In a +country so new, and where, in a social gathering, the number of the +company was more important than the quality, the circle was not always, +strictly speaking, select. + +I was aware of this, and was therefore more amused than surprised when a +clumsy little man, with a broad, red, laughing face, waddled across the +room to where I had taken my seat after a dance, and thus addressed me: + +"_Miss_ K----, nobody hain't never introduced you to me, but I've seen +you a good many times, and I know your husband very well, so I thought I +might just as well come and speak to you--my name is A----." + +"Ah! Mr. A----, good-evening. I hope you are enjoying yourself. How is +your sister?" + +"Oh! she is a great deal worse--her cold has got into her eye, and it is +all _shot up_." + +Then turning full upon a lady[4] who sat near, radiant with youth and +beauty, sparkling with wit and genuine humor: + +"Oh! Mrs. Beall," he began, "what a beautiful gown you have got on, and +how handsome you do look! I declare you're the prettiest woman in the +room, and dance the handsomest." + +"Indeed, Mr. A----," replied she, suppressing her love of fun and +assuming a demure look, "I am afraid you flatter me." + +"No, I don't--I'm in earnest. I've just come to ask you to dance." + +Such was the penalty of being too charming. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +VOYAGE UP FOX RIVER. + + +It had been arranged that Judge Doty should accompany us in our boat as +far as the Butte des Morts, at which place his attendant would be +waiting with horses to convey him to Mineral Point, where he was to hold +court. + +It was a bright and beautiful morning when we left his pleasant home, to +commence our passage up the Fox River Captain Harney was proposing to +remain a few days longer at "the Bay," but he called to escort us to the +boat and instal us in all its comforts. + +As he helped me along over the ploughed ground and other inequalities in +our way to the river-bank, where the boat lay, he told me how +impatiently Mrs. Twiggs, the wife of the commanding officer, who since +the past spring had been the only white lady at Fort Winnebago, was now +expecting a companion and friend. We had met in New York, shortly after +her marriage, and were, therefore, not quite unacquainted. I, for my +part, felt sure that when there were two of our sex--when my piano was +safely there--when the Post Library which we had purchased should be +unpacked--when all should be fairly arranged and settled, we should be, +although far away in the wilderness, the happiest little circle +imaginable. All my anticipations were of the most sanguine and cheerful +character. + +It was a moderate-sized Mackinac boat, with a crew of soldiers, and our +own three voyageurs in addition, that lay waiting for us--a dark-looking +structure of some thirty feet in length. Placed in the centre was a +frame-work of slight posts, supporting a roof of canvas, with curtains +of the same, which might be let down at the sides and ends, after the +manner of a country stage-coach, or rolled up to admit the light and +air. + +In the midst of this little cabin or saloon was placed the box +containing my piano, and on it a mattress, which was to furnish us a +divan through the day and a place of repose at night, should the weather +at any time prove too wet or unpleasant for encamping. The boxes of +silver, with which my husband was to pay the annuities due his red +children, by treaty-stipulation, were stowed next. Our mess-basket was +in a convenient vicinity, and we had purchased a couple of large square +covered baskets of the Waubanakees, or New York Indians, to hold our +various necessary articles of outward apparel and bedding, and at the +same time to answer as very convenient little work or dinner-tables. + +As a true daughter of New England, it is to be taken for granted I had +not forgotten to supply myself with knitting-work and embroidery. Books +and pencils were a matter of course. + +The greater part of our furniture, together with the various articles +for housekeeping with which we had supplied ourselves in New York and +Detroit, were to follow in another boat, under the charge of people +whose business it professed to be to take cargoes safely up the rapids +and on to Fort Winnebago. This was an enterprise requiring some three +weeks of time and a great amount of labor, so that the owners of the +goods transported might think themselves happy to receive them at last, +however wet, broken, and dilapidated their condition might be. It was +for this reason that we took our choicest possessions with us, even at +the risk of being a little crowded. + +Until now I had never seen a gentleman attired in a colored shirt, a +spotless white collar and bosom being one of those "notions" that +"Boston," and consequently New England "folks," entertained of the +becoming in a gentleman's toilette. Mrs. Cass had laughingly forewarned +me that not only calico shirts but patch-work pillow-cases were an +indispensable part of a travelling equipment; and, thanks to the taste +and skill of some tidy little Frenchwoman, I found our divan-pillows all +accommodated in the brightest and most variegated garb. + +The Judge and my husband were gay with the deepest of blue and pink. +Each was prepared, besides, with a bright red cap (a _bonnet rouge_, or +_tuque_, as the voyageurs call it), which, out of respect for the lady, +was to be donned only when a hearty dinner, a dull book, or the want of +exercise made an afternoon nap indispensable. + +The Judge was an admirable travelling companion. He had lived many years +in the country, had been with General Cass on his expedition to the +head-waters of the Mississippi, and had a vast fund of anecdote +regarding early times, customs, and inhabitants. + +Some instances of the mode of administering justice in those days, I +happen to recall. + +There was an old Frenchman at the Bay, named Réaume, excessively +ignorant and grasping, although otherwise tolerably good-natured. This +man was appointed justice of the peace. Two men once appeared before +him, the one as plaintiff, the other as defendant. The justice listened +patiently to the complaint of the one and the defence of the other; +then rising, with dignity, he pronounced his decision: + +"You are both wrong. You, Bois-vert," to the plaintiff, "you bring me +one load of hay; and you, Crély," to the defendant, "you bring me one +load of wood; and now the matter is settled." It does not appear that +any exceptions were taken to this verdict. + +This anecdote led to another, the scene of which was Prairie du Chien, +on the Mississippi. + +There was a Frenchman, a justice of the peace, who was universally known +by the name of "Old Boilvin." His office was just without the walls of +the fort, and it was much the fashion among the officers to lounge in +there of a morning, to find sport for an idle hour, and to take a glass +of brandy-and-water with the old gentleman, which he called "taking a +little _quelque-chose."_ + +A soldier, named Fry, had been accused of stealing and killing a calf +belonging to M. Rolette, and the constable, a bricklayer of the name of +Bell, had been dispatched to arrest the culprit and bring him to trial. + +While the gentlemen were making their customary morning visit to the +justice, a noise was heard in the entry, and a knock at the door. + +"Come in," cried Old Boilvin, rising and walking toward the door. + +_Bell_,--Here, sir, I have brought Fry to you, as you ordered. + +_Justice_--Fry, you great rascal! What for you kill M. Rolette's calf? + +_Fry_,--I did not kill M. Rolette's calf. + +_Justice_ (shaking his fist).--You lie, you great ---- rascal! Bell, +take him to jail. Come, gentlemen, come, _let us take a leetle +quelque-chose_. + + * * * * * + +The Canadian boatmen always sing while rowing or paddling, and nothing +encourages them so much as to hear the "bourgeois"[5] take the lead in +the music. If the passengers, more especially those of the fair sex, +join in the refrain, the compliment is all the greater. + +Their songs are of a light, cheerful character, generally embodying some +little satire or witticism, calculated to produce a spirited, sometimes +an uproarious, chorus. + +The song and refrain are carried on somewhat in the following style: + + BOURGEOIS.--Par-derrière chez ma tante, + Par-derrière chez ma tante. + + CHORUS.--Par-derrière chez ma tante, + Par-derrière chez ma tante. + + BOURGEOIS.--Il y a un coq qui chante, + Des pommes, des poires, des raves, des choux, + Des figues nouvelles, des raisins doux. + + CHORUS.--Des pommes, des poires, des raves, des choux, + Des figues nouvelles, des raisins doux. + + BOURGEOIS.--Il y a un coq qui chante, + Il y a un coq qui chante. + + CHORUS.--Il y a un coq qui chante, etc. + + BOURGEOIS.--Demande une femme à prendre, + Des pommes, des poires, des raves, des choux, etc. + + CHORUS.--Des pommes, dos poires, etc. + + BOURGEOIS.--Demande une femme à prendre, + Demande une femme à , etc. + +And thus it continues until the advice is given successively, + + Ne prenez pas une noire, + Car elles aiment trop à boire, + Ne prenez pas une rousse, + Car elles sont trop jalouses. + +And by the time all the different qualifications are rehearsed and +objected to, lengthened out by the interminable repetition of the +chorus, the shout of the bourgeois is heard-- + +"Whoop la! à terre, à terre--pour la pipe!" + +It is an invariable custom for the voyageurs to stop every five or six +miles to rest and smoke, so that it was formerly the way of measuring +distances--"so many pipes," instead of "so many miles." + +The Canadian melodies are sometimes very beautiful, and a more +exhilarating mode of travel can hardly be imagined than a voyage over +these waters, amid all the wild magnificence of nature, with the +measured strokes of the oar keeping time to the strains of "_Le Rosier +Blanc_," "En roulant ma Boule_," or "_Lève ton pied, ma jolie Bergère."_ + +The climax of fun seemed to be in a comic piece, which, however oft +repeated, appeared never to grow stale. It was somewhat after this +fashion: + + BOURGEOIS.--Michaud est monté dans un prunier, + Pour treiller des prunes. + La branche a cassé-- + + CHORUS.--Michaud a tombé? + + BOURGEOIS.--Ou est-ce qu'il est? + + CHORUS.--Il est en bas. + + BOURGEOIS.--Oh! reveille, reveille, reveille, + Oh! reveille, Michaud est en haut![6] + +It was always a point of etiquette to look astonished at the luck of +Michaud in remaining in the tree, spite of the breaking of the branch, +and the joke had to be repeated through all the varieties of +fruit-trees that Michaud might be supposed able to climb. + +By evening of the first day we arrived at _the Kakalin_, where another +branch of the Grignon family resided. We were very pleasantly +entertained, although, in my anxiety to begin my forest life, I would +fain have had the tent pitched on the bank of the river, and have laid +aside, at once, the indulgences of civilization. This, however, would +have been a slight, perhaps an affront; so we did much better, and +partook of the good cheer that was offered us in the shape of hot +venison steaks and crêpes, and that excellent cup of coffee which none +can prepare like a Frenchwoman, and which is so refreshing after a day +in the open air. + +The Kakalin is a rapid of the Fox River, sufficiently important to make +the portage of the heavy lading of a boat necessary; the boat itself +being poled or dragged up with cords against the current. It is one of a +series of rapids and _chûtes_, or falls, which occur between this point +and Lake Winnebago, twenty miles above. + +The next morning, after breakfast, we took leave of our hosts, and +prepared to pursue our journey. The bourgeois, from an early hour, had +been occupied in superintending his men in getting the boat and its +loading over the Kakalin. As the late rains had made the paths through +the woods and along the banks of the river somewhat muddy and +uncomfortable for walking, I was put into an ox-cart, to be jolted over +the unequal road; saluting impartially all the stumps and stones that +lay in our way, the only means of avoiding which seemed to be when the +little, thick-headed Frenchman, our conductor, bethought him of suddenly +guiding his cattle into a projecting tree or thorn-bush, to the great +detriment not only of my straw bonnet, but of my very eyes. + +But we got through at last, and, arriving at the head of the rapids, I +found the boat lying there, all in readiness for our re-embarking. + +Our Menomonee guide, _Wish-tay-yun_, a fine, stalwart Indian, with an +open, good-humored, one might almost say _roguish_ countenance, came +forward to be presented to me. + +"_Bon-jour, bon-jour, maman_," was his laughing salutation. Again I was +surprised, not as before at the French, for to that I had become +accustomed, but at the respectable title he was pleased to bestow upon +me. + +"Yes," said my husband, "you must make up your mind to receive a very +numerous and well-grown family, consisting of all the Winnebagoes, +Pottowattamies, Chippewas, and Ottawas, together with such Sioux, Sacs +and Foxes, and Iowas, as have any point to gain in applying to me. By +the first-named tribe in virtue of my office, and by the others as a +matter of courtesy, I am always addressed as '_father_'--you, of course, +will be their '_mother_.'" + +Wish-tay-yun and I were soon good friends, my husband interpreting to me +the Chippewa language in which he spoke. We were impatient to be off, +the morning being already far advanced, and, all things being in +readiness, the word was given: + +"_Pousse au large, mes gens!_" (Push out, my men). + +At this moment a boat was seen leaving the opposite bank of the river +and making towards us. It contained white men, and they showed by signs +that they wished to detain us until they came up. They drew near, and we +found them to be Mr. Marsh, a missionary among the Waubanakees, or the +New York Indians, lately brought into this country, and the Rev. Eleazar +Williams,[7] who was at that time living among his red brethren on the +right bank of the Fox River. + +To persons so situated, even more emphatically than to those of the +settlements, the arrival of visitors from the "east countrie" was a +godsend indeed. We had to give all the news of various kinds that we had +brought--political, ecclesiastical, and social--as well as a tolerably +detailed account of what we proposed to do, or rather what we hoped to +be able to do, among our native children at the Portage. + +I was obliged, for my part, to confess that, being almost entirely a +stranger to the Indian character and habits, I was going among them with +no settled plans of any kind--general good-will, and a hope of making +them my friends, being the only principles I could lay claim to at +present. I must leave it for time and a better acquaintance to show me +in what way the principle could be carried out for their greatest good. + +Mr. Williams was a dark-complexioned, good-looking man. Having always +heard him spoken of, by his relations in Connecticut, as "our Indian +cousin," it never occurred to me to doubt his belonging to that race, +although I now think that if I had met him elsewhere I should have taken +him for a Spaniard or a Mexican. His complexion had decidedly more of +the olive than the copper hue, and his countenance was grave, almost +melancholy. He was very silent during this interview, asking few +questions, and offering no observations except in reply to some question +addressed to him. + +It was a hard pull for the men up the rapids. Wish-tay-yun, whose clear, +sonorous voice was the bugle of the party, shouted and whooped--each one +answered with a chorus, and a still more vigorous effort. By-and-by the +boat would become firmly set between two huge stones-- + +"Whoop la! whoop! whoop!" + +Another pull, and another, straining every nerve--in vain. + +"She will not budge!" + +"Men, overboard!" and instantly every rower is over the side and into +the water. + +By pulling, pushing, and tugging, the boat is at length released from +her position, and the men walk along beside her, helping and guiding +her, until they reach a space of comparatively smooth water, when they +again take their seats and their oars. + +It will be readily imagined that there were few songs this day, but very +frequent _pipes_, to refresh the poor fellows after such an arduous +service. + +It was altogether a new spectacle to me. In fact, I had hardly ever +before been called upon to witness severe bodily exertion, and my +sympathies and sensibilities were, for this reason, the more enlisted on +the occasion. It seemed a sufficient hardship to have to labor in this +violent manner; but to walk in cold water up to their waists, and then +to sit down in their soaking garments without going near a fire! Poor +men! this was too much to be borne! What, then, was my consternation to +see my husband, who, shortly after our noon-tide meal, had surprised me +by making his appearance in a pair of duck trowsers and light jacket, at +the first cry of "Fast, again!" spring over into the water with the men, +and "bear a hand" throughout the remainder of the long stretch! + +When he returned on board, it was to take the oar of a poor, +delicate-looking boy, one of the company of soldiers, who from the first +had suffered with bleeding at the nose on every unusual exertion. I was +not surprised, on inquiring, to find that this lad was a recruit just +entered the service. He passed by the name of Gridley, but that was +undoubtedly an assumed name. He had the appearance of having been +delicately nurtured, and had probably enlisted without at all +appreciating the hardships and discomforts of a soldier's life. This is +evident from the dissatisfaction he always continued to feel, until at +length he deserted from his post. This was some months subsequent to the +time of which I am writing. He was once retaken, and kept for a time in +confinement, but immediately on his release deserted again, and his +remains were found the following spring, not many miles from the fort. +He had died, either of cold or starvation. This is a sad interlude--we +will return to our boating. + +With all our tugging and toiling, we had accomplished but thirteen miles +since leaving the Kakalin, and it was already late when we arrived in +view of the "Grande Chûte," near which we were to encamp. + +We had passed the "Little Chûte" (the spot where the town of Appleton +now stands) without any further observation than that it required a vast +deal of extra exertion to buffet with the rushing stream and come off, +as we did, victorious. + +The brilliant light of the setting sun was resting on the high wooded +banks through which broke the beautiful, foaming, dashing waters of the +Chûte. The boat was speedily turned towards a little headland projecting +from the left bank, which had the advantage of a long strip of level +ground, sufficiently spacious to afford a good encamping ground. I +jumped ashore before the boat was fairly pulled up by the men, and with +the Judge's help made my way as rapidly as possible to a point lower +down the river, from which, he said, the best view of the Chûte could be +obtained. I was anxious to make a sketch before the daylight quite faded +away. + +The left bank of the river was to the west, and over a portion less +elevated than the rest the sun's parting rays fell upon the boat, the +men with their red caps and belts, and the two tents already pitched. +The smoke now beginning to ascend from the evening fires, the high +wooded bank beyond, up which the steep portage path could just be +discerned, and, more remote still, the long stretch of waterfall now +darkening in the shadow of the overhanging forests, formed a lovely +landscape, to which the pencil of an artist could alone do justice. + +This was my first encampment, and I was quite enchanted with the novelty +of everything about me. + +The fires had been made of small saplings and underbrush, hastily +collected, the mildness of the weather rendering anything beyond what +sufficed for the purposes of cooking and drying the men's clothes, +superfluous. The soldiers' tent was pitched at some distance from our +own, but not too far for us to hear distinctly their laughter and +apparent enjoyment after the fatigues of the day. + +Under the careful superintendence of Corporal Kilgour, however, their +hilarity never passed the bounds of respectful propriety, and, by the +time we had eaten our suppers, cooked in the open air with the simple +apparatus of a tea-kettle and frying-pan, we were, one and all, ready to +retire to our rest. + +The first sound that saluted our ears in the early dawn of the following +morning, was the far-reaching call of the bourgeois: + +"How! how! how!" uttered at the very top of his voice. + +All start at that summons, and the men are soon turning out of their +tents, or rousing from their slumbers beside the fire, and preparing for +the duties of the day. + +The fire is replenished, the kettles set on to boil, the mess-baskets +opened, and a portion of their contents brought forth to be made ready +for breakfast. One Frenchman spreads our mat within the tent, whence the +bedding has all been carefully removed and packed up for stowing in the +boat. The tin cups and plates are placed around on the new-fashioned +table-cloth. The heavy dews make it a little too damp for us to +breakfast in the open air; otherwise our preparations would be made +outside, upon the green grass. In an incredibly short time our smoking +coffee and broiled ham are placed before us, to which are added, from +time to time, slices of toast brought hot and fresh from the glowing +coals. + +There is, after all, no breakfast like a breakfast in the woods, with a +well-trained Frenchman for master of ceremonies. + +It was a hard day's work to which the men now applied themselves, that +of dragging the heavy boat up the Chûte. It had been thought safest to +leave the piano in its place on board, but the rest of the lading had to +be carried up the steep bank, and along its summit, a distance of some +hundreds of rods, to the smooth water beyond, where all the difficulties +of our navigation terminated. + +The Judge kindly took charge of me while "the bourgeois" superintended +this important business, and with reading, sketching, and strolling +about, the morning glided away. Twelve o'clock came, and still the +preparations for starting were not yet completed. + +In my rambles about to seek out some of the finest of the wild flowers +for a bouquet, before my husband's return, I came upon the camp-fire of +the soldiers. A tall, red-faced, light-haired young man in fatigue dress +was attending a kettle of soup, the savory steams of which were very +attractive. + +Seeing that I was observing his occupation, he politely ladled out a +tin-cupful of the liquid and offered it to me. + +I declined it, saying we should have our dinner immediately. + +"They left me here to get their dinner," said he, apparently not +displeased to have some one to talk to; "and I thought I might as well +make some soup. Down on the German Flats, where I come from, they always +like soup." + +"Ah! you are from the German Flats--then your name must be Bellinger or +Weber." + +"No, it isn't--it's Krissman." + +"Well, Krissman, how do you like the service?" + +"Very well. I was only recruited last summer. I used to ride horse on +the _Canawl_, and, as I can blow a horn first-rate, I expect I will soon +be able to play on a bugle, and then, when I get to be musician, you +know, I shall have extra pay." + +I did not know it, but I expressed due pleasure at the information, and +wishing Krissman all manner of success in his dreams of ambition, or +rather, I should say, of avarice, for the hopes of "extra pay" evidently +preponderated over those of fame, I returned to my own quarters. + +My husband, with his French tastes, was inclined to be somewhat +disappointed when I told him of this little incident, and my refusal of +Krissman's soup; but we were soon gratified by seeing his tall, awkward +form bearing a kettle of the composition, which he set down before the +two gentlemen, by whom, to his infinite satisfaction, it was pronounced +excellent. + +Everything being at length in readiness, the tents were struck and +carried around the Portage, and my husband, the Judge, and I followed at +our leisure. + +The woods were brilliant with wild flowers, although it was so late in +the season that the glory of the summer was well-nigh past. But the +lupin, the moss-pink, and the yellow wallflower, with all the varieties +of the helianthus, the aster, and the solidago, spread their gay charms +around. The gentlemen gathered clusters of the bittersweet (celastrus +scandens) from the overhanging boughs to make a wreath for my hat, as we +trod the tangled pathway, which, like that of Christabel, was + +"Now in glimmer and now in gloom," + +through the alternations of open glade and shady thicket. Soon, like the +same lovely heroine, + +"We reached the place--right glad we were," + +and, without further delay, we were again on board our little boat and +skimming over the now placid waters. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +WINNEBAGO LAKE--MISS FOUR-LEGS. + + +Our encampment this night was the most charming that can be imagined. +Owing to the heavy service the men had gone through in the earlier part +of the day, we took but a short stage for the afternoon, and, having +pulled some seven or eight miles to a spot a short distance below the +"little Butte," we drew in at a beautiful opening among the trees. + +The soldiers now made a regular business of encamping, by cutting down a +large tree for their fire and applying themselves to the preparing of a +sufficient quantity of food for their next day's journey, a long +stretch, namely, of twenty-one miles across Winnebago Lake. Our +Frenchmen did the same. The fire caught in the light dry grass by which +we were surrounded, and soon all was blaze and crackle. + +Fortunately the wind was sufficient to take the flames all in one +direction, and, besides, there was not enough fuel to have made them a +subject of any alarm. We hopped upon the fallen logs, and dignified the +little circumscribed affair with the name of "a prairie on fire." The +most serious inconvenience was its having consumed all the dry grass, +some armfuls of which, spread under the bear-skin in my tent, I had +found, the night before, a great improvement to my place of repose. + +Our supper was truly delightful, at the pleasant sunset hour, under the +tall trees beside the waters that ran murmuring by; and when the bright, +broad moon arose, and shed her flood of light over the scene, so wild +yet so beautiful in its vast solitude, I felt that I might well be an +object of envy to the friends I had left behind. + +But all things have an end, and so must at last my enthusiasm for the +beauties around me, and, albeit unwillingly, I closed my tent and took +my place within, so near the fall of canvas that I could raise it +occasionally and peep forth upon the night. + +In time all was quiet. The men had become silent, and appeared to have +retired to rest, and we were just sinking to our slumbers, when a heavy +tread and presently a bluff voice were heard outside. + +"Mr. Kinzie! Mr. Kinzie!" + +"Who is there? What is it?" + +"I'm Krissman; didn't you mean, sir, that the men should have any liquor +to-night?" + +"Of course I did. Has not Kilgour given out your rations?" + +"No: he says you did not say anything particular about it, and he was +not coming to ask you if you forgot it; but I thought I wouldn't be +bashful--I'd just come and ask.'" + +"That is right. Tell Kilgour I should like to have him serve out a +ration apiece." + +"Thank you, sir," in a most cheerful tone; "I'll tell him." + +Krissman was getting to be quite a character with us. + +A row of a few miles, on the following morning, brought us to Four-Legs' +village,[8] at the entrance to Winnebago Lake, a picturesque cluster of +Indian huts, spread around on a pretty green glade, and shaded by fine +lofty trees. + +We were now fairly in the Winnebago country, and I soon learned that the +odd-sounding name of the place was derived from the principal chief of +the nation, whose residence it was. The inhabitants were absent, having, +in all probability, departed to their wintering grounds. We here took +leave of our friend Wish-tay-yun, at the borders of whose country we had +now arrived. + +"_Bon-jour, Chon!_" (John:) "_bon-jour, maman_." A hearty shake of the +hand completed his adieu, as we pushed off into the lake, and left him +smoking his kin-nee-kin-nick[9] and waiting until the spirit should move +him to take up his long _Indian trot_ towards his home in the Menomonee +country. + +With him our sunshine seemed to have departed. The skies, hitherto so +bright and serene, became overcast, and, instead of the charming voyage +we had anticipated over the silver waters of the lake, we were obliged +to keep ourselves housed under our canvas shelter, only peeping out now +and then to catch a glimpse of the surrounding prospect through the +pouring rain. + +It was what might have been expected on an autumnal day, but we were +unreasonable enough to find it tedious; so, to beguile the time and +lessen my disappointment, my husband related to me some incidents of his +early history, apropos to the subject of "Four-Legs." + +While he was living at Prairie du Chien, in the employ of the American +Fur Company, the chiefs and other Indians from the Upper Mississippi +used frequently to come to the place to sell their furs and peltries, +and to purchase merchandise, ammunition, trinkets, etc. + +As is usual with all who are not yet acclimated, he was seized with +chills and fever. One day, while suffering with an unusually severe +access of the latter, a chief of the Four-Legs family, a brother to the +one before mentioned, came in to the Company's warehouse to trade. There +is no ceremony or restraint among the Indians: so, hearing that +Shaw-nee-aw-kee was sick, Four-Legs instantly made his way to him, to +offer his sympathy and prescribe the proper remedies. + +Every one who has suffered from ague and the intense fever that succeeds +it, knows how insupportable is the protracted conversation of an +inconsiderate person, and will readily believe that the longer Four-Legs +continued his pratings the higher mounted the fever of the patient, and +the more intolerable became the pain of head, back, and limbs. + +At length the old man arrived at the climax of what he had to say. "It +was not good for a young man, suffering with sickness, and away from his +family, to be without a home and a wife. He had a nice daughter at home, +handsome and healthy, a capital nurse, the best hand in all the tribe at +trapping beaver and musk-rats. He was coming down again in the spring, +and he would bring her with him, and Shaw-nee-aw-kee should see that he +had told no falsehood about her. Should he go now, and bring his +daughter the next time he came?" + +Stunned with his importunate babble, and anxious only for rest and +quiet, poor Shaw-nee-aw-kee eagerly assented, and the chief took his +departure. + +So nearly had his disorder been aggravated to delirium, that the young +man forgot entirely, for a time, the interview and the proposal which +had been made him. But it was recalled to his memory some months after, +when Four-Legs made his appearance, bringing with him a squaw of mature +age, and a very Hecate for ugliness. She carried on her shoulders an +immense pack of furs, which, approaching with her awkward _criss-cross_ +gait, she threw at his feet, thus marking, by an Indian custom, her +sense of the relation that existed between them. + +The conversation with her father now flashed across his mind, and he +began to be sensible that he had got into a position that it would +require some skill to extricate himself from. + +He bade one of the young clerks take up the pack and carry it into the +magazine where the furs were stored; then he coolly went on talking with +the chief about indifferent matters. + +_Miss Four-Legs_ sat awhile with a sulky, discontented air; at length +she broke out,-- + +"Humph! he seems to take no more notice of me than if I was nobody!" + +He again turned to the clerk.--"Give her a calico shirt and half a dozen +bread-tickets." + +This did not dissipate the gloom on her countenance. Finding that he +must commence the subject, the father says,-- + +"Well, I have brought you my daughter, according to our agreement. How +do you like her?" + +"Ah, yes--she is a very nice young woman, and would make a first-rate +wife, I have no doubt. But do you know a very strange thing has happened +since you were here? Our father, Governor Cass,[10] has sent for me to +come to Detroit, that he may send me among the Wyandottes and other +nations to learn their customs and manners. Now, if I go, as I shall be +obliged to do, I shall be absent two or three years,--perhaps four. What +then? Why, the people will say, Shaw-nee-aw-kee has married Four-Legs' +daughter, and then has hated her and run away from her, and so everybody +will laugh at her, and she will be ashamed. It will be better to take +some good, valuable presents, blankets, guns, etc., and to marry her to +one of her own people, who will always stay by her and take care of +her." + +The old man was shrewd enough to see that it was wisest to make the best +bargain he could. I have no doubt it cost a round sum to settle the +matter to the satisfaction of the injured damsel, though I have never +been able to ascertain how much. This I know, that the young gentleman +took care not to make his next bargain while in a fit of the ague. The +lady up on the Mississippi is called, in derision, by his name to this +day. + +About midway of the lake we passed Garlic Island--a lovely spot, +deserving of a more attractive name. It belonged, together with the +village on the opposite shore, to "Wild Cat," a fat, jolly, good-natured +fellow, by no means the formidable animal his name would imply. + +He and his band were absent, like their neighbors of Four-Legs' +village, so there was nothing to vary the monotony of our sail. It was +too wet to sing, and the men, although wrapped in their overcoats, +looked like drowned chickens. They were obliged to ply their oars with +unusual vigor to keep themselves warm and comfortable, and thus probably +felt less than we, the dulness and listlessness of the cold, rainy, +October day. + +Towards evening the sun shone forth. We had passed into the Fox River, +and were just entering that beautiful little expanse known as Butte des +Morts Lake, at the farther extremity of which we were to encamp for the +night. + +The water along its shores was green with the fields of wild rice, the +gathering of which, just at this season, is an important occupation of +the Indian women. They push their canoes into the thick masses of the +rice, bend it forward over the side with their paddles, and then beat +the ripe husks off the stalks into a cloth spread in the canoe. After +this, it is rubbed to separate the grain from the husk, and fanned in +the open air. It is then put in their cordage bags and packed away for +winter use. The grain is longer and more slender than the Carolina +rice--it is of a greenish-olive color, and, although it forms a pleasant +article of food, it is far from being particularly nutritive. The +Indians are fond of it in the form of soup, with the addition of birds +or venison. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +BREAKFAST AT BETTY MORE'S. + + +The earth, the trees, and the shrubbery were all too much filled with +the heavy rain which had fallen to allow us to think of encamping, so we +made arrangements to bestow ourselves in our little saloon for the +night. It was rather a difficult matter to light a fire, but among the +underbrush, in a wild, undisturbed spot, there will always be found some +fragments of dried branches, and tufts of grass which the rain has not +reached, and by the assistance of the spunk, or light-wood, with which +travellers always go well provided, a comforting fire was at length +blazing brightly. + +After our chilling, tedious day, it was pleasant to gather round it, to +sit on the end of the blazing logs, and watch the Frenchmen preparing +our supper--the kettle nestling in a little nook of bright glowing +coals--the slices of ham browning and crisping on the forked sticks, or +"broches," which the voyageurs dexterously cut, and set around the +burning brands--- the savory messes of "pork and onions" hissing in the +frying-pan, always a tempting regale to the hungry Frenchmen. Truly, it +needs a wet, chilly journey, taken nearly fasting, as ours had been, to +enable one to enjoy to its full extent that social meal--a supper. + +The bright sun, setting amid brilliant masses of clouds, such as are +seen only in our Western skies, gave promise of a fine day on the +morrow, with which comforting assurance we were glad to take our leave +of him, and soon after of each other. + +We had hardly roused up the following morning, in obedience to the call +of the bourgeois, when our eyes were greeted with the sight of an +addition to our company--a tall, stalwart, fine-looking young _mitiff_, +or half-breed, accompanied by two or three Indians. Vociferous and +joyous were the salutations of the latter to their "father" and their +new "mother." They were the first Winnebagoes I had seen, and they were +decidedly not the finest specimens of their tribe. The mitiff, a scion +of the wide-spreading tree of the Grignons, was the bearer of an +invitation to us from Judge Law, who, with one or two Green Bay friends, +was encamped a few miles above, to come and breakfast with him in his +tent. We had not dreamed of finding white neighbors here, but our +vicinity could be no secret to them, as long as there was an Indian in +the neighborhood. So, delaying only for the soldiers to finish their +breakfast, we pushed on for the "Butte des Morts," or, as Mrs. A always +persisted in calling it, _Betty More's_. + +The white tent of the Judge gleamed in the morning sun as we approached +the little rising ground on which it stood. The river was filled with +canoes, paddled principally by squaws. Many Indians were to be seen on +the banks, all with their guns and hunting accoutrements, for the air +was filled in every direction with flocks of teal, which at this season +are most abundant and delicious. The immense fields of wild rice +abounding here and in the little lake below, make this vicinity their +favorite place of resort in the autumn months. The effect of this +nourishing food is to make the flesh of the birds so fat, so white, and +so tender, that a caution is always given to a young sportsman to fire +only at such as fly very low, for if shot high in the air they are +bruised to pieces and rendered unfit for eating by their fall to the +ground. + +We were hemmed in by a little fleet of canoes which surrounded us, the +women chattering, laughing, and eagerly putting forward their little +wooden bowls of fresh cranberries as an offering of welcome to me. + +I amused myself with tossing crackers to them, some of which would reach +them, others would fall into the water, and then such a scrambling and +shouting! Hands and paddles were in requisition, and loud was the +triumph of her who was successful in reaching a floating one. + +Among the Indians with whom Shaw-nee-aw-kee was now engaged in shaking +hands, and who all seemed old friends, were many fine, straight, +well-formed figures, all of them exhibiting frames capable of enduring +fatigue and the hardships of their mode of life. One was describing with +much gesticulation the abundance of the game in the neighborhood, and he +seemed greatly delighted at receiving a quantity of ammunition, with +which he instantly departed to make good his boasts in the matter. + +After walking a short distance, we reached the tent, where I was +introduced to Judge Law and a pleasant little gray-haired French +gentleman of the name of Porlier. Several voyageurs and half-breeds were +near, the former busily at work, the latter lounging for the most part, +and going through with what they had to do with a sort of listless +indifference. + +The contrast between the "all-alive" air of the one class and the +apathetic manner of the other, was quite striking. + +After a short conversation among the members of the party, breakfast was +announced, and we entered the tent and took our seats on the ground +around the Indian mat which supplied the place of a table. + +The post of honor, namely, the _head_ of the table, was of course given +to me, so that I could not only look around upon the circle of the +company, but also enjoy a fine view out of the open door of the tent, +and take an observation of all that was going on at the _side-table_ +outside. Judge Doty sat opposite me, with his back to the opening of the +tent, and the other gentlemen on either hand. We had for our waiter the +tall "mitiff" who had been the messenger of the morning. He was still in +the same garb--calico shirt, bright-colored scarf around his waist, and +on his head a straw hat encircled with a band of black ostrich feathers, +the usual dress of his class. + +The tin cups which were to hold our coffee were duly set around, then +breakfast-plates of the same metal, with knives and forks; then followed +the viands, among the most conspicuous of which was a large tin pan of +boiled ducks. + +The Judge, wishing to show, probably, that, although we were in the vast +wilderness, all fastidious nicety had not been left behind, took up the +plate which had been set before him, and, seeing something adhering to +it which did not exactly please him, handed it over his shoulder to +Grignon, requesting him to wipe it carefully. Grignon complied by +pulling a black silk barcelona handkerchief out of his bosom, where it +had been snugly tucked away to answer any occasion that might present +itself, and, giving the tin a furious polishing, handed it back again. +The Judge looked at it with a smile of approbation, and giving a glance +around the table as much as to say, "You see how I choose to have things +done," applied himself to his breakfast. + +The trail for Fort Winnebago then led from the shore opposite Butte des +Morts, through _Ma-zhee-gaw-gaw_ swamp, and past Green Lake, and it was +well for the Judge that his horses stood waiting for him to "mount and +away" as early as possible after breakfast, or I am afraid the story I +should have been tempted to tell would have made his ride an +uncomfortable one throughout the day. + +We had hardly finished breakfast when our hunter, who had received the +ammunition, returned, bringing with him about fifty fine ducks, which he +had shot in little more than an hour. From that time until the close of +our journey our supply of these delicate birds was never wanting. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +BUTTE DES MORTS--LAKE PUCKAWAY. + + +The Butte des Morts, or Hillock of the Dead, was the scene long +since[11] of a most sanguinary battle between the French and the +Mis-qua-kees, or Foxes. So great was the carnage in this engagement, +that the memory of it has been perpetuated by the gloomy appellation +given to the mound where the dead were buried. The Foxes up to this time +had inhabited the shores of the river to which they had given their +name, but, being completely overwhelmed and beaten in this conflict, +they retired to the neighborhood of the Mississippi, and sought an +asylum among their allies, the Saukies, or, as they are now called, the +Sauks, with whom they became gradually incorporated, until the combined +tribes came to be known, as at present, by the name of "Sauks and +Foxes." + +Among the French inhabitants of the upper country, each tribe of Indians +has a particular appellation, descriptive of some peculiarity of either +their habits or their personal appearance. Thus, the Chippewas, from +their agility, are denominated "Sauteurs," or Jumpers; the Ottawas, the +"Courtes-oreilles," or Short-ears. The Menomonees, from the wild rice so +abundant in their country, are called "Folles Avoines;"--the +Winnebagoes, from their custom of wearing the fur of a polecat on their +legs when equipped for war, are termed "les Puans;"--the Pottowattamies, +from their uncleanly habits, "les Poux;"--the Foxes are "les Renards," +etc. etc. + +Hence you will never hear a French or half-breed resident of the country +mention an Indian in any other style. "Such a person is a +'Court-oreille.'" "Is that woman a 'Winnebago'?" "No, she is a 'Folle +Avoine.'" In this manner a stranger is somewhat puzzled at first to +classify the acquaintances he forms. + +All the native friends with whom we were here surrounded were "les +Puans," or, to use their own euphonious appellation, the +"_Ho-tshung-rahs_." + +Having with great regret said adieu to our friend Judge Doty, whose +society had contributed so much to the pleasure of our trip, and whose +example, moreover, had given us a valuable lesson to take things as we +find them, we bade good-bye at an early hour after breakfast to our kind +hosts, and set forward on our journey. + +From Butte des Morts to the Portage, the distance by land is about +seventy miles; by water, it is not less than a hundred and thirty, so +serpentine is the course of the river through the low swampy prairies +which stretch over a great portion of this part of the country. + +About six miles above the Butte, a tolerably broad stream, called Wolf +River, joins the Fox, and as it is much the more direct and promising of +the two, strangers have sometimes mistaken it for the main stream, and +journeyed up it a considerable distance before discovering, to their +great chagrin, that they must retrace their steps. + +Beyond this place, the river begins to play its pranks with the compass. +As I was always looking out for pretty scenery to sketch, I was at one +spot much attracted by a picturesque group on a bank quite close to the +stream. There were broad overhanging trees, and two or three wigwams +nestled under their shade. Bright-looking little children, quite +unencumbered with clothing, were sporting about, and their two mothers +were sitting on the ground, engaged in the manufacture of a mat for +their lodge. It was a pretty scene, and I commenced a sketch. As usual, +the whole party on the bank set up a shout when they recognized +Shaw-nee-aw-kee,-- + +"Ee-awn-chee-wee-rah, Hee-nee-kar-ray-kay-noo."[12] + +It was an occasion on which they became demonstrative. After a little +time we proceeded, and I went on to complete my drawing. The sun kept +coming more and more into the wrong place. He had been just behind me, +presently he was on my left hand, now he was straight ahead. I moved +from time to time; at length the sun was decidedly on my right hand. +What could be the matter? I looked up. "Oh, here is a pretty scene; I +must have this too! But how surprisingly like the one I have just +finished, only in a different direction." Again we were greeted with +shouts and laughter; it was the same spot which we had passed not an +hour before, and, having taken a circuit of nearly four miles, we had +returned to find that we had made an actual progress of only the width +of the bank on which the trees and wigwams stood. Decidedly not very +encouraging to an impatient traveller. + +We reached Lake Puckaway late in the evening of our second day from +Butte des Morts. Here lived a white man named Gleason, the same +concerning whom, owing to his vast powers of exaggeration, poor Hooe was +fond of uttering his little pun, "All is not gold that Gleasons." We did +not seek shelter at his house, for, late as the season was, we found the +shore so infested with mosquitoes that we were glad to choose a spot as +far as possible from the bank, and make ourselves comfortable in our +boat. + +This lake has its name from the long flags or rushes which are found in +its waters in great abundance, and of which the squaws manufacture the +coarse matting used in covering their wigwams. Their mode of fabricating +this is very primitive and simple. Seated on the ground, with the rushes +laid side by side, and fastened at each extremity, they pass their +shuttle, a long flat needle made of bone, to which is attached a piece +of cordage formed of the bark of a tree, through each rush, thus +confining it very closely, and making a fine substantial mat. These mats +are seldom more than five or six feet in length, as a greater size would +be inconvenient in adjusting and preparing the lodges. + +It is a species of labor usually assigned to the elder women of the +family. When they become broken down and worn out with exposure and +hardship, so that they cannot cut down trees, hoe corn, or carry heavy +burdens, they are set to weaving mats, taking care of the children, and +disciplining the dogs, with which every Indian lodge abounds. + +Lac de Boeuf, or Buffalo Lake, into which our course next brought us, is +a lovely sheet of water. In some places its banks are exceedingly +picturesque, with beautiful headlands jutting out into the clear depths, +where they, and the magnificent groups of trees which crown them, lie +reflected as in a mirror. Now and then we would catch a glimpse of deer +darting across the glades which at intervals opened through the +woodlands, or a pair of sand-hill cranes would rise, slowly flapping +their wings, and seek a place of more undisturbed repose. The flocks of +teal now skimming the surface of the water, now rising higher towards +the shelter of the forests, tempted our sportsman sorely; but, as there +was little prospect of finding his game when it was brought down, he did +not give way to the wanton pleasure of shooting merely to destroy life. + +In quitting this charming lake, and again entering the narrow, tortuous +course of the river, we bade adieu to everything like scenery, until we +should reach our journey's end. + +We had now seventy miles to pass through a country perfectly monotonous +and uninteresting, the distastefulness of which was aggravated by the +knowledge that we could, had we been provided with horses or a carriage +of any kind, have crossed over to the Portage from Gleason's, through a +pleasant country, in little more than three hours. Even our great +resource, the cheering, animating songs of our voyageurs, was out of the +question; for the river, though deep, is so narrow that, in many places, +there is no room for the regular play of the oars; and the voices of +Frenchmen can never "keep tune" unless their oars can "keep time." +Lapierre, one of our men, did his best with a paddle, or, as he called +it, the "_little row_," but it was to no purpose--it _would not go_. +Besides this, the wild rice abounds to such an extent in many places, +that it almost completely obstructs the progress of even a +moderate-sized boat, so that a passage through its tangled masses is +with difficulty forced by the oars. Tedious and monotonous as was the +whole course of the two following days, the climax of impatience and +discouragement was not reached until we arrived in sight of the white +walls of Fort Winnebago, looking down from a rising ground upon the vast +expanse of low land through which the river winds. + +The Indians have a tradition that a vast serpent once lived in the +waters of the Mississippi, and that, taking a freak to visit the Great +Lakes, he left his trail through the prairies, which, collecting the +waters from the meadows and the rains of heaven as they fell, at length +became the Fox River. + +The little lakes along its course were probably the spots where he +flourished about in his uneasy slumbers at night. He must have played +all the antics of a kitten in the neighborhood of the Portage. When the +fort was first pointed out to me, I exclaimed, with delight, "Oh, we +shall be there in half an hour!" + +"Not quite so soon," said my husband, smiling. "Wait and see." We sat +and watched. We seemed approaching the very spot where we were to +disembark. We could distinguish the officers and a lady on the bank +waiting to receive us. Now we were turning our backs on them, and +shooting out into the prairie again. Anon we approached another bank, on +which was a range of comfortable-looking log houses. "That's the +Agency," said my husband; "the largest house belongs to Paquette, the +interpreter, and the others are the dwellings of our Frenchmen. The +little building, just at the foot of the hill, is the blacksmith's shop, +kept there by the Government, that the Indians may have their guns and +traps mended free of expense." + +"But are we going to stop there?" + +"No; do you not see we are going back to the fort?" + +And, to be sure, our course had now turned, and we were setting in our +first direction. In this manner, after tacking to the right and left and +putting backwards and forwards during the greater part of two hours, we +at length reached the little landing, on which the assembled party stood +ready to greet us. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +FORT WINNEBAGO. + + +Major and Mrs. Twiggs, and a few of the younger officers (for nearly all +of the older ones were absent), with our brother Robert, or, as he is +called throughout all the Indian tribes, "Bob," gave us a cordial +welcome--how cordial those alone can know who have come, like us, to a +remote, isolated home in the wilderness. The Major insisted on our +taking possession at once of vacant quarters in the fort, instead of at +"the Agency," as had been proposed. + +"No--we must be under the same roof with them. Mrs. Twiggs had been +without a companion of her own sex for more than four months, and would +certainly not hear of a separation now. But we must be their guests +until the arrival of the boats containing our furniture," which, under +the care of our old acquaintance, Hamilton Arndt, was making its way +slowly up from Green Bay. + +A dinner had been prepared for us. This is one of the advantages of the +zigzag approach by the Fox River--travellers never take their friends by +surprise; and when the whole circle sat down to the hospitable board, we +were indeed a merry company. + +After dinner Mrs. Twiggs showed me the quarters assigned to us, on the +opposite side of the spacious hall. They consisted of two large rooms on +each of the three floors or stories of the building. On the ground-floor +the front room was vacant. The one in the rear was to be the +sleeping-apartment, as was evident from a huge, unwieldy bedstead, of +proportions amply sufficient to have accommodated Og, the King of +Bashan, with Mrs. Og and the children into the bargain. We could not +repress our laughter; but the bedstead was nothing to another structure +which occupied a second corner of the apartment. + +This edifice had been built under the immediate superintendence of one +of our young lieutenants, and it was plain to be seen that upon it both +he and the soldiers who fabricated it had exhausted all their +architectural skill. The timbers of which it was composed had been +grooved and carved; the pillars that supported the front swelled in and +out in a most fanciful manner; the doors were not only panelled, but +radiated in a way to excite the admiration of all unsophisticated eyes. +A similar piece of workmanship had been erected in each set of quarters, +to supply the deficiency of closets, an inconvenience which had never +occurred, until too late, to the bachelors who planned them. The three +apartments of which each structure was composed, were unquestionably +designed for clothes-press, store-room, and china-closet; such, at +least, were the uses to which Mrs. Twiggs had appropriated the one +assigned to her. There was this slight difficulty, that in the latter +the shelves were too close to admit of setting in even a gravy-boat, but +they made up in number what was wanting in space. We christened the +whole affair, in honor of its projector, a "Davis," thus placing the +first laurel on the brow of one who was afterwards to signalize himself +in _Cabinet_ making of quite a different character. + +The bold promontory on which Fort Winnebago was built looked down upon +the extended prairie and the Fox River on one side, and on the other +stretched away into the thickly-wooded ridge that led off to Belle +Fontaine and Lake Puckaway. + +In front lay an extent of meadow, across which was the Portage road, of +about two miles in length, leading between the Fox and the Wisconsin +Rivers. Teams of oxen and a driver were kept at the Agency by the +Government, to transport the canoes of the Indians across this place, +which at many seasons was wet, miry, and almost impassable. + +The woods were now brilliant with the many tints of autumn, and the +scene around was further enlivened by groups of Indians, in all +directions, and their lodges, which were scattered here and there, in +the vicinity of the Agency buildings. On the low grounds might be seen +the white tents of the traders, already prepared to furnish winter +supplies to the Indians, in exchange for the annuity money they were +about to receive. + +A great concourse had been for many days assembling in anticipation of +the payment, which was expected to take place as soon as Shaw-nee-aw-kee +should arrive with the silver. + +Preparatory to this event, the great chief of the nation, Four-Legs, +whose village we had passed at the entrance to Winnebago Lake, had +thought proper to take a little carouse, as is too apt to be the custom +when the savages come into the neighborhood of a sutler's establishment. +In the present instance, the facilities for a season of intoxication had +been augmented by the presence on the ground of some traders, too +regardless of the very stringent laws prohibiting the sale of liquor to +the Indians. + +Poor Four-Legs could not stand this full tide of prosperity. Unchecked +by the presence of his Father, the agent, he carried his indulgence to +such excess that he fell a victim in the course of a few days. His +funeral had been celebrated with unusual pomp the day before our +arrival, and great was my disappointment at finding myself too late to +witness all the ceremonies. + +His body, according to their custom, having been wrapped in a blanket, +and placed in a rude coffin, along with his guns, tomahawk, pipes, and a +quantity of tobacco, had been carried to the most elevated point of the +hill opposite the fort, followed by an immense procession of his people, +whooping, beating their drums, howling, and making altogether what is +emphatically termed a "_pow-wow_" + +After the interment of the body, a stake was planted at its head, on +which was painted in vermilion a series of hieroglyphics, descriptive of +the great deeds and events of his life The whole was then surrounded +with pickets of the trunks of the tamarack-trees, and hither the friends +would come for many successive days to renew the expression of their +grief, and to throw over the grave tobacco and other offerings to the +Great Spirit. + +It was a consolation to find that, although delayed, we were yet in time +to furnish a quantity of white cotton for a flag to wave over the grave, +and also to pay a considerable bill at the sutler's for the different +articles that had been found necessary for the funeral parade--it being +a duty expected of their Father to bury the dead suitably. + +The funeral observances in honor of the chief had not yet ceased. +Throughout the day, and all that night, the sound of instruments, +mingled with doleful lamentations, and with the discordant whoops and +yells of those in a partial state of intoxication, filled the air, and +disturbed our repose. To these were added occasionally the plaintive +sounds of the Indian flute, upon which the young savage plays when he is +in love. Grief and whiskey had made their hearts tender, and the woods +resounded to their melancholy strains. + +Early the following morning, before I left my room, I was startled by +the sounds of lamentation and woe proceeding from the adjoining +apartment. On entering it, I found several squaws seated on the floor, +with downcast looks expressive of condolence and sympathy, while in +their midst sat a little ugly woman, in tattered garments, with +blackened face and dishevelled hair, sobbing and wailing bitterly. + +Not doubting they were the family of the deceased chief, I was quite +troubled at my inability to express, otherwise than by gestures, my +participation in their sorrows. + +Unacquainted as I was with their customs, I took it for granted from +their wretched appearance that poverty and destitution formed one of the +sources of their affliction. One of the party, at least, seemed in the +very depths of misery. "Can it be possible," said I to myself, "that +this poor creature has only these scanty rags to cover her?" + +Stepping back to my own room, I brought out a pretty calico wrapper, +which I presented to the little, dirty, blackened object. She took it, +and commenced a fresh series of sobbing and sighing. I made signs to her +to put it on, opening it and explaining to her how it was to be worn, +and recommending to her, by gestures, to lose no time in making herself +more comfortable. + +At this, the other women burst into a laugh. + +"Very mal-à -propos," thought I, "and somewhat unfeeling." At that moment +my husband, entering, explained to me that the chief mourner was Madame +Four-Legs, the widow; that she had undoubtedly a comfortable wardrobe at +home, but that it was part of the etiquette of mourning to go for a +season with neglected persons and blackened faces. All this was told me +in the intervals of shaking hands, and offering and receiving +condolences in the most uncouth, guttural language I had ever heard. +Their Father at length dismissed them, with a promise of some presents +to help dry up their tears. It must not be inferred that the grief of +the poor little widow was not sincere. On the contrary, she was greatly +attached to her husband, and had had great influence not only with him +but with the nation at large. She was a Fox woman, and spoke the +Chippewa, which is the court language among all the tribes, so that she +was often called upon to act as interpreter, and had, in fact, been in +the habit of accompanying her husband, and assisting him by her counsels +upon all occasions. She was a person of great shrewdness and judgment, +and, as I afterwards experienced, of strong and tenacious affections. + +After breakfast I received a visit from the principal chiefs, who had +put on their best of apparel and paint to receive their new mother. + +There was Naw-kaw, or Kar-ray-mau-nee, "the Walking Turtle," now the +principal chief of the nation, a stalwart Indian, with a broad, pleasant +countenance, the great peculiarity of which was an immense under lip, +hanging nearly to his chin. There was the old Day-kau-ray, the most +noble, dignified, and venerable of his own, or indeed of any tribe. His +fine Roman countenance, rendered still more striking by his bald head, +with one solitary tuft of long silvery hair neatly tied and falling back +on his shoulders; his perfectly neat, appropriate dress, almost without +ornament, and his courteous demeanor, never laid aside under any +circumstances, all combined to give him the highest place in the +consideration of all who knew him. It will hereafter be seen that his +traits of character were not less grand and striking than were his +personal appearance and deportment. + +There was Black-Wolf, whose lowering, surly face was well described by +his name. The fierce expression of his countenance was greatly +heightened by the masses of heavy black hair hanging round it, quite +contrary to the usual fashion among the Winnebagoes. They, for the most +part, remove a portion of their hair, the remainder of which is drawn to +the back of the head, clubbed and ornamented with beads, ribbons, cock's +feathers, or, if they are so entitled, an eagle's feather for every +scalp taken from an enemy. + +There was _Talk-English,_ a remarkably handsome, powerful young Indian, +who received his name in the following manner. He was one of a party of +sixteen Winnebagoes who had, by invitation, accompanied their Agent and +Major Forsyth (or the Chippewa, as he was called) on a visit to the +President at Washington, the year previous. + +On the journey, the question naturally addressed to them by people not +familiar with Western Indians was,-- + +"Do you talk English?" + +The young fellow, being very observant, came to his Father. "What do +they mean by this? Everybody says to me, _talk English!_" + +The Agent interpreted the words to him. "Ah, very well." + +The next place they arrived at was Lockport, in the State of New York. +Jumping off the canal-boat upon the lock, he ran up to the first man he +met, and, thrusting forward his face, cried out, "Talk Eengeesh?" + +"Yes," said the man; "do you talk English?" + +"Ya-as." + +From that time forward he always bore the name of _Talk-English_, and +was registered on the pay-rolls by a title of which he was not a little +proud. + +Hoo-wau-ne-kah, "the Little Elk," was another of the distinguished men +of the tribe. He had likewise been at Washington. Henry Clay, when he +visited them, after looking carefully at the countenances and bearing +of all the members of the deputation, had indicated him as the one +possessing the greatest talent; and he was greatly pleased when informed +that he was the principal orator of the nation, and decidedly superior +in abilities to any other individual of the tribe. + +Wild-Cat, our Indian Falstaff in all save the cowardice and falsehood, I +have already mentioned. + +Then there was Kau-ray-kaw-saw-kaw, "the White Crow," a Rock River +Indian, who afterwards distinguished himself as the friend of the whites +during the Sauk war. He was called by the French "le Borgne," from +having lost an eye; and the black silk handkerchief which he wore +drooping over the left side of his face to disguise the blemish, taken +with his native costume, gave him a very singular appearance. + +There was a nephew of the defunct chief Four-Legs, to whom with justice +was given, by both whites and Indians, the appellation of "the Dandy." +When out of mourning his dress was of the most studied and fanciful +character. A shirt (when he condescended to wear any) of the brightest +colors, ornamented with innumerable rows of silver brooches set thickly +together; never less than two pairs of silver arm-bands; leggings and +moccasins of the most elaborate embroidery in ribbons and +porcupine-quills; everything that he could devise in the shape of +ornament hanging to his club of hair behind; a feather fan in one hand, +and in the other a mirror, in which he contemplated himself every five +minutes; these, with the variety and brilliancy of the colors upon his +face, the suitable choice and application of which occupied no small +portion of the hours allotted to his toilet, made up the equipment of +young Four-Legs. + +This devotion to dress and appearance seemed not altogether out of +place in a youthful dandy; but we had likewise an old one of the same +stamp. Pawnee Blanc, or the White Pawnee, surpassed his younger +competitor, if possible, in attention to his personal attractions. + +Upon the present occasion he appeared in all his finery, and went +through the customary salutations with an air of solemn dignity, then +walked, as did the others, into the parlor (for I had received them in +the hall), where they all seated themselves upon the floor. Fortunately, +the room was now bare of furniture, but "alas!" thought I, "for my +pretty carpet, if this is to be the way they pay their respects to me!" +I watched the falling of the ashes from their long pipes, and the other +inconveniences of the use of tobacco, or kin-nee-kin-nick, with absolute +dismay. + +The visit of the chiefs was succeeded by one from the interpreter and +his wife, with all the Canadian and half-breed women, whose husbands +found employment at the Agency or at the American Fur Company's +establishment. + +By this time my piano had been taken from its case and set up in our +quarters. To our great joy, we found it entirely uninjured. Thanks to +the skill of Nunns and Clark, not a note was out of tune. + +The women, to whom it was an entire novelty, were loud in their +exclamations of wonder and delight. + +"_Eh-h-h! regardez donc! Quelles inventions! Quelles merveilles!_"[13] + +One, observing the play of my fingers reflected in the nameboard, called +in great exultation to her companions. She had discovered, as she +thought, the hidden machinery by which the sounds were produced, and was +not a little mortified when she was undeceived. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +HOUSEKEEPING. + + +As the boats might be expected in a few days, it was thought best to +begin at once what preparations were in my power towards housekeeping. +These were simply the fitting and sewing of my carpets, in which I was +kindly assisted by Mrs. Twiggs; and, the wife of one of our Frenchmen +having come over from the Agency and made everything tidy and +comfortable, the carpets were soon tacked down, and the rooms were ready +for the reception of the rest of the furniture. + +I had made many fruitless attempts, both in Detroit and Green Bay, to +procure a servant-woman to accompany me to my new home. Sometimes one +would present herself, but, before we could come to a final agreement, +the thoughts of the distance, of the savages, the hardships of the +journey, or, perhaps, the objections of friends, would interfere to +break off the negotiation; so that I had at length been obliged to rest +satisfied with the simple hope held out by my husband, that one of his +French employés, with his wife, would be contented to take up their +abode with us. + +In this state of things, all difficulties seemed to be obviated by the +proposal of Major Twiggs, that we should take into our service a young +colored girl whom he had brought from Buffalo, in the spring, to wait on +Mrs. T. until her own servants should arrive from the South. + +Louisa was accordingly sent for, an uncommonly handsome young negress, +with an intelligent but very demure countenance, who called herself +fifteen years of age, but who, from the progress in vice and iniquity I +afterwards discovered her to have made, must have been at least several +years older. Be that as it may, she now seemed to have no fault but +carelessness and inexperience, both of which I had great hopes she would +get the better of, under careful training. + +My first week's visit with Mrs. Twiggs had just expired when word was +given that the boats were in sight--the boats that contained our +furniture--and the expected arrival of Louis Philippe to visit Queen +Victoria could scarcely have created a more universal sensation, than +did this announcement in our little community. Although we knew that +some hours must yet elapse before they could reach the spot for +disembarkation, we were constantly on the watch, and at length all the +young officers, followed by as many of the soldiers as were off duty, +accompanied Mr. Kinzie down the bank to the landing, to witness and, if +necessary, to assist in helping everything safe to land. + +Sad was the plight in which matters were found. The water poured out of +the corners of the boxes as they were successively hoisted on shore. Too +impatient to wait until they could be carried up to the fort, the +gentlemen soon furnished themselves with, hammers and hatchets, and fell +eagerly to work, opening the boxes to explore the extent of the damage. +Alas for the mahogany! not a piece from which the edges and veneering +were not starting. It had all the appearance of having lain under the +Grande Chûte for days. Poor Hamilton was load in his protestations and +excuses. + +It was the fault of the men, of the weather, of the way the things were +packed. "Confound it! he had taken the best care of the things he +possibly could--better than he had ever taken before--it _would_ get +done!" + +There was nothing but to be patient and make the best of it. And when +the pretty sideboard and work-table had been thoroughly rubbed and set +up, and all the little knick-knacks arranged on the mantel-piece--when +the white curtains were hung at the windows, and the chairs and +dining-table each in its proper place in relation to the piano, our +parlor was pronounced "magnificent." At least so seemed to think +Hamilton, who came to give one admiring look, and to hear the music of +the piano, which was a perfect novelty to him. His description of it to +the young officers, after his return to the Bay, was expressive of his +admiration and wonder--"There it stood on its four legs! Anybody might +go up and touch it!" + +In due time the dinner- and tea-sets were carefully bestowed in the +"Davis," together with sundry jars of sweetmeats that I had prepared in +Detroit; the iron and tin utensils were placed in a neat cupboard in the +kitchen, of which my piano-box supplied the frame; the barrel of eggs +and tubs of butter, brought all the way from Ohio, were ranged in the +store-room; a suitable quantity of salt pork and flour was purchased +from the commissary; and, there being no lack of game of every +description, the offering of our red children, we were ready to commence +housekeeping. + +The first dinner in her own home is an era in the life of a young +housekeeper. I shall certainly never forget mine. While I was in the +lower regions superintending my very inexpert little cook, my husband +made his appearance, to say that, as the payment (then the all-absorbing +topic of interest) would not commence until afternoon, he had invited M. +Rolette, Mr. Hempstead, and four other gentlemen to dine with us. + +"So unexpected--so unprepared for?" + +"Never mind; give them anything you have. They have been living for +some days in tents, and anything will taste well to them." + +My dinner had been intended to consist chiefly of a venison pasty, and +fortunately the only dish among my store was of very large proportions, +so that there was already smoking in the oven a pie of a size nearly +equal to the famous Norwich pudding; thus, with some trifling additions +to the bill of fare, we made out very well, and the master of the house +had the satisfaction of hearing the impromptu dinner very much commended +by his six guests. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +INDIAN PAYMENT--MRS. WASHINGTON. + + +There were two divisions of the Winnebago Indians, one of which was paid +by the Agent, at the Portage, the other at Prairie du Chien, by General +Street. The first, between four and five thousand in number, received, +according to treaty stipulations, fifteen thousand dollars annually, +besides a considerable amount of presents, and a certain number of +rations of bread and pork, to be issued in times of emergency throughout +the year. + +The principal villages of this division of the tribe were at Lake +Winnebago, Green and Fox Lakes, the Barribault, Mud Lake, the Four +Lakes, Kosh-ko-nong, and Turtle Creek. Messengers were dispatched, at or +before the arrival of the annuity-money, to all the different villages, +to notify the heads of families or lodges to assemble at "the Portage." + +When arrived, the masters of families, under their different chiefs, +give in their names, and the number in their lodges, to be registered. +As, in paying, a certain sum of money is apportioned to each individual, +it is, of course, an object to the head of a lodge to make the number +registered as great as possible. Each one brings his little bundle of +sticks, and presents it to the Agent to register. Sometimes a dialogue +like the following occurs: + +"How many have you in your lodge?" + +The Indian carefully, and with great ceremony, counts his bundle of +sticks--"Fifteen" + +"How many men?" + +"Two." The Agent lays aside two sticks + +"How many women?" + +"Three." Three more sticks are separated. + +"How many children?" + +"Eight" Eight sticks are added to the heap. + +"What is the meaning of these two sticks that remain?" + +The culprit, whose arithmetic has not served him to carry out his +deception, disappears amid the shouts and jeers of his companions, who +are always well pleased at the detection of any roguery in which they +have had no share. + +The young officers generally assisted in counting out and delivering the +money at these payments, and it was no unusual thing, as the last band +came up, for the chiefs to take a quantity of silver out of the box and +request their Father to pay his friends for their trouble, seeming +really disturbed at his refusal. In this, as in almost every instance, +we see the native courtesy and politeness, which are never lost sight of +among them. If a party comes to their Father to beg for provisions, and +food is offered them, however hungry they may be, each waits patiently +until one of the company makes an equal distribution of the whole, and +then, taking his share, eats it quietly, with the greatest moderation. I +never saw this rule violated, save in one instance. + +Our friend, Pawnee Blanc, _the Old Dandy_, once came with a party of +Indians, requesting permission to dance for us in the open space before +the door. It was a warm, dusty afternoon, and as our friends grew heated +and fatigued with the violent and long-continued exercise, a pitcher of +raspberry negus was prepared and sent out to them. Pawnee received the +pitcher and tumbler, and, pouring the latter about half full, gave it to +the first of the circle, then filled the same for the next, and so on, +until it suddenly occurred to him to look into the pitcher. What he saw +there determined his course of action; so, setting the tumbler upon the +ground, he raised the pitcher with both hands to his lips and gave a +hearty pull, after which he went on, giving less and less, until he was +called to have the pitcher replenished. All present agreed it was the +only instance they had ever witnessed, of an Indian's appearing afraid +of getting less of a thing than his share. + +During the payment a good many kegs of whiskey find their way into the +lodges of the Indians, notwithstanding the watchfulness of both officers +and Agent. Where there is a demand there will always be a supply, let +the legal prohibitions be what they may. The last day of the payment is, +invariably, one of general carousing. + +When the men begin their _frolic_, the women carefully gather all the +guns, knives, tomahawks, and weapons of every description, and secrete +them, that as little mischief as possible may be done in the absence of +all restraint and reason. I am sorry to record that our little friend, +Pawnee Blanc, was greatly addicted to the pleasures of the bottle. + +Among the presents for the chiefs, which Shaw-nee-aw-kee had brought +from the East, was a trunk of blue cloth coats, trimmed with broad gold +lace, and a box of round black hats, ornamented in a similar manner. All +who are familiar with Indians, of whatever tribe, will have observed +that their first step towards civilization, whether in man or woman, is +mounting a man's hat, decorated with tinsel; ribbons, or feathers. +Pawnee was among the happy number remembered in the distribution; so, +donning at once his new costume, and tying a few additional bunches of +gay-colored ribbons to a long spear, that was always his baton of +ceremony, he came at once, followed by an admiring train, chiefly of +women, to pay me a visit of state. + +The solemn gravity of his countenance, as he motioned away those who +would approach too near and finger his newly-received finery--the +dignity with which he strutted along, edging this way and that to avoid +any possible contact from homely, every-day wardrobes--augured well for +a continuance of propriety and self-respect, and a due consideration of +the good opinion of all around. But, alas for Pawnee! late in the day we +saw him assisted towards his lodge by two stout young Indians, who had +pulled him out of a ditch, his fine coat covered with mud, his hat +battered and bruised, his spear shorn of its gay streamers, and poor +Pawnee himself weeping and uttering all the doleful lamentations of a +tipsy Indian. + + * * * * * + +Among the women with whom I early made acquaintance was the wife of +Wau-kaun-zee-kah, _the Yellow Thunder_. She had accompanied her husband, +who was one of the deputation to visit the President, and from that time +forth she had been known as "the Washington woman." She had a pleasant, +old-acquaintance sort of air in greeting me, as much as to say, "You +and I have seen something of the world." No expression of surprise or +admiration escaped her lips, as her companions, with childlike, laughing +simplicity, exclaimed and clapped their hands at the different wonderful +objects I showed them. Her deportment said plainly, "Yes, yes, my +children, I have seen all these things before." It was not until I put +to her ear a tropical shell, of which I had a little cabinet, and she +heard its murmuring sound, that she laid aside her apathy of manner. She +poked her finger into the opening to get at the animal within, shook it +violently, then raised it to her ear again, and finally burst into a +hearty laugh, and laid it down, acknowledging, by her looks, that this +was beyond her comprehension. + +I had one shell of peculiar beauty--my favorite in the whole +collection--a small conch, covered with rich, dark veins. Each of the +visitors successively took up this shell, and by words and gestures +expressed her admiration, evidently showing that she had an eye for +beauty--this was on the occasion of the parting visit of my red +daughters. + +Shortly after the payment had been completed, and the Indians had left, +I discovered that my valued shell was missing from the collection. Could +it be that one of the squaws had stolen it? It was possible--they would +occasionally, though rarely, do such things under the influence of +strong temptation. I tried to recollect which, among the party, looked +most likely to have been the culprit. It could not have been the +Washington woman--she was partly civilized, and knew better. + +A few weeks afterwards Mrs. _Yellow Thunder_ again made her appearance, +and carefully unfolding a gay-colored chintz shawl, which she carried +rolled up in her hand, she produced the shell, and laid it on the table +before me. I did not know whether to show, by my countenance, +displeasure at the trick she had played me, or joy at receiving my +treasure back again, but at length decided that it was the best policy +to manifest no emotion whatever. + +She prolonged her visit until my husband's return, and he then +questioned her about the matter. + +"She had taken the shell to her village, to show to some of her people, +who did not come to the payment." + +"Why had she not asked her mother's leave before carrying it away?" + +"Because she saw that her mother liked the shell, and she was afraid she +would say, No." + +This was not the first instance in which Madame Washington had displayed +the shrewdness which was a predominant trait in her character. During +the visit of the Indians to the Eastern cities, they were taken to +various exhibitions, museums, menageries, theatres, etc. It did not +escape their observation that some silver was always paid before +entrance, and they inquired the reason. It was explained to them. The +woman brightened up, as if struck with an idea. + +"How much do you pay for each one?" + +Her Father told her. + +"How do you say that in English?" + +"Two shillings." + +"_Two shinnin--humph_" (good). + +The next day, when, as usual, visitors began to flock to the rooms where +the Indians were sojourning, the woman and a young Indian, her +confederate, took their station by the door, which they kept closed. +When any one knocked, the door was cautiously opened, and the woman, +extending her hand, exclaimed--"_Two shinnin_." + +This was readily paid in each instance, and the game went on, until she +had accumulated a considerable sum. But this did not satisfy her. At the +first attempt of a visitor to leave the room, the door was held close, +as before, the hand was extended, and "_Two shinnin_" again met his ear. +He tried to explain that, having paid for his entrance, he must go out +free. With an innocent shake of the head, "_Two shinnin_," was all the +English she could understand. + +The Agent, who had entered a short time before, and who, overhearing the +dialogue, sat laughing behind his newspaper, waiting to see how it would +all end, now came forward and interfered, and the guests were permitted +to go forth without a further contribution. + +The good woman was moreover admonished that it was far from the custom +of white people to tax their friends and visitors in this manner, and +that the practice must be laid aside in future. + +Another instance of the disposition of the Indians to avail themselves +of all the goods that fortune throws in their way, was the following: + +Upon the same trip, while passing through Ohio, one of the party +inquired of the Agent,-- + +"Do you pay for all those provisions that are set before us at the +hotels?" + +"Yes. Why do you ask?" + +"Nothing: I thought you perhaps paid for just what we ate of them." + +At the next stopping-place a fine breakfast was set upon the table, of +which, as usual, they partook plentifully. Just as they had finished, +the horn sounded for all to take their places in the stage-coaches. Each +sprang to his feet. One seized the plates of biscuits and poured them +into the corner of his blanket; another the remains of a pair of +chickens; a third emptied the sugar-bowls; each laid hold of what was +nearest him, and in a trice nothing was left upon the table but the +empty plates and dishes. The landlord and waiters, meanwhile, stood +laughing and enjoying the trick as much as any of the spectators. + +Upon another occasion, their Father had endeavored to impress upon them +the unseemliness of throwing their refuse pieces, bones, and fragments +of food about on the table-cloth, pointing out to them the orderly +manner of the whites at table, and the propriety of keeping everything +neat and nice around them. + +At their next meal, they were served first with a chicken-pie, of which +they ate very heartily, and the accumulation of bones on their plates +was very abundant. Presently another and more favorite dish appeared,--a +fine, large, roasted turkey. A gentleman sat near, and was evidently +preparing to carve it. No time was to be lost. What was to be done with +the bones? They looked around in some perplexity. A large apple-pie was +standing near. The most eager drew it towards him, and quick as thought +all the bones were deposited upon it, while, with a triumphant laugh at +the happy idea, he coolly transferred the bird to his own dish, and +proceeded to distribute it among his companions. The amazed stranger +soon joined in the laugh at the unceremonious manner in which his share +of the dinner had vanished. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +LOUISA--DAY-KAU-RAY ON EDUCATION. + + +The payment was now over, and the Indians had dispersed and gone to +their wintering grounds. The traders, too, had departed, laden with a +good share of the silver, in exchange for which each family had provided +itself, as far as possible, with clothing, guns, traps, ammunition, and +the other necessaries for their winter use. The Indians are good at a +bargain. They are not easily overreached. On the contrary, they +understand at once when a charge is exorbitant; and a trader who tries +his shrewdness upon them is sure to receive an expressive _sobriquet_, +which ever after clings to him. + +For instance, M. Rolette was called by them "Ah-kay-zaup-ee-tah," _five +more_--because, as they said, let them offer what number of skins they +might, in bartering for an article, his terms were invariably "five +more" + +Upon one occasion a lady remarked to him, "Oh, M. Rolette, I would not +be engaged in the Indian trade; it seems to me a system of cheating the +poor Indians." + +"Let me tell you, madame," replied he, with great _naïveté_, "it is not +so easy a thing to cheat the Indians as you imagine. I have tried it +these twenty years, and have never succeeded!" + + * * * * * + +We were now settled down to a quiet, domestic life. The military system +under which everything was conducted--the bugle-call, followed by the +music of a very good band, at reveille; the light, animated strains for +"sick-call," and soon after for "breakfast;" the longer ceremony of +"guard-mounting;" the "Old English Roast-Beef," to announce the +dinner-hour; the sweet, plaintive strains of "Lochaber no more," +followed most incongruously by "The Little Cock-Sparrow," at retreat; +and, finally, the long, rolling "tattoo," late in the evening--made +pleasant divisions of our time, which, by the aid of books, music, and +drawing, in addition to household occupations, seemed to fly more +swiftly than ever before. It was on Sunday that I most missed my Eastern +home. I had planned beforehand what we should do on the first recurrence +of this sacred day, under our own roof. "We shall have at least," said I +to myself, "the Sabbath's quiet and repose, and I can, among other +things, benefit poor Louisa by giving her some additional lessons of a +serious character." + +So, while she was removing the breakfast-things, I said to her,-- + +"Now, Louisa, get your work all finished, and everything put neatly +aside, and then come here to me again." + +"Yes, ma'am." + +We sat down to our books, and read and waited; we waited and read +another hour--no Louisa. + +There was music and the sound of voices on the parade in front of our +windows, but that did not disturb us; it was what we were daily +accustomed to. + +I must go at length, and see what could be keeping my damsel so. I +descended to the kitchen. The breakfast-things stood upon the table--the +kettles and spider upon the hearth--the fire was out--the kitchen empty. + +Passing back into the hall, which extended the whole length of the house +and opened in front upon the parade, I perceived a group collected in +the area, of all shades and colors, and in the midst, one round, woolly +head which I could not mistake, bobbing up and down, now on this side, +now on that, while peals of laughter were issuing from the whole group. + +"Louisa," I called, "come here. What are you doing there?" + +"Looking at inspection." + +"But why are not your breakfast-things washed, and your kitchen swept? +Did I not tell you I wished you to come up and learn your lessons?" + +"Yes, ma'am; but I had to see inspection first. Everybody looks at +inspection on Sunday." + +I found it was in vain to expect to do more for Louisa than give her an +afternoon's lesson, and with that I was obliged to content myself. + +I felt that it would be very pleasant, and perhaps profitable, for all +the inmates of the garrison to assemble on this day; one of our number +might be found who would read a portion of the church-service, with a +sermon from one of our different selections. + +I approached the subject cautiously, with an inquiry to this effect: + +"Are there none among the officers who are religiously disposed?" + +"Oh, yes," replied the one whom I addressed, "there is S----; when he is +half tipsy, he takes his Bible and 'Newton's Works,' and goes to bed and +cries over them; he thinks in this way he is excessively pious." + +S---- was among the officers who had never called upon us; it was fair +to infer that if his religious principles did not correct his own evil +habits they would not aid much in improving others; therefore it seemed +useless to call in his co-operation in any scheme for a better +observance of the Lord's day. + +We had to content ourselves with writing to our friends at the East to +interest themselves in getting a missionary sent to us, who should +officiate as chaplain in the garrison--a plan that seemed to find favor +with the officers. The hope of any united religious services was, for +the present, laid aside. + +The post-surgeon having obtained a furlough, his place was supplied by +Dr. Newhall, of Galena, and thus, by the addition of his gentle, quiet +wife, our circle of ladies was now enlarged to three. Here we were, in a +wilderness, but yet how contented and happy! + +A gloom was soon to replace this envied tranquillity in our home. A +Frenchman, named Letendre, one day suddenly presented himself. He had +come from Chicago, with the distressing intelligence of the +extreme--indeed, hopeless--illness of our dear relative, Dr. Wolcott. My +husband immediately commenced his preparations for instant departure. I +begged to be permitted to accompany him, but the rapidity with which he +proposed to journey obliged him to refuse my entreaties. In a few hours +his provisions, horses, and all other things necessary for the journey +were in readiness, and he set off with Petaille Grignon, his usual +attendant on such expeditions, leaving Letendre to follow as soon as +recruited from his fatigue. + +Sad and dreary were the hours of his absence, notwithstanding the kind +efforts of our friends to cheer me. In a few days I received the news of +the fatal termination of Dr. W.'s illness, brought by another messenger. +That noble heart, so full of warm and kindly affections, had ceased to +beat, and sad and desolate indeed were those who had so loved and +honored him. + +As soon as he could possibly leave his family, my husband returned; and +it was fortunate that he had delayed no longer, for the winter now began +to set in, and with severity. + +Our quarters were spacious, but having been constructed of the green +trees of the forest, cut down and sawed into boards by the bands of the +soldiers, they were considerably given to shrinking and warping, thus +leaving many a yawning crevice. Stuffing the cracks with cotton batting, +and pasting strips of paper over them, formed the employment of many a +leisure hour. + +Then the chimneys, spite of all the currents of air, which might have +been expected to create a draught, had a sad habit of smoking. To remedy +this, a couple of gun-barrels were, by order of the commanding officer, +sawed off and inserted in the hearth, one on each side of the +fire-place, in the hope that the air from the room below might help to +carry the smoke into its proper place, the chimney. + +The next morning after this had been done, Louisa was washing the +hearth. + +"Pray, ma'am," said she, "what are these things put in here for?" + +I explained their use. + +"Oh, I am so glad it is only that! Uncle Ephraim (Major Twiggs's +servant) said they were to be filled with powder and fired off Christmas +Day, and he was terribly afraid they would blow the house up, and we in +it." + +Ephraim, who was a most faithful and valuable servant, often amused +himself with playing upon the credulity of the younger portions of the +colored fraternity. + +"Is it true," asked Louisa, one day, "that Pillon and Plante were once +prairie-wolves?" + +"Prairie-wolves! what an idea! Why do you ask such a foolish question?" + +"Because Uncle Ephraim says they, and all the Frenchmen about here, were +once prairie-wolves, and that, living so near the white people, they +grow, after a time, to be like them, and learn to talk and dress like +them. And then, when they get to be old, they turn back into +prairie-wolves again, and that all the wolves that the officers bait +with their dogs used to be Frenchmen, once." + +After a time, however, I ceased to straighten out these stories of Uncle +Ephraim, for I was gradually arriving at the conviction that my little +colored damsel was by no means so simple and unsophisticated as she +would have me believe, and that I was, after all, the one who was +imposed upon. + +The snow this winter was prodigious, and the cold intense. The water +would freeze in our parlors at a very short distance from the fire, for, +although the "fatigue-parties" kept the halls filled with wood, almost +up to the ceiling, that did not counterbalance the inconvenience of +having the wide doors thrown open to the outer air for a great portion +of the day, to allow of their bringing it in. We Northerners should have +had wood-houses specially for the purpose, and not only have kept our +great hall-doors closed, but have likewise protected them with a +"hurricane-house." But the Florida frontier was not a climate in which +our Southern bachelors could have acquired the knowledge available when +the thermometer was twenty-five degrees below zero--a point at which +brandy congealed in the sideboard. + +The arrival of Christmas and New-Year's brought us our Indian friends +again. They had learned something of the observance of these holidays +from their French neighbors, and I had been forewarned that I should see +the squaws kissing every white man they met. Although not crediting this +to its full extent, I could readily believe that they would each expect +a present, as a "compliment of the season," so I duly prepared myself +with a supply of beads, ribbons, combs, and other trinkets. Knowing +them to be fond of dainties, I had also a quantity of crullers and +doughnuts made ready the day before, as a treat to them. + +To my great surprise and annoyance, only a moderate share of the cakes, +the frying of which had been intrusted to Louisa, were brought up to be +placed in the "Davis." + +"Where are the rest of the cakes, Louisa?" + +"That great fellow, Hancock, came in with the fatigue-party to fill the +water-barrels, and while I had just stepped into the store-room to get +some more flour, he carried off all I had got cooked." + +And Louisa made a face and whined, as if she had not herself treated +every soldier who had set his foot in the premises. + +At an early hour the next morning I had quite a levee of the +Ho-tshung-rah matrons. They seated themselves in a circle on the floor, +and I was sorry to observe that the application of a little soap and +water to their blankets had formed no part of their holiday +preparations. There being no one to interpret, I thought I would begin +the conversation in a way intelligible to themselves, so I brought out +of the sideboard a china dish, filled with the nice brown crullers, over +which I had grated, according to custom, a goodly quantity of white +sugar. I handed it to the first of the circle. She took the dish from my +hand, and, deliberately pouring all the cakes into the corner of her +blanket, returned it to me empty. "She must be a meat voracious person," +thought I; "but I will manage better the next time." I refilled the +dish, and approached the next one, taking care to keep a fast hold of it +as I offered the contents, of which I supposed she would modestly take +one. Not so, however. She scooped out the whole with her two hands, and, +like the former, bestowed them in her blanket. My sense of politeness +revolted at handing them out one by one, as we do to children, so I sat +down to deliberate what was to be done, for evidently the supply would +not long answer such an ample demand, and there would be more visitors +anon. + +While I was thus perplexed, those who had received the cakes commenced a +distribution, and the whole number was equitably divided among the +company. But I observed they did not eat them. They passed their fingers +over the grated sugar, looked in each other's faces, and muttered in low +tones--there was evidently something they did not understand. Presently +one more adventurous than the rest wet her fingers, and taking up a few +grains of the sugar put it cautiously to her mouth. + +"Tah-nee-zhoo-rah!" (Sugar!) was her delighted exclamation, and they all +broke out into a hearty laugh. It is needless to say that the cakes +disappeared with all the celerity they deemed compatible with +good-breeding. Never having seen any sugar but the brown or yellow +maple, they had supposed the white substance to be salt, and for that +reason had hesitated to taste it. + +Their visit was prolonged until Shaw-nee-aw-kee made his appearance, and +then, having been made happy by their various gifts, they all took their +departure. + +About this time, Mr. Kinzie received a letter from Colonel Richard M. +Johnson, of Kentucky. This gentleman had interested himself greatly in a +school established in that State for the education of Indian youths and +children. The purport of his letter was to request the Agent to use +every endeavor to induce the Winnebagoes not only to send their children +to this institution for their education, but also (what was still more +important) to set apart a portion of their annuity-money to assist in +sustaining it. + +There happened to be, at this holiday season, a number of the chiefs in +the neighborhood of the Portage, and a messenger was sent to convene +them all at the house of Paquette, the interpreter, that their Father +might hold a talk with them. + +On the day appointed they all assembled. The subject-matter of the +letter was laid before them, and all the advantages of civilization and +education duly set forth--the benefits which would arise to their +nation, if even a small portion of the younger members could be well +taught by the whites, and then return to their tribe, to instruct them +in the learning, the arts, manufactures, and habits of civilized life. +To each paragraph, as it was uttered to them, they responded with a +unanimous "Humph!" (Good!) + +When their Father's address was ended, _Day-kau-ray_, the oldest and +most venerable among the chiefs, rose and spoke as follows: + +"Father,--The Great Spirit made the white man and the Indian. He did not +make them alike. He gave the white man a heart to love peace, and the +arts of a quiet life. He taught him to live in towns, to build houses, +to make books, to learn all things that would make him happy and +prosperous in the way of life appointed him. To the red man the Great +Spirit gave a different character. He gave him a love of the woods, of a +free life, of hunting and fishing, of making war with his enemies and +taking scalps. The white man does not live like the Indian--it is not +his nature. Neither does the Indian love to live like the white man--the +Great Spirit did not make him so. + +"Father,--We do not wish to do anything contrary to the will of the +Great Spirit. If he had made us with white skins, and characters like +the white men, then we would send our children to this school to be +taught like the white children. + +"Father,--We think that if the Great Spirit had wished us to be like +the whites, he would have made us so. As he has not seen fit to do so, +we believe he would be displeased with us, to try and make ourselves +different from what he thought good. + +"Father,--I have nothing more to say. This is what we think. If we +change our minds, we will let you know." + +It will be seen from these remarks of Day-kau-ray that the Indians +entertain a conviction that the Great Spirit himself teaches the white +man the arts and sciences, and since he has given the red man no +instruction in these branches, it would be unbecoming in him to attempt +to acquire them in an irregular manner. + +With little incidents of this kind, and with an occasional dinner- or +tea-party to the young officers, sometimes given at the Major's +quarters, sometimes at our own, our course of life passed pleasantly on. +At times I would amuse myself by making something _very nice_, in the +form of a fruit cake or pie, to send to the quarters of the young +officers as a present, it being supposed that possibly, without a lady +to preside over their mess, it might be sometimes deficient in these +delicacies. Mrs. Twiggs was so fortunate as to have well-trained +servants to do for her that which, thanks to my little dark handmaid, +always fell to my share. + +One day I had made some mince pies, which the Major and my husband +greatly approved, and I thought I would send one to each of the young +officers. + +It happened that my husband, that day, in returning from superintending +his men on the other side of the river, had occasion to call on some +errand at Captain Harney's quarters. + +Dinner had just been placed upon the table, and the Captain insisted on +his visitor's sitting down and partaking with him and another gentleman +who was present. The pork and beans were pronounced excellent, and being +removed there followed a mince pie. + +The Captain cut it, and helped his guests, then taking a piece himself, +he commenced tasting it. Pushing back his plate with an exclamation and +a sudden jerk, he called to his servant, a little thick-set mulatto who +waited--"David, you yellow rascal, how dare you put such a pie on my +table?" And, turning to the company apologetically, he said,-- + +"If there is anything on earth David _does_ understand, it is how to +make a mince pie, and here he has filled this with brandy, so we cannot +eat a morsel of it!" + +"Please, sir," said David, modestly, "I did not make the pie--it is one +Mrs. Kinzie sent as a present." + +The poor Captain was now in a predicament. He raved at himself, at the +same time conjuring my husband most earnestly not to tell me what a +mistake he had made--an injunction that was lost sight of as soon as the +latter returned to his home. As for the unlucky Captain, he did not +venture to call on me again until he felt sure I had forgotten the +circumstance. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +PREPARATIONS FOR A JOURNEY. + + +Early in January the snow fell in great abundance. We had an unusual +quantity at the Portage, but in "the diggings," as the lead-mining +country was called, it was of an unheard-of depth--five or six feet upon +a level. + +An express had been dispatched to Chicago by the officers to take our +letters, and bring back the mail from that place. A tough, hardy +soldier, named Sulky, acted as messenger, and he had hitherto made light +of his burden or the length of the way, notwithstanding that his task +was performed on foot with his pack upon his shoulders. But now Sulky +had been absent some weeks, and we had given him up entirely, persuaded +that he must have perished with cold and starvation. + +At length he appeared, nearly blind from travelling in the snow. He had +lain by three weeks in an Indian lodge, the snow being too deep to +permit him to journey. The account he gave put an end to the hopes I had +begun to entertain of being able to visit our friends at Chicago in the +course of this winter. + +We had, before the last heavy fall of snow, been forming plans to that +effect. Captain Harney had kindly commenced preparing some trains, or +boxes placed on sledges, which it was thought would, when lined with +buffalo-skins, furnish a very comfortable kind of vehicle for the +journey; and I was still inclined to think a good, deep bed of snow over +the whole country no great obstacle to a sleigh-ride. The whole matter +was, however, cut short by the commanding officer, who from the first +had violently opposed the scheme, declaring that he would order the +sentinels to fire on us if we attempted to leave the fort. So, finding +the majority against us, we were obliged to yield. + +The arrival of sweet, lovely little Lizzie Twiggs, before January was +quite past, was an event that shed light and joy in at least two +dwellings. It seemed as if she belonged to all of us, and as she +increased in size and beauty it was hard to say who, among us all, was +most proud of her. If we had ever felt any languid hours before, we +could have none now--she was the pet, the darling, the joint property of +both households. + +Whatever regret I might have had, previous to this event, at the idea +of leaving my friend for the three weeks to which we proposed to limit +our visit to Chicago, I felt now that she would scarcely miss me, and +that we might hold ourselves in readiness to take advantage of the first +improvement in the weather, to put this favorite project in execution. + +During the latter part of February the cold became less severe. The +snows melted away, and by the beginning of March the weather was so warm +and genial, that we were quite confident of being able to make the +journey on horseback without any serious difficulty. + +Our plans once settled upon, the first thing to be provided was warm and +comfortable apparel. A riding-habit of stout broadcloth was pronounced +indispensable to my equipment. But of such an article I was destitute. +Nothing among my wedding travelling gear seemed in any way to offer a +substitute. What was to be done? The requisite material was to be found +in abundance at the sutler's store (_the shantee_, as it was technically +termed), but how to get it manufactured into a suitable garment was the +question. + +The regimental tailor was summoned. He was cook to one of the companies, +and there were at first some doubts whether he could be permitted to +forsake the spit for the needle, during the time I should require his +services. All his tailoring-work had, heretofore, been done at odd times +on a bench in the company kitchen, and thither he now proposed to carry +the riding-habit. I suggested that, in order to superintend the work, I +should thus be driven to take up my abode for the time being in the +barracks, which would be a decided inconvenience. + +To remedy the difficulty, he was finally so happy as to find a soldier +in "Company D," who consented to officiate in his place as cook until +his term of service to me should expire. + +Behold, then, a little, solemn-looking man in his stocking-feet, seated +cross-legged on an Indian mat by my parlor window. He had made all his +arrangements himself, and I deemed it wisest not to interfere with him. +The cutting-out was the most difficult part, and, as he had never made a +lady's riding-habit, that task fell to my share. I was as great a novice +as himself, and I must admit that this, my first effort, was open to +criticism. But the little tailor was of a different opinion. He was in +an ecstasy with our joint performance. + +"Upon my word, madam," he would exclaim, surveying it with admiring +eyes, "we shall have a very respectable garment!" I do not know how many +times he repeated this during the three days that the work was in +progress. + +I believe he had not perfect confidence in the culinary powers of his +comrade of "Company D," for regularly a half-hour before beat of drum +his work was folded and laid aside, his snips gathered up, and, all +things being restored to order, he would slip out, resume his shoes, +which, _Turk-like_, he had left outside the door, and speed over to the +barrack-kitchen to see how matters were going on. + +In the mean time, great preparations were making below, under the +supervision of our tidy, active little French servant, Mrs. Pillon, the +wife of one of the _engagés_, by whom the irregular and unmanageable +Louisa had been replaced. + +Biscuits were baked, a ham, some tongues, and sundry pieces of salt pork +were boiled, coffee roasted and ground, sugar cracked, isinglass cut in +pieces of the size requisite for a pot of coffee. For the reception of +all these different articles cotton bags of different sizes had been +previously prepared. Large sacks of skin, called by the Canadians +_porches_, were also provided to hold the more bulky provisions, for our +journey was to be a long one. + +The distance from Fort Winnebago to Chicago was not very formidable, it +is true, if the direct route were taken; but that we knew to be +impossible at this season of the year. The route by Kosh-ko-nong was out +of the question; all the Indians being absent from their villages in the +winter, and the ice being now gone, we could have no means of crossing +the Rock River at that place. + +There remained therefore no alternative but to proceed south to Dixon, +or, as it was then called, Ogie's Ferry, the only certain means of +crossing this broad and rapid stream. This route being so much out of +our direct course that we could not hope to accomplish it in less than +six days, it was necessary to prepare accordingly. + +While the wardrobe and provisions were thus in preparation, arrangements +were also being made as to our retinue and mode of conveyance. + +Mr. Kinzie decided to take with him but two men: Plante and Pierre +Roy,--the former to act as guide, on the assurance that he knew every +mile of the way, from the Portage to Ogie's Ferry, and from Ogie's Ferry +to Chicago. + +The claims of the different saddle-horses were discussed, and the most +eligible one was selected for my use. We hesitated for a time between +"Le Gris" and "Souris," two much-vaunted animals, belonging to Paquette, +the interpreter. At length, being determined, like most of my sex, by a +regard for exterior, I chose "Le Gris," and "Souris" was assigned to +young Roy; my own little stumpy pony, "Brunet," being pronounced just +the thing for a pack-saddle. My husband rode his own bay horse "Tom," +while Plante, the gayest and proudest of the party, bestrode a fine, +large animal called "Jerry," which had lately been purchased for my use; +and thus was our _cortége_ complete. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +DEPARTURE FROM FORT WINNEBAGO. + + +Having taken a tender leave of our friends, the morning of the 8th of +March saw us mounted and equipped for our journey. The weather was +fine--the streams, already fringed with green, were sparkling in the +sun--everything gave promise of an early and genial season. In vain, +when we reached the ferry at the foot of the hill on which the fort +stood, did Major Twiggs repeat his endeavors to dissuade us from +commencing a journey which he assured me would be perilous beyond what I +could anticipate. I was resolute. + +Our party was augmented by an escort of all the young officers, who +politely insisted on accompanying us as far as Duck Creek, four miles +distant. Indeed, there were some who would gladly have prosecuted the +whole journey with us, and escaped the monotony of their solitary, +uneventful life. In our rear followed an ox cart, on which was perched a +canoe, destined to transport us over the creek, and also an extensive +marsh beyond it, which was invariably, at this season, overflowed with +water to a considerable depth. We had much amusement in watching the +progress of this vehicle as it bumped and thumped over the road, +unconscious hitherto of the dignity of a wheeled carriage. + +Our little, shock-headed, sunburnt, thick-lipped Canadian (who happened +most miraculously to be the husband of my pretty servant, Mrs. Pillon) +shouted vociferously as the animals lagged in their pace, or jolted +against a stump, "_Marchez, don-g_," "_regardez_," "_prenez garde_," to +our infinite diversion. I was in high spirits, foreseeing no hardships +or dangers, but rather imagining myself embarked on a pleasure excursion +across the prairies. It had not even suggested itself to me that a straw +bonnet and kid gloves were no suitable equipment for such an expedition. +Never having travelled at so inclement a season, I was heedlessly +ignorant of the mode of preparing against it, and had resisted or +laughed at my husband's suggestions to provide myself with blanket +socks, and a woollen _capuchon_ for my head and shoulders. And now, +although the wind occasionally lifted my head-gear with a rude puff, and +my hands ere long became swollen and stiffened with the cold, I +persuaded myself that these were trifling evils, to which I should soon +get accustomed. I was too well pleased with the novelty of my outfit, +with my hunting-knife in a gay scabbard hanging from my neck, and my tin +cup at my saddle-bow, to regard minor inconveniences. + +On reaching Duck Creek, we took leave of our young friends, who remained +on the bank long enough to witness our passage across--ourselves in the +canoe, and the poor horses swimming the stream, now filled with cakes of +floating ice. + +Beyond the rising ground which formed the opposite bank of the stream, +extended a marsh of perhaps three hundred yards across. To this the men +carried the canoe which was to bear us over. The water was not deep, so +our attendants merely took off the pack from Brunet and my side-saddle +from Le Gris, for fear of accidents, and then mounted their own steeds, +leading the two extra ones. My husband placed the furniture of the +pack-horse and my saddle in the centre of the canoe, which he was to +paddle across. + +"Now, wifie," said he, "jump in, and seat yourself flat in the bottom of +the canoe." + +"Oh, no," said I; "I will sit on the little trunk in the centre; I shall +be so much more comfortable, and I can balance the canoe exactly." + +"As you please; but I think you will find it is not the best way." + +A vigorous push sent us a few feet from the bank. At that instant two +favorite greyhounds whom we had brought with us, and who had stood +whining upon the bank, reluctant to take to the water as they were +ordered, gave a sudden bound, and alighted full upon me. The canoe +balanced a moment--then yielded--and, quick as thought, dogs, furniture, +and lady were in the deepest of the water. + +My husband, who was just preparing to spring into the canoe when the +dogs thus unceremoniously took precedence of him, was at my side in a +moment, and, seizing me by the collar of my cloak, begged me not to be +frightened. I was not, in the least, and only laughed as he raised and +placed me again upon the bank. + +The unfortunate saddle and little trunk were then rescued, but not until +they had received a pretty thorough wetting. Our merriment was still +further increased by the sight of the maladroit Pillon, who was +attempting to ride my spirited Jerry across the marsh. He was clinging +to the neck of the animal, with a countenance distorted with terror, as +he shouted forth all manner of French objurgations. Jerry pranced and +curveted, and finally shot forward his rider, or rather his _burden_, +headforemost, a distance of several feet into the water. + +A general outcry of mirth saluted the unfortunate Frenchman, which was +redoubled as he raised himself puffing and snorting from his watery bed +and waddled back to his starting-place, the horse, meanwhile, very +sensibly making his way to join his companions, who had already reached +the farther bank. + +"Well, wifie," said Mr. Kinzie, "I cannot trust you in the canoe again. +There is no way but to carry you across the marsh like a pappoose. Will +you take a ride on my shoulders?" + +"With all my heart, if you will promise to take me safely." And I was +soon mounted. + +I most confess that the gentleman staggered now and then under his +burden, which was no slight one, and I was sadly afraid, more than once, +that I should meet a similar fate to old Pillon, but happily we reached +the other side in safety. + +There my husband insisted on my putting on dry shoes and stockings, and +(must I confess it?) drinking a little brandy, to obviate the effects of +my icy bath. He would fain have made a halt to kindle a fire and dry my +apparel and wardrobe properly, but this I would not listen to. I +endeavored to prove to him that the delay would expose me to more cold +than riding in my wet habit and cloak, and so indeed it might have been, +but along with my convictions upon the subject there was mingled a spice +of reluctance that our friends at the fort should have an opportunity, +as they certainly would have done, of laughing at our inauspicious +commencement. + +Soon our horses were put in order, and our march recommenced. The day +was fine for the season. I felt no inconvenience from my wet garments, +the exercise of riding taking away all feeling of chilliness. It was to +me a new mode of travelling, and I enjoyed it the more from having been +secluded for more than five months within the walls of the fort, +scarcely varying the tenor of our lives by an occasional walk of half a +mile into the surrounding woods. + +We had still another detention upon the road, from meeting Lapierre, the +blacksmith, from Sugar Creek, who with one of his associates was going +to the Portage for supplies, so that we had not travelled more than +twenty-three miles when we came to our proposed encamping-ground. It was +upon a beautiful stream, a tributary of one of the Four Lakes,[14] that +chain whose banks are unrivalled for romantic loveliness. + +I could not but admire the sagacity of the horses, who seemed, with +human intelligence, to divine our approach to the spot where their toils +were to cease. While still remote from the point of woods which foretold +a halt, they pricked up their ears, accelerated their pace, and finally +arrived at the spot on a full gallop. + +We alighted at an open space, just within the verge of the wood, or, as +it is called by Western travellers, "the timber." My husband recommended +to me to walk about until a fire should be made, which was soon +accomplished by our active and experienced woodsmen, to whom the felling +of a large tree was the work of a very few minutes. The dry grass around +furnished an excellent tinder, which, ignited by the sparks from the +flint (there were no _loco-focos_ in those days), and aided by the +broken branches and bits of light-wood, soon produced a cheering flame. +"The bourgeois," in the mean time, busied himself in setting up the +tent, taking care to place it opposite the fire, but in such a direction +that the wind would carry the smoke and flame away from the opening or +door. Within upon the ground were spread, first a bear-skin, then two +or three blankets (of which each equestrian had carried two, one under +the saddle and one above it), after which, the remainder of the luggage +being brought in, I was able to divest myself of all my wet clothing and +replace it with dry. Some idea of the state of the thermometer may be +formed from the fact that my riding-habit, being placed over the end of +the huge log against which our fire was made, was, in a very few +minutes, frozen so stiff as to stand upright, giving the appearance of a +dress out of which a lady had vanished in some unaccountable manner. + +It would be but a repetition of our experience upon the Fox River to +describe the ham broiled upon the "broches," the toasted bread, the +steaming coffee, the primitive table-furniture. There is, however, this +difference, that of the latter we carry with us in our journeys on +horseback only a coffee-pot, a tea-kettle, and each rider his tin cup +and hunting-knife. The deportment at table is marked by an absence of +ceremony. The knife is drawn from the scabbard--those who remember to do +so, vouchsafe it a wipe upon the napkin. Its first office is to stir the +cup of coffee--next, to divide the piece of ham which is placed on the +half of a travelling biscuit, held in the left hand, to fulfil the +office of a plate. It is an art only to be acquired by long practice, to +cut the meat so skilfully as not at the same time to destroy the dish. + +We take our places around the mat to enjoy what, after our fatiguing +ride, we find delicious food. The Frenchmen are seated at a little +distance, receiving their supplies of coffee, meat, and bread, and +occasionally passing jokes with the bourgeois, who is their demi-god, +and for whom their respect and devotion are never lessened by his +affability or condescension. + +The meal being finished, the table-furniture is rinsed in hot water and +set aside until morning. A wisp of dry prairie-grass is supposed in most +cases to render the knife fit to be restored to the scabbard, and there +being, at this season of the year, no amusement but that of watching the +awkward movements of the spancelled horses in their progress from spot +to spot in search of pasturage, we are usually soon disposed to arrange +our blankets and retire to rest. + +At break of day we are aroused by the shout of the bourgeois,-- + +"How! how! how!" + +All start from their slumbers. The fire, which has been occasionally +replenished through the night, is soon kindled into a flame. The horses +are caught and saddled, while a breakfast, similar in kind to the meal +of the preceding evening, is preparing--the tent is struck--the +pack-horse loaded--"_tout démanché_," as the Canadian says. The +breakfast finished, we rinse our kettles and cups, tie them to our +saddle-bows, and then mount and away, leaving our fire, or rather our +smoke, to tell of our visit. + +March 9th.--Our journey this day led us past the first of the Four +Lakes. Scattered along its banks was an encampment of Winnebagoes. They +greeted their Father with vociferous joy--"_Bon-jour, bon-jour, +Shaw-nee-aw-kee_," "_Hee-nee-kar-ray-kay-noo?_" (how do you do?) + +To this succeeded the usual announcement, "_Wys-kap-rah +tshoonsh-koo-nee-noh!_" (I have no bread.) + +This is their form of begging; but we could not afford to be generous, +for the uncertainty of obtaining a supply, should our own be exhausted, +obliged us to observe the strictest economy. + +How beautiful the entrapment looked in the morning sun! The matted +lodges, with the blue smoke curling from their tops--the trees and +bushes powdered with a light snow which had fallen through the +night--the lake, shining and sparkling, almost at our feet--even the +Indians, in their peculiar costume, adding to the picturesque! + +I was sorry to leave it, as we were compelled to do, in all haste, +Souris, the pack-horse, having taken it into his head to decamp while we +were in conversation with our red friends. As he had, very sensibly, +concluded to pursue his journey in the right direction, we had the good +fortune to overtake him after a short race, and, having received much +scolding and some blows from young Roy, whose charge he specially was, +he was placed in the middle of the cavalcade, as a mark of disgrace for +his breach of duty. + +Our road, after leaving the lake, lay over a "rolling prairie," now bare +and desolate enough. The hollows were filled with snow, which, being +partly thawed, furnished an uncertain footing for the horses, and I +could not but join in the ringing laughter of oar Frenchmen as +occasionally Brunet and Souris, the two ponies, would flounder, almost +imbedded, through the yielding mass. Even the vainglorious Plante, who +piqued himself on his equestrian skill, was once or twice nearly +unhorsed, from having chosen his road badly. Sometimes the elevations +were covered with a thicket or copse, in which our dogs would generally +rouse up one or more deer. Their first bound, or "lope," was the signal +for a chase. The horses seemed to enter into the spirit of it, as +"halloo" answered "halloo;" but we were never so fortunate as to get a +shot at one, for although the dogs once or twice caught they were not +strong enough to hold them. It was about the middle of the afternoon +when we reached the Blue Mound. I rejoiced much to have got so far, for +I was sadly fatigued, and every mile now seemed like two to me. In fact, +the miles are unconscionably long in this country. When I was told that +we had still seven miles to go, to "Morrison's," where we proposed +stopping for the night, I was almost in despair. It was my first journey +on horseback, and I had not yet become inured to the exercise. + +When we reached Morrison's I was so much exhausted that, as my husband +attempted to lift me from the saddle, I fell into his arms. + +"This will never do," said he. "To-morrow we must turn our faces towards +Fort Winnebago again." + +The door opened hospitably to receive us. We were welcomed by a lady +with a most sweet, benignant countenance, and by her companion, some +years younger. The first was Mrs. Morrison--the other, Miss Elizabeth +Dodge, daughter of General Dodge. + +My husband laid me upon a small bed, in the room where the ladies had +been sitting at work. They took off my bonnet and riding-dress, chafed +my hands, and prepared me some warm wine and water, by which I was soon +revived. A half-hour's repose so refreshed me that I was able to +converse with the ladies, and to relieve my husband's mind of all +anxiety on my account. Tea was announced soon after, and we repaired to +an adjoining building, for Morrison's, like the establishment of all +settlers of that period, consisted of a group of detached log houses or +_cabins_, each containing one or at most two apartments. + +The table groaned with good cheer, and brought to mind some that I had +seen among the old-fashioned Dutch residents on the banks of the Hudson. + +I had recovered my spirits, and we were quite a cheerful party. Mrs. +Morrison told us that during the first eighteen months she passed in +this country she did not speak with a white woman, the only society she +had being that of her husband and two black servant-women. + +A Tennessee woman had called in with her little son just before tea, +and we amused Mr. Kinzie with a description of the pair. The mother's +visit was simply one of courtesy. She was a little, dumpy woman, with a +complexion burned perfectly red by the sun, and hair of an exact +tow-color, braided up from her forehead in front and from her neck +behind. These tails, meeting on the top of her head, were fastened with +a small tin comb. Her dress was of checkered homespun, a "very tight +fit," and, as she wore no ruff or handkerchief around her neck, she +looked as if just prepared for execution. She was evidently awestruck at +the sight of visitors, and seemed inclined to take her departure at +once; but the boy, not so easily intimidated, would not understand her +signs and pinches until he had sidled up to Mrs. Morrison, and, drawing +his old hat still farther over his eyes, begged for a _whang_, meaning a +narrow strip of deer-skin. The lady very obligingly cut one from a large +smoked skin, which she produced from its receptacle, and mother and son +took their leave, with a smiling but rather a scared look. + +After tea we returned to Mrs. Morrison's parlor, where she kindly +insisted on my again reposing myself on the little bed, to recruit me, +as she said, for the ensuing day's journey. My husband, in the mean +time, went to look after the accommodation of his men and horses. + +During the conversation that ensued, I learned that Mrs. Morrison had +passed much time in the neighborhood of my recent home in Oneida County, +that many of the friends I had loved and valued were likewise her +friends, and that she had even proposed to visit me at Fort Winnebago on +hearing of my arrival there, in order to commence an acquaintance which +had thus been brought about by other and unexpected means. + +Long and pleasant was the discourse we held together until a late hour, +and mutual was the satisfaction with which we passed old friends and +by-gone events in review, much to the edification of Miss Dodge, and of +the gentlemen when they once more joined us. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +WILLIAM S. HAMILTON--KELLOGG'S GROVE. + + +The next morning, after a cheerful breakfast, at which we were joined by +the Rev. Mr. Kent, of Galena, we prepared for our journey. I had +reconciled my husband to continuing our route towards Chicago, by +assuring him that I felt as fresh and bright as when I first set out +from home. + +There seemed some apprehension, however, that we might have difficulty +in "striking the trail" to Hamilton's _diggings_, our next point of +destination. + +The directions we received were certainly obscure. We were to pursue a +given trail for a certain number of miles, when we should come to a +crossing into which we were to turn, taking an easterly direction; after +a time, this would bring us to a deep trail leading straight to +Hamilton's. In this open country there are no landmarks. One elevation +is so exactly like another, that if you lose your trail there is almost +as little hope of regaining it as of finding a pathway in the midst of +the ocean.[15] + +The trail, it must be remembered, is not a broad highway, but a narrow +path, deeply indented by the hoofs of the horses on which the Indians +travel in single file. So deeply is it sunk in the sod which covers the +prairies, that it is difficult, sometimes, to distinguish it at a +distance of a few rods. + +It was new ground to Mr. Kinzie, whose journeys from the Portage to +Chicago had hitherto been made in the direct route by Kosh-ko-nong. He +therefore obliged Mr. Morrison to repeat the directions again and again, +though Plante, our guide, swaggered and talked big, averring that "he +knew every hill and stream and point of woods from that spot to +Chicago." + +We had not proceeded many miles on our journey, however, before we +discovered that Monsieur Plante was profoundly ignorant of the country, +so that Mr. Kinzie was obliged to take the lead himself, and make his +way as he was best able, according to the directions he had received. +Nothing, however, like the "cross trails" we had been promised met our +view, and the path on which we had set out diverged so much from what we +knew to be the right direction, that we were at length compelled to +abandon it altogether. + +We travelled the livelong day, barely making a halt at noon to bait our +horses and refresh ourselves with a luncheon. The ride was as gloomy and +desolate as could well be imagined. A rolling prairie, unvaried by +forest or stream--hillock rising after hillock, at every ascent of which +we vainly hoped to see a distant fringe of "_timber_." But the same +cheerless, unbounded prospect everywhere met the eye, diversified only +here and there by the oblong openings, like gigantic graves, which +marked an unsuccessful search for indications of a lead-mine. + +So great was our anxiety to recover our trail, for the weather was +growing more cold, and the wind more sharp and piercing, that we were +not tempted to turn from our course even by the appearance, more than +once, of a gaunt prairie-wolf, peering over the nearest rising-ground +and seeming to dare us to an encounter. The Frenchmen, it is true, would +instinctively give a shout and spur on their horses, while the hounds, +Kelda and Cora, would rush to the chase; but the bourgeois soon called +them back, with a warning that we must attend strictly to the +prosecution of our journey. Just before sunset we crossed, with some +difficulty, a muddy stream, which was bordered by a scanty belt of +trees, making a tolerable encamping-ground; and of this we gladly +availed ourselves, although we knew not whether it was near or remote +from the place we were in search of. + +We had ridden at least fifty miles since leaving Morrison's, yet I was +sensible of very little fatigue; there was, however, a vague feeling of +discomfort at the idea of being lost in this wild, cold region, +altogether different from anything I had ever before experienced. The +encouraging tones of my husband's voice, however, "Cheer up, wifie--we +will find the trail to-morrow," served to dissipate all uneasiness. + +The exertions of the men soon made our "camp" comfortable, +notwithstanding the difficulty of driving the tent-pins into the frozen +ground, and the want of trees sufficiently large to make a _rousing_ +fire. The place was a _stony side-hill,_ as it would be called in New +England, where such things abound; but we were not disposed to be +fastidious, so we ate our salt ham and toasted our bread, and lent a +pleased ear to the chatter of our Frenchmen, who could not sufficiently +admire the heroism of "Madame John" amid the vicissitudes that befell +her. + +The wind, which at bed-time was sufficiently high to be uncomfortable, +increased during the night. It snowed heavily, and we were every moment +in dread that the tent would be carried away; but the matter was settled +differently by the snapping of the poles, and the falling of the whole, +with its superincumbent weight of snow, in a mass upon us. + +Mr. Kinzie roused up his men, and at their head he sallied into the +neighboring wood to cut a new set of poles, leaving me to bear the +burden of the whole upon my shoulders, my only safety from the storm +being to keep snugly housed beneath the canvas. + +With some difficulty a sort of support was at length adjusted for the +tent-covering, which answered our purpose tolerably well until the break +of day, when our damp and miserable condition made us very glad to rise +and hang round the fire until breakfast was dispatched, and the horses +once more saddled for our journey. + +The prospect was not an encouraging one. Around us was an unbroken sheet +of snow. We had no compass, and the air was so obscured by the driving +sleet, that it was often impossible to tell in which direction the sun +was. I tied my husband's silk pocket-handkerchief over my veil, to +protect my face from the wind and icy particles with which the air was +filled, and which cut like a razor; but, although shielded in every way +that circumstances rendered possible, I suffered intensely from the +cold. + +We pursued our way, mile after mile, entering every point of woods, in +hopes of meeting with, at least, some Indian wigwam at which we could +gain intelligence. Every spot was solitary and deserted; not even the +trace of a recent fire, to cheer us with the hope of human beings within +miles of us. + +Suddenly, a shout from the foremost of the party made each heart bound +with joy. + +"_Une clôture! une clôture!_" (A fence! a fence!) + +It was almost like life to the dead. + +We spurred on, and indeed perceived a few straggling rails crowning a +rising ground at no great distance. + +Never did music sound so sweet as the crowing of a cock which at this +moment saluted our ears. + +Following the course of the inclosure down the opposite slope, we came +upon a group of log cabins, low, shabby, and unpromising in their +appearance, but a most welcome shelter from the pelting storm. + +"Whose cabins are these?" asked Mr. Kinzie, of a man who was cutting +wood at the door of one. + +"Hamilton's," was his reply; and he stepped forward at once to assist us +to alight, hospitality being a matter of course in these wild regions. + +We were shown into the most comfortable-looking of the buildings. A +large fire was burning in the clay chimney, and the room was of a genial +warmth, notwithstanding the apertures, many inches in width, beside the +doors and windows. A woman in a tidy calico dress, and shabby black silk +cap trimmed with still shabbier lace, rose from her seat beside a sort +of bread-trough, which fulfilled the office of cradle to a fine, fat +baby. She made room for us at the fire, but was either too timid or too +ignorant to relieve me of wrappings and defences, now heavy with the +snow. + +I soon contrived, with my husband's aid, to disembarrass myself of them; +and, having seen me comfortably disposed of, and in a fair way to be +thawed after my freezing ride, he left me, to see after his men and +horses. + +He was a long time absent, and I expected he would return accompanied by +our host; but when he reappeared it was to tell me, laughing, that Mr. +Hamilton hesitated to present himself before me, being unwilling that +one who had been acquainted with his family at the East should see him +in his present mode of life. However, this feeling apparently wore off, +for before dinner he came in and was introduced to me, and was as +agreeable and polite as the son of Alexander Hamilton would naturally +be. + +The housekeeper, who was the wife of one of the miners, prepared us a +plain, comfortable dinner, and a table as long as the dimensions of the +cabin would admit was set out, the end nearest the fire being covered +with somewhat nicer furniture and more delicate fare than the remaining +portion. + +The blowing of a horn was the signal for the entrance of ten or twelve +miners, who took their places below us at the table. They were the +roughest-looking set of men I ever beheld, and their language was as +uncouth as their persons. They wore hunting-shirts, trowsers, and +moccasins of deer-skin, the former being ornamented at the seams with a +fringe of the same, while a colored belt around the waist, in which was +stuck a large hunting-knife, gave each the appearance of a brigand. + +Mr. Hamilton, although so much their superior, was addressed by them +uniformly as "Uncle Billy;" and I could not but fancy there was +something desperate about them, that it was necessary to propitiate by +this familiarity. This feeling was further confirmed by the remarks of +one of the company who lingered behind after the rest of the _gang_ had +taken their departure. He had learned that we came from Fort Winnebago, +and, having informed us that "he was a discharged soldier, and would +like to make some inquiries about his old station and comrades," he +unceremoniously seated himself and commenced questioning us. + +The bitterness with which he spoke of his former officers made me quite +sure he was a deserter, and I rather suspected he had made his escape +from the service in consequence of some punishment. His countenance was +fairly distorted as he spoke of Captain H., to whose company he had +belonged. "There is a man in the mines," said he, "who has been in his +hands, and if he ever gets a chance to come within shot of him, I guess +the captain will remember it. He knows well enough he darsn't set his +foot in the diggings. And there's T. is not much better. Everybody +thought it a great pity that fellow's gun snapped when he so nearly +_had_ him at Green Bay." + +Having delivered himself of these sentiments, he marched out, to my +great relief. + +Mr. Hamilton passed most of the afternoon with us; for the storm raged +so without, that to proceed on our journey was out of the question. He +gave us many pleasant anecdotes and reminiscences of his early life in +New York, and of his adventures since he had come to the Western +wilderness. When obliged to leave us for awhile, he furnished us with +some books to entertain us, the most interesting of which was the +biography of his father. + +Could this illustrious man have foreseen in what a scene--the dwelling +of his son--this book was to be one day perused, what would have been +his sensations? + +The most amusing part of our experience was yet to come. I had been +speculating, as evening approached, on our prospects for the night's +accommodation. As our pale, melancholy-looking landlady and her fat baby +were evidently the only specimens of the feminine gender about the +establishment, it was hardly reasonable to suppose that any of the other +cabins contained wherewithal to furnish us a comfortable lodging, and +the one in which we were offered nothing of the sort to view, but two +beds, uncurtained, extended against the farther wall. My doubts were +after a time resolved, by observing the hostess stretch a cord between +the two, on which she hung some petticoats and extra garments, by way +of a partition, after which she invited us to occupy one of them. + +My only preparation was, to wrap my cloak around me and lie down with my +face to the wall; but the good people were less ceremonious, for at the +distance of scarcely two feet, we could not be mistaken in the sound of +their garments being, not "laid aside," but whipped over the +partition-wall between us. + +Our waking thoughts, however, were only those of thankfulness for so +comfortable a lodging after the trials and fatigues we had undergone; +and even these were of short duration, for our eyes were soon closed in +slumber. + +The next day's sun rose clear and bright. Refreshed and invigorated, we +looked forward with pleasure to a recommencement of our journey, +confident of meeting no more mishaps by the way. Mr. Hamilton kindly +offered to accompany us to his next neighbor's, the trifling distance of +twenty-five miles. From Kellogg's to Ogie's Ferry, on the Rock River, +the road being much travelled, we should be in no danger, Mr. H. said, +of again losing our way. + +The miner who owned the wife and baby, and who, consequently, was +somewhat more humanized than his comrades, in taking leave of us "wished +us well out of the country, and that we might never have occasion to +return to it!" + +"I pity a body," said he, "when I see them making such an awful mistake +as to come out this way; for comfort _never touched_ this Western +country." + +We found Mr. Hamilton as agreeable a companion as on the preceding day, +but a most desperate rider. He galloped on at such a rate that, had I +not exchanged my pony for the fine, noble Jerry, I should have been in +danger of being left behind. + +Well mounted as we all were, he sometimes nearly distanced us. We were +now among the branches of the Pickatonick, and the country had lost its +prairie character and become rough and broken. We went dashing on, +sometimes down ravines, sometimes through narrow passes, where, as I +followed, I left fragments of my veil upon the projecting and interwoven +branches. Once my hat became entangled, and, had not my husband sprung +to my rescue, I must have shared the fate of Absalom, Jerry's ambition +to keep his place in the race making it probable he would do as did the +mule who was under the unfortunate prince. + +There was no halting upon the route, and, as we kept the same pace until +three o'clock in the afternoon, it was beyond a question that when we +reached "Kellogg's" we had travelled at least thirty miles. One of my +greatest annoyances during the ride had been the behavior of the little +beast Brunet. He had been hitherto used as a saddle-horse, and had been +accustomed to a station in the file near the guide or leader. He did not +relish being put in the background as a pack-horse, and accordingly, +whenever we approached a stream, where the file broke up to permit each +horseman to choose his own place of fording, it was, invariably the case +that just as I was reining Jerry into the water, Brunet would come +rushing past and throw himself into our very footsteps. Plunging, +snorting, and splashing me with water, and sometimes even starting Jerry +into a leap aside, he more than once brought me into imminent danger of +being tossed into the stream. It was in vain that, after one or two such +adventures, I learned to hold back and give the vexatious little animal +the precedence. His passion seemed to be to go into the water precisely +at the moment Jerry did; and I was obliged at last to make a bargain +with young Roy to dismount and hold him at every stream until I had got +safely across. + +"Kellogg's"[16] was a comfortable mansion, just within the verge of a +pleasant "grove of timber," as a small forest is called by Western +travellers. We found Mrs. Kellogg a very respectable-looking matron, who +soon informed us she was from the city of New York. She appeared proud +and delighted to entertain Mr. Hamilton, for whose family, she took +occasion to tell us, she had, in former days, been in the habit of doing +needle-work. + +The worthy woman provided us an excellent dinner, and afterwards +installed me in a rocking-chair beside a large fire, with the "Life of +Mrs. Fletcher" to entertain me, while the gentlemen explored the +premises, visited Mr. Kellogg's stock, and took a careful look at their +own. We had intended to go to Dixon's the same afternoon, but the snow, +beginning again to fall, obliged us to content ourselves where we were. + +In the mean time, finding we were journeying to Chicago, Mr. Kellogg +came to the determination to accompany us, having, as he said, some +business to accomplish at that place: so Mrs. Kellogg busied herself in +preparing him to set off with us the following morning. I pleaded hard +to remain yet another day, as the following was Sunday, on which I +objected to travel; but in view of the necessities of the case, the +uncertainty of the weather, and the importance of getting as quickly as +possible through this wild country, my objections were overruled, and I +could only obtain a delay in starting until so late in the afternoon as +would give us just time to ride the sixteen miles to "Dixon's" before +sunset. + +No great time was required for Mr. Kellogg's preparations. He would +take, he said, only two days' provisions, for at his brother-in-law +Dixon's we should get our supper and breakfast, and the route from there +to Chicago could, he well knew, be accomplished in a day and a half. + +Although, according to this calculation, we had sufficient remaining of +our stores to carry us to the end of our journey, yet my husband took +the precaution of begging Mrs. Kellogg to bake us another bag of +biscuits, in case of accidents, and he likewise suggested to Mr. Kellogg +the prudence of furnishing himself with something more than his limited +allowance; but the good man objected that he was unwilling to burden his +horse more than was absolutely necessary, seeing that, at this season of +the year, we were obliged to carry fodder for the animals, in addition +to the rest of their load. It will be seen that we had reason to rejoice +in our own foresight. + +My experience of the previous night had rendered me somewhat less +fastidious than when I commenced my journey, so that, when introduced to +our sleeping-apartment, which I found we were to share with six men, +travellers like ourselves, my only feeling was one of thankfulness that +each bed was furnished with a full suit of blue checked curtains, which +formed a very tolerable substitute for a dressing-room. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +ROCK RIVER--HOURS OF TROUBLE. + + +It was late on the following day (March 13th) when we took leave of our +kind hostess. She loaded us with cakes, good wishes, and messages to her +sister Dixon and the children. We journeyed pleasantly along through a +country beautiful in spite of its wintry appearance. + +There was a house at Buffalo Grove, at which we stopped for half an +hour, and where a nice-looking young girl presented us with some +maple-sugar of her own making. She entertained us with the history of a +contest between two rival claimants for the patronage of the +stage-wagon, the proprietors of which had not decided whether to send it +by Buffalo Grove or by another route, which she pointed out to us, at no +great distance. The _driver_, she took care to inform us, was in favor +of the former; and the blush with which she replied in the affirmative +to our inquiry, "Is he a young man?" explained the whole matter +satisfactorily. + +At length, just at sunset, we reached the dark, rapid waters of the Rock +River. The ferry which we had travelled so far out of our way to take +advantage of, proved to be merely a small boat or skiff, the larger one +having been swept off into the stream, and carried down in the +breaking-up of the ice, the week previous. + +My husband's first care was to get me across. He placed me with the +saddles, packs, etc. in the boat, and as, at that late hour, no time was +to be lost, he ventured, at the same time, to hold the bridles of the +two most docile horses, to guide them in swimming the river. + +When we had proceeded a few rods from the shore, we were startled by a +loud puffing and blowing near us, and looking around, to our great +surprise, discovered little Brunet just upon our "weather-bow." +Determined not to be outdone by his model, Jerry, he had taken to the +water on his own responsibility, and arrived at the opposite shore as +soon as any of the party. + +All being safely landed, a short walk brought us to the house of Mr. +Dixon. Although so recently come into the country, he had contrived to +make everything comfortable around him; and when he ushered us into Mrs. +Dixon's sitting-room, and seated us by a glowing wood fire, while Mrs. +Dixon busied herself in preparing us a nice supper, I felt that the +comfort overbalanced the inconvenience of such a journey. + +Mrs. Dixon was surrounded by several children. One leaning against the +chimney-piece was dressed in the full Indian costume--calico shirt, +blanket, and leggings. His dark complexion, and full, melancholy eyes, +which he kept fixed upon the ashes in which he was making marks with a +stick, rarely raising them to gaze on us, as children are wont to do, +interested me exceedingly, and I inquired of an intelligent little girl, +evidently a daughter of our host,-- + +"Who is that boy?" + +"Oh, that is John Ogie," answered she. + +"What is the matter with him? he looks very sad." + +"Oh, he is fretting after his mother." + +"Is she dead, then?" + +"Some say she is dead, and some say she is gone away. I guess she is +dead, and buried up in one of those graves yonder"--pointing to two or +three little picketed inclosures upon a rising ground opposite the +window. + +I felt a strong sympathy with the child, which was increased when the +little spokeswoman, in answer to my inquiry, "Has he no father?" +replied,-- + +"Oh, yes, but he goes away, and drinks, and don't care for his +children." + +"And what becomes of John then?" + +"He stays here with us, and we teach him to read, and he learns +_dreadful_ fast." + +When the boy at length turned his large dark eyes upon me, it went to my +heart. It was such a _motherless_ look. And it was explained when, long +afterwards, I learned his further history. His mother was still living, +and he knew it, although, with the reserve peculiar to his people, he +never spoke of her to his young companions. Unable to endure the +continued ill treatment of her husband, a surly, intemperate Canadian, +she had left him, and returned to her own family among the +Pottowattamies. Years after, this boy and a brother who had also been +left behind with their father found their way to the Upper Missouri, to +join their mother, who, with the others of her tribe, had been removed +by the Government from the shores of Lake Michigan. + +A most savory supper of ducks and venison, with their accompaniments, +soon smoked upon the board, and we did ample justice to it. Travelling +is a great sharpener of the appetite, and so is cheerfulness; and the +latter was increased by the encouraging account Mr. Dixon gave us of the +remainder of the route yet before us. + +"There is no difficulty," said he, "if you keep a little to the north, +and strike the great _Sauk trail_. If you get too far to the south, you +will come upon the Winnebago Swamp, and, once in that, there is no +telling when you will ever get out again. As for the distance, it is +nothing at all to speak of. Two young men came out here from Chicago, +on foot, last fall. They got here the evening of the second day; and, +even with a lady in your party, you could go on horseback in less time +than that. The only thing is to be sure and get on the great track that +the Sauks have made, in going every year from the Mississippi to Canada, +to receive their presents from the British Indian Agent." + +The following morning, which was a bright and lovely one for that season +of the year, we took leave of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, in high spirits. We +travelled for the first few miles along the beautiful, undulating banks +of the Rock River, always in an easterly direction, keeping the beaten +path, or rather road, which led to Fort Clark, or Peoria. The Sauk +trail, we had been told, would cross this road at the distance of about +six miles. + +After having travelled, as we judged, fully that distance, we came upon +a trail bearing northeast, and a consultation was held as to the +probability of its being the one we were in search of. + +Mr. Kinzie was of opinion that it tended too much to the north, and was, +moreover, too faint and obscure for a trail so much used, and by so +large a body of Indians in their annual journeys. + +Plante was positive as to its being the very spot where he and "Piché" +in their journey to Port Winnebago, the year before, struck into the +great road. "On that very rising-ground at the point of woods, he +remembered perfectly well stopping to shoot ducks, which they ate for +their supper." + +Mr. Kellogg was non-committal, but sided alternately with each speaker. + +As Plante was "the guide," and withal so confident of being right, it +was decided to follow him, not without some demurring, however, on the +part of the bourgeois, who every now and then called to halt, to +discuss the state of affairs. + +"Now, Plante," he would say, "I am sure you are leading us too far +north. Why, man, if we keep on in this direction, following the course +of the river, we shall bring up at Kosh-ko-nong, instead of Chicago." + +"Ah! mon bourgeois," would the light-hearted Canadian reply, "would I +tell you this is the road if I were not quite certain? Only one year ago +I travelled it, and can I forget so soon? Oh, no--I remember every foot +of it." + +But Monsieur Plante was convinced of his mistake when the trail brought +us to the great bend of the river with its bold rocky bluffs. + +"Are you satisfied now, Plante?" asked Mr. Kinzie. "By your leave, I +will now play pilot myself." And he struck off from the trail, in a +direction as nearly east as possible. + +The weather had changed and become intensely cold, and we felt that the +detention we had met with, even should we now be in the right road, was +no trifling matter. We had not added to our stock of provisions at +Dixon's, wishing to carry as much forage as we were able for our horses, +for whom the scanty picking around our encamping-grounds afforded an +insufficient meal. But we were buoyed up by the hope that we were in the +right path at last, and we journeyed on until night, when we reached a +comfortable "encampment," in the edge of a grove near a small stream. + +Oh, how bitterly cold that night was! The salted provisions, to which I +was accustomed, occasioned me an intolerable thirst, and my husband was +in the habit of placing the little tin coffee-pot filled with water at +my bed's head when we went to rest, but this night it was frozen solid +long before midnight. We were so well wrapped up in blankets that we +did not suffer from cold while within the tent, but the open air was +severe in the extreme. + +March 15th.--We were roused by the bourgeois at peep of day to make +preparations for starting. We must find the Sauk trail this day at all +hazards. What would become of us should we fail to do so? It was a +question no one liked to ask, and certainly one that none could have +answered. + +On leaving our encampment, we found ourselves entering a marshy tract of +country. Myriads of wild geese, brant, and ducks rose up screaming at +our approach. The more distant lakes and ponds were black with them, but +the shallow water through which we attempted to make our way was frozen, +by the severity of the night, to a thickness not quite sufficient to +bear the horses, but just such as to cut their feet and ankles at every +step as they broke through it. Sometimes the difficulty of going forward +was so great that we were obliged to retrace our steps and make our way +round the head of the marsh, thus adding to the discomforts of our +situation by the conviction that, while journeying diligently, we were, +in fact, making very little progress. + +This swampy region at length passed, we came upon more solid ground, +chiefly the open prairie. But now a new trouble assailed us. The weather +had moderated, and a blinding snow-storm came on. Without a trail that +we could rely upon, and destitute of a compass, our only dependence had +been the sun to point out our direction; but the atmosphere was now so +obscure that it was impossible to tell in what quarter of the heavens he +was. + +We pursued our way, however, and a devious one it must have been. After +travelling in this way many miles, we came upon an Indian trail, deeply +indented, running at right angles with the course we were pursuing. The +snow had ceased, and, the clouds becoming thinner, we were able to +observe the direction of the sun, and to perceive that the trail ran +north and south. What should we do? Was it safest to pursue our easterly +course, or was it probable that by following this new path we should +fall into the direct one we had been so long seeking? If we decided to +take the trail, should we go north or south? Mr. Kinzie was for the +latter. He was of opinion we were still too far north--somewhere about +the Grand Marais, or Kish-wau-kee. Mr. Kellogg and Plante were for +taking the northerly direction. The latter was positive his bourgeois +had already gone too far south--in fact, that we must now be in the +neighborhood of the Illinois River. Finding himself in the minority, my +husband yielded, and we turned our horses' heads north, much against his +will. After proceeding a few miles, however, he took a sudden +determination. "You may go north, if you please," said he, "but I am +convinced that the other course is right, and I shall face about--follow +who will." + +So we wheeled round and rode south again, and many a long and weary mile +did we travel, the monotony of our ride broken only by the querulous +remarks of poor Mr. Kellogg. "I am really afraid we are wrong, Mr. +Kinzie. I feel pretty sure that the young man is right. It looks most +natural to me that we should take a northerly course, and not be +stretching away so far to the south." + +To all this, Mr. Kinzie turned a deaf ear. The Frenchmen rode in +silence. They would as soon have thought of cutting off their right hand +as showing opposition to the bourgeois when he had once expressed his +decision. They would never have dreamed of offering an opinion or remark +unless called upon to do so. + +The road, which had continued many miles through the prairie, at +length, in winding round a point of woods, brought us suddenly upon an +Indian village. A shout of joy broke from the whole party, but no +answering shout was returned--not even a bark of friendly welcome--as we +galloped up to the wigwams. All was silent as the grave. We rode round +and round, then dismounted and looked into several of the spacious huts. +They had evidently been long deserted. Nothing remained but the bare +walls of bark, from which everything in the shape of furniture had been +stripped by the owners and carried with them to their wintering-grounds, +to be brought back in the spring, when they returned to make their +corn-fields and occupy their summer cabins. + +Our disappointment may be better imagined than described. With heavy +hearts, we mounted and once more pursued our way, the snow again falling +and adding to the discomforts of our position. At length we halted for +the night. We had long been aware that our stock of provisions was +insufficient for another day, and here we were--nobody knew where--in +the midst of woods and prairies--certainly far from any human +habitation, with barely enough food for a slender evening's meal. + +The poor dogs came whining round us to beg their usual portion, but they +were obliged to content themselves with a bare bone, and we retired to +rest with the feeling that if not actually hungry then, we should +certainly be so to-morrow. + +The morrow came. Plante and Roy had a bright fire and a nice pot of +coffee for us. It was our only breakfast, for, on shaking the bag and +turning it inside out, we could make no more of our stock of bread than +three crackers, which the rest of the party insisted I should put in my +pocket for my dinner. I was much touched by the kindness of Mr. Kellogg, +who drew from his wallet a piece of tongue and a slice of fruit-cake, +which he said "he had been saving for _the lady_ since the day before, +for he saw how matters were a going." + +Poor man! it would have been well if he had listened to Mr. Kinzie and +provided himself at the outset with a larger store of provisions. As it +was, those he brought with him were exhausted early in the second day, +and he had been _boarding_ with us for the last two meals. + +We still had the trail to guide us, and we continued to follow it until +about nine o'clock, when, in emerging from a wood, we came upon a broad +and rapid river. A collection of Indian wigwams stood upon the opposite +bank, and, as the trail led directly to the water, it was fair to infer +that the stream was fordable. We had no opportunity of testing it, +however, for the banks were so lined with ice, which was piled up tier +upon tier by the breaking-up of the previous week, that we tried in vain +to find a path by which we could descend the bank to the water. + +The men shouted again and again, in hopes some straggling inhabitant of +the village might be at hand with his canoe. No answer was returned, +save by the echoes. What was to be done? I looked at my husband and saw +that care was on his brow, although he still continued to speak +cheerfully. "We will follow this cross-trail down the bank of the +river," said he. "There must be Indians wintering near, in some of these +points of wood." + +I must confess that I felt somewhat dismayed at our prospects, but I +kept up a show of courage, and did not allow my despondency to be seen. +All the party were dull and gloomy enough. + +We kept along the bank, which was considerably elevated above the water, +and bordered at a little distance with a thick wood. All at once my +horse, who was mortally afraid of Indians, began to jump and prance, +snorting and pricking up his ears as if an enemy were at hand. I +screamed with delight to my husband, who was at the head of the file, +"Oh, John! John! there are Indians near--look at Jerry!" + +At this instant a little Indian dog ran out from under the bushes by the +roadside, and began barking at us. Never were sounds more welcome. We +rode directly into the thicket, and, descending into a little hollow, +found two squaws crouching behind the bushes, trying to conceal +themselves from our sight. + +They appeared greatly relieved when Mr. Kinzie addressed them in the +Pottowattamie language,-- + +"What are you doing here?" + +"Digging Indian potatoes"--(a species of artichoke.) + +"Where is your lodge?" + +"On the other side of the river." + +"Good--then you have a canoe here. Can you take us across?" + +"Yes--the canoe is very small." + +They conducted us down the bank to the water's edge where the canoe was. +It was indeed _very small_. My husband explained to them that they must +take me across first, and then return for the others of the party. + +"Will you trust yourself alone over the river?" inquired he. "You see +that but one can cross at a time." + +"Oh, yes"--and I was soon placed in the bottom of the canoe, lying flat +and looking up at the sky, while the older squaw took the paddle in her +hand, and placed herself on her knees at my head, and the younger, a +girl of fourteen or fifteen, stationed herself at my feet. There was +just room enough for me to lie in this position, each of the others +kneeling in the opposite ends of the canoe. + +While these preparations were making, Mr. Kinzie questioned the women as +to our whereabout. They knew no name for the river but "Saumanong." +This was not definite, it being the generic term for any large stream. +But he gathered that the village we had passed higher up, on the +opposite side of the stream, was Wau-ban-see's, and then he knew that we +were on the Fox River, and probably about fifty miles from Chicago. + +The squaw, in answer to his inquiries, assured him that Chicago was +"close by." + +"That means," said he, "that it is not so far off as Canada. We must not +be too sanguine." + +The men set about unpacking the horses, and I in the mean time was +paddled across the river. The old woman immediately returned, leaving +the younger one with me for company. I seated myself on the fallen trunk +of a tree, in the midst of the snow, and looked across the dark waters. +I am not ashamed to confess my weakness--for the first time on my +journey I shed tears. It was neither hunger, nor fear, nor cold, which +extorted them from me. It was the utter desolation of spirit, the +sickness of heart which "hope deferred" ever occasions, and which of all +evils is the hardest to bear. + +The poor little squaw looked into my face with a wondering and +sympathizing expression. Probably she was speculating in her own mind +what a person who rode so fine a horse, and wore so comfortable a +broadcloth dress, could have to cry about. I pointed to a seat beside me +on the log, but she preferred standing and gazing at me, with the same +pitying expression. Presently she was joined by a young companion, and, +after a short chattering, of which I was evidently the subject, they +both trotted off into the woods, and left me to my own solitary +reflections. + +"What would my friends at the East think," said I to myself, "if they +could see me now? What would poor old Mrs. Welsh say? She who warned me +that _if I came away so far to the West, I should break my heart?_ +Would she not rejoice to find how likely her prediction was to be +fulfilled?" + +These thoughts roused me. I dried up my tears, and by the time my +husband with his party and all his horses and luggage were across, I had +recovered my cheerfulness, and was ready for fresh adventures. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +RELIEF. + + +We followed the old squaw to her lodge, which was at no great distance +in the woods. I had never before been in an Indian lodge, although I had +occasionally peeped into one of the many always clustered round the +house of the Interpreter at the Portage. + +This one was very nicely arranged. Four sticks of wood placed to form a +square in the centre, answered the purpose of a hearth, within which the +fire was built, the smoke escaping through an opening in the top. The +mats of which the lodge was constructed were very neat and new, and +against the sides, depending from the poles or frame-work, hung various +bags of Indian manufacture, containing their dried food and other +household treasures. Sundry ladles, small kettles, and wooden bowls also +hung from the cross-poles; and dangling from the centre, by an iron +chain, was a large kettle in which some dark, suspicious-looking +substance was seething over the scanty fire. On the floor of the lodge, +between the fire and the outer wall, were spread mats, upon which my +husband invited me to be seated and make myself comfortable. + +The first demand of an Indian on meeting a white man is for _bread_, of +which they are exceedingly fond, and I knew enough of the Pottowattamie +language to comprehend the timid "_pe-qua-zhe-gun choh-kay-go_" (I have +no bread) with which the squaw commenced our conversation after my +husband had left the lodge. + +I shook my head, and endeavored to convey to her that, so far from being +able to give, I had had no breakfast myself. She understood me, and +instantly produced a bowl, into which she ladled a quantity of Indian +potatoes from the kettle over the fire, and set them before me. I was +too hungry to be fastidious, and, owing partly, no doubt, to the +sharpness of my appetite, I really found them delicious. + +Two little girls, inmates of the lodge, sat gazing at me with evident +admiration and astonishment, which were increased when I took my little +Prayer book from my pocket and began to read. They had, undoubtedly, +never seen a book before, and I was amused at the care with which they +looked _away_ from me, while they questioned their mother about my +strange employment and listened to her replies. + +While thus occupied, I was startled by a sudden sound of "hogh!" and the +mat which hung over the entrance of the lodge was raised, and an Indian +entered with that graceful bound which is peculiar to themselves. It was +the master of the lodge, who had been out to shoot ducks, and was just +returned. He was a tall, finely-formed man, with a cheerful, open +countenance, and he listened to what his wife in a quiet tone related to +him, while he divested himself of his accoutrements, in the most +unembarrassed, well-bred manner imaginable. + +Soon my husband joined us. He had been engaged in attending to the +comfort of his horses, and assisting his men in making their fire, and +pitching their tent, which the rising storm made a matter of some +difficulty. + +From the Indian he learned that we were in what was called the Big +Woods,[17] or "Piché's Grove," from a Frenchman of that name living not +far from the spot--that the river we had crossed was the Fox River--that +he could guide us to _Piché's_, from which the road was perfectly plain, +or even into Chicago if we preferred--but that we had better remain +encamped for that day, as there was a storm coming on, and in the mean +time he would go and shoot some ducks for our dinner and supper. He was +accordingly furnished with powder and shot, and set off again for game +without delay. + +I had put into my pocket, on leaving home, a roll of scarlet ribbon, in +case a stout string should be wanted, and I now drew it forth, and with +the knife which hung around my neck I cut off a couple of yards for each +of the little girls. They received it with great delight, and their +mother, dividing each portion into two, tied a piece to each of the +little clubs into which their hair was knotted on the temples. They +laughed, and exclaimed "Saum!" as they gazed at each other, and their +mother joined in their mirth, although, as I thought, a little unwilling +to display her maternal exultation before a stranger. + +The tent being all in order, my husband came for me, and we took leave +of our friends in the wigwam, with grateful hearts. + +The storm was raging without. The trees were bending and cracking around +us, and the air was completely filled with the wild-fowl screaming and +_quacking_ as they made their way southward before the blast. Our tent +was among the trees not far from the river. My husband took me to the +bank to look for a moment at what we had escaped. The wind was sweeping +down from the north in a perfect hurricane. The water was filled with +masses of snow and ice, dancing along upon the torrent, over which were +hurrying thousands of wild-fowl, making the woods resound to their +deafening clamor. + +Had we been one hour later, we could not possibly have crossed the +stream, and there would have been nothing for us but to have remained +and starved in the wilderness. Could we be sufficiently grateful to that +kind Providence that had brought us safely through such dangers? + +The men had cut down an immense tree, and built a fire against it, but +the wind shifted so continually that every five minutes the tent would +become completely filled with smoke, so that I was driven into the open +air for breath. Then I would seat myself on one end of the huge log, as +near the fire as possible, for it was dismally cold, but the wind seemed +actuated by a kind of caprice, for in whatever direction I took my seat, +just that way came the smoke and hot ashes, puffing in my face until I +was nearly blinded. Neither veil nor silk handkerchief afforded an +effectual protection, and I was glad when the arrival of our huntsmen, +with a quantity of ducks, gave me an opportunity of diverting my +thoughts from my own sufferings, by aiding the men to pick them and get +them ready for our meal. + +We borrowed a kettle from our Indian friends. It was not remarkably +clean; but we heated a little water in it, and _prairie-hay'd_ it out, +before consigning our birds to it, and with a bowl of Indian potatoes, a +present from our kind neighbors, we soon had an excellent soup. + +What with the cold, the smoke, and the driving ashes and cinders, this +was the most uncomfortable afternoon I had yet passed, and I was glad +when night came, and I could creep into the tent and cover myself up in +the blankets, out of the way of all three of these evils. + +The storm raged with tenfold violence during the night. We were +continually startled by the crashing of the falling trees around us, and +who could tell but that the next would be upon us? Spite of our fatigue, +we passed an almost sleepless night. When we arose in the morning, we +were made fully alive to the perils by which we had been surrounded. At +least fifty trees, the giants of the forest, lay prostrate within view +of the tent. + +When we had taken our scanty breakfast, and were mounted and ready for +departure, it was with difficulty we could thread our way, so completely +was it obstructed by the fallen trunks. + +Our Indian guide had joined us at an early hour, and after conducting us +carefully out of the wood, and pointing out to us numerous +bee-trees,[18] for which he said that grove was famous, he set off at a +long trot, and about nine o'clock brought us to _Piché's_, a log cabin +on a rising ground, looking off over the broad prairie to the east. We +had hoped to get some refreshment here, Piché being an old acquaintance +of some of the party; but, alas! the master was from home. We found his +cabin occupied by Indians and travellers--the latter few, the former +numerous. + +There was no temptation to a halt, except that of warming ourselves at a +bright fire that was burning in the clay chimney. A man in Quaker +costume stepped forward to answer our inquiries, and offered to become +our escort to Chicago, to which place he was bound--so we dismissed our +Indian friend, with a satisfactory remuneration for all the trouble he +had so kindly taken for us. + +A long reach of prairie extended from Piché's to the Du Page, between +the two forks of which, Mr. Dogherty, our new acquaintance, told us, we +should find the dwelling of a Mr. Hawley, who would give us a +comfortable dinner. + +The weather was intensely cold; the wind, sweeping over the wide prairie +with nothing to break its force, chilled our very hearts. I beat my feet +against the saddle to restore the circulation, when they became benumbed +with the cold, until they were so bruised I could beat them no longer. +Not a house or wigwam, not even a clump of trees as a shelter, offered +itself for many a weary mile. At length we reached the west fork of the +Du Page. It was frozen, but not sufficiently so to bear the horses. Our +only resource was to cut a way for them through the ice. It was a work +of time, for the ice had frozen to several inches in thickness during +the last bitter night. Plante went first with an axe, and cut as far as +he could reach, then mounted one of the hardy little ponies, and With +some difficulty broke the ice before him, until he had opened a passage +to the opposite shore. + +How the poor animals shivered as they were reined in among the floating +ice! And we, who sat waiting in the piercing wind, were not much better +off. Probably Brunet was of the same opinion; for, with his usual +perversity, he plunged in immediately after Plante, and stood shaking +and quaking behind him, every now and then looking around him, as much +as to say, "I've got ahead of you, this time!" We were all across at +last, and spurred on our horses, until we reached Hawley's[19]--a +large, commodious dwelling, near the east fork of the river. + +The good woman welcomed us kindly, and soon made us warm and +comfortable. We felt as if we were in a civilized land once more. She +proceeded immediately to prepare dinner for us; and we watched her with +eager eyes, as she took down a huge ham from the rafters, out of which +she cut innumerable slices, then broke a dozen or more of fine fresh +eggs into a pan, in readiness for frying--then mixed a _johnny-cake_, +and placed it against a board in front of the fire to bake. It seemed to +me that even with the aid of this fine, bright fire, the dinner took an +unconscionable time to cook; but cooked it was, at last, and truly might +the good woman stare at the travellers' appetites we had brought with +us. She did not know what short commons we had been on for the last two +days. + +We found, upon inquiry, that we could, by pushing on, reach Lawton's, on +the Aux Plaines, that night--we should then be within twelve miles of +Chicago. Of course we made no unnecessary delay, but set off as soon +after dinner as possible. + +The crossing of the east fork of the Du Page was more perilous than the +former one had been. The ice had become broken, either by the force of +the current, or by some equestrians having preceded us and cut through +it, so that when we reached the bank, the ice was floating down in large +cakes. The horses had to make a rapid dart through the water, which was +so high, and rushing in such a torrent, that if I had not been mounted +on Jerry, the tallest horse in the cavalcade, I must have got a terrible +splashing. + +As it was, I was well frightened, and grasped both bridle and mane with +the utmost tenacity. After this we travelled on as rapidly as possible, +in order to reach our place of destination before dark. + +Mr. Dogherty, a tall, bolt-upright man, half Quaker, half Methodist, did +his best to entertain me, by giving me a thorough schedule of his +religious opinions, with the reasons from Scripture upon which they were +based. He was a good deal of a perfectionist, and evidently looked upon +himself with no small satisfaction, as a living illustration of his +favorite doctrine. + +"St. John says," this was the style of his discourse, "St. John says, +'He that is born of God, doth not commit sin' Now, _if_ I am born of +God, I do not commit sin." + +I was too cold and too weary to argue the point, so I let him have it +all his own way. I believe he must have thought me rather a dull +companion; but at least he gave me the credit of being a good listener. + +It was almost dark when we reached Lawton's. The Aux Plaines[20] was +frozen, and the house was on the other side. By loud shouting, we +brought out a man from the building, and he succeeded in cutting the +ice, and bringing a canoe over to us; but not until it had become +difficult to distinguish objects in the darkness. + +A very comfortable house was Lawton's, after we did reach it--carpeted, +and with a warm stove--in fact, quite in civilized style, Mr. Weeks, the +man who brought us across, was the major-domo, during the temporary +absence of Mr. Lawton. + +Mrs. Lawton was a young woman, and not ill-looking. She complained +bitterly of the loneliness of her condition, and having been "brought +out there into the woods; which was a thing she had not expected, when +she came from the East." We did not ask her with what expectations she +had come to a wild, unsettled country; but we tried to comfort her with +the assurance that things would grow better in a few years. She said, +"She did not mean to wait for that. She should go back to her family in +the East, if Mr. Lawton did not invite some of her young friends to come +and stay with her, and make it agreeable." + +We could hardly realize, on rising the following morning, that only +twelve miles of prairie intervened between us and _Chicago le Désiré_, +as I could not but name it. + +We could look across the extended plain, and on its farthest verge were +visible two tall trees, which my husband pointed out to me as the +planting of his own hand, when a boy. Already they had become so lofty +as to serve as landmarks, and they were constantly in view as we +travelled the beaten road. I was continually repeating to myself, "There +live the friends I am so longing to see! There will terminate all our +trials and hardships!" + +A Mr. Wentworth joined us on the road, and of him we inquired after the +welfare of the family, from whom we had, for a long time, received no +intelligence. When we reached Chicago, he took us to a little tavern at +the forks of the river. This portion of the place was then called _Wolf +Point_, from its having been the residence of an Indian named +"_Moaway_," or "the Wolf." + +"Dear me," said the old landlady, at the little tavern, "what dreadful +cold weather you must have had to travel in! Why, two days ago the river +was all open here, and now it's frozen hard enough for folks to cross +a-horseback!" + +Notwithstanding this assurance, my husband did not like to venture, so +he determined to leave his horses and proceed on foot to the residence +of his mother and sister, a distance of about half a mile. + +We set out on our walk, which was first across the ice, then down the +northern bank of the river. As we approached the house we were espied by +Genevieve, a half-breed servant of the family. She did not wait to +salute us, but flew into the house, crying,-- + +"Oh! Madame Kinzie, who do you think has come? Monsieur John and Madame +John, all the way from Fort Winnebago on foot!" + +Soon we were in the arms of our dear, kind friends. A messenger was +dispatched to "the garrison" for the remaining members of the family, +and for that day, at least, I was the wonder and admiration of the whole +circle, "for the dangers I had seen." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +CHICAGO IN 1831. + + +Fort Dearborn at that day consisted of the same buildings as at +present.[21] They were, of course, in a better state of preservation, +though still considerably dilapidated. They had been erected in 1816, +under the supervision of Captain Hezekiah Bradley, and there was a story +current that, such was his patriotic regard for the interests of the +Government, he obliged the soldiers to fashion wooden pins, instead of +spikes and nails, to fasten the timbers of the buildings, and that he +even called on the junior officers to aid in their construction along +with the soldiers, whose business it was. If this were true, the captain +must have labored under the delusion (excusable in one who had lived +long on the frontier) that Government would thank its servants for any +excess of economical zeal. + +The fort was inclosed by high pickets, with bastions at the alternate +angles. Large gates opened to the north and south, and there were small +posterns here and there for the accommodation of the inmates. The bank +of the river which stretches to the west, now covered by the light-house +buildings, and inclosed by docks, was then occupied by the root-houses +of the garrison. Beyond the parade-ground, which extended south of the +pickets, were the company gardens, well filled with currant-bushes and +young fruit-trees. + +The fort stood at what might naturally be supposed to be the mouth of +the river. It was not so, however, for in those days the latter took a +turn, sweeping round the promontory on which the fort was built, towards +the south, and joining the lake about half a mile below. These buildings +stood on the right bank of the river, the left being a long spit of land +extending from the northern shore, of which it formed a part. After the +cutting through of this portion of the left bank in 1833 by the United +States Engineers employed to construct a harbor at this point, and the +throwing out of the piers, the water overflowed this long tongue of +land, and, continually encroaching on the southern bank, robbed it of +many valuable acres; while, by the same action of the vast body of the +lake, an accretion was constantly taking place on the north of the +harbor. + +The residence of Jean Baptiste Beaubien stood at this period between the +gardens and the river-bank, and still farther south was a rickety +tenement, built many years before by Mr. John Dean, the sutler of the +post. A short time after the commencement of the growth of Chicago, the +foundations of this building were undermined by the gradual encroachment +of the lake, and it tumbled backward down the bank, where it long lay, a +melancholy spectacle. + +On the northern bank of the river, directly facing the fort, was the +family mansion of my husband.[22] It was a long, low building, with a +piazza extending along its front, a range of four or five rooms. A broad +green space was inclosed between it and the river, and shaded by a row +of Lombardy poplars. Two immense cottonwood-trees stood in the rear of +the building, one of which still remains as an ancient landmark. A fine, +well-cultivated garden extended to the north of the dwelling, and +surrounding it were various buildings appertaining to the +establishment--dairy, bake-house, lodging-house for the Frenchmen, and +stables. + +A vast range of sand-hills, covered with stunted cedars, pines, and +dwarf-willow-trees, intervened between the house and the lake, which +was, at this time, not more than thirty rods distant. + +Proceeding from this point along the northern bank of the river, we came +first to the Agency House, "Cobweb Castle," as it had been denominated +while long the residence of a bachelor, and the _sobriquet_ adhered to +it ever after. It stood at what is now the southwest corner of +Wolcott[23] and N. Water Streets. Many will still remember it, a +substantial, compact little building of logs hewed and squared, with a +centre, two wings, and, strictly speaking, two _tails_, since, when +there was found no more room for additions at the sides, they were +placed in the rear, whereon a vacant spot could be found. + +These appendages did not mar the symmetry of the whole, as viewed from +the front, but when, in the process of the town's improvement, a street +was maliciously opened directly in the rear of the building, the whole +establishment, with its comical little adjuncts, was a constant source +of amusement to the passers-by. No matter. There were pleasant, happy +hours passed under its odd-shaped roof, as many of Chicago's early +settlers can testify. + +Around the Agency House were grouped a collection of log buildings, the +residences of the different persons in the employ of Government, +appertaining to that establishment--blacksmith, striker, and laborers. +These were for the most part Canadians or half-breeds, with occasionally +a stray Yankee, to set all things going by his activity and enterprise. + +There was still another house on the north side of the river, built by a +former resident by the name of Miller, but he had removed to "Rivière du +Chemin," or Trail Creek, which about this time began to be called +"Michigan City."[24] This house, which stood near the forks of the +river, was at this time vacant. + +There was no house on the southern bank of the river, between the fort +and "The Point," as the forks of the river were then called. The land +was a low wet prairie, scarcely affording good walking in the dryest +summer weather, while at other seasons it was absolutely impassable. A +muddy streamlet, or, as it is called in this country, a _slew_,[25] +after winding around from about the present site of the Tremont House, +fell into the river at the foot of State Street.[26] + +At the Point, on the south side, stood a house just completed by Mark +Beaubien. It was a pretentious white two-story building, with +bright-blue wooden shutters, the admiration of all the little circle at +Wolf Point. Here a canoe ferry was kept to transport people across the +south branch of the river. + +Facing down the river from the west was, first a small tavern kept by +Mr. Wentworth, familiarly known as "Old Geese," not from any want of +shrewdness on his part, but in compliment to one of his own cant +expressions. Near him were two or three log cabins occupied by Robinson, +the Pottowattamie chief, and some of his wife's connexions. Billy +Caldwell, the Sau-ga-nash, too, resided here occasionally, with his +wife, who was a daughter of Nee-scot-nee-meg, one of the most famous +chiefs of the nation. A little remote from these residences was a small +square log building, originally designed for a school-house, but +occasionally used as a place of worship whenever any itinerant minister +presented himself. + +The family of Clybourn had, previous to this time, established +themselves near their present residence on the North Branch--they called +their place _New Virginia_. Four miles up the South Branch was an old +building which was at one time an object of great interest as having +been the theatre of some stirring events during the troubles of +1812.[27] It was denominated Lee's Place, or Hardscrabble. Here lived, +at this time, a settler named Heacock. + +Owing to the badness of the roads a greater part of the year, the usual +mode of communication between the fort and the Point was by a boat rowed +up the river, or by a canoe paddled by some skilful hand. By the latter +means, too, an intercourse was kept up between the residents of the fort +and the Agency House. + +There were, at this time, two companies of soldiers in the garrison, but +of the officers one, Lieutenant Furman, had died the autumn previous, +and several of the others were away on furlough. In the absence of Major +Fowle and Captain Scott, the command devolved on Lieutenant Hunter. +Besides him, there were Lieutenants Engle and Foster--the latter +unmarried. Dr. Finley, the post surgeon, was also absent, and his place +was supplied by Dr. Harmon, a gentleman from Vermont. + +My husband's mother, two sisters, and brother resided at the Agency +House--the family residence near the lake being occupied by J.N. Bailey, +the postmaster. + +In the Dean House lived a Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, who kept a school. +Gholson Kercheval had a small trading establishment in one of the log +buildings at Wolf Point, and John S.C. Hogan superintended the sutler's +store in the garrison. + +There was also a Mr. See lately come into the country, living at the +Point, who sometimes held forth in the little school-house on a Sunday, +less to the edification of his hearers than to the unmerciful slaughter +of the "King's English." + +I think this enumeration comprises all the white inhabitants of Chicago +at a period less than half a century ago. To many who may read these +pages the foregoing particulars will, doubtless, appear uninteresting. +But to those who visit Chicago, and still more to those who come to make +it their home, it may be not without interest to look back to its first +beginnings; to contemplate the almost magical change which a few years +have wrought; and from the past to augur the marvellous prosperity of +the future. + +The origin of the name Chicago is a subject of discussion, some of the +Indians deriving it from the fitch or polecat, others from the wild +onion with which the woods formerly abounded; but all agree that the +place received its name from an old chief who was drowned in the stream +in former times. That this event, although so carefully preserved by +tradition, must have occurred in a very remote period, is evident from +an old French manuscript brought by General Cass from France. + +In this paper, which purports to be a letter from M. de Ligney, at Green +Bay, to M. de Siette, among the Illinois, dated as early as 1726, the +place is designated as "Chica-goux." This orthography is also found in +old family letters of the beginning of the present century. + + * * * * * + +In giving the early history of Chicago, the Indians say, with great +simplicity, "the first white man who settled here was a negro." + +This was Jean Baptiste Point-au-Sable, a native of St. Domingo, who, +about the year 1796, found his way to this remote region, and commenced +a life among the Indians. There is usually a strong affection between +these two races, and Jean Baptiste imposed upon his new friends by +making them believe that he had been a "great chief" among the whites. +Perhaps he was disgusted at not being elected to a similar dignity by +the Pottowattamies, for he quitted this vicinity, and finally terminated +his days at Peoria, under the roof of his friend Glamorgan, another St. +Domingo negro, who had obtained large Spanish grants in St. Louis and +its environs, and who, at one time, was in the enjoyment of an extensive +landed estate. + +Point-au-Sable had made some improvements at Chicago, which were taken +possession of by a Frenchman named Le Mai, who commenced trading with +the Indians. After a few years Le Mai's establishment was purchased by +John Kinzie, Esq., who at that time resided at Bertrand, or _Parc aux +Vaches_, as it was then called, near Niles, in Michigan. As this +gentleman was for nearly twenty years, with the exception of the +military, the only white inhabitant of Northern Illinois, some +particulars of his early life may not be uninteresting. + +He was born in Quebec in 1163. His mother had been previously married to +a gentleman of the name of Haliburton. The only daughter of this +marriage was the mother of General Fleming, Nicholas Low, Esq., and Mrs. +Charles King, of New York. She is described as a lady of remarkable +beauty and accomplishments. Mr. Kinzie was the only child of the second +marriage. His father died in his infancy, and his mother married a third +time a Mr. Forsyth, after which they removed to the city of New York. + +At the age of ten or eleven years he was placed at school with two of +his half-brothers at Williamsburg, L.I. A negro servant was sent from +the city every Saturday, to bring the children home, to remain until the +following Monday morning. Upon one occasion, when the messenger arrived +at the school he found all things in commotion. Johnny Kinzie was +missing! Search was made in all directions; every place was ransacked. +It was all in vain; no Johnny Kinzie could be found. + +The heavy tidings were carried home to his mother. By some it was +supposed the lad was drowned; by others that he had strayed away, and +would return. Weeks passed by, and months, and he was at length given up +and mourned as lost. In the mean time the boy was fulfilling a +determination he had long formed, to visit his native city of Quebec, +and make his way in life for himself. + +He had by some means succeeded in crossing from Williamsburg to the city +of New York, and finding at one of the docks on the North River a sloop +bound for Albany, he took passage on board of her. While on his way up +the river, he was noticed by a gentleman, who, taking an interest in the +little lonely passenger, questioned him about his business. + +"He was going to Quebec, where he had some friends." + +"Had he the means to carry him there?" + +"Not much, but he thought he could get along." + +It happened, fortunately, that the gentleman himself was going to +Quebec. He took the boy under his care, paid his expenses the whole +distance, and finally parted with him in the streets of the city, where +he was, in truth, a stranger. + +He wandered about for a time, looking into various "stores" and +workshops. At length, on entering the shop of a silversmith, he was +satisfied with the expression he read in the countenance of the master, +and he inquired if he wanted an apprentice. + +"What, you, my little fellow! What can you do?" + +"Anything you can teach me." + +"Well, we will make a trial and see." + +The trial was satisfactory. He remained in the family of his kind +friend for more than three years, when his parents, who, in removing to +Detroit, had necessarily returned to Canada, discovered his place of +abode, and he was restored to them. + +There were five younger half-brothers, of the name of Forsyth. In the +old family Bible, we find the following touching record of an event that +occurred after the family had removed to Detroit:-- + +"George Forsyth was lost in the woods 6th August, 1775, when Henry Hays +and Mark Stirling ran away and left him. The remains of George Forsyth +were found by an Indian the 2d of October, 1776, close by the Prairie +Ronde." + +It seems a singular fatality that the unhappy mother should have been +twice called to suffer a similar affliction--the loss of a child in a +manner worse than death, inasmuch as it left room for all the horrors +that imagination can suggest. The particulars of the loss of this little +brother were these. As he came from school one evening, he met the +colored servant-boy on horseback, going to the common for the cows. The +school-house stood quite near the old fort, and all beyond that, towards +the west, was a wild, uncultivated tract called "the Common." The child +begged of the servant to take him up and give him a ride, but the other +refused, bidding him return home at once. He was accompanied by two +other boys, somewhat older, and together they followed the negro for +some distance, hoping to prevail upon him to give them a ride. As it +grew dark, the two older boys turned back, but the other kept on. When +the negro returned he had not again seen the child, nor were any tidings +ever received of him, notwithstanding the diligent search made by the +whole little community, until, as related in the record, his remains +were found the following year by an Indian. There was nothing to +identify them, except the auburn curls of his hair, and the little boots +he had worn. He must have perished very shortly after having lost his +way, for the Prairie Ronde was too near the settlement to have prevented +his bearing the calls and sounding horns of those in search of him, had +he been living. + +Mr. Kinzie's enterprising and adventurous disposition led him, as he +grew older, to live much on the frontier. He early entered into the +Indian trade, and had establishments at Sandusky and Maumee. About the +year 1800 he pushed farther west, to St. Joseph's, Michigan. In this +year he married Mrs. McKillip, the widow of a British officer, and in +1804 came to make his home at Chicago. It was in this year that the +first fort was built by Major John Whistler. + +By degrees more remote trading-posts were established by him, all +contributing to the parent one at Chicago; at Milwaukie with the +Menomonees; at Rock River with the Winnebagoes and the Pottowattamies; +on the Illinois River and Kankakee with the Pottowattamies of the +Prairies, and with the Kickapoos in what was called "_Le Large_," being +the widely extended district afterwards erected into Sangamon County. + +Each trading-post had its superintendent, and its complement of +engagés--its train of pack-horses and its equipment of boats and canoes. +From most of the stations the furs and peltries were brought to Chicago +on pack-horses, and the goods necessary for the trade were transported +in return by the same method. + +The vessels which came in the spring and fall (seldom more than two or +three annually), to bring the supplies and goods for the trade, took the +furs that were already collected to Mackinac, the depôt of the Southwest +and American Fur Companies. At other seasons they were sent to that +place in boats, coasting around the lake. + + * * * * * + +Of the Canadian voyageurs or engagés, a race that has now so nearly +passed away, some notice may very properly here be given. + +They were unlike any other class of men. Like the poet, they seemed born +to their vocation. Sturdy, enduring, ingenious, and light-hearted, they +possessed a spirit capable of adapting itself to any emergency. No +difficulties baffled, no hardships discouraged them; while their +affectionate nature led them to form attachments of the warmest +character to their "bourgeois," or master, as well as to the native +inhabitants, among whom their engagements carried them. + +Montreal, or, according to their own pronunciation, _Marrialle_, was +their depôt. It was at that place that the agents commissioned to make +up the quota for the different companies and traders found the material +for their selections. + +The terms of engagement were usually from four to six hundred livres +(ancient Quebec currency) per annum as wages, with rations of one quart +of lyed corn, and two ounces of tallow per diem, or "its equivalent in +whatever sort of food is to be found in the Indian country." Instances +have been known of their submitting cheerfully to fare upon fresh fish +and maple-sugar for a whole winter, when cut off from other supplies. + +It was a common saying, "Keep an engagé to his corn and tallow, he will +serve you well--give him pork and bread, and he soon gets beyond your +management." They regard the terms of their engagement as binding to the +letter. An old trader, M. Berthelet, engaged a crew at Montreal. The +terms of agreement were, that they should eat when their bourgeois did, +and what he did. It was a piece of fun on the part of the old gentleman, +but the simple Canadians believed it to be a signal instance of good +luck that had provided them such luxurious prospects. The bourgeois +stuffed his pockets with crackers, and, when sure of being quite +unobserved, would slily eat one. Pipe after pipe passed--the men grew +hungry, but, observing that there were no preparations of a meal for the +bourgeois, they bore their fast without complaining. + +At length the matter became too serious--they could stand it no longer. +In their distress they begged off from the bargain, and gladly +compounded to take the customary rations, instead of the dainty fare +they had been promising themselves with their master. + +On arriving at Mackinac, which was the entrepôt of the fur trade, a +small proportion of the voyageur's wages was advanced him, to furnish +his winter's outfit, his pipes and tobacco, his needles and thread, some +pieces of bright-colored ribbons, and red and yellow gartering (quality +binding), with which to purchase their little necessaries from the +Indians. To these, if his destination were Lake Superior, or a post far +to the north where such articles could not be readily obtained, were +added one or two smoked deer-skins for moccasins. + +Thus equipped, he entered upon his three years' service, to toil by day, +and laugh, joke, sing, and tell stories when the evening hour brought +rest and liberty. + +There was not wanting here and there an instance of obstinate adherence +to the exact letter of the agreement in regard to the nature of +employment, although, as a general thing, the engagé held himself ready +to fulfil the behests of his bourgeois, as faithfully as ever did vassal +those of his chief. + +A Story is told of M. St. Jean, a trader on the Upper Mississippi, who +upon a certain occasion ordered one of his Frenchmen to accompany a +party to the forest to chop wood. The man refused. "He was not hired," +he said, "to chop wood." + +"Ah! for what, then, were you hired?" + +"To steer a boat." + +"Very well; steer a boat, then, since you prefer it." + +It was mid-winter. The recusant was marched to the river-side, and +placed in the stern of the boat, which lay fastened in the ice. + +After serving a couple of hours at his legitimate employment, with the +thermometer below zero, he was quite content to take his place with the +chopping-party, and never again thought it good policy to choose work +for himself. + +There is an aristocracy in the voyageur service which is quite amusing. +The engagement is usually made for three years. The engagé of the first +year, who is called a "_mangeur-de-lard_," or pork-eater, is looked down +upon with the most sovereign contempt by an "_hivernant_," or one who +has already passed a winter in the country. He will not only not +associate with him, but if invited by him to join him in a friendly +glass, he will make some excuse for declining. The most inveterate +drunkard, while tortured by a longing to partake his favorite +indulgence, will yet never suffer himself to be enticed into an +infringement of this custom. + +After the first winter, the _mangeur-de-lard_ rises from his freshman +class, and takes his place where he can in turn lord it over all +new-comers. + +Another peculiarity of the voyageurs is their fancy for transforming the +names of their bourgeois into something funny, which resembles it in +sound. Thus, Kinzie would be called by one "_Quinze nez_" (fifteen +noses), by another "_Singé_" (monkeyfied). Mr. Kercheval was denominated +_Mons. Court-cheval_ (short horse), the Judge of Probate, "_le Juge +Trop-bête"_ (too foolish), etc. The following is an instance in point. + +Mr. Shaw, one of the agents of the Northwest Fur Company, had passed +many years on the frontier, and was by the voyageurs called Monsieur Le +Chat.[28] On quitting the Indian country he married a Canadian lady and +became the father of several children. Some years after his return to +Canada, his old foreman, named Louis la Liberté, went to Montreal to +spend the winter. He had heard of his old bourgeois' marriage, and was +anxious to see him. + +Mr. Shaw was walking in the Champ de Mars with a couple of officers, +when La Liberté espied him. He immediately ran up, and, seizing him by +both hands, accosted him,-- + +"_Ah! mon cher Monsieur le Chat: comment vous portez-vous_?" (My dear +Mr. Cat, how do you do?) + +"_Très-bien, Louizon_." + +"_Et comment se porte Madame la Chatte_?" (How is the mother cat?) + +"_Bien, bien, Louizon; elle est très-bien_" (She is very well.) + +"_Et tous les petits Chatons_?" (And all the kittens?) + +This was too much for Mr. Shaw. He answered shortly that the _kittens +were all well_, and turned away with his military friends, leaving poor +Louizon quite astonished at the abruptness of his departure. + +Cut off, in the manner described, from the world at large, with no +society but the military, thus lived the family of Mr. Kinzie, in great +contentment, and in the enjoyment of all the comforts, together with +most of the luxuries, of life. + +The Indians reciprocated the friendship that was shown them, and formed +for them an attachment of no ordinary strength, as was manifested during +the scenes of the year 1812, eight years after Mr. Kinzie first came to +live among them. + +Some of the most prominent events of that year are recorded in the +following Narrative. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +MASSACRE AT CHICAGO.[29] + + +It was the evening of the 7th of April, 1812. The children of Mr. Kinzie +were dancing before the fire to the music of their father's violin. The +tea-table was spread, and they were awaiting the return of their mother, +who had gone to visit a sick neighbor about a quarter of a mile up the +river. + +Suddenly their sports were interrupted. The door was thrown open, and +Mrs. Kinzie rushed in, pale with terror, and scarcely able to +articulate, "The Indians! the Indians!" + +"The Indians? What? Where?" eagerly demanded they all. + +"Up at Lee's Place, killing and scalping!" + +With difficulty Mrs. Kinzie composed herself sufficiently to give the +information, "That, while she was up at Burns's, a man and a boy were +seen running down with all speed on the opposite side of the river; that +they had called across to give notice to Barns's family to save +themselves, for _the Indians_ were at Lee's Place, from which they had +just made their escape. Having given this terrifying news, they had made +all speed for the fort, which was on the same side of the river that +they then were." + +All was now consternation and dismay. The family were hurried into two +old _pirogues_, that lay moored near the house, and paddled with all +possible haste across the river to take refuge in the fort. + +All that the man and boy who had made their escape were able to tell, +was soon known; but, in order to render their story more intelligible, +it is necessary to describe the scene of action. + +_Lee's Place_, since known by the name of Hardscrabble, was a farm +intersected by the Chicago River, about four miles from its mouth. The +farm-house stood on the western bank of the south branch of this river. +On the north side of the main stream, but quite near its junction with +Lake Michigan, stood (as has already been described) the dwelling-house +and trading-establishment of Mr. Kinzie. + +The fort was situated on the southern bank, directly opposite this +mansion--the river, and a few rods of sloping green turf on either side, +being all that intervened between them. + +The fort was differently constructed from the one erected on the same +site in 1816. It had two block-houses on the southern side, and on the +northern a sally-port, or subterranean passage from the parade-ground to +the river. This was designed either to facilitate escape in case of an +emergency, or as a means of supplying the garrison with water during a +siege. + +The officers in the fort at this period were Captain Heald, the +commanding officer, Lieutenant Helm, the son-in-law of Mr. Kinzie, and +Ensign Ronan--the two last were very young men--and the surgeon, Dr. Van +Voorhees. + +The command numbered about seventy-five men; very few of whom were +effective. + +A constant and friendly intercourse had been maintained between these +troops and the Indians. It is true that the principal men of the +Pottowattamie nation, like those of most other tribes, went yearly to +Fort Malden, in Canada, to receive a large amount of presents, with +which the British Government had, for many years, been in the habit of +purchasing their alliance; and it was well known that many of the +Pottowattamies, as well as Winnebagoes, had been engaged with the +Ottawas and Shawnees at the battle of Tippecanoe, the preceding autumn; +yet, as the principal chiefs of all the bands in the neighborhood +appeared to be on the most amicable terms with the Americans, no +interruption of their harmony was at any time anticipated. + +After the 15th of August, however, many circumstances were recollected +that might have opened the eyes of the whites, had they not been lulled +in a fatal security. One instance in particular may be mentioned. + +In the spring preceding the destruction of the fort, two Indians of the +Calumet band came to the fort on a visit to the commanding officer. As +they passed through the quarters, they saw Mrs. Heald and Mrs. Helm +playing at battledoor. + +Turning to the interpreter, one of them, Nau-non-gee, remarked, "The +white chiefs' wives are amusing themselves very much; it will not be +long before they are hoeing in our corn-fields!" + +This was considered at the time an idle threat, or, at most, an +ebullition of jealous feeling at the contrast between the situation of +their own women and that of the "white chiefs' wives." Some months +after, how bitterly was it remembered! + + * * * * * + +The farm at Lee's Place was occupied by a Mr. White and three persons +employed by him in the care of the farm. + +In the afternoon of the day on which our narrative commences, a party of +ten or twelve Indians, dressed and painted, arrived at the house, and, +according to the custom among savages, entered and seated themselves +without ceremony. + +Something in their appearance and manner excited the suspicions of one +of the family, a Frenchman, who remarked, "I do not like the appearance +of these Indians--they are none of our folks. I know by their dress and +paint that they are not Pottowattamies." + +Another of the family, a discharged soldier, then said to the boy who +was present, "If that is the case, we had better get away from them if +we can. Say nothing; but do as you see me do." + +As the afternoon was far advanced, the soldier walked leisurely towards +the canoes, of which there were two tied near the bank. Some of the +Indians inquired where he was going. He pointed to the cattle which were +standing among the haystacks on the opposite bank, and made signs that +they must go and fodder them, and then they should return and get their +supper. + +He got into one canoe, and the boy into the other. The stream was +narrow, and they were soon across. When they had gained the opposite +side, they pulled some hay for the cattle--made a show of collecting +them--and when they had gradually made a circuit, so that their +movements were concealed by the haystacks, they took to the woods, which +were close at hand, and made for the fort. + +They had run about a quarter of a mile, when they heard the discharge of +two guns successively, which they supposed to have been levelled at the +companions they had left behind. + +They stopped not nor stayed until they arrived opposite Burns's,[30] +where, as before related, they called across to advertise the family of +their danger, and then hastened on to the fort. + +It now occurred to those who had secured their own safety, that the +family of Burns was at this moment exposed to the most imminent peril. +The question was, who would hazard his own life to bring them to a place +of safety? A gallant young officer, Ensign Ronan, volunteered, with a +party of five or six soldiers, to go to their rescue. + +They ascended the river in a scow, and took the mother, with her infant +of scarcely a day old, upon her bed to the boat, in which they carefully +conveyed her and the other members of the family to the fort. + +A party of soldiers, consisting of a corporal and six men, had that +afternoon obtained leave to go up the river to fish. + +They had not returned when the fugitives from Lee's Place arrived at +the fort, and, fearing that they might encounter the Indians, the +commanding officer ordered a cannon to be fired, to warn them of danger. + +They were at the time about two miles above Lee's Place. Hearing the +signal, they took the hint, put out their torches (for it was now +night), and dropped down the river towards the garrison, as silently as +possible. It will be remembered that the unsettled state of the country +since the battle of Tippecanoe, the preceding November, had rendered +every man vigilant, and the slightest alarm was an admonition to "beware +of the Indians." + +When the fishing-party reached Lee's Place, it was proposed to stop and +warn the inmates to be upon their guard, as the signal from the fort +indicated danger of some kind. All was still as death around the house. +They groped their way along, and as the corporal jumped over the small +enclosure he placed his hand upon the dead body of a man. By the sense +of touch he soon ascertained that the head was without a scalp, and +otherwise mutilated. The faithful dog of the murdered man stood guarding +the lifeless remains of his master. + +The tale was now told. The men retreated to their canoes, and reached +the fort unmolested about eleven o'clock at night. The next morning a +party of the citizens and soldiers volunteered to go to Lee's Place, to +learn further the fate of its occupants. The body of Mr. White was found +pierced by two balls, and with eleven stabs in the breast. The +Frenchman, as already described, lay dead, with his dog still beside +him. Their bodies were brought to the fort and buried in its immediate +vicinity. + +It was subsequently ascertained, from traders out in the Indian country, +that the perpetrators of this bloody deed were a party of Winnebagoes, +who had come into this neighborhood to "take some white scalps." Their +plan had been, to proceed down the river from Lee's Place, and kill +every white man without the walls of the fort. Hearing, however, the +report of the cannon, and not knowing what it portended, they thought it +best to remain satisfied with this one exploit, and forthwith retreated +to their homes on Rock River. + +The inhabitants outside the fort, consisting of a few discharged +soldiers and some families of half-breeds, now intrenched themselves in +the Agency House. This stood west of the fort, between the pickets and +the river, and distant about twenty rods from the former. + +It was an old-fashioned log building, with a hall running through the +centre, and one large room on each side. Piazzas extended the whole +length of the building in front and rear. These were planked up, for +greater security, port-holes were cut, and sentinels posted at night. + +As the enemy were believed to be lurking still in the neighborhood, or, +emboldened by former success, likely to return at any moment, an order +was issued prohibiting any soldier or citizen from leaving the vicinity +of the garrison without a guard. + +One night a sergeant and private, who were out on a patrol, came +suddenly upon a party of Indians in the pasture adjoining the esplanade. +The sergeant fired his piece, and both retreated towards the fort. +Before they could reach it, an Indian threw his tomahawk, which missed +the sergeant and struck a wagon standing near. The sentinel from the +block-house immediately fired, and with effect, while the men got safely +in. The next morning it was ascertained, from traces of blood to a +considerable distance into the prairie, and from the appearance of a +body having been laid among the long grass, that some execution had been +done. + +On another occasion the enemy entered the esplanade to steal horses. +Not finding them in the stable, as they had expected, they made +themselves amends for their disappointment by stabbing all the sheep in +the stable and then letting them loose. The poor animals flocked towards +the fort. This gave the alarm--the garrison was aroused--parties were +sent out, but the marauders escaped unmolested. + + * * * * * + +The inmates of the fort experienced no farther alarm for many weeks. + +On the afternoon of the 7th of August, Winnemeg, or _Catfish_, a +Pottowattamie chief, arrived at the post, bringing despatches from +General Hull. These announced the declaration of war between the United +States and Great Britain, and that General Hull, at the head of the +Northwestern army, had arrived at Detroit; also, that the island of +Mackinac had fallen into the hands of the British. + +The orders to Captain Heald were, "to evacuate the fort, if practicable, +and, in that event, to distribute all the United States' property +contained in the fort, and in the United States' factory or agency, +among the Indians in the neighborhood." + +After having delivered his despatches, Winnemeg requested a private +interview with Mr. Kinzie, who had taken up his residence in the fort. +He stated to Mr. K. that he was acquainted with the purport of the +communications he had brought, and begged him to ascertain if it were +the intention of Captain Heald to evacuate the post. He advised strongly +against such a step, inasmuch as the garrison was well supplied with +ammunition, and with provisions for six months. It would, therefore, be +far better, he thought, to remain until a reinforcement could be sent to +their assistance. If, however, Captain Heald should decide upon leaving +the post, it should by all means be done immediately. The +Pottowattamies, through whose country they must pass, being ignorant of +the object of Winnemeg's mission, a forced march might be made, before +those who were hostile in their feelings were prepared to interrupt +them. + +Of this advice, so earnestly given, Captain Heald was immediately +informed. He replied that it was his intention to evacuate the post, but +that, inasmuch as he had received orders to distribute the United +States' property, he should not feel justified in leaving it until he +had collected the Indians of the neighborhood and made an equitable +division among them. + +Winnemeg then suggested the expediency of marching out, and leaving all +things standing--possibly while the Indians were engaged in the +partition of the spoils, the troops might effect their retreat +unmolested. This advice was strongly seconded by Mr. Kinzie, but did not +meet the approbation of the commanding officer. + +The order for evacuating the post was read next morning upon parade. It +is difficult to understand why Captain Heald, in such an emergency, +omitted the usual form of calling a council of war with his officers. It +can only be accounted for by the fact of a want of harmonious feeling +between himself and one of his junior officers--Ensign Ronan, a +high-spirited and somewhat overbearing, but brave and generous young +man. + +In the course of the day, finding that no council was called, the +officers waited on Captain Heald to be informed what course he intended +to pursue. When they learned his intentions, they remonstrated with him, +on the following grounds: + +First--It was highly improbable that the command would be permitted to +pass through the country in safety to Fort Wayne. For although it had +been said that some of the chiefs had opposed an attack upon the fort, +planned the preceding autumn, yet it was well known that they had been +actuated in that matter by motives of private regard to one family, that +of Mr. Kinzie, and not to any general friendly feeling towards the +Americans; and that, at any rate, it was hardly to be expected that +these few individuals would be able to control the whole tribe, who were +thirsting for blood. + +In the next place--Their march must necessarily be slow, as their +movements must be accommodated to the helplessness of the women and +children, of whom there were a number with the detachment. That of their +small force, some of the soldiers were superannuated, others invalid; +therefore, since the course to be pursued was left discretional, their +unanimous advice was, to remain where they were, and fortify themselves +as strongly as possible. Succors from the other side of the peninsula +might arrive before they could be attacked by the British from Mackinac; +and even should they not, it were far better to fall into the hands of +the latter than to become the victims of the savages. + +Captain Heald argued in reply, that a special order had been issued by +the War Department, that no post should be surrendered without battle +having been given, and his force was totally inadequate to an engagement +with the Indians; that he should unquestionably be censured for +remaining, when there appeared a prospect of a safe march through; and +that, upon the whole, he deemed it expedient to assemble the Indians, +distribute the property among them, and then ask of them an escort to +Fort Wayne, with the promise of a considerable reward upon their safe +arrival--adding, that he had full confidence in the friendly professions +of the Indians, from whom, as well as from the soldiers, the capture of +Mackinac had been kept a profound secret. + +From this time the officers held themselves aloof, and spoke but little +upon the subject, though they considered the project of Captain Heald +little short of madness. The dissatisfaction among the soldiers hourly +increased, until it reached a high pitch of insubordination. + +Upon one occasion, as Captain Heald was conversing with Mr. Kinzie upon +the parade, he remarked, "I could not remain, even if I thought it best, +for I have but a small store of provisions." + +"Why, captain," said a soldier who stood near, forgetting all etiquette +in the excitement of the moment, "you have cattle enough to last the +troops six months." + +"But," replied Captain Heald, "I have no salt to preserve it with." + +"Then jerk[31] it," said the man, "as the Indians do their venison." + +The Indians now became daily more unruly. Entering the fort in defiance +of the sentinels, they made their way without ceremony into the +officers' quarters. On one occasion an Indian took up a rifle and fired +it in the parlor of the commanding officer, as an expression of +defiance. Some were of opinion that this was intended among the young +men as a signal for an attack. The old chiefs passed backwards and +forwards among the assembled groups, with the appearance of the most +lively agitation, while the squaws rushed to and fro, in great +excitement, and evidently prepared for some fearful scene. + +Any further manifestation of ill feeling was, however, suppressed for +the present, and Captain Heald, strange as it may seem, continued to +entertain a conviction of having created so amicable a disposition among +the Indians as would insure the safety of the command on their march to +Fort Wayne. + +Thus passed the time until the 12th of August. The feelings of the +inmates of the fort during this time may be better imagined than +described. Each morning that dawned seemed to bring them nearer to that +most appalling fate--butchery by a savage foe--and at night they +scarcely dared yield to slumber, lest they should be aroused by the +war-whoop and tomahawk. Gloom and mistrust prevailed, and the want of +unanimity among the officers debarred them the consolation they might +have found in mutual sympathy and encouragement. + +The Indians being assembled from the neighboring villages, a council was +held with them on the afternoon of the 12th. Captain Heald alone +attended on the part of the military. He requested his officers to +accompany him, but they declined. They had been secretly informed that +it was the intention of the young chiefs to fall upon the officers and +massacre them while in council, but they could not persuade Captain +Heald of the truth of their information. They waited therefore only +until he had left the garrison, accompanied by Mr. Kinzie, when they +took command of the block-houses which overlooked the esplanade on which +the council was held, opened the port-holes, and pointed the cannon so +as to command the whole assembly. By this means, probably, the lives of +the whites who were present in council were preserved. + +In council, the commanding officer informed the Indians that it was his +intention to distribute among them, the next day, not only the goods +lodged in the United States' factory, but also the ammunition and +provisions, with Which the garrison was well supplied. He then +requested of the Pottowattamies an escort to Fort Wayne, promising them +a liberal reward on arriving there, in addition to the presents they +were now about to receive. With many professions of friendship and good +will, the savages assented to all be proposed, and promised all he +required. + +After the council, Mr. Kinzie, who understood well, not only the Indian +character, but the present tone of feeling among them, had a long +interview with Captain Heald, in hopes of opening his eyes to the +present posture of affairs. + +He reminded him that since the troubles with the Indians upon the Wabash +and its vicinity, there had appeared a settled plan of hostilities +towards the whites, in consequence of which it had been the policy of +the Americans to withhold from them whatever would enable them to carry +on their warfare upon the defenceless inhabitants of the frontier. + +Mr. Kinzie also recalled to Captain Heald how that, having left home for +Detroit, the preceding autumn, on receiving, when he had proceeded as +far as De Charme's,[32] the intelligence of the battle of Tippecanoe, he +had immediately returned to Chicago, that he might dispatch orders to +his traders to furnish no ammunition to the Indians; in consequence of +which all they had on hand was secreted, and such of the traders as had +not already started for their wintering-grounds, took neither powder nor +shot with them. + +Captain Heald was struck with the impolicy of furnishing the enemy (for +such they must now consider their old neighbors) with arms against +himself, and determined to destroy all the ammunition except what should +be necessary for the use of his own troops. + +On the 13th, the goods, consisting of blankets, broadcloths, calicoes, +paints, etc., were distributed, as stipulated. The same evening the +ammunition and liquor were carried, part into the sally-port, and thrown +into a well which had been dug there to supply the garrison with water +in case of emergency; the remainder was transported as secretly as +possible through the northern gate, the heads of the barrels knocked in, +and the contents poured into the river. + +The same fate was shared by a large quantity of alcohol belonging to Mr. +Kinzie, which had been deposited in a warehouse near his residence +opposite the fort. + +The Indians suspected what was going on, and crept, serpent-like, as +near the scene of action as possible, but a vigilant watch was kept up, +and no one was suffered to approach but those engaged in the affair. All +the muskets not necessary for the command on the march were broken up +and thrown into the well, together with the bags of shot, flints, +gunscrews, and, in short, everything relating to weapons of offence. + +Some relief to the general feeling of despondency was afforded, by the +arrival, on the 14th of August, of Captain Wells[33] with fifteen +friendly Miamis. + +Of this brave man, who forms so conspicuous a figure in our frontier +annals, it is unnecessary here to say more than that he had been +residing from his boyhood among the Indians, and consequently possessed +a perfect knowledge of their character and habits. + +He had heard, at Fort Wayne, of the order for evacuating the fort at +Chicago, and, knowing the hostile determination of the Pottowattamies, +he had made a rapid march across the country, to prevent the exposure +of his relative, Captain Heald, and his troops, to certain destruction. + +But he came "all too late." When he reached the post he found that the +ammunition had been destroyed, and the provisions given to the Indians. +There was, therefore, now no alternative, and every preparation was made +for the march of the troops on the following morning. + +On the afternoon of the same day, a second council was held with the +Indians. They expressed great indignation at the destruction of the +ammunition and liquor. + +Notwithstanding the precautions that had been taken to preserve secrecy, +the noise of knocking in the heads of the barrels had betrayed the +operations of the preceding night; indeed, so great was the quantity of +liquor thrown into the river, that the taste of the water the next +morning was, as one expressed it, "strong grog." + +Murmurs and threats were everywhere heard among the savages. It was +evident that the first moment of exposure would subject the troops to +some manifestation of their disappointment and resentment. + +Among the chiefs were several who, although they shared the general +hostile feeling of their tribe towards the Americans, yet retained a +personal regard for the troops at this post, and for the few white +citizens of the place. These chiefs exerted their utmost influence to +allay the revengeful feelings of the young men, and to avert their +sanguinary designs, but without effect. + +On the evening succeeding the council, _Black Partridge_, a conspicuous +chief, entered the quarters of the commanding officer. + +"Father," said he, "I come to deliver up to you the medal I wear. It was +given me by the Americans, and I have long worn it in token of our +mutual friendship. But our young men are resolved to imbrue their hands +in the blood of the whites. I cannot restrain them, and I will not wear +a token of peace while I am compelled to act as an enemy." + +Had further evidence been wanting, this circumstance would have +sufficiently proved to the devoted band the justice of their melancholy +anticipations. Nevertheless, they went steadily on with the necessary +preparations; and, amid the horrors of their situation, there were not +wanting gallant hearts, who strove to encourage, in their desponding +companions, the hopes of escape they were far from indulging themselves. + +Of the ammunition there had been reserved but twenty-five rounds, +besides one box of cartridges, contained in the baggage-wagons. This +must, under any circumstances of danger, have proved an inadequate +supply; but the prospect of a fatiguing march, in their present +ineffective state, forbade the troops embarrassing themselves with a +larger quantity. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +NARRATIVE OF THE MASSACRE, CONTINUED. + + +The morning of the 15th arrived. All things were in readiness, and nine +o'clock was the hour named for starting. + +Mr. Kinzie, having volunteered to accompany the troops in their march, +had intrusted his family to the care of some friendly Indians, who +promised to convey them in a boat around the head of Lake Michigan to a +point[34] on the St. Joseph's River, there to be joined by the troops, +should the prosecution of their march be permitted them. + +Early in the morning Mr. Kinzie received a message from To-pee-nee-bee, +a chief of the St. Joseph's band, informing him that mischief was +intended by the Pottowattamies who had engaged to escort the detachment, +and urging him to relinquish his design of accompanying the troops by +land, promising him that the boat containing himself and family should +be permitted to pass in safety to St. Joseph's. + +Mr. Kinzie declined acceding to this proposal, as he believed that his +presence might operate as a restraint upon the fury of the savages, so +warmly were the greater part of them attached to himself and his family. + +The party in the boat consisted of Mrs. Kinzie and her four younger +children, their nurse Josette, a clerk of Mr. Kinzie's, two servants and +the boatmen, besides the two Indians who acted as their protectors. The +boat started, but had scarcely reached the mouth of the river, which, it +will be recollected, was here half a mile below the fort, when another +messenger from To-pee-nee-bee arrived to detain them where they were. +There was no mistaking the reason of this detention. + +In breathless anxiety sat the wife and mother. She was a woman of +uncommon energy and strength of character, yet her heart died within her +as she folded her arms around her helpless infants, and gazed upon the +march of her husband and eldest child to certain destruction. + +As the troops left the fort, the band struck up the Dead March. On they +came, in military array, but with solemn mien. Captain Wells took the +lead at the head of his little band of Miamis. He had blackened his face +before leaving the garrison, in token of his impending fate. They took +their route along the lake shore. When they reached the point where +commenced a range of sand-hills intervening between the prairie and the +beach, the escort of Pottowattamies, in number about five hundred, kept +the level of the prairie, instead of continuing along the beach with the +Americans and Miamis. + +They had marched perhaps a mile and a half, when Captain Wells, who had +kept somewhat in advance with his Miamis, came riding furiously back. + +"They are about to attack us," shouted he; "form instantly, and charge +upon them." + +Scarcely were the words uttered, when a volley was showered from among +the sand-hills. The troops were hastily brought into line, and charged +up the bank. One man, a veteran of seventy winters, fell as they +ascended. The remainder of the scene is best described in the words of +an eye-witness and participator in the tragedy, Mrs. Helm, the wife of +Captain (then Lieutenant) Helm, and step-daughter of Mr. Kinzie. + + * * * * * + +"After we had left the bank the firing became general. The Miamis fled +at the outset. Their chief rode up to the Pottowattamies, and said: + +"'You have deceived the Americans and us. You have done a bad action, +and (brandishing his tomahawk) I will be the first to head a party of +Americans to return and punish your treachery.' So saying, he galloped +after his companions, who were now scouring across the prairies. + +"The troops behaved most gallantly. They were but a handful, but they +seemed resolved to sell their lives as dearly as possible. Our horses +pranced and bounded, and could hardly be restrained as the balls +whistled among them. I drew off a little, and gazed upon my husband and +father, who were yet unharmed. I felt that my hour was come, and +endeavored to forget those I loved, and prepare myself for my +approaching fate. + +"While I was thus engaged, the surgeon, Dr. Van Voorhees, came up. He +was badly wounded. His horse had been shot under him, and he had +received a ball in his leg. Every muscle of his face was quivering with +the agony of terror. He said to me, 'Do you think they will take our +lives? I am badly wounded, but I think not mortally. Perhaps we might +purchase our lives by promising them a large reward. Do you think there +is any chance?' + +"'Dr. Van Voorhees,' said I, 'do not let us waste the few moments that +yet remain to us in such vain hopes. Our fate is inevitable. In a few +moments we must appear before the bar of God. Let us make what +preparation is yet in our power.' + +"'Oh, I cannot die!' exclaimed he, 'I am not fit to die--if I had but a +short time to prepare--death is awful!' + +"I pointed to Ensign Ronan, who, though mortally wounded and nearly +down, was still fighting with desperation on one knee.[35] + +"'Look at that man!' said I. 'At least he dies like a soldier.' + +"'Yes,' replied the unfortunate man, with a convulsive gasp, 'but he has +no terrors of the future--he is an unbeliever!' + +"At this moment a young Indian raised his tomahawk at me. By springing +aside, I partially avoided the blow, which was intended for my skull, +but which alighted on my shoulder. I seized him around the neck, and +while exerting my utmost efforts to get possession of his +scalping-knife, which hung in a scabbard over his breast, I was dragged +from his grasp by another and older Indian. + +"The latter bore me struggling and resisting towards the lake. +Notwithstanding the rapidity with which I was harried along, I +recognized, as I passed them, the lifeless remains of the unfortunate +surgeon. Some murderous tomahawk had stretched him upon the very spot +where I had last seen him. + +"I was immediately plunged into the water and held there with a forcible +hand, notwithstanding my resistance. I soon perceived, however, that the +object of my captor was not to drown me, for he held me firmly in such a +position as to place my head above water. This reassured me, and, +regarding him attentively, I soon recognized, in spite of the paint with +which he was disguised, _The Black Partridge_. + +"When the firing had nearly subsided, my preserver bore me from the +water and conducted me up the sand-banks. It was a burning August +morning, and walking through the sand in my drenched condition was +inexpressibly painful and fatiguing. I stooped and took off my shoes to +free them from the sand with which they were nearly filled, when a squaw +seized and carried them off, and I was obliged to proceed without them. + +"When we had gained the prairie, I was met by my father, who told me +that my husband was safe and but slightly wounded. They led me gently +back towards the Chicago River, along the southern bank of which was the +Pottowattamie encampment. At one time I was placed upon a horse without +a saddle, but, finding the motion insupportable, I sprang off. Supported +partly by my kind conductor, _Black Partridge_, and partly by another +Indian, Pee-so-tum, who held dangling in his hand a scalp, which by the +black ribbon around the queue I recognized as that of Captain Wells, I +dragged my fainting steps to one of the wigwams. + +"The wife of Wau-bee-nee-mah, a chief from the Illinois River, was +standing near, and, seeing my exhausted condition, she seized a kettle, +dipped up some water from a stream that flowed near,[36] threw into it +some maple-sugar, and, stirring it up with her hand, gave it me to +drink. This act of kindness, in the midst of so many horrors, touched me +most sensibly; but my attention was soon diverted to other objects. + +"The fort had become a scene of plunder to such as remained after the +troops marched out. The cattle had been shot down as they ran at large, +and lay dead or dying around. This work of butchery had commenced just +as we were leaving the fort. I well remembered a remark of Ensign Ronan, +as the firing went on. 'Such,' turning to me, 'is to be our fate--to be +shot down like brutes!' + +"'Well, sir,' said the commanding officer, who overheard him, 'are you +afraid?' + +"'No,' replied the high-spirited young man, 'I can march up to the enemy +where you dare not show your face.' And his subsequent gallant behavior +showed this to be no idle boast. + +"As the noise of the firing grew gradually less and the stragglers from +the victorious party came dropping in, I received confirmation of what +my father had hurriedly communicated in our _rencontre_ on the lake +shore; namely, that the whites had surrendered, after the loss of about +two-thirds of their number. They had stipulated, through the +interpreter, Peresh Leclerc, for the preservation of their lives, and +those of the remaining women and children, and for their delivery at +some of the British posts, unless ransomed by traders in the Indian +country. It appears that the wounded prisoners were not considered as +included in the stipulation, and a horrid scene ensued upon their being +brought into camp. + +"An old squaw, infuriated by the loss of friends, or excited by the +sanguinary scenes around her, seemed possessed by a demoniac ferocity. +She seized a stable-fork and assaulted one miserable victim, who lay +groaning and writhing in the agony of his wounds, aggravated by the +scorching beams of the sun. With a delicacy of feeling scarcely to have +been expected under such circumstances, Wau-bee-nee-mah stretched a mat +across two poles, between me and this dreadful scene. I was thus spared +in some degree a view of its horrors, although I could not entirely +close my ears to the cries of the sufferer The following night five more +of the wounded prisoners were tomahawked." + + * * * * * + +The Americans, it appears, after their first attack by the Indians, +charged upon those who had concealed themselves in a sort of ravine, +intervening between the sand-banks and the prairie. The latter gathered +themselves into a body, and after some hard fighting, in which the +number of whites had become reduced to twenty-eight, this little band +succeeded in breaking through the enemy, and gaining a rising ground, +not far from the Oak Woods. Further contest now seeming hopeless, +Lieutenant Helm sent Peresh Leclerc, a half-breed boy in the service of +Mr. Kinzie, who had accompanied the detachment and fought manfully on +their side, to propose terms of capitulation. It was stipulated that the +lives of all the survivors should be spared, and a ransom permitted as +soon as practicable. + +But in the mean time a horrible scene had been enacted. One young +savage, climbing into the baggage-wagon containing the children of the +white families, twelve in number, tomahawked the entire group. This was +during the engagement near the sand-hills. When Captain Wells, who was +fighting near, beheld it, he exclaimed,-- + +"Is that their game, butchering the women and children? Then I will +kill, too!" + +So saying, he turned his horse's head, and started for the Indian camp, +near the fort, where had been left their squaws and children. + +Several Indians pursued him as he galloped along. He laid himself flat +on the neck of his horse, loading and firing in that position, as he +would occasionally turn on his pursuers. At length their balls took +effect, killing his horse, and severely wounding himself. At this moment +he was met by _Winnemeg_ and _Wau-ban-see_, who endeavored to save him +from the savages who had now overtaken him. As they supported him along, +after having disengaged him from his horse, he received his death-blow +from another Indian, _Pee-so-tum_, who stabbed him in the back. + +The heroic resolution of one of the soldiers' wives deserves to be +recorded. She was a Mrs. Corbin, and had, from the first, expressed the +determination never to fall into the hands of the savages, believing +that their prisoners were always subjected to tortures worse than death. + +When, therefore, a party came upon her, to make her a prisoner, she +fought with desperation, refusing to surrender, although assured, by +signs, of safety and kind treatment, and literally suffered herself to +be cut to pieces, rather than become their captive. + +There was a Sergeant Holt, who, early in the engagement, received a ball +in the neck. Finding himself badly wounded, he gave his sword to his +wife, who was on horseback near him, telling her to defend herself; he +then made for the lake, to keep out of the way of the balls. Mrs. Holt +rode a very fine horse, which the Indians were desirous of possessing, +and they therefore attacked her, in hopes of dismounting her. + +They fought only with the butt-ends of their guns, for their object was +not to kill her. She hacked and hewed at their pieces as they were +thrust against her, now on this side, now that. Finally, she broke loose +from them, and dashed out into the prairie. The Indians pursued her, +shouting and laughing, and now and then calling out,-- + +"The brave woman! do not hurt her!" + +At length they overtook her again, and, while she was engaged with two +or three in front, one succeeded in seizing her by the neck behind, and +dragging her, although a large and powerful woman, from her horse. +Notwithstanding that their guns had been so hacked and injured, and even +themselves cut severely, they seemed to regard her only with admiration. +They took her to a trader on the Illinois River, by whom she was +restored to her friends, after having received every kindness during her +captivity.[37] + +Those of the family of Mr. Kinzie who had remained in the boat, near the +mouth of the river, were carefully guarded by Kee-po-tah and another +Indian. They had seen the smoke--then the blaze--and immediately after, +the report of the first tremendous discharge sounded in their ears. Then +all was confusion They realized nothing until they saw an Indian come +towards them from the battle-ground, leading a horse on which sat a +lady, apparently wounded. + +"That is Mrs. Heald," cried Mrs. Kinzie. "That Indian will kill her. +Run, Chandonnai," to one of Mr. Kinzie's clerks, "take the mule that is +tied there, and offer it to him to release her." + +Her captor, by this time, was in the act of disengaging her bonnet from +her head, in order to scalp her. Chandonnai ran up, and offered the mule +as a ransom, with the promise of ten bottles of whiskey as soon as they +should reach his village. The latter was a strong temptation. + +"But," said the Indian, "she is badly wounded--she will die. Will you +give me the whiskey at all events?" + +Chandonnai promised that he would, and the bargain was concluded. The +savage placed the lady's bonnet on his own head, and, after an +ineffectual effort on the part of some squaws to rob her of her shoes +and stockings, she was brought on board the boat, where she lay moaning +with pain from the many bullet-wounds she had received in both arms. + +The horse Mrs. Heald had ridden was a fine, spirited animal, and, being +desirous of possessing themselves of it uninjured, the Indians had aimed +their shots so as to disable the rider, without injuring her steed. + +She had not lain long in the boat, when a young Indian of savage aspect +was seen appapproaching buffalo robe was hastily drawn over her, and she +was admonished to suppress all sound of complaint, as she valued her +life. + +The heroic woman remained perfectly silent, while the savage drew near. +He had a pistol in his hand, which he rested on the side of the boat, +while, with a fearful scowl, he looked pryingly around. Black Jim, one +of the servants, who stood in the bow of the boat, seized an axe that +lay near, and signed to him that if he shot, he would cleave his skull; +telling him that the boat contained only the family of Shaw-nee-aw-kee. +Upon this, the Indian retired. It afterwards appeared that the object of +his search was Mr. Burnett, a trader from St. Joseph's, with whom he +had some account to settle. + +When the boat was at length permitted to return to the mansion of Mr. +Kinzie, and Mrs. Heald was removed to the house, it became necessary to +dress her wounds. + +Mr. K. applied to an old chief who stood by, and who, like most of his +tribe, possessed some skill in surgery, to extract a ball from the arm +of the sufferer. + +"No, father," replied he. "I cannot do it--it makes me sick +here"--(placing his hand on his heart.) + +Mr. Kinzie then performed the operation himself, with his penknife. + +At their own mansion the family of Mr. Kinzie were closely guarded by +their Indian friends, whose intention it was to carry them to Detroit +for security. The rest of the prisoners remained at the wigwams of their +captors. + +The following morning, the work of plunder being completed, the Indians +set fire to the fort. A very equitable distribution of the finery +appeared to have been made, and shawls, ribbons, and feathers fluttered +about in all directions. The ludicrous appearance of one young fellow, +who had arrayed himself in a muslin gown and the bonnet of one of the +ladies, would, under other circumstances, have afforded matter of +amusement. + +Black Partridge, Wau-ban-see, and Kee-po-tah, with two other Indians, +having established themselves in the porch of the building as sentinels, +to protect the family from any evil that the young men might be excited +to commit, all remained tranquil for a short space after the +conflagration. + +Very soon, however, a party of Indians from the Wabash made their +appearance. These were, decidedly, the most hostile and implacable of +all the tribes of the Pottowattamies. + +Being more remote, they had shared less than some of their brethren in +the kindness of Mr. Kinzie and his family, and consequently their +sentiments of regard for them were less powerful. + +Runners had been sent to the villages to apprise them of the intended +evacuation of the post, as well as of the plan of the Indians assembled +to attack the troops. + +Thirsting to participate in such a scene, they hurried on; and great was +their mortification, on arriving at the river Aux Plaines, to meet with +a party of their friends having with them their chief Nee-scot-nee-meg, +badly wounded, and to learn that the battle was over, the spoils +divided, and the scalps all taken. + +On arriving at Chicago they blackened their faces, and proceeded towards +the dwelling of Mr. Kinzie. + +From his station on the piazza Black Partridge had watched their +approach, and his fears were particularly awakened for the safety of +Mrs. Helm (Mr. Kinzie's step-daughter), who had recently come to the +post, and was personally unknown to the more remote Indians. By his +advice she was made to assume the ordinary dress of a Frenchwoman of the +country; namely, a short gown and petticoat, with a blue cotton +handkerchief wrapped around her head. In this disguise she was conducted +by Black Partridge himself to the house of Ouilmette, a Frenchman with a +half-breed wife, who formed a part of the establishment of Mr. Kinzie +and whose dwelling was close at hand. + +It so happened that the Indians came first to this house, in their +search for prisoners. As they approached, the inmates, fearful that the +fair complexion and general appearance of Mrs. Helm might betray her for +an American, raised a large feather bed and placed her under the edge of +it, upon the bedstead, with her face to the wall. Mrs. Bisson, a +half-breed, the sister of Ouilmette's wife, then seated herself with +her sewing upon the front of the bed. + +It was a hot day in August, and the feverish excitement of fear and +agitation, together with her position, which was nearly suffocating, +became so intolerable, that Mrs. Helm at length entreated to be released +and given up to the Indians. + +"I can but die," said she; "let them put an end to my misery at once." + +Mrs. Bisson replied, "Your death would be the destruction of us all, for +Black Partridge has resolved that if one drop of the blood of your +family is spilled, he will take the lives of all concerned in it, even +his nearest friends; and if once the work of murder commences, there +will be no end of it, so long as there remains one white person or +half-breed in the country." + +This expostulation nerved Mrs. Helm with fresh resolution. + +The Indians entered, and she could occasionally see them from her +hiding-place, gliding about, and stealthily inspecting every part of the +room, though without making any ostensible search, until, apparently +satisfied that there was no one concealed, they left the house. + +All this time Mrs. Bisson had kept her seat upon the side of the bed, +calmly sorting and arranging the patch-work of the quilt on which she +was engaged, and preserving an appearance of the utmost tranquillity, +although she knew not but that the next moment she might receive a +tomahawk in her brain. Her self-command unquestionably saved the lives +of all present. + +From Ouilmette's house the party of Indians proceeded to the dwelling of +Mr. Kinzie. They entered the parlor in which the family were assembled +with their faithful protectors, and seated themselves upon the floor in +silence. Black Partridge perceived from their moody and revengeful +looks what was passing in their minds, but he dared not remonstrate with +them. He only observed in a low tone to Wau-ban-see,-- + +"We have endeavored to save our friends, but it is in vain--nothing will +save them now." + +At this moment a friendly whoop was heard from a party of new-comers on +the opposite bank of the river. Black Partridge sprang to meet their +leader, as the canoes in which they had hastily embarked touched the +bank near the house. + +"Who are you?" demanded he. + +"A man. Who are _you_?" + +"A man like yourself. But tell me _who_ you are,"--meaning, Tell me your +disposition, and which side you are for. + +"I am a _Sau-ga-nash_!" + +"Then make all speed to the house--your friend is in danger, and you +alone can save him." + +_Billy Caldwell_[38] for it was he, entered the parlor with a calm step, +and without a trace of agitation in his manner. He deliberately took off +his accoutrements and placed them with his rifle behind the door, then +saluted the hostile savages. + +"How now, my friends! A good-day to you. I was told there were enemies +here, but I am glad to find only friends. Why have you blackened your +faces? Is it that you are mourning for the friends you have lost in +battle?" (purposely misunderstanding this token of evil designs.) + +"Or is it that you are fasting? If so, ask our friend, here, and he +will give you to eat. He is the Indian's friend, and never yet refused +them what they had need of." + +Thus taken by surprise, the savages were ashamed to acknowledge their +bloody purpose. They, therefore, said modestly that they came to beg of +their friends some white cotton in which to wrap their dead before +interring them. This was given to them, with some other presents, and +they took their departure peaceably from the premises. + +Along with Mr. Kinzie's party was a non-commissioned officer who had +made his escape in a singular manner. As the troops were about leaving +the fort, it was found that the baggage-horses of the surgeon had +strayed off. The quartermaster-sergeant, Griffith, was sent to collect +them and bring them on, it being absolutely necessary to recover them, +since their packs contained part of the surgeon's apparatus, and the +medicines for the march. + +This man had been for a long time on the sick report and for this reason +was given the charge of the baggage, instead of being placed with the +troops. His efforts to recover the horses being unsuccessful, he was +hastening to rejoin his party, alarmed at some appearances of disorder +and hostile indications among the Indians, when he was met and made +prisoner by To-pee-nee-bee. + +Having taken from him his arms and accoutrements, the chief put him into +a canoe and paddled him across the river, bidding him make for the woods +and secrete himself. This he did; and the following day, in the +afternoon, seeing from his lurking-place that all appeared quiet, he +ventured to steal cautiously into the garden of Ouilmette, where he +concealed himself for a time behind some currant-bushes. + +At length he determined to enter the house, and accordingly climbed up +through a small back window into the room where the family were. This +was just as the Wabash Indians had left the house of Ouilmette for that +of Mr. Kinzie. The danger of the sergeant was now imminent. The family +stripped him of his uniform and arrayed him in a suit of deer-skin, with +belt, moccasins, and pipe, like a French engagé. His dark complexion and +large black whiskers favored the disguise. The family were all ordered +to address him in French, and, although utterly ignorant of the +language, he continued to pass for a _Weem-tee-gosh_,[39] and as such to +accompany Mr. Kinzie and his family, undetected by his enemies, until +they reached a place of safety. + +On the third day after the battle, the family of Mr. Kinzie, with the +clerks of the establishment, were put into a boat, under the care of +François, a half-breed interpreter, and conveyed to St. Joseph's, where +they remained until the following November, under the protection of +To-pee-nee-bee's band. They were then conducted to Detroit, under the +escort of Chandonnai and their trusty Indian friend, Kee-po-tah, and +delivered up, as prisoners of war, to Colonel McKee, the British Indian +Agent. + +Mr. Kinzie was not allowed to leave St. Joseph's with his family, his +Indian friends insisting on his remaining and endeavoring to secure some +remnant of his scattered property. During his excursions with them for +that purpose, he wore the costume and paint of the tribe, in order to +escape capture and perhaps death at the hands of those who were still +thirsting for blood. In time, however, his anxiety for his family +induced him to follow them to Detroit, where, in the month of January, +he was received and paroled by General Proctor. + +Captain and Mrs. Heald were sent across the lake to St. Joseph the day +after the battle. The former had received two wounds, the latter seven, +in the engagement. + +Lieutenant Helm, who was likewise wounded, was carried by some friendly +Indians to their village on the Au Sable, and thence to Peoria, where he +was liberated by the intervention of Mr. Thomas Forsyth, the +half-brother of Mr. Kinzie. Mrs. Helm accompanied her parents to St. +Joseph, where they resided in the family of Alexander Robinson,[40] +receiving from them all possible kindness and hospitality for several +months. + +After their arrival in Detroit, Mrs. Helm was joined by her husband, +when they were both arrested by order of the British commander, and sent +on horseback, in the dead of winter, through Canada to Fort George, on +the Niagara frontier. When they arrived at that post, there had been no +official appointed to receive them, and, notwithstanding their long and +fatiguing journey in weather the most cold and inclement, Mrs. Helm, a +delicate woman of seventeen years, was permitted to sit waiting in her +saddle, outside the gate, for more than an hour, before the refreshment +of fire or food, or even the shelter of a roof, was offered them. When +Colonel Sheaffe, who had been absent at the time, was informed of this +brutal inhospitality, he expressed the greatest indignation. He waited +on Mrs. Helm immediately, apologized in the most courteous manner, and +treated both her and Lieutenant Helm with the most considerate kindness, +until, by an exchange of prisoners, they were liberated, and found means +to reach their friends in Steuben County, N.Y. + +Captain Heald had been taken prisoner by an Indian from the Kankakee, +who had a strong personal regard for him, and who, when he saw the +wounded and enfeebled state of Mrs. Heald, released her husband that he +might accompany his wife to St. Joseph. To the latter place they were +accordingly carried, as has been related, by Chandonnai and his party. +In the mean time, the Indian who had so nobly released his prisoner +returned to his village on the Kankakee, where he had the mortification +of finding that his conduct had excited great dissatisfaction among his +band. So great was the displeasure manifested, that he resolved to make +a journey to St. Joseph and reclaim his prisoner. + +News of his intention being brought to To-pee-nee-bee and Kee-po-tah, +under whose care the prisoners were, they held a private council with +Chandonnai, Mr. Kinzie, and the principal men of the village, the result +of which was a determination to send Captain and Mrs. Heald to the +island of Mackinac, and deliver them up to the British. + +They were accordingly put in a bark canoe, and paddled by Robinson and +his wife a distance of three hundred miles along the coast of Michigan, +and surrendered as prisoners of war to the commanding officer at +Mackinac. + +As an instance of the procrastinating spirit of Captain Heald, it may be +mentioned that, even after he had received certain intelligence that his +Indian captor was on his way from the Kankakee to St. Joseph to retake +him, he would still have delayed another day at that place, to make +preparation for a more comfortable journey to Mackinac. + +The soldiers, with their wives and surviving children, were dispersed +among the different villages of the Pottowattamies upon the Illinois, +Wabash, Rock River, and at Milwaukie, until the following spring, when +they were, for the most part, carried to Detroit and ransomed. + +Mrs. Burns, with her infant, became the prisoner of a chief, who carried +her to his village and treated her with great kindness. His wife, from +jealousy of the favor shown to "the white woman" and her child, always +treated them with great hostility. On one occasion she struck the infant +with a tomahawk, and narrowly missed her aim of putting an end to it +altogether.[41] They were not left long in the power of the old hag +after this demonstration, but on the first opportunity were carried to a +place of safety. + +The family of Mr. Lee had resided in a house on the Lake shore, not far +from the fort. Mr. Lee was the owner of Lee's Place, which he cultivated +as a farm. It was his son who ran down with the discharged soldier to +give the alarm of "Indians," at the fort, on the afternoon of the 7th of +April. The father, the son, and all the other members of the family had +fallen victims on the 15th of August, except Mrs. Lee and her young +infant. These were claimed by Black Partridge, and carried to his +village on the Au Sable. He had been particularly attached to a little +girl of Mrs. Lee's, about twelve years of age. This child had been +placed on horseback for the march; and, as she was unaccustomed to the +exercise, she was tied fast to the saddle, lest by any accident she +should slip off or be thrown. + +She was within reach of the balls at the commencement of the engagement, +and was severely wounded. The horse set off on a full gallop, which +partly threw her, but she was held fast by the bands which confined her, +and hung dangling as the animal ran violently about. In this state she +was met by Black Partridge, who caught the horse and disengaged her from +the saddle. Finding her so much wounded that she could not recover, and +that she was suffering great agony, he put the finishing stroke to her +at once with his tomahawk. He afterwards said that this was the hardest +thing he ever tried to do, but he did it because he could not bear to +see her suffer. + +He took the mother and her infant to his village, where he became warmly +attached to the former--so much so, that he wished to marry her; but, as +she very naturally objected, he treated her with the greatest respect +and consideration. He was in no hurry to release her, for he was in +hopes of prevailing on her to become his wife. In the course of the +winter her child fell ill. Finding that none of the remedies within +their reach were effectual, Black Partridge proposed to take the little +one to Chicago, where there was now a French trader living in the +mansion of Mr. Kinzie, and procure some medical aid from him. Wrapping +up his charge with the greatest care, he set out on his journey. + +When he arrived at the residence of M. Du Pin, he entered the room where +he was, and carefully placed his burden on the floor. + +"What have you there?" asked M. Du Pin. + +"A young raccoon, which I have brought you as a present," was the reply; +and, opening the pack, he showed the little sick infant. + +When the trader had prescribed for its complaint, and Black Partridge +was about to return to his home, he told his friend of the proposal he +had made to Mrs. Lee to become his wife, and the manner in which it had +been received. + +M. Du Pin, entertaining some fears that the chief's honorable resolution +to leave it to the lady herself whether to accept his addresses or not, +might not hold out, entered at once into a negotiation for her ransom, +and so effectually wrought upon the good feelings of Black Partridge +that he consented to bring his fair prisoner at once to Chicago, that +she might be restored to her friends. + +Whether the kind trader had at the outset any other feeling in the +matter than sympathy and brotherly kindness, we cannot say; we only know +that in process of time Mrs. Lee became Madame Du Pin, and that the +worthy couple lived together in great happiness for many years after. + +The fate of Nau-non-gee, one of the chiefs of the Calumet village, and +who is mentioned in the early part of the narrative, deserves to be +recorded. + +Daring the battle of the 15th of August, the chief object of his attack +was one Sergeant Hays, a man from whom he had received many acts of +kindness. + +After Hays had received a ball through the body, this Indian ran up to +him to tomahawk him, when the sergeant, collecting his remaining +strength, pierced him through the body with his bayonet. They fell +together. Other Indians running up soon dispatched Hays, and it was not +until then that his bayonet was extracted from the body of his +adversary. + +The wounded chief was carried after the battle to his village on the +Calumet, where he survived for several days. Finding his end +approaching, he called together his young men, and enjoined them, in the +most solemn manner, to regard the safety of their prisoners after his +death, and to take the lives of none of them from respect to his memory, +as he deserved his fate from the hands of those whose kindness he had so +ill requited. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +CAPTIVITY OF J. KINZIE, SEN.--AN AMUSING MISTAKE. + + +It had been a stipulation of General Hull at the surrender of Detroit, +which took place the day after the massacre at Chicago, that the +inhabitants should be permitted to remain undisturbed in their homes. +Accordingly, the family of Mr. Kinzie took up their quarters with their +friends in the old mansion, which many will still recollect as standing +on the northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Wayne Street. + +The feelings of indignation and sympathy were constantly aroused in the +hearts of the citizens during the winter that ensued. They were almost +daily called upon to witness the cruelties practised upon the American +prisoners brought in by their Indian captors. Those who could scarcely +drag their wounded, bleeding feet over the frozen ground, were compelled +to dance for the amusement of the savages; and these exhibitions +sometimes took place before the Government House, the residence of +Colonel McKee. Some of the British officers looked on from their windows +at these heart-rending performances; for the honor of humanity, we will +hope such instances were rare. + +Everything that could be made available among the effects of the +citizens was offered, to ransom their countrymen from the hands of these +inhuman beings. The prisoners brought in from the River Raisin--those +unfortunate men who were permitted, after their surrender to General +Proctor, to be tortured and murdered by inches by his savage +allies--excited the sympathies and called for the action of the whole +community. Private houses were turned into hospitals, and every one was +forward to get possession of as many as possible of the survivors. To +effect this, even the articles of their apparel were bartered by the +ladies of Detroit, as they watched from their doors or windows the +miserable victims carried about for sale. + +In the dwelling of Mr. Kinzie one large room was devoted to the +reception of the sufferers. Few of them survived. Among those spoken of +as objects of the deepest interest were two young gentlemen of Kentucky, +brothers, both severely wounded, and their wounds aggravated to a mortal +degree by subsequent ill usage and hardships. Their solicitude for each +other, and their exhibition in various ways of the most tender fraternal +affection, created an impression never to be forgotten. + +The last bargain made was by black Jim, and one of the children, who had +permission to redeem a negro servant of the gallant Colonel Allen, with +an old white horse, the only available article that remained among their +possessions. + +A brother of Colonel Allen afterwards came to Detroit, and the negro +preferred returning to servitude rather than remaining a stranger in a +strange land. + +Mr. Kinzie, as has been related, joined his family at Detroit in the +month of January. A short time after, suspicions arose in the mind of +General Proctor that he was in correspondence with General Harrison, who +was now at Fort Meigs, and who was believed to be meditating an advance +upon Detroit. Lieutenant Watson, of the British army, waited upon Mr. +Kinzie one day with an invitation to the quarters of General Proctor on +the opposite side of the river, saying he wished to speak with him, on +business. Quite unsuspicious, he complied with the invitation, when to +his surprise he was ordered into confinement, and strictly guarded in +the house of his former partner, Mr. Patterson, of Sandwich. Finding +that he did not return to his home, Mrs. Kinzie informed some of the +Indian chiefs, his particular friends, who immediately repaired to the +head-quarters of the commanding officer, demanded "their friend's" +release, and brought him back to his home. After waiting a time until a +favorable opportunity presented itself, the General sent a detachment of +dragoons to arrest Mr. Kinzie. They had succeeded in carrying him away, +and crossing the river with him. Just at this moment a party of friendly +Indians made their appearance. + +"Where is the Shaw-nee-aw-kee?" was the first question. + +"There," replied his wife, pointing across the river, "in the hands of +the red-coats, who are taking him away again." + +The Indians ran to the river, seized some canoes that they found there, +and, crossing over to Sandwich, compelled General Proctor a second time +to forego his intentions. + +A third time this officer made the attempt, and succeeded in arresting +Mr. Kinzie and conveying him heavily ironed to Fort Malden, in Canada, +at the mouth of the Detroit River. Here he was at first treated with +great severity, but after a time the rigor of his confinement was +somewhat relaxed, and he was permitted to walk on the bank of the river +for air and exercise. + +On the 10th of September, as he was taking his promenade under the close +supervision of a guard of soldiers, the whole party were startled by the +sound of guns upon Lake Erie, at no great distance below. What could it +mean? It must be Commodore Barclay firing into some of the Yankees. The +firing continued. The time allotted the prisoner for his daily walk +expired, but neither he nor his guard observed the lapse of time, so +anxiously were they listening to what they now felt sure was an +engagement between ships of war. At length Mr. Kinzie was reminded that +the hour for his return to confinement had arrived. He petitioned for +another half-hour. + +"Let me stay," said he, "till we can learn how the battle has gone." + +Very soon a sloop appeared under press of sail, rounding the point, and +presently two gun-boats in chase of her. + +"She is running--she bears the British colors," cried he--"yes, yes, +they are lowering--she is striking her flag! Now," turning to the +soldiers, "I will go back to prison contented--I know how the battle has +gone." + +The sloop was the Little Belt, the last of the squadron captured by the +gallant Perry on that memorable occasion which he announced in the +immortal words: + +"We have met the enemy, and they are ours!" + +Matters were growing critical, and it was necessary to transfer all +prisoners to a place of greater security than the frontier was now +likely to be. It was resolved therefore to send Mr. Kinzie to the +mother-country. Nothing has ever appeared which would explain the course +of General Proctor in regard to this gentleman. He had been taken from +the bosom of his family, where he was living quietly under the parole +which he had received, and protected by the stipulations of the +surrender. He was kept for months in confinement. Now he was placed on +horseback under a strong guard, who announced that they had orders to +shoot him through the head if he offered to speak to a person upon the +road. He was tied upon the saddle to prevent his escape, and thus they +set out for Quebec. A little incident occurred, which will help to +illustrate the course invariably pursued towards our citizens, at this +period, by the British army on the Northwestern frontier. + +The saddle on which Mr. Kinzie rode had not been properly fastened, and, +owing to the rough motion of the animal on which it was, it turned, so +as to bring the rider into a most awkward and painful position. His +limbs being fastened, he could not disengage himself, and in this manner +he was compelled by those who had charge of him to ride until he was +nearly exhausted, before they had the humanity to release him. + +Arrived at Quebec, he was put on board a small vessel to be sent to +England. The vessel when a few days out at sea was chased by an American +frigate and driven into Halifax. A second time she set sail, when she +sprung a leak and was compelled to put back. + +The attempt to send him across the ocean was now abandoned, and he was +returned to Quebec. Another step, equally inexplicable with his arrest, +was soon after taken. This was, his release and that of Mr. Macomb, of +Detroit, who was also in confinement in Quebec, and the permission given +them to return to their friends and families, although the war was not +yet ended. It may possibly be imagined that in the treatment these +gentlemen received, the British commander-in-chief sheltered himself +under the plea of their being "native-born British subjects," and +perhaps when it was ascertained that Mr. Kinzie was indeed a citizen of +the United States it was thought safest to release him. + +In the mean time, General Harrison at the head of his troops had reached +Detroit. He landed on the 29th of September. All the citizens went forth +to meet him--Mrs. Kinzie, leading her children by the hand, was of the +number. The General accompanied her to her home, and took up his abode +there. On his arrival he was introduced to Kee-po-tah, who happened to +be on a visit to the family at that time. The General had seen the chief +the preceding year, at the Council at Vincennes, and the meeting was one +of great cordiality and interest. + + * * * * * + +In 1816, Mr. Kinzie and his family again returned to Chicago. The fort +was rebuilt on a somewhat larger scale than the former one. It was not +until the return of the troops that the bones of the unfortunate +Americans who had been massacred four years before, were collected and +buried. + +An Indian Agency, under the charge of Charles Jewett, Esq., of Kentucky, +was established. He was succeeded in 1820 by Dr. Alexander Wolcott, of +Connecticut, who occupied that position until his death in 1830. + +The troops were removed from the garrison in 1823, but restored in 1828, +after the Winnebago war. This was a disturbance between the Winnebagoes +and white settlers on and near the Mississippi. After some murders had +been committed, the young chief, Red Bird, was taken and imprisoned at +Prairie du Chien to await his trial, where he committed suicide in +consequence of chagrin and the irksomeness of confinement. It was feared +that the Pottowattamies would make common cause with the Winnebagoes, +and commence a general system of havoc and bloodshed on the frontier. +They were deterred from such a step, probably, by the exertions of Billy +Caldwell, Robinson, and Shaw-bee-nay, who made an expedition among the +Rock River bands, to argue and persuade them into remaining tranquil. + +The few citizens of Chicago in those days, lived for the most part a +very quiet, unvaried life. The great abundance of game, and the immense +fertility of the lands they cultivated, furnished them with a +superabundance of all the luxuries of garden, corn-field, and dairy The +question was once asked by a friend in the "East countrie," + +"How do you dispose of all the good things you raise? You have no +market?" "No." "And you cannot consume them all yourselves?" "No." "What +then do you do with them?" + +"Why, we manage, when a vessel arrives, to persuade the captain to +accept a few kegs of butter, and stores of corn and vegetables, as a +present, and that helps us to get rid of some of our overplus." + +The mails arrived, as may be supposed, at very rare intervals. They were +brought occasionally from Fort Clark (Peoria), but more frequently from +Fort Wayne, or across the peninsula of Michigan, which was still a +wilderness peopled with savages. The hardy adventurer who acted as +express was, not unfrequently, obliged to imitate the birds of heaven +and "lodge among the branches," in order to insure the safety of himself +and his charge. + +Visitors were very rare, unless it was a friend who came to sojourn for +several months and share a life in the wilderness. A traveller, however, +occasionally found his way to the spot, in passing to or from "parts +unknown," and such a one was sure of a hospitable and hearty welcome. + +A gentleman journeying from the southern settlements once arrived late +in the evening at Wolf Point, where was then the small +trading-establishment of George Hunt and a Mr. Wallace. He stopped and +inquired if he could have accommodation for the night for himself and +his horse. The answer was, that they were ill provided to entertain a +stranger--the house was small, and they were keeping "bachelor's hall." + +"Is there no place," inquired the traveller, "where I can obtain a +lodging?" + +"Oh, yes--you will find a very comfortable house, Mr. Kinzie's, about +half a mile below, near the mouth of the river." + +The stranger turned his horse's head and took the road indicated. +Arrived at the spot, his first inquiry was,-- + +"Is this the residence of Mr. Kinzie?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"I should be glad to get accommodation for myself and horse." + +"Certainly, sir--walk in." + +The horse was taken to the stable, while the gentleman was ushered into +a parlor where were two ladies. The usual preliminary questions and +answers were gone through, for in a new country people soon become +acquainted, and the gentleman ere long found himself seated at a +comfortable hot supper--we will venture to say a fine supper, since the +table in this domestic establishment has always been somewhat famous. + +Apparently, the gentleman enjoyed it, for he made himself quite at home. +He even called for a boot-jack after tea, and drew off his boots. The +ladies were a little surprised, but they had lived a good while out of +the world, and they did not know what changes in etiquette might have +taken place during their retirement. + +Before taking his leave for the night, the traveller signified what it +would please him to have for breakfast, which was duly prepared. The +next day proved stormy. The gentleman was satisfied with his quarters, +and, having taken care to ascertain that there was no neglect or +deficiency of accommodation so far as his horse was concerned, he got +through the day very comfortably. + +Now and then, when he was tired of reading, he would converse with the +family, and seemed, upon the whole, by no means disposed to hold himself +aloof, but to indulge in a little becoming sociability, seeing they were +all there away in the woods. + +The second day the weather brightened. The traveller signified his +intention to depart. He ordered his horse to the door--then he called +for his bill. + +"My house is not a tavern, sir," was the astounding reply. + +"Not a tavern! Good heavens! have I been making myself at home in this +manner in a private family?" + +He was profuse in his apologies, which, however, were quite unnecessary, +for the family had perceived from the first the mistake he had fallen +into, and they had amused themselves during his whole visit in +anticipating the consternation of their guest when he should be +undeceived. + + * * * * * + +It was in the year 1816 (the year of the rebuilding of the fort, after +its destruction by the Indians) that the tract of land on which Chicago +stands, together with the surrounding country, was ceded to the United +States by the Pottowattamies. They remained the peaceful occupants of +it, however, for twenty years longer. It was not until 1836 that they +were removed by Government to lands appropriated for their use on the +Upper Missouri. + +In the year 1830 the town of Chicago was laid out into lots by +Commissioners appointed by the State. At this time the prices of these +lots ranged from ten to sixty dollars. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Kinzie, who, from the geographical position of this place, and the +vast fertility of the surrounding country, had always foretold its +eventual prosperity and importance, was not permitted to witness the +realization of his predictions. He closed his useful and energetic life +on the 6th of January, 1828, having just completed his sixty-fifth year. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +A SERMON. + + +Chicago was not, at the period of my first visit, the cheerful, happy +place it had once been. The death of Dr. Wolcott, of Lieutenant Furman, +and of a promising young son of Mr. Beaubien, all within a few weeks of +each other, had thrown a gloom over the different branches of the social +circle. + +The weather, too, was inclement and stormy beyond anything that had been +known before. Only twice, during a period of two months, did the sun +shine out through the entire day. So late as the second week in April, +when my husband had left to return to Fort Winnebago, the storms were so +severe that he and his men were obliged to lie by two or three days in +an Indian lodge. + +Robert Kinzie, Medard Beaubien, and Billy Caldwell had gone at the same +time to the Calumet to hunt, and, as they did not make their appearance +for many days, we were persuaded they had perished with cold. They +returned at length, however, to our infinite joy, having only escaped +freezing by the forethought of Robert and Caldwell in carrying each two +blankets instead of one. + +Our only recreation was an occasional ride on horseback, when the +weather would permit, through the woods on the north side of the river, +or across the prairie, along the lake shore on the south. + +When we went in the former direction, a little bridle-path took us along +what is now Rush Street. The thick boughs of the trees arched over our +heads, and we were often compelled, as we rode, to break away the +projecting branches of the shrubs which impeded our path. The little +prairie west of Wright's Woods was the usual termination of our ride in +this direction. + +When we chose the path across the prairie towards the south, we +generally passed a new-comer, Dr. Harmon, superintending the +construction of a _sod fence_, at a spot he had chosen, near the shore +of the lake. In this inclosure he occupied himself, as the season +advanced, in planting fruit-stones of all descriptions, to make ready a +garden and orchard for future enjoyment. + +We usually stopped to have a little chat. The two favorite themes of the +Doctor were horticulture, and the certain future importance of Chicago. +That it was destined to be a great city, was his unalterable conviction; +and in deed, by this time, all forest and prairie as it was, we half +began to believe it ourselves. + +On the pleasant afternoons which we occasionally enjoyed as the season +advanced, we found no small amusement in practising pistol-firing. The +place appropriated to this sport was outside the pickets, the mark being +placed on a panel in one of the bastions. The gentlemen must not be +offended if I record that, in process of time, the ladies acquired a +degree of skill that enabled them, as a general thing, to come off +triumphant. One of the ladies, Mrs. Hunter, was a great shot, having +brought down her grouse on the wing, to the no small delight of one of +the officers, Captain Martin Scott, of raccoon celebrity. + +Now and then there was a little excitement within the fort, aroused by +the discovery that _a settler_ had been engaged in selling milk-punch, +instead of milk, to the soldiers, thereby interfering in no small degree +with the regularity and perfect discipline of the service. The first +step was to "drum out" the offender with all the honors of war--that is, +with a party-colored dress, and the Rogue's March played behind him. The +next, to place all the victims of this piece of deception in the +guard-house, where the commanding officer's lady supplied them +bountifully with coffee and hot cakes, by way of opening their eyes to +the enormity of their offence. It is not to be wondered at that the +officers sometimes complained of its being more of a strife with the +soldiers who should get into the guard-house, than who should keep out +of it. The poor fellows knew when they were well off. + +Once, upon a Sunday, we were rowed up to Wolf Point to attend a +religious service, conducted by Father See, as he was called. + +We saw a tall, slender man, dressed in a green frock-coat, from the +sleeves of which dangled a pair of hands giving abundant evidence, +together with the rest of his dress, that he placed small faith in the +axiom--"cleanliness is a part of holiness." + +He stepped briskly upon a little platform behind a table, and commenced +his discourse. His subject was, "The fear of God." + +"There was a kind of fear," he told us, "that was very nearly +a_lee_-a-nated to love: so nearly, that it was not worth while splitting +hairs for the difference." He then went on to describe this kind of +fear. He grew more and more involved as he proceeded with his +description until at length, quite bewildered, he paused, and exclaimed, +"Come, let's stop a little while, and clear away the brush." He +unravelled, as well as he was able, the tangled thread of his ideas, +and went on with his subject. But soon, again losing his way, he came to +a second halt. "Now," said he, wiping the perspiration from his forehead +with a red cotton handkerchief many degrees from clean, "now, suppose we +drive back a little piece." Thus he recapitulated what he wished to +impress upon us, of the necessity of cherishing a fear that maketh wise +unto salvation, "which fear," said he, "may we all enjoy, that together +we may soar away, on the rolling clouds of aether, to a boundless and +happy eternity, which is the wish of your humble servant." And, +flourishing abroad his hands, with the best of dancing-school bows, he +took his seat. + +It will be readily imagined that we felt our own religious exercises at +home to be more edifying than such as this, and that we confined +ourselves to them for the future. + +The return of our brother, Robert Kinzie, from Palestine (not the Holy +Land, but the seat of the Land Office), with the certificate of the +title of the family to that portion of Chicago since known as "Kinzie's +Addition," was looked upon as establishing a home for us at some future +day, if the glorious dreams of good Dr. Harmon, and a few others, should +come to be realized. One little incident will show how moderate were the +anticipations of most persons at that period. + +The certificate, which was issued in Robert's name (he representing the +family in making the application), described only a fractional +quarter-section of one hundred and two acres, instead of one hundred and +sixty acres, the river and Lake Michigan cutting off fifty-eight acres +on the southern and eastern lines of the quarter. The applicants had +liberty to select their complement of fifty-eight acres out of any +unappropriated land that suited them. + +"Now, my son," said his mother to Robert, "lay your claim on the +corn-field at Wolf Point. It is fine land, and will always be valuable +for cultivation; besides, as it faces down the main river, the situation +will always be a convenient one." + +The answer was a hearty laugh. "Hear mother!" said Robert. "We have just +got a hundred and two acres--more than we shall ever want, or know what +to do with, and now she would have me go and claim fifty-eight acres +more!" + +"Take my advice, my boy," repeated his mother, "or you may live one day +to regret it." + +"Well, I cannot see how I can ever regret not getting more than we can +possibly make use of." And so the matter ended. The fifty-eight acres +were never claimed, and there was, I think, a very general impression +that asking for our just rights in the case would have a very grasping, +covetous look. How much wiser five-and-twenty years have made us! + + * * * * * + +During my sojourn of two months at Chicago, our mother often entertained +me with stories of her early life and adventures. The following is her +history of her captivity among the Senecas, which I have put in the form +of a tale, although without the slightest variation from the facts as I +received them from her lips, and those of her sister, Mrs. William +Forsyth, of Sandwich (C.W.), the little Maggie of the story. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +THE CAPTIVES. + + +It is well known that previous to the war of the Revolution the whole of +the western portion of Pennsylvania was inhabited by different Indian +tribes. Of these, the Delawares were the friends of the whites, and, +after the commencement of the great struggle, took part with the United +States. The Iroquois, on the contrary, were the friends and allies of +the mother-country. + +Very few white settlers had ventured beyond the Susquehanna. The +numerous roving bands of Shawanoes, Nanticokes, etc., although at times +professing friendship with the Americans and acting in concert with the +Delawares or Lenape as allies, at others suffered themselves to be +seduced by their neighbors, the Iroquois, to show a most sanguinary +spirit of hostility. + +For this reason, the life of the inhabitants of the frontier was one of +constant peril and alarm. Many a scene of dismal barbarity was enacted, +as the history of the times testifies, and even those who felt +themselves in some measure protected by their immediate neighbors, the +Delawares, never lost sight of the caution required by their exposed +situation. + +The vicinity of the military garrison at Pittsburg--or Fort Pitt, as it +was then called--gave additional security to those who had pushed +farther west, among the fertile valleys of the Alleghany and +Monongahela. Among these were the family of Mr. Lytle, who, some years +previous to the opening of our story, had removed from Baltimore to +Path Valley, near Carlisle, and subsequently settled himself on the +banks of Plum River, a tributary of the Alleghany. Here, with his wife +and five children, he had continued to live in comfort and security, +undisturbed by any hostile visit, and only annoyed by occasional false +alarms from his more timorous neighbors, who, having had more experience +in frontier life, were prone to anticipate evil, as well as to magnify +every appearance of danger. + + * * * * * + +On a bright afternoon in the autumn of 1779, two children of Mr. Lytle, +a girl of nine, and her brother, two years younger, were playing in a +little dingle or hollow in the rear of their father's house. Some large +trees, which had been recently felled, were lying here and there, still +untrimmed of their branches, and many logs, prepared for fuel, were +scattered around. Upon one of these the children, wearied with their +sports, seated themselves, and to beguile the time they fell into +conversation upon a subject that greatly perplexed them. + +While playing in the same place a few hours previous, they had imagined +they saw an Indian lurking behind one of the fallen trees. The Indians +of the neighborhood were in the habit of making occasional visits to the +family, and they had become familiar and even affectionate with many of +them, but this seemed a stranger, and after the first hasty glance they +fled in alarm to the house. + +Their mother chid them for the report they brought, which she endeavored +to convince them was without foundation. "You know," said she, "you are +always alarming us unnecessarily: the neighbors' children have +frightened you to death. Go back to your play, and learn to be more +courageous." + +So the children returned to their sports, hardly persuaded by their +mother's arguments. While they were thus seated upon the trunk of the +tree, their discourse was interrupted by the note, apparently, of a +quail not far off. + +"Listen," said the boy, as a second note answered the first; "do you +hear that?" + +"Yes," was the reply, and, after a few moments' silence, "do you not +hear a rustling among the branches of the tree yonder?" + +"Perhaps it is a squirrel--but look! what is that? Surely I saw +something red among the branches. It looked like a fawn popping up its +head." + +At this moment, the children, who had been gazing so intently in the +direction of the fallen tree that all other objects were forgotten, felt +themselves seized from behind and pinioned in an iron grasp. What were +their horror and dismay to find themselves in the arms of savages, whose +terrific countenances and gestures plainly showed them to be enemies! + +They made signs to the children to be silent, on pain of death, and +hurried them off, half dead with terror, in a direction leading from +their father's habitation. After travelling some distance in profound +silence, the severity of their captors somewhat relaxed, and as night +approached the party halted, after adopting the usual precautions to +secure themselves against a surprise. + +In an agony of uncertainty and terror, torn from their beloved home and +parents, and anticipating all the horrors with which the rumors of the +times had invested a captivity among the Indians--perhaps even a +torturing death--the poor children could no longer restrain their grief, +but gave vent to sobs and lamentations. + +Their distress appeared to excite the compassion of one of the party, a +man of mild aspect, who approached and endeavored to soothe them. He +spread them a couch of the long grass which grew near the +encamping-place, offered them a portion of his own stock of dried meat +and parched corn, and gave them to understand by signs that no farther +evil was intended them. + +These kindly demonstrations were interrupted by the arrival of another +party of the enemy, bringing with them the mother of the little +prisoners, with her youngest child, an infant of three months old. + +It had so happened that the father of the family, with his serving-men, +had gone early in the day to a _raising_ at a few miles' distance, and +the house had thus been left without a defender. The long period of +tranquillity which they had enjoyed, free from all molestation or alarm +from the savages, had thrown the settlers quite off their guard, and +they had recently laid aside some of the caution they had formerly +deemed necessary. + +These Indians, by lying in wait, had found the favorable moment for +seizing the defenceless family and making them prisoners. Judging from +their paint, and other marks by which the early settlers learned to +distinguish the various tribes, Mrs. Lytle conjectured that those into +whose hands she and her children had fallen were Senecas. Nor was she +mistaken. It was a party of that tribe who had descended from their +village with the intention of falling upon some isolated band of their +enemies, the Delawares, but failing in this, had made themselves amends +by capturing a few white settlers. + +It is to be attributed to the generally mild disposition of this tribe, +together with the magnanimous character of the chief who accompanied the +party, that their prisoners in the present instance escaped the fate of +most of the Americans who were so unhappy as to fall into the hands of +the Iroquois. + +The children learned from their mother that she was profoundly ignorant +of the fate of their remaining brother and sister, a boy of six and a +little girl of four years of age, but she was in hopes they had made +good their escape with the servant-girl, who had likewise disappeared +from the commencement. + +After remaining a few hours to recruit the exhausted frames of the +prisoners, the savages again started on their march, one of the older +Indians offering to relieve the mother from the burden of her infant, +which she had hitherto carried in her arms. Pleased with the unexpected +kindness, she resigned to him her tender charge. + +Thus they pursued their way, the savage who carried the infant lingering +somewhat behind the rest of the party, until, finding a spot convenient +for his purpose, he grasped his innocent victim by the feet, and, with +one whirl, to add strength to the blow, dashed out its brains against a +tree. Leaving the body upon the spot, he rejoined the party. + +The mother, unsuspicious of what had passed, regarded him earnestly as +he reappeared without the child--then gazed wildly around on the rest of +the group. Her beloved little one was not there. Its absence spoke its +fate; but, suppressing the shriek of agony, for she knew that the lives +of the remaining ones depended upon her firmness in that trying hour, +she drew them yet closer to her and pursued her melancholy way without a +word spoken or a question asked. + +From the depths of her heart she cried unto Him who is able to save, and +He comforted her with hopes of deliverance for the surviving ones, for +she saw that if blood had been their sole object the scalps of herself +and her children would have been taken upon the spot where they were +made prisoners. + +She read too in the eyes of one who was evidently the commander of the +party an expression more merciful than she had even dared to hope. +Particularly had she observed his soothing manner and manifest +partiality towards her eldest child, the little girl of whom we have +spoken, and she built many a bright hope of escape or ransom upon these +slender foundations. + +After a toilsome and painful march of many days, the party reached the +Seneca village, upon the head-waters of the Alleghany, near what is now +called Olean Point. On their arrival the chief, their conductor, who was +distinguished by the name of the _Big White Man_[42] led his prisoners +to the principal lodge. This was occupied by his mother, the widow of +the head-chief of that band, and who was called by them the _Old Queen_. + +On entering her presence, her son presented her the little girl, +saying,-- + +"My mother, I bring you a child to supply the place of my brother, who +was killed by the Lenape six moons ago. She shall dwell in my lodge, and +be to me a sister. Take the white woman and her children and treat them +kindly--our father will give us many horses and guns to buy them back +again." + +He referred to the British Indian Agent of his tribe, Colonel Johnson, +an excellent and benevolent gentleman, who resided at Port Niagara, on +the British side of the river of that name. + +The old queen fulfilled the injunctions of her son. She received the +prisoners, and every comfort was provided them that her simple and +primitive mode of life rendered possible. + + * * * * * + +We must now return to the place and period at which our story commences. + +Late in the evening of that day the father returned to his dwelling. All +within and around was silent and desolate. No trace of a living creature +was to be found throughout the house or grounds. His nearest neighbors +lived at a considerable distance, but to them he hastened, frantically +demanding tidings of his family. + +As he aroused them from their slumbers, one and another joined him in +the search, and at length, at the house of one of them, was found the +servant-maid who had effected her escape. Her first place of refuge, she +said, had been a large brewing-tub in an outer kitchen, under which she +had, at the first alarm, secreted herself until the departure of the +Indians, who were evidently in haste, gave her an opportunity of fleeing +to a place of safety. She could give no tidings of her mistress and the +children, except that they had not been murdered in her sight or +hearing. + +At length, having scoured the neighborhood without success, Mr. Lytle +remembered an old settler who lived alone, far up the valley. Thither he +and his friends immediately repaired, and from him they learned that, +being at work in his field just before sunset, he had seen a party of +strange Indians passing at a short distance from his cabin. As they +wound along the brow of the hill, he could perceive that they had +prisoners with them--a woman and a child. The woman he knew to be a +white, as she carried her infant in her arms, instead of upon her back, +after the manner of the savages. + +Day had now begun to break, for the night had been passed in fruitless +searches, and the agonized father, after a consultation with his kind +friends and neighbors, accepted their offer to accompany him to Fort +Pitt to ask advice and assistance of the commandant and Indian Agent at +that place. + +Proceeding down the valley, as they approached a hut which the night +before they had found apparently deserted, they were startled by +observing two children standing upon the high bank in front of it. The +delighted father recognized two of his missing flock, but no tidings +could they give him of their mother and the other lost ones. Their story +was simple and touching. + +They were playing in the garden, when they were alarmed by seeing the +Indians enter the yard near the house. Unperceived by them, the brother, +who was but six years of age, helped his little sister over the fence +into a field overrun with bushes of the blackberry and wild raspberry. +They concealed themselves among these for awhile, and then, finding all +quiet, they attempted to force their way to the side of the field +farthest from the house. Unfortunately, the little girl in her play in +the garden had pulled off her shoes and stockings, and the briers +tearing and wounding her tender feet, she with difficulty could refrain +from crying out. Her brother took off his stockings and put them on her +feet. He attempted, too, to protect them with his shoes, but they were +too large, and kept slipping off, so that she could not wear them. For a +time, they persevered in making what they considered their escape from +certain death, for, as I have said, the children had been taught, by the +tales they had heard, to regard all strange Indians as ministers of +torture, and of horrors worse than death. Exhausted with pain and +fatigue, the poor little girl at length declared she could go no +farther. + +"Then, Maggie," said her brother, "I must kill you, for I cannot let +you be killed by the Indians." + +"Oh, no, Thomas!" pleaded she, "do not, pray do not kill me! I do not +think the Indians will find us." + +"Oh, yes, they will, Maggie, and I could kill you so much easier than +they would.'" + +For a long time he endeavored to persuade her, and even looked about for +a stick sufficiently large for his purpose; but despair gave the little +creature strength, and she promised her brother that she would neither +complain nor falter, if he would assist her in making her way out of the +field. + +The idea of the little boy that he could save his sister from savage +barbarity by taking her life himself, shows what tales of horror the +children of the early settlers were familiar with. + +After a few more efforts, they made their way out of the field, into an +uninclosed pasture-ground, where, to their great delight, they saw some +cows feeding. They recognized them as belonging to Granny Myers, an old +woman who lived at some little distance, but in what direction from the +place they then were, they were utterly ignorant. + +With a sagacity beyond his years, the boy said,-- + +"Let us hide ourselves till sunset, when the cows will go home, and we +will follow them." + +They did so, but, to their dismay, when they reached Granny Myers's they +found the house deserted. The old woman had been called by some business +down the valley, and did not return that night. + +Tired and hungry, they could go no farther, but, after an almost +fruitless endeavor to get some milk from the cows, they laid themselves +down to sleep under an old bedstead that stood behind the house. Their +father and his party had caused them additional terror in the night. The +shouts and calls which had been designed to arouse the inmates of the +house, they had mistaken for the whoop of the Indians, and, not being +able to distinguish friends from foes, they had crept close to one +another, as far out of sight as possible. When found the following +morning, they were debating what course to take next, for safety. + +The commandant at Fort Pitt entered warmly into the affairs of Mr. +Lytle, and readily furnished him with a detachment of soldiers, to aid +him and his friends in the pursuit of the marauders. Some circumstances +having occurred to throw suspicion upon the Senecas, the party soon +directed their search among the villages of that tribe. + +Their inquiries were prosecuted in various directions, and always with +great caution, for all the tribes of the Iroquois, or, as they pompously +called themselves, the Five Nations, being allies of Great Britain, were +inveterate in their hostility to the Americans. Thus, some time elapsed +before the father with his attendants reached the village of the _Big +White Man_. + +A treaty was immediately entered into for the ransom of the captives, +which was easily accomplished in regard to Mrs. Lytle and the younger +child. But no offers, no entreaties, no promises, could procure the +release of the little Eleanor, the adopted child of the tribe. "No," the +chief said, "she was his sister; he had taken her to supply the place of +his brother who was killed by the enemy--she was dear to him, and he +would not part with her." + +Finding every effort unavailing to shake this resolution, the father was +compelled to take his sorrowful departure with such of his beloved ones +as he had had the good fortune to recover. + +We will not attempt to depict the grief of parents compelled thus to +give up a darling child, and to leave her in the hands of savages, whom +until now they had too much reason to regard as merciless. But there was +no alternative. Commending her to the care of their heavenly Father, and +cheered by the manifest tenderness with which she had thus far been +treated, they set out on their melancholy journey homeward, trusting +that some future effort would be more effectual for the recovery of +their little girl. + +Having placed his family in safety at Pittsburg, Mr. Lytle, still +assisted by the commandant and the Indian Agent, undertook an expedition +to the frontier to the residence of the British Agent, Colonel Johnson. +His representation of the case warmly interested the feelings of that +benevolent officer, who promised him to spare no exertions in his +behalf. This promise he religiously performed. He went in person to the +village of the Big White Man, as soon as the opening of the spring +permitted, and offered him many splendid presents of guns and horses, +but the chief was inexorable. + +Time rolled on, and every year the hope of recovering the little captive +became more faint. She, in the mean time, continued to wind herself more +and more closely around the heart of her Indian brother. Nothing could +exceed the consideration and affection with which she was treated, not +only by himself, but by his mother, the _Old Queen_. All their stock of +brooches and wampum was employed in the decoration of her person. The +principal seat and the most delicate viands were invariably reserved for +her, and no efforts were spared to promote her happiness, and to render +her forgetful of her former home and kindred. + +Thus, though she had beheld, with a feeling almost amounting to despair, +the departure of her parents and dear little brother, and had for a long +time resisted every attempt at consolation, preferring even death to a +life of separation from all she loved, yet time, as it ever does, +brought its soothing balm, and she at length grew contented and happy. + +From her activity and the energy of her character, qualities for which +she was remarkable to the latest period of her life, the name was given +her of _The Ship under full sail_. + + * * * * * + +The only drawback to the happiness of the little prisoner, aside from +her longings after her own dear home, was the enmity she encountered +from the wife of the Big White Man. This woman, from the day of her +arrival at the village, and adoption into the family as a sister, had +conceived for her the greatest animosity, which, at first, she had the +prudence to conceal from the observation of her husband. + +It was perhaps natural that a wife should give way to some feelings of +jealousy at seeing her own place in the heart of her husband usurped by +the child of their enemy, the American. But these feelings were +aggravated by a bad and vindictive temper, and by the indifference with +which her husband listened to her complaints and murmurings. + +As she had no children of her own to engage her attention, her mind was +the more engrossed and inflamed with her fancied wrongs, and with +devising means for their redress. An opportunity of attempting the +latter was not long wanting. + +During the absence of the Big White Man upon some war-party or +hunting-excursion, his little sister was taken ill with fever and ague. +She was nursed with the utmost tenderness by the Old Queen; and the wife +of the chief, to lull suspicion, and thereby accomplish her purpose, +was likewise unwearied in her assiduities to the little favorite. + +One afternoon, during the temporary absence of the Old Queen, her +daughter-in-law entered the lodge with a bowl of something she had +prepared, and, stooping down to the mat on which the child lay, said, in +an affectionate accent,-- + +"Drink, my sister, I have brought you that which will drive this fever +far from you." + +On raising her head to reply, the little girl perceived a pair of eyes +peeping through a crevice in the lodge, and fixed upon her with a very +peculiar and significant expression. With the quick perception acquired +partly from nature and partly from her intercourse with this people, she +replied, faintly,-- + +"Set it down, my sister. When this fit of the fever has passed, I will +drink your medicine." + +The squaw, too cautious to use importunity, busied herself about in the +lodge for a short time, then withdrew to another, near at hand. +Meantime, the bright eyes continued peering through the opening, until +they had watched their object fairly out of sight; then a low voice, the +voice of a young friend and playfellow, spoke: + +"Do not drink that which your brother's wife has brought you. She hates +you, and is only waiting an opportunity to rid herself of you. I have +watched her all the morning, and have seen her gathering the most deadly +roots and herbs. I knew for whom they were intended, and came hither to +warn you." + +"Take the bowl," said the little invalid, "and carry it to my mother's +lodge." + +This was accordingly done. The contents of the bowl were found to +consist principally of a decoction of the root of the May-apple, the +most deadly poison known among the Indians. + +It is not in the power of language to describe the indignation that +pervaded the little community when this discovery was made known. The +squaws ran to and fro, as is their custom when excited, each vying with +the other in heaping invectives upon the culprit. No further punishment +was, however, for the present inflicted upon her, but, the first burst +of rage over, she was treated with silent abhorrence. + +The little patient was removed to the lodge of the Old Queen, and +strictly guarded, while her enemy was left to wander in silence and +solitude about the fields and woods, until the return of her husband +should determine her punishment. + +In a few days, the excursion being over, the Big White Man and his party +returned to the village. Contrary to the usual custom of savages, he did +not, in his first transport at learning the attempt on the life of his +little sister, take summary vengeance on the offender. He contented +himself with banishing her from his lodge, never to return, and +condemning her to hoe corn in a distant part of the large field or +inclosure which served the whole community for a garden. + +Although she would still show her vindictive disposition whenever, by +chance, the little girl with her companions wandered into that vicinity, +by striking at her with her hoe, or by some other spiteful +manifestation, yet she was either too well watched, or stood too much in +awe of her former husband, to repeat the attempt upon his sister's life. + + * * * * * + +Four years had now elapsed since the capture of little Nelly. Her heart +was by nature warm and affectionate, so that the unbounded tenderness of +those she dwelt among had called forth a corresponding feeling in her +heart. She regarded the chief and his mother with love and reverence, +and had so completely learned their language and customs as almost to +have forgotten her own. + +So identified had she become with the tribe, that the remembrance of her +home and family had nearly faded from her memory; all but her +mother--her mother, whom she had loved with a strength of affection +natural to her warm and ardent character, and to whom her heart still +clung with a fondness that no time or change could destroy. + +The peace of 1783 between Great Britain and the United States now took +place. A general pacification of the Indian tribes was the consequence, +and fresh hopes were renewed in the bosoms of Mr. and Mrs. Lytle. + +They removed with their family to Fort Niagara, near which, on the +American side, was the Great _Council-Fire_ of the Senecas. Colonel +Johnson readily undertook a fresh negotiation with the chief, but, in +order to make sure every chance of success, he again proceeded in person +to the village of the Big White Man. + +His visit was most opportune. It was the "Feast of the Green Corn," when +he arrived among them. This observance, which corresponds so strikingly +with the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles that, together with other customs, +it has led many to believe the Indian nations the descendants of the +lost ten tribes of Israel, made it a season of general joy and +festivity. All other occupations were suspended to give place to social +enjoyment in the open air or in arbors formed of the green branches of +the trees. Every one appeared in his gala-dress. That of the little +adopted child consisted of a petticoat of blue broadcloth, bordered with +gay-colored ribbons; a sack or upper garment of black silk, ornamented +with three rows of silver brooches, the centre ones from the throat to +the hem being of large size, and those from the shoulders down being no +larger than a shilling-piece, and set as closely as possible. Around +her neck were innumerable strings of white and purple wampum--an Indian +ornament manufactured from the inner surface of the muscle-shell. Her +hair was clubbed behind and loaded with beads of various colors. +Leggings of scarlet cloth, and moccasins of deer-skin embroidered with +porcupine-quills, completed her costume. + +Colonel Johnson was received with all the consideration due to his +position, and to the long friendship that had subsisted between him and +the tribe. + +Observing that the hilarity of the festival had warmed and opened all +hearts, he took occasion in an interview with the chief to expatiate +upon the parental affection which had led the father and mother of his +little sister to give up their friends and home, and come hundreds of +miles away, in the single hope of sometimes looking upon and embracing +her. The heart of the chief softened as he listened to this +representation, and he was induced to promise that at the Grand Council +soon to be held at Fort Niagara, on the British side of the river, he +would attend, bringing his little sister with him. + +He exacted a promise, however, from Colonel Johnson, that not only no +effort should be made to reclaim the child, but that even no proposition +to part with her should be offered him. + +The time at length arrived when, her heart bounding with joy, little +Nelly was placed on horseback to accompany her Indian brother to the +Great Council of the Senecas. She had promised him that she would never +leave him without his permission, and he relied confidently on her word +thus given. + +As the chiefs and warriors arrived in successive bands to meet their +Father, the agent, at the council-fire, how did the anxious hearts of +the parents beat with alternate hope and fear! The officers of the fort +had kindly given them quarters for the time being, and the ladies, whose +sympathies were strongly excited, had accompanied the mother to the +place of council, and joined in her longing watch for the first +appearance of the band from the Alleghany River. + +At length they were discerned, emerging from the forest on the opposite +or American side. Boats were sent across by the commanding officer, to +bring the chief and his party. The father and mother, attended by all +the officers and ladies, stood upon the grassy bank awaiting their +approach. They had seen at a glance that the _little captive_ was with +them. + +When about to enter the boat, the chief said to some of his young men, +"Stand here with the horses, and wait until I return." + +He was told that the horses should be ferried across and taken care of. + +"No," said he; "let them wait." + +He held his darling by the hand until the river was passed--until the +boat touched the bank--until the child sprang forward into the arms of +the mother from whom she had been so long separated. + +When the chief witnessed that outburst of affection, he could withstand +no longer. + +"She shall go," said he. "The mother must have her child again. I will +go back alone." + +With one silent gesture of farewell he turned and stepped on board the +boat. No arguments or entreaties could induce him to remain at the +council, but, having gained the other side of the Niagara, he mounted +his horse, and with his young men was soon lost in the depths of the +forest. + +After a sojourn of a few weeks at Niagara, Mr. Lytle, dreading lest the +resolution of the Big White Man should give way, and measures be taken +to deprive him once more of his child, came to the determination of +again changing his place of abode. He therefore took the first +opportunity of crossing Lake Erie with his family, and settled himself +in the neighborhood of Detroit, where he continued afterwards to reside. + +_Little Nelly_ saw her friend the chief no more, but she never forgot +him. To the day of her death she remembered with tenderness and +gratitude her brother the Big White Man, and her friends and playfellows +among the Senecas. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +SECOND-SIGHT--HICKORY CREEK. + + +At the age of fourteen the heroine of the foregoing story married +Colonel McKillip, a British officer. This gentleman was killed near Fort +Defiance, as it was afterwards called, at the Miami Rapids, in 1794. A +detachment of British troops had been sent down from Detroit to take +possession of this post. General Wayne was then on a campaign against +the Indians, and the British Government thought proper to make a few +demonstrations in behalf of their allies. Having gone out with a party +to reconnoitre, Colonel McKillip was returning to his post after dark, +when he was fired upon and killed by one of his own sentinels. Mrs. Helm +was the daughter of this marriage. + +During the widowhood of Mrs. McKillip, she resided with her parents, at +Grosse Pointe, eight miles above Detroit, and it was during this period +that an event occurred which, from the melancholy and mysterious +circumstances attending it, was always dwelt upon by her with peculiar +interest. + +Her second brother, Thomas Lytle, was, from his amiable and affectionate +character, the most dearly beloved by her of all the numerous family +circle. He was paying his addresses to a young lady who resided at the +river Trench,[43] as it was then called, now the river Thames, a stream +emptying into Lake St. Clair about twenty miles above Detroit. In +visiting this young lady, it was his custom to cross the Detroit River +by the ferry with his horse, and then proceed by land to the river +Trench, which was, at some seasons of the year, a fordable stream. + +On a fine forenoon, late in the spring, he had taken leave of his mother +and sister for one of these periodical visits, which were usually of two +or three days' duration. + +After dinner, as his sister was sitting at work by an open window which +looked upon a little side inclosure filled with fruit-trees, she was +startled by observing some object opposite the window, between her and +the light. She raised her eyes and saw her brother Thomas. He was +without his horse, and carried his saddle upon his shoulders. + +Surprised that she had not heard the gate opening for his entrance, and +also at his singular appearance, laden in that manner, she addressed +him, and inquired what had happened, and why he had returned so soon. He +made her no reply, but looked earnestly in her face, as he moved slowly +along the paved walk that led to the stables. + +She waited a few moments, expecting he would reappear to give an account +of himself and his adventures, but at length, growing impatient at his +delay, she put down her work and went towards the rear of the house to +find him. + +The first person she met was her mother. "Have you seen Thomas?" she +inquired. + +"Thomas! He has gone to the river Trench." + +"No, he has returned--I saw him pass the window not fifteen minutes +since." + +"Then he will be in presently." + +His sister, however, could not wait. She proceeded to the stables, she +searched in all directions. No Thomas--no horse--no saddle. She made +inquiry of the domestics. No one had seen him. She then returned and +told her mother what had happened. + +"You must have fallen asleep and dreamed it," said her mother. + +"No, indeed! I was wide awake--I spoke to him, and he gave me no answer, +but such a look!" + +All the afternoon she felt an uneasiness she could not reason herself +out of. + +The next morning came a messenger from the river Trench with dismal +tidings. + +The bodies of the young man and his horse had been found drowned a short +distance below the ford of the river. + +It appeared that, on arriving at the bank of the river, he found it +swollen beyond its usual depth by the recent rains. It being necessary +to swim the stream with his horse, he had taken off his clothes and made +them into a packet which he fastened upon his shoulders. It was supposed +that the strength of the rapid torrent displaced the bundle, which thus +served to draw his head under water and keep it there, without the power +of raising it. All this was gathered from the position and appearance of +the bodies when found. + +From the time at which he had been seen passing a house which stood near +the stream, on his way to the ford, it was evident that he must have +met his fate at the very moment his sister saw, or thought she saw him, +passing before her. + +I could not but suggest the inquiry, when these sad particulars were +narrated to me,-- + +"Mother, is it not possible this might have been a dream?" + +"A dream? No, indeed, my child. I was perfectly wide awake--as much so +as I am at this moment. I am not superstitious. I have never believed in +ghosts or witches, but nothing can ever persuade me that this was not a +warning sent from God, to prepare me for my brother's death." + +And those who knew her rational good sense--her freedom from fancies or +fears, and the calm self-possession that never deserted her under the +most trying circumstances--would almost be won to view the matter in the +light she did. + + * * * * * + +The order for the evacuation of Port Dearborn, and the removal of the +troops to Fort Howard (Green Bay), had now been received. The family +circle was to be broken up. Our mother, our sister Mrs. Helm, and her +little son, were to return with us to Fort Winnebago; the other members +of the family, except Robert, were to move with the command to Green +Bay. + +The schooner Napoleon was to be sent from Detroit to convey the troops +with their goods and chattels to their destined post. Our immediate +party was to make the journey by land--we were to choose, however, a +shorter and pleasanter route than the one we had taken in coming hither. +My husband, with his Frenchmen, Petaille Grignon and Simon Lecuyer, had +arrived, and all hands were now busily occupied with the necessary +preparations for breaking up and removal. + +I should be doing injustice to the hospitable settlers of Hickory Creek +were I to pass by without notice an entertainment with which they +honored our Chicago beaux about this time. The merry-making was to be a +ball, and the five single gentlemen of Chicago were invited. Mr. Dole, +who was a new-comer, declined; Lieutenant Foster was on duty, but he did +what was still better than accepting the invitation, he loaned his +beautiful horse to Medard Beaubien, who with Robert Kinzie and Gholson +Kercheval promised himself much fun in eclipsing the beaux and creating +a sensation among the belles of Hickory Creek. + +Chicago was then, as now, looked upon as the City _par excellence_. Its +few inhabitants were supposed to have seen something of the world, and +it is to be inferred that the arrival of the smart and dashing young men +was an event looked forward to with more satisfaction by the fair of the +little settlement than by the swains whose rivals they might become. + +The day arrived, and the gentlemen set off in high spirits. They took +care to be in good season, for the dancing was to commence at two +o'clock in the afternoon. They were well mounted, each priding himself +upon the animal he rode, and they wore their best suits, as became city +gallants who were bent on cutting out their less fashionable neighbors +and breaking the hearts of the admiring country damsels. + +When they arrived at the place appointed, they were received with great +politeness--their steeds were taken care of, and a dinner was provided +them, after which they were ushered into the dancing-hall. + +All the beauty of the neighboring precincts was assembled. The ladies +were for the most part white, or what passed for such, with an +occasional dash of copper color. There was no lack of bombazet gowns and +large white pocket-handkerchiefs, perfumed with oil of cinnamon; and as +they took their places in long rows on the puncheon floor, they were a +merry and a happy company. + +But the city gentlemen grew more and more gallant--the girls more and +more delighted with their attentions--the country swains, alas! more and +more scowling and jealous. In vain they pigeon-winged and +double-shuffled--in vain they nearly dislocated hips and shoulders at +"hoe corn and dig potatoes"--they had the mortification to perceive that +the smart young sprigs from Chicago had their "pick and choose" among +their very sweethearts, and that they themselves were fairly danced off +the ground. + +The revelry lasted until daylight, and it was now time to think of +returning. There was no one ready with obliging politeness to bring them +their horses from the stable. + +"Poor fellows!" said one of the party, with a compassionate sort of +laugh, "they could not stand it. They have gone home to bed!" + +"Serves them right," said another; "they'd better not ask us down among +their girls again!" + +They groped their way to the stable and went in. There were some animals +standing at the manger, but evidently not their horses. What could they +be? Had the rogues been trying to cheat them, by putting these strange +nondescripts into their place? + +They led them forth into the gray of the morning, and then--such a trio +as met their gaze! + +There were the original bodies, it is true, but where were their manes +and tails? A scrubby, pickety ridge along the neck, and a bare stump +projecting behind, were all that remained of the flowing honors with +which they had come gallivanting down to "bear away the bell" at +Hickory Creek, or, in the emphatic language of the country, "to take the +rag off the bush." + +Gholson sat down on a log and cried outright. Medard took the matter +more philosophically--the horse was none of his--it was Lieutenant +Foster's. + +Robert characteristically looked around to see whom he could knock down +on the occasion; but there was no one visible on whom to wreak their +vengeance. + +The bumpkins had stolen away, and, in some safe, quiet nook, were snugly +enjoying their triumph, and doubtless the deceitful fair ones were by +this time at their sides, sharing their mirth and exultation. + +The unlucky gallants mounted their steeds, and set their faces homeward. +Never was there a more crestfallen and sorry-looking cavalcade. The poor +horses seemed to realize that they had met the same treatment as the +messengers of King David at the hands of the evil-disposed Hanun. They +hung their heads, and evidently wished that they could have "tarried at +Jericho" for a season. Unfortunately, there was in those days no back +way by which they could steal in, unobserved. Across the prairie, in +view of the whole community, must their approach be made; and to add to +their confusion, in the rarity of stirring events, it was the custom of +the whole settlement to turn out and welcome the arrival of any +new-comer. + +As hasty a retreat as possible was beaten, amid the shouts, the jeers, +and the condolences of their acquaintances; and it is on record that +these three young gentlemen were in no hurry to accept, at any future +time, an invitation to partake of the festivities of Hickory Creek. + + * * * * * + +In due time the Napoleon made her appearance. (Alas that this great +name should be used in the feminine gender!) As there was at this period +no harbor, vessels anchored outside the bar, or tongue of land which +formed the left bank of the river, and the lading and unlading were +carried on by boats, pulling in and out, through the mouth of the river, +some distance below. + +Of course it always was a matter of great importance to get a vessel +loaded as quickly as possible, that she might be ready to take advantage +of the first fair wind, and be off from such an exposed and hazardous +anchoring-ground. + +For this reason we had lived _packed up_ for many days, intending only +to see our friends safe on board, and then commence our own journey back +to Fort Winnebago. + +Our heavy articles of furniture, trunks, etc. had been sent on board the +Napoleon, to be brought round to us by way of Fox River. We had retained +only such few necessaries as could be conveniently carried on a +pack-horse, and in a light dearborn wagon lately brought by Mr. +Kercheval from Detroit (the first luxury of the kind ever seen on the +prairies), and which my husband had purchased as an agreeable mode of +conveyance for his mother and little nephew. + +It was a matter requiring no small amount of time and labor to +transport, in the slow method described, the effects of so many families +of officers and soldiers, with the various etceteras incident to a total +change and removal. It was all, however, happily +accomplished--everything, even to the last article, sent on +board--nothing remaining on shore but the passengers, whose turn it +would be next. + +It was a moment of great relief; for Captain Hinckley had been in a +fever and a fuss many hours, predicting a change of weather, and +murmuring at what he thought the unnecessary amount of boat-loads to be +taken on board. + +Those who had leisure to be looking out towards the schooner, which had +continued anchored about half a mile out in the lake, had, at this +crisis, the satisfaction to see her hoist sail and leave her station for +the open lake; those who were a little later could just discern her +bearing away to a distance, as if she had got all on board that she had +any idea of taking. Here we were, and here we might remain a week or +more, if it so pleased Captain Hinckley and the schooner Napoleon, and +the good east wind which was blowing with all its might. + +There was plenty of provisions to be obtained, so the fear of starvation +was not the trouble; but how were the cooking and the table to be +provided for? Various expedients were resorted to. Mrs. Engle, in her +quarters above-stairs, ate her breakfast off a shingle with her +husband's jack-knife, and when she had finished, sent them down to +Lieutenant Foster for his accommodation. + +We were at the old mansion on the north side, and the news soon flew up +the river that the Napoleon had gone off with "the plunder" and left the +people behind. It was not long before we were supplied by Mrs. Portier +(our kind Victoire) with dishes, knives, forks, and all the other +conveniences which our mess-basket failed to supply. + +This state of things lasted a couple of days, and then, early one fine +morning, the gratifying intelligence spread like wild-fire that the +Napoleon was at anchor out beyond the bar. + +There was no unnecessary delay this time, and at an early hour in the +afternoon we had taken leave of our dear friends, and they were sailing +away from Chicago.[44] + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +RETURN TO FORT WINNEBAGO. + + +A great part of the command, with the cattle belonging to the officers +and soldiers, had, a day or two previous to the time of our departure, +set out on their march by land to Green Bay, _via_ Fort Winnebago. +Lieutenant Foster, under whose charge they were, had lingered behind +that he might have the pleasure of joining our party, and we, in turn, +had delayed in order to see the other members of our family safely on +board the Napoleon. But now, all things being ready, we set our faces +once more homeward. + +We took with us a little _bound-girl,_ Josette, a bright, pretty child +of ten years of age, a daughter of Ouilmette, a Frenchman who had lived +here at the time of the Massacre, and of a Pottowattamie mother. She had +been at the St. Joseph's mission-school, under Mr. McCoy, and she was +now full of delight at the prospect of a journey all the way to the +Portage with Monsieur and Madame John. + +We had also a negro boy, Harry, brought a year before from Kentucky, by +Mr. Kercheval. In the transfer at that time from a slave State to a free +one, Harry's position became somewhat changed--he could be no more than +an indentured servant. He was about to become a member of Dr. Wolcott's +household, and it was necessary for him to choose a guardian. All this +was explained to him on his being brought into the parlor, where the +family were assembled. My husband was then a young man, on a visit to +his home. "Now, Harry," it was said to him, "you must choose your +guardian;" and the natural expectation was that Harry would select the +person of his acquaintance of the greatest age and dignity. But, rolling +round his great eyes, and hanging his head on one side, he said,-- + +"I'll have Master John for my guardian." + +From that day forward Harry felt as if he belonged, in a measure, to +Master John, and at the breaking-up of the family in Chicago he was, +naturally, transferred to our establishment. + +There were three ladies of our travelling party--our mother, our sister +Mrs. Helm, and myself. To guard against the burning effect of the sun +and the prairie winds upon our faces, I had, during some of the last +days of my visit, prepared for each of us a mask of brown linen, with +the eyes, nose, and mouth fitted to our features; and, to enhance their +hideousness, I had worked eyebrows, eyelashes, and a circle around the +opening for the mouth, in black silk. Gathered in plaits under the chin, +and with strings to confine them above and below, they furnished a +complete protection against the sun and wind, though nothing can be +imagined more frightful than the appearance we presented when fully +equipped. It was who should be called the ugliest. + +We left amid the good wishes and laughter of our few remaining +acquaintances. Our wagon had been provided with a pair of excellent +travelling horses, and, sister Margaret and myself being accommodated +with the best pacers the country could afford, we set off in high +spirits towards the Aux Plaines--our old friend, Billy Caldwell (the +Sau-ga-nash), with our brother Robert, and Gholson Kercheval, +accompanying us to that point of our journey. + +There was no one at Barney Lawton's when we reached there, save a +Frenchman and a small number of Indians. My sister and I dismounted, and +entered the dwelling, the door of which stood open. Two Indians were +seated on the floor, smoking. They raised their eyes as we appeared, and +never shall I forget the expression of wonder and horror depicted on the +countenances of both. Their lips relaxed until the pipe of one fell upon +the floor. Their eyes seemed starting from their heads, and raising +their outspread hands, as if to wave us from them, they slowly +ejaculated, "_Manitou!"_ (a spirit.) + +As we raised our masks, and, smiling, came forward to shake hands with +them, they sprang to their feet and fairly uttered a cry of delight at +the sight of our familiar faces. + +"Bon-jour, bon-jour, Maman!" was their salutation, and they instantly +plunged out of doors to relate to their companions what had happened. + +Our afternoon's ride was over a prairie stretching away to the northeast +No living creature was to be seen upon its broad expanse, but flying and +circling over our heads were innumerable flocks of curlews, + +"Screaming their wild notes to the listening waste." + +Their peculiar, shrill cry of "crack, crack, crack--rackety, rackety, +rackety," repeated from the throats of dozens, as they sometimes stooped +quite close to our ears, became at length almost unbearable. It seemed +as if they had lost their senses in the excitement of so unusual and +splendid a cortége in their hitherto desolate domain. + +The accelerated pace of our horses, as we approached a beautiful, +wooded knoll, warned us that this was to be our place of repose for the +night. These animals seem to know by instinct a favorable +encamping-ground, and this was one of the most lovely imaginable. + +The trees, which near the lake had, owing to the coldness and tardiness +of the season, presented the pale-yellow appearance of unfledged +goslings, were here bursting into full leaf. The ground around was +carpeted with flowers--we could not bear to have them crushed by the +felling of a tree and the pitching of our tent among them. The birds +sent forth their sweetest notes in the warm, lingering sunlight, and the +opening buds of the young hickory and sassafras filled the air with +perfume. + +Nothing could be more perfect than our enjoyment of this sylvan and +beautiful retreat[45] after our ride in the glowing sun. The children +were in ecstasies. They delighted to find ways of making themselves +useful--to pile up the saddles--to break boughs for the fire--to fill +the little kettles with water for Petaille and Lecuyer, the Frenchmen, +who were preparing our supper. + +Their amusement at the awkward movements of the horses after they were +spancelled knew no bounds. To our little nephew Edwin everything was +new, and Josette, who had already made more than one horseback journey +to St. Joseph, manifested all the pride of an old traveller in +explaining to him whatever was novel or unaccountable. + +They were not the last to spring up at the call "how! how!" on the +following morning. + +The fire was replenished, the preparations for breakfast commenced, and +the Frenchmen dispatched to bring up the horses in readiness for an +early start. + +Harry and Josette played their parts, under our direction, in preparing +the simple meal, and we soon seated ourselves, each with cup and knife, +around the _table-mat._ The meal was over, but no men, no horses +appeared. When another half-hour had passed, my husband took Harry and +commenced exploring in search of the missing ones. + +The day wore on, and first one and then another would make his +appearance to report progress. Petaille and Lecuyer at length brought +two of the horses, but the others could nowhere be found. In time, Mr. +Kinzie and Harry returned, wet to their knees by the dew upon the long +prairie-grass, but with no tidings. Again the men were dispatched after +having broken their fast, but returned unsuccessful as before. + +The morning had been passed by our party at the encampment in +speculating upon the missing animals. Could they have been stolen by the +Indians? Hardly: these people seldom committed robberies in time of +peace--never upon our family, whom they regarded as their best friends. +The horses would doubtless be found. They had probably been carelessly +fastened the preceding evening, and had therefore been able to stray +farther than was their wont. + +A council was held, at which it was decided to send Grignon back to +Chicago to get some fresh horses from Gholson Kercheval, and return as +speedily as possible. If on his return our encampment were deserted, he +might conclude we had found the horses and proceeded to Fox River, where +he would doubtless overtake us. + +He had not been gone more than an hour before, slowly hopping out of a +point of woods to the north of us (a spot which each of the seekers +averred he had explored over and over again), and making directly for +the place where we were, appeared the vexatious animals. They came up +as demurely as if nothing had happened, and seemed rather surprised to +be received with a hearty scolding, instead of being patted and caressed +as usual. + +It was the work of a very short half-hour to strike and pack the tent, +stow away the mats and kettles, saddle the horses, and mount for our +journey. + +"Whoever pleases may take my place in the carriage," said our mother. "I +have travelled so many years on horseback, that I find any other mode of +conveyance too fatiguing." + +So, spite of her sixty years, she mounted sister Margaret's pacer with +the activity of a girl of sixteen. + +Lieutenant Foster had left us early in the morning, feeling it necessary +to rejoin his command, and now, having seen us ready to set off, with a +serene sky above us, and all things "right and tight" for the journey, +our friend the Sau-ga-nash took leave of us, and retraced his steps +towards Chicago. + +We pursued our way through a lovely country of alternate glade and +forest, until we reached the Fox River. The current ran clear and +rippling along, and, as we descended the steep bank to the water, the +question, so natural to a traveller in an unknown region, presented +itself, "Is it fordable?" + +Petaille, to whom the ground was familiar, had not yet made his +appearance Lecuyer was quite ignorant upon the subject. The troops had +evidently preceded us by this very trail. True, but they were on +horseback--the difficulty was, could we get the carriage through? It +must be remembered that the doubt was not about the depth of the water, +but about the hardness of the bottom of the stream. + +It was agreed that two or three of the equestrians should make the +trial first. My mother, Lecuyer, and myself advanced cautiously across +to the opposite bank, each choosing a different point for leaving the +water, in order to find the firmest spot. The bottom was hard and firm +until we came near the shore; then it yielded a little. With one step, +however, we were each on dry ground. + +"Est-il beau?" called my husband, who was driving. + +"Oui, monsieur." + +"Yes, John, come just here, it is perfectly good." + +"No, no--go a little farther down. See the white gravel just there--it +will be firmer still, there." + +Such were the contradictory directions given. He chose the latter, and +when it wanted but one step more to the bank, down sunk both horses, +until little more than their backs were visible. + +The white gravel proved to be a bed of treacherous yellow clay, which, +gleaming through the water, had caused so unfortunate a deception. + +With frantic struggles, for they were nearly suffocated with mud and +water, the horses made desperate efforts to free themselves from the +harness. My husband sprang out upon the pole. "Some one give me a +knife," he cried. I was back in the water in a moment, and, approaching +as near as I dared, handed him mine from the scabbard around my neck. + +"Whatever you do, do not cut the traces," cried his mother. + +He severed some of the side-straps, when, just as he had reached the +extremity of the pole, and was stretching forward to separate the +head-couplings, one of the horses gave a furious plunge, which caused +his fellow to rear, and throw himself nearly backwards. My husband was +between them. For a moment we thought he was gone--trampled down by the +excited animals; but he presently showed himself, nearly obscured by the +mud and water. With the agility of a cat, Harry, who was near him, now +sprang forward on the pole, and in an instant, with his sharp jack-knife +which he had ready, divided the straps that confined their heads. + +The horses were at this moment lying floating on the water--one +apparently dead, the other as if gasping out his last breath. But hardly +did they become sensible of the release of their heads from bondage, +than they made, simultaneously, another furious effort to free +themselves from the pole, to which they were still attached by the +neck-strap. + +Failing in this, they tried another expedient, and, by a few judicious +twists and turns, succeeded in wrenching the pole asunder, and finally +carried it off in triumph across the river again, and up the bank, where +they stood waiting to decide what were the next steps to be taken. + +Here was a predicament! A few hours before, we had thought ourselves +uncomfortable enough, because some of our horses were missing. Now, a +greater evil had befallen us. The wagon was in the river, the harness +cut to pieces, and, what was worse, carried off in the most independent +manner, by Tom and his companion; the pole was twisted to fragments, and +there was not so much as a stick on our side of the river with which to +replace it. + +At this moment, a whoop from the opposite bank, echoed by two or three +hearty ones from our party, announced the reappearance of Petaille +Grignon. He dismounted and took charge of the horses, who were resting +themselves after their fatigues under a shady tree, and by this time +Lecuyer had crossed the river, and now joined him in bringing back the +delinquents. + +In the mean time we had been doing our best to minister to our sister +Margaret. She, with her little son Edwin, had been in the wagon at the +time of the accident, and it had been a work of some difficulty to get +them out and bring them on horseback to shore. The effect of the +agitation and excitement was to throw her into a fit of the ague, and +she now lay blue and trembling among the long grass of the little +prairie which extended along the bank. The tent, which had been packed +in the rear of the wagon, was too much saturated with mud and water to +admit of its being used as a shelter; it could only be stretched in the +sun to dry. We opened an umbrella over our poor sister's head, and now +began a discussion of ways and means to repair damages. The first thing +was to cut a new pole for the wagon, and for this, the master and men +must recross the river and choose an _iron-tree_ out of the forest. + +Then, for the harness. With provident care, a little box had been placed +under the seat of the wagon, containing an awl, waxed ends, and various +other little conveniences exactly suited to an emergency like the +present. + +It was question and answer, like Cock Robin: + +"Who can mend the harness?" + +"I can, for I learned when I was a young girl to make shoes as _an +accomplishment_, and I can surely now, as a matter of usefulness and +duty, put all those wet, dirty pieces of leather together." + +So we all seated ourselves on the grass, under the shade of the only two +umbrellas we could muster. + +I stitched away diligently, blistering my hands, I must own, in no small +degree. + +A suitable young tree had been brought, and the hatchets, without which +one never travels in the woods, were busy fashioning it into shape, when +a peculiar hissing noise was heard, and instantly the cry,-- + +"_Un serpent sonnette_! A rattlesnake!" + +All sprang to their feet, even the poor, shaking invalid, just in time +to see the reptile glide past within three inches of my mother's feet, +while the men assailed the spot it had left with whips, missiles, and +whatever would help along the commotion. + +This little incident proved an excellent remedy for the ague. One +excitement drives away another, and by means of this (upon the +homoeopathic principle) sister Margaret was so much improved that by the +time all the mischiefs were repaired, she was ready to take her place in +the cavalcade, as bright and cheerful as the rest of us. + +So great had been the delay occasioned by all these untoward +circumstances, that our afternoon's ride was but a short one, bringing +us no farther than the shores of a beautiful sheet of water, now known +as Crystal Lake. Its clear surface was covered with loons, and _Poules +d'Eau_, a species of rail; with which, at certain seasons, this region +abounds. + +The Indians have the genius of Aesop for depicting animal life and +character, and there is among them a fable or legend illustrative of +every peculiarity in the personal appearance, habits, or dispositions of +each variety of the animal creation. + +The back of the little rail is very concave, or hollow. The Indians tell +us that it became so in the following manner:-- + + +STORY OF THE LITTLE RAIL, OR _Poule d'Eau_ + +There is supposed, by most of the Northwestern tribes, to exist an +invisible being, corresponding to the "Genie" of Oriental story. Without +being exactly the father of evil, _Nan-nee-bo-zho_ is a spirit whose +office it is to punish what is amiss. He is represented, too, as +constantly occupied in entrapping and making examples of all the +animals that come in his way. + +One pleasant evening, as he walked along the banks of a lake, he saw a +flock of ducks, sailing and enjoying themselves on the blue waters. He +called to them: + +"Ho! come with me into my lodge, and I will teach you to dance!" Some of +the ducks said among themselves, "It is Nan-nee-bo-zho; let us not go." +Others were of a contrary opinion, and, his words being fair, and his +voice insinuating, a few turned their faces towards the land--all the +rest soon followed, and, with many pleasant quackings, trooped after +him, and entered his lodge. + +When there, he first took an Indian sack, with a wide mouth, which he +tied by the strings around his neck, so that it would hang over his +shoulders, leaving the mouth unclosed. Then, placing himself in the +centre of the lodge, he ranged the ducks in a circle around him. + +"Now," said he, "you must all shut your eyes _tight_; whoever opens his +eyes at all, something dreadful will happen to him. I will take my +Indian flute and play upon it, and you will, at the word I shall give, +open your eyes, and commence dancing, as you see me do." + +The ducks obeyed, shutting their eyes _tight_, and keeping time to the +music by stepping from one foot to the other, all impatient for the +dancing to begin. + +Presently a sound was heard like a smothered "quack," but the ducks did +not dare to open their eyes. + +Again, and again, the sound of the flute would be interrupted, and a +gurgling cry of "qu-a-a-ck" be heard. There was one little duck, much +smaller than the rest, who, at this juncture, could not resist the +temptation to open one eye, cautiously. She saw Nan-nee-bo-zho, as he +played his flute, holding it with one hand, stoop a little at intervals +and seize the duck nearest him, which he throttled and stuffed into the +bag on his shoulders. So, edging a little out of the circle, and getting +nearer the door, which had been left partly open, to admit the light, +she cried out,-- + +"Open your eyes--Nan-nee-bo-zho is choking you all and putting you into +his bag!" + +With that she flew, but Nan-nee-bo-zho pounced upon her. His hand +grasped her back, yet, with desperate force, she released herself and +gained the open air. Her companions flew, quacking and screaming, after +her. Some escaped, and some fell victims to the sprite. + +The little duck had saved her life, but she had lost her beauty. She +ever after retained the attitude she had been forced into in her moment +of danger--her back pressed down in the centre, and her head and neck +unnaturally stretched forward into the air. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +RETURN JOURNEY, CONTINUED. + + +The third day of our journey rose brilliantly clear, like the two +preceding ones, and we shaped our course more to the north than we had +hitherto done, in the direction of _Big-foot_ Lake, now known by the +somewhat hackneyed appellation, Lake of Geneva. + +Our journey this day was without mishaps or disasters of any kind. The +air was balmy, the foliage of the forests fresh and fragrant, the little +brooks clear and sparkling--everything in nature spoke the praises of +the beneficent Creator. + +It is in scenes like this, far removed from the bustle, the strife, and +the sin of civilized life, that we most fully realize the presence of +the great Author of the Universe. Here can the mind most fully adore his +majesty and goodness, for here only is the command obeyed, "Let all the +earth keep silence before Him!" + +It cannot escape observation that the deepest and most solemn devotion +is in the hearts of those who, shut out from the worship of God in +temples made with hands, are led to commune with him amid the boundless +magnificence that his own power has framed. + +This day was not wholly without incident. As we stopped for our +noon-tide refreshment, and dismounting threw ourselves on the fresh +herbage just at the verge of a pleasant thicket, we were startled by a +tender _bleating_ near us, and presently, breaking its way through the +low branches, there came upon us a sweet little dappled fawn, evidently +in search of its mother. It did not seem in the least frightened at the +sight of us. As poor Selkirk might have been parodied,-- + + It was so unacquainted with man, + Its tameness was charming to us. + +But the vociferous delight of the children soon drove it bounding again +into the woods, and all hopes of catching it for a pet were at once at +an end. + +We had travelled well this day, and were beginning to feel somewhat +fatigued, when, just before sunset, we came upon a ridge, overlooking +one of the loveliest little dells imaginable. It was an oak opening, and +browsing under the shade of the tall trees which were scattered around +were the cattle and horses of the soldiers, who had got thus far on +their journey. Two or three white tents were pitched in the bottom of +the valley, beside a clear stream. The camp-fires were already lighted, +and the men, singly or in groups, were busied in their various +preparations for their own comfort, or that of their animals. + +Lieutenant Foster came forward with great delight to welcome our +arrival, and accepted without hesitation an invitation to join our mess +again, as long as we should be together. + +We soon found a pleasant encamping-ground, far enough removed from the +other party to secure us against all inconvenience, and our supper +having received the addition of a kettle of fine fresh milk, kindly +brought us by Mrs. Gardiner, the hospital matron, who with her little +covered cart formed no unimportant feature in the military group, we +partook of our evening meal with much hilarity and enjoyment. + +If people are ever companionable, it is when thrown together under +circumstances like the present. There has always been sufficient +incident through the day to furnish themes for discourse, and subjects +of merriment, as long as the company feel disposed for conversation, +which is, truth to tell, not an unconscionable length of time after +their supper is over. + +The poor Lieutenant looked grave enough when we set out in advance of +him the next morning. None of his party were acquainted with the road; +but, after giving him directions both general and particular, Mr. Kinzie +promised to _blaze_ a tree, or _set up a chip_ for a guide, at every +place which appeared more than usually doubtful. + +We now found ourselves in a much more diversified country than any we +had hitherto travelled. Gently swelling hills, lovely valleys, and +bright sparkling streams were the features of the landscape. But there +was little animate life. Now and then a shout from the leader of the +party (for, according to custom, we travelled Indian file) would call +our attention to a herd of deer "loping," as the Westerners say, +through the forest; or an additional spur would be given to the horses +on the appearance of some small dark object, far distant on the trail +before us. But the game invariably contrived to disappear before we +could reach it, and it was out of the question to leave the beaten track +for a regular hunt. + +Soon after mid-day, we descended a long, sloping knoll, and by a sudden +turn came full in view of the beautiful sheet of water denominated +Gros-pied by the French, _Maunk-suck_ by the natives, and by ourselves +Big-foot, from the chief whose village overlooked its waters. Bold, +swelling hills jutted forward into the clear blue expanse, or retreated +slightly to afford a green, level nook, as a resting-place for the +dwelling of man. On the nearer shore stretched a bright, gravelly beach, +across which coursed here and there a pure, sparkling rivulet to join +the larger sheet of water. + +On a rising ground at the foot of one of the bold bluffs in the middle +distance, a collection of neat wigwams formed, with their surrounding +gardens, no unpleasant feature in the picture. + +A shout of delight burst involuntarily from the whole party, as this +charming landscape met our view. "It was like the Hudson, only less +bold--no, it was like the lake of the Forest Cantons, in the picture of +the Chapel of William Tell! What could be imagined more enchanting? Oh I +if our friends at the East could but enjoy it with us!" + +We paused long to admire, and then spurred on, skirting the head of the +lake, and were soon ascending the broad platform on which stood the +village of Maunk-suck, or Big-foot. + +The inhabitants, who had witnessed our approach from a distance, were +all assembled in front of their wigwams to greet us, if friends--if +otherwise, whatever the occasion should demand. It was the first time +such a spectacle had ever presented itself to their wondering eyes. +Their salutations were not less cordial than we expected. +"Shaw-nee-aw-kee" and his mother, who was known throughout the tribe by +the touching appellation "Our friend's wife," were welcomed most kindly, +and an animated conversation commenced, which I could understand only so +far as it was conveyed by gestures; so I amused myself by taking a +minute survey of all that met my view. + +The chief was a large, raw-boned, ugly Indian, with a countenance +bloated by intemperance, and with a sinister, unpleasant expression. He +had a gay-colored handkerchief upon his head, and was otherwise attired +in his best, in compliment to the strangers. + +It was to this chief that Chambly, or, as he is now called, +Shaw-bee-nay, Billy Caldwell, and Robinson were dispatched, by Dr. +Wolcott, their Agent, during the Winnebago war, in 1821, to use their +earnest endeavors to prevent this chief and his band from joining the +hostile Indians. With some difficulty they succeeded, and were thus the +means, doubtless, of saving the lives of all the settlers who lived +exposed upon the frontier. + +Among the various groups of his people, there was none attracted my +attention so forcibly as a young man of handsome face, and a figure that +was striking even where all were fine and symmetrical. He too had a gay +handkerchief on his head, a shirt of the brightest lemon-colored calico, +an abundance of silver ornaments, and, what gave his dress a most +fanciful appearance, one legging of blue and the other of bright +scarlet. I was not ignorant that this peculiar feature in his toilet +indicated a heart suffering from the tender passion. The flute, which +he carried in his hand, added confirmation to the fact, while the +joyous, animated expression of his countenance showed with equal +plainness that he was not a despairing lover. + +I could have imagined him to have recently returned from the chase, +laden with booty, with which he had, as is the custom, entered the lodge +of the fair one, and thrown his burden at the feet of her parents, with +an indifferent, superb sort of air, as much as to say, "Here is some +meat--it is a mere trifle, but it will show you what you might expect +with me for a son-in-law." I could not doubt that the damsel had stepped +forward and gathered it up, in token that she accepted the offering, and +the donor along with it. There was nothing in the appearance or manner +of any of the maidens by whom we were surrounded, to denote which was +the happy fair, neither, although I peered anxiously into all their +countenances, could I there detect any blush of consciousness; so I was +obliged to content myself with selecting the youngest and prettiest of +the group, and go on weaving my romance to my own satisfaction. + +The village stood encircled by an amphitheatre of hills, so precipitous, +and with gorges so steep and narrow, that it seemed almost impossible to +scale them, even on horseback; how, then, could we hope to accomplish +the ascent of the four-wheeled carriage? This was the point now under +discussion between my husband and the Pottowattamies. There was no +alternative but to make the effort, selecting the pass that the +inhabitants pointed out as the most practicable. Petaille went first, +and I followed on my favorite Jerry. It was such a scramble as is not +often taken,--almost perpendicularly, through what seemed the dry bed of +a torrent, now filled with loose stones, and scarcely affording one +secure foothold from the bottom to the summit! I clang fast to the +mane, literally at times clasping Jerry around his neck, and, amid the +encouraging shouts and cheers of those below, we at length arrived +safely, though nearly breathless, on the pinnacle, and sat looking down, +to view the success of the next party. + +The horses had been taken from the carriage, the luggage it contained +being placed upon the shoulders of some of the young Indians, to be +_toted_ up the steep. Ropes were now attached to its sides, and a +regular bevy of our red friends, headed by our two Frenchmen, placed to +man them. Two or three more took their places in the rear, to hold the +vehicle and keep it from slipping backwards--then the labor commenced. +Such a pulling! such a shouting! such a clapping of hands by the +spectators of both sexes! such a stentorian word of command or +encouragement from the bourgeois! Now and then there would be a slight +halt, a wavering, as if carriage and men were about to tumble backwards +into the plain below; but no--they would recover themselves, and after +incredible efforts they too safely gained the table-land above. In +process of time all were landed there, and, having remunerated our +friends to their satisfaction, the goods and chattels were collected, +the wagon repacked, and we set off for our encampment at Turtle Creek. + +The exertions and excitement of our laborious ascent, together with the +increasing heat of the sun, made this afternoon's ride more +uncomfortable than anything we had previously felt. We were truly +rejoiced when the whoop of our guide, and the sight of a few scattered +lodges, gave notice that we had reached our encamping-ground. We chose a +beautiful sequestered spot by the side of a clear, sparkling stream, +and, having dismounted and seen that our horses were made comfortable, +my husband, after giving his directions to his men, led me to a retired +spot where I could lay aside my hat and mask and bathe my flushed face +and aching head in the cool, refreshing waters. Never had I felt +anything so grateful, so delicious. I sat down, and leaned my head +against one of the tall, overshadowing trees, and was almost dreaming, +when summoned to partake of our evening meal. + +The Indians had brought us, as a present, some fine brook trout, which +our Frenchmen had prepared in the most tempting fashion, and before the +bright moon rose and we were ready for oar rest, all headache and +fatigue had alike disappeared. + + * * * * * + +One of the most charming features of this mode of travelling is the +joyous, vocal life of the forest at early dawn, when all the feathered +tribe come forth to pay their cheerful salutations to the opening day. + +The rapid, chattering flourish of the bob-o'-link, the soft whistle of +the thrush, the tender coo of the wood-dove, the deep, warbling bass of +the grouse, the drumming of the partridge, the melodious trill of the +lark, the gay carol of the robin, the friendly, familiar call of the +duck and the teal, resound from tree and knoll and lowland, prompting +the expressive exclamation of the simple half-breed,-- + +"Voilà la forêt qui parle!"[46] + +It seems as if man must involuntarily raise his voice, to take part in +the general chorus--the mating song of praise. + +Birds and flowers, and the soft balmy airs of morning! Must it not have +been in a scene like this that Milton's Adam poured out his beautiful +hymn of adoration,-- + +"These are thy glorious works, Parent of Good"? + +This day we were journeying in hopes to reach, at an early hour, that +broad expanse of the Rock River which here forms the Kosh-ko-nong. The +appellation of this water, rendered doubly affecting by the subsequent +fate of its people, imports "_the lake we live on_." + +Our road for the early part of the day led through forests so thick and +tangled that Grignon and Lecuyer were often obliged to go in advance as +pioneers with their axes, to cut away the obstructing shrubs and +branches. It was slow work, and at times quite discouraging, but we were +through with it at last, and then we came into a country of altogether a +different description,--low prairies, intersected with deep, narrow +streams like canals, the passage of which, either by horses or +carriages, was often a matter of delay and even difficulty. + +Several times in the course of the forenoon the horses were to be taken +from the carriage and the latter pulled and pushed across the deep +narrow channels as best it might. + +The wooded banks of the Kosh-ko-nong were never welcomed with greater +delight than by us when they at length broke upon our sight. A ride of +five or six miles through the beautiful oak openings brought us to +_Man-Eater's_ village, a collection of neat bark wigwams, with extensive +fields on each side of corn, beans, and squashes, recently planted, but +already giving promise of a fine crop. In front was the broad blue lake, +the shores of which, to the south, were open and marshy, but near the +village, and stretching far away to the north, were bordered by fine +lofty trees. The village was built but a short distance below the point +where the Rock River opens into the lake, and during a conversation +between our party and the Indians at the village, an arrangement was +made with them to take us across at a spot about half a mile above. + +After a short halt, we again took up our line of march through the +woods, along the bank of the river. + +A number of the Winnebagoes (for we had been among our own people since +leaving Gros-pied Lake) set out for the appointed place by water, +paddling their canoes, of which they had selected the largest and +strongest. + +Arrived at the spot indicated, we dismounted, and the men commenced the +task of unsaddling and unloading. We were soon placed in the canoes, and +paddled across to the opposite bank. Next, the horses were swum +across--after them was to come the carriage. Two long wooden canoes were +securely lashed together side by side, and being of sufficient width to +admit of the carriage standing within them, the passage was commenced. +Again and again the tottering barks would sway from side to side, and a +cry or a shout would arise from our party on shore, as the whole mass +seemed about to plunge sideways into the water, but it would presently +recover itself, and at length, after various deviations from the +perpendicular, it reached the shore in safety. + +We now hoped that our troubles were at an end, and that we had nothing +to do but to mount and trot on as fast as possible to Fort Winnebago. +But no. Half a mile farther on was a formidable swamp, of no great width +it is true, but with a depth of from two to three feet of mud and water. +It was a question whether, with the carriage, we could get through it at +all. Several of the Indians accompanied us to this place, partly to give +us their aid and counsel, and partly to enjoy the fun of the spectacle. + +On reaching the swamp, we were disposed to laugh at the formidable +representations which had been made to us. We saw only a strip of what +seemed rather low land, covered with tall, dry rushes. + +It is true the ground looked a little wet, but there seemed nothing to +justify all the apprehensions that had been excited. Great was my +surprise, then, to see my husband, who had been a few minutes absent, +return to our circle attired in his duck trousers, and without shoes or +stockings. + +"What are you going to do?" inquired I. + +"Carry you through the swamp on my shoulders. Come, Petaille, you are +the strongest--you are to carry Madame Kinzie, and To-shun-nuck there +(pointing to a tall, stout Winnebago), he will take Madame Helm." + +"Wait a moment," said I, and, seating myself on the grass, I +deliberately took off my own boots and stockings. + +"What is that for?" they all asked. + +"Because I do not wish to ride with wet feet all the rest of the day." + +"No danger of that," said they, and no one followed my example. + +By the time they were in the midst of the swamp, however, they found my +precaution had been by no means useless. The water through which our +bearers had to pass was of such a depth that no efforts of the ladies +were sufficient to keep their feet above the surface; and I had the +satisfaction of feeling that my burden upon my husband's shoulders was +much less, from my being able to keep my first position instead of +changing constantly to avoid a contact with the water. + +The laugh was quite on my side when I resumed my equipment and mounted, +_dry-shod_, into my saddle. + +It will be perceived that journeying in the woods is, in some degree, a +deranger of ceremony and formality; that it necessarily restricts us +somewhat in our conventionalities. The only remedy is, to make ourselves +amends by a double share when we return to the civilized walks of life. + +By dint of much pulling, shouting, encouraging, and threatening, the +horses at length dragged the carriage through the difficult pass, and +our red friends were left to return to their village, with, doubtless, a +very exaggerated and amusing account of all that they had seen and +assisted in. + +We had not forgotten our promise to Lieutenant Foster to put up a +"guide-board" of some sort, for his accommodation in following us. We +therefore, upon several occasions, carried with us from the woods a few +pieces, of three or four feet in length, which we planted at certain +points, with a transverse stick through a cleft in the top, thus marking +the direction he and his party were to take. + +We therefore felt sure that, although a few days later, he would find +our trail, and avail himself of the same assistance as we had, in +getting through the difficulties of the way. + +Our encamping-ground, this night, was to be not far distant from the +Four Lakes. We were greatly fatigued with the heat and exercise of the +day, and most anxiously did we look out for the clumps of willows and +alders which were to mark the spot where water would be found. We felt +hardly equal to pushing on quite to the bank of the nearest lake. +Indeed, it would have taken us too much off our direct course. + +When we, at a late hour, came upon a spot fit for our purpose, we +exchanged mutual congratulations that this was to be our last night upon +the road. The next day we should be at Winnebago! + +Our journey had been most delightful--a continued scene of exhilaration +and enjoyment; for the various mishaps, although for the moment they had +perplexed, yet, in the end, had but added to our amusement. Still, with +the inconstancy of human nature, we were pleased to exchange its +excitement for the quiet repose of home. + +Our next morning's ride was of a more tranquil character than any that +had preceded it; for at an early hour we entered upon what was known as +the "Twenty-mile Prairie,"--and I may be permitted to observe that the +miles are wonderfully long on the prairies. Our passage over this was, +except the absence of the sand, like crossing the desert. Mile after +mile of unbroken expanse--not a tree--not a living object except +ourselves. + +The sun, as if to make himself amends for his two months' seclusion, +shone forth with redoubled brilliancy. There is no such thing as +carrying an umbrella on horseback, though those in the wagon were able +to avail themselves of such a shelter. + +Our mother's energies had sustained her in the saddle until this day, +but she was now fairly obliged to give in, and yield her place on little +Brunet to sister Margaret. + +Thus we went on, one little knoll rising beyond another, from the summit +of each of which, in succession, we hoped to descry the distant woods, +which were to us as the promised land. + +"Take courage," were the cheering words, often repeated; "very soon you +will begin to see the timber." + +Another hour would pass heavily by. + +"Now, when we reach the rising ground just ahead, look _sharp_." + +We would look sharp--nothing but the same unvarying landscape. + +There were not even streams to allay the feverish thirst occasioned by +fatigue and impatience. + +At length a whoop from Shaw-nee-aw-kee broke the silence in which we +were pursuing our way. + +"Le voilà !" (There it is!) + +Our less practised eye could not at first discern the faint blue strip +edging the horizon, but it grew and grew upon our vision, and fatigue +and all discomfort proportionably disappeared. + +We were in fine spirits by the time we reached "Hastings's Woods," a +noble forest, watered by a clear, sparkling stream. + +Grateful as was the refreshment of the green foliage and the cooling +waters, we did not allow ourselves to forget that the day was wearing +on, and that we must, if possible, complete our journey before sunset; +so we soon braced up our minds to continue our route, although we would +gladly have lingered another hour. + +The marsh of Duck Creek was, thanks to the heat of the past week, in a +very different state from what it had been a few months previous, when I +had been so unfortunately submerged in its icy waters. + +We passed it without difficulty, and soon found ourselves upon the banks +of the creek. + +The stream, at this point, was supposed to be always fordable; and even +were it not so, that to the majority of our party would have been a +matter of little moment. To the ladies, however, the subject seemed to +demand consideration. + +"This water looks very deep--are you sure we can cross it on horseback?" + +"Oh, yes! Petaille, go before, and let us see how the water is." + +Petaille obeyed. He was mounted on a horse like a giraffe, and, +extending his feet horizontally, he certainly managed to pass through +the stream without much of a wetting. + +It seemed certain that the water would come into the wagon, but that was +of the less consequence as, in case of the worst, the passengers could +mount upon the seats. + +My horse, Jerry, was above the medium height, so that I soon passed +over, with no inconvenience but that of being obliged to disengage my +feet from the stirrups and tuck them up snugly against the mane of the +horse. + +Sister Margaret was still upon Brunet. She was advised to change him for +one of the taller horses, but while the matter was under debate, it was +settled by the perverse little wretch taking to the water most +unceremoniously, in obedience to the example of the other animals. + +He was soon beyond his depth, and we were at once alarmed and diverted +at seeing his rider, with surprising adroitness, draw her feet from the +stirrups and perch herself upon the top of the saddle, where she held +her position, and navigated her little refractory steed safely to land. + +This was the last of our adventures. A pleasant ride of four miles +brought us to the Fort, just as the sun was throwing his last beams over +the glowing landscape; and on reaching the ferry we were at once +conducted, by the friends who were awaiting us, to the hospitable roof +of Major Twiggs. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +FOUR-LEGS, THE DANDY. + + +The companies of the First Infantry, which had hitherto been stationed +at Fort Winnebago, had before our arrival received orders to move on to +the Mississippi as soon as relieved by a portion of the Fifth, now at +Fort Howard. + +As many of the officers of the latter regiment were married, we had +reason to expect that all the quarters at the post would be put in +requisition. For this reason, although strongly pressed by Major Twiggs +to take up our residence again in the Fort until he should go on +furlough, we thought it best to establish ourselves at once at "the +Agency." + +It seemed laughable to give so grand a name to so very insignificant a +concern. We had been promised, by the heads of department at Washington, +a comfortable dwelling so soon as there should be an appropriation by +Congress sufficient to cover any extra expense in the Indian Department. +It was evident that Congress had a great spite at us, for it had delayed +for two sessions attending to our accommodation. There was nothing to be +done, therefore, but to make ourselves comfortable with the best means +in our power. + +The old log barracks, which had been built for the officers and soldiers +on the first establishment of the post, two years previous, had been +removed by our French engagés and put up again upon the little hill +opposite the Fort. To these some additions were now made in the shape +of dairy, stables, smoke-house, etc., constructed of tamarack logs +brought from the neighboring swamp. The whole presented a very rough and +primitive appearance. + +The main building consisted of a range of four rooms, no two of which +communicated with each other, but each opened by a door into the outward +air. A small window cut through the logs in front and rear, gave light +to the apartment. An immense clay chimney for every two rooms, occupied +one side of each, and the ceiling overhead was composed of a few rough +boards laid upon the transverse logs that supported the roof. + +It was surprising how soon a comfortable, homelike air was given to the +old dilapidated rooms, by a few Indian mats spread upon the floor, the +piano and other furniture ranged in their appropriate places, and even a +few pictures hung against the logs. The latter, alas! had soon to be +displaced, for with the first heavy shower the rain found entrance +through sundry crevices, and we saw ourselves obliged to put aside, +carefully, everything that could be injured by the moisture. We made +light of these evils, however--packed away our carpets and superfluous +furniture upon the boards above, which we dignified with the name of +attic, and contentedly resolved to await the time when Government should +condescend to remember us. The greatest inconvenience I experienced, was +from the necessity of wearing my straw bonnet throughout the day, as I +journeyed from bedroom to parlor, and from parlor to kitchen. I became +so accustomed to it that I even sometimes forgot to remove it when I sat +down to table, or to my quiet occupations with my mother and sister. + +Permission was, however, in time, received to build a house for the +blacksmith--that is, the person kept in pay by the Government at this +station to mend the guns, traps, etc. of the Indians. + +It happened most fortunately for us that Monsieur Isidore Morrin was a +bachelor, and quite satisfied to continue boarding with his friend Louis +Frum, _dit_ Manaigre, so that when the new house was fairly commenced we +planned it and hurried it forward entirely on our own account. + +It was not very magnificent, it is true, consisting of but a parlor and +two bedrooms on the ground-floor, and two low chambers under the roof, +with a kitchen in the rear; but compared with the rambling old +stable-like building we now inhabited, it seemed quite a palace. + +Before it was completed, Mr. Kinzie was notified that the money for the +annual Indian payment was awaiting his arrival in Detroit to take it in +charge and superintend its transportation to the Portage; and he was +obliged to set off at once to fulfil this part of his duty. + +The workmen who had been brought from the Mississippi to erect the main +building, were fully competent to carry on their work without an +overseer; but the kitchen was to be the task of the Frenchmen, and the +question was, how could it be executed in the absence of the +_bourgeois_? + +"You will have to content yourselves in the old quarters until my +return," said my husband, "and then we will soon have things in order." +His journey was to be a long and tedious one, for the operations of +Government were not carried on by railroad and telegraph in those days. + +After his departure I said to the men, "Come, you have all your logs cut +and hauled--the squaws have brought the bark for the roof--what is to +prevent our finishing the house and getting all moved and settled to +surprise Monsieur John on his return?" + +"Ah! to be sure, Madame John," said Plante, who was always the +spokesman, "provided the one who plants a green bough on the chimney-top +is to have a treat." + +"Certainly. All hands fall to work, and see who will win the treat." + +Upon the strength of such an inducement to the one who should put the +finishing stroke to the building, Plante, Pillon, and Manaigre, whom the +waggish Plante persisted in calling "mon nègre," whenever he felt +himself out of the reach of the other's arm, all went vigorously to +work. + +Building a log house is a somewhat curious process. First, as will be +conceived, the logs are laid one upon another and jointed at the +corners, until the walls have reached the required height. The chimney +is formed by four poles of the proper length, interlaced with a +wicker-work of small branches. A hole or pit is dug, near at hand, and, +with a mixture of clay and water, a sort of mortar is formed. Large +wisps of hay are filled with this thick substance, and fashioned with +the hands into what are technically called "_clay cats_," and these are +filled in among the frame-work of the chimney until not a chink is left. +The whole is then covered with a smooth coating of the wet clay, which +is denominated "plastering." + +Between the logs which compose the walls of the building, small bits of +wood are driven, quite near together; this is called "chinking," and +after it is done, clay cats are introduced, and smoothed over with the +plaster. When all is dry, both walls and chimney are whitewashed, and +present a comfortable and tidy appearance. + +The roof is formed by laying upon the transverse logs thick sheets of +bark. Around the chimney, for greater security against the rain, we took +care to have placed a few layers of the palisades that had been left +when Mr. Peach, an odd little itinerant genius, had fenced in our +garden, the pride and wonder of the surrounding settlement and wigwams. + +While all these matters were in progress, we received frequent visits +from our Indian friends. First and foremost among them was "the young +Dandy," Four-Legs. + +One fine morning he made his appearance, accompanied by two squaws, whom +he introduced as his wives. He could speak a little Chippewa, and by +this means he and our mother contrived to keep up something of a +conversation. He was dressed in all his finery, brooches, wampum, fan, +looking-glass and all. The paint upon his face and chest showed that he +had devoted no small time to the labors of his toilet. + +He took a chair, as he had seen done at Washington, and made signs to +his women to sit down upon the floor. + +The custom of taking two wives is not very general among the Indians. +They seem to have the sagacity to perceive that the fewer they have to +manage, the more complete is the peace and quiet of the wigwam. + +Nevertheless, it sometimes happens that a husband takes a foolish fancy +for a second squaw, and in that case he uses all his cunning and +eloquence to reconcile the first to receiving a new inmate in the lodge. +Of course it is a matter that must be managed adroitly, in order that +harmony may be preserved. + +"My dear, your health is not very good; it is time you should have some +rest. You have worked very hard, and it grieves me that you should have +to labor any longer. Let me get you some nice young squaw to wait upon +you, that you may live at ease all the rest of your life." + +The first wife consents; indeed, she has no option. If she is of a +jealous, vindictive disposition, what a life the new-comer leads! The +old one maintains all her rights of dowager and duenna, and the +husband's tenderness is hardly a compensation for all the evils the +young rival is made to suffer. + +It was on Sunday morning that this visit of the Dandy was made to us. We +were all seated quietly, engaged in reading. Four-Legs inquired of my +mother, why we were so occupied, and why everything around us was so +still. + +My mother explained to him our observance of the day of rest--that we +devoted it to worshipping and serving the Great Spirit, as he had +commanded in his Holy Word. + +Four-Legs gave a nod of approbation. That was very right, he said--he +was glad to see us doing our duty--he was very religious himself, and he +liked to see others so. He always took care that his squaws attended to +their duties,--not reading, perhaps, but such as the Great Spirit liked, +and such as he thought proper and becoming. + +He seemed to have no fancy for listening to any explanation of our +points of difference. The impression among the Winnebagoes "that if the +Great Spirit had wished them different from what they are, he would have +made them so," seems too strong to yield to either argument or +persuasion. + +Sometimes those who are desirous of appearing somewhat civilized will +listen quietly to all that is advanced on the subject of Christianity, +then, coolly saying, "Yes, we believe that too," will change the +conversation to other subjects. + +As a general thing, they do not appear to perceive that there is +anything to be gained by adopting the religion and the customs of the +whites. "Look at them," they say, "always toiling and striving--always +wearing a brow of care--shut up in houses--afraid of the wind and the +rain--suffering when they are deprived of the comforts of life! We, on +the contrary, live a life of freedom and happiness. We hunt and fish, +and pass our time pleasantly in the open woods and prairies. If we are +hungry, we take some game; or, if we do not find that, we can go +without. If our enemies trouble us, we can kill them, and there is no +more said about it. What should we gain by changing ourselves into white +men?"[47] + +Christian missionaries, with all their efforts to convert them, had at +this day made little progress in enlightening their minds upon the +doctrines of the Gospel. Mr. Mazzuchelli, a Roman Catholic priest, +accompanied by Miss Elizabeth Grignon as interpreter, made a missionary +visit to the Portage during our residence there, and, after some +instruction from him, about forty consented to be baptized. Christian +names were given to them, with which they seemed much pleased; and not +less so with the little plated crucifixes which each received, and which +the women wore about their necks. These they seemed to regard with a +devotional feeling; but I was not sufficiently acquainted with their +language to gather from them whether they understood the doctrine the +symbol was designed to convey. Certain it is, they expressed no wish to +learn our language, in order that they might gain a fuller knowledge of +the Saviour, nor any solicitude to be taught more about him than they +had received during the missionary's short visit. + +One woman, to whom the name of Charlotte had been given, signified a +desire to learn the domestic ways of the whites, and asked of me as a +favor through Madame Paquette that she might be permitted to come on +"washing-day," and learn of my servants our way of managing the +business. A tub was given her, and my woman instructed her, by signs and +example, how she was to manage. As I was not a little curious to observe +how things went on, I proceeded after a time to the kitchen where they +all were. Charlotte was at her tub, scouring and rubbing with all her +might at her little crucifix. Two other squaws sat upon the floor near +her, watching the operation. + +"That is the work she has been at for the last half-hour," said Josette, +in a tone of great impatience. "_She'll_ never learn to wash." + +Charlotte, however, soon fell diligently to work, and really seemed as +if she would tear her arms off, with her violent exertions. + +After a time, supposing that she must feel a good deal fatigued and +exhausted with the unaccustomed labor, I did what it was at that day +very much the fashion to do,--what, at home, I had always seen done on +washing-day,--what, in short, I imagine was then a general custom among +housekeepers. I went to the dining-room closet, intending to give +Charlotte a glass of wine or brandy and water. My "cupboard" proved to +be in the state of the luckless "Mother Hubbard's"--nothing of the kind +could I find but a bottle of orange shrub. + +Of this I poured out a wineglassful, and, carrying it out, offered it to +the woman. She took it with an expression of great pleasure; but, in +carrying it to her lips, she stopped short, and exclaiming, "Whiskey!" +immediately returned it to me. I would still have pressed it upon her; +for, in my inexperience, I really believed it was a cordial she needed; +but, pointing to her crucifix, she shook her head and returned to her +work. + +I received this as a lesson more powerful than twenty sermons. It was +the first time in my life that I had ever seen spirituous liquors +rejected upon a religious principle, and it made an impression upon me +that I never forgot. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +THE CUT-NOSE. + + +Among the women of the tribe with whom we early became acquainted, our +greatest favorite was a daughter of one of the Day-kau-rays. This +family, as I have elsewhere said, boasted in some remote generation a +cross of the French blood, and this fact might account for the fair +complexion and soft curling hair which distinguished our friend. She had +a noble forehead, full, expressive eyes, and fine teeth. Unlike the +women of her people, she had not grown brown and haggard with advancing +years. Indeed, with the exception of one feature, she might be called +beautiful. + +She had many years before married a Mus-qua-kee, or Fox Indian, and, +according to the custom among all the tribes, the husband came home to +the wife's family, and lived among the Winnebagoes. + +It is this custom, so exactly the reverse of civilized ways, that makes +the birth of a daughter a subject of peculiar rejoicing in an Indian +family. "She will bring another hunter to our lodge," is the style of +mutual congratulation. + +The Mus-qua-kee continued, for some few years, to live among his wife's +relations; but, as no children blessed their union, he at length became +tired of his new friends, and longed to return to his own people. He +tried, for a time, to persuade his wife to leave her home, and accompany +him to the Mississippi, on the banks of which the Sauks and Foxes lived, +but in vain. She could not resolve to make the sacrifice. + +One day, after many fruitless efforts to persuade her, he flew into a +violent passion. + +"Then, if you will not go with me," said he, "I will leave you; but you +shall never be the wife of any other man--I will mark you!" + +Saying this, he flew upon her, and bit off the end of her nose. This, +the usual punishment for conjugal infidelity, is the greatest disgrace a +woman can receive--it bars her forever from again entering the pale of +matrimony. The wretch fled to his own people; but his revenge fell short +of its aim. Day-kau-ray was too well known and too universally respected +to suffer opprobrium in any member of his family. This bright, loving +creature in particular, won all hearts upon a first acquaintance--she +certainly did ours, from the outset. + +She suffered much from rheumatism, and a remedy we gave her soon +afforded her almost entire relief. Her gratitude knew no bounds. +Notwithstanding that from long suffering she had become partially +crippled, she would walk all the way from the Barribault, a distance of +ten miles, as often as once in two or three weeks, to visit us. Then, to +sit and gaze at us, to laugh with childish glee at everything new or +strange that we employed ourselves about--to pat and stroke us every +time we came near her--sometimes to raise our hand or arm and kiss +it--these were her demonstrations of affection. And we loved her in +return. It was always a joyful announcement when, looking out over the +Portage road, somebody called out, "The _Cut-Nose_ is coming!" In time, +however, we learned to call her by her baptismal name of Elizabeth, for +she, too, was one of Mr. Mazzuchelli's converts. + +She came one day, accompanied by a half-grown boy, carrying a young fawn +she had brought me as a present. I was delighted with the pretty +creature--with its soft eyes and dappled coat; but having often heard +the simile, "as wild as a fawn," I did not anticipate much success in +taming it. To my great surprise, it soon learned to follow me like a +dog. Wherever I went, there Fan was sure to be. At breakfast, she would +lie down at my feet, under the table. One of her first tokens of +affection was to gnaw off all the trimming from my black silk apron, as +she lay pretending to caress and fondle me. Nor was this her only style +of mischief. + +One day we heard a great rattling among the crockery in the kitchen. We +ran to see what was the matter, and found that Miss Fan had made her way +to a shelf of the dresser, about two feet from the ground, and was +endeavoring to find a comfortable place to lie down, among the plates +and dishes. I soon observed that it was the shelter of the shelf above +her head that was the great attraction, and that she was in the habit of +seeking out a place of repose under a chair, or something approaching to +an "umbrageous bower." So after this I took care, as the hour for her +morning nap approached, to open a large green parasol, and set it on the +matting in the corner--then when I called "Fan, Fan," she would come and +nestle under it, and soon fall fast asleep. + +One morning Fan was missing. In vain we called and sought her in the +garden--in the enclosure for the cattle--at the houses of the +Frenchmen--along the hill towards Paquette's--no Fan was to be found. We +thought she had asserted her own wild nature and sped away to the woods. + +It was a hot forenoon, and the doors were all open. About dinner-time, +in rushed Fan, panting violently, and threw herself upon her side, where +she lay with her feet outstretched, her mouth foaming, and exhibiting +all the signs of mortal agony. We tried to give her water, to soothe +her, if perhaps it might be fright that so affected her; but in a few +minutes, with a gasp and a spasm, she breathed her last. Whether she had +been chased by the greyhounds, or whether she had eaten some poisonous +weed, which, occasioning her suffering, had driven her to her best +friends for aid, we never knew; but we lost our pretty pet, and many +were the tears shed for her. + + * * * * * + +Very shortly after the departure of my husband, we received a visit from +"the White Crow," the "Little Priest," and several others of the +principal chiefs of the Bock River Indians. They seemed greatly +disappointed at learning that their Father was from home, even though +his errand was to get "the silver." We sent for Paquette, who +interpreted for us the object of their visit. + +They had come to inform us that the Sauk chief Black Hawk and his band, +who, in compliance with a former treaty, had removed some time previous +to the west of the Mississippi, had now returned to their old homes and +hunting-grounds, and expressed a determination not to relinquish them, +but to drive off the white settlers who had begun to occupy them. + +The latter, in fact, the chief had already done, and having, as it was +said, induced some of the Pottowattamies to join him, there was reason +to fear that he might persuade some of the Winnebagoes to follow their +example. + +These chiefs had come to counsel with their Father, and to assure him +that they should do all in their power to keep their young men quiet. +They had heard that troops were being raised down among the whites in +Illinois, and they had hopes that their people would be wise enough to +keep out of difficulty. Furthermore, they begged that their Father, on +his return, would see that the soldiers did not meddle with them, so +long as they remained quiet and behaved in a friendly manner. + +White Crow seemed particularly anxious to impress it upon me, that if +any danger should arise in Shaw-nee-aw-kee's absence, he should come +with his people to protect me and my family. I relied upon his +assurances, for he had ever shown himself an upright and honorable +Indian. + +Notwithstanding this, the thoughts of Indian troubles so near us, in the +absence of our guardian and protector, occasioned us many an anxious +moment, and it was not until we learned of the peaceable retreat of the +Sauks and Foxes west of the Mississippi, that we were able wholly to lay +aside our fears. + +We were now called to part with our friends, Major Twiggs and his +family, which we did with heartfelt regret. He gave me a few parting +words about our old acquaintance, Krissman. + +"When I went into the barracks the other day," said he, "about the time +the men were taking their dinner, I noticed a great six-foot soldier +standing against the window-frame, crying and blubbering. 'Halloo,' said +I, 'what on earth does this mean?' + +"'Why, that fellow there,' said Krissman (for it was he), 'has scrowged +me out of my place!' A pretty soldier your protége will make, madam!" +added the Major. + +I never heard more of my hero. Whether he went to exhibit his prowess +against the Seminoles and Mexicans, or whether he returned to till the +fertile soil of his native German Flats and blow his favorite boatman's +horn, must be left for some future historian to tell. + +There is one more character to be disposed of--Louisa. An opportunity +offering in the spring, the Major placed her under the charge of a +person going to Buffalo, that she might be returned to her parents. In +compliment to the new acquaintances she had formed, she shortened her +skirts, mounted a pair of scarlet leggings embroidered with +porcupine-quills, and took her leave of military life, having deposited +with the gentleman who took charge of her sixty dollars, for safe +keeping, which she remarked "she had _saved up_, out of her wages at a +dollar a week, through the winter." + + * * * * * + +A very short time after we were settled in our new home at the Agency, +we attempted the commencement of a little Sunday-school. Edwin, Harry +and Josette were our most reliable scholars, but besides them there were +the two little Manaigres, Thérèse Paquette, and her mother's +half-sister, Florence Courville, a pretty young girl of fifteen. None of +these girls had even learned their letters. They spoke only French, or +rather the Canadian _patois_, and it was exceedingly difficult to give +them at once the sound of the words, and their signification, which they +were careful to inquire. Besides this, there was the task of correcting +the false ideas, and remedying the ignorance and superstition which +presented so formidable an obstacle to rational improvement. We did our +best, however, and had the satisfaction of seeing them, after a time, +making really respectable progress with their spelling-book, and, what +was still more encouraging, acquiring a degree of light and knowledge in +regard to better things. + +In process of time, however, Florence was often absent from her class. +"Her sister," she said, "could not always spare her. She wanted her to +keep house while she herself went over oil Sunday to visit her friends +the Roys, who lived on the Wisconsin." + +We reasoned with Madame Paquette on the subject. "Could she not spare +Florence on some hour of the day? We would gladly teach her on a +week-day, for she seemed anxious to learn, but we had always been told +that for that there was no time." + +"Well--she would see. Madame Alum (Helm) and Madame John were so kind!" + +There was no improvement, however, in regularity. After a time Manaigre +was induced to send his children to Mr. Cadle's mission-school at Green +Bay. Thérèse accompanied them, and very soon Florence discontinued her +attendance altogether. + +We were obliged, from that time forward, to confine our instructions to +our own domestic circle. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +INDIAN CUSTOMS AND DANCES. + + +Before we had any right to look for my husband's return, I one day +received a message inviting me to come up to the new house. We all went +in a body, for we had purposely stayed away a few days, expecting this +summons, of which we anticipated the meaning. + +Plante, in full glee, was seated astride of a small keg on the roof, +close beside the kitchen chimney, on the very summit of which he had +planted a green bough. To this he held fast with one hand, while he +exultingly waved the other and called out,-- + +"_Eh ban, Madame John! à cette heure, pour le régal!_" + +"Yes, Plante, you are entitled to a treat, and I hope you will not enjoy +it the less that Pillon and Manaigre are to share it with you." + +A suitable gratification made them quite contented with their +"_bourgeoise_," against whom Plante had sometimes been inclined to +grumble, "because," as he said, "she had him called up too early in the +morning." He might have added, because, too, she could not understand +the philosophy of his coming in to work in his own garden, under the +plea that it was too rainy to work in Monsieur John's. + +It was with no ordinary feelings of satisfaction that we quitted the old +log tenement and took possession of our new dwelling, small and +insignificant though it was. + +I was only too happy to enjoy the luxury of a real bedchamber, in place +of the parlor floor which I had occupied as such for more than two +months. It is true that our culinary arrangements were still upon no +greatly improved plan. The clay chimney was not of sufficient strength +to hold the trammel and pot-hooks, which at that day had not been +superseded by the cooking-stove and kitchen-range. Our fire was made as +in the olden time, with vast logs behind, and smaller sticks in front, +laid across upon the andirons or _dogs_. Upon these sticks were placed +such of the cooking-utensils as could not be accommodated on the hearth; +but woe to the dinner or the supper, if through a little want of care or +scrutiny one treacherous piece was suffered to burn away. Down would +come the whole arrangement--kettles, saucepans, burning brands, and +cinders, in one almost inextricable mass. How often this happened under +the supervision of Harry or little Josette, while the mistress was +playing lady to some visitor in the parlor, "'twere vain to tell." + +Then, spite of Monsieur Plante's palisades round the chimney, in a hard +shower the rain would come pelting down, and, the hearth unfortunately +sloping a little the wrong way, the fire would become extinguished; +while, the bark on the roof failing to do its duty, we were now and then +so completely deluged, that there was no resource but to catch up the +breakfast or dinner and tuck it under the table until better times--that +is, till fair weather came again. In spite of all these little adverse +occurrences, however, we enjoyed our new quarters exceedingly. + +Our garden was well furnished with vegetables, and even the +currant-bushes which we had brought from Chicago with us, tied in a +bundle at the back of the carriage, had produced us some fruit. + +The Indian women were very constant in their visits and their presents. +Sometimes it was venison--sometimes ducks or pigeons--whortleberries, +wild plums, or cranberries, according to the season--neat pretty mats +for the floor or the table--wooden bowls or ladles, fancy work of +deer-skin or porcupine-quills. These they would bring in and throw at my +feet. If through inattention I failed to appear pleased, to raise the +articles from the floor and lay them carefully aside, a look of +mortification and the observation, "Our mother hates our gifts," showed +how much their feelings were wounded. It was always expected that a +present would be received graciously, and returned with something twice +its value. + +Meantime, week after week wore on, and still was the return of "the +master" delayed. + +The rare arrival of a schooner at Green Bay, in which to take passage +for Detroit, made it always a matter of uncertainty what length of time +would be necessary for a journey across the lakes and back--so that it +was not until the last of August that he again reached his home. Great +was his surprise to find us so nicely moved and settled; and under his +active supervision the evils of which we had had to complain were soon +remedied. + +My husband had met at Fort Gratiot, and brought with him, my young +brother Julian, whom my parents were sending, at our request, to reside +with us. Edwin was overjoyed to have a companion once more, for he had +hitherto been very solitary. The boys soon had enough to occupy their +attention, as, in obedience to a summons sent to the different villages, +the Indians very shortly came flocking in to the payment. + +There was among their number, this year, one whom I had never before +seen--the mother of the elder Day-kau-ray. No one could tell her age, +but all agreed that she must have seen upwards of a hundred winters. Her +eyes dimmed, and almost white with age--her face dark and withered, like +a baked apple--her voice tremulous and feeble, except when raised in +fury to reprove her graceless grandsons, who were fond of playing her +all sorts of mischievous tricks, indicated the very great age she must +have attained. + +She usually went upon all-fours, not having strength to hold herself +erect. On the day of the payment, having received her portion, which she +carefully hid in the corner of her blanket, she came crawling along and +seated herself on the door-step, to count her treasure. + +My sister and I were watching her movements from the open window. + +Presently, just as she had, unobserved, as she thought, spread out her +silver before her, two of her descendants came suddenly upon her. At +first they seemed begging for a share, but she repulsed them with angry +gestures, when one of them made a sudden swoop, and possessed himself of +a handful. + +She tried to rise, to pursue him, but was unable to do more than clutch +the remainder and utter the most unearthly screams of rage. At this +instant the boys raised their eyes and perceived us regarding them. They +burst into a laugh, and with a sort of mocking gesture they threw her +the half-dollars, and ran back to the pay-ground. + +In spite of their vexatious tricks, she seemed very fond of them, and +never failed to beg something of her Father, that she might bestow upon +them. + +She crept into the parlor one morning, then straightening herself up, +and supporting herself by the frame of the door, she cried, in a most +piteous tone,--"Shaw-nee-aw-kee! Wau-tshob-ee-rah Thsoonsh-koo-nee-noh!" +(Silver-man, I have no looking-glass.) My husband, smiling and taking up +the same little tone, cried, in return,-- + +"Do you wish to look at yourself, mother?" + +The idea seemed to her so irresistibly comic that she laughed until she +was fairly obliged to seat herself upon the floor and give way to her +enjoyment. She then owned that it was for one of the boys that she +wanted the little mirror. When her Father had given it to her, she found +that she had "no comb," then that she had "no knife," then that she had +"no calico shawl," until it ended, as it generally did, by +Shaw-nee-aw-kee paying pretty dearly for his joke. + + * * * * * + +When the Indians arrived and when they departed, my sense of "woman's +rights" was often greatly outraged. The master of the family, as a +general thing, came leisurely bearing his gun and perhaps a lance in his +hand; the woman, with the mats and poles of her lodge upon her +shoulders, her pappoose, if she had one, her kettles, sacks of corn, and +wild rice, and, not unfrequently, the household dog perched on the top +of all. If there is a horse or pony in the list of family possessions, +the man rides, the squaw trudges after. + +This unequal division of labor is the result of no want of kind, +affectionate feeling on the part of the husband. It is rather the +instinct of the sex to assert their superiority of position and +importance, when a proper occasion offers. When out of the reach of +observation, and in no danger of compromising his own dignity, the +husband is willing enough to relieve his spouse from the burden that +custom imposes on her, by sharing her labors and hardships. + +The payment had not passed without its appropriate number of +complimentary and medicine dances. The latter take place only at rare +intervals--the former whenever an occasion demanding a manifestation of +respect and courtesy presents itself. + +It is the custom to ask permission of the person to be complimented, to +dance for him. This granted, preparation is made by painting the face +elaborately, and marking the person, which is usually bare about the +chest and shoulders, after the most approved pattern. All the ornaments +that can be mustered are added to the hair, or headdress. Happy is he +who, in virtue of having taken one or more scalps, is entitled to +proclaim it by a corresponding number of eagle's feathers. + +The less fortunate make a substitute of the feathers of the wild turkey, +or, better still, of the first unlucky "rooster" that falls in their +way. My poor fowls, during the time of payment, were always thoroughly +plucked. + +When their preparations are completed, the dancers assemble at some +convenient place, whence they come marching to the spot appointed, +accompanied by the music of the Indian drum and shee-shee-qua or rattle. +They range themselves in a circle and dance with violent contortions and +gesticulations, some of them graceful, others only energetic, the +squaws, who stand a little apart and mingle their discordant voices with +the music of the instruments, rarely participating in the dance. +Occasionally, however, when excited by the general gaiety, a few of them +will form a circle outside and perform a sort of ungraceful, up-and-down +movement, which has no merit, save the perfect time which is kept, and +for which the Indians seem, without exception, to possess a natural ear. +The dance finished, which is only when the strength of the dancers is +quite exhausted, a quantity of presents are brought and placed in the +middle of the circle, by order of the party complimented. An equitable +distribution is made by one of their number; and, the object of all this +display having been accomplished, they retire. + +The medicine dance is carried on chiefly to celebrate the skill of the +"Medicine-man" in curing diseases. This functionary belongs to a +fraternity who are supposed to add to their other powers some skill in +interpreting the will of the Great Spirit in regard to the conduct of +his people. He occasionally makes offerings and sacrifices which are +regarded as propitiatory. In this sense, the term "priest" may be deemed +applicable to him. He is also a "prophet" in so far as he is, in a +limited degree, an instructor; but he does not claim to possess the gift +of foretelling future events. + +A person is selected to join the fraternity of the "Medicine-man" by +those already initiated, chiefly on account of some skill or sagacity +that has been observed in him. Sometimes it happens that a person who +has had a severe illness which has yielded to the prescriptions of one +of the members, is considered a proper object of choice from a sort of +claim thus established. + +When he is about to be initiated, a great feast is made, of course at +the expense of the candidate, for in simple as in civilized life the +same principle of politics holds good, "honors must be paid for." An +animal is killed and dressed, of which the people at large +partake--there are dances and songs and speeches in abundance. Then the +chief Medicine-man takes the candidate and privately instructs him in +all the ceremonies and knowledge necessary to make him an accomplished +member of the fraternity. Sometimes the new member selected is still a +child. In that case he is taken by the Medicine-man so soon as he +reaches a proper age, and qualified by instruction and example to become +a creditable member of the fraternity. + +Among the Winnebagoes there seems a considerable belief in magic. Each +Medicine-man has a bag or sack, in which is supposed to be inclosed some +animal, to whom, in the course of their _pow-wows_, he addresses +himself, crying to him in the note common to his imagined species. And +the people seem to be persuaded that the answers which are announced are +really communications, in this form, from the Great Spirit. + +The Indians appear to have no idea of a retribution beyond this life. +They have a strong appreciation of the great fundamental virtues of +natural religion--the worship of the Great Spirit, brotherly love, +parental affection, honesty, temperance, and chastity. Any infringement +of the laws of the Great Spirit, by a departure from these virtues, they +believe will excite his anger and draw down punishment. These are their +principles. That their practice evinces more and more a departure from +them, under the debasing influences of a proximity to the whites, is a +melancholy truth, which no one will admit with so much sorrow as those +who lived among them, and esteemed them, before this signal change had +taken place. + + * * * * * + +One of the first improvements that suggested itself about our new +dwelling, was the removal of some very unsightly pickets surrounding two +or three Indian graves, on the esplanade in front of the house. Such, +however, is the reverence in which these burial-places are held, that we +felt we must approach the subject with great delicacy and consideration. + +My husband at length ventured to propose to Mrs. "Pawnee Blanc," the +nearest surviving relative of the person interred, to replace the +pickets with a neat wooden platform. + +The idea pleased her much, for, through her intimacy in Paquette's +family, she had acquired something of a taste for civilization. +Accordingly, a little platform about a foot in height, properly finished +with a moulding around the edge, was substituted for the worn and +blackened pickets; and it was touching to witness the mournful +satisfaction with which two or three old crones would come regularly +every evening at sunset, to sit and gossip over the ashes of their +departed relatives. + +On the fine moonlight nights, too, there might often be seen a group +sitting there, and enjoying what is to them a solemn hour, for they +entertain the poetic belief that "the moon was made to give light to the +dead." + +The reverence of the Indians for the memory of their departed friends, +and their dutiful attention in visiting and making offerings to the +Great Spirit, over their last resting-places, is an example worthy of +imitation among their more enlightened brethren. Not so, however, with +some of their customs in relation to the dead. + +The news of the decease of one of their number is a signal for a general +mourning and lamentation; it is also in some instances, I am sorry to +say, when the means and appliances can be found, the apology for a +general carouse. + +The relatives weep and howl for grief--the friends and acquaintance bear +them company through sympathy. A few of their number are deputed to wait +upon their Father, to inform him of the event, and to beg some presents +"to help them," as they express it, "dry up their tears." + +We received such a visit one morning, not long after the payment was +concluded. + +A drunken little Indian, named, by the French people around, "Old +Boilvin," from his resemblance to an Indian Agent of that name at +Prairie du Chien, was the person on account of whose death the +application was made. "He had been fishing," they said, "on the shores +of one of the little lakes near the Portage, and, having taken a little +too much '_whiskee_,' had fallen into the water and been drowned." +Nothing of him had been found but his blanket on the bank, so there +could be no funeral ceremonies, but his friends were prepared to make a +great lamentation about him. + +Their Father presented them with tobacco, knives, calico, and +looking-glasses, in proportion to what he thought might be their +reasonable grief at the loss of such a worthless vagabond, and they +departed. + +There was no difficulty, notwithstanding the stringent prohibitions on +the subject, in procuring a keg of whiskey from some of the traders who +yet remained. Armed with that and their other treasures, they assembled +at an appointed spot, not far from the scene of the catastrophe, and, +sitting down with the keg in their midst, they commenced their +affliction. The more they drank, the more clamorous became their grief, +and the faster flowed their tears. + +In the midst of these demonstrations, a little figure, bent and +staggering, covered with mud and all in disorder, with a countenance +full of wonder and sympathy, approached them, and began,-- + +"Why? what? what? Who's dead?" + +"Who's dead?" repeated they, looking up in astonishment. "Why, you're +dead! you were drowned in Swan Lake! Did not we find your blanket there? +Come, sit down and help us mourn." + +The old man did not wait for a second invitation. He took his seat and +cried and drank with the rest, weeping and lamenting as bitterly as any +of them, and the strange scene was continued as long as they had power +to articulate, or any portion of the whiskey was left. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +STORY OF THE RED FOX. + + +The Indians, of whatever tribe, are exceedingly fond of narrating or +listening to tales and stories, whether historical or fictitious. They +have their professed storytellers, like the Oriental nations, and these +go about, from village to village, collecting an admiring and attentive +audience, however oft-told and familiar the matter they recite. + +It is in this way that their traditions are preserved and handed down +unimpaired from generation to generation. Their knowledge of the +geography of their country is wonderfully exact. I have seen an Indian +sit in his lodge, and draw a map, in the ashes, of the Northwestern +States, not of their statistical but their geographical features, lakes, +rivers, and mountains, with the greatest accuracy, giving their relative +distances, by days' journeys, without hesitation, and even extending his +drawings and explanations as far as Kentucky and Tennessee. + +Of biography they preserve not only the leading events in the life of +the person, but his features, appearance, and bearing, his manners, and +whatever little trait or peculiarity characterized him. + +The women are more fond of fiction, and some of their stories have a +strange mingling of humor and pathos. I give the two which follow as +specimens. The Indian names contained in them are in the Ottawa or +"Courte-Oreilles" language, but the same tales are current in all the +different tongues and dialects. + + * * * * * + +STORY OF THE RED FOX. + +This is an animal to which many peculiarities are attributed. He is said +to resemble the jackal in his habit of molesting the graves of the dead, +and the Indians have a superstitious dread of hearing his bark at night, +believing that it forebodes calamity and death. They say, too, that he +was originally of one uniform reddish-brown color, but that his legs +became black in the manner related in the story. + +There was a chief of a certain village who had a beautiful daughter. He +resolved upon one occasion to make a feast and invite all the animals. +When the invitation was brought to the red fox, he inquired, "What are +you going to have for supper?" + +"_Mee-dau-mee-nau-bo_," was the reply. (This is a porridge made of +parched corn, slightly cracked.) + +The fox turned up his little sharp nose. "No, I thank you," said he; "I +can get plenty of that at home." + +The messenger returned to the chief, and reported the contemptuous +refusal of the fox. + +"Go back to him," said the chief, "and tell him we are going to have a +nice fresh body,[48] and we will have it cooked in the most delicate +manner possible." + +Pleased with the prospect of such a treat, the fox gave a very hearty +assent to the second invitation. + +The hour arrived, and he set off for the lodge of the chief to attend +the feast. The company were all prepared for him, for they made common +cause with their friend who had been insulted. As the fox entered, the +guest next the door, with great courtesy, rose from his place, and +begged the new-comer to be seated. Immediately the person next him also +rose, and insisted that the fox should occupy his place, as it was still +nearer the fire--the post of honor. Then the third, with many +expressions of civility, pressed him to exchange with him; and thus, +with many ceremonious flourishes, he was passed along the circle, always +approaching the fire, where a huge cauldron stood, in which the good +cheer was still cooking. The fox was by no means unwilling to occupy the +highest place in the assembly, and, besides, he was anxious to take a +peep into the kettle, for he had his suspicions that he might be +disappointed of the delicacies he had been expecting. + +So, by degrees, he was ushered nearer and nearer the great blazing +fire, until by a dexterous push and shove he was hoisted into the +seething kettle. + +His feet were dreadfully scalded, but he leaped out, and ran home to his +lodge, howling and crying with pain. His grandmother, with whom, +according to the custom of animals, he lived, demanded of him an account +of the affair. When he had faithfully related all the circumstances +(for, unlike the civilized animals, he did not think of telling his +grandmother a story), she reproved him very strongly. + +"You have committed two great faults," said she. "In the first place, +you were very rude to the chief who was so kind as to invite you, and by +returning insult for civility you made yourself enemies who were +determined to punish you. In the next place, it was very unbecoming in +you to be so forward to take the place of honor. Had you been contented +modestly to keep your seat near the door, you would have escaped the +misfortune that has befallen you." + +All this was not very consolatory to the poor fox, who continued to +whine and cry most piteously, while his grandmother, having finished her +lecture, proceeded to bind up his wounds. Great virtue is supposed to be +added to all medical prescriptions and applications by a little dancing; +so, the dressing having been applied, the grandmother fell to dancing +with all her might, round and round in the lodge. + +When she was nearly exhausted, the fox said, "Grandmother, take off the +bandages and see if my legs are healed." + +She did as he requested, but no--the burns were still fresh. She danced +and danced again. Now and then, as he grew impatient, she would remove +the coverings to observe the effect of the remedies. At length, towards +morning, she looked, and, to be sure, the burns were quite healed. "But, +oh!" cried she, "your legs are as black as a coal! They were so badly +burned that they will never return to their color!" + +The poor fox, who, like many another brave, was vain of his legs, fell +into a transport of lamentation. + +"Oh! my legs! My pretty red legs! What shall I do? The young girls will +all despise me. I shall never dare to show myself among them again!" + +He cried and sobbed until his grandmother, fatigued with her exercise, +fell asleep. By this time he had decided upon his plan of revenge. + +He rose and stole softly out of his lodge, and, pursuing his way rapidly +towards the village of the chief, he turned his face in the direction of +the principal lodge and barked. When the inhabitants heard this sound in +the stillness of the night, their hearts trembled. They knew that it +foreboded sorrow and trouble to some one of their number. + +A very short time elapsed before the beautiful daughter of the chief +fell sick, and she grew rapidly worse and worse, spite of medicines, +charms, and dances. At length she died. The fox had not intended to +bring misfortune on the village in this shape, for he loved the +beautiful daughter of the chief, so he kept in his lodge and mourned and +fretted for her death. + +Preparations were made for a magnificent funeral, but the friends of the +deceased were in great perplexity. "If we bury her in the earth," said +they, "the fox will come and disturb her remains. He has barked her to +death, and he will be glad to come and finish his work of revenge." + +They took counsel together, and determined to hang her body high in a +tree as a place of sepulture. They thought the fox would go groping +about in the earth, and not lift up his eyes to the branches above his +head. + +But the grandmother had been at the funeral, and she returned and told +the fox all that had been done. + +"Now, my son," said she, "listen to me. Do not meddle with the remains +of the chief's daughter. You have done mischief enough already. Leave +her in peace." + +As soon as the grandmother was asleep at night, the fox rambled forth. +He soon found the place he sought, and came and sat under the tree where +the young girl had been placed. He gazed and gazed at her all the +livelong night, and she appeared as beautiful as when in life. But when +the day dawned, and the light enabled him to see more clearly, then he +observed that decay was doing its work--that instead of a beautiful she +presented only a loathsome appearance. + +He went home sad and afflicted, and passed all the day mourning in his +lodge. + +"Have you disturbed the remains of the chief's beautiful daughter?" was +his parent's anxious question. + +"No, grandmother,"--and he uttered not another word. + +Thus it went on for many days and nights. The fox always took care to +quit his watch at the early dawn of day, for he knew that her friends +would suspect him, and come betimes to see if all was right. + +At length he perceived that, gradually, the young girl looked less and +less hideous in the morning light, and that she by degrees resumed the +appearance she had presented in life, so that in process of time her +beauty and look of health quite returned to her. + +One day he said, "Grandmother, give me my pipe, that I may take a +smoke." + +"Ah!" cried she, "you begin to be comforted. You have never smoked +since the death of the chief's beautiful daughter. Have you heard some +good news?" + +"Never you mind," said he; "bring the pipe." + +He sat down and smoked, and smoked. After a time he said, "Grandmother, +sweep your lodge and put it all in order, for this day you will receive +a visit from your daughter-in-law." + +The grandmother did as she was desired. She swept her lodge, and +arranged it with all the taste she possessed, and then both sat down to +await the visit. + +"When you hear a sound at the door," said the fox, "you must give the +salutation, and say, Come in." + +When they had been thus seated for a time, the grandmother heard a +faint, rustling sound. She looked towards the door. To her surprise, the +mat which usually hung as a curtain was rolled up, and the door was +open. + +"Peen-tee-geen n'dau-nis!"[49] cried she. + +Something like a faint, faint shadow appeared to glide in. It took +gradually a more distinct outline. As she looked and looked, she began +to discern the form and features of the chief's beautiful daughter, but +it was long before she appeared like a reality, and took her place in +the lodge like a thing of flesh and blood. + +They kept the matter hid very close, for they would not for the world +that the father or friends of the bride should know what had happened. +Soon, however, it began to be rumored about that the chief's beautiful +daughter had returned to life, and was living in the Red Fox's lodge. +How it ever became known was a mystery, for, of course, the grandmother +never spoke of it. + +Be that as it may, the news created great excitement in the village. +"This must never be," said they all. "He barked her to death once, and +who knows what he may do next time?" + +The father took at once a decided part. "The Red Fox is not worthy of my +daughter," he said. "I had promised her to the Hart, the finest and most +elegant among the animals. Now that she has returned to life, I shall +keep my word." + +So the friends all went in a body to the lodge of the Red Fox. The +bridegroom, the bride, and the grandmother made all the resistance +possible, but they were overpowered by numbers, and, the Hart having +remained conveniently waiting on the outside where there was no danger, +the beautiful daughter of the chief was placed upon his back, and he +coursed away through the forest to carry her to his own home. When he +arrived at the door of his lodge, however, he turned his head, but no +bride was in the place where he expected to see her. He had thought his +burden very light from the beginning, but that he supposed was natural +to spirits returned from the dead. He never imagined she had at the +outset glided from her seat, and in the midst of the tumult slipped +back, unobserved, to her chosen husband. + +One or two attempts were made by the friends, after this, to repossess +themselves of the young creature, but all without success. Then they +said, "Let her remain where she is. It is true the Red Fox occasioned +her death, but by his watchfulness and care he caressed her into life +again; therefore she rightfully belongs to him." So the Red Fox and his +beautiful bride lived long together in great peace and happiness. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +STORY OF SHEE-SHEE-BANZE. + + +There was a young man named Shee-shee-banze (the Little Duck) paddling +his canoe along the shore of the lake. + +Two girls came down to the edge of the water, and, seeing him, the elder +said to the younger, "Let us call to him to take us a sail." + +It must be remarked that in all Indian stories where two or more sisters +are the _dramatis personae_, the elder is invariably represented as +silly, ridiculous, and disgusting--the younger, as wise and beautiful. + +In the present case the younger remonstrated. "Oh, no," said she, "let +us not do such a thing. What will he think of us?" + +But the other persevered, and called to him, "Ho! come and take us into +your canoe." The young man obeyed, and, approaching the shore, he took +them with him into the canoe. + +"Who are you?" asked the elder sister. + +"I am _Way-gee-mar-kin_," replied he, "the great chief." + +This Way-gee-mar-kin was something of a fairy, for when surrounded by +his followers, and wishing to confer favors on them, he had a habit of +coughing slightly, when there would fly forth from his mouth quantities +of silver brooches, ear-bobs, and other ornaments, for which it was the +custom of his people to scramble, each striving, as in more civilized +life, to get more than his share. + +Accordingly, the elder sister said, "If you are Way-gee-mar-kin, let us +see you cough." + +Shee-shee-banze had a few of these silver ornaments which he had got by +scrambling, and which he kept stowed away in the sides of his mouth in +case of emergency. So he gave some spasmodic coughs and brought forth a +few, which the girl eagerly seized. + +After a time, as they paddled along, a fine noble elk came forth from +the forest, and approached the water to drink. + +"What is that?" asked the spokeswoman; for the younger sister sat silent +and modest all the time. + +"It is my dog that I hunt with." + +"Call him to us, that I may see him." + +Shee-shee-banze called, but the elk turned and fled into the woods. + +"He does not seem to obey you, however." + +"No; it is because you inspire him with disgust, and therefore he flies +from you." + +Soon a bear made his appearance by the water's edge. + +"What is that?" + +"One of my servants." + +Again he was requested to call him, and, as the call was disregarded, +the same reason as before was assigned. + +Their excursion was at length ended. There had been a little magic in +it, for although the young girls had supposed themselves to be in a +canoe, there was, in reality, no canoe at all. They only imagined it to +have been so. + +Now, Shee-shee-banze lived with his grandmother, and to her lodge he +conducted his young friends. + +They stood outside while he went in. + +"Grandmother," said he, "I have brought you two young girls, who will be +your daughters-in-law. Invite them into your lodge." + +Upon this, the old woman called, "Ho! come in," and they entered. They +were made welcome and treated to the best of everything. + +In the mean time, the real Way-gee-mar-kin, the great chief, made +preparations for a grand feast. When he was sending his messenger out +with the invitations, he said to him, "Be very particular to bid +Shee-shee-banze to the feast, for, as he is the smallest and meanest +person in the tribe, you must use double ceremony with him, or he will +be apt to think himself slighted." + +Shee-shee-banze was sitting in his lodge with his new friends, when the +messenger arrived. + +"Ho! Shee-shee-banze," cried he, "you are invited to a great feast that +Way-gee-mar-kin is to give to-night, to all his subjects." + +But Shee-shee-banze took no notice of the invitation. He only whistled, +and pretended not to hear. The messenger repeated his words, then, +finding that no attention was paid to them, he went his way. + +The young girls looked at each other, during the scene, greatly +astonished. At length the elder spoke. + +"What does this mean?" said she. "Why does he call you Shee-shee-banze, +and invite you to visit Way-gee-mar-kin?" + +"Oh," said Shee-shee-banze, "it is one of my followers that always likes +to be a little impudent. I am obliged to put up with it sometimes, but +you observed that I treated him with silent contempt." + +The messenger returned to the chief, and reported the manner in which +the invitation had been received. + +"Oh," said the good-natured chief, "it is because he feels that he is +poor and insignificant. Go back again--call him by my name, and make a +flourishing speech to him." + +The messenger fulfilled his mission as he was bid. + +"Way-gee-mar-kin," said he, pompously, "a great feast is to be given +to-night, and I am sent most respectfully to solicit the honor of your +company!" + +"Did I not tell you?" said Shee-shee-banze to the maidens Then, nodding +with careless condescension, he added, "Tell them I'll come." + +At night, Shee-shee-banze dressed himself in his very best paint, +feathers, and ornaments--but before his departure he took his +grandmother aside. + +"Be sure," said he, "that you watch these young people closely until I +come back. Shut up your lodge tight, _tight_. Let no one come in or go +out, and, above all things, do not go to sleep." + +These orders given, he went his way. + +The grandmother tried her best to keep awake, but finding herself +growing more and more sleepy, as the night wore on, she took a strong +cord and laced across the mat which hung before the entrance to the +lodge, as the Indians lace up the mouths of their bags, then, having +seen all things secure and the girls quiet in bed, she lay down and soon +fell into a comfortable sleep. + +The young girls, in the mean while, were dying with curiosity to know +what had become of Shee-shee-banze, and as soon as they were sure the +old lady was asleep, they prepared to follow him and see what was going +on. Fearing, however, that the grandmother might awake and discover +their absence, they took two logs of wood, and, putting them under the +blanket, so disposed them as to present the appearance of persons +sleeping quietly. They then cut the cords that fastened the door, and, +guided by the sounds of the music, the dancing, and the merry-making, +they soon found their way to the dwelling of Way-gee-mar-kin. + +When they entered, they saw the chief seated on a throne, surrounded by +light and splendor. Everything was joy and amusement. Crowds of +courtiers were in the apartment, all dressed in the most brilliant +array. The strangers looked around for their friend Shee-shee-banze, but +he was nowhere to be seen. + +Now and then the chief would cough, when a shower of silver ornaments +and precious things would fly in all directions, and instantly a +scramble would commence among the company, to gather them up and +appropriate them. + +As they thus rushed forward, the brides-elect saw their poor little +friend crowded up into a corner, where nobody took any notice of him, +except to push him aside, or step on him whenever he was in the way. He +uttered piteous little squeaks as one and another would thus maltreat +him, but he was too busy taking care of himself to perceive that those +whom he had left snug at home in the lodge were witnesses of all that +was going on. + +At length the signal was given for the company to retire, all but the +two young damsels, upon whom Way-gee-mar-kin had set his eye, and to +whom he had sent, by one of his assistants, great offers to induce them +to remain with him and become his wives. + +Poor Shee-shee-banze returned to his lodge, but what was his +consternation to find the door open! + +"Ho! grandmother," cried he, "is this the way you keep watch?" + +The old woman started up. "There are my daughters-in-law," said she, +pointing to the two logs of wood. Shee-shee-banze threw himself on the +ground between them. His back was broken by coming so violently in +contact with them, but that he did not mind--he thought only of revenge, +and the recovery of his sweethearts. + +He waited but to get some powerful poison and prepare it, and then he +stole softly back to the wigwam of Way-gee-mar-kin. All was silent, and +he crept in without making the slightest noise. There lay the chief, +with a young girl on each side of him. + +They were all sound asleep, the chief lying on his back, with his mouth +wide open. Before he was aware of it, the poison was down his throat, +and Shee-shee-banze had retreated quietly to his own lodge. + +The next morning the cry went through the village that Way-gee-mar-kin +had been found dead in his bed. Of course it was attributed to +over-indulgence at the feast. All was grief and lamentation. "Let us go +and tell poor Shee-shee-banze," said one, "he was so fond of +Way-gee-mar-kin." + +They found him sitting on a bank, fishing. He had been up at peep of +day, to make preparation for receiving the intelligence. + +He had caught two or three fish, and, extracting their bladders, had +filled them with blood, and tied them under his arm. When the friends of +Way-gee-mar-kin saw him, they called out to him,-- + +"Oh! Shee-shee-banze--your friend, Way-gee-mar-kin, is dead!" + +With a gesture of despair, Shee-shee-banze drew his knife and plunged +it--not into his heart, but into the bladders filled with blood that he +had prepared. As he fell, apparently lifeless, to the ground, the +messengers began to reproach themselves: "Oh! why did we tell him so +suddenly? We might have known he would not survive it. Poor +Shee-shee-banze! he loved Way-gee-mar-kin so." + +To their great surprise, the day after the funeral, Shee-shee-banze came +walking towards the wigwam of the dead chief. As he walked, he sang, or +rather chaunted to a monotonous strain,[50] the following:-- + + "Way-gee-mar-kin is dead, is dead, + I know who killed him. + I guess it was I--I guess it was I." + +All the village was aroused. Everybody flew in pursuit of the murderer, +but he evaded them, and escaped to a place of safety. + +Soon after, he again made his appearance, mincing as he walked, and +singing to the same strain as before,-- + + "If you wish to take and punish me, + Let the widows come and catch me." + +It seemed a good idea, and the young women were recommended to go and +entice the culprit into the village, so that the friends of the deceased +could lay hold of him. + +They went forth on their errand. Shee-shee-banze would suffer them to +approach, then he would dance off a little--now he would allow them to +come quite near; anon he would retreat a little before them, all the +time singing, + +"Come, pretty widows, come and catch me." + +Thus he decoyed them on, occasionally using honeyed words and flattering +speeches, until he had gained their consent to return with him to his +lodge, and take up their abode with him. + +The friends of the murdered chief were scandalized at such inconstancy, +and resolved to punish all three, as soon as they could catch them. + +They surrounded his lodge with cries and threatenings, but +Shee-shee-banze and his two brides had contrived to elude their +vigilance and gain his canoe, which lay in the river, close at hand. + +Hardly were they on board when their escape was discovered. The whole +troop flew after them. Some plunged into the stream, and seized the +canoe. In the struggle it was upset, but immediately on touching the +water, whether from the magical properties of the canoe, or the +necromantic skill of the grandmother, they were transformed into ducks, +and flew quacking away. + +Since that time the water-fowl of this species are always found in +companies of three--two females and a male. + + * * * * * + +The _Canard de France_, or Mallard, and the _Brancheuse_, or Wood Duck, +are of different habits from the foregoing, flying in pairs. Indeed, the +constancy of the latter is said to be so great that if he loses his mate +he never takes another partner, but goes mourning to the end of his +days. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +A VISIT TO GREEN BAY--MA-ZHEE-GAW-GAW SWAMP. + + +The payment over, and the Indians dispersed, we prepared ourselves to +settle down quietly in our little home. But now a new source of +disturbance arose. + +My husband's accounts of disbursements as Agent of the Winnebagoes, +which he had forwarded to the Department at Washington, had failed to +reach there, of which he received due notice--that is to say, such a +notice as could reach us by the circuitous and uncertain mode of +conveyance by which intercourse with the Eastern world was then kept up. +If the vouchers for the former expenditures, together with the recent +payment of $15,000 annuity money, should not be forthcoming, it might +place him in a very awkward position; he therefore decided to go at once +to Washington, and be the bearer himself of his duplicate accounts. + +"Should you like to go and see your father and mother," said he to me, +one morning, "and show them how the West agrees with you?" + +It was a most joyful suggestion after a year's separation, and in a few +days all things were in readiness for our departure. + +There was visiting us, at that time, Miss Brush, of Detroit, who had +come from Green Bay with Mr. and Mrs. Whitney and Miss Frances Henshaw, +on an excursion to the Mississippi. Our little India-rubber house had +contrived to expand itself for the accommodation of the whole party +during the very pleasant visit they made us. + +The arrival of two young ladies had been, as may be imagined, quite a +godsend to the unmarried lieutenants, and when, tired of the journey, or +intimidated by the snow, which fell eight inches on the 4th of October, +Miss Brush determined to give up the remainder of her excursion, and +accept our pressing invitation to remain with us until the return of her +friends, we were looked upon as public benefactors. She was now to +accompany us to Green Bay, and possibly to Detroit. + +Our voyage down the river was without incident, and we reached Green Bay +just as all the place was astir in the expectation of the arrival of one +of Mr. Newbery's schooners. This important event was the subject of +interest to the whole community, from Fort Howard to "Dickenson's." To +some its arrival would bring friends, to some supplies--to the ladies, +the fashions, to the gentlemen, the news, for it was the happy bearer of +the mails, not for that place alone, but for all the "upper country." + +In a few days the vessel arrived. She brought a mail for Fort Winnebago, +it being only in the winter season that letters were carried by land to +that place, via _Niles's Settlement_ and Chicago. + +In virtue of his office as Postmaster, my husband opened the mail-bag, +and took possession of his own letters. One informed him of the +satisfactory appearance at the Department of the missing accounts, but +oh! sad disappointment, another brought the news that my parents had +gone to Kentucky for the winter--not to any city or accessible place, +but "up the Sandy," and over among the mountains of Virginia, hunting up +old land-claims belonging to my grandfather's estate. + +It was vain to hope to follow them. We might hardly expect to find them +during the short period we could be absent from home--not even were we +to receive the lucid directions once given my father by an old settler +during his explorations through that wild region. + +"You must go up _Tug_," said the man, "and down _Troublesome_, and fall +over on to _Kingdom-come_."[51] + +We did not think it advisable to undertake such an expedition, and +therefore made up our minds to retrace our steps to Fort Winnebago. + +No boats were in readiness to ascend the river. Our old friend Hamilton +promised to have one in preparation at once, but time passed by, and no +boat was made ready. + +It was now the beginning of November. We were passing our time very +pleasantly with the Irwins and Whitneys, and at the residence of +Colonel Stambaugh, the Indian Agent, but still this delay was +inconvenient and vexatious. + +I suggested undertaking the journey on horseback. "No, indeed," was the +answer I invariably received. "No mortal woman has ever gone that road, +unless it was some native on foot, nor ever could." + +"But suppose we set out in the boat and get frozen in on the way. We can +neither pass the winter there, nor possibly find our way to a human +habitation. We have had one similar experience already. Is it not better +to take it for granted that I can do what you and others of your sex +have done?" + +Dr. Finley, the post-surgeon at Fort Howard, on hearing the matter +debated, offered me immediately his favorite horse Charlie. "He is very +sure-footed," the doctor alleged, "and capital in a marsh or troublesome +stream." + +By land, then, it was decided to go; and as soon as our old Menomonee +friend "Wish-tay-yun," who was as good a guide by land as by water, +could be summoned, we set off, leaving our trunks to be forwarded by +Hamilton whenever it should please him to carry out his intention of +sending up his boat. + +We waited until a late hour on the morning of our departure for our +fellow-travellers, Mr. Wing, of Monroe, and Dr. Philleo, of Galena; but, +finding they did not join us, we resolved to lose no time, confident +that we should all meet at the Kakalin in the course of the evening. + +After crossing the river at what is now Depere, and entering the wild, +unsettled country on the west of the river, we found a succession of +wooded hills, separated by ravines so narrow and steep that it seemed +impossible that any animals but mules or goats could make their way +among them. + +Wish-tay-yun took the lead. The horse he rode was accustomed to the +country, and well trained to this style of road. As for Charlie, he was +perfectly admirable. When he came to a precipitous descent, he would set +forward his forefeet, and slide down on his haunches in the most +scientific manner, while my only mode of preserving my balance was to +hold fast by the bridle and lay myself braced almost flat against his +back. Then our position would suddenly change, and we would be scaling +the opposite bank, at the imminent risk of falling backward into the +ravine below. + +It was amusing to see Wish-tay-yun, as he scrambled on ahead, now and +then turning partly round to see how I fared. And when, panting and +laughing, I at length reached the summit, he would throw up his hands, +and shout, with the utmost glee, "Mamma Manitou!" (My mother is a +spirit.) + +Our old acquaintances, the Grignons, seemed much surprised that I should +have ventured on such a journey. They had never undertaken it, although +they had lived so long at the Kakalin; but then there was no reason why +they should have done so. They could always command a canoe or a boat +when they wished to visit "the Bay." + +As we had anticipated, our gentlemen joined us at supper. "They had +delayed to take dinner with Colonel Stambaugh--had had a delightful +gallop up from: the Bay--had seen no ravines, nor anything but fine +smooth roads--might have been asleep, but, if so, were not conscious of +it." This was the account they gave of themselves, to our no small +amusement. + +From the Kakalin to the Butte des Morts, where lived a man named Knaggs, +was our next day's stage. The country was rough and wild, much like that +we had passed through the spring before, in going from Hamilton's +diggings to Kellogg's Grove, but we were fortunate in having +Wish-tay-yun, rather than "Uncle Billy," for our guide, so that we could +make our way with some degree of moderation. + +We had travelled but forty miles when we reached Knaggs's, yet I was +both cold and fatigued, so that the cosy little room in which we found +Mrs. Knaggs, and the bright fire, were most cheering objects; and, as we +had only broken our fast since morning with a few crackers we carried in +our pockets, I must own we did ample justice to her nice coffee and +cakes, not to mention venison-steaks and bear's meat, the latter of +which I had never before tasted. + +Our supper over, we looked about for a place of repose. The room in +which we had taken our meal was of small dimensions, just sufficient to +accommodate a bed, a table placed against the wall, and the few chairs +on which we sat. There was no room for any kind of a "shakedown." + +"Where can you put us for the night?" inquired my husband of Mr. Knaggs, +when he made his appearance. + +"Why, there is no place that I know of, unless you can camp down in the +old building outside." + +We went to look at it. It consisted of one room, bare and dirty. A huge +chimney, in which a few brands were burning, occupied nearly one side of +the apartment. Against another was built a rickety sort of bunk. This +was the only vestige of furniture to be seen. The floor was thickly +covered with mud and dirt, in the midst of which, near the fire, was +seated an old Indian with a pan of boiled corn on his lap, which he was +scooping up with both hands and devouring with the utmost voracity. + +We soon discovered that he was blind. On hearing footsteps and voices, +he instinctively gathered his dish of food close to him, and began some +morose grumblings; but when he was told that it was "Shaw-nee-aw-kee" +who was addressing him, his features relaxed into a more agreeable +expression, and be even held forth his dish and invited us to share its +contents. + +"But are we to stay here?" I asked. "Can we not sleep out-of-doors?" + +"We have no tent," replied my husband, "and the weather is too cold to +risk the exposure without one." + +"I could sit in a chair all night, by the fire." + +"Then you would not be able to ride to Bellefontaine to-morrow." + +There was no alternative. The only thing Mr. Knaggs could furnish in the +shape of bedding was a small bear-skin. The bunk was a trifle less +filthy than the floor; so upon its boards we spread first the skin, then +our saddle-blankets, and, with a pair of saddle-bags for a bolster, I +wrapped myself in my cloak, and resigned myself to my distasteful +accommodations. + +The change of position from that I had occupied through the day, +probably brought some rest, but sleep I could not. Even on a softer and +more agreeable couch, the snoring of the old Indian and two or three +companions who had joined him, and his frequent querulous exclamations +as he felt himself encroached upon in the darkness, would have +effectually banished slumber from my eyes. + +It was a relief to rise with early morning and prepare for the journey +of the day. Where our fellow-travellers had bestowed themselves I knew +not, but they evidently had fared no better than we. They were in fine +spirits, however, and we cheerfully took our breakfast and were ferried +over the river to continue on the trail from that point to +Bellefontaine, twelve miles distant from Fort Winnebago. + +The great "bug-bear" of this road, Ma-zhee-gaw-gaw Swamp, was the next +thing to be encountered. We reached it about nine o'clock. It spread +before us, a vast expanse of morass, about half a mile in width, and of +length interminable, partly covered with water, with black knobs rising +here and there above the surface, affording a precarious foothold for +the animals in crossing it. Where the water was not, there lay in place +of it a bed of black oozy mud, which looked as if it might give way +under the foot, and let it, at each step, sink to an unknown depth. + +This we were now to traverse. All three of the gentlemen went in advance +of me, each hoping, as he said, to select the surest and firmest path +for me to follow. One and another would call, "Here, madam, come this +way!" "This is the best path, wifie; follow me," but often Charlie knew +better than either, and selected a path according to his own judgment, +which proved the best of the whole. + +On he went, picking his way so slowly and cautiously, now pausing on one +little hillock, now on another, and anon turning aside to avoid a patch +of mud which seemed more than usually suspicious, that all the company +had got some little distance ahead of me. On raising my eyes, which had +been kept pretty closely on my horse's footsteps, I saw my husband on +foot, striving to lead his horse by the bridle from a difficult position +into which he had got, Mr. Wing and his great white floundering animal +lying sideways in the mud, the rider using all his efforts to extricate +himself from the stirrups, and Dr. Philleo standing at a little distance +from his steed, who was doing his best to rise up from a deep bog into +which he had pitched himself. It was a formidable sight! They all called +out with one accord,-- + +"Oh, do not come this way!" + +"Indeed," cried I, "I have no thought of it. Charlie and I know better." +And, trusting to the sagacious creature, he picked his way carefully +along, and carried me safely past the dismounted company. I could not +refrain from a little triumphant flourish with my whip, as I looked back +upon them and watched their progress to their saddles once more. + +Three hours had we been thus unpleasantly engaged, and yet we were not +over the "Slough of Despond." At length we drew near its farthest verge. +Here ran a deep stream some five or six feet in width. The gentlemen, as +they reached it, dismounted, and began debating what was to be done. + +"Jump off, jump off, madam," cried Mr. Wing, and "Jump off, jump off," +echoed Dr. Philleo; "we are just consulting how we are to get you +across." + +"What do you think about it?" asked my husband. + +"Charlie will show you," replied I. "Come, Charlie." And as I raised his +bridle quickly, with a pat on his neck and an encouraging chirp, he +bounded over the stream as lightly as a deer, and landed me safe on +_terra firma_. + +Poor Mr. Wing had fared the worst of the company; the clumsy animal he +rode seeming to be of opinion when he got into a difficulty that he had +nothing to do but to lie down and resign himself to his fate; while his +rider, not being particularly light and agile, was generally undermost, +and half imbedded in the mire before he had quite made up his mind as to +his course of action. + +It was therefore a wise movement in him, when he reached the little +stream, to plunge into it and wade across, thus washing out, as much as +possible, the traces of the morning's adventures from himself and his +steed; and the other gentlemen, having no alternative, concluded to +follow his example. + +We did not halt long on the rising ground beyond the morass, for we had +a long stretch before us to Bellefontaine, forty-five miles, and those +none of the shortest. + +Our horses travelled admirably the whole afternoon, Charlie keeping a +canter all the way; but it was growing dark, and there were no signs of +the landmarks which were to indicate our near approach to the desired +haven. + +"Can we not stop and rest for a few moments under one of the trees?" +inquired I, for I was almost exhausted with fatigue, and, to add to our +discomfort, a cold, November rain was pouring upon us. + +"If it were possible, we would," was the reply; "but see how dark it is +growing. If we should lose our way, it would be worse than being wet and +tired." + +So we kept on. Just at dark we crossed a clear stream. "That," said my +husband, "is, I think, two miles from Bellefontaine. Cheer up--we shall +soon be there." Quite encouraged, we pursued our way more cheerfully. +Mile after mile we passed, but still no light gleamed friendly through +the trees. + +"We have certainly travelled more than six miles now," said I. + +"Yes--that could not have been the two-mile creek." + +It was eight o'clock when we reached Bellefontaine. We were ushered into +a large room made cheerful by a huge blazing fire. Mr. Wing and Dr. +Philleo had arrived before us, and there were other travellers, on their +way from the Mississippi. I was received with great kindness and +volubility by the immense hostess, "la grosse Américaine," as she was +called, and she soon installed me in the arm-chair, in the warmest +corner, and in due time set an excellent supper before us. + +But her hospitality did not extend to giving up her only bed for my +accommodation. She spread all the things she could muster on the hard +floor before the fire, and did what she could to make me comfortable; +then, observing my husband's solicitude lest I might feel ill from the +effects of the fatigue and rain, she remarked, in tones of admiring +sympathy, "How kind your _companion_ is to you!"--an expression which, +as it was then new to us, amused us not a little. + +Our travelling companions started early in the morning for the Fort, +which was but twelve miles distant, and they were so kind as to take +charge of a note to our friends at home, requesting them to send Plante +with the carriage to take us the rest of the distance. + +We reached the Portage in safety; and thus ended the first journey by +land that any white woman had made from Green Bay to Fort Winnebago. I +felt not a little raised in my own esteem when my husband informed me +that the distance I had the previous day travelled, from Knaggs's to +Bellefontaine, was sixty-two miles! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +COMMENCEMENT OF THE SAUK WAR. + + +A few weeks after our return, my husband took his mother to Prairie du +Chien for the benefit of medical advice from Dr. Beaumont, of the U.S. +Army. The journey was made in a large open boat down the Wisconsin +River, and it was proposed to take this opportunity to bring back a good +supply of corn for the winter's use of both men and cattle. + +The ice formed in the river, however, so early, that after starting +with his load he was obliged to return with it to the Prairie, and wait +until the thick winter's ice enabled him to make a second journey and +bring it up in sleighs--with so great an expense of time, labor, and +exposure were the necessaries of life conveyed from one point to another +through that wild and desolate region! + + * * * * * + +The arrival of my brother Arthur from Kentucky, by way of the +Mississippi, in the latter part of April, brought us the uncomfortable +intelligence of new troubles with the Sauks and Foxes. Black Hawk had, +with the flower of his nation, recrossed the Mississippi, once more to +take possession of their old homes and corn-fields.[52] + +It was not long before our own Indians came flocking in, to confirm the +tidings, and to assure us of their intention to remain faithful friends +to the Americans. We soon heard of the arrival of the Illinois Rangers +in the Rock River country, also of the progress of the regular force +under General Atkinson, in pursuit of the hostile Indians, who, by the +reports, were always able to elude their vigilance. It not being their +custom to stop and give battle, the Sauks soon scattered themselves +through the country, trusting to some lucky accident (and such arrived, +alas! only too often) to enable them to fall upon their enemies +unexpectedly. + +The experience of the pursuing army was, for the most part, to make +their way, by toilsome and fatiguing marches, to the spot where they +imagined the Sauks would be waiting to receive them, and then to +discover that the rogues had scampered off to quite a different part of +the country. + +Wherever these latter went, their course was marked by the most +atrocious barbarities, though the worst had not, at this time, reached +our ears. We were only assured that they were down in the neighborhood +of the Rock River and Kishwaukee, and that they lost no opportunity of +falling upon the defenceless inhabitants and cruelly murdering them. + +As soon as it became certain that the Sauks and Foxes would not pursue +the same course they had on the previous year, that is, retreat +peaceably across the Mississippi, Mr. Kinzie resolved to hold a council +with all the principal chiefs of the Winnebagoes who were accessible at +this time. He knew that the Sauks would use every effort to induce their +neighbors to join them, and that there existed in the breasts of too +many of the young savages a desire to distinguish themselves by "taking +some white scalps." They did not love the Americans--why should they? By +them they had been gradually dispossessed of the broad and beautiful +domains of their forefathers, and hunted from place to place, and the +only equivalent they had received in exchange had been a few thousands +annually in silver and presents, together with the pernicious example, +the debasing influence, and the positive ill treatment of too many of +the new settlers upon their lands. + +With all these facts in view, therefore, their Father felt that the +utmost watchfulness was necessary, and that the strongest arguments must +be brought forward, to preserve the young men of the Winnebagoes in +their allegiance to the Americans. Of the older members he felt quite +sure. About fifty lodges had come at the commencement of the +disturbances and encamped around our dwelling, saying that if the Sauks +attacked us it must be after killing them; and, knowing them well, we +had perfect confidence in their assurances. + +But their vicinity, while it gave us a feeling of protection, likewise +furnished us with a channel of the most exciting and agitating daily +communications. As the theatre of operations approached nearer and +nearer, intelligence was brought in by their runners--now, that "Captain +Barney's head had been recognized in the Sauk camp, where it had been +brought the day previous," next, that "the Sauks were carrying +Lieutenant Beall's head on a pole in front of them as they marched to +meet the whites." Sometimes it was a story which we afterwards found to +be unhappily true, as that of the murder of their Agent, M. St Vrain, at +Kellogg's Grove, by the Sauks themselves, who ought to have protected +him. + +It was after the news of this last occurrence that the appointed council +with the Winnebagoes was to be held at the Four Lakes, thirty-five miles +distant from Fort Winnebago. + +In vain we pleaded and remonstrated against such an exposure. "It was +his duty to assemble his people and talk to them," my husband said, "and +he must run the risk, if there were any. He had perfect confidence in +the Winnebagoes. The enemy, by all he could learn, were now far distant +from the Four Lakes--probably at Kosh-ko-nong. He would set off early in +the morning with Paquette, bold his council, and return to us the same +evening." + +It were useless to attempt to describe our feelings during that long and +dreary day. When night arrived, the cry of a drunken Indian, or even the +barking of a dog, would fill our hearts with terror. + +As we sat, at a late hour, at the open window, listening to every sound, +with what joy did we at length distinguish the tramp of horses! We knew +it to be Griffin and Jerry ascending the hill, and a cheerful shout soon +announced that all was well. My husband and his interpreter had ridden +seventy miles that day, besides holding a long "talk" with the Indians. + +The Winnebagoes in council had promised to use their utmost endeavors to +preserve peace and good order among their young men. They informed their +Father that the bands on the Rock River, with the exception of +Win-no-sheek's, were all determined to remain friendly and keep aloof +from the Sauks. To that end, they were abandoning their villages and +corn-fields and moving north, that their Great Father, the President, +might not feel dissatisfied with them. With regard to Win-no-sheek and +his people, they professed themselves unable to answer. + +Time went on, and brought with it stories of fresh outrages. Among these +were the murders of Auberry, Green, and Force, at Blue Mound, and the +attack on Apple Fort. The tidings of the latter were brought by old +Crély,[53] the father of Mrs. Paquette, who rode express from Galena, +and who averred that he once passed a bush behind which the Sauks were +hiding, but that his horse smelt the sweet-scented grass with which they +always adorn their persons when on a war-party, and set out on such a +gallop that he never stopped until he arrived at the Portage. + +Another bearer of news was a young gentleman named Follett, whose eyes +had become so protruded and set from keeping an anxious look-out for the +enemy, that it was many days after his arrival at a place of safety +before they resumed their accustomed limits and expression. + +Among other rumors which at this time reached us, was one that an attack +upon Fort Winnebago was in contemplation among the Sauks. That this was +in no state of defence the Indians very well knew. All the effective +men had been withdrawn, upon a requisition from General Atkinson, to +join him at his newly-built fort at Kosh-ko-nong. + +Fort Winnebago was not picketed in; there were no defences to the +barracks or officers' quarters, except slight panelled doors and +Venetian blinds--nothing that would long resist the blows of clubs or +hatchets. There was no artillery, and the Commissary's store was without +the bounds of the Fort, under the hill. + +Mr. Kinzie had, from the first, called the attention of the officers to +the insecurity of their position in case of danger, but he generally +received a scoffing answer. + +"Never fear," they would say; "the Sauks are not coming here to attack +us." + +One afternoon we were over on a visit to some ladies in the garrison, +and, several officers being present, the conversation, as usual, turned +upon the present position of affairs. + +"Do you not think it wiser," inquired I of a blustering young officer, +"to be prepared against possible danger?" + +"Not against these fellows," replied he, contemptuously. + +"I do not think I would even take the trouble to fasten the blinds to my +quarters." + +"At least," said I, "if you some night find a tomahawk raised to cleave +your skull, you will have the consolation of remembering that you have +not been one of those foolish fellows who keep on the safe side." + +He seemed a little nettled at this, and still more so when sister +Margaret observed,-- + +"For my part, I am of Governor Cass's opinion. He was at Chicago during +the Winnebago war. We were all preparing to move into the fort on the +first alarm. Some were for being brave and delaying, like our friends +here. 'Come, come,' said the Governor, 'hurry into the fort as fast as +possible--there is no merit in being brave with the Indians. It is the +height of folly to stay and meet danger which you may by prudence +avoid.'" + +In a few days our friends waked up to the conviction that something must +be done at once The first step was to forbid any Winnebago coming within +the garrison, lest they should find out what they had known as well as +ourselves for three months past--namely, the feebleness of the means of +resistance. The next was to send fatigue-parties into the woods, under +the protection of a guard, to cut pickets for inclosing the garrison. + +There was every reason to believe that the enemy were not very far +distant, and that their object in coming north was to break a way into +the Chippewa country, where they would find a place of security among +their friends and allies. The story that our Indian runners brought in +most frequently was, that the Sauks were determined to fall upon the +whites at the Portage and Fort, and massacre all, except the families of +the Agent and Interpreter. + +Plante and Pillon with their families had departed at the first word of +danger. There only remained with us Manaigre, whose wife was a +half-Winnebago, Isidore Morrin, and the blacksmiths from Sugar +Creek--Mâtâ and Turcotte. + +At night we were all regularly armed and our posts assigned us. After +every means had been taken to make the house secure, the orders were +given. Sister Margaret and I, in case of attack, were to mount with the +children to the rooms above, while my husband and his men were to make +good their defence as long as possible against the enemy. Since I had +shown my sportsmanship by bringing down accidentally a blackbird on the +wing, I felt as if I could do some execution with my little pistols, +which were regularly placed beside my pillow at night; and I was fully +resolved to use them, if necessity required. I do not remember to have +felt the slightest compunction at the idea of taking the lives of two +Sauks, as I had no doubt I should do; and this explains to me what I had +before often wondered at, the indifference, namely, of the soldier on +the field of battle to the destruction of human life Had I been called +upon, however, to use my weapons effectually, I should no doubt have +looked back upon it with horror. + +Surrounded as we were by Indian lodges, which seldom became perfectly +quiet, and excited as our nerves had become by all that we were daily in +the habit of hearing, we rarely slept very soundly. One night, after we +had as much as possible composed ourselves, we were startled at a late +hour by a tap upon the window at the head of our bed, and a call of +"Chon! Chon!"[54] (John! John!) + +"Tshah-ko-zhah?" (What is it?) + +It was Hoo-wau-ne-kah, the Little Elk. He spoke rapidly, and in a tone +of great agitation. I could not understand him, and I lay trembling, and +dreading to hear his errand interpreted. Now and then I could +distinguish the words Sau-kee (Sauks) and Shoonk-hat-tay-rah (horse), +and they were not very reassuring. + +The trouble, I soon learned, was this. A fresh trail had been observed +near the Petit Rocher, on the Wisconsin, and the people at the villages +on the Barribault were in a state of great alarm, fearing it might be +the Sauks. There was the appearance of a hundred or more horses having +passed by this trail. Hoo-wau-ne-kah had been dispatched at once to +tell their Father, and to ask his advice. + +After listening to all he had to communicate, his Father told him the +trail was undoubtedly that of General Henry's troops, who were said to +have come north, looking for the enemy; that as the marks of the horses' +hoofs showed them, by this report, to have been shod, that was +sufficient proof that it was not the trail of the Sauks. He thought that +the people at the villages need not feel any uneasiness. + +"Very well, Father," replied Hoo-wau-ne-kah; "I will go back and tell my +people what you say. They will believe you, for you always tell them the +truth. You are not like us Indians, who sometimes deceive each other." +So saying, he returned to his friends, much comforted. + +The completion of the picketing and other defences, together with the +arrival of a detachment of troops from Fort Howard under Lieutenant +Hunter, at our fort, now seemed to render the latter the place of +greatest safety. We therefore regularly, every evening immediately +before dusk, took up our line of march for the opposite side of the +river, and repaired to quarters that had been assigned us within the +garrison, leaving our own house and chattels to the care of the +Frenchmen and our friends the Winnebagoes. + +It was on one of these days that we were sitting at the windows which +looked out over the Portage--indeed, we seldom sat anywhere else, our +almost sole occupation being to look abroad and see what was coming +next--when a loud, long, shrill whoop from a distance gave notice of +something to be heard. "The news-halloo! what could it portend? What +were we about to hear?" By gazing intently towards the farthest +extremity of the road, we could perceive a moving body of horsemen, +which, as they approached, we saw to be Indians. They were in full +costume. Scarlet streamers fluttered at the ends of their lances--their +arms glittered in the sun. Presently, as they drew nearer, their paint +and feathers and brooches became visible. There were fifty or more +warriors. They passed the road which turns to the Fort, and rode +directly up the hill leading to the Agency. Shaw-nee-aw-kee was absent. +The Interpreter had been sent for on the first distant appearance of the +strangers, but had not yet arrived. The party, having ascended the hill, +halted near the blacksmith's shop, but did not dismount. + +Our hearts trembled--it must surely be the enemy. At this moment my +husband appeared from the direction of the Interpreter's house. We +called to entreat him to stop, but he walked along towards the +new-comers. + +To our infinite joy, we saw the chief of the party dismount, and all the +others following his example and approaching to shake hands. + +A space was soon cleared around the leader and my husband, when the +former commenced an oration, flourishing his sword and using much +violent gesticulation. It was the first time I had seen an Indian armed +with that weapon, and I dreaded to perceive it in such hands. Sometimes +he appeared as if he were about to take off the head of his auditor at a +blow; and our hearts sank as we remembered the stratagems at Mackinac +and Detroit in former days. At length the speech was concluded, another +shaking of hands took place, and we saw my husband leading the way to +his storehouse, from which some of his men presently brought tobacco and +pipes and laid them at the feet of the chief. + +Our suspense was soon relieved by being informed that the strangers were +Man-Eater, the principal chief of the Rock River Indians, who had come +with his band to "hold a talk" and bring information. + +These Indians were under the special care of Mr. Henry Gratiot, and his +efforts had been most judicious and unremitting in preserving the good +feeling of this the most dangerous portion of the Winnebagoes. + +The intelligence that Man-Eater, who was a most noble Indian in +appearance and character, brought us, confirmed that already received, +namely, that the Sauks were gradually drawing north, towards the +Portage, although he evidently did not know exactly their whereabouts. + +There was, soon after they had taken leave, an arrival of another party +of Winnebagoes, and these requested permission to dance for their +Father. + +The compliment having been accepted, they assembled, as usual, on the +esplanade in front of the house. My sister, the children, and myself +stationed ourselves at the open windows, according to custom, and my +husband sat on the broad step before the door, which opened from the +outer air directly into the parlor where we were. + +The performance commenced, and as the dancers proceeded, following each +other round and round in the progress of the dance, my sister, Mrs. +Helm, remarked to me, "Look at that small, dark Indian, with the green +boughs on his person--that is _a Sauk!_ They always mark themselves in +this manner with white clay, and ornament themselves with leaves when +they dance!" In truth, I had never seen this costume among our own +Indians, and as I gazed at this one with green chaplets round his head +and his legs, and even his gun wreathed in the same manner, while his +body displayed no paint except the white transverse streaks with which +it was covered, I saw that he was, indeed, a stranger. Without owing +anything to the exaggeration of fear, his countenance was truly +ferocious. + +He held his gun in his hand, and every time the course of the dance +brought him directly in front of where we sat, he would turn his gaze +full upon us, and club his weapon before him with what we interpreted +into an air of defiance. We sat as still as death, for we knew it would +not be wise to exhibit any appearance of fear; but my sister remarked, +in a low tone, "I have always thought that I was to lose my life by the +hands of the Indians. This is the third Indian war I have gone through, +and now, I suppose, it will be the last." + +It was the only time I ever saw her lose her self-possession. She was +always remarkably calm and resolute, but now I could see that she +trembled. Still we sat there--there was a sort of fascination as our +imaginations became more and more excited. Presently some rain-drops +began to fall. The Indians continued their dance for a few minutes +longer, then, with whoopings and shoutings, they rushed simultaneously +towards the house. We fled into my apartment and closed the door, which +my sister at first held fast, but she presently came and seated herself +by me on the bed, for she saw that I could not compose myself. Of all +forms of death, that by the hands of savages is the most difficult to +face calmly; and I fully believed that our hour was come. + +There was no interruption to the dance, which the Indians carried on in +the parlor, leaping and yelling as if they would bring down the roof +over our heads. In vain we tried to persuade my husband and the +children, through a crevice of the door, to come and join us. The +latter, feeling no danger, were too much delighted with the exhibition +to leave it, and the former only came for a moment to reassure me, and +then judged it wisest to return, and manifest his satisfaction at the +compliment by his presence. He made light of our fears, and would not +admit that the object of our suspicions was in fact a Sauk, but only +some young Winnebago, who had, as is sometimes the custom, imitated them +in costume and appearance. + +It may have been "good fun" to him to return to his village and tell how +he frightened "the white squaws." Such a trick would not be unnatural in +a white youth, and perhaps, since human nature is everywhere the same, +it might not be out of the way in an Indian. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +FLEEING FROM THE INDIANS. + + +The danger had now become so imminent that my husband determined to send +his family to Fort Howard, a point which was believed to be far out of +the range of the enemy. It was in vain that I pleaded to be permitted to +remain; he was firm. + +"I must not leave my post," said he, "while there is any danger. My +departure would perhaps be the signal for an immediate alliance of the +Winnebagoes with the Sauks. I am certain that as long as I am here my +presence will act as a restraint upon them. You wish to remain and share +my dangers! Your doing so would expose us both to certain destruction in +case of attack By the aid of my friends in both tribes, I could hope to +preserve my own life if I were alone; but surrounded by my family, that +would be impossible--we should all fall victims together. My duty +plainly is, to send you to a place of safety." + +An opportunity for doing this soon occurred. Paquette, the Interpreter, +who was likewise an agent of the American Fur Company, had occasion to +send a boat-load of furs to Green Bay, on their way to Mackinac. Mr. +Kinzie, having seen it as comfortably fitted up as an open boat of that +description could be, with a tent-cloth fastened on a frame-work of +hoop-poles over the centre and lined with a dark-green blanket, and +having placed on board an abundant store of provisions and other +comforts, committed us to the joint care of my brother Arthur and our +faithful blacksmith, Mâtâ. + +This latter was a tall, gaunt Frenchman, with a freckled face, a +profusion of crisp, sandy hair, and an inveterate propensity to speak +English. His knowledge of the language was somewhat limited, and he +burlesqued it by adding an s to almost every word, and giving out each +phrase with a jerk. + +"Davids," he was wont to say to the little yellow fiddler, after an +evening's frolic at the Interpreter's, "Davids, clear away the tables +and the glasses, and play _fishes-hornspikes."_[55] He was a kind, +affectionate creature, and his devotion to "Monsieur Johns" and "Madame +Johns" knew no bounds. + +Besides these two protectors, three trusty Indians, the chief of whom +was called _Old Smoker_, were engaged to escort our party. The crew of +the boat consisted entirely of French engagés in the service of the Fur +Company. They were six gay-hearted, merry fellows, lightening their +labor with their pipe and their songs, in which latter they would have +esteemed it a great compliment to be joined by the ladies who listened +to them; but our hearts, alas! were now too heavy to participate in +their enjoyment. + +The Fourth of July, the day on which we left our home, was a gloomy one +indeed to those who departed and to the one left behind. Who knew if we +should ever meet again? The experience which some of the circle had had +in Indian warfare was such as to justify the saddest forebodings. There +was not even the consolation of a certainty that this step would secure +our safety. The Sauks might, possibly, be on the other side of us, and +the route we were taking might perhaps, though not probably, carry us +into their very midst. It was no wonder, then, that our leave-taking was +a solemn one--a parting which all felt might be for this world. + +Not _all_, however; for the gay, cheerful Frenchmen laughed and sang and +cracked their jokes, and "assured Monsieur John that they would take +Madame John and Madame Alum safe to the bay, spite of Sauks or wind or +weather." + +Thus we set out on our journey. For many miles the Fort was in sight, as +the course of the river alternately approached and receded from its +walls, and it was not until nearly mid-day that we caught the last +glimpse of our home. + +At the noon-tide meal, or pipe, of the voyageurs, an alarming discovery +was made: no bread had been put on board for the crew! How this +oversight had occurred, no one could tell. One was certain that a large +quantity had been brought from the garrison-bakery for their use that +very morning--another had even seen the sacks of loaves standing in +Paquette's kitchen. Be that as it may, there we were, many miles on our +journey, and with no provisions for the six Frenchmen, except some +salted pork, a few beans, and some onions. A consultation was held in +this emergency. Should they return to the Portage for supplies? The +same danger that made their departure necessary, still existed, and the +utmost dispatch had been enjoined upon them. We found upon examination +that the store of bread and crackers with which our party had been +provided was far-beyond what we could possibly require, and we thought +it would be sufficient to allow of rations to the Frenchmen until we +should reach Powell's, at the Butte des Morts, the day but one +following, where we should undoubtedly be able to procure a fresh +supply. + +This decided on, we proceeded on our journey, always in profound +silence, for a song or a loud laugh was now strictly prohibited until we +should have passed the utmost limits of country where the enemy might +possibly be. We had been warned beforehand that a certain point, where +the low marshy meadows, through which the river had hitherto run, rises +into a more firm and elevated country, was the border of the Menomonee +territory, and the spot where the Sauks, if they had fled north of the +Wisconsin towards the Chippewa country, would be most likely to be +encountered. + +As we received intimation on the forenoon of the second day that we were +drawing near this spot, I must confess that "we held our breath for +awe." + +The three Winnebagoes were in the bow of the boat. Old Smoker, the +chief, squatted upon his feet on the bench of the foremost rowers. We +looked at him. He was gazing intently in the direction of the wooded +point we were approaching. Our eyes followed his, and we saw three +Indians step forward and stand upon the bank. We said in a low voice to +each other, "If they are Sauks, we are lost, for the whole body must be +in that thicket." The boat continued to approach; not a word was spoken; +the dip of the paddle, and perhaps the beating hearts of some, were the +only sounds that broke the stillness. Again we looked at the chief. His +nostrils were dilated--his eyes almost glaring. + +Suddenly, with a bound, he sprang to his feet and uttered his long, +shrill whoop. + +"Hoh! hoh! hoh! Neechee (friend) _Muh-no-mo-nee!_" + +All was now joy and gladness. Every one was forward to shake hands with +the strangers as soon as we could reach them, in token of our +satisfaction that they were Menomonees and not Sauks, of the latter of +whom, by the way, they could give us no intelligence. + +By noon of that day we considered ourselves to be out of the region of +danger. Still, caution was deemed necessary, and when at the mid-day +pipe the boat was pushed ashore under a beautiful overhanging bank, +crowned with a thick wood, the usual vigilance was somewhat relaxed, and +the young people, under the escort of Arthur and Mâtâ, were permitted to +roam about a little, in the vicinity of the boat. + +They soon came back, with the report that the woods were "alive with +pigeons,"--they could almost knock them down with sticks; and earnestly +did they plead to be allowed to shoot at least enough for supper. But +no--the enemy might be nearer than we imagined--the firing of a gun +would betray our whereabouts--it was most prudent to give no notice to +friend or foe. So, very reluctantly, they were compelled to return to +the boat without their game. + +The next morning brought us to Powell's, at the Butte des Morts. Sad +were the faces of the poor Frenchmen at learning that not a loaf of +bread was to be had. Our own store, too, was by this time quite +exhausted. The only substitute we could obtain was a bag of dark +looking, bitter flour. With this provision for our whole party, we were +forced to be contented, and we left the Hillock of the Dead, feeling +that it had been indeed the grave of our hopes. + +By dint of good rowing, our crew soon brought us to the spot where the +river enters that beautiful sheet of water, Winnebago Lake. Though there +was but little wind when we reached the lake, the Frenchmen hoisted +their sail, in hopes to save themselves the labor of rowing across; but +in vain did they whistle, with all the force of their lungs--in vain did +they supplicate _La Vierge_, with a comical mixture of fun and +reverence. As a last resource, it was at length suggested by some one +that their only chance lay in propitiating the goddess of the winds with +an offering of some cast-off garment. + +Application was made all round by Guardapié, the chief spokesman of the +crew. Alas! not one of the poor voyageurs could boast a spare article. A +few old rags were at length rummaged out of the little receptacle of +food, clothing, and dirt in the bow of the boat, and cast into the waves +For a moment all flattered themselves that the experiment had been +successful--the sail fluttered, swelled a little, and then flapped idly +down against the mast. The party were in despair, until, after a +whispered consultation together, Julian and Edwin stepped forward as +messengers of mercy. In a trice they divested themselves of jacket and +vest and made a proffer of their next garment to aid in raising the +wind. + +At first there seemed a doubt in the minds of the boatmen whether they +ought to accept so magnificent an offer; but finding, on giving them a +preparatory shake, that the value of the contribution was less than they +had imagined, they, with many shouts and much laughter, consigned them +to the waves. To the great delight and astonishment of the boys, a +breeze at this moment sprang up, which carried the little vessel +beautifully over the waters for about half the distance to Garlic +Island. By this time the charm was exhausted, nor was it found possible +to renew it by a repetition of similar offerings. All expedients were +tried without success, and, with sundry rather disrespectful reflections +upon the lady whose aid they had invoked, the Frenchmen were compelled +to betake themselves to their oars, until they reached the island. + +Two or three canoes of Winnebagoes arrived at the same moment, and their +owners immediately stepped forward with an offering of some sturgeon +which they had caught in the lake. As this promised to be an agreeable +variety to the noon-tide meal (at least for the Frenchmen), it was +decided to stop and kindle a fire for the purpose of cooking it. We took +advantage of this interval to recommend to the boys a stroll to the +opposite side of the island, where the clear, shallow water and pebbly +beach offered temptation to a refreshing bath. While they availed +themselves of this, under the supervision of Harry, the black boy, we +amused ourselves with gathering the fine red raspberries with which the +island abounded. + +Our enjoyment was cut short, however, by discovering that the whole +place, vines, shrubs, and even, apparently, the earth itself, was +infested with myriads of the wood-tick, a little insect, that, having +fastened to the skin, penetrates into the very flesh, causing a swelling +and irritation exceeding painful, and even dangerous. The alarm was +sounded, to bring the boys back in all haste to the open and more +frequented part of the island. But we soon found we had not left our +tormentors behind. Throughout the day we continued to be sensible of +their proximity. From the effects of their attacks we were not relieved +for several succeeding days; those which had succeeded in burying +themselves in the flesh having to be removed with the point of a +penknife or a large needle. After partaking of our dinner, we stepped on +board our boat, and, the wind having risen, we were carried by the +breeze to the farther verge of the lake, and into the entrance of the +river, or, as it was called, the Winnebago Rapids. + +On the point of land to the right stood a collection of neat bark +wigwams--this was Four-Legs' village. + +It was an exciting and somewhat hazardous passage down the rapids and +over the Grand Chûte, a fall of several feet; but it was safely passed, +and at the approach of evening the boat reached the settlement of the +Waubanakees at the head of the Little Chûte. These are the Stockbridge +or Brothertown Indians, the remains of the old Mohicans, who had, a few +years before, emigrated from Oneida County, in the State of New York, to +a tract granted them by the United States, on the fertile banks of the +Fox River. They had already cleared extensive openings in the forest, +and built some substantial and comfortable houses near the banks of the +river, which were here quite high, and covered for the most part with +gigantic trees. + +It was determined to ask hospitality of these people, to the extent of +borrowing a corner of their fire to boil our tea-kettle, and bake the +short-cake which had been now, for nearly two days, our substitute for +bread. Its manufacture had been a subject of much merriment. The +ingredients, consisting of Powell's black flour, some salt, and a little +butter, were mixed in the tin box which had held our meat. This was then +reversed, and, having been properly cleansed, supplied the place of a +dough-board. The vinegar-bottle served the office of rolling-pin, and a +shallow tin dish formed the appliance for baking. The Waubanakees were +so good as to lend us an iron bake-kettle, and superintend the cooking +of our cake after Harry had carried it up to their dwelling. + +So kind and hospitable did they show themselves, that the crew of the +boat took the resolution of asking a lodging on shore, by way of relief +after their crowded quarters in the boat for the last three nights. +Arthur and Mâtâ soon adopted the same idea, and we were invited to +follow their example, with the assurance that the houses were extremely +neat and orderly. + +We preferred, however, as it was a fine night, and all things were so +comfortably arranged in the boat, to remain on board, keeping Edwin and +Josette with us. + +The boat was tightly moored, for the little Chûte was just below, and if +our craft should break loose in the rapid current, and drift down over +the falls, it would be a very serious matter. As an additional +precaution, one man was left on board to keep all things safe and in +order, and, these arrangements having been made, the others ascended the +bank, and took up their night's lodgings in the Waubanakee cabins. + +It was a beautiful, calm, moonlight night, the air just sufficiently +warm to be agreeable, while the gentle murmur of the rapids and of the +fall, at no great distance, soon lulled our party to repose. How long we +had slumbered we knew not, when we were aroused by a rushing wind. It +bent the poles supporting the awning, snapped them, and, another gust +succeeding, tent and blanket were carried away on the blast down the +stream. The moonlight was gone, but a flash of lightning showed them +sailing away like a spectre in the distance. + +The storm increased in violence. The rain began to pour in torrents, and +the thunder and lightning to succeed each other in fearful rapidity. My +sister sprang to waken the Frenchman. "Get up, Vitelle, quick," cried +she, in French, "run up the bank for Mâtâ and Mr. Arthur--tell them to +come and get us instantly." + +The man made her no reply, but fell upon his knees, invoking the Virgin +most vociferously. + +"Do not wait for the Virgin, but go as quickly as possible. Do you not +see we shall all be killed?" + +"Oh! not for the world, madame, not for the world," said Vitelle, +burying his head in a pack of furs, "would I go up that bank in this +storm." And here he began crying most lustily to all the saints in the +calendar. + +It Was indeed awful. The roaring of the thunder and the flashing of the +lightning around us were like the continued discharge of a park of +artillery. I with some difficulty drew forth my cloak, and enveloped +myself and Josette--sister Margaret did the same with Edwin. + +"Oh I madame," said the poor little girl, her teeth chattering with cold +and fright, "won't we be drowned?" + +"Very well," said my sister to the Frenchman, "you see that Madame John +is at the last agony--if you will not go for help I must, and Monsieur +John must know that you left his wife to perish." + +This was too much for Vitelle. "If I must, I must," said he, and with a +desperate bound he leaped on shore and sped up the hill with might and +main. + +In a few minutes, though it seemed ages to us, a whole posse came flying +down the hill. The incessant lightning made all things appear as in the +glare of day. Mâtâ's curly hair fairly stood on end, and his eyes rolled +with ghastly astonishment at the spectacle. + +"Oh, my God, Madame Johns! what would Monsieur Johns say, to see you +nows?" exclaimed he, as he seized me in his arms and bore me up the +hill. Arthur followed with sister Margaret, and two others with Edwin +and Josette. Nobody carried Vitelle, for he had taken care not to risk +his precious life by venturing again to the boat. + +On arriving at the cabin where Arthur and Mâtâ had been lodged, a fire +was, with some difficulty, kindled, and our trunks having been brought +up from the boat, we were at length able to exchange our drenched +garments, and those of the children, for others more comfortable, after +which we laid ourselves upon the clean but homely bed, and slept until +daylight. + +As it was necessary to ascertain what degree of damage the cargo of furs +had sustained, an early start was proposed. Apparently, the inhabitants +of the cottages had become weary in well-doing, for they declined +preparing breakfast for us, although we assured them they should be well +compensated for their trouble. We, consequently, saw ourselves compelled +to depart with very slender prospects of a morning meal. + +When we reached the boat, what a scene presented itself! Bedclothes, +cloaks, trunks, mess-basket, packs of furs, all bearing the marks of a +complete deluge! The boat ankle-deep in water--literally no place on +board where we could either stand or sit. After some bailing out, and an +attempt at disposing some of the packs of furs which had suffered least +from the flood, so as to form a sort of divan in the centre of the boat, +nothing better seemed to offer than to re-embark, and endure what could +not be cured. + +Our position was not an enviable one. Wherever a foot or hand was +placed, the water gushed up, with a bubbling sound, and, oh! the state +of the bandboxes and work-baskets! Breakfast there was none, for on +examining the mess-basket everything it contained was found mingled in +one undistinguishable mass. Tea, pepper, salt, short-cake, all floating +together--it was a hopeless case. + +But this was not the worst. As the fervid July sun rose higher in the +heavens, the steam which exhaled from every object on board was nearly +suffocating. The boat was old--the packs of skins were old--their +vicinity in a dry day had been anything but agreeable--now it was +intolerable. There was no retreating from it, however; so we encouraged +the children to arm themselves with patience, for the short time that +yet remained of our voyage. + +Seated on our odoriferous couch, beneath the shade of a single umbrella, +to protect our whole party from the scorching sun, we glided wearily +down the stream, through that long, tedious day. As we passed +successively the Kakalin, the Rapids, Dickenson's, the Agency, with what +longing eyes did we gaze at human habitations, where others were +enjoying the shelter of a roof and the comforts of food--and how eagerly +did we count the hours which must elapse before we could reach Port +Howard! + +There were no songs from the poor Frenchmen this day. Music and fasting +do not go well together. At length we stopped at Shanty-town, where the +boat was to be unloaded. All hands fell to work to transfer the cargo to +the warehouse of the Fur Company, which stood near the landing. It was +not a long operation, for all worked heartily. This being accomplished, +the voyageurs, one and all, prepared to take their leave. In vain Mâtâ +stormed and raved--in vain Arthur remonstrated. + +"No," they said, "they had brought the boat and cargo to the +warehouse--that was all of their job." And they turned to go. + +"Guardapié," said I, "do you intend to leave us here?" + +"Bien, madame! it is the place we always stop at." + +"Does Monsieur John pay you for bringing his family down?" + +"Oh, yes, Monsieur John has given us an order on the sutler, at the +Fort down below." + +"To be paid when you deliver us safe at the Fort down below. It seems I +shall be there before you, and I shall arrange that matter. Monsieur +John never dreamed that this would be your conduct." + +The Frenchmen consulted together, and the result was that Guardapié with +two others jumped into the boat, took their oars, and rather sulkily +rowed us the remaining two miles to Fort Howard. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +FORT HOWARD--OUR RETURN HOME. + + +We soon learned that a great panic prevailed at Green Bay on account of +the Sauks. The people seemed to have possessed themselves with the idea +that the enemy would visit this place on their way to Canada to put +themselves under the protection of the British Government. How they were +to get there from this point--whether they were to stop and fabricate +themselves bark canoes for the purpose, or whether they were to charter +one of Mr. Newbery's schooners for the trip, the good people did not +seem fully to have made up their minds. One thing is certain, a portion +of the citizens were nearly frightened to death, and were fully +convinced that there was no safety for them but within the walls of the +old dilapidated fort, from which nearly all the troops had been +withdrawn and sent to Fort Winnebago some time previous. + +Their fears were greatly aggravated by a report, brought by some +traveller, that he had slept at night on the very spot where the Sauks +breakfasted the next morning. Now, as the Sauks were known to be reduced +to very short commons, there was every reason to suppose that if the man +had waited half an hour longer they would have eaten him; so he was +considered to have made a wonderful escape. + +Our immediate friends and acquaintances were far from joining in these +fears. The utter improbability of such a movement was obvious to all who +considered the nature of the country to be traversed, and the efficient +and numerous body of whites by whom they must be opposed on their +entrance into that neighborhood. There were some, however, who could not +be persuaded that there was any security but in flight, and eagerly was +the arrival of the "Mariner" looked for, as the anxiety grew more and +more intense. + +The "Mariner" appeared at last. It was early in the morning. In one hour +from the time of her arrival the fearful news she brought had spread the +whole length of the settlement--"the cholera was in this country! It was +in Detroit--it was among the troops who were on their way to the seat of +war! Whole companies had died of it in the river St. Clair, and the +survivors had been put on shore at Port Gratiot, to save their lives as +best they might!" We were shut in between the savage foe on one hand and +the pestilence on the other! + +To those who had friends at the East the news was most appalling. It +seemed to unman every one who heard it. An officer who had exhibited the +most distinguished prowess in the battle-field, and also in some private +enterprises demanding unequalled courage and daring, was the first to +bring us the news. When he had communicated it, he laid his head +against the window-sill and wept like a child. + +Those who must perforce rejoin friends near and dear, left the Bay in +the "Mariner;" all others considered their present home the safest; and +so it proved, for the dreadful scourge did not visit Green Bay that +season. + +The weather was intensely hot, and the mosquitoes so thick that we did +not pretend to walk on the parade after sunset, unless armed with two +fans, or green branches to keep constantly in motion, in order to +disperse them. This, by the way, was the surest method of attracting +them. We had somehow forgotten the apathetic indifference which had +often excited our wonder in Old Smoker, as we had observed him calmly +sitting and allowing his naked arms and person to become literally +_gray_ with the tormenting insects. Then he would quietly wipe off a +handful, the blood following the movement of the hand over his skin, and +stoically wait for an occasion to repeat the movement. It is said that +the mosquito, if undisturbed until he has taken his fill, leaves a much +less inflamed bite than if brushed away in the midst of his feast. + +By day, the air was at this season filled with what is called the Green +Bay fly, a species of dragon-fly, with which the outer walls of the +houses are at times so covered that their color is hardly +distinguishable. Their existence is very ephemeral, scarcely lasting +more than a day. Their dead bodies are seen adhering to the walls and +windows within, and they fall without in such numbers that after a high +wind has gathered them into rows along the sides of the quarters, one +may walk through them and toss them up with their feet like the dry +leaves in autumn. + +As we walked across the parade, our attention was sometimes called to a +tapping upon the bars of the dungeon in which a criminal was +confined--it was the murderer of Lieutenant Foster. + +It may be remembered that this amiable young officer had been our +travelling companion in our journey from Chicago the preceding year. +Some months after his arrival at Port Howard, he had occasion to order a +soldier of his company, named Doyle, into confinement for intoxication. +The man, a few days afterwards, prevailed on the sergeant of the guard +to escort him to Lieutenant Foster's quarters on the plea that he wished +to speak to him. He ascended the stairs to the young officer's room, +while the sergeant and another soldier remained at the foot, near the +door. + +Doyle entered, and, addressing Lieutenant Foster, said, "Will you please +tell me, lieutenant, what I am confined for?" + +"No, sir," replied the officer; "you know your offence well enough; +return to your place of confinement." + +The man ran down-stairs, wrenched the gun from the sergeant's hand, and, +rushing back, discharged it at the heart of Lieutenant Foster. + +He turned to go to his inner apartment, but exclaiming, "Ah me!" he fell +dead before the entrance. + +Doyle, having been tried by a civil court, was now under sentence, +awaiting his execution. He was a hardened villain, never exhibiting the +slightest compunction for his crime. + +The commanding officer, Major Clark, sent to him one day to inquire if +he wanted anything for his comfort. + +"If the Major pleased," he replied, "he should like to have a light and +a copy of Byron's Works." + +Some fears were entertained that he would contrive to make way with +himself before the day of execution, and, to guard against it, he was +deprived of everything that could furnish him a weapon. His food was +served to him in a wooden bowl, lest a bit of broken crockery might he +used as a means of self destruction. + +One morning he sent a little package to the commanding officer as a +present. It contained a strong rope, fabricated from strips of his +blanket, that he had carefully separated, and with a large stout spike +at the end of it. The message accompanying it was, "He wished Major +Clark to see that if he chose to put an end to himself, he could find +means to do it in spite of him." + +And this hardened frame of mind continued to the last. When he was led +out for execution, in passing beyond the gate, he observed a quantity of +lumber recently collected for the construction of a new Company's +warehouse. + +"Ah, captain, what are you going to build here?" inquired he of Captain +Scott, who attended him. + +"Doyle," replied his captain, "you have but a few moments to live--- you +had better employ your thoughts about something else." + +"It is for that very reason, captain," said he, "that I am inquiring--as +my time is short, I wish to gain all the information I can while it +lasts." + + * * * * * + +We were not suffered to remain long in suspense in regard to the friends +we had left behind. In less than two weeks Old Smoker again made his +appearance. He was the bearer of letters from my husband, informing me +that General Dodge was then with him at Port Winnebago, that Generals +Henry and Alexander were likewise at the Fort, and that as soon as they +had recruited their men and horses, which were pretty well worn out with +scouring the country after Black Hawk, they would march again in pursuit +of him towards the head-waters of the Rock River, where they had every +reason, from information lately brought in by the Winnebagoes, to +believe he would be found. + +As he charged us to lay aside all uneasiness on his account, and +moreover held forth the hope of soon coming or sending for us, our minds +became more tranquil. + +Not long after this, I was told one morning that "_a lady_" wished to +see me at the front door. I obeyed the summons, and, to my surprise, was +greeted by my friend _Madame Four-Legs._ After much demonstration of joy +at seeing me, such as putting her two hands together over her forehead +and then parting them in a waving kind of gesture, laughing, and patting +me on my arms, she drew from her bosom a letter from my husband, of +which she was the bearer. It was to this effect--"Generals Dodge and +Henry left here a few days since, accompanied by Paquette; they met the +Sauks near the Wisconsin, on the 21st. A battle ensued, in which upwards +of fifty of the enemy were killed--our loss was one killed, and eight +wounded. The _citizens_ are well pleased that all this has been +accomplished without any aid from _Old White Beaver._[56] The war must +be near its close, for the militia and regulars together will soon +finish the remaining handful of fugitives." + +The arrival of Lieutenant Hunter, who had obtained leave of absence in +order to escort us, soon put all things in train for our return to Fort +Winnebago. No Mackinac boat was to be had, but in lieu of it a Durham +boat was procured. This is of a description longer and shallower than +the other, with no convenience for rigging up an awning, or shelter of +any kind, over the centre; but its size was better fitted to accommodate +our party, which consisted, besides our own family, of Lieutenant and +Mrs. Hunter, the wife of another officer now stationed at Port +Winnebago, and our cousin, Miss Forsyth. We made up our minds, as will +be supposed, to pretty close quarters. + +Our crew was composed partly of Frenchmen and partly of soldiers, and, +all things being in readiness, we set off one fine bright morning in the +latter part of July. + +Our second day's alternate rowing and poling brought us to the Grande +Chûte early in the afternoon. + +Here, it is the custom to disembark at the foot of the rapids, and, +ascending the high bank, walk around the fall, while the men pull the +boat up through the foaming waters. + +Most of our party had already stepped on shore, when a sudden thought +seized one of the ladies and myself. + +"Let us stay in the boat," said we, "and be pulled up the Chûte." The +rest of the company went on, while we sat and watched with great +interest the preparations the men were making. They were soon overboard +in the water, and, attaching a strong rope to the bow of the boat, all +lent their aid in pulling as they marched slowly along with their heavy +load. The cargo, consisting only of our trunks and stores, which were of +no very considerable weight, had not been removed. + +We went on, now and then getting a tremendous bump against a hidden +rock, and frequently splashed by a shower of foam as the waves roared +and boiled around us. + +The men kept as close as possible to the high, precipitous bank, where +the water was smoothest. At the head of the _cordel_ was a merry +simpleton of a Frenchman, who was constantly turning his head to grin +with delight at our evident enjoyment and excitement. + +We were indeed in high glee. "Is not this charming?" cried one. "I only +wish----" + +The wish, whatever it was, was cut short by a shout and a crash. "Have +a care, Robineau! Mind where you are taking the boat!" was the cry, but +it came too late. More occupied with the ladies than with his duty, the +leader had guided us into the midst of a sharp, projecting tree that +hung from the bank. The first tug ripped out the side of the boat, which +immediately began to fill with water. + +My companion and I jumped upon the nearest rocks that showed their heads +above the foam. Our screams and the shouts of the men brought Lieutenant +Hunter and some Indians, who were above on the bank, dashing down to our +rescue. They carried us in their arms to land, while the men worked +lustily at fishing up the contents of the boat, now thoroughly saturated +with water. + +We scrambled up the high bank, in a miserable plight, to join in the +general lamentation over the probable consequences of the accident. + +"Oh! my husband's new uniform!" cried one, and "Oh! the miniatures in +the bottom of my trunk!" sighed another--while, "Oh! the silk dresses, +and the ribbons, and the finery!" formed the general chorus. + +No one thought of the provisions, although we had observed, in our +progress to shore, the barrel of bread and the tub of ice, which +Lieutenant Hunter had providently brought for our refreshment, sailing +away on the dancing waves. Among the boxes brought to land, and "toted" +up the steep bank, was one containing some loaves of sugar and packages +of tea, which I had bought for our winter's supply from the sutler at +the post. The young Indian who was the bearer of it set it upon the +ground, and soon called my attention to a thick, white stream that was +oozing from the corners. I made signs for him to taste it. He dipped his +finger in it, and exclaimed with delight to his companions, when he +perceived what it was. I then pointed to his hatchet, and motioned him +to open the box. He did not require a second invitation--it was soon +backed to pieces. + +Then, as I beckoned up all the rest of the youngsters who were looking +on, full of wonder, such a scrambling and shouting with delight +succeeded as put us all, particularly the boys, into fits of laughter. +Bowls, dippers, hands, everything that could contain even the smallest +quantity, were put in requisition. The squaws were most active. Those +who could do no better took the stoutest fragments of the blue paper in +which the sugar had been enveloped, and in a trice nothing remained but +the wet, yellow bundles of tea, and the fragments of the splintered box +which had contained it. + +By this time fires had been made, and the articles from the trunks were +soon seen covering every shrub and bush in the vicinity. Fortunately, +the box containing the new uniform had been piled high above the others, +in the centre of the boat, and had received but little damage; but sad +was the condition of the wardrobes in general. + +Not a white article was to be seen. All was mottled; blue, green, red, +and black intermingling in streaks, and dripping from ends and corners. + +To add to the trouble, the rain began to fall, as rain is apt to do, at +an inconvenient moment, and soon the half-dried garments had to be +gathered out of the smoke and huddled away in a most discouraging +condition. + +The tent was pitched, wet as it was, and the blankets, wrung out of the +water, and partially dried, were spread upon the ground for our +accommodation at night. + +A Hamburg cheese, which had been a part of my stores, was voted to me +for a pillow, and, after a supper the best part of which was a portion +of one of the wet loaves which had remained in a barrel too tightly +wedged to drift away, we betook ourselves to our repose. + +The next morning rose hot and sultry. The mosquitoes, which the rain +had kept at bay through the night, now began to make themselves amends, +and to torment us unmercifully. + +After our most uncomfortable and unpalatable breakfast, the first +question for consideration was, what we were to do with ourselves. Our +boat lay submerged at the foot of the hill, half-way up the rapids. The +nearest habitation among the Waubanakees was some miles distant, and +this there was no means of reaching but by an Indian canoe, if some of +our present friends and neighbors would be so obliging as to bring one +for our use. Even then it was doubtful if boats could be found +sufficient to convey all our numerous party back to Green Bay. + +In the midst of these perplexing consultations a whoop was heard from +beyond the hill, which here sloped away to the north, at the head of the +rapids. + +"There is John! that is certainly his voice!" cried more than one of the +company. + +It was, indeed, my husband, and in a moment he was among us. Never was +arrival more opportune, more evidently providential. + +Not having learned our plans (for the unsettled state of the country had +prevented our sending him word), he had come provided with a boat, to +take us back to Fort Winnebago. + +Our drying operations, which we had recommenced this morning, were soon +cut short. Everything was shuffled away in the most expeditious manner +possible, and in an incredibly short time we were transferred to the +other boat, which lay quietly above the Chûte, and were pulling away +towards Winnebago Lake. + +We had resolved to go only so far as the vicinity of the lake, where the +breeze would render the mosquitoes less intolerable, and then to stop +and make one more attempt at drying our clothing. Accordingly, when we +reached a beautiful high bank near the Little Butte, we stopped for that +purpose again, unpacked our trunks, and soon every bush and twig was +fluttering with the spoils of the cruel waves. + +Hardly had we thus disposed of the last rag or ribbon when the tramp of +horses was heard, followed by loud shouts and cheers ringing through the +forest. + +A company of about twenty-five horsemen, with banners flying, veils +fluttering from their hats, and arms glittering in the sun, rode into +our midst, and, amid greetings and roars of laughter, inquired into the +nature and reasons of our singular state of confusion. + +They were Colonel Stambough and Alexander Irwin, of Green Bay, with a +company of young volunteers, and followed by a whooping band of +Menomonees, all bound for the seat of war. We comforted them with the +assurance that the victories were by this time all won and the scalps +taken; but, expressing the hope that there were yet a few laurels to be +earned, they bade us adieu, and rapidly pursued their march. + +We crossed Lake Winnebago by the clear, beautiful light of a summer +moon. The soft air was just enough to swell the sail, and thus save the +men their labor at the oar. + +The witchery of the hour was not, however, sufficient to induce us to +forego our repose after the heat and annoyances of the day--we therefore +disposed ourselves betimes, to be packed away in the centre of the boat. +How it was accomplished no one of the numerous company could tell. If +any accident had occurred to disturb our arrangement, I am sure it would +have been a Chinese puzzle to put us back again in our places. The men +on the outside had much the best of it, and we rather envied those who +were off watch, their ability to snore and change position as the humor +took them. + +We reached Powell's just in time to have gone ashore and prepare our +breakfast had we had wherewithal to prepare it. We had hoped to be able +to procure some supplies here, for hitherto we had been living on the +remains of my husband's ample stock. That was now so nearly exhausted +that when we found the mess-basket could not be replenished at this +place we began to talk of putting ourselves on allowance. + +The wet bread, of which there had remained an ample store, had, as may +be readily imagined, soon fermented under the influence of a July sun. +The tea, too, notwithstanding our careful efforts at drying it on +newspapers and pieces of board, ere long became musty and unfit for use. +There was, literally, nothing left, except the salted meat and a few +crackers, hardly sufficient for the present day. + +The men were therefore urged to make all the speed possible, that we +might reach Gleason's, at Lake Puckaway, in good season on the following +day. + +At evening, when we stopped to take our tea at a beautiful little +opening among the trees, we found our old enemies, the mosquitoes, worse +than ever. It was necessary to put on our cloaks and gloves, and tie our +veils close around our throats, only venturing to introduce a cracker or +a cup of tea under this protection in the most stealthy manner. + +The men rowed well, and brought us to Gleason's about eleven o'clock the +next day. We were greeted with the most enthusiastic demonstrations by +my old friend _La Grosse Américaine,_ who had removed here from +Bellefontaine. + +"Oh, Mrs. Armstrong," cried we, "get us some breakfast--we are +famishing!" + +At that instant who should appear but our faithful Mâtâ, driving the old +calèche in which we were in the habit of making our little excursions in +the neighborhood of the Port. He had ridden over, hoping to meet us, in +the idea that some of us would prefer this method of reaching our home. + +With provident thoughtfulness, he had brought tea, roasted coffee, fresh +butter, eggs, etc., lest we should be short of such luxuries in that +advanced stage of our journey. + +His "Good-morning, Madame Johns! How do you dos?" was a pleasant and +welcome sound. + +We could not wait for our breakfast, but gathered round La Grosse +Américaine like a parcel of children while she cut and spread slices of +bread-and-butter for us. + +After our regular meal was finished, it was decided that sister Margaret +should take Josette, and return with Mâtâ to open the house and make it +ready for our reception. It had been the head-quarters of militia, +Indians, and stragglers of various descriptions during our absence, and +we could easily imagine that a little "misrule and unreason" might have +had sway for that period. + +We had yet seventy-two miles, by the devious winding course of the +river, over first the beautiful waters of Lac de Boeuf, and then through +the low, marshy lands that spread away to the Portage. An attempt was +made on the part of one of the gentlemen to create a little excitement +among the ladies as we approached the spot where it had been supposed +the Sauks might pass on their way to the Chippewa country. + +"Who knows," said he, gravely, "but they may be lurking in this +neighborhood yet? If so, we shall probably have some signal. We must be +on the alert!" + +Some of the ladies began to turn pale and look about them. After an +interval of perfect silence, a low, prolonged whistle was heard. There +was so much agitation, and even actual terror, that the mischievous +author of the trick was obliged to confess at once, and receive a hearty +scolding for the pain he had caused. + +Just before sunset of the second day from Gleason's we reached our home. +Every thing was _radiant_ with neatness and good order. With the +efficient aid of our good Manaigre and his wife, the house had been +whitewashed from the roof to the door-sill, a thorough scrubbing and +cleansing effected, the carpets unpacked and spread upon the floors, the +furniture arranged, and, though last not least, a noble supper smoked +upon the board by the time we had made, once more, a civilized toilet. + +Many of our friends from the Fort were there to greet us, and a more +happy or thankful party has seldom been assembled. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +SURRENDER OF WINNEBAGO PRISONERS. + + +The war was now considered at an end. The news of the battle of the Bad +Axe, where the regulars, the militia, and the steamboat Warrior +combined, had made a final end of the remaining handful of Sauks, had +reached us and restored tranquillity to the hearts and homes of the +frontier settlers. + +It may seem wonderful that an enemy so few in number and so +insignificant in resources could have created such a panic, and +required so vast an amount of opposing force to subdue them. The +difficulty had been simply in never knowing where to find them, either +to attack or guard against them. Probably at the outset every military +man thought and felt like the noble old veteran General Brady. "Give me +two infantry companies mounted," said he, "and I will engage to whip the +Sauks out of the country in one week!" + +True, but to whip the enemy you must first meet him; and in order to +pursue effectually and _catch_ the Indians, a peculiar training is +necessary--a training which, at that day, few, even of the frontier +militia, could boast. + +In some portions of this campaign there was another difficulty,--the +want of concert between the two branches of the service. The regular +troops looked with contempt upon the unprofessional movements of the +militia; the militia railed at the dilatory and useless formalities of +the regulars. Each avowed the conviction that matters could be much +better conducted without the other, and the militia, being prompt to +act, sometimes took matters into their own hands, and brought on defeat +and disgrace, as in the affair of "Stillman's Run." + +The feeling of contempt which the army officers entertained for the +militia, extended itself to their subordinates and dependants. After the +visit of the Ranger officers to Fort Winnebago, before the battle of the +Wisconsin, the officer of the mess where they had been entertained +called up his servant one day to inquire into the sutler's accounts, He +was the same little "Yellow David" who had formerly appertained to +Captain Harney. + +"David," said the young gentleman, "I see three bottles of cologne-water +charged in the month's account of the mess at the sutler's. What does +that mean?" + +"If you please, lieutenant," said David, respectfully, "it was to +sweeten up the dining-room and quarters after them milish' officers were +here visiting." + +Black Hawk and a few of his warriors had escaped to the north, where +they were shortly after captured by the One-eyed Day-kau-ray and his +party, and brought prisoners to General Street at Prairie du Chien. The +women and children of the band had been put in canoes and sent down the +Mississippi, in hopes of being permitted to cross and reach the rest of +that tribe. + +The canoes had been tied together, and many of them were upset, and the +children drowned, their mothers being too weak and exhausted to rescue +them. The survivors were taken prisoners, and, starving and miserable, +were brought to Prairie du Chien. Our mother was at the Port at the time +of their arrival. She described their condition as wretched and reduced +beyond anything she had ever witnessed. One woman who spoke a little +Chippewa gave her an account of the sufferings and hardships they had +endured--it was truly appalling. + +After having eaten such of the horses as could be spared, they had +subsisted on acorns, elm-bark, or even grass. Many had died of +starvation, and their bodies were found lying in their trail by the +pursuing whites. This poor woman had lost her husband in battle, and all +her children by the upsetting of the canoe in which they were, and her +only wish now was, to go and join them. Poor Indians! who can wonder +that they do not love the whites? + +But a very short time had we been quietly at home when a summons came to +my husband to collect the principal chiefs of the Winnebagoes and meet +General Scott and Governor Reynolds at Rock Island, where it was +proposed to bold a treaty for the purchase of all the lands east and +south of the Wisconsin. Messengers were accordingly sent to collect the +principal men, and, accompanied by as many as chose to report +themselves, he set off on his journey. + +He had been gone about two weeks, and I was beginning to count the days +which must elapse before I could reasonably expect his return, when, one +afternoon, I went over to pay a visit to my sister at the Fort. As I +passed into the large hall of one range of quarters, Lieutenant Lacy +came suddenly in from the opposite direction, and, almost without +stopping, cried,-- + +"Bad news, madam! Have you heard it?" + +"No. What is it?" + +"The cholera has broken out at Rock Island, and they are dying by five +hundred a day. Dr. Finley has just arrived with the news." So saying, he +vanished, without stopping to answer a question. + +The cholera at Rock Island, and my husband there! I flew to the other +door of the hall, which looked out upon the parade-ground. A sentinel +was walking near. "Soldier," cried I, "will you run to the young +officers' quarters and ask Dr. Finley to come here for a moment?" + +The man shook his head--he was not allowed to leave his post. + +Presently Mrs. Lacy's servant-girl appeared from a door under the steps. +She was a worthless creature, but where _help_ was so scarce ladies +could not afford to keep a scrupulous tariff of moral qualification. + +"Oh! Catharine," said I, "will you run over and ask Dr. Finley to come +here a moment? I must hear what news he has brought from Rock Island." +She put on a modest look, and said,-- + +"I do not like to go to the young officers' quarters." + +I was indignant at her hypocrisy, but I was also wild with impatience, +when to my great joy Dr. Finley made his appearance. + +"Where is my husband?" cried I. + +"On his way home, madam, safe and sound. He will probably be here +to-morrow." He then gave me an account of the ravages the cholera was +making among the troops, which were indeed severe, although less so than +rumor had at first proclaimed. + +Notwithstanding the doctor's assurance of his safety, my husband was +seized with cholera on his journey. By the kind care of Paquette and the +plentiful use of chicken-broth which the poor woman at whose cabin he +stopped administered to him, he soon recovered, and reached his home in +safety, having taken Prairie du Chien in his route and brought his +mother with him again to her home. + +The Indians had consented to the sale of their beautiful domain. Indeed, +there is no alternative in such cases. If they persist in retaining +them, and become surrounded and hemmed in by the white settlers, their +situation is more deplorable than if they surrendered their homes +altogether. This they are aware of, and therefore, as a general thing, +they give up their lands at the proposal of Government, and only take +care to make the best bargain they can for themselves. In this instance +they were to receive as an equivalent a tract of land[57] extending to +the interior of Iowa, and an additional sum of ten thousand dollars +annually. + +One of the stipulations of the treaty was, the surrender by the +Winnebagoes of certain individuals of their tribe accused of having +participated with the Sauks in some of the murders on the frontier, in +order that they might be tried by our laws, and acquitted or punished as +the case might be. + +Wau-kaun-kah (the Little Snake) voluntarily gave himself as a hostage +until the delivery of the suspected persons. He was accordingly received +by the Agent, and marched over and placed in confinement at the Fort +until the seven accused should appear to redeem him. + +It was a work of some little time on the part of the nation to persuade +these suspected individuals to place themselves in the hands of the +whites, that they might receive justice according to the laws of the +latter. The trial of Red Bird, and his languishing death in prison, were +still fresh in their memories, and it needed a good deal of resolution, +as well as a strong conviction of conscious innocence, to brace them up +to such a step. + +It had to be brought about by arguments and persuasions, for the nation +would never have resorted to force to compel the fulfilment of their +stipulation. + +In the mean time a solemn talk was held with the principal chiefs +assembled at the Agency. A great part of the nation were in the +immediate neighborhood, in obedience to a notice sent by Governor +Porter, who, in virtue of his office of Governor of Michigan Territory, +was also Superintendent of the Northwest Division of the Indians. +Instead of calling upon the Agent to take charge of the annuity money, +as had heretofore been the custom, the Governor had announced his +intention of bringing it himself to Fort Winnebago and being present at +the payment. The time appointed had now arrived, and with it the main +body of the Winnebagoes. + +Such of the Indians as had not attended the treaty at Rock Island and +been instrumental in the cession of their country, were loud in their +condemnation of the step, and their lamentations over it. Foremost among +these was Wild-Cat, the Falstaff of Garlic Island and its vicinity. It +was little wonder that he should shed bitter tears, as he did, over the +loss of his beautiful home on the blue waters of Winnebago Lake. + +"If he had not been accidentally stopped," he said, "on his way to the +treaty, and detained until it was too late, he would never, never have +permitted the bargain." + +His Father, who knew that a desperate frolic, into which Wild-Cat had +been enticed by the way, was the cause of his failing to accompany his +countrymen to Rock Island, replied, gravely,-- + +"That he had heard of the chief's misfortune on this occasion. How that, +in ascending the Fox River, a couple of kegs of _whiskey_ had come +floating down the stream, which, running foul of his canoe with great +force, had injured it to such a degree that he had been obliged to stop +several days at the _Mee-kan,_ to repair damages." + +The shouts of laughter which greeted this explanation were so contagious +that poor Wild-Cat himself was compelled to join in it, and treat his +misfortune as a joke. + +The suspected Indians having engaged the services of Judge Doty to +defend them on their future trial, notice was at length given that on a +certain day they would be brought to the Portage and surrendered to +their Father, to be by him transferred to the keeping of the military +officer appointed to receive them. + +It was joyful news to poor Wau-kaun-kah, that the day of his release was +at hand. Every time that we had been within the walls of the Fort we had +been saluted by a call from him, as he kept his station at the +guard-room window: + +"Do you hear anything of those Indians? When are they coming, that I may +be let out?" + +We had endeavored to lighten his confinement by seeing that he was well +supplied with food, and his Father and Paquette had paid him occasional +visits; but, notwithstanding these attentions and the kindness he had +received at the Fort, his confinement was inexpressibly irksome. + +On the morning of a bright autumnal day the authorities were notified +that the chiefs of the nation would present themselves at the Agency to +deliver the suspected persons as prisoners to the Americans. + +At the hour of ten o'clock, as we looked out over the Portage road, we +could descry a moving concourse of people, in which brilliant color, +glittering arms, and, as they approached still nearer, certain white +objects of unusual appearance could be distinguished. + +General Dodge, Major Plympton, and one or two other officers took their +seats with Mr. Kinzie on the platform in front of the door of our +mansion to receive them, while we stationed ourselves at the window +where we could both see and hear. + +The procession wound up the hill, and approached, marching slowly +towards us. It was a grand and solemn sight. First came some of the +principal chiefs in their most brilliant array. Next, the prisoners, all +habited in white cotton, in token of their innocence, with girdles round +their waists. The music of the drum and the shee-shee-qua accompanied +their death-song, which they were chaunting. They wore no paint, no +ornaments--their countenances were grave and thoughtful. It might well +be a serious moment to them, for they knew but little of the customs of +the whites, and that little was not such as to inspire cheerfulness. +Only their Father's assurance that they should receive strict justice, +would probably have induced them to comply with the engagements of the +nation in this manner. + +The remainder of the procession was made up of a long train of +Winnebagoes, all decked out in their holiday garb. + +The chiefs approached and shook hands with the gentlemen, who stood +ready to receive their greeting. Then the prisoners came forward, and +went through the same salutation with the officers. When they offered +their hands to their Father, he declined. + +"No," said he. "You have come here accused of great crimes--of having +assisted in taking the lives of some of the defenceless settlers. When +you have been tried by the laws of the land, and been proved innocent, +then your Father will give you his hand." + +They looked still more serious at this address, as if they thought it +indicated that their Father, too, believed them guilty, and stepping +back a little, they seated themselves, without speaking, in a row upon +the ground, facing their Father and the officers. The other Indians all +took seats in a circle around them, except the one-eyed chief, +Kau-ray-kau-say-kah (the White Crow), who had been deputed to deliver +the prisoners to the Agent. + +He made a speech in which he set forth that, "although asserting their +innocence of the charges preferred against them, his countrymen were +quite willing to be tried by the laws of white men. He hoped they would +not be detained long, but that the matter would be investigated soon, +and that they would come out of it clear and white." + +In reply he was assured that all things would be conducted fairly and +impartially, exactly as if the accused were white men, and the hope was +added that they would be found to have been good and true citizens, and +peaceful children of their Great Father, the President. + +When this was over, White Crow requested permission to transfer the +medal he had received as a mark of friendship from the President, to his +son, who stood beside him, and who had been chosen by the nation to fill +his place as chief, an office he was desirous of resigning. The +speeches made upon this occasion, as interpreted by Paquette, the modest +demeanor of the young man, and the dignified yet feeling manner of the +father throughout, made the whole ceremony highly impressive; and when +the latter took the medal from his neck and hung it around that of his +son, addressing him a few appropriate words, I think no one could have +witnessed the scene unmoved. + +I had watched the countenances of the prisoners as they sat on the +ground before me, while all these ceremonies were going forward. With +one exception they were open, calm, and expressive of conscious +innocence. Of that one I could not but admit there might be reasonable +doubts. One was remarkably fine-looking--another was a boy of certainly +not more than seventeen, and during the transfer of the medal he looked +from one to the other, and listened to what was uttered by the speakers, +with an air and expression of even childlike interest and satisfaction. + +Our hearts felt sad for them as, the ceremonies finished, they were +conducted by a file of soldiers and committed to the dungeon of the +guard-house until such time as they should be summoned to attend the +court appointed to try their cause. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +ESCAPE OF THE PRISONERS. + + +The Indians did not disperse after the ceremonies of the surrender had +been gone through. They continued still in the vicinity of the Portage, +in the constant expectation of the arrival of the annuity money, which +they had been summoned there to receive. But the time for setting out +on his journey to bring it was postponed by Governor Porter from week to +week. Had he foreseen all the evils this delay was to occasion, he +would, possibly, have been more prompt in fulfilling his appointment. + +Many causes conspired to make an early payment desirable. In the first +place, the Winnebagoes, having been driven from their homes by their +anxiety to avoid all appearance of fraternizing with the Sauks, had made +this year no gardens nor corn-fields They had, therefore, no provisions +on hand, either for present use or for their winter's consumption, +except their scanty supplies of wild rice. While this was disappearing +during their protracted detention at the Portage, they were running the +risk of leaving themselves quite unprovided with food, in case of a bad +hunting-season during the winter and spring. + +In the next place, the rations which the Agent had been accustomed, by +the permission of Government, to deal out occasionally to them, were now +cut off by a scarcity in the Commissary's department. The frequent +levies of the militia during the summer campaign, and the reinforcement +of the garrison by the troops from Port Howard, had drawn so largely on +the stores at this post that there was necessity for the most rigid +economy in the issuing of supplies. + +Foreseeing this state of things, Mr. Kinzie, as soon as the war was at +an end, commissioned Mr. Kercheval, then sutler at Fort Howard, to +procure him a couple of boat-loads of corn, to be distributed among the +Indians. Unfortunately, there was no corn to be obtained from Michigan; +it was necessary to bring it from Ohio, and by the time it at length +reached Green Bay (for in those days business was never done in a hurry) +the navigation of the Fox River had closed, and it was detained there, +to be brought up the following spring. + +As day after day wore on and "the silver" did not make its appearance, +the Indians were advised by their Father to disperse to their +hunting-grounds to procure food, with the promise that they should be +summoned immediately on the arrival of Governor Porter; and this advice +they followed. + +While they had been in our neighborhood, they had more than once asked +permission to dance the _scalp-dance,_ before our door. This is the most +frightful, heart-curdling exhibition that can possibly be imagined. The +scalps are stretched on little hoops, or frames, and carried on the end +of slender poles. These are brandished about in the course of the dance, +with cries, shouts, and furious gestures. The women, who commence as +spectators, becoming excited with the scene and the music which their +own discordant notes help to make more deafening, rush in, seize the +scalps from the hands of the owners, and toss them frantically about, +with the screams and yells of demons. I have seen as many as forty or +fifty scalps figuring in one dance. Upon one occasion one was borne by +an Indian who approached quite near me, and I shuddered as I observed +the long, fair hair, evidently that of a woman. Another Indian had the +skin of a human hand, stretched and prepared with as much care as if it +had been some costly jewel. When these dances occurred, as they +sometimes did, by moonlight, they were peculiarly horrid and revolting. + + * * * * * + +Amid so many events of a painful character there were not wanting +occasionally some that bordered on the ludicrous. + +One evening, while sitting at tea, we were alarmed by the sound of guns +firing in the direction of the Wisconsin. All started up, and prepared, +instinctively, for flight to the garrison. As we left the house we found +the whole bluff and the meadow below in commotion,--Indians running with +their guns and spears across their shoulders to the scene of +alarm--squaws and children standing in front of their lodges and looking +anxiously in the direction of the unusual and unaccountable +sounds--groups of French and half-breeds, like ourselves, fleeing to +gain the bridge and place themselves within the pickets so lately +erected. + +As one company of Indians passed us hurriedly, some weapon carelessly +carried hit one of our party on the side of the head. "Oh!" shrieked +she, "I am killed! an Indian has tomahawked me!" and she was only +reassured by finding she could still run as fast as the best of us. + +When we reached the parade-ground, within the Fort, we could not help +laughing at the grotesque appearance we presented. Some without hats or +shawls--others with packages of valuables hastily secured at the +moment--one with her piece of bread-and-butter in hand, which she had +not had the presence of mind to lay aside when she took to flight. + +The alarm was, in the end, found to have proceeded from a party of +Winnebagoes from one of the Barribault villages, who, being about to +leave their home for a period, were going through the ceremony of +burying the scalps which they and their fathers had taken. + +Like the military funerals among civilized nations, their solemnities +were closed on this occasion by the discharge of several volleys over +the grave of their trophies. + + * * * * * + +At length, about the beginning of November, two months after the time +appointed, Governor Porter, accompanied by Major Forsyth and Mr. +Kercheval, arrived with the annuity money. The Indians were again +assembled, the payment was made, and having supplied themselves with a +larger quantity of ammunition than usual,--for they saw the necessity of +a good hunt to remedy past and present deficiencies,--they set off for +their wintering grounds. + +We were, ourselves, about changing our quarters, to our no small +satisfaction. Notwithstanding the Indian disturbances, the new Agency +House (permission to build which had, after much delay, been accorded by +Government) had been going steadily on, and soon after the departure of +the Governor and his party, we took possession of it. + +We had been settled but a few weeks, when one morning Lieutenant Davies +appeared just as we were sitting down to breakfast, with a face full of +consternation. "_The Indian prisoners had escaped from the black-hole_! +The commanding officer, Colonel Cutler, had sent for Mr. Kinzie to come +over to the Fort and counsel with him what was to be done." + +The prisoners had probably commenced their operations very soon after +being placed in the _black-hole_, a dungeon in the basement of the +guard-house. They observed that their meals were brought regularly, +three times a day, and that in the intervals they were left entirely to +themselves. With their knives they commenced excavating an opening, the +earth from which, as it was withdrawn, they spread about on the floor of +their prison. A blanket was placed over the hole, and one of the company +was always seated upon it, before the regular time for the soldier who +had charge of them to make his appearance. When the periodical visit was +made, the Indians were always observed to be seated, smoking in the most +orderly and quiet manner. There was never anything in their appearance +to excite suspicion. + +The prisoners had never read the memoirs of Baron Trenck, but they had +watched the proceedings of the badgers; so, profiting by their example, +they worked on, shaping the opening spirally, until, in about six weeks, +they came out to the open air beyond the walls of the Fort. + +That they might be as little encumbered as possible in their flight, +they left their blankets behind them, and although it was bitter +December weather, they took to the woods and prairies with only their +calico shirts and leggings for covering. We can readily believe that +hope and exultation kept them comfortably warm until they reached an +asylum among their friends. + +It would be compromising our own reputation as loyal and patriotic +citizens to tell of the secret rejoicing this news occasioned us. + +The question now was, how to get the fugitives back again. The Agent +could promise no more than that he would communicate with the chiefs, +and represent the wishes of the officers that the prisoners should once +more surrender themselves, and thus free those who had had the charge of +them from the imputation of carelessness, which the Government would be +very likely to throw upon them. + +When, according to their custom, many of the chiefs assembled at the +Agency on New-Year's Day, their Father laid the subject before them. + +The Indians replied, that _if they saw the young men_ they would tell +them what the officers would like to have them do. They could, +themselves, do nothing in the matter. They had fulfilled their +engagement by bringing them once and putting them in the hands of the +officers. The Government had had them in its power once and could not +keep them--it must now go and catch them itself. + +The Government, having had some experience the past summer in "catching +Indians," wisely concluded to drop the matter. + +About this time another event occurred which occasioned no small +excitement in our little community. Robineau, the striker from the +blacksmith establishment at Sugar Creek, near the Four Lakes, arrived +one very cold day at the Agency. He had come to procure medical aid for +Mâtâ's eldest daughter, Sophy, who, while sliding on the lake, had +fallen on the ice and been badly hurt. Her father was absent, having +gone to Prairie du Chien to place his youngest daughter at school. Two +or three days had elapsed since the accident had happened; a high fever +had set in, and the poor girl was in a state of great suffering; it had +therefore been thought best to send Robineau to us for advice and aid, +leaving Turcotte and a friendly Indian woman from a neighboring lodge to +take charge of poor Sophy. + +The commanding officer did not think it prudent, when the subject was +laid before him, to permit the surgeon to leave the post, but he very +cheerfully granted leave of absence to Currie, the hospital steward, a +young man who possessed some knowledge of medicine and surgery. + +As it was important that Sophy should have an experienced nurse, we +procured the services of Madame Bellaire, the wife of the Frenchman who +was generally employed as express to Chicago; and, as an aid and +companion, Agathe, a daughter of Day-kau-ray, who lived in Paquette's +family, was added to the party. + +Of Agathe I shall have more to say hereafter. + +The weather was excessively cold when Robineau, Currie, and the two +women set out for Sugar Creek, a distance of about forty miles. We had +provided them with a good store of rice, crackers, tea, and sugar, for +the invalid, all of which, with their provisions for the way, were +packed on the horse Robineau had ridden to the Portage. It was expected +they would reach their place of destination on the second day. + +What, then, was our surprise to see Turcotte make his appearance on the +fourth day after their departure, to inquire why Robineau had not +returned with aid for poor Sophy! There was but one solution of the +mystery. Robineau had guided them as ill as he had guided the boat at +the Grande Chûte the summer before, and, although he could not shipwreck +them, he had undoubtedly lost them in the woods or prairies. One comfort +was, that they could not well starve, for the rice and crackers would +furnish them with several days' provisions, and with Agathe, who must be +accustomed to this kind of life, they could not fail in time of finding +Indians, and being brought back to the Portage. + +Still, day after day went on and we received no tidings of them. +Turcotte returned to Sugar Creek with comforts and prescriptions for +Sophy, and Colonel Cutler sent out a party to hunt for the missing ones, +among whom poor Currie, from his delicate constitution, was the object +of our greatest commiseration. + +As the snow fell and the winds howled, we could employ ourselves about +nothing but walking from window to window, watching, in hopes of seeing +some one appear in the distance. No Indians were at hand whom we could +dispatch upon the search, and by the tenth day we had almost given up in +despair. + +It was then that the joyful news was suddenly brought us, "They are +found! They are at the Fort!" A party of soldiers who had been exploring +had encountered them at Hastings's Woods, twelve miles distant, slowly +and feebly making their way back to the Portage. They knew they were on +the right track, but had hardly strength to pursue it. + +Exhausted with cold and hunger, for their provisions had given out two +days before, they had thought seriously of killing the horse and eating +him. Nothing but Currie's inability to proceed on foot, and the dread of +being compelled to leave him in the woods to perish, had deterred them. + +Agathe had from the first been convinced that they were on the wrong +track, but Robineau, with his usual obstinacy, persevered in keeping it +until it brought them to the Rock River, when he was obliged to +acknowledge his error, and they commenced retracing their steps. + +Agathe, according to the custom of her people, had carried her hatchet +with her, and thus they had always had a fire at night, and boughs to +shelter them from the storms; otherwise they must inevitably have +perished. + +There were two circumstances which aroused in us a stronger feeling even +than that of sympathy. The first was, the miserable Robineau's having +demanded of Currie, first, all his money, and afterwards his watch, as a +condition of his bringing the party back into the right path, which he +averred he knew perfectly well. + +The second was, Bellaire's giving his kind, excellent wife a hearty +flogging "for going off," as he said, "on such a fool's errand." + +The latter culprit was out of our jurisdiction, but Mons. Robineau was +discharged on the spot, and warned that he might think himself happy to +escape a legal process for swindling. + +I am happy to say that Sophy Mâtâ, in whose behalf all these sufferings +had been endured, was quite recovered by the time her father returned +from the Prairie. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +AGATHE--TOMAH. + + +Agathe was the daughter of an Indian who was distinguished by the name +of _Rascal_ Day-kau-ray. Whether he merited the appellation must be +determined hereafter. He was brother to the grand old chief of that +name, but as unlike him as it is possible for those of the same blood to +be. + +The Day-kau-rays were a very handsome family, and this daughter was +remarkable for her fine personal endowments. A tall, well-developed +form, a round, sweet face, and that peculiarly soft, melodious voice +which belongs to the women of her people, would have attracted the +attention of a stranger, while the pensive expression of her countenance +irresistibly drew the hearts of all towards her, and prompted the wish +to know more of her history. As I received it from her friend, Mrs. +Paquette, it was indeed a touching one. + +A young officer at the Fort had seen her, and had set, I will not say +his heart--it may be doubted if he had one--but his mind upon her. He +applied to Paquette to negotiate what he called a marriage with her. I +am sorry to say that Paquette was induced to enter into this scheme. He +knew full well the sin of making false representations to the family of +Agathe, and he knew the misery he was about to bring upon her. + +The poor girl had been betrothed to a young man of her own people, and, +as is generally the case, the attachment on both sides was very strong. +Among these simple people, who have few subjects of thought or +speculation beyond the interests of their daily life, their affections +and their animosities form the warp and woof of their character. All +their feelings are intense, from being concentrated on so few objects. +Family relations, particularly with the women, engross the whole amount +of their sensibilities. + +The marriage connection is a sacred and indissoluble tie. I have read, +in a recent report to the Historical Society of Wisconsin, that, in +former times, a temporary marriage between a white man and a Menomonee +woman was no uncommon occurrence, and that such an arrangement brought +no scandal, I am afraid that if such eases were investigated, a good +deal of deceit and misrepresentation would be found to have been added +to the other sins of the transaction; and that the woman would be found +to have been a victim, instead of a willing participant, in such a +connection. + +At all events, no system of this kind exists among the Winnebagoes. The +strictest sense of female propriety is a distinguishing trait among +them. A woman who transgresses it is said to have "forgotten herself," +and is sure to be cast off and "forgotten" by her friends. + +The marriage proposed between the young officer and the daughter of +Day-kau-ray, was understood as intended to be true and lasting. The +father would not have exposed himself to the contempt of his whole +nation by selling his daughter to become the mistress of any man. The +Day-kau-rays, as I have elsewhere said, were not a little proud of a +remote cross of French blood which mingled with the aboriginal stream in +their veins, and probably in acceding to the proposed connection the +father of Agathe was as much influenced by what he considered the honor +to be derived as by the amount of valuable presents which accompanied +the overtures made to him. + +Be that as it may, the poor girl was torn from her lover, and +transferred from her father's lodge to the quarters of the young +officer. + +There were no ladies in the garrison at that time. Had there been, such +a step would hardly have been ventured. Far away in the wilderness, shut +out from the salutary influences of religious and social cultivation, +what wonder that the moral sense sometimes becomes blinded, and that the +choice is made, "Evil, be thou my good!" + +The first step in wrong was followed by one still more aggravated in +cruelty. The young officer left the post, as he said, on furlough, but +_he never returned_. The news came after a time that he was married, and +when he again joined his regiment it was at another post. + +There was a natural feeling in the strength of the "woe pronounced +against him" by more tongues than one. "He will never," said my +informant, "dare show himself in this country again! Not an Indian who +knows the Day-kau-rays but would take his life if he should meet him!" + +Every tie was broken for poor Agathe but that which bound her to her +infant. She never returned to her father's lodge, for she felt that, +being deserted, she was dishonored. Her sole ambition seemed to be to +bring up her child like those of the whites. She attired it in the +costume of the French children, with a dress of bright calico, and a cap +of the same, trimmed with narrow black lace. It was a fine child, and +the only time I ever saw a smile cross her face was when it was +commended and caressed by some member of our family. + +Even this, her only source of happiness, poor Agathe was called upon to +resign. During our absence at Green Bay, while the Sauks were in the +neighborhood, the child was taken violently ill. The house at +Paquette's, which was the mother's home, was thronged with Indians, and +of course there was much noise and disturbance. My husband had a place +prepared for her under our roof, where she could be more quiet, and +receive the attendance of the post physician. It was all in +vain--nothing could save the little creature's life. The bitter agony of +the mother, as she hung over the only treasure she possessed on earth, +was described to me as truly heart-rending. When compelled to part with +it, it seemed almost more than nature could bear. There were friends, +not of her own nation or color, who strove to comfort her. Did the +father ever send a thought or an inquiry after the fate of his child, or +of the young being whose life he had rendered dark and desolate? We will +hope that he did--that he repented and asked pardon from above for the +evil he had wrought. + +Agathe had been baptized by M. Mazzuchelli. Perhaps she may have +acquired some religious knowledge which could bring her consolation in +her sorrows, and compensate her for the hopes and joys so early blasted. + +She came, some months after the death of her child, in company with +several of the half-breed women of the neighborhood, to pay me a visit +of respect and congratulation on the advent of the _young +Shaw-nee-aw-kee._ When she looked at her "little brother," as he was +called, and took his soft, tiny hand within her own, the tears stood in +her eyes, and she spoke some little words of tenderness, which showed +that her heart was full. I could scarcely refrain from mingling my tears +with hers, as I thought on all the sorrow and desolation that one man's +selfishness had occasioned. + + * * * * * + +Early in February, 1833, my husband and Lieutenant Hunter, in company +with one or two others, set off on a journey to Chicago. That place had +become so much of a town (it contained perhaps fifty inhabitants) that +it was necessary for the proprietors of "Kinzie's Addition" to lay out +lots and open streets through their property. All this was accomplished +during the visit in question. + +While they were upon the ground with a surveyor, the attention of my +husband was drawn towards a very bright-looking boy in Indian costume, +who went hopping along by the side of the assistant that carried the +chain, mimicking him as in the course of his operations he cried, +"Stick!" "stuck!" He inquired who the lad was, and, to his surprise, +learned that he was the brother of the old family servants Victoire, +Genevieve, and Baptiste. Tomah, for that was his name, had never been +arrayed in civilized costume; he was in blanket and leggings, and had +always lived in a wigwam. My husband inquired if he would like to go to +Fort Winnebago with him and learn to be a white boy. The idea pleased +him much, and, his mother having given her sanction to the arrangement, +he was packed in a wagon, with the two gentlemen and their travelling +gear, when they set forth on their return-journey. + +Tomah had been equipped in jacket and trousers, with the other articles +of apparel necessary to his new sphere and character. They were near the +Aux Plaines, and approaching the residence of Glode (Claude) +Laframboise, where Tomah knew he should meet acquaintances. He asked +leave to get out of the wagon and walk a little way. When the gentlemen +next saw him he was in full Pottowattamie costume: although it was +bitter winter weather, he had put on his uncomfortable native garb +rather than show himself to his old friends in a state of +transformation. + +On his arrival at Fort Winnebago, our first care was to furnish him +with a complete wardrobe, which, having been placed in a box in his +sleeping-apartment, was put under his charge. Words cannot express his +delight as the valuable possessions were confided to him. Every spare +moment was devoted to their contemplation. Now and then Tomah would be +missing. He was invariably found seated by the side of his little trunk, +folding and refolding his clothes, laying them now lengthwise, now +crosswise, the happiest of mortals. + +Our next step was to teach him to be useful. Such little offices were +assigned to him at first as might be supposed not altogether new to him, +but we soon observed that when there was anything in the shape of work, +Tomah slipped off to bed, even if it were before he had taken his +supper. Some fish were given him one evening to scale; it was just at +dark; but Tom, according to custom, retired at once to bed. + +The cook came to inquire what was to be done. I was under the necessity +of calling in my husband's aid as interpreter. He sent for Tomah. When +he came into the parlor Mr. Kinzie said to him, in Pottowattamie,-- + +"There are some fish, Tomah, in the kitchen, and we want you to scale +them." + +"Now?" exclaimed Tom, with an expression of amazement. "It is very +late." + +A young lady, Miss Rolette, who was visiting us, and who understood the +language, could not refrain from bursting into a laugh at the simplicity +with which the words were uttered, and we joined her in sympathy, at +which Tom looked a little indignant; but when he understood that it was +the _white custom_ to scale the fish at night, and put salt and pepper +on them, he was soon reconciled to do his duty in the matter. + +His next office was to lay the table. There was a best service of +china, which was only used when we had company, and a best set of +teaspoons, which I kept in the drawer of a bureau in my own room +above-stairs. I Was in the habit of keeping this drawer locked, and +putting the key under a small clock on the mantel-piece. The first time +that I had shown Tomah how to arrange matters for visitors, I had +brought the silver and put it on the table myself. + +Soon after, we were to have company to tea again, and I explained to +Tomah that the best china must be used. What was my surprise, on going +through the dining-room a short time after, to see not only the new +china, but the "company silver" also, on the table! I requested our +mother, who could speak with him, to inquire into the matter. + +Tomah said, very coolly, "He got the silver where it was kept." + +"Did he find the drawer open?" + +"No--he opened it with a key." + +"Was the key in the drawer?" + +"No--it was under that thing on the shelf." + +"How did he know it was kept there?" + +This was what Mr. Tomah declined telling. We could never ascertain +whether he had watched my movements at any time. No one had ever seen +him in that part of the house, and yet scarcely an article could be +mentioned of which Tomah did not know the whereabouts. If any one was +puzzled to find a thing, it was always,-- + +"Ask Tomah--he will tell you." And so in fact he did. + +He was a subject of much amusement to the young officers. We were to +have a tea-party one evening--all the families and young officers from +the Fort. To make Tomah's appearance as professional as possible, we +made him a white apron with long sleeves to put on while he was helping +Mary and Josette to carry round tea--for I must acknowledge that Tomah's +clothes were not kept in as nice order out of the trunk as in it. + +Tom was delighted with his new costume, as well as with the new +employment. He acquitted himself to perfection, for he had never any +difficulty in imitating what he saw another do. After tea we had some +music. As I was standing by the piano, at which one of the ladies was +seated, Lieutenant Vancleve said to me, in a low tone,-- + +"Look behind you a moment." + +I turned. There sat Tom between two of the company, as stately as +possible, with his white apron smoothed down, and his hands clasped +before him, listening to the music, and on the best possible terms with +himself and all around him. Julian and Edwin were hardly able to +restrain their merriment, but they were afraid to do or say anything +that would cause him to move before the company had had a full enjoyment +of the scene. It was voted unanimously that Tomah should be permitted to +remain and enjoy the pleasures of society for one evening; but, with +characteristic restlessness, he got tired as soon as the music was over, +and unceremoniously took his leave of the company. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +CONCLUSION. + + +What we had long anticipated of the sufferings of the Indians began to +manifest itself as the spring drew on. Its extent was first brought to +our knowledge by those who came in little parties begging for food. + +As long as it was possible to issue occasional rations their Father +continued to do so, but the supplies in the Commissary Department were +now so much reduced that Colonel Cutler did not feel justified in +authorizing anything beyond a scanty relief, and this only in extreme +cases. + +We had ourselves throughout the winter used the greatest economy with +our own stores, that we might not exhaust our slender stock of flour and +meal before it could be replenished from "below." We had even purchased +some sour flour which had been condemned by the commissary, and had +contrived, by a plentiful use of saleratus and a due proportion of +potatoes, to make of it a very palatable kind of bread. But as we had +continued to give to party after party, when they would come to us to +represent their famishing condition, the time at length arrived when we +had nothing to give. + +The half-breed families of the neighborhood, who had, like ourselves, +continued to share with the needy as long as their own stock lasted, +were now obliged, of necessity, to refuse further assistance. These +women often came to lament with us over the sad accounts that were +brought from the wintering grounds. It had been a very open winter. The +snow had scarcely been enough at any time to permit the Indians to track +the deer; in fact, all the game had been driven off by the troops and +war-parties scouring the country through the preceding summer. + +We heard of their dying by companies from mere inanition, and lying +stretched in the road to the Portage, whither they were striving to drag +their exhausted frames. Soup made of the bark of the slippery elm, or +stewed acorns, were the only food that many had subsisted on for weeks. + +We had for a long time received our own food by daily rations from the +garrison, for things had got to such a pass that there was no +possibility of obtaining a barrel of flour at a time. After our meals +were finished I always went into the pantry, and collecting carefully +every remaining particle of food set it aside, to be given to some of +the wretched applicants by whom we were constantly thronged. + +One day as I was thus employed, a face appeared at the window with which +I had once been familiar. It was the pretty daughter of the elder +Day-kau-ray. She had formerly visited us often, watching with great +interest our employments--our sewing, our weeding and cultivating the +garden, or our reading. Of the latter, I had many times endeavored to +give her some idea, showing her the plates in the Family Bible, and +doing my best to explain them to her, but of late I had quite lost sight +of her. Now, how changed, how wan she looked! As I addressed her with my +ordinary phrase, "_Tshah-ko-zhah_?" (What is it?) she gave a sigh that +was almost a sob. She did not beg, but her countenance spoke volumes. + +I took my dish and handed it to her, expecting to see her devour the +contents eagerly; but no--she took it, and, making signs that she would +soon return, walked away. When she brought it back, I was almost sure +she had not tasted a morsel herself. + + * * * * * + +Oh! the boats--the boats with the corn! Why did they not come? We both +wrote and sent to hasten them, but, alas! everything and everybody moved +so slowly in those unenterprising times! We could only feel sure that +they would come when they were ready, and not a moment before. + +We were soon obliged to keep both doors and windows fast, to shut out +the sight of misery we could not relieve. If a door were opened for the +admission of a member of the family, some wretched mother would rush in, +grasp the hand of my infant, and, placing that of her famishing child +within it, tell us, pleadingly, that he was imploring "his little +brother" for food. The stoutest man could not have beheld with dry eyes +the heart-rending spectacle which often presented itself. It was in vain +that we screened the lower portion of our windows with curtains. They +would climb up on the outside, and tier upon tier of gaunt, wretched +faces would peer in above, to watch us, and see if indeed we were as ill +provided as we represented ourselves. + +The noble old Day-kau-ray came one day, from the Barribault, to apprise +us of the state of his village. More than forty of his people, he said, +had now been for many days without food, save bark and roots. My husband +accompanied him to the commanding officer to tell his story and +ascertain if any amount of food could be obtained from that quarter. The +result was, the promise of a small allowance of flour, sufficient to +alleviate the cravings of his own family. + +When this was explained to the chief, he turned away. "No," he said, +"if his people could not be relieved, he and his family would starve +with them!" And he refused, for those nearest and dearest to him, the +proffered succor, until all could share alike. + +The announcement, at length, that "the boats were in sight," was a +thrilling and most joyful sound. + +Hundreds of poor creatures were assembled on the bank, watching their +arrival. Oh! how torturing was their slow approach, by the winding +course of the river, through the extended prairie! As the first boat +touched the land, we, who were gazing on the scene with anxiety and +impatience only equalled by that of the sufferers, could scarcely +refrain from laughing, to see old Wild-Cat, who had somewhat fallen off +in his huge amount of flesh, seize "the Washington Woman" in his arms +and hug and dance with her in the ecstasy of his delight. + +Their Father made a sign to them all to fall to work with their +hatchets, which they had long held ready, and in an incredibly short +time barrel after barrel of corn was broken open and emptied, while even +the little children possessed themselves of pans and kettles full, and +hastened to the fires that were blazing around to parch and cook that +which they had seized. + +From this time forward, there was no more destitution. The present +abundance was immediately followed by the arrival of supplies for the +Commissary's Department; and, refreshed and invigorated, our poor +children departed once more to their villages, to make ready their crops +for the ensuing season. + +In the course of the spring, we received a visit from the Rev. Mr. Kent +and Mrs. Kent, of Galena. This event is memorable, as being the first +occasion on which the gospel, according to the Protestant faith, was +preached at Fort Winnebago. The large parlor of the hospital was fitted +up for the service, and gladly did we each say to the other, "Let us go +to the house of the Lord!" + +For nearly three years had we lived here without the blessing of a +public service of praise and thanksgiving. We regarded this commencement +as an omen of better times, and our little "sewing-society" worked with +renewed industry, to raise a fund Which might be available hereafter in +securing the permanent services of a missionary. + + * * * * * + +Not long after this, on a fine spring morning, as we were seated at +breakfast, a party of Indians entered the parlor, and came to the door +of the room where we were. Two of them passed through, and went out upon +a small portico--the third remained standing in the door-way at which he +had at first appeared. He was nearly opposite me, and as I raised my +eyes, spite of his change of dress, and the paint with which he was +covered, I at once recognized him. + +I continued to pour the coffee, and, as I did so, I remarked to my +husband, "The one behind you, with whom you are speaking, is one of the +escaped prisoners." + +Without turning his head, Mr. Kinzie continued to listen to all the +directions they were giving him about the repairing of their guns, +traps, etc., which they wished to leave with the blacksmith. As they +went on, he carelessly turned towards the parlor door, and replied to +the one speaking to him. When he again addressed me, it was to say,-- + +"You are right, but it is no affair of ours. We are none of us to look +so as to give him notice that we suspect anything. They are undoubtedly +innocent, and have suffered enough already." + +Contrary to his usual custom, their Father did not ask their names, but +wrote their directions, which he tied to their different implements, and +then bade them go and deliver them themselves to M. Morrin. + +The rest of our circle were greatly pleased at the young fellow's +audacity, and we quite longed to tell the officers that we could have +caught one of their fugitives for them, if we had had a mind. + + * * * * * + +The time had now come when we began to think seriously of leaving our +pleasant home, and taking up our residence at Detroit, while making +arrangements for a permanent settlement at Chicago. + +This intelligence, when communicated to our Winnebago children, brought +forth great lamentations and demonstrations of regret. From the +surrounding country they came flocking in, to inquire into the truth of +the tidings they had heard, and to petition earnestly that we would +continue to live and die among them. + +Among them all, no one seemed so overwhelmed with affliction as +Elizabeth, our poor _Cut-Nose_. When we first told her of our intention, +she sat for hours in the same spot, wiping away the tears that would +find their way down her cheeks, with the corner of the chintz shawl she +wore pinned across her bosom. + +"No! I never, never, never shall I find such friends again," she would +exclaim. "You will go away, and I shall be left here _all alone_." + +Wild-Cat, too, the fat, jolly Wild-Cat, gave way to the most audible +lamentations. + +"Oh, my little brother," he said to the baby, on the morning of our +departure, when he had insisted on taking him and seating him on his +fat, dirty knee, "you will never come back to see your poor brother +again!" + +And having taken an extra glass on the occasion, he wept like an infant. + +It was with sad hearts that on the morning of the 1st of July, 1888, we +bade adieu to the long cortége which followed us to the boat, now +waiting to convey us to Green Bay, where we were to meet Governor Porter +and Mr. Brush, and proceed, under their escort, to Detroit. + +When they had completed their tender farewells, they turned to accompany +their father across the Portage, on his route to Chicago, and long +after, we could see them winding along the road, and hear their loud +lamentations at a parting which they foresaw would be forever. + + + + +APPENDIX. + + + + +I. + + +As I have given throughout the Narrative of the Sauk War the impressions +we received from our own observation, or from information furnished us +at the time, I think it but justice to Black Hawk and his party to +insert, by way of Appendix, the following account, preserved among the +manuscript records of the late Thomas Forsyth, Esq., of St. Louis, who, +after residing among the Indians many years as a trader, was, until the +year 1830, the Agent of the Sauks and Foxes. The manuscript was written +in 1832, while Black Hawk and his compatriots were in prison at +Jefferson Barracks. + +"The United States troops under the command of Major Stoddard arrived +here[58] and took possession of this country in the month of February, +1804. In the spring of that year, a white person (a man or boy) was +killed in Cuivre Settlement, by a Sauk Indian Some time in the summer +following, a party of United States troops were sent up to the Sauk +village on Rocky Biver, and a demand made of the Sauk chiefs for the +murderer. The Sauk chiefs did not hesitate a moment, but delivered him +up to the commander of the troops, who brought him down and delivered +him over to the civil authority in this place (St. Louis). + +"Some time in the ensuing autumn some Sauk and Fox Indians came to this +place, and had a conversation with General Harrison (then Governor of +Indiana Territory, and acting Governor of this State, then Territory of +Louisiana) on the subject of liberating their relative, then in prison +at this place for the above-mentioned murder. + +"Quash-quame, a Sauk chief, who was the head man of this party, has +repeatedly said, 'Mr. Pierre Chouteau, Sen., came several times to my +camp, offering that if I would sell the lands on the east side of the +Mississippi River, Governor Harrison would liberate my relation (meaning +the Sauk Indian then in prison as above related), to which I at last +agreed, and sold the lands from the mouth of the Illinois River up the +Mississippi River as high as the mouth of Rocky River (now Rock River), +and east to the ridge that divides the waters of the Mississippi and +Illinois Rivers; but I never sold any more lands.' Quash-quame also said +to Governor Edwards, Governor Clarke, and Mr. Auguste Chouteau, +Commissioners appointed to treat with the Chippewas, Ottawas, and +Pottowattamies of Illinois River, in the summer of 1816, for lands on +the west side of Illinois River,-- + +"'You white men may put on paper what you please, but again I tell you, +I never sold any lands higher up the Mississippi than the mouth of Rocky +River.' + +"In the treaty first mentioned, the line commences opposite to the mouth +of Gasconade River, and running in a direct line to the head-waters of +Jefferson[59] River, thence down that river to the Mississippi +River--thence up the Mississippi River to the mouth of the Ouisconsin +River--thence up that river thirty-six miles--thence in a direct line to +a little lake in Fox River of Illinois, down Fox River to Illinois +River, down Illinois River to its mouth--thence down the Mississippi +River to the mouth of Missouri River--thence up that river to the place +of beginning. See treaty dated at St. Louis, 4th November, 1804. + +"The Sauk and Fox nations were never consulted, nor had any hand in this +treaty, nor knew anything about it. It was made and signed by two Sauk +chiefs, one Fox chief and one warrior. + +"When the annuities were delivered to the Sauk and Fox nations of +Indians, according to the treaty above referred to (amounting to $1000 +per annum), the Indians always thought they were presents (as the +annuity for the first twenty years was always paid in goods, sent on +from Georgetown, District of Columbia, and poor articles of merchandise +they were, very often damaged and not suitable for Indians), until I, as +their Agent, convinced them of the contrary, in the summer of 1818. When +the Indians heard that the goods delivered to them were annuities for +land sold by them to the United States, they were astonished, and +refused to accept of the goods, denying that they ever sold the lands as +stated by me, their Agent. The Black Hawk in particular, who was present +at the time, made a great noise about this land, and would never receive +any part of the annuities from that time forward. He always denied the +authority of Quash-quame and others to sell any part of their lands, and +told the Indians not to receive any presents or annuities from any +American--otherwise their lands would be claimed at some future day. + +"As the United States do insist, and retain the lands according to the +treaty of November 4, 1804, why do they not fulfil _their_ part of that +treaty as equity demands? + +"The Sauk and Fox nations are allowed, according to that treaty, 'to +live and hunt on the lands so ceded, as long as the aforesaid lands +belong to the United States.' In the spring of the year 1827, about +twelve or fifteen families of squatters arrived and took possession of +the Sauk village, near the mouth of the Rocky River. They immediately +commenced destroying the Indians' bark boats. Some were burned, others +were torn to pieces, and when the Indians arrived at the village, and +found fault with the destruction of their property, they were beaten and +abused by the squatters. + +"The Indians made complaint to me, as their Agent. I wrote to General +Clarke,[60] stating to him from time to time what happened, and giving a +minute detail of everything that passed between the whites (squatters) +and the Indians. + +"The squatters insisted that the Indians should be removed from their +village, saying that as soon as the land was brought into market they +(the squatters) would buy it all. It became needless for me to show them +the treaty, and the right the Indians had to remain on their lands. They +tried every method to annoy the Indians, by shooting their dogs, +claiming their horses, complaining that the Indians' horses broke into +their corn-fields--selling them whiskey for the most trifling articles, +contrary to the wishes and request of the chiefs, particularly the Black +Hawk, who both solicited and threatened them on the subject, but all to +no purpose. + +"The President directed those lands to be sold at the Land Office, in +Springfield, Illinois. Accordingly, when the time came that they were to +be offered for sale (in the autumn of 1828), there were about twenty +families of squatters at, and in the vicinity of, the old Sauk village, +most of whom attended the sale, and but one of them could purchase a +quarter-section (if we except George Davenport, a trader who resides in +Rocky Island). Therefore, all the land not sold, still belonged to the +United States, and the Indians had still a right, by treaty, to hunt and +live on those lands. This right, however, was not allowed them--they +must move off. + +"In 1830, the principal chiefs, and others of the Sauk and Fox Indians +who resided at the old village, near Rocky River, acquainted me that +they would remove to their village on Ihoway River. These chiefs advised +me to write to General Clarke, Superintendent of Indian Affairs at this +place (St. Louis), to send up a few militia--that the Black Hawk and his +followers would then see that everything was in earnest, and they would +remove to the west side of the Mississippi, to their own lands. + +"The letter, as requested by the chiefs, was written and sent by me to +General Clarke, but he did not think proper to answer it--therefore +everything remained as formerly, and, as a matter of course, the Black +Hawk and his party thought the whole matter of removing from the old +village had blown over. + +"In the spring of 1831, the Black Hawk and his party were augmented by +many Indians from Ihoway River. This augmentation of forces made the +Black Hawk very proud, and he supposed nothing would be done about +removing him and his party. + +"General Gaines visited the Black Hawk and his party this season, with a +force of regulars and militia, and compelled them to remove to the west +side of the Mississippi River, on their own lands. + +"When the Black Hawk and party recrossed to the east side of the +Mississippi River in 1832, they numbered three hundred and sixty-eight +men. They were hampered with many women and children, and had no +intention to make war. When attacked by General Stillman's detachment, +they defended themselves like men; and I would ask, who would not do +so, likewise? Thus the war commenced. + + * * * * * + +"The Indians had been defeated, dispersed, and some of the principal +chiefs are now in prison and in chains, at Jefferson Barracks.... + +"It is very well known, by all who know the Black Hawk, that he has +always been considered a friend to the whites. Often has he taken into +his lodge the wearied white man, given him good food to eat, and a good +blanket to sleep on before the fire. Many a good meal has _the Prophet_ +given to people travelling past his village, and very many stray horses +has he recovered from the Indians and restored to their rightful owners, +without asking any recompense whatever.... + +"What right have we to tell any people, 'You shall not cross the +Mississippi River on any pretext whatever'? When the Sauk and Fox +Indians wish to cross the Mississippi, to visit their relations among +the Pottowattamies of Fox River, Illinois, they are prevented by us, +_because we have the power_!" + +I omit the old gentleman's occasional comments upon the powers that +dictated, and the forces which carried on, the warfare of this unhappy +summer. There is every reason to believe that had his suggestions been +listened to, and had he continued the Agent of the Sauks and Foxes, a +sad record might have been spared,--we should assuredly not have been +called to chronicle the untimely fate of his successor, the unfortunate +M. St. Vrain, who, a comparative stranger to his people, was murdered by +them, in their exasperated fury, at Kellogg's Grove, soon after the +commencement of the campaign. + + + + +II. + + +It seems appropriate to notice in this place the subsequent appearance +before the public of one of the personages casually mentioned in the +foregoing narrative. + +In the autumn of 1864 we saw advertised for exhibition at Wood's Museum, +Chicago, "The most remarkable instance of longevity on record--the +venerable Joseph Crély, born on the 13th of September, 1726, and having +consequently reached, at this date, the age of ONE HUNDRED AND +THIRTY-NINE YEARS!" Sundry particulars followed of his life and history, +and, above all, of his recollections. + +"Well done for old Crély!" said my husband, when he had gone through the +long array. "Come, let us go over to Wood's Museum and renew our +acquaintance with the venerable gentleman." + +I did not need a second invitation, for I was curious to witness the +wonders which the whirligig of time had wrought with our old _employé_. + +We chose an early hour for our visit, that we might pay our respects to +both him and the granddaughter who had him in charge, unembarrassed by +the presence of strangers. + +In a large room on the second floor of the building, among cages of +birds and animals, some stuffed, others still living, we perceived, +seated by a window, a figure clad in bright cashmere dressing-gown and +gay tasselled cap, tranquilly smoking a tah-nee-hoo-rah, or long Indian +pipe. His form was upright, his face florid, and less changed than might +have been expected by the thirty-one years that had elapsed since we had +last seen him. He was alone, and my husband addressed him at first in +English:-- + +"Good-morning, M. Crély. Do you remember me?" + +He shook his head emphatically. "Je ne comprends pas. Je ne me +ressouviens de rien--je suis vieux, vieux--le treize Septembre, mil sept +cent vingt-six, je suis né. Non, non," with a few gentle shakes of the +head, "je ne puis rappeler rien--je suis vieux, vieux."[61] + +My husband changed his inquiries to the patois which Crély could not +feign not to comprehend. + +"Where is your granddaughter? I am acquainted with her, and would like +to speak with her." + +The old man sprang up with the greatest alacrity, and, running to a door +in the wooden partition which cut off a corner of the room and thus +furnished an apartment for the ancient phenomenon, he rapped vigorously, +and called, in accents quite unlike his former feeble, drawling tones,-- + +"Thérèse, Thérèse--il y a icite un monsieur qui voudrait vous voir."[62] + +The granddaughter presently made her appearance. She looked shyly at my +husband from under her brows. + +"Do you know me, Thérèse?" he asked. + +"Yes, sir. It is Mr. Kinzie." + +"And do you know me also?" I said, approaching. She looked at me and +shook her head. + +"No, I do not," she replied. + +"What, Thérèse! Have you forgotten Madame John, who taught you to +read--you and all the little girls at the Portage?" + +"Oh, my heavens, Mrs. Kinzie!--but you have changed so!" + +"Yes, Thérèse, I have grown old in all these years; but I have not grown +old quite so fast as your grandpapa here." + +There was a flash in her eye that told she felt my meaning. She hung +her head without speaking, while the color deepened over her +countenance. + +"Now," said I, in French, to the grandfather, "you remember me--" + +He interrupted me with a protest, "Non, non--je ne puis rappeler +rien--je suis vieux, vieux--le treize Septembre, mil sept cent +vingt-six, je suis né à Detroit." + +"And you recollect," I went on, not heeding his formula, "how I came to +the Portage a bride, and lived in the old cabins that the soldiers had +occupied--" + +"Eh b'an! oui--oui--" + +"And how you helped make the garden for me--and how Plante and Manaigre +finished the new house so nicely while Monsieur John was away for the +silver--and how there was a feast after it was completed--" + +"Ah! oui, oui--pour le sûr." + +"And where are all our people now?" I asked, turning to Thérèse. "Louis +Frum _dit_ Manaigre--is he living?" + +"Oh, Madame Kinzie! You remember that--Manaigre having two names?" + +"Yes, Thérèse--I remember everything connected with those old times at +the Portage. Who among our people there are living?" + +"Only Manaigre is left," she said. + +"Mais, mais, Thérèse," interposed the old man, "Manaigre's daughter +Geneviève is living." It was a comfort to find our visit of such +miraculous benefit to his memory. + +"And the Puans--are any of them left?" I asked. + +"Not more than ten or twelve, I think--" Again her grandfather promptly +contradicted her:-- + +"Mais, mais, je compte b'an qu'il y en a quinze ou seize, Thérèse;" and +he went quite glibly over the names of such of his red friends as still +hovered around their old home in that vicinity. + +He was in the full tide of gay reminiscence, touching upon experiences +and adventures of long ago, and recalling Indian and half-breed +acquaintances of former days, when footsteps approached, and the +entrance of eager, curious visitors suddenly reminded him of his +appointed rôle. It was marvellous how instantaneously he subsided into +the superannuated driveller who was to bear away the bell from Old Parr +and all the Emperor Alexander's far-sought fossils. + +"Je suis vieux, vieux--l'an mil sept cent vingt-six--le treize +Septembre, à Detroit--- je ne puis rappeler rien." + +Not another phrase could "all the King's armies, or all the King's men," +have extorted from him. + +So we left him to the admiring comments of the new-comers. I think it +should be added, in extenuation of what would otherwise seem a gross +imposture, that his granddaughter was really ignorant of Crély's exact +age--that he, being ever a gasconading fellow, was quite ready to +personate that certain Joseph Crély whose name appears on the baptismal +records of the Church in Detroit of the year 1726. He was, moreover, +pleased with the idea of being gaily dressed and going on a tour to see +the world, and doubtless rejoiced, also, in the prospect of relieving +his poor granddaughter of a part of the burden of his maintenance. He +was probably at this time about ninety-five years of age. There are +those that knew him from 1830, who maintain that his age was a few years +less; but I take the estimate of Mr. Kinzie and H.L. Dousman, of Prairie +du Chien, who set him down, in 1864, at about the age I have assigned to +him. + + +THE END. + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: Corn which has been parboiled, shelled from the cob, and +dried in the sun.] + +[Footnote 2: Literally, _crazy oats_. It is the French name for the +Menomonees.] + +[Footnote 3: _Le Forgeron_, or Blacksmith, a Menomonee chief.] + +[Footnote 4: A niece of James Fenimore Cooper.] + +[Footnote 5: Master--or, to use the emphatic Yankee term, _boss_.] + +[Footnote 6: Michaud climbed into a plum-tree, to gather plums. The +branch broke. _Michaud fell_! Where is he? _He is down on the ground_. +No, he is up in the tree.] + +[Footnote 7: The supposed Dauphin of France.] + +[Footnote 8: The site of the town of Nee-nah.] + +[Footnote 9: The bark of the red willow, scraped fine, which is +preferred by the Indians to tobacco.] + +[Footnote 10: General Cass was then Governor of Michigan, and +Superintendent of the Northwestern Indians.] + +[Footnote 11: In the year 1714.] + +[Footnote 12: Father! How do you do?] + +[Footnote 13: Only look! what inventions! what wonders!] + +[Footnote 14: Between two of these lakes is now situated the town of +Madison--the capital of the State of Wisconsin.] + +[Footnote 15: I speak, it will be understood, of things as they existed +a quarter of a century ago.] + +[Footnote 16: It was at this spot that the unfortunate St. Vrain lost +his life, during the Sauk war, in 1832.] + +[Footnote 17: Probably at what is now Oswego. The name of a portion of +the wood is since corrupted into _Specie's Grove_.] + +[Footnote 18: The honey-bee is not known in the perfectly wild countries +of North America. It is ever the pioneer of civilization, and the +Indians call it "_the white man's bird_."] + +[Footnote 19: It was near this spot that the brother of Mr. Hawley, a +Methodist preacher, was killed by the Sauks, in 1832, after having been +tortured by them with the most wanton barbarity.] + +[Footnote 20: Rivière Aux Plaines was the original French designation, +now changed to _Desplaines_, pronounced as in English.] + +[Footnote 21: 1855.] + +[Footnote 22: See Frontispiece.] + +[Footnote 23: Since called N. State Street (1870).] + +[Footnote 24: I can recall a petition that was circulated at the +garrison about this period, for "building a brigg over Michigan City." +By altering the orthography, it was found to mean, not the stupendous +undertaking it would seem to imply, but simply "building a bridge" over +_at_ Michigan City,--an accommodation much needed by travellers at that +day.] + +[Footnote 25: The proper orthography of this word is undoubtedly +_slough_, as it invariably indicates something like that which Christian +fell into in flying from the City of Destruction. I spell it, however, +as it is pronounced.] + +[Footnote 26: A gentleman who visited Chicago at that day, thus speaks +of it: "I passed over the ground from the fort to the Point, on +horseback. I was up to my stirrups in water the whole distance. I would +not have given sixpence an acre for the whole of it."] + +[Footnote 27: See Narrative of the Massacre, p. 159.] + +[Footnote 28: Mr. Cat.] + +[Footnote 29: This Narrative, first published in pamphlet form in 1836, +was transferred, with little variation, to Brown's "History of +Illinois," and to a work called "Western Annals." It was likewise made, +by Major Richardson, the basis of his two tales, "Hardscrabble," and +"Wau-nan-gee."] + +[Footnote 30: Burns's house stood near the spot where the Agency +Building, or "Cobweb Castle," was afterwards erected, at the foot of N. +State Street.] + +[Footnote 31: This is done by cutting the meat in thin slices, placing +it upon a scaffold, and making a fire under it, which dries it and +smokes it at the same time.] + +[Footnote 32: A trading-establishment--now Ypsilanti.] + +[Footnote 33: Captain Wells, when a boy, was stolen, by the Miami +Indians, from the family of Hon. Nathaniel Pope, in Kentucky. Although +recovered by them, he preferred to return and live among his new +friends. He married a Miami woman, and became a chief of the nation. He +was the father of the late Mrs. Judge Wolcott, of Maumee, Ohio.] + +[Footnote 34: The spot now called Bertrand, then known as _Parc aux +Vaches,_ from its having been a favorite "stamping-ground" of the +buffalo which then abounded in the country.] + +[Footnote 35: The exact spot of this encounter was about where 21st +Street crosses Indiana Avenue.] + +[Footnote 36: Along the present State Street.] + +[Footnote 37: Mrs. Holt is believed to be still living, in the State of +Ohio.] + +[Footnote 38: Billy Caldwell was a half-breed, and a chief of the +nation. In his reply, "_I am a Sau-ga-nash_," or Englishman, he designed +to convey, "I am a _white_ man." Had he said, "_I am a Pottowattamie_," +it would have been interpreted to mean, "I belong to my nation, and am +prepared to go all lengths with them."] + +[Footnote 39: Frenchman.] + +[Footnote 40: The Pottowattamie chief, so well known to many of the +citizens of Chicago, now (1870) residing at the Aux Plaines.] + +[Footnote 41: Twenty-two years after this, as I was on a journey to +Chicago in the steamer Uncle Sam, a young woman, hearing my name, +introduced herself to me, and, raising the hair from her forehead, +showed me the mark of the tomahawk which had so nearly been fatal to +her.] + +[Footnote 42: Although this is the name our mother preserved of her +benefactor, it seems evident that this chief was in fact _Corn-Planter_, +a personage well known in the history of the times. There could hardly +have been two such prominent chiefs in the same village.] + +[Footnote 43: From the French--_Tranche_, a deep cut.] + +[Footnote 44: It is a singular fact that all the martins, of which there +were great numbers occupying the little houses constructed for them by +the soldiers, were observed to have disappeared from their homes on the +morning following the embarkation of the troops. After an absence of +five days they returned. They had perhaps taken a fancy to accompany +their old friends, but, finding they were not Mother Carey's chickens, +deemed it most prudent to return and reoccupy their old dwellings.] + +[Footnote 45: It is now known as Dunkley's Grove.] + +[Footnote 46: How the woods talk!] + +[Footnote 47: It will be remembered that these were the arguments used +at a period when the Indians possessed most of the broad lands on the +Upper Mississippi and its tributaries--when they were still allowed some +share of the blessings of life.] + +[Footnote 48: The Indians, in relating a story like this, apologize for +alluding to a revolting subject. "You will think this _unpleasant_," +they say.] + +[Footnote 49: Come in, my daughter.] + +[Footnote 50: The Indians sing these words to an air peculiar to +themselves.] + +[Footnote 51: Three streams or water courses of that region.] + +[Footnote 52: See Appendix.] + +[Footnote 53: As "the venerable Joseph Crély" has become historic from +his claim to have reached the age of one hundred and thirty-nine years, +I will state that at this period (1832) he was a hale, hearty man of +sixty years or less.] + +[Footnote 54: The Indians who had "been at Washington" were very fond of +calling their Father thus. Black Wolf's son would go further, and +vociferate "K'hizzie," to show his familiarity.] + +[Footnote 55: Fisher's Hornpipe.] + +[Footnote 56: General Atkinson.] + +[Footnote 57: A belt of land termed the Neutral Ground of the different +opposing nations.] + +[Footnote 58: St. Louis, Mo.] + +[Footnote 59: There is no such river in this country, therefore this +treaty is null and void--of no effect in law or equity. Such was the +opinion of the late Governor Howard. (T.F.)] + +[Footnote 60: Superintendent of Indian Affairs at St. Louis.] + +[Footnote 61: I do not understand. I remember nothing. I am very, very +old--the thirteenth of September, 1726, I was born. No, no--I can +recollect nothing. I am old, old.] + +[Footnote 62: Thérèse, there is a gentleman here who wishes to see you.] + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Wau-bun, by Juliette Augusta Magill Kinzie + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12183 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Wau-bun + The Early Day in the Northwest + +Author: Juliette Augusta Magill Kinzie + +Release Date: April 27, 2004 [EBook #12183] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WAU-BUN *** + + + + +Produced by Gene Smethers and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + + +WAU-BUN, + +THE + +EARLY DAY IN THE NORTHWEST. + +BY + +MRS. JOHN H. KINZIE, + +OF CHICAGO. + + + + +"If we but knew the exact meaning of the word 'WAU-BUN,' +we should be happy."--_Critic_. + +"WAU-BUN--The dawn--the break of day."--_Ojibeway Vocabulary_. + + * * * * * + +PHILADELPHIA + +1873 + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Every work partaking of the nature of an autobiography is supposed to +demand an apology to the public. To refuse such a tribute, would be to +recognize the justice of the charge, so often brought against our +countrymen--of a too great willingness to be made acquainted with the +domestic history and private affairs of their neighbors. + +It is, doubtless, to refute this calumny that we find travellers, for +the most part, modestly offering some such form of explanation as this, +to the reader: "That the matter laid before him was, in the first place, +simply letters to friends, never designed to be submitted to other eyes, +and only brought forward now at the solicitation of wiser judges than +the author himself." + +No such plea can, in the present instance, be offered. The record of +events in which the writer had herself no share, was preserved in +compliance with the suggestion of a revered relative, whose name often +appears in the following pages. "My child," she would say, "write these +things down, as I tell them to you. Hereafter our children, and even +strangers, will feel interested in hearing the story of our early lives +and sufferings." And it is a matter of no small regret and +self-reproach, that much, very much, thus narrated was, through +negligence, or a spirit of procrastination, suffered to pass unrecorded. + +With regard to the pictures of domestic life and experience (preserved, +as will be seen, in journals, letters, and otherwise), it is true their +publication might have been deferred until the writer had passed away +from the scene of action; and such, it was supposed, would have been +their lot--that they would only have been dragged forth hereafter, to +show to a succeeding generation what "The Early Day" of our Western +homes had been. It never entered the anticipations of the most sanguine +that the march of improvement and prosperity would, in less than a +quarter of a century, have so obliterated the traces of "the first +beginning," that a vast and intelligent multitude would be crying out +for information in regard to the early settlement of this portion of our +country, which so few are left to furnish. + +An opinion has been expressed, that a comparison of the present times +with those that are past, would enable our young people, emigrating from +their luxurious homes at "the East," to bear, in a spirit of patience +and contentment, the slight privations and hardships they are at this +day called to meet with. If, in one instance, this should be the case, +the writer may well feel happy to have incurred even the charge of +egotism, in giving thus much of her own history. + +It may be objected that all that is strictly personal, might have been +more modestly put forth under the name of a third person; or that the +events themselves and the scenes might have been described, while those +participating in them might have been kept more in the background. In +the first case, the narrative would have lost its air of truth and +reality--in the second, the experiment would merely have been tried of +dressing up a theatre for representation, and omitting the actors. + +Some who read the following sketches may be inclined to believe that a +residence among our native brethren and an attachment growing out of our +peculiar relation to them, have exaggerated our sympathies, and our +sense of the wrongs they have received at the hands of the whites. This +is not the place to discuss that point. There is a tribunal at which man +shall be judged for that which he has meted out to his fellow-man. + +May our countrymen take heed that their legislation shall never unfit +them to appear "with joy, and not with grief," before that tribunal! + +CHICAGO, July, 1855. + + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER I. + +Departure from Detroit + +CHAPTER II. + +Michilimackinac--American Fur Company--Indian Trade--Mission +School--Point St. Ignace + +CHAPTER III. + +Arrival at Green Bay--Mrs. Arnot--General Root--Political Dispatches--A +Summerset--Shanty-Town--M. Rolette--Indian +Morning Song--Mr. Cadle's Mission--Party at Miss Doty's--Misses +Grignon--Mrs. Baird's Party--Mrs. Beall + +CHAPTER IV. + +Arrangements for Travelling--Fox River--Judge Doty--Judge +Réaume--M. Boilvin--Canadian Voyageurs: their Songs--The +Kakalin--Wish-tay-yun--Rev. Eleazar Williams--Passage through +the Rapids--Grande Chûte--Krissman + +CHAPTER V. + +Beautiful Encampment--Winnebago Lake--Miss Four-Legs--Garlic +Island--Wild Rice + +CHAPTER VI. + +Breakfast at Betty More's--Judge Law--Fastidiousness; what +came of it + +CHAPTER VII. + +Butte des Morts--French Cognomens--Serpentine Course of Fox +River--Lake Puckaway--Lac de Boeuf--Fort Winnebago. + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Major and Mrs. Twiggs--A Davis--An Indian Funeral--Conjugal +Affliction--Indian Chiefs; Talk-English--The Wild-Cat--The +Dandy + +CHAPTER IX. + +Housekeeping--The First Dinner + +CHAPTER X. + +Indian Payment--Pawnee Blanc--The Washington Woman--Raising +Funds + +CHAPTER XI. + +Louisa--Garrison Life--Dr. Newhall--Affliction--Domestic +Accommodations--Ephraim--New-Year's Day--Native Custom--Day-kau-ray's +Views of Education--Captain Harney's Mince-Pie + +CHAPTER XII. + +Lizzie Twiggs--Preparation for a Journey--The Regimental Tailor + +CHAPTER XIII. + +eparture from Fort Winnebago--Duck Creek--Upset in a +Canoe--Pillon--Encamping in Winter--Four Lakes--Indian +Encampment--Blue Mound--Morrison's--A Tennessee Woman + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Rev. Mr. Kent--Losing One's Way--A Tent Blown Down--Discovery +of a Fence--Hamilton's Diggings--Frontier Housekeeping--Wm. +S. Hamilton--A Miner--Hard Riding--Kellogg's Grove + +CHAPTER XV. + +Rock River--- Dixon's--John Ogie--Missing the Trail--Hours of +Trouble--Famine in the Camp--Relief + +CHAPTER XVI. + +A Pottowattamie Lodge--A Tempest--Piché's--Hawley's--The Du +Page--Mr. Dogherty--The Aux Plaines--Mrs. Lawton--Wolf +Point--Chicago + +CHAPTER XVII. + +Fort Dearborn--Chicago in 1831--First Settlement of Chicago--John +Kinzie, Sen.---Fate of George Forsyth--Trading Posts--Canadian +Voyageurs--M. St. Jean--Louis la Liberté + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +Massacre at Chicago + +CHAPTER XIX. + +Massacre, continued--Mrs. Helm--Ensign Ronan--Captain +Wells--Mrs. Holt--Mrs. Heald--The Sau-ga-nash--Sergeant Griffith--Mrs. +Burns--Black Partridge and Mrs. Lee--Nau-non-gee and Sergeant +Hays + +CHAPTER XX. + +Treatment of American Prisoners by the British--Captivity of Mr. +Kinzie--Battle on Lake Erie--Cruelty of General Proctor's +Troops--General Harrison--Rebuilding of Fort Dearborn--Red Bird--A +Humorous Incident--Cession of the Territory around Chicago + +CHAPTER XXI. + +Severe Spring Weather--Pistol-Firing--Milk Punch--A Sermon--Pre-emption +to "Kinzie's Addition"--Liberal Sentiments + +CHAPTER XXII. + +The Captives + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +Colonel McKillip--Second-Sight--Ball at Hickory Creek--Arrival +of the "Napoleon"--Troubles of Embarkation + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +Departure for Port Winnebago--A Frightened Indian--Encampment +at Dunkley's Grove--Horses Lost--Getting Mired--An Ague +cured by a Rattlesnake--Crystal Lake--Story of the Little Rail + +CHAPTER XXV. + +Return Journey, continued--Soldiers' Encampment--Big-Foot Lake--Village +of Maunk-suck--A Young Gallant--Climbing--Mountain-Passes--Turtle +Creek--Kosh-ko-nong--Crossing a Marsh--Twenty-Mile Prairie--Hastings's +Woods--Duck Creek--Brunet--Home + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +The Agency--The Blacksmith's House--Building a Kitchen--Four-Legs, the +Dandy--Indian Views of Civilization--Efforts of M. +Mazzuchelli--Charlotte + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +The Cut-Nose--The Fawn--Visit of White Crow--Parting with +Friends--Krissman--Louisa again--The Sunday-School + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +Plante--Removal--Domestic Inconveniences--Indian Presents--Grandmother +Day-kau-ray--Indian Customs--Indian Dances--The Medicine-Dance--Indian +Graves--Old Boilvin's Wake + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +Indian Tales--Story of the Red Fox + +CHAPTER XXX. + +Story of Shee-shee-banze + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +Visit to Green Bay--Disappointment--Return Journey--Knaggs's--Blind +Indian--Ma-zhee-gaw-gaw Swamp--Bellefontaine + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +Commencement of the Sauk War--Winnebago +Council--Crély--Follett--Bravery--The Little Elk--An +Alarm--Man-Eater and his +Party--An Exciting Dance + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +Fleeing from the Enemy--Mâtâ--Old Smoker--Meeting with +Menomonees--Raising the Wind--Garlic Island--Winnebago Rapids--The +Waubanakees--Thunder-Storm--Vitelle--Guardapié--Fort Howard + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +Panic at Green Bay--Tidings of Cholera--Green Bay Flies--Doyle, +the Murderer--Death of Lieutenant Foster--A Hardened Criminal--Good +News from the Seat of War--Departure for Home--Shipwreck +at the Grand Chûte--A Wet Encampment--An Unexpected +Arrival--Reinforcement of Volunteers--La Grosse Américaine--Arrival +at Home + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +Conclusion of the War--Treaty at Rock Island--Cholera among the +Troops--Wau-kaun-kah--Wild-Cat's Frolic at the Mee-kan--Surrender +of the Winnebago Prisoners + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +Delay in the Annual Payment--Scalp-Dances--Groundless Alarm--Arrival +of Governor Porter--Payment--Escape of the Prisoners--Neighbors +Lost--Reappearance--Robineau--Bellaire + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +Agathe--"Kinzie's Addition"--Tomah--Indian Acuteness--Indian +Simplicity + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +Famine--Day-kau-ray's Daughter--Noble Resolution of a Chief--Bread +for the Hungry--Rev. Mr. Kent--An Escaped Prisoner--The +Cut-Nose again--Leave-taking with our Red Children--Departure +from Fort Winnebago + +APPENDIX + + + +THE "EARLY DAY" IN THE NORTHWEST. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +DEPARTURE FROM DETROIT. + + +It was on a dark, rainy evening in the month of September, 1830, that we +went on board the steamer "Henry Clay," to take passage for Green Bay. +All our friends in Detroit had congratulated us upon our good fortune in +being spared the voyage in one of the little schooners which at this +time afforded the ordinary means of communication with the few and +distant settlements on Lakes Huron and Michigan. + +Each one had some experience to relate of his own or Of his friends' +mischances in these precarious journeys--long detentions on the St. +Clair flats--furious head-winds off Thunder Bay, or interminable Calms +at Mackinac or the Manitous. That which most enhanced our sense of +peculiar good luck, was the true story of one of our relatives having +left Detroit in the month of June and reached Chicago in the September +following, having been actually three months in performing what is +sometimes accomplished by even a sail-vessel in four days. + +But the certainty of encountering similar misadventures would have +weighed little with me. I was now to visit, nay, more, to become a +resident of that land which had, for long years, been to me a region of +romance. Since the time when, as a child, my highest delight had been in +the letters of a dear relative, describing to me his home and mode of +life in the "Indian country," and still later, in his felicitous +narration of a tour with General Cass, in 1820, to the sources of the +Mississippi--nay, even earlier, in the days when I stood at my teacher's +knee, and spelled out the long word Mich-i-li-mack-i-nac, that distant +land, with its vast lakes, its boundless prairies, and its mighty +forests, had possessed a wonderful charm for my imagination. Now I was +to see it!--it was to be my home! + +Our ride to the quay, through the dark by-ways, in a cart, the only +vehicle which at that day could navigate the muddy, unpaved streets of +Detroit, was a theme for much merriment, and not less so, our descent of +the narrow, perpendicular stair-way by which we reached the little +apartment called the Ladies' Cabin. We were highly delighted with the +accommodations, which, by comparison, seemed the very climax of comfort +and convenience; more especially as the occupants of the cabin +consisted, beside myself, of but a lady and two little girls. + +Nothing could exceed the pleasantness of our trip for the first +twenty-four hours. There were some officers, old friends, among the +passengers. We had plenty of books. The gentlemen read aloud +occasionally, admired the solitary magnificence of the scenery around +us, the primeval woods, or the vast expanse of water unenlivened by a +single sail, and then betook themselves to their cigar, or their game of +euchre, to while away the hours. + +For a time the passage over Thunder Bay was delightful, but, alas! it +was not destined, in our favor, to belie its name. A storm came on, fast +and furious--what was worse, it was of long duration. The pitching and +rolling of the little boat, the closeness, and even the sea-sickness, we +bore as became us. They were what we had expected, and were prepared +for. But a new feature of discomfort appeared, which almost upset our +philosophy. + +The rain, which fell in torrents, soon made its way through every seam +and pore of deck or moulding. Down the stair-way, through the joints and +crevices, it came, saturating first the carpet, then the bedding, until, +finally, we were completely driven, "by stress of weather," into the +Gentlemen's Cabin. Way was made for us very gallantly, and every +provision resorted to for our comfort, and we were congratulating +ourselves on having found a haven in our distress, when, lo! the seams +above opened, and down upon our devoted heads poured such a flood, that +even umbrellas were an insufficient protection. There was nothing left +for the ladies and children but to betake ourselves to the berths, +which, in this apartment, fortunately remained dry; and here we +continued ensconced the livelong day. Our dinner was served up to us on +our pillows. The gentlemen chose the dryest spots, raised their +umbrellas, and sat under them, telling amusing anecdotes, and saying +funny things to cheer us, until the rain ceased, and at nine o'clock in +the evening we were gladdened by the intelligence that we had reached +the pier at Mackinac. + +We were received with the most affectionate cordiality by Mr. and Mrs. +Robert Stuart, at whose hospitable mansion we had been for some days +expected. + +The repose and comfort of an asylum like this, can be best appreciated +by those who have reached it after a tossing and drenching such as ours +had been. A bright, warm fire, and countenances beaming with kindest +interest, dispelled all sensations of fatigue or annoyance. + +After a season of pleasant conversation, the servants were assembled, +the chapter of God's word was solemnly read, the hymn chanted, the +prayer of praise and thanksgiving offered, and we were conducted to our +place of repose. + +It is not my purpose here to attempt a portrait of those noble friends +whom I thus met for the first time. To an abler pen than mine should be +assigned the honor of writing the biography of Robert Stuart. All who +have enjoyed the happiness of his acquaintance, or, still more, a +sojourn under his hospitable roof, will carry with them to their latest +hour the impression of his noble bearing, his genial humor, his untiring +benevolence, his upright, uncompromising adherence to principle, his +ardent philanthropy, his noble disinterestedness. Irving in his +"Astoria," and Franchere in his "Narrative," give many striking traits +of his early character, together with events of his history of a +thrilling and romantic interest, but both have left the most valuable +portion unsaid, his after-life, namely, as a Christian gentleman. + +Of his beloved partner, who still survives him, mourning on her bereaved +and solitary pilgrimage, yet cheered by the recollection of her long and +useful course as a "Mother in Israel," we will say no more than to offer +the incense of loving hearts, and prayers for the best blessings from +her Father in heaven. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +MICHILIMACKINAC. + + +Michilimackinac! that gem of the Lakes! How bright and beautiful it +looked as we walked abroad on the following morning! The rain had passed +away, but had left all things glittering in the light of the sun as it +rose up over the waters of Lake Huron, far away to the east. Before us +was the lovely bay, scarcely yet tranquil after the storm, but dotted +with canoes and the boats of the fishermen already getting out their +nets for the trout and whitefish, those treasures of the deep. Along the +beach were scattered the wigwams or lodges of the Ottawas who had come +to the island to trade. The inmates came forth to gaze upon us. A shout +of welcome was sent forth, as they recognized _Shaw-nee-aw-kee,_ who, +from a seven years' residence among them, was well known to each +individual. + +A shake of the hand, and an emphatic "_Bon-jour_--_bon-jour_," is the +customary salutation between the Indian and the white man. + +"Do the Indians speak French?" I inquired of my husband. + +"No; this is a fashion they have learned of the French traders during +many years of intercourse." + +Not less hearty was the greeting of each Canadian _engagé_, as he +trotted forward to pay his respects to "Monsieur John," and to utter a +long string of felicitations, in a most incomprehensible _patois_. I was +forced to take for granted all the good wishes showered upon "Madame +John," of which I could comprehend nothing but the hope that I should +be happy and contented in my "_vie sauvage_." + +The object of our early walk was to visit the Mission-house and school +which had been some few years previously established at this place by +the Presbyterian Board of Missions. It was an object of especial +interest to Mr. and Mrs. Stuart, and its flourishing condition at this +period, and the prospects of extensive future usefulness it held out, +might well gladden their philanthropic hearts. They had lived many years +on the island, and had witnessed its transformation, through God's +blessing on Christian efforts, from a worldly, dissipated community to +one of which it might almost be said, "Religion was every man's +business." This mission establishment was the beloved child and the +common centre of interest of the few Protestant families clustered +around it. Through the zeal and good management of Mr. and Mrs. Ferry, +and the fostering encouragement of the congregation, the school was in +great repute, and it was pleasant to observe the effect of mental and +religious culture in subduing the mischievous, tricky propensities of +the half-breed, and rousing the stolid apathy of the genuine Indian. + +These were the palmy days of Mackinac. As the head-quarters of the +American Fur Company, and the entrepôt of the whole Northwest, all the +trade in supplies and goods on the one hand, and in furs and products of +the Indian country on the other, was in the hands of the parent +establishment or its numerous outposts scattered along Lakes Superior +and Michigan, the Mississippi, or through still more distant regions. + +Probably few are ignorant of the fact, that all the Indian tribes, with +the exception of the Miamis and the Wyandots, had, since the transfer of +the old French possessions to the British Crown, maintained a firm +alliance with the latter. The independence achieved by the United +States did not alter the policy of the natives, nor did our Government +succeed in winning or purchasing their friendship. Great Britain, it is +true, bid high to retain them. Every year the leading men of the +Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottowattamies, Menomonees, Winnebagoes, Sauks, and +Foxes, and even still more remote tribes, journeyed from their distant +homes to Fort Malden in Upper Canada, to receive their annual amount of +presents from their Great Father across the water. It was a +master-policy thus to keep them in pay, and had enabled those who +practised it to do fearful execution through the aid of such allies in +the last war between the two countries. + +The presents they thus received were of considerable value, consisting +of blankets, broadcloths or _strouding_, calicoes, guns, kettles, traps, +silver-works (comprising arm-bands, bracelets, brooches; and ear-bobs), +looking-glasses, combs, and various other trinkets distributed with no +niggardly hand. + +The magazines and store-houses of the Fur Company at Mackinac were the +resort of all the upper tribes for the sale of their commodities, and +the purchase of all such articles as they had need of, including those +above enumerated, and also ammunition, which, as well as money and +liquor, their British friends very commendably omitted to furnish them. + +Besides their furs, various in kind and often of great value--beaver, +otter, marten, mink, silver-gray and red fox, wolf, bear, and wild-cat, +musk-rat, and smoked deer-skins--the Indians brought for trade +maple-sugar in abundance, considerable quantities of both Indian corn +and _petit-blé_,[1] beans and the _folles avoines_,[2] or wild rice; +while the squaws added to their quota of merchandise a contribution in +the form of moccasins, hunting-pouches, mococks, or little boxes of +birch-bark embroidered with porcupine-quills and filled with +maple-sugar, mats of a neat and durable fabric, and toy-models of Indian +cradles, snow-shoes, canoes, etc., etc. + +It was no unusual thing, at this period, to see a hundred or more canoes +of Indians at once approaching the island, laden with their articles of +traffic; and if to these we add the squadrons of large Mackinac boats +constantly arriving from the outposts, with the furs, peltries, and +buffalo-robes collected by the distant traders, some idea may be formed +of the extensive operations and important position of the American Fur +Company, as well as of the vast circle of human beings either +immediately or remotely connected with it. + +It is no wonder that the philanthropic mind, surveying these, races of +uncultivated heathen, should stretch forward to the time when, through +an unwearied devotion of the white man's energies, and an untiring +sacrifice of self and fortune, his red brethren might rise in the scale +of social civilization--when Education and Christianity should go hand +in hand, to make "the wilderness blossom as the rose." + +Little did the noble souls at that day rejoicing in the success of their +labors at Mackinac, anticipate that in less than a quarter of a century +there would remain of all these numerous tribes but a few scattered +bands, squalid, degraded, with scarce a vestige remaining of their +former lofty character--their lands cajoled or wrested from them, the +graves of their fathers turned up by the ploughshare--themselves chased +farther and farther towards the setting sun, until they were literally +grudged a resting-place on the face of the earth! + +Our visit to the Mission-school was of short duration, for the Henry +Clay was to leave at two o'clock, and in the mean time we were to see +what we could of the village and its environs, and after that dine with +Mr. Mitchell, an old friend of my husband. As we walked leisurely along +over the white, gravelly road, many of the residences of the old +inhabitants were pointed out to me. There was the dwelling of Madame +Laframboise, an Ottawa woman, whose husband had taught her to read and +write, and who had ever after continued to use the knowledge she had +acquired for the instruction and improvement of the youth among her own +people. It was her custom to receive a class of young pupils daily at +her house, that she might give them lessons in the branches mentioned, +and also in the principles of the Roman Catholic religion, to which she +was deeply devoted. She was a woman of a vast deal of energy and +enterprise--of a tall and commanding figure, and most dignified +deportment. After the death of her husband, who was killed while away at +his trading-post by a Winnebago named _White Ox_, she was accustomed to +visit herself the trading-posts, superintend the clerks and engagés, and +satisfy herself that the business was carried on in a regular and +profitable manner. + +The Agency-house, with its unusual luxuries of piazza and gardens, was +situated at the foot of the hill on which the fort was built. It was a +lovely spot, notwithstanding the stunted and dwarfish appearance of all +cultivated vegetation in this cold northern latitude. + +The collection of rickety, primitive-looking buildings, occupied by the +officials of the Fur Company, reflected no great credit on the +architectural skill of my husband, who had superintended their +construction, he told me, when little more than a boy. + +There were, besides these, the residences of the Dousmans, the Abbotts, +the Biddles, the Drews, and the Lashleys, stretching away along the +base of the beautiful hill, crowned with the white walls and buildings +of the fort, the ascent to which was so steep that on the precipitous +face nearest the beach staircases were built by which to mount from +below. + +My head ached intensely, the effect of the motion of the boat on the +previous day, but I did not like to give up to it; so, after I had been +shown all that could be seen of the little settlement in the short time +allowed us, we repaired to Mr. Mitchell's. + +We were received by Mrs. M., an extremely pretty, delicate woman, part +French and part Sioux, whose early life had been passed at Prairie du +Chien, on the Mississippi. She had been a great belle among the young +officers at Fort Crawford; so much so, indeed, that the suicide of the +post-surgeon was attributed to an unsuccessful attachment he had +conceived for her. I was greatly struck with her soft and gentle +manners, and the musical intonation of her voice, which I soon learned +was a distinguishing peculiarity of those women in whom are united the +French and native blood. + +A lady, then upon a visit to the Mission, was of the company. She +insisted on my lying down upon the sofa, and ministered most kindly to +my suffering head. As she sat by my side, and expatiated upon the new +sphere opening before me, she inquired: + +"Do you not realize very strongly the entire deprivation of religious +privileges you will be obliged to suffer in your distant home?" + +"The deprivation," said I, "will doubtless be great, but not _entire_; +for I shall have my Prayer-Book, and, though destitute of a church, we +need not be without a _mode_ of worship." + +How often afterwards, when cheered by the consolations of that precious +book in the midst of the lonely wilderness, did I remember this +conversation, and bless God that I could never, while retaining it, be +without "religious privileges." + +We had not yet left the dinner-table, when the bell of the little +steamer sounded to summon us on board, and we bade a hurried farewell to +all our kind friends, bearing with us their hearty wishes for a safe and +prosperous voyage. + +A finer sight can scarcely be imagined than Mackinac, from the water. As +we steamed away from the shore, the view came full upon us--the sloping +beach with the scattered wigwams, and canoes drawn up here and +there--the irregular, quaint-looking houses--the white walls of the +fort, and, beyond, one eminence still more lofty crowned with the +remains of old Fort Holmes. The whole picture completed, showed the +perfect outline that had given the island its original Indian name, +_Mich-i-li-mack-i-nac_, the Big Turtle. + +Then those pure, living waters, in whose depths the fish might be seen +gliding and darting to and fro; whose clearness is such that an object +dropped to the bottom may be discerned at the depth of fifty or sixty +feet, a dollar lying far down on its green bed, looking no larger than a +half dime! I could hardly wonder at the enthusiastic lady who exclaimed: +"Oh! I could wish to be drowned in these pure, beautiful waters!" + +As we passed the extreme western point of the island, my husband pointed +out to me, far away to the northwest, a promontory which he told me was +Point St. Ignace. It possessed great historic interest, as one of the +earliest white settlements on this continent. The Jesuit missionaries +had established here a church and school as early as 1607, the same year +in which a white settlement was made at St. Augustine, in Florida, and +one year before the founding of Jamestown, Virginia. + +All that remains of the enterprises of these devoted men, is the +remembrance of their labors, perpetuated, in most instances, only by the +names of the spots which witnessed their efforts of love in behalf of +their savage brethren. The little French church at Sandwich, opposite +Detroit, alone is left, a witness of the zeal and self-sacrifice of +these pioneers of Christianity. + +Passing "Old Mackinac," on the main land, which forms the southern +border of the straits, we soon came out into the broad waters of Lake +Michigan. Every traveller, and every reader of our history, is familiar +with the incidents connected with the taking of the old fort by the +Indians, in the days of Pontiac. How, by means of a game of ball, played +in an apparently friendly spirit outside the walls, and of which the +officers and soldiers had come forth to be spectators, the ball was +dexterously tossed over the wall, and the savages rushing in, under +pretext of finding it, soon got possession and massacred the garrison. + +The little Indian village of L'Arbre Croche gleamed far away south, in +the light of the setting sun. With that exception, there was no sign of +living habitation along that vast and wooded shore. The gigantic +forest-trees, and here and there the little glades of prairie opening to +the water, showed a landscape that would have gladdened the eye of the +agriculturist, with its promise of fertility; but it was evidently +untrodden by the foot of man, and we left it, in its solitude, as we +took our course westward across the waters. + +The rainy and gusty weather, so incident to the equinoctial season, +overtook us again before we reached the mouth of Green Bay, and kept us +company until the night of our arrival upon the flats, about three miles +below the settlement. Here the little steamer grounded "fast and hard." +As almost every one preferred braving the elements to remaining cooped +up in the quarters we had occupied for the past week, we decided to +trust ourselves to the little boat, spite of wind, and rain, and +darkness, and in due time we reached the shore. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +GREEN BAY. + + +Our arrival at Green Bay was at an unfortunate moment. It was the time +of a treaty between the United States Government and the Menomonees and +Waubanakees. Consequently, not only the commissioners of the treaty, +with their clerks and officials, but traders, claimants, travellers, and +idlers innumerable were upon the ground. Most of these were congregated +in the only hotel the place afforded. This was a tolerably-sized house +near the river-side, and as we entered the long dining-room, cold and +dripping from the open boat, we were infinitely amused at the motley +assemblage it contained. Various groups were seated around. New comers, +like ourselves, stood here and there, for there were not seats enough to +accommodate all who sought entertainment. The landlord sat calm and +indifferent, his hands in his pockets, exhibiting all the phlegm of a +Pennsylvania Dutchman. + +His fat, notable spouse was trotting round, now stopping to scold about +some one who, "burn his skin!" had fallen short in his duty; now +laughing good-humoredly until her sides shook, at some witticism +addressed to her. + +She welcomed us very cordially, but to our inquiry, "Can you +accommodate us?" her reply was, "Not I. I have got twice as many people +now as I know what to do with. I have had to turn my own family out of +their quarters, what with the commissioners and the lot of folks that +has come in upon us." + +"What are we to do, then? It is too late and stormy to go up to +Shanty-town to seek for lodgings." + +"Well, sit you down and take your supper, and we will see what we can +do." + +And she actually did contrive to find a little nook, in which we were +glad to take refuge from the multitudes around us. + +A slight board partition separated us from the apartment occupied by +General Root, of New York, one of the commissioners of the treaty. The +steamer in which we came had brought the mail, at that day a rare +blessing to the distant settlements. The opening and reading of all the +dispatches, which the General received about bed-time, had, of course, +to be gone through with, before he could retire to rest. His eyes being +weak, his secretaries were employed to read the communications. He was a +little deaf withal, and through the slight division between the two +apartments the contents of the letters, and his comments upon them, were +unpleasantly audible, as he continually admonished his secretary to +raise his voice. + +"What is that, Walter? Read that over again." + +In vain we coughed and hemmed, and knocked over sundry pieces of +furniture. They were too deeply interested to hear aught that passed +around them, and if we had been politicians we should have had all the +secrets of the _working-men's party_ at our disposal, out of which to +have made capital. + +The next morning it was still rain! rain! nothing but rain! In spite of +it, however, the gentlemen would take a small boat to row to the +steamer, to bring up the luggage, not the least important part of that +which appertained to us being sundry boxes of silver for paying the +annuities to the Winnebagoes at the Portage. + +I went out with some others of the company upon the piazza, to witness +their departure. A gentleman pointed out to me Fort Howard, on a +projecting point of the opposite shore, about three-quarters of a mile +distant--the old barracks, the picketed inclosure, the walls, all +looking quaint, and, considering their modern erection, really ancient +and venerable. Presently we turned our attention to the boat, which had +by this time gained the middle of the river. One of the passengers was +standing up in the stern, apparently giving some directions. + +"That is rather a venturesome fellow," remarked one; "if he is not +careful he will lose his balance." And at this moment we saw him +actually perform a summerset backward, and disappear in the water. + +"Oh!" cried I, "he will be drowned!" + +The gentlemen laughed. "No, there he is; they are helping him in again." + +The course of the boat was immediately changed, and the party returned +to the shore. It was not until one disembarked and came dripping and +laughing towards me, that I recognized him as my own peculiar property. +He was pleased to treat the matter as a joke, but I thought it rather a +sad beginning of Western experience. + +He suffered himself to be persuaded to intrust the care of his effects +to his friends, and having changed his dress, prepared to remain quietly +with me, when just at this moment a vehicle drove up to the door, and we +recognized the pleasant, familiar face of our old friend, Judge Doty. + +He had received the news of our arrival, and had come to take us at +once to his hospitable mansion. We were only too happy to gather +together our bags and travelling-baskets and accompany him without +farther ceremony. + +Our drive took us first along the edge of Navarino, next through +Shanty-town (the latter a far more appropriate name than the former), +amid mud and mire, over bad roads, and up and down hilly, break-neck +places, until we reached the little brick dwelling of our friends. Mrs. +Doty received us with such true, sisterly kindness, and everything +seemed so full of welcome, that we soon felt ourselves at home. + +We found that, expecting our arrival, invitations had already been +prepared to assemble the whole circle of Green Bay society to meet us at +an evening party--this, in a new country, being the established mode of +doing honor to guests or strangers. + +We learned, upon inquiry, that Captain Harney, who had kindly offered to +come with a boat and crew of soldiers from Fort Winnebago, to convey us +to that place, our destined home, had not yet arrived; we therefore felt +at liberty to make arrangements for a few days of social enjoyment at +"the Bay." + +It was pleasant to people, secluded in such a degree from the world at +large, to bear all the news we had brought--all the particulars of life +and manners--the thousand little items that the newspapers of that day +did not dream of furnishing--the fashions, and that general gossip, in +short, which a lady is erroneously supposed more _au fait_ of, than a +gentleman. + +I well remember that, in giving and receiving information, the day +passed in a pretty uninterrupted stream of communication. All the party +except myself had made the journey, or rather voyage, up the Fox River +and down the Wisconsin to the Mississippi. + +There were plenty of anecdotes of a certain trip performed by the +three, in company with a French trader and his two sisters, then making +their debut as Western travellers. The manner in which Mademoiselle +Julie would borrow, without leave, a fine damask napkin or two, to wipe +out the ducks in preparation for cooking--the difficulty of persuading +either of the sisters of the propriety of washing and rinsing their +table apparatus nicely before packing it away in the mess-basket, the +consequence of which was, that another nice napkin must be stealthily +whisked out, to wipe the dishes when the hour for meals arrived--the fun +of the young gentleman in hunting up his stray articles, thus +misappropriated, from the nooks and corners of the boat, tying them with +a cord, and hanging them over the stern, to make their way down the +Wisconsin to Prairie du Chien. + +Then there was a capital story of M. Rolette himself. At one point on +the route (I think in crossing Winnebago Lake) the travellers met one of +the Company's boats on its way to Green Bay for supplies. M. Rolette was +one of the agents of the Company, and the people in the boat were his +employés. Of course after an absence of some weeks from home, the +meeting on these lonely waters and the exchanging of news was an +occasion of great excitement. + +The boats were stopped--earnest greetings interchanged--question +followed question. + +"_Eh bien_--have they finished the new house?" + +"_Oui, Monsieur_." + +"_Et la cheminée, fume-t-elle?_" (Does the chimney smoke?) + +"_Non, Monsieur_." + +"And the harvest--how is that?" + +"Very fine, indeed." + +"Is the mill at work?" + +"Yes, plenty of water." + +"How is Whip?" (his favorite horse.) + +"Oh! Whip is first-rate." + +Everything, in short, about the store, the farm, the business of various +descriptions being satisfactorily gone over, there was no occasion for +farther delay. It was time to proceed. + +"_Eh bien--adieu! bon voyage!_" + +"_Arrachez, mes gens!_" (Go ahead, men!) + +Then suddenly--"_Arrêtez! arrêtez!_" (Stop, stop!) + +"_Comment se portent Madame Rolette et les enfans?_" (How are Mrs. +Rolette and the children?) + + * * * * * + +This day, with its excitement, was at length over, and we retired to our +rest, thankful that we had not General Root and his secretary close to +our bed's head, with their budget of political news. + +My slumbers were not destined, however, to be quite undisturbed. I was +awakened, at the first slight peep of dawn, by a sound from an apartment +beneath our own--a plaintive, monotonous chant, rising and then falling +in a sort of mournful cadence. It seemed to me a wail of something +unearthly--so wild--so strange--so unaccountable. In terror I awoke my +husband, who reassured me by telling me it was the morning salutation of +the Indians to the opening day. + +Some Menomonees had been kindly given shelter for the night in the +kitchen below, and, having fulfilled their unvarying custom of chanting +their morning hymn, they now ceased, and again composed themselves to +sleep. But not so their auditor. There was to me something inexpressibly +beautiful in this morning song of praise from the untaught sons of the +forest. What a lesson did it preach to the civilized, Christianized +world, too many of whom lie down and rise up without an aspiration of +thanksgiving to their Almighty Preserver--without even a remembrance of +His care, who gives His angels charge concerning them! Never has the +impression of that simple act of worship faded from my mind. I have +loved to think that, with some, these strains might be the outpouring of +a devotion as pure as that of the Christian when he utters the inspiring +words of the sainted Ken-- + +"Awake, my soul! and with the sun," etc. + + * * * * * + +Among the visitors who called to offer me a welcome to the West, were +Mr. and Miss Cadle, who were earnestly engaged in the first steps of +their afterwards flourishing enterprise for the education of Indian and +half-breed children. The school-houses and chapel were not yet erected, +but we visited their proposed site, and listened with great interest to +bright anticipations of the future good that was to be accomplished--the +success that was to crown their efforts for taming the heathen and +teaching them the knowledge of their Saviour and the blessings of +civilized life. The sequel has shown how little the zeal of the few can +accomplish, when opposed to the cupidity of the many. + +Our evening party went off as parties do elsewhere. The most interesting +feature to me, because the most novel, was the conversation of some +young ladies to whom I was introduced, natives of Green Bay or its +vicinity. Their mother was a Menomonee, but their father was a +Frenchman, a descendant of a settler some generations back, and who, +there is reason to believe, was a branch of the same family of Grignon +to which the daughter of Madame de Sévigné belonged. At least, it is +said there are in the possession of the family many old papers and +records which would give that impression, although the orthography of +the name has become slightly changed. Be that as it may, the Miss +Grignons were strikingly dignified, well-bred young ladies, and there +was a charm about their soft voices, and original, unsophisticated +remarks, very attractive to a stranger. + +They opened to me, however, a new field of apprehension; for, on my +expressing my great impatience to see my new home, they exclaimed, with +a look of wonder,-- + +"_Vous n'avez donc pas peur des serpens_?" + +"Snakes! was it possible there were snakes at Fort Winnebago?" + +"At the Portage! oh! yes--one can never walk out for +them--rattle-snakes--copper-heads--all sorts!" + +I am not naturally timid, but I must confess that the idea of the +_serpens sonnettes_ and the _siffleurs_ was not quite a subject of +indifference. + +There was one among these young ladies whose tall, graceful figure, +rich, blooming complexion, and dark, glancing eye, would have +distinguished her in any drawing-room--and another, whose gentle +sweetness and cultivated taste made it a matter of universal regret that +she was afterwards led to adopt the seclusion of a convent. + +Captain Harney and his boat arrived in due time, and active preparations +far the comfort of our journey commenced under the kind supervision of +Mrs. Doty. The mess-basket was stowed with good things of every +description--ham and tongue--biscuit and plum-cake--not to mention the +substantiate of crackers, bread, and boiled pork, the latter of which, +however, a lady was supposed to be too fastidious to think of touching, +even if starving in the woods. + +We had engaged three Canadian voyageurs to take charge of our tent, +mess-basket, and matters and things in general. Their business it was to +be to cut the wood for our fires, prepare our meals, and give a helping +hand to whatever was going forward. A messenger had also been sent to +the Kakalin, or rapids, twenty-one miles above, to notify +_Wish-tay-yun_,[3] the most accomplished guide through the difficult +passes of the river, to be in readiness for our service on a specified +day. + +In the mean time, we had leisure for one more party, and it was to be a +"real Western hop." Everybody will remember that dance at Mrs. Baird's. +All the people, young and old, that would be gathered throughout, or, as +it was the fashion to express it, _on_ Green Bay, were assembled. The +young officers were up from Fort Howard, looking so smart in their +uniforms--treasures of finery, long uncalled forth, were now brought to +light--everybody was bound to do honor to the strangers by appearing in +their very best. It was to be an entertainment unequalled by any given +before. All the house was put in requisition for the occasion. Desks and +seats were unceremoniously dismissed from Mr. B.'s office, which formed +one wing, to afford more space for the dancers. Not only the front +portion of the dwelling, but even the kitchen was made fit for the +reception of company, in case any primitive visitor, as was sometimes +the case, should prefer sitting down quietly there and smoking his +cigar. This was an emergency that, in those days, had always to be +provided for. + +Nothing could exceed the mirth and hilarity of the company. No +restraint, but of good manners--no excess of conventionalities--genuine, +hearty good-humor and enjoyment, such as pleasant, hospitable people, +with just enough of the French element to add zest to anything like +amusement, could furnish, to make the entertainment agreeable. In a +country so new, and where, in a social gathering, the number of the +company was more important than the quality, the circle was not always, +strictly speaking, select. + +I was aware of this, and was therefore more amused than surprised when a +clumsy little man, with a broad, red, laughing face, waddled across the +room to where I had taken my seat after a dance, and thus addressed me: + +"_Miss_ K----, nobody hain't never introduced you to me, but I've seen +you a good many times, and I know your husband very well, so I thought I +might just as well come and speak to you--my name is A----." + +"Ah! Mr. A----, good-evening. I hope you are enjoying yourself. How is +your sister?" + +"Oh! she is a great deal worse--her cold has got into her eye, and it is +all _shot up_." + +Then turning full upon a lady[4] who sat near, radiant with youth and +beauty, sparkling with wit and genuine humor: + +"Oh! Mrs. Beall," he began, "what a beautiful gown you have got on, and +how handsome you do look! I declare you're the prettiest woman in the +room, and dance the handsomest." + +"Indeed, Mr. A----," replied she, suppressing her love of fun and +assuming a demure look, "I am afraid you flatter me." + +"No, I don't--I'm in earnest. I've just come to ask you to dance." + +Such was the penalty of being too charming. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +VOYAGE UP FOX RIVER. + + +It had been arranged that Judge Doty should accompany us in our boat as +far as the Butte des Morts, at which place his attendant would be +waiting with horses to convey him to Mineral Point, where he was to hold +court. + +It was a bright and beautiful morning when we left his pleasant home, to +commence our passage up the Fox River Captain Harney was proposing to +remain a few days longer at "the Bay," but he called to escort us to the +boat and instal us in all its comforts. + +As he helped me along over the ploughed ground and other inequalities in +our way to the river-bank, where the boat lay, he told me how +impatiently Mrs. Twiggs, the wife of the commanding officer, who since +the past spring had been the only white lady at Fort Winnebago, was now +expecting a companion and friend. We had met in New York, shortly after +her marriage, and were, therefore, not quite unacquainted. I, for my +part, felt sure that when there were two of our sex--when my piano was +safely there--when the Post Library which we had purchased should be +unpacked--when all should be fairly arranged and settled, we should be, +although far away in the wilderness, the happiest little circle +imaginable. All my anticipations were of the most sanguine and cheerful +character. + +It was a moderate-sized Mackinac boat, with a crew of soldiers, and our +own three voyageurs in addition, that lay waiting for us--a dark-looking +structure of some thirty feet in length. Placed in the centre was a +frame-work of slight posts, supporting a roof of canvas, with curtains +of the same, which might be let down at the sides and ends, after the +manner of a country stage-coach, or rolled up to admit the light and +air. + +In the midst of this little cabin or saloon was placed the box +containing my piano, and on it a mattress, which was to furnish us a +divan through the day and a place of repose at night, should the weather +at any time prove too wet or unpleasant for encamping. The boxes of +silver, with which my husband was to pay the annuities due his red +children, by treaty-stipulation, were stowed next. Our mess-basket was +in a convenient vicinity, and we had purchased a couple of large square +covered baskets of the Waubanakees, or New York Indians, to hold our +various necessary articles of outward apparel and bedding, and at the +same time to answer as very convenient little work or dinner-tables. + +As a true daughter of New England, it is to be taken for granted I had +not forgotten to supply myself with knitting-work and embroidery. Books +and pencils were a matter of course. + +The greater part of our furniture, together with the various articles +for housekeeping with which we had supplied ourselves in New York and +Detroit, were to follow in another boat, under the charge of people +whose business it professed to be to take cargoes safely up the rapids +and on to Fort Winnebago. This was an enterprise requiring some three +weeks of time and a great amount of labor, so that the owners of the +goods transported might think themselves happy to receive them at last, +however wet, broken, and dilapidated their condition might be. It was +for this reason that we took our choicest possessions with us, even at +the risk of being a little crowded. + +Until now I had never seen a gentleman attired in a colored shirt, a +spotless white collar and bosom being one of those "notions" that +"Boston," and consequently New England "folks," entertained of the +becoming in a gentleman's toilette. Mrs. Cass had laughingly forewarned +me that not only calico shirts but patch-work pillow-cases were an +indispensable part of a travelling equipment; and, thanks to the taste +and skill of some tidy little Frenchwoman, I found our divan-pillows all +accommodated in the brightest and most variegated garb. + +The Judge and my husband were gay with the deepest of blue and pink. +Each was prepared, besides, with a bright red cap (a _bonnet rouge_, or +_tuque_, as the voyageurs call it), which, out of respect for the lady, +was to be donned only when a hearty dinner, a dull book, or the want of +exercise made an afternoon nap indispensable. + +The Judge was an admirable travelling companion. He had lived many years +in the country, had been with General Cass on his expedition to the +head-waters of the Mississippi, and had a vast fund of anecdote +regarding early times, customs, and inhabitants. + +Some instances of the mode of administering justice in those days, I +happen to recall. + +There was an old Frenchman at the Bay, named Réaume, excessively +ignorant and grasping, although otherwise tolerably good-natured. This +man was appointed justice of the peace. Two men once appeared before +him, the one as plaintiff, the other as defendant. The justice listened +patiently to the complaint of the one and the defence of the other; +then rising, with dignity, he pronounced his decision: + +"You are both wrong. You, Bois-vert," to the plaintiff, "you bring me +one load of hay; and you, Crély," to the defendant, "you bring me one +load of wood; and now the matter is settled." It does not appear that +any exceptions were taken to this verdict. + +This anecdote led to another, the scene of which was Prairie du Chien, +on the Mississippi. + +There was a Frenchman, a justice of the peace, who was universally known +by the name of "Old Boilvin." His office was just without the walls of +the fort, and it was much the fashion among the officers to lounge in +there of a morning, to find sport for an idle hour, and to take a glass +of brandy-and-water with the old gentleman, which he called "taking a +little _quelque-chose."_ + +A soldier, named Fry, had been accused of stealing and killing a calf +belonging to M. Rolette, and the constable, a bricklayer of the name of +Bell, had been dispatched to arrest the culprit and bring him to trial. + +While the gentlemen were making their customary morning visit to the +justice, a noise was heard in the entry, and a knock at the door. + +"Come in," cried Old Boilvin, rising and walking toward the door. + +_Bell_,--Here, sir, I have brought Fry to you, as you ordered. + +_Justice_--Fry, you great rascal! What for you kill M. Rolette's calf? + +_Fry_,--I did not kill M. Rolette's calf. + +_Justice_ (shaking his fist).--You lie, you great ---- rascal! Bell, +take him to jail. Come, gentlemen, come, _let us take a leetle +quelque-chose_. + + * * * * * + +The Canadian boatmen always sing while rowing or paddling, and nothing +encourages them so much as to hear the "bourgeois"[5] take the lead in +the music. If the passengers, more especially those of the fair sex, +join in the refrain, the compliment is all the greater. + +Their songs are of a light, cheerful character, generally embodying some +little satire or witticism, calculated to produce a spirited, sometimes +an uproarious, chorus. + +The song and refrain are carried on somewhat in the following style: + + BOURGEOIS.--Par-derrière chez ma tante, + Par-derrière chez ma tante. + + CHORUS.--Par-derrière chez ma tante, + Par-derrière chez ma tante. + + BOURGEOIS.--Il y a un coq qui chante, + Des pommes, des poires, des raves, des choux, + Des figues nouvelles, des raisins doux. + + CHORUS.--Des pommes, des poires, des raves, des choux, + Des figues nouvelles, des raisins doux. + + BOURGEOIS.--Il y a un coq qui chante, + Il y a un coq qui chante. + + CHORUS.--Il y a un coq qui chante, etc. + + BOURGEOIS.--Demande une femme à prendre, + Des pommes, des poires, des raves, des choux, etc. + + CHORUS.--Des pommes, dos poires, etc. + + BOURGEOIS.--Demande une femme à prendre, + Demande une femme à, etc. + +And thus it continues until the advice is given successively, + + Ne prenez pas une noire, + Car elles aiment trop à boire, + Ne prenez pas une rousse, + Car elles sont trop jalouses. + +And by the time all the different qualifications are rehearsed and +objected to, lengthened out by the interminable repetition of the +chorus, the shout of the bourgeois is heard-- + +"Whoop la! à terre, à terre--pour la pipe!" + +It is an invariable custom for the voyageurs to stop every five or six +miles to rest and smoke, so that it was formerly the way of measuring +distances--"so many pipes," instead of "so many miles." + +The Canadian melodies are sometimes very beautiful, and a more +exhilarating mode of travel can hardly be imagined than a voyage over +these waters, amid all the wild magnificence of nature, with the +measured strokes of the oar keeping time to the strains of "_Le Rosier +Blanc_," "En roulant ma Boule_," or "_Lève ton pied, ma jolie Bergère."_ + +The climax of fun seemed to be in a comic piece, which, however oft +repeated, appeared never to grow stale. It was somewhat after this +fashion: + + BOURGEOIS.--Michaud est monté dans un prunier, + Pour treiller des prunes. + La branche a cassé-- + + CHORUS.--Michaud a tombé? + + BOURGEOIS.--Ou est-ce qu'il est? + + CHORUS.--Il est en bas. + + BOURGEOIS.--Oh! reveille, reveille, reveille, + Oh! reveille, Michaud est en haut![6] + +It was always a point of etiquette to look astonished at the luck of +Michaud in remaining in the tree, spite of the breaking of the branch, +and the joke had to be repeated through all the varieties of +fruit-trees that Michaud might be supposed able to climb. + +By evening of the first day we arrived at _the Kakalin_, where another +branch of the Grignon family resided. We were very pleasantly +entertained, although, in my anxiety to begin my forest life, I would +fain have had the tent pitched on the bank of the river, and have laid +aside, at once, the indulgences of civilization. This, however, would +have been a slight, perhaps an affront; so we did much better, and +partook of the good cheer that was offered us in the shape of hot +venison steaks and crêpes, and that excellent cup of coffee which none +can prepare like a Frenchwoman, and which is so refreshing after a day +in the open air. + +The Kakalin is a rapid of the Fox River, sufficiently important to make +the portage of the heavy lading of a boat necessary; the boat itself +being poled or dragged up with cords against the current. It is one of a +series of rapids and _chûtes_, or falls, which occur between this point +and Lake Winnebago, twenty miles above. + +The next morning, after breakfast, we took leave of our hosts, and +prepared to pursue our journey. The bourgeois, from an early hour, had +been occupied in superintending his men in getting the boat and its +loading over the Kakalin. As the late rains had made the paths through +the woods and along the banks of the river somewhat muddy and +uncomfortable for walking, I was put into an ox-cart, to be jolted over +the unequal road; saluting impartially all the stumps and stones that +lay in our way, the only means of avoiding which seemed to be when the +little, thick-headed Frenchman, our conductor, bethought him of suddenly +guiding his cattle into a projecting tree or thorn-bush, to the great +detriment not only of my straw bonnet, but of my very eyes. + +But we got through at last, and, arriving at the head of the rapids, I +found the boat lying there, all in readiness for our re-embarking. + +Our Menomonee guide, _Wish-tay-yun_, a fine, stalwart Indian, with an +open, good-humored, one might almost say _roguish_ countenance, came +forward to be presented to me. + +"_Bon-jour, bon-jour, maman_," was his laughing salutation. Again I was +surprised, not as before at the French, for to that I had become +accustomed, but at the respectable title he was pleased to bestow upon +me. + +"Yes," said my husband, "you must make up your mind to receive a very +numerous and well-grown family, consisting of all the Winnebagoes, +Pottowattamies, Chippewas, and Ottawas, together with such Sioux, Sacs +and Foxes, and Iowas, as have any point to gain in applying to me. By +the first-named tribe in virtue of my office, and by the others as a +matter of courtesy, I am always addressed as '_father_'--you, of course, +will be their '_mother_.'" + +Wish-tay-yun and I were soon good friends, my husband interpreting to me +the Chippewa language in which he spoke. We were impatient to be off, +the morning being already far advanced, and, all things being in +readiness, the word was given: + +"_Pousse au large, mes gens!_" (Push out, my men). + +At this moment a boat was seen leaving the opposite bank of the river +and making towards us. It contained white men, and they showed by signs +that they wished to detain us until they came up. They drew near, and we +found them to be Mr. Marsh, a missionary among the Waubanakees, or the +New York Indians, lately brought into this country, and the Rev. Eleazar +Williams,[7] who was at that time living among his red brethren on the +right bank of the Fox River. + +To persons so situated, even more emphatically than to those of the +settlements, the arrival of visitors from the "east countrie" was a +godsend indeed. We had to give all the news of various kinds that we had +brought--political, ecclesiastical, and social--as well as a tolerably +detailed account of what we proposed to do, or rather what we hoped to +be able to do, among our native children at the Portage. + +I was obliged, for my part, to confess that, being almost entirely a +stranger to the Indian character and habits, I was going among them with +no settled plans of any kind--general good-will, and a hope of making +them my friends, being the only principles I could lay claim to at +present. I must leave it for time and a better acquaintance to show me +in what way the principle could be carried out for their greatest good. + +Mr. Williams was a dark-complexioned, good-looking man. Having always +heard him spoken of, by his relations in Connecticut, as "our Indian +cousin," it never occurred to me to doubt his belonging to that race, +although I now think that if I had met him elsewhere I should have taken +him for a Spaniard or a Mexican. His complexion had decidedly more of +the olive than the copper hue, and his countenance was grave, almost +melancholy. He was very silent during this interview, asking few +questions, and offering no observations except in reply to some question +addressed to him. + +It was a hard pull for the men up the rapids. Wish-tay-yun, whose clear, +sonorous voice was the bugle of the party, shouted and whooped--each one +answered with a chorus, and a still more vigorous effort. By-and-by the +boat would become firmly set between two huge stones-- + +"Whoop la! whoop! whoop!" + +Another pull, and another, straining every nerve--in vain. + +"She will not budge!" + +"Men, overboard!" and instantly every rower is over the side and into +the water. + +By pulling, pushing, and tugging, the boat is at length released from +her position, and the men walk along beside her, helping and guiding +her, until they reach a space of comparatively smooth water, when they +again take their seats and their oars. + +It will be readily imagined that there were few songs this day, but very +frequent _pipes_, to refresh the poor fellows after such an arduous +service. + +It was altogether a new spectacle to me. In fact, I had hardly ever +before been called upon to witness severe bodily exertion, and my +sympathies and sensibilities were, for this reason, the more enlisted on +the occasion. It seemed a sufficient hardship to have to labor in this +violent manner; but to walk in cold water up to their waists, and then +to sit down in their soaking garments without going near a fire! Poor +men! this was too much to be borne! What, then, was my consternation to +see my husband, who, shortly after our noon-tide meal, had surprised me +by making his appearance in a pair of duck trowsers and light jacket, at +the first cry of "Fast, again!" spring over into the water with the men, +and "bear a hand" throughout the remainder of the long stretch! + +When he returned on board, it was to take the oar of a poor, +delicate-looking boy, one of the company of soldiers, who from the first +had suffered with bleeding at the nose on every unusual exertion. I was +not surprised, on inquiring, to find that this lad was a recruit just +entered the service. He passed by the name of Gridley, but that was +undoubtedly an assumed name. He had the appearance of having been +delicately nurtured, and had probably enlisted without at all +appreciating the hardships and discomforts of a soldier's life. This is +evident from the dissatisfaction he always continued to feel, until at +length he deserted from his post. This was some months subsequent to the +time of which I am writing. He was once retaken, and kept for a time in +confinement, but immediately on his release deserted again, and his +remains were found the following spring, not many miles from the fort. +He had died, either of cold or starvation. This is a sad interlude--we +will return to our boating. + +With all our tugging and toiling, we had accomplished but thirteen miles +since leaving the Kakalin, and it was already late when we arrived in +view of the "Grande Chûte," near which we were to encamp. + +We had passed the "Little Chûte" (the spot where the town of Appleton +now stands) without any further observation than that it required a vast +deal of extra exertion to buffet with the rushing stream and come off, +as we did, victorious. + +The brilliant light of the setting sun was resting on the high wooded +banks through which broke the beautiful, foaming, dashing waters of the +Chûte. The boat was speedily turned towards a little headland projecting +from the left bank, which had the advantage of a long strip of level +ground, sufficiently spacious to afford a good encamping ground. I +jumped ashore before the boat was fairly pulled up by the men, and with +the Judge's help made my way as rapidly as possible to a point lower +down the river, from which, he said, the best view of the Chûte could be +obtained. I was anxious to make a sketch before the daylight quite faded +away. + +The left bank of the river was to the west, and over a portion less +elevated than the rest the sun's parting rays fell upon the boat, the +men with their red caps and belts, and the two tents already pitched. +The smoke now beginning to ascend from the evening fires, the high +wooded bank beyond, up which the steep portage path could just be +discerned, and, more remote still, the long stretch of waterfall now +darkening in the shadow of the overhanging forests, formed a lovely +landscape, to which the pencil of an artist could alone do justice. + +This was my first encampment, and I was quite enchanted with the novelty +of everything about me. + +The fires had been made of small saplings and underbrush, hastily +collected, the mildness of the weather rendering anything beyond what +sufficed for the purposes of cooking and drying the men's clothes, +superfluous. The soldiers' tent was pitched at some distance from our +own, but not too far for us to hear distinctly their laughter and +apparent enjoyment after the fatigues of the day. + +Under the careful superintendence of Corporal Kilgour, however, their +hilarity never passed the bounds of respectful propriety, and, by the +time we had eaten our suppers, cooked in the open air with the simple +apparatus of a tea-kettle and frying-pan, we were, one and all, ready to +retire to our rest. + +The first sound that saluted our ears in the early dawn of the following +morning, was the far-reaching call of the bourgeois: + +"How! how! how!" uttered at the very top of his voice. + +All start at that summons, and the men are soon turning out of their +tents, or rousing from their slumbers beside the fire, and preparing for +the duties of the day. + +The fire is replenished, the kettles set on to boil, the mess-baskets +opened, and a portion of their contents brought forth to be made ready +for breakfast. One Frenchman spreads our mat within the tent, whence the +bedding has all been carefully removed and packed up for stowing in the +boat. The tin cups and plates are placed around on the new-fashioned +table-cloth. The heavy dews make it a little too damp for us to +breakfast in the open air; otherwise our preparations would be made +outside, upon the green grass. In an incredibly short time our smoking +coffee and broiled ham are placed before us, to which are added, from +time to time, slices of toast brought hot and fresh from the glowing +coals. + +There is, after all, no breakfast like a breakfast in the woods, with a +well-trained Frenchman for master of ceremonies. + +It was a hard day's work to which the men now applied themselves, that +of dragging the heavy boat up the Chûte. It had been thought safest to +leave the piano in its place on board, but the rest of the lading had to +be carried up the steep bank, and along its summit, a distance of some +hundreds of rods, to the smooth water beyond, where all the difficulties +of our navigation terminated. + +The Judge kindly took charge of me while "the bourgeois" superintended +this important business, and with reading, sketching, and strolling +about, the morning glided away. Twelve o'clock came, and still the +preparations for starting were not yet completed. + +In my rambles about to seek out some of the finest of the wild flowers +for a bouquet, before my husband's return, I came upon the camp-fire of +the soldiers. A tall, red-faced, light-haired young man in fatigue dress +was attending a kettle of soup, the savory steams of which were very +attractive. + +Seeing that I was observing his occupation, he politely ladled out a +tin-cupful of the liquid and offered it to me. + +I declined it, saying we should have our dinner immediately. + +"They left me here to get their dinner," said he, apparently not +displeased to have some one to talk to; "and I thought I might as well +make some soup. Down on the German Flats, where I come from, they always +like soup." + +"Ah! you are from the German Flats--then your name must be Bellinger or +Weber." + +"No, it isn't--it's Krissman." + +"Well, Krissman, how do you like the service?" + +"Very well. I was only recruited last summer. I used to ride horse on +the _Canawl_, and, as I can blow a horn first-rate, I expect I will soon +be able to play on a bugle, and then, when I get to be musician, you +know, I shall have extra pay." + +I did not know it, but I expressed due pleasure at the information, and +wishing Krissman all manner of success in his dreams of ambition, or +rather, I should say, of avarice, for the hopes of "extra pay" evidently +preponderated over those of fame, I returned to my own quarters. + +My husband, with his French tastes, was inclined to be somewhat +disappointed when I told him of this little incident, and my refusal of +Krissman's soup; but we were soon gratified by seeing his tall, awkward +form bearing a kettle of the composition, which he set down before the +two gentlemen, by whom, to his infinite satisfaction, it was pronounced +excellent. + +Everything being at length in readiness, the tents were struck and +carried around the Portage, and my husband, the Judge, and I followed at +our leisure. + +The woods were brilliant with wild flowers, although it was so late in +the season that the glory of the summer was well-nigh past. But the +lupin, the moss-pink, and the yellow wallflower, with all the varieties +of the helianthus, the aster, and the solidago, spread their gay charms +around. The gentlemen gathered clusters of the bittersweet (celastrus +scandens) from the overhanging boughs to make a wreath for my hat, as we +trod the tangled pathway, which, like that of Christabel, was + +"Now in glimmer and now in gloom," + +through the alternations of open glade and shady thicket. Soon, like the +same lovely heroine, + +"We reached the place--right glad we were," + +and, without further delay, we were again on board our little boat and +skimming over the now placid waters. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +WINNEBAGO LAKE--MISS FOUR-LEGS. + + +Our encampment this night was the most charming that can be imagined. +Owing to the heavy service the men had gone through in the earlier part +of the day, we took but a short stage for the afternoon, and, having +pulled some seven or eight miles to a spot a short distance below the +"little Butte," we drew in at a beautiful opening among the trees. + +The soldiers now made a regular business of encamping, by cutting down a +large tree for their fire and applying themselves to the preparing of a +sufficient quantity of food for their next day's journey, a long +stretch, namely, of twenty-one miles across Winnebago Lake. Our +Frenchmen did the same. The fire caught in the light dry grass by which +we were surrounded, and soon all was blaze and crackle. + +Fortunately the wind was sufficient to take the flames all in one +direction, and, besides, there was not enough fuel to have made them a +subject of any alarm. We hopped upon the fallen logs, and dignified the +little circumscribed affair with the name of "a prairie on fire." The +most serious inconvenience was its having consumed all the dry grass, +some armfuls of which, spread under the bear-skin in my tent, I had +found, the night before, a great improvement to my place of repose. + +Our supper was truly delightful, at the pleasant sunset hour, under the +tall trees beside the waters that ran murmuring by; and when the bright, +broad moon arose, and shed her flood of light over the scene, so wild +yet so beautiful in its vast solitude, I felt that I might well be an +object of envy to the friends I had left behind. + +But all things have an end, and so must at last my enthusiasm for the +beauties around me, and, albeit unwillingly, I closed my tent and took +my place within, so near the fall of canvas that I could raise it +occasionally and peep forth upon the night. + +In time all was quiet. The men had become silent, and appeared to have +retired to rest, and we were just sinking to our slumbers, when a heavy +tread and presently a bluff voice were heard outside. + +"Mr. Kinzie! Mr. Kinzie!" + +"Who is there? What is it?" + +"I'm Krissman; didn't you mean, sir, that the men should have any liquor +to-night?" + +"Of course I did. Has not Kilgour given out your rations?" + +"No: he says you did not say anything particular about it, and he was +not coming to ask you if you forgot it; but I thought I wouldn't be +bashful--I'd just come and ask.'" + +"That is right. Tell Kilgour I should like to have him serve out a +ration apiece." + +"Thank you, sir," in a most cheerful tone; "I'll tell him." + +Krissman was getting to be quite a character with us. + +A row of a few miles, on the following morning, brought us to Four-Legs' +village,[8] at the entrance to Winnebago Lake, a picturesque cluster of +Indian huts, spread around on a pretty green glade, and shaded by fine +lofty trees. + +We were now fairly in the Winnebago country, and I soon learned that the +odd-sounding name of the place was derived from the principal chief of +the nation, whose residence it was. The inhabitants were absent, having, +in all probability, departed to their wintering grounds. We here took +leave of our friend Wish-tay-yun, at the borders of whose country we had +now arrived. + +"_Bon-jour, Chon!_" (John:) "_bon-jour, maman_." A hearty shake of the +hand completed his adieu, as we pushed off into the lake, and left him +smoking his kin-nee-kin-nick[9] and waiting until the spirit should move +him to take up his long _Indian trot_ towards his home in the Menomonee +country. + +With him our sunshine seemed to have departed. The skies, hitherto so +bright and serene, became overcast, and, instead of the charming voyage +we had anticipated over the silver waters of the lake, we were obliged +to keep ourselves housed under our canvas shelter, only peeping out now +and then to catch a glimpse of the surrounding prospect through the +pouring rain. + +It was what might have been expected on an autumnal day, but we were +unreasonable enough to find it tedious; so, to beguile the time and +lessen my disappointment, my husband related to me some incidents of his +early history, apropos to the subject of "Four-Legs." + +While he was living at Prairie du Chien, in the employ of the American +Fur Company, the chiefs and other Indians from the Upper Mississippi +used frequently to come to the place to sell their furs and peltries, +and to purchase merchandise, ammunition, trinkets, etc. + +As is usual with all who are not yet acclimated, he was seized with +chills and fever. One day, while suffering with an unusually severe +access of the latter, a chief of the Four-Legs family, a brother to the +one before mentioned, came in to the Company's warehouse to trade. There +is no ceremony or restraint among the Indians: so, hearing that +Shaw-nee-aw-kee was sick, Four-Legs instantly made his way to him, to +offer his sympathy and prescribe the proper remedies. + +Every one who has suffered from ague and the intense fever that succeeds +it, knows how insupportable is the protracted conversation of an +inconsiderate person, and will readily believe that the longer Four-Legs +continued his pratings the higher mounted the fever of the patient, and +the more intolerable became the pain of head, back, and limbs. + +At length the old man arrived at the climax of what he had to say. "It +was not good for a young man, suffering with sickness, and away from his +family, to be without a home and a wife. He had a nice daughter at home, +handsome and healthy, a capital nurse, the best hand in all the tribe at +trapping beaver and musk-rats. He was coming down again in the spring, +and he would bring her with him, and Shaw-nee-aw-kee should see that he +had told no falsehood about her. Should he go now, and bring his +daughter the next time he came?" + +Stunned with his importunate babble, and anxious only for rest and +quiet, poor Shaw-nee-aw-kee eagerly assented, and the chief took his +departure. + +So nearly had his disorder been aggravated to delirium, that the young +man forgot entirely, for a time, the interview and the proposal which +had been made him. But it was recalled to his memory some months after, +when Four-Legs made his appearance, bringing with him a squaw of mature +age, and a very Hecate for ugliness. She carried on her shoulders an +immense pack of furs, which, approaching with her awkward _criss-cross_ +gait, she threw at his feet, thus marking, by an Indian custom, her +sense of the relation that existed between them. + +The conversation with her father now flashed across his mind, and he +began to be sensible that he had got into a position that it would +require some skill to extricate himself from. + +He bade one of the young clerks take up the pack and carry it into the +magazine where the furs were stored; then he coolly went on talking with +the chief about indifferent matters. + +_Miss Four-Legs_ sat awhile with a sulky, discontented air; at length +she broke out,-- + +"Humph! he seems to take no more notice of me than if I was nobody!" + +He again turned to the clerk.--"Give her a calico shirt and half a dozen +bread-tickets." + +This did not dissipate the gloom on her countenance. Finding that he +must commence the subject, the father says,-- + +"Well, I have brought you my daughter, according to our agreement. How +do you like her?" + +"Ah, yes--she is a very nice young woman, and would make a first-rate +wife, I have no doubt. But do you know a very strange thing has happened +since you were here? Our father, Governor Cass,[10] has sent for me to +come to Detroit, that he may send me among the Wyandottes and other +nations to learn their customs and manners. Now, if I go, as I shall be +obliged to do, I shall be absent two or three years,--perhaps four. What +then? Why, the people will say, Shaw-nee-aw-kee has married Four-Legs' +daughter, and then has hated her and run away from her, and so everybody +will laugh at her, and she will be ashamed. It will be better to take +some good, valuable presents, blankets, guns, etc., and to marry her to +one of her own people, who will always stay by her and take care of +her." + +The old man was shrewd enough to see that it was wisest to make the best +bargain he could. I have no doubt it cost a round sum to settle the +matter to the satisfaction of the injured damsel, though I have never +been able to ascertain how much. This I know, that the young gentleman +took care not to make his next bargain while in a fit of the ague. The +lady up on the Mississippi is called, in derision, by his name to this +day. + +About midway of the lake we passed Garlic Island--a lovely spot, +deserving of a more attractive name. It belonged, together with the +village on the opposite shore, to "Wild Cat," a fat, jolly, good-natured +fellow, by no means the formidable animal his name would imply. + +He and his band were absent, like their neighbors of Four-Legs' +village, so there was nothing to vary the monotony of our sail. It was +too wet to sing, and the men, although wrapped in their overcoats, +looked like drowned chickens. They were obliged to ply their oars with +unusual vigor to keep themselves warm and comfortable, and thus probably +felt less than we, the dulness and listlessness of the cold, rainy, +October day. + +Towards evening the sun shone forth. We had passed into the Fox River, +and were just entering that beautiful little expanse known as Butte des +Morts Lake, at the farther extremity of which we were to encamp for the +night. + +The water along its shores was green with the fields of wild rice, the +gathering of which, just at this season, is an important occupation of +the Indian women. They push their canoes into the thick masses of the +rice, bend it forward over the side with their paddles, and then beat +the ripe husks off the stalks into a cloth spread in the canoe. After +this, it is rubbed to separate the grain from the husk, and fanned in +the open air. It is then put in their cordage bags and packed away for +winter use. The grain is longer and more slender than the Carolina +rice--it is of a greenish-olive color, and, although it forms a pleasant +article of food, it is far from being particularly nutritive. The +Indians are fond of it in the form of soup, with the addition of birds +or venison. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +BREAKFAST AT BETTY MORE'S. + + +The earth, the trees, and the shrubbery were all too much filled with +the heavy rain which had fallen to allow us to think of encamping, so we +made arrangements to bestow ourselves in our little saloon for the +night. It was rather a difficult matter to light a fire, but among the +underbrush, in a wild, undisturbed spot, there will always be found some +fragments of dried branches, and tufts of grass which the rain has not +reached, and by the assistance of the spunk, or light-wood, with which +travellers always go well provided, a comforting fire was at length +blazing brightly. + +After our chilling, tedious day, it was pleasant to gather round it, to +sit on the end of the blazing logs, and watch the Frenchmen preparing +our supper--the kettle nestling in a little nook of bright glowing +coals--the slices of ham browning and crisping on the forked sticks, or +"broches," which the voyageurs dexterously cut, and set around the +burning brands--- the savory messes of "pork and onions" hissing in the +frying-pan, always a tempting regale to the hungry Frenchmen. Truly, it +needs a wet, chilly journey, taken nearly fasting, as ours had been, to +enable one to enjoy to its full extent that social meal--a supper. + +The bright sun, setting amid brilliant masses of clouds, such as are +seen only in our Western skies, gave promise of a fine day on the +morrow, with which comforting assurance we were glad to take our leave +of him, and soon after of each other. + +We had hardly roused up the following morning, in obedience to the call +of the bourgeois, when our eyes were greeted with the sight of an +addition to our company--a tall, stalwart, fine-looking young _mitiff_, +or half-breed, accompanied by two or three Indians. Vociferous and +joyous were the salutations of the latter to their "father" and their +new "mother." They were the first Winnebagoes I had seen, and they were +decidedly not the finest specimens of their tribe. The mitiff, a scion +of the wide-spreading tree of the Grignons, was the bearer of an +invitation to us from Judge Law, who, with one or two Green Bay friends, +was encamped a few miles above, to come and breakfast with him in his +tent. We had not dreamed of finding white neighbors here, but our +vicinity could be no secret to them, as long as there was an Indian in +the neighborhood. So, delaying only for the soldiers to finish their +breakfast, we pushed on for the "Butte des Morts," or, as Mrs. A always +persisted in calling it, _Betty More's_. + +The white tent of the Judge gleamed in the morning sun as we approached +the little rising ground on which it stood. The river was filled with +canoes, paddled principally by squaws. Many Indians were to be seen on +the banks, all with their guns and hunting accoutrements, for the air +was filled in every direction with flocks of teal, which at this season +are most abundant and delicious. The immense fields of wild rice +abounding here and in the little lake below, make this vicinity their +favorite place of resort in the autumn months. The effect of this +nourishing food is to make the flesh of the birds so fat, so white, and +so tender, that a caution is always given to a young sportsman to fire +only at such as fly very low, for if shot high in the air they are +bruised to pieces and rendered unfit for eating by their fall to the +ground. + +We were hemmed in by a little fleet of canoes which surrounded us, the +women chattering, laughing, and eagerly putting forward their little +wooden bowls of fresh cranberries as an offering of welcome to me. + +I amused myself with tossing crackers to them, some of which would reach +them, others would fall into the water, and then such a scrambling and +shouting! Hands and paddles were in requisition, and loud was the +triumph of her who was successful in reaching a floating one. + +Among the Indians with whom Shaw-nee-aw-kee was now engaged in shaking +hands, and who all seemed old friends, were many fine, straight, +well-formed figures, all of them exhibiting frames capable of enduring +fatigue and the hardships of their mode of life. One was describing with +much gesticulation the abundance of the game in the neighborhood, and he +seemed greatly delighted at receiving a quantity of ammunition, with +which he instantly departed to make good his boasts in the matter. + +After walking a short distance, we reached the tent, where I was +introduced to Judge Law and a pleasant little gray-haired French +gentleman of the name of Porlier. Several voyageurs and half-breeds were +near, the former busily at work, the latter lounging for the most part, +and going through with what they had to do with a sort of listless +indifference. + +The contrast between the "all-alive" air of the one class and the +apathetic manner of the other, was quite striking. + +After a short conversation among the members of the party, breakfast was +announced, and we entered the tent and took our seats on the ground +around the Indian mat which supplied the place of a table. + +The post of honor, namely, the _head_ of the table, was of course given +to me, so that I could not only look around upon the circle of the +company, but also enjoy a fine view out of the open door of the tent, +and take an observation of all that was going on at the _side-table_ +outside. Judge Doty sat opposite me, with his back to the opening of the +tent, and the other gentlemen on either hand. We had for our waiter the +tall "mitiff" who had been the messenger of the morning. He was still in +the same garb--calico shirt, bright-colored scarf around his waist, and +on his head a straw hat encircled with a band of black ostrich feathers, +the usual dress of his class. + +The tin cups which were to hold our coffee were duly set around, then +breakfast-plates of the same metal, with knives and forks; then followed +the viands, among the most conspicuous of which was a large tin pan of +boiled ducks. + +The Judge, wishing to show, probably, that, although we were in the vast +wilderness, all fastidious nicety had not been left behind, took up the +plate which had been set before him, and, seeing something adhering to +it which did not exactly please him, handed it over his shoulder to +Grignon, requesting him to wipe it carefully. Grignon complied by +pulling a black silk barcelona handkerchief out of his bosom, where it +had been snugly tucked away to answer any occasion that might present +itself, and, giving the tin a furious polishing, handed it back again. +The Judge looked at it with a smile of approbation, and giving a glance +around the table as much as to say, "You see how I choose to have things +done," applied himself to his breakfast. + +The trail for Fort Winnebago then led from the shore opposite Butte des +Morts, through _Ma-zhee-gaw-gaw_ swamp, and past Green Lake, and it was +well for the Judge that his horses stood waiting for him to "mount and +away" as early as possible after breakfast, or I am afraid the story I +should have been tempted to tell would have made his ride an +uncomfortable one throughout the day. + +We had hardly finished breakfast when our hunter, who had received the +ammunition, returned, bringing with him about fifty fine ducks, which he +had shot in little more than an hour. From that time until the close of +our journey our supply of these delicate birds was never wanting. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +BUTTE DES MORTS--LAKE PUCKAWAY. + + +The Butte des Morts, or Hillock of the Dead, was the scene long +since[11] of a most sanguinary battle between the French and the +Mis-qua-kees, or Foxes. So great was the carnage in this engagement, +that the memory of it has been perpetuated by the gloomy appellation +given to the mound where the dead were buried. The Foxes up to this time +had inhabited the shores of the river to which they had given their +name, but, being completely overwhelmed and beaten in this conflict, +they retired to the neighborhood of the Mississippi, and sought an +asylum among their allies, the Saukies, or, as they are now called, the +Sauks, with whom they became gradually incorporated, until the combined +tribes came to be known, as at present, by the name of "Sauks and +Foxes." + +Among the French inhabitants of the upper country, each tribe of Indians +has a particular appellation, descriptive of some peculiarity of either +their habits or their personal appearance. Thus, the Chippewas, from +their agility, are denominated "Sauteurs," or Jumpers; the Ottawas, the +"Courtes-oreilles," or Short-ears. The Menomonees, from the wild rice so +abundant in their country, are called "Folles Avoines;"--the +Winnebagoes, from their custom of wearing the fur of a polecat on their +legs when equipped for war, are termed "les Puans;"--the Pottowattamies, +from their uncleanly habits, "les Poux;"--the Foxes are "les Renards," +etc. etc. + +Hence you will never hear a French or half-breed resident of the country +mention an Indian in any other style. "Such a person is a +'Court-oreille.'" "Is that woman a 'Winnebago'?" "No, she is a 'Folle +Avoine.'" In this manner a stranger is somewhat puzzled at first to +classify the acquaintances he forms. + +All the native friends with whom we were here surrounded were "les +Puans," or, to use their own euphonious appellation, the +"_Ho-tshung-rahs_." + +Having with great regret said adieu to our friend Judge Doty, whose +society had contributed so much to the pleasure of our trip, and whose +example, moreover, had given us a valuable lesson to take things as we +find them, we bade good-bye at an early hour after breakfast to our kind +hosts, and set forward on our journey. + +From Butte des Morts to the Portage, the distance by land is about +seventy miles; by water, it is not less than a hundred and thirty, so +serpentine is the course of the river through the low swampy prairies +which stretch over a great portion of this part of the country. + +About six miles above the Butte, a tolerably broad stream, called Wolf +River, joins the Fox, and as it is much the more direct and promising of +the two, strangers have sometimes mistaken it for the main stream, and +journeyed up it a considerable distance before discovering, to their +great chagrin, that they must retrace their steps. + +Beyond this place, the river begins to play its pranks with the compass. +As I was always looking out for pretty scenery to sketch, I was at one +spot much attracted by a picturesque group on a bank quite close to the +stream. There were broad overhanging trees, and two or three wigwams +nestled under their shade. Bright-looking little children, quite +unencumbered with clothing, were sporting about, and their two mothers +were sitting on the ground, engaged in the manufacture of a mat for +their lodge. It was a pretty scene, and I commenced a sketch. As usual, +the whole party on the bank set up a shout when they recognized +Shaw-nee-aw-kee,-- + +"Ee-awn-chee-wee-rah, Hee-nee-kar-ray-kay-noo."[12] + +It was an occasion on which they became demonstrative. After a little +time we proceeded, and I went on to complete my drawing. The sun kept +coming more and more into the wrong place. He had been just behind me, +presently he was on my left hand, now he was straight ahead. I moved +from time to time; at length the sun was decidedly on my right hand. +What could be the matter? I looked up. "Oh, here is a pretty scene; I +must have this too! But how surprisingly like the one I have just +finished, only in a different direction." Again we were greeted with +shouts and laughter; it was the same spot which we had passed not an +hour before, and, having taken a circuit of nearly four miles, we had +returned to find that we had made an actual progress of only the width +of the bank on which the trees and wigwams stood. Decidedly not very +encouraging to an impatient traveller. + +We reached Lake Puckaway late in the evening of our second day from +Butte des Morts. Here lived a white man named Gleason, the same +concerning whom, owing to his vast powers of exaggeration, poor Hooe was +fond of uttering his little pun, "All is not gold that Gleasons." We did +not seek shelter at his house, for, late as the season was, we found the +shore so infested with mosquitoes that we were glad to choose a spot as +far as possible from the bank, and make ourselves comfortable in our +boat. + +This lake has its name from the long flags or rushes which are found in +its waters in great abundance, and of which the squaws manufacture the +coarse matting used in covering their wigwams. Their mode of fabricating +this is very primitive and simple. Seated on the ground, with the rushes +laid side by side, and fastened at each extremity, they pass their +shuttle, a long flat needle made of bone, to which is attached a piece +of cordage formed of the bark of a tree, through each rush, thus +confining it very closely, and making a fine substantial mat. These mats +are seldom more than five or six feet in length, as a greater size would +be inconvenient in adjusting and preparing the lodges. + +It is a species of labor usually assigned to the elder women of the +family. When they become broken down and worn out with exposure and +hardship, so that they cannot cut down trees, hoe corn, or carry heavy +burdens, they are set to weaving mats, taking care of the children, and +disciplining the dogs, with which every Indian lodge abounds. + +Lac de Boeuf, or Buffalo Lake, into which our course next brought us, is +a lovely sheet of water. In some places its banks are exceedingly +picturesque, with beautiful headlands jutting out into the clear depths, +where they, and the magnificent groups of trees which crown them, lie +reflected as in a mirror. Now and then we would catch a glimpse of deer +darting across the glades which at intervals opened through the +woodlands, or a pair of sand-hill cranes would rise, slowly flapping +their wings, and seek a place of more undisturbed repose. The flocks of +teal now skimming the surface of the water, now rising higher towards +the shelter of the forests, tempted our sportsman sorely; but, as there +was little prospect of finding his game when it was brought down, he did +not give way to the wanton pleasure of shooting merely to destroy life. + +In quitting this charming lake, and again entering the narrow, tortuous +course of the river, we bade adieu to everything like scenery, until we +should reach our journey's end. + +We had now seventy miles to pass through a country perfectly monotonous +and uninteresting, the distastefulness of which was aggravated by the +knowledge that we could, had we been provided with horses or a carriage +of any kind, have crossed over to the Portage from Gleason's, through a +pleasant country, in little more than three hours. Even our great +resource, the cheering, animating songs of our voyageurs, was out of the +question; for the river, though deep, is so narrow that, in many places, +there is no room for the regular play of the oars; and the voices of +Frenchmen can never "keep tune" unless their oars can "keep time." +Lapierre, one of our men, did his best with a paddle, or, as he called +it, the "_little row_," but it was to no purpose--it _would not go_. +Besides this, the wild rice abounds to such an extent in many places, +that it almost completely obstructs the progress of even a +moderate-sized boat, so that a passage through its tangled masses is +with difficulty forced by the oars. Tedious and monotonous as was the +whole course of the two following days, the climax of impatience and +discouragement was not reached until we arrived in sight of the white +walls of Fort Winnebago, looking down from a rising ground upon the vast +expanse of low land through which the river winds. + +The Indians have a tradition that a vast serpent once lived in the +waters of the Mississippi, and that, taking a freak to visit the Great +Lakes, he left his trail through the prairies, which, collecting the +waters from the meadows and the rains of heaven as they fell, at length +became the Fox River. + +The little lakes along its course were probably the spots where he +flourished about in his uneasy slumbers at night. He must have played +all the antics of a kitten in the neighborhood of the Portage. When the +fort was first pointed out to me, I exclaimed, with delight, "Oh, we +shall be there in half an hour!" + +"Not quite so soon," said my husband, smiling. "Wait and see." We sat +and watched. We seemed approaching the very spot where we were to +disembark. We could distinguish the officers and a lady on the bank +waiting to receive us. Now we were turning our backs on them, and +shooting out into the prairie again. Anon we approached another bank, on +which was a range of comfortable-looking log houses. "That's the +Agency," said my husband; "the largest house belongs to Paquette, the +interpreter, and the others are the dwellings of our Frenchmen. The +little building, just at the foot of the hill, is the blacksmith's shop, +kept there by the Government, that the Indians may have their guns and +traps mended free of expense." + +"But are we going to stop there?" + +"No; do you not see we are going back to the fort?" + +And, to be sure, our course had now turned, and we were setting in our +first direction. In this manner, after tacking to the right and left and +putting backwards and forwards during the greater part of two hours, we +at length reached the little landing, on which the assembled party stood +ready to greet us. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +FORT WINNEBAGO. + + +Major and Mrs. Twiggs, and a few of the younger officers (for nearly all +of the older ones were absent), with our brother Robert, or, as he is +called throughout all the Indian tribes, "Bob," gave us a cordial +welcome--how cordial those alone can know who have come, like us, to a +remote, isolated home in the wilderness. The Major insisted on our +taking possession at once of vacant quarters in the fort, instead of at +"the Agency," as had been proposed. + +"No--we must be under the same roof with them. Mrs. Twiggs had been +without a companion of her own sex for more than four months, and would +certainly not hear of a separation now. But we must be their guests +until the arrival of the boats containing our furniture," which, under +the care of our old acquaintance, Hamilton Arndt, was making its way +slowly up from Green Bay. + +A dinner had been prepared for us. This is one of the advantages of the +zigzag approach by the Fox River--travellers never take their friends by +surprise; and when the whole circle sat down to the hospitable board, we +were indeed a merry company. + +After dinner Mrs. Twiggs showed me the quarters assigned to us, on the +opposite side of the spacious hall. They consisted of two large rooms on +each of the three floors or stories of the building. On the ground-floor +the front room was vacant. The one in the rear was to be the +sleeping-apartment, as was evident from a huge, unwieldy bedstead, of +proportions amply sufficient to have accommodated Og, the King of +Bashan, with Mrs. Og and the children into the bargain. We could not +repress our laughter; but the bedstead was nothing to another structure +which occupied a second corner of the apartment. + +This edifice had been built under the immediate superintendence of one +of our young lieutenants, and it was plain to be seen that upon it both +he and the soldiers who fabricated it had exhausted all their +architectural skill. The timbers of which it was composed had been +grooved and carved; the pillars that supported the front swelled in and +out in a most fanciful manner; the doors were not only panelled, but +radiated in a way to excite the admiration of all unsophisticated eyes. +A similar piece of workmanship had been erected in each set of quarters, +to supply the deficiency of closets, an inconvenience which had never +occurred, until too late, to the bachelors who planned them. The three +apartments of which each structure was composed, were unquestionably +designed for clothes-press, store-room, and china-closet; such, at +least, were the uses to which Mrs. Twiggs had appropriated the one +assigned to her. There was this slight difficulty, that in the latter +the shelves were too close to admit of setting in even a gravy-boat, but +they made up in number what was wanting in space. We christened the +whole affair, in honor of its projector, a "Davis," thus placing the +first laurel on the brow of one who was afterwards to signalize himself +in _Cabinet_ making of quite a different character. + +The bold promontory on which Fort Winnebago was built looked down upon +the extended prairie and the Fox River on one side, and on the other +stretched away into the thickly-wooded ridge that led off to Belle +Fontaine and Lake Puckaway. + +In front lay an extent of meadow, across which was the Portage road, of +about two miles in length, leading between the Fox and the Wisconsin +Rivers. Teams of oxen and a driver were kept at the Agency by the +Government, to transport the canoes of the Indians across this place, +which at many seasons was wet, miry, and almost impassable. + +The woods were now brilliant with the many tints of autumn, and the +scene around was further enlivened by groups of Indians, in all +directions, and their lodges, which were scattered here and there, in +the vicinity of the Agency buildings. On the low grounds might be seen +the white tents of the traders, already prepared to furnish winter +supplies to the Indians, in exchange for the annuity money they were +about to receive. + +A great concourse had been for many days assembling in anticipation of +the payment, which was expected to take place as soon as Shaw-nee-aw-kee +should arrive with the silver. + +Preparatory to this event, the great chief of the nation, Four-Legs, +whose village we had passed at the entrance to Winnebago Lake, had +thought proper to take a little carouse, as is too apt to be the custom +when the savages come into the neighborhood of a sutler's establishment. +In the present instance, the facilities for a season of intoxication had +been augmented by the presence on the ground of some traders, too +regardless of the very stringent laws prohibiting the sale of liquor to +the Indians. + +Poor Four-Legs could not stand this full tide of prosperity. Unchecked +by the presence of his Father, the agent, he carried his indulgence to +such excess that he fell a victim in the course of a few days. His +funeral had been celebrated with unusual pomp the day before our +arrival, and great was my disappointment at finding myself too late to +witness all the ceremonies. + +His body, according to their custom, having been wrapped in a blanket, +and placed in a rude coffin, along with his guns, tomahawk, pipes, and a +quantity of tobacco, had been carried to the most elevated point of the +hill opposite the fort, followed by an immense procession of his people, +whooping, beating their drums, howling, and making altogether what is +emphatically termed a "_pow-wow_" + +After the interment of the body, a stake was planted at its head, on +which was painted in vermilion a series of hieroglyphics, descriptive of +the great deeds and events of his life The whole was then surrounded +with pickets of the trunks of the tamarack-trees, and hither the friends +would come for many successive days to renew the expression of their +grief, and to throw over the grave tobacco and other offerings to the +Great Spirit. + +It was a consolation to find that, although delayed, we were yet in time +to furnish a quantity of white cotton for a flag to wave over the grave, +and also to pay a considerable bill at the sutler's for the different +articles that had been found necessary for the funeral parade--it being +a duty expected of their Father to bury the dead suitably. + +The funeral observances in honor of the chief had not yet ceased. +Throughout the day, and all that night, the sound of instruments, +mingled with doleful lamentations, and with the discordant whoops and +yells of those in a partial state of intoxication, filled the air, and +disturbed our repose. To these were added occasionally the plaintive +sounds of the Indian flute, upon which the young savage plays when he is +in love. Grief and whiskey had made their hearts tender, and the woods +resounded to their melancholy strains. + +Early the following morning, before I left my room, I was startled by +the sounds of lamentation and woe proceeding from the adjoining +apartment. On entering it, I found several squaws seated on the floor, +with downcast looks expressive of condolence and sympathy, while in +their midst sat a little ugly woman, in tattered garments, with +blackened face and dishevelled hair, sobbing and wailing bitterly. + +Not doubting they were the family of the deceased chief, I was quite +troubled at my inability to express, otherwise than by gestures, my +participation in their sorrows. + +Unacquainted as I was with their customs, I took it for granted from +their wretched appearance that poverty and destitution formed one of the +sources of their affliction. One of the party, at least, seemed in the +very depths of misery. "Can it be possible," said I to myself, "that +this poor creature has only these scanty rags to cover her?" + +Stepping back to my own room, I brought out a pretty calico wrapper, +which I presented to the little, dirty, blackened object. She took it, +and commenced a fresh series of sobbing and sighing. I made signs to her +to put it on, opening it and explaining to her how it was to be worn, +and recommending to her, by gestures, to lose no time in making herself +more comfortable. + +At this, the other women burst into a laugh. + +"Very mal-à-propos," thought I, "and somewhat unfeeling." At that moment +my husband, entering, explained to me that the chief mourner was Madame +Four-Legs, the widow; that she had undoubtedly a comfortable wardrobe at +home, but that it was part of the etiquette of mourning to go for a +season with neglected persons and blackened faces. All this was told me +in the intervals of shaking hands, and offering and receiving +condolences in the most uncouth, guttural language I had ever heard. +Their Father at length dismissed them, with a promise of some presents +to help dry up their tears. It must not be inferred that the grief of +the poor little widow was not sincere. On the contrary, she was greatly +attached to her husband, and had had great influence not only with him +but with the nation at large. She was a Fox woman, and spoke the +Chippewa, which is the court language among all the tribes, so that she +was often called upon to act as interpreter, and had, in fact, been in +the habit of accompanying her husband, and assisting him by her counsels +upon all occasions. She was a person of great shrewdness and judgment, +and, as I afterwards experienced, of strong and tenacious affections. + +After breakfast I received a visit from the principal chiefs, who had +put on their best of apparel and paint to receive their new mother. + +There was Naw-kaw, or Kar-ray-mau-nee, "the Walking Turtle," now the +principal chief of the nation, a stalwart Indian, with a broad, pleasant +countenance, the great peculiarity of which was an immense under lip, +hanging nearly to his chin. There was the old Day-kau-ray, the most +noble, dignified, and venerable of his own, or indeed of any tribe. His +fine Roman countenance, rendered still more striking by his bald head, +with one solitary tuft of long silvery hair neatly tied and falling back +on his shoulders; his perfectly neat, appropriate dress, almost without +ornament, and his courteous demeanor, never laid aside under any +circumstances, all combined to give him the highest place in the +consideration of all who knew him. It will hereafter be seen that his +traits of character were not less grand and striking than were his +personal appearance and deportment. + +There was Black-Wolf, whose lowering, surly face was well described by +his name. The fierce expression of his countenance was greatly +heightened by the masses of heavy black hair hanging round it, quite +contrary to the usual fashion among the Winnebagoes. They, for the most +part, remove a portion of their hair, the remainder of which is drawn to +the back of the head, clubbed and ornamented with beads, ribbons, cock's +feathers, or, if they are so entitled, an eagle's feather for every +scalp taken from an enemy. + +There was _Talk-English,_ a remarkably handsome, powerful young Indian, +who received his name in the following manner. He was one of a party of +sixteen Winnebagoes who had, by invitation, accompanied their Agent and +Major Forsyth (or the Chippewa, as he was called) on a visit to the +President at Washington, the year previous. + +On the journey, the question naturally addressed to them by people not +familiar with Western Indians was,-- + +"Do you talk English?" + +The young fellow, being very observant, came to his Father. "What do +they mean by this? Everybody says to me, _talk English!_" + +The Agent interpreted the words to him. "Ah, very well." + +The next place they arrived at was Lockport, in the State of New York. +Jumping off the canal-boat upon the lock, he ran up to the first man he +met, and, thrusting forward his face, cried out, "Talk Eengeesh?" + +"Yes," said the man; "do you talk English?" + +"Ya-as." + +From that time forward he always bore the name of _Talk-English_, and +was registered on the pay-rolls by a title of which he was not a little +proud. + +Hoo-wau-ne-kah, "the Little Elk," was another of the distinguished men +of the tribe. He had likewise been at Washington. Henry Clay, when he +visited them, after looking carefully at the countenances and bearing +of all the members of the deputation, had indicated him as the one +possessing the greatest talent; and he was greatly pleased when informed +that he was the principal orator of the nation, and decidedly superior +in abilities to any other individual of the tribe. + +Wild-Cat, our Indian Falstaff in all save the cowardice and falsehood, I +have already mentioned. + +Then there was Kau-ray-kaw-saw-kaw, "the White Crow," a Rock River +Indian, who afterwards distinguished himself as the friend of the whites +during the Sauk war. He was called by the French "le Borgne," from +having lost an eye; and the black silk handkerchief which he wore +drooping over the left side of his face to disguise the blemish, taken +with his native costume, gave him a very singular appearance. + +There was a nephew of the defunct chief Four-Legs, to whom with justice +was given, by both whites and Indians, the appellation of "the Dandy." +When out of mourning his dress was of the most studied and fanciful +character. A shirt (when he condescended to wear any) of the brightest +colors, ornamented with innumerable rows of silver brooches set thickly +together; never less than two pairs of silver arm-bands; leggings and +moccasins of the most elaborate embroidery in ribbons and +porcupine-quills; everything that he could devise in the shape of +ornament hanging to his club of hair behind; a feather fan in one hand, +and in the other a mirror, in which he contemplated himself every five +minutes; these, with the variety and brilliancy of the colors upon his +face, the suitable choice and application of which occupied no small +portion of the hours allotted to his toilet, made up the equipment of +young Four-Legs. + +This devotion to dress and appearance seemed not altogether out of +place in a youthful dandy; but we had likewise an old one of the same +stamp. Pawnee Blanc, or the White Pawnee, surpassed his younger +competitor, if possible, in attention to his personal attractions. + +Upon the present occasion he appeared in all his finery, and went +through the customary salutations with an air of solemn dignity, then +walked, as did the others, into the parlor (for I had received them in +the hall), where they all seated themselves upon the floor. Fortunately, +the room was now bare of furniture, but "alas!" thought I, "for my +pretty carpet, if this is to be the way they pay their respects to me!" +I watched the falling of the ashes from their long pipes, and the other +inconveniences of the use of tobacco, or kin-nee-kin-nick, with absolute +dismay. + +The visit of the chiefs was succeeded by one from the interpreter and +his wife, with all the Canadian and half-breed women, whose husbands +found employment at the Agency or at the American Fur Company's +establishment. + +By this time my piano had been taken from its case and set up in our +quarters. To our great joy, we found it entirely uninjured. Thanks to +the skill of Nunns and Clark, not a note was out of tune. + +The women, to whom it was an entire novelty, were loud in their +exclamations of wonder and delight. + +"_Eh-h-h! regardez donc! Quelles inventions! Quelles merveilles!_"[13] + +One, observing the play of my fingers reflected in the nameboard, called +in great exultation to her companions. She had discovered, as she +thought, the hidden machinery by which the sounds were produced, and was +not a little mortified when she was undeceived. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +HOUSEKEEPING. + + +As the boats might be expected in a few days, it was thought best to +begin at once what preparations were in my power towards housekeeping. +These were simply the fitting and sewing of my carpets, in which I was +kindly assisted by Mrs. Twiggs; and, the wife of one of our Frenchmen +having come over from the Agency and made everything tidy and +comfortable, the carpets were soon tacked down, and the rooms were ready +for the reception of the rest of the furniture. + +I had made many fruitless attempts, both in Detroit and Green Bay, to +procure a servant-woman to accompany me to my new home. Sometimes one +would present herself, but, before we could come to a final agreement, +the thoughts of the distance, of the savages, the hardships of the +journey, or, perhaps, the objections of friends, would interfere to +break off the negotiation; so that I had at length been obliged to rest +satisfied with the simple hope held out by my husband, that one of his +French employés, with his wife, would be contented to take up their +abode with us. + +In this state of things, all difficulties seemed to be obviated by the +proposal of Major Twiggs, that we should take into our service a young +colored girl whom he had brought from Buffalo, in the spring, to wait on +Mrs. T. until her own servants should arrive from the South. + +Louisa was accordingly sent for, an uncommonly handsome young negress, +with an intelligent but very demure countenance, who called herself +fifteen years of age, but who, from the progress in vice and iniquity I +afterwards discovered her to have made, must have been at least several +years older. Be that as it may, she now seemed to have no fault but +carelessness and inexperience, both of which I had great hopes she would +get the better of, under careful training. + +My first week's visit with Mrs. Twiggs had just expired when word was +given that the boats were in sight--the boats that contained our +furniture--and the expected arrival of Louis Philippe to visit Queen +Victoria could scarcely have created a more universal sensation, than +did this announcement in our little community. Although we knew that +some hours must yet elapse before they could reach the spot for +disembarkation, we were constantly on the watch, and at length all the +young officers, followed by as many of the soldiers as were off duty, +accompanied Mr. Kinzie down the bank to the landing, to witness and, if +necessary, to assist in helping everything safe to land. + +Sad was the plight in which matters were found. The water poured out of +the corners of the boxes as they were successively hoisted on shore. Too +impatient to wait until they could be carried up to the fort, the +gentlemen soon furnished themselves with, hammers and hatchets, and fell +eagerly to work, opening the boxes to explore the extent of the damage. +Alas for the mahogany! not a piece from which the edges and veneering +were not starting. It had all the appearance of having lain under the +Grande Chûte for days. Poor Hamilton was load in his protestations and +excuses. + +It was the fault of the men, of the weather, of the way the things were +packed. "Confound it! he had taken the best care of the things he +possibly could--better than he had ever taken before--it _would_ get +done!" + +There was nothing but to be patient and make the best of it. And when +the pretty sideboard and work-table had been thoroughly rubbed and set +up, and all the little knick-knacks arranged on the mantel-piece--when +the white curtains were hung at the windows, and the chairs and +dining-table each in its proper place in relation to the piano, our +parlor was pronounced "magnificent." At least so seemed to think +Hamilton, who came to give one admiring look, and to hear the music of +the piano, which was a perfect novelty to him. His description of it to +the young officers, after his return to the Bay, was expressive of his +admiration and wonder--"There it stood on its four legs! Anybody might +go up and touch it!" + +In due time the dinner- and tea-sets were carefully bestowed in the +"Davis," together with sundry jars of sweetmeats that I had prepared in +Detroit; the iron and tin utensils were placed in a neat cupboard in the +kitchen, of which my piano-box supplied the frame; the barrel of eggs +and tubs of butter, brought all the way from Ohio, were ranged in the +store-room; a suitable quantity of salt pork and flour was purchased +from the commissary; and, there being no lack of game of every +description, the offering of our red children, we were ready to commence +housekeeping. + +The first dinner in her own home is an era in the life of a young +housekeeper. I shall certainly never forget mine. While I was in the +lower regions superintending my very inexpert little cook, my husband +made his appearance, to say that, as the payment (then the all-absorbing +topic of interest) would not commence until afternoon, he had invited M. +Rolette, Mr. Hempstead, and four other gentlemen to dine with us. + +"So unexpected--so unprepared for?" + +"Never mind; give them anything you have. They have been living for +some days in tents, and anything will taste well to them." + +My dinner had been intended to consist chiefly of a venison pasty, and +fortunately the only dish among my store was of very large proportions, +so that there was already smoking in the oven a pie of a size nearly +equal to the famous Norwich pudding; thus, with some trifling additions +to the bill of fare, we made out very well, and the master of the house +had the satisfaction of hearing the impromptu dinner very much commended +by his six guests. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +INDIAN PAYMENT--MRS. WASHINGTON. + + +There were two divisions of the Winnebago Indians, one of which was paid +by the Agent, at the Portage, the other at Prairie du Chien, by General +Street. The first, between four and five thousand in number, received, +according to treaty stipulations, fifteen thousand dollars annually, +besides a considerable amount of presents, and a certain number of +rations of bread and pork, to be issued in times of emergency throughout +the year. + +The principal villages of this division of the tribe were at Lake +Winnebago, Green and Fox Lakes, the Barribault, Mud Lake, the Four +Lakes, Kosh-ko-nong, and Turtle Creek. Messengers were dispatched, at or +before the arrival of the annuity-money, to all the different villages, +to notify the heads of families or lodges to assemble at "the Portage." + +When arrived, the masters of families, under their different chiefs, +give in their names, and the number in their lodges, to be registered. +As, in paying, a certain sum of money is apportioned to each individual, +it is, of course, an object to the head of a lodge to make the number +registered as great as possible. Each one brings his little bundle of +sticks, and presents it to the Agent to register. Sometimes a dialogue +like the following occurs: + +"How many have you in your lodge?" + +The Indian carefully, and with great ceremony, counts his bundle of +sticks--"Fifteen" + +"How many men?" + +"Two." The Agent lays aside two sticks + +"How many women?" + +"Three." Three more sticks are separated. + +"How many children?" + +"Eight" Eight sticks are added to the heap. + +"What is the meaning of these two sticks that remain?" + +The culprit, whose arithmetic has not served him to carry out his +deception, disappears amid the shouts and jeers of his companions, who +are always well pleased at the detection of any roguery in which they +have had no share. + +The young officers generally assisted in counting out and delivering the +money at these payments, and it was no unusual thing, as the last band +came up, for the chiefs to take a quantity of silver out of the box and +request their Father to pay his friends for their trouble, seeming +really disturbed at his refusal. In this, as in almost every instance, +we see the native courtesy and politeness, which are never lost sight of +among them. If a party comes to their Father to beg for provisions, and +food is offered them, however hungry they may be, each waits patiently +until one of the company makes an equal distribution of the whole, and +then, taking his share, eats it quietly, with the greatest moderation. I +never saw this rule violated, save in one instance. + +Our friend, Pawnee Blanc, _the Old Dandy_, once came with a party of +Indians, requesting permission to dance for us in the open space before +the door. It was a warm, dusty afternoon, and as our friends grew heated +and fatigued with the violent and long-continued exercise, a pitcher of +raspberry negus was prepared and sent out to them. Pawnee received the +pitcher and tumbler, and, pouring the latter about half full, gave it to +the first of the circle, then filled the same for the next, and so on, +until it suddenly occurred to him to look into the pitcher. What he saw +there determined his course of action; so, setting the tumbler upon the +ground, he raised the pitcher with both hands to his lips and gave a +hearty pull, after which he went on, giving less and less, until he was +called to have the pitcher replenished. All present agreed it was the +only instance they had ever witnessed, of an Indian's appearing afraid +of getting less of a thing than his share. + +During the payment a good many kegs of whiskey find their way into the +lodges of the Indians, notwithstanding the watchfulness of both officers +and Agent. Where there is a demand there will always be a supply, let +the legal prohibitions be what they may. The last day of the payment is, +invariably, one of general carousing. + +When the men begin their _frolic_, the women carefully gather all the +guns, knives, tomahawks, and weapons of every description, and secrete +them, that as little mischief as possible may be done in the absence of +all restraint and reason. I am sorry to record that our little friend, +Pawnee Blanc, was greatly addicted to the pleasures of the bottle. + +Among the presents for the chiefs, which Shaw-nee-aw-kee had brought +from the East, was a trunk of blue cloth coats, trimmed with broad gold +lace, and a box of round black hats, ornamented in a similar manner. All +who are familiar with Indians, of whatever tribe, will have observed +that their first step towards civilization, whether in man or woman, is +mounting a man's hat, decorated with tinsel; ribbons, or feathers. +Pawnee was among the happy number remembered in the distribution; so, +donning at once his new costume, and tying a few additional bunches of +gay-colored ribbons to a long spear, that was always his baton of +ceremony, he came at once, followed by an admiring train, chiefly of +women, to pay me a visit of state. + +The solemn gravity of his countenance, as he motioned away those who +would approach too near and finger his newly-received finery--the +dignity with which he strutted along, edging this way and that to avoid +any possible contact from homely, every-day wardrobes--augured well for +a continuance of propriety and self-respect, and a due consideration of +the good opinion of all around. But, alas for Pawnee! late in the day we +saw him assisted towards his lodge by two stout young Indians, who had +pulled him out of a ditch, his fine coat covered with mud, his hat +battered and bruised, his spear shorn of its gay streamers, and poor +Pawnee himself weeping and uttering all the doleful lamentations of a +tipsy Indian. + + * * * * * + +Among the women with whom I early made acquaintance was the wife of +Wau-kaun-zee-kah, _the Yellow Thunder_. She had accompanied her husband, +who was one of the deputation to visit the President, and from that time +forth she had been known as "the Washington woman." She had a pleasant, +old-acquaintance sort of air in greeting me, as much as to say, "You +and I have seen something of the world." No expression of surprise or +admiration escaped her lips, as her companions, with childlike, laughing +simplicity, exclaimed and clapped their hands at the different wonderful +objects I showed them. Her deportment said plainly, "Yes, yes, my +children, I have seen all these things before." It was not until I put +to her ear a tropical shell, of which I had a little cabinet, and she +heard its murmuring sound, that she laid aside her apathy of manner. She +poked her finger into the opening to get at the animal within, shook it +violently, then raised it to her ear again, and finally burst into a +hearty laugh, and laid it down, acknowledging, by her looks, that this +was beyond her comprehension. + +I had one shell of peculiar beauty--my favorite in the whole +collection--a small conch, covered with rich, dark veins. Each of the +visitors successively took up this shell, and by words and gestures +expressed her admiration, evidently showing that she had an eye for +beauty--this was on the occasion of the parting visit of my red +daughters. + +Shortly after the payment had been completed, and the Indians had left, +I discovered that my valued shell was missing from the collection. Could +it be that one of the squaws had stolen it? It was possible--they would +occasionally, though rarely, do such things under the influence of +strong temptation. I tried to recollect which, among the party, looked +most likely to have been the culprit. It could not have been the +Washington woman--she was partly civilized, and knew better. + +A few weeks afterwards Mrs. _Yellow Thunder_ again made her appearance, +and carefully unfolding a gay-colored chintz shawl, which she carried +rolled up in her hand, she produced the shell, and laid it on the table +before me. I did not know whether to show, by my countenance, +displeasure at the trick she had played me, or joy at receiving my +treasure back again, but at length decided that it was the best policy +to manifest no emotion whatever. + +She prolonged her visit until my husband's return, and he then +questioned her about the matter. + +"She had taken the shell to her village, to show to some of her people, +who did not come to the payment." + +"Why had she not asked her mother's leave before carrying it away?" + +"Because she saw that her mother liked the shell, and she was afraid she +would say, No." + +This was not the first instance in which Madame Washington had displayed +the shrewdness which was a predominant trait in her character. During +the visit of the Indians to the Eastern cities, they were taken to +various exhibitions, museums, menageries, theatres, etc. It did not +escape their observation that some silver was always paid before +entrance, and they inquired the reason. It was explained to them. The +woman brightened up, as if struck with an idea. + +"How much do you pay for each one?" + +Her Father told her. + +"How do you say that in English?" + +"Two shillings." + +"_Two shinnin--humph_" (good). + +The next day, when, as usual, visitors began to flock to the rooms where +the Indians were sojourning, the woman and a young Indian, her +confederate, took their station by the door, which they kept closed. +When any one knocked, the door was cautiously opened, and the woman, +extending her hand, exclaimed--"_Two shinnin_." + +This was readily paid in each instance, and the game went on, until she +had accumulated a considerable sum. But this did not satisfy her. At the +first attempt of a visitor to leave the room, the door was held close, +as before, the hand was extended, and "_Two shinnin_" again met his ear. +He tried to explain that, having paid for his entrance, he must go out +free. With an innocent shake of the head, "_Two shinnin_," was all the +English she could understand. + +The Agent, who had entered a short time before, and who, overhearing the +dialogue, sat laughing behind his newspaper, waiting to see how it would +all end, now came forward and interfered, and the guests were permitted +to go forth without a further contribution. + +The good woman was moreover admonished that it was far from the custom +of white people to tax their friends and visitors in this manner, and +that the practice must be laid aside in future. + +Another instance of the disposition of the Indians to avail themselves +of all the goods that fortune throws in their way, was the following: + +Upon the same trip, while passing through Ohio, one of the party +inquired of the Agent,-- + +"Do you pay for all those provisions that are set before us at the +hotels?" + +"Yes. Why do you ask?" + +"Nothing: I thought you perhaps paid for just what we ate of them." + +At the next stopping-place a fine breakfast was set upon the table, of +which, as usual, they partook plentifully. Just as they had finished, +the horn sounded for all to take their places in the stage-coaches. Each +sprang to his feet. One seized the plates of biscuits and poured them +into the corner of his blanket; another the remains of a pair of +chickens; a third emptied the sugar-bowls; each laid hold of what was +nearest him, and in a trice nothing was left upon the table but the +empty plates and dishes. The landlord and waiters, meanwhile, stood +laughing and enjoying the trick as much as any of the spectators. + +Upon another occasion, their Father had endeavored to impress upon them +the unseemliness of throwing their refuse pieces, bones, and fragments +of food about on the table-cloth, pointing out to them the orderly +manner of the whites at table, and the propriety of keeping everything +neat and nice around them. + +At their next meal, they were served first with a chicken-pie, of which +they ate very heartily, and the accumulation of bones on their plates +was very abundant. Presently another and more favorite dish appeared,--a +fine, large, roasted turkey. A gentleman sat near, and was evidently +preparing to carve it. No time was to be lost. What was to be done with +the bones? They looked around in some perplexity. A large apple-pie was +standing near. The most eager drew it towards him, and quick as thought +all the bones were deposited upon it, while, with a triumphant laugh at +the happy idea, he coolly transferred the bird to his own dish, and +proceeded to distribute it among his companions. The amazed stranger +soon joined in the laugh at the unceremonious manner in which his share +of the dinner had vanished. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +LOUISA--DAY-KAU-RAY ON EDUCATION. + + +The payment was now over, and the Indians had dispersed and gone to +their wintering grounds. The traders, too, had departed, laden with a +good share of the silver, in exchange for which each family had provided +itself, as far as possible, with clothing, guns, traps, ammunition, and +the other necessaries for their winter use. The Indians are good at a +bargain. They are not easily overreached. On the contrary, they +understand at once when a charge is exorbitant; and a trader who tries +his shrewdness upon them is sure to receive an expressive _sobriquet_, +which ever after clings to him. + +For instance, M. Rolette was called by them "Ah-kay-zaup-ee-tah," _five +more_--because, as they said, let them offer what number of skins they +might, in bartering for an article, his terms were invariably "five +more" + +Upon one occasion a lady remarked to him, "Oh, M. Rolette, I would not +be engaged in the Indian trade; it seems to me a system of cheating the +poor Indians." + +"Let me tell you, madame," replied he, with great _naïveté_, "it is not +so easy a thing to cheat the Indians as you imagine. I have tried it +these twenty years, and have never succeeded!" + + * * * * * + +We were now settled down to a quiet, domestic life. The military system +under which everything was conducted--the bugle-call, followed by the +music of a very good band, at reveille; the light, animated strains for +"sick-call," and soon after for "breakfast;" the longer ceremony of +"guard-mounting;" the "Old English Roast-Beef," to announce the +dinner-hour; the sweet, plaintive strains of "Lochaber no more," +followed most incongruously by "The Little Cock-Sparrow," at retreat; +and, finally, the long, rolling "tattoo," late in the evening--made +pleasant divisions of our time, which, by the aid of books, music, and +drawing, in addition to household occupations, seemed to fly more +swiftly than ever before. It was on Sunday that I most missed my Eastern +home. I had planned beforehand what we should do on the first recurrence +of this sacred day, under our own roof. "We shall have at least," said I +to myself, "the Sabbath's quiet and repose, and I can, among other +things, benefit poor Louisa by giving her some additional lessons of a +serious character." + +So, while she was removing the breakfast-things, I said to her,-- + +"Now, Louisa, get your work all finished, and everything put neatly +aside, and then come here to me again." + +"Yes, ma'am." + +We sat down to our books, and read and waited; we waited and read +another hour--no Louisa. + +There was music and the sound of voices on the parade in front of our +windows, but that did not disturb us; it was what we were daily +accustomed to. + +I must go at length, and see what could be keeping my damsel so. I +descended to the kitchen. The breakfast-things stood upon the table--the +kettles and spider upon the hearth--the fire was out--the kitchen empty. + +Passing back into the hall, which extended the whole length of the house +and opened in front upon the parade, I perceived a group collected in +the area, of all shades and colors, and in the midst, one round, woolly +head which I could not mistake, bobbing up and down, now on this side, +now on that, while peals of laughter were issuing from the whole group. + +"Louisa," I called, "come here. What are you doing there?" + +"Looking at inspection." + +"But why are not your breakfast-things washed, and your kitchen swept? +Did I not tell you I wished you to come up and learn your lessons?" + +"Yes, ma'am; but I had to see inspection first. Everybody looks at +inspection on Sunday." + +I found it was in vain to expect to do more for Louisa than give her an +afternoon's lesson, and with that I was obliged to content myself. + +I felt that it would be very pleasant, and perhaps profitable, for all +the inmates of the garrison to assemble on this day; one of our number +might be found who would read a portion of the church-service, with a +sermon from one of our different selections. + +I approached the subject cautiously, with an inquiry to this effect: + +"Are there none among the officers who are religiously disposed?" + +"Oh, yes," replied the one whom I addressed, "there is S----; when he is +half tipsy, he takes his Bible and 'Newton's Works,' and goes to bed and +cries over them; he thinks in this way he is excessively pious." + +S---- was among the officers who had never called upon us; it was fair +to infer that if his religious principles did not correct his own evil +habits they would not aid much in improving others; therefore it seemed +useless to call in his co-operation in any scheme for a better +observance of the Lord's day. + +We had to content ourselves with writing to our friends at the East to +interest themselves in getting a missionary sent to us, who should +officiate as chaplain in the garrison--a plan that seemed to find favor +with the officers. The hope of any united religious services was, for +the present, laid aside. + +The post-surgeon having obtained a furlough, his place was supplied by +Dr. Newhall, of Galena, and thus, by the addition of his gentle, quiet +wife, our circle of ladies was now enlarged to three. Here we were, in a +wilderness, but yet how contented and happy! + +A gloom was soon to replace this envied tranquillity in our home. A +Frenchman, named Letendre, one day suddenly presented himself. He had +come from Chicago, with the distressing intelligence of the +extreme--indeed, hopeless--illness of our dear relative, Dr. Wolcott. My +husband immediately commenced his preparations for instant departure. I +begged to be permitted to accompany him, but the rapidity with which he +proposed to journey obliged him to refuse my entreaties. In a few hours +his provisions, horses, and all other things necessary for the journey +were in readiness, and he set off with Petaille Grignon, his usual +attendant on such expeditions, leaving Letendre to follow as soon as +recruited from his fatigue. + +Sad and dreary were the hours of his absence, notwithstanding the kind +efforts of our friends to cheer me. In a few days I received the news of +the fatal termination of Dr. W.'s illness, brought by another messenger. +That noble heart, so full of warm and kindly affections, had ceased to +beat, and sad and desolate indeed were those who had so loved and +honored him. + +As soon as he could possibly leave his family, my husband returned; and +it was fortunate that he had delayed no longer, for the winter now began +to set in, and with severity. + +Our quarters were spacious, but having been constructed of the green +trees of the forest, cut down and sawed into boards by the bands of the +soldiers, they were considerably given to shrinking and warping, thus +leaving many a yawning crevice. Stuffing the cracks with cotton batting, +and pasting strips of paper over them, formed the employment of many a +leisure hour. + +Then the chimneys, spite of all the currents of air, which might have +been expected to create a draught, had a sad habit of smoking. To remedy +this, a couple of gun-barrels were, by order of the commanding officer, +sawed off and inserted in the hearth, one on each side of the +fire-place, in the hope that the air from the room below might help to +carry the smoke into its proper place, the chimney. + +The next morning after this had been done, Louisa was washing the +hearth. + +"Pray, ma'am," said she, "what are these things put in here for?" + +I explained their use. + +"Oh, I am so glad it is only that! Uncle Ephraim (Major Twiggs's +servant) said they were to be filled with powder and fired off Christmas +Day, and he was terribly afraid they would blow the house up, and we in +it." + +Ephraim, who was a most faithful and valuable servant, often amused +himself with playing upon the credulity of the younger portions of the +colored fraternity. + +"Is it true," asked Louisa, one day, "that Pillon and Plante were once +prairie-wolves?" + +"Prairie-wolves! what an idea! Why do you ask such a foolish question?" + +"Because Uncle Ephraim says they, and all the Frenchmen about here, were +once prairie-wolves, and that, living so near the white people, they +grow, after a time, to be like them, and learn to talk and dress like +them. And then, when they get to be old, they turn back into +prairie-wolves again, and that all the wolves that the officers bait +with their dogs used to be Frenchmen, once." + +After a time, however, I ceased to straighten out these stories of Uncle +Ephraim, for I was gradually arriving at the conviction that my little +colored damsel was by no means so simple and unsophisticated as she +would have me believe, and that I was, after all, the one who was +imposed upon. + +The snow this winter was prodigious, and the cold intense. The water +would freeze in our parlors at a very short distance from the fire, for, +although the "fatigue-parties" kept the halls filled with wood, almost +up to the ceiling, that did not counterbalance the inconvenience of +having the wide doors thrown open to the outer air for a great portion +of the day, to allow of their bringing it in. We Northerners should have +had wood-houses specially for the purpose, and not only have kept our +great hall-doors closed, but have likewise protected them with a +"hurricane-house." But the Florida frontier was not a climate in which +our Southern bachelors could have acquired the knowledge available when +the thermometer was twenty-five degrees below zero--a point at which +brandy congealed in the sideboard. + +The arrival of Christmas and New-Year's brought us our Indian friends +again. They had learned something of the observance of these holidays +from their French neighbors, and I had been forewarned that I should see +the squaws kissing every white man they met. Although not crediting this +to its full extent, I could readily believe that they would each expect +a present, as a "compliment of the season," so I duly prepared myself +with a supply of beads, ribbons, combs, and other trinkets. Knowing +them to be fond of dainties, I had also a quantity of crullers and +doughnuts made ready the day before, as a treat to them. + +To my great surprise and annoyance, only a moderate share of the cakes, +the frying of which had been intrusted to Louisa, were brought up to be +placed in the "Davis." + +"Where are the rest of the cakes, Louisa?" + +"That great fellow, Hancock, came in with the fatigue-party to fill the +water-barrels, and while I had just stepped into the store-room to get +some more flour, he carried off all I had got cooked." + +And Louisa made a face and whined, as if she had not herself treated +every soldier who had set his foot in the premises. + +At an early hour the next morning I had quite a levee of the +Ho-tshung-rah matrons. They seated themselves in a circle on the floor, +and I was sorry to observe that the application of a little soap and +water to their blankets had formed no part of their holiday +preparations. There being no one to interpret, I thought I would begin +the conversation in a way intelligible to themselves, so I brought out +of the sideboard a china dish, filled with the nice brown crullers, over +which I had grated, according to custom, a goodly quantity of white +sugar. I handed it to the first of the circle. She took the dish from my +hand, and, deliberately pouring all the cakes into the corner of her +blanket, returned it to me empty. "She must be a meat voracious person," +thought I; "but I will manage better the next time." I refilled the +dish, and approached the next one, taking care to keep a fast hold of it +as I offered the contents, of which I supposed she would modestly take +one. Not so, however. She scooped out the whole with her two hands, and, +like the former, bestowed them in her blanket. My sense of politeness +revolted at handing them out one by one, as we do to children, so I sat +down to deliberate what was to be done, for evidently the supply would +not long answer such an ample demand, and there would be more visitors +anon. + +While I was thus perplexed, those who had received the cakes commenced a +distribution, and the whole number was equitably divided among the +company. But I observed they did not eat them. They passed their fingers +over the grated sugar, looked in each other's faces, and muttered in low +tones--there was evidently something they did not understand. Presently +one more adventurous than the rest wet her fingers, and taking up a few +grains of the sugar put it cautiously to her mouth. + +"Tah-nee-zhoo-rah!" (Sugar!) was her delighted exclamation, and they all +broke out into a hearty laugh. It is needless to say that the cakes +disappeared with all the celerity they deemed compatible with +good-breeding. Never having seen any sugar but the brown or yellow +maple, they had supposed the white substance to be salt, and for that +reason had hesitated to taste it. + +Their visit was prolonged until Shaw-nee-aw-kee made his appearance, and +then, having been made happy by their various gifts, they all took their +departure. + +About this time, Mr. Kinzie received a letter from Colonel Richard M. +Johnson, of Kentucky. This gentleman had interested himself greatly in a +school established in that State for the education of Indian youths and +children. The purport of his letter was to request the Agent to use +every endeavor to induce the Winnebagoes not only to send their children +to this institution for their education, but also (what was still more +important) to set apart a portion of their annuity-money to assist in +sustaining it. + +There happened to be, at this holiday season, a number of the chiefs in +the neighborhood of the Portage, and a messenger was sent to convene +them all at the house of Paquette, the interpreter, that their Father +might hold a talk with them. + +On the day appointed they all assembled. The subject-matter of the +letter was laid before them, and all the advantages of civilization and +education duly set forth--the benefits which would arise to their +nation, if even a small portion of the younger members could be well +taught by the whites, and then return to their tribe, to instruct them +in the learning, the arts, manufactures, and habits of civilized life. +To each paragraph, as it was uttered to them, they responded with a +unanimous "Humph!" (Good!) + +When their Father's address was ended, _Day-kau-ray_, the oldest and +most venerable among the chiefs, rose and spoke as follows: + +"Father,--The Great Spirit made the white man and the Indian. He did not +make them alike. He gave the white man a heart to love peace, and the +arts of a quiet life. He taught him to live in towns, to build houses, +to make books, to learn all things that would make him happy and +prosperous in the way of life appointed him. To the red man the Great +Spirit gave a different character. He gave him a love of the woods, of a +free life, of hunting and fishing, of making war with his enemies and +taking scalps. The white man does not live like the Indian--it is not +his nature. Neither does the Indian love to live like the white man--the +Great Spirit did not make him so. + +"Father,--We do not wish to do anything contrary to the will of the +Great Spirit. If he had made us with white skins, and characters like +the white men, then we would send our children to this school to be +taught like the white children. + +"Father,--We think that if the Great Spirit had wished us to be like +the whites, he would have made us so. As he has not seen fit to do so, +we believe he would be displeased with us, to try and make ourselves +different from what he thought good. + +"Father,--I have nothing more to say. This is what we think. If we +change our minds, we will let you know." + +It will be seen from these remarks of Day-kau-ray that the Indians +entertain a conviction that the Great Spirit himself teaches the white +man the arts and sciences, and since he has given the red man no +instruction in these branches, it would be unbecoming in him to attempt +to acquire them in an irregular manner. + +With little incidents of this kind, and with an occasional dinner- or +tea-party to the young officers, sometimes given at the Major's +quarters, sometimes at our own, our course of life passed pleasantly on. +At times I would amuse myself by making something _very nice_, in the +form of a fruit cake or pie, to send to the quarters of the young +officers as a present, it being supposed that possibly, without a lady +to preside over their mess, it might be sometimes deficient in these +delicacies. Mrs. Twiggs was so fortunate as to have well-trained +servants to do for her that which, thanks to my little dark handmaid, +always fell to my share. + +One day I had made some mince pies, which the Major and my husband +greatly approved, and I thought I would send one to each of the young +officers. + +It happened that my husband, that day, in returning from superintending +his men on the other side of the river, had occasion to call on some +errand at Captain Harney's quarters. + +Dinner had just been placed upon the table, and the Captain insisted on +his visitor's sitting down and partaking with him and another gentleman +who was present. The pork and beans were pronounced excellent, and being +removed there followed a mince pie. + +The Captain cut it, and helped his guests, then taking a piece himself, +he commenced tasting it. Pushing back his plate with an exclamation and +a sudden jerk, he called to his servant, a little thick-set mulatto who +waited--"David, you yellow rascal, how dare you put such a pie on my +table?" And, turning to the company apologetically, he said,-- + +"If there is anything on earth David _does_ understand, it is how to +make a mince pie, and here he has filled this with brandy, so we cannot +eat a morsel of it!" + +"Please, sir," said David, modestly, "I did not make the pie--it is one +Mrs. Kinzie sent as a present." + +The poor Captain was now in a predicament. He raved at himself, at the +same time conjuring my husband most earnestly not to tell me what a +mistake he had made--an injunction that was lost sight of as soon as the +latter returned to his home. As for the unlucky Captain, he did not +venture to call on me again until he felt sure I had forgotten the +circumstance. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +PREPARATIONS FOR A JOURNEY. + + +Early in January the snow fell in great abundance. We had an unusual +quantity at the Portage, but in "the diggings," as the lead-mining +country was called, it was of an unheard-of depth--five or six feet upon +a level. + +An express had been dispatched to Chicago by the officers to take our +letters, and bring back the mail from that place. A tough, hardy +soldier, named Sulky, acted as messenger, and he had hitherto made light +of his burden or the length of the way, notwithstanding that his task +was performed on foot with his pack upon his shoulders. But now Sulky +had been absent some weeks, and we had given him up entirely, persuaded +that he must have perished with cold and starvation. + +At length he appeared, nearly blind from travelling in the snow. He had +lain by three weeks in an Indian lodge, the snow being too deep to +permit him to journey. The account he gave put an end to the hopes I had +begun to entertain of being able to visit our friends at Chicago in the +course of this winter. + +We had, before the last heavy fall of snow, been forming plans to that +effect. Captain Harney had kindly commenced preparing some trains, or +boxes placed on sledges, which it was thought would, when lined with +buffalo-skins, furnish a very comfortable kind of vehicle for the +journey; and I was still inclined to think a good, deep bed of snow over +the whole country no great obstacle to a sleigh-ride. The whole matter +was, however, cut short by the commanding officer, who from the first +had violently opposed the scheme, declaring that he would order the +sentinels to fire on us if we attempted to leave the fort. So, finding +the majority against us, we were obliged to yield. + +The arrival of sweet, lovely little Lizzie Twiggs, before January was +quite past, was an event that shed light and joy in at least two +dwellings. It seemed as if she belonged to all of us, and as she +increased in size and beauty it was hard to say who, among us all, was +most proud of her. If we had ever felt any languid hours before, we +could have none now--she was the pet, the darling, the joint property of +both households. + +Whatever regret I might have had, previous to this event, at the idea +of leaving my friend for the three weeks to which we proposed to limit +our visit to Chicago, I felt now that she would scarcely miss me, and +that we might hold ourselves in readiness to take advantage of the first +improvement in the weather, to put this favorite project in execution. + +During the latter part of February the cold became less severe. The +snows melted away, and by the beginning of March the weather was so warm +and genial, that we were quite confident of being able to make the +journey on horseback without any serious difficulty. + +Our plans once settled upon, the first thing to be provided was warm and +comfortable apparel. A riding-habit of stout broadcloth was pronounced +indispensable to my equipment. But of such an article I was destitute. +Nothing among my wedding travelling gear seemed in any way to offer a +substitute. What was to be done? The requisite material was to be found +in abundance at the sutler's store (_the shantee_, as it was technically +termed), but how to get it manufactured into a suitable garment was the +question. + +The regimental tailor was summoned. He was cook to one of the companies, +and there were at first some doubts whether he could be permitted to +forsake the spit for the needle, during the time I should require his +services. All his tailoring-work had, heretofore, been done at odd times +on a bench in the company kitchen, and thither he now proposed to carry +the riding-habit. I suggested that, in order to superintend the work, I +should thus be driven to take up my abode for the time being in the +barracks, which would be a decided inconvenience. + +To remedy the difficulty, he was finally so happy as to find a soldier +in "Company D," who consented to officiate in his place as cook until +his term of service to me should expire. + +Behold, then, a little, solemn-looking man in his stocking-feet, seated +cross-legged on an Indian mat by my parlor window. He had made all his +arrangements himself, and I deemed it wisest not to interfere with him. +The cutting-out was the most difficult part, and, as he had never made a +lady's riding-habit, that task fell to my share. I was as great a novice +as himself, and I must admit that this, my first effort, was open to +criticism. But the little tailor was of a different opinion. He was in +an ecstasy with our joint performance. + +"Upon my word, madam," he would exclaim, surveying it with admiring +eyes, "we shall have a very respectable garment!" I do not know how many +times he repeated this during the three days that the work was in +progress. + +I believe he had not perfect confidence in the culinary powers of his +comrade of "Company D," for regularly a half-hour before beat of drum +his work was folded and laid aside, his snips gathered up, and, all +things being restored to order, he would slip out, resume his shoes, +which, _Turk-like_, he had left outside the door, and speed over to the +barrack-kitchen to see how matters were going on. + +In the mean time, great preparations were making below, under the +supervision of our tidy, active little French servant, Mrs. Pillon, the +wife of one of the _engagés_, by whom the irregular and unmanageable +Louisa had been replaced. + +Biscuits were baked, a ham, some tongues, and sundry pieces of salt pork +were boiled, coffee roasted and ground, sugar cracked, isinglass cut in +pieces of the size requisite for a pot of coffee. For the reception of +all these different articles cotton bags of different sizes had been +previously prepared. Large sacks of skin, called by the Canadians +_porches_, were also provided to hold the more bulky provisions, for our +journey was to be a long one. + +The distance from Fort Winnebago to Chicago was not very formidable, it +is true, if the direct route were taken; but that we knew to be +impossible at this season of the year. The route by Kosh-ko-nong was out +of the question; all the Indians being absent from their villages in the +winter, and the ice being now gone, we could have no means of crossing +the Rock River at that place. + +There remained therefore no alternative but to proceed south to Dixon, +or, as it was then called, Ogie's Ferry, the only certain means of +crossing this broad and rapid stream. This route being so much out of +our direct course that we could not hope to accomplish it in less than +six days, it was necessary to prepare accordingly. + +While the wardrobe and provisions were thus in preparation, arrangements +were also being made as to our retinue and mode of conveyance. + +Mr. Kinzie decided to take with him but two men: Plante and Pierre +Roy,--the former to act as guide, on the assurance that he knew every +mile of the way, from the Portage to Ogie's Ferry, and from Ogie's Ferry +to Chicago. + +The claims of the different saddle-horses were discussed, and the most +eligible one was selected for my use. We hesitated for a time between +"Le Gris" and "Souris," two much-vaunted animals, belonging to Paquette, +the interpreter. At length, being determined, like most of my sex, by a +regard for exterior, I chose "Le Gris," and "Souris" was assigned to +young Roy; my own little stumpy pony, "Brunet," being pronounced just +the thing for a pack-saddle. My husband rode his own bay horse "Tom," +while Plante, the gayest and proudest of the party, bestrode a fine, +large animal called "Jerry," which had lately been purchased for my use; +and thus was our _cortége_ complete. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +DEPARTURE FROM FORT WINNEBAGO. + + +Having taken a tender leave of our friends, the morning of the 8th of +March saw us mounted and equipped for our journey. The weather was +fine--the streams, already fringed with green, were sparkling in the +sun--everything gave promise of an early and genial season. In vain, +when we reached the ferry at the foot of the hill on which the fort +stood, did Major Twiggs repeat his endeavors to dissuade us from +commencing a journey which he assured me would be perilous beyond what I +could anticipate. I was resolute. + +Our party was augmented by an escort of all the young officers, who +politely insisted on accompanying us as far as Duck Creek, four miles +distant. Indeed, there were some who would gladly have prosecuted the +whole journey with us, and escaped the monotony of their solitary, +uneventful life. In our rear followed an ox cart, on which was perched a +canoe, destined to transport us over the creek, and also an extensive +marsh beyond it, which was invariably, at this season, overflowed with +water to a considerable depth. We had much amusement in watching the +progress of this vehicle as it bumped and thumped over the road, +unconscious hitherto of the dignity of a wheeled carriage. + +Our little, shock-headed, sunburnt, thick-lipped Canadian (who happened +most miraculously to be the husband of my pretty servant, Mrs. Pillon) +shouted vociferously as the animals lagged in their pace, or jolted +against a stump, "_Marchez, don-g_," "_regardez_," "_prenez garde_," to +our infinite diversion. I was in high spirits, foreseeing no hardships +or dangers, but rather imagining myself embarked on a pleasure excursion +across the prairies. It had not even suggested itself to me that a straw +bonnet and kid gloves were no suitable equipment for such an expedition. +Never having travelled at so inclement a season, I was heedlessly +ignorant of the mode of preparing against it, and had resisted or +laughed at my husband's suggestions to provide myself with blanket +socks, and a woollen _capuchon_ for my head and shoulders. And now, +although the wind occasionally lifted my head-gear with a rude puff, and +my hands ere long became swollen and stiffened with the cold, I +persuaded myself that these were trifling evils, to which I should soon +get accustomed. I was too well pleased with the novelty of my outfit, +with my hunting-knife in a gay scabbard hanging from my neck, and my tin +cup at my saddle-bow, to regard minor inconveniences. + +On reaching Duck Creek, we took leave of our young friends, who remained +on the bank long enough to witness our passage across--ourselves in the +canoe, and the poor horses swimming the stream, now filled with cakes of +floating ice. + +Beyond the rising ground which formed the opposite bank of the stream, +extended a marsh of perhaps three hundred yards across. To this the men +carried the canoe which was to bear us over. The water was not deep, so +our attendants merely took off the pack from Brunet and my side-saddle +from Le Gris, for fear of accidents, and then mounted their own steeds, +leading the two extra ones. My husband placed the furniture of the +pack-horse and my saddle in the centre of the canoe, which he was to +paddle across. + +"Now, wifie," said he, "jump in, and seat yourself flat in the bottom of +the canoe." + +"Oh, no," said I; "I will sit on the little trunk in the centre; I shall +be so much more comfortable, and I can balance the canoe exactly." + +"As you please; but I think you will find it is not the best way." + +A vigorous push sent us a few feet from the bank. At that instant two +favorite greyhounds whom we had brought with us, and who had stood +whining upon the bank, reluctant to take to the water as they were +ordered, gave a sudden bound, and alighted full upon me. The canoe +balanced a moment--then yielded--and, quick as thought, dogs, furniture, +and lady were in the deepest of the water. + +My husband, who was just preparing to spring into the canoe when the +dogs thus unceremoniously took precedence of him, was at my side in a +moment, and, seizing me by the collar of my cloak, begged me not to be +frightened. I was not, in the least, and only laughed as he raised and +placed me again upon the bank. + +The unfortunate saddle and little trunk were then rescued, but not until +they had received a pretty thorough wetting. Our merriment was still +further increased by the sight of the maladroit Pillon, who was +attempting to ride my spirited Jerry across the marsh. He was clinging +to the neck of the animal, with a countenance distorted with terror, as +he shouted forth all manner of French objurgations. Jerry pranced and +curveted, and finally shot forward his rider, or rather his _burden_, +headforemost, a distance of several feet into the water. + +A general outcry of mirth saluted the unfortunate Frenchman, which was +redoubled as he raised himself puffing and snorting from his watery bed +and waddled back to his starting-place, the horse, meanwhile, very +sensibly making his way to join his companions, who had already reached +the farther bank. + +"Well, wifie," said Mr. Kinzie, "I cannot trust you in the canoe again. +There is no way but to carry you across the marsh like a pappoose. Will +you take a ride on my shoulders?" + +"With all my heart, if you will promise to take me safely." And I was +soon mounted. + +I most confess that the gentleman staggered now and then under his +burden, which was no slight one, and I was sadly afraid, more than once, +that I should meet a similar fate to old Pillon, but happily we reached +the other side in safety. + +There my husband insisted on my putting on dry shoes and stockings, and +(must I confess it?) drinking a little brandy, to obviate the effects of +my icy bath. He would fain have made a halt to kindle a fire and dry my +apparel and wardrobe properly, but this I would not listen to. I +endeavored to prove to him that the delay would expose me to more cold +than riding in my wet habit and cloak, and so indeed it might have been, +but along with my convictions upon the subject there was mingled a spice +of reluctance that our friends at the fort should have an opportunity, +as they certainly would have done, of laughing at our inauspicious +commencement. + +Soon our horses were put in order, and our march recommenced. The day +was fine for the season. I felt no inconvenience from my wet garments, +the exercise of riding taking away all feeling of chilliness. It was to +me a new mode of travelling, and I enjoyed it the more from having been +secluded for more than five months within the walls of the fort, +scarcely varying the tenor of our lives by an occasional walk of half a +mile into the surrounding woods. + +We had still another detention upon the road, from meeting Lapierre, the +blacksmith, from Sugar Creek, who with one of his associates was going +to the Portage for supplies, so that we had not travelled more than +twenty-three miles when we came to our proposed encamping-ground. It was +upon a beautiful stream, a tributary of one of the Four Lakes,[14] that +chain whose banks are unrivalled for romantic loveliness. + +I could not but admire the sagacity of the horses, who seemed, with +human intelligence, to divine our approach to the spot where their toils +were to cease. While still remote from the point of woods which foretold +a halt, they pricked up their ears, accelerated their pace, and finally +arrived at the spot on a full gallop. + +We alighted at an open space, just within the verge of the wood, or, as +it is called by Western travellers, "the timber." My husband recommended +to me to walk about until a fire should be made, which was soon +accomplished by our active and experienced woodsmen, to whom the felling +of a large tree was the work of a very few minutes. The dry grass around +furnished an excellent tinder, which, ignited by the sparks from the +flint (there were no _loco-focos_ in those days), and aided by the +broken branches and bits of light-wood, soon produced a cheering flame. +"The bourgeois," in the mean time, busied himself in setting up the +tent, taking care to place it opposite the fire, but in such a direction +that the wind would carry the smoke and flame away from the opening or +door. Within upon the ground were spread, first a bear-skin, then two +or three blankets (of which each equestrian had carried two, one under +the saddle and one above it), after which, the remainder of the luggage +being brought in, I was able to divest myself of all my wet clothing and +replace it with dry. Some idea of the state of the thermometer may be +formed from the fact that my riding-habit, being placed over the end of +the huge log against which our fire was made, was, in a very few +minutes, frozen so stiff as to stand upright, giving the appearance of a +dress out of which a lady had vanished in some unaccountable manner. + +It would be but a repetition of our experience upon the Fox River to +describe the ham broiled upon the "broches," the toasted bread, the +steaming coffee, the primitive table-furniture. There is, however, this +difference, that of the latter we carry with us in our journeys on +horseback only a coffee-pot, a tea-kettle, and each rider his tin cup +and hunting-knife. The deportment at table is marked by an absence of +ceremony. The knife is drawn from the scabbard--those who remember to do +so, vouchsafe it a wipe upon the napkin. Its first office is to stir the +cup of coffee--next, to divide the piece of ham which is placed on the +half of a travelling biscuit, held in the left hand, to fulfil the +office of a plate. It is an art only to be acquired by long practice, to +cut the meat so skilfully as not at the same time to destroy the dish. + +We take our places around the mat to enjoy what, after our fatiguing +ride, we find delicious food. The Frenchmen are seated at a little +distance, receiving their supplies of coffee, meat, and bread, and +occasionally passing jokes with the bourgeois, who is their demi-god, +and for whom their respect and devotion are never lessened by his +affability or condescension. + +The meal being finished, the table-furniture is rinsed in hot water and +set aside until morning. A wisp of dry prairie-grass is supposed in most +cases to render the knife fit to be restored to the scabbard, and there +being, at this season of the year, no amusement but that of watching the +awkward movements of the spancelled horses in their progress from spot +to spot in search of pasturage, we are usually soon disposed to arrange +our blankets and retire to rest. + +At break of day we are aroused by the shout of the bourgeois,-- + +"How! how! how!" + +All start from their slumbers. The fire, which has been occasionally +replenished through the night, is soon kindled into a flame. The horses +are caught and saddled, while a breakfast, similar in kind to the meal +of the preceding evening, is preparing--the tent is struck--the +pack-horse loaded--"_tout démanché_," as the Canadian says. The +breakfast finished, we rinse our kettles and cups, tie them to our +saddle-bows, and then mount and away, leaving our fire, or rather our +smoke, to tell of our visit. + +March 9th.--Our journey this day led us past the first of the Four +Lakes. Scattered along its banks was an encampment of Winnebagoes. They +greeted their Father with vociferous joy--"_Bon-jour, bon-jour, +Shaw-nee-aw-kee_," "_Hee-nee-kar-ray-kay-noo?_" (how do you do?) + +To this succeeded the usual announcement, "_Wys-kap-rah +tshoonsh-koo-nee-noh!_" (I have no bread.) + +This is their form of begging; but we could not afford to be generous, +for the uncertainty of obtaining a supply, should our own be exhausted, +obliged us to observe the strictest economy. + +How beautiful the entrapment looked in the morning sun! The matted +lodges, with the blue smoke curling from their tops--the trees and +bushes powdered with a light snow which had fallen through the +night--the lake, shining and sparkling, almost at our feet--even the +Indians, in their peculiar costume, adding to the picturesque! + +I was sorry to leave it, as we were compelled to do, in all haste, +Souris, the pack-horse, having taken it into his head to decamp while we +were in conversation with our red friends. As he had, very sensibly, +concluded to pursue his journey in the right direction, we had the good +fortune to overtake him after a short race, and, having received much +scolding and some blows from young Roy, whose charge he specially was, +he was placed in the middle of the cavalcade, as a mark of disgrace for +his breach of duty. + +Our road, after leaving the lake, lay over a "rolling prairie," now bare +and desolate enough. The hollows were filled with snow, which, being +partly thawed, furnished an uncertain footing for the horses, and I +could not but join in the ringing laughter of oar Frenchmen as +occasionally Brunet and Souris, the two ponies, would flounder, almost +imbedded, through the yielding mass. Even the vainglorious Plante, who +piqued himself on his equestrian skill, was once or twice nearly +unhorsed, from having chosen his road badly. Sometimes the elevations +were covered with a thicket or copse, in which our dogs would generally +rouse up one or more deer. Their first bound, or "lope," was the signal +for a chase. The horses seemed to enter into the spirit of it, as +"halloo" answered "halloo;" but we were never so fortunate as to get a +shot at one, for although the dogs once or twice caught they were not +strong enough to hold them. It was about the middle of the afternoon +when we reached the Blue Mound. I rejoiced much to have got so far, for +I was sadly fatigued, and every mile now seemed like two to me. In fact, +the miles are unconscionably long in this country. When I was told that +we had still seven miles to go, to "Morrison's," where we proposed +stopping for the night, I was almost in despair. It was my first journey +on horseback, and I had not yet become inured to the exercise. + +When we reached Morrison's I was so much exhausted that, as my husband +attempted to lift me from the saddle, I fell into his arms. + +"This will never do," said he. "To-morrow we must turn our faces towards +Fort Winnebago again." + +The door opened hospitably to receive us. We were welcomed by a lady +with a most sweet, benignant countenance, and by her companion, some +years younger. The first was Mrs. Morrison--the other, Miss Elizabeth +Dodge, daughter of General Dodge. + +My husband laid me upon a small bed, in the room where the ladies had +been sitting at work. They took off my bonnet and riding-dress, chafed +my hands, and prepared me some warm wine and water, by which I was soon +revived. A half-hour's repose so refreshed me that I was able to +converse with the ladies, and to relieve my husband's mind of all +anxiety on my account. Tea was announced soon after, and we repaired to +an adjoining building, for Morrison's, like the establishment of all +settlers of that period, consisted of a group of detached log houses or +_cabins_, each containing one or at most two apartments. + +The table groaned with good cheer, and brought to mind some that I had +seen among the old-fashioned Dutch residents on the banks of the Hudson. + +I had recovered my spirits, and we were quite a cheerful party. Mrs. +Morrison told us that during the first eighteen months she passed in +this country she did not speak with a white woman, the only society she +had being that of her husband and two black servant-women. + +A Tennessee woman had called in with her little son just before tea, +and we amused Mr. Kinzie with a description of the pair. The mother's +visit was simply one of courtesy. She was a little, dumpy woman, with a +complexion burned perfectly red by the sun, and hair of an exact +tow-color, braided up from her forehead in front and from her neck +behind. These tails, meeting on the top of her head, were fastened with +a small tin comb. Her dress was of checkered homespun, a "very tight +fit," and, as she wore no ruff or handkerchief around her neck, she +looked as if just prepared for execution. She was evidently awestruck at +the sight of visitors, and seemed inclined to take her departure at +once; but the boy, not so easily intimidated, would not understand her +signs and pinches until he had sidled up to Mrs. Morrison, and, drawing +his old hat still farther over his eyes, begged for a _whang_, meaning a +narrow strip of deer-skin. The lady very obligingly cut one from a large +smoked skin, which she produced from its receptacle, and mother and son +took their leave, with a smiling but rather a scared look. + +After tea we returned to Mrs. Morrison's parlor, where she kindly +insisted on my again reposing myself on the little bed, to recruit me, +as she said, for the ensuing day's journey. My husband, in the mean +time, went to look after the accommodation of his men and horses. + +During the conversation that ensued, I learned that Mrs. Morrison had +passed much time in the neighborhood of my recent home in Oneida County, +that many of the friends I had loved and valued were likewise her +friends, and that she had even proposed to visit me at Fort Winnebago on +hearing of my arrival there, in order to commence an acquaintance which +had thus been brought about by other and unexpected means. + +Long and pleasant was the discourse we held together until a late hour, +and mutual was the satisfaction with which we passed old friends and +by-gone events in review, much to the edification of Miss Dodge, and of +the gentlemen when they once more joined us. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +WILLIAM S. HAMILTON--KELLOGG'S GROVE. + + +The next morning, after a cheerful breakfast, at which we were joined by +the Rev. Mr. Kent, of Galena, we prepared for our journey. I had +reconciled my husband to continuing our route towards Chicago, by +assuring him that I felt as fresh and bright as when I first set out +from home. + +There seemed some apprehension, however, that we might have difficulty +in "striking the trail" to Hamilton's _diggings_, our next point of +destination. + +The directions we received were certainly obscure. We were to pursue a +given trail for a certain number of miles, when we should come to a +crossing into which we were to turn, taking an easterly direction; after +a time, this would bring us to a deep trail leading straight to +Hamilton's. In this open country there are no landmarks. One elevation +is so exactly like another, that if you lose your trail there is almost +as little hope of regaining it as of finding a pathway in the midst of +the ocean.[15] + +The trail, it must be remembered, is not a broad highway, but a narrow +path, deeply indented by the hoofs of the horses on which the Indians +travel in single file. So deeply is it sunk in the sod which covers the +prairies, that it is difficult, sometimes, to distinguish it at a +distance of a few rods. + +It was new ground to Mr. Kinzie, whose journeys from the Portage to +Chicago had hitherto been made in the direct route by Kosh-ko-nong. He +therefore obliged Mr. Morrison to repeat the directions again and again, +though Plante, our guide, swaggered and talked big, averring that "he +knew every hill and stream and point of woods from that spot to +Chicago." + +We had not proceeded many miles on our journey, however, before we +discovered that Monsieur Plante was profoundly ignorant of the country, +so that Mr. Kinzie was obliged to take the lead himself, and make his +way as he was best able, according to the directions he had received. +Nothing, however, like the "cross trails" we had been promised met our +view, and the path on which we had set out diverged so much from what we +knew to be the right direction, that we were at length compelled to +abandon it altogether. + +We travelled the livelong day, barely making a halt at noon to bait our +horses and refresh ourselves with a luncheon. The ride was as gloomy and +desolate as could well be imagined. A rolling prairie, unvaried by +forest or stream--hillock rising after hillock, at every ascent of which +we vainly hoped to see a distant fringe of "_timber_." But the same +cheerless, unbounded prospect everywhere met the eye, diversified only +here and there by the oblong openings, like gigantic graves, which +marked an unsuccessful search for indications of a lead-mine. + +So great was our anxiety to recover our trail, for the weather was +growing more cold, and the wind more sharp and piercing, that we were +not tempted to turn from our course even by the appearance, more than +once, of a gaunt prairie-wolf, peering over the nearest rising-ground +and seeming to dare us to an encounter. The Frenchmen, it is true, would +instinctively give a shout and spur on their horses, while the hounds, +Kelda and Cora, would rush to the chase; but the bourgeois soon called +them back, with a warning that we must attend strictly to the +prosecution of our journey. Just before sunset we crossed, with some +difficulty, a muddy stream, which was bordered by a scanty belt of +trees, making a tolerable encamping-ground; and of this we gladly +availed ourselves, although we knew not whether it was near or remote +from the place we were in search of. + +We had ridden at least fifty miles since leaving Morrison's, yet I was +sensible of very little fatigue; there was, however, a vague feeling of +discomfort at the idea of being lost in this wild, cold region, +altogether different from anything I had ever before experienced. The +encouraging tones of my husband's voice, however, "Cheer up, wifie--we +will find the trail to-morrow," served to dissipate all uneasiness. + +The exertions of the men soon made our "camp" comfortable, +notwithstanding the difficulty of driving the tent-pins into the frozen +ground, and the want of trees sufficiently large to make a _rousing_ +fire. The place was a _stony side-hill,_ as it would be called in New +England, where such things abound; but we were not disposed to be +fastidious, so we ate our salt ham and toasted our bread, and lent a +pleased ear to the chatter of our Frenchmen, who could not sufficiently +admire the heroism of "Madame John" amid the vicissitudes that befell +her. + +The wind, which at bed-time was sufficiently high to be uncomfortable, +increased during the night. It snowed heavily, and we were every moment +in dread that the tent would be carried away; but the matter was settled +differently by the snapping of the poles, and the falling of the whole, +with its superincumbent weight of snow, in a mass upon us. + +Mr. Kinzie roused up his men, and at their head he sallied into the +neighboring wood to cut a new set of poles, leaving me to bear the +burden of the whole upon my shoulders, my only safety from the storm +being to keep snugly housed beneath the canvas. + +With some difficulty a sort of support was at length adjusted for the +tent-covering, which answered our purpose tolerably well until the break +of day, when our damp and miserable condition made us very glad to rise +and hang round the fire until breakfast was dispatched, and the horses +once more saddled for our journey. + +The prospect was not an encouraging one. Around us was an unbroken sheet +of snow. We had no compass, and the air was so obscured by the driving +sleet, that it was often impossible to tell in which direction the sun +was. I tied my husband's silk pocket-handkerchief over my veil, to +protect my face from the wind and icy particles with which the air was +filled, and which cut like a razor; but, although shielded in every way +that circumstances rendered possible, I suffered intensely from the +cold. + +We pursued our way, mile after mile, entering every point of woods, in +hopes of meeting with, at least, some Indian wigwam at which we could +gain intelligence. Every spot was solitary and deserted; not even the +trace of a recent fire, to cheer us with the hope of human beings within +miles of us. + +Suddenly, a shout from the foremost of the party made each heart bound +with joy. + +"_Une clôture! une clôture!_" (A fence! a fence!) + +It was almost like life to the dead. + +We spurred on, and indeed perceived a few straggling rails crowning a +rising ground at no great distance. + +Never did music sound so sweet as the crowing of a cock which at this +moment saluted our ears. + +Following the course of the inclosure down the opposite slope, we came +upon a group of log cabins, low, shabby, and unpromising in their +appearance, but a most welcome shelter from the pelting storm. + +"Whose cabins are these?" asked Mr. Kinzie, of a man who was cutting +wood at the door of one. + +"Hamilton's," was his reply; and he stepped forward at once to assist us +to alight, hospitality being a matter of course in these wild regions. + +We were shown into the most comfortable-looking of the buildings. A +large fire was burning in the clay chimney, and the room was of a genial +warmth, notwithstanding the apertures, many inches in width, beside the +doors and windows. A woman in a tidy calico dress, and shabby black silk +cap trimmed with still shabbier lace, rose from her seat beside a sort +of bread-trough, which fulfilled the office of cradle to a fine, fat +baby. She made room for us at the fire, but was either too timid or too +ignorant to relieve me of wrappings and defences, now heavy with the +snow. + +I soon contrived, with my husband's aid, to disembarrass myself of them; +and, having seen me comfortably disposed of, and in a fair way to be +thawed after my freezing ride, he left me, to see after his men and +horses. + +He was a long time absent, and I expected he would return accompanied by +our host; but when he reappeared it was to tell me, laughing, that Mr. +Hamilton hesitated to present himself before me, being unwilling that +one who had been acquainted with his family at the East should see him +in his present mode of life. However, this feeling apparently wore off, +for before dinner he came in and was introduced to me, and was as +agreeable and polite as the son of Alexander Hamilton would naturally +be. + +The housekeeper, who was the wife of one of the miners, prepared us a +plain, comfortable dinner, and a table as long as the dimensions of the +cabin would admit was set out, the end nearest the fire being covered +with somewhat nicer furniture and more delicate fare than the remaining +portion. + +The blowing of a horn was the signal for the entrance of ten or twelve +miners, who took their places below us at the table. They were the +roughest-looking set of men I ever beheld, and their language was as +uncouth as their persons. They wore hunting-shirts, trowsers, and +moccasins of deer-skin, the former being ornamented at the seams with a +fringe of the same, while a colored belt around the waist, in which was +stuck a large hunting-knife, gave each the appearance of a brigand. + +Mr. Hamilton, although so much their superior, was addressed by them +uniformly as "Uncle Billy;" and I could not but fancy there was +something desperate about them, that it was necessary to propitiate by +this familiarity. This feeling was further confirmed by the remarks of +one of the company who lingered behind after the rest of the _gang_ had +taken their departure. He had learned that we came from Fort Winnebago, +and, having informed us that "he was a discharged soldier, and would +like to make some inquiries about his old station and comrades," he +unceremoniously seated himself and commenced questioning us. + +The bitterness with which he spoke of his former officers made me quite +sure he was a deserter, and I rather suspected he had made his escape +from the service in consequence of some punishment. His countenance was +fairly distorted as he spoke of Captain H., to whose company he had +belonged. "There is a man in the mines," said he, "who has been in his +hands, and if he ever gets a chance to come within shot of him, I guess +the captain will remember it. He knows well enough he darsn't set his +foot in the diggings. And there's T. is not much better. Everybody +thought it a great pity that fellow's gun snapped when he so nearly +_had_ him at Green Bay." + +Having delivered himself of these sentiments, he marched out, to my +great relief. + +Mr. Hamilton passed most of the afternoon with us; for the storm raged +so without, that to proceed on our journey was out of the question. He +gave us many pleasant anecdotes and reminiscences of his early life in +New York, and of his adventures since he had come to the Western +wilderness. When obliged to leave us for awhile, he furnished us with +some books to entertain us, the most interesting of which was the +biography of his father. + +Could this illustrious man have foreseen in what a scene--the dwelling +of his son--this book was to be one day perused, what would have been +his sensations? + +The most amusing part of our experience was yet to come. I had been +speculating, as evening approached, on our prospects for the night's +accommodation. As our pale, melancholy-looking landlady and her fat baby +were evidently the only specimens of the feminine gender about the +establishment, it was hardly reasonable to suppose that any of the other +cabins contained wherewithal to furnish us a comfortable lodging, and +the one in which we were offered nothing of the sort to view, but two +beds, uncurtained, extended against the farther wall. My doubts were +after a time resolved, by observing the hostess stretch a cord between +the two, on which she hung some petticoats and extra garments, by way +of a partition, after which she invited us to occupy one of them. + +My only preparation was, to wrap my cloak around me and lie down with my +face to the wall; but the good people were less ceremonious, for at the +distance of scarcely two feet, we could not be mistaken in the sound of +their garments being, not "laid aside," but whipped over the +partition-wall between us. + +Our waking thoughts, however, were only those of thankfulness for so +comfortable a lodging after the trials and fatigues we had undergone; +and even these were of short duration, for our eyes were soon closed in +slumber. + +The next day's sun rose clear and bright. Refreshed and invigorated, we +looked forward with pleasure to a recommencement of our journey, +confident of meeting no more mishaps by the way. Mr. Hamilton kindly +offered to accompany us to his next neighbor's, the trifling distance of +twenty-five miles. From Kellogg's to Ogie's Ferry, on the Rock River, +the road being much travelled, we should be in no danger, Mr. H. said, +of again losing our way. + +The miner who owned the wife and baby, and who, consequently, was +somewhat more humanized than his comrades, in taking leave of us "wished +us well out of the country, and that we might never have occasion to +return to it!" + +"I pity a body," said he, "when I see them making such an awful mistake +as to come out this way; for comfort _never touched_ this Western +country." + +We found Mr. Hamilton as agreeable a companion as on the preceding day, +but a most desperate rider. He galloped on at such a rate that, had I +not exchanged my pony for the fine, noble Jerry, I should have been in +danger of being left behind. + +Well mounted as we all were, he sometimes nearly distanced us. We were +now among the branches of the Pickatonick, and the country had lost its +prairie character and become rough and broken. We went dashing on, +sometimes down ravines, sometimes through narrow passes, where, as I +followed, I left fragments of my veil upon the projecting and interwoven +branches. Once my hat became entangled, and, had not my husband sprung +to my rescue, I must have shared the fate of Absalom, Jerry's ambition +to keep his place in the race making it probable he would do as did the +mule who was under the unfortunate prince. + +There was no halting upon the route, and, as we kept the same pace until +three o'clock in the afternoon, it was beyond a question that when we +reached "Kellogg's" we had travelled at least thirty miles. One of my +greatest annoyances during the ride had been the behavior of the little +beast Brunet. He had been hitherto used as a saddle-horse, and had been +accustomed to a station in the file near the guide or leader. He did not +relish being put in the background as a pack-horse, and accordingly, +whenever we approached a stream, where the file broke up to permit each +horseman to choose his own place of fording, it was, invariably the case +that just as I was reining Jerry into the water, Brunet would come +rushing past and throw himself into our very footsteps. Plunging, +snorting, and splashing me with water, and sometimes even starting Jerry +into a leap aside, he more than once brought me into imminent danger of +being tossed into the stream. It was in vain that, after one or two such +adventures, I learned to hold back and give the vexatious little animal +the precedence. His passion seemed to be to go into the water precisely +at the moment Jerry did; and I was obliged at last to make a bargain +with young Roy to dismount and hold him at every stream until I had got +safely across. + +"Kellogg's"[16] was a comfortable mansion, just within the verge of a +pleasant "grove of timber," as a small forest is called by Western +travellers. We found Mrs. Kellogg a very respectable-looking matron, who +soon informed us she was from the city of New York. She appeared proud +and delighted to entertain Mr. Hamilton, for whose family, she took +occasion to tell us, she had, in former days, been in the habit of doing +needle-work. + +The worthy woman provided us an excellent dinner, and afterwards +installed me in a rocking-chair beside a large fire, with the "Life of +Mrs. Fletcher" to entertain me, while the gentlemen explored the +premises, visited Mr. Kellogg's stock, and took a careful look at their +own. We had intended to go to Dixon's the same afternoon, but the snow, +beginning again to fall, obliged us to content ourselves where we were. + +In the mean time, finding we were journeying to Chicago, Mr. Kellogg +came to the determination to accompany us, having, as he said, some +business to accomplish at that place: so Mrs. Kellogg busied herself in +preparing him to set off with us the following morning. I pleaded hard +to remain yet another day, as the following was Sunday, on which I +objected to travel; but in view of the necessities of the case, the +uncertainty of the weather, and the importance of getting as quickly as +possible through this wild country, my objections were overruled, and I +could only obtain a delay in starting until so late in the afternoon as +would give us just time to ride the sixteen miles to "Dixon's" before +sunset. + +No great time was required for Mr. Kellogg's preparations. He would +take, he said, only two days' provisions, for at his brother-in-law +Dixon's we should get our supper and breakfast, and the route from there +to Chicago could, he well knew, be accomplished in a day and a half. + +Although, according to this calculation, we had sufficient remaining of +our stores to carry us to the end of our journey, yet my husband took +the precaution of begging Mrs. Kellogg to bake us another bag of +biscuits, in case of accidents, and he likewise suggested to Mr. Kellogg +the prudence of furnishing himself with something more than his limited +allowance; but the good man objected that he was unwilling to burden his +horse more than was absolutely necessary, seeing that, at this season of +the year, we were obliged to carry fodder for the animals, in addition +to the rest of their load. It will be seen that we had reason to rejoice +in our own foresight. + +My experience of the previous night had rendered me somewhat less +fastidious than when I commenced my journey, so that, when introduced to +our sleeping-apartment, which I found we were to share with six men, +travellers like ourselves, my only feeling was one of thankfulness that +each bed was furnished with a full suit of blue checked curtains, which +formed a very tolerable substitute for a dressing-room. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +ROCK RIVER--HOURS OF TROUBLE. + + +It was late on the following day (March 13th) when we took leave of our +kind hostess. She loaded us with cakes, good wishes, and messages to her +sister Dixon and the children. We journeyed pleasantly along through a +country beautiful in spite of its wintry appearance. + +There was a house at Buffalo Grove, at which we stopped for half an +hour, and where a nice-looking young girl presented us with some +maple-sugar of her own making. She entertained us with the history of a +contest between two rival claimants for the patronage of the +stage-wagon, the proprietors of which had not decided whether to send it +by Buffalo Grove or by another route, which she pointed out to us, at no +great distance. The _driver_, she took care to inform us, was in favor +of the former; and the blush with which she replied in the affirmative +to our inquiry, "Is he a young man?" explained the whole matter +satisfactorily. + +At length, just at sunset, we reached the dark, rapid waters of the Rock +River. The ferry which we had travelled so far out of our way to take +advantage of, proved to be merely a small boat or skiff, the larger one +having been swept off into the stream, and carried down in the +breaking-up of the ice, the week previous. + +My husband's first care was to get me across. He placed me with the +saddles, packs, etc. in the boat, and as, at that late hour, no time was +to be lost, he ventured, at the same time, to hold the bridles of the +two most docile horses, to guide them in swimming the river. + +When we had proceeded a few rods from the shore, we were startled by a +loud puffing and blowing near us, and looking around, to our great +surprise, discovered little Brunet just upon our "weather-bow." +Determined not to be outdone by his model, Jerry, he had taken to the +water on his own responsibility, and arrived at the opposite shore as +soon as any of the party. + +All being safely landed, a short walk brought us to the house of Mr. +Dixon. Although so recently come into the country, he had contrived to +make everything comfortable around him; and when he ushered us into Mrs. +Dixon's sitting-room, and seated us by a glowing wood fire, while Mrs. +Dixon busied herself in preparing us a nice supper, I felt that the +comfort overbalanced the inconvenience of such a journey. + +Mrs. Dixon was surrounded by several children. One leaning against the +chimney-piece was dressed in the full Indian costume--calico shirt, +blanket, and leggings. His dark complexion, and full, melancholy eyes, +which he kept fixed upon the ashes in which he was making marks with a +stick, rarely raising them to gaze on us, as children are wont to do, +interested me exceedingly, and I inquired of an intelligent little girl, +evidently a daughter of our host,-- + +"Who is that boy?" + +"Oh, that is John Ogie," answered she. + +"What is the matter with him? he looks very sad." + +"Oh, he is fretting after his mother." + +"Is she dead, then?" + +"Some say she is dead, and some say she is gone away. I guess she is +dead, and buried up in one of those graves yonder"--pointing to two or +three little picketed inclosures upon a rising ground opposite the +window. + +I felt a strong sympathy with the child, which was increased when the +little spokeswoman, in answer to my inquiry, "Has he no father?" +replied,-- + +"Oh, yes, but he goes away, and drinks, and don't care for his +children." + +"And what becomes of John then?" + +"He stays here with us, and we teach him to read, and he learns +_dreadful_ fast." + +When the boy at length turned his large dark eyes upon me, it went to my +heart. It was such a _motherless_ look. And it was explained when, long +afterwards, I learned his further history. His mother was still living, +and he knew it, although, with the reserve peculiar to his people, he +never spoke of her to his young companions. Unable to endure the +continued ill treatment of her husband, a surly, intemperate Canadian, +she had left him, and returned to her own family among the +Pottowattamies. Years after, this boy and a brother who had also been +left behind with their father found their way to the Upper Missouri, to +join their mother, who, with the others of her tribe, had been removed +by the Government from the shores of Lake Michigan. + +A most savory supper of ducks and venison, with their accompaniments, +soon smoked upon the board, and we did ample justice to it. Travelling +is a great sharpener of the appetite, and so is cheerfulness; and the +latter was increased by the encouraging account Mr. Dixon gave us of the +remainder of the route yet before us. + +"There is no difficulty," said he, "if you keep a little to the north, +and strike the great _Sauk trail_. If you get too far to the south, you +will come upon the Winnebago Swamp, and, once in that, there is no +telling when you will ever get out again. As for the distance, it is +nothing at all to speak of. Two young men came out here from Chicago, +on foot, last fall. They got here the evening of the second day; and, +even with a lady in your party, you could go on horseback in less time +than that. The only thing is to be sure and get on the great track that +the Sauks have made, in going every year from the Mississippi to Canada, +to receive their presents from the British Indian Agent." + +The following morning, which was a bright and lovely one for that season +of the year, we took leave of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, in high spirits. We +travelled for the first few miles along the beautiful, undulating banks +of the Rock River, always in an easterly direction, keeping the beaten +path, or rather road, which led to Fort Clark, or Peoria. The Sauk +trail, we had been told, would cross this road at the distance of about +six miles. + +After having travelled, as we judged, fully that distance, we came upon +a trail bearing northeast, and a consultation was held as to the +probability of its being the one we were in search of. + +Mr. Kinzie was of opinion that it tended too much to the north, and was, +moreover, too faint and obscure for a trail so much used, and by so +large a body of Indians in their annual journeys. + +Plante was positive as to its being the very spot where he and "Piché" +in their journey to Port Winnebago, the year before, struck into the +great road. "On that very rising-ground at the point of woods, he +remembered perfectly well stopping to shoot ducks, which they ate for +their supper." + +Mr. Kellogg was non-committal, but sided alternately with each speaker. + +As Plante was "the guide," and withal so confident of being right, it +was decided to follow him, not without some demurring, however, on the +part of the bourgeois, who every now and then called to halt, to +discuss the state of affairs. + +"Now, Plante," he would say, "I am sure you are leading us too far +north. Why, man, if we keep on in this direction, following the course +of the river, we shall bring up at Kosh-ko-nong, instead of Chicago." + +"Ah! mon bourgeois," would the light-hearted Canadian reply, "would I +tell you this is the road if I were not quite certain? Only one year ago +I travelled it, and can I forget so soon? Oh, no--I remember every foot +of it." + +But Monsieur Plante was convinced of his mistake when the trail brought +us to the great bend of the river with its bold rocky bluffs. + +"Are you satisfied now, Plante?" asked Mr. Kinzie. "By your leave, I +will now play pilot myself." And he struck off from the trail, in a +direction as nearly east as possible. + +The weather had changed and become intensely cold, and we felt that the +detention we had met with, even should we now be in the right road, was +no trifling matter. We had not added to our stock of provisions at +Dixon's, wishing to carry as much forage as we were able for our horses, +for whom the scanty picking around our encamping-grounds afforded an +insufficient meal. But we were buoyed up by the hope that we were in the +right path at last, and we journeyed on until night, when we reached a +comfortable "encampment," in the edge of a grove near a small stream. + +Oh, how bitterly cold that night was! The salted provisions, to which I +was accustomed, occasioned me an intolerable thirst, and my husband was +in the habit of placing the little tin coffee-pot filled with water at +my bed's head when we went to rest, but this night it was frozen solid +long before midnight. We were so well wrapped up in blankets that we +did not suffer from cold while within the tent, but the open air was +severe in the extreme. + +March 15th.--We were roused by the bourgeois at peep of day to make +preparations for starting. We must find the Sauk trail this day at all +hazards. What would become of us should we fail to do so? It was a +question no one liked to ask, and certainly one that none could have +answered. + +On leaving our encampment, we found ourselves entering a marshy tract of +country. Myriads of wild geese, brant, and ducks rose up screaming at +our approach. The more distant lakes and ponds were black with them, but +the shallow water through which we attempted to make our way was frozen, +by the severity of the night, to a thickness not quite sufficient to +bear the horses, but just such as to cut their feet and ankles at every +step as they broke through it. Sometimes the difficulty of going forward +was so great that we were obliged to retrace our steps and make our way +round the head of the marsh, thus adding to the discomforts of our +situation by the conviction that, while journeying diligently, we were, +in fact, making very little progress. + +This swampy region at length passed, we came upon more solid ground, +chiefly the open prairie. But now a new trouble assailed us. The weather +had moderated, and a blinding snow-storm came on. Without a trail that +we could rely upon, and destitute of a compass, our only dependence had +been the sun to point out our direction; but the atmosphere was now so +obscure that it was impossible to tell in what quarter of the heavens he +was. + +We pursued our way, however, and a devious one it must have been. After +travelling in this way many miles, we came upon an Indian trail, deeply +indented, running at right angles with the course we were pursuing. The +snow had ceased, and, the clouds becoming thinner, we were able to +observe the direction of the sun, and to perceive that the trail ran +north and south. What should we do? Was it safest to pursue our easterly +course, or was it probable that by following this new path we should +fall into the direct one we had been so long seeking? If we decided to +take the trail, should we go north or south? Mr. Kinzie was for the +latter. He was of opinion we were still too far north--somewhere about +the Grand Marais, or Kish-wau-kee. Mr. Kellogg and Plante were for +taking the northerly direction. The latter was positive his bourgeois +had already gone too far south--in fact, that we must now be in the +neighborhood of the Illinois River. Finding himself in the minority, my +husband yielded, and we turned our horses' heads north, much against his +will. After proceeding a few miles, however, he took a sudden +determination. "You may go north, if you please," said he, "but I am +convinced that the other course is right, and I shall face about--follow +who will." + +So we wheeled round and rode south again, and many a long and weary mile +did we travel, the monotony of our ride broken only by the querulous +remarks of poor Mr. Kellogg. "I am really afraid we are wrong, Mr. +Kinzie. I feel pretty sure that the young man is right. It looks most +natural to me that we should take a northerly course, and not be +stretching away so far to the south." + +To all this, Mr. Kinzie turned a deaf ear. The Frenchmen rode in +silence. They would as soon have thought of cutting off their right hand +as showing opposition to the bourgeois when he had once expressed his +decision. They would never have dreamed of offering an opinion or remark +unless called upon to do so. + +The road, which had continued many miles through the prairie, at +length, in winding round a point of woods, brought us suddenly upon an +Indian village. A shout of joy broke from the whole party, but no +answering shout was returned--not even a bark of friendly welcome--as we +galloped up to the wigwams. All was silent as the grave. We rode round +and round, then dismounted and looked into several of the spacious huts. +They had evidently been long deserted. Nothing remained but the bare +walls of bark, from which everything in the shape of furniture had been +stripped by the owners and carried with them to their wintering-grounds, +to be brought back in the spring, when they returned to make their +corn-fields and occupy their summer cabins. + +Our disappointment may be better imagined than described. With heavy +hearts, we mounted and once more pursued our way, the snow again falling +and adding to the discomforts of our position. At length we halted for +the night. We had long been aware that our stock of provisions was +insufficient for another day, and here we were--nobody knew where--in +the midst of woods and prairies--certainly far from any human +habitation, with barely enough food for a slender evening's meal. + +The poor dogs came whining round us to beg their usual portion, but they +were obliged to content themselves with a bare bone, and we retired to +rest with the feeling that if not actually hungry then, we should +certainly be so to-morrow. + +The morrow came. Plante and Roy had a bright fire and a nice pot of +coffee for us. It was our only breakfast, for, on shaking the bag and +turning it inside out, we could make no more of our stock of bread than +three crackers, which the rest of the party insisted I should put in my +pocket for my dinner. I was much touched by the kindness of Mr. Kellogg, +who drew from his wallet a piece of tongue and a slice of fruit-cake, +which he said "he had been saving for _the lady_ since the day before, +for he saw how matters were a going." + +Poor man! it would have been well if he had listened to Mr. Kinzie and +provided himself at the outset with a larger store of provisions. As it +was, those he brought with him were exhausted early in the second day, +and he had been _boarding_ with us for the last two meals. + +We still had the trail to guide us, and we continued to follow it until +about nine o'clock, when, in emerging from a wood, we came upon a broad +and rapid river. A collection of Indian wigwams stood upon the opposite +bank, and, as the trail led directly to the water, it was fair to infer +that the stream was fordable. We had no opportunity of testing it, +however, for the banks were so lined with ice, which was piled up tier +upon tier by the breaking-up of the previous week, that we tried in vain +to find a path by which we could descend the bank to the water. + +The men shouted again and again, in hopes some straggling inhabitant of +the village might be at hand with his canoe. No answer was returned, +save by the echoes. What was to be done? I looked at my husband and saw +that care was on his brow, although he still continued to speak +cheerfully. "We will follow this cross-trail down the bank of the +river," said he. "There must be Indians wintering near, in some of these +points of wood." + +I must confess that I felt somewhat dismayed at our prospects, but I +kept up a show of courage, and did not allow my despondency to be seen. +All the party were dull and gloomy enough. + +We kept along the bank, which was considerably elevated above the water, +and bordered at a little distance with a thick wood. All at once my +horse, who was mortally afraid of Indians, began to jump and prance, +snorting and pricking up his ears as if an enemy were at hand. I +screamed with delight to my husband, who was at the head of the file, +"Oh, John! John! there are Indians near--look at Jerry!" + +At this instant a little Indian dog ran out from under the bushes by the +roadside, and began barking at us. Never were sounds more welcome. We +rode directly into the thicket, and, descending into a little hollow, +found two squaws crouching behind the bushes, trying to conceal +themselves from our sight. + +They appeared greatly relieved when Mr. Kinzie addressed them in the +Pottowattamie language,-- + +"What are you doing here?" + +"Digging Indian potatoes"--(a species of artichoke.) + +"Where is your lodge?" + +"On the other side of the river." + +"Good--then you have a canoe here. Can you take us across?" + +"Yes--the canoe is very small." + +They conducted us down the bank to the water's edge where the canoe was. +It was indeed _very small_. My husband explained to them that they must +take me across first, and then return for the others of the party. + +"Will you trust yourself alone over the river?" inquired he. "You see +that but one can cross at a time." + +"Oh, yes"--and I was soon placed in the bottom of the canoe, lying flat +and looking up at the sky, while the older squaw took the paddle in her +hand, and placed herself on her knees at my head, and the younger, a +girl of fourteen or fifteen, stationed herself at my feet. There was +just room enough for me to lie in this position, each of the others +kneeling in the opposite ends of the canoe. + +While these preparations were making, Mr. Kinzie questioned the women as +to our whereabout. They knew no name for the river but "Saumanong." +This was not definite, it being the generic term for any large stream. +But he gathered that the village we had passed higher up, on the +opposite side of the stream, was Wau-ban-see's, and then he knew that we +were on the Fox River, and probably about fifty miles from Chicago. + +The squaw, in answer to his inquiries, assured him that Chicago was +"close by." + +"That means," said he, "that it is not so far off as Canada. We must not +be too sanguine." + +The men set about unpacking the horses, and I in the mean time was +paddled across the river. The old woman immediately returned, leaving +the younger one with me for company. I seated myself on the fallen trunk +of a tree, in the midst of the snow, and looked across the dark waters. +I am not ashamed to confess my weakness--for the first time on my +journey I shed tears. It was neither hunger, nor fear, nor cold, which +extorted them from me. It was the utter desolation of spirit, the +sickness of heart which "hope deferred" ever occasions, and which of all +evils is the hardest to bear. + +The poor little squaw looked into my face with a wondering and +sympathizing expression. Probably she was speculating in her own mind +what a person who rode so fine a horse, and wore so comfortable a +broadcloth dress, could have to cry about. I pointed to a seat beside me +on the log, but she preferred standing and gazing at me, with the same +pitying expression. Presently she was joined by a young companion, and, +after a short chattering, of which I was evidently the subject, they +both trotted off into the woods, and left me to my own solitary +reflections. + +"What would my friends at the East think," said I to myself, "if they +could see me now? What would poor old Mrs. Welsh say? She who warned me +that _if I came away so far to the West, I should break my heart?_ +Would she not rejoice to find how likely her prediction was to be +fulfilled?" + +These thoughts roused me. I dried up my tears, and by the time my +husband with his party and all his horses and luggage were across, I had +recovered my cheerfulness, and was ready for fresh adventures. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +RELIEF. + + +We followed the old squaw to her lodge, which was at no great distance +in the woods. I had never before been in an Indian lodge, although I had +occasionally peeped into one of the many always clustered round the +house of the Interpreter at the Portage. + +This one was very nicely arranged. Four sticks of wood placed to form a +square in the centre, answered the purpose of a hearth, within which the +fire was built, the smoke escaping through an opening in the top. The +mats of which the lodge was constructed were very neat and new, and +against the sides, depending from the poles or frame-work, hung various +bags of Indian manufacture, containing their dried food and other +household treasures. Sundry ladles, small kettles, and wooden bowls also +hung from the cross-poles; and dangling from the centre, by an iron +chain, was a large kettle in which some dark, suspicious-looking +substance was seething over the scanty fire. On the floor of the lodge, +between the fire and the outer wall, were spread mats, upon which my +husband invited me to be seated and make myself comfortable. + +The first demand of an Indian on meeting a white man is for _bread_, of +which they are exceedingly fond, and I knew enough of the Pottowattamie +language to comprehend the timid "_pe-qua-zhe-gun choh-kay-go_" (I have +no bread) with which the squaw commenced our conversation after my +husband had left the lodge. + +I shook my head, and endeavored to convey to her that, so far from being +able to give, I had had no breakfast myself. She understood me, and +instantly produced a bowl, into which she ladled a quantity of Indian +potatoes from the kettle over the fire, and set them before me. I was +too hungry to be fastidious, and, owing partly, no doubt, to the +sharpness of my appetite, I really found them delicious. + +Two little girls, inmates of the lodge, sat gazing at me with evident +admiration and astonishment, which were increased when I took my little +Prayer book from my pocket and began to read. They had, undoubtedly, +never seen a book before, and I was amused at the care with which they +looked _away_ from me, while they questioned their mother about my +strange employment and listened to her replies. + +While thus occupied, I was startled by a sudden sound of "hogh!" and the +mat which hung over the entrance of the lodge was raised, and an Indian +entered with that graceful bound which is peculiar to themselves. It was +the master of the lodge, who had been out to shoot ducks, and was just +returned. He was a tall, finely-formed man, with a cheerful, open +countenance, and he listened to what his wife in a quiet tone related to +him, while he divested himself of his accoutrements, in the most +unembarrassed, well-bred manner imaginable. + +Soon my husband joined us. He had been engaged in attending to the +comfort of his horses, and assisting his men in making their fire, and +pitching their tent, which the rising storm made a matter of some +difficulty. + +From the Indian he learned that we were in what was called the Big +Woods,[17] or "Piché's Grove," from a Frenchman of that name living not +far from the spot--that the river we had crossed was the Fox River--that +he could guide us to _Piché's_, from which the road was perfectly plain, +or even into Chicago if we preferred--but that we had better remain +encamped for that day, as there was a storm coming on, and in the mean +time he would go and shoot some ducks for our dinner and supper. He was +accordingly furnished with powder and shot, and set off again for game +without delay. + +I had put into my pocket, on leaving home, a roll of scarlet ribbon, in +case a stout string should be wanted, and I now drew it forth, and with +the knife which hung around my neck I cut off a couple of yards for each +of the little girls. They received it with great delight, and their +mother, dividing each portion into two, tied a piece to each of the +little clubs into which their hair was knotted on the temples. They +laughed, and exclaimed "Saum!" as they gazed at each other, and their +mother joined in their mirth, although, as I thought, a little unwilling +to display her maternal exultation before a stranger. + +The tent being all in order, my husband came for me, and we took leave +of our friends in the wigwam, with grateful hearts. + +The storm was raging without. The trees were bending and cracking around +us, and the air was completely filled with the wild-fowl screaming and +_quacking_ as they made their way southward before the blast. Our tent +was among the trees not far from the river. My husband took me to the +bank to look for a moment at what we had escaped. The wind was sweeping +down from the north in a perfect hurricane. The water was filled with +masses of snow and ice, dancing along upon the torrent, over which were +hurrying thousands of wild-fowl, making the woods resound to their +deafening clamor. + +Had we been one hour later, we could not possibly have crossed the +stream, and there would have been nothing for us but to have remained +and starved in the wilderness. Could we be sufficiently grateful to that +kind Providence that had brought us safely through such dangers? + +The men had cut down an immense tree, and built a fire against it, but +the wind shifted so continually that every five minutes the tent would +become completely filled with smoke, so that I was driven into the open +air for breath. Then I would seat myself on one end of the huge log, as +near the fire as possible, for it was dismally cold, but the wind seemed +actuated by a kind of caprice, for in whatever direction I took my seat, +just that way came the smoke and hot ashes, puffing in my face until I +was nearly blinded. Neither veil nor silk handkerchief afforded an +effectual protection, and I was glad when the arrival of our huntsmen, +with a quantity of ducks, gave me an opportunity of diverting my +thoughts from my own sufferings, by aiding the men to pick them and get +them ready for our meal. + +We borrowed a kettle from our Indian friends. It was not remarkably +clean; but we heated a little water in it, and _prairie-hay'd_ it out, +before consigning our birds to it, and with a bowl of Indian potatoes, a +present from our kind neighbors, we soon had an excellent soup. + +What with the cold, the smoke, and the driving ashes and cinders, this +was the most uncomfortable afternoon I had yet passed, and I was glad +when night came, and I could creep into the tent and cover myself up in +the blankets, out of the way of all three of these evils. + +The storm raged with tenfold violence during the night. We were +continually startled by the crashing of the falling trees around us, and +who could tell but that the next would be upon us? Spite of our fatigue, +we passed an almost sleepless night. When we arose in the morning, we +were made fully alive to the perils by which we had been surrounded. At +least fifty trees, the giants of the forest, lay prostrate within view +of the tent. + +When we had taken our scanty breakfast, and were mounted and ready for +departure, it was with difficulty we could thread our way, so completely +was it obstructed by the fallen trunks. + +Our Indian guide had joined us at an early hour, and after conducting us +carefully out of the wood, and pointing out to us numerous +bee-trees,[18] for which he said that grove was famous, he set off at a +long trot, and about nine o'clock brought us to _Piché's_, a log cabin +on a rising ground, looking off over the broad prairie to the east. We +had hoped to get some refreshment here, Piché being an old acquaintance +of some of the party; but, alas! the master was from home. We found his +cabin occupied by Indians and travellers--the latter few, the former +numerous. + +There was no temptation to a halt, except that of warming ourselves at a +bright fire that was burning in the clay chimney. A man in Quaker +costume stepped forward to answer our inquiries, and offered to become +our escort to Chicago, to which place he was bound--so we dismissed our +Indian friend, with a satisfactory remuneration for all the trouble he +had so kindly taken for us. + +A long reach of prairie extended from Piché's to the Du Page, between +the two forks of which, Mr. Dogherty, our new acquaintance, told us, we +should find the dwelling of a Mr. Hawley, who would give us a +comfortable dinner. + +The weather was intensely cold; the wind, sweeping over the wide prairie +with nothing to break its force, chilled our very hearts. I beat my feet +against the saddle to restore the circulation, when they became benumbed +with the cold, until they were so bruised I could beat them no longer. +Not a house or wigwam, not even a clump of trees as a shelter, offered +itself for many a weary mile. At length we reached the west fork of the +Du Page. It was frozen, but not sufficiently so to bear the horses. Our +only resource was to cut a way for them through the ice. It was a work +of time, for the ice had frozen to several inches in thickness during +the last bitter night. Plante went first with an axe, and cut as far as +he could reach, then mounted one of the hardy little ponies, and With +some difficulty broke the ice before him, until he had opened a passage +to the opposite shore. + +How the poor animals shivered as they were reined in among the floating +ice! And we, who sat waiting in the piercing wind, were not much better +off. Probably Brunet was of the same opinion; for, with his usual +perversity, he plunged in immediately after Plante, and stood shaking +and quaking behind him, every now and then looking around him, as much +as to say, "I've got ahead of you, this time!" We were all across at +last, and spurred on our horses, until we reached Hawley's[19]--a +large, commodious dwelling, near the east fork of the river. + +The good woman welcomed us kindly, and soon made us warm and +comfortable. We felt as if we were in a civilized land once more. She +proceeded immediately to prepare dinner for us; and we watched her with +eager eyes, as she took down a huge ham from the rafters, out of which +she cut innumerable slices, then broke a dozen or more of fine fresh +eggs into a pan, in readiness for frying--then mixed a _johnny-cake_, +and placed it against a board in front of the fire to bake. It seemed to +me that even with the aid of this fine, bright fire, the dinner took an +unconscionable time to cook; but cooked it was, at last, and truly might +the good woman stare at the travellers' appetites we had brought with +us. She did not know what short commons we had been on for the last two +days. + +We found, upon inquiry, that we could, by pushing on, reach Lawton's, on +the Aux Plaines, that night--we should then be within twelve miles of +Chicago. Of course we made no unnecessary delay, but set off as soon +after dinner as possible. + +The crossing of the east fork of the Du Page was more perilous than the +former one had been. The ice had become broken, either by the force of +the current, or by some equestrians having preceded us and cut through +it, so that when we reached the bank, the ice was floating down in large +cakes. The horses had to make a rapid dart through the water, which was +so high, and rushing in such a torrent, that if I had not been mounted +on Jerry, the tallest horse in the cavalcade, I must have got a terrible +splashing. + +As it was, I was well frightened, and grasped both bridle and mane with +the utmost tenacity. After this we travelled on as rapidly as possible, +in order to reach our place of destination before dark. + +Mr. Dogherty, a tall, bolt-upright man, half Quaker, half Methodist, did +his best to entertain me, by giving me a thorough schedule of his +religious opinions, with the reasons from Scripture upon which they were +based. He was a good deal of a perfectionist, and evidently looked upon +himself with no small satisfaction, as a living illustration of his +favorite doctrine. + +"St. John says," this was the style of his discourse, "St. John says, +'He that is born of God, doth not commit sin' Now, _if_ I am born of +God, I do not commit sin." + +I was too cold and too weary to argue the point, so I let him have it +all his own way. I believe he must have thought me rather a dull +companion; but at least he gave me the credit of being a good listener. + +It was almost dark when we reached Lawton's. The Aux Plaines[20] was +frozen, and the house was on the other side. By loud shouting, we +brought out a man from the building, and he succeeded in cutting the +ice, and bringing a canoe over to us; but not until it had become +difficult to distinguish objects in the darkness. + +A very comfortable house was Lawton's, after we did reach it--carpeted, +and with a warm stove--in fact, quite in civilized style, Mr. Weeks, the +man who brought us across, was the major-domo, during the temporary +absence of Mr. Lawton. + +Mrs. Lawton was a young woman, and not ill-looking. She complained +bitterly of the loneliness of her condition, and having been "brought +out there into the woods; which was a thing she had not expected, when +she came from the East." We did not ask her with what expectations she +had come to a wild, unsettled country; but we tried to comfort her with +the assurance that things would grow better in a few years. She said, +"She did not mean to wait for that. She should go back to her family in +the East, if Mr. Lawton did not invite some of her young friends to come +and stay with her, and make it agreeable." + +We could hardly realize, on rising the following morning, that only +twelve miles of prairie intervened between us and _Chicago le Désiré_, +as I could not but name it. + +We could look across the extended plain, and on its farthest verge were +visible two tall trees, which my husband pointed out to me as the +planting of his own hand, when a boy. Already they had become so lofty +as to serve as landmarks, and they were constantly in view as we +travelled the beaten road. I was continually repeating to myself, "There +live the friends I am so longing to see! There will terminate all our +trials and hardships!" + +A Mr. Wentworth joined us on the road, and of him we inquired after the +welfare of the family, from whom we had, for a long time, received no +intelligence. When we reached Chicago, he took us to a little tavern at +the forks of the river. This portion of the place was then called _Wolf +Point_, from its having been the residence of an Indian named +"_Moaway_," or "the Wolf." + +"Dear me," said the old landlady, at the little tavern, "what dreadful +cold weather you must have had to travel in! Why, two days ago the river +was all open here, and now it's frozen hard enough for folks to cross +a-horseback!" + +Notwithstanding this assurance, my husband did not like to venture, so +he determined to leave his horses and proceed on foot to the residence +of his mother and sister, a distance of about half a mile. + +We set out on our walk, which was first across the ice, then down the +northern bank of the river. As we approached the house we were espied by +Genevieve, a half-breed servant of the family. She did not wait to +salute us, but flew into the house, crying,-- + +"Oh! Madame Kinzie, who do you think has come? Monsieur John and Madame +John, all the way from Fort Winnebago on foot!" + +Soon we were in the arms of our dear, kind friends. A messenger was +dispatched to "the garrison" for the remaining members of the family, +and for that day, at least, I was the wonder and admiration of the whole +circle, "for the dangers I had seen." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +CHICAGO IN 1831. + + +Fort Dearborn at that day consisted of the same buildings as at +present.[21] They were, of course, in a better state of preservation, +though still considerably dilapidated. They had been erected in 1816, +under the supervision of Captain Hezekiah Bradley, and there was a story +current that, such was his patriotic regard for the interests of the +Government, he obliged the soldiers to fashion wooden pins, instead of +spikes and nails, to fasten the timbers of the buildings, and that he +even called on the junior officers to aid in their construction along +with the soldiers, whose business it was. If this were true, the captain +must have labored under the delusion (excusable in one who had lived +long on the frontier) that Government would thank its servants for any +excess of economical zeal. + +The fort was inclosed by high pickets, with bastions at the alternate +angles. Large gates opened to the north and south, and there were small +posterns here and there for the accommodation of the inmates. The bank +of the river which stretches to the west, now covered by the light-house +buildings, and inclosed by docks, was then occupied by the root-houses +of the garrison. Beyond the parade-ground, which extended south of the +pickets, were the company gardens, well filled with currant-bushes and +young fruit-trees. + +The fort stood at what might naturally be supposed to be the mouth of +the river. It was not so, however, for in those days the latter took a +turn, sweeping round the promontory on which the fort was built, towards +the south, and joining the lake about half a mile below. These buildings +stood on the right bank of the river, the left being a long spit of land +extending from the northern shore, of which it formed a part. After the +cutting through of this portion of the left bank in 1833 by the United +States Engineers employed to construct a harbor at this point, and the +throwing out of the piers, the water overflowed this long tongue of +land, and, continually encroaching on the southern bank, robbed it of +many valuable acres; while, by the same action of the vast body of the +lake, an accretion was constantly taking place on the north of the +harbor. + +The residence of Jean Baptiste Beaubien stood at this period between the +gardens and the river-bank, and still farther south was a rickety +tenement, built many years before by Mr. John Dean, the sutler of the +post. A short time after the commencement of the growth of Chicago, the +foundations of this building were undermined by the gradual encroachment +of the lake, and it tumbled backward down the bank, where it long lay, a +melancholy spectacle. + +On the northern bank of the river, directly facing the fort, was the +family mansion of my husband.[22] It was a long, low building, with a +piazza extending along its front, a range of four or five rooms. A broad +green space was inclosed between it and the river, and shaded by a row +of Lombardy poplars. Two immense cottonwood-trees stood in the rear of +the building, one of which still remains as an ancient landmark. A fine, +well-cultivated garden extended to the north of the dwelling, and +surrounding it were various buildings appertaining to the +establishment--dairy, bake-house, lodging-house for the Frenchmen, and +stables. + +A vast range of sand-hills, covered with stunted cedars, pines, and +dwarf-willow-trees, intervened between the house and the lake, which +was, at this time, not more than thirty rods distant. + +Proceeding from this point along the northern bank of the river, we came +first to the Agency House, "Cobweb Castle," as it had been denominated +while long the residence of a bachelor, and the _sobriquet_ adhered to +it ever after. It stood at what is now the southwest corner of +Wolcott[23] and N. Water Streets. Many will still remember it, a +substantial, compact little building of logs hewed and squared, with a +centre, two wings, and, strictly speaking, two _tails_, since, when +there was found no more room for additions at the sides, they were +placed in the rear, whereon a vacant spot could be found. + +These appendages did not mar the symmetry of the whole, as viewed from +the front, but when, in the process of the town's improvement, a street +was maliciously opened directly in the rear of the building, the whole +establishment, with its comical little adjuncts, was a constant source +of amusement to the passers-by. No matter. There were pleasant, happy +hours passed under its odd-shaped roof, as many of Chicago's early +settlers can testify. + +Around the Agency House were grouped a collection of log buildings, the +residences of the different persons in the employ of Government, +appertaining to that establishment--blacksmith, striker, and laborers. +These were for the most part Canadians or half-breeds, with occasionally +a stray Yankee, to set all things going by his activity and enterprise. + +There was still another house on the north side of the river, built by a +former resident by the name of Miller, but he had removed to "Rivière du +Chemin," or Trail Creek, which about this time began to be called +"Michigan City."[24] This house, which stood near the forks of the +river, was at this time vacant. + +There was no house on the southern bank of the river, between the fort +and "The Point," as the forks of the river were then called. The land +was a low wet prairie, scarcely affording good walking in the dryest +summer weather, while at other seasons it was absolutely impassable. A +muddy streamlet, or, as it is called in this country, a _slew_,[25] +after winding around from about the present site of the Tremont House, +fell into the river at the foot of State Street.[26] + +At the Point, on the south side, stood a house just completed by Mark +Beaubien. It was a pretentious white two-story building, with +bright-blue wooden shutters, the admiration of all the little circle at +Wolf Point. Here a canoe ferry was kept to transport people across the +south branch of the river. + +Facing down the river from the west was, first a small tavern kept by +Mr. Wentworth, familiarly known as "Old Geese," not from any want of +shrewdness on his part, but in compliment to one of his own cant +expressions. Near him were two or three log cabins occupied by Robinson, +the Pottowattamie chief, and some of his wife's connexions. Billy +Caldwell, the Sau-ga-nash, too, resided here occasionally, with his +wife, who was a daughter of Nee-scot-nee-meg, one of the most famous +chiefs of the nation. A little remote from these residences was a small +square log building, originally designed for a school-house, but +occasionally used as a place of worship whenever any itinerant minister +presented himself. + +The family of Clybourn had, previous to this time, established +themselves near their present residence on the North Branch--they called +their place _New Virginia_. Four miles up the South Branch was an old +building which was at one time an object of great interest as having +been the theatre of some stirring events during the troubles of +1812.[27] It was denominated Lee's Place, or Hardscrabble. Here lived, +at this time, a settler named Heacock. + +Owing to the badness of the roads a greater part of the year, the usual +mode of communication between the fort and the Point was by a boat rowed +up the river, or by a canoe paddled by some skilful hand. By the latter +means, too, an intercourse was kept up between the residents of the fort +and the Agency House. + +There were, at this time, two companies of soldiers in the garrison, but +of the officers one, Lieutenant Furman, had died the autumn previous, +and several of the others were away on furlough. In the absence of Major +Fowle and Captain Scott, the command devolved on Lieutenant Hunter. +Besides him, there were Lieutenants Engle and Foster--the latter +unmarried. Dr. Finley, the post surgeon, was also absent, and his place +was supplied by Dr. Harmon, a gentleman from Vermont. + +My husband's mother, two sisters, and brother resided at the Agency +House--the family residence near the lake being occupied by J.N. Bailey, +the postmaster. + +In the Dean House lived a Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, who kept a school. +Gholson Kercheval had a small trading establishment in one of the log +buildings at Wolf Point, and John S.C. Hogan superintended the sutler's +store in the garrison. + +There was also a Mr. See lately come into the country, living at the +Point, who sometimes held forth in the little school-house on a Sunday, +less to the edification of his hearers than to the unmerciful slaughter +of the "King's English." + +I think this enumeration comprises all the white inhabitants of Chicago +at a period less than half a century ago. To many who may read these +pages the foregoing particulars will, doubtless, appear uninteresting. +But to those who visit Chicago, and still more to those who come to make +it their home, it may be not without interest to look back to its first +beginnings; to contemplate the almost magical change which a few years +have wrought; and from the past to augur the marvellous prosperity of +the future. + +The origin of the name Chicago is a subject of discussion, some of the +Indians deriving it from the fitch or polecat, others from the wild +onion with which the woods formerly abounded; but all agree that the +place received its name from an old chief who was drowned in the stream +in former times. That this event, although so carefully preserved by +tradition, must have occurred in a very remote period, is evident from +an old French manuscript brought by General Cass from France. + +In this paper, which purports to be a letter from M. de Ligney, at Green +Bay, to M. de Siette, among the Illinois, dated as early as 1726, the +place is designated as "Chica-goux." This orthography is also found in +old family letters of the beginning of the present century. + + * * * * * + +In giving the early history of Chicago, the Indians say, with great +simplicity, "the first white man who settled here was a negro." + +This was Jean Baptiste Point-au-Sable, a native of St. Domingo, who, +about the year 1796, found his way to this remote region, and commenced +a life among the Indians. There is usually a strong affection between +these two races, and Jean Baptiste imposed upon his new friends by +making them believe that he had been a "great chief" among the whites. +Perhaps he was disgusted at not being elected to a similar dignity by +the Pottowattamies, for he quitted this vicinity, and finally terminated +his days at Peoria, under the roof of his friend Glamorgan, another St. +Domingo negro, who had obtained large Spanish grants in St. Louis and +its environs, and who, at one time, was in the enjoyment of an extensive +landed estate. + +Point-au-Sable had made some improvements at Chicago, which were taken +possession of by a Frenchman named Le Mai, who commenced trading with +the Indians. After a few years Le Mai's establishment was purchased by +John Kinzie, Esq., who at that time resided at Bertrand, or _Parc aux +Vaches_, as it was then called, near Niles, in Michigan. As this +gentleman was for nearly twenty years, with the exception of the +military, the only white inhabitant of Northern Illinois, some +particulars of his early life may not be uninteresting. + +He was born in Quebec in 1163. His mother had been previously married to +a gentleman of the name of Haliburton. The only daughter of this +marriage was the mother of General Fleming, Nicholas Low, Esq., and Mrs. +Charles King, of New York. She is described as a lady of remarkable +beauty and accomplishments. Mr. Kinzie was the only child of the second +marriage. His father died in his infancy, and his mother married a third +time a Mr. Forsyth, after which they removed to the city of New York. + +At the age of ten or eleven years he was placed at school with two of +his half-brothers at Williamsburg, L.I. A negro servant was sent from +the city every Saturday, to bring the children home, to remain until the +following Monday morning. Upon one occasion, when the messenger arrived +at the school he found all things in commotion. Johnny Kinzie was +missing! Search was made in all directions; every place was ransacked. +It was all in vain; no Johnny Kinzie could be found. + +The heavy tidings were carried home to his mother. By some it was +supposed the lad was drowned; by others that he had strayed away, and +would return. Weeks passed by, and months, and he was at length given up +and mourned as lost. In the mean time the boy was fulfilling a +determination he had long formed, to visit his native city of Quebec, +and make his way in life for himself. + +He had by some means succeeded in crossing from Williamsburg to the city +of New York, and finding at one of the docks on the North River a sloop +bound for Albany, he took passage on board of her. While on his way up +the river, he was noticed by a gentleman, who, taking an interest in the +little lonely passenger, questioned him about his business. + +"He was going to Quebec, where he had some friends." + +"Had he the means to carry him there?" + +"Not much, but he thought he could get along." + +It happened, fortunately, that the gentleman himself was going to +Quebec. He took the boy under his care, paid his expenses the whole +distance, and finally parted with him in the streets of the city, where +he was, in truth, a stranger. + +He wandered about for a time, looking into various "stores" and +workshops. At length, on entering the shop of a silversmith, he was +satisfied with the expression he read in the countenance of the master, +and he inquired if he wanted an apprentice. + +"What, you, my little fellow! What can you do?" + +"Anything you can teach me." + +"Well, we will make a trial and see." + +The trial was satisfactory. He remained in the family of his kind +friend for more than three years, when his parents, who, in removing to +Detroit, had necessarily returned to Canada, discovered his place of +abode, and he was restored to them. + +There were five younger half-brothers, of the name of Forsyth. In the +old family Bible, we find the following touching record of an event that +occurred after the family had removed to Detroit:-- + +"George Forsyth was lost in the woods 6th August, 1775, when Henry Hays +and Mark Stirling ran away and left him. The remains of George Forsyth +were found by an Indian the 2d of October, 1776, close by the Prairie +Ronde." + +It seems a singular fatality that the unhappy mother should have been +twice called to suffer a similar affliction--the loss of a child in a +manner worse than death, inasmuch as it left room for all the horrors +that imagination can suggest. The particulars of the loss of this little +brother were these. As he came from school one evening, he met the +colored servant-boy on horseback, going to the common for the cows. The +school-house stood quite near the old fort, and all beyond that, towards +the west, was a wild, uncultivated tract called "the Common." The child +begged of the servant to take him up and give him a ride, but the other +refused, bidding him return home at once. He was accompanied by two +other boys, somewhat older, and together they followed the negro for +some distance, hoping to prevail upon him to give them a ride. As it +grew dark, the two older boys turned back, but the other kept on. When +the negro returned he had not again seen the child, nor were any tidings +ever received of him, notwithstanding the diligent search made by the +whole little community, until, as related in the record, his remains +were found the following year by an Indian. There was nothing to +identify them, except the auburn curls of his hair, and the little boots +he had worn. He must have perished very shortly after having lost his +way, for the Prairie Ronde was too near the settlement to have prevented +his bearing the calls and sounding horns of those in search of him, had +he been living. + +Mr. Kinzie's enterprising and adventurous disposition led him, as he +grew older, to live much on the frontier. He early entered into the +Indian trade, and had establishments at Sandusky and Maumee. About the +year 1800 he pushed farther west, to St. Joseph's, Michigan. In this +year he married Mrs. McKillip, the widow of a British officer, and in +1804 came to make his home at Chicago. It was in this year that the +first fort was built by Major John Whistler. + +By degrees more remote trading-posts were established by him, all +contributing to the parent one at Chicago; at Milwaukie with the +Menomonees; at Rock River with the Winnebagoes and the Pottowattamies; +on the Illinois River and Kankakee with the Pottowattamies of the +Prairies, and with the Kickapoos in what was called "_Le Large_," being +the widely extended district afterwards erected into Sangamon County. + +Each trading-post had its superintendent, and its complement of +engagés--its train of pack-horses and its equipment of boats and canoes. +From most of the stations the furs and peltries were brought to Chicago +on pack-horses, and the goods necessary for the trade were transported +in return by the same method. + +The vessels which came in the spring and fall (seldom more than two or +three annually), to bring the supplies and goods for the trade, took the +furs that were already collected to Mackinac, the depôt of the Southwest +and American Fur Companies. At other seasons they were sent to that +place in boats, coasting around the lake. + + * * * * * + +Of the Canadian voyageurs or engagés, a race that has now so nearly +passed away, some notice may very properly here be given. + +They were unlike any other class of men. Like the poet, they seemed born +to their vocation. Sturdy, enduring, ingenious, and light-hearted, they +possessed a spirit capable of adapting itself to any emergency. No +difficulties baffled, no hardships discouraged them; while their +affectionate nature led them to form attachments of the warmest +character to their "bourgeois," or master, as well as to the native +inhabitants, among whom their engagements carried them. + +Montreal, or, according to their own pronunciation, _Marrialle_, was +their depôt. It was at that place that the agents commissioned to make +up the quota for the different companies and traders found the material +for their selections. + +The terms of engagement were usually from four to six hundred livres +(ancient Quebec currency) per annum as wages, with rations of one quart +of lyed corn, and two ounces of tallow per diem, or "its equivalent in +whatever sort of food is to be found in the Indian country." Instances +have been known of their submitting cheerfully to fare upon fresh fish +and maple-sugar for a whole winter, when cut off from other supplies. + +It was a common saying, "Keep an engagé to his corn and tallow, he will +serve you well--give him pork and bread, and he soon gets beyond your +management." They regard the terms of their engagement as binding to the +letter. An old trader, M. Berthelet, engaged a crew at Montreal. The +terms of agreement were, that they should eat when their bourgeois did, +and what he did. It was a piece of fun on the part of the old gentleman, +but the simple Canadians believed it to be a signal instance of good +luck that had provided them such luxurious prospects. The bourgeois +stuffed his pockets with crackers, and, when sure of being quite +unobserved, would slily eat one. Pipe after pipe passed--the men grew +hungry, but, observing that there were no preparations of a meal for the +bourgeois, they bore their fast without complaining. + +At length the matter became too serious--they could stand it no longer. +In their distress they begged off from the bargain, and gladly +compounded to take the customary rations, instead of the dainty fare +they had been promising themselves with their master. + +On arriving at Mackinac, which was the entrepôt of the fur trade, a +small proportion of the voyageur's wages was advanced him, to furnish +his winter's outfit, his pipes and tobacco, his needles and thread, some +pieces of bright-colored ribbons, and red and yellow gartering (quality +binding), with which to purchase their little necessaries from the +Indians. To these, if his destination were Lake Superior, or a post far +to the north where such articles could not be readily obtained, were +added one or two smoked deer-skins for moccasins. + +Thus equipped, he entered upon his three years' service, to toil by day, +and laugh, joke, sing, and tell stories when the evening hour brought +rest and liberty. + +There was not wanting here and there an instance of obstinate adherence +to the exact letter of the agreement in regard to the nature of +employment, although, as a general thing, the engagé held himself ready +to fulfil the behests of his bourgeois, as faithfully as ever did vassal +those of his chief. + +A Story is told of M. St. Jean, a trader on the Upper Mississippi, who +upon a certain occasion ordered one of his Frenchmen to accompany a +party to the forest to chop wood. The man refused. "He was not hired," +he said, "to chop wood." + +"Ah! for what, then, were you hired?" + +"To steer a boat." + +"Very well; steer a boat, then, since you prefer it." + +It was mid-winter. The recusant was marched to the river-side, and +placed in the stern of the boat, which lay fastened in the ice. + +After serving a couple of hours at his legitimate employment, with the +thermometer below zero, he was quite content to take his place with the +chopping-party, and never again thought it good policy to choose work +for himself. + +There is an aristocracy in the voyageur service which is quite amusing. +The engagement is usually made for three years. The engagé of the first +year, who is called a "_mangeur-de-lard_," or pork-eater, is looked down +upon with the most sovereign contempt by an "_hivernant_," or one who +has already passed a winter in the country. He will not only not +associate with him, but if invited by him to join him in a friendly +glass, he will make some excuse for declining. The most inveterate +drunkard, while tortured by a longing to partake his favorite +indulgence, will yet never suffer himself to be enticed into an +infringement of this custom. + +After the first winter, the _mangeur-de-lard_ rises from his freshman +class, and takes his place where he can in turn lord it over all +new-comers. + +Another peculiarity of the voyageurs is their fancy for transforming the +names of their bourgeois into something funny, which resembles it in +sound. Thus, Kinzie would be called by one "_Quinze nez_" (fifteen +noses), by another "_Singé_" (monkeyfied). Mr. Kercheval was denominated +_Mons. Court-cheval_ (short horse), the Judge of Probate, "_le Juge +Trop-bête"_ (too foolish), etc. The following is an instance in point. + +Mr. Shaw, one of the agents of the Northwest Fur Company, had passed +many years on the frontier, and was by the voyageurs called Monsieur Le +Chat.[28] On quitting the Indian country he married a Canadian lady and +became the father of several children. Some years after his return to +Canada, his old foreman, named Louis la Liberté, went to Montreal to +spend the winter. He had heard of his old bourgeois' marriage, and was +anxious to see him. + +Mr. Shaw was walking in the Champ de Mars with a couple of officers, +when La Liberté espied him. He immediately ran up, and, seizing him by +both hands, accosted him,-- + +"_Ah! mon cher Monsieur le Chat: comment vous portez-vous_?" (My dear +Mr. Cat, how do you do?) + +"_Très-bien, Louizon_." + +"_Et comment se porte Madame la Chatte_?" (How is the mother cat?) + +"_Bien, bien, Louizon; elle est très-bien_" (She is very well.) + +"_Et tous les petits Chatons_?" (And all the kittens?) + +This was too much for Mr. Shaw. He answered shortly that the _kittens +were all well_, and turned away with his military friends, leaving poor +Louizon quite astonished at the abruptness of his departure. + +Cut off, in the manner described, from the world at large, with no +society but the military, thus lived the family of Mr. Kinzie, in great +contentment, and in the enjoyment of all the comforts, together with +most of the luxuries, of life. + +The Indians reciprocated the friendship that was shown them, and formed +for them an attachment of no ordinary strength, as was manifested during +the scenes of the year 1812, eight years after Mr. Kinzie first came to +live among them. + +Some of the most prominent events of that year are recorded in the +following Narrative. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +MASSACRE AT CHICAGO.[29] + + +It was the evening of the 7th of April, 1812. The children of Mr. Kinzie +were dancing before the fire to the music of their father's violin. The +tea-table was spread, and they were awaiting the return of their mother, +who had gone to visit a sick neighbor about a quarter of a mile up the +river. + +Suddenly their sports were interrupted. The door was thrown open, and +Mrs. Kinzie rushed in, pale with terror, and scarcely able to +articulate, "The Indians! the Indians!" + +"The Indians? What? Where?" eagerly demanded they all. + +"Up at Lee's Place, killing and scalping!" + +With difficulty Mrs. Kinzie composed herself sufficiently to give the +information, "That, while she was up at Burns's, a man and a boy were +seen running down with all speed on the opposite side of the river; that +they had called across to give notice to Barns's family to save +themselves, for _the Indians_ were at Lee's Place, from which they had +just made their escape. Having given this terrifying news, they had made +all speed for the fort, which was on the same side of the river that +they then were." + +All was now consternation and dismay. The family were hurried into two +old _pirogues_, that lay moored near the house, and paddled with all +possible haste across the river to take refuge in the fort. + +All that the man and boy who had made their escape were able to tell, +was soon known; but, in order to render their story more intelligible, +it is necessary to describe the scene of action. + +_Lee's Place_, since known by the name of Hardscrabble, was a farm +intersected by the Chicago River, about four miles from its mouth. The +farm-house stood on the western bank of the south branch of this river. +On the north side of the main stream, but quite near its junction with +Lake Michigan, stood (as has already been described) the dwelling-house +and trading-establishment of Mr. Kinzie. + +The fort was situated on the southern bank, directly opposite this +mansion--the river, and a few rods of sloping green turf on either side, +being all that intervened between them. + +The fort was differently constructed from the one erected on the same +site in 1816. It had two block-houses on the southern side, and on the +northern a sally-port, or subterranean passage from the parade-ground to +the river. This was designed either to facilitate escape in case of an +emergency, or as a means of supplying the garrison with water during a +siege. + +The officers in the fort at this period were Captain Heald, the +commanding officer, Lieutenant Helm, the son-in-law of Mr. Kinzie, and +Ensign Ronan--the two last were very young men--and the surgeon, Dr. Van +Voorhees. + +The command numbered about seventy-five men; very few of whom were +effective. + +A constant and friendly intercourse had been maintained between these +troops and the Indians. It is true that the principal men of the +Pottowattamie nation, like those of most other tribes, went yearly to +Fort Malden, in Canada, to receive a large amount of presents, with +which the British Government had, for many years, been in the habit of +purchasing their alliance; and it was well known that many of the +Pottowattamies, as well as Winnebagoes, had been engaged with the +Ottawas and Shawnees at the battle of Tippecanoe, the preceding autumn; +yet, as the principal chiefs of all the bands in the neighborhood +appeared to be on the most amicable terms with the Americans, no +interruption of their harmony was at any time anticipated. + +After the 15th of August, however, many circumstances were recollected +that might have opened the eyes of the whites, had they not been lulled +in a fatal security. One instance in particular may be mentioned. + +In the spring preceding the destruction of the fort, two Indians of the +Calumet band came to the fort on a visit to the commanding officer. As +they passed through the quarters, they saw Mrs. Heald and Mrs. Helm +playing at battledoor. + +Turning to the interpreter, one of them, Nau-non-gee, remarked, "The +white chiefs' wives are amusing themselves very much; it will not be +long before they are hoeing in our corn-fields!" + +This was considered at the time an idle threat, or, at most, an +ebullition of jealous feeling at the contrast between the situation of +their own women and that of the "white chiefs' wives." Some months +after, how bitterly was it remembered! + + * * * * * + +The farm at Lee's Place was occupied by a Mr. White and three persons +employed by him in the care of the farm. + +In the afternoon of the day on which our narrative commences, a party of +ten or twelve Indians, dressed and painted, arrived at the house, and, +according to the custom among savages, entered and seated themselves +without ceremony. + +Something in their appearance and manner excited the suspicions of one +of the family, a Frenchman, who remarked, "I do not like the appearance +of these Indians--they are none of our folks. I know by their dress and +paint that they are not Pottowattamies." + +Another of the family, a discharged soldier, then said to the boy who +was present, "If that is the case, we had better get away from them if +we can. Say nothing; but do as you see me do." + +As the afternoon was far advanced, the soldier walked leisurely towards +the canoes, of which there were two tied near the bank. Some of the +Indians inquired where he was going. He pointed to the cattle which were +standing among the haystacks on the opposite bank, and made signs that +they must go and fodder them, and then they should return and get their +supper. + +He got into one canoe, and the boy into the other. The stream was +narrow, and they were soon across. When they had gained the opposite +side, they pulled some hay for the cattle--made a show of collecting +them--and when they had gradually made a circuit, so that their +movements were concealed by the haystacks, they took to the woods, which +were close at hand, and made for the fort. + +They had run about a quarter of a mile, when they heard the discharge of +two guns successively, which they supposed to have been levelled at the +companions they had left behind. + +They stopped not nor stayed until they arrived opposite Burns's,[30] +where, as before related, they called across to advertise the family of +their danger, and then hastened on to the fort. + +It now occurred to those who had secured their own safety, that the +family of Burns was at this moment exposed to the most imminent peril. +The question was, who would hazard his own life to bring them to a place +of safety? A gallant young officer, Ensign Ronan, volunteered, with a +party of five or six soldiers, to go to their rescue. + +They ascended the river in a scow, and took the mother, with her infant +of scarcely a day old, upon her bed to the boat, in which they carefully +conveyed her and the other members of the family to the fort. + +A party of soldiers, consisting of a corporal and six men, had that +afternoon obtained leave to go up the river to fish. + +They had not returned when the fugitives from Lee's Place arrived at +the fort, and, fearing that they might encounter the Indians, the +commanding officer ordered a cannon to be fired, to warn them of danger. + +They were at the time about two miles above Lee's Place. Hearing the +signal, they took the hint, put out their torches (for it was now +night), and dropped down the river towards the garrison, as silently as +possible. It will be remembered that the unsettled state of the country +since the battle of Tippecanoe, the preceding November, had rendered +every man vigilant, and the slightest alarm was an admonition to "beware +of the Indians." + +When the fishing-party reached Lee's Place, it was proposed to stop and +warn the inmates to be upon their guard, as the signal from the fort +indicated danger of some kind. All was still as death around the house. +They groped their way along, and as the corporal jumped over the small +enclosure he placed his hand upon the dead body of a man. By the sense +of touch he soon ascertained that the head was without a scalp, and +otherwise mutilated. The faithful dog of the murdered man stood guarding +the lifeless remains of his master. + +The tale was now told. The men retreated to their canoes, and reached +the fort unmolested about eleven o'clock at night. The next morning a +party of the citizens and soldiers volunteered to go to Lee's Place, to +learn further the fate of its occupants. The body of Mr. White was found +pierced by two balls, and with eleven stabs in the breast. The +Frenchman, as already described, lay dead, with his dog still beside +him. Their bodies were brought to the fort and buried in its immediate +vicinity. + +It was subsequently ascertained, from traders out in the Indian country, +that the perpetrators of this bloody deed were a party of Winnebagoes, +who had come into this neighborhood to "take some white scalps." Their +plan had been, to proceed down the river from Lee's Place, and kill +every white man without the walls of the fort. Hearing, however, the +report of the cannon, and not knowing what it portended, they thought it +best to remain satisfied with this one exploit, and forthwith retreated +to their homes on Rock River. + +The inhabitants outside the fort, consisting of a few discharged +soldiers and some families of half-breeds, now intrenched themselves in +the Agency House. This stood west of the fort, between the pickets and +the river, and distant about twenty rods from the former. + +It was an old-fashioned log building, with a hall running through the +centre, and one large room on each side. Piazzas extended the whole +length of the building in front and rear. These were planked up, for +greater security, port-holes were cut, and sentinels posted at night. + +As the enemy were believed to be lurking still in the neighborhood, or, +emboldened by former success, likely to return at any moment, an order +was issued prohibiting any soldier or citizen from leaving the vicinity +of the garrison without a guard. + +One night a sergeant and private, who were out on a patrol, came +suddenly upon a party of Indians in the pasture adjoining the esplanade. +The sergeant fired his piece, and both retreated towards the fort. +Before they could reach it, an Indian threw his tomahawk, which missed +the sergeant and struck a wagon standing near. The sentinel from the +block-house immediately fired, and with effect, while the men got safely +in. The next morning it was ascertained, from traces of blood to a +considerable distance into the prairie, and from the appearance of a +body having been laid among the long grass, that some execution had been +done. + +On another occasion the enemy entered the esplanade to steal horses. +Not finding them in the stable, as they had expected, they made +themselves amends for their disappointment by stabbing all the sheep in +the stable and then letting them loose. The poor animals flocked towards +the fort. This gave the alarm--the garrison was aroused--parties were +sent out, but the marauders escaped unmolested. + + * * * * * + +The inmates of the fort experienced no farther alarm for many weeks. + +On the afternoon of the 7th of August, Winnemeg, or _Catfish_, a +Pottowattamie chief, arrived at the post, bringing despatches from +General Hull. These announced the declaration of war between the United +States and Great Britain, and that General Hull, at the head of the +Northwestern army, had arrived at Detroit; also, that the island of +Mackinac had fallen into the hands of the British. + +The orders to Captain Heald were, "to evacuate the fort, if practicable, +and, in that event, to distribute all the United States' property +contained in the fort, and in the United States' factory or agency, +among the Indians in the neighborhood." + +After having delivered his despatches, Winnemeg requested a private +interview with Mr. Kinzie, who had taken up his residence in the fort. +He stated to Mr. K. that he was acquainted with the purport of the +communications he had brought, and begged him to ascertain if it were +the intention of Captain Heald to evacuate the post. He advised strongly +against such a step, inasmuch as the garrison was well supplied with +ammunition, and with provisions for six months. It would, therefore, be +far better, he thought, to remain until a reinforcement could be sent to +their assistance. If, however, Captain Heald should decide upon leaving +the post, it should by all means be done immediately. The +Pottowattamies, through whose country they must pass, being ignorant of +the object of Winnemeg's mission, a forced march might be made, before +those who were hostile in their feelings were prepared to interrupt +them. + +Of this advice, so earnestly given, Captain Heald was immediately +informed. He replied that it was his intention to evacuate the post, but +that, inasmuch as he had received orders to distribute the United +States' property, he should not feel justified in leaving it until he +had collected the Indians of the neighborhood and made an equitable +division among them. + +Winnemeg then suggested the expediency of marching out, and leaving all +things standing--possibly while the Indians were engaged in the +partition of the spoils, the troops might effect their retreat +unmolested. This advice was strongly seconded by Mr. Kinzie, but did not +meet the approbation of the commanding officer. + +The order for evacuating the post was read next morning upon parade. It +is difficult to understand why Captain Heald, in such an emergency, +omitted the usual form of calling a council of war with his officers. It +can only be accounted for by the fact of a want of harmonious feeling +between himself and one of his junior officers--Ensign Ronan, a +high-spirited and somewhat overbearing, but brave and generous young +man. + +In the course of the day, finding that no council was called, the +officers waited on Captain Heald to be informed what course he intended +to pursue. When they learned his intentions, they remonstrated with him, +on the following grounds: + +First--It was highly improbable that the command would be permitted to +pass through the country in safety to Fort Wayne. For although it had +been said that some of the chiefs had opposed an attack upon the fort, +planned the preceding autumn, yet it was well known that they had been +actuated in that matter by motives of private regard to one family, that +of Mr. Kinzie, and not to any general friendly feeling towards the +Americans; and that, at any rate, it was hardly to be expected that +these few individuals would be able to control the whole tribe, who were +thirsting for blood. + +In the next place--Their march must necessarily be slow, as their +movements must be accommodated to the helplessness of the women and +children, of whom there were a number with the detachment. That of their +small force, some of the soldiers were superannuated, others invalid; +therefore, since the course to be pursued was left discretional, their +unanimous advice was, to remain where they were, and fortify themselves +as strongly as possible. Succors from the other side of the peninsula +might arrive before they could be attacked by the British from Mackinac; +and even should they not, it were far better to fall into the hands of +the latter than to become the victims of the savages. + +Captain Heald argued in reply, that a special order had been issued by +the War Department, that no post should be surrendered without battle +having been given, and his force was totally inadequate to an engagement +with the Indians; that he should unquestionably be censured for +remaining, when there appeared a prospect of a safe march through; and +that, upon the whole, he deemed it expedient to assemble the Indians, +distribute the property among them, and then ask of them an escort to +Fort Wayne, with the promise of a considerable reward upon their safe +arrival--adding, that he had full confidence in the friendly professions +of the Indians, from whom, as well as from the soldiers, the capture of +Mackinac had been kept a profound secret. + +From this time the officers held themselves aloof, and spoke but little +upon the subject, though they considered the project of Captain Heald +little short of madness. The dissatisfaction among the soldiers hourly +increased, until it reached a high pitch of insubordination. + +Upon one occasion, as Captain Heald was conversing with Mr. Kinzie upon +the parade, he remarked, "I could not remain, even if I thought it best, +for I have but a small store of provisions." + +"Why, captain," said a soldier who stood near, forgetting all etiquette +in the excitement of the moment, "you have cattle enough to last the +troops six months." + +"But," replied Captain Heald, "I have no salt to preserve it with." + +"Then jerk[31] it," said the man, "as the Indians do their venison." + +The Indians now became daily more unruly. Entering the fort in defiance +of the sentinels, they made their way without ceremony into the +officers' quarters. On one occasion an Indian took up a rifle and fired +it in the parlor of the commanding officer, as an expression of +defiance. Some were of opinion that this was intended among the young +men as a signal for an attack. The old chiefs passed backwards and +forwards among the assembled groups, with the appearance of the most +lively agitation, while the squaws rushed to and fro, in great +excitement, and evidently prepared for some fearful scene. + +Any further manifestation of ill feeling was, however, suppressed for +the present, and Captain Heald, strange as it may seem, continued to +entertain a conviction of having created so amicable a disposition among +the Indians as would insure the safety of the command on their march to +Fort Wayne. + +Thus passed the time until the 12th of August. The feelings of the +inmates of the fort during this time may be better imagined than +described. Each morning that dawned seemed to bring them nearer to that +most appalling fate--butchery by a savage foe--and at night they +scarcely dared yield to slumber, lest they should be aroused by the +war-whoop and tomahawk. Gloom and mistrust prevailed, and the want of +unanimity among the officers debarred them the consolation they might +have found in mutual sympathy and encouragement. + +The Indians being assembled from the neighboring villages, a council was +held with them on the afternoon of the 12th. Captain Heald alone +attended on the part of the military. He requested his officers to +accompany him, but they declined. They had been secretly informed that +it was the intention of the young chiefs to fall upon the officers and +massacre them while in council, but they could not persuade Captain +Heald of the truth of their information. They waited therefore only +until he had left the garrison, accompanied by Mr. Kinzie, when they +took command of the block-houses which overlooked the esplanade on which +the council was held, opened the port-holes, and pointed the cannon so +as to command the whole assembly. By this means, probably, the lives of +the whites who were present in council were preserved. + +In council, the commanding officer informed the Indians that it was his +intention to distribute among them, the next day, not only the goods +lodged in the United States' factory, but also the ammunition and +provisions, with Which the garrison was well supplied. He then +requested of the Pottowattamies an escort to Fort Wayne, promising them +a liberal reward on arriving there, in addition to the presents they +were now about to receive. With many professions of friendship and good +will, the savages assented to all be proposed, and promised all he +required. + +After the council, Mr. Kinzie, who understood well, not only the Indian +character, but the present tone of feeling among them, had a long +interview with Captain Heald, in hopes of opening his eyes to the +present posture of affairs. + +He reminded him that since the troubles with the Indians upon the Wabash +and its vicinity, there had appeared a settled plan of hostilities +towards the whites, in consequence of which it had been the policy of +the Americans to withhold from them whatever would enable them to carry +on their warfare upon the defenceless inhabitants of the frontier. + +Mr. Kinzie also recalled to Captain Heald how that, having left home for +Detroit, the preceding autumn, on receiving, when he had proceeded as +far as De Charme's,[32] the intelligence of the battle of Tippecanoe, he +had immediately returned to Chicago, that he might dispatch orders to +his traders to furnish no ammunition to the Indians; in consequence of +which all they had on hand was secreted, and such of the traders as had +not already started for their wintering-grounds, took neither powder nor +shot with them. + +Captain Heald was struck with the impolicy of furnishing the enemy (for +such they must now consider their old neighbors) with arms against +himself, and determined to destroy all the ammunition except what should +be necessary for the use of his own troops. + +On the 13th, the goods, consisting of blankets, broadcloths, calicoes, +paints, etc., were distributed, as stipulated. The same evening the +ammunition and liquor were carried, part into the sally-port, and thrown +into a well which had been dug there to supply the garrison with water +in case of emergency; the remainder was transported as secretly as +possible through the northern gate, the heads of the barrels knocked in, +and the contents poured into the river. + +The same fate was shared by a large quantity of alcohol belonging to Mr. +Kinzie, which had been deposited in a warehouse near his residence +opposite the fort. + +The Indians suspected what was going on, and crept, serpent-like, as +near the scene of action as possible, but a vigilant watch was kept up, +and no one was suffered to approach but those engaged in the affair. All +the muskets not necessary for the command on the march were broken up +and thrown into the well, together with the bags of shot, flints, +gunscrews, and, in short, everything relating to weapons of offence. + +Some relief to the general feeling of despondency was afforded, by the +arrival, on the 14th of August, of Captain Wells[33] with fifteen +friendly Miamis. + +Of this brave man, who forms so conspicuous a figure in our frontier +annals, it is unnecessary here to say more than that he had been +residing from his boyhood among the Indians, and consequently possessed +a perfect knowledge of their character and habits. + +He had heard, at Fort Wayne, of the order for evacuating the fort at +Chicago, and, knowing the hostile determination of the Pottowattamies, +he had made a rapid march across the country, to prevent the exposure +of his relative, Captain Heald, and his troops, to certain destruction. + +But he came "all too late." When he reached the post he found that the +ammunition had been destroyed, and the provisions given to the Indians. +There was, therefore, now no alternative, and every preparation was made +for the march of the troops on the following morning. + +On the afternoon of the same day, a second council was held with the +Indians. They expressed great indignation at the destruction of the +ammunition and liquor. + +Notwithstanding the precautions that had been taken to preserve secrecy, +the noise of knocking in the heads of the barrels had betrayed the +operations of the preceding night; indeed, so great was the quantity of +liquor thrown into the river, that the taste of the water the next +morning was, as one expressed it, "strong grog." + +Murmurs and threats were everywhere heard among the savages. It was +evident that the first moment of exposure would subject the troops to +some manifestation of their disappointment and resentment. + +Among the chiefs were several who, although they shared the general +hostile feeling of their tribe towards the Americans, yet retained a +personal regard for the troops at this post, and for the few white +citizens of the place. These chiefs exerted their utmost influence to +allay the revengeful feelings of the young men, and to avert their +sanguinary designs, but without effect. + +On the evening succeeding the council, _Black Partridge_, a conspicuous +chief, entered the quarters of the commanding officer. + +"Father," said he, "I come to deliver up to you the medal I wear. It was +given me by the Americans, and I have long worn it in token of our +mutual friendship. But our young men are resolved to imbrue their hands +in the blood of the whites. I cannot restrain them, and I will not wear +a token of peace while I am compelled to act as an enemy." + +Had further evidence been wanting, this circumstance would have +sufficiently proved to the devoted band the justice of their melancholy +anticipations. Nevertheless, they went steadily on with the necessary +preparations; and, amid the horrors of their situation, there were not +wanting gallant hearts, who strove to encourage, in their desponding +companions, the hopes of escape they were far from indulging themselves. + +Of the ammunition there had been reserved but twenty-five rounds, +besides one box of cartridges, contained in the baggage-wagons. This +must, under any circumstances of danger, have proved an inadequate +supply; but the prospect of a fatiguing march, in their present +ineffective state, forbade the troops embarrassing themselves with a +larger quantity. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +NARRATIVE OF THE MASSACRE, CONTINUED. + + +The morning of the 15th arrived. All things were in readiness, and nine +o'clock was the hour named for starting. + +Mr. Kinzie, having volunteered to accompany the troops in their march, +had intrusted his family to the care of some friendly Indians, who +promised to convey them in a boat around the head of Lake Michigan to a +point[34] on the St. Joseph's River, there to be joined by the troops, +should the prosecution of their march be permitted them. + +Early in the morning Mr. Kinzie received a message from To-pee-nee-bee, +a chief of the St. Joseph's band, informing him that mischief was +intended by the Pottowattamies who had engaged to escort the detachment, +and urging him to relinquish his design of accompanying the troops by +land, promising him that the boat containing himself and family should +be permitted to pass in safety to St. Joseph's. + +Mr. Kinzie declined acceding to this proposal, as he believed that his +presence might operate as a restraint upon the fury of the savages, so +warmly were the greater part of them attached to himself and his family. + +The party in the boat consisted of Mrs. Kinzie and her four younger +children, their nurse Josette, a clerk of Mr. Kinzie's, two servants and +the boatmen, besides the two Indians who acted as their protectors. The +boat started, but had scarcely reached the mouth of the river, which, it +will be recollected, was here half a mile below the fort, when another +messenger from To-pee-nee-bee arrived to detain them where they were. +There was no mistaking the reason of this detention. + +In breathless anxiety sat the wife and mother. She was a woman of +uncommon energy and strength of character, yet her heart died within her +as she folded her arms around her helpless infants, and gazed upon the +march of her husband and eldest child to certain destruction. + +As the troops left the fort, the band struck up the Dead March. On they +came, in military array, but with solemn mien. Captain Wells took the +lead at the head of his little band of Miamis. He had blackened his face +before leaving the garrison, in token of his impending fate. They took +their route along the lake shore. When they reached the point where +commenced a range of sand-hills intervening between the prairie and the +beach, the escort of Pottowattamies, in number about five hundred, kept +the level of the prairie, instead of continuing along the beach with the +Americans and Miamis. + +They had marched perhaps a mile and a half, when Captain Wells, who had +kept somewhat in advance with his Miamis, came riding furiously back. + +"They are about to attack us," shouted he; "form instantly, and charge +upon them." + +Scarcely were the words uttered, when a volley was showered from among +the sand-hills. The troops were hastily brought into line, and charged +up the bank. One man, a veteran of seventy winters, fell as they +ascended. The remainder of the scene is best described in the words of +an eye-witness and participator in the tragedy, Mrs. Helm, the wife of +Captain (then Lieutenant) Helm, and step-daughter of Mr. Kinzie. + + * * * * * + +"After we had left the bank the firing became general. The Miamis fled +at the outset. Their chief rode up to the Pottowattamies, and said: + +"'You have deceived the Americans and us. You have done a bad action, +and (brandishing his tomahawk) I will be the first to head a party of +Americans to return and punish your treachery.' So saying, he galloped +after his companions, who were now scouring across the prairies. + +"The troops behaved most gallantly. They were but a handful, but they +seemed resolved to sell their lives as dearly as possible. Our horses +pranced and bounded, and could hardly be restrained as the balls +whistled among them. I drew off a little, and gazed upon my husband and +father, who were yet unharmed. I felt that my hour was come, and +endeavored to forget those I loved, and prepare myself for my +approaching fate. + +"While I was thus engaged, the surgeon, Dr. Van Voorhees, came up. He +was badly wounded. His horse had been shot under him, and he had +received a ball in his leg. Every muscle of his face was quivering with +the agony of terror. He said to me, 'Do you think they will take our +lives? I am badly wounded, but I think not mortally. Perhaps we might +purchase our lives by promising them a large reward. Do you think there +is any chance?' + +"'Dr. Van Voorhees,' said I, 'do not let us waste the few moments that +yet remain to us in such vain hopes. Our fate is inevitable. In a few +moments we must appear before the bar of God. Let us make what +preparation is yet in our power.' + +"'Oh, I cannot die!' exclaimed he, 'I am not fit to die--if I had but a +short time to prepare--death is awful!' + +"I pointed to Ensign Ronan, who, though mortally wounded and nearly +down, was still fighting with desperation on one knee.[35] + +"'Look at that man!' said I. 'At least he dies like a soldier.' + +"'Yes,' replied the unfortunate man, with a convulsive gasp, 'but he has +no terrors of the future--he is an unbeliever!' + +"At this moment a young Indian raised his tomahawk at me. By springing +aside, I partially avoided the blow, which was intended for my skull, +but which alighted on my shoulder. I seized him around the neck, and +while exerting my utmost efforts to get possession of his +scalping-knife, which hung in a scabbard over his breast, I was dragged +from his grasp by another and older Indian. + +"The latter bore me struggling and resisting towards the lake. +Notwithstanding the rapidity with which I was harried along, I +recognized, as I passed them, the lifeless remains of the unfortunate +surgeon. Some murderous tomahawk had stretched him upon the very spot +where I had last seen him. + +"I was immediately plunged into the water and held there with a forcible +hand, notwithstanding my resistance. I soon perceived, however, that the +object of my captor was not to drown me, for he held me firmly in such a +position as to place my head above water. This reassured me, and, +regarding him attentively, I soon recognized, in spite of the paint with +which he was disguised, _The Black Partridge_. + +"When the firing had nearly subsided, my preserver bore me from the +water and conducted me up the sand-banks. It was a burning August +morning, and walking through the sand in my drenched condition was +inexpressibly painful and fatiguing. I stooped and took off my shoes to +free them from the sand with which they were nearly filled, when a squaw +seized and carried them off, and I was obliged to proceed without them. + +"When we had gained the prairie, I was met by my father, who told me +that my husband was safe and but slightly wounded. They led me gently +back towards the Chicago River, along the southern bank of which was the +Pottowattamie encampment. At one time I was placed upon a horse without +a saddle, but, finding the motion insupportable, I sprang off. Supported +partly by my kind conductor, _Black Partridge_, and partly by another +Indian, Pee-so-tum, who held dangling in his hand a scalp, which by the +black ribbon around the queue I recognized as that of Captain Wells, I +dragged my fainting steps to one of the wigwams. + +"The wife of Wau-bee-nee-mah, a chief from the Illinois River, was +standing near, and, seeing my exhausted condition, she seized a kettle, +dipped up some water from a stream that flowed near,[36] threw into it +some maple-sugar, and, stirring it up with her hand, gave it me to +drink. This act of kindness, in the midst of so many horrors, touched me +most sensibly; but my attention was soon diverted to other objects. + +"The fort had become a scene of plunder to such as remained after the +troops marched out. The cattle had been shot down as they ran at large, +and lay dead or dying around. This work of butchery had commenced just +as we were leaving the fort. I well remembered a remark of Ensign Ronan, +as the firing went on. 'Such,' turning to me, 'is to be our fate--to be +shot down like brutes!' + +"'Well, sir,' said the commanding officer, who overheard him, 'are you +afraid?' + +"'No,' replied the high-spirited young man, 'I can march up to the enemy +where you dare not show your face.' And his subsequent gallant behavior +showed this to be no idle boast. + +"As the noise of the firing grew gradually less and the stragglers from +the victorious party came dropping in, I received confirmation of what +my father had hurriedly communicated in our _rencontre_ on the lake +shore; namely, that the whites had surrendered, after the loss of about +two-thirds of their number. They had stipulated, through the +interpreter, Peresh Leclerc, for the preservation of their lives, and +those of the remaining women and children, and for their delivery at +some of the British posts, unless ransomed by traders in the Indian +country. It appears that the wounded prisoners were not considered as +included in the stipulation, and a horrid scene ensued upon their being +brought into camp. + +"An old squaw, infuriated by the loss of friends, or excited by the +sanguinary scenes around her, seemed possessed by a demoniac ferocity. +She seized a stable-fork and assaulted one miserable victim, who lay +groaning and writhing in the agony of his wounds, aggravated by the +scorching beams of the sun. With a delicacy of feeling scarcely to have +been expected under such circumstances, Wau-bee-nee-mah stretched a mat +across two poles, between me and this dreadful scene. I was thus spared +in some degree a view of its horrors, although I could not entirely +close my ears to the cries of the sufferer The following night five more +of the wounded prisoners were tomahawked." + + * * * * * + +The Americans, it appears, after their first attack by the Indians, +charged upon those who had concealed themselves in a sort of ravine, +intervening between the sand-banks and the prairie. The latter gathered +themselves into a body, and after some hard fighting, in which the +number of whites had become reduced to twenty-eight, this little band +succeeded in breaking through the enemy, and gaining a rising ground, +not far from the Oak Woods. Further contest now seeming hopeless, +Lieutenant Helm sent Peresh Leclerc, a half-breed boy in the service of +Mr. Kinzie, who had accompanied the detachment and fought manfully on +their side, to propose terms of capitulation. It was stipulated that the +lives of all the survivors should be spared, and a ransom permitted as +soon as practicable. + +But in the mean time a horrible scene had been enacted. One young +savage, climbing into the baggage-wagon containing the children of the +white families, twelve in number, tomahawked the entire group. This was +during the engagement near the sand-hills. When Captain Wells, who was +fighting near, beheld it, he exclaimed,-- + +"Is that their game, butchering the women and children? Then I will +kill, too!" + +So saying, he turned his horse's head, and started for the Indian camp, +near the fort, where had been left their squaws and children. + +Several Indians pursued him as he galloped along. He laid himself flat +on the neck of his horse, loading and firing in that position, as he +would occasionally turn on his pursuers. At length their balls took +effect, killing his horse, and severely wounding himself. At this moment +he was met by _Winnemeg_ and _Wau-ban-see_, who endeavored to save him +from the savages who had now overtaken him. As they supported him along, +after having disengaged him from his horse, he received his death-blow +from another Indian, _Pee-so-tum_, who stabbed him in the back. + +The heroic resolution of one of the soldiers' wives deserves to be +recorded. She was a Mrs. Corbin, and had, from the first, expressed the +determination never to fall into the hands of the savages, believing +that their prisoners were always subjected to tortures worse than death. + +When, therefore, a party came upon her, to make her a prisoner, she +fought with desperation, refusing to surrender, although assured, by +signs, of safety and kind treatment, and literally suffered herself to +be cut to pieces, rather than become their captive. + +There was a Sergeant Holt, who, early in the engagement, received a ball +in the neck. Finding himself badly wounded, he gave his sword to his +wife, who was on horseback near him, telling her to defend herself; he +then made for the lake, to keep out of the way of the balls. Mrs. Holt +rode a very fine horse, which the Indians were desirous of possessing, +and they therefore attacked her, in hopes of dismounting her. + +They fought only with the butt-ends of their guns, for their object was +not to kill her. She hacked and hewed at their pieces as they were +thrust against her, now on this side, now that. Finally, she broke loose +from them, and dashed out into the prairie. The Indians pursued her, +shouting and laughing, and now and then calling out,-- + +"The brave woman! do not hurt her!" + +At length they overtook her again, and, while she was engaged with two +or three in front, one succeeded in seizing her by the neck behind, and +dragging her, although a large and powerful woman, from her horse. +Notwithstanding that their guns had been so hacked and injured, and even +themselves cut severely, they seemed to regard her only with admiration. +They took her to a trader on the Illinois River, by whom she was +restored to her friends, after having received every kindness during her +captivity.[37] + +Those of the family of Mr. Kinzie who had remained in the boat, near the +mouth of the river, were carefully guarded by Kee-po-tah and another +Indian. They had seen the smoke--then the blaze--and immediately after, +the report of the first tremendous discharge sounded in their ears. Then +all was confusion They realized nothing until they saw an Indian come +towards them from the battle-ground, leading a horse on which sat a +lady, apparently wounded. + +"That is Mrs. Heald," cried Mrs. Kinzie. "That Indian will kill her. +Run, Chandonnai," to one of Mr. Kinzie's clerks, "take the mule that is +tied there, and offer it to him to release her." + +Her captor, by this time, was in the act of disengaging her bonnet from +her head, in order to scalp her. Chandonnai ran up, and offered the mule +as a ransom, with the promise of ten bottles of whiskey as soon as they +should reach his village. The latter was a strong temptation. + +"But," said the Indian, "she is badly wounded--she will die. Will you +give me the whiskey at all events?" + +Chandonnai promised that he would, and the bargain was concluded. The +savage placed the lady's bonnet on his own head, and, after an +ineffectual effort on the part of some squaws to rob her of her shoes +and stockings, she was brought on board the boat, where she lay moaning +with pain from the many bullet-wounds she had received in both arms. + +The horse Mrs. Heald had ridden was a fine, spirited animal, and, being +desirous of possessing themselves of it uninjured, the Indians had aimed +their shots so as to disable the rider, without injuring her steed. + +She had not lain long in the boat, when a young Indian of savage aspect +was seen appapproaching buffalo robe was hastily drawn over her, and she +was admonished to suppress all sound of complaint, as she valued her +life. + +The heroic woman remained perfectly silent, while the savage drew near. +He had a pistol in his hand, which he rested on the side of the boat, +while, with a fearful scowl, he looked pryingly around. Black Jim, one +of the servants, who stood in the bow of the boat, seized an axe that +lay near, and signed to him that if he shot, he would cleave his skull; +telling him that the boat contained only the family of Shaw-nee-aw-kee. +Upon this, the Indian retired. It afterwards appeared that the object of +his search was Mr. Burnett, a trader from St. Joseph's, with whom he +had some account to settle. + +When the boat was at length permitted to return to the mansion of Mr. +Kinzie, and Mrs. Heald was removed to the house, it became necessary to +dress her wounds. + +Mr. K. applied to an old chief who stood by, and who, like most of his +tribe, possessed some skill in surgery, to extract a ball from the arm +of the sufferer. + +"No, father," replied he. "I cannot do it--it makes me sick +here"--(placing his hand on his heart.) + +Mr. Kinzie then performed the operation himself, with his penknife. + +At their own mansion the family of Mr. Kinzie were closely guarded by +their Indian friends, whose intention it was to carry them to Detroit +for security. The rest of the prisoners remained at the wigwams of their +captors. + +The following morning, the work of plunder being completed, the Indians +set fire to the fort. A very equitable distribution of the finery +appeared to have been made, and shawls, ribbons, and feathers fluttered +about in all directions. The ludicrous appearance of one young fellow, +who had arrayed himself in a muslin gown and the bonnet of one of the +ladies, would, under other circumstances, have afforded matter of +amusement. + +Black Partridge, Wau-ban-see, and Kee-po-tah, with two other Indians, +having established themselves in the porch of the building as sentinels, +to protect the family from any evil that the young men might be excited +to commit, all remained tranquil for a short space after the +conflagration. + +Very soon, however, a party of Indians from the Wabash made their +appearance. These were, decidedly, the most hostile and implacable of +all the tribes of the Pottowattamies. + +Being more remote, they had shared less than some of their brethren in +the kindness of Mr. Kinzie and his family, and consequently their +sentiments of regard for them were less powerful. + +Runners had been sent to the villages to apprise them of the intended +evacuation of the post, as well as of the plan of the Indians assembled +to attack the troops. + +Thirsting to participate in such a scene, they hurried on; and great was +their mortification, on arriving at the river Aux Plaines, to meet with +a party of their friends having with them their chief Nee-scot-nee-meg, +badly wounded, and to learn that the battle was over, the spoils +divided, and the scalps all taken. + +On arriving at Chicago they blackened their faces, and proceeded towards +the dwelling of Mr. Kinzie. + +From his station on the piazza Black Partridge had watched their +approach, and his fears were particularly awakened for the safety of +Mrs. Helm (Mr. Kinzie's step-daughter), who had recently come to the +post, and was personally unknown to the more remote Indians. By his +advice she was made to assume the ordinary dress of a Frenchwoman of the +country; namely, a short gown and petticoat, with a blue cotton +handkerchief wrapped around her head. In this disguise she was conducted +by Black Partridge himself to the house of Ouilmette, a Frenchman with a +half-breed wife, who formed a part of the establishment of Mr. Kinzie +and whose dwelling was close at hand. + +It so happened that the Indians came first to this house, in their +search for prisoners. As they approached, the inmates, fearful that the +fair complexion and general appearance of Mrs. Helm might betray her for +an American, raised a large feather bed and placed her under the edge of +it, upon the bedstead, with her face to the wall. Mrs. Bisson, a +half-breed, the sister of Ouilmette's wife, then seated herself with +her sewing upon the front of the bed. + +It was a hot day in August, and the feverish excitement of fear and +agitation, together with her position, which was nearly suffocating, +became so intolerable, that Mrs. Helm at length entreated to be released +and given up to the Indians. + +"I can but die," said she; "let them put an end to my misery at once." + +Mrs. Bisson replied, "Your death would be the destruction of us all, for +Black Partridge has resolved that if one drop of the blood of your +family is spilled, he will take the lives of all concerned in it, even +his nearest friends; and if once the work of murder commences, there +will be no end of it, so long as there remains one white person or +half-breed in the country." + +This expostulation nerved Mrs. Helm with fresh resolution. + +The Indians entered, and she could occasionally see them from her +hiding-place, gliding about, and stealthily inspecting every part of the +room, though without making any ostensible search, until, apparently +satisfied that there was no one concealed, they left the house. + +All this time Mrs. Bisson had kept her seat upon the side of the bed, +calmly sorting and arranging the patch-work of the quilt on which she +was engaged, and preserving an appearance of the utmost tranquillity, +although she knew not but that the next moment she might receive a +tomahawk in her brain. Her self-command unquestionably saved the lives +of all present. + +From Ouilmette's house the party of Indians proceeded to the dwelling of +Mr. Kinzie. They entered the parlor in which the family were assembled +with their faithful protectors, and seated themselves upon the floor in +silence. Black Partridge perceived from their moody and revengeful +looks what was passing in their minds, but he dared not remonstrate with +them. He only observed in a low tone to Wau-ban-see,-- + +"We have endeavored to save our friends, but it is in vain--nothing will +save them now." + +At this moment a friendly whoop was heard from a party of new-comers on +the opposite bank of the river. Black Partridge sprang to meet their +leader, as the canoes in which they had hastily embarked touched the +bank near the house. + +"Who are you?" demanded he. + +"A man. Who are _you_?" + +"A man like yourself. But tell me _who_ you are,"--meaning, Tell me your +disposition, and which side you are for. + +"I am a _Sau-ga-nash_!" + +"Then make all speed to the house--your friend is in danger, and you +alone can save him." + +_Billy Caldwell_[38] for it was he, entered the parlor with a calm step, +and without a trace of agitation in his manner. He deliberately took off +his accoutrements and placed them with his rifle behind the door, then +saluted the hostile savages. + +"How now, my friends! A good-day to you. I was told there were enemies +here, but I am glad to find only friends. Why have you blackened your +faces? Is it that you are mourning for the friends you have lost in +battle?" (purposely misunderstanding this token of evil designs.) + +"Or is it that you are fasting? If so, ask our friend, here, and he +will give you to eat. He is the Indian's friend, and never yet refused +them what they had need of." + +Thus taken by surprise, the savages were ashamed to acknowledge their +bloody purpose. They, therefore, said modestly that they came to beg of +their friends some white cotton in which to wrap their dead before +interring them. This was given to them, with some other presents, and +they took their departure peaceably from the premises. + +Along with Mr. Kinzie's party was a non-commissioned officer who had +made his escape in a singular manner. As the troops were about leaving +the fort, it was found that the baggage-horses of the surgeon had +strayed off. The quartermaster-sergeant, Griffith, was sent to collect +them and bring them on, it being absolutely necessary to recover them, +since their packs contained part of the surgeon's apparatus, and the +medicines for the march. + +This man had been for a long time on the sick report and for this reason +was given the charge of the baggage, instead of being placed with the +troops. His efforts to recover the horses being unsuccessful, he was +hastening to rejoin his party, alarmed at some appearances of disorder +and hostile indications among the Indians, when he was met and made +prisoner by To-pee-nee-bee. + +Having taken from him his arms and accoutrements, the chief put him into +a canoe and paddled him across the river, bidding him make for the woods +and secrete himself. This he did; and the following day, in the +afternoon, seeing from his lurking-place that all appeared quiet, he +ventured to steal cautiously into the garden of Ouilmette, where he +concealed himself for a time behind some currant-bushes. + +At length he determined to enter the house, and accordingly climbed up +through a small back window into the room where the family were. This +was just as the Wabash Indians had left the house of Ouilmette for that +of Mr. Kinzie. The danger of the sergeant was now imminent. The family +stripped him of his uniform and arrayed him in a suit of deer-skin, with +belt, moccasins, and pipe, like a French engagé. His dark complexion and +large black whiskers favored the disguise. The family were all ordered +to address him in French, and, although utterly ignorant of the +language, he continued to pass for a _Weem-tee-gosh_,[39] and as such to +accompany Mr. Kinzie and his family, undetected by his enemies, until +they reached a place of safety. + +On the third day after the battle, the family of Mr. Kinzie, with the +clerks of the establishment, were put into a boat, under the care of +François, a half-breed interpreter, and conveyed to St. Joseph's, where +they remained until the following November, under the protection of +To-pee-nee-bee's band. They were then conducted to Detroit, under the +escort of Chandonnai and their trusty Indian friend, Kee-po-tah, and +delivered up, as prisoners of war, to Colonel McKee, the British Indian +Agent. + +Mr. Kinzie was not allowed to leave St. Joseph's with his family, his +Indian friends insisting on his remaining and endeavoring to secure some +remnant of his scattered property. During his excursions with them for +that purpose, he wore the costume and paint of the tribe, in order to +escape capture and perhaps death at the hands of those who were still +thirsting for blood. In time, however, his anxiety for his family +induced him to follow them to Detroit, where, in the month of January, +he was received and paroled by General Proctor. + +Captain and Mrs. Heald were sent across the lake to St. Joseph the day +after the battle. The former had received two wounds, the latter seven, +in the engagement. + +Lieutenant Helm, who was likewise wounded, was carried by some friendly +Indians to their village on the Au Sable, and thence to Peoria, where he +was liberated by the intervention of Mr. Thomas Forsyth, the +half-brother of Mr. Kinzie. Mrs. Helm accompanied her parents to St. +Joseph, where they resided in the family of Alexander Robinson,[40] +receiving from them all possible kindness and hospitality for several +months. + +After their arrival in Detroit, Mrs. Helm was joined by her husband, +when they were both arrested by order of the British commander, and sent +on horseback, in the dead of winter, through Canada to Fort George, on +the Niagara frontier. When they arrived at that post, there had been no +official appointed to receive them, and, notwithstanding their long and +fatiguing journey in weather the most cold and inclement, Mrs. Helm, a +delicate woman of seventeen years, was permitted to sit waiting in her +saddle, outside the gate, for more than an hour, before the refreshment +of fire or food, or even the shelter of a roof, was offered them. When +Colonel Sheaffe, who had been absent at the time, was informed of this +brutal inhospitality, he expressed the greatest indignation. He waited +on Mrs. Helm immediately, apologized in the most courteous manner, and +treated both her and Lieutenant Helm with the most considerate kindness, +until, by an exchange of prisoners, they were liberated, and found means +to reach their friends in Steuben County, N.Y. + +Captain Heald had been taken prisoner by an Indian from the Kankakee, +who had a strong personal regard for him, and who, when he saw the +wounded and enfeebled state of Mrs. Heald, released her husband that he +might accompany his wife to St. Joseph. To the latter place they were +accordingly carried, as has been related, by Chandonnai and his party. +In the mean time, the Indian who had so nobly released his prisoner +returned to his village on the Kankakee, where he had the mortification +of finding that his conduct had excited great dissatisfaction among his +band. So great was the displeasure manifested, that he resolved to make +a journey to St. Joseph and reclaim his prisoner. + +News of his intention being brought to To-pee-nee-bee and Kee-po-tah, +under whose care the prisoners were, they held a private council with +Chandonnai, Mr. Kinzie, and the principal men of the village, the result +of which was a determination to send Captain and Mrs. Heald to the +island of Mackinac, and deliver them up to the British. + +They were accordingly put in a bark canoe, and paddled by Robinson and +his wife a distance of three hundred miles along the coast of Michigan, +and surrendered as prisoners of war to the commanding officer at +Mackinac. + +As an instance of the procrastinating spirit of Captain Heald, it may be +mentioned that, even after he had received certain intelligence that his +Indian captor was on his way from the Kankakee to St. Joseph to retake +him, he would still have delayed another day at that place, to make +preparation for a more comfortable journey to Mackinac. + +The soldiers, with their wives and surviving children, were dispersed +among the different villages of the Pottowattamies upon the Illinois, +Wabash, Rock River, and at Milwaukie, until the following spring, when +they were, for the most part, carried to Detroit and ransomed. + +Mrs. Burns, with her infant, became the prisoner of a chief, who carried +her to his village and treated her with great kindness. His wife, from +jealousy of the favor shown to "the white woman" and her child, always +treated them with great hostility. On one occasion she struck the infant +with a tomahawk, and narrowly missed her aim of putting an end to it +altogether.[41] They were not left long in the power of the old hag +after this demonstration, but on the first opportunity were carried to a +place of safety. + +The family of Mr. Lee had resided in a house on the Lake shore, not far +from the fort. Mr. Lee was the owner of Lee's Place, which he cultivated +as a farm. It was his son who ran down with the discharged soldier to +give the alarm of "Indians," at the fort, on the afternoon of the 7th of +April. The father, the son, and all the other members of the family had +fallen victims on the 15th of August, except Mrs. Lee and her young +infant. These were claimed by Black Partridge, and carried to his +village on the Au Sable. He had been particularly attached to a little +girl of Mrs. Lee's, about twelve years of age. This child had been +placed on horseback for the march; and, as she was unaccustomed to the +exercise, she was tied fast to the saddle, lest by any accident she +should slip off or be thrown. + +She was within reach of the balls at the commencement of the engagement, +and was severely wounded. The horse set off on a full gallop, which +partly threw her, but she was held fast by the bands which confined her, +and hung dangling as the animal ran violently about. In this state she +was met by Black Partridge, who caught the horse and disengaged her from +the saddle. Finding her so much wounded that she could not recover, and +that she was suffering great agony, he put the finishing stroke to her +at once with his tomahawk. He afterwards said that this was the hardest +thing he ever tried to do, but he did it because he could not bear to +see her suffer. + +He took the mother and her infant to his village, where he became warmly +attached to the former--so much so, that he wished to marry her; but, as +she very naturally objected, he treated her with the greatest respect +and consideration. He was in no hurry to release her, for he was in +hopes of prevailing on her to become his wife. In the course of the +winter her child fell ill. Finding that none of the remedies within +their reach were effectual, Black Partridge proposed to take the little +one to Chicago, where there was now a French trader living in the +mansion of Mr. Kinzie, and procure some medical aid from him. Wrapping +up his charge with the greatest care, he set out on his journey. + +When he arrived at the residence of M. Du Pin, he entered the room where +he was, and carefully placed his burden on the floor. + +"What have you there?" asked M. Du Pin. + +"A young raccoon, which I have brought you as a present," was the reply; +and, opening the pack, he showed the little sick infant. + +When the trader had prescribed for its complaint, and Black Partridge +was about to return to his home, he told his friend of the proposal he +had made to Mrs. Lee to become his wife, and the manner in which it had +been received. + +M. Du Pin, entertaining some fears that the chief's honorable resolution +to leave it to the lady herself whether to accept his addresses or not, +might not hold out, entered at once into a negotiation for her ransom, +and so effectually wrought upon the good feelings of Black Partridge +that he consented to bring his fair prisoner at once to Chicago, that +she might be restored to her friends. + +Whether the kind trader had at the outset any other feeling in the +matter than sympathy and brotherly kindness, we cannot say; we only know +that in process of time Mrs. Lee became Madame Du Pin, and that the +worthy couple lived together in great happiness for many years after. + +The fate of Nau-non-gee, one of the chiefs of the Calumet village, and +who is mentioned in the early part of the narrative, deserves to be +recorded. + +Daring the battle of the 15th of August, the chief object of his attack +was one Sergeant Hays, a man from whom he had received many acts of +kindness. + +After Hays had received a ball through the body, this Indian ran up to +him to tomahawk him, when the sergeant, collecting his remaining +strength, pierced him through the body with his bayonet. They fell +together. Other Indians running up soon dispatched Hays, and it was not +until then that his bayonet was extracted from the body of his +adversary. + +The wounded chief was carried after the battle to his village on the +Calumet, where he survived for several days. Finding his end +approaching, he called together his young men, and enjoined them, in the +most solemn manner, to regard the safety of their prisoners after his +death, and to take the lives of none of them from respect to his memory, +as he deserved his fate from the hands of those whose kindness he had so +ill requited. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +CAPTIVITY OF J. KINZIE, SEN.--AN AMUSING MISTAKE. + + +It had been a stipulation of General Hull at the surrender of Detroit, +which took place the day after the massacre at Chicago, that the +inhabitants should be permitted to remain undisturbed in their homes. +Accordingly, the family of Mr. Kinzie took up their quarters with their +friends in the old mansion, which many will still recollect as standing +on the northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Wayne Street. + +The feelings of indignation and sympathy were constantly aroused in the +hearts of the citizens during the winter that ensued. They were almost +daily called upon to witness the cruelties practised upon the American +prisoners brought in by their Indian captors. Those who could scarcely +drag their wounded, bleeding feet over the frozen ground, were compelled +to dance for the amusement of the savages; and these exhibitions +sometimes took place before the Government House, the residence of +Colonel McKee. Some of the British officers looked on from their windows +at these heart-rending performances; for the honor of humanity, we will +hope such instances were rare. + +Everything that could be made available among the effects of the +citizens was offered, to ransom their countrymen from the hands of these +inhuman beings. The prisoners brought in from the River Raisin--those +unfortunate men who were permitted, after their surrender to General +Proctor, to be tortured and murdered by inches by his savage +allies--excited the sympathies and called for the action of the whole +community. Private houses were turned into hospitals, and every one was +forward to get possession of as many as possible of the survivors. To +effect this, even the articles of their apparel were bartered by the +ladies of Detroit, as they watched from their doors or windows the +miserable victims carried about for sale. + +In the dwelling of Mr. Kinzie one large room was devoted to the +reception of the sufferers. Few of them survived. Among those spoken of +as objects of the deepest interest were two young gentlemen of Kentucky, +brothers, both severely wounded, and their wounds aggravated to a mortal +degree by subsequent ill usage and hardships. Their solicitude for each +other, and their exhibition in various ways of the most tender fraternal +affection, created an impression never to be forgotten. + +The last bargain made was by black Jim, and one of the children, who had +permission to redeem a negro servant of the gallant Colonel Allen, with +an old white horse, the only available article that remained among their +possessions. + +A brother of Colonel Allen afterwards came to Detroit, and the negro +preferred returning to servitude rather than remaining a stranger in a +strange land. + +Mr. Kinzie, as has been related, joined his family at Detroit in the +month of January. A short time after, suspicions arose in the mind of +General Proctor that he was in correspondence with General Harrison, who +was now at Fort Meigs, and who was believed to be meditating an advance +upon Detroit. Lieutenant Watson, of the British army, waited upon Mr. +Kinzie one day with an invitation to the quarters of General Proctor on +the opposite side of the river, saying he wished to speak with him, on +business. Quite unsuspicious, he complied with the invitation, when to +his surprise he was ordered into confinement, and strictly guarded in +the house of his former partner, Mr. Patterson, of Sandwich. Finding +that he did not return to his home, Mrs. Kinzie informed some of the +Indian chiefs, his particular friends, who immediately repaired to the +head-quarters of the commanding officer, demanded "their friend's" +release, and brought him back to his home. After waiting a time until a +favorable opportunity presented itself, the General sent a detachment of +dragoons to arrest Mr. Kinzie. They had succeeded in carrying him away, +and crossing the river with him. Just at this moment a party of friendly +Indians made their appearance. + +"Where is the Shaw-nee-aw-kee?" was the first question. + +"There," replied his wife, pointing across the river, "in the hands of +the red-coats, who are taking him away again." + +The Indians ran to the river, seized some canoes that they found there, +and, crossing over to Sandwich, compelled General Proctor a second time +to forego his intentions. + +A third time this officer made the attempt, and succeeded in arresting +Mr. Kinzie and conveying him heavily ironed to Fort Malden, in Canada, +at the mouth of the Detroit River. Here he was at first treated with +great severity, but after a time the rigor of his confinement was +somewhat relaxed, and he was permitted to walk on the bank of the river +for air and exercise. + +On the 10th of September, as he was taking his promenade under the close +supervision of a guard of soldiers, the whole party were startled by the +sound of guns upon Lake Erie, at no great distance below. What could it +mean? It must be Commodore Barclay firing into some of the Yankees. The +firing continued. The time allotted the prisoner for his daily walk +expired, but neither he nor his guard observed the lapse of time, so +anxiously were they listening to what they now felt sure was an +engagement between ships of war. At length Mr. Kinzie was reminded that +the hour for his return to confinement had arrived. He petitioned for +another half-hour. + +"Let me stay," said he, "till we can learn how the battle has gone." + +Very soon a sloop appeared under press of sail, rounding the point, and +presently two gun-boats in chase of her. + +"She is running--she bears the British colors," cried he--"yes, yes, +they are lowering--she is striking her flag! Now," turning to the +soldiers, "I will go back to prison contented--I know how the battle has +gone." + +The sloop was the Little Belt, the last of the squadron captured by the +gallant Perry on that memorable occasion which he announced in the +immortal words: + +"We have met the enemy, and they are ours!" + +Matters were growing critical, and it was necessary to transfer all +prisoners to a place of greater security than the frontier was now +likely to be. It was resolved therefore to send Mr. Kinzie to the +mother-country. Nothing has ever appeared which would explain the course +of General Proctor in regard to this gentleman. He had been taken from +the bosom of his family, where he was living quietly under the parole +which he had received, and protected by the stipulations of the +surrender. He was kept for months in confinement. Now he was placed on +horseback under a strong guard, who announced that they had orders to +shoot him through the head if he offered to speak to a person upon the +road. He was tied upon the saddle to prevent his escape, and thus they +set out for Quebec. A little incident occurred, which will help to +illustrate the course invariably pursued towards our citizens, at this +period, by the British army on the Northwestern frontier. + +The saddle on which Mr. Kinzie rode had not been properly fastened, and, +owing to the rough motion of the animal on which it was, it turned, so +as to bring the rider into a most awkward and painful position. His +limbs being fastened, he could not disengage himself, and in this manner +he was compelled by those who had charge of him to ride until he was +nearly exhausted, before they had the humanity to release him. + +Arrived at Quebec, he was put on board a small vessel to be sent to +England. The vessel when a few days out at sea was chased by an American +frigate and driven into Halifax. A second time she set sail, when she +sprung a leak and was compelled to put back. + +The attempt to send him across the ocean was now abandoned, and he was +returned to Quebec. Another step, equally inexplicable with his arrest, +was soon after taken. This was, his release and that of Mr. Macomb, of +Detroit, who was also in confinement in Quebec, and the permission given +them to return to their friends and families, although the war was not +yet ended. It may possibly be imagined that in the treatment these +gentlemen received, the British commander-in-chief sheltered himself +under the plea of their being "native-born British subjects," and +perhaps when it was ascertained that Mr. Kinzie was indeed a citizen of +the United States it was thought safest to release him. + +In the mean time, General Harrison at the head of his troops had reached +Detroit. He landed on the 29th of September. All the citizens went forth +to meet him--Mrs. Kinzie, leading her children by the hand, was of the +number. The General accompanied her to her home, and took up his abode +there. On his arrival he was introduced to Kee-po-tah, who happened to +be on a visit to the family at that time. The General had seen the chief +the preceding year, at the Council at Vincennes, and the meeting was one +of great cordiality and interest. + + * * * * * + +In 1816, Mr. Kinzie and his family again returned to Chicago. The fort +was rebuilt on a somewhat larger scale than the former one. It was not +until the return of the troops that the bones of the unfortunate +Americans who had been massacred four years before, were collected and +buried. + +An Indian Agency, under the charge of Charles Jewett, Esq., of Kentucky, +was established. He was succeeded in 1820 by Dr. Alexander Wolcott, of +Connecticut, who occupied that position until his death in 1830. + +The troops were removed from the garrison in 1823, but restored in 1828, +after the Winnebago war. This was a disturbance between the Winnebagoes +and white settlers on and near the Mississippi. After some murders had +been committed, the young chief, Red Bird, was taken and imprisoned at +Prairie du Chien to await his trial, where he committed suicide in +consequence of chagrin and the irksomeness of confinement. It was feared +that the Pottowattamies would make common cause with the Winnebagoes, +and commence a general system of havoc and bloodshed on the frontier. +They were deterred from such a step, probably, by the exertions of Billy +Caldwell, Robinson, and Shaw-bee-nay, who made an expedition among the +Rock River bands, to argue and persuade them into remaining tranquil. + +The few citizens of Chicago in those days, lived for the most part a +very quiet, unvaried life. The great abundance of game, and the immense +fertility of the lands they cultivated, furnished them with a +superabundance of all the luxuries of garden, corn-field, and dairy The +question was once asked by a friend in the "East countrie," + +"How do you dispose of all the good things you raise? You have no +market?" "No." "And you cannot consume them all yourselves?" "No." "What +then do you do with them?" + +"Why, we manage, when a vessel arrives, to persuade the captain to +accept a few kegs of butter, and stores of corn and vegetables, as a +present, and that helps us to get rid of some of our overplus." + +The mails arrived, as may be supposed, at very rare intervals. They were +brought occasionally from Fort Clark (Peoria), but more frequently from +Fort Wayne, or across the peninsula of Michigan, which was still a +wilderness peopled with savages. The hardy adventurer who acted as +express was, not unfrequently, obliged to imitate the birds of heaven +and "lodge among the branches," in order to insure the safety of himself +and his charge. + +Visitors were very rare, unless it was a friend who came to sojourn for +several months and share a life in the wilderness. A traveller, however, +occasionally found his way to the spot, in passing to or from "parts +unknown," and such a one was sure of a hospitable and hearty welcome. + +A gentleman journeying from the southern settlements once arrived late +in the evening at Wolf Point, where was then the small +trading-establishment of George Hunt and a Mr. Wallace. He stopped and +inquired if he could have accommodation for the night for himself and +his horse. The answer was, that they were ill provided to entertain a +stranger--the house was small, and they were keeping "bachelor's hall." + +"Is there no place," inquired the traveller, "where I can obtain a +lodging?" + +"Oh, yes--you will find a very comfortable house, Mr. Kinzie's, about +half a mile below, near the mouth of the river." + +The stranger turned his horse's head and took the road indicated. +Arrived at the spot, his first inquiry was,-- + +"Is this the residence of Mr. Kinzie?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"I should be glad to get accommodation for myself and horse." + +"Certainly, sir--walk in." + +The horse was taken to the stable, while the gentleman was ushered into +a parlor where were two ladies. The usual preliminary questions and +answers were gone through, for in a new country people soon become +acquainted, and the gentleman ere long found himself seated at a +comfortable hot supper--we will venture to say a fine supper, since the +table in this domestic establishment has always been somewhat famous. + +Apparently, the gentleman enjoyed it, for he made himself quite at home. +He even called for a boot-jack after tea, and drew off his boots. The +ladies were a little surprised, but they had lived a good while out of +the world, and they did not know what changes in etiquette might have +taken place during their retirement. + +Before taking his leave for the night, the traveller signified what it +would please him to have for breakfast, which was duly prepared. The +next day proved stormy. The gentleman was satisfied with his quarters, +and, having taken care to ascertain that there was no neglect or +deficiency of accommodation so far as his horse was concerned, he got +through the day very comfortably. + +Now and then, when he was tired of reading, he would converse with the +family, and seemed, upon the whole, by no means disposed to hold himself +aloof, but to indulge in a little becoming sociability, seeing they were +all there away in the woods. + +The second day the weather brightened. The traveller signified his +intention to depart. He ordered his horse to the door--then he called +for his bill. + +"My house is not a tavern, sir," was the astounding reply. + +"Not a tavern! Good heavens! have I been making myself at home in this +manner in a private family?" + +He was profuse in his apologies, which, however, were quite unnecessary, +for the family had perceived from the first the mistake he had fallen +into, and they had amused themselves during his whole visit in +anticipating the consternation of their guest when he should be +undeceived. + + * * * * * + +It was in the year 1816 (the year of the rebuilding of the fort, after +its destruction by the Indians) that the tract of land on which Chicago +stands, together with the surrounding country, was ceded to the United +States by the Pottowattamies. They remained the peaceful occupants of +it, however, for twenty years longer. It was not until 1836 that they +were removed by Government to lands appropriated for their use on the +Upper Missouri. + +In the year 1830 the town of Chicago was laid out into lots by +Commissioners appointed by the State. At this time the prices of these +lots ranged from ten to sixty dollars. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Kinzie, who, from the geographical position of this place, and the +vast fertility of the surrounding country, had always foretold its +eventual prosperity and importance, was not permitted to witness the +realization of his predictions. He closed his useful and energetic life +on the 6th of January, 1828, having just completed his sixty-fifth year. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +A SERMON. + + +Chicago was not, at the period of my first visit, the cheerful, happy +place it had once been. The death of Dr. Wolcott, of Lieutenant Furman, +and of a promising young son of Mr. Beaubien, all within a few weeks of +each other, had thrown a gloom over the different branches of the social +circle. + +The weather, too, was inclement and stormy beyond anything that had been +known before. Only twice, during a period of two months, did the sun +shine out through the entire day. So late as the second week in April, +when my husband had left to return to Fort Winnebago, the storms were so +severe that he and his men were obliged to lie by two or three days in +an Indian lodge. + +Robert Kinzie, Medard Beaubien, and Billy Caldwell had gone at the same +time to the Calumet to hunt, and, as they did not make their appearance +for many days, we were persuaded they had perished with cold. They +returned at length, however, to our infinite joy, having only escaped +freezing by the forethought of Robert and Caldwell in carrying each two +blankets instead of one. + +Our only recreation was an occasional ride on horseback, when the +weather would permit, through the woods on the north side of the river, +or across the prairie, along the lake shore on the south. + +When we went in the former direction, a little bridle-path took us along +what is now Rush Street. The thick boughs of the trees arched over our +heads, and we were often compelled, as we rode, to break away the +projecting branches of the shrubs which impeded our path. The little +prairie west of Wright's Woods was the usual termination of our ride in +this direction. + +When we chose the path across the prairie towards the south, we +generally passed a new-comer, Dr. Harmon, superintending the +construction of a _sod fence_, at a spot he had chosen, near the shore +of the lake. In this inclosure he occupied himself, as the season +advanced, in planting fruit-stones of all descriptions, to make ready a +garden and orchard for future enjoyment. + +We usually stopped to have a little chat. The two favorite themes of the +Doctor were horticulture, and the certain future importance of Chicago. +That it was destined to be a great city, was his unalterable conviction; +and in deed, by this time, all forest and prairie as it was, we half +began to believe it ourselves. + +On the pleasant afternoons which we occasionally enjoyed as the season +advanced, we found no small amusement in practising pistol-firing. The +place appropriated to this sport was outside the pickets, the mark being +placed on a panel in one of the bastions. The gentlemen must not be +offended if I record that, in process of time, the ladies acquired a +degree of skill that enabled them, as a general thing, to come off +triumphant. One of the ladies, Mrs. Hunter, was a great shot, having +brought down her grouse on the wing, to the no small delight of one of +the officers, Captain Martin Scott, of raccoon celebrity. + +Now and then there was a little excitement within the fort, aroused by +the discovery that _a settler_ had been engaged in selling milk-punch, +instead of milk, to the soldiers, thereby interfering in no small degree +with the regularity and perfect discipline of the service. The first +step was to "drum out" the offender with all the honors of war--that is, +with a party-colored dress, and the Rogue's March played behind him. The +next, to place all the victims of this piece of deception in the +guard-house, where the commanding officer's lady supplied them +bountifully with coffee and hot cakes, by way of opening their eyes to +the enormity of their offence. It is not to be wondered at that the +officers sometimes complained of its being more of a strife with the +soldiers who should get into the guard-house, than who should keep out +of it. The poor fellows knew when they were well off. + +Once, upon a Sunday, we were rowed up to Wolf Point to attend a +religious service, conducted by Father See, as he was called. + +We saw a tall, slender man, dressed in a green frock-coat, from the +sleeves of which dangled a pair of hands giving abundant evidence, +together with the rest of his dress, that he placed small faith in the +axiom--"cleanliness is a part of holiness." + +He stepped briskly upon a little platform behind a table, and commenced +his discourse. His subject was, "The fear of God." + +"There was a kind of fear," he told us, "that was very nearly +a_lee_-a-nated to love: so nearly, that it was not worth while splitting +hairs for the difference." He then went on to describe this kind of +fear. He grew more and more involved as he proceeded with his +description until at length, quite bewildered, he paused, and exclaimed, +"Come, let's stop a little while, and clear away the brush." He +unravelled, as well as he was able, the tangled thread of his ideas, +and went on with his subject. But soon, again losing his way, he came to +a second halt. "Now," said he, wiping the perspiration from his forehead +with a red cotton handkerchief many degrees from clean, "now, suppose we +drive back a little piece." Thus he recapitulated what he wished to +impress upon us, of the necessity of cherishing a fear that maketh wise +unto salvation, "which fear," said he, "may we all enjoy, that together +we may soar away, on the rolling clouds of aether, to a boundless and +happy eternity, which is the wish of your humble servant." And, +flourishing abroad his hands, with the best of dancing-school bows, he +took his seat. + +It will be readily imagined that we felt our own religious exercises at +home to be more edifying than such as this, and that we confined +ourselves to them for the future. + +The return of our brother, Robert Kinzie, from Palestine (not the Holy +Land, but the seat of the Land Office), with the certificate of the +title of the family to that portion of Chicago since known as "Kinzie's +Addition," was looked upon as establishing a home for us at some future +day, if the glorious dreams of good Dr. Harmon, and a few others, should +come to be realized. One little incident will show how moderate were the +anticipations of most persons at that period. + +The certificate, which was issued in Robert's name (he representing the +family in making the application), described only a fractional +quarter-section of one hundred and two acres, instead of one hundred and +sixty acres, the river and Lake Michigan cutting off fifty-eight acres +on the southern and eastern lines of the quarter. The applicants had +liberty to select their complement of fifty-eight acres out of any +unappropriated land that suited them. + +"Now, my son," said his mother to Robert, "lay your claim on the +corn-field at Wolf Point. It is fine land, and will always be valuable +for cultivation; besides, as it faces down the main river, the situation +will always be a convenient one." + +The answer was a hearty laugh. "Hear mother!" said Robert. "We have just +got a hundred and two acres--more than we shall ever want, or know what +to do with, and now she would have me go and claim fifty-eight acres +more!" + +"Take my advice, my boy," repeated his mother, "or you may live one day +to regret it." + +"Well, I cannot see how I can ever regret not getting more than we can +possibly make use of." And so the matter ended. The fifty-eight acres +were never claimed, and there was, I think, a very general impression +that asking for our just rights in the case would have a very grasping, +covetous look. How much wiser five-and-twenty years have made us! + + * * * * * + +During my sojourn of two months at Chicago, our mother often entertained +me with stories of her early life and adventures. The following is her +history of her captivity among the Senecas, which I have put in the form +of a tale, although without the slightest variation from the facts as I +received them from her lips, and those of her sister, Mrs. William +Forsyth, of Sandwich (C.W.), the little Maggie of the story. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +THE CAPTIVES. + + +It is well known that previous to the war of the Revolution the whole of +the western portion of Pennsylvania was inhabited by different Indian +tribes. Of these, the Delawares were the friends of the whites, and, +after the commencement of the great struggle, took part with the United +States. The Iroquois, on the contrary, were the friends and allies of +the mother-country. + +Very few white settlers had ventured beyond the Susquehanna. The +numerous roving bands of Shawanoes, Nanticokes, etc., although at times +professing friendship with the Americans and acting in concert with the +Delawares or Lenape as allies, at others suffered themselves to be +seduced by their neighbors, the Iroquois, to show a most sanguinary +spirit of hostility. + +For this reason, the life of the inhabitants of the frontier was one of +constant peril and alarm. Many a scene of dismal barbarity was enacted, +as the history of the times testifies, and even those who felt +themselves in some measure protected by their immediate neighbors, the +Delawares, never lost sight of the caution required by their exposed +situation. + +The vicinity of the military garrison at Pittsburg--or Fort Pitt, as it +was then called--gave additional security to those who had pushed +farther west, among the fertile valleys of the Alleghany and +Monongahela. Among these were the family of Mr. Lytle, who, some years +previous to the opening of our story, had removed from Baltimore to +Path Valley, near Carlisle, and subsequently settled himself on the +banks of Plum River, a tributary of the Alleghany. Here, with his wife +and five children, he had continued to live in comfort and security, +undisturbed by any hostile visit, and only annoyed by occasional false +alarms from his more timorous neighbors, who, having had more experience +in frontier life, were prone to anticipate evil, as well as to magnify +every appearance of danger. + + * * * * * + +On a bright afternoon in the autumn of 1779, two children of Mr. Lytle, +a girl of nine, and her brother, two years younger, were playing in a +little dingle or hollow in the rear of their father's house. Some large +trees, which had been recently felled, were lying here and there, still +untrimmed of their branches, and many logs, prepared for fuel, were +scattered around. Upon one of these the children, wearied with their +sports, seated themselves, and to beguile the time they fell into +conversation upon a subject that greatly perplexed them. + +While playing in the same place a few hours previous, they had imagined +they saw an Indian lurking behind one of the fallen trees. The Indians +of the neighborhood were in the habit of making occasional visits to the +family, and they had become familiar and even affectionate with many of +them, but this seemed a stranger, and after the first hasty glance they +fled in alarm to the house. + +Their mother chid them for the report they brought, which she endeavored +to convince them was without foundation. "You know," said she, "you are +always alarming us unnecessarily: the neighbors' children have +frightened you to death. Go back to your play, and learn to be more +courageous." + +So the children returned to their sports, hardly persuaded by their +mother's arguments. While they were thus seated upon the trunk of the +tree, their discourse was interrupted by the note, apparently, of a +quail not far off. + +"Listen," said the boy, as a second note answered the first; "do you +hear that?" + +"Yes," was the reply, and, after a few moments' silence, "do you not +hear a rustling among the branches of the tree yonder?" + +"Perhaps it is a squirrel--but look! what is that? Surely I saw +something red among the branches. It looked like a fawn popping up its +head." + +At this moment, the children, who had been gazing so intently in the +direction of the fallen tree that all other objects were forgotten, felt +themselves seized from behind and pinioned in an iron grasp. What were +their horror and dismay to find themselves in the arms of savages, whose +terrific countenances and gestures plainly showed them to be enemies! + +They made signs to the children to be silent, on pain of death, and +hurried them off, half dead with terror, in a direction leading from +their father's habitation. After travelling some distance in profound +silence, the severity of their captors somewhat relaxed, and as night +approached the party halted, after adopting the usual precautions to +secure themselves against a surprise. + +In an agony of uncertainty and terror, torn from their beloved home and +parents, and anticipating all the horrors with which the rumors of the +times had invested a captivity among the Indians--perhaps even a +torturing death--the poor children could no longer restrain their grief, +but gave vent to sobs and lamentations. + +Their distress appeared to excite the compassion of one of the party, a +man of mild aspect, who approached and endeavored to soothe them. He +spread them a couch of the long grass which grew near the +encamping-place, offered them a portion of his own stock of dried meat +and parched corn, and gave them to understand by signs that no farther +evil was intended them. + +These kindly demonstrations were interrupted by the arrival of another +party of the enemy, bringing with them the mother of the little +prisoners, with her youngest child, an infant of three months old. + +It had so happened that the father of the family, with his serving-men, +had gone early in the day to a _raising_ at a few miles' distance, and +the house had thus been left without a defender. The long period of +tranquillity which they had enjoyed, free from all molestation or alarm +from the savages, had thrown the settlers quite off their guard, and +they had recently laid aside some of the caution they had formerly +deemed necessary. + +These Indians, by lying in wait, had found the favorable moment for +seizing the defenceless family and making them prisoners. Judging from +their paint, and other marks by which the early settlers learned to +distinguish the various tribes, Mrs. Lytle conjectured that those into +whose hands she and her children had fallen were Senecas. Nor was she +mistaken. It was a party of that tribe who had descended from their +village with the intention of falling upon some isolated band of their +enemies, the Delawares, but failing in this, had made themselves amends +by capturing a few white settlers. + +It is to be attributed to the generally mild disposition of this tribe, +together with the magnanimous character of the chief who accompanied the +party, that their prisoners in the present instance escaped the fate of +most of the Americans who were so unhappy as to fall into the hands of +the Iroquois. + +The children learned from their mother that she was profoundly ignorant +of the fate of their remaining brother and sister, a boy of six and a +little girl of four years of age, but she was in hopes they had made +good their escape with the servant-girl, who had likewise disappeared +from the commencement. + +After remaining a few hours to recruit the exhausted frames of the +prisoners, the savages again started on their march, one of the older +Indians offering to relieve the mother from the burden of her infant, +which she had hitherto carried in her arms. Pleased with the unexpected +kindness, she resigned to him her tender charge. + +Thus they pursued their way, the savage who carried the infant lingering +somewhat behind the rest of the party, until, finding a spot convenient +for his purpose, he grasped his innocent victim by the feet, and, with +one whirl, to add strength to the blow, dashed out its brains against a +tree. Leaving the body upon the spot, he rejoined the party. + +The mother, unsuspicious of what had passed, regarded him earnestly as +he reappeared without the child--then gazed wildly around on the rest of +the group. Her beloved little one was not there. Its absence spoke its +fate; but, suppressing the shriek of agony, for she knew that the lives +of the remaining ones depended upon her firmness in that trying hour, +she drew them yet closer to her and pursued her melancholy way without a +word spoken or a question asked. + +From the depths of her heart she cried unto Him who is able to save, and +He comforted her with hopes of deliverance for the surviving ones, for +she saw that if blood had been their sole object the scalps of herself +and her children would have been taken upon the spot where they were +made prisoners. + +She read too in the eyes of one who was evidently the commander of the +party an expression more merciful than she had even dared to hope. +Particularly had she observed his soothing manner and manifest +partiality towards her eldest child, the little girl of whom we have +spoken, and she built many a bright hope of escape or ransom upon these +slender foundations. + +After a toilsome and painful march of many days, the party reached the +Seneca village, upon the head-waters of the Alleghany, near what is now +called Olean Point. On their arrival the chief, their conductor, who was +distinguished by the name of the _Big White Man_[42] led his prisoners +to the principal lodge. This was occupied by his mother, the widow of +the head-chief of that band, and who was called by them the _Old Queen_. + +On entering her presence, her son presented her the little girl, +saying,-- + +"My mother, I bring you a child to supply the place of my brother, who +was killed by the Lenape six moons ago. She shall dwell in my lodge, and +be to me a sister. Take the white woman and her children and treat them +kindly--our father will give us many horses and guns to buy them back +again." + +He referred to the British Indian Agent of his tribe, Colonel Johnson, +an excellent and benevolent gentleman, who resided at Port Niagara, on +the British side of the river of that name. + +The old queen fulfilled the injunctions of her son. She received the +prisoners, and every comfort was provided them that her simple and +primitive mode of life rendered possible. + + * * * * * + +We must now return to the place and period at which our story commences. + +Late in the evening of that day the father returned to his dwelling. All +within and around was silent and desolate. No trace of a living creature +was to be found throughout the house or grounds. His nearest neighbors +lived at a considerable distance, but to them he hastened, frantically +demanding tidings of his family. + +As he aroused them from their slumbers, one and another joined him in +the search, and at length, at the house of one of them, was found the +servant-maid who had effected her escape. Her first place of refuge, she +said, had been a large brewing-tub in an outer kitchen, under which she +had, at the first alarm, secreted herself until the departure of the +Indians, who were evidently in haste, gave her an opportunity of fleeing +to a place of safety. She could give no tidings of her mistress and the +children, except that they had not been murdered in her sight or +hearing. + +At length, having scoured the neighborhood without success, Mr. Lytle +remembered an old settler who lived alone, far up the valley. Thither he +and his friends immediately repaired, and from him they learned that, +being at work in his field just before sunset, he had seen a party of +strange Indians passing at a short distance from his cabin. As they +wound along the brow of the hill, he could perceive that they had +prisoners with them--a woman and a child. The woman he knew to be a +white, as she carried her infant in her arms, instead of upon her back, +after the manner of the savages. + +Day had now begun to break, for the night had been passed in fruitless +searches, and the agonized father, after a consultation with his kind +friends and neighbors, accepted their offer to accompany him to Fort +Pitt to ask advice and assistance of the commandant and Indian Agent at +that place. + +Proceeding down the valley, as they approached a hut which the night +before they had found apparently deserted, they were startled by +observing two children standing upon the high bank in front of it. The +delighted father recognized two of his missing flock, but no tidings +could they give him of their mother and the other lost ones. Their story +was simple and touching. + +They were playing in the garden, when they were alarmed by seeing the +Indians enter the yard near the house. Unperceived by them, the brother, +who was but six years of age, helped his little sister over the fence +into a field overrun with bushes of the blackberry and wild raspberry. +They concealed themselves among these for awhile, and then, finding all +quiet, they attempted to force their way to the side of the field +farthest from the house. Unfortunately, the little girl in her play in +the garden had pulled off her shoes and stockings, and the briers +tearing and wounding her tender feet, she with difficulty could refrain +from crying out. Her brother took off his stockings and put them on her +feet. He attempted, too, to protect them with his shoes, but they were +too large, and kept slipping off, so that she could not wear them. For a +time, they persevered in making what they considered their escape from +certain death, for, as I have said, the children had been taught, by the +tales they had heard, to regard all strange Indians as ministers of +torture, and of horrors worse than death. Exhausted with pain and +fatigue, the poor little girl at length declared she could go no +farther. + +"Then, Maggie," said her brother, "I must kill you, for I cannot let +you be killed by the Indians." + +"Oh, no, Thomas!" pleaded she, "do not, pray do not kill me! I do not +think the Indians will find us." + +"Oh, yes, they will, Maggie, and I could kill you so much easier than +they would.'" + +For a long time he endeavored to persuade her, and even looked about for +a stick sufficiently large for his purpose; but despair gave the little +creature strength, and she promised her brother that she would neither +complain nor falter, if he would assist her in making her way out of the +field. + +The idea of the little boy that he could save his sister from savage +barbarity by taking her life himself, shows what tales of horror the +children of the early settlers were familiar with. + +After a few more efforts, they made their way out of the field, into an +uninclosed pasture-ground, where, to their great delight, they saw some +cows feeding. They recognized them as belonging to Granny Myers, an old +woman who lived at some little distance, but in what direction from the +place they then were, they were utterly ignorant. + +With a sagacity beyond his years, the boy said,-- + +"Let us hide ourselves till sunset, when the cows will go home, and we +will follow them." + +They did so, but, to their dismay, when they reached Granny Myers's they +found the house deserted. The old woman had been called by some business +down the valley, and did not return that night. + +Tired and hungry, they could go no farther, but, after an almost +fruitless endeavor to get some milk from the cows, they laid themselves +down to sleep under an old bedstead that stood behind the house. Their +father and his party had caused them additional terror in the night. The +shouts and calls which had been designed to arouse the inmates of the +house, they had mistaken for the whoop of the Indians, and, not being +able to distinguish friends from foes, they had crept close to one +another, as far out of sight as possible. When found the following +morning, they were debating what course to take next, for safety. + +The commandant at Fort Pitt entered warmly into the affairs of Mr. +Lytle, and readily furnished him with a detachment of soldiers, to aid +him and his friends in the pursuit of the marauders. Some circumstances +having occurred to throw suspicion upon the Senecas, the party soon +directed their search among the villages of that tribe. + +Their inquiries were prosecuted in various directions, and always with +great caution, for all the tribes of the Iroquois, or, as they pompously +called themselves, the Five Nations, being allies of Great Britain, were +inveterate in their hostility to the Americans. Thus, some time elapsed +before the father with his attendants reached the village of the _Big +White Man_. + +A treaty was immediately entered into for the ransom of the captives, +which was easily accomplished in regard to Mrs. Lytle and the younger +child. But no offers, no entreaties, no promises, could procure the +release of the little Eleanor, the adopted child of the tribe. "No," the +chief said, "she was his sister; he had taken her to supply the place of +his brother who was killed by the enemy--she was dear to him, and he +would not part with her." + +Finding every effort unavailing to shake this resolution, the father was +compelled to take his sorrowful departure with such of his beloved ones +as he had had the good fortune to recover. + +We will not attempt to depict the grief of parents compelled thus to +give up a darling child, and to leave her in the hands of savages, whom +until now they had too much reason to regard as merciless. But there was +no alternative. Commending her to the care of their heavenly Father, and +cheered by the manifest tenderness with which she had thus far been +treated, they set out on their melancholy journey homeward, trusting +that some future effort would be more effectual for the recovery of +their little girl. + +Having placed his family in safety at Pittsburg, Mr. Lytle, still +assisted by the commandant and the Indian Agent, undertook an expedition +to the frontier to the residence of the British Agent, Colonel Johnson. +His representation of the case warmly interested the feelings of that +benevolent officer, who promised him to spare no exertions in his +behalf. This promise he religiously performed. He went in person to the +village of the Big White Man, as soon as the opening of the spring +permitted, and offered him many splendid presents of guns and horses, +but the chief was inexorable. + +Time rolled on, and every year the hope of recovering the little captive +became more faint. She, in the mean time, continued to wind herself more +and more closely around the heart of her Indian brother. Nothing could +exceed the consideration and affection with which she was treated, not +only by himself, but by his mother, the _Old Queen_. All their stock of +brooches and wampum was employed in the decoration of her person. The +principal seat and the most delicate viands were invariably reserved for +her, and no efforts were spared to promote her happiness, and to render +her forgetful of her former home and kindred. + +Thus, though she had beheld, with a feeling almost amounting to despair, +the departure of her parents and dear little brother, and had for a long +time resisted every attempt at consolation, preferring even death to a +life of separation from all she loved, yet time, as it ever does, +brought its soothing balm, and she at length grew contented and happy. + +From her activity and the energy of her character, qualities for which +she was remarkable to the latest period of her life, the name was given +her of _The Ship under full sail_. + + * * * * * + +The only drawback to the happiness of the little prisoner, aside from +her longings after her own dear home, was the enmity she encountered +from the wife of the Big White Man. This woman, from the day of her +arrival at the village, and adoption into the family as a sister, had +conceived for her the greatest animosity, which, at first, she had the +prudence to conceal from the observation of her husband. + +It was perhaps natural that a wife should give way to some feelings of +jealousy at seeing her own place in the heart of her husband usurped by +the child of their enemy, the American. But these feelings were +aggravated by a bad and vindictive temper, and by the indifference with +which her husband listened to her complaints and murmurings. + +As she had no children of her own to engage her attention, her mind was +the more engrossed and inflamed with her fancied wrongs, and with +devising means for their redress. An opportunity of attempting the +latter was not long wanting. + +During the absence of the Big White Man upon some war-party or +hunting-excursion, his little sister was taken ill with fever and ague. +She was nursed with the utmost tenderness by the Old Queen; and the wife +of the chief, to lull suspicion, and thereby accomplish her purpose, +was likewise unwearied in her assiduities to the little favorite. + +One afternoon, during the temporary absence of the Old Queen, her +daughter-in-law entered the lodge with a bowl of something she had +prepared, and, stooping down to the mat on which the child lay, said, in +an affectionate accent,-- + +"Drink, my sister, I have brought you that which will drive this fever +far from you." + +On raising her head to reply, the little girl perceived a pair of eyes +peeping through a crevice in the lodge, and fixed upon her with a very +peculiar and significant expression. With the quick perception acquired +partly from nature and partly from her intercourse with this people, she +replied, faintly,-- + +"Set it down, my sister. When this fit of the fever has passed, I will +drink your medicine." + +The squaw, too cautious to use importunity, busied herself about in the +lodge for a short time, then withdrew to another, near at hand. +Meantime, the bright eyes continued peering through the opening, until +they had watched their object fairly out of sight; then a low voice, the +voice of a young friend and playfellow, spoke: + +"Do not drink that which your brother's wife has brought you. She hates +you, and is only waiting an opportunity to rid herself of you. I have +watched her all the morning, and have seen her gathering the most deadly +roots and herbs. I knew for whom they were intended, and came hither to +warn you." + +"Take the bowl," said the little invalid, "and carry it to my mother's +lodge." + +This was accordingly done. The contents of the bowl were found to +consist principally of a decoction of the root of the May-apple, the +most deadly poison known among the Indians. + +It is not in the power of language to describe the indignation that +pervaded the little community when this discovery was made known. The +squaws ran to and fro, as is their custom when excited, each vying with +the other in heaping invectives upon the culprit. No further punishment +was, however, for the present inflicted upon her, but, the first burst +of rage over, she was treated with silent abhorrence. + +The little patient was removed to the lodge of the Old Queen, and +strictly guarded, while her enemy was left to wander in silence and +solitude about the fields and woods, until the return of her husband +should determine her punishment. + +In a few days, the excursion being over, the Big White Man and his party +returned to the village. Contrary to the usual custom of savages, he did +not, in his first transport at learning the attempt on the life of his +little sister, take summary vengeance on the offender. He contented +himself with banishing her from his lodge, never to return, and +condemning her to hoe corn in a distant part of the large field or +inclosure which served the whole community for a garden. + +Although she would still show her vindictive disposition whenever, by +chance, the little girl with her companions wandered into that vicinity, +by striking at her with her hoe, or by some other spiteful +manifestation, yet she was either too well watched, or stood too much in +awe of her former husband, to repeat the attempt upon his sister's life. + + * * * * * + +Four years had now elapsed since the capture of little Nelly. Her heart +was by nature warm and affectionate, so that the unbounded tenderness of +those she dwelt among had called forth a corresponding feeling in her +heart. She regarded the chief and his mother with love and reverence, +and had so completely learned their language and customs as almost to +have forgotten her own. + +So identified had she become with the tribe, that the remembrance of her +home and family had nearly faded from her memory; all but her +mother--her mother, whom she had loved with a strength of affection +natural to her warm and ardent character, and to whom her heart still +clung with a fondness that no time or change could destroy. + +The peace of 1783 between Great Britain and the United States now took +place. A general pacification of the Indian tribes was the consequence, +and fresh hopes were renewed in the bosoms of Mr. and Mrs. Lytle. + +They removed with their family to Fort Niagara, near which, on the +American side, was the Great _Council-Fire_ of the Senecas. Colonel +Johnson readily undertook a fresh negotiation with the chief, but, in +order to make sure every chance of success, he again proceeded in person +to the village of the Big White Man. + +His visit was most opportune. It was the "Feast of the Green Corn," when +he arrived among them. This observance, which corresponds so strikingly +with the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles that, together with other customs, +it has led many to believe the Indian nations the descendants of the +lost ten tribes of Israel, made it a season of general joy and +festivity. All other occupations were suspended to give place to social +enjoyment in the open air or in arbors formed of the green branches of +the trees. Every one appeared in his gala-dress. That of the little +adopted child consisted of a petticoat of blue broadcloth, bordered with +gay-colored ribbons; a sack or upper garment of black silk, ornamented +with three rows of silver brooches, the centre ones from the throat to +the hem being of large size, and those from the shoulders down being no +larger than a shilling-piece, and set as closely as possible. Around +her neck were innumerable strings of white and purple wampum--an Indian +ornament manufactured from the inner surface of the muscle-shell. Her +hair was clubbed behind and loaded with beads of various colors. +Leggings of scarlet cloth, and moccasins of deer-skin embroidered with +porcupine-quills, completed her costume. + +Colonel Johnson was received with all the consideration due to his +position, and to the long friendship that had subsisted between him and +the tribe. + +Observing that the hilarity of the festival had warmed and opened all +hearts, he took occasion in an interview with the chief to expatiate +upon the parental affection which had led the father and mother of his +little sister to give up their friends and home, and come hundreds of +miles away, in the single hope of sometimes looking upon and embracing +her. The heart of the chief softened as he listened to this +representation, and he was induced to promise that at the Grand Council +soon to be held at Fort Niagara, on the British side of the river, he +would attend, bringing his little sister with him. + +He exacted a promise, however, from Colonel Johnson, that not only no +effort should be made to reclaim the child, but that even no proposition +to part with her should be offered him. + +The time at length arrived when, her heart bounding with joy, little +Nelly was placed on horseback to accompany her Indian brother to the +Great Council of the Senecas. She had promised him that she would never +leave him without his permission, and he relied confidently on her word +thus given. + +As the chiefs and warriors arrived in successive bands to meet their +Father, the agent, at the council-fire, how did the anxious hearts of +the parents beat with alternate hope and fear! The officers of the fort +had kindly given them quarters for the time being, and the ladies, whose +sympathies were strongly excited, had accompanied the mother to the +place of council, and joined in her longing watch for the first +appearance of the band from the Alleghany River. + +At length they were discerned, emerging from the forest on the opposite +or American side. Boats were sent across by the commanding officer, to +bring the chief and his party. The father and mother, attended by all +the officers and ladies, stood upon the grassy bank awaiting their +approach. They had seen at a glance that the _little captive_ was with +them. + +When about to enter the boat, the chief said to some of his young men, +"Stand here with the horses, and wait until I return." + +He was told that the horses should be ferried across and taken care of. + +"No," said he; "let them wait." + +He held his darling by the hand until the river was passed--until the +boat touched the bank--until the child sprang forward into the arms of +the mother from whom she had been so long separated. + +When the chief witnessed that outburst of affection, he could withstand +no longer. + +"She shall go," said he. "The mother must have her child again. I will +go back alone." + +With one silent gesture of farewell he turned and stepped on board the +boat. No arguments or entreaties could induce him to remain at the +council, but, having gained the other side of the Niagara, he mounted +his horse, and with his young men was soon lost in the depths of the +forest. + +After a sojourn of a few weeks at Niagara, Mr. Lytle, dreading lest the +resolution of the Big White Man should give way, and measures be taken +to deprive him once more of his child, came to the determination of +again changing his place of abode. He therefore took the first +opportunity of crossing Lake Erie with his family, and settled himself +in the neighborhood of Detroit, where he continued afterwards to reside. + +_Little Nelly_ saw her friend the chief no more, but she never forgot +him. To the day of her death she remembered with tenderness and +gratitude her brother the Big White Man, and her friends and playfellows +among the Senecas. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +SECOND-SIGHT--HICKORY CREEK. + + +At the age of fourteen the heroine of the foregoing story married +Colonel McKillip, a British officer. This gentleman was killed near Fort +Defiance, as it was afterwards called, at the Miami Rapids, in 1794. A +detachment of British troops had been sent down from Detroit to take +possession of this post. General Wayne was then on a campaign against +the Indians, and the British Government thought proper to make a few +demonstrations in behalf of their allies. Having gone out with a party +to reconnoitre, Colonel McKillip was returning to his post after dark, +when he was fired upon and killed by one of his own sentinels. Mrs. Helm +was the daughter of this marriage. + +During the widowhood of Mrs. McKillip, she resided with her parents, at +Grosse Pointe, eight miles above Detroit, and it was during this period +that an event occurred which, from the melancholy and mysterious +circumstances attending it, was always dwelt upon by her with peculiar +interest. + +Her second brother, Thomas Lytle, was, from his amiable and affectionate +character, the most dearly beloved by her of all the numerous family +circle. He was paying his addresses to a young lady who resided at the +river Trench,[43] as it was then called, now the river Thames, a stream +emptying into Lake St. Clair about twenty miles above Detroit. In +visiting this young lady, it was his custom to cross the Detroit River +by the ferry with his horse, and then proceed by land to the river +Trench, which was, at some seasons of the year, a fordable stream. + +On a fine forenoon, late in the spring, he had taken leave of his mother +and sister for one of these periodical visits, which were usually of two +or three days' duration. + +After dinner, as his sister was sitting at work by an open window which +looked upon a little side inclosure filled with fruit-trees, she was +startled by observing some object opposite the window, between her and +the light. She raised her eyes and saw her brother Thomas. He was +without his horse, and carried his saddle upon his shoulders. + +Surprised that she had not heard the gate opening for his entrance, and +also at his singular appearance, laden in that manner, she addressed +him, and inquired what had happened, and why he had returned so soon. He +made her no reply, but looked earnestly in her face, as he moved slowly +along the paved walk that led to the stables. + +She waited a few moments, expecting he would reappear to give an account +of himself and his adventures, but at length, growing impatient at his +delay, she put down her work and went towards the rear of the house to +find him. + +The first person she met was her mother. "Have you seen Thomas?" she +inquired. + +"Thomas! He has gone to the river Trench." + +"No, he has returned--I saw him pass the window not fifteen minutes +since." + +"Then he will be in presently." + +His sister, however, could not wait. She proceeded to the stables, she +searched in all directions. No Thomas--no horse--no saddle. She made +inquiry of the domestics. No one had seen him. She then returned and +told her mother what had happened. + +"You must have fallen asleep and dreamed it," said her mother. + +"No, indeed! I was wide awake--I spoke to him, and he gave me no answer, +but such a look!" + +All the afternoon she felt an uneasiness she could not reason herself +out of. + +The next morning came a messenger from the river Trench with dismal +tidings. + +The bodies of the young man and his horse had been found drowned a short +distance below the ford of the river. + +It appeared that, on arriving at the bank of the river, he found it +swollen beyond its usual depth by the recent rains. It being necessary +to swim the stream with his horse, he had taken off his clothes and made +them into a packet which he fastened upon his shoulders. It was supposed +that the strength of the rapid torrent displaced the bundle, which thus +served to draw his head under water and keep it there, without the power +of raising it. All this was gathered from the position and appearance of +the bodies when found. + +From the time at which he had been seen passing a house which stood near +the stream, on his way to the ford, it was evident that he must have +met his fate at the very moment his sister saw, or thought she saw him, +passing before her. + +I could not but suggest the inquiry, when these sad particulars were +narrated to me,-- + +"Mother, is it not possible this might have been a dream?" + +"A dream? No, indeed, my child. I was perfectly wide awake--as much so +as I am at this moment. I am not superstitious. I have never believed in +ghosts or witches, but nothing can ever persuade me that this was not a +warning sent from God, to prepare me for my brother's death." + +And those who knew her rational good sense--her freedom from fancies or +fears, and the calm self-possession that never deserted her under the +most trying circumstances--would almost be won to view the matter in the +light she did. + + * * * * * + +The order for the evacuation of Port Dearborn, and the removal of the +troops to Fort Howard (Green Bay), had now been received. The family +circle was to be broken up. Our mother, our sister Mrs. Helm, and her +little son, were to return with us to Fort Winnebago; the other members +of the family, except Robert, were to move with the command to Green +Bay. + +The schooner Napoleon was to be sent from Detroit to convey the troops +with their goods and chattels to their destined post. Our immediate +party was to make the journey by land--we were to choose, however, a +shorter and pleasanter route than the one we had taken in coming hither. +My husband, with his Frenchmen, Petaille Grignon and Simon Lecuyer, had +arrived, and all hands were now busily occupied with the necessary +preparations for breaking up and removal. + +I should be doing injustice to the hospitable settlers of Hickory Creek +were I to pass by without notice an entertainment with which they +honored our Chicago beaux about this time. The merry-making was to be a +ball, and the five single gentlemen of Chicago were invited. Mr. Dole, +who was a new-comer, declined; Lieutenant Foster was on duty, but he did +what was still better than accepting the invitation, he loaned his +beautiful horse to Medard Beaubien, who with Robert Kinzie and Gholson +Kercheval promised himself much fun in eclipsing the beaux and creating +a sensation among the belles of Hickory Creek. + +Chicago was then, as now, looked upon as the City _par excellence_. Its +few inhabitants were supposed to have seen something of the world, and +it is to be inferred that the arrival of the smart and dashing young men +was an event looked forward to with more satisfaction by the fair of the +little settlement than by the swains whose rivals they might become. + +The day arrived, and the gentlemen set off in high spirits. They took +care to be in good season, for the dancing was to commence at two +o'clock in the afternoon. They were well mounted, each priding himself +upon the animal he rode, and they wore their best suits, as became city +gallants who were bent on cutting out their less fashionable neighbors +and breaking the hearts of the admiring country damsels. + +When they arrived at the place appointed, they were received with great +politeness--their steeds were taken care of, and a dinner was provided +them, after which they were ushered into the dancing-hall. + +All the beauty of the neighboring precincts was assembled. The ladies +were for the most part white, or what passed for such, with an +occasional dash of copper color. There was no lack of bombazet gowns and +large white pocket-handkerchiefs, perfumed with oil of cinnamon; and as +they took their places in long rows on the puncheon floor, they were a +merry and a happy company. + +But the city gentlemen grew more and more gallant--the girls more and +more delighted with their attentions--the country swains, alas! more and +more scowling and jealous. In vain they pigeon-winged and +double-shuffled--in vain they nearly dislocated hips and shoulders at +"hoe corn and dig potatoes"--they had the mortification to perceive that +the smart young sprigs from Chicago had their "pick and choose" among +their very sweethearts, and that they themselves were fairly danced off +the ground. + +The revelry lasted until daylight, and it was now time to think of +returning. There was no one ready with obliging politeness to bring them +their horses from the stable. + +"Poor fellows!" said one of the party, with a compassionate sort of +laugh, "they could not stand it. They have gone home to bed!" + +"Serves them right," said another; "they'd better not ask us down among +their girls again!" + +They groped their way to the stable and went in. There were some animals +standing at the manger, but evidently not their horses. What could they +be? Had the rogues been trying to cheat them, by putting these strange +nondescripts into their place? + +They led them forth into the gray of the morning, and then--such a trio +as met their gaze! + +There were the original bodies, it is true, but where were their manes +and tails? A scrubby, pickety ridge along the neck, and a bare stump +projecting behind, were all that remained of the flowing honors with +which they had come gallivanting down to "bear away the bell" at +Hickory Creek, or, in the emphatic language of the country, "to take the +rag off the bush." + +Gholson sat down on a log and cried outright. Medard took the matter +more philosophically--the horse was none of his--it was Lieutenant +Foster's. + +Robert characteristically looked around to see whom he could knock down +on the occasion; but there was no one visible on whom to wreak their +vengeance. + +The bumpkins had stolen away, and, in some safe, quiet nook, were snugly +enjoying their triumph, and doubtless the deceitful fair ones were by +this time at their sides, sharing their mirth and exultation. + +The unlucky gallants mounted their steeds, and set their faces homeward. +Never was there a more crestfallen and sorry-looking cavalcade. The poor +horses seemed to realize that they had met the same treatment as the +messengers of King David at the hands of the evil-disposed Hanun. They +hung their heads, and evidently wished that they could have "tarried at +Jericho" for a season. Unfortunately, there was in those days no back +way by which they could steal in, unobserved. Across the prairie, in +view of the whole community, must their approach be made; and to add to +their confusion, in the rarity of stirring events, it was the custom of +the whole settlement to turn out and welcome the arrival of any +new-comer. + +As hasty a retreat as possible was beaten, amid the shouts, the jeers, +and the condolences of their acquaintances; and it is on record that +these three young gentlemen were in no hurry to accept, at any future +time, an invitation to partake of the festivities of Hickory Creek. + + * * * * * + +In due time the Napoleon made her appearance. (Alas that this great +name should be used in the feminine gender!) As there was at this period +no harbor, vessels anchored outside the bar, or tongue of land which +formed the left bank of the river, and the lading and unlading were +carried on by boats, pulling in and out, through the mouth of the river, +some distance below. + +Of course it always was a matter of great importance to get a vessel +loaded as quickly as possible, that she might be ready to take advantage +of the first fair wind, and be off from such an exposed and hazardous +anchoring-ground. + +For this reason we had lived _packed up_ for many days, intending only +to see our friends safe on board, and then commence our own journey back +to Fort Winnebago. + +Our heavy articles of furniture, trunks, etc. had been sent on board the +Napoleon, to be brought round to us by way of Fox River. We had retained +only such few necessaries as could be conveniently carried on a +pack-horse, and in a light dearborn wagon lately brought by Mr. +Kercheval from Detroit (the first luxury of the kind ever seen on the +prairies), and which my husband had purchased as an agreeable mode of +conveyance for his mother and little nephew. + +It was a matter requiring no small amount of time and labor to +transport, in the slow method described, the effects of so many families +of officers and soldiers, with the various etceteras incident to a total +change and removal. It was all, however, happily +accomplished--everything, even to the last article, sent on +board--nothing remaining on shore but the passengers, whose turn it +would be next. + +It was a moment of great relief; for Captain Hinckley had been in a +fever and a fuss many hours, predicting a change of weather, and +murmuring at what he thought the unnecessary amount of boat-loads to be +taken on board. + +Those who had leisure to be looking out towards the schooner, which had +continued anchored about half a mile out in the lake, had, at this +crisis, the satisfaction to see her hoist sail and leave her station for +the open lake; those who were a little later could just discern her +bearing away to a distance, as if she had got all on board that she had +any idea of taking. Here we were, and here we might remain a week or +more, if it so pleased Captain Hinckley and the schooner Napoleon, and +the good east wind which was blowing with all its might. + +There was plenty of provisions to be obtained, so the fear of starvation +was not the trouble; but how were the cooking and the table to be +provided for? Various expedients were resorted to. Mrs. Engle, in her +quarters above-stairs, ate her breakfast off a shingle with her +husband's jack-knife, and when she had finished, sent them down to +Lieutenant Foster for his accommodation. + +We were at the old mansion on the north side, and the news soon flew up +the river that the Napoleon had gone off with "the plunder" and left the +people behind. It was not long before we were supplied by Mrs. Portier +(our kind Victoire) with dishes, knives, forks, and all the other +conveniences which our mess-basket failed to supply. + +This state of things lasted a couple of days, and then, early one fine +morning, the gratifying intelligence spread like wild-fire that the +Napoleon was at anchor out beyond the bar. + +There was no unnecessary delay this time, and at an early hour in the +afternoon we had taken leave of our dear friends, and they were sailing +away from Chicago.[44] + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +RETURN TO FORT WINNEBAGO. + + +A great part of the command, with the cattle belonging to the officers +and soldiers, had, a day or two previous to the time of our departure, +set out on their march by land to Green Bay, _via_ Fort Winnebago. +Lieutenant Foster, under whose charge they were, had lingered behind +that he might have the pleasure of joining our party, and we, in turn, +had delayed in order to see the other members of our family safely on +board the Napoleon. But now, all things being ready, we set our faces +once more homeward. + +We took with us a little _bound-girl,_ Josette, a bright, pretty child +of ten years of age, a daughter of Ouilmette, a Frenchman who had lived +here at the time of the Massacre, and of a Pottowattamie mother. She had +been at the St. Joseph's mission-school, under Mr. McCoy, and she was +now full of delight at the prospect of a journey all the way to the +Portage with Monsieur and Madame John. + +We had also a negro boy, Harry, brought a year before from Kentucky, by +Mr. Kercheval. In the transfer at that time from a slave State to a free +one, Harry's position became somewhat changed--he could be no more than +an indentured servant. He was about to become a member of Dr. Wolcott's +household, and it was necessary for him to choose a guardian. All this +was explained to him on his being brought into the parlor, where the +family were assembled. My husband was then a young man, on a visit to +his home. "Now, Harry," it was said to him, "you must choose your +guardian;" and the natural expectation was that Harry would select the +person of his acquaintance of the greatest age and dignity. But, rolling +round his great eyes, and hanging his head on one side, he said,-- + +"I'll have Master John for my guardian." + +From that day forward Harry felt as if he belonged, in a measure, to +Master John, and at the breaking-up of the family in Chicago he was, +naturally, transferred to our establishment. + +There were three ladies of our travelling party--our mother, our sister +Mrs. Helm, and myself. To guard against the burning effect of the sun +and the prairie winds upon our faces, I had, during some of the last +days of my visit, prepared for each of us a mask of brown linen, with +the eyes, nose, and mouth fitted to our features; and, to enhance their +hideousness, I had worked eyebrows, eyelashes, and a circle around the +opening for the mouth, in black silk. Gathered in plaits under the chin, +and with strings to confine them above and below, they furnished a +complete protection against the sun and wind, though nothing can be +imagined more frightful than the appearance we presented when fully +equipped. It was who should be called the ugliest. + +We left amid the good wishes and laughter of our few remaining +acquaintances. Our wagon had been provided with a pair of excellent +travelling horses, and, sister Margaret and myself being accommodated +with the best pacers the country could afford, we set off in high +spirits towards the Aux Plaines--our old friend, Billy Caldwell (the +Sau-ga-nash), with our brother Robert, and Gholson Kercheval, +accompanying us to that point of our journey. + +There was no one at Barney Lawton's when we reached there, save a +Frenchman and a small number of Indians. My sister and I dismounted, and +entered the dwelling, the door of which stood open. Two Indians were +seated on the floor, smoking. They raised their eyes as we appeared, and +never shall I forget the expression of wonder and horror depicted on the +countenances of both. Their lips relaxed until the pipe of one fell upon +the floor. Their eyes seemed starting from their heads, and raising +their outspread hands, as if to wave us from them, they slowly +ejaculated, "_Manitou!"_ (a spirit.) + +As we raised our masks, and, smiling, came forward to shake hands with +them, they sprang to their feet and fairly uttered a cry of delight at +the sight of our familiar faces. + +"Bon-jour, bon-jour, Maman!" was their salutation, and they instantly +plunged out of doors to relate to their companions what had happened. + +Our afternoon's ride was over a prairie stretching away to the northeast +No living creature was to be seen upon its broad expanse, but flying and +circling over our heads were innumerable flocks of curlews, + +"Screaming their wild notes to the listening waste." + +Their peculiar, shrill cry of "crack, crack, crack--rackety, rackety, +rackety," repeated from the throats of dozens, as they sometimes stooped +quite close to our ears, became at length almost unbearable. It seemed +as if they had lost their senses in the excitement of so unusual and +splendid a cortége in their hitherto desolate domain. + +The accelerated pace of our horses, as we approached a beautiful, +wooded knoll, warned us that this was to be our place of repose for the +night. These animals seem to know by instinct a favorable +encamping-ground, and this was one of the most lovely imaginable. + +The trees, which near the lake had, owing to the coldness and tardiness +of the season, presented the pale-yellow appearance of unfledged +goslings, were here bursting into full leaf. The ground around was +carpeted with flowers--we could not bear to have them crushed by the +felling of a tree and the pitching of our tent among them. The birds +sent forth their sweetest notes in the warm, lingering sunlight, and the +opening buds of the young hickory and sassafras filled the air with +perfume. + +Nothing could be more perfect than our enjoyment of this sylvan and +beautiful retreat[45] after our ride in the glowing sun. The children +were in ecstasies. They delighted to find ways of making themselves +useful--to pile up the saddles--to break boughs for the fire--to fill +the little kettles with water for Petaille and Lecuyer, the Frenchmen, +who were preparing our supper. + +Their amusement at the awkward movements of the horses after they were +spancelled knew no bounds. To our little nephew Edwin everything was +new, and Josette, who had already made more than one horseback journey +to St. Joseph, manifested all the pride of an old traveller in +explaining to him whatever was novel or unaccountable. + +They were not the last to spring up at the call "how! how!" on the +following morning. + +The fire was replenished, the preparations for breakfast commenced, and +the Frenchmen dispatched to bring up the horses in readiness for an +early start. + +Harry and Josette played their parts, under our direction, in preparing +the simple meal, and we soon seated ourselves, each with cup and knife, +around the _table-mat._ The meal was over, but no men, no horses +appeared. When another half-hour had passed, my husband took Harry and +commenced exploring in search of the missing ones. + +The day wore on, and first one and then another would make his +appearance to report progress. Petaille and Lecuyer at length brought +two of the horses, but the others could nowhere be found. In time, Mr. +Kinzie and Harry returned, wet to their knees by the dew upon the long +prairie-grass, but with no tidings. Again the men were dispatched after +having broken their fast, but returned unsuccessful as before. + +The morning had been passed by our party at the encampment in +speculating upon the missing animals. Could they have been stolen by the +Indians? Hardly: these people seldom committed robberies in time of +peace--never upon our family, whom they regarded as their best friends. +The horses would doubtless be found. They had probably been carelessly +fastened the preceding evening, and had therefore been able to stray +farther than was their wont. + +A council was held, at which it was decided to send Grignon back to +Chicago to get some fresh horses from Gholson Kercheval, and return as +speedily as possible. If on his return our encampment were deserted, he +might conclude we had found the horses and proceeded to Fox River, where +he would doubtless overtake us. + +He had not been gone more than an hour before, slowly hopping out of a +point of woods to the north of us (a spot which each of the seekers +averred he had explored over and over again), and making directly for +the place where we were, appeared the vexatious animals. They came up +as demurely as if nothing had happened, and seemed rather surprised to +be received with a hearty scolding, instead of being patted and caressed +as usual. + +It was the work of a very short half-hour to strike and pack the tent, +stow away the mats and kettles, saddle the horses, and mount for our +journey. + +"Whoever pleases may take my place in the carriage," said our mother. "I +have travelled so many years on horseback, that I find any other mode of +conveyance too fatiguing." + +So, spite of her sixty years, she mounted sister Margaret's pacer with +the activity of a girl of sixteen. + +Lieutenant Foster had left us early in the morning, feeling it necessary +to rejoin his command, and now, having seen us ready to set off, with a +serene sky above us, and all things "right and tight" for the journey, +our friend the Sau-ga-nash took leave of us, and retraced his steps +towards Chicago. + +We pursued our way through a lovely country of alternate glade and +forest, until we reached the Fox River. The current ran clear and +rippling along, and, as we descended the steep bank to the water, the +question, so natural to a traveller in an unknown region, presented +itself, "Is it fordable?" + +Petaille, to whom the ground was familiar, had not yet made his +appearance Lecuyer was quite ignorant upon the subject. The troops had +evidently preceded us by this very trail. True, but they were on +horseback--the difficulty was, could we get the carriage through? It +must be remembered that the doubt was not about the depth of the water, +but about the hardness of the bottom of the stream. + +It was agreed that two or three of the equestrians should make the +trial first. My mother, Lecuyer, and myself advanced cautiously across +to the opposite bank, each choosing a different point for leaving the +water, in order to find the firmest spot. The bottom was hard and firm +until we came near the shore; then it yielded a little. With one step, +however, we were each on dry ground. + +"Est-il beau?" called my husband, who was driving. + +"Oui, monsieur." + +"Yes, John, come just here, it is perfectly good." + +"No, no--go a little farther down. See the white gravel just there--it +will be firmer still, there." + +Such were the contradictory directions given. He chose the latter, and +when it wanted but one step more to the bank, down sunk both horses, +until little more than their backs were visible. + +The white gravel proved to be a bed of treacherous yellow clay, which, +gleaming through the water, had caused so unfortunate a deception. + +With frantic struggles, for they were nearly suffocated with mud and +water, the horses made desperate efforts to free themselves from the +harness. My husband sprang out upon the pole. "Some one give me a +knife," he cried. I was back in the water in a moment, and, approaching +as near as I dared, handed him mine from the scabbard around my neck. + +"Whatever you do, do not cut the traces," cried his mother. + +He severed some of the side-straps, when, just as he had reached the +extremity of the pole, and was stretching forward to separate the +head-couplings, one of the horses gave a furious plunge, which caused +his fellow to rear, and throw himself nearly backwards. My husband was +between them. For a moment we thought he was gone--trampled down by the +excited animals; but he presently showed himself, nearly obscured by the +mud and water. With the agility of a cat, Harry, who was near him, now +sprang forward on the pole, and in an instant, with his sharp jack-knife +which he had ready, divided the straps that confined their heads. + +The horses were at this moment lying floating on the water--one +apparently dead, the other as if gasping out his last breath. But hardly +did they become sensible of the release of their heads from bondage, +than they made, simultaneously, another furious effort to free +themselves from the pole, to which they were still attached by the +neck-strap. + +Failing in this, they tried another expedient, and, by a few judicious +twists and turns, succeeded in wrenching the pole asunder, and finally +carried it off in triumph across the river again, and up the bank, where +they stood waiting to decide what were the next steps to be taken. + +Here was a predicament! A few hours before, we had thought ourselves +uncomfortable enough, because some of our horses were missing. Now, a +greater evil had befallen us. The wagon was in the river, the harness +cut to pieces, and, what was worse, carried off in the most independent +manner, by Tom and his companion; the pole was twisted to fragments, and +there was not so much as a stick on our side of the river with which to +replace it. + +At this moment, a whoop from the opposite bank, echoed by two or three +hearty ones from our party, announced the reappearance of Petaille +Grignon. He dismounted and took charge of the horses, who were resting +themselves after their fatigues under a shady tree, and by this time +Lecuyer had crossed the river, and now joined him in bringing back the +delinquents. + +In the mean time we had been doing our best to minister to our sister +Margaret. She, with her little son Edwin, had been in the wagon at the +time of the accident, and it had been a work of some difficulty to get +them out and bring them on horseback to shore. The effect of the +agitation and excitement was to throw her into a fit of the ague, and +she now lay blue and trembling among the long grass of the little +prairie which extended along the bank. The tent, which had been packed +in the rear of the wagon, was too much saturated with mud and water to +admit of its being used as a shelter; it could only be stretched in the +sun to dry. We opened an umbrella over our poor sister's head, and now +began a discussion of ways and means to repair damages. The first thing +was to cut a new pole for the wagon, and for this, the master and men +must recross the river and choose an _iron-tree_ out of the forest. + +Then, for the harness. With provident care, a little box had been placed +under the seat of the wagon, containing an awl, waxed ends, and various +other little conveniences exactly suited to an emergency like the +present. + +It was question and answer, like Cock Robin: + +"Who can mend the harness?" + +"I can, for I learned when I was a young girl to make shoes as _an +accomplishment_, and I can surely now, as a matter of usefulness and +duty, put all those wet, dirty pieces of leather together." + +So we all seated ourselves on the grass, under the shade of the only two +umbrellas we could muster. + +I stitched away diligently, blistering my hands, I must own, in no small +degree. + +A suitable young tree had been brought, and the hatchets, without which +one never travels in the woods, were busy fashioning it into shape, when +a peculiar hissing noise was heard, and instantly the cry,-- + +"_Un serpent sonnette_! A rattlesnake!" + +All sprang to their feet, even the poor, shaking invalid, just in time +to see the reptile glide past within three inches of my mother's feet, +while the men assailed the spot it had left with whips, missiles, and +whatever would help along the commotion. + +This little incident proved an excellent remedy for the ague. One +excitement drives away another, and by means of this (upon the +homoeopathic principle) sister Margaret was so much improved that by the +time all the mischiefs were repaired, she was ready to take her place in +the cavalcade, as bright and cheerful as the rest of us. + +So great had been the delay occasioned by all these untoward +circumstances, that our afternoon's ride was but a short one, bringing +us no farther than the shores of a beautiful sheet of water, now known +as Crystal Lake. Its clear surface was covered with loons, and _Poules +d'Eau_, a species of rail; with which, at certain seasons, this region +abounds. + +The Indians have the genius of Aesop for depicting animal life and +character, and there is among them a fable or legend illustrative of +every peculiarity in the personal appearance, habits, or dispositions of +each variety of the animal creation. + +The back of the little rail is very concave, or hollow. The Indians tell +us that it became so in the following manner:-- + + +STORY OF THE LITTLE RAIL, OR _Poule d'Eau_ + +There is supposed, by most of the Northwestern tribes, to exist an +invisible being, corresponding to the "Genie" of Oriental story. Without +being exactly the father of evil, _Nan-nee-bo-zho_ is a spirit whose +office it is to punish what is amiss. He is represented, too, as +constantly occupied in entrapping and making examples of all the +animals that come in his way. + +One pleasant evening, as he walked along the banks of a lake, he saw a +flock of ducks, sailing and enjoying themselves on the blue waters. He +called to them: + +"Ho! come with me into my lodge, and I will teach you to dance!" Some of +the ducks said among themselves, "It is Nan-nee-bo-zho; let us not go." +Others were of a contrary opinion, and, his words being fair, and his +voice insinuating, a few turned their faces towards the land--all the +rest soon followed, and, with many pleasant quackings, trooped after +him, and entered his lodge. + +When there, he first took an Indian sack, with a wide mouth, which he +tied by the strings around his neck, so that it would hang over his +shoulders, leaving the mouth unclosed. Then, placing himself in the +centre of the lodge, he ranged the ducks in a circle around him. + +"Now," said he, "you must all shut your eyes _tight_; whoever opens his +eyes at all, something dreadful will happen to him. I will take my +Indian flute and play upon it, and you will, at the word I shall give, +open your eyes, and commence dancing, as you see me do." + +The ducks obeyed, shutting their eyes _tight_, and keeping time to the +music by stepping from one foot to the other, all impatient for the +dancing to begin. + +Presently a sound was heard like a smothered "quack," but the ducks did +not dare to open their eyes. + +Again, and again, the sound of the flute would be interrupted, and a +gurgling cry of "qu-a-a-ck" be heard. There was one little duck, much +smaller than the rest, who, at this juncture, could not resist the +temptation to open one eye, cautiously. She saw Nan-nee-bo-zho, as he +played his flute, holding it with one hand, stoop a little at intervals +and seize the duck nearest him, which he throttled and stuffed into the +bag on his shoulders. So, edging a little out of the circle, and getting +nearer the door, which had been left partly open, to admit the light, +she cried out,-- + +"Open your eyes--Nan-nee-bo-zho is choking you all and putting you into +his bag!" + +With that she flew, but Nan-nee-bo-zho pounced upon her. His hand +grasped her back, yet, with desperate force, she released herself and +gained the open air. Her companions flew, quacking and screaming, after +her. Some escaped, and some fell victims to the sprite. + +The little duck had saved her life, but she had lost her beauty. She +ever after retained the attitude she had been forced into in her moment +of danger--her back pressed down in the centre, and her head and neck +unnaturally stretched forward into the air. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +RETURN JOURNEY, CONTINUED. + + +The third day of our journey rose brilliantly clear, like the two +preceding ones, and we shaped our course more to the north than we had +hitherto done, in the direction of _Big-foot_ Lake, now known by the +somewhat hackneyed appellation, Lake of Geneva. + +Our journey this day was without mishaps or disasters of any kind. The +air was balmy, the foliage of the forests fresh and fragrant, the little +brooks clear and sparkling--everything in nature spoke the praises of +the beneficent Creator. + +It is in scenes like this, far removed from the bustle, the strife, and +the sin of civilized life, that we most fully realize the presence of +the great Author of the Universe. Here can the mind most fully adore his +majesty and goodness, for here only is the command obeyed, "Let all the +earth keep silence before Him!" + +It cannot escape observation that the deepest and most solemn devotion +is in the hearts of those who, shut out from the worship of God in +temples made with hands, are led to commune with him amid the boundless +magnificence that his own power has framed. + +This day was not wholly without incident. As we stopped for our +noon-tide refreshment, and dismounting threw ourselves on the fresh +herbage just at the verge of a pleasant thicket, we were startled by a +tender _bleating_ near us, and presently, breaking its way through the +low branches, there came upon us a sweet little dappled fawn, evidently +in search of its mother. It did not seem in the least frightened at the +sight of us. As poor Selkirk might have been parodied,-- + + It was so unacquainted with man, + Its tameness was charming to us. + +But the vociferous delight of the children soon drove it bounding again +into the woods, and all hopes of catching it for a pet were at once at +an end. + +We had travelled well this day, and were beginning to feel somewhat +fatigued, when, just before sunset, we came upon a ridge, overlooking +one of the loveliest little dells imaginable. It was an oak opening, and +browsing under the shade of the tall trees which were scattered around +were the cattle and horses of the soldiers, who had got thus far on +their journey. Two or three white tents were pitched in the bottom of +the valley, beside a clear stream. The camp-fires were already lighted, +and the men, singly or in groups, were busied in their various +preparations for their own comfort, or that of their animals. + +Lieutenant Foster came forward with great delight to welcome our +arrival, and accepted without hesitation an invitation to join our mess +again, as long as we should be together. + +We soon found a pleasant encamping-ground, far enough removed from the +other party to secure us against all inconvenience, and our supper +having received the addition of a kettle of fine fresh milk, kindly +brought us by Mrs. Gardiner, the hospital matron, who with her little +covered cart formed no unimportant feature in the military group, we +partook of our evening meal with much hilarity and enjoyment. + +If people are ever companionable, it is when thrown together under +circumstances like the present. There has always been sufficient +incident through the day to furnish themes for discourse, and subjects +of merriment, as long as the company feel disposed for conversation, +which is, truth to tell, not an unconscionable length of time after +their supper is over. + +The poor Lieutenant looked grave enough when we set out in advance of +him the next morning. None of his party were acquainted with the road; +but, after giving him directions both general and particular, Mr. Kinzie +promised to _blaze_ a tree, or _set up a chip_ for a guide, at every +place which appeared more than usually doubtful. + +We now found ourselves in a much more diversified country than any we +had hitherto travelled. Gently swelling hills, lovely valleys, and +bright sparkling streams were the features of the landscape. But there +was little animate life. Now and then a shout from the leader of the +party (for, according to custom, we travelled Indian file) would call +our attention to a herd of deer "loping," as the Westerners say, +through the forest; or an additional spur would be given to the horses +on the appearance of some small dark object, far distant on the trail +before us. But the game invariably contrived to disappear before we +could reach it, and it was out of the question to leave the beaten track +for a regular hunt. + +Soon after mid-day, we descended a long, sloping knoll, and by a sudden +turn came full in view of the beautiful sheet of water denominated +Gros-pied by the French, _Maunk-suck_ by the natives, and by ourselves +Big-foot, from the chief whose village overlooked its waters. Bold, +swelling hills jutted forward into the clear blue expanse, or retreated +slightly to afford a green, level nook, as a resting-place for the +dwelling of man. On the nearer shore stretched a bright, gravelly beach, +across which coursed here and there a pure, sparkling rivulet to join +the larger sheet of water. + +On a rising ground at the foot of one of the bold bluffs in the middle +distance, a collection of neat wigwams formed, with their surrounding +gardens, no unpleasant feature in the picture. + +A shout of delight burst involuntarily from the whole party, as this +charming landscape met our view. "It was like the Hudson, only less +bold--no, it was like the lake of the Forest Cantons, in the picture of +the Chapel of William Tell! What could be imagined more enchanting? Oh I +if our friends at the East could but enjoy it with us!" + +We paused long to admire, and then spurred on, skirting the head of the +lake, and were soon ascending the broad platform on which stood the +village of Maunk-suck, or Big-foot. + +The inhabitants, who had witnessed our approach from a distance, were +all assembled in front of their wigwams to greet us, if friends--if +otherwise, whatever the occasion should demand. It was the first time +such a spectacle had ever presented itself to their wondering eyes. +Their salutations were not less cordial than we expected. +"Shaw-nee-aw-kee" and his mother, who was known throughout the tribe by +the touching appellation "Our friend's wife," were welcomed most kindly, +and an animated conversation commenced, which I could understand only so +far as it was conveyed by gestures; so I amused myself by taking a +minute survey of all that met my view. + +The chief was a large, raw-boned, ugly Indian, with a countenance +bloated by intemperance, and with a sinister, unpleasant expression. He +had a gay-colored handkerchief upon his head, and was otherwise attired +in his best, in compliment to the strangers. + +It was to this chief that Chambly, or, as he is now called, +Shaw-bee-nay, Billy Caldwell, and Robinson were dispatched, by Dr. +Wolcott, their Agent, during the Winnebago war, in 1821, to use their +earnest endeavors to prevent this chief and his band from joining the +hostile Indians. With some difficulty they succeeded, and were thus the +means, doubtless, of saving the lives of all the settlers who lived +exposed upon the frontier. + +Among the various groups of his people, there was none attracted my +attention so forcibly as a young man of handsome face, and a figure that +was striking even where all were fine and symmetrical. He too had a gay +handkerchief on his head, a shirt of the brightest lemon-colored calico, +an abundance of silver ornaments, and, what gave his dress a most +fanciful appearance, one legging of blue and the other of bright +scarlet. I was not ignorant that this peculiar feature in his toilet +indicated a heart suffering from the tender passion. The flute, which +he carried in his hand, added confirmation to the fact, while the +joyous, animated expression of his countenance showed with equal +plainness that he was not a despairing lover. + +I could have imagined him to have recently returned from the chase, +laden with booty, with which he had, as is the custom, entered the lodge +of the fair one, and thrown his burden at the feet of her parents, with +an indifferent, superb sort of air, as much as to say, "Here is some +meat--it is a mere trifle, but it will show you what you might expect +with me for a son-in-law." I could not doubt that the damsel had stepped +forward and gathered it up, in token that she accepted the offering, and +the donor along with it. There was nothing in the appearance or manner +of any of the maidens by whom we were surrounded, to denote which was +the happy fair, neither, although I peered anxiously into all their +countenances, could I there detect any blush of consciousness; so I was +obliged to content myself with selecting the youngest and prettiest of +the group, and go on weaving my romance to my own satisfaction. + +The village stood encircled by an amphitheatre of hills, so precipitous, +and with gorges so steep and narrow, that it seemed almost impossible to +scale them, even on horseback; how, then, could we hope to accomplish +the ascent of the four-wheeled carriage? This was the point now under +discussion between my husband and the Pottowattamies. There was no +alternative but to make the effort, selecting the pass that the +inhabitants pointed out as the most practicable. Petaille went first, +and I followed on my favorite Jerry. It was such a scramble as is not +often taken,--almost perpendicularly, through what seemed the dry bed of +a torrent, now filled with loose stones, and scarcely affording one +secure foothold from the bottom to the summit! I clang fast to the +mane, literally at times clasping Jerry around his neck, and, amid the +encouraging shouts and cheers of those below, we at length arrived +safely, though nearly breathless, on the pinnacle, and sat looking down, +to view the success of the next party. + +The horses had been taken from the carriage, the luggage it contained +being placed upon the shoulders of some of the young Indians, to be +_toted_ up the steep. Ropes were now attached to its sides, and a +regular bevy of our red friends, headed by our two Frenchmen, placed to +man them. Two or three more took their places in the rear, to hold the +vehicle and keep it from slipping backwards--then the labor commenced. +Such a pulling! such a shouting! such a clapping of hands by the +spectators of both sexes! such a stentorian word of command or +encouragement from the bourgeois! Now and then there would be a slight +halt, a wavering, as if carriage and men were about to tumble backwards +into the plain below; but no--they would recover themselves, and after +incredible efforts they too safely gained the table-land above. In +process of time all were landed there, and, having remunerated our +friends to their satisfaction, the goods and chattels were collected, +the wagon repacked, and we set off for our encampment at Turtle Creek. + +The exertions and excitement of our laborious ascent, together with the +increasing heat of the sun, made this afternoon's ride more +uncomfortable than anything we had previously felt. We were truly +rejoiced when the whoop of our guide, and the sight of a few scattered +lodges, gave notice that we had reached our encamping-ground. We chose a +beautiful sequestered spot by the side of a clear, sparkling stream, +and, having dismounted and seen that our horses were made comfortable, +my husband, after giving his directions to his men, led me to a retired +spot where I could lay aside my hat and mask and bathe my flushed face +and aching head in the cool, refreshing waters. Never had I felt +anything so grateful, so delicious. I sat down, and leaned my head +against one of the tall, overshadowing trees, and was almost dreaming, +when summoned to partake of our evening meal. + +The Indians had brought us, as a present, some fine brook trout, which +our Frenchmen had prepared in the most tempting fashion, and before the +bright moon rose and we were ready for oar rest, all headache and +fatigue had alike disappeared. + + * * * * * + +One of the most charming features of this mode of travelling is the +joyous, vocal life of the forest at early dawn, when all the feathered +tribe come forth to pay their cheerful salutations to the opening day. + +The rapid, chattering flourish of the bob-o'-link, the soft whistle of +the thrush, the tender coo of the wood-dove, the deep, warbling bass of +the grouse, the drumming of the partridge, the melodious trill of the +lark, the gay carol of the robin, the friendly, familiar call of the +duck and the teal, resound from tree and knoll and lowland, prompting +the expressive exclamation of the simple half-breed,-- + +"Voilà la forêt qui parle!"[46] + +It seems as if man must involuntarily raise his voice, to take part in +the general chorus--the mating song of praise. + +Birds and flowers, and the soft balmy airs of morning! Must it not have +been in a scene like this that Milton's Adam poured out his beautiful +hymn of adoration,-- + +"These are thy glorious works, Parent of Good"? + +This day we were journeying in hopes to reach, at an early hour, that +broad expanse of the Rock River which here forms the Kosh-ko-nong. The +appellation of this water, rendered doubly affecting by the subsequent +fate of its people, imports "_the lake we live on_." + +Our road for the early part of the day led through forests so thick and +tangled that Grignon and Lecuyer were often obliged to go in advance as +pioneers with their axes, to cut away the obstructing shrubs and +branches. It was slow work, and at times quite discouraging, but we were +through with it at last, and then we came into a country of altogether a +different description,--low prairies, intersected with deep, narrow +streams like canals, the passage of which, either by horses or +carriages, was often a matter of delay and even difficulty. + +Several times in the course of the forenoon the horses were to be taken +from the carriage and the latter pulled and pushed across the deep +narrow channels as best it might. + +The wooded banks of the Kosh-ko-nong were never welcomed with greater +delight than by us when they at length broke upon our sight. A ride of +five or six miles through the beautiful oak openings brought us to +_Man-Eater's_ village, a collection of neat bark wigwams, with extensive +fields on each side of corn, beans, and squashes, recently planted, but +already giving promise of a fine crop. In front was the broad blue lake, +the shores of which, to the south, were open and marshy, but near the +village, and stretching far away to the north, were bordered by fine +lofty trees. The village was built but a short distance below the point +where the Rock River opens into the lake, and during a conversation +between our party and the Indians at the village, an arrangement was +made with them to take us across at a spot about half a mile above. + +After a short halt, we again took up our line of march through the +woods, along the bank of the river. + +A number of the Winnebagoes (for we had been among our own people since +leaving Gros-pied Lake) set out for the appointed place by water, +paddling their canoes, of which they had selected the largest and +strongest. + +Arrived at the spot indicated, we dismounted, and the men commenced the +task of unsaddling and unloading. We were soon placed in the canoes, and +paddled across to the opposite bank. Next, the horses were swum +across--after them was to come the carriage. Two long wooden canoes were +securely lashed together side by side, and being of sufficient width to +admit of the carriage standing within them, the passage was commenced. +Again and again the tottering barks would sway from side to side, and a +cry or a shout would arise from our party on shore, as the whole mass +seemed about to plunge sideways into the water, but it would presently +recover itself, and at length, after various deviations from the +perpendicular, it reached the shore in safety. + +We now hoped that our troubles were at an end, and that we had nothing +to do but to mount and trot on as fast as possible to Fort Winnebago. +But no. Half a mile farther on was a formidable swamp, of no great width +it is true, but with a depth of from two to three feet of mud and water. +It was a question whether, with the carriage, we could get through it at +all. Several of the Indians accompanied us to this place, partly to give +us their aid and counsel, and partly to enjoy the fun of the spectacle. + +On reaching the swamp, we were disposed to laugh at the formidable +representations which had been made to us. We saw only a strip of what +seemed rather low land, covered with tall, dry rushes. + +It is true the ground looked a little wet, but there seemed nothing to +justify all the apprehensions that had been excited. Great was my +surprise, then, to see my husband, who had been a few minutes absent, +return to our circle attired in his duck trousers, and without shoes or +stockings. + +"What are you going to do?" inquired I. + +"Carry you through the swamp on my shoulders. Come, Petaille, you are +the strongest--you are to carry Madame Kinzie, and To-shun-nuck there +(pointing to a tall, stout Winnebago), he will take Madame Helm." + +"Wait a moment," said I, and, seating myself on the grass, I +deliberately took off my own boots and stockings. + +"What is that for?" they all asked. + +"Because I do not wish to ride with wet feet all the rest of the day." + +"No danger of that," said they, and no one followed my example. + +By the time they were in the midst of the swamp, however, they found my +precaution had been by no means useless. The water through which our +bearers had to pass was of such a depth that no efforts of the ladies +were sufficient to keep their feet above the surface; and I had the +satisfaction of feeling that my burden upon my husband's shoulders was +much less, from my being able to keep my first position instead of +changing constantly to avoid a contact with the water. + +The laugh was quite on my side when I resumed my equipment and mounted, +_dry-shod_, into my saddle. + +It will be perceived that journeying in the woods is, in some degree, a +deranger of ceremony and formality; that it necessarily restricts us +somewhat in our conventionalities. The only remedy is, to make ourselves +amends by a double share when we return to the civilized walks of life. + +By dint of much pulling, shouting, encouraging, and threatening, the +horses at length dragged the carriage through the difficult pass, and +our red friends were left to return to their village, with, doubtless, a +very exaggerated and amusing account of all that they had seen and +assisted in. + +We had not forgotten our promise to Lieutenant Foster to put up a +"guide-board" of some sort, for his accommodation in following us. We +therefore, upon several occasions, carried with us from the woods a few +pieces, of three or four feet in length, which we planted at certain +points, with a transverse stick through a cleft in the top, thus marking +the direction he and his party were to take. + +We therefore felt sure that, although a few days later, he would find +our trail, and avail himself of the same assistance as we had, in +getting through the difficulties of the way. + +Our encamping-ground, this night, was to be not far distant from the +Four Lakes. We were greatly fatigued with the heat and exercise of the +day, and most anxiously did we look out for the clumps of willows and +alders which were to mark the spot where water would be found. We felt +hardly equal to pushing on quite to the bank of the nearest lake. +Indeed, it would have taken us too much off our direct course. + +When we, at a late hour, came upon a spot fit for our purpose, we +exchanged mutual congratulations that this was to be our last night upon +the road. The next day we should be at Winnebago! + +Our journey had been most delightful--a continued scene of exhilaration +and enjoyment; for the various mishaps, although for the moment they had +perplexed, yet, in the end, had but added to our amusement. Still, with +the inconstancy of human nature, we were pleased to exchange its +excitement for the quiet repose of home. + +Our next morning's ride was of a more tranquil character than any that +had preceded it; for at an early hour we entered upon what was known as +the "Twenty-mile Prairie,"--and I may be permitted to observe that the +miles are wonderfully long on the prairies. Our passage over this was, +except the absence of the sand, like crossing the desert. Mile after +mile of unbroken expanse--not a tree--not a living object except +ourselves. + +The sun, as if to make himself amends for his two months' seclusion, +shone forth with redoubled brilliancy. There is no such thing as +carrying an umbrella on horseback, though those in the wagon were able +to avail themselves of such a shelter. + +Our mother's energies had sustained her in the saddle until this day, +but she was now fairly obliged to give in, and yield her place on little +Brunet to sister Margaret. + +Thus we went on, one little knoll rising beyond another, from the summit +of each of which, in succession, we hoped to descry the distant woods, +which were to us as the promised land. + +"Take courage," were the cheering words, often repeated; "very soon you +will begin to see the timber." + +Another hour would pass heavily by. + +"Now, when we reach the rising ground just ahead, look _sharp_." + +We would look sharp--nothing but the same unvarying landscape. + +There were not even streams to allay the feverish thirst occasioned by +fatigue and impatience. + +At length a whoop from Shaw-nee-aw-kee broke the silence in which we +were pursuing our way. + +"Le voilà!" (There it is!) + +Our less practised eye could not at first discern the faint blue strip +edging the horizon, but it grew and grew upon our vision, and fatigue +and all discomfort proportionably disappeared. + +We were in fine spirits by the time we reached "Hastings's Woods," a +noble forest, watered by a clear, sparkling stream. + +Grateful as was the refreshment of the green foliage and the cooling +waters, we did not allow ourselves to forget that the day was wearing +on, and that we must, if possible, complete our journey before sunset; +so we soon braced up our minds to continue our route, although we would +gladly have lingered another hour. + +The marsh of Duck Creek was, thanks to the heat of the past week, in a +very different state from what it had been a few months previous, when I +had been so unfortunately submerged in its icy waters. + +We passed it without difficulty, and soon found ourselves upon the banks +of the creek. + +The stream, at this point, was supposed to be always fordable; and even +were it not so, that to the majority of our party would have been a +matter of little moment. To the ladies, however, the subject seemed to +demand consideration. + +"This water looks very deep--are you sure we can cross it on horseback?" + +"Oh, yes! Petaille, go before, and let us see how the water is." + +Petaille obeyed. He was mounted on a horse like a giraffe, and, +extending his feet horizontally, he certainly managed to pass through +the stream without much of a wetting. + +It seemed certain that the water would come into the wagon, but that was +of the less consequence as, in case of the worst, the passengers could +mount upon the seats. + +My horse, Jerry, was above the medium height, so that I soon passed +over, with no inconvenience but that of being obliged to disengage my +feet from the stirrups and tuck them up snugly against the mane of the +horse. + +Sister Margaret was still upon Brunet. She was advised to change him for +one of the taller horses, but while the matter was under debate, it was +settled by the perverse little wretch taking to the water most +unceremoniously, in obedience to the example of the other animals. + +He was soon beyond his depth, and we were at once alarmed and diverted +at seeing his rider, with surprising adroitness, draw her feet from the +stirrups and perch herself upon the top of the saddle, where she held +her position, and navigated her little refractory steed safely to land. + +This was the last of our adventures. A pleasant ride of four miles +brought us to the Fort, just as the sun was throwing his last beams over +the glowing landscape; and on reaching the ferry we were at once +conducted, by the friends who were awaiting us, to the hospitable roof +of Major Twiggs. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +FOUR-LEGS, THE DANDY. + + +The companies of the First Infantry, which had hitherto been stationed +at Fort Winnebago, had before our arrival received orders to move on to +the Mississippi as soon as relieved by a portion of the Fifth, now at +Fort Howard. + +As many of the officers of the latter regiment were married, we had +reason to expect that all the quarters at the post would be put in +requisition. For this reason, although strongly pressed by Major Twiggs +to take up our residence again in the Fort until he should go on +furlough, we thought it best to establish ourselves at once at "the +Agency." + +It seemed laughable to give so grand a name to so very insignificant a +concern. We had been promised, by the heads of department at Washington, +a comfortable dwelling so soon as there should be an appropriation by +Congress sufficient to cover any extra expense in the Indian Department. +It was evident that Congress had a great spite at us, for it had delayed +for two sessions attending to our accommodation. There was nothing to be +done, therefore, but to make ourselves comfortable with the best means +in our power. + +The old log barracks, which had been built for the officers and soldiers +on the first establishment of the post, two years previous, had been +removed by our French engagés and put up again upon the little hill +opposite the Fort. To these some additions were now made in the shape +of dairy, stables, smoke-house, etc., constructed of tamarack logs +brought from the neighboring swamp. The whole presented a very rough and +primitive appearance. + +The main building consisted of a range of four rooms, no two of which +communicated with each other, but each opened by a door into the outward +air. A small window cut through the logs in front and rear, gave light +to the apartment. An immense clay chimney for every two rooms, occupied +one side of each, and the ceiling overhead was composed of a few rough +boards laid upon the transverse logs that supported the roof. + +It was surprising how soon a comfortable, homelike air was given to the +old dilapidated rooms, by a few Indian mats spread upon the floor, the +piano and other furniture ranged in their appropriate places, and even a +few pictures hung against the logs. The latter, alas! had soon to be +displaced, for with the first heavy shower the rain found entrance +through sundry crevices, and we saw ourselves obliged to put aside, +carefully, everything that could be injured by the moisture. We made +light of these evils, however--packed away our carpets and superfluous +furniture upon the boards above, which we dignified with the name of +attic, and contentedly resolved to await the time when Government should +condescend to remember us. The greatest inconvenience I experienced, was +from the necessity of wearing my straw bonnet throughout the day, as I +journeyed from bedroom to parlor, and from parlor to kitchen. I became +so accustomed to it that I even sometimes forgot to remove it when I sat +down to table, or to my quiet occupations with my mother and sister. + +Permission was, however, in time, received to build a house for the +blacksmith--that is, the person kept in pay by the Government at this +station to mend the guns, traps, etc. of the Indians. + +It happened most fortunately for us that Monsieur Isidore Morrin was a +bachelor, and quite satisfied to continue boarding with his friend Louis +Frum, _dit_ Manaigre, so that when the new house was fairly commenced we +planned it and hurried it forward entirely on our own account. + +It was not very magnificent, it is true, consisting of but a parlor and +two bedrooms on the ground-floor, and two low chambers under the roof, +with a kitchen in the rear; but compared with the rambling old +stable-like building we now inhabited, it seemed quite a palace. + +Before it was completed, Mr. Kinzie was notified that the money for the +annual Indian payment was awaiting his arrival in Detroit to take it in +charge and superintend its transportation to the Portage; and he was +obliged to set off at once to fulfil this part of his duty. + +The workmen who had been brought from the Mississippi to erect the main +building, were fully competent to carry on their work without an +overseer; but the kitchen was to be the task of the Frenchmen, and the +question was, how could it be executed in the absence of the +_bourgeois_? + +"You will have to content yourselves in the old quarters until my +return," said my husband, "and then we will soon have things in order." +His journey was to be a long and tedious one, for the operations of +Government were not carried on by railroad and telegraph in those days. + +After his departure I said to the men, "Come, you have all your logs cut +and hauled--the squaws have brought the bark for the roof--what is to +prevent our finishing the house and getting all moved and settled to +surprise Monsieur John on his return?" + +"Ah! to be sure, Madame John," said Plante, who was always the +spokesman, "provided the one who plants a green bough on the chimney-top +is to have a treat." + +"Certainly. All hands fall to work, and see who will win the treat." + +Upon the strength of such an inducement to the one who should put the +finishing stroke to the building, Plante, Pillon, and Manaigre, whom the +waggish Plante persisted in calling "mon nègre," whenever he felt +himself out of the reach of the other's arm, all went vigorously to +work. + +Building a log house is a somewhat curious process. First, as will be +conceived, the logs are laid one upon another and jointed at the +corners, until the walls have reached the required height. The chimney +is formed by four poles of the proper length, interlaced with a +wicker-work of small branches. A hole or pit is dug, near at hand, and, +with a mixture of clay and water, a sort of mortar is formed. Large +wisps of hay are filled with this thick substance, and fashioned with +the hands into what are technically called "_clay cats_," and these are +filled in among the frame-work of the chimney until not a chink is left. +The whole is then covered with a smooth coating of the wet clay, which +is denominated "plastering." + +Between the logs which compose the walls of the building, small bits of +wood are driven, quite near together; this is called "chinking," and +after it is done, clay cats are introduced, and smoothed over with the +plaster. When all is dry, both walls and chimney are whitewashed, and +present a comfortable and tidy appearance. + +The roof is formed by laying upon the transverse logs thick sheets of +bark. Around the chimney, for greater security against the rain, we took +care to have placed a few layers of the palisades that had been left +when Mr. Peach, an odd little itinerant genius, had fenced in our +garden, the pride and wonder of the surrounding settlement and wigwams. + +While all these matters were in progress, we received frequent visits +from our Indian friends. First and foremost among them was "the young +Dandy," Four-Legs. + +One fine morning he made his appearance, accompanied by two squaws, whom +he introduced as his wives. He could speak a little Chippewa, and by +this means he and our mother contrived to keep up something of a +conversation. He was dressed in all his finery, brooches, wampum, fan, +looking-glass and all. The paint upon his face and chest showed that he +had devoted no small time to the labors of his toilet. + +He took a chair, as he had seen done at Washington, and made signs to +his women to sit down upon the floor. + +The custom of taking two wives is not very general among the Indians. +They seem to have the sagacity to perceive that the fewer they have to +manage, the more complete is the peace and quiet of the wigwam. + +Nevertheless, it sometimes happens that a husband takes a foolish fancy +for a second squaw, and in that case he uses all his cunning and +eloquence to reconcile the first to receiving a new inmate in the lodge. +Of course it is a matter that must be managed adroitly, in order that +harmony may be preserved. + +"My dear, your health is not very good; it is time you should have some +rest. You have worked very hard, and it grieves me that you should have +to labor any longer. Let me get you some nice young squaw to wait upon +you, that you may live at ease all the rest of your life." + +The first wife consents; indeed, she has no option. If she is of a +jealous, vindictive disposition, what a life the new-comer leads! The +old one maintains all her rights of dowager and duenna, and the +husband's tenderness is hardly a compensation for all the evils the +young rival is made to suffer. + +It was on Sunday morning that this visit of the Dandy was made to us. We +were all seated quietly, engaged in reading. Four-Legs inquired of my +mother, why we were so occupied, and why everything around us was so +still. + +My mother explained to him our observance of the day of rest--that we +devoted it to worshipping and serving the Great Spirit, as he had +commanded in his Holy Word. + +Four-Legs gave a nod of approbation. That was very right, he said--he +was glad to see us doing our duty--he was very religious himself, and he +liked to see others so. He always took care that his squaws attended to +their duties,--not reading, perhaps, but such as the Great Spirit liked, +and such as he thought proper and becoming. + +He seemed to have no fancy for listening to any explanation of our +points of difference. The impression among the Winnebagoes "that if the +Great Spirit had wished them different from what they are, he would have +made them so," seems too strong to yield to either argument or +persuasion. + +Sometimes those who are desirous of appearing somewhat civilized will +listen quietly to all that is advanced on the subject of Christianity, +then, coolly saying, "Yes, we believe that too," will change the +conversation to other subjects. + +As a general thing, they do not appear to perceive that there is +anything to be gained by adopting the religion and the customs of the +whites. "Look at them," they say, "always toiling and striving--always +wearing a brow of care--shut up in houses--afraid of the wind and the +rain--suffering when they are deprived of the comforts of life! We, on +the contrary, live a life of freedom and happiness. We hunt and fish, +and pass our time pleasantly in the open woods and prairies. If we are +hungry, we take some game; or, if we do not find that, we can go +without. If our enemies trouble us, we can kill them, and there is no +more said about it. What should we gain by changing ourselves into white +men?"[47] + +Christian missionaries, with all their efforts to convert them, had at +this day made little progress in enlightening their minds upon the +doctrines of the Gospel. Mr. Mazzuchelli, a Roman Catholic priest, +accompanied by Miss Elizabeth Grignon as interpreter, made a missionary +visit to the Portage during our residence there, and, after some +instruction from him, about forty consented to be baptized. Christian +names were given to them, with which they seemed much pleased; and not +less so with the little plated crucifixes which each received, and which +the women wore about their necks. These they seemed to regard with a +devotional feeling; but I was not sufficiently acquainted with their +language to gather from them whether they understood the doctrine the +symbol was designed to convey. Certain it is, they expressed no wish to +learn our language, in order that they might gain a fuller knowledge of +the Saviour, nor any solicitude to be taught more about him than they +had received during the missionary's short visit. + +One woman, to whom the name of Charlotte had been given, signified a +desire to learn the domestic ways of the whites, and asked of me as a +favor through Madame Paquette that she might be permitted to come on +"washing-day," and learn of my servants our way of managing the +business. A tub was given her, and my woman instructed her, by signs and +example, how she was to manage. As I was not a little curious to observe +how things went on, I proceeded after a time to the kitchen where they +all were. Charlotte was at her tub, scouring and rubbing with all her +might at her little crucifix. Two other squaws sat upon the floor near +her, watching the operation. + +"That is the work she has been at for the last half-hour," said Josette, +in a tone of great impatience. "_She'll_ never learn to wash." + +Charlotte, however, soon fell diligently to work, and really seemed as +if she would tear her arms off, with her violent exertions. + +After a time, supposing that she must feel a good deal fatigued and +exhausted with the unaccustomed labor, I did what it was at that day +very much the fashion to do,--what, at home, I had always seen done on +washing-day,--what, in short, I imagine was then a general custom among +housekeepers. I went to the dining-room closet, intending to give +Charlotte a glass of wine or brandy and water. My "cupboard" proved to +be in the state of the luckless "Mother Hubbard's"--nothing of the kind +could I find but a bottle of orange shrub. + +Of this I poured out a wineglassful, and, carrying it out, offered it to +the woman. She took it with an expression of great pleasure; but, in +carrying it to her lips, she stopped short, and exclaiming, "Whiskey!" +immediately returned it to me. I would still have pressed it upon her; +for, in my inexperience, I really believed it was a cordial she needed; +but, pointing to her crucifix, she shook her head and returned to her +work. + +I received this as a lesson more powerful than twenty sermons. It was +the first time in my life that I had ever seen spirituous liquors +rejected upon a religious principle, and it made an impression upon me +that I never forgot. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +THE CUT-NOSE. + + +Among the women of the tribe with whom we early became acquainted, our +greatest favorite was a daughter of one of the Day-kau-rays. This +family, as I have elsewhere said, boasted in some remote generation a +cross of the French blood, and this fact might account for the fair +complexion and soft curling hair which distinguished our friend. She had +a noble forehead, full, expressive eyes, and fine teeth. Unlike the +women of her people, she had not grown brown and haggard with advancing +years. Indeed, with the exception of one feature, she might be called +beautiful. + +She had many years before married a Mus-qua-kee, or Fox Indian, and, +according to the custom among all the tribes, the husband came home to +the wife's family, and lived among the Winnebagoes. + +It is this custom, so exactly the reverse of civilized ways, that makes +the birth of a daughter a subject of peculiar rejoicing in an Indian +family. "She will bring another hunter to our lodge," is the style of +mutual congratulation. + +The Mus-qua-kee continued, for some few years, to live among his wife's +relations; but, as no children blessed their union, he at length became +tired of his new friends, and longed to return to his own people. He +tried, for a time, to persuade his wife to leave her home, and accompany +him to the Mississippi, on the banks of which the Sauks and Foxes lived, +but in vain. She could not resolve to make the sacrifice. + +One day, after many fruitless efforts to persuade her, he flew into a +violent passion. + +"Then, if you will not go with me," said he, "I will leave you; but you +shall never be the wife of any other man--I will mark you!" + +Saying this, he flew upon her, and bit off the end of her nose. This, +the usual punishment for conjugal infidelity, is the greatest disgrace a +woman can receive--it bars her forever from again entering the pale of +matrimony. The wretch fled to his own people; but his revenge fell short +of its aim. Day-kau-ray was too well known and too universally respected +to suffer opprobrium in any member of his family. This bright, loving +creature in particular, won all hearts upon a first acquaintance--she +certainly did ours, from the outset. + +She suffered much from rheumatism, and a remedy we gave her soon +afforded her almost entire relief. Her gratitude knew no bounds. +Notwithstanding that from long suffering she had become partially +crippled, she would walk all the way from the Barribault, a distance of +ten miles, as often as once in two or three weeks, to visit us. Then, to +sit and gaze at us, to laugh with childish glee at everything new or +strange that we employed ourselves about--to pat and stroke us every +time we came near her--sometimes to raise our hand or arm and kiss +it--these were her demonstrations of affection. And we loved her in +return. It was always a joyful announcement when, looking out over the +Portage road, somebody called out, "The _Cut-Nose_ is coming!" In time, +however, we learned to call her by her baptismal name of Elizabeth, for +she, too, was one of Mr. Mazzuchelli's converts. + +She came one day, accompanied by a half-grown boy, carrying a young fawn +she had brought me as a present. I was delighted with the pretty +creature--with its soft eyes and dappled coat; but having often heard +the simile, "as wild as a fawn," I did not anticipate much success in +taming it. To my great surprise, it soon learned to follow me like a +dog. Wherever I went, there Fan was sure to be. At breakfast, she would +lie down at my feet, under the table. One of her first tokens of +affection was to gnaw off all the trimming from my black silk apron, as +she lay pretending to caress and fondle me. Nor was this her only style +of mischief. + +One day we heard a great rattling among the crockery in the kitchen. We +ran to see what was the matter, and found that Miss Fan had made her way +to a shelf of the dresser, about two feet from the ground, and was +endeavoring to find a comfortable place to lie down, among the plates +and dishes. I soon observed that it was the shelter of the shelf above +her head that was the great attraction, and that she was in the habit of +seeking out a place of repose under a chair, or something approaching to +an "umbrageous bower." So after this I took care, as the hour for her +morning nap approached, to open a large green parasol, and set it on the +matting in the corner--then when I called "Fan, Fan," she would come and +nestle under it, and soon fall fast asleep. + +One morning Fan was missing. In vain we called and sought her in the +garden--in the enclosure for the cattle--at the houses of the +Frenchmen--along the hill towards Paquette's--no Fan was to be found. We +thought she had asserted her own wild nature and sped away to the woods. + +It was a hot forenoon, and the doors were all open. About dinner-time, +in rushed Fan, panting violently, and threw herself upon her side, where +she lay with her feet outstretched, her mouth foaming, and exhibiting +all the signs of mortal agony. We tried to give her water, to soothe +her, if perhaps it might be fright that so affected her; but in a few +minutes, with a gasp and a spasm, she breathed her last. Whether she had +been chased by the greyhounds, or whether she had eaten some poisonous +weed, which, occasioning her suffering, had driven her to her best +friends for aid, we never knew; but we lost our pretty pet, and many +were the tears shed for her. + + * * * * * + +Very shortly after the departure of my husband, we received a visit from +"the White Crow," the "Little Priest," and several others of the +principal chiefs of the Bock River Indians. They seemed greatly +disappointed at learning that their Father was from home, even though +his errand was to get "the silver." We sent for Paquette, who +interpreted for us the object of their visit. + +They had come to inform us that the Sauk chief Black Hawk and his band, +who, in compliance with a former treaty, had removed some time previous +to the west of the Mississippi, had now returned to their old homes and +hunting-grounds, and expressed a determination not to relinquish them, +but to drive off the white settlers who had begun to occupy them. + +The latter, in fact, the chief had already done, and having, as it was +said, induced some of the Pottowattamies to join him, there was reason +to fear that he might persuade some of the Winnebagoes to follow their +example. + +These chiefs had come to counsel with their Father, and to assure him +that they should do all in their power to keep their young men quiet. +They had heard that troops were being raised down among the whites in +Illinois, and they had hopes that their people would be wise enough to +keep out of difficulty. Furthermore, they begged that their Father, on +his return, would see that the soldiers did not meddle with them, so +long as they remained quiet and behaved in a friendly manner. + +White Crow seemed particularly anxious to impress it upon me, that if +any danger should arise in Shaw-nee-aw-kee's absence, he should come +with his people to protect me and my family. I relied upon his +assurances, for he had ever shown himself an upright and honorable +Indian. + +Notwithstanding this, the thoughts of Indian troubles so near us, in the +absence of our guardian and protector, occasioned us many an anxious +moment, and it was not until we learned of the peaceable retreat of the +Sauks and Foxes west of the Mississippi, that we were able wholly to lay +aside our fears. + +We were now called to part with our friends, Major Twiggs and his +family, which we did with heartfelt regret. He gave me a few parting +words about our old acquaintance, Krissman. + +"When I went into the barracks the other day," said he, "about the time +the men were taking their dinner, I noticed a great six-foot soldier +standing against the window-frame, crying and blubbering. 'Halloo,' said +I, 'what on earth does this mean?' + +"'Why, that fellow there,' said Krissman (for it was he), 'has scrowged +me out of my place!' A pretty soldier your protége will make, madam!" +added the Major. + +I never heard more of my hero. Whether he went to exhibit his prowess +against the Seminoles and Mexicans, or whether he returned to till the +fertile soil of his native German Flats and blow his favorite boatman's +horn, must be left for some future historian to tell. + +There is one more character to be disposed of--Louisa. An opportunity +offering in the spring, the Major placed her under the charge of a +person going to Buffalo, that she might be returned to her parents. In +compliment to the new acquaintances she had formed, she shortened her +skirts, mounted a pair of scarlet leggings embroidered with +porcupine-quills, and took her leave of military life, having deposited +with the gentleman who took charge of her sixty dollars, for safe +keeping, which she remarked "she had _saved up_, out of her wages at a +dollar a week, through the winter." + + * * * * * + +A very short time after we were settled in our new home at the Agency, +we attempted the commencement of a little Sunday-school. Edwin, Harry +and Josette were our most reliable scholars, but besides them there were +the two little Manaigres, Thérèse Paquette, and her mother's +half-sister, Florence Courville, a pretty young girl of fifteen. None of +these girls had even learned their letters. They spoke only French, or +rather the Canadian _patois_, and it was exceedingly difficult to give +them at once the sound of the words, and their signification, which they +were careful to inquire. Besides this, there was the task of correcting +the false ideas, and remedying the ignorance and superstition which +presented so formidable an obstacle to rational improvement. We did our +best, however, and had the satisfaction of seeing them, after a time, +making really respectable progress with their spelling-book, and, what +was still more encouraging, acquiring a degree of light and knowledge in +regard to better things. + +In process of time, however, Florence was often absent from her class. +"Her sister," she said, "could not always spare her. She wanted her to +keep house while she herself went over oil Sunday to visit her friends +the Roys, who lived on the Wisconsin." + +We reasoned with Madame Paquette on the subject. "Could she not spare +Florence on some hour of the day? We would gladly teach her on a +week-day, for she seemed anxious to learn, but we had always been told +that for that there was no time." + +"Well--she would see. Madame Alum (Helm) and Madame John were so kind!" + +There was no improvement, however, in regularity. After a time Manaigre +was induced to send his children to Mr. Cadle's mission-school at Green +Bay. Thérèse accompanied them, and very soon Florence discontinued her +attendance altogether. + +We were obliged, from that time forward, to confine our instructions to +our own domestic circle. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +INDIAN CUSTOMS AND DANCES. + + +Before we had any right to look for my husband's return, I one day +received a message inviting me to come up to the new house. We all went +in a body, for we had purposely stayed away a few days, expecting this +summons, of which we anticipated the meaning. + +Plante, in full glee, was seated astride of a small keg on the roof, +close beside the kitchen chimney, on the very summit of which he had +planted a green bough. To this he held fast with one hand, while he +exultingly waved the other and called out,-- + +"_Eh ban, Madame John! à cette heure, pour le régal!_" + +"Yes, Plante, you are entitled to a treat, and I hope you will not enjoy +it the less that Pillon and Manaigre are to share it with you." + +A suitable gratification made them quite contented with their +"_bourgeoise_," against whom Plante had sometimes been inclined to +grumble, "because," as he said, "she had him called up too early in the +morning." He might have added, because, too, she could not understand +the philosophy of his coming in to work in his own garden, under the +plea that it was too rainy to work in Monsieur John's. + +It was with no ordinary feelings of satisfaction that we quitted the old +log tenement and took possession of our new dwelling, small and +insignificant though it was. + +I was only too happy to enjoy the luxury of a real bedchamber, in place +of the parlor floor which I had occupied as such for more than two +months. It is true that our culinary arrangements were still upon no +greatly improved plan. The clay chimney was not of sufficient strength +to hold the trammel and pot-hooks, which at that day had not been +superseded by the cooking-stove and kitchen-range. Our fire was made as +in the olden time, with vast logs behind, and smaller sticks in front, +laid across upon the andirons or _dogs_. Upon these sticks were placed +such of the cooking-utensils as could not be accommodated on the hearth; +but woe to the dinner or the supper, if through a little want of care or +scrutiny one treacherous piece was suffered to burn away. Down would +come the whole arrangement--kettles, saucepans, burning brands, and +cinders, in one almost inextricable mass. How often this happened under +the supervision of Harry or little Josette, while the mistress was +playing lady to some visitor in the parlor, "'twere vain to tell." + +Then, spite of Monsieur Plante's palisades round the chimney, in a hard +shower the rain would come pelting down, and, the hearth unfortunately +sloping a little the wrong way, the fire would become extinguished; +while, the bark on the roof failing to do its duty, we were now and then +so completely deluged, that there was no resource but to catch up the +breakfast or dinner and tuck it under the table until better times--that +is, till fair weather came again. In spite of all these little adverse +occurrences, however, we enjoyed our new quarters exceedingly. + +Our garden was well furnished with vegetables, and even the +currant-bushes which we had brought from Chicago with us, tied in a +bundle at the back of the carriage, had produced us some fruit. + +The Indian women were very constant in their visits and their presents. +Sometimes it was venison--sometimes ducks or pigeons--whortleberries, +wild plums, or cranberries, according to the season--neat pretty mats +for the floor or the table--wooden bowls or ladles, fancy work of +deer-skin or porcupine-quills. These they would bring in and throw at my +feet. If through inattention I failed to appear pleased, to raise the +articles from the floor and lay them carefully aside, a look of +mortification and the observation, "Our mother hates our gifts," showed +how much their feelings were wounded. It was always expected that a +present would be received graciously, and returned with something twice +its value. + +Meantime, week after week wore on, and still was the return of "the +master" delayed. + +The rare arrival of a schooner at Green Bay, in which to take passage +for Detroit, made it always a matter of uncertainty what length of time +would be necessary for a journey across the lakes and back--so that it +was not until the last of August that he again reached his home. Great +was his surprise to find us so nicely moved and settled; and under his +active supervision the evils of which we had had to complain were soon +remedied. + +My husband had met at Fort Gratiot, and brought with him, my young +brother Julian, whom my parents were sending, at our request, to reside +with us. Edwin was overjoyed to have a companion once more, for he had +hitherto been very solitary. The boys soon had enough to occupy their +attention, as, in obedience to a summons sent to the different villages, +the Indians very shortly came flocking in to the payment. + +There was among their number, this year, one whom I had never before +seen--the mother of the elder Day-kau-ray. No one could tell her age, +but all agreed that she must have seen upwards of a hundred winters. Her +eyes dimmed, and almost white with age--her face dark and withered, like +a baked apple--her voice tremulous and feeble, except when raised in +fury to reprove her graceless grandsons, who were fond of playing her +all sorts of mischievous tricks, indicated the very great age she must +have attained. + +She usually went upon all-fours, not having strength to hold herself +erect. On the day of the payment, having received her portion, which she +carefully hid in the corner of her blanket, she came crawling along and +seated herself on the door-step, to count her treasure. + +My sister and I were watching her movements from the open window. + +Presently, just as she had, unobserved, as she thought, spread out her +silver before her, two of her descendants came suddenly upon her. At +first they seemed begging for a share, but she repulsed them with angry +gestures, when one of them made a sudden swoop, and possessed himself of +a handful. + +She tried to rise, to pursue him, but was unable to do more than clutch +the remainder and utter the most unearthly screams of rage. At this +instant the boys raised their eyes and perceived us regarding them. They +burst into a laugh, and with a sort of mocking gesture they threw her +the half-dollars, and ran back to the pay-ground. + +In spite of their vexatious tricks, she seemed very fond of them, and +never failed to beg something of her Father, that she might bestow upon +them. + +She crept into the parlor one morning, then straightening herself up, +and supporting herself by the frame of the door, she cried, in a most +piteous tone,--"Shaw-nee-aw-kee! Wau-tshob-ee-rah Thsoonsh-koo-nee-noh!" +(Silver-man, I have no looking-glass.) My husband, smiling and taking up +the same little tone, cried, in return,-- + +"Do you wish to look at yourself, mother?" + +The idea seemed to her so irresistibly comic that she laughed until she +was fairly obliged to seat herself upon the floor and give way to her +enjoyment. She then owned that it was for one of the boys that she +wanted the little mirror. When her Father had given it to her, she found +that she had "no comb," then that she had "no knife," then that she had +"no calico shawl," until it ended, as it generally did, by +Shaw-nee-aw-kee paying pretty dearly for his joke. + + * * * * * + +When the Indians arrived and when they departed, my sense of "woman's +rights" was often greatly outraged. The master of the family, as a +general thing, came leisurely bearing his gun and perhaps a lance in his +hand; the woman, with the mats and poles of her lodge upon her +shoulders, her pappoose, if she had one, her kettles, sacks of corn, and +wild rice, and, not unfrequently, the household dog perched on the top +of all. If there is a horse or pony in the list of family possessions, +the man rides, the squaw trudges after. + +This unequal division of labor is the result of no want of kind, +affectionate feeling on the part of the husband. It is rather the +instinct of the sex to assert their superiority of position and +importance, when a proper occasion offers. When out of the reach of +observation, and in no danger of compromising his own dignity, the +husband is willing enough to relieve his spouse from the burden that +custom imposes on her, by sharing her labors and hardships. + +The payment had not passed without its appropriate number of +complimentary and medicine dances. The latter take place only at rare +intervals--the former whenever an occasion demanding a manifestation of +respect and courtesy presents itself. + +It is the custom to ask permission of the person to be complimented, to +dance for him. This granted, preparation is made by painting the face +elaborately, and marking the person, which is usually bare about the +chest and shoulders, after the most approved pattern. All the ornaments +that can be mustered are added to the hair, or headdress. Happy is he +who, in virtue of having taken one or more scalps, is entitled to +proclaim it by a corresponding number of eagle's feathers. + +The less fortunate make a substitute of the feathers of the wild turkey, +or, better still, of the first unlucky "rooster" that falls in their +way. My poor fowls, during the time of payment, were always thoroughly +plucked. + +When their preparations are completed, the dancers assemble at some +convenient place, whence they come marching to the spot appointed, +accompanied by the music of the Indian drum and shee-shee-qua or rattle. +They range themselves in a circle and dance with violent contortions and +gesticulations, some of them graceful, others only energetic, the +squaws, who stand a little apart and mingle their discordant voices with +the music of the instruments, rarely participating in the dance. +Occasionally, however, when excited by the general gaiety, a few of them +will form a circle outside and perform a sort of ungraceful, up-and-down +movement, which has no merit, save the perfect time which is kept, and +for which the Indians seem, without exception, to possess a natural ear. +The dance finished, which is only when the strength of the dancers is +quite exhausted, a quantity of presents are brought and placed in the +middle of the circle, by order of the party complimented. An equitable +distribution is made by one of their number; and, the object of all this +display having been accomplished, they retire. + +The medicine dance is carried on chiefly to celebrate the skill of the +"Medicine-man" in curing diseases. This functionary belongs to a +fraternity who are supposed to add to their other powers some skill in +interpreting the will of the Great Spirit in regard to the conduct of +his people. He occasionally makes offerings and sacrifices which are +regarded as propitiatory. In this sense, the term "priest" may be deemed +applicable to him. He is also a "prophet" in so far as he is, in a +limited degree, an instructor; but he does not claim to possess the gift +of foretelling future events. + +A person is selected to join the fraternity of the "Medicine-man" by +those already initiated, chiefly on account of some skill or sagacity +that has been observed in him. Sometimes it happens that a person who +has had a severe illness which has yielded to the prescriptions of one +of the members, is considered a proper object of choice from a sort of +claim thus established. + +When he is about to be initiated, a great feast is made, of course at +the expense of the candidate, for in simple as in civilized life the +same principle of politics holds good, "honors must be paid for." An +animal is killed and dressed, of which the people at large +partake--there are dances and songs and speeches in abundance. Then the +chief Medicine-man takes the candidate and privately instructs him in +all the ceremonies and knowledge necessary to make him an accomplished +member of the fraternity. Sometimes the new member selected is still a +child. In that case he is taken by the Medicine-man so soon as he +reaches a proper age, and qualified by instruction and example to become +a creditable member of the fraternity. + +Among the Winnebagoes there seems a considerable belief in magic. Each +Medicine-man has a bag or sack, in which is supposed to be inclosed some +animal, to whom, in the course of their _pow-wows_, he addresses +himself, crying to him in the note common to his imagined species. And +the people seem to be persuaded that the answers which are announced are +really communications, in this form, from the Great Spirit. + +The Indians appear to have no idea of a retribution beyond this life. +They have a strong appreciation of the great fundamental virtues of +natural religion--the worship of the Great Spirit, brotherly love, +parental affection, honesty, temperance, and chastity. Any infringement +of the laws of the Great Spirit, by a departure from these virtues, they +believe will excite his anger and draw down punishment. These are their +principles. That their practice evinces more and more a departure from +them, under the debasing influences of a proximity to the whites, is a +melancholy truth, which no one will admit with so much sorrow as those +who lived among them, and esteemed them, before this signal change had +taken place. + + * * * * * + +One of the first improvements that suggested itself about our new +dwelling, was the removal of some very unsightly pickets surrounding two +or three Indian graves, on the esplanade in front of the house. Such, +however, is the reverence in which these burial-places are held, that we +felt we must approach the subject with great delicacy and consideration. + +My husband at length ventured to propose to Mrs. "Pawnee Blanc," the +nearest surviving relative of the person interred, to replace the +pickets with a neat wooden platform. + +The idea pleased her much, for, through her intimacy in Paquette's +family, she had acquired something of a taste for civilization. +Accordingly, a little platform about a foot in height, properly finished +with a moulding around the edge, was substituted for the worn and +blackened pickets; and it was touching to witness the mournful +satisfaction with which two or three old crones would come regularly +every evening at sunset, to sit and gossip over the ashes of their +departed relatives. + +On the fine moonlight nights, too, there might often be seen a group +sitting there, and enjoying what is to them a solemn hour, for they +entertain the poetic belief that "the moon was made to give light to the +dead." + +The reverence of the Indians for the memory of their departed friends, +and their dutiful attention in visiting and making offerings to the +Great Spirit, over their last resting-places, is an example worthy of +imitation among their more enlightened brethren. Not so, however, with +some of their customs in relation to the dead. + +The news of the decease of one of their number is a signal for a general +mourning and lamentation; it is also in some instances, I am sorry to +say, when the means and appliances can be found, the apology for a +general carouse. + +The relatives weep and howl for grief--the friends and acquaintance bear +them company through sympathy. A few of their number are deputed to wait +upon their Father, to inform him of the event, and to beg some presents +"to help them," as they express it, "dry up their tears." + +We received such a visit one morning, not long after the payment was +concluded. + +A drunken little Indian, named, by the French people around, "Old +Boilvin," from his resemblance to an Indian Agent of that name at +Prairie du Chien, was the person on account of whose death the +application was made. "He had been fishing," they said, "on the shores +of one of the little lakes near the Portage, and, having taken a little +too much '_whiskee_,' had fallen into the water and been drowned." +Nothing of him had been found but his blanket on the bank, so there +could be no funeral ceremonies, but his friends were prepared to make a +great lamentation about him. + +Their Father presented them with tobacco, knives, calico, and +looking-glasses, in proportion to what he thought might be their +reasonable grief at the loss of such a worthless vagabond, and they +departed. + +There was no difficulty, notwithstanding the stringent prohibitions on +the subject, in procuring a keg of whiskey from some of the traders who +yet remained. Armed with that and their other treasures, they assembled +at an appointed spot, not far from the scene of the catastrophe, and, +sitting down with the keg in their midst, they commenced their +affliction. The more they drank, the more clamorous became their grief, +and the faster flowed their tears. + +In the midst of these demonstrations, a little figure, bent and +staggering, covered with mud and all in disorder, with a countenance +full of wonder and sympathy, approached them, and began,-- + +"Why? what? what? Who's dead?" + +"Who's dead?" repeated they, looking up in astonishment. "Why, you're +dead! you were drowned in Swan Lake! Did not we find your blanket there? +Come, sit down and help us mourn." + +The old man did not wait for a second invitation. He took his seat and +cried and drank with the rest, weeping and lamenting as bitterly as any +of them, and the strange scene was continued as long as they had power +to articulate, or any portion of the whiskey was left. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +STORY OF THE RED FOX. + + +The Indians, of whatever tribe, are exceedingly fond of narrating or +listening to tales and stories, whether historical or fictitious. They +have their professed storytellers, like the Oriental nations, and these +go about, from village to village, collecting an admiring and attentive +audience, however oft-told and familiar the matter they recite. + +It is in this way that their traditions are preserved and handed down +unimpaired from generation to generation. Their knowledge of the +geography of their country is wonderfully exact. I have seen an Indian +sit in his lodge, and draw a map, in the ashes, of the Northwestern +States, not of their statistical but their geographical features, lakes, +rivers, and mountains, with the greatest accuracy, giving their relative +distances, by days' journeys, without hesitation, and even extending his +drawings and explanations as far as Kentucky and Tennessee. + +Of biography they preserve not only the leading events in the life of +the person, but his features, appearance, and bearing, his manners, and +whatever little trait or peculiarity characterized him. + +The women are more fond of fiction, and some of their stories have a +strange mingling of humor and pathos. I give the two which follow as +specimens. The Indian names contained in them are in the Ottawa or +"Courte-Oreilles" language, but the same tales are current in all the +different tongues and dialects. + + * * * * * + +STORY OF THE RED FOX. + +This is an animal to which many peculiarities are attributed. He is said +to resemble the jackal in his habit of molesting the graves of the dead, +and the Indians have a superstitious dread of hearing his bark at night, +believing that it forebodes calamity and death. They say, too, that he +was originally of one uniform reddish-brown color, but that his legs +became black in the manner related in the story. + +There was a chief of a certain village who had a beautiful daughter. He +resolved upon one occasion to make a feast and invite all the animals. +When the invitation was brought to the red fox, he inquired, "What are +you going to have for supper?" + +"_Mee-dau-mee-nau-bo_," was the reply. (This is a porridge made of +parched corn, slightly cracked.) + +The fox turned up his little sharp nose. "No, I thank you," said he; "I +can get plenty of that at home." + +The messenger returned to the chief, and reported the contemptuous +refusal of the fox. + +"Go back to him," said the chief, "and tell him we are going to have a +nice fresh body,[48] and we will have it cooked in the most delicate +manner possible." + +Pleased with the prospect of such a treat, the fox gave a very hearty +assent to the second invitation. + +The hour arrived, and he set off for the lodge of the chief to attend +the feast. The company were all prepared for him, for they made common +cause with their friend who had been insulted. As the fox entered, the +guest next the door, with great courtesy, rose from his place, and +begged the new-comer to be seated. Immediately the person next him also +rose, and insisted that the fox should occupy his place, as it was still +nearer the fire--the post of honor. Then the third, with many +expressions of civility, pressed him to exchange with him; and thus, +with many ceremonious flourishes, he was passed along the circle, always +approaching the fire, where a huge cauldron stood, in which the good +cheer was still cooking. The fox was by no means unwilling to occupy the +highest place in the assembly, and, besides, he was anxious to take a +peep into the kettle, for he had his suspicions that he might be +disappointed of the delicacies he had been expecting. + +So, by degrees, he was ushered nearer and nearer the great blazing +fire, until by a dexterous push and shove he was hoisted into the +seething kettle. + +His feet were dreadfully scalded, but he leaped out, and ran home to his +lodge, howling and crying with pain. His grandmother, with whom, +according to the custom of animals, he lived, demanded of him an account +of the affair. When he had faithfully related all the circumstances +(for, unlike the civilized animals, he did not think of telling his +grandmother a story), she reproved him very strongly. + +"You have committed two great faults," said she. "In the first place, +you were very rude to the chief who was so kind as to invite you, and by +returning insult for civility you made yourself enemies who were +determined to punish you. In the next place, it was very unbecoming in +you to be so forward to take the place of honor. Had you been contented +modestly to keep your seat near the door, you would have escaped the +misfortune that has befallen you." + +All this was not very consolatory to the poor fox, who continued to +whine and cry most piteously, while his grandmother, having finished her +lecture, proceeded to bind up his wounds. Great virtue is supposed to be +added to all medical prescriptions and applications by a little dancing; +so, the dressing having been applied, the grandmother fell to dancing +with all her might, round and round in the lodge. + +When she was nearly exhausted, the fox said, "Grandmother, take off the +bandages and see if my legs are healed." + +She did as he requested, but no--the burns were still fresh. She danced +and danced again. Now and then, as he grew impatient, she would remove +the coverings to observe the effect of the remedies. At length, towards +morning, she looked, and, to be sure, the burns were quite healed. "But, +oh!" cried she, "your legs are as black as a coal! They were so badly +burned that they will never return to their color!" + +The poor fox, who, like many another brave, was vain of his legs, fell +into a transport of lamentation. + +"Oh! my legs! My pretty red legs! What shall I do? The young girls will +all despise me. I shall never dare to show myself among them again!" + +He cried and sobbed until his grandmother, fatigued with her exercise, +fell asleep. By this time he had decided upon his plan of revenge. + +He rose and stole softly out of his lodge, and, pursuing his way rapidly +towards the village of the chief, he turned his face in the direction of +the principal lodge and barked. When the inhabitants heard this sound in +the stillness of the night, their hearts trembled. They knew that it +foreboded sorrow and trouble to some one of their number. + +A very short time elapsed before the beautiful daughter of the chief +fell sick, and she grew rapidly worse and worse, spite of medicines, +charms, and dances. At length she died. The fox had not intended to +bring misfortune on the village in this shape, for he loved the +beautiful daughter of the chief, so he kept in his lodge and mourned and +fretted for her death. + +Preparations were made for a magnificent funeral, but the friends of the +deceased were in great perplexity. "If we bury her in the earth," said +they, "the fox will come and disturb her remains. He has barked her to +death, and he will be glad to come and finish his work of revenge." + +They took counsel together, and determined to hang her body high in a +tree as a place of sepulture. They thought the fox would go groping +about in the earth, and not lift up his eyes to the branches above his +head. + +But the grandmother had been at the funeral, and she returned and told +the fox all that had been done. + +"Now, my son," said she, "listen to me. Do not meddle with the remains +of the chief's daughter. You have done mischief enough already. Leave +her in peace." + +As soon as the grandmother was asleep at night, the fox rambled forth. +He soon found the place he sought, and came and sat under the tree where +the young girl had been placed. He gazed and gazed at her all the +livelong night, and she appeared as beautiful as when in life. But when +the day dawned, and the light enabled him to see more clearly, then he +observed that decay was doing its work--that instead of a beautiful she +presented only a loathsome appearance. + +He went home sad and afflicted, and passed all the day mourning in his +lodge. + +"Have you disturbed the remains of the chief's beautiful daughter?" was +his parent's anxious question. + +"No, grandmother,"--and he uttered not another word. + +Thus it went on for many days and nights. The fox always took care to +quit his watch at the early dawn of day, for he knew that her friends +would suspect him, and come betimes to see if all was right. + +At length he perceived that, gradually, the young girl looked less and +less hideous in the morning light, and that she by degrees resumed the +appearance she had presented in life, so that in process of time her +beauty and look of health quite returned to her. + +One day he said, "Grandmother, give me my pipe, that I may take a +smoke." + +"Ah!" cried she, "you begin to be comforted. You have never smoked +since the death of the chief's beautiful daughter. Have you heard some +good news?" + +"Never you mind," said he; "bring the pipe." + +He sat down and smoked, and smoked. After a time he said, "Grandmother, +sweep your lodge and put it all in order, for this day you will receive +a visit from your daughter-in-law." + +The grandmother did as she was desired. She swept her lodge, and +arranged it with all the taste she possessed, and then both sat down to +await the visit. + +"When you hear a sound at the door," said the fox, "you must give the +salutation, and say, Come in." + +When they had been thus seated for a time, the grandmother heard a +faint, rustling sound. She looked towards the door. To her surprise, the +mat which usually hung as a curtain was rolled up, and the door was +open. + +"Peen-tee-geen n'dau-nis!"[49] cried she. + +Something like a faint, faint shadow appeared to glide in. It took +gradually a more distinct outline. As she looked and looked, she began +to discern the form and features of the chief's beautiful daughter, but +it was long before she appeared like a reality, and took her place in +the lodge like a thing of flesh and blood. + +They kept the matter hid very close, for they would not for the world +that the father or friends of the bride should know what had happened. +Soon, however, it began to be rumored about that the chief's beautiful +daughter had returned to life, and was living in the Red Fox's lodge. +How it ever became known was a mystery, for, of course, the grandmother +never spoke of it. + +Be that as it may, the news created great excitement in the village. +"This must never be," said they all. "He barked her to death once, and +who knows what he may do next time?" + +The father took at once a decided part. "The Red Fox is not worthy of my +daughter," he said. "I had promised her to the Hart, the finest and most +elegant among the animals. Now that she has returned to life, I shall +keep my word." + +So the friends all went in a body to the lodge of the Red Fox. The +bridegroom, the bride, and the grandmother made all the resistance +possible, but they were overpowered by numbers, and, the Hart having +remained conveniently waiting on the outside where there was no danger, +the beautiful daughter of the chief was placed upon his back, and he +coursed away through the forest to carry her to his own home. When he +arrived at the door of his lodge, however, he turned his head, but no +bride was in the place where he expected to see her. He had thought his +burden very light from the beginning, but that he supposed was natural +to spirits returned from the dead. He never imagined she had at the +outset glided from her seat, and in the midst of the tumult slipped +back, unobserved, to her chosen husband. + +One or two attempts were made by the friends, after this, to repossess +themselves of the young creature, but all without success. Then they +said, "Let her remain where she is. It is true the Red Fox occasioned +her death, but by his watchfulness and care he caressed her into life +again; therefore she rightfully belongs to him." So the Red Fox and his +beautiful bride lived long together in great peace and happiness. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +STORY OF SHEE-SHEE-BANZE. + + +There was a young man named Shee-shee-banze (the Little Duck) paddling +his canoe along the shore of the lake. + +Two girls came down to the edge of the water, and, seeing him, the elder +said to the younger, "Let us call to him to take us a sail." + +It must be remarked that in all Indian stories where two or more sisters +are the _dramatis personae_, the elder is invariably represented as +silly, ridiculous, and disgusting--the younger, as wise and beautiful. + +In the present case the younger remonstrated. "Oh, no," said she, "let +us not do such a thing. What will he think of us?" + +But the other persevered, and called to him, "Ho! come and take us into +your canoe." The young man obeyed, and, approaching the shore, he took +them with him into the canoe. + +"Who are you?" asked the elder sister. + +"I am _Way-gee-mar-kin_," replied he, "the great chief." + +This Way-gee-mar-kin was something of a fairy, for when surrounded by +his followers, and wishing to confer favors on them, he had a habit of +coughing slightly, when there would fly forth from his mouth quantities +of silver brooches, ear-bobs, and other ornaments, for which it was the +custom of his people to scramble, each striving, as in more civilized +life, to get more than his share. + +Accordingly, the elder sister said, "If you are Way-gee-mar-kin, let us +see you cough." + +Shee-shee-banze had a few of these silver ornaments which he had got by +scrambling, and which he kept stowed away in the sides of his mouth in +case of emergency. So he gave some spasmodic coughs and brought forth a +few, which the girl eagerly seized. + +After a time, as they paddled along, a fine noble elk came forth from +the forest, and approached the water to drink. + +"What is that?" asked the spokeswoman; for the younger sister sat silent +and modest all the time. + +"It is my dog that I hunt with." + +"Call him to us, that I may see him." + +Shee-shee-banze called, but the elk turned and fled into the woods. + +"He does not seem to obey you, however." + +"No; it is because you inspire him with disgust, and therefore he flies +from you." + +Soon a bear made his appearance by the water's edge. + +"What is that?" + +"One of my servants." + +Again he was requested to call him, and, as the call was disregarded, +the same reason as before was assigned. + +Their excursion was at length ended. There had been a little magic in +it, for although the young girls had supposed themselves to be in a +canoe, there was, in reality, no canoe at all. They only imagined it to +have been so. + +Now, Shee-shee-banze lived with his grandmother, and to her lodge he +conducted his young friends. + +They stood outside while he went in. + +"Grandmother," said he, "I have brought you two young girls, who will be +your daughters-in-law. Invite them into your lodge." + +Upon this, the old woman called, "Ho! come in," and they entered. They +were made welcome and treated to the best of everything. + +In the mean time, the real Way-gee-mar-kin, the great chief, made +preparations for a grand feast. When he was sending his messenger out +with the invitations, he said to him, "Be very particular to bid +Shee-shee-banze to the feast, for, as he is the smallest and meanest +person in the tribe, you must use double ceremony with him, or he will +be apt to think himself slighted." + +Shee-shee-banze was sitting in his lodge with his new friends, when the +messenger arrived. + +"Ho! Shee-shee-banze," cried he, "you are invited to a great feast that +Way-gee-mar-kin is to give to-night, to all his subjects." + +But Shee-shee-banze took no notice of the invitation. He only whistled, +and pretended not to hear. The messenger repeated his words, then, +finding that no attention was paid to them, he went his way. + +The young girls looked at each other, during the scene, greatly +astonished. At length the elder spoke. + +"What does this mean?" said she. "Why does he call you Shee-shee-banze, +and invite you to visit Way-gee-mar-kin?" + +"Oh," said Shee-shee-banze, "it is one of my followers that always likes +to be a little impudent. I am obliged to put up with it sometimes, but +you observed that I treated him with silent contempt." + +The messenger returned to the chief, and reported the manner in which +the invitation had been received. + +"Oh," said the good-natured chief, "it is because he feels that he is +poor and insignificant. Go back again--call him by my name, and make a +flourishing speech to him." + +The messenger fulfilled his mission as he was bid. + +"Way-gee-mar-kin," said he, pompously, "a great feast is to be given +to-night, and I am sent most respectfully to solicit the honor of your +company!" + +"Did I not tell you?" said Shee-shee-banze to the maidens Then, nodding +with careless condescension, he added, "Tell them I'll come." + +At night, Shee-shee-banze dressed himself in his very best paint, +feathers, and ornaments--but before his departure he took his +grandmother aside. + +"Be sure," said he, "that you watch these young people closely until I +come back. Shut up your lodge tight, _tight_. Let no one come in or go +out, and, above all things, do not go to sleep." + +These orders given, he went his way. + +The grandmother tried her best to keep awake, but finding herself +growing more and more sleepy, as the night wore on, she took a strong +cord and laced across the mat which hung before the entrance to the +lodge, as the Indians lace up the mouths of their bags, then, having +seen all things secure and the girls quiet in bed, she lay down and soon +fell into a comfortable sleep. + +The young girls, in the mean while, were dying with curiosity to know +what had become of Shee-shee-banze, and as soon as they were sure the +old lady was asleep, they prepared to follow him and see what was going +on. Fearing, however, that the grandmother might awake and discover +their absence, they took two logs of wood, and, putting them under the +blanket, so disposed them as to present the appearance of persons +sleeping quietly. They then cut the cords that fastened the door, and, +guided by the sounds of the music, the dancing, and the merry-making, +they soon found their way to the dwelling of Way-gee-mar-kin. + +When they entered, they saw the chief seated on a throne, surrounded by +light and splendor. Everything was joy and amusement. Crowds of +courtiers were in the apartment, all dressed in the most brilliant +array. The strangers looked around for their friend Shee-shee-banze, but +he was nowhere to be seen. + +Now and then the chief would cough, when a shower of silver ornaments +and precious things would fly in all directions, and instantly a +scramble would commence among the company, to gather them up and +appropriate them. + +As they thus rushed forward, the brides-elect saw their poor little +friend crowded up into a corner, where nobody took any notice of him, +except to push him aside, or step on him whenever he was in the way. He +uttered piteous little squeaks as one and another would thus maltreat +him, but he was too busy taking care of himself to perceive that those +whom he had left snug at home in the lodge were witnesses of all that +was going on. + +At length the signal was given for the company to retire, all but the +two young damsels, upon whom Way-gee-mar-kin had set his eye, and to +whom he had sent, by one of his assistants, great offers to induce them +to remain with him and become his wives. + +Poor Shee-shee-banze returned to his lodge, but what was his +consternation to find the door open! + +"Ho! grandmother," cried he, "is this the way you keep watch?" + +The old woman started up. "There are my daughters-in-law," said she, +pointing to the two logs of wood. Shee-shee-banze threw himself on the +ground between them. His back was broken by coming so violently in +contact with them, but that he did not mind--he thought only of revenge, +and the recovery of his sweethearts. + +He waited but to get some powerful poison and prepare it, and then he +stole softly back to the wigwam of Way-gee-mar-kin. All was silent, and +he crept in without making the slightest noise. There lay the chief, +with a young girl on each side of him. + +They were all sound asleep, the chief lying on his back, with his mouth +wide open. Before he was aware of it, the poison was down his throat, +and Shee-shee-banze had retreated quietly to his own lodge. + +The next morning the cry went through the village that Way-gee-mar-kin +had been found dead in his bed. Of course it was attributed to +over-indulgence at the feast. All was grief and lamentation. "Let us go +and tell poor Shee-shee-banze," said one, "he was so fond of +Way-gee-mar-kin." + +They found him sitting on a bank, fishing. He had been up at peep of +day, to make preparation for receiving the intelligence. + +He had caught two or three fish, and, extracting their bladders, had +filled them with blood, and tied them under his arm. When the friends of +Way-gee-mar-kin saw him, they called out to him,-- + +"Oh! Shee-shee-banze--your friend, Way-gee-mar-kin, is dead!" + +With a gesture of despair, Shee-shee-banze drew his knife and plunged +it--not into his heart, but into the bladders filled with blood that he +had prepared. As he fell, apparently lifeless, to the ground, the +messengers began to reproach themselves: "Oh! why did we tell him so +suddenly? We might have known he would not survive it. Poor +Shee-shee-banze! he loved Way-gee-mar-kin so." + +To their great surprise, the day after the funeral, Shee-shee-banze came +walking towards the wigwam of the dead chief. As he walked, he sang, or +rather chaunted to a monotonous strain,[50] the following:-- + + "Way-gee-mar-kin is dead, is dead, + I know who killed him. + I guess it was I--I guess it was I." + +All the village was aroused. Everybody flew in pursuit of the murderer, +but he evaded them, and escaped to a place of safety. + +Soon after, he again made his appearance, mincing as he walked, and +singing to the same strain as before,-- + + "If you wish to take and punish me, + Let the widows come and catch me." + +It seemed a good idea, and the young women were recommended to go and +entice the culprit into the village, so that the friends of the deceased +could lay hold of him. + +They went forth on their errand. Shee-shee-banze would suffer them to +approach, then he would dance off a little--now he would allow them to +come quite near; anon he would retreat a little before them, all the +time singing, + +"Come, pretty widows, come and catch me." + +Thus he decoyed them on, occasionally using honeyed words and flattering +speeches, until he had gained their consent to return with him to his +lodge, and take up their abode with him. + +The friends of the murdered chief were scandalized at such inconstancy, +and resolved to punish all three, as soon as they could catch them. + +They surrounded his lodge with cries and threatenings, but +Shee-shee-banze and his two brides had contrived to elude their +vigilance and gain his canoe, which lay in the river, close at hand. + +Hardly were they on board when their escape was discovered. The whole +troop flew after them. Some plunged into the stream, and seized the +canoe. In the struggle it was upset, but immediately on touching the +water, whether from the magical properties of the canoe, or the +necromantic skill of the grandmother, they were transformed into ducks, +and flew quacking away. + +Since that time the water-fowl of this species are always found in +companies of three--two females and a male. + + * * * * * + +The _Canard de France_, or Mallard, and the _Brancheuse_, or Wood Duck, +are of different habits from the foregoing, flying in pairs. Indeed, the +constancy of the latter is said to be so great that if he loses his mate +he never takes another partner, but goes mourning to the end of his +days. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +A VISIT TO GREEN BAY--MA-ZHEE-GAW-GAW SWAMP. + + +The payment over, and the Indians dispersed, we prepared ourselves to +settle down quietly in our little home. But now a new source of +disturbance arose. + +My husband's accounts of disbursements as Agent of the Winnebagoes, +which he had forwarded to the Department at Washington, had failed to +reach there, of which he received due notice--that is to say, such a +notice as could reach us by the circuitous and uncertain mode of +conveyance by which intercourse with the Eastern world was then kept up. +If the vouchers for the former expenditures, together with the recent +payment of $15,000 annuity money, should not be forthcoming, it might +place him in a very awkward position; he therefore decided to go at once +to Washington, and be the bearer himself of his duplicate accounts. + +"Should you like to go and see your father and mother," said he to me, +one morning, "and show them how the West agrees with you?" + +It was a most joyful suggestion after a year's separation, and in a few +days all things were in readiness for our departure. + +There was visiting us, at that time, Miss Brush, of Detroit, who had +come from Green Bay with Mr. and Mrs. Whitney and Miss Frances Henshaw, +on an excursion to the Mississippi. Our little India-rubber house had +contrived to expand itself for the accommodation of the whole party +during the very pleasant visit they made us. + +The arrival of two young ladies had been, as may be imagined, quite a +godsend to the unmarried lieutenants, and when, tired of the journey, or +intimidated by the snow, which fell eight inches on the 4th of October, +Miss Brush determined to give up the remainder of her excursion, and +accept our pressing invitation to remain with us until the return of her +friends, we were looked upon as public benefactors. She was now to +accompany us to Green Bay, and possibly to Detroit. + +Our voyage down the river was without incident, and we reached Green Bay +just as all the place was astir in the expectation of the arrival of one +of Mr. Newbery's schooners. This important event was the subject of +interest to the whole community, from Fort Howard to "Dickenson's." To +some its arrival would bring friends, to some supplies--to the ladies, +the fashions, to the gentlemen, the news, for it was the happy bearer of +the mails, not for that place alone, but for all the "upper country." + +In a few days the vessel arrived. She brought a mail for Fort Winnebago, +it being only in the winter season that letters were carried by land to +that place, via _Niles's Settlement_ and Chicago. + +In virtue of his office as Postmaster, my husband opened the mail-bag, +and took possession of his own letters. One informed him of the +satisfactory appearance at the Department of the missing accounts, but +oh! sad disappointment, another brought the news that my parents had +gone to Kentucky for the winter--not to any city or accessible place, +but "up the Sandy," and over among the mountains of Virginia, hunting up +old land-claims belonging to my grandfather's estate. + +It was vain to hope to follow them. We might hardly expect to find them +during the short period we could be absent from home--not even were we +to receive the lucid directions once given my father by an old settler +during his explorations through that wild region. + +"You must go up _Tug_," said the man, "and down _Troublesome_, and fall +over on to _Kingdom-come_."[51] + +We did not think it advisable to undertake such an expedition, and +therefore made up our minds to retrace our steps to Fort Winnebago. + +No boats were in readiness to ascend the river. Our old friend Hamilton +promised to have one in preparation at once, but time passed by, and no +boat was made ready. + +It was now the beginning of November. We were passing our time very +pleasantly with the Irwins and Whitneys, and at the residence of +Colonel Stambaugh, the Indian Agent, but still this delay was +inconvenient and vexatious. + +I suggested undertaking the journey on horseback. "No, indeed," was the +answer I invariably received. "No mortal woman has ever gone that road, +unless it was some native on foot, nor ever could." + +"But suppose we set out in the boat and get frozen in on the way. We can +neither pass the winter there, nor possibly find our way to a human +habitation. We have had one similar experience already. Is it not better +to take it for granted that I can do what you and others of your sex +have done?" + +Dr. Finley, the post-surgeon at Fort Howard, on hearing the matter +debated, offered me immediately his favorite horse Charlie. "He is very +sure-footed," the doctor alleged, "and capital in a marsh or troublesome +stream." + +By land, then, it was decided to go; and as soon as our old Menomonee +friend "Wish-tay-yun," who was as good a guide by land as by water, +could be summoned, we set off, leaving our trunks to be forwarded by +Hamilton whenever it should please him to carry out his intention of +sending up his boat. + +We waited until a late hour on the morning of our departure for our +fellow-travellers, Mr. Wing, of Monroe, and Dr. Philleo, of Galena; but, +finding they did not join us, we resolved to lose no time, confident +that we should all meet at the Kakalin in the course of the evening. + +After crossing the river at what is now Depere, and entering the wild, +unsettled country on the west of the river, we found a succession of +wooded hills, separated by ravines so narrow and steep that it seemed +impossible that any animals but mules or goats could make their way +among them. + +Wish-tay-yun took the lead. The horse he rode was accustomed to the +country, and well trained to this style of road. As for Charlie, he was +perfectly admirable. When he came to a precipitous descent, he would set +forward his forefeet, and slide down on his haunches in the most +scientific manner, while my only mode of preserving my balance was to +hold fast by the bridle and lay myself braced almost flat against his +back. Then our position would suddenly change, and we would be scaling +the opposite bank, at the imminent risk of falling backward into the +ravine below. + +It was amusing to see Wish-tay-yun, as he scrambled on ahead, now and +then turning partly round to see how I fared. And when, panting and +laughing, I at length reached the summit, he would throw up his hands, +and shout, with the utmost glee, "Mamma Manitou!" (My mother is a +spirit.) + +Our old acquaintances, the Grignons, seemed much surprised that I should +have ventured on such a journey. They had never undertaken it, although +they had lived so long at the Kakalin; but then there was no reason why +they should have done so. They could always command a canoe or a boat +when they wished to visit "the Bay." + +As we had anticipated, our gentlemen joined us at supper. "They had +delayed to take dinner with Colonel Stambaugh--had had a delightful +gallop up from: the Bay--had seen no ravines, nor anything but fine +smooth roads--might have been asleep, but, if so, were not conscious of +it." This was the account they gave of themselves, to our no small +amusement. + +From the Kakalin to the Butte des Morts, where lived a man named Knaggs, +was our next day's stage. The country was rough and wild, much like that +we had passed through the spring before, in going from Hamilton's +diggings to Kellogg's Grove, but we were fortunate in having +Wish-tay-yun, rather than "Uncle Billy," for our guide, so that we could +make our way with some degree of moderation. + +We had travelled but forty miles when we reached Knaggs's, yet I was +both cold and fatigued, so that the cosy little room in which we found +Mrs. Knaggs, and the bright fire, were most cheering objects; and, as we +had only broken our fast since morning with a few crackers we carried in +our pockets, I must own we did ample justice to her nice coffee and +cakes, not to mention venison-steaks and bear's meat, the latter of +which I had never before tasted. + +Our supper over, we looked about for a place of repose. The room in +which we had taken our meal was of small dimensions, just sufficient to +accommodate a bed, a table placed against the wall, and the few chairs +on which we sat. There was no room for any kind of a "shakedown." + +"Where can you put us for the night?" inquired my husband of Mr. Knaggs, +when he made his appearance. + +"Why, there is no place that I know of, unless you can camp down in the +old building outside." + +We went to look at it. It consisted of one room, bare and dirty. A huge +chimney, in which a few brands were burning, occupied nearly one side of +the apartment. Against another was built a rickety sort of bunk. This +was the only vestige of furniture to be seen. The floor was thickly +covered with mud and dirt, in the midst of which, near the fire, was +seated an old Indian with a pan of boiled corn on his lap, which he was +scooping up with both hands and devouring with the utmost voracity. + +We soon discovered that he was blind. On hearing footsteps and voices, +he instinctively gathered his dish of food close to him, and began some +morose grumblings; but when he was told that it was "Shaw-nee-aw-kee" +who was addressing him, his features relaxed into a more agreeable +expression, and be even held forth his dish and invited us to share its +contents. + +"But are we to stay here?" I asked. "Can we not sleep out-of-doors?" + +"We have no tent," replied my husband, "and the weather is too cold to +risk the exposure without one." + +"I could sit in a chair all night, by the fire." + +"Then you would not be able to ride to Bellefontaine to-morrow." + +There was no alternative. The only thing Mr. Knaggs could furnish in the +shape of bedding was a small bear-skin. The bunk was a trifle less +filthy than the floor; so upon its boards we spread first the skin, then +our saddle-blankets, and, with a pair of saddle-bags for a bolster, I +wrapped myself in my cloak, and resigned myself to my distasteful +accommodations. + +The change of position from that I had occupied through the day, +probably brought some rest, but sleep I could not. Even on a softer and +more agreeable couch, the snoring of the old Indian and two or three +companions who had joined him, and his frequent querulous exclamations +as he felt himself encroached upon in the darkness, would have +effectually banished slumber from my eyes. + +It was a relief to rise with early morning and prepare for the journey +of the day. Where our fellow-travellers had bestowed themselves I knew +not, but they evidently had fared no better than we. They were in fine +spirits, however, and we cheerfully took our breakfast and were ferried +over the river to continue on the trail from that point to +Bellefontaine, twelve miles distant from Fort Winnebago. + +The great "bug-bear" of this road, Ma-zhee-gaw-gaw Swamp, was the next +thing to be encountered. We reached it about nine o'clock. It spread +before us, a vast expanse of morass, about half a mile in width, and of +length interminable, partly covered with water, with black knobs rising +here and there above the surface, affording a precarious foothold for +the animals in crossing it. Where the water was not, there lay in place +of it a bed of black oozy mud, which looked as if it might give way +under the foot, and let it, at each step, sink to an unknown depth. + +This we were now to traverse. All three of the gentlemen went in advance +of me, each hoping, as he said, to select the surest and firmest path +for me to follow. One and another would call, "Here, madam, come this +way!" "This is the best path, wifie; follow me," but often Charlie knew +better than either, and selected a path according to his own judgment, +which proved the best of the whole. + +On he went, picking his way so slowly and cautiously, now pausing on one +little hillock, now on another, and anon turning aside to avoid a patch +of mud which seemed more than usually suspicious, that all the company +had got some little distance ahead of me. On raising my eyes, which had +been kept pretty closely on my horse's footsteps, I saw my husband on +foot, striving to lead his horse by the bridle from a difficult position +into which he had got, Mr. Wing and his great white floundering animal +lying sideways in the mud, the rider using all his efforts to extricate +himself from the stirrups, and Dr. Philleo standing at a little distance +from his steed, who was doing his best to rise up from a deep bog into +which he had pitched himself. It was a formidable sight! They all called +out with one accord,-- + +"Oh, do not come this way!" + +"Indeed," cried I, "I have no thought of it. Charlie and I know better." +And, trusting to the sagacious creature, he picked his way carefully +along, and carried me safely past the dismounted company. I could not +refrain from a little triumphant flourish with my whip, as I looked back +upon them and watched their progress to their saddles once more. + +Three hours had we been thus unpleasantly engaged, and yet we were not +over the "Slough of Despond." At length we drew near its farthest verge. +Here ran a deep stream some five or six feet in width. The gentlemen, as +they reached it, dismounted, and began debating what was to be done. + +"Jump off, jump off, madam," cried Mr. Wing, and "Jump off, jump off," +echoed Dr. Philleo; "we are just consulting how we are to get you +across." + +"What do you think about it?" asked my husband. + +"Charlie will show you," replied I. "Come, Charlie." And as I raised his +bridle quickly, with a pat on his neck and an encouraging chirp, he +bounded over the stream as lightly as a deer, and landed me safe on +_terra firma_. + +Poor Mr. Wing had fared the worst of the company; the clumsy animal he +rode seeming to be of opinion when he got into a difficulty that he had +nothing to do but to lie down and resign himself to his fate; while his +rider, not being particularly light and agile, was generally undermost, +and half imbedded in the mire before he had quite made up his mind as to +his course of action. + +It was therefore a wise movement in him, when he reached the little +stream, to plunge into it and wade across, thus washing out, as much as +possible, the traces of the morning's adventures from himself and his +steed; and the other gentlemen, having no alternative, concluded to +follow his example. + +We did not halt long on the rising ground beyond the morass, for we had +a long stretch before us to Bellefontaine, forty-five miles, and those +none of the shortest. + +Our horses travelled admirably the whole afternoon, Charlie keeping a +canter all the way; but it was growing dark, and there were no signs of +the landmarks which were to indicate our near approach to the desired +haven. + +"Can we not stop and rest for a few moments under one of the trees?" +inquired I, for I was almost exhausted with fatigue, and, to add to our +discomfort, a cold, November rain was pouring upon us. + +"If it were possible, we would," was the reply; "but see how dark it is +growing. If we should lose our way, it would be worse than being wet and +tired." + +So we kept on. Just at dark we crossed a clear stream. "That," said my +husband, "is, I think, two miles from Bellefontaine. Cheer up--we shall +soon be there." Quite encouraged, we pursued our way more cheerfully. +Mile after mile we passed, but still no light gleamed friendly through +the trees. + +"We have certainly travelled more than six miles now," said I. + +"Yes--that could not have been the two-mile creek." + +It was eight o'clock when we reached Bellefontaine. We were ushered into +a large room made cheerful by a huge blazing fire. Mr. Wing and Dr. +Philleo had arrived before us, and there were other travellers, on their +way from the Mississippi. I was received with great kindness and +volubility by the immense hostess, "la grosse Américaine," as she was +called, and she soon installed me in the arm-chair, in the warmest +corner, and in due time set an excellent supper before us. + +But her hospitality did not extend to giving up her only bed for my +accommodation. She spread all the things she could muster on the hard +floor before the fire, and did what she could to make me comfortable; +then, observing my husband's solicitude lest I might feel ill from the +effects of the fatigue and rain, she remarked, in tones of admiring +sympathy, "How kind your _companion_ is to you!"--an expression which, +as it was then new to us, amused us not a little. + +Our travelling companions started early in the morning for the Fort, +which was but twelve miles distant, and they were so kind as to take +charge of a note to our friends at home, requesting them to send Plante +with the carriage to take us the rest of the distance. + +We reached the Portage in safety; and thus ended the first journey by +land that any white woman had made from Green Bay to Fort Winnebago. I +felt not a little raised in my own esteem when my husband informed me +that the distance I had the previous day travelled, from Knaggs's to +Bellefontaine, was sixty-two miles! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +COMMENCEMENT OF THE SAUK WAR. + + +A few weeks after our return, my husband took his mother to Prairie du +Chien for the benefit of medical advice from Dr. Beaumont, of the U.S. +Army. The journey was made in a large open boat down the Wisconsin +River, and it was proposed to take this opportunity to bring back a good +supply of corn for the winter's use of both men and cattle. + +The ice formed in the river, however, so early, that after starting +with his load he was obliged to return with it to the Prairie, and wait +until the thick winter's ice enabled him to make a second journey and +bring it up in sleighs--with so great an expense of time, labor, and +exposure were the necessaries of life conveyed from one point to another +through that wild and desolate region! + + * * * * * + +The arrival of my brother Arthur from Kentucky, by way of the +Mississippi, in the latter part of April, brought us the uncomfortable +intelligence of new troubles with the Sauks and Foxes. Black Hawk had, +with the flower of his nation, recrossed the Mississippi, once more to +take possession of their old homes and corn-fields.[52] + +It was not long before our own Indians came flocking in, to confirm the +tidings, and to assure us of their intention to remain faithful friends +to the Americans. We soon heard of the arrival of the Illinois Rangers +in the Rock River country, also of the progress of the regular force +under General Atkinson, in pursuit of the hostile Indians, who, by the +reports, were always able to elude their vigilance. It not being their +custom to stop and give battle, the Sauks soon scattered themselves +through the country, trusting to some lucky accident (and such arrived, +alas! only too often) to enable them to fall upon their enemies +unexpectedly. + +The experience of the pursuing army was, for the most part, to make +their way, by toilsome and fatiguing marches, to the spot where they +imagined the Sauks would be waiting to receive them, and then to +discover that the rogues had scampered off to quite a different part of +the country. + +Wherever these latter went, their course was marked by the most +atrocious barbarities, though the worst had not, at this time, reached +our ears. We were only assured that they were down in the neighborhood +of the Rock River and Kishwaukee, and that they lost no opportunity of +falling upon the defenceless inhabitants and cruelly murdering them. + +As soon as it became certain that the Sauks and Foxes would not pursue +the same course they had on the previous year, that is, retreat +peaceably across the Mississippi, Mr. Kinzie resolved to hold a council +with all the principal chiefs of the Winnebagoes who were accessible at +this time. He knew that the Sauks would use every effort to induce their +neighbors to join them, and that there existed in the breasts of too +many of the young savages a desire to distinguish themselves by "taking +some white scalps." They did not love the Americans--why should they? By +them they had been gradually dispossessed of the broad and beautiful +domains of their forefathers, and hunted from place to place, and the +only equivalent they had received in exchange had been a few thousands +annually in silver and presents, together with the pernicious example, +the debasing influence, and the positive ill treatment of too many of +the new settlers upon their lands. + +With all these facts in view, therefore, their Father felt that the +utmost watchfulness was necessary, and that the strongest arguments must +be brought forward, to preserve the young men of the Winnebagoes in +their allegiance to the Americans. Of the older members he felt quite +sure. About fifty lodges had come at the commencement of the +disturbances and encamped around our dwelling, saying that if the Sauks +attacked us it must be after killing them; and, knowing them well, we +had perfect confidence in their assurances. + +But their vicinity, while it gave us a feeling of protection, likewise +furnished us with a channel of the most exciting and agitating daily +communications. As the theatre of operations approached nearer and +nearer, intelligence was brought in by their runners--now, that "Captain +Barney's head had been recognized in the Sauk camp, where it had been +brought the day previous," next, that "the Sauks were carrying +Lieutenant Beall's head on a pole in front of them as they marched to +meet the whites." Sometimes it was a story which we afterwards found to +be unhappily true, as that of the murder of their Agent, M. St Vrain, at +Kellogg's Grove, by the Sauks themselves, who ought to have protected +him. + +It was after the news of this last occurrence that the appointed council +with the Winnebagoes was to be held at the Four Lakes, thirty-five miles +distant from Fort Winnebago. + +In vain we pleaded and remonstrated against such an exposure. "It was +his duty to assemble his people and talk to them," my husband said, "and +he must run the risk, if there were any. He had perfect confidence in +the Winnebagoes. The enemy, by all he could learn, were now far distant +from the Four Lakes--probably at Kosh-ko-nong. He would set off early in +the morning with Paquette, bold his council, and return to us the same +evening." + +It were useless to attempt to describe our feelings during that long and +dreary day. When night arrived, the cry of a drunken Indian, or even the +barking of a dog, would fill our hearts with terror. + +As we sat, at a late hour, at the open window, listening to every sound, +with what joy did we at length distinguish the tramp of horses! We knew +it to be Griffin and Jerry ascending the hill, and a cheerful shout soon +announced that all was well. My husband and his interpreter had ridden +seventy miles that day, besides holding a long "talk" with the Indians. + +The Winnebagoes in council had promised to use their utmost endeavors to +preserve peace and good order among their young men. They informed their +Father that the bands on the Rock River, with the exception of +Win-no-sheek's, were all determined to remain friendly and keep aloof +from the Sauks. To that end, they were abandoning their villages and +corn-fields and moving north, that their Great Father, the President, +might not feel dissatisfied with them. With regard to Win-no-sheek and +his people, they professed themselves unable to answer. + +Time went on, and brought with it stories of fresh outrages. Among these +were the murders of Auberry, Green, and Force, at Blue Mound, and the +attack on Apple Fort. The tidings of the latter were brought by old +Crély,[53] the father of Mrs. Paquette, who rode express from Galena, +and who averred that he once passed a bush behind which the Sauks were +hiding, but that his horse smelt the sweet-scented grass with which they +always adorn their persons when on a war-party, and set out on such a +gallop that he never stopped until he arrived at the Portage. + +Another bearer of news was a young gentleman named Follett, whose eyes +had become so protruded and set from keeping an anxious look-out for the +enemy, that it was many days after his arrival at a place of safety +before they resumed their accustomed limits and expression. + +Among other rumors which at this time reached us, was one that an attack +upon Fort Winnebago was in contemplation among the Sauks. That this was +in no state of defence the Indians very well knew. All the effective +men had been withdrawn, upon a requisition from General Atkinson, to +join him at his newly-built fort at Kosh-ko-nong. + +Fort Winnebago was not picketed in; there were no defences to the +barracks or officers' quarters, except slight panelled doors and +Venetian blinds--nothing that would long resist the blows of clubs or +hatchets. There was no artillery, and the Commissary's store was without +the bounds of the Fort, under the hill. + +Mr. Kinzie had, from the first, called the attention of the officers to +the insecurity of their position in case of danger, but he generally +received a scoffing answer. + +"Never fear," they would say; "the Sauks are not coming here to attack +us." + +One afternoon we were over on a visit to some ladies in the garrison, +and, several officers being present, the conversation, as usual, turned +upon the present position of affairs. + +"Do you not think it wiser," inquired I of a blustering young officer, +"to be prepared against possible danger?" + +"Not against these fellows," replied he, contemptuously. + +"I do not think I would even take the trouble to fasten the blinds to my +quarters." + +"At least," said I, "if you some night find a tomahawk raised to cleave +your skull, you will have the consolation of remembering that you have +not been one of those foolish fellows who keep on the safe side." + +He seemed a little nettled at this, and still more so when sister +Margaret observed,-- + +"For my part, I am of Governor Cass's opinion. He was at Chicago during +the Winnebago war. We were all preparing to move into the fort on the +first alarm. Some were for being brave and delaying, like our friends +here. 'Come, come,' said the Governor, 'hurry into the fort as fast as +possible--there is no merit in being brave with the Indians. It is the +height of folly to stay and meet danger which you may by prudence +avoid.'" + +In a few days our friends waked up to the conviction that something must +be done at once The first step was to forbid any Winnebago coming within +the garrison, lest they should find out what they had known as well as +ourselves for three months past--namely, the feebleness of the means of +resistance. The next was to send fatigue-parties into the woods, under +the protection of a guard, to cut pickets for inclosing the garrison. + +There was every reason to believe that the enemy were not very far +distant, and that their object in coming north was to break a way into +the Chippewa country, where they would find a place of security among +their friends and allies. The story that our Indian runners brought in +most frequently was, that the Sauks were determined to fall upon the +whites at the Portage and Fort, and massacre all, except the families of +the Agent and Interpreter. + +Plante and Pillon with their families had departed at the first word of +danger. There only remained with us Manaigre, whose wife was a +half-Winnebago, Isidore Morrin, and the blacksmiths from Sugar +Creek--Mâtâ and Turcotte. + +At night we were all regularly armed and our posts assigned us. After +every means had been taken to make the house secure, the orders were +given. Sister Margaret and I, in case of attack, were to mount with the +children to the rooms above, while my husband and his men were to make +good their defence as long as possible against the enemy. Since I had +shown my sportsmanship by bringing down accidentally a blackbird on the +wing, I felt as if I could do some execution with my little pistols, +which were regularly placed beside my pillow at night; and I was fully +resolved to use them, if necessity required. I do not remember to have +felt the slightest compunction at the idea of taking the lives of two +Sauks, as I had no doubt I should do; and this explains to me what I had +before often wondered at, the indifference, namely, of the soldier on +the field of battle to the destruction of human life Had I been called +upon, however, to use my weapons effectually, I should no doubt have +looked back upon it with horror. + +Surrounded as we were by Indian lodges, which seldom became perfectly +quiet, and excited as our nerves had become by all that we were daily in +the habit of hearing, we rarely slept very soundly. One night, after we +had as much as possible composed ourselves, we were startled at a late +hour by a tap upon the window at the head of our bed, and a call of +"Chon! Chon!"[54] (John! John!) + +"Tshah-ko-zhah?" (What is it?) + +It was Hoo-wau-ne-kah, the Little Elk. He spoke rapidly, and in a tone +of great agitation. I could not understand him, and I lay trembling, and +dreading to hear his errand interpreted. Now and then I could +distinguish the words Sau-kee (Sauks) and Shoonk-hat-tay-rah (horse), +and they were not very reassuring. + +The trouble, I soon learned, was this. A fresh trail had been observed +near the Petit Rocher, on the Wisconsin, and the people at the villages +on the Barribault were in a state of great alarm, fearing it might be +the Sauks. There was the appearance of a hundred or more horses having +passed by this trail. Hoo-wau-ne-kah had been dispatched at once to +tell their Father, and to ask his advice. + +After listening to all he had to communicate, his Father told him the +trail was undoubtedly that of General Henry's troops, who were said to +have come north, looking for the enemy; that as the marks of the horses' +hoofs showed them, by this report, to have been shod, that was +sufficient proof that it was not the trail of the Sauks. He thought that +the people at the villages need not feel any uneasiness. + +"Very well, Father," replied Hoo-wau-ne-kah; "I will go back and tell my +people what you say. They will believe you, for you always tell them the +truth. You are not like us Indians, who sometimes deceive each other." +So saying, he returned to his friends, much comforted. + +The completion of the picketing and other defences, together with the +arrival of a detachment of troops from Fort Howard under Lieutenant +Hunter, at our fort, now seemed to render the latter the place of +greatest safety. We therefore regularly, every evening immediately +before dusk, took up our line of march for the opposite side of the +river, and repaired to quarters that had been assigned us within the +garrison, leaving our own house and chattels to the care of the +Frenchmen and our friends the Winnebagoes. + +It was on one of these days that we were sitting at the windows which +looked out over the Portage--indeed, we seldom sat anywhere else, our +almost sole occupation being to look abroad and see what was coming +next--when a loud, long, shrill whoop from a distance gave notice of +something to be heard. "The news-halloo! what could it portend? What +were we about to hear?" By gazing intently towards the farthest +extremity of the road, we could perceive a moving body of horsemen, +which, as they approached, we saw to be Indians. They were in full +costume. Scarlet streamers fluttered at the ends of their lances--their +arms glittered in the sun. Presently, as they drew nearer, their paint +and feathers and brooches became visible. There were fifty or more +warriors. They passed the road which turns to the Fort, and rode +directly up the hill leading to the Agency. Shaw-nee-aw-kee was absent. +The Interpreter had been sent for on the first distant appearance of the +strangers, but had not yet arrived. The party, having ascended the hill, +halted near the blacksmith's shop, but did not dismount. + +Our hearts trembled--it must surely be the enemy. At this moment my +husband appeared from the direction of the Interpreter's house. We +called to entreat him to stop, but he walked along towards the +new-comers. + +To our infinite joy, we saw the chief of the party dismount, and all the +others following his example and approaching to shake hands. + +A space was soon cleared around the leader and my husband, when the +former commenced an oration, flourishing his sword and using much +violent gesticulation. It was the first time I had seen an Indian armed +with that weapon, and I dreaded to perceive it in such hands. Sometimes +he appeared as if he were about to take off the head of his auditor at a +blow; and our hearts sank as we remembered the stratagems at Mackinac +and Detroit in former days. At length the speech was concluded, another +shaking of hands took place, and we saw my husband leading the way to +his storehouse, from which some of his men presently brought tobacco and +pipes and laid them at the feet of the chief. + +Our suspense was soon relieved by being informed that the strangers were +Man-Eater, the principal chief of the Rock River Indians, who had come +with his band to "hold a talk" and bring information. + +These Indians were under the special care of Mr. Henry Gratiot, and his +efforts had been most judicious and unremitting in preserving the good +feeling of this the most dangerous portion of the Winnebagoes. + +The intelligence that Man-Eater, who was a most noble Indian in +appearance and character, brought us, confirmed that already received, +namely, that the Sauks were gradually drawing north, towards the +Portage, although he evidently did not know exactly their whereabouts. + +There was, soon after they had taken leave, an arrival of another party +of Winnebagoes, and these requested permission to dance for their +Father. + +The compliment having been accepted, they assembled, as usual, on the +esplanade in front of the house. My sister, the children, and myself +stationed ourselves at the open windows, according to custom, and my +husband sat on the broad step before the door, which opened from the +outer air directly into the parlor where we were. + +The performance commenced, and as the dancers proceeded, following each +other round and round in the progress of the dance, my sister, Mrs. +Helm, remarked to me, "Look at that small, dark Indian, with the green +boughs on his person--that is _a Sauk!_ They always mark themselves in +this manner with white clay, and ornament themselves with leaves when +they dance!" In truth, I had never seen this costume among our own +Indians, and as I gazed at this one with green chaplets round his head +and his legs, and even his gun wreathed in the same manner, while his +body displayed no paint except the white transverse streaks with which +it was covered, I saw that he was, indeed, a stranger. Without owing +anything to the exaggeration of fear, his countenance was truly +ferocious. + +He held his gun in his hand, and every time the course of the dance +brought him directly in front of where we sat, he would turn his gaze +full upon us, and club his weapon before him with what we interpreted +into an air of defiance. We sat as still as death, for we knew it would +not be wise to exhibit any appearance of fear; but my sister remarked, +in a low tone, "I have always thought that I was to lose my life by the +hands of the Indians. This is the third Indian war I have gone through, +and now, I suppose, it will be the last." + +It was the only time I ever saw her lose her self-possession. She was +always remarkably calm and resolute, but now I could see that she +trembled. Still we sat there--there was a sort of fascination as our +imaginations became more and more excited. Presently some rain-drops +began to fall. The Indians continued their dance for a few minutes +longer, then, with whoopings and shoutings, they rushed simultaneously +towards the house. We fled into my apartment and closed the door, which +my sister at first held fast, but she presently came and seated herself +by me on the bed, for she saw that I could not compose myself. Of all +forms of death, that by the hands of savages is the most difficult to +face calmly; and I fully believed that our hour was come. + +There was no interruption to the dance, which the Indians carried on in +the parlor, leaping and yelling as if they would bring down the roof +over our heads. In vain we tried to persuade my husband and the +children, through a crevice of the door, to come and join us. The +latter, feeling no danger, were too much delighted with the exhibition +to leave it, and the former only came for a moment to reassure me, and +then judged it wisest to return, and manifest his satisfaction at the +compliment by his presence. He made light of our fears, and would not +admit that the object of our suspicions was in fact a Sauk, but only +some young Winnebago, who had, as is sometimes the custom, imitated them +in costume and appearance. + +It may have been "good fun" to him to return to his village and tell how +he frightened "the white squaws." Such a trick would not be unnatural in +a white youth, and perhaps, since human nature is everywhere the same, +it might not be out of the way in an Indian. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +FLEEING FROM THE INDIANS. + + +The danger had now become so imminent that my husband determined to send +his family to Fort Howard, a point which was believed to be far out of +the range of the enemy. It was in vain that I pleaded to be permitted to +remain; he was firm. + +"I must not leave my post," said he, "while there is any danger. My +departure would perhaps be the signal for an immediate alliance of the +Winnebagoes with the Sauks. I am certain that as long as I am here my +presence will act as a restraint upon them. You wish to remain and share +my dangers! Your doing so would expose us both to certain destruction in +case of attack By the aid of my friends in both tribes, I could hope to +preserve my own life if I were alone; but surrounded by my family, that +would be impossible--we should all fall victims together. My duty +plainly is, to send you to a place of safety." + +An opportunity for doing this soon occurred. Paquette, the Interpreter, +who was likewise an agent of the American Fur Company, had occasion to +send a boat-load of furs to Green Bay, on their way to Mackinac. Mr. +Kinzie, having seen it as comfortably fitted up as an open boat of that +description could be, with a tent-cloth fastened on a frame-work of +hoop-poles over the centre and lined with a dark-green blanket, and +having placed on board an abundant store of provisions and other +comforts, committed us to the joint care of my brother Arthur and our +faithful blacksmith, Mâtâ. + +This latter was a tall, gaunt Frenchman, with a freckled face, a +profusion of crisp, sandy hair, and an inveterate propensity to speak +English. His knowledge of the language was somewhat limited, and he +burlesqued it by adding an s to almost every word, and giving out each +phrase with a jerk. + +"Davids," he was wont to say to the little yellow fiddler, after an +evening's frolic at the Interpreter's, "Davids, clear away the tables +and the glasses, and play _fishes-hornspikes."_[55] He was a kind, +affectionate creature, and his devotion to "Monsieur Johns" and "Madame +Johns" knew no bounds. + +Besides these two protectors, three trusty Indians, the chief of whom +was called _Old Smoker_, were engaged to escort our party. The crew of +the boat consisted entirely of French engagés in the service of the Fur +Company. They were six gay-hearted, merry fellows, lightening their +labor with their pipe and their songs, in which latter they would have +esteemed it a great compliment to be joined by the ladies who listened +to them; but our hearts, alas! were now too heavy to participate in +their enjoyment. + +The Fourth of July, the day on which we left our home, was a gloomy one +indeed to those who departed and to the one left behind. Who knew if we +should ever meet again? The experience which some of the circle had had +in Indian warfare was such as to justify the saddest forebodings. There +was not even the consolation of a certainty that this step would secure +our safety. The Sauks might, possibly, be on the other side of us, and +the route we were taking might perhaps, though not probably, carry us +into their very midst. It was no wonder, then, that our leave-taking was +a solemn one--a parting which all felt might be for this world. + +Not _all_, however; for the gay, cheerful Frenchmen laughed and sang and +cracked their jokes, and "assured Monsieur John that they would take +Madame John and Madame Alum safe to the bay, spite of Sauks or wind or +weather." + +Thus we set out on our journey. For many miles the Fort was in sight, as +the course of the river alternately approached and receded from its +walls, and it was not until nearly mid-day that we caught the last +glimpse of our home. + +At the noon-tide meal, or pipe, of the voyageurs, an alarming discovery +was made: no bread had been put on board for the crew! How this +oversight had occurred, no one could tell. One was certain that a large +quantity had been brought from the garrison-bakery for their use that +very morning--another had even seen the sacks of loaves standing in +Paquette's kitchen. Be that as it may, there we were, many miles on our +journey, and with no provisions for the six Frenchmen, except some +salted pork, a few beans, and some onions. A consultation was held in +this emergency. Should they return to the Portage for supplies? The +same danger that made their departure necessary, still existed, and the +utmost dispatch had been enjoined upon them. We found upon examination +that the store of bread and crackers with which our party had been +provided was far-beyond what we could possibly require, and we thought +it would be sufficient to allow of rations to the Frenchmen until we +should reach Powell's, at the Butte des Morts, the day but one +following, where we should undoubtedly be able to procure a fresh +supply. + +This decided on, we proceeded on our journey, always in profound +silence, for a song or a loud laugh was now strictly prohibited until we +should have passed the utmost limits of country where the enemy might +possibly be. We had been warned beforehand that a certain point, where +the low marshy meadows, through which the river had hitherto run, rises +into a more firm and elevated country, was the border of the Menomonee +territory, and the spot where the Sauks, if they had fled north of the +Wisconsin towards the Chippewa country, would be most likely to be +encountered. + +As we received intimation on the forenoon of the second day that we were +drawing near this spot, I must confess that "we held our breath for +awe." + +The three Winnebagoes were in the bow of the boat. Old Smoker, the +chief, squatted upon his feet on the bench of the foremost rowers. We +looked at him. He was gazing intently in the direction of the wooded +point we were approaching. Our eyes followed his, and we saw three +Indians step forward and stand upon the bank. We said in a low voice to +each other, "If they are Sauks, we are lost, for the whole body must be +in that thicket." The boat continued to approach; not a word was spoken; +the dip of the paddle, and perhaps the beating hearts of some, were the +only sounds that broke the stillness. Again we looked at the chief. His +nostrils were dilated--his eyes almost glaring. + +Suddenly, with a bound, he sprang to his feet and uttered his long, +shrill whoop. + +"Hoh! hoh! hoh! Neechee (friend) _Muh-no-mo-nee!_" + +All was now joy and gladness. Every one was forward to shake hands with +the strangers as soon as we could reach them, in token of our +satisfaction that they were Menomonees and not Sauks, of the latter of +whom, by the way, they could give us no intelligence. + +By noon of that day we considered ourselves to be out of the region of +danger. Still, caution was deemed necessary, and when at the mid-day +pipe the boat was pushed ashore under a beautiful overhanging bank, +crowned with a thick wood, the usual vigilance was somewhat relaxed, and +the young people, under the escort of Arthur and Mâtâ, were permitted to +roam about a little, in the vicinity of the boat. + +They soon came back, with the report that the woods were "alive with +pigeons,"--they could almost knock them down with sticks; and earnestly +did they plead to be allowed to shoot at least enough for supper. But +no--the enemy might be nearer than we imagined--the firing of a gun +would betray our whereabouts--it was most prudent to give no notice to +friend or foe. So, very reluctantly, they were compelled to return to +the boat without their game. + +The next morning brought us to Powell's, at the Butte des Morts. Sad +were the faces of the poor Frenchmen at learning that not a loaf of +bread was to be had. Our own store, too, was by this time quite +exhausted. The only substitute we could obtain was a bag of dark +looking, bitter flour. With this provision for our whole party, we were +forced to be contented, and we left the Hillock of the Dead, feeling +that it had been indeed the grave of our hopes. + +By dint of good rowing, our crew soon brought us to the spot where the +river enters that beautiful sheet of water, Winnebago Lake. Though there +was but little wind when we reached the lake, the Frenchmen hoisted +their sail, in hopes to save themselves the labor of rowing across; but +in vain did they whistle, with all the force of their lungs--in vain did +they supplicate _La Vierge_, with a comical mixture of fun and +reverence. As a last resource, it was at length suggested by some one +that their only chance lay in propitiating the goddess of the winds with +an offering of some cast-off garment. + +Application was made all round by Guardapié, the chief spokesman of the +crew. Alas! not one of the poor voyageurs could boast a spare article. A +few old rags were at length rummaged out of the little receptacle of +food, clothing, and dirt in the bow of the boat, and cast into the waves +For a moment all flattered themselves that the experiment had been +successful--the sail fluttered, swelled a little, and then flapped idly +down against the mast. The party were in despair, until, after a +whispered consultation together, Julian and Edwin stepped forward as +messengers of mercy. In a trice they divested themselves of jacket and +vest and made a proffer of their next garment to aid in raising the +wind. + +At first there seemed a doubt in the minds of the boatmen whether they +ought to accept so magnificent an offer; but finding, on giving them a +preparatory shake, that the value of the contribution was less than they +had imagined, they, with many shouts and much laughter, consigned them +to the waves. To the great delight and astonishment of the boys, a +breeze at this moment sprang up, which carried the little vessel +beautifully over the waters for about half the distance to Garlic +Island. By this time the charm was exhausted, nor was it found possible +to renew it by a repetition of similar offerings. All expedients were +tried without success, and, with sundry rather disrespectful reflections +upon the lady whose aid they had invoked, the Frenchmen were compelled +to betake themselves to their oars, until they reached the island. + +Two or three canoes of Winnebagoes arrived at the same moment, and their +owners immediately stepped forward with an offering of some sturgeon +which they had caught in the lake. As this promised to be an agreeable +variety to the noon-tide meal (at least for the Frenchmen), it was +decided to stop and kindle a fire for the purpose of cooking it. We took +advantage of this interval to recommend to the boys a stroll to the +opposite side of the island, where the clear, shallow water and pebbly +beach offered temptation to a refreshing bath. While they availed +themselves of this, under the supervision of Harry, the black boy, we +amused ourselves with gathering the fine red raspberries with which the +island abounded. + +Our enjoyment was cut short, however, by discovering that the whole +place, vines, shrubs, and even, apparently, the earth itself, was +infested with myriads of the wood-tick, a little insect, that, having +fastened to the skin, penetrates into the very flesh, causing a swelling +and irritation exceeding painful, and even dangerous. The alarm was +sounded, to bring the boys back in all haste to the open and more +frequented part of the island. But we soon found we had not left our +tormentors behind. Throughout the day we continued to be sensible of +their proximity. From the effects of their attacks we were not relieved +for several succeeding days; those which had succeeded in burying +themselves in the flesh having to be removed with the point of a +penknife or a large needle. After partaking of our dinner, we stepped on +board our boat, and, the wind having risen, we were carried by the +breeze to the farther verge of the lake, and into the entrance of the +river, or, as it was called, the Winnebago Rapids. + +On the point of land to the right stood a collection of neat bark +wigwams--this was Four-Legs' village. + +It was an exciting and somewhat hazardous passage down the rapids and +over the Grand Chûte, a fall of several feet; but it was safely passed, +and at the approach of evening the boat reached the settlement of the +Waubanakees at the head of the Little Chûte. These are the Stockbridge +or Brothertown Indians, the remains of the old Mohicans, who had, a few +years before, emigrated from Oneida County, in the State of New York, to +a tract granted them by the United States, on the fertile banks of the +Fox River. They had already cleared extensive openings in the forest, +and built some substantial and comfortable houses near the banks of the +river, which were here quite high, and covered for the most part with +gigantic trees. + +It was determined to ask hospitality of these people, to the extent of +borrowing a corner of their fire to boil our tea-kettle, and bake the +short-cake which had been now, for nearly two days, our substitute for +bread. Its manufacture had been a subject of much merriment. The +ingredients, consisting of Powell's black flour, some salt, and a little +butter, were mixed in the tin box which had held our meat. This was then +reversed, and, having been properly cleansed, supplied the place of a +dough-board. The vinegar-bottle served the office of rolling-pin, and a +shallow tin dish formed the appliance for baking. The Waubanakees were +so good as to lend us an iron bake-kettle, and superintend the cooking +of our cake after Harry had carried it up to their dwelling. + +So kind and hospitable did they show themselves, that the crew of the +boat took the resolution of asking a lodging on shore, by way of relief +after their crowded quarters in the boat for the last three nights. +Arthur and Mâtâ soon adopted the same idea, and we were invited to +follow their example, with the assurance that the houses were extremely +neat and orderly. + +We preferred, however, as it was a fine night, and all things were so +comfortably arranged in the boat, to remain on board, keeping Edwin and +Josette with us. + +The boat was tightly moored, for the little Chûte was just below, and if +our craft should break loose in the rapid current, and drift down over +the falls, it would be a very serious matter. As an additional +precaution, one man was left on board to keep all things safe and in +order, and, these arrangements having been made, the others ascended the +bank, and took up their night's lodgings in the Waubanakee cabins. + +It was a beautiful, calm, moonlight night, the air just sufficiently +warm to be agreeable, while the gentle murmur of the rapids and of the +fall, at no great distance, soon lulled our party to repose. How long we +had slumbered we knew not, when we were aroused by a rushing wind. It +bent the poles supporting the awning, snapped them, and, another gust +succeeding, tent and blanket were carried away on the blast down the +stream. The moonlight was gone, but a flash of lightning showed them +sailing away like a spectre in the distance. + +The storm increased in violence. The rain began to pour in torrents, and +the thunder and lightning to succeed each other in fearful rapidity. My +sister sprang to waken the Frenchman. "Get up, Vitelle, quick," cried +she, in French, "run up the bank for Mâtâ and Mr. Arthur--tell them to +come and get us instantly." + +The man made her no reply, but fell upon his knees, invoking the Virgin +most vociferously. + +"Do not wait for the Virgin, but go as quickly as possible. Do you not +see we shall all be killed?" + +"Oh! not for the world, madame, not for the world," said Vitelle, +burying his head in a pack of furs, "would I go up that bank in this +storm." And here he began crying most lustily to all the saints in the +calendar. + +It Was indeed awful. The roaring of the thunder and the flashing of the +lightning around us were like the continued discharge of a park of +artillery. I with some difficulty drew forth my cloak, and enveloped +myself and Josette--sister Margaret did the same with Edwin. + +"Oh I madame," said the poor little girl, her teeth chattering with cold +and fright, "won't we be drowned?" + +"Very well," said my sister to the Frenchman, "you see that Madame John +is at the last agony--if you will not go for help I must, and Monsieur +John must know that you left his wife to perish." + +This was too much for Vitelle. "If I must, I must," said he, and with a +desperate bound he leaped on shore and sped up the hill with might and +main. + +In a few minutes, though it seemed ages to us, a whole posse came flying +down the hill. The incessant lightning made all things appear as in the +glare of day. Mâtâ's curly hair fairly stood on end, and his eyes rolled +with ghastly astonishment at the spectacle. + +"Oh, my God, Madame Johns! what would Monsieur Johns say, to see you +nows?" exclaimed he, as he seized me in his arms and bore me up the +hill. Arthur followed with sister Margaret, and two others with Edwin +and Josette. Nobody carried Vitelle, for he had taken care not to risk +his precious life by venturing again to the boat. + +On arriving at the cabin where Arthur and Mâtâ had been lodged, a fire +was, with some difficulty, kindled, and our trunks having been brought +up from the boat, we were at length able to exchange our drenched +garments, and those of the children, for others more comfortable, after +which we laid ourselves upon the clean but homely bed, and slept until +daylight. + +As it was necessary to ascertain what degree of damage the cargo of furs +had sustained, an early start was proposed. Apparently, the inhabitants +of the cottages had become weary in well-doing, for they declined +preparing breakfast for us, although we assured them they should be well +compensated for their trouble. We, consequently, saw ourselves compelled +to depart with very slender prospects of a morning meal. + +When we reached the boat, what a scene presented itself! Bedclothes, +cloaks, trunks, mess-basket, packs of furs, all bearing the marks of a +complete deluge! The boat ankle-deep in water--literally no place on +board where we could either stand or sit. After some bailing out, and an +attempt at disposing some of the packs of furs which had suffered least +from the flood, so as to form a sort of divan in the centre of the boat, +nothing better seemed to offer than to re-embark, and endure what could +not be cured. + +Our position was not an enviable one. Wherever a foot or hand was +placed, the water gushed up, with a bubbling sound, and, oh! the state +of the bandboxes and work-baskets! Breakfast there was none, for on +examining the mess-basket everything it contained was found mingled in +one undistinguishable mass. Tea, pepper, salt, short-cake, all floating +together--it was a hopeless case. + +But this was not the worst. As the fervid July sun rose higher in the +heavens, the steam which exhaled from every object on board was nearly +suffocating. The boat was old--the packs of skins were old--their +vicinity in a dry day had been anything but agreeable--now it was +intolerable. There was no retreating from it, however; so we encouraged +the children to arm themselves with patience, for the short time that +yet remained of our voyage. + +Seated on our odoriferous couch, beneath the shade of a single umbrella, +to protect our whole party from the scorching sun, we glided wearily +down the stream, through that long, tedious day. As we passed +successively the Kakalin, the Rapids, Dickenson's, the Agency, with what +longing eyes did we gaze at human habitations, where others were +enjoying the shelter of a roof and the comforts of food--and how eagerly +did we count the hours which must elapse before we could reach Port +Howard! + +There were no songs from the poor Frenchmen this day. Music and fasting +do not go well together. At length we stopped at Shanty-town, where the +boat was to be unloaded. All hands fell to work to transfer the cargo to +the warehouse of the Fur Company, which stood near the landing. It was +not a long operation, for all worked heartily. This being accomplished, +the voyageurs, one and all, prepared to take their leave. In vain Mâtâ +stormed and raved--in vain Arthur remonstrated. + +"No," they said, "they had brought the boat and cargo to the +warehouse--that was all of their job." And they turned to go. + +"Guardapié," said I, "do you intend to leave us here?" + +"Bien, madame! it is the place we always stop at." + +"Does Monsieur John pay you for bringing his family down?" + +"Oh, yes, Monsieur John has given us an order on the sutler, at the +Fort down below." + +"To be paid when you deliver us safe at the Fort down below. It seems I +shall be there before you, and I shall arrange that matter. Monsieur +John never dreamed that this would be your conduct." + +The Frenchmen consulted together, and the result was that Guardapié with +two others jumped into the boat, took their oars, and rather sulkily +rowed us the remaining two miles to Fort Howard. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +FORT HOWARD--OUR RETURN HOME. + + +We soon learned that a great panic prevailed at Green Bay on account of +the Sauks. The people seemed to have possessed themselves with the idea +that the enemy would visit this place on their way to Canada to put +themselves under the protection of the British Government. How they were +to get there from this point--whether they were to stop and fabricate +themselves bark canoes for the purpose, or whether they were to charter +one of Mr. Newbery's schooners for the trip, the good people did not +seem fully to have made up their minds. One thing is certain, a portion +of the citizens were nearly frightened to death, and were fully +convinced that there was no safety for them but within the walls of the +old dilapidated fort, from which nearly all the troops had been +withdrawn and sent to Fort Winnebago some time previous. + +Their fears were greatly aggravated by a report, brought by some +traveller, that he had slept at night on the very spot where the Sauks +breakfasted the next morning. Now, as the Sauks were known to be reduced +to very short commons, there was every reason to suppose that if the man +had waited half an hour longer they would have eaten him; so he was +considered to have made a wonderful escape. + +Our immediate friends and acquaintances were far from joining in these +fears. The utter improbability of such a movement was obvious to all who +considered the nature of the country to be traversed, and the efficient +and numerous body of whites by whom they must be opposed on their +entrance into that neighborhood. There were some, however, who could not +be persuaded that there was any security but in flight, and eagerly was +the arrival of the "Mariner" looked for, as the anxiety grew more and +more intense. + +The "Mariner" appeared at last. It was early in the morning. In one hour +from the time of her arrival the fearful news she brought had spread the +whole length of the settlement--"the cholera was in this country! It was +in Detroit--it was among the troops who were on their way to the seat of +war! Whole companies had died of it in the river St. Clair, and the +survivors had been put on shore at Port Gratiot, to save their lives as +best they might!" We were shut in between the savage foe on one hand and +the pestilence on the other! + +To those who had friends at the East the news was most appalling. It +seemed to unman every one who heard it. An officer who had exhibited the +most distinguished prowess in the battle-field, and also in some private +enterprises demanding unequalled courage and daring, was the first to +bring us the news. When he had communicated it, he laid his head +against the window-sill and wept like a child. + +Those who must perforce rejoin friends near and dear, left the Bay in +the "Mariner;" all others considered their present home the safest; and +so it proved, for the dreadful scourge did not visit Green Bay that +season. + +The weather was intensely hot, and the mosquitoes so thick that we did +not pretend to walk on the parade after sunset, unless armed with two +fans, or green branches to keep constantly in motion, in order to +disperse them. This, by the way, was the surest method of attracting +them. We had somehow forgotten the apathetic indifference which had +often excited our wonder in Old Smoker, as we had observed him calmly +sitting and allowing his naked arms and person to become literally +_gray_ with the tormenting insects. Then he would quietly wipe off a +handful, the blood following the movement of the hand over his skin, and +stoically wait for an occasion to repeat the movement. It is said that +the mosquito, if undisturbed until he has taken his fill, leaves a much +less inflamed bite than if brushed away in the midst of his feast. + +By day, the air was at this season filled with what is called the Green +Bay fly, a species of dragon-fly, with which the outer walls of the +houses are at times so covered that their color is hardly +distinguishable. Their existence is very ephemeral, scarcely lasting +more than a day. Their dead bodies are seen adhering to the walls and +windows within, and they fall without in such numbers that after a high +wind has gathered them into rows along the sides of the quarters, one +may walk through them and toss them up with their feet like the dry +leaves in autumn. + +As we walked across the parade, our attention was sometimes called to a +tapping upon the bars of the dungeon in which a criminal was +confined--it was the murderer of Lieutenant Foster. + +It may be remembered that this amiable young officer had been our +travelling companion in our journey from Chicago the preceding year. +Some months after his arrival at Port Howard, he had occasion to order a +soldier of his company, named Doyle, into confinement for intoxication. +The man, a few days afterwards, prevailed on the sergeant of the guard +to escort him to Lieutenant Foster's quarters on the plea that he wished +to speak to him. He ascended the stairs to the young officer's room, +while the sergeant and another soldier remained at the foot, near the +door. + +Doyle entered, and, addressing Lieutenant Foster, said, "Will you please +tell me, lieutenant, what I am confined for?" + +"No, sir," replied the officer; "you know your offence well enough; +return to your place of confinement." + +The man ran down-stairs, wrenched the gun from the sergeant's hand, and, +rushing back, discharged it at the heart of Lieutenant Foster. + +He turned to go to his inner apartment, but exclaiming, "Ah me!" he fell +dead before the entrance. + +Doyle, having been tried by a civil court, was now under sentence, +awaiting his execution. He was a hardened villain, never exhibiting the +slightest compunction for his crime. + +The commanding officer, Major Clark, sent to him one day to inquire if +he wanted anything for his comfort. + +"If the Major pleased," he replied, "he should like to have a light and +a copy of Byron's Works." + +Some fears were entertained that he would contrive to make way with +himself before the day of execution, and, to guard against it, he was +deprived of everything that could furnish him a weapon. His food was +served to him in a wooden bowl, lest a bit of broken crockery might he +used as a means of self destruction. + +One morning he sent a little package to the commanding officer as a +present. It contained a strong rope, fabricated from strips of his +blanket, that he had carefully separated, and with a large stout spike +at the end of it. The message accompanying it was, "He wished Major +Clark to see that if he chose to put an end to himself, he could find +means to do it in spite of him." + +And this hardened frame of mind continued to the last. When he was led +out for execution, in passing beyond the gate, he observed a quantity of +lumber recently collected for the construction of a new Company's +warehouse. + +"Ah, captain, what are you going to build here?" inquired he of Captain +Scott, who attended him. + +"Doyle," replied his captain, "you have but a few moments to live--- you +had better employ your thoughts about something else." + +"It is for that very reason, captain," said he, "that I am inquiring--as +my time is short, I wish to gain all the information I can while it +lasts." + + * * * * * + +We were not suffered to remain long in suspense in regard to the friends +we had left behind. In less than two weeks Old Smoker again made his +appearance. He was the bearer of letters from my husband, informing me +that General Dodge was then with him at Port Winnebago, that Generals +Henry and Alexander were likewise at the Fort, and that as soon as they +had recruited their men and horses, which were pretty well worn out with +scouring the country after Black Hawk, they would march again in pursuit +of him towards the head-waters of the Rock River, where they had every +reason, from information lately brought in by the Winnebagoes, to +believe he would be found. + +As he charged us to lay aside all uneasiness on his account, and +moreover held forth the hope of soon coming or sending for us, our minds +became more tranquil. + +Not long after this, I was told one morning that "_a lady_" wished to +see me at the front door. I obeyed the summons, and, to my surprise, was +greeted by my friend _Madame Four-Legs._ After much demonstration of joy +at seeing me, such as putting her two hands together over her forehead +and then parting them in a waving kind of gesture, laughing, and patting +me on my arms, she drew from her bosom a letter from my husband, of +which she was the bearer. It was to this effect--"Generals Dodge and +Henry left here a few days since, accompanied by Paquette; they met the +Sauks near the Wisconsin, on the 21st. A battle ensued, in which upwards +of fifty of the enemy were killed--our loss was one killed, and eight +wounded. The _citizens_ are well pleased that all this has been +accomplished without any aid from _Old White Beaver._[56] The war must +be near its close, for the militia and regulars together will soon +finish the remaining handful of fugitives." + +The arrival of Lieutenant Hunter, who had obtained leave of absence in +order to escort us, soon put all things in train for our return to Fort +Winnebago. No Mackinac boat was to be had, but in lieu of it a Durham +boat was procured. This is of a description longer and shallower than +the other, with no convenience for rigging up an awning, or shelter of +any kind, over the centre; but its size was better fitted to accommodate +our party, which consisted, besides our own family, of Lieutenant and +Mrs. Hunter, the wife of another officer now stationed at Port +Winnebago, and our cousin, Miss Forsyth. We made up our minds, as will +be supposed, to pretty close quarters. + +Our crew was composed partly of Frenchmen and partly of soldiers, and, +all things being in readiness, we set off one fine bright morning in the +latter part of July. + +Our second day's alternate rowing and poling brought us to the Grande +Chûte early in the afternoon. + +Here, it is the custom to disembark at the foot of the rapids, and, +ascending the high bank, walk around the fall, while the men pull the +boat up through the foaming waters. + +Most of our party had already stepped on shore, when a sudden thought +seized one of the ladies and myself. + +"Let us stay in the boat," said we, "and be pulled up the Chûte." The +rest of the company went on, while we sat and watched with great +interest the preparations the men were making. They were soon overboard +in the water, and, attaching a strong rope to the bow of the boat, all +lent their aid in pulling as they marched slowly along with their heavy +load. The cargo, consisting only of our trunks and stores, which were of +no very considerable weight, had not been removed. + +We went on, now and then getting a tremendous bump against a hidden +rock, and frequently splashed by a shower of foam as the waves roared +and boiled around us. + +The men kept as close as possible to the high, precipitous bank, where +the water was smoothest. At the head of the _cordel_ was a merry +simpleton of a Frenchman, who was constantly turning his head to grin +with delight at our evident enjoyment and excitement. + +We were indeed in high glee. "Is not this charming?" cried one. "I only +wish----" + +The wish, whatever it was, was cut short by a shout and a crash. "Have +a care, Robineau! Mind where you are taking the boat!" was the cry, but +it came too late. More occupied with the ladies than with his duty, the +leader had guided us into the midst of a sharp, projecting tree that +hung from the bank. The first tug ripped out the side of the boat, which +immediately began to fill with water. + +My companion and I jumped upon the nearest rocks that showed their heads +above the foam. Our screams and the shouts of the men brought Lieutenant +Hunter and some Indians, who were above on the bank, dashing down to our +rescue. They carried us in their arms to land, while the men worked +lustily at fishing up the contents of the boat, now thoroughly saturated +with water. + +We scrambled up the high bank, in a miserable plight, to join in the +general lamentation over the probable consequences of the accident. + +"Oh! my husband's new uniform!" cried one, and "Oh! the miniatures in +the bottom of my trunk!" sighed another--while, "Oh! the silk dresses, +and the ribbons, and the finery!" formed the general chorus. + +No one thought of the provisions, although we had observed, in our +progress to shore, the barrel of bread and the tub of ice, which +Lieutenant Hunter had providently brought for our refreshment, sailing +away on the dancing waves. Among the boxes brought to land, and "toted" +up the steep bank, was one containing some loaves of sugar and packages +of tea, which I had bought for our winter's supply from the sutler at +the post. The young Indian who was the bearer of it set it upon the +ground, and soon called my attention to a thick, white stream that was +oozing from the corners. I made signs for him to taste it. He dipped his +finger in it, and exclaimed with delight to his companions, when he +perceived what it was. I then pointed to his hatchet, and motioned him +to open the box. He did not require a second invitation--it was soon +backed to pieces. + +Then, as I beckoned up all the rest of the youngsters who were looking +on, full of wonder, such a scrambling and shouting with delight +succeeded as put us all, particularly the boys, into fits of laughter. +Bowls, dippers, hands, everything that could contain even the smallest +quantity, were put in requisition. The squaws were most active. Those +who could do no better took the stoutest fragments of the blue paper in +which the sugar had been enveloped, and in a trice nothing remained but +the wet, yellow bundles of tea, and the fragments of the splintered box +which had contained it. + +By this time fires had been made, and the articles from the trunks were +soon seen covering every shrub and bush in the vicinity. Fortunately, +the box containing the new uniform had been piled high above the others, +in the centre of the boat, and had received but little damage; but sad +was the condition of the wardrobes in general. + +Not a white article was to be seen. All was mottled; blue, green, red, +and black intermingling in streaks, and dripping from ends and corners. + +To add to the trouble, the rain began to fall, as rain is apt to do, at +an inconvenient moment, and soon the half-dried garments had to be +gathered out of the smoke and huddled away in a most discouraging +condition. + +The tent was pitched, wet as it was, and the blankets, wrung out of the +water, and partially dried, were spread upon the ground for our +accommodation at night. + +A Hamburg cheese, which had been a part of my stores, was voted to me +for a pillow, and, after a supper the best part of which was a portion +of one of the wet loaves which had remained in a barrel too tightly +wedged to drift away, we betook ourselves to our repose. + +The next morning rose hot and sultry. The mosquitoes, which the rain +had kept at bay through the night, now began to make themselves amends, +and to torment us unmercifully. + +After our most uncomfortable and unpalatable breakfast, the first +question for consideration was, what we were to do with ourselves. Our +boat lay submerged at the foot of the hill, half-way up the rapids. The +nearest habitation among the Waubanakees was some miles distant, and +this there was no means of reaching but by an Indian canoe, if some of +our present friends and neighbors would be so obliging as to bring one +for our use. Even then it was doubtful if boats could be found +sufficient to convey all our numerous party back to Green Bay. + +In the midst of these perplexing consultations a whoop was heard from +beyond the hill, which here sloped away to the north, at the head of the +rapids. + +"There is John! that is certainly his voice!" cried more than one of the +company. + +It was, indeed, my husband, and in a moment he was among us. Never was +arrival more opportune, more evidently providential. + +Not having learned our plans (for the unsettled state of the country had +prevented our sending him word), he had come provided with a boat, to +take us back to Fort Winnebago. + +Our drying operations, which we had recommenced this morning, were soon +cut short. Everything was shuffled away in the most expeditious manner +possible, and in an incredibly short time we were transferred to the +other boat, which lay quietly above the Chûte, and were pulling away +towards Winnebago Lake. + +We had resolved to go only so far as the vicinity of the lake, where the +breeze would render the mosquitoes less intolerable, and then to stop +and make one more attempt at drying our clothing. Accordingly, when we +reached a beautiful high bank near the Little Butte, we stopped for that +purpose again, unpacked our trunks, and soon every bush and twig was +fluttering with the spoils of the cruel waves. + +Hardly had we thus disposed of the last rag or ribbon when the tramp of +horses was heard, followed by loud shouts and cheers ringing through the +forest. + +A company of about twenty-five horsemen, with banners flying, veils +fluttering from their hats, and arms glittering in the sun, rode into +our midst, and, amid greetings and roars of laughter, inquired into the +nature and reasons of our singular state of confusion. + +They were Colonel Stambough and Alexander Irwin, of Green Bay, with a +company of young volunteers, and followed by a whooping band of +Menomonees, all bound for the seat of war. We comforted them with the +assurance that the victories were by this time all won and the scalps +taken; but, expressing the hope that there were yet a few laurels to be +earned, they bade us adieu, and rapidly pursued their march. + +We crossed Lake Winnebago by the clear, beautiful light of a summer +moon. The soft air was just enough to swell the sail, and thus save the +men their labor at the oar. + +The witchery of the hour was not, however, sufficient to induce us to +forego our repose after the heat and annoyances of the day--we therefore +disposed ourselves betimes, to be packed away in the centre of the boat. +How it was accomplished no one of the numerous company could tell. If +any accident had occurred to disturb our arrangement, I am sure it would +have been a Chinese puzzle to put us back again in our places. The men +on the outside had much the best of it, and we rather envied those who +were off watch, their ability to snore and change position as the humor +took them. + +We reached Powell's just in time to have gone ashore and prepare our +breakfast had we had wherewithal to prepare it. We had hoped to be able +to procure some supplies here, for hitherto we had been living on the +remains of my husband's ample stock. That was now so nearly exhausted +that when we found the mess-basket could not be replenished at this +place we began to talk of putting ourselves on allowance. + +The wet bread, of which there had remained an ample store, had, as may +be readily imagined, soon fermented under the influence of a July sun. +The tea, too, notwithstanding our careful efforts at drying it on +newspapers and pieces of board, ere long became musty and unfit for use. +There was, literally, nothing left, except the salted meat and a few +crackers, hardly sufficient for the present day. + +The men were therefore urged to make all the speed possible, that we +might reach Gleason's, at Lake Puckaway, in good season on the following +day. + +At evening, when we stopped to take our tea at a beautiful little +opening among the trees, we found our old enemies, the mosquitoes, worse +than ever. It was necessary to put on our cloaks and gloves, and tie our +veils close around our throats, only venturing to introduce a cracker or +a cup of tea under this protection in the most stealthy manner. + +The men rowed well, and brought us to Gleason's about eleven o'clock the +next day. We were greeted with the most enthusiastic demonstrations by +my old friend _La Grosse Américaine,_ who had removed here from +Bellefontaine. + +"Oh, Mrs. Armstrong," cried we, "get us some breakfast--we are +famishing!" + +At that instant who should appear but our faithful Mâtâ, driving the old +calèche in which we were in the habit of making our little excursions in +the neighborhood of the Port. He had ridden over, hoping to meet us, in +the idea that some of us would prefer this method of reaching our home. + +With provident thoughtfulness, he had brought tea, roasted coffee, fresh +butter, eggs, etc., lest we should be short of such luxuries in that +advanced stage of our journey. + +His "Good-morning, Madame Johns! How do you dos?" was a pleasant and +welcome sound. + +We could not wait for our breakfast, but gathered round La Grosse +Américaine like a parcel of children while she cut and spread slices of +bread-and-butter for us. + +After our regular meal was finished, it was decided that sister Margaret +should take Josette, and return with Mâtâ to open the house and make it +ready for our reception. It had been the head-quarters of militia, +Indians, and stragglers of various descriptions during our absence, and +we could easily imagine that a little "misrule and unreason" might have +had sway for that period. + +We had yet seventy-two miles, by the devious winding course of the +river, over first the beautiful waters of Lac de Boeuf, and then through +the low, marshy lands that spread away to the Portage. An attempt was +made on the part of one of the gentlemen to create a little excitement +among the ladies as we approached the spot where it had been supposed +the Sauks might pass on their way to the Chippewa country. + +"Who knows," said he, gravely, "but they may be lurking in this +neighborhood yet? If so, we shall probably have some signal. We must be +on the alert!" + +Some of the ladies began to turn pale and look about them. After an +interval of perfect silence, a low, prolonged whistle was heard. There +was so much agitation, and even actual terror, that the mischievous +author of the trick was obliged to confess at once, and receive a hearty +scolding for the pain he had caused. + +Just before sunset of the second day from Gleason's we reached our home. +Every thing was _radiant_ with neatness and good order. With the +efficient aid of our good Manaigre and his wife, the house had been +whitewashed from the roof to the door-sill, a thorough scrubbing and +cleansing effected, the carpets unpacked and spread upon the floors, the +furniture arranged, and, though last not least, a noble supper smoked +upon the board by the time we had made, once more, a civilized toilet. + +Many of our friends from the Fort were there to greet us, and a more +happy or thankful party has seldom been assembled. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +SURRENDER OF WINNEBAGO PRISONERS. + + +The war was now considered at an end. The news of the battle of the Bad +Axe, where the regulars, the militia, and the steamboat Warrior +combined, had made a final end of the remaining handful of Sauks, had +reached us and restored tranquillity to the hearts and homes of the +frontier settlers. + +It may seem wonderful that an enemy so few in number and so +insignificant in resources could have created such a panic, and +required so vast an amount of opposing force to subdue them. The +difficulty had been simply in never knowing where to find them, either +to attack or guard against them. Probably at the outset every military +man thought and felt like the noble old veteran General Brady. "Give me +two infantry companies mounted," said he, "and I will engage to whip the +Sauks out of the country in one week!" + +True, but to whip the enemy you must first meet him; and in order to +pursue effectually and _catch_ the Indians, a peculiar training is +necessary--a training which, at that day, few, even of the frontier +militia, could boast. + +In some portions of this campaign there was another difficulty,--the +want of concert between the two branches of the service. The regular +troops looked with contempt upon the unprofessional movements of the +militia; the militia railed at the dilatory and useless formalities of +the regulars. Each avowed the conviction that matters could be much +better conducted without the other, and the militia, being prompt to +act, sometimes took matters into their own hands, and brought on defeat +and disgrace, as in the affair of "Stillman's Run." + +The feeling of contempt which the army officers entertained for the +militia, extended itself to their subordinates and dependants. After the +visit of the Ranger officers to Fort Winnebago, before the battle of the +Wisconsin, the officer of the mess where they had been entertained +called up his servant one day to inquire into the sutler's accounts, He +was the same little "Yellow David" who had formerly appertained to +Captain Harney. + +"David," said the young gentleman, "I see three bottles of cologne-water +charged in the month's account of the mess at the sutler's. What does +that mean?" + +"If you please, lieutenant," said David, respectfully, "it was to +sweeten up the dining-room and quarters after them milish' officers were +here visiting." + +Black Hawk and a few of his warriors had escaped to the north, where +they were shortly after captured by the One-eyed Day-kau-ray and his +party, and brought prisoners to General Street at Prairie du Chien. The +women and children of the band had been put in canoes and sent down the +Mississippi, in hopes of being permitted to cross and reach the rest of +that tribe. + +The canoes had been tied together, and many of them were upset, and the +children drowned, their mothers being too weak and exhausted to rescue +them. The survivors were taken prisoners, and, starving and miserable, +were brought to Prairie du Chien. Our mother was at the Port at the time +of their arrival. She described their condition as wretched and reduced +beyond anything she had ever witnessed. One woman who spoke a little +Chippewa gave her an account of the sufferings and hardships they had +endured--it was truly appalling. + +After having eaten such of the horses as could be spared, they had +subsisted on acorns, elm-bark, or even grass. Many had died of +starvation, and their bodies were found lying in their trail by the +pursuing whites. This poor woman had lost her husband in battle, and all +her children by the upsetting of the canoe in which they were, and her +only wish now was, to go and join them. Poor Indians! who can wonder +that they do not love the whites? + +But a very short time had we been quietly at home when a summons came to +my husband to collect the principal chiefs of the Winnebagoes and meet +General Scott and Governor Reynolds at Rock Island, where it was +proposed to bold a treaty for the purchase of all the lands east and +south of the Wisconsin. Messengers were accordingly sent to collect the +principal men, and, accompanied by as many as chose to report +themselves, he set off on his journey. + +He had been gone about two weeks, and I was beginning to count the days +which must elapse before I could reasonably expect his return, when, one +afternoon, I went over to pay a visit to my sister at the Fort. As I +passed into the large hall of one range of quarters, Lieutenant Lacy +came suddenly in from the opposite direction, and, almost without +stopping, cried,-- + +"Bad news, madam! Have you heard it?" + +"No. What is it?" + +"The cholera has broken out at Rock Island, and they are dying by five +hundred a day. Dr. Finley has just arrived with the news." So saying, he +vanished, without stopping to answer a question. + +The cholera at Rock Island, and my husband there! I flew to the other +door of the hall, which looked out upon the parade-ground. A sentinel +was walking near. "Soldier," cried I, "will you run to the young +officers' quarters and ask Dr. Finley to come here for a moment?" + +The man shook his head--he was not allowed to leave his post. + +Presently Mrs. Lacy's servant-girl appeared from a door under the steps. +She was a worthless creature, but where _help_ was so scarce ladies +could not afford to keep a scrupulous tariff of moral qualification. + +"Oh! Catharine," said I, "will you run over and ask Dr. Finley to come +here a moment? I must hear what news he has brought from Rock Island." +She put on a modest look, and said,-- + +"I do not like to go to the young officers' quarters." + +I was indignant at her hypocrisy, but I was also wild with impatience, +when to my great joy Dr. Finley made his appearance. + +"Where is my husband?" cried I. + +"On his way home, madam, safe and sound. He will probably be here +to-morrow." He then gave me an account of the ravages the cholera was +making among the troops, which were indeed severe, although less so than +rumor had at first proclaimed. + +Notwithstanding the doctor's assurance of his safety, my husband was +seized with cholera on his journey. By the kind care of Paquette and the +plentiful use of chicken-broth which the poor woman at whose cabin he +stopped administered to him, he soon recovered, and reached his home in +safety, having taken Prairie du Chien in his route and brought his +mother with him again to her home. + +The Indians had consented to the sale of their beautiful domain. Indeed, +there is no alternative in such cases. If they persist in retaining +them, and become surrounded and hemmed in by the white settlers, their +situation is more deplorable than if they surrendered their homes +altogether. This they are aware of, and therefore, as a general thing, +they give up their lands at the proposal of Government, and only take +care to make the best bargain they can for themselves. In this instance +they were to receive as an equivalent a tract of land[57] extending to +the interior of Iowa, and an additional sum of ten thousand dollars +annually. + +One of the stipulations of the treaty was, the surrender by the +Winnebagoes of certain individuals of their tribe accused of having +participated with the Sauks in some of the murders on the frontier, in +order that they might be tried by our laws, and acquitted or punished as +the case might be. + +Wau-kaun-kah (the Little Snake) voluntarily gave himself as a hostage +until the delivery of the suspected persons. He was accordingly received +by the Agent, and marched over and placed in confinement at the Fort +until the seven accused should appear to redeem him. + +It was a work of some little time on the part of the nation to persuade +these suspected individuals to place themselves in the hands of the +whites, that they might receive justice according to the laws of the +latter. The trial of Red Bird, and his languishing death in prison, were +still fresh in their memories, and it needed a good deal of resolution, +as well as a strong conviction of conscious innocence, to brace them up +to such a step. + +It had to be brought about by arguments and persuasions, for the nation +would never have resorted to force to compel the fulfilment of their +stipulation. + +In the mean time a solemn talk was held with the principal chiefs +assembled at the Agency. A great part of the nation were in the +immediate neighborhood, in obedience to a notice sent by Governor +Porter, who, in virtue of his office of Governor of Michigan Territory, +was also Superintendent of the Northwest Division of the Indians. +Instead of calling upon the Agent to take charge of the annuity money, +as had heretofore been the custom, the Governor had announced his +intention of bringing it himself to Fort Winnebago and being present at +the payment. The time appointed had now arrived, and with it the main +body of the Winnebagoes. + +Such of the Indians as had not attended the treaty at Rock Island and +been instrumental in the cession of their country, were loud in their +condemnation of the step, and their lamentations over it. Foremost among +these was Wild-Cat, the Falstaff of Garlic Island and its vicinity. It +was little wonder that he should shed bitter tears, as he did, over the +loss of his beautiful home on the blue waters of Winnebago Lake. + +"If he had not been accidentally stopped," he said, "on his way to the +treaty, and detained until it was too late, he would never, never have +permitted the bargain." + +His Father, who knew that a desperate frolic, into which Wild-Cat had +been enticed by the way, was the cause of his failing to accompany his +countrymen to Rock Island, replied, gravely,-- + +"That he had heard of the chief's misfortune on this occasion. How that, +in ascending the Fox River, a couple of kegs of _whiskey_ had come +floating down the stream, which, running foul of his canoe with great +force, had injured it to such a degree that he had been obliged to stop +several days at the _Mee-kan,_ to repair damages." + +The shouts of laughter which greeted this explanation were so contagious +that poor Wild-Cat himself was compelled to join in it, and treat his +misfortune as a joke. + +The suspected Indians having engaged the services of Judge Doty to +defend them on their future trial, notice was at length given that on a +certain day they would be brought to the Portage and surrendered to +their Father, to be by him transferred to the keeping of the military +officer appointed to receive them. + +It was joyful news to poor Wau-kaun-kah, that the day of his release was +at hand. Every time that we had been within the walls of the Fort we had +been saluted by a call from him, as he kept his station at the +guard-room window: + +"Do you hear anything of those Indians? When are they coming, that I may +be let out?" + +We had endeavored to lighten his confinement by seeing that he was well +supplied with food, and his Father and Paquette had paid him occasional +visits; but, notwithstanding these attentions and the kindness he had +received at the Fort, his confinement was inexpressibly irksome. + +On the morning of a bright autumnal day the authorities were notified +that the chiefs of the nation would present themselves at the Agency to +deliver the suspected persons as prisoners to the Americans. + +At the hour of ten o'clock, as we looked out over the Portage road, we +could descry a moving concourse of people, in which brilliant color, +glittering arms, and, as they approached still nearer, certain white +objects of unusual appearance could be distinguished. + +General Dodge, Major Plympton, and one or two other officers took their +seats with Mr. Kinzie on the platform in front of the door of our +mansion to receive them, while we stationed ourselves at the window +where we could both see and hear. + +The procession wound up the hill, and approached, marching slowly +towards us. It was a grand and solemn sight. First came some of the +principal chiefs in their most brilliant array. Next, the prisoners, all +habited in white cotton, in token of their innocence, with girdles round +their waists. The music of the drum and the shee-shee-qua accompanied +their death-song, which they were chaunting. They wore no paint, no +ornaments--their countenances were grave and thoughtful. It might well +be a serious moment to them, for they knew but little of the customs of +the whites, and that little was not such as to inspire cheerfulness. +Only their Father's assurance that they should receive strict justice, +would probably have induced them to comply with the engagements of the +nation in this manner. + +The remainder of the procession was made up of a long train of +Winnebagoes, all decked out in their holiday garb. + +The chiefs approached and shook hands with the gentlemen, who stood +ready to receive their greeting. Then the prisoners came forward, and +went through the same salutation with the officers. When they offered +their hands to their Father, he declined. + +"No," said he. "You have come here accused of great crimes--of having +assisted in taking the lives of some of the defenceless settlers. When +you have been tried by the laws of the land, and been proved innocent, +then your Father will give you his hand." + +They looked still more serious at this address, as if they thought it +indicated that their Father, too, believed them guilty, and stepping +back a little, they seated themselves, without speaking, in a row upon +the ground, facing their Father and the officers. The other Indians all +took seats in a circle around them, except the one-eyed chief, +Kau-ray-kau-say-kah (the White Crow), who had been deputed to deliver +the prisoners to the Agent. + +He made a speech in which he set forth that, "although asserting their +innocence of the charges preferred against them, his countrymen were +quite willing to be tried by the laws of white men. He hoped they would +not be detained long, but that the matter would be investigated soon, +and that they would come out of it clear and white." + +In reply he was assured that all things would be conducted fairly and +impartially, exactly as if the accused were white men, and the hope was +added that they would be found to have been good and true citizens, and +peaceful children of their Great Father, the President. + +When this was over, White Crow requested permission to transfer the +medal he had received as a mark of friendship from the President, to his +son, who stood beside him, and who had been chosen by the nation to fill +his place as chief, an office he was desirous of resigning. The +speeches made upon this occasion, as interpreted by Paquette, the modest +demeanor of the young man, and the dignified yet feeling manner of the +father throughout, made the whole ceremony highly impressive; and when +the latter took the medal from his neck and hung it around that of his +son, addressing him a few appropriate words, I think no one could have +witnessed the scene unmoved. + +I had watched the countenances of the prisoners as they sat on the +ground before me, while all these ceremonies were going forward. With +one exception they were open, calm, and expressive of conscious +innocence. Of that one I could not but admit there might be reasonable +doubts. One was remarkably fine-looking--another was a boy of certainly +not more than seventeen, and during the transfer of the medal he looked +from one to the other, and listened to what was uttered by the speakers, +with an air and expression of even childlike interest and satisfaction. + +Our hearts felt sad for them as, the ceremonies finished, they were +conducted by a file of soldiers and committed to the dungeon of the +guard-house until such time as they should be summoned to attend the +court appointed to try their cause. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +ESCAPE OF THE PRISONERS. + + +The Indians did not disperse after the ceremonies of the surrender had +been gone through. They continued still in the vicinity of the Portage, +in the constant expectation of the arrival of the annuity money, which +they had been summoned there to receive. But the time for setting out +on his journey to bring it was postponed by Governor Porter from week to +week. Had he foreseen all the evils this delay was to occasion, he +would, possibly, have been more prompt in fulfilling his appointment. + +Many causes conspired to make an early payment desirable. In the first +place, the Winnebagoes, having been driven from their homes by their +anxiety to avoid all appearance of fraternizing with the Sauks, had made +this year no gardens nor corn-fields They had, therefore, no provisions +on hand, either for present use or for their winter's consumption, +except their scanty supplies of wild rice. While this was disappearing +during their protracted detention at the Portage, they were running the +risk of leaving themselves quite unprovided with food, in case of a bad +hunting-season during the winter and spring. + +In the next place, the rations which the Agent had been accustomed, by +the permission of Government, to deal out occasionally to them, were now +cut off by a scarcity in the Commissary's department. The frequent +levies of the militia during the summer campaign, and the reinforcement +of the garrison by the troops from Port Howard, had drawn so largely on +the stores at this post that there was necessity for the most rigid +economy in the issuing of supplies. + +Foreseeing this state of things, Mr. Kinzie, as soon as the war was at +an end, commissioned Mr. Kercheval, then sutler at Fort Howard, to +procure him a couple of boat-loads of corn, to be distributed among the +Indians. Unfortunately, there was no corn to be obtained from Michigan; +it was necessary to bring it from Ohio, and by the time it at length +reached Green Bay (for in those days business was never done in a hurry) +the navigation of the Fox River had closed, and it was detained there, +to be brought up the following spring. + +As day after day wore on and "the silver" did not make its appearance, +the Indians were advised by their Father to disperse to their +hunting-grounds to procure food, with the promise that they should be +summoned immediately on the arrival of Governor Porter; and this advice +they followed. + +While they had been in our neighborhood, they had more than once asked +permission to dance the _scalp-dance,_ before our door. This is the most +frightful, heart-curdling exhibition that can possibly be imagined. The +scalps are stretched on little hoops, or frames, and carried on the end +of slender poles. These are brandished about in the course of the dance, +with cries, shouts, and furious gestures. The women, who commence as +spectators, becoming excited with the scene and the music which their +own discordant notes help to make more deafening, rush in, seize the +scalps from the hands of the owners, and toss them frantically about, +with the screams and yells of demons. I have seen as many as forty or +fifty scalps figuring in one dance. Upon one occasion one was borne by +an Indian who approached quite near me, and I shuddered as I observed +the long, fair hair, evidently that of a woman. Another Indian had the +skin of a human hand, stretched and prepared with as much care as if it +had been some costly jewel. When these dances occurred, as they +sometimes did, by moonlight, they were peculiarly horrid and revolting. + + * * * * * + +Amid so many events of a painful character there were not wanting +occasionally some that bordered on the ludicrous. + +One evening, while sitting at tea, we were alarmed by the sound of guns +firing in the direction of the Wisconsin. All started up, and prepared, +instinctively, for flight to the garrison. As we left the house we found +the whole bluff and the meadow below in commotion,--Indians running with +their guns and spears across their shoulders to the scene of +alarm--squaws and children standing in front of their lodges and looking +anxiously in the direction of the unusual and unaccountable +sounds--groups of French and half-breeds, like ourselves, fleeing to +gain the bridge and place themselves within the pickets so lately +erected. + +As one company of Indians passed us hurriedly, some weapon carelessly +carried hit one of our party on the side of the head. "Oh!" shrieked +she, "I am killed! an Indian has tomahawked me!" and she was only +reassured by finding she could still run as fast as the best of us. + +When we reached the parade-ground, within the Fort, we could not help +laughing at the grotesque appearance we presented. Some without hats or +shawls--others with packages of valuables hastily secured at the +moment--one with her piece of bread-and-butter in hand, which she had +not had the presence of mind to lay aside when she took to flight. + +The alarm was, in the end, found to have proceeded from a party of +Winnebagoes from one of the Barribault villages, who, being about to +leave their home for a period, were going through the ceremony of +burying the scalps which they and their fathers had taken. + +Like the military funerals among civilized nations, their solemnities +were closed on this occasion by the discharge of several volleys over +the grave of their trophies. + + * * * * * + +At length, about the beginning of November, two months after the time +appointed, Governor Porter, accompanied by Major Forsyth and Mr. +Kercheval, arrived with the annuity money. The Indians were again +assembled, the payment was made, and having supplied themselves with a +larger quantity of ammunition than usual,--for they saw the necessity of +a good hunt to remedy past and present deficiencies,--they set off for +their wintering grounds. + +We were, ourselves, about changing our quarters, to our no small +satisfaction. Notwithstanding the Indian disturbances, the new Agency +House (permission to build which had, after much delay, been accorded by +Government) had been going steadily on, and soon after the departure of +the Governor and his party, we took possession of it. + +We had been settled but a few weeks, when one morning Lieutenant Davies +appeared just as we were sitting down to breakfast, with a face full of +consternation. "_The Indian prisoners had escaped from the black-hole_! +The commanding officer, Colonel Cutler, had sent for Mr. Kinzie to come +over to the Fort and counsel with him what was to be done." + +The prisoners had probably commenced their operations very soon after +being placed in the _black-hole_, a dungeon in the basement of the +guard-house. They observed that their meals were brought regularly, +three times a day, and that in the intervals they were left entirely to +themselves. With their knives they commenced excavating an opening, the +earth from which, as it was withdrawn, they spread about on the floor of +their prison. A blanket was placed over the hole, and one of the company +was always seated upon it, before the regular time for the soldier who +had charge of them to make his appearance. When the periodical visit was +made, the Indians were always observed to be seated, smoking in the most +orderly and quiet manner. There was never anything in their appearance +to excite suspicion. + +The prisoners had never read the memoirs of Baron Trenck, but they had +watched the proceedings of the badgers; so, profiting by their example, +they worked on, shaping the opening spirally, until, in about six weeks, +they came out to the open air beyond the walls of the Fort. + +That they might be as little encumbered as possible in their flight, +they left their blankets behind them, and although it was bitter +December weather, they took to the woods and prairies with only their +calico shirts and leggings for covering. We can readily believe that +hope and exultation kept them comfortably warm until they reached an +asylum among their friends. + +It would be compromising our own reputation as loyal and patriotic +citizens to tell of the secret rejoicing this news occasioned us. + +The question now was, how to get the fugitives back again. The Agent +could promise no more than that he would communicate with the chiefs, +and represent the wishes of the officers that the prisoners should once +more surrender themselves, and thus free those who had had the charge of +them from the imputation of carelessness, which the Government would be +very likely to throw upon them. + +When, according to their custom, many of the chiefs assembled at the +Agency on New-Year's Day, their Father laid the subject before them. + +The Indians replied, that _if they saw the young men_ they would tell +them what the officers would like to have them do. They could, +themselves, do nothing in the matter. They had fulfilled their +engagement by bringing them once and putting them in the hands of the +officers. The Government had had them in its power once and could not +keep them--it must now go and catch them itself. + +The Government, having had some experience the past summer in "catching +Indians," wisely concluded to drop the matter. + +About this time another event occurred which occasioned no small +excitement in our little community. Robineau, the striker from the +blacksmith establishment at Sugar Creek, near the Four Lakes, arrived +one very cold day at the Agency. He had come to procure medical aid for +Mâtâ's eldest daughter, Sophy, who, while sliding on the lake, had +fallen on the ice and been badly hurt. Her father was absent, having +gone to Prairie du Chien to place his youngest daughter at school. Two +or three days had elapsed since the accident had happened; a high fever +had set in, and the poor girl was in a state of great suffering; it had +therefore been thought best to send Robineau to us for advice and aid, +leaving Turcotte and a friendly Indian woman from a neighboring lodge to +take charge of poor Sophy. + +The commanding officer did not think it prudent, when the subject was +laid before him, to permit the surgeon to leave the post, but he very +cheerfully granted leave of absence to Currie, the hospital steward, a +young man who possessed some knowledge of medicine and surgery. + +As it was important that Sophy should have an experienced nurse, we +procured the services of Madame Bellaire, the wife of the Frenchman who +was generally employed as express to Chicago; and, as an aid and +companion, Agathe, a daughter of Day-kau-ray, who lived in Paquette's +family, was added to the party. + +Of Agathe I shall have more to say hereafter. + +The weather was excessively cold when Robineau, Currie, and the two +women set out for Sugar Creek, a distance of about forty miles. We had +provided them with a good store of rice, crackers, tea, and sugar, for +the invalid, all of which, with their provisions for the way, were +packed on the horse Robineau had ridden to the Portage. It was expected +they would reach their place of destination on the second day. + +What, then, was our surprise to see Turcotte make his appearance on the +fourth day after their departure, to inquire why Robineau had not +returned with aid for poor Sophy! There was but one solution of the +mystery. Robineau had guided them as ill as he had guided the boat at +the Grande Chûte the summer before, and, although he could not shipwreck +them, he had undoubtedly lost them in the woods or prairies. One comfort +was, that they could not well starve, for the rice and crackers would +furnish them with several days' provisions, and with Agathe, who must be +accustomed to this kind of life, they could not fail in time of finding +Indians, and being brought back to the Portage. + +Still, day after day went on and we received no tidings of them. +Turcotte returned to Sugar Creek with comforts and prescriptions for +Sophy, and Colonel Cutler sent out a party to hunt for the missing ones, +among whom poor Currie, from his delicate constitution, was the object +of our greatest commiseration. + +As the snow fell and the winds howled, we could employ ourselves about +nothing but walking from window to window, watching, in hopes of seeing +some one appear in the distance. No Indians were at hand whom we could +dispatch upon the search, and by the tenth day we had almost given up in +despair. + +It was then that the joyful news was suddenly brought us, "They are +found! They are at the Fort!" A party of soldiers who had been exploring +had encountered them at Hastings's Woods, twelve miles distant, slowly +and feebly making their way back to the Portage. They knew they were on +the right track, but had hardly strength to pursue it. + +Exhausted with cold and hunger, for their provisions had given out two +days before, they had thought seriously of killing the horse and eating +him. Nothing but Currie's inability to proceed on foot, and the dread of +being compelled to leave him in the woods to perish, had deterred them. + +Agathe had from the first been convinced that they were on the wrong +track, but Robineau, with his usual obstinacy, persevered in keeping it +until it brought them to the Rock River, when he was obliged to +acknowledge his error, and they commenced retracing their steps. + +Agathe, according to the custom of her people, had carried her hatchet +with her, and thus they had always had a fire at night, and boughs to +shelter them from the storms; otherwise they must inevitably have +perished. + +There were two circumstances which aroused in us a stronger feeling even +than that of sympathy. The first was, the miserable Robineau's having +demanded of Currie, first, all his money, and afterwards his watch, as a +condition of his bringing the party back into the right path, which he +averred he knew perfectly well. + +The second was, Bellaire's giving his kind, excellent wife a hearty +flogging "for going off," as he said, "on such a fool's errand." + +The latter culprit was out of our jurisdiction, but Mons. Robineau was +discharged on the spot, and warned that he might think himself happy to +escape a legal process for swindling. + +I am happy to say that Sophy Mâtâ, in whose behalf all these sufferings +had been endured, was quite recovered by the time her father returned +from the Prairie. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +AGATHE--TOMAH. + + +Agathe was the daughter of an Indian who was distinguished by the name +of _Rascal_ Day-kau-ray. Whether he merited the appellation must be +determined hereafter. He was brother to the grand old chief of that +name, but as unlike him as it is possible for those of the same blood to +be. + +The Day-kau-rays were a very handsome family, and this daughter was +remarkable for her fine personal endowments. A tall, well-developed +form, a round, sweet face, and that peculiarly soft, melodious voice +which belongs to the women of her people, would have attracted the +attention of a stranger, while the pensive expression of her countenance +irresistibly drew the hearts of all towards her, and prompted the wish +to know more of her history. As I received it from her friend, Mrs. +Paquette, it was indeed a touching one. + +A young officer at the Fort had seen her, and had set, I will not say +his heart--it may be doubted if he had one--but his mind upon her. He +applied to Paquette to negotiate what he called a marriage with her. I +am sorry to say that Paquette was induced to enter into this scheme. He +knew full well the sin of making false representations to the family of +Agathe, and he knew the misery he was about to bring upon her. + +The poor girl had been betrothed to a young man of her own people, and, +as is generally the case, the attachment on both sides was very strong. +Among these simple people, who have few subjects of thought or +speculation beyond the interests of their daily life, their affections +and their animosities form the warp and woof of their character. All +their feelings are intense, from being concentrated on so few objects. +Family relations, particularly with the women, engross the whole amount +of their sensibilities. + +The marriage connection is a sacred and indissoluble tie. I have read, +in a recent report to the Historical Society of Wisconsin, that, in +former times, a temporary marriage between a white man and a Menomonee +woman was no uncommon occurrence, and that such an arrangement brought +no scandal, I am afraid that if such eases were investigated, a good +deal of deceit and misrepresentation would be found to have been added +to the other sins of the transaction; and that the woman would be found +to have been a victim, instead of a willing participant, in such a +connection. + +At all events, no system of this kind exists among the Winnebagoes. The +strictest sense of female propriety is a distinguishing trait among +them. A woman who transgresses it is said to have "forgotten herself," +and is sure to be cast off and "forgotten" by her friends. + +The marriage proposed between the young officer and the daughter of +Day-kau-ray, was understood as intended to be true and lasting. The +father would not have exposed himself to the contempt of his whole +nation by selling his daughter to become the mistress of any man. The +Day-kau-rays, as I have elsewhere said, were not a little proud of a +remote cross of French blood which mingled with the aboriginal stream in +their veins, and probably in acceding to the proposed connection the +father of Agathe was as much influenced by what he considered the honor +to be derived as by the amount of valuable presents which accompanied +the overtures made to him. + +Be that as it may, the poor girl was torn from her lover, and +transferred from her father's lodge to the quarters of the young +officer. + +There were no ladies in the garrison at that time. Had there been, such +a step would hardly have been ventured. Far away in the wilderness, shut +out from the salutary influences of religious and social cultivation, +what wonder that the moral sense sometimes becomes blinded, and that the +choice is made, "Evil, be thou my good!" + +The first step in wrong was followed by one still more aggravated in +cruelty. The young officer left the post, as he said, on furlough, but +_he never returned_. The news came after a time that he was married, and +when he again joined his regiment it was at another post. + +There was a natural feeling in the strength of the "woe pronounced +against him" by more tongues than one. "He will never," said my +informant, "dare show himself in this country again! Not an Indian who +knows the Day-kau-rays but would take his life if he should meet him!" + +Every tie was broken for poor Agathe but that which bound her to her +infant. She never returned to her father's lodge, for she felt that, +being deserted, she was dishonored. Her sole ambition seemed to be to +bring up her child like those of the whites. She attired it in the +costume of the French children, with a dress of bright calico, and a cap +of the same, trimmed with narrow black lace. It was a fine child, and +the only time I ever saw a smile cross her face was when it was +commended and caressed by some member of our family. + +Even this, her only source of happiness, poor Agathe was called upon to +resign. During our absence at Green Bay, while the Sauks were in the +neighborhood, the child was taken violently ill. The house at +Paquette's, which was the mother's home, was thronged with Indians, and +of course there was much noise and disturbance. My husband had a place +prepared for her under our roof, where she could be more quiet, and +receive the attendance of the post physician. It was all in +vain--nothing could save the little creature's life. The bitter agony of +the mother, as she hung over the only treasure she possessed on earth, +was described to me as truly heart-rending. When compelled to part with +it, it seemed almost more than nature could bear. There were friends, +not of her own nation or color, who strove to comfort her. Did the +father ever send a thought or an inquiry after the fate of his child, or +of the young being whose life he had rendered dark and desolate? We will +hope that he did--that he repented and asked pardon from above for the +evil he had wrought. + +Agathe had been baptized by M. Mazzuchelli. Perhaps she may have +acquired some religious knowledge which could bring her consolation in +her sorrows, and compensate her for the hopes and joys so early blasted. + +She came, some months after the death of her child, in company with +several of the half-breed women of the neighborhood, to pay me a visit +of respect and congratulation on the advent of the _young +Shaw-nee-aw-kee._ When she looked at her "little brother," as he was +called, and took his soft, tiny hand within her own, the tears stood in +her eyes, and she spoke some little words of tenderness, which showed +that her heart was full. I could scarcely refrain from mingling my tears +with hers, as I thought on all the sorrow and desolation that one man's +selfishness had occasioned. + + * * * * * + +Early in February, 1833, my husband and Lieutenant Hunter, in company +with one or two others, set off on a journey to Chicago. That place had +become so much of a town (it contained perhaps fifty inhabitants) that +it was necessary for the proprietors of "Kinzie's Addition" to lay out +lots and open streets through their property. All this was accomplished +during the visit in question. + +While they were upon the ground with a surveyor, the attention of my +husband was drawn towards a very bright-looking boy in Indian costume, +who went hopping along by the side of the assistant that carried the +chain, mimicking him as in the course of his operations he cried, +"Stick!" "stuck!" He inquired who the lad was, and, to his surprise, +learned that he was the brother of the old family servants Victoire, +Genevieve, and Baptiste. Tomah, for that was his name, had never been +arrayed in civilized costume; he was in blanket and leggings, and had +always lived in a wigwam. My husband inquired if he would like to go to +Fort Winnebago with him and learn to be a white boy. The idea pleased +him much, and, his mother having given her sanction to the arrangement, +he was packed in a wagon, with the two gentlemen and their travelling +gear, when they set forth on their return-journey. + +Tomah had been equipped in jacket and trousers, with the other articles +of apparel necessary to his new sphere and character. They were near the +Aux Plaines, and approaching the residence of Glode (Claude) +Laframboise, where Tomah knew he should meet acquaintances. He asked +leave to get out of the wagon and walk a little way. When the gentlemen +next saw him he was in full Pottowattamie costume: although it was +bitter winter weather, he had put on his uncomfortable native garb +rather than show himself to his old friends in a state of +transformation. + +On his arrival at Fort Winnebago, our first care was to furnish him +with a complete wardrobe, which, having been placed in a box in his +sleeping-apartment, was put under his charge. Words cannot express his +delight as the valuable possessions were confided to him. Every spare +moment was devoted to their contemplation. Now and then Tomah would be +missing. He was invariably found seated by the side of his little trunk, +folding and refolding his clothes, laying them now lengthwise, now +crosswise, the happiest of mortals. + +Our next step was to teach him to be useful. Such little offices were +assigned to him at first as might be supposed not altogether new to him, +but we soon observed that when there was anything in the shape of work, +Tomah slipped off to bed, even if it were before he had taken his +supper. Some fish were given him one evening to scale; it was just at +dark; but Tom, according to custom, retired at once to bed. + +The cook came to inquire what was to be done. I was under the necessity +of calling in my husband's aid as interpreter. He sent for Tomah. When +he came into the parlor Mr. Kinzie said to him, in Pottowattamie,-- + +"There are some fish, Tomah, in the kitchen, and we want you to scale +them." + +"Now?" exclaimed Tom, with an expression of amazement. "It is very +late." + +A young lady, Miss Rolette, who was visiting us, and who understood the +language, could not refrain from bursting into a laugh at the simplicity +with which the words were uttered, and we joined her in sympathy, at +which Tom looked a little indignant; but when he understood that it was +the _white custom_ to scale the fish at night, and put salt and pepper +on them, he was soon reconciled to do his duty in the matter. + +His next office was to lay the table. There was a best service of +china, which was only used when we had company, and a best set of +teaspoons, which I kept in the drawer of a bureau in my own room +above-stairs. I Was in the habit of keeping this drawer locked, and +putting the key under a small clock on the mantel-piece. The first time +that I had shown Tomah how to arrange matters for visitors, I had +brought the silver and put it on the table myself. + +Soon after, we were to have company to tea again, and I explained to +Tomah that the best china must be used. What was my surprise, on going +through the dining-room a short time after, to see not only the new +china, but the "company silver" also, on the table! I requested our +mother, who could speak with him, to inquire into the matter. + +Tomah said, very coolly, "He got the silver where it was kept." + +"Did he find the drawer open?" + +"No--he opened it with a key." + +"Was the key in the drawer?" + +"No--it was under that thing on the shelf." + +"How did he know it was kept there?" + +This was what Mr. Tomah declined telling. We could never ascertain +whether he had watched my movements at any time. No one had ever seen +him in that part of the house, and yet scarcely an article could be +mentioned of which Tomah did not know the whereabouts. If any one was +puzzled to find a thing, it was always,-- + +"Ask Tomah--he will tell you." And so in fact he did. + +He was a subject of much amusement to the young officers. We were to +have a tea-party one evening--all the families and young officers from +the Fort. To make Tomah's appearance as professional as possible, we +made him a white apron with long sleeves to put on while he was helping +Mary and Josette to carry round tea--for I must acknowledge that Tomah's +clothes were not kept in as nice order out of the trunk as in it. + +Tom was delighted with his new costume, as well as with the new +employment. He acquitted himself to perfection, for he had never any +difficulty in imitating what he saw another do. After tea we had some +music. As I was standing by the piano, at which one of the ladies was +seated, Lieutenant Vancleve said to me, in a low tone,-- + +"Look behind you a moment." + +I turned. There sat Tom between two of the company, as stately as +possible, with his white apron smoothed down, and his hands clasped +before him, listening to the music, and on the best possible terms with +himself and all around him. Julian and Edwin were hardly able to +restrain their merriment, but they were afraid to do or say anything +that would cause him to move before the company had had a full enjoyment +of the scene. It was voted unanimously that Tomah should be permitted to +remain and enjoy the pleasures of society for one evening; but, with +characteristic restlessness, he got tired as soon as the music was over, +and unceremoniously took his leave of the company. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +CONCLUSION. + + +What we had long anticipated of the sufferings of the Indians began to +manifest itself as the spring drew on. Its extent was first brought to +our knowledge by those who came in little parties begging for food. + +As long as it was possible to issue occasional rations their Father +continued to do so, but the supplies in the Commissary Department were +now so much reduced that Colonel Cutler did not feel justified in +authorizing anything beyond a scanty relief, and this only in extreme +cases. + +We had ourselves throughout the winter used the greatest economy with +our own stores, that we might not exhaust our slender stock of flour and +meal before it could be replenished from "below." We had even purchased +some sour flour which had been condemned by the commissary, and had +contrived, by a plentiful use of saleratus and a due proportion of +potatoes, to make of it a very palatable kind of bread. But as we had +continued to give to party after party, when they would come to us to +represent their famishing condition, the time at length arrived when we +had nothing to give. + +The half-breed families of the neighborhood, who had, like ourselves, +continued to share with the needy as long as their own stock lasted, +were now obliged, of necessity, to refuse further assistance. These +women often came to lament with us over the sad accounts that were +brought from the wintering grounds. It had been a very open winter. The +snow had scarcely been enough at any time to permit the Indians to track +the deer; in fact, all the game had been driven off by the troops and +war-parties scouring the country through the preceding summer. + +We heard of their dying by companies from mere inanition, and lying +stretched in the road to the Portage, whither they were striving to drag +their exhausted frames. Soup made of the bark of the slippery elm, or +stewed acorns, were the only food that many had subsisted on for weeks. + +We had for a long time received our own food by daily rations from the +garrison, for things had got to such a pass that there was no +possibility of obtaining a barrel of flour at a time. After our meals +were finished I always went into the pantry, and collecting carefully +every remaining particle of food set it aside, to be given to some of +the wretched applicants by whom we were constantly thronged. + +One day as I was thus employed, a face appeared at the window with which +I had once been familiar. It was the pretty daughter of the elder +Day-kau-ray. She had formerly visited us often, watching with great +interest our employments--our sewing, our weeding and cultivating the +garden, or our reading. Of the latter, I had many times endeavored to +give her some idea, showing her the plates in the Family Bible, and +doing my best to explain them to her, but of late I had quite lost sight +of her. Now, how changed, how wan she looked! As I addressed her with my +ordinary phrase, "_Tshah-ko-zhah_?" (What is it?) she gave a sigh that +was almost a sob. She did not beg, but her countenance spoke volumes. + +I took my dish and handed it to her, expecting to see her devour the +contents eagerly; but no--she took it, and, making signs that she would +soon return, walked away. When she brought it back, I was almost sure +she had not tasted a morsel herself. + + * * * * * + +Oh! the boats--the boats with the corn! Why did they not come? We both +wrote and sent to hasten them, but, alas! everything and everybody moved +so slowly in those unenterprising times! We could only feel sure that +they would come when they were ready, and not a moment before. + +We were soon obliged to keep both doors and windows fast, to shut out +the sight of misery we could not relieve. If a door were opened for the +admission of a member of the family, some wretched mother would rush in, +grasp the hand of my infant, and, placing that of her famishing child +within it, tell us, pleadingly, that he was imploring "his little +brother" for food. The stoutest man could not have beheld with dry eyes +the heart-rending spectacle which often presented itself. It was in vain +that we screened the lower portion of our windows with curtains. They +would climb up on the outside, and tier upon tier of gaunt, wretched +faces would peer in above, to watch us, and see if indeed we were as ill +provided as we represented ourselves. + +The noble old Day-kau-ray came one day, from the Barribault, to apprise +us of the state of his village. More than forty of his people, he said, +had now been for many days without food, save bark and roots. My husband +accompanied him to the commanding officer to tell his story and +ascertain if any amount of food could be obtained from that quarter. The +result was, the promise of a small allowance of flour, sufficient to +alleviate the cravings of his own family. + +When this was explained to the chief, he turned away. "No," he said, +"if his people could not be relieved, he and his family would starve +with them!" And he refused, for those nearest and dearest to him, the +proffered succor, until all could share alike. + +The announcement, at length, that "the boats were in sight," was a +thrilling and most joyful sound. + +Hundreds of poor creatures were assembled on the bank, watching their +arrival. Oh! how torturing was their slow approach, by the winding +course of the river, through the extended prairie! As the first boat +touched the land, we, who were gazing on the scene with anxiety and +impatience only equalled by that of the sufferers, could scarcely +refrain from laughing, to see old Wild-Cat, who had somewhat fallen off +in his huge amount of flesh, seize "the Washington Woman" in his arms +and hug and dance with her in the ecstasy of his delight. + +Their Father made a sign to them all to fall to work with their +hatchets, which they had long held ready, and in an incredibly short +time barrel after barrel of corn was broken open and emptied, while even +the little children possessed themselves of pans and kettles full, and +hastened to the fires that were blazing around to parch and cook that +which they had seized. + +From this time forward, there was no more destitution. The present +abundance was immediately followed by the arrival of supplies for the +Commissary's Department; and, refreshed and invigorated, our poor +children departed once more to their villages, to make ready their crops +for the ensuing season. + +In the course of the spring, we received a visit from the Rev. Mr. Kent +and Mrs. Kent, of Galena. This event is memorable, as being the first +occasion on which the gospel, according to the Protestant faith, was +preached at Fort Winnebago. The large parlor of the hospital was fitted +up for the service, and gladly did we each say to the other, "Let us go +to the house of the Lord!" + +For nearly three years had we lived here without the blessing of a +public service of praise and thanksgiving. We regarded this commencement +as an omen of better times, and our little "sewing-society" worked with +renewed industry, to raise a fund Which might be available hereafter in +securing the permanent services of a missionary. + + * * * * * + +Not long after this, on a fine spring morning, as we were seated at +breakfast, a party of Indians entered the parlor, and came to the door +of the room where we were. Two of them passed through, and went out upon +a small portico--the third remained standing in the door-way at which he +had at first appeared. He was nearly opposite me, and as I raised my +eyes, spite of his change of dress, and the paint with which he was +covered, I at once recognized him. + +I continued to pour the coffee, and, as I did so, I remarked to my +husband, "The one behind you, with whom you are speaking, is one of the +escaped prisoners." + +Without turning his head, Mr. Kinzie continued to listen to all the +directions they were giving him about the repairing of their guns, +traps, etc., which they wished to leave with the blacksmith. As they +went on, he carelessly turned towards the parlor door, and replied to +the one speaking to him. When he again addressed me, it was to say,-- + +"You are right, but it is no affair of ours. We are none of us to look +so as to give him notice that we suspect anything. They are undoubtedly +innocent, and have suffered enough already." + +Contrary to his usual custom, their Father did not ask their names, but +wrote their directions, which he tied to their different implements, and +then bade them go and deliver them themselves to M. Morrin. + +The rest of our circle were greatly pleased at the young fellow's +audacity, and we quite longed to tell the officers that we could have +caught one of their fugitives for them, if we had had a mind. + + * * * * * + +The time had now come when we began to think seriously of leaving our +pleasant home, and taking up our residence at Detroit, while making +arrangements for a permanent settlement at Chicago. + +This intelligence, when communicated to our Winnebago children, brought +forth great lamentations and demonstrations of regret. From the +surrounding country they came flocking in, to inquire into the truth of +the tidings they had heard, and to petition earnestly that we would +continue to live and die among them. + +Among them all, no one seemed so overwhelmed with affliction as +Elizabeth, our poor _Cut-Nose_. When we first told her of our intention, +she sat for hours in the same spot, wiping away the tears that would +find their way down her cheeks, with the corner of the chintz shawl she +wore pinned across her bosom. + +"No! I never, never, never shall I find such friends again," she would +exclaim. "You will go away, and I shall be left here _all alone_." + +Wild-Cat, too, the fat, jolly Wild-Cat, gave way to the most audible +lamentations. + +"Oh, my little brother," he said to the baby, on the morning of our +departure, when he had insisted on taking him and seating him on his +fat, dirty knee, "you will never come back to see your poor brother +again!" + +And having taken an extra glass on the occasion, he wept like an infant. + +It was with sad hearts that on the morning of the 1st of July, 1888, we +bade adieu to the long cortége which followed us to the boat, now +waiting to convey us to Green Bay, where we were to meet Governor Porter +and Mr. Brush, and proceed, under their escort, to Detroit. + +When they had completed their tender farewells, they turned to accompany +their father across the Portage, on his route to Chicago, and long +after, we could see them winding along the road, and hear their loud +lamentations at a parting which they foresaw would be forever. + + + + +APPENDIX. + + + + +I. + + +As I have given throughout the Narrative of the Sauk War the impressions +we received from our own observation, or from information furnished us +at the time, I think it but justice to Black Hawk and his party to +insert, by way of Appendix, the following account, preserved among the +manuscript records of the late Thomas Forsyth, Esq., of St. Louis, who, +after residing among the Indians many years as a trader, was, until the +year 1830, the Agent of the Sauks and Foxes. The manuscript was written +in 1832, while Black Hawk and his compatriots were in prison at +Jefferson Barracks. + +"The United States troops under the command of Major Stoddard arrived +here[58] and took possession of this country in the month of February, +1804. In the spring of that year, a white person (a man or boy) was +killed in Cuivre Settlement, by a Sauk Indian Some time in the summer +following, a party of United States troops were sent up to the Sauk +village on Rocky Biver, and a demand made of the Sauk chiefs for the +murderer. The Sauk chiefs did not hesitate a moment, but delivered him +up to the commander of the troops, who brought him down and delivered +him over to the civil authority in this place (St. Louis). + +"Some time in the ensuing autumn some Sauk and Fox Indians came to this +place, and had a conversation with General Harrison (then Governor of +Indiana Territory, and acting Governor of this State, then Territory of +Louisiana) on the subject of liberating their relative, then in prison +at this place for the above-mentioned murder. + +"Quash-quame, a Sauk chief, who was the head man of this party, has +repeatedly said, 'Mr. Pierre Chouteau, Sen., came several times to my +camp, offering that if I would sell the lands on the east side of the +Mississippi River, Governor Harrison would liberate my relation (meaning +the Sauk Indian then in prison as above related), to which I at last +agreed, and sold the lands from the mouth of the Illinois River up the +Mississippi River as high as the mouth of Rocky River (now Rock River), +and east to the ridge that divides the waters of the Mississippi and +Illinois Rivers; but I never sold any more lands.' Quash-quame also said +to Governor Edwards, Governor Clarke, and Mr. Auguste Chouteau, +Commissioners appointed to treat with the Chippewas, Ottawas, and +Pottowattamies of Illinois River, in the summer of 1816, for lands on +the west side of Illinois River,-- + +"'You white men may put on paper what you please, but again I tell you, +I never sold any lands higher up the Mississippi than the mouth of Rocky +River.' + +"In the treaty first mentioned, the line commences opposite to the mouth +of Gasconade River, and running in a direct line to the head-waters of +Jefferson[59] River, thence down that river to the Mississippi +River--thence up the Mississippi River to the mouth of the Ouisconsin +River--thence up that river thirty-six miles--thence in a direct line to +a little lake in Fox River of Illinois, down Fox River to Illinois +River, down Illinois River to its mouth--thence down the Mississippi +River to the mouth of Missouri River--thence up that river to the place +of beginning. See treaty dated at St. Louis, 4th November, 1804. + +"The Sauk and Fox nations were never consulted, nor had any hand in this +treaty, nor knew anything about it. It was made and signed by two Sauk +chiefs, one Fox chief and one warrior. + +"When the annuities were delivered to the Sauk and Fox nations of +Indians, according to the treaty above referred to (amounting to $1000 +per annum), the Indians always thought they were presents (as the +annuity for the first twenty years was always paid in goods, sent on +from Georgetown, District of Columbia, and poor articles of merchandise +they were, very often damaged and not suitable for Indians), until I, as +their Agent, convinced them of the contrary, in the summer of 1818. When +the Indians heard that the goods delivered to them were annuities for +land sold by them to the United States, they were astonished, and +refused to accept of the goods, denying that they ever sold the lands as +stated by me, their Agent. The Black Hawk in particular, who was present +at the time, made a great noise about this land, and would never receive +any part of the annuities from that time forward. He always denied the +authority of Quash-quame and others to sell any part of their lands, and +told the Indians not to receive any presents or annuities from any +American--otherwise their lands would be claimed at some future day. + +"As the United States do insist, and retain the lands according to the +treaty of November 4, 1804, why do they not fulfil _their_ part of that +treaty as equity demands? + +"The Sauk and Fox nations are allowed, according to that treaty, 'to +live and hunt on the lands so ceded, as long as the aforesaid lands +belong to the United States.' In the spring of the year 1827, about +twelve or fifteen families of squatters arrived and took possession of +the Sauk village, near the mouth of the Rocky River. They immediately +commenced destroying the Indians' bark boats. Some were burned, others +were torn to pieces, and when the Indians arrived at the village, and +found fault with the destruction of their property, they were beaten and +abused by the squatters. + +"The Indians made complaint to me, as their Agent. I wrote to General +Clarke,[60] stating to him from time to time what happened, and giving a +minute detail of everything that passed between the whites (squatters) +and the Indians. + +"The squatters insisted that the Indians should be removed from their +village, saying that as soon as the land was brought into market they +(the squatters) would buy it all. It became needless for me to show them +the treaty, and the right the Indians had to remain on their lands. They +tried every method to annoy the Indians, by shooting their dogs, +claiming their horses, complaining that the Indians' horses broke into +their corn-fields--selling them whiskey for the most trifling articles, +contrary to the wishes and request of the chiefs, particularly the Black +Hawk, who both solicited and threatened them on the subject, but all to +no purpose. + +"The President directed those lands to be sold at the Land Office, in +Springfield, Illinois. Accordingly, when the time came that they were to +be offered for sale (in the autumn of 1828), there were about twenty +families of squatters at, and in the vicinity of, the old Sauk village, +most of whom attended the sale, and but one of them could purchase a +quarter-section (if we except George Davenport, a trader who resides in +Rocky Island). Therefore, all the land not sold, still belonged to the +United States, and the Indians had still a right, by treaty, to hunt and +live on those lands. This right, however, was not allowed them--they +must move off. + +"In 1830, the principal chiefs, and others of the Sauk and Fox Indians +who resided at the old village, near Rocky River, acquainted me that +they would remove to their village on Ihoway River. These chiefs advised +me to write to General Clarke, Superintendent of Indian Affairs at this +place (St. Louis), to send up a few militia--that the Black Hawk and his +followers would then see that everything was in earnest, and they would +remove to the west side of the Mississippi, to their own lands. + +"The letter, as requested by the chiefs, was written and sent by me to +General Clarke, but he did not think proper to answer it--therefore +everything remained as formerly, and, as a matter of course, the Black +Hawk and his party thought the whole matter of removing from the old +village had blown over. + +"In the spring of 1831, the Black Hawk and his party were augmented by +many Indians from Ihoway River. This augmentation of forces made the +Black Hawk very proud, and he supposed nothing would be done about +removing him and his party. + +"General Gaines visited the Black Hawk and his party this season, with a +force of regulars and militia, and compelled them to remove to the west +side of the Mississippi River, on their own lands. + +"When the Black Hawk and party recrossed to the east side of the +Mississippi River in 1832, they numbered three hundred and sixty-eight +men. They were hampered with many women and children, and had no +intention to make war. When attacked by General Stillman's detachment, +they defended themselves like men; and I would ask, who would not do +so, likewise? Thus the war commenced. + + * * * * * + +"The Indians had been defeated, dispersed, and some of the principal +chiefs are now in prison and in chains, at Jefferson Barracks.... + +"It is very well known, by all who know the Black Hawk, that he has +always been considered a friend to the whites. Often has he taken into +his lodge the wearied white man, given him good food to eat, and a good +blanket to sleep on before the fire. Many a good meal has _the Prophet_ +given to people travelling past his village, and very many stray horses +has he recovered from the Indians and restored to their rightful owners, +without asking any recompense whatever.... + +"What right have we to tell any people, 'You shall not cross the +Mississippi River on any pretext whatever'? When the Sauk and Fox +Indians wish to cross the Mississippi, to visit their relations among +the Pottowattamies of Fox River, Illinois, they are prevented by us, +_because we have the power_!" + +I omit the old gentleman's occasional comments upon the powers that +dictated, and the forces which carried on, the warfare of this unhappy +summer. There is every reason to believe that had his suggestions been +listened to, and had he continued the Agent of the Sauks and Foxes, a +sad record might have been spared,--we should assuredly not have been +called to chronicle the untimely fate of his successor, the unfortunate +M. St. Vrain, who, a comparative stranger to his people, was murdered by +them, in their exasperated fury, at Kellogg's Grove, soon after the +commencement of the campaign. + + + + +II. + + +It seems appropriate to notice in this place the subsequent appearance +before the public of one of the personages casually mentioned in the +foregoing narrative. + +In the autumn of 1864 we saw advertised for exhibition at Wood's Museum, +Chicago, "The most remarkable instance of longevity on record--the +venerable Joseph Crély, born on the 13th of September, 1726, and having +consequently reached, at this date, the age of ONE HUNDRED AND +THIRTY-NINE YEARS!" Sundry particulars followed of his life and history, +and, above all, of his recollections. + +"Well done for old Crély!" said my husband, when he had gone through the +long array. "Come, let us go over to Wood's Museum and renew our +acquaintance with the venerable gentleman." + +I did not need a second invitation, for I was curious to witness the +wonders which the whirligig of time had wrought with our old _employé_. + +We chose an early hour for our visit, that we might pay our respects to +both him and the granddaughter who had him in charge, unembarrassed by +the presence of strangers. + +In a large room on the second floor of the building, among cages of +birds and animals, some stuffed, others still living, we perceived, +seated by a window, a figure clad in bright cashmere dressing-gown and +gay tasselled cap, tranquilly smoking a tah-nee-hoo-rah, or long Indian +pipe. His form was upright, his face florid, and less changed than might +have been expected by the thirty-one years that had elapsed since we had +last seen him. He was alone, and my husband addressed him at first in +English:-- + +"Good-morning, M. Crély. Do you remember me?" + +He shook his head emphatically. "Je ne comprends pas. Je ne me +ressouviens de rien--je suis vieux, vieux--le treize Septembre, mil sept +cent vingt-six, je suis né. Non, non," with a few gentle shakes of the +head, "je ne puis rappeler rien--je suis vieux, vieux."[61] + +My husband changed his inquiries to the patois which Crély could not +feign not to comprehend. + +"Where is your granddaughter? I am acquainted with her, and would like +to speak with her." + +The old man sprang up with the greatest alacrity, and, running to a door +in the wooden partition which cut off a corner of the room and thus +furnished an apartment for the ancient phenomenon, he rapped vigorously, +and called, in accents quite unlike his former feeble, drawling tones,-- + +"Thérèse, Thérèse--il y a icite un monsieur qui voudrait vous voir."[62] + +The granddaughter presently made her appearance. She looked shyly at my +husband from under her brows. + +"Do you know me, Thérèse?" he asked. + +"Yes, sir. It is Mr. Kinzie." + +"And do you know me also?" I said, approaching. She looked at me and +shook her head. + +"No, I do not," she replied. + +"What, Thérèse! Have you forgotten Madame John, who taught you to +read--you and all the little girls at the Portage?" + +"Oh, my heavens, Mrs. Kinzie!--but you have changed so!" + +"Yes, Thérèse, I have grown old in all these years; but I have not grown +old quite so fast as your grandpapa here." + +There was a flash in her eye that told she felt my meaning. She hung +her head without speaking, while the color deepened over her +countenance. + +"Now," said I, in French, to the grandfather, "you remember me--" + +He interrupted me with a protest, "Non, non--je ne puis rappeler +rien--je suis vieux, vieux--le treize Septembre, mil sept cent +vingt-six, je suis né à Detroit." + +"And you recollect," I went on, not heeding his formula, "how I came to +the Portage a bride, and lived in the old cabins that the soldiers had +occupied--" + +"Eh b'an! oui--oui--" + +"And how you helped make the garden for me--and how Plante and Manaigre +finished the new house so nicely while Monsieur John was away for the +silver--and how there was a feast after it was completed--" + +"Ah! oui, oui--pour le sûr." + +"And where are all our people now?" I asked, turning to Thérèse. "Louis +Frum _dit_ Manaigre--is he living?" + +"Oh, Madame Kinzie! You remember that--Manaigre having two names?" + +"Yes, Thérèse--I remember everything connected with those old times at +the Portage. Who among our people there are living?" + +"Only Manaigre is left," she said. + +"Mais, mais, Thérèse," interposed the old man, "Manaigre's daughter +Geneviève is living." It was a comfort to find our visit of such +miraculous benefit to his memory. + +"And the Puans--are any of them left?" I asked. + +"Not more than ten or twelve, I think--" Again her grandfather promptly +contradicted her:-- + +"Mais, mais, je compte b'an qu'il y en a quinze ou seize, Thérèse;" and +he went quite glibly over the names of such of his red friends as still +hovered around their old home in that vicinity. + +He was in the full tide of gay reminiscence, touching upon experiences +and adventures of long ago, and recalling Indian and half-breed +acquaintances of former days, when footsteps approached, and the +entrance of eager, curious visitors suddenly reminded him of his +appointed rôle. It was marvellous how instantaneously he subsided into +the superannuated driveller who was to bear away the bell from Old Parr +and all the Emperor Alexander's far-sought fossils. + +"Je suis vieux, vieux--l'an mil sept cent vingt-six--le treize +Septembre, à Detroit--- je ne puis rappeler rien." + +Not another phrase could "all the King's armies, or all the King's men," +have extorted from him. + +So we left him to the admiring comments of the new-comers. I think it +should be added, in extenuation of what would otherwise seem a gross +imposture, that his granddaughter was really ignorant of Crély's exact +age--that he, being ever a gasconading fellow, was quite ready to +personate that certain Joseph Crély whose name appears on the baptismal +records of the Church in Detroit of the year 1726. He was, moreover, +pleased with the idea of being gaily dressed and going on a tour to see +the world, and doubtless rejoiced, also, in the prospect of relieving +his poor granddaughter of a part of the burden of his maintenance. He +was probably at this time about ninety-five years of age. There are +those that knew him from 1830, who maintain that his age was a few years +less; but I take the estimate of Mr. Kinzie and H.L. Dousman, of Prairie +du Chien, who set him down, in 1864, at about the age I have assigned to +him. + + +THE END. + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: Corn which has been parboiled, shelled from the cob, and +dried in the sun.] + +[Footnote 2: Literally, _crazy oats_. It is the French name for the +Menomonees.] + +[Footnote 3: _Le Forgeron_, or Blacksmith, a Menomonee chief.] + +[Footnote 4: A niece of James Fenimore Cooper.] + +[Footnote 5: Master--or, to use the emphatic Yankee term, _boss_.] + +[Footnote 6: Michaud climbed into a plum-tree, to gather plums. The +branch broke. _Michaud fell_! Where is he? _He is down on the ground_. +No, he is up in the tree.] + +[Footnote 7: The supposed Dauphin of France.] + +[Footnote 8: The site of the town of Nee-nah.] + +[Footnote 9: The bark of the red willow, scraped fine, which is +preferred by the Indians to tobacco.] + +[Footnote 10: General Cass was then Governor of Michigan, and +Superintendent of the Northwestern Indians.] + +[Footnote 11: In the year 1714.] + +[Footnote 12: Father! How do you do?] + +[Footnote 13: Only look! what inventions! what wonders!] + +[Footnote 14: Between two of these lakes is now situated the town of +Madison--the capital of the State of Wisconsin.] + +[Footnote 15: I speak, it will be understood, of things as they existed +a quarter of a century ago.] + +[Footnote 16: It was at this spot that the unfortunate St. Vrain lost +his life, during the Sauk war, in 1832.] + +[Footnote 17: Probably at what is now Oswego. The name of a portion of +the wood is since corrupted into _Specie's Grove_.] + +[Footnote 18: The honey-bee is not known in the perfectly wild countries +of North America. It is ever the pioneer of civilization, and the +Indians call it "_the white man's bird_."] + +[Footnote 19: It was near this spot that the brother of Mr. Hawley, a +Methodist preacher, was killed by the Sauks, in 1832, after having been +tortured by them with the most wanton barbarity.] + +[Footnote 20: Rivière Aux Plaines was the original French designation, +now changed to _Desplaines_, pronounced as in English.] + +[Footnote 21: 1855.] + +[Footnote 22: See Frontispiece.] + +[Footnote 23: Since called N. State Street (1870).] + +[Footnote 24: I can recall a petition that was circulated at the +garrison about this period, for "building a brigg over Michigan City." +By altering the orthography, it was found to mean, not the stupendous +undertaking it would seem to imply, but simply "building a bridge" over +_at_ Michigan City,--an accommodation much needed by travellers at that +day.] + +[Footnote 25: The proper orthography of this word is undoubtedly +_slough_, as it invariably indicates something like that which Christian +fell into in flying from the City of Destruction. I spell it, however, +as it is pronounced.] + +[Footnote 26: A gentleman who visited Chicago at that day, thus speaks +of it: "I passed over the ground from the fort to the Point, on +horseback. I was up to my stirrups in water the whole distance. I would +not have given sixpence an acre for the whole of it."] + +[Footnote 27: See Narrative of the Massacre, p. 159.] + +[Footnote 28: Mr. Cat.] + +[Footnote 29: This Narrative, first published in pamphlet form in 1836, +was transferred, with little variation, to Brown's "History of +Illinois," and to a work called "Western Annals." It was likewise made, +by Major Richardson, the basis of his two tales, "Hardscrabble," and +"Wau-nan-gee."] + +[Footnote 30: Burns's house stood near the spot where the Agency +Building, or "Cobweb Castle," was afterwards erected, at the foot of N. +State Street.] + +[Footnote 31: This is done by cutting the meat in thin slices, placing +it upon a scaffold, and making a fire under it, which dries it and +smokes it at the same time.] + +[Footnote 32: A trading-establishment--now Ypsilanti.] + +[Footnote 33: Captain Wells, when a boy, was stolen, by the Miami +Indians, from the family of Hon. Nathaniel Pope, in Kentucky. Although +recovered by them, he preferred to return and live among his new +friends. He married a Miami woman, and became a chief of the nation. He +was the father of the late Mrs. Judge Wolcott, of Maumee, Ohio.] + +[Footnote 34: The spot now called Bertrand, then known as _Parc aux +Vaches,_ from its having been a favorite "stamping-ground" of the +buffalo which then abounded in the country.] + +[Footnote 35: The exact spot of this encounter was about where 21st +Street crosses Indiana Avenue.] + +[Footnote 36: Along the present State Street.] + +[Footnote 37: Mrs. Holt is believed to be still living, in the State of +Ohio.] + +[Footnote 38: Billy Caldwell was a half-breed, and a chief of the +nation. In his reply, "_I am a Sau-ga-nash_," or Englishman, he designed +to convey, "I am a _white_ man." Had he said, "_I am a Pottowattamie_," +it would have been interpreted to mean, "I belong to my nation, and am +prepared to go all lengths with them."] + +[Footnote 39: Frenchman.] + +[Footnote 40: The Pottowattamie chief, so well known to many of the +citizens of Chicago, now (1870) residing at the Aux Plaines.] + +[Footnote 41: Twenty-two years after this, as I was on a journey to +Chicago in the steamer Uncle Sam, a young woman, hearing my name, +introduced herself to me, and, raising the hair from her forehead, +showed me the mark of the tomahawk which had so nearly been fatal to +her.] + +[Footnote 42: Although this is the name our mother preserved of her +benefactor, it seems evident that this chief was in fact _Corn-Planter_, +a personage well known in the history of the times. There could hardly +have been two such prominent chiefs in the same village.] + +[Footnote 43: From the French--_Tranche_, a deep cut.] + +[Footnote 44: It is a singular fact that all the martins, of which there +were great numbers occupying the little houses constructed for them by +the soldiers, were observed to have disappeared from their homes on the +morning following the embarkation of the troops. After an absence of +five days they returned. They had perhaps taken a fancy to accompany +their old friends, but, finding they were not Mother Carey's chickens, +deemed it most prudent to return and reoccupy their old dwellings.] + +[Footnote 45: It is now known as Dunkley's Grove.] + +[Footnote 46: How the woods talk!] + +[Footnote 47: It will be remembered that these were the arguments used +at a period when the Indians possessed most of the broad lands on the +Upper Mississippi and its tributaries--when they were still allowed some +share of the blessings of life.] + +[Footnote 48: The Indians, in relating a story like this, apologize for +alluding to a revolting subject. "You will think this _unpleasant_," +they say.] + +[Footnote 49: Come in, my daughter.] + +[Footnote 50: The Indians sing these words to an air peculiar to +themselves.] + +[Footnote 51: Three streams or water courses of that region.] + +[Footnote 52: See Appendix.] + +[Footnote 53: As "the venerable Joseph Crély" has become historic from +his claim to have reached the age of one hundred and thirty-nine years, +I will state that at this period (1832) he was a hale, hearty man of +sixty years or less.] + +[Footnote 54: The Indians who had "been at Washington" were very fond of +calling their Father thus. Black Wolf's son would go further, and +vociferate "K'hizzie," to show his familiarity.] + +[Footnote 55: Fisher's Hornpipe.] + +[Footnote 56: General Atkinson.] + +[Footnote 57: A belt of land termed the Neutral Ground of the different +opposing nations.] + +[Footnote 58: St. Louis, Mo.] + +[Footnote 59: There is no such river in this country, therefore this +treaty is null and void--of no effect in law or equity. Such was the +opinion of the late Governor Howard. (T.F.)] + +[Footnote 60: Superintendent of Indian Affairs at St. Louis.] + +[Footnote 61: I do not understand. I remember nothing. I am very, very +old--the thirteenth of September, 1726, I was born. No, no--I can +recollect nothing. I am old, old.] + +[Footnote 62: Thérèse, there is a gentleman here who wishes to see you.] + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Wau-bun, by Juliette Augusta Magill Kinzie + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WAU-BUN *** + +***** This file should be named 12183-8.txt or 12183-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/1/8/12183/ + +Produced by Gene Smethers and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: + https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL + + diff --git a/old/12183-8.zip b/old/12183-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3e05deb --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12183-8.zip diff --git a/old/12183.txt b/old/12183.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..edaa94e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12183.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13173 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Wau-bun, by Juliette Augusta Magill Kinzie + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Wau-bun + The Early Day in the Northwest + +Author: Juliette Augusta Magill Kinzie + +Release Date: April 27, 2004 [EBook #12183] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WAU-BUN *** + + + + +Produced by Gene Smethers and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + + +WAU-BUN, + +THE + +EARLY DAY IN THE NORTHWEST. + +BY + +MRS. JOHN H. KINZIE, + +OF CHICAGO. + + + + +"If we but knew the exact meaning of the word 'WAU-BUN,' +we should be happy."--_Critic_. + +"WAU-BUN--The dawn--the break of day."--_Ojibeway Vocabulary_. + + * * * * * + +PHILADELPHIA + +1873 + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Every work partaking of the nature of an autobiography is supposed to +demand an apology to the public. To refuse such a tribute, would be to +recognize the justice of the charge, so often brought against our +countrymen--of a too great willingness to be made acquainted with the +domestic history and private affairs of their neighbors. + +It is, doubtless, to refute this calumny that we find travellers, for +the most part, modestly offering some such form of explanation as this, +to the reader: "That the matter laid before him was, in the first place, +simply letters to friends, never designed to be submitted to other eyes, +and only brought forward now at the solicitation of wiser judges than +the author himself." + +No such plea can, in the present instance, be offered. The record of +events in which the writer had herself no share, was preserved in +compliance with the suggestion of a revered relative, whose name often +appears in the following pages. "My child," she would say, "write these +things down, as I tell them to you. Hereafter our children, and even +strangers, will feel interested in hearing the story of our early lives +and sufferings." And it is a matter of no small regret and +self-reproach, that much, very much, thus narrated was, through +negligence, or a spirit of procrastination, suffered to pass unrecorded. + +With regard to the pictures of domestic life and experience (preserved, +as will be seen, in journals, letters, and otherwise), it is true their +publication might have been deferred until the writer had passed away +from the scene of action; and such, it was supposed, would have been +their lot--that they would only have been dragged forth hereafter, to +show to a succeeding generation what "The Early Day" of our Western +homes had been. It never entered the anticipations of the most sanguine +that the march of improvement and prosperity would, in less than a +quarter of a century, have so obliterated the traces of "the first +beginning," that a vast and intelligent multitude would be crying out +for information in regard to the early settlement of this portion of our +country, which so few are left to furnish. + +An opinion has been expressed, that a comparison of the present times +with those that are past, would enable our young people, emigrating from +their luxurious homes at "the East," to bear, in a spirit of patience +and contentment, the slight privations and hardships they are at this +day called to meet with. If, in one instance, this should be the case, +the writer may well feel happy to have incurred even the charge of +egotism, in giving thus much of her own history. + +It may be objected that all that is strictly personal, might have been +more modestly put forth under the name of a third person; or that the +events themselves and the scenes might have been described, while those +participating in them might have been kept more in the background. In +the first case, the narrative would have lost its air of truth and +reality--in the second, the experiment would merely have been tried of +dressing up a theatre for representation, and omitting the actors. + +Some who read the following sketches may be inclined to believe that a +residence among our native brethren and an attachment growing out of our +peculiar relation to them, have exaggerated our sympathies, and our +sense of the wrongs they have received at the hands of the whites. This +is not the place to discuss that point. There is a tribunal at which man +shall be judged for that which he has meted out to his fellow-man. + +May our countrymen take heed that their legislation shall never unfit +them to appear "with joy, and not with grief," before that tribunal! + +CHICAGO, July, 1855. + + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER I. + +Departure from Detroit + +CHAPTER II. + +Michilimackinac--American Fur Company--Indian Trade--Mission +School--Point St. Ignace + +CHAPTER III. + +Arrival at Green Bay--Mrs. Arnot--General Root--Political Dispatches--A +Summerset--Shanty-Town--M. Rolette--Indian +Morning Song--Mr. Cadle's Mission--Party at Miss Doty's--Misses +Grignon--Mrs. Baird's Party--Mrs. Beall + +CHAPTER IV. + +Arrangements for Travelling--Fox River--Judge Doty--Judge +Reaume--M. Boilvin--Canadian Voyageurs: their Songs--The +Kakalin--Wish-tay-yun--Rev. Eleazar Williams--Passage through +the Rapids--Grande Chute--Krissman + +CHAPTER V. + +Beautiful Encampment--Winnebago Lake--Miss Four-Legs--Garlic +Island--Wild Rice + +CHAPTER VI. + +Breakfast at Betty More's--Judge Law--Fastidiousness; what +came of it + +CHAPTER VII. + +Butte des Morts--French Cognomens--Serpentine Course of Fox +River--Lake Puckaway--Lac de Boeuf--Fort Winnebago. + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Major and Mrs. Twiggs--A Davis--An Indian Funeral--Conjugal +Affliction--Indian Chiefs; Talk-English--The Wild-Cat--The +Dandy + +CHAPTER IX. + +Housekeeping--The First Dinner + +CHAPTER X. + +Indian Payment--Pawnee Blanc--The Washington Woman--Raising +Funds + +CHAPTER XI. + +Louisa--Garrison Life--Dr. Newhall--Affliction--Domestic +Accommodations--Ephraim--New-Year's Day--Native Custom--Day-kau-ray's +Views of Education--Captain Harney's Mince-Pie + +CHAPTER XII. + +Lizzie Twiggs--Preparation for a Journey--The Regimental Tailor + +CHAPTER XIII. + +eparture from Fort Winnebago--Duck Creek--Upset in a +Canoe--Pillon--Encamping in Winter--Four Lakes--Indian +Encampment--Blue Mound--Morrison's--A Tennessee Woman + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Rev. Mr. Kent--Losing One's Way--A Tent Blown Down--Discovery +of a Fence--Hamilton's Diggings--Frontier Housekeeping--Wm. +S. Hamilton--A Miner--Hard Riding--Kellogg's Grove + +CHAPTER XV. + +Rock River--- Dixon's--John Ogie--Missing the Trail--Hours of +Trouble--Famine in the Camp--Relief + +CHAPTER XVI. + +A Pottowattamie Lodge--A Tempest--Piche's--Hawley's--The Du +Page--Mr. Dogherty--The Aux Plaines--Mrs. Lawton--Wolf +Point--Chicago + +CHAPTER XVII. + +Fort Dearborn--Chicago in 1831--First Settlement of Chicago--John +Kinzie, Sen.---Fate of George Forsyth--Trading Posts--Canadian +Voyageurs--M. St. Jean--Louis la Liberte + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +Massacre at Chicago + +CHAPTER XIX. + +Massacre, continued--Mrs. Helm--Ensign Ronan--Captain +Wells--Mrs. Holt--Mrs. Heald--The Sau-ga-nash--Sergeant Griffith--Mrs. +Burns--Black Partridge and Mrs. Lee--Nau-non-gee and Sergeant +Hays + +CHAPTER XX. + +Treatment of American Prisoners by the British--Captivity of Mr. +Kinzie--Battle on Lake Erie--Cruelty of General Proctor's +Troops--General Harrison--Rebuilding of Fort Dearborn--Red Bird--A +Humorous Incident--Cession of the Territory around Chicago + +CHAPTER XXI. + +Severe Spring Weather--Pistol-Firing--Milk Punch--A Sermon--Pre-emption +to "Kinzie's Addition"--Liberal Sentiments + +CHAPTER XXII. + +The Captives + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +Colonel McKillip--Second-Sight--Ball at Hickory Creek--Arrival +of the "Napoleon"--Troubles of Embarkation + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +Departure for Port Winnebago--A Frightened Indian--Encampment +at Dunkley's Grove--Horses Lost--Getting Mired--An Ague +cured by a Rattlesnake--Crystal Lake--Story of the Little Rail + +CHAPTER XXV. + +Return Journey, continued--Soldiers' Encampment--Big-Foot Lake--Village +of Maunk-suck--A Young Gallant--Climbing--Mountain-Passes--Turtle +Creek--Kosh-ko-nong--Crossing a Marsh--Twenty-Mile Prairie--Hastings's +Woods--Duck Creek--Brunet--Home + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +The Agency--The Blacksmith's House--Building a Kitchen--Four-Legs, the +Dandy--Indian Views of Civilization--Efforts of M. +Mazzuchelli--Charlotte + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +The Cut-Nose--The Fawn--Visit of White Crow--Parting with +Friends--Krissman--Louisa again--The Sunday-School + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +Plante--Removal--Domestic Inconveniences--Indian Presents--Grandmother +Day-kau-ray--Indian Customs--Indian Dances--The Medicine-Dance--Indian +Graves--Old Boilvin's Wake + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +Indian Tales--Story of the Red Fox + +CHAPTER XXX. + +Story of Shee-shee-banze + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +Visit to Green Bay--Disappointment--Return Journey--Knaggs's--Blind +Indian--Ma-zhee-gaw-gaw Swamp--Bellefontaine + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +Commencement of the Sauk War--Winnebago +Council--Crely--Follett--Bravery--The Little Elk--An +Alarm--Man-Eater and his +Party--An Exciting Dance + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +Fleeing from the Enemy--Mata--Old Smoker--Meeting with +Menomonees--Raising the Wind--Garlic Island--Winnebago Rapids--The +Waubanakees--Thunder-Storm--Vitelle--Guardapie--Fort Howard + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +Panic at Green Bay--Tidings of Cholera--Green Bay Flies--Doyle, +the Murderer--Death of Lieutenant Foster--A Hardened Criminal--Good +News from the Seat of War--Departure for Home--Shipwreck +at the Grand Chute--A Wet Encampment--An Unexpected +Arrival--Reinforcement of Volunteers--La Grosse Americaine--Arrival +at Home + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +Conclusion of the War--Treaty at Rock Island--Cholera among the +Troops--Wau-kaun-kah--Wild-Cat's Frolic at the Mee-kan--Surrender +of the Winnebago Prisoners + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +Delay in the Annual Payment--Scalp-Dances--Groundless Alarm--Arrival +of Governor Porter--Payment--Escape of the Prisoners--Neighbors +Lost--Reappearance--Robineau--Bellaire + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +Agathe--"Kinzie's Addition"--Tomah--Indian Acuteness--Indian +Simplicity + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +Famine--Day-kau-ray's Daughter--Noble Resolution of a Chief--Bread +for the Hungry--Rev. Mr. Kent--An Escaped Prisoner--The +Cut-Nose again--Leave-taking with our Red Children--Departure +from Fort Winnebago + +APPENDIX + + + +THE "EARLY DAY" IN THE NORTHWEST. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +DEPARTURE FROM DETROIT. + + +It was on a dark, rainy evening in the month of September, 1830, that we +went on board the steamer "Henry Clay," to take passage for Green Bay. +All our friends in Detroit had congratulated us upon our good fortune in +being spared the voyage in one of the little schooners which at this +time afforded the ordinary means of communication with the few and +distant settlements on Lakes Huron and Michigan. + +Each one had some experience to relate of his own or Of his friends' +mischances in these precarious journeys--long detentions on the St. +Clair flats--furious head-winds off Thunder Bay, or interminable Calms +at Mackinac or the Manitous. That which most enhanced our sense of +peculiar good luck, was the true story of one of our relatives having +left Detroit in the month of June and reached Chicago in the September +following, having been actually three months in performing what is +sometimes accomplished by even a sail-vessel in four days. + +But the certainty of encountering similar misadventures would have +weighed little with me. I was now to visit, nay, more, to become a +resident of that land which had, for long years, been to me a region of +romance. Since the time when, as a child, my highest delight had been in +the letters of a dear relative, describing to me his home and mode of +life in the "Indian country," and still later, in his felicitous +narration of a tour with General Cass, in 1820, to the sources of the +Mississippi--nay, even earlier, in the days when I stood at my teacher's +knee, and spelled out the long word Mich-i-li-mack-i-nac, that distant +land, with its vast lakes, its boundless prairies, and its mighty +forests, had possessed a wonderful charm for my imagination. Now I was +to see it!--it was to be my home! + +Our ride to the quay, through the dark by-ways, in a cart, the only +vehicle which at that day could navigate the muddy, unpaved streets of +Detroit, was a theme for much merriment, and not less so, our descent of +the narrow, perpendicular stair-way by which we reached the little +apartment called the Ladies' Cabin. We were highly delighted with the +accommodations, which, by comparison, seemed the very climax of comfort +and convenience; more especially as the occupants of the cabin +consisted, beside myself, of but a lady and two little girls. + +Nothing could exceed the pleasantness of our trip for the first +twenty-four hours. There were some officers, old friends, among the +passengers. We had plenty of books. The gentlemen read aloud +occasionally, admired the solitary magnificence of the scenery around +us, the primeval woods, or the vast expanse of water unenlivened by a +single sail, and then betook themselves to their cigar, or their game of +euchre, to while away the hours. + +For a time the passage over Thunder Bay was delightful, but, alas! it +was not destined, in our favor, to belie its name. A storm came on, fast +and furious--what was worse, it was of long duration. The pitching and +rolling of the little boat, the closeness, and even the sea-sickness, we +bore as became us. They were what we had expected, and were prepared +for. But a new feature of discomfort appeared, which almost upset our +philosophy. + +The rain, which fell in torrents, soon made its way through every seam +and pore of deck or moulding. Down the stair-way, through the joints and +crevices, it came, saturating first the carpet, then the bedding, until, +finally, we were completely driven, "by stress of weather," into the +Gentlemen's Cabin. Way was made for us very gallantly, and every +provision resorted to for our comfort, and we were congratulating +ourselves on having found a haven in our distress, when, lo! the seams +above opened, and down upon our devoted heads poured such a flood, that +even umbrellas were an insufficient protection. There was nothing left +for the ladies and children but to betake ourselves to the berths, +which, in this apartment, fortunately remained dry; and here we +continued ensconced the livelong day. Our dinner was served up to us on +our pillows. The gentlemen chose the dryest spots, raised their +umbrellas, and sat under them, telling amusing anecdotes, and saying +funny things to cheer us, until the rain ceased, and at nine o'clock in +the evening we were gladdened by the intelligence that we had reached +the pier at Mackinac. + +We were received with the most affectionate cordiality by Mr. and Mrs. +Robert Stuart, at whose hospitable mansion we had been for some days +expected. + +The repose and comfort of an asylum like this, can be best appreciated +by those who have reached it after a tossing and drenching such as ours +had been. A bright, warm fire, and countenances beaming with kindest +interest, dispelled all sensations of fatigue or annoyance. + +After a season of pleasant conversation, the servants were assembled, +the chapter of God's word was solemnly read, the hymn chanted, the +prayer of praise and thanksgiving offered, and we were conducted to our +place of repose. + +It is not my purpose here to attempt a portrait of those noble friends +whom I thus met for the first time. To an abler pen than mine should be +assigned the honor of writing the biography of Robert Stuart. All who +have enjoyed the happiness of his acquaintance, or, still more, a +sojourn under his hospitable roof, will carry with them to their latest +hour the impression of his noble bearing, his genial humor, his untiring +benevolence, his upright, uncompromising adherence to principle, his +ardent philanthropy, his noble disinterestedness. Irving in his +"Astoria," and Franchere in his "Narrative," give many striking traits +of his early character, together with events of his history of a +thrilling and romantic interest, but both have left the most valuable +portion unsaid, his after-life, namely, as a Christian gentleman. + +Of his beloved partner, who still survives him, mourning on her bereaved +and solitary pilgrimage, yet cheered by the recollection of her long and +useful course as a "Mother in Israel," we will say no more than to offer +the incense of loving hearts, and prayers for the best blessings from +her Father in heaven. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +MICHILIMACKINAC. + + +Michilimackinac! that gem of the Lakes! How bright and beautiful it +looked as we walked abroad on the following morning! The rain had passed +away, but had left all things glittering in the light of the sun as it +rose up over the waters of Lake Huron, far away to the east. Before us +was the lovely bay, scarcely yet tranquil after the storm, but dotted +with canoes and the boats of the fishermen already getting out their +nets for the trout and whitefish, those treasures of the deep. Along the +beach were scattered the wigwams or lodges of the Ottawas who had come +to the island to trade. The inmates came forth to gaze upon us. A shout +of welcome was sent forth, as they recognized _Shaw-nee-aw-kee,_ who, +from a seven years' residence among them, was well known to each +individual. + +A shake of the hand, and an emphatic "_Bon-jour_--_bon-jour_," is the +customary salutation between the Indian and the white man. + +"Do the Indians speak French?" I inquired of my husband. + +"No; this is a fashion they have learned of the French traders during +many years of intercourse." + +Not less hearty was the greeting of each Canadian _engage_, as he +trotted forward to pay his respects to "Monsieur John," and to utter a +long string of felicitations, in a most incomprehensible _patois_. I was +forced to take for granted all the good wishes showered upon "Madame +John," of which I could comprehend nothing but the hope that I should +be happy and contented in my "_vie sauvage_." + +The object of our early walk was to visit the Mission-house and school +which had been some few years previously established at this place by +the Presbyterian Board of Missions. It was an object of especial +interest to Mr. and Mrs. Stuart, and its flourishing condition at this +period, and the prospects of extensive future usefulness it held out, +might well gladden their philanthropic hearts. They had lived many years +on the island, and had witnessed its transformation, through God's +blessing on Christian efforts, from a worldly, dissipated community to +one of which it might almost be said, "Religion was every man's +business." This mission establishment was the beloved child and the +common centre of interest of the few Protestant families clustered +around it. Through the zeal and good management of Mr. and Mrs. Ferry, +and the fostering encouragement of the congregation, the school was in +great repute, and it was pleasant to observe the effect of mental and +religious culture in subduing the mischievous, tricky propensities of +the half-breed, and rousing the stolid apathy of the genuine Indian. + +These were the palmy days of Mackinac. As the head-quarters of the +American Fur Company, and the entrepot of the whole Northwest, all the +trade in supplies and goods on the one hand, and in furs and products of +the Indian country on the other, was in the hands of the parent +establishment or its numerous outposts scattered along Lakes Superior +and Michigan, the Mississippi, or through still more distant regions. + +Probably few are ignorant of the fact, that all the Indian tribes, with +the exception of the Miamis and the Wyandots, had, since the transfer of +the old French possessions to the British Crown, maintained a firm +alliance with the latter. The independence achieved by the United +States did not alter the policy of the natives, nor did our Government +succeed in winning or purchasing their friendship. Great Britain, it is +true, bid high to retain them. Every year the leading men of the +Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottowattamies, Menomonees, Winnebagoes, Sauks, and +Foxes, and even still more remote tribes, journeyed from their distant +homes to Fort Malden in Upper Canada, to receive their annual amount of +presents from their Great Father across the water. It was a +master-policy thus to keep them in pay, and had enabled those who +practised it to do fearful execution through the aid of such allies in +the last war between the two countries. + +The presents they thus received were of considerable value, consisting +of blankets, broadcloths or _strouding_, calicoes, guns, kettles, traps, +silver-works (comprising arm-bands, bracelets, brooches; and ear-bobs), +looking-glasses, combs, and various other trinkets distributed with no +niggardly hand. + +The magazines and store-houses of the Fur Company at Mackinac were the +resort of all the upper tribes for the sale of their commodities, and +the purchase of all such articles as they had need of, including those +above enumerated, and also ammunition, which, as well as money and +liquor, their British friends very commendably omitted to furnish them. + +Besides their furs, various in kind and often of great value--beaver, +otter, marten, mink, silver-gray and red fox, wolf, bear, and wild-cat, +musk-rat, and smoked deer-skins--the Indians brought for trade +maple-sugar in abundance, considerable quantities of both Indian corn +and _petit-ble_,[1] beans and the _folles avoines_,[2] or wild rice; +while the squaws added to their quota of merchandise a contribution in +the form of moccasins, hunting-pouches, mococks, or little boxes of +birch-bark embroidered with porcupine-quills and filled with +maple-sugar, mats of a neat and durable fabric, and toy-models of Indian +cradles, snow-shoes, canoes, etc., etc. + +It was no unusual thing, at this period, to see a hundred or more canoes +of Indians at once approaching the island, laden with their articles of +traffic; and if to these we add the squadrons of large Mackinac boats +constantly arriving from the outposts, with the furs, peltries, and +buffalo-robes collected by the distant traders, some idea may be formed +of the extensive operations and important position of the American Fur +Company, as well as of the vast circle of human beings either +immediately or remotely connected with it. + +It is no wonder that the philanthropic mind, surveying these, races of +uncultivated heathen, should stretch forward to the time when, through +an unwearied devotion of the white man's energies, and an untiring +sacrifice of self and fortune, his red brethren might rise in the scale +of social civilization--when Education and Christianity should go hand +in hand, to make "the wilderness blossom as the rose." + +Little did the noble souls at that day rejoicing in the success of their +labors at Mackinac, anticipate that in less than a quarter of a century +there would remain of all these numerous tribes but a few scattered +bands, squalid, degraded, with scarce a vestige remaining of their +former lofty character--their lands cajoled or wrested from them, the +graves of their fathers turned up by the ploughshare--themselves chased +farther and farther towards the setting sun, until they were literally +grudged a resting-place on the face of the earth! + +Our visit to the Mission-school was of short duration, for the Henry +Clay was to leave at two o'clock, and in the mean time we were to see +what we could of the village and its environs, and after that dine with +Mr. Mitchell, an old friend of my husband. As we walked leisurely along +over the white, gravelly road, many of the residences of the old +inhabitants were pointed out to me. There was the dwelling of Madame +Laframboise, an Ottawa woman, whose husband had taught her to read and +write, and who had ever after continued to use the knowledge she had +acquired for the instruction and improvement of the youth among her own +people. It was her custom to receive a class of young pupils daily at +her house, that she might give them lessons in the branches mentioned, +and also in the principles of the Roman Catholic religion, to which she +was deeply devoted. She was a woman of a vast deal of energy and +enterprise--of a tall and commanding figure, and most dignified +deportment. After the death of her husband, who was killed while away at +his trading-post by a Winnebago named _White Ox_, she was accustomed to +visit herself the trading-posts, superintend the clerks and engages, and +satisfy herself that the business was carried on in a regular and +profitable manner. + +The Agency-house, with its unusual luxuries of piazza and gardens, was +situated at the foot of the hill on which the fort was built. It was a +lovely spot, notwithstanding the stunted and dwarfish appearance of all +cultivated vegetation in this cold northern latitude. + +The collection of rickety, primitive-looking buildings, occupied by the +officials of the Fur Company, reflected no great credit on the +architectural skill of my husband, who had superintended their +construction, he told me, when little more than a boy. + +There were, besides these, the residences of the Dousmans, the Abbotts, +the Biddles, the Drews, and the Lashleys, stretching away along the +base of the beautiful hill, crowned with the white walls and buildings +of the fort, the ascent to which was so steep that on the precipitous +face nearest the beach staircases were built by which to mount from +below. + +My head ached intensely, the effect of the motion of the boat on the +previous day, but I did not like to give up to it; so, after I had been +shown all that could be seen of the little settlement in the short time +allowed us, we repaired to Mr. Mitchell's. + +We were received by Mrs. M., an extremely pretty, delicate woman, part +French and part Sioux, whose early life had been passed at Prairie du +Chien, on the Mississippi. She had been a great belle among the young +officers at Fort Crawford; so much so, indeed, that the suicide of the +post-surgeon was attributed to an unsuccessful attachment he had +conceived for her. I was greatly struck with her soft and gentle +manners, and the musical intonation of her voice, which I soon learned +was a distinguishing peculiarity of those women in whom are united the +French and native blood. + +A lady, then upon a visit to the Mission, was of the company. She +insisted on my lying down upon the sofa, and ministered most kindly to +my suffering head. As she sat by my side, and expatiated upon the new +sphere opening before me, she inquired: + +"Do you not realize very strongly the entire deprivation of religious +privileges you will be obliged to suffer in your distant home?" + +"The deprivation," said I, "will doubtless be great, but not _entire_; +for I shall have my Prayer-Book, and, though destitute of a church, we +need not be without a _mode_ of worship." + +How often afterwards, when cheered by the consolations of that precious +book in the midst of the lonely wilderness, did I remember this +conversation, and bless God that I could never, while retaining it, be +without "religious privileges." + +We had not yet left the dinner-table, when the bell of the little +steamer sounded to summon us on board, and we bade a hurried farewell to +all our kind friends, bearing with us their hearty wishes for a safe and +prosperous voyage. + +A finer sight can scarcely be imagined than Mackinac, from the water. As +we steamed away from the shore, the view came full upon us--the sloping +beach with the scattered wigwams, and canoes drawn up here and +there--the irregular, quaint-looking houses--the white walls of the +fort, and, beyond, one eminence still more lofty crowned with the +remains of old Fort Holmes. The whole picture completed, showed the +perfect outline that had given the island its original Indian name, +_Mich-i-li-mack-i-nac_, the Big Turtle. + +Then those pure, living waters, in whose depths the fish might be seen +gliding and darting to and fro; whose clearness is such that an object +dropped to the bottom may be discerned at the depth of fifty or sixty +feet, a dollar lying far down on its green bed, looking no larger than a +half dime! I could hardly wonder at the enthusiastic lady who exclaimed: +"Oh! I could wish to be drowned in these pure, beautiful waters!" + +As we passed the extreme western point of the island, my husband pointed +out to me, far away to the northwest, a promontory which he told me was +Point St. Ignace. It possessed great historic interest, as one of the +earliest white settlements on this continent. The Jesuit missionaries +had established here a church and school as early as 1607, the same year +in which a white settlement was made at St. Augustine, in Florida, and +one year before the founding of Jamestown, Virginia. + +All that remains of the enterprises of these devoted men, is the +remembrance of their labors, perpetuated, in most instances, only by the +names of the spots which witnessed their efforts of love in behalf of +their savage brethren. The little French church at Sandwich, opposite +Detroit, alone is left, a witness of the zeal and self-sacrifice of +these pioneers of Christianity. + +Passing "Old Mackinac," on the main land, which forms the southern +border of the straits, we soon came out into the broad waters of Lake +Michigan. Every traveller, and every reader of our history, is familiar +with the incidents connected with the taking of the old fort by the +Indians, in the days of Pontiac. How, by means of a game of ball, played +in an apparently friendly spirit outside the walls, and of which the +officers and soldiers had come forth to be spectators, the ball was +dexterously tossed over the wall, and the savages rushing in, under +pretext of finding it, soon got possession and massacred the garrison. + +The little Indian village of L'Arbre Croche gleamed far away south, in +the light of the setting sun. With that exception, there was no sign of +living habitation along that vast and wooded shore. The gigantic +forest-trees, and here and there the little glades of prairie opening to +the water, showed a landscape that would have gladdened the eye of the +agriculturist, with its promise of fertility; but it was evidently +untrodden by the foot of man, and we left it, in its solitude, as we +took our course westward across the waters. + +The rainy and gusty weather, so incident to the equinoctial season, +overtook us again before we reached the mouth of Green Bay, and kept us +company until the night of our arrival upon the flats, about three miles +below the settlement. Here the little steamer grounded "fast and hard." +As almost every one preferred braving the elements to remaining cooped +up in the quarters we had occupied for the past week, we decided to +trust ourselves to the little boat, spite of wind, and rain, and +darkness, and in due time we reached the shore. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +GREEN BAY. + + +Our arrival at Green Bay was at an unfortunate moment. It was the time +of a treaty between the United States Government and the Menomonees and +Waubanakees. Consequently, not only the commissioners of the treaty, +with their clerks and officials, but traders, claimants, travellers, and +idlers innumerable were upon the ground. Most of these were congregated +in the only hotel the place afforded. This was a tolerably-sized house +near the river-side, and as we entered the long dining-room, cold and +dripping from the open boat, we were infinitely amused at the motley +assemblage it contained. Various groups were seated around. New comers, +like ourselves, stood here and there, for there were not seats enough to +accommodate all who sought entertainment. The landlord sat calm and +indifferent, his hands in his pockets, exhibiting all the phlegm of a +Pennsylvania Dutchman. + +His fat, notable spouse was trotting round, now stopping to scold about +some one who, "burn his skin!" had fallen short in his duty; now +laughing good-humoredly until her sides shook, at some witticism +addressed to her. + +She welcomed us very cordially, but to our inquiry, "Can you +accommodate us?" her reply was, "Not I. I have got twice as many people +now as I know what to do with. I have had to turn my own family out of +their quarters, what with the commissioners and the lot of folks that +has come in upon us." + +"What are we to do, then? It is too late and stormy to go up to +Shanty-town to seek for lodgings." + +"Well, sit you down and take your supper, and we will see what we can +do." + +And she actually did contrive to find a little nook, in which we were +glad to take refuge from the multitudes around us. + +A slight board partition separated us from the apartment occupied by +General Root, of New York, one of the commissioners of the treaty. The +steamer in which we came had brought the mail, at that day a rare +blessing to the distant settlements. The opening and reading of all the +dispatches, which the General received about bed-time, had, of course, +to be gone through with, before he could retire to rest. His eyes being +weak, his secretaries were employed to read the communications. He was a +little deaf withal, and through the slight division between the two +apartments the contents of the letters, and his comments upon them, were +unpleasantly audible, as he continually admonished his secretary to +raise his voice. + +"What is that, Walter? Read that over again." + +In vain we coughed and hemmed, and knocked over sundry pieces of +furniture. They were too deeply interested to hear aught that passed +around them, and if we had been politicians we should have had all the +secrets of the _working-men's party_ at our disposal, out of which to +have made capital. + +The next morning it was still rain! rain! nothing but rain! In spite of +it, however, the gentlemen would take a small boat to row to the +steamer, to bring up the luggage, not the least important part of that +which appertained to us being sundry boxes of silver for paying the +annuities to the Winnebagoes at the Portage. + +I went out with some others of the company upon the piazza, to witness +their departure. A gentleman pointed out to me Fort Howard, on a +projecting point of the opposite shore, about three-quarters of a mile +distant--the old barracks, the picketed inclosure, the walls, all +looking quaint, and, considering their modern erection, really ancient +and venerable. Presently we turned our attention to the boat, which had +by this time gained the middle of the river. One of the passengers was +standing up in the stern, apparently giving some directions. + +"That is rather a venturesome fellow," remarked one; "if he is not +careful he will lose his balance." And at this moment we saw him +actually perform a summerset backward, and disappear in the water. + +"Oh!" cried I, "he will be drowned!" + +The gentlemen laughed. "No, there he is; they are helping him in again." + +The course of the boat was immediately changed, and the party returned +to the shore. It was not until one disembarked and came dripping and +laughing towards me, that I recognized him as my own peculiar property. +He was pleased to treat the matter as a joke, but I thought it rather a +sad beginning of Western experience. + +He suffered himself to be persuaded to intrust the care of his effects +to his friends, and having changed his dress, prepared to remain quietly +with me, when just at this moment a vehicle drove up to the door, and we +recognized the pleasant, familiar face of our old friend, Judge Doty. + +He had received the news of our arrival, and had come to take us at +once to his hospitable mansion. We were only too happy to gather +together our bags and travelling-baskets and accompany him without +farther ceremony. + +Our drive took us first along the edge of Navarino, next through +Shanty-town (the latter a far more appropriate name than the former), +amid mud and mire, over bad roads, and up and down hilly, break-neck +places, until we reached the little brick dwelling of our friends. Mrs. +Doty received us with such true, sisterly kindness, and everything +seemed so full of welcome, that we soon felt ourselves at home. + +We found that, expecting our arrival, invitations had already been +prepared to assemble the whole circle of Green Bay society to meet us at +an evening party--this, in a new country, being the established mode of +doing honor to guests or strangers. + +We learned, upon inquiry, that Captain Harney, who had kindly offered to +come with a boat and crew of soldiers from Fort Winnebago, to convey us +to that place, our destined home, had not yet arrived; we therefore felt +at liberty to make arrangements for a few days of social enjoyment at +"the Bay." + +It was pleasant to people, secluded in such a degree from the world at +large, to bear all the news we had brought--all the particulars of life +and manners--the thousand little items that the newspapers of that day +did not dream of furnishing--the fashions, and that general gossip, in +short, which a lady is erroneously supposed more _au fait_ of, than a +gentleman. + +I well remember that, in giving and receiving information, the day +passed in a pretty uninterrupted stream of communication. All the party +except myself had made the journey, or rather voyage, up the Fox River +and down the Wisconsin to the Mississippi. + +There were plenty of anecdotes of a certain trip performed by the +three, in company with a French trader and his two sisters, then making +their debut as Western travellers. The manner in which Mademoiselle +Julie would borrow, without leave, a fine damask napkin or two, to wipe +out the ducks in preparation for cooking--the difficulty of persuading +either of the sisters of the propriety of washing and rinsing their +table apparatus nicely before packing it away in the mess-basket, the +consequence of which was, that another nice napkin must be stealthily +whisked out, to wipe the dishes when the hour for meals arrived--the fun +of the young gentleman in hunting up his stray articles, thus +misappropriated, from the nooks and corners of the boat, tying them with +a cord, and hanging them over the stern, to make their way down the +Wisconsin to Prairie du Chien. + +Then there was a capital story of M. Rolette himself. At one point on +the route (I think in crossing Winnebago Lake) the travellers met one of +the Company's boats on its way to Green Bay for supplies. M. Rolette was +one of the agents of the Company, and the people in the boat were his +employes. Of course after an absence of some weeks from home, the +meeting on these lonely waters and the exchanging of news was an +occasion of great excitement. + +The boats were stopped--earnest greetings interchanged--question +followed question. + +"_Eh bien_--have they finished the new house?" + +"_Oui, Monsieur_." + +"_Et la cheminee, fume-t-elle?_" (Does the chimney smoke?) + +"_Non, Monsieur_." + +"And the harvest--how is that?" + +"Very fine, indeed." + +"Is the mill at work?" + +"Yes, plenty of water." + +"How is Whip?" (his favorite horse.) + +"Oh! Whip is first-rate." + +Everything, in short, about the store, the farm, the business of various +descriptions being satisfactorily gone over, there was no occasion for +farther delay. It was time to proceed. + +"_Eh bien--adieu! bon voyage!_" + +"_Arrachez, mes gens!_" (Go ahead, men!) + +Then suddenly--"_Arretez! arretez!_" (Stop, stop!) + +"_Comment se portent Madame Rolette et les enfans?_" (How are Mrs. +Rolette and the children?) + + * * * * * + +This day, with its excitement, was at length over, and we retired to our +rest, thankful that we had not General Root and his secretary close to +our bed's head, with their budget of political news. + +My slumbers were not destined, however, to be quite undisturbed. I was +awakened, at the first slight peep of dawn, by a sound from an apartment +beneath our own--a plaintive, monotonous chant, rising and then falling +in a sort of mournful cadence. It seemed to me a wail of something +unearthly--so wild--so strange--so unaccountable. In terror I awoke my +husband, who reassured me by telling me it was the morning salutation of +the Indians to the opening day. + +Some Menomonees had been kindly given shelter for the night in the +kitchen below, and, having fulfilled their unvarying custom of chanting +their morning hymn, they now ceased, and again composed themselves to +sleep. But not so their auditor. There was to me something inexpressibly +beautiful in this morning song of praise from the untaught sons of the +forest. What a lesson did it preach to the civilized, Christianized +world, too many of whom lie down and rise up without an aspiration of +thanksgiving to their Almighty Preserver--without even a remembrance of +His care, who gives His angels charge concerning them! Never has the +impression of that simple act of worship faded from my mind. I have +loved to think that, with some, these strains might be the outpouring of +a devotion as pure as that of the Christian when he utters the inspiring +words of the sainted Ken-- + +"Awake, my soul! and with the sun," etc. + + * * * * * + +Among the visitors who called to offer me a welcome to the West, were +Mr. and Miss Cadle, who were earnestly engaged in the first steps of +their afterwards flourishing enterprise for the education of Indian and +half-breed children. The school-houses and chapel were not yet erected, +but we visited their proposed site, and listened with great interest to +bright anticipations of the future good that was to be accomplished--the +success that was to crown their efforts for taming the heathen and +teaching them the knowledge of their Saviour and the blessings of +civilized life. The sequel has shown how little the zeal of the few can +accomplish, when opposed to the cupidity of the many. + +Our evening party went off as parties do elsewhere. The most interesting +feature to me, because the most novel, was the conversation of some +young ladies to whom I was introduced, natives of Green Bay or its +vicinity. Their mother was a Menomonee, but their father was a +Frenchman, a descendant of a settler some generations back, and who, +there is reason to believe, was a branch of the same family of Grignon +to which the daughter of Madame de Sevigne belonged. At least, it is +said there are in the possession of the family many old papers and +records which would give that impression, although the orthography of +the name has become slightly changed. Be that as it may, the Miss +Grignons were strikingly dignified, well-bred young ladies, and there +was a charm about their soft voices, and original, unsophisticated +remarks, very attractive to a stranger. + +They opened to me, however, a new field of apprehension; for, on my +expressing my great impatience to see my new home, they exclaimed, with +a look of wonder,-- + +"_Vous n'avez donc pas peur des serpens_?" + +"Snakes! was it possible there were snakes at Fort Winnebago?" + +"At the Portage! oh! yes--one can never walk out for +them--rattle-snakes--copper-heads--all sorts!" + +I am not naturally timid, but I must confess that the idea of the +_serpens sonnettes_ and the _siffleurs_ was not quite a subject of +indifference. + +There was one among these young ladies whose tall, graceful figure, +rich, blooming complexion, and dark, glancing eye, would have +distinguished her in any drawing-room--and another, whose gentle +sweetness and cultivated taste made it a matter of universal regret that +she was afterwards led to adopt the seclusion of a convent. + +Captain Harney and his boat arrived in due time, and active preparations +far the comfort of our journey commenced under the kind supervision of +Mrs. Doty. The mess-basket was stowed with good things of every +description--ham and tongue--biscuit and plum-cake--not to mention the +substantiate of crackers, bread, and boiled pork, the latter of which, +however, a lady was supposed to be too fastidious to think of touching, +even if starving in the woods. + +We had engaged three Canadian voyageurs to take charge of our tent, +mess-basket, and matters and things in general. Their business it was to +be to cut the wood for our fires, prepare our meals, and give a helping +hand to whatever was going forward. A messenger had also been sent to +the Kakalin, or rapids, twenty-one miles above, to notify +_Wish-tay-yun_,[3] the most accomplished guide through the difficult +passes of the river, to be in readiness for our service on a specified +day. + +In the mean time, we had leisure for one more party, and it was to be a +"real Western hop." Everybody will remember that dance at Mrs. Baird's. +All the people, young and old, that would be gathered throughout, or, as +it was the fashion to express it, _on_ Green Bay, were assembled. The +young officers were up from Fort Howard, looking so smart in their +uniforms--treasures of finery, long uncalled forth, were now brought to +light--everybody was bound to do honor to the strangers by appearing in +their very best. It was to be an entertainment unequalled by any given +before. All the house was put in requisition for the occasion. Desks and +seats were unceremoniously dismissed from Mr. B.'s office, which formed +one wing, to afford more space for the dancers. Not only the front +portion of the dwelling, but even the kitchen was made fit for the +reception of company, in case any primitive visitor, as was sometimes +the case, should prefer sitting down quietly there and smoking his +cigar. This was an emergency that, in those days, had always to be +provided for. + +Nothing could exceed the mirth and hilarity of the company. No +restraint, but of good manners--no excess of conventionalities--genuine, +hearty good-humor and enjoyment, such as pleasant, hospitable people, +with just enough of the French element to add zest to anything like +amusement, could furnish, to make the entertainment agreeable. In a +country so new, and where, in a social gathering, the number of the +company was more important than the quality, the circle was not always, +strictly speaking, select. + +I was aware of this, and was therefore more amused than surprised when a +clumsy little man, with a broad, red, laughing face, waddled across the +room to where I had taken my seat after a dance, and thus addressed me: + +"_Miss_ K----, nobody hain't never introduced you to me, but I've seen +you a good many times, and I know your husband very well, so I thought I +might just as well come and speak to you--my name is A----." + +"Ah! Mr. A----, good-evening. I hope you are enjoying yourself. How is +your sister?" + +"Oh! she is a great deal worse--her cold has got into her eye, and it is +all _shot up_." + +Then turning full upon a lady[4] who sat near, radiant with youth and +beauty, sparkling with wit and genuine humor: + +"Oh! Mrs. Beall," he began, "what a beautiful gown you have got on, and +how handsome you do look! I declare you're the prettiest woman in the +room, and dance the handsomest." + +"Indeed, Mr. A----," replied she, suppressing her love of fun and +assuming a demure look, "I am afraid you flatter me." + +"No, I don't--I'm in earnest. I've just come to ask you to dance." + +Such was the penalty of being too charming. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +VOYAGE UP FOX RIVER. + + +It had been arranged that Judge Doty should accompany us in our boat as +far as the Butte des Morts, at which place his attendant would be +waiting with horses to convey him to Mineral Point, where he was to hold +court. + +It was a bright and beautiful morning when we left his pleasant home, to +commence our passage up the Fox River Captain Harney was proposing to +remain a few days longer at "the Bay," but he called to escort us to the +boat and instal us in all its comforts. + +As he helped me along over the ploughed ground and other inequalities in +our way to the river-bank, where the boat lay, he told me how +impatiently Mrs. Twiggs, the wife of the commanding officer, who since +the past spring had been the only white lady at Fort Winnebago, was now +expecting a companion and friend. We had met in New York, shortly after +her marriage, and were, therefore, not quite unacquainted. I, for my +part, felt sure that when there were two of our sex--when my piano was +safely there--when the Post Library which we had purchased should be +unpacked--when all should be fairly arranged and settled, we should be, +although far away in the wilderness, the happiest little circle +imaginable. All my anticipations were of the most sanguine and cheerful +character. + +It was a moderate-sized Mackinac boat, with a crew of soldiers, and our +own three voyageurs in addition, that lay waiting for us--a dark-looking +structure of some thirty feet in length. Placed in the centre was a +frame-work of slight posts, supporting a roof of canvas, with curtains +of the same, which might be let down at the sides and ends, after the +manner of a country stage-coach, or rolled up to admit the light and +air. + +In the midst of this little cabin or saloon was placed the box +containing my piano, and on it a mattress, which was to furnish us a +divan through the day and a place of repose at night, should the weather +at any time prove too wet or unpleasant for encamping. The boxes of +silver, with which my husband was to pay the annuities due his red +children, by treaty-stipulation, were stowed next. Our mess-basket was +in a convenient vicinity, and we had purchased a couple of large square +covered baskets of the Waubanakees, or New York Indians, to hold our +various necessary articles of outward apparel and bedding, and at the +same time to answer as very convenient little work or dinner-tables. + +As a true daughter of New England, it is to be taken for granted I had +not forgotten to supply myself with knitting-work and embroidery. Books +and pencils were a matter of course. + +The greater part of our furniture, together with the various articles +for housekeeping with which we had supplied ourselves in New York and +Detroit, were to follow in another boat, under the charge of people +whose business it professed to be to take cargoes safely up the rapids +and on to Fort Winnebago. This was an enterprise requiring some three +weeks of time and a great amount of labor, so that the owners of the +goods transported might think themselves happy to receive them at last, +however wet, broken, and dilapidated their condition might be. It was +for this reason that we took our choicest possessions with us, even at +the risk of being a little crowded. + +Until now I had never seen a gentleman attired in a colored shirt, a +spotless white collar and bosom being one of those "notions" that +"Boston," and consequently New England "folks," entertained of the +becoming in a gentleman's toilette. Mrs. Cass had laughingly forewarned +me that not only calico shirts but patch-work pillow-cases were an +indispensable part of a travelling equipment; and, thanks to the taste +and skill of some tidy little Frenchwoman, I found our divan-pillows all +accommodated in the brightest and most variegated garb. + +The Judge and my husband were gay with the deepest of blue and pink. +Each was prepared, besides, with a bright red cap (a _bonnet rouge_, or +_tuque_, as the voyageurs call it), which, out of respect for the lady, +was to be donned only when a hearty dinner, a dull book, or the want of +exercise made an afternoon nap indispensable. + +The Judge was an admirable travelling companion. He had lived many years +in the country, had been with General Cass on his expedition to the +head-waters of the Mississippi, and had a vast fund of anecdote +regarding early times, customs, and inhabitants. + +Some instances of the mode of administering justice in those days, I +happen to recall. + +There was an old Frenchman at the Bay, named Reaume, excessively +ignorant and grasping, although otherwise tolerably good-natured. This +man was appointed justice of the peace. Two men once appeared before +him, the one as plaintiff, the other as defendant. The justice listened +patiently to the complaint of the one and the defence of the other; +then rising, with dignity, he pronounced his decision: + +"You are both wrong. You, Bois-vert," to the plaintiff, "you bring me +one load of hay; and you, Crely," to the defendant, "you bring me one +load of wood; and now the matter is settled." It does not appear that +any exceptions were taken to this verdict. + +This anecdote led to another, the scene of which was Prairie du Chien, +on the Mississippi. + +There was a Frenchman, a justice of the peace, who was universally known +by the name of "Old Boilvin." His office was just without the walls of +the fort, and it was much the fashion among the officers to lounge in +there of a morning, to find sport for an idle hour, and to take a glass +of brandy-and-water with the old gentleman, which he called "taking a +little _quelque-chose."_ + +A soldier, named Fry, had been accused of stealing and killing a calf +belonging to M. Rolette, and the constable, a bricklayer of the name of +Bell, had been dispatched to arrest the culprit and bring him to trial. + +While the gentlemen were making their customary morning visit to the +justice, a noise was heard in the entry, and a knock at the door. + +"Come in," cried Old Boilvin, rising and walking toward the door. + +_Bell_,--Here, sir, I have brought Fry to you, as you ordered. + +_Justice_--Fry, you great rascal! What for you kill M. Rolette's calf? + +_Fry_,--I did not kill M. Rolette's calf. + +_Justice_ (shaking his fist).--You lie, you great ---- rascal! Bell, +take him to jail. Come, gentlemen, come, _let us take a leetle +quelque-chose_. + + * * * * * + +The Canadian boatmen always sing while rowing or paddling, and nothing +encourages them so much as to hear the "bourgeois"[5] take the lead in +the music. If the passengers, more especially those of the fair sex, +join in the refrain, the compliment is all the greater. + +Their songs are of a light, cheerful character, generally embodying some +little satire or witticism, calculated to produce a spirited, sometimes +an uproarious, chorus. + +The song and refrain are carried on somewhat in the following style: + + BOURGEOIS.--Par-derriere chez ma tante, + Par-derriere chez ma tante. + + CHORUS.--Par-derriere chez ma tante, + Par-derriere chez ma tante. + + BOURGEOIS.--Il y a un coq qui chante, + Des pommes, des poires, des raves, des choux, + Des figues nouvelles, des raisins doux. + + CHORUS.--Des pommes, des poires, des raves, des choux, + Des figues nouvelles, des raisins doux. + + BOURGEOIS.--Il y a un coq qui chante, + Il y a un coq qui chante. + + CHORUS.--Il y a un coq qui chante, etc. + + BOURGEOIS.--Demande une femme a prendre, + Des pommes, des poires, des raves, des choux, etc. + + CHORUS.--Des pommes, dos poires, etc. + + BOURGEOIS.--Demande une femme a prendre, + Demande une femme a, etc. + +And thus it continues until the advice is given successively, + + Ne prenez pas une noire, + Car elles aiment trop a boire, + Ne prenez pas une rousse, + Car elles sont trop jalouses. + +And by the time all the different qualifications are rehearsed and +objected to, lengthened out by the interminable repetition of the +chorus, the shout of the bourgeois is heard-- + +"Whoop la! a terre, a terre--pour la pipe!" + +It is an invariable custom for the voyageurs to stop every five or six +miles to rest and smoke, so that it was formerly the way of measuring +distances--"so many pipes," instead of "so many miles." + +The Canadian melodies are sometimes very beautiful, and a more +exhilarating mode of travel can hardly be imagined than a voyage over +these waters, amid all the wild magnificence of nature, with the +measured strokes of the oar keeping time to the strains of "_Le Rosier +Blanc_," "En roulant ma Boule_," or "_Leve ton pied, ma jolie Bergere."_ + +The climax of fun seemed to be in a comic piece, which, however oft +repeated, appeared never to grow stale. It was somewhat after this +fashion: + + BOURGEOIS.--Michaud est monte dans un prunier, + Pour treiller des prunes. + La branche a casse-- + + CHORUS.--Michaud a tombe? + + BOURGEOIS.--Ou est-ce qu'il est? + + CHORUS.--Il est en bas. + + BOURGEOIS.--Oh! reveille, reveille, reveille, + Oh! reveille, Michaud est en haut![6] + +It was always a point of etiquette to look astonished at the luck of +Michaud in remaining in the tree, spite of the breaking of the branch, +and the joke had to be repeated through all the varieties of +fruit-trees that Michaud might be supposed able to climb. + +By evening of the first day we arrived at _the Kakalin_, where another +branch of the Grignon family resided. We were very pleasantly +entertained, although, in my anxiety to begin my forest life, I would +fain have had the tent pitched on the bank of the river, and have laid +aside, at once, the indulgences of civilization. This, however, would +have been a slight, perhaps an affront; so we did much better, and +partook of the good cheer that was offered us in the shape of hot +venison steaks and crepes, and that excellent cup of coffee which none +can prepare like a Frenchwoman, and which is so refreshing after a day +in the open air. + +The Kakalin is a rapid of the Fox River, sufficiently important to make +the portage of the heavy lading of a boat necessary; the boat itself +being poled or dragged up with cords against the current. It is one of a +series of rapids and _chutes_, or falls, which occur between this point +and Lake Winnebago, twenty miles above. + +The next morning, after breakfast, we took leave of our hosts, and +prepared to pursue our journey. The bourgeois, from an early hour, had +been occupied in superintending his men in getting the boat and its +loading over the Kakalin. As the late rains had made the paths through +the woods and along the banks of the river somewhat muddy and +uncomfortable for walking, I was put into an ox-cart, to be jolted over +the unequal road; saluting impartially all the stumps and stones that +lay in our way, the only means of avoiding which seemed to be when the +little, thick-headed Frenchman, our conductor, bethought him of suddenly +guiding his cattle into a projecting tree or thorn-bush, to the great +detriment not only of my straw bonnet, but of my very eyes. + +But we got through at last, and, arriving at the head of the rapids, I +found the boat lying there, all in readiness for our re-embarking. + +Our Menomonee guide, _Wish-tay-yun_, a fine, stalwart Indian, with an +open, good-humored, one might almost say _roguish_ countenance, came +forward to be presented to me. + +"_Bon-jour, bon-jour, maman_," was his laughing salutation. Again I was +surprised, not as before at the French, for to that I had become +accustomed, but at the respectable title he was pleased to bestow upon +me. + +"Yes," said my husband, "you must make up your mind to receive a very +numerous and well-grown family, consisting of all the Winnebagoes, +Pottowattamies, Chippewas, and Ottawas, together with such Sioux, Sacs +and Foxes, and Iowas, as have any point to gain in applying to me. By +the first-named tribe in virtue of my office, and by the others as a +matter of courtesy, I am always addressed as '_father_'--you, of course, +will be their '_mother_.'" + +Wish-tay-yun and I were soon good friends, my husband interpreting to me +the Chippewa language in which he spoke. We were impatient to be off, +the morning being already far advanced, and, all things being in +readiness, the word was given: + +"_Pousse au large, mes gens!_" (Push out, my men). + +At this moment a boat was seen leaving the opposite bank of the river +and making towards us. It contained white men, and they showed by signs +that they wished to detain us until they came up. They drew near, and we +found them to be Mr. Marsh, a missionary among the Waubanakees, or the +New York Indians, lately brought into this country, and the Rev. Eleazar +Williams,[7] who was at that time living among his red brethren on the +right bank of the Fox River. + +To persons so situated, even more emphatically than to those of the +settlements, the arrival of visitors from the "east countrie" was a +godsend indeed. We had to give all the news of various kinds that we had +brought--political, ecclesiastical, and social--as well as a tolerably +detailed account of what we proposed to do, or rather what we hoped to +be able to do, among our native children at the Portage. + +I was obliged, for my part, to confess that, being almost entirely a +stranger to the Indian character and habits, I was going among them with +no settled plans of any kind--general good-will, and a hope of making +them my friends, being the only principles I could lay claim to at +present. I must leave it for time and a better acquaintance to show me +in what way the principle could be carried out for their greatest good. + +Mr. Williams was a dark-complexioned, good-looking man. Having always +heard him spoken of, by his relations in Connecticut, as "our Indian +cousin," it never occurred to me to doubt his belonging to that race, +although I now think that if I had met him elsewhere I should have taken +him for a Spaniard or a Mexican. His complexion had decidedly more of +the olive than the copper hue, and his countenance was grave, almost +melancholy. He was very silent during this interview, asking few +questions, and offering no observations except in reply to some question +addressed to him. + +It was a hard pull for the men up the rapids. Wish-tay-yun, whose clear, +sonorous voice was the bugle of the party, shouted and whooped--each one +answered with a chorus, and a still more vigorous effort. By-and-by the +boat would become firmly set between two huge stones-- + +"Whoop la! whoop! whoop!" + +Another pull, and another, straining every nerve--in vain. + +"She will not budge!" + +"Men, overboard!" and instantly every rower is over the side and into +the water. + +By pulling, pushing, and tugging, the boat is at length released from +her position, and the men walk along beside her, helping and guiding +her, until they reach a space of comparatively smooth water, when they +again take their seats and their oars. + +It will be readily imagined that there were few songs this day, but very +frequent _pipes_, to refresh the poor fellows after such an arduous +service. + +It was altogether a new spectacle to me. In fact, I had hardly ever +before been called upon to witness severe bodily exertion, and my +sympathies and sensibilities were, for this reason, the more enlisted on +the occasion. It seemed a sufficient hardship to have to labor in this +violent manner; but to walk in cold water up to their waists, and then +to sit down in their soaking garments without going near a fire! Poor +men! this was too much to be borne! What, then, was my consternation to +see my husband, who, shortly after our noon-tide meal, had surprised me +by making his appearance in a pair of duck trowsers and light jacket, at +the first cry of "Fast, again!" spring over into the water with the men, +and "bear a hand" throughout the remainder of the long stretch! + +When he returned on board, it was to take the oar of a poor, +delicate-looking boy, one of the company of soldiers, who from the first +had suffered with bleeding at the nose on every unusual exertion. I was +not surprised, on inquiring, to find that this lad was a recruit just +entered the service. He passed by the name of Gridley, but that was +undoubtedly an assumed name. He had the appearance of having been +delicately nurtured, and had probably enlisted without at all +appreciating the hardships and discomforts of a soldier's life. This is +evident from the dissatisfaction he always continued to feel, until at +length he deserted from his post. This was some months subsequent to the +time of which I am writing. He was once retaken, and kept for a time in +confinement, but immediately on his release deserted again, and his +remains were found the following spring, not many miles from the fort. +He had died, either of cold or starvation. This is a sad interlude--we +will return to our boating. + +With all our tugging and toiling, we had accomplished but thirteen miles +since leaving the Kakalin, and it was already late when we arrived in +view of the "Grande Chute," near which we were to encamp. + +We had passed the "Little Chute" (the spot where the town of Appleton +now stands) without any further observation than that it required a vast +deal of extra exertion to buffet with the rushing stream and come off, +as we did, victorious. + +The brilliant light of the setting sun was resting on the high wooded +banks through which broke the beautiful, foaming, dashing waters of the +Chute. The boat was speedily turned towards a little headland projecting +from the left bank, which had the advantage of a long strip of level +ground, sufficiently spacious to afford a good encamping ground. I +jumped ashore before the boat was fairly pulled up by the men, and with +the Judge's help made my way as rapidly as possible to a point lower +down the river, from which, he said, the best view of the Chute could be +obtained. I was anxious to make a sketch before the daylight quite faded +away. + +The left bank of the river was to the west, and over a portion less +elevated than the rest the sun's parting rays fell upon the boat, the +men with their red caps and belts, and the two tents already pitched. +The smoke now beginning to ascend from the evening fires, the high +wooded bank beyond, up which the steep portage path could just be +discerned, and, more remote still, the long stretch of waterfall now +darkening in the shadow of the overhanging forests, formed a lovely +landscape, to which the pencil of an artist could alone do justice. + +This was my first encampment, and I was quite enchanted with the novelty +of everything about me. + +The fires had been made of small saplings and underbrush, hastily +collected, the mildness of the weather rendering anything beyond what +sufficed for the purposes of cooking and drying the men's clothes, +superfluous. The soldiers' tent was pitched at some distance from our +own, but not too far for us to hear distinctly their laughter and +apparent enjoyment after the fatigues of the day. + +Under the careful superintendence of Corporal Kilgour, however, their +hilarity never passed the bounds of respectful propriety, and, by the +time we had eaten our suppers, cooked in the open air with the simple +apparatus of a tea-kettle and frying-pan, we were, one and all, ready to +retire to our rest. + +The first sound that saluted our ears in the early dawn of the following +morning, was the far-reaching call of the bourgeois: + +"How! how! how!" uttered at the very top of his voice. + +All start at that summons, and the men are soon turning out of their +tents, or rousing from their slumbers beside the fire, and preparing for +the duties of the day. + +The fire is replenished, the kettles set on to boil, the mess-baskets +opened, and a portion of their contents brought forth to be made ready +for breakfast. One Frenchman spreads our mat within the tent, whence the +bedding has all been carefully removed and packed up for stowing in the +boat. The tin cups and plates are placed around on the new-fashioned +table-cloth. The heavy dews make it a little too damp for us to +breakfast in the open air; otherwise our preparations would be made +outside, upon the green grass. In an incredibly short time our smoking +coffee and broiled ham are placed before us, to which are added, from +time to time, slices of toast brought hot and fresh from the glowing +coals. + +There is, after all, no breakfast like a breakfast in the woods, with a +well-trained Frenchman for master of ceremonies. + +It was a hard day's work to which the men now applied themselves, that +of dragging the heavy boat up the Chute. It had been thought safest to +leave the piano in its place on board, but the rest of the lading had to +be carried up the steep bank, and along its summit, a distance of some +hundreds of rods, to the smooth water beyond, where all the difficulties +of our navigation terminated. + +The Judge kindly took charge of me while "the bourgeois" superintended +this important business, and with reading, sketching, and strolling +about, the morning glided away. Twelve o'clock came, and still the +preparations for starting were not yet completed. + +In my rambles about to seek out some of the finest of the wild flowers +for a bouquet, before my husband's return, I came upon the camp-fire of +the soldiers. A tall, red-faced, light-haired young man in fatigue dress +was attending a kettle of soup, the savory steams of which were very +attractive. + +Seeing that I was observing his occupation, he politely ladled out a +tin-cupful of the liquid and offered it to me. + +I declined it, saying we should have our dinner immediately. + +"They left me here to get their dinner," said he, apparently not +displeased to have some one to talk to; "and I thought I might as well +make some soup. Down on the German Flats, where I come from, they always +like soup." + +"Ah! you are from the German Flats--then your name must be Bellinger or +Weber." + +"No, it isn't--it's Krissman." + +"Well, Krissman, how do you like the service?" + +"Very well. I was only recruited last summer. I used to ride horse on +the _Canawl_, and, as I can blow a horn first-rate, I expect I will soon +be able to play on a bugle, and then, when I get to be musician, you +know, I shall have extra pay." + +I did not know it, but I expressed due pleasure at the information, and +wishing Krissman all manner of success in his dreams of ambition, or +rather, I should say, of avarice, for the hopes of "extra pay" evidently +preponderated over those of fame, I returned to my own quarters. + +My husband, with his French tastes, was inclined to be somewhat +disappointed when I told him of this little incident, and my refusal of +Krissman's soup; but we were soon gratified by seeing his tall, awkward +form bearing a kettle of the composition, which he set down before the +two gentlemen, by whom, to his infinite satisfaction, it was pronounced +excellent. + +Everything being at length in readiness, the tents were struck and +carried around the Portage, and my husband, the Judge, and I followed at +our leisure. + +The woods were brilliant with wild flowers, although it was so late in +the season that the glory of the summer was well-nigh past. But the +lupin, the moss-pink, and the yellow wallflower, with all the varieties +of the helianthus, the aster, and the solidago, spread their gay charms +around. The gentlemen gathered clusters of the bittersweet (celastrus +scandens) from the overhanging boughs to make a wreath for my hat, as we +trod the tangled pathway, which, like that of Christabel, was + +"Now in glimmer and now in gloom," + +through the alternations of open glade and shady thicket. Soon, like the +same lovely heroine, + +"We reached the place--right glad we were," + +and, without further delay, we were again on board our little boat and +skimming over the now placid waters. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +WINNEBAGO LAKE--MISS FOUR-LEGS. + + +Our encampment this night was the most charming that can be imagined. +Owing to the heavy service the men had gone through in the earlier part +of the day, we took but a short stage for the afternoon, and, having +pulled some seven or eight miles to a spot a short distance below the +"little Butte," we drew in at a beautiful opening among the trees. + +The soldiers now made a regular business of encamping, by cutting down a +large tree for their fire and applying themselves to the preparing of a +sufficient quantity of food for their next day's journey, a long +stretch, namely, of twenty-one miles across Winnebago Lake. Our +Frenchmen did the same. The fire caught in the light dry grass by which +we were surrounded, and soon all was blaze and crackle. + +Fortunately the wind was sufficient to take the flames all in one +direction, and, besides, there was not enough fuel to have made them a +subject of any alarm. We hopped upon the fallen logs, and dignified the +little circumscribed affair with the name of "a prairie on fire." The +most serious inconvenience was its having consumed all the dry grass, +some armfuls of which, spread under the bear-skin in my tent, I had +found, the night before, a great improvement to my place of repose. + +Our supper was truly delightful, at the pleasant sunset hour, under the +tall trees beside the waters that ran murmuring by; and when the bright, +broad moon arose, and shed her flood of light over the scene, so wild +yet so beautiful in its vast solitude, I felt that I might well be an +object of envy to the friends I had left behind. + +But all things have an end, and so must at last my enthusiasm for the +beauties around me, and, albeit unwillingly, I closed my tent and took +my place within, so near the fall of canvas that I could raise it +occasionally and peep forth upon the night. + +In time all was quiet. The men had become silent, and appeared to have +retired to rest, and we were just sinking to our slumbers, when a heavy +tread and presently a bluff voice were heard outside. + +"Mr. Kinzie! Mr. Kinzie!" + +"Who is there? What is it?" + +"I'm Krissman; didn't you mean, sir, that the men should have any liquor +to-night?" + +"Of course I did. Has not Kilgour given out your rations?" + +"No: he says you did not say anything particular about it, and he was +not coming to ask you if you forgot it; but I thought I wouldn't be +bashful--I'd just come and ask.'" + +"That is right. Tell Kilgour I should like to have him serve out a +ration apiece." + +"Thank you, sir," in a most cheerful tone; "I'll tell him." + +Krissman was getting to be quite a character with us. + +A row of a few miles, on the following morning, brought us to Four-Legs' +village,[8] at the entrance to Winnebago Lake, a picturesque cluster of +Indian huts, spread around on a pretty green glade, and shaded by fine +lofty trees. + +We were now fairly in the Winnebago country, and I soon learned that the +odd-sounding name of the place was derived from the principal chief of +the nation, whose residence it was. The inhabitants were absent, having, +in all probability, departed to their wintering grounds. We here took +leave of our friend Wish-tay-yun, at the borders of whose country we had +now arrived. + +"_Bon-jour, Chon!_" (John:) "_bon-jour, maman_." A hearty shake of the +hand completed his adieu, as we pushed off into the lake, and left him +smoking his kin-nee-kin-nick[9] and waiting until the spirit should move +him to take up his long _Indian trot_ towards his home in the Menomonee +country. + +With him our sunshine seemed to have departed. The skies, hitherto so +bright and serene, became overcast, and, instead of the charming voyage +we had anticipated over the silver waters of the lake, we were obliged +to keep ourselves housed under our canvas shelter, only peeping out now +and then to catch a glimpse of the surrounding prospect through the +pouring rain. + +It was what might have been expected on an autumnal day, but we were +unreasonable enough to find it tedious; so, to beguile the time and +lessen my disappointment, my husband related to me some incidents of his +early history, apropos to the subject of "Four-Legs." + +While he was living at Prairie du Chien, in the employ of the American +Fur Company, the chiefs and other Indians from the Upper Mississippi +used frequently to come to the place to sell their furs and peltries, +and to purchase merchandise, ammunition, trinkets, etc. + +As is usual with all who are not yet acclimated, he was seized with +chills and fever. One day, while suffering with an unusually severe +access of the latter, a chief of the Four-Legs family, a brother to the +one before mentioned, came in to the Company's warehouse to trade. There +is no ceremony or restraint among the Indians: so, hearing that +Shaw-nee-aw-kee was sick, Four-Legs instantly made his way to him, to +offer his sympathy and prescribe the proper remedies. + +Every one who has suffered from ague and the intense fever that succeeds +it, knows how insupportable is the protracted conversation of an +inconsiderate person, and will readily believe that the longer Four-Legs +continued his pratings the higher mounted the fever of the patient, and +the more intolerable became the pain of head, back, and limbs. + +At length the old man arrived at the climax of what he had to say. "It +was not good for a young man, suffering with sickness, and away from his +family, to be without a home and a wife. He had a nice daughter at home, +handsome and healthy, a capital nurse, the best hand in all the tribe at +trapping beaver and musk-rats. He was coming down again in the spring, +and he would bring her with him, and Shaw-nee-aw-kee should see that he +had told no falsehood about her. Should he go now, and bring his +daughter the next time he came?" + +Stunned with his importunate babble, and anxious only for rest and +quiet, poor Shaw-nee-aw-kee eagerly assented, and the chief took his +departure. + +So nearly had his disorder been aggravated to delirium, that the young +man forgot entirely, for a time, the interview and the proposal which +had been made him. But it was recalled to his memory some months after, +when Four-Legs made his appearance, bringing with him a squaw of mature +age, and a very Hecate for ugliness. She carried on her shoulders an +immense pack of furs, which, approaching with her awkward _criss-cross_ +gait, she threw at his feet, thus marking, by an Indian custom, her +sense of the relation that existed between them. + +The conversation with her father now flashed across his mind, and he +began to be sensible that he had got into a position that it would +require some skill to extricate himself from. + +He bade one of the young clerks take up the pack and carry it into the +magazine where the furs were stored; then he coolly went on talking with +the chief about indifferent matters. + +_Miss Four-Legs_ sat awhile with a sulky, discontented air; at length +she broke out,-- + +"Humph! he seems to take no more notice of me than if I was nobody!" + +He again turned to the clerk.--"Give her a calico shirt and half a dozen +bread-tickets." + +This did not dissipate the gloom on her countenance. Finding that he +must commence the subject, the father says,-- + +"Well, I have brought you my daughter, according to our agreement. How +do you like her?" + +"Ah, yes--she is a very nice young woman, and would make a first-rate +wife, I have no doubt. But do you know a very strange thing has happened +since you were here? Our father, Governor Cass,[10] has sent for me to +come to Detroit, that he may send me among the Wyandottes and other +nations to learn their customs and manners. Now, if I go, as I shall be +obliged to do, I shall be absent two or three years,--perhaps four. What +then? Why, the people will say, Shaw-nee-aw-kee has married Four-Legs' +daughter, and then has hated her and run away from her, and so everybody +will laugh at her, and she will be ashamed. It will be better to take +some good, valuable presents, blankets, guns, etc., and to marry her to +one of her own people, who will always stay by her and take care of +her." + +The old man was shrewd enough to see that it was wisest to make the best +bargain he could. I have no doubt it cost a round sum to settle the +matter to the satisfaction of the injured damsel, though I have never +been able to ascertain how much. This I know, that the young gentleman +took care not to make his next bargain while in a fit of the ague. The +lady up on the Mississippi is called, in derision, by his name to this +day. + +About midway of the lake we passed Garlic Island--a lovely spot, +deserving of a more attractive name. It belonged, together with the +village on the opposite shore, to "Wild Cat," a fat, jolly, good-natured +fellow, by no means the formidable animal his name would imply. + +He and his band were absent, like their neighbors of Four-Legs' +village, so there was nothing to vary the monotony of our sail. It was +too wet to sing, and the men, although wrapped in their overcoats, +looked like drowned chickens. They were obliged to ply their oars with +unusual vigor to keep themselves warm and comfortable, and thus probably +felt less than we, the dulness and listlessness of the cold, rainy, +October day. + +Towards evening the sun shone forth. We had passed into the Fox River, +and were just entering that beautiful little expanse known as Butte des +Morts Lake, at the farther extremity of which we were to encamp for the +night. + +The water along its shores was green with the fields of wild rice, the +gathering of which, just at this season, is an important occupation of +the Indian women. They push their canoes into the thick masses of the +rice, bend it forward over the side with their paddles, and then beat +the ripe husks off the stalks into a cloth spread in the canoe. After +this, it is rubbed to separate the grain from the husk, and fanned in +the open air. It is then put in their cordage bags and packed away for +winter use. The grain is longer and more slender than the Carolina +rice--it is of a greenish-olive color, and, although it forms a pleasant +article of food, it is far from being particularly nutritive. The +Indians are fond of it in the form of soup, with the addition of birds +or venison. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +BREAKFAST AT BETTY MORE'S. + + +The earth, the trees, and the shrubbery were all too much filled with +the heavy rain which had fallen to allow us to think of encamping, so we +made arrangements to bestow ourselves in our little saloon for the +night. It was rather a difficult matter to light a fire, but among the +underbrush, in a wild, undisturbed spot, there will always be found some +fragments of dried branches, and tufts of grass which the rain has not +reached, and by the assistance of the spunk, or light-wood, with which +travellers always go well provided, a comforting fire was at length +blazing brightly. + +After our chilling, tedious day, it was pleasant to gather round it, to +sit on the end of the blazing logs, and watch the Frenchmen preparing +our supper--the kettle nestling in a little nook of bright glowing +coals--the slices of ham browning and crisping on the forked sticks, or +"broches," which the voyageurs dexterously cut, and set around the +burning brands--- the savory messes of "pork and onions" hissing in the +frying-pan, always a tempting regale to the hungry Frenchmen. Truly, it +needs a wet, chilly journey, taken nearly fasting, as ours had been, to +enable one to enjoy to its full extent that social meal--a supper. + +The bright sun, setting amid brilliant masses of clouds, such as are +seen only in our Western skies, gave promise of a fine day on the +morrow, with which comforting assurance we were glad to take our leave +of him, and soon after of each other. + +We had hardly roused up the following morning, in obedience to the call +of the bourgeois, when our eyes were greeted with the sight of an +addition to our company--a tall, stalwart, fine-looking young _mitiff_, +or half-breed, accompanied by two or three Indians. Vociferous and +joyous were the salutations of the latter to their "father" and their +new "mother." They were the first Winnebagoes I had seen, and they were +decidedly not the finest specimens of their tribe. The mitiff, a scion +of the wide-spreading tree of the Grignons, was the bearer of an +invitation to us from Judge Law, who, with one or two Green Bay friends, +was encamped a few miles above, to come and breakfast with him in his +tent. We had not dreamed of finding white neighbors here, but our +vicinity could be no secret to them, as long as there was an Indian in +the neighborhood. So, delaying only for the soldiers to finish their +breakfast, we pushed on for the "Butte des Morts," or, as Mrs. A always +persisted in calling it, _Betty More's_. + +The white tent of the Judge gleamed in the morning sun as we approached +the little rising ground on which it stood. The river was filled with +canoes, paddled principally by squaws. Many Indians were to be seen on +the banks, all with their guns and hunting accoutrements, for the air +was filled in every direction with flocks of teal, which at this season +are most abundant and delicious. The immense fields of wild rice +abounding here and in the little lake below, make this vicinity their +favorite place of resort in the autumn months. The effect of this +nourishing food is to make the flesh of the birds so fat, so white, and +so tender, that a caution is always given to a young sportsman to fire +only at such as fly very low, for if shot high in the air they are +bruised to pieces and rendered unfit for eating by their fall to the +ground. + +We were hemmed in by a little fleet of canoes which surrounded us, the +women chattering, laughing, and eagerly putting forward their little +wooden bowls of fresh cranberries as an offering of welcome to me. + +I amused myself with tossing crackers to them, some of which would reach +them, others would fall into the water, and then such a scrambling and +shouting! Hands and paddles were in requisition, and loud was the +triumph of her who was successful in reaching a floating one. + +Among the Indians with whom Shaw-nee-aw-kee was now engaged in shaking +hands, and who all seemed old friends, were many fine, straight, +well-formed figures, all of them exhibiting frames capable of enduring +fatigue and the hardships of their mode of life. One was describing with +much gesticulation the abundance of the game in the neighborhood, and he +seemed greatly delighted at receiving a quantity of ammunition, with +which he instantly departed to make good his boasts in the matter. + +After walking a short distance, we reached the tent, where I was +introduced to Judge Law and a pleasant little gray-haired French +gentleman of the name of Porlier. Several voyageurs and half-breeds were +near, the former busily at work, the latter lounging for the most part, +and going through with what they had to do with a sort of listless +indifference. + +The contrast between the "all-alive" air of the one class and the +apathetic manner of the other, was quite striking. + +After a short conversation among the members of the party, breakfast was +announced, and we entered the tent and took our seats on the ground +around the Indian mat which supplied the place of a table. + +The post of honor, namely, the _head_ of the table, was of course given +to me, so that I could not only look around upon the circle of the +company, but also enjoy a fine view out of the open door of the tent, +and take an observation of all that was going on at the _side-table_ +outside. Judge Doty sat opposite me, with his back to the opening of the +tent, and the other gentlemen on either hand. We had for our waiter the +tall "mitiff" who had been the messenger of the morning. He was still in +the same garb--calico shirt, bright-colored scarf around his waist, and +on his head a straw hat encircled with a band of black ostrich feathers, +the usual dress of his class. + +The tin cups which were to hold our coffee were duly set around, then +breakfast-plates of the same metal, with knives and forks; then followed +the viands, among the most conspicuous of which was a large tin pan of +boiled ducks. + +The Judge, wishing to show, probably, that, although we were in the vast +wilderness, all fastidious nicety had not been left behind, took up the +plate which had been set before him, and, seeing something adhering to +it which did not exactly please him, handed it over his shoulder to +Grignon, requesting him to wipe it carefully. Grignon complied by +pulling a black silk barcelona handkerchief out of his bosom, where it +had been snugly tucked away to answer any occasion that might present +itself, and, giving the tin a furious polishing, handed it back again. +The Judge looked at it with a smile of approbation, and giving a glance +around the table as much as to say, "You see how I choose to have things +done," applied himself to his breakfast. + +The trail for Fort Winnebago then led from the shore opposite Butte des +Morts, through _Ma-zhee-gaw-gaw_ swamp, and past Green Lake, and it was +well for the Judge that his horses stood waiting for him to "mount and +away" as early as possible after breakfast, or I am afraid the story I +should have been tempted to tell would have made his ride an +uncomfortable one throughout the day. + +We had hardly finished breakfast when our hunter, who had received the +ammunition, returned, bringing with him about fifty fine ducks, which he +had shot in little more than an hour. From that time until the close of +our journey our supply of these delicate birds was never wanting. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +BUTTE DES MORTS--LAKE PUCKAWAY. + + +The Butte des Morts, or Hillock of the Dead, was the scene long +since[11] of a most sanguinary battle between the French and the +Mis-qua-kees, or Foxes. So great was the carnage in this engagement, +that the memory of it has been perpetuated by the gloomy appellation +given to the mound where the dead were buried. The Foxes up to this time +had inhabited the shores of the river to which they had given their +name, but, being completely overwhelmed and beaten in this conflict, +they retired to the neighborhood of the Mississippi, and sought an +asylum among their allies, the Saukies, or, as they are now called, the +Sauks, with whom they became gradually incorporated, until the combined +tribes came to be known, as at present, by the name of "Sauks and +Foxes." + +Among the French inhabitants of the upper country, each tribe of Indians +has a particular appellation, descriptive of some peculiarity of either +their habits or their personal appearance. Thus, the Chippewas, from +their agility, are denominated "Sauteurs," or Jumpers; the Ottawas, the +"Courtes-oreilles," or Short-ears. The Menomonees, from the wild rice so +abundant in their country, are called "Folles Avoines;"--the +Winnebagoes, from their custom of wearing the fur of a polecat on their +legs when equipped for war, are termed "les Puans;"--the Pottowattamies, +from their uncleanly habits, "les Poux;"--the Foxes are "les Renards," +etc. etc. + +Hence you will never hear a French or half-breed resident of the country +mention an Indian in any other style. "Such a person is a +'Court-oreille.'" "Is that woman a 'Winnebago'?" "No, she is a 'Folle +Avoine.'" In this manner a stranger is somewhat puzzled at first to +classify the acquaintances he forms. + +All the native friends with whom we were here surrounded were "les +Puans," or, to use their own euphonious appellation, the +"_Ho-tshung-rahs_." + +Having with great regret said adieu to our friend Judge Doty, whose +society had contributed so much to the pleasure of our trip, and whose +example, moreover, had given us a valuable lesson to take things as we +find them, we bade good-bye at an early hour after breakfast to our kind +hosts, and set forward on our journey. + +From Butte des Morts to the Portage, the distance by land is about +seventy miles; by water, it is not less than a hundred and thirty, so +serpentine is the course of the river through the low swampy prairies +which stretch over a great portion of this part of the country. + +About six miles above the Butte, a tolerably broad stream, called Wolf +River, joins the Fox, and as it is much the more direct and promising of +the two, strangers have sometimes mistaken it for the main stream, and +journeyed up it a considerable distance before discovering, to their +great chagrin, that they must retrace their steps. + +Beyond this place, the river begins to play its pranks with the compass. +As I was always looking out for pretty scenery to sketch, I was at one +spot much attracted by a picturesque group on a bank quite close to the +stream. There were broad overhanging trees, and two or three wigwams +nestled under their shade. Bright-looking little children, quite +unencumbered with clothing, were sporting about, and their two mothers +were sitting on the ground, engaged in the manufacture of a mat for +their lodge. It was a pretty scene, and I commenced a sketch. As usual, +the whole party on the bank set up a shout when they recognized +Shaw-nee-aw-kee,-- + +"Ee-awn-chee-wee-rah, Hee-nee-kar-ray-kay-noo."[12] + +It was an occasion on which they became demonstrative. After a little +time we proceeded, and I went on to complete my drawing. The sun kept +coming more and more into the wrong place. He had been just behind me, +presently he was on my left hand, now he was straight ahead. I moved +from time to time; at length the sun was decidedly on my right hand. +What could be the matter? I looked up. "Oh, here is a pretty scene; I +must have this too! But how surprisingly like the one I have just +finished, only in a different direction." Again we were greeted with +shouts and laughter; it was the same spot which we had passed not an +hour before, and, having taken a circuit of nearly four miles, we had +returned to find that we had made an actual progress of only the width +of the bank on which the trees and wigwams stood. Decidedly not very +encouraging to an impatient traveller. + +We reached Lake Puckaway late in the evening of our second day from +Butte des Morts. Here lived a white man named Gleason, the same +concerning whom, owing to his vast powers of exaggeration, poor Hooe was +fond of uttering his little pun, "All is not gold that Gleasons." We did +not seek shelter at his house, for, late as the season was, we found the +shore so infested with mosquitoes that we were glad to choose a spot as +far as possible from the bank, and make ourselves comfortable in our +boat. + +This lake has its name from the long flags or rushes which are found in +its waters in great abundance, and of which the squaws manufacture the +coarse matting used in covering their wigwams. Their mode of fabricating +this is very primitive and simple. Seated on the ground, with the rushes +laid side by side, and fastened at each extremity, they pass their +shuttle, a long flat needle made of bone, to which is attached a piece +of cordage formed of the bark of a tree, through each rush, thus +confining it very closely, and making a fine substantial mat. These mats +are seldom more than five or six feet in length, as a greater size would +be inconvenient in adjusting and preparing the lodges. + +It is a species of labor usually assigned to the elder women of the +family. When they become broken down and worn out with exposure and +hardship, so that they cannot cut down trees, hoe corn, or carry heavy +burdens, they are set to weaving mats, taking care of the children, and +disciplining the dogs, with which every Indian lodge abounds. + +Lac de Boeuf, or Buffalo Lake, into which our course next brought us, is +a lovely sheet of water. In some places its banks are exceedingly +picturesque, with beautiful headlands jutting out into the clear depths, +where they, and the magnificent groups of trees which crown them, lie +reflected as in a mirror. Now and then we would catch a glimpse of deer +darting across the glades which at intervals opened through the +woodlands, or a pair of sand-hill cranes would rise, slowly flapping +their wings, and seek a place of more undisturbed repose. The flocks of +teal now skimming the surface of the water, now rising higher towards +the shelter of the forests, tempted our sportsman sorely; but, as there +was little prospect of finding his game when it was brought down, he did +not give way to the wanton pleasure of shooting merely to destroy life. + +In quitting this charming lake, and again entering the narrow, tortuous +course of the river, we bade adieu to everything like scenery, until we +should reach our journey's end. + +We had now seventy miles to pass through a country perfectly monotonous +and uninteresting, the distastefulness of which was aggravated by the +knowledge that we could, had we been provided with horses or a carriage +of any kind, have crossed over to the Portage from Gleason's, through a +pleasant country, in little more than three hours. Even our great +resource, the cheering, animating songs of our voyageurs, was out of the +question; for the river, though deep, is so narrow that, in many places, +there is no room for the regular play of the oars; and the voices of +Frenchmen can never "keep tune" unless their oars can "keep time." +Lapierre, one of our men, did his best with a paddle, or, as he called +it, the "_little row_," but it was to no purpose--it _would not go_. +Besides this, the wild rice abounds to such an extent in many places, +that it almost completely obstructs the progress of even a +moderate-sized boat, so that a passage through its tangled masses is +with difficulty forced by the oars. Tedious and monotonous as was the +whole course of the two following days, the climax of impatience and +discouragement was not reached until we arrived in sight of the white +walls of Fort Winnebago, looking down from a rising ground upon the vast +expanse of low land through which the river winds. + +The Indians have a tradition that a vast serpent once lived in the +waters of the Mississippi, and that, taking a freak to visit the Great +Lakes, he left his trail through the prairies, which, collecting the +waters from the meadows and the rains of heaven as they fell, at length +became the Fox River. + +The little lakes along its course were probably the spots where he +flourished about in his uneasy slumbers at night. He must have played +all the antics of a kitten in the neighborhood of the Portage. When the +fort was first pointed out to me, I exclaimed, with delight, "Oh, we +shall be there in half an hour!" + +"Not quite so soon," said my husband, smiling. "Wait and see." We sat +and watched. We seemed approaching the very spot where we were to +disembark. We could distinguish the officers and a lady on the bank +waiting to receive us. Now we were turning our backs on them, and +shooting out into the prairie again. Anon we approached another bank, on +which was a range of comfortable-looking log houses. "That's the +Agency," said my husband; "the largest house belongs to Paquette, the +interpreter, and the others are the dwellings of our Frenchmen. The +little building, just at the foot of the hill, is the blacksmith's shop, +kept there by the Government, that the Indians may have their guns and +traps mended free of expense." + +"But are we going to stop there?" + +"No; do you not see we are going back to the fort?" + +And, to be sure, our course had now turned, and we were setting in our +first direction. In this manner, after tacking to the right and left and +putting backwards and forwards during the greater part of two hours, we +at length reached the little landing, on which the assembled party stood +ready to greet us. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +FORT WINNEBAGO. + + +Major and Mrs. Twiggs, and a few of the younger officers (for nearly all +of the older ones were absent), with our brother Robert, or, as he is +called throughout all the Indian tribes, "Bob," gave us a cordial +welcome--how cordial those alone can know who have come, like us, to a +remote, isolated home in the wilderness. The Major insisted on our +taking possession at once of vacant quarters in the fort, instead of at +"the Agency," as had been proposed. + +"No--we must be under the same roof with them. Mrs. Twiggs had been +without a companion of her own sex for more than four months, and would +certainly not hear of a separation now. But we must be their guests +until the arrival of the boats containing our furniture," which, under +the care of our old acquaintance, Hamilton Arndt, was making its way +slowly up from Green Bay. + +A dinner had been prepared for us. This is one of the advantages of the +zigzag approach by the Fox River--travellers never take their friends by +surprise; and when the whole circle sat down to the hospitable board, we +were indeed a merry company. + +After dinner Mrs. Twiggs showed me the quarters assigned to us, on the +opposite side of the spacious hall. They consisted of two large rooms on +each of the three floors or stories of the building. On the ground-floor +the front room was vacant. The one in the rear was to be the +sleeping-apartment, as was evident from a huge, unwieldy bedstead, of +proportions amply sufficient to have accommodated Og, the King of +Bashan, with Mrs. Og and the children into the bargain. We could not +repress our laughter; but the bedstead was nothing to another structure +which occupied a second corner of the apartment. + +This edifice had been built under the immediate superintendence of one +of our young lieutenants, and it was plain to be seen that upon it both +he and the soldiers who fabricated it had exhausted all their +architectural skill. The timbers of which it was composed had been +grooved and carved; the pillars that supported the front swelled in and +out in a most fanciful manner; the doors were not only panelled, but +radiated in a way to excite the admiration of all unsophisticated eyes. +A similar piece of workmanship had been erected in each set of quarters, +to supply the deficiency of closets, an inconvenience which had never +occurred, until too late, to the bachelors who planned them. The three +apartments of which each structure was composed, were unquestionably +designed for clothes-press, store-room, and china-closet; such, at +least, were the uses to which Mrs. Twiggs had appropriated the one +assigned to her. There was this slight difficulty, that in the latter +the shelves were too close to admit of setting in even a gravy-boat, but +they made up in number what was wanting in space. We christened the +whole affair, in honor of its projector, a "Davis," thus placing the +first laurel on the brow of one who was afterwards to signalize himself +in _Cabinet_ making of quite a different character. + +The bold promontory on which Fort Winnebago was built looked down upon +the extended prairie and the Fox River on one side, and on the other +stretched away into the thickly-wooded ridge that led off to Belle +Fontaine and Lake Puckaway. + +In front lay an extent of meadow, across which was the Portage road, of +about two miles in length, leading between the Fox and the Wisconsin +Rivers. Teams of oxen and a driver were kept at the Agency by the +Government, to transport the canoes of the Indians across this place, +which at many seasons was wet, miry, and almost impassable. + +The woods were now brilliant with the many tints of autumn, and the +scene around was further enlivened by groups of Indians, in all +directions, and their lodges, which were scattered here and there, in +the vicinity of the Agency buildings. On the low grounds might be seen +the white tents of the traders, already prepared to furnish winter +supplies to the Indians, in exchange for the annuity money they were +about to receive. + +A great concourse had been for many days assembling in anticipation of +the payment, which was expected to take place as soon as Shaw-nee-aw-kee +should arrive with the silver. + +Preparatory to this event, the great chief of the nation, Four-Legs, +whose village we had passed at the entrance to Winnebago Lake, had +thought proper to take a little carouse, as is too apt to be the custom +when the savages come into the neighborhood of a sutler's establishment. +In the present instance, the facilities for a season of intoxication had +been augmented by the presence on the ground of some traders, too +regardless of the very stringent laws prohibiting the sale of liquor to +the Indians. + +Poor Four-Legs could not stand this full tide of prosperity. Unchecked +by the presence of his Father, the agent, he carried his indulgence to +such excess that he fell a victim in the course of a few days. His +funeral had been celebrated with unusual pomp the day before our +arrival, and great was my disappointment at finding myself too late to +witness all the ceremonies. + +His body, according to their custom, having been wrapped in a blanket, +and placed in a rude coffin, along with his guns, tomahawk, pipes, and a +quantity of tobacco, had been carried to the most elevated point of the +hill opposite the fort, followed by an immense procession of his people, +whooping, beating their drums, howling, and making altogether what is +emphatically termed a "_pow-wow_" + +After the interment of the body, a stake was planted at its head, on +which was painted in vermilion a series of hieroglyphics, descriptive of +the great deeds and events of his life The whole was then surrounded +with pickets of the trunks of the tamarack-trees, and hither the friends +would come for many successive days to renew the expression of their +grief, and to throw over the grave tobacco and other offerings to the +Great Spirit. + +It was a consolation to find that, although delayed, we were yet in time +to furnish a quantity of white cotton for a flag to wave over the grave, +and also to pay a considerable bill at the sutler's for the different +articles that had been found necessary for the funeral parade--it being +a duty expected of their Father to bury the dead suitably. + +The funeral observances in honor of the chief had not yet ceased. +Throughout the day, and all that night, the sound of instruments, +mingled with doleful lamentations, and with the discordant whoops and +yells of those in a partial state of intoxication, filled the air, and +disturbed our repose. To these were added occasionally the plaintive +sounds of the Indian flute, upon which the young savage plays when he is +in love. Grief and whiskey had made their hearts tender, and the woods +resounded to their melancholy strains. + +Early the following morning, before I left my room, I was startled by +the sounds of lamentation and woe proceeding from the adjoining +apartment. On entering it, I found several squaws seated on the floor, +with downcast looks expressive of condolence and sympathy, while in +their midst sat a little ugly woman, in tattered garments, with +blackened face and dishevelled hair, sobbing and wailing bitterly. + +Not doubting they were the family of the deceased chief, I was quite +troubled at my inability to express, otherwise than by gestures, my +participation in their sorrows. + +Unacquainted as I was with their customs, I took it for granted from +their wretched appearance that poverty and destitution formed one of the +sources of their affliction. One of the party, at least, seemed in the +very depths of misery. "Can it be possible," said I to myself, "that +this poor creature has only these scanty rags to cover her?" + +Stepping back to my own room, I brought out a pretty calico wrapper, +which I presented to the little, dirty, blackened object. She took it, +and commenced a fresh series of sobbing and sighing. I made signs to her +to put it on, opening it and explaining to her how it was to be worn, +and recommending to her, by gestures, to lose no time in making herself +more comfortable. + +At this, the other women burst into a laugh. + +"Very mal-a-propos," thought I, "and somewhat unfeeling." At that moment +my husband, entering, explained to me that the chief mourner was Madame +Four-Legs, the widow; that she had undoubtedly a comfortable wardrobe at +home, but that it was part of the etiquette of mourning to go for a +season with neglected persons and blackened faces. All this was told me +in the intervals of shaking hands, and offering and receiving +condolences in the most uncouth, guttural language I had ever heard. +Their Father at length dismissed them, with a promise of some presents +to help dry up their tears. It must not be inferred that the grief of +the poor little widow was not sincere. On the contrary, she was greatly +attached to her husband, and had had great influence not only with him +but with the nation at large. She was a Fox woman, and spoke the +Chippewa, which is the court language among all the tribes, so that she +was often called upon to act as interpreter, and had, in fact, been in +the habit of accompanying her husband, and assisting him by her counsels +upon all occasions. She was a person of great shrewdness and judgment, +and, as I afterwards experienced, of strong and tenacious affections. + +After breakfast I received a visit from the principal chiefs, who had +put on their best of apparel and paint to receive their new mother. + +There was Naw-kaw, or Kar-ray-mau-nee, "the Walking Turtle," now the +principal chief of the nation, a stalwart Indian, with a broad, pleasant +countenance, the great peculiarity of which was an immense under lip, +hanging nearly to his chin. There was the old Day-kau-ray, the most +noble, dignified, and venerable of his own, or indeed of any tribe. His +fine Roman countenance, rendered still more striking by his bald head, +with one solitary tuft of long silvery hair neatly tied and falling back +on his shoulders; his perfectly neat, appropriate dress, almost without +ornament, and his courteous demeanor, never laid aside under any +circumstances, all combined to give him the highest place in the +consideration of all who knew him. It will hereafter be seen that his +traits of character were not less grand and striking than were his +personal appearance and deportment. + +There was Black-Wolf, whose lowering, surly face was well described by +his name. The fierce expression of his countenance was greatly +heightened by the masses of heavy black hair hanging round it, quite +contrary to the usual fashion among the Winnebagoes. They, for the most +part, remove a portion of their hair, the remainder of which is drawn to +the back of the head, clubbed and ornamented with beads, ribbons, cock's +feathers, or, if they are so entitled, an eagle's feather for every +scalp taken from an enemy. + +There was _Talk-English,_ a remarkably handsome, powerful young Indian, +who received his name in the following manner. He was one of a party of +sixteen Winnebagoes who had, by invitation, accompanied their Agent and +Major Forsyth (or the Chippewa, as he was called) on a visit to the +President at Washington, the year previous. + +On the journey, the question naturally addressed to them by people not +familiar with Western Indians was,-- + +"Do you talk English?" + +The young fellow, being very observant, came to his Father. "What do +they mean by this? Everybody says to me, _talk English!_" + +The Agent interpreted the words to him. "Ah, very well." + +The next place they arrived at was Lockport, in the State of New York. +Jumping off the canal-boat upon the lock, he ran up to the first man he +met, and, thrusting forward his face, cried out, "Talk Eengeesh?" + +"Yes," said the man; "do you talk English?" + +"Ya-as." + +From that time forward he always bore the name of _Talk-English_, and +was registered on the pay-rolls by a title of which he was not a little +proud. + +Hoo-wau-ne-kah, "the Little Elk," was another of the distinguished men +of the tribe. He had likewise been at Washington. Henry Clay, when he +visited them, after looking carefully at the countenances and bearing +of all the members of the deputation, had indicated him as the one +possessing the greatest talent; and he was greatly pleased when informed +that he was the principal orator of the nation, and decidedly superior +in abilities to any other individual of the tribe. + +Wild-Cat, our Indian Falstaff in all save the cowardice and falsehood, I +have already mentioned. + +Then there was Kau-ray-kaw-saw-kaw, "the White Crow," a Rock River +Indian, who afterwards distinguished himself as the friend of the whites +during the Sauk war. He was called by the French "le Borgne," from +having lost an eye; and the black silk handkerchief which he wore +drooping over the left side of his face to disguise the blemish, taken +with his native costume, gave him a very singular appearance. + +There was a nephew of the defunct chief Four-Legs, to whom with justice +was given, by both whites and Indians, the appellation of "the Dandy." +When out of mourning his dress was of the most studied and fanciful +character. A shirt (when he condescended to wear any) of the brightest +colors, ornamented with innumerable rows of silver brooches set thickly +together; never less than two pairs of silver arm-bands; leggings and +moccasins of the most elaborate embroidery in ribbons and +porcupine-quills; everything that he could devise in the shape of +ornament hanging to his club of hair behind; a feather fan in one hand, +and in the other a mirror, in which he contemplated himself every five +minutes; these, with the variety and brilliancy of the colors upon his +face, the suitable choice and application of which occupied no small +portion of the hours allotted to his toilet, made up the equipment of +young Four-Legs. + +This devotion to dress and appearance seemed not altogether out of +place in a youthful dandy; but we had likewise an old one of the same +stamp. Pawnee Blanc, or the White Pawnee, surpassed his younger +competitor, if possible, in attention to his personal attractions. + +Upon the present occasion he appeared in all his finery, and went +through the customary salutations with an air of solemn dignity, then +walked, as did the others, into the parlor (for I had received them in +the hall), where they all seated themselves upon the floor. Fortunately, +the room was now bare of furniture, but "alas!" thought I, "for my +pretty carpet, if this is to be the way they pay their respects to me!" +I watched the falling of the ashes from their long pipes, and the other +inconveniences of the use of tobacco, or kin-nee-kin-nick, with absolute +dismay. + +The visit of the chiefs was succeeded by one from the interpreter and +his wife, with all the Canadian and half-breed women, whose husbands +found employment at the Agency or at the American Fur Company's +establishment. + +By this time my piano had been taken from its case and set up in our +quarters. To our great joy, we found it entirely uninjured. Thanks to +the skill of Nunns and Clark, not a note was out of tune. + +The women, to whom it was an entire novelty, were loud in their +exclamations of wonder and delight. + +"_Eh-h-h! regardez donc! Quelles inventions! Quelles merveilles!_"[13] + +One, observing the play of my fingers reflected in the nameboard, called +in great exultation to her companions. She had discovered, as she +thought, the hidden machinery by which the sounds were produced, and was +not a little mortified when she was undeceived. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +HOUSEKEEPING. + + +As the boats might be expected in a few days, it was thought best to +begin at once what preparations were in my power towards housekeeping. +These were simply the fitting and sewing of my carpets, in which I was +kindly assisted by Mrs. Twiggs; and, the wife of one of our Frenchmen +having come over from the Agency and made everything tidy and +comfortable, the carpets were soon tacked down, and the rooms were ready +for the reception of the rest of the furniture. + +I had made many fruitless attempts, both in Detroit and Green Bay, to +procure a servant-woman to accompany me to my new home. Sometimes one +would present herself, but, before we could come to a final agreement, +the thoughts of the distance, of the savages, the hardships of the +journey, or, perhaps, the objections of friends, would interfere to +break off the negotiation; so that I had at length been obliged to rest +satisfied with the simple hope held out by my husband, that one of his +French employes, with his wife, would be contented to take up their +abode with us. + +In this state of things, all difficulties seemed to be obviated by the +proposal of Major Twiggs, that we should take into our service a young +colored girl whom he had brought from Buffalo, in the spring, to wait on +Mrs. T. until her own servants should arrive from the South. + +Louisa was accordingly sent for, an uncommonly handsome young negress, +with an intelligent but very demure countenance, who called herself +fifteen years of age, but who, from the progress in vice and iniquity I +afterwards discovered her to have made, must have been at least several +years older. Be that as it may, she now seemed to have no fault but +carelessness and inexperience, both of which I had great hopes she would +get the better of, under careful training. + +My first week's visit with Mrs. Twiggs had just expired when word was +given that the boats were in sight--the boats that contained our +furniture--and the expected arrival of Louis Philippe to visit Queen +Victoria could scarcely have created a more universal sensation, than +did this announcement in our little community. Although we knew that +some hours must yet elapse before they could reach the spot for +disembarkation, we were constantly on the watch, and at length all the +young officers, followed by as many of the soldiers as were off duty, +accompanied Mr. Kinzie down the bank to the landing, to witness and, if +necessary, to assist in helping everything safe to land. + +Sad was the plight in which matters were found. The water poured out of +the corners of the boxes as they were successively hoisted on shore. Too +impatient to wait until they could be carried up to the fort, the +gentlemen soon furnished themselves with, hammers and hatchets, and fell +eagerly to work, opening the boxes to explore the extent of the damage. +Alas for the mahogany! not a piece from which the edges and veneering +were not starting. It had all the appearance of having lain under the +Grande Chute for days. Poor Hamilton was load in his protestations and +excuses. + +It was the fault of the men, of the weather, of the way the things were +packed. "Confound it! he had taken the best care of the things he +possibly could--better than he had ever taken before--it _would_ get +done!" + +There was nothing but to be patient and make the best of it. And when +the pretty sideboard and work-table had been thoroughly rubbed and set +up, and all the little knick-knacks arranged on the mantel-piece--when +the white curtains were hung at the windows, and the chairs and +dining-table each in its proper place in relation to the piano, our +parlor was pronounced "magnificent." At least so seemed to think +Hamilton, who came to give one admiring look, and to hear the music of +the piano, which was a perfect novelty to him. His description of it to +the young officers, after his return to the Bay, was expressive of his +admiration and wonder--"There it stood on its four legs! Anybody might +go up and touch it!" + +In due time the dinner- and tea-sets were carefully bestowed in the +"Davis," together with sundry jars of sweetmeats that I had prepared in +Detroit; the iron and tin utensils were placed in a neat cupboard in the +kitchen, of which my piano-box supplied the frame; the barrel of eggs +and tubs of butter, brought all the way from Ohio, were ranged in the +store-room; a suitable quantity of salt pork and flour was purchased +from the commissary; and, there being no lack of game of every +description, the offering of our red children, we were ready to commence +housekeeping. + +The first dinner in her own home is an era in the life of a young +housekeeper. I shall certainly never forget mine. While I was in the +lower regions superintending my very inexpert little cook, my husband +made his appearance, to say that, as the payment (then the all-absorbing +topic of interest) would not commence until afternoon, he had invited M. +Rolette, Mr. Hempstead, and four other gentlemen to dine with us. + +"So unexpected--so unprepared for?" + +"Never mind; give them anything you have. They have been living for +some days in tents, and anything will taste well to them." + +My dinner had been intended to consist chiefly of a venison pasty, and +fortunately the only dish among my store was of very large proportions, +so that there was already smoking in the oven a pie of a size nearly +equal to the famous Norwich pudding; thus, with some trifling additions +to the bill of fare, we made out very well, and the master of the house +had the satisfaction of hearing the impromptu dinner very much commended +by his six guests. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +INDIAN PAYMENT--MRS. WASHINGTON. + + +There were two divisions of the Winnebago Indians, one of which was paid +by the Agent, at the Portage, the other at Prairie du Chien, by General +Street. The first, between four and five thousand in number, received, +according to treaty stipulations, fifteen thousand dollars annually, +besides a considerable amount of presents, and a certain number of +rations of bread and pork, to be issued in times of emergency throughout +the year. + +The principal villages of this division of the tribe were at Lake +Winnebago, Green and Fox Lakes, the Barribault, Mud Lake, the Four +Lakes, Kosh-ko-nong, and Turtle Creek. Messengers were dispatched, at or +before the arrival of the annuity-money, to all the different villages, +to notify the heads of families or lodges to assemble at "the Portage." + +When arrived, the masters of families, under their different chiefs, +give in their names, and the number in their lodges, to be registered. +As, in paying, a certain sum of money is apportioned to each individual, +it is, of course, an object to the head of a lodge to make the number +registered as great as possible. Each one brings his little bundle of +sticks, and presents it to the Agent to register. Sometimes a dialogue +like the following occurs: + +"How many have you in your lodge?" + +The Indian carefully, and with great ceremony, counts his bundle of +sticks--"Fifteen" + +"How many men?" + +"Two." The Agent lays aside two sticks + +"How many women?" + +"Three." Three more sticks are separated. + +"How many children?" + +"Eight" Eight sticks are added to the heap. + +"What is the meaning of these two sticks that remain?" + +The culprit, whose arithmetic has not served him to carry out his +deception, disappears amid the shouts and jeers of his companions, who +are always well pleased at the detection of any roguery in which they +have had no share. + +The young officers generally assisted in counting out and delivering the +money at these payments, and it was no unusual thing, as the last band +came up, for the chiefs to take a quantity of silver out of the box and +request their Father to pay his friends for their trouble, seeming +really disturbed at his refusal. In this, as in almost every instance, +we see the native courtesy and politeness, which are never lost sight of +among them. If a party comes to their Father to beg for provisions, and +food is offered them, however hungry they may be, each waits patiently +until one of the company makes an equal distribution of the whole, and +then, taking his share, eats it quietly, with the greatest moderation. I +never saw this rule violated, save in one instance. + +Our friend, Pawnee Blanc, _the Old Dandy_, once came with a party of +Indians, requesting permission to dance for us in the open space before +the door. It was a warm, dusty afternoon, and as our friends grew heated +and fatigued with the violent and long-continued exercise, a pitcher of +raspberry negus was prepared and sent out to them. Pawnee received the +pitcher and tumbler, and, pouring the latter about half full, gave it to +the first of the circle, then filled the same for the next, and so on, +until it suddenly occurred to him to look into the pitcher. What he saw +there determined his course of action; so, setting the tumbler upon the +ground, he raised the pitcher with both hands to his lips and gave a +hearty pull, after which he went on, giving less and less, until he was +called to have the pitcher replenished. All present agreed it was the +only instance they had ever witnessed, of an Indian's appearing afraid +of getting less of a thing than his share. + +During the payment a good many kegs of whiskey find their way into the +lodges of the Indians, notwithstanding the watchfulness of both officers +and Agent. Where there is a demand there will always be a supply, let +the legal prohibitions be what they may. The last day of the payment is, +invariably, one of general carousing. + +When the men begin their _frolic_, the women carefully gather all the +guns, knives, tomahawks, and weapons of every description, and secrete +them, that as little mischief as possible may be done in the absence of +all restraint and reason. I am sorry to record that our little friend, +Pawnee Blanc, was greatly addicted to the pleasures of the bottle. + +Among the presents for the chiefs, which Shaw-nee-aw-kee had brought +from the East, was a trunk of blue cloth coats, trimmed with broad gold +lace, and a box of round black hats, ornamented in a similar manner. All +who are familiar with Indians, of whatever tribe, will have observed +that their first step towards civilization, whether in man or woman, is +mounting a man's hat, decorated with tinsel; ribbons, or feathers. +Pawnee was among the happy number remembered in the distribution; so, +donning at once his new costume, and tying a few additional bunches of +gay-colored ribbons to a long spear, that was always his baton of +ceremony, he came at once, followed by an admiring train, chiefly of +women, to pay me a visit of state. + +The solemn gravity of his countenance, as he motioned away those who +would approach too near and finger his newly-received finery--the +dignity with which he strutted along, edging this way and that to avoid +any possible contact from homely, every-day wardrobes--augured well for +a continuance of propriety and self-respect, and a due consideration of +the good opinion of all around. But, alas for Pawnee! late in the day we +saw him assisted towards his lodge by two stout young Indians, who had +pulled him out of a ditch, his fine coat covered with mud, his hat +battered and bruised, his spear shorn of its gay streamers, and poor +Pawnee himself weeping and uttering all the doleful lamentations of a +tipsy Indian. + + * * * * * + +Among the women with whom I early made acquaintance was the wife of +Wau-kaun-zee-kah, _the Yellow Thunder_. She had accompanied her husband, +who was one of the deputation to visit the President, and from that time +forth she had been known as "the Washington woman." She had a pleasant, +old-acquaintance sort of air in greeting me, as much as to say, "You +and I have seen something of the world." No expression of surprise or +admiration escaped her lips, as her companions, with childlike, laughing +simplicity, exclaimed and clapped their hands at the different wonderful +objects I showed them. Her deportment said plainly, "Yes, yes, my +children, I have seen all these things before." It was not until I put +to her ear a tropical shell, of which I had a little cabinet, and she +heard its murmuring sound, that she laid aside her apathy of manner. She +poked her finger into the opening to get at the animal within, shook it +violently, then raised it to her ear again, and finally burst into a +hearty laugh, and laid it down, acknowledging, by her looks, that this +was beyond her comprehension. + +I had one shell of peculiar beauty--my favorite in the whole +collection--a small conch, covered with rich, dark veins. Each of the +visitors successively took up this shell, and by words and gestures +expressed her admiration, evidently showing that she had an eye for +beauty--this was on the occasion of the parting visit of my red +daughters. + +Shortly after the payment had been completed, and the Indians had left, +I discovered that my valued shell was missing from the collection. Could +it be that one of the squaws had stolen it? It was possible--they would +occasionally, though rarely, do such things under the influence of +strong temptation. I tried to recollect which, among the party, looked +most likely to have been the culprit. It could not have been the +Washington woman--she was partly civilized, and knew better. + +A few weeks afterwards Mrs. _Yellow Thunder_ again made her appearance, +and carefully unfolding a gay-colored chintz shawl, which she carried +rolled up in her hand, she produced the shell, and laid it on the table +before me. I did not know whether to show, by my countenance, +displeasure at the trick she had played me, or joy at receiving my +treasure back again, but at length decided that it was the best policy +to manifest no emotion whatever. + +She prolonged her visit until my husband's return, and he then +questioned her about the matter. + +"She had taken the shell to her village, to show to some of her people, +who did not come to the payment." + +"Why had she not asked her mother's leave before carrying it away?" + +"Because she saw that her mother liked the shell, and she was afraid she +would say, No." + +This was not the first instance in which Madame Washington had displayed +the shrewdness which was a predominant trait in her character. During +the visit of the Indians to the Eastern cities, they were taken to +various exhibitions, museums, menageries, theatres, etc. It did not +escape their observation that some silver was always paid before +entrance, and they inquired the reason. It was explained to them. The +woman brightened up, as if struck with an idea. + +"How much do you pay for each one?" + +Her Father told her. + +"How do you say that in English?" + +"Two shillings." + +"_Two shinnin--humph_" (good). + +The next day, when, as usual, visitors began to flock to the rooms where +the Indians were sojourning, the woman and a young Indian, her +confederate, took their station by the door, which they kept closed. +When any one knocked, the door was cautiously opened, and the woman, +extending her hand, exclaimed--"_Two shinnin_." + +This was readily paid in each instance, and the game went on, until she +had accumulated a considerable sum. But this did not satisfy her. At the +first attempt of a visitor to leave the room, the door was held close, +as before, the hand was extended, and "_Two shinnin_" again met his ear. +He tried to explain that, having paid for his entrance, he must go out +free. With an innocent shake of the head, "_Two shinnin_," was all the +English she could understand. + +The Agent, who had entered a short time before, and who, overhearing the +dialogue, sat laughing behind his newspaper, waiting to see how it would +all end, now came forward and interfered, and the guests were permitted +to go forth without a further contribution. + +The good woman was moreover admonished that it was far from the custom +of white people to tax their friends and visitors in this manner, and +that the practice must be laid aside in future. + +Another instance of the disposition of the Indians to avail themselves +of all the goods that fortune throws in their way, was the following: + +Upon the same trip, while passing through Ohio, one of the party +inquired of the Agent,-- + +"Do you pay for all those provisions that are set before us at the +hotels?" + +"Yes. Why do you ask?" + +"Nothing: I thought you perhaps paid for just what we ate of them." + +At the next stopping-place a fine breakfast was set upon the table, of +which, as usual, they partook plentifully. Just as they had finished, +the horn sounded for all to take their places in the stage-coaches. Each +sprang to his feet. One seized the plates of biscuits and poured them +into the corner of his blanket; another the remains of a pair of +chickens; a third emptied the sugar-bowls; each laid hold of what was +nearest him, and in a trice nothing was left upon the table but the +empty plates and dishes. The landlord and waiters, meanwhile, stood +laughing and enjoying the trick as much as any of the spectators. + +Upon another occasion, their Father had endeavored to impress upon them +the unseemliness of throwing their refuse pieces, bones, and fragments +of food about on the table-cloth, pointing out to them the orderly +manner of the whites at table, and the propriety of keeping everything +neat and nice around them. + +At their next meal, they were served first with a chicken-pie, of which +they ate very heartily, and the accumulation of bones on their plates +was very abundant. Presently another and more favorite dish appeared,--a +fine, large, roasted turkey. A gentleman sat near, and was evidently +preparing to carve it. No time was to be lost. What was to be done with +the bones? They looked around in some perplexity. A large apple-pie was +standing near. The most eager drew it towards him, and quick as thought +all the bones were deposited upon it, while, with a triumphant laugh at +the happy idea, he coolly transferred the bird to his own dish, and +proceeded to distribute it among his companions. The amazed stranger +soon joined in the laugh at the unceremonious manner in which his share +of the dinner had vanished. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +LOUISA--DAY-KAU-RAY ON EDUCATION. + + +The payment was now over, and the Indians had dispersed and gone to +their wintering grounds. The traders, too, had departed, laden with a +good share of the silver, in exchange for which each family had provided +itself, as far as possible, with clothing, guns, traps, ammunition, and +the other necessaries for their winter use. The Indians are good at a +bargain. They are not easily overreached. On the contrary, they +understand at once when a charge is exorbitant; and a trader who tries +his shrewdness upon them is sure to receive an expressive _sobriquet_, +which ever after clings to him. + +For instance, M. Rolette was called by them "Ah-kay-zaup-ee-tah," _five +more_--because, as they said, let them offer what number of skins they +might, in bartering for an article, his terms were invariably "five +more" + +Upon one occasion a lady remarked to him, "Oh, M. Rolette, I would not +be engaged in the Indian trade; it seems to me a system of cheating the +poor Indians." + +"Let me tell you, madame," replied he, with great _naivete_, "it is not +so easy a thing to cheat the Indians as you imagine. I have tried it +these twenty years, and have never succeeded!" + + * * * * * + +We were now settled down to a quiet, domestic life. The military system +under which everything was conducted--the bugle-call, followed by the +music of a very good band, at reveille; the light, animated strains for +"sick-call," and soon after for "breakfast;" the longer ceremony of +"guard-mounting;" the "Old English Roast-Beef," to announce the +dinner-hour; the sweet, plaintive strains of "Lochaber no more," +followed most incongruously by "The Little Cock-Sparrow," at retreat; +and, finally, the long, rolling "tattoo," late in the evening--made +pleasant divisions of our time, which, by the aid of books, music, and +drawing, in addition to household occupations, seemed to fly more +swiftly than ever before. It was on Sunday that I most missed my Eastern +home. I had planned beforehand what we should do on the first recurrence +of this sacred day, under our own roof. "We shall have at least," said I +to myself, "the Sabbath's quiet and repose, and I can, among other +things, benefit poor Louisa by giving her some additional lessons of a +serious character." + +So, while she was removing the breakfast-things, I said to her,-- + +"Now, Louisa, get your work all finished, and everything put neatly +aside, and then come here to me again." + +"Yes, ma'am." + +We sat down to our books, and read and waited; we waited and read +another hour--no Louisa. + +There was music and the sound of voices on the parade in front of our +windows, but that did not disturb us; it was what we were daily +accustomed to. + +I must go at length, and see what could be keeping my damsel so. I +descended to the kitchen. The breakfast-things stood upon the table--the +kettles and spider upon the hearth--the fire was out--the kitchen empty. + +Passing back into the hall, which extended the whole length of the house +and opened in front upon the parade, I perceived a group collected in +the area, of all shades and colors, and in the midst, one round, woolly +head which I could not mistake, bobbing up and down, now on this side, +now on that, while peals of laughter were issuing from the whole group. + +"Louisa," I called, "come here. What are you doing there?" + +"Looking at inspection." + +"But why are not your breakfast-things washed, and your kitchen swept? +Did I not tell you I wished you to come up and learn your lessons?" + +"Yes, ma'am; but I had to see inspection first. Everybody looks at +inspection on Sunday." + +I found it was in vain to expect to do more for Louisa than give her an +afternoon's lesson, and with that I was obliged to content myself. + +I felt that it would be very pleasant, and perhaps profitable, for all +the inmates of the garrison to assemble on this day; one of our number +might be found who would read a portion of the church-service, with a +sermon from one of our different selections. + +I approached the subject cautiously, with an inquiry to this effect: + +"Are there none among the officers who are religiously disposed?" + +"Oh, yes," replied the one whom I addressed, "there is S----; when he is +half tipsy, he takes his Bible and 'Newton's Works,' and goes to bed and +cries over them; he thinks in this way he is excessively pious." + +S---- was among the officers who had never called upon us; it was fair +to infer that if his religious principles did not correct his own evil +habits they would not aid much in improving others; therefore it seemed +useless to call in his co-operation in any scheme for a better +observance of the Lord's day. + +We had to content ourselves with writing to our friends at the East to +interest themselves in getting a missionary sent to us, who should +officiate as chaplain in the garrison--a plan that seemed to find favor +with the officers. The hope of any united religious services was, for +the present, laid aside. + +The post-surgeon having obtained a furlough, his place was supplied by +Dr. Newhall, of Galena, and thus, by the addition of his gentle, quiet +wife, our circle of ladies was now enlarged to three. Here we were, in a +wilderness, but yet how contented and happy! + +A gloom was soon to replace this envied tranquillity in our home. A +Frenchman, named Letendre, one day suddenly presented himself. He had +come from Chicago, with the distressing intelligence of the +extreme--indeed, hopeless--illness of our dear relative, Dr. Wolcott. My +husband immediately commenced his preparations for instant departure. I +begged to be permitted to accompany him, but the rapidity with which he +proposed to journey obliged him to refuse my entreaties. In a few hours +his provisions, horses, and all other things necessary for the journey +were in readiness, and he set off with Petaille Grignon, his usual +attendant on such expeditions, leaving Letendre to follow as soon as +recruited from his fatigue. + +Sad and dreary were the hours of his absence, notwithstanding the kind +efforts of our friends to cheer me. In a few days I received the news of +the fatal termination of Dr. W.'s illness, brought by another messenger. +That noble heart, so full of warm and kindly affections, had ceased to +beat, and sad and desolate indeed were those who had so loved and +honored him. + +As soon as he could possibly leave his family, my husband returned; and +it was fortunate that he had delayed no longer, for the winter now began +to set in, and with severity. + +Our quarters were spacious, but having been constructed of the green +trees of the forest, cut down and sawed into boards by the bands of the +soldiers, they were considerably given to shrinking and warping, thus +leaving many a yawning crevice. Stuffing the cracks with cotton batting, +and pasting strips of paper over them, formed the employment of many a +leisure hour. + +Then the chimneys, spite of all the currents of air, which might have +been expected to create a draught, had a sad habit of smoking. To remedy +this, a couple of gun-barrels were, by order of the commanding officer, +sawed off and inserted in the hearth, one on each side of the +fire-place, in the hope that the air from the room below might help to +carry the smoke into its proper place, the chimney. + +The next morning after this had been done, Louisa was washing the +hearth. + +"Pray, ma'am," said she, "what are these things put in here for?" + +I explained their use. + +"Oh, I am so glad it is only that! Uncle Ephraim (Major Twiggs's +servant) said they were to be filled with powder and fired off Christmas +Day, and he was terribly afraid they would blow the house up, and we in +it." + +Ephraim, who was a most faithful and valuable servant, often amused +himself with playing upon the credulity of the younger portions of the +colored fraternity. + +"Is it true," asked Louisa, one day, "that Pillon and Plante were once +prairie-wolves?" + +"Prairie-wolves! what an idea! Why do you ask such a foolish question?" + +"Because Uncle Ephraim says they, and all the Frenchmen about here, were +once prairie-wolves, and that, living so near the white people, they +grow, after a time, to be like them, and learn to talk and dress like +them. And then, when they get to be old, they turn back into +prairie-wolves again, and that all the wolves that the officers bait +with their dogs used to be Frenchmen, once." + +After a time, however, I ceased to straighten out these stories of Uncle +Ephraim, for I was gradually arriving at the conviction that my little +colored damsel was by no means so simple and unsophisticated as she +would have me believe, and that I was, after all, the one who was +imposed upon. + +The snow this winter was prodigious, and the cold intense. The water +would freeze in our parlors at a very short distance from the fire, for, +although the "fatigue-parties" kept the halls filled with wood, almost +up to the ceiling, that did not counterbalance the inconvenience of +having the wide doors thrown open to the outer air for a great portion +of the day, to allow of their bringing it in. We Northerners should have +had wood-houses specially for the purpose, and not only have kept our +great hall-doors closed, but have likewise protected them with a +"hurricane-house." But the Florida frontier was not a climate in which +our Southern bachelors could have acquired the knowledge available when +the thermometer was twenty-five degrees below zero--a point at which +brandy congealed in the sideboard. + +The arrival of Christmas and New-Year's brought us our Indian friends +again. They had learned something of the observance of these holidays +from their French neighbors, and I had been forewarned that I should see +the squaws kissing every white man they met. Although not crediting this +to its full extent, I could readily believe that they would each expect +a present, as a "compliment of the season," so I duly prepared myself +with a supply of beads, ribbons, combs, and other trinkets. Knowing +them to be fond of dainties, I had also a quantity of crullers and +doughnuts made ready the day before, as a treat to them. + +To my great surprise and annoyance, only a moderate share of the cakes, +the frying of which had been intrusted to Louisa, were brought up to be +placed in the "Davis." + +"Where are the rest of the cakes, Louisa?" + +"That great fellow, Hancock, came in with the fatigue-party to fill the +water-barrels, and while I had just stepped into the store-room to get +some more flour, he carried off all I had got cooked." + +And Louisa made a face and whined, as if she had not herself treated +every soldier who had set his foot in the premises. + +At an early hour the next morning I had quite a levee of the +Ho-tshung-rah matrons. They seated themselves in a circle on the floor, +and I was sorry to observe that the application of a little soap and +water to their blankets had formed no part of their holiday +preparations. There being no one to interpret, I thought I would begin +the conversation in a way intelligible to themselves, so I brought out +of the sideboard a china dish, filled with the nice brown crullers, over +which I had grated, according to custom, a goodly quantity of white +sugar. I handed it to the first of the circle. She took the dish from my +hand, and, deliberately pouring all the cakes into the corner of her +blanket, returned it to me empty. "She must be a meat voracious person," +thought I; "but I will manage better the next time." I refilled the +dish, and approached the next one, taking care to keep a fast hold of it +as I offered the contents, of which I supposed she would modestly take +one. Not so, however. She scooped out the whole with her two hands, and, +like the former, bestowed them in her blanket. My sense of politeness +revolted at handing them out one by one, as we do to children, so I sat +down to deliberate what was to be done, for evidently the supply would +not long answer such an ample demand, and there would be more visitors +anon. + +While I was thus perplexed, those who had received the cakes commenced a +distribution, and the whole number was equitably divided among the +company. But I observed they did not eat them. They passed their fingers +over the grated sugar, looked in each other's faces, and muttered in low +tones--there was evidently something they did not understand. Presently +one more adventurous than the rest wet her fingers, and taking up a few +grains of the sugar put it cautiously to her mouth. + +"Tah-nee-zhoo-rah!" (Sugar!) was her delighted exclamation, and they all +broke out into a hearty laugh. It is needless to say that the cakes +disappeared with all the celerity they deemed compatible with +good-breeding. Never having seen any sugar but the brown or yellow +maple, they had supposed the white substance to be salt, and for that +reason had hesitated to taste it. + +Their visit was prolonged until Shaw-nee-aw-kee made his appearance, and +then, having been made happy by their various gifts, they all took their +departure. + +About this time, Mr. Kinzie received a letter from Colonel Richard M. +Johnson, of Kentucky. This gentleman had interested himself greatly in a +school established in that State for the education of Indian youths and +children. The purport of his letter was to request the Agent to use +every endeavor to induce the Winnebagoes not only to send their children +to this institution for their education, but also (what was still more +important) to set apart a portion of their annuity-money to assist in +sustaining it. + +There happened to be, at this holiday season, a number of the chiefs in +the neighborhood of the Portage, and a messenger was sent to convene +them all at the house of Paquette, the interpreter, that their Father +might hold a talk with them. + +On the day appointed they all assembled. The subject-matter of the +letter was laid before them, and all the advantages of civilization and +education duly set forth--the benefits which would arise to their +nation, if even a small portion of the younger members could be well +taught by the whites, and then return to their tribe, to instruct them +in the learning, the arts, manufactures, and habits of civilized life. +To each paragraph, as it was uttered to them, they responded with a +unanimous "Humph!" (Good!) + +When their Father's address was ended, _Day-kau-ray_, the oldest and +most venerable among the chiefs, rose and spoke as follows: + +"Father,--The Great Spirit made the white man and the Indian. He did not +make them alike. He gave the white man a heart to love peace, and the +arts of a quiet life. He taught him to live in towns, to build houses, +to make books, to learn all things that would make him happy and +prosperous in the way of life appointed him. To the red man the Great +Spirit gave a different character. He gave him a love of the woods, of a +free life, of hunting and fishing, of making war with his enemies and +taking scalps. The white man does not live like the Indian--it is not +his nature. Neither does the Indian love to live like the white man--the +Great Spirit did not make him so. + +"Father,--We do not wish to do anything contrary to the will of the +Great Spirit. If he had made us with white skins, and characters like +the white men, then we would send our children to this school to be +taught like the white children. + +"Father,--We think that if the Great Spirit had wished us to be like +the whites, he would have made us so. As he has not seen fit to do so, +we believe he would be displeased with us, to try and make ourselves +different from what he thought good. + +"Father,--I have nothing more to say. This is what we think. If we +change our minds, we will let you know." + +It will be seen from these remarks of Day-kau-ray that the Indians +entertain a conviction that the Great Spirit himself teaches the white +man the arts and sciences, and since he has given the red man no +instruction in these branches, it would be unbecoming in him to attempt +to acquire them in an irregular manner. + +With little incidents of this kind, and with an occasional dinner- or +tea-party to the young officers, sometimes given at the Major's +quarters, sometimes at our own, our course of life passed pleasantly on. +At times I would amuse myself by making something _very nice_, in the +form of a fruit cake or pie, to send to the quarters of the young +officers as a present, it being supposed that possibly, without a lady +to preside over their mess, it might be sometimes deficient in these +delicacies. Mrs. Twiggs was so fortunate as to have well-trained +servants to do for her that which, thanks to my little dark handmaid, +always fell to my share. + +One day I had made some mince pies, which the Major and my husband +greatly approved, and I thought I would send one to each of the young +officers. + +It happened that my husband, that day, in returning from superintending +his men on the other side of the river, had occasion to call on some +errand at Captain Harney's quarters. + +Dinner had just been placed upon the table, and the Captain insisted on +his visitor's sitting down and partaking with him and another gentleman +who was present. The pork and beans were pronounced excellent, and being +removed there followed a mince pie. + +The Captain cut it, and helped his guests, then taking a piece himself, +he commenced tasting it. Pushing back his plate with an exclamation and +a sudden jerk, he called to his servant, a little thick-set mulatto who +waited--"David, you yellow rascal, how dare you put such a pie on my +table?" And, turning to the company apologetically, he said,-- + +"If there is anything on earth David _does_ understand, it is how to +make a mince pie, and here he has filled this with brandy, so we cannot +eat a morsel of it!" + +"Please, sir," said David, modestly, "I did not make the pie--it is one +Mrs. Kinzie sent as a present." + +The poor Captain was now in a predicament. He raved at himself, at the +same time conjuring my husband most earnestly not to tell me what a +mistake he had made--an injunction that was lost sight of as soon as the +latter returned to his home. As for the unlucky Captain, he did not +venture to call on me again until he felt sure I had forgotten the +circumstance. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +PREPARATIONS FOR A JOURNEY. + + +Early in January the snow fell in great abundance. We had an unusual +quantity at the Portage, but in "the diggings," as the lead-mining +country was called, it was of an unheard-of depth--five or six feet upon +a level. + +An express had been dispatched to Chicago by the officers to take our +letters, and bring back the mail from that place. A tough, hardy +soldier, named Sulky, acted as messenger, and he had hitherto made light +of his burden or the length of the way, notwithstanding that his task +was performed on foot with his pack upon his shoulders. But now Sulky +had been absent some weeks, and we had given him up entirely, persuaded +that he must have perished with cold and starvation. + +At length he appeared, nearly blind from travelling in the snow. He had +lain by three weeks in an Indian lodge, the snow being too deep to +permit him to journey. The account he gave put an end to the hopes I had +begun to entertain of being able to visit our friends at Chicago in the +course of this winter. + +We had, before the last heavy fall of snow, been forming plans to that +effect. Captain Harney had kindly commenced preparing some trains, or +boxes placed on sledges, which it was thought would, when lined with +buffalo-skins, furnish a very comfortable kind of vehicle for the +journey; and I was still inclined to think a good, deep bed of snow over +the whole country no great obstacle to a sleigh-ride. The whole matter +was, however, cut short by the commanding officer, who from the first +had violently opposed the scheme, declaring that he would order the +sentinels to fire on us if we attempted to leave the fort. So, finding +the majority against us, we were obliged to yield. + +The arrival of sweet, lovely little Lizzie Twiggs, before January was +quite past, was an event that shed light and joy in at least two +dwellings. It seemed as if she belonged to all of us, and as she +increased in size and beauty it was hard to say who, among us all, was +most proud of her. If we had ever felt any languid hours before, we +could have none now--she was the pet, the darling, the joint property of +both households. + +Whatever regret I might have had, previous to this event, at the idea +of leaving my friend for the three weeks to which we proposed to limit +our visit to Chicago, I felt now that she would scarcely miss me, and +that we might hold ourselves in readiness to take advantage of the first +improvement in the weather, to put this favorite project in execution. + +During the latter part of February the cold became less severe. The +snows melted away, and by the beginning of March the weather was so warm +and genial, that we were quite confident of being able to make the +journey on horseback without any serious difficulty. + +Our plans once settled upon, the first thing to be provided was warm and +comfortable apparel. A riding-habit of stout broadcloth was pronounced +indispensable to my equipment. But of such an article I was destitute. +Nothing among my wedding travelling gear seemed in any way to offer a +substitute. What was to be done? The requisite material was to be found +in abundance at the sutler's store (_the shantee_, as it was technically +termed), but how to get it manufactured into a suitable garment was the +question. + +The regimental tailor was summoned. He was cook to one of the companies, +and there were at first some doubts whether he could be permitted to +forsake the spit for the needle, during the time I should require his +services. All his tailoring-work had, heretofore, been done at odd times +on a bench in the company kitchen, and thither he now proposed to carry +the riding-habit. I suggested that, in order to superintend the work, I +should thus be driven to take up my abode for the time being in the +barracks, which would be a decided inconvenience. + +To remedy the difficulty, he was finally so happy as to find a soldier +in "Company D," who consented to officiate in his place as cook until +his term of service to me should expire. + +Behold, then, a little, solemn-looking man in his stocking-feet, seated +cross-legged on an Indian mat by my parlor window. He had made all his +arrangements himself, and I deemed it wisest not to interfere with him. +The cutting-out was the most difficult part, and, as he had never made a +lady's riding-habit, that task fell to my share. I was as great a novice +as himself, and I must admit that this, my first effort, was open to +criticism. But the little tailor was of a different opinion. He was in +an ecstasy with our joint performance. + +"Upon my word, madam," he would exclaim, surveying it with admiring +eyes, "we shall have a very respectable garment!" I do not know how many +times he repeated this during the three days that the work was in +progress. + +I believe he had not perfect confidence in the culinary powers of his +comrade of "Company D," for regularly a half-hour before beat of drum +his work was folded and laid aside, his snips gathered up, and, all +things being restored to order, he would slip out, resume his shoes, +which, _Turk-like_, he had left outside the door, and speed over to the +barrack-kitchen to see how matters were going on. + +In the mean time, great preparations were making below, under the +supervision of our tidy, active little French servant, Mrs. Pillon, the +wife of one of the _engages_, by whom the irregular and unmanageable +Louisa had been replaced. + +Biscuits were baked, a ham, some tongues, and sundry pieces of salt pork +were boiled, coffee roasted and ground, sugar cracked, isinglass cut in +pieces of the size requisite for a pot of coffee. For the reception of +all these different articles cotton bags of different sizes had been +previously prepared. Large sacks of skin, called by the Canadians +_porches_, were also provided to hold the more bulky provisions, for our +journey was to be a long one. + +The distance from Fort Winnebago to Chicago was not very formidable, it +is true, if the direct route were taken; but that we knew to be +impossible at this season of the year. The route by Kosh-ko-nong was out +of the question; all the Indians being absent from their villages in the +winter, and the ice being now gone, we could have no means of crossing +the Rock River at that place. + +There remained therefore no alternative but to proceed south to Dixon, +or, as it was then called, Ogie's Ferry, the only certain means of +crossing this broad and rapid stream. This route being so much out of +our direct course that we could not hope to accomplish it in less than +six days, it was necessary to prepare accordingly. + +While the wardrobe and provisions were thus in preparation, arrangements +were also being made as to our retinue and mode of conveyance. + +Mr. Kinzie decided to take with him but two men: Plante and Pierre +Roy,--the former to act as guide, on the assurance that he knew every +mile of the way, from the Portage to Ogie's Ferry, and from Ogie's Ferry +to Chicago. + +The claims of the different saddle-horses were discussed, and the most +eligible one was selected for my use. We hesitated for a time between +"Le Gris" and "Souris," two much-vaunted animals, belonging to Paquette, +the interpreter. At length, being determined, like most of my sex, by a +regard for exterior, I chose "Le Gris," and "Souris" was assigned to +young Roy; my own little stumpy pony, "Brunet," being pronounced just +the thing for a pack-saddle. My husband rode his own bay horse "Tom," +while Plante, the gayest and proudest of the party, bestrode a fine, +large animal called "Jerry," which had lately been purchased for my use; +and thus was our _cortege_ complete. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +DEPARTURE FROM FORT WINNEBAGO. + + +Having taken a tender leave of our friends, the morning of the 8th of +March saw us mounted and equipped for our journey. The weather was +fine--the streams, already fringed with green, were sparkling in the +sun--everything gave promise of an early and genial season. In vain, +when we reached the ferry at the foot of the hill on which the fort +stood, did Major Twiggs repeat his endeavors to dissuade us from +commencing a journey which he assured me would be perilous beyond what I +could anticipate. I was resolute. + +Our party was augmented by an escort of all the young officers, who +politely insisted on accompanying us as far as Duck Creek, four miles +distant. Indeed, there were some who would gladly have prosecuted the +whole journey with us, and escaped the monotony of their solitary, +uneventful life. In our rear followed an ox cart, on which was perched a +canoe, destined to transport us over the creek, and also an extensive +marsh beyond it, which was invariably, at this season, overflowed with +water to a considerable depth. We had much amusement in watching the +progress of this vehicle as it bumped and thumped over the road, +unconscious hitherto of the dignity of a wheeled carriage. + +Our little, shock-headed, sunburnt, thick-lipped Canadian (who happened +most miraculously to be the husband of my pretty servant, Mrs. Pillon) +shouted vociferously as the animals lagged in their pace, or jolted +against a stump, "_Marchez, don-g_," "_regardez_," "_prenez garde_," to +our infinite diversion. I was in high spirits, foreseeing no hardships +or dangers, but rather imagining myself embarked on a pleasure excursion +across the prairies. It had not even suggested itself to me that a straw +bonnet and kid gloves were no suitable equipment for such an expedition. +Never having travelled at so inclement a season, I was heedlessly +ignorant of the mode of preparing against it, and had resisted or +laughed at my husband's suggestions to provide myself with blanket +socks, and a woollen _capuchon_ for my head and shoulders. And now, +although the wind occasionally lifted my head-gear with a rude puff, and +my hands ere long became swollen and stiffened with the cold, I +persuaded myself that these were trifling evils, to which I should soon +get accustomed. I was too well pleased with the novelty of my outfit, +with my hunting-knife in a gay scabbard hanging from my neck, and my tin +cup at my saddle-bow, to regard minor inconveniences. + +On reaching Duck Creek, we took leave of our young friends, who remained +on the bank long enough to witness our passage across--ourselves in the +canoe, and the poor horses swimming the stream, now filled with cakes of +floating ice. + +Beyond the rising ground which formed the opposite bank of the stream, +extended a marsh of perhaps three hundred yards across. To this the men +carried the canoe which was to bear us over. The water was not deep, so +our attendants merely took off the pack from Brunet and my side-saddle +from Le Gris, for fear of accidents, and then mounted their own steeds, +leading the two extra ones. My husband placed the furniture of the +pack-horse and my saddle in the centre of the canoe, which he was to +paddle across. + +"Now, wifie," said he, "jump in, and seat yourself flat in the bottom of +the canoe." + +"Oh, no," said I; "I will sit on the little trunk in the centre; I shall +be so much more comfortable, and I can balance the canoe exactly." + +"As you please; but I think you will find it is not the best way." + +A vigorous push sent us a few feet from the bank. At that instant two +favorite greyhounds whom we had brought with us, and who had stood +whining upon the bank, reluctant to take to the water as they were +ordered, gave a sudden bound, and alighted full upon me. The canoe +balanced a moment--then yielded--and, quick as thought, dogs, furniture, +and lady were in the deepest of the water. + +My husband, who was just preparing to spring into the canoe when the +dogs thus unceremoniously took precedence of him, was at my side in a +moment, and, seizing me by the collar of my cloak, begged me not to be +frightened. I was not, in the least, and only laughed as he raised and +placed me again upon the bank. + +The unfortunate saddle and little trunk were then rescued, but not until +they had received a pretty thorough wetting. Our merriment was still +further increased by the sight of the maladroit Pillon, who was +attempting to ride my spirited Jerry across the marsh. He was clinging +to the neck of the animal, with a countenance distorted with terror, as +he shouted forth all manner of French objurgations. Jerry pranced and +curveted, and finally shot forward his rider, or rather his _burden_, +headforemost, a distance of several feet into the water. + +A general outcry of mirth saluted the unfortunate Frenchman, which was +redoubled as he raised himself puffing and snorting from his watery bed +and waddled back to his starting-place, the horse, meanwhile, very +sensibly making his way to join his companions, who had already reached +the farther bank. + +"Well, wifie," said Mr. Kinzie, "I cannot trust you in the canoe again. +There is no way but to carry you across the marsh like a pappoose. Will +you take a ride on my shoulders?" + +"With all my heart, if you will promise to take me safely." And I was +soon mounted. + +I most confess that the gentleman staggered now and then under his +burden, which was no slight one, and I was sadly afraid, more than once, +that I should meet a similar fate to old Pillon, but happily we reached +the other side in safety. + +There my husband insisted on my putting on dry shoes and stockings, and +(must I confess it?) drinking a little brandy, to obviate the effects of +my icy bath. He would fain have made a halt to kindle a fire and dry my +apparel and wardrobe properly, but this I would not listen to. I +endeavored to prove to him that the delay would expose me to more cold +than riding in my wet habit and cloak, and so indeed it might have been, +but along with my convictions upon the subject there was mingled a spice +of reluctance that our friends at the fort should have an opportunity, +as they certainly would have done, of laughing at our inauspicious +commencement. + +Soon our horses were put in order, and our march recommenced. The day +was fine for the season. I felt no inconvenience from my wet garments, +the exercise of riding taking away all feeling of chilliness. It was to +me a new mode of travelling, and I enjoyed it the more from having been +secluded for more than five months within the walls of the fort, +scarcely varying the tenor of our lives by an occasional walk of half a +mile into the surrounding woods. + +We had still another detention upon the road, from meeting Lapierre, the +blacksmith, from Sugar Creek, who with one of his associates was going +to the Portage for supplies, so that we had not travelled more than +twenty-three miles when we came to our proposed encamping-ground. It was +upon a beautiful stream, a tributary of one of the Four Lakes,[14] that +chain whose banks are unrivalled for romantic loveliness. + +I could not but admire the sagacity of the horses, who seemed, with +human intelligence, to divine our approach to the spot where their toils +were to cease. While still remote from the point of woods which foretold +a halt, they pricked up their ears, accelerated their pace, and finally +arrived at the spot on a full gallop. + +We alighted at an open space, just within the verge of the wood, or, as +it is called by Western travellers, "the timber." My husband recommended +to me to walk about until a fire should be made, which was soon +accomplished by our active and experienced woodsmen, to whom the felling +of a large tree was the work of a very few minutes. The dry grass around +furnished an excellent tinder, which, ignited by the sparks from the +flint (there were no _loco-focos_ in those days), and aided by the +broken branches and bits of light-wood, soon produced a cheering flame. +"The bourgeois," in the mean time, busied himself in setting up the +tent, taking care to place it opposite the fire, but in such a direction +that the wind would carry the smoke and flame away from the opening or +door. Within upon the ground were spread, first a bear-skin, then two +or three blankets (of which each equestrian had carried two, one under +the saddle and one above it), after which, the remainder of the luggage +being brought in, I was able to divest myself of all my wet clothing and +replace it with dry. Some idea of the state of the thermometer may be +formed from the fact that my riding-habit, being placed over the end of +the huge log against which our fire was made, was, in a very few +minutes, frozen so stiff as to stand upright, giving the appearance of a +dress out of which a lady had vanished in some unaccountable manner. + +It would be but a repetition of our experience upon the Fox River to +describe the ham broiled upon the "broches," the toasted bread, the +steaming coffee, the primitive table-furniture. There is, however, this +difference, that of the latter we carry with us in our journeys on +horseback only a coffee-pot, a tea-kettle, and each rider his tin cup +and hunting-knife. The deportment at table is marked by an absence of +ceremony. The knife is drawn from the scabbard--those who remember to do +so, vouchsafe it a wipe upon the napkin. Its first office is to stir the +cup of coffee--next, to divide the piece of ham which is placed on the +half of a travelling biscuit, held in the left hand, to fulfil the +office of a plate. It is an art only to be acquired by long practice, to +cut the meat so skilfully as not at the same time to destroy the dish. + +We take our places around the mat to enjoy what, after our fatiguing +ride, we find delicious food. The Frenchmen are seated at a little +distance, receiving their supplies of coffee, meat, and bread, and +occasionally passing jokes with the bourgeois, who is their demi-god, +and for whom their respect and devotion are never lessened by his +affability or condescension. + +The meal being finished, the table-furniture is rinsed in hot water and +set aside until morning. A wisp of dry prairie-grass is supposed in most +cases to render the knife fit to be restored to the scabbard, and there +being, at this season of the year, no amusement but that of watching the +awkward movements of the spancelled horses in their progress from spot +to spot in search of pasturage, we are usually soon disposed to arrange +our blankets and retire to rest. + +At break of day we are aroused by the shout of the bourgeois,-- + +"How! how! how!" + +All start from their slumbers. The fire, which has been occasionally +replenished through the night, is soon kindled into a flame. The horses +are caught and saddled, while a breakfast, similar in kind to the meal +of the preceding evening, is preparing--the tent is struck--the +pack-horse loaded--"_tout demanche_," as the Canadian says. The +breakfast finished, we rinse our kettles and cups, tie them to our +saddle-bows, and then mount and away, leaving our fire, or rather our +smoke, to tell of our visit. + +March 9th.--Our journey this day led us past the first of the Four +Lakes. Scattered along its banks was an encampment of Winnebagoes. They +greeted their Father with vociferous joy--"_Bon-jour, bon-jour, +Shaw-nee-aw-kee_," "_Hee-nee-kar-ray-kay-noo?_" (how do you do?) + +To this succeeded the usual announcement, "_Wys-kap-rah +tshoonsh-koo-nee-noh!_" (I have no bread.) + +This is their form of begging; but we could not afford to be generous, +for the uncertainty of obtaining a supply, should our own be exhausted, +obliged us to observe the strictest economy. + +How beautiful the entrapment looked in the morning sun! The matted +lodges, with the blue smoke curling from their tops--the trees and +bushes powdered with a light snow which had fallen through the +night--the lake, shining and sparkling, almost at our feet--even the +Indians, in their peculiar costume, adding to the picturesque! + +I was sorry to leave it, as we were compelled to do, in all haste, +Souris, the pack-horse, having taken it into his head to decamp while we +were in conversation with our red friends. As he had, very sensibly, +concluded to pursue his journey in the right direction, we had the good +fortune to overtake him after a short race, and, having received much +scolding and some blows from young Roy, whose charge he specially was, +he was placed in the middle of the cavalcade, as a mark of disgrace for +his breach of duty. + +Our road, after leaving the lake, lay over a "rolling prairie," now bare +and desolate enough. The hollows were filled with snow, which, being +partly thawed, furnished an uncertain footing for the horses, and I +could not but join in the ringing laughter of oar Frenchmen as +occasionally Brunet and Souris, the two ponies, would flounder, almost +imbedded, through the yielding mass. Even the vainglorious Plante, who +piqued himself on his equestrian skill, was once or twice nearly +unhorsed, from having chosen his road badly. Sometimes the elevations +were covered with a thicket or copse, in which our dogs would generally +rouse up one or more deer. Their first bound, or "lope," was the signal +for a chase. The horses seemed to enter into the spirit of it, as +"halloo" answered "halloo;" but we were never so fortunate as to get a +shot at one, for although the dogs once or twice caught they were not +strong enough to hold them. It was about the middle of the afternoon +when we reached the Blue Mound. I rejoiced much to have got so far, for +I was sadly fatigued, and every mile now seemed like two to me. In fact, +the miles are unconscionably long in this country. When I was told that +we had still seven miles to go, to "Morrison's," where we proposed +stopping for the night, I was almost in despair. It was my first journey +on horseback, and I had not yet become inured to the exercise. + +When we reached Morrison's I was so much exhausted that, as my husband +attempted to lift me from the saddle, I fell into his arms. + +"This will never do," said he. "To-morrow we must turn our faces towards +Fort Winnebago again." + +The door opened hospitably to receive us. We were welcomed by a lady +with a most sweet, benignant countenance, and by her companion, some +years younger. The first was Mrs. Morrison--the other, Miss Elizabeth +Dodge, daughter of General Dodge. + +My husband laid me upon a small bed, in the room where the ladies had +been sitting at work. They took off my bonnet and riding-dress, chafed +my hands, and prepared me some warm wine and water, by which I was soon +revived. A half-hour's repose so refreshed me that I was able to +converse with the ladies, and to relieve my husband's mind of all +anxiety on my account. Tea was announced soon after, and we repaired to +an adjoining building, for Morrison's, like the establishment of all +settlers of that period, consisted of a group of detached log houses or +_cabins_, each containing one or at most two apartments. + +The table groaned with good cheer, and brought to mind some that I had +seen among the old-fashioned Dutch residents on the banks of the Hudson. + +I had recovered my spirits, and we were quite a cheerful party. Mrs. +Morrison told us that during the first eighteen months she passed in +this country she did not speak with a white woman, the only society she +had being that of her husband and two black servant-women. + +A Tennessee woman had called in with her little son just before tea, +and we amused Mr. Kinzie with a description of the pair. The mother's +visit was simply one of courtesy. She was a little, dumpy woman, with a +complexion burned perfectly red by the sun, and hair of an exact +tow-color, braided up from her forehead in front and from her neck +behind. These tails, meeting on the top of her head, were fastened with +a small tin comb. Her dress was of checkered homespun, a "very tight +fit," and, as she wore no ruff or handkerchief around her neck, she +looked as if just prepared for execution. She was evidently awestruck at +the sight of visitors, and seemed inclined to take her departure at +once; but the boy, not so easily intimidated, would not understand her +signs and pinches until he had sidled up to Mrs. Morrison, and, drawing +his old hat still farther over his eyes, begged for a _whang_, meaning a +narrow strip of deer-skin. The lady very obligingly cut one from a large +smoked skin, which she produced from its receptacle, and mother and son +took their leave, with a smiling but rather a scared look. + +After tea we returned to Mrs. Morrison's parlor, where she kindly +insisted on my again reposing myself on the little bed, to recruit me, +as she said, for the ensuing day's journey. My husband, in the mean +time, went to look after the accommodation of his men and horses. + +During the conversation that ensued, I learned that Mrs. Morrison had +passed much time in the neighborhood of my recent home in Oneida County, +that many of the friends I had loved and valued were likewise her +friends, and that she had even proposed to visit me at Fort Winnebago on +hearing of my arrival there, in order to commence an acquaintance which +had thus been brought about by other and unexpected means. + +Long and pleasant was the discourse we held together until a late hour, +and mutual was the satisfaction with which we passed old friends and +by-gone events in review, much to the edification of Miss Dodge, and of +the gentlemen when they once more joined us. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +WILLIAM S. HAMILTON--KELLOGG'S GROVE. + + +The next morning, after a cheerful breakfast, at which we were joined by +the Rev. Mr. Kent, of Galena, we prepared for our journey. I had +reconciled my husband to continuing our route towards Chicago, by +assuring him that I felt as fresh and bright as when I first set out +from home. + +There seemed some apprehension, however, that we might have difficulty +in "striking the trail" to Hamilton's _diggings_, our next point of +destination. + +The directions we received were certainly obscure. We were to pursue a +given trail for a certain number of miles, when we should come to a +crossing into which we were to turn, taking an easterly direction; after +a time, this would bring us to a deep trail leading straight to +Hamilton's. In this open country there are no landmarks. One elevation +is so exactly like another, that if you lose your trail there is almost +as little hope of regaining it as of finding a pathway in the midst of +the ocean.[15] + +The trail, it must be remembered, is not a broad highway, but a narrow +path, deeply indented by the hoofs of the horses on which the Indians +travel in single file. So deeply is it sunk in the sod which covers the +prairies, that it is difficult, sometimes, to distinguish it at a +distance of a few rods. + +It was new ground to Mr. Kinzie, whose journeys from the Portage to +Chicago had hitherto been made in the direct route by Kosh-ko-nong. He +therefore obliged Mr. Morrison to repeat the directions again and again, +though Plante, our guide, swaggered and talked big, averring that "he +knew every hill and stream and point of woods from that spot to +Chicago." + +We had not proceeded many miles on our journey, however, before we +discovered that Monsieur Plante was profoundly ignorant of the country, +so that Mr. Kinzie was obliged to take the lead himself, and make his +way as he was best able, according to the directions he had received. +Nothing, however, like the "cross trails" we had been promised met our +view, and the path on which we had set out diverged so much from what we +knew to be the right direction, that we were at length compelled to +abandon it altogether. + +We travelled the livelong day, barely making a halt at noon to bait our +horses and refresh ourselves with a luncheon. The ride was as gloomy and +desolate as could well be imagined. A rolling prairie, unvaried by +forest or stream--hillock rising after hillock, at every ascent of which +we vainly hoped to see a distant fringe of "_timber_." But the same +cheerless, unbounded prospect everywhere met the eye, diversified only +here and there by the oblong openings, like gigantic graves, which +marked an unsuccessful search for indications of a lead-mine. + +So great was our anxiety to recover our trail, for the weather was +growing more cold, and the wind more sharp and piercing, that we were +not tempted to turn from our course even by the appearance, more than +once, of a gaunt prairie-wolf, peering over the nearest rising-ground +and seeming to dare us to an encounter. The Frenchmen, it is true, would +instinctively give a shout and spur on their horses, while the hounds, +Kelda and Cora, would rush to the chase; but the bourgeois soon called +them back, with a warning that we must attend strictly to the +prosecution of our journey. Just before sunset we crossed, with some +difficulty, a muddy stream, which was bordered by a scanty belt of +trees, making a tolerable encamping-ground; and of this we gladly +availed ourselves, although we knew not whether it was near or remote +from the place we were in search of. + +We had ridden at least fifty miles since leaving Morrison's, yet I was +sensible of very little fatigue; there was, however, a vague feeling of +discomfort at the idea of being lost in this wild, cold region, +altogether different from anything I had ever before experienced. The +encouraging tones of my husband's voice, however, "Cheer up, wifie--we +will find the trail to-morrow," served to dissipate all uneasiness. + +The exertions of the men soon made our "camp" comfortable, +notwithstanding the difficulty of driving the tent-pins into the frozen +ground, and the want of trees sufficiently large to make a _rousing_ +fire. The place was a _stony side-hill,_ as it would be called in New +England, where such things abound; but we were not disposed to be +fastidious, so we ate our salt ham and toasted our bread, and lent a +pleased ear to the chatter of our Frenchmen, who could not sufficiently +admire the heroism of "Madame John" amid the vicissitudes that befell +her. + +The wind, which at bed-time was sufficiently high to be uncomfortable, +increased during the night. It snowed heavily, and we were every moment +in dread that the tent would be carried away; but the matter was settled +differently by the snapping of the poles, and the falling of the whole, +with its superincumbent weight of snow, in a mass upon us. + +Mr. Kinzie roused up his men, and at their head he sallied into the +neighboring wood to cut a new set of poles, leaving me to bear the +burden of the whole upon my shoulders, my only safety from the storm +being to keep snugly housed beneath the canvas. + +With some difficulty a sort of support was at length adjusted for the +tent-covering, which answered our purpose tolerably well until the break +of day, when our damp and miserable condition made us very glad to rise +and hang round the fire until breakfast was dispatched, and the horses +once more saddled for our journey. + +The prospect was not an encouraging one. Around us was an unbroken sheet +of snow. We had no compass, and the air was so obscured by the driving +sleet, that it was often impossible to tell in which direction the sun +was. I tied my husband's silk pocket-handkerchief over my veil, to +protect my face from the wind and icy particles with which the air was +filled, and which cut like a razor; but, although shielded in every way +that circumstances rendered possible, I suffered intensely from the +cold. + +We pursued our way, mile after mile, entering every point of woods, in +hopes of meeting with, at least, some Indian wigwam at which we could +gain intelligence. Every spot was solitary and deserted; not even the +trace of a recent fire, to cheer us with the hope of human beings within +miles of us. + +Suddenly, a shout from the foremost of the party made each heart bound +with joy. + +"_Une cloture! une cloture!_" (A fence! a fence!) + +It was almost like life to the dead. + +We spurred on, and indeed perceived a few straggling rails crowning a +rising ground at no great distance. + +Never did music sound so sweet as the crowing of a cock which at this +moment saluted our ears. + +Following the course of the inclosure down the opposite slope, we came +upon a group of log cabins, low, shabby, and unpromising in their +appearance, but a most welcome shelter from the pelting storm. + +"Whose cabins are these?" asked Mr. Kinzie, of a man who was cutting +wood at the door of one. + +"Hamilton's," was his reply; and he stepped forward at once to assist us +to alight, hospitality being a matter of course in these wild regions. + +We were shown into the most comfortable-looking of the buildings. A +large fire was burning in the clay chimney, and the room was of a genial +warmth, notwithstanding the apertures, many inches in width, beside the +doors and windows. A woman in a tidy calico dress, and shabby black silk +cap trimmed with still shabbier lace, rose from her seat beside a sort +of bread-trough, which fulfilled the office of cradle to a fine, fat +baby. She made room for us at the fire, but was either too timid or too +ignorant to relieve me of wrappings and defences, now heavy with the +snow. + +I soon contrived, with my husband's aid, to disembarrass myself of them; +and, having seen me comfortably disposed of, and in a fair way to be +thawed after my freezing ride, he left me, to see after his men and +horses. + +He was a long time absent, and I expected he would return accompanied by +our host; but when he reappeared it was to tell me, laughing, that Mr. +Hamilton hesitated to present himself before me, being unwilling that +one who had been acquainted with his family at the East should see him +in his present mode of life. However, this feeling apparently wore off, +for before dinner he came in and was introduced to me, and was as +agreeable and polite as the son of Alexander Hamilton would naturally +be. + +The housekeeper, who was the wife of one of the miners, prepared us a +plain, comfortable dinner, and a table as long as the dimensions of the +cabin would admit was set out, the end nearest the fire being covered +with somewhat nicer furniture and more delicate fare than the remaining +portion. + +The blowing of a horn was the signal for the entrance of ten or twelve +miners, who took their places below us at the table. They were the +roughest-looking set of men I ever beheld, and their language was as +uncouth as their persons. They wore hunting-shirts, trowsers, and +moccasins of deer-skin, the former being ornamented at the seams with a +fringe of the same, while a colored belt around the waist, in which was +stuck a large hunting-knife, gave each the appearance of a brigand. + +Mr. Hamilton, although so much their superior, was addressed by them +uniformly as "Uncle Billy;" and I could not but fancy there was +something desperate about them, that it was necessary to propitiate by +this familiarity. This feeling was further confirmed by the remarks of +one of the company who lingered behind after the rest of the _gang_ had +taken their departure. He had learned that we came from Fort Winnebago, +and, having informed us that "he was a discharged soldier, and would +like to make some inquiries about his old station and comrades," he +unceremoniously seated himself and commenced questioning us. + +The bitterness with which he spoke of his former officers made me quite +sure he was a deserter, and I rather suspected he had made his escape +from the service in consequence of some punishment. His countenance was +fairly distorted as he spoke of Captain H., to whose company he had +belonged. "There is a man in the mines," said he, "who has been in his +hands, and if he ever gets a chance to come within shot of him, I guess +the captain will remember it. He knows well enough he darsn't set his +foot in the diggings. And there's T. is not much better. Everybody +thought it a great pity that fellow's gun snapped when he so nearly +_had_ him at Green Bay." + +Having delivered himself of these sentiments, he marched out, to my +great relief. + +Mr. Hamilton passed most of the afternoon with us; for the storm raged +so without, that to proceed on our journey was out of the question. He +gave us many pleasant anecdotes and reminiscences of his early life in +New York, and of his adventures since he had come to the Western +wilderness. When obliged to leave us for awhile, he furnished us with +some books to entertain us, the most interesting of which was the +biography of his father. + +Could this illustrious man have foreseen in what a scene--the dwelling +of his son--this book was to be one day perused, what would have been +his sensations? + +The most amusing part of our experience was yet to come. I had been +speculating, as evening approached, on our prospects for the night's +accommodation. As our pale, melancholy-looking landlady and her fat baby +were evidently the only specimens of the feminine gender about the +establishment, it was hardly reasonable to suppose that any of the other +cabins contained wherewithal to furnish us a comfortable lodging, and +the one in which we were offered nothing of the sort to view, but two +beds, uncurtained, extended against the farther wall. My doubts were +after a time resolved, by observing the hostess stretch a cord between +the two, on which she hung some petticoats and extra garments, by way +of a partition, after which she invited us to occupy one of them. + +My only preparation was, to wrap my cloak around me and lie down with my +face to the wall; but the good people were less ceremonious, for at the +distance of scarcely two feet, we could not be mistaken in the sound of +their garments being, not "laid aside," but whipped over the +partition-wall between us. + +Our waking thoughts, however, were only those of thankfulness for so +comfortable a lodging after the trials and fatigues we had undergone; +and even these were of short duration, for our eyes were soon closed in +slumber. + +The next day's sun rose clear and bright. Refreshed and invigorated, we +looked forward with pleasure to a recommencement of our journey, +confident of meeting no more mishaps by the way. Mr. Hamilton kindly +offered to accompany us to his next neighbor's, the trifling distance of +twenty-five miles. From Kellogg's to Ogie's Ferry, on the Rock River, +the road being much travelled, we should be in no danger, Mr. H. said, +of again losing our way. + +The miner who owned the wife and baby, and who, consequently, was +somewhat more humanized than his comrades, in taking leave of us "wished +us well out of the country, and that we might never have occasion to +return to it!" + +"I pity a body," said he, "when I see them making such an awful mistake +as to come out this way; for comfort _never touched_ this Western +country." + +We found Mr. Hamilton as agreeable a companion as on the preceding day, +but a most desperate rider. He galloped on at such a rate that, had I +not exchanged my pony for the fine, noble Jerry, I should have been in +danger of being left behind. + +Well mounted as we all were, he sometimes nearly distanced us. We were +now among the branches of the Pickatonick, and the country had lost its +prairie character and become rough and broken. We went dashing on, +sometimes down ravines, sometimes through narrow passes, where, as I +followed, I left fragments of my veil upon the projecting and interwoven +branches. Once my hat became entangled, and, had not my husband sprung +to my rescue, I must have shared the fate of Absalom, Jerry's ambition +to keep his place in the race making it probable he would do as did the +mule who was under the unfortunate prince. + +There was no halting upon the route, and, as we kept the same pace until +three o'clock in the afternoon, it was beyond a question that when we +reached "Kellogg's" we had travelled at least thirty miles. One of my +greatest annoyances during the ride had been the behavior of the little +beast Brunet. He had been hitherto used as a saddle-horse, and had been +accustomed to a station in the file near the guide or leader. He did not +relish being put in the background as a pack-horse, and accordingly, +whenever we approached a stream, where the file broke up to permit each +horseman to choose his own place of fording, it was, invariably the case +that just as I was reining Jerry into the water, Brunet would come +rushing past and throw himself into our very footsteps. Plunging, +snorting, and splashing me with water, and sometimes even starting Jerry +into a leap aside, he more than once brought me into imminent danger of +being tossed into the stream. It was in vain that, after one or two such +adventures, I learned to hold back and give the vexatious little animal +the precedence. His passion seemed to be to go into the water precisely +at the moment Jerry did; and I was obliged at last to make a bargain +with young Roy to dismount and hold him at every stream until I had got +safely across. + +"Kellogg's"[16] was a comfortable mansion, just within the verge of a +pleasant "grove of timber," as a small forest is called by Western +travellers. We found Mrs. Kellogg a very respectable-looking matron, who +soon informed us she was from the city of New York. She appeared proud +and delighted to entertain Mr. Hamilton, for whose family, she took +occasion to tell us, she had, in former days, been in the habit of doing +needle-work. + +The worthy woman provided us an excellent dinner, and afterwards +installed me in a rocking-chair beside a large fire, with the "Life of +Mrs. Fletcher" to entertain me, while the gentlemen explored the +premises, visited Mr. Kellogg's stock, and took a careful look at their +own. We had intended to go to Dixon's the same afternoon, but the snow, +beginning again to fall, obliged us to content ourselves where we were. + +In the mean time, finding we were journeying to Chicago, Mr. Kellogg +came to the determination to accompany us, having, as he said, some +business to accomplish at that place: so Mrs. Kellogg busied herself in +preparing him to set off with us the following morning. I pleaded hard +to remain yet another day, as the following was Sunday, on which I +objected to travel; but in view of the necessities of the case, the +uncertainty of the weather, and the importance of getting as quickly as +possible through this wild country, my objections were overruled, and I +could only obtain a delay in starting until so late in the afternoon as +would give us just time to ride the sixteen miles to "Dixon's" before +sunset. + +No great time was required for Mr. Kellogg's preparations. He would +take, he said, only two days' provisions, for at his brother-in-law +Dixon's we should get our supper and breakfast, and the route from there +to Chicago could, he well knew, be accomplished in a day and a half. + +Although, according to this calculation, we had sufficient remaining of +our stores to carry us to the end of our journey, yet my husband took +the precaution of begging Mrs. Kellogg to bake us another bag of +biscuits, in case of accidents, and he likewise suggested to Mr. Kellogg +the prudence of furnishing himself with something more than his limited +allowance; but the good man objected that he was unwilling to burden his +horse more than was absolutely necessary, seeing that, at this season of +the year, we were obliged to carry fodder for the animals, in addition +to the rest of their load. It will be seen that we had reason to rejoice +in our own foresight. + +My experience of the previous night had rendered me somewhat less +fastidious than when I commenced my journey, so that, when introduced to +our sleeping-apartment, which I found we were to share with six men, +travellers like ourselves, my only feeling was one of thankfulness that +each bed was furnished with a full suit of blue checked curtains, which +formed a very tolerable substitute for a dressing-room. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +ROCK RIVER--HOURS OF TROUBLE. + + +It was late on the following day (March 13th) when we took leave of our +kind hostess. She loaded us with cakes, good wishes, and messages to her +sister Dixon and the children. We journeyed pleasantly along through a +country beautiful in spite of its wintry appearance. + +There was a house at Buffalo Grove, at which we stopped for half an +hour, and where a nice-looking young girl presented us with some +maple-sugar of her own making. She entertained us with the history of a +contest between two rival claimants for the patronage of the +stage-wagon, the proprietors of which had not decided whether to send it +by Buffalo Grove or by another route, which she pointed out to us, at no +great distance. The _driver_, she took care to inform us, was in favor +of the former; and the blush with which she replied in the affirmative +to our inquiry, "Is he a young man?" explained the whole matter +satisfactorily. + +At length, just at sunset, we reached the dark, rapid waters of the Rock +River. The ferry which we had travelled so far out of our way to take +advantage of, proved to be merely a small boat or skiff, the larger one +having been swept off into the stream, and carried down in the +breaking-up of the ice, the week previous. + +My husband's first care was to get me across. He placed me with the +saddles, packs, etc. in the boat, and as, at that late hour, no time was +to be lost, he ventured, at the same time, to hold the bridles of the +two most docile horses, to guide them in swimming the river. + +When we had proceeded a few rods from the shore, we were startled by a +loud puffing and blowing near us, and looking around, to our great +surprise, discovered little Brunet just upon our "weather-bow." +Determined not to be outdone by his model, Jerry, he had taken to the +water on his own responsibility, and arrived at the opposite shore as +soon as any of the party. + +All being safely landed, a short walk brought us to the house of Mr. +Dixon. Although so recently come into the country, he had contrived to +make everything comfortable around him; and when he ushered us into Mrs. +Dixon's sitting-room, and seated us by a glowing wood fire, while Mrs. +Dixon busied herself in preparing us a nice supper, I felt that the +comfort overbalanced the inconvenience of such a journey. + +Mrs. Dixon was surrounded by several children. One leaning against the +chimney-piece was dressed in the full Indian costume--calico shirt, +blanket, and leggings. His dark complexion, and full, melancholy eyes, +which he kept fixed upon the ashes in which he was making marks with a +stick, rarely raising them to gaze on us, as children are wont to do, +interested me exceedingly, and I inquired of an intelligent little girl, +evidently a daughter of our host,-- + +"Who is that boy?" + +"Oh, that is John Ogie," answered she. + +"What is the matter with him? he looks very sad." + +"Oh, he is fretting after his mother." + +"Is she dead, then?" + +"Some say she is dead, and some say she is gone away. I guess she is +dead, and buried up in one of those graves yonder"--pointing to two or +three little picketed inclosures upon a rising ground opposite the +window. + +I felt a strong sympathy with the child, which was increased when the +little spokeswoman, in answer to my inquiry, "Has he no father?" +replied,-- + +"Oh, yes, but he goes away, and drinks, and don't care for his +children." + +"And what becomes of John then?" + +"He stays here with us, and we teach him to read, and he learns +_dreadful_ fast." + +When the boy at length turned his large dark eyes upon me, it went to my +heart. It was such a _motherless_ look. And it was explained when, long +afterwards, I learned his further history. His mother was still living, +and he knew it, although, with the reserve peculiar to his people, he +never spoke of her to his young companions. Unable to endure the +continued ill treatment of her husband, a surly, intemperate Canadian, +she had left him, and returned to her own family among the +Pottowattamies. Years after, this boy and a brother who had also been +left behind with their father found their way to the Upper Missouri, to +join their mother, who, with the others of her tribe, had been removed +by the Government from the shores of Lake Michigan. + +A most savory supper of ducks and venison, with their accompaniments, +soon smoked upon the board, and we did ample justice to it. Travelling +is a great sharpener of the appetite, and so is cheerfulness; and the +latter was increased by the encouraging account Mr. Dixon gave us of the +remainder of the route yet before us. + +"There is no difficulty," said he, "if you keep a little to the north, +and strike the great _Sauk trail_. If you get too far to the south, you +will come upon the Winnebago Swamp, and, once in that, there is no +telling when you will ever get out again. As for the distance, it is +nothing at all to speak of. Two young men came out here from Chicago, +on foot, last fall. They got here the evening of the second day; and, +even with a lady in your party, you could go on horseback in less time +than that. The only thing is to be sure and get on the great track that +the Sauks have made, in going every year from the Mississippi to Canada, +to receive their presents from the British Indian Agent." + +The following morning, which was a bright and lovely one for that season +of the year, we took leave of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, in high spirits. We +travelled for the first few miles along the beautiful, undulating banks +of the Rock River, always in an easterly direction, keeping the beaten +path, or rather road, which led to Fort Clark, or Peoria. The Sauk +trail, we had been told, would cross this road at the distance of about +six miles. + +After having travelled, as we judged, fully that distance, we came upon +a trail bearing northeast, and a consultation was held as to the +probability of its being the one we were in search of. + +Mr. Kinzie was of opinion that it tended too much to the north, and was, +moreover, too faint and obscure for a trail so much used, and by so +large a body of Indians in their annual journeys. + +Plante was positive as to its being the very spot where he and "Piche" +in their journey to Port Winnebago, the year before, struck into the +great road. "On that very rising-ground at the point of woods, he +remembered perfectly well stopping to shoot ducks, which they ate for +their supper." + +Mr. Kellogg was non-committal, but sided alternately with each speaker. + +As Plante was "the guide," and withal so confident of being right, it +was decided to follow him, not without some demurring, however, on the +part of the bourgeois, who every now and then called to halt, to +discuss the state of affairs. + +"Now, Plante," he would say, "I am sure you are leading us too far +north. Why, man, if we keep on in this direction, following the course +of the river, we shall bring up at Kosh-ko-nong, instead of Chicago." + +"Ah! mon bourgeois," would the light-hearted Canadian reply, "would I +tell you this is the road if I were not quite certain? Only one year ago +I travelled it, and can I forget so soon? Oh, no--I remember every foot +of it." + +But Monsieur Plante was convinced of his mistake when the trail brought +us to the great bend of the river with its bold rocky bluffs. + +"Are you satisfied now, Plante?" asked Mr. Kinzie. "By your leave, I +will now play pilot myself." And he struck off from the trail, in a +direction as nearly east as possible. + +The weather had changed and become intensely cold, and we felt that the +detention we had met with, even should we now be in the right road, was +no trifling matter. We had not added to our stock of provisions at +Dixon's, wishing to carry as much forage as we were able for our horses, +for whom the scanty picking around our encamping-grounds afforded an +insufficient meal. But we were buoyed up by the hope that we were in the +right path at last, and we journeyed on until night, when we reached a +comfortable "encampment," in the edge of a grove near a small stream. + +Oh, how bitterly cold that night was! The salted provisions, to which I +was accustomed, occasioned me an intolerable thirst, and my husband was +in the habit of placing the little tin coffee-pot filled with water at +my bed's head when we went to rest, but this night it was frozen solid +long before midnight. We were so well wrapped up in blankets that we +did not suffer from cold while within the tent, but the open air was +severe in the extreme. + +March 15th.--We were roused by the bourgeois at peep of day to make +preparations for starting. We must find the Sauk trail this day at all +hazards. What would become of us should we fail to do so? It was a +question no one liked to ask, and certainly one that none could have +answered. + +On leaving our encampment, we found ourselves entering a marshy tract of +country. Myriads of wild geese, brant, and ducks rose up screaming at +our approach. The more distant lakes and ponds were black with them, but +the shallow water through which we attempted to make our way was frozen, +by the severity of the night, to a thickness not quite sufficient to +bear the horses, but just such as to cut their feet and ankles at every +step as they broke through it. Sometimes the difficulty of going forward +was so great that we were obliged to retrace our steps and make our way +round the head of the marsh, thus adding to the discomforts of our +situation by the conviction that, while journeying diligently, we were, +in fact, making very little progress. + +This swampy region at length passed, we came upon more solid ground, +chiefly the open prairie. But now a new trouble assailed us. The weather +had moderated, and a blinding snow-storm came on. Without a trail that +we could rely upon, and destitute of a compass, our only dependence had +been the sun to point out our direction; but the atmosphere was now so +obscure that it was impossible to tell in what quarter of the heavens he +was. + +We pursued our way, however, and a devious one it must have been. After +travelling in this way many miles, we came upon an Indian trail, deeply +indented, running at right angles with the course we were pursuing. The +snow had ceased, and, the clouds becoming thinner, we were able to +observe the direction of the sun, and to perceive that the trail ran +north and south. What should we do? Was it safest to pursue our easterly +course, or was it probable that by following this new path we should +fall into the direct one we had been so long seeking? If we decided to +take the trail, should we go north or south? Mr. Kinzie was for the +latter. He was of opinion we were still too far north--somewhere about +the Grand Marais, or Kish-wau-kee. Mr. Kellogg and Plante were for +taking the northerly direction. The latter was positive his bourgeois +had already gone too far south--in fact, that we must now be in the +neighborhood of the Illinois River. Finding himself in the minority, my +husband yielded, and we turned our horses' heads north, much against his +will. After proceeding a few miles, however, he took a sudden +determination. "You may go north, if you please," said he, "but I am +convinced that the other course is right, and I shall face about--follow +who will." + +So we wheeled round and rode south again, and many a long and weary mile +did we travel, the monotony of our ride broken only by the querulous +remarks of poor Mr. Kellogg. "I am really afraid we are wrong, Mr. +Kinzie. I feel pretty sure that the young man is right. It looks most +natural to me that we should take a northerly course, and not be +stretching away so far to the south." + +To all this, Mr. Kinzie turned a deaf ear. The Frenchmen rode in +silence. They would as soon have thought of cutting off their right hand +as showing opposition to the bourgeois when he had once expressed his +decision. They would never have dreamed of offering an opinion or remark +unless called upon to do so. + +The road, which had continued many miles through the prairie, at +length, in winding round a point of woods, brought us suddenly upon an +Indian village. A shout of joy broke from the whole party, but no +answering shout was returned--not even a bark of friendly welcome--as we +galloped up to the wigwams. All was silent as the grave. We rode round +and round, then dismounted and looked into several of the spacious huts. +They had evidently been long deserted. Nothing remained but the bare +walls of bark, from which everything in the shape of furniture had been +stripped by the owners and carried with them to their wintering-grounds, +to be brought back in the spring, when they returned to make their +corn-fields and occupy their summer cabins. + +Our disappointment may be better imagined than described. With heavy +hearts, we mounted and once more pursued our way, the snow again falling +and adding to the discomforts of our position. At length we halted for +the night. We had long been aware that our stock of provisions was +insufficient for another day, and here we were--nobody knew where--in +the midst of woods and prairies--certainly far from any human +habitation, with barely enough food for a slender evening's meal. + +The poor dogs came whining round us to beg their usual portion, but they +were obliged to content themselves with a bare bone, and we retired to +rest with the feeling that if not actually hungry then, we should +certainly be so to-morrow. + +The morrow came. Plante and Roy had a bright fire and a nice pot of +coffee for us. It was our only breakfast, for, on shaking the bag and +turning it inside out, we could make no more of our stock of bread than +three crackers, which the rest of the party insisted I should put in my +pocket for my dinner. I was much touched by the kindness of Mr. Kellogg, +who drew from his wallet a piece of tongue and a slice of fruit-cake, +which he said "he had been saving for _the lady_ since the day before, +for he saw how matters were a going." + +Poor man! it would have been well if he had listened to Mr. Kinzie and +provided himself at the outset with a larger store of provisions. As it +was, those he brought with him were exhausted early in the second day, +and he had been _boarding_ with us for the last two meals. + +We still had the trail to guide us, and we continued to follow it until +about nine o'clock, when, in emerging from a wood, we came upon a broad +and rapid river. A collection of Indian wigwams stood upon the opposite +bank, and, as the trail led directly to the water, it was fair to infer +that the stream was fordable. We had no opportunity of testing it, +however, for the banks were so lined with ice, which was piled up tier +upon tier by the breaking-up of the previous week, that we tried in vain +to find a path by which we could descend the bank to the water. + +The men shouted again and again, in hopes some straggling inhabitant of +the village might be at hand with his canoe. No answer was returned, +save by the echoes. What was to be done? I looked at my husband and saw +that care was on his brow, although he still continued to speak +cheerfully. "We will follow this cross-trail down the bank of the +river," said he. "There must be Indians wintering near, in some of these +points of wood." + +I must confess that I felt somewhat dismayed at our prospects, but I +kept up a show of courage, and did not allow my despondency to be seen. +All the party were dull and gloomy enough. + +We kept along the bank, which was considerably elevated above the water, +and bordered at a little distance with a thick wood. All at once my +horse, who was mortally afraid of Indians, began to jump and prance, +snorting and pricking up his ears as if an enemy were at hand. I +screamed with delight to my husband, who was at the head of the file, +"Oh, John! John! there are Indians near--look at Jerry!" + +At this instant a little Indian dog ran out from under the bushes by the +roadside, and began barking at us. Never were sounds more welcome. We +rode directly into the thicket, and, descending into a little hollow, +found two squaws crouching behind the bushes, trying to conceal +themselves from our sight. + +They appeared greatly relieved when Mr. Kinzie addressed them in the +Pottowattamie language,-- + +"What are you doing here?" + +"Digging Indian potatoes"--(a species of artichoke.) + +"Where is your lodge?" + +"On the other side of the river." + +"Good--then you have a canoe here. Can you take us across?" + +"Yes--the canoe is very small." + +They conducted us down the bank to the water's edge where the canoe was. +It was indeed _very small_. My husband explained to them that they must +take me across first, and then return for the others of the party. + +"Will you trust yourself alone over the river?" inquired he. "You see +that but one can cross at a time." + +"Oh, yes"--and I was soon placed in the bottom of the canoe, lying flat +and looking up at the sky, while the older squaw took the paddle in her +hand, and placed herself on her knees at my head, and the younger, a +girl of fourteen or fifteen, stationed herself at my feet. There was +just room enough for me to lie in this position, each of the others +kneeling in the opposite ends of the canoe. + +While these preparations were making, Mr. Kinzie questioned the women as +to our whereabout. They knew no name for the river but "Saumanong." +This was not definite, it being the generic term for any large stream. +But he gathered that the village we had passed higher up, on the +opposite side of the stream, was Wau-ban-see's, and then he knew that we +were on the Fox River, and probably about fifty miles from Chicago. + +The squaw, in answer to his inquiries, assured him that Chicago was +"close by." + +"That means," said he, "that it is not so far off as Canada. We must not +be too sanguine." + +The men set about unpacking the horses, and I in the mean time was +paddled across the river. The old woman immediately returned, leaving +the younger one with me for company. I seated myself on the fallen trunk +of a tree, in the midst of the snow, and looked across the dark waters. +I am not ashamed to confess my weakness--for the first time on my +journey I shed tears. It was neither hunger, nor fear, nor cold, which +extorted them from me. It was the utter desolation of spirit, the +sickness of heart which "hope deferred" ever occasions, and which of all +evils is the hardest to bear. + +The poor little squaw looked into my face with a wondering and +sympathizing expression. Probably she was speculating in her own mind +what a person who rode so fine a horse, and wore so comfortable a +broadcloth dress, could have to cry about. I pointed to a seat beside me +on the log, but she preferred standing and gazing at me, with the same +pitying expression. Presently she was joined by a young companion, and, +after a short chattering, of which I was evidently the subject, they +both trotted off into the woods, and left me to my own solitary +reflections. + +"What would my friends at the East think," said I to myself, "if they +could see me now? What would poor old Mrs. Welsh say? She who warned me +that _if I came away so far to the West, I should break my heart?_ +Would she not rejoice to find how likely her prediction was to be +fulfilled?" + +These thoughts roused me. I dried up my tears, and by the time my +husband with his party and all his horses and luggage were across, I had +recovered my cheerfulness, and was ready for fresh adventures. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +RELIEF. + + +We followed the old squaw to her lodge, which was at no great distance +in the woods. I had never before been in an Indian lodge, although I had +occasionally peeped into one of the many always clustered round the +house of the Interpreter at the Portage. + +This one was very nicely arranged. Four sticks of wood placed to form a +square in the centre, answered the purpose of a hearth, within which the +fire was built, the smoke escaping through an opening in the top. The +mats of which the lodge was constructed were very neat and new, and +against the sides, depending from the poles or frame-work, hung various +bags of Indian manufacture, containing their dried food and other +household treasures. Sundry ladles, small kettles, and wooden bowls also +hung from the cross-poles; and dangling from the centre, by an iron +chain, was a large kettle in which some dark, suspicious-looking +substance was seething over the scanty fire. On the floor of the lodge, +between the fire and the outer wall, were spread mats, upon which my +husband invited me to be seated and make myself comfortable. + +The first demand of an Indian on meeting a white man is for _bread_, of +which they are exceedingly fond, and I knew enough of the Pottowattamie +language to comprehend the timid "_pe-qua-zhe-gun choh-kay-go_" (I have +no bread) with which the squaw commenced our conversation after my +husband had left the lodge. + +I shook my head, and endeavored to convey to her that, so far from being +able to give, I had had no breakfast myself. She understood me, and +instantly produced a bowl, into which she ladled a quantity of Indian +potatoes from the kettle over the fire, and set them before me. I was +too hungry to be fastidious, and, owing partly, no doubt, to the +sharpness of my appetite, I really found them delicious. + +Two little girls, inmates of the lodge, sat gazing at me with evident +admiration and astonishment, which were increased when I took my little +Prayer book from my pocket and began to read. They had, undoubtedly, +never seen a book before, and I was amused at the care with which they +looked _away_ from me, while they questioned their mother about my +strange employment and listened to her replies. + +While thus occupied, I was startled by a sudden sound of "hogh!" and the +mat which hung over the entrance of the lodge was raised, and an Indian +entered with that graceful bound which is peculiar to themselves. It was +the master of the lodge, who had been out to shoot ducks, and was just +returned. He was a tall, finely-formed man, with a cheerful, open +countenance, and he listened to what his wife in a quiet tone related to +him, while he divested himself of his accoutrements, in the most +unembarrassed, well-bred manner imaginable. + +Soon my husband joined us. He had been engaged in attending to the +comfort of his horses, and assisting his men in making their fire, and +pitching their tent, which the rising storm made a matter of some +difficulty. + +From the Indian he learned that we were in what was called the Big +Woods,[17] or "Piche's Grove," from a Frenchman of that name living not +far from the spot--that the river we had crossed was the Fox River--that +he could guide us to _Piche's_, from which the road was perfectly plain, +or even into Chicago if we preferred--but that we had better remain +encamped for that day, as there was a storm coming on, and in the mean +time he would go and shoot some ducks for our dinner and supper. He was +accordingly furnished with powder and shot, and set off again for game +without delay. + +I had put into my pocket, on leaving home, a roll of scarlet ribbon, in +case a stout string should be wanted, and I now drew it forth, and with +the knife which hung around my neck I cut off a couple of yards for each +of the little girls. They received it with great delight, and their +mother, dividing each portion into two, tied a piece to each of the +little clubs into which their hair was knotted on the temples. They +laughed, and exclaimed "Saum!" as they gazed at each other, and their +mother joined in their mirth, although, as I thought, a little unwilling +to display her maternal exultation before a stranger. + +The tent being all in order, my husband came for me, and we took leave +of our friends in the wigwam, with grateful hearts. + +The storm was raging without. The trees were bending and cracking around +us, and the air was completely filled with the wild-fowl screaming and +_quacking_ as they made their way southward before the blast. Our tent +was among the trees not far from the river. My husband took me to the +bank to look for a moment at what we had escaped. The wind was sweeping +down from the north in a perfect hurricane. The water was filled with +masses of snow and ice, dancing along upon the torrent, over which were +hurrying thousands of wild-fowl, making the woods resound to their +deafening clamor. + +Had we been one hour later, we could not possibly have crossed the +stream, and there would have been nothing for us but to have remained +and starved in the wilderness. Could we be sufficiently grateful to that +kind Providence that had brought us safely through such dangers? + +The men had cut down an immense tree, and built a fire against it, but +the wind shifted so continually that every five minutes the tent would +become completely filled with smoke, so that I was driven into the open +air for breath. Then I would seat myself on one end of the huge log, as +near the fire as possible, for it was dismally cold, but the wind seemed +actuated by a kind of caprice, for in whatever direction I took my seat, +just that way came the smoke and hot ashes, puffing in my face until I +was nearly blinded. Neither veil nor silk handkerchief afforded an +effectual protection, and I was glad when the arrival of our huntsmen, +with a quantity of ducks, gave me an opportunity of diverting my +thoughts from my own sufferings, by aiding the men to pick them and get +them ready for our meal. + +We borrowed a kettle from our Indian friends. It was not remarkably +clean; but we heated a little water in it, and _prairie-hay'd_ it out, +before consigning our birds to it, and with a bowl of Indian potatoes, a +present from our kind neighbors, we soon had an excellent soup. + +What with the cold, the smoke, and the driving ashes and cinders, this +was the most uncomfortable afternoon I had yet passed, and I was glad +when night came, and I could creep into the tent and cover myself up in +the blankets, out of the way of all three of these evils. + +The storm raged with tenfold violence during the night. We were +continually startled by the crashing of the falling trees around us, and +who could tell but that the next would be upon us? Spite of our fatigue, +we passed an almost sleepless night. When we arose in the morning, we +were made fully alive to the perils by which we had been surrounded. At +least fifty trees, the giants of the forest, lay prostrate within view +of the tent. + +When we had taken our scanty breakfast, and were mounted and ready for +departure, it was with difficulty we could thread our way, so completely +was it obstructed by the fallen trunks. + +Our Indian guide had joined us at an early hour, and after conducting us +carefully out of the wood, and pointing out to us numerous +bee-trees,[18] for which he said that grove was famous, he set off at a +long trot, and about nine o'clock brought us to _Piche's_, a log cabin +on a rising ground, looking off over the broad prairie to the east. We +had hoped to get some refreshment here, Piche being an old acquaintance +of some of the party; but, alas! the master was from home. We found his +cabin occupied by Indians and travellers--the latter few, the former +numerous. + +There was no temptation to a halt, except that of warming ourselves at a +bright fire that was burning in the clay chimney. A man in Quaker +costume stepped forward to answer our inquiries, and offered to become +our escort to Chicago, to which place he was bound--so we dismissed our +Indian friend, with a satisfactory remuneration for all the trouble he +had so kindly taken for us. + +A long reach of prairie extended from Piche's to the Du Page, between +the two forks of which, Mr. Dogherty, our new acquaintance, told us, we +should find the dwelling of a Mr. Hawley, who would give us a +comfortable dinner. + +The weather was intensely cold; the wind, sweeping over the wide prairie +with nothing to break its force, chilled our very hearts. I beat my feet +against the saddle to restore the circulation, when they became benumbed +with the cold, until they were so bruised I could beat them no longer. +Not a house or wigwam, not even a clump of trees as a shelter, offered +itself for many a weary mile. At length we reached the west fork of the +Du Page. It was frozen, but not sufficiently so to bear the horses. Our +only resource was to cut a way for them through the ice. It was a work +of time, for the ice had frozen to several inches in thickness during +the last bitter night. Plante went first with an axe, and cut as far as +he could reach, then mounted one of the hardy little ponies, and With +some difficulty broke the ice before him, until he had opened a passage +to the opposite shore. + +How the poor animals shivered as they were reined in among the floating +ice! And we, who sat waiting in the piercing wind, were not much better +off. Probably Brunet was of the same opinion; for, with his usual +perversity, he plunged in immediately after Plante, and stood shaking +and quaking behind him, every now and then looking around him, as much +as to say, "I've got ahead of you, this time!" We were all across at +last, and spurred on our horses, until we reached Hawley's[19]--a +large, commodious dwelling, near the east fork of the river. + +The good woman welcomed us kindly, and soon made us warm and +comfortable. We felt as if we were in a civilized land once more. She +proceeded immediately to prepare dinner for us; and we watched her with +eager eyes, as she took down a huge ham from the rafters, out of which +she cut innumerable slices, then broke a dozen or more of fine fresh +eggs into a pan, in readiness for frying--then mixed a _johnny-cake_, +and placed it against a board in front of the fire to bake. It seemed to +me that even with the aid of this fine, bright fire, the dinner took an +unconscionable time to cook; but cooked it was, at last, and truly might +the good woman stare at the travellers' appetites we had brought with +us. She did not know what short commons we had been on for the last two +days. + +We found, upon inquiry, that we could, by pushing on, reach Lawton's, on +the Aux Plaines, that night--we should then be within twelve miles of +Chicago. Of course we made no unnecessary delay, but set off as soon +after dinner as possible. + +The crossing of the east fork of the Du Page was more perilous than the +former one had been. The ice had become broken, either by the force of +the current, or by some equestrians having preceded us and cut through +it, so that when we reached the bank, the ice was floating down in large +cakes. The horses had to make a rapid dart through the water, which was +so high, and rushing in such a torrent, that if I had not been mounted +on Jerry, the tallest horse in the cavalcade, I must have got a terrible +splashing. + +As it was, I was well frightened, and grasped both bridle and mane with +the utmost tenacity. After this we travelled on as rapidly as possible, +in order to reach our place of destination before dark. + +Mr. Dogherty, a tall, bolt-upright man, half Quaker, half Methodist, did +his best to entertain me, by giving me a thorough schedule of his +religious opinions, with the reasons from Scripture upon which they were +based. He was a good deal of a perfectionist, and evidently looked upon +himself with no small satisfaction, as a living illustration of his +favorite doctrine. + +"St. John says," this was the style of his discourse, "St. John says, +'He that is born of God, doth not commit sin' Now, _if_ I am born of +God, I do not commit sin." + +I was too cold and too weary to argue the point, so I let him have it +all his own way. I believe he must have thought me rather a dull +companion; but at least he gave me the credit of being a good listener. + +It was almost dark when we reached Lawton's. The Aux Plaines[20] was +frozen, and the house was on the other side. By loud shouting, we +brought out a man from the building, and he succeeded in cutting the +ice, and bringing a canoe over to us; but not until it had become +difficult to distinguish objects in the darkness. + +A very comfortable house was Lawton's, after we did reach it--carpeted, +and with a warm stove--in fact, quite in civilized style, Mr. Weeks, the +man who brought us across, was the major-domo, during the temporary +absence of Mr. Lawton. + +Mrs. Lawton was a young woman, and not ill-looking. She complained +bitterly of the loneliness of her condition, and having been "brought +out there into the woods; which was a thing she had not expected, when +she came from the East." We did not ask her with what expectations she +had come to a wild, unsettled country; but we tried to comfort her with +the assurance that things would grow better in a few years. She said, +"She did not mean to wait for that. She should go back to her family in +the East, if Mr. Lawton did not invite some of her young friends to come +and stay with her, and make it agreeable." + +We could hardly realize, on rising the following morning, that only +twelve miles of prairie intervened between us and _Chicago le Desire_, +as I could not but name it. + +We could look across the extended plain, and on its farthest verge were +visible two tall trees, which my husband pointed out to me as the +planting of his own hand, when a boy. Already they had become so lofty +as to serve as landmarks, and they were constantly in view as we +travelled the beaten road. I was continually repeating to myself, "There +live the friends I am so longing to see! There will terminate all our +trials and hardships!" + +A Mr. Wentworth joined us on the road, and of him we inquired after the +welfare of the family, from whom we had, for a long time, received no +intelligence. When we reached Chicago, he took us to a little tavern at +the forks of the river. This portion of the place was then called _Wolf +Point_, from its having been the residence of an Indian named +"_Moaway_," or "the Wolf." + +"Dear me," said the old landlady, at the little tavern, "what dreadful +cold weather you must have had to travel in! Why, two days ago the river +was all open here, and now it's frozen hard enough for folks to cross +a-horseback!" + +Notwithstanding this assurance, my husband did not like to venture, so +he determined to leave his horses and proceed on foot to the residence +of his mother and sister, a distance of about half a mile. + +We set out on our walk, which was first across the ice, then down the +northern bank of the river. As we approached the house we were espied by +Genevieve, a half-breed servant of the family. She did not wait to +salute us, but flew into the house, crying,-- + +"Oh! Madame Kinzie, who do you think has come? Monsieur John and Madame +John, all the way from Fort Winnebago on foot!" + +Soon we were in the arms of our dear, kind friends. A messenger was +dispatched to "the garrison" for the remaining members of the family, +and for that day, at least, I was the wonder and admiration of the whole +circle, "for the dangers I had seen." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +CHICAGO IN 1831. + + +Fort Dearborn at that day consisted of the same buildings as at +present.[21] They were, of course, in a better state of preservation, +though still considerably dilapidated. They had been erected in 1816, +under the supervision of Captain Hezekiah Bradley, and there was a story +current that, such was his patriotic regard for the interests of the +Government, he obliged the soldiers to fashion wooden pins, instead of +spikes and nails, to fasten the timbers of the buildings, and that he +even called on the junior officers to aid in their construction along +with the soldiers, whose business it was. If this were true, the captain +must have labored under the delusion (excusable in one who had lived +long on the frontier) that Government would thank its servants for any +excess of economical zeal. + +The fort was inclosed by high pickets, with bastions at the alternate +angles. Large gates opened to the north and south, and there were small +posterns here and there for the accommodation of the inmates. The bank +of the river which stretches to the west, now covered by the light-house +buildings, and inclosed by docks, was then occupied by the root-houses +of the garrison. Beyond the parade-ground, which extended south of the +pickets, were the company gardens, well filled with currant-bushes and +young fruit-trees. + +The fort stood at what might naturally be supposed to be the mouth of +the river. It was not so, however, for in those days the latter took a +turn, sweeping round the promontory on which the fort was built, towards +the south, and joining the lake about half a mile below. These buildings +stood on the right bank of the river, the left being a long spit of land +extending from the northern shore, of which it formed a part. After the +cutting through of this portion of the left bank in 1833 by the United +States Engineers employed to construct a harbor at this point, and the +throwing out of the piers, the water overflowed this long tongue of +land, and, continually encroaching on the southern bank, robbed it of +many valuable acres; while, by the same action of the vast body of the +lake, an accretion was constantly taking place on the north of the +harbor. + +The residence of Jean Baptiste Beaubien stood at this period between the +gardens and the river-bank, and still farther south was a rickety +tenement, built many years before by Mr. John Dean, the sutler of the +post. A short time after the commencement of the growth of Chicago, the +foundations of this building were undermined by the gradual encroachment +of the lake, and it tumbled backward down the bank, where it long lay, a +melancholy spectacle. + +On the northern bank of the river, directly facing the fort, was the +family mansion of my husband.[22] It was a long, low building, with a +piazza extending along its front, a range of four or five rooms. A broad +green space was inclosed between it and the river, and shaded by a row +of Lombardy poplars. Two immense cottonwood-trees stood in the rear of +the building, one of which still remains as an ancient landmark. A fine, +well-cultivated garden extended to the north of the dwelling, and +surrounding it were various buildings appertaining to the +establishment--dairy, bake-house, lodging-house for the Frenchmen, and +stables. + +A vast range of sand-hills, covered with stunted cedars, pines, and +dwarf-willow-trees, intervened between the house and the lake, which +was, at this time, not more than thirty rods distant. + +Proceeding from this point along the northern bank of the river, we came +first to the Agency House, "Cobweb Castle," as it had been denominated +while long the residence of a bachelor, and the _sobriquet_ adhered to +it ever after. It stood at what is now the southwest corner of +Wolcott[23] and N. Water Streets. Many will still remember it, a +substantial, compact little building of logs hewed and squared, with a +centre, two wings, and, strictly speaking, two _tails_, since, when +there was found no more room for additions at the sides, they were +placed in the rear, whereon a vacant spot could be found. + +These appendages did not mar the symmetry of the whole, as viewed from +the front, but when, in the process of the town's improvement, a street +was maliciously opened directly in the rear of the building, the whole +establishment, with its comical little adjuncts, was a constant source +of amusement to the passers-by. No matter. There were pleasant, happy +hours passed under its odd-shaped roof, as many of Chicago's early +settlers can testify. + +Around the Agency House were grouped a collection of log buildings, the +residences of the different persons in the employ of Government, +appertaining to that establishment--blacksmith, striker, and laborers. +These were for the most part Canadians or half-breeds, with occasionally +a stray Yankee, to set all things going by his activity and enterprise. + +There was still another house on the north side of the river, built by a +former resident by the name of Miller, but he had removed to "Riviere du +Chemin," or Trail Creek, which about this time began to be called +"Michigan City."[24] This house, which stood near the forks of the +river, was at this time vacant. + +There was no house on the southern bank of the river, between the fort +and "The Point," as the forks of the river were then called. The land +was a low wet prairie, scarcely affording good walking in the dryest +summer weather, while at other seasons it was absolutely impassable. A +muddy streamlet, or, as it is called in this country, a _slew_,[25] +after winding around from about the present site of the Tremont House, +fell into the river at the foot of State Street.[26] + +At the Point, on the south side, stood a house just completed by Mark +Beaubien. It was a pretentious white two-story building, with +bright-blue wooden shutters, the admiration of all the little circle at +Wolf Point. Here a canoe ferry was kept to transport people across the +south branch of the river. + +Facing down the river from the west was, first a small tavern kept by +Mr. Wentworth, familiarly known as "Old Geese," not from any want of +shrewdness on his part, but in compliment to one of his own cant +expressions. Near him were two or three log cabins occupied by Robinson, +the Pottowattamie chief, and some of his wife's connexions. Billy +Caldwell, the Sau-ga-nash, too, resided here occasionally, with his +wife, who was a daughter of Nee-scot-nee-meg, one of the most famous +chiefs of the nation. A little remote from these residences was a small +square log building, originally designed for a school-house, but +occasionally used as a place of worship whenever any itinerant minister +presented himself. + +The family of Clybourn had, previous to this time, established +themselves near their present residence on the North Branch--they called +their place _New Virginia_. Four miles up the South Branch was an old +building which was at one time an object of great interest as having +been the theatre of some stirring events during the troubles of +1812.[27] It was denominated Lee's Place, or Hardscrabble. Here lived, +at this time, a settler named Heacock. + +Owing to the badness of the roads a greater part of the year, the usual +mode of communication between the fort and the Point was by a boat rowed +up the river, or by a canoe paddled by some skilful hand. By the latter +means, too, an intercourse was kept up between the residents of the fort +and the Agency House. + +There were, at this time, two companies of soldiers in the garrison, but +of the officers one, Lieutenant Furman, had died the autumn previous, +and several of the others were away on furlough. In the absence of Major +Fowle and Captain Scott, the command devolved on Lieutenant Hunter. +Besides him, there were Lieutenants Engle and Foster--the latter +unmarried. Dr. Finley, the post surgeon, was also absent, and his place +was supplied by Dr. Harmon, a gentleman from Vermont. + +My husband's mother, two sisters, and brother resided at the Agency +House--the family residence near the lake being occupied by J.N. Bailey, +the postmaster. + +In the Dean House lived a Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, who kept a school. +Gholson Kercheval had a small trading establishment in one of the log +buildings at Wolf Point, and John S.C. Hogan superintended the sutler's +store in the garrison. + +There was also a Mr. See lately come into the country, living at the +Point, who sometimes held forth in the little school-house on a Sunday, +less to the edification of his hearers than to the unmerciful slaughter +of the "King's English." + +I think this enumeration comprises all the white inhabitants of Chicago +at a period less than half a century ago. To many who may read these +pages the foregoing particulars will, doubtless, appear uninteresting. +But to those who visit Chicago, and still more to those who come to make +it their home, it may be not without interest to look back to its first +beginnings; to contemplate the almost magical change which a few years +have wrought; and from the past to augur the marvellous prosperity of +the future. + +The origin of the name Chicago is a subject of discussion, some of the +Indians deriving it from the fitch or polecat, others from the wild +onion with which the woods formerly abounded; but all agree that the +place received its name from an old chief who was drowned in the stream +in former times. That this event, although so carefully preserved by +tradition, must have occurred in a very remote period, is evident from +an old French manuscript brought by General Cass from France. + +In this paper, which purports to be a letter from M. de Ligney, at Green +Bay, to M. de Siette, among the Illinois, dated as early as 1726, the +place is designated as "Chica-goux." This orthography is also found in +old family letters of the beginning of the present century. + + * * * * * + +In giving the early history of Chicago, the Indians say, with great +simplicity, "the first white man who settled here was a negro." + +This was Jean Baptiste Point-au-Sable, a native of St. Domingo, who, +about the year 1796, found his way to this remote region, and commenced +a life among the Indians. There is usually a strong affection between +these two races, and Jean Baptiste imposed upon his new friends by +making them believe that he had been a "great chief" among the whites. +Perhaps he was disgusted at not being elected to a similar dignity by +the Pottowattamies, for he quitted this vicinity, and finally terminated +his days at Peoria, under the roof of his friend Glamorgan, another St. +Domingo negro, who had obtained large Spanish grants in St. Louis and +its environs, and who, at one time, was in the enjoyment of an extensive +landed estate. + +Point-au-Sable had made some improvements at Chicago, which were taken +possession of by a Frenchman named Le Mai, who commenced trading with +the Indians. After a few years Le Mai's establishment was purchased by +John Kinzie, Esq., who at that time resided at Bertrand, or _Parc aux +Vaches_, as it was then called, near Niles, in Michigan. As this +gentleman was for nearly twenty years, with the exception of the +military, the only white inhabitant of Northern Illinois, some +particulars of his early life may not be uninteresting. + +He was born in Quebec in 1163. His mother had been previously married to +a gentleman of the name of Haliburton. The only daughter of this +marriage was the mother of General Fleming, Nicholas Low, Esq., and Mrs. +Charles King, of New York. She is described as a lady of remarkable +beauty and accomplishments. Mr. Kinzie was the only child of the second +marriage. His father died in his infancy, and his mother married a third +time a Mr. Forsyth, after which they removed to the city of New York. + +At the age of ten or eleven years he was placed at school with two of +his half-brothers at Williamsburg, L.I. A negro servant was sent from +the city every Saturday, to bring the children home, to remain until the +following Monday morning. Upon one occasion, when the messenger arrived +at the school he found all things in commotion. Johnny Kinzie was +missing! Search was made in all directions; every place was ransacked. +It was all in vain; no Johnny Kinzie could be found. + +The heavy tidings were carried home to his mother. By some it was +supposed the lad was drowned; by others that he had strayed away, and +would return. Weeks passed by, and months, and he was at length given up +and mourned as lost. In the mean time the boy was fulfilling a +determination he had long formed, to visit his native city of Quebec, +and make his way in life for himself. + +He had by some means succeeded in crossing from Williamsburg to the city +of New York, and finding at one of the docks on the North River a sloop +bound for Albany, he took passage on board of her. While on his way up +the river, he was noticed by a gentleman, who, taking an interest in the +little lonely passenger, questioned him about his business. + +"He was going to Quebec, where he had some friends." + +"Had he the means to carry him there?" + +"Not much, but he thought he could get along." + +It happened, fortunately, that the gentleman himself was going to +Quebec. He took the boy under his care, paid his expenses the whole +distance, and finally parted with him in the streets of the city, where +he was, in truth, a stranger. + +He wandered about for a time, looking into various "stores" and +workshops. At length, on entering the shop of a silversmith, he was +satisfied with the expression he read in the countenance of the master, +and he inquired if he wanted an apprentice. + +"What, you, my little fellow! What can you do?" + +"Anything you can teach me." + +"Well, we will make a trial and see." + +The trial was satisfactory. He remained in the family of his kind +friend for more than three years, when his parents, who, in removing to +Detroit, had necessarily returned to Canada, discovered his place of +abode, and he was restored to them. + +There were five younger half-brothers, of the name of Forsyth. In the +old family Bible, we find the following touching record of an event that +occurred after the family had removed to Detroit:-- + +"George Forsyth was lost in the woods 6th August, 1775, when Henry Hays +and Mark Stirling ran away and left him. The remains of George Forsyth +were found by an Indian the 2d of October, 1776, close by the Prairie +Ronde." + +It seems a singular fatality that the unhappy mother should have been +twice called to suffer a similar affliction--the loss of a child in a +manner worse than death, inasmuch as it left room for all the horrors +that imagination can suggest. The particulars of the loss of this little +brother were these. As he came from school one evening, he met the +colored servant-boy on horseback, going to the common for the cows. The +school-house stood quite near the old fort, and all beyond that, towards +the west, was a wild, uncultivated tract called "the Common." The child +begged of the servant to take him up and give him a ride, but the other +refused, bidding him return home at once. He was accompanied by two +other boys, somewhat older, and together they followed the negro for +some distance, hoping to prevail upon him to give them a ride. As it +grew dark, the two older boys turned back, but the other kept on. When +the negro returned he had not again seen the child, nor were any tidings +ever received of him, notwithstanding the diligent search made by the +whole little community, until, as related in the record, his remains +were found the following year by an Indian. There was nothing to +identify them, except the auburn curls of his hair, and the little boots +he had worn. He must have perished very shortly after having lost his +way, for the Prairie Ronde was too near the settlement to have prevented +his bearing the calls and sounding horns of those in search of him, had +he been living. + +Mr. Kinzie's enterprising and adventurous disposition led him, as he +grew older, to live much on the frontier. He early entered into the +Indian trade, and had establishments at Sandusky and Maumee. About the +year 1800 he pushed farther west, to St. Joseph's, Michigan. In this +year he married Mrs. McKillip, the widow of a British officer, and in +1804 came to make his home at Chicago. It was in this year that the +first fort was built by Major John Whistler. + +By degrees more remote trading-posts were established by him, all +contributing to the parent one at Chicago; at Milwaukie with the +Menomonees; at Rock River with the Winnebagoes and the Pottowattamies; +on the Illinois River and Kankakee with the Pottowattamies of the +Prairies, and with the Kickapoos in what was called "_Le Large_," being +the widely extended district afterwards erected into Sangamon County. + +Each trading-post had its superintendent, and its complement of +engages--its train of pack-horses and its equipment of boats and canoes. +From most of the stations the furs and peltries were brought to Chicago +on pack-horses, and the goods necessary for the trade were transported +in return by the same method. + +The vessels which came in the spring and fall (seldom more than two or +three annually), to bring the supplies and goods for the trade, took the +furs that were already collected to Mackinac, the depot of the Southwest +and American Fur Companies. At other seasons they were sent to that +place in boats, coasting around the lake. + + * * * * * + +Of the Canadian voyageurs or engages, a race that has now so nearly +passed away, some notice may very properly here be given. + +They were unlike any other class of men. Like the poet, they seemed born +to their vocation. Sturdy, enduring, ingenious, and light-hearted, they +possessed a spirit capable of adapting itself to any emergency. No +difficulties baffled, no hardships discouraged them; while their +affectionate nature led them to form attachments of the warmest +character to their "bourgeois," or master, as well as to the native +inhabitants, among whom their engagements carried them. + +Montreal, or, according to their own pronunciation, _Marrialle_, was +their depot. It was at that place that the agents commissioned to make +up the quota for the different companies and traders found the material +for their selections. + +The terms of engagement were usually from four to six hundred livres +(ancient Quebec currency) per annum as wages, with rations of one quart +of lyed corn, and two ounces of tallow per diem, or "its equivalent in +whatever sort of food is to be found in the Indian country." Instances +have been known of their submitting cheerfully to fare upon fresh fish +and maple-sugar for a whole winter, when cut off from other supplies. + +It was a common saying, "Keep an engage to his corn and tallow, he will +serve you well--give him pork and bread, and he soon gets beyond your +management." They regard the terms of their engagement as binding to the +letter. An old trader, M. Berthelet, engaged a crew at Montreal. The +terms of agreement were, that they should eat when their bourgeois did, +and what he did. It was a piece of fun on the part of the old gentleman, +but the simple Canadians believed it to be a signal instance of good +luck that had provided them such luxurious prospects. The bourgeois +stuffed his pockets with crackers, and, when sure of being quite +unobserved, would slily eat one. Pipe after pipe passed--the men grew +hungry, but, observing that there were no preparations of a meal for the +bourgeois, they bore their fast without complaining. + +At length the matter became too serious--they could stand it no longer. +In their distress they begged off from the bargain, and gladly +compounded to take the customary rations, instead of the dainty fare +they had been promising themselves with their master. + +On arriving at Mackinac, which was the entrepot of the fur trade, a +small proportion of the voyageur's wages was advanced him, to furnish +his winter's outfit, his pipes and tobacco, his needles and thread, some +pieces of bright-colored ribbons, and red and yellow gartering (quality +binding), with which to purchase their little necessaries from the +Indians. To these, if his destination were Lake Superior, or a post far +to the north where such articles could not be readily obtained, were +added one or two smoked deer-skins for moccasins. + +Thus equipped, he entered upon his three years' service, to toil by day, +and laugh, joke, sing, and tell stories when the evening hour brought +rest and liberty. + +There was not wanting here and there an instance of obstinate adherence +to the exact letter of the agreement in regard to the nature of +employment, although, as a general thing, the engage held himself ready +to fulfil the behests of his bourgeois, as faithfully as ever did vassal +those of his chief. + +A Story is told of M. St. Jean, a trader on the Upper Mississippi, who +upon a certain occasion ordered one of his Frenchmen to accompany a +party to the forest to chop wood. The man refused. "He was not hired," +he said, "to chop wood." + +"Ah! for what, then, were you hired?" + +"To steer a boat." + +"Very well; steer a boat, then, since you prefer it." + +It was mid-winter. The recusant was marched to the river-side, and +placed in the stern of the boat, which lay fastened in the ice. + +After serving a couple of hours at his legitimate employment, with the +thermometer below zero, he was quite content to take his place with the +chopping-party, and never again thought it good policy to choose work +for himself. + +There is an aristocracy in the voyageur service which is quite amusing. +The engagement is usually made for three years. The engage of the first +year, who is called a "_mangeur-de-lard_," or pork-eater, is looked down +upon with the most sovereign contempt by an "_hivernant_," or one who +has already passed a winter in the country. He will not only not +associate with him, but if invited by him to join him in a friendly +glass, he will make some excuse for declining. The most inveterate +drunkard, while tortured by a longing to partake his favorite +indulgence, will yet never suffer himself to be enticed into an +infringement of this custom. + +After the first winter, the _mangeur-de-lard_ rises from his freshman +class, and takes his place where he can in turn lord it over all +new-comers. + +Another peculiarity of the voyageurs is their fancy for transforming the +names of their bourgeois into something funny, which resembles it in +sound. Thus, Kinzie would be called by one "_Quinze nez_" (fifteen +noses), by another "_Singe_" (monkeyfied). Mr. Kercheval was denominated +_Mons. Court-cheval_ (short horse), the Judge of Probate, "_le Juge +Trop-bete"_ (too foolish), etc. The following is an instance in point. + +Mr. Shaw, one of the agents of the Northwest Fur Company, had passed +many years on the frontier, and was by the voyageurs called Monsieur Le +Chat.[28] On quitting the Indian country he married a Canadian lady and +became the father of several children. Some years after his return to +Canada, his old foreman, named Louis la Liberte, went to Montreal to +spend the winter. He had heard of his old bourgeois' marriage, and was +anxious to see him. + +Mr. Shaw was walking in the Champ de Mars with a couple of officers, +when La Liberte espied him. He immediately ran up, and, seizing him by +both hands, accosted him,-- + +"_Ah! mon cher Monsieur le Chat: comment vous portez-vous_?" (My dear +Mr. Cat, how do you do?) + +"_Tres-bien, Louizon_." + +"_Et comment se porte Madame la Chatte_?" (How is the mother cat?) + +"_Bien, bien, Louizon; elle est tres-bien_" (She is very well.) + +"_Et tous les petits Chatons_?" (And all the kittens?) + +This was too much for Mr. Shaw. He answered shortly that the _kittens +were all well_, and turned away with his military friends, leaving poor +Louizon quite astonished at the abruptness of his departure. + +Cut off, in the manner described, from the world at large, with no +society but the military, thus lived the family of Mr. Kinzie, in great +contentment, and in the enjoyment of all the comforts, together with +most of the luxuries, of life. + +The Indians reciprocated the friendship that was shown them, and formed +for them an attachment of no ordinary strength, as was manifested during +the scenes of the year 1812, eight years after Mr. Kinzie first came to +live among them. + +Some of the most prominent events of that year are recorded in the +following Narrative. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +MASSACRE AT CHICAGO.[29] + + +It was the evening of the 7th of April, 1812. The children of Mr. Kinzie +were dancing before the fire to the music of their father's violin. The +tea-table was spread, and they were awaiting the return of their mother, +who had gone to visit a sick neighbor about a quarter of a mile up the +river. + +Suddenly their sports were interrupted. The door was thrown open, and +Mrs. Kinzie rushed in, pale with terror, and scarcely able to +articulate, "The Indians! the Indians!" + +"The Indians? What? Where?" eagerly demanded they all. + +"Up at Lee's Place, killing and scalping!" + +With difficulty Mrs. Kinzie composed herself sufficiently to give the +information, "That, while she was up at Burns's, a man and a boy were +seen running down with all speed on the opposite side of the river; that +they had called across to give notice to Barns's family to save +themselves, for _the Indians_ were at Lee's Place, from which they had +just made their escape. Having given this terrifying news, they had made +all speed for the fort, which was on the same side of the river that +they then were." + +All was now consternation and dismay. The family were hurried into two +old _pirogues_, that lay moored near the house, and paddled with all +possible haste across the river to take refuge in the fort. + +All that the man and boy who had made their escape were able to tell, +was soon known; but, in order to render their story more intelligible, +it is necessary to describe the scene of action. + +_Lee's Place_, since known by the name of Hardscrabble, was a farm +intersected by the Chicago River, about four miles from its mouth. The +farm-house stood on the western bank of the south branch of this river. +On the north side of the main stream, but quite near its junction with +Lake Michigan, stood (as has already been described) the dwelling-house +and trading-establishment of Mr. Kinzie. + +The fort was situated on the southern bank, directly opposite this +mansion--the river, and a few rods of sloping green turf on either side, +being all that intervened between them. + +The fort was differently constructed from the one erected on the same +site in 1816. It had two block-houses on the southern side, and on the +northern a sally-port, or subterranean passage from the parade-ground to +the river. This was designed either to facilitate escape in case of an +emergency, or as a means of supplying the garrison with water during a +siege. + +The officers in the fort at this period were Captain Heald, the +commanding officer, Lieutenant Helm, the son-in-law of Mr. Kinzie, and +Ensign Ronan--the two last were very young men--and the surgeon, Dr. Van +Voorhees. + +The command numbered about seventy-five men; very few of whom were +effective. + +A constant and friendly intercourse had been maintained between these +troops and the Indians. It is true that the principal men of the +Pottowattamie nation, like those of most other tribes, went yearly to +Fort Malden, in Canada, to receive a large amount of presents, with +which the British Government had, for many years, been in the habit of +purchasing their alliance; and it was well known that many of the +Pottowattamies, as well as Winnebagoes, had been engaged with the +Ottawas and Shawnees at the battle of Tippecanoe, the preceding autumn; +yet, as the principal chiefs of all the bands in the neighborhood +appeared to be on the most amicable terms with the Americans, no +interruption of their harmony was at any time anticipated. + +After the 15th of August, however, many circumstances were recollected +that might have opened the eyes of the whites, had they not been lulled +in a fatal security. One instance in particular may be mentioned. + +In the spring preceding the destruction of the fort, two Indians of the +Calumet band came to the fort on a visit to the commanding officer. As +they passed through the quarters, they saw Mrs. Heald and Mrs. Helm +playing at battledoor. + +Turning to the interpreter, one of them, Nau-non-gee, remarked, "The +white chiefs' wives are amusing themselves very much; it will not be +long before they are hoeing in our corn-fields!" + +This was considered at the time an idle threat, or, at most, an +ebullition of jealous feeling at the contrast between the situation of +their own women and that of the "white chiefs' wives." Some months +after, how bitterly was it remembered! + + * * * * * + +The farm at Lee's Place was occupied by a Mr. White and three persons +employed by him in the care of the farm. + +In the afternoon of the day on which our narrative commences, a party of +ten or twelve Indians, dressed and painted, arrived at the house, and, +according to the custom among savages, entered and seated themselves +without ceremony. + +Something in their appearance and manner excited the suspicions of one +of the family, a Frenchman, who remarked, "I do not like the appearance +of these Indians--they are none of our folks. I know by their dress and +paint that they are not Pottowattamies." + +Another of the family, a discharged soldier, then said to the boy who +was present, "If that is the case, we had better get away from them if +we can. Say nothing; but do as you see me do." + +As the afternoon was far advanced, the soldier walked leisurely towards +the canoes, of which there were two tied near the bank. Some of the +Indians inquired where he was going. He pointed to the cattle which were +standing among the haystacks on the opposite bank, and made signs that +they must go and fodder them, and then they should return and get their +supper. + +He got into one canoe, and the boy into the other. The stream was +narrow, and they were soon across. When they had gained the opposite +side, they pulled some hay for the cattle--made a show of collecting +them--and when they had gradually made a circuit, so that their +movements were concealed by the haystacks, they took to the woods, which +were close at hand, and made for the fort. + +They had run about a quarter of a mile, when they heard the discharge of +two guns successively, which they supposed to have been levelled at the +companions they had left behind. + +They stopped not nor stayed until they arrived opposite Burns's,[30] +where, as before related, they called across to advertise the family of +their danger, and then hastened on to the fort. + +It now occurred to those who had secured their own safety, that the +family of Burns was at this moment exposed to the most imminent peril. +The question was, who would hazard his own life to bring them to a place +of safety? A gallant young officer, Ensign Ronan, volunteered, with a +party of five or six soldiers, to go to their rescue. + +They ascended the river in a scow, and took the mother, with her infant +of scarcely a day old, upon her bed to the boat, in which they carefully +conveyed her and the other members of the family to the fort. + +A party of soldiers, consisting of a corporal and six men, had that +afternoon obtained leave to go up the river to fish. + +They had not returned when the fugitives from Lee's Place arrived at +the fort, and, fearing that they might encounter the Indians, the +commanding officer ordered a cannon to be fired, to warn them of danger. + +They were at the time about two miles above Lee's Place. Hearing the +signal, they took the hint, put out their torches (for it was now +night), and dropped down the river towards the garrison, as silently as +possible. It will be remembered that the unsettled state of the country +since the battle of Tippecanoe, the preceding November, had rendered +every man vigilant, and the slightest alarm was an admonition to "beware +of the Indians." + +When the fishing-party reached Lee's Place, it was proposed to stop and +warn the inmates to be upon their guard, as the signal from the fort +indicated danger of some kind. All was still as death around the house. +They groped their way along, and as the corporal jumped over the small +enclosure he placed his hand upon the dead body of a man. By the sense +of touch he soon ascertained that the head was without a scalp, and +otherwise mutilated. The faithful dog of the murdered man stood guarding +the lifeless remains of his master. + +The tale was now told. The men retreated to their canoes, and reached +the fort unmolested about eleven o'clock at night. The next morning a +party of the citizens and soldiers volunteered to go to Lee's Place, to +learn further the fate of its occupants. The body of Mr. White was found +pierced by two balls, and with eleven stabs in the breast. The +Frenchman, as already described, lay dead, with his dog still beside +him. Their bodies were brought to the fort and buried in its immediate +vicinity. + +It was subsequently ascertained, from traders out in the Indian country, +that the perpetrators of this bloody deed were a party of Winnebagoes, +who had come into this neighborhood to "take some white scalps." Their +plan had been, to proceed down the river from Lee's Place, and kill +every white man without the walls of the fort. Hearing, however, the +report of the cannon, and not knowing what it portended, they thought it +best to remain satisfied with this one exploit, and forthwith retreated +to their homes on Rock River. + +The inhabitants outside the fort, consisting of a few discharged +soldiers and some families of half-breeds, now intrenched themselves in +the Agency House. This stood west of the fort, between the pickets and +the river, and distant about twenty rods from the former. + +It was an old-fashioned log building, with a hall running through the +centre, and one large room on each side. Piazzas extended the whole +length of the building in front and rear. These were planked up, for +greater security, port-holes were cut, and sentinels posted at night. + +As the enemy were believed to be lurking still in the neighborhood, or, +emboldened by former success, likely to return at any moment, an order +was issued prohibiting any soldier or citizen from leaving the vicinity +of the garrison without a guard. + +One night a sergeant and private, who were out on a patrol, came +suddenly upon a party of Indians in the pasture adjoining the esplanade. +The sergeant fired his piece, and both retreated towards the fort. +Before they could reach it, an Indian threw his tomahawk, which missed +the sergeant and struck a wagon standing near. The sentinel from the +block-house immediately fired, and with effect, while the men got safely +in. The next morning it was ascertained, from traces of blood to a +considerable distance into the prairie, and from the appearance of a +body having been laid among the long grass, that some execution had been +done. + +On another occasion the enemy entered the esplanade to steal horses. +Not finding them in the stable, as they had expected, they made +themselves amends for their disappointment by stabbing all the sheep in +the stable and then letting them loose. The poor animals flocked towards +the fort. This gave the alarm--the garrison was aroused--parties were +sent out, but the marauders escaped unmolested. + + * * * * * + +The inmates of the fort experienced no farther alarm for many weeks. + +On the afternoon of the 7th of August, Winnemeg, or _Catfish_, a +Pottowattamie chief, arrived at the post, bringing despatches from +General Hull. These announced the declaration of war between the United +States and Great Britain, and that General Hull, at the head of the +Northwestern army, had arrived at Detroit; also, that the island of +Mackinac had fallen into the hands of the British. + +The orders to Captain Heald were, "to evacuate the fort, if practicable, +and, in that event, to distribute all the United States' property +contained in the fort, and in the United States' factory or agency, +among the Indians in the neighborhood." + +After having delivered his despatches, Winnemeg requested a private +interview with Mr. Kinzie, who had taken up his residence in the fort. +He stated to Mr. K. that he was acquainted with the purport of the +communications he had brought, and begged him to ascertain if it were +the intention of Captain Heald to evacuate the post. He advised strongly +against such a step, inasmuch as the garrison was well supplied with +ammunition, and with provisions for six months. It would, therefore, be +far better, he thought, to remain until a reinforcement could be sent to +their assistance. If, however, Captain Heald should decide upon leaving +the post, it should by all means be done immediately. The +Pottowattamies, through whose country they must pass, being ignorant of +the object of Winnemeg's mission, a forced march might be made, before +those who were hostile in their feelings were prepared to interrupt +them. + +Of this advice, so earnestly given, Captain Heald was immediately +informed. He replied that it was his intention to evacuate the post, but +that, inasmuch as he had received orders to distribute the United +States' property, he should not feel justified in leaving it until he +had collected the Indians of the neighborhood and made an equitable +division among them. + +Winnemeg then suggested the expediency of marching out, and leaving all +things standing--possibly while the Indians were engaged in the +partition of the spoils, the troops might effect their retreat +unmolested. This advice was strongly seconded by Mr. Kinzie, but did not +meet the approbation of the commanding officer. + +The order for evacuating the post was read next morning upon parade. It +is difficult to understand why Captain Heald, in such an emergency, +omitted the usual form of calling a council of war with his officers. It +can only be accounted for by the fact of a want of harmonious feeling +between himself and one of his junior officers--Ensign Ronan, a +high-spirited and somewhat overbearing, but brave and generous young +man. + +In the course of the day, finding that no council was called, the +officers waited on Captain Heald to be informed what course he intended +to pursue. When they learned his intentions, they remonstrated with him, +on the following grounds: + +First--It was highly improbable that the command would be permitted to +pass through the country in safety to Fort Wayne. For although it had +been said that some of the chiefs had opposed an attack upon the fort, +planned the preceding autumn, yet it was well known that they had been +actuated in that matter by motives of private regard to one family, that +of Mr. Kinzie, and not to any general friendly feeling towards the +Americans; and that, at any rate, it was hardly to be expected that +these few individuals would be able to control the whole tribe, who were +thirsting for blood. + +In the next place--Their march must necessarily be slow, as their +movements must be accommodated to the helplessness of the women and +children, of whom there were a number with the detachment. That of their +small force, some of the soldiers were superannuated, others invalid; +therefore, since the course to be pursued was left discretional, their +unanimous advice was, to remain where they were, and fortify themselves +as strongly as possible. Succors from the other side of the peninsula +might arrive before they could be attacked by the British from Mackinac; +and even should they not, it were far better to fall into the hands of +the latter than to become the victims of the savages. + +Captain Heald argued in reply, that a special order had been issued by +the War Department, that no post should be surrendered without battle +having been given, and his force was totally inadequate to an engagement +with the Indians; that he should unquestionably be censured for +remaining, when there appeared a prospect of a safe march through; and +that, upon the whole, he deemed it expedient to assemble the Indians, +distribute the property among them, and then ask of them an escort to +Fort Wayne, with the promise of a considerable reward upon their safe +arrival--adding, that he had full confidence in the friendly professions +of the Indians, from whom, as well as from the soldiers, the capture of +Mackinac had been kept a profound secret. + +From this time the officers held themselves aloof, and spoke but little +upon the subject, though they considered the project of Captain Heald +little short of madness. The dissatisfaction among the soldiers hourly +increased, until it reached a high pitch of insubordination. + +Upon one occasion, as Captain Heald was conversing with Mr. Kinzie upon +the parade, he remarked, "I could not remain, even if I thought it best, +for I have but a small store of provisions." + +"Why, captain," said a soldier who stood near, forgetting all etiquette +in the excitement of the moment, "you have cattle enough to last the +troops six months." + +"But," replied Captain Heald, "I have no salt to preserve it with." + +"Then jerk[31] it," said the man, "as the Indians do their venison." + +The Indians now became daily more unruly. Entering the fort in defiance +of the sentinels, they made their way without ceremony into the +officers' quarters. On one occasion an Indian took up a rifle and fired +it in the parlor of the commanding officer, as an expression of +defiance. Some were of opinion that this was intended among the young +men as a signal for an attack. The old chiefs passed backwards and +forwards among the assembled groups, with the appearance of the most +lively agitation, while the squaws rushed to and fro, in great +excitement, and evidently prepared for some fearful scene. + +Any further manifestation of ill feeling was, however, suppressed for +the present, and Captain Heald, strange as it may seem, continued to +entertain a conviction of having created so amicable a disposition among +the Indians as would insure the safety of the command on their march to +Fort Wayne. + +Thus passed the time until the 12th of August. The feelings of the +inmates of the fort during this time may be better imagined than +described. Each morning that dawned seemed to bring them nearer to that +most appalling fate--butchery by a savage foe--and at night they +scarcely dared yield to slumber, lest they should be aroused by the +war-whoop and tomahawk. Gloom and mistrust prevailed, and the want of +unanimity among the officers debarred them the consolation they might +have found in mutual sympathy and encouragement. + +The Indians being assembled from the neighboring villages, a council was +held with them on the afternoon of the 12th. Captain Heald alone +attended on the part of the military. He requested his officers to +accompany him, but they declined. They had been secretly informed that +it was the intention of the young chiefs to fall upon the officers and +massacre them while in council, but they could not persuade Captain +Heald of the truth of their information. They waited therefore only +until he had left the garrison, accompanied by Mr. Kinzie, when they +took command of the block-houses which overlooked the esplanade on which +the council was held, opened the port-holes, and pointed the cannon so +as to command the whole assembly. By this means, probably, the lives of +the whites who were present in council were preserved. + +In council, the commanding officer informed the Indians that it was his +intention to distribute among them, the next day, not only the goods +lodged in the United States' factory, but also the ammunition and +provisions, with Which the garrison was well supplied. He then +requested of the Pottowattamies an escort to Fort Wayne, promising them +a liberal reward on arriving there, in addition to the presents they +were now about to receive. With many professions of friendship and good +will, the savages assented to all be proposed, and promised all he +required. + +After the council, Mr. Kinzie, who understood well, not only the Indian +character, but the present tone of feeling among them, had a long +interview with Captain Heald, in hopes of opening his eyes to the +present posture of affairs. + +He reminded him that since the troubles with the Indians upon the Wabash +and its vicinity, there had appeared a settled plan of hostilities +towards the whites, in consequence of which it had been the policy of +the Americans to withhold from them whatever would enable them to carry +on their warfare upon the defenceless inhabitants of the frontier. + +Mr. Kinzie also recalled to Captain Heald how that, having left home for +Detroit, the preceding autumn, on receiving, when he had proceeded as +far as De Charme's,[32] the intelligence of the battle of Tippecanoe, he +had immediately returned to Chicago, that he might dispatch orders to +his traders to furnish no ammunition to the Indians; in consequence of +which all they had on hand was secreted, and such of the traders as had +not already started for their wintering-grounds, took neither powder nor +shot with them. + +Captain Heald was struck with the impolicy of furnishing the enemy (for +such they must now consider their old neighbors) with arms against +himself, and determined to destroy all the ammunition except what should +be necessary for the use of his own troops. + +On the 13th, the goods, consisting of blankets, broadcloths, calicoes, +paints, etc., were distributed, as stipulated. The same evening the +ammunition and liquor were carried, part into the sally-port, and thrown +into a well which had been dug there to supply the garrison with water +in case of emergency; the remainder was transported as secretly as +possible through the northern gate, the heads of the barrels knocked in, +and the contents poured into the river. + +The same fate was shared by a large quantity of alcohol belonging to Mr. +Kinzie, which had been deposited in a warehouse near his residence +opposite the fort. + +The Indians suspected what was going on, and crept, serpent-like, as +near the scene of action as possible, but a vigilant watch was kept up, +and no one was suffered to approach but those engaged in the affair. All +the muskets not necessary for the command on the march were broken up +and thrown into the well, together with the bags of shot, flints, +gunscrews, and, in short, everything relating to weapons of offence. + +Some relief to the general feeling of despondency was afforded, by the +arrival, on the 14th of August, of Captain Wells[33] with fifteen +friendly Miamis. + +Of this brave man, who forms so conspicuous a figure in our frontier +annals, it is unnecessary here to say more than that he had been +residing from his boyhood among the Indians, and consequently possessed +a perfect knowledge of their character and habits. + +He had heard, at Fort Wayne, of the order for evacuating the fort at +Chicago, and, knowing the hostile determination of the Pottowattamies, +he had made a rapid march across the country, to prevent the exposure +of his relative, Captain Heald, and his troops, to certain destruction. + +But he came "all too late." When he reached the post he found that the +ammunition had been destroyed, and the provisions given to the Indians. +There was, therefore, now no alternative, and every preparation was made +for the march of the troops on the following morning. + +On the afternoon of the same day, a second council was held with the +Indians. They expressed great indignation at the destruction of the +ammunition and liquor. + +Notwithstanding the precautions that had been taken to preserve secrecy, +the noise of knocking in the heads of the barrels had betrayed the +operations of the preceding night; indeed, so great was the quantity of +liquor thrown into the river, that the taste of the water the next +morning was, as one expressed it, "strong grog." + +Murmurs and threats were everywhere heard among the savages. It was +evident that the first moment of exposure would subject the troops to +some manifestation of their disappointment and resentment. + +Among the chiefs were several who, although they shared the general +hostile feeling of their tribe towards the Americans, yet retained a +personal regard for the troops at this post, and for the few white +citizens of the place. These chiefs exerted their utmost influence to +allay the revengeful feelings of the young men, and to avert their +sanguinary designs, but without effect. + +On the evening succeeding the council, _Black Partridge_, a conspicuous +chief, entered the quarters of the commanding officer. + +"Father," said he, "I come to deliver up to you the medal I wear. It was +given me by the Americans, and I have long worn it in token of our +mutual friendship. But our young men are resolved to imbrue their hands +in the blood of the whites. I cannot restrain them, and I will not wear +a token of peace while I am compelled to act as an enemy." + +Had further evidence been wanting, this circumstance would have +sufficiently proved to the devoted band the justice of their melancholy +anticipations. Nevertheless, they went steadily on with the necessary +preparations; and, amid the horrors of their situation, there were not +wanting gallant hearts, who strove to encourage, in their desponding +companions, the hopes of escape they were far from indulging themselves. + +Of the ammunition there had been reserved but twenty-five rounds, +besides one box of cartridges, contained in the baggage-wagons. This +must, under any circumstances of danger, have proved an inadequate +supply; but the prospect of a fatiguing march, in their present +ineffective state, forbade the troops embarrassing themselves with a +larger quantity. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +NARRATIVE OF THE MASSACRE, CONTINUED. + + +The morning of the 15th arrived. All things were in readiness, and nine +o'clock was the hour named for starting. + +Mr. Kinzie, having volunteered to accompany the troops in their march, +had intrusted his family to the care of some friendly Indians, who +promised to convey them in a boat around the head of Lake Michigan to a +point[34] on the St. Joseph's River, there to be joined by the troops, +should the prosecution of their march be permitted them. + +Early in the morning Mr. Kinzie received a message from To-pee-nee-bee, +a chief of the St. Joseph's band, informing him that mischief was +intended by the Pottowattamies who had engaged to escort the detachment, +and urging him to relinquish his design of accompanying the troops by +land, promising him that the boat containing himself and family should +be permitted to pass in safety to St. Joseph's. + +Mr. Kinzie declined acceding to this proposal, as he believed that his +presence might operate as a restraint upon the fury of the savages, so +warmly were the greater part of them attached to himself and his family. + +The party in the boat consisted of Mrs. Kinzie and her four younger +children, their nurse Josette, a clerk of Mr. Kinzie's, two servants and +the boatmen, besides the two Indians who acted as their protectors. The +boat started, but had scarcely reached the mouth of the river, which, it +will be recollected, was here half a mile below the fort, when another +messenger from To-pee-nee-bee arrived to detain them where they were. +There was no mistaking the reason of this detention. + +In breathless anxiety sat the wife and mother. She was a woman of +uncommon energy and strength of character, yet her heart died within her +as she folded her arms around her helpless infants, and gazed upon the +march of her husband and eldest child to certain destruction. + +As the troops left the fort, the band struck up the Dead March. On they +came, in military array, but with solemn mien. Captain Wells took the +lead at the head of his little band of Miamis. He had blackened his face +before leaving the garrison, in token of his impending fate. They took +their route along the lake shore. When they reached the point where +commenced a range of sand-hills intervening between the prairie and the +beach, the escort of Pottowattamies, in number about five hundred, kept +the level of the prairie, instead of continuing along the beach with the +Americans and Miamis. + +They had marched perhaps a mile and a half, when Captain Wells, who had +kept somewhat in advance with his Miamis, came riding furiously back. + +"They are about to attack us," shouted he; "form instantly, and charge +upon them." + +Scarcely were the words uttered, when a volley was showered from among +the sand-hills. The troops were hastily brought into line, and charged +up the bank. One man, a veteran of seventy winters, fell as they +ascended. The remainder of the scene is best described in the words of +an eye-witness and participator in the tragedy, Mrs. Helm, the wife of +Captain (then Lieutenant) Helm, and step-daughter of Mr. Kinzie. + + * * * * * + +"After we had left the bank the firing became general. The Miamis fled +at the outset. Their chief rode up to the Pottowattamies, and said: + +"'You have deceived the Americans and us. You have done a bad action, +and (brandishing his tomahawk) I will be the first to head a party of +Americans to return and punish your treachery.' So saying, he galloped +after his companions, who were now scouring across the prairies. + +"The troops behaved most gallantly. They were but a handful, but they +seemed resolved to sell their lives as dearly as possible. Our horses +pranced and bounded, and could hardly be restrained as the balls +whistled among them. I drew off a little, and gazed upon my husband and +father, who were yet unharmed. I felt that my hour was come, and +endeavored to forget those I loved, and prepare myself for my +approaching fate. + +"While I was thus engaged, the surgeon, Dr. Van Voorhees, came up. He +was badly wounded. His horse had been shot under him, and he had +received a ball in his leg. Every muscle of his face was quivering with +the agony of terror. He said to me, 'Do you think they will take our +lives? I am badly wounded, but I think not mortally. Perhaps we might +purchase our lives by promising them a large reward. Do you think there +is any chance?' + +"'Dr. Van Voorhees,' said I, 'do not let us waste the few moments that +yet remain to us in such vain hopes. Our fate is inevitable. In a few +moments we must appear before the bar of God. Let us make what +preparation is yet in our power.' + +"'Oh, I cannot die!' exclaimed he, 'I am not fit to die--if I had but a +short time to prepare--death is awful!' + +"I pointed to Ensign Ronan, who, though mortally wounded and nearly +down, was still fighting with desperation on one knee.[35] + +"'Look at that man!' said I. 'At least he dies like a soldier.' + +"'Yes,' replied the unfortunate man, with a convulsive gasp, 'but he has +no terrors of the future--he is an unbeliever!' + +"At this moment a young Indian raised his tomahawk at me. By springing +aside, I partially avoided the blow, which was intended for my skull, +but which alighted on my shoulder. I seized him around the neck, and +while exerting my utmost efforts to get possession of his +scalping-knife, which hung in a scabbard over his breast, I was dragged +from his grasp by another and older Indian. + +"The latter bore me struggling and resisting towards the lake. +Notwithstanding the rapidity with which I was harried along, I +recognized, as I passed them, the lifeless remains of the unfortunate +surgeon. Some murderous tomahawk had stretched him upon the very spot +where I had last seen him. + +"I was immediately plunged into the water and held there with a forcible +hand, notwithstanding my resistance. I soon perceived, however, that the +object of my captor was not to drown me, for he held me firmly in such a +position as to place my head above water. This reassured me, and, +regarding him attentively, I soon recognized, in spite of the paint with +which he was disguised, _The Black Partridge_. + +"When the firing had nearly subsided, my preserver bore me from the +water and conducted me up the sand-banks. It was a burning August +morning, and walking through the sand in my drenched condition was +inexpressibly painful and fatiguing. I stooped and took off my shoes to +free them from the sand with which they were nearly filled, when a squaw +seized and carried them off, and I was obliged to proceed without them. + +"When we had gained the prairie, I was met by my father, who told me +that my husband was safe and but slightly wounded. They led me gently +back towards the Chicago River, along the southern bank of which was the +Pottowattamie encampment. At one time I was placed upon a horse without +a saddle, but, finding the motion insupportable, I sprang off. Supported +partly by my kind conductor, _Black Partridge_, and partly by another +Indian, Pee-so-tum, who held dangling in his hand a scalp, which by the +black ribbon around the queue I recognized as that of Captain Wells, I +dragged my fainting steps to one of the wigwams. + +"The wife of Wau-bee-nee-mah, a chief from the Illinois River, was +standing near, and, seeing my exhausted condition, she seized a kettle, +dipped up some water from a stream that flowed near,[36] threw into it +some maple-sugar, and, stirring it up with her hand, gave it me to +drink. This act of kindness, in the midst of so many horrors, touched me +most sensibly; but my attention was soon diverted to other objects. + +"The fort had become a scene of plunder to such as remained after the +troops marched out. The cattle had been shot down as they ran at large, +and lay dead or dying around. This work of butchery had commenced just +as we were leaving the fort. I well remembered a remark of Ensign Ronan, +as the firing went on. 'Such,' turning to me, 'is to be our fate--to be +shot down like brutes!' + +"'Well, sir,' said the commanding officer, who overheard him, 'are you +afraid?' + +"'No,' replied the high-spirited young man, 'I can march up to the enemy +where you dare not show your face.' And his subsequent gallant behavior +showed this to be no idle boast. + +"As the noise of the firing grew gradually less and the stragglers from +the victorious party came dropping in, I received confirmation of what +my father had hurriedly communicated in our _rencontre_ on the lake +shore; namely, that the whites had surrendered, after the loss of about +two-thirds of their number. They had stipulated, through the +interpreter, Peresh Leclerc, for the preservation of their lives, and +those of the remaining women and children, and for their delivery at +some of the British posts, unless ransomed by traders in the Indian +country. It appears that the wounded prisoners were not considered as +included in the stipulation, and a horrid scene ensued upon their being +brought into camp. + +"An old squaw, infuriated by the loss of friends, or excited by the +sanguinary scenes around her, seemed possessed by a demoniac ferocity. +She seized a stable-fork and assaulted one miserable victim, who lay +groaning and writhing in the agony of his wounds, aggravated by the +scorching beams of the sun. With a delicacy of feeling scarcely to have +been expected under such circumstances, Wau-bee-nee-mah stretched a mat +across two poles, between me and this dreadful scene. I was thus spared +in some degree a view of its horrors, although I could not entirely +close my ears to the cries of the sufferer The following night five more +of the wounded prisoners were tomahawked." + + * * * * * + +The Americans, it appears, after their first attack by the Indians, +charged upon those who had concealed themselves in a sort of ravine, +intervening between the sand-banks and the prairie. The latter gathered +themselves into a body, and after some hard fighting, in which the +number of whites had become reduced to twenty-eight, this little band +succeeded in breaking through the enemy, and gaining a rising ground, +not far from the Oak Woods. Further contest now seeming hopeless, +Lieutenant Helm sent Peresh Leclerc, a half-breed boy in the service of +Mr. Kinzie, who had accompanied the detachment and fought manfully on +their side, to propose terms of capitulation. It was stipulated that the +lives of all the survivors should be spared, and a ransom permitted as +soon as practicable. + +But in the mean time a horrible scene had been enacted. One young +savage, climbing into the baggage-wagon containing the children of the +white families, twelve in number, tomahawked the entire group. This was +during the engagement near the sand-hills. When Captain Wells, who was +fighting near, beheld it, he exclaimed,-- + +"Is that their game, butchering the women and children? Then I will +kill, too!" + +So saying, he turned his horse's head, and started for the Indian camp, +near the fort, where had been left their squaws and children. + +Several Indians pursued him as he galloped along. He laid himself flat +on the neck of his horse, loading and firing in that position, as he +would occasionally turn on his pursuers. At length their balls took +effect, killing his horse, and severely wounding himself. At this moment +he was met by _Winnemeg_ and _Wau-ban-see_, who endeavored to save him +from the savages who had now overtaken him. As they supported him along, +after having disengaged him from his horse, he received his death-blow +from another Indian, _Pee-so-tum_, who stabbed him in the back. + +The heroic resolution of one of the soldiers' wives deserves to be +recorded. She was a Mrs. Corbin, and had, from the first, expressed the +determination never to fall into the hands of the savages, believing +that their prisoners were always subjected to tortures worse than death. + +When, therefore, a party came upon her, to make her a prisoner, she +fought with desperation, refusing to surrender, although assured, by +signs, of safety and kind treatment, and literally suffered herself to +be cut to pieces, rather than become their captive. + +There was a Sergeant Holt, who, early in the engagement, received a ball +in the neck. Finding himself badly wounded, he gave his sword to his +wife, who was on horseback near him, telling her to defend herself; he +then made for the lake, to keep out of the way of the balls. Mrs. Holt +rode a very fine horse, which the Indians were desirous of possessing, +and they therefore attacked her, in hopes of dismounting her. + +They fought only with the butt-ends of their guns, for their object was +not to kill her. She hacked and hewed at their pieces as they were +thrust against her, now on this side, now that. Finally, she broke loose +from them, and dashed out into the prairie. The Indians pursued her, +shouting and laughing, and now and then calling out,-- + +"The brave woman! do not hurt her!" + +At length they overtook her again, and, while she was engaged with two +or three in front, one succeeded in seizing her by the neck behind, and +dragging her, although a large and powerful woman, from her horse. +Notwithstanding that their guns had been so hacked and injured, and even +themselves cut severely, they seemed to regard her only with admiration. +They took her to a trader on the Illinois River, by whom she was +restored to her friends, after having received every kindness during her +captivity.[37] + +Those of the family of Mr. Kinzie who had remained in the boat, near the +mouth of the river, were carefully guarded by Kee-po-tah and another +Indian. They had seen the smoke--then the blaze--and immediately after, +the report of the first tremendous discharge sounded in their ears. Then +all was confusion They realized nothing until they saw an Indian come +towards them from the battle-ground, leading a horse on which sat a +lady, apparently wounded. + +"That is Mrs. Heald," cried Mrs. Kinzie. "That Indian will kill her. +Run, Chandonnai," to one of Mr. Kinzie's clerks, "take the mule that is +tied there, and offer it to him to release her." + +Her captor, by this time, was in the act of disengaging her bonnet from +her head, in order to scalp her. Chandonnai ran up, and offered the mule +as a ransom, with the promise of ten bottles of whiskey as soon as they +should reach his village. The latter was a strong temptation. + +"But," said the Indian, "she is badly wounded--she will die. Will you +give me the whiskey at all events?" + +Chandonnai promised that he would, and the bargain was concluded. The +savage placed the lady's bonnet on his own head, and, after an +ineffectual effort on the part of some squaws to rob her of her shoes +and stockings, she was brought on board the boat, where she lay moaning +with pain from the many bullet-wounds she had received in both arms. + +The horse Mrs. Heald had ridden was a fine, spirited animal, and, being +desirous of possessing themselves of it uninjured, the Indians had aimed +their shots so as to disable the rider, without injuring her steed. + +She had not lain long in the boat, when a young Indian of savage aspect +was seen appapproaching buffalo robe was hastily drawn over her, and she +was admonished to suppress all sound of complaint, as she valued her +life. + +The heroic woman remained perfectly silent, while the savage drew near. +He had a pistol in his hand, which he rested on the side of the boat, +while, with a fearful scowl, he looked pryingly around. Black Jim, one +of the servants, who stood in the bow of the boat, seized an axe that +lay near, and signed to him that if he shot, he would cleave his skull; +telling him that the boat contained only the family of Shaw-nee-aw-kee. +Upon this, the Indian retired. It afterwards appeared that the object of +his search was Mr. Burnett, a trader from St. Joseph's, with whom he +had some account to settle. + +When the boat was at length permitted to return to the mansion of Mr. +Kinzie, and Mrs. Heald was removed to the house, it became necessary to +dress her wounds. + +Mr. K. applied to an old chief who stood by, and who, like most of his +tribe, possessed some skill in surgery, to extract a ball from the arm +of the sufferer. + +"No, father," replied he. "I cannot do it--it makes me sick +here"--(placing his hand on his heart.) + +Mr. Kinzie then performed the operation himself, with his penknife. + +At their own mansion the family of Mr. Kinzie were closely guarded by +their Indian friends, whose intention it was to carry them to Detroit +for security. The rest of the prisoners remained at the wigwams of their +captors. + +The following morning, the work of plunder being completed, the Indians +set fire to the fort. A very equitable distribution of the finery +appeared to have been made, and shawls, ribbons, and feathers fluttered +about in all directions. The ludicrous appearance of one young fellow, +who had arrayed himself in a muslin gown and the bonnet of one of the +ladies, would, under other circumstances, have afforded matter of +amusement. + +Black Partridge, Wau-ban-see, and Kee-po-tah, with two other Indians, +having established themselves in the porch of the building as sentinels, +to protect the family from any evil that the young men might be excited +to commit, all remained tranquil for a short space after the +conflagration. + +Very soon, however, a party of Indians from the Wabash made their +appearance. These were, decidedly, the most hostile and implacable of +all the tribes of the Pottowattamies. + +Being more remote, they had shared less than some of their brethren in +the kindness of Mr. Kinzie and his family, and consequently their +sentiments of regard for them were less powerful. + +Runners had been sent to the villages to apprise them of the intended +evacuation of the post, as well as of the plan of the Indians assembled +to attack the troops. + +Thirsting to participate in such a scene, they hurried on; and great was +their mortification, on arriving at the river Aux Plaines, to meet with +a party of their friends having with them their chief Nee-scot-nee-meg, +badly wounded, and to learn that the battle was over, the spoils +divided, and the scalps all taken. + +On arriving at Chicago they blackened their faces, and proceeded towards +the dwelling of Mr. Kinzie. + +From his station on the piazza Black Partridge had watched their +approach, and his fears were particularly awakened for the safety of +Mrs. Helm (Mr. Kinzie's step-daughter), who had recently come to the +post, and was personally unknown to the more remote Indians. By his +advice she was made to assume the ordinary dress of a Frenchwoman of the +country; namely, a short gown and petticoat, with a blue cotton +handkerchief wrapped around her head. In this disguise she was conducted +by Black Partridge himself to the house of Ouilmette, a Frenchman with a +half-breed wife, who formed a part of the establishment of Mr. Kinzie +and whose dwelling was close at hand. + +It so happened that the Indians came first to this house, in their +search for prisoners. As they approached, the inmates, fearful that the +fair complexion and general appearance of Mrs. Helm might betray her for +an American, raised a large feather bed and placed her under the edge of +it, upon the bedstead, with her face to the wall. Mrs. Bisson, a +half-breed, the sister of Ouilmette's wife, then seated herself with +her sewing upon the front of the bed. + +It was a hot day in August, and the feverish excitement of fear and +agitation, together with her position, which was nearly suffocating, +became so intolerable, that Mrs. Helm at length entreated to be released +and given up to the Indians. + +"I can but die," said she; "let them put an end to my misery at once." + +Mrs. Bisson replied, "Your death would be the destruction of us all, for +Black Partridge has resolved that if one drop of the blood of your +family is spilled, he will take the lives of all concerned in it, even +his nearest friends; and if once the work of murder commences, there +will be no end of it, so long as there remains one white person or +half-breed in the country." + +This expostulation nerved Mrs. Helm with fresh resolution. + +The Indians entered, and she could occasionally see them from her +hiding-place, gliding about, and stealthily inspecting every part of the +room, though without making any ostensible search, until, apparently +satisfied that there was no one concealed, they left the house. + +All this time Mrs. Bisson had kept her seat upon the side of the bed, +calmly sorting and arranging the patch-work of the quilt on which she +was engaged, and preserving an appearance of the utmost tranquillity, +although she knew not but that the next moment she might receive a +tomahawk in her brain. Her self-command unquestionably saved the lives +of all present. + +From Ouilmette's house the party of Indians proceeded to the dwelling of +Mr. Kinzie. They entered the parlor in which the family were assembled +with their faithful protectors, and seated themselves upon the floor in +silence. Black Partridge perceived from their moody and revengeful +looks what was passing in their minds, but he dared not remonstrate with +them. He only observed in a low tone to Wau-ban-see,-- + +"We have endeavored to save our friends, but it is in vain--nothing will +save them now." + +At this moment a friendly whoop was heard from a party of new-comers on +the opposite bank of the river. Black Partridge sprang to meet their +leader, as the canoes in which they had hastily embarked touched the +bank near the house. + +"Who are you?" demanded he. + +"A man. Who are _you_?" + +"A man like yourself. But tell me _who_ you are,"--meaning, Tell me your +disposition, and which side you are for. + +"I am a _Sau-ga-nash_!" + +"Then make all speed to the house--your friend is in danger, and you +alone can save him." + +_Billy Caldwell_[38] for it was he, entered the parlor with a calm step, +and without a trace of agitation in his manner. He deliberately took off +his accoutrements and placed them with his rifle behind the door, then +saluted the hostile savages. + +"How now, my friends! A good-day to you. I was told there were enemies +here, but I am glad to find only friends. Why have you blackened your +faces? Is it that you are mourning for the friends you have lost in +battle?" (purposely misunderstanding this token of evil designs.) + +"Or is it that you are fasting? If so, ask our friend, here, and he +will give you to eat. He is the Indian's friend, and never yet refused +them what they had need of." + +Thus taken by surprise, the savages were ashamed to acknowledge their +bloody purpose. They, therefore, said modestly that they came to beg of +their friends some white cotton in which to wrap their dead before +interring them. This was given to them, with some other presents, and +they took their departure peaceably from the premises. + +Along with Mr. Kinzie's party was a non-commissioned officer who had +made his escape in a singular manner. As the troops were about leaving +the fort, it was found that the baggage-horses of the surgeon had +strayed off. The quartermaster-sergeant, Griffith, was sent to collect +them and bring them on, it being absolutely necessary to recover them, +since their packs contained part of the surgeon's apparatus, and the +medicines for the march. + +This man had been for a long time on the sick report and for this reason +was given the charge of the baggage, instead of being placed with the +troops. His efforts to recover the horses being unsuccessful, he was +hastening to rejoin his party, alarmed at some appearances of disorder +and hostile indications among the Indians, when he was met and made +prisoner by To-pee-nee-bee. + +Having taken from him his arms and accoutrements, the chief put him into +a canoe and paddled him across the river, bidding him make for the woods +and secrete himself. This he did; and the following day, in the +afternoon, seeing from his lurking-place that all appeared quiet, he +ventured to steal cautiously into the garden of Ouilmette, where he +concealed himself for a time behind some currant-bushes. + +At length he determined to enter the house, and accordingly climbed up +through a small back window into the room where the family were. This +was just as the Wabash Indians had left the house of Ouilmette for that +of Mr. Kinzie. The danger of the sergeant was now imminent. The family +stripped him of his uniform and arrayed him in a suit of deer-skin, with +belt, moccasins, and pipe, like a French engage. His dark complexion and +large black whiskers favored the disguise. The family were all ordered +to address him in French, and, although utterly ignorant of the +language, he continued to pass for a _Weem-tee-gosh_,[39] and as such to +accompany Mr. Kinzie and his family, undetected by his enemies, until +they reached a place of safety. + +On the third day after the battle, the family of Mr. Kinzie, with the +clerks of the establishment, were put into a boat, under the care of +Francois, a half-breed interpreter, and conveyed to St. Joseph's, where +they remained until the following November, under the protection of +To-pee-nee-bee's band. They were then conducted to Detroit, under the +escort of Chandonnai and their trusty Indian friend, Kee-po-tah, and +delivered up, as prisoners of war, to Colonel McKee, the British Indian +Agent. + +Mr. Kinzie was not allowed to leave St. Joseph's with his family, his +Indian friends insisting on his remaining and endeavoring to secure some +remnant of his scattered property. During his excursions with them for +that purpose, he wore the costume and paint of the tribe, in order to +escape capture and perhaps death at the hands of those who were still +thirsting for blood. In time, however, his anxiety for his family +induced him to follow them to Detroit, where, in the month of January, +he was received and paroled by General Proctor. + +Captain and Mrs. Heald were sent across the lake to St. Joseph the day +after the battle. The former had received two wounds, the latter seven, +in the engagement. + +Lieutenant Helm, who was likewise wounded, was carried by some friendly +Indians to their village on the Au Sable, and thence to Peoria, where he +was liberated by the intervention of Mr. Thomas Forsyth, the +half-brother of Mr. Kinzie. Mrs. Helm accompanied her parents to St. +Joseph, where they resided in the family of Alexander Robinson,[40] +receiving from them all possible kindness and hospitality for several +months. + +After their arrival in Detroit, Mrs. Helm was joined by her husband, +when they were both arrested by order of the British commander, and sent +on horseback, in the dead of winter, through Canada to Fort George, on +the Niagara frontier. When they arrived at that post, there had been no +official appointed to receive them, and, notwithstanding their long and +fatiguing journey in weather the most cold and inclement, Mrs. Helm, a +delicate woman of seventeen years, was permitted to sit waiting in her +saddle, outside the gate, for more than an hour, before the refreshment +of fire or food, or even the shelter of a roof, was offered them. When +Colonel Sheaffe, who had been absent at the time, was informed of this +brutal inhospitality, he expressed the greatest indignation. He waited +on Mrs. Helm immediately, apologized in the most courteous manner, and +treated both her and Lieutenant Helm with the most considerate kindness, +until, by an exchange of prisoners, they were liberated, and found means +to reach their friends in Steuben County, N.Y. + +Captain Heald had been taken prisoner by an Indian from the Kankakee, +who had a strong personal regard for him, and who, when he saw the +wounded and enfeebled state of Mrs. Heald, released her husband that he +might accompany his wife to St. Joseph. To the latter place they were +accordingly carried, as has been related, by Chandonnai and his party. +In the mean time, the Indian who had so nobly released his prisoner +returned to his village on the Kankakee, where he had the mortification +of finding that his conduct had excited great dissatisfaction among his +band. So great was the displeasure manifested, that he resolved to make +a journey to St. Joseph and reclaim his prisoner. + +News of his intention being brought to To-pee-nee-bee and Kee-po-tah, +under whose care the prisoners were, they held a private council with +Chandonnai, Mr. Kinzie, and the principal men of the village, the result +of which was a determination to send Captain and Mrs. Heald to the +island of Mackinac, and deliver them up to the British. + +They were accordingly put in a bark canoe, and paddled by Robinson and +his wife a distance of three hundred miles along the coast of Michigan, +and surrendered as prisoners of war to the commanding officer at +Mackinac. + +As an instance of the procrastinating spirit of Captain Heald, it may be +mentioned that, even after he had received certain intelligence that his +Indian captor was on his way from the Kankakee to St. Joseph to retake +him, he would still have delayed another day at that place, to make +preparation for a more comfortable journey to Mackinac. + +The soldiers, with their wives and surviving children, were dispersed +among the different villages of the Pottowattamies upon the Illinois, +Wabash, Rock River, and at Milwaukie, until the following spring, when +they were, for the most part, carried to Detroit and ransomed. + +Mrs. Burns, with her infant, became the prisoner of a chief, who carried +her to his village and treated her with great kindness. His wife, from +jealousy of the favor shown to "the white woman" and her child, always +treated them with great hostility. On one occasion she struck the infant +with a tomahawk, and narrowly missed her aim of putting an end to it +altogether.[41] They were not left long in the power of the old hag +after this demonstration, but on the first opportunity were carried to a +place of safety. + +The family of Mr. Lee had resided in a house on the Lake shore, not far +from the fort. Mr. Lee was the owner of Lee's Place, which he cultivated +as a farm. It was his son who ran down with the discharged soldier to +give the alarm of "Indians," at the fort, on the afternoon of the 7th of +April. The father, the son, and all the other members of the family had +fallen victims on the 15th of August, except Mrs. Lee and her young +infant. These were claimed by Black Partridge, and carried to his +village on the Au Sable. He had been particularly attached to a little +girl of Mrs. Lee's, about twelve years of age. This child had been +placed on horseback for the march; and, as she was unaccustomed to the +exercise, she was tied fast to the saddle, lest by any accident she +should slip off or be thrown. + +She was within reach of the balls at the commencement of the engagement, +and was severely wounded. The horse set off on a full gallop, which +partly threw her, but she was held fast by the bands which confined her, +and hung dangling as the animal ran violently about. In this state she +was met by Black Partridge, who caught the horse and disengaged her from +the saddle. Finding her so much wounded that she could not recover, and +that she was suffering great agony, he put the finishing stroke to her +at once with his tomahawk. He afterwards said that this was the hardest +thing he ever tried to do, but he did it because he could not bear to +see her suffer. + +He took the mother and her infant to his village, where he became warmly +attached to the former--so much so, that he wished to marry her; but, as +she very naturally objected, he treated her with the greatest respect +and consideration. He was in no hurry to release her, for he was in +hopes of prevailing on her to become his wife. In the course of the +winter her child fell ill. Finding that none of the remedies within +their reach were effectual, Black Partridge proposed to take the little +one to Chicago, where there was now a French trader living in the +mansion of Mr. Kinzie, and procure some medical aid from him. Wrapping +up his charge with the greatest care, he set out on his journey. + +When he arrived at the residence of M. Du Pin, he entered the room where +he was, and carefully placed his burden on the floor. + +"What have you there?" asked M. Du Pin. + +"A young raccoon, which I have brought you as a present," was the reply; +and, opening the pack, he showed the little sick infant. + +When the trader had prescribed for its complaint, and Black Partridge +was about to return to his home, he told his friend of the proposal he +had made to Mrs. Lee to become his wife, and the manner in which it had +been received. + +M. Du Pin, entertaining some fears that the chief's honorable resolution +to leave it to the lady herself whether to accept his addresses or not, +might not hold out, entered at once into a negotiation for her ransom, +and so effectually wrought upon the good feelings of Black Partridge +that he consented to bring his fair prisoner at once to Chicago, that +she might be restored to her friends. + +Whether the kind trader had at the outset any other feeling in the +matter than sympathy and brotherly kindness, we cannot say; we only know +that in process of time Mrs. Lee became Madame Du Pin, and that the +worthy couple lived together in great happiness for many years after. + +The fate of Nau-non-gee, one of the chiefs of the Calumet village, and +who is mentioned in the early part of the narrative, deserves to be +recorded. + +Daring the battle of the 15th of August, the chief object of his attack +was one Sergeant Hays, a man from whom he had received many acts of +kindness. + +After Hays had received a ball through the body, this Indian ran up to +him to tomahawk him, when the sergeant, collecting his remaining +strength, pierced him through the body with his bayonet. They fell +together. Other Indians running up soon dispatched Hays, and it was not +until then that his bayonet was extracted from the body of his +adversary. + +The wounded chief was carried after the battle to his village on the +Calumet, where he survived for several days. Finding his end +approaching, he called together his young men, and enjoined them, in the +most solemn manner, to regard the safety of their prisoners after his +death, and to take the lives of none of them from respect to his memory, +as he deserved his fate from the hands of those whose kindness he had so +ill requited. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +CAPTIVITY OF J. KINZIE, SEN.--AN AMUSING MISTAKE. + + +It had been a stipulation of General Hull at the surrender of Detroit, +which took place the day after the massacre at Chicago, that the +inhabitants should be permitted to remain undisturbed in their homes. +Accordingly, the family of Mr. Kinzie took up their quarters with their +friends in the old mansion, which many will still recollect as standing +on the northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Wayne Street. + +The feelings of indignation and sympathy were constantly aroused in the +hearts of the citizens during the winter that ensued. They were almost +daily called upon to witness the cruelties practised upon the American +prisoners brought in by their Indian captors. Those who could scarcely +drag their wounded, bleeding feet over the frozen ground, were compelled +to dance for the amusement of the savages; and these exhibitions +sometimes took place before the Government House, the residence of +Colonel McKee. Some of the British officers looked on from their windows +at these heart-rending performances; for the honor of humanity, we will +hope such instances were rare. + +Everything that could be made available among the effects of the +citizens was offered, to ransom their countrymen from the hands of these +inhuman beings. The prisoners brought in from the River Raisin--those +unfortunate men who were permitted, after their surrender to General +Proctor, to be tortured and murdered by inches by his savage +allies--excited the sympathies and called for the action of the whole +community. Private houses were turned into hospitals, and every one was +forward to get possession of as many as possible of the survivors. To +effect this, even the articles of their apparel were bartered by the +ladies of Detroit, as they watched from their doors or windows the +miserable victims carried about for sale. + +In the dwelling of Mr. Kinzie one large room was devoted to the +reception of the sufferers. Few of them survived. Among those spoken of +as objects of the deepest interest were two young gentlemen of Kentucky, +brothers, both severely wounded, and their wounds aggravated to a mortal +degree by subsequent ill usage and hardships. Their solicitude for each +other, and their exhibition in various ways of the most tender fraternal +affection, created an impression never to be forgotten. + +The last bargain made was by black Jim, and one of the children, who had +permission to redeem a negro servant of the gallant Colonel Allen, with +an old white horse, the only available article that remained among their +possessions. + +A brother of Colonel Allen afterwards came to Detroit, and the negro +preferred returning to servitude rather than remaining a stranger in a +strange land. + +Mr. Kinzie, as has been related, joined his family at Detroit in the +month of January. A short time after, suspicions arose in the mind of +General Proctor that he was in correspondence with General Harrison, who +was now at Fort Meigs, and who was believed to be meditating an advance +upon Detroit. Lieutenant Watson, of the British army, waited upon Mr. +Kinzie one day with an invitation to the quarters of General Proctor on +the opposite side of the river, saying he wished to speak with him, on +business. Quite unsuspicious, he complied with the invitation, when to +his surprise he was ordered into confinement, and strictly guarded in +the house of his former partner, Mr. Patterson, of Sandwich. Finding +that he did not return to his home, Mrs. Kinzie informed some of the +Indian chiefs, his particular friends, who immediately repaired to the +head-quarters of the commanding officer, demanded "their friend's" +release, and brought him back to his home. After waiting a time until a +favorable opportunity presented itself, the General sent a detachment of +dragoons to arrest Mr. Kinzie. They had succeeded in carrying him away, +and crossing the river with him. Just at this moment a party of friendly +Indians made their appearance. + +"Where is the Shaw-nee-aw-kee?" was the first question. + +"There," replied his wife, pointing across the river, "in the hands of +the red-coats, who are taking him away again." + +The Indians ran to the river, seized some canoes that they found there, +and, crossing over to Sandwich, compelled General Proctor a second time +to forego his intentions. + +A third time this officer made the attempt, and succeeded in arresting +Mr. Kinzie and conveying him heavily ironed to Fort Malden, in Canada, +at the mouth of the Detroit River. Here he was at first treated with +great severity, but after a time the rigor of his confinement was +somewhat relaxed, and he was permitted to walk on the bank of the river +for air and exercise. + +On the 10th of September, as he was taking his promenade under the close +supervision of a guard of soldiers, the whole party were startled by the +sound of guns upon Lake Erie, at no great distance below. What could it +mean? It must be Commodore Barclay firing into some of the Yankees. The +firing continued. The time allotted the prisoner for his daily walk +expired, but neither he nor his guard observed the lapse of time, so +anxiously were they listening to what they now felt sure was an +engagement between ships of war. At length Mr. Kinzie was reminded that +the hour for his return to confinement had arrived. He petitioned for +another half-hour. + +"Let me stay," said he, "till we can learn how the battle has gone." + +Very soon a sloop appeared under press of sail, rounding the point, and +presently two gun-boats in chase of her. + +"She is running--she bears the British colors," cried he--"yes, yes, +they are lowering--she is striking her flag! Now," turning to the +soldiers, "I will go back to prison contented--I know how the battle has +gone." + +The sloop was the Little Belt, the last of the squadron captured by the +gallant Perry on that memorable occasion which he announced in the +immortal words: + +"We have met the enemy, and they are ours!" + +Matters were growing critical, and it was necessary to transfer all +prisoners to a place of greater security than the frontier was now +likely to be. It was resolved therefore to send Mr. Kinzie to the +mother-country. Nothing has ever appeared which would explain the course +of General Proctor in regard to this gentleman. He had been taken from +the bosom of his family, where he was living quietly under the parole +which he had received, and protected by the stipulations of the +surrender. He was kept for months in confinement. Now he was placed on +horseback under a strong guard, who announced that they had orders to +shoot him through the head if he offered to speak to a person upon the +road. He was tied upon the saddle to prevent his escape, and thus they +set out for Quebec. A little incident occurred, which will help to +illustrate the course invariably pursued towards our citizens, at this +period, by the British army on the Northwestern frontier. + +The saddle on which Mr. Kinzie rode had not been properly fastened, and, +owing to the rough motion of the animal on which it was, it turned, so +as to bring the rider into a most awkward and painful position. His +limbs being fastened, he could not disengage himself, and in this manner +he was compelled by those who had charge of him to ride until he was +nearly exhausted, before they had the humanity to release him. + +Arrived at Quebec, he was put on board a small vessel to be sent to +England. The vessel when a few days out at sea was chased by an American +frigate and driven into Halifax. A second time she set sail, when she +sprung a leak and was compelled to put back. + +The attempt to send him across the ocean was now abandoned, and he was +returned to Quebec. Another step, equally inexplicable with his arrest, +was soon after taken. This was, his release and that of Mr. Macomb, of +Detroit, who was also in confinement in Quebec, and the permission given +them to return to their friends and families, although the war was not +yet ended. It may possibly be imagined that in the treatment these +gentlemen received, the British commander-in-chief sheltered himself +under the plea of their being "native-born British subjects," and +perhaps when it was ascertained that Mr. Kinzie was indeed a citizen of +the United States it was thought safest to release him. + +In the mean time, General Harrison at the head of his troops had reached +Detroit. He landed on the 29th of September. All the citizens went forth +to meet him--Mrs. Kinzie, leading her children by the hand, was of the +number. The General accompanied her to her home, and took up his abode +there. On his arrival he was introduced to Kee-po-tah, who happened to +be on a visit to the family at that time. The General had seen the chief +the preceding year, at the Council at Vincennes, and the meeting was one +of great cordiality and interest. + + * * * * * + +In 1816, Mr. Kinzie and his family again returned to Chicago. The fort +was rebuilt on a somewhat larger scale than the former one. It was not +until the return of the troops that the bones of the unfortunate +Americans who had been massacred four years before, were collected and +buried. + +An Indian Agency, under the charge of Charles Jewett, Esq., of Kentucky, +was established. He was succeeded in 1820 by Dr. Alexander Wolcott, of +Connecticut, who occupied that position until his death in 1830. + +The troops were removed from the garrison in 1823, but restored in 1828, +after the Winnebago war. This was a disturbance between the Winnebagoes +and white settlers on and near the Mississippi. After some murders had +been committed, the young chief, Red Bird, was taken and imprisoned at +Prairie du Chien to await his trial, where he committed suicide in +consequence of chagrin and the irksomeness of confinement. It was feared +that the Pottowattamies would make common cause with the Winnebagoes, +and commence a general system of havoc and bloodshed on the frontier. +They were deterred from such a step, probably, by the exertions of Billy +Caldwell, Robinson, and Shaw-bee-nay, who made an expedition among the +Rock River bands, to argue and persuade them into remaining tranquil. + +The few citizens of Chicago in those days, lived for the most part a +very quiet, unvaried life. The great abundance of game, and the immense +fertility of the lands they cultivated, furnished them with a +superabundance of all the luxuries of garden, corn-field, and dairy The +question was once asked by a friend in the "East countrie," + +"How do you dispose of all the good things you raise? You have no +market?" "No." "And you cannot consume them all yourselves?" "No." "What +then do you do with them?" + +"Why, we manage, when a vessel arrives, to persuade the captain to +accept a few kegs of butter, and stores of corn and vegetables, as a +present, and that helps us to get rid of some of our overplus." + +The mails arrived, as may be supposed, at very rare intervals. They were +brought occasionally from Fort Clark (Peoria), but more frequently from +Fort Wayne, or across the peninsula of Michigan, which was still a +wilderness peopled with savages. The hardy adventurer who acted as +express was, not unfrequently, obliged to imitate the birds of heaven +and "lodge among the branches," in order to insure the safety of himself +and his charge. + +Visitors were very rare, unless it was a friend who came to sojourn for +several months and share a life in the wilderness. A traveller, however, +occasionally found his way to the spot, in passing to or from "parts +unknown," and such a one was sure of a hospitable and hearty welcome. + +A gentleman journeying from the southern settlements once arrived late +in the evening at Wolf Point, where was then the small +trading-establishment of George Hunt and a Mr. Wallace. He stopped and +inquired if he could have accommodation for the night for himself and +his horse. The answer was, that they were ill provided to entertain a +stranger--the house was small, and they were keeping "bachelor's hall." + +"Is there no place," inquired the traveller, "where I can obtain a +lodging?" + +"Oh, yes--you will find a very comfortable house, Mr. Kinzie's, about +half a mile below, near the mouth of the river." + +The stranger turned his horse's head and took the road indicated. +Arrived at the spot, his first inquiry was,-- + +"Is this the residence of Mr. Kinzie?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"I should be glad to get accommodation for myself and horse." + +"Certainly, sir--walk in." + +The horse was taken to the stable, while the gentleman was ushered into +a parlor where were two ladies. The usual preliminary questions and +answers were gone through, for in a new country people soon become +acquainted, and the gentleman ere long found himself seated at a +comfortable hot supper--we will venture to say a fine supper, since the +table in this domestic establishment has always been somewhat famous. + +Apparently, the gentleman enjoyed it, for he made himself quite at home. +He even called for a boot-jack after tea, and drew off his boots. The +ladies were a little surprised, but they had lived a good while out of +the world, and they did not know what changes in etiquette might have +taken place during their retirement. + +Before taking his leave for the night, the traveller signified what it +would please him to have for breakfast, which was duly prepared. The +next day proved stormy. The gentleman was satisfied with his quarters, +and, having taken care to ascertain that there was no neglect or +deficiency of accommodation so far as his horse was concerned, he got +through the day very comfortably. + +Now and then, when he was tired of reading, he would converse with the +family, and seemed, upon the whole, by no means disposed to hold himself +aloof, but to indulge in a little becoming sociability, seeing they were +all there away in the woods. + +The second day the weather brightened. The traveller signified his +intention to depart. He ordered his horse to the door--then he called +for his bill. + +"My house is not a tavern, sir," was the astounding reply. + +"Not a tavern! Good heavens! have I been making myself at home in this +manner in a private family?" + +He was profuse in his apologies, which, however, were quite unnecessary, +for the family had perceived from the first the mistake he had fallen +into, and they had amused themselves during his whole visit in +anticipating the consternation of their guest when he should be +undeceived. + + * * * * * + +It was in the year 1816 (the year of the rebuilding of the fort, after +its destruction by the Indians) that the tract of land on which Chicago +stands, together with the surrounding country, was ceded to the United +States by the Pottowattamies. They remained the peaceful occupants of +it, however, for twenty years longer. It was not until 1836 that they +were removed by Government to lands appropriated for their use on the +Upper Missouri. + +In the year 1830 the town of Chicago was laid out into lots by +Commissioners appointed by the State. At this time the prices of these +lots ranged from ten to sixty dollars. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Kinzie, who, from the geographical position of this place, and the +vast fertility of the surrounding country, had always foretold its +eventual prosperity and importance, was not permitted to witness the +realization of his predictions. He closed his useful and energetic life +on the 6th of January, 1828, having just completed his sixty-fifth year. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +A SERMON. + + +Chicago was not, at the period of my first visit, the cheerful, happy +place it had once been. The death of Dr. Wolcott, of Lieutenant Furman, +and of a promising young son of Mr. Beaubien, all within a few weeks of +each other, had thrown a gloom over the different branches of the social +circle. + +The weather, too, was inclement and stormy beyond anything that had been +known before. Only twice, during a period of two months, did the sun +shine out through the entire day. So late as the second week in April, +when my husband had left to return to Fort Winnebago, the storms were so +severe that he and his men were obliged to lie by two or three days in +an Indian lodge. + +Robert Kinzie, Medard Beaubien, and Billy Caldwell had gone at the same +time to the Calumet to hunt, and, as they did not make their appearance +for many days, we were persuaded they had perished with cold. They +returned at length, however, to our infinite joy, having only escaped +freezing by the forethought of Robert and Caldwell in carrying each two +blankets instead of one. + +Our only recreation was an occasional ride on horseback, when the +weather would permit, through the woods on the north side of the river, +or across the prairie, along the lake shore on the south. + +When we went in the former direction, a little bridle-path took us along +what is now Rush Street. The thick boughs of the trees arched over our +heads, and we were often compelled, as we rode, to break away the +projecting branches of the shrubs which impeded our path. The little +prairie west of Wright's Woods was the usual termination of our ride in +this direction. + +When we chose the path across the prairie towards the south, we +generally passed a new-comer, Dr. Harmon, superintending the +construction of a _sod fence_, at a spot he had chosen, near the shore +of the lake. In this inclosure he occupied himself, as the season +advanced, in planting fruit-stones of all descriptions, to make ready a +garden and orchard for future enjoyment. + +We usually stopped to have a little chat. The two favorite themes of the +Doctor were horticulture, and the certain future importance of Chicago. +That it was destined to be a great city, was his unalterable conviction; +and in deed, by this time, all forest and prairie as it was, we half +began to believe it ourselves. + +On the pleasant afternoons which we occasionally enjoyed as the season +advanced, we found no small amusement in practising pistol-firing. The +place appropriated to this sport was outside the pickets, the mark being +placed on a panel in one of the bastions. The gentlemen must not be +offended if I record that, in process of time, the ladies acquired a +degree of skill that enabled them, as a general thing, to come off +triumphant. One of the ladies, Mrs. Hunter, was a great shot, having +brought down her grouse on the wing, to the no small delight of one of +the officers, Captain Martin Scott, of raccoon celebrity. + +Now and then there was a little excitement within the fort, aroused by +the discovery that _a settler_ had been engaged in selling milk-punch, +instead of milk, to the soldiers, thereby interfering in no small degree +with the regularity and perfect discipline of the service. The first +step was to "drum out" the offender with all the honors of war--that is, +with a party-colored dress, and the Rogue's March played behind him. The +next, to place all the victims of this piece of deception in the +guard-house, where the commanding officer's lady supplied them +bountifully with coffee and hot cakes, by way of opening their eyes to +the enormity of their offence. It is not to be wondered at that the +officers sometimes complained of its being more of a strife with the +soldiers who should get into the guard-house, than who should keep out +of it. The poor fellows knew when they were well off. + +Once, upon a Sunday, we were rowed up to Wolf Point to attend a +religious service, conducted by Father See, as he was called. + +We saw a tall, slender man, dressed in a green frock-coat, from the +sleeves of which dangled a pair of hands giving abundant evidence, +together with the rest of his dress, that he placed small faith in the +axiom--"cleanliness is a part of holiness." + +He stepped briskly upon a little platform behind a table, and commenced +his discourse. His subject was, "The fear of God." + +"There was a kind of fear," he told us, "that was very nearly +a_lee_-a-nated to love: so nearly, that it was not worth while splitting +hairs for the difference." He then went on to describe this kind of +fear. He grew more and more involved as he proceeded with his +description until at length, quite bewildered, he paused, and exclaimed, +"Come, let's stop a little while, and clear away the brush." He +unravelled, as well as he was able, the tangled thread of his ideas, +and went on with his subject. But soon, again losing his way, he came to +a second halt. "Now," said he, wiping the perspiration from his forehead +with a red cotton handkerchief many degrees from clean, "now, suppose we +drive back a little piece." Thus he recapitulated what he wished to +impress upon us, of the necessity of cherishing a fear that maketh wise +unto salvation, "which fear," said he, "may we all enjoy, that together +we may soar away, on the rolling clouds of aether, to a boundless and +happy eternity, which is the wish of your humble servant." And, +flourishing abroad his hands, with the best of dancing-school bows, he +took his seat. + +It will be readily imagined that we felt our own religious exercises at +home to be more edifying than such as this, and that we confined +ourselves to them for the future. + +The return of our brother, Robert Kinzie, from Palestine (not the Holy +Land, but the seat of the Land Office), with the certificate of the +title of the family to that portion of Chicago since known as "Kinzie's +Addition," was looked upon as establishing a home for us at some future +day, if the glorious dreams of good Dr. Harmon, and a few others, should +come to be realized. One little incident will show how moderate were the +anticipations of most persons at that period. + +The certificate, which was issued in Robert's name (he representing the +family in making the application), described only a fractional +quarter-section of one hundred and two acres, instead of one hundred and +sixty acres, the river and Lake Michigan cutting off fifty-eight acres +on the southern and eastern lines of the quarter. The applicants had +liberty to select their complement of fifty-eight acres out of any +unappropriated land that suited them. + +"Now, my son," said his mother to Robert, "lay your claim on the +corn-field at Wolf Point. It is fine land, and will always be valuable +for cultivation; besides, as it faces down the main river, the situation +will always be a convenient one." + +The answer was a hearty laugh. "Hear mother!" said Robert. "We have just +got a hundred and two acres--more than we shall ever want, or know what +to do with, and now she would have me go and claim fifty-eight acres +more!" + +"Take my advice, my boy," repeated his mother, "or you may live one day +to regret it." + +"Well, I cannot see how I can ever regret not getting more than we can +possibly make use of." And so the matter ended. The fifty-eight acres +were never claimed, and there was, I think, a very general impression +that asking for our just rights in the case would have a very grasping, +covetous look. How much wiser five-and-twenty years have made us! + + * * * * * + +During my sojourn of two months at Chicago, our mother often entertained +me with stories of her early life and adventures. The following is her +history of her captivity among the Senecas, which I have put in the form +of a tale, although without the slightest variation from the facts as I +received them from her lips, and those of her sister, Mrs. William +Forsyth, of Sandwich (C.W.), the little Maggie of the story. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +THE CAPTIVES. + + +It is well known that previous to the war of the Revolution the whole of +the western portion of Pennsylvania was inhabited by different Indian +tribes. Of these, the Delawares were the friends of the whites, and, +after the commencement of the great struggle, took part with the United +States. The Iroquois, on the contrary, were the friends and allies of +the mother-country. + +Very few white settlers had ventured beyond the Susquehanna. The +numerous roving bands of Shawanoes, Nanticokes, etc., although at times +professing friendship with the Americans and acting in concert with the +Delawares or Lenape as allies, at others suffered themselves to be +seduced by their neighbors, the Iroquois, to show a most sanguinary +spirit of hostility. + +For this reason, the life of the inhabitants of the frontier was one of +constant peril and alarm. Many a scene of dismal barbarity was enacted, +as the history of the times testifies, and even those who felt +themselves in some measure protected by their immediate neighbors, the +Delawares, never lost sight of the caution required by their exposed +situation. + +The vicinity of the military garrison at Pittsburg--or Fort Pitt, as it +was then called--gave additional security to those who had pushed +farther west, among the fertile valleys of the Alleghany and +Monongahela. Among these were the family of Mr. Lytle, who, some years +previous to the opening of our story, had removed from Baltimore to +Path Valley, near Carlisle, and subsequently settled himself on the +banks of Plum River, a tributary of the Alleghany. Here, with his wife +and five children, he had continued to live in comfort and security, +undisturbed by any hostile visit, and only annoyed by occasional false +alarms from his more timorous neighbors, who, having had more experience +in frontier life, were prone to anticipate evil, as well as to magnify +every appearance of danger. + + * * * * * + +On a bright afternoon in the autumn of 1779, two children of Mr. Lytle, +a girl of nine, and her brother, two years younger, were playing in a +little dingle or hollow in the rear of their father's house. Some large +trees, which had been recently felled, were lying here and there, still +untrimmed of their branches, and many logs, prepared for fuel, were +scattered around. Upon one of these the children, wearied with their +sports, seated themselves, and to beguile the time they fell into +conversation upon a subject that greatly perplexed them. + +While playing in the same place a few hours previous, they had imagined +they saw an Indian lurking behind one of the fallen trees. The Indians +of the neighborhood were in the habit of making occasional visits to the +family, and they had become familiar and even affectionate with many of +them, but this seemed a stranger, and after the first hasty glance they +fled in alarm to the house. + +Their mother chid them for the report they brought, which she endeavored +to convince them was without foundation. "You know," said she, "you are +always alarming us unnecessarily: the neighbors' children have +frightened you to death. Go back to your play, and learn to be more +courageous." + +So the children returned to their sports, hardly persuaded by their +mother's arguments. While they were thus seated upon the trunk of the +tree, their discourse was interrupted by the note, apparently, of a +quail not far off. + +"Listen," said the boy, as a second note answered the first; "do you +hear that?" + +"Yes," was the reply, and, after a few moments' silence, "do you not +hear a rustling among the branches of the tree yonder?" + +"Perhaps it is a squirrel--but look! what is that? Surely I saw +something red among the branches. It looked like a fawn popping up its +head." + +At this moment, the children, who had been gazing so intently in the +direction of the fallen tree that all other objects were forgotten, felt +themselves seized from behind and pinioned in an iron grasp. What were +their horror and dismay to find themselves in the arms of savages, whose +terrific countenances and gestures plainly showed them to be enemies! + +They made signs to the children to be silent, on pain of death, and +hurried them off, half dead with terror, in a direction leading from +their father's habitation. After travelling some distance in profound +silence, the severity of their captors somewhat relaxed, and as night +approached the party halted, after adopting the usual precautions to +secure themselves against a surprise. + +In an agony of uncertainty and terror, torn from their beloved home and +parents, and anticipating all the horrors with which the rumors of the +times had invested a captivity among the Indians--perhaps even a +torturing death--the poor children could no longer restrain their grief, +but gave vent to sobs and lamentations. + +Their distress appeared to excite the compassion of one of the party, a +man of mild aspect, who approached and endeavored to soothe them. He +spread them a couch of the long grass which grew near the +encamping-place, offered them a portion of his own stock of dried meat +and parched corn, and gave them to understand by signs that no farther +evil was intended them. + +These kindly demonstrations were interrupted by the arrival of another +party of the enemy, bringing with them the mother of the little +prisoners, with her youngest child, an infant of three months old. + +It had so happened that the father of the family, with his serving-men, +had gone early in the day to a _raising_ at a few miles' distance, and +the house had thus been left without a defender. The long period of +tranquillity which they had enjoyed, free from all molestation or alarm +from the savages, had thrown the settlers quite off their guard, and +they had recently laid aside some of the caution they had formerly +deemed necessary. + +These Indians, by lying in wait, had found the favorable moment for +seizing the defenceless family and making them prisoners. Judging from +their paint, and other marks by which the early settlers learned to +distinguish the various tribes, Mrs. Lytle conjectured that those into +whose hands she and her children had fallen were Senecas. Nor was she +mistaken. It was a party of that tribe who had descended from their +village with the intention of falling upon some isolated band of their +enemies, the Delawares, but failing in this, had made themselves amends +by capturing a few white settlers. + +It is to be attributed to the generally mild disposition of this tribe, +together with the magnanimous character of the chief who accompanied the +party, that their prisoners in the present instance escaped the fate of +most of the Americans who were so unhappy as to fall into the hands of +the Iroquois. + +The children learned from their mother that she was profoundly ignorant +of the fate of their remaining brother and sister, a boy of six and a +little girl of four years of age, but she was in hopes they had made +good their escape with the servant-girl, who had likewise disappeared +from the commencement. + +After remaining a few hours to recruit the exhausted frames of the +prisoners, the savages again started on their march, one of the older +Indians offering to relieve the mother from the burden of her infant, +which she had hitherto carried in her arms. Pleased with the unexpected +kindness, she resigned to him her tender charge. + +Thus they pursued their way, the savage who carried the infant lingering +somewhat behind the rest of the party, until, finding a spot convenient +for his purpose, he grasped his innocent victim by the feet, and, with +one whirl, to add strength to the blow, dashed out its brains against a +tree. Leaving the body upon the spot, he rejoined the party. + +The mother, unsuspicious of what had passed, regarded him earnestly as +he reappeared without the child--then gazed wildly around on the rest of +the group. Her beloved little one was not there. Its absence spoke its +fate; but, suppressing the shriek of agony, for she knew that the lives +of the remaining ones depended upon her firmness in that trying hour, +she drew them yet closer to her and pursued her melancholy way without a +word spoken or a question asked. + +From the depths of her heart she cried unto Him who is able to save, and +He comforted her with hopes of deliverance for the surviving ones, for +she saw that if blood had been their sole object the scalps of herself +and her children would have been taken upon the spot where they were +made prisoners. + +She read too in the eyes of one who was evidently the commander of the +party an expression more merciful than she had even dared to hope. +Particularly had she observed his soothing manner and manifest +partiality towards her eldest child, the little girl of whom we have +spoken, and she built many a bright hope of escape or ransom upon these +slender foundations. + +After a toilsome and painful march of many days, the party reached the +Seneca village, upon the head-waters of the Alleghany, near what is now +called Olean Point. On their arrival the chief, their conductor, who was +distinguished by the name of the _Big White Man_[42] led his prisoners +to the principal lodge. This was occupied by his mother, the widow of +the head-chief of that band, and who was called by them the _Old Queen_. + +On entering her presence, her son presented her the little girl, +saying,-- + +"My mother, I bring you a child to supply the place of my brother, who +was killed by the Lenape six moons ago. She shall dwell in my lodge, and +be to me a sister. Take the white woman and her children and treat them +kindly--our father will give us many horses and guns to buy them back +again." + +He referred to the British Indian Agent of his tribe, Colonel Johnson, +an excellent and benevolent gentleman, who resided at Port Niagara, on +the British side of the river of that name. + +The old queen fulfilled the injunctions of her son. She received the +prisoners, and every comfort was provided them that her simple and +primitive mode of life rendered possible. + + * * * * * + +We must now return to the place and period at which our story commences. + +Late in the evening of that day the father returned to his dwelling. All +within and around was silent and desolate. No trace of a living creature +was to be found throughout the house or grounds. His nearest neighbors +lived at a considerable distance, but to them he hastened, frantically +demanding tidings of his family. + +As he aroused them from their slumbers, one and another joined him in +the search, and at length, at the house of one of them, was found the +servant-maid who had effected her escape. Her first place of refuge, she +said, had been a large brewing-tub in an outer kitchen, under which she +had, at the first alarm, secreted herself until the departure of the +Indians, who were evidently in haste, gave her an opportunity of fleeing +to a place of safety. She could give no tidings of her mistress and the +children, except that they had not been murdered in her sight or +hearing. + +At length, having scoured the neighborhood without success, Mr. Lytle +remembered an old settler who lived alone, far up the valley. Thither he +and his friends immediately repaired, and from him they learned that, +being at work in his field just before sunset, he had seen a party of +strange Indians passing at a short distance from his cabin. As they +wound along the brow of the hill, he could perceive that they had +prisoners with them--a woman and a child. The woman he knew to be a +white, as she carried her infant in her arms, instead of upon her back, +after the manner of the savages. + +Day had now begun to break, for the night had been passed in fruitless +searches, and the agonized father, after a consultation with his kind +friends and neighbors, accepted their offer to accompany him to Fort +Pitt to ask advice and assistance of the commandant and Indian Agent at +that place. + +Proceeding down the valley, as they approached a hut which the night +before they had found apparently deserted, they were startled by +observing two children standing upon the high bank in front of it. The +delighted father recognized two of his missing flock, but no tidings +could they give him of their mother and the other lost ones. Their story +was simple and touching. + +They were playing in the garden, when they were alarmed by seeing the +Indians enter the yard near the house. Unperceived by them, the brother, +who was but six years of age, helped his little sister over the fence +into a field overrun with bushes of the blackberry and wild raspberry. +They concealed themselves among these for awhile, and then, finding all +quiet, they attempted to force their way to the side of the field +farthest from the house. Unfortunately, the little girl in her play in +the garden had pulled off her shoes and stockings, and the briers +tearing and wounding her tender feet, she with difficulty could refrain +from crying out. Her brother took off his stockings and put them on her +feet. He attempted, too, to protect them with his shoes, but they were +too large, and kept slipping off, so that she could not wear them. For a +time, they persevered in making what they considered their escape from +certain death, for, as I have said, the children had been taught, by the +tales they had heard, to regard all strange Indians as ministers of +torture, and of horrors worse than death. Exhausted with pain and +fatigue, the poor little girl at length declared she could go no +farther. + +"Then, Maggie," said her brother, "I must kill you, for I cannot let +you be killed by the Indians." + +"Oh, no, Thomas!" pleaded she, "do not, pray do not kill me! I do not +think the Indians will find us." + +"Oh, yes, they will, Maggie, and I could kill you so much easier than +they would.'" + +For a long time he endeavored to persuade her, and even looked about for +a stick sufficiently large for his purpose; but despair gave the little +creature strength, and she promised her brother that she would neither +complain nor falter, if he would assist her in making her way out of the +field. + +The idea of the little boy that he could save his sister from savage +barbarity by taking her life himself, shows what tales of horror the +children of the early settlers were familiar with. + +After a few more efforts, they made their way out of the field, into an +uninclosed pasture-ground, where, to their great delight, they saw some +cows feeding. They recognized them as belonging to Granny Myers, an old +woman who lived at some little distance, but in what direction from the +place they then were, they were utterly ignorant. + +With a sagacity beyond his years, the boy said,-- + +"Let us hide ourselves till sunset, when the cows will go home, and we +will follow them." + +They did so, but, to their dismay, when they reached Granny Myers's they +found the house deserted. The old woman had been called by some business +down the valley, and did not return that night. + +Tired and hungry, they could go no farther, but, after an almost +fruitless endeavor to get some milk from the cows, they laid themselves +down to sleep under an old bedstead that stood behind the house. Their +father and his party had caused them additional terror in the night. The +shouts and calls which had been designed to arouse the inmates of the +house, they had mistaken for the whoop of the Indians, and, not being +able to distinguish friends from foes, they had crept close to one +another, as far out of sight as possible. When found the following +morning, they were debating what course to take next, for safety. + +The commandant at Fort Pitt entered warmly into the affairs of Mr. +Lytle, and readily furnished him with a detachment of soldiers, to aid +him and his friends in the pursuit of the marauders. Some circumstances +having occurred to throw suspicion upon the Senecas, the party soon +directed their search among the villages of that tribe. + +Their inquiries were prosecuted in various directions, and always with +great caution, for all the tribes of the Iroquois, or, as they pompously +called themselves, the Five Nations, being allies of Great Britain, were +inveterate in their hostility to the Americans. Thus, some time elapsed +before the father with his attendants reached the village of the _Big +White Man_. + +A treaty was immediately entered into for the ransom of the captives, +which was easily accomplished in regard to Mrs. Lytle and the younger +child. But no offers, no entreaties, no promises, could procure the +release of the little Eleanor, the adopted child of the tribe. "No," the +chief said, "she was his sister; he had taken her to supply the place of +his brother who was killed by the enemy--she was dear to him, and he +would not part with her." + +Finding every effort unavailing to shake this resolution, the father was +compelled to take his sorrowful departure with such of his beloved ones +as he had had the good fortune to recover. + +We will not attempt to depict the grief of parents compelled thus to +give up a darling child, and to leave her in the hands of savages, whom +until now they had too much reason to regard as merciless. But there was +no alternative. Commending her to the care of their heavenly Father, and +cheered by the manifest tenderness with which she had thus far been +treated, they set out on their melancholy journey homeward, trusting +that some future effort would be more effectual for the recovery of +their little girl. + +Having placed his family in safety at Pittsburg, Mr. Lytle, still +assisted by the commandant and the Indian Agent, undertook an expedition +to the frontier to the residence of the British Agent, Colonel Johnson. +His representation of the case warmly interested the feelings of that +benevolent officer, who promised him to spare no exertions in his +behalf. This promise he religiously performed. He went in person to the +village of the Big White Man, as soon as the opening of the spring +permitted, and offered him many splendid presents of guns and horses, +but the chief was inexorable. + +Time rolled on, and every year the hope of recovering the little captive +became more faint. She, in the mean time, continued to wind herself more +and more closely around the heart of her Indian brother. Nothing could +exceed the consideration and affection with which she was treated, not +only by himself, but by his mother, the _Old Queen_. All their stock of +brooches and wampum was employed in the decoration of her person. The +principal seat and the most delicate viands were invariably reserved for +her, and no efforts were spared to promote her happiness, and to render +her forgetful of her former home and kindred. + +Thus, though she had beheld, with a feeling almost amounting to despair, +the departure of her parents and dear little brother, and had for a long +time resisted every attempt at consolation, preferring even death to a +life of separation from all she loved, yet time, as it ever does, +brought its soothing balm, and she at length grew contented and happy. + +From her activity and the energy of her character, qualities for which +she was remarkable to the latest period of her life, the name was given +her of _The Ship under full sail_. + + * * * * * + +The only drawback to the happiness of the little prisoner, aside from +her longings after her own dear home, was the enmity she encountered +from the wife of the Big White Man. This woman, from the day of her +arrival at the village, and adoption into the family as a sister, had +conceived for her the greatest animosity, which, at first, she had the +prudence to conceal from the observation of her husband. + +It was perhaps natural that a wife should give way to some feelings of +jealousy at seeing her own place in the heart of her husband usurped by +the child of their enemy, the American. But these feelings were +aggravated by a bad and vindictive temper, and by the indifference with +which her husband listened to her complaints and murmurings. + +As she had no children of her own to engage her attention, her mind was +the more engrossed and inflamed with her fancied wrongs, and with +devising means for their redress. An opportunity of attempting the +latter was not long wanting. + +During the absence of the Big White Man upon some war-party or +hunting-excursion, his little sister was taken ill with fever and ague. +She was nursed with the utmost tenderness by the Old Queen; and the wife +of the chief, to lull suspicion, and thereby accomplish her purpose, +was likewise unwearied in her assiduities to the little favorite. + +One afternoon, during the temporary absence of the Old Queen, her +daughter-in-law entered the lodge with a bowl of something she had +prepared, and, stooping down to the mat on which the child lay, said, in +an affectionate accent,-- + +"Drink, my sister, I have brought you that which will drive this fever +far from you." + +On raising her head to reply, the little girl perceived a pair of eyes +peeping through a crevice in the lodge, and fixed upon her with a very +peculiar and significant expression. With the quick perception acquired +partly from nature and partly from her intercourse with this people, she +replied, faintly,-- + +"Set it down, my sister. When this fit of the fever has passed, I will +drink your medicine." + +The squaw, too cautious to use importunity, busied herself about in the +lodge for a short time, then withdrew to another, near at hand. +Meantime, the bright eyes continued peering through the opening, until +they had watched their object fairly out of sight; then a low voice, the +voice of a young friend and playfellow, spoke: + +"Do not drink that which your brother's wife has brought you. She hates +you, and is only waiting an opportunity to rid herself of you. I have +watched her all the morning, and have seen her gathering the most deadly +roots and herbs. I knew for whom they were intended, and came hither to +warn you." + +"Take the bowl," said the little invalid, "and carry it to my mother's +lodge." + +This was accordingly done. The contents of the bowl were found to +consist principally of a decoction of the root of the May-apple, the +most deadly poison known among the Indians. + +It is not in the power of language to describe the indignation that +pervaded the little community when this discovery was made known. The +squaws ran to and fro, as is their custom when excited, each vying with +the other in heaping invectives upon the culprit. No further punishment +was, however, for the present inflicted upon her, but, the first burst +of rage over, she was treated with silent abhorrence. + +The little patient was removed to the lodge of the Old Queen, and +strictly guarded, while her enemy was left to wander in silence and +solitude about the fields and woods, until the return of her husband +should determine her punishment. + +In a few days, the excursion being over, the Big White Man and his party +returned to the village. Contrary to the usual custom of savages, he did +not, in his first transport at learning the attempt on the life of his +little sister, take summary vengeance on the offender. He contented +himself with banishing her from his lodge, never to return, and +condemning her to hoe corn in a distant part of the large field or +inclosure which served the whole community for a garden. + +Although she would still show her vindictive disposition whenever, by +chance, the little girl with her companions wandered into that vicinity, +by striking at her with her hoe, or by some other spiteful +manifestation, yet she was either too well watched, or stood too much in +awe of her former husband, to repeat the attempt upon his sister's life. + + * * * * * + +Four years had now elapsed since the capture of little Nelly. Her heart +was by nature warm and affectionate, so that the unbounded tenderness of +those she dwelt among had called forth a corresponding feeling in her +heart. She regarded the chief and his mother with love and reverence, +and had so completely learned their language and customs as almost to +have forgotten her own. + +So identified had she become with the tribe, that the remembrance of her +home and family had nearly faded from her memory; all but her +mother--her mother, whom she had loved with a strength of affection +natural to her warm and ardent character, and to whom her heart still +clung with a fondness that no time or change could destroy. + +The peace of 1783 between Great Britain and the United States now took +place. A general pacification of the Indian tribes was the consequence, +and fresh hopes were renewed in the bosoms of Mr. and Mrs. Lytle. + +They removed with their family to Fort Niagara, near which, on the +American side, was the Great _Council-Fire_ of the Senecas. Colonel +Johnson readily undertook a fresh negotiation with the chief, but, in +order to make sure every chance of success, he again proceeded in person +to the village of the Big White Man. + +His visit was most opportune. It was the "Feast of the Green Corn," when +he arrived among them. This observance, which corresponds so strikingly +with the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles that, together with other customs, +it has led many to believe the Indian nations the descendants of the +lost ten tribes of Israel, made it a season of general joy and +festivity. All other occupations were suspended to give place to social +enjoyment in the open air or in arbors formed of the green branches of +the trees. Every one appeared in his gala-dress. That of the little +adopted child consisted of a petticoat of blue broadcloth, bordered with +gay-colored ribbons; a sack or upper garment of black silk, ornamented +with three rows of silver brooches, the centre ones from the throat to +the hem being of large size, and those from the shoulders down being no +larger than a shilling-piece, and set as closely as possible. Around +her neck were innumerable strings of white and purple wampum--an Indian +ornament manufactured from the inner surface of the muscle-shell. Her +hair was clubbed behind and loaded with beads of various colors. +Leggings of scarlet cloth, and moccasins of deer-skin embroidered with +porcupine-quills, completed her costume. + +Colonel Johnson was received with all the consideration due to his +position, and to the long friendship that had subsisted between him and +the tribe. + +Observing that the hilarity of the festival had warmed and opened all +hearts, he took occasion in an interview with the chief to expatiate +upon the parental affection which had led the father and mother of his +little sister to give up their friends and home, and come hundreds of +miles away, in the single hope of sometimes looking upon and embracing +her. The heart of the chief softened as he listened to this +representation, and he was induced to promise that at the Grand Council +soon to be held at Fort Niagara, on the British side of the river, he +would attend, bringing his little sister with him. + +He exacted a promise, however, from Colonel Johnson, that not only no +effort should be made to reclaim the child, but that even no proposition +to part with her should be offered him. + +The time at length arrived when, her heart bounding with joy, little +Nelly was placed on horseback to accompany her Indian brother to the +Great Council of the Senecas. She had promised him that she would never +leave him without his permission, and he relied confidently on her word +thus given. + +As the chiefs and warriors arrived in successive bands to meet their +Father, the agent, at the council-fire, how did the anxious hearts of +the parents beat with alternate hope and fear! The officers of the fort +had kindly given them quarters for the time being, and the ladies, whose +sympathies were strongly excited, had accompanied the mother to the +place of council, and joined in her longing watch for the first +appearance of the band from the Alleghany River. + +At length they were discerned, emerging from the forest on the opposite +or American side. Boats were sent across by the commanding officer, to +bring the chief and his party. The father and mother, attended by all +the officers and ladies, stood upon the grassy bank awaiting their +approach. They had seen at a glance that the _little captive_ was with +them. + +When about to enter the boat, the chief said to some of his young men, +"Stand here with the horses, and wait until I return." + +He was told that the horses should be ferried across and taken care of. + +"No," said he; "let them wait." + +He held his darling by the hand until the river was passed--until the +boat touched the bank--until the child sprang forward into the arms of +the mother from whom she had been so long separated. + +When the chief witnessed that outburst of affection, he could withstand +no longer. + +"She shall go," said he. "The mother must have her child again. I will +go back alone." + +With one silent gesture of farewell he turned and stepped on board the +boat. No arguments or entreaties could induce him to remain at the +council, but, having gained the other side of the Niagara, he mounted +his horse, and with his young men was soon lost in the depths of the +forest. + +After a sojourn of a few weeks at Niagara, Mr. Lytle, dreading lest the +resolution of the Big White Man should give way, and measures be taken +to deprive him once more of his child, came to the determination of +again changing his place of abode. He therefore took the first +opportunity of crossing Lake Erie with his family, and settled himself +in the neighborhood of Detroit, where he continued afterwards to reside. + +_Little Nelly_ saw her friend the chief no more, but she never forgot +him. To the day of her death she remembered with tenderness and +gratitude her brother the Big White Man, and her friends and playfellows +among the Senecas. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +SECOND-SIGHT--HICKORY CREEK. + + +At the age of fourteen the heroine of the foregoing story married +Colonel McKillip, a British officer. This gentleman was killed near Fort +Defiance, as it was afterwards called, at the Miami Rapids, in 1794. A +detachment of British troops had been sent down from Detroit to take +possession of this post. General Wayne was then on a campaign against +the Indians, and the British Government thought proper to make a few +demonstrations in behalf of their allies. Having gone out with a party +to reconnoitre, Colonel McKillip was returning to his post after dark, +when he was fired upon and killed by one of his own sentinels. Mrs. Helm +was the daughter of this marriage. + +During the widowhood of Mrs. McKillip, she resided with her parents, at +Grosse Pointe, eight miles above Detroit, and it was during this period +that an event occurred which, from the melancholy and mysterious +circumstances attending it, was always dwelt upon by her with peculiar +interest. + +Her second brother, Thomas Lytle, was, from his amiable and affectionate +character, the most dearly beloved by her of all the numerous family +circle. He was paying his addresses to a young lady who resided at the +river Trench,[43] as it was then called, now the river Thames, a stream +emptying into Lake St. Clair about twenty miles above Detroit. In +visiting this young lady, it was his custom to cross the Detroit River +by the ferry with his horse, and then proceed by land to the river +Trench, which was, at some seasons of the year, a fordable stream. + +On a fine forenoon, late in the spring, he had taken leave of his mother +and sister for one of these periodical visits, which were usually of two +or three days' duration. + +After dinner, as his sister was sitting at work by an open window which +looked upon a little side inclosure filled with fruit-trees, she was +startled by observing some object opposite the window, between her and +the light. She raised her eyes and saw her brother Thomas. He was +without his horse, and carried his saddle upon his shoulders. + +Surprised that she had not heard the gate opening for his entrance, and +also at his singular appearance, laden in that manner, she addressed +him, and inquired what had happened, and why he had returned so soon. He +made her no reply, but looked earnestly in her face, as he moved slowly +along the paved walk that led to the stables. + +She waited a few moments, expecting he would reappear to give an account +of himself and his adventures, but at length, growing impatient at his +delay, she put down her work and went towards the rear of the house to +find him. + +The first person she met was her mother. "Have you seen Thomas?" she +inquired. + +"Thomas! He has gone to the river Trench." + +"No, he has returned--I saw him pass the window not fifteen minutes +since." + +"Then he will be in presently." + +His sister, however, could not wait. She proceeded to the stables, she +searched in all directions. No Thomas--no horse--no saddle. She made +inquiry of the domestics. No one had seen him. She then returned and +told her mother what had happened. + +"You must have fallen asleep and dreamed it," said her mother. + +"No, indeed! I was wide awake--I spoke to him, and he gave me no answer, +but such a look!" + +All the afternoon she felt an uneasiness she could not reason herself +out of. + +The next morning came a messenger from the river Trench with dismal +tidings. + +The bodies of the young man and his horse had been found drowned a short +distance below the ford of the river. + +It appeared that, on arriving at the bank of the river, he found it +swollen beyond its usual depth by the recent rains. It being necessary +to swim the stream with his horse, he had taken off his clothes and made +them into a packet which he fastened upon his shoulders. It was supposed +that the strength of the rapid torrent displaced the bundle, which thus +served to draw his head under water and keep it there, without the power +of raising it. All this was gathered from the position and appearance of +the bodies when found. + +From the time at which he had been seen passing a house which stood near +the stream, on his way to the ford, it was evident that he must have +met his fate at the very moment his sister saw, or thought she saw him, +passing before her. + +I could not but suggest the inquiry, when these sad particulars were +narrated to me,-- + +"Mother, is it not possible this might have been a dream?" + +"A dream? No, indeed, my child. I was perfectly wide awake--as much so +as I am at this moment. I am not superstitious. I have never believed in +ghosts or witches, but nothing can ever persuade me that this was not a +warning sent from God, to prepare me for my brother's death." + +And those who knew her rational good sense--her freedom from fancies or +fears, and the calm self-possession that never deserted her under the +most trying circumstances--would almost be won to view the matter in the +light she did. + + * * * * * + +The order for the evacuation of Port Dearborn, and the removal of the +troops to Fort Howard (Green Bay), had now been received. The family +circle was to be broken up. Our mother, our sister Mrs. Helm, and her +little son, were to return with us to Fort Winnebago; the other members +of the family, except Robert, were to move with the command to Green +Bay. + +The schooner Napoleon was to be sent from Detroit to convey the troops +with their goods and chattels to their destined post. Our immediate +party was to make the journey by land--we were to choose, however, a +shorter and pleasanter route than the one we had taken in coming hither. +My husband, with his Frenchmen, Petaille Grignon and Simon Lecuyer, had +arrived, and all hands were now busily occupied with the necessary +preparations for breaking up and removal. + +I should be doing injustice to the hospitable settlers of Hickory Creek +were I to pass by without notice an entertainment with which they +honored our Chicago beaux about this time. The merry-making was to be a +ball, and the five single gentlemen of Chicago were invited. Mr. Dole, +who was a new-comer, declined; Lieutenant Foster was on duty, but he did +what was still better than accepting the invitation, he loaned his +beautiful horse to Medard Beaubien, who with Robert Kinzie and Gholson +Kercheval promised himself much fun in eclipsing the beaux and creating +a sensation among the belles of Hickory Creek. + +Chicago was then, as now, looked upon as the City _par excellence_. Its +few inhabitants were supposed to have seen something of the world, and +it is to be inferred that the arrival of the smart and dashing young men +was an event looked forward to with more satisfaction by the fair of the +little settlement than by the swains whose rivals they might become. + +The day arrived, and the gentlemen set off in high spirits. They took +care to be in good season, for the dancing was to commence at two +o'clock in the afternoon. They were well mounted, each priding himself +upon the animal he rode, and they wore their best suits, as became city +gallants who were bent on cutting out their less fashionable neighbors +and breaking the hearts of the admiring country damsels. + +When they arrived at the place appointed, they were received with great +politeness--their steeds were taken care of, and a dinner was provided +them, after which they were ushered into the dancing-hall. + +All the beauty of the neighboring precincts was assembled. The ladies +were for the most part white, or what passed for such, with an +occasional dash of copper color. There was no lack of bombazet gowns and +large white pocket-handkerchiefs, perfumed with oil of cinnamon; and as +they took their places in long rows on the puncheon floor, they were a +merry and a happy company. + +But the city gentlemen grew more and more gallant--the girls more and +more delighted with their attentions--the country swains, alas! more and +more scowling and jealous. In vain they pigeon-winged and +double-shuffled--in vain they nearly dislocated hips and shoulders at +"hoe corn and dig potatoes"--they had the mortification to perceive that +the smart young sprigs from Chicago had their "pick and choose" among +their very sweethearts, and that they themselves were fairly danced off +the ground. + +The revelry lasted until daylight, and it was now time to think of +returning. There was no one ready with obliging politeness to bring them +their horses from the stable. + +"Poor fellows!" said one of the party, with a compassionate sort of +laugh, "they could not stand it. They have gone home to bed!" + +"Serves them right," said another; "they'd better not ask us down among +their girls again!" + +They groped their way to the stable and went in. There were some animals +standing at the manger, but evidently not their horses. What could they +be? Had the rogues been trying to cheat them, by putting these strange +nondescripts into their place? + +They led them forth into the gray of the morning, and then--such a trio +as met their gaze! + +There were the original bodies, it is true, but where were their manes +and tails? A scrubby, pickety ridge along the neck, and a bare stump +projecting behind, were all that remained of the flowing honors with +which they had come gallivanting down to "bear away the bell" at +Hickory Creek, or, in the emphatic language of the country, "to take the +rag off the bush." + +Gholson sat down on a log and cried outright. Medard took the matter +more philosophically--the horse was none of his--it was Lieutenant +Foster's. + +Robert characteristically looked around to see whom he could knock down +on the occasion; but there was no one visible on whom to wreak their +vengeance. + +The bumpkins had stolen away, and, in some safe, quiet nook, were snugly +enjoying their triumph, and doubtless the deceitful fair ones were by +this time at their sides, sharing their mirth and exultation. + +The unlucky gallants mounted their steeds, and set their faces homeward. +Never was there a more crestfallen and sorry-looking cavalcade. The poor +horses seemed to realize that they had met the same treatment as the +messengers of King David at the hands of the evil-disposed Hanun. They +hung their heads, and evidently wished that they could have "tarried at +Jericho" for a season. Unfortunately, there was in those days no back +way by which they could steal in, unobserved. Across the prairie, in +view of the whole community, must their approach be made; and to add to +their confusion, in the rarity of stirring events, it was the custom of +the whole settlement to turn out and welcome the arrival of any +new-comer. + +As hasty a retreat as possible was beaten, amid the shouts, the jeers, +and the condolences of their acquaintances; and it is on record that +these three young gentlemen were in no hurry to accept, at any future +time, an invitation to partake of the festivities of Hickory Creek. + + * * * * * + +In due time the Napoleon made her appearance. (Alas that this great +name should be used in the feminine gender!) As there was at this period +no harbor, vessels anchored outside the bar, or tongue of land which +formed the left bank of the river, and the lading and unlading were +carried on by boats, pulling in and out, through the mouth of the river, +some distance below. + +Of course it always was a matter of great importance to get a vessel +loaded as quickly as possible, that she might be ready to take advantage +of the first fair wind, and be off from such an exposed and hazardous +anchoring-ground. + +For this reason we had lived _packed up_ for many days, intending only +to see our friends safe on board, and then commence our own journey back +to Fort Winnebago. + +Our heavy articles of furniture, trunks, etc. had been sent on board the +Napoleon, to be brought round to us by way of Fox River. We had retained +only such few necessaries as could be conveniently carried on a +pack-horse, and in a light dearborn wagon lately brought by Mr. +Kercheval from Detroit (the first luxury of the kind ever seen on the +prairies), and which my husband had purchased as an agreeable mode of +conveyance for his mother and little nephew. + +It was a matter requiring no small amount of time and labor to +transport, in the slow method described, the effects of so many families +of officers and soldiers, with the various etceteras incident to a total +change and removal. It was all, however, happily +accomplished--everything, even to the last article, sent on +board--nothing remaining on shore but the passengers, whose turn it +would be next. + +It was a moment of great relief; for Captain Hinckley had been in a +fever and a fuss many hours, predicting a change of weather, and +murmuring at what he thought the unnecessary amount of boat-loads to be +taken on board. + +Those who had leisure to be looking out towards the schooner, which had +continued anchored about half a mile out in the lake, had, at this +crisis, the satisfaction to see her hoist sail and leave her station for +the open lake; those who were a little later could just discern her +bearing away to a distance, as if she had got all on board that she had +any idea of taking. Here we were, and here we might remain a week or +more, if it so pleased Captain Hinckley and the schooner Napoleon, and +the good east wind which was blowing with all its might. + +There was plenty of provisions to be obtained, so the fear of starvation +was not the trouble; but how were the cooking and the table to be +provided for? Various expedients were resorted to. Mrs. Engle, in her +quarters above-stairs, ate her breakfast off a shingle with her +husband's jack-knife, and when she had finished, sent them down to +Lieutenant Foster for his accommodation. + +We were at the old mansion on the north side, and the news soon flew up +the river that the Napoleon had gone off with "the plunder" and left the +people behind. It was not long before we were supplied by Mrs. Portier +(our kind Victoire) with dishes, knives, forks, and all the other +conveniences which our mess-basket failed to supply. + +This state of things lasted a couple of days, and then, early one fine +morning, the gratifying intelligence spread like wild-fire that the +Napoleon was at anchor out beyond the bar. + +There was no unnecessary delay this time, and at an early hour in the +afternoon we had taken leave of our dear friends, and they were sailing +away from Chicago.[44] + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +RETURN TO FORT WINNEBAGO. + + +A great part of the command, with the cattle belonging to the officers +and soldiers, had, a day or two previous to the time of our departure, +set out on their march by land to Green Bay, _via_ Fort Winnebago. +Lieutenant Foster, under whose charge they were, had lingered behind +that he might have the pleasure of joining our party, and we, in turn, +had delayed in order to see the other members of our family safely on +board the Napoleon. But now, all things being ready, we set our faces +once more homeward. + +We took with us a little _bound-girl,_ Josette, a bright, pretty child +of ten years of age, a daughter of Ouilmette, a Frenchman who had lived +here at the time of the Massacre, and of a Pottowattamie mother. She had +been at the St. Joseph's mission-school, under Mr. McCoy, and she was +now full of delight at the prospect of a journey all the way to the +Portage with Monsieur and Madame John. + +We had also a negro boy, Harry, brought a year before from Kentucky, by +Mr. Kercheval. In the transfer at that time from a slave State to a free +one, Harry's position became somewhat changed--he could be no more than +an indentured servant. He was about to become a member of Dr. Wolcott's +household, and it was necessary for him to choose a guardian. All this +was explained to him on his being brought into the parlor, where the +family were assembled. My husband was then a young man, on a visit to +his home. "Now, Harry," it was said to him, "you must choose your +guardian;" and the natural expectation was that Harry would select the +person of his acquaintance of the greatest age and dignity. But, rolling +round his great eyes, and hanging his head on one side, he said,-- + +"I'll have Master John for my guardian." + +From that day forward Harry felt as if he belonged, in a measure, to +Master John, and at the breaking-up of the family in Chicago he was, +naturally, transferred to our establishment. + +There were three ladies of our travelling party--our mother, our sister +Mrs. Helm, and myself. To guard against the burning effect of the sun +and the prairie winds upon our faces, I had, during some of the last +days of my visit, prepared for each of us a mask of brown linen, with +the eyes, nose, and mouth fitted to our features; and, to enhance their +hideousness, I had worked eyebrows, eyelashes, and a circle around the +opening for the mouth, in black silk. Gathered in plaits under the chin, +and with strings to confine them above and below, they furnished a +complete protection against the sun and wind, though nothing can be +imagined more frightful than the appearance we presented when fully +equipped. It was who should be called the ugliest. + +We left amid the good wishes and laughter of our few remaining +acquaintances. Our wagon had been provided with a pair of excellent +travelling horses, and, sister Margaret and myself being accommodated +with the best pacers the country could afford, we set off in high +spirits towards the Aux Plaines--our old friend, Billy Caldwell (the +Sau-ga-nash), with our brother Robert, and Gholson Kercheval, +accompanying us to that point of our journey. + +There was no one at Barney Lawton's when we reached there, save a +Frenchman and a small number of Indians. My sister and I dismounted, and +entered the dwelling, the door of which stood open. Two Indians were +seated on the floor, smoking. They raised their eyes as we appeared, and +never shall I forget the expression of wonder and horror depicted on the +countenances of both. Their lips relaxed until the pipe of one fell upon +the floor. Their eyes seemed starting from their heads, and raising +their outspread hands, as if to wave us from them, they slowly +ejaculated, "_Manitou!"_ (a spirit.) + +As we raised our masks, and, smiling, came forward to shake hands with +them, they sprang to their feet and fairly uttered a cry of delight at +the sight of our familiar faces. + +"Bon-jour, bon-jour, Maman!" was their salutation, and they instantly +plunged out of doors to relate to their companions what had happened. + +Our afternoon's ride was over a prairie stretching away to the northeast +No living creature was to be seen upon its broad expanse, but flying and +circling over our heads were innumerable flocks of curlews, + +"Screaming their wild notes to the listening waste." + +Their peculiar, shrill cry of "crack, crack, crack--rackety, rackety, +rackety," repeated from the throats of dozens, as they sometimes stooped +quite close to our ears, became at length almost unbearable. It seemed +as if they had lost their senses in the excitement of so unusual and +splendid a cortege in their hitherto desolate domain. + +The accelerated pace of our horses, as we approached a beautiful, +wooded knoll, warned us that this was to be our place of repose for the +night. These animals seem to know by instinct a favorable +encamping-ground, and this was one of the most lovely imaginable. + +The trees, which near the lake had, owing to the coldness and tardiness +of the season, presented the pale-yellow appearance of unfledged +goslings, were here bursting into full leaf. The ground around was +carpeted with flowers--we could not bear to have them crushed by the +felling of a tree and the pitching of our tent among them. The birds +sent forth their sweetest notes in the warm, lingering sunlight, and the +opening buds of the young hickory and sassafras filled the air with +perfume. + +Nothing could be more perfect than our enjoyment of this sylvan and +beautiful retreat[45] after our ride in the glowing sun. The children +were in ecstasies. They delighted to find ways of making themselves +useful--to pile up the saddles--to break boughs for the fire--to fill +the little kettles with water for Petaille and Lecuyer, the Frenchmen, +who were preparing our supper. + +Their amusement at the awkward movements of the horses after they were +spancelled knew no bounds. To our little nephew Edwin everything was +new, and Josette, who had already made more than one horseback journey +to St. Joseph, manifested all the pride of an old traveller in +explaining to him whatever was novel or unaccountable. + +They were not the last to spring up at the call "how! how!" on the +following morning. + +The fire was replenished, the preparations for breakfast commenced, and +the Frenchmen dispatched to bring up the horses in readiness for an +early start. + +Harry and Josette played their parts, under our direction, in preparing +the simple meal, and we soon seated ourselves, each with cup and knife, +around the _table-mat._ The meal was over, but no men, no horses +appeared. When another half-hour had passed, my husband took Harry and +commenced exploring in search of the missing ones. + +The day wore on, and first one and then another would make his +appearance to report progress. Petaille and Lecuyer at length brought +two of the horses, but the others could nowhere be found. In time, Mr. +Kinzie and Harry returned, wet to their knees by the dew upon the long +prairie-grass, but with no tidings. Again the men were dispatched after +having broken their fast, but returned unsuccessful as before. + +The morning had been passed by our party at the encampment in +speculating upon the missing animals. Could they have been stolen by the +Indians? Hardly: these people seldom committed robberies in time of +peace--never upon our family, whom they regarded as their best friends. +The horses would doubtless be found. They had probably been carelessly +fastened the preceding evening, and had therefore been able to stray +farther than was their wont. + +A council was held, at which it was decided to send Grignon back to +Chicago to get some fresh horses from Gholson Kercheval, and return as +speedily as possible. If on his return our encampment were deserted, he +might conclude we had found the horses and proceeded to Fox River, where +he would doubtless overtake us. + +He had not been gone more than an hour before, slowly hopping out of a +point of woods to the north of us (a spot which each of the seekers +averred he had explored over and over again), and making directly for +the place where we were, appeared the vexatious animals. They came up +as demurely as if nothing had happened, and seemed rather surprised to +be received with a hearty scolding, instead of being patted and caressed +as usual. + +It was the work of a very short half-hour to strike and pack the tent, +stow away the mats and kettles, saddle the horses, and mount for our +journey. + +"Whoever pleases may take my place in the carriage," said our mother. "I +have travelled so many years on horseback, that I find any other mode of +conveyance too fatiguing." + +So, spite of her sixty years, she mounted sister Margaret's pacer with +the activity of a girl of sixteen. + +Lieutenant Foster had left us early in the morning, feeling it necessary +to rejoin his command, and now, having seen us ready to set off, with a +serene sky above us, and all things "right and tight" for the journey, +our friend the Sau-ga-nash took leave of us, and retraced his steps +towards Chicago. + +We pursued our way through a lovely country of alternate glade and +forest, until we reached the Fox River. The current ran clear and +rippling along, and, as we descended the steep bank to the water, the +question, so natural to a traveller in an unknown region, presented +itself, "Is it fordable?" + +Petaille, to whom the ground was familiar, had not yet made his +appearance Lecuyer was quite ignorant upon the subject. The troops had +evidently preceded us by this very trail. True, but they were on +horseback--the difficulty was, could we get the carriage through? It +must be remembered that the doubt was not about the depth of the water, +but about the hardness of the bottom of the stream. + +It was agreed that two or three of the equestrians should make the +trial first. My mother, Lecuyer, and myself advanced cautiously across +to the opposite bank, each choosing a different point for leaving the +water, in order to find the firmest spot. The bottom was hard and firm +until we came near the shore; then it yielded a little. With one step, +however, we were each on dry ground. + +"Est-il beau?" called my husband, who was driving. + +"Oui, monsieur." + +"Yes, John, come just here, it is perfectly good." + +"No, no--go a little farther down. See the white gravel just there--it +will be firmer still, there." + +Such were the contradictory directions given. He chose the latter, and +when it wanted but one step more to the bank, down sunk both horses, +until little more than their backs were visible. + +The white gravel proved to be a bed of treacherous yellow clay, which, +gleaming through the water, had caused so unfortunate a deception. + +With frantic struggles, for they were nearly suffocated with mud and +water, the horses made desperate efforts to free themselves from the +harness. My husband sprang out upon the pole. "Some one give me a +knife," he cried. I was back in the water in a moment, and, approaching +as near as I dared, handed him mine from the scabbard around my neck. + +"Whatever you do, do not cut the traces," cried his mother. + +He severed some of the side-straps, when, just as he had reached the +extremity of the pole, and was stretching forward to separate the +head-couplings, one of the horses gave a furious plunge, which caused +his fellow to rear, and throw himself nearly backwards. My husband was +between them. For a moment we thought he was gone--trampled down by the +excited animals; but he presently showed himself, nearly obscured by the +mud and water. With the agility of a cat, Harry, who was near him, now +sprang forward on the pole, and in an instant, with his sharp jack-knife +which he had ready, divided the straps that confined their heads. + +The horses were at this moment lying floating on the water--one +apparently dead, the other as if gasping out his last breath. But hardly +did they become sensible of the release of their heads from bondage, +than they made, simultaneously, another furious effort to free +themselves from the pole, to which they were still attached by the +neck-strap. + +Failing in this, they tried another expedient, and, by a few judicious +twists and turns, succeeded in wrenching the pole asunder, and finally +carried it off in triumph across the river again, and up the bank, where +they stood waiting to decide what were the next steps to be taken. + +Here was a predicament! A few hours before, we had thought ourselves +uncomfortable enough, because some of our horses were missing. Now, a +greater evil had befallen us. The wagon was in the river, the harness +cut to pieces, and, what was worse, carried off in the most independent +manner, by Tom and his companion; the pole was twisted to fragments, and +there was not so much as a stick on our side of the river with which to +replace it. + +At this moment, a whoop from the opposite bank, echoed by two or three +hearty ones from our party, announced the reappearance of Petaille +Grignon. He dismounted and took charge of the horses, who were resting +themselves after their fatigues under a shady tree, and by this time +Lecuyer had crossed the river, and now joined him in bringing back the +delinquents. + +In the mean time we had been doing our best to minister to our sister +Margaret. She, with her little son Edwin, had been in the wagon at the +time of the accident, and it had been a work of some difficulty to get +them out and bring them on horseback to shore. The effect of the +agitation and excitement was to throw her into a fit of the ague, and +she now lay blue and trembling among the long grass of the little +prairie which extended along the bank. The tent, which had been packed +in the rear of the wagon, was too much saturated with mud and water to +admit of its being used as a shelter; it could only be stretched in the +sun to dry. We opened an umbrella over our poor sister's head, and now +began a discussion of ways and means to repair damages. The first thing +was to cut a new pole for the wagon, and for this, the master and men +must recross the river and choose an _iron-tree_ out of the forest. + +Then, for the harness. With provident care, a little box had been placed +under the seat of the wagon, containing an awl, waxed ends, and various +other little conveniences exactly suited to an emergency like the +present. + +It was question and answer, like Cock Robin: + +"Who can mend the harness?" + +"I can, for I learned when I was a young girl to make shoes as _an +accomplishment_, and I can surely now, as a matter of usefulness and +duty, put all those wet, dirty pieces of leather together." + +So we all seated ourselves on the grass, under the shade of the only two +umbrellas we could muster. + +I stitched away diligently, blistering my hands, I must own, in no small +degree. + +A suitable young tree had been brought, and the hatchets, without which +one never travels in the woods, were busy fashioning it into shape, when +a peculiar hissing noise was heard, and instantly the cry,-- + +"_Un serpent sonnette_! A rattlesnake!" + +All sprang to their feet, even the poor, shaking invalid, just in time +to see the reptile glide past within three inches of my mother's feet, +while the men assailed the spot it had left with whips, missiles, and +whatever would help along the commotion. + +This little incident proved an excellent remedy for the ague. One +excitement drives away another, and by means of this (upon the +homoeopathic principle) sister Margaret was so much improved that by the +time all the mischiefs were repaired, she was ready to take her place in +the cavalcade, as bright and cheerful as the rest of us. + +So great had been the delay occasioned by all these untoward +circumstances, that our afternoon's ride was but a short one, bringing +us no farther than the shores of a beautiful sheet of water, now known +as Crystal Lake. Its clear surface was covered with loons, and _Poules +d'Eau_, a species of rail; with which, at certain seasons, this region +abounds. + +The Indians have the genius of Aesop for depicting animal life and +character, and there is among them a fable or legend illustrative of +every peculiarity in the personal appearance, habits, or dispositions of +each variety of the animal creation. + +The back of the little rail is very concave, or hollow. The Indians tell +us that it became so in the following manner:-- + + +STORY OF THE LITTLE RAIL, OR _Poule d'Eau_ + +There is supposed, by most of the Northwestern tribes, to exist an +invisible being, corresponding to the "Genie" of Oriental story. Without +being exactly the father of evil, _Nan-nee-bo-zho_ is a spirit whose +office it is to punish what is amiss. He is represented, too, as +constantly occupied in entrapping and making examples of all the +animals that come in his way. + +One pleasant evening, as he walked along the banks of a lake, he saw a +flock of ducks, sailing and enjoying themselves on the blue waters. He +called to them: + +"Ho! come with me into my lodge, and I will teach you to dance!" Some of +the ducks said among themselves, "It is Nan-nee-bo-zho; let us not go." +Others were of a contrary opinion, and, his words being fair, and his +voice insinuating, a few turned their faces towards the land--all the +rest soon followed, and, with many pleasant quackings, trooped after +him, and entered his lodge. + +When there, he first took an Indian sack, with a wide mouth, which he +tied by the strings around his neck, so that it would hang over his +shoulders, leaving the mouth unclosed. Then, placing himself in the +centre of the lodge, he ranged the ducks in a circle around him. + +"Now," said he, "you must all shut your eyes _tight_; whoever opens his +eyes at all, something dreadful will happen to him. I will take my +Indian flute and play upon it, and you will, at the word I shall give, +open your eyes, and commence dancing, as you see me do." + +The ducks obeyed, shutting their eyes _tight_, and keeping time to the +music by stepping from one foot to the other, all impatient for the +dancing to begin. + +Presently a sound was heard like a smothered "quack," but the ducks did +not dare to open their eyes. + +Again, and again, the sound of the flute would be interrupted, and a +gurgling cry of "qu-a-a-ck" be heard. There was one little duck, much +smaller than the rest, who, at this juncture, could not resist the +temptation to open one eye, cautiously. She saw Nan-nee-bo-zho, as he +played his flute, holding it with one hand, stoop a little at intervals +and seize the duck nearest him, which he throttled and stuffed into the +bag on his shoulders. So, edging a little out of the circle, and getting +nearer the door, which had been left partly open, to admit the light, +she cried out,-- + +"Open your eyes--Nan-nee-bo-zho is choking you all and putting you into +his bag!" + +With that she flew, but Nan-nee-bo-zho pounced upon her. His hand +grasped her back, yet, with desperate force, she released herself and +gained the open air. Her companions flew, quacking and screaming, after +her. Some escaped, and some fell victims to the sprite. + +The little duck had saved her life, but she had lost her beauty. She +ever after retained the attitude she had been forced into in her moment +of danger--her back pressed down in the centre, and her head and neck +unnaturally stretched forward into the air. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +RETURN JOURNEY, CONTINUED. + + +The third day of our journey rose brilliantly clear, like the two +preceding ones, and we shaped our course more to the north than we had +hitherto done, in the direction of _Big-foot_ Lake, now known by the +somewhat hackneyed appellation, Lake of Geneva. + +Our journey this day was without mishaps or disasters of any kind. The +air was balmy, the foliage of the forests fresh and fragrant, the little +brooks clear and sparkling--everything in nature spoke the praises of +the beneficent Creator. + +It is in scenes like this, far removed from the bustle, the strife, and +the sin of civilized life, that we most fully realize the presence of +the great Author of the Universe. Here can the mind most fully adore his +majesty and goodness, for here only is the command obeyed, "Let all the +earth keep silence before Him!" + +It cannot escape observation that the deepest and most solemn devotion +is in the hearts of those who, shut out from the worship of God in +temples made with hands, are led to commune with him amid the boundless +magnificence that his own power has framed. + +This day was not wholly without incident. As we stopped for our +noon-tide refreshment, and dismounting threw ourselves on the fresh +herbage just at the verge of a pleasant thicket, we were startled by a +tender _bleating_ near us, and presently, breaking its way through the +low branches, there came upon us a sweet little dappled fawn, evidently +in search of its mother. It did not seem in the least frightened at the +sight of us. As poor Selkirk might have been parodied,-- + + It was so unacquainted with man, + Its tameness was charming to us. + +But the vociferous delight of the children soon drove it bounding again +into the woods, and all hopes of catching it for a pet were at once at +an end. + +We had travelled well this day, and were beginning to feel somewhat +fatigued, when, just before sunset, we came upon a ridge, overlooking +one of the loveliest little dells imaginable. It was an oak opening, and +browsing under the shade of the tall trees which were scattered around +were the cattle and horses of the soldiers, who had got thus far on +their journey. Two or three white tents were pitched in the bottom of +the valley, beside a clear stream. The camp-fires were already lighted, +and the men, singly or in groups, were busied in their various +preparations for their own comfort, or that of their animals. + +Lieutenant Foster came forward with great delight to welcome our +arrival, and accepted without hesitation an invitation to join our mess +again, as long as we should be together. + +We soon found a pleasant encamping-ground, far enough removed from the +other party to secure us against all inconvenience, and our supper +having received the addition of a kettle of fine fresh milk, kindly +brought us by Mrs. Gardiner, the hospital matron, who with her little +covered cart formed no unimportant feature in the military group, we +partook of our evening meal with much hilarity and enjoyment. + +If people are ever companionable, it is when thrown together under +circumstances like the present. There has always been sufficient +incident through the day to furnish themes for discourse, and subjects +of merriment, as long as the company feel disposed for conversation, +which is, truth to tell, not an unconscionable length of time after +their supper is over. + +The poor Lieutenant looked grave enough when we set out in advance of +him the next morning. None of his party were acquainted with the road; +but, after giving him directions both general and particular, Mr. Kinzie +promised to _blaze_ a tree, or _set up a chip_ for a guide, at every +place which appeared more than usually doubtful. + +We now found ourselves in a much more diversified country than any we +had hitherto travelled. Gently swelling hills, lovely valleys, and +bright sparkling streams were the features of the landscape. But there +was little animate life. Now and then a shout from the leader of the +party (for, according to custom, we travelled Indian file) would call +our attention to a herd of deer "loping," as the Westerners say, +through the forest; or an additional spur would be given to the horses +on the appearance of some small dark object, far distant on the trail +before us. But the game invariably contrived to disappear before we +could reach it, and it was out of the question to leave the beaten track +for a regular hunt. + +Soon after mid-day, we descended a long, sloping knoll, and by a sudden +turn came full in view of the beautiful sheet of water denominated +Gros-pied by the French, _Maunk-suck_ by the natives, and by ourselves +Big-foot, from the chief whose village overlooked its waters. Bold, +swelling hills jutted forward into the clear blue expanse, or retreated +slightly to afford a green, level nook, as a resting-place for the +dwelling of man. On the nearer shore stretched a bright, gravelly beach, +across which coursed here and there a pure, sparkling rivulet to join +the larger sheet of water. + +On a rising ground at the foot of one of the bold bluffs in the middle +distance, a collection of neat wigwams formed, with their surrounding +gardens, no unpleasant feature in the picture. + +A shout of delight burst involuntarily from the whole party, as this +charming landscape met our view. "It was like the Hudson, only less +bold--no, it was like the lake of the Forest Cantons, in the picture of +the Chapel of William Tell! What could be imagined more enchanting? Oh I +if our friends at the East could but enjoy it with us!" + +We paused long to admire, and then spurred on, skirting the head of the +lake, and were soon ascending the broad platform on which stood the +village of Maunk-suck, or Big-foot. + +The inhabitants, who had witnessed our approach from a distance, were +all assembled in front of their wigwams to greet us, if friends--if +otherwise, whatever the occasion should demand. It was the first time +such a spectacle had ever presented itself to their wondering eyes. +Their salutations were not less cordial than we expected. +"Shaw-nee-aw-kee" and his mother, who was known throughout the tribe by +the touching appellation "Our friend's wife," were welcomed most kindly, +and an animated conversation commenced, which I could understand only so +far as it was conveyed by gestures; so I amused myself by taking a +minute survey of all that met my view. + +The chief was a large, raw-boned, ugly Indian, with a countenance +bloated by intemperance, and with a sinister, unpleasant expression. He +had a gay-colored handkerchief upon his head, and was otherwise attired +in his best, in compliment to the strangers. + +It was to this chief that Chambly, or, as he is now called, +Shaw-bee-nay, Billy Caldwell, and Robinson were dispatched, by Dr. +Wolcott, their Agent, during the Winnebago war, in 1821, to use their +earnest endeavors to prevent this chief and his band from joining the +hostile Indians. With some difficulty they succeeded, and were thus the +means, doubtless, of saving the lives of all the settlers who lived +exposed upon the frontier. + +Among the various groups of his people, there was none attracted my +attention so forcibly as a young man of handsome face, and a figure that +was striking even where all were fine and symmetrical. He too had a gay +handkerchief on his head, a shirt of the brightest lemon-colored calico, +an abundance of silver ornaments, and, what gave his dress a most +fanciful appearance, one legging of blue and the other of bright +scarlet. I was not ignorant that this peculiar feature in his toilet +indicated a heart suffering from the tender passion. The flute, which +he carried in his hand, added confirmation to the fact, while the +joyous, animated expression of his countenance showed with equal +plainness that he was not a despairing lover. + +I could have imagined him to have recently returned from the chase, +laden with booty, with which he had, as is the custom, entered the lodge +of the fair one, and thrown his burden at the feet of her parents, with +an indifferent, superb sort of air, as much as to say, "Here is some +meat--it is a mere trifle, but it will show you what you might expect +with me for a son-in-law." I could not doubt that the damsel had stepped +forward and gathered it up, in token that she accepted the offering, and +the donor along with it. There was nothing in the appearance or manner +of any of the maidens by whom we were surrounded, to denote which was +the happy fair, neither, although I peered anxiously into all their +countenances, could I there detect any blush of consciousness; so I was +obliged to content myself with selecting the youngest and prettiest of +the group, and go on weaving my romance to my own satisfaction. + +The village stood encircled by an amphitheatre of hills, so precipitous, +and with gorges so steep and narrow, that it seemed almost impossible to +scale them, even on horseback; how, then, could we hope to accomplish +the ascent of the four-wheeled carriage? This was the point now under +discussion between my husband and the Pottowattamies. There was no +alternative but to make the effort, selecting the pass that the +inhabitants pointed out as the most practicable. Petaille went first, +and I followed on my favorite Jerry. It was such a scramble as is not +often taken,--almost perpendicularly, through what seemed the dry bed of +a torrent, now filled with loose stones, and scarcely affording one +secure foothold from the bottom to the summit! I clang fast to the +mane, literally at times clasping Jerry around his neck, and, amid the +encouraging shouts and cheers of those below, we at length arrived +safely, though nearly breathless, on the pinnacle, and sat looking down, +to view the success of the next party. + +The horses had been taken from the carriage, the luggage it contained +being placed upon the shoulders of some of the young Indians, to be +_toted_ up the steep. Ropes were now attached to its sides, and a +regular bevy of our red friends, headed by our two Frenchmen, placed to +man them. Two or three more took their places in the rear, to hold the +vehicle and keep it from slipping backwards--then the labor commenced. +Such a pulling! such a shouting! such a clapping of hands by the +spectators of both sexes! such a stentorian word of command or +encouragement from the bourgeois! Now and then there would be a slight +halt, a wavering, as if carriage and men were about to tumble backwards +into the plain below; but no--they would recover themselves, and after +incredible efforts they too safely gained the table-land above. In +process of time all were landed there, and, having remunerated our +friends to their satisfaction, the goods and chattels were collected, +the wagon repacked, and we set off for our encampment at Turtle Creek. + +The exertions and excitement of our laborious ascent, together with the +increasing heat of the sun, made this afternoon's ride more +uncomfortable than anything we had previously felt. We were truly +rejoiced when the whoop of our guide, and the sight of a few scattered +lodges, gave notice that we had reached our encamping-ground. We chose a +beautiful sequestered spot by the side of a clear, sparkling stream, +and, having dismounted and seen that our horses were made comfortable, +my husband, after giving his directions to his men, led me to a retired +spot where I could lay aside my hat and mask and bathe my flushed face +and aching head in the cool, refreshing waters. Never had I felt +anything so grateful, so delicious. I sat down, and leaned my head +against one of the tall, overshadowing trees, and was almost dreaming, +when summoned to partake of our evening meal. + +The Indians had brought us, as a present, some fine brook trout, which +our Frenchmen had prepared in the most tempting fashion, and before the +bright moon rose and we were ready for oar rest, all headache and +fatigue had alike disappeared. + + * * * * * + +One of the most charming features of this mode of travelling is the +joyous, vocal life of the forest at early dawn, when all the feathered +tribe come forth to pay their cheerful salutations to the opening day. + +The rapid, chattering flourish of the bob-o'-link, the soft whistle of +the thrush, the tender coo of the wood-dove, the deep, warbling bass of +the grouse, the drumming of the partridge, the melodious trill of the +lark, the gay carol of the robin, the friendly, familiar call of the +duck and the teal, resound from tree and knoll and lowland, prompting +the expressive exclamation of the simple half-breed,-- + +"Voila la foret qui parle!"[46] + +It seems as if man must involuntarily raise his voice, to take part in +the general chorus--the mating song of praise. + +Birds and flowers, and the soft balmy airs of morning! Must it not have +been in a scene like this that Milton's Adam poured out his beautiful +hymn of adoration,-- + +"These are thy glorious works, Parent of Good"? + +This day we were journeying in hopes to reach, at an early hour, that +broad expanse of the Rock River which here forms the Kosh-ko-nong. The +appellation of this water, rendered doubly affecting by the subsequent +fate of its people, imports "_the lake we live on_." + +Our road for the early part of the day led through forests so thick and +tangled that Grignon and Lecuyer were often obliged to go in advance as +pioneers with their axes, to cut away the obstructing shrubs and +branches. It was slow work, and at times quite discouraging, but we were +through with it at last, and then we came into a country of altogether a +different description,--low prairies, intersected with deep, narrow +streams like canals, the passage of which, either by horses or +carriages, was often a matter of delay and even difficulty. + +Several times in the course of the forenoon the horses were to be taken +from the carriage and the latter pulled and pushed across the deep +narrow channels as best it might. + +The wooded banks of the Kosh-ko-nong were never welcomed with greater +delight than by us when they at length broke upon our sight. A ride of +five or six miles through the beautiful oak openings brought us to +_Man-Eater's_ village, a collection of neat bark wigwams, with extensive +fields on each side of corn, beans, and squashes, recently planted, but +already giving promise of a fine crop. In front was the broad blue lake, +the shores of which, to the south, were open and marshy, but near the +village, and stretching far away to the north, were bordered by fine +lofty trees. The village was built but a short distance below the point +where the Rock River opens into the lake, and during a conversation +between our party and the Indians at the village, an arrangement was +made with them to take us across at a spot about half a mile above. + +After a short halt, we again took up our line of march through the +woods, along the bank of the river. + +A number of the Winnebagoes (for we had been among our own people since +leaving Gros-pied Lake) set out for the appointed place by water, +paddling their canoes, of which they had selected the largest and +strongest. + +Arrived at the spot indicated, we dismounted, and the men commenced the +task of unsaddling and unloading. We were soon placed in the canoes, and +paddled across to the opposite bank. Next, the horses were swum +across--after them was to come the carriage. Two long wooden canoes were +securely lashed together side by side, and being of sufficient width to +admit of the carriage standing within them, the passage was commenced. +Again and again the tottering barks would sway from side to side, and a +cry or a shout would arise from our party on shore, as the whole mass +seemed about to plunge sideways into the water, but it would presently +recover itself, and at length, after various deviations from the +perpendicular, it reached the shore in safety. + +We now hoped that our troubles were at an end, and that we had nothing +to do but to mount and trot on as fast as possible to Fort Winnebago. +But no. Half a mile farther on was a formidable swamp, of no great width +it is true, but with a depth of from two to three feet of mud and water. +It was a question whether, with the carriage, we could get through it at +all. Several of the Indians accompanied us to this place, partly to give +us their aid and counsel, and partly to enjoy the fun of the spectacle. + +On reaching the swamp, we were disposed to laugh at the formidable +representations which had been made to us. We saw only a strip of what +seemed rather low land, covered with tall, dry rushes. + +It is true the ground looked a little wet, but there seemed nothing to +justify all the apprehensions that had been excited. Great was my +surprise, then, to see my husband, who had been a few minutes absent, +return to our circle attired in his duck trousers, and without shoes or +stockings. + +"What are you going to do?" inquired I. + +"Carry you through the swamp on my shoulders. Come, Petaille, you are +the strongest--you are to carry Madame Kinzie, and To-shun-nuck there +(pointing to a tall, stout Winnebago), he will take Madame Helm." + +"Wait a moment," said I, and, seating myself on the grass, I +deliberately took off my own boots and stockings. + +"What is that for?" they all asked. + +"Because I do not wish to ride with wet feet all the rest of the day." + +"No danger of that," said they, and no one followed my example. + +By the time they were in the midst of the swamp, however, they found my +precaution had been by no means useless. The water through which our +bearers had to pass was of such a depth that no efforts of the ladies +were sufficient to keep their feet above the surface; and I had the +satisfaction of feeling that my burden upon my husband's shoulders was +much less, from my being able to keep my first position instead of +changing constantly to avoid a contact with the water. + +The laugh was quite on my side when I resumed my equipment and mounted, +_dry-shod_, into my saddle. + +It will be perceived that journeying in the woods is, in some degree, a +deranger of ceremony and formality; that it necessarily restricts us +somewhat in our conventionalities. The only remedy is, to make ourselves +amends by a double share when we return to the civilized walks of life. + +By dint of much pulling, shouting, encouraging, and threatening, the +horses at length dragged the carriage through the difficult pass, and +our red friends were left to return to their village, with, doubtless, a +very exaggerated and amusing account of all that they had seen and +assisted in. + +We had not forgotten our promise to Lieutenant Foster to put up a +"guide-board" of some sort, for his accommodation in following us. We +therefore, upon several occasions, carried with us from the woods a few +pieces, of three or four feet in length, which we planted at certain +points, with a transverse stick through a cleft in the top, thus marking +the direction he and his party were to take. + +We therefore felt sure that, although a few days later, he would find +our trail, and avail himself of the same assistance as we had, in +getting through the difficulties of the way. + +Our encamping-ground, this night, was to be not far distant from the +Four Lakes. We were greatly fatigued with the heat and exercise of the +day, and most anxiously did we look out for the clumps of willows and +alders which were to mark the spot where water would be found. We felt +hardly equal to pushing on quite to the bank of the nearest lake. +Indeed, it would have taken us too much off our direct course. + +When we, at a late hour, came upon a spot fit for our purpose, we +exchanged mutual congratulations that this was to be our last night upon +the road. The next day we should be at Winnebago! + +Our journey had been most delightful--a continued scene of exhilaration +and enjoyment; for the various mishaps, although for the moment they had +perplexed, yet, in the end, had but added to our amusement. Still, with +the inconstancy of human nature, we were pleased to exchange its +excitement for the quiet repose of home. + +Our next morning's ride was of a more tranquil character than any that +had preceded it; for at an early hour we entered upon what was known as +the "Twenty-mile Prairie,"--and I may be permitted to observe that the +miles are wonderfully long on the prairies. Our passage over this was, +except the absence of the sand, like crossing the desert. Mile after +mile of unbroken expanse--not a tree--not a living object except +ourselves. + +The sun, as if to make himself amends for his two months' seclusion, +shone forth with redoubled brilliancy. There is no such thing as +carrying an umbrella on horseback, though those in the wagon were able +to avail themselves of such a shelter. + +Our mother's energies had sustained her in the saddle until this day, +but she was now fairly obliged to give in, and yield her place on little +Brunet to sister Margaret. + +Thus we went on, one little knoll rising beyond another, from the summit +of each of which, in succession, we hoped to descry the distant woods, +which were to us as the promised land. + +"Take courage," were the cheering words, often repeated; "very soon you +will begin to see the timber." + +Another hour would pass heavily by. + +"Now, when we reach the rising ground just ahead, look _sharp_." + +We would look sharp--nothing but the same unvarying landscape. + +There were not even streams to allay the feverish thirst occasioned by +fatigue and impatience. + +At length a whoop from Shaw-nee-aw-kee broke the silence in which we +were pursuing our way. + +"Le voila!" (There it is!) + +Our less practised eye could not at first discern the faint blue strip +edging the horizon, but it grew and grew upon our vision, and fatigue +and all discomfort proportionably disappeared. + +We were in fine spirits by the time we reached "Hastings's Woods," a +noble forest, watered by a clear, sparkling stream. + +Grateful as was the refreshment of the green foliage and the cooling +waters, we did not allow ourselves to forget that the day was wearing +on, and that we must, if possible, complete our journey before sunset; +so we soon braced up our minds to continue our route, although we would +gladly have lingered another hour. + +The marsh of Duck Creek was, thanks to the heat of the past week, in a +very different state from what it had been a few months previous, when I +had been so unfortunately submerged in its icy waters. + +We passed it without difficulty, and soon found ourselves upon the banks +of the creek. + +The stream, at this point, was supposed to be always fordable; and even +were it not so, that to the majority of our party would have been a +matter of little moment. To the ladies, however, the subject seemed to +demand consideration. + +"This water looks very deep--are you sure we can cross it on horseback?" + +"Oh, yes! Petaille, go before, and let us see how the water is." + +Petaille obeyed. He was mounted on a horse like a giraffe, and, +extending his feet horizontally, he certainly managed to pass through +the stream without much of a wetting. + +It seemed certain that the water would come into the wagon, but that was +of the less consequence as, in case of the worst, the passengers could +mount upon the seats. + +My horse, Jerry, was above the medium height, so that I soon passed +over, with no inconvenience but that of being obliged to disengage my +feet from the stirrups and tuck them up snugly against the mane of the +horse. + +Sister Margaret was still upon Brunet. She was advised to change him for +one of the taller horses, but while the matter was under debate, it was +settled by the perverse little wretch taking to the water most +unceremoniously, in obedience to the example of the other animals. + +He was soon beyond his depth, and we were at once alarmed and diverted +at seeing his rider, with surprising adroitness, draw her feet from the +stirrups and perch herself upon the top of the saddle, where she held +her position, and navigated her little refractory steed safely to land. + +This was the last of our adventures. A pleasant ride of four miles +brought us to the Fort, just as the sun was throwing his last beams over +the glowing landscape; and on reaching the ferry we were at once +conducted, by the friends who were awaiting us, to the hospitable roof +of Major Twiggs. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +FOUR-LEGS, THE DANDY. + + +The companies of the First Infantry, which had hitherto been stationed +at Fort Winnebago, had before our arrival received orders to move on to +the Mississippi as soon as relieved by a portion of the Fifth, now at +Fort Howard. + +As many of the officers of the latter regiment were married, we had +reason to expect that all the quarters at the post would be put in +requisition. For this reason, although strongly pressed by Major Twiggs +to take up our residence again in the Fort until he should go on +furlough, we thought it best to establish ourselves at once at "the +Agency." + +It seemed laughable to give so grand a name to so very insignificant a +concern. We had been promised, by the heads of department at Washington, +a comfortable dwelling so soon as there should be an appropriation by +Congress sufficient to cover any extra expense in the Indian Department. +It was evident that Congress had a great spite at us, for it had delayed +for two sessions attending to our accommodation. There was nothing to be +done, therefore, but to make ourselves comfortable with the best means +in our power. + +The old log barracks, which had been built for the officers and soldiers +on the first establishment of the post, two years previous, had been +removed by our French engages and put up again upon the little hill +opposite the Fort. To these some additions were now made in the shape +of dairy, stables, smoke-house, etc., constructed of tamarack logs +brought from the neighboring swamp. The whole presented a very rough and +primitive appearance. + +The main building consisted of a range of four rooms, no two of which +communicated with each other, but each opened by a door into the outward +air. A small window cut through the logs in front and rear, gave light +to the apartment. An immense clay chimney for every two rooms, occupied +one side of each, and the ceiling overhead was composed of a few rough +boards laid upon the transverse logs that supported the roof. + +It was surprising how soon a comfortable, homelike air was given to the +old dilapidated rooms, by a few Indian mats spread upon the floor, the +piano and other furniture ranged in their appropriate places, and even a +few pictures hung against the logs. The latter, alas! had soon to be +displaced, for with the first heavy shower the rain found entrance +through sundry crevices, and we saw ourselves obliged to put aside, +carefully, everything that could be injured by the moisture. We made +light of these evils, however--packed away our carpets and superfluous +furniture upon the boards above, which we dignified with the name of +attic, and contentedly resolved to await the time when Government should +condescend to remember us. The greatest inconvenience I experienced, was +from the necessity of wearing my straw bonnet throughout the day, as I +journeyed from bedroom to parlor, and from parlor to kitchen. I became +so accustomed to it that I even sometimes forgot to remove it when I sat +down to table, or to my quiet occupations with my mother and sister. + +Permission was, however, in time, received to build a house for the +blacksmith--that is, the person kept in pay by the Government at this +station to mend the guns, traps, etc. of the Indians. + +It happened most fortunately for us that Monsieur Isidore Morrin was a +bachelor, and quite satisfied to continue boarding with his friend Louis +Frum, _dit_ Manaigre, so that when the new house was fairly commenced we +planned it and hurried it forward entirely on our own account. + +It was not very magnificent, it is true, consisting of but a parlor and +two bedrooms on the ground-floor, and two low chambers under the roof, +with a kitchen in the rear; but compared with the rambling old +stable-like building we now inhabited, it seemed quite a palace. + +Before it was completed, Mr. Kinzie was notified that the money for the +annual Indian payment was awaiting his arrival in Detroit to take it in +charge and superintend its transportation to the Portage; and he was +obliged to set off at once to fulfil this part of his duty. + +The workmen who had been brought from the Mississippi to erect the main +building, were fully competent to carry on their work without an +overseer; but the kitchen was to be the task of the Frenchmen, and the +question was, how could it be executed in the absence of the +_bourgeois_? + +"You will have to content yourselves in the old quarters until my +return," said my husband, "and then we will soon have things in order." +His journey was to be a long and tedious one, for the operations of +Government were not carried on by railroad and telegraph in those days. + +After his departure I said to the men, "Come, you have all your logs cut +and hauled--the squaws have brought the bark for the roof--what is to +prevent our finishing the house and getting all moved and settled to +surprise Monsieur John on his return?" + +"Ah! to be sure, Madame John," said Plante, who was always the +spokesman, "provided the one who plants a green bough on the chimney-top +is to have a treat." + +"Certainly. All hands fall to work, and see who will win the treat." + +Upon the strength of such an inducement to the one who should put the +finishing stroke to the building, Plante, Pillon, and Manaigre, whom the +waggish Plante persisted in calling "mon negre," whenever he felt +himself out of the reach of the other's arm, all went vigorously to +work. + +Building a log house is a somewhat curious process. First, as will be +conceived, the logs are laid one upon another and jointed at the +corners, until the walls have reached the required height. The chimney +is formed by four poles of the proper length, interlaced with a +wicker-work of small branches. A hole or pit is dug, near at hand, and, +with a mixture of clay and water, a sort of mortar is formed. Large +wisps of hay are filled with this thick substance, and fashioned with +the hands into what are technically called "_clay cats_," and these are +filled in among the frame-work of the chimney until not a chink is left. +The whole is then covered with a smooth coating of the wet clay, which +is denominated "plastering." + +Between the logs which compose the walls of the building, small bits of +wood are driven, quite near together; this is called "chinking," and +after it is done, clay cats are introduced, and smoothed over with the +plaster. When all is dry, both walls and chimney are whitewashed, and +present a comfortable and tidy appearance. + +The roof is formed by laying upon the transverse logs thick sheets of +bark. Around the chimney, for greater security against the rain, we took +care to have placed a few layers of the palisades that had been left +when Mr. Peach, an odd little itinerant genius, had fenced in our +garden, the pride and wonder of the surrounding settlement and wigwams. + +While all these matters were in progress, we received frequent visits +from our Indian friends. First and foremost among them was "the young +Dandy," Four-Legs. + +One fine morning he made his appearance, accompanied by two squaws, whom +he introduced as his wives. He could speak a little Chippewa, and by +this means he and our mother contrived to keep up something of a +conversation. He was dressed in all his finery, brooches, wampum, fan, +looking-glass and all. The paint upon his face and chest showed that he +had devoted no small time to the labors of his toilet. + +He took a chair, as he had seen done at Washington, and made signs to +his women to sit down upon the floor. + +The custom of taking two wives is not very general among the Indians. +They seem to have the sagacity to perceive that the fewer they have to +manage, the more complete is the peace and quiet of the wigwam. + +Nevertheless, it sometimes happens that a husband takes a foolish fancy +for a second squaw, and in that case he uses all his cunning and +eloquence to reconcile the first to receiving a new inmate in the lodge. +Of course it is a matter that must be managed adroitly, in order that +harmony may be preserved. + +"My dear, your health is not very good; it is time you should have some +rest. You have worked very hard, and it grieves me that you should have +to labor any longer. Let me get you some nice young squaw to wait upon +you, that you may live at ease all the rest of your life." + +The first wife consents; indeed, she has no option. If she is of a +jealous, vindictive disposition, what a life the new-comer leads! The +old one maintains all her rights of dowager and duenna, and the +husband's tenderness is hardly a compensation for all the evils the +young rival is made to suffer. + +It was on Sunday morning that this visit of the Dandy was made to us. We +were all seated quietly, engaged in reading. Four-Legs inquired of my +mother, why we were so occupied, and why everything around us was so +still. + +My mother explained to him our observance of the day of rest--that we +devoted it to worshipping and serving the Great Spirit, as he had +commanded in his Holy Word. + +Four-Legs gave a nod of approbation. That was very right, he said--he +was glad to see us doing our duty--he was very religious himself, and he +liked to see others so. He always took care that his squaws attended to +their duties,--not reading, perhaps, but such as the Great Spirit liked, +and such as he thought proper and becoming. + +He seemed to have no fancy for listening to any explanation of our +points of difference. The impression among the Winnebagoes "that if the +Great Spirit had wished them different from what they are, he would have +made them so," seems too strong to yield to either argument or +persuasion. + +Sometimes those who are desirous of appearing somewhat civilized will +listen quietly to all that is advanced on the subject of Christianity, +then, coolly saying, "Yes, we believe that too," will change the +conversation to other subjects. + +As a general thing, they do not appear to perceive that there is +anything to be gained by adopting the religion and the customs of the +whites. "Look at them," they say, "always toiling and striving--always +wearing a brow of care--shut up in houses--afraid of the wind and the +rain--suffering when they are deprived of the comforts of life! We, on +the contrary, live a life of freedom and happiness. We hunt and fish, +and pass our time pleasantly in the open woods and prairies. If we are +hungry, we take some game; or, if we do not find that, we can go +without. If our enemies trouble us, we can kill them, and there is no +more said about it. What should we gain by changing ourselves into white +men?"[47] + +Christian missionaries, with all their efforts to convert them, had at +this day made little progress in enlightening their minds upon the +doctrines of the Gospel. Mr. Mazzuchelli, a Roman Catholic priest, +accompanied by Miss Elizabeth Grignon as interpreter, made a missionary +visit to the Portage during our residence there, and, after some +instruction from him, about forty consented to be baptized. Christian +names were given to them, with which they seemed much pleased; and not +less so with the little plated crucifixes which each received, and which +the women wore about their necks. These they seemed to regard with a +devotional feeling; but I was not sufficiently acquainted with their +language to gather from them whether they understood the doctrine the +symbol was designed to convey. Certain it is, they expressed no wish to +learn our language, in order that they might gain a fuller knowledge of +the Saviour, nor any solicitude to be taught more about him than they +had received during the missionary's short visit. + +One woman, to whom the name of Charlotte had been given, signified a +desire to learn the domestic ways of the whites, and asked of me as a +favor through Madame Paquette that she might be permitted to come on +"washing-day," and learn of my servants our way of managing the +business. A tub was given her, and my woman instructed her, by signs and +example, how she was to manage. As I was not a little curious to observe +how things went on, I proceeded after a time to the kitchen where they +all were. Charlotte was at her tub, scouring and rubbing with all her +might at her little crucifix. Two other squaws sat upon the floor near +her, watching the operation. + +"That is the work she has been at for the last half-hour," said Josette, +in a tone of great impatience. "_She'll_ never learn to wash." + +Charlotte, however, soon fell diligently to work, and really seemed as +if she would tear her arms off, with her violent exertions. + +After a time, supposing that she must feel a good deal fatigued and +exhausted with the unaccustomed labor, I did what it was at that day +very much the fashion to do,--what, at home, I had always seen done on +washing-day,--what, in short, I imagine was then a general custom among +housekeepers. I went to the dining-room closet, intending to give +Charlotte a glass of wine or brandy and water. My "cupboard" proved to +be in the state of the luckless "Mother Hubbard's"--nothing of the kind +could I find but a bottle of orange shrub. + +Of this I poured out a wineglassful, and, carrying it out, offered it to +the woman. She took it with an expression of great pleasure; but, in +carrying it to her lips, she stopped short, and exclaiming, "Whiskey!" +immediately returned it to me. I would still have pressed it upon her; +for, in my inexperience, I really believed it was a cordial she needed; +but, pointing to her crucifix, she shook her head and returned to her +work. + +I received this as a lesson more powerful than twenty sermons. It was +the first time in my life that I had ever seen spirituous liquors +rejected upon a religious principle, and it made an impression upon me +that I never forgot. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +THE CUT-NOSE. + + +Among the women of the tribe with whom we early became acquainted, our +greatest favorite was a daughter of one of the Day-kau-rays. This +family, as I have elsewhere said, boasted in some remote generation a +cross of the French blood, and this fact might account for the fair +complexion and soft curling hair which distinguished our friend. She had +a noble forehead, full, expressive eyes, and fine teeth. Unlike the +women of her people, she had not grown brown and haggard with advancing +years. Indeed, with the exception of one feature, she might be called +beautiful. + +She had many years before married a Mus-qua-kee, or Fox Indian, and, +according to the custom among all the tribes, the husband came home to +the wife's family, and lived among the Winnebagoes. + +It is this custom, so exactly the reverse of civilized ways, that makes +the birth of a daughter a subject of peculiar rejoicing in an Indian +family. "She will bring another hunter to our lodge," is the style of +mutual congratulation. + +The Mus-qua-kee continued, for some few years, to live among his wife's +relations; but, as no children blessed their union, he at length became +tired of his new friends, and longed to return to his own people. He +tried, for a time, to persuade his wife to leave her home, and accompany +him to the Mississippi, on the banks of which the Sauks and Foxes lived, +but in vain. She could not resolve to make the sacrifice. + +One day, after many fruitless efforts to persuade her, he flew into a +violent passion. + +"Then, if you will not go with me," said he, "I will leave you; but you +shall never be the wife of any other man--I will mark you!" + +Saying this, he flew upon her, and bit off the end of her nose. This, +the usual punishment for conjugal infidelity, is the greatest disgrace a +woman can receive--it bars her forever from again entering the pale of +matrimony. The wretch fled to his own people; but his revenge fell short +of its aim. Day-kau-ray was too well known and too universally respected +to suffer opprobrium in any member of his family. This bright, loving +creature in particular, won all hearts upon a first acquaintance--she +certainly did ours, from the outset. + +She suffered much from rheumatism, and a remedy we gave her soon +afforded her almost entire relief. Her gratitude knew no bounds. +Notwithstanding that from long suffering she had become partially +crippled, she would walk all the way from the Barribault, a distance of +ten miles, as often as once in two or three weeks, to visit us. Then, to +sit and gaze at us, to laugh with childish glee at everything new or +strange that we employed ourselves about--to pat and stroke us every +time we came near her--sometimes to raise our hand or arm and kiss +it--these were her demonstrations of affection. And we loved her in +return. It was always a joyful announcement when, looking out over the +Portage road, somebody called out, "The _Cut-Nose_ is coming!" In time, +however, we learned to call her by her baptismal name of Elizabeth, for +she, too, was one of Mr. Mazzuchelli's converts. + +She came one day, accompanied by a half-grown boy, carrying a young fawn +she had brought me as a present. I was delighted with the pretty +creature--with its soft eyes and dappled coat; but having often heard +the simile, "as wild as a fawn," I did not anticipate much success in +taming it. To my great surprise, it soon learned to follow me like a +dog. Wherever I went, there Fan was sure to be. At breakfast, she would +lie down at my feet, under the table. One of her first tokens of +affection was to gnaw off all the trimming from my black silk apron, as +she lay pretending to caress and fondle me. Nor was this her only style +of mischief. + +One day we heard a great rattling among the crockery in the kitchen. We +ran to see what was the matter, and found that Miss Fan had made her way +to a shelf of the dresser, about two feet from the ground, and was +endeavoring to find a comfortable place to lie down, among the plates +and dishes. I soon observed that it was the shelter of the shelf above +her head that was the great attraction, and that she was in the habit of +seeking out a place of repose under a chair, or something approaching to +an "umbrageous bower." So after this I took care, as the hour for her +morning nap approached, to open a large green parasol, and set it on the +matting in the corner--then when I called "Fan, Fan," she would come and +nestle under it, and soon fall fast asleep. + +One morning Fan was missing. In vain we called and sought her in the +garden--in the enclosure for the cattle--at the houses of the +Frenchmen--along the hill towards Paquette's--no Fan was to be found. We +thought she had asserted her own wild nature and sped away to the woods. + +It was a hot forenoon, and the doors were all open. About dinner-time, +in rushed Fan, panting violently, and threw herself upon her side, where +she lay with her feet outstretched, her mouth foaming, and exhibiting +all the signs of mortal agony. We tried to give her water, to soothe +her, if perhaps it might be fright that so affected her; but in a few +minutes, with a gasp and a spasm, she breathed her last. Whether she had +been chased by the greyhounds, or whether she had eaten some poisonous +weed, which, occasioning her suffering, had driven her to her best +friends for aid, we never knew; but we lost our pretty pet, and many +were the tears shed for her. + + * * * * * + +Very shortly after the departure of my husband, we received a visit from +"the White Crow," the "Little Priest," and several others of the +principal chiefs of the Bock River Indians. They seemed greatly +disappointed at learning that their Father was from home, even though +his errand was to get "the silver." We sent for Paquette, who +interpreted for us the object of their visit. + +They had come to inform us that the Sauk chief Black Hawk and his band, +who, in compliance with a former treaty, had removed some time previous +to the west of the Mississippi, had now returned to their old homes and +hunting-grounds, and expressed a determination not to relinquish them, +but to drive off the white settlers who had begun to occupy them. + +The latter, in fact, the chief had already done, and having, as it was +said, induced some of the Pottowattamies to join him, there was reason +to fear that he might persuade some of the Winnebagoes to follow their +example. + +These chiefs had come to counsel with their Father, and to assure him +that they should do all in their power to keep their young men quiet. +They had heard that troops were being raised down among the whites in +Illinois, and they had hopes that their people would be wise enough to +keep out of difficulty. Furthermore, they begged that their Father, on +his return, would see that the soldiers did not meddle with them, so +long as they remained quiet and behaved in a friendly manner. + +White Crow seemed particularly anxious to impress it upon me, that if +any danger should arise in Shaw-nee-aw-kee's absence, he should come +with his people to protect me and my family. I relied upon his +assurances, for he had ever shown himself an upright and honorable +Indian. + +Notwithstanding this, the thoughts of Indian troubles so near us, in the +absence of our guardian and protector, occasioned us many an anxious +moment, and it was not until we learned of the peaceable retreat of the +Sauks and Foxes west of the Mississippi, that we were able wholly to lay +aside our fears. + +We were now called to part with our friends, Major Twiggs and his +family, which we did with heartfelt regret. He gave me a few parting +words about our old acquaintance, Krissman. + +"When I went into the barracks the other day," said he, "about the time +the men were taking their dinner, I noticed a great six-foot soldier +standing against the window-frame, crying and blubbering. 'Halloo,' said +I, 'what on earth does this mean?' + +"'Why, that fellow there,' said Krissman (for it was he), 'has scrowged +me out of my place!' A pretty soldier your protege will make, madam!" +added the Major. + +I never heard more of my hero. Whether he went to exhibit his prowess +against the Seminoles and Mexicans, or whether he returned to till the +fertile soil of his native German Flats and blow his favorite boatman's +horn, must be left for some future historian to tell. + +There is one more character to be disposed of--Louisa. An opportunity +offering in the spring, the Major placed her under the charge of a +person going to Buffalo, that she might be returned to her parents. In +compliment to the new acquaintances she had formed, she shortened her +skirts, mounted a pair of scarlet leggings embroidered with +porcupine-quills, and took her leave of military life, having deposited +with the gentleman who took charge of her sixty dollars, for safe +keeping, which she remarked "she had _saved up_, out of her wages at a +dollar a week, through the winter." + + * * * * * + +A very short time after we were settled in our new home at the Agency, +we attempted the commencement of a little Sunday-school. Edwin, Harry +and Josette were our most reliable scholars, but besides them there were +the two little Manaigres, Therese Paquette, and her mother's +half-sister, Florence Courville, a pretty young girl of fifteen. None of +these girls had even learned their letters. They spoke only French, or +rather the Canadian _patois_, and it was exceedingly difficult to give +them at once the sound of the words, and their signification, which they +were careful to inquire. Besides this, there was the task of correcting +the false ideas, and remedying the ignorance and superstition which +presented so formidable an obstacle to rational improvement. We did our +best, however, and had the satisfaction of seeing them, after a time, +making really respectable progress with their spelling-book, and, what +was still more encouraging, acquiring a degree of light and knowledge in +regard to better things. + +In process of time, however, Florence was often absent from her class. +"Her sister," she said, "could not always spare her. She wanted her to +keep house while she herself went over oil Sunday to visit her friends +the Roys, who lived on the Wisconsin." + +We reasoned with Madame Paquette on the subject. "Could she not spare +Florence on some hour of the day? We would gladly teach her on a +week-day, for she seemed anxious to learn, but we had always been told +that for that there was no time." + +"Well--she would see. Madame Alum (Helm) and Madame John were so kind!" + +There was no improvement, however, in regularity. After a time Manaigre +was induced to send his children to Mr. Cadle's mission-school at Green +Bay. Therese accompanied them, and very soon Florence discontinued her +attendance altogether. + +We were obliged, from that time forward, to confine our instructions to +our own domestic circle. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +INDIAN CUSTOMS AND DANCES. + + +Before we had any right to look for my husband's return, I one day +received a message inviting me to come up to the new house. We all went +in a body, for we had purposely stayed away a few days, expecting this +summons, of which we anticipated the meaning. + +Plante, in full glee, was seated astride of a small keg on the roof, +close beside the kitchen chimney, on the very summit of which he had +planted a green bough. To this he held fast with one hand, while he +exultingly waved the other and called out,-- + +"_Eh ban, Madame John! a cette heure, pour le regal!_" + +"Yes, Plante, you are entitled to a treat, and I hope you will not enjoy +it the less that Pillon and Manaigre are to share it with you." + +A suitable gratification made them quite contented with their +"_bourgeoise_," against whom Plante had sometimes been inclined to +grumble, "because," as he said, "she had him called up too early in the +morning." He might have added, because, too, she could not understand +the philosophy of his coming in to work in his own garden, under the +plea that it was too rainy to work in Monsieur John's. + +It was with no ordinary feelings of satisfaction that we quitted the old +log tenement and took possession of our new dwelling, small and +insignificant though it was. + +I was only too happy to enjoy the luxury of a real bedchamber, in place +of the parlor floor which I had occupied as such for more than two +months. It is true that our culinary arrangements were still upon no +greatly improved plan. The clay chimney was not of sufficient strength +to hold the trammel and pot-hooks, which at that day had not been +superseded by the cooking-stove and kitchen-range. Our fire was made as +in the olden time, with vast logs behind, and smaller sticks in front, +laid across upon the andirons or _dogs_. Upon these sticks were placed +such of the cooking-utensils as could not be accommodated on the hearth; +but woe to the dinner or the supper, if through a little want of care or +scrutiny one treacherous piece was suffered to burn away. Down would +come the whole arrangement--kettles, saucepans, burning brands, and +cinders, in one almost inextricable mass. How often this happened under +the supervision of Harry or little Josette, while the mistress was +playing lady to some visitor in the parlor, "'twere vain to tell." + +Then, spite of Monsieur Plante's palisades round the chimney, in a hard +shower the rain would come pelting down, and, the hearth unfortunately +sloping a little the wrong way, the fire would become extinguished; +while, the bark on the roof failing to do its duty, we were now and then +so completely deluged, that there was no resource but to catch up the +breakfast or dinner and tuck it under the table until better times--that +is, till fair weather came again. In spite of all these little adverse +occurrences, however, we enjoyed our new quarters exceedingly. + +Our garden was well furnished with vegetables, and even the +currant-bushes which we had brought from Chicago with us, tied in a +bundle at the back of the carriage, had produced us some fruit. + +The Indian women were very constant in their visits and their presents. +Sometimes it was venison--sometimes ducks or pigeons--whortleberries, +wild plums, or cranberries, according to the season--neat pretty mats +for the floor or the table--wooden bowls or ladles, fancy work of +deer-skin or porcupine-quills. These they would bring in and throw at my +feet. If through inattention I failed to appear pleased, to raise the +articles from the floor and lay them carefully aside, a look of +mortification and the observation, "Our mother hates our gifts," showed +how much their feelings were wounded. It was always expected that a +present would be received graciously, and returned with something twice +its value. + +Meantime, week after week wore on, and still was the return of "the +master" delayed. + +The rare arrival of a schooner at Green Bay, in which to take passage +for Detroit, made it always a matter of uncertainty what length of time +would be necessary for a journey across the lakes and back--so that it +was not until the last of August that he again reached his home. Great +was his surprise to find us so nicely moved and settled; and under his +active supervision the evils of which we had had to complain were soon +remedied. + +My husband had met at Fort Gratiot, and brought with him, my young +brother Julian, whom my parents were sending, at our request, to reside +with us. Edwin was overjoyed to have a companion once more, for he had +hitherto been very solitary. The boys soon had enough to occupy their +attention, as, in obedience to a summons sent to the different villages, +the Indians very shortly came flocking in to the payment. + +There was among their number, this year, one whom I had never before +seen--the mother of the elder Day-kau-ray. No one could tell her age, +but all agreed that she must have seen upwards of a hundred winters. Her +eyes dimmed, and almost white with age--her face dark and withered, like +a baked apple--her voice tremulous and feeble, except when raised in +fury to reprove her graceless grandsons, who were fond of playing her +all sorts of mischievous tricks, indicated the very great age she must +have attained. + +She usually went upon all-fours, not having strength to hold herself +erect. On the day of the payment, having received her portion, which she +carefully hid in the corner of her blanket, she came crawling along and +seated herself on the door-step, to count her treasure. + +My sister and I were watching her movements from the open window. + +Presently, just as she had, unobserved, as she thought, spread out her +silver before her, two of her descendants came suddenly upon her. At +first they seemed begging for a share, but she repulsed them with angry +gestures, when one of them made a sudden swoop, and possessed himself of +a handful. + +She tried to rise, to pursue him, but was unable to do more than clutch +the remainder and utter the most unearthly screams of rage. At this +instant the boys raised their eyes and perceived us regarding them. They +burst into a laugh, and with a sort of mocking gesture they threw her +the half-dollars, and ran back to the pay-ground. + +In spite of their vexatious tricks, she seemed very fond of them, and +never failed to beg something of her Father, that she might bestow upon +them. + +She crept into the parlor one morning, then straightening herself up, +and supporting herself by the frame of the door, she cried, in a most +piteous tone,--"Shaw-nee-aw-kee! Wau-tshob-ee-rah Thsoonsh-koo-nee-noh!" +(Silver-man, I have no looking-glass.) My husband, smiling and taking up +the same little tone, cried, in return,-- + +"Do you wish to look at yourself, mother?" + +The idea seemed to her so irresistibly comic that she laughed until she +was fairly obliged to seat herself upon the floor and give way to her +enjoyment. She then owned that it was for one of the boys that she +wanted the little mirror. When her Father had given it to her, she found +that she had "no comb," then that she had "no knife," then that she had +"no calico shawl," until it ended, as it generally did, by +Shaw-nee-aw-kee paying pretty dearly for his joke. + + * * * * * + +When the Indians arrived and when they departed, my sense of "woman's +rights" was often greatly outraged. The master of the family, as a +general thing, came leisurely bearing his gun and perhaps a lance in his +hand; the woman, with the mats and poles of her lodge upon her +shoulders, her pappoose, if she had one, her kettles, sacks of corn, and +wild rice, and, not unfrequently, the household dog perched on the top +of all. If there is a horse or pony in the list of family possessions, +the man rides, the squaw trudges after. + +This unequal division of labor is the result of no want of kind, +affectionate feeling on the part of the husband. It is rather the +instinct of the sex to assert their superiority of position and +importance, when a proper occasion offers. When out of the reach of +observation, and in no danger of compromising his own dignity, the +husband is willing enough to relieve his spouse from the burden that +custom imposes on her, by sharing her labors and hardships. + +The payment had not passed without its appropriate number of +complimentary and medicine dances. The latter take place only at rare +intervals--the former whenever an occasion demanding a manifestation of +respect and courtesy presents itself. + +It is the custom to ask permission of the person to be complimented, to +dance for him. This granted, preparation is made by painting the face +elaborately, and marking the person, which is usually bare about the +chest and shoulders, after the most approved pattern. All the ornaments +that can be mustered are added to the hair, or headdress. Happy is he +who, in virtue of having taken one or more scalps, is entitled to +proclaim it by a corresponding number of eagle's feathers. + +The less fortunate make a substitute of the feathers of the wild turkey, +or, better still, of the first unlucky "rooster" that falls in their +way. My poor fowls, during the time of payment, were always thoroughly +plucked. + +When their preparations are completed, the dancers assemble at some +convenient place, whence they come marching to the spot appointed, +accompanied by the music of the Indian drum and shee-shee-qua or rattle. +They range themselves in a circle and dance with violent contortions and +gesticulations, some of them graceful, others only energetic, the +squaws, who stand a little apart and mingle their discordant voices with +the music of the instruments, rarely participating in the dance. +Occasionally, however, when excited by the general gaiety, a few of them +will form a circle outside and perform a sort of ungraceful, up-and-down +movement, which has no merit, save the perfect time which is kept, and +for which the Indians seem, without exception, to possess a natural ear. +The dance finished, which is only when the strength of the dancers is +quite exhausted, a quantity of presents are brought and placed in the +middle of the circle, by order of the party complimented. An equitable +distribution is made by one of their number; and, the object of all this +display having been accomplished, they retire. + +The medicine dance is carried on chiefly to celebrate the skill of the +"Medicine-man" in curing diseases. This functionary belongs to a +fraternity who are supposed to add to their other powers some skill in +interpreting the will of the Great Spirit in regard to the conduct of +his people. He occasionally makes offerings and sacrifices which are +regarded as propitiatory. In this sense, the term "priest" may be deemed +applicable to him. He is also a "prophet" in so far as he is, in a +limited degree, an instructor; but he does not claim to possess the gift +of foretelling future events. + +A person is selected to join the fraternity of the "Medicine-man" by +those already initiated, chiefly on account of some skill or sagacity +that has been observed in him. Sometimes it happens that a person who +has had a severe illness which has yielded to the prescriptions of one +of the members, is considered a proper object of choice from a sort of +claim thus established. + +When he is about to be initiated, a great feast is made, of course at +the expense of the candidate, for in simple as in civilized life the +same principle of politics holds good, "honors must be paid for." An +animal is killed and dressed, of which the people at large +partake--there are dances and songs and speeches in abundance. Then the +chief Medicine-man takes the candidate and privately instructs him in +all the ceremonies and knowledge necessary to make him an accomplished +member of the fraternity. Sometimes the new member selected is still a +child. In that case he is taken by the Medicine-man so soon as he +reaches a proper age, and qualified by instruction and example to become +a creditable member of the fraternity. + +Among the Winnebagoes there seems a considerable belief in magic. Each +Medicine-man has a bag or sack, in which is supposed to be inclosed some +animal, to whom, in the course of their _pow-wows_, he addresses +himself, crying to him in the note common to his imagined species. And +the people seem to be persuaded that the answers which are announced are +really communications, in this form, from the Great Spirit. + +The Indians appear to have no idea of a retribution beyond this life. +They have a strong appreciation of the great fundamental virtues of +natural religion--the worship of the Great Spirit, brotherly love, +parental affection, honesty, temperance, and chastity. Any infringement +of the laws of the Great Spirit, by a departure from these virtues, they +believe will excite his anger and draw down punishment. These are their +principles. That their practice evinces more and more a departure from +them, under the debasing influences of a proximity to the whites, is a +melancholy truth, which no one will admit with so much sorrow as those +who lived among them, and esteemed them, before this signal change had +taken place. + + * * * * * + +One of the first improvements that suggested itself about our new +dwelling, was the removal of some very unsightly pickets surrounding two +or three Indian graves, on the esplanade in front of the house. Such, +however, is the reverence in which these burial-places are held, that we +felt we must approach the subject with great delicacy and consideration. + +My husband at length ventured to propose to Mrs. "Pawnee Blanc," the +nearest surviving relative of the person interred, to replace the +pickets with a neat wooden platform. + +The idea pleased her much, for, through her intimacy in Paquette's +family, she had acquired something of a taste for civilization. +Accordingly, a little platform about a foot in height, properly finished +with a moulding around the edge, was substituted for the worn and +blackened pickets; and it was touching to witness the mournful +satisfaction with which two or three old crones would come regularly +every evening at sunset, to sit and gossip over the ashes of their +departed relatives. + +On the fine moonlight nights, too, there might often be seen a group +sitting there, and enjoying what is to them a solemn hour, for they +entertain the poetic belief that "the moon was made to give light to the +dead." + +The reverence of the Indians for the memory of their departed friends, +and their dutiful attention in visiting and making offerings to the +Great Spirit, over their last resting-places, is an example worthy of +imitation among their more enlightened brethren. Not so, however, with +some of their customs in relation to the dead. + +The news of the decease of one of their number is a signal for a general +mourning and lamentation; it is also in some instances, I am sorry to +say, when the means and appliances can be found, the apology for a +general carouse. + +The relatives weep and howl for grief--the friends and acquaintance bear +them company through sympathy. A few of their number are deputed to wait +upon their Father, to inform him of the event, and to beg some presents +"to help them," as they express it, "dry up their tears." + +We received such a visit one morning, not long after the payment was +concluded. + +A drunken little Indian, named, by the French people around, "Old +Boilvin," from his resemblance to an Indian Agent of that name at +Prairie du Chien, was the person on account of whose death the +application was made. "He had been fishing," they said, "on the shores +of one of the little lakes near the Portage, and, having taken a little +too much '_whiskee_,' had fallen into the water and been drowned." +Nothing of him had been found but his blanket on the bank, so there +could be no funeral ceremonies, but his friends were prepared to make a +great lamentation about him. + +Their Father presented them with tobacco, knives, calico, and +looking-glasses, in proportion to what he thought might be their +reasonable grief at the loss of such a worthless vagabond, and they +departed. + +There was no difficulty, notwithstanding the stringent prohibitions on +the subject, in procuring a keg of whiskey from some of the traders who +yet remained. Armed with that and their other treasures, they assembled +at an appointed spot, not far from the scene of the catastrophe, and, +sitting down with the keg in their midst, they commenced their +affliction. The more they drank, the more clamorous became their grief, +and the faster flowed their tears. + +In the midst of these demonstrations, a little figure, bent and +staggering, covered with mud and all in disorder, with a countenance +full of wonder and sympathy, approached them, and began,-- + +"Why? what? what? Who's dead?" + +"Who's dead?" repeated they, looking up in astonishment. "Why, you're +dead! you were drowned in Swan Lake! Did not we find your blanket there? +Come, sit down and help us mourn." + +The old man did not wait for a second invitation. He took his seat and +cried and drank with the rest, weeping and lamenting as bitterly as any +of them, and the strange scene was continued as long as they had power +to articulate, or any portion of the whiskey was left. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +STORY OF THE RED FOX. + + +The Indians, of whatever tribe, are exceedingly fond of narrating or +listening to tales and stories, whether historical or fictitious. They +have their professed storytellers, like the Oriental nations, and these +go about, from village to village, collecting an admiring and attentive +audience, however oft-told and familiar the matter they recite. + +It is in this way that their traditions are preserved and handed down +unimpaired from generation to generation. Their knowledge of the +geography of their country is wonderfully exact. I have seen an Indian +sit in his lodge, and draw a map, in the ashes, of the Northwestern +States, not of their statistical but their geographical features, lakes, +rivers, and mountains, with the greatest accuracy, giving their relative +distances, by days' journeys, without hesitation, and even extending his +drawings and explanations as far as Kentucky and Tennessee. + +Of biography they preserve not only the leading events in the life of +the person, but his features, appearance, and bearing, his manners, and +whatever little trait or peculiarity characterized him. + +The women are more fond of fiction, and some of their stories have a +strange mingling of humor and pathos. I give the two which follow as +specimens. The Indian names contained in them are in the Ottawa or +"Courte-Oreilles" language, but the same tales are current in all the +different tongues and dialects. + + * * * * * + +STORY OF THE RED FOX. + +This is an animal to which many peculiarities are attributed. He is said +to resemble the jackal in his habit of molesting the graves of the dead, +and the Indians have a superstitious dread of hearing his bark at night, +believing that it forebodes calamity and death. They say, too, that he +was originally of one uniform reddish-brown color, but that his legs +became black in the manner related in the story. + +There was a chief of a certain village who had a beautiful daughter. He +resolved upon one occasion to make a feast and invite all the animals. +When the invitation was brought to the red fox, he inquired, "What are +you going to have for supper?" + +"_Mee-dau-mee-nau-bo_," was the reply. (This is a porridge made of +parched corn, slightly cracked.) + +The fox turned up his little sharp nose. "No, I thank you," said he; "I +can get plenty of that at home." + +The messenger returned to the chief, and reported the contemptuous +refusal of the fox. + +"Go back to him," said the chief, "and tell him we are going to have a +nice fresh body,[48] and we will have it cooked in the most delicate +manner possible." + +Pleased with the prospect of such a treat, the fox gave a very hearty +assent to the second invitation. + +The hour arrived, and he set off for the lodge of the chief to attend +the feast. The company were all prepared for him, for they made common +cause with their friend who had been insulted. As the fox entered, the +guest next the door, with great courtesy, rose from his place, and +begged the new-comer to be seated. Immediately the person next him also +rose, and insisted that the fox should occupy his place, as it was still +nearer the fire--the post of honor. Then the third, with many +expressions of civility, pressed him to exchange with him; and thus, +with many ceremonious flourishes, he was passed along the circle, always +approaching the fire, where a huge cauldron stood, in which the good +cheer was still cooking. The fox was by no means unwilling to occupy the +highest place in the assembly, and, besides, he was anxious to take a +peep into the kettle, for he had his suspicions that he might be +disappointed of the delicacies he had been expecting. + +So, by degrees, he was ushered nearer and nearer the great blazing +fire, until by a dexterous push and shove he was hoisted into the +seething kettle. + +His feet were dreadfully scalded, but he leaped out, and ran home to his +lodge, howling and crying with pain. His grandmother, with whom, +according to the custom of animals, he lived, demanded of him an account +of the affair. When he had faithfully related all the circumstances +(for, unlike the civilized animals, he did not think of telling his +grandmother a story), she reproved him very strongly. + +"You have committed two great faults," said she. "In the first place, +you were very rude to the chief who was so kind as to invite you, and by +returning insult for civility you made yourself enemies who were +determined to punish you. In the next place, it was very unbecoming in +you to be so forward to take the place of honor. Had you been contented +modestly to keep your seat near the door, you would have escaped the +misfortune that has befallen you." + +All this was not very consolatory to the poor fox, who continued to +whine and cry most piteously, while his grandmother, having finished her +lecture, proceeded to bind up his wounds. Great virtue is supposed to be +added to all medical prescriptions and applications by a little dancing; +so, the dressing having been applied, the grandmother fell to dancing +with all her might, round and round in the lodge. + +When she was nearly exhausted, the fox said, "Grandmother, take off the +bandages and see if my legs are healed." + +She did as he requested, but no--the burns were still fresh. She danced +and danced again. Now and then, as he grew impatient, she would remove +the coverings to observe the effect of the remedies. At length, towards +morning, she looked, and, to be sure, the burns were quite healed. "But, +oh!" cried she, "your legs are as black as a coal! They were so badly +burned that they will never return to their color!" + +The poor fox, who, like many another brave, was vain of his legs, fell +into a transport of lamentation. + +"Oh! my legs! My pretty red legs! What shall I do? The young girls will +all despise me. I shall never dare to show myself among them again!" + +He cried and sobbed until his grandmother, fatigued with her exercise, +fell asleep. By this time he had decided upon his plan of revenge. + +He rose and stole softly out of his lodge, and, pursuing his way rapidly +towards the village of the chief, he turned his face in the direction of +the principal lodge and barked. When the inhabitants heard this sound in +the stillness of the night, their hearts trembled. They knew that it +foreboded sorrow and trouble to some one of their number. + +A very short time elapsed before the beautiful daughter of the chief +fell sick, and she grew rapidly worse and worse, spite of medicines, +charms, and dances. At length she died. The fox had not intended to +bring misfortune on the village in this shape, for he loved the +beautiful daughter of the chief, so he kept in his lodge and mourned and +fretted for her death. + +Preparations were made for a magnificent funeral, but the friends of the +deceased were in great perplexity. "If we bury her in the earth," said +they, "the fox will come and disturb her remains. He has barked her to +death, and he will be glad to come and finish his work of revenge." + +They took counsel together, and determined to hang her body high in a +tree as a place of sepulture. They thought the fox would go groping +about in the earth, and not lift up his eyes to the branches above his +head. + +But the grandmother had been at the funeral, and she returned and told +the fox all that had been done. + +"Now, my son," said she, "listen to me. Do not meddle with the remains +of the chief's daughter. You have done mischief enough already. Leave +her in peace." + +As soon as the grandmother was asleep at night, the fox rambled forth. +He soon found the place he sought, and came and sat under the tree where +the young girl had been placed. He gazed and gazed at her all the +livelong night, and she appeared as beautiful as when in life. But when +the day dawned, and the light enabled him to see more clearly, then he +observed that decay was doing its work--that instead of a beautiful she +presented only a loathsome appearance. + +He went home sad and afflicted, and passed all the day mourning in his +lodge. + +"Have you disturbed the remains of the chief's beautiful daughter?" was +his parent's anxious question. + +"No, grandmother,"--and he uttered not another word. + +Thus it went on for many days and nights. The fox always took care to +quit his watch at the early dawn of day, for he knew that her friends +would suspect him, and come betimes to see if all was right. + +At length he perceived that, gradually, the young girl looked less and +less hideous in the morning light, and that she by degrees resumed the +appearance she had presented in life, so that in process of time her +beauty and look of health quite returned to her. + +One day he said, "Grandmother, give me my pipe, that I may take a +smoke." + +"Ah!" cried she, "you begin to be comforted. You have never smoked +since the death of the chief's beautiful daughter. Have you heard some +good news?" + +"Never you mind," said he; "bring the pipe." + +He sat down and smoked, and smoked. After a time he said, "Grandmother, +sweep your lodge and put it all in order, for this day you will receive +a visit from your daughter-in-law." + +The grandmother did as she was desired. She swept her lodge, and +arranged it with all the taste she possessed, and then both sat down to +await the visit. + +"When you hear a sound at the door," said the fox, "you must give the +salutation, and say, Come in." + +When they had been thus seated for a time, the grandmother heard a +faint, rustling sound. She looked towards the door. To her surprise, the +mat which usually hung as a curtain was rolled up, and the door was +open. + +"Peen-tee-geen n'dau-nis!"[49] cried she. + +Something like a faint, faint shadow appeared to glide in. It took +gradually a more distinct outline. As she looked and looked, she began +to discern the form and features of the chief's beautiful daughter, but +it was long before she appeared like a reality, and took her place in +the lodge like a thing of flesh and blood. + +They kept the matter hid very close, for they would not for the world +that the father or friends of the bride should know what had happened. +Soon, however, it began to be rumored about that the chief's beautiful +daughter had returned to life, and was living in the Red Fox's lodge. +How it ever became known was a mystery, for, of course, the grandmother +never spoke of it. + +Be that as it may, the news created great excitement in the village. +"This must never be," said they all. "He barked her to death once, and +who knows what he may do next time?" + +The father took at once a decided part. "The Red Fox is not worthy of my +daughter," he said. "I had promised her to the Hart, the finest and most +elegant among the animals. Now that she has returned to life, I shall +keep my word." + +So the friends all went in a body to the lodge of the Red Fox. The +bridegroom, the bride, and the grandmother made all the resistance +possible, but they were overpowered by numbers, and, the Hart having +remained conveniently waiting on the outside where there was no danger, +the beautiful daughter of the chief was placed upon his back, and he +coursed away through the forest to carry her to his own home. When he +arrived at the door of his lodge, however, he turned his head, but no +bride was in the place where he expected to see her. He had thought his +burden very light from the beginning, but that he supposed was natural +to spirits returned from the dead. He never imagined she had at the +outset glided from her seat, and in the midst of the tumult slipped +back, unobserved, to her chosen husband. + +One or two attempts were made by the friends, after this, to repossess +themselves of the young creature, but all without success. Then they +said, "Let her remain where she is. It is true the Red Fox occasioned +her death, but by his watchfulness and care he caressed her into life +again; therefore she rightfully belongs to him." So the Red Fox and his +beautiful bride lived long together in great peace and happiness. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +STORY OF SHEE-SHEE-BANZE. + + +There was a young man named Shee-shee-banze (the Little Duck) paddling +his canoe along the shore of the lake. + +Two girls came down to the edge of the water, and, seeing him, the elder +said to the younger, "Let us call to him to take us a sail." + +It must be remarked that in all Indian stories where two or more sisters +are the _dramatis personae_, the elder is invariably represented as +silly, ridiculous, and disgusting--the younger, as wise and beautiful. + +In the present case the younger remonstrated. "Oh, no," said she, "let +us not do such a thing. What will he think of us?" + +But the other persevered, and called to him, "Ho! come and take us into +your canoe." The young man obeyed, and, approaching the shore, he took +them with him into the canoe. + +"Who are you?" asked the elder sister. + +"I am _Way-gee-mar-kin_," replied he, "the great chief." + +This Way-gee-mar-kin was something of a fairy, for when surrounded by +his followers, and wishing to confer favors on them, he had a habit of +coughing slightly, when there would fly forth from his mouth quantities +of silver brooches, ear-bobs, and other ornaments, for which it was the +custom of his people to scramble, each striving, as in more civilized +life, to get more than his share. + +Accordingly, the elder sister said, "If you are Way-gee-mar-kin, let us +see you cough." + +Shee-shee-banze had a few of these silver ornaments which he had got by +scrambling, and which he kept stowed away in the sides of his mouth in +case of emergency. So he gave some spasmodic coughs and brought forth a +few, which the girl eagerly seized. + +After a time, as they paddled along, a fine noble elk came forth from +the forest, and approached the water to drink. + +"What is that?" asked the spokeswoman; for the younger sister sat silent +and modest all the time. + +"It is my dog that I hunt with." + +"Call him to us, that I may see him." + +Shee-shee-banze called, but the elk turned and fled into the woods. + +"He does not seem to obey you, however." + +"No; it is because you inspire him with disgust, and therefore he flies +from you." + +Soon a bear made his appearance by the water's edge. + +"What is that?" + +"One of my servants." + +Again he was requested to call him, and, as the call was disregarded, +the same reason as before was assigned. + +Their excursion was at length ended. There had been a little magic in +it, for although the young girls had supposed themselves to be in a +canoe, there was, in reality, no canoe at all. They only imagined it to +have been so. + +Now, Shee-shee-banze lived with his grandmother, and to her lodge he +conducted his young friends. + +They stood outside while he went in. + +"Grandmother," said he, "I have brought you two young girls, who will be +your daughters-in-law. Invite them into your lodge." + +Upon this, the old woman called, "Ho! come in," and they entered. They +were made welcome and treated to the best of everything. + +In the mean time, the real Way-gee-mar-kin, the great chief, made +preparations for a grand feast. When he was sending his messenger out +with the invitations, he said to him, "Be very particular to bid +Shee-shee-banze to the feast, for, as he is the smallest and meanest +person in the tribe, you must use double ceremony with him, or he will +be apt to think himself slighted." + +Shee-shee-banze was sitting in his lodge with his new friends, when the +messenger arrived. + +"Ho! Shee-shee-banze," cried he, "you are invited to a great feast that +Way-gee-mar-kin is to give to-night, to all his subjects." + +But Shee-shee-banze took no notice of the invitation. He only whistled, +and pretended not to hear. The messenger repeated his words, then, +finding that no attention was paid to them, he went his way. + +The young girls looked at each other, during the scene, greatly +astonished. At length the elder spoke. + +"What does this mean?" said she. "Why does he call you Shee-shee-banze, +and invite you to visit Way-gee-mar-kin?" + +"Oh," said Shee-shee-banze, "it is one of my followers that always likes +to be a little impudent. I am obliged to put up with it sometimes, but +you observed that I treated him with silent contempt." + +The messenger returned to the chief, and reported the manner in which +the invitation had been received. + +"Oh," said the good-natured chief, "it is because he feels that he is +poor and insignificant. Go back again--call him by my name, and make a +flourishing speech to him." + +The messenger fulfilled his mission as he was bid. + +"Way-gee-mar-kin," said he, pompously, "a great feast is to be given +to-night, and I am sent most respectfully to solicit the honor of your +company!" + +"Did I not tell you?" said Shee-shee-banze to the maidens Then, nodding +with careless condescension, he added, "Tell them I'll come." + +At night, Shee-shee-banze dressed himself in his very best paint, +feathers, and ornaments--but before his departure he took his +grandmother aside. + +"Be sure," said he, "that you watch these young people closely until I +come back. Shut up your lodge tight, _tight_. Let no one come in or go +out, and, above all things, do not go to sleep." + +These orders given, he went his way. + +The grandmother tried her best to keep awake, but finding herself +growing more and more sleepy, as the night wore on, she took a strong +cord and laced across the mat which hung before the entrance to the +lodge, as the Indians lace up the mouths of their bags, then, having +seen all things secure and the girls quiet in bed, she lay down and soon +fell into a comfortable sleep. + +The young girls, in the mean while, were dying with curiosity to know +what had become of Shee-shee-banze, and as soon as they were sure the +old lady was asleep, they prepared to follow him and see what was going +on. Fearing, however, that the grandmother might awake and discover +their absence, they took two logs of wood, and, putting them under the +blanket, so disposed them as to present the appearance of persons +sleeping quietly. They then cut the cords that fastened the door, and, +guided by the sounds of the music, the dancing, and the merry-making, +they soon found their way to the dwelling of Way-gee-mar-kin. + +When they entered, they saw the chief seated on a throne, surrounded by +light and splendor. Everything was joy and amusement. Crowds of +courtiers were in the apartment, all dressed in the most brilliant +array. The strangers looked around for their friend Shee-shee-banze, but +he was nowhere to be seen. + +Now and then the chief would cough, when a shower of silver ornaments +and precious things would fly in all directions, and instantly a +scramble would commence among the company, to gather them up and +appropriate them. + +As they thus rushed forward, the brides-elect saw their poor little +friend crowded up into a corner, where nobody took any notice of him, +except to push him aside, or step on him whenever he was in the way. He +uttered piteous little squeaks as one and another would thus maltreat +him, but he was too busy taking care of himself to perceive that those +whom he had left snug at home in the lodge were witnesses of all that +was going on. + +At length the signal was given for the company to retire, all but the +two young damsels, upon whom Way-gee-mar-kin had set his eye, and to +whom he had sent, by one of his assistants, great offers to induce them +to remain with him and become his wives. + +Poor Shee-shee-banze returned to his lodge, but what was his +consternation to find the door open! + +"Ho! grandmother," cried he, "is this the way you keep watch?" + +The old woman started up. "There are my daughters-in-law," said she, +pointing to the two logs of wood. Shee-shee-banze threw himself on the +ground between them. His back was broken by coming so violently in +contact with them, but that he did not mind--he thought only of revenge, +and the recovery of his sweethearts. + +He waited but to get some powerful poison and prepare it, and then he +stole softly back to the wigwam of Way-gee-mar-kin. All was silent, and +he crept in without making the slightest noise. There lay the chief, +with a young girl on each side of him. + +They were all sound asleep, the chief lying on his back, with his mouth +wide open. Before he was aware of it, the poison was down his throat, +and Shee-shee-banze had retreated quietly to his own lodge. + +The next morning the cry went through the village that Way-gee-mar-kin +had been found dead in his bed. Of course it was attributed to +over-indulgence at the feast. All was grief and lamentation. "Let us go +and tell poor Shee-shee-banze," said one, "he was so fond of +Way-gee-mar-kin." + +They found him sitting on a bank, fishing. He had been up at peep of +day, to make preparation for receiving the intelligence. + +He had caught two or three fish, and, extracting their bladders, had +filled them with blood, and tied them under his arm. When the friends of +Way-gee-mar-kin saw him, they called out to him,-- + +"Oh! Shee-shee-banze--your friend, Way-gee-mar-kin, is dead!" + +With a gesture of despair, Shee-shee-banze drew his knife and plunged +it--not into his heart, but into the bladders filled with blood that he +had prepared. As he fell, apparently lifeless, to the ground, the +messengers began to reproach themselves: "Oh! why did we tell him so +suddenly? We might have known he would not survive it. Poor +Shee-shee-banze! he loved Way-gee-mar-kin so." + +To their great surprise, the day after the funeral, Shee-shee-banze came +walking towards the wigwam of the dead chief. As he walked, he sang, or +rather chaunted to a monotonous strain,[50] the following:-- + + "Way-gee-mar-kin is dead, is dead, + I know who killed him. + I guess it was I--I guess it was I." + +All the village was aroused. Everybody flew in pursuit of the murderer, +but he evaded them, and escaped to a place of safety. + +Soon after, he again made his appearance, mincing as he walked, and +singing to the same strain as before,-- + + "If you wish to take and punish me, + Let the widows come and catch me." + +It seemed a good idea, and the young women were recommended to go and +entice the culprit into the village, so that the friends of the deceased +could lay hold of him. + +They went forth on their errand. Shee-shee-banze would suffer them to +approach, then he would dance off a little--now he would allow them to +come quite near; anon he would retreat a little before them, all the +time singing, + +"Come, pretty widows, come and catch me." + +Thus he decoyed them on, occasionally using honeyed words and flattering +speeches, until he had gained their consent to return with him to his +lodge, and take up their abode with him. + +The friends of the murdered chief were scandalized at such inconstancy, +and resolved to punish all three, as soon as they could catch them. + +They surrounded his lodge with cries and threatenings, but +Shee-shee-banze and his two brides had contrived to elude their +vigilance and gain his canoe, which lay in the river, close at hand. + +Hardly were they on board when their escape was discovered. The whole +troop flew after them. Some plunged into the stream, and seized the +canoe. In the struggle it was upset, but immediately on touching the +water, whether from the magical properties of the canoe, or the +necromantic skill of the grandmother, they were transformed into ducks, +and flew quacking away. + +Since that time the water-fowl of this species are always found in +companies of three--two females and a male. + + * * * * * + +The _Canard de France_, or Mallard, and the _Brancheuse_, or Wood Duck, +are of different habits from the foregoing, flying in pairs. Indeed, the +constancy of the latter is said to be so great that if he loses his mate +he never takes another partner, but goes mourning to the end of his +days. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +A VISIT TO GREEN BAY--MA-ZHEE-GAW-GAW SWAMP. + + +The payment over, and the Indians dispersed, we prepared ourselves to +settle down quietly in our little home. But now a new source of +disturbance arose. + +My husband's accounts of disbursements as Agent of the Winnebagoes, +which he had forwarded to the Department at Washington, had failed to +reach there, of which he received due notice--that is to say, such a +notice as could reach us by the circuitous and uncertain mode of +conveyance by which intercourse with the Eastern world was then kept up. +If the vouchers for the former expenditures, together with the recent +payment of $15,000 annuity money, should not be forthcoming, it might +place him in a very awkward position; he therefore decided to go at once +to Washington, and be the bearer himself of his duplicate accounts. + +"Should you like to go and see your father and mother," said he to me, +one morning, "and show them how the West agrees with you?" + +It was a most joyful suggestion after a year's separation, and in a few +days all things were in readiness for our departure. + +There was visiting us, at that time, Miss Brush, of Detroit, who had +come from Green Bay with Mr. and Mrs. Whitney and Miss Frances Henshaw, +on an excursion to the Mississippi. Our little India-rubber house had +contrived to expand itself for the accommodation of the whole party +during the very pleasant visit they made us. + +The arrival of two young ladies had been, as may be imagined, quite a +godsend to the unmarried lieutenants, and when, tired of the journey, or +intimidated by the snow, which fell eight inches on the 4th of October, +Miss Brush determined to give up the remainder of her excursion, and +accept our pressing invitation to remain with us until the return of her +friends, we were looked upon as public benefactors. She was now to +accompany us to Green Bay, and possibly to Detroit. + +Our voyage down the river was without incident, and we reached Green Bay +just as all the place was astir in the expectation of the arrival of one +of Mr. Newbery's schooners. This important event was the subject of +interest to the whole community, from Fort Howard to "Dickenson's." To +some its arrival would bring friends, to some supplies--to the ladies, +the fashions, to the gentlemen, the news, for it was the happy bearer of +the mails, not for that place alone, but for all the "upper country." + +In a few days the vessel arrived. She brought a mail for Fort Winnebago, +it being only in the winter season that letters were carried by land to +that place, via _Niles's Settlement_ and Chicago. + +In virtue of his office as Postmaster, my husband opened the mail-bag, +and took possession of his own letters. One informed him of the +satisfactory appearance at the Department of the missing accounts, but +oh! sad disappointment, another brought the news that my parents had +gone to Kentucky for the winter--not to any city or accessible place, +but "up the Sandy," and over among the mountains of Virginia, hunting up +old land-claims belonging to my grandfather's estate. + +It was vain to hope to follow them. We might hardly expect to find them +during the short period we could be absent from home--not even were we +to receive the lucid directions once given my father by an old settler +during his explorations through that wild region. + +"You must go up _Tug_," said the man, "and down _Troublesome_, and fall +over on to _Kingdom-come_."[51] + +We did not think it advisable to undertake such an expedition, and +therefore made up our minds to retrace our steps to Fort Winnebago. + +No boats were in readiness to ascend the river. Our old friend Hamilton +promised to have one in preparation at once, but time passed by, and no +boat was made ready. + +It was now the beginning of November. We were passing our time very +pleasantly with the Irwins and Whitneys, and at the residence of +Colonel Stambaugh, the Indian Agent, but still this delay was +inconvenient and vexatious. + +I suggested undertaking the journey on horseback. "No, indeed," was the +answer I invariably received. "No mortal woman has ever gone that road, +unless it was some native on foot, nor ever could." + +"But suppose we set out in the boat and get frozen in on the way. We can +neither pass the winter there, nor possibly find our way to a human +habitation. We have had one similar experience already. Is it not better +to take it for granted that I can do what you and others of your sex +have done?" + +Dr. Finley, the post-surgeon at Fort Howard, on hearing the matter +debated, offered me immediately his favorite horse Charlie. "He is very +sure-footed," the doctor alleged, "and capital in a marsh or troublesome +stream." + +By land, then, it was decided to go; and as soon as our old Menomonee +friend "Wish-tay-yun," who was as good a guide by land as by water, +could be summoned, we set off, leaving our trunks to be forwarded by +Hamilton whenever it should please him to carry out his intention of +sending up his boat. + +We waited until a late hour on the morning of our departure for our +fellow-travellers, Mr. Wing, of Monroe, and Dr. Philleo, of Galena; but, +finding they did not join us, we resolved to lose no time, confident +that we should all meet at the Kakalin in the course of the evening. + +After crossing the river at what is now Depere, and entering the wild, +unsettled country on the west of the river, we found a succession of +wooded hills, separated by ravines so narrow and steep that it seemed +impossible that any animals but mules or goats could make their way +among them. + +Wish-tay-yun took the lead. The horse he rode was accustomed to the +country, and well trained to this style of road. As for Charlie, he was +perfectly admirable. When he came to a precipitous descent, he would set +forward his forefeet, and slide down on his haunches in the most +scientific manner, while my only mode of preserving my balance was to +hold fast by the bridle and lay myself braced almost flat against his +back. Then our position would suddenly change, and we would be scaling +the opposite bank, at the imminent risk of falling backward into the +ravine below. + +It was amusing to see Wish-tay-yun, as he scrambled on ahead, now and +then turning partly round to see how I fared. And when, panting and +laughing, I at length reached the summit, he would throw up his hands, +and shout, with the utmost glee, "Mamma Manitou!" (My mother is a +spirit.) + +Our old acquaintances, the Grignons, seemed much surprised that I should +have ventured on such a journey. They had never undertaken it, although +they had lived so long at the Kakalin; but then there was no reason why +they should have done so. They could always command a canoe or a boat +when they wished to visit "the Bay." + +As we had anticipated, our gentlemen joined us at supper. "They had +delayed to take dinner with Colonel Stambaugh--had had a delightful +gallop up from: the Bay--had seen no ravines, nor anything but fine +smooth roads--might have been asleep, but, if so, were not conscious of +it." This was the account they gave of themselves, to our no small +amusement. + +From the Kakalin to the Butte des Morts, where lived a man named Knaggs, +was our next day's stage. The country was rough and wild, much like that +we had passed through the spring before, in going from Hamilton's +diggings to Kellogg's Grove, but we were fortunate in having +Wish-tay-yun, rather than "Uncle Billy," for our guide, so that we could +make our way with some degree of moderation. + +We had travelled but forty miles when we reached Knaggs's, yet I was +both cold and fatigued, so that the cosy little room in which we found +Mrs. Knaggs, and the bright fire, were most cheering objects; and, as we +had only broken our fast since morning with a few crackers we carried in +our pockets, I must own we did ample justice to her nice coffee and +cakes, not to mention venison-steaks and bear's meat, the latter of +which I had never before tasted. + +Our supper over, we looked about for a place of repose. The room in +which we had taken our meal was of small dimensions, just sufficient to +accommodate a bed, a table placed against the wall, and the few chairs +on which we sat. There was no room for any kind of a "shakedown." + +"Where can you put us for the night?" inquired my husband of Mr. Knaggs, +when he made his appearance. + +"Why, there is no place that I know of, unless you can camp down in the +old building outside." + +We went to look at it. It consisted of one room, bare and dirty. A huge +chimney, in which a few brands were burning, occupied nearly one side of +the apartment. Against another was built a rickety sort of bunk. This +was the only vestige of furniture to be seen. The floor was thickly +covered with mud and dirt, in the midst of which, near the fire, was +seated an old Indian with a pan of boiled corn on his lap, which he was +scooping up with both hands and devouring with the utmost voracity. + +We soon discovered that he was blind. On hearing footsteps and voices, +he instinctively gathered his dish of food close to him, and began some +morose grumblings; but when he was told that it was "Shaw-nee-aw-kee" +who was addressing him, his features relaxed into a more agreeable +expression, and be even held forth his dish and invited us to share its +contents. + +"But are we to stay here?" I asked. "Can we not sleep out-of-doors?" + +"We have no tent," replied my husband, "and the weather is too cold to +risk the exposure without one." + +"I could sit in a chair all night, by the fire." + +"Then you would not be able to ride to Bellefontaine to-morrow." + +There was no alternative. The only thing Mr. Knaggs could furnish in the +shape of bedding was a small bear-skin. The bunk was a trifle less +filthy than the floor; so upon its boards we spread first the skin, then +our saddle-blankets, and, with a pair of saddle-bags for a bolster, I +wrapped myself in my cloak, and resigned myself to my distasteful +accommodations. + +The change of position from that I had occupied through the day, +probably brought some rest, but sleep I could not. Even on a softer and +more agreeable couch, the snoring of the old Indian and two or three +companions who had joined him, and his frequent querulous exclamations +as he felt himself encroached upon in the darkness, would have +effectually banished slumber from my eyes. + +It was a relief to rise with early morning and prepare for the journey +of the day. Where our fellow-travellers had bestowed themselves I knew +not, but they evidently had fared no better than we. They were in fine +spirits, however, and we cheerfully took our breakfast and were ferried +over the river to continue on the trail from that point to +Bellefontaine, twelve miles distant from Fort Winnebago. + +The great "bug-bear" of this road, Ma-zhee-gaw-gaw Swamp, was the next +thing to be encountered. We reached it about nine o'clock. It spread +before us, a vast expanse of morass, about half a mile in width, and of +length interminable, partly covered with water, with black knobs rising +here and there above the surface, affording a precarious foothold for +the animals in crossing it. Where the water was not, there lay in place +of it a bed of black oozy mud, which looked as if it might give way +under the foot, and let it, at each step, sink to an unknown depth. + +This we were now to traverse. All three of the gentlemen went in advance +of me, each hoping, as he said, to select the surest and firmest path +for me to follow. One and another would call, "Here, madam, come this +way!" "This is the best path, wifie; follow me," but often Charlie knew +better than either, and selected a path according to his own judgment, +which proved the best of the whole. + +On he went, picking his way so slowly and cautiously, now pausing on one +little hillock, now on another, and anon turning aside to avoid a patch +of mud which seemed more than usually suspicious, that all the company +had got some little distance ahead of me. On raising my eyes, which had +been kept pretty closely on my horse's footsteps, I saw my husband on +foot, striving to lead his horse by the bridle from a difficult position +into which he had got, Mr. Wing and his great white floundering animal +lying sideways in the mud, the rider using all his efforts to extricate +himself from the stirrups, and Dr. Philleo standing at a little distance +from his steed, who was doing his best to rise up from a deep bog into +which he had pitched himself. It was a formidable sight! They all called +out with one accord,-- + +"Oh, do not come this way!" + +"Indeed," cried I, "I have no thought of it. Charlie and I know better." +And, trusting to the sagacious creature, he picked his way carefully +along, and carried me safely past the dismounted company. I could not +refrain from a little triumphant flourish with my whip, as I looked back +upon them and watched their progress to their saddles once more. + +Three hours had we been thus unpleasantly engaged, and yet we were not +over the "Slough of Despond." At length we drew near its farthest verge. +Here ran a deep stream some five or six feet in width. The gentlemen, as +they reached it, dismounted, and began debating what was to be done. + +"Jump off, jump off, madam," cried Mr. Wing, and "Jump off, jump off," +echoed Dr. Philleo; "we are just consulting how we are to get you +across." + +"What do you think about it?" asked my husband. + +"Charlie will show you," replied I. "Come, Charlie." And as I raised his +bridle quickly, with a pat on his neck and an encouraging chirp, he +bounded over the stream as lightly as a deer, and landed me safe on +_terra firma_. + +Poor Mr. Wing had fared the worst of the company; the clumsy animal he +rode seeming to be of opinion when he got into a difficulty that he had +nothing to do but to lie down and resign himself to his fate; while his +rider, not being particularly light and agile, was generally undermost, +and half imbedded in the mire before he had quite made up his mind as to +his course of action. + +It was therefore a wise movement in him, when he reached the little +stream, to plunge into it and wade across, thus washing out, as much as +possible, the traces of the morning's adventures from himself and his +steed; and the other gentlemen, having no alternative, concluded to +follow his example. + +We did not halt long on the rising ground beyond the morass, for we had +a long stretch before us to Bellefontaine, forty-five miles, and those +none of the shortest. + +Our horses travelled admirably the whole afternoon, Charlie keeping a +canter all the way; but it was growing dark, and there were no signs of +the landmarks which were to indicate our near approach to the desired +haven. + +"Can we not stop and rest for a few moments under one of the trees?" +inquired I, for I was almost exhausted with fatigue, and, to add to our +discomfort, a cold, November rain was pouring upon us. + +"If it were possible, we would," was the reply; "but see how dark it is +growing. If we should lose our way, it would be worse than being wet and +tired." + +So we kept on. Just at dark we crossed a clear stream. "That," said my +husband, "is, I think, two miles from Bellefontaine. Cheer up--we shall +soon be there." Quite encouraged, we pursued our way more cheerfully. +Mile after mile we passed, but still no light gleamed friendly through +the trees. + +"We have certainly travelled more than six miles now," said I. + +"Yes--that could not have been the two-mile creek." + +It was eight o'clock when we reached Bellefontaine. We were ushered into +a large room made cheerful by a huge blazing fire. Mr. Wing and Dr. +Philleo had arrived before us, and there were other travellers, on their +way from the Mississippi. I was received with great kindness and +volubility by the immense hostess, "la grosse Americaine," as she was +called, and she soon installed me in the arm-chair, in the warmest +corner, and in due time set an excellent supper before us. + +But her hospitality did not extend to giving up her only bed for my +accommodation. She spread all the things she could muster on the hard +floor before the fire, and did what she could to make me comfortable; +then, observing my husband's solicitude lest I might feel ill from the +effects of the fatigue and rain, she remarked, in tones of admiring +sympathy, "How kind your _companion_ is to you!"--an expression which, +as it was then new to us, amused us not a little. + +Our travelling companions started early in the morning for the Fort, +which was but twelve miles distant, and they were so kind as to take +charge of a note to our friends at home, requesting them to send Plante +with the carriage to take us the rest of the distance. + +We reached the Portage in safety; and thus ended the first journey by +land that any white woman had made from Green Bay to Fort Winnebago. I +felt not a little raised in my own esteem when my husband informed me +that the distance I had the previous day travelled, from Knaggs's to +Bellefontaine, was sixty-two miles! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +COMMENCEMENT OF THE SAUK WAR. + + +A few weeks after our return, my husband took his mother to Prairie du +Chien for the benefit of medical advice from Dr. Beaumont, of the U.S. +Army. The journey was made in a large open boat down the Wisconsin +River, and it was proposed to take this opportunity to bring back a good +supply of corn for the winter's use of both men and cattle. + +The ice formed in the river, however, so early, that after starting +with his load he was obliged to return with it to the Prairie, and wait +until the thick winter's ice enabled him to make a second journey and +bring it up in sleighs--with so great an expense of time, labor, and +exposure were the necessaries of life conveyed from one point to another +through that wild and desolate region! + + * * * * * + +The arrival of my brother Arthur from Kentucky, by way of the +Mississippi, in the latter part of April, brought us the uncomfortable +intelligence of new troubles with the Sauks and Foxes. Black Hawk had, +with the flower of his nation, recrossed the Mississippi, once more to +take possession of their old homes and corn-fields.[52] + +It was not long before our own Indians came flocking in, to confirm the +tidings, and to assure us of their intention to remain faithful friends +to the Americans. We soon heard of the arrival of the Illinois Rangers +in the Rock River country, also of the progress of the regular force +under General Atkinson, in pursuit of the hostile Indians, who, by the +reports, were always able to elude their vigilance. It not being their +custom to stop and give battle, the Sauks soon scattered themselves +through the country, trusting to some lucky accident (and such arrived, +alas! only too often) to enable them to fall upon their enemies +unexpectedly. + +The experience of the pursuing army was, for the most part, to make +their way, by toilsome and fatiguing marches, to the spot where they +imagined the Sauks would be waiting to receive them, and then to +discover that the rogues had scampered off to quite a different part of +the country. + +Wherever these latter went, their course was marked by the most +atrocious barbarities, though the worst had not, at this time, reached +our ears. We were only assured that they were down in the neighborhood +of the Rock River and Kishwaukee, and that they lost no opportunity of +falling upon the defenceless inhabitants and cruelly murdering them. + +As soon as it became certain that the Sauks and Foxes would not pursue +the same course they had on the previous year, that is, retreat +peaceably across the Mississippi, Mr. Kinzie resolved to hold a council +with all the principal chiefs of the Winnebagoes who were accessible at +this time. He knew that the Sauks would use every effort to induce their +neighbors to join them, and that there existed in the breasts of too +many of the young savages a desire to distinguish themselves by "taking +some white scalps." They did not love the Americans--why should they? By +them they had been gradually dispossessed of the broad and beautiful +domains of their forefathers, and hunted from place to place, and the +only equivalent they had received in exchange had been a few thousands +annually in silver and presents, together with the pernicious example, +the debasing influence, and the positive ill treatment of too many of +the new settlers upon their lands. + +With all these facts in view, therefore, their Father felt that the +utmost watchfulness was necessary, and that the strongest arguments must +be brought forward, to preserve the young men of the Winnebagoes in +their allegiance to the Americans. Of the older members he felt quite +sure. About fifty lodges had come at the commencement of the +disturbances and encamped around our dwelling, saying that if the Sauks +attacked us it must be after killing them; and, knowing them well, we +had perfect confidence in their assurances. + +But their vicinity, while it gave us a feeling of protection, likewise +furnished us with a channel of the most exciting and agitating daily +communications. As the theatre of operations approached nearer and +nearer, intelligence was brought in by their runners--now, that "Captain +Barney's head had been recognized in the Sauk camp, where it had been +brought the day previous," next, that "the Sauks were carrying +Lieutenant Beall's head on a pole in front of them as they marched to +meet the whites." Sometimes it was a story which we afterwards found to +be unhappily true, as that of the murder of their Agent, M. St Vrain, at +Kellogg's Grove, by the Sauks themselves, who ought to have protected +him. + +It was after the news of this last occurrence that the appointed council +with the Winnebagoes was to be held at the Four Lakes, thirty-five miles +distant from Fort Winnebago. + +In vain we pleaded and remonstrated against such an exposure. "It was +his duty to assemble his people and talk to them," my husband said, "and +he must run the risk, if there were any. He had perfect confidence in +the Winnebagoes. The enemy, by all he could learn, were now far distant +from the Four Lakes--probably at Kosh-ko-nong. He would set off early in +the morning with Paquette, bold his council, and return to us the same +evening." + +It were useless to attempt to describe our feelings during that long and +dreary day. When night arrived, the cry of a drunken Indian, or even the +barking of a dog, would fill our hearts with terror. + +As we sat, at a late hour, at the open window, listening to every sound, +with what joy did we at length distinguish the tramp of horses! We knew +it to be Griffin and Jerry ascending the hill, and a cheerful shout soon +announced that all was well. My husband and his interpreter had ridden +seventy miles that day, besides holding a long "talk" with the Indians. + +The Winnebagoes in council had promised to use their utmost endeavors to +preserve peace and good order among their young men. They informed their +Father that the bands on the Rock River, with the exception of +Win-no-sheek's, were all determined to remain friendly and keep aloof +from the Sauks. To that end, they were abandoning their villages and +corn-fields and moving north, that their Great Father, the President, +might not feel dissatisfied with them. With regard to Win-no-sheek and +his people, they professed themselves unable to answer. + +Time went on, and brought with it stories of fresh outrages. Among these +were the murders of Auberry, Green, and Force, at Blue Mound, and the +attack on Apple Fort. The tidings of the latter were brought by old +Crely,[53] the father of Mrs. Paquette, who rode express from Galena, +and who averred that he once passed a bush behind which the Sauks were +hiding, but that his horse smelt the sweet-scented grass with which they +always adorn their persons when on a war-party, and set out on such a +gallop that he never stopped until he arrived at the Portage. + +Another bearer of news was a young gentleman named Follett, whose eyes +had become so protruded and set from keeping an anxious look-out for the +enemy, that it was many days after his arrival at a place of safety +before they resumed their accustomed limits and expression. + +Among other rumors which at this time reached us, was one that an attack +upon Fort Winnebago was in contemplation among the Sauks. That this was +in no state of defence the Indians very well knew. All the effective +men had been withdrawn, upon a requisition from General Atkinson, to +join him at his newly-built fort at Kosh-ko-nong. + +Fort Winnebago was not picketed in; there were no defences to the +barracks or officers' quarters, except slight panelled doors and +Venetian blinds--nothing that would long resist the blows of clubs or +hatchets. There was no artillery, and the Commissary's store was without +the bounds of the Fort, under the hill. + +Mr. Kinzie had, from the first, called the attention of the officers to +the insecurity of their position in case of danger, but he generally +received a scoffing answer. + +"Never fear," they would say; "the Sauks are not coming here to attack +us." + +One afternoon we were over on a visit to some ladies in the garrison, +and, several officers being present, the conversation, as usual, turned +upon the present position of affairs. + +"Do you not think it wiser," inquired I of a blustering young officer, +"to be prepared against possible danger?" + +"Not against these fellows," replied he, contemptuously. + +"I do not think I would even take the trouble to fasten the blinds to my +quarters." + +"At least," said I, "if you some night find a tomahawk raised to cleave +your skull, you will have the consolation of remembering that you have +not been one of those foolish fellows who keep on the safe side." + +He seemed a little nettled at this, and still more so when sister +Margaret observed,-- + +"For my part, I am of Governor Cass's opinion. He was at Chicago during +the Winnebago war. We were all preparing to move into the fort on the +first alarm. Some were for being brave and delaying, like our friends +here. 'Come, come,' said the Governor, 'hurry into the fort as fast as +possible--there is no merit in being brave with the Indians. It is the +height of folly to stay and meet danger which you may by prudence +avoid.'" + +In a few days our friends waked up to the conviction that something must +be done at once The first step was to forbid any Winnebago coming within +the garrison, lest they should find out what they had known as well as +ourselves for three months past--namely, the feebleness of the means of +resistance. The next was to send fatigue-parties into the woods, under +the protection of a guard, to cut pickets for inclosing the garrison. + +There was every reason to believe that the enemy were not very far +distant, and that their object in coming north was to break a way into +the Chippewa country, where they would find a place of security among +their friends and allies. The story that our Indian runners brought in +most frequently was, that the Sauks were determined to fall upon the +whites at the Portage and Fort, and massacre all, except the families of +the Agent and Interpreter. + +Plante and Pillon with their families had departed at the first word of +danger. There only remained with us Manaigre, whose wife was a +half-Winnebago, Isidore Morrin, and the blacksmiths from Sugar +Creek--Mata and Turcotte. + +At night we were all regularly armed and our posts assigned us. After +every means had been taken to make the house secure, the orders were +given. Sister Margaret and I, in case of attack, were to mount with the +children to the rooms above, while my husband and his men were to make +good their defence as long as possible against the enemy. Since I had +shown my sportsmanship by bringing down accidentally a blackbird on the +wing, I felt as if I could do some execution with my little pistols, +which were regularly placed beside my pillow at night; and I was fully +resolved to use them, if necessity required. I do not remember to have +felt the slightest compunction at the idea of taking the lives of two +Sauks, as I had no doubt I should do; and this explains to me what I had +before often wondered at, the indifference, namely, of the soldier on +the field of battle to the destruction of human life Had I been called +upon, however, to use my weapons effectually, I should no doubt have +looked back upon it with horror. + +Surrounded as we were by Indian lodges, which seldom became perfectly +quiet, and excited as our nerves had become by all that we were daily in +the habit of hearing, we rarely slept very soundly. One night, after we +had as much as possible composed ourselves, we were startled at a late +hour by a tap upon the window at the head of our bed, and a call of +"Chon! Chon!"[54] (John! John!) + +"Tshah-ko-zhah?" (What is it?) + +It was Hoo-wau-ne-kah, the Little Elk. He spoke rapidly, and in a tone +of great agitation. I could not understand him, and I lay trembling, and +dreading to hear his errand interpreted. Now and then I could +distinguish the words Sau-kee (Sauks) and Shoonk-hat-tay-rah (horse), +and they were not very reassuring. + +The trouble, I soon learned, was this. A fresh trail had been observed +near the Petit Rocher, on the Wisconsin, and the people at the villages +on the Barribault were in a state of great alarm, fearing it might be +the Sauks. There was the appearance of a hundred or more horses having +passed by this trail. Hoo-wau-ne-kah had been dispatched at once to +tell their Father, and to ask his advice. + +After listening to all he had to communicate, his Father told him the +trail was undoubtedly that of General Henry's troops, who were said to +have come north, looking for the enemy; that as the marks of the horses' +hoofs showed them, by this report, to have been shod, that was +sufficient proof that it was not the trail of the Sauks. He thought that +the people at the villages need not feel any uneasiness. + +"Very well, Father," replied Hoo-wau-ne-kah; "I will go back and tell my +people what you say. They will believe you, for you always tell them the +truth. You are not like us Indians, who sometimes deceive each other." +So saying, he returned to his friends, much comforted. + +The completion of the picketing and other defences, together with the +arrival of a detachment of troops from Fort Howard under Lieutenant +Hunter, at our fort, now seemed to render the latter the place of +greatest safety. We therefore regularly, every evening immediately +before dusk, took up our line of march for the opposite side of the +river, and repaired to quarters that had been assigned us within the +garrison, leaving our own house and chattels to the care of the +Frenchmen and our friends the Winnebagoes. + +It was on one of these days that we were sitting at the windows which +looked out over the Portage--indeed, we seldom sat anywhere else, our +almost sole occupation being to look abroad and see what was coming +next--when a loud, long, shrill whoop from a distance gave notice of +something to be heard. "The news-halloo! what could it portend? What +were we about to hear?" By gazing intently towards the farthest +extremity of the road, we could perceive a moving body of horsemen, +which, as they approached, we saw to be Indians. They were in full +costume. Scarlet streamers fluttered at the ends of their lances--their +arms glittered in the sun. Presently, as they drew nearer, their paint +and feathers and brooches became visible. There were fifty or more +warriors. They passed the road which turns to the Fort, and rode +directly up the hill leading to the Agency. Shaw-nee-aw-kee was absent. +The Interpreter had been sent for on the first distant appearance of the +strangers, but had not yet arrived. The party, having ascended the hill, +halted near the blacksmith's shop, but did not dismount. + +Our hearts trembled--it must surely be the enemy. At this moment my +husband appeared from the direction of the Interpreter's house. We +called to entreat him to stop, but he walked along towards the +new-comers. + +To our infinite joy, we saw the chief of the party dismount, and all the +others following his example and approaching to shake hands. + +A space was soon cleared around the leader and my husband, when the +former commenced an oration, flourishing his sword and using much +violent gesticulation. It was the first time I had seen an Indian armed +with that weapon, and I dreaded to perceive it in such hands. Sometimes +he appeared as if he were about to take off the head of his auditor at a +blow; and our hearts sank as we remembered the stratagems at Mackinac +and Detroit in former days. At length the speech was concluded, another +shaking of hands took place, and we saw my husband leading the way to +his storehouse, from which some of his men presently brought tobacco and +pipes and laid them at the feet of the chief. + +Our suspense was soon relieved by being informed that the strangers were +Man-Eater, the principal chief of the Rock River Indians, who had come +with his band to "hold a talk" and bring information. + +These Indians were under the special care of Mr. Henry Gratiot, and his +efforts had been most judicious and unremitting in preserving the good +feeling of this the most dangerous portion of the Winnebagoes. + +The intelligence that Man-Eater, who was a most noble Indian in +appearance and character, brought us, confirmed that already received, +namely, that the Sauks were gradually drawing north, towards the +Portage, although he evidently did not know exactly their whereabouts. + +There was, soon after they had taken leave, an arrival of another party +of Winnebagoes, and these requested permission to dance for their +Father. + +The compliment having been accepted, they assembled, as usual, on the +esplanade in front of the house. My sister, the children, and myself +stationed ourselves at the open windows, according to custom, and my +husband sat on the broad step before the door, which opened from the +outer air directly into the parlor where we were. + +The performance commenced, and as the dancers proceeded, following each +other round and round in the progress of the dance, my sister, Mrs. +Helm, remarked to me, "Look at that small, dark Indian, with the green +boughs on his person--that is _a Sauk!_ They always mark themselves in +this manner with white clay, and ornament themselves with leaves when +they dance!" In truth, I had never seen this costume among our own +Indians, and as I gazed at this one with green chaplets round his head +and his legs, and even his gun wreathed in the same manner, while his +body displayed no paint except the white transverse streaks with which +it was covered, I saw that he was, indeed, a stranger. Without owing +anything to the exaggeration of fear, his countenance was truly +ferocious. + +He held his gun in his hand, and every time the course of the dance +brought him directly in front of where we sat, he would turn his gaze +full upon us, and club his weapon before him with what we interpreted +into an air of defiance. We sat as still as death, for we knew it would +not be wise to exhibit any appearance of fear; but my sister remarked, +in a low tone, "I have always thought that I was to lose my life by the +hands of the Indians. This is the third Indian war I have gone through, +and now, I suppose, it will be the last." + +It was the only time I ever saw her lose her self-possession. She was +always remarkably calm and resolute, but now I could see that she +trembled. Still we sat there--there was a sort of fascination as our +imaginations became more and more excited. Presently some rain-drops +began to fall. The Indians continued their dance for a few minutes +longer, then, with whoopings and shoutings, they rushed simultaneously +towards the house. We fled into my apartment and closed the door, which +my sister at first held fast, but she presently came and seated herself +by me on the bed, for she saw that I could not compose myself. Of all +forms of death, that by the hands of savages is the most difficult to +face calmly; and I fully believed that our hour was come. + +There was no interruption to the dance, which the Indians carried on in +the parlor, leaping and yelling as if they would bring down the roof +over our heads. In vain we tried to persuade my husband and the +children, through a crevice of the door, to come and join us. The +latter, feeling no danger, were too much delighted with the exhibition +to leave it, and the former only came for a moment to reassure me, and +then judged it wisest to return, and manifest his satisfaction at the +compliment by his presence. He made light of our fears, and would not +admit that the object of our suspicions was in fact a Sauk, but only +some young Winnebago, who had, as is sometimes the custom, imitated them +in costume and appearance. + +It may have been "good fun" to him to return to his village and tell how +he frightened "the white squaws." Such a trick would not be unnatural in +a white youth, and perhaps, since human nature is everywhere the same, +it might not be out of the way in an Indian. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +FLEEING FROM THE INDIANS. + + +The danger had now become so imminent that my husband determined to send +his family to Fort Howard, a point which was believed to be far out of +the range of the enemy. It was in vain that I pleaded to be permitted to +remain; he was firm. + +"I must not leave my post," said he, "while there is any danger. My +departure would perhaps be the signal for an immediate alliance of the +Winnebagoes with the Sauks. I am certain that as long as I am here my +presence will act as a restraint upon them. You wish to remain and share +my dangers! Your doing so would expose us both to certain destruction in +case of attack By the aid of my friends in both tribes, I could hope to +preserve my own life if I were alone; but surrounded by my family, that +would be impossible--we should all fall victims together. My duty +plainly is, to send you to a place of safety." + +An opportunity for doing this soon occurred. Paquette, the Interpreter, +who was likewise an agent of the American Fur Company, had occasion to +send a boat-load of furs to Green Bay, on their way to Mackinac. Mr. +Kinzie, having seen it as comfortably fitted up as an open boat of that +description could be, with a tent-cloth fastened on a frame-work of +hoop-poles over the centre and lined with a dark-green blanket, and +having placed on board an abundant store of provisions and other +comforts, committed us to the joint care of my brother Arthur and our +faithful blacksmith, Mata. + +This latter was a tall, gaunt Frenchman, with a freckled face, a +profusion of crisp, sandy hair, and an inveterate propensity to speak +English. His knowledge of the language was somewhat limited, and he +burlesqued it by adding an s to almost every word, and giving out each +phrase with a jerk. + +"Davids," he was wont to say to the little yellow fiddler, after an +evening's frolic at the Interpreter's, "Davids, clear away the tables +and the glasses, and play _fishes-hornspikes."_[55] He was a kind, +affectionate creature, and his devotion to "Monsieur Johns" and "Madame +Johns" knew no bounds. + +Besides these two protectors, three trusty Indians, the chief of whom +was called _Old Smoker_, were engaged to escort our party. The crew of +the boat consisted entirely of French engages in the service of the Fur +Company. They were six gay-hearted, merry fellows, lightening their +labor with their pipe and their songs, in which latter they would have +esteemed it a great compliment to be joined by the ladies who listened +to them; but our hearts, alas! were now too heavy to participate in +their enjoyment. + +The Fourth of July, the day on which we left our home, was a gloomy one +indeed to those who departed and to the one left behind. Who knew if we +should ever meet again? The experience which some of the circle had had +in Indian warfare was such as to justify the saddest forebodings. There +was not even the consolation of a certainty that this step would secure +our safety. The Sauks might, possibly, be on the other side of us, and +the route we were taking might perhaps, though not probably, carry us +into their very midst. It was no wonder, then, that our leave-taking was +a solemn one--a parting which all felt might be for this world. + +Not _all_, however; for the gay, cheerful Frenchmen laughed and sang and +cracked their jokes, and "assured Monsieur John that they would take +Madame John and Madame Alum safe to the bay, spite of Sauks or wind or +weather." + +Thus we set out on our journey. For many miles the Fort was in sight, as +the course of the river alternately approached and receded from its +walls, and it was not until nearly mid-day that we caught the last +glimpse of our home. + +At the noon-tide meal, or pipe, of the voyageurs, an alarming discovery +was made: no bread had been put on board for the crew! How this +oversight had occurred, no one could tell. One was certain that a large +quantity had been brought from the garrison-bakery for their use that +very morning--another had even seen the sacks of loaves standing in +Paquette's kitchen. Be that as it may, there we were, many miles on our +journey, and with no provisions for the six Frenchmen, except some +salted pork, a few beans, and some onions. A consultation was held in +this emergency. Should they return to the Portage for supplies? The +same danger that made their departure necessary, still existed, and the +utmost dispatch had been enjoined upon them. We found upon examination +that the store of bread and crackers with which our party had been +provided was far-beyond what we could possibly require, and we thought +it would be sufficient to allow of rations to the Frenchmen until we +should reach Powell's, at the Butte des Morts, the day but one +following, where we should undoubtedly be able to procure a fresh +supply. + +This decided on, we proceeded on our journey, always in profound +silence, for a song or a loud laugh was now strictly prohibited until we +should have passed the utmost limits of country where the enemy might +possibly be. We had been warned beforehand that a certain point, where +the low marshy meadows, through which the river had hitherto run, rises +into a more firm and elevated country, was the border of the Menomonee +territory, and the spot where the Sauks, if they had fled north of the +Wisconsin towards the Chippewa country, would be most likely to be +encountered. + +As we received intimation on the forenoon of the second day that we were +drawing near this spot, I must confess that "we held our breath for +awe." + +The three Winnebagoes were in the bow of the boat. Old Smoker, the +chief, squatted upon his feet on the bench of the foremost rowers. We +looked at him. He was gazing intently in the direction of the wooded +point we were approaching. Our eyes followed his, and we saw three +Indians step forward and stand upon the bank. We said in a low voice to +each other, "If they are Sauks, we are lost, for the whole body must be +in that thicket." The boat continued to approach; not a word was spoken; +the dip of the paddle, and perhaps the beating hearts of some, were the +only sounds that broke the stillness. Again we looked at the chief. His +nostrils were dilated--his eyes almost glaring. + +Suddenly, with a bound, he sprang to his feet and uttered his long, +shrill whoop. + +"Hoh! hoh! hoh! Neechee (friend) _Muh-no-mo-nee!_" + +All was now joy and gladness. Every one was forward to shake hands with +the strangers as soon as we could reach them, in token of our +satisfaction that they were Menomonees and not Sauks, of the latter of +whom, by the way, they could give us no intelligence. + +By noon of that day we considered ourselves to be out of the region of +danger. Still, caution was deemed necessary, and when at the mid-day +pipe the boat was pushed ashore under a beautiful overhanging bank, +crowned with a thick wood, the usual vigilance was somewhat relaxed, and +the young people, under the escort of Arthur and Mata, were permitted to +roam about a little, in the vicinity of the boat. + +They soon came back, with the report that the woods were "alive with +pigeons,"--they could almost knock them down with sticks; and earnestly +did they plead to be allowed to shoot at least enough for supper. But +no--the enemy might be nearer than we imagined--the firing of a gun +would betray our whereabouts--it was most prudent to give no notice to +friend or foe. So, very reluctantly, they were compelled to return to +the boat without their game. + +The next morning brought us to Powell's, at the Butte des Morts. Sad +were the faces of the poor Frenchmen at learning that not a loaf of +bread was to be had. Our own store, too, was by this time quite +exhausted. The only substitute we could obtain was a bag of dark +looking, bitter flour. With this provision for our whole party, we were +forced to be contented, and we left the Hillock of the Dead, feeling +that it had been indeed the grave of our hopes. + +By dint of good rowing, our crew soon brought us to the spot where the +river enters that beautiful sheet of water, Winnebago Lake. Though there +was but little wind when we reached the lake, the Frenchmen hoisted +their sail, in hopes to save themselves the labor of rowing across; but +in vain did they whistle, with all the force of their lungs--in vain did +they supplicate _La Vierge_, with a comical mixture of fun and +reverence. As a last resource, it was at length suggested by some one +that their only chance lay in propitiating the goddess of the winds with +an offering of some cast-off garment. + +Application was made all round by Guardapie, the chief spokesman of the +crew. Alas! not one of the poor voyageurs could boast a spare article. A +few old rags were at length rummaged out of the little receptacle of +food, clothing, and dirt in the bow of the boat, and cast into the waves +For a moment all flattered themselves that the experiment had been +successful--the sail fluttered, swelled a little, and then flapped idly +down against the mast. The party were in despair, until, after a +whispered consultation together, Julian and Edwin stepped forward as +messengers of mercy. In a trice they divested themselves of jacket and +vest and made a proffer of their next garment to aid in raising the +wind. + +At first there seemed a doubt in the minds of the boatmen whether they +ought to accept so magnificent an offer; but finding, on giving them a +preparatory shake, that the value of the contribution was less than they +had imagined, they, with many shouts and much laughter, consigned them +to the waves. To the great delight and astonishment of the boys, a +breeze at this moment sprang up, which carried the little vessel +beautifully over the waters for about half the distance to Garlic +Island. By this time the charm was exhausted, nor was it found possible +to renew it by a repetition of similar offerings. All expedients were +tried without success, and, with sundry rather disrespectful reflections +upon the lady whose aid they had invoked, the Frenchmen were compelled +to betake themselves to their oars, until they reached the island. + +Two or three canoes of Winnebagoes arrived at the same moment, and their +owners immediately stepped forward with an offering of some sturgeon +which they had caught in the lake. As this promised to be an agreeable +variety to the noon-tide meal (at least for the Frenchmen), it was +decided to stop and kindle a fire for the purpose of cooking it. We took +advantage of this interval to recommend to the boys a stroll to the +opposite side of the island, where the clear, shallow water and pebbly +beach offered temptation to a refreshing bath. While they availed +themselves of this, under the supervision of Harry, the black boy, we +amused ourselves with gathering the fine red raspberries with which the +island abounded. + +Our enjoyment was cut short, however, by discovering that the whole +place, vines, shrubs, and even, apparently, the earth itself, was +infested with myriads of the wood-tick, a little insect, that, having +fastened to the skin, penetrates into the very flesh, causing a swelling +and irritation exceeding painful, and even dangerous. The alarm was +sounded, to bring the boys back in all haste to the open and more +frequented part of the island. But we soon found we had not left our +tormentors behind. Throughout the day we continued to be sensible of +their proximity. From the effects of their attacks we were not relieved +for several succeeding days; those which had succeeded in burying +themselves in the flesh having to be removed with the point of a +penknife or a large needle. After partaking of our dinner, we stepped on +board our boat, and, the wind having risen, we were carried by the +breeze to the farther verge of the lake, and into the entrance of the +river, or, as it was called, the Winnebago Rapids. + +On the point of land to the right stood a collection of neat bark +wigwams--this was Four-Legs' village. + +It was an exciting and somewhat hazardous passage down the rapids and +over the Grand Chute, a fall of several feet; but it was safely passed, +and at the approach of evening the boat reached the settlement of the +Waubanakees at the head of the Little Chute. These are the Stockbridge +or Brothertown Indians, the remains of the old Mohicans, who had, a few +years before, emigrated from Oneida County, in the State of New York, to +a tract granted them by the United States, on the fertile banks of the +Fox River. They had already cleared extensive openings in the forest, +and built some substantial and comfortable houses near the banks of the +river, which were here quite high, and covered for the most part with +gigantic trees. + +It was determined to ask hospitality of these people, to the extent of +borrowing a corner of their fire to boil our tea-kettle, and bake the +short-cake which had been now, for nearly two days, our substitute for +bread. Its manufacture had been a subject of much merriment. The +ingredients, consisting of Powell's black flour, some salt, and a little +butter, were mixed in the tin box which had held our meat. This was then +reversed, and, having been properly cleansed, supplied the place of a +dough-board. The vinegar-bottle served the office of rolling-pin, and a +shallow tin dish formed the appliance for baking. The Waubanakees were +so good as to lend us an iron bake-kettle, and superintend the cooking +of our cake after Harry had carried it up to their dwelling. + +So kind and hospitable did they show themselves, that the crew of the +boat took the resolution of asking a lodging on shore, by way of relief +after their crowded quarters in the boat for the last three nights. +Arthur and Mata soon adopted the same idea, and we were invited to +follow their example, with the assurance that the houses were extremely +neat and orderly. + +We preferred, however, as it was a fine night, and all things were so +comfortably arranged in the boat, to remain on board, keeping Edwin and +Josette with us. + +The boat was tightly moored, for the little Chute was just below, and if +our craft should break loose in the rapid current, and drift down over +the falls, it would be a very serious matter. As an additional +precaution, one man was left on board to keep all things safe and in +order, and, these arrangements having been made, the others ascended the +bank, and took up their night's lodgings in the Waubanakee cabins. + +It was a beautiful, calm, moonlight night, the air just sufficiently +warm to be agreeable, while the gentle murmur of the rapids and of the +fall, at no great distance, soon lulled our party to repose. How long we +had slumbered we knew not, when we were aroused by a rushing wind. It +bent the poles supporting the awning, snapped them, and, another gust +succeeding, tent and blanket were carried away on the blast down the +stream. The moonlight was gone, but a flash of lightning showed them +sailing away like a spectre in the distance. + +The storm increased in violence. The rain began to pour in torrents, and +the thunder and lightning to succeed each other in fearful rapidity. My +sister sprang to waken the Frenchman. "Get up, Vitelle, quick," cried +she, in French, "run up the bank for Mata and Mr. Arthur--tell them to +come and get us instantly." + +The man made her no reply, but fell upon his knees, invoking the Virgin +most vociferously. + +"Do not wait for the Virgin, but go as quickly as possible. Do you not +see we shall all be killed?" + +"Oh! not for the world, madame, not for the world," said Vitelle, +burying his head in a pack of furs, "would I go up that bank in this +storm." And here he began crying most lustily to all the saints in the +calendar. + +It Was indeed awful. The roaring of the thunder and the flashing of the +lightning around us were like the continued discharge of a park of +artillery. I with some difficulty drew forth my cloak, and enveloped +myself and Josette--sister Margaret did the same with Edwin. + +"Oh I madame," said the poor little girl, her teeth chattering with cold +and fright, "won't we be drowned?" + +"Very well," said my sister to the Frenchman, "you see that Madame John +is at the last agony--if you will not go for help I must, and Monsieur +John must know that you left his wife to perish." + +This was too much for Vitelle. "If I must, I must," said he, and with a +desperate bound he leaped on shore and sped up the hill with might and +main. + +In a few minutes, though it seemed ages to us, a whole posse came flying +down the hill. The incessant lightning made all things appear as in the +glare of day. Mata's curly hair fairly stood on end, and his eyes rolled +with ghastly astonishment at the spectacle. + +"Oh, my God, Madame Johns! what would Monsieur Johns say, to see you +nows?" exclaimed he, as he seized me in his arms and bore me up the +hill. Arthur followed with sister Margaret, and two others with Edwin +and Josette. Nobody carried Vitelle, for he had taken care not to risk +his precious life by venturing again to the boat. + +On arriving at the cabin where Arthur and Mata had been lodged, a fire +was, with some difficulty, kindled, and our trunks having been brought +up from the boat, we were at length able to exchange our drenched +garments, and those of the children, for others more comfortable, after +which we laid ourselves upon the clean but homely bed, and slept until +daylight. + +As it was necessary to ascertain what degree of damage the cargo of furs +had sustained, an early start was proposed. Apparently, the inhabitants +of the cottages had become weary in well-doing, for they declined +preparing breakfast for us, although we assured them they should be well +compensated for their trouble. We, consequently, saw ourselves compelled +to depart with very slender prospects of a morning meal. + +When we reached the boat, what a scene presented itself! Bedclothes, +cloaks, trunks, mess-basket, packs of furs, all bearing the marks of a +complete deluge! The boat ankle-deep in water--literally no place on +board where we could either stand or sit. After some bailing out, and an +attempt at disposing some of the packs of furs which had suffered least +from the flood, so as to form a sort of divan in the centre of the boat, +nothing better seemed to offer than to re-embark, and endure what could +not be cured. + +Our position was not an enviable one. Wherever a foot or hand was +placed, the water gushed up, with a bubbling sound, and, oh! the state +of the bandboxes and work-baskets! Breakfast there was none, for on +examining the mess-basket everything it contained was found mingled in +one undistinguishable mass. Tea, pepper, salt, short-cake, all floating +together--it was a hopeless case. + +But this was not the worst. As the fervid July sun rose higher in the +heavens, the steam which exhaled from every object on board was nearly +suffocating. The boat was old--the packs of skins were old--their +vicinity in a dry day had been anything but agreeable--now it was +intolerable. There was no retreating from it, however; so we encouraged +the children to arm themselves with patience, for the short time that +yet remained of our voyage. + +Seated on our odoriferous couch, beneath the shade of a single umbrella, +to protect our whole party from the scorching sun, we glided wearily +down the stream, through that long, tedious day. As we passed +successively the Kakalin, the Rapids, Dickenson's, the Agency, with what +longing eyes did we gaze at human habitations, where others were +enjoying the shelter of a roof and the comforts of food--and how eagerly +did we count the hours which must elapse before we could reach Port +Howard! + +There were no songs from the poor Frenchmen this day. Music and fasting +do not go well together. At length we stopped at Shanty-town, where the +boat was to be unloaded. All hands fell to work to transfer the cargo to +the warehouse of the Fur Company, which stood near the landing. It was +not a long operation, for all worked heartily. This being accomplished, +the voyageurs, one and all, prepared to take their leave. In vain Mata +stormed and raved--in vain Arthur remonstrated. + +"No," they said, "they had brought the boat and cargo to the +warehouse--that was all of their job." And they turned to go. + +"Guardapie," said I, "do you intend to leave us here?" + +"Bien, madame! it is the place we always stop at." + +"Does Monsieur John pay you for bringing his family down?" + +"Oh, yes, Monsieur John has given us an order on the sutler, at the +Fort down below." + +"To be paid when you deliver us safe at the Fort down below. It seems I +shall be there before you, and I shall arrange that matter. Monsieur +John never dreamed that this would be your conduct." + +The Frenchmen consulted together, and the result was that Guardapie with +two others jumped into the boat, took their oars, and rather sulkily +rowed us the remaining two miles to Fort Howard. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +FORT HOWARD--OUR RETURN HOME. + + +We soon learned that a great panic prevailed at Green Bay on account of +the Sauks. The people seemed to have possessed themselves with the idea +that the enemy would visit this place on their way to Canada to put +themselves under the protection of the British Government. How they were +to get there from this point--whether they were to stop and fabricate +themselves bark canoes for the purpose, or whether they were to charter +one of Mr. Newbery's schooners for the trip, the good people did not +seem fully to have made up their minds. One thing is certain, a portion +of the citizens were nearly frightened to death, and were fully +convinced that there was no safety for them but within the walls of the +old dilapidated fort, from which nearly all the troops had been +withdrawn and sent to Fort Winnebago some time previous. + +Their fears were greatly aggravated by a report, brought by some +traveller, that he had slept at night on the very spot where the Sauks +breakfasted the next morning. Now, as the Sauks were known to be reduced +to very short commons, there was every reason to suppose that if the man +had waited half an hour longer they would have eaten him; so he was +considered to have made a wonderful escape. + +Our immediate friends and acquaintances were far from joining in these +fears. The utter improbability of such a movement was obvious to all who +considered the nature of the country to be traversed, and the efficient +and numerous body of whites by whom they must be opposed on their +entrance into that neighborhood. There were some, however, who could not +be persuaded that there was any security but in flight, and eagerly was +the arrival of the "Mariner" looked for, as the anxiety grew more and +more intense. + +The "Mariner" appeared at last. It was early in the morning. In one hour +from the time of her arrival the fearful news she brought had spread the +whole length of the settlement--"the cholera was in this country! It was +in Detroit--it was among the troops who were on their way to the seat of +war! Whole companies had died of it in the river St. Clair, and the +survivors had been put on shore at Port Gratiot, to save their lives as +best they might!" We were shut in between the savage foe on one hand and +the pestilence on the other! + +To those who had friends at the East the news was most appalling. It +seemed to unman every one who heard it. An officer who had exhibited the +most distinguished prowess in the battle-field, and also in some private +enterprises demanding unequalled courage and daring, was the first to +bring us the news. When he had communicated it, he laid his head +against the window-sill and wept like a child. + +Those who must perforce rejoin friends near and dear, left the Bay in +the "Mariner;" all others considered their present home the safest; and +so it proved, for the dreadful scourge did not visit Green Bay that +season. + +The weather was intensely hot, and the mosquitoes so thick that we did +not pretend to walk on the parade after sunset, unless armed with two +fans, or green branches to keep constantly in motion, in order to +disperse them. This, by the way, was the surest method of attracting +them. We had somehow forgotten the apathetic indifference which had +often excited our wonder in Old Smoker, as we had observed him calmly +sitting and allowing his naked arms and person to become literally +_gray_ with the tormenting insects. Then he would quietly wipe off a +handful, the blood following the movement of the hand over his skin, and +stoically wait for an occasion to repeat the movement. It is said that +the mosquito, if undisturbed until he has taken his fill, leaves a much +less inflamed bite than if brushed away in the midst of his feast. + +By day, the air was at this season filled with what is called the Green +Bay fly, a species of dragon-fly, with which the outer walls of the +houses are at times so covered that their color is hardly +distinguishable. Their existence is very ephemeral, scarcely lasting +more than a day. Their dead bodies are seen adhering to the walls and +windows within, and they fall without in such numbers that after a high +wind has gathered them into rows along the sides of the quarters, one +may walk through them and toss them up with their feet like the dry +leaves in autumn. + +As we walked across the parade, our attention was sometimes called to a +tapping upon the bars of the dungeon in which a criminal was +confined--it was the murderer of Lieutenant Foster. + +It may be remembered that this amiable young officer had been our +travelling companion in our journey from Chicago the preceding year. +Some months after his arrival at Port Howard, he had occasion to order a +soldier of his company, named Doyle, into confinement for intoxication. +The man, a few days afterwards, prevailed on the sergeant of the guard +to escort him to Lieutenant Foster's quarters on the plea that he wished +to speak to him. He ascended the stairs to the young officer's room, +while the sergeant and another soldier remained at the foot, near the +door. + +Doyle entered, and, addressing Lieutenant Foster, said, "Will you please +tell me, lieutenant, what I am confined for?" + +"No, sir," replied the officer; "you know your offence well enough; +return to your place of confinement." + +The man ran down-stairs, wrenched the gun from the sergeant's hand, and, +rushing back, discharged it at the heart of Lieutenant Foster. + +He turned to go to his inner apartment, but exclaiming, "Ah me!" he fell +dead before the entrance. + +Doyle, having been tried by a civil court, was now under sentence, +awaiting his execution. He was a hardened villain, never exhibiting the +slightest compunction for his crime. + +The commanding officer, Major Clark, sent to him one day to inquire if +he wanted anything for his comfort. + +"If the Major pleased," he replied, "he should like to have a light and +a copy of Byron's Works." + +Some fears were entertained that he would contrive to make way with +himself before the day of execution, and, to guard against it, he was +deprived of everything that could furnish him a weapon. His food was +served to him in a wooden bowl, lest a bit of broken crockery might he +used as a means of self destruction. + +One morning he sent a little package to the commanding officer as a +present. It contained a strong rope, fabricated from strips of his +blanket, that he had carefully separated, and with a large stout spike +at the end of it. The message accompanying it was, "He wished Major +Clark to see that if he chose to put an end to himself, he could find +means to do it in spite of him." + +And this hardened frame of mind continued to the last. When he was led +out for execution, in passing beyond the gate, he observed a quantity of +lumber recently collected for the construction of a new Company's +warehouse. + +"Ah, captain, what are you going to build here?" inquired he of Captain +Scott, who attended him. + +"Doyle," replied his captain, "you have but a few moments to live--- you +had better employ your thoughts about something else." + +"It is for that very reason, captain," said he, "that I am inquiring--as +my time is short, I wish to gain all the information I can while it +lasts." + + * * * * * + +We were not suffered to remain long in suspense in regard to the friends +we had left behind. In less than two weeks Old Smoker again made his +appearance. He was the bearer of letters from my husband, informing me +that General Dodge was then with him at Port Winnebago, that Generals +Henry and Alexander were likewise at the Fort, and that as soon as they +had recruited their men and horses, which were pretty well worn out with +scouring the country after Black Hawk, they would march again in pursuit +of him towards the head-waters of the Rock River, where they had every +reason, from information lately brought in by the Winnebagoes, to +believe he would be found. + +As he charged us to lay aside all uneasiness on his account, and +moreover held forth the hope of soon coming or sending for us, our minds +became more tranquil. + +Not long after this, I was told one morning that "_a lady_" wished to +see me at the front door. I obeyed the summons, and, to my surprise, was +greeted by my friend _Madame Four-Legs._ After much demonstration of joy +at seeing me, such as putting her two hands together over her forehead +and then parting them in a waving kind of gesture, laughing, and patting +me on my arms, she drew from her bosom a letter from my husband, of +which she was the bearer. It was to this effect--"Generals Dodge and +Henry left here a few days since, accompanied by Paquette; they met the +Sauks near the Wisconsin, on the 21st. A battle ensued, in which upwards +of fifty of the enemy were killed--our loss was one killed, and eight +wounded. The _citizens_ are well pleased that all this has been +accomplished without any aid from _Old White Beaver._[56] The war must +be near its close, for the militia and regulars together will soon +finish the remaining handful of fugitives." + +The arrival of Lieutenant Hunter, who had obtained leave of absence in +order to escort us, soon put all things in train for our return to Fort +Winnebago. No Mackinac boat was to be had, but in lieu of it a Durham +boat was procured. This is of a description longer and shallower than +the other, with no convenience for rigging up an awning, or shelter of +any kind, over the centre; but its size was better fitted to accommodate +our party, which consisted, besides our own family, of Lieutenant and +Mrs. Hunter, the wife of another officer now stationed at Port +Winnebago, and our cousin, Miss Forsyth. We made up our minds, as will +be supposed, to pretty close quarters. + +Our crew was composed partly of Frenchmen and partly of soldiers, and, +all things being in readiness, we set off one fine bright morning in the +latter part of July. + +Our second day's alternate rowing and poling brought us to the Grande +Chute early in the afternoon. + +Here, it is the custom to disembark at the foot of the rapids, and, +ascending the high bank, walk around the fall, while the men pull the +boat up through the foaming waters. + +Most of our party had already stepped on shore, when a sudden thought +seized one of the ladies and myself. + +"Let us stay in the boat," said we, "and be pulled up the Chute." The +rest of the company went on, while we sat and watched with great +interest the preparations the men were making. They were soon overboard +in the water, and, attaching a strong rope to the bow of the boat, all +lent their aid in pulling as they marched slowly along with their heavy +load. The cargo, consisting only of our trunks and stores, which were of +no very considerable weight, had not been removed. + +We went on, now and then getting a tremendous bump against a hidden +rock, and frequently splashed by a shower of foam as the waves roared +and boiled around us. + +The men kept as close as possible to the high, precipitous bank, where +the water was smoothest. At the head of the _cordel_ was a merry +simpleton of a Frenchman, who was constantly turning his head to grin +with delight at our evident enjoyment and excitement. + +We were indeed in high glee. "Is not this charming?" cried one. "I only +wish----" + +The wish, whatever it was, was cut short by a shout and a crash. "Have +a care, Robineau! Mind where you are taking the boat!" was the cry, but +it came too late. More occupied with the ladies than with his duty, the +leader had guided us into the midst of a sharp, projecting tree that +hung from the bank. The first tug ripped out the side of the boat, which +immediately began to fill with water. + +My companion and I jumped upon the nearest rocks that showed their heads +above the foam. Our screams and the shouts of the men brought Lieutenant +Hunter and some Indians, who were above on the bank, dashing down to our +rescue. They carried us in their arms to land, while the men worked +lustily at fishing up the contents of the boat, now thoroughly saturated +with water. + +We scrambled up the high bank, in a miserable plight, to join in the +general lamentation over the probable consequences of the accident. + +"Oh! my husband's new uniform!" cried one, and "Oh! the miniatures in +the bottom of my trunk!" sighed another--while, "Oh! the silk dresses, +and the ribbons, and the finery!" formed the general chorus. + +No one thought of the provisions, although we had observed, in our +progress to shore, the barrel of bread and the tub of ice, which +Lieutenant Hunter had providently brought for our refreshment, sailing +away on the dancing waves. Among the boxes brought to land, and "toted" +up the steep bank, was one containing some loaves of sugar and packages +of tea, which I had bought for our winter's supply from the sutler at +the post. The young Indian who was the bearer of it set it upon the +ground, and soon called my attention to a thick, white stream that was +oozing from the corners. I made signs for him to taste it. He dipped his +finger in it, and exclaimed with delight to his companions, when he +perceived what it was. I then pointed to his hatchet, and motioned him +to open the box. He did not require a second invitation--it was soon +backed to pieces. + +Then, as I beckoned up all the rest of the youngsters who were looking +on, full of wonder, such a scrambling and shouting with delight +succeeded as put us all, particularly the boys, into fits of laughter. +Bowls, dippers, hands, everything that could contain even the smallest +quantity, were put in requisition. The squaws were most active. Those +who could do no better took the stoutest fragments of the blue paper in +which the sugar had been enveloped, and in a trice nothing remained but +the wet, yellow bundles of tea, and the fragments of the splintered box +which had contained it. + +By this time fires had been made, and the articles from the trunks were +soon seen covering every shrub and bush in the vicinity. Fortunately, +the box containing the new uniform had been piled high above the others, +in the centre of the boat, and had received but little damage; but sad +was the condition of the wardrobes in general. + +Not a white article was to be seen. All was mottled; blue, green, red, +and black intermingling in streaks, and dripping from ends and corners. + +To add to the trouble, the rain began to fall, as rain is apt to do, at +an inconvenient moment, and soon the half-dried garments had to be +gathered out of the smoke and huddled away in a most discouraging +condition. + +The tent was pitched, wet as it was, and the blankets, wrung out of the +water, and partially dried, were spread upon the ground for our +accommodation at night. + +A Hamburg cheese, which had been a part of my stores, was voted to me +for a pillow, and, after a supper the best part of which was a portion +of one of the wet loaves which had remained in a barrel too tightly +wedged to drift away, we betook ourselves to our repose. + +The next morning rose hot and sultry. The mosquitoes, which the rain +had kept at bay through the night, now began to make themselves amends, +and to torment us unmercifully. + +After our most uncomfortable and unpalatable breakfast, the first +question for consideration was, what we were to do with ourselves. Our +boat lay submerged at the foot of the hill, half-way up the rapids. The +nearest habitation among the Waubanakees was some miles distant, and +this there was no means of reaching but by an Indian canoe, if some of +our present friends and neighbors would be so obliging as to bring one +for our use. Even then it was doubtful if boats could be found +sufficient to convey all our numerous party back to Green Bay. + +In the midst of these perplexing consultations a whoop was heard from +beyond the hill, which here sloped away to the north, at the head of the +rapids. + +"There is John! that is certainly his voice!" cried more than one of the +company. + +It was, indeed, my husband, and in a moment he was among us. Never was +arrival more opportune, more evidently providential. + +Not having learned our plans (for the unsettled state of the country had +prevented our sending him word), he had come provided with a boat, to +take us back to Fort Winnebago. + +Our drying operations, which we had recommenced this morning, were soon +cut short. Everything was shuffled away in the most expeditious manner +possible, and in an incredibly short time we were transferred to the +other boat, which lay quietly above the Chute, and were pulling away +towards Winnebago Lake. + +We had resolved to go only so far as the vicinity of the lake, where the +breeze would render the mosquitoes less intolerable, and then to stop +and make one more attempt at drying our clothing. Accordingly, when we +reached a beautiful high bank near the Little Butte, we stopped for that +purpose again, unpacked our trunks, and soon every bush and twig was +fluttering with the spoils of the cruel waves. + +Hardly had we thus disposed of the last rag or ribbon when the tramp of +horses was heard, followed by loud shouts and cheers ringing through the +forest. + +A company of about twenty-five horsemen, with banners flying, veils +fluttering from their hats, and arms glittering in the sun, rode into +our midst, and, amid greetings and roars of laughter, inquired into the +nature and reasons of our singular state of confusion. + +They were Colonel Stambough and Alexander Irwin, of Green Bay, with a +company of young volunteers, and followed by a whooping band of +Menomonees, all bound for the seat of war. We comforted them with the +assurance that the victories were by this time all won and the scalps +taken; but, expressing the hope that there were yet a few laurels to be +earned, they bade us adieu, and rapidly pursued their march. + +We crossed Lake Winnebago by the clear, beautiful light of a summer +moon. The soft air was just enough to swell the sail, and thus save the +men their labor at the oar. + +The witchery of the hour was not, however, sufficient to induce us to +forego our repose after the heat and annoyances of the day--we therefore +disposed ourselves betimes, to be packed away in the centre of the boat. +How it was accomplished no one of the numerous company could tell. If +any accident had occurred to disturb our arrangement, I am sure it would +have been a Chinese puzzle to put us back again in our places. The men +on the outside had much the best of it, and we rather envied those who +were off watch, their ability to snore and change position as the humor +took them. + +We reached Powell's just in time to have gone ashore and prepare our +breakfast had we had wherewithal to prepare it. We had hoped to be able +to procure some supplies here, for hitherto we had been living on the +remains of my husband's ample stock. That was now so nearly exhausted +that when we found the mess-basket could not be replenished at this +place we began to talk of putting ourselves on allowance. + +The wet bread, of which there had remained an ample store, had, as may +be readily imagined, soon fermented under the influence of a July sun. +The tea, too, notwithstanding our careful efforts at drying it on +newspapers and pieces of board, ere long became musty and unfit for use. +There was, literally, nothing left, except the salted meat and a few +crackers, hardly sufficient for the present day. + +The men were therefore urged to make all the speed possible, that we +might reach Gleason's, at Lake Puckaway, in good season on the following +day. + +At evening, when we stopped to take our tea at a beautiful little +opening among the trees, we found our old enemies, the mosquitoes, worse +than ever. It was necessary to put on our cloaks and gloves, and tie our +veils close around our throats, only venturing to introduce a cracker or +a cup of tea under this protection in the most stealthy manner. + +The men rowed well, and brought us to Gleason's about eleven o'clock the +next day. We were greeted with the most enthusiastic demonstrations by +my old friend _La Grosse Americaine,_ who had removed here from +Bellefontaine. + +"Oh, Mrs. Armstrong," cried we, "get us some breakfast--we are +famishing!" + +At that instant who should appear but our faithful Mata, driving the old +caleche in which we were in the habit of making our little excursions in +the neighborhood of the Port. He had ridden over, hoping to meet us, in +the idea that some of us would prefer this method of reaching our home. + +With provident thoughtfulness, he had brought tea, roasted coffee, fresh +butter, eggs, etc., lest we should be short of such luxuries in that +advanced stage of our journey. + +His "Good-morning, Madame Johns! How do you dos?" was a pleasant and +welcome sound. + +We could not wait for our breakfast, but gathered round La Grosse +Americaine like a parcel of children while she cut and spread slices of +bread-and-butter for us. + +After our regular meal was finished, it was decided that sister Margaret +should take Josette, and return with Mata to open the house and make it +ready for our reception. It had been the head-quarters of militia, +Indians, and stragglers of various descriptions during our absence, and +we could easily imagine that a little "misrule and unreason" might have +had sway for that period. + +We had yet seventy-two miles, by the devious winding course of the +river, over first the beautiful waters of Lac de Boeuf, and then through +the low, marshy lands that spread away to the Portage. An attempt was +made on the part of one of the gentlemen to create a little excitement +among the ladies as we approached the spot where it had been supposed +the Sauks might pass on their way to the Chippewa country. + +"Who knows," said he, gravely, "but they may be lurking in this +neighborhood yet? If so, we shall probably have some signal. We must be +on the alert!" + +Some of the ladies began to turn pale and look about them. After an +interval of perfect silence, a low, prolonged whistle was heard. There +was so much agitation, and even actual terror, that the mischievous +author of the trick was obliged to confess at once, and receive a hearty +scolding for the pain he had caused. + +Just before sunset of the second day from Gleason's we reached our home. +Every thing was _radiant_ with neatness and good order. With the +efficient aid of our good Manaigre and his wife, the house had been +whitewashed from the roof to the door-sill, a thorough scrubbing and +cleansing effected, the carpets unpacked and spread upon the floors, the +furniture arranged, and, though last not least, a noble supper smoked +upon the board by the time we had made, once more, a civilized toilet. + +Many of our friends from the Fort were there to greet us, and a more +happy or thankful party has seldom been assembled. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +SURRENDER OF WINNEBAGO PRISONERS. + + +The war was now considered at an end. The news of the battle of the Bad +Axe, where the regulars, the militia, and the steamboat Warrior +combined, had made a final end of the remaining handful of Sauks, had +reached us and restored tranquillity to the hearts and homes of the +frontier settlers. + +It may seem wonderful that an enemy so few in number and so +insignificant in resources could have created such a panic, and +required so vast an amount of opposing force to subdue them. The +difficulty had been simply in never knowing where to find them, either +to attack or guard against them. Probably at the outset every military +man thought and felt like the noble old veteran General Brady. "Give me +two infantry companies mounted," said he, "and I will engage to whip the +Sauks out of the country in one week!" + +True, but to whip the enemy you must first meet him; and in order to +pursue effectually and _catch_ the Indians, a peculiar training is +necessary--a training which, at that day, few, even of the frontier +militia, could boast. + +In some portions of this campaign there was another difficulty,--the +want of concert between the two branches of the service. The regular +troops looked with contempt upon the unprofessional movements of the +militia; the militia railed at the dilatory and useless formalities of +the regulars. Each avowed the conviction that matters could be much +better conducted without the other, and the militia, being prompt to +act, sometimes took matters into their own hands, and brought on defeat +and disgrace, as in the affair of "Stillman's Run." + +The feeling of contempt which the army officers entertained for the +militia, extended itself to their subordinates and dependants. After the +visit of the Ranger officers to Fort Winnebago, before the battle of the +Wisconsin, the officer of the mess where they had been entertained +called up his servant one day to inquire into the sutler's accounts, He +was the same little "Yellow David" who had formerly appertained to +Captain Harney. + +"David," said the young gentleman, "I see three bottles of cologne-water +charged in the month's account of the mess at the sutler's. What does +that mean?" + +"If you please, lieutenant," said David, respectfully, "it was to +sweeten up the dining-room and quarters after them milish' officers were +here visiting." + +Black Hawk and a few of his warriors had escaped to the north, where +they were shortly after captured by the One-eyed Day-kau-ray and his +party, and brought prisoners to General Street at Prairie du Chien. The +women and children of the band had been put in canoes and sent down the +Mississippi, in hopes of being permitted to cross and reach the rest of +that tribe. + +The canoes had been tied together, and many of them were upset, and the +children drowned, their mothers being too weak and exhausted to rescue +them. The survivors were taken prisoners, and, starving and miserable, +were brought to Prairie du Chien. Our mother was at the Port at the time +of their arrival. She described their condition as wretched and reduced +beyond anything she had ever witnessed. One woman who spoke a little +Chippewa gave her an account of the sufferings and hardships they had +endured--it was truly appalling. + +After having eaten such of the horses as could be spared, they had +subsisted on acorns, elm-bark, or even grass. Many had died of +starvation, and their bodies were found lying in their trail by the +pursuing whites. This poor woman had lost her husband in battle, and all +her children by the upsetting of the canoe in which they were, and her +only wish now was, to go and join them. Poor Indians! who can wonder +that they do not love the whites? + +But a very short time had we been quietly at home when a summons came to +my husband to collect the principal chiefs of the Winnebagoes and meet +General Scott and Governor Reynolds at Rock Island, where it was +proposed to bold a treaty for the purchase of all the lands east and +south of the Wisconsin. Messengers were accordingly sent to collect the +principal men, and, accompanied by as many as chose to report +themselves, he set off on his journey. + +He had been gone about two weeks, and I was beginning to count the days +which must elapse before I could reasonably expect his return, when, one +afternoon, I went over to pay a visit to my sister at the Fort. As I +passed into the large hall of one range of quarters, Lieutenant Lacy +came suddenly in from the opposite direction, and, almost without +stopping, cried,-- + +"Bad news, madam! Have you heard it?" + +"No. What is it?" + +"The cholera has broken out at Rock Island, and they are dying by five +hundred a day. Dr. Finley has just arrived with the news." So saying, he +vanished, without stopping to answer a question. + +The cholera at Rock Island, and my husband there! I flew to the other +door of the hall, which looked out upon the parade-ground. A sentinel +was walking near. "Soldier," cried I, "will you run to the young +officers' quarters and ask Dr. Finley to come here for a moment?" + +The man shook his head--he was not allowed to leave his post. + +Presently Mrs. Lacy's servant-girl appeared from a door under the steps. +She was a worthless creature, but where _help_ was so scarce ladies +could not afford to keep a scrupulous tariff of moral qualification. + +"Oh! Catharine," said I, "will you run over and ask Dr. Finley to come +here a moment? I must hear what news he has brought from Rock Island." +She put on a modest look, and said,-- + +"I do not like to go to the young officers' quarters." + +I was indignant at her hypocrisy, but I was also wild with impatience, +when to my great joy Dr. Finley made his appearance. + +"Where is my husband?" cried I. + +"On his way home, madam, safe and sound. He will probably be here +to-morrow." He then gave me an account of the ravages the cholera was +making among the troops, which were indeed severe, although less so than +rumor had at first proclaimed. + +Notwithstanding the doctor's assurance of his safety, my husband was +seized with cholera on his journey. By the kind care of Paquette and the +plentiful use of chicken-broth which the poor woman at whose cabin he +stopped administered to him, he soon recovered, and reached his home in +safety, having taken Prairie du Chien in his route and brought his +mother with him again to her home. + +The Indians had consented to the sale of their beautiful domain. Indeed, +there is no alternative in such cases. If they persist in retaining +them, and become surrounded and hemmed in by the white settlers, their +situation is more deplorable than if they surrendered their homes +altogether. This they are aware of, and therefore, as a general thing, +they give up their lands at the proposal of Government, and only take +care to make the best bargain they can for themselves. In this instance +they were to receive as an equivalent a tract of land[57] extending to +the interior of Iowa, and an additional sum of ten thousand dollars +annually. + +One of the stipulations of the treaty was, the surrender by the +Winnebagoes of certain individuals of their tribe accused of having +participated with the Sauks in some of the murders on the frontier, in +order that they might be tried by our laws, and acquitted or punished as +the case might be. + +Wau-kaun-kah (the Little Snake) voluntarily gave himself as a hostage +until the delivery of the suspected persons. He was accordingly received +by the Agent, and marched over and placed in confinement at the Fort +until the seven accused should appear to redeem him. + +It was a work of some little time on the part of the nation to persuade +these suspected individuals to place themselves in the hands of the +whites, that they might receive justice according to the laws of the +latter. The trial of Red Bird, and his languishing death in prison, were +still fresh in their memories, and it needed a good deal of resolution, +as well as a strong conviction of conscious innocence, to brace them up +to such a step. + +It had to be brought about by arguments and persuasions, for the nation +would never have resorted to force to compel the fulfilment of their +stipulation. + +In the mean time a solemn talk was held with the principal chiefs +assembled at the Agency. A great part of the nation were in the +immediate neighborhood, in obedience to a notice sent by Governor +Porter, who, in virtue of his office of Governor of Michigan Territory, +was also Superintendent of the Northwest Division of the Indians. +Instead of calling upon the Agent to take charge of the annuity money, +as had heretofore been the custom, the Governor had announced his +intention of bringing it himself to Fort Winnebago and being present at +the payment. The time appointed had now arrived, and with it the main +body of the Winnebagoes. + +Such of the Indians as had not attended the treaty at Rock Island and +been instrumental in the cession of their country, were loud in their +condemnation of the step, and their lamentations over it. Foremost among +these was Wild-Cat, the Falstaff of Garlic Island and its vicinity. It +was little wonder that he should shed bitter tears, as he did, over the +loss of his beautiful home on the blue waters of Winnebago Lake. + +"If he had not been accidentally stopped," he said, "on his way to the +treaty, and detained until it was too late, he would never, never have +permitted the bargain." + +His Father, who knew that a desperate frolic, into which Wild-Cat had +been enticed by the way, was the cause of his failing to accompany his +countrymen to Rock Island, replied, gravely,-- + +"That he had heard of the chief's misfortune on this occasion. How that, +in ascending the Fox River, a couple of kegs of _whiskey_ had come +floating down the stream, which, running foul of his canoe with great +force, had injured it to such a degree that he had been obliged to stop +several days at the _Mee-kan,_ to repair damages." + +The shouts of laughter which greeted this explanation were so contagious +that poor Wild-Cat himself was compelled to join in it, and treat his +misfortune as a joke. + +The suspected Indians having engaged the services of Judge Doty to +defend them on their future trial, notice was at length given that on a +certain day they would be brought to the Portage and surrendered to +their Father, to be by him transferred to the keeping of the military +officer appointed to receive them. + +It was joyful news to poor Wau-kaun-kah, that the day of his release was +at hand. Every time that we had been within the walls of the Fort we had +been saluted by a call from him, as he kept his station at the +guard-room window: + +"Do you hear anything of those Indians? When are they coming, that I may +be let out?" + +We had endeavored to lighten his confinement by seeing that he was well +supplied with food, and his Father and Paquette had paid him occasional +visits; but, notwithstanding these attentions and the kindness he had +received at the Fort, his confinement was inexpressibly irksome. + +On the morning of a bright autumnal day the authorities were notified +that the chiefs of the nation would present themselves at the Agency to +deliver the suspected persons as prisoners to the Americans. + +At the hour of ten o'clock, as we looked out over the Portage road, we +could descry a moving concourse of people, in which brilliant color, +glittering arms, and, as they approached still nearer, certain white +objects of unusual appearance could be distinguished. + +General Dodge, Major Plympton, and one or two other officers took their +seats with Mr. Kinzie on the platform in front of the door of our +mansion to receive them, while we stationed ourselves at the window +where we could both see and hear. + +The procession wound up the hill, and approached, marching slowly +towards us. It was a grand and solemn sight. First came some of the +principal chiefs in their most brilliant array. Next, the prisoners, all +habited in white cotton, in token of their innocence, with girdles round +their waists. The music of the drum and the shee-shee-qua accompanied +their death-song, which they were chaunting. They wore no paint, no +ornaments--their countenances were grave and thoughtful. It might well +be a serious moment to them, for they knew but little of the customs of +the whites, and that little was not such as to inspire cheerfulness. +Only their Father's assurance that they should receive strict justice, +would probably have induced them to comply with the engagements of the +nation in this manner. + +The remainder of the procession was made up of a long train of +Winnebagoes, all decked out in their holiday garb. + +The chiefs approached and shook hands with the gentlemen, who stood +ready to receive their greeting. Then the prisoners came forward, and +went through the same salutation with the officers. When they offered +their hands to their Father, he declined. + +"No," said he. "You have come here accused of great crimes--of having +assisted in taking the lives of some of the defenceless settlers. When +you have been tried by the laws of the land, and been proved innocent, +then your Father will give you his hand." + +They looked still more serious at this address, as if they thought it +indicated that their Father, too, believed them guilty, and stepping +back a little, they seated themselves, without speaking, in a row upon +the ground, facing their Father and the officers. The other Indians all +took seats in a circle around them, except the one-eyed chief, +Kau-ray-kau-say-kah (the White Crow), who had been deputed to deliver +the prisoners to the Agent. + +He made a speech in which he set forth that, "although asserting their +innocence of the charges preferred against them, his countrymen were +quite willing to be tried by the laws of white men. He hoped they would +not be detained long, but that the matter would be investigated soon, +and that they would come out of it clear and white." + +In reply he was assured that all things would be conducted fairly and +impartially, exactly as if the accused were white men, and the hope was +added that they would be found to have been good and true citizens, and +peaceful children of their Great Father, the President. + +When this was over, White Crow requested permission to transfer the +medal he had received as a mark of friendship from the President, to his +son, who stood beside him, and who had been chosen by the nation to fill +his place as chief, an office he was desirous of resigning. The +speeches made upon this occasion, as interpreted by Paquette, the modest +demeanor of the young man, and the dignified yet feeling manner of the +father throughout, made the whole ceremony highly impressive; and when +the latter took the medal from his neck and hung it around that of his +son, addressing him a few appropriate words, I think no one could have +witnessed the scene unmoved. + +I had watched the countenances of the prisoners as they sat on the +ground before me, while all these ceremonies were going forward. With +one exception they were open, calm, and expressive of conscious +innocence. Of that one I could not but admit there might be reasonable +doubts. One was remarkably fine-looking--another was a boy of certainly +not more than seventeen, and during the transfer of the medal he looked +from one to the other, and listened to what was uttered by the speakers, +with an air and expression of even childlike interest and satisfaction. + +Our hearts felt sad for them as, the ceremonies finished, they were +conducted by a file of soldiers and committed to the dungeon of the +guard-house until such time as they should be summoned to attend the +court appointed to try their cause. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +ESCAPE OF THE PRISONERS. + + +The Indians did not disperse after the ceremonies of the surrender had +been gone through. They continued still in the vicinity of the Portage, +in the constant expectation of the arrival of the annuity money, which +they had been summoned there to receive. But the time for setting out +on his journey to bring it was postponed by Governor Porter from week to +week. Had he foreseen all the evils this delay was to occasion, he +would, possibly, have been more prompt in fulfilling his appointment. + +Many causes conspired to make an early payment desirable. In the first +place, the Winnebagoes, having been driven from their homes by their +anxiety to avoid all appearance of fraternizing with the Sauks, had made +this year no gardens nor corn-fields They had, therefore, no provisions +on hand, either for present use or for their winter's consumption, +except their scanty supplies of wild rice. While this was disappearing +during their protracted detention at the Portage, they were running the +risk of leaving themselves quite unprovided with food, in case of a bad +hunting-season during the winter and spring. + +In the next place, the rations which the Agent had been accustomed, by +the permission of Government, to deal out occasionally to them, were now +cut off by a scarcity in the Commissary's department. The frequent +levies of the militia during the summer campaign, and the reinforcement +of the garrison by the troops from Port Howard, had drawn so largely on +the stores at this post that there was necessity for the most rigid +economy in the issuing of supplies. + +Foreseeing this state of things, Mr. Kinzie, as soon as the war was at +an end, commissioned Mr. Kercheval, then sutler at Fort Howard, to +procure him a couple of boat-loads of corn, to be distributed among the +Indians. Unfortunately, there was no corn to be obtained from Michigan; +it was necessary to bring it from Ohio, and by the time it at length +reached Green Bay (for in those days business was never done in a hurry) +the navigation of the Fox River had closed, and it was detained there, +to be brought up the following spring. + +As day after day wore on and "the silver" did not make its appearance, +the Indians were advised by their Father to disperse to their +hunting-grounds to procure food, with the promise that they should be +summoned immediately on the arrival of Governor Porter; and this advice +they followed. + +While they had been in our neighborhood, they had more than once asked +permission to dance the _scalp-dance,_ before our door. This is the most +frightful, heart-curdling exhibition that can possibly be imagined. The +scalps are stretched on little hoops, or frames, and carried on the end +of slender poles. These are brandished about in the course of the dance, +with cries, shouts, and furious gestures. The women, who commence as +spectators, becoming excited with the scene and the music which their +own discordant notes help to make more deafening, rush in, seize the +scalps from the hands of the owners, and toss them frantically about, +with the screams and yells of demons. I have seen as many as forty or +fifty scalps figuring in one dance. Upon one occasion one was borne by +an Indian who approached quite near me, and I shuddered as I observed +the long, fair hair, evidently that of a woman. Another Indian had the +skin of a human hand, stretched and prepared with as much care as if it +had been some costly jewel. When these dances occurred, as they +sometimes did, by moonlight, they were peculiarly horrid and revolting. + + * * * * * + +Amid so many events of a painful character there were not wanting +occasionally some that bordered on the ludicrous. + +One evening, while sitting at tea, we were alarmed by the sound of guns +firing in the direction of the Wisconsin. All started up, and prepared, +instinctively, for flight to the garrison. As we left the house we found +the whole bluff and the meadow below in commotion,--Indians running with +their guns and spears across their shoulders to the scene of +alarm--squaws and children standing in front of their lodges and looking +anxiously in the direction of the unusual and unaccountable +sounds--groups of French and half-breeds, like ourselves, fleeing to +gain the bridge and place themselves within the pickets so lately +erected. + +As one company of Indians passed us hurriedly, some weapon carelessly +carried hit one of our party on the side of the head. "Oh!" shrieked +she, "I am killed! an Indian has tomahawked me!" and she was only +reassured by finding she could still run as fast as the best of us. + +When we reached the parade-ground, within the Fort, we could not help +laughing at the grotesque appearance we presented. Some without hats or +shawls--others with packages of valuables hastily secured at the +moment--one with her piece of bread-and-butter in hand, which she had +not had the presence of mind to lay aside when she took to flight. + +The alarm was, in the end, found to have proceeded from a party of +Winnebagoes from one of the Barribault villages, who, being about to +leave their home for a period, were going through the ceremony of +burying the scalps which they and their fathers had taken. + +Like the military funerals among civilized nations, their solemnities +were closed on this occasion by the discharge of several volleys over +the grave of their trophies. + + * * * * * + +At length, about the beginning of November, two months after the time +appointed, Governor Porter, accompanied by Major Forsyth and Mr. +Kercheval, arrived with the annuity money. The Indians were again +assembled, the payment was made, and having supplied themselves with a +larger quantity of ammunition than usual,--for they saw the necessity of +a good hunt to remedy past and present deficiencies,--they set off for +their wintering grounds. + +We were, ourselves, about changing our quarters, to our no small +satisfaction. Notwithstanding the Indian disturbances, the new Agency +House (permission to build which had, after much delay, been accorded by +Government) had been going steadily on, and soon after the departure of +the Governor and his party, we took possession of it. + +We had been settled but a few weeks, when one morning Lieutenant Davies +appeared just as we were sitting down to breakfast, with a face full of +consternation. "_The Indian prisoners had escaped from the black-hole_! +The commanding officer, Colonel Cutler, had sent for Mr. Kinzie to come +over to the Fort and counsel with him what was to be done." + +The prisoners had probably commenced their operations very soon after +being placed in the _black-hole_, a dungeon in the basement of the +guard-house. They observed that their meals were brought regularly, +three times a day, and that in the intervals they were left entirely to +themselves. With their knives they commenced excavating an opening, the +earth from which, as it was withdrawn, they spread about on the floor of +their prison. A blanket was placed over the hole, and one of the company +was always seated upon it, before the regular time for the soldier who +had charge of them to make his appearance. When the periodical visit was +made, the Indians were always observed to be seated, smoking in the most +orderly and quiet manner. There was never anything in their appearance +to excite suspicion. + +The prisoners had never read the memoirs of Baron Trenck, but they had +watched the proceedings of the badgers; so, profiting by their example, +they worked on, shaping the opening spirally, until, in about six weeks, +they came out to the open air beyond the walls of the Fort. + +That they might be as little encumbered as possible in their flight, +they left their blankets behind them, and although it was bitter +December weather, they took to the woods and prairies with only their +calico shirts and leggings for covering. We can readily believe that +hope and exultation kept them comfortably warm until they reached an +asylum among their friends. + +It would be compromising our own reputation as loyal and patriotic +citizens to tell of the secret rejoicing this news occasioned us. + +The question now was, how to get the fugitives back again. The Agent +could promise no more than that he would communicate with the chiefs, +and represent the wishes of the officers that the prisoners should once +more surrender themselves, and thus free those who had had the charge of +them from the imputation of carelessness, which the Government would be +very likely to throw upon them. + +When, according to their custom, many of the chiefs assembled at the +Agency on New-Year's Day, their Father laid the subject before them. + +The Indians replied, that _if they saw the young men_ they would tell +them what the officers would like to have them do. They could, +themselves, do nothing in the matter. They had fulfilled their +engagement by bringing them once and putting them in the hands of the +officers. The Government had had them in its power once and could not +keep them--it must now go and catch them itself. + +The Government, having had some experience the past summer in "catching +Indians," wisely concluded to drop the matter. + +About this time another event occurred which occasioned no small +excitement in our little community. Robineau, the striker from the +blacksmith establishment at Sugar Creek, near the Four Lakes, arrived +one very cold day at the Agency. He had come to procure medical aid for +Mata's eldest daughter, Sophy, who, while sliding on the lake, had +fallen on the ice and been badly hurt. Her father was absent, having +gone to Prairie du Chien to place his youngest daughter at school. Two +or three days had elapsed since the accident had happened; a high fever +had set in, and the poor girl was in a state of great suffering; it had +therefore been thought best to send Robineau to us for advice and aid, +leaving Turcotte and a friendly Indian woman from a neighboring lodge to +take charge of poor Sophy. + +The commanding officer did not think it prudent, when the subject was +laid before him, to permit the surgeon to leave the post, but he very +cheerfully granted leave of absence to Currie, the hospital steward, a +young man who possessed some knowledge of medicine and surgery. + +As it was important that Sophy should have an experienced nurse, we +procured the services of Madame Bellaire, the wife of the Frenchman who +was generally employed as express to Chicago; and, as an aid and +companion, Agathe, a daughter of Day-kau-ray, who lived in Paquette's +family, was added to the party. + +Of Agathe I shall have more to say hereafter. + +The weather was excessively cold when Robineau, Currie, and the two +women set out for Sugar Creek, a distance of about forty miles. We had +provided them with a good store of rice, crackers, tea, and sugar, for +the invalid, all of which, with their provisions for the way, were +packed on the horse Robineau had ridden to the Portage. It was expected +they would reach their place of destination on the second day. + +What, then, was our surprise to see Turcotte make his appearance on the +fourth day after their departure, to inquire why Robineau had not +returned with aid for poor Sophy! There was but one solution of the +mystery. Robineau had guided them as ill as he had guided the boat at +the Grande Chute the summer before, and, although he could not shipwreck +them, he had undoubtedly lost them in the woods or prairies. One comfort +was, that they could not well starve, for the rice and crackers would +furnish them with several days' provisions, and with Agathe, who must be +accustomed to this kind of life, they could not fail in time of finding +Indians, and being brought back to the Portage. + +Still, day after day went on and we received no tidings of them. +Turcotte returned to Sugar Creek with comforts and prescriptions for +Sophy, and Colonel Cutler sent out a party to hunt for the missing ones, +among whom poor Currie, from his delicate constitution, was the object +of our greatest commiseration. + +As the snow fell and the winds howled, we could employ ourselves about +nothing but walking from window to window, watching, in hopes of seeing +some one appear in the distance. No Indians were at hand whom we could +dispatch upon the search, and by the tenth day we had almost given up in +despair. + +It was then that the joyful news was suddenly brought us, "They are +found! They are at the Fort!" A party of soldiers who had been exploring +had encountered them at Hastings's Woods, twelve miles distant, slowly +and feebly making their way back to the Portage. They knew they were on +the right track, but had hardly strength to pursue it. + +Exhausted with cold and hunger, for their provisions had given out two +days before, they had thought seriously of killing the horse and eating +him. Nothing but Currie's inability to proceed on foot, and the dread of +being compelled to leave him in the woods to perish, had deterred them. + +Agathe had from the first been convinced that they were on the wrong +track, but Robineau, with his usual obstinacy, persevered in keeping it +until it brought them to the Rock River, when he was obliged to +acknowledge his error, and they commenced retracing their steps. + +Agathe, according to the custom of her people, had carried her hatchet +with her, and thus they had always had a fire at night, and boughs to +shelter them from the storms; otherwise they must inevitably have +perished. + +There were two circumstances which aroused in us a stronger feeling even +than that of sympathy. The first was, the miserable Robineau's having +demanded of Currie, first, all his money, and afterwards his watch, as a +condition of his bringing the party back into the right path, which he +averred he knew perfectly well. + +The second was, Bellaire's giving his kind, excellent wife a hearty +flogging "for going off," as he said, "on such a fool's errand." + +The latter culprit was out of our jurisdiction, but Mons. Robineau was +discharged on the spot, and warned that he might think himself happy to +escape a legal process for swindling. + +I am happy to say that Sophy Mata, in whose behalf all these sufferings +had been endured, was quite recovered by the time her father returned +from the Prairie. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +AGATHE--TOMAH. + + +Agathe was the daughter of an Indian who was distinguished by the name +of _Rascal_ Day-kau-ray. Whether he merited the appellation must be +determined hereafter. He was brother to the grand old chief of that +name, but as unlike him as it is possible for those of the same blood to +be. + +The Day-kau-rays were a very handsome family, and this daughter was +remarkable for her fine personal endowments. A tall, well-developed +form, a round, sweet face, and that peculiarly soft, melodious voice +which belongs to the women of her people, would have attracted the +attention of a stranger, while the pensive expression of her countenance +irresistibly drew the hearts of all towards her, and prompted the wish +to know more of her history. As I received it from her friend, Mrs. +Paquette, it was indeed a touching one. + +A young officer at the Fort had seen her, and had set, I will not say +his heart--it may be doubted if he had one--but his mind upon her. He +applied to Paquette to negotiate what he called a marriage with her. I +am sorry to say that Paquette was induced to enter into this scheme. He +knew full well the sin of making false representations to the family of +Agathe, and he knew the misery he was about to bring upon her. + +The poor girl had been betrothed to a young man of her own people, and, +as is generally the case, the attachment on both sides was very strong. +Among these simple people, who have few subjects of thought or +speculation beyond the interests of their daily life, their affections +and their animosities form the warp and woof of their character. All +their feelings are intense, from being concentrated on so few objects. +Family relations, particularly with the women, engross the whole amount +of their sensibilities. + +The marriage connection is a sacred and indissoluble tie. I have read, +in a recent report to the Historical Society of Wisconsin, that, in +former times, a temporary marriage between a white man and a Menomonee +woman was no uncommon occurrence, and that such an arrangement brought +no scandal, I am afraid that if such eases were investigated, a good +deal of deceit and misrepresentation would be found to have been added +to the other sins of the transaction; and that the woman would be found +to have been a victim, instead of a willing participant, in such a +connection. + +At all events, no system of this kind exists among the Winnebagoes. The +strictest sense of female propriety is a distinguishing trait among +them. A woman who transgresses it is said to have "forgotten herself," +and is sure to be cast off and "forgotten" by her friends. + +The marriage proposed between the young officer and the daughter of +Day-kau-ray, was understood as intended to be true and lasting. The +father would not have exposed himself to the contempt of his whole +nation by selling his daughter to become the mistress of any man. The +Day-kau-rays, as I have elsewhere said, were not a little proud of a +remote cross of French blood which mingled with the aboriginal stream in +their veins, and probably in acceding to the proposed connection the +father of Agathe was as much influenced by what he considered the honor +to be derived as by the amount of valuable presents which accompanied +the overtures made to him. + +Be that as it may, the poor girl was torn from her lover, and +transferred from her father's lodge to the quarters of the young +officer. + +There were no ladies in the garrison at that time. Had there been, such +a step would hardly have been ventured. Far away in the wilderness, shut +out from the salutary influences of religious and social cultivation, +what wonder that the moral sense sometimes becomes blinded, and that the +choice is made, "Evil, be thou my good!" + +The first step in wrong was followed by one still more aggravated in +cruelty. The young officer left the post, as he said, on furlough, but +_he never returned_. The news came after a time that he was married, and +when he again joined his regiment it was at another post. + +There was a natural feeling in the strength of the "woe pronounced +against him" by more tongues than one. "He will never," said my +informant, "dare show himself in this country again! Not an Indian who +knows the Day-kau-rays but would take his life if he should meet him!" + +Every tie was broken for poor Agathe but that which bound her to her +infant. She never returned to her father's lodge, for she felt that, +being deserted, she was dishonored. Her sole ambition seemed to be to +bring up her child like those of the whites. She attired it in the +costume of the French children, with a dress of bright calico, and a cap +of the same, trimmed with narrow black lace. It was a fine child, and +the only time I ever saw a smile cross her face was when it was +commended and caressed by some member of our family. + +Even this, her only source of happiness, poor Agathe was called upon to +resign. During our absence at Green Bay, while the Sauks were in the +neighborhood, the child was taken violently ill. The house at +Paquette's, which was the mother's home, was thronged with Indians, and +of course there was much noise and disturbance. My husband had a place +prepared for her under our roof, where she could be more quiet, and +receive the attendance of the post physician. It was all in +vain--nothing could save the little creature's life. The bitter agony of +the mother, as she hung over the only treasure she possessed on earth, +was described to me as truly heart-rending. When compelled to part with +it, it seemed almost more than nature could bear. There were friends, +not of her own nation or color, who strove to comfort her. Did the +father ever send a thought or an inquiry after the fate of his child, or +of the young being whose life he had rendered dark and desolate? We will +hope that he did--that he repented and asked pardon from above for the +evil he had wrought. + +Agathe had been baptized by M. Mazzuchelli. Perhaps she may have +acquired some religious knowledge which could bring her consolation in +her sorrows, and compensate her for the hopes and joys so early blasted. + +She came, some months after the death of her child, in company with +several of the half-breed women of the neighborhood, to pay me a visit +of respect and congratulation on the advent of the _young +Shaw-nee-aw-kee._ When she looked at her "little brother," as he was +called, and took his soft, tiny hand within her own, the tears stood in +her eyes, and she spoke some little words of tenderness, which showed +that her heart was full. I could scarcely refrain from mingling my tears +with hers, as I thought on all the sorrow and desolation that one man's +selfishness had occasioned. + + * * * * * + +Early in February, 1833, my husband and Lieutenant Hunter, in company +with one or two others, set off on a journey to Chicago. That place had +become so much of a town (it contained perhaps fifty inhabitants) that +it was necessary for the proprietors of "Kinzie's Addition" to lay out +lots and open streets through their property. All this was accomplished +during the visit in question. + +While they were upon the ground with a surveyor, the attention of my +husband was drawn towards a very bright-looking boy in Indian costume, +who went hopping along by the side of the assistant that carried the +chain, mimicking him as in the course of his operations he cried, +"Stick!" "stuck!" He inquired who the lad was, and, to his surprise, +learned that he was the brother of the old family servants Victoire, +Genevieve, and Baptiste. Tomah, for that was his name, had never been +arrayed in civilized costume; he was in blanket and leggings, and had +always lived in a wigwam. My husband inquired if he would like to go to +Fort Winnebago with him and learn to be a white boy. The idea pleased +him much, and, his mother having given her sanction to the arrangement, +he was packed in a wagon, with the two gentlemen and their travelling +gear, when they set forth on their return-journey. + +Tomah had been equipped in jacket and trousers, with the other articles +of apparel necessary to his new sphere and character. They were near the +Aux Plaines, and approaching the residence of Glode (Claude) +Laframboise, where Tomah knew he should meet acquaintances. He asked +leave to get out of the wagon and walk a little way. When the gentlemen +next saw him he was in full Pottowattamie costume: although it was +bitter winter weather, he had put on his uncomfortable native garb +rather than show himself to his old friends in a state of +transformation. + +On his arrival at Fort Winnebago, our first care was to furnish him +with a complete wardrobe, which, having been placed in a box in his +sleeping-apartment, was put under his charge. Words cannot express his +delight as the valuable possessions were confided to him. Every spare +moment was devoted to their contemplation. Now and then Tomah would be +missing. He was invariably found seated by the side of his little trunk, +folding and refolding his clothes, laying them now lengthwise, now +crosswise, the happiest of mortals. + +Our next step was to teach him to be useful. Such little offices were +assigned to him at first as might be supposed not altogether new to him, +but we soon observed that when there was anything in the shape of work, +Tomah slipped off to bed, even if it were before he had taken his +supper. Some fish were given him one evening to scale; it was just at +dark; but Tom, according to custom, retired at once to bed. + +The cook came to inquire what was to be done. I was under the necessity +of calling in my husband's aid as interpreter. He sent for Tomah. When +he came into the parlor Mr. Kinzie said to him, in Pottowattamie,-- + +"There are some fish, Tomah, in the kitchen, and we want you to scale +them." + +"Now?" exclaimed Tom, with an expression of amazement. "It is very +late." + +A young lady, Miss Rolette, who was visiting us, and who understood the +language, could not refrain from bursting into a laugh at the simplicity +with which the words were uttered, and we joined her in sympathy, at +which Tom looked a little indignant; but when he understood that it was +the _white custom_ to scale the fish at night, and put salt and pepper +on them, he was soon reconciled to do his duty in the matter. + +His next office was to lay the table. There was a best service of +china, which was only used when we had company, and a best set of +teaspoons, which I kept in the drawer of a bureau in my own room +above-stairs. I Was in the habit of keeping this drawer locked, and +putting the key under a small clock on the mantel-piece. The first time +that I had shown Tomah how to arrange matters for visitors, I had +brought the silver and put it on the table myself. + +Soon after, we were to have company to tea again, and I explained to +Tomah that the best china must be used. What was my surprise, on going +through the dining-room a short time after, to see not only the new +china, but the "company silver" also, on the table! I requested our +mother, who could speak with him, to inquire into the matter. + +Tomah said, very coolly, "He got the silver where it was kept." + +"Did he find the drawer open?" + +"No--he opened it with a key." + +"Was the key in the drawer?" + +"No--it was under that thing on the shelf." + +"How did he know it was kept there?" + +This was what Mr. Tomah declined telling. We could never ascertain +whether he had watched my movements at any time. No one had ever seen +him in that part of the house, and yet scarcely an article could be +mentioned of which Tomah did not know the whereabouts. If any one was +puzzled to find a thing, it was always,-- + +"Ask Tomah--he will tell you." And so in fact he did. + +He was a subject of much amusement to the young officers. We were to +have a tea-party one evening--all the families and young officers from +the Fort. To make Tomah's appearance as professional as possible, we +made him a white apron with long sleeves to put on while he was helping +Mary and Josette to carry round tea--for I must acknowledge that Tomah's +clothes were not kept in as nice order out of the trunk as in it. + +Tom was delighted with his new costume, as well as with the new +employment. He acquitted himself to perfection, for he had never any +difficulty in imitating what he saw another do. After tea we had some +music. As I was standing by the piano, at which one of the ladies was +seated, Lieutenant Vancleve said to me, in a low tone,-- + +"Look behind you a moment." + +I turned. There sat Tom between two of the company, as stately as +possible, with his white apron smoothed down, and his hands clasped +before him, listening to the music, and on the best possible terms with +himself and all around him. Julian and Edwin were hardly able to +restrain their merriment, but they were afraid to do or say anything +that would cause him to move before the company had had a full enjoyment +of the scene. It was voted unanimously that Tomah should be permitted to +remain and enjoy the pleasures of society for one evening; but, with +characteristic restlessness, he got tired as soon as the music was over, +and unceremoniously took his leave of the company. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +CONCLUSION. + + +What we had long anticipated of the sufferings of the Indians began to +manifest itself as the spring drew on. Its extent was first brought to +our knowledge by those who came in little parties begging for food. + +As long as it was possible to issue occasional rations their Father +continued to do so, but the supplies in the Commissary Department were +now so much reduced that Colonel Cutler did not feel justified in +authorizing anything beyond a scanty relief, and this only in extreme +cases. + +We had ourselves throughout the winter used the greatest economy with +our own stores, that we might not exhaust our slender stock of flour and +meal before it could be replenished from "below." We had even purchased +some sour flour which had been condemned by the commissary, and had +contrived, by a plentiful use of saleratus and a due proportion of +potatoes, to make of it a very palatable kind of bread. But as we had +continued to give to party after party, when they would come to us to +represent their famishing condition, the time at length arrived when we +had nothing to give. + +The half-breed families of the neighborhood, who had, like ourselves, +continued to share with the needy as long as their own stock lasted, +were now obliged, of necessity, to refuse further assistance. These +women often came to lament with us over the sad accounts that were +brought from the wintering grounds. It had been a very open winter. The +snow had scarcely been enough at any time to permit the Indians to track +the deer; in fact, all the game had been driven off by the troops and +war-parties scouring the country through the preceding summer. + +We heard of their dying by companies from mere inanition, and lying +stretched in the road to the Portage, whither they were striving to drag +their exhausted frames. Soup made of the bark of the slippery elm, or +stewed acorns, were the only food that many had subsisted on for weeks. + +We had for a long time received our own food by daily rations from the +garrison, for things had got to such a pass that there was no +possibility of obtaining a barrel of flour at a time. After our meals +were finished I always went into the pantry, and collecting carefully +every remaining particle of food set it aside, to be given to some of +the wretched applicants by whom we were constantly thronged. + +One day as I was thus employed, a face appeared at the window with which +I had once been familiar. It was the pretty daughter of the elder +Day-kau-ray. She had formerly visited us often, watching with great +interest our employments--our sewing, our weeding and cultivating the +garden, or our reading. Of the latter, I had many times endeavored to +give her some idea, showing her the plates in the Family Bible, and +doing my best to explain them to her, but of late I had quite lost sight +of her. Now, how changed, how wan she looked! As I addressed her with my +ordinary phrase, "_Tshah-ko-zhah_?" (What is it?) she gave a sigh that +was almost a sob. She did not beg, but her countenance spoke volumes. + +I took my dish and handed it to her, expecting to see her devour the +contents eagerly; but no--she took it, and, making signs that she would +soon return, walked away. When she brought it back, I was almost sure +she had not tasted a morsel herself. + + * * * * * + +Oh! the boats--the boats with the corn! Why did they not come? We both +wrote and sent to hasten them, but, alas! everything and everybody moved +so slowly in those unenterprising times! We could only feel sure that +they would come when they were ready, and not a moment before. + +We were soon obliged to keep both doors and windows fast, to shut out +the sight of misery we could not relieve. If a door were opened for the +admission of a member of the family, some wretched mother would rush in, +grasp the hand of my infant, and, placing that of her famishing child +within it, tell us, pleadingly, that he was imploring "his little +brother" for food. The stoutest man could not have beheld with dry eyes +the heart-rending spectacle which often presented itself. It was in vain +that we screened the lower portion of our windows with curtains. They +would climb up on the outside, and tier upon tier of gaunt, wretched +faces would peer in above, to watch us, and see if indeed we were as ill +provided as we represented ourselves. + +The noble old Day-kau-ray came one day, from the Barribault, to apprise +us of the state of his village. More than forty of his people, he said, +had now been for many days without food, save bark and roots. My husband +accompanied him to the commanding officer to tell his story and +ascertain if any amount of food could be obtained from that quarter. The +result was, the promise of a small allowance of flour, sufficient to +alleviate the cravings of his own family. + +When this was explained to the chief, he turned away. "No," he said, +"if his people could not be relieved, he and his family would starve +with them!" And he refused, for those nearest and dearest to him, the +proffered succor, until all could share alike. + +The announcement, at length, that "the boats were in sight," was a +thrilling and most joyful sound. + +Hundreds of poor creatures were assembled on the bank, watching their +arrival. Oh! how torturing was their slow approach, by the winding +course of the river, through the extended prairie! As the first boat +touched the land, we, who were gazing on the scene with anxiety and +impatience only equalled by that of the sufferers, could scarcely +refrain from laughing, to see old Wild-Cat, who had somewhat fallen off +in his huge amount of flesh, seize "the Washington Woman" in his arms +and hug and dance with her in the ecstasy of his delight. + +Their Father made a sign to them all to fall to work with their +hatchets, which they had long held ready, and in an incredibly short +time barrel after barrel of corn was broken open and emptied, while even +the little children possessed themselves of pans and kettles full, and +hastened to the fires that were blazing around to parch and cook that +which they had seized. + +From this time forward, there was no more destitution. The present +abundance was immediately followed by the arrival of supplies for the +Commissary's Department; and, refreshed and invigorated, our poor +children departed once more to their villages, to make ready their crops +for the ensuing season. + +In the course of the spring, we received a visit from the Rev. Mr. Kent +and Mrs. Kent, of Galena. This event is memorable, as being the first +occasion on which the gospel, according to the Protestant faith, was +preached at Fort Winnebago. The large parlor of the hospital was fitted +up for the service, and gladly did we each say to the other, "Let us go +to the house of the Lord!" + +For nearly three years had we lived here without the blessing of a +public service of praise and thanksgiving. We regarded this commencement +as an omen of better times, and our little "sewing-society" worked with +renewed industry, to raise a fund Which might be available hereafter in +securing the permanent services of a missionary. + + * * * * * + +Not long after this, on a fine spring morning, as we were seated at +breakfast, a party of Indians entered the parlor, and came to the door +of the room where we were. Two of them passed through, and went out upon +a small portico--the third remained standing in the door-way at which he +had at first appeared. He was nearly opposite me, and as I raised my +eyes, spite of his change of dress, and the paint with which he was +covered, I at once recognized him. + +I continued to pour the coffee, and, as I did so, I remarked to my +husband, "The one behind you, with whom you are speaking, is one of the +escaped prisoners." + +Without turning his head, Mr. Kinzie continued to listen to all the +directions they were giving him about the repairing of their guns, +traps, etc., which they wished to leave with the blacksmith. As they +went on, he carelessly turned towards the parlor door, and replied to +the one speaking to him. When he again addressed me, it was to say,-- + +"You are right, but it is no affair of ours. We are none of us to look +so as to give him notice that we suspect anything. They are undoubtedly +innocent, and have suffered enough already." + +Contrary to his usual custom, their Father did not ask their names, but +wrote their directions, which he tied to their different implements, and +then bade them go and deliver them themselves to M. Morrin. + +The rest of our circle were greatly pleased at the young fellow's +audacity, and we quite longed to tell the officers that we could have +caught one of their fugitives for them, if we had had a mind. + + * * * * * + +The time had now come when we began to think seriously of leaving our +pleasant home, and taking up our residence at Detroit, while making +arrangements for a permanent settlement at Chicago. + +This intelligence, when communicated to our Winnebago children, brought +forth great lamentations and demonstrations of regret. From the +surrounding country they came flocking in, to inquire into the truth of +the tidings they had heard, and to petition earnestly that we would +continue to live and die among them. + +Among them all, no one seemed so overwhelmed with affliction as +Elizabeth, our poor _Cut-Nose_. When we first told her of our intention, +she sat for hours in the same spot, wiping away the tears that would +find their way down her cheeks, with the corner of the chintz shawl she +wore pinned across her bosom. + +"No! I never, never, never shall I find such friends again," she would +exclaim. "You will go away, and I shall be left here _all alone_." + +Wild-Cat, too, the fat, jolly Wild-Cat, gave way to the most audible +lamentations. + +"Oh, my little brother," he said to the baby, on the morning of our +departure, when he had insisted on taking him and seating him on his +fat, dirty knee, "you will never come back to see your poor brother +again!" + +And having taken an extra glass on the occasion, he wept like an infant. + +It was with sad hearts that on the morning of the 1st of July, 1888, we +bade adieu to the long cortege which followed us to the boat, now +waiting to convey us to Green Bay, where we were to meet Governor Porter +and Mr. Brush, and proceed, under their escort, to Detroit. + +When they had completed their tender farewells, they turned to accompany +their father across the Portage, on his route to Chicago, and long +after, we could see them winding along the road, and hear their loud +lamentations at a parting which they foresaw would be forever. + + + + +APPENDIX. + + + + +I. + + +As I have given throughout the Narrative of the Sauk War the impressions +we received from our own observation, or from information furnished us +at the time, I think it but justice to Black Hawk and his party to +insert, by way of Appendix, the following account, preserved among the +manuscript records of the late Thomas Forsyth, Esq., of St. Louis, who, +after residing among the Indians many years as a trader, was, until the +year 1830, the Agent of the Sauks and Foxes. The manuscript was written +in 1832, while Black Hawk and his compatriots were in prison at +Jefferson Barracks. + +"The United States troops under the command of Major Stoddard arrived +here[58] and took possession of this country in the month of February, +1804. In the spring of that year, a white person (a man or boy) was +killed in Cuivre Settlement, by a Sauk Indian Some time in the summer +following, a party of United States troops were sent up to the Sauk +village on Rocky Biver, and a demand made of the Sauk chiefs for the +murderer. The Sauk chiefs did not hesitate a moment, but delivered him +up to the commander of the troops, who brought him down and delivered +him over to the civil authority in this place (St. Louis). + +"Some time in the ensuing autumn some Sauk and Fox Indians came to this +place, and had a conversation with General Harrison (then Governor of +Indiana Territory, and acting Governor of this State, then Territory of +Louisiana) on the subject of liberating their relative, then in prison +at this place for the above-mentioned murder. + +"Quash-quame, a Sauk chief, who was the head man of this party, has +repeatedly said, 'Mr. Pierre Chouteau, Sen., came several times to my +camp, offering that if I would sell the lands on the east side of the +Mississippi River, Governor Harrison would liberate my relation (meaning +the Sauk Indian then in prison as above related), to which I at last +agreed, and sold the lands from the mouth of the Illinois River up the +Mississippi River as high as the mouth of Rocky River (now Rock River), +and east to the ridge that divides the waters of the Mississippi and +Illinois Rivers; but I never sold any more lands.' Quash-quame also said +to Governor Edwards, Governor Clarke, and Mr. Auguste Chouteau, +Commissioners appointed to treat with the Chippewas, Ottawas, and +Pottowattamies of Illinois River, in the summer of 1816, for lands on +the west side of Illinois River,-- + +"'You white men may put on paper what you please, but again I tell you, +I never sold any lands higher up the Mississippi than the mouth of Rocky +River.' + +"In the treaty first mentioned, the line commences opposite to the mouth +of Gasconade River, and running in a direct line to the head-waters of +Jefferson[59] River, thence down that river to the Mississippi +River--thence up the Mississippi River to the mouth of the Ouisconsin +River--thence up that river thirty-six miles--thence in a direct line to +a little lake in Fox River of Illinois, down Fox River to Illinois +River, down Illinois River to its mouth--thence down the Mississippi +River to the mouth of Missouri River--thence up that river to the place +of beginning. See treaty dated at St. Louis, 4th November, 1804. + +"The Sauk and Fox nations were never consulted, nor had any hand in this +treaty, nor knew anything about it. It was made and signed by two Sauk +chiefs, one Fox chief and one warrior. + +"When the annuities were delivered to the Sauk and Fox nations of +Indians, according to the treaty above referred to (amounting to $1000 +per annum), the Indians always thought they were presents (as the +annuity for the first twenty years was always paid in goods, sent on +from Georgetown, District of Columbia, and poor articles of merchandise +they were, very often damaged and not suitable for Indians), until I, as +their Agent, convinced them of the contrary, in the summer of 1818. When +the Indians heard that the goods delivered to them were annuities for +land sold by them to the United States, they were astonished, and +refused to accept of the goods, denying that they ever sold the lands as +stated by me, their Agent. The Black Hawk in particular, who was present +at the time, made a great noise about this land, and would never receive +any part of the annuities from that time forward. He always denied the +authority of Quash-quame and others to sell any part of their lands, and +told the Indians not to receive any presents or annuities from any +American--otherwise their lands would be claimed at some future day. + +"As the United States do insist, and retain the lands according to the +treaty of November 4, 1804, why do they not fulfil _their_ part of that +treaty as equity demands? + +"The Sauk and Fox nations are allowed, according to that treaty, 'to +live and hunt on the lands so ceded, as long as the aforesaid lands +belong to the United States.' In the spring of the year 1827, about +twelve or fifteen families of squatters arrived and took possession of +the Sauk village, near the mouth of the Rocky River. They immediately +commenced destroying the Indians' bark boats. Some were burned, others +were torn to pieces, and when the Indians arrived at the village, and +found fault with the destruction of their property, they were beaten and +abused by the squatters. + +"The Indians made complaint to me, as their Agent. I wrote to General +Clarke,[60] stating to him from time to time what happened, and giving a +minute detail of everything that passed between the whites (squatters) +and the Indians. + +"The squatters insisted that the Indians should be removed from their +village, saying that as soon as the land was brought into market they +(the squatters) would buy it all. It became needless for me to show them +the treaty, and the right the Indians had to remain on their lands. They +tried every method to annoy the Indians, by shooting their dogs, +claiming their horses, complaining that the Indians' horses broke into +their corn-fields--selling them whiskey for the most trifling articles, +contrary to the wishes and request of the chiefs, particularly the Black +Hawk, who both solicited and threatened them on the subject, but all to +no purpose. + +"The President directed those lands to be sold at the Land Office, in +Springfield, Illinois. Accordingly, when the time came that they were to +be offered for sale (in the autumn of 1828), there were about twenty +families of squatters at, and in the vicinity of, the old Sauk village, +most of whom attended the sale, and but one of them could purchase a +quarter-section (if we except George Davenport, a trader who resides in +Rocky Island). Therefore, all the land not sold, still belonged to the +United States, and the Indians had still a right, by treaty, to hunt and +live on those lands. This right, however, was not allowed them--they +must move off. + +"In 1830, the principal chiefs, and others of the Sauk and Fox Indians +who resided at the old village, near Rocky River, acquainted me that +they would remove to their village on Ihoway River. These chiefs advised +me to write to General Clarke, Superintendent of Indian Affairs at this +place (St. Louis), to send up a few militia--that the Black Hawk and his +followers would then see that everything was in earnest, and they would +remove to the west side of the Mississippi, to their own lands. + +"The letter, as requested by the chiefs, was written and sent by me to +General Clarke, but he did not think proper to answer it--therefore +everything remained as formerly, and, as a matter of course, the Black +Hawk and his party thought the whole matter of removing from the old +village had blown over. + +"In the spring of 1831, the Black Hawk and his party were augmented by +many Indians from Ihoway River. This augmentation of forces made the +Black Hawk very proud, and he supposed nothing would be done about +removing him and his party. + +"General Gaines visited the Black Hawk and his party this season, with a +force of regulars and militia, and compelled them to remove to the west +side of the Mississippi River, on their own lands. + +"When the Black Hawk and party recrossed to the east side of the +Mississippi River in 1832, they numbered three hundred and sixty-eight +men. They were hampered with many women and children, and had no +intention to make war. When attacked by General Stillman's detachment, +they defended themselves like men; and I would ask, who would not do +so, likewise? Thus the war commenced. + + * * * * * + +"The Indians had been defeated, dispersed, and some of the principal +chiefs are now in prison and in chains, at Jefferson Barracks.... + +"It is very well known, by all who know the Black Hawk, that he has +always been considered a friend to the whites. Often has he taken into +his lodge the wearied white man, given him good food to eat, and a good +blanket to sleep on before the fire. Many a good meal has _the Prophet_ +given to people travelling past his village, and very many stray horses +has he recovered from the Indians and restored to their rightful owners, +without asking any recompense whatever.... + +"What right have we to tell any people, 'You shall not cross the +Mississippi River on any pretext whatever'? When the Sauk and Fox +Indians wish to cross the Mississippi, to visit their relations among +the Pottowattamies of Fox River, Illinois, they are prevented by us, +_because we have the power_!" + +I omit the old gentleman's occasional comments upon the powers that +dictated, and the forces which carried on, the warfare of this unhappy +summer. There is every reason to believe that had his suggestions been +listened to, and had he continued the Agent of the Sauks and Foxes, a +sad record might have been spared,--we should assuredly not have been +called to chronicle the untimely fate of his successor, the unfortunate +M. St. Vrain, who, a comparative stranger to his people, was murdered by +them, in their exasperated fury, at Kellogg's Grove, soon after the +commencement of the campaign. + + + + +II. + + +It seems appropriate to notice in this place the subsequent appearance +before the public of one of the personages casually mentioned in the +foregoing narrative. + +In the autumn of 1864 we saw advertised for exhibition at Wood's Museum, +Chicago, "The most remarkable instance of longevity on record--the +venerable Joseph Crely, born on the 13th of September, 1726, and having +consequently reached, at this date, the age of ONE HUNDRED AND +THIRTY-NINE YEARS!" Sundry particulars followed of his life and history, +and, above all, of his recollections. + +"Well done for old Crely!" said my husband, when he had gone through the +long array. "Come, let us go over to Wood's Museum and renew our +acquaintance with the venerable gentleman." + +I did not need a second invitation, for I was curious to witness the +wonders which the whirligig of time had wrought with our old _employe_. + +We chose an early hour for our visit, that we might pay our respects to +both him and the granddaughter who had him in charge, unembarrassed by +the presence of strangers. + +In a large room on the second floor of the building, among cages of +birds and animals, some stuffed, others still living, we perceived, +seated by a window, a figure clad in bright cashmere dressing-gown and +gay tasselled cap, tranquilly smoking a tah-nee-hoo-rah, or long Indian +pipe. His form was upright, his face florid, and less changed than might +have been expected by the thirty-one years that had elapsed since we had +last seen him. He was alone, and my husband addressed him at first in +English:-- + +"Good-morning, M. Crely. Do you remember me?" + +He shook his head emphatically. "Je ne comprends pas. Je ne me +ressouviens de rien--je suis vieux, vieux--le treize Septembre, mil sept +cent vingt-six, je suis ne. Non, non," with a few gentle shakes of the +head, "je ne puis rappeler rien--je suis vieux, vieux."[61] + +My husband changed his inquiries to the patois which Crely could not +feign not to comprehend. + +"Where is your granddaughter? I am acquainted with her, and would like +to speak with her." + +The old man sprang up with the greatest alacrity, and, running to a door +in the wooden partition which cut off a corner of the room and thus +furnished an apartment for the ancient phenomenon, he rapped vigorously, +and called, in accents quite unlike his former feeble, drawling tones,-- + +"Therese, Therese--il y a icite un monsieur qui voudrait vous voir."[62] + +The granddaughter presently made her appearance. She looked shyly at my +husband from under her brows. + +"Do you know me, Therese?" he asked. + +"Yes, sir. It is Mr. Kinzie." + +"And do you know me also?" I said, approaching. She looked at me and +shook her head. + +"No, I do not," she replied. + +"What, Therese! Have you forgotten Madame John, who taught you to +read--you and all the little girls at the Portage?" + +"Oh, my heavens, Mrs. Kinzie!--but you have changed so!" + +"Yes, Therese, I have grown old in all these years; but I have not grown +old quite so fast as your grandpapa here." + +There was a flash in her eye that told she felt my meaning. She hung +her head without speaking, while the color deepened over her +countenance. + +"Now," said I, in French, to the grandfather, "you remember me--" + +He interrupted me with a protest, "Non, non--je ne puis rappeler +rien--je suis vieux, vieux--le treize Septembre, mil sept cent +vingt-six, je suis ne a Detroit." + +"And you recollect," I went on, not heeding his formula, "how I came to +the Portage a bride, and lived in the old cabins that the soldiers had +occupied--" + +"Eh b'an! oui--oui--" + +"And how you helped make the garden for me--and how Plante and Manaigre +finished the new house so nicely while Monsieur John was away for the +silver--and how there was a feast after it was completed--" + +"Ah! oui, oui--pour le sur." + +"And where are all our people now?" I asked, turning to Therese. "Louis +Frum _dit_ Manaigre--is he living?" + +"Oh, Madame Kinzie! You remember that--Manaigre having two names?" + +"Yes, Therese--I remember everything connected with those old times at +the Portage. Who among our people there are living?" + +"Only Manaigre is left," she said. + +"Mais, mais, Therese," interposed the old man, "Manaigre's daughter +Genevieve is living." It was a comfort to find our visit of such +miraculous benefit to his memory. + +"And the Puans--are any of them left?" I asked. + +"Not more than ten or twelve, I think--" Again her grandfather promptly +contradicted her:-- + +"Mais, mais, je compte b'an qu'il y en a quinze ou seize, Therese;" and +he went quite glibly over the names of such of his red friends as still +hovered around their old home in that vicinity. + +He was in the full tide of gay reminiscence, touching upon experiences +and adventures of long ago, and recalling Indian and half-breed +acquaintances of former days, when footsteps approached, and the +entrance of eager, curious visitors suddenly reminded him of his +appointed role. It was marvellous how instantaneously he subsided into +the superannuated driveller who was to bear away the bell from Old Parr +and all the Emperor Alexander's far-sought fossils. + +"Je suis vieux, vieux--l'an mil sept cent vingt-six--le treize +Septembre, a Detroit--- je ne puis rappeler rien." + +Not another phrase could "all the King's armies, or all the King's men," +have extorted from him. + +So we left him to the admiring comments of the new-comers. I think it +should be added, in extenuation of what would otherwise seem a gross +imposture, that his granddaughter was really ignorant of Crely's exact +age--that he, being ever a gasconading fellow, was quite ready to +personate that certain Joseph Crely whose name appears on the baptismal +records of the Church in Detroit of the year 1726. He was, moreover, +pleased with the idea of being gaily dressed and going on a tour to see +the world, and doubtless rejoiced, also, in the prospect of relieving +his poor granddaughter of a part of the burden of his maintenance. He +was probably at this time about ninety-five years of age. There are +those that knew him from 1830, who maintain that his age was a few years +less; but I take the estimate of Mr. Kinzie and H.L. Dousman, of Prairie +du Chien, who set him down, in 1864, at about the age I have assigned to +him. + + +THE END. + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: Corn which has been parboiled, shelled from the cob, and +dried in the sun.] + +[Footnote 2: Literally, _crazy oats_. It is the French name for the +Menomonees.] + +[Footnote 3: _Le Forgeron_, or Blacksmith, a Menomonee chief.] + +[Footnote 4: A niece of James Fenimore Cooper.] + +[Footnote 5: Master--or, to use the emphatic Yankee term, _boss_.] + +[Footnote 6: Michaud climbed into a plum-tree, to gather plums. The +branch broke. _Michaud fell_! Where is he? _He is down on the ground_. +No, he is up in the tree.] + +[Footnote 7: The supposed Dauphin of France.] + +[Footnote 8: The site of the town of Nee-nah.] + +[Footnote 9: The bark of the red willow, scraped fine, which is +preferred by the Indians to tobacco.] + +[Footnote 10: General Cass was then Governor of Michigan, and +Superintendent of the Northwestern Indians.] + +[Footnote 11: In the year 1714.] + +[Footnote 12: Father! How do you do?] + +[Footnote 13: Only look! what inventions! what wonders!] + +[Footnote 14: Between two of these lakes is now situated the town of +Madison--the capital of the State of Wisconsin.] + +[Footnote 15: I speak, it will be understood, of things as they existed +a quarter of a century ago.] + +[Footnote 16: It was at this spot that the unfortunate St. Vrain lost +his life, during the Sauk war, in 1832.] + +[Footnote 17: Probably at what is now Oswego. The name of a portion of +the wood is since corrupted into _Specie's Grove_.] + +[Footnote 18: The honey-bee is not known in the perfectly wild countries +of North America. It is ever the pioneer of civilization, and the +Indians call it "_the white man's bird_."] + +[Footnote 19: It was near this spot that the brother of Mr. Hawley, a +Methodist preacher, was killed by the Sauks, in 1832, after having been +tortured by them with the most wanton barbarity.] + +[Footnote 20: Riviere Aux Plaines was the original French designation, +now changed to _Desplaines_, pronounced as in English.] + +[Footnote 21: 1855.] + +[Footnote 22: See Frontispiece.] + +[Footnote 23: Since called N. State Street (1870).] + +[Footnote 24: I can recall a petition that was circulated at the +garrison about this period, for "building a brigg over Michigan City." +By altering the orthography, it was found to mean, not the stupendous +undertaking it would seem to imply, but simply "building a bridge" over +_at_ Michigan City,--an accommodation much needed by travellers at that +day.] + +[Footnote 25: The proper orthography of this word is undoubtedly +_slough_, as it invariably indicates something like that which Christian +fell into in flying from the City of Destruction. I spell it, however, +as it is pronounced.] + +[Footnote 26: A gentleman who visited Chicago at that day, thus speaks +of it: "I passed over the ground from the fort to the Point, on +horseback. I was up to my stirrups in water the whole distance. I would +not have given sixpence an acre for the whole of it."] + +[Footnote 27: See Narrative of the Massacre, p. 159.] + +[Footnote 28: Mr. Cat.] + +[Footnote 29: This Narrative, first published in pamphlet form in 1836, +was transferred, with little variation, to Brown's "History of +Illinois," and to a work called "Western Annals." It was likewise made, +by Major Richardson, the basis of his two tales, "Hardscrabble," and +"Wau-nan-gee."] + +[Footnote 30: Burns's house stood near the spot where the Agency +Building, or "Cobweb Castle," was afterwards erected, at the foot of N. +State Street.] + +[Footnote 31: This is done by cutting the meat in thin slices, placing +it upon a scaffold, and making a fire under it, which dries it and +smokes it at the same time.] + +[Footnote 32: A trading-establishment--now Ypsilanti.] + +[Footnote 33: Captain Wells, when a boy, was stolen, by the Miami +Indians, from the family of Hon. Nathaniel Pope, in Kentucky. Although +recovered by them, he preferred to return and live among his new +friends. He married a Miami woman, and became a chief of the nation. He +was the father of the late Mrs. Judge Wolcott, of Maumee, Ohio.] + +[Footnote 34: The spot now called Bertrand, then known as _Parc aux +Vaches,_ from its having been a favorite "stamping-ground" of the +buffalo which then abounded in the country.] + +[Footnote 35: The exact spot of this encounter was about where 21st +Street crosses Indiana Avenue.] + +[Footnote 36: Along the present State Street.] + +[Footnote 37: Mrs. Holt is believed to be still living, in the State of +Ohio.] + +[Footnote 38: Billy Caldwell was a half-breed, and a chief of the +nation. In his reply, "_I am a Sau-ga-nash_," or Englishman, he designed +to convey, "I am a _white_ man." Had he said, "_I am a Pottowattamie_," +it would have been interpreted to mean, "I belong to my nation, and am +prepared to go all lengths with them."] + +[Footnote 39: Frenchman.] + +[Footnote 40: The Pottowattamie chief, so well known to many of the +citizens of Chicago, now (1870) residing at the Aux Plaines.] + +[Footnote 41: Twenty-two years after this, as I was on a journey to +Chicago in the steamer Uncle Sam, a young woman, hearing my name, +introduced herself to me, and, raising the hair from her forehead, +showed me the mark of the tomahawk which had so nearly been fatal to +her.] + +[Footnote 42: Although this is the name our mother preserved of her +benefactor, it seems evident that this chief was in fact _Corn-Planter_, +a personage well known in the history of the times. There could hardly +have been two such prominent chiefs in the same village.] + +[Footnote 43: From the French--_Tranche_, a deep cut.] + +[Footnote 44: It is a singular fact that all the martins, of which there +were great numbers occupying the little houses constructed for them by +the soldiers, were observed to have disappeared from their homes on the +morning following the embarkation of the troops. After an absence of +five days they returned. They had perhaps taken a fancy to accompany +their old friends, but, finding they were not Mother Carey's chickens, +deemed it most prudent to return and reoccupy their old dwellings.] + +[Footnote 45: It is now known as Dunkley's Grove.] + +[Footnote 46: How the woods talk!] + +[Footnote 47: It will be remembered that these were the arguments used +at a period when the Indians possessed most of the broad lands on the +Upper Mississippi and its tributaries--when they were still allowed some +share of the blessings of life.] + +[Footnote 48: The Indians, in relating a story like this, apologize for +alluding to a revolting subject. "You will think this _unpleasant_," +they say.] + +[Footnote 49: Come in, my daughter.] + +[Footnote 50: The Indians sing these words to an air peculiar to +themselves.] + +[Footnote 51: Three streams or water courses of that region.] + +[Footnote 52: See Appendix.] + +[Footnote 53: As "the venerable Joseph Crely" has become historic from +his claim to have reached the age of one hundred and thirty-nine years, +I will state that at this period (1832) he was a hale, hearty man of +sixty years or less.] + +[Footnote 54: The Indians who had "been at Washington" were very fond of +calling their Father thus. Black Wolf's son would go further, and +vociferate "K'hizzie," to show his familiarity.] + +[Footnote 55: Fisher's Hornpipe.] + +[Footnote 56: General Atkinson.] + +[Footnote 57: A belt of land termed the Neutral Ground of the different +opposing nations.] + +[Footnote 58: St. Louis, Mo.] + +[Footnote 59: There is no such river in this country, therefore this +treaty is null and void--of no effect in law or equity. Such was the +opinion of the late Governor Howard. (T.F.)] + +[Footnote 60: Superintendent of Indian Affairs at St. Louis.] + +[Footnote 61: I do not understand. I remember nothing. I am very, very +old--the thirteenth of September, 1726, I was born. No, no--I can +recollect nothing. I am old, old.] + +[Footnote 62: Therese, there is a gentleman here who wishes to see you.] + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Wau-bun, by Juliette Augusta Magill Kinzie + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WAU-BUN *** + +***** This file should be named 12183.txt or 12183.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/1/8/12183/ + +Produced by Gene Smethers and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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