molested in person or property.  For several years, the whites residing at and around the Sac village on Rock river were trespassing upon these Indians, for the purpose of driving them to the west side of the Mississippi, but still the tomahawk was not raised for retaliation.  If Black Hawk and his party, had really intended to resort to arms, who that understands the Indian character, can doubt for a moment, that they would have struck a decisive blow, and murdered every white settler upon Rock river, before General Gaines ascended the Mississippi?  After our army reached Fort Armstrong and General Gaines had been informed by Black Hawk that he would not remove, he gave orders to his braves, that if the American war chief came to the village to force them away, not a gun should be fired, nor any resistance offered; but that they must remain quietly in their lodges and let the war chief kill them if he chose.  Under these circumstances, it is as difficult to believe that Black Hawk and his band seriously intended to make war upon the whites at that time, as it is to admit that the United States had a right to force the Indians to remove to the west side of the Mississippi, because a few quarter sections of the land at the mouth of Rock river, had been prematurely sold; while millions of acres around, were still the property of the United States, and as such, under the treaty of 1804, the Indians were expressly permitted to live and hunt upon them.

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

KEOKUK,

THE WATCHFUL FOX

CHAPTER V.

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