It happened that revenge upon the Sacs constituted the burden of their songs, at the moment of Keokuk’s approach.  He dashed into the midst of them and boldly demanded to see their chief.  “I have come,” said he, “to let you know that there are traitors in your camp:  they have told me that you are preparing to attack my village:  I know they told me lies, for you could not, after smoking the pipe of peace, be so base as to murder my women and children in my absence.  None but cowards would be guilty of such conduct.”  When the first feeling of amazement began to subside, the Sioux crowded around him in a manner evincing a determination to seize his person, and they had already laid hold of his legs, when he added, in a loud voice, “I supposed they told me lies, but if what I have heard is true, then the Sacs are ready for you.”  With a sudden effort, he dashed aside those who had seized him, plunged his spurs into his gallant horse, and rode off at full speed.  Several guns were discharged at him, but fortunately without effect:  a number of the Sioux warriors instantly sprung upon their horses and pursued him, but in vain.  Keokuk, on horseback, was in his element; he made the woods resound with the war-whoop, and brandishing his tomahawk in defiance of his foes, soon left them far behind, and joined his little party of braves.  His pursuers, fearful of some stratagem, gave up the pursuit, after having followed him for some distance, and retired to their camp.  Keokuk took immediate steps to call in his braves and speedily returned to protect his village.  His enemies, however, finding themselves discovered, abandoned the contemplated attack and retraced their steps to their own country.

The eloquence of Keokuk and his sagacity in the civil affairs of his nation, are, like his military talents, of a high order.  One or two cases in which these have been exhibited, are worthy of being recorded.  A few years since, some of his warriors fell in with a party of unarmed Menominies, at Prairie des Chiens, in sight of fort Crawford, and murdered the whole of them.  Justly incensed at this outrage, the Menominies prepared to take up arms against the Sacs, and prevailed upon the Winnebagoes to join them.  For the purpose of allaying the rising storm, the United States’ agent, at Prairie des Chiens, General Street, invited the several parties to a council at that place for the purpose of adjusting the difficulty, without a resort to arms.  They accordingly, out of respect to the agent, assembled at fort Crawford, but the Menominies refused, sternly, to hold any conference with the Sacs on the subject.  Keokuk told the agent not to be discouraged, for he would adjust the difficulty with them, before they separated, in despite of their prejudices and their positive refusal to treat:  He only asked an opportunity of meeting them face to face in the council-lodge.  The tribes were brought together, but the Menominies persevered in their determination to hold no conference with