dried under a weight, for the purpose of keepir every spear c growing ne necessary. which th conclud ki . not returned village. But it people had gone to the long in following them. ed his best influence to induce and follow him to the new village nout success. They were so firmly d chief, and to their ancient village that .ch him to it in the following spring of 1831. is at Rock river now attempted to induce Black d his band to leave by making him presents, and after and 1g persuasion the old chief agreed to go, provided the fareernment would distribute six thousand dollars' worth of ods among his people. This the government promptly declined to do, and threatened to send an armed force to drive him from the village if he and his people did not leave at once. The squaws had planted their corn, and it was beginning to but the settlers, claiming that the Indians had no right grow, to the ground, plowed it up again. Matters had, at last, come to a crisis. The old chief could stand it no longer, and he notified every settler to leave the village at once. Meanwhile, not satisfied with their encroachments upon the rights of the savages, the settlers united in a memorial to the governor of the Territory of Illinois, in which they declared that the Sac Indians "had threatened to kill them; that they had acted in a most outrageous manner; threw down their fences; turned rnfields; stole their potatoes, saying the at they had not sold it; leveled deadly nd, on some occasions, hurt the citiprevent the destruction of their emorialists," says Mr. Conctruth of their statements, liate relief, it was placed of May." ut. Every day reports Ice representing the lawless wk" and his "British Band.” the desired effect. A strong force Sac Indians, and they were driven in terror ne Mississippi. passing on to the consequences of this measure, let nce, for a moment, at Keokuk, Black Hawk's rival, who gures conspicuously in our narrative. He was a native Sac, and was born near the Rock river village, about the year 1780. Like Black Hawk, he was not a chief's son, but worked his way to the distinguished position of chief by his own native force of character, bravery and address. He began to manifest rare qualities at a very early period of his life. While but a youth he engaged in a battle against the Sioux. In the engagement he encountered and killed a Sioux warrior, with his spear, while on horseback; and, as the Sioux are distinguished for their horsemanship, this feat was looked upon as marvelous. A public feast was made in commemoration of it by his tribe, and the youthful warrior was from that day ranked among the greatest Sac braves. During the war of 1812, and before Keokuk was old enough to be admitted to the councils of his nation, the American government, as we have already seen, sent an expedition against the Peoria Indians. During the advance of this detachment, a rumor reached the Sac village on Rock river, that the expedition would also attack the Sacs. This news threw the whole tribe into confusion. A council was immediately held, and all agreed to abandon their village. As soon as Keokuk heard of spring of 1830, when Black Hawk and his band returned from the winter's hunt to occupy their lodges, and prepare for raising their crop of vegetables, they found that their lands had been purchased by the settlers. Black Hawk, greatly disturbed by this change, applied to the Indian agent at that place, wishing redress, but was informed that since the government had sold his land he had no longer any right to it. The chief still refused to cross the river, and in the course of that season he visited Malden, to talk with his British father on the subject. He also called upon Governor Cass at Detroit on the same subject. Both of these persons told him that if he remained quietly upon their lands, the Americans would not interfere with them. Consequently Black Hawk returned home determined to keep possession of his old village. But it was late in the fall when he arrived, his people had gone to the hunting grounds, and he was not long in following them. During this winter Keokuk exerted his best influence to induce them to desert Black Hawk and follow him to the new village on the Iowa, but without success. They were so firmly attached to their old chief, and to their ancient village that they returned with him to it in the following spring of 1831. The traders at Rock river now attempted to induce Black Hawk and his band to leave by making him presents, and after a long persuasion the old chief agreed to go, provided the government would distribute six thousand dollars' worth of goods among his people. This the government promptly declined to do, and threatened to send an armed force to drive him from the village if he and his people did not leave at once. The squaws had planted their corn, and it was beginning to grow, but the settlers, claiming that the Indians had no right to the ground, plowed it up again. Matters had, at last, come to a crisis. The old chief could stand it no longer, and he notified every settler to leave the village at once. Meanwhile, not satisfied with their encroachments upon the rights of the savages, the settlers united in a memorial to the governor of the Territory of Illinois, in which they declared that the Sac Indians "had threatened to kill them; that they had acted in a most outrageous manner; threw down their fences; turned horses into their cornfields; stole their potatoes, saying the land was theirs, and that they had not sold it; leveled deadly weapons at the citizens, and, on some occasions, hurt the citizens, for attempting to prevent the destruction of their property." "One of these eight afflicted memorialists," says Mr. Conclin, "swore the other seven to the truth of their statements, and. with an earnest prayer for immediate relief, it was placed before his Excellency on the nineteenth of May." But this was not the only complaint. Every day reports were coming in to the governor's office representing the lawless acts of "General Black Hawk" and his "British Band." These representations had the desired effect. A strong force was sent against the Sac Indians, and they were driven in terror to the west of the Mississippi. Before passing on to the consequences of this measure, let us glance, for a moment, at Keokuk, Black Hawk's rival, who figures conspicuously in our narrative. He was a native Sac, and was born near the Rock river village, about the year 1780. Like Black Hawk, he was not a chief's son, but worked his way to the distinguished position of chief by his own native force of character, bravery and address. He began to manifest rare qualities at a very early period of his life. While but a youth he engaged in a battle against the Sioux. In the engagement he encountered and killed a Sioux warrior, with his spear, while on horseback; and, as the Sioux are distinguished for their horsemanship, this feat was looked upon as marvelous. A public feast was made in commemoration of it by his tribe, and the youthful warrior was from that day ranked among the greatest Sac braves. During the war of 1812, and before Keokuk was old enough to be admitted to the councils of his nation, the American government, as we have already seen, sent an expedition against the Peoria Indians. During the advance of this detachment, a rumor reached the Sac village on Rock river, that the expedition would also attack the Sacs. This news threw the whole tribe into confusion. A council was immediately held, and all agreed to abandon their village. As soon as Keokuk heard of this decision, he advanced to the door of the council house and asked to be admitted. This being granted, he next demanded permission to speak, which was also freely granted him. He said that he had heard their decision with surprise and regret; that he was opposed to a flight,until the strength of the enemy could be ascertained. He said, " make me your leader! Let your young men follow me, and the pale faces shall be driven back to their towns. Let the old men and the women, and all who are afraid to meet the white man stay here, but let your braves go to battle." The speech had a magic effect, and every warrior present declared that he was ready to follow the gallant Keokuk. He was chosen at once to lead them against the enemy. Of course, it turned out that the rumor was without foundation, and there was no enemy to battle with, but the eloquence and bravery of Keokuk placed him very high in the ranks of the Sac braves. But it was not long before events transpired which gave him an opportunity to display his warlike spirit. At one time Keokuk was hunting with a party in the country which laid between the Sac and Sioux villages. As is well known, these tribes had been at war for many years. Unexpectedly a party of Sioux came upon them, mounted and ready for battle. The Sacs were also mounted, but the situation and numbers were both in favor of the Sioux. Keokuk instantly formed his men into a compact circle, ordered them to dismount, and take shelter behind their horses. By this ingenious movement they were enabled to screen themselves from the flying missiles of the Sioux. It also placed them in a position by which they could avail themselves of their superior skill as marksmen. The battle was a long and hard one, but Keokuk was triumphant, and routed the enemy with great loss. He had many other opportunities of showing his military skill, and was almost always successful. Keokuk's eloquence and ability in civil matters were quite equal to his military talents. Some of his speeches are splendid evidences of his sagacity. While Black Hawk led many of the Sac braves against the Americans in the war of 1812, Keokuk and a majority of them remained neutral, but in |