the vicinity of the fort.
The war chief who commanded there, told me that we might hunt on the
Illinois side of the Mississippi, and no person would trouble us. That
the horsemen only ranged on the Missouri side, and he had directed them
not to cross the river. I was pleased with this assurance of safety, and
immediately crossed over and made my winter's camp. Game was plenty. We
lived happy, and often talked of you. My boy regretted your absence
and the hardships you would have to undergo. We had been here about two
moons, when my boy went out as usual to hunt. Night came on and he did
not return. I was alarmed for his safety and passed a sleepless night.
In the morning my old woman went to the other lodges and gave the alarm
and all turned out to hunt for the missing one. There being snow upon
the ground they soon came upon his track, and after pursuing it for
some distance, found he was on the trail of a deer, which led toward
the river. They soon came to the place where he had stood and fired, and
near by, hanging on the branch of a tree, found the deer, which he had
killed and skinned. But here were also found the tracks of white men.
They had taken my boy prisoner. Their tracks led across the river and
then down towards the fort. My friends followed on the trail, and soon
found my boy lying dead. He had been most cruelly murdered. His face was
shot to pieces, his body stabbed in several places and his head scalped.
His arms were pinioned behind him."

The old man paused for some time, and then told me that his wife had
died on their way up the Mississippi. I took the hand of my old friend
in mine and pledged myself to avenge the death of his son. It was now
dark, and a terrible storm was raging. The rain was descending in heavy
torrents, the thunder was rolling in the heavens, and the lightning
flashed athwart the sky. I had taken my blanket off and wrapped it
around the feeble old man. When the storm abated I kindled a fire and
took hold of my old friend to remove him nearer to it. He was dead! I
remained with him during the night. Some of my party came early in the
morning to look for me, and assisted me in burying him on the peak of
the bluff. I then returned to the village with my friends. I visited the
grave of my old friend as I ascended Rock river the last time.

On my arrival at the village I was met by the chiefs and braves and
conducted to the lodge which was prepared for me. After eating, I gave
a fall