to us. All that could, hurried aboard, but they were
unable to push off, being fast aground. We advanced to the river's bank
undercover, and commenced firing on the boat. I encouraged my braves
to continue firing. Several guns were fired from the boat, but without
effect. I prepared my bow and arrows to throw fire to the sail, which
was lying on the boat. After two or three attempts, I succeeded in
setting it on fire. The boat was soon in flames. About this time, one of
the boats that had passed returned, dropped anchor and swung in close to
one which was on fire, taking off all the people except those who were
killed or badly wounded. We could distinctly see them passing from one
boat to the other, and fired on them with good effect. We wounded the
war chief in this way. Another boat now came down, dropped her anchor,
which did not take hold, and drifted whore. The other boat cut her cable
and drifted down the river, leaving their comrades without attempting to
assist them. We then commenced an attack upon this boat, firing several
rounds, which was not returned. We thought they were afraid or only had
a few aboard. I therefore ordered a rush toward the boat, but when we
got near enough they fired, killing two of our braves--these being all
we lost in the engagement. Some of their men jumped out and shoved the
boat off, and thus got away without losing a man. I had a good opinion
of this war chief, as he managed so much better than the others. It
would give me pleasure to shake him by the hand.

We now put out the fire on the captured boat to save the cargo, when
a skiff was seen coming down the river. Some of our people cried out,
"Here comes an express from Prairie du Chien." We hoisted the British
flag, but they would not land. They turned their little boat around, and
rowed up the river. We directed a few shots at them, but they were so
far off that we could not hurt them. I found several barrels of whisky
on the captured boat, knocked in the heads and emptied the bad medicine
late the river. I next found a box full of small bottles and packages,
which appeared to be bad medicine also, such as the medicine men kill
the white people with when they are sick. This I threw into the river.
Continuing my search for plunder, I found several guns, some large
barrels filled with clothing, and a number of cloth lodges, all of
which I distributed among my warriors. We now disposed of the dead, and
returned to the Fox village o