pposite the lower end of Rock Island, where
we put up our new lodges, and hoisted the British flag. A great many of
our braves were dressed in the uniform clothing which we had taken from
the Americans, which gave our encampment the appearance of a regular
camp of soldiers. We placed out sentinels and commenced dancing over the
scalps we had taken. Soon after several boats passed down, among them
a very large one carrying big guns. Our young men followed them some
distance, but could do them no damage more than scare them. We were now
certain that the fort at Prairie du Chien had been taken, as this large
boat went up with the first party who built the fort.

In the course of the day some of the British came down in a small boat.
They had followed the large one, thinking it would get fast in the
rapids, in which case they were sure of taking her. They had summoned
her on her way down to surrender, but she refused to do so, and now,
that she had passed the rapids in safety, all hope of taking her had
vanished. The British landed a big gun and gave us three soldiers to
manage it. They complimented us for our bravery in taking the boat, and
told us what they had done at Prairie do Chien. They gave us, a keg of
rum, and joined with us in our dancing and feasting. We gave them some
things which we had taken from the boat, particularly books and papers.
They started the next morning, promising to return in a few days with a
large body of soldiers.

We went to work under the direction of the men left with us, and dug
up the ground in two places to put the big gun in, that the men might
remain in with it and be safe. We then sent spies down the river to
reconnoitre, who sent word by a runner that several boats were coming
up filled with men. I marshalled my forces and was soon ready for their
arrival. I resolved to fight, as we had not yet had a fair fight with
the Americans during the war. The boats arrived in the evening, stopping
at a small willow island, nearly opposite to us. During the night we
removed our big gun further down, and at daylight next morning commenced
firing. We were pleased to see that almost every shot took effect. The
British being good gunners, rarely missed. They pushed off as quickly as
possible, although I had expected they would land and give us battle. I
was fully prepared to meet them but was sadly disappointed by the boats
all sailing down the river. A party of braves followed to watch where
the