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our arrival without firing a gun. Deserted by their allies, this disorderly band was left alone to seek security in a speedy flight to the right bank of the Mississippi, where they were found the next day, under the protection of a white flag."
Black Hawk and his people were not long on the west side of the Mississippi before new difficulties arose to disturb the harmony that was supposed to have been established by the treaty of June 30th. At the time of their removal the season was too far advanced for planting corn and beans a second time, and as a result, when autumn came they were destitute of provisions. In the language of Black Hawk, "Some of them re-crossed the river one night to steal roasting-ears from their own fields, and were shot at by the whites." The Indians insisted that as they had planted the corn it belonged to them. About the same time a party of Foxes, of Black Hawk's band, ascended the Mississippi to Prairie du Chien to avenge the murder of some of their tribe, committed in the summer of 1830, by a party of Menomonies and Sioux. The Foxes attacked the camp of the Menomonies, and killed twenty-eight of them. The authorities at Prairie du Chien demanded that the murderers be delivered up to be tried and punished under the laws of the United States, in accordance with a treaty made in 1825. Black Hawk maintained that the United States had no right to make this demand, and refused to deliver up the murderers.
A prominent man in the "British Band" was Ne-o-pope, second in command, and Black Hawk's lieutenant. Prior to the removal of the Indians, in June, 1831, Ne-o-pope had started to Malden to consult the British father, who
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THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
told him that the Americans could not take their lands, except by purchase, and Black Hawk still claimed that such purchase had never been made. On his, return in the fall Ne-o-pope had stopped on the way to see the Winnebago prophet Wabokieshiek, and from him received assurances that early the next spring, not only the British, but the Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawattamies and Winnebagoes, would assist the the Sacs in regaining their village. It seems that Black Hawk reIied on this information, and began to make preparations for a hostile movement the next spring. In the meantime he had established his headquarters at the point where the city of Fort Madison now stands, on the site of the former military post of that name. He again solicited the co-operation of Keokuk and the other chiefs of the Sacs and Foxes. Keokuk advised him to remain quiet, and sent him word that he would be deceived by listening to promises of either British or Indian assistance.
In the spring of 1832, having assembled his warriors, armed and mounted on horses, Black Hawk began his march up the Mississippi. The women and children ascended the river in canoes, with provisions and camp equipage. In the early part of April they reached a point opposite the mouth of Rock River, and the whole party crossed over to the east side. Before reaching Rock Island they met the prophet who told them that there was a great war chief (General Atkinson) at that place, with a large body of braves, and that the agent and trader had attempted to dissuade him from joining Black Hawk, but he had refused to take their advice.
Black Hawk averred that his purpose in crossing the
