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THE RED MEN OF IOWA.
many braves, to take part in the interesting ceremonies. Keokuk, leading a convoy of more than twenty canoes, with the American flag floating over his own, landed with his three wives, amid the wild shouts and songs of his people, on the bank of the river opposite the camp of Black Hawk. After several hours were spent in arranging their dress, painting their faces, and otherwise decorating themselves, they all returned to their canoes, and with shout, and song, and the noise of Indian drums, proceeded directly across to
the island. Keokuk, fully armed, elegantly dressed, wearing his medals, and decorated with all the insignia of his position, was the first to land. He cordially greeted Black Hawk and the rest of the captives. After exchanging greetings and smoking the pipe of friendship, Keokuk and his party returned to the west bank of the river to prepare for the grand council to be held on the following day, when the formal liberation of the captives was to take
place.
About ten o'clock in the forenoon of the nest day Keokuk and about one hundred of his followers crossed over to Fort Armstrong where a room was fitted up for the grand council, where Black Hawk was to make a formal surrender of his authority to his rival, Keokuk, who, with Pashepaho and Wapello, occupied prominent seats in the council-chamber. Black Hawk and his associates entered and were conducted to seats opposite to Keokuk. To the fallen chief the occasion was one of deep humiliation, as was mainfested by his dejected appearance. Major Garland opened the ceremonies, in a speech referring to the good feeling which was manifested by the Sacs and Foxes toward Black Hawk and his companions, He then caused the speech made by
Page 219
SKETCH OF BLACK HAWK.
the president to Black Hawk, in Baltimore, to be interpreted in the hearing of Keokuk, who rose and said:
"I have listened to the talk of our great father. It is true we pledged our honor for the liberties of our friends. We thought much of it; our councils were long; their wives and children were in our thoughts; when we talked of them our hearts were full. Their wives and children came to see us, which made us feel like women; but we were men. The words which we sent to the great father were good. He spoke like the father of children. The Great Spirit made his heart big in council. We receive our brothers in friendship; our hearts are good towards them. They once listened to bad counsel; now their ears are closed. I give my hand to them; when they shake it, they shake the hands of all. I will shake hands with them, and then I am done."
At the conclusion of Keokuk's remarks, Major Garland rose again and stated that he wished it distinctly understood that their great father, the president, would hereafter acknowledge Keokuk as the principal chief of the Sac and Fox nation, and that he wished Black Hawk to listen and conform to his counsels. This remark was so interpreted as to convey to Black Hawk the impression that the president had said he must conform to the counsels of Keokuk.
For a moment losing control of himself, Black Hawk sprang to his feet, and in a most excited manner, said:
"I am a man--an old man. I will not conform to the counsels of any one. I will act for myself; no one shall govern me. I am old; my hair is gray. I once gave counsel to my young men. Am I to conform to others? I shall soon go to the Great Spirit, where I shall be at rest.
