XIII
PORTAGE DES SIOUX
"Come and make treaties of friendship."
As his brother had done at the close of the Revolution, so now William Clark sent to the tribes to make peace after the War of 1812.
"No person ought to be lazy to be de bearer of such good news," said old Antoine Le Claire, the interpreter.
Up the rivers and toward the Lakes, runners carried the word of the Red Head Chief, "Come, come to St. Louis!"
To the clay huts of the sable Pawnees of the Platte, to the reed wigwams of the giant Osages, to the painted lodges of the Omahas, and to the bark tents of the Chippewas, went "peace talks" and gifts and invitations.
"De Iowas are haughty an' insolent!" St. Vrain, first back, laid their answer on the table.
"De Kickapoo are glad of de peace, but de Sauk an' Winnebago insist on war! De Sauk haf murdered deir messenger!"
That was Black Hawk. With a war party from Prairie du Chien he was met by the news of peace.
"Peace?" Black Hawk wept when he heard it. He had been at the battle of the Thames.
"De messenger to de Sioux are held at Rock River!"
One by one came runners into the Council Hall, and, cap in hand, stood waiting. Outside, their horses pawed on the Rue, their boats were tied at the river.
"Some one must pass Rock River, to the Sioux, Chippewas, and Menomonees," said Clark. Not an interpreter stirred.
"We dare not go into dose hostile countrie," said Antoine Le Claire, spokesman for the rest.
"What? With an armed boat?"
The silence was painful as the Governor looked over the council room.
