CHAPTER XXXVI.
ESCAPE OF THE PRISONERS.
The Indians did not disperse after the ceremonies of the surrender had been gone through.

They continued still in the vicinity of the Portage, in the constant expectation of the arrival of the annuity money, which they had been summoned there to receive.

But the time for setting out on his journey to bring it was postponed by Governor Porter from week to week.

Had he foreseen all the evils this delay was to occasion, he would, possibly, have been more prompt in fulfilling his appointment.
Many causes conspired to make an early payment desirable.

In the first place, the Winnebagoes, having been driven from their homes by their anxiety to avoid all appearance of fraternizing with the Sauks, had made this year no gardens nor corn-fields They had, therefore, no provisions on hand, either for present use or for their winter's consumption, except their scanty supplies of wild rice.