When attacked by General Stillman's detachment, they defended themselves like men; and I would ask, who would not do so, likewise?
Thus the war commenced.
* * * * * "The Indians had been defeated, dispersed, and some of the principal chiefs are now in prison and in chains, at Jefferson Barracks....
"It is very well known, by all who know the Black Hawk, that he has always been considered a friend to the whites.

Often has he taken into his lodge the wearied white man, given him good food to eat, and a good blanket to sleep on before the fire.

Many a good meal has _the Prophet_ given to people travelling past his village, and very many stray horses has he recovered from the Indians and restored to their rightful owners, without asking any recompense whatever....
"What right have we to tell any people, 'You shall not cross the Mississippi River on any pretext whatever'?
When the Sauk and Fox Indians wish to cross the Mississippi, to visit their relations among the Pottowattamies of Fox River, Illinois, they are prevented by us, _because we have the power_!" I omit the old gentleman's occasional comments upon the powers that dictated, and the forces which carried on, the warfare of this unhappy summer.

There is every reason to believe that had his suggestions been listened to, and had he continued the Agent of the Sauks and Foxes, a sad record might have been spared,--we should assuredly not have been called to chronicle the untimely fate of his successor, the unfortunate M.St.Vrain, who, a comparative stranger to his people, was murdered by them, in their exasperated fury, at Kellogg's Grove, soon after the commencement of the campaign.
II.
It seems appropriate to notice in this place the subsequent appearance before the public of one of the personages casually mentioned in the foregoing narrative.
In the autumn of 1864 we saw advertised for exhibition at Wood's Museum, Chicago, "The most remarkable instance of longevity on record--the venerable Joseph Crely, born on the 13th of September, 1726, and having consequently reached, at this date, the age of ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-NINE YEARS!" Sundry particulars followed of his life and history, and, above all, of his recollections.
"Well done for old Crely!" said my husband, when he had gone through the long array.

"Come, let us go over to Wood's Museum and renew our acquaintance with the venerable gentleman." I did not need a second invitation, for I was curious to witness the wonders which the whirligig of time had wrought with our old _employe_.
We chose an early hour for our visit, that we might pay our respects to both him and the granddaughter who had him in charge, unembarrassed by the presence of strangers.
In a large room on the second floor of the building, among cages of birds and animals, some stuffed, others still living, we perceived, seated by a window, a figure clad in bright cashmere dressing-gown and gay tasselled cap, tranquilly smoking a tah-nee-hoo-rah, or long Indian pipe.