But the Sioux had no more desire to go back to "the high walled house of thunder," where the cannon sounded not "Hail to great Wabashaw!"
Their own losses were considerable, for Clark ordered an immediate pursuit. Some of the Spaniards, grateful for the succour of the Americans, crossed the river and joined Montgomery's troops in his chase after the retreating red men.
"The Americans are coming," was the scare-word at Prairie du Chien. "Better get up your furs."
With Wabasha's help the traders hastily bundled three hundred packs of their best furs into canoes, and setting fire to the remaining sixty packs, burned them, together with the fort, while they hurried away to Michilimackinac. Matchekewis went by the Lakes. "Two hundred Illinois cavalry arrived at Chicago five days after the vessels left," is the record of the Haldimand papers.
The watchfulness and energy of Clark alone saved Illinois; nevertheless, De Peyster felt satisfied, for he thought that diversion kept Clark from Detroit.
After the terror was all over, long in the annals of the fireside, the French of St. Louis related the feats of "l'année du coup."
"Auguste Chouteau, he led te defence, he and he brother."
"No, Madame Rigauche, te school-meestress, she herself touch te cannon."
"Well, at any rate, we hid in te Chouteau garden, behind te stone wall."