“Here’s Wahbunou, Colonel Clark,” he said as the Indian boy approached them.
Colonel Clark smiled and extended his hand to Wahbunou. “You’ve come to be paid for that buffalo meat and corn, I suppose. Well, boy, I’m glad to pay you. They saved our lives and made it possible for us to take Vincennes.” The colonel himself looked through the supplies and brought out two magnificent blankets. “Can you use these blankets, Wahbunou?”
Wahbunou’s eyes shone as he took the blankets. “These are very good, Chief Long-Knife. I have been paid plenty. I am glad my people could help Jim’s people. Jim is my friend.”
Jim took Wahbunou to one side. “My parents are here, Wahbunou,” he said. “They were Hamilton’s prisoners, but now they are free. Won’t you stop and see them?”
Wahbunou beamed. “I’m glad you are with them. I can’t stop now, but Wahbunou will see your mother when he comes to Vincennes again soon. Your mother was very kind to me.” Then he turned and went back to the other Indians.
Before Colonel Clark led his men back to Kaskaskia, he took Willie Watson to make a call on the Hudsons. Pa Hudson wanted to return to his farm in Kentucky and asked Colonel Clark if he would advise going.
Clark was silent for a few minutes, then shook his head. “Not yet, Hudson. Why don’t you stay here until summer? If everything is favorable then, you and your family can return to Kentucky. I’ll be back in June as we intend to march on Detroit.” Then he turned to shake hands with Jim.
“You’ve been a good soldier, Jim Long-Knife. They don’t come any better than you. I’ll say good-bye now and expect to see you when I return.”
Jim’s eyes misted as he said, “Thanks for everything, Colonel. I’ve learned a lot from you.”
Willie had been unusually silent during the call. Now he said, “Good-bye, Jim. Take care of yourself. I’ll miss you more——” his voice broke and he could not finish what he wanted to say.