“It is well,” the chief rejoined, his eyes glowing brightly at the news. “When and where will the red-coats come?”
“By way of Mil-wa-ke, so they said. It may be that they have started up the lakes ere now.”
“Your words lift my drooping spirits, oh worthy Ne-a-pope,” confessed Black Hawk.
“Your heart is heavy?”
“My heart is heavy, very heavy.”
“Why so?”
“It is this way. When I took up the war-hatchet against the hated pale-face, I had reason to think that the Foxes, Winnebagoes and warriors of other tribes would rush to my side. They had sent me the red wampum.”
“None have come in?”
“Only a handful.”
“Why is this so?”