At this juncture there was a sudden sound of “hogh!”, the mat which hung over the entrance of the lodge was raised, and a Sac warrior entered with that graceful bound which is peculiar to the race. He was a tall, finely-formed savage, with a grave, open countenance. It was Walking Cloud, famous medicine man of the Sacs.
“Ho, Walking Cloud,” greeted Black Hawk with the utmost friendliness, for he had deep respect for the big medicine man, “what news do you bring?”
“At sunset, oh Black Hawk, white men make camp down river.”
“Near at hand?”
“One hour’s journey.”
“Ugh! is the number big?”
“Big, very big. Many guns, horses, wagons.”
“Do the soldiers have blue coats?”
“Our scouts say they wear coats of deerskin.”
“Ho!” said Black Hawk. “Men from village and farm.”