“It does look like a real army, doesn’t it?” exclaimed Joseph.
Like some great serpent the army filed out of Dixon’s Ferry. The two brothers being attached to the scout battalion were near the front, and in back of them the troops stretched out in a long line as far as the eye could see. There was little of the bravado and recklessness that had inspired Major Stillman’s men when they had started from this same spot some six weeks before. Bitter and costly experience had taught the men that over-confidence is a poor quality for any soldier to possess. A quiet determination showed on every countenance now. This army had made up its mind to win and Black Hawk would soon realize that every member meant business.
Behind the troops came the baggage and supply wagons. A mass of dust from the hoofs of hundreds of horses rose in a cloud about the army and only an occasional glimpse of the baggage train could be had. Every once in a while the cloud lifted momentarily, however, and the drivers could be seen urging their horses on to keep pace with the others.
“Where’s Deerfoot?” exclaimed Robert suddenly. “I haven’t seen him once since yesterday.”
“You don’t mean to say you don’t know where he is?” said Joseph in surprise.
“No. I’ve been so busy the last twenty-four hours that I never missed him. I just this minute noticed that he was gone.”
“Deerfoot is the proudest Indian in North America today, I guess,” laughed John Mason, who rode alongside his young friends.
“Why?” demanded Robert. “Tell me what all the mystery is about.”
“There’s no mystery at all,” replied Joseph. “This is what happened. Yesterday a Pottowattomie came into camp and reported that seventy-five warriors of his tribe were encamped at Sycamore Creek who wanted to join forces with us. They seemed to think that this was a fine chance to get revenge on their old enemies, the Sacs, and they were very anxious to get in the fight. Some men of our battalion were sent on ahead to tell them it was all right and Deerfoot of course went with them. You ought to have seen him. Why, he was almost enthusiastic.”
“You can’t tell me he showed it, though,” laughed Robert. “When are we going to meet these Pottowattomies?”