On July eighteenth they reached the village where Black Hawk and his band had been quartered, but the enemy had fled. The Winnebago guides insisted, however, that the Sacs had just gone to Cranberry Lake, a half-day’s march up the Rock River. It was then noon and the commanders decided to wait until the following morning before proceeding. Camp was made and the men settled down to wait until the next day came.
Meanwhile two men, Adjutants Merriam and Woodbridge, were dispatched to the south to carry the news to General Atkinson. Little Thunder, a Winnebago chief, went with them to act as guide. Mounting their horses they rode off, leaving behind them seven hundred and fifty very much disheartened and discouraged troops.
“There’s nothing to do hut wait till morning, I suppose,” exclaimed Robert peevishly. “It seems as if we spent half our time in waiting.”
“You must be patient, Red,” advised John Mason. “Surely you wouldn’t have us start for Cranberry Lake now. Why, we’d just about arrive there as it was growing dark; the Indians would discover us and get away again. They could easily escape us in the darkness.”
“That’s right, Bob,” agreed Joseph. “I think we are doing just the right thing.”
“Probably we are,” admitted Robert. “I guess I’m in too much of a hurry. Besides I don’t like this business of having nothing to do.”
“Why don’t you look after your horse?” suggested Joseph. “I’m going to give The Swallow a good rub down this afternoon.”
“That’s a good scheme,” exclaimed Mason. “Come on, Red. Come on, Deerfoot. We’ll all go and do as Joe advises.”
The four friends were soon busied with their horses, and being busy the afternoon soon passed. Darkness approached by the time they had finished and soon after supper they rolled themselves in their blankets and prepared for sleep.
To the four tired volunteers it seemed as if scarcely a half-hour had elapsed when they were suddenly aroused from their slumbers. The camp seemed to be in an uproar. Men ran hither and thither. Loud commands were being shouted and all was bustle and noise.