“Yes,” said the soldier. “The people on the river are having a bad time of it, too, I’m afraid. The water is very high and it will be hard work to make their way against the current. There are so many rapids, too.”
“Did you find the traveling bad?” Walt asked.
“Yes, quite bad. We came slowly, too, and made a stop at the Prophet’s town as well. It was absolutely deserted.”
“Who is the Prophet?” questioned Robert.
“His name is Wabokieshiek,” explained Walt. “He is the man who has been urging Black Hawk on all this time. You know all Indians are superstitious and these medicine men and prophets exert great influence.”
“The Prophet has been encouraging Black Hawk to make war you mean?” inquired Joseph.
“Yes,” Walt answered, “that’s just what he has been doing. As I understand it he has promised Black Hawk large reinforcements from the Winnebagos, Pottowattomies and Kickapoos and that when he has all their help he will surely beat the whites.”
“The Prophet probably lied,” Robert exclaimed.
“Of course he did,” agreed Walt. “I don’t think that those other tribes will help the Sacs one bit. Certainly they won’t if they learn how many men we have here.”
“I know one Pottowattomie who won’t join him anyway,” said Robert.