“Don’t be so discouraged,” laughed Robert.
“I’m not discouraged,” said Joseph quietly. “I can’t help but think though that some of these men take this affair too lightly.”
“Not at all,” Robert persisted. “Get into the spirit of the thing and forget your troubles for a while.”
“I thought you were worrying about this being the thirteenth of the month,” observed Joseph, a half smile on his lips.
“That’s so,” exclaimed Robert suddenly. “I had forgotten all about that for a moment,” and immediately his high spirits departed and he became quiet and thoughtful. “Let’s go back to the tent,” he urged a moment later, and all the way back he was silent and was evidently troubled.
Joseph said nothing, but he was secretly amused at the sudden change in his younger brother. He had seen just such sudden transformations in him before, however, and he knew that at any moment the pendulum might swing back and Robert become cheerful again.
“Dinner ready,” announced Deerfoot, as they came to the tent. The Indian called every meal dinner, no matter what time of day it happened to be.
“All right, Deerfoot,” exclaimed Robert, his spirits reviving already at the sight of food. “We are ready, too.”
No time was lost in disposing of the meal the Pottowattomie had cooked and well it was that there was no delay, for hardly had they finished when the bugle sounded. Joseph and Robert quickly grasped their rifles and after assuring themselves that the guns were in proper order and that their supply of ammunition was sufficient, sprang upon the backs of their horses. The animals had been used but little recently and as a result of their good care they were in fine fettle. It was some moments before the two young volunteers could calm down their mounts sufficiently to enable them to join the others.
Finally, however, they succeeded in obtaining control of the beasts and in company with Deerfoot cantered to the place where the men were forming. Nearly three hundred and fifty there were all together and the command to advance was soon given. Major Stillman was at their head and they trotted out of Dixon’s Ferry spurred on by the cheers of General Whiteside’s men who were left behind.