Black Hawk took a step forward, leaving Owl Carver, Flying Cloud and Auguste standing behind him. Auguste saw that Black Hawk was shorter than Jackson, but broader in chest and shoulders. And, Auguste believed, stronger and healthier though they were about the same age.
Black Hawk raised his right hand in greeting and said in English, "I am a man. And you are a man like me."
Jackson looked startled, then stood very straight and stared intently at Black Hawk's bronze face as the war leader spoke the memorized words slowly, one at a time.
"We did not expect to conquer your people. I took up the tomahawk to avenge great wrongs that we could no longer bear. If I had not been willing to fight, the young men would have said Black Hawk is too old to be chief. They would have said Black Hawk is a woman. They would have said he is no Sauk. So I raised the war whoop. You are a war leader, and you understand me. I need say no more. I ask you to give me your hand in friendship and to let us return to our people."
"A very fine speech," said Jackson. "I was not told that you spoke English, Chief."
Auguste repeated the President's comment in Sauk.
Black Hawk said, "Tell him that you taught me how to say what I wanted to say in the pale eyes' tongue."
Jackson grunted. "I see. Yes, White Bear, you and I will have to talk. Well, tell him that we will send him back to his people when we are certain we'll have no more trouble from them."
Auguste wanted to say, Almost all the people who caused you trouble are dead. But he merely translated Jackson's words for Black Hawk.
Why does Jackson want to talk to me? Auguste did not like the sound of it. Did Sharp Knife have in mind some treachery against Black Hawk?