36 SACS AND FOXES. 



with a spear, under circumstances which rendered the exploit con- 

 spicuous — and for which he was feasted. 



"Shortly after this event, and while Keokuk was yet too young to 

 be admitted to the council, a rumour reached the village that a large 

 body of American troops was approaching to attack it. So formidable 

 was this enemy considered, that, although still distant, and the object 

 of the expedition not certainly ascertained, a great panic was excited 

 by the intelligence, and the council, after revolving the whole matter, 

 decided upon abandoning the village. Keokuk, who stood near the 

 entrance of the council-lodge awaiting the result, no sooner heard this 

 determination than he stepped forward and begged to be admitted. 



"The request was granted. He asked permission to address the 

 council, which was accorded; and he stood up for the first time to 

 speak before a public assemblage. 



" Having stated that he had heard with sorrow the decision of his 

 elder brethren, he proceeded, with modesty, but with the earnestness 

 of a gallant spirit, to deprecate an ignominious flight before an enemy 

 still far distant, whose numbers might be exaggerated, and whose 

 destination was unknown. 



"He pointed out the advantages of meeting the foe, harassing their 

 march, cutting them up in detail, driving them back, if possible, 

 and finally of dying honourably in defence of their homes, their 

 women, and their children, rather than yielding all that was dear 

 and valuable without striking a blow. 'Make me your leader,' he 

 exclaimed, 'let your young men follow me, and the pale-faces shall 

 be driven back to their towns. Let the old men and the women, and 

 all who are afraid to meet the white man, stay here; but let your 

 braves go to battle: I will lead them.' This spirited address re- 

 vived the drooping courage of the tribe, — the recent decision was 

 reversed, and Keokuk was appointed to lead the braves against the 

 in v^aders. 



" The alarm turned out to be false ; and after several days' march 

 it was ascertained that the Americans had taken a difierent course. 

 But the gallantry and eloquence of Keokuk, in changing the pusil- 

 lanimous policy at first adopted, his energy in organizing the expedi- 

 tion, and the talent for command discovered in the march, placed him 

 in the first rank of braves of the nation. 



" The entire absence of records, by which the chronology of events 

 might be ascertained, renders it impossible to trace, in the order of 

 their date, the steps by which this remarkable man rose to the chief 



