160 EXPEDITION TO THE 



manner we were well sheltered from the wind. Our path 

 led us over the scene of the bloody massacre perpetrated 

 in 1812, when the garrison of Chicago was entirely de- 

 stroyed by the Indians, (principally Potawatomis,) after 

 they had abandoned the fort and in violation of the pledge 

 given to them by the Indians. No traces are now to be 

 seen of the massacre ; the bones, which are said to have re- 

 mained for a long while bleaching upon the prairie, were at 

 last gathered up and buried by order of Captain Bradley, 

 who had the command of the new fort built on the ruins of 

 the old one ; but no one could point out to us the spot 

 where they had been deposited. While resting at noon, 

 on the bank of New river, we observed how difficult it is 

 to judge correctly of objects on the prairie and, at the same 

 time, how great is the similarity between the prairie wolf and 

 the dogs owned by the Indians. While seated at dinner, we 

 were told that one of the soldiers had discovered a wolf 

 and was about to fire upon it. The whole paily saw the 

 animal and remained convinced that it was a wolf, until one 

 of the men observed an Indian hut in the distance, and sug- 

 gested that it might be a dog belonging to the tenant of the 

 hut, which information induced the soldier to desist from 

 shooting ; a few moments afterwards an Indian made his 

 appearance on the prairie and called the animal to him. 

 This Indian was remarkable for the length of his beard, 

 which, contrary to their usual custom, he had allowed to 

 grow to the length of one inch and a half; his dress was 

 indicative of the same slovenly disposition. We were ob- 

 liged to commit to his charge one of the horses ; this was the 

 only one that had travelled the whole distance from Phil- 

 adelphia ; but he had become unable to proceed, having 

 been affected for some time past with the distemper ; and, 

 notwithstanding all the care that was taken of him, he had 



