20 THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 



Burlington to receive the governor. He refused to see them, but prom- 

 ised to visit them in their own country in a few days. Hard Fish re- 

 turned much dejected. In the course of a few weeks Governor Cham- 

 bers arrived at the agency on the Des Moines. Hard Fish and his band 

 passed before the agency house with shouts and yells. Gaily dressed, 

 they rode before his quarters and made it a festive day. The governor 

 then received them. 



Keokuk knew of the friendship between Governor Chambers and 

 President Harrison, and also knew of President Harrison's death, so 

 that when he was notified of the governor's readiness to receive him 

 and his band, with tact worthy of a white man, he decked his tribe in 

 mourning, and to the sound of the funeral drum called upon the gov- 

 ernor. Hard Fish, his band, and the whites about the agency were 

 astounded. They knew of no death in the tribe. Keokuk was presented 

 to Governor Chambers (who had been an aide-de-camp on the staff of 

 General Harrison in the war of 1812) and made him the following 

 speech before proceeding to business and in explanation of the solemni- 

 ties: 



Father : We were told not long ago that our great father at Washington was dead. 

 We had heard of him as a great war chief, who has passed much of his life among the 

 red men, and knew their wants, and we believed we would always have friendship 

 and justice at his hands. His death has made us very sad, and as this is our first 

 opportunity, we thought it would be wrong if we did not use it to show that the 

 hearts of his red children, as well as his white children, know how to mourn over 

 their great loss, and we had to keep our father waiting while we performed that part 

 of our mourning that we must always attend to before we leave our lodges with our 

 dead. 



Governor Chambers then shook hands with him and was much im- 

 pressed with the ceremony. Keokuk, by his ingenuity, had won his 

 heart, and held first place in the heart of the governor. Hard Fish and 

 his band retired entirely disappointed. 



In 1837 Keokuk was described as stout in person, being five feet ten 

 inches in height and weighing 200 pounds, graceful, and command- 

 ing, with fine features and an intelligent countenance. He had great 

 shrewdness and tact, and was especially noted for his physical power. 

 " McKenny & Hall," vol. 2, p. 80, says of him: 



Keokuk is a large and finely formed man. His manners are dignified, and his elocu- 

 tion, as well in conversation as in public speaking, highly energetic and animated. 

 His flow of language and rapidity of utterance are remarkable. Yet his enunciation 

 is so clear and distinct, that it is said not a syllable is lost. His voice is powerful 

 and agreeable, and his countenance prepossessing. It is not often that so fine a look- 

 ing man is found as this forest chieftain, or one whose deportment is so uniformly 

 correct. 



He excelled in horseback riding and also in dancing. As an orator, 

 while speaking, his gestures were graceful, his language smooth and 

 rapid, his wit keen, and his insight into motives prophetic. He was a 

 born leader. 



