“There are some blankets too,” cried Robert. “They evidently don’t intend to carry any more weight than necessary.”
The trail was soon littered with baggage and paraphernalia of all kinds. Everything pointed to the fact that the Indians were now in dire straits. The troops pushed on eagerly, every man spurred forward by the knowledge that their opponents were weakened and must soon be overtaken. Nature seemed to impose almost every difficulty imaginable in the way of the pursuers, but nothing discouraged the men any more. Frequently it became necessary to dismount and wade in mud and water shoulder deep. A violent thunder storm and cloudburst struck the little army, but undismayed they fought their way along.
“There’s an Indian!” exclaimed Joseph suddenly.
“Where?” cried Robert excitedly. The two boys were in advance of the others, for their knowledge of woodcraft learned from Deerfoot had enabled them slightly to outdistance the rest of the army.
“Just ahead there,” said Joseph quickly as he raised his gun to fire.
“Wait, Joe,” cried Robert. “He’s holding up his hands.”
The Indian was seated on a pony, and, as Robert had said, was holding up his hands in token of surrender. Joseph quickly lowered his rifle.
“A Winnebago,” announced Joseph, when he had obtained a closer glimpse of the red man.
“We’d better wait for the others,” advised Robert. “He probably can’t speak English and we can’t find out what he wants.”
Several soldiers soon joined the brothers, among them a man who understood the Winnebago tongue. He shouted to the Indian and learned that he was a deserter from Black Hawk and wished to join the Whites. The interpreter questioned him closely and upon relating what had been said to General Henry, the Winnebago was given permission to attach himself to the army.
“Who was he? What did he say?” Robert demanded of Deerfoot, who was now riding with the two boys and John Mason.
“He Winnebago,” replied Deerfoot. “He say Black Hawk only two miles away, and much weary.”
“Hooray!” cried Robert excitedly. “We’ll catch him soon.”
The news had spread throughout the army, spurring the men on to even greater efforts than before.
“We won’t catch them tonight, I’m afraid,” remarked Mason. “It will be dark before long.”