The fifteenth of July came and the troops left Fort Winnebago. General Alexander’s men insisted upon returning by the shortest possible route to General Atkinson and the main army. Consequently they set out with twelve days’ provisions. Henry and Dodge, however, had received a clue as to Black Hawk’s whereabouts and decided to follow it.
At Fort Winnebago there was a famous halfbreed trader and scout named Pierre Paquette. He had long been a trusted employee of the American Fur Company and to all appearances answered John Mason’s requirements of a man whose word could be relied upon and who knew what he was talking about. Paquette had informed General Henry of the true location of Black Hawk’s camp and with a dozen Winnebago assistants was engaged to lead the army there.
On July eighteenth they reached the village where Black Hawk and his band had been quartered, but the enemy had fled. The Winnebago guides insisted, however, that the Sacs had just gone to Cranberry Lake, a half-day’s march up the Rock River. It was then noon and the commanders decided to wait until the following morning before proceeding. Camp was made and the men settled down to wait until the next day came.
Meanwhile two men, Adjutants Merriam and Woodbridge, were dispatched to the south to carry the news to General Atkinson. Little Thunder, a Winnebago chief, went with them to act as guide. Mounting their horses they rode off, leaving behind them seven hundred and fifty very much disheartened and discouraged troops.
“There’s nothing to do hut wait till morning, I suppose,” exclaimed Robert peevishly. “It seems as if we spent half our time in waiting.”
“You must be patient, Red,” advised John Mason. “Surely you wouldn’t have us start for Cranberry Lake now. Why, we’d just about arrive there as it was growing dark; the Indians would discover us and get away again. They could easily escape us in the darkness.”
“That’s right, Bob,” agreed Joseph. “I think we are doing just the right thing.”
“Probably we are,” admitted Robert. “I guess I’m in too much of a hurry. Besides I don’t like this business of having nothing to do.”
“Why don’t you look after your horse?” suggested Joseph. “I’m going to give The Swallow a good rub down this afternoon.”