“Me sure,” said the Pottowattomie confidently.
“He ought to know him when he sees him,” said Joseph. “You’ve seen him lots of times, haven’t you, Deerfoot?” he asked.
“Just suppose I could have shot him,” exclaimed Robert excitedly. “Why, the whole war would probably have stopped at once, and think what a hero I’d be.”
“Wouldn’t you just as soon capture him, Red?” laughed John Mason. “As long as you intend to be a hero, wouldn’t you be willing to be one without any loss of life?”
“Yes,” agreed Robert. “I guess I’d just as soon capture him.”
“Let’s hope he doesn’t capture us is all I can say,” exclaimed Joseph, earnestly. “He might not be as good to us as Bob would be to him.”
“I didn’t say I’d be good to him,” protested Robert.
“I’m afraid you’re a bloodthirsty young man,” remarked Mason laughingly. “Don’t you think we’d better get started on our way to Galena pretty soon?” he added, addressing his remarks to Joseph.
“I do,” agreed Joseph. “You’re not going with us, though, with your arm wounded the way it is.”
“Certainly I’m going. Why, that little scratch isn’t bad enough to need bandaging hardly.”
“All right then,” said Joseph. “Let’s be off.”
They hastened to saddle their horses and were in the midst of saying their good-byes to the brave defenders of the little fort when a great commotion arrested their attention. Shouts from the guards and the excitement of the inmates running to and fro warned them that something of great interest was taking place.
“What’s it all about, do you suppose?” exclaimed Joseph curiously.
“I don’t know,” replied Robert quickly, “but I intend to find out at once.”
He hastened to join the crowd which was rapidly gathering at one end of the fort. The gates had been opened and the people were peering eagerly out. Robert took one look and then turned and called to his companions. “Come here, quick!” he cried. “There is something worth seeing out here.”
No time was lost in obeying and a few moments later Joseph, Deerfoot and John Mason had joined the people who were gazing eagerly out from their position inside the fort.
“Look at them!” exclaimed Joseph. “Who do you suppose they are?”
“From Galena, I guess,” replied Mason. A hundred horsemen rode toward the fort. A great cloud of dust rose about them and a loud cheer from the throats of the fort’s defenders went out to greet the newcomers. It was easy to see that the riders were white men, and consequently were friends. With this reinforcement there was but slight danger that Black Hawk would dare return to the attack.