Life of Black Hawk: Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiakBlack Hawk was born at the Sac village on Rock river in 1767, the son of Py-e-sa. His great grandfather, Na-nà-ma-kee, was born in the vincinity of Montreal. He tells of traditions of his nation, Indian wars in which he particpated, manners and customs of his tribe, removal from his village in 1831, an account of the Black Hawk War, travels through the United States, etc. |
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Common terms and phrases
agent American chief arrived band battle Black Hawk Black Hawk War braves British Father called camp chief at St commenced corn council dance determined encampment enemy feast fight fire flag followed fort Armstrong fort Madison gave give Gomo guns Hawk's heard horses hunting grounds Illinois immediately Indian Ioway Jefferson Barracks join the British Ke-o-kuck killed land leave our village lodge Louis medicine bag Menomonees Mississippi morning murdered Na-nà-ma-kee nation Ne-a-pope never night old friend Osages Ouisconsin party passed peace peaceably Peoria Portage des Sioux Pottowattomies Prairie du Chien prisoner promised prophet Quàsh-quà-me received remained retreated returned Rock Island Rock river rushed Sacs and Foxes scalps sent Sioux soldiers soon Spirit spring squaws started steam boat taken talk told took trader treaty tribes warriors whilst White Beaver Winnebagoes winter Wisconsin wished women and children wounded young
Popular passages
Page 50 - British trader had landed at Rock Island with two boats loaded with goods, and requested us to come up immediately, because he had good news for us, and a variety of presents. The express presented us with tobacco, pipes and wampum. The news ran through our camp like fire on a prairie.
Page 62 - I have heard with sorrow, that you have determined to leave our village, and cross the Mississippi, merely because you have been told that the Americans were seen coming in this direction! Would you leave our village, desert our homes, and fly, before an enemy approaches? Would you leave all — even the graves of our fathers, to the mercy of an enemy, without trying to defend them? Give me charge of your warriors; I'll defend the village, and you may sleep in safety!
Page 143 - FOR us TO REMAIN AT PEACE, AS WE COULD ACCOMPLISH NOTHING BUT OUR OWN RUIN, BY GOING TO WAR!") What was now to be done? It was worse than folly to turn back and meet an enemy...
Page 101 - I visited him and the trader very often during the summer, and, for the first time, heard talk of our having to leave my village. The trader explained to me the terms of the treaty that had been made, and said we would be obliged to leave the Illinois side of the Mississippi, and advised us to select a good place for our village, and remove to it in the spring.
Page 48 - He repeated that the traders at Fort Madison would have plenty of goods; that we should go there in the fall and he would supply us on credit, as the British traders had done.
Page 107 - How smooth must be the language of the whites, when they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like right. During this summer, I happened at Rock Island, when a great chief arrived, (whom I had known as the great chief of Illinois, [governor Cole,] in company with another chief, who, I have been told, is a great writer, [judge Jas.
Page 38 - ... good news. Early the next morning, the Council Lodge was crowded — Quash-qua-me and party came up, and gave us the following account of their mission: "On their arrival at St. Louis, they met their [28] American father, and explained to him their business, and urged the release of 39 their friend.
Page 147 - When we arrived in the vicinity of a fort the white people had built there, we saw four men on horseback. One of my braves fired and wounded a man, when the others set up a yell, as if a large force were near and ready to come against us. We concealed ourselves, and remained in this position for some time, watching to see the enemy approach— but none came.
Page 27 - Great Spirit, and he could never consent to make him angry!" He now presented the great medicine bag to Na-na-ma-kee, and told him, "that he cheerfully resigned it to him — it is the soul of our nation — it has never yet been disgraced — and I will expect you to keep it unsullied!
Page 169 - ... and many other things ; but we were now about to witness a sight more surprising than any of these. We were told that a man was going up into the air in a balloon ! We watched with anxiety to see if it could be true ; and to our utter astonishment, saw him ascend in the air until the eye could no longer perceive him.