The latter, in fact, the chief had already done, and having, as it was said, induced some of the Pottowattamies to join him, there was reason to fear that he might persuade some of the Winnebagoes to follow their example.

These chiefs had come to counsel with their Father, and to assure him that they should do all in their power to keep their young men quiet.  They had heard that troops were being raised down among the whites in Illinois, and they had hopes that their people would be wise enough to keep out of difficulty.  Furthermore, they begged that their Father, on his return, would see that the soldiers did not meddle with them, so long as they remained quiet and behaved in a friendly manner.

White Crow seemed particularly anxious to impress it upon me, that if any danger should arise in Shaw-nee-aw-kee’s absence, he should come with his people to protect me and my family.  I relied upon his assurances, for he had ever shown himself an upright and honorable Indian.

Notwithstanding this, the thoughts of Indian troubles so near us, in the absence of our guardian and protector, occasioned us many an anxious moment, and it was not until we learned of the peaceable retreat of the Sauks and Foxes west of the Mississippi, that we were able wholly to lay aside our fears.

We were now called to part with our friends, Major Twiggs and his family, which we did with heartfelt regret.  He gave me a few parting words about our old acquaintance, Krissman.

“When I went into the barracks the other day,” said he, “about the time the men were taking their dinner, I noticed a great six-foot soldier standing against the window-frame, crying and blubbering.  ‘Halloo,’ said I, ‘what on earth does this mean?’

“‘Why, that fellow there,’ said Krissman (for it was he), ’has scrowged me out of my place!’ A pretty soldier your protege will make, madam!” added the Major.

I never heard more of my hero.  Whether he went to exhibit his prowess against the Seminoles and Mexicans, or whether he returned to till the fertile soil of his native German Flats and blow his favorite boatman’s horn, must be left for some future historian to tell.

There is one more character to be disposed of—­Louisa.  An opportunity offering in the spring, the Major placed her under the charge of a person going to Buffalo, that she might be returned to her parents.  In compliment to the new acquaintances she had formed, she shortened her skirts, mounted a pair of scarlet leggings embroidered with porcupine-quills, and took her leave of military life, having deposited with the gentleman who took charge of her sixty dollars, for safe keeping, which she remarked “she had saved up, out of her wages at a dollar a week, through the winter.”

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