was strongly displayed.  He happened to be in a small town in Iowa, on the same day in which a party of dragoons, under Captain ——­ arrived:  and in paying a visit to a friend with whom he always partook of a meal, whenever he stopped at the village, he met with the Captain, who had been invited to dine.  Black Hawk remained, also expecting the usual invitation to stay and eat with them:  but when the dinner was ready, the host took him aside, and told him the Captain, or rather the white man’s chief, was to dine with him that day, and he must wait until they had finished.  The old chief’s eye glistened with anger as he answered him, raising the fore-finger of one hand to his breast, to represent the officer, ‘I know the white man is a chief, but I,’ elevating the finger of the other hand far above his head, ’was a chief, and led my warriors to the fight, long before his mother knew him. Your meat,—­my dogs should not eat it!’ Saying this, he gathered the folds of his blanket about him, and stalked off, looking as proudly as if he still walked over ground that he could call ‘my own.’

“Black Hawk possessed, to a great degree, one fine trait which it is not usual for us to concede to the Indian—­kindness and affection for his wife.  He never had but one, and with her he lived for upwards of forty years; they had several children, three of whom still survive, two sons and a daughter.  The eldest son is now one of the most promising young braves of the nation, and bids fair to be one of its most noble men.  The daughter is still quite young, and is considered to be the most beautiful maiden belonging to her tribe.

“He has now departed on his long journey, to join those of his people who have gone before him to their happy hunting grounds, far beyond the setting sun.  May the Great Spirit grant him a clear sunshine, and a smooth path.”

For the particulars, given below, of the last days and death of Black Hawk, we are indebted to a highly respectable gentleman, W. Henry Starr, Esq. of Burlington, Iowa Territory.  His communication, under date of March 21st, 1839, is given entire, that the interest of the narrative may be preserved.

“Your letter of the 2nd of January came to hand in due course of mail, in which you make some enquiries concerning the old chief of the Sac and Fox tribes—­the venerable BLACK HAWK.  I should have replied to it sooner, could I have done so satisfactorily either to you or myself.  I knew much by report of the old chief, and something from personal acquaintance; but my knowledge was not so accurate as to be serviceable to a faithful biographer.  I have, therefore, taken sometime to make the necessary enquiries, and satisfy myself of their accuracy.