Page 244
THE RED MEN OF IOWA.
interviewing the new governor. When they arrived in the vicinity of the town they sent notice of their presence, with a request that suitable provision be made for them during their visit. The governor declined to receive the party, but sent them word that it was his purpose to visit their country in a few days. Hard Fish and his men returned home very much disappointed. Keokuk, pursuing a wiser and more politic course, chose to communicate with the governor through the agent, and in due time it was arranged for the executive to meet the Indians at the agency. On the day fixed the Indians were encamped in the vicinity of the agency, ready for the grand council. Long before the appointed hour for the opening of the council Hard Fish and his band, arrayed in grand style, and mounted on their ponies, rode up in front of the governor's quarters, where they indulged in various equestrian performances. Then they dismounted and marched into the assembly-room, where Hard Fish and some of his principal men shook hands with the governor; While these proceedings were going on Keokuk was arranging quite a different programme.
Keokuk had been apprised of the ardent attachment which had existed between the recently deceased president and Governor Chambers, and how the latter cherished the memory of the departed general to whom he had served as aide-de-camp in the War of 1812. It was long after the hour had passed for opening the council when the faint sounds of music were heard in the distance. The sounds gradually became more distinct, but the notes were not of a joyous character. They were solemn and dirge-like. At last the procession appeared, but there were no guady rib-
Page 245
SKETCH OF KEOKUK.
bons or feathers; no merry tinkling of bells responding to the tramp of the ponies; no faces painted with vermilion, and no bright colors in dress, or gaudy ornaments. Instead of these, Keokuk and his party appeared arrayed in the garb of grief and mourning. The sombre hues of clay had been substituted for the vermilion, while their lances and other implements were wrapped with wilted grass. Even Hard Fish himself was astonished to behold the solemn cortege, and thought it strange that a death could have occurred to call forth such proceedings without his knowledge. When the procession had reached the immediate vicinity of the council-chamber Keokuk ordered a halt, the solemn dirge ceased, and the interpreter was instructed to announce to the new father that Keokuk would take his hand after explaining to him what all this meant. Keokuk, addressing the governor, then said:
"Father: We were told not long ago that our great father at Washington was dead. We had heard of him as a great war chief, who had passed much of his life among the red men, and knew their wants, and we believed we would always have friendship and justice at his hands. His death has made us very sad, and as this is our first opportunity, we thought it would be wrong if we did not use it to show that the hearts. of his red children, as well as his white children, know how to mourn over their great loss, and we have had to keep our father waiting while we performed that part of our mourning that we must always attend to before we leave our lodges with our dead."
at the conclusion of his remarks, Keokuk stepped forth and extended his hand to Governor Chambers, whose hearty grasp. attested that the chief had touched the right spot.
