Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
“‘The kind of a horse I’ve always wanted to own’ ... he thought.”
[Page 152]
THE TRAIL OF BLACK HAWK
PREFACE
The adventures and experiences of the hardy settlerson the continually advancing frontier have provided afascinating but comparatively unknown chapter in thehistory of our country. Romance, bitter prejudice,distorted tales, and traditions more or less trustworthy,have combined to create a strong interest in theIndians. So much, however, has been written of a sensationaland improbable nature that the result has notalways been desirable. Just as there were “good” Indiansand “bad” Indians, so the stories of Indianshave ofttimes created impressions that were erroneousor even false.
The appeal of Indian life and of Indian wars, however,is perpetually strong. Who these early inhabitantsof America were, what they did, how they livedand how they fought their battles, why they were engagedin conflicts with the early settlers and our troops,are essential parts of our history. The names of KingPhilip, Massasoit, Brandt, Tecumseh, Pontiac, RedJacket,