The chiefs decided to take possession of their village. The whites were alarmed when the blanketed warriors and their families stalked in among them and made themselves at home. It was evident that any attempt to oust the rightful owners would cause bloodshed; so the settlers said they would stay and work and plant in partnership. This was done, but the situation of the Indians was made almost intolerable. The whites took care that they had the best land, and they treated their dusky neighbors with brutal harshness, insulting them on every pretext, and, in one instance at least, they beat a young man so badly that he died of his injuries. It was to be expected in some cases the Indians would give great provocation, but nothing could excuse the wholesale stealing of their village and land. The chiefs, knowing how closely they were watched, and that the intruders were anxious for an excuse for calling upon the authorities, told their people in no circumstances to be the first to commit a hostile act against the intruders. The Sacs were notified that their lands had been sold, and they must not again set foot on the eastern side of the river. We have shown that they disregarded the warning, and Black Hawk and his band did not hesitate to declare they meant to _stay_. The settlers appealed to the governor of Illinois, who, asserting that the State had been invaded by hostile Indians, called out seven hundred militia to protect the citizens. He requested General Gaines, commanding the western department, to coöperate with him. That officer summoned a strong force of regulars and went to the region in dispute. Under date of June 2d, 1831, the general made the following interesting statement: "I have visited the Rock River villages, with a view to ascertain the localities, and, as far as possible, the disposition of the Indians. They confirm me in the opinion I had previously formed, that, whatever may be their feelings of hostility, they are resolved to abstain from the use of their tomahawks and firearms except in self-defence. But I am resolved to abstain from firing a shot without some bloodshed, or some manifest attempt to shed blood, on the part of the Indians. I have already induced one-third of them to cross the Mississippi to their own land. The residue, however, say, as the friendly chiefs report, that they will never move; and what is very uncommon, their women urge their hostile husbands to fight rather than to move and thus abandon their homes." General Gaines awaited the arrival of the militia. They appeared about a week later. Knowing what was to be expected from them, if they were once let loose, the Indians immediately moved across the Mississippi, and the army took possession of the Sac village without the firing of a shot. A treaty was signed, but it was without permanent effect, for before the close of the year, both parties violated it.