“‘My Children:–I am well pleased that you have taken the Black Hawk, the Prophet and other prisoners. This will enable me to say much for you to the great chief of the warriors and to the President, your great father. “‘My Children:–I shall now deliver the two men, Black Hawk and the Prophet, to the chief of the warriors here; he will take care of them till we start to Rock Island.’ “Col. Taylor said:–‘The great chief of the warriors told me to take the prisoners when you should bring them, and send them to Rock Island to him, I will take them and keep them safe, but I will use them well and send them with you and General Street when you go down to the council, which will be in a few days. Your friend, General Street, advises you to get ready and go down soon, and so do I. “‘I tell you again I will take the prisoners. I will keep them safe, but I will do them no harm. I will deliver them to the great chief of the warriors, and he will do with them and use them in such a manner as shall be ordered by your great father, the President.’ “Chaeter, a Winnebago warrior, then said to General Street: “‘My Father:–I am young and do not know how to make speeches. This is the second time I ever spoke to you before people. “‘My Father:–I am no chief; I am no orator; but I have been allowed to speak to you. “‘My Father:–If I should not speak as well as others, still you must listen to me. “‘My Father:–When you made the speech to the chiefs, Wau-kon Decorri, Carramana, the One-Eyed Decorri and others ’tother day, I was there. I heard you. I thought of what you said to them. You also said to me, you said, “If these two (pointing to Black Hawk and the Prophet) were taken by us and brought to you, there would nevermore a black cloud hang over your Winnebagoes.” “‘My Father:–Your words entered into my ears, into my brains, and into my heart. “‘My Father:–I left here that same night, and you know you have not seen me since until now. “‘My Father:–I have been a great way. I have had much trouble; but when I remembered what you said, I knew what you said was right. This made me continue and do what you told me to do. “‘My Father:–Near the Dalle, on the Wisconsin, I took Black Hawk. No one did it but me. I say this in the ears of all present, and they know it, and I now appeal to the Great Spirit, our grandfather, and the earth, our grandmother, for the truth of what I say. “‘My Father:–I am no chief; but what I have done is for the benefit of my nation, and I hope to see the good that has been promised to us. “‘My Father:–That one, Wa-bo-kie-shiek (the Prophet), is my relation. If he is to be hurt, I do not wish to see it.