The battalion marches out to the sound of the drum and fife;--they are soon down the hill--they enter their boats; hand-kerchiefs are waved from the fort, caps are raised and flourished over the water;--they are almost out of sight--they are gone.
When the troops reached their destination, Sullen Face and Forked Horn were not there, but the chief gave them three of his warriors, (who were with the party of Sullen Face at the time of the murder,) promising that when the two murderers returned they would come to Fort Snelling, and give themselves up.
There was nothing then to prevent the immediate return of our troops.
Their tramp had been a delightful one, and so far success had crowned their expedition.

They were in the highest spirits.

But a little incident occurred on their return, that was rather calculated to show the transitoriness of earthly joys.

One dark night, when those who were awake were thinking, and those who slept were dreaming of their welcome home, there was evidently a disturbance.

The sleepers roused themselves; guns were discharged.