But we did fin' you, didn't we Mas' Sam ?" and at this Joe had to drop behind again and execute a rapid jig movement, as a relief to his feelings.
* * * * * The government forces under General Jackson, together with the settlers themselves, were now pressing the savages very hard.

Battles were fought almost every day, and every battle weakened the Indians.

In December, General Claiborne invaded the Holy Ground, and utterly destroyed Weatherford's command, as a result of which that chief surrendered to Jackson and the war was practically at an end.

A few more battles were necessary before a final peace could be made, and the last of them was fought on the 27th of March, 1814, at Horseshoe Bend; but after the battle of December 23d a little more than a month after Sam's party was rescued, the country north and west of the Alabama river was comparatively free from savages, who no longer dared wander about in small bands, plundering and burning houses, and the planters began to return to their homes to get ready for spring work.
When Mr.Hardwicke was about to go home with his children, he sent for Joe.

When the boy came, little Judie handed him a carefully folded document, saying, "Here's a present for you, Joe.
"What's dis ?" asked Joe, unable to guess what possible use he could have for such a paper as that, inasmuch as he couldn't read it to save his life.
"These are your _free papers_, Joe," said Sam.