Chapter V

Offutt's business gone to ruin.--The Black Hawk War.--Black Hawk crosses the Mississippi.--Deceived by his allies.--The governor's call for troops.--Abe enlists--Elected captain.--A speech.--Organization of the army.--Captain Lincoln under arrest.--The march.--Captain Lincoln's company declines to form.--Lincoln under arrest.--Stillman's defeat.--Wasting rations.--Hunger.--Mutiny.--March to Dixon.--Attempt to capture Black Hawk's pirogues.--Lincoln saves the life of an Indian.--Mutiny.--Lincoln's novel method of quelling it.--Wrestling.--His magnanimity.--Care of his men.--Dispute with a regular officer.--Reach Dixon.--Move to Fox River.--A stampede.--Captain Lincoln's efficiency as an officer.--Amusements of the camp.--Captain Lincoln re-enlists as a private.--Independent spy company.--Progress of the war.--Capture of Black Hawk.--Release.--Death.--Grave.--George W. Harrison's recollections.--Duties of the spy company.--Company disbanded.--Lincoln's horse stolen.--They start home on foot.--Buy a canoe.--Feast on a raft.--Sell the boat.--Walk again.--Arrive at Petersburg.--A sham battle........98

CHAPTER VI.

The volunteers from Sangamon return shortly before the State election.--Abe a candidate for the Legislature.--Mode of bringing forward candidates.--Parties and party names.--State and national politics.--Mr. Lincoln's position.--Old way of conducting elections.--Mr. Lincoln's first stump-speech.--"A general fight."--Mr. Lincoln's part in it.--His dress and appearance.--Speech at Island Grove.--His stories.--A third speech.--Agrees with the Whigs in the policy of internal improvements.--His own hobby.--Prepares an address to the people.--Mr. Lincoln defeated.--Received every vote but three cast in his own precinct....121