After many years of peace, the Indians become restless and decide to make war upon the white man. Black Partridge, the chief, goes to Fort Dearborn, to return to the Commandant the symbol of peace which has passed between them, saying that the Indians are crying for white blood. The Commandant makes light of the warning, and Rawlins, a black sheep among the officers, even attacks Singing Bird, the daughter of Black Partridge, on one of her visits to the fort. The members of the tribe, who are against the whites, stir the feelings of the others by impassioned oratory, and scouts are sent to encircle the fort and watch the movements of the inhabitants. They report that no notice has been taken of the warning, and that the soldiers are not preparing. So they gather their forces and fall upon the whites. Singing Bird rushes ahead of them to warn the whites that the Indians are upon them. The cunning savages offer safe conduct to the soldiers, who accept it.
