not destined to share in any encounter with the enemy be yond what we have already mentioned. The forces were divided and dispersed, and one portion shortly after meet ing with the Indians, a battle ensued, and the war was over. This will be related in a few words:

Two days after their separation news was received by that portion of the whites from which Lincoln's company had been separated that Black Hawk was thirty miles above their camp on Rock river. A plan of Generals Alexander, Henry, and others, to take him by surprise, without awaiting orders, was frustrated by their troops refusing to follow them. Gen. Henry finally set out in pursuit of the Indians, on the 15th of July, but was misled by treachery. He continued on for several days, acquiring better information, passing the beautiful country around the Four Lakes, the present site of Madison, Wisconsin, and after another day's hard march came close upon the retreating Indians, and finally overtook them on the 21st. They were immediately charged upon, and driven along the high bluffs of the Wisconsin, and down upon the river bottom. The Indians lost sixty-eight killed, and of the large number wounded twenty-five were afterwards found dead on their trail leading to the Missis sippi. The regulars, in this engagement on the Wisconsin, were commanded by Gen. (then Col.) Zachary Taylor, afterward President of the United States. Gen. Henry, of Illinois, and Col. Dodge, (afterward United States Sen. ator), were chief commanders of the volunteers.

Waiting two days at the Blue Mounds, the forces still in the field were all united, and a hard pursuit resumed

through the forests, down the Wisconsin.

On the fourta

day, they reached the Mississippi, which some of the Indians had already crossed, while others were preparing to do so. The battle of the Bad-Ax here brought the war to a close, with the capture of Black Hawk and his surviving warriors.

Lincoln never set up any claims to heroism in this, his only campaign as a soldier, but he believed he did his duty, and so did others. Perhaps if he had the opportunity he might have turned out quite a redoubtable warrior; but it was all for the best, for he might have been diverted from that career of usefulness which he afterwards pursued in quieter ways.

Sarcastically commenting on the efforts of Gen. Cass's biographers to make the old Statesman a military hero, Lincoln, in a congressional speech, delivered during the canvas of 1848, said:

"By the way, Mr. Speaker, did you know I am a military hero? Yes, sir, in the days of the Black Hawk war, I fought, bled, and came away. Speaking of Gen. Cass's career, reminds me of my own. I was not at Stillman's defeat, but I was about as near it as Cass to Hull's surrender; and like him, I saw the place very soon afterward."

This never failing humor of Abraham Lincoln, no doubt has done as much as anything to make him a general favorite. It is said that a man that is fond of music can never be a conspirator or a traitor. We might extend the rule, and say, that one who is always good natured and humorous, is alike incapable of double dealing or plotting.

At least, so think the multitude, and, they are not often wrong.

Whether it was this characteristic, so highly prized among our countrymen, or the scrupulous honesty which attacoed itself to allof the young pioneer's dealings, we do not know but Abraham Lincoln at this time came to be called Honest Abe. It is a good sign for him when a man earns this handle to his name, and is a sure forerunner of fortune and honor.

CHAPTER III.

THE POLITICIAN.

Abraham becomes a politician: Takes to surveying Sells his instruments at auction. Studies law. Is beaten at an election. Runs again and succeeds. Elected four times to the legislature. Stumps the State for Henry Clay. His oratorical powers. His appearance and personal habits.

After his return from the Black Hawk War, Abraham began to cast about him for something to do. His military campaign had infused that self-confidence within him to which he had hitherto been a stranger. Chosen as captain above a hundred of his fellows, it would be strange if the youth did not begin to have some aspirations for distinction in life. He accordingly began to make himself acquainted with the political machinery of elections and to study the complexions of parties, and take his position among them according to the opinions he held.

Lincoln was an ardent admirer of the then newly famous Henry Clay of Kentucky, and it took him but little

time to enrol himself among his numerous followers and oppose the Democratic party, who at that time advocated Gen. Jackson for the presidency.

In 1834 he ran for the Illinois legislature, but was de feated.

Meanwhile, he pursued the business of land surveyor, as Washington had done before him, but with such little success that he was at one time compelled to sell his surveying instruments at auction in order to keep soul and body together. He was at the same time studying law, and his abandonment of surveying only made him more anxious to succeed with his books and his degree. His political aspirations were not without success even then, for in consequence of his popularity on the occasion of his defeat, (lacking only seven votes of election) he received the appointment of postmaster at New Salem, Illinois.

In 1836 he ran again for the legislature, and this time was successful. In 1838 and 1840 he was re-elected to the same office.

During this part of his career as a politician, it is inter. esting to notice the care he took even when a young man to avoid identifying himself with the theoretical abolitionists of the day, and yet to place himself on the record as a firm lover of liberty for all men when time and circum. stances favored emancipation measures.

During the spring of 1837, revolutions of a pro-slavery character had been adopted by the majority of the Illin ois legislature. These of course would have affixed the character of theoretical abolitionists to those who voted against them. In order to extricate himself from a posi

tion which he at that time considered unwise, he joined with a Mr. Stone in the following protest on the subject: MARCH 3d, 1837.

The following protest was presented to the House, which was read and ordered to be spread on the jouanais, to wit:

"Resolutions upon the subject of domestic slavery having passed both branches of the General Assembly, at its present session, the undersigned hereby protest against the passage of the same.

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They believe that the institution of slavery is founded on both injustice and bad policy; but that the promulgation of abolition doctrines tends rather to increase than abate its evils.

"They believe that the Congress of the United States has no power, under the Constitution, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the different States.

"They believe that the Congress of the United States. has the power, under the Constitution, to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia; but that the power ought not to be exercised, unless at the request of the people of said District.

"The difference between these opinions and those contained in the said resolutions, is their reason for entering this protest.

(Signed)

"DAN. STONE,
"A. LINCOLN,

"Representatives from the County of Sangamon."