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Since soft autumn rains have fallen, the earth
has taken on a new sheen of green, a restful,
soft quietness. Yellows, bronzes, and russets begin to
color the woods, and woodbine torches the treetops
with brilliant reds and corals.
Across the valley the view is broadened to reveal
blue-gray hills like elephant humps parading along
the horizon. Smoke twirls up from brush cutting,
and from a chimney or two, the first show of smoke
from evening fires appears.
Fruit stands along side roads offer pumpkins in
all sizes, a few melons, and squashes in countless
colors and shapes. Harvest time, the season of abun-
dance, is here. The busyness of the growing season
now begins to slow. The gentle pace of autumn
quiets us and helps us walk in serenity and peace.

Can you no longer dally?
-TECUMSEH, SHAWNEE

By: Joyce Sequichie Hifler

The many moons and sunny days we
have lived here will long be remem-
bered by us. The Great Spirit has smiled
upon us and made us glad. But we
have agreed to go. We go to a country
we know little of. Our home will be
beyond a great river on the way to the
setting sun. We will build our wigwams
there in another land . . . The men we
leave here in possession of these lands
cannot say Keokuk or his people ever
took up a tomahawk . . . In peace we
bid you goodbye . . .If you come see us,
we will gladly welcome you.

-KEOKUK, A SAUK TRIBAL LEADER,
WHO SIGNED A NUMBER OF TREATIES WITH THE
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT GIVING IT VARIOUS
TRACTS OF LAND IN EXCHANGE FOR RESERVATION
LAND AND NECESSITIES FOR HIS PEOPLE. THIS
SPEECH WAS GIVEN WHEN HIS PEOPLE WERE
TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO RELOCATE WEST OF
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, SEPTEMBER 26, 1833.