about nine o'clock
Winnebeg , with his son , bore the body within the skirt of the wood , until we reached a bend of the river hidden from observation , where a canoe with paddles was drawn up on the beach . There we crossed , and going round to the rear of the cottage , entered the garden , and proceeded to the upper end , where at the summer house , near a favorite rose-tree of Maria 's , I dug with my own hands a hasty grave , in which Winnebeg and Waunangee placed the body -- its only coffin being the bark that was swathed around it . Of course I always intended to disinter it at some future , but not distant period , and bestow upon it the usual rites of burial . `` This painful task accomplished , and the soil having been carefully replaced , so as to leave no inequality of surface , I accompanied my friends back by the same route , and about nine o'clock left the Pottawattamie encampment with them and a few other warriors of the tribe for the Fort , which in the crowd I entered without difficulty or creating suspicion . Watching my opportunity , I stole to the rear of my bed-room -- opened and entered the window -- changed my dress , and made my appearance on parade as you saw . '' `` All is ready , sir , '' said Sergeant Nixon , entering just as he had concluded , and before Elmsley could offer any remark on this singular adventure -- `` the coffin is in the scow , and Corporal Collins , Green and Philips are there also with their shovels , ropes , and picks . If Mr. Elmsley will give me permission , '' and he touched his cap to that officer .