that it was determined to form a camp on the spot, while twenty
well-mounted warriors should go in pursuit of the Sioux. I entreated
Sigenok to allow me to accompany him. "You are young for warfare, but
your heart is strong--you shall go," he answered. No time was to be
lost. It was of great consequence to follow up the foe so rapidly that
they might not be prepared for our approach. A hurried meal was taken,
and each warrior furnishing himself with a supply of pemmikon for
several days, we immediately set off. Three men, on foot, always kept
ahead to act as scouts and to feel the way, while their horses were led
by the rest, and when the first were tired others took their places.
The Sioux must have retreated very rapidly, for two whole days passed,
and though my friends assured me we were on the right trail, we had not
overtaken them. I was almost in despair, and began to doubt that, even
if Malcolm was alive, he could be with them. I had just expressed my
fears to Sigenok when one of the scouts came hurrying back and exhibited
a tag--the end of a boot-lace, such as my brother had worn. This
Sigenok considered a sure sign that Malcolm was with them. My
eagerness, therefore, increased to overtake them, but the Indians
assured me that great caution was requisite, and that instead of going
faster, it might be necessary to go slower. This is often the case I
have since found in other affairs of life. More scouts were now sent
out and still greater caution used. It was the intention of my
companions, if possible, to make the onslaught on the camp of their foes
at night. All depended, however, on our approach not being suspected.
The Sioux, of course, would have scouts out, and the difficulty was to
avoid their meeting ours, or discovering any traces. At last, just
before dusk, one of our scouts brought in word that they had encamped,
and that we were about two miles from them. It was suspected, from the
way in which they had formed their camp, they must have thought that
they had distanced us. We had now no longer any doubt about overtaking
them, but the question was as to the best means of making the attack.
The Indians' chief thought was of revenging themselves for the loss of
their relatives, my only desire was to recover my brother should he
still be alive. We continued to advance till we got within about half a
mile of the Sioux camp--the hilly nature of the ground and the woods
concealing our approac