ich the Red men tortured their prisoners, and I dreaded lest such
should be the lot of my poor brother. The rage and fury of the Indians
at finding that their friends had thus been cut off was terrific, and
their threats of vengeance terrible.

I had hitherto, till this expedition, seen the Red men only under more
favourable aspects. I now perceived what they could become when excited
by passion. Still the loss of my brother made me anxious that they
should immediately undertake an expedition which might result in his
recovery. I saw the Indians examining the ground round on every side,
and they soon pronounced an opinion that the party who had attacked
their friends did not equal them in numbers, and would not have
succeeded had they not lain in ambush and taken them by surprise. We
must have passed close to the Sioux, but in consequence of the
superiority of our numbers they were afraid to attack us. A council was
immediately held; the principal men spoke, and various plans were
suggested. The result of them was, 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 pemmican 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 l