the following information. The Angry Snake, irritated at the detention
of the Young Otter, and resolved to have another hostage in lieu of him,
had carried off Mary Percival. He had six Indians with him, which were
the whole of his grown-up warriors. They were now but one day's journey
ahead of them, as Miss Percival was very sore on her feet, and they
could not get her along, but that in every other respect she had been
well treated. That the Indians were not going to their lodges in a
direct course, but by a circuitous route, which would make a difference
of at least six or seven days; and that they did this that they might
not be seen by some other tribes who were located in their direct route,
and who might give information. She said that it was she who had written
the Indian letter which Malachi had received the autumn before, and that
she had done it because she had been so kindly treated by Mr. and Mrs.
Campbell, when she had been found in the forest with her ankle sprained.
That Percival was at the Indian lodges, quite well when they left, and
that if the Angry Snake did not receive a large quantity of powder and
shot and a great many rifles in exchange for him, it was his intention
to adopt the boy, as he was very partial to him. On being asked if the
boy was happy, she replied that he was not at first, but now he was
almost an Indian; that he was seldom permitted to leave the lodges, and
never unless accompanied by the Angry Snake. In answer to their
questions as to the direction and distance to the lodges, she said that
they were about seven days' journey by the straight road; but that the
party with Miss Percival would not arrive there in less than fifteen
days, if so soon, as she was every day less able to travel. Having
obtained all this information, a council was held, and Malachi spoke
first, having been requested so to do.

"My opinion is this," said Malachi, "that we can do no better than
remain here at present, and wait till the woman is sufficiently
recovered to travel, and show us the direct road to the lodges. In two
or three days she will probably be well enough to go with us, and then
we will take the direct road, and be there before them. The knowledge
of the place and the paths will enable us to lay an ambush for them, and
to rescue the young lady without much danger to ourselves. They will
have no idea of falling in with us, for they of course imagine the woman
is dead; a tomahawk seldom fails