party had not come back, and now a council was again
held as to their proceedings. The Indian force was nothing--an old man,
one lad of twenty, and four women. These might be easily captured and
secured, but the question was whether it would be desirable so to do, as
in case one should by any means escape, information of their arrival
might be conveyed to the absent party, and induce them not to come home
with Mary Percival. This question was debated in a low tone between
Malachi, Captain Sinclair, and Alfred. At last John interrupted them by
saying, "They are going out to hunt, the old and the young Indian and
Percival--they have all their bows and arrows."

"The boy is right," said Malachi. "Well, I consider this to decide the
question. We can now capture the men without the women knowing any thing
about it. They will not expect them home till the evening, and even if
they do not come, they will not be surprised or alarmed; so now we had
better let them go some way, and then follow them. If we secure them,
we can then decide what to do about the women."

This was agreed upon, and Malachi explained their intentions to the
Indian woman, who approved of them, but said, "The Old Raven (referring
to the old Indian) is very cunning; you must be careful."

The party remained in their place of concealment for another quarter of
an hour, till the two Indians and Percival had quitted the open space
before the lodges, and had entered the woods. They then followed in a
parallel direction, Malachi and John going ahead: Martin and Alfred
following so as to keep them in sight, and the remainder of the party at
about the same distance behind Martin and Alfred. They continued in this
manner their course through the woods for more than an hour, when a herd
of deer darted past Malachi and John. They immediately stopped, and
crouched, to hide themselves. Martin and Alfred perceiving this,
followed their example, and the rest of the party behind, at the motion
of the Strawberry, did the same. Hardly had they done so, when one of
the herd, which had been pierced by an arrow, followed in the direction
of the rest, and after a few bounds fell to the earth. A minute or two
afterward the hunters made their appearance, and stood by the expiring
beast, where they remained for a minute or two talking, and then took
out their knives to flay and cut it up. While they were thus employed,
Malachi and John on one side, Alfred and Martin from another