are carrying her; I told you that they would not hurt her."

"Let me once see her get out of the litter, and I shall be satisfied,"
replied Captain Sinclair.

The Indians soon were over the clearing, and stopped at one of the
lodges; Mary Percival was lifted out, and was seen to walk with
difficulty into the wigwam, followed by two of the Indian women.

A short parley took place between the Angry Snake and the other two
women, and the chief and rest of the party then went into another lodge.

"All's right so far, sir," observed Malachi; "they have left her to the
charge of the two women in a lodge by herself, and so there will be no
fear for her when we make the attack, which I think we must do very
shortly, for if it is quite dark, some of them may escape, and may
trouble us afterward."

"Let us do it immediately," said Captain Sinclair.

"No, not immediately, sir; we have yet an hour and a half daylight. We
will wait one hour, for I think that as they have nothing to eat, and
are pretty well tired from carrying Miss Percival, they will, in all
probability, go to sleep, as Indians always do. An hour hence will be
the best time for us to fall upon them."

"You are right, Malachi," replied Alfred. "Sinclair, you must curb your
impatience."

"I must, I believe," replied Captain Sinclair; "but it will be a tedious
hour for me. Let us pass it away in making our arrangements; we have but
six to deal with."

"And only two rifles," replied Alfred; "so we are pretty sure of
success."

"We must watch first," said Martin, "to see if they all continue in the
same lodge, for if they divide, we must arrange accordingly. Who will
remain with the prisoners?"

"I won't," said John, in a positive manner.

"You must, John, if it be decided that you do," said Alfred.

"Better not, sir," replied Malachi; "for as soon as the boy hears the
crack of the rifles, he will leave his prisoners, and join us; that I'm
sure of. No, sir, the Strawberry can be left with the prisoners. I'll
give her my hunting-knife; that will be sufficient."

They remained for about half an hour more watching the lodges, but every
thing appeared quiet, and not a single person came out. Having examined
the priming of the rifles, every man was directed to take up a certain
position, so as to surround the buildings and support each other. John
was appointed to the office of looking after his cousin Mary, and
preventing the women from escaping with her fr