ry, and be a caution to other Indians."

"But what will become of the women?"

"They will join some other band, sir, and tell the story. It is better
that they should."

"And our prisoners, what shall we do with them?"

"Release them; by and by, sir, we shall have nothing to fear from them;
but we will first take them two or three days' march into the woods, in
case they have alliance with any other band whom they might call to
their assistance."

"And the wounded Indians?"

"Must be left to Providence, sir. We can not take them. We will leave
them provisions and water. The women will come back and find them; if
they are alive, they will look after them; if dead, bury them. But here
comes John, with some bears' skins which he has saved for Miss Mary;
that was thoughtful of the boy. As soon as the flames are down, we will
take up our quarters in the clearing, and set a watch for the night; and
to-morrow, with the help of God, we will commence our journey back. We
shall bring joy to your father and mother, and the sooner we do it the
better; for they must be any thing but comfortable at our long absence."

"Yes," said Mary Percival; "what a state of suspense they must be in!
Truly, as the Bible saith, 'Hope deferred maketh the heart sick.'"

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Not one of the party slept much on this night. There was much to do, and
much to be looked after. Captain Sinclair, as it may be supposed, was
fully occupied with Mary Percival, of whom more anon. As soon as they
had taken up their position in the clearing, and made arrangements for
the accommodation of Mary, they relieved the Strawberry from her charge
of the prisoners, whom they brought to the clearing, and made to sit
down close to them. Percival, who had not yet been freed from his bonds,
was now untied, and suffered to walk about, one of the men keeping close
to him, and watching him carefully. The first object which caught his
eye, was the body of the Angry Snake. Percival looked on it for some
time, and then sat down by the side of it. There he remained for more
than two hours, without speaking, when a hole having been dug out by one
of the party, the body was put in and covered up. Percival remained a
few minutes by the side of the grave, and then turned to the two
wounded Indians. He brought them water, and spoke to them in the Indian
tongue; but while he was still with them, Mary sent for him to speak
with him, for as yet she had scarcely se