sed was whether
they should now capture the women who were left in the lodges, or remain
quiet till the Angry Snake and his party arrived.

Malachi's opinion was as follows:--

"I think we had, at all events, better wait till to-morrow, sir. You
see, the women will not be at all surprised at the hunting party not
returning for even a day or two, as they know that they will not return
without game, and may not find it immediately; their absence, therefore,
will create no suspicion of our being here. I think we should return to
our former place of concealment, and watch their motions. There is no
saying when the party with Miss Percival may return; they may have
arrived while we have been away, or they may come to-morrow. It will be
better, therefore, not to encumber ourselves with more prisoners unless
it is necessary."

This opinion was at last assented to, and they set off, on their return
to the Indian lodges. They arrived about an hour before dusk at their
hiding-place, having taken the precaution to gag the two Indians for
fear of their giving a whoop as notice of their capture. Percival was
very quiet, and had begun to talk a little with John.

Scarcely had they been five minutes again concealed among the spruce
fir-trees, when they heard a distant whoop from the woods on the other
side of the lodges.

"They are now coming on," said Martin; "that is their signal."

One of the Indian women from the lodges returned the whoop.

"Yes, sir, they are coming," said Malachi. "Pray, Captain Sinclair, be
quiet and sit down; you will ruin all our plans."

"Down, Sinclair, I beg," said Alfred.

Captain Sinclair, who was very much excited, nevertheless did as he was
requested.

"Oh, Alfred!" said he; "she's so near."

"Yes, my good fellow, but if you wish her nearer, you must be prudent."

"True, very true," replied Captain Sinclair.

In about half an hour more, the Angry Snake and his party were soon seen
to emerge from the woods, and it was perceived that four of the Indians
carried a litter made of branches between them.

"She could walk no farther, sir," said Malachi to Captain Sinclair; "so
they 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