who had been shot by the Angry Snake was
buried before they buried the chief. Martin's wound had been dressed by
his wife, the Strawberry, who was very skilful in Indian surgery. She
had previously applied cataplasms made from the bruised leaves which she
and the Indian woman had sought for to the feet of Mary Percival, which
were in a state of great inflammation, and Mary had found herself
already much relieved by the application. Before the day had dawned the
two Indians who had been wounded were dead, and were immediately buried
by the side of the chief.

Alfred and Malachi had resolved to set off the next morning, on their
return home, if they found it possible to convey Mary Percival; but
their party was now reduced, as one of the soldiers had been killed, and
Martin was incapable of service. The Indian woman would also be fully
loaded with the extra rifles, the two which they had captured from the
Indians, the one belonging to the soldier, and Martin's who could not
carry anything in his present state.

They were now only six effective men, as John could not be of much use
in carrying, and, moreover, was appointed to watch Percival. Then they
had the two prisoners to take charge of, so that they were somewhat
embarrassed. Malachi, however, proposed that they should make a litter
of boughs, welded together very tight, and suspended on a pole so as to
be carried between two men. Mary Percival was not a very great weight,
and, by relieving each other continually, they would be able to get some
miles every day, till Mary was well enough to walk with them. Alfred
assented to this, and, as soon as it was daylight, went into the woods
with Malachi, to assist him in cutting the boughs. On their return,
they found that all the rest of the party were up, and that Mary felt
little or no pain. They made their breakfast on their salt provisions,
which were now nearly expended, and as soon as their meal was over, they
put Mary upon the litter and set off, taking the Indian prisoners with
them, as they thought it not yet advisable to give them their liberty.
The first day they made but a few miles, as they were obliged to stop,
that they might procure some food. The party were left under a large
tree, which was a good land-mark, under the charge of Captain Sinclair,
while Malachi and Alfred went in search of game. At nightfall they
returned with a deer which they had killed, when the Strawberry informed
them that th