He listened closely to what Joe had to tell him about the canoes that had gone up the river.
“Your mother must have been of the party,” said he. “For I have learned that she and Cora and Clara Parsons were together.” He turned to Boone. “Colonel Boone, where do you think the captives will be taken?”
“’Tis hard to tell, Winship,” was the reply. “Perhaps to the village of Go-wan-shi-ska. That is a favorite spot with them at this season of the year.”
In their trip back to the former camp Mr. Winship and Pep Frost had seen but two Indians and they were a long distance off. In coming through a patch of timber they had heard the cry of a child and this had led them to a shelter where they had found those that they had now brought with them.
“We must rescue those who have been carried off,” said Ezra Winship. “I cannot consent to go on to the fort until that is done. My own wife and daughter are missing and so are five or six others. To leave them to the mercy of the savages would not be human.”
“We cannot go after the missing ones until we have seen the women and children who are here safe,” replied Daniel Boone. “But once they are at the fort I promise you that I will use every effort within my power to bring back the missing ones and avenge this great wrong.”
The great hunter spoke feelingly, for he had not yet forgotten the death of his beloved son nor the deaths of many of his old-time companions.
It was arranged that the whole party should move forward under the personal guidance of Colonel Boone without delay. The wounded and the small children were placed on horseback, and the men and boys, all armed, tramped on ahead and behind, Boone himself far in advance, making certain that the way was clear.
On the way two Indians were encountered. One was shot down and the other taken prisoner.
The captured red man was closely questioned by Colonel Boone and others. At first he refused to talk, but at last said that the tribe under Red Feather was journeying toward Go-wan-shi-ska. They had some captives, he did not know how many, nor did he know how long Red Feather intended to remain at the village before moving further to the north.