“Yes, yes; it’s clear enough that two of them have carried her off and brought her here to where the others were waiting for them, and from here the whole party have made their start. Now we have the new trail to find, and that they have taken every care to prevent as I do not doubt.”
The Strawberry now pointed to a mark near where the fire had been lighted, and said, “The mocassin of a squaw.”
“Right; then she is with them; so much the better,” replied Malachi; “for, as she sent me that letter, she may serve us still, if she chooses.”
Chapter Thirty Seven.
The Trail struck.
Previous to his starting for the fort, Alfred had a hasty communication with his father and mother, in which he informed them simply that it was evident that Mary had been carried off, and that it was the opinion of Malachi and Martin that the Angry Snake was the party to be suspected.
“But what cause could he have?” said Emma, weeping.
“Merely to get powder and shot as a reward for bringing her back again,” replied Alfred; “so there is not anything to fear as to her being ill-treated; but if he has any other reason for what he has done, it is well known that an Indian always respects a female. But here comes my horse.”