“And will my niece have to walk all that way?”
“Why, yes, ma’am; I don’t see how it can be otherwise; I don’t know of the Indians having any horses, although they may have.”
“But she cannot walk as far as a man,” replied Mrs Campbell.
“No, ma’am, and so I suppose they will be twenty days going instead of twelve.”
“Will they ill-treat or ill-use her, Martin?” said Emma.
“No, ma’am, I shouldn’t think they would, although they will make her walk, and will tie her at night when they stop.”
“Poor Mary; what will she suffer?” exclaimed Emma; “and if you do come up with them, Martin, will they give her up to you?”
“We shan’t ask their leave, miss,” replied Martin; “we shall take her.”
“But not without bloodshed, Martin,” said Mrs Campbell.
“No, ma’am, certainly not without bloodshed, for either the Indians must destroy us or we them; if we conquer, not an Indian will be left alive; and if they master us, it will be about the same thing, I suppose.”