With returning day again came life and cheerfulness, and Gay began to discuss the best plan to be adopted consequent upon the receipt of Rolfe's letter. Consulting with Netnokwa and Miskwa she determined to write by Oloompa to Rolfe, inform him of her situation, and ask him to provide some plan for her return. This she felt sure was the best course she could pursue, knowing that Rolfe would cheerfully comply with her request, since being aware of the great excitement among the Indians, she feared to trust herself without being well guarded. Her first endeavour was to persuade Netnokwa to accompany her, and set out at once on her return; but in this she failed, and she ceased to press it, when she heard Oloompa speak of the power of the Prophet, and also the caution with which he had concealed his visit from him as well as his agents.
The day after his arrival, while conversing on the affairs of the red men, Oloompa mentioned having seen Tecumseh. At his name, a slight change passed over the face of Miskwa, and a glance between her and Gay, showed that he had been the subject of conversation between them. Oloompa described the council at which he had seen Tecumseh, and dwelt in glowing colours upon the power of his eloquence, and the effect it produced. Netnokwa made many inquiries after him, and having obtained the information she desired, repeated aloud, “The Shawanee brave has been absent too long from the Ottawa maiden.”
“Not longer,” replied Miskwa, “than the Ottawa maiden wished him, if it was his pleasure.”
They were then silent, but enough had been said to arouse the attention of Oloompa, and he asked, if they knew Tecumseh? They replied, that they did, and spoke of having seen him at the Prophet's camp.
Oloompa remained several days, in order to recruit from his fatigue, and every hour found that he was becoming more pleased with Miskwa. He had won the good opinion of Gay, by the trouble he had taken in her behalf, and Miskwa began to derive pleasure from his company. He was now their constant companion, either roving the woods, with his bow and quiver, or else assisting them in their duties about their wigwam. Yet while he did this, he found that he was involving himself in a difficulty from which he saw no hope of escape; for, from the remarks he had heard relative to Tecumseh, he feared that she was already pledged to become his wife. With these feelings, he mentioned his intention to set out on the following day, in search of Rolfe, to whom he would bear the tidings that the maiden he had so long sought, was at Netnokwa's lodge. Both Gay and Miskwa were not only anxious that he should do this, but also that he should return with him, in order to direct him by the shortest route. Both united in their persuasions, and Oloompa promised to do so. Yet he was sad, and seemed unhappy. Miskwa discovering his apprehensions, relieved them by telling him that there was no probability of her marrying Tecumseh, and a farther explanation took place, which was mutually pleasing to both. Morning came, and with it the preparations for Oloompa's departure. Each of the maidens lent their assistance towards equipping him as comfortably as possible; and Gay leaving Miskwa and Oloompa, retired for the purpose of writing to Rolfe. Netnokwa's intercourse with the traders, had casually furnished her with paper, and other materials were easily obtained. Having prepared herself for the task, she wrote as follows:—
“TO RICHARD ROLFE.
“A thousand, thousand thanks, my dear Richard,—I must write the word,—for your thrice welcome letter; and as many thousands more, for the exertions you have made in my behalf. Yet, oh! words cannot tell what I feel, nor what I owe you, nor what I have suffered. Oh! sad, sad misfortune! Your fears are all too true; and that you alone, of all Others, should have witnessed it!—How mysterious are the decrees of heaven? Oh! what would I give were it but for one hour's conversation with you.
“Upon leaving Petersburg, which we did some five or six months after your departure, my father removed to Baltimore, where he resided some time. There, meeting with some heavy pecuniary losses, he suddenly determined to emigrate to the west. We came to Pittsburg, and entering an ark, I think they called it, we commenced our journey.—The details you are acquainted with. Only fancy my sufferings.
“I am now residing with Netnokwa and her daughter,—the former is chief of the Ottawas, and adopted me to prevent my meeting with a worse fate. They are as kind as they can be, and her daughter I love as I would a sister. But, oh! happy, happy thought! that I am once more to return to the few friends who are yet left me. I have a world of things to tell when I meet. Remember me kindly to the hunter who, Oloompa tells me, was with you, and devise some plan for my return.—Come yourself, Richard,—come quick, and add another to the many inducements I already have to love you. My spirits are all in a flutter, for Oloompa is just about to set out.—Oh! has he not acted nobly! thinking of the whites as he does. Farewell,—may heaven bless you.
“GAY FOREMAN.”