“Now,” said Earth, “this is what I call close work,—we have no time for talk. Oloompa, find the trail and let us be off.”
“The best trail now,” answered Oloompa, “is the shortest path; Oloompa knows the direction,” and saying so, he pointed with his finger.
“Go on then,” said Rolfe, and again they hurried away in pursuit.
Kenah entered Tippecanoe in the morning;—it was evening, and on the same day, when Oloompa pointed out to the hunters the situation of the town. All gazed at it in silence, when Earth said, “well, Rolfe, here this thing winds up. It must be brought to a focus now, and I am glad of it, for I am tired chasing people that I can't see.”
“Are you sure, Earth, that she is in the camp?” inquired Rolfe.
“Ask Oloompa,” said Earth.
Oloompa smiled at Rolfe's incredulity, and observed, “when Oloompa, for a whole moon, follows the wrong path, the bear, when the hunter strikes, will cease to struggle for its life.”
“Then, Earth,” said Rolfe, “now tell us what is best to be done?”
“No,” said Earth, “we will all talk it over.—Come, Oloompa, the hunter acknowledges the red man is wiser than the white. Oloompa is young, but he has the wisdom of gray hairs: his advice is good.”
Oloompa was evidently pleased with the compliment, but there was a slight curl of his lip, as if in scorn, when he turned to confer with the hunters. The subject having been discussed, with all the plans suggested by each, it was agreed, that the whole party should lay concealed in the forest, until night sat in; that then, approaching nearer to the town, the hunters should conceal themselves, while Oloompa entered it, to search for Netnokwa and her party. Should the captive maiden be there, and an opportunity offer of rescuing her by stratagem, Oloompa was to effect it, and deliver her over to the hunters. In any event, he promised to return, and give them such information as he might be able to obtain; and while for them he promised to do this, his thoughts were chiefly engrossed by Miskwa, and he was revolving over and over in his own mind, what plan he should adopt in reference to her:—“If, with the white, Oloompa brings the red maiden, will the hunters harm her?” said he.