In the course of the morning the Rev. Mr.——­, missionary among the Dahcotahs, with the assistance of an Indian named Round Wind, collected the bodies and buried them.

Of the fourteen persons who were in the three teepees, no more than four escaped; two young men and two women.

The Chippeways fled as quickly as possible from the country of the Dahcotahs, with their prisoner—­sad change for her.  A favorite wife finds herself in the power of ten warriors, the enemies of her people.  The cries of her murdered friends are yet sounding in her ears; and she knows not how soon their fate may be hers.  Every step of the weary journey she pursues, takes her farther from her country.  She dares not weep, she cannot understand the language of her enemies, but she understands their looks, and knows she must obey them.  She wishes they would take her life; she would take it herself, but she is watched, and it is impossible.

She sees by their angry gestures and their occasional looks towards her, that she is the subject of their dispute, until the chief raises his eyes and speaks to the Chippeways—­and the difference ceases.

At length her journey is at an end.  They arrive at the village, and Hole-in-the-Day and his warriors are received with manifestations of delight.  They welcomed him as if he had performed a deed of valor instead of one of cowardice.

The women gaze alternately upon the scalps and upon the prisoner.  She, poor girl, is calm now; there is but one thought that makes her tired limbs shake with terror.  She sees with a woman’s quickness that there is no female among those who are looking at her as beautiful as she is.  It may be that she may be required to light the household fires for one of her enemies.  She sees the admiring countenance of one of the young Chippeway warriors fixed upon her; worn out with fatigue, she cannot support the wretched thought.  For a while she is insensible even to her sorrows.

On recovering, food is given her, and she tries to eat.  Nothing but death can relieve her.  Where are the spirits of the rocks and rivers of her land?  Have they forgotten her too?

Hole-in-the-Bay took her to his teepee.  She was his prisoner, he chose to adopt her, and treated her with every kindness.  He ordered his men not to take her life; she was to be as safe in his teepee as if she were his wife or child.

For a few days she is allowed to remain quiet; but at length she is brought out to be present at a council where her fate was to be decided.

Hole-in-the-Day took his place in the council, and ordered the prisoner to be placed near him.  Her pale and resigned countenance was a contrast to the angry and excited faces that lowered upon her; but the chief looked unconcerned as to the event.  However his warriors might contend, the result of the council would depend upon him; his unbounded influence always prevailed.