The Indian who had planned and executed the escape of Mary, with the well-devised cunning for which the race is proverbial, had told his companions that he would rise before day and pursue the same direction they were going in advance of them, and endeavour to kill a deer for their next night’s meal.  Thus his absence created no suspicion, and the party continued their precipitate retreat.

But, about noon, after casting many glances back at the supposed form of the captive reclining peacefully in the snow-canoe, the chief, with much excitement, betrayed by his looks, which seemed to be mingled with an apprehension that she was dead, abruptly ordered the party to halt.  He sprang to the canoe, and convulsively tearing away the skins discovered only the roll of snow!  He at first compressed his lips in momentary rage, and then burst into a fit of irrepressible laughter.  But the rest raved and stamped, and uttered direful imprecations and threats of vengeance.  Immediately they were aware of the treachery of the absent Indian, and resolved with one voice that his blood should be an atonement for the act.  Their thoughts had dwelt too fondly on the shining gold they were to get in exchange for the maiden, for them ever to forgive the recreant brother who had snatched the prize from them.  The chief soon recovered his usual grave expression, and partook in some measure the general disappointment and chagrin.  His motives were not of the same mercenary cast which actuated his tribe, nor did he condemn the conduct of the one who had rescued the maid, being aware of the clemency extended him when in the power of the enemy; but the thought of being outwitted and thwarted roused his anger, and he determined to recover the lost captive, if possible.

The snow was quickly thrown out, and the war-party adjusted their weapon’s, with the expectation of encountering the whites; and then whirling about they retraced their steps even more swiftly than they had been advancing.  Just as the night was setting in, they came in sight of the grove where they had encamped.  They slackened their pace, and looking eagerly forward, seemed to think it not improbable that the whites had arrived in the vicinity, and might be lying in ambush awaiting their return in search of the maid.  They then abandoned the canoe, after having concealed it under some low bushes, and entered the grove in a stooping and watchful posture.  Ere long the chief attained the immediate neighbourhood of the spreading tree, and with an arrow drawn to its head, crept within a few paces of the spot where he had lain the preceding night.  His party were mostly a few feet in the rear, while a few were approaching in the same manner from the opposite direction.  Hearing no sound whatever, he rose up slowly, and with an “Ugh” of disappointment, strode carelessly across the silent and untenanted place of encampment.