As it may be supposed, Mr and Mrs Campbell and Emma were in great distress; this did not, however, prevent them from listening to Martin, and supplying him with all that he requested, which was salt-pork and other food for their journey, powder and shot for their rifles, etcetera. Having specified all that was wanted, Martin then went off to summon young Graves and Meredith; they were soon found, and when they heard the intelligence, were ready in a minute for departure. Their rifles and an extra pair of mocassins each was all that they required for the journey, and in a few minutes they accompanied Martin to the house. After they had been occupied for a little time in dividing the various articles into different packages, that each might carry his proportion, Mr Campbell said-- "Martin, supposing that you and Malachi are correct in your supposition, where do you think that they will take my poor niece?" "Right away to their own wigwams, sir," replied Martin. "Have you any idea how far that may be?" said Mrs Campbell. "Yes, ma'am, I have heard that the Angry Snake's quarters are about twelve days' journey from this." "Twelve days' journey! how far is a journey?" "As far as a stout man can walk in a day, ma'am." "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." "Heaven protect us, but this is dreadful; I was prepared for difficulties and annoyances when I came out here," exclaimed Mrs Campbell; "but not for such trials as these." "Never fear but we'll bring her back, ma'am," said Martin; "Malachi is a better Indian than them all, and he'll circumvent them." "How do you mean?" "I mean, ma'am, that we will, if possible, fall upon them unawares, and then we'll have the advantage, for half of them will be killed before they know that they are attacked; we'll fight them Indian fashion, ma'am." Mrs Campbell continued her interrogations till Alfred was seen at the end of the prairie returning at full speed, accompanied by Captain Sinclair and two other men, also on horseback.