Page:Nattie Nesmith (1870).pdf/87

 What she did in a foolish freak of temper was likely to bring her years, perhaps a life-time, of sorrow.

After the Indians had slept about two hours, they rose and made their preparations for departure. The youngest papoose was slung over the mother's back. The skins and mats were put on a rough sledge, and drawn by two boys of eight and ten years. The few cooking utensils were packed in a bag and given to a girl somewhat older than Nattie. The tent was struck, made into a bundle with divers bows and arrows peeping from its folds, and hung to the arm of the great man. Over his other shoulder he soon slung the sleeping Nattie, and thus she was traveling wilderness-ward, in her unconscious state, all the long day during which her friends were seeking for her, in her native village.