Suffice it to say that, just as the fourth day was closing in, they struck a small stream, which pursued a short distance, brought them directly upon the village for which they had been searching.
The advent of the Indian and missionary among them created considerable stir, but they were treated with respect and consideration.

Harvey Richter asked immediately for the chief or leading man, and shortly stood in his presence.

He found him a short, thick-set half-breed, whose age must have been well-nigh three-score years, and who, to his astonishment, was unable to speak English, although many of his subjects spoke it quite intelligibly.

He understood Sioux, however, and the missionary's companion acted as interpreter.
Our friend made a full statement of his wife's abduction, years before, and of the assertion of the dying man that she had been taken from him by members of this tribe, who had retained her ever since.
The chief waited sometime before replying; he seemed debating with himself as to the proper course to pursue.

Finally he said he must consult with one of his warriors, and departed abruptly from the lodge.
Ten minutes later, while the missionary, with a painfully-throbbing heart, was gazing around the lodge, with that minute scrutiny of the most trifling objects peculiar to us at such times, he caught the sound of returning footsteps, and turned to the lodge door.