Say carelessly replied that she was probably on the heights above, gathering herbs.

The wily fugitive had left her household as if she were about to return soon.

With the exception of the mother of Okoya nobody noticed her absence.

She was known to disappear occasionally for several days; and furthermore, the excitement and bustle incident upon the prospective expedition against the Tehuas engaged everybody's attention.
Say Koitza could not help wondering whether Shotaye would inform the Tehuas of the impending attack.

Perhaps she might, perhaps not.