We decided that the only way to get the murderer was to bribe the Indians to assist in his capture. On the 12th we proceeded to Penn’s cove to interview the settlers and propose that they should raise a contribution in order to induce the Indians to deliver Sla-hai. The proposition met with favor and a subscription paper was started. I waited over the 13th to learn the result. After my failure to hold the chiefs I was very anxious to make amends for my bungling, but I felt that now that the Indians were alive to the fact that I was after the murderer of [Judah] Church it would be a difficult matter to retrieve myself. There was no hope of any result except through the Indians, and that only by paying well for it. They showed themselves full of zeal to assist, and although I contemplated making a night trip, I gave it up, as I had no confidence in such allies…
