After Running Dog had left them, Sun Bird made preparations to resume their advance toward the distant Blackfeet camp. Profiting by the warning which the scouts had brought, the cautious young war leader determined to make every provision for the safety of the war party. In addition to the two expert scouts riding along each flank, Sun Bird appointed a strong rear guard under command of Sitting Eagle. Then, as a further precaution against blundering into a trap, he asked White Otter and Little Raven to accompany him on a reconnaissance far in advance of the war party.
"My brothers, you must wait here until we are far ahead," he told the Minneconjoux, as he rode away.
Once beyond sight of their comrades, the three young scouts realized that their mission was a perilous one. They had little doubt that foes were on both sides of them, and it was possiblethat the Sioux war party had already been discovered. In that event there was great probability that crafty foes might circle around behind them, and separate them from their companions.
"We must watch sharp," cautioned Sun Bird.
He hoped to lead the war party within an easy day's travel of the Blackfeet camp. Then he planned to go into hiding and send scouts under cover of the darkness to locate the Blackfeet ponies and reconnoiter about the village. In the meantime Sun Bird realized the constant peril of colliding with his enemies. However, he relied upon the skill and daring of his scouts to give him timely warning of an approaching war party. As they were riding cautiously across the plain they again saw the war eagle circling high up toward the eastward. They stopped and watched it with great interest.
"See! our brother, Huya, has come down out of the clouds," said Sun Bird. "I believe he is flying around over there to show us where our enemies are hiding."
Soon afterward they saw a solitary horseman ride over a distant rise of the plain. He quickly discovered them, and immediately stopped his pony. For some moments he continued to watch them. Then he turned about and galloped fromview. The Sioux also had stopped at sight of the stranger, and now that he had disappeared Sun Bird was at a loss to determine just what to do. The rider had been too far away to be identified, but his actions made it plain that he was neither Feather Dog nor Proud Hawk.
"Perhaps he is one of the scouts that Feather Dog told about," suggested Little Raven.
"Yes, that may be true," said Sun Bird. "White Otter, what do you make of it?"
"I do not know what to make of it," acknowledged White Otter. "That man saw us. If he is a scout he will go to tell his people about us. It is bad. We must watch sharp."
"We are scouts," said Sun Bird. "We must tell our brothers about this thing."
"It is the best thing to do," agreed White Otter.
"I will go back, and tell them about it," Little Raven volunteered.
As the others agreed, he immediately turned his pony, and rode back to warn the war party. The main company of Minneconjoux had not come in sight, and Sun Bird and White Otter felt somewhat anxious for the safety of the youthful scout who had gone to meet his tribesmen. If a strong force of foes were loitering in the vicinity, it would be easy for them to intercept the solitaryMinneconjoux. In spite of his youthfulness, however, Little Raven was an experienced warrior, and Sun Bird felt certain that he was competent to look after himself in an emergency.
"Sun Bird, I believe that warrior is watching over the top of that hill," White Otter declared, suspiciously.
"How do you know that?" Sun Bird inquired, anxiously.
"I do not know it, but I believe I saw him peeping over the top of that hill," replied White Otter.
They looked anxiously toward the grassy knoll, and strained their eyes to discover the skulking foe. The thought that he was watching made them uneasy, and they were eager to learn if their suspicions were true. It was some moments before White Otter finally became convinced.
"Yes, I see him," he declared, positively. "He is peeping over the top of that hill. I see his head over there near that little bush. Watch sharp."
"Yes, yes, I see his head," Sun Bird declared, a moment later.
Convinced that the mysterious horseman really was watching them, they believed that he was waiting to learn if they were followed by a larger company. They had little doubt that he was a scout reconnoitering in advance of a force of their foes.
"It is bad," White Otter said, uneasily. "That man saw Little Raven ride away. He will know that some one is following behind us. He will watch until our friends come. Then he will tell his people about it."
"Yes, I see that it is bad," said Sun Bird. "Perhaps if we ride over there we can chase him away."
"Come," White Otter proposed, recklessly.
As they cantered briskly toward the knoll, the scout withdrew from sight. They felt quite sure that he had merely slipped farther down the opposite side of the ridge, and was still peering cautiously over the top. As they felt convinced that the horseman was alone, they had little fear of running into an ambush. When they got within arrow range, however, they approached with great care. As a precaution against attack, they separated and rode forward several arrow flights apart. Once at the foot of the slope they rushed their ponies to the top, and prepared to attack whoever confronted them. The scout, however, was nowhere in sight. They searched the plain in vain; the mysterious stranger had entirely disappeared. For a moment or so they were completely baffled. Then White Otter suddenly smiled, and nodded understandingly.
"I know about it," he told Sun Bird.
"Tell me," Sun Bird asked, eagerly.
"That scout is very sharp," declared White Otter. "He has thrown his pony, and he is hiding over there in that high grass."
"Yes, I believe that is where he is hiding," agreed Sun Bird.
The spot where they believed the scout had concealed himself was many arrow flights away, and they knew it would be difficult to discover him at that distance. They felt almost certain, however, that he was still watching them from his new hiding place. The thought disturbed them. His persistence made them suspicious. They wondered if he were trying to fool them with some wily bit of stratagem.
"Well, we will ride over there and chase him out," proposed Sun Bird.
They had not gone an arrow flight, when a pony suddenly rose to its feet in the long grass. An instant later the rider sprang upon its back and raced away toward the south. He was too far in the lead to be easily overtaken, and besides, the Sioux realized that it would be perilous to follow him. They watched, therefore, while he sped across the plain.
"We have chased him away—it is good," said Sun Bird.
"Perhaps something bad will come of it," White Otter warned him. "If that man is a Blackfoot, he will tell his people about us. Then it will be hard to get near the camp."
"Perhaps he is a Crow," Sun Bird suggested, hopefully.
"Lean Wolf has told us that the Crows are over there," White Otter reminded him, as he pointed toward the west.
"That is true," agreed Sun Bird. "But perhaps they sent scouts over here to look for the Blackfeet."
White Otter remained silent. The appearance and the actions of the unknown scout had made him wary. He feared that the Sioux war party was in imminent danger of being surrounded and attacked by a superior force of foes. The possibility distressed him. There seemed little chance of avoiding the peril.
"Sun Bird, I believe the best thing to do is to find our people," White Otter declared, finally. "Perhaps Lean Wolf and Feather Dog have told them something."
"Yes, we will go to find our brothers," agreed Sun Bird.
As Sun Bird and White Otter rode cautiously over the ridge they saw the Minneconjoux war party moving slowly across the plain. As soon as the Minneconjoux discovered the two horsemen they immediately stopped to watch them.
"Our brothers are as cautious as Hitunkasan, the weasel," laughed Sun Bird. "Well, we will tell them who we are."
He raised his arms and clasped his hands together above his head. It was the sign for friends. Then the two scouts rode rapidly toward the war party. The Minneconjoux soon recognized them, and came across the plain. Little Raven raced on in advance of his friends.
"Well, my brothers, I see that you have come back," he said, as he rode up to them. "It is good. What became of that scout?"
"He has gone away," White Otter told him.
"Did you kill him?" Little Raven inquired, eagerly.
"No," replied Sun Bird. "When we rode after him he ran away."
"Well, when he saw that you were Dacotahs he was frightened," Little Raven said, boastfully.
While they were talking the war party came up to them. Sun Bird found Lean Wolf in command. He said that he had followed the Crows until he felt sure that they were going to their village. Then he left Running Dog to scout along the western flank of the war party, and returned to his companions.
"Do you believe those people know about us?" Sun Bird asked, anxiously.
"No," Lean Wolf assured him. "They are far away. The scouts did not go far from their people. Those Crows have killed plenty of game. They are afraid the Blackfeet will catch them, and take it away."
"Have you seen Feather Dog?" inquired Sun Bird.
"No," replied Lean Wolf.
Then the Minneconjoux inquired anxiously about the solitary horseman. They said that Little Raven had told them about him, but they were eager to know who he was and where he had gone.
"I cannot tell you that," Sun Bird told them. "He was far away, and we could not find out whohe was. When we went after him he ran away. Perhaps Feather Dog will tell us about him."
"Yes, yes, perhaps Feather Dog will find out about him," the Minneconjoux told one another, hopefully.
"Well, my brothers, we will keep going ahead until we find a good place to stop," said Sun Bird. "Then we will wait for Feather Dog and Proud Hawk, and Running Dog. I believe they will have something to talk about."
The day was little more than half gone, however, when they saw three riders approaching from the east. As the horsemen did not stop when they discovered the war party, the Sioux believed that two of the riders must be Feather Dog and Proud Hawk. As they came nearer they recognized them.
"They are bringing a prisoner!" the Minneconjoux cried, excitedly. "It must be that scout. Hi! now we will see who he is."
Then they were suddenly astonished into silence. The three horsemen had come sufficiently near so that the Minneconjoux could plainly discern the dress and features of the third rider. They could scarcely believe their eyes. They looked many moments before they were convinced. Then they were thrown into an ecstasy of joy.
"See! See! It is Dancing Rabbit!" they shouted.
The young Minneconjoux who had disappeared when the Blackfeet ran off the band of Sioux ponies was riding between Feather Dog and Proud Hawk. He was mounted on a pinto pony, and as Sun Bird and White Otter recognized it the mystery of the lone horseman was solved.
"That is the pony we saw on the ridge," they told their friends.
As the riders joined the war party, the Minneconjoux crowded eagerly about their young tribesman to learn the story of his adventures. He was a tall, sinewy youth of about fifteen winters, and he exhibited the dignity and reserve of a seasoned warrior.
"Come, Dancing Rabbit, tell us how you come to be here," said Sun Bird.
"My brothers, you are great warriors," replied Dancing Rabbit. "I am a young man. I cannot talk big. I will tell you that the Blackfeet carried me away to their village. Well, they treated me very bad. Then I found a chance to get away. I took this pony. It is fast. I got far ahead and the Blackfeet did not come up with me. I was going to our village. Then I saw three riders. I hid behind a ridge and watched them. They were far away, and I could not make out who they were. I said, 'Perhaps they are Blackfeet scouts.Perhaps they are Crows.' Then they rode after me and I ran away. Then I found Feather Dog. That is how I come to be here."
"It is good," Sun Bird told him. "Your words are the words of a warrior."
Feather Dog then explained how he had chanced to encounter the young Minneconjoux.
"I was watching for our enemies," said Feather Dog. "Then I saw some one riding toward me. He was a long ways off, but he was coming fast. I rode my pony down into a gully to hide. Then I crawled up the side of the gully and peeped out. That rider was coming right where I was. I waited for him. When he got near I was going to jump up and shoot my arrows at him. Well, when I jumped up I saw who he was. Then we rode away and found Proud Hawk. Then we came here. That is all I know about it."
"Did you see any Blackfeet?" Sun Bird asked him.
"Yes, we saw four Blackfeet scouts," said Feather Dog. "Two of them were the same riders we saw before. This time they were close, and we could see them. Then we saw that they were Blackfeet. They were going straight ahead. I believe they are going to the Blackfeet village. I do not believe they know about us."
"It is good," declared the Minneconjoux.
"Yes, it is good," Sun Bird told them. "But we must watch out. Perhaps we will run into those scouts. The Blackfeet are sharp. If they see us it will be hard to get near the camp."
"I will tell you something about that," Dancing Rabbit said, suddenly. "The Blackfeet have moved their lodges. Yes, they have gone away from the place where they were. They have gone over there in the shadow of the big mountains."
The Minneconjoux were astounded at the announcement. They looked anxiously toward the northwest, where a long range of dim, shadowy peaks showed against the sky. They had expected to find the Blackfeet camp on the open plain, a number of days' journey toward the north. It had never occurred to their minds that the Blackfeet might have decided to change the location of the village. The words of Dancing Rabbit gave them several reasons for concern. First, they knew that they had already gone considerably out of their way. Again, they realized that to reach the new Blackfeet camp they must go far to the westward, where they would be in peril from their old enemies the Crows, as well as from the Blackfeet.
"It is bad," declared Sun Bird.
"It is bad," agreed his companions.
As there seemed to be a difference of opinion as to just which way they should proceed, Sun Bird immediately called a council. Some of the Minneconjoux believed it would be safer to continue directly toward the north until they were about in line with the Blackfeet camp, and then turn toward the west. Others thought that they should move directly toward the new camp, and reach the mountains as soon as possible. There was considerable discussion.
"My brothers, I believe the best thing to do is to turn toward the mountains," said Sun Bird. "Then if we see our enemies we can hide. If we go to the mountains we can climb high up, and look for the Blackfeet camp. It will be hard for the Blackfeet to see us. In the day we will hide in the timber. When it grows dark we will send scouts to find out about the ponies. Yes, my friends, I believe it is the best way to get near the camp."
"My brothers, Sun Bird has given us good words," declared Lean Wolf. "I believe he has told us the best way to go to the Blackfeet camp. He is a good war leader. We must listen to his words."
"My friends, what Lean Wolf says is true," said Feather Dog. "I believe it would be foolish tokeep going ahead. I have told you about those four Blackfeet scouts. I believe they are going to the Blackfeet camp. Pretty soon they will turn this way. If we keep going straight ahead we will meet them. We must turn toward the mountains."
"White Otter, how do you feel about this thing?" inquired Sun Bird.
"My brother, I believe you have told the best way to go to the Blackfeet camp," White Otter replied, quietly. "I believe what Feather Dog says is true. If we keep going ahead perhaps we will run into those Blackfeet scouts."
The opinion of the famous young Ogalala seemed to make a deep impression upon the Minneconjoux. It was only a few moments before those warriors who had suggested traveling toward the north changed their views, and agreed that it would be safer to ride toward the west.
"Well, my brothers, I see that we all feel the same about this thing," Sun Bird said, when all had agreed. "It is good. Come, we will ride toward those great mountains."
Having made their decision, they rode boldly toward the west, ready and eager to meet their foes. It was late in the day, however, before they saw any evidence of them. Then they discovered a smoke signal some distance to the northward.Three columns of yellow smoke were ascending into the sky. The Sioux watched them with considerable uneasiness. They wondered if the Blackfeet scouts had discovered the war party.
"No, I do not believe it," Feather Dog declared. "That smoke is a long ways off. Those scouts could not get so far ahead of us. It must be some one different."
"Perhaps the Blackfeet are calling the scouts to the camp," suggested Proud Hawk.
"No, the camp is not in that place," Dancing Rabbit told them.
Convinced that the smoke signals did not concern them, the Sioux continued on their way. Feather Dog said that there was a good camp site with plenty of grass and water a short distance ahead of them, and as the day was drawing to a close they determined to stop there for the night. They had not ridden far, however, before they saw three more columns of smoke rising a considerable distance to the westward of the first signals.
"It must be the Blackfeet," declared the Minneconjoux. "It is the danger signal. They are telling their people about us."
"Perhaps they have found the Crows," suggested Feather Dog.
A few moments later a horseman swept intoview, far to the westward. He was riding at a furious pace, and seemed to be coming directly toward them. They had little doubt that it was Running Dog, and they watched him in great suspense.
"Running Dog is coming to tell us about something big," they cried.
As the Minneconjoux scout came nearer, he began to point excitedly behind him. The Sioux looked anxiously toward the west, expecting to see a company of their foes racing along on the trail of Running Dog.
"Perhaps the Crows are coming, we must be ready," said Sun Bird.
Roused by the possibility, the hot-tempered Minneconjoux immediately got ready to fight. Then, as Running Dog finally came within shouting distance, they began to cry out and question him.
"Are the Crows coming?" they inquired eagerly.
"No! no!" shouted Running Dog.
Then he dashed up to them. As he threw the panting pony upon its haunches, his companions gathered about him to learn what had sent him racing across the plain.
"Listen, my brothers, I will tell you about it," said Running Dog. "The Crows and the Blackfeet are getting ready for a big fight over therebehind that ridge. I was watching them. Then I saw you coming that way. Then I came over here to tell you to hold back. Do you see that smoke up there? Well, the Blackfeet are calling the people to fight. You must watch sharp. I saw many warriors over there behind that ridge."
The words of Running Dog were received in silence. The Minneconjoux looked gravely into each other's faces. They realized the peril to which they were exposed, and they waited for the war leaders to speak. All eyes were turned upon Sun Bird.
"My friends, Running Dog has told you about those warriors over there behind that ridge," said Sun Bird. "We are in great danger. Something must be done. We must try to find a place to hide in until it grows dark. Then perhaps we can get away from here. If we meet our enemies we must fight them. We are Dacotahs. It is enough."
"My brother, I will tell you about a place to hide in," said Dancing Rabbit. "I found it when I was running away from the Blackfeet. It is a place where water used to run. Now it is dry. It is deep. It goes a long way across the plain. We can ride into it, and no one will see us."
"Where is this place?" Sun Bird asked anxiously.
"Over there," said Dancing Rabbit, pointing toward the north.
"Come, my brothers, we will go to this place, and hide until it grows dark," proposed Sun Bird. "I will ask three scouts to go over to that ridge to watch those warriors. I will ask White Otter to be the leader."
"I will go," White Otter volunteered, eagerly.
Most of the war party desired to accompany the Ogalala on his perilous reconnaissance. Having been appointed as leader, however, White Otter was privileged to choose his companions.
"I will ask Lean Wolf and Little Raven to go with me," said White Otter.
"I will go with you," replied Lean Wolf.
"I will go," Little Raven said, eagerly, as his eyes flashed with boyish enthusiasm.
A few moments afterward White Otter and his companions rode away on their hazardous mission. Running Dog had told them that the rival war parties were a considerable distance beyond the ridge, and the Sioux hoped to come in sight of them without being discovered. White Otter turned directly toward the south, as he believed that there was less chance of encountering hostile scouts in that direction. He rode a considerable distance before he finally turned toward the west, and approached the ridge.
"The Crows have passed this place—the Blackfeet came the other way—they will not pass the Crows—the Crows will not come back here—this is a good place—we will stay here and watch," White Otter told his companions.
"It is good," agreed Lean Wolf, the famous Minneconjoux scout.
They approached the ridge with great caution. The sun had already set, but they knew the longsummer twilight would give them ample time to discover their foes. As they finally came within bow range of the grassy slope, they stopped and spent many moments watching for signs of lurking foes. Then they suddenly heard the sounds of battle.
"The Crows and the Blackfeet are fighting—it is good," White Otter declared, grimly.
Then, while Little Raven remained with the ponies, White Otter and Lean Wolf crawled slowly up the ridge. When they reached the top they parted the long grass and looked anxiously across the plain. The Crows and the Blackfeet were preparing to fight. They were a long distance from the ridge, however, and the Sioux felt in little danger. They watched with keen interest while their foes began the preliminaries of battle. The experienced Sioux scouts read the situation at a glance. It was evident that the Crows had been overtaken and brought to a stand by the Blackfeet war party. The Crows had dismounted and taken shelter behind their ponies, and the Blackfeet were riding about them in a great circle, but keeping safely beyond bow range. There was much yelling and singing of war songs, but no real attempt at actual fighting.
"The Blackfeet are cautious," White Otter said,scornfully. "They are making a great noise, but I do not see them killing any Crows. If they rushed in there and frightened those ponies the Crows would have a hard time of it."
"It is true," agreed Lean Wolf.
The Crows, however, appeared to be considerably stronger in numbers, and it was apparent that the Blackfeet were cautious about beginning the attack. The Sioux were surprised at the small size of the Blackfeet war party. They had expected to see a much larger force of those savage foes engaged against the Crows.
"I do not see many Blackfeet—it is bad," said White Otter. "They have left many warriors to guard the camp."
When Running Dog brought word of the impending battle, the Sioux had hoped that the Blackfeet would send a sufficient force against the Crows to weaken the defense of the Blackfeet camp considerably. White Otter realized, however, that the hope was false. It was evident that the crafty Blackfeet had left most of their fighting men at the village.
"Perhaps they are waiting for our people to come for those ponies," said Lean Wolf.
"Yes, I believe it is true," agreed White Otter.
He had barely ceased speaking when theBlackfeet suddenly began their attack. Whooping fiercely, they rushed upon their foes and made desperate attempts to frighten and stampede the Crow ponies. The Crows, however, had prepared for just such a maneuver, and the alarmed ponies were unable to break away. In the meantime the Crows sent a deadly volley of arrows against the Blackfeet, and the latter recoiled before the fierceness of the defense. A number of warriors had already toppled from their ponies, and it was evident that the loss somewhat discouraged their comrades. For a moment they wavered, and then a reckless war leader on a pinto pony rallied them and led them against their foes.
They rode close up to the Crows, and fought with great bravery. The Crows, however, had the double advantage of numbers and shelter, and the Blackfeet soon realized that they were fighting a losing fight. The fearless war leader had already forfeited his life to his gallantry, and a number of his followers were either killed or wounded. In return, the Blackfeet had done little harm to the Crows, except for killing a few ponies, and wounding one reckless young Crow who had rushed from behind his horse to attack them. Thoroughly disheartened, they became demoralized and raced away in bad disorder.
"See, see, the fierce Blackfeet are running like rabbits!" laughed White Otter.
"The Crows are too strong for them," declared Lean Wolf.
Encouraged by their success, many of the Crows leaped upon their ponies and set out after the fleeing Blackfeet. The maneuver threw the Blackfeet into a rage. They immediately wheeled about and raced back to meet their pursuers. Their boldness confused the Crows, and before they had recovered from their surprise the Blackfeet were upon them. As less than half of the Crow force had joined in the pursuit, the advantage had suddenly turned to the Blackfeet. Smarting with the humiliation of their recent repulse, the Blackfeet determined to take full vengeance upon the misguided company of Crows who had blundered into their power.
"They have fooled the Crows," White Otter cried, excitedly. "They will wipe out that war party before their friends can come to help them."
"The Blackfeet are sharp," laughed Lean Wolf.
The Sioux suddenly realized that the wild flight of the Blackfeet had been a clever bit of stratagem to deceive their foes. It was apparent that the trick had been entirely successful, as theBlackfeet seemed to have the Crows entirely at their mercy.
"See, those poor Crows are calling their brothers to help them," White Otter told Lean Wolf.
Finding themselves completely overwhelmed by the ferocity and strength of their crafty foes, the Crows were thrown into a panic. They had lost all sense of order and discipline, and each man was fighting for himself. Their one idea appeared to be to escape from the relentless Blackfeet, who seemed determined to annihilate them. Aware that they were facing destruction, the Crows were making frantic appeals to their comrades to come to their assistance. The latter abandoned the pack ponies and the hard-earned supply of meat and rode wildly across the plain to assist their tribesmen.
"Now we will see a big fight," White Otter cried, enthusiastically.
"Yes, yes," agreed Lean Wolf, as his eyes flashed with excitement.
The Crows who had come to the aid of their tribesmen fought with great courage, but the Blackfeet were thoroughly aroused and they seemed invincible. The Sioux were amazed at the bravery and skill displayed by those hardy warriors from the north. Having duped their foesand gained the advantage, they appeared determined to follow it through to a complete victory.
Although the Crows still outnumbered them, the Blackfeet pressed the attack with a reckless ferocity that completely demoralized their foes. Time after time the Crows tried to rally from their confusion, but each attempt was the signal for a still fiercer assault by the Blackfeet.
"Hi, the Blackfeet know how to fight!" White Otter whispered, tensely.
The fighting was at close range, and many riderless ponies gave evidence of the result. The Sioux witnessed many deeds of heroism. They saw a wounded Crow warrior on a white pony ride recklessly at three of his enemies, and overcome all three of them before a company of Blackfeet finally killed him. They saw a Blackfoot dash among a company of astounded Crows and rescue his comrade who had been desperately wounded. They saw many thrilling hand-to-hand encounters which were fought to the death. They saw dismounted warriors running boldly into the thick of the fight in the hope of killing an enemy and securing his horse. Most of them were killed. A few achieved the exploit, and galloped from the encounter in triumph.
Then as the light began to fade from the plainthe Crows made a final, heroic effort, and broke through the circle of foes. They raced directly toward the spot where the Sioux were watching, and behind them thundered the Blackfeet.
"Run to the ponies!" cried White Otter, as he realized the peril which threatened them.
They scrambled wildly down the ridge and called to Little Raven to bring the ponies. He had already guessed that something was wrong, and he lost little time in joining them.
"The Crows and the Blackfeet are almost here!" White Otter told him, as he sprang upon the piebald.
As the plain offered no hiding place in the vicinity of the ridge, White Otter realized that their only chance of escape lay in open flight. He also knew that to turn toward the north would arouse the suspicions of the crafty Blackfeet. He raced away toward the east.
"Keep low on your ponies, and perhaps our enemies will not know who we are," he advised his companions.
Crouching low upon the necks of their ponies, the Sioux rode furiously to gain a safe lead upon their foes. Night was almost at hand, and the dusky twilight shadows made it difficult for their enemies to identify them. When the Crowsfinally dashed recklessly over the top of the ridge the Dacotahs were many arrow flights away. At sight of the three racing ponies, however, the Crows apparently became suspicious, and fearful of being led into another trap. They immediately swerved from their course, and rode toward the north.
"That is bad," cried White Otter, who had been risking his neck to glance back at his foes. "If they go that way they may find our people."
"I believe our friends will be watching sharp," Lean Wolf assured him.
Then they heard the wild, ringing whoops of the Blackfeet, and White Otter again turned his head to look back. The heavy shadows had almost wiped out the ridge, and it was difficult to see the company of riders who were racing recklessly down the steep grassy slope. He made them out, however, and was relieved to see them turn sharply and follow the Crows. The latter had entirely faded from sight in the dusk.
"The Blackfeet did not see us," White Otter told his companions. "See, it is almost dark! We will ride slower."
They could barely see an arrow flight before them, and they believed there was slight probability of being seen. In fact they had high hopes that the Blackfeet had entirely failed to notice them.Feeling quite safe, therefore, they reined in the ponies and rode at a slow canter. They heard the Blackfeet yelling savagely farther toward the north and had little doubt that they were still pursuing the demoralized Crows.
"They are making a great noise—it is good," declared Lean Wolf. "Our people will hear them."
"Yes, it is——" began White Otter.
"Listen!" interrupted Little Raven.
They heard the sound of galloping ponies directly ahead of them, and they barely had time to turn aside before the unknown riders passed them in the darkness. Then the nervous little piebald whinnied, and the strangers instantly stopped.
"Come!" cried White Otter, as he turned toward the north, and raced away at top speed.
"I believe those riders are the Blackfeet scouts that Feather Dog told us about," said Lean Wolf. "Little Raven, your ears are as sharp as the ears of Tokala, the fox."
They rode some distance before they finally stopped to listen for sounds from their foes. Night had fallen, and the great plain was cloaked in darkness. For a long time the stillness was unbroken. It seemed as if the Blackfeet had at lastyelled themselves into silence. The Sioux wondered if the Crows had escaped.
"I do not believe the Blackfeet came up with them," Lean Wolf said, softly. "When it got dark I believe the Blackfeet turned back to round up those ponies that the Crows left behind."
"Then we must watch sharp," declared White Otter. "Perhaps they will ride over here and find us."
Then they heard the wail of a prairie wolf a short distance to the westward. There was something about it that made them suspicious. As a precaution against being betrayed to prowling foes, White Otter dismounted and seized the nose of the little piebald. The other ponies also showed signs of nervousness, and their riders quickly followed the example of the cautious Ogalala. Then the three anxious Sioux scouts stood beside their ponies and strained their ears to catch a warning of danger. Three times the dreary call of the prairie wolf sounded from the west, and each time the suspicions of the Sioux grew stronger. They felt almost certain that it was a signal from their enemies.
"That does not sound like Mayash, the prowler," White Otter declared suspiciously.
"It is different," agreed Lean Wolf.
At that moment they heard the cry repeated in the north. They knew at once that it was an answer to the signal from the west. It was evident that foes were on two sides of them, and the Sioux realized that they were in a serious predicament.
"It is bad," whispered White Otter. "I believe Blackfeet scouts are out there in the darkness. They are close. We must watch out."
"Do you believe they know us?" Little Raven inquired, anxiously.
"No," White Otter told him. "Lean Wolf, how do you feel about it?"
"I believe it is the Blackfeet," said Lean Wolf. "We must wait here until we see what they are going to do. If we hear them coming here then we will ride away before they find us."
"It is the best thing to do," White Otter told him.
They listened anxiously to learn if their foes were actually approaching. They heard nothing to give them a clew. The signals had ceased, and the calm, brooding night hush had fallen upon the plain. The ponies, however, were still uneasy, and their actions made the Sioux suspicious. They feared that other horses were close at hand, and the possibility kept them alert.
"Listen, my brothers," White Otter whispered,anxiously. "Something is moving over there."
The sound had come from the westward, and whatever had made it seemed to be well within bowshot. The piebald was shaking its head, and struggling to free its nose from the grasp of the Ogalala. The other ponies also showed signs of recognition, and the Sioux felt sure that a horse was moving slowly through the darkness. They listened with bated breath, ready to jump upon their ponies and flee into the protection of the night at the first hint that they had been discovered. They waited in trying suspense while the rider slowly passed them, and the short, quick footfalls of his pony died away in the distance.
"He has gone," whispered Little Raven.
"Sh!" cautioned Lean Wolf.
Another pony was approaching. Again the Sioux waited in breathless suspense, while the unseen rider moved cautiously through the darkness within bow range of them. This time, however, they were not so fortunate. For some reason the rider stopped directly opposite them. Was he suspicious? the Sioux wondered. The piebald tried to call, but White Otter strangled the cry in its throat. Then the strange horse winded the Sioux ponies, and whinnied its challenge. The next moment a voice questioned cautiously from the night.The Sioux remained silent. Each stood grasping the mane of his pony, ready to mount and race away on the instant of discovery. Then the horse which had already passed answered the challenge, and the suspicions of the second rider were allayed. A moment later the Sioux heard him riding on his way. They remained silent, however, listening anxiously to learn if a third rider was following after those who had passed.
"There are no more," Lean Wolf whispered, finally.
"It is good," replied White Otter.
They waited until they felt sure that their enemies had gone beyond hearing, and then they mounted and rode carefully toward the east. As the mysterious scouts had gone toward the north, the Sioux determined to make a wide detour to avoid an encounter. They walked the ponies until they had gone a safe distance, and then they urged them into a brisk canter, and began to circle back toward the north to reach the Minneconjoux war party.