They found the war party camped in a secluded ravine which led far back into the foothills. Having ridden throughout the night, most of the Minneconjoux were sleeping when Sun Bird and White Otter arrived at the rendezvous. The spot was strongly guarded by sentinels, however, who took turns at keeping watch. Sun Bird and White Otter immediately asked for water, and Dancing Rabbit led them to a splendid spring on the side of the ravine. Then they supplied themselves with generous rations of dried meat and ate heartily. In the meantime their arrival had awakened most of the war party, and they gathered about the famous young scouts and waited anxiously for them to speak.
"Well, my friends, I have something good to tell you," Sun Bird said, at last. "We saw theBlackfeet camp. It is close by. There are many lodges. There must be many people to live in them. We saw many ponies. Some belong to our people. We have come to take them away. We will take them. Then we saw the fast ponies. They are near the lodges. We will try to take some of those. But, my friends, I must tell you that it will be a hard thing to do. There are many warriors in that camp. They are brave. Perhaps we will have to fight hard to get those ponies."
"My brothers, I have listened to your words," said Sitting Eagle. "You say that the Blackfeet are brave. It is true. I have fought many battles against them. They are braver than the Pawnees. They are braver than the Kiowas. They are braver than the Crows. Now you know that they are very brave. Well, my friends, the Dacotahs are braver than the Blackfeet. Yes, the Dacotahs are the bravest of all. We will go to that great camp, and take away those ponies. Sun Bird is a good leader. Our brother, White Otter, is a great chief. I see many brave warriors sitting here. We are very strong. Yes, my brothers, we will take away those ponies."
The boastful assurance of Sitting Eagle roused the Minneconjoux to a great pitch of enthusiasm. For the moment their ardor overcame theircaution, and they began to talk loudly and utter wild threats against their foes.
"Come! come!" Lean Wolf cried, impatiently. "We are making too much noise. Are we like old women who cackle like foolish Magasapa, the goose?"
The Minneconjoux instantly subsided into silence. They knew that it was not the part of warriors to give way to their emotions, and they felt guilty and ashamed. As Sun Bird showed no inclination to tell them anything more about the Blackfeet camp, most of them threw themselves upon the ground and resumed their slumbers. The three young scouts who had just returned from the top of the ridge followed their example, and it was not long before all except the vigilant sentinels about the edge of the camp were sleeping soundly.
The day had ended and twilight had fallen upon the plain when Sun Bird and White Otter finally awakened. They felt rested and refreshed, and were eager to begin the great adventure which lay before them. As the entire company was awake, Sun Bird prepared to carry out his plans for advancing upon the Blackfeet camp. He called the sentinels who had watched through the night, and asked if they had seen or heard anything oftheir foes. They assured him that the night had passed without alarm.
"It is good," said Sun Bird. "Now, my friends, I will tell you what I propose to do. See! the light has almost gone. When it gets dark I am going away to find out about that great camp. I am going to creep up close. Then I will find out what we want to know. Then we will know how to get those ponies. Now I am going to ask White Otter to go with me. He is a great scout. He has been to the Pawnee camp. He has been to the Crow camp. He has crawled up to the lodges of the Kiowas. Now I will ask this great scout to go to the Blackfeet camp with me."
"I will go," White Otter told him.
There were many others who were anxious to risk their lives for a peep into the great Blackfeet camp, but Sun Bird refused them. He knew that numbers increased the chances of discovery, and he determined to run no unnecessary risks. Besides, there were few, if any, warriors among the Minneconjoux who could match the scouting abilities of the Ogalala. As Sun Bird realized that the success of the undertaking might depend upon the thoroughness of the reconnaissance which he planned to make, he determined to rely solely upon White Otter and himself to carry it through.
It was barely dark when they left the war party and set out for the Blackfeet camp. Their companions watched them depart, in silence, for they knew the danger to which they were about to expose themselves, and many alarming possibilities flashed through their minds.
"They are very brave," said Sitting Eagle, as Sun Bird and White Otter disappeared into the shadows.
Believing that it would be easier to accomplish their purpose if they traveled on foot, they left their ponies with their companions. Once at the edge of the plain, they hurried away in the direction of the low sage-grown ridge. When they finally saw it looming up before them, they realized that they must advance with more caution. If the Blackfeet expected an attack it was probable that they had posted sentinels at that spot, and the Sioux determined to take every precaution. The discovery of the warrior in the tree led them to believe that the ridge was a favorite watching place of their foes.
Once at the base of the slope, the Sioux stopped and spent some time listening for the sound of voices. Then as they heard nothing to rouse their fears, they moved cautiously up the side of the ridge. When they reached the top they instantlylocated the camp by the glow from the fires. For a moment or so they watched silently. Then they descended through the sage, and moved out across the grim, black plain.
"Now we must watch out," warned Sun Bird.
Side by side, they sped through the night as swiftly and noiselessly as wolves on the trail of their prey. Their eyes were fixed on the alluring glow from the Blackfeet fires, they relied upon their ears to warn them of danger. The plain, however, was steeped in silence. They heard nothing but their own soft footfalls, and the gentle rustling of the grass against their buckskin leggings.
"It is good," whispered Sun Bird. "The Blackfeet are in the camp eating buffalo meat. There is no one to stop us."
"We must not be too sure about it," White Otter cautioned him.
Then they heard something which brought them to a sudden stop. The dogs were barking furiously in the Blackfeet camp. The Sioux listened uneasily. Several disturbing possibilities entered their minds. Had the dogs caught their scent? It seemed impossible. White Otter raised a moistened finger to test the breeze. It blew from the camp. They felt relieved. Then another thoughtpresented itself. Perhaps the Crows had moved against the Blackfeet camp. The Sioux listened for sounds of an attack. They heard only the savage baying of the dogs.
"I believe the dogs are fighting for meat," said Sun Bird.
"It is bad," White Otter replied, seriously. "If those dogs keep moving around, it will be hard to get near the camp."
The thought troubled them. They knew that if one of those gaunt, wolf-like creatures caught their scent it would instantly skulk out upon the plain to investigate. Once it found them it would set up a racket that would soon draw the rest of the pack upon them, and the Blackfeet would be quick to realize the significance of the commotion.
"There is only one thing to do," said White Otter. "We will wait here until the dogs quiet down. Then we will wait until they lie down to sleep. Then we will creep up to the camp. If we go ahead now, those dogs will find out about us."
"Yes, I see that it is the only thing to do," agreed Sun Bird.
It seemed a very long time to the impatient Sioux before the dogs finally became silent. However, as they had heard nothing to indicate alarm in the Blackfeet camp, they decided that the uproarhad been caused by the dogs fighting over the scraps of buffalo meat which the Blackfeet had thrown them from their feast. In spite of the stillness, however, the Sioux feared to approach the camp until they had allowed the dogs time to gorge themselves and settle down to sleep. They waited, therefore, watching the twinkle of the camp fires, and listening for sounds from their foes.
"Come," Sun Bird said, suddenly. "Everything is still. I believe the dogs have gone to sleep. We will creep up to the camp."
"I am ready," White Otter assured him.
Again they moved cautiously through the night until they were actually within bowshot of the lodges. Then they suddenly heard the solemn booming of the war drums, and the sound of singing. For a moment they turned to one another in alarm. Were the Blackfeet preparing for war? Then they guessed the truth.
"It is the hunters," whispered White Otter, "They are dancing the Buffalo Dance."
"It is good," Sun Bird told him. "All the people will be around the dancers. We can get close to the lodges."
"Watch out for the dogs," cautioned White Otter.
They advanced within half a bowshot of the camp, and then they dropped to the plain to watch. The camp was brightly illuminated by the light from the fires, and the Blackfeet were clearly visible as they passed between the lodges. The booming of the war drums and the singing continued, and the Sioux could hear even the short, sharp exclamations of the dancers as they kept time with the music. Still they were unable to see into the camp, and they determined to advance still closer.
Slowly, a bow length at a time, they crept toward the nearest lodges. They moved with great caution, and stopped many times to make sure that the way was clear. They were in constant fear of the dogs. Although they had seen nothing of them, they realized that at any moment they might encounter them prowling about the borders of the camp.
The Sioux had almost reached the lodges when they suddenly heard something moving directly behind them. They turned in alarm. Had a dog circled about them, and caught their scent? Their hearts beat wildly at the thought. Each moment they expected to hear the first savage yelp which would announce their approach to the Blackfeet. Then, as they listened, they heard footsteps. Some one was walking directly toward them. Theywere seized with panic. Discovery seemed certain. There was not a moment to spare. Pressing themselves close against the ground, they prepared to drive their arrows through their foe before he could utter an outcry. At that moment he turned from his course and passed without seeing them. His bent form, and slow, faltering gait convinced the Sioux that he was an old man. As he emerged into the firelight at the edge of the camp they saw that their guess was correct. A moment afterward he disappeared behind a lodge.
"I believe he is a Medicine Man," whispered Sun Bird. "Perhaps he was out there making Medicine."
"Perhaps," replied White Otter.
Having recovered from their alarm, they crawled to the edge of the camp, and hid in the shadow of a lodge. Then they looked upon their enemies. The Blackfeet were gathered in the center of the camp. They were watching the wild antics of a company of dancers who were circling about the fire. The Sioux studied the assemblage with great care. White Otter was particularly curious, as it was the first time he had seen those people.
The Blackfeet presented an interestingspectacle, as they celebrated the success of their hunters. The latter were especially picturesque. They had painted their faces and bodies and decorated themselves in a most weird and grotesque manner. Many wore the entire skin of a buffalo bull, including the head and horns. Others had fastened buffalo feet to their ankles so that they rattled and clacked at each stride of the dancer. Thus arrayed, they cavorted wildly about the fire, imitating the antics of the buffaloes. They pranced, and reared, and kicked, and roared. Some pawed the ground, and then lay down and wallowed as the buffaloes would do to rid themselves of flies. Others imitated the fierce encounter between two great rival bulls, pushing and jostling each other, and butting their heads together until the spectators shrieked with delight. It was a clever exhibition of mimicry, and more than once the Sioux were forced to smile.
Then they turned their attention upon the spectators. Men, women and children had assembled in a great circle about the dancers. The Sioux made special note of the men. They were dark and tall, and powerful, with deep, broad chests, and wide sloping shoulders. They compared favorably in physique and bearing with the gallant Dacotah fighting men, and the two young scoutsrealized that they had come upon worthy foes. Closer to the dancers were the musicians, six old men, who thumped the war drums and sang the Buffalo Song in high, cracked tones. The Sioux gave little attention to them. Their eyes were focused on a small group of men who stood together some distance to the right of the singers. Their dress and manner proclaimed them men of importance, and the Sioux knew that they were the chiefs and counselors of the tribe.
"That warrior who wears the bear robe is Many Buffaloes," Sun Bird whispered, excitedly.
White Otter nodded understandingly, as he concentrated his attention upon the man whom Sun Bird had designated. The great Blackfeet war chief was a man slightly past the prime of life, whose massive frame, and bold, fearless features well confirmed the stories of his marvelous exploits on the war trail. He wore a great trailing war bonnet of eagle plumes, and carried a long coupstick decorated with the trophies which he had taken from his enemies. He carried himself with the dignity and hauteur of a great leader, and the Ogalala looked upon him with respect.
"He looks like a warrior," White Otter told Sun Bird.
"He is a great chief," declared Sun Bird.
Many Buffaloes took no part in the ceremony. He stood apart with several of his associates and showed little interest in the wild capers of the dancers. His keen eyes, however, noted every action, and it was evident that his apparent indifference was largely assumed. He appeared to consider it beneath the dignity of a great war chief to show emotion upon so trivial an occasion.
"Where is his black pony?" White Otter asked, eagerly.
"I cannot tell you," said Sun Bird.
"Come, we will try to find it," White Otter told him.
Sun Bird looked uneasily into the eyes of his friend. White Otter's bold resolve filled him with alarm. A disturbing possibility swept through us mind. Did the daring Ogalala plan to enter the Blackfeet camp in search of the famous war pony? Sun Bird feared that it would be a fatal blunder to make the attempt at that time. Even if White Otter should succeed in leading away the pony without being seen, the loss would rouse the entire Blackfeet nation. They would immediately send strong war parties to search the plain, and the long, perilous journey of the Minneconjoux would have been in vain. Sun Bird appearedreluctant to agree to the proposal. White Otter instantly guessed the reason.
"I see that you do not feel good about it," White Otter said, quietly. "I am a war leader. I am not going to do anything foolish. I am not going to try to take away that pony. I am going to find out where it is. Then I will wait until our brothers have run off the other ponies. Then perhaps I will try to take away that black pony."
"It is good," Sun Bird said, with evident relief.
They began to circle cautiously about the camp. It was perilous work. Bow in hand, they crept stealthily along in the shadows from the lodges, stopping every bow length to watch and listen. Where were the dogs? They would have given much to know. They knew that at any moment they might stumble upon them. They had gone about an arrow flight when they suddenly discovered one of the dogs lying beside a lodge. Was it asleep? they wondered. It was lying with its back toward them, and was only five or six bow lengths away. The Sioux watched it with bated breath. They realized that the slightest sound might rouse it. They feared to move. Still, it seemed equally perilous to loiter.
"Come," breathed White Otter.
For an instant Sun Bird hesitated. It was caution, not fear which held him back. It seemed folly to risk discovery when they had already learned so much about their foes. White Otter, however, was already creeping noiselessly into the shadows, and Sun Bird determined to follow him. Inch by inch they dragged themselves forward until they were opposite the dog. Then for a moment they hesitated. It had every appearance of being asleep, and the Sioux passed on.
Then they discovered what they were risking their lives to see. Beside a great decorated lodge was a strongly made log corral, and above it appeared the long slender head and graceful neck of the famous black war pony. It was watching the glow in the center of the camp, and nervously twitching its ears at the noise. White Otter gazed upon it with eager, fascinated eyes. It was a noble trophy, and he longed to possess it. The opportunity seemed before him. Impulse urged him to act. He paused to consider. Loyalty held him back. He realized that his own ambition must be sacrificed to insure the success of the Minneconjoux. They had suffered a great loss at the hands of the Blackfeet. They had made a long and perilous journey to recover the stolen ponies. Their success depended upon keeping the Blackfeet inignorance of their approach until they were at the camp. White Otter made a quick, and final decision.
"Come," he whispered. "I have found out what I wanted to know. We will go."
"It is good," said Sun Bird.
They crept slowly from the edge of the camp. Then when they were a safe distance from the lodges they rose to their feet and sped away into the night.
The following night the Minneconjoux set out to make their attack upon the Blackfeet. Long before it was dark Sitting Eagle and Lean Wolf and Running Dog left the ravine and rode away to watch from the ridge to the southward of the camp. Then as the twilight faded from the plain the war party followed swiftly on the trail of the scouts. Riding in pairs, the Sioux passed on their way in grim silence. When they finally saw the low ridge directly before them, they stopped and listened anxiously for word from the scouts.
"Ho, my brothers, the way is clear, but the fires are still burning in the Blackfeet camp," said Lean Wolf, as he suddenly rode out of the night.
"We must wait," Sun Bird told him.
In a few moments they heard the sharp bark of the little gray fox, a short distance to the eastward. Sun Bird waited until he heard it three times, and then he replied. Soon afterward Running Dog appeared.
"I have been a long ways over there," he said, indicating the east. "I saw nothing of our enemies. Their fires are burning. We must wait."
"Yes, my brother, we will wait," Sun Bird assured him.
It was some time before Sitting Eagle finally arrived. Then he too suddenly rode out of the darkness.
"I have been close to the Blackfeet camp," said the famous scout. "I saw the light of many fires. It is bad. We must wait."
"We will wait," said Sun Bird.
Then, as the stern Minneconjoux fighting men gathered about the youthful war leader, Sun Bird announced his plans for running off the ponies.
"My brothers, we are in sight of the great Blackfeet camp," he said, softly. "It is not far beyond this ridge. We have come a long ways. We have come to do a big thing. We must go through with it. We will wait here until the fires die down. Then we will know that the Blackfeet have gone to the lodges. Then we will ride over there and run off the ponies. Now I will tell you how to do it. There are many ponies out there on the plain. There are other ponies near the lodges. When we cross over this ridge I will show you where to find the ponies. When we get near thecamp we must separate. Some must go out on the plain to get those ponies, and some must go to get the ponies that are near the camp. White Otter is a great war chief. I will ask him to be the leader of those who go to get the ponies that are near the camp. Sitting Eagle is a great war leader. I will ask him to be the leader of those who go to run off the ponies on the plain. Many of us must wait near the camp to fight back the Blackfeet. I will be the leader. Now I have told you the way to do this thing."
"It is good," agreed the Minneconjoux.
While they waited impatiently for the Blackfeet fires to die down, many of the war party left their ponies with their friends and crawled to the top of the ridge to watch the camp. Others dismounted and threw themselves upon the plain to rest. There was little talking. The Sioux realized that they were about to match themselves against a strong and wily foe who greatly outnumbered them, and the thought made them serious. They knew that the time for boasting had passed, and the time for action was at hand. There was not one of the company, however, who had the slightest fear. They believed that Dacotah courage would more than offset the superior strength of the Blackfeet, and they felt confident of success.
The night was more than half gone when the watchers returned from the ridge and reported that the last flickering glow had faded from the Blackfeet camp. The announcement roused the Sioux to action. Springing upon their ponies, they waited eagerly for the word to advance.
"My brothers, the Blackfeet have gone to their lodges," said Sun Bird. "Pretty soon they will be asleep. It is good. They will not know about us until they hear us running off the ponies. Come, Dacotahs, we will go."
The summons stirred their fighting blood. They longed to send the Dacotah war cry ringing across the plain as a challenge to their foes. They stifled the temptation, however, and crossed the ridge in silence. All evidence of the Blackfeet camp had vanished into the night, and Sun Bird chose the north star to guide him on his way.
The preliminary reconnaissance which Sun Bird and White Otter had made the previous night proved of great value. At that time they had carefully noted the contour of the plain between the ridge and the camp, and had estimated distances between certain prominent landmarks which they had retained in their memory. Now, as they found them, they were able to guess how closely they were approaching the Blackfeet camp. Whenhe believed that they had gone half way, Sun Bird ordered a halt, and proceeded to divide the war party. The younger, less experienced warriors were assigned to the companies who were to run off the ponies, while the renowned fighters and famous scouts were chosen as a rear guard to fight back the Blackfeet. Then Sun Bird carefully explained the location of the ponies.
"Now we are ready to go ahead with this thing," he said. "But before we begin I will tell you something. When you are ready to ride off the ponies that are on the plain you must make many quick barks of the little gray fox. Then you must wait. When White Otter and his brothers hear it they will know that you are ready. Then when they are ready they must make that signal. When it stops you must go ahead to run off the ponies. Then if the Blackfeet hear you we will be ready to hold them back. Keep these words. Do not go ahead until you hear the signal. I have finished."
A short distance farther on the Sioux separated to make their raid against the Blackfeet. Sitting Eagle and his companions turned aside to approach the spot where the loose ponies were pastured. White Otter and his company continued toward the camp, and Sun Bird and the fighting men followed close behind him.
When they were within several bowshots of the camp they stopped, and White Otter and three companions went forward. He had asked Little Raven to accompany him, and the young Minneconjoux rode at his side.
"If the ponies begin to call we must make the signal, and be ready to rush ahead," said the Ogalala.
When they finally saw the black, indistinct outlines of the corral, they stopped to listen. They knew that the lodges at the end of the camp were less than half a bowshot away. The slightest sound, therefore, might arouse the Blackfeet. White Otter turned to Little Raven.
"Get down from your pony," he whispered.
They dismounted and left their ponies with the two warriors who accompanied them. Then they moved swiftly toward the corral. They were within bow length of it when they heard the quick barks of the little gray fox some distance toward the east. Their hearts bounded at the sound. Sitting Eagle and his companions were ready to run off the ponies. White Otter rushed to the corral. He turned in dismay. The corral was empty.
At that instant a horse whinnied in the Blackfeet camp. The Sioux ponies replied. A dogbarked. Voices sounded close at hand. The Blackfeet were alarmed. Realizing that further caution was useless, White Otter sounded the signal.
"Run to the ponies!" he cried to Little Raven.
They heard their comrades riding forward to meet them. They also heard the thunder of many hoofs, and the wild yells of the Blackfeet. Springing upon his pony, White Otter raced recklessly toward the camp. Little Raven followed him. They found the village in wild disorder. The Blackfeet had been completely surprised.
Out on the plain Sitting Eagle and his companions were driving away the captured ponies. The raid had been entirely successful, and the elated Sioux were already many arrow flights beyond the camp. Behind them Sun Bird and his force of fighting men were loitering within bowshot of the village, watching for White Otter with the other bunch of ponies. When he failed to appear, Sun Bird rode toward the corral to find him. He encountered the two warriors who had accompanied the Ogalala on his perilous mission.
"Where are the ponies? Where is White Otter? Where is Little Raven?" Sun Bird asked, excitedly.
"That place was empty," they told him. "WhiteOtter and Little Raven rode away toward the Blackfeet camp."
Sun Bird stared wildly into the face of the speaker. He could scarcely believe him. Then the truth suddenly flashed across his mind. He understood why White Otter had risked himself.
"Yes, yes, I know about it," he said.
He called the two riders to follow him and galloped away to lead his valiant company against the Blackfeet. The latter had rallied from their confusion and were riding from the camp.
In the meantime White Otter and Little Raven had ridden boldly along the edge of the camp until they reached the spot where the famous black war pony was kept. Then White Otter dismounted, and left his pony with Little Raven. Taking advantage of the darkness and the confusion in the Blackfeet camp, the daring Ogalala moved swiftly between the lodges. It was only a moment or so before he encountered his foes. A frightened old woman took him for one of her people and ran to him for protection. He grumbled fiercely at her and sprang away before she recognized him. The next instant two excited warriors dashed past within bow length, and called him to follow them. Then the way seemed clear, and he hurried toward the corral. His heart beat wildly as he suddenlysaw the log inclosure before him. When he reached it, however, he saw that it, too, was empty. The famous black pony had been taken away.
For some moments the disappointed young Sioux lingered beside the corral. He was blaming himself for having refused the opportunity which had presented itself the night before. At that time the great trophy had been almost within his grasp. Now he believed it was forever beyond his reach. He told himself that he had been foolish to surrender his chance. Then he suddenly thrilled with the pride of sacrifice. He was a Dacotah, and the Dacotahs had relied upon him to help them against their foes. He had nobly performed his duty to the tribesmen who had given him their confidence. His act had brought success to the Minneconjoux. The thought roused him. His own loss was forgotten as he rejoiced in the victory of his people.
"I have done a good thing," he said, joyfully.
Then as he saw fires beginning to gleam in various parts of the camp, he realized that it was time to go. As he ran toward the edge of the camp a dog suddenly appeared before him. It faced him with bared fangs and flashing eyes, and its deep, ugly growls gave warning of an intention to fight.
"Hi, you foolish Blackfeet dog," cried WhiteOtter, as he drove his arrow through it. "Now your people will know that I have been in their village."
He bounded past the struggling dog, and ran from the camp. Little Raven was waiting with the ponies.
"Come," cried White Otter, as he sprang upon the piebald. "The Blackfeet have ridden away on the war ponies. Some one took away that black pony. Now we must go to help our brothers. Listen! I hear them making a big fight."
Sounds of battle came from directly ahead of them, and White Otter knew that Sun Bird and his companions were fighting back the Blackfeet. Calling Little Raven to follow him, the daring young war chief raised his voice in the war cry, and raced away to engage in the fight.
Once aware of what had happened, the enraged Blackfeet rushed from the camp like a swarm of angry bees. Led by their great war chief, Many Buffaloes, they rode recklessly out upon the plain to overtake the daring foes who had run off their ponies. They had not gone an arrow flight, however, before they collided with the Sioux.
"Come, my brothers, it is time to fight!" cried Sun Bird.
The resolute band of Sioux fighting men charged furiously upon their foes. They were outnumbered three to one, but the fierceness of their attack deceived the Blackfeet and threw them into confusion. Having recognized the Dacotahs, the Blackfeet knew from experience what sort of resistance to expect from those powerful and courageous foes.
"The Sioux! The Sioux!" they cried, fiercely.
Then, as Sitting Eagle and his companions raced the captured ponies through the night, Sun Bird and his company of warriors fought desperately to hold back the Blackfeet. The latter, however, soon became aware of their superiority in numbers, and the discovery gave them confidence. Recovering from their momentary disorder, they made a desperate attempt to break through their enemies.
The Sioux, however, held their ground, and the fighting was at close quarters. There were many thrilling encounters. Lean Wolf fought three Blackfeet warriors and overcame all of them. Sun Bird had his pony killed beneath him, and then killed his foe and took his horse. Feather Dog became separated from his companions and was compelled to fight off an entire company of Blackfeet until some of his friends discovered his plight and rushed to his assistance.
In spite of their bravery, however, the Sioux were unable to overcome the odds against them. It was not long before they realized that it would be folly to sacrifice themselves in attempting to match strength with their foes. The Blackfeet were too strong to be held back. The Sioux saw that their only chance of success was in making a running fight.
"We must follow after the ponies," said Sun Bird.
The moment they gave way the Blackfeet interpreted it as a sign of defeat. Feeling sure of victory, they charged recklessly forward, and attempted to throw the Sioux into a rout. Instantly alert to his peril, Sun Bird brought his company to a stand, and fought with a grim ferocity that soon convinced the Blackfeet of their mistake. They realized that victory was far from being won, and they became somewhat more cautious. After several costly and futile attempts to make the Sioux give ground, they suddenly divided their forces, and a strong company swept around the Sioux flank.
"They are passing! They are passing!" the Minneconjoux cried in alarm.
At that moment White Otter and Little Raven joined the war party. They had fought their way through the very midst of their foes, and reached their companions in safety. The presence of the famous young war chief greatly encouraged the Minneconjoux.
"There is only one thing to do," White Otter said, hurriedly, as Sun Bird turned to consult him. "We must keep ahead of those Blackfeet."
Acting upon his advice, the Sioux suddenly gaveway and raced across the plain in pursuit of Sitting Eagle and the band of ponies. Behind them thundered the main force of Blackfeet, and at their right rode the company that had succeeded in getting past them.
"When we come to the ponies we must make a big fight," White Otter declared, grimly, as he rode beside Sun Bird.
"Yes, yes," agreed Sun Bird.
The Blackfeet kept close behind them, and the Sioux were in constant peril from their arrows. Whenever the Blackfeet came too near, however, the Sioux turned upon them and fought them off. Thus they made their way across the plain until they overtook Sitting Eagle and his companions. The latter had heard them approaching, and had rounded up the ponies and prepared to fight.
"Keep going! Keep going!" shouted Sun Bird. "We will hold back the Blackfeet."
"Yes, keep going!" cried White Otter. "Run the ponies until you come to that big gully. Then wait for us."
Sitting Eagle and his company barely got the ponies under way before the Blackfeet were upon them. Sun Bird and the war party fought savagely to hold them off, but the company of Blackfeet who had ridden along the Sioux flank circledunder cover of the darkness and reached the herd.
"Hold the ponies! Hold the ponies!" shouted Sitting Eagle, as the wily Blackfeet attempted to stampede them.
Yelling fiercely, they charged close up to the alarmed ponies, and threw them into wild disorder. Frightened into a panic by the noisy tumult, the bewildered animals tried to break from their captors and flee across the plain. Sitting Eagle and his companions made valiant efforts to hold them under control, but the Blackfeet were riding furiously about the herd, and making desperate efforts to kill the men who guarded it.
In the meantime Sun Bird and the Minneconjoux war party were fighting a thrilling battle with the main force of their foes. The latter had again rushed to close quarters, and the Sioux were in desperate straits. Greatly outnumbered, they fought with a reckless courage that astounded their enemies. Try as they might, the Blackfeet were unable to break through the heroic company that confronted them. Led by Many Buffaloes himself, the bravest warriors in the Blackfeet nation hurled themselves against the Sioux with a daring abandon that would have speedily routed less valiant foes. The Sioux, however, repulsed each savage attack with a dogged ferocity thatgradually shattered the confidence of their foes.
Sitting Eagle and his gallant band were less successful. They found it impossible to keep the ponies under control, and at the same time defend themselves against the Blackfeet. They were threatened with disaster and began to lose heart.
"Come, Dacotahs, show these people how to fight!" cried Sitting Eagle.
At that moment White Otter led a company of Minneconjoux against the Blackfeet who had attacked the herd. Roused by the courage of the young Ogalala war chief, the Minneconjoux warriors charged furiously upon the surprised Blackfeet and completely overwhelmed them with the fierceness of their attack. For a moment only the Blackfeet opposed them, and then as White Otter drove his arrow through the leader of the company the others lost courage and retreated into the night.
"Come," shouted the Ogalala. "Drive away the ponies!"
Sitting Eagle and his comrades instantly got the ponies in motion. Then the determined Blackfeet again charged forward to gain possession of the herd. This time, however, they were met by White Otter and his gallant band of fighters. They fought with a fiery zeal that soon threw fear intothe hearts of their foes. Riding boldly at the head of his companions, White Otter dashed recklessly among the Blackfeet, and threw them into confusion. Then as they wavered he raised the piercing Dacotah war cry, and led his tribesmen in a furious assault that caused the astounded Blackfeet to flee wildly before him. He followed them a long distance across the plain, and exacted heavy toll from the laggards. Then he suddenly heard Sun Bird and the rest of the war party riding toward the south.
"Come," he cried. "Our brothers are running ahead of the Blackfeet. We must find out about it."
Having subdued his foes, he turned and led his comrades to join the Minneconjoux. When he finally overtook them he found Sun Bird in high spirits. The skillful young war leader had completely defeated his foes.
"The Blackfeet are getting cautious," said Sun Bird. "See, they are keeping far behind. I believe they are afraid of us."
The Blackfeet appeared to have lost much of their confidence. Having lost heavily in the desperate fighting with the Sioux, they seemed unwilling to risk coming again to close quarters with those indomitable foes. Although they still continued to follow them, they were content to remainsafely beyond arrow range. The Sioux hoped that they would soon abandon the pursuit.
"Pretty soon they will turn back," declared Sun Bird. "Then they will go to the village, and tell their people what a great fight they made."
"Well, they will not bring back those ponies," laughed Little Raven.
Daylight was breaking when the Sioux again overtook their comrades with the captured ponies. Sitting Eagle had stopped in the bottom of a deep ravine through which trickled a tiny stream. The Sioux saw at once that it offered them splendid protection against their foes.
"It is good," Sun Bird said, heartily. "Now we will see what the Blackfeet will do."
The latter had already stopped, and were apparently discussing the advisability of attempting to drive the Sioux from their shelter. For a long time they seemed unwilling to make the effort. The Sioux had left the ponies in the bottom of the ravine, and were lying along the top of the bank watching their foes with great interest. They had no intention of leaving the ravine until the Blackfeet had either made an attack or withdrawn from the vicinity.
"Perhaps they will wait until it gets dark," suggested Little Raven.
"No, I do not believe it," Sun Bird told him. "I believe they will do something pretty soon."
"Yes, my brother, that is how I feel about it," said White Otter.
The three young warriors were lying beside one another at the top of the ravine. On each side of them were the other members of the war party, except a few young warriors who had been left in charge of the ponies. White Otter noted, however, that some of the Minneconjoux were missing. Among them were Proud Hawk and Painted Bird, the two young warriors who had served as scouts for the war party. The eyes of the Ogalala flashed threateningly as he realized that they and their absent companions had been killed by the Blackfeet.
"It is bad," Sun Bird said, solemnly. "Those brave warriors were my friends. I saw Proud Hawk fall from his pony. I was close beside him. I tried to carry him off, but the Blackfeet killed him. I saw Painted Bird making a great fight. The Blackfeet were all around him. They must have killed him. I tried to get near him, but some Blackfeet rushed upon me and killed my horse. I had a hard time to get away."
"Well, we must not think about it," said WhiteOtter. "A warrior must always be ready to die. Those men were very brave. It is enough. We will tell our people about them."
"Yes, we will call out their names when we ride through the camp," replied Sun Bird. "We will tell our people that we sent many Blackfeet to walk behind our brothers on the Long Trail."
Then their thoughts were diverted by the sudden activity of the Blackfeet. They were advancing slowly across the plain, singing their war songs, and shouting boastful threats against the Sioux. The latter watched them with little fear. They realized that the possession of the ravine had turned the odds in their favor. Besides, they strongly doubted that the Blackfeet would actually venture within bowshot.
"They will keep away," Sun Bird said, confidently.
It was not many moments before his words were verified. The Blackfeet had suddenly stopped beyond arrow range. They were still chanting the war songs, and shouting threateningly, but they showed no inclination to approach nearer the ravine. The Sioux, however, watched them closely. They knew that at any moment their wily foes might throw aside their caution and sweep forward in a furious attack.
"See, that great chief, Many Buffaloes, is giving them strong words," Sun Bird said, eagerly, as he seized White Otter by the arm.
The Ogalala made no reply. His eyes were following every move of the famous Blackfeet war chief. The latter had ridden out in front of his tribesmen and was making a fiery address. Several times he wheeled his pony and swept his arm toward the Sioux. They felt certain that he was rousing his warriors for a final attempt to recapture the ponies. It was evident that his words were accomplishing the desired effect. The Blackfeet were becoming greatly excited. The Sioux grew serious. They had great respect for the courage and ability of the renowned Blackfeet leader, and they feared that he was preparing to carry through some bold stroke which might still bring victory to the Blackfeet.
"Many Buffaloes is going to do something big," Sun Bird told White Otter. "He is very brave. We must watch out."
White Otter took little notice of the warning. His entire attention was concentrated upon the spirited black pony, and its famous rider. Everything else had passed from his mind. Even the great company of jeering Blackfeet had suddenly faded from his vision. He saw nothing but theBlackfeet war chief, and his prancing black pony. He watched them with flashing, fascinated eyes. Then Many Buffaloes dramatically passed his bow, quiver and arrows to one of his tribesmen, and turned toward the Sioux with his war club raised. White Otter uttered a short, fierce exclamation of satisfaction. He had instantly interpreted the maneuver, and his heart bounded with hope.
As the Blackfeet chief rode slowly toward the ravine, singing his war song and flourishing his war club, White Otter passed his bow and arrow-case to Sun Bird and scrambled wildly down the steep side of the ravine.
"That man is very brave," he cried, excitedly. "Tell your people that they must not try to kill him when he comes close. I am going to ride out there to meet him."
"No, no, that would be foolish!" Sun Bird shouted in alarm. "He is riding that great Medicine Horse. You cannot catch him. He will lead you over there to the Blackfeet, and they will kill you."
"We will see," White Otter replied, lightly, as he ran to the piebald.
In the meantime the Blackfeet chief was fearlessly approaching the ravine. He was alreadywell within bow range, but the Sioux withheld their arrows. There were two reasons. In the first place Sun Bird had called out and warned them against killing Many Buffaloes, and in the second place his bold defiance insured his safety. The Sioux understood his reckless maneuver as a challenge to their manhood, an invitation for one of their leaders to come out and meet him in personal combat. To have killed him from shelter, under those circumstances, would have made them weaklings and cowards in the eyes of their foes. The Sioux felt compelled to respect the code of honor which prevailed even between the most bitter enemies. They realized, therefore, that one of their number must accept the defiant challenge of the Blackfeet chief, or else the latter must be permitted to return to his tribesmen in safety. Nevertheless, the Minneconjoux knew that if any one went forth to meet him the wily war leader would rely upon the phenomenal speed of his pony to carry him to safety, and decoy his enemy within bow shot of his warriors. For that reason they made great efforts to dissuade White Otter from his purpose.
"Many Buffaloes has done this thing many times, but we have no ponies that can come up with him," the Minneconjoux told White Otter."If you follow him the Blackfeet will surely kill you."
"I am going," White Otter replied, firmly.
A moment afterward he rode out upon the plain. The Blackfeet greeted his appearance with savage yells of derision. The Sioux raised the great Dacotah war cry to give him courage. Many Buffaloes stopped and waited for him to approach.
"White Otter is a great warrior; he is very brave; that pony is very fast, but I believe he will be killed," Sun Bird said, fearfully.
The solemn faces of the Minneconjoux gave endorsement to his fears. They, too, believed that the reckless Ogalala was going to his death. Having witnessed the speed of the famous black war pony, they felt certain that White Otter would never get within striking distance of the Blackfeet chief. Their only hope was that the Ogalala would discover his peril in time to turn back and save himself from the treacherous Blackfeet.
"Then we must be ready to rush out and help him," said Sun Bird.
At that instant White Otter raised the war cry, and raced toward the Blackfeet chief. The latter waited until the Ogalala was almost upon him, and then he turned his pony and rode furiously toward his yelling tribesmen. A moment afterward hetwisted about and laughed shrilly, as he shook his war club at the Sioux. Enraged by the taunt, White Otter struck his pony with the heavy rawhide quirt. The piebald bounded forward at a speed which caused the Minneconjoux and the Blackfeet to stare in silent amazement. With each stroke of the lash the wonderful little beast ran faster. The famous Blackfeet pony was a full length in the lead, but the piebald was actually gaining. The Minneconjoux could not believe it possible.
"Many Buffaloes is holding back," they told one another. "He is trying to draw White Otter near his people."
"No, no, it is not so!" Sun Bird shouted, excitedly. "See, the Dacotah pony is running faster!"
It was true. Sioux and Blackfeet both realized it. Many Buffaloes looked over his shoulder and was equally astounded. The piebald had cut his lead in half and was still gaining. Alarmed at the discovery, Many Buffaloes lashed the black pony to its best speed. It ran as no other horse in the great Blackfeet nation had ever run before, but the piebald ran even faster. White Otter was within less than half a pony-length of the Blackfeet chief. The latter, however, was almost withinbow shot of his tribesmen. The Minneconjoux realized that unless White Otter overtook the black pony within the next few strides he would be at the mercy of his foes. The thought drove them into a frenzy of excitement.
"See, see, he has caught Many Buffaloes!" Sun Bird shouted, wildly.
The piebald had closed the gap, and was drawing abreast of the Blackfeet pony. Enraged by the glorious achievement of the Sioux pony, the Blackfeet raced forward to save their chief from defeat. At that moment, however, White Otter drew even with his foe. Yelling defiantly, Many Buffaloes swung his war club at the head of the Ogalala. White Otter crouched and barely escaped the deadly blow. Then before the Blackfeet chief could regain his balance the agile young Sioux swung his own weapon and knocked Many Buffaloes from his horse. The next moment he secured control of the famous black war pony. Turning the ponies in their tracks, he raced toward the ravine with the entire company of Blackfeet close behind him.
Leaving a few warriors in the ravine to guard the ponies, the Sioux galloped madly across the plain to rescue White Otter. Once he got the ponies under way, however, there was slightchance of the Blackfeet overtaking him. Stride by stride he drew away from his pursuers, who were too busily engaged lashing their ponies to think of shooting their arrows. When they finally did make use of their bows they found themselves already within range of the Minneconjoux. The latter shot their arrows with deadly effect, and the disheartened Blackfeet wavered before the attack. Then, as White Otter dashed among them, the Sioux flashed about and raced back to the ravine without losing a man.
"Well, my brothers, I have showed you that the Dacotah ponies can run," White Otter said, quietly as he dismounted in the midst of his enthusiastic tribesmen.
"White Otter, I believe the pony that Curly Horse gave you is a Medicine Pony," Sun Bird declared, seriously. "Perhaps that is why it was so fierce when you began to ride it. I believe my father had something to do with it. He is a great Medicine Person."
"It may be true," White Otter told him, as he stroked the neck of the little piebald.
"Yes, yes, Rain Crow must have had something to do with it," declared the superstitious Minneconjoux.