The Blackfeet made no attempt to follow the Sioux to the ravine. Instead, they turned about, and rode far from arrow range. They carried off their chief and several warriors who had fallen in the skirmish, and the Sioux were in doubt whether the famous war leader had been killed, or only wounded, by the blow from White Otter. It was plain, however, that the Blackfeet had finished the fight. They stopped for a few moments to shout idle threats against the Sioux and then rode slowly toward the north.
"Well, my brothers, the Blackfeet have gone," said Sun Bird. "It is good. We have done what we came here to do. We have taken away these ponies. We have made a big fight. We have sent the boastful Blackfeet back to their lodges. My friends, those are big things to talk about. Well, I will tell you that White Otter has done the biggest thing of all. You all know about it. Lookat that black pony. You all know how it came here. It is something to tell about. Now, my brothers, I must tell you something different. We must not feel too big about these things. We are a long ways from our people. We have many ponies. We cannot travel fast. The Crows and the Flatheads are still ahead of us. Perhaps we shall meet them. We must keep thinking about it. Yes, my brothers, we must be cautious."
"My friends, those are good words," declared Lean Wolf. "What Sun Bird says is true. We have fought back the Blackfeet, but other enemies may be waiting for us. We have many good ponies. We must take them to our village. Perhaps it will be a hard thing to do. The Crows would like to get those ponies. Yes, I believe the Flatheads would like to get them. We would feel foolish if we lost them. We must be cautious."
The Minneconjoux found it difficult to restrain their enthusiasm. The younger warriors, especially, were eager to celebrate their victory over the Blackfeet. They rushed to the bottom of the ravine, and crowded forward to count coup upon the Blackfeet pony by striking it with their hands. The act was a substitute for striking an enemy, and gave them the privilege of reciting the details of some daring exploit which they had performedin the fight with their foes. Besides, the Minneconjoux still looked upon the black war pony as something mysterious, a strange Medicine Creature possessing superior powers of speed and endurance. They hoped that in laying their hands upon it they might in some way absorb some of its mystical powers.
In the meantime Sun Bird had sent scouts to follow the Blackfeet, to make sure that they were actually going to their village. Other riders had crossed the plain to the southward to learn if it would be safe to travel in that direction with the ponies. The day was well advanced when the scouts returned to the war party. The Minneconjoux gathered eagerly about them to learn what they had seen.
"The Blackfeet are still going ahead," said Running Dog, who had followed them. "I believe they are going to their village."
"Did you see anything of Many Buffaloes?" Sun Bird asked, anxiously.
"Yes, I saw him sitting on a pony," declared Running Dog. "He was between two riders. I believe they were holding him up. I saw some other warriors lying across the backs of ponies. I believe they were tied there. Perhaps they were dead. The Blackfeet are traveling slow."
"Well, we know that Many Buffaloes is alive," said Sun Bird. "No one can harm him. He must be very strong. Perhaps he is a Medicine Person."
"My brother, I will tell you something different," said Sitting Eagle. "Perhaps the Blackfeet expected us to follow them. Perhaps they were holding Many Buffaloes on that horse to fool us. Perhaps he was dead."
"Yes, that may be true," declared the Minneconjoux.
Still, as they could not be sure, they were unable to reach a definite conclusion regarding the fate of the Blackfeet chief. While they were discussing it the scouts from the southward returned. They declared that the plain was free from foes.
"It is good," said Sun Bird. "Now we will go ahead."
The cautious young war leader planned his advance with the care and skill of a veteran. He realized that one blunder might undo all that had been accomplished, and turn the splendid victory into a staggering defeat. The Minneconjoux were fatigued, and their ponies were jaded, and Sun Bird knew that it might be difficult to overcome a strong force of foes if they were fresh and eager for battle. He determined, therefore, to useevery safeguard against encountering his enemies.
When the Sioux were ready to leave the ravine, scouts moved across the plain in advance and on both sides of them, and a small detail of warriors were left behind to make certain that the Blackfeet did not return. Then the war party was divided. White Otter and half of the force rode ahead. Behind them followed Sitting Eagle and the warriors in charge of the ponies. Sun Bird and the balance of the company brought up the rear.
The day was far spent, and the Sioux hoped to reach water by the time night came upon them. Sun Bird planned to stop when it grew dark, and allow the ponies to rest until daylight. Then he decided to travel in the early morning and after nightfall, and to stop in some suitable shelter during the heated hours of the day.
"We must keep the ponies fresh," he told his companions.
Shortly before dark they came upon a large shallow pool on the open plain. As there was a heavy stand of grass for the ponies, Sun Bird determined to stop there for the night. The ponies were immediately turned loose to feed, and guards were appointed to watch them until daylight.
It was not long, however, before the Sioux heardsomething which caused them considerable uneasiness. Low, rumbling peals of thunder sounded from the west. The Sioux looked anxiously into the heavens. The stars shone brightly overhead, but the distant sky appeared black and threatening. As they watched, a quick, darting flash of light zigzagged across the western sky. A dull, thudding crash of thunder boomed in the distance.
"The Thunder Birds are talking—it is bad," Sun Bird said soberly, as he seated himself beside White Otter.
"Yes, my brother, it is bad," agreed White Otter.
Then for some time they sat in gloomy silence, watching the sky. A great mass of ominous black clouds rose steadily out of the west and blotted out the stars. Sharp, jagged streaks of lightning cut through the night. A fresh breeze stirred across the plain. The thunder sounded louder. It was evident that the storm was approaching.
The possibility filled the Sioux with alarm. They looked anxiously toward the herd of ponies. They knew that it would be difficult to hold them under control when the storm broke upon them. Once thoroughly alarmed they might stampede, and race wildly across the plain. Then it would be necessary for the Sioux to ride recklessly throughthe night in an attempt to keep possession of the herd. It was a perilous task, in which many brave riders might lose their lives.
"My brothers, the Thunder Birds are coming—it is bad," cried Sitting Eagle, as he came to find Sun Bird. "The ponies are sniffing the wind. They are uneasy. Some of them are running around."
"We must hold them," said Sun Bird. "Every one must go out there and keep riding around them."
"It is good," replied Sitting Eagle, as he galloped away.
The war ponies had been either picketed or hobbled and left to feed, while the riders threw themselves upon the plain to rest from their exertions. Now, as the storm approached, there was great confusion as each warrior rushed to find his pony. Those who had picketed their ponies had little difficulty, but the hobbled animals had wandered some distance away, and their owners spent many anxious moments searching for them. White Otter and Sun Bird had picketed their ponies and they found them at once.
"White Otter, you have done some big things—it is enough," said Sun Bird. "You must stay out of this. You have taken away the great blackwar pony. You must not lose it. When the Thunder Birds fly over us you must hold fast to that pony. Do not try to do anything else. I am your brother. Listen to my words."
"I will do as you tell me to do," agreed White Otter.
"It is good," cried Sun Bird, as he galloped toward the ponies.
The riders had already stationed themselves about the herd and Sitting Eagle was racing about shouting instructions. The Sioux were in a high tension of excitement. The great storms which swept across the plains always filled them with superstitious awe. They believed that they were caused by the Thunder Birds, which they imagined to be two giant birdlike monsters that lived high up in the most inaccessible peaks of the loftiest mountains. The Sioux believed that these weird creatures possessed all sorts of mysterious powers and that at certain intervals they flew across the country to destroy those unfortunate people who had incurred their displeasure.
"Some one has made the Thunder Birds mad—they are coming to drive away the ponies," the Minneconjoux told one another, in alarmed whispers.
Their hearts filled with gloomy premonitions ofimpending disaster, as the storm rushed upon them. The breeze had freshened to a gale, the stars above them had vanished, the plain was smothered in darkness. Vivid flashes of light flickered across the sky. Loud, crashing peals of thunder rolled through the night. The ponies showed signs of terror. They crowded nervously together, with heads raised, snorting and whinnying. The Sioux rode anxiously around them, fearful that each startling flash would cause them to run.
Then the storm suddenly broke upon them. A dazzling flare of light was followed by a terrifying crash of thunder and the ponies leaped forward in blind panic. The Sioux made desperate efforts to hold them in the herd, but the panic had spread to the riding ponies, and they were rearing and plunging in a manner that demanded the entire attention of the riders. Some of the more fiery animals bolted from control and raced wildly through the night. A moment afterward the herd broke through the gap in the circle and thundered across the plain. The fears of the Sioux were realized—the stampede had begun.
Having witnessed the first break of the startled ponies, Sun Bird rode recklessly after the leaders in the hope of guiding them across the plain.Beside him rode Little Raven. Allowing their ponies to run at will, the Minneconjoux soon found themselves at the front of the herd. Then they suddenly realized their peril. Their lives depended upon the agility of their ponies. A fall meant instant destruction beneath the hoofs of the panic-stricken beasts behind them. However, there was little time to think of the danger. The foremost ponies had swerved toward the west and Sun Bird and Little Raven tried to turn them back.
"We must not let them go that way!" Sun Bird shouted, anxiously. "The Crows and the Flatheads are over there."
Lashing vigorously with their heavy riding quirts, they forced the ponies from their course and kept them running toward the south. Thus they rode through the height of the storm, risking their lives to redeem their pledge to return the ponies which the Blackfeet had driven away.
Then, as the storm finally spent its fury, and passed across the plain, the wild stampede suddenly came to an end. Having run themselves into exhaustion, the ponies were glad to stop. A third of the herd, however, were missing. Sun Bird was dismayed by the discovery.
"Come, my brothers, tell me how those ponies got away from you," he said, sharply.
"We could not hold them all together," said Sitting Eagle. "I saw some ponies breaking away and when I rode after them some more ponies got away."
"Yes, that is how it happened," declared Lean Wolf. "I saw two ponies turning away, and I chased them. When I was driving them back, I saw a big bunch of ponies turning around. Then I rode after them and brought some of them back. Then I stayed close by the herd. I saw it was the best thing to do."
"Well, my friends, it is bad, but I see that you did the best you could," Sun Bird told them. "We had a hard time getting those ponies. We must not leave them for our enemies. There is only one thing to do. Sitting Eagle, you must keep going ahead with these ponies. When you get near our village you must stop and wait for us. Do not let our people see you until we come. My brothers, most of you must go with Sitting Eagle to help him fight our enemies. Some of us must stay here until it gets light. Then we will go out and look for the ponies that got away. I believe we will find them close by. Now I will call out the names of the men who must go with me to find the ponies. Listen, my brothers, I am going to call those names: Lean Wolf, Little Raven, FeatherDog, Running Dog, Falling Eagle, Brave Bear, Two Elks. These men will go with me. The rest of you must go with Sitting Eagle."
As he finished speaking they heard two ponies galloping toward them. A few moments afterward White Otter appeared. The piebald and the Blackfeet pony were lathered with sweat. Neither, however, showed the slightest trace of exhaustion.
"I have been a long ways," said the Ogalala. "These foolish ponies ran the wrong way. It was a long time before I could turn them around. Then I came very fast."
"Now White Otter is here," said Sun Bird. "It is good. I am going to ask him to be the leader of the men who go with Sitting Eagle."
Then the Sioux separated. Sitting Eagle and his escort of warriors rode away toward the south with the ponies while Sun Bird and his company of scouts remained behind to search for the missing horses.
Sun Bird and his companions were greatly encouraged when they looked across the plain at daylight and saw several of the stray ponies feeding a short distance to the northward. They hoped that others might be concealed behind some of the low hummocks which broke the level of the plain.
"See, there are some of the ponies!" said Sun Bird. "We will go and get them. Then we will ride up on those little hills and look around. I believe we will see some more ponies."
They cantered slowly toward the grazing ponies. There were five and they were feeding close together. They raised their heads and watched curiously as the horsemen approached, but they showed little fear. The Sioux, however, determined to take no chance of frightening them into another exhausting dash across the plain. As they rode within bow range they separated and circled carefully about the ponies. Then they gradually closedthe net, and the ponies made little effort to escape.
"Now I will tell you what to do," said Sun Bird, when they had secured the horses. "Some of you must keep these ponies. The rest of us will ride up on those high places and look around. I will ask Falling Eagle and Brave Bear and Two Elks to keep these ponies. Leave them where they are until we come back. Then we will drive them away."
The three warriors who had been selected stationed themselves about the ponies and their comrades turned toward a low grassy slope to the westward. They had gone less than an arrow flight when their ponies suddenly raised their heads and looked toward the north. A moment afterward one of the ponies behind them whinnied. "There is something over there behind that hill," said Sun Bird as he turned about.
At that instant a horseman appeared. They recognized him as Many Feathers, one of the warriors who had been left in the ravine to watch for the return of the Blackfeet. Having recognized his friends, Many Feathers returned their signal, and then disappeared behind the ridge.
"Where has he gone?" Little Raven asked, anxiously.
"We must watch," Sun Bird told him.
Then Many Feathers and two comrades rode over the rise of the plain, driving four of the stray ponies before them. They came directly toward Sun Bird and his companions.
"It is good," said Lean Wolf. "Our brothers are bringing some more ponies. Pretty soon we will find all that got away."
"Well, my brothers, I see that you found some ponies," said Sun Bird, as Many Feathers and his comrades rode up.
"Yes, we found them back there on the plain," said Many Feathers.
The young warrior appeared to know about the stampede. He said that he and his companions had read the story from the tracks which they had followed from the pool.
"Did you see anything of the Blackfeet?" inquired Sun Bird.
"No," replied Many Feathers. "We waited a long time but they did not come back."
"Did you see any more ponies?" Lean Wolf asked him.
"No, we did not see any more," said Many Feathers.
"My brothers, it is good you came here," Sun Bird told them. "Now I am going to ask you to take these ponies over there where you seeFalling Eagle and Brave Bear and Two Elks. You must stay with them and help them watch the ponies until we come back."
"We will go," said Many Feathers.
Then Sun Bird and his companions rode to the top of the low ridge to the westward. They saw the rest of the ponies gathered in a small herd some distance out on the open plain. The sight filled them with joy. As they were about to go after them, however, they suddenly discovered two riders watching from a ridge beyond the ponies.
"Hi, hi," Sun Bird cried, excitedly. "Someone has found the ponies. Now they are watching us."
"It is bad," said Lean Wolf.
Feeling certain that they had already been seen, the Sioux made no attempt to hide. They remained in open sight and tried to identify the distant horsemen. The latter were too far away to be recognized. The Sioux took hope at the thought. They knew that if they could not identify their foes, the latter would find it impossible to recognize them.
"They must be Crows or Flatheads," said Sun Bird. "Anyway, I believe they are scouts."
"It is bad," said Running Dog. "They will bring their people here to get those ponies."
The Sioux were greatly disturbed by the possibility. As their little company numbered only eleven, they knew that they would be powerless before a strong force of their enemies. Aware that the unexpected emergency demanded quick action, they held a hurried council to decide what should be done. They saw many difficulties. In the first place they realized that if they rode directly toward the ponies they might drive them toward their foes. Still, to circle around behind the herd it would be necessary to approach close to their enemies. Then, too, the Sioux knew that if they succeeded in running off the ponies they would probably be followed by a strong force of their foes. As the ponies were already fatigued from their strenuous exertions, another long race might cause them to collapse.
"It will be hard to get them away if our enemies try to stop us," Running Dog said, gloomily.
As he spoke the horsemen suddenly disappeared from the ridge. The Sioux looked at one another in alarm. They felt certain that one of the scouts had gone to warn his people, while the other concealed himself to watch. Sun Bird realized that it was time to act. Delay might prove fatal.
"Come, my brothers, we must do something," cried the bold young war leader. "I am going tocircle around behind those ponies. I will ask Lean Wolf to go with me. The rest of you must hide behind this hill until we drive the ponies to you. If our enemies come after us do not wait to help us. Go to our brothers and help them drive away those ponies. Send some one ahead of you to bring back the war party. Come, Lean Wolf, we will go."
They were gone before their friends found time to reply. Moving boldly down the ridge, the daring scouts turned sharply toward the north and rode away at top speed. Their companions concealed themselves below the crest of the slope and watched them with anxious eyes. They believed that they were rushing into great peril and they had grave fears for their safety.
"I do not feel good about this thing," Little Raven said, uneasily. "Perhaps those people over there are trying to fool us. Perhaps they are waiting until our brothers come close. Then they will come over the top of that hill and kill them."
"Sun Bird is a good war leader. Lean Wolf is a great scout. They are sharp. Their ponies are fast. I do not believe they will let those people catch them," Feather Dog replied, reassuringly.
Sun Bird and Lean Wolf rode many arrowflights toward the north before they finally swerved to the west. Some of the ponies were watching them, but as yet showed no inclination to run. The Sioux felt much relieved. They had feared that the nervous beasts might take fright at sight of them and flee toward the distant ridge.
"If they keep still we will soon get behind them," Sun Bird said, hopefully.
"Watch that hill," Lean Wolf cautioned him.
"Do you see any one up there?" Sun Bird asked him.
"No, I do not see any one, but we must be cautious," replied Lean Wolf.
When they had passed the ponies they began to circle to come up on the other side of them. They were almost within arrow range of the ridge and they kept a sharp watch for foes. Then, as they turned to approach the ponies they heard a shout behind them. Glancing back they saw four Crow warriors racing down the slope at breakneck speed.
"Come, get the ponies running!" shouted Sun Bird as he lashed his pony into a furious sprint.
They rode madly toward the startled ponies, shouting and waving their arms to get the animals in motion. Once started, the ponies needed little urging. They had not entirely recovered fromtheir wild panic of the previous night and the fierce shouts behind them sent them racing across the plain at their best speed.
"Keep after the ponies, I will fight the Crows," Sun Bird cried, impulsively.
"No, no, you must keep going ahead!" Lean Wolf shouted, fiercely. "If the Crows come close we will fight them back. Pretty soon we will reach our brothers. Then these warriors will turn back."
He had barely ceased speaking before Little Raven and Feather Dog and Many Feathers and Running Dog swept over the ridge some distance to the northward of the ponies. Yelling savagely, they raced to the assistance of their tribesmen and at sight of them the Crows stopped in confusion. The odds had suddenly turned against them and they lost courage. They turned and raced away before the Sioux got within bowshot of them. The Sioux made no attempt to overtake them. Their one thought was to get away with the ponies before a stronger force of their foes came upon them.
"We have driven away our enemies, now we must run off the ponies," cried Sun Bird.
"Yes, we must keep going," said Lean Wolf.
They drove the ponies over the ridges and ran them toward Falling Eagle and the warriors whowere waiting with the other horses. Then Little Raven and Many Feathers hid below the top of the ridge to watch for the Crows.
The Sioux knew that the Crow village was somewhere in the vicinity and they had little doubt that a strong force of those foes would soon set out in pursuit of them. However, they hoped to gain a sufficient lead to make it impossible for the Crows to overtake them before nightfall. Then they believed the Crows would abandon the chase.
When they reached Falling Eagle and his companions the Sioux turned directly toward the south and drove the ponies across the plain at top speed. They hoped to reach the deep ravine in which they had hidden from the Crows and the Blackfeet.
"Perhaps the Crows took us for Blackfeet," suggested Running Dog. "Perhaps they will go the other way to find us."
"No, I do not believe it," said Lean Wolf. "Those warriors came close. I believe they know we are Dacotahs."
For some time they kept the ponies running at their best speed and then as they saw nothing of their foes they gradually slackened the pace. For the balance of the day they rode over the plain at an easy canter and shortly before dark they camein sight of the abandoned stream bed. Their spirits revived at sight of it. They believed that even if the Crows should overtake them it would be possible to hold them off until scouts found White Otter and the war party and brought them to the ravine.
"I do not believe the Crows can catch us now," said Sun Bird, as they drove the tired ponies into the ravine.
"We can make a big fight in this place," Lean Wolf told him.
As night fell Feather Dog followed the ravine toward the west to listen for the approach of the Crows. Soon after he had gone Little Raven and Many Feathers arrived. Their ponies showed the effects of fast riding.
"Tell us what you have seen," said Sun Bird.
"The Crows are coming," declared Little Raven. "It is a big war party. Those scouts tried to follow you, but we drove them back. We did that many times. Then the war party came and we ran away. The Crows are coming straight ahead. We rode fast to keep ahead of them. Pretty soon they will be here."
"Well, there will be many against us, but we must get ready to fight," Lean Wolf said, fearlessly.
"No, my brother, I believe that would be foolish," Sun Bird told him. "The Crows are too strong for us. I am going to fool them. I will tell you how to do it. I am going to ask Running Dog and Falling Eagle and Brave Bear and Two Elks and Many Feathers and Broken Hand and Mad Bull to ride away with the ponies. I will make Running Dog the leader. At first you must turn toward the-place-where-day-begins. Then you must circle back and go toward our village. Pretty soon you will find our brothers. Then you must stop. When you go away the rest of us will stay here to fool the Crows. When they come close we will ride out and make a great noise. Then we will ride toward the mountains. We will keep shouting as if we are driving ponies. The Crows will follow us. Then we will circle around and fool them. I will ask Lean Wolf and Little Raven and Feather Dog to help me do this thing. Come, my brothers, drive away the ponies."
"Hi, that is a great thing to do," Lean Wolf said enthusiastically. "Yes, I believe we will fool the Crows."
As there was little time to spare, Running Dog and his companions immediately drove the ponies from the ravine and disappeared into the night. Sun Bird listened anxiously until the sounds of thehoofbeats had died away and then he turned to his comrades.
"Well, my brothers, pretty soon the Crows will come, we must be ready," he said.
A moment later Feather Dog appeared. He said that he had heard the sound of galloping ponies and had come to investigate.
"It was our brothers taking away the ponies," explained Sun Bird.
Then he acquainted Feather Dog with the details of the wily trick to fool the Crows. The famous Minneconjoux scout immediately endorsed the plan.
"It is good," he said, as his eyes twinkled merrily.
"Listen," cried Little Raven.
The Sioux immediately became silent. The hoofbeats of many ponies echoed across the plain. The Crows were galloping boldly toward the ravine. The thought filled Sun Bird with anxiety. He realized that if the bold stratagem failed, the warriors with the ponies were doomed. Once overtaken on the open plain, he felt sure they would be speedily surrounded and annihilated by the great Crow war party. He grew weak at the possibility. Then his pony called and his thoughts were diverted. The hoofbeats suddenly ceased.Having located their enemies the Crows had become cautious. The Sioux pony called again and Sun Bird made no attempt to stop it.
"It is good," he said. "The Crows will think the ponies are here. Come, ride around and make a noise."
They rode rapidly to and fro to make it appear that there were a number of ponies in the ravine. Then they suddenly swept up the side of the gully and raced across the plain. As they rode they snapped their riding quirts and yelled excitedly at imaginary ponies. Then they listened anxiously for sounds from the Crows. When they failed to hear them they gave way to despair. Sun Bird grew sick at heart. He feared that he had sent his comrades to their death.
"Perhaps the Crows are keeping quiet until they get across that gully," suggested Lean Wolf. "Perhaps they believe that some of us are waiting there to fight them back."
At that instant a shrill yell of triumph rang through the night, and a moment afterward the Sioux heard the quick, sharp hoofbeats of galloping ponies directly behind them. The Crows had been deceived. They were following blindly on the false trail. The Sioux were wild with joy. Unmindful of their own peril, they were satisfiedto know that their comrades and the ponies were safe.
"It is good! It is good!" Sun Bird cried, joyfully. "We have fooled the Crows. Now our brothers will get away with the ponies."
They continued to make a great noise, lest the Crows should suddenly discover their blunder. They rode furiously toward the west, and rejoiced in the thought that each stride of the ponies was luring their foes farther from those whom they wished to overtake. It was not long, however, before the Sioux realized that the Crows were gaining upon them. The discovery aroused them to their peril. They knew that if the Crows came up with them there would be little chance of escape.
"Come, we must ride faster," Sun Bird cried, anxiously.
They lashed the ponies into a terrific burst of speed and slowly drew away from their enemies. They knew, however, that it would be impossible to maintain the pace. They also realized that each moment was taking them farther from their course.
"Now we must try to circle around," Sun Bird told them. "Do not make any more noise."
They suddenly subsided into silence and turned sharply toward the south. Then their heartsbounded with joy as they heard the Crows blunder from the trail and continue toward the west. Having once lost them in the night, it seemed doubtful if the Crows would be able to find them before daylight.
"We have got away," Sun Bird said, confidently. "The Crows cannot find us. Pretty soon they will go back."
"Yes, I believe we are safe," replied Lean Wolf.
"Sun Bird, you have done a big thing," declared Feather Dog. "You are a great war leader. I will tell our people about it."
The Sioux laughed gleefully as they heard the Crows signaling far away toward the west. Then they turned toward the east to find their tribesmen. They rode steadily through the night and at daylight came upon the entire Minneconjoux war party at the waterhole which marked the boundary of the Minneconjoux hunting grounds. They were within a short day's travel of the great Sioux camp. The long war journey was almost at an end. Success seemed assured. The Sioux were elated.
"My brothers, we have come together again," said Sun Bird. "I see you have kept the ponies. Now we are close to our village. Pretty soon we will be with our people. It is good."
The Sioux waited until the ponies had recovered somewhat from their fatigue and then they set out for the Minneconjoux camp. They rode gayly across the plain, talking and laughing and singing their war songs. Their task had been accomplished. Their fears had vanished. The wearying suspense was at an end. They were eager to reach their people, for they knew that a royal welcome awaited them. The day had almost ended, however, when they finally came in sight of the Minneconjoux village.
"See, there are the lodges of our people," said Sun Bird. "Pretty soon some one will see us. We must get ready to ride into the camp."
"You are the leader, you must go ahead," said Feather Dog.
"Yes, Sun Bird must go ahead," cried the others.
"Well, I will ask Dancing Rabbit to ride withme; it will make old Spotted Face feel good to see him," Sun Bird told them. "Then White Otter must follow close behind me. He has done the biggest thing of all."
"It is good," cried the Minneconjoux.
They advanced slowly toward the camp. Sun Bird and Dancing Rabbit rode in front. White Otter followed, leading the famous black war pony, and Little Raven rode beside him. Then came Lean Wolf and Feather Dog and Sitting Eagle and Running Dog and all the famous scouts. Behind them followed the great herd of ponies, surrounded by the balance of the war party.
The Minneconjoux soon discovered the approaching horsemen and rushed from the camp in great excitement. As they recognized the riders and saw the great herd of ponies they were thrown into an ecstasy of joy. They gathered at the edge of the camp, singing and dancing and calling out the names of the warriors who had gone to fight the Blackfeet.
"See, see, the great war party is coming!" they cried. "They are bringing many ponies."
The war party raised their voices in the piercing Dacotah war cry. It echoed triumphantly across the plain and threw the camp into a tumult. Then the Minneconjoux suddenly recognizedDancing Rabbit. Men, women and children began to call his name.
"Our brothers have brought back Dancing Rabbit!" they shouted. "See, Dancing Rabbit has come back to us! Look, Spotted Face, your grandson is alive! He is coming to your lodge."
The aged warrior shaded his eyes with his hand and looked eagerly across the plain. He was trembling with anxiety. The Minneconjoux waited for him to speak.
"Yes, my friends, it is Dancing Rabbit," he said, finally. "Wakantunka, the Great Mystery, has sent him back to me. It is good."
A moment afterward the Minneconjoux discovered the black war pony. The sight of it astonished them into silence. They looked upon it with wild, inquiring eyes. Had they been mistaken? Could it really be the famous war pony of the great chief Many Buffaloes?
"Yes, yes, it is the great black war pony!" Rain Crow cried, excitedly. "White Otter, my son, has brought it to our camp."
When the war party came within bow range they stopped and waited while a delegation of noted warriors rode out to escort them to the camp. At the same time a company of youths racedeagerly across the plain to take charge of the ponies.
Then the war party rode triumphantly into the village, singing their war songs and calling the names of the warriors who had been killed by the Blackfeet. As each missing warrior was mentioned his people began to mourn and cry out dismally in their grief. However, as his companions extolled his bravery the mourners stifled their sobs and thrilled with pride at his noble sacrifice.
"A warrior must be ready to die," said Pretty Star, the mother of Proud Hawk. "My son was very brave. They are calling his name. He did a great thing for his people. It is enough."
As the victorious warriors paraded through the village the people gathered eagerly about White Otter and the famous black war pony. Many of the old men and boys ran forward and struck the Blackfeet pony with their hands to count a coup against their foes. When he reached the center of the camp White Otter stopped and tied the Blackfeet pony before the lodge of Curly Horse, the Minneconjoux war chief.
"See, White Otter has given the black war pony to Curly Horse," said the Minneconjoux. "It is a great thing to do."
Curly Horse and the great men of the tribe had assembled before the medicine lodge to greet the war party. When the warriors lined up before him the famous chief stepped forward to address them.
"I will call Sun Bird and White Otter to come and stand before me," said Curly Horse. "My brothers, both of you are young men, but you have done big things. Sun Bird, you are the leader of this war party. You have done what you set out to do. You have brought back the ponies that the Blackfeet took away. It was a hard thing to do. White Otter, you are a great chief. You have done many big things. Now you have done the biggest thing of all. I see that you have tied that great pony in front of my lodge. It makes me feel good. But I will not take it. You must take it to your people. Now I will speak to those brave warriors who went with you. My brothers, you have done a big thing. You were very brave. Now I will ask Rain Crow to give you some words."
"My friends, you have done a great thing for your people," said Rain Crow, the Medicine Man. "Now we have many ponies. Some of them were Blackfeet ponies. It is good. Sun Bird, you are my son. Little Raven, you are my son. WhiteOtter, I have called you my son. All three of you were very brave. It makes me feel big. White Otter, you have done the biggest thing of all. Our people will talk about it a long time. I have finished."
When Rain Crow ceased speaking the Minneconjoux cried out for Sun Bird to talk to them.
"Well, my people, you have asked me to give you some words," said Sun Bird. "First I will tell you about White Otter. He was very brave. He went into the Blackfeet camp. He fought back many Blackfeet. He rode after the great chief Many Buffaloes and caught up with him. Then he knocked him on the head and ran off with his pony. He has brought it here. Now I will tell you about Little Raven. He was very brave. He went with White Otter to the Blackfeet camp. He fought many Blackfeet. Now I will tell you about all these great warriors that you see standing here. They were very brave. Lean Wolf fought four Blackfeet warriors and killed all of them. Sitting Eagle ran off the ponies. Feather Dog did some great things. Running Dog found our enemies. All of these brave warriors fought hard to bring the ponies here. Now I have told you about it."
"White Otter! White Otter!" shouted theMinneconjoux. "Come, White Otter, give us some words."
The Ogalala received a stirring ovation. It was some time before he was able to speak.
"My brothers, I have not many words to give you," he said, modestly. "I will tell you that Sun Bird is a great war leader. He told us what to do. I will tell you that the Minneconjoux are very brave. I will tell my people about them. I will tell you that the Dacotah ponies can run. Curly Horse gave me that great pony that I rode to the Blackfeet camp. It is very fast. That is how I caught Many Buffaloes. I believe Rain Crow must have had something to do with it. He is a great Medicine Person. I believe he helped me to do this thing. Now I will speak to your great chief Curly Horse. Curly Horse, I have tied that black pony in front of your lodge. It must stay there. You gave me a great pony to ride to the Blackfeet camp. I will keep it. Now I will give you that great Blackfeet pony. You must keep it. Rain Crow, you have called me your son. Well, my father, I have brought you a fast spotted pony. I took it from the Flatheads. Now I will not talk anymore."
"White Otter, I see that you have a good heart," said Curly Horse. "I will listen to your words,I will keep that great war pony. I feel big to own that pony."
When it grew dark the Minneconjoux lighted a great fire and assembled about it to celebrate the success of the war party. They spent the entire night dancing and singing and telling of the great exploits performed by the men who had gone to the Blackfeet camp.