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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/36210-8.txt b/36210-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dd0098c --- /dev/null +++ b/36210-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6388 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Three Sioux Scouts, by Elmer Russell Gregor + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Three Sioux Scouts + +Author: Elmer Russell Gregor + +Release Date: May 25, 2011 [EBook #36210] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE SIOUX SCOUTS *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Josephine Paolucci and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + +[Illustration: HE SHOT HIS ARROW [page 106]] + + + + +THREE SIOUX SCOUTS + +BY + +ELMER RUSSELL GREGOR + +AUTHOR OF "THE WAR TRAIL," +"SPOTTED DEER," "THE WHITE WOLF," +"RUNNING FOX," "WHITE OTTER," ETC. + + +D. APPLETON AND COMPANY +NEW YORK :: 1924 :: LONDON + +COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY +D. APPLETON AND COMPANY + +PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER PAGE + +I. WATCHING FOR BUFFALOES 1 + +II. MYSTERIOUS SIGNALS 11 + +III. OLD ENEMIES 23 + +IV. TRAILING A WAR PARTY 39 + +V. OFF TO WARN THE CHEYENNES 53 + +VI. A PERILOUS MISSION 64 + +VII. RED DOG'S STRATAGEM 74 + +VIII. THE ATTACK ON THE CAMP 88 + +IX. PAWNEES 100 + +X. A DESPERATE CHASE 113 + +XI. A NIGHT OF SURPRISES 124 + +XII. FRIENDS 137 + +XIII. THE ABANDONED CAMP 149 + +XIV. IN PURSUIT OF THE KIOWAS 162 + +XV. DARING SCOUTS 176 + +XVI. A THRILLING RESCUE 187 + +XVII. DISASTER 205 + +XVIII. REËNFORCEMENTS 218 + +XIX. THE PAWNEES AT BAY 230 + +XX. A HARD WON VICTORY 242 + + + + +THREE SIOUX SCOUTS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +WATCHING FOR BUFFALOES + + +White Otter, the famous young war chief of the Ogalala Sioux, and his +friends Sun Bird and Little Raven, of the Minneconjoux tribe, were +searching the plains for buffaloes. It was early spring, the time of +The-new-grass-moon, and the Sioux were expecting the great buffalo +herds on their migration northward from the winter feeding grounds. + +"Pretty soon Ta-tan-ka will come--then we will have some good days and +plenty of meat," White Otter told his friends. "Yellow Horse is +singing the Medicine Songs to bring the buffaloes. They will come." + +"My father does that," said Sun Bird. "I have seen him do it many +times." + +"Your father is a great Medicine Person, like Yellow Horse," declared +White Otter. + +Although the villages of the Ogalalas and the Minneconjoux were many +days' travel apart, the young warriors visited one another with +considerable frequency. The year previous White Otter had accompanied +the Minneconjoux on a great war expedition against the Blackfeet. Now +Sun Bird and his brother, Little Raven, had come to the Ogalala +village to participate in the spring buffalo hunt. + +The three young scouts made an impressive appearance as they cantered +across the plain on their speedy little hunting ponies. White Otter +was tall and lithe. Sun Bird was considerably shorter, and heavier in +physique. Little Raven was younger and less matured in face and +stature. All showed the characteristics of the Dacotah warrior. They +were fearless, cautious and crafty. Each had proved his courage and +skill in a number of thrilling exploits, and despite their +youthfulness all three were famous warriors. They wore the simple +dress of the hunter, which consisted of moccasins, and buckskin +leggins reaching to the thighs. They were naked above the waist. Their +hair was worn in two braids wrapped with fur. White Otter and Sun +Bird, as chiefs of their respective tribes, were entitled to wear the +coveted war bonnet of eagle plumes. Both had left it off to be as +inconspicuous as possible in their search for game. White Otter, +however, wore a single eagle feather in his scalp lock. They were +armed with bows and arrows and flint hunting knives. White Otter and +Sun Bird carried fire sticks. Each was provided with a robe of elkskin +which was folded beneath him, across the back of his pony. + +For two days they had searched the plains to the southward of the +Ogalala camp. They had seen nothing, however, to indicate the approach +of the great buffalo herds. Still they felt certain that it would be +only a day or so until the buffaloes appeared. + +"When we see them we will ride fast and tell my people," said White +Otter. + +"Yes, yes, we will be the first to tell about it," Little Raven +declared, enthusiastically. + +They were a considerable distance from the Ogalala village, and as the +third day drew toward its close they began to wonder if it might not +be foolhardy to venture farther to the southward. They knew that there +was a possibility of encountering both the Kiowas and the Pawnees in +that direction, and the Utes from the west and even their hated foes, +the Crows, sometimes moved down into that disputed territory. The +Sioux realized, therefore, that they were exposing themselves to +considerable danger. + +"We have come a long ways--we must watch out," White Otter cautioned. + +"It is true," agreed Sun Bird. "The Pawnees travel in this country. +Perhaps they are looking around for buffaloes. We must be cautious." + +They had stopped at a little grove of cottonwoods, which offered feed +and water for the ponies. As the day had almost ended, they were +tempted to spend the night at that spot. White Otter, however, decided +against it. + +"It would be foolish," he declared. "Our enemies know about this +place. Perhaps they will come here when it gets dark. We must ride +away." + +"It is the best thing to do," said Sun Bird. + +They loitered until the ponies had finished feeding, and then they +prepared to ride away. At that moment a small band of antelopes +suddenly appeared on the crest of a low ridge to the westward. They +had stopped, and seemed to be watching something on the other side of +the ridge. It was evident that they had been alarmed. The Sioux became +suspicious. They watched closely. + +"Something has frightened Ta-to-ka-dan," said Sun Bird. + +"See, they are running down the ridge," Little Raven whispered, +excitedly. + +The antelopes were bounding down the slope. When they reached the +bottom they turned toward the little grove in which the Sioux had +taken shelter. The latter watched them with considerable uneasiness. + +"It is bad," declared White Otter. "Perhaps some one is peeping over +that hill. If those antelopes come close they will find out about us. +Then they will run away. If hunters are watching on that ridge they +will know that something is over here in this place. Perhaps they will +come here to find out about it." + +"It is bad," said Sun Bird. + +The antelopes were still running toward the grove. Several old bucks, +however, had stopped to look back at the ridge. The rest of the band +continued across the plain. They were running against the wind. As +they came within arrow range of the grove they suddenly stopped, and +appeared suspicious. They had caught the danger scent. + +"Ta-to-ka-dan is sharp," laughed Sun Bird. + +"The wind has told about us," said Little Raven. + +White Otter kept silent. He watched the antelopes with grave +misgivings. Their behavior alarmed him. He felt quite sure that they +would arouse the distrust of any foes who might be loitering within +sight, and tempt them to investigate the grove. The idea suggested +disturbing possibilities. + +"See, Ta-to-ka-dan is standing out there like a frightened old woman," +he said, irritably. "If our enemies are about they will come over here +to see what has frightened Ta-to-ka-dan." + +"Come, we will ride away," proposed Little Raven. + +"Wait, wait," Sun Bird cried, excitedly. "I saw something peep over +the top of that hill." + +"I see it," said Little Raven. "It looks like Ma-ya-sh, the wolf." + +They saw what appeared to be the head of a prairie wolf rising +cautiously above the top of the ridge. The buck antelopes had +discovered it, and were flashing the danger signal and stamping +nervously. + +"It is bad," White Otter said, uneasily. "Perhaps it is Ma-ya-sh, the +wolf--perhaps it is a hunter. We must watch sharp." + +As they continued to watch the ridge, the little band of antelopes +suddenly turned and bounded away toward the north. It was evident that +they had determined to avoid the grove. In a few moments the bucks +that had been watching the ridge cantered after them. + +"It is good," said White Otter. "Now we will find out who is over +there on that hill. If it is Ma-ya-sh and his people they will go +away. If it is our enemies they will keep watching this place." + +"Something is watching," Sun Bird told him. + +The head of the mysterious prowler still showed above the ridge. It +was boldly outlined against the fading sunset sky. It appeared to be +the head of Ma-ya-sh, the prairie wolf. The Sioux distinctly saw the +long, lean snout, and the pointed ears of Ma-ya-sh. Still they were +suspicious. They knew that scouts often covered themselves with the +skin of Ma-ya-sh to creep up on game, and also to spy upon their foes +without arousing distrust. + +"I do not believe it is Ma-ya-sh," White Otter declared, finally. "It +keeps too still. Ma-ya-sh would move around. I believe it is a +hunter." + +"We will watch," said Sun Bird. + +"Look, look, there is another!" cried Little Raven. + +A second head had suddenly appeared. It, too, seemed to be the head of +a prairie wolf. The Sioux, however, were doubtful. If the distant +objects really were wolves, their actions were most unusual. They were +careful to keep themselves well concealed behind the ridge, and as the +antelopes were a considerable distance to the northward, it was +evident that the mysterious creatures were watching the grove. The +Sioux were concealed in the timber, and there was no possibility of +being seen. They determined to watch, therefore, until the strange +objects on the ridge either showed themselves or disappeared. In a few +moments one withdrew from sight. + +"That is bad," said White Otter. "Now I believe they are scouts. +Perhaps one has gone away to call the hunters. We must watch out." + +Daylight was fading. Twilight was settling upon the plain. The Sioux +found it difficult to distinguish the remaining object on the ridge. +They felt considerably relieved to know that night was close at hand. + +"Pretty soon it will be dark," said White Otter. "Then we will ride +away." + +They waited impatiently for nightfall. Their one fear was that a +company of foes might ride toward the grove before darkness made it +possible to withdraw without being seen. They had little fear of being +caught, but they were anxious to avoid being discovered. Once seen, +they realized that it might be perilous to loiter in the vicinity, and +they were eager to remain until they found the buffalo herd. They +watched closely until night finally came. Then they mounted their +ponies and rode from the grove. + +"Well, White Otter, how do you feel about it?" Little Raven inquired, +as they rode cautiously toward the east. + +"I believe we are in danger," White Otter told him. + +They continued across the plain until they came to a shallow ravine, +which they had passed on their way to the grove. White Otter advised +stopping there until daylight. + +"This is a good place," he said. "We will wait here and listen." + +They picketed the ponies in the bottom of the gully, and then they +crawled to the plain to watch and listen. It was a long time before +they heard anything to arouse their suspicions. Then they heard the +dreary wail of a prairie wolf, in the direction of the grove. Although +it sounded natural, the Sioux distrusted it. Twice it rose shrilly +through the night, and then it ceased. They were almost certain that +it had been a signal. They listened anxiously for an answer from the +ridge. The silence, however, continued. + +"I believe it was a scout," said White Otter. "Perhaps he was calling +his people." + +"Perhaps we will hear the ponies," suggested Little Raven. + +"We are too far off," White Otter told him. "Those people will ride +easy." + +"Perhaps it was only Ma-ya-sh," said Sun Bird. "Perhaps he went there +to drink." + +"Yes, it may be true, but I believe it was some one different," +replied White Otter. "We are in the country of our enemies. We must be +sharp." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +MYSTERIOUS SIGNALS + + +Fearful that a company of foes might have taken shelter in the little +grove of cottonwoods, the Sioux determined to take every precaution +against a sudden attack. While Little Raven remained in the ravine +with the ponies, White Otter and Sun Bird seated themselves upon the +plain to listen for sounds from the grove. All was still. They began +to wonder if they had been needlessly alarmed. At that moment one of +the ponies whinnied softly. White Otter and Sun Bird scrambled wildly +into the gully. Little Raven had already seized the pony and turned +its head out of the wind. The other ponies also seemed restless and +nervous, and White Otter and Sun Bird attempted to quiet them. + +"It is bad," White Otter said, softly. "I believe some one is riding +this way." + +The thought was startling. The Sioux stood beside their ponies, +listening uneasily. One question flashed through the mind of each of +them. Were enemies approaching stealthily under cover of the +darkness? They heard nothing to give them a clew. Many moments passed. +The silence increased their suspense. They believed they were in +peril. It seemed folly to loiter in the ravine. + +"Come, we will go," whispered White Otter. + +They mounted the ponies and rode from the ravine. Once on the plain, +they stopped for a moment to listen. Then the pony again attempted to +call, but Little Raven silenced it with his riding quirt. The warning +was significant. The Sioux believed that strange horses were close at +hand. They turned their ponies and rode silently away into the night. +It was some time before they ventured to speak. + +"Well, my brothers, I believe Ma-ya-sh came to find us," White Otter +laughed, softly, when they were beyond earshot of the ravine. + +"Yes, White Otter, I believe your words were true; I believe scouts +were peeping over that ridge," Sun Bird told him. + +"Do you believe they saw us?" Little Raven asked, anxiously. + +"No," replied White Otter. "Perhaps they found out about our ponies." + +Although they realized that it might be perilous to linger in the +vicinity, the Sioux determined to remain within sight of the grove +until they learned if their suspicions were real. When they reached a +low ridge, a considerable distance to the eastward, they decided to +stop and wait for daylight. + +"See, pretty soon it will be light," said Sun Bird. "Then we will find +out if there is any one over there in that place." + +When the night shadows finally lifted from the plain, White Otter and +Sun Bird concealed themselves below the crest of the ridge to watch, +while Little Raven waited at the base of the slope with the ponies. +The grove was in plain sight, and the Sioux watched expectantly. + +"If there are hunters over there, pretty soon they will ride out to +look for buffaloes," said Sun Bird. + +"Perhaps they are watching," White Otter reminded him. + +A few moments later they saw two horsemen ride from the grove, and +turn toward the ravine. They rode across the plain at an easy canter, +and showed little caution. As they drew near the ravine, however, they +became more careful. Once within arrow range, they stopped, and it +was apparent that they were watching the top of the gully. Then they +rode slowly forward. + +"Those are the scouts that peeped over that hill," declared White +Otter. "I believe they are trying to find out about us." + +The horsemen had disappeared into the ravine. The Sioux had been +unable to identify them. They felt certain that the strangers would +soon find the pony tracks. The idea alarmed them. + +"Perhaps they will follow us," suggested Sun Bird. + +"Watch," said White Otter. + +The horsemen had suddenly appeared. They had crossed the ravine, and +were riding slowly over the plain. The Sioux knew at once that they +were looking for pony tracks. It was not long before they found them. +They followed the trail a bowshot or more, and then they stopped. They +were looking directly toward the ridge. The Sioux watched them in +breathless suspense. They were straining their eyes to identify them, +but the distance made it impossible. + +"I cannot tell who they are," declared White Otter. "Can you tell +about it?" + +"No; they are too far away," Sun Bird told him. "Perhaps they will +come closer." + +"I believe they are talking about it," said White Otter. + +At that moment the horsemen turned their ponies, and galloped off +toward the west. They crossed the ravine, and rode toward the grove. +They passed it, however, and continued toward the ridge farther to the +westward. It was not long before, they disappeared. + +"It is bad," declared White Otter. "Now we do not know who they are." + +"Well, we know that our enemies are in this place," Sun Bird told him. +"Now it will be useless to look for the buffaloes. If Ta-tan-ka comes, +those scouts will tell their people about it. Yes, I believe they are +looking for buffaloes." + +"My brother, I feel different about it," said White Otter. "Perhaps +those scouts are with a war party. Perhaps they are Pawnees. Perhaps +they are going to fight my people. I must find out about it." + +Sun Bird remained silent. It was not the part of a warrior to ask +questions. He waited for White Otter to explain his plans. + +"Now I will tell you what I propose to do," White Otter told him. "We +must stay here and watch. Perhaps those scouts are trying to fool us. +Perhaps they are trying to make us believe they have gone away. I +believe they are peeping over that hill." + +"Well, they will not catch us," laughed Sun Bird. + +While White Otter continued to watch, Sun Bird crept down the slope to +tell Little Raven about the two mysterious horsemen. The ridge to the +westward was far away, and White Otter knew that it would be +impossible to discover any one who might be hiding there. He had +little doubt that at least one of the unknown riders had stopped to +watch the plain. + +"Did you see anything?" Sun Bird inquired anxiously, when he returned. + +"No, I did not see anything, but I believe some one is watching over +there on that hill," White Otter told him. + +"Then we must be cautious," said Sun Bird. + +They watched until the day was half gone, and then, having seen +nothing to indicate that foes were loitering in the vicinity, they +began to feel somewhat reassured. They wondered if the two horsemen +might not have been stray hunters who had been led to the grove by the +antelopes. Having found the fresh pony tracks, they might have feared +to loiter in the locality. In spite of the possibility, however, the +Sioux resolved to take no chances. + +"We will keep watching," declared White Otter. + +Soon afterward their patience was rewarded when they saw what appeared +to be a cloud of dust or smoke rising behind the distant ridge. They +watched it with great interest. For some time it puzzled them. It was +faint and indistinct, and they wondered if it was dust raised by the +hoofs of buffaloes or ponies. Then they noted that it seemed to rise +intermittently in puffs, and continued in one particular spot. + +"So-ta, smoke," White Otter said, finally. + +"Yes, yes, it is smoke," agreed Sun Bird. + +"Those scouts are calling their people," declared White Otter. "I +believe it is a war party." + +"We will see," said Sun Bird. + +In a short time the smoke faded from the sky. The Sioux felt sure that +the signal had been seen by those for whom it was intended. They had +little doubt that a company of horsemen were riding across the plain +on the other side of the ridge. + +"It is bad," said White Otter. "Those scouts found pony tracks at the +place where the trees grow. They followed them to that gully. They +found them coming this way. Then they were afraid, and went to call +their people. I believe they will try to find out about us." + +"Well, my brother, they are a long ways off," Sun Bird reminded him. +"We can keep away from them." + +"We must stay here and watch," declared White Otter. "Perhaps it is a +big war party of Pawnees. Perhaps they are going to fight my people. I +believe something bad will come of it." + +"We will keep watching until we find out about it," Sun Bird assured +him. + +As time passed and they saw nothing more, White Otter became uneasy. A +disquieting possibility had suddenly presented itself to his mind. It +filled him with distrust, and awakened fears for the safety of his +people. + +"I do not like this thing," he told Sun Bird. "That ridge goes a long +ways. We cannot see over it. Perhaps a war party is riding along +behind that hill. Perhaps they are going to the lodges of my people. I +would like to look over that hill, and find out about it." + +"You must not try to do that," Sun Bird cautioned him. "It would be +foolish. I believe scouts are watching over there. If we show +ourselves they will come after us." + +White Otter remained silent. He was worried and perplexed. He believed +that what Sun Bird had said was true. Still he knew that if a war +party of foes was moving against the Ogalala camp it was his duty to +learn of it, and carry a warning to his people. For the moment, +however, he saw no way of accomplishing it. The ridge from which he +was watching was parallel with the ridge to the westward, and there +was a wide expanse of open plain between them. To reach the other +ridge it would be necessary to ride out in full sight of any foes who +might be watching from concealment. White Otter realized that such a +maneuver would be foolhardy. He decided that it would be impossible to +do anything before nightfall. + +"Yes, my brother, I see that what you say is true," he said, finally. +"The lodges of my people are three sun's travel away. It is a long +ways. A war party travels slow so that the ponies will be fresh when +the fight begins. There is only one thing to do. We must keep watching +until it gets dark. Then we will ride over that hill, and try to find +out about those people." + +"I believe it is the best thing to do," said Sun Bird. + +Late in the day, however, they saw something which convinced them that +the two horsemen had been part of a clever stratagem to deceive any +one who had been watching. An eagle suddenly appeared high over the +plain, and flew toward the grove of cottonwoods. It was evident that +the bird intended to alight in the timber. The Sioux watched closely. +Once above the grove, the eagle set its wings and dropped toward the +trees. Then, as it got nearer, it rose and circled far out over the +plain. The Sioux were quick to understand the significance of the +maneuver. + +"Hi, Hu-ya saw something down there among the trees," White Otter +cried, excitedly. + +"Yes, I believe there is something over there in that place," said Sun +Bird. + +"I believe scouts are hiding there," declared White Otter. "Hu-ya has +told us about them. It is good." + +They watched the grove with new interest. They knew that Hu-ya, the +great war bird, was not likely to be frightened by Ma-ya-sh, the +prairie wolf, nor Ta-to-ka-dan, the antelope, nor even by great +Ma-to-ho-ta, the bear. They felt quite certain, therefore, that Hu-ya +had discovered other enemies in the grove. + +"Perhaps a war party is hiding over there," said Sun Bird. "Perhaps +they found out about the ponies. Perhaps they sent those scouts to +fool us." + +"I do not believe a war party is hiding in that place," White Otter +told him. "A war party would go away while it was dark." + +"Yes, I believe that is true," agreed Sun Bird. + +The Sioux were perplexed. Although the actions of Hu-ya, the war bird, +led them to believe that the grove concealed some of their foes, they +were unable to guess why the latter had loitered in the timber. While +they were trying to solve the mystery they saw another smoke signal +rising behind the ridge. It appeared in the place where they had +discovered the other signal. The smoke column was light and +indistinct, and soon broke into intermittent puffs. In a few moments +it ceased. + +"Now I know that some one is hiding over there where the trees grow," +declared White Otter. "I believe they are scouts. I believe they +found out about the ponies. It made them cautious. I believe those +riders went to bring the war party. I believe, they will come to that +place when it gets dark. We must watch out." + +"I believe they are Pawnees," said Sun Bird. + +"I do not know who they are, but I am going to find out about it," +White Otter told him. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +OLD ENEMIES + + +They watched until the grove finally faded out in the twilight. Then +they listened for sounds which might warn them of the arrival of a war +party. It was barely dark when they heard signals passing across the +plain. The cry of Ma-ya-sh sounded faintly from the west. It scarcely +died away before an answer rose from the vicinity of the grove. + +"The war party is coming," said Sun Bird. + +"Listen!" cautioned White Otter. + +They listened closely. Many moments passed. The stillness was +unbroken. + +"What was it?" inquired Sun Bird. + +"I heard something, far away," White Otter told him. "It sounded like +a pony. I believe some one stopped the noise." + +As time passed and they heard nothing further, they felt sure that a +company of foes had arrived at the grove. The thought made them +uneasy. They feared that the two scouts would be sure to tell their +companions about the pony tracks which crossed the ravine and led +away toward the east. The Sioux recalled that the mysterious riders +had spent some time looking toward the ridge. + +"Perhaps they know we are here," said Sun Bird. + +"Yes, I believe that is why they went away," replied White Otter. "I +believe they went to tell their people about it. Their friends waited +behind those trees to see if any one came over to this place." + +"Well, they did not see us," said Sun Bird. + +"No, they could not see us, but perhaps they know some one is watching +them," White Otter told him. "Perhaps scouts will ride over here to +find out about it. I believe scouts were close by when we were hiding +over there in that gully. Now they will come to this hill. It would be +foolish to stay here." + +"Well, my brother, what do you propose to do?" inquired Sun Bird. + +"I propose to find out about those people," replied White Otter. + +"How can you do that?" + +"Come, we will go to Little Raven," said White Otter. "Then I will +tell you about it." + +They crossed back over the ridge, and found Little Raven waiting with +the ponies. He said he had seen nothing but a stray antelope on that +side of the ridge. + +"My brothers, you must listen sharp to what I am about to tell you," +said White Otter. "I believe a war party is hiding over there where +those trees grow. I do not know who it is. That is bad. Perhaps it is +the Pawnees. The Pawnees are our enemies. Once they came to our +village and did much harm. Perhaps they are going again to make war on +my people. It is true that we came here to look for buffaloes. Well, +we found something different. We are Dacotahs. We must find out who is +over there. We must try to find out where they are going. Then we will +know what to do. Perhaps we will do a big thing for my people." + +White Otter paused and waited for his companions to speak. Many +moments passed before Sun Bird finally replied. + +"My brother, your words are good," he said. "You are a great war +chief. You are the leader. Come, tell us what you propose to do." + +"My brothers, I am going over there where the trees grow to find out +who is there," declared White Otter. "Now listen sharp. There is only +one way to do this thing. I believe scouts will come to this place. If +we cross over this hill and go straight ahead we will meet them. We +must not do that. I will tell you what to do. That gully where we hid +ourselves goes a long ways toward the lodges of my people. It is good. +We will follow this ridge that way. When we get past those trees, we +will cross this ridge and ride over to that gully. Those people will +go the other way to look for us. They will follow the tracks of our +ponies. When we get to that gully we will listen. If we do not hear +anything, I will go ahead and creep up to those trees. Perhaps I will +find out who is there." + +"You are very brave, but you must not go there alone," said Sun Bird. +"You will be in great danger. I will go with you." + +"No, you must not do that," White Otter told him. "You must stay +behind and help Little Raven with the ponies. Then if anything bad +happens to me, perhaps you can help me. It is the best way to do. +Come, my brothers, we will go away before those scouts come over here +and find us." + +They rode northward along the base of the ridge. They went a long +distance before White Otter finally turned toward the west. Then they +rode to the top of the ridge, and stopped to listen. All was still. +Darkness hid the grove. They knew that the ravine was directly ahead +of them, and they advanced cautiously toward the west. + +"Perhaps the ponies will call," Little Raven suggested, uneasily. + +"We must be ready," White Otter cautioned him. + +They rode across the plain in silence, alert for the first warning of +danger. They realized that at any moment they might encounter scouts +moving cautiously through the night along the flank of an advancing +war party. When they finally reached the ravine, the night was far +gone. White Otter and Sun Bird immediately dismounted, and climbed to +the top of the ravine. They looked anxiously in the direction of the +grove. It was hidden far away in the darkness. They watched for the +tell-tale glow of a fire, but had little hope of seeing it. + +"No, those people are not so foolish," declared White Otter. + +"Well, my brother, if there is no fire it will be hard to see who they +are," Sun Bird told him. + +"Perhaps my ears will tell me that," replied White Otter. "I know the +words of the Pawnees. I know the words of the Crows. I know the words +of the Kiowas. I will get close to that place and listen sharp." + +"White Otter, I believe it would be foolish to go over there," said +Sun Bird. "If you will listen to my words, I will tell you something +better." + +"You are my brother, and you are a chief of the brave Minneconjoux--I +will listen to your words," agreed White Otter. + +"It is good," declared Sun Bird. "Now I will tell you how I feel about +this thing. We are in a good place. Those people cannot see us when it +gets light. You say perhaps those people are Pawnees. It may be true. +You say perhaps they are going to fight your people. It may be true. +You say it makes you feel bad. You say we must find out about it. It +is true. I will tell you the best thing to do. We will stay here until +the light comes. Then we will watch close. If any one comes away from +that place we will see them. If they travel toward the lodges of your +people they will go by this place. Then we will follow them. We will +get close and find out who they are. If they go the other way, we will +let them ride away. My brother, I believe it is the best thing to +do." + +White Otter kept silent. He was studying the plan of Sun Bird. The +latter waited patiently for him to reply. It was some time before +White Otter spoke. + +"Sun Bird, I have listened to your words, but I will not do as you +propose," he said, finally. "You say if those people are going to the +lodges of my people they will pass this place. Perhaps they have +passed by here in the darkness. If we wait here until the light comes +perhaps it will be too late to help my people. My brother, I must find +out about it. I am going to do what I told you about." + +"Well, you are the leader," Sun Bird told him. "I will not talk any +more against it." + +"It is good," replied White Otter. + +A few moments afterward he disappeared into the night. Choosing a star +to guide him in the proper direction, he loped across the plain as +easily and as silently as Ma-ya-sh, the wolf. Aware that there was a +possibility of blundering into his foes, he stopped many times to +listen. The great plain was steeped in silence. He believed that the +strangers had remained in the grove. The thought somewhat relieved +his anxiety for his people. He had little fear for himself. Having +passed through many thrilling adventures, he had learned to look upon +danger and death with the stolid indifference of the seasoned warrior. + +White Otter had gone a long distance from the ravine when he suddenly +heard the long, dismal wail of a prairie wolf rising through the +night. The cry had sounded somewhere near the ridge upon which the +Sioux had passed the day. White Otter smiled as he realized that his +prophecy about the scouts had been verified. + +"They did not find us," he murmured. + +As the call was not repeated, he continued toward the grove. He +believed that the scouts were notifying their comrades that the +country was free of foes. White Otter found keen satisfaction in the +thought of outwitting them. He had little doubt that they were his +hated foes, the Pawnees, and he felt certain that they were on a war +expedition. + +As he approached the grove, White Otter slackened his pace and became +as alert and cautious as To-ka-la, the little gray fox. He knew that +if a war party had taken possession of the grove, sentinels had been +stationed on the plain to watch for foes. + +"Now I must be cautious," he told himself. + +Soon afterward he saw the grim, black outlines of the grove directly +ahead of him. It was a number of arrow flights away, however, and he +stopped to listen. He heard nothing. Then he advanced. Slowly, +cautiously, he moved through the darkness, listening and watching for +the sentinels who he feared were close at hand. Then he heard a pony +snort. He stopped and waited in breathless suspense. He decided that +the sound had come from the grove. He advanced still more cautiously. +When he finally came within bowshot of the trees, he suddenly realized +his peril. Alone and on foot, he knew that once discovered there would +be little chance of escape. Still he was unafraid. Familiarity with +danger had given him confidence. + +"I will get away," he kept telling himself. + +Then he suddenly heard the murmur of voices. For an instant the sound +alarmed him. He had approached nearer the grove than he had supposed. +He sank noiselessly to the plain. He lay there some time, endeavoring +to identify the speakers. It was hopeless. The voices were low and +indistinct, and he could not distinguish the words. He realized that +he must go nearer. He crept slowly forward, a bow length at a time. +Then he stopped to listen. The voices had ceased. His heart beat +wildly. An alarming possibility flashed through his mind. Had he been +discovered? It seemed impossible. He banished the thought. The +silence, however, made him suspicious. + +"Perhaps they are listening," he whispered. + +The silence continued. White Otter was perplexed. He was less than +half a bowshot from the cottonwoods. He heard the leaves trembling. He +moistened his finger, and found the direction of the breeze. It was +stirring toward the grove. He felt relieved. It seemed less likely +that he had been discovered. Still he was uneasy. The sudden hush +alarmed him. + +"Yes, they must be listening," he declared. + +A moment afterward a pony whinnied. It seemed to be on the other side +of the grove. It was answered by several ponies in the timber. Then +some one called. The signal was low and guarded. A reply came from the +grove. White Otter heard hoofbeats. Some one was riding toward the +cottonwoods. White Otter listened in trying suspense. He heard many +voices. He breathed easier. The mystery was explained. He suddenly +realized that the scouts had returned. It was the sound of their +approach that had hushed the speakers in the grove. + +"It is good," White Otter said, with great relief. + +He believed that as the scouts had failed to find evidence of foes, +the company in the grove might grow bolder. The next few moments +seemed to confirm his hopes. The strangers were talking with far less +caution. Still he was unable to catch their words. + +"I must go nearer," he said. + +He crawled carefully toward the timber, stopping after each bow length +to watch and listen. The sounds from the grove reassured him. The +warriors were talking and laughing, and apparently had little fear of +attack. The ponies, too, were making considerable noise. He heard them +stamping, and grunting and shaking themselves. However, he felt quite +certain that they were securely picketed. + +The sky was sprinkled with stars, and it was possible to see several +bow lengths through the night, but White Otter knew that it would be +impossible to penetrate the sinister black shadows which enveloped the +grove. His ears alone might tell him what he wished to know. He was +quite familiar with the words of the Pawnees, and the Crows, and had +heard the dialect of the Kiowas, and he hoped to identify the +strangers by their talk. It was a difficult and perilous undertaking, +for White Otter knew that to be successful he must approach close up +to the edge of the timber. + +The night was well advanced and he knew that there was little time to +spare. The ravine was far away, and he realized that he would be +compelled to exert himself to the utmost to reach it before daylight +betrayed him to his foes. Once discovered on the open plain there +would be little hope of escape. He determined to make his attempt +without further delay. For a moment only he hesitated, while he turned +his face toward the sky. + +"Wa-kan-tun-ka, make me strong to do this thing," he murmured. + +Then he began his perilous, stealthy advance toward the timber. + +The sounds convinced him that the strangers were assembled at the pool +in the center of the grove. He feared, however, that sharp-eared +sentinels might be lurking at the edge of the plain. Aware that the +slightest sound might betray him, he sank close to the earth and crept +forward as cautiously as a panther stalking its prey. It took many +moments to go a bow length. He had stopped behind a dense cluster of +bushes close to the edge of the timber, when he was startled by the +sound of voices within several bow lengths of him. He believed he had +encountered the sentinels. Scarcely daring to breathe, he pressed his +body against the plain and listened. The words of the speakers came +distinctly to his ears. He failed to recognize them. They were not the +words of the Pawnees. They did not sound like the words of the Crows. +The dialect seemed strange and unfamiliar. For some moments White +Otter was confused. He wondered if his ears were deceiving him. Then +he suddenly identified the peculiar accent. Several years before he +had heard it in the Kiowa camp. The mystery was solved. The people in +the grove were Kiowas. + +Having learned the identity of his foes, White Otter was equally eager +to know if it was a war party or only a company of hunters. He saw +little chance of gaining the information. Unable to see the warriors +or to understand their words, there seemed no way to guess the +intentions of the Kiowas. In the meantime the night was slipping by. +Daylight was not far off. White Otter knew that it would be perilous +to loiter. Nevertheless he waited, each moment hoping to hear +something which might tell him whether the Kiowas were out for peace +or war. At last he was rewarded. He heard sounds in the timber which +convinced him that the Kiowas were dancing, and singing their war +songs. The scouts at the edge of the grove had joined in the chant, +and White Otter seized the opportunity to retreat. + +Raising himself from the ground, he crawled slowly backward until he +had gone a bow length. Then he stopped to listen. The sounds still +came from the grove, but he heard nothing from the sentinels. Their +silence aroused his fears. Alarming possibilities suggested +themselves. Were the Kiowa sentinels listening? Had he betrayed +himself? He sank to the plain and waited. The moments seemed endless. +The uncertainty tried his courage. He was tempted to spring to his +feet, and dash wildly across the plain. He realized that the Kiowas +would soon overtake him. Then he heard the sentinels talking and +making their way into the grove. They had abandoned their vigil. His +heart filled with joy. He had accomplished his mission. The way was +open. He was free to go. + +The eastern sky was already turning gray when White Otter finally +approached the spot where he had left Sun Bird and Little Raven. He +stopped and imitated the bark of the little gray fox. Three times he +gave the signal. Then he listened for an answer. A familiar voice +sounded softly through the darkness. + +"The way is clear," said Sun Bird. + +A moment afterward White Otter joined him at the top of the ravine. +They descended into the gully to join Little Raven. + +"Well, my brothers, I have found out about those people," White Otter +told his companions. "They are Kiowas. I believe it is a war party." + +"How did you find out about it?" inquired Little Raven. + +"I went ahead until I got close to those trees," said White Otter. +"Then I crawled up behind some bushes. Then I heard some one talking. +I did not know the words. Pretty soon I found out about it. It sounded +like the Kiowas. I waited a long time. Then I heard those people +dancing and singing. Then I said: 'It is a war party.' That is all I +know about it." + +"Well, pretty soon it will be light," Sun Bird told him. "Then we will +find out what the Kiowas propose to do." + +"Yes, we must watch them until we know where they are going," said +White Otter. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +TRAILING A WAR PARTY + + +At daylight the Sioux peered anxiously toward the grove. It was some +time before the little cluster of trees emerged from the shadows. At +that moment the Kiowas appeared. + +"See, there are our enemies," said Sun Bird. + +"Watch sharp," White Otter cautioned him. + +Although the Kiowas were too far away to be counted, the Sioux saw at +once that it was a large company. They felt sure it was a war party. +The Kiowas had turned toward the north. White Otter watched them with +considerable uneasiness. + +"It is bad," he said. "There are many warriors. They are riding toward +the lodges of my people. We must follow them." + +"Yes, yes, we will follow them," declared Sun Bird. + +They watched closely as the Kiowas rode slowly across the plain. They +were a long distance to the westward of the ravine, and were moving +directly toward the north. As they drew nearer, the Sioux began to +count them. There were sixty horsemen in the company. They made an +imposing spectacle as they rode along in pairs. Even at the distance +the Sioux noted that some of the warriors in the lead wore great war +bonnets, and they knew that those men were chiefs and war leaders. +Then several riders left the column and galloped away in advance of +the company. + +"The scouts are going ahead to watch for enemies," said Sun Bird. + +"Hi, they are coming this way," cried White Otter. + +Two riders had turned toward the east, and were riding toward the +ravine. They were some distance to the southward of the Sioux, but the +latter were greatly alarmed. They felt quite certain that the crafty +scouts would follow along the top of the ravine to make sure that it +was free of foes. The Sioux were in despair. They feared that they had +run into a trap. There seemed to be no way of escape. Discovery seemed +certain. + +"They will find us!" cried Sun Bird. + +White Otter watched the horsemen in thoughtful silence. He was +searching his brain for a way out of the predicament. The scouts had +covered three-quarters of the distance to the ravine. Delay was +perilous. Roused by the thought, White Otter suddenly determined to +race away in full sight of his foes. + +"Come," he cried, as he scrambled wildly into the ravine. + +"The Kiowas are coming!" Sun Bird told Little Raven. + +"Jump on your ponies and follow me," shouted White Otter. + +They rode boldly out upon the plain, and turned toward the east. +Glancing back they saw that the Kiowas had stopped at sight of them. +The scouts made no effort to follow. + +"It is good," cried White Otter. "The Kiowas do not know what to do. +We will fool them." + +Convinced that their foes had no intention of pursuing them, the Sioux +slackened the speed of their ponies. Then, when they had gone a safe +distance, they turned to watch the perplexed Kiowas. The latter were +gathered in a close group, and appeared to be holding a council. + +"Well, we are far enough away, now we will wait here and see what +those people propose to do," said White Otter. + +"Do you believe they know who we are?" Little Raven asked him. + +"No," replied White Otter. + +A moment afterward the Kiowas resumed their advance toward the north. +The scouts had joined their comrades. White Otter was perplexed. He +had expected the war party to turn in another direction. If the Kiowas +really were bound for the Ogalala camp he believed they would attempt +to conceal their intentions. The fact that they continued boldly on +their way aroused his suspicions. + +"I do not know what to make of it," he told his companions. "If those +people are going to my village, I believe they will turn around to +fool us." + +"I do not believe they know who we are," said Sun Bird. "Perhaps they +took us for Pawnees or Cheyennes. Perhaps they do not believe we will +follow them." + +"Yes, yes, I see that what you say is true," White Otter replied, +hopefully. "They do not know who we are. I believe they take us for +Cheyenne hunters. It is good. If they keep going ahead, we will circle +around and get ahead of them. Then we will go to tell my people. When +the Kiowas come to fight us, we will be waiting for them." + +The Kiowas had urged their ponies into a canter. The scouts were +riding toward the ravine. The Sioux watched curiously. They wondered +if the Kiowas intended to ignore them. + +"It is mysterious," White Otter declared, suspiciously. "My brothers, +I believe those people are trying to fool us. We must be sharp." + +The scouts turned and rode along the top of the ravine, and the war +party continued toward the north. Sun Bird and Little Raven waited for +White Otter to announce his plans. The latter, however, remained +silent. He seemed bewildered by the unusual behavior of the Kiowas. He +was watching the two scouts. They glanced back at frequent intervals +to make sure that the Sioux were not following them. Otherwise they +showed little interest. + +"It is mysterious," White Otter said, again. "I do not know what to +make of it. Come, Sun Bird, tell me how you feel about it." + +"The Kiowas are going toward your village--it looks bad," Sun Bird +told him. + +"We must follow them," said White Otter. "Come, we will try to fool +them." + +He rode away toward the east. The two Minneconjoux asked no questions. +They looked upon him as the leader, and they were content to rely +upon his judgment. As they cantered across the plain they glanced back +at the Kiowas. The two scouts had stopped, and appeared to be looking +after them. + +"Those scouts are watching us," said Little Raven. + +"It is good," laughed White Otter. "We will fool them. Come, ride +faster." + +They galloped the ponies. Then, as they again looked back, they saw +that the war party, too, had stopped, far away to the westward. White +Otter laughed gleefully. He turned to the southward, toward the ridge +which they had left the day before. His companions believed that he +was planning some wily stratagem to deceive his foes. + +"Keep watching," cautioned White Otter. "Perhaps those scouts will +follow us." + +The Kiowas, however, showed no intention of riding after them. One of +the scouts was racing toward the war party. The Sioux believed he had +gone for instructions. They kept looking back to see what he would do +after he had talked with his companions. + +"See, see, he is riding back to that gully," cried Little Raven. +"Perhaps they are going to follow us." + +"No, I do not believe it," said Sun Bird. + +The war party was moving on toward the north. A few moments afterward +the scout rejoined his companion. Then they, too, rode northward along +the top of the ravine. It was apparent that the Kiowas had decided to +pay no further attention to the Sioux. + +"The Kiowas are sly," declared White Otter. "I cannot tell what they +propose to do. Perhaps they are going to the lodges of my people. +Perhaps they are trying to fool us. We must follow them and find out +about it." + +When the Sioux finally reached the ridge, the Kiowas had already +disappeared into a dip of the plain. Once over the ridge, White Otter +and Sun Bird left their ponies with Little Raven, and climbed the +slope to watch. They had little doubt that the crafty Kiowa scouts +were similarly employed far away to the northward. + +"Now I will tell you why I came here," said White Otter. "I do not +believe the Kiowas know who we are. I believe they take us for scouts. +Perhaps they take us for Cheyennes. The Cheyenne village is behind us. +I came this way to make them believe we were going there. When those +scouts do not see us, they will believe we have gone away. Then they +will go ahead. We will follow them." + +"It is good," Sun Bird told him. + +They had not watched long, however, before White Otter became +impatient. He realized that he was wasting valuable time. He wondered +if he had blundered. If the Kiowas really intended to go to the +Ogalala camp, he feared that he had given them a big advantage. They +were a long distance ahead of him, and he knew that it would be +necessary to ride hard to beat them to the goal. The thought shook his +confidence. He began to doubt the wisdom of his maneuver. Each moment +added to his uncertainty. He studied the plain for a way to follow the +war party without being seen. The ridge offered the only opportunity. +It extended a considerable distance toward the north, and by riding +along the east side of it he believed he might again come in sight of +his foes. + +"Come, Sun Bird, we will ride along behind this hill, and try to +follow the Kiowas," he said. + +Then Little Raven called, and when they turned they saw him pointing +excitedly toward the north. Looking across the plain, they discovered +a riderless pony running toward the west. + +"Bring up the ponies! Bring up the ponies!" White Otter called, in +alarm. + +They hurried down the ridge and met Little Raven. Then they sprang +upon the ponies, and galloped over the ridge. Once over the top, they +ran back to watch, while Little Raven took charge of the ponies. Two +horsemen had already appeared in pursuit of the runaway pony. The +Sioux realized that they had barely escaped discovery. + +"They did not see us," declared Sun Bird. + +"It is good," said White Otter. + +They watched the race with great interest. The riders soon overtook +the pony. Then they turned about and cantered away toward the east. +The Sioux looked inquiringly at one another. Who were the strange +riders? Where had they come from? Was another war party in the +vicinity? The alarming questions flashed through their minds. They +were puzzled. + +"I believe it is the Kiowas," White Otter declared, finally. "I +believe they have turned toward The-place-where-the-day-begins." + +"Then they must be trying to fool us," said Sun Bird. + +"I do not know what they are trying to do," White Otter replied, +suspiciously. + +In the meantime the distant horsemen had disappeared, and the plain +seemed free of foes. The Sioux looked toward the east. They examined +the tops of the knolls and ridges, and watched closely for dust, but +saw nothing to convince them that the war party had gone in that +direction. + +"This thing is mysterious," said Sun Bird. + +They realized that they were in an awkward predicament. They knew that +if scouts were loitering in the vicinity of the spot where they had +last seen the Kiowa war party it would be perilous to remain on the +western side of the ridge. Still, if they crossed the ridge and +attempted to advance along the other side they feared they would be +discovered by scouts watching somewhere on that side of the plain. For +some moments they were undecided as to just what to do. + +"My brothers, I will tell you how I feel about this thing," +Sun Bird said, suddenly. "If the Kiowas have turned toward +The-place-where-the-day-begins, I do not believe they are going to the +lodges of our people. If that is true, it would be foolish to follow +them. I believe there are many enemies in this country. We must not +stay here. Come, we will ride around and find out if the buffaloes +have come into this place. Then we will go back to our people." + +"Sun Bird, before we go away we must find out about this thing," White +Otter told him. "Perhaps it is true that the Kiowas are not going to +the lodges of my people. We are not sure about it. Perhaps they know +who we are. Perhaps they turned around to fool us. Perhaps if we do +not follow them they will circle around and come to the lodges of my +people. My brothers, we must find out where those Kiowas are going." + +"How can we do that?" inquired Little Raven. "A war party leaves +scouts behind. If we try to follow the Kiowas before it gets dark +those scouts will see us. If we wait until it gets dark the Kiowas +will be too far away." + +"Listen sharp, my brothers, and I will tell you how I propose to do +this thing," said White Otter. "It would be foolish to follow along +this hill. If we do that the Kiowas will see us. We will do something +different. We will cross over this hill, and ride away toward +The-place-where-the-day-begins. If the Kiowas are watching they will +say, 'Hi, those scouts were hiding behind that hill. Now they believe +we have gone away. See, they are going to tell their people about it. +They are riding toward the Cheyenne camp. They must be Cheyennes.' We +will keep going toward the Cheyenne lodges. Then we will circle +around, and try to find the Kiowas. If we do not find them over there, +we will know that they have gone to fight my people." + +"It is good," agreed Sun Bird. + +"We will go," said White Otter. + +They crossed the ridge, and rode boldly away toward the southeast, in +the direction of the Cheyenne camp. They had little doubt that +sharp-eyed Kiowa scouts were watching them. They glanced back many +times, but saw nothing to confirm their suspicions. + +Toward the end of the day they came in sight of another little grove +of cottonwoods. They circled about it many times before they finally +ventured within arrow-range. The grove was unoccupied, and contained a +tiny pool. They killed several sage grouse in the timber. + +"It is good," said White Otter. "We will stay here until the sun goes +away. Then we will circle around and try to find the Kiowas." + +At the end of the day they left the grove and rode off toward the +north, hoping to cross the trail of the war party. Twilight had +already fallen upon the plain when they finally found the fresh tracks +of many ponies. The trail led toward the east. The Sioux felt sure +that it had been made by the Kiowas. + +"Now we know that your people are safe," declared Sun Bird. + +"Yes, I believe it is true," replied White Otter. + +He was gazing thoughtfully across the plain. A new possibility had +suddenly suggested itself. He felt certain that he had guessed the +destination of his foes. He turned eagerly to his companions. + +"Now I know about this thing," he told them, excitedly. "I believe +those Kiowas are going to fight the Cheyennes. Yes, now I see how it +is. They took us for Cheyennes. They tried to fool us. When we went +away they circled around and came over here. Yes, yes, those Kiowas +are going to fight the Cheyennes." + +"I believe it is true," said Sun Bird. "Now we know about it. Well, we +will not follow them. We will go back and look for buffaloes." + +White Otter was silent. His friends saw that he was thinking about +something. They waited for him to speak. + +"The Cheyennes are our friends," he said at last. "Once we went with +them to fight the Pawnees. Once we went with them to fight the Kiowas. +We took away some good ponies in that fight. The Cheyennes are very +brave. Red Dog, their chief, is our friend. My brothers, I am thinking +about these things." + +"How do you feel about it?" inquired Sun Bird. + +"I will tell you," said White Otter. "We are Dacotahs. The brave +Cheyennes are our friends. The boastful Kiowas are our enemies. A +Dacotah helps his friends and fights his enemies. I am going to tell +the Cheyennes about the Kiowas." + +"It is good," declared Sun Bird. + +"Hi, we will go to the village of our brothers the Cheyennes, and help +them fight the Kiowas," Little Raven cried, enthusiastically. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +OFF TO WARN THE CHEYENNES + + +Having resolved to carry a warning to their friends, the Cheyennes, +the Sioux abandoned their peaceful hunting expedition, and prepared +for war. The idea filled them with enthusiasm. The Kiowas were old +foes who stole Sioux ponies and killed Sioux hunters at every +opportunity, and the three young scouts were ready and eager to make +war upon them. It was not the first time they had maneuvered against +the Kiowas, and they had learned from experience that the latter were +brave and crafty foes. + +"White Otter, you are a great war chief, you must be the leader," +declared Sun Bird. + +"Yes, White Otter, you are the leader," agreed Little Raven. "Tell us +what you propose to do." + +"We must get to the Cheyenne village ahead of the Kiowas," White Otter +told them. "We will not follow them. We will circle back toward the +Cheyenne lodges. Come, we must go." + +They turned about and rode in the direction of the Cheyenne camp. It +was a day's journey distant, and they realized that to beat the +Kiowas they must reach the village before the next sunrise. The day +was almost gone, and the light was fading from the plain. Aware that +it would be necessary to ride continuously through the night, they +held the ponies to an easy canter. As they rode they kept a sharp +watch to the eastward where the heavy night shadows were already +forming. They were fearful that the Kiowas might have discovered them. +In that event they felt sure that those crafty foes would endeavor to +intercept them before they reached the Cheyennes. + +"There is a hill over there," White Otter said, suspiciously. "It is +bad. Perhaps the Kiowas are riding along behind it." + +They looked anxiously into the east, but the ridge had vanished into +the dusk. They wondered if grim Kiowa warriors were racing along +behind the barrier. The idea troubled them. They rode faster. The +approach of darkness, however, gave them confidence. They believed it +would be possible to elude their foes under cover of the night. + +When they finally turned toward the east the plain was dark. They rode +more cautiously. It was not long before they heard sounds which made +them suspicious. A wolf howled somewhere ahead of them. They +immediately stopped to listen. They heard it a second time, but it +seemed perfectly natural. + +"It sounds like Ma-ya-sh," said Little Raven. + +"I believe it is a Kiowa," White Otter told him. "We must watch out." + +They turned from their course, and rode on at a walk. Before they had +gone an arrow flight, they heard the cry of the wolf a short distance +north of them. They wondered if the scout who had called before had +circled to search for them. + +"No, I believe it is some one different," whispered White Otter. "It +did not sound the same." + +"Your ears are sharp," said Sun Bird. + +A moment afterward a pony whinnied shrilly. Little Raven's pony +replied. They stopped in alarm. It was apparent that the Kiowas were +on all sides of them. They feared that the pony had betrayed them. +They were at a loss to know just what to do. + +"Listen," cautioned White Otter. + +They waited anxiously to hear the hoofbeats of advancing ponies. The +plain was still. They wondered if the Kiowas, too, had stopped to +listen. The possibility made them cautious. They feared to ride away +before they located their foes. They believed that if the Kiowas heard +them they might close in and make it impossible to escape. Their only +chance seemed to be to withdraw quietly, and slip away in the +darkness. + +"It is bad," White Otter whispered. "Perhaps some of the Kiowas will +try to keep us here until their friends ride to the Cheyenne camp." + +"Yes, yes, I believe it is what they are trying to do," declared Sun +Bird. + +The thought aroused them. They realized that each moment of delay +lessened the chance of arriving at the Cheyenne village in time to +warn their friends. They feared that the war party was racing wildly +through the night in an effort to beat them to the goal. + +"We must go ahead," said White Otter. + +They rode cautiously toward the east. When they had gone several arrow +flights without encountering their foes they became bolder. They urged +the ponies to a canter. A moment later a piercing yell rose behind +them. It was answered on both sides of them. They heard the hoofbeats +of galloping ponies. + +"Keep going! Keep going!" cried White Otter. + +Aware that further caution would be useless, they lashed the ponies to +top speed, and began a wild race across the plain. They heard the +Kiowas thundering after them. They were whooping savagely, and the +Sioux learned that they were on three sides of them. The front +appeared to be open. Then White Otter suddenly suspected a trap. + +"Watch out for the hill!" he cried, warningly. + +They feared that other Kiowas were waiting for them on top of the +ridge. There seemed to be no way to avoid them. With foes on both +sides of them, they were forced to ride ahead. Ready to fight those +who might attempt to bar the way, they stared anxiously into the night +for a sight of the low, black barrier that threatened them with +disaster. It soon loomed up through the darkness. They drew their bows +and prepared to fight. Then, when they had almost reached the base of +the ridge, White Otter attempted a bold bit of stratagem to outwit his +foes. + +"Stop! Stop!" he cried. + +They threw the ponies upon their haunches. Then they listened. The +Kiowas rushed past them. White Otter saw his opportunity. There was +not a moment to spare. + +"Come!" he shouted, as he rode wildly toward the south. + +The trick had been successful. The Kiowas rode part way up the ridge +before they discovered that they had passed their foes. Then they +dashed recklessly down the slope, and stopped for an instant to learn +which way the Sioux had gone. + +"Follow me," cried White Otter. + +When they had gone a bowshot, the Sioux turned up the ridge and swept +over the summit before the Kiowas who were waiting to intercept them +learned what had happened. They reached the level plain and were a +full bowshot away when they heard the Kiowas riding furiously down the +ridge in pursuit of them. + +"Ride faster!" shouted White Otter. + +They forced the ponies to the utmost in an effort to get beyond +hearing of their foes. The Kiowas had become quiet. Even the sounds +from their ponies had died away. The Sioux felt encouraged. They +believed they had ridden beyond earshot of their pursuers. Still they +kept the ponies to the exhausting pace, for they determined to make +the most of their advantage. + +"We have fooled them--it is good," laughed White Otter. "They cannot +hear us. They do not know which way to go." + +"White Otter, you are as sharp as To-ka-la, the fox," Sun Bird told +him. + +"Yes, yes, you were too sharp for the Kiowas," declared Little Raven. + +"Well, my brothers, we must not feel too big about this thing," White +Otter cautioned them. "The war party is ahead of us. We must watch +out." + +He had barely ceased speaking when they heard the wolf cry rising +through the night. It sounded far behind them. Three times it echoed +across the plain. They knew at once that it was a signal. + +"The scouts are telling their friends about us," said White Otter. + +They listened for an answer. They hoped it would give them a clew to +the whereabouts of the war party. There was no reply. It was evident +that the main company of Kiowas were either beyond hearing or too +cautious to betray themselves. The first possibility gave the Sioux +considerable concern. If the war party was beyond hearing, they +realized that it was far in advance of them. They wondered if their +ponies were equal to the task of overtaking their foes. + +"We must go faster," White Otter said, impatiently. + +The ponies were running at speed which few ponies in the Dacotah +nation could equal, and the Sioux believed that if they could maintain +the pace they would eventually overtake and pass the Kiowas. The +gallant little beasts showed no signs of weakening, and the riders +made no effort to spare them. White Otter rode a fiery little piebald +which had been presented to him by Curly Horse, the war chief of the +Minneconjoux Sioux. It had proved its powers on an expedition against +the Blackfeet the year previous, when it outran the famous black war +pony of the Blackfeet chief. Many Buffaloes. White Otter had little +fear that it would fail him in the present emergency. Sun Bird rode a +wiry little roan, that had proved a worthy competitor of the piebald. +Little Raven was mounted upon a wild-eyed pinto, which White Otter had +presented to him several years before. It, too, was famous for speed +and endurance. + +Convinced that there was slight danger of being overtaken by the +scouts, the Sioux fixed their thoughts upon the war party. The wolf +calls still came from the west, but there was no response from the +east. White Otter wondered if the main force of Kiowas really were as +far away as they appeared to be. + +"Perhaps they are watching for us," suggested Sun Bird. "Perhaps they +are keeping quiet so that we will not know where they are." + +"It may be true," said White Otter. + +They had little doubt that the Kiowas would make every effort to +prevent them from carrying a warning to the Cheyenne camp. White Otter +believed that the war party planned to approach the village under +cover of the night, and make a sudden attack at daylight. + +"We will tell the Cheyennes about it," he said. "They will be ready +when the Kiowas come to fight them." + +The Sioux were still a long distance from their goal, however, and +they feared to become too confident. Two disturbing possibilities +confronted them. One was that they might eventually encounter the war +party. The other was that the courageous little ponies might suddenly +collapse with exhaustion. The latter thought caused them the most +anxiety. They decided to ride at an easier pace. Then White Otter +resolved to turn more to the southward in the hope of passing the +Kiowas. He also believed that it would offer a shorter and more +direct route to the Cheyenne camp. + +The signals from the west had ceased, and the Sioux wondered if the +scouts had abandoned hope of getting into communication with the war +party. Then the hateful call suddenly sounded across the plain. It +seemed considerably nearer. They were perplexed. Had the Kiowas +actually gained upon them? It seemed unlikely. + +"Perhaps we have passed the war party," said Sun Bird. + +"It is mysterious," declared White Otter. "I believe we are running +into danger." + +They stopped for a moment to listen. The ponies had barely come to a +standstill when they heard another signal directly ahead of them. It +was so distinct and close at hand that it startled them. The one who +had made it seemed to be within arrow range. The Sioux believed that +they had overtaken the war party. The thought roused them. They +wondered if the Kiowas had discovered them. They heard a horse +cantering across the plain. It was somewhere on their right. It +passed, and they felt relieved. Then they heard voices. The speakers +were within bow range. The rider was moving toward them. The voices +ceased as the pony drew near. Then the Sioux heard a low, cautious +challenge pass between the scouts. A moment afterward they resumed +their talk. The rider had joined his friends. + +"The Kiowas have left scouts behind to watch," White Otter whispered. +"Pretty soon those other scouts will come. We must get away." + +Then several of the Kiowa ponies called, and the Sioux rode away at a +furious pace. The Kiowas instantly raised the alarm, and raced after +them. White Otter heard an arrow pass over his head. + +"Keep low on your ponies!" he cried. "The Kiowas are shooting their +arrows." + +The Sioux ponies soon carried their riders beyond danger, and then +White Otter veered sharply in his course and threw the Kiowas from the +trail. Although there seemed to have been a number of riders, the +Sioux believed that they were scouts, and that the war party was still +riding toward the Cheyenne camp. + +"They will not catch us again," laughed White Otter, as he turned +still farther to the southward. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A PERILOUS MISSION + + +Daylight was close at hand when the Sioux suddenly heard the dogs +barking furiously in the Cheyenne village. The sounds filled them with +alarm. Had they arrived too late to warn the Cheyennes? Had the Kiowas +beaten them to the goal? Had the fight begun? The possibilities tried +their courage. Lashing their exhausted ponies into a final, +heart-breaking sprint they raced recklessly toward the camp. + +As they came within bowshot of the village they heard a company of +horsemen riding to meet them. They drew in the ponies, and listened in +trying suspense. Had they encountered friends or foes? They determined +to take no chances. Drawing their bows, they waited for the riders to +approach. They had stopped. They, too, were suspicious and cautious. + +"Ho, Cheyennes, we are Dacotahs," cried White Otter. "We have come to +help you." + +They heard the murmur of voices. A pony called. Then all was still. +The Sioux waited impatiently. Many moments passed. They became +suspicious. + +"I believe it is the Kiowas," said Sun Bird. + +As he spoke a voice sounded from the darkness. It addressed them in +the Sioux dialect. + +"Ho, Dacotahs, tell us who you are," it said. + +"Watch out, perhaps the Kiowas are trying to catch us," said Sun Bird. + +"I am White Otter; ask your chief Red Dog about me," White Otter +called out. + +"Ho, my brother, we will come to meet you," said the stranger. + +"Wait," cried White Otter. "First tell me who you are." + +"I am Painted Weasel--do you know me?" + +"Yes, I know you," said White Otter. + +The Sioux advanced and found a small company of Cheyennes waiting a +short distance from the village. Painted Weasel was an old friend whom +the Sioux greeted warmly. They found a number of other acquaintances +in the company that had ridden out to intercept them. Painted Weasel, +however, was the only one who spoke their words. + +"Your ponies have run fast," said Painted Weasel. "Has anything bad +happened to you?" + +"My brother, the Kiowas are coming to fight you," White Otter told +him. "We found out about it, and came here to tell you. They are close +by. There is little time. Ride to the camp and call your warriors." + +Painted Weasel addressed his companions. When he finished speaking, +three Cheyennes rode silently into the night. The Sioux knew that they +had gone to watch for the Kiowas. + +"Come," said Painted Weasel. + +When they arrived at the camp they were met by Red Dog, the Cheyenne +war chief, an old friend and ally whom White Otter and Sun Bird had +saved from death at the hands of the Pawnees. + +"Ho, my brothers, you have come to our lodges--it is good," cried Red +Dog. + +"No, Red Dog, it is bad," White Otter told him. "We came here to tell +you that the Kiowas are coming to fight you. They are close by. You +must get ready." + +When Red Dog repeated the warning to his tribesmen, they were thrown +into a frenzy of excitement. In a few few moments the camp was in an +uproar. All was confusion, as the alarmed Cheyennes ran through the +village calling the people from the lodges. Then Red Dog took command, +and restored order. + +"Light the fires!" he cried. "Drive in the ponies." + +The women and boys brought fuel for the fires. A company of young men +rode out on the plain to drive in the ponies. The warriors gathered +eagerly about their chief. The Sioux noted that the Cheyennes were few +in numbers. + +"It is bad," Red Dog told White Otter. "Many of our warriors have gone +to hunt buffaloes. There are few of us here. It will be hard to hold +off the Kiowas." + +"We will help you," said White Otter. + +"It is good," replied Red Dog. "I have seen you do big things. My +people will feel strong because you are here." + +Fires had been lighted to prevent the Kiowas from entering the camp +under cover of the darkness. Soon afterward the young men drove in the +ponies. They were driven into a stout corral. Then the warriors +stationed themselves along the edge of the village to watch for the +Kiowas. The Sioux joined Red Dog. The latter was a cripple, having had +both legs broken at the time the Sioux saved him from the Pawnees. + +"See, it is getting light," White Otter said, hopefully. "I believe +the Kiowas will hold back. Perhaps they know that we have told you +about them." + +"Do they know who you are?" inquired Red Dog. + +"No," replied White Otter. "I believe they took us for your people." + +"It is good," declared Red Dog. + +As darkness finally passed, and dawn lighted the plain, the little +company of Cheyennes looked anxiously toward the west. The Kiowas, +however, failed to appear. The Cheyennes felt more hopeful. They +believed there was less chance of the Kiowas attacking the camp in +daylight. + +"If they do not know that our people are away, they will be cautious," +said Red Dog. "Perhaps they were coming here to run off ponies." + +"Yes, I believe that is what they proposed to do," White Otter told +him. + +Soon afterward they saw three of the Cheyenne scouts riding toward the +camp. When they arrived, the warriors crowded about them to learn what +they had discovered. They said that they had heard nothing of the +Kiowas during the night, but at daylight they had discovered what +appeared to be a wolf, at the top of a ravine some distance to the +westward. The actions of the wolf had convinced them that it was a +disguised scout, and they believed the war party was hiding in the +ravine. Two of the Cheyenne scouts had remained out on the plain to +watch. + +"Yes, I believe that wolf was a Kiowa," White Otter told Red Dog. +"That is how they tried to fool us, but we were too sharp." + +"I do not believe they will come here while it is light," said Red +Dog. "Thunder Hawk and Running Buffalo are watching. They are sharp. +The Kiowas will not get past them." + +Convinced that there was no immediate danger of an attack, the +Cheyennes relaxed their vigilance. Red Dog appointed some of the older +boys to watch along the edge of the camp, while the warriors assembled +in council to discuss plans for defending the village. + +"My brothers, the Kiowas are close by," said Red Dog. "Our brothers, +the Sioux, have told us about them. It was a big thing to do. If these +brave Sioux had not come here, perhaps the Kiowas would have run off +many ponies. Now we know about it. The Kiowas are strong. There are +few of us. It will be hard to keep them out of the camp. We must send +scouts to bring back the hunters. Then we must make a big fight until +our people come." + +"Red Dog, give us fresh ponies, and we will go to find your brothers," +White Otter told him. + +"It is good," said Red Dog. "Cheyennes, the Sioux are our friends. +They are going to bring back the hunters. They are great scouts. The +Kiowas cannot fool them. Come, my brothers, lead out three of my best +war ponies for these brave Sioux." + +Three of the best ponies in the Cheyenne tribe were brought for White +Otter and his companions. When they mounted them and prepared to ride +away, an old man came forward and signaled that he wished to speak to +them. + +"It is Ghost Bear, he is a great Medicine Person," Red Dog told them. + +"Young men, I have some words for you," he said in the Sioux tongue. +"You came here to help us. You are our friends. I know about you. You +are brave. You are going into great danger. You are going into the +country of our enemies, the Pawnees. I do not wish anything bad to +happen to you. That is why I am going to help you. But first tell me +who is the leader." + +"My brother, White Otter, is the leader," Sun Bird told him. "He is a +great war chief of the Ogalalas. He has done many big things." + +"Yes, yes, I know that White Otter is a great chief," said Ghost Bear. +"I know that he saved the life of Red Dog. I know that he went with +our people to fight the Kiowas. Now, White Otter, I am going to give +you something to keep you safe. You must wear this mysterious Medicine +Bag about your neck. It will make you strong and keep you from harm. +It will give you power to overcome your enemies." + +He advanced to White Otter and gave him a small buckskin bag. White +Otter fastened it about his neck. The superstitious young Ogalala felt +certain that it contained some mysterious Medicine Token which would +guard him against misfortune. + +"Ghost Bear, I see that you are a great Medicine Person," he said. +"You have given me this mysterious Medicine Thing. I will keep it. I +believe it will make me strong." + +"My brothers, you are about to ride away, perhaps the Kiowas will try +to catch you," said Red Dog. "I do not believe they will be able to +come up with those ponies. We will keep watching. If the Kiowas go +after you, we will ride out and drive them back." + +"No, my brother, that would be foolish," White Otter told him. "Ghost +Bear has given me this great Medicine Thing. I see that these ponies +are fast. The Kiowas cannot harm us. You must keep watching. The +Kiowas are sharp. Pretty soon we will bring back your brothers. Then +we will ride out and chase away the Kiowas. We will take many ponies. +Now we are going away. Be brave, my friends." + +Then the three Sioux scouts rode away toward the south. The Cheyennes +stood at the edge of the camp and looked after them. They kept a sharp +watch to the westward. There was no sign of their foes. They wondered +if the Kiowas had discovered the three horsemen. + +"I do not believe the Kiowas will follow them," Red Dog said, +hopefully. + +They continued to watch until the Sioux were far away. Then they felt +less anxious. Having gained a big lead, they believed the Sioux would +have little difficulty in keeping ahead of their foes. Then they +suddenly discovered something which filled them with gloomy +forebodings of evil. A golden eagle, the war bird, had appeared in +the sky. It was circling directly over the camp. The Cheyennes +watched it with superstitious fear. + +"It is bad," cried old Ghost Bear, the Medicine Man. "It means war." + +"Look, look, the great war bird is flying toward the place where the +Kiowas are hiding," cried the Cheyennes. + +"It is a bad sign," the old men declared, solemnly. + +"My brothers, we must get ready to fight," said Ghost Bear. "The war +bird has warned us. I believe the Kiowas will come to the village." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +RED DOG'S STRATAGEM + + +Shortly after the Sioux had disappeared, the Cheyennes discovered what +appeared to be smoke, far away to the westward. They watched for some +time before they became convinced that it was not a cloud. Then as +they finally agreed that it was smoke, they felt sure that it was a +signal from the Kiowa war party. + +"It is bad," said Red Dog. "I believe the Kiowas are waiting for more +warriors. They are sending up that smoke to tell them where they are." + +"It must be so," declared Painted Weasel, a famous scout. + +The possibility filled the Cheyennes with gloom. Already outnumbered +by the war party in the distant ravine, they realized that there was +little chance of holding the village against a still stronger force of +foes. For a moment they gave way to despair. Some of them proposed to +abandon the camp, and seek safety in flight. + +"No, no, that would be useless," Red Dog cried fiercely. "Look about +you. Do you see the old people and the women and children? Well, my +brothers, think about it. They cannot travel fast. If we try to get +away, the Kiowas will soon come up with us. Then most of us will be +killed. We must stay here and fight. We are Cheyennes. Does a Cheyenne +throw away his women and children to save himself? I am your chief. I +will stay here and fight back the Kiowas until our brothers come to +help us." + +The words of Red Dog roused the fighting blood of his warriors. They +replied with a ringing war cry that echoed threateningly across the +plain, and carried a bold challenge to their foes. The courage of +their chief gave them confidence, and they were eager to meet the +Kiowas. Some of the old men ran for the war drums. Then the warriors +gathered in the center of the camp, and began to dance and sing their +boastful war songs. + +"It is good," cried Red Dog. "I see that you are ready to fight. If +the Kiowas come to the village we will kill them and take away their +ponies." + +Once begun, the war ceremonies were continued far into the day. Then +they were suddenly brought to an end by the appearance of one of the +scouts who was racing toward the camp. When he came nearer they +recognized him as White Horse, a noted warrior. As he rode his +sweating pony into the village, the Cheyennes gathered eagerly about +him to learn what he had seen. + +"It is bad," White Horse told them. "Many more Kiowas have gone into +that gully." + +"Come, get off your pony and tell us about it," said Red Dog. + +"Well, my brothers, I was watching with Running Buffalo and Thunder +Hawk," said White Horse. "For a long time we did not see anything. +Then we saw some smoke. It was far away. Pretty soon it stopped. Then +we saw some smoke coming out of that gully. Then we said, 'Some more +Kiowas are coming. They are over there where we saw that first smoke. +They are trying to find the war party.' Then we watched close. Pretty +soon we saw a scout crawl out of that gully. He looked all around. He +could not see us. Then he looked toward that place where the smoke +was. He looked a long time. Pretty soon we saw some one on a pony over +there. Then the man who came out of the gully began to wave a robe. +Then the man on the pony began to ride around. Running Buffalo said, +'Those Kiowas are talking to one another.' We kept watching. Pretty +soon we saw many riders coming out of the place where the smoke was. +They were riding toward that gully. Then some more Kiowas came out of +the gully to watch. They were waving their arms. The riders came +faster. Then they all went into that gully. My brothers, it is a great +war party. I believe they will come to the village when it gets dark. +Now I have told you about it." + +The Cheyennes remained silent for some moments after White Horse had +ceased speaking. His words had confirmed the significance of the +distant smoke signal. They believed that the odds against them had +doubled. The thought sobered them. They felt little inclination to +talk. At last, however, old Ghost Bear rose to address them. + +"My friends, White Horse has brought bad words," he told them. "He +says that many Kiowas are hiding over there in that gully. What I told +you about the great war bird has come true. I believe we will have a +big fight. Well, we are Cheyennes. We have fought the boastful Kiowas +many times. We have killed many of their warriors. We have run off +many of their ponies. Pretty soon I am going to burn some sweet +grass, and sing the Medicine Songs. Then I am going to talk to the +Above People. I am going to ask them to help us. They will make us +strong. Cheyennes, you must be brave. I believe we will hold off the +Kiowas until our brothers come. I have finished." + +A few moments later Red Dog spoke. The Cheyennes turned to him with +eager attention. He was a great war leader, the son of their beloved +chief, War Eagle, who had been killed in a disastrous battle with the +Pawnees, and they looked upon him with respect and admiration. They +believed that he might find a way to overcome the advantage of the +Kiowas, and save the camp. + +"My people, Ghost Bear has given you good words," said Red Dog. "I +believe what he says is true. I believe the Kiowas propose to fight +us. I am not thinking about that. I am thinking about the old people +and the women and children. We must try to get them away before the +Kiowas come. + +"Now, my brothers, listen sharp. I will tell you what I propose to do. +We will keep watching until its gets dark. I do not believe the +Kiowas will come while it is light. When it begins to get dark we +will send the old people and the women and children away. Some +of you must go with them. You must ride far over toward the +Place-where-the-day-begins. Then you must circle around and go toward +the lodges of our brothers, the Ogalalas. You must send a scout ahead +to tell the Ogalalas about it. They will come to help you. + +"After the women and children have gone away, the rest of us will get +ready to fight the Kiowas. We will try hard to keep them out of the +camp. Perhaps we will be wiped away. I cannot tell about that. We are +Cheyennes. A Cheyenne is not afraid to die." + +The Cheyennes immediately approved the plan of Red Dog. They believed +it offered the only chance of saving the women and children. All of +the warriors, however, wished to remain at the camp with Red Dog to +fight the Kiowas. + +In the meantime old Ghost Bear came from the Medicine Lodge with the +sacred Medicine Pipe. He called the Cheyennes to assemble in the camp. +When they had formed the council circle, Ghost Bear asked a boy to +bring some dry willow sticks. Then he asked a warrior to kindle a +fire. As the sticks began to burn, Ghost Bear unwrapped the Medicine +Pipe. Then he rose, and tossed a handful of sweet grass upon the fire. +As it burned he raised his aged face toward the sky, and chanted a +Medicine Song. Then he took some dried bark of the red willow from a +small buckskin bag, and filled the bowl of the pipe. Having made these +preparations, he turned to the Cheyennes. + +"My brothers, I have called you here to take part in the great +Medicine Ceremony," he told them. "I have made many smokes to the +Above People. It is good. I believe they will help us. Now I am going +ahead with the great Medicine Ceremony. You must watch close, and see +what I do." + +He drew a blazing stick from the fire, and lighted the pipe. For +several moments he extended the pipe stem toward the sky, while he +invited the mysterious Above People to smoke. Then he drew upon the +pipe and puffed the smoke toward the sky, the earth, the east, the +south, the west and the north. Having begun the ceremony, he passed +the pipe to Red Dog, who puffed the smoke toward the sky. The chief +passed the pipe to the warrior at his right, and thus it went round +the circle, each warrior puffing smoke toward the sky and calling +upon the Above People to help him. + +After all had smoked, the pipe was returned to Ghost Bear, who +replaced it in its wrappings. Then he began a weird, melancholy chant, +while he moved slowly around the little fire, shaking a medicine +rattle. The Cheyennes watched him in superstitious fascination. They +believed implicitly in the strange Medicine Beings with whom old Ghost +Bear claimed relationship, and they hoped that he might arouse them +against the Kiowas. + +When Ghost Bear finally ended the mysterious Medicine Ceremony, the +Cheyennes again stationed themselves along the edge of the camp to +watch the plain. The day was almost finished. The thought of darkness +filled them with doubts. They believed that the night threatened them +with disaster. + +"Pretty soon it will be dark," they told one another, uneasily. + +As the sun finally disappeared behind the western rim of the plain, +they saw a horseman riding toward the camp. They watched him in great +suspense. It seemed a long time before he came within bow range. Then +they recognized him as Running Buffalo, one of the scouts. + +"Running Buffalo is coming to tell us something about the Kiowas," +they said. + +"My brothers, the Kiowas are singing the war songs and making many +talks," Running Buffalo told them. "I believe they will set out to +fight us as soon as it gets dark. It is bad. There are many Kiowas. +Yes, each of us will have to fight three Kiowas. I do not know what +will become of the old people, and the women and children. I will not +talk about it. My heart is heavy." + +"Running Buffalo, we know that many Kiowas are over there in that +place, but we are not afraid," Red Dog told him. "We are ready. We +will make a big fight, and try to hold them back until our brothers +come to help us. Our friends, the Sioux, have gone to bring them. + +"Now listen to what I am about to say. I am going to fool the Kiowas, +and let the old people and the women and children get away. I am going +to send them to our friends, the brave Ogalalas. Now I will tell you +what I propose to do. When it gets dark some of us will ride away +toward the Place-where-the-warm-wind-blows. We will not go far. Then +we will turn around, and ride back to the camp. We will make a big +noise. Our brothers in the camp will make a big noise. When the Kiowas +hear it they will say, 'Hi, some people have come to help the +Cheyennes.' Then they will stop, and send out scouts. Well, while we +are making that noise, the women and children will get away. They will +go toward the Place-where-the-day-begins. Then they will circle around +and ride fast toward the Ogalala lodges. Some of us will go with them. +Some one will ride ahead and ask the Ogalalas to help us. If the +Kiowas go that way you must tell us about it. Now you know what I +propose to do. See, the light is going. Ride back there and tell your +brothers about it." + +"It is good," said Running Buffalo. "I will go. When the Kiowas ride +toward the village we will keep ahead of them. When you hear the +little gray fox barking you will know that the Kiowas are coming." + +He mounted his pony and rode away into the west. The Cheyennes watched +him in gloomy silence. The light was fading. The day had ended. Night +was close at hand. + +Then Red Dog began preparations for the defense of the camp. The boys +and old men were piling brush and wood along the edge of the village, +to be lighted if the Kiowas attempted to enter. Fires had already been +lighted in the center of the camp. The war ponies were brought in, and +securely picketed. The frightened women were packing meat for their +journey into the north. + +Red Dog called the warriors to the fire. It was a pitiably small +company. The Cheyenne chief looked upon them with pride. They were +great broad-shouldered fellows in the prime of life. Their solemn +faces and serious eyes told him that they understood the peril which +threatened them. Still there was no trace of fear in their hearts. +They waited calmly for the words of their chief. + +"My friends, the light has almost gone," Red Dog told them. "We must +get ready to send away the women and children, and the old people. I +will ask some of you to go out on the plain. Do not go far. Then you +must turn around, and ride to the village. Call out, and sing the war +songs. Make a big noise. + +"Now I will call out the names of some warriors to go with the women +and children. Cloud Eagle, and Two Dogs, and Walks Alone, and Hairy +Robe, and Lame Bear must take these people to the Ogalalas. I will +make Cloud Eagle the leader. Now you must get ready to go. When we +make that big noise you must ride away." + +The five warriors who had been selected to guard the women and +children on the perilous journey into the north were eager to remain +and fight the Kiowas. They concealed their disappointment, however, +and began to round up the ponies. + +"Listen, Cheyennes," old Ghost Bear cried, excitedly. "I am an old +man, but I am not going away. My arms are strong. My eyes are sharp. I +will stay here and help you fight the Kiowas." + +Encouraged by his example, many other valiant veterans of the war +trail offered their services against the Kiowas. Red Dog accepted +them. He realized that in the emergency their assistance might be +valuable. + +"My brothers, you are very brave," he told them. "All of you have +fought in many battles. If you feel like staying here to fight, I will +tell you to stay. Perhaps you will kill many Kiowas." + +Having made preparations for the daring stratagem by which he hoped to +save the women and children, Red Dog divided his little force into two +companies. He appointed Painted Weasel as leader of the company that +was to ride out on the plain, while Red Dog assumed command of the +warriors in the camp. Then the Cheyennes waited for darkness. + +When night finally settled upon the plain, Painted Weasel and his +companions mounted their ponies and rode away toward the south. At the +same time Cloud Eagle assembled the women and children. Then the +Cheyennes listened for the signal that would set the camp in a tumult. + +"Hi, they are coming!" cried Red Dog. + +The hoofbeats of galloping ponies sounded across the plain, and a +moment afterward the night rang with the wild shouts of the riders. +The warriors in the camp replied with the piercing Cheyenne war cry. +Then a perfect bedlam of sounds rose from the village. Men shouted, +dogs barked and ponies whinnied. + +"Come, come, ride away!" Red Dog told Cloud Eagle. + +A moment afterward the little company galloped toward the east. The +hoofbeats of the ponies were smothered by the noise from the camp. +When the wild tumult finally subsided, the warriors raised their +voices in the war songs, and the sounds carried far across the plain. +Red Dog felt certain that the noise had reached the ears of the +Kiowas. + +"It is good," he cried. "We have frightened the Kiowas. They will be +cautious. It will be a long time before they come close. The women and +children have got away." + +The Cheyennes became quiet. They stood at the edge of the village, +listening anxiously. The plain was silent. A great joy filled their +hearts. They believed that their women and children had escaped from +the Kiowas. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE ATTACK ON THE CAMP + + +Elated at the successful escape of the women and children, the +Cheyennes awaited the Kiowas with less anxiety. They stood at the edge +of the village, listening for a warning from the scouts. Some of the +older boys had been appointed to stand beside the piles of brush, +ready to light them at the command of their chief. A small detail of +warriors surrounded the corral to prevent the Kiowas from running off +the ponies. The old men kept the fires blazing fiercely in the center +of the camp. Everything was ready. The Cheyennes were eager to begin +the fight. + +"Perhaps the Kiowas are afraid to come," laughed old Ghost Bear. + +"Keep watching--they will come," Red Dog warned him. + +When half of the night had passed, and they had heard nothing of the +war party, some of the younger warriors began to repeat the words of +Ghost Bear. The older men cautioned them against becoming too +confident. They believed that the Kiowas were delaying the attack +with the hope of catching them off their guard. + +"The Kiowas are sharp," said Red Dog. "We must watch out or they will +fool us." + +Soon afterward the warriors along the southerly side of the camp +called out that they had heard a signal. The bark of the little gray +fox had sounded far away to the southward. The Cheyennes listened in +tense silence. In a few moments the signal was repeated. They knew it +had come from one of their scouts. They turned to one another in +surprise. Having expected the Kiowas to approach from the west, the +call in the south perplexed them. + +"It is bad," said Red Dog. "The Kiowas have separated." + +"Perhaps scouts went over there to find out who came to the camp," +suggested Painted Weasel. + +"Yes, that may be true," Red Dog replied, thoughtfully. + +Then they heard another signal. It sounded from the West, and was +nearer the camp. Red Dog saw his suspicions confirmed. He was +confident that the Kiowas had separated into two companies. + +"They are coming up on both sides of us," declared Painted Weasel. + +A moment later they heard hoofbeats. A pony was racing toward them, +from the west. The dogs barked furiously. The Cheyennes believed that +one of the scouts was approaching, but they determined to be prepared. +They drew their bows, and watched suspiciously. The pony stopped when +it came within arrow range. Then they heard the familiar signal. + +"Who are you?" inquired Red Dog. + +"Thunder Hawk," said a voice from the darkness. + +"Ride ahead," Red Dog told him. + +In a few moments Thunder Hawk entered the camp. He said that the +Kiowas had separated into two companies. One had ridden toward the +south. The other was approaching from the west. + +"Running Buffalo followed the Kiowas who rode away," said Thunder +Hawk. "White Horse is watching the Kiowas who are coming toward the +village. He sent me here to tell you about it." + +"Did you hear us making that noise?" Red Dog asked him. + +"Yes, we heard ponies running, and shouts, and then we heard the war +songs," said Thunder Hawk. "After that the Kiowas rode away." + +"They must be scouts," said Red Dog. "Perhaps they are trying to find +out who came here." + +"No, they are not scouts," declared Thunder Hawk. "There are many +ponies. It is a big war party. I believe they are the warriors who +came from the Place-where-the-sun-sleeps." + +"Then I know about it," said Red Dog. "I believe scouts saw the ponies +out there on the plain. Those riders who went away are going to circle +around, and try to run off those ponies. Well, we will fool them. The +ponies are here." + +"Yes, yes, that is what they propose to do," the Cheyennes told one +another. + +While they were talking, they heard some one approaching from the +south. They felt certain it was Running Buffalo. He stopped and +imitated the bark of the little gray fox. Then he galloped to the +camp. + +"Get ready to fight!" cried Running Buffalo. "The Kiowas are coming. +They are close behind me. They are trying to find the ponies." + +"The ponies are here," Red Dog told him, as he pointed toward the +corral. + +"It is good," said Running Buffalo. "My brothers, there are many +Kiowas in that war party." + +"We are ready," Red Dog said, grimly. + +Having learned that the Kiowas were advancing upon the camp, the +Cheyennes listened anxiously for the approach of White Horse. As time +passed, and he failed to arrive, they became uneasy about him. They +wondered what had caused him to loiter. They feared that the Kiowas +who were approaching from the south might circle about the village and +trap him. + +"I will go out there and find him," Thunder Hawk proposed, +impulsively. + +"Wait," cautioned Red Dog. "White Horse is sharp. The Kiowas will not +catch him. He is waiting to find out about something. He will come." + +As he finished speaking they heard the signal in the north. It filled +them with alarm. Their thoughts turned to Cloud Eagle and the helpless +company in his care. Had the crafty Kiowas sent scouts into the north? +The Cheyennes weakened at the possibility. They waited in breathless +suspense for White Horse to reach the camp. + +White Horse soon relieved their fears. He said that the Kiowas who +were advancing from the west had stopped some distance out on the +plain. Then he had circled toward the north to make sure that scouts +had not gone in that direction. He had heard nothing to arouse his +suspicions. + +"It is good," declared Red Dog. + +"I do not believe the Kiowas know anything about our people who went +away," said White Horse. "I believe they came here to run off ponies. +When they found out that we knew about it, they sent scouts to bring +more warriors. Now they are going to make a big fight. Those people I +was watching will wait out there until they hear their friends moving +ahead. Then they will all rush in. I believe scouts are creeping +toward the camp. We must watch sharp." + +"White Horse, your words are good," said Red Dog. "I believe you have +found out what the Kiowas propose to do." + +Realizing that the Kiowas might begin the attack at any moment, the +Cheyennes stood at the edge of the camp, weapons in hand, watching and +listening for their foes. They had little doubt that scouts were +moving cautiously through the darkness in an effort to reconnoiter the +camp. The thought kept them alert. They listened sharply for the sound +of stealthy footfalls. For a long time, however, all was still. Then +a pony snorted, in the corral. A dog harked savagely outside the camp. + +"Light the fires!" cried Red Dog. + +The boys shoved glowing embers into the brush piles. A moment +afterward they burst into flames. A wide circle of light spread about +the camp. The Cheyennes looked for their foes. They had retreated into +the night. + +"It was a scout; he was trying to find the ponies," explained a +warrior at the corral. + +Believing that the Kiowas were close to the camp, Red Dog ordered the +boys to keep the fires blazing. The warriors crouched in the shadows +from the lodges. They heard nothing further from their foes. They +wondered if the scouts had been frightened away. + +"The Kiowas are like wolves," laughed Painted Weasel. "They are afraid +of the fires." + +As if to verify his words, the dismal wail of Ma-ya-sh, the prairie +wolf, sounded from the south. The Cheyennes started at the sound. They +knew it was a signal from the war party. They believed the Kiowas were +ready to advance. + +"Watch out!" shouted Red Dog. "The Kiowas are coming." + +The wolf call was repeated in the west. It had barely died away before +the Kiowa war cry echoed shrilly through the night. The Cheyennes +answered the challenge. Then the Kiowas raced toward the camp. They +rode close up to the lodges, but the Cheyennes were prepared, and +drove them back with a deadly volley of arrows. The Kiowas turned and +sought shelter in the darkness. + +"We have chased them back," the Cheyennes cried, excitedly. + +"Keep watching," Red Dog cautioned them. + +The Kiowas were riding around the camp, and yelling fiercely. They +appeared to be attempting to stampede the ponies. The latter were +plunging and snorting in terror, and those in the corral threatened to +break away at any moment. Then the Kiowas suddenly made another +attempt to enter the village. They rode recklessly to the edge of the +camp, and tried to drive the Cheyennes before them. The latter, +however, refused to yield. They realized that to give way meant +disaster, and they fought with a stubborn ferocity that bewildered +their foes. The old men and the boys fought as fiercely as the +warriors. Somewhat sheltered by the lodges, they shot their arrows +with deadly accuracy, and the Kiowas were again compelled to withdraw. +This time they went far out on the plain. + +The Cheyennes seized the opportunity to turn to their disabled +comrades. They had paid a heavy price for victory. A third of the +little force had been killed or wounded. There was little time to +think about it. The old men barely had time to drag the wounded to a +place of safety before they heard the Kiowas again charging upon the +village. + +The Cheyennes were amazed when their foes passed beyond bow range of +the camp, and thundered away toward the south. It was some moments +before they recovered from their bewilderment. They were at a loss to +understand the strange maneuver. At first they were suspicious, and +expected to hear the Kiowas riding toward them from another direction. +Then, as time passed and they heard nothing further, they became +convinced that the Kiowas had actually gone away. It seemed too good +to be true. Despair gave way to joy. The Cheyennes began to laugh, and +shout and sing the war songs. + +"My brothers, we have done a big thing," Red Dog told them. "We have +chased away that great war party of Kiowas. They are running across +the plain. It is something to tell about. I----" + +"Listen!" Painted Weasel cried, in alarm. + +A moment afterward the startled Cheyennes heard the Kiowa war cry at +the edge of the camp. Then, before they realized what had happened, +they saw the warriors along the westerly side of the village driven +back by a great company of Kiowas who swarmed into the camp on foot. +At the same time the horsemen attacked the camp on the south. The wily +Kiowas had completely outwitted their foes. The Cheyennes were +bewildered and demoralized. They rushed wildly to reinforce their +comrades along the threatened side of the village, and the Kiowa +horsemen found little opposition. They quickly overcame the feeble +guard at the corral, and stampeded the ponies. Then they swept into +the camp. The Cheyennes were outnumbered four to one. The village was +filled with Kiowas. Resistance meant death. + +"Jump on the war ponies and save yourselves!" cried Red Dog. + +The Cheyennes rushed toward the terror-stricken ponies in the center +of the camp. The Kiowas followed after them. A furious hand-to-hand +encounter ensued. Most of the old men were killed. A few escaped +notice in the general confusion, and disappeared into the night. Old +Ghost Bear ran far out on the plain, and hid in the sage. + +The Cheyennes finally gained possession of the war ponies. They +mounted and attempted to ride away. Less than half of the company +escaped. Once out of the village, they rode frantically toward the +north. The Kiowas made little effort to overtake them. A small company +of warriors pursued them a short distance across the plain, but soon +turned back to assist in rounding up the ponies, and share in the +plunder. + +When they found that they were not pursued, the little band of +Cheyennes stopped to learn who had escaped. Many famous warriors were +missing. Then they suddenly discovered that both Red Dog and Ghost +Bear were absent. + +"I saw Ghost Bear run out of the camp," declared Running Buffalo. "I +believe he got away." + +"Where is Red Dog?" Painted Weasel asked, anxiously. + +"He was with us when we were fighting to get away," said Running +Buffalo. "I saw him kill two Kiowas. Then the Kiowas rushed at us, +and I did not see what became of him." + +"Red Dog is dead--the Kiowas have killed him," cried the disheartened +Cheyennes. + +"Perhaps they have carried him away," said Painted Hawk. + +They rallied at the thought. If Red Dog had been captured, they +resolved to rescue him. They turned toward the camp. Then they stopped +in dismay. The village was ablaze. The Kiowas had set fire to the +lodges. The Cheyennes heard them yelling triumphantly, far away to the +southward. + +"My brothers, there are few of us left," declared Running Buffalo. "It +is useless to try to do anything. Come, we will ride after our people, +and ask the Ogalalas to help us. Then we will bring a great war party +to fight the Kiowas." + +They turned toward the north with heavy hearts, and rode silently away +into the darkness. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +PAWNEES + + +As the Sioux scouts rode toward the south to find the Cheyenne +hunters, they watched closely to make sure that the Kiowas were not +following them. Then, as the day advanced and they saw nothing of +their foes, they believed that they had escaped from the Cheyenne camp +without attracting the attention of the Kiowa scouts. The thought +encouraged them. + +"It is good," said Sun Bird. "There is no danger." + +"We must not be too sure about it," White Otter cautioned him. "Red +Dog told us about the Pawnees. We must watch out." + +At first they attempted to follow the trail of the Cheyennes, but as +the latter had left the camp some days before the tracks were old and +indistinct. The Sioux realized that they would be forced to ride +slowly to follow them. Then, too, they feared that the Cheyennes might +make many wide and unnecessary detours in their search for buffaloes, +and an effort to follow them might cause much useless riding and a +great loss of time. Aware that each moment was precious, White Otter +finally determined to leave the trail and ride directly across the +plain in the hope of encountering the hunters. + +"It is the best thing to do," said White Otter. + +"Yes, I believe it will be the quickest way to find the hunters," +agreed Sun Bird. + +Late in the day they discovered a number of fresh pony tracks leading +toward the west. White Otter and Sun Bird dismounted to examine them. +They decided that they had been made only a short time before. The +trail made them suspicious. They looked anxiously across the plain. +There was nothing in sight. + +"Perhaps it is the Cheyennes," said Sun Bird. + +White Otter remained silent. He was walking slowly along the trail, +and examining the tracks with great care. His companions waited for +his decision. At last he rose, and shook his head in doubt. + +"Do you feel different about it?" Sun Bird inquired, anxiously. + +"My brother, I am not sure about it," White Otter told him. "Only a +few ponies passed this place--there are many Cheyennes." + +"Perhaps they were scouts, going over there to look for buffaloes," +suggested Sun Bird. + +"Perhaps," said White Otter. + +He was looking anxiously toward the west. The plain was level and free +of cover, and it was possible to see a long distance ahead. White +Otter realized that the riders were farther away than he had supposed. + +"Perhaps they are wild ponies," said Little Raven. + +"Yes, that may be true," replied White Otter. "Well, we will try to +find out about them. Come, we will follow them." + +He rode slowly along the trail, and Sun Bird and Little Raven followed +him. His doubts had made them suspicious, and they kept a sharp watch +for foes. They had gone a considerable distance when White Otter +suddenly stopped and dismounted. He stooped and lifted something from +the ground. He examined it with great interest. Then he turned to his +companions. + +"See," he said. "I have found something that tells me what I wish to +know." + +He passed the object to Sun Bird. It was a small, round, highly +polished piece of bone. It had a hole bored through the end of it. +Sun Bird recognized it at once. It had come from a bone breast-plate, +worn by warriors to protect them from the arrows of their foes. For +some moments he stared at it in silence. Then he gave it to Little +Raven. + +"Now we know that those ponies carried riders," said White Otter. +"They are not our friends, the Cheyennes. They are warriors." + +"I believe they are Pawnees," declared Sun Bird. + +At that moment White Otter discovered something far away to the +northward. A column of smoke was rising against the sky. They watched +it until it finally faded from view. They believed it had been a +signal from the Kiowa war party. Then White Otter suddenly guessed the +truth. + +"My brothers, I believe those people are Kiowas," he said. "I believe +they are going to help their friends fight the Cheyennes. I believe +those Kiowas near the Cheyenne camp sent up that smoke to tell their +friends where they are. Come, we will see if it is true." + +A short distance farther on the trail turned abruptly toward the +north. They felt certain that a company of Kiowas had gone to +participate in the attack on the Cheyenne camp. The thought roused +them to action. They realized that the little force of Cheyennes were +in a desperate plight. + +"My brothers, we must try to find the hunters," cried White Otter. +"There is no time to spare." + +They left the trail and cantered away toward the south. The day was +far gone, and they were eager to find the Cheyennes before darkness +fell. They feared that the Kiowas would attack the camp some time +during the night. Would the Cheyennes be able to hold them off until +their tribesmen came to their aid? The Sioux had grave doubts. They +looked anxiously across the plain, hoping each moment to see the +hunters come in sight. The day passed, however, and the Cheyennes +failed to appear. The Sioux gave way to despair. + +"It is bad," White Otter said, soberly, as they abandoned the search +at dark. + +They found a little spring at the base of a solitary cottonwood tree, +and decided to remain there until daylight. After they had picketed +the ponies they sat in gloomy silence, staring thoughtfully into the +night. The Cheyennes had given them some dried elk meat, but they had +no desire to eat. Their hearts were filled with fears for the people +in the Cheyenne camp. + +"If the hunters were close by I believe they would come here for +water," said Sun Bird. "I believe they are far away." + +"It must be so," agreed White Otter. "We looked hard but we could not +find them. We did not find their tracks. Perhaps they have followed +the buffaloes." + +"Perhaps they have gone back to their village," suggested Little +Raven. + +For a moment the possibility gave them hope. Then they suddenly +realized that it would have been difficult for the Cheyennes to have +passed them without being seen. They feared that the hunters were +still somewhere to the southward, searching for the buffalo herds. + +"Well, when it gets light we will ride around until we find their +tracks," said Sun Bird. "Then we will soon come up with them. I +believe Red Dog and his friends will keep the Kiowas out of the camp +until we bring the hunters." + +"Red Dog and his friends are very brave, but there are many Kiowas," +White Otter told him. "I feel bad about it." + +Then their thoughts were diverted by the strange behavior of the +ponies. They had raised their heads, and were looking nervously into +the darkness. The Sioux seized their weapons, and sprang to their +feet. They untied the ponies and stood beside them, ready to mount and +ride away at the first warning of danger. + +"Do you hear anything?" Little Raven asked White Otter. + +"No," said White Otter. + +The ponies still seemed restless and frightened, but they made no +attempt to call. The wind was blowing directly toward them. The Sioux +believed that if either men or horses were approaching the ponies +would have called. Nevertheless, they determined to take every +precaution. + +"Perhaps something is coming here to drink," said Sun Bird. + +"Listen," whispered White Otter. + +They heard something moving about in the darkness. One of the ponies +snorted and plunged wildly. It tore the lariat from the grasp of +Little Raven, and dashed away. White Otter and Sun Bird sprang upon +their ponies and raced after it. At that moment Little Raven saw two +small awkward creatures galloping toward him. He shot his arrow before +he recognized them. One of them rolled over, bawling lustily. The +other ran off. Little Raven suddenly identified them as cubs of the +grizzly bear. + +"Hi, now I must watch out," he said. + +The next moment a savage roar sounded close at hand, and he saw the +mother bear running toward the wounded cub. He shot his arrow, and the +bear turned to face him. For an instant he saw the threatening glare +of her eyes. Then she rushed at him. He shot another arrow. Then he +fled toward the cottonwood. He barely had time to draw himself to the +lowest limb before the enraged bear was at the tree. She reared +unsteadily, and tried to climb. Little Raven attempted to draw an +arrow from his bow-case and almost fell from the limb. In the meantime +the bear had dropped to the ground, and galloped back to her cubs. At +that moment Little Raven heard his friends returning with the ponies. + +"Watch out, Ma-to-ho-ta is here!" he cried. "I have killed one of her +babies. She is very mad." + +"Where are you?" White Otter inquired, anxiously. + +"I am up here in this tree," said Little Raven. + +"Ma-to-ho-ta has turned our brother into Zi-ca, the squirrel," laughed +Sun Bird. + +As the Sioux advanced, the bear rushed to meet them. Little Raven +heard them shoot their arrows, and gallop away. There was no sound +from the bear. He believed they had killed it. + +"Ma-to-ho-ta is dead," he shouted. + +"Stay where you are," cautioned White Otter. "We will find out about +it." + +Little Raven heard the ponies snorting nervously, as his friends rode +forward to investigate. Then he heard one of the cubs whining. Some +one shot an arrow. The cub became quiet. A moment afterward White +Otter called him. + +"Come down, my brother, Ma-to-ho-ta and her babies are dead," he said. + +"I was like a feeble old man," Little Raven cried, angrily, as Sun +Bird gave him the lariat of the runaway pony. "That horse fooled me." + +"It is bad," said White Otter. "If the Pawnees came here instead of +Ma-to-ho-ta they would have run off that pony." + +They picketed the ponies, and went to examine the bear. It was +unusually large, but thin, and poor in fur, as usual at that season. +Little Raven cut off the claws and shared them with his companions. +They fastened them to their rawhide belts. Then White Otter cut open +the carcass and drew out the heart. He divided it into three +portions, and they ate it. It was an old custom of their people, and +they believed that it would give them the strength and courage for +which Ma-to-ho-ta was famous. + +The night passed without further alarm, and at the first signs of dawn +the Sioux rode away to search for the Cheyennes. Red Dog had told them +that the hunters proposed to go a day's journey to the southward, and +then circle about the plain until they discovered the buffalo herd. + +"Well, they must be close by," declared Little Raven. + +"We must try hard to find them," White Otter told him. + +His mind was filled with distressing possibilities concerning the +people in the Cheyenne village. Had the Kiowas made an attack? Had Red +Dog and his warriors beaten them off? White Otter feared to hope. + +Half of the day had passed before the Sioux saw anything to give them +encouragement. Then White Otter discovered a great dust cloud rising +behind a long, undulating sweep of the plain, far to the westward. +They watched it with breathless interest. + +"I believe many buffaloes are running behind that hill," said Sun +Bird. "I believe the Cheyenne hunters are chasing them." + +"Yes, yes, it is the buffalo herd!" cried Little Raven. "Now we will +find the hunters." + +"Come, we will ride over there, but we must be cautious," White Otter +told them. + +They cantered hopefully across the plain. They felt quite certain that +they would find the Cheyenne hunters pursuing the buffaloes behind the +distant ridge. As they drew near, however, White Otter urged caution. +The dust cloud had died away, and he was somewhat suspicious. His +companions heeded his warning. + +"Yes, we must watch out," agreed Sun Bird. + +As they finally came within arrow range, they stopped and examined the +top of the ridge with great care. It was exposed, and bare of cover, +and offered a poor hiding place. The Sioux saw nothing to arouse +suspicion. + +"There is no one there," declared Sun Bird. + +"I believe it is safe," said White Otter. + +Eager to reach the Cheyennes before they got farther away, the Sioux +galloped boldly toward the ridge. When they reached it, White Otter +and Sun Bird dismounted and scrambled up the slope to reconnoiter. +The plain was dotted with dead buffaloes, and farther to the westward +they saw a great company of riders pursuing the herd. + +"They are our friends, the Cheyennes," Sun Bird said, excitedly. +"Come, we must catch up with them." + +"I cannot tell who they are, but I believe they are the Cheyennes," +White Otter told him. + +They told Little Raven to bring the ponies. Then they rode impulsively +across the plain. Their eagerness to overtake the hunters made them +reckless. They raced after the distant horsemen at top speed. They +passed a cluster of trees but took little notice of them. Convinced +that they had found the Cheyennes, their one desire was to overtake +them. Buffaloes and hunters had disappeared into a dip of the plain. + +"They are riding fast, it will be hard to catch them," declared Sun +Bird. + +The hunters apparently had failed to notice them. The Sioux were +somewhat surprised. They had expected to be discovered when they rode +over the ridge. White Otter became suspicious. + +"It is mysterious," he said. + +They had begun to ascend the hill over which the hunters had +disappeared. Great clouds of dust rose to the westward. It was +evident that the chase was still continuing. Then White Otter suddenly +glanced back across the plain. He stopped his pony and cried out in +alarm. + +"Stop!" he shouted. + +A small company of horsemen were riding after them. They appeared to +have come from the little grove of trees. The Sioux studied them with +grave suspicion. At first they took them for Cheyenne scouts. As they +came nearer, however, White Otter became doubtful. + +"Watch out," he warned. "Perhaps we have run into a trap." + +He had barely uttered the warning, when the horsemen whom they had +been pursuing swept down upon them from the top of the ridge. For one +brief moment the Sioux stared at them in astonishment. They could +scarcely believe their eyes. The buffalo hunters were Pawnees. They +were already within arrow range. + +"Come!" cried White Otter, as he rode madly down the slope. + +"Keep low, they are shooting their arrows," warned Sun Bird. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A DESPERATE CHASE + + +The Sioux turned toward the south with the hope of encountering the +Cheyennes somewhere in that direction. The Pawnees were close behind +them, and the race was thrilling. The scouts who had followed them +from the grove were riding desperately to get in front of them. The +buffalo hunters were thundering after them. The Sioux feared that +unless they could withdraw beyond bow range it would be only a matter +of moments before either they or their ponies were pierced by Pawnee +arrows. Having escaped from the first fierce volley, they crouched low +and lashed the Cheyenne ponies into a terrific burst of speed to +outdistance their foes. + +"The Pawnee ponies are tired; they will soon give out," cried Sun +Bird. + +It was their one hope. They believed that the Pawnees had fatigued +their ponies in the long chase after the buffaloes, and they had +doubts that they could maintain the pace. The ponies of the scouts +from the grove, however, appeared fresh and speedy, and the Sioux +felt less hopeful of eluding them. There were nine riders in the +latter company, and they were racing wildly along the flank of the +Sioux in an attempt to pass them. They were still beyond range, but +were riding at a sharp angle which would soon bring them within +bowshot. + +"See, the hunters are dropping back!" Little Raven cried, joyfully. +"Their arrows are falling behind us." + +"We must watch those other riders," White Otter cautioned him. "Their +ponies are fresh. They are coming fast. We must keep ahead of them." + +It seemed as if the hope of the Sioux was being realized. The main +company of Pawnees appeared to be losing ground. They had ceased +wasting their arrows. The Sioux glanced back and saw that the distance +between them and their pursuers had increased considerably. The riders +on their flank, however, were keeping up with them. Little Raven drew +his bow. + +"Save your arrows," cautioned White Otter. + +Aware that the Sioux were distancing them, the Pawnee hunters were +shouting encouragement to their tribesmen. The latter, however, were +unable to gain. They were forcing their ponies to the limit, but the +Sioux held their advantage. They were riding toward a small stand of +timber, some distance ahead of them. + +"The Cheyenne ponies are fast, they will carry us away," said Sun +Bird. + +A moment afterward Little Raven's pony stumbled and plunged to its +knees. Little Raven was thrown heavily to the ground. His friends +turned in dismay. The Pawnees yelled triumphantly, and lashed their +ponies to a fresh burst of speed. Little Raven had kept tight hold of +the lariat, however, and as the pony struggled to its feet he sprang +upon its back. Then he discovered that the animal had been crippled. +It ran with short, faltering strides, and had lost its speed. + +"My pony is lame--leave me and save yourselves," Little Raven cried, +bravely. + +"We will die together," White Otter told him. "Come, we will kill +these Pawnees." + +They drew their bows and prepared to fight. The Pawnees were within +arrow range. The nine scouts were abreast of them. The hunters were +close behind them. The crippled pony was steadily losing ground. Their +situation was desperate. An arrow passed between White Otter and Sun +Bird. Another grazed the flank of the injured pony. The Pawnees were +almost upon them. The Sioux saw little chance of reaching the timber. +Escape seemed impossible. They abandoned hope. + +"Come, my brothers, we will show the Pawnees how to die," Sun Bird +said, fiercely. + +At that moment Little Raven's pony recovered from the effects of its +fall. It sprang forward with new life. The injury appeared to have +been only temporary. The Sioux yelled with joy. Their hopes revived. +They determined to fight desperately for their lives. The Pawnee +scouts were circling to get in front of them. White Otter shot his +arrow at the foremost rider, and the Pawnee fell to the plain. Sun +Bird's arrow sent a pony to its knees. Little Raven twisted about and +wounded a Pawnee behind him. Then they raced forward and gained the +lead. A volley of arrows came from the Pawnees. White Otter was struck +in the shoulder. It was a slight wound, and he withdrew the arrow and +shot it at his foes. Then the Sioux crouched low on their ponies, and +rode toward the timber. They soon drew away from the exhausted ponies +of the Pawnee hunters, but the scouts kept close beside them. The +Sioux were within several arrow flights of their goal, however, and +their hopes grew stronger. They made savage use of their heavy riding +quirts, and the Cheyenne ponies increased their speed. Stride by +stride they drew away from the Pawnees until they finally carried +their riders beyond bowshot. + +"Keep them running, keep them running!" cried White Otter. "We will +get away." + +They reached the timber more than a bowshot ahead of the nearest +Pawnees. Then they jumped from the trembling ponies, and prepared to +fight off their foes. The latter, however, had failed to follow them. +Aware that the Sioux had suddenly gained the advantage, the Pawnees +were cautious about exposing themselves. They had stopped a long +bowshot beyond the trees, and appeared to be holding a council. + +"The Pawnees are afraid to come after us," declared Little Raven. + +"We must be ready," White Otter told him. + +In a few moments the Pawnees separated, and surrounded the grove. Then +they circled around the timber, shouting taunts, and whooping +savagely. The Sioux laughed at them. + +"They sound very fierce," Sun Bird said, sarcastically. + +"They are very cautious," laughed White Otter. + +They wondered what the Pawnees proposed to do. They showed little +inclination to approach. They had stopped riding. Many of them had +dismounted. The Sioux watched closely. They feared that the crafty +Pawnees might be attempting to trick them. + +"I believe they will go away," Little Raven said, finally. "They did +not come out to fight. They are hunters. They have killed many +buffaloes. If they leave them back there, Ma-ya-sh, the wolf, will eat +them. I believe some of those warriors will go back there to watch. I +believe some of them will go to their village to send their people for +that meat. My brothers, how do you feel about it?" + +"I do not believe they will go away," Sun Bird told him. + +"No, they will not go away," declared White Otter. "We have killed +some of their friends. They are mad. They will stay here." + +Soon afterward they saw a number of warriors leave the circle and ride +nearer the grove. Then they stopped, and began to shout, and shake +their weapons. In a few moments the rest of the Pawnees began to cry +out threateningly. Then a warrior on a spotted pony rode forward and +began to talk. He spoke in loud tones, and Little Raven, who had been +a captive in the Pawnee camp, understood many of his words. + +"He is talking about those warriors who were making that noise," said +Little Raven. "He is telling his friends how brave those young men +are. He says they are coming in here to drive us out." + +"Well, their friends will see that they are very foolish," declared +Sun Bird. + +"Do you know that warrior who is talking?" White Otter asked Little +Raven. + +"He talks like Jumping Horse, but he is too far away, I am not sure +about it," said Little Raven. "I believe some of those warriors know +who I am. It is bad. They will try to catch me." + +"Hi, those foolish young men are getting ready to ride over here," +said White Otter. "I believe they propose to throw themselves away. +Watch out, they are coming." + +A moment afterward the little company of Pawnees raced toward the +timber. They were yelling and waving their bows, and their tribesmen +were wild with excitement. The Sioux waited calmly at the edge of the +timber. When the riders drew near, however, they suddenly swerved and +rode around the grove at top speed. They were within easy arrow range, +and the Sioux instantly realized the significance of the maneuver. + +"They are trying to make us shoot our arrows," said White Otter. + +"We are not so foolish," laughed Sun Bird. "We will wait until they +rush in." + +When the riders saw that the trick had failed, they returned to their +companions. Then the Pawnees crowded together for another council. The +Sioux saw the warrior on the spotted pony talking excitedly, but they +were unable to catch his words. + +"I believe that man is the leader," declared White Otter. "He is +telling his friends what to do." + +"I believe he is Jumping Horse--he is a great war leader," said Little +Raven. + +"They are getting ready to rush in," Sun Bird declared, uneasily. + +Then the same company of warriors again rode forward, shouting, and +singing their war songs. They lashed their ponies into a gallop and +rode recklessly toward the grove. This time, however, they did not +turn aside. + +"Get ready to fight," cried Sun Bird. + +"Wait until they come close," cautioned White Otter. + +There were ten Pawnees in the attacking party, and they kept close +together and attempted to ride their ponies into the little patch of +timber. The Sioux took shelter behind the trees, and waited until +their foes were almost upon them. Then they raised the Dacotah war cry +and shot their arrows. Two of the Pawnees toppled from their ponies. +The others halted in dismay. Unable to see the Sioux, they were +bewildered and alarmed. Before they could rally, the Sioux renewed the +savage attack, and another rider slipped limply from his pony. Then +the Pawnees lost hope and raced away in pursuit of the riderless +ponies. + +"Hi, we showed the Pawnees how to fight," Sun Bird cried, fiercely. + +"Now they will try hard to kill us," White Otter warned him. + +The defeat of the warriors who had attacked the Sioux threw the +Pawnees into a rage. They began to race furiously around the grove, +gradually drawing nearer until they were within close arrow range. +Then they shot their arrows into the timber. The Sioux were well +sheltered, however, and had little fear of being hit. + +"It is good, the Pawnees are sending us arrows," Little Raven said, +mockingly. + +"Keep watching," replied White Otter. "They are very mad. I believe +they will rush in." + +It was not long before the Sioux saw the motive for the attack. The +Pawnees were attempting to divert their attention, while several +daring scouts rode close up to the timber and carried off the three +unfortunate warriors who had been killed. Then the entire company +withdrew beyond bow range. + +"The Pawnees have carried away their brothers," said Sun Bird. +"Perhaps they are going to give up the fight." + +"No, I do not believe it," White Otter replied, doubtfully. + +The Pawnees had formed in a great circle about the timber. They were +watching quietly, like a company of wolves that had surrounded their +quarry but feared to attack. The Sioux tried to guess their +intentions. Sun Bird and Little Raven hoped that they might suddenly +withdraw, but White Otter was suspicious. + +"I believe they will stay here until it gets dark," he said. "Then +they will try to creep up close. It is bad. We cannot help our +friends, the brave Cheyennes." + +The thought filled them with despair. For the moment their own peril +was forgotten in their concern for the safety of Red Dog and his +people. Having failed to find the Cheyenne hunters, the Sioux feared +to think what might have happened to the little company in the distant +village. The peril roused them. + +"We have done a foolish thing," Sun Bird cried, hotly. "Now we must +try to get away and do the thing we set out to do." + +"I am thinking about it," White Otter told him. + +"What do you propose to do?" inquired Sun Bird. + +"When it grows dark we will try to get past the Pawnees," White Otter +said, quietly. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A NIGHT OF SURPRISES + + +Late in the day half of the Pawnees withdrew toward the east. The +Sioux felt certain that they had gone to watch the buffaloes which +they had killed. The rest of the company came nearer to the timber. +Then they began to taunt and threaten the Sioux. The latter took no +notice of them. They waited anxiously for the end of the day, hoping +that darkness might make it possible to escape. + +"There are not so many Pawnees; perhaps we will be able to get away," +Little Raven said, hopefully. + +"They will watch sharp," White Otter told him. + +Although the company had been reduced by half, the Sioux were still +outnumbered by ten to one. They felt encouraged, however, when the +Pawnees showed no further inclination to attack them. The sun was +getting low in the west, and the day was passing. They were eager for +night. + +Then, as twilight was settling upon the plain, two scouts returned +from the east. It was evident that they had brought word of great +importance. The Pawnees appeared to be much excited. They had gathered +about the scouts, and were talking earnestly. A few moments later the +Sioux were amazed to see the entire company ride off toward the east. + +"Watch out, it is a trick," said Sun Bird. + +"I believe those riders came back to fool us," declared Little Raven. + +White Otter offered no explanation. He was watching the Pawnees with +grave interest. As they continued across the plain, an alarming +possibility flashed through his mind. He turned excitedly to his +companions. + +"My brothers, I believe the Pawnees have found the Cheyenne hunters," +he said. + +"It is true," cried Sun Bird. "Perhaps the Cheyennes found those dead +buffaloes. Come, we will follow the Pawnees, and find out about it." + +"Wait," said White Otter. "We must be cautious. Perhaps scouts are +watching to see what we propose to do. We will fool them. We will ride +toward the Place-where-the-warm-wind-blows. Then when it gets dark we +will circle around and come back to the place where the Pawnees killed +those buffaloes." + +"It is good," said Sun Bird. + +They waited a few moments longer to make sure that the Pawnees had +actually gone. Then, as they saw nothing of them, they mounted the +ponies and rode toward the south. They held the ponies to an easy +canter, and kept a sharp watch behind them. The Pawnees failed to +appear. + +"Wa-kan-tun-ka, the Great Mystery, has given us our lives," declared +Sun Bird. + +"It is true," said White Otter. "Perhaps we will be able to help the +Cheyennes. I believe we will find them over there near those +buffaloes." + +At dark they turned sharply toward the east. They went a long way +before they finally circled toward the north. They rode in silence, +listening sharply for sounds from the Pawnees. The night was still. + +"Perhaps the Cheyennes are getting ready to fight the Pawnees," +suggested Sun Bird. + +"That would be bad," declared White Otter. "If the Cheyennes are over +there we must find them, and tell them to come away. They must go to +help their people. There is little time. I am thinking about Red Dog, +and the women and children in that camp. Perhaps the Kiowas have +killed them." + +When they finally drew near the place where the Pawnees had killed the +buffaloes, they stopped to listen. Then, as they heard nothing to +alarm them, they advanced with great caution. The sky was bright with +stars, and they were able to see a short distance through the night. +They knew that they were to the eastward of the place where they had +first seen the buffaloes. + +"Pretty soon we will circle around, and go over there," said White +Otter. + +They turned toward the west, and soon came in sight of the ridge from +which they had discovered the Pawnee hunters. A few moments later a +pony called within bowshot of them. They stopped in alarm. Then a +voice challenged softly from the darkness. Little Raven recognized the +Pawnee dialect. He immediately replied. + +"It is good, my brother," he said in the Pawnee tongue. "Where are our +enemies?" + +"They are hiding over there among the trees," said the Pawnee. "Our +brothers are watching." + +"It is good," Little Raven told him. "We will go ahead. You must keep +watching." + +"Who is with you?" the Pawnee inquired, curiously. + +"I hear something--keep quiet," Little Raven said, craftily. + +The next moment they rode up the ridge. They listened uneasily, for +they feared that the Pawnee might become suspicious and follow them. +As they heard nothing to verify their fears, they crossed the ridge +and moved stealthily out across the plain. + +"Little Raven, you are as sharp as an old wolf," whispered White +Otter. "You have done a great thing. Now we know that the Cheyennes +are over there where the trees grow." + +They also knew that sharp-eared Pawnee scouts were on guard, and they +feared that it would be difficult to avoid them. The Sioux moved +forward with the alert, nervous caution of frightened deer. They had +not gone far when the ponies snorted and swerved aside. They stopped +in alarm. Then they discovered one of the dead buffaloes. They had +difficulty in persuading the ponies to pass it. + +"Perhaps the Pawnees will hear us," whispered Sun Bird. + +"Listen," cautioned White Otter. + +Some one was riding toward them. Their hearts beat wildly. They feared +to move. Many anxious moments passed. Then the sounds gradually died +away. What had become of the rider? Which way had he gone? They +listened anxiously for a clew. It was a long time before they felt +secure. Then, as the stillness continued, they moved slowly forward. + +"The way is clear," White Otter whispered, finally. + +They continued their perilous advance. Then they heard the cry of the +big gray timber wolf, somewhere behind them. It was the favorite +signal of the Pawnees. They feared that their foes had discovered +them. They stopped and listened. In a few moments they heard the call +farther out on the plain. The Pawnees were signaling. What did it +mean? + +"Perhaps that scout back there is telling his friends about us," said +Sun Bird. + +"No, no, he does not know about us," Little Raven assured him. "I +fooled him. He took us for Pawnees." + +"Perhaps the Pawnees are getting ready to rush against the Cheyennes," +said White Otter. + +The possibility startled them. They realized that if the Pawnees were +closing in upon the grove there was not a moment to spare. They +stared anxiously into the night in an effort to locate the timber. It +was hidden in the darkness. There was nothing to guide them in the +proper direction. They knew that it would be easy to pass beyond it. +The blunder might prove fatal. + +"We must watch sharp," whispered White Otter. + +They circled cautiously until they eventually saw the clump of trees +showing darkly through the night. Then they stopped and listened +suspiciously. They felt certain that Pawnee scouts were close at hand, +and they feared colliding with them. The wolf calls had ceased. The +plain was steeped in silence. The Sioux moved forward. + +"If the Pawnees find us, we must ride fast toward those trees," said +White Otter. + +"Perhaps the Cheyennes will take us for Pawnees, and kill us," Little +Raven told him. + +"When we get close we will call out and tell them who we are," replied +White Otter. + +They advanced directly toward the timber. There was not a sound. The +silence aroused their suspicions. Were the Pawnees, too, advancing +toward the grove? They wondered if a company of those crafty foes had +dismounted, and were creeping quietly forward under cover of the +darkness. Alert to catch the slightest sound, the three daring scouts +moved on. When they were near the timber they stopped. They felt sure +that the Cheyennes were watching at the edge of the grove. They +believed that it would be perilous to go nearer without warning them. +Still they feared to call. They listened for sounds from their +friends. The grove was silent. + +"Stay here with the ponies," White Otter whispered. "I will crawl +ahead, and find our friends. If the Pawnees come, ride to the trees." + +He left his pony with Sun Bird, and disappeared into the shadows. +Realizing that the Cheyennes might take him for a foe, he feared to +make the slightest sound. When he was close upon the grove he stopped +to listen. The silence continued. White Otter dropped to his hands and +knees and crept still nearer. He was within a few bow lengths of the +timber. Each moment he expected to hear the subdued murmur of voices, +or the restless stamping of ponies. He heard neither. The stillness +puzzled him. + +"Ho, Cheyennes, I am a Dacotah," he called, softly. "I have come to +help you." + +He waited in great suspense. There was no reply. Had the Cheyennes +failed to hear him? Were they unfamiliar with his words? He knew that +many of the Cheyennes understood and spoke the Dacotah dialect. He +crept forward until he was within leaping distance of the trees. Then +he repeated his message. Again it went unanswered. + +"It is mysterious," he murmured, uneasily. + +While he waited, the cry of the timber wolf sounded across the plain. +It made him impatient. He feared that the Pawnees were preparing to +charge upon the grove. His fears were strengthened a moment afterward +when the cry was repeated from another part of the plain. Twice more +it rang ominously through the night; each time from a different +direction. White Otter believed that the Pawnees were ready to +advance. There was no time for further caution. He rose, and ran +recklessly to the edge of the timber. + +"Cheyennes, I am a Dacotah, hold your arrows!" he cried. + +There was no one there. White Otter hurried into the grove, calling +the Cheyennes. They failed to answer. He circled frantically through +the timber. The grove was deserted. He was overcome with astonishment. +For a moment he stood staring wildly into the shadows. Then he was +roused by the sound of ponies. They were close by. He ran to the +plain. Sun Bird and Little Raven met him. + +"There is no one here--the Cheyennes have gone," White Otter told +them. + +They heard him in amazed silence. The announcement overwhelmed them. +They had expected to find a strong force of Cheyennes waiting at the +edge of the grove. + +"Well, there is no time to talk about it," Sun Bird said, anxiously. +"Listen, the Pawnees are closing in. That is why we came ahead." + +"Yes, I hear them," replied White Otter. "If we stay here they will +surely catch us. We must try to get away." + +"It will be a hard thing to do," Sun Bird told him. "The Pawnees are +all around us." + +They heard the boastful war songs of their foes echoing weirdly across +the plain. It was evident that the Pawnees saw little need of caution. +Believing that they had trapped the Cheyennes in the timber, they were +riding boldly forward to attack them. For an instant the Sioux forgot +their peril in their joy at the escape of their friends. Then they +realized that they had run into the trap from which the Cheyennes had +apparently escaped. + +"The Pawnees are getting close, we must go," said White Otter. + +"Watch out for scouts," Sun Bird cautioned him. + +Once again the Sioux rode carefully across the plain. This time they +turned directly toward the east. They knew that the Pawnees were +riding to meet them. There seemed little chance of avoiding an +encounter. The possibilities filled them with gloomy misgivings. Once +discovered, they feared that they would be surrounded and speedily +annihilated. Still they believed that it would have been even more +perilous to have taken shelter in the grove. Their one chance was to +slip between the Pawnees in the darkness. + +The Sioux were many arrow flights from the timber when they finally +stopped to listen. The ponies raised their heads. The Sioux drew +tightly on the lariats to prevent an outcry. Then they looked +anxiously for their foes. They failed to discover them. + +"Watch out, they are close by," whispered White Otter. + +Then they heard the Pawnee ponies. They were coming directly toward +them. The Sioux crowded closely together, and waited. They had drawn +their arrows, and were prepared to make a fierce fight. The moments +seemed endless. At last they heard the Pawnees talking. An instant +later a rider confronted them. Before he had recovered from his +surprise, the Sioux swept him aside, and broke through the circle of +foes. Lashing their ponies to desperate speed, they rode safely away +before the Pawnees recovered from their bewilderment. + +"Ride fast!" cried White Otter. "Some of those warriors will follow +us." + +They had not gone an arrow flight before they heard a company of +Pawnees racing after them. Determined to hold their lead, they forced +the ponies to still greater speed. Then they heard the great company +of Pawnees thundering toward the timber. They chuckled gleefully. + +"They will find out something big," laughed Sun Bird. + +In a few moments the night rang with the shouts of the Pawnees. They +were attacking the grove. The Sioux listened with keen satisfaction. +Then the noise suddenly subsided. Having encountered no resistance, it +was apparent that the bewildered Pawnees were investigating. As the +stillness continued, the Sioux felt certain that the Pawnees were +racing silently about the plain in an effort to find their foes. + +"Now we must fool those warriors behind us," said White Otter. + +He turned sharply toward the north. Then they listened to learn if the +Pawnees had followed them. Their hearts filled with joy as they heard +them racing away toward the east. + +"We are safe!" Little Raven cried, joyously. + +"Yes, we got away from them," said White Otter. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +FRIENDS + + +Having eluded their pursuers, the Sioux drew the ponies to an easy +canter and continued toward the north. They heard the Pawnees +signaling far away across the plain. They were still searching for the +Cheyennes. The Sioux wondered how the latter had escaped, and which +way they had gone. + +"It is mysterious," declared White Otter. + +"I do not know how they got away, but I believe they are ahead of us," +said Sun Bird. "The Pawnees found the buffaloes and chased them off. +The Cheyennes know about it. I do not believe they will stay in this +place. I believe they will go to their people." + +"Well, we must keep going ahead," said White Otter. "When it gets +light the Pawnees will begin to look around. If we stay here they will +find us. We did not find the Cheyennes, but we must go away. It is +bad." + +They continued to ride until the night was half gone, and then they +stopped beside a little stream to rest the ponies. They believed that +the Pawnees were far behind them, but they determined to take +precautions. They took turns at watching until daylight. Then they +looked anxiously across the plain for signs of their foes. They were +nowhere in sight. + +"It is good," declared Sun Bird. "Now we will go to the Cheyenne camp. +Perhaps we will find our brothers there." + +White Otter kept silent. He was troubled and depressed. His mind was +filled with thoughts of Red Dog and his gallant little company. Having +failed to bring the hunters to their assistance, White Otter had grave +fears for their safety. + +"Come, eat some of this meat, and then we will ride away," he told his +companions. + +While the ponies grazed, the Sioux ate heartily of the dried elk meat +which Red Dog had given them. As they sat beside the stream they +continued to watch the plain. They were about to ride away when White +Otter discovered something moving along the top of a hill to the +westward. + +"Watch sharp, there is something over there," he said, suspiciously. + +It was some moments before his companions discovered the distant +object. Then they saw it moving slowly down the side of the ridge. +They tried to identify it. + +"It looks like Ma-ya-sh, the wolf," said Sun Bird. + +"Perhaps it is a scout," suggested Little Raven. + +"I believe it is Ma-ya-sh," White Otter told them. "See, it is moving +down that hill. It does not see us. If it was a scout he would know +about us. Then he would hide behind that hill and watch. I believe it +is Ma-ya-sh." + +"Yes, I believe it is Ma-ya-sh," said Sun Bird. "Now we know that +there is no one over there. If the Pawnees were over there Ma-ya-sh +would not show himself." + +"It is true," replied White Otter. + +Convinced that the object moving along the ridge really was a prairie +wolf, they mounted the ponies and continued into the north. Hopeful +that the Cheyenne hunters had preceded them, they determined to +separate to search for the trail. Sun Bird rode farther to the +westward, and Little Raven circled toward the east. As the plain was +level, it was easy to keep within sight of one another. + +The day was well advanced when White Otter saw Sun Bird riding in a +circle. It was the danger signal, and White Otter immediately stopped. +Then he, too, rode in a circle to warn Little Raven. When the latter +saw him, White Otter galloped his pony toward Sun Bird. Little Raven +also rode toward the west. + +"What did you see?" White Otter inquired, anxiously, as he approached +the Minneconjoux. + +"Here are fresh pony tracks," Sun Bird told him. + +The trail had come from the westward, and turned abruptly toward the +north. It showed the hoof marks of many ponies. For some moments they +studied it in silence. + +"It must be the Cheyennes," Sun Bird said, finally. + +"Yes, I believe those are the marks of the Cheyenne ponies," replied +White Otter. + +"What is it?" inquired Little Raven, who joined them at that moment. + +"Here are the marks of some ponies," White Otter told him. + +"I believe it is the trail of our brothers, the Cheyennes," said +Little Raven. + +"We are not sure about it," White Otter told him. "Perhaps it is the +Pawnees. Perhaps they passed by us when it was dark. Perhaps they +circled over here and went ahead to catch the Cheyennes. We must not +let them fool us again. We will watch out." + +"You are a good leader," declared Sun Bird. "I see that what you say +may be true. Yes, we will be cautious." + +They rode rapidly along the trail. It was plain and easy to follow. +They had not gone far, however, when they saw something which brought +them to a sudden stop. A riderless pony had appeared on a knoll +directly ahead of them. They watched suspiciously. At sight of them +the pony raised its head and whinnied. Then it began to feed. It moved +in an awkward and unnatural manner that aroused their fears. + +"I believe some one is hiding behind that pony," declared White Otter. + +"If he is a scout why did he go up on that high place?" Little Raven +asked, curiously. "If he kept hiding we would not know about him." + +"Perhaps he was coming down that hill before we saw him," said White +Otter. "Then he saw us and hid behind his pony. Now he is trying to +lead it over the top of that hill." + +"Yes, I believe that is what he is trying to do," declared Sun Bird. + +The pony was still feeding, and moving slowly toward the top of the +hill. They felt sure that it was guided by some one behind it. It was +far beyond arrow range. As they were in no danger, the Sioux waited to +watch it. + +"Perhaps it is a Cheyenne," said Sun Bird. "Come, White Otter, make +the signal." + +At that moment a warrior sprang upon the pony, and disappeared over +the top of the hill. The Sioux had been unable to identify him. His +appearance, however, caused them considerable anxiety. They realized +that if he was a Cheyenne he had probably mistaken them for foes. In +that event he would warn his companions, and they might race away +before the Sioux could get in touch with them. If he was a Pawnee the +possibilities were more alarming. + +"It is bad," said Sun Bird. "If we go ahead, perhaps we will run into +the Pawnees. If we hold back perhaps our brothers, the Cheyennes, will +ride away from us." + +"We will go ahead," said White Otter. + +They approached the hill with great care. They watched closely before +they ventured up the slope. When they reached the top they saw a +large company of horsemen, far away across the plain. They appeared to +be watching the hill. The Sioux believed the scout had warned them. + +"Come, make the signal," said Sun Bird. "We will see what comes of +it." + +"Yes, make the signal," urged Little Raven. "I believe they are +Cheyennes." + +White Otter raised his hands high above his head. It was the sign for +peace. He repeated the signal several times. Then he rode his pony +part way down the hill, and returned to the top. In the meantime Sun +Bird had waved his robe up and down, and then spread it upon the +ground. He, too, repeated the signal. It was an invitation to come and +talk. Having thus proclaimed their peaceful intentions, and invited +the strangers to meet them, the Sioux watched for an answer to the +signals. The horsemen made no reply. + +"They are cautious," said Sun Bird. "Perhaps they take us for +Pawnees." + +"Perhaps it is the Pawnees after all," declared Little Raven. + +"Well, they are far away, they cannot catch us," White Otter told +them. "We will go toward them. Then we will see what they propose to +do." + +They rode a bowshot across the plain. Then they stopped and repeated +the signals. In a few moments a rider separated from his companions, +and replied to the signs. He raised his hands above his head. Then he +suddenly swept his right hand toward the ground. It, too, was an +invitation to approach and talk. + +"They are trying to draw us over there," said Sun Bird. "No, we are +not so foolish. We will wait until we see who they are." + +"It is the only thing to do," agreed White Otter. + +Having previously mistaken the Pawnees for the Cheyennes, the Sioux +determined to be careful. Sun Bird dismounted and again signaled with +his robe. Then they waited. Many moments passed before they received +an answer. Then three riders started slowly across the plain. + +"It is too many, watch out," cautioned White Otter. "Come, we will +tell them what to do. Follow me." + +The Sioux rode forward abreast. When they had gone a short distance, +they turned and rode back. Then White Otter rode forward alone. The +signal was meant to warn the approaching horsemen that one only must +come to the council. The strangers, however, ignored the suggestion. +All three continued toward the Sioux. White Otter turned and cantered +toward his friends. + +"Come," he said. "I believe those people are trying to fool us." + +They rode back toward the hill. Their action made it plain that they +mistrusted the intentions of the strangers. The latter seemed to +understand. They had stopped, and were holding their hands above their +heads to proclaim their peaceful intentions. The Sioux continued +toward the hill. Then two of the horsemen turned about, and cantered +toward their companions. The third rider still waited with his hands +raised. + +"It is good," cried White Otter. "I will go and find out who he is." + +"Be cautious," Sun Bird warned him. + +"I will watch out," declared White Otter. + +He turned his pony, and rode toward the stranger. The latter +immediately lowered his arms. Sun Bird and Little Raven watched +anxiously. White Otter advanced with great caution. He was making +every effort to identify the horseman before he came within arrow +range. Neither of them had drawn their weapons. To have approached +weapons in hand would have been evidence of suspicion and lack of +faith. When they finally came within bow range, they stopped and +examined each other with close attention. Then White Otter suddenly +recognized a friend. + +"Ho, Running Crow, now I see who you are," he cried, eagerly. + +"Hi, hi, it is my brother, White Otter," shouted the Cheyenne. + +A moment afterward they met and clasped hands. The Cheyenne was a +noted warrior and scout with whom White Otter had shared several +perilous adventures. Aware that White Otter had found a friend, Sun +Bird and Little Raven immediately rode forward to join them. + +"Ho, my brothers," Running Crow cried cordially. "I see that one of +you is Sun Bird. I do not know about that other warrior." + +"He is my brother, Little Raven," said Sun Bird. "Little Raven is a +great warrior." + +"My brothers, how do you come to be in this place?" Running Crow +inquired, anxiously. + +"Red Dog sent us to find you," White Otter said, soberly. + +"Has something bad happened to our people?" Running Crow asked +quickly. + +"The Kiowas were all around the camp," said White Otter. "It was a +great war party. I believe your people are in much danger." + +The Cheyenne remained silent. For some moments he stared wildly into +the eyes of the Ogalala. The Sioux watched him with pity. They knew +that he was striving to master his grief before he spoke. + +"When did you leave my people?" he asked, finally. + +"Two suns have passed since we came away from your village," White +Otter told him. + +"It is bad, it is bad," Running Crow declared gloomily. "Come, we will +go and tell my brothers about it." + +"Who is the leader?" inquired Sun Bird, as they rode toward the +Cheyennes. + +"I am the leader," said Running Crow. + +The Sioux found many old friends and allies among the Cheyennes. There +was Red Crane, and Turns Around, and Black Beaver, and Sitting Bear +and Fighting Wolf and several more. Some were unable to speak the +Dacotah dialect, but they clasped hands with the young scouts and made +it plain that they were glad to see them. Then Running Crow addressed +his warriors. + +"My brothers, I have bad words," he said. "There is little time to +talk. Listen sharp. These brave Dacotahs came here to find us. Red Dog +sent them. The Kiowas were all around our village. They say it was a +great war party. Two suns have passed since the Dacotahs came away. I +do not know what has happened to our people. Perhaps the Kiowas have +killed them. Come, my brothers, we must ride fast to the camp." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE ABANDONED CAMP + + +Early the following day the Cheyennes came in sight of their village. +They looked anxiously across the plain, hoping to see something which +would quiet their fears. They were a long way off, however, and it was +impossible to learn what they wished to know. They rode furiously +toward the lodges. As they approached they began to shout fiercely, +and look for the Kiowas. There was no response from the camp. + +"It is bad," Running Crow cried, in alarm. + +When they finally came within bowshot, they suddenly realized that the +village was deserted. Their hopes died at the thought. They rode +frantically to the edge of the camp. It bore grim testimony to the +success of the Kiowa attack. The corral was empty. Many of the lodges +were burned. Still, silent forms lay about the village. A dog howled +dismally. + +"Our people have been wiped away," Running Crow cried, dolefully, as +he rode his frightened pony into the camp. + +The Cheyennes followed silently behind their leader. They looked +solemnly upon the valiant friends who had given their lives in defense +of the village. Grief overcame them. They were unable to speak. + +"It is bad, it is bad," White Otter said, bitterly. "What I was +thinking about has come to pass. Red Dog and his people have been +killed." + +The Sioux moved about the camp with bowed heads. It was a scene which +stirred their sympathy and filled them with gloom. Many of the +Cheyennes had dismounted, and were entering the lodges which had +escaped the flames. It was evident that they were searching for +friends and relatives whom they had failed to find in the camp. Other +riders were searching about the plain in the vicinity of the village. +Then Running Crow suddenly called them to the center of the camp. + +"My brothers, a terrible thing has happened to our people," he said. +"The ponies are gone. The lodges are burned. Many brave friends are +dead. Our enemies, the Kiowas, have done this thing! Remember it. Keep +it in your hearts. Keep thinking about it. It is useless to talk about +it. You are Cheyennes. You see what I see. You feel what I feel. It is +enough. + +"My brothers, listen sharp. Many brave warriors are lying here, but +many of our people are missing. Where are the women? Where are the +children? Where is Red Dog? Where is Ghost Bear? Where are Cloud +Eagle, and Two Dogs, and Walks Alone, and Hairy Robe and Lame Bear? +Where are Painted Weasel, and Running Buffalo, and Thunder Hawk and +White Horse? What has become of those people?----" + +"I will tell you!" cried a voice from the edge of the camp. + +The Cheyennes turned in alarm. Old Ghost Bear, the Medicine Man, was +tottering into the village. They gazed upon him with frightened, +superstitious eyes. He looked like one who was dead. He stood before +them, swaying dizzily, and holding his hand across his eyes. The +Cheyennes waited silently for him to speak. It was some moments before +he was able to control himself. + +"Cheyennes, Cheyennes, Cheyennes, look about you!" he cried. +"Everything has been wiped away. The Kiowas were too strong for us. We +held them off a long time. We waited for you. You did not come. Then +the Kiowas got into the village. We fought hard, but we could not +drive them out. They killed many of our people. They ran off the +ponies. They burned the lodges." + +Ghost Bear suddenly covered his face with his hands, while his aged +body shook with grief. The Cheyennes looked upon him with compassion. +It was the first time they had seen him betray emotion, and they +realized that the great catastrophe had broken his heart. They feared +he was about to die. He had dropped to his knees, and was moaning and +sobbing like a child. Running Crow went forward and placed his hand +upon him. Ghost Bear dropped his hands, and looked wildly at his +tribesman. + +"Come," said Running Crow. "You are a great Medicine Person. You must +help us. Tell us what has become of the women and children. Tell us +what has become of Red Dog. Tell us what has become of all those +warriors." + +"Yes, yes, I will tell you about it," said Ghost Bear, as he struggled +to his feet. + +He gave a thrilling account of the desperate battle with the Kiowas. +The Cheyennes listened with breathless interest. Their eyes flashed as +he told how Red Dog got the women and children safely out of the camp. +Then he told how the Kiowas had entered the village, and speedily +overwhelmed the little company of Cheyennes. He said that some of the +Cheyennes reached the ponies, and fought their way from the camp. He +saw Red Dog kill two Kiowas. + +"Then I ran away, and I do not know what became of Red Dog and those +brave warriors," Ghost Bear continued. "Perhaps they were killed. I +ran a long ways. Then I crawled into some bushes. It was very dark, +and the Kiowas could not find me. I heard them passing around me many +times. Then they went away. I heard them running off the ponies, and +singing the war songs. Pretty soon I saw the lodges burning. I felt +very bad. Well, my brothers, I waited in those bushes until you came +here. At first I took you for the Kiowas. I wanted to die, so I came +to the village. Then I saw you. Now I have told you all I know about +it." + +"Ghost Bear, you have told us how this thing happened," said Running +Crow. "You have told how the women and children got away. It is good. +You say you do not know what became of Red Dog and those warriors. We +will try to find out about them." + +Running Crow called several warriors, and told them to circle far out +over the plain in a search for the missing Cheyennes. He feared that +they might have been killed beyond the camp. The scouts rode away. The +Cheyennes watched them closely, as they rode carefully about the +plain. It was a long time before they returned. They said that they +had found the tracks of many ponies going toward the north. They +declared that there were no dead Cheyennes outside of the camp. + +"It is good," cried Running Crow. "I believe our brothers got away. +Perhaps they have gone into the country of the Ogalalas. I believe Red +Dog went with them." + +As he finished speaking, a warrior at the edge of the camp cried out +and said that several riders were approaching from the north. The +Cheyennes hurried from the village to see them. The riders instantly +discovered them, and stopped the ponies. There were three. They were +far away. + +"I believe they are our people," Running Crow declared, excitedly. +"They are coming back to find out about this thing. Come, we must let +them know who we are." + +One of the warriors rode forward and raised his arm high above his +head. Then he rode rapidly to and fro. It was the rallying signal. A +moment afterward the riders galloped forward. As they came nearer, +they again became cautious. Then the Cheyennes began to call to them. +They heard them, and raced the ponies toward the camp. As they came +within arrow range, the Cheyennes recognized them. They were Painted +Weasel, and Thunder Hawk and White Horse. + +"Our brothers have come back--it is good," cried the Cheyennes. "Now +we will find out about this thing." + +"Well, my brothers, I see that you are alive--it is good," said +Running Crow, as he met them at the edge of the camp. + +"There are only a few of us left," Painted Weasel replied, soberly. + +"Where are the warriors who were with you?" inquired Running Crow. + +"They are following our people toward the lodges of the Ogalalas," +Painted Weasel told him. + +"Is Red Dog with them?" Running Crow asked, anxiously. + +"No," said Painted Weasel. "We do not know what became of him. We came +back here to find out about it. He was with us when we were fighting +to get away. He was very brave. I saw him kill two Kiowas." + +"Yes, yes, I saw him kill them," cried old Ghost Bear. + +"What became of him?" Painted Weasel asked him. + +"I cannot tell you that," said Ghost Bear. "I ran out of the village, +and did not see any more of him." + +"I was close beside him," declared Thunder Hawk. "Then the Kiowas +rushed at me, and I had a hard time of it. When I looked around I did +not see anything more of Red Dog. Then I heard my brothers riding +away. I went after them. I thought Red Dog was with them. Well, my +brothers, he was not there. No one knew anything about him." + +"Perhaps he was killed," said White Horse. "Did you look all around?" + +"Yes, we looked sharp," Running Crow told him. "We did not find him." + +"Then I believe the Kiowas must have carried him off," said Painted +Weasel. + +The Cheyennes were crushed by the possibility. Dismay kept them +silent. They knew only too well the fate that awaited Red Dog if he +had fallen into the hands of his enemies. Their courage rose at +thought of his peril. They determined to save him, or avenge his +death. + +"Yes, my brothers, I believe the Kiowas have carried off Red Dog," +White Horse told them. "We must try to save him. There is only one +thing to do. We must go to the Kiowa Camp, and try to take him away." + +"My brothers, I have listened to your words--they are good," said +Running Crow. "I believe the Kiowas caught Red Dog. It is bad. He is +our chief. He has done many good things for his people. We must try to +help him. Now I will tell you how I feel about it. White Otter is a +great war chief of the Ogalalas. He has done many big things. He has +helped us fight the Pawnees. He has helped us fight the Kiowas. We +know that he is a good war leader. He has been to the Pawnee village. +He took away the great chief Wolf Robe and that great Medicine Person, +Yellow Horse. He has been to the Kiowa camp. He went into that camp +and ran off ponies. White Otter knows how to do big things. My +brothers, I am going to ask this great Ogalala war chief to lead us to +the Kiowa camp." + +"It is good!" cried the Cheyennes. "White Otter is a great chief. He +must be the leader." + +"Come, White Otter, tell us how you feel about it," said Running Crow. + +"My brothers, I will lead you to the Kiowa camp," White Otter told +them. "Your people are my friends. We came here to help you. The +Kiowas are our enemies. They have killed many of your people. They +have burned your lodges. They have run off your ponies. I believe they +have carried away your chief. Red Dog is my friend. My heart is bad +against the Kiowas. I am going to the Kiowa camp to find out about Red +Dog. Yes, Cheyennes, I will lead you to fight our enemies. I believe +my people will come to help us." + +"Hi, hi!" cried Running Crow. + +When they learned that the Ogalala would lead them against the Kiowas, +the Cheyennes felt sure of victory. They had great confidence in his +ability, for his exploits had made him famous. For the moment they +forgot their grief, as they thrilled at the call of the war trail. +Their hearts burned with a fierce desire for vengeance, and they +believed that White Otter would give them an opportunity to retaliate +upon their foes. The thought stirred them. They began to sing the war +songs, and make savage threats against the Kiowas. Some of the +younger warriors began to dance. The village rang with their shouts. +The older men soon yielded to the excitement. In a few moments the +entire company joined in the wild antics of the war dance. + +White Otter took no part. He, too, longed to shout, and sing, and +dance and make fierce threats against his foes, but he realised that +it was not the part of a great chief to yield to his emotions. Sun +Bird and Little Raven, however, took a prominent part in the dance. +White Otter heard their voices rising in the fierce Dacotah war cry, +and his blood tingled at the sound. + +Then the Cheyennes finally brought the wild ceremony to an end, and +stood quietly beside their ponies, awaiting instruction from the +Ogalala chief. White Otter looked upon them with admiration. They were +a splendid body of warriors, and he was proud to command them. Tall +and sinewy, their stern faces and flashing eyes proclaimed their +courage. They compared favorably with the famous Dacotah fighting men, +and having seen them in battle White Otter knew that they were equally +bold and indomitable. + +"Cheyennes, I see that you are ready," said White Otter. "It is good. +You have made me the leader. I will tell you how I feel about this +thing. I believe my people will come here to help us. Some of you must +stay here to watch for them. Then you must bring them to the Kiowa +camp. The rest of us will go ahead to fight the Kiowas. Their village +is two sun's travel away. They have reached their lodges. We must +follow them to their camp. When we get there I will tell you what to +do. I have finished." + +As Running Crow translated the words, White Otter saw disappointment +on the faces of the Cheyennes. They began to talk softly to one +another. He knew at once that they were discussing who should be left +behind to watch. Each hoped to avoid the task. All wished to fight the +Kiowas. Then Ghost Bear suddenly offered a solution of the difficulty. + +"Listen, my brothers," he cried, eagerly. "All of you are young men. A +young man must fight. I am old. I cannot ride the war ponies. I will +stay here and watch for the Ogalalas. If they come I will tell them +where to find you." + +"If you stay here alone, perhaps something bad will happen to you," +Running Crow told him. + +"No, no, nothing will happen to me," Ghost Bear assured him. "I will +put away those brave warriors who are lying here. Then I will wait +for the Ogalalas. There is meat here. The Kiowas did not find it. I +will have plenty to eat. I am a Medicine Person, nothing can harm me. +If enemies come here, I will run away and hide in the bushes. Come, my +brothers, ride away and leave me. There is little time." + +"Ghost Bear, you are very brave," declared White Otter, when Running +Crow told him of the old Medicine Man's proposal. + +A few moments later the Cheyenne war party left the camp. They rode +across the plain, singing their war songs, and old Ghost Bear cackled +gleefully as he heard them. He watched until they were beyond range of +his dim old eyes. Then he moved slowly into the village. He stopped +and gazed sadly upon the forms of his friends. + +"Listen, you Silent People," he cried. "The Kiowas have sent you on +The Long Trail. You were very brave. Our people will talk about you a +long time. Now our brothers have gone to kill many Kiowas. White +Otter, the great war chief of the Ogalalas, is the leader. Soon you +will hear a great noise. You will know it is the Kiowas. They will cry +like women when our brothers begin to kill them. Then you must laugh +at them." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +IN PURSUIT OF THE KIOWAS + + +The Kiowa trail was easy to follow, for the great herd of ponies had +left many tracks. White Otter felt sure that the Kiowas would lose +little time in getting to their camp. The trail confirmed his +decision. It led toward the southeast, the direction of the Kiowa +village. White Otter believed that it would be useless to attempt to +overtake his foes. Some of the younger, more impulsive warriors were +eager to race ahead, but White Otter held them back. + +"It is useless to kill your ponies," he told them. "The Kiowas have +reached their lodges." + +When they had passed beyond sight of the Cheyenne village, he began to +take precautions. Two possibilities suggested themselves. He realized +that the Kiowas might have expected pursuit and left scouts behind to +watch their trail. He also knew that the Pawnees were abroad, and he +feared that they might have followed the trail of the Cheyenne +hunters. He sent scouts to ride ahead and on both sides of the war +party. + +"If you see anything, tell us about it," he told them. + +Then the war party continued across the plain. White Otter realized +that while his force was large enough for a sudden attack against the +Kiowa camp, it was not sufficiently strong to risk a fight in the +open. Besides, he hoped to accomplish his purpose without bringing +further loss upon the Cheyennes. + +The day passed without alarm. Toward sunset they saw one of the scouts +returning. They believed he had discovered something. White Otter +called Running Crow to act as interpreter. + +"He says he saw some buffaloes over there," said Running Crow, as he +pointed toward the south. + +"Then I believe the Pawnees are near," White Otter told him. "We must +watch out for them. Tell your brother to go back there, and keep +watching. Tell him when it gets dark to come to the place where many +trees grow. He will find us there." + +Running Crow repeated the instructions, and the scout rode away. It +was not long before one of the scouts who was riding in advance came +back. He was a warrior named Standing Bull, who spoke the Sioux +dialect. + +"We looked sharp but we did not see anything," he told White Otter. +"Sitting Bear and Black Beaver are riding ahead. I came back to find +out where to find you when it gets dark." + +"You will find us at the place where many trees grow," White Otter +told him. "Do you know that place?" + +"Yes, I know it," said Standing Bull. "There is good water there." + +He rode ahead to join his companions. He had barely gone before one of +the other scouts joined the war party. He, too, reported that he had +seen nothing to arouse suspicion. When he learned where the Cheyennes +planned to spend the night he rode away. + +"It is good," said Running Crow, who rode beside White Otter. "Our +brothers have seen nothing but some buffaloes." + +"Perhaps those buffaloes will bring the Pawnees," replied White Otter. + +"No, my brother, I do not believe we will see the Wolf People," +Running Crow told him. "They have killed many buffaloes. They have +plenty of meat. I believe they will take it to their people." + +Shortly afterward they came in sight of a large grove of aspens. It +was a familiar camp site, and White Otter had been there before. As +they drew near the timber they stopped, while scouts went forward to +investigate. They rode cautiously about the grove to make sure that it +was free of foes. The Cheyennes watched closely. They realized that it +offered a tempting hiding place to Kiowa scouts. One of the riders +finally disappeared into the timber. A few moments afterward be +signaled the war party to advance. + +"The way is clear," said Running Crow. + +When the Cheyennes entered the grove the scouts showed them a number +of fresh pony tracks. White Otter examined them with much interest. +They seemed to cause him considerable uneasiness. + +"Well, my brother, how do you feel about those tracks?" Sun Bird asked +him. + +"It looks bad," said White Otter. "There were three ponies in this +place. It was not long ago. Perhaps it was Kiowa scouts. Perhaps they +saw us coming here. Perhaps they have gone to tell their people about +it. We must watch out." + +"If the Kiowas come here the scouts will tell us about it," said +Running Crow. + +"Yes, that is true," replied White Otter. "But some one must keep +watching out there on the plain. The Kiowas are sharp. Perhaps they +will creep past the scouts." + +Several warriors offered to go out on the plain to watch. Then the +Cheyennes picketed their ponies, and lay down to rest. For two days +they had ridden hard, and they were tired and sore. + +"White Otter, I have something bad to tell you," Sun Bird said, as he +seated himself beside the Ogalala. + +White Otter turned inquiringly. + +"The Kiowas took away our ponies," said Sun Bird. "Painted Weasel told +me about it. Running Buffalo found Little Raven's pony, but our ponies +are with the Kiowas." + +"Hi, that is bad," cried White Otter. "Well, I will get back my pony. +Curly Horse, your chief, gave it to me. I will not let it go. It is +the fastest pony I ever rode. Yes, I will take it away from the +Kiowas." + +"We will get them back," Sun Bird declared, confidently. "My pony is +very fast. I will not let the Kiowas keep it." + +The loss of the ponies saddened them. White Otter felt sure that +neither friend nor foe owned a pony with the speed and endurance of +the little piebald which he had received from the Minneconjoux chief. +Sun Bird was equally attached to the little roan. It had beaten most +of the ponies in the Minneconjoux camp, and had carried him to safety +in several thrilling escapes from his foes. + +"How did the Kiowas get those ponies?" White Otter asked, suddenly. + +"Painted Weasel says that all the war ponies were in the camp," said +Sun Bird. "When the Kiowas ran into the village, the Cheyennes ran to +get the ponies. They had a big fight. The Kiowas got many of those +ponies. Our ponies were with those ponies they took away." + +The sun had disappeared, and the twilight shadows were forming on the +plain. Many of the Cheyennes were asleep. The ponies had finished +feeding, and most of them were lying down. The camp was in peaceful +repose. White Otter looked on with satisfaction. + +"It is good," he said. "The Cheyennes and their ponies are resting. +They will be strong to fight." + +Then, as night closed down, White Otter left his companions and seated +himself at the edge of the grove. He was serious and thoughtful. He +suddenly realized his responsibility. The Cheyennes had placed +themselves under his leadership. They were depending upon him to save +their chief. He knew the difficulties and perils which were before +him. He wondered if he would be able to overcome them. For a moment he +felt doubtful. Would he fail? Would he bring another staggering +disaster upon the unfortunate Cheyennes? He grew weak at the thought. +Then he realized that he was yielding to fear. The idea roused him. He +felt ashamed. He rallied from the mood. He recalled that he had +overcome the Kiowas under still greater difficulties. It restored his +confidence. His courage returned. He laughed away his fears. + +"I am an Ogalala," he said, proudly. "I will do what I have set out to +do." + +He rose, and turned his face toward the heavens. He asked +Wa-kan-tun-ka, the Great Mystery, to give him strength and courage to +overcome his enemies. Then he returned to his friends. He found Sun +Bird and Little Raven asleep. Running Crow was seated a short +distance away. White Otter joined him. + +"My brother, why are you awake?" White Otter asked. "I am the leader. +I will watch. Come, Running Crow, lie down and sleep." + +"No, I cannot sleep," Running Crow told him. "My heart is heavy. I am +thinking about my people. I am thinking about my friends who were +killed by the Kiowas. I am thinking about Red Dog. Perhaps the Kiowas +have killed him." + +White Otter remained silent. The words of Running Crow revived his +fears. He knew the bitter enmity between the Kiowas and the Cheyennes, +and he feared that Red Dog might have been killed soon after entering +the camp. Running Crow seemed to understand the significance of his +silence. + +"I see that you believe Red Dog is dead," Running Crow said, sharply. + +"No, I do not believe it," White Otter told him. "We cannot tell about +it until we get to the Kiowa camp. I----" + +He ceased speaking. A pony had called, close at hand. Running Crow +sprang to his feet. The Cheyennes sat up to listen. White Otter stared +anxiously into the night. + +"It is one of the scouts," said Running Crow. + +"Watch," White Otter cautioned him. + +For some moments all was still. Then they heard some one riding toward +them. They had little doubt that it was a scout, but they were +cautious. The Cheyennes had risen and moved to the edge of the grove. +The rider had stopped. They became suspicious. They waited anxiously +for a signal. At last it came. + +"Do not be afraid, my brothers," said a familiar voice. + +A moment later Fighting Wolf, one of the scouts, appeared out of the +darkness. Running Crow began to talk with him. The Cheyennes listened +eagerly. The Sioux, however, were unable to understand his words. + +"Fighting Wolf says that he heard the call of the great gray wolf," +Running Crow told White Otter. "It was far away." + +"The Pawnees made that call," declared White Otter. "We will be +cautious." + +At dawn the scouts returned to the grove. With the exception of +Fighting Wolf and his companions who had heard the wolf call, they +declared that the night had passed without alarm. White Otter felt +considerably encouraged. He believed that the Kiowas had failed to +guard their trail. It was evident that they had little fear of being +overtaken before they reached their camp. + +"I believe they will keep a sharp watch around their village," White +Otter told Running Crow. + +The sun had not appeared when the war party left the grove and +cantered away toward the Kiowa camp. White Otter asked Running Crow to +select the most expert warriors to ride in advance, as he believed +there was great danger of encountering Kiowa scouts. When half of the +day had passed, White Otter began to notice familiar landmarks which +told him that he was approaching the vicinity of the Kiowa camp. He +became more cautious. + +"We are getting close to our enemies," he told Running Crow. + +Soon afterward they saw the famous scout, Painted Weasel, racing +toward them. White Otter immediately called a halt. They watched the +scout with considerable anxiety. He was lashing his pony, and pointing +behind him. + +"Perhaps the Kiowas are coming," they told one another. + +When Painted Weasel came within shouting distance he called out to +White Otter in the Sioux tongue. + +"So-ta, so-ta!" he cried. + +"Painted Weasel says smoke," White Otter told them. + +"My brother, we saw some smoke a long way ahead of us," Painted Weasel +said, excitedly. "We were peeping over the top of a hill. We saw many +trees. We were watching sharp. Then I saw that smoke. I believe the +Kiowa camp is over there. I came to tell you about it." + +"Yes, it is true," White Otter told him. "The camp is in that place. I +know about it. Where are your brothers?" + +"Standing Bull and Red Crane are watching." + +"It is good," said White Otter. "Running Crow, tell your people about +it." + +The Cheyennes became greatly excited. Almost within sight of the Kiowa +camp, they were eager to approach and begin the fight. Some of the +warriors proposed riding back to the ridge with Painted Weasel to +reconnoiter. White Otter kept them back. + +"Cheyennes, you have made me the leader," he cried. "You must do +as I tell you. Now listen to my words. Red Dog your chief is in +that camp. If you let the Kiowas know that we are here, Red Dog +will be killed. There is only one way to do this thing. We must +hide until it gets dark. Then some of us will go ahead and try to +find out something. There is a gully over there toward the +Place-where-the-warm-wind-blows. I will take you over there. It +is a good place to hide in. Before we go there we must call in +our brothers, and tell them about it." + +Running Crow repeated the words to his tribesmen. They heartily +indorsed the plan. + +"The Ogalala is a great leader," they said. + +Then a warrior rode out on each side of the war party and galloped his +pony in a circle. The scouts were visible, far away across the plain. +They soon saw the riders and understood the signals. In a few moments +the Cheyennes saw them riding in. In the meantime Painted Weasel had +ridden away to acquaint his companions with the plans of the war +party. + +"Now we will go to that gully," said White Otter. + +He circled more to the southward, and led them across the plain at a +brisk canter. The scouts finally overtook them, and rode along beside +them. They kept a sharp watch for their foes, but except for a few +stray bunches of antelopes, the plain appeared lifeless. The day was +well advanced when they eventually reached a deep ravine that +extended far across the plain. + +"We will hide here and watch until it gets dark," White Otter told +them. + +Guards were appointed to watch the ponies, and then most of the +warriors crawled up the side of the ravine to watch the plain. They +looked eagerly into the east in the hope of discovering smoke from the +Kiowa camp. + +"Perhaps it has died out; perhaps it is too far away," Running Crow +told them. + +Sun Bird and Little Raven had joined White Otter. The three young +scouts lay beside each other at the top of the ravine. They stared +silently across the plain. The sun had set, and the evening shadows +were already gathering in the east. + +"See, see, some one is riding this way," Little Raven cried suddenly. + +Three horsemen were racing toward the ravine. The Cheyennes were +talking excitedly. They felt certain that the riders were the scouts +who had gone to watch from the ridge to the eastward. The Sioux also +believed that Painted Weasel and his companions were returning with +word of some important discovery. Running Crow hastened to join White +Otter. + +"It looks bad," he said suspiciously. "Something has happened." + +"Pretty soon we will know about it," White Otter said, quietly. + +As the scouts approached the ravine, the foremost rider raised his +hand above his head as a token of friendship. Then they recognized him +as Painted Weasel. When he reached them he called for White Otter. + +"Here is White Otter," Running Crow told him. + +"The Kiowa scouts have gone to that hill to watch," said Painted +Weasel. "We got away before they saw us." + +"It is good," replied White Otter. + +"Now it will be hard to get near the camp," said Running Crow. + +"We will fool them," White Otter assured him. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +DARING SCOUTS + + +At dark White Otter called the Cheyennes to assemble in the ravine. +Then he announced his plans. + +"My brothers, I am going to the Kiowa camp to find out about Red Dog," +he said. "I will try to find out about the ponies. Then I will come +back and tell you what to do. You must wait here. Keep a sharp watch. +Do not let the Kiowas find you. If you hear them coming, ride away to +that place where the trees are. If I do not come back before another +sun goes away you will know that something bad has happened to me. I +will watch out. I do not believe the Kiowas will catch me. Now I am +going to ask Sun Bird and Little Raven to go with me. Sun Bird knows +about that camp. Little Raven will help us with the ponies. Now, my +friends, I am going away. Pretty soon I will come back and tell you +about Red Dog." + +When Running Crow told the plan to the Cheyennes, they expressed their +disapproval. Most of them wished to accompany White Otter on the +perilous expedition. They believed that it would be foolhardy for the +three Sioux to go without them. + +"White Otter, I will tell you how my brothers feel about this thing," +said Running Crow. "They say that it would be foolish for the Dacotahs +to go to that camp alone. The Kiowas are watching. Perhaps you will +meet them. There will be only three of you. There will be many Kiowas. +Perhaps you will be killed. Then your people will say, 'The Cheyennes +held back. They were afraid. They sent our brothers ahead to die.' +Then we would feel bad. Come, take some of these brave warriors with +you. Then if the Kiowas come after you, it will be easy to get away." + +"Running Crow, I have listened to your words," replied White Otter. +"If too many of us go to do this thing, the Kiowas will hear us. We +must not let them know that we are here until we are ready to rush +into the camp. Do not feel afraid. Nothing will happen to me. Once I +went to that camp with my brother Sun Bird, and took away ponies. I +will go there again." + +"Well, my brother, I see that you propose to go ahead with this thing, +so I will not talk any more against it," said Running Crow. + +"It is good," declared White Otter. + +Soon afterward the three Sioux scouts rode away. When they were a +bowshot from the ravine White Otter turned toward the south. He felt +quite certain that the Kiowas would expect the Cheyennes from the +north or the west, and he believed it would be safer to approach the +camp from the southward. + +"Yes, it is the best way to go," said Sun Bird. + +They eventually circled toward the east, and crossed the ridge without +encountering their foes. Then they rode cautiously in the direction of +the Kiowa camp. They knew that it was located beside a wide stream to +the eastward of another low ridge. Having passed the scouts, the Sioux +hoped to reach the second ridge without being discovered. It seemed a +long time before it finally loomed up before them. Then they stopped. +The camp was only a short distance away. White Otter suddenly began to +sniff. + +"So-ta, smoke," he said. + +The wind was blowing toward them, and they caught the odor from the +Kiowa fires. They spent some time listening for voices from the ridge. +The way appeared to be clear. They rode slowly forward. They had gone +only a short distance when White Otter suddenly stopped his pony, and +dismounted. + +"It would be foolish to ride closer to that place," he said, softly. +"I believe scouts are watching on the top of that hill. If we ride +over there they will hear the ponies. I will tell you what I propose +to do. Little Raven, you must stay here with the ponies. Sun Bird, you +must go ahead with me. Little Raven, you must listen sharp. If you +hear anyone coming toward you ride away. Do not let the Kiowas know +who you are. When we come back we will make the call of To-ka-la, the +little gray fox. Now we will go ahead." + +"I will keep your words," Little Raven said, quietly. + +White Otter and Sun Bird disappeared. A few moments later they stopped +at the base of the ridge to listen. The silence reassured them, and +they crawled cautiously up the slope. Once at the top, they looked +eagerly toward the east. They located the camp by the glow from the +fires. Then they saw them twinkling far away among the trees. They +watched with the grim, silent satisfaction of a panther that has +discovered its prey. + +"Come," whispered White Otter. "We will go down there and look for +the ponies. Then we will crawl up to the camp and try to find out +about Red Dog." + +They moved carefully down the ridge, and hurried across the plain. On +a former expedition they had learned that the Kiowas pastured their +ponies to the northward of the camp, and they turned in that +direction. They had no thought of attempting to run off the ponies, +however, for they realized that such a maneuver would cost the life of +the Cheyenne chief. Besides, they felt certain that the piebald and +the roan and the best of the Cheyenne war ponies had been taken to the +camp for safe keeping. They believed that the rest of the stolen +ponies were with the great herd of Kiowa ponies that were turned loose +upon the plain in the vicinity of the village. White Otter was eager +to locate them so that the Cheyennes would know exactly where to find +them when they came to attack the camp. + +"Perhaps the Kiowas drove them close to the lodges," suggested Sun +Bird. + +"Yes, it may be true," said White Otter. + +They circled carefully about the plain, searching for the ponies, but +were unable to find them. They finally became convinced that the +crafty Kiowas had driven them close to the camp. It was the usual +precaution in times of danger. + +"Well, we will not look any more," said White Otter. "The night is +passing. There is little time. Come, my brother, we will creep up +close to the camp. Perhaps we will find the ponies there." + +They turned toward the Kiowa village, and advanced with great caution. +They stopped many times to make sure that the way was open, before +they finally came within bow shot of the camp. It was located in a +grove of cottonwoods that lined the banks of a stream. The lodges +showed distinctly in the light from the fires, but the trees made it +difficult to see into the village. + +"We must go closer," declared White Otter. + +At that moment a dog began to bark, and they stopped in alarm. Had the +dog caught their scent? Their hopes weakened at the thought. They +listened, fearfully, expecting to hear the other dogs take up the +challenge. Their fears, however, were not confirmed. The dog soon +became quiet. The peril had passed. + +"It is good," whispered White Otter. "We will go ahead." + +They moved through the darkness as silently as shadows, and +approached close to the edge of the timber. Then they stopped. They +were almost within leaping distance of the camp. They feared to +advance nearer because of the dogs. Then White Otter suddenly thought +of a way to overcome the peril. + +"Come, my brother, we will climb into this big tree," he proposed. +"Then we can see into the camp, and the dogs will not find us." + +"It is good," said Sun Bird. + +They climbed noiselessly into a large cottonwood, and went +sufficiently high to obtain a splendid view of the Kiowa camp. The +Kiowas were assembled about a large fire, and a warrior whom the Sioux +took to be the chief was talking excitedly. In a few moments they +recognized him. They had outwitted him several years before. + +"Hi, I know that warrior--it is 'The Lame Wolf,'" laughed Sun Bird. + +"Yes, I see who it is," replied White Otter. + +A moment afterward they made a still more interesting discovery. They +saw a number of ponies tied at one end of the camp, and among them +they identified the piebald and the roan. They were tied before a +lodge, and the Sioux believed that the Kiowa who occupied it was the +one who had taken the ponies from the Cheyenne camp. + +"Pretty soon we will take them away," said Sun Bird. + +White Otter kept still. He was searching the camp for Red Dog. The +Cheyenne chief was not in sight. White Otter became alarmed. He +wondered if the Kiowas had already killed their prisoner. The +possibility staggered him. He fastened his attention upon the man who +was addressing his people. He appeared to be telling them something +important. They were listening with serious attention. The entire +tribe seemed to have assembled at the council fire, for the Sioux saw +men, women and children in the group. Then the speaker suddenly +pointed toward one of the lodges, and the Sioux looked eagerly in the +direction. A moment afterward the robe was drawn from the doorway of +the lodge, and three warriors appeared. The Sioux instantly recognized +one as Red Dog. + +"Watch sharp!" said White Otter. + +The appearance of the Cheyenne chief threw the Kiowas into a turmoil. +They rose to their feet, and began to shout, and jeer, and threaten +their foe. The latter walked slowly forward between his guards. He was +badly crippled and walked with difficulty, and the Kiowas laughed at +his misfortune. Several boys followed behind him, mimicking his gait. +The eyes of the Sioux flashed dangerously. + +"I would like to kill those people," declared Sun Bird. + +"Wait," White Otter said, grimly. + +Red Dog was led to the council fire. The Kiowas immediately began to +threaten him. They crowded closely about him, shouting and shaking +their fists, but the Cheyenne appeared calm and fearless. Then the +warrior whom the Sioux had recognized called out sharply, and the +Kiowas fell back. A moment afterward he addressed the prisoner. The +Sioux wondered if he was speaking in the Cheyenne dialect. Red Dog +gave no indication that he understood him. When the Kiowa finally +paused, and appeared to be waiting for a reply, the Cheyenne remained +silent. The Kiowa laughed scornfully, and turned away. Then Red Dog +was taken back to the lodge. + +The Sioux felt greatly relieved. They believed that Red Dog would be +spared for the night at least. The thought gave them hope. They +believed that the following night they might be able to rescue him +from his predicament. + +"We have found out what we wished to know," said White Otter. "Come, +we will go and tell the Cheyennes about it." + +"Yes, we must get far away before the light comes," declared Sun Bird. + +They were about to descend, when they suddenly heard voices. The +speakers were approaching the camp. They were close to the tree in +which the Sioux had concealed themselves. The latter waited anxiously +for the prowlers to pass. They believed that they were scouts who had +been watching on the plain. Then the voices ceased, and the Sioux +became uneasy. They wondered if the scouts had gone. They watched to +see them enter the camp. Long moments passed. The scouts failed to +appear. The Sioux wondered what had become of them. Then they heard +them talking directly beneath them. They had stopped at the tree. The +Sioux wondered if they had been discovered. They feared to move. At +last they heard the Kiowas passing on. A moment afterward they saw two +warriors enter the camp. + +"Now we will go," said White Otter. + +They descended from the tree, and sped safely into the night. Dawn +was almost at hand when they finally found Little Raven. + +"You have come--it is good," he said. "Did you find Red Dog?" + +"Yes, we saw Red Dog in the Kiowa camp," White Otter told him. + +"Did you see the ponies?" + +"Yes, our ponies are in that camp," said Sun Bird. + +"Hi, that is good," declared Little Raven. + +"Did anything happen to you?" White Otter asked him, as they rode +toward the Cheyennes. + +"No, nothing happened to me," said Little Raven. "I listened sharp, +but I did not hear anything." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A THRILLING RESCUE + + +Having crossed safely over the ridge where they believed the Kiowa +scouts were watching, the Sioux rode desperately to reach the ravine +before daylight. There was not a moment to spare. Dawn was flushing +the eastern sky when they finally encountered the first Cheyenne +scout. They stopped, and White Otter imitated the bark of To-ko-la, +the little gray fox. + +"You have come back--it is good," cried Painted Weasel. + +"Yes, it is good," White Otter told him. + +They ran the ponies toward the ravine. The Cheyennes were overjoyed at +their safe return. They gathered eagerly about them to learn if they +had reached the Kiowa camp. + +"Cheyennes, Red Dog is alive," White Otter told them. "We saw him in +the Kiowa camp." + +"It is good, it is good," cried Running Crow. "My brothers, you have +done a big thing." + +The Cheyennes were beside themselves with excitement. Their gloom +vanished. Their hearts filled with hope. Having learned that their +chief was alive, their one thought was to rescue him. They realized, +however, that it would be foolhardy to make the attempt before night. +The thought suddenly sobered them. The delay suggested alarming +possibilities. They began to have doubts. + +"Perhaps the Kiowas will kill Red Dog before the night comes," they +told one another. + +Aroused by the thought, some of the warriors made reckless proposals +to attack the camp at once. The majority, however, talked against it. + +"We must wait," Running Crow told them. "If we let the Kiowas see us, +they will kill Red Dog before we can help him. I do not believe +anything will happen to him before the night comes. Come, White Otter, +you are the leader, tell us how you feel about it." + +"My brothers, we must wait," declared White Otter. "I do not believe +the Kiowas will kill Red Dog before the night comes. I will tell you +how I feel about it. I believe the Kiowas are getting ready for a big +talk. They will tell their people about the great fight. They will +dance and sing the war songs. Then Red Dog will be in danger. I +believe they will bring him out to kill him. I do not believe they +will do anything until it gets dark. Then we will be close to the +camp. We will rush in and carry away your chief. Pretty soon I will +tell you how I propose to do it. You must wait until I tell you about +it. If you do anything foolish, Red Dog will surely die. + +"Now I will tell you something different. My brothers, we found the +ponies. The war ponies are in the Kiowa camp. The other ponies are +outside with the Kiowa ponies. We will run off the ponies when we +carry away Red Dog. This will be a big fight. I know that all of you +are brave enough to go through with it. You must also be sharp. We +must fool the Kiowas. Then they will not kill Red Dog before we get +into the camp. I believe some scouts are still watching over there on +that long hill. I believe they will go away before it gets dark. We +must keep hiding in this place until they go away. Now I have told you +what I have to say about it." + +His words made a favorable impression upon the Cheyennes. They were +convinced that his plan offered the only hope of saving Red Dog. They +were eager to learn how he proposed to overcome the Kiowa camp without +sacrificing the life of the Cheyenne chief. White Otter showed no +inclination to tell them. + +"My brothers, White Otter is a great chief," said Running Crow. "A +great chief does not tell what he is about to do. You must wait until +it is time to go ahead with this thing. Then White Otter will tell us +about it." + +Day had dawned, and the sun was appearing above the plain. Most of the +Cheyennes crept to the top of the ravine to watch for signs of the +Kiowas. They wondered if scouts were still watching on the distant +ridge. There was no way of learning. + +The day was well advanced when the Cheyennes discovered a band of +animals on the summit of the ridge. They studied them with eager +attention. The distance made it difficult to identify them. Some +thought they were ponies. White Otter and Sun Bird disagreed with +them. + +"He-ha-ka, elk," said the Sioux. + +"Yes, yes, it is true," agreed Running Crow. + +The animals were moving slowly along the ridge. Their appearance +convinced the Cheyennes that the ridge was free of foes. They believed +that the Kiowa scouts had returned to the village. + +"The way is clear--it is good," said Running Crow. + +"Perhaps they are watching close to the camp," White Otter told him. + +Then he called Sun Bird and Little Raven into the ravine. + +"My brothers, I have some words for you," he said. "Pretty soon the +day will pass away. I have been watching for our people. Now I do not +believe they will come in time to help us. Perhaps the Cheyennes took +a long time to go to our camp. Well, we cannot wait. We must go ahead +with what we came to do. Red Dog is our friend. We must try to help +him. I am about to do a big thing. I will ask you to help me. There +will be great danger. Perhaps we will be killed. You are Dacotahs. You +are brave. I know you are not afraid to die." + +"White Otter, I will go with you," said Sun Bird. + +"Yes, my brother, I will go," Little Raven told him. + +"It is good," declared White Otter. "Now I will tell the Cheyennes +about it." + +He asked Running Crow to summon his tribesmen. They hurried into the +ravine, and assembled before the Ogalala. + +"My brothers, I have called you here to tell you what I propose to +do," said White Otter. "The day has almost gone. Night is close by. We +must get ready. + +"Listen to my words. When we go to fight the Kiowas it would be +foolish for all of us to go together. If we do that, the scouts will +find out about it and tell their people. Then Red Dog will be killed +before we get to the camp. There is only one way to do this thing. We +must make three war parties. Now I will tell you about it. I am going +to make Running Crow a leader. He must take some warriors and go away +first. Running Crow and his brothers must circle far around and come +up on the other side of the camp. I am going to make Standing Bull a +leader. He must take some warriors and go away next. Standing Bull and +his brothers must circle around and come up on the side where the +ponies are. I am going to make Painted Weasel a leader. He must take +some warriors and go away last. Painted Weasel and his brothers must +ride straight ahead to the camp. All of you must send scouts ahead to +watch for the Kiowas. You must watch sharp. If you let them find you +we cannot help Red Dog. When you all get close enough to shoot an +arrow into the camp, you must wait. When Painted Weasel is ready he +must make the cry of Ma-ya-sh, the wolf. Then Painted Weasel and +Standing Bull must lead their brothers ahead. You must make a big +noise. Standing Bull and his brothers must run off the ponies. Painted +Weasel and his brothers must go to the camp. + +"Now, Running Crow, listen sharp. When you hear that noise you must +bring your brothers to the other side of the camp. Do not make any +noise until you are close. Then rush ahead. + +"While you are all doing these things, Sun Bird and Little Raven will +go with me into the camp. We will try to save Red Dog and lead away +the war ponies. You must come fast, my brothers, or the Kiowas will +kill us. Each of you must do as I have told you to do. Now, my +brothers, I will ask you how you feel about it. + +"White Otter, you have given us great words," declared Running Crow. +"I believe you have told us how to fool the Kiowas. You have asked me +to be a leader. It is good. I will keep your words. Yes, my brother, I +will do as you have told me to do." + +"It is good," said White Otter. + +"My brother, you are a great war leader," said Painted Weasel. "If we +do as you tell us to do, I believe we will save Red Dog and run off +many ponies. I will keep your words. I will lead my brothers close up +to the camp. We will make a big fight. We will try hard to help you." + +"It is good," White Otter told him. + +"Great chief of the Ogalalas, I have listened to your words," said +Standing Bull. "They are good. I believe it is the only way to do this +thing. I will keep your words. I will lead my brothers to run off the +ponies." + +"It is good," said White Otter. "Well, my brothers, I see that you all +feel good about this thing. It makes me feel big." + +Having learned the plan of attack, the Cheyennes looked forward to the +fight with enthusiasm. They crept up the ravine and watched +impatiently for the day to pass. They glared fiercely into the east, +and murmured boastful threats against the hated foes in the distant +camp. + +"Hi, hi, pretty soon we will show the Kiowas how to fight," they +cried, savagely. + +When the purple evening shadows finally settled upon the plain, the +war leaders called the warriors into the ravine, and began to select +the men who were to accompany them. The Cheyennes watched with intense +interest as Running Crow and Painted Weasel and Standing Bull went +about making their selections. All were famous warriors who commanded +the respect and admiration of their tribesmen, and the latter had +little preference between them. Then White Otter suddenly called +Running Crow. + +"Running Crow, I believe Painted Weasel and his brothers will have the +biggest fight," he said. "The Kiowas will run out that way when they +hear the noise. Painted Weasel must take the most warriors. You will +also have a big fight, because you must rush into the camp. You must +take many warriors. Standing Bull will run off the ponies. I do not +believe he will get into the fight. Standing Bull must not take so +many warriors." + +"It is true," agreed Running Crow. "I have told my brothers about it. +Painted Weasel is calling the most warriors. Standing Bull has called +only a few." + +"It is good," said White Otter. + +When the selections had finally been made, each war leader made a +short, fiery address to his warriors. Their words roused the fighting +spirit of the Cheyennes. They made it plain that they hoped to wipe +out the sting of their recent defeat and take full vengeance upon the +Kiowas. + +"My people are very mad," Running Crow told White Otter. "They will +make a big fight." + +Darkness had already fallen, and White Otter determined to reconnoiter +the plain before the first war party left the ravine. He sent White +Horse and Red Crane and Fighting Wolf and Sitting Bear to look for the +Kiowas. White Horse and Red Crane advanced toward the distant ridge. +Sitting Bear circled toward the north. Fighting Wolf rode toward the +south. The Cheyennes waited anxiously for them to return. Sitting Bear +came first. He said he had ridden far out over the plain but had heard +or seen nothing of their foes. Then Fighting Wolf rode in. He, too, +declared that he had failed to find the Kiowas. It was a long time +before White Horse and Red Crane arrived. They said they had searched +carefully along the ridge, but had failed to locate their enemies. + +"It is good," said White Otter. "Now we are ready to go ahead. Come, +Running Crow, call your warriors." + +When Running Crow and his companions were ready to depart, White Otter +addressed them. + +"My brothers, you are going into great danger," he warned them. +"Perhaps you will have a hard fight. Running Crow is a good war +leader. He will take you into the Kiowa camp. Then you must try to +save your chief. When you get away come here and wait for your +brothers. Do what I have told you to do. Do not try to do anything +different. Go, my brothers, Red Dog is waiting for you." + +"White Otter, we will keep your words," Running Crow told him. "When +we hear that great noise we will rush ahead." + +"It is good," said White Otter. + +They rode silently from the ravine, and cantered away toward the +south. White Otter listened soberly as the hoofbeats of the ponies +gradually died away. He knew that they were staking their lives on his +ability as a war leader. He realized his responsibility. Failure meant +death for Red Dog, disaster for the Cheyennes, and disgrace for him. +He drove the thought from his mind. + +"I will do this thing," he murmured, fiercely. + +Standing Bull and his warriors were impatient, and eager to depart. +White Otter held them back. He waited until he believed that Running +Crow and his companions were well on their way before he finally sent +away the second war party. + +"Standing Bull, you must run off the ponies," said White Otter. "There +are only a few of you. Do not try to get into the fight. Keep the +ponies going. Make a big noise." + +"I will do as you tell me," replied Standing Bull. + +After they had gone, White Otter called Painted Weasel. + +"Painted Weasel, you are a brave scout and a good war leader," White +Otter told him. "I have seen you fight the Pawnees. I have seen you +fight the Kiowas. I know you are brave. That is why I made you the +leader of this war party. You will have the hardest fight of all. You +must follow us to the Kiowa camp. You must wait close by until we have +time to get into the camp. Then you must give the cry of Ma-ya-sh, the +wolf, and rush ahead. Make a great noise. Try to frighten the Kiowas. +Perhaps you will find us at the edge of the camp. Perhaps the Kiowas +will hold us in the village. You must try to help us carry off Red +Dog." + +"White Otter, you are my friend," replied Painted Weasel. "I have +seen you do some big things. All of these warriors know about you. +They will be very brave because you are here. I will keep your words. +We will fight hard to get Red Dog out of the camp." + +"It is good," said White Otter. "Come, my brothers, we will go." + +They mounted the ponies and rode from the ravine. Then they cantered +slowly across the plain. White Otter and Painted Weasel rode in front. +Sun Bird and Little Raven followed close behind them. Then came the +gallant Cheyenne fighting men. They rode along in grim silence. When +they had crossed the second ridge, White Otter stopped them. + +"Now, my brothers, we must leave you and go ahead," he told Painted +Weasel. "Hold back until we have time to reach the camp. Then go +ahead. Be cautious. Now send some one with us to hold the ponies." + +Two young Cheyennes rode forward to join the Sioux. Then White Otter +led his little company toward the Kiowa camp. They soon saw the +camp-fires flickering between the trees. When they drew nearer they +suddenly heard sounds which aroused their fears. The Kiowas were +shouting and beating the war drums. White Otter listened uneasily. + +"It is bad," he said. "The Kiowas are dancing and singing the war +songs. Red Dog is in danger. There is little time." + +They rode faster. When they finally came within bowshot of the camp, +White Otter stopped and dismounted. Sun Bird and Little Raven also +dismounted. Then they left their ponies with the Cheyennes, and +hurried away. They kept farther to the southward than they had gone +the previous night, for White Otter was anxious to conceal himself +nearer the center of the village. + +"Now, my brothers, I will tell you what to do," he said, softly. "When +we get to the edge of the camp, we will look for Red Dog. Then we will +look for the war ponies. I will ask Sun Bird to go with me to help Red +Dog. I will ask Little Raven to creep into the camp and lead out the +ponies. Now we will go ahead." + +The plain was shrouded in darkness, and they crept to the border of +the camp without being discovered. Then they looked upon their foes. +The Kiowas were seated about a great fire in the center of the +village. They had ceased dancing, and were listening to a warrior who +appeared to be relating some thrilling experience. The Sioux felt +sure that he was describing the battle at the Cheyenne camp. They took +little interest in him, for their one thought was to discover Red Dog. +He was not in sight. They felt relieved. They were within a few bow +lengths of the lodge into which he had been taken the previous night. + +In the meantime, Little Raven had discovered the Dacotah ponies. They +were tied before a lodge, a short distance on his left. He touched +White Otter and pointed toward them. White Otter nodded +understandingly. Little Raven crawled away into the darkness. + +A moment afterward the Kiowa finished his boastful tale, and received +a noisy ovation from his people. The Sioux smiled. Then another +warrior rushed into the circle and drove his tomahawk into a painted +post near the fire. The Sioux were familiar with the ceremony. They +knew that the Kiowa claimed a coup for some daring feat which he had +performed in the fight with the Cheyennes, and was about to tell his +tribesmen of his valor. As the speaker drew the attention of the +Kiowas, White Otter seized the opportunity to creep closer to the +lodge in which he hoped to find Red Dog. When he was within a bow +length of it, he stopped and placed his lips to the ear of Sun Bird. + +"I believe Red Dog is in this lodge," he whispered. "I am going to +creep up behind it. Follow me." + +They crawled cautiously forward until they were at the rear of the +lodge. Then White Otter placed his ear at the bottom of the lodge +cover, and held his breath to listen. All was still. He signaled to +Sun Bird. He, too, lay close to the ground and listened. In a few +moments he shook his head. He had heard nothing. They believed that +Red Dog was alone in the lodge. The thought filled them with joy. The +warrior was still telling his boastful tale. The Kiowas were silent. +The Sioux believed their opportunity was at hand. They drew their +knives and began to cut the lodge cover from the stakes which held it +to the ground. Then they were suddenly interrupted by the shrill +neighing of a pony somewhere at the other end of the camp. The warrior +ceased speaking. The Kiowas cried out excitedly. The Sioux turned to +each other in dismay. + +"Run around the other side of the lodge!" cried White Otter. + +They separated and circled the lodge. Two warriors were coming out +with Red Dog between them. The Sioux shot their arrows, and the Kiowas +fell. Before the people in the camp realized what had happened, White +Otter had reached the Cheyenne chief and freed his arms. Then he drew +him toward the edge of the camp. The Kiowas rushed forward. Sun Bird +fought desperately to hold them back. + +Then the cry of Ma-ya-sh sounded from the plain. The Kiowas stopped in +alarm. A moment afterward the night rang with a wild din that filled +their hearts with terror. They heard their foes advancing on three +sides of the camp. For an instant they crowded together in panic. Then +the warriors ran for the ponies. They heard them thundering across the +plain. They saw a dim, shadowy form dash into the camp and disappear +with the Sioux war ponies. Then they heard the Cheyennes yelling at +the edge of the village. The Kiowas rushed forward to drive them out. +At that instant another company of horsemen entered from the opposite +side of the camp. The Kiowas became demoralized and fled wildly before +their foes. The Cheyennes swept into the camp. + +"Come, my brothers, here are the ponies," cried Little Raven, as he +joined his comrades at the border of the village. + +The three warriors who had waited with the ponies had already come +forward. Red Dog mounted and raced away to lead his warriors. The +Sioux followed close behind him. The Kiowas had abandoned the camp, +and were fleeing across the plain. The Cheyenne victory was complete. +They had overcome their foes without losing a man. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +DISASTER + + +When the Cheyennes finally returned to the ravine they found Standing +Bull and his companions awaiting them with a great herd of ponies. +Among them were the fast war ponies which the Cheyennes had liberated +from a corral at the end of the Kiowa camp. + +"White Otter, we have done what you asked us to do," said Standing +Bull. + +"You are a good leader," White Otter told him. "See, my brothers, we +have brought back your chief." + +"Hi, hi, here is Red Dog!" Standing Bull cried, delightedly. + +It was the signal for a great ovation to the Cheyenne chief. His +warriors gathered about him with wild enthusiasm. Their piercing yells +echoed shrilly across the plain, and put new terror into the hearts of +the fleeing Kiowas. Then the guards with the ponies called out and +warned the Cheyennes that the frightened animals were threatening to +stampede. + +"Be quiet, be quiet!" shouted Running Crow, "You have frightened the +ponies." + +The Cheyennes heeded the warning and became quiet. A few moments +afterward Red Dog addressed them. + +"My brothers, first I will tell you about these brave Dacotahs," he +said. "When the Kiowas came to kill me, the Dacotahs shot their arrows +through them, and gave me my life. Then White Otter pulled me away. +Sun Bird fought back the Kiowas. Little Raven took away the Dacotah +ponies. It was a great thing to do. Dacotahs, my heart feels big. You +saved me from the Pawnees. Now you have saved me from the Kiowas. My +people will talk about it a long time. + +"Now, Cheyennes, here are some words for you. You were very brave. You +came to that camp and fooled the Kiowas. You chased them out of their +lodges. You made them run like rabbits. The Kiowas killed our people, +but you killed many Kiowas. The Kiowas took our ponies, but you got +them back, and took away many Kiowa ponies. Now we feel different in +our hearts." + +"Red Dog, I will tell you who brought your people to that camp to help +you," said Running Crow. "White Otter brought them. He was the +leader. He told us how to fool the Kiowas." + +"White Otter is a great chief," replied Red Dog. + +"White Otter, my people want you to give them some words," said +Running Crow. + +"Cheyennes, you have done a big thing," White Otter told them. "You +were very brave. Running Crow, and Painted Weasel and Standing Bull +are good war leaders. All of them did what they set out to do. That is +how your chief, Red Dog, happens to be alive. Cheyennes, I will tell +you that my brother, Sun Bird, was very brave. He fought back many +Kiowas, while I was helping Red Dog. Cheyennes, I will tell you that +my brother, Little Raven, was very brave. He crawled into the Kiowa +camp and led out our ponies. Hi, my brothers, we feel good to get back +those ponies. Now Red Dog has come back to you. He must be the leader. +I have finished." + +The Cheyennes remained at the ravine until daylight, and then as they +saw nothing of the Kiowas they set out toward the north. They rode +away in buoyant spirits, laughing, and shouting and singing the war +songs. As usual, scouts rode ahead and along either flank. The +warriors rode in pairs with Red Dog and White Otter in the lead. The +men in charge of the ponies followed close behind the war party. The +Cheyennes had little fear of pursuit, for they had thoroughly +demoralized the Kiowas and taken away most of their ponies. + +"They will not follow us," laughed Red Dog. + +Although they felt secure from the Kiowas, the Cheyennes realized that +there was a possibility of encountering the Pawnees. Having found them +upon their hunting grounds, they felt quite certain that the Pawnees +would keep a close watch. They believed, however, that the latter were +farther toward the west, and they hoped to avoid them. + +"We will watch out," said Red Dog. + +The warriors in charge of the captured ponies were having considerable +difficulty in holding them together, and the war party was forced to +travel slowly. It disturbed them, for they were eager to withdraw from +the Pawnee hunting grounds as soon as possible. They knew that the +Pawnees were constantly moving about the plain, and they feared that +some sharp-eyed scout might discover them. In that event they felt +quite certain that the large herd of ponies would tempt the Pawnees to +make an attack. + +Half of the day had passed before they discovered anything to make +them suspicious. Then they saw one of the scouts racing toward them. +They stopped to wait for him. + +"It is Turns Around," said Red Dog. "I believe he has found something +bad." + +In a few moments Turns Around reached them. He rode directly to Red +Dog. They talked earnestly. Then Red Dog called out to the Cheyennes. +They looked anxiously toward the west. + +"Turns Around says he saw a warrior over there," Red Dog told White +Otter. "He says he believes the warrior was a Pawnee. He says he +believes the warrior saw him. He came back to tell us about it." + +"It is bad," White Otter said, soberly. "If that warrior saw Turns +Around, perhaps he will follow him and see us." + +"It is true," replied Red Dog. "Well, we must keep going ahead. We +cannot travel fast. We must keep with the ponies. They are holding us +back. It is bad. I will feel good when we get away from this place. +Now I am going to send Turns Around, and Sitting Bear over there to +watch." + +"Perhaps that scout will circle around and get behind us," suggested +White Otter. + +"Yes, I am thinking about that," said Red Dog. "I will send Black +Beaver, and Fighting Wolf back there to watch." + +Red Dog told his plans to the Cheyennes. The scouts immediately rode +away. At the same time the war party continued toward the north. Red +Dog sent a number of warriors to assist in keeping the ponies in +order. Then the Cheyennes attempted to make better speed. + +"Perhaps that warrior is a hunter," Red Dog told White Otter, +hopefully. "If he is a hunter I do not believe he will try to follow +us." + +White Otter was silent. The discovery of the solitary rider had made +him suspicious. Having encountered the strong force of Pawnees farther +to the westward, he feared that they were still roaming about the +plain. If one of their scouts came in sight of the Cheyennes, he +believed there would be a fight. He realized that it would be +difficult to escape without abandoning the ponies, and he knew that +the Cheyennes would be unwilling to make that sacrifice. + +They heard nothing further from the scouts until late in the day, and +then Black Beaver overtook them. His announcement caused considerable +excitement. White Otter believed that the Cheyennes were alarmed. Red +Dog had left him, and was talking seriously with Running Crow. + +"My brother, I believe the scouts have seen the Pawnees," Sun Bird +told White Otter. + +"Something bad has happened," said White Otter. + +Then Red Dog galloped up beside him. He appeared uneasy and troubled. +The Sioux asked no questions. In a few moments, however, Red Dog told +them what Black Beaver had said. + +"Black Beaver says he saw three wolves peeping over the top of some +rocks," said Red Dog. "He says they did not look right. He asked +Fighting Wolf about it. Fighting Wolf said they did not look right. +Then they went away. Our brothers rode ahead. They kept looking back. +They did not see anything. Then they rode over a little hill. Then +Fighting Wolf held the ponies, and Black Beaver ran back to watch. He +peeped over the hill, and saw two warriors riding away toward the +Place-where-the-sun-sleeps. Then he saw a wolf peeping over the rocks. +Then Fighting Wolf stayed there to watch, and Black Beaver came to +tell us about it. My brothers, it is bad. I believe the Pawnees have +found out about us. Come, White Otter, you are a great war leader, +tell me what you make of it." + +"It looks bad," White Otter told him. "I believe what you say is true. +I believe the Pawnees know about us." + +"Well, if they know about us, they will bring a big war party to run +off these ponies," declared Red Dog. + +"I do not believe those scouts know about the ponies," said Sun Bird. +"Perhaps they are only trying to find out who we are. We are going +away. Perhaps they will not try to follow us." + +"I believe they will follow us," declared White Otter. + +"Well, there is only one thing to do," Red Dog told them. "We must get +away as fast as we can. We are not afraid of those Pawnees, but we +must not lose the ponies." + +"Those are good words," said White Otter. + +Fearful that they were being followed, the Cheyennes surrounded the +ponies and lashed them into a sharp gallop. It was impossible to hold +them together. They soon scattered, and some broke from the herd and +raced wildly across the plain. The Cheyennes rode furiously to turn +them back. + +"It is useless," they cried. "We cannot run them so fast." + +Black Beaver had already turned back to join Fighting Wolf. The day +was far gone, and the Cheyennes believed that if they could avoid an +encounter before dark, they might be able to throw the Pawnees from +their trail under cover of the night. The thought encouraged them. +They ran the ponies at a brisk pace, and kept a sharp watch behind +them. Then they saw Turns Around and Sitting Bear approaching from the +west. When they reached the war party they told Red Dog that they had +seen nothing more of the solitary rider. + +"It is good," said Red Dog. "Perhaps it was a hunter. I believe he has +gone away." + +At that moment, however, the Cheyennes heard shouts behind them. +Looking back in alarm, they saw Black Beaver and Fighting Wolf racing +after them. They were lashing their ponies and riding at a furious +pace. + +"Watch out, I believe the Pawnees are close behind them!" cried Red +Dog. + +"Run the ponies! Run the ponies!" cried the scouts. "Many Pawnees are +coming!" + +The two riders had barely reached them when the Cheyennes saw a great +company of horsemen ride over a hill. They knew at once that they were +Pawnees. When the latter discovered the herd of ponies they began +yelling excitedly. They raced across the plain at break-neck speed, +and the Cheyennes realized that they would soon be overtaken. + +"Come, we will ride back there and fight them off," proposed several +young warriors. + +"No, no," cried Red Dog. "Stay where you are. We must keep together +and try to hold the ponies. Keep them running. Stay on all sides of +them. Do not fight until the Pawnees try to rush in. Perhaps they will +be afraid to come close." + +The Pawnees were gaining with each stride of the ponies, and the +Cheyennes knew it was hopeless to attempt to escape. Aware that an +encounter was inevitable, they had surrounded the ponies, and were +prepared to fight off their foes. The Sioux rode together at the head +of the herd. + +"It looks bad," said Sun Bird. "The Cheyennes made a big fight to get +these ponies, but I believe the Pawnees will run them off." + +"We must fight them back," White Otter told him. + +"See, see, they are trying to get ahead of us," cried Little Raven. + +The Pawnees had suddenly separated, and were moving forward along the +flank of the war party. The Cheyennes instantly guessed their plan. + +"They are going to ride around and close us in!" cried Red Dog. "Come, +stop the ponies, and make a circle!" + +They made desperate attempts to stop the ponies, but the wild yells of +the Pawnees had frightened them into a panic and they were beyond +control. They were running madly, but the Pawnees were passing on both +sides of them. Another company of foes were closing in from the rear. +The Cheyennes at the rear of the herd turned about and drove them back +with a fierce volley of arrows. Then the Pawnees who had passed began +to close in ahead of them. The Cheyennes saw the danger. + +"Come, Cheyennes, follow me!" cried White Otter. + +He raced forward, and a number of Cheyennes left the ponies and +followed him. Sun Bird and Little Raven rode close beside him. White +Otter raised his voice in the war cry and rode straight at his foes. +His reckless courage roused his companions, and they charged savagely +upon the surprised Pawnees and swept them from the path. + +"Follow the Sioux! Follow the Sioux!" cried Red Dog. + +The Cheyennes lashed the ponies into a wild burst of speed. The +Pawnees began to shoot their arrows. They charged within short +bow-range and made a furious attack upon the riders along the edge of +the herd. A number of Cheyennes fell from their ponies. Their +companions instantly closed the gap, and drove the riderless ponies +into the herd. Then they sent a deadly shower of arrows against their +foes. The Pawnees dropped behind their ponies for protection, but the +Cheyennes brought many of the ponies to the plain. + +"Yes, yes, kill the Pawnee ponies!" cried Running Crow. + +At that moment, however, the entire company of Pawnees charged +recklessly upon the herd. The Cheyennes fought valiantly, but they +were greatly outnumbered, and the Pawnees soon broke through them. +Once past the guards they rode wildly into the herd, yelling and +waving their arms. The terrorized ponies scattered like a covey of +frightened grouse, and fled across the plain. The Pawnees raced after +them. + +"Come, we must catch them!" Running Crow cried, fiercely. + +"Wait," shouted Red Dog. "The Pawnees are too strong for us. They are +near their camp. If we follow them many more warriors may come to help +them. It is useless to throw away our lives. If we let the Pawnees +kill us, what will become of our people? We must hold back. We are not +strong enough to fight them." + +"Red Dog, your words are good," declared White Otter. "It is useless +to throw yourselves away." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +REËNFORCEMENTS + + +The Cheyennes were disheartened by the loss of the ponies. They rode +across the plain in gloomy silence. Having rallied from the +catastrophe which had fallen upon their village, they were completely +disheartened by the fresh disaster which had overtaken them. + +"It is bad," said Running Crow. "The Evil Ones must be working against +us." + +The credulous Cheyennes were impressed by the thought. It deepened +their gloom, and filled them with superstitious dread. Their recent +misfortunes suddenly assumed a new significance. They believed that +they had aroused the displeasure of the Evil Ones. The idea startled +them. They feared that still greater calamities might befall them. + +As the disastrous day finally came to its end, they approached a +familiar camp site beside a large pool on the open plain. It was the +only water within a half day's travel, and as the plain offered +splendid pasturage for the ponies Red Dog determined to stop. Some of +the warriors were eager to pass by, and continue the retreat from the +Pawnee hunting grounds. + +"No, it would be foolish," Red Dog told them. "We must stop here and +rest the ponies." + +The Cheyennes slid dejectedly from the ponies, and threw themselves +upon the ground. They held the lariats, and watched indifferently +while the ponies grazed. There was little talk. Their hearts were +heavy. Their spirits were crushed. A splendid victory had ended in a +bitter defeat. A number of their comrades had been killed. The +Cheyennes felt subdued. + +"Our brothers feel bad," Little Raven said, softly. + +"Bad things have happened to them," declared Sun Bird. + +White Otter made no comment. He, too, was serious and depressed. He +had expected a war party of his people to come to the aid of the +Cheyennes. He was at a loss to explain why they had failed to appear. +Having assured the Cheyennes that the Ogalalas would help them, he +feared that they might doubt the sincerity of his pledge. The thought +troubled him. He felt sure that if his tribesmen had joined the war +party, the Pawnees would have been beaten off. + +"My people did not come," he told Sun Bird. "It is bad. I do not know +what to make of it." + +"Perhaps the Cheyennes took a long time to go to your village," said +Sun Bird. "There were many women and children. They held back the +warriors." + +"Many suns have passed," White Otter reminded him. + +They became silent. For a long time they sat watching the plain. White +Otter looked hopefully toward the north. He knew that the Pawnees were +two full days' travel from their village, and they would be forced to +travel slowly with the great herd of ponies. If the Ogalalas should +appear before the night passed he believed they might still overtake +the Pawnees and recover the ponies. The possibility thrilled him. +Then, as darkness finally came, the great hope died from his heart. + +"My brothers, night has come," Red Dog told his warriors. "I do not +believe the Pawnees will turn back to find us, but we must watch out. +We are in the country of our enemies. I will ask some of you to ride +out on the plain and watch." + +"I will go," White Otter said, eagerly. + +"White Otter, you are a great chief," Red Dog told him. "You have done +big things to help us. You must lie down and rest. My young men will +watch." + +"No, no, I will watch," insisted White Otter. "Perhaps something good +will come of it. Red Dog, you must listen to my words." + +"I will not talk against it," said Red Dog. + +"I will go," replied White Otter. + +"I will go with you," said Sun Bird. + +"No, my brother, I must go alone," White Otter told him. + +A few moments later four scouts left the company, and disappeared into +the night. One was White Otter. He rode away toward the north. + +"I believe White Otter has gone to watch for his people," Little Raven +told Sun Bird. + +"It may be true," said Sun Bird. + +Once beyond hearing of the Cheyennes, White Otter struck the piebald +with his riding quirt, and the wonderful creature bounded away at +marvelous speed. He rode far into the north before he finally came in +sight of a dense cluster of trees. They were several arrow flights +away. He stopped the piebald, and listened sharply. All was still. + +"It is bad," White Otter murmured. + +He rode slowly toward the timber. Then the piebald suddenly stopped +and raised its head. White Otter peered eagerly into the darkness. A +moment later a pony called. It was within bowshot. White Otter drew +his arrows, and waited in trying suspense. The piebald was restless. +He believed that some one was approaching. Then he heard voices. They +were close by. He imitated the bark of the little gray fox. The sounds +subsided. He listened anxiously. Many moments passed. Hope gave way to +suspicion. Had he betrayed himself to his foes? The possibility +startled him. Then he heard an answer to his signal. The bark of the +little gray fox sounded a short distance ahead of him. His eyes +flashed. His heart bounded with joy. + +"Ho, Dacotahs," he cried, eagerly. + +"Ho, my brother, come ahead," some one replied. + +"My ears tell me who you are, but I must be cautious," said White +Otter. "Come, Ogalala, tell me your name." + +"Black Moccasin," said the voice. + +"It is good," cried White Otter. + +He rode forward, and met the famous Ogalala scout. They cantered +toward the trees. + +"Have you fought the Kiowas?" Black Moccasin inquired, anxiously. + +"Yes, we went to their village and took away Red Dog and many ponies," +White Otter told him. + +"Well, we came fast, but I see that we did not get here in time to +help you," said Black Moccasin. + +"My brother, you must help us fight the Pawnees," replied White Otter. +"The Pawnees came up with us and ran off the ponies that we took away +from the Kiowas. That is why I came to find you." + +"Hi, hi, that is bad," said Black Moccasin. + +At that moment some one challenged them. + +"It is good, my brother," cried Black Moccasin. "White Otter is here." + +"Ride ahead," the scout told them. + +They advanced and met Hollow Bear, another noted Ogalala warrior. He +accompanied them to the grove. White Otter was overjoyed to find a +great company of Ogalalas assembled at the campsite. With them were +the five Cheyenne scouts who had accompanied the women and children +to the Ogalala camp, and the company of warriors who had escaped from +the Cheyenne village. White Otter was welcomed with enthusiasm. + +"My brothers, I have found you--it is good," he said. "There is little +time to talk. First I will tell these brave Cheyennes that Red Dog is +alive. We took him away from the Kiowas. We also ran off many ponies. +Come, Cloud Eagle, you know my words, tell your brothers about it." + +The Cheyennes were wild with joy. It was some moments before White +Otter could proceed with his talk. + +"Now, Cheyennes, I will tell you something bad," he said, finally. "We +were driving away those ponies. Everything was good. Then the Pawnees +came. They were very strong. They caught up with us and ran off those +ponies. We could not stop them. + +"Ogalalas, we must ride after those Pawnees and try to get back those +ponies. The Pawnees are not far ahead of us. I believe they stopped +when it got dark. Their village is two sun's travel away. They cannot +travel fast. I believe we can come up with them. I will lead you. +Come, jump on your ponies, and follow me." + +The warriors ran to untie the ponies. A few moments afterward they +followed their famous young war chief across the plain. It was a great +war party. Wolf Robe, the venerable Ogalala chief, had sent his best +fighters to aid the Cheyennes. White Otter thrilled at the thought of +leading them against the Pawnees. + +"White Otter, how did you come to find us?" Black Moccasin asked +curiously. + +"I knew about that place--it is a good place to stop," White Otter +told him. "When Red Dog stopped over there by the water I kept +watching to see you. You did not come. I felt bad. Then it got dark. +Then I said, 'Perhaps my brothers are close by.' Then I thought about +that place. I said, 'Perhaps my brothers are waiting there until it +gets light.' Then I came ahead to find out about it." + +"Are the Cheyennes far away?" Black Moccasin asked him. + +"No, we will soon find them," said White Otter. + +He led the way at a fast pace, for he was eager to set out on the +trail of the Pawnees without further delay. When they finally +approached the spot where he had left the Cheyennes, White Otter raced +forward in advance of the war party. + +"Watch out, some one is riding fast!" the Cheyennes cried in alarm, +as they heard a pony galloping toward them from the north. + +"It must be White Otter," said Red Dog. "Perhaps he has found out +about something." + +They sprang to their feet, and waited anxiously for the rider. As he +came within bowshot, they began to call. + +"Who are you?" they inquired, suspiciously. + +"Do not be afraid, everything is good," cried White Otter. + +"Yes, yes, it is White Otter," the Cheyennes told one another. + +A few moments afterward the Ogalala joined them. They gathered around +him to learn what had happened. + +"Listen!" he cried. "Do you hear those ponies? They are bringing my +people. Cheyennes, my words have come true. The Ogalalas are coming to +help you." + +They heard the hoofbeats of many ponies. The sound filled them with +joy. A great hope entered their hearts. + +"It is the Ogalalas! It is the Ogalalas!" they cried, excitedly. + +Then the great Sioux war party dashed out of the night. Their arrival +threw the Cheyennes into a tumult. For a moment all was confusion. +Then White Otter took command, and restored order. + +"Come, come, my brothers, we are making too much noise," he said, +sharply. + +The great company of fighting men instantly became quiet. They +dismounted and waited for instructions from their chief. + +"Cheyennes, my people have come here to fight," White Otter said, +proudly. "We will ride after the Pawnees. We will bring back those +ponies. A Dacotah does not turn back. We will do what we set out to +do. Cheyennes are you ready to go into this fight?" + +"Yes, yes, we are ready!" shouted the Cheyennes. + +"It is good," declared White Otter. + +"Wait, Ogalalas, I will give you some words," said Red Dog. "I have +talked with Cloud Eagle and Two Dogs and Walks Alone and Hairy Robe +and Lame Bear. Those warriors took our women and children to your +village. They gave me good words. Now I know that our people are safe +in your lodges. Now I know that they will have plenty to eat and a +good place to sleep in. Now I know that our people will stay with you +until we fight the Pawnees and bring back the ponies. It is good. +Ogalalas, you have good hearts for your friends. The Cheyennes feel +good about it. We will always try to help you. + +"Ogalalas, your great chief, Wolf Robe, is too old to fight, but he +has sent you here to help us. It is good. Now we are strong enough to +fight the Pawnees. White Otter says that a Dacotah does not turn back. +It is true. The Dacotahs are very brave. Well, the Cheyennes will keep +close beside you. + +"Ogalalas, White Otter, your chief, is a great leader. He took me away +from the Kiowas. He was the leader. He told my people how to get into +that camp. We did what he told us to do. Everything was good. All my +people came out of that fight. It is something to talk about. +Cheyennes--Ogalalas--listen to my words. I am going to ask White Otter +to be the leader of this great war party. He is as brave as +Ma-to-ho-ta, the bear. He is as sharp as To-ka-la, the fox. He fooled +the Kiowas. I believe he will fool the Pawnees. If White Otter is the +leader, I believe we will get back those ponies. Now you all know how +I feel about it." + +His proposal was approved by the entire company. The Cheyennes +believed that the young war chief of the Ogalalas possessed some +mysterious power which made him immune from peril, and enabled him to +triumph over his foes. They believed that his leadership greatly +increased their chances for a victory over the Pawnees. The Ogalalas +were equally certain of success. + +"I will be the leader," said White Otter. "Now we must get away. +Pretty soon the light will come. There is little time. Come, Red Dog, +send some one to call in the scouts. Then we will ride away." + +Red Dog sent several riders to find the three Cheyenne scouts who were +watching on the plain. Then the Cheyennes gathered about the warriors +who had escaped from the Cheyenne camp to learn the details of the +disastrous battle with the Kiowas. It was not long, however, before +they were interrupted by the arrival of the scouts. They said that +they had watched carefully but had heard nothing of their foes. + +"It is good," said White Otter. "Come, my brothers, get on your +ponies. We will go to fight the Pawnees." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE PAWNEES AT BAY + + +Aware that each moment was precious, White Otter rode through the +night at a desperate pace. Behind him thundered the great war party of +Sioux and Cheyennes. Beside him rode Red Dog, the Cheyenne chief, and +Black Moccasin, the famous Ogalala scout. Convinced that they would +see nothing of the Pawnees until they finally came up with them, White +Otter saw little need for caution. He believed that the Pawnees had +stopped for the night, to rest the ponies, and he was eager to cover +as much distance as possible before daylight. + +The Ogalalas were enthusiastic at the idea of an encounter with their +old-time enemies, the Pawnees. They knew from experience that the +hated "Wolf People" were brave and stubborn fighters, but they felt +confident of victory. They followed gayly after their leader, talking, +and laughing and chanting their war songs. Behind them came the +Cheyennes. Their gloom had vanished. Their confidence was restored. +The warriors who had returned with the Ogalalas had greatly +strengthened their numbers, and with the formidable Dacotahs for +allies they believed that success was assured. + +"Pretty soon it will be light," said White Otter. "Then we will send +scouts to find the tracks of the ponies. We will follow them until we +come up with the Pawnees." + +"While the foolish Pawnees are sleeping, we are rushing closer," +laughed Red Dog. + +"Perhaps they kept going ahead," said Black Moccasin. "Perhaps they +were afraid some one would follow them." + +"No, I do not believe it," declared Red Dog. "They saw that we were +not strong enough to fight them. They do not expect any one to follow +them." + +"They cannot keep running those ponies," White Otter told them. "They +must stop to rest." + +At dawn White Otter became more cautious. He stopped the war party and +made known his plans. + +"The light has come, we must look for the Pawnees," he said. "I am +going to send out some scouts to find the tracks of those ponies. I +will send Sun Bird, and Little Raven, and High Eagle. Now, Red Dog, +you must send three of your people with my brothers." + +"It is good," said Red Dog. "I will send Running Crow, and Painted +Weasel and Standing Bull." + +"Now, my brothers, I will tell you what to do," said White Otter. "I +will ask Sun Bird and Little Raven to go ahead. I will ask the rest of +you to ride out on both sides of us. Look hard until you find the +tracks of those ponies. I believe they are close by. If you find them, +make the signal. We will keep watching. If we find those tracks, we +will make the signal. Perhaps scouts are watching on the high places. +Look out for them." + +The six scouts went away. Then the war party rode ahead. Eager to +prevent the Pawnees from increasing their lead, they rode at a stiff +pace. It was not long before they saw Standing Bull riding rapidly in +a circle, some distance to the westward. + +"It is good," said White Otter. "Standing Bull has found the tracks. +We will go over there." + +Standing Bull and Painted Weasel had found the trail of the Pawnees. +A close examination of the tracks convinced White Otter that the +Pawnees were traveling at a moderate pace. + +"They made those tracks before the last sun went away," he said. + +"It is true," agreed Black Moccasin. + +"Call the scouts," said White Otter. "Then we will go ahead, and find +out where the Pawnees stopped." + +They saw one of the scouts approaching from the east. The fact that he +was alone made them suspicious. They believed that his companion had +remained to watch something. As the rider came nearer they saw that it +was High Eagle, the Ogalala. + +"We saw some people far away toward the Place-where-the-day-begins," +said High Eagle. "Three were on ponies. They rode ahead. Four were on +foot." + +"Which way are they going?" inquired White Otter. + +"They are going straight ahead--the same way we are going," High Eagle +told him. "They are far away. Running Crow is watching them." + +"I believe those people are Kiowas," said White Otter. "We chased them +far away. Now they are going back to their village. We will not think +about them." + +"Yes, yes, it must be the Kiowas," laughed Red Dog. + +"High Eagle, we have found the tracks of the Pawnees," said White +Otter. "We are going to follow them. Go back there and bring Running +Crow." + +When they learned that the scouts had discovered a small company of +Kiowas, some of the Cheyennes were eager to ride away in pursuit of +them. White Otter immediately objected. He realized that the maneuver +would cause delay and confusion, and might betray them to the Pawnees. + +"No, you must not go over there," he said. "You must keep going ahead +to catch the Pawnees. If you hold back they will get to their village. +Then it will be hard to run off the ponies. I am the leader. You must +do as I tell you." + +Red Dog repeated the message to the Cheyennes, and they dismissed the +Kiowas from their thoughts. They knew that White Otter and his +warriors were risking their lives to help them, and they were eager to +obey his commands. Then they saw High Eagle and Running Crow riding to +join them. Sun Bird and Little Raven, however, had failed to appear. +White Otter felt little fear for their safety. He believed that they +were scouting carefully in advance of the war party in an effort to +locate the Pawnees. + +"Pretty soon they will come," he told Red Dog. + +A few moments afterward they rode over a low ridge, and saw the two +Minneconjoux scouts. They were waiting at a grove of cottonwoods. The +war party raced forward to join them. + +"Here is the place where the Pawnees stopped," said Sun Bird, as White +Otter approached. + +"Yes, I see where the ponies were feeding," replied White Otter. + +He believed that the Pawnees had remained at the spot until daylight. +In that event he realized that they could not be very far ahead of +him. He hoped to come in sight of them before the end of the day. + +"We must go on," said White Otter. + +They galloped away on the trail. It led directly toward the south. As +they advanced the plain became rough and broken, and there were many +low knolls and ridges. White Otter realized that it offered splendid +protection to hostile scouts, and he became more cautious. + +"Come, Sun Bird, ride ahead and keep watching the high places," he +said. "I will ask Little Raven to go with you. Follow the tracks of +the ponies. We will ride behind you." + +The Minneconjoux galloped away. The war party rode easily until the +scouts were a long way ahead. Then they again raced their ponies at +high speed in the hope of soon overtaking the Pawnees. + +As the day advanced and they failed to see anything of their foes, +some of the warriors feared that they would be unable to overtake them +before they reached the great Pawnee camp. The thought discouraged +them. White Otter, however, was still hopeful of coming up with them. +He felt sure that he was steadily gaining upon them, and he expected +to see them before the end of the day. Red Dog, too, was confident +that they would come in contact with the Pawnees before nightfall. + +"Hi, hi, I believe our brothers have found them!" Black Moccasin +cried, excitedly. + +The Minneconjoux were riding in a circle on the top of a low hill. The +war party rode toward them with high hopes. + +"What has happened?" White Otter inquired, anxiously. + +"We saw two riders over there on that next hill," said Sun Bird. "They +went away very fast. I believe they were Pawnee scouts." + +"Did they see you?" asked White Otter. + +"Yes," replied Sun Bird. "They must have been peeping over that high +place. We looked sharp, but we could not see them. When we went up +that hill we saw them riding away. They kept looking back. Then we +rode here to call you." + +"It is bad," said Red Dog. "They will tell their people about us. Now +it will be hard to catch them." + +"Well, my brothers, there is no use of talking about it," declared +White Otter. "There is only one thing to do. We must rush ahead and +try to catch the Pawnees before they get away." + +"Yes, that is the only thing to do," said Black Moccasin. + +They raced ahead at top speed. They had gone only a short distance +when they saw a small company of horsemen sweep into view over a +nearby rise of the plain. They stopped at sight of the war party. Then +they turned and raced toward the south. They appeared to have been +thrown into a panic. White Otter and his warriors rode after them +with the fierce eagerness of wolves in sight of game. + +"Those warriors came to find us, but they found something different," +laughed Little Raven. + +"Their people must be close by," declared White Otter. + +The Pawnees had disappeared behind the ridge. When the war party +reached it, they saw them still riding furiously toward the south. +They had lost considerable ground, however, and White Otter felt +encouraged. + +"We will come up with them," he told his companions. + +"Yes, yes, we are closing in," said Red Dog. + +They heard the scouts whooping fiercely, and they believed that they +were attempting to warn their tribesmen. Then they discovered a great +smother of dust rising in the distance. They realized that they had +come in sight of the Pawnees. + +"Come, come, ride faster!" cried White Otter. + +They forced the ponies into a terrific pace. They were steadily +gaining upon the four scouts. The latter were making frantic efforts +to escape. + +"Pretty soon we will catch those riders," White Otter declared, +grimly. + +At that moment, however, the Pawnee scouts turned toward the east. +White Otter instantly detected the clever ruse. + +"Do not follow them," he cried. "They are trying to lead us off. Keep +after the ponies." + +Then they swept over a rise of the plain, and saw the Pawnees and the +ponies directly ahead of them. They were a long distance away, +however, and were riding desperately. They appeared to have the great +herd of ponies under complete control, and White Otter realized that +the chase threatened to be a long one. + +"They are far ahead of us," he said, soberly. + +Having actually sighted the Pawnees, the war party was determined to +overtake them. Forcing the ponies to a killing pace, they began to +gain upon their foes. Stride by stride they overcame the lead of the +Pawnees until the latter were barely two arrow flights away. Then the +Pawnees lashed the ponies into a furious sprint, and held off their +pursuers. The wild race across the plain became a test of endurance +between the rival ponies. Both companies of riders knew that the +gallant little beasts must eventually collapse, but each hoped that +their foes would be the first to weaken. The ponies appeared to be +well matched, however, and the exhausting chase continued. + +The Pawnees were approaching a long, straggling line of trees that +reached far across the plain. White Otter knew that the timber marked +the course of a stream. He rode wildly to overtake his foes before +they reached it. Once they crossed the water he realized that it would +be difficult to reach them, and still more difficult to secure the +ponies. His efforts were useless, however, for the Pawnees held their +lead. They were still safely beyond arrow range when they finally +forced their gasping ponies across the stream, and came to a stand in +the timber along the bank. White Otter pulled up the sweating piebald. +The long pursuit had come to an end. The Pawnees had placed a +formidable barrier between them and their foes. For the moment, at +least, they were safe from attack. + +"Now I know why they did not stop to fight," White Otter said, +bitterly. "They were trying to get to that place. Now they are there. +It is bad." + +"Well, we made them stop," declared Red Dog. + +"Yes, we kept them from getting to their camp," said Black Moccasin. +"Now we are close. They cannot get away. Pretty soon we will go over +there and run off the ponies." + +"My brother, that will be a hard thing to do," White Otter told him. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A HARD WON VICTORY + + +White Otter and his warriors approached within bowshot of the stream. +Then they sat upon their tired ponies, and stared silently across at +the Pawnees. The latter were in sight among the trees. They had driven +the captured ponies from the timber, and were herding them upon the +open plain. Less than a third of the company guarded them. The rest of +the Pawnees were watching along the bank of the stream. + +"Perhaps those warriors will try to hold us back while their friends +get away with the ponies," Red Dog declared, suspiciously. + +"I believe that is what they propose to do," said Black Moccasin. + +"No, I do not believe it," White Otter told them. "Those ponies have +come a long ways. They have run fast. The Pawnees will let them rest. +When it gets dark perhaps they will try to take them away." + +"I believe what White Otter says is true," declared Sun Bird. + +The Pawnees had gained the advantage. White Otter realized that an +attempt to cross the stream might result in heavy loss. He determined +to wait until he had carefully studied the possibilities. Both the +Ogalalas and the Cheyennes, however, were eager to make an attack. The +Pawnees were jeering, and daring them to cross the stream. + +"Hi, you Dacotahs, are you afraid to follow us through the water?" +some one called, mockingly. "You came here to help the Cheyennes. Why +are you holding back? Have we frightened you? Go back to your lodges +and sit with the old women. Perhaps they will tell you how to fight." + +The taunt roused the Ogalalas into a frenzy. They were wild with rage. +Some of them rode recklessly to the edge of the stream. Many of the +Cheyennes followed them. White Otter warned them against attempting to +cross. + +"Stop!" he cried. "The Pawnees are trying to catch you. Are you going +to throw away your lives? The Pawnees are like Zi-ca, the squirrel. +They make a big noise, but they hide behind the trees. They are +trying to make you mad. If you ride into the water, they will kill you +with their arrows. Come, my brothers, turn back. Shake the words of +the Pawnees from your ears." + +The Ogalalas saw the wisdom of his words. They lingered a moment or +so, shouting boastful threats against the Pawnees. Then they turned +back. The Cheyennes accompanied them. The Pawnees laughed fiercely. + +A moment afterward a ringing shout sounded farther along the stream. +The Pawnee scouts had crossed, a long distance to the eastward. They +were riding to join their tribesmen. + +"Those Pawnees feel very brave," laughed White Otter. + +The day was passing, and White Otter realized that he must decide upon +a plan of action. He left High Eagle and a small company of scouts to +watch the Pawnees, and then he led the war party beyond earshot of +their foes. He called a council and asked Running Crow to act as +interpreter. + +"My friends, we must find out the best way to run off those ponies," +he said. "When it gets dark we must be ready to do something. Now I +will tell you how I feel about it. I believe the Pawnees will try to +send away those ponies. They will try to fool us. We must be sharp. I +will tell you what I propose to do. If any of you feel different about +it, you must talk against it. + +"Now, my brothers, listen sharp. I believe there is only one way to +get those ponies. When it gets dark we will send scouts along the +water. They must follow along the water until they find a good place +to go across. Then they must go across, and watch the Pawnees. If the +Pawnees try to run off the ponies, the scouts must make the signal. +After those scouts go away we will make two war parties. Our brothers, +the Cheyennes, will keep together. Red Dog will be the leader. +My people will keep together. I will be the leader. One war +party must stay here. One war party must go toward the +Place-where-the-day-begins. Then that war party must circle around and +cross over the water. Those warriors must run off the ponies. The war +party that stays here must go straight ahead to fight the Pawnees. +Then we will be on two sides of them. Now I have told you how I feel +about it." + +"My brothers, you have heard the words of a great chief," said Red +Dog. "White Otter is the leader. I will do as he proposes to do. I +believe it is good." + +"Cheyennes, I believe White Otter has told us the best way to fight +the Pawnees," said Running Crow. + +"My friends, White Otter is a great war leader," declared Black +Moccasin. "He has led his people in many battles. If we do as he tells +us to do, I believe we will get back those ponies." + +Many more warriors indorsed the plan of the Ogalala chief. No one +spoke against it. Having led them to a splendid victory over the +Kiowas, the Cheyennes felt confident that he would be equally +successful against the Pawnees. + +"Well, my brothers, I see that there is no one to talk against this +thing--we will go ahead with it," White Otter told them. "Now I will +call out the names of the scouts who must go to watch the Pawnees. I +will call my brother Hollow Bear, and I will call Standing Bull. +Hollow Bear is an Ogalala. Standing Bull is a Cheyenne. Both of them +are great warriors. Now I will tell you about those war parties. I see +that there are more Ogalalas than Cheyennes. The Ogalalas must fight +the Pawnees. The Cheyennes must try to get the ponies. Come, Red Dog, +tell me how you feel about it." + +"It is good," agreed Red Dog. + +Having decided upon the plan of attack, the war party again approached +the stream. High Eagle and his companions said that the Pawnees had +made no attempt to leave the timber. White Otter felt sure that they, +too, were waiting to attempt some bold bit of stratagem under cover of +the night. The thought made him suspicious, and watchful. He saw +nothing which would give him a clew to the intentions of the Pawnees. + +As the light slowly faded from the plain the Pawnees began to sing +their war songs and shout fierce threats against their enemies. The +Ogalalas and the Cheyennes listened in silence. The threatening flash +of their eyes, however, betrayed the wrath that blazed in their +hearts. They waited for darkness, and the opportunity to rush upon +their foes. + +In the meantime Hollow Bear and Standing Bull had ridden away on their +perilous mission. They went a considerable distance toward the north +before they finally turned to the eastward. Then they made a wide +detour and approached the stream. They waited a long time at the edge +of the water, listening for sounds from their foes. As they heard +nothing to alarm them, they rode cautiously into the stream. They +reached the opposite side in safety, and moved out upon the plain. + +Soon afterward Red Dog and his warriors arrived at the stream, an +arrow flight from the place where the scouts had crossed. They, too, +stopped to listen. All was quiet. The Cheyennes, however, waited +beside the water. They were listening for the signal which would warn +them that the Ogalalas had begun the fight. + +"My brothers, the scouts have gone," White Otter told the Ogalalas. "I +believe they are across the water. Red Dog and his brothers have gone. +I believe they are waiting for the signal. Everything is ready. We +must begin the fight. I will ask you to be brave. Drive back the +Pawnees and get to the ponies. Red Dog and his warriors will come to +help us. Keep close around the ponies. Drive them across the water. +Are you ready?" + +"Hi, hi!" cried the Ogalalas. + +"Come!" shouted White Otter. + +At that moment they heard the thunder of hoofbeats across the stream. +A piercing shout rang through the night. It was a warning from the +scouts. Then the wild yells of the Pawnees sounded from the edge of +the water. The Ogalalas realized what had happened. + +"They are running off the ponies!" cried White Otter. "Follow me!" + +The Ogalalas raised the great Dacotah war cry, and rode boldly into +the stream. They heard Red Dog and the Cheyennes farther to the +eastward. The Pawnees began to shoot their arrows. The Sioux sent a +volley into the timber. Then they lashed their ponies forward, and +charged recklessly upon their foes. The Pawnees held their ground, and +offered desperate resistance. The Sioux, however, were thoroughly +aroused, and they fought with a sullen ferocity that made them +irresistible. The Pawnees finally gave way, and raced across the plain +in pursuit of the ponies. The Ogalalas kept close behind them. They +heard the Cheyennes whooping fiercely, and they believed that they had +overtaken the herd. + +"Hi, hi, the Cheyennes are making a big fight!" the Dacotahs cried, +excitedly. + +When they were within arrow range of the ponies, the Pawnees turned +and fought savagely to hold them back. For a moment the Sioux were +halted. Then they rallied, and swept forward in a ferocious attack +that completely overcame their foes. A moment afterward they were at +the rear of the herd. + +In the meantime Red Dog and his tribesmen had raced ahead of the +Pawnees, and were attempting to turn the ponies. Once at the front of +the herd, they rode wildly among the Pawnees and drove the frightened +ponies from their course. Whooping, and lashing furiously with their +heavy riding quirts, they gradually forced the ponies toward the east. +The Pawnees attacked them with great bravery, but the Cheyennes beat +them off. Then a company of Ogalalas raced along the flank of the herd +and came to the assistance of their allies. + +"Turn the ponies--run them to the water!" they cried. + +They soon gained control of the herd and raced the ponies toward the +stream. The Pawnees had no thought of yielding. Infuriated by the +success of their foes, they fought valiantly to regain possession of +the ponies. + +"Hold them off, hold them off!" shouted White Otter. + +While Red Dog and a company of Cheyennes rode ahead to drive aside +the Pawnees, the rest of the war party surrounded the herd. The +Pawnees found it impossible to reach the ponies. They rode close up to +their foes and fought with reckless courage, but each time they were +driven off. + +"Hi, the Pawnees are brave," Sun Bird told White Otter. + +"Yes, they are making a great fight," acknowledged White Otter. + +When they finally reached the timber the ponies attempted to turn +aside, and in a moment the herd was thrown into wild confusion. The +Pawnees were quick to seize the opportunity. Yelling fiercely, they +dashed forward like a pack of mad wolves, and attempted to cause a +stampede. + +"Come, Cheyennes, drive the ponies into the water!" cried White Otter. +"Ogalalas, hold back the Pawnees!" + +Then the Sioux and the Pawnees fought a thrilling hand-to-hand +encounter, while the Cheyennes made frantic attempts to drive the +unruly ponies into the timber. Wild with panic, the frenzied beasts +plunged, and reared, and kicked in their efforts to break through the +circle of riders that surrounded them. At last the Cheyennes lashed +them into submission and drove them forward. They plunged down the +bank, and floundered wildly across the stream. Then the Cheyennes +raced them away into the north. + +"Hi, my brothers, some of us must go back there, and help our +brothers, the Ogalalas," said Red Dog, when they were several arrow +flights from the stream. + +Then they heard the Dacotah war cry ringing through the night. Soon +afterward White Otter and his gallant fighters overtook them. They +were in high spirits. + +"Where are the Pawnees?" inquired Red Dog. + +"They are running to their lodges," laughed White Otter. + +"White Otter, you are a great chief," declared Red Dog. "The Ogalalas +are as brave as Ma-to-ho-ta, the bear. We will go to your village, and +tell your people what you have done. Yes, we will give some ponies to +your chief, Wolf Robe." + +"It is good," replied White Otter. + +Then he called Sun Bird and Little Raven to ride beside him. It was a +long time before he spoke. + +"My brothers, we have done what we set out to do," he said, finally. +"It was a great fight. Many brave warriors were killed. I will not +talk about it. You were very brave. You have helped me to do a big +thing. Sun Bird, I saw you drive back many Pawnees. Yes, you were +always in the fight. Little Raven, I saw you fight off three Pawnees. +Yes, I saw you do some big things. My brothers, I will tell your great +chief Curly Horse about you. I will tell him that you did big things +to help my people." + +"White Otter, your words make me feel good," said Sun Bird. "You came +to our lodges and went with us to fight the Blackfeet. Now we have +helped you fight the Pawnees. It is good. We are Dacotahs. A Dacotah +will fight for his brother." + +"It is true," declared Little Raven. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Three Sioux Scouts, by Elmer Russell Gregor + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE SIOUX SCOUTS *** + +***** This file should be named 36210-8.txt or 36210-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/2/1/36210/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Josephine Paolucci and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Three Sioux Scouts + +Author: Elmer Russell Gregor + +Release Date: May 25, 2011 [EBook #36210] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE SIOUX SCOUTS *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Josephine Paolucci and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 402px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="402" height="640" alt="" title="" /> +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 406px;"> +<img src="images/i_001.jpg" width="406" height="640" alt="HE SHOT HIS ARROW [page 106" title="" /> +<span class="caption">HE SHOT HIS ARROW [page 106]</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h1>THREE SIOUX SCOUTS</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>ELMER RUSSELL GREGOR</h2> + + +<h4>AUTHOR OF "THE WAR TRAIL,"<br /> +"SPOTTED DEER," "THE WHITE WOLF,"<br /> +"RUNNING FOX," "WHITE OTTER," ETC.<br /> +</h4> + +<p class="center"> +D. APPLETON AND COMPANY<br /> +NEW YORK :: 1924 :: LONDON<br /> +<br /> +COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY<br /> +D. APPLETON AND COMPANY<br /> +<br /> +PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA<br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<p> +CHAPTER <span class="tocnum">PAGE</span><br /> +<br /> +I. <span class="smcap">Watching for Buffaloes</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></span><br /> +<br /> +II. <span class="smcap">Mysterious Signals</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_11'>11</a></span><br /> +<br /> +III. <span class="smcap">Old Enemies</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_23'>23</a></span><br /> +<br /> +IV. <span class="smcap">Trailing a War Party</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_39'>39</a></span><br /> +<br /> +V. <span class="smcap">Off to Warn the Cheyennes</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_53'>53</a></span><br /> +<br /> +VI. <span class="smcap">A Perilous Mission</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_64'>64</a></span><br /> +<br /> +VII. <span class="smcap">Red Dog's Stratagem</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_74'>74</a></span><br /> +<br /> +VIII. <span class="smcap">The Attack on the Camp</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_88'>88</a></span><br /> +<br /> +IX. <span class="smcap">Pawnees</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_100'>100</a></span><br /> +<br /> +X. <span class="smcap">A Desperate Chase</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_113'>113</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XI. <span class="smcap">A Night of Surprises</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_124'>124</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XII. <span class="smcap">Friends</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_137'>137</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XIII. <span class="smcap">The Abandoned Camp</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_149'>149</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XIV. <span class="smcap">In Pursuit of the Kiowas</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_162'>162</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XV. <span class="smcap">Daring Scouts</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_176'>176</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XVI. <span class="smcap">A Thrilling Rescue</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_187'>187</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XVII. <span class="smcap">Disaster</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_205'>205</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XVIII. <span class="smcap">Reënforcements</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_218'>218</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XIX. <span class="smcap">The Pawnees at Bay</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_230'>230</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XX. <span class="smcap">A Hard Won Victory</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_242'>242</a></span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> +<h2>THREE SIOUX SCOUTS</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>WATCHING FOR BUFFALOES</h3> + + +<p>White Otter, the famous young war chief of the Ogalala Sioux, and his +friends Sun Bird and Little Raven, of the Minneconjoux tribe, were +searching the plains for buffaloes. It was early spring, the time of +The-new-grass-moon, and the Sioux were expecting the great buffalo +herds on their migration northward from the winter feeding grounds.</p> + +<p>"Pretty soon Ta-tan-ka will come—then we will have some good days and +plenty of meat," White Otter told his friends. "Yellow Horse is +singing the Medicine Songs to bring the buffaloes. They will come."</p> + +<p>"My father does that," said Sun Bird. "I have seen him do it many +times."</p> + +<p>"Your father is a great Medicine Person, like Yellow Horse," declared +White Otter.</p> + +<p>Although the villages of the Ogalalas and the Minneconjoux were many +days' travel apart, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> young warriors visited one another with +considerable frequency. The year previous White Otter had accompanied +the Minneconjoux on a great war expedition against the Blackfeet. Now +Sun Bird and his brother, Little Raven, had come to the Ogalala +village to participate in the spring buffalo hunt.</p> + +<p>The three young scouts made an impressive appearance as they cantered +across the plain on their speedy little hunting ponies. White Otter +was tall and lithe. Sun Bird was considerably shorter, and heavier in +physique. Little Raven was younger and less matured in face and +stature. All showed the characteristics of the Dacotah warrior. They +were fearless, cautious and crafty. Each had proved his courage and +skill in a number of thrilling exploits, and despite their +youthfulness all three were famous warriors. They wore the simple +dress of the hunter, which consisted of moccasins, and buckskin +leggins reaching to the thighs. They were naked above the waist. Their +hair was worn in two braids wrapped with fur. White Otter and Sun +Bird, as chiefs of their respective tribes, were entitled to wear the +coveted war bonnet of eagle plumes. Both had left it off to be as +inconspicuous as possible in their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> search for game. White Otter, +however, wore a single eagle feather in his scalp lock. They were +armed with bows and arrows and flint hunting knives. White Otter and +Sun Bird carried fire sticks. Each was provided with a robe of elkskin +which was folded beneath him, across the back of his pony.</p> + +<p>For two days they had searched the plains to the southward of the +Ogalala camp. They had seen nothing, however, to indicate the approach +of the great buffalo herds. Still they felt certain that it would be +only a day or so until the buffaloes appeared.</p> + +<p>"When we see them we will ride fast and tell my people," said White +Otter.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, we will be the first to tell about it," Little Raven +declared, enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>They were a considerable distance from the Ogalala village, and as the +third day drew toward its close they began to wonder if it might not +be foolhardy to venture farther to the southward. They knew that there +was a possibility of encountering both the Kiowas and the Pawnees in +that direction, and the Utes from the west and even their hated foes, +the Crows, sometimes moved down into that disputed territory. The +Sioux<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> realized, therefore, that they were exposing themselves to +considerable danger.</p> + +<p>"We have come a long ways—we must watch out," White Otter cautioned.</p> + +<p>"It is true," agreed Sun Bird. "The Pawnees travel in this country. +Perhaps they are looking around for buffaloes. We must be cautious."</p> + +<p>They had stopped at a little grove of cottonwoods, which offered feed +and water for the ponies. As the day had almost ended, they were +tempted to spend the night at that spot. White Otter, however, decided +against it.</p> + +<p>"It would be foolish," he declared. "Our enemies know about this +place. Perhaps they will come here when it gets dark. We must ride +away."</p> + +<p>"It is the best thing to do," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>They loitered until the ponies had finished feeding, and then they +prepared to ride away. At that moment a small band of antelopes +suddenly appeared on the crest of a low ridge to the westward. They +had stopped, and seemed to be watching something on the other side of +the ridge. It was evident that they had been alarmed. The Sioux became +suspicious. They watched closely.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Something has frightened Ta-to-ka-dan," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"See, they are running down the ridge," Little Raven whispered, +excitedly.</p> + +<p>The antelopes were bounding down the slope. When they reached the +bottom they turned toward the little grove in which the Sioux had +taken shelter. The latter watched them with considerable uneasiness.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," declared White Otter. "Perhaps some one is peeping over +that hill. If those antelopes come close they will find out about us. +Then they will run away. If hunters are watching on that ridge they +will know that something is over here in this place. Perhaps they will +come here to find out about it."</p> + +<p>"It is bad," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>The antelopes were still running toward the grove. Several old bucks, +however, had stopped to look back at the ridge. The rest of the band +continued across the plain. They were running against the wind. As +they came within arrow range of the grove they suddenly stopped, and +appeared suspicious. They had caught the danger scent.</p> + +<p>"Ta-to-ka-dan is sharp," laughed Sun Bird.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The wind has told about us," said Little Raven.</p> + +<p>White Otter kept silent. He watched the antelopes with grave +misgivings. Their behavior alarmed him. He felt quite sure that they +would arouse the distrust of any foes who might be loitering within +sight, and tempt them to investigate the grove. The idea suggested +disturbing possibilities.</p> + +<p>"See, Ta-to-ka-dan is standing out there like a frightened old woman," +he said, irritably. "If our enemies are about they will come over here +to see what has frightened Ta-to-ka-dan."</p> + +<p>"Come, we will ride away," proposed Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"Wait, wait," Sun Bird cried, excitedly. "I saw something peep over +the top of that hill."</p> + +<p>"I see it," said Little Raven. "It looks like Ma-ya-sh, the wolf."</p> + +<p>They saw what appeared to be the head of a prairie wolf rising +cautiously above the top of the ridge. The buck antelopes had +discovered it, and were flashing the danger signal and stamping +nervously.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," White Otter said, uneasily. "Perhaps<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> it is Ma-ya-sh, the +wolf—perhaps it is a hunter. We must watch sharp."</p> + +<p>As they continued to watch the ridge, the little band of antelopes +suddenly turned and bounded away toward the north. It was evident that +they had determined to avoid the grove. In a few moments the bucks +that had been watching the ridge cantered after them.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said White Otter. "Now we will find out who is over +there on that hill. If it is Ma-ya-sh and his people they will go +away. If it is our enemies they will keep watching this place."</p> + +<p>"Something is watching," Sun Bird told him.</p> + +<p>The head of the mysterious prowler still showed above the ridge. It +was boldly outlined against the fading sunset sky. It appeared to be +the head of Ma-ya-sh, the prairie wolf. The Sioux distinctly saw the +long, lean snout, and the pointed ears of Ma-ya-sh. Still they were +suspicious. They knew that scouts often covered themselves with the +skin of Ma-ya-sh to creep up on game, and also to spy upon their foes +without arousing distrust.</p> + +<p>"I do not believe it is Ma-ya-sh," White Otter declared, finally. "It +keeps too still. Ma-ya-sh<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> would move around. I believe it is a +hunter."</p> + +<p>"We will watch," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Look, look, there is another!" cried Little Raven.</p> + +<p>A second head had suddenly appeared. It, too, seemed to be the head of +a prairie wolf. The Sioux, however, were doubtful. If the distant +objects really were wolves, their actions were most unusual. They were +careful to keep themselves well concealed behind the ridge, and as the +antelopes were a considerable distance to the northward, it was +evident that the mysterious creatures were watching the grove. The +Sioux were concealed in the timber, and there was no possibility of +being seen. They determined to watch, therefore, until the strange +objects on the ridge either showed themselves or disappeared. In a few +moments one withdrew from sight.</p> + +<p>"That is bad," said White Otter. "Now I believe they are scouts. +Perhaps one has gone away to call the hunters. We must watch out."</p> + +<p>Daylight was fading. Twilight was settling upon the plain. The Sioux +found it difficult to distinguish the remaining object on the ridge. +They felt considerably relieved to know that night was close at hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Pretty soon it will be dark," said White Otter. "Then we will ride +away."</p> + +<p>They waited impatiently for nightfall. Their one fear was that a +company of foes might ride toward the grove before darkness made it +possible to withdraw without being seen. They had little fear of being +caught, but they were anxious to avoid being discovered. Once seen, +they realized that it might be perilous to loiter in the vicinity, and +they were eager to remain until they found the buffalo herd. They +watched closely until night finally came. Then they mounted their +ponies and rode from the grove.</p> + +<p>"Well, White Otter, how do you feel about it?" Little Raven inquired, +as they rode cautiously toward the east.</p> + +<p>"I believe we are in danger," White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>They continued across the plain until they came to a shallow ravine, +which they had passed on their way to the grove. White Otter advised +stopping there until daylight.</p> + +<p>"This is a good place," he said. "We will wait here and listen."</p> + +<p>They picketed the ponies in the bottom of the gully, and then they +crawled to the plain to watch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> and listen. It was a long time before +they heard anything to arouse their suspicions. Then they heard the +dreary wail of a prairie wolf, in the direction of the grove. Although +it sounded natural, the Sioux distrusted it. Twice it rose shrilly +through the night, and then it ceased. They were almost certain that +it had been a signal. They listened anxiously for an answer from the +ridge. The silence, however, continued.</p> + +<p>"I believe it was a scout," said White Otter. "Perhaps he was calling +his people."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we will hear the ponies," suggested Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"We are too far off," White Otter told him. "Those people will ride +easy."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it was only Ma-ya-sh," said Sun Bird. "Perhaps he went there +to drink."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it may be true, but I believe it was some one different," +replied White Otter. "We are in the country of our enemies. We must be +sharp."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>MYSTERIOUS SIGNALS</h3> + + +<p>Fearful that a company of foes might have taken shelter in the little +grove of cottonwoods, the Sioux determined to take every precaution +against a sudden attack. While Little Raven remained in the ravine +with the ponies, White Otter and Sun Bird seated themselves upon the +plain to listen for sounds from the grove. All was still. They began +to wonder if they had been needlessly alarmed. At that moment one of +the ponies whinnied softly. White Otter and Sun Bird scrambled wildly +into the gully. Little Raven had already seized the pony and turned +its head out of the wind. The other ponies also seemed restless and +nervous, and White Otter and Sun Bird attempted to quiet them.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," White Otter said, softly. "I believe some one is riding +this way."</p> + +<p>The thought was startling. The Sioux stood beside their ponies, +listening uneasily. One question flashed through the mind of each of +them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> Were enemies approaching stealthily under cover of the +darkness? They heard nothing to give them a clew. Many moments passed. +The silence increased their suspense. They believed they were in +peril. It seemed folly to loiter in the ravine.</p> + +<p>"Come, we will go," whispered White Otter.</p> + +<p>They mounted the ponies and rode from the ravine. Once on the plain, +they stopped for a moment to listen. Then the pony again attempted to +call, but Little Raven silenced it with his riding quirt. The warning +was significant. The Sioux believed that strange horses were close at +hand. They turned their ponies and rode silently away into the night. +It was some time before they ventured to speak.</p> + +<p>"Well, my brothers, I believe Ma-ya-sh came to find us," White Otter +laughed, softly, when they were beyond earshot of the ravine.</p> + +<p>"Yes, White Otter, I believe your words were true; I believe scouts +were peeping over that ridge," Sun Bird told him.</p> + +<p>"Do you believe they saw us?" Little Raven asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No," replied White Otter. "Perhaps they found out about our ponies."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> + +<p>Although they realized that it might be perilous to linger in the +vicinity, the Sioux determined to remain within sight of the grove +until they learned if their suspicions were real. When they reached a +low ridge, a considerable distance to the eastward, they decided to +stop and wait for daylight.</p> + +<p>"See, pretty soon it will be light," said Sun Bird. "Then we will find +out if there is any one over there in that place."</p> + +<p>When the night shadows finally lifted from the plain, White Otter and +Sun Bird concealed themselves below the crest of the ridge to watch, +while Little Raven waited at the base of the slope with the ponies. +The grove was in plain sight, and the Sioux watched expectantly.</p> + +<p>"If there are hunters over there, pretty soon they will ride out to +look for buffaloes," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they are watching," White Otter reminded him.</p> + +<p>A few moments later they saw two horsemen ride from the grove, and +turn toward the ravine. They rode across the plain at an easy canter, +and showed little caution. As they drew near the ravine, however, they +became more careful. Once within arrow range, they stopped, and it +was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> apparent that they were watching the top of the gully. Then they +rode slowly forward.</p> + +<p>"Those are the scouts that peeped over that hill," declared White +Otter. "I believe they are trying to find out about us."</p> + +<p>The horsemen had disappeared into the ravine. The Sioux had been +unable to identify them. They felt certain that the strangers would +soon find the pony tracks. The idea alarmed them.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they will follow us," suggested Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Watch," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>The horsemen had suddenly appeared. They had crossed the ravine, and +were riding slowly over the plain. The Sioux knew at once that they +were looking for pony tracks. It was not long before they found them. +They followed the trail a bowshot or more, and then they stopped. They +were looking directly toward the ridge. The Sioux watched them in +breathless suspense. They were straining their eyes to identify them, +but the distance made it impossible.</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell who they are," declared White Otter. "Can you tell +about it?"</p> + +<p>"No; they are too far away," Sun Bird told him. "Perhaps they will +come closer."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I believe they are talking about it," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>At that moment the horsemen turned their ponies, and galloped off +toward the west. They crossed the ravine, and rode toward the grove. +They passed it, however, and continued toward the ridge farther to the +westward. It was not long before, they disappeared.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," declared White Otter. "Now we do not know who they are."</p> + +<p>"Well, we know that our enemies are in this place," Sun Bird told him. +"Now it will be useless to look for the buffaloes. If Ta-tan-ka comes, +those scouts will tell their people about it. Yes, I believe they are +looking for buffaloes."</p> + +<p>"My brother, I feel different about it," said White Otter. "Perhaps +those scouts are with a war party. Perhaps they are Pawnees. Perhaps +they are going to fight my people. I must find out about it."</p> + +<p>Sun Bird remained silent. It was not the part of a warrior to ask +questions. He waited for White Otter to explain his plans.</p> + +<p>"Now I will tell you what I propose to do," White Otter told him. "We +must stay here and watch. Perhaps those scouts are trying to fool<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> us. +Perhaps they are trying to make us believe they have gone away. I +believe they are peeping over that hill."</p> + +<p>"Well, they will not catch us," laughed Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>While White Otter continued to watch, Sun Bird crept down the slope to +tell Little Raven about the two mysterious horsemen. The ridge to the +westward was far away, and White Otter knew that it would be +impossible to discover any one who might be hiding there. He had +little doubt that at least one of the unknown riders had stopped to +watch the plain.</p> + +<p>"Did you see anything?" Sun Bird inquired anxiously, when he returned.</p> + +<p>"No, I did not see anything, but I believe some one is watching over +there on that hill," White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>"Then we must be cautious," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>They watched until the day was half gone, and then, having seen +nothing to indicate that foes were loitering in the vicinity, they +began to feel somewhat reassured. They wondered if the two horsemen +might not have been stray hunters who had been led to the grove by the +antelopes. Having found the fresh pony tracks, they might have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> feared +to loiter in the locality. In spite of the possibility, however, the +Sioux resolved to take no chances.</p> + +<p>"We will keep watching," declared White Otter.</p> + +<p>Soon afterward their patience was rewarded when they saw what appeared +to be a cloud of dust or smoke rising behind the distant ridge. They +watched it with great interest. For some time it puzzled them. It was +faint and indistinct, and they wondered if it was dust raised by the +hoofs of buffaloes or ponies. Then they noted that it seemed to rise +intermittently in puffs, and continued in one particular spot.</p> + +<p>"So-ta, smoke," White Otter said, finally.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, it is smoke," agreed Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Those scouts are calling their people," declared White Otter. "I +believe it is a war party."</p> + +<p>"We will see," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>In a short time the smoke faded from the sky. The Sioux felt sure that +the signal had been seen by those for whom it was intended. They had +little doubt that a company of horsemen were riding across the plain +on the other side of the ridge.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It is bad," said White Otter. "Those scouts found pony tracks at the +place where the trees grow. They followed them to that gully. They +found them coming this way. Then they were afraid, and went to call +their people. I believe they will try to find out about us."</p> + +<p>"Well, my brother, they are a long ways off," Sun Bird reminded him. +"We can keep away from them."</p> + +<p>"We must stay here and watch," declared White Otter. "Perhaps it is a +big war party of Pawnees. Perhaps they are going to fight my people. I +believe something bad will come of it."</p> + +<p>"We will keep watching until we find out about it," Sun Bird assured +him.</p> + +<p>As time passed and they saw nothing more, White Otter became uneasy. A +disquieting possibility had suddenly presented itself to his mind. It +filled him with distrust, and awakened fears for the safety of his +people.</p> + +<p>"I do not like this thing," he told Sun Bird. "That ridge goes a long +ways. We cannot see over it. Perhaps a war party is riding along +behind that hill. Perhaps they are going to the lodges of my people. I +would like to look over that hill, and find out about it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You must not try to do that," Sun Bird cautioned him. "It would be +foolish. I believe scouts are watching over there. If we show +ourselves they will come after us."</p> + +<p>White Otter remained silent. He was worried and perplexed. He believed +that what Sun Bird had said was true. Still he knew that if a war +party of foes was moving against the Ogalala camp it was his duty to +learn of it, and carry a warning to his people. For the moment, +however, he saw no way of accomplishing it. The ridge from which he +was watching was parallel with the ridge to the westward, and there +was a wide expanse of open plain between them. To reach the other +ridge it would be necessary to ride out in full sight of any foes who +might be watching from concealment. White Otter realized that such a +maneuver would be foolhardy. He decided that it would be impossible to +do anything before nightfall.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my brother, I see that what you say is true," he said, finally. +"The lodges of my people are three sun's travel away. It is a long +ways. A war party travels slow so that the ponies will be fresh when +the fight begins. There is only one thing to do. We must keep watching +until<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> it gets dark. Then we will ride over that hill, and try to find +out about those people."</p> + +<p>"I believe it is the best thing to do," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>Late in the day, however, they saw something which convinced them that +the two horsemen had been part of a clever stratagem to deceive any +one who had been watching. An eagle suddenly appeared high over the +plain, and flew toward the grove of cottonwoods. It was evident that +the bird intended to alight in the timber. The Sioux watched closely. +Once above the grove, the eagle set its wings and dropped toward the +trees. Then, as it got nearer, it rose and circled far out over the +plain. The Sioux were quick to understand the significance of the +maneuver.</p> + +<p>"Hi, Hu-ya saw something down there among the trees," White Otter +cried, excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe there is something over there in that place," said Sun +Bird.</p> + +<p>"I believe scouts are hiding there," declared White Otter. "Hu-ya has +told us about them. It is good."</p> + +<p>They watched the grove with new interest. They knew that Hu-ya, the +great war bird, was not likely to be frightened by Ma-ya-sh, the +prairie<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> wolf, nor Ta-to-ka-dan, the antelope, nor even by great +Ma-to-ho-ta, the bear. They felt quite certain, therefore, that Hu-ya +had discovered other enemies in the grove.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps a war party is hiding over there," said Sun Bird. "Perhaps +they found out about the ponies. Perhaps they sent those scouts to +fool us."</p> + +<p>"I do not believe a war party is hiding in that place," White Otter +told him. "A war party would go away while it was dark."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe that is true," agreed Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>The Sioux were perplexed. Although the actions of Hu-ya, the war bird, +led them to believe that the grove concealed some of their foes, they +were unable to guess why the latter had loitered in the timber. While +they were trying to solve the mystery they saw another smoke signal +rising behind the ridge. It appeared in the place where they had +discovered the other signal. The smoke column was light and +indistinct, and soon broke into intermittent puffs. In a few moments +it ceased.</p> + +<p>"Now I know that some one is hiding over there where the trees grow," +declared White Otter. "I believe they are scouts. I believe they +found<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> out about the ponies. It made them cautious. I believe those +riders went to bring the war party. I believe, they will come to that +place when it gets dark. We must watch out."</p> + +<p>"I believe they are Pawnees," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"I do not know who they are, but I am going to find out about it," +White Otter told him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>OLD ENEMIES</h3> + + +<p>They watched until the grove finally faded out in the twilight. Then +they listened for sounds which might warn them of the arrival of a war +party. It was barely dark when they heard signals passing across the +plain. The cry of Ma-ya-sh sounded faintly from the west. It scarcely +died away before an answer rose from the vicinity of the grove.</p> + +<p>"The war party is coming," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" cautioned White Otter.</p> + +<p>They listened closely. Many moments passed. The stillness was +unbroken.</p> + +<p>"What was it?" inquired Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"I heard something, far away," White Otter told him. "It sounded like +a pony. I believe some one stopped the noise."</p> + +<p>As time passed and they heard nothing further, they felt sure that a +company of foes had arrived at the grove. The thought made them +uneasy. They feared that the two scouts would be sure to tell their +companions about the pony tracks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> which crossed the ravine and led +away toward the east. The Sioux recalled that the mysterious riders +had spent some time looking toward the ridge.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they know we are here," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe that is why they went away," replied White Otter. "I +believe they went to tell their people about it. Their friends waited +behind those trees to see if any one came over to this place."</p> + +<p>"Well, they did not see us," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"No, they could not see us, but perhaps they know some one is watching +them," White Otter told him. "Perhaps scouts will ride over here to +find out about it. I believe scouts were close by when we were hiding +over there in that gully. Now they will come to this hill. It would be +foolish to stay here."</p> + +<p>"Well, my brother, what do you propose to do?" inquired Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"I propose to find out about those people," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>"How can you do that?"</p> + +<p>"Come, we will go to Little Raven," said White Otter. "Then I will +tell you about it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + +<p>They crossed back over the ridge, and found Little Raven waiting with +the ponies. He said he had seen nothing but a stray antelope on that +side of the ridge.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, you must listen sharp to what I am about to tell you," +said White Otter. "I believe a war party is hiding over there where +those trees grow. I do not know who it is. That is bad. Perhaps it is +the Pawnees. The Pawnees are our enemies. Once they came to our +village and did much harm. Perhaps they are going again to make war on +my people. It is true that we came here to look for buffaloes. Well, +we found something different. We are Dacotahs. We must find out who is +over there. We must try to find out where they are going. Then we will +know what to do. Perhaps we will do a big thing for my people."</p> + +<p>White Otter paused and waited for his companions to speak. Many +moments passed before Sun Bird finally replied.</p> + +<p>"My brother, your words are good," he said. "You are a great war +chief. You are the leader. Come, tell us what you propose to do."</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I am going over there where the trees grow to find out +who is there," declared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> White Otter. "Now listen sharp. There is only +one way to do this thing. I believe scouts will come to this place. If +we cross over this hill and go straight ahead we will meet them. We +must not do that. I will tell you what to do. That gully where we hid +ourselves goes a long ways toward the lodges of my people. It is good. +We will follow this ridge that way. When we get past those trees, we +will cross this ridge and ride over to that gully. Those people will +go the other way to look for us. They will follow the tracks of our +ponies. When we get to that gully we will listen. If we do not hear +anything, I will go ahead and creep up to those trees. Perhaps I will +find out who is there."</p> + +<p>"You are very brave, but you must not go there alone," said Sun Bird. +"You will be in great danger. I will go with you."</p> + +<p>"No, you must not do that," White Otter told him. "You must stay +behind and help Little Raven with the ponies. Then if anything bad +happens to me, perhaps you can help me. It is the best way to do. +Come, my brothers, we will go away before those scouts come over here +and find us."</p> + +<p>They rode northward along the base of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> ridge. They went a long +distance before White Otter finally turned toward the west. Then they +rode to the top of the ridge, and stopped to listen. All was still. +Darkness hid the grove. They knew that the ravine was directly ahead +of them, and they advanced cautiously toward the west.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the ponies will call," Little Raven suggested, uneasily.</p> + +<p>"We must be ready," White Otter cautioned him.</p> + +<p>They rode across the plain in silence, alert for the first warning of +danger. They realized that at any moment they might encounter scouts +moving cautiously through the night along the flank of an advancing +war party. When they finally reached the ravine, the night was far +gone. White Otter and Sun Bird immediately dismounted, and climbed to +the top of the ravine. They looked anxiously in the direction of the +grove. It was hidden far away in the darkness. They watched for the +tell-tale glow of a fire, but had little hope of seeing it.</p> + +<p>"No, those people are not so foolish," declared White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Well, my brother, if there is no fire it will be hard to see who they +are," Sun Bird told him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Perhaps my ears will tell me that," replied White Otter. "I know the +words of the Pawnees. I know the words of the Crows. I know the words +of the Kiowas. I will get close to that place and listen sharp."</p> + +<p>"White Otter, I believe it would be foolish to go over there," said +Sun Bird. "If you will listen to my words, I will tell you something +better."</p> + +<p>"You are my brother, and you are a chief of the brave Minneconjoux—I +will listen to your words," agreed White Otter.</p> + +<p>"It is good," declared Sun Bird. "Now I will tell you how I feel about +this thing. We are in a good place. Those people cannot see us when it +gets light. You say perhaps those people are Pawnees. It may be true. +You say perhaps they are going to fight your people. It may be true. +You say it makes you feel bad. You say we must find out about it. It +is true. I will tell you the best thing to do. We will stay here until +the light comes. Then we will watch close. If any one comes away from +that place we will see them. If they travel toward the lodges of your +people they will go by this place. Then we will follow them. We will +get close and find out who they are. If they go the other way, we will +let them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> ride away. My brother, I believe it is the best thing to +do."</p> + +<p>White Otter kept silent. He was studying the plan of Sun Bird. The +latter waited patiently for him to reply. It was some time before +White Otter spoke.</p> + +<p>"Sun Bird, I have listened to your words, but I will not do as you +propose," he said, finally. "You say if those people are going to the +lodges of my people they will pass this place. Perhaps they have +passed by here in the darkness. If we wait here until the light comes +perhaps it will be too late to help my people. My brother, I must find +out about it. I am going to do what I told you about."</p> + +<p>"Well, you are the leader," Sun Bird told him. "I will not talk any +more against it."</p> + +<p>"It is good," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward he disappeared into the night. Choosing a star +to guide him in the proper direction, he loped across the plain as +easily and as silently as Ma-ya-sh, the wolf. Aware that there was a +possibility of blundering into his foes, he stopped many times to +listen. The great plain was steeped in silence. He believed that the +strangers had remained in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> grove. The thought somewhat relieved +his anxiety for his people. He had little fear for himself. Having +passed through many thrilling adventures, he had learned to look upon +danger and death with the stolid indifference of the seasoned warrior.</p> + +<p>White Otter had gone a long distance from the ravine when he suddenly +heard the long, dismal wail of a prairie wolf rising through the +night. The cry had sounded somewhere near the ridge upon which the +Sioux had passed the day. White Otter smiled as he realized that his +prophecy about the scouts had been verified.</p> + +<p>"They did not find us," he murmured.</p> + +<p>As the call was not repeated, he continued toward the grove. He +believed that the scouts were notifying their comrades that the +country was free of foes. White Otter found keen satisfaction in the +thought of outwitting them. He had little doubt that they were his +hated foes, the Pawnees, and he felt certain that they were on a war +expedition.</p> + +<p>As he approached the grove, White Otter slackened his pace and became +as alert and cautious as To-ka-la, the little gray fox. He knew that +if a war party had taken possession of the grove,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> sentinels had been +stationed on the plain to watch for foes.</p> + +<p>"Now I must be cautious," he told himself.</p> + +<p>Soon afterward he saw the grim, black outlines of the grove directly +ahead of him. It was a number of arrow flights away, however, and he +stopped to listen. He heard nothing. Then he advanced. Slowly, +cautiously, he moved through the darkness, listening and watching for +the sentinels who he feared were close at hand. Then he heard a pony +snort. He stopped and waited in breathless suspense. He decided that +the sound had come from the grove. He advanced still more cautiously. +When he finally came within bowshot of the trees, he suddenly realized +his peril. Alone and on foot, he knew that once discovered there would +be little chance of escape. Still he was unafraid. Familiarity with +danger had given him confidence.</p> + +<p>"I will get away," he kept telling himself.</p> + +<p>Then he suddenly heard the murmur of voices. For an instant the sound +alarmed him. He had approached nearer the grove than he had supposed. +He sank noiselessly to the plain. He lay there some time, endeavoring +to identify the speakers. It was hopeless. The voices were low<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> and +indistinct, and he could not distinguish the words. He realized that +he must go nearer. He crept slowly forward, a bow length at a time. +Then he stopped to listen. The voices had ceased. His heart beat +wildly. An alarming possibility flashed through his mind. Had he been +discovered? It seemed impossible. He banished the thought. The +silence, however, made him suspicious.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they are listening," he whispered.</p> + +<p>The silence continued. White Otter was perplexed. He was less than +half a bowshot from the cottonwoods. He heard the leaves trembling. He +moistened his finger, and found the direction of the breeze. It was +stirring toward the grove. He felt relieved. It seemed less likely +that he had been discovered. Still he was uneasy. The sudden hush +alarmed him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they must be listening," he declared.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward a pony whinnied. It seemed to be on the other side +of the grove. It was answered by several ponies in the timber. Then +some one called. The signal was low and guarded. A reply came from the +grove. White Otter heard hoofbeats. Some one was riding toward the +cottonwoods. White Otter listened in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> trying suspense. He heard many +voices. He breathed easier. The mystery was explained. He suddenly +realized that the scouts had returned. It was the sound of their +approach that had hushed the speakers in the grove.</p> + +<p>"It is good," White Otter said, with great relief.</p> + +<p>He believed that as the scouts had failed to find evidence of foes, +the company in the grove might grow bolder. The next few moments +seemed to confirm his hopes. The strangers were talking with far less +caution. Still he was unable to catch their words.</p> + +<p>"I must go nearer," he said.</p> + +<p>He crawled carefully toward the timber, stopping after each bow length +to watch and listen. The sounds from the grove reassured him. The +warriors were talking and laughing, and apparently had little fear of +attack. The ponies, too, were making considerable noise. He heard them +stamping, and grunting and shaking themselves. However, he felt quite +certain that they were securely picketed.</p> + +<p>The sky was sprinkled with stars, and it was possible to see several +bow lengths through the night, but White Otter knew that it would be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +impossible to penetrate the sinister black shadows which enveloped the +grove. His ears alone might tell him what he wished to know. He was +quite familiar with the words of the Pawnees, and the Crows, and had +heard the dialect of the Kiowas, and he hoped to identify the +strangers by their talk. It was a difficult and perilous undertaking, +for White Otter knew that to be successful he must approach close up +to the edge of the timber.</p> + +<p>The night was well advanced and he knew that there was little time to +spare. The ravine was far away, and he realized that he would be +compelled to exert himself to the utmost to reach it before daylight +betrayed him to his foes. Once discovered on the open plain there +would be little hope of escape. He determined to make his attempt +without further delay. For a moment only he hesitated, while he turned +his face toward the sky.</p> + +<p>"Wa-kan-tun-ka, make me strong to do this thing," he murmured.</p> + +<p>Then he began his perilous, stealthy advance toward the timber.</p> + +<p>The sounds convinced him that the strangers were assembled at the pool +in the center of the grove. He feared, however, that sharp-eared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +sentinels might be lurking at the edge of the plain. Aware that the +slightest sound might betray him, he sank close to the earth and crept +forward as cautiously as a panther stalking its prey. It took many +moments to go a bow length. He had stopped behind a dense cluster of +bushes close to the edge of the timber, when he was startled by the +sound of voices within several bow lengths of him. He believed he had +encountered the sentinels. Scarcely daring to breathe, he pressed his +body against the plain and listened. The words of the speakers came +distinctly to his ears. He failed to recognize them. They were not the +words of the Pawnees. They did not sound like the words of the Crows. +The dialect seemed strange and unfamiliar. For some moments White +Otter was confused. He wondered if his ears were deceiving him. Then +he suddenly identified the peculiar accent. Several years before he +had heard it in the Kiowa camp. The mystery was solved. The people in +the grove were Kiowas.</p> + +<p>Having learned the identity of his foes, White Otter was equally eager +to know if it was a war party or only a company of hunters. He saw +little chance of gaining the information. Unable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> to see the warriors +or to understand their words, there seemed no way to guess the +intentions of the Kiowas. In the meantime the night was slipping by. +Daylight was not far off. White Otter knew that it would be perilous +to loiter. Nevertheless he waited, each moment hoping to hear +something which might tell him whether the Kiowas were out for peace +or war. At last he was rewarded. He heard sounds in the timber which +convinced him that the Kiowas were dancing, and singing their war +songs. The scouts at the edge of the grove had joined in the chant, +and White Otter seized the opportunity to retreat.</p> + +<p>Raising himself from the ground, he crawled slowly backward until he +had gone a bow length. Then he stopped to listen. The sounds still +came from the grove, but he heard nothing from the sentinels. Their +silence aroused his fears. Alarming possibilities suggested +themselves. Were the Kiowa sentinels listening? Had he betrayed +himself? He sank to the plain and waited. The moments seemed endless. +The uncertainty tried his courage. He was tempted to spring to his +feet, and dash wildly across the plain. He realized that the Kiowas +would soon overtake him. Then he heard the sentinels talking and +making<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> their way into the grove. They had abandoned their vigil. His +heart filled with joy. He had accomplished his mission. The way was +open. He was free to go.</p> + +<p>The eastern sky was already turning gray when White Otter finally +approached the spot where he had left Sun Bird and Little Raven. He +stopped and imitated the bark of the little gray fox. Three times he +gave the signal. Then he listened for an answer. A familiar voice +sounded softly through the darkness.</p> + +<p>"The way is clear," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward White Otter joined him at the top of the ravine. +They descended into the gully to join Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"Well, my brothers, I have found out about those people," White Otter +told his companions. "They are Kiowas. I believe it is a war party."</p> + +<p>"How did you find out about it?" inquired Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"I went ahead until I got close to those trees," said White Otter. +"Then I crawled up behind some bushes. Then I heard some one talking. +I did not know the words. Pretty soon I found out about it. It sounded +like the Kiowas. I waited a long time. Then I heard those people +dancing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> and singing. Then I said: 'It is a war party.' That is all I +know about it."</p> + +<p>"Well, pretty soon it will be light," Sun Bird told him. "Then we will +find out what the Kiowas propose to do."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we must watch them until we know where they are going," said +White Otter.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>TRAILING A WAR PARTY</h3> + + +<p>At daylight the Sioux peered anxiously toward the grove. It was some +time before the little cluster of trees emerged from the shadows. At +that moment the Kiowas appeared.</p> + +<p>"See, there are our enemies," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Watch sharp," White Otter cautioned him.</p> + +<p>Although the Kiowas were too far away to be counted, the Sioux saw at +once that it was a large company. They felt sure it was a war party. +The Kiowas had turned toward the north. White Otter watched them with +considerable uneasiness.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," he said. "There are many warriors. They are riding toward +the lodges of my people. We must follow them."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, we will follow them," declared Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>They watched closely as the Kiowas rode slowly across the plain. They +were a long distance to the westward of the ravine, and were moving +directly toward the north. As they drew nearer, the Sioux began to +count them. There were sixty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> horsemen in the company. They made an +imposing spectacle as they rode along in pairs. Even at the distance +the Sioux noted that some of the warriors in the lead wore great war +bonnets, and they knew that those men were chiefs and war leaders. +Then several riders left the column and galloped away in advance of +the company.</p> + +<p>"The scouts are going ahead to watch for enemies," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Hi, they are coming this way," cried White Otter.</p> + +<p>Two riders had turned toward the east, and were riding toward the +ravine. They were some distance to the southward of the Sioux, but the +latter were greatly alarmed. They felt quite certain that the crafty +scouts would follow along the top of the ravine to make sure that it +was free of foes. The Sioux were in despair. They feared that they had +run into a trap. There seemed to be no way of escape. Discovery seemed +certain.</p> + +<p>"They will find us!" cried Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>White Otter watched the horsemen in thoughtful silence. He was +searching his brain for a way out of the predicament. The scouts had +covered three-quarters of the distance to the ravine.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> Delay was +perilous. Roused by the thought, White Otter suddenly determined to +race away in full sight of his foes.</p> + +<p>"Come," he cried, as he scrambled wildly into the ravine.</p> + +<p>"The Kiowas are coming!" Sun Bird told Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"Jump on your ponies and follow me," shouted White Otter.</p> + +<p>They rode boldly out upon the plain, and turned toward the east. +Glancing back they saw that the Kiowas had stopped at sight of them. +The scouts made no effort to follow.</p> + +<p>"It is good," cried White Otter. "The Kiowas do not know what to do. +We will fool them."</p> + +<p>Convinced that their foes had no intention of pursuing them, the Sioux +slackened the speed of their ponies. Then, when they had gone a safe +distance, they turned to watch the perplexed Kiowas. The latter were +gathered in a close group, and appeared to be holding a council.</p> + +<p>"Well, we are far enough away, now we will wait here and see what +those people propose to do," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Do you believe they know who we are?" Little Raven asked him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward the Kiowas resumed their advance toward the north. +The scouts had joined their comrades. White Otter was perplexed. He +had expected the war party to turn in another direction. If the Kiowas +really were bound for the Ogalala camp he believed they would attempt +to conceal their intentions. The fact that they continued boldly on +their way aroused his suspicions.</p> + +<p>"I do not know what to make of it," he told his companions. "If those +people are going to my village, I believe they will turn around to +fool us."</p> + +<p>"I do not believe they know who we are," said Sun Bird. "Perhaps they +took us for Pawnees or Cheyennes. Perhaps they do not believe we will +follow them."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I see that what you say is true," White Otter replied, +hopefully. "They do not know who we are. I believe they take us for +Cheyenne hunters. It is good. If they keep going ahead, we will circle +around and get ahead of them. Then we will go to tell my people. When +the Kiowas come to fight us, we will be waiting for them."</p> + +<p>The Kiowas had urged their ponies into a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> canter. The scouts were +riding toward the ravine. The Sioux watched curiously. They wondered +if the Kiowas intended to ignore them.</p> + +<p>"It is mysterious," White Otter declared, suspiciously. "My brothers, +I believe those people are trying to fool us. We must be sharp."</p> + +<p>The scouts turned and rode along the top of the ravine, and the war +party continued toward the north. Sun Bird and Little Raven waited for +White Otter to announce his plans. The latter, however, remained +silent. He seemed bewildered by the unusual behavior of the Kiowas. He +was watching the two scouts. They glanced back at frequent intervals +to make sure that the Sioux were not following them. Otherwise they +showed little interest.</p> + +<p>"It is mysterious," White Otter said, again. "I do not know what to +make of it. Come, Sun Bird, tell me how you feel about it."</p> + +<p>"The Kiowas are going toward your village—it looks bad," Sun Bird +told him.</p> + +<p>"We must follow them," said White Otter. "Come, we will try to fool +them."</p> + +<p>He rode away toward the east. The two Minneconjoux asked no questions. +They looked upon him as the leader, and they were content to rely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +upon his judgment. As they cantered across the plain they glanced back +at the Kiowas. The two scouts had stopped, and appeared to be looking +after them.</p> + +<p>"Those scouts are watching us," said Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"It is good," laughed White Otter. "We will fool them. Come, ride +faster."</p> + +<p>They galloped the ponies. Then, as they again looked back, they saw +that the war party, too, had stopped, far away to the westward. White +Otter laughed gleefully. He turned to the southward, toward the ridge +which they had left the day before. His companions believed that he +was planning some wily stratagem to deceive his foes.</p> + +<p>"Keep watching," cautioned White Otter. "Perhaps those scouts will +follow us."</p> + +<p>The Kiowas, however, showed no intention of riding after them. One of +the scouts was racing toward the war party. The Sioux believed he had +gone for instructions. They kept looking back to see what he would do +after he had talked with his companions.</p> + +<p>"See, see, he is riding back to that gully," cried Little Raven. +"Perhaps they are going to follow us."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, I do not believe it," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>The war party was moving on toward the north. A few moments afterward +the scout rejoined his companion. Then they, too, rode northward along +the top of the ravine. It was apparent that the Kiowas had decided to +pay no further attention to the Sioux.</p> + +<p>"The Kiowas are sly," declared White Otter. "I cannot tell what they +propose to do. Perhaps they are going to the lodges of my people. +Perhaps they are trying to fool us. We must follow them and find out +about it."</p> + +<p>When the Sioux finally reached the ridge, the Kiowas had already +disappeared into a dip of the plain. Once over the ridge, White Otter +and Sun Bird left their ponies with Little Raven, and climbed the +slope to watch. They had little doubt that the crafty Kiowa scouts +were similarly employed far away to the northward.</p> + +<p>"Now I will tell you why I came here," said White Otter. "I do not +believe the Kiowas know who we are. I believe they take us for scouts. +Perhaps they take us for Cheyennes. The Cheyenne village is behind us. +I came this way to make them believe we were going there. When those +scouts do not see us, they will believe we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> have gone away. Then they +will go ahead. We will follow them."</p> + +<p>"It is good," Sun Bird told him.</p> + +<p>They had not watched long, however, before White Otter became +impatient. He realized that he was wasting valuable time. He wondered +if he had blundered. If the Kiowas really intended to go to the +Ogalala camp, he feared that he had given them a big advantage. They +were a long distance ahead of him, and he knew that it would be +necessary to ride hard to beat them to the goal. The thought shook his +confidence. He began to doubt the wisdom of his maneuver. Each moment +added to his uncertainty. He studied the plain for a way to follow the +war party without being seen. The ridge offered the only opportunity. +It extended a considerable distance toward the north, and by riding +along the east side of it he believed he might again come in sight of +his foes.</p> + +<p>"Come, Sun Bird, we will ride along behind this hill, and try to +follow the Kiowas," he said.</p> + +<p>Then Little Raven called, and when they turned they saw him pointing +excitedly toward the north. Looking across the plain, they discovered +a riderless pony running toward the west.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Bring up the ponies! Bring up the ponies!" White Otter called, in +alarm.</p> + +<p>They hurried down the ridge and met Little Raven. Then they sprang +upon the ponies, and galloped over the ridge. Once over the top, they +ran back to watch, while Little Raven took charge of the ponies. Two +horsemen had already appeared in pursuit of the runaway pony. The +Sioux realized that they had barely escaped discovery.</p> + +<p>"They did not see us," declared Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>They watched the race with great interest. The riders soon overtook +the pony. Then they turned about and cantered away toward the east. +The Sioux looked inquiringly at one another. Who were the strange +riders? Where had they come from? Was another war party in the +vicinity? The alarming questions flashed through their minds. They +were puzzled.</p> + +<p>"I believe it is the Kiowas," White Otter declared, finally. "I +believe they have turned toward The-place-where-the-day-begins."</p> + +<p>"Then they must be trying to fool us," said Sun Bird.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I do not know what they are trying to do," White Otter replied, +suspiciously.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the distant horsemen had disappeared, and the plain +seemed free of foes. The Sioux looked toward the east. They examined +the tops of the knolls and ridges, and watched closely for dust, but +saw nothing to convince them that the war party had gone in that +direction.</p> + +<p>"This thing is mysterious," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>They realized that they were in an awkward predicament. They knew that +if scouts were loitering in the vicinity of the spot where they had +last seen the Kiowa war party it would be perilous to remain on the +western side of the ridge. Still, if they crossed the ridge and +attempted to advance along the other side they feared they would be +discovered by scouts watching somewhere on that side of the plain. For +some moments they were undecided as to just what to do.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I will tell you how I feel about this thing," +Sun Bird said, suddenly. "If the Kiowas have turned toward +The-place-where-the-day-begins, I do not believe they are going to the +lodges of our people. If that is true, it would be foolish to follow +them. I believe there are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> many enemies in this country. We must not +stay here. Come, we will ride around and find out if the buffaloes +have come into this place. Then we will go back to our people."</p> + +<p>"Sun Bird, before we go away we must find out about this thing," White +Otter told him. "Perhaps it is true that the Kiowas are not going to +the lodges of my people. We are not sure about it. Perhaps they know +who we are. Perhaps they turned around to fool us. Perhaps if we do +not follow them they will circle around and come to the lodges of my +people. My brothers, we must find out where those Kiowas are going."</p> + +<p>"How can we do that?" inquired Little Raven. "A war party leaves +scouts behind. If we try to follow the Kiowas before it gets dark +those scouts will see us. If we wait until it gets dark the Kiowas +will be too far away."</p> + +<p>"Listen sharp, my brothers, and I will tell you how I propose to do +this thing," said White Otter. "It would be foolish to follow along +this hill. If we do that the Kiowas will see us. We will do something +different. We will cross over this hill, and ride away toward +The-place-where-the-day-begins. If the Kiowas are watching they will +say, 'Hi, those scouts were hiding behind that hill.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> Now they believe +we have gone away. See, they are going to tell their people about it. +They are riding toward the Cheyenne camp. They must be Cheyennes.' We +will keep going toward the Cheyenne lodges. Then we will circle +around, and try to find the Kiowas. If we do not find them over there, +we will know that they have gone to fight my people."</p> + +<p>"It is good," agreed Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"We will go," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>They crossed the ridge, and rode boldly away toward the southeast, in +the direction of the Cheyenne camp. They had little doubt that +sharp-eyed Kiowa scouts were watching them. They glanced back many +times, but saw nothing to confirm their suspicions.</p> + +<p>Toward the end of the day they came in sight of another little grove +of cottonwoods. They circled about it many times before they finally +ventured within arrow-range. The grove was unoccupied, and contained a +tiny pool. They killed several sage grouse in the timber.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said White Otter. "We will stay here until the sun goes +away. Then we will circle around and try to find the Kiowas."</p> + +<p>At the end of the day they left the grove and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> rode off toward the +north, hoping to cross the trail of the war party. Twilight had +already fallen upon the plain when they finally found the fresh tracks +of many ponies. The trail led toward the east. The Sioux felt sure +that it had been made by the Kiowas.</p> + +<p>"Now we know that your people are safe," declared Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe it is true," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>He was gazing thoughtfully across the plain. A new possibility had +suddenly suggested itself. He felt certain that he had guessed the +destination of his foes. He turned eagerly to his companions.</p> + +<p>"Now I know about this thing," he told them, excitedly. "I believe +those Kiowas are going to fight the Cheyennes. Yes, now I see how it +is. They took us for Cheyennes. They tried to fool us. When we went +away they circled around and came over here. Yes, yes, those Kiowas +are going to fight the Cheyennes."</p> + +<p>"I believe it is true," said Sun Bird. "Now we know about it. Well, we +will not follow them. We will go back and look for buffaloes."</p> + +<p>White Otter was silent. His friends saw that he was thinking about +something. They waited for him to speak.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The Cheyennes are our friends," he said at last. "Once we went with +them to fight the Pawnees. Once we went with them to fight the Kiowas. +We took away some good ponies in that fight. The Cheyennes are very +brave. Red Dog, their chief, is our friend. My brothers, I am thinking +about these things."</p> + +<p>"How do you feel about it?" inquired Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"I will tell you," said White Otter. "We are Dacotahs. The brave +Cheyennes are our friends. The boastful Kiowas are our enemies. A +Dacotah helps his friends and fights his enemies. I am going to tell +the Cheyennes about the Kiowas."</p> + +<p>"It is good," declared Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Hi, we will go to the village of our brothers the Cheyennes, and help +them fight the Kiowas," Little Raven cried, enthusiastically.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>OFF TO WARN THE CHEYENNES</h3> + + +<p>Having resolved to carry a warning to their friends, the Cheyennes, +the Sioux abandoned their peaceful hunting expedition, and prepared +for war. The idea filled them with enthusiasm. The Kiowas were old +foes who stole Sioux ponies and killed Sioux hunters at every +opportunity, and the three young scouts were ready and eager to make +war upon them. It was not the first time they had maneuvered against +the Kiowas, and they had learned from experience that the latter were +brave and crafty foes.</p> + +<p>"White Otter, you are a great war chief, you must be the leader," +declared Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Yes, White Otter, you are the leader," agreed Little Raven. "Tell us +what you propose to do."</p> + +<p>"We must get to the Cheyenne village ahead of the Kiowas," White Otter +told them. "We will not follow them. We will circle back toward the +Cheyenne lodges. Come, we must go."</p> + +<p>They turned about and rode in the direction of the Cheyenne camp. It +was a day's journey distant,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> and they realized that to beat the +Kiowas they must reach the village before the next sunrise. The day +was almost gone, and the light was fading from the plain. Aware that +it would be necessary to ride continuously through the night, they +held the ponies to an easy canter. As they rode they kept a sharp +watch to the eastward where the heavy night shadows were already +forming. They were fearful that the Kiowas might have discovered them. +In that event they felt sure that those crafty foes would endeavor to +intercept them before they reached the Cheyennes.</p> + +<p>"There is a hill over there," White Otter said, suspiciously. "It is +bad. Perhaps the Kiowas are riding along behind it."</p> + +<p>They looked anxiously into the east, but the ridge had vanished into +the dusk. They wondered if grim Kiowa warriors were racing along +behind the barrier. The idea troubled them. They rode faster. The +approach of darkness, however, gave them confidence. They believed it +would be possible to elude their foes under cover of the night.</p> + +<p>When they finally turned toward the east the plain was dark. They rode +more cautiously. It<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> was not long before they heard sounds which made +them suspicious. A wolf howled somewhere ahead of them. They +immediately stopped to listen. They heard it a second time, but it +seemed perfectly natural.</p> + +<p>"It sounds like Ma-ya-sh," said Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"I believe it is a Kiowa," White Otter told him. "We must watch out."</p> + +<p>They turned from their course, and rode on at a walk. Before they had +gone an arrow flight, they heard the cry of the wolf a short distance +north of them. They wondered if the scout who had called before had +circled to search for them.</p> + +<p>"No, I believe it is some one different," whispered White Otter. "It +did not sound the same."</p> + +<p>"Your ears are sharp," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward a pony whinnied shrilly. Little Raven's pony +replied. They stopped in alarm. It was apparent that the Kiowas were +on all sides of them. They feared that the pony had betrayed them. +They were at a loss to know just what to do.</p> + +<p>"Listen," cautioned White Otter.</p> + +<p>They waited anxiously to hear the hoofbeats of advancing ponies. The +plain was still. They wondered if the Kiowas, too, had stopped to +listen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> The possibility made them cautious. They feared to ride away +before they located their foes. They believed that if the Kiowas heard +them they might close in and make it impossible to escape. Their only +chance seemed to be to withdraw quietly, and slip away in the +darkness.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," White Otter whispered. "Perhaps some of the Kiowas will +try to keep us here until their friends ride to the Cheyenne camp."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I believe it is what they are trying to do," declared Sun +Bird.</p> + +<p>The thought aroused them. They realized that each moment of delay +lessened the chance of arriving at the Cheyenne village in time to +warn their friends. They feared that the war party was racing wildly +through the night in an effort to beat them to the goal.</p> + +<p>"We must go ahead," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>They rode cautiously toward the east. When they had gone several arrow +flights without encountering their foes they became bolder. They urged +the ponies to a canter. A moment later a piercing yell rose behind +them. It was answered on both sides of them. They heard the hoofbeats +of galloping ponies.</p> + +<p>"Keep going! Keep going!" cried White Otter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> + +<p>Aware that further caution would be useless, they lashed the ponies to +top speed, and began a wild race across the plain. They heard the +Kiowas thundering after them. They were whooping savagely, and the +Sioux learned that they were on three sides of them. The front +appeared to be open. Then White Otter suddenly suspected a trap.</p> + +<p>"Watch out for the hill!" he cried, warningly.</p> + +<p>They feared that other Kiowas were waiting for them on top of the +ridge. There seemed to be no way to avoid them. With foes on both +sides of them, they were forced to ride ahead. Ready to fight those +who might attempt to bar the way, they stared anxiously into the night +for a sight of the low, black barrier that threatened them with +disaster. It soon loomed up through the darkness. They drew their bows +and prepared to fight. Then, when they had almost reached the base of +the ridge, White Otter attempted a bold bit of stratagem to outwit his +foes.</p> + +<p>"Stop! Stop!" he cried.</p> + +<p>They threw the ponies upon their haunches. Then they listened. The +Kiowas rushed past them. White Otter saw his opportunity. There was +not a moment to spare.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come!" he shouted, as he rode wildly toward the south.</p> + +<p>The trick had been successful. The Kiowas rode part way up the ridge +before they discovered that they had passed their foes. Then they +dashed recklessly down the slope, and stopped for an instant to learn +which way the Sioux had gone.</p> + +<p>"Follow me," cried White Otter.</p> + +<p>When they had gone a bowshot, the Sioux turned up the ridge and swept +over the summit before the Kiowas who were waiting to intercept them +learned what had happened. They reached the level plain and were a +full bowshot away when they heard the Kiowas riding furiously down the +ridge in pursuit of them.</p> + +<p>"Ride faster!" shouted White Otter.</p> + +<p>They forced the ponies to the utmost in an effort to get beyond +hearing of their foes. The Kiowas had become quiet. Even the sounds +from their ponies had died away. The Sioux felt encouraged. They +believed they had ridden beyond earshot of their pursuers. Still they +kept the ponies to the exhausting pace, for they determined to make +the most of their advantage.</p> + +<p>"We have fooled them—it is good," laughed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> White Otter. "They cannot +hear us. They do not know which way to go."</p> + +<p>"White Otter, you are as sharp as To-ka-la, the fox," Sun Bird told +him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, you were too sharp for the Kiowas," declared Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"Well, my brothers, we must not feel too big about this thing," White +Otter cautioned them. "The war party is ahead of us. We must watch +out."</p> + +<p>He had barely ceased speaking when they heard the wolf cry rising +through the night. It sounded far behind them. Three times it echoed +across the plain. They knew at once that it was a signal.</p> + +<p>"The scouts are telling their friends about us," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>They listened for an answer. They hoped it would give them a clew to +the whereabouts of the war party. There was no reply. It was evident +that the main company of Kiowas were either beyond hearing or too +cautious to betray themselves. The first possibility gave the Sioux +considerable concern. If the war party was beyond hearing, they +realized that it was far in advance of them. They wondered if their +ponies were equal to the task of overtaking their foes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We must go faster," White Otter said, impatiently.</p> + +<p>The ponies were running at speed which few ponies in the Dacotah +nation could equal, and the Sioux believed that if they could maintain +the pace they would eventually overtake and pass the Kiowas. The +gallant little beasts showed no signs of weakening, and the riders +made no effort to spare them. White Otter rode a fiery little piebald +which had been presented to him by Curly Horse, the war chief of the +Minneconjoux Sioux. It had proved its powers on an expedition against +the Blackfeet the year previous, when it outran the famous black war +pony of the Blackfeet chief. Many Buffaloes. White Otter had little +fear that it would fail him in the present emergency. Sun Bird rode a +wiry little roan, that had proved a worthy competitor of the piebald. +Little Raven was mounted upon a wild-eyed pinto, which White Otter had +presented to him several years before. It, too, was famous for speed +and endurance.</p> + +<p>Convinced that there was slight danger of being overtaken by the +scouts, the Sioux fixed their thoughts upon the war party. The wolf +calls still came from the west, but there was no response from the +east. White Otter wondered if the main<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> force of Kiowas really were as +far away as they appeared to be.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they are watching for us," suggested Sun Bird. "Perhaps they +are keeping quiet so that we will not know where they are."</p> + +<p>"It may be true," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>They had little doubt that the Kiowas would make every effort to +prevent them from carrying a warning to the Cheyenne camp. White Otter +believed that the war party planned to approach the village under +cover of the night, and make a sudden attack at daylight.</p> + +<p>"We will tell the Cheyennes about it," he said. "They will be ready +when the Kiowas come to fight them."</p> + +<p>The Sioux were still a long distance from their goal, however, and +they feared to become too confident. Two disturbing possibilities +confronted them. One was that they might eventually encounter the war +party. The other was that the courageous little ponies might suddenly +collapse with exhaustion. The latter thought caused them the most +anxiety. They decided to ride at an easier pace. Then White Otter +resolved to turn more to the southward in the hope of passing the +Kiowas. He also believed that it would offer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> a shorter and more +direct route to the Cheyenne camp.</p> + +<p>The signals from the west had ceased, and the Sioux wondered if the +scouts had abandoned hope of getting into communication with the war +party. Then the hateful call suddenly sounded across the plain. It +seemed considerably nearer. They were perplexed. Had the Kiowas +actually gained upon them? It seemed unlikely.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we have passed the war party," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"It is mysterious," declared White Otter. "I believe we are running +into danger."</p> + +<p>They stopped for a moment to listen. The ponies had barely come to a +standstill when they heard another signal directly ahead of them. It +was so distinct and close at hand that it startled them. The one who +had made it seemed to be within arrow range. The Sioux believed that +they had overtaken the war party. The thought roused them. They +wondered if the Kiowas had discovered them. They heard a horse +cantering across the plain. It was somewhere on their right. It +passed, and they felt relieved. Then they heard voices. The speakers +were within bow range. The rider was moving toward them. The voices<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +ceased as the pony drew near. Then the Sioux heard a low, cautious +challenge pass between the scouts. A moment afterward they resumed +their talk. The rider had joined his friends.</p> + +<p>"The Kiowas have left scouts behind to watch," White Otter whispered. +"Pretty soon those other scouts will come. We must get away."</p> + +<p>Then several of the Kiowa ponies called, and the Sioux rode away at a +furious pace. The Kiowas instantly raised the alarm, and raced after +them. White Otter heard an arrow pass over his head.</p> + +<p>"Keep low on your ponies!" he cried. "The Kiowas are shooting their +arrows."</p> + +<p>The Sioux ponies soon carried their riders beyond danger, and then +White Otter veered sharply in his course and threw the Kiowas from the +trail. Although there seemed to have been a number of riders, the +Sioux believed that they were scouts, and that the war party was still +riding toward the Cheyenne camp.</p> + +<p>"They will not catch us again," laughed White Otter, as he turned +still farther to the southward.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>A PERILOUS MISSION</h3> + + +<p>Daylight was close at hand when the Sioux suddenly heard the dogs +barking furiously in the Cheyenne village. The sounds filled them with +alarm. Had they arrived too late to warn the Cheyennes? Had the Kiowas +beaten them to the goal? Had the fight begun? The possibilities tried +their courage. Lashing their exhausted ponies into a final, +heart-breaking sprint they raced recklessly toward the camp.</p> + +<p>As they came within bowshot of the village they heard a company of +horsemen riding to meet them. They drew in the ponies, and listened in +trying suspense. Had they encountered friends or foes? They determined +to take no chances. Drawing their bows, they waited for the riders to +approach. They had stopped. They, too, were suspicious and cautious.</p> + +<p>"Ho, Cheyennes, we are Dacotahs," cried White Otter. "We have come to +help you."</p> + +<p>They heard the murmur of voices. A pony called. Then all was still. +The Sioux waited<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> impatiently. Many moments passed. They became +suspicious.</p> + +<p>"I believe it is the Kiowas," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>As he spoke a voice sounded from the darkness. It addressed them in +the Sioux dialect.</p> + +<p>"Ho, Dacotahs, tell us who you are," it said.</p> + +<p>"Watch out, perhaps the Kiowas are trying to catch us," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"I am White Otter; ask your chief Red Dog about me," White Otter +called out.</p> + +<p>"Ho, my brother, we will come to meet you," said the stranger.</p> + +<p>"Wait," cried White Otter. "First tell me who you are."</p> + +<p>"I am Painted Weasel—do you know me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know you," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>The Sioux advanced and found a small company of Cheyennes waiting a +short distance from the village. Painted Weasel was an old friend whom +the Sioux greeted warmly. They found a number of other acquaintances +in the company that had ridden out to intercept them. Painted Weasel, +however, was the only one who spoke their words.</p> + +<p>"Your ponies have run fast," said Painted Weasel. "Has anything bad +happened to you?"</p> + +<p>"My brother, the Kiowas are coming to fight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> you," White Otter told +him. "We found out about it, and came here to tell you. They are close +by. There is little time. Ride to the camp and call your warriors."</p> + +<p>Painted Weasel addressed his companions. When he finished speaking, +three Cheyennes rode silently into the night. The Sioux knew that they +had gone to watch for the Kiowas.</p> + +<p>"Come," said Painted Weasel.</p> + +<p>When they arrived at the camp they were met by Red Dog, the Cheyenne +war chief, an old friend and ally whom White Otter and Sun Bird had +saved from death at the hands of the Pawnees.</p> + +<p>"Ho, my brothers, you have come to our lodges—it is good," cried Red +Dog.</p> + +<p>"No, Red Dog, it is bad," White Otter told him. "We came here to tell +you that the Kiowas are coming to fight you. They are close by. You +must get ready."</p> + +<p>When Red Dog repeated the warning to his tribesmen, they were thrown +into a frenzy of excitement. In a few few moments the camp was in an +uproar. All was confusion, as the alarmed Cheyennes ran through the +village calling the people from the lodges. Then Red Dog took command, +and restored order.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Light the fires!" he cried. "Drive in the ponies."</p> + +<p>The women and boys brought fuel for the fires. A company of young men +rode out on the plain to drive in the ponies. The warriors gathered +eagerly about their chief. The Sioux noted that the Cheyennes were few +in numbers.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," Red Dog told White Otter. "Many of our warriors have gone +to hunt buffaloes. There are few of us here. It will be hard to hold +off the Kiowas."</p> + +<p>"We will help you," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>"It is good," replied Red Dog. "I have seen you do big things. My +people will feel strong because you are here."</p> + +<p>Fires had been lighted to prevent the Kiowas from entering the camp +under cover of the darkness. Soon afterward the young men drove in the +ponies. They were driven into a stout corral. Then the warriors +stationed themselves along the edge of the village to watch for the +Kiowas. The Sioux joined Red Dog. The latter was a cripple, having had +both legs broken at the time the Sioux saved him from the Pawnees.</p> + +<p>"See, it is getting light," White Otter said, hopefully. "I believe +the Kiowas will hold back.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> Perhaps they know that we have told you +about them."</p> + +<p>"Do they know who you are?" inquired Red Dog.</p> + +<p>"No," replied White Otter. "I believe they took us for your people."</p> + +<p>"It is good," declared Red Dog.</p> + +<p>As darkness finally passed, and dawn lighted the plain, the little +company of Cheyennes looked anxiously toward the west. The Kiowas, +however, failed to appear. The Cheyennes felt more hopeful. They +believed there was less chance of the Kiowas attacking the camp in +daylight.</p> + +<p>"If they do not know that our people are away, they will be cautious," +said Red Dog. "Perhaps they were coming here to run off ponies."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe that is what they proposed to do," White Otter told +him.</p> + +<p>Soon afterward they saw three of the Cheyenne scouts riding toward the +camp. When they arrived, the warriors crowded about them to learn what +they had discovered. They said that they had heard nothing of the +Kiowas during the night, but at daylight they had discovered what +appeared to be a wolf, at the top of a ravine some distance to the +westward. The actions of the wolf had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> convinced them that it was a +disguised scout, and they believed the war party was hiding in the +ravine. Two of the Cheyenne scouts had remained out on the plain to +watch.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe that wolf was a Kiowa," White Otter told Red Dog. +"That is how they tried to fool us, but we were too sharp."</p> + +<p>"I do not believe they will come here while it is light," said Red +Dog. "Thunder Hawk and Running Buffalo are watching. They are sharp. +The Kiowas will not get past them."</p> + +<p>Convinced that there was no immediate danger of an attack, the +Cheyennes relaxed their vigilance. Red Dog appointed some of the older +boys to watch along the edge of the camp, while the warriors assembled +in council to discuss plans for defending the village.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, the Kiowas are close by," said Red Dog. "Our brothers, +the Sioux, have told us about them. It was a big thing to do. If these +brave Sioux had not come here, perhaps the Kiowas would have run off +many ponies. Now we know about it. The Kiowas are strong. There are +few of us. It will be hard to keep them out of the camp. We must send +scouts to bring back<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> the hunters. Then we must make a big fight until +our people come."</p> + +<p>"Red Dog, give us fresh ponies, and we will go to find your brothers," +White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Red Dog. "Cheyennes, the Sioux are our friends. +They are going to bring back the hunters. They are great scouts. The +Kiowas cannot fool them. Come, my brothers, lead out three of my best +war ponies for these brave Sioux."</p> + +<p>Three of the best ponies in the Cheyenne tribe were brought for White +Otter and his companions. When they mounted them and prepared to ride +away, an old man came forward and signaled that he wished to speak to +them.</p> + +<p>"It is Ghost Bear, he is a great Medicine Person," Red Dog told them.</p> + +<p>"Young men, I have some words for you," he said in the Sioux tongue. +"You came here to help us. You are our friends. I know about you. You +are brave. You are going into great danger. You are going into the +country of our enemies, the Pawnees. I do not wish anything bad to +happen to you. That is why I am going to help you. But first tell me +who is the leader."</p> + +<p>"My brother, White Otter, is the leader," Sun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> Bird told him. "He is a +great war chief of the Ogalalas. He has done many big things."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I know that White Otter is a great chief," said Ghost Bear. +"I know that he saved the life of Red Dog. I know that he went with +our people to fight the Kiowas. Now, White Otter, I am going to give +you something to keep you safe. You must wear this mysterious Medicine +Bag about your neck. It will make you strong and keep you from harm. +It will give you power to overcome your enemies."</p> + +<p>He advanced to White Otter and gave him a small buckskin bag. White +Otter fastened it about his neck. The superstitious young Ogalala felt +certain that it contained some mysterious Medicine Token which would +guard him against misfortune.</p> + +<p>"Ghost Bear, I see that you are a great Medicine Person," he said. +"You have given me this mysterious Medicine Thing. I will keep it. I +believe it will make me strong."</p> + +<p>"My brothers, you are about to ride away, perhaps the Kiowas will try +to catch you," said Red Dog. "I do not believe they will be able to +come up with those ponies. We will keep<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> watching. If the Kiowas go +after you, we will ride out and drive them back."</p> + +<p>"No, my brother, that would be foolish," White Otter told him. "Ghost +Bear has given me this great Medicine Thing. I see that these ponies +are fast. The Kiowas cannot harm us. You must keep watching. The +Kiowas are sharp. Pretty soon we will bring back your brothers. Then +we will ride out and chase away the Kiowas. We will take many ponies. +Now we are going away. Be brave, my friends."</p> + +<p>Then the three Sioux scouts rode away toward the south. The Cheyennes +stood at the edge of the camp and looked after them. They kept a sharp +watch to the westward. There was no sign of their foes. They wondered +if the Kiowas had discovered the three horsemen.</p> + +<p>"I do not believe the Kiowas will follow them," Red Dog said, +hopefully.</p> + +<p>They continued to watch until the Sioux were far away. Then they felt +less anxious. Having gained a big lead, they believed the Sioux would +have little difficulty in keeping ahead of their foes. Then they +suddenly discovered something which filled them with gloomy +forebodings of evil. A golden eagle, the war bird, had appeared in +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> sky. It was circling directly over the camp. The Cheyennes +watched it with superstitious fear.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," cried old Ghost Bear, the Medicine Man. "It means war."</p> + +<p>"Look, look, the great war bird is flying toward the place where the +Kiowas are hiding," cried the Cheyennes.</p> + +<p>"It is a bad sign," the old men declared, solemnly.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, we must get ready to fight," said Ghost Bear. "The war +bird has warned us. I believe the Kiowas will come to the village."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>RED DOG'S STRATAGEM</h3> + + +<p>Shortly after the Sioux had disappeared, the Cheyennes discovered what +appeared to be smoke, far away to the westward. They watched for some +time before they became convinced that it was not a cloud. Then as +they finally agreed that it was smoke, they felt sure that it was a +signal from the Kiowa war party.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," said Red Dog. "I believe the Kiowas are waiting for more +warriors. They are sending up that smoke to tell them where they are."</p> + +<p>"It must be so," declared Painted Weasel, a famous scout.</p> + +<p>The possibility filled the Cheyennes with gloom. Already outnumbered +by the war party in the distant ravine, they realized that there was +little chance of holding the village against a still stronger force of +foes. For a moment they gave way to despair. Some of them proposed to +abandon the camp, and seek safety in flight.</p> + +<p>"No, no, that would be useless," Red Dog cried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> fiercely. "Look about +you. Do you see the old people and the women and children? Well, my +brothers, think about it. They cannot travel fast. If we try to get +away, the Kiowas will soon come up with us. Then most of us will be +killed. We must stay here and fight. We are Cheyennes. Does a Cheyenne +throw away his women and children to save himself? I am your chief. I +will stay here and fight back the Kiowas until our brothers come to +help us."</p> + +<p>The words of Red Dog roused the fighting blood of his warriors. They +replied with a ringing war cry that echoed threateningly across the +plain, and carried a bold challenge to their foes. The courage of +their chief gave them confidence, and they were eager to meet the +Kiowas. Some of the old men ran for the war drums. Then the warriors +gathered in the center of the camp, and began to dance and sing their +boastful war songs.</p> + +<p>"It is good," cried Red Dog. "I see that you are ready to fight. If +the Kiowas come to the village we will kill them and take away their +ponies."</p> + +<p>Once begun, the war ceremonies were continued far into the day. Then +they were suddenly brought to an end by the appearance of one of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> the +scouts who was racing toward the camp. When he came nearer they +recognized him as White Horse, a noted warrior. As he rode his +sweating pony into the village, the Cheyennes gathered eagerly about +him to learn what he had seen.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," White Horse told them. "Many more Kiowas have gone into +that gully."</p> + +<p>"Come, get off your pony and tell us about it," said Red Dog.</p> + +<p>"Well, my brothers, I was watching with Running Buffalo and Thunder +Hawk," said White Horse. "For a long time we did not see anything. +Then we saw some smoke. It was far away. Pretty soon it stopped. Then +we saw some smoke coming out of that gully. Then we said, 'Some more +Kiowas are coming. They are over there where we saw that first smoke. +They are trying to find the war party.' Then we watched close. Pretty +soon we saw a scout crawl out of that gully. He looked all around. He +could not see us. Then he looked toward that place where the smoke +was. He looked a long time. Pretty soon we saw some one on a pony over +there. Then the man who came out of the gully began to wave a robe. +Then the man on the pony began to ride around.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> Running Buffalo said, +'Those Kiowas are talking to one another.' We kept watching. Pretty +soon we saw many riders coming out of the place where the smoke was. +They were riding toward that gully. Then some more Kiowas came out of +the gully to watch. They were waving their arms. The riders came +faster. Then they all went into that gully. My brothers, it is a great +war party. I believe they will come to the village when it gets dark. +Now I have told you about it."</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes remained silent for some moments after White Horse had +ceased speaking. His words had confirmed the significance of the +distant smoke signal. They believed that the odds against them had +doubled. The thought sobered them. They felt little inclination to +talk. At last, however, old Ghost Bear rose to address them.</p> + +<p>"My friends, White Horse has brought bad words," he told them. "He +says that many Kiowas are hiding over there in that gully. What I told +you about the great war bird has come true. I believe we will have a +big fight. Well, we are Cheyennes. We have fought the boastful Kiowas +many times. We have killed many of their warriors. We have run off +many of their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> ponies. Pretty soon I am going to burn some sweet +grass, and sing the Medicine Songs. Then I am going to talk to the +Above People. I am going to ask them to help us. They will make us +strong. Cheyennes, you must be brave. I believe we will hold off the +Kiowas until our brothers come. I have finished."</p> + +<p>A few moments later Red Dog spoke. The Cheyennes turned to him with +eager attention. He was a great war leader, the son of their beloved +chief, War Eagle, who had been killed in a disastrous battle with the +Pawnees, and they looked upon him with respect and admiration. They +believed that he might find a way to overcome the advantage of the +Kiowas, and save the camp.</p> + +<p>"My people, Ghost Bear has given you good words," said Red Dog. "I +believe what he says is true. I believe the Kiowas propose to fight +us. I am not thinking about that. I am thinking about the old people +and the women and children. We must try to get them away before the +Kiowas come.</p> + +<p>"Now, my brothers, listen sharp. I will tell you what I propose to do. +We will keep watching until its gets dark. I do not believe the +Kiowas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> will come while it is light. When it begins to get dark we +will send the old people and the women and children away. Some +of you must go with them. You must ride far over toward the +Place-where-the-day-begins. Then you must circle around and go toward +the lodges of our brothers, the Ogalalas. You must send a scout ahead +to tell the Ogalalas about it. They will come to help you.</p> + +<p>"After the women and children have gone away, the rest of us will get +ready to fight the Kiowas. We will try hard to keep them out of the +camp. Perhaps we will be wiped away. I cannot tell about that. We are +Cheyennes. A Cheyenne is not afraid to die."</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes immediately approved the plan of Red Dog. They believed +it offered the only chance of saving the women and children. All of +the warriors, however, wished to remain at the camp with Red Dog to +fight the Kiowas.</p> + +<p>In the meantime old Ghost Bear came from the Medicine Lodge with the +sacred Medicine Pipe. He called the Cheyennes to assemble in the camp. +When they had formed the council circle, Ghost Bear asked a boy to +bring some dry willow sticks. Then he asked a warrior to kindle a +fire. As the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> sticks began to burn, Ghost Bear unwrapped the Medicine +Pipe. Then he rose, and tossed a handful of sweet grass upon the fire. +As it burned he raised his aged face toward the sky, and chanted a +Medicine Song. Then he took some dried bark of the red willow from a +small buckskin bag, and filled the bowl of the pipe. Having made these +preparations, he turned to the Cheyennes.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I have called you here to take part in the great +Medicine Ceremony," he told them. "I have made many smokes to the +Above People. It is good. I believe they will help us. Now I am going +ahead with the great Medicine Ceremony. You must watch close, and see +what I do."</p> + +<p>He drew a blazing stick from the fire, and lighted the pipe. For +several moments he extended the pipe stem toward the sky, while he +invited the mysterious Above People to smoke. Then he drew upon the +pipe and puffed the smoke toward the sky, the earth, the east, the +south, the west and the north. Having begun the ceremony, he passed +the pipe to Red Dog, who puffed the smoke toward the sky. The chief +passed the pipe to the warrior at his right, and thus it went round +the circle, each warrior puffing smoke toward the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> sky and calling +upon the Above People to help him.</p> + +<p>After all had smoked, the pipe was returned to Ghost Bear, who +replaced it in its wrappings. Then he began a weird, melancholy chant, +while he moved slowly around the little fire, shaking a medicine +rattle. The Cheyennes watched him in superstitious fascination. They +believed implicitly in the strange Medicine Beings with whom old Ghost +Bear claimed relationship, and they hoped that he might arouse them +against the Kiowas.</p> + +<p>When Ghost Bear finally ended the mysterious Medicine Ceremony, the +Cheyennes again stationed themselves along the edge of the camp to +watch the plain. The day was almost finished. The thought of darkness +filled them with doubts. They believed that the night threatened them +with disaster.</p> + +<p>"Pretty soon it will be dark," they told one another, uneasily.</p> + +<p>As the sun finally disappeared behind the western rim of the plain, +they saw a horseman riding toward the camp. They watched him in great +suspense. It seemed a long time before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> he came within bow range. Then +they recognized him as Running Buffalo, one of the scouts.</p> + +<p>"Running Buffalo is coming to tell us something about the Kiowas," +they said.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, the Kiowas are singing the war songs and making many +talks," Running Buffalo told them. "I believe they will set out to +fight us as soon as it gets dark. It is bad. There are many Kiowas. +Yes, each of us will have to fight three Kiowas. I do not know what +will become of the old people, and the women and children. I will not +talk about it. My heart is heavy."</p> + +<p>"Running Buffalo, we know that many Kiowas are over there in that +place, but we are not afraid," Red Dog told him. "We are ready. We +will make a big fight, and try to hold them back until our brothers +come to help us. Our friends, the Sioux, have gone to bring them.</p> + +<p>"Now listen to what I am about to say. I am going to fool the Kiowas, +and let the old people and the women and children get away. I am going +to send them to our friends, the brave Ogalalas. Now I will tell you +what I propose to do. When it gets dark some of us will ride away +toward the Place-where-the-warm-wind-blows. We will not go far. Then +we will turn around, and ride back<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> to the camp. We will make a big +noise. Our brothers in the camp will make a big noise. When the Kiowas +hear it they will say, 'Hi, some people have come to help the +Cheyennes.' Then they will stop, and send out scouts. Well, while we +are making that noise, the women and children will get away. They will +go toward the Place-where-the-day-begins. Then they will circle around +and ride fast toward the Ogalala lodges. Some of us will go with them. +Some one will ride ahead and ask the Ogalalas to help us. If the +Kiowas go that way you must tell us about it. Now you know what I +propose to do. See, the light is going. Ride back there and tell your +brothers about it."</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Running Buffalo. "I will go. When the Kiowas ride +toward the village we will keep ahead of them. When you hear the +little gray fox barking you will know that the Kiowas are coming."</p> + +<p>He mounted his pony and rode away into the west. The Cheyennes watched +him in gloomy silence. The light was fading. The day had ended. Night +was close at hand.</p> + +<p>Then Red Dog began preparations for the defense of the camp. The boys +and old men were piling brush and wood along the edge of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> village, +to be lighted if the Kiowas attempted to enter. Fires had already been +lighted in the center of the camp. The war ponies were brought in, and +securely picketed. The frightened women were packing meat for their +journey into the north.</p> + +<p>Red Dog called the warriors to the fire. It was a pitiably small +company. The Cheyenne chief looked upon them with pride. They were +great broad-shouldered fellows in the prime of life. Their solemn +faces and serious eyes told him that they understood the peril which +threatened them. Still there was no trace of fear in their hearts. +They waited calmly for the words of their chief.</p> + +<p>"My friends, the light has almost gone," Red Dog told them. "We must +get ready to send away the women and children, and the old people. I +will ask some of you to go out on the plain. Do not go far. Then you +must turn around, and ride to the village. Call out, and sing the war +songs. Make a big noise.</p> + +<p>"Now I will call out the names of some warriors to go with the women +and children. Cloud Eagle, and Two Dogs, and Walks Alone, and Hairy +Robe, and Lame Bear must take these people to the Ogalalas. I will +make Cloud Eagle the leader.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> Now you must get ready to go. When we +make that big noise you must ride away."</p> + +<p>The five warriors who had been selected to guard the women and +children on the perilous journey into the north were eager to remain +and fight the Kiowas. They concealed their disappointment, however, +and began to round up the ponies.</p> + +<p>"Listen, Cheyennes," old Ghost Bear cried, excitedly. "I am an old +man, but I am not going away. My arms are strong. My eyes are sharp. I +will stay here and help you fight the Kiowas."</p> + +<p>Encouraged by his example, many other valiant veterans of the war +trail offered their services against the Kiowas. Red Dog accepted +them. He realized that in the emergency their assistance might be +valuable.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, you are very brave," he told them. "All of you have +fought in many battles. If you feel like staying here to fight, I will +tell you to stay. Perhaps you will kill many Kiowas."</p> + +<p>Having made preparations for the daring stratagem by which he hoped to +save the women and children, Red Dog divided his little force into two +companies. He appointed Painted Weasel as leader of the company that +was to ride out on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> the plain, while Red Dog assumed command of the +warriors in the camp. Then the Cheyennes waited for darkness.</p> + +<p>When night finally settled upon the plain, Painted Weasel and his +companions mounted their ponies and rode away toward the south. At the +same time Cloud Eagle assembled the women and children. Then the +Cheyennes listened for the signal that would set the camp in a tumult.</p> + +<p>"Hi, they are coming!" cried Red Dog.</p> + +<p>The hoofbeats of galloping ponies sounded across the plain, and a +moment afterward the night rang with the wild shouts of the riders. +The warriors in the camp replied with the piercing Cheyenne war cry. +Then a perfect bedlam of sounds rose from the village. Men shouted, +dogs barked and ponies whinnied.</p> + +<p>"Come, come, ride away!" Red Dog told Cloud Eagle.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward the little company galloped toward the east. The +hoofbeats of the ponies were smothered by the noise from the camp. +When the wild tumult finally subsided, the warriors raised their +voices in the war songs, and the sounds carried far across the plain. +Red Dog<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> felt certain that the noise had reached the ears of the +Kiowas.</p> + +<p>"It is good," he cried. "We have frightened the Kiowas. They will be +cautious. It will be a long time before they come close. The women and +children have got away."</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes became quiet. They stood at the edge of the village, +listening anxiously. The plain was silent. A great joy filled their +hearts. They believed that their women and children had escaped from +the Kiowas.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE ATTACK ON THE CAMP</h3> + + +<p>Elated at the successful escape of the women and children, the +Cheyennes awaited the Kiowas with less anxiety. They stood at the edge +of the village, listening for a warning from the scouts. Some of the +older boys had been appointed to stand beside the piles of brush, +ready to light them at the command of their chief. A small detail of +warriors surrounded the corral to prevent the Kiowas from running off +the ponies. The old men kept the fires blazing fiercely in the center +of the camp. Everything was ready. The Cheyennes were eager to begin +the fight.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the Kiowas are afraid to come," laughed old Ghost Bear.</p> + +<p>"Keep watching—they will come," Red Dog warned him.</p> + +<p>When half of the night had passed, and they had heard nothing of the +war party, some of the younger warriors began to repeat the words of +Ghost Bear. The older men cautioned them against becoming too +confident. They believed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> that the Kiowas were delaying the attack +with the hope of catching them off their guard.</p> + +<p>"The Kiowas are sharp," said Red Dog. "We must watch out or they will +fool us."</p> + +<p>Soon afterward the warriors along the southerly side of the camp +called out that they had heard a signal. The bark of the little gray +fox had sounded far away to the southward. The Cheyennes listened in +tense silence. In a few moments the signal was repeated. They knew it +had come from one of their scouts. They turned to one another in +surprise. Having expected the Kiowas to approach from the west, the +call in the south perplexed them.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," said Red Dog. "The Kiowas have separated."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps scouts went over there to find out who came to the camp," +suggested Painted Weasel.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that may be true," Red Dog replied, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>Then they heard another signal. It sounded from the West, and was +nearer the camp. Red Dog saw his suspicions confirmed. He was +confident that the Kiowas had separated into two companies.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They are coming up on both sides of us," declared Painted Weasel.</p> + +<p>A moment later they heard hoofbeats. A pony was racing toward them, +from the west. The dogs barked furiously. The Cheyennes believed that +one of the scouts was approaching, but they determined to be prepared. +They drew their bows, and watched suspiciously. The pony stopped when +it came within arrow range. Then they heard the familiar signal.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" inquired Red Dog.</p> + +<p>"Thunder Hawk," said a voice from the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Ride ahead," Red Dog told him.</p> + +<p>In a few moments Thunder Hawk entered the camp. He said that the +Kiowas had separated into two companies. One had ridden toward the +south. The other was approaching from the west.</p> + +<p>"Running Buffalo followed the Kiowas who rode away," said Thunder +Hawk. "White Horse is watching the Kiowas who are coming toward the +village. He sent me here to tell you about it."</p> + +<p>"Did you hear us making that noise?" Red Dog asked him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we heard ponies running, and shouts, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> then we heard the war +songs," said Thunder Hawk. "After that the Kiowas rode away."</p> + +<p>"They must be scouts," said Red Dog. "Perhaps they are trying to find +out who came here."</p> + +<p>"No, they are not scouts," declared Thunder Hawk. "There are many +ponies. It is a big war party. I believe they are the warriors who +came from the Place-where-the-sun-sleeps."</p> + +<p>"Then I know about it," said Red Dog. "I believe scouts saw the ponies +out there on the plain. Those riders who went away are going to circle +around, and try to run off those ponies. Well, we will fool them. The +ponies are here."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, that is what they propose to do," the Cheyennes told one +another.</p> + +<p>While they were talking, they heard some one approaching from the +south. They felt certain it was Running Buffalo. He stopped and +imitated the bark of the little gray fox. Then he galloped to the +camp.</p> + +<p>"Get ready to fight!" cried Running Buffalo. "The Kiowas are coming. +They are close behind me. They are trying to find the ponies."</p> + +<p>"The ponies are here," Red Dog told him, as he pointed toward the +corral.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Running Buffalo. "My<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> brothers, there are many +Kiowas in that war party."</p> + +<p>"We are ready," Red Dog said, grimly.</p> + +<p>Having learned that the Kiowas were advancing upon the camp, the +Cheyennes listened anxiously for the approach of White Horse. As time +passed, and he failed to arrive, they became uneasy about him. They +wondered what had caused him to loiter. They feared that the Kiowas +who were approaching from the south might circle about the village and +trap him.</p> + +<p>"I will go out there and find him," Thunder Hawk proposed, +impulsively.</p> + +<p>"Wait," cautioned Red Dog. "White Horse is sharp. The Kiowas will not +catch him. He is waiting to find out about something. He will come."</p> + +<p>As he finished speaking they heard the signal in the north. It filled +them with alarm. Their thoughts turned to Cloud Eagle and the helpless +company in his care. Had the crafty Kiowas sent scouts into the north? +The Cheyennes weakened at the possibility. They waited in breathless +suspense for White Horse to reach the camp.</p> + +<p>White Horse soon relieved their fears. He said that the Kiowas who +were advancing from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> west had stopped some distance out on the +plain. Then he had circled toward the north to make sure that scouts +had not gone in that direction. He had heard nothing to arouse his +suspicions.</p> + +<p>"It is good," declared Red Dog.</p> + +<p>"I do not believe the Kiowas know anything about our people who went +away," said White Horse. "I believe they came here to run off ponies. +When they found out that we knew about it, they sent scouts to bring +more warriors. Now they are going to make a big fight. Those people I +was watching will wait out there until they hear their friends moving +ahead. Then they will all rush in. I believe scouts are creeping +toward the camp. We must watch sharp."</p> + +<p>"White Horse, your words are good," said Red Dog. "I believe you have +found out what the Kiowas propose to do."</p> + +<p>Realizing that the Kiowas might begin the attack at any moment, the +Cheyennes stood at the edge of the camp, weapons in hand, watching and +listening for their foes. They had little doubt that scouts were +moving cautiously through the darkness in an effort to reconnoiter the +camp. The thought kept them alert. They listened sharply for the sound +of stealthy footfalls. For a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> long time, however, all was still. Then +a pony snorted, in the corral. A dog harked savagely outside the camp.</p> + +<p>"Light the fires!" cried Red Dog.</p> + +<p>The boys shoved glowing embers into the brush piles. A moment +afterward they burst into flames. A wide circle of light spread about +the camp. The Cheyennes looked for their foes. They had retreated into +the night.</p> + +<p>"It was a scout; he was trying to find the ponies," explained a +warrior at the corral.</p> + +<p>Believing that the Kiowas were close to the camp, Red Dog ordered the +boys to keep the fires blazing. The warriors crouched in the shadows +from the lodges. They heard nothing further from their foes. They +wondered if the scouts had been frightened away.</p> + +<p>"The Kiowas are like wolves," laughed Painted Weasel. "They are afraid +of the fires."</p> + +<p>As if to verify his words, the dismal wail of Ma-ya-sh, the prairie +wolf, sounded from the south. The Cheyennes started at the sound. They +knew it was a signal from the war party. They believed the Kiowas were +ready to advance.</p> + +<p>"Watch out!" shouted Red Dog. "The Kiowas are coming."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> + +<p>The wolf call was repeated in the west. It had barely died away before +the Kiowa war cry echoed shrilly through the night. The Cheyennes +answered the challenge. Then the Kiowas raced toward the camp. They +rode close up to the lodges, but the Cheyennes were prepared, and +drove them back with a deadly volley of arrows. The Kiowas turned and +sought shelter in the darkness.</p> + +<p>"We have chased them back," the Cheyennes cried, excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Keep watching," Red Dog cautioned them.</p> + +<p>The Kiowas were riding around the camp, and yelling fiercely. They +appeared to be attempting to stampede the ponies. The latter were +plunging and snorting in terror, and those in the corral threatened to +break away at any moment. Then the Kiowas suddenly made another +attempt to enter the village. They rode recklessly to the edge of the +camp, and tried to drive the Cheyennes before them. The latter, +however, refused to yield. They realized that to give way meant +disaster, and they fought with a stubborn ferocity that bewildered +their foes. The old men and the boys fought as fiercely as the +warriors. Somewhat sheltered by the lodges, they shot their arrows<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +with deadly accuracy, and the Kiowas were again compelled to withdraw. +This time they went far out on the plain.</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes seized the opportunity to turn to their disabled +comrades. They had paid a heavy price for victory. A third of the +little force had been killed or wounded. There was little time to +think about it. The old men barely had time to drag the wounded to a +place of safety before they heard the Kiowas again charging upon the +village.</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes were amazed when their foes passed beyond bow range of +the camp, and thundered away toward the south. It was some moments +before they recovered from their bewilderment. They were at a loss to +understand the strange maneuver. At first they were suspicious, and +expected to hear the Kiowas riding toward them from another direction. +Then, as time passed and they heard nothing further, they became +convinced that the Kiowas had actually gone away. It seemed too good +to be true. Despair gave way to joy. The Cheyennes began to laugh, and +shout and sing the war songs.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, we have done a big thing," Red Dog told them. "We have +chased away that great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> war party of Kiowas. They are running across +the plain. It is something to tell about. I——"</p> + +<p>"Listen!" Painted Weasel cried, in alarm.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward the startled Cheyennes heard the Kiowa war cry at +the edge of the camp. Then, before they realized what had happened, +they saw the warriors along the westerly side of the village driven +back by a great company of Kiowas who swarmed into the camp on foot. +At the same time the horsemen attacked the camp on the south. The wily +Kiowas had completely outwitted their foes. The Cheyennes were +bewildered and demoralized. They rushed wildly to reinforce their +comrades along the threatened side of the village, and the Kiowa +horsemen found little opposition. They quickly overcame the feeble +guard at the corral, and stampeded the ponies. Then they swept into +the camp. The Cheyennes were outnumbered four to one. The village was +filled with Kiowas. Resistance meant death.</p> + +<p>"Jump on the war ponies and save yourselves!" cried Red Dog.</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes rushed toward the terror-stricken ponies in the center +of the camp. The Kiowas followed after them. A furious hand-to-hand +encounter ensued. Most of the old men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> were killed. A few escaped +notice in the general confusion, and disappeared into the night. Old +Ghost Bear ran far out on the plain, and hid in the sage.</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes finally gained possession of the war ponies. They +mounted and attempted to ride away. Less than half of the company +escaped. Once out of the village, they rode frantically toward the +north. The Kiowas made little effort to overtake them. A small company +of warriors pursued them a short distance across the plain, but soon +turned back to assist in rounding up the ponies, and share in the +plunder.</p> + +<p>When they found that they were not pursued, the little band of +Cheyennes stopped to learn who had escaped. Many famous warriors were +missing. Then they suddenly discovered that both Red Dog and Ghost +Bear were absent.</p> + +<p>"I saw Ghost Bear run out of the camp," declared Running Buffalo. "I +believe he got away."</p> + +<p>"Where is Red Dog?" Painted Weasel asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"He was with us when we were fighting to get away," said Running +Buffalo. "I saw him kill<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> two Kiowas. Then the Kiowas rushed at us, +and I did not see what became of him."</p> + +<p>"Red Dog is dead—the Kiowas have killed him," cried the disheartened +Cheyennes.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they have carried him away," said Painted Hawk.</p> + +<p>They rallied at the thought. If Red Dog had been captured, they +resolved to rescue him. They turned toward the camp. Then they stopped +in dismay. The village was ablaze. The Kiowas had set fire to the +lodges. The Cheyennes heard them yelling triumphantly, far away to the +southward.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, there are few of us left," declared Running Buffalo. "It +is useless to try to do anything. Come, we will ride after our people, +and ask the Ogalalas to help us. Then we will bring a great war party +to fight the Kiowas."</p> + +<p>They turned toward the north with heavy hearts, and rode silently away +into the darkness.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>PAWNEES</h3> + + +<p>As the Sioux scouts rode toward the south to find the Cheyenne +hunters, they watched closely to make sure that the Kiowas were not +following them. Then, as the day advanced and they saw nothing of +their foes, they believed that they had escaped from the Cheyenne camp +without attracting the attention of the Kiowa scouts. The thought +encouraged them.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Sun Bird. "There is no danger."</p> + +<p>"We must not be too sure about it," White Otter cautioned him. "Red +Dog told us about the Pawnees. We must watch out."</p> + +<p>At first they attempted to follow the trail of the Cheyennes, but as +the latter had left the camp some days before the tracks were old and +indistinct. The Sioux realized that they would be forced to ride +slowly to follow them. Then, too, they feared that the Cheyennes might +make many wide and unnecessary detours in their search for buffaloes, +and an effort to follow them might<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> cause much useless riding and a +great loss of time. Aware that each moment was precious, White Otter +finally determined to leave the trail and ride directly across the +plain in the hope of encountering the hunters.</p> + +<p>"It is the best thing to do," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe it will be the quickest way to find the hunters," +agreed Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>Late in the day they discovered a number of fresh pony tracks leading +toward the west. White Otter and Sun Bird dismounted to examine them. +They decided that they had been made only a short time before. The +trail made them suspicious. They looked anxiously across the plain. +There was nothing in sight.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is the Cheyennes," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>White Otter remained silent. He was walking slowly along the trail, +and examining the tracks with great care. His companions waited for +his decision. At last he rose, and shook his head in doubt.</p> + +<p>"Do you feel different about it?" Sun Bird inquired, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"My brother, I am not sure about it," White Otter told him. "Only a +few ponies passed this place—there are many Cheyennes."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Perhaps they were scouts, going over there to look for buffaloes," +suggested Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>He was looking anxiously toward the west. The plain was level and free +of cover, and it was possible to see a long distance ahead. White +Otter realized that the riders were farther away than he had supposed.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they are wild ponies," said Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that may be true," replied White Otter. "Well, we will try to +find out about them. Come, we will follow them."</p> + +<p>He rode slowly along the trail, and Sun Bird and Little Raven followed +him. His doubts had made them suspicious, and they kept a sharp watch +for foes. They had gone a considerable distance when White Otter +suddenly stopped and dismounted. He stooped and lifted something from +the ground. He examined it with great interest. Then he turned to his +companions.</p> + +<p>"See," he said. "I have found something that tells me what I wish to +know."</p> + +<p>He passed the object to Sun Bird. It was a small, round, highly +polished piece of bone. It had a hole bored through the end of it. +Sun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> Bird recognized it at once. It had come from a bone breast-plate, +worn by warriors to protect them from the arrows of their foes. For +some moments he stared at it in silence. Then he gave it to Little +Raven.</p> + +<p>"Now we know that those ponies carried riders," said White Otter. +"They are not our friends, the Cheyennes. They are warriors."</p> + +<p>"I believe they are Pawnees," declared Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>At that moment White Otter discovered something far away to the +northward. A column of smoke was rising against the sky. They watched +it until it finally faded from view. They believed it had been a +signal from the Kiowa war party. Then White Otter suddenly guessed the +truth.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I believe those people are Kiowas," he said. "I believe +they are going to help their friends fight the Cheyennes. I believe +those Kiowas near the Cheyenne camp sent up that smoke to tell their +friends where they are. Come, we will see if it is true."</p> + +<p>A short distance farther on the trail turned abruptly toward the +north. They felt certain that a company of Kiowas had gone to +participate in the attack on the Cheyenne camp. The thought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> roused +them to action. They realized that the little force of Cheyennes were +in a desperate plight.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, we must try to find the hunters," cried White Otter. +"There is no time to spare."</p> + +<p>They left the trail and cantered away toward the south. The day was +far gone, and they were eager to find the Cheyennes before darkness +fell. They feared that the Kiowas would attack the camp some time +during the night. Would the Cheyennes be able to hold them off until +their tribesmen came to their aid? The Sioux had grave doubts. They +looked anxiously across the plain, hoping each moment to see the +hunters come in sight. The day passed, however, and the Cheyennes +failed to appear. The Sioux gave way to despair.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," White Otter said, soberly, as they abandoned the search +at dark.</p> + +<p>They found a little spring at the base of a solitary cottonwood tree, +and decided to remain there until daylight. After they had picketed +the ponies they sat in gloomy silence, staring thoughtfully into the +night. The Cheyennes had given them some dried elk meat, but they had +no desire<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> to eat. Their hearts were filled with fears for the people +in the Cheyenne camp.</p> + +<p>"If the hunters were close by I believe they would come here for +water," said Sun Bird. "I believe they are far away."</p> + +<p>"It must be so," agreed White Otter. "We looked hard but we could not +find them. We did not find their tracks. Perhaps they have followed +the buffaloes."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they have gone back to their village," suggested Little +Raven.</p> + +<p>For a moment the possibility gave them hope. Then they suddenly +realized that it would have been difficult for the Cheyennes to have +passed them without being seen. They feared that the hunters were +still somewhere to the southward, searching for the buffalo herds.</p> + +<p>"Well, when it gets light we will ride around until we find their +tracks," said Sun Bird. "Then we will soon come up with them. I +believe Red Dog and his friends will keep the Kiowas out of the camp +until we bring the hunters."</p> + +<p>"Red Dog and his friends are very brave, but there are many Kiowas," +White Otter told him. "I feel bad about it."</p> + +<p>Then their thoughts were diverted by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> strange behavior of the +ponies. They had raised their heads, and were looking nervously into +the darkness. The Sioux seized their weapons, and sprang to their +feet. They untied the ponies and stood beside them, ready to mount and +ride away at the first warning of danger.</p> + +<p>"Do you hear anything?" Little Raven asked White Otter.</p> + +<p>"No," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>The ponies still seemed restless and frightened, but they made no +attempt to call. The wind was blowing directly toward them. The Sioux +believed that if either men or horses were approaching the ponies +would have called. Nevertheless, they determined to take every +precaution.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps something is coming here to drink," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Listen," whispered White Otter.</p> + +<p>They heard something moving about in the darkness. One of the ponies +snorted and plunged wildly. It tore the lariat from the grasp of +Little Raven, and dashed away. White Otter and Sun Bird sprang upon +their ponies and raced after it. At that moment Little Raven saw two +small awkward creatures galloping toward him. He shot his arrow before +he recognized them. One of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> them rolled over, bawling lustily. The +other ran off. Little Raven suddenly identified them as cubs of the +grizzly bear.</p> + +<p>"Hi, now I must watch out," he said.</p> + +<p>The next moment a savage roar sounded close at hand, and he saw the +mother bear running toward the wounded cub. He shot his arrow, and the +bear turned to face him. For an instant he saw the threatening glare +of her eyes. Then she rushed at him. He shot another arrow. Then he +fled toward the cottonwood. He barely had time to draw himself to the +lowest limb before the enraged bear was at the tree. She reared +unsteadily, and tried to climb. Little Raven attempted to draw an +arrow from his bow-case and almost fell from the limb. In the meantime +the bear had dropped to the ground, and galloped back to her cubs. At +that moment Little Raven heard his friends returning with the ponies.</p> + +<p>"Watch out, Ma-to-ho-ta is here!" he cried. "I have killed one of her +babies. She is very mad."</p> + +<p>"Where are you?" White Otter inquired, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I am up here in this tree," said Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"Ma-to-ho-ta has turned our brother into Zi-ca, the squirrel," laughed +Sun Bird.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> + +<p>As the Sioux advanced, the bear rushed to meet them. Little Raven +heard them shoot their arrows, and gallop away. There was no sound +from the bear. He believed they had killed it.</p> + +<p>"Ma-to-ho-ta is dead," he shouted.</p> + +<p>"Stay where you are," cautioned White Otter. "We will find out about +it."</p> + +<p>Little Raven heard the ponies snorting nervously, as his friends rode +forward to investigate. Then he heard one of the cubs whining. Some +one shot an arrow. The cub became quiet. A moment afterward White +Otter called him.</p> + +<p>"Come down, my brother, Ma-to-ho-ta and her babies are dead," he said.</p> + +<p>"I was like a feeble old man," Little Raven cried, angrily, as Sun +Bird gave him the lariat of the runaway pony. "That horse fooled me."</p> + +<p>"It is bad," said White Otter. "If the Pawnees came here instead of +Ma-to-ho-ta they would have run off that pony."</p> + +<p>They picketed the ponies, and went to examine the bear. It was +unusually large, but thin, and poor in fur, as usual at that season. +Little Raven cut off the claws and shared them with his companions. +They fastened them to their rawhide belts. Then White Otter cut open +the carcass<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> and drew out the heart. He divided it into three +portions, and they ate it. It was an old custom of their people, and +they believed that it would give them the strength and courage for +which Ma-to-ho-ta was famous.</p> + +<p>The night passed without further alarm, and at the first signs of dawn +the Sioux rode away to search for the Cheyennes. Red Dog had told them +that the hunters proposed to go a day's journey to the southward, and +then circle about the plain until they discovered the buffalo herd.</p> + +<p>"Well, they must be close by," declared Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"We must try hard to find them," White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>His mind was filled with distressing possibilities concerning the +people in the Cheyenne village. Had the Kiowas made an attack? Had Red +Dog and his warriors beaten them off? White Otter feared to hope.</p> + +<p>Half of the day had passed before the Sioux saw anything to give them +encouragement. Then White Otter discovered a great dust cloud rising +behind a long, undulating sweep of the plain, far to the westward. +They watched it with breathless interest.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I believe many buffaloes are running behind that hill," said Sun +Bird. "I believe the Cheyenne hunters are chasing them."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, it is the buffalo herd!" cried Little Raven. "Now we will +find the hunters."</p> + +<p>"Come, we will ride over there, but we must be cautious," White Otter +told them.</p> + +<p>They cantered hopefully across the plain. They felt quite certain that +they would find the Cheyenne hunters pursuing the buffaloes behind the +distant ridge. As they drew near, however, White Otter urged caution. +The dust cloud had died away, and he was somewhat suspicious. His +companions heeded his warning.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we must watch out," agreed Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>As they finally came within arrow range, they stopped and examined the +top of the ridge with great care. It was exposed, and bare of cover, +and offered a poor hiding place. The Sioux saw nothing to arouse +suspicion.</p> + +<p>"There is no one there," declared Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"I believe it is safe," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>Eager to reach the Cheyennes before they got farther away, the Sioux +galloped boldly toward the ridge. When they reached it, White Otter +and Sun Bird dismounted and scrambled up the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> slope to reconnoiter. +The plain was dotted with dead buffaloes, and farther to the westward +they saw a great company of riders pursuing the herd.</p> + +<p>"They are our friends, the Cheyennes," Sun Bird said, excitedly. +"Come, we must catch up with them."</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell who they are, but I believe they are the Cheyennes," +White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>They told Little Raven to bring the ponies. Then they rode impulsively +across the plain. Their eagerness to overtake the hunters made them +reckless. They raced after the distant horsemen at top speed. They +passed a cluster of trees but took little notice of them. Convinced +that they had found the Cheyennes, their one desire was to overtake +them. Buffaloes and hunters had disappeared into a dip of the plain.</p> + +<p>"They are riding fast, it will be hard to catch them," declared Sun +Bird.</p> + +<p>The hunters apparently had failed to notice them. The Sioux were +somewhat surprised. They had expected to be discovered when they rode +over the ridge. White Otter became suspicious.</p> + +<p>"It is mysterious," he said.</p> + +<p>They had begun to ascend the hill over which the hunters had +disappeared. Great clouds of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> dust rose to the westward. It was +evident that the chase was still continuing. Then White Otter suddenly +glanced back across the plain. He stopped his pony and cried out in +alarm.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" he shouted.</p> + +<p>A small company of horsemen were riding after them. They appeared to +have come from the little grove of trees. The Sioux studied them with +grave suspicion. At first they took them for Cheyenne scouts. As they +came nearer, however, White Otter became doubtful.</p> + +<p>"Watch out," he warned. "Perhaps we have run into a trap."</p> + +<p>He had barely uttered the warning, when the horsemen whom they had +been pursuing swept down upon them from the top of the ridge. For one +brief moment the Sioux stared at them in astonishment. They could +scarcely believe their eyes. The buffalo hunters were Pawnees. They +were already within arrow range.</p> + +<p>"Come!" cried White Otter, as he rode madly down the slope.</p> + +<p>"Keep low, they are shooting their arrows," warned Sun Bird.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>A DESPERATE CHASE</h3> + + +<p>The Sioux turned toward the south with the hope of encountering the +Cheyennes somewhere in that direction. The Pawnees were close behind +them, and the race was thrilling. The scouts who had followed them +from the grove were riding desperately to get in front of them. The +buffalo hunters were thundering after them. The Sioux feared that +unless they could withdraw beyond bow range it would be only a matter +of moments before either they or their ponies were pierced by Pawnee +arrows. Having escaped from the first fierce volley, they crouched low +and lashed the Cheyenne ponies into a terrific burst of speed to +outdistance their foes.</p> + +<p>"The Pawnee ponies are tired; they will soon give out," cried Sun +Bird.</p> + +<p>It was their one hope. They believed that the Pawnees had fatigued +their ponies in the long chase after the buffaloes, and they had +doubts that they could maintain the pace. The ponies of the scouts +from the grove, however, appeared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> fresh and speedy, and the Sioux +felt less hopeful of eluding them. There were nine riders in the +latter company, and they were racing wildly along the flank of the +Sioux in an attempt to pass them. They were still beyond range, but +were riding at a sharp angle which would soon bring them within +bowshot.</p> + +<p>"See, the hunters are dropping back!" Little Raven cried, joyfully. +"Their arrows are falling behind us."</p> + +<p>"We must watch those other riders," White Otter cautioned him. "Their +ponies are fresh. They are coming fast. We must keep ahead of them."</p> + +<p>It seemed as if the hope of the Sioux was being realized. The main +company of Pawnees appeared to be losing ground. They had ceased +wasting their arrows. The Sioux glanced back and saw that the distance +between them and their pursuers had increased considerably. The riders +on their flank, however, were keeping up with them. Little Raven drew +his bow.</p> + +<p>"Save your arrows," cautioned White Otter.</p> + +<p>Aware that the Sioux were distancing them, the Pawnee hunters were +shouting encouragement to their tribesmen. The latter, however, were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +unable to gain. They were forcing their ponies to the limit, but the +Sioux held their advantage. They were riding toward a small stand of +timber, some distance ahead of them.</p> + +<p>"The Cheyenne ponies are fast, they will carry us away," said Sun +Bird.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward Little Raven's pony stumbled and plunged to its +knees. Little Raven was thrown heavily to the ground. His friends +turned in dismay. The Pawnees yelled triumphantly, and lashed their +ponies to a fresh burst of speed. Little Raven had kept tight hold of +the lariat, however, and as the pony struggled to its feet he sprang +upon its back. Then he discovered that the animal had been crippled. +It ran with short, faltering strides, and had lost its speed.</p> + +<p>"My pony is lame—leave me and save yourselves," Little Raven cried, +bravely.</p> + +<p>"We will die together," White Otter told him. "Come, we will kill +these Pawnees."</p> + +<p>They drew their bows and prepared to fight. The Pawnees were within +arrow range. The nine scouts were abreast of them. The hunters were +close behind them. The crippled pony was steadily losing ground. Their +situation was desperate. An arrow passed between White Otter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> and Sun +Bird. Another grazed the flank of the injured pony. The Pawnees were +almost upon them. The Sioux saw little chance of reaching the timber. +Escape seemed impossible. They abandoned hope.</p> + +<p>"Come, my brothers, we will show the Pawnees how to die," Sun Bird +said, fiercely.</p> + +<p>At that moment Little Raven's pony recovered from the effects of its +fall. It sprang forward with new life. The injury appeared to have +been only temporary. The Sioux yelled with joy. Their hopes revived. +They determined to fight desperately for their lives. The Pawnee +scouts were circling to get in front of them. White Otter shot his +arrow at the foremost rider, and the Pawnee fell to the plain. Sun +Bird's arrow sent a pony to its knees. Little Raven twisted about and +wounded a Pawnee behind him. Then they raced forward and gained the +lead. A volley of arrows came from the Pawnees. White Otter was struck +in the shoulder. It was a slight wound, and he withdrew the arrow and +shot it at his foes. Then the Sioux crouched low on their ponies, and +rode toward the timber. They soon drew away from the exhausted ponies +of the Pawnee hunters, but the scouts kept close beside them. The +Sioux<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> were within several arrow flights of their goal, however, and +their hopes grew stronger. They made savage use of their heavy riding +quirts, and the Cheyenne ponies increased their speed. Stride by +stride they drew away from the Pawnees until they finally carried +their riders beyond bowshot.</p> + +<p>"Keep them running, keep them running!" cried White Otter. "We will +get away."</p> + +<p>They reached the timber more than a bowshot ahead of the nearest +Pawnees. Then they jumped from the trembling ponies, and prepared to +fight off their foes. The latter, however, had failed to follow them. +Aware that the Sioux had suddenly gained the advantage, the Pawnees +were cautious about exposing themselves. They had stopped a long +bowshot beyond the trees, and appeared to be holding a council.</p> + +<p>"The Pawnees are afraid to come after us," declared Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"We must be ready," White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>In a few moments the Pawnees separated, and surrounded the grove. Then +they circled around the timber, shouting taunts, and whooping +savagely. The Sioux laughed at them.</p> + +<p>"They sound very fierce," Sun Bird said, sarcastically.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They are very cautious," laughed White Otter.</p> + +<p>They wondered what the Pawnees proposed to do. They showed little +inclination to approach. They had stopped riding. Many of them had +dismounted. The Sioux watched closely. They feared that the crafty +Pawnees might be attempting to trick them.</p> + +<p>"I believe they will go away," Little Raven said, finally. "They did +not come out to fight. They are hunters. They have killed many +buffaloes. If they leave them back there, Ma-ya-sh, the wolf, will eat +them. I believe some of those warriors will go back there to watch. I +believe some of them will go to their village to send their people for +that meat. My brothers, how do you feel about it?"</p> + +<p>"I do not believe they will go away," Sun Bird told him.</p> + +<p>"No, they will not go away," declared White Otter. "We have killed +some of their friends. They are mad. They will stay here."</p> + +<p>Soon afterward they saw a number of warriors leave the circle and ride +nearer the grove. Then they stopped, and began to shout, and shake +their weapons. In a few moments the rest of the Pawnees began to cry +out threateningly. Then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> a warrior on a spotted pony rode forward and +began to talk. He spoke in loud tones, and Little Raven, who had been +a captive in the Pawnee camp, understood many of his words.</p> + +<p>"He is talking about those warriors who were making that noise," said +Little Raven. "He is telling his friends how brave those young men +are. He says they are coming in here to drive us out."</p> + +<p>"Well, their friends will see that they are very foolish," declared +Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Do you know that warrior who is talking?" White Otter asked Little +Raven.</p> + +<p>"He talks like Jumping Horse, but he is too far away, I am not sure +about it," said Little Raven. "I believe some of those warriors know +who I am. It is bad. They will try to catch me."</p> + +<p>"Hi, those foolish young men are getting ready to ride over here," +said White Otter. "I believe they propose to throw themselves away. +Watch out, they are coming."</p> + +<p>A moment afterward the little company of Pawnees raced toward the +timber. They were yelling and waving their bows, and their tribesmen +were wild with excitement. The Sioux waited calmly at the edge of the +timber. When the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> riders drew near, however, they suddenly swerved and +rode around the grove at top speed. They were within easy arrow range, +and the Sioux instantly realized the significance of the maneuver.</p> + +<p>"They are trying to make us shoot our arrows," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>"We are not so foolish," laughed Sun Bird. "We will wait until they +rush in."</p> + +<p>When the riders saw that the trick had failed, they returned to their +companions. Then the Pawnees crowded together for another council. The +Sioux saw the warrior on the spotted pony talking excitedly, but they +were unable to catch his words.</p> + +<p>"I believe that man is the leader," declared White Otter. "He is +telling his friends what to do."</p> + +<p>"I believe he is Jumping Horse—he is a great war leader," said Little +Raven.</p> + +<p>"They are getting ready to rush in," Sun Bird declared, uneasily.</p> + +<p>Then the same company of warriors again rode forward, shouting, and +singing their war songs. They lashed their ponies into a gallop and +rode recklessly toward the grove. This time, however, they did not +turn aside.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Get ready to fight," cried Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Wait until they come close," cautioned White Otter.</p> + +<p>There were ten Pawnees in the attacking party, and they kept close +together and attempted to ride their ponies into the little patch of +timber. The Sioux took shelter behind the trees, and waited until +their foes were almost upon them. Then they raised the Dacotah war cry +and shot their arrows. Two of the Pawnees toppled from their ponies. +The others halted in dismay. Unable to see the Sioux, they were +bewildered and alarmed. Before they could rally, the Sioux renewed the +savage attack, and another rider slipped limply from his pony. Then +the Pawnees lost hope and raced away in pursuit of the riderless +ponies.</p> + +<p>"Hi, we showed the Pawnees how to fight," Sun Bird cried, fiercely.</p> + +<p>"Now they will try hard to kill us," White Otter warned him.</p> + +<p>The defeat of the warriors who had attacked the Sioux threw the +Pawnees into a rage. They began to race furiously around the grove, +gradually drawing nearer until they were within close arrow range. +Then they shot their arrows into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> the timber. The Sioux were well +sheltered, however, and had little fear of being hit.</p> + +<p>"It is good, the Pawnees are sending us arrows," Little Raven said, +mockingly.</p> + +<p>"Keep watching," replied White Otter. "They are very mad. I believe +they will rush in."</p> + +<p>It was not long before the Sioux saw the motive for the attack. The +Pawnees were attempting to divert their attention, while several +daring scouts rode close up to the timber and carried off the three +unfortunate warriors who had been killed. Then the entire company +withdrew beyond bow range.</p> + +<p>"The Pawnees have carried away their brothers," said Sun Bird. +"Perhaps they are going to give up the fight."</p> + +<p>"No, I do not believe it," White Otter replied, doubtfully.</p> + +<p>The Pawnees had formed in a great circle about the timber. They were +watching quietly, like a company of wolves that had surrounded their +quarry but feared to attack. The Sioux tried to guess their +intentions. Sun Bird and Little Raven hoped that they might suddenly +withdraw, but White Otter was suspicious.</p> + +<p>"I believe they will stay here until it gets<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> dark," he said. "Then +they will try to creep up close. It is bad. We cannot help our +friends, the brave Cheyennes."</p> + +<p>The thought filled them with despair. For the moment their own peril +was forgotten in their concern for the safety of Red Dog and his +people. Having failed to find the Cheyenne hunters, the Sioux feared +to think what might have happened to the little company in the distant +village. The peril roused them.</p> + +<p>"We have done a foolish thing," Sun Bird cried, hotly. "Now we must +try to get away and do the thing we set out to do."</p> + +<p>"I am thinking about it," White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>"What do you propose to do?" inquired Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"When it grows dark we will try to get past the Pawnees," White Otter +said, quietly.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>A NIGHT OF SURPRISES</h3> + + +<p>Late in the day half of the Pawnees withdrew toward the east. The +Sioux felt certain that they had gone to watch the buffaloes which +they had killed. The rest of the company came nearer to the timber. +Then they began to taunt and threaten the Sioux. The latter took no +notice of them. They waited anxiously for the end of the day, hoping +that darkness might make it possible to escape.</p> + +<p>"There are not so many Pawnees; perhaps we will be able to get away," +Little Raven said, hopefully.</p> + +<p>"They will watch sharp," White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>Although the company had been reduced by half, the Sioux were still +outnumbered by ten to one. They felt encouraged, however, when the +Pawnees showed no further inclination to attack them. The sun was +getting low in the west, and the day was passing. They were eager for +night.</p> + +<p>Then, as twilight was settling upon the plain, two scouts returned +from the east. It was evident<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> that they had brought word of great +importance. The Pawnees appeared to be much excited. They had gathered +about the scouts, and were talking earnestly. A few moments later the +Sioux were amazed to see the entire company ride off toward the east.</p> + +<p>"Watch out, it is a trick," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"I believe those riders came back to fool us," declared Little Raven.</p> + +<p>White Otter offered no explanation. He was watching the Pawnees with +grave interest. As they continued across the plain, an alarming +possibility flashed through his mind. He turned excitedly to his +companions.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I believe the Pawnees have found the Cheyenne hunters," +he said.</p> + +<p>"It is true," cried Sun Bird. "Perhaps the Cheyennes found those dead +buffaloes. Come, we will follow the Pawnees, and find out about it."</p> + +<p>"Wait," said White Otter. "We must be cautious. Perhaps scouts are +watching to see what we propose to do. We will fool them. We will ride +toward the Place-where-the-warm-wind-blows. Then when it gets dark we +will circle around and come back to the place where the Pawnees killed +those buffaloes."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It is good," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>They waited a few moments longer to make sure that the Pawnees had +actually gone. Then, as they saw nothing of them, they mounted the +ponies and rode toward the south. They held the ponies to an easy +canter, and kept a sharp watch behind them. The Pawnees failed to +appear.</p> + +<p>"Wa-kan-tun-ka, the Great Mystery, has given us our lives," declared +Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"It is true," said White Otter. "Perhaps we will be able to help the +Cheyennes. I believe we will find them over there near those +buffaloes."</p> + +<p>At dark they turned sharply toward the east. They went a long way +before they finally circled toward the north. They rode in silence, +listening sharply for sounds from the Pawnees. The night was still.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the Cheyennes are getting ready to fight the Pawnees," +suggested Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"That would be bad," declared White Otter. "If the Cheyennes are over +there we must find them, and tell them to come away. They must go to +help their people. There is little time. I am thinking about Red Dog, +and the women and children in that camp. Perhaps the Kiowas have +killed them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> + +<p>When they finally drew near the place where the Pawnees had killed the +buffaloes, they stopped to listen. Then, as they heard nothing to +alarm them, they advanced with great caution. The sky was bright with +stars, and they were able to see a short distance through the night. +They knew that they were to the eastward of the place where they had +first seen the buffaloes.</p> + +<p>"Pretty soon we will circle around, and go over there," said White +Otter.</p> + +<p>They turned toward the west, and soon came in sight of the ridge from +which they had discovered the Pawnee hunters. A few moments later a +pony called within bowshot of them. They stopped in alarm. Then a +voice challenged softly from the darkness. Little Raven recognized the +Pawnee dialect. He immediately replied.</p> + +<p>"It is good, my brother," he said in the Pawnee tongue. "Where are our +enemies?"</p> + +<p>"They are hiding over there among the trees," said the Pawnee. "Our +brothers are watching."</p> + +<p>"It is good," Little Raven told him. "We will go ahead. You must keep +watching."</p> + +<p>"Who is with you?" the Pawnee inquired, curiously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I hear something—keep quiet," Little Raven said, craftily.</p> + +<p>The next moment they rode up the ridge. They listened uneasily, for +they feared that the Pawnee might become suspicious and follow them. +As they heard nothing to verify their fears, they crossed the ridge +and moved stealthily out across the plain.</p> + +<p>"Little Raven, you are as sharp as an old wolf," whispered White +Otter. "You have done a great thing. Now we know that the Cheyennes +are over there where the trees grow."</p> + +<p>They also knew that sharp-eared Pawnee scouts were on guard, and they +feared that it would be difficult to avoid them. The Sioux moved +forward with the alert, nervous caution of frightened deer. They had +not gone far when the ponies snorted and swerved aside. They stopped +in alarm. Then they discovered one of the dead buffaloes. They had +difficulty in persuading the ponies to pass it.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the Pawnees will hear us," whispered Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Listen," cautioned White Otter.</p> + +<p>Some one was riding toward them. Their hearts beat wildly. They feared +to move. Many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> anxious moments passed. Then the sounds gradually died +away. What had become of the rider? Which way had he gone? They +listened anxiously for a clew. It was a long time before they felt +secure. Then, as the stillness continued, they moved slowly forward.</p> + +<p>"The way is clear," White Otter whispered, finally.</p> + +<p>They continued their perilous advance. Then they heard the cry of the +big gray timber wolf, somewhere behind them. It was the favorite +signal of the Pawnees. They feared that their foes had discovered +them. They stopped and listened. In a few moments they heard the call +farther out on the plain. The Pawnees were signaling. What did it +mean?</p> + +<p>"Perhaps that scout back there is telling his friends about us," said +Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"No, no, he does not know about us," Little Raven assured him. "I +fooled him. He took us for Pawnees."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the Pawnees are getting ready to rush against the Cheyennes," +said White Otter.</p> + +<p>The possibility startled them. They realized that if the Pawnees were +closing in upon the grove there was not a moment to spare. They +stared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> anxiously into the night in an effort to locate the timber. It +was hidden in the darkness. There was nothing to guide them in the +proper direction. They knew that it would be easy to pass beyond it. +The blunder might prove fatal.</p> + +<p>"We must watch sharp," whispered White Otter.</p> + +<p>They circled cautiously until they eventually saw the clump of trees +showing darkly through the night. Then they stopped and listened +suspiciously. They felt certain that Pawnee scouts were close at hand, +and they feared colliding with them. The wolf calls had ceased. The +plain was steeped in silence. The Sioux moved forward.</p> + +<p>"If the Pawnees find us, we must ride fast toward those trees," said +White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the Cheyennes will take us for Pawnees, and kill us," Little +Raven told him.</p> + +<p>"When we get close we will call out and tell them who we are," replied +White Otter.</p> + +<p>They advanced directly toward the timber. There was not a sound. The +silence aroused their suspicions. Were the Pawnees, too, advancing +toward the grove? They wondered if a company of those crafty foes had +dismounted, and were creeping quietly forward under cover of the +darkness.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> Alert to catch the slightest sound, the three daring scouts +moved on. When they were near the timber they stopped. They felt sure +that the Cheyennes were watching at the edge of the grove. They +believed that it would be perilous to go nearer without warning them. +Still they feared to call. They listened for sounds from their +friends. The grove was silent.</p> + +<p>"Stay here with the ponies," White Otter whispered. "I will crawl +ahead, and find our friends. If the Pawnees come, ride to the trees."</p> + +<p>He left his pony with Sun Bird, and disappeared into the shadows. +Realizing that the Cheyennes might take him for a foe, he feared to +make the slightest sound. When he was close upon the grove he stopped +to listen. The silence continued. White Otter dropped to his hands and +knees and crept still nearer. He was within a few bow lengths of the +timber. Each moment he expected to hear the subdued murmur of voices, +or the restless stamping of ponies. He heard neither. The stillness +puzzled him.</p> + +<p>"Ho, Cheyennes, I am a Dacotah," he called, softly. "I have come to +help you."</p> + +<p>He waited in great suspense. There was no reply. Had the Cheyennes +failed to hear him?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> Were they unfamiliar with his words? He knew that +many of the Cheyennes understood and spoke the Dacotah dialect. He +crept forward until he was within leaping distance of the trees. Then +he repeated his message. Again it went unanswered.</p> + +<p>"It is mysterious," he murmured, uneasily.</p> + +<p>While he waited, the cry of the timber wolf sounded across the plain. +It made him impatient. He feared that the Pawnees were preparing to +charge upon the grove. His fears were strengthened a moment afterward +when the cry was repeated from another part of the plain. Twice more +it rang ominously through the night; each time from a different +direction. White Otter believed that the Pawnees were ready to +advance. There was no time for further caution. He rose, and ran +recklessly to the edge of the timber.</p> + +<p>"Cheyennes, I am a Dacotah, hold your arrows!" he cried.</p> + +<p>There was no one there. White Otter hurried into the grove, calling +the Cheyennes. They failed to answer. He circled frantically through +the timber. The grove was deserted. He was overcome with astonishment. +For a moment he stood staring wildly into the shadows. Then he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> was +roused by the sound of ponies. They were close by. He ran to the +plain. Sun Bird and Little Raven met him.</p> + +<p>"There is no one here—the Cheyennes have gone," White Otter told +them.</p> + +<p>They heard him in amazed silence. The announcement overwhelmed them. +They had expected to find a strong force of Cheyennes waiting at the +edge of the grove.</p> + +<p>"Well, there is no time to talk about it," Sun Bird said, anxiously. +"Listen, the Pawnees are closing in. That is why we came ahead."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I hear them," replied White Otter. "If we stay here they will +surely catch us. We must try to get away."</p> + +<p>"It will be a hard thing to do," Sun Bird told him. "The Pawnees are +all around us."</p> + +<p>They heard the boastful war songs of their foes echoing weirdly across +the plain. It was evident that the Pawnees saw little need of caution. +Believing that they had trapped the Cheyennes in the timber, they were +riding boldly forward to attack them. For an instant the Sioux forgot +their peril in their joy at the escape of their friends. Then they +realized that they had run<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> into the trap from which the Cheyennes had +apparently escaped.</p> + +<p>"The Pawnees are getting close, we must go," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Watch out for scouts," Sun Bird cautioned him.</p> + +<p>Once again the Sioux rode carefully across the plain. This time they +turned directly toward the east. They knew that the Pawnees were +riding to meet them. There seemed little chance of avoiding an +encounter. The possibilities filled them with gloomy misgivings. Once +discovered, they feared that they would be surrounded and speedily +annihilated. Still they believed that it would have been even more +perilous to have taken shelter in the grove. Their one chance was to +slip between the Pawnees in the darkness.</p> + +<p>The Sioux were many arrow flights from the timber when they finally +stopped to listen. The ponies raised their heads. The Sioux drew +tightly on the lariats to prevent an outcry. Then they looked +anxiously for their foes. They failed to discover them.</p> + +<p>"Watch out, they are close by," whispered White Otter.</p> + +<p>Then they heard the Pawnee ponies. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> were coming directly toward +them. The Sioux crowded closely together, and waited. They had drawn +their arrows, and were prepared to make a fierce fight. The moments +seemed endless. At last they heard the Pawnees talking. An instant +later a rider confronted them. Before he had recovered from his +surprise, the Sioux swept him aside, and broke through the circle of +foes. Lashing their ponies to desperate speed, they rode safely away +before the Pawnees recovered from their bewilderment.</p> + +<p>"Ride fast!" cried White Otter. "Some of those warriors will follow +us."</p> + +<p>They had not gone an arrow flight before they heard a company of +Pawnees racing after them. Determined to hold their lead, they forced +the ponies to still greater speed. Then they heard the great company +of Pawnees thundering toward the timber. They chuckled gleefully.</p> + +<p>"They will find out something big," laughed Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>In a few moments the night rang with the shouts of the Pawnees. They +were attacking the grove. The Sioux listened with keen satisfaction. +Then the noise suddenly subsided. Having encountered no resistance, it +was apparent that the bewildered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> Pawnees were investigating. As the +stillness continued, the Sioux felt certain that the Pawnees were +racing silently about the plain in an effort to find their foes.</p> + +<p>"Now we must fool those warriors behind us," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>He turned sharply toward the north. Then they listened to learn if the +Pawnees had followed them. Their hearts filled with joy as they heard +them racing away toward the east.</p> + +<p>"We are safe!" Little Raven cried, joyously.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we got away from them," said White Otter.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>FRIENDS</h3> + + +<p>Having eluded their pursuers, the Sioux drew the ponies to an easy +canter and continued toward the north. They heard the Pawnees +signaling far away across the plain. They were still searching for the +Cheyennes. The Sioux wondered how the latter had escaped, and which +way they had gone.</p> + +<p>"It is mysterious," declared White Otter.</p> + +<p>"I do not know how they got away, but I believe they are ahead of us," +said Sun Bird. "The Pawnees found the buffaloes and chased them off. +The Cheyennes know about it. I do not believe they will stay in this +place. I believe they will go to their people."</p> + +<p>"Well, we must keep going ahead," said White Otter. "When it gets +light the Pawnees will begin to look around. If we stay here they will +find us. We did not find the Cheyennes, but we must go away. It is +bad."</p> + +<p>They continued to ride until the night was half<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> gone, and then they +stopped beside a little stream to rest the ponies. They believed that +the Pawnees were far behind them, but they determined to take +precautions. They took turns at watching until daylight. Then they +looked anxiously across the plain for signs of their foes. They were +nowhere in sight.</p> + +<p>"It is good," declared Sun Bird. "Now we will go to the Cheyenne camp. +Perhaps we will find our brothers there."</p> + +<p>White Otter kept silent. He was troubled and depressed. His mind was +filled with thoughts of Red Dog and his gallant little company. Having +failed to bring the hunters to their assistance, White Otter had grave +fears for their safety.</p> + +<p>"Come, eat some of this meat, and then we will ride away," he told his +companions.</p> + +<p>While the ponies grazed, the Sioux ate heartily of the dried elk meat +which Red Dog had given them. As they sat beside the stream they +continued to watch the plain. They were about to ride away when White +Otter discovered something moving along the top of a hill to the +westward.</p> + +<p>"Watch sharp, there is something over there," he said, suspiciously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was some moments before his companions discovered the distant +object. Then they saw it moving slowly down the side of the ridge. +They tried to identify it.</p> + +<p>"It looks like Ma-ya-sh, the wolf," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is a scout," suggested Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"I believe it is Ma-ya-sh," White Otter told them. "See, it is moving +down that hill. It does not see us. If it was a scout he would know +about us. Then he would hide behind that hill and watch. I believe it +is Ma-ya-sh."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe it is Ma-ya-sh," said Sun Bird. "Now we know that +there is no one over there. If the Pawnees were over there Ma-ya-sh +would not show himself."</p> + +<p>"It is true," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>Convinced that the object moving along the ridge really was a prairie +wolf, they mounted the ponies and continued into the north. Hopeful +that the Cheyenne hunters had preceded them, they determined to +separate to search for the trail. Sun Bird rode farther to the +westward, and Little Raven circled toward the east. As the plain was +level, it was easy to keep within sight of one another.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> + +<p>The day was well advanced when White Otter saw Sun Bird riding in a +circle. It was the danger signal, and White Otter immediately stopped. +Then he, too, rode in a circle to warn Little Raven. When the latter +saw him, White Otter galloped his pony toward Sun Bird. Little Raven +also rode toward the west.</p> + +<p>"What did you see?" White Otter inquired, anxiously, as he approached +the Minneconjoux.</p> + +<p>"Here are fresh pony tracks," Sun Bird told him.</p> + +<p>The trail had come from the westward, and turned abruptly toward the +north. It showed the hoof marks of many ponies. For some moments they +studied it in silence.</p> + +<p>"It must be the Cheyennes," Sun Bird said, finally.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe those are the marks of the Cheyenne ponies," replied +White Otter.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" inquired Little Raven, who joined them at that moment.</p> + +<p>"Here are the marks of some ponies," White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>"I believe it is the trail of our brothers, the Cheyennes," said +Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"We are not sure about it," White Otter told<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> him. "Perhaps it is the +Pawnees. Perhaps they passed by us when it was dark. Perhaps they +circled over here and went ahead to catch the Cheyennes. We must not +let them fool us again. We will watch out."</p> + +<p>"You are a good leader," declared Sun Bird. "I see that what you say +may be true. Yes, we will be cautious."</p> + +<p>They rode rapidly along the trail. It was plain and easy to follow. +They had not gone far, however, when they saw something which brought +them to a sudden stop. A riderless pony had appeared on a knoll +directly ahead of them. They watched suspiciously. At sight of them +the pony raised its head and whinnied. Then it began to feed. It moved +in an awkward and unnatural manner that aroused their fears.</p> + +<p>"I believe some one is hiding behind that pony," declared White Otter.</p> + +<p>"If he is a scout why did he go up on that high place?" Little Raven +asked, curiously. "If he kept hiding we would not know about him."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he was coming down that hill before we saw him," said White +Otter. "Then he saw us and hid behind his pony. Now he is trying to +lead it over the top of that hill."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe that is what he is trying to do," declared Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>The pony was still feeding, and moving slowly toward the top of the +hill. They felt sure that it was guided by some one behind it. It was +far beyond arrow range. As they were in no danger, the Sioux waited to +watch it.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is a Cheyenne," said Sun Bird. "Come, White Otter, make +the signal."</p> + +<p>At that moment a warrior sprang upon the pony, and disappeared over +the top of the hill. The Sioux had been unable to identify him. His +appearance, however, caused them considerable anxiety. They realized +that if he was a Cheyenne he had probably mistaken them for foes. In +that event he would warn his companions, and they might race away +before the Sioux could get in touch with them. If he was a Pawnee the +possibilities were more alarming.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," said Sun Bird. "If we go ahead, perhaps we will run into +the Pawnees. If we hold back perhaps our brothers, the Cheyennes, will +ride away from us."</p> + +<p>"We will go ahead," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>They approached the hill with great care. They watched closely before +they ventured up the slope.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> When they reached the top they saw a +large company of horsemen, far away across the plain. They appeared to +be watching the hill. The Sioux believed the scout had warned them.</p> + +<p>"Come, make the signal," said Sun Bird. "We will see what comes of +it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, make the signal," urged Little Raven. "I believe they are +Cheyennes."</p> + +<p>White Otter raised his hands high above his head. It was the sign for +peace. He repeated the signal several times. Then he rode his pony +part way down the hill, and returned to the top. In the meantime Sun +Bird had waved his robe up and down, and then spread it upon the +ground. He, too, repeated the signal. It was an invitation to come and +talk. Having thus proclaimed their peaceful intentions, and invited +the strangers to meet them, the Sioux watched for an answer to the +signals. The horsemen made no reply.</p> + +<p>"They are cautious," said Sun Bird. "Perhaps they take us for +Pawnees."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is the Pawnees after all," declared Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"Well, they are far away, they cannot catch us," White Otter told +them. "We will go toward<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> them. Then we will see what they propose to +do."</p> + +<p>They rode a bowshot across the plain. Then they stopped and repeated +the signals. In a few moments a rider separated from his companions, +and replied to the signs. He raised his hands above his head. Then he +suddenly swept his right hand toward the ground. It, too, was an +invitation to approach and talk.</p> + +<p>"They are trying to draw us over there," said Sun Bird. "No, we are +not so foolish. We will wait until we see who they are."</p> + +<p>"It is the only thing to do," agreed White Otter.</p> + +<p>Having previously mistaken the Pawnees for the Cheyennes, the Sioux +determined to be careful. Sun Bird dismounted and again signaled with +his robe. Then they waited. Many moments passed before they received +an answer. Then three riders started slowly across the plain.</p> + +<p>"It is too many, watch out," cautioned White Otter. "Come, we will +tell them what to do. Follow me."</p> + +<p>The Sioux rode forward abreast. When they had gone a short distance, +they turned and rode back. Then White Otter rode forward alone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> The +signal was meant to warn the approaching horsemen that one only must +come to the council. The strangers, however, ignored the suggestion. +All three continued toward the Sioux. White Otter turned and cantered +toward his friends.</p> + +<p>"Come," he said. "I believe those people are trying to fool us."</p> + +<p>They rode back toward the hill. Their action made it plain that they +mistrusted the intentions of the strangers. The latter seemed to +understand. They had stopped, and were holding their hands above their +heads to proclaim their peaceful intentions. The Sioux continued +toward the hill. Then two of the horsemen turned about, and cantered +toward their companions. The third rider still waited with his hands +raised.</p> + +<p>"It is good," cried White Otter. "I will go and find out who he is."</p> + +<p>"Be cautious," Sun Bird warned him.</p> + +<p>"I will watch out," declared White Otter.</p> + +<p>He turned his pony, and rode toward the stranger. The latter +immediately lowered his arms. Sun Bird and Little Raven watched +anxiously. White Otter advanced with great caution. He was making +every effort to identify the horseman before he came within arrow +range. Neither<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> of them had drawn their weapons. To have approached +weapons in hand would have been evidence of suspicion and lack of +faith. When they finally came within bow range, they stopped and +examined each other with close attention. Then White Otter suddenly +recognized a friend.</p> + +<p>"Ho, Running Crow, now I see who you are," he cried, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Hi, hi, it is my brother, White Otter," shouted the Cheyenne.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward they met and clasped hands. The Cheyenne was a +noted warrior and scout with whom White Otter had shared several +perilous adventures. Aware that White Otter had found a friend, Sun +Bird and Little Raven immediately rode forward to join them.</p> + +<p>"Ho, my brothers," Running Crow cried cordially. "I see that one of +you is Sun Bird. I do not know about that other warrior."</p> + +<p>"He is my brother, Little Raven," said Sun Bird. "Little Raven is a +great warrior."</p> + +<p>"My brothers, how do you come to be in this place?" Running Crow +inquired, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Red Dog sent us to find you," White Otter said, soberly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Has something bad happened to our people?" Running Crow asked +quickly.</p> + +<p>"The Kiowas were all around the camp," said White Otter. "It was a +great war party. I believe your people are in much danger."</p> + +<p>The Cheyenne remained silent. For some moments he stared wildly into +the eyes of the Ogalala. The Sioux watched him with pity. They knew +that he was striving to master his grief before he spoke.</p> + +<p>"When did you leave my people?" he asked, finally.</p> + +<p>"Two suns have passed since we came away from your village," White +Otter told him.</p> + +<p>"It is bad, it is bad," Running Crow declared gloomily. "Come, we will +go and tell my brothers about it."</p> + +<p>"Who is the leader?" inquired Sun Bird, as they rode toward the +Cheyennes.</p> + +<p>"I am the leader," said Running Crow.</p> + +<p>The Sioux found many old friends and allies among the Cheyennes. There +was Red Crane, and Turns Around, and Black Beaver, and Sitting Bear +and Fighting Wolf and several more. Some were unable to speak the +Dacotah dialect, but they clasped hands with the young scouts and made +it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> plain that they were glad to see them. Then Running Crow addressed +his warriors.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I have bad words," he said. "There is little time to +talk. Listen sharp. These brave Dacotahs came here to find us. Red Dog +sent them. The Kiowas were all around our village. They say it was a +great war party. Two suns have passed since the Dacotahs came away. I +do not know what has happened to our people. Perhaps the Kiowas have +killed them. Come, my brothers, we must ride fast to the camp."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>THE ABANDONED CAMP</h3> + + +<p>Early the following day the Cheyennes came in sight of their village. +They looked anxiously across the plain, hoping to see something which +would quiet their fears. They were a long way off, however, and it was +impossible to learn what they wished to know. They rode furiously +toward the lodges. As they approached they began to shout fiercely, +and look for the Kiowas. There was no response from the camp.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," Running Crow cried, in alarm.</p> + +<p>When they finally came within bowshot, they suddenly realized that the +village was deserted. Their hopes died at the thought. They rode +frantically to the edge of the camp. It bore grim testimony to the +success of the Kiowa attack. The corral was empty. Many of the lodges +were burned. Still, silent forms lay about the village. A dog howled +dismally.</p> + +<p>"Our people have been wiped away," Running Crow cried, dolefully, as +he rode his frightened pony into the camp.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Cheyennes followed silently behind their leader. They looked +solemnly upon the valiant friends who had given their lives in defense +of the village. Grief overcame them. They were unable to speak.</p> + +<p>"It is bad, it is bad," White Otter said, bitterly. "What I was +thinking about has come to pass. Red Dog and his people have been +killed."</p> + +<p>The Sioux moved about the camp with bowed heads. It was a scene which +stirred their sympathy and filled them with gloom. Many of the +Cheyennes had dismounted, and were entering the lodges which had +escaped the flames. It was evident that they were searching for +friends and relatives whom they had failed to find in the camp. Other +riders were searching about the plain in the vicinity of the village. +Then Running Crow suddenly called them to the center of the camp.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, a terrible thing has happened to our people," he said. +"The ponies are gone. The lodges are burned. Many brave friends are +dead. Our enemies, the Kiowas, have done this thing! Remember it. Keep +it in your hearts. Keep thinking about it. It is useless to talk about +it. You are Cheyennes. You see what I see. You feel what I feel. It is +enough.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My brothers, listen sharp. Many brave warriors are lying here, but +many of our people are missing. Where are the women? Where are the +children? Where is Red Dog? Where is Ghost Bear? Where are Cloud +Eagle, and Two Dogs, and Walks Alone, and Hairy Robe and Lame Bear? +Where are Painted Weasel, and Running Buffalo, and Thunder Hawk and +White Horse? What has become of those people?——"</p> + +<p>"I will tell you!" cried a voice from the edge of the camp.</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes turned in alarm. Old Ghost Bear, the Medicine Man, was +tottering into the village. They gazed upon him with frightened, +superstitious eyes. He looked like one who was dead. He stood before +them, swaying dizzily, and holding his hand across his eyes. The +Cheyennes waited silently for him to speak. It was some moments before +he was able to control himself.</p> + +<p>"Cheyennes, Cheyennes, Cheyennes, look about you!" he cried. +"Everything has been wiped away. The Kiowas were too strong for us. We +held them off a long time. We waited for you. You did not come. Then +the Kiowas got into the village. We fought hard, but we could not +drive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> them out. They killed many of our people. They ran off the +ponies. They burned the lodges."</p> + +<p>Ghost Bear suddenly covered his face with his hands, while his aged +body shook with grief. The Cheyennes looked upon him with compassion. +It was the first time they had seen him betray emotion, and they +realized that the great catastrophe had broken his heart. They feared +he was about to die. He had dropped to his knees, and was moaning and +sobbing like a child. Running Crow went forward and placed his hand +upon him. Ghost Bear dropped his hands, and looked wildly at his +tribesman.</p> + +<p>"Come," said Running Crow. "You are a great Medicine Person. You must +help us. Tell us what has become of the women and children. Tell us +what has become of Red Dog. Tell us what has become of all those +warriors."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I will tell you about it," said Ghost Bear, as he struggled +to his feet.</p> + +<p>He gave a thrilling account of the desperate battle with the Kiowas. +The Cheyennes listened with breathless interest. Their eyes flashed as +he told how Red Dog got the women and children safely out of the camp. +Then he told how the Kiowas had entered the village, and speedily +overwhelmed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> the little company of Cheyennes. He said that some of the +Cheyennes reached the ponies, and fought their way from the camp. He +saw Red Dog kill two Kiowas.</p> + +<p>"Then I ran away, and I do not know what became of Red Dog and those +brave warriors," Ghost Bear continued. "Perhaps they were killed. I +ran a long ways. Then I crawled into some bushes. It was very dark, +and the Kiowas could not find me. I heard them passing around me many +times. Then they went away. I heard them running off the ponies, and +singing the war songs. Pretty soon I saw the lodges burning. I felt +very bad. Well, my brothers, I waited in those bushes until you came +here. At first I took you for the Kiowas. I wanted to die, so I came +to the village. Then I saw you. Now I have told you all I know about +it."</p> + +<p>"Ghost Bear, you have told us how this thing happened," said Running +Crow. "You have told how the women and children got away. It is good. +You say you do not know what became of Red Dog and those warriors. We +will try to find out about them."</p> + +<p>Running Crow called several warriors, and told them to circle far out +over the plain in a search<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> for the missing Cheyennes. He feared that +they might have been killed beyond the camp. The scouts rode away. The +Cheyennes watched them closely, as they rode carefully about the +plain. It was a long time before they returned. They said that they +had found the tracks of many ponies going toward the north. They +declared that there were no dead Cheyennes outside of the camp.</p> + +<p>"It is good," cried Running Crow. "I believe our brothers got away. +Perhaps they have gone into the country of the Ogalalas. I believe Red +Dog went with them."</p> + +<p>As he finished speaking, a warrior at the edge of the camp cried out +and said that several riders were approaching from the north. The +Cheyennes hurried from the village to see them. The riders instantly +discovered them, and stopped the ponies. There were three. They were +far away.</p> + +<p>"I believe they are our people," Running Crow declared, excitedly. +"They are coming back to find out about this thing. Come, we must let +them know who we are."</p> + +<p>One of the warriors rode forward and raised his arm high above his +head. Then he rode rapidly to and fro. It was the rallying signal. A +moment afterward the riders galloped forward.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> As they came nearer, +they again became cautious. Then the Cheyennes began to call to them. +They heard them, and raced the ponies toward the camp. As they came +within arrow range, the Cheyennes recognized them. They were Painted +Weasel, and Thunder Hawk and White Horse.</p> + +<p>"Our brothers have come back—it is good," cried the Cheyennes. "Now +we will find out about this thing."</p> + +<p>"Well, my brothers, I see that you are alive—it is good," said +Running Crow, as he met them at the edge of the camp.</p> + +<p>"There are only a few of us left," Painted Weasel replied, soberly.</p> + +<p>"Where are the warriors who were with you?" inquired Running Crow.</p> + +<p>"They are following our people toward the lodges of the Ogalalas," +Painted Weasel told him.</p> + +<p>"Is Red Dog with them?" Running Crow asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No," said Painted Weasel. "We do not know what became of him. We came +back here to find out about it. He was with us when we were fighting +to get away. He was very brave. I saw him kill two Kiowas."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I saw him kill them," cried old Ghost Bear.</p> + +<p>"What became of him?" Painted Weasel asked him.</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell you that," said Ghost Bear. "I ran out of the village, +and did not see any more of him."</p> + +<p>"I was close beside him," declared Thunder Hawk. "Then the Kiowas +rushed at me, and I had a hard time of it. When I looked around I did +not see anything more of Red Dog. Then I heard my brothers riding +away. I went after them. I thought Red Dog was with them. Well, my +brothers, he was not there. No one knew anything about him."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he was killed," said White Horse. "Did you look all around?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we looked sharp," Running Crow told him. "We did not find him."</p> + +<p>"Then I believe the Kiowas must have carried him off," said Painted +Weasel.</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes were crushed by the possibility. Dismay kept them +silent. They knew only too well the fate that awaited Red Dog if he +had fallen into the hands of his enemies. Their courage rose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> at +thought of his peril. They determined to save him, or avenge his +death.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my brothers, I believe the Kiowas have carried off Red Dog," +White Horse told them. "We must try to save him. There is only one +thing to do. We must go to the Kiowa Camp, and try to take him away."</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I have listened to your words—they are good," said +Running Crow. "I believe the Kiowas caught Red Dog. It is bad. He is +our chief. He has done many good things for his people. We must try to +help him. Now I will tell you how I feel about it. White Otter is a +great war chief of the Ogalalas. He has done many big things. He has +helped us fight the Pawnees. He has helped us fight the Kiowas. We +know that he is a good war leader. He has been to the Pawnee village. +He took away the great chief Wolf Robe and that great Medicine Person, +Yellow Horse. He has been to the Kiowa camp. He went into that camp +and ran off ponies. White Otter knows how to do big things. My +brothers, I am going to ask this great Ogalala war chief to lead us to +the Kiowa camp."</p> + +<p>"It is good!" cried the Cheyennes. "White Otter is a great chief. He +must be the leader."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come, White Otter, tell us how you feel about it," said Running Crow.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I will lead you to the Kiowa camp," White Otter told +them. "Your people are my friends. We came here to help you. The +Kiowas are our enemies. They have killed many of your people. They +have burned your lodges. They have run off your ponies. I believe they +have carried away your chief. Red Dog is my friend. My heart is bad +against the Kiowas. I am going to the Kiowa camp to find out about Red +Dog. Yes, Cheyennes, I will lead you to fight our enemies. I believe +my people will come to help us."</p> + +<p>"Hi, hi!" cried Running Crow.</p> + +<p>When they learned that the Ogalala would lead them against the Kiowas, +the Cheyennes felt sure of victory. They had great confidence in his +ability, for his exploits had made him famous. For the moment they +forgot their grief, as they thrilled at the call of the war trail. +Their hearts burned with a fierce desire for vengeance, and they +believed that White Otter would give them an opportunity to retaliate +upon their foes. The thought stirred them. They began to sing the war +songs, and make savage threats against the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> Kiowas. Some of the +younger warriors began to dance. The village rang with their shouts. +The older men soon yielded to the excitement. In a few moments the +entire company joined in the wild antics of the war dance.</p> + +<p>White Otter took no part. He, too, longed to shout, and sing, and +dance and make fierce threats against his foes, but he realised that +it was not the part of a great chief to yield to his emotions. Sun +Bird and Little Raven, however, took a prominent part in the dance. +White Otter heard their voices rising in the fierce Dacotah war cry, +and his blood tingled at the sound.</p> + +<p>Then the Cheyennes finally brought the wild ceremony to an end, and +stood quietly beside their ponies, awaiting instruction from the +Ogalala chief. White Otter looked upon them with admiration. They were +a splendid body of warriors, and he was proud to command them. Tall +and sinewy, their stern faces and flashing eyes proclaimed their +courage. They compared favorably with the famous Dacotah fighting men, +and having seen them in battle White Otter knew that they were equally +bold and indomitable.</p> + +<p>"Cheyennes, I see that you are ready," said White Otter. "It is good. +You have made me the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> leader. I will tell you how I feel about this +thing. I believe my people will come here to help us. Some of you must +stay here to watch for them. Then you must bring them to the Kiowa +camp. The rest of us will go ahead to fight the Kiowas. Their village +is two sun's travel away. They have reached their lodges. We must +follow them to their camp. When we get there I will tell you what to +do. I have finished."</p> + +<p>As Running Crow translated the words, White Otter saw disappointment +on the faces of the Cheyennes. They began to talk softly to one +another. He knew at once that they were discussing who should be left +behind to watch. Each hoped to avoid the task. All wished to fight the +Kiowas. Then Ghost Bear suddenly offered a solution of the difficulty.</p> + +<p>"Listen, my brothers," he cried, eagerly. "All of you are young men. A +young man must fight. I am old. I cannot ride the war ponies. I will +stay here and watch for the Ogalalas. If they come I will tell them +where to find you."</p> + +<p>"If you stay here alone, perhaps something bad will happen to you," +Running Crow told him.</p> + +<p>"No, no, nothing will happen to me," Ghost Bear assured him. "I will +put away those brave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> warriors who are lying here. Then I will wait +for the Ogalalas. There is meat here. The Kiowas did not find it. I +will have plenty to eat. I am a Medicine Person, nothing can harm me. +If enemies come here, I will run away and hide in the bushes. Come, my +brothers, ride away and leave me. There is little time."</p> + +<p>"Ghost Bear, you are very brave," declared White Otter, when Running +Crow told him of the old Medicine Man's proposal.</p> + +<p>A few moments later the Cheyenne war party left the camp. They rode +across the plain, singing their war songs, and old Ghost Bear cackled +gleefully as he heard them. He watched until they were beyond range of +his dim old eyes. Then he moved slowly into the village. He stopped +and gazed sadly upon the forms of his friends.</p> + +<p>"Listen, you Silent People," he cried. "The Kiowas have sent you on +The Long Trail. You were very brave. Our people will talk about you a +long time. Now our brothers have gone to kill many Kiowas. White +Otter, the great war chief of the Ogalalas, is the leader. Soon you +will hear a great noise. You will know it is the Kiowas. They will cry +like women when our brothers begin to kill them. Then you must laugh +at them."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>IN PURSUIT OF THE KIOWAS</h3> + + +<p>The Kiowa trail was easy to follow, for the great herd of ponies had +left many tracks. White Otter felt sure that the Kiowas would lose +little time in getting to their camp. The trail confirmed his +decision. It led toward the southeast, the direction of the Kiowa +village. White Otter believed that it would be useless to attempt to +overtake his foes. Some of the younger, more impulsive warriors were +eager to race ahead, but White Otter held them back.</p> + +<p>"It is useless to kill your ponies," he told them. "The Kiowas have +reached their lodges."</p> + +<p>When they had passed beyond sight of the Cheyenne village, he began to +take precautions. Two possibilities suggested themselves. He realized +that the Kiowas might have expected pursuit and left scouts behind to +watch their trail. He also knew that the Pawnees were abroad, and he +feared that they might have followed the trail of the Cheyenne +hunters. He sent scouts to ride ahead and on both sides of the war +party.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If you see anything, tell us about it," he told them.</p> + +<p>Then the war party continued across the plain. White Otter realized +that while his force was large enough for a sudden attack against the +Kiowa camp, it was not sufficiently strong to risk a fight in the +open. Besides, he hoped to accomplish his purpose without bringing +further loss upon the Cheyennes.</p> + +<p>The day passed without alarm. Toward sunset they saw one of the scouts +returning. They believed he had discovered something. White Otter +called Running Crow to act as interpreter.</p> + +<p>"He says he saw some buffaloes over there," said Running Crow, as he +pointed toward the south.</p> + +<p>"Then I believe the Pawnees are near," White Otter told him. "We must +watch out for them. Tell your brother to go back there, and keep +watching. Tell him when it gets dark to come to the place where many +trees grow. He will find us there."</p> + +<p>Running Crow repeated the instructions, and the scout rode away. It +was not long before one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> of the scouts who was riding in advance came +back. He was a warrior named Standing Bull, who spoke the Sioux +dialect.</p> + +<p>"We looked sharp but we did not see anything," he told White Otter. +"Sitting Bear and Black Beaver are riding ahead. I came back to find +out where to find you when it gets dark."</p> + +<p>"You will find us at the place where many trees grow," White Otter +told him. "Do you know that place?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know it," said Standing Bull. "There is good water there."</p> + +<p>He rode ahead to join his companions. He had barely gone before one of +the other scouts joined the war party. He, too, reported that he had +seen nothing to arouse suspicion. When he learned where the Cheyennes +planned to spend the night he rode away.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Running Crow, who rode beside White Otter. "Our +brothers have seen nothing but some buffaloes."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps those buffaloes will bring the Pawnees," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>"No, my brother, I do not believe we will see the Wolf People," +Running Crow told him. "They have killed many buffaloes. They have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> +plenty of meat. I believe they will take it to their people."</p> + +<p>Shortly afterward they came in sight of a large grove of aspens. It +was a familiar camp site, and White Otter had been there before. As +they drew near the timber they stopped, while scouts went forward to +investigate. They rode cautiously about the grove to make sure that it +was free of foes. The Cheyennes watched closely. They realized that it +offered a tempting hiding place to Kiowa scouts. One of the riders +finally disappeared into the timber. A few moments afterward be +signaled the war party to advance.</p> + +<p>"The way is clear," said Running Crow.</p> + +<p>When the Cheyennes entered the grove the scouts showed them a number +of fresh pony tracks. White Otter examined them with much interest. +They seemed to cause him considerable uneasiness.</p> + +<p>"Well, my brother, how do you feel about those tracks?" Sun Bird asked +him.</p> + +<p>"It looks bad," said White Otter. "There were three ponies in this +place. It was not long ago. Perhaps it was Kiowa scouts. Perhaps they +saw us coming here. Perhaps they have gone to tell their people about +it. We must watch out."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If the Kiowas come here the scouts will tell us about it," said +Running Crow.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is true," replied White Otter. "But some one must keep +watching out there on the plain. The Kiowas are sharp. Perhaps they +will creep past the scouts."</p> + +<p>Several warriors offered to go out on the plain to watch. Then the +Cheyennes picketed their ponies, and lay down to rest. For two days +they had ridden hard, and they were tired and sore.</p> + +<p>"White Otter, I have something bad to tell you," Sun Bird said, as he +seated himself beside the Ogalala.</p> + +<p>White Otter turned inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"The Kiowas took away our ponies," said Sun Bird. "Painted Weasel told +me about it. Running Buffalo found Little Raven's pony, but our ponies +are with the Kiowas."</p> + +<p>"Hi, that is bad," cried White Otter. "Well, I will get back my pony. +Curly Horse, your chief, gave it to me. I will not let it go. It is +the fastest pony I ever rode. Yes, I will take it away from the +Kiowas."</p> + +<p>"We will get them back," Sun Bird declared, confidently. "My pony is +very fast. I will not let the Kiowas keep it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> + +<p>The loss of the ponies saddened them. White Otter felt sure that +neither friend nor foe owned a pony with the speed and endurance of +the little piebald which he had received from the Minneconjoux chief. +Sun Bird was equally attached to the little roan. It had beaten most +of the ponies in the Minneconjoux camp, and had carried him to safety +in several thrilling escapes from his foes.</p> + +<p>"How did the Kiowas get those ponies?" White Otter asked, suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Painted Weasel says that all the war ponies were in the camp," said +Sun Bird. "When the Kiowas ran into the village, the Cheyennes ran to +get the ponies. They had a big fight. The Kiowas got many of those +ponies. Our ponies were with those ponies they took away."</p> + +<p>The sun had disappeared, and the twilight shadows were forming on the +plain. Many of the Cheyennes were asleep. The ponies had finished +feeding, and most of them were lying down. The camp was in peaceful +repose. White Otter looked on with satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"It is good," he said. "The Cheyennes and their ponies are resting. +They will be strong to fight."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then, as night closed down, White Otter left his companions and seated +himself at the edge of the grove. He was serious and thoughtful. He +suddenly realized his responsibility. The Cheyennes had placed +themselves under his leadership. They were depending upon him to save +their chief. He knew the difficulties and perils which were before +him. He wondered if he would be able to overcome them. For a moment he +felt doubtful. Would he fail? Would he bring another staggering +disaster upon the unfortunate Cheyennes? He grew weak at the thought. +Then he realized that he was yielding to fear. The idea roused him. He +felt ashamed. He rallied from the mood. He recalled that he had +overcome the Kiowas under still greater difficulties. It restored his +confidence. His courage returned. He laughed away his fears.</p> + +<p>"I am an Ogalala," he said, proudly. "I will do what I have set out to +do."</p> + +<p>He rose, and turned his face toward the heavens. He asked +Wa-kan-tun-ka, the Great Mystery, to give him strength and courage to +overcome his enemies. Then he returned to his friends. He found Sun +Bird and Little Raven asleep. Running<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> Crow was seated a short +distance away. White Otter joined him.</p> + +<p>"My brother, why are you awake?" White Otter asked. "I am the leader. +I will watch. Come, Running Crow, lie down and sleep."</p> + +<p>"No, I cannot sleep," Running Crow told him. "My heart is heavy. I am +thinking about my people. I am thinking about my friends who were +killed by the Kiowas. I am thinking about Red Dog. Perhaps the Kiowas +have killed him."</p> + +<p>White Otter remained silent. The words of Running Crow revived his +fears. He knew the bitter enmity between the Kiowas and the Cheyennes, +and he feared that Red Dog might have been killed soon after entering +the camp. Running Crow seemed to understand the significance of his +silence.</p> + +<p>"I see that you believe Red Dog is dead," Running Crow said, sharply.</p> + +<p>"No, I do not believe it," White Otter told him. "We cannot tell about +it until we get to the Kiowa camp. I——"</p> + +<p>He ceased speaking. A pony had called, close at hand. Running Crow +sprang to his feet. The Cheyennes sat up to listen. White Otter stared +anxiously into the night.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It is one of the scouts," said Running Crow.</p> + +<p>"Watch," White Otter cautioned him.</p> + +<p>For some moments all was still. Then they heard some one riding toward +them. They had little doubt that it was a scout, but they were +cautious. The Cheyennes had risen and moved to the edge of the grove. +The rider had stopped. They became suspicious. They waited anxiously +for a signal. At last it came.</p> + +<p>"Do not be afraid, my brothers," said a familiar voice.</p> + +<p>A moment later Fighting Wolf, one of the scouts, appeared out of the +darkness. Running Crow began to talk with him. The Cheyennes listened +eagerly. The Sioux, however, were unable to understand his words.</p> + +<p>"Fighting Wolf says that he heard the call of the great gray wolf," +Running Crow told White Otter. "It was far away."</p> + +<p>"The Pawnees made that call," declared White Otter. "We will be +cautious."</p> + +<p>At dawn the scouts returned to the grove. With the exception of +Fighting Wolf and his companions who had heard the wolf call, they +declared that the night had passed without alarm. White Otter felt +considerably encouraged. He believed that the Kiowas had failed to +guard their trail.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> It was evident that they had little fear of being +overtaken before they reached their camp.</p> + +<p>"I believe they will keep a sharp watch around their village," White +Otter told Running Crow.</p> + +<p>The sun had not appeared when the war party left the grove and +cantered away toward the Kiowa camp. White Otter asked Running Crow to +select the most expert warriors to ride in advance, as he believed +there was great danger of encountering Kiowa scouts. When half of the +day had passed, White Otter began to notice familiar landmarks which +told him that he was approaching the vicinity of the Kiowa camp. He +became more cautious.</p> + +<p>"We are getting close to our enemies," he told Running Crow.</p> + +<p>Soon afterward they saw the famous scout, Painted Weasel, racing +toward them. White Otter immediately called a halt. They watched the +scout with considerable anxiety. He was lashing his pony, and pointing +behind him.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the Kiowas are coming," they told one another.</p> + +<p>When Painted Weasel came within shouting distance he called out to +White Otter in the Sioux tongue.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> + +<p>"So-ta, so-ta!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"Painted Weasel says smoke," White Otter told them.</p> + +<p>"My brother, we saw some smoke a long way ahead of us," Painted Weasel +said, excitedly. "We were peeping over the top of a hill. We saw many +trees. We were watching sharp. Then I saw that smoke. I believe the +Kiowa camp is over there. I came to tell you about it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is true," White Otter told him. "The camp is in that place. I +know about it. Where are your brothers?"</p> + +<p>"Standing Bull and Red Crane are watching."</p> + +<p>"It is good," said White Otter. "Running Crow, tell your people about +it."</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes became greatly excited. Almost within sight of the Kiowa +camp, they were eager to approach and begin the fight. Some of the +warriors proposed riding back to the ridge with Painted Weasel to +reconnoiter. White Otter kept them back.</p> + +<p>"Cheyennes, you have made me the leader," he cried. "You must do +as I tell you. Now listen to my words. Red Dog your chief is in +that camp. If you let the Kiowas know that we are here, Red Dog +will be killed. There is only one way to do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> this thing. We must +hide until it gets dark. Then some of us will go ahead and try to +find out something. There is a gully over there toward the +Place-where-the-warm-wind-blows. I will take you over there. It +is a good place to hide in. Before we go there we must call in +our brothers, and tell them about it."</p> + +<p>Running Crow repeated the words to his tribesmen. They heartily +indorsed the plan.</p> + +<p>"The Ogalala is a great leader," they said.</p> + +<p>Then a warrior rode out on each side of the war party and galloped his +pony in a circle. The scouts were visible, far away across the plain. +They soon saw the riders and understood the signals. In a few moments +the Cheyennes saw them riding in. In the meantime Painted Weasel had +ridden away to acquaint his companions with the plans of the war +party.</p> + +<p>"Now we will go to that gully," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>He circled more to the southward, and led them across the plain at a +brisk canter. The scouts finally overtook them, and rode along beside +them. They kept a sharp watch for their foes, but except for a few +stray bunches of antelopes, the plain appeared lifeless. The day was +well advanced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> when they eventually reached a deep ravine that +extended far across the plain.</p> + +<p>"We will hide here and watch until it gets dark," White Otter told +them.</p> + +<p>Guards were appointed to watch the ponies, and then most of the +warriors crawled up the side of the ravine to watch the plain. They +looked eagerly into the east in the hope of discovering smoke from the +Kiowa camp.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it has died out; perhaps it is too far away," Running Crow +told them.</p> + +<p>Sun Bird and Little Raven had joined White Otter. The three young +scouts lay beside each other at the top of the ravine. They stared +silently across the plain. The sun had set, and the evening shadows +were already gathering in the east.</p> + +<p>"See, see, some one is riding this way," Little Raven cried suddenly.</p> + +<p>Three horsemen were racing toward the ravine. The Cheyennes were +talking excitedly. They felt certain that the riders were the scouts +who had gone to watch from the ridge to the eastward. The Sioux also +believed that Painted Weasel and his companions were returning with +word of some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> important discovery. Running Crow hastened to join White +Otter.</p> + +<p>"It looks bad," he said suspiciously. "Something has happened."</p> + +<p>"Pretty soon we will know about it," White Otter said, quietly.</p> + +<p>As the scouts approached the ravine, the foremost rider raised his +hand above his head as a token of friendship. Then they recognized him +as Painted Weasel. When he reached them he called for White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Here is White Otter," Running Crow told him.</p> + +<p>"The Kiowa scouts have gone to that hill to watch," said Painted +Weasel. "We got away before they saw us."</p> + +<p>"It is good," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Now it will be hard to get near the camp," said Running Crow.</p> + +<p>"We will fool them," White Otter assured him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>DARING SCOUTS</h3> + + +<p>At dark White Otter called the Cheyennes to assemble in the ravine. +Then he announced his plans.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I am going to the Kiowa camp to find out about Red Dog," +he said. "I will try to find out about the ponies. Then I will come +back and tell you what to do. You must wait here. Keep a sharp watch. +Do not let the Kiowas find you. If you hear them coming, ride away to +that place where the trees are. If I do not come back before another +sun goes away you will know that something bad has happened to me. I +will watch out. I do not believe the Kiowas will catch me. Now I am +going to ask Sun Bird and Little Raven to go with me. Sun Bird knows +about that camp. Little Raven will help us with the ponies. Now, my +friends, I am going away. Pretty soon I will come back and tell you +about Red Dog."</p> + +<p>When Running Crow told the plan to the Cheyennes, they expressed their +disapproval. Most of them wished to accompany White Otter on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +perilous expedition. They believed that it would be foolhardy for the +three Sioux to go without them.</p> + +<p>"White Otter, I will tell you how my brothers feel about this thing," +said Running Crow. "They say that it would be foolish for the Dacotahs +to go to that camp alone. The Kiowas are watching. Perhaps you will +meet them. There will be only three of you. There will be many Kiowas. +Perhaps you will be killed. Then your people will say, 'The Cheyennes +held back. They were afraid. They sent our brothers ahead to die.' +Then we would feel bad. Come, take some of these brave warriors with +you. Then if the Kiowas come after you, it will be easy to get away."</p> + +<p>"Running Crow, I have listened to your words," replied White Otter. +"If too many of us go to do this thing, the Kiowas will hear us. We +must not let them know that we are here until we are ready to rush +into the camp. Do not feel afraid. Nothing will happen to me. Once I +went to that camp with my brother Sun Bird, and took away ponies. I +will go there again."</p> + +<p>"Well, my brother, I see that you propose to go ahead with this thing, +so I will not talk any more against it," said Running Crow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It is good," declared White Otter.</p> + +<p>Soon afterward the three Sioux scouts rode away. When they were a +bowshot from the ravine White Otter turned toward the south. He felt +quite certain that the Kiowas would expect the Cheyennes from the +north or the west, and he believed it would be safer to approach the +camp from the southward.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is the best way to go," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>They eventually circled toward the east, and crossed the ridge without +encountering their foes. Then they rode cautiously in the direction of +the Kiowa camp. They knew that it was located beside a wide stream to +the eastward of another low ridge. Having passed the scouts, the Sioux +hoped to reach the second ridge without being discovered. It seemed a +long time before it finally loomed up before them. Then they stopped. +The camp was only a short distance away. White Otter suddenly began to +sniff.</p> + +<p>"So-ta, smoke," he said.</p> + +<p>The wind was blowing toward them, and they caught the odor from the +Kiowa fires. They spent some time listening for voices from the ridge. +The way appeared to be clear. They rode slowly forward. They had gone +only a short distance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> when White Otter suddenly stopped his pony, and +dismounted.</p> + +<p>"It would be foolish to ride closer to that place," he said, softly. +"I believe scouts are watching on the top of that hill. If we ride +over there they will hear the ponies. I will tell you what I propose +to do. Little Raven, you must stay here with the ponies. Sun Bird, you +must go ahead with me. Little Raven, you must listen sharp. If you +hear anyone coming toward you ride away. Do not let the Kiowas know +who you are. When we come back we will make the call of To-ka-la, the +little gray fox. Now we will go ahead."</p> + +<p>"I will keep your words," Little Raven said, quietly.</p> + +<p>White Otter and Sun Bird disappeared. A few moments later they stopped +at the base of the ridge to listen. The silence reassured them, and +they crawled cautiously up the slope. Once at the top, they looked +eagerly toward the east. They located the camp by the glow from the +fires. Then they saw them twinkling far away among the trees. They +watched with the grim, silent satisfaction of a panther that has +discovered its prey.</p> + +<p>"Come," whispered White Otter. "We will go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> down there and look for +the ponies. Then we will crawl up to the camp and try to find out +about Red Dog."</p> + +<p>They moved carefully down the ridge, and hurried across the plain. On +a former expedition they had learned that the Kiowas pastured their +ponies to the northward of the camp, and they turned in that +direction. They had no thought of attempting to run off the ponies, +however, for they realized that such a maneuver would cost the life of +the Cheyenne chief. Besides, they felt certain that the piebald and +the roan and the best of the Cheyenne war ponies had been taken to the +camp for safe keeping. They believed that the rest of the stolen +ponies were with the great herd of Kiowa ponies that were turned loose +upon the plain in the vicinity of the village. White Otter was eager +to locate them so that the Cheyennes would know exactly where to find +them when they came to attack the camp.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the Kiowas drove them close to the lodges," suggested Sun +Bird.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it may be true," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>They circled carefully about the plain, searching for the ponies, but +were unable to find them. They finally became convinced that the +crafty Kiowas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> had driven them close to the camp. It was the usual +precaution in times of danger.</p> + +<p>"Well, we will not look any more," said White Otter. "The night is +passing. There is little time. Come, my brother, we will creep up +close to the camp. Perhaps we will find the ponies there."</p> + +<p>They turned toward the Kiowa village, and advanced with great caution. +They stopped many times to make sure that the way was open, before +they finally came within bow shot of the camp. It was located in a +grove of cottonwoods that lined the banks of a stream. The lodges +showed distinctly in the light from the fires, but the trees made it +difficult to see into the village.</p> + +<p>"We must go closer," declared White Otter.</p> + +<p>At that moment a dog began to bark, and they stopped in alarm. Had the +dog caught their scent? Their hopes weakened at the thought. They +listened, fearfully, expecting to hear the other dogs take up the +challenge. Their fears, however, were not confirmed. The dog soon +became quiet. The peril had passed.</p> + +<p>"It is good," whispered White Otter. "We will go ahead."</p> + +<p>They moved through the darkness as silently<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> as shadows, and +approached close to the edge of the timber. Then they stopped. They +were almost within leaping distance of the camp. They feared to +advance nearer because of the dogs. Then White Otter suddenly thought +of a way to overcome the peril.</p> + +<p>"Come, my brother, we will climb into this big tree," he proposed. +"Then we can see into the camp, and the dogs will not find us."</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>They climbed noiselessly into a large cottonwood, and went +sufficiently high to obtain a splendid view of the Kiowa camp. The +Kiowas were assembled about a large fire, and a warrior whom the Sioux +took to be the chief was talking excitedly. In a few moments they +recognized him. They had outwitted him several years before.</p> + +<p>"Hi, I know that warrior—it is 'The Lame Wolf,'" laughed Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see who it is," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward they made a still more interesting discovery. They +saw a number of ponies tied at one end of the camp, and among them +they identified the piebald and the roan. They were tied before a +lodge, and the Sioux<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> believed that the Kiowa who occupied it was the +one who had taken the ponies from the Cheyenne camp.</p> + +<p>"Pretty soon we will take them away," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>White Otter kept still. He was searching the camp for Red Dog. The +Cheyenne chief was not in sight. White Otter became alarmed. He +wondered if the Kiowas had already killed their prisoner. The +possibility staggered him. He fastened his attention upon the man who +was addressing his people. He appeared to be telling them something +important. They were listening with serious attention. The entire +tribe seemed to have assembled at the council fire, for the Sioux saw +men, women and children in the group. Then the speaker suddenly +pointed toward one of the lodges, and the Sioux looked eagerly in the +direction. A moment afterward the robe was drawn from the doorway of +the lodge, and three warriors appeared. The Sioux instantly recognized +one as Red Dog.</p> + +<p>"Watch sharp!" said White Otter.</p> + +<p>The appearance of the Cheyenne chief threw the Kiowas into a turmoil. +They rose to their feet, and began to shout, and jeer, and threaten<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +their foe. The latter walked slowly forward between his guards. He was +badly crippled and walked with difficulty, and the Kiowas laughed at +his misfortune. Several boys followed behind him, mimicking his gait. +The eyes of the Sioux flashed dangerously.</p> + +<p>"I would like to kill those people," declared Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Wait," White Otter said, grimly.</p> + +<p>Red Dog was led to the council fire. The Kiowas immediately began to +threaten him. They crowded closely about him, shouting and shaking +their fists, but the Cheyenne appeared calm and fearless. Then the +warrior whom the Sioux had recognized called out sharply, and the +Kiowas fell back. A moment afterward he addressed the prisoner. The +Sioux wondered if he was speaking in the Cheyenne dialect. Red Dog +gave no indication that he understood him. When the Kiowa finally +paused, and appeared to be waiting for a reply, the Cheyenne remained +silent. The Kiowa laughed scornfully, and turned away. Then Red Dog +was taken back to the lodge.</p> + +<p>The Sioux felt greatly relieved. They believed that Red Dog would be +spared for the night at least. The thought gave them hope. They +believed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> that the following night they might be able to rescue him +from his predicament.</p> + +<p>"We have found out what we wished to know," said White Otter. "Come, +we will go and tell the Cheyennes about it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we must get far away before the light comes," declared Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>They were about to descend, when they suddenly heard voices. The +speakers were approaching the camp. They were close to the tree in +which the Sioux had concealed themselves. The latter waited anxiously +for the prowlers to pass. They believed that they were scouts who had +been watching on the plain. Then the voices ceased, and the Sioux +became uneasy. They wondered if the scouts had gone. They watched to +see them enter the camp. Long moments passed. The scouts failed to +appear. The Sioux wondered what had become of them. Then they heard +them talking directly beneath them. They had stopped at the tree. The +Sioux wondered if they had been discovered. They feared to move. At +last they heard the Kiowas passing on. A moment afterward they saw two +warriors enter the camp.</p> + +<p>"Now we will go," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>They descended from the tree, and sped safely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> into the night. Dawn +was almost at hand when they finally found Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"You have come—it is good," he said. "Did you find Red Dog?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we saw Red Dog in the Kiowa camp," White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>"Did you see the ponies?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, our ponies are in that camp," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Hi, that is good," declared Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"Did anything happen to you?" White Otter asked him, as they rode +toward the Cheyennes.</p> + +<p>"No, nothing happened to me," said Little Raven. "I listened sharp, +but I did not hear anything."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>A THRILLING RESCUE</h3> + + +<p>Having crossed safely over the ridge where they believed the Kiowa +scouts were watching, the Sioux rode desperately to reach the ravine +before daylight. There was not a moment to spare. Dawn was flushing +the eastern sky when they finally encountered the first Cheyenne +scout. They stopped, and White Otter imitated the bark of To-ko-la, +the little gray fox.</p> + +<p>"You have come back—it is good," cried Painted Weasel.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is good," White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>They ran the ponies toward the ravine. The Cheyennes were overjoyed at +their safe return. They gathered eagerly about them to learn if they +had reached the Kiowa camp.</p> + +<p>"Cheyennes, Red Dog is alive," White Otter told them. "We saw him in +the Kiowa camp."</p> + +<p>"It is good, it is good," cried Running Crow. "My brothers, you have +done a big thing."</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes were beside themselves with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> excitement. Their gloom +vanished. Their hearts filled with hope. Having learned that their +chief was alive, their one thought was to rescue him. They realized, +however, that it would be foolhardy to make the attempt before night. +The thought suddenly sobered them. The delay suggested alarming +possibilities. They began to have doubts.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the Kiowas will kill Red Dog before the night comes," they +told one another.</p> + +<p>Aroused by the thought, some of the warriors made reckless proposals +to attack the camp at once. The majority, however, talked against it.</p> + +<p>"We must wait," Running Crow told them. "If we let the Kiowas see us, +they will kill Red Dog before we can help him. I do not believe +anything will happen to him before the night comes. Come, White Otter, +you are the leader, tell us how you feel about it."</p> + +<p>"My brothers, we must wait," declared White Otter. "I do not believe +the Kiowas will kill Red Dog before the night comes. I will tell you +how I feel about it. I believe the Kiowas are getting ready for a big +talk. They will tell their people about the great fight. They will +dance and sing the war songs. Then Red Dog will be in danger.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> I +believe they will bring him out to kill him. I do not believe they +will do anything until it gets dark. Then we will be close to the +camp. We will rush in and carry away your chief. Pretty soon I will +tell you how I propose to do it. You must wait until I tell you about +it. If you do anything foolish, Red Dog will surely die.</p> + +<p>"Now I will tell you something different. My brothers, we found the +ponies. The war ponies are in the Kiowa camp. The other ponies are +outside with the Kiowa ponies. We will run off the ponies when we +carry away Red Dog. This will be a big fight. I know that all of you +are brave enough to go through with it. You must also be sharp. We +must fool the Kiowas. Then they will not kill Red Dog before we get +into the camp. I believe some scouts are still watching over there on +that long hill. I believe they will go away before it gets dark. We +must keep hiding in this place until they go away. Now I have told you +what I have to say about it."</p> + +<p>His words made a favorable impression upon the Cheyennes. They were +convinced that his plan offered the only hope of saving Red Dog. They +were eager to learn how he proposed to overcome the Kiowa camp without +sacrificing the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> life of the Cheyenne chief. White Otter showed no +inclination to tell them.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, White Otter is a great chief," said Running Crow. "A +great chief does not tell what he is about to do. You must wait until +it is time to go ahead with this thing. Then White Otter will tell us +about it."</p> + +<p>Day had dawned, and the sun was appearing above the plain. Most of the +Cheyennes crept to the top of the ravine to watch for signs of the +Kiowas. They wondered if scouts were still watching on the distant +ridge. There was no way of learning.</p> + +<p>The day was well advanced when the Cheyennes discovered a band of +animals on the summit of the ridge. They studied them with eager +attention. The distance made it difficult to identify them. Some +thought they were ponies. White Otter and Sun Bird disagreed with +them.</p> + +<p>"He-ha-ka, elk," said the Sioux.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, it is true," agreed Running Crow.</p> + +<p>The animals were moving slowly along the ridge. Their appearance +convinced the Cheyennes that the ridge was free of foes. They believed +that the Kiowa scouts had returned to the village.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The way is clear—it is good," said Running Crow.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they are watching close to the camp," White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>Then he called Sun Bird and Little Raven into the ravine.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I have some words for you," he said. "Pretty soon the +day will pass away. I have been watching for our people. Now I do not +believe they will come in time to help us. Perhaps the Cheyennes took +a long time to go to our camp. Well, we cannot wait. We must go ahead +with what we came to do. Red Dog is our friend. We must try to help +him. I am about to do a big thing. I will ask you to help me. There +will be great danger. Perhaps we will be killed. You are Dacotahs. You +are brave. I know you are not afraid to die."</p> + +<p>"White Otter, I will go with you," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my brother, I will go," Little Raven told him.</p> + +<p>"It is good," declared White Otter. "Now I will tell the Cheyennes +about it."</p> + +<p>He asked Running Crow to summon his tribesmen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> They hurried into the +ravine, and assembled before the Ogalala.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I have called you here to tell you what I propose to +do," said White Otter. "The day has almost gone. Night is close by. We +must get ready.</p> + +<p>"Listen to my words. When we go to fight the Kiowas it would be +foolish for all of us to go together. If we do that, the scouts will +find out about it and tell their people. Then Red Dog will be killed +before we get to the camp. There is only one way to do this thing. We +must make three war parties. Now I will tell you about it. I am going +to make Running Crow a leader. He must take some warriors and go away +first. Running Crow and his brothers must circle far around and come +up on the other side of the camp. I am going to make Standing Bull a +leader. He must take some warriors and go away next. Standing Bull and +his brothers must circle around and come up on the side where the +ponies are. I am going to make Painted Weasel a leader. He must take +some warriors and go away last. Painted Weasel and his brothers must +ride straight ahead to the camp. All of you must send scouts ahead to +watch for the Kiowas. You must watch sharp. If you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> let them find you +we cannot help Red Dog. When you all get close enough to shoot an +arrow into the camp, you must wait. When Painted Weasel is ready he +must make the cry of Ma-ya-sh, the wolf. Then Painted Weasel and +Standing Bull must lead their brothers ahead. You must make a big +noise. Standing Bull and his brothers must run off the ponies. Painted +Weasel and his brothers must go to the camp.</p> + +<p>"Now, Running Crow, listen sharp. When you hear that noise you must +bring your brothers to the other side of the camp. Do not make any +noise until you are close. Then rush ahead.</p> + +<p>"While you are all doing these things, Sun Bird and Little Raven will +go with me into the camp. We will try to save Red Dog and lead away +the war ponies. You must come fast, my brothers, or the Kiowas will +kill us. Each of you must do as I have told you to do. Now, my +brothers, I will ask you how you feel about it.</p> + +<p>"White Otter, you have given us great words," declared Running Crow. +"I believe you have told us how to fool the Kiowas. You have asked me +to be a leader. It is good. I will keep your words. Yes, my brother, I +will do as you have told me to do."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It is good," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>"My brother, you are a great war leader," said Painted Weasel. "If we +do as you tell us to do, I believe we will save Red Dog and run off +many ponies. I will keep your words. I will lead my brothers close up +to the camp. We will make a big fight. We will try hard to help you."</p> + +<p>"It is good," White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>"Great chief of the Ogalalas, I have listened to your words," said +Standing Bull. "They are good. I believe it is the only way to do this +thing. I will keep your words. I will lead my brothers to run off the +ponies."</p> + +<p>"It is good," said White Otter. "Well, my brothers, I see that you all +feel good about this thing. It makes me feel big."</p> + +<p>Having learned the plan of attack, the Cheyennes looked forward to the +fight with enthusiasm. They crept up the ravine and watched +impatiently for the day to pass. They glared fiercely into the east, +and murmured boastful threats against the hated foes in the distant +camp.</p> + +<p>"Hi, hi, pretty soon we will show the Kiowas how to fight," they +cried, savagely.</p> + +<p>When the purple evening shadows finally settled upon the plain, the +war leaders called the warriors<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> into the ravine, and began to select +the men who were to accompany them. The Cheyennes watched with intense +interest as Running Crow and Painted Weasel and Standing Bull went +about making their selections. All were famous warriors who commanded +the respect and admiration of their tribesmen, and the latter had +little preference between them. Then White Otter suddenly called +Running Crow.</p> + +<p>"Running Crow, I believe Painted Weasel and his brothers will have the +biggest fight," he said. "The Kiowas will run out that way when they +hear the noise. Painted Weasel must take the most warriors. You will +also have a big fight, because you must rush into the camp. You must +take many warriors. Standing Bull will run off the ponies. I do not +believe he will get into the fight. Standing Bull must not take so +many warriors."</p> + +<p>"It is true," agreed Running Crow. "I have told my brothers about it. +Painted Weasel is calling the most warriors. Standing Bull has called +only a few."</p> + +<p>"It is good," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>When the selections had finally been made, each war leader made a +short, fiery address to his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> warriors. Their words roused the fighting +spirit of the Cheyennes. They made it plain that they hoped to wipe +out the sting of their recent defeat and take full vengeance upon the +Kiowas.</p> + +<p>"My people are very mad," Running Crow told White Otter. "They will +make a big fight."</p> + +<p>Darkness had already fallen, and White Otter determined to reconnoiter +the plain before the first war party left the ravine. He sent White +Horse and Red Crane and Fighting Wolf and Sitting Bear to look for the +Kiowas. White Horse and Red Crane advanced toward the distant ridge. +Sitting Bear circled toward the north. Fighting Wolf rode toward the +south. The Cheyennes waited anxiously for them to return. Sitting Bear +came first. He said he had ridden far out over the plain but had heard +or seen nothing of their foes. Then Fighting Wolf rode in. He, too, +declared that he had failed to find the Kiowas. It was a long time +before White Horse and Red Crane arrived. They said they had searched +carefully along the ridge, but had failed to locate their enemies.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said White Otter. "Now we are ready to go ahead. Come, +Running Crow, call your warriors."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p> + +<p>When Running Crow and his companions were ready to depart, White Otter +addressed them.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, you are going into great danger," he warned them. +"Perhaps you will have a hard fight. Running Crow is a good war +leader. He will take you into the Kiowa camp. Then you must try to +save your chief. When you get away come here and wait for your +brothers. Do what I have told you to do. Do not try to do anything +different. Go, my brothers, Red Dog is waiting for you."</p> + +<p>"White Otter, we will keep your words," Running Crow told him. "When +we hear that great noise we will rush ahead."</p> + +<p>"It is good," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>They rode silently from the ravine, and cantered away toward the +south. White Otter listened soberly as the hoofbeats of the ponies +gradually died away. He knew that they were staking their lives on his +ability as a war leader. He realized his responsibility. Failure meant +death for Red Dog, disaster for the Cheyennes, and disgrace for him. +He drove the thought from his mind.</p> + +<p>"I will do this thing," he murmured, fiercely.</p> + +<p>Standing Bull and his warriors were impatient, and eager to depart. +White Otter held them back.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> He waited until he believed that Running +Crow and his companions were well on their way before he finally sent +away the second war party.</p> + +<p>"Standing Bull, you must run off the ponies," said White Otter. "There +are only a few of you. Do not try to get into the fight. Keep the +ponies going. Make a big noise."</p> + +<p>"I will do as you tell me," replied Standing Bull.</p> + +<p>After they had gone, White Otter called Painted Weasel.</p> + +<p>"Painted Weasel, you are a brave scout and a good war leader," White +Otter told him. "I have seen you fight the Pawnees. I have seen you +fight the Kiowas. I know you are brave. That is why I made you the +leader of this war party. You will have the hardest fight of all. You +must follow us to the Kiowa camp. You must wait close by until we have +time to get into the camp. Then you must give the cry of Ma-ya-sh, the +wolf, and rush ahead. Make a great noise. Try to frighten the Kiowas. +Perhaps you will find us at the edge of the camp. Perhaps the Kiowas +will hold us in the village. You must try to help us carry off Red +Dog."</p> + +<p>"White Otter, you are my friend," replied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> Painted Weasel. "I have +seen you do some big things. All of these warriors know about you. +They will be very brave because you are here. I will keep your words. +We will fight hard to get Red Dog out of the camp."</p> + +<p>"It is good," said White Otter. "Come, my brothers, we will go."</p> + +<p>They mounted the ponies and rode from the ravine. Then they cantered +slowly across the plain. White Otter and Painted Weasel rode in front. +Sun Bird and Little Raven followed close behind them. Then came the +gallant Cheyenne fighting men. They rode along in grim silence. When +they had crossed the second ridge, White Otter stopped them.</p> + +<p>"Now, my brothers, we must leave you and go ahead," he told Painted +Weasel. "Hold back until we have time to reach the camp. Then go +ahead. Be cautious. Now send some one with us to hold the ponies."</p> + +<p>Two young Cheyennes rode forward to join the Sioux. Then White Otter +led his little company toward the Kiowa camp. They soon saw the +camp-fires flickering between the trees. When they drew nearer they +suddenly heard sounds which aroused their fears. The Kiowas were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +shouting and beating the war drums. White Otter listened uneasily.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," he said. "The Kiowas are dancing and singing the war +songs. Red Dog is in danger. There is little time."</p> + +<p>They rode faster. When they finally came within bowshot of the camp, +White Otter stopped and dismounted. Sun Bird and Little Raven also +dismounted. Then they left their ponies with the Cheyennes, and +hurried away. They kept farther to the southward than they had gone +the previous night, for White Otter was anxious to conceal himself +nearer the center of the village.</p> + +<p>"Now, my brothers, I will tell you what to do," he said, softly. "When +we get to the edge of the camp, we will look for Red Dog. Then we will +look for the war ponies. I will ask Sun Bird to go with me to help Red +Dog. I will ask Little Raven to creep into the camp and lead out the +ponies. Now we will go ahead."</p> + +<p>The plain was shrouded in darkness, and they crept to the border of +the camp without being discovered. Then they looked upon their foes. +The Kiowas were seated about a great fire in the center of the +village. They had ceased dancing, and were listening to a warrior who +appeared to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> be relating some thrilling experience. The Sioux felt +sure that he was describing the battle at the Cheyenne camp. They took +little interest in him, for their one thought was to discover Red Dog. +He was not in sight. They felt relieved. They were within a few bow +lengths of the lodge into which he had been taken the previous night.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Little Raven had discovered the Dacotah ponies. They +were tied before a lodge, a short distance on his left. He touched +White Otter and pointed toward them. White Otter nodded +understandingly. Little Raven crawled away into the darkness.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward the Kiowa finished his boastful tale, and received +a noisy ovation from his people. The Sioux smiled. Then another +warrior rushed into the circle and drove his tomahawk into a painted +post near the fire. The Sioux were familiar with the ceremony. They +knew that the Kiowa claimed a coup for some daring feat which he had +performed in the fight with the Cheyennes, and was about to tell his +tribesmen of his valor. As the speaker drew the attention of the +Kiowas, White Otter seized the opportunity to creep closer to the +lodge in which he hoped to find Red Dog. When he was within a bow +length<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> of it, he stopped and placed his lips to the ear of Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"I believe Red Dog is in this lodge," he whispered. "I am going to +creep up behind it. Follow me."</p> + +<p>They crawled cautiously forward until they were at the rear of the +lodge. Then White Otter placed his ear at the bottom of the lodge +cover, and held his breath to listen. All was still. He signaled to +Sun Bird. He, too, lay close to the ground and listened. In a few +moments he shook his head. He had heard nothing. They believed that +Red Dog was alone in the lodge. The thought filled them with joy. The +warrior was still telling his boastful tale. The Kiowas were silent. +The Sioux believed their opportunity was at hand. They drew their +knives and began to cut the lodge cover from the stakes which held it +to the ground. Then they were suddenly interrupted by the shrill +neighing of a pony somewhere at the other end of the camp. The warrior +ceased speaking. The Kiowas cried out excitedly. The Sioux turned to +each other in dismay.</p> + +<p>"Run around the other side of the lodge!" cried White Otter.</p> + +<p>They separated and circled the lodge. Two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> warriors were coming out +with Red Dog between them. The Sioux shot their arrows, and the Kiowas +fell. Before the people in the camp realized what had happened, White +Otter had reached the Cheyenne chief and freed his arms. Then he drew +him toward the edge of the camp. The Kiowas rushed forward. Sun Bird +fought desperately to hold them back.</p> + +<p>Then the cry of Ma-ya-sh sounded from the plain. The Kiowas stopped in +alarm. A moment afterward the night rang with a wild din that filled +their hearts with terror. They heard their foes advancing on three +sides of the camp. For an instant they crowded together in panic. Then +the warriors ran for the ponies. They heard them thundering across the +plain. They saw a dim, shadowy form dash into the camp and disappear +with the Sioux war ponies. Then they heard the Cheyennes yelling at +the edge of the village. The Kiowas rushed forward to drive them out. +At that instant another company of horsemen entered from the opposite +side of the camp. The Kiowas became demoralized and fled wildly before +their foes. The Cheyennes swept into the camp.</p> + +<p>"Come, my brothers, here are the ponies," cried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> Little Raven, as he +joined his comrades at the border of the village.</p> + +<p>The three warriors who had waited with the ponies had already come +forward. Red Dog mounted and raced away to lead his warriors. The +Sioux followed close behind him. The Kiowas had abandoned the camp, +and were fleeing across the plain. The Cheyenne victory was complete. +They had overcome their foes without losing a man.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>DISASTER</h3> + + +<p>When the Cheyennes finally returned to the ravine they found Standing +Bull and his companions awaiting them with a great herd of ponies. +Among them were the fast war ponies which the Cheyennes had liberated +from a corral at the end of the Kiowa camp.</p> + +<p>"White Otter, we have done what you asked us to do," said Standing +Bull.</p> + +<p>"You are a good leader," White Otter told him. "See, my brothers, we +have brought back your chief."</p> + +<p>"Hi, hi, here is Red Dog!" Standing Bull cried, delightedly.</p> + +<p>It was the signal for a great ovation to the Cheyenne chief. His +warriors gathered about him with wild enthusiasm. Their piercing yells +echoed shrilly across the plain, and put new terror into the hearts of +the fleeing Kiowas. Then the guards with the ponies called out and +warned the Cheyennes that the frightened animals were threatening to +stampede.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Be quiet, be quiet!" shouted Running Crow, "You have frightened the +ponies."</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes heeded the warning and became quiet. A few moments +afterward Red Dog addressed them.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, first I will tell you about these brave Dacotahs," he +said. "When the Kiowas came to kill me, the Dacotahs shot their arrows +through them, and gave me my life. Then White Otter pulled me away. +Sun Bird fought back the Kiowas. Little Raven took away the Dacotah +ponies. It was a great thing to do. Dacotahs, my heart feels big. You +saved me from the Pawnees. Now you have saved me from the Kiowas. My +people will talk about it a long time.</p> + +<p>"Now, Cheyennes, here are some words for you. You were very brave. You +came to that camp and fooled the Kiowas. You chased them out of their +lodges. You made them run like rabbits. The Kiowas killed our people, +but you killed many Kiowas. The Kiowas took our ponies, but you got +them back, and took away many Kiowa ponies. Now we feel different in +our hearts."</p> + +<p>"Red Dog, I will tell you who brought your people to that camp to help +you," said Running Crow. "White Otter brought them. He was the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> +leader. He told us how to fool the Kiowas."</p> + +<p>"White Otter is a great chief," replied Red Dog.</p> + +<p>"White Otter, my people want you to give them some words," said +Running Crow.</p> + +<p>"Cheyennes, you have done a big thing," White Otter told them. "You +were very brave. Running Crow, and Painted Weasel and Standing Bull +are good war leaders. All of them did what they set out to do. That is +how your chief, Red Dog, happens to be alive. Cheyennes, I will tell +you that my brother, Sun Bird, was very brave. He fought back many +Kiowas, while I was helping Red Dog. Cheyennes, I will tell you that +my brother, Little Raven, was very brave. He crawled into the Kiowa +camp and led out our ponies. Hi, my brothers, we feel good to get back +those ponies. Now Red Dog has come back to you. He must be the leader. +I have finished."</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes remained at the ravine until daylight, and then as they +saw nothing of the Kiowas they set out toward the north. They rode +away in buoyant spirits, laughing, and shouting and singing the war +songs. As usual, scouts rode ahead and along either flank. The +warriors rode in pairs with Red Dog and White Otter in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> lead. The +men in charge of the ponies followed close behind the war party. The +Cheyennes had little fear of pursuit, for they had thoroughly +demoralized the Kiowas and taken away most of their ponies.</p> + +<p>"They will not follow us," laughed Red Dog.</p> + +<p>Although they felt secure from the Kiowas, the Cheyennes realized that +there was a possibility of encountering the Pawnees. Having found them +upon their hunting grounds, they felt quite certain that the Pawnees +would keep a close watch. They believed, however, that the latter were +farther toward the west, and they hoped to avoid them.</p> + +<p>"We will watch out," said Red Dog.</p> + +<p>The warriors in charge of the captured ponies were having considerable +difficulty in holding them together, and the war party was forced to +travel slowly. It disturbed them, for they were eager to withdraw from +the Pawnee hunting grounds as soon as possible. They knew that the +Pawnees were constantly moving about the plain, and they feared that +some sharp-eyed scout might discover them. In that event they felt +quite certain that the large herd of ponies would tempt the Pawnees to +make an attack.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p> + +<p>Half of the day had passed before they discovered anything to make +them suspicious. Then they saw one of the scouts racing toward them. +They stopped to wait for him.</p> + +<p>"It is Turns Around," said Red Dog. "I believe he has found something +bad."</p> + +<p>In a few moments Turns Around reached them. He rode directly to Red +Dog. They talked earnestly. Then Red Dog called out to the Cheyennes. +They looked anxiously toward the west.</p> + +<p>"Turns Around says he saw a warrior over there," Red Dog told White +Otter. "He says he believes the warrior was a Pawnee. He says he +believes the warrior saw him. He came back to tell us about it."</p> + +<p>"It is bad," White Otter said, soberly. "If that warrior saw Turns +Around, perhaps he will follow him and see us."</p> + +<p>"It is true," replied Red Dog. "Well, we must keep going ahead. We +cannot travel fast. We must keep with the ponies. They are holding us +back. It is bad. I will feel good when we get away from this place. +Now I am going to send Turns Around, and Sitting Bear over there to +watch."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Perhaps that scout will circle around and get behind us," suggested +White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am thinking about that," said Red Dog. "I will send Black +Beaver, and Fighting Wolf back there to watch."</p> + +<p>Red Dog told his plans to the Cheyennes. The scouts immediately rode +away. At the same time the war party continued toward the north. Red +Dog sent a number of warriors to assist in keeping the ponies in +order. Then the Cheyennes attempted to make better speed.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps that warrior is a hunter," Red Dog told White Otter, +hopefully. "If he is a hunter I do not believe he will try to follow +us."</p> + +<p>White Otter was silent. The discovery of the solitary rider had made +him suspicious. Having encountered the strong force of Pawnees farther +to the westward, he feared that they were still roaming about the +plain. If one of their scouts came in sight of the Cheyennes, he +believed there would be a fight. He realized that it would be +difficult to escape without abandoning the ponies, and he knew that +the Cheyennes would be unwilling to make that sacrifice.</p> + +<p>They heard nothing further from the scouts until late in the day, and +then Black Beaver overtook<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> them. His announcement caused considerable +excitement. White Otter believed that the Cheyennes were alarmed. Red +Dog had left him, and was talking seriously with Running Crow.</p> + +<p>"My brother, I believe the scouts have seen the Pawnees," Sun Bird +told White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Something bad has happened," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>Then Red Dog galloped up beside him. He appeared uneasy and troubled. +The Sioux asked no questions. In a few moments, however, Red Dog told +them what Black Beaver had said.</p> + +<p>"Black Beaver says he saw three wolves peeping over the top of some +rocks," said Red Dog. "He says they did not look right. He asked +Fighting Wolf about it. Fighting Wolf said they did not look right. +Then they went away. Our brothers rode ahead. They kept looking back. +They did not see anything. Then they rode over a little hill. Then +Fighting Wolf held the ponies, and Black Beaver ran back to watch. He +peeped over the hill, and saw two warriors riding away toward the +Place-where-the-sun-sleeps. Then he saw a wolf peeping over the rocks. +Then Fighting Wolf stayed there to watch, and Black Beaver came to +tell us about it. My brothers, it is bad.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> I believe the Pawnees have +found out about us. Come, White Otter, you are a great war leader, +tell me what you make of it."</p> + +<p>"It looks bad," White Otter told him. "I believe what you say is true. +I believe the Pawnees know about us."</p> + +<p>"Well, if they know about us, they will bring a big war party to run +off these ponies," declared Red Dog.</p> + +<p>"I do not believe those scouts know about the ponies," said Sun Bird. +"Perhaps they are only trying to find out who we are. We are going +away. Perhaps they will not try to follow us."</p> + +<p>"I believe they will follow us," declared White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Well, there is only one thing to do," Red Dog told them. "We must get +away as fast as we can. We are not afraid of those Pawnees, but we +must not lose the ponies."</p> + +<p>"Those are good words," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>Fearful that they were being followed, the Cheyennes surrounded the +ponies and lashed them into a sharp gallop. It was impossible to hold +them together. They soon scattered, and some broke from the herd and +raced wildly across the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> plain. The Cheyennes rode furiously to turn +them back.</p> + +<p>"It is useless," they cried. "We cannot run them so fast."</p> + +<p>Black Beaver had already turned back to join Fighting Wolf. The day +was far gone, and the Cheyennes believed that if they could avoid an +encounter before dark, they might be able to throw the Pawnees from +their trail under cover of the night. The thought encouraged them. +They ran the ponies at a brisk pace, and kept a sharp watch behind +them. Then they saw Turns Around and Sitting Bear approaching from the +west. When they reached the war party they told Red Dog that they had +seen nothing more of the solitary rider.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Red Dog. "Perhaps it was a hunter. I believe he has +gone away."</p> + +<p>At that moment, however, the Cheyennes heard shouts behind them. +Looking back in alarm, they saw Black Beaver and Fighting Wolf racing +after them. They were lashing their ponies and riding at a furious +pace.</p> + +<p>"Watch out, I believe the Pawnees are close behind them!" cried Red +Dog.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Run the ponies! Run the ponies!" cried the scouts. "Many Pawnees are +coming!"</p> + +<p>The two riders had barely reached them when the Cheyennes saw a great +company of horsemen ride over a hill. They knew at once that they were +Pawnees. When the latter discovered the herd of ponies they began +yelling excitedly. They raced across the plain at break-neck speed, +and the Cheyennes realized that they would soon be overtaken.</p> + +<p>"Come, we will ride back there and fight them off," proposed several +young warriors.</p> + +<p>"No, no," cried Red Dog. "Stay where you are. We must keep together +and try to hold the ponies. Keep them running. Stay on all sides of +them. Do not fight until the Pawnees try to rush in. Perhaps they will +be afraid to come close."</p> + +<p>The Pawnees were gaining with each stride of the ponies, and the +Cheyennes knew it was hopeless to attempt to escape. Aware that an +encounter was inevitable, they had surrounded the ponies, and were +prepared to fight off their foes. The Sioux rode together at the head +of the herd.</p> + +<p>"It looks bad," said Sun Bird. "The Cheyennes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> made a big fight to get +these ponies, but I believe the Pawnees will run them off."</p> + +<p>"We must fight them back," White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>"See, see, they are trying to get ahead of us," cried Little Raven.</p> + +<p>The Pawnees had suddenly separated, and were moving forward along the +flank of the war party. The Cheyennes instantly guessed their plan.</p> + +<p>"They are going to ride around and close us in!" cried Red Dog. "Come, +stop the ponies, and make a circle!"</p> + +<p>They made desperate attempts to stop the ponies, but the wild yells of +the Pawnees had frightened them into a panic and they were beyond +control. They were running madly, but the Pawnees were passing on both +sides of them. Another company of foes were closing in from the rear. +The Cheyennes at the rear of the herd turned about and drove them back +with a fierce volley of arrows. Then the Pawnees who had passed began +to close in ahead of them. The Cheyennes saw the danger.</p> + +<p>"Come, Cheyennes, follow me!" cried White Otter.</p> + +<p>He raced forward, and a number of Cheyennes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> left the ponies and +followed him. Sun Bird and Little Raven rode close beside him. White +Otter raised his voice in the war cry and rode straight at his foes. +His reckless courage roused his companions, and they charged savagely +upon the surprised Pawnees and swept them from the path.</p> + +<p>"Follow the Sioux! Follow the Sioux!" cried Red Dog.</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes lashed the ponies into a wild burst of speed. The +Pawnees began to shoot their arrows. They charged within short +bow-range and made a furious attack upon the riders along the edge of +the herd. A number of Cheyennes fell from their ponies. Their +companions instantly closed the gap, and drove the riderless ponies +into the herd. Then they sent a deadly shower of arrows against their +foes. The Pawnees dropped behind their ponies for protection, but the +Cheyennes brought many of the ponies to the plain.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, kill the Pawnee ponies!" cried Running Crow.</p> + +<p>At that moment, however, the entire company of Pawnees charged +recklessly upon the herd. The Cheyennes fought valiantly, but they +were greatly outnumbered, and the Pawnees soon broke<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> through them. +Once past the guards they rode wildly into the herd, yelling and +waving their arms. The terrorized ponies scattered like a covey of +frightened grouse, and fled across the plain. The Pawnees raced after +them.</p> + +<p>"Come, we must catch them!" Running Crow cried, fiercely.</p> + +<p>"Wait," shouted Red Dog. "The Pawnees are too strong for us. They are +near their camp. If we follow them many more warriors may come to help +them. It is useless to throw away our lives. If we let the Pawnees +kill us, what will become of our people? We must hold back. We are not +strong enough to fight them."</p> + +<p>"Red Dog, your words are good," declared White Otter. "It is useless +to throw yourselves away."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>REËNFORCEMENTS</h3> + + +<p>The Cheyennes were disheartened by the loss of the ponies. They rode +across the plain in gloomy silence. Having rallied from the +catastrophe which had fallen upon their village, they were completely +disheartened by the fresh disaster which had overtaken them.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," said Running Crow. "The Evil Ones must be working against +us."</p> + +<p>The credulous Cheyennes were impressed by the thought. It deepened +their gloom, and filled them with superstitious dread. Their recent +misfortunes suddenly assumed a new significance. They believed that +they had aroused the displeasure of the Evil Ones. The idea startled +them. They feared that still greater calamities might befall them.</p> + +<p>As the disastrous day finally came to its end, they approached a +familiar camp site beside a large pool on the open plain. It was the +only water within a half day's travel, and as the plain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> offered +splendid pasturage for the ponies Red Dog determined to stop. Some of +the warriors were eager to pass by, and continue the retreat from the +Pawnee hunting grounds.</p> + +<p>"No, it would be foolish," Red Dog told them. "We must stop here and +rest the ponies."</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes slid dejectedly from the ponies, and threw themselves +upon the ground. They held the lariats, and watched indifferently +while the ponies grazed. There was little talk. Their hearts were +heavy. Their spirits were crushed. A splendid victory had ended in a +bitter defeat. A number of their comrades had been killed. The +Cheyennes felt subdued.</p> + +<p>"Our brothers feel bad," Little Raven said, softly.</p> + +<p>"Bad things have happened to them," declared Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>White Otter made no comment. He, too, was serious and depressed. He +had expected a war party of his people to come to the aid of the +Cheyennes. He was at a loss to explain why they had failed to appear. +Having assured the Cheyennes that the Ogalalas would help them, he +feared that they might doubt the sincerity of his pledge. The thought +troubled him. He felt sure<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> that if his tribesmen had joined the war +party, the Pawnees would have been beaten off.</p> + +<p>"My people did not come," he told Sun Bird. "It is bad. I do not know +what to make of it."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the Cheyennes took a long time to go to your village," said +Sun Bird. "There were many women and children. They held back the +warriors."</p> + +<p>"Many suns have passed," White Otter reminded him.</p> + +<p>They became silent. For a long time they sat watching the plain. White +Otter looked hopefully toward the north. He knew that the Pawnees were +two full days' travel from their village, and they would be forced to +travel slowly with the great herd of ponies. If the Ogalalas should +appear before the night passed he believed they might still overtake +the Pawnees and recover the ponies. The possibility thrilled him. +Then, as darkness finally came, the great hope died from his heart.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, night has come," Red Dog told his warriors. "I do not +believe the Pawnees will turn back to find us, but we must watch out. +We are in the country of our enemies. I will ask<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> some of you to ride +out on the plain and watch."</p> + +<p>"I will go," White Otter said, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"White Otter, you are a great chief," Red Dog told him. "You have done +big things to help us. You must lie down and rest. My young men will +watch."</p> + +<p>"No, no, I will watch," insisted White Otter. "Perhaps something good +will come of it. Red Dog, you must listen to my words."</p> + +<p>"I will not talk against it," said Red Dog.</p> + +<p>"I will go," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>"I will go with you," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"No, my brother, I must go alone," White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>A few moments later four scouts left the company, and disappeared into +the night. One was White Otter. He rode away toward the north.</p> + +<p>"I believe White Otter has gone to watch for his people," Little Raven +told Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"It may be true," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>Once beyond hearing of the Cheyennes, White Otter struck the piebald +with his riding quirt, and the wonderful creature bounded away at +marvelous speed. He rode far into the north before he finally came in +sight of a dense cluster of trees. They were several arrow flights +away. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> stopped the piebald, and listened sharply. All was still.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," White Otter murmured.</p> + +<p>He rode slowly toward the timber. Then the piebald suddenly stopped +and raised its head. White Otter peered eagerly into the darkness. A +moment later a pony called. It was within bowshot. White Otter drew +his arrows, and waited in trying suspense. The piebald was restless. +He believed that some one was approaching. Then he heard voices. They +were close by. He imitated the bark of the little gray fox. The sounds +subsided. He listened anxiously. Many moments passed. Hope gave way to +suspicion. Had he betrayed himself to his foes? The possibility +startled him. Then he heard an answer to his signal. The bark of the +little gray fox sounded a short distance ahead of him. His eyes +flashed. His heart bounded with joy.</p> + +<p>"Ho, Dacotahs," he cried, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Ho, my brother, come ahead," some one replied.</p> + +<p>"My ears tell me who you are, but I must be cautious," said White +Otter. "Come, Ogalala, tell me your name."</p> + +<p>"Black Moccasin," said the voice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It is good," cried White Otter.</p> + +<p>He rode forward, and met the famous Ogalala scout. They cantered +toward the trees.</p> + +<p>"Have you fought the Kiowas?" Black Moccasin inquired, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we went to their village and took away Red Dog and many ponies," +White Otter told him.</p> + +<p>"Well, we came fast, but I see that we did not get here in time to +help you," said Black Moccasin.</p> + +<p>"My brother, you must help us fight the Pawnees," replied White Otter. +"The Pawnees came up with us and ran off the ponies that we took away +from the Kiowas. That is why I came to find you."</p> + +<p>"Hi, hi, that is bad," said Black Moccasin.</p> + +<p>At that moment some one challenged them.</p> + +<p>"It is good, my brother," cried Black Moccasin. "White Otter is here."</p> + +<p>"Ride ahead," the scout told them.</p> + +<p>They advanced and met Hollow Bear, another noted Ogalala warrior. He +accompanied them to the grove. White Otter was overjoyed to find a +great company of Ogalalas assembled at the campsite. With them were +the five Cheyenne scouts who had accompanied the women and children +to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> the Ogalala camp, and the company of warriors who had escaped from +the Cheyenne village. White Otter was welcomed with enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I have found you—it is good," he said. "There is little +time to talk. First I will tell these brave Cheyennes that Red Dog is +alive. We took him away from the Kiowas. We also ran off many ponies. +Come, Cloud Eagle, you know my words, tell your brothers about it."</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes were wild with joy. It was some moments before White +Otter could proceed with his talk.</p> + +<p>"Now, Cheyennes, I will tell you something bad," he said, finally. "We +were driving away those ponies. Everything was good. Then the Pawnees +came. They were very strong. They caught up with us and ran off those +ponies. We could not stop them.</p> + +<p>"Ogalalas, we must ride after those Pawnees and try to get back those +ponies. The Pawnees are not far ahead of us. I believe they stopped +when it got dark. Their village is two sun's travel away. They cannot +travel fast. I believe we can come up with them. I will lead you. +Come, jump on your ponies, and follow me."</p> + +<p>The warriors ran to untie the ponies. A few<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> moments afterward they +followed their famous young war chief across the plain. It was a great +war party. Wolf Robe, the venerable Ogalala chief, had sent his best +fighters to aid the Cheyennes. White Otter thrilled at the thought of +leading them against the Pawnees.</p> + +<p>"White Otter, how did you come to find us?" Black Moccasin asked +curiously.</p> + +<p>"I knew about that place—it is a good place to stop," White Otter +told him. "When Red Dog stopped over there by the water I kept +watching to see you. You did not come. I felt bad. Then it got dark. +Then I said, 'Perhaps my brothers are close by.' Then I thought about +that place. I said, 'Perhaps my brothers are waiting there until it +gets light.' Then I came ahead to find out about it."</p> + +<p>"Are the Cheyennes far away?" Black Moccasin asked him.</p> + +<p>"No, we will soon find them," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>He led the way at a fast pace, for he was eager to set out on the +trail of the Pawnees without further delay. When they finally +approached the spot where he had left the Cheyennes, White Otter raced +forward in advance of the war party.</p> + +<p>"Watch out, some one is riding fast!" the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> Cheyennes cried in alarm, +as they heard a pony galloping toward them from the north.</p> + +<p>"It must be White Otter," said Red Dog. "Perhaps he has found out +about something."</p> + +<p>They sprang to their feet, and waited anxiously for the rider. As he +came within bowshot, they began to call.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" they inquired, suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"Do not be afraid, everything is good," cried White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, it is White Otter," the Cheyennes told one another.</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward the Ogalala joined them. They gathered around +him to learn what had happened.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" he cried. "Do you hear those ponies? They are bringing my +people. Cheyennes, my words have come true. The Ogalalas are coming to +help you."</p> + +<p>They heard the hoofbeats of many ponies. The sound filled them with +joy. A great hope entered their hearts.</p> + +<p>"It is the Ogalalas! It is the Ogalalas!" they cried, excitedly.</p> + +<p>Then the great Sioux war party dashed out of the night. Their arrival +threw the Cheyennes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> into a tumult. For a moment all was confusion. +Then White Otter took command, and restored order.</p> + +<p>"Come, come, my brothers, we are making too much noise," he said, +sharply.</p> + +<p>The great company of fighting men instantly became quiet. They +dismounted and waited for instructions from their chief.</p> + +<p>"Cheyennes, my people have come here to fight," White Otter said, +proudly. "We will ride after the Pawnees. We will bring back those +ponies. A Dacotah does not turn back. We will do what we set out to +do. Cheyennes are you ready to go into this fight?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, we are ready!" shouted the Cheyennes.</p> + +<p>"It is good," declared White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Wait, Ogalalas, I will give you some words," said Red Dog. "I have +talked with Cloud Eagle and Two Dogs and Walks Alone and Hairy Robe +and Lame Bear. Those warriors took our women and children to your +village. They gave me good words. Now I know that our people are safe +in your lodges. Now I know that they will have plenty to eat and a +good place to sleep in. Now I know that our people will stay with you +until<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> we fight the Pawnees and bring back the ponies. It is good. +Ogalalas, you have good hearts for your friends. The Cheyennes feel +good about it. We will always try to help you.</p> + +<p>"Ogalalas, your great chief, Wolf Robe, is too old to fight, but he +has sent you here to help us. It is good. Now we are strong enough to +fight the Pawnees. White Otter says that a Dacotah does not turn back. +It is true. The Dacotahs are very brave. Well, the Cheyennes will keep +close beside you.</p> + +<p>"Ogalalas, White Otter, your chief, is a great leader. He took me away +from the Kiowas. He was the leader. He told my people how to get into +that camp. We did what he told us to do. Everything was good. All my +people came out of that fight. It is something to talk about. +Cheyennes—Ogalalas—listen to my words. I am going to ask White Otter +to be the leader of this great war party. He is as brave as +Ma-to-ho-ta, the bear. He is as sharp as To-ka-la, the fox. He fooled +the Kiowas. I believe he will fool the Pawnees. If White Otter is the +leader, I believe we will get back those ponies. Now you all know how +I feel about it."</p> + +<p>His proposal was approved by the entire company.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> The Cheyennes +believed that the young war chief of the Ogalalas possessed some +mysterious power which made him immune from peril, and enabled him to +triumph over his foes. They believed that his leadership greatly +increased their chances for a victory over the Pawnees. The Ogalalas +were equally certain of success.</p> + +<p>"I will be the leader," said White Otter. "Now we must get away. +Pretty soon the light will come. There is little time. Come, Red Dog, +send some one to call in the scouts. Then we will ride away."</p> + +<p>Red Dog sent several riders to find the three Cheyenne scouts who were +watching on the plain. Then the Cheyennes gathered about the warriors +who had escaped from the Cheyenne camp to learn the details of the +disastrous battle with the Kiowas. It was not long, however, before +they were interrupted by the arrival of the scouts. They said that +they had watched carefully but had heard nothing of their foes.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said White Otter. "Come, my brothers, get on your +ponies. We will go to fight the Pawnees."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>THE PAWNEES AT BAY</h3> + + +<p>Aware that each moment was precious, White Otter rode through the +night at a desperate pace. Behind him thundered the great war party of +Sioux and Cheyennes. Beside him rode Red Dog, the Cheyenne chief, and +Black Moccasin, the famous Ogalala scout. Convinced that they would +see nothing of the Pawnees until they finally came up with them, White +Otter saw little need for caution. He believed that the Pawnees had +stopped for the night, to rest the ponies, and he was eager to cover +as much distance as possible before daylight.</p> + +<p>The Ogalalas were enthusiastic at the idea of an encounter with their +old-time enemies, the Pawnees. They knew from experience that the +hated "Wolf People" were brave and stubborn fighters, but they felt +confident of victory. They followed gayly after their leader, talking, +and laughing and chanting their war songs. Behind them came the +Cheyennes. Their gloom had vanished. Their confidence was restored. +The warriors<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> who had returned with the Ogalalas had greatly +strengthened their numbers, and with the formidable Dacotahs for +allies they believed that success was assured.</p> + +<p>"Pretty soon it will be light," said White Otter. "Then we will send +scouts to find the tracks of the ponies. We will follow them until we +come up with the Pawnees."</p> + +<p>"While the foolish Pawnees are sleeping, we are rushing closer," +laughed Red Dog.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they kept going ahead," said Black Moccasin. "Perhaps they +were afraid some one would follow them."</p> + +<p>"No, I do not believe it," declared Red Dog. "They saw that we were +not strong enough to fight them. They do not expect any one to follow +them."</p> + +<p>"They cannot keep running those ponies," White Otter told them. "They +must stop to rest."</p> + +<p>At dawn White Otter became more cautious. He stopped the war party and +made known his plans.</p> + +<p>"The light has come, we must look for the Pawnees," he said. "I am +going to send out some scouts to find the tracks of those ponies.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> I +will send Sun Bird, and Little Raven, and High Eagle. Now, Red Dog, +you must send three of your people with my brothers."</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Red Dog. "I will send Running Crow, and Painted +Weasel and Standing Bull."</p> + +<p>"Now, my brothers, I will tell you what to do," said White Otter. "I +will ask Sun Bird and Little Raven to go ahead. I will ask the rest of +you to ride out on both sides of us. Look hard until you find the +tracks of those ponies. I believe they are close by. If you find them, +make the signal. We will keep watching. If we find those tracks, we +will make the signal. Perhaps scouts are watching on the high places. +Look out for them."</p> + +<p>The six scouts went away. Then the war party rode ahead. Eager to +prevent the Pawnees from increasing their lead, they rode at a stiff +pace. It was not long before they saw Standing Bull riding rapidly in +a circle, some distance to the westward.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said White Otter. "Standing Bull has found the tracks. +We will go over there."</p> + +<p>Standing Bull and Painted Weasel had found<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> the trail of the Pawnees. +A close examination of the tracks convinced White Otter that the +Pawnees were traveling at a moderate pace.</p> + +<p>"They made those tracks before the last sun went away," he said.</p> + +<p>"It is true," agreed Black Moccasin.</p> + +<p>"Call the scouts," said White Otter. "Then we will go ahead, and find +out where the Pawnees stopped."</p> + +<p>They saw one of the scouts approaching from the east. The fact that he +was alone made them suspicious. They believed that his companion had +remained to watch something. As the rider came nearer they saw that it +was High Eagle, the Ogalala.</p> + +<p>"We saw some people far away toward the Place-where-the-day-begins," +said High Eagle. "Three were on ponies. They rode ahead. Four were on +foot."</p> + +<p>"Which way are they going?" inquired White Otter.</p> + +<p>"They are going straight ahead—the same way we are going," High Eagle +told him. "They are far away. Running Crow is watching them."</p> + +<p>"I believe those people are Kiowas," said White Otter. "We chased them +far away. Now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> they are going back to their village. We will not think +about them."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, it must be the Kiowas," laughed Red Dog.</p> + +<p>"High Eagle, we have found the tracks of the Pawnees," said White +Otter. "We are going to follow them. Go back there and bring Running +Crow."</p> + +<p>When they learned that the scouts had discovered a small company of +Kiowas, some of the Cheyennes were eager to ride away in pursuit of +them. White Otter immediately objected. He realized that the maneuver +would cause delay and confusion, and might betray them to the Pawnees.</p> + +<p>"No, you must not go over there," he said. "You must keep going ahead +to catch the Pawnees. If you hold back they will get to their village. +Then it will be hard to run off the ponies. I am the leader. You must +do as I tell you."</p> + +<p>Red Dog repeated the message to the Cheyennes, and they dismissed the +Kiowas from their thoughts. They knew that White Otter and his +warriors were risking their lives to help them, and they were eager to +obey his commands. Then they saw High Eagle and Running Crow riding to +join them. Sun Bird and Little Raven, however,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> had failed to appear. +White Otter felt little fear for their safety. He believed that they +were scouting carefully in advance of the war party in an effort to +locate the Pawnees.</p> + +<p>"Pretty soon they will come," he told Red Dog.</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward they rode over a low ridge, and saw the two +Minneconjoux scouts. They were waiting at a grove of cottonwoods. The +war party raced forward to join them.</p> + +<p>"Here is the place where the Pawnees stopped," said Sun Bird, as White +Otter approached.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see where the ponies were feeding," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>He believed that the Pawnees had remained at the spot until daylight. +In that event he realized that they could not be very far ahead of +him. He hoped to come in sight of them before the end of the day.</p> + +<p>"We must go on," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>They galloped away on the trail. It led directly toward the south. As +they advanced the plain became rough and broken, and there were many +low knolls and ridges. White Otter realized that it offered splendid +protection to hostile scouts, and he became more cautious.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come, Sun Bird, ride ahead and keep watching the high places," he +said. "I will ask Little Raven to go with you. Follow the tracks of +the ponies. We will ride behind you."</p> + +<p>The Minneconjoux galloped away. The war party rode easily until the +scouts were a long way ahead. Then they again raced their ponies at +high speed in the hope of soon overtaking the Pawnees.</p> + +<p>As the day advanced and they failed to see anything of their foes, +some of the warriors feared that they would be unable to overtake them +before they reached the great Pawnee camp. The thought discouraged +them. White Otter, however, was still hopeful of coming up with them. +He felt sure that he was steadily gaining upon them, and he expected +to see them before the end of the day. Red Dog, too, was confident +that they would come in contact with the Pawnees before nightfall.</p> + +<p>"Hi, hi, I believe our brothers have found them!" Black Moccasin +cried, excitedly.</p> + +<p>The Minneconjoux were riding in a circle on the top of a low hill. The +war party rode toward them with high hopes.</p> + +<p>"What has happened?" White Otter inquired, anxiously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We saw two riders over there on that next hill," said Sun Bird. "They +went away very fast. I believe they were Pawnee scouts."</p> + +<p>"Did they see you?" asked White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Sun Bird. "They must have been peeping over that high +place. We looked sharp, but we could not see them. When we went up +that hill we saw them riding away. They kept looking back. Then we +rode here to call you."</p> + +<p>"It is bad," said Red Dog. "They will tell their people about us. Now +it will be hard to catch them."</p> + +<p>"Well, my brothers, there is no use of talking about it," declared +White Otter. "There is only one thing to do. We must rush ahead and +try to catch the Pawnees before they get away."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is the only thing to do," said Black Moccasin.</p> + +<p>They raced ahead at top speed. They had gone only a short distance +when they saw a small company of horsemen sweep into view over a +nearby rise of the plain. They stopped at sight of the war party. Then +they turned and raced toward the south. They appeared to have been +thrown into a panic. White Otter and his warriors<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> rode after them +with the fierce eagerness of wolves in sight of game.</p> + +<p>"Those warriors came to find us, but they found something different," +laughed Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"Their people must be close by," declared White Otter.</p> + +<p>The Pawnees had disappeared behind the ridge. When the war party +reached it, they saw them still riding furiously toward the south. +They had lost considerable ground, however, and White Otter felt +encouraged.</p> + +<p>"We will come up with them," he told his companions.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, we are closing in," said Red Dog.</p> + +<p>They heard the scouts whooping fiercely, and they believed that they +were attempting to warn their tribesmen. Then they discovered a great +smother of dust rising in the distance. They realized that they had +come in sight of the Pawnees.</p> + +<p>"Come, come, ride faster!" cried White Otter.</p> + +<p>They forced the ponies into a terrific pace. They were steadily +gaining upon the four scouts. The latter were making frantic efforts +to escape.</p> + +<p>"Pretty soon we will catch those riders," White Otter declared, +grimly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> + +<p>At that moment, however, the Pawnee scouts turned toward the east. +White Otter instantly detected the clever ruse.</p> + +<p>"Do not follow them," he cried. "They are trying to lead us off. Keep +after the ponies."</p> + +<p>Then they swept over a rise of the plain, and saw the Pawnees and the +ponies directly ahead of them. They were a long distance away, +however, and were riding desperately. They appeared to have the great +herd of ponies under complete control, and White Otter realized that +the chase threatened to be a long one.</p> + +<p>"They are far ahead of us," he said, soberly.</p> + +<p>Having actually sighted the Pawnees, the war party was determined to +overtake them. Forcing the ponies to a killing pace, they began to +gain upon their foes. Stride by stride they overcame the lead of the +Pawnees until the latter were barely two arrow flights away. Then the +Pawnees lashed the ponies into a furious sprint, and held off their +pursuers. The wild race across the plain became a test of endurance +between the rival ponies. Both companies of riders knew that the +gallant little beasts must eventually collapse, but each hoped that +their foes would be the first to weaken. The ponies appeared to be +well matched,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> however, and the exhausting chase continued.</p> + +<p>The Pawnees were approaching a long, straggling line of trees that +reached far across the plain. White Otter knew that the timber marked +the course of a stream. He rode wildly to overtake his foes before +they reached it. Once they crossed the water he realized that it would +be difficult to reach them, and still more difficult to secure the +ponies. His efforts were useless, however, for the Pawnees held their +lead. They were still safely beyond arrow range when they finally +forced their gasping ponies across the stream, and came to a stand in +the timber along the bank. White Otter pulled up the sweating piebald. +The long pursuit had come to an end. The Pawnees had placed a +formidable barrier between them and their foes. For the moment, at +least, they were safe from attack.</p> + +<p>"Now I know why they did not stop to fight," White Otter said, +bitterly. "They were trying to get to that place. Now they are there. +It is bad."</p> + +<p>"Well, we made them stop," declared Red Dog.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we kept them from getting to their camp," said Black Moccasin. +"Now we are close.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> They cannot get away. Pretty soon we will go over +there and run off the ponies."</p> + +<p>"My brother, that will be a hard thing to do," White Otter told him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>A HARD WON VICTORY</h3> + + +<p>White Otter and his warriors approached within bowshot of the stream. +Then they sat upon their tired ponies, and stared silently across at +the Pawnees. The latter were in sight among the trees. They had driven +the captured ponies from the timber, and were herding them upon the +open plain. Less than a third of the company guarded them. The rest of +the Pawnees were watching along the bank of the stream.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps those warriors will try to hold us back while their friends +get away with the ponies," Red Dog declared, suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"I believe that is what they propose to do," said Black Moccasin.</p> + +<p>"No, I do not believe it," White Otter told them. "Those ponies have +come a long ways. They have run fast. The Pawnees will let them rest. +When it gets dark perhaps they will try to take them away."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I believe what White Otter says is true," declared Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>The Pawnees had gained the advantage. White Otter realized that an +attempt to cross the stream might result in heavy loss. He determined +to wait until he had carefully studied the possibilities. Both the +Ogalalas and the Cheyennes, however, were eager to make an attack. The +Pawnees were jeering, and daring them to cross the stream.</p> + +<p>"Hi, you Dacotahs, are you afraid to follow us through the water?" +some one called, mockingly. "You came here to help the Cheyennes. Why +are you holding back? Have we frightened you? Go back to your lodges +and sit with the old women. Perhaps they will tell you how to fight."</p> + +<p>The taunt roused the Ogalalas into a frenzy. They were wild with rage. +Some of them rode recklessly to the edge of the stream. Many of the +Cheyennes followed them. White Otter warned them against attempting to +cross.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" he cried. "The Pawnees are trying to catch you. Are you going +to throw away your lives? The Pawnees are like Zi-ca, the squirrel. +They make a big noise, but they hide behind the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> trees. They are +trying to make you mad. If you ride into the water, they will kill you +with their arrows. Come, my brothers, turn back. Shake the words of +the Pawnees from your ears."</p> + +<p>The Ogalalas saw the wisdom of his words. They lingered a moment or +so, shouting boastful threats against the Pawnees. Then they turned +back. The Cheyennes accompanied them. The Pawnees laughed fiercely.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward a ringing shout sounded farther along the stream. +The Pawnee scouts had crossed, a long distance to the eastward. They +were riding to join their tribesmen.</p> + +<p>"Those Pawnees feel very brave," laughed White Otter.</p> + +<p>The day was passing, and White Otter realized that he must decide upon +a plan of action. He left High Eagle and a small company of scouts to +watch the Pawnees, and then he led the war party beyond earshot of +their foes. He called a council and asked Running Crow to act as +interpreter.</p> + +<p>"My friends, we must find out the best way to run off those ponies," +he said. "When it gets dark we must be ready to do something. Now I +will tell you how I feel about it. I believe the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> Pawnees will try to +send away those ponies. They will try to fool us. We must be sharp. I +will tell you what I propose to do. If any of you feel different about +it, you must talk against it.</p> + +<p>"Now, my brothers, listen sharp. I believe there is only one way to +get those ponies. When it gets dark we will send scouts along the +water. They must follow along the water until they find a good place +to go across. Then they must go across, and watch the Pawnees. If the +Pawnees try to run off the ponies, the scouts must make the signal. +After those scouts go away we will make two war parties. Our brothers, +the Cheyennes, will keep together. Red Dog will be the leader. +My people will keep together. I will be the leader. One war +party must stay here. One war party must go toward the +Place-where-the-day-begins. Then that war party must circle around and +cross over the water. Those warriors must run off the ponies. The war +party that stays here must go straight ahead to fight the Pawnees. +Then we will be on two sides of them. Now I have told you how I feel +about it."</p> + +<p>"My brothers, you have heard the words of a great chief," said Red +Dog. "White Otter is the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> leader. I will do as he proposes to do. I +believe it is good."</p> + +<p>"Cheyennes, I believe White Otter has told us the best way to fight +the Pawnees," said Running Crow.</p> + +<p>"My friends, White Otter is a great war leader," declared Black +Moccasin. "He has led his people in many battles. If we do as he tells +us to do, I believe we will get back those ponies."</p> + +<p>Many more warriors indorsed the plan of the Ogalala chief. No one +spoke against it. Having led them to a splendid victory over the +Kiowas, the Cheyennes felt confident that he would be equally +successful against the Pawnees.</p> + +<p>"Well, my brothers, I see that there is no one to talk against this +thing—we will go ahead with it," White Otter told them. "Now I will +call out the names of the scouts who must go to watch the Pawnees. I +will call my brother Hollow Bear, and I will call Standing Bull. +Hollow Bear is an Ogalala. Standing Bull is a Cheyenne. Both of them +are great warriors. Now I will tell you about those war parties. I see +that there are more Ogalalas than Cheyennes. The Ogalalas must fight +the Pawnees. The Cheyennes must<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> try to get the ponies. Come, Red Dog, +tell me how you feel about it."</p> + +<p>"It is good," agreed Red Dog.</p> + +<p>Having decided upon the plan of attack, the war party again approached +the stream. High Eagle and his companions said that the Pawnees had +made no attempt to leave the timber. White Otter felt sure that they, +too, were waiting to attempt some bold bit of stratagem under cover of +the night. The thought made him suspicious, and watchful. He saw +nothing which would give him a clew to the intentions of the Pawnees.</p> + +<p>As the light slowly faded from the plain the Pawnees began to sing +their war songs and shout fierce threats against their enemies. The +Ogalalas and the Cheyennes listened in silence. The threatening flash +of their eyes, however, betrayed the wrath that blazed in their +hearts. They waited for darkness, and the opportunity to rush upon +their foes.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Hollow Bear and Standing Bull had ridden away on their +perilous mission. They went a considerable distance toward the north +before they finally turned to the eastward. Then they made a wide +detour and approached the stream. They waited a long time at the edge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> +of the water, listening for sounds from their foes. As they heard +nothing to alarm them, they rode cautiously into the stream. They +reached the opposite side in safety, and moved out upon the plain.</p> + +<p>Soon afterward Red Dog and his warriors arrived at the stream, an +arrow flight from the place where the scouts had crossed. They, too, +stopped to listen. All was quiet. The Cheyennes, however, waited +beside the water. They were listening for the signal which would warn +them that the Ogalalas had begun the fight.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, the scouts have gone," White Otter told the Ogalalas. "I +believe they are across the water. Red Dog and his brothers have gone. +I believe they are waiting for the signal. Everything is ready. We +must begin the fight. I will ask you to be brave. Drive back the +Pawnees and get to the ponies. Red Dog and his warriors will come to +help us. Keep close around the ponies. Drive them across the water. +Are you ready?"</p> + +<p>"Hi, hi!" cried the Ogalalas.</p> + +<p>"Come!" shouted White Otter.</p> + +<p>At that moment they heard the thunder of hoofbeats across the stream. +A piercing shout rang<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> through the night. It was a warning from the +scouts. Then the wild yells of the Pawnees sounded from the edge of +the water. The Ogalalas realized what had happened.</p> + +<p>"They are running off the ponies!" cried White Otter. "Follow me!"</p> + +<p>The Ogalalas raised the great Dacotah war cry, and rode boldly into +the stream. They heard Red Dog and the Cheyennes farther to the +eastward. The Pawnees began to shoot their arrows. The Sioux sent a +volley into the timber. Then they lashed their ponies forward, and +charged recklessly upon their foes. The Pawnees held their ground, and +offered desperate resistance. The Sioux, however, were thoroughly +aroused, and they fought with a sullen ferocity that made them +irresistible. The Pawnees finally gave way, and raced across the plain +in pursuit of the ponies. The Ogalalas kept close behind them. They +heard the Cheyennes whooping fiercely, and they believed that they had +overtaken the herd.</p> + +<p>"Hi, hi, the Cheyennes are making a big fight!" the Dacotahs cried, +excitedly.</p> + +<p>When they were within arrow range of the ponies, the Pawnees turned +and fought savagely to hold them back. For a moment the Sioux were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> +halted. Then they rallied, and swept forward in a ferocious attack +that completely overcame their foes. A moment afterward they were at +the rear of the herd.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Red Dog and his tribesmen had raced ahead of the +Pawnees, and were attempting to turn the ponies. Once at the front of +the herd, they rode wildly among the Pawnees and drove the frightened +ponies from their course. Whooping, and lashing furiously with their +heavy riding quirts, they gradually forced the ponies toward the east. +The Pawnees attacked them with great bravery, but the Cheyennes beat +them off. Then a company of Ogalalas raced along the flank of the herd +and came to the assistance of their allies.</p> + +<p>"Turn the ponies—run them to the water!" they cried.</p> + +<p>They soon gained control of the herd and raced the ponies toward the +stream. The Pawnees had no thought of yielding. Infuriated by the +success of their foes, they fought valiantly to regain possession of +the ponies.</p> + +<p>"Hold them off, hold them off!" shouted White Otter.</p> + +<p>While Red Dog and a company of Cheyennes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> rode ahead to drive aside +the Pawnees, the rest of the war party surrounded the herd. The +Pawnees found it impossible to reach the ponies. They rode close up to +their foes and fought with reckless courage, but each time they were +driven off.</p> + +<p>"Hi, the Pawnees are brave," Sun Bird told White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they are making a great fight," acknowledged White Otter.</p> + +<p>When they finally reached the timber the ponies attempted to turn +aside, and in a moment the herd was thrown into wild confusion. The +Pawnees were quick to seize the opportunity. Yelling fiercely, they +dashed forward like a pack of mad wolves, and attempted to cause a +stampede.</p> + +<p>"Come, Cheyennes, drive the ponies into the water!" cried White Otter. +"Ogalalas, hold back the Pawnees!"</p> + +<p>Then the Sioux and the Pawnees fought a thrilling hand-to-hand +encounter, while the Cheyennes made frantic attempts to drive the +unruly ponies into the timber. Wild with panic, the frenzied beasts +plunged, and reared, and kicked in their efforts to break through the +circle of riders that surrounded them. At last the Cheyennes lashed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> +them into submission and drove them forward. They plunged down the +bank, and floundered wildly across the stream. Then the Cheyennes +raced them away into the north.</p> + +<p>"Hi, my brothers, some of us must go back there, and help our +brothers, the Ogalalas," said Red Dog, when they were several arrow +flights from the stream.</p> + +<p>Then they heard the Dacotah war cry ringing through the night. Soon +afterward White Otter and his gallant fighters overtook them. They +were in high spirits.</p> + +<p>"Where are the Pawnees?" inquired Red Dog.</p> + +<p>"They are running to their lodges," laughed White Otter.</p> + +<p>"White Otter, you are a great chief," declared Red Dog. "The Ogalalas +are as brave as Ma-to-ho-ta, the bear. We will go to your village, and +tell your people what you have done. Yes, we will give some ponies to +your chief, Wolf Robe."</p> + +<p>"It is good," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>Then he called Sun Bird and Little Raven to ride beside him. It was a +long time before he spoke.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, we have done what we set out to do," he said, finally. +"It was a great fight.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> Many brave warriors were killed. I will not +talk about it. You were very brave. You have helped me to do a big +thing. Sun Bird, I saw you drive back many Pawnees. Yes, you were +always in the fight. Little Raven, I saw you fight off three Pawnees. +Yes, I saw you do some big things. My brothers, I will tell your great +chief Curly Horse about you. I will tell him that you did big things +to help my people."</p> + +<p>"White Otter, your words make me feel good," said Sun Bird. "You came +to our lodges and went with us to fight the Blackfeet. Now we have +helped you fight the Pawnees. It is good. We are Dacotahs. A Dacotah +will fight for his brother."</p> + +<p>"It is true," declared Little Raven.</p> + + +<h4>THE END</h4> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Three Sioux Scouts, by Elmer Russell Gregor + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE SIOUX SCOUTS *** + +***** This file should be named 36210-h.htm or 36210-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/2/1/36210/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Josephine Paolucci and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Three Sioux Scouts + +Author: Elmer Russell Gregor + +Release Date: May 25, 2011 [EBook #36210] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE SIOUX SCOUTS *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Josephine Paolucci and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + +[Illustration: HE SHOT HIS ARROW [page 106]] + + + + +THREE SIOUX SCOUTS + +BY + +ELMER RUSSELL GREGOR + +AUTHOR OF "THE WAR TRAIL," +"SPOTTED DEER," "THE WHITE WOLF," +"RUNNING FOX," "WHITE OTTER," ETC. + + +D. APPLETON AND COMPANY +NEW YORK :: 1924 :: LONDON + +COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY +D. APPLETON AND COMPANY + +PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER PAGE + +I. WATCHING FOR BUFFALOES 1 + +II. MYSTERIOUS SIGNALS 11 + +III. OLD ENEMIES 23 + +IV. TRAILING A WAR PARTY 39 + +V. OFF TO WARN THE CHEYENNES 53 + +VI. A PERILOUS MISSION 64 + +VII. RED DOG'S STRATAGEM 74 + +VIII. THE ATTACK ON THE CAMP 88 + +IX. PAWNEES 100 + +X. A DESPERATE CHASE 113 + +XI. A NIGHT OF SURPRISES 124 + +XII. FRIENDS 137 + +XIII. THE ABANDONED CAMP 149 + +XIV. IN PURSUIT OF THE KIOWAS 162 + +XV. DARING SCOUTS 176 + +XVI. A THRILLING RESCUE 187 + +XVII. DISASTER 205 + +XVIII. REENFORCEMENTS 218 + +XIX. THE PAWNEES AT BAY 230 + +XX. A HARD WON VICTORY 242 + + + + +THREE SIOUX SCOUTS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +WATCHING FOR BUFFALOES + + +White Otter, the famous young war chief of the Ogalala Sioux, and his +friends Sun Bird and Little Raven, of the Minneconjoux tribe, were +searching the plains for buffaloes. It was early spring, the time of +The-new-grass-moon, and the Sioux were expecting the great buffalo +herds on their migration northward from the winter feeding grounds. + +"Pretty soon Ta-tan-ka will come--then we will have some good days and +plenty of meat," White Otter told his friends. "Yellow Horse is +singing the Medicine Songs to bring the buffaloes. They will come." + +"My father does that," said Sun Bird. "I have seen him do it many +times." + +"Your father is a great Medicine Person, like Yellow Horse," declared +White Otter. + +Although the villages of the Ogalalas and the Minneconjoux were many +days' travel apart, the young warriors visited one another with +considerable frequency. The year previous White Otter had accompanied +the Minneconjoux on a great war expedition against the Blackfeet. Now +Sun Bird and his brother, Little Raven, had come to the Ogalala +village to participate in the spring buffalo hunt. + +The three young scouts made an impressive appearance as they cantered +across the plain on their speedy little hunting ponies. White Otter +was tall and lithe. Sun Bird was considerably shorter, and heavier in +physique. Little Raven was younger and less matured in face and +stature. All showed the characteristics of the Dacotah warrior. They +were fearless, cautious and crafty. Each had proved his courage and +skill in a number of thrilling exploits, and despite their +youthfulness all three were famous warriors. They wore the simple +dress of the hunter, which consisted of moccasins, and buckskin +leggins reaching to the thighs. They were naked above the waist. Their +hair was worn in two braids wrapped with fur. White Otter and Sun +Bird, as chiefs of their respective tribes, were entitled to wear the +coveted war bonnet of eagle plumes. Both had left it off to be as +inconspicuous as possible in their search for game. White Otter, +however, wore a single eagle feather in his scalp lock. They were +armed with bows and arrows and flint hunting knives. White Otter and +Sun Bird carried fire sticks. Each was provided with a robe of elkskin +which was folded beneath him, across the back of his pony. + +For two days they had searched the plains to the southward of the +Ogalala camp. They had seen nothing, however, to indicate the approach +of the great buffalo herds. Still they felt certain that it would be +only a day or so until the buffaloes appeared. + +"When we see them we will ride fast and tell my people," said White +Otter. + +"Yes, yes, we will be the first to tell about it," Little Raven +declared, enthusiastically. + +They were a considerable distance from the Ogalala village, and as the +third day drew toward its close they began to wonder if it might not +be foolhardy to venture farther to the southward. They knew that there +was a possibility of encountering both the Kiowas and the Pawnees in +that direction, and the Utes from the west and even their hated foes, +the Crows, sometimes moved down into that disputed territory. The +Sioux realized, therefore, that they were exposing themselves to +considerable danger. + +"We have come a long ways--we must watch out," White Otter cautioned. + +"It is true," agreed Sun Bird. "The Pawnees travel in this country. +Perhaps they are looking around for buffaloes. We must be cautious." + +They had stopped at a little grove of cottonwoods, which offered feed +and water for the ponies. As the day had almost ended, they were +tempted to spend the night at that spot. White Otter, however, decided +against it. + +"It would be foolish," he declared. "Our enemies know about this +place. Perhaps they will come here when it gets dark. We must ride +away." + +"It is the best thing to do," said Sun Bird. + +They loitered until the ponies had finished feeding, and then they +prepared to ride away. At that moment a small band of antelopes +suddenly appeared on the crest of a low ridge to the westward. They +had stopped, and seemed to be watching something on the other side of +the ridge. It was evident that they had been alarmed. The Sioux became +suspicious. They watched closely. + +"Something has frightened Ta-to-ka-dan," said Sun Bird. + +"See, they are running down the ridge," Little Raven whispered, +excitedly. + +The antelopes were bounding down the slope. When they reached the +bottom they turned toward the little grove in which the Sioux had +taken shelter. The latter watched them with considerable uneasiness. + +"It is bad," declared White Otter. "Perhaps some one is peeping over +that hill. If those antelopes come close they will find out about us. +Then they will run away. If hunters are watching on that ridge they +will know that something is over here in this place. Perhaps they will +come here to find out about it." + +"It is bad," said Sun Bird. + +The antelopes were still running toward the grove. Several old bucks, +however, had stopped to look back at the ridge. The rest of the band +continued across the plain. They were running against the wind. As +they came within arrow range of the grove they suddenly stopped, and +appeared suspicious. They had caught the danger scent. + +"Ta-to-ka-dan is sharp," laughed Sun Bird. + +"The wind has told about us," said Little Raven. + +White Otter kept silent. He watched the antelopes with grave +misgivings. Their behavior alarmed him. He felt quite sure that they +would arouse the distrust of any foes who might be loitering within +sight, and tempt them to investigate the grove. The idea suggested +disturbing possibilities. + +"See, Ta-to-ka-dan is standing out there like a frightened old woman," +he said, irritably. "If our enemies are about they will come over here +to see what has frightened Ta-to-ka-dan." + +"Come, we will ride away," proposed Little Raven. + +"Wait, wait," Sun Bird cried, excitedly. "I saw something peep over +the top of that hill." + +"I see it," said Little Raven. "It looks like Ma-ya-sh, the wolf." + +They saw what appeared to be the head of a prairie wolf rising +cautiously above the top of the ridge. The buck antelopes had +discovered it, and were flashing the danger signal and stamping +nervously. + +"It is bad," White Otter said, uneasily. "Perhaps it is Ma-ya-sh, the +wolf--perhaps it is a hunter. We must watch sharp." + +As they continued to watch the ridge, the little band of antelopes +suddenly turned and bounded away toward the north. It was evident that +they had determined to avoid the grove. In a few moments the bucks +that had been watching the ridge cantered after them. + +"It is good," said White Otter. "Now we will find out who is over +there on that hill. If it is Ma-ya-sh and his people they will go +away. If it is our enemies they will keep watching this place." + +"Something is watching," Sun Bird told him. + +The head of the mysterious prowler still showed above the ridge. It +was boldly outlined against the fading sunset sky. It appeared to be +the head of Ma-ya-sh, the prairie wolf. The Sioux distinctly saw the +long, lean snout, and the pointed ears of Ma-ya-sh. Still they were +suspicious. They knew that scouts often covered themselves with the +skin of Ma-ya-sh to creep up on game, and also to spy upon their foes +without arousing distrust. + +"I do not believe it is Ma-ya-sh," White Otter declared, finally. "It +keeps too still. Ma-ya-sh would move around. I believe it is a +hunter." + +"We will watch," said Sun Bird. + +"Look, look, there is another!" cried Little Raven. + +A second head had suddenly appeared. It, too, seemed to be the head of +a prairie wolf. The Sioux, however, were doubtful. If the distant +objects really were wolves, their actions were most unusual. They were +careful to keep themselves well concealed behind the ridge, and as the +antelopes were a considerable distance to the northward, it was +evident that the mysterious creatures were watching the grove. The +Sioux were concealed in the timber, and there was no possibility of +being seen. They determined to watch, therefore, until the strange +objects on the ridge either showed themselves or disappeared. In a few +moments one withdrew from sight. + +"That is bad," said White Otter. "Now I believe they are scouts. +Perhaps one has gone away to call the hunters. We must watch out." + +Daylight was fading. Twilight was settling upon the plain. The Sioux +found it difficult to distinguish the remaining object on the ridge. +They felt considerably relieved to know that night was close at hand. + +"Pretty soon it will be dark," said White Otter. "Then we will ride +away." + +They waited impatiently for nightfall. Their one fear was that a +company of foes might ride toward the grove before darkness made it +possible to withdraw without being seen. They had little fear of being +caught, but they were anxious to avoid being discovered. Once seen, +they realized that it might be perilous to loiter in the vicinity, and +they were eager to remain until they found the buffalo herd. They +watched closely until night finally came. Then they mounted their +ponies and rode from the grove. + +"Well, White Otter, how do you feel about it?" Little Raven inquired, +as they rode cautiously toward the east. + +"I believe we are in danger," White Otter told him. + +They continued across the plain until they came to a shallow ravine, +which they had passed on their way to the grove. White Otter advised +stopping there until daylight. + +"This is a good place," he said. "We will wait here and listen." + +They picketed the ponies in the bottom of the gully, and then they +crawled to the plain to watch and listen. It was a long time before +they heard anything to arouse their suspicions. Then they heard the +dreary wail of a prairie wolf, in the direction of the grove. Although +it sounded natural, the Sioux distrusted it. Twice it rose shrilly +through the night, and then it ceased. They were almost certain that +it had been a signal. They listened anxiously for an answer from the +ridge. The silence, however, continued. + +"I believe it was a scout," said White Otter. "Perhaps he was calling +his people." + +"Perhaps we will hear the ponies," suggested Little Raven. + +"We are too far off," White Otter told him. "Those people will ride +easy." + +"Perhaps it was only Ma-ya-sh," said Sun Bird. "Perhaps he went there +to drink." + +"Yes, it may be true, but I believe it was some one different," +replied White Otter. "We are in the country of our enemies. We must be +sharp." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +MYSTERIOUS SIGNALS + + +Fearful that a company of foes might have taken shelter in the little +grove of cottonwoods, the Sioux determined to take every precaution +against a sudden attack. While Little Raven remained in the ravine +with the ponies, White Otter and Sun Bird seated themselves upon the +plain to listen for sounds from the grove. All was still. They began +to wonder if they had been needlessly alarmed. At that moment one of +the ponies whinnied softly. White Otter and Sun Bird scrambled wildly +into the gully. Little Raven had already seized the pony and turned +its head out of the wind. The other ponies also seemed restless and +nervous, and White Otter and Sun Bird attempted to quiet them. + +"It is bad," White Otter said, softly. "I believe some one is riding +this way." + +The thought was startling. The Sioux stood beside their ponies, +listening uneasily. One question flashed through the mind of each of +them. Were enemies approaching stealthily under cover of the +darkness? They heard nothing to give them a clew. Many moments passed. +The silence increased their suspense. They believed they were in +peril. It seemed folly to loiter in the ravine. + +"Come, we will go," whispered White Otter. + +They mounted the ponies and rode from the ravine. Once on the plain, +they stopped for a moment to listen. Then the pony again attempted to +call, but Little Raven silenced it with his riding quirt. The warning +was significant. The Sioux believed that strange horses were close at +hand. They turned their ponies and rode silently away into the night. +It was some time before they ventured to speak. + +"Well, my brothers, I believe Ma-ya-sh came to find us," White Otter +laughed, softly, when they were beyond earshot of the ravine. + +"Yes, White Otter, I believe your words were true; I believe scouts +were peeping over that ridge," Sun Bird told him. + +"Do you believe they saw us?" Little Raven asked, anxiously. + +"No," replied White Otter. "Perhaps they found out about our ponies." + +Although they realized that it might be perilous to linger in the +vicinity, the Sioux determined to remain within sight of the grove +until they learned if their suspicions were real. When they reached a +low ridge, a considerable distance to the eastward, they decided to +stop and wait for daylight. + +"See, pretty soon it will be light," said Sun Bird. "Then we will find +out if there is any one over there in that place." + +When the night shadows finally lifted from the plain, White Otter and +Sun Bird concealed themselves below the crest of the ridge to watch, +while Little Raven waited at the base of the slope with the ponies. +The grove was in plain sight, and the Sioux watched expectantly. + +"If there are hunters over there, pretty soon they will ride out to +look for buffaloes," said Sun Bird. + +"Perhaps they are watching," White Otter reminded him. + +A few moments later they saw two horsemen ride from the grove, and +turn toward the ravine. They rode across the plain at an easy canter, +and showed little caution. As they drew near the ravine, however, they +became more careful. Once within arrow range, they stopped, and it +was apparent that they were watching the top of the gully. Then they +rode slowly forward. + +"Those are the scouts that peeped over that hill," declared White +Otter. "I believe they are trying to find out about us." + +The horsemen had disappeared into the ravine. The Sioux had been +unable to identify them. They felt certain that the strangers would +soon find the pony tracks. The idea alarmed them. + +"Perhaps they will follow us," suggested Sun Bird. + +"Watch," said White Otter. + +The horsemen had suddenly appeared. They had crossed the ravine, and +were riding slowly over the plain. The Sioux knew at once that they +were looking for pony tracks. It was not long before they found them. +They followed the trail a bowshot or more, and then they stopped. They +were looking directly toward the ridge. The Sioux watched them in +breathless suspense. They were straining their eyes to identify them, +but the distance made it impossible. + +"I cannot tell who they are," declared White Otter. "Can you tell +about it?" + +"No; they are too far away," Sun Bird told him. "Perhaps they will +come closer." + +"I believe they are talking about it," said White Otter. + +At that moment the horsemen turned their ponies, and galloped off +toward the west. They crossed the ravine, and rode toward the grove. +They passed it, however, and continued toward the ridge farther to the +westward. It was not long before, they disappeared. + +"It is bad," declared White Otter. "Now we do not know who they are." + +"Well, we know that our enemies are in this place," Sun Bird told him. +"Now it will be useless to look for the buffaloes. If Ta-tan-ka comes, +those scouts will tell their people about it. Yes, I believe they are +looking for buffaloes." + +"My brother, I feel different about it," said White Otter. "Perhaps +those scouts are with a war party. Perhaps they are Pawnees. Perhaps +they are going to fight my people. I must find out about it." + +Sun Bird remained silent. It was not the part of a warrior to ask +questions. He waited for White Otter to explain his plans. + +"Now I will tell you what I propose to do," White Otter told him. "We +must stay here and watch. Perhaps those scouts are trying to fool us. +Perhaps they are trying to make us believe they have gone away. I +believe they are peeping over that hill." + +"Well, they will not catch us," laughed Sun Bird. + +While White Otter continued to watch, Sun Bird crept down the slope to +tell Little Raven about the two mysterious horsemen. The ridge to the +westward was far away, and White Otter knew that it would be +impossible to discover any one who might be hiding there. He had +little doubt that at least one of the unknown riders had stopped to +watch the plain. + +"Did you see anything?" Sun Bird inquired anxiously, when he returned. + +"No, I did not see anything, but I believe some one is watching over +there on that hill," White Otter told him. + +"Then we must be cautious," said Sun Bird. + +They watched until the day was half gone, and then, having seen +nothing to indicate that foes were loitering in the vicinity, they +began to feel somewhat reassured. They wondered if the two horsemen +might not have been stray hunters who had been led to the grove by the +antelopes. Having found the fresh pony tracks, they might have feared +to loiter in the locality. In spite of the possibility, however, the +Sioux resolved to take no chances. + +"We will keep watching," declared White Otter. + +Soon afterward their patience was rewarded when they saw what appeared +to be a cloud of dust or smoke rising behind the distant ridge. They +watched it with great interest. For some time it puzzled them. It was +faint and indistinct, and they wondered if it was dust raised by the +hoofs of buffaloes or ponies. Then they noted that it seemed to rise +intermittently in puffs, and continued in one particular spot. + +"So-ta, smoke," White Otter said, finally. + +"Yes, yes, it is smoke," agreed Sun Bird. + +"Those scouts are calling their people," declared White Otter. "I +believe it is a war party." + +"We will see," said Sun Bird. + +In a short time the smoke faded from the sky. The Sioux felt sure that +the signal had been seen by those for whom it was intended. They had +little doubt that a company of horsemen were riding across the plain +on the other side of the ridge. + +"It is bad," said White Otter. "Those scouts found pony tracks at the +place where the trees grow. They followed them to that gully. They +found them coming this way. Then they were afraid, and went to call +their people. I believe they will try to find out about us." + +"Well, my brother, they are a long ways off," Sun Bird reminded him. +"We can keep away from them." + +"We must stay here and watch," declared White Otter. "Perhaps it is a +big war party of Pawnees. Perhaps they are going to fight my people. I +believe something bad will come of it." + +"We will keep watching until we find out about it," Sun Bird assured +him. + +As time passed and they saw nothing more, White Otter became uneasy. A +disquieting possibility had suddenly presented itself to his mind. It +filled him with distrust, and awakened fears for the safety of his +people. + +"I do not like this thing," he told Sun Bird. "That ridge goes a long +ways. We cannot see over it. Perhaps a war party is riding along +behind that hill. Perhaps they are going to the lodges of my people. I +would like to look over that hill, and find out about it." + +"You must not try to do that," Sun Bird cautioned him. "It would be +foolish. I believe scouts are watching over there. If we show +ourselves they will come after us." + +White Otter remained silent. He was worried and perplexed. He believed +that what Sun Bird had said was true. Still he knew that if a war +party of foes was moving against the Ogalala camp it was his duty to +learn of it, and carry a warning to his people. For the moment, +however, he saw no way of accomplishing it. The ridge from which he +was watching was parallel with the ridge to the westward, and there +was a wide expanse of open plain between them. To reach the other +ridge it would be necessary to ride out in full sight of any foes who +might be watching from concealment. White Otter realized that such a +maneuver would be foolhardy. He decided that it would be impossible to +do anything before nightfall. + +"Yes, my brother, I see that what you say is true," he said, finally. +"The lodges of my people are three sun's travel away. It is a long +ways. A war party travels slow so that the ponies will be fresh when +the fight begins. There is only one thing to do. We must keep watching +until it gets dark. Then we will ride over that hill, and try to find +out about those people." + +"I believe it is the best thing to do," said Sun Bird. + +Late in the day, however, they saw something which convinced them that +the two horsemen had been part of a clever stratagem to deceive any +one who had been watching. An eagle suddenly appeared high over the +plain, and flew toward the grove of cottonwoods. It was evident that +the bird intended to alight in the timber. The Sioux watched closely. +Once above the grove, the eagle set its wings and dropped toward the +trees. Then, as it got nearer, it rose and circled far out over the +plain. The Sioux were quick to understand the significance of the +maneuver. + +"Hi, Hu-ya saw something down there among the trees," White Otter +cried, excitedly. + +"Yes, I believe there is something over there in that place," said Sun +Bird. + +"I believe scouts are hiding there," declared White Otter. "Hu-ya has +told us about them. It is good." + +They watched the grove with new interest. They knew that Hu-ya, the +great war bird, was not likely to be frightened by Ma-ya-sh, the +prairie wolf, nor Ta-to-ka-dan, the antelope, nor even by great +Ma-to-ho-ta, the bear. They felt quite certain, therefore, that Hu-ya +had discovered other enemies in the grove. + +"Perhaps a war party is hiding over there," said Sun Bird. "Perhaps +they found out about the ponies. Perhaps they sent those scouts to +fool us." + +"I do not believe a war party is hiding in that place," White Otter +told him. "A war party would go away while it was dark." + +"Yes, I believe that is true," agreed Sun Bird. + +The Sioux were perplexed. Although the actions of Hu-ya, the war bird, +led them to believe that the grove concealed some of their foes, they +were unable to guess why the latter had loitered in the timber. While +they were trying to solve the mystery they saw another smoke signal +rising behind the ridge. It appeared in the place where they had +discovered the other signal. The smoke column was light and +indistinct, and soon broke into intermittent puffs. In a few moments +it ceased. + +"Now I know that some one is hiding over there where the trees grow," +declared White Otter. "I believe they are scouts. I believe they +found out about the ponies. It made them cautious. I believe those +riders went to bring the war party. I believe, they will come to that +place when it gets dark. We must watch out." + +"I believe they are Pawnees," said Sun Bird. + +"I do not know who they are, but I am going to find out about it," +White Otter told him. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +OLD ENEMIES + + +They watched until the grove finally faded out in the twilight. Then +they listened for sounds which might warn them of the arrival of a war +party. It was barely dark when they heard signals passing across the +plain. The cry of Ma-ya-sh sounded faintly from the west. It scarcely +died away before an answer rose from the vicinity of the grove. + +"The war party is coming," said Sun Bird. + +"Listen!" cautioned White Otter. + +They listened closely. Many moments passed. The stillness was +unbroken. + +"What was it?" inquired Sun Bird. + +"I heard something, far away," White Otter told him. "It sounded like +a pony. I believe some one stopped the noise." + +As time passed and they heard nothing further, they felt sure that a +company of foes had arrived at the grove. The thought made them +uneasy. They feared that the two scouts would be sure to tell their +companions about the pony tracks which crossed the ravine and led +away toward the east. The Sioux recalled that the mysterious riders +had spent some time looking toward the ridge. + +"Perhaps they know we are here," said Sun Bird. + +"Yes, I believe that is why they went away," replied White Otter. "I +believe they went to tell their people about it. Their friends waited +behind those trees to see if any one came over to this place." + +"Well, they did not see us," said Sun Bird. + +"No, they could not see us, but perhaps they know some one is watching +them," White Otter told him. "Perhaps scouts will ride over here to +find out about it. I believe scouts were close by when we were hiding +over there in that gully. Now they will come to this hill. It would be +foolish to stay here." + +"Well, my brother, what do you propose to do?" inquired Sun Bird. + +"I propose to find out about those people," replied White Otter. + +"How can you do that?" + +"Come, we will go to Little Raven," said White Otter. "Then I will +tell you about it." + +They crossed back over the ridge, and found Little Raven waiting with +the ponies. He said he had seen nothing but a stray antelope on that +side of the ridge. + +"My brothers, you must listen sharp to what I am about to tell you," +said White Otter. "I believe a war party is hiding over there where +those trees grow. I do not know who it is. That is bad. Perhaps it is +the Pawnees. The Pawnees are our enemies. Once they came to our +village and did much harm. Perhaps they are going again to make war on +my people. It is true that we came here to look for buffaloes. Well, +we found something different. We are Dacotahs. We must find out who is +over there. We must try to find out where they are going. Then we will +know what to do. Perhaps we will do a big thing for my people." + +White Otter paused and waited for his companions to speak. Many +moments passed before Sun Bird finally replied. + +"My brother, your words are good," he said. "You are a great war +chief. You are the leader. Come, tell us what you propose to do." + +"My brothers, I am going over there where the trees grow to find out +who is there," declared White Otter. "Now listen sharp. There is only +one way to do this thing. I believe scouts will come to this place. If +we cross over this hill and go straight ahead we will meet them. We +must not do that. I will tell you what to do. That gully where we hid +ourselves goes a long ways toward the lodges of my people. It is good. +We will follow this ridge that way. When we get past those trees, we +will cross this ridge and ride over to that gully. Those people will +go the other way to look for us. They will follow the tracks of our +ponies. When we get to that gully we will listen. If we do not hear +anything, I will go ahead and creep up to those trees. Perhaps I will +find out who is there." + +"You are very brave, but you must not go there alone," said Sun Bird. +"You will be in great danger. I will go with you." + +"No, you must not do that," White Otter told him. "You must stay +behind and help Little Raven with the ponies. Then if anything bad +happens to me, perhaps you can help me. It is the best way to do. +Come, my brothers, we will go away before those scouts come over here +and find us." + +They rode northward along the base of the ridge. They went a long +distance before White Otter finally turned toward the west. Then they +rode to the top of the ridge, and stopped to listen. All was still. +Darkness hid the grove. They knew that the ravine was directly ahead +of them, and they advanced cautiously toward the west. + +"Perhaps the ponies will call," Little Raven suggested, uneasily. + +"We must be ready," White Otter cautioned him. + +They rode across the plain in silence, alert for the first warning of +danger. They realized that at any moment they might encounter scouts +moving cautiously through the night along the flank of an advancing +war party. When they finally reached the ravine, the night was far +gone. White Otter and Sun Bird immediately dismounted, and climbed to +the top of the ravine. They looked anxiously in the direction of the +grove. It was hidden far away in the darkness. They watched for the +tell-tale glow of a fire, but had little hope of seeing it. + +"No, those people are not so foolish," declared White Otter. + +"Well, my brother, if there is no fire it will be hard to see who they +are," Sun Bird told him. + +"Perhaps my ears will tell me that," replied White Otter. "I know the +words of the Pawnees. I know the words of the Crows. I know the words +of the Kiowas. I will get close to that place and listen sharp." + +"White Otter, I believe it would be foolish to go over there," said +Sun Bird. "If you will listen to my words, I will tell you something +better." + +"You are my brother, and you are a chief of the brave Minneconjoux--I +will listen to your words," agreed White Otter. + +"It is good," declared Sun Bird. "Now I will tell you how I feel about +this thing. We are in a good place. Those people cannot see us when it +gets light. You say perhaps those people are Pawnees. It may be true. +You say perhaps they are going to fight your people. It may be true. +You say it makes you feel bad. You say we must find out about it. It +is true. I will tell you the best thing to do. We will stay here until +the light comes. Then we will watch close. If any one comes away from +that place we will see them. If they travel toward the lodges of your +people they will go by this place. Then we will follow them. We will +get close and find out who they are. If they go the other way, we will +let them ride away. My brother, I believe it is the best thing to +do." + +White Otter kept silent. He was studying the plan of Sun Bird. The +latter waited patiently for him to reply. It was some time before +White Otter spoke. + +"Sun Bird, I have listened to your words, but I will not do as you +propose," he said, finally. "You say if those people are going to the +lodges of my people they will pass this place. Perhaps they have +passed by here in the darkness. If we wait here until the light comes +perhaps it will be too late to help my people. My brother, I must find +out about it. I am going to do what I told you about." + +"Well, you are the leader," Sun Bird told him. "I will not talk any +more against it." + +"It is good," replied White Otter. + +A few moments afterward he disappeared into the night. Choosing a star +to guide him in the proper direction, he loped across the plain as +easily and as silently as Ma-ya-sh, the wolf. Aware that there was a +possibility of blundering into his foes, he stopped many times to +listen. The great plain was steeped in silence. He believed that the +strangers had remained in the grove. The thought somewhat relieved +his anxiety for his people. He had little fear for himself. Having +passed through many thrilling adventures, he had learned to look upon +danger and death with the stolid indifference of the seasoned warrior. + +White Otter had gone a long distance from the ravine when he suddenly +heard the long, dismal wail of a prairie wolf rising through the +night. The cry had sounded somewhere near the ridge upon which the +Sioux had passed the day. White Otter smiled as he realized that his +prophecy about the scouts had been verified. + +"They did not find us," he murmured. + +As the call was not repeated, he continued toward the grove. He +believed that the scouts were notifying their comrades that the +country was free of foes. White Otter found keen satisfaction in the +thought of outwitting them. He had little doubt that they were his +hated foes, the Pawnees, and he felt certain that they were on a war +expedition. + +As he approached the grove, White Otter slackened his pace and became +as alert and cautious as To-ka-la, the little gray fox. He knew that +if a war party had taken possession of the grove, sentinels had been +stationed on the plain to watch for foes. + +"Now I must be cautious," he told himself. + +Soon afterward he saw the grim, black outlines of the grove directly +ahead of him. It was a number of arrow flights away, however, and he +stopped to listen. He heard nothing. Then he advanced. Slowly, +cautiously, he moved through the darkness, listening and watching for +the sentinels who he feared were close at hand. Then he heard a pony +snort. He stopped and waited in breathless suspense. He decided that +the sound had come from the grove. He advanced still more cautiously. +When he finally came within bowshot of the trees, he suddenly realized +his peril. Alone and on foot, he knew that once discovered there would +be little chance of escape. Still he was unafraid. Familiarity with +danger had given him confidence. + +"I will get away," he kept telling himself. + +Then he suddenly heard the murmur of voices. For an instant the sound +alarmed him. He had approached nearer the grove than he had supposed. +He sank noiselessly to the plain. He lay there some time, endeavoring +to identify the speakers. It was hopeless. The voices were low and +indistinct, and he could not distinguish the words. He realized that +he must go nearer. He crept slowly forward, a bow length at a time. +Then he stopped to listen. The voices had ceased. His heart beat +wildly. An alarming possibility flashed through his mind. Had he been +discovered? It seemed impossible. He banished the thought. The +silence, however, made him suspicious. + +"Perhaps they are listening," he whispered. + +The silence continued. White Otter was perplexed. He was less than +half a bowshot from the cottonwoods. He heard the leaves trembling. He +moistened his finger, and found the direction of the breeze. It was +stirring toward the grove. He felt relieved. It seemed less likely +that he had been discovered. Still he was uneasy. The sudden hush +alarmed him. + +"Yes, they must be listening," he declared. + +A moment afterward a pony whinnied. It seemed to be on the other side +of the grove. It was answered by several ponies in the timber. Then +some one called. The signal was low and guarded. A reply came from the +grove. White Otter heard hoofbeats. Some one was riding toward the +cottonwoods. White Otter listened in trying suspense. He heard many +voices. He breathed easier. The mystery was explained. He suddenly +realized that the scouts had returned. It was the sound of their +approach that had hushed the speakers in the grove. + +"It is good," White Otter said, with great relief. + +He believed that as the scouts had failed to find evidence of foes, +the company in the grove might grow bolder. The next few moments +seemed to confirm his hopes. The strangers were talking with far less +caution. Still he was unable to catch their words. + +"I must go nearer," he said. + +He crawled carefully toward the timber, stopping after each bow length +to watch and listen. The sounds from the grove reassured him. The +warriors were talking and laughing, and apparently had little fear of +attack. The ponies, too, were making considerable noise. He heard them +stamping, and grunting and shaking themselves. However, he felt quite +certain that they were securely picketed. + +The sky was sprinkled with stars, and it was possible to see several +bow lengths through the night, but White Otter knew that it would be +impossible to penetrate the sinister black shadows which enveloped the +grove. His ears alone might tell him what he wished to know. He was +quite familiar with the words of the Pawnees, and the Crows, and had +heard the dialect of the Kiowas, and he hoped to identify the +strangers by their talk. It was a difficult and perilous undertaking, +for White Otter knew that to be successful he must approach close up +to the edge of the timber. + +The night was well advanced and he knew that there was little time to +spare. The ravine was far away, and he realized that he would be +compelled to exert himself to the utmost to reach it before daylight +betrayed him to his foes. Once discovered on the open plain there +would be little hope of escape. He determined to make his attempt +without further delay. For a moment only he hesitated, while he turned +his face toward the sky. + +"Wa-kan-tun-ka, make me strong to do this thing," he murmured. + +Then he began his perilous, stealthy advance toward the timber. + +The sounds convinced him that the strangers were assembled at the pool +in the center of the grove. He feared, however, that sharp-eared +sentinels might be lurking at the edge of the plain. Aware that the +slightest sound might betray him, he sank close to the earth and crept +forward as cautiously as a panther stalking its prey. It took many +moments to go a bow length. He had stopped behind a dense cluster of +bushes close to the edge of the timber, when he was startled by the +sound of voices within several bow lengths of him. He believed he had +encountered the sentinels. Scarcely daring to breathe, he pressed his +body against the plain and listened. The words of the speakers came +distinctly to his ears. He failed to recognize them. They were not the +words of the Pawnees. They did not sound like the words of the Crows. +The dialect seemed strange and unfamiliar. For some moments White +Otter was confused. He wondered if his ears were deceiving him. Then +he suddenly identified the peculiar accent. Several years before he +had heard it in the Kiowa camp. The mystery was solved. The people in +the grove were Kiowas. + +Having learned the identity of his foes, White Otter was equally eager +to know if it was a war party or only a company of hunters. He saw +little chance of gaining the information. Unable to see the warriors +or to understand their words, there seemed no way to guess the +intentions of the Kiowas. In the meantime the night was slipping by. +Daylight was not far off. White Otter knew that it would be perilous +to loiter. Nevertheless he waited, each moment hoping to hear +something which might tell him whether the Kiowas were out for peace +or war. At last he was rewarded. He heard sounds in the timber which +convinced him that the Kiowas were dancing, and singing their war +songs. The scouts at the edge of the grove had joined in the chant, +and White Otter seized the opportunity to retreat. + +Raising himself from the ground, he crawled slowly backward until he +had gone a bow length. Then he stopped to listen. The sounds still +came from the grove, but he heard nothing from the sentinels. Their +silence aroused his fears. Alarming possibilities suggested +themselves. Were the Kiowa sentinels listening? Had he betrayed +himself? He sank to the plain and waited. The moments seemed endless. +The uncertainty tried his courage. He was tempted to spring to his +feet, and dash wildly across the plain. He realized that the Kiowas +would soon overtake him. Then he heard the sentinels talking and +making their way into the grove. They had abandoned their vigil. His +heart filled with joy. He had accomplished his mission. The way was +open. He was free to go. + +The eastern sky was already turning gray when White Otter finally +approached the spot where he had left Sun Bird and Little Raven. He +stopped and imitated the bark of the little gray fox. Three times he +gave the signal. Then he listened for an answer. A familiar voice +sounded softly through the darkness. + +"The way is clear," said Sun Bird. + +A moment afterward White Otter joined him at the top of the ravine. +They descended into the gully to join Little Raven. + +"Well, my brothers, I have found out about those people," White Otter +told his companions. "They are Kiowas. I believe it is a war party." + +"How did you find out about it?" inquired Little Raven. + +"I went ahead until I got close to those trees," said White Otter. +"Then I crawled up behind some bushes. Then I heard some one talking. +I did not know the words. Pretty soon I found out about it. It sounded +like the Kiowas. I waited a long time. Then I heard those people +dancing and singing. Then I said: 'It is a war party.' That is all I +know about it." + +"Well, pretty soon it will be light," Sun Bird told him. "Then we will +find out what the Kiowas propose to do." + +"Yes, we must watch them until we know where they are going," said +White Otter. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +TRAILING A WAR PARTY + + +At daylight the Sioux peered anxiously toward the grove. It was some +time before the little cluster of trees emerged from the shadows. At +that moment the Kiowas appeared. + +"See, there are our enemies," said Sun Bird. + +"Watch sharp," White Otter cautioned him. + +Although the Kiowas were too far away to be counted, the Sioux saw at +once that it was a large company. They felt sure it was a war party. +The Kiowas had turned toward the north. White Otter watched them with +considerable uneasiness. + +"It is bad," he said. "There are many warriors. They are riding toward +the lodges of my people. We must follow them." + +"Yes, yes, we will follow them," declared Sun Bird. + +They watched closely as the Kiowas rode slowly across the plain. They +were a long distance to the westward of the ravine, and were moving +directly toward the north. As they drew nearer, the Sioux began to +count them. There were sixty horsemen in the company. They made an +imposing spectacle as they rode along in pairs. Even at the distance +the Sioux noted that some of the warriors in the lead wore great war +bonnets, and they knew that those men were chiefs and war leaders. +Then several riders left the column and galloped away in advance of +the company. + +"The scouts are going ahead to watch for enemies," said Sun Bird. + +"Hi, they are coming this way," cried White Otter. + +Two riders had turned toward the east, and were riding toward the +ravine. They were some distance to the southward of the Sioux, but the +latter were greatly alarmed. They felt quite certain that the crafty +scouts would follow along the top of the ravine to make sure that it +was free of foes. The Sioux were in despair. They feared that they had +run into a trap. There seemed to be no way of escape. Discovery seemed +certain. + +"They will find us!" cried Sun Bird. + +White Otter watched the horsemen in thoughtful silence. He was +searching his brain for a way out of the predicament. The scouts had +covered three-quarters of the distance to the ravine. Delay was +perilous. Roused by the thought, White Otter suddenly determined to +race away in full sight of his foes. + +"Come," he cried, as he scrambled wildly into the ravine. + +"The Kiowas are coming!" Sun Bird told Little Raven. + +"Jump on your ponies and follow me," shouted White Otter. + +They rode boldly out upon the plain, and turned toward the east. +Glancing back they saw that the Kiowas had stopped at sight of them. +The scouts made no effort to follow. + +"It is good," cried White Otter. "The Kiowas do not know what to do. +We will fool them." + +Convinced that their foes had no intention of pursuing them, the Sioux +slackened the speed of their ponies. Then, when they had gone a safe +distance, they turned to watch the perplexed Kiowas. The latter were +gathered in a close group, and appeared to be holding a council. + +"Well, we are far enough away, now we will wait here and see what +those people propose to do," said White Otter. + +"Do you believe they know who we are?" Little Raven asked him. + +"No," replied White Otter. + +A moment afterward the Kiowas resumed their advance toward the north. +The scouts had joined their comrades. White Otter was perplexed. He +had expected the war party to turn in another direction. If the Kiowas +really were bound for the Ogalala camp he believed they would attempt +to conceal their intentions. The fact that they continued boldly on +their way aroused his suspicions. + +"I do not know what to make of it," he told his companions. "If those +people are going to my village, I believe they will turn around to +fool us." + +"I do not believe they know who we are," said Sun Bird. "Perhaps they +took us for Pawnees or Cheyennes. Perhaps they do not believe we will +follow them." + +"Yes, yes, I see that what you say is true," White Otter replied, +hopefully. "They do not know who we are. I believe they take us for +Cheyenne hunters. It is good. If they keep going ahead, we will circle +around and get ahead of them. Then we will go to tell my people. When +the Kiowas come to fight us, we will be waiting for them." + +The Kiowas had urged their ponies into a canter. The scouts were +riding toward the ravine. The Sioux watched curiously. They wondered +if the Kiowas intended to ignore them. + +"It is mysterious," White Otter declared, suspiciously. "My brothers, +I believe those people are trying to fool us. We must be sharp." + +The scouts turned and rode along the top of the ravine, and the war +party continued toward the north. Sun Bird and Little Raven waited for +White Otter to announce his plans. The latter, however, remained +silent. He seemed bewildered by the unusual behavior of the Kiowas. He +was watching the two scouts. They glanced back at frequent intervals +to make sure that the Sioux were not following them. Otherwise they +showed little interest. + +"It is mysterious," White Otter said, again. "I do not know what to +make of it. Come, Sun Bird, tell me how you feel about it." + +"The Kiowas are going toward your village--it looks bad," Sun Bird +told him. + +"We must follow them," said White Otter. "Come, we will try to fool +them." + +He rode away toward the east. The two Minneconjoux asked no questions. +They looked upon him as the leader, and they were content to rely +upon his judgment. As they cantered across the plain they glanced back +at the Kiowas. The two scouts had stopped, and appeared to be looking +after them. + +"Those scouts are watching us," said Little Raven. + +"It is good," laughed White Otter. "We will fool them. Come, ride +faster." + +They galloped the ponies. Then, as they again looked back, they saw +that the war party, too, had stopped, far away to the westward. White +Otter laughed gleefully. He turned to the southward, toward the ridge +which they had left the day before. His companions believed that he +was planning some wily stratagem to deceive his foes. + +"Keep watching," cautioned White Otter. "Perhaps those scouts will +follow us." + +The Kiowas, however, showed no intention of riding after them. One of +the scouts was racing toward the war party. The Sioux believed he had +gone for instructions. They kept looking back to see what he would do +after he had talked with his companions. + +"See, see, he is riding back to that gully," cried Little Raven. +"Perhaps they are going to follow us." + +"No, I do not believe it," said Sun Bird. + +The war party was moving on toward the north. A few moments afterward +the scout rejoined his companion. Then they, too, rode northward along +the top of the ravine. It was apparent that the Kiowas had decided to +pay no further attention to the Sioux. + +"The Kiowas are sly," declared White Otter. "I cannot tell what they +propose to do. Perhaps they are going to the lodges of my people. +Perhaps they are trying to fool us. We must follow them and find out +about it." + +When the Sioux finally reached the ridge, the Kiowas had already +disappeared into a dip of the plain. Once over the ridge, White Otter +and Sun Bird left their ponies with Little Raven, and climbed the +slope to watch. They had little doubt that the crafty Kiowa scouts +were similarly employed far away to the northward. + +"Now I will tell you why I came here," said White Otter. "I do not +believe the Kiowas know who we are. I believe they take us for scouts. +Perhaps they take us for Cheyennes. The Cheyenne village is behind us. +I came this way to make them believe we were going there. When those +scouts do not see us, they will believe we have gone away. Then they +will go ahead. We will follow them." + +"It is good," Sun Bird told him. + +They had not watched long, however, before White Otter became +impatient. He realized that he was wasting valuable time. He wondered +if he had blundered. If the Kiowas really intended to go to the +Ogalala camp, he feared that he had given them a big advantage. They +were a long distance ahead of him, and he knew that it would be +necessary to ride hard to beat them to the goal. The thought shook his +confidence. He began to doubt the wisdom of his maneuver. Each moment +added to his uncertainty. He studied the plain for a way to follow the +war party without being seen. The ridge offered the only opportunity. +It extended a considerable distance toward the north, and by riding +along the east side of it he believed he might again come in sight of +his foes. + +"Come, Sun Bird, we will ride along behind this hill, and try to +follow the Kiowas," he said. + +Then Little Raven called, and when they turned they saw him pointing +excitedly toward the north. Looking across the plain, they discovered +a riderless pony running toward the west. + +"Bring up the ponies! Bring up the ponies!" White Otter called, in +alarm. + +They hurried down the ridge and met Little Raven. Then they sprang +upon the ponies, and galloped over the ridge. Once over the top, they +ran back to watch, while Little Raven took charge of the ponies. Two +horsemen had already appeared in pursuit of the runaway pony. The +Sioux realized that they had barely escaped discovery. + +"They did not see us," declared Sun Bird. + +"It is good," said White Otter. + +They watched the race with great interest. The riders soon overtook +the pony. Then they turned about and cantered away toward the east. +The Sioux looked inquiringly at one another. Who were the strange +riders? Where had they come from? Was another war party in the +vicinity? The alarming questions flashed through their minds. They +were puzzled. + +"I believe it is the Kiowas," White Otter declared, finally. "I +believe they have turned toward The-place-where-the-day-begins." + +"Then they must be trying to fool us," said Sun Bird. + +"I do not know what they are trying to do," White Otter replied, +suspiciously. + +In the meantime the distant horsemen had disappeared, and the plain +seemed free of foes. The Sioux looked toward the east. They examined +the tops of the knolls and ridges, and watched closely for dust, but +saw nothing to convince them that the war party had gone in that +direction. + +"This thing is mysterious," said Sun Bird. + +They realized that they were in an awkward predicament. They knew that +if scouts were loitering in the vicinity of the spot where they had +last seen the Kiowa war party it would be perilous to remain on the +western side of the ridge. Still, if they crossed the ridge and +attempted to advance along the other side they feared they would be +discovered by scouts watching somewhere on that side of the plain. For +some moments they were undecided as to just what to do. + +"My brothers, I will tell you how I feel about this thing," +Sun Bird said, suddenly. "If the Kiowas have turned toward +The-place-where-the-day-begins, I do not believe they are going to the +lodges of our people. If that is true, it would be foolish to follow +them. I believe there are many enemies in this country. We must not +stay here. Come, we will ride around and find out if the buffaloes +have come into this place. Then we will go back to our people." + +"Sun Bird, before we go away we must find out about this thing," White +Otter told him. "Perhaps it is true that the Kiowas are not going to +the lodges of my people. We are not sure about it. Perhaps they know +who we are. Perhaps they turned around to fool us. Perhaps if we do +not follow them they will circle around and come to the lodges of my +people. My brothers, we must find out where those Kiowas are going." + +"How can we do that?" inquired Little Raven. "A war party leaves +scouts behind. If we try to follow the Kiowas before it gets dark +those scouts will see us. If we wait until it gets dark the Kiowas +will be too far away." + +"Listen sharp, my brothers, and I will tell you how I propose to do +this thing," said White Otter. "It would be foolish to follow along +this hill. If we do that the Kiowas will see us. We will do something +different. We will cross over this hill, and ride away toward +The-place-where-the-day-begins. If the Kiowas are watching they will +say, 'Hi, those scouts were hiding behind that hill. Now they believe +we have gone away. See, they are going to tell their people about it. +They are riding toward the Cheyenne camp. They must be Cheyennes.' We +will keep going toward the Cheyenne lodges. Then we will circle +around, and try to find the Kiowas. If we do not find them over there, +we will know that they have gone to fight my people." + +"It is good," agreed Sun Bird. + +"We will go," said White Otter. + +They crossed the ridge, and rode boldly away toward the southeast, in +the direction of the Cheyenne camp. They had little doubt that +sharp-eyed Kiowa scouts were watching them. They glanced back many +times, but saw nothing to confirm their suspicions. + +Toward the end of the day they came in sight of another little grove +of cottonwoods. They circled about it many times before they finally +ventured within arrow-range. The grove was unoccupied, and contained a +tiny pool. They killed several sage grouse in the timber. + +"It is good," said White Otter. "We will stay here until the sun goes +away. Then we will circle around and try to find the Kiowas." + +At the end of the day they left the grove and rode off toward the +north, hoping to cross the trail of the war party. Twilight had +already fallen upon the plain when they finally found the fresh tracks +of many ponies. The trail led toward the east. The Sioux felt sure +that it had been made by the Kiowas. + +"Now we know that your people are safe," declared Sun Bird. + +"Yes, I believe it is true," replied White Otter. + +He was gazing thoughtfully across the plain. A new possibility had +suddenly suggested itself. He felt certain that he had guessed the +destination of his foes. He turned eagerly to his companions. + +"Now I know about this thing," he told them, excitedly. "I believe +those Kiowas are going to fight the Cheyennes. Yes, now I see how it +is. They took us for Cheyennes. They tried to fool us. When we went +away they circled around and came over here. Yes, yes, those Kiowas +are going to fight the Cheyennes." + +"I believe it is true," said Sun Bird. "Now we know about it. Well, we +will not follow them. We will go back and look for buffaloes." + +White Otter was silent. His friends saw that he was thinking about +something. They waited for him to speak. + +"The Cheyennes are our friends," he said at last. "Once we went with +them to fight the Pawnees. Once we went with them to fight the Kiowas. +We took away some good ponies in that fight. The Cheyennes are very +brave. Red Dog, their chief, is our friend. My brothers, I am thinking +about these things." + +"How do you feel about it?" inquired Sun Bird. + +"I will tell you," said White Otter. "We are Dacotahs. The brave +Cheyennes are our friends. The boastful Kiowas are our enemies. A +Dacotah helps his friends and fights his enemies. I am going to tell +the Cheyennes about the Kiowas." + +"It is good," declared Sun Bird. + +"Hi, we will go to the village of our brothers the Cheyennes, and help +them fight the Kiowas," Little Raven cried, enthusiastically. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +OFF TO WARN THE CHEYENNES + + +Having resolved to carry a warning to their friends, the Cheyennes, +the Sioux abandoned their peaceful hunting expedition, and prepared +for war. The idea filled them with enthusiasm. The Kiowas were old +foes who stole Sioux ponies and killed Sioux hunters at every +opportunity, and the three young scouts were ready and eager to make +war upon them. It was not the first time they had maneuvered against +the Kiowas, and they had learned from experience that the latter were +brave and crafty foes. + +"White Otter, you are a great war chief, you must be the leader," +declared Sun Bird. + +"Yes, White Otter, you are the leader," agreed Little Raven. "Tell us +what you propose to do." + +"We must get to the Cheyenne village ahead of the Kiowas," White Otter +told them. "We will not follow them. We will circle back toward the +Cheyenne lodges. Come, we must go." + +They turned about and rode in the direction of the Cheyenne camp. It +was a day's journey distant, and they realized that to beat the +Kiowas they must reach the village before the next sunrise. The day +was almost gone, and the light was fading from the plain. Aware that +it would be necessary to ride continuously through the night, they +held the ponies to an easy canter. As they rode they kept a sharp +watch to the eastward where the heavy night shadows were already +forming. They were fearful that the Kiowas might have discovered them. +In that event they felt sure that those crafty foes would endeavor to +intercept them before they reached the Cheyennes. + +"There is a hill over there," White Otter said, suspiciously. "It is +bad. Perhaps the Kiowas are riding along behind it." + +They looked anxiously into the east, but the ridge had vanished into +the dusk. They wondered if grim Kiowa warriors were racing along +behind the barrier. The idea troubled them. They rode faster. The +approach of darkness, however, gave them confidence. They believed it +would be possible to elude their foes under cover of the night. + +When they finally turned toward the east the plain was dark. They rode +more cautiously. It was not long before they heard sounds which made +them suspicious. A wolf howled somewhere ahead of them. They +immediately stopped to listen. They heard it a second time, but it +seemed perfectly natural. + +"It sounds like Ma-ya-sh," said Little Raven. + +"I believe it is a Kiowa," White Otter told him. "We must watch out." + +They turned from their course, and rode on at a walk. Before they had +gone an arrow flight, they heard the cry of the wolf a short distance +north of them. They wondered if the scout who had called before had +circled to search for them. + +"No, I believe it is some one different," whispered White Otter. "It +did not sound the same." + +"Your ears are sharp," said Sun Bird. + +A moment afterward a pony whinnied shrilly. Little Raven's pony +replied. They stopped in alarm. It was apparent that the Kiowas were +on all sides of them. They feared that the pony had betrayed them. +They were at a loss to know just what to do. + +"Listen," cautioned White Otter. + +They waited anxiously to hear the hoofbeats of advancing ponies. The +plain was still. They wondered if the Kiowas, too, had stopped to +listen. The possibility made them cautious. They feared to ride away +before they located their foes. They believed that if the Kiowas heard +them they might close in and make it impossible to escape. Their only +chance seemed to be to withdraw quietly, and slip away in the +darkness. + +"It is bad," White Otter whispered. "Perhaps some of the Kiowas will +try to keep us here until their friends ride to the Cheyenne camp." + +"Yes, yes, I believe it is what they are trying to do," declared Sun +Bird. + +The thought aroused them. They realized that each moment of delay +lessened the chance of arriving at the Cheyenne village in time to +warn their friends. They feared that the war party was racing wildly +through the night in an effort to beat them to the goal. + +"We must go ahead," said White Otter. + +They rode cautiously toward the east. When they had gone several arrow +flights without encountering their foes they became bolder. They urged +the ponies to a canter. A moment later a piercing yell rose behind +them. It was answered on both sides of them. They heard the hoofbeats +of galloping ponies. + +"Keep going! Keep going!" cried White Otter. + +Aware that further caution would be useless, they lashed the ponies to +top speed, and began a wild race across the plain. They heard the +Kiowas thundering after them. They were whooping savagely, and the +Sioux learned that they were on three sides of them. The front +appeared to be open. Then White Otter suddenly suspected a trap. + +"Watch out for the hill!" he cried, warningly. + +They feared that other Kiowas were waiting for them on top of the +ridge. There seemed to be no way to avoid them. With foes on both +sides of them, they were forced to ride ahead. Ready to fight those +who might attempt to bar the way, they stared anxiously into the night +for a sight of the low, black barrier that threatened them with +disaster. It soon loomed up through the darkness. They drew their bows +and prepared to fight. Then, when they had almost reached the base of +the ridge, White Otter attempted a bold bit of stratagem to outwit his +foes. + +"Stop! Stop!" he cried. + +They threw the ponies upon their haunches. Then they listened. The +Kiowas rushed past them. White Otter saw his opportunity. There was +not a moment to spare. + +"Come!" he shouted, as he rode wildly toward the south. + +The trick had been successful. The Kiowas rode part way up the ridge +before they discovered that they had passed their foes. Then they +dashed recklessly down the slope, and stopped for an instant to learn +which way the Sioux had gone. + +"Follow me," cried White Otter. + +When they had gone a bowshot, the Sioux turned up the ridge and swept +over the summit before the Kiowas who were waiting to intercept them +learned what had happened. They reached the level plain and were a +full bowshot away when they heard the Kiowas riding furiously down the +ridge in pursuit of them. + +"Ride faster!" shouted White Otter. + +They forced the ponies to the utmost in an effort to get beyond +hearing of their foes. The Kiowas had become quiet. Even the sounds +from their ponies had died away. The Sioux felt encouraged. They +believed they had ridden beyond earshot of their pursuers. Still they +kept the ponies to the exhausting pace, for they determined to make +the most of their advantage. + +"We have fooled them--it is good," laughed White Otter. "They cannot +hear us. They do not know which way to go." + +"White Otter, you are as sharp as To-ka-la, the fox," Sun Bird told +him. + +"Yes, yes, you were too sharp for the Kiowas," declared Little Raven. + +"Well, my brothers, we must not feel too big about this thing," White +Otter cautioned them. "The war party is ahead of us. We must watch +out." + +He had barely ceased speaking when they heard the wolf cry rising +through the night. It sounded far behind them. Three times it echoed +across the plain. They knew at once that it was a signal. + +"The scouts are telling their friends about us," said White Otter. + +They listened for an answer. They hoped it would give them a clew to +the whereabouts of the war party. There was no reply. It was evident +that the main company of Kiowas were either beyond hearing or too +cautious to betray themselves. The first possibility gave the Sioux +considerable concern. If the war party was beyond hearing, they +realized that it was far in advance of them. They wondered if their +ponies were equal to the task of overtaking their foes. + +"We must go faster," White Otter said, impatiently. + +The ponies were running at speed which few ponies in the Dacotah +nation could equal, and the Sioux believed that if they could maintain +the pace they would eventually overtake and pass the Kiowas. The +gallant little beasts showed no signs of weakening, and the riders +made no effort to spare them. White Otter rode a fiery little piebald +which had been presented to him by Curly Horse, the war chief of the +Minneconjoux Sioux. It had proved its powers on an expedition against +the Blackfeet the year previous, when it outran the famous black war +pony of the Blackfeet chief. Many Buffaloes. White Otter had little +fear that it would fail him in the present emergency. Sun Bird rode a +wiry little roan, that had proved a worthy competitor of the piebald. +Little Raven was mounted upon a wild-eyed pinto, which White Otter had +presented to him several years before. It, too, was famous for speed +and endurance. + +Convinced that there was slight danger of being overtaken by the +scouts, the Sioux fixed their thoughts upon the war party. The wolf +calls still came from the west, but there was no response from the +east. White Otter wondered if the main force of Kiowas really were as +far away as they appeared to be. + +"Perhaps they are watching for us," suggested Sun Bird. "Perhaps they +are keeping quiet so that we will not know where they are." + +"It may be true," said White Otter. + +They had little doubt that the Kiowas would make every effort to +prevent them from carrying a warning to the Cheyenne camp. White Otter +believed that the war party planned to approach the village under +cover of the night, and make a sudden attack at daylight. + +"We will tell the Cheyennes about it," he said. "They will be ready +when the Kiowas come to fight them." + +The Sioux were still a long distance from their goal, however, and +they feared to become too confident. Two disturbing possibilities +confronted them. One was that they might eventually encounter the war +party. The other was that the courageous little ponies might suddenly +collapse with exhaustion. The latter thought caused them the most +anxiety. They decided to ride at an easier pace. Then White Otter +resolved to turn more to the southward in the hope of passing the +Kiowas. He also believed that it would offer a shorter and more +direct route to the Cheyenne camp. + +The signals from the west had ceased, and the Sioux wondered if the +scouts had abandoned hope of getting into communication with the war +party. Then the hateful call suddenly sounded across the plain. It +seemed considerably nearer. They were perplexed. Had the Kiowas +actually gained upon them? It seemed unlikely. + +"Perhaps we have passed the war party," said Sun Bird. + +"It is mysterious," declared White Otter. "I believe we are running +into danger." + +They stopped for a moment to listen. The ponies had barely come to a +standstill when they heard another signal directly ahead of them. It +was so distinct and close at hand that it startled them. The one who +had made it seemed to be within arrow range. The Sioux believed that +they had overtaken the war party. The thought roused them. They +wondered if the Kiowas had discovered them. They heard a horse +cantering across the plain. It was somewhere on their right. It +passed, and they felt relieved. Then they heard voices. The speakers +were within bow range. The rider was moving toward them. The voices +ceased as the pony drew near. Then the Sioux heard a low, cautious +challenge pass between the scouts. A moment afterward they resumed +their talk. The rider had joined his friends. + +"The Kiowas have left scouts behind to watch," White Otter whispered. +"Pretty soon those other scouts will come. We must get away." + +Then several of the Kiowa ponies called, and the Sioux rode away at a +furious pace. The Kiowas instantly raised the alarm, and raced after +them. White Otter heard an arrow pass over his head. + +"Keep low on your ponies!" he cried. "The Kiowas are shooting their +arrows." + +The Sioux ponies soon carried their riders beyond danger, and then +White Otter veered sharply in his course and threw the Kiowas from the +trail. Although there seemed to have been a number of riders, the +Sioux believed that they were scouts, and that the war party was still +riding toward the Cheyenne camp. + +"They will not catch us again," laughed White Otter, as he turned +still farther to the southward. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A PERILOUS MISSION + + +Daylight was close at hand when the Sioux suddenly heard the dogs +barking furiously in the Cheyenne village. The sounds filled them with +alarm. Had they arrived too late to warn the Cheyennes? Had the Kiowas +beaten them to the goal? Had the fight begun? The possibilities tried +their courage. Lashing their exhausted ponies into a final, +heart-breaking sprint they raced recklessly toward the camp. + +As they came within bowshot of the village they heard a company of +horsemen riding to meet them. They drew in the ponies, and listened in +trying suspense. Had they encountered friends or foes? They determined +to take no chances. Drawing their bows, they waited for the riders to +approach. They had stopped. They, too, were suspicious and cautious. + +"Ho, Cheyennes, we are Dacotahs," cried White Otter. "We have come to +help you." + +They heard the murmur of voices. A pony called. Then all was still. +The Sioux waited impatiently. Many moments passed. They became +suspicious. + +"I believe it is the Kiowas," said Sun Bird. + +As he spoke a voice sounded from the darkness. It addressed them in +the Sioux dialect. + +"Ho, Dacotahs, tell us who you are," it said. + +"Watch out, perhaps the Kiowas are trying to catch us," said Sun Bird. + +"I am White Otter; ask your chief Red Dog about me," White Otter +called out. + +"Ho, my brother, we will come to meet you," said the stranger. + +"Wait," cried White Otter. "First tell me who you are." + +"I am Painted Weasel--do you know me?" + +"Yes, I know you," said White Otter. + +The Sioux advanced and found a small company of Cheyennes waiting a +short distance from the village. Painted Weasel was an old friend whom +the Sioux greeted warmly. They found a number of other acquaintances +in the company that had ridden out to intercept them. Painted Weasel, +however, was the only one who spoke their words. + +"Your ponies have run fast," said Painted Weasel. "Has anything bad +happened to you?" + +"My brother, the Kiowas are coming to fight you," White Otter told +him. "We found out about it, and came here to tell you. They are close +by. There is little time. Ride to the camp and call your warriors." + +Painted Weasel addressed his companions. When he finished speaking, +three Cheyennes rode silently into the night. The Sioux knew that they +had gone to watch for the Kiowas. + +"Come," said Painted Weasel. + +When they arrived at the camp they were met by Red Dog, the Cheyenne +war chief, an old friend and ally whom White Otter and Sun Bird had +saved from death at the hands of the Pawnees. + +"Ho, my brothers, you have come to our lodges--it is good," cried Red +Dog. + +"No, Red Dog, it is bad," White Otter told him. "We came here to tell +you that the Kiowas are coming to fight you. They are close by. You +must get ready." + +When Red Dog repeated the warning to his tribesmen, they were thrown +into a frenzy of excitement. In a few few moments the camp was in an +uproar. All was confusion, as the alarmed Cheyennes ran through the +village calling the people from the lodges. Then Red Dog took command, +and restored order. + +"Light the fires!" he cried. "Drive in the ponies." + +The women and boys brought fuel for the fires. A company of young men +rode out on the plain to drive in the ponies. The warriors gathered +eagerly about their chief. The Sioux noted that the Cheyennes were few +in numbers. + +"It is bad," Red Dog told White Otter. "Many of our warriors have gone +to hunt buffaloes. There are few of us here. It will be hard to hold +off the Kiowas." + +"We will help you," said White Otter. + +"It is good," replied Red Dog. "I have seen you do big things. My +people will feel strong because you are here." + +Fires had been lighted to prevent the Kiowas from entering the camp +under cover of the darkness. Soon afterward the young men drove in the +ponies. They were driven into a stout corral. Then the warriors +stationed themselves along the edge of the village to watch for the +Kiowas. The Sioux joined Red Dog. The latter was a cripple, having had +both legs broken at the time the Sioux saved him from the Pawnees. + +"See, it is getting light," White Otter said, hopefully. "I believe +the Kiowas will hold back. Perhaps they know that we have told you +about them." + +"Do they know who you are?" inquired Red Dog. + +"No," replied White Otter. "I believe they took us for your people." + +"It is good," declared Red Dog. + +As darkness finally passed, and dawn lighted the plain, the little +company of Cheyennes looked anxiously toward the west. The Kiowas, +however, failed to appear. The Cheyennes felt more hopeful. They +believed there was less chance of the Kiowas attacking the camp in +daylight. + +"If they do not know that our people are away, they will be cautious," +said Red Dog. "Perhaps they were coming here to run off ponies." + +"Yes, I believe that is what they proposed to do," White Otter told +him. + +Soon afterward they saw three of the Cheyenne scouts riding toward the +camp. When they arrived, the warriors crowded about them to learn what +they had discovered. They said that they had heard nothing of the +Kiowas during the night, but at daylight they had discovered what +appeared to be a wolf, at the top of a ravine some distance to the +westward. The actions of the wolf had convinced them that it was a +disguised scout, and they believed the war party was hiding in the +ravine. Two of the Cheyenne scouts had remained out on the plain to +watch. + +"Yes, I believe that wolf was a Kiowa," White Otter told Red Dog. +"That is how they tried to fool us, but we were too sharp." + +"I do not believe they will come here while it is light," said Red +Dog. "Thunder Hawk and Running Buffalo are watching. They are sharp. +The Kiowas will not get past them." + +Convinced that there was no immediate danger of an attack, the +Cheyennes relaxed their vigilance. Red Dog appointed some of the older +boys to watch along the edge of the camp, while the warriors assembled +in council to discuss plans for defending the village. + +"My brothers, the Kiowas are close by," said Red Dog. "Our brothers, +the Sioux, have told us about them. It was a big thing to do. If these +brave Sioux had not come here, perhaps the Kiowas would have run off +many ponies. Now we know about it. The Kiowas are strong. There are +few of us. It will be hard to keep them out of the camp. We must send +scouts to bring back the hunters. Then we must make a big fight until +our people come." + +"Red Dog, give us fresh ponies, and we will go to find your brothers," +White Otter told him. + +"It is good," said Red Dog. "Cheyennes, the Sioux are our friends. +They are going to bring back the hunters. They are great scouts. The +Kiowas cannot fool them. Come, my brothers, lead out three of my best +war ponies for these brave Sioux." + +Three of the best ponies in the Cheyenne tribe were brought for White +Otter and his companions. When they mounted them and prepared to ride +away, an old man came forward and signaled that he wished to speak to +them. + +"It is Ghost Bear, he is a great Medicine Person," Red Dog told them. + +"Young men, I have some words for you," he said in the Sioux tongue. +"You came here to help us. You are our friends. I know about you. You +are brave. You are going into great danger. You are going into the +country of our enemies, the Pawnees. I do not wish anything bad to +happen to you. That is why I am going to help you. But first tell me +who is the leader." + +"My brother, White Otter, is the leader," Sun Bird told him. "He is a +great war chief of the Ogalalas. He has done many big things." + +"Yes, yes, I know that White Otter is a great chief," said Ghost Bear. +"I know that he saved the life of Red Dog. I know that he went with +our people to fight the Kiowas. Now, White Otter, I am going to give +you something to keep you safe. You must wear this mysterious Medicine +Bag about your neck. It will make you strong and keep you from harm. +It will give you power to overcome your enemies." + +He advanced to White Otter and gave him a small buckskin bag. White +Otter fastened it about his neck. The superstitious young Ogalala felt +certain that it contained some mysterious Medicine Token which would +guard him against misfortune. + +"Ghost Bear, I see that you are a great Medicine Person," he said. +"You have given me this mysterious Medicine Thing. I will keep it. I +believe it will make me strong." + +"My brothers, you are about to ride away, perhaps the Kiowas will try +to catch you," said Red Dog. "I do not believe they will be able to +come up with those ponies. We will keep watching. If the Kiowas go +after you, we will ride out and drive them back." + +"No, my brother, that would be foolish," White Otter told him. "Ghost +Bear has given me this great Medicine Thing. I see that these ponies +are fast. The Kiowas cannot harm us. You must keep watching. The +Kiowas are sharp. Pretty soon we will bring back your brothers. Then +we will ride out and chase away the Kiowas. We will take many ponies. +Now we are going away. Be brave, my friends." + +Then the three Sioux scouts rode away toward the south. The Cheyennes +stood at the edge of the camp and looked after them. They kept a sharp +watch to the westward. There was no sign of their foes. They wondered +if the Kiowas had discovered the three horsemen. + +"I do not believe the Kiowas will follow them," Red Dog said, +hopefully. + +They continued to watch until the Sioux were far away. Then they felt +less anxious. Having gained a big lead, they believed the Sioux would +have little difficulty in keeping ahead of their foes. Then they +suddenly discovered something which filled them with gloomy +forebodings of evil. A golden eagle, the war bird, had appeared in +the sky. It was circling directly over the camp. The Cheyennes +watched it with superstitious fear. + +"It is bad," cried old Ghost Bear, the Medicine Man. "It means war." + +"Look, look, the great war bird is flying toward the place where the +Kiowas are hiding," cried the Cheyennes. + +"It is a bad sign," the old men declared, solemnly. + +"My brothers, we must get ready to fight," said Ghost Bear. "The war +bird has warned us. I believe the Kiowas will come to the village." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +RED DOG'S STRATAGEM + + +Shortly after the Sioux had disappeared, the Cheyennes discovered what +appeared to be smoke, far away to the westward. They watched for some +time before they became convinced that it was not a cloud. Then as +they finally agreed that it was smoke, they felt sure that it was a +signal from the Kiowa war party. + +"It is bad," said Red Dog. "I believe the Kiowas are waiting for more +warriors. They are sending up that smoke to tell them where they are." + +"It must be so," declared Painted Weasel, a famous scout. + +The possibility filled the Cheyennes with gloom. Already outnumbered +by the war party in the distant ravine, they realized that there was +little chance of holding the village against a still stronger force of +foes. For a moment they gave way to despair. Some of them proposed to +abandon the camp, and seek safety in flight. + +"No, no, that would be useless," Red Dog cried fiercely. "Look about +you. Do you see the old people and the women and children? Well, my +brothers, think about it. They cannot travel fast. If we try to get +away, the Kiowas will soon come up with us. Then most of us will be +killed. We must stay here and fight. We are Cheyennes. Does a Cheyenne +throw away his women and children to save himself? I am your chief. I +will stay here and fight back the Kiowas until our brothers come to +help us." + +The words of Red Dog roused the fighting blood of his warriors. They +replied with a ringing war cry that echoed threateningly across the +plain, and carried a bold challenge to their foes. The courage of +their chief gave them confidence, and they were eager to meet the +Kiowas. Some of the old men ran for the war drums. Then the warriors +gathered in the center of the camp, and began to dance and sing their +boastful war songs. + +"It is good," cried Red Dog. "I see that you are ready to fight. If +the Kiowas come to the village we will kill them and take away their +ponies." + +Once begun, the war ceremonies were continued far into the day. Then +they were suddenly brought to an end by the appearance of one of the +scouts who was racing toward the camp. When he came nearer they +recognized him as White Horse, a noted warrior. As he rode his +sweating pony into the village, the Cheyennes gathered eagerly about +him to learn what he had seen. + +"It is bad," White Horse told them. "Many more Kiowas have gone into +that gully." + +"Come, get off your pony and tell us about it," said Red Dog. + +"Well, my brothers, I was watching with Running Buffalo and Thunder +Hawk," said White Horse. "For a long time we did not see anything. +Then we saw some smoke. It was far away. Pretty soon it stopped. Then +we saw some smoke coming out of that gully. Then we said, 'Some more +Kiowas are coming. They are over there where we saw that first smoke. +They are trying to find the war party.' Then we watched close. Pretty +soon we saw a scout crawl out of that gully. He looked all around. He +could not see us. Then he looked toward that place where the smoke +was. He looked a long time. Pretty soon we saw some one on a pony over +there. Then the man who came out of the gully began to wave a robe. +Then the man on the pony began to ride around. Running Buffalo said, +'Those Kiowas are talking to one another.' We kept watching. Pretty +soon we saw many riders coming out of the place where the smoke was. +They were riding toward that gully. Then some more Kiowas came out of +the gully to watch. They were waving their arms. The riders came +faster. Then they all went into that gully. My brothers, it is a great +war party. I believe they will come to the village when it gets dark. +Now I have told you about it." + +The Cheyennes remained silent for some moments after White Horse had +ceased speaking. His words had confirmed the significance of the +distant smoke signal. They believed that the odds against them had +doubled. The thought sobered them. They felt little inclination to +talk. At last, however, old Ghost Bear rose to address them. + +"My friends, White Horse has brought bad words," he told them. "He +says that many Kiowas are hiding over there in that gully. What I told +you about the great war bird has come true. I believe we will have a +big fight. Well, we are Cheyennes. We have fought the boastful Kiowas +many times. We have killed many of their warriors. We have run off +many of their ponies. Pretty soon I am going to burn some sweet +grass, and sing the Medicine Songs. Then I am going to talk to the +Above People. I am going to ask them to help us. They will make us +strong. Cheyennes, you must be brave. I believe we will hold off the +Kiowas until our brothers come. I have finished." + +A few moments later Red Dog spoke. The Cheyennes turned to him with +eager attention. He was a great war leader, the son of their beloved +chief, War Eagle, who had been killed in a disastrous battle with the +Pawnees, and they looked upon him with respect and admiration. They +believed that he might find a way to overcome the advantage of the +Kiowas, and save the camp. + +"My people, Ghost Bear has given you good words," said Red Dog. "I +believe what he says is true. I believe the Kiowas propose to fight +us. I am not thinking about that. I am thinking about the old people +and the women and children. We must try to get them away before the +Kiowas come. + +"Now, my brothers, listen sharp. I will tell you what I propose to do. +We will keep watching until its gets dark. I do not believe the +Kiowas will come while it is light. When it begins to get dark we +will send the old people and the women and children away. Some +of you must go with them. You must ride far over toward the +Place-where-the-day-begins. Then you must circle around and go toward +the lodges of our brothers, the Ogalalas. You must send a scout ahead +to tell the Ogalalas about it. They will come to help you. + +"After the women and children have gone away, the rest of us will get +ready to fight the Kiowas. We will try hard to keep them out of the +camp. Perhaps we will be wiped away. I cannot tell about that. We are +Cheyennes. A Cheyenne is not afraid to die." + +The Cheyennes immediately approved the plan of Red Dog. They believed +it offered the only chance of saving the women and children. All of +the warriors, however, wished to remain at the camp with Red Dog to +fight the Kiowas. + +In the meantime old Ghost Bear came from the Medicine Lodge with the +sacred Medicine Pipe. He called the Cheyennes to assemble in the camp. +When they had formed the council circle, Ghost Bear asked a boy to +bring some dry willow sticks. Then he asked a warrior to kindle a +fire. As the sticks began to burn, Ghost Bear unwrapped the Medicine +Pipe. Then he rose, and tossed a handful of sweet grass upon the fire. +As it burned he raised his aged face toward the sky, and chanted a +Medicine Song. Then he took some dried bark of the red willow from a +small buckskin bag, and filled the bowl of the pipe. Having made these +preparations, he turned to the Cheyennes. + +"My brothers, I have called you here to take part in the great +Medicine Ceremony," he told them. "I have made many smokes to the +Above People. It is good. I believe they will help us. Now I am going +ahead with the great Medicine Ceremony. You must watch close, and see +what I do." + +He drew a blazing stick from the fire, and lighted the pipe. For +several moments he extended the pipe stem toward the sky, while he +invited the mysterious Above People to smoke. Then he drew upon the +pipe and puffed the smoke toward the sky, the earth, the east, the +south, the west and the north. Having begun the ceremony, he passed +the pipe to Red Dog, who puffed the smoke toward the sky. The chief +passed the pipe to the warrior at his right, and thus it went round +the circle, each warrior puffing smoke toward the sky and calling +upon the Above People to help him. + +After all had smoked, the pipe was returned to Ghost Bear, who +replaced it in its wrappings. Then he began a weird, melancholy chant, +while he moved slowly around the little fire, shaking a medicine +rattle. The Cheyennes watched him in superstitious fascination. They +believed implicitly in the strange Medicine Beings with whom old Ghost +Bear claimed relationship, and they hoped that he might arouse them +against the Kiowas. + +When Ghost Bear finally ended the mysterious Medicine Ceremony, the +Cheyennes again stationed themselves along the edge of the camp to +watch the plain. The day was almost finished. The thought of darkness +filled them with doubts. They believed that the night threatened them +with disaster. + +"Pretty soon it will be dark," they told one another, uneasily. + +As the sun finally disappeared behind the western rim of the plain, +they saw a horseman riding toward the camp. They watched him in great +suspense. It seemed a long time before he came within bow range. Then +they recognized him as Running Buffalo, one of the scouts. + +"Running Buffalo is coming to tell us something about the Kiowas," +they said. + +"My brothers, the Kiowas are singing the war songs and making many +talks," Running Buffalo told them. "I believe they will set out to +fight us as soon as it gets dark. It is bad. There are many Kiowas. +Yes, each of us will have to fight three Kiowas. I do not know what +will become of the old people, and the women and children. I will not +talk about it. My heart is heavy." + +"Running Buffalo, we know that many Kiowas are over there in that +place, but we are not afraid," Red Dog told him. "We are ready. We +will make a big fight, and try to hold them back until our brothers +come to help us. Our friends, the Sioux, have gone to bring them. + +"Now listen to what I am about to say. I am going to fool the Kiowas, +and let the old people and the women and children get away. I am going +to send them to our friends, the brave Ogalalas. Now I will tell you +what I propose to do. When it gets dark some of us will ride away +toward the Place-where-the-warm-wind-blows. We will not go far. Then +we will turn around, and ride back to the camp. We will make a big +noise. Our brothers in the camp will make a big noise. When the Kiowas +hear it they will say, 'Hi, some people have come to help the +Cheyennes.' Then they will stop, and send out scouts. Well, while we +are making that noise, the women and children will get away. They will +go toward the Place-where-the-day-begins. Then they will circle around +and ride fast toward the Ogalala lodges. Some of us will go with them. +Some one will ride ahead and ask the Ogalalas to help us. If the +Kiowas go that way you must tell us about it. Now you know what I +propose to do. See, the light is going. Ride back there and tell your +brothers about it." + +"It is good," said Running Buffalo. "I will go. When the Kiowas ride +toward the village we will keep ahead of them. When you hear the +little gray fox barking you will know that the Kiowas are coming." + +He mounted his pony and rode away into the west. The Cheyennes watched +him in gloomy silence. The light was fading. The day had ended. Night +was close at hand. + +Then Red Dog began preparations for the defense of the camp. The boys +and old men were piling brush and wood along the edge of the village, +to be lighted if the Kiowas attempted to enter. Fires had already been +lighted in the center of the camp. The war ponies were brought in, and +securely picketed. The frightened women were packing meat for their +journey into the north. + +Red Dog called the warriors to the fire. It was a pitiably small +company. The Cheyenne chief looked upon them with pride. They were +great broad-shouldered fellows in the prime of life. Their solemn +faces and serious eyes told him that they understood the peril which +threatened them. Still there was no trace of fear in their hearts. +They waited calmly for the words of their chief. + +"My friends, the light has almost gone," Red Dog told them. "We must +get ready to send away the women and children, and the old people. I +will ask some of you to go out on the plain. Do not go far. Then you +must turn around, and ride to the village. Call out, and sing the war +songs. Make a big noise. + +"Now I will call out the names of some warriors to go with the women +and children. Cloud Eagle, and Two Dogs, and Walks Alone, and Hairy +Robe, and Lame Bear must take these people to the Ogalalas. I will +make Cloud Eagle the leader. Now you must get ready to go. When we +make that big noise you must ride away." + +The five warriors who had been selected to guard the women and +children on the perilous journey into the north were eager to remain +and fight the Kiowas. They concealed their disappointment, however, +and began to round up the ponies. + +"Listen, Cheyennes," old Ghost Bear cried, excitedly. "I am an old +man, but I am not going away. My arms are strong. My eyes are sharp. I +will stay here and help you fight the Kiowas." + +Encouraged by his example, many other valiant veterans of the war +trail offered their services against the Kiowas. Red Dog accepted +them. He realized that in the emergency their assistance might be +valuable. + +"My brothers, you are very brave," he told them. "All of you have +fought in many battles. If you feel like staying here to fight, I will +tell you to stay. Perhaps you will kill many Kiowas." + +Having made preparations for the daring stratagem by which he hoped to +save the women and children, Red Dog divided his little force into two +companies. He appointed Painted Weasel as leader of the company that +was to ride out on the plain, while Red Dog assumed command of the +warriors in the camp. Then the Cheyennes waited for darkness. + +When night finally settled upon the plain, Painted Weasel and his +companions mounted their ponies and rode away toward the south. At the +same time Cloud Eagle assembled the women and children. Then the +Cheyennes listened for the signal that would set the camp in a tumult. + +"Hi, they are coming!" cried Red Dog. + +The hoofbeats of galloping ponies sounded across the plain, and a +moment afterward the night rang with the wild shouts of the riders. +The warriors in the camp replied with the piercing Cheyenne war cry. +Then a perfect bedlam of sounds rose from the village. Men shouted, +dogs barked and ponies whinnied. + +"Come, come, ride away!" Red Dog told Cloud Eagle. + +A moment afterward the little company galloped toward the east. The +hoofbeats of the ponies were smothered by the noise from the camp. +When the wild tumult finally subsided, the warriors raised their +voices in the war songs, and the sounds carried far across the plain. +Red Dog felt certain that the noise had reached the ears of the +Kiowas. + +"It is good," he cried. "We have frightened the Kiowas. They will be +cautious. It will be a long time before they come close. The women and +children have got away." + +The Cheyennes became quiet. They stood at the edge of the village, +listening anxiously. The plain was silent. A great joy filled their +hearts. They believed that their women and children had escaped from +the Kiowas. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE ATTACK ON THE CAMP + + +Elated at the successful escape of the women and children, the +Cheyennes awaited the Kiowas with less anxiety. They stood at the edge +of the village, listening for a warning from the scouts. Some of the +older boys had been appointed to stand beside the piles of brush, +ready to light them at the command of their chief. A small detail of +warriors surrounded the corral to prevent the Kiowas from running off +the ponies. The old men kept the fires blazing fiercely in the center +of the camp. Everything was ready. The Cheyennes were eager to begin +the fight. + +"Perhaps the Kiowas are afraid to come," laughed old Ghost Bear. + +"Keep watching--they will come," Red Dog warned him. + +When half of the night had passed, and they had heard nothing of the +war party, some of the younger warriors began to repeat the words of +Ghost Bear. The older men cautioned them against becoming too +confident. They believed that the Kiowas were delaying the attack +with the hope of catching them off their guard. + +"The Kiowas are sharp," said Red Dog. "We must watch out or they will +fool us." + +Soon afterward the warriors along the southerly side of the camp +called out that they had heard a signal. The bark of the little gray +fox had sounded far away to the southward. The Cheyennes listened in +tense silence. In a few moments the signal was repeated. They knew it +had come from one of their scouts. They turned to one another in +surprise. Having expected the Kiowas to approach from the west, the +call in the south perplexed them. + +"It is bad," said Red Dog. "The Kiowas have separated." + +"Perhaps scouts went over there to find out who came to the camp," +suggested Painted Weasel. + +"Yes, that may be true," Red Dog replied, thoughtfully. + +Then they heard another signal. It sounded from the West, and was +nearer the camp. Red Dog saw his suspicions confirmed. He was +confident that the Kiowas had separated into two companies. + +"They are coming up on both sides of us," declared Painted Weasel. + +A moment later they heard hoofbeats. A pony was racing toward them, +from the west. The dogs barked furiously. The Cheyennes believed that +one of the scouts was approaching, but they determined to be prepared. +They drew their bows, and watched suspiciously. The pony stopped when +it came within arrow range. Then they heard the familiar signal. + +"Who are you?" inquired Red Dog. + +"Thunder Hawk," said a voice from the darkness. + +"Ride ahead," Red Dog told him. + +In a few moments Thunder Hawk entered the camp. He said that the +Kiowas had separated into two companies. One had ridden toward the +south. The other was approaching from the west. + +"Running Buffalo followed the Kiowas who rode away," said Thunder +Hawk. "White Horse is watching the Kiowas who are coming toward the +village. He sent me here to tell you about it." + +"Did you hear us making that noise?" Red Dog asked him. + +"Yes, we heard ponies running, and shouts, and then we heard the war +songs," said Thunder Hawk. "After that the Kiowas rode away." + +"They must be scouts," said Red Dog. "Perhaps they are trying to find +out who came here." + +"No, they are not scouts," declared Thunder Hawk. "There are many +ponies. It is a big war party. I believe they are the warriors who +came from the Place-where-the-sun-sleeps." + +"Then I know about it," said Red Dog. "I believe scouts saw the ponies +out there on the plain. Those riders who went away are going to circle +around, and try to run off those ponies. Well, we will fool them. The +ponies are here." + +"Yes, yes, that is what they propose to do," the Cheyennes told one +another. + +While they were talking, they heard some one approaching from the +south. They felt certain it was Running Buffalo. He stopped and +imitated the bark of the little gray fox. Then he galloped to the +camp. + +"Get ready to fight!" cried Running Buffalo. "The Kiowas are coming. +They are close behind me. They are trying to find the ponies." + +"The ponies are here," Red Dog told him, as he pointed toward the +corral. + +"It is good," said Running Buffalo. "My brothers, there are many +Kiowas in that war party." + +"We are ready," Red Dog said, grimly. + +Having learned that the Kiowas were advancing upon the camp, the +Cheyennes listened anxiously for the approach of White Horse. As time +passed, and he failed to arrive, they became uneasy about him. They +wondered what had caused him to loiter. They feared that the Kiowas +who were approaching from the south might circle about the village and +trap him. + +"I will go out there and find him," Thunder Hawk proposed, +impulsively. + +"Wait," cautioned Red Dog. "White Horse is sharp. The Kiowas will not +catch him. He is waiting to find out about something. He will come." + +As he finished speaking they heard the signal in the north. It filled +them with alarm. Their thoughts turned to Cloud Eagle and the helpless +company in his care. Had the crafty Kiowas sent scouts into the north? +The Cheyennes weakened at the possibility. They waited in breathless +suspense for White Horse to reach the camp. + +White Horse soon relieved their fears. He said that the Kiowas who +were advancing from the west had stopped some distance out on the +plain. Then he had circled toward the north to make sure that scouts +had not gone in that direction. He had heard nothing to arouse his +suspicions. + +"It is good," declared Red Dog. + +"I do not believe the Kiowas know anything about our people who went +away," said White Horse. "I believe they came here to run off ponies. +When they found out that we knew about it, they sent scouts to bring +more warriors. Now they are going to make a big fight. Those people I +was watching will wait out there until they hear their friends moving +ahead. Then they will all rush in. I believe scouts are creeping +toward the camp. We must watch sharp." + +"White Horse, your words are good," said Red Dog. "I believe you have +found out what the Kiowas propose to do." + +Realizing that the Kiowas might begin the attack at any moment, the +Cheyennes stood at the edge of the camp, weapons in hand, watching and +listening for their foes. They had little doubt that scouts were +moving cautiously through the darkness in an effort to reconnoiter the +camp. The thought kept them alert. They listened sharply for the sound +of stealthy footfalls. For a long time, however, all was still. Then +a pony snorted, in the corral. A dog harked savagely outside the camp. + +"Light the fires!" cried Red Dog. + +The boys shoved glowing embers into the brush piles. A moment +afterward they burst into flames. A wide circle of light spread about +the camp. The Cheyennes looked for their foes. They had retreated into +the night. + +"It was a scout; he was trying to find the ponies," explained a +warrior at the corral. + +Believing that the Kiowas were close to the camp, Red Dog ordered the +boys to keep the fires blazing. The warriors crouched in the shadows +from the lodges. They heard nothing further from their foes. They +wondered if the scouts had been frightened away. + +"The Kiowas are like wolves," laughed Painted Weasel. "They are afraid +of the fires." + +As if to verify his words, the dismal wail of Ma-ya-sh, the prairie +wolf, sounded from the south. The Cheyennes started at the sound. They +knew it was a signal from the war party. They believed the Kiowas were +ready to advance. + +"Watch out!" shouted Red Dog. "The Kiowas are coming." + +The wolf call was repeated in the west. It had barely died away before +the Kiowa war cry echoed shrilly through the night. The Cheyennes +answered the challenge. Then the Kiowas raced toward the camp. They +rode close up to the lodges, but the Cheyennes were prepared, and +drove them back with a deadly volley of arrows. The Kiowas turned and +sought shelter in the darkness. + +"We have chased them back," the Cheyennes cried, excitedly. + +"Keep watching," Red Dog cautioned them. + +The Kiowas were riding around the camp, and yelling fiercely. They +appeared to be attempting to stampede the ponies. The latter were +plunging and snorting in terror, and those in the corral threatened to +break away at any moment. Then the Kiowas suddenly made another +attempt to enter the village. They rode recklessly to the edge of the +camp, and tried to drive the Cheyennes before them. The latter, +however, refused to yield. They realized that to give way meant +disaster, and they fought with a stubborn ferocity that bewildered +their foes. The old men and the boys fought as fiercely as the +warriors. Somewhat sheltered by the lodges, they shot their arrows +with deadly accuracy, and the Kiowas were again compelled to withdraw. +This time they went far out on the plain. + +The Cheyennes seized the opportunity to turn to their disabled +comrades. They had paid a heavy price for victory. A third of the +little force had been killed or wounded. There was little time to +think about it. The old men barely had time to drag the wounded to a +place of safety before they heard the Kiowas again charging upon the +village. + +The Cheyennes were amazed when their foes passed beyond bow range of +the camp, and thundered away toward the south. It was some moments +before they recovered from their bewilderment. They were at a loss to +understand the strange maneuver. At first they were suspicious, and +expected to hear the Kiowas riding toward them from another direction. +Then, as time passed and they heard nothing further, they became +convinced that the Kiowas had actually gone away. It seemed too good +to be true. Despair gave way to joy. The Cheyennes began to laugh, and +shout and sing the war songs. + +"My brothers, we have done a big thing," Red Dog told them. "We have +chased away that great war party of Kiowas. They are running across +the plain. It is something to tell about. I----" + +"Listen!" Painted Weasel cried, in alarm. + +A moment afterward the startled Cheyennes heard the Kiowa war cry at +the edge of the camp. Then, before they realized what had happened, +they saw the warriors along the westerly side of the village driven +back by a great company of Kiowas who swarmed into the camp on foot. +At the same time the horsemen attacked the camp on the south. The wily +Kiowas had completely outwitted their foes. The Cheyennes were +bewildered and demoralized. They rushed wildly to reinforce their +comrades along the threatened side of the village, and the Kiowa +horsemen found little opposition. They quickly overcame the feeble +guard at the corral, and stampeded the ponies. Then they swept into +the camp. The Cheyennes were outnumbered four to one. The village was +filled with Kiowas. Resistance meant death. + +"Jump on the war ponies and save yourselves!" cried Red Dog. + +The Cheyennes rushed toward the terror-stricken ponies in the center +of the camp. The Kiowas followed after them. A furious hand-to-hand +encounter ensued. Most of the old men were killed. A few escaped +notice in the general confusion, and disappeared into the night. Old +Ghost Bear ran far out on the plain, and hid in the sage. + +The Cheyennes finally gained possession of the war ponies. They +mounted and attempted to ride away. Less than half of the company +escaped. Once out of the village, they rode frantically toward the +north. The Kiowas made little effort to overtake them. A small company +of warriors pursued them a short distance across the plain, but soon +turned back to assist in rounding up the ponies, and share in the +plunder. + +When they found that they were not pursued, the little band of +Cheyennes stopped to learn who had escaped. Many famous warriors were +missing. Then they suddenly discovered that both Red Dog and Ghost +Bear were absent. + +"I saw Ghost Bear run out of the camp," declared Running Buffalo. "I +believe he got away." + +"Where is Red Dog?" Painted Weasel asked, anxiously. + +"He was with us when we were fighting to get away," said Running +Buffalo. "I saw him kill two Kiowas. Then the Kiowas rushed at us, +and I did not see what became of him." + +"Red Dog is dead--the Kiowas have killed him," cried the disheartened +Cheyennes. + +"Perhaps they have carried him away," said Painted Hawk. + +They rallied at the thought. If Red Dog had been captured, they +resolved to rescue him. They turned toward the camp. Then they stopped +in dismay. The village was ablaze. The Kiowas had set fire to the +lodges. The Cheyennes heard them yelling triumphantly, far away to the +southward. + +"My brothers, there are few of us left," declared Running Buffalo. "It +is useless to try to do anything. Come, we will ride after our people, +and ask the Ogalalas to help us. Then we will bring a great war party +to fight the Kiowas." + +They turned toward the north with heavy hearts, and rode silently away +into the darkness. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +PAWNEES + + +As the Sioux scouts rode toward the south to find the Cheyenne +hunters, they watched closely to make sure that the Kiowas were not +following them. Then, as the day advanced and they saw nothing of +their foes, they believed that they had escaped from the Cheyenne camp +without attracting the attention of the Kiowa scouts. The thought +encouraged them. + +"It is good," said Sun Bird. "There is no danger." + +"We must not be too sure about it," White Otter cautioned him. "Red +Dog told us about the Pawnees. We must watch out." + +At first they attempted to follow the trail of the Cheyennes, but as +the latter had left the camp some days before the tracks were old and +indistinct. The Sioux realized that they would be forced to ride +slowly to follow them. Then, too, they feared that the Cheyennes might +make many wide and unnecessary detours in their search for buffaloes, +and an effort to follow them might cause much useless riding and a +great loss of time. Aware that each moment was precious, White Otter +finally determined to leave the trail and ride directly across the +plain in the hope of encountering the hunters. + +"It is the best thing to do," said White Otter. + +"Yes, I believe it will be the quickest way to find the hunters," +agreed Sun Bird. + +Late in the day they discovered a number of fresh pony tracks leading +toward the west. White Otter and Sun Bird dismounted to examine them. +They decided that they had been made only a short time before. The +trail made them suspicious. They looked anxiously across the plain. +There was nothing in sight. + +"Perhaps it is the Cheyennes," said Sun Bird. + +White Otter remained silent. He was walking slowly along the trail, +and examining the tracks with great care. His companions waited for +his decision. At last he rose, and shook his head in doubt. + +"Do you feel different about it?" Sun Bird inquired, anxiously. + +"My brother, I am not sure about it," White Otter told him. "Only a +few ponies passed this place--there are many Cheyennes." + +"Perhaps they were scouts, going over there to look for buffaloes," +suggested Sun Bird. + +"Perhaps," said White Otter. + +He was looking anxiously toward the west. The plain was level and free +of cover, and it was possible to see a long distance ahead. White +Otter realized that the riders were farther away than he had supposed. + +"Perhaps they are wild ponies," said Little Raven. + +"Yes, that may be true," replied White Otter. "Well, we will try to +find out about them. Come, we will follow them." + +He rode slowly along the trail, and Sun Bird and Little Raven followed +him. His doubts had made them suspicious, and they kept a sharp watch +for foes. They had gone a considerable distance when White Otter +suddenly stopped and dismounted. He stooped and lifted something from +the ground. He examined it with great interest. Then he turned to his +companions. + +"See," he said. "I have found something that tells me what I wish to +know." + +He passed the object to Sun Bird. It was a small, round, highly +polished piece of bone. It had a hole bored through the end of it. +Sun Bird recognized it at once. It had come from a bone breast-plate, +worn by warriors to protect them from the arrows of their foes. For +some moments he stared at it in silence. Then he gave it to Little +Raven. + +"Now we know that those ponies carried riders," said White Otter. +"They are not our friends, the Cheyennes. They are warriors." + +"I believe they are Pawnees," declared Sun Bird. + +At that moment White Otter discovered something far away to the +northward. A column of smoke was rising against the sky. They watched +it until it finally faded from view. They believed it had been a +signal from the Kiowa war party. Then White Otter suddenly guessed the +truth. + +"My brothers, I believe those people are Kiowas," he said. "I believe +they are going to help their friends fight the Cheyennes. I believe +those Kiowas near the Cheyenne camp sent up that smoke to tell their +friends where they are. Come, we will see if it is true." + +A short distance farther on the trail turned abruptly toward the +north. They felt certain that a company of Kiowas had gone to +participate in the attack on the Cheyenne camp. The thought roused +them to action. They realized that the little force of Cheyennes were +in a desperate plight. + +"My brothers, we must try to find the hunters," cried White Otter. +"There is no time to spare." + +They left the trail and cantered away toward the south. The day was +far gone, and they were eager to find the Cheyennes before darkness +fell. They feared that the Kiowas would attack the camp some time +during the night. Would the Cheyennes be able to hold them off until +their tribesmen came to their aid? The Sioux had grave doubts. They +looked anxiously across the plain, hoping each moment to see the +hunters come in sight. The day passed, however, and the Cheyennes +failed to appear. The Sioux gave way to despair. + +"It is bad," White Otter said, soberly, as they abandoned the search +at dark. + +They found a little spring at the base of a solitary cottonwood tree, +and decided to remain there until daylight. After they had picketed +the ponies they sat in gloomy silence, staring thoughtfully into the +night. The Cheyennes had given them some dried elk meat, but they had +no desire to eat. Their hearts were filled with fears for the people +in the Cheyenne camp. + +"If the hunters were close by I believe they would come here for +water," said Sun Bird. "I believe they are far away." + +"It must be so," agreed White Otter. "We looked hard but we could not +find them. We did not find their tracks. Perhaps they have followed +the buffaloes." + +"Perhaps they have gone back to their village," suggested Little +Raven. + +For a moment the possibility gave them hope. Then they suddenly +realized that it would have been difficult for the Cheyennes to have +passed them without being seen. They feared that the hunters were +still somewhere to the southward, searching for the buffalo herds. + +"Well, when it gets light we will ride around until we find their +tracks," said Sun Bird. "Then we will soon come up with them. I +believe Red Dog and his friends will keep the Kiowas out of the camp +until we bring the hunters." + +"Red Dog and his friends are very brave, but there are many Kiowas," +White Otter told him. "I feel bad about it." + +Then their thoughts were diverted by the strange behavior of the +ponies. They had raised their heads, and were looking nervously into +the darkness. The Sioux seized their weapons, and sprang to their +feet. They untied the ponies and stood beside them, ready to mount and +ride away at the first warning of danger. + +"Do you hear anything?" Little Raven asked White Otter. + +"No," said White Otter. + +The ponies still seemed restless and frightened, but they made no +attempt to call. The wind was blowing directly toward them. The Sioux +believed that if either men or horses were approaching the ponies +would have called. Nevertheless, they determined to take every +precaution. + +"Perhaps something is coming here to drink," said Sun Bird. + +"Listen," whispered White Otter. + +They heard something moving about in the darkness. One of the ponies +snorted and plunged wildly. It tore the lariat from the grasp of +Little Raven, and dashed away. White Otter and Sun Bird sprang upon +their ponies and raced after it. At that moment Little Raven saw two +small awkward creatures galloping toward him. He shot his arrow before +he recognized them. One of them rolled over, bawling lustily. The +other ran off. Little Raven suddenly identified them as cubs of the +grizzly bear. + +"Hi, now I must watch out," he said. + +The next moment a savage roar sounded close at hand, and he saw the +mother bear running toward the wounded cub. He shot his arrow, and the +bear turned to face him. For an instant he saw the threatening glare +of her eyes. Then she rushed at him. He shot another arrow. Then he +fled toward the cottonwood. He barely had time to draw himself to the +lowest limb before the enraged bear was at the tree. She reared +unsteadily, and tried to climb. Little Raven attempted to draw an +arrow from his bow-case and almost fell from the limb. In the meantime +the bear had dropped to the ground, and galloped back to her cubs. At +that moment Little Raven heard his friends returning with the ponies. + +"Watch out, Ma-to-ho-ta is here!" he cried. "I have killed one of her +babies. She is very mad." + +"Where are you?" White Otter inquired, anxiously. + +"I am up here in this tree," said Little Raven. + +"Ma-to-ho-ta has turned our brother into Zi-ca, the squirrel," laughed +Sun Bird. + +As the Sioux advanced, the bear rushed to meet them. Little Raven +heard them shoot their arrows, and gallop away. There was no sound +from the bear. He believed they had killed it. + +"Ma-to-ho-ta is dead," he shouted. + +"Stay where you are," cautioned White Otter. "We will find out about +it." + +Little Raven heard the ponies snorting nervously, as his friends rode +forward to investigate. Then he heard one of the cubs whining. Some +one shot an arrow. The cub became quiet. A moment afterward White +Otter called him. + +"Come down, my brother, Ma-to-ho-ta and her babies are dead," he said. + +"I was like a feeble old man," Little Raven cried, angrily, as Sun +Bird gave him the lariat of the runaway pony. "That horse fooled me." + +"It is bad," said White Otter. "If the Pawnees came here instead of +Ma-to-ho-ta they would have run off that pony." + +They picketed the ponies, and went to examine the bear. It was +unusually large, but thin, and poor in fur, as usual at that season. +Little Raven cut off the claws and shared them with his companions. +They fastened them to their rawhide belts. Then White Otter cut open +the carcass and drew out the heart. He divided it into three +portions, and they ate it. It was an old custom of their people, and +they believed that it would give them the strength and courage for +which Ma-to-ho-ta was famous. + +The night passed without further alarm, and at the first signs of dawn +the Sioux rode away to search for the Cheyennes. Red Dog had told them +that the hunters proposed to go a day's journey to the southward, and +then circle about the plain until they discovered the buffalo herd. + +"Well, they must be close by," declared Little Raven. + +"We must try hard to find them," White Otter told him. + +His mind was filled with distressing possibilities concerning the +people in the Cheyenne village. Had the Kiowas made an attack? Had Red +Dog and his warriors beaten them off? White Otter feared to hope. + +Half of the day had passed before the Sioux saw anything to give them +encouragement. Then White Otter discovered a great dust cloud rising +behind a long, undulating sweep of the plain, far to the westward. +They watched it with breathless interest. + +"I believe many buffaloes are running behind that hill," said Sun +Bird. "I believe the Cheyenne hunters are chasing them." + +"Yes, yes, it is the buffalo herd!" cried Little Raven. "Now we will +find the hunters." + +"Come, we will ride over there, but we must be cautious," White Otter +told them. + +They cantered hopefully across the plain. They felt quite certain that +they would find the Cheyenne hunters pursuing the buffaloes behind the +distant ridge. As they drew near, however, White Otter urged caution. +The dust cloud had died away, and he was somewhat suspicious. His +companions heeded his warning. + +"Yes, we must watch out," agreed Sun Bird. + +As they finally came within arrow range, they stopped and examined the +top of the ridge with great care. It was exposed, and bare of cover, +and offered a poor hiding place. The Sioux saw nothing to arouse +suspicion. + +"There is no one there," declared Sun Bird. + +"I believe it is safe," said White Otter. + +Eager to reach the Cheyennes before they got farther away, the Sioux +galloped boldly toward the ridge. When they reached it, White Otter +and Sun Bird dismounted and scrambled up the slope to reconnoiter. +The plain was dotted with dead buffaloes, and farther to the westward +they saw a great company of riders pursuing the herd. + +"They are our friends, the Cheyennes," Sun Bird said, excitedly. +"Come, we must catch up with them." + +"I cannot tell who they are, but I believe they are the Cheyennes," +White Otter told him. + +They told Little Raven to bring the ponies. Then they rode impulsively +across the plain. Their eagerness to overtake the hunters made them +reckless. They raced after the distant horsemen at top speed. They +passed a cluster of trees but took little notice of them. Convinced +that they had found the Cheyennes, their one desire was to overtake +them. Buffaloes and hunters had disappeared into a dip of the plain. + +"They are riding fast, it will be hard to catch them," declared Sun +Bird. + +The hunters apparently had failed to notice them. The Sioux were +somewhat surprised. They had expected to be discovered when they rode +over the ridge. White Otter became suspicious. + +"It is mysterious," he said. + +They had begun to ascend the hill over which the hunters had +disappeared. Great clouds of dust rose to the westward. It was +evident that the chase was still continuing. Then White Otter suddenly +glanced back across the plain. He stopped his pony and cried out in +alarm. + +"Stop!" he shouted. + +A small company of horsemen were riding after them. They appeared to +have come from the little grove of trees. The Sioux studied them with +grave suspicion. At first they took them for Cheyenne scouts. As they +came nearer, however, White Otter became doubtful. + +"Watch out," he warned. "Perhaps we have run into a trap." + +He had barely uttered the warning, when the horsemen whom they had +been pursuing swept down upon them from the top of the ridge. For one +brief moment the Sioux stared at them in astonishment. They could +scarcely believe their eyes. The buffalo hunters were Pawnees. They +were already within arrow range. + +"Come!" cried White Otter, as he rode madly down the slope. + +"Keep low, they are shooting their arrows," warned Sun Bird. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A DESPERATE CHASE + + +The Sioux turned toward the south with the hope of encountering the +Cheyennes somewhere in that direction. The Pawnees were close behind +them, and the race was thrilling. The scouts who had followed them +from the grove were riding desperately to get in front of them. The +buffalo hunters were thundering after them. The Sioux feared that +unless they could withdraw beyond bow range it would be only a matter +of moments before either they or their ponies were pierced by Pawnee +arrows. Having escaped from the first fierce volley, they crouched low +and lashed the Cheyenne ponies into a terrific burst of speed to +outdistance their foes. + +"The Pawnee ponies are tired; they will soon give out," cried Sun +Bird. + +It was their one hope. They believed that the Pawnees had fatigued +their ponies in the long chase after the buffaloes, and they had +doubts that they could maintain the pace. The ponies of the scouts +from the grove, however, appeared fresh and speedy, and the Sioux +felt less hopeful of eluding them. There were nine riders in the +latter company, and they were racing wildly along the flank of the +Sioux in an attempt to pass them. They were still beyond range, but +were riding at a sharp angle which would soon bring them within +bowshot. + +"See, the hunters are dropping back!" Little Raven cried, joyfully. +"Their arrows are falling behind us." + +"We must watch those other riders," White Otter cautioned him. "Their +ponies are fresh. They are coming fast. We must keep ahead of them." + +It seemed as if the hope of the Sioux was being realized. The main +company of Pawnees appeared to be losing ground. They had ceased +wasting their arrows. The Sioux glanced back and saw that the distance +between them and their pursuers had increased considerably. The riders +on their flank, however, were keeping up with them. Little Raven drew +his bow. + +"Save your arrows," cautioned White Otter. + +Aware that the Sioux were distancing them, the Pawnee hunters were +shouting encouragement to their tribesmen. The latter, however, were +unable to gain. They were forcing their ponies to the limit, but the +Sioux held their advantage. They were riding toward a small stand of +timber, some distance ahead of them. + +"The Cheyenne ponies are fast, they will carry us away," said Sun +Bird. + +A moment afterward Little Raven's pony stumbled and plunged to its +knees. Little Raven was thrown heavily to the ground. His friends +turned in dismay. The Pawnees yelled triumphantly, and lashed their +ponies to a fresh burst of speed. Little Raven had kept tight hold of +the lariat, however, and as the pony struggled to its feet he sprang +upon its back. Then he discovered that the animal had been crippled. +It ran with short, faltering strides, and had lost its speed. + +"My pony is lame--leave me and save yourselves," Little Raven cried, +bravely. + +"We will die together," White Otter told him. "Come, we will kill +these Pawnees." + +They drew their bows and prepared to fight. The Pawnees were within +arrow range. The nine scouts were abreast of them. The hunters were +close behind them. The crippled pony was steadily losing ground. Their +situation was desperate. An arrow passed between White Otter and Sun +Bird. Another grazed the flank of the injured pony. The Pawnees were +almost upon them. The Sioux saw little chance of reaching the timber. +Escape seemed impossible. They abandoned hope. + +"Come, my brothers, we will show the Pawnees how to die," Sun Bird +said, fiercely. + +At that moment Little Raven's pony recovered from the effects of its +fall. It sprang forward with new life. The injury appeared to have +been only temporary. The Sioux yelled with joy. Their hopes revived. +They determined to fight desperately for their lives. The Pawnee +scouts were circling to get in front of them. White Otter shot his +arrow at the foremost rider, and the Pawnee fell to the plain. Sun +Bird's arrow sent a pony to its knees. Little Raven twisted about and +wounded a Pawnee behind him. Then they raced forward and gained the +lead. A volley of arrows came from the Pawnees. White Otter was struck +in the shoulder. It was a slight wound, and he withdrew the arrow and +shot it at his foes. Then the Sioux crouched low on their ponies, and +rode toward the timber. They soon drew away from the exhausted ponies +of the Pawnee hunters, but the scouts kept close beside them. The +Sioux were within several arrow flights of their goal, however, and +their hopes grew stronger. They made savage use of their heavy riding +quirts, and the Cheyenne ponies increased their speed. Stride by +stride they drew away from the Pawnees until they finally carried +their riders beyond bowshot. + +"Keep them running, keep them running!" cried White Otter. "We will +get away." + +They reached the timber more than a bowshot ahead of the nearest +Pawnees. Then they jumped from the trembling ponies, and prepared to +fight off their foes. The latter, however, had failed to follow them. +Aware that the Sioux had suddenly gained the advantage, the Pawnees +were cautious about exposing themselves. They had stopped a long +bowshot beyond the trees, and appeared to be holding a council. + +"The Pawnees are afraid to come after us," declared Little Raven. + +"We must be ready," White Otter told him. + +In a few moments the Pawnees separated, and surrounded the grove. Then +they circled around the timber, shouting taunts, and whooping +savagely. The Sioux laughed at them. + +"They sound very fierce," Sun Bird said, sarcastically. + +"They are very cautious," laughed White Otter. + +They wondered what the Pawnees proposed to do. They showed little +inclination to approach. They had stopped riding. Many of them had +dismounted. The Sioux watched closely. They feared that the crafty +Pawnees might be attempting to trick them. + +"I believe they will go away," Little Raven said, finally. "They did +not come out to fight. They are hunters. They have killed many +buffaloes. If they leave them back there, Ma-ya-sh, the wolf, will eat +them. I believe some of those warriors will go back there to watch. I +believe some of them will go to their village to send their people for +that meat. My brothers, how do you feel about it?" + +"I do not believe they will go away," Sun Bird told him. + +"No, they will not go away," declared White Otter. "We have killed +some of their friends. They are mad. They will stay here." + +Soon afterward they saw a number of warriors leave the circle and ride +nearer the grove. Then they stopped, and began to shout, and shake +their weapons. In a few moments the rest of the Pawnees began to cry +out threateningly. Then a warrior on a spotted pony rode forward and +began to talk. He spoke in loud tones, and Little Raven, who had been +a captive in the Pawnee camp, understood many of his words. + +"He is talking about those warriors who were making that noise," said +Little Raven. "He is telling his friends how brave those young men +are. He says they are coming in here to drive us out." + +"Well, their friends will see that they are very foolish," declared +Sun Bird. + +"Do you know that warrior who is talking?" White Otter asked Little +Raven. + +"He talks like Jumping Horse, but he is too far away, I am not sure +about it," said Little Raven. "I believe some of those warriors know +who I am. It is bad. They will try to catch me." + +"Hi, those foolish young men are getting ready to ride over here," +said White Otter. "I believe they propose to throw themselves away. +Watch out, they are coming." + +A moment afterward the little company of Pawnees raced toward the +timber. They were yelling and waving their bows, and their tribesmen +were wild with excitement. The Sioux waited calmly at the edge of the +timber. When the riders drew near, however, they suddenly swerved and +rode around the grove at top speed. They were within easy arrow range, +and the Sioux instantly realized the significance of the maneuver. + +"They are trying to make us shoot our arrows," said White Otter. + +"We are not so foolish," laughed Sun Bird. "We will wait until they +rush in." + +When the riders saw that the trick had failed, they returned to their +companions. Then the Pawnees crowded together for another council. The +Sioux saw the warrior on the spotted pony talking excitedly, but they +were unable to catch his words. + +"I believe that man is the leader," declared White Otter. "He is +telling his friends what to do." + +"I believe he is Jumping Horse--he is a great war leader," said Little +Raven. + +"They are getting ready to rush in," Sun Bird declared, uneasily. + +Then the same company of warriors again rode forward, shouting, and +singing their war songs. They lashed their ponies into a gallop and +rode recklessly toward the grove. This time, however, they did not +turn aside. + +"Get ready to fight," cried Sun Bird. + +"Wait until they come close," cautioned White Otter. + +There were ten Pawnees in the attacking party, and they kept close +together and attempted to ride their ponies into the little patch of +timber. The Sioux took shelter behind the trees, and waited until +their foes were almost upon them. Then they raised the Dacotah war cry +and shot their arrows. Two of the Pawnees toppled from their ponies. +The others halted in dismay. Unable to see the Sioux, they were +bewildered and alarmed. Before they could rally, the Sioux renewed the +savage attack, and another rider slipped limply from his pony. Then +the Pawnees lost hope and raced away in pursuit of the riderless +ponies. + +"Hi, we showed the Pawnees how to fight," Sun Bird cried, fiercely. + +"Now they will try hard to kill us," White Otter warned him. + +The defeat of the warriors who had attacked the Sioux threw the +Pawnees into a rage. They began to race furiously around the grove, +gradually drawing nearer until they were within close arrow range. +Then they shot their arrows into the timber. The Sioux were well +sheltered, however, and had little fear of being hit. + +"It is good, the Pawnees are sending us arrows," Little Raven said, +mockingly. + +"Keep watching," replied White Otter. "They are very mad. I believe +they will rush in." + +It was not long before the Sioux saw the motive for the attack. The +Pawnees were attempting to divert their attention, while several +daring scouts rode close up to the timber and carried off the three +unfortunate warriors who had been killed. Then the entire company +withdrew beyond bow range. + +"The Pawnees have carried away their brothers," said Sun Bird. +"Perhaps they are going to give up the fight." + +"No, I do not believe it," White Otter replied, doubtfully. + +The Pawnees had formed in a great circle about the timber. They were +watching quietly, like a company of wolves that had surrounded their +quarry but feared to attack. The Sioux tried to guess their +intentions. Sun Bird and Little Raven hoped that they might suddenly +withdraw, but White Otter was suspicious. + +"I believe they will stay here until it gets dark," he said. "Then +they will try to creep up close. It is bad. We cannot help our +friends, the brave Cheyennes." + +The thought filled them with despair. For the moment their own peril +was forgotten in their concern for the safety of Red Dog and his +people. Having failed to find the Cheyenne hunters, the Sioux feared +to think what might have happened to the little company in the distant +village. The peril roused them. + +"We have done a foolish thing," Sun Bird cried, hotly. "Now we must +try to get away and do the thing we set out to do." + +"I am thinking about it," White Otter told him. + +"What do you propose to do?" inquired Sun Bird. + +"When it grows dark we will try to get past the Pawnees," White Otter +said, quietly. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A NIGHT OF SURPRISES + + +Late in the day half of the Pawnees withdrew toward the east. The +Sioux felt certain that they had gone to watch the buffaloes which +they had killed. The rest of the company came nearer to the timber. +Then they began to taunt and threaten the Sioux. The latter took no +notice of them. They waited anxiously for the end of the day, hoping +that darkness might make it possible to escape. + +"There are not so many Pawnees; perhaps we will be able to get away," +Little Raven said, hopefully. + +"They will watch sharp," White Otter told him. + +Although the company had been reduced by half, the Sioux were still +outnumbered by ten to one. They felt encouraged, however, when the +Pawnees showed no further inclination to attack them. The sun was +getting low in the west, and the day was passing. They were eager for +night. + +Then, as twilight was settling upon the plain, two scouts returned +from the east. It was evident that they had brought word of great +importance. The Pawnees appeared to be much excited. They had gathered +about the scouts, and were talking earnestly. A few moments later the +Sioux were amazed to see the entire company ride off toward the east. + +"Watch out, it is a trick," said Sun Bird. + +"I believe those riders came back to fool us," declared Little Raven. + +White Otter offered no explanation. He was watching the Pawnees with +grave interest. As they continued across the plain, an alarming +possibility flashed through his mind. He turned excitedly to his +companions. + +"My brothers, I believe the Pawnees have found the Cheyenne hunters," +he said. + +"It is true," cried Sun Bird. "Perhaps the Cheyennes found those dead +buffaloes. Come, we will follow the Pawnees, and find out about it." + +"Wait," said White Otter. "We must be cautious. Perhaps scouts are +watching to see what we propose to do. We will fool them. We will ride +toward the Place-where-the-warm-wind-blows. Then when it gets dark we +will circle around and come back to the place where the Pawnees killed +those buffaloes." + +"It is good," said Sun Bird. + +They waited a few moments longer to make sure that the Pawnees had +actually gone. Then, as they saw nothing of them, they mounted the +ponies and rode toward the south. They held the ponies to an easy +canter, and kept a sharp watch behind them. The Pawnees failed to +appear. + +"Wa-kan-tun-ka, the Great Mystery, has given us our lives," declared +Sun Bird. + +"It is true," said White Otter. "Perhaps we will be able to help the +Cheyennes. I believe we will find them over there near those +buffaloes." + +At dark they turned sharply toward the east. They went a long way +before they finally circled toward the north. They rode in silence, +listening sharply for sounds from the Pawnees. The night was still. + +"Perhaps the Cheyennes are getting ready to fight the Pawnees," +suggested Sun Bird. + +"That would be bad," declared White Otter. "If the Cheyennes are over +there we must find them, and tell them to come away. They must go to +help their people. There is little time. I am thinking about Red Dog, +and the women and children in that camp. Perhaps the Kiowas have +killed them." + +When they finally drew near the place where the Pawnees had killed the +buffaloes, they stopped to listen. Then, as they heard nothing to +alarm them, they advanced with great caution. The sky was bright with +stars, and they were able to see a short distance through the night. +They knew that they were to the eastward of the place where they had +first seen the buffaloes. + +"Pretty soon we will circle around, and go over there," said White +Otter. + +They turned toward the west, and soon came in sight of the ridge from +which they had discovered the Pawnee hunters. A few moments later a +pony called within bowshot of them. They stopped in alarm. Then a +voice challenged softly from the darkness. Little Raven recognized the +Pawnee dialect. He immediately replied. + +"It is good, my brother," he said in the Pawnee tongue. "Where are our +enemies?" + +"They are hiding over there among the trees," said the Pawnee. "Our +brothers are watching." + +"It is good," Little Raven told him. "We will go ahead. You must keep +watching." + +"Who is with you?" the Pawnee inquired, curiously. + +"I hear something--keep quiet," Little Raven said, craftily. + +The next moment they rode up the ridge. They listened uneasily, for +they feared that the Pawnee might become suspicious and follow them. +As they heard nothing to verify their fears, they crossed the ridge +and moved stealthily out across the plain. + +"Little Raven, you are as sharp as an old wolf," whispered White +Otter. "You have done a great thing. Now we know that the Cheyennes +are over there where the trees grow." + +They also knew that sharp-eared Pawnee scouts were on guard, and they +feared that it would be difficult to avoid them. The Sioux moved +forward with the alert, nervous caution of frightened deer. They had +not gone far when the ponies snorted and swerved aside. They stopped +in alarm. Then they discovered one of the dead buffaloes. They had +difficulty in persuading the ponies to pass it. + +"Perhaps the Pawnees will hear us," whispered Sun Bird. + +"Listen," cautioned White Otter. + +Some one was riding toward them. Their hearts beat wildly. They feared +to move. Many anxious moments passed. Then the sounds gradually died +away. What had become of the rider? Which way had he gone? They +listened anxiously for a clew. It was a long time before they felt +secure. Then, as the stillness continued, they moved slowly forward. + +"The way is clear," White Otter whispered, finally. + +They continued their perilous advance. Then they heard the cry of the +big gray timber wolf, somewhere behind them. It was the favorite +signal of the Pawnees. They feared that their foes had discovered +them. They stopped and listened. In a few moments they heard the call +farther out on the plain. The Pawnees were signaling. What did it +mean? + +"Perhaps that scout back there is telling his friends about us," said +Sun Bird. + +"No, no, he does not know about us," Little Raven assured him. "I +fooled him. He took us for Pawnees." + +"Perhaps the Pawnees are getting ready to rush against the Cheyennes," +said White Otter. + +The possibility startled them. They realized that if the Pawnees were +closing in upon the grove there was not a moment to spare. They +stared anxiously into the night in an effort to locate the timber. It +was hidden in the darkness. There was nothing to guide them in the +proper direction. They knew that it would be easy to pass beyond it. +The blunder might prove fatal. + +"We must watch sharp," whispered White Otter. + +They circled cautiously until they eventually saw the clump of trees +showing darkly through the night. Then they stopped and listened +suspiciously. They felt certain that Pawnee scouts were close at hand, +and they feared colliding with them. The wolf calls had ceased. The +plain was steeped in silence. The Sioux moved forward. + +"If the Pawnees find us, we must ride fast toward those trees," said +White Otter. + +"Perhaps the Cheyennes will take us for Pawnees, and kill us," Little +Raven told him. + +"When we get close we will call out and tell them who we are," replied +White Otter. + +They advanced directly toward the timber. There was not a sound. The +silence aroused their suspicions. Were the Pawnees, too, advancing +toward the grove? They wondered if a company of those crafty foes had +dismounted, and were creeping quietly forward under cover of the +darkness. Alert to catch the slightest sound, the three daring scouts +moved on. When they were near the timber they stopped. They felt sure +that the Cheyennes were watching at the edge of the grove. They +believed that it would be perilous to go nearer without warning them. +Still they feared to call. They listened for sounds from their +friends. The grove was silent. + +"Stay here with the ponies," White Otter whispered. "I will crawl +ahead, and find our friends. If the Pawnees come, ride to the trees." + +He left his pony with Sun Bird, and disappeared into the shadows. +Realizing that the Cheyennes might take him for a foe, he feared to +make the slightest sound. When he was close upon the grove he stopped +to listen. The silence continued. White Otter dropped to his hands and +knees and crept still nearer. He was within a few bow lengths of the +timber. Each moment he expected to hear the subdued murmur of voices, +or the restless stamping of ponies. He heard neither. The stillness +puzzled him. + +"Ho, Cheyennes, I am a Dacotah," he called, softly. "I have come to +help you." + +He waited in great suspense. There was no reply. Had the Cheyennes +failed to hear him? Were they unfamiliar with his words? He knew that +many of the Cheyennes understood and spoke the Dacotah dialect. He +crept forward until he was within leaping distance of the trees. Then +he repeated his message. Again it went unanswered. + +"It is mysterious," he murmured, uneasily. + +While he waited, the cry of the timber wolf sounded across the plain. +It made him impatient. He feared that the Pawnees were preparing to +charge upon the grove. His fears were strengthened a moment afterward +when the cry was repeated from another part of the plain. Twice more +it rang ominously through the night; each time from a different +direction. White Otter believed that the Pawnees were ready to +advance. There was no time for further caution. He rose, and ran +recklessly to the edge of the timber. + +"Cheyennes, I am a Dacotah, hold your arrows!" he cried. + +There was no one there. White Otter hurried into the grove, calling +the Cheyennes. They failed to answer. He circled frantically through +the timber. The grove was deserted. He was overcome with astonishment. +For a moment he stood staring wildly into the shadows. Then he was +roused by the sound of ponies. They were close by. He ran to the +plain. Sun Bird and Little Raven met him. + +"There is no one here--the Cheyennes have gone," White Otter told +them. + +They heard him in amazed silence. The announcement overwhelmed them. +They had expected to find a strong force of Cheyennes waiting at the +edge of the grove. + +"Well, there is no time to talk about it," Sun Bird said, anxiously. +"Listen, the Pawnees are closing in. That is why we came ahead." + +"Yes, I hear them," replied White Otter. "If we stay here they will +surely catch us. We must try to get away." + +"It will be a hard thing to do," Sun Bird told him. "The Pawnees are +all around us." + +They heard the boastful war songs of their foes echoing weirdly across +the plain. It was evident that the Pawnees saw little need of caution. +Believing that they had trapped the Cheyennes in the timber, they were +riding boldly forward to attack them. For an instant the Sioux forgot +their peril in their joy at the escape of their friends. Then they +realized that they had run into the trap from which the Cheyennes had +apparently escaped. + +"The Pawnees are getting close, we must go," said White Otter. + +"Watch out for scouts," Sun Bird cautioned him. + +Once again the Sioux rode carefully across the plain. This time they +turned directly toward the east. They knew that the Pawnees were +riding to meet them. There seemed little chance of avoiding an +encounter. The possibilities filled them with gloomy misgivings. Once +discovered, they feared that they would be surrounded and speedily +annihilated. Still they believed that it would have been even more +perilous to have taken shelter in the grove. Their one chance was to +slip between the Pawnees in the darkness. + +The Sioux were many arrow flights from the timber when they finally +stopped to listen. The ponies raised their heads. The Sioux drew +tightly on the lariats to prevent an outcry. Then they looked +anxiously for their foes. They failed to discover them. + +"Watch out, they are close by," whispered White Otter. + +Then they heard the Pawnee ponies. They were coming directly toward +them. The Sioux crowded closely together, and waited. They had drawn +their arrows, and were prepared to make a fierce fight. The moments +seemed endless. At last they heard the Pawnees talking. An instant +later a rider confronted them. Before he had recovered from his +surprise, the Sioux swept him aside, and broke through the circle of +foes. Lashing their ponies to desperate speed, they rode safely away +before the Pawnees recovered from their bewilderment. + +"Ride fast!" cried White Otter. "Some of those warriors will follow +us." + +They had not gone an arrow flight before they heard a company of +Pawnees racing after them. Determined to hold their lead, they forced +the ponies to still greater speed. Then they heard the great company +of Pawnees thundering toward the timber. They chuckled gleefully. + +"They will find out something big," laughed Sun Bird. + +In a few moments the night rang with the shouts of the Pawnees. They +were attacking the grove. The Sioux listened with keen satisfaction. +Then the noise suddenly subsided. Having encountered no resistance, it +was apparent that the bewildered Pawnees were investigating. As the +stillness continued, the Sioux felt certain that the Pawnees were +racing silently about the plain in an effort to find their foes. + +"Now we must fool those warriors behind us," said White Otter. + +He turned sharply toward the north. Then they listened to learn if the +Pawnees had followed them. Their hearts filled with joy as they heard +them racing away toward the east. + +"We are safe!" Little Raven cried, joyously. + +"Yes, we got away from them," said White Otter. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +FRIENDS + + +Having eluded their pursuers, the Sioux drew the ponies to an easy +canter and continued toward the north. They heard the Pawnees +signaling far away across the plain. They were still searching for the +Cheyennes. The Sioux wondered how the latter had escaped, and which +way they had gone. + +"It is mysterious," declared White Otter. + +"I do not know how they got away, but I believe they are ahead of us," +said Sun Bird. "The Pawnees found the buffaloes and chased them off. +The Cheyennes know about it. I do not believe they will stay in this +place. I believe they will go to their people." + +"Well, we must keep going ahead," said White Otter. "When it gets +light the Pawnees will begin to look around. If we stay here they will +find us. We did not find the Cheyennes, but we must go away. It is +bad." + +They continued to ride until the night was half gone, and then they +stopped beside a little stream to rest the ponies. They believed that +the Pawnees were far behind them, but they determined to take +precautions. They took turns at watching until daylight. Then they +looked anxiously across the plain for signs of their foes. They were +nowhere in sight. + +"It is good," declared Sun Bird. "Now we will go to the Cheyenne camp. +Perhaps we will find our brothers there." + +White Otter kept silent. He was troubled and depressed. His mind was +filled with thoughts of Red Dog and his gallant little company. Having +failed to bring the hunters to their assistance, White Otter had grave +fears for their safety. + +"Come, eat some of this meat, and then we will ride away," he told his +companions. + +While the ponies grazed, the Sioux ate heartily of the dried elk meat +which Red Dog had given them. As they sat beside the stream they +continued to watch the plain. They were about to ride away when White +Otter discovered something moving along the top of a hill to the +westward. + +"Watch sharp, there is something over there," he said, suspiciously. + +It was some moments before his companions discovered the distant +object. Then they saw it moving slowly down the side of the ridge. +They tried to identify it. + +"It looks like Ma-ya-sh, the wolf," said Sun Bird. + +"Perhaps it is a scout," suggested Little Raven. + +"I believe it is Ma-ya-sh," White Otter told them. "See, it is moving +down that hill. It does not see us. If it was a scout he would know +about us. Then he would hide behind that hill and watch. I believe it +is Ma-ya-sh." + +"Yes, I believe it is Ma-ya-sh," said Sun Bird. "Now we know that +there is no one over there. If the Pawnees were over there Ma-ya-sh +would not show himself." + +"It is true," replied White Otter. + +Convinced that the object moving along the ridge really was a prairie +wolf, they mounted the ponies and continued into the north. Hopeful +that the Cheyenne hunters had preceded them, they determined to +separate to search for the trail. Sun Bird rode farther to the +westward, and Little Raven circled toward the east. As the plain was +level, it was easy to keep within sight of one another. + +The day was well advanced when White Otter saw Sun Bird riding in a +circle. It was the danger signal, and White Otter immediately stopped. +Then he, too, rode in a circle to warn Little Raven. When the latter +saw him, White Otter galloped his pony toward Sun Bird. Little Raven +also rode toward the west. + +"What did you see?" White Otter inquired, anxiously, as he approached +the Minneconjoux. + +"Here are fresh pony tracks," Sun Bird told him. + +The trail had come from the westward, and turned abruptly toward the +north. It showed the hoof marks of many ponies. For some moments they +studied it in silence. + +"It must be the Cheyennes," Sun Bird said, finally. + +"Yes, I believe those are the marks of the Cheyenne ponies," replied +White Otter. + +"What is it?" inquired Little Raven, who joined them at that moment. + +"Here are the marks of some ponies," White Otter told him. + +"I believe it is the trail of our brothers, the Cheyennes," said +Little Raven. + +"We are not sure about it," White Otter told him. "Perhaps it is the +Pawnees. Perhaps they passed by us when it was dark. Perhaps they +circled over here and went ahead to catch the Cheyennes. We must not +let them fool us again. We will watch out." + +"You are a good leader," declared Sun Bird. "I see that what you say +may be true. Yes, we will be cautious." + +They rode rapidly along the trail. It was plain and easy to follow. +They had not gone far, however, when they saw something which brought +them to a sudden stop. A riderless pony had appeared on a knoll +directly ahead of them. They watched suspiciously. At sight of them +the pony raised its head and whinnied. Then it began to feed. It moved +in an awkward and unnatural manner that aroused their fears. + +"I believe some one is hiding behind that pony," declared White Otter. + +"If he is a scout why did he go up on that high place?" Little Raven +asked, curiously. "If he kept hiding we would not know about him." + +"Perhaps he was coming down that hill before we saw him," said White +Otter. "Then he saw us and hid behind his pony. Now he is trying to +lead it over the top of that hill." + +"Yes, I believe that is what he is trying to do," declared Sun Bird. + +The pony was still feeding, and moving slowly toward the top of the +hill. They felt sure that it was guided by some one behind it. It was +far beyond arrow range. As they were in no danger, the Sioux waited to +watch it. + +"Perhaps it is a Cheyenne," said Sun Bird. "Come, White Otter, make +the signal." + +At that moment a warrior sprang upon the pony, and disappeared over +the top of the hill. The Sioux had been unable to identify him. His +appearance, however, caused them considerable anxiety. They realized +that if he was a Cheyenne he had probably mistaken them for foes. In +that event he would warn his companions, and they might race away +before the Sioux could get in touch with them. If he was a Pawnee the +possibilities were more alarming. + +"It is bad," said Sun Bird. "If we go ahead, perhaps we will run into +the Pawnees. If we hold back perhaps our brothers, the Cheyennes, will +ride away from us." + +"We will go ahead," said White Otter. + +They approached the hill with great care. They watched closely before +they ventured up the slope. When they reached the top they saw a +large company of horsemen, far away across the plain. They appeared to +be watching the hill. The Sioux believed the scout had warned them. + +"Come, make the signal," said Sun Bird. "We will see what comes of +it." + +"Yes, make the signal," urged Little Raven. "I believe they are +Cheyennes." + +White Otter raised his hands high above his head. It was the sign for +peace. He repeated the signal several times. Then he rode his pony +part way down the hill, and returned to the top. In the meantime Sun +Bird had waved his robe up and down, and then spread it upon the +ground. He, too, repeated the signal. It was an invitation to come and +talk. Having thus proclaimed their peaceful intentions, and invited +the strangers to meet them, the Sioux watched for an answer to the +signals. The horsemen made no reply. + +"They are cautious," said Sun Bird. "Perhaps they take us for +Pawnees." + +"Perhaps it is the Pawnees after all," declared Little Raven. + +"Well, they are far away, they cannot catch us," White Otter told +them. "We will go toward them. Then we will see what they propose to +do." + +They rode a bowshot across the plain. Then they stopped and repeated +the signals. In a few moments a rider separated from his companions, +and replied to the signs. He raised his hands above his head. Then he +suddenly swept his right hand toward the ground. It, too, was an +invitation to approach and talk. + +"They are trying to draw us over there," said Sun Bird. "No, we are +not so foolish. We will wait until we see who they are." + +"It is the only thing to do," agreed White Otter. + +Having previously mistaken the Pawnees for the Cheyennes, the Sioux +determined to be careful. Sun Bird dismounted and again signaled with +his robe. Then they waited. Many moments passed before they received +an answer. Then three riders started slowly across the plain. + +"It is too many, watch out," cautioned White Otter. "Come, we will +tell them what to do. Follow me." + +The Sioux rode forward abreast. When they had gone a short distance, +they turned and rode back. Then White Otter rode forward alone. The +signal was meant to warn the approaching horsemen that one only must +come to the council. The strangers, however, ignored the suggestion. +All three continued toward the Sioux. White Otter turned and cantered +toward his friends. + +"Come," he said. "I believe those people are trying to fool us." + +They rode back toward the hill. Their action made it plain that they +mistrusted the intentions of the strangers. The latter seemed to +understand. They had stopped, and were holding their hands above their +heads to proclaim their peaceful intentions. The Sioux continued +toward the hill. Then two of the horsemen turned about, and cantered +toward their companions. The third rider still waited with his hands +raised. + +"It is good," cried White Otter. "I will go and find out who he is." + +"Be cautious," Sun Bird warned him. + +"I will watch out," declared White Otter. + +He turned his pony, and rode toward the stranger. The latter +immediately lowered his arms. Sun Bird and Little Raven watched +anxiously. White Otter advanced with great caution. He was making +every effort to identify the horseman before he came within arrow +range. Neither of them had drawn their weapons. To have approached +weapons in hand would have been evidence of suspicion and lack of +faith. When they finally came within bow range, they stopped and +examined each other with close attention. Then White Otter suddenly +recognized a friend. + +"Ho, Running Crow, now I see who you are," he cried, eagerly. + +"Hi, hi, it is my brother, White Otter," shouted the Cheyenne. + +A moment afterward they met and clasped hands. The Cheyenne was a +noted warrior and scout with whom White Otter had shared several +perilous adventures. Aware that White Otter had found a friend, Sun +Bird and Little Raven immediately rode forward to join them. + +"Ho, my brothers," Running Crow cried cordially. "I see that one of +you is Sun Bird. I do not know about that other warrior." + +"He is my brother, Little Raven," said Sun Bird. "Little Raven is a +great warrior." + +"My brothers, how do you come to be in this place?" Running Crow +inquired, anxiously. + +"Red Dog sent us to find you," White Otter said, soberly. + +"Has something bad happened to our people?" Running Crow asked +quickly. + +"The Kiowas were all around the camp," said White Otter. "It was a +great war party. I believe your people are in much danger." + +The Cheyenne remained silent. For some moments he stared wildly into +the eyes of the Ogalala. The Sioux watched him with pity. They knew +that he was striving to master his grief before he spoke. + +"When did you leave my people?" he asked, finally. + +"Two suns have passed since we came away from your village," White +Otter told him. + +"It is bad, it is bad," Running Crow declared gloomily. "Come, we will +go and tell my brothers about it." + +"Who is the leader?" inquired Sun Bird, as they rode toward the +Cheyennes. + +"I am the leader," said Running Crow. + +The Sioux found many old friends and allies among the Cheyennes. There +was Red Crane, and Turns Around, and Black Beaver, and Sitting Bear +and Fighting Wolf and several more. Some were unable to speak the +Dacotah dialect, but they clasped hands with the young scouts and made +it plain that they were glad to see them. Then Running Crow addressed +his warriors. + +"My brothers, I have bad words," he said. "There is little time to +talk. Listen sharp. These brave Dacotahs came here to find us. Red Dog +sent them. The Kiowas were all around our village. They say it was a +great war party. Two suns have passed since the Dacotahs came away. I +do not know what has happened to our people. Perhaps the Kiowas have +killed them. Come, my brothers, we must ride fast to the camp." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE ABANDONED CAMP + + +Early the following day the Cheyennes came in sight of their village. +They looked anxiously across the plain, hoping to see something which +would quiet their fears. They were a long way off, however, and it was +impossible to learn what they wished to know. They rode furiously +toward the lodges. As they approached they began to shout fiercely, +and look for the Kiowas. There was no response from the camp. + +"It is bad," Running Crow cried, in alarm. + +When they finally came within bowshot, they suddenly realized that the +village was deserted. Their hopes died at the thought. They rode +frantically to the edge of the camp. It bore grim testimony to the +success of the Kiowa attack. The corral was empty. Many of the lodges +were burned. Still, silent forms lay about the village. A dog howled +dismally. + +"Our people have been wiped away," Running Crow cried, dolefully, as +he rode his frightened pony into the camp. + +The Cheyennes followed silently behind their leader. They looked +solemnly upon the valiant friends who had given their lives in defense +of the village. Grief overcame them. They were unable to speak. + +"It is bad, it is bad," White Otter said, bitterly. "What I was +thinking about has come to pass. Red Dog and his people have been +killed." + +The Sioux moved about the camp with bowed heads. It was a scene which +stirred their sympathy and filled them with gloom. Many of the +Cheyennes had dismounted, and were entering the lodges which had +escaped the flames. It was evident that they were searching for +friends and relatives whom they had failed to find in the camp. Other +riders were searching about the plain in the vicinity of the village. +Then Running Crow suddenly called them to the center of the camp. + +"My brothers, a terrible thing has happened to our people," he said. +"The ponies are gone. The lodges are burned. Many brave friends are +dead. Our enemies, the Kiowas, have done this thing! Remember it. Keep +it in your hearts. Keep thinking about it. It is useless to talk about +it. You are Cheyennes. You see what I see. You feel what I feel. It is +enough. + +"My brothers, listen sharp. Many brave warriors are lying here, but +many of our people are missing. Where are the women? Where are the +children? Where is Red Dog? Where is Ghost Bear? Where are Cloud +Eagle, and Two Dogs, and Walks Alone, and Hairy Robe and Lame Bear? +Where are Painted Weasel, and Running Buffalo, and Thunder Hawk and +White Horse? What has become of those people?----" + +"I will tell you!" cried a voice from the edge of the camp. + +The Cheyennes turned in alarm. Old Ghost Bear, the Medicine Man, was +tottering into the village. They gazed upon him with frightened, +superstitious eyes. He looked like one who was dead. He stood before +them, swaying dizzily, and holding his hand across his eyes. The +Cheyennes waited silently for him to speak. It was some moments before +he was able to control himself. + +"Cheyennes, Cheyennes, Cheyennes, look about you!" he cried. +"Everything has been wiped away. The Kiowas were too strong for us. We +held them off a long time. We waited for you. You did not come. Then +the Kiowas got into the village. We fought hard, but we could not +drive them out. They killed many of our people. They ran off the +ponies. They burned the lodges." + +Ghost Bear suddenly covered his face with his hands, while his aged +body shook with grief. The Cheyennes looked upon him with compassion. +It was the first time they had seen him betray emotion, and they +realized that the great catastrophe had broken his heart. They feared +he was about to die. He had dropped to his knees, and was moaning and +sobbing like a child. Running Crow went forward and placed his hand +upon him. Ghost Bear dropped his hands, and looked wildly at his +tribesman. + +"Come," said Running Crow. "You are a great Medicine Person. You must +help us. Tell us what has become of the women and children. Tell us +what has become of Red Dog. Tell us what has become of all those +warriors." + +"Yes, yes, I will tell you about it," said Ghost Bear, as he struggled +to his feet. + +He gave a thrilling account of the desperate battle with the Kiowas. +The Cheyennes listened with breathless interest. Their eyes flashed as +he told how Red Dog got the women and children safely out of the camp. +Then he told how the Kiowas had entered the village, and speedily +overwhelmed the little company of Cheyennes. He said that some of the +Cheyennes reached the ponies, and fought their way from the camp. He +saw Red Dog kill two Kiowas. + +"Then I ran away, and I do not know what became of Red Dog and those +brave warriors," Ghost Bear continued. "Perhaps they were killed. I +ran a long ways. Then I crawled into some bushes. It was very dark, +and the Kiowas could not find me. I heard them passing around me many +times. Then they went away. I heard them running off the ponies, and +singing the war songs. Pretty soon I saw the lodges burning. I felt +very bad. Well, my brothers, I waited in those bushes until you came +here. At first I took you for the Kiowas. I wanted to die, so I came +to the village. Then I saw you. Now I have told you all I know about +it." + +"Ghost Bear, you have told us how this thing happened," said Running +Crow. "You have told how the women and children got away. It is good. +You say you do not know what became of Red Dog and those warriors. We +will try to find out about them." + +Running Crow called several warriors, and told them to circle far out +over the plain in a search for the missing Cheyennes. He feared that +they might have been killed beyond the camp. The scouts rode away. The +Cheyennes watched them closely, as they rode carefully about the +plain. It was a long time before they returned. They said that they +had found the tracks of many ponies going toward the north. They +declared that there were no dead Cheyennes outside of the camp. + +"It is good," cried Running Crow. "I believe our brothers got away. +Perhaps they have gone into the country of the Ogalalas. I believe Red +Dog went with them." + +As he finished speaking, a warrior at the edge of the camp cried out +and said that several riders were approaching from the north. The +Cheyennes hurried from the village to see them. The riders instantly +discovered them, and stopped the ponies. There were three. They were +far away. + +"I believe they are our people," Running Crow declared, excitedly. +"They are coming back to find out about this thing. Come, we must let +them know who we are." + +One of the warriors rode forward and raised his arm high above his +head. Then he rode rapidly to and fro. It was the rallying signal. A +moment afterward the riders galloped forward. As they came nearer, +they again became cautious. Then the Cheyennes began to call to them. +They heard them, and raced the ponies toward the camp. As they came +within arrow range, the Cheyennes recognized them. They were Painted +Weasel, and Thunder Hawk and White Horse. + +"Our brothers have come back--it is good," cried the Cheyennes. "Now +we will find out about this thing." + +"Well, my brothers, I see that you are alive--it is good," said +Running Crow, as he met them at the edge of the camp. + +"There are only a few of us left," Painted Weasel replied, soberly. + +"Where are the warriors who were with you?" inquired Running Crow. + +"They are following our people toward the lodges of the Ogalalas," +Painted Weasel told him. + +"Is Red Dog with them?" Running Crow asked, anxiously. + +"No," said Painted Weasel. "We do not know what became of him. We came +back here to find out about it. He was with us when we were fighting +to get away. He was very brave. I saw him kill two Kiowas." + +"Yes, yes, I saw him kill them," cried old Ghost Bear. + +"What became of him?" Painted Weasel asked him. + +"I cannot tell you that," said Ghost Bear. "I ran out of the village, +and did not see any more of him." + +"I was close beside him," declared Thunder Hawk. "Then the Kiowas +rushed at me, and I had a hard time of it. When I looked around I did +not see anything more of Red Dog. Then I heard my brothers riding +away. I went after them. I thought Red Dog was with them. Well, my +brothers, he was not there. No one knew anything about him." + +"Perhaps he was killed," said White Horse. "Did you look all around?" + +"Yes, we looked sharp," Running Crow told him. "We did not find him." + +"Then I believe the Kiowas must have carried him off," said Painted +Weasel. + +The Cheyennes were crushed by the possibility. Dismay kept them +silent. They knew only too well the fate that awaited Red Dog if he +had fallen into the hands of his enemies. Their courage rose at +thought of his peril. They determined to save him, or avenge his +death. + +"Yes, my brothers, I believe the Kiowas have carried off Red Dog," +White Horse told them. "We must try to save him. There is only one +thing to do. We must go to the Kiowa Camp, and try to take him away." + +"My brothers, I have listened to your words--they are good," said +Running Crow. "I believe the Kiowas caught Red Dog. It is bad. He is +our chief. He has done many good things for his people. We must try to +help him. Now I will tell you how I feel about it. White Otter is a +great war chief of the Ogalalas. He has done many big things. He has +helped us fight the Pawnees. He has helped us fight the Kiowas. We +know that he is a good war leader. He has been to the Pawnee village. +He took away the great chief Wolf Robe and that great Medicine Person, +Yellow Horse. He has been to the Kiowa camp. He went into that camp +and ran off ponies. White Otter knows how to do big things. My +brothers, I am going to ask this great Ogalala war chief to lead us to +the Kiowa camp." + +"It is good!" cried the Cheyennes. "White Otter is a great chief. He +must be the leader." + +"Come, White Otter, tell us how you feel about it," said Running Crow. + +"My brothers, I will lead you to the Kiowa camp," White Otter told +them. "Your people are my friends. We came here to help you. The +Kiowas are our enemies. They have killed many of your people. They +have burned your lodges. They have run off your ponies. I believe they +have carried away your chief. Red Dog is my friend. My heart is bad +against the Kiowas. I am going to the Kiowa camp to find out about Red +Dog. Yes, Cheyennes, I will lead you to fight our enemies. I believe +my people will come to help us." + +"Hi, hi!" cried Running Crow. + +When they learned that the Ogalala would lead them against the Kiowas, +the Cheyennes felt sure of victory. They had great confidence in his +ability, for his exploits had made him famous. For the moment they +forgot their grief, as they thrilled at the call of the war trail. +Their hearts burned with a fierce desire for vengeance, and they +believed that White Otter would give them an opportunity to retaliate +upon their foes. The thought stirred them. They began to sing the war +songs, and make savage threats against the Kiowas. Some of the +younger warriors began to dance. The village rang with their shouts. +The older men soon yielded to the excitement. In a few moments the +entire company joined in the wild antics of the war dance. + +White Otter took no part. He, too, longed to shout, and sing, and +dance and make fierce threats against his foes, but he realised that +it was not the part of a great chief to yield to his emotions. Sun +Bird and Little Raven, however, took a prominent part in the dance. +White Otter heard their voices rising in the fierce Dacotah war cry, +and his blood tingled at the sound. + +Then the Cheyennes finally brought the wild ceremony to an end, and +stood quietly beside their ponies, awaiting instruction from the +Ogalala chief. White Otter looked upon them with admiration. They were +a splendid body of warriors, and he was proud to command them. Tall +and sinewy, their stern faces and flashing eyes proclaimed their +courage. They compared favorably with the famous Dacotah fighting men, +and having seen them in battle White Otter knew that they were equally +bold and indomitable. + +"Cheyennes, I see that you are ready," said White Otter. "It is good. +You have made me the leader. I will tell you how I feel about this +thing. I believe my people will come here to help us. Some of you must +stay here to watch for them. Then you must bring them to the Kiowa +camp. The rest of us will go ahead to fight the Kiowas. Their village +is two sun's travel away. They have reached their lodges. We must +follow them to their camp. When we get there I will tell you what to +do. I have finished." + +As Running Crow translated the words, White Otter saw disappointment +on the faces of the Cheyennes. They began to talk softly to one +another. He knew at once that they were discussing who should be left +behind to watch. Each hoped to avoid the task. All wished to fight the +Kiowas. Then Ghost Bear suddenly offered a solution of the difficulty. + +"Listen, my brothers," he cried, eagerly. "All of you are young men. A +young man must fight. I am old. I cannot ride the war ponies. I will +stay here and watch for the Ogalalas. If they come I will tell them +where to find you." + +"If you stay here alone, perhaps something bad will happen to you," +Running Crow told him. + +"No, no, nothing will happen to me," Ghost Bear assured him. "I will +put away those brave warriors who are lying here. Then I will wait +for the Ogalalas. There is meat here. The Kiowas did not find it. I +will have plenty to eat. I am a Medicine Person, nothing can harm me. +If enemies come here, I will run away and hide in the bushes. Come, my +brothers, ride away and leave me. There is little time." + +"Ghost Bear, you are very brave," declared White Otter, when Running +Crow told him of the old Medicine Man's proposal. + +A few moments later the Cheyenne war party left the camp. They rode +across the plain, singing their war songs, and old Ghost Bear cackled +gleefully as he heard them. He watched until they were beyond range of +his dim old eyes. Then he moved slowly into the village. He stopped +and gazed sadly upon the forms of his friends. + +"Listen, you Silent People," he cried. "The Kiowas have sent you on +The Long Trail. You were very brave. Our people will talk about you a +long time. Now our brothers have gone to kill many Kiowas. White +Otter, the great war chief of the Ogalalas, is the leader. Soon you +will hear a great noise. You will know it is the Kiowas. They will cry +like women when our brothers begin to kill them. Then you must laugh +at them." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +IN PURSUIT OF THE KIOWAS + + +The Kiowa trail was easy to follow, for the great herd of ponies had +left many tracks. White Otter felt sure that the Kiowas would lose +little time in getting to their camp. The trail confirmed his +decision. It led toward the southeast, the direction of the Kiowa +village. White Otter believed that it would be useless to attempt to +overtake his foes. Some of the younger, more impulsive warriors were +eager to race ahead, but White Otter held them back. + +"It is useless to kill your ponies," he told them. "The Kiowas have +reached their lodges." + +When they had passed beyond sight of the Cheyenne village, he began to +take precautions. Two possibilities suggested themselves. He realized +that the Kiowas might have expected pursuit and left scouts behind to +watch their trail. He also knew that the Pawnees were abroad, and he +feared that they might have followed the trail of the Cheyenne +hunters. He sent scouts to ride ahead and on both sides of the war +party. + +"If you see anything, tell us about it," he told them. + +Then the war party continued across the plain. White Otter realized +that while his force was large enough for a sudden attack against the +Kiowa camp, it was not sufficiently strong to risk a fight in the +open. Besides, he hoped to accomplish his purpose without bringing +further loss upon the Cheyennes. + +The day passed without alarm. Toward sunset they saw one of the scouts +returning. They believed he had discovered something. White Otter +called Running Crow to act as interpreter. + +"He says he saw some buffaloes over there," said Running Crow, as he +pointed toward the south. + +"Then I believe the Pawnees are near," White Otter told him. "We must +watch out for them. Tell your brother to go back there, and keep +watching. Tell him when it gets dark to come to the place where many +trees grow. He will find us there." + +Running Crow repeated the instructions, and the scout rode away. It +was not long before one of the scouts who was riding in advance came +back. He was a warrior named Standing Bull, who spoke the Sioux +dialect. + +"We looked sharp but we did not see anything," he told White Otter. +"Sitting Bear and Black Beaver are riding ahead. I came back to find +out where to find you when it gets dark." + +"You will find us at the place where many trees grow," White Otter +told him. "Do you know that place?" + +"Yes, I know it," said Standing Bull. "There is good water there." + +He rode ahead to join his companions. He had barely gone before one of +the other scouts joined the war party. He, too, reported that he had +seen nothing to arouse suspicion. When he learned where the Cheyennes +planned to spend the night he rode away. + +"It is good," said Running Crow, who rode beside White Otter. "Our +brothers have seen nothing but some buffaloes." + +"Perhaps those buffaloes will bring the Pawnees," replied White Otter. + +"No, my brother, I do not believe we will see the Wolf People," +Running Crow told him. "They have killed many buffaloes. They have +plenty of meat. I believe they will take it to their people." + +Shortly afterward they came in sight of a large grove of aspens. It +was a familiar camp site, and White Otter had been there before. As +they drew near the timber they stopped, while scouts went forward to +investigate. They rode cautiously about the grove to make sure that it +was free of foes. The Cheyennes watched closely. They realized that it +offered a tempting hiding place to Kiowa scouts. One of the riders +finally disappeared into the timber. A few moments afterward be +signaled the war party to advance. + +"The way is clear," said Running Crow. + +When the Cheyennes entered the grove the scouts showed them a number +of fresh pony tracks. White Otter examined them with much interest. +They seemed to cause him considerable uneasiness. + +"Well, my brother, how do you feel about those tracks?" Sun Bird asked +him. + +"It looks bad," said White Otter. "There were three ponies in this +place. It was not long ago. Perhaps it was Kiowa scouts. Perhaps they +saw us coming here. Perhaps they have gone to tell their people about +it. We must watch out." + +"If the Kiowas come here the scouts will tell us about it," said +Running Crow. + +"Yes, that is true," replied White Otter. "But some one must keep +watching out there on the plain. The Kiowas are sharp. Perhaps they +will creep past the scouts." + +Several warriors offered to go out on the plain to watch. Then the +Cheyennes picketed their ponies, and lay down to rest. For two days +they had ridden hard, and they were tired and sore. + +"White Otter, I have something bad to tell you," Sun Bird said, as he +seated himself beside the Ogalala. + +White Otter turned inquiringly. + +"The Kiowas took away our ponies," said Sun Bird. "Painted Weasel told +me about it. Running Buffalo found Little Raven's pony, but our ponies +are with the Kiowas." + +"Hi, that is bad," cried White Otter. "Well, I will get back my pony. +Curly Horse, your chief, gave it to me. I will not let it go. It is +the fastest pony I ever rode. Yes, I will take it away from the +Kiowas." + +"We will get them back," Sun Bird declared, confidently. "My pony is +very fast. I will not let the Kiowas keep it." + +The loss of the ponies saddened them. White Otter felt sure that +neither friend nor foe owned a pony with the speed and endurance of +the little piebald which he had received from the Minneconjoux chief. +Sun Bird was equally attached to the little roan. It had beaten most +of the ponies in the Minneconjoux camp, and had carried him to safety +in several thrilling escapes from his foes. + +"How did the Kiowas get those ponies?" White Otter asked, suddenly. + +"Painted Weasel says that all the war ponies were in the camp," said +Sun Bird. "When the Kiowas ran into the village, the Cheyennes ran to +get the ponies. They had a big fight. The Kiowas got many of those +ponies. Our ponies were with those ponies they took away." + +The sun had disappeared, and the twilight shadows were forming on the +plain. Many of the Cheyennes were asleep. The ponies had finished +feeding, and most of them were lying down. The camp was in peaceful +repose. White Otter looked on with satisfaction. + +"It is good," he said. "The Cheyennes and their ponies are resting. +They will be strong to fight." + +Then, as night closed down, White Otter left his companions and seated +himself at the edge of the grove. He was serious and thoughtful. He +suddenly realized his responsibility. The Cheyennes had placed +themselves under his leadership. They were depending upon him to save +their chief. He knew the difficulties and perils which were before +him. He wondered if he would be able to overcome them. For a moment he +felt doubtful. Would he fail? Would he bring another staggering +disaster upon the unfortunate Cheyennes? He grew weak at the thought. +Then he realized that he was yielding to fear. The idea roused him. He +felt ashamed. He rallied from the mood. He recalled that he had +overcome the Kiowas under still greater difficulties. It restored his +confidence. His courage returned. He laughed away his fears. + +"I am an Ogalala," he said, proudly. "I will do what I have set out to +do." + +He rose, and turned his face toward the heavens. He asked +Wa-kan-tun-ka, the Great Mystery, to give him strength and courage to +overcome his enemies. Then he returned to his friends. He found Sun +Bird and Little Raven asleep. Running Crow was seated a short +distance away. White Otter joined him. + +"My brother, why are you awake?" White Otter asked. "I am the leader. +I will watch. Come, Running Crow, lie down and sleep." + +"No, I cannot sleep," Running Crow told him. "My heart is heavy. I am +thinking about my people. I am thinking about my friends who were +killed by the Kiowas. I am thinking about Red Dog. Perhaps the Kiowas +have killed him." + +White Otter remained silent. The words of Running Crow revived his +fears. He knew the bitter enmity between the Kiowas and the Cheyennes, +and he feared that Red Dog might have been killed soon after entering +the camp. Running Crow seemed to understand the significance of his +silence. + +"I see that you believe Red Dog is dead," Running Crow said, sharply. + +"No, I do not believe it," White Otter told him. "We cannot tell about +it until we get to the Kiowa camp. I----" + +He ceased speaking. A pony had called, close at hand. Running Crow +sprang to his feet. The Cheyennes sat up to listen. White Otter stared +anxiously into the night. + +"It is one of the scouts," said Running Crow. + +"Watch," White Otter cautioned him. + +For some moments all was still. Then they heard some one riding toward +them. They had little doubt that it was a scout, but they were +cautious. The Cheyennes had risen and moved to the edge of the grove. +The rider had stopped. They became suspicious. They waited anxiously +for a signal. At last it came. + +"Do not be afraid, my brothers," said a familiar voice. + +A moment later Fighting Wolf, one of the scouts, appeared out of the +darkness. Running Crow began to talk with him. The Cheyennes listened +eagerly. The Sioux, however, were unable to understand his words. + +"Fighting Wolf says that he heard the call of the great gray wolf," +Running Crow told White Otter. "It was far away." + +"The Pawnees made that call," declared White Otter. "We will be +cautious." + +At dawn the scouts returned to the grove. With the exception of +Fighting Wolf and his companions who had heard the wolf call, they +declared that the night had passed without alarm. White Otter felt +considerably encouraged. He believed that the Kiowas had failed to +guard their trail. It was evident that they had little fear of being +overtaken before they reached their camp. + +"I believe they will keep a sharp watch around their village," White +Otter told Running Crow. + +The sun had not appeared when the war party left the grove and +cantered away toward the Kiowa camp. White Otter asked Running Crow to +select the most expert warriors to ride in advance, as he believed +there was great danger of encountering Kiowa scouts. When half of the +day had passed, White Otter began to notice familiar landmarks which +told him that he was approaching the vicinity of the Kiowa camp. He +became more cautious. + +"We are getting close to our enemies," he told Running Crow. + +Soon afterward they saw the famous scout, Painted Weasel, racing +toward them. White Otter immediately called a halt. They watched the +scout with considerable anxiety. He was lashing his pony, and pointing +behind him. + +"Perhaps the Kiowas are coming," they told one another. + +When Painted Weasel came within shouting distance he called out to +White Otter in the Sioux tongue. + +"So-ta, so-ta!" he cried. + +"Painted Weasel says smoke," White Otter told them. + +"My brother, we saw some smoke a long way ahead of us," Painted Weasel +said, excitedly. "We were peeping over the top of a hill. We saw many +trees. We were watching sharp. Then I saw that smoke. I believe the +Kiowa camp is over there. I came to tell you about it." + +"Yes, it is true," White Otter told him. "The camp is in that place. I +know about it. Where are your brothers?" + +"Standing Bull and Red Crane are watching." + +"It is good," said White Otter. "Running Crow, tell your people about +it." + +The Cheyennes became greatly excited. Almost within sight of the Kiowa +camp, they were eager to approach and begin the fight. Some of the +warriors proposed riding back to the ridge with Painted Weasel to +reconnoiter. White Otter kept them back. + +"Cheyennes, you have made me the leader," he cried. "You must do +as I tell you. Now listen to my words. Red Dog your chief is in +that camp. If you let the Kiowas know that we are here, Red Dog +will be killed. There is only one way to do this thing. We must +hide until it gets dark. Then some of us will go ahead and try to +find out something. There is a gully over there toward the +Place-where-the-warm-wind-blows. I will take you over there. It +is a good place to hide in. Before we go there we must call in +our brothers, and tell them about it." + +Running Crow repeated the words to his tribesmen. They heartily +indorsed the plan. + +"The Ogalala is a great leader," they said. + +Then a warrior rode out on each side of the war party and galloped his +pony in a circle. The scouts were visible, far away across the plain. +They soon saw the riders and understood the signals. In a few moments +the Cheyennes saw them riding in. In the meantime Painted Weasel had +ridden away to acquaint his companions with the plans of the war +party. + +"Now we will go to that gully," said White Otter. + +He circled more to the southward, and led them across the plain at a +brisk canter. The scouts finally overtook them, and rode along beside +them. They kept a sharp watch for their foes, but except for a few +stray bunches of antelopes, the plain appeared lifeless. The day was +well advanced when they eventually reached a deep ravine that +extended far across the plain. + +"We will hide here and watch until it gets dark," White Otter told +them. + +Guards were appointed to watch the ponies, and then most of the +warriors crawled up the side of the ravine to watch the plain. They +looked eagerly into the east in the hope of discovering smoke from the +Kiowa camp. + +"Perhaps it has died out; perhaps it is too far away," Running Crow +told them. + +Sun Bird and Little Raven had joined White Otter. The three young +scouts lay beside each other at the top of the ravine. They stared +silently across the plain. The sun had set, and the evening shadows +were already gathering in the east. + +"See, see, some one is riding this way," Little Raven cried suddenly. + +Three horsemen were racing toward the ravine. The Cheyennes were +talking excitedly. They felt certain that the riders were the scouts +who had gone to watch from the ridge to the eastward. The Sioux also +believed that Painted Weasel and his companions were returning with +word of some important discovery. Running Crow hastened to join White +Otter. + +"It looks bad," he said suspiciously. "Something has happened." + +"Pretty soon we will know about it," White Otter said, quietly. + +As the scouts approached the ravine, the foremost rider raised his +hand above his head as a token of friendship. Then they recognized him +as Painted Weasel. When he reached them he called for White Otter. + +"Here is White Otter," Running Crow told him. + +"The Kiowa scouts have gone to that hill to watch," said Painted +Weasel. "We got away before they saw us." + +"It is good," replied White Otter. + +"Now it will be hard to get near the camp," said Running Crow. + +"We will fool them," White Otter assured him. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +DARING SCOUTS + + +At dark White Otter called the Cheyennes to assemble in the ravine. +Then he announced his plans. + +"My brothers, I am going to the Kiowa camp to find out about Red Dog," +he said. "I will try to find out about the ponies. Then I will come +back and tell you what to do. You must wait here. Keep a sharp watch. +Do not let the Kiowas find you. If you hear them coming, ride away to +that place where the trees are. If I do not come back before another +sun goes away you will know that something bad has happened to me. I +will watch out. I do not believe the Kiowas will catch me. Now I am +going to ask Sun Bird and Little Raven to go with me. Sun Bird knows +about that camp. Little Raven will help us with the ponies. Now, my +friends, I am going away. Pretty soon I will come back and tell you +about Red Dog." + +When Running Crow told the plan to the Cheyennes, they expressed their +disapproval. Most of them wished to accompany White Otter on the +perilous expedition. They believed that it would be foolhardy for the +three Sioux to go without them. + +"White Otter, I will tell you how my brothers feel about this thing," +said Running Crow. "They say that it would be foolish for the Dacotahs +to go to that camp alone. The Kiowas are watching. Perhaps you will +meet them. There will be only three of you. There will be many Kiowas. +Perhaps you will be killed. Then your people will say, 'The Cheyennes +held back. They were afraid. They sent our brothers ahead to die.' +Then we would feel bad. Come, take some of these brave warriors with +you. Then if the Kiowas come after you, it will be easy to get away." + +"Running Crow, I have listened to your words," replied White Otter. +"If too many of us go to do this thing, the Kiowas will hear us. We +must not let them know that we are here until we are ready to rush +into the camp. Do not feel afraid. Nothing will happen to me. Once I +went to that camp with my brother Sun Bird, and took away ponies. I +will go there again." + +"Well, my brother, I see that you propose to go ahead with this thing, +so I will not talk any more against it," said Running Crow. + +"It is good," declared White Otter. + +Soon afterward the three Sioux scouts rode away. When they were a +bowshot from the ravine White Otter turned toward the south. He felt +quite certain that the Kiowas would expect the Cheyennes from the +north or the west, and he believed it would be safer to approach the +camp from the southward. + +"Yes, it is the best way to go," said Sun Bird. + +They eventually circled toward the east, and crossed the ridge without +encountering their foes. Then they rode cautiously in the direction of +the Kiowa camp. They knew that it was located beside a wide stream to +the eastward of another low ridge. Having passed the scouts, the Sioux +hoped to reach the second ridge without being discovered. It seemed a +long time before it finally loomed up before them. Then they stopped. +The camp was only a short distance away. White Otter suddenly began to +sniff. + +"So-ta, smoke," he said. + +The wind was blowing toward them, and they caught the odor from the +Kiowa fires. They spent some time listening for voices from the ridge. +The way appeared to be clear. They rode slowly forward. They had gone +only a short distance when White Otter suddenly stopped his pony, and +dismounted. + +"It would be foolish to ride closer to that place," he said, softly. +"I believe scouts are watching on the top of that hill. If we ride +over there they will hear the ponies. I will tell you what I propose +to do. Little Raven, you must stay here with the ponies. Sun Bird, you +must go ahead with me. Little Raven, you must listen sharp. If you +hear anyone coming toward you ride away. Do not let the Kiowas know +who you are. When we come back we will make the call of To-ka-la, the +little gray fox. Now we will go ahead." + +"I will keep your words," Little Raven said, quietly. + +White Otter and Sun Bird disappeared. A few moments later they stopped +at the base of the ridge to listen. The silence reassured them, and +they crawled cautiously up the slope. Once at the top, they looked +eagerly toward the east. They located the camp by the glow from the +fires. Then they saw them twinkling far away among the trees. They +watched with the grim, silent satisfaction of a panther that has +discovered its prey. + +"Come," whispered White Otter. "We will go down there and look for +the ponies. Then we will crawl up to the camp and try to find out +about Red Dog." + +They moved carefully down the ridge, and hurried across the plain. On +a former expedition they had learned that the Kiowas pastured their +ponies to the northward of the camp, and they turned in that +direction. They had no thought of attempting to run off the ponies, +however, for they realized that such a maneuver would cost the life of +the Cheyenne chief. Besides, they felt certain that the piebald and +the roan and the best of the Cheyenne war ponies had been taken to the +camp for safe keeping. They believed that the rest of the stolen +ponies were with the great herd of Kiowa ponies that were turned loose +upon the plain in the vicinity of the village. White Otter was eager +to locate them so that the Cheyennes would know exactly where to find +them when they came to attack the camp. + +"Perhaps the Kiowas drove them close to the lodges," suggested Sun +Bird. + +"Yes, it may be true," said White Otter. + +They circled carefully about the plain, searching for the ponies, but +were unable to find them. They finally became convinced that the +crafty Kiowas had driven them close to the camp. It was the usual +precaution in times of danger. + +"Well, we will not look any more," said White Otter. "The night is +passing. There is little time. Come, my brother, we will creep up +close to the camp. Perhaps we will find the ponies there." + +They turned toward the Kiowa village, and advanced with great caution. +They stopped many times to make sure that the way was open, before +they finally came within bow shot of the camp. It was located in a +grove of cottonwoods that lined the banks of a stream. The lodges +showed distinctly in the light from the fires, but the trees made it +difficult to see into the village. + +"We must go closer," declared White Otter. + +At that moment a dog began to bark, and they stopped in alarm. Had the +dog caught their scent? Their hopes weakened at the thought. They +listened, fearfully, expecting to hear the other dogs take up the +challenge. Their fears, however, were not confirmed. The dog soon +became quiet. The peril had passed. + +"It is good," whispered White Otter. "We will go ahead." + +They moved through the darkness as silently as shadows, and +approached close to the edge of the timber. Then they stopped. They +were almost within leaping distance of the camp. They feared to +advance nearer because of the dogs. Then White Otter suddenly thought +of a way to overcome the peril. + +"Come, my brother, we will climb into this big tree," he proposed. +"Then we can see into the camp, and the dogs will not find us." + +"It is good," said Sun Bird. + +They climbed noiselessly into a large cottonwood, and went +sufficiently high to obtain a splendid view of the Kiowa camp. The +Kiowas were assembled about a large fire, and a warrior whom the Sioux +took to be the chief was talking excitedly. In a few moments they +recognized him. They had outwitted him several years before. + +"Hi, I know that warrior--it is 'The Lame Wolf,'" laughed Sun Bird. + +"Yes, I see who it is," replied White Otter. + +A moment afterward they made a still more interesting discovery. They +saw a number of ponies tied at one end of the camp, and among them +they identified the piebald and the roan. They were tied before a +lodge, and the Sioux believed that the Kiowa who occupied it was the +one who had taken the ponies from the Cheyenne camp. + +"Pretty soon we will take them away," said Sun Bird. + +White Otter kept still. He was searching the camp for Red Dog. The +Cheyenne chief was not in sight. White Otter became alarmed. He +wondered if the Kiowas had already killed their prisoner. The +possibility staggered him. He fastened his attention upon the man who +was addressing his people. He appeared to be telling them something +important. They were listening with serious attention. The entire +tribe seemed to have assembled at the council fire, for the Sioux saw +men, women and children in the group. Then the speaker suddenly +pointed toward one of the lodges, and the Sioux looked eagerly in the +direction. A moment afterward the robe was drawn from the doorway of +the lodge, and three warriors appeared. The Sioux instantly recognized +one as Red Dog. + +"Watch sharp!" said White Otter. + +The appearance of the Cheyenne chief threw the Kiowas into a turmoil. +They rose to their feet, and began to shout, and jeer, and threaten +their foe. The latter walked slowly forward between his guards. He was +badly crippled and walked with difficulty, and the Kiowas laughed at +his misfortune. Several boys followed behind him, mimicking his gait. +The eyes of the Sioux flashed dangerously. + +"I would like to kill those people," declared Sun Bird. + +"Wait," White Otter said, grimly. + +Red Dog was led to the council fire. The Kiowas immediately began to +threaten him. They crowded closely about him, shouting and shaking +their fists, but the Cheyenne appeared calm and fearless. Then the +warrior whom the Sioux had recognized called out sharply, and the +Kiowas fell back. A moment afterward he addressed the prisoner. The +Sioux wondered if he was speaking in the Cheyenne dialect. Red Dog +gave no indication that he understood him. When the Kiowa finally +paused, and appeared to be waiting for a reply, the Cheyenne remained +silent. The Kiowa laughed scornfully, and turned away. Then Red Dog +was taken back to the lodge. + +The Sioux felt greatly relieved. They believed that Red Dog would be +spared for the night at least. The thought gave them hope. They +believed that the following night they might be able to rescue him +from his predicament. + +"We have found out what we wished to know," said White Otter. "Come, +we will go and tell the Cheyennes about it." + +"Yes, we must get far away before the light comes," declared Sun Bird. + +They were about to descend, when they suddenly heard voices. The +speakers were approaching the camp. They were close to the tree in +which the Sioux had concealed themselves. The latter waited anxiously +for the prowlers to pass. They believed that they were scouts who had +been watching on the plain. Then the voices ceased, and the Sioux +became uneasy. They wondered if the scouts had gone. They watched to +see them enter the camp. Long moments passed. The scouts failed to +appear. The Sioux wondered what had become of them. Then they heard +them talking directly beneath them. They had stopped at the tree. The +Sioux wondered if they had been discovered. They feared to move. At +last they heard the Kiowas passing on. A moment afterward they saw two +warriors enter the camp. + +"Now we will go," said White Otter. + +They descended from the tree, and sped safely into the night. Dawn +was almost at hand when they finally found Little Raven. + +"You have come--it is good," he said. "Did you find Red Dog?" + +"Yes, we saw Red Dog in the Kiowa camp," White Otter told him. + +"Did you see the ponies?" + +"Yes, our ponies are in that camp," said Sun Bird. + +"Hi, that is good," declared Little Raven. + +"Did anything happen to you?" White Otter asked him, as they rode +toward the Cheyennes. + +"No, nothing happened to me," said Little Raven. "I listened sharp, +but I did not hear anything." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A THRILLING RESCUE + + +Having crossed safely over the ridge where they believed the Kiowa +scouts were watching, the Sioux rode desperately to reach the ravine +before daylight. There was not a moment to spare. Dawn was flushing +the eastern sky when they finally encountered the first Cheyenne +scout. They stopped, and White Otter imitated the bark of To-ko-la, +the little gray fox. + +"You have come back--it is good," cried Painted Weasel. + +"Yes, it is good," White Otter told him. + +They ran the ponies toward the ravine. The Cheyennes were overjoyed at +their safe return. They gathered eagerly about them to learn if they +had reached the Kiowa camp. + +"Cheyennes, Red Dog is alive," White Otter told them. "We saw him in +the Kiowa camp." + +"It is good, it is good," cried Running Crow. "My brothers, you have +done a big thing." + +The Cheyennes were beside themselves with excitement. Their gloom +vanished. Their hearts filled with hope. Having learned that their +chief was alive, their one thought was to rescue him. They realized, +however, that it would be foolhardy to make the attempt before night. +The thought suddenly sobered them. The delay suggested alarming +possibilities. They began to have doubts. + +"Perhaps the Kiowas will kill Red Dog before the night comes," they +told one another. + +Aroused by the thought, some of the warriors made reckless proposals +to attack the camp at once. The majority, however, talked against it. + +"We must wait," Running Crow told them. "If we let the Kiowas see us, +they will kill Red Dog before we can help him. I do not believe +anything will happen to him before the night comes. Come, White Otter, +you are the leader, tell us how you feel about it." + +"My brothers, we must wait," declared White Otter. "I do not believe +the Kiowas will kill Red Dog before the night comes. I will tell you +how I feel about it. I believe the Kiowas are getting ready for a big +talk. They will tell their people about the great fight. They will +dance and sing the war songs. Then Red Dog will be in danger. I +believe they will bring him out to kill him. I do not believe they +will do anything until it gets dark. Then we will be close to the +camp. We will rush in and carry away your chief. Pretty soon I will +tell you how I propose to do it. You must wait until I tell you about +it. If you do anything foolish, Red Dog will surely die. + +"Now I will tell you something different. My brothers, we found the +ponies. The war ponies are in the Kiowa camp. The other ponies are +outside with the Kiowa ponies. We will run off the ponies when we +carry away Red Dog. This will be a big fight. I know that all of you +are brave enough to go through with it. You must also be sharp. We +must fool the Kiowas. Then they will not kill Red Dog before we get +into the camp. I believe some scouts are still watching over there on +that long hill. I believe they will go away before it gets dark. We +must keep hiding in this place until they go away. Now I have told you +what I have to say about it." + +His words made a favorable impression upon the Cheyennes. They were +convinced that his plan offered the only hope of saving Red Dog. They +were eager to learn how he proposed to overcome the Kiowa camp without +sacrificing the life of the Cheyenne chief. White Otter showed no +inclination to tell them. + +"My brothers, White Otter is a great chief," said Running Crow. "A +great chief does not tell what he is about to do. You must wait until +it is time to go ahead with this thing. Then White Otter will tell us +about it." + +Day had dawned, and the sun was appearing above the plain. Most of the +Cheyennes crept to the top of the ravine to watch for signs of the +Kiowas. They wondered if scouts were still watching on the distant +ridge. There was no way of learning. + +The day was well advanced when the Cheyennes discovered a band of +animals on the summit of the ridge. They studied them with eager +attention. The distance made it difficult to identify them. Some +thought they were ponies. White Otter and Sun Bird disagreed with +them. + +"He-ha-ka, elk," said the Sioux. + +"Yes, yes, it is true," agreed Running Crow. + +The animals were moving slowly along the ridge. Their appearance +convinced the Cheyennes that the ridge was free of foes. They believed +that the Kiowa scouts had returned to the village. + +"The way is clear--it is good," said Running Crow. + +"Perhaps they are watching close to the camp," White Otter told him. + +Then he called Sun Bird and Little Raven into the ravine. + +"My brothers, I have some words for you," he said. "Pretty soon the +day will pass away. I have been watching for our people. Now I do not +believe they will come in time to help us. Perhaps the Cheyennes took +a long time to go to our camp. Well, we cannot wait. We must go ahead +with what we came to do. Red Dog is our friend. We must try to help +him. I am about to do a big thing. I will ask you to help me. There +will be great danger. Perhaps we will be killed. You are Dacotahs. You +are brave. I know you are not afraid to die." + +"White Otter, I will go with you," said Sun Bird. + +"Yes, my brother, I will go," Little Raven told him. + +"It is good," declared White Otter. "Now I will tell the Cheyennes +about it." + +He asked Running Crow to summon his tribesmen. They hurried into the +ravine, and assembled before the Ogalala. + +"My brothers, I have called you here to tell you what I propose to +do," said White Otter. "The day has almost gone. Night is close by. We +must get ready. + +"Listen to my words. When we go to fight the Kiowas it would be +foolish for all of us to go together. If we do that, the scouts will +find out about it and tell their people. Then Red Dog will be killed +before we get to the camp. There is only one way to do this thing. We +must make three war parties. Now I will tell you about it. I am going +to make Running Crow a leader. He must take some warriors and go away +first. Running Crow and his brothers must circle far around and come +up on the other side of the camp. I am going to make Standing Bull a +leader. He must take some warriors and go away next. Standing Bull and +his brothers must circle around and come up on the side where the +ponies are. I am going to make Painted Weasel a leader. He must take +some warriors and go away last. Painted Weasel and his brothers must +ride straight ahead to the camp. All of you must send scouts ahead to +watch for the Kiowas. You must watch sharp. If you let them find you +we cannot help Red Dog. When you all get close enough to shoot an +arrow into the camp, you must wait. When Painted Weasel is ready he +must make the cry of Ma-ya-sh, the wolf. Then Painted Weasel and +Standing Bull must lead their brothers ahead. You must make a big +noise. Standing Bull and his brothers must run off the ponies. Painted +Weasel and his brothers must go to the camp. + +"Now, Running Crow, listen sharp. When you hear that noise you must +bring your brothers to the other side of the camp. Do not make any +noise until you are close. Then rush ahead. + +"While you are all doing these things, Sun Bird and Little Raven will +go with me into the camp. We will try to save Red Dog and lead away +the war ponies. You must come fast, my brothers, or the Kiowas will +kill us. Each of you must do as I have told you to do. Now, my +brothers, I will ask you how you feel about it. + +"White Otter, you have given us great words," declared Running Crow. +"I believe you have told us how to fool the Kiowas. You have asked me +to be a leader. It is good. I will keep your words. Yes, my brother, I +will do as you have told me to do." + +"It is good," said White Otter. + +"My brother, you are a great war leader," said Painted Weasel. "If we +do as you tell us to do, I believe we will save Red Dog and run off +many ponies. I will keep your words. I will lead my brothers close up +to the camp. We will make a big fight. We will try hard to help you." + +"It is good," White Otter told him. + +"Great chief of the Ogalalas, I have listened to your words," said +Standing Bull. "They are good. I believe it is the only way to do this +thing. I will keep your words. I will lead my brothers to run off the +ponies." + +"It is good," said White Otter. "Well, my brothers, I see that you all +feel good about this thing. It makes me feel big." + +Having learned the plan of attack, the Cheyennes looked forward to the +fight with enthusiasm. They crept up the ravine and watched +impatiently for the day to pass. They glared fiercely into the east, +and murmured boastful threats against the hated foes in the distant +camp. + +"Hi, hi, pretty soon we will show the Kiowas how to fight," they +cried, savagely. + +When the purple evening shadows finally settled upon the plain, the +war leaders called the warriors into the ravine, and began to select +the men who were to accompany them. The Cheyennes watched with intense +interest as Running Crow and Painted Weasel and Standing Bull went +about making their selections. All were famous warriors who commanded +the respect and admiration of their tribesmen, and the latter had +little preference between them. Then White Otter suddenly called +Running Crow. + +"Running Crow, I believe Painted Weasel and his brothers will have the +biggest fight," he said. "The Kiowas will run out that way when they +hear the noise. Painted Weasel must take the most warriors. You will +also have a big fight, because you must rush into the camp. You must +take many warriors. Standing Bull will run off the ponies. I do not +believe he will get into the fight. Standing Bull must not take so +many warriors." + +"It is true," agreed Running Crow. "I have told my brothers about it. +Painted Weasel is calling the most warriors. Standing Bull has called +only a few." + +"It is good," said White Otter. + +When the selections had finally been made, each war leader made a +short, fiery address to his warriors. Their words roused the fighting +spirit of the Cheyennes. They made it plain that they hoped to wipe +out the sting of their recent defeat and take full vengeance upon the +Kiowas. + +"My people are very mad," Running Crow told White Otter. "They will +make a big fight." + +Darkness had already fallen, and White Otter determined to reconnoiter +the plain before the first war party left the ravine. He sent White +Horse and Red Crane and Fighting Wolf and Sitting Bear to look for the +Kiowas. White Horse and Red Crane advanced toward the distant ridge. +Sitting Bear circled toward the north. Fighting Wolf rode toward the +south. The Cheyennes waited anxiously for them to return. Sitting Bear +came first. He said he had ridden far out over the plain but had heard +or seen nothing of their foes. Then Fighting Wolf rode in. He, too, +declared that he had failed to find the Kiowas. It was a long time +before White Horse and Red Crane arrived. They said they had searched +carefully along the ridge, but had failed to locate their enemies. + +"It is good," said White Otter. "Now we are ready to go ahead. Come, +Running Crow, call your warriors." + +When Running Crow and his companions were ready to depart, White Otter +addressed them. + +"My brothers, you are going into great danger," he warned them. +"Perhaps you will have a hard fight. Running Crow is a good war +leader. He will take you into the Kiowa camp. Then you must try to +save your chief. When you get away come here and wait for your +brothers. Do what I have told you to do. Do not try to do anything +different. Go, my brothers, Red Dog is waiting for you." + +"White Otter, we will keep your words," Running Crow told him. "When +we hear that great noise we will rush ahead." + +"It is good," said White Otter. + +They rode silently from the ravine, and cantered away toward the +south. White Otter listened soberly as the hoofbeats of the ponies +gradually died away. He knew that they were staking their lives on his +ability as a war leader. He realized his responsibility. Failure meant +death for Red Dog, disaster for the Cheyennes, and disgrace for him. +He drove the thought from his mind. + +"I will do this thing," he murmured, fiercely. + +Standing Bull and his warriors were impatient, and eager to depart. +White Otter held them back. He waited until he believed that Running +Crow and his companions were well on their way before he finally sent +away the second war party. + +"Standing Bull, you must run off the ponies," said White Otter. "There +are only a few of you. Do not try to get into the fight. Keep the +ponies going. Make a big noise." + +"I will do as you tell me," replied Standing Bull. + +After they had gone, White Otter called Painted Weasel. + +"Painted Weasel, you are a brave scout and a good war leader," White +Otter told him. "I have seen you fight the Pawnees. I have seen you +fight the Kiowas. I know you are brave. That is why I made you the +leader of this war party. You will have the hardest fight of all. You +must follow us to the Kiowa camp. You must wait close by until we have +time to get into the camp. Then you must give the cry of Ma-ya-sh, the +wolf, and rush ahead. Make a great noise. Try to frighten the Kiowas. +Perhaps you will find us at the edge of the camp. Perhaps the Kiowas +will hold us in the village. You must try to help us carry off Red +Dog." + +"White Otter, you are my friend," replied Painted Weasel. "I have +seen you do some big things. All of these warriors know about you. +They will be very brave because you are here. I will keep your words. +We will fight hard to get Red Dog out of the camp." + +"It is good," said White Otter. "Come, my brothers, we will go." + +They mounted the ponies and rode from the ravine. Then they cantered +slowly across the plain. White Otter and Painted Weasel rode in front. +Sun Bird and Little Raven followed close behind them. Then came the +gallant Cheyenne fighting men. They rode along in grim silence. When +they had crossed the second ridge, White Otter stopped them. + +"Now, my brothers, we must leave you and go ahead," he told Painted +Weasel. "Hold back until we have time to reach the camp. Then go +ahead. Be cautious. Now send some one with us to hold the ponies." + +Two young Cheyennes rode forward to join the Sioux. Then White Otter +led his little company toward the Kiowa camp. They soon saw the +camp-fires flickering between the trees. When they drew nearer they +suddenly heard sounds which aroused their fears. The Kiowas were +shouting and beating the war drums. White Otter listened uneasily. + +"It is bad," he said. "The Kiowas are dancing and singing the war +songs. Red Dog is in danger. There is little time." + +They rode faster. When they finally came within bowshot of the camp, +White Otter stopped and dismounted. Sun Bird and Little Raven also +dismounted. Then they left their ponies with the Cheyennes, and +hurried away. They kept farther to the southward than they had gone +the previous night, for White Otter was anxious to conceal himself +nearer the center of the village. + +"Now, my brothers, I will tell you what to do," he said, softly. "When +we get to the edge of the camp, we will look for Red Dog. Then we will +look for the war ponies. I will ask Sun Bird to go with me to help Red +Dog. I will ask Little Raven to creep into the camp and lead out the +ponies. Now we will go ahead." + +The plain was shrouded in darkness, and they crept to the border of +the camp without being discovered. Then they looked upon their foes. +The Kiowas were seated about a great fire in the center of the +village. They had ceased dancing, and were listening to a warrior who +appeared to be relating some thrilling experience. The Sioux felt +sure that he was describing the battle at the Cheyenne camp. They took +little interest in him, for their one thought was to discover Red Dog. +He was not in sight. They felt relieved. They were within a few bow +lengths of the lodge into which he had been taken the previous night. + +In the meantime, Little Raven had discovered the Dacotah ponies. They +were tied before a lodge, a short distance on his left. He touched +White Otter and pointed toward them. White Otter nodded +understandingly. Little Raven crawled away into the darkness. + +A moment afterward the Kiowa finished his boastful tale, and received +a noisy ovation from his people. The Sioux smiled. Then another +warrior rushed into the circle and drove his tomahawk into a painted +post near the fire. The Sioux were familiar with the ceremony. They +knew that the Kiowa claimed a coup for some daring feat which he had +performed in the fight with the Cheyennes, and was about to tell his +tribesmen of his valor. As the speaker drew the attention of the +Kiowas, White Otter seized the opportunity to creep closer to the +lodge in which he hoped to find Red Dog. When he was within a bow +length of it, he stopped and placed his lips to the ear of Sun Bird. + +"I believe Red Dog is in this lodge," he whispered. "I am going to +creep up behind it. Follow me." + +They crawled cautiously forward until they were at the rear of the +lodge. Then White Otter placed his ear at the bottom of the lodge +cover, and held his breath to listen. All was still. He signaled to +Sun Bird. He, too, lay close to the ground and listened. In a few +moments he shook his head. He had heard nothing. They believed that +Red Dog was alone in the lodge. The thought filled them with joy. The +warrior was still telling his boastful tale. The Kiowas were silent. +The Sioux believed their opportunity was at hand. They drew their +knives and began to cut the lodge cover from the stakes which held it +to the ground. Then they were suddenly interrupted by the shrill +neighing of a pony somewhere at the other end of the camp. The warrior +ceased speaking. The Kiowas cried out excitedly. The Sioux turned to +each other in dismay. + +"Run around the other side of the lodge!" cried White Otter. + +They separated and circled the lodge. Two warriors were coming out +with Red Dog between them. The Sioux shot their arrows, and the Kiowas +fell. Before the people in the camp realized what had happened, White +Otter had reached the Cheyenne chief and freed his arms. Then he drew +him toward the edge of the camp. The Kiowas rushed forward. Sun Bird +fought desperately to hold them back. + +Then the cry of Ma-ya-sh sounded from the plain. The Kiowas stopped in +alarm. A moment afterward the night rang with a wild din that filled +their hearts with terror. They heard their foes advancing on three +sides of the camp. For an instant they crowded together in panic. Then +the warriors ran for the ponies. They heard them thundering across the +plain. They saw a dim, shadowy form dash into the camp and disappear +with the Sioux war ponies. Then they heard the Cheyennes yelling at +the edge of the village. The Kiowas rushed forward to drive them out. +At that instant another company of horsemen entered from the opposite +side of the camp. The Kiowas became demoralized and fled wildly before +their foes. The Cheyennes swept into the camp. + +"Come, my brothers, here are the ponies," cried Little Raven, as he +joined his comrades at the border of the village. + +The three warriors who had waited with the ponies had already come +forward. Red Dog mounted and raced away to lead his warriors. The +Sioux followed close behind him. The Kiowas had abandoned the camp, +and were fleeing across the plain. The Cheyenne victory was complete. +They had overcome their foes without losing a man. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +DISASTER + + +When the Cheyennes finally returned to the ravine they found Standing +Bull and his companions awaiting them with a great herd of ponies. +Among them were the fast war ponies which the Cheyennes had liberated +from a corral at the end of the Kiowa camp. + +"White Otter, we have done what you asked us to do," said Standing +Bull. + +"You are a good leader," White Otter told him. "See, my brothers, we +have brought back your chief." + +"Hi, hi, here is Red Dog!" Standing Bull cried, delightedly. + +It was the signal for a great ovation to the Cheyenne chief. His +warriors gathered about him with wild enthusiasm. Their piercing yells +echoed shrilly across the plain, and put new terror into the hearts of +the fleeing Kiowas. Then the guards with the ponies called out and +warned the Cheyennes that the frightened animals were threatening to +stampede. + +"Be quiet, be quiet!" shouted Running Crow, "You have frightened the +ponies." + +The Cheyennes heeded the warning and became quiet. A few moments +afterward Red Dog addressed them. + +"My brothers, first I will tell you about these brave Dacotahs," he +said. "When the Kiowas came to kill me, the Dacotahs shot their arrows +through them, and gave me my life. Then White Otter pulled me away. +Sun Bird fought back the Kiowas. Little Raven took away the Dacotah +ponies. It was a great thing to do. Dacotahs, my heart feels big. You +saved me from the Pawnees. Now you have saved me from the Kiowas. My +people will talk about it a long time. + +"Now, Cheyennes, here are some words for you. You were very brave. You +came to that camp and fooled the Kiowas. You chased them out of their +lodges. You made them run like rabbits. The Kiowas killed our people, +but you killed many Kiowas. The Kiowas took our ponies, but you got +them back, and took away many Kiowa ponies. Now we feel different in +our hearts." + +"Red Dog, I will tell you who brought your people to that camp to help +you," said Running Crow. "White Otter brought them. He was the +leader. He told us how to fool the Kiowas." + +"White Otter is a great chief," replied Red Dog. + +"White Otter, my people want you to give them some words," said +Running Crow. + +"Cheyennes, you have done a big thing," White Otter told them. "You +were very brave. Running Crow, and Painted Weasel and Standing Bull +are good war leaders. All of them did what they set out to do. That is +how your chief, Red Dog, happens to be alive. Cheyennes, I will tell +you that my brother, Sun Bird, was very brave. He fought back many +Kiowas, while I was helping Red Dog. Cheyennes, I will tell you that +my brother, Little Raven, was very brave. He crawled into the Kiowa +camp and led out our ponies. Hi, my brothers, we feel good to get back +those ponies. Now Red Dog has come back to you. He must be the leader. +I have finished." + +The Cheyennes remained at the ravine until daylight, and then as they +saw nothing of the Kiowas they set out toward the north. They rode +away in buoyant spirits, laughing, and shouting and singing the war +songs. As usual, scouts rode ahead and along either flank. The +warriors rode in pairs with Red Dog and White Otter in the lead. The +men in charge of the ponies followed close behind the war party. The +Cheyennes had little fear of pursuit, for they had thoroughly +demoralized the Kiowas and taken away most of their ponies. + +"They will not follow us," laughed Red Dog. + +Although they felt secure from the Kiowas, the Cheyennes realized that +there was a possibility of encountering the Pawnees. Having found them +upon their hunting grounds, they felt quite certain that the Pawnees +would keep a close watch. They believed, however, that the latter were +farther toward the west, and they hoped to avoid them. + +"We will watch out," said Red Dog. + +The warriors in charge of the captured ponies were having considerable +difficulty in holding them together, and the war party was forced to +travel slowly. It disturbed them, for they were eager to withdraw from +the Pawnee hunting grounds as soon as possible. They knew that the +Pawnees were constantly moving about the plain, and they feared that +some sharp-eyed scout might discover them. In that event they felt +quite certain that the large herd of ponies would tempt the Pawnees to +make an attack. + +Half of the day had passed before they discovered anything to make +them suspicious. Then they saw one of the scouts racing toward them. +They stopped to wait for him. + +"It is Turns Around," said Red Dog. "I believe he has found something +bad." + +In a few moments Turns Around reached them. He rode directly to Red +Dog. They talked earnestly. Then Red Dog called out to the Cheyennes. +They looked anxiously toward the west. + +"Turns Around says he saw a warrior over there," Red Dog told White +Otter. "He says he believes the warrior was a Pawnee. He says he +believes the warrior saw him. He came back to tell us about it." + +"It is bad," White Otter said, soberly. "If that warrior saw Turns +Around, perhaps he will follow him and see us." + +"It is true," replied Red Dog. "Well, we must keep going ahead. We +cannot travel fast. We must keep with the ponies. They are holding us +back. It is bad. I will feel good when we get away from this place. +Now I am going to send Turns Around, and Sitting Bear over there to +watch." + +"Perhaps that scout will circle around and get behind us," suggested +White Otter. + +"Yes, I am thinking about that," said Red Dog. "I will send Black +Beaver, and Fighting Wolf back there to watch." + +Red Dog told his plans to the Cheyennes. The scouts immediately rode +away. At the same time the war party continued toward the north. Red +Dog sent a number of warriors to assist in keeping the ponies in +order. Then the Cheyennes attempted to make better speed. + +"Perhaps that warrior is a hunter," Red Dog told White Otter, +hopefully. "If he is a hunter I do not believe he will try to follow +us." + +White Otter was silent. The discovery of the solitary rider had made +him suspicious. Having encountered the strong force of Pawnees farther +to the westward, he feared that they were still roaming about the +plain. If one of their scouts came in sight of the Cheyennes, he +believed there would be a fight. He realized that it would be +difficult to escape without abandoning the ponies, and he knew that +the Cheyennes would be unwilling to make that sacrifice. + +They heard nothing further from the scouts until late in the day, and +then Black Beaver overtook them. His announcement caused considerable +excitement. White Otter believed that the Cheyennes were alarmed. Red +Dog had left him, and was talking seriously with Running Crow. + +"My brother, I believe the scouts have seen the Pawnees," Sun Bird +told White Otter. + +"Something bad has happened," said White Otter. + +Then Red Dog galloped up beside him. He appeared uneasy and troubled. +The Sioux asked no questions. In a few moments, however, Red Dog told +them what Black Beaver had said. + +"Black Beaver says he saw three wolves peeping over the top of some +rocks," said Red Dog. "He says they did not look right. He asked +Fighting Wolf about it. Fighting Wolf said they did not look right. +Then they went away. Our brothers rode ahead. They kept looking back. +They did not see anything. Then they rode over a little hill. Then +Fighting Wolf held the ponies, and Black Beaver ran back to watch. He +peeped over the hill, and saw two warriors riding away toward the +Place-where-the-sun-sleeps. Then he saw a wolf peeping over the rocks. +Then Fighting Wolf stayed there to watch, and Black Beaver came to +tell us about it. My brothers, it is bad. I believe the Pawnees have +found out about us. Come, White Otter, you are a great war leader, +tell me what you make of it." + +"It looks bad," White Otter told him. "I believe what you say is true. +I believe the Pawnees know about us." + +"Well, if they know about us, they will bring a big war party to run +off these ponies," declared Red Dog. + +"I do not believe those scouts know about the ponies," said Sun Bird. +"Perhaps they are only trying to find out who we are. We are going +away. Perhaps they will not try to follow us." + +"I believe they will follow us," declared White Otter. + +"Well, there is only one thing to do," Red Dog told them. "We must get +away as fast as we can. We are not afraid of those Pawnees, but we +must not lose the ponies." + +"Those are good words," said White Otter. + +Fearful that they were being followed, the Cheyennes surrounded the +ponies and lashed them into a sharp gallop. It was impossible to hold +them together. They soon scattered, and some broke from the herd and +raced wildly across the plain. The Cheyennes rode furiously to turn +them back. + +"It is useless," they cried. "We cannot run them so fast." + +Black Beaver had already turned back to join Fighting Wolf. The day +was far gone, and the Cheyennes believed that if they could avoid an +encounter before dark, they might be able to throw the Pawnees from +their trail under cover of the night. The thought encouraged them. +They ran the ponies at a brisk pace, and kept a sharp watch behind +them. Then they saw Turns Around and Sitting Bear approaching from the +west. When they reached the war party they told Red Dog that they had +seen nothing more of the solitary rider. + +"It is good," said Red Dog. "Perhaps it was a hunter. I believe he has +gone away." + +At that moment, however, the Cheyennes heard shouts behind them. +Looking back in alarm, they saw Black Beaver and Fighting Wolf racing +after them. They were lashing their ponies and riding at a furious +pace. + +"Watch out, I believe the Pawnees are close behind them!" cried Red +Dog. + +"Run the ponies! Run the ponies!" cried the scouts. "Many Pawnees are +coming!" + +The two riders had barely reached them when the Cheyennes saw a great +company of horsemen ride over a hill. They knew at once that they were +Pawnees. When the latter discovered the herd of ponies they began +yelling excitedly. They raced across the plain at break-neck speed, +and the Cheyennes realized that they would soon be overtaken. + +"Come, we will ride back there and fight them off," proposed several +young warriors. + +"No, no," cried Red Dog. "Stay where you are. We must keep together +and try to hold the ponies. Keep them running. Stay on all sides of +them. Do not fight until the Pawnees try to rush in. Perhaps they will +be afraid to come close." + +The Pawnees were gaining with each stride of the ponies, and the +Cheyennes knew it was hopeless to attempt to escape. Aware that an +encounter was inevitable, they had surrounded the ponies, and were +prepared to fight off their foes. The Sioux rode together at the head +of the herd. + +"It looks bad," said Sun Bird. "The Cheyennes made a big fight to get +these ponies, but I believe the Pawnees will run them off." + +"We must fight them back," White Otter told him. + +"See, see, they are trying to get ahead of us," cried Little Raven. + +The Pawnees had suddenly separated, and were moving forward along the +flank of the war party. The Cheyennes instantly guessed their plan. + +"They are going to ride around and close us in!" cried Red Dog. "Come, +stop the ponies, and make a circle!" + +They made desperate attempts to stop the ponies, but the wild yells of +the Pawnees had frightened them into a panic and they were beyond +control. They were running madly, but the Pawnees were passing on both +sides of them. Another company of foes were closing in from the rear. +The Cheyennes at the rear of the herd turned about and drove them back +with a fierce volley of arrows. Then the Pawnees who had passed began +to close in ahead of them. The Cheyennes saw the danger. + +"Come, Cheyennes, follow me!" cried White Otter. + +He raced forward, and a number of Cheyennes left the ponies and +followed him. Sun Bird and Little Raven rode close beside him. White +Otter raised his voice in the war cry and rode straight at his foes. +His reckless courage roused his companions, and they charged savagely +upon the surprised Pawnees and swept them from the path. + +"Follow the Sioux! Follow the Sioux!" cried Red Dog. + +The Cheyennes lashed the ponies into a wild burst of speed. The +Pawnees began to shoot their arrows. They charged within short +bow-range and made a furious attack upon the riders along the edge of +the herd. A number of Cheyennes fell from their ponies. Their +companions instantly closed the gap, and drove the riderless ponies +into the herd. Then they sent a deadly shower of arrows against their +foes. The Pawnees dropped behind their ponies for protection, but the +Cheyennes brought many of the ponies to the plain. + +"Yes, yes, kill the Pawnee ponies!" cried Running Crow. + +At that moment, however, the entire company of Pawnees charged +recklessly upon the herd. The Cheyennes fought valiantly, but they +were greatly outnumbered, and the Pawnees soon broke through them. +Once past the guards they rode wildly into the herd, yelling and +waving their arms. The terrorized ponies scattered like a covey of +frightened grouse, and fled across the plain. The Pawnees raced after +them. + +"Come, we must catch them!" Running Crow cried, fiercely. + +"Wait," shouted Red Dog. "The Pawnees are too strong for us. They are +near their camp. If we follow them many more warriors may come to help +them. It is useless to throw away our lives. If we let the Pawnees +kill us, what will become of our people? We must hold back. We are not +strong enough to fight them." + +"Red Dog, your words are good," declared White Otter. "It is useless +to throw yourselves away." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +REENFORCEMENTS + + +The Cheyennes were disheartened by the loss of the ponies. They rode +across the plain in gloomy silence. Having rallied from the +catastrophe which had fallen upon their village, they were completely +disheartened by the fresh disaster which had overtaken them. + +"It is bad," said Running Crow. "The Evil Ones must be working against +us." + +The credulous Cheyennes were impressed by the thought. It deepened +their gloom, and filled them with superstitious dread. Their recent +misfortunes suddenly assumed a new significance. They believed that +they had aroused the displeasure of the Evil Ones. The idea startled +them. They feared that still greater calamities might befall them. + +As the disastrous day finally came to its end, they approached a +familiar camp site beside a large pool on the open plain. It was the +only water within a half day's travel, and as the plain offered +splendid pasturage for the ponies Red Dog determined to stop. Some of +the warriors were eager to pass by, and continue the retreat from the +Pawnee hunting grounds. + +"No, it would be foolish," Red Dog told them. "We must stop here and +rest the ponies." + +The Cheyennes slid dejectedly from the ponies, and threw themselves +upon the ground. They held the lariats, and watched indifferently +while the ponies grazed. There was little talk. Their hearts were +heavy. Their spirits were crushed. A splendid victory had ended in a +bitter defeat. A number of their comrades had been killed. The +Cheyennes felt subdued. + +"Our brothers feel bad," Little Raven said, softly. + +"Bad things have happened to them," declared Sun Bird. + +White Otter made no comment. He, too, was serious and depressed. He +had expected a war party of his people to come to the aid of the +Cheyennes. He was at a loss to explain why they had failed to appear. +Having assured the Cheyennes that the Ogalalas would help them, he +feared that they might doubt the sincerity of his pledge. The thought +troubled him. He felt sure that if his tribesmen had joined the war +party, the Pawnees would have been beaten off. + +"My people did not come," he told Sun Bird. "It is bad. I do not know +what to make of it." + +"Perhaps the Cheyennes took a long time to go to your village," said +Sun Bird. "There were many women and children. They held back the +warriors." + +"Many suns have passed," White Otter reminded him. + +They became silent. For a long time they sat watching the plain. White +Otter looked hopefully toward the north. He knew that the Pawnees were +two full days' travel from their village, and they would be forced to +travel slowly with the great herd of ponies. If the Ogalalas should +appear before the night passed he believed they might still overtake +the Pawnees and recover the ponies. The possibility thrilled him. +Then, as darkness finally came, the great hope died from his heart. + +"My brothers, night has come," Red Dog told his warriors. "I do not +believe the Pawnees will turn back to find us, but we must watch out. +We are in the country of our enemies. I will ask some of you to ride +out on the plain and watch." + +"I will go," White Otter said, eagerly. + +"White Otter, you are a great chief," Red Dog told him. "You have done +big things to help us. You must lie down and rest. My young men will +watch." + +"No, no, I will watch," insisted White Otter. "Perhaps something good +will come of it. Red Dog, you must listen to my words." + +"I will not talk against it," said Red Dog. + +"I will go," replied White Otter. + +"I will go with you," said Sun Bird. + +"No, my brother, I must go alone," White Otter told him. + +A few moments later four scouts left the company, and disappeared into +the night. One was White Otter. He rode away toward the north. + +"I believe White Otter has gone to watch for his people," Little Raven +told Sun Bird. + +"It may be true," said Sun Bird. + +Once beyond hearing of the Cheyennes, White Otter struck the piebald +with his riding quirt, and the wonderful creature bounded away at +marvelous speed. He rode far into the north before he finally came in +sight of a dense cluster of trees. They were several arrow flights +away. He stopped the piebald, and listened sharply. All was still. + +"It is bad," White Otter murmured. + +He rode slowly toward the timber. Then the piebald suddenly stopped +and raised its head. White Otter peered eagerly into the darkness. A +moment later a pony called. It was within bowshot. White Otter drew +his arrows, and waited in trying suspense. The piebald was restless. +He believed that some one was approaching. Then he heard voices. They +were close by. He imitated the bark of the little gray fox. The sounds +subsided. He listened anxiously. Many moments passed. Hope gave way to +suspicion. Had he betrayed himself to his foes? The possibility +startled him. Then he heard an answer to his signal. The bark of the +little gray fox sounded a short distance ahead of him. His eyes +flashed. His heart bounded with joy. + +"Ho, Dacotahs," he cried, eagerly. + +"Ho, my brother, come ahead," some one replied. + +"My ears tell me who you are, but I must be cautious," said White +Otter. "Come, Ogalala, tell me your name." + +"Black Moccasin," said the voice. + +"It is good," cried White Otter. + +He rode forward, and met the famous Ogalala scout. They cantered +toward the trees. + +"Have you fought the Kiowas?" Black Moccasin inquired, anxiously. + +"Yes, we went to their village and took away Red Dog and many ponies," +White Otter told him. + +"Well, we came fast, but I see that we did not get here in time to +help you," said Black Moccasin. + +"My brother, you must help us fight the Pawnees," replied White Otter. +"The Pawnees came up with us and ran off the ponies that we took away +from the Kiowas. That is why I came to find you." + +"Hi, hi, that is bad," said Black Moccasin. + +At that moment some one challenged them. + +"It is good, my brother," cried Black Moccasin. "White Otter is here." + +"Ride ahead," the scout told them. + +They advanced and met Hollow Bear, another noted Ogalala warrior. He +accompanied them to the grove. White Otter was overjoyed to find a +great company of Ogalalas assembled at the campsite. With them were +the five Cheyenne scouts who had accompanied the women and children +to the Ogalala camp, and the company of warriors who had escaped from +the Cheyenne village. White Otter was welcomed with enthusiasm. + +"My brothers, I have found you--it is good," he said. "There is little +time to talk. First I will tell these brave Cheyennes that Red Dog is +alive. We took him away from the Kiowas. We also ran off many ponies. +Come, Cloud Eagle, you know my words, tell your brothers about it." + +The Cheyennes were wild with joy. It was some moments before White +Otter could proceed with his talk. + +"Now, Cheyennes, I will tell you something bad," he said, finally. "We +were driving away those ponies. Everything was good. Then the Pawnees +came. They were very strong. They caught up with us and ran off those +ponies. We could not stop them. + +"Ogalalas, we must ride after those Pawnees and try to get back those +ponies. The Pawnees are not far ahead of us. I believe they stopped +when it got dark. Their village is two sun's travel away. They cannot +travel fast. I believe we can come up with them. I will lead you. +Come, jump on your ponies, and follow me." + +The warriors ran to untie the ponies. A few moments afterward they +followed their famous young war chief across the plain. It was a great +war party. Wolf Robe, the venerable Ogalala chief, had sent his best +fighters to aid the Cheyennes. White Otter thrilled at the thought of +leading them against the Pawnees. + +"White Otter, how did you come to find us?" Black Moccasin asked +curiously. + +"I knew about that place--it is a good place to stop," White Otter +told him. "When Red Dog stopped over there by the water I kept +watching to see you. You did not come. I felt bad. Then it got dark. +Then I said, 'Perhaps my brothers are close by.' Then I thought about +that place. I said, 'Perhaps my brothers are waiting there until it +gets light.' Then I came ahead to find out about it." + +"Are the Cheyennes far away?" Black Moccasin asked him. + +"No, we will soon find them," said White Otter. + +He led the way at a fast pace, for he was eager to set out on the +trail of the Pawnees without further delay. When they finally +approached the spot where he had left the Cheyennes, White Otter raced +forward in advance of the war party. + +"Watch out, some one is riding fast!" the Cheyennes cried in alarm, +as they heard a pony galloping toward them from the north. + +"It must be White Otter," said Red Dog. "Perhaps he has found out +about something." + +They sprang to their feet, and waited anxiously for the rider. As he +came within bowshot, they began to call. + +"Who are you?" they inquired, suspiciously. + +"Do not be afraid, everything is good," cried White Otter. + +"Yes, yes, it is White Otter," the Cheyennes told one another. + +A few moments afterward the Ogalala joined them. They gathered around +him to learn what had happened. + +"Listen!" he cried. "Do you hear those ponies? They are bringing my +people. Cheyennes, my words have come true. The Ogalalas are coming to +help you." + +They heard the hoofbeats of many ponies. The sound filled them with +joy. A great hope entered their hearts. + +"It is the Ogalalas! It is the Ogalalas!" they cried, excitedly. + +Then the great Sioux war party dashed out of the night. Their arrival +threw the Cheyennes into a tumult. For a moment all was confusion. +Then White Otter took command, and restored order. + +"Come, come, my brothers, we are making too much noise," he said, +sharply. + +The great company of fighting men instantly became quiet. They +dismounted and waited for instructions from their chief. + +"Cheyennes, my people have come here to fight," White Otter said, +proudly. "We will ride after the Pawnees. We will bring back those +ponies. A Dacotah does not turn back. We will do what we set out to +do. Cheyennes are you ready to go into this fight?" + +"Yes, yes, we are ready!" shouted the Cheyennes. + +"It is good," declared White Otter. + +"Wait, Ogalalas, I will give you some words," said Red Dog. "I have +talked with Cloud Eagle and Two Dogs and Walks Alone and Hairy Robe +and Lame Bear. Those warriors took our women and children to your +village. They gave me good words. Now I know that our people are safe +in your lodges. Now I know that they will have plenty to eat and a +good place to sleep in. Now I know that our people will stay with you +until we fight the Pawnees and bring back the ponies. It is good. +Ogalalas, you have good hearts for your friends. The Cheyennes feel +good about it. We will always try to help you. + +"Ogalalas, your great chief, Wolf Robe, is too old to fight, but he +has sent you here to help us. It is good. Now we are strong enough to +fight the Pawnees. White Otter says that a Dacotah does not turn back. +It is true. The Dacotahs are very brave. Well, the Cheyennes will keep +close beside you. + +"Ogalalas, White Otter, your chief, is a great leader. He took me away +from the Kiowas. He was the leader. He told my people how to get into +that camp. We did what he told us to do. Everything was good. All my +people came out of that fight. It is something to talk about. +Cheyennes--Ogalalas--listen to my words. I am going to ask White Otter +to be the leader of this great war party. He is as brave as +Ma-to-ho-ta, the bear. He is as sharp as To-ka-la, the fox. He fooled +the Kiowas. I believe he will fool the Pawnees. If White Otter is the +leader, I believe we will get back those ponies. Now you all know how +I feel about it." + +His proposal was approved by the entire company. The Cheyennes +believed that the young war chief of the Ogalalas possessed some +mysterious power which made him immune from peril, and enabled him to +triumph over his foes. They believed that his leadership greatly +increased their chances for a victory over the Pawnees. The Ogalalas +were equally certain of success. + +"I will be the leader," said White Otter. "Now we must get away. +Pretty soon the light will come. There is little time. Come, Red Dog, +send some one to call in the scouts. Then we will ride away." + +Red Dog sent several riders to find the three Cheyenne scouts who were +watching on the plain. Then the Cheyennes gathered about the warriors +who had escaped from the Cheyenne camp to learn the details of the +disastrous battle with the Kiowas. It was not long, however, before +they were interrupted by the arrival of the scouts. They said that +they had watched carefully but had heard nothing of their foes. + +"It is good," said White Otter. "Come, my brothers, get on your +ponies. We will go to fight the Pawnees." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE PAWNEES AT BAY + + +Aware that each moment was precious, White Otter rode through the +night at a desperate pace. Behind him thundered the great war party of +Sioux and Cheyennes. Beside him rode Red Dog, the Cheyenne chief, and +Black Moccasin, the famous Ogalala scout. Convinced that they would +see nothing of the Pawnees until they finally came up with them, White +Otter saw little need for caution. He believed that the Pawnees had +stopped for the night, to rest the ponies, and he was eager to cover +as much distance as possible before daylight. + +The Ogalalas were enthusiastic at the idea of an encounter with their +old-time enemies, the Pawnees. They knew from experience that the +hated "Wolf People" were brave and stubborn fighters, but they felt +confident of victory. They followed gayly after their leader, talking, +and laughing and chanting their war songs. Behind them came the +Cheyennes. Their gloom had vanished. Their confidence was restored. +The warriors who had returned with the Ogalalas had greatly +strengthened their numbers, and with the formidable Dacotahs for +allies they believed that success was assured. + +"Pretty soon it will be light," said White Otter. "Then we will send +scouts to find the tracks of the ponies. We will follow them until we +come up with the Pawnees." + +"While the foolish Pawnees are sleeping, we are rushing closer," +laughed Red Dog. + +"Perhaps they kept going ahead," said Black Moccasin. "Perhaps they +were afraid some one would follow them." + +"No, I do not believe it," declared Red Dog. "They saw that we were +not strong enough to fight them. They do not expect any one to follow +them." + +"They cannot keep running those ponies," White Otter told them. "They +must stop to rest." + +At dawn White Otter became more cautious. He stopped the war party and +made known his plans. + +"The light has come, we must look for the Pawnees," he said. "I am +going to send out some scouts to find the tracks of those ponies. I +will send Sun Bird, and Little Raven, and High Eagle. Now, Red Dog, +you must send three of your people with my brothers." + +"It is good," said Red Dog. "I will send Running Crow, and Painted +Weasel and Standing Bull." + +"Now, my brothers, I will tell you what to do," said White Otter. "I +will ask Sun Bird and Little Raven to go ahead. I will ask the rest of +you to ride out on both sides of us. Look hard until you find the +tracks of those ponies. I believe they are close by. If you find them, +make the signal. We will keep watching. If we find those tracks, we +will make the signal. Perhaps scouts are watching on the high places. +Look out for them." + +The six scouts went away. Then the war party rode ahead. Eager to +prevent the Pawnees from increasing their lead, they rode at a stiff +pace. It was not long before they saw Standing Bull riding rapidly in +a circle, some distance to the westward. + +"It is good," said White Otter. "Standing Bull has found the tracks. +We will go over there." + +Standing Bull and Painted Weasel had found the trail of the Pawnees. +A close examination of the tracks convinced White Otter that the +Pawnees were traveling at a moderate pace. + +"They made those tracks before the last sun went away," he said. + +"It is true," agreed Black Moccasin. + +"Call the scouts," said White Otter. "Then we will go ahead, and find +out where the Pawnees stopped." + +They saw one of the scouts approaching from the east. The fact that he +was alone made them suspicious. They believed that his companion had +remained to watch something. As the rider came nearer they saw that it +was High Eagle, the Ogalala. + +"We saw some people far away toward the Place-where-the-day-begins," +said High Eagle. "Three were on ponies. They rode ahead. Four were on +foot." + +"Which way are they going?" inquired White Otter. + +"They are going straight ahead--the same way we are going," High Eagle +told him. "They are far away. Running Crow is watching them." + +"I believe those people are Kiowas," said White Otter. "We chased them +far away. Now they are going back to their village. We will not think +about them." + +"Yes, yes, it must be the Kiowas," laughed Red Dog. + +"High Eagle, we have found the tracks of the Pawnees," said White +Otter. "We are going to follow them. Go back there and bring Running +Crow." + +When they learned that the scouts had discovered a small company of +Kiowas, some of the Cheyennes were eager to ride away in pursuit of +them. White Otter immediately objected. He realized that the maneuver +would cause delay and confusion, and might betray them to the Pawnees. + +"No, you must not go over there," he said. "You must keep going ahead +to catch the Pawnees. If you hold back they will get to their village. +Then it will be hard to run off the ponies. I am the leader. You must +do as I tell you." + +Red Dog repeated the message to the Cheyennes, and they dismissed the +Kiowas from their thoughts. They knew that White Otter and his +warriors were risking their lives to help them, and they were eager to +obey his commands. Then they saw High Eagle and Running Crow riding to +join them. Sun Bird and Little Raven, however, had failed to appear. +White Otter felt little fear for their safety. He believed that they +were scouting carefully in advance of the war party in an effort to +locate the Pawnees. + +"Pretty soon they will come," he told Red Dog. + +A few moments afterward they rode over a low ridge, and saw the two +Minneconjoux scouts. They were waiting at a grove of cottonwoods. The +war party raced forward to join them. + +"Here is the place where the Pawnees stopped," said Sun Bird, as White +Otter approached. + +"Yes, I see where the ponies were feeding," replied White Otter. + +He believed that the Pawnees had remained at the spot until daylight. +In that event he realized that they could not be very far ahead of +him. He hoped to come in sight of them before the end of the day. + +"We must go on," said White Otter. + +They galloped away on the trail. It led directly toward the south. As +they advanced the plain became rough and broken, and there were many +low knolls and ridges. White Otter realized that it offered splendid +protection to hostile scouts, and he became more cautious. + +"Come, Sun Bird, ride ahead and keep watching the high places," he +said. "I will ask Little Raven to go with you. Follow the tracks of +the ponies. We will ride behind you." + +The Minneconjoux galloped away. The war party rode easily until the +scouts were a long way ahead. Then they again raced their ponies at +high speed in the hope of soon overtaking the Pawnees. + +As the day advanced and they failed to see anything of their foes, +some of the warriors feared that they would be unable to overtake them +before they reached the great Pawnee camp. The thought discouraged +them. White Otter, however, was still hopeful of coming up with them. +He felt sure that he was steadily gaining upon them, and he expected +to see them before the end of the day. Red Dog, too, was confident +that they would come in contact with the Pawnees before nightfall. + +"Hi, hi, I believe our brothers have found them!" Black Moccasin +cried, excitedly. + +The Minneconjoux were riding in a circle on the top of a low hill. The +war party rode toward them with high hopes. + +"What has happened?" White Otter inquired, anxiously. + +"We saw two riders over there on that next hill," said Sun Bird. "They +went away very fast. I believe they were Pawnee scouts." + +"Did they see you?" asked White Otter. + +"Yes," replied Sun Bird. "They must have been peeping over that high +place. We looked sharp, but we could not see them. When we went up +that hill we saw them riding away. They kept looking back. Then we +rode here to call you." + +"It is bad," said Red Dog. "They will tell their people about us. Now +it will be hard to catch them." + +"Well, my brothers, there is no use of talking about it," declared +White Otter. "There is only one thing to do. We must rush ahead and +try to catch the Pawnees before they get away." + +"Yes, that is the only thing to do," said Black Moccasin. + +They raced ahead at top speed. They had gone only a short distance +when they saw a small company of horsemen sweep into view over a +nearby rise of the plain. They stopped at sight of the war party. Then +they turned and raced toward the south. They appeared to have been +thrown into a panic. White Otter and his warriors rode after them +with the fierce eagerness of wolves in sight of game. + +"Those warriors came to find us, but they found something different," +laughed Little Raven. + +"Their people must be close by," declared White Otter. + +The Pawnees had disappeared behind the ridge. When the war party +reached it, they saw them still riding furiously toward the south. +They had lost considerable ground, however, and White Otter felt +encouraged. + +"We will come up with them," he told his companions. + +"Yes, yes, we are closing in," said Red Dog. + +They heard the scouts whooping fiercely, and they believed that they +were attempting to warn their tribesmen. Then they discovered a great +smother of dust rising in the distance. They realized that they had +come in sight of the Pawnees. + +"Come, come, ride faster!" cried White Otter. + +They forced the ponies into a terrific pace. They were steadily +gaining upon the four scouts. The latter were making frantic efforts +to escape. + +"Pretty soon we will catch those riders," White Otter declared, +grimly. + +At that moment, however, the Pawnee scouts turned toward the east. +White Otter instantly detected the clever ruse. + +"Do not follow them," he cried. "They are trying to lead us off. Keep +after the ponies." + +Then they swept over a rise of the plain, and saw the Pawnees and the +ponies directly ahead of them. They were a long distance away, +however, and were riding desperately. They appeared to have the great +herd of ponies under complete control, and White Otter realized that +the chase threatened to be a long one. + +"They are far ahead of us," he said, soberly. + +Having actually sighted the Pawnees, the war party was determined to +overtake them. Forcing the ponies to a killing pace, they began to +gain upon their foes. Stride by stride they overcame the lead of the +Pawnees until the latter were barely two arrow flights away. Then the +Pawnees lashed the ponies into a furious sprint, and held off their +pursuers. The wild race across the plain became a test of endurance +between the rival ponies. Both companies of riders knew that the +gallant little beasts must eventually collapse, but each hoped that +their foes would be the first to weaken. The ponies appeared to be +well matched, however, and the exhausting chase continued. + +The Pawnees were approaching a long, straggling line of trees that +reached far across the plain. White Otter knew that the timber marked +the course of a stream. He rode wildly to overtake his foes before +they reached it. Once they crossed the water he realized that it would +be difficult to reach them, and still more difficult to secure the +ponies. His efforts were useless, however, for the Pawnees held their +lead. They were still safely beyond arrow range when they finally +forced their gasping ponies across the stream, and came to a stand in +the timber along the bank. White Otter pulled up the sweating piebald. +The long pursuit had come to an end. The Pawnees had placed a +formidable barrier between them and their foes. For the moment, at +least, they were safe from attack. + +"Now I know why they did not stop to fight," White Otter said, +bitterly. "They were trying to get to that place. Now they are there. +It is bad." + +"Well, we made them stop," declared Red Dog. + +"Yes, we kept them from getting to their camp," said Black Moccasin. +"Now we are close. They cannot get away. Pretty soon we will go over +there and run off the ponies." + +"My brother, that will be a hard thing to do," White Otter told him. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A HARD WON VICTORY + + +White Otter and his warriors approached within bowshot of the stream. +Then they sat upon their tired ponies, and stared silently across at +the Pawnees. The latter were in sight among the trees. They had driven +the captured ponies from the timber, and were herding them upon the +open plain. Less than a third of the company guarded them. The rest of +the Pawnees were watching along the bank of the stream. + +"Perhaps those warriors will try to hold us back while their friends +get away with the ponies," Red Dog declared, suspiciously. + +"I believe that is what they propose to do," said Black Moccasin. + +"No, I do not believe it," White Otter told them. "Those ponies have +come a long ways. They have run fast. The Pawnees will let them rest. +When it gets dark perhaps they will try to take them away." + +"I believe what White Otter says is true," declared Sun Bird. + +The Pawnees had gained the advantage. White Otter realized that an +attempt to cross the stream might result in heavy loss. He determined +to wait until he had carefully studied the possibilities. Both the +Ogalalas and the Cheyennes, however, were eager to make an attack. The +Pawnees were jeering, and daring them to cross the stream. + +"Hi, you Dacotahs, are you afraid to follow us through the water?" +some one called, mockingly. "You came here to help the Cheyennes. Why +are you holding back? Have we frightened you? Go back to your lodges +and sit with the old women. Perhaps they will tell you how to fight." + +The taunt roused the Ogalalas into a frenzy. They were wild with rage. +Some of them rode recklessly to the edge of the stream. Many of the +Cheyennes followed them. White Otter warned them against attempting to +cross. + +"Stop!" he cried. "The Pawnees are trying to catch you. Are you going +to throw away your lives? The Pawnees are like Zi-ca, the squirrel. +They make a big noise, but they hide behind the trees. They are +trying to make you mad. If you ride into the water, they will kill you +with their arrows. Come, my brothers, turn back. Shake the words of +the Pawnees from your ears." + +The Ogalalas saw the wisdom of his words. They lingered a moment or +so, shouting boastful threats against the Pawnees. Then they turned +back. The Cheyennes accompanied them. The Pawnees laughed fiercely. + +A moment afterward a ringing shout sounded farther along the stream. +The Pawnee scouts had crossed, a long distance to the eastward. They +were riding to join their tribesmen. + +"Those Pawnees feel very brave," laughed White Otter. + +The day was passing, and White Otter realized that he must decide upon +a plan of action. He left High Eagle and a small company of scouts to +watch the Pawnees, and then he led the war party beyond earshot of +their foes. He called a council and asked Running Crow to act as +interpreter. + +"My friends, we must find out the best way to run off those ponies," +he said. "When it gets dark we must be ready to do something. Now I +will tell you how I feel about it. I believe the Pawnees will try to +send away those ponies. They will try to fool us. We must be sharp. I +will tell you what I propose to do. If any of you feel different about +it, you must talk against it. + +"Now, my brothers, listen sharp. I believe there is only one way to +get those ponies. When it gets dark we will send scouts along the +water. They must follow along the water until they find a good place +to go across. Then they must go across, and watch the Pawnees. If the +Pawnees try to run off the ponies, the scouts must make the signal. +After those scouts go away we will make two war parties. Our brothers, +the Cheyennes, will keep together. Red Dog will be the leader. +My people will keep together. I will be the leader. One war +party must stay here. One war party must go toward the +Place-where-the-day-begins. Then that war party must circle around and +cross over the water. Those warriors must run off the ponies. The war +party that stays here must go straight ahead to fight the Pawnees. +Then we will be on two sides of them. Now I have told you how I feel +about it." + +"My brothers, you have heard the words of a great chief," said Red +Dog. "White Otter is the leader. I will do as he proposes to do. I +believe it is good." + +"Cheyennes, I believe White Otter has told us the best way to fight +the Pawnees," said Running Crow. + +"My friends, White Otter is a great war leader," declared Black +Moccasin. "He has led his people in many battles. If we do as he tells +us to do, I believe we will get back those ponies." + +Many more warriors indorsed the plan of the Ogalala chief. No one +spoke against it. Having led them to a splendid victory over the +Kiowas, the Cheyennes felt confident that he would be equally +successful against the Pawnees. + +"Well, my brothers, I see that there is no one to talk against this +thing--we will go ahead with it," White Otter told them. "Now I will +call out the names of the scouts who must go to watch the Pawnees. I +will call my brother Hollow Bear, and I will call Standing Bull. +Hollow Bear is an Ogalala. Standing Bull is a Cheyenne. Both of them +are great warriors. Now I will tell you about those war parties. I see +that there are more Ogalalas than Cheyennes. The Ogalalas must fight +the Pawnees. The Cheyennes must try to get the ponies. Come, Red Dog, +tell me how you feel about it." + +"It is good," agreed Red Dog. + +Having decided upon the plan of attack, the war party again approached +the stream. High Eagle and his companions said that the Pawnees had +made no attempt to leave the timber. White Otter felt sure that they, +too, were waiting to attempt some bold bit of stratagem under cover of +the night. The thought made him suspicious, and watchful. He saw +nothing which would give him a clew to the intentions of the Pawnees. + +As the light slowly faded from the plain the Pawnees began to sing +their war songs and shout fierce threats against their enemies. The +Ogalalas and the Cheyennes listened in silence. The threatening flash +of their eyes, however, betrayed the wrath that blazed in their +hearts. They waited for darkness, and the opportunity to rush upon +their foes. + +In the meantime Hollow Bear and Standing Bull had ridden away on their +perilous mission. They went a considerable distance toward the north +before they finally turned to the eastward. Then they made a wide +detour and approached the stream. They waited a long time at the edge +of the water, listening for sounds from their foes. As they heard +nothing to alarm them, they rode cautiously into the stream. They +reached the opposite side in safety, and moved out upon the plain. + +Soon afterward Red Dog and his warriors arrived at the stream, an +arrow flight from the place where the scouts had crossed. They, too, +stopped to listen. All was quiet. The Cheyennes, however, waited +beside the water. They were listening for the signal which would warn +them that the Ogalalas had begun the fight. + +"My brothers, the scouts have gone," White Otter told the Ogalalas. "I +believe they are across the water. Red Dog and his brothers have gone. +I believe they are waiting for the signal. Everything is ready. We +must begin the fight. I will ask you to be brave. Drive back the +Pawnees and get to the ponies. Red Dog and his warriors will come to +help us. Keep close around the ponies. Drive them across the water. +Are you ready?" + +"Hi, hi!" cried the Ogalalas. + +"Come!" shouted White Otter. + +At that moment they heard the thunder of hoofbeats across the stream. +A piercing shout rang through the night. It was a warning from the +scouts. Then the wild yells of the Pawnees sounded from the edge of +the water. The Ogalalas realized what had happened. + +"They are running off the ponies!" cried White Otter. "Follow me!" + +The Ogalalas raised the great Dacotah war cry, and rode boldly into +the stream. They heard Red Dog and the Cheyennes farther to the +eastward. The Pawnees began to shoot their arrows. The Sioux sent a +volley into the timber. Then they lashed their ponies forward, and +charged recklessly upon their foes. The Pawnees held their ground, and +offered desperate resistance. The Sioux, however, were thoroughly +aroused, and they fought with a sullen ferocity that made them +irresistible. The Pawnees finally gave way, and raced across the plain +in pursuit of the ponies. The Ogalalas kept close behind them. They +heard the Cheyennes whooping fiercely, and they believed that they had +overtaken the herd. + +"Hi, hi, the Cheyennes are making a big fight!" the Dacotahs cried, +excitedly. + +When they were within arrow range of the ponies, the Pawnees turned +and fought savagely to hold them back. For a moment the Sioux were +halted. Then they rallied, and swept forward in a ferocious attack +that completely overcame their foes. A moment afterward they were at +the rear of the herd. + +In the meantime Red Dog and his tribesmen had raced ahead of the +Pawnees, and were attempting to turn the ponies. Once at the front of +the herd, they rode wildly among the Pawnees and drove the frightened +ponies from their course. Whooping, and lashing furiously with their +heavy riding quirts, they gradually forced the ponies toward the east. +The Pawnees attacked them with great bravery, but the Cheyennes beat +them off. Then a company of Ogalalas raced along the flank of the herd +and came to the assistance of their allies. + +"Turn the ponies--run them to the water!" they cried. + +They soon gained control of the herd and raced the ponies toward the +stream. The Pawnees had no thought of yielding. Infuriated by the +success of their foes, they fought valiantly to regain possession of +the ponies. + +"Hold them off, hold them off!" shouted White Otter. + +While Red Dog and a company of Cheyennes rode ahead to drive aside +the Pawnees, the rest of the war party surrounded the herd. The +Pawnees found it impossible to reach the ponies. They rode close up to +their foes and fought with reckless courage, but each time they were +driven off. + +"Hi, the Pawnees are brave," Sun Bird told White Otter. + +"Yes, they are making a great fight," acknowledged White Otter. + +When they finally reached the timber the ponies attempted to turn +aside, and in a moment the herd was thrown into wild confusion. The +Pawnees were quick to seize the opportunity. Yelling fiercely, they +dashed forward like a pack of mad wolves, and attempted to cause a +stampede. + +"Come, Cheyennes, drive the ponies into the water!" cried White Otter. +"Ogalalas, hold back the Pawnees!" + +Then the Sioux and the Pawnees fought a thrilling hand-to-hand +encounter, while the Cheyennes made frantic attempts to drive the +unruly ponies into the timber. Wild with panic, the frenzied beasts +plunged, and reared, and kicked in their efforts to break through the +circle of riders that surrounded them. At last the Cheyennes lashed +them into submission and drove them forward. They plunged down the +bank, and floundered wildly across the stream. Then the Cheyennes +raced them away into the north. + +"Hi, my brothers, some of us must go back there, and help our +brothers, the Ogalalas," said Red Dog, when they were several arrow +flights from the stream. + +Then they heard the Dacotah war cry ringing through the night. Soon +afterward White Otter and his gallant fighters overtook them. They +were in high spirits. + +"Where are the Pawnees?" inquired Red Dog. + +"They are running to their lodges," laughed White Otter. + +"White Otter, you are a great chief," declared Red Dog. "The Ogalalas +are as brave as Ma-to-ho-ta, the bear. We will go to your village, and +tell your people what you have done. Yes, we will give some ponies to +your chief, Wolf Robe." + +"It is good," replied White Otter. + +Then he called Sun Bird and Little Raven to ride beside him. It was a +long time before he spoke. + +"My brothers, we have done what we set out to do," he said, finally. +"It was a great fight. Many brave warriors were killed. I will not +talk about it. You were very brave. You have helped me to do a big +thing. Sun Bird, I saw you drive back many Pawnees. Yes, you were +always in the fight. Little Raven, I saw you fight off three Pawnees. +Yes, I saw you do some big things. My brothers, I will tell your great +chief Curly Horse about you. I will tell him that you did big things +to help my people." + +"White Otter, your words make me feel good," said Sun Bird. "You came +to our lodges and went with us to fight the Blackfeet. Now we have +helped you fight the Pawnees. It is good. We are Dacotahs. A Dacotah +will fight for his brother." + +"It is true," declared Little Raven. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Three Sioux Scouts, by Elmer Russell Gregor + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE SIOUX SCOUTS *** + +***** This file should be named 36210.txt or 36210.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/2/1/36210/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Josephine Paolucci and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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