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diff --git a/36044-h/36044-h.htm b/36044-h/36044-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..24c988c --- /dev/null +++ b/36044-h/36044-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9563 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> + <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + +<head> + + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii" /> + + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of White Otter by Elmer Russell Gregor. + </title> + + <style type="text/css"> + + body { + margin-left : 10%; + margin-right : 10%; + } + + #booktitle { + letter-spacing : 3px; + } + + .br { + border-right: solid black 1px; + } + + .cen, + .centered { + text-align : center; + font-weight : bold; + } + + div.centered { + text-align : center; + /* work around for IE centering with CSS problem part 1 */ + } + + div.centered table { + margin-left : auto; + margin-right : auto; + text-align : left; + /* work around for IE centering with CSS problem part 2 */ + } + + div.inset { + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + width:32em; + } + + .dropcap { + text-indent : 0; + } + + .figcenter { + padding : 1em; + text-align : center; + font-size : 0.8em; + border : none; + margin : 0; + text-indent : 1em; + } + + .figcenter img { + border: none + } + + .figcenter p { + margin: 0; + text-indent: 1em; + } + + .figcenter { + margin: auto; + } + + .h1 { + font-size: 2em; + margin: .67em 0; + } + + .h1, + .h2, + .h3, + .h4, + .h5, + .h6 { + font-weight: bolder; + text-align : center; + text-indent : 0; + } + + h1, + h2, + h3, + h4, + h5, + h6, + hr { + text-align : center; + } + + .h2 { + font-size: 1.5em; + margin: .75em 0; + } + + h2 + h3 { + margin-bottom : 2em; + } + + .h3 { + font-size: 1.17em; + margin: .83em 0; + } + + .h4 { + margin: 1.12em 0 ; + } + + .h5 { + font-size: .83em; + margin: 1.5em 0 ; + } + + h5 { + margin-bottom : 1%; + margin-top : 1%; + } + + .h6 { + font-size: .75em; + margin: 1.67em 0; + } + + hr { + margin-right : 25%; + margin-left : 25%; + width : 50%; + } + + hr.chapter { + margin-top : 6em; + margin-bottom : 4em; + } + + .noin { + text-indent : 0; + } + + p { + text-align : justify; + margin-top : .3em; + margin-bottom : .3em; + text-indent : 1em; + } + + p.caption { + text-align: center; + font-weight: bold; + } + + p.dropcap:first-letter { + float : left; + padding-right : 3px; + font-size : 300%; + font-weight: bold; + line-height: 80%; + width : auto; + } + + p.index { + margin: 0; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; + } + + p.right { + text-align: right; + } + + p.spacer { + margin-top : 2em; + margin-bottom : 3em; + } + + .pagenum { +/* visibility : hidden; comment out to display page numbers */ + position : absolute; + right : 2%; + font-size : 75%; + color : gray; + background-color : inherit; + text-align : right; + text-indent : 0; + font-style : normal; + font-weight : normal; + font-variant : normal; + } + + .sc, .smcap { + font-variant : small-caps; + } + + .tdl { + text-align: left; + } + + .tdr { + text-align : right; + padding-right : 1em; + } + + .tdrs { + text-align: right; + font-size:60%; + padding-right : 2em; + } + + .trnote { + margin-left : 15%; + margin-right : 15%; + margin-top : 5%; + margin-bottom : 5%; + padding : 1em; + background-color : #f6f2f2; + color : black; + border : 1px dotted black; + } + + </style> + +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of White Otter, 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: White Otter + +Author: Elmer Russell Gregor + +Illustrator: D. C. Hutchinson + +Release Date: May 6, 2011 [EBook #36044] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHITE OTTER *** + + + + +Produced by Tor Martin Kristiansen, Matthew Wheaton, Michael +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img id="Cover" border="0" src="images/cover.png" alt="Cover" /> +</div> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img border="0" src="images/art01.jpg" alt="frontpic" /></div> + +<div class="inset"> +<p class="caption"> +"The hunt became a mad break-neck scramble across the rocky plain."</p> +<p class="right caption">[<span class="sc">Page</span> 143]</p> +</div> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h2">WHITE OTTER</p> + +<p class="spacer"></p> + +<p class="h3">BY</p> + +<p class="h2">ELMER RUSSELL GREGOR</p> + +<p class="h6">AUTHOR OF "CAMPING ON WESTERN TRAILS," "THE RED ARROW," ETC.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art02.png" alt="art02" /> +</div> + +<p class="h6">FRONTISPIECE BY</p> + +<p class="h4">D. C. HUTCHISON</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h2">D. APPLETON AND COMPANY</p> + + +<p class="h2">NEW YORK + + + + +LONDON</p> + +<p class="h3">1924</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<div class="inset" style="width:17em"> +<p class="noin" style="font-weight:bolder"> +<u>By ELMER R. GREGOR</u><br /> +<br /> +JIM MASON, BACKWOODSMAN<br /> +JIM MASON, SCOUT<br/> +<br /> +<i>Western Indian Series....</i> +<br/> +WHITE OTTER<br/> +THE WAR TRAIL<br/> +THREE SIOUX SCOUTS<br /> +<br /> +<i>Eastern Indian Series</i> +<br /> +SPOTTED DEER<br/> +RUNNING FOX<br/> +THE WHITE WOLF</p> +</div> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h6"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1917, by</span></p> + +<p class="h4">D. APPLETON AND COMPANY</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h5">Printed in the United States of America</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art03.png" alt="art03" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p class="h2">CONTENTS</p> + +<div class="centered"> +<table + border="0" + cellpadding="4" + cellspacing="10" + summary="Table of Contents" + width="90%"> +<tr> + <td class="tdrs">CHAPTER</td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + <td class="tdrs">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">I.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Riders of the Night</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">II.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The War Party</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">III.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Trailing the Enemy</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">IV.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Perilous Adventure</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">V.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Surprise</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">VI.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Fight in the Dark</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_85">85</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">VII.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Minneconjoux Camp</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">VIII.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Visitors from the North</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">IX.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Great Buffalo Drive</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">X.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">An Adventure Among the Peaks</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_156">156</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XI.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Call to War</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_177">177</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XII.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Night of Uncertainty</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_189">189</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XIII.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Racing to the Rescue</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_212">212</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XIV.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Plight of the Ogalalas</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_222">222</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XV.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">White Otter's Bold Resolve</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_241">241</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XVI.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Baffling Trail</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_253">253</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XVII.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Peep into the Pawnee Camp</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_267">267</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XVIII.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Daring Attempt</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_278">278</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XIX.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Splendid Victory</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_292">292</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XX.</td> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Crown of Eagle Plumes</span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_305">305</a></td> +</tr> +</table></div> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<h1 id="booktitle">WHITE OTTER</h1> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER I +</h2> + +<p class="h3">RIDERS OF THE NIGHT</p> + +<p class="dropcap">IT was the time of the new-grass moon. The +long cold winter had finally passed, and the +season of abundance was at hand. The Sioux +gave thanks to the Great Mystery with song +and dance. They knew that vast herds of buffaloes +would soon appear from the south, and +then every want would be supplied. The hunters +were already making plans for the great +buffalo drive which would provide the camp +with meat for many days.</p> + +<p>It was at this season that White Otter, the +grandson of Wolf Robe, the famous Ogalala war +chief, had planned to visit the Minneconjoux +camp to see his friends, Sun Bird and his +brother Little Raven. The three young warriors +had shared many perilous adventures the<span class="pagenum">[2]</span> +previous year, when White Otter won fame by +recovering the Red Arrow, a Sioux medicine +trophy which had been stolen by the Pawnees, +and Sun Bird rescued his brother from captivity. +At that time the lads pledged themselves +to an undying friendship, and Sun Bird and +Little Raven accompanied White Otter to the +Ogalala village. When they departed White +Otter gave each two splendid ponies, and promised +to visit them the following spring. Now +the time was at hand and he was eager to go.</p> + +<p>When Wolf Robe learned White Otter's intention +he said: "It is good; the Minneconjoux +are our brothers. Curly Horse, their chief, +is a great man. You will see many brave warriors +in that camp. Sun Bird and Little Raven +are your friends. They will tell their people +about you. Go and tell the Minneconjoux that +Wolf Robe is thinking about them."</p> + +<p>Two days later White Otter set out upon his +journey. As he was anxious to make a good +appearance before the proud people whom he +planned to visit, he had arrayed himself with +elaborate care. He was dressed in all the finery +of a Sioux warrior. He wore soft doeskin leg<span class="pagenum">[3]</span>gings +extending to his thighs, a buckskin breech-cloth, +moccasins gayly decorated with dyed +deer-hair, a rawhide belt from which hung his +knife-sheath, his weaselskin pouch containing +his fire-sticks and a small buckskin bag filled +with dried meat. His bow and arrows were in +a wolfskin case which was slung across his back, +and at his side hung his buffalo-hide war shield. +His robe was a beautifully tanned pelt of the +grizzly bear. His hair was arranged in two +braids which were bound with otter fur, and +fastened to his scalp-lock was a tail-feather of +the golden eagle, which proclaimed him a warrior. +He rode his fastest war pony, a nervous +little roan, and in its mane and tail he had fastened +many hawk feathers, and strips of fur. +Thus equipped, the lad of seventeen winters +was an imposing figure. Tall and manly, he +carried himself with the commanding dignity +which he had inherited from his father, Standing +Buffalo, and his grandfather, Wolf Robe, +the stern old war chief of the Ogalalas.</p> + +<p>As White Otter left his grandfather's lodge +and rode through the center of the village the +people greeted him with shouts of approval. He<span class="pagenum">[4]</span> +had won an everlasting place in their hearts, +and they looked upon him with pride and affection. +Most of the boys, many of the old men +and some of the women followed him from +the village, singing his praise and calling his +name. Once he had left the camp, however, +White Otter soon urged his pony into a canter, +and rode away from his enthusiastic admirers.</p> + +<p>"The Minneconjoux will see that White Otter, +the grandson of the great war chief of the +Ogalalas, is a man," said Yellow Horse, the +medicine-man.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is brave like his father, Standing +Buffalo, who has gone on the Long Trail," replied +Wolf Robe, as he looked admiringly after +his grandson.</p> + +<p>White Otter rode away with a light heart, for +he was overjoyed at the thought of rejoining +his friends. He had never been to the Minneconjoux +village, but he knew that it was far to +the westward near the great mountains, and as +Wolf Robe had carefully described certain +prominent landmarks along the route he had +little fear of missing his destination. The +young Sioux had heard many tales relating to<span class="pagenum">[5]</span> +the courage and valor of his distant tribesmen, +and he was eager to meet the famous warriors +of whom he had heard. He was particularly +anxious to see Curly Horse, the renowned Minneconjoux +war chief, and Sun Bird's father, +Rain Crow, a famous medicine-man.</p> + +<p>At midday White Otter came to a great village +of the little Underground People, the prairie +dogs. He rode slowly between the small +earth lodges, and saw hundreds of the eccentric +little creatures sitting up to watch him. One +old gray-whiskered sentinel chattered shrilly +as the pony approached, and finally dove frantically +into his burrow. Most of the Underground +People followed his example. White +Otter laughed at their fright. He stopped his +pony and waited for them to reappear. When +the gray nose of the cautious old patriarch +finally came in sight, the young Sioux called a +greeting.</p> + +<p>"Ho, you Underground People. Do you see +who I am? Ho, you old man. Why do you +chatter like a frightened old woman? Come +out and call to your people. Tell them that +White Otter is their friend. See, at my side<span class="pagenum">[6]</span> +is the scalp of your enemy, the weasel. See, +on my back is the scalp of your enemy, the +wolf. See, in my hair is a feather of your enemy, +the great war bird. I am telling you about +this so that you can tell it to your children. +Now I am going away from here. Keep my +words in your heart."</p> + +<p>As White Otter rode slowly on his way all the +little Underground People came from their burrows, +and sat up on the low mounds of earth +to watch him. When he looked back and saw +them he laughed, and raised his hand in greeting. +Then he cantered away and disappeared +from sight over a low rise of the plain. He +rode until sunset, when he saw the first of the +landmarks which Wolf Robe had described: it +was a small grove of aspens which he had been +told concealed a water-hole.</p> + +<p>Although he was still on the hunting grounds +of his people, and believed he had little to fear +from prowling enemies, White Otter approached +the spot with his customary caution. +He knew that carelessness had betrayed more +than one brave warrior into the hands of his +foes, and he determined to run no unnecessary<span class="pagenum">[7]</span> +risks. Before exposing himself within arrow +range, therefore, he rode slowly around the +grove, watching for a sign of concealed foes, +and studying the ground for fresh pony tracks. +When he had ridden several times around the +spot without discovering anything to rouse his +suspicions, he drew his weapons, and dropped +to the side of his pony. Then he walked boldly +toward the trees. He found the grove unoccupied, +and as it contained a pool of fresh +water he decided to camp there for the night.</p> + +<p>It was barely dark, however, when White Otter's +fancied security was shattered by a noise +which filled him with alarm. Rushing to the +edge of the plain to listen, he caught the unmistakable +sound of galloping hoofs. The +truth instantly flashed into his mind. A company +of horsemen were approaching his camp-site. +Were they friends or foes? White Otter +dared not wait to learn. He realized that safety +lay in flight. There was not a moment to spare, +for the riders would soon be within bow-shot. +Running to his pony, he fastened a buckskin +muzzle over its nose, and leaped upon its back. +Then he rode cautiously out upon the plain.<span class="pagenum">[8]</span></p> + +<p>After he had gone a short distance the young +Sioux stopped to assure himself that the unknown +horsemen were continuing in his direction. +He was surprised to learn that the sounds +had ceased. However, the stillness failed to +deceive him. He knew that, like himself, the +riders were taking every precaution against a +surprise. He believed that the main company +had stopped some distance out on the plain to +wait until one or more unmounted scouts could +steal up to the water-hole to reconnoiter. Fearing +that these scouts might circle about the +grove and eventually discover him, he turned +his pony toward the east and rode slowly away.</p> + +<p>White Otter made his way toward a deep +ravine which he had crossed a short time before +he reached the water-hole. He planned to +picket his pony in the ravine, and then hurry +across the plain on foot to reconnoiter the camp +of the mysterious horsemen. He had not gone +far, however, when he heard an owl calling in +the vicinity of the pool, and he knew that the +scouts who had been sent forward to reconnoiter +were calling their companions. The signal +was answered by the cry of a coyote on the<span class="pagenum">[9]</span> +open plain, and it was evident that the riders +were advancing toward the grove.</p> + +<p>Soon afterward White Otter found the ravine, +and picketed his pony. Then he climbed +to the plain, and set out to spy upon the camp +in the aspen grove. As he made his way cautiously +through the dark he tried to guess the +identity of the people who had driven him from +the water-hole. It was possible that they might +prove to be a party of Sioux hunters from the +Minneconjoux village, but White Otter determined +to risk nothing on the chance. He believed +it far more probable that they were a +scouting party of Crows or Blackfeet from the +north who had ventured upon the Sioux hunting +grounds to look for buffaloes.</p> + +<p>White Otter hurried across the vast star-lit +plain with a firm determination to solve the riddle. +He realized that to learn what he wished +to know he must expose himself to considerable +danger, but he was without fear. He had already +established an enviable reputation as a +warrior, and had passed through many perilous +adventures on the war trail.</p> + +<p>The young Sioux guided himself by the stars,<span class="pagenum">[10]</span> +and soon arrived in the general vicinity of the +aspen grove. When he believed that he was +within hailing distance, he stopped to reconnoiter. +He stood a long time peering anxiously +into the dark to catch the glow of a camp-fire, +and listening for some sound which would tell +him the exact whereabouts of the people whom +he wished to see. His efforts were fruitless, +however, and he realized that he was farther +from the camp than he had supposed. As there +was nothing to gain by loitering where he was, +he continued across the plain.</p> + +<p>White Otter had gone some distance farther, +when he was suddenly stopped by the shrill +whinny of a horse. It sounded directly ahead +of him, but apparently quite far away. Believing +that the call had come from the vicinity +of the grove, White Otter looked eagerly +in that direction. For a few moments he saw +only the vast black plain, and the star-studded +heavens. Then he caught a gleam of light far +off to the westward. It filled his heart with joy, +for he knew that he had located the camp. It +also assured him that the horsemen had actually +stopped in the grove, and he felt greatly re<span class="pagenum">[11]</span>lieved. +More than once he had been troubled +by the fear that the travelers had merely visited +the pool to refresh their ponies and had then +resumed their journey. However, now that he +was certain of finding them in the grove, he +was more perplexed than before. He knew +that a hostile war party would be almost sure +to travel by night, especially when they found +themselves in the very center of the Sioux hunting +grounds. Therefore, White Otter concluded +that these people were hunters either from the +Minneconjoux village, or from that of one of +the hostile tribes farther to the north.</p> + +<p>Having definitely located the camp, the young +Sioux determined to approach it without further +delay. He knew that to learn the identity +of these people he must get near enough to +reconnoiter while the light from the fire made it +possible to see them. Therefore, he drew his +weapons and advanced toward the water-hole. +As he finally neared the grove he stopped at the +end of every third stride to listen. Then when +he heard the ponies stamping restlessly he knew +that he was within arrow-range, and he sank +noiselessly to the ground. He realized that<span class="pagenum">[12]</span> +if these people were enemies they had probably +stationed scouts about the grove, and he +feared to move lest he might encounter one of +the alert sentinels at any moment.</p> + +<p>As White Otter lay upon the plain determining +the safest way to approach the camp, he +heard sounds which led him to suspect that the +horsemen were preparing to leave the grove. At +the same time he noted that they were placing +fresh fuel upon the fire. The maneuver made +him suspicious. "These people are not Sioux," +he told himself.</p> + +<p>Fearing that they would go away before he +could identify them, the eager lad rose and hurried +toward the grove. Before he had covered +half the distance, however, the unknown riders +mounted their ponies and rode away at a gallop. +They went toward the south, and White +Otter felt sure that they were foes.</p> + +<p>The young Sioux listened with a heavy heart +until the mocking hoof-beats finally died away +in the distance, and then he made his way to +the little pool. The fire was blazing fiercely, +and he felt certain that it had been left to give +the impression that the riders were encamped<span class="pagenum">[13]</span> +in the grove. Their hasty departure convinced +him that the horsemen believed themselves pursued. +It seemed as if his earlier fears had been +confirmed. These people were evidently retreating +from a larger company of foes. The +thought made White Otter serious. He wondered +if his tribesmen, the Minneconjoux, were +involved in the mystery.</p> + +<p>However, as White Otter saw no way of +learning what he wished to know until he +reached the Minneconjoux camp, he told himself +that he must be patient. He concealed himself +near the pool and waited some time, hoping +that a pursuing company of horsemen might +soon appear. But the possibility that they +might be Crows or Blackfeet caused him considerable +uneasiness, and he finally determined +to return to his pony and spend the balance of +the night in the ravine.</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art04.png" alt="art04" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art05.png" alt="art05" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER II +</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE WAR PARTY</p> + +<p class="dropcap">AT daylight White Otter crept cautiously up +the side of the gully to survey the plain. +Far away toward the west he saw the little +grove of aspens, and he wondered if another +company of riders were encamped at the water-hole. +He searched the sky above the trees for +a trace of smoke, but he believed that the precaution +was useless, for he told himself that a +war party on the trail of foes would never betray +themselves in such a manner. White Otter +watched a long time, but saw nothing except +a distant band of antelope, and several animals +which he thought were prairie wolves. Soon +after sunrise he led his pony from the ravine, +and rode away.</p> + +<p>Once again the young Sioux circled cautiously +about the aspens, and when he had made sure +that the spot was free of foes he entered the +grove. He and his pony drank heartily at the<span class="pagenum">[15]</span> +little pool, and then resumed their journey toward +the Minneconjoux camp. White Otter was +still pondering upon the identity of the mysterious +riders. He was sorely disappointed +at the failure of his bold reconnaissance the +previous night. However, he consoled himself +with the thought that his friends might be able +to tell him something about the horsemen. +The possibility made him impatient, and he hurried +along at a rapid pace. He kept a sharp +watch for buffaloes, but it was evident that +those great beasts were still farther south. Antelope +were plentiful, but as White Otter had +a sufficient supply of dried meat he made no +attempt to hunt them.</p> + +<p>Later in the day as he was crossing a wide +stretch of grassy prairie White Otter saw a +solitary horseman watching him from the summit +of a distant knoll. Convinced that he had +already been discovered, he realized that it +would be folly to attempt to hide. He stopped +his pony, therefore, and waited to see what the +stranger would do. The latter, however, was +apparently using the same tactics against White +Otter. Thus many minutes passed while the<span class="pagenum">[16]</span> +two riders sat motionless on their ponies, and +watched with distrust and suspicion. They +were too far apart to identify each other, but +neither showed any inclination to approach +nearer. At last the stranger turned his pony, +and disappeared over the crest of the rise.</p> + +<p>White Otter did not know exactly what to do. +The appearance of the lone horseman had filled +him with all sorts of alarming suspicions. First +of all, he felt quite sure that the rider was a +scout reconnoitering in advance of a war party. +The idea suggested several interesting possibilities. +Perhaps it was a company of Sioux. +The thought thrilled him. He realized, however, +that he must not permit the hope to betray +him. He feared it more likely that he was +confronted by a roving band of foes. As the +horseman had made no attempt to conceal himself, +White Otter believed that he was endeavoring +to decoy him into a trap. It was quite probable +that a large body of warriors were lurking +behind the low ridge over which the rider +had disappeared. The thought was somewhat +alarming, and for a moment White Otter was +tempted to flee. As the plain was level and<span class="pagenum">[17]</span> +open, however, and he was well beyond bow-shot +of the ridge, he believed that he was in +little immediate danger after all. He saw that +it would be impossible for an enemy to steal +upon him unobserved, and the assurance made +him bold. Banishing all idea of retreating until +he learned more about the lone horseman, he +determined to hold his ground and wait for +further developments.</p> + +<p>It was not long before the rider again showed +himself on the summit of the knoll. A moment +afterward he was joined by a companion. The +appearance of the second horseman convinced +White Otter that a war party was concealed +behind the ridge. He watched anxiously to +learn what the two scouts intended to do.</p> + +<p>In a few moments one of the riders raised his +right hand above his head and moved it slowly +to the right and left. White Otter instantly +understood the signal, which meant, "I do not +know you. Who are you?" Unwilling to proclaim +himself until he knew more about the +strangers, the young Sioux replied by repeating +the question. Then the horseman who was conversing +with him again raised his right hand,<span class="pagenum">[18]</span> +but this time be held it motionless. It was the +sign for friendship. The second horseman +waved his robe, and then spread it upon the +ground. White Otter understood it as an invitation +to come and talk with them. He began +to hope that he was in communication with a +company of his own people. Still he realized +that he must take every precaution before exposing +himself. Therefore, he answered the +invitation by clasping his hands and raising +them above his head, which meant, "Are you +peaceful?" The horseman pledged himself by +repeating the signal.</p> + +<p>"My heart tells me that these people are +Sioux," White Otter assured himself.</p> + +<p>Then he again raised his right hand above +his head, and swept it forward and downward +to his side, which meant, "Come here." He +watched eagerly while the horsemen seemed to +be considering the invitation. At length one +of the riders turned his pony down the ridge +and rode toward White Otter. The latter saw +that his invitation had been accepted, and he +determined to be very cautious. When the +horseman finally stopped, and signaled for<span class="pagenum">[19]</span> +White Otter to advance, the lad made no reply. +He had no intention of placing himself one +stride nearer the ridge until he knew the intentions +of the strangers. As he showed no inclination +to meet the horseman, therefore, the +latter betrayed considerable impatience. After +repeating the sign for friendship a number of +times, and asking White Otter to meet him, he +finally turned to rejoin his companion.</p> + +<p>In the meantime White Otter had been +studying him closely, and although he could not +be sure at that distance he believed that the +disgruntled warrior was a Sioux. Therefore, +as the latter showed every intention of terminating +the interview, White Otter made haste +to pacify him. As the scout looked back to make +sure that he was not followed, the young Sioux +rode slowly forward.</p> + +<p>The stranger instantly wheeled his pony and +waited for White Otter to approach. The latter +advanced with the alert, watchful caution +of a fox. He made no attempt to conceal his +suspicions, and to reassure him the unknown +rider raised his hand in token of peace. +Neither White Otter nor the warrior who await<span class="pagenum">[20]</span>ed +him had drawn their weapons, for to have +done so under the circumstances would have +been a grave breach of etiquette. However, +White Otter stopped before he was within arrow-range, +and looked searchingly at the man +before him. He had all the characteristics of +a Sioux, but the cautious lad determined to take +nothing for granted. As he was now sufficiently +near to open negotiations in the sign language, +White Otter extended his right hand a short +distance and turned the open palm slowly from +right to left. Then he pointed toward the rider. +The signs meant, "Who are you?"</p> + +<p>The horseman replied by raising his right +hand to the level of his shoulder, and drawing +his flat palm swiftly across his throat, which +was the sign for the great Sioux nation.</p> + +<p>The announcement filled White Otter's heart +with joy. Still he determined to demand +further proof before venturing within arrow-range. +He, too, made the sign for Sioux. Then +he elevated his hands and brought the tips of his +fingers together so that his palms formed the +familiar outlines of a lodge or tepee, which was +the sign for village. Then he repeated the signs<span class="pagenum">[21]</span> +for "Who are you?" Thus he demanded to +know from what tribe or village the stranger +had come.</p> + +<p>The latter extended his clenched fists in front +of him, and placed the right thumb upon the left +thumb, twisting his hands to represent the motion +for grinding corn. Then he opened his +hands, and held them before him with the +thumbs uppermost and the fingers pointing forward. +He moved his hands by wrist action so +that the fingers moved downward and to the +front, and then raised them and moved his +hands slightly to the right. These motions were +repeated several times.</p> + +<p>White Otter uttered an involuntary exclamation +of delight, for he knew that the motions +were the signs for Minneconjoux Sioux. Then +as the rider was demanding an answer, White +Otter pointed to the ground, brought his +clenched right hand, with the back outward, in +front of his face and snapped his fingers toward +his eyes. It was the symbol for Ogalala Sioux.</p> + +<p>Having convinced each other that there was +no need for further caution, the two riders advanced. +As they came within easy hailing dis<span class="pagenum">[22]</span>tance the +Minneconjoux scout raised his hand +and called a greeting.</p> + +<p>"Ho, my brother, I see that you are a Sioux. +It is good; we will talk together."</p> + +<p>"Ho, my brother, I have heard your words. +They are the words of my people. Yes, I will +talk with you," said White Otter, as he hurried +forward to meet his tribesman.</p> + +<p>A few moments later they dismounted and +clasped hands. White Otter saw that the Minneconjoux +was a tall, broad-shouldered warrior +in the prime of life. He looked as sinewy +and active as one of the great mountain cats, +and White Otter recalled the stories he had +heard about this powerful tribe of the Dacotah +nation.</p> + +<p>"I see that you are a young man. But you +wear a feather of the great war bird, and I +know that you are a warrior. I do not know +who you are, but I will tell you that I am Feather +Dog. I have fought in many battles. You +say that you are an Ogalala. Those people are +very brave. I have talked with the great chief +Wolf Robe," said Feather Dog.</p> + +<p>"Feather Dog, I have listened to your words.<span class="pagenum">[23]</span> +I believe you are a brave warrior. The great +chief Wolf Robe is my grandfather. I am White +Otter; my father was Standing Buffalo. You +say that you are a Minneconjoux. I am going +to your village to see the great chief Curly +Horse, and Rain Crow, the medicine-man. I +will meet my brothers, Sun Bird and Little +Raven," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Yes, now I know about you," said Feather +Dog. "You are young, but you are a great +warrior. I have heard my people talk about +you. You have done a great thing. You call +Sun Bird and Little Raven your brothers. It +is true. I will tell you about them."</p> + +<p>Feather Dog told White Otter that he and +Sitting Eagle, who was still watching from +the summit of the ridge, were scouting in advance +of a small Minneconjoux war party. He +said that they were in pursuit of a band of +Utes from the south, who had stolen a number +of Sioux ponies. When White Otter heard that, +he knew at once the identity of the mysterious +riders at the water-hole.</p> + +<p>"I will tell you about those people," he told +Feather Dog.<span class="pagenum">[24]</span></p> + +<p>"Yes, tell me about them," the Minneconjoux +scout said, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"One sun back I camped over there," said +White Otter, pointing toward the east. "It +is a place my grandfather told me about. Over +there are many of the trees whose leaves always +tremble, and some good water. Do you know +about it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have been there many times," said +Feather Dog.</p> + +<p>"When I was at that place I heard some +ponies. Yes, it was dark, and I said: 'Perhaps +it is my brothers, the Minneconjoux.' But +I did not wait there. No, I rode away, and left +my pony in a ravine. Then I went back to look +at those people. When I got near them I heard +them going away. Then I hurried ahead to see +them. But it was dark, and they went away. +I said: 'Those people are not Sioux. They are +running away. Perhaps my brothers, the Minneconjoux, +are chasing them.' Now I know +about it," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Come, we will go over there, and tell this +thing to Sitting Eagle," proposed Feather Dog.</p> + +<p>As they cantered across the plain White Ot<span class="pagenum">[25]</span>ter +learned that the war party was farther toward +the west, as the Minneconjoux believed +that the Utes had retreated along the edge of +the great mountains. White Otter was overjoyed +to learn that both Sun Bird and Little +Raven were in the war party. Feather Dog +told him that among the ponies carried away +by the Utes was one which White Otter had +presented to Sun Bird. Feather Dog said that +a boy was driving the animals toward the village, +when the Utes rode out of a gully and +ran off the Minneconjoux ponies.</p> + +<p>"I do not know those people," said White +Otter.</p> + +<p>"No, they do not go to your country. They +are enemies of my people," replied Feather +Dog.</p> + +<p>"Then I will go to fight them," declared the +loyal young Sioux.</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward they joined Sitting +Eagle on the crest of the ridge. Feather +Dog soon told his companion what White Otter +had seen, and Sitting Eagle listened with much +interest. He, too, was a man in his prime, and +his splendid physique and bold flashing eyes<span class="pagenum">[26]</span> +filled his young tribesman with admiration. +When Feather Dog finished speaking Sitting +Eagle remained silent, while his eyes searched +the face of the youthful Ogalala. White Otter +met his gaze unflinchingly, and the stern Minneconjoux +scout seemed impressed by the lad's +boldness.</p> + +<p>"Feather Dog has told me your words. I +have listened. They are good. I know about +you. You have done a great thing. Yes, the +Sioux will talk about it a long time. You say +that you have found the trail of our enemies, +the Black Faces. It is good. See, our people +are coming over there," he said, as he extended +his arm toward the west.</p> + +<p>A company of horsemen were riding rapidly +toward them. When they saw the three riders +on the ridge they seemed to grow suspicious. +They were still too far away to recognize Sitting +Eagle and Feather Dog. It was evident +that they intended to take every precaution. +They had already stopped, and were apparently +gathered in council. Then Sitting Eagle +rode down the ridge and galloped to meet +them. This maneuver soon dispelled their sus<span class="pagenum">[27]</span>picions, and when the scout raised his voice in +the Sioux war cry, his companions came on at +the top speed of their ponies.</p> + +<p>White Otter watched them with considerable +emotion. Even at a distance he recognized the +two friends with whom he had shared so many +adventures. As they approached he was tempted +to ride across the plain to meet them, but +he saw Feather Dog watching him closely, and +he determined to conceal his feelings. However, +when the approaching horsemen learned +the identity of the rider with Feather Dog, Sun +Bird and Little Raven urged their ponies to a +furious sprint and raced forward in advance of +their companions. When they reached the top +of the ridge they jumped to the ground and ran +forward to greet their comrade.</p> + +<p>"My brother, I have taken your hand, and +my heart is filled with sunshine," said Sun +Bird.</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking about you a long +time," replied White Otter. "Now I am talking +with you. It is good; your words are like +the songs of the birds in my ears."</p> + +<p>"See, my brother, I am riding the pony which<span class="pagenum">[28]</span> +you gave me. Yes, I am a warrior. But I am +not thinking about these things. I am singing +in my heart because I have taken your hand," +said Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"Your words are the words of a true friend. +I will keep them in my heart," replied White +Otter.</p> + +<p>Then as the warriors gathered about them +White Otter told of his experience at the water-hole. +Convinced that the mysterious horsemen +were the Utes who had stolen the ponies, the +war party determined to ride to the aspen +grove. The sun was still some distance above +the horizon, and they felt sure that they would +reach the camp-site soon after dark. As there +was little chance of overtaking the Utes before +they reached their village, the daring Sioux resolved +to follow them to their camp, and retaliate +for the affront by running off a large bunch +of ponies. They planned to spend the night +at the water-hole, therefore, and set out on the +trail of their foes at dawn. When White Otter +learned their intention he volunteered to join +the war party, and was speedily accepted.</p> + +<p>"When I see you riding beside me I feel very<span class="pagenum">[29]</span> +brave," said Sun Bird. "It is good; we will +take many ponies from our enemies, the Black +Faces."</p> + +<p>"Tell me about those people," said White +Otter.</p> + +<p>Sun Bird told him that they lived several +days' journey toward the south. He said that +they were smaller than the Sioux, and very +dark. "My people call them the Black Faces," +said Sun Bird. He added that they were very +fearless, and he said that the Minneconjoux had +fought many furious battles with them.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said White Otter. "I will fight +these brave people. Then I will tell my people +about it."</p> + +<p>When the war party finally reached the water-hole +night had already fallen, and the wily Minneconjoux +halted out of arrow-range, while +Feather Dog and Sitting Eagle went forward +to investigate. It was not long before they signaled +that all was well, and the war party advanced. +After picketing the ponies in the timber, +the Sioux made a fire of dry sticks, and +broiled a quantity of antelope meat which they +had secured earlier in the day. When they<span class="pagenum">[30]</span> +finished eating they stationed several warriors +to guard the horses, and then the balance of the +company wrapped themselves in their robes and +went to sleep.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we will have a hard fight to get +those ponies," said Sun Bird, as he lay down +beside White Otter.</p> + +<p>"A Sioux is always ready to fight," replied +White Otter.</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art06.png" alt="art06" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art07.png" alt="art07" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER III +</h2> + +<p class="h3">TRAILING THE ENEMY</p> + +<p class="dropcap">THE Sioux set out on the trail at daybreak. +White Otter thrilled with pride as he +realized that they were about to enter the +stronghold of their foes to contend with a force +vastly superior in numbers. Sun Bird said +that the Minneconjoux war party would have +been considerably larger but for a rumor that +the Crows were gathering a great war party. +Suspecting that those inveterate foes intended +to invade their territory, the Sioux feared to +leave their village unprotected. He told White +Otter that the present company was composed +of a few loyal friends, several of whom had lost +ponies in the band which had been run off +by the Utes. As White Otter saw nothing of +Feather Dog and Sitting Eagle he felt sure that +they had already departed to scout in advance +of the war party.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they are as wise as the fox," said Sun<span class="pagenum">[32]</span> +Bird, when White Otter mentioned their absence. +"They will find the Black Faces, and +tell us about them."</p> + +<p>As the three lads rode along in company they +attracted much favorable comment from their +companions. They were a striking trio. The +young Ogalala was taller and more slender than +either of his friends. He lost nothing by comparison, +however, for his figure was splendidly +proportioned and showed the sinewy strength +of the young mountain cat; while the shorter, +more compact forms of the Minneconjoux betokened +the heavier power of the young bear. +It was evident that White Otter and Sun Bird +were about the same age, but Little Raven +looked several years younger. Sun Bird, like +White Otter, wore an eagle feather in his scalp-lock, +while Little Raven wore the tail feather +of a hawk.</p> + +<p>The Sioux had not gone far when they saw +one of the scouts signaling from a rise of +ground some distance to the south of them. +When he had attracted their attention he began +to ride his pony in a circle while he waited for +them to come up with him.<span class="pagenum">[33]</span></p> + +<p>"See, that is Feather Dog. He has found +something," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>Then the little company of riders galloped +eagerly toward their comrade. When they +reached him he led them to a wide meadow-like +stretch of sloughy ground, and showed them the +fresh hoof-prints of many ponies. The Sioux +studied them in silence. It was evident that +they were waiting for Feather Dog to tell them +what was in his mind.</p> + +<p>"There are the tracks of many ponies. Those +ponies carried our enemies, the Black Faces. +Those people took away two ponies that I know +about. Yes, I have used them many times. One +of those ponies made that mark," said Feather +Dog, stooping and placing his fingers in a hoof-print.</p> + +<p>Then his companions dismounted to inspect +the track. Upon examining it closely they +found that it showed an unusual bulge in the +center. Convinced that they were actually on +the trail of their foes, the Sioux began to chant +their war songs and make boastful threats +against the people who had incurred their +wrath.<span class="pagenum">[34]</span></p> + +<p>"What Feather Dog says is true," declared +Sun Bird. "Yes, the Black Faces are running +toward the mountains."</p> + +<p>As the trail led away toward the west, the +suggestion received unanimous indorsement. +The Sioux suspected that the crafty Utes had +attempted to make them the dupes of a wily +stratagem. It was evident that the latter had +fled to the water-hole solely to confuse their +pursuers. White Otter now understood the purpose +of the fire which they left blazing in the +grove while they fled toward the mountains. +However, Feather Dog's wolf-like keenness in +following a trail had made their efforts of no +avail.</p> + +<p>The Sioux waited until Feather Dog had +again gone forward in advance of them, and +then they rode away toward the south. They +kept a sharp watch for foes, for they realized +that they were in peril not only from the Utes, +but from roving bands of Kiowas and Pawnees +as well.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we will see our enemies the Wolf +People," said Sun Bird, referring to the latter +tribe.<span class="pagenum">[35]</span></p> + +<p>"We have fought a great battle with those +people. I feel it in my heart that we will fight +them again," White Otter prophesied grimly.</p> + +<p>The day was well advanced before the war +party again came into communication with the +scouts. Then Feather Dog suddenly appeared +from a gully, and rode furiously to and fro. It +was the danger signal, and the Sioux knew that +he had discovered something which had alarmed +him.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we are near our enemies," said +Sun Bird. "Feather Dog has seen something. +We must be very cautious."</p> + +<p>When they reached him he told them that he +and Sitting Eagle, who had joined him earlier +in the day, had discovered smoke some distance +to the south. Sitting Eagle had gone forward +to reconnoiter, and Feather Dog advised +the war party to wait in the ravine until the +scout returned.</p> + +<p>"It is the best thing to do," agreed Sun +Bird.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we must wait until we know about this +thing," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>The Sioux picketed their ponies in the bot<span class="pagenum">[36]</span>tom of the ravine, and composed themselves +to await the return of their comrade. They +knew that to be successful they must be patient +as well as cautious. Feather Dog pointed +out the spot where he had seen the smoke, but +it had faded from the sky before the war party +arrived.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it was a signal," suggested a warrior +named Spotted Elk.</p> + +<p>"No, it was different," declared Feather Dog, +with conviction.</p> + +<p>They watched anxiously for Sitting Eagle, +but the day ended and he failed to return. As +night closed down the Sioux posted sentinels +on both sides of the ravine. Then they waited +in silence, straining their ears to catch the first +warning of the scout's return. However, as +the time passed and he failed to appear some +of the younger warriors showed signs of uneasiness.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps Sitting Eagle has been captured," +suggested Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"A Sioux does not turn back until he sees +what he goes to know about," said Sun Bird. +"Sitting Eagle is as cautious as an old wolf.<span class="pagenum">[37]</span> +He will come back and tell us about this thing. +A warrior must know how to wait."</p> + +<p>"You speak wise words. I will keep them +in my heart," Little Raven replied, humbly.</p> + +<p>The night was far spent when the Sioux were +roused by the shrill bark of the little gray fox. +It sounded from the east, and seemed close at +hand. They listened anxiously, and in a few +moments they heard it again. The keenest ear +among them could detect no flaw in the call, +and they wondered if the animal itself was deceiving +them. Then they heard it the third time, +and their suspense was ended. They knew it +was a signal from their absent tribesman. One +of the sentinels barked twice in rapid succession. +Then they heard the sound of hoofs, and +a few moments later Sitting Eagle led his pony +into the ravine.</p> + +<p>"You have returned; it is good," said +Feather Dog.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have looked at those people," replied +Sitting Eagle. "Now I will tell you about it."</p> + +<p>He said that after leaving Feather Dog he +had advanced across the plain with great caution +until he finally discovered a camp situated<span class="pagenum">[38]</span> +in a scattered growth of timber beside a stream. +As he saw a number of lodges among the trees, +however, he began to doubt that these were the +people whom he wished to find. He knew that +a war party setting out to steal ponies would +never incumber themselves in that manner. +Besides, the lodges implied the presence of +women and children. Sitting Eagle was convinced, +therefore, that these people were not on +the warpath. The thought troubled him. The +trail of the people who had stolen the Sioux +ponies led in the general direction of this camp. +For a time the scout was sorely perplexed. At +last he decided that these people were hunters, +roaming the plains in search of buffaloes. He +believed that the Sioux ponies had been stolen +by a company of young warriors from this +camp. However, Sitting Eagle realized that +his opinions were of no value until he learned +whether these people were actually his enemies, +the Black Faces. To gain this information he +knew that he must approach sufficiently near +to recognize them. As it would have been sheer +madness to attempt such a maneuver in daylight, +he waited until dark. Then he concealed<span class="pagenum">[39]</span> +his pony, and advanced toward the camp on +foot. He gained the edge of the camp in safety, +and soon convinced himself that the people +who occupied it were his foes, the Utes. Then +he looked for evidence to connect them with the +theft of the ponies. Determined to supply positive +proof to his tribesmen, the daring scout +risked his life to obtain the information. Waiting +until the fire made it possible to see every +detail of the camp, Sitting Eagle crawled forward +in the shadows until he could study the +band of ponies. It was not long before he discovered +the animals which had been stolen from +his people. Then having learned all that he +wished to know he retreated to his pony, and +raced away to join his companions.</p> + +<p>"Sitting Eagle has done a good thing," said +Feather Dog, as the scout finished his story. +"I have listened to his words. Yes, now I know +about that smoke. I know about another thing. +The Black Faces have made a fire. Yes, they +have cooked some meat. Then I know that they +will travel easy. It is good; they are not thinking +about us. Well, we will follow these people. +Perhaps they will stop to hunt. If they<span class="pagenum">[40]</span> +camp, then we will run off many ponies. But +I will tell you another thing. Perhaps they are +near the great village. If they meet their people, +then I do not know how the thing will be. +My brothers, this is what I am thinking about."</p> + +<p>"Feather Dog has spoken. He is a great +warrior. You have heard his words," said Sun +Bird, who appeared to be the leader of the +war party. "I believe he has told the thing as +it is. We must watch the Black Faces. When +it is light perhaps they will go away from that +place. Then we will follow them. Now I will +ask my brother, Sitting Eagle, to go with me +to watch those people. Now I will ask you, my +friends, to wait here until we know about this +thing. I have finished."</p> + +<p>"My brothers, Sun Bird has told you a good +thing to do. Yes, he is a good war leader. Now +I will go with my brother to watch the Black +Faces," declared Sitting Eagle.</p> + +<p>"When a war leader speaks his brothers listen," +said the warrior, Spotted Elk. "Sun +Bird is a young man, but he is a brave warrior. +What he says is good. We will do this +thing."<span class="pagenum">[41]</span></p> + +<p>Daylight was close at hand, and Sun Bird and +his companion realized that there was not a +moment to spare. They knew that they must +arrive within sight of the camp and conceal +themselves while it was still dark. They sprang +upon their ponies, therefore, and rode away at +a gallop. Little Raven was eager to accompany +them but Sun Bird refused his request. +He promised, however, that both White Otter +and Little Raven should share the honor of entering +the Ute camp to lead out the ponies.</p> + +<p>The first hint of daylight was showing in the +east as Sitting Eagle finally led Sun Bird to a +low ridge within sight of the camp. After they +had picketed the ponies the two scouts crawled +to the top of the rise to reconnoiter. It was still +too dark to see anything beyond bow-range, and +they withdrew behind the ridge and waited impatiently +for dawn to raise the curtain which +concealed their foes.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps those people are waiting at that +place for buffaloes," suggested Sun Bird. +"Perhaps the warriors will ride around and +see us. Now it is getting light; we must be as +wise as the fox."<span class="pagenum">[42]</span></p> + +<p>"Yes, we will be very cautious," replied Sitting +Eagle.</p> + +<p>Darkness was slowly giving way to twilight, +and the eager scouts again peered cautiously +over the top of the ridge. It was still impossible +to locate the camp, but they continued to +watch. Each moment the light grew stronger +and enabled them to see farther across the plain. +At last they saw the trees, and a few moments +afterward they discovered the lodges.</p> + +<p>"It is good; the Black Faces have not gone +away," Sitting Eagle said, with apparent relief.</p> + +<p>Soon afterward they saw a thin column of +blue smoke rising into the sky. It filled their +hearts with hope. They believed that the Utes +intended to remain at the stream another day. +In that event the Sioux knew that their task +would be easier than it would if they were compelled +to invade the main Ute village. They +watched anxiously, therefore, until they saw +a number of horsemen leave the camp and ride +away in different directions. This maneuver +convinced them that the Utes had no intention +of moving the camp.<span class="pagenum">[43]</span></p> + +<p>"My words have come true," declared Sun +Bird. "These people are waiting for buffaloes. +Those riders are going out to look around. It +is bad; perhaps they will come over here and +find us."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe we are in danger," agreed +Sitting Eagle, as he looked anxiously about him +in the hope of finding a hiding place.</p> + +<p>The wide expanse of sage-grown plain offered +little concealment for the ponies, and the +Sioux knew that it would be folly to leave the +animals in open sight at the base of the ridge. +They realized, therefore, that they must take +them away before the Ute scouts approached +any nearer.</p> + +<p>"Now I know how to do this thing," said Sun +Bird. "My brother, I will ask you to take the +ponies to our people. I will hide here in the +sage, and watch the camp. When it is dark +you must come back with the war party. You +must come ahead, and make the call of the little +gray fox. When you hear another fox barking +on the ridge, then you will know I am here. +Then you must call the war party, and we will +go to the camp for the ponies. But if your ears<span class="pagenum">[44]</span> +tell you nothing, then you will know that I have +gone away to follow the Black Faces. This is +the best thing to do. I have finished."</p> + +<p>"You are a brave warrior and a good war +leader," replied Sitting Eagle. "I will do what +you tell me. If we do not find you here, then +we will follow on the trail. Now I am going +away with the ponies."</p> + +<p>Sitting Eagle hurried down the ridge, and +retreated with the ponies. He was entirely +screened from the camp, and was in little danger +of being discovered. Sun Bird watched until +his comrade finally passed from sight over +a distant rise of the plain. Then, feeling sure +of Sitting Eagle's safety, the loyal lad concealed +himself in a clump of sage, and began the +long, tedious vigil that would end at nightfall.</p> + +<p>Sun Bird had not been long in concealment +when he saw two of the horsemen from the camp +approaching the very ridge on which he was +hiding. Feeling sure that they would climb the +ridge to reconnoiter the country beyond, the +young Sioux realized that his predicament was +serious. For a moment he thought of crawling +down the side of the ridge, and moving out on<span class="pagenum">[45]</span> +the plain. However, upon second thought, he +realized that if he left his hiding place he might +be unable to return before dark, and in the +meantime the Utes might move their camp. +Therefore, he determined to remain where he +was.</p> + +<p>Having made this bold decision, Sun Bird +sought to lessen the chance of discovery by +tying branches of sage to his head and shoulders. +Then he pressed himself against the +ground, and waited for the approaching horsemen, +who were already within arrow-range. It +was evident that the Utes were making almost +directly for his place of concealment. However, +Sun Bird had little fear, for he had passed +through several similar experiences, and he +hoped to be equally fortunate this time.</p> + +<p>When the horsemen reached the base of the +ridge they stopped, and one dismounted and left +his pony with his comrade. A few moments +later Sun Bird saw the unmounted warrior +crawling directly toward him. The Sioux believed +that he had been discovered. An encounter +appeared unavoidable. Sun Bird had +already fitted an arrow to his bow, and now<span class="pagenum">[46]</span> +he prepared to drive it through the heart of his +foe.</p> + +<p>Then the Ute turned aside to avoid some +bowlders, and crawled to the crest of the ridge +several bow-lengths away. Sun Bird was much +relieved to know that he had not been seen. +He had no desire to force an encounter, for +he knew that even if he were victorious the +Utes would learn of his presence in the +vicinity of their camp, and then it would be +impossible to secure the ponies without a desperate +battle.</p> + +<p>The Ute peered carefully over the ridge, and +Sun Bird smiled as he realized that for the +moment he held his foe completely at his mercy. +However, he overcame the desire for personal +glory, for he knew that the recovery of the +Sioux ponies should be his first consideration. +A moment afterward the Ute signaled to his +companion, and the latter brought the ponies. +The two warriors spent some time in earnest +conversation, and then they mounted and rode +slowly down the ridge. When they reached the +level plain they rode away at a gallop.</p> + +<p>"That is bad," Sun Bird told himself, as he<span class="pagenum">[47]</span> +watched them disappear toward the north. Two +alarming possibilities suggested themselves to +his mind. He feared that the Utes would find +the trail of Sitting Eagle, and if they failed in +that he feared they might discover his friends +in the distant ravine. He encouraged himself +with the assurance that the Sioux were far too +wise to be caught unawares. However, as the +day wore on, and the two scouts failed to return, +his uncertainty increased. He knew that +they had not gone in search of buffaloes, for +in that event they would have ridden toward +the south. Furthermore, the haphazard manner +in which they had chosen their route led +him to suspect that they had originally planned +to travel in another direction. Why had they +changed? He wondered if they anticipated the +appearance of a Sioux war party.</p> + +<p>Toward the end of the day all the other riders +returned, but the two warriors who had ridden +into the north failed to appear. Sun Bird +feared that their tardiness betokened a meeting +with his friends. The thought kept him in +trying suspense. He wondered if there had +been a skirmish. Perhaps the Sioux had either<span class="pagenum">[48]</span> +killed or captured the two Ute scouts. His +heart bounded at the possibility. However, he +knew that it was equally possible that the Utes +had discovered the Sioux war party, and were +waiting to learn the strength of the invaders +before returning to warn their people.</p> + +<p>Twilight was already settling upon the plain +when the perplexed young Sioux finally saw two +horsemen approaching from the north. As they +drew nearer he recognized them as the Ute +scouts. They were riding at the top speed of +their ponies, and Sun Bird wondered if they +were bringing news of the Sioux war party. +They crossed the ridge some distance from him, +and raced toward the camp, shouting and waving +their weapons. A number of people ran out +to meet them, and from the general excitement +it was evident that the riders brought news of +considerable importance.</p> + +<p>Sun Bird was greatly disturbed. He knew +that if the Ute scouts had discovered his friends +the camp would be closely guarded, and it might +be impossible to obtain the ponies. He watched +with much anxiety, therefore, hoping to get +some clew which would enable him to guess the<span class="pagenum">[49]</span> +nature of the information which the two horsemen +had brought their people.</p> + +<p>As darkness fell he waited impatiently for +the glow from the Ute camp-fires. When he +finally saw them he was filled with delight, for +he felt sure that the Utes knew nothing of the +approaching war party. Then an alarming +doubt entered his mind. He wondered if the +crafty Utes were repeating the stratagem which +they had employed at the water-hole. Perhaps +they were again deserting their camp under +cover of the night. It might also be possible +that they had learned the weakness of the Sioux +in numbers, and were attempting to lure them +into a trap. As Sun Bird watched the twinkle +of the distant fires he had grave fears for the +safety of the courageous little company who +were advancing to meet him. Still he saw no +way of warning them, for he feared to leave his +hiding place lest he should pass his friends in +the dark. He waited, therefore, listening eagerly +for the signal from Sitting Eagle.</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art08.png" alt="art08" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art09.png" alt="art09" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER IV +</h2> + +<p class="h3">A PERILOUS ADVENTURE</p> + +<p class="dropcap">EACH moment seemed an age to the anxious +lad watching on the crest of the ridge. The +night hush had fallen upon the plain, and the +very stillness oppressed him. His mind became +a prey to all sorts of gloomy forebodings. He +began to give way to his imagination. He +feared that he was surrounded by prowling, +sharp-eared scouts from the Ute camp, and that +some of them had concealed themselves on the +ridge to wait for the Sioux war party. The +thought startled him. Every few moments he +held his breath to listen. The slightest rustling +of the sage set his heart beating wildly, but his +fear was not for himself. He had already been +exposed to sufficient peril to make him indifferent. +However, this was the first time he had +gone out as a war leader, and he knew that his +reputation would suffer severely if disaster befell +the little company who had enlisted under<span class="pagenum">[51]</span> +him. He raised his face toward the vast +starry heavens, and asked aid from the Great +Mystery.</p> + +<p>A few moments later the sharp, snappy bark +of the little gray fox sounded through the night. +Sun Bird fairly trembled with delight. He felt +sure that it was Sitting Eagle, but he determined +to take every precaution. He waited, +therefore, until the signal had been repeated +twice more, and then he knew it was genuine. +Fearing to reply from his hiding place, the wily +lad crawled stealthily from concealment, and +wriggled cautiously down the ridge. Then as +he heard nothing to rouse his suspicions he +glided away in the direction of the sound. When +he had gone an arrow-flight he stopped, and +barked twice, very softly. Then he listened for +an answer. It came out of the darkness directly +ahead of him, and he fitted an arrow to +his bow and advanced as noiselessly as a +shadow. When he finally heard the soft, guarded +tread of a led pony he stopped and uttered a +low-voiced challenge.</p> + +<p>"If you are a Dacotah you will tell me about +something," he said.<span class="pagenum">[52]</span></p> + +<p>"It is good; what your eyes do not see, your +ears must tell you," replied the familiar voice +of Sitting Eagle.</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward they met. Sitting +Eagle said that the war party was waiting some +distance back on the plain. When Sun Bird +told about the two Ute scouts the older warrior +assured him that the Sioux had seen nothing +of them. He declared that they had kept a +sharp watch, and that it would have been impossible +for the Utes to have discovered them +without being seen.</p> + +<p>"Then I do not know about this thing," acknowledged +the perplexed young Sioux.</p> + +<p>"Come, I will go up on this ridge and look +around," proposed Sitting Eagle.</p> + +<p>Then Sitting Eagle surrendered his pony to +Sun Bird, and said that he would climb the ridge +alone. When Sun Bird objected the older warrior +reminded him that one must remain with +the pony.</p> + +<p>"My brother, you have seen this thing. Now +I must see it. Then we can talk about it. Yes, +I will ask you to wait here until I come back," +said Sitting Eagle.<span class="pagenum">[53]</span></p> + +<p>"You have been on many war journeys. +I will listen to your words," agreed Sun +Bird.</p> + +<p>A moment later Sitting Eagle disappeared +into the night. He was gone a long time. When +he returned he said that he had reconnoitered +the ridge and the plain on both sides of it, and +was convinced that the approach to the Ute +camp was unguarded.</p> + +<p>"The Black Faces will not know about this +thing until we have run off the ponies," said +Sitting Eagle. "Now, my brother, I will ask +you to wait here. Yes, I am going back to call +our friends."</p> + +<p>When Sitting Eagle had gone Sun Bird again +crawled to the summit of the ridge to watch the +distant fires. The actions of the two Ute horsemen +still troubled him. He was unable to convince +himself that their apparent excitement +had nothing to do with the Sioux war party. +He dismissed the doubts from his mind, however, +for he knew that he would never become a +great war leader by giving way to imaginary +perils.</p> + +<p>"No, when my friends come I will lead them<span class="pagenum">[54]</span> +to that camp to lead out the ponies," he declared, +resolutely.</p> + +<p>It was not long before he again heard the call +of the little gray fox, and a few moments afterward +he joined his friends at the base of the +ridge. As he took his pony from Sitting Eagle, +Sun Bird realized that he must assume command +of the enterprise. He knew that the time +for doubting had passed, and that he must fill +the hearts of his comrades with courage and +confidence.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, you have come with me to do a +great thing. It is good. Yes, we will take many +ponies from our enemies, the Black Faces. +Pretty soon you will see the fires in that camp. +The Black Faces are like children; they do not +know how to watch. My brothers, I will ask you +to follow me to that camp. Perhaps we will +fight. Then we will remember that we are +Dacotahs. I have finished," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Sun Bird has spoken like a brave war +leader. I believe we are about to do a great +thing," said Feather Dog.</p> + +<p>Then Sun Bird called White Otter to his side, +and together they led the gallant little company<span class="pagenum">[55]</span> +forward to invade the camp. They stopped on +the summit of the ridge a few moments, and +then they rode carefully down the slope and +moved cautiously across the plain. The Ute +fires were still twinkling among the trees and +the Sioux realized that they could do nothing +until the camp became dark. They approached +slowly, therefore, until they were as near as Sun +Bird thought it wise to venture and then he +ordered a halt.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, now we are near our enemies. +I will tell you what I am going to do," said Sun +Bird. "I will ask my brother White Otter to +go into that camp with me. I will ask my +brother Sitting Eagle to go into that camp with +me. I will ask my brother Little Raven to go +into that camp with me. I will ask my other +brothers to wait here with the ponies. I will +tell you that your ears must be as sharp as the +ears of the wolf. I will tell you that your minds +must be as wise as the mind of the fox. I will +tell you that your hearts must be as brave as the +heart of the bear. Perhaps the Black Faces will +hear us. Perhaps there will be a fight. When +we call you, my brothers, you must come as<span class="pagenum">[56]</span> +fast as the deer and as strong as the buffalo. +Now we will go close to the camp to wait +until we can go in after the ponies. I have +finished."</p> + +<p>"I have listened to the words of Sun Bird. I +have been in many war parties. Yes, I have +gone into many camps to lead out ponies. Sun +Bird has told the best way to do this thing. I +would like to go into that camp and lead out +some ponies, but I will not go. No, I will wait +here. My brothers, I will ask you to remember +what Sun Bird has spoken. I have finished," +said Feather Dog.</p> + +<p>His words received the silent indorsement of +his companions, and it was evident that Sun +Bird possessed the full confidence of his friends. +As there was no opposition to his plan, therefore, +the youthful war leader determined to +carry it out without delay. Leaving their ponies +with their comrades, the four daring scouts who +intended to enter the camp hurried away on +their hazardous undertaking.</p> + +<p>"The son of Rain Crow is very brave," said +Spotted Elk. "I believe he will lead out many +ponies."<span class="pagenum">[57]</span></p> + +<p>"Yes, he will bring us some good horses," replied +Feather Dog.</p> + +<p>Sun Bird and his companions made their way +across the plain with great caution, for the story +of the Ute scouts had roused their suspicions +and they feared a trap. As they drew near the +camp they stopped and lay down beside one another +to watch. The fires were still burning +brightly, and the Sioux wondered whether the +Utes had again fled under cover of the night. +Then one of the twinkling lights was blotted +from their sight for a few moments, and their +hopes revived.</p> + +<p>"It is good. My eyes tell me that the Black +Faces are in that place. Yes, someone was +moving around that fire," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"What you say is true," agreed White Otter. +"But I will tell you another thing. Perhaps the +Black Faces are getting ready to ride away. I +am thinking about that time at the water-hole."</p> + +<p>"You are as wise as the fox," replied Sun +Bird. "Yes, we will find out about this thing. +Come, we must go nearer to that place."</p> + +<p>Determined to learn what the Utes intended +to do, the four scouts rose and advanced to<span class="pagenum">[58]</span>ward the camp. They moved along close together, +peering anxiously into the night and +listening eagerly for a warning of the sentinels +who they feared might be scattered about the +plain. As they advanced they noticed that one +of the fires was growing dull.</p> + +<p>"See, that fire is dying down. Yes, I believe +the Black Faces will stay here," said Sitting +Eagle.</p> + +<p>"Well, I will tell you what is the best thing to +do," replied Sun Bird. "I will ask you, my +brothers, to wait here until I creep up to the +camp and find out about this thing."</p> + +<p>White Otter and Little Raven instantly objected. +They demanded to be allowed to share +his peril. Sitting Eagle, however, agreed with +Sun Bird. Many thrilling experiences on the +war-trail had made the older warrior indifferent +not only to danger for himself, but also for others. +He knew that it was the duty of a war +leader to assume the most perilous rôles of the +undertaking. Sitting Eagle himself had often +placed his life in jeopardy while acting in that +capacity, and he saw no reason to ask Sun Bird +to alter his decision.<span class="pagenum">[59]</span></p> + +<p>"My young brothers, Sun Bird has spoken +like a Sioux warrior. He is going to find out +about those people. It is good. A war leader +must do these things alone. We will wait here +until he knows about this thing. I am telling +you this because it is the best thing to do. I +am not afraid to go to that camp alone. If my +brother Sun Bird tells me to do that then +I will go. It would be bad for more than one +to do this thing. A war leader must do as he +finds it in his heart. I have finished," said Sitting +Eagle.</p> + +<p>"White Otter, you have heard the words of +a great Minneconjoux warrior. Little Raven, +you must keep those words in your heart," declared +Sun Bird. "It is enough. Now I am +going to know about this thing."</p> + +<p>"Well, I believe that you are doing a good +thing," replied White Otter. "Yes, what Sitting +Eagle says is true. I am not afraid to go +into that camp alone. But I will wait here until +you come back."</p> + +<p>After Sun Bird had gone his companions +waited in much suspense, ready and eager to +rush to his assistance at the first hint of danger.<span class="pagenum">[60]</span> +However, as the time passed and they heard +nothing to rouse their suspicions they believed +that their comrade had approached the camp +in safety. One of the fires had already disappeared, +and the glow from the remaining one +was growing fainter each moment. The watchers +had hopes that the Utes were already slumbering.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" cautioned White Otter. "Someone +is coming."</p> + +<p>A moment afterward Sun Bird rejoined them.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I will tell you that the Black +Faces are sleeping. Come, we will go into the +camp and lead out the ponies," said the resolute +young war leader.</p> + +<p>They followed him across the silent black +plain until they were within bow-shot of the +trees, and then they stopped to listen. The +stillness was unbroken, and except for a few +glowing embers from the smoldering fires the +camp was smothered in blackness. Led by Sun +Bird, the little company of scouts moved stealthily +through the dark. The lodges were well +separated, and the Sioux made their way between +them with little likelihood of being heard.<span class="pagenum">[61]</span> +Once in the camp, they drew their knives and +hurried toward the ponies. It took only a few +moments for each daring intruder to sever the +picket ropes of three ponies and lead them cautiously +from the camp. White Otter led out +the horse he had originally presented to Sun +Bird. When they reached the plain they decided +that one should remain with the captured +ponies, while the others again ventured into +the camp.</p> + +<p>"My brother, Little Raven, you have done +a brave thing. You have led ponies out of this +camp. But you are the youngest. Yes, I will +ask you to wait here with the horses. If you +hear the long cry of the big gray wolf, ride +away as fast as you can," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"I would like to go into that camp again, and +lead out some more ponies," replied Little +Raven. "But I will listen to your words."</p> + +<p>Then his companions left him, and returned +to the camp. Once again Sun Bird led the way, +and White Otter and Sitting Eagle followed +close behind him. They were passing noiselessly +between two lodges when a pony whinnied +shrilly, and the next moment several of the<span class="pagenum">[62]</span> +horses on the plain answered. Instantly the +camp was in a commotion. Taking advantage +of the first confusion, the three Sioux rushed to +the horses and began to cut the picket ropes. +They secured six ponies before the Utes realized +what was happening. Then as the Sioux +attempted to ride from the camp they found +themselves surrounded by foes.</p> + +<p>"Remember that we are Dacotahs!" cried +Sun Bird, as he rode into the midst of his enemies.</p> + +<p>White Otter rode close beside him and +a bow-length back followed Sitting Eagle. +Crouching low over their ponies' flanks, the determined +Sioux knocked down all who attempted +to bar their way, and escaped from the +camp unhurt. Then they raced to Little Raven, +who was waiting where they had left him.</p> + +<p>"Come, we have escaped, but the Black Faces +are close behind us!" cried Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>Dividing the captured ponies between them, +they raced across the plain to join their comrades. +As they rode they raised their voices in +the ringing war cry of their nation, and the war +party echoed the cry and rushed to meet them.<span class="pagenum">[63]</span></p> + +<p>Realizing that the Sioux had followed and +surprised them, the Utes were in a frenzy of +rage. Mounting the ponies which were still in +the camp, the riders raced away in pursuit of +their foes, while other warriors rushed wildly +about the plain attempting to round up the +horses that had been turned loose to graze. +However, when they heard the Sioux war cry +ringing through the night they became alarmed. +They began to fear that the camp had been surrounded +by a large Sioux war party, and the +thought made them cautious. Besides, the +women and children were in a state of panic, +and the bewildered Utes realized that in the +event of a sudden attack it would be difficult to +keep them under control. As fast as the unmounted +warriors secured ponies, therefore, +they rode madly about the camp, yelling and +singing their war songs to intimidate any of +their foes who might be lurking in the vicinity.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the triumphant Sioux were +racing across the plain with the captured +ponies. They had turned abruptly toward the +west and were riding in silence in the hope +of throwing their pursuers from the trail.<span class="pagenum">[64]</span> +However, having successfully run off the horses +they believed there was little to fear. They +knew that the main company of Utes would be +delayed some time in procuring mounts, and +they felt themselves more than a match for the +small company who were pursuing them. In +fact several of the younger warriors were eager +to turn about and engage the Utes in battle.</p> + +<p>"No, that would be foolish," Sun Bird declared, +when they suggested the plan. "We +have done a good thing. We are taking back +more ponies than the Black Faces ran off. +Those people did not kill any of us. It is good. +We will ride into our village singing. It would +be bad to have our friends killed. Yes, the old +men would say, 'Sun Bird is a foolish war +leader; he takes ponies but he loses his friends.' +No, my brothers, we have done what we set out +to do. Now we will go to our people and tell +them about it."</p> + +<p>His words found instant favor with the majority +of the war party. Having accomplished +the object of their perilous expedition, they +were eager to regain their village without loss. +They saw no wisdom in waiting to risk them<span class="pagenum">[65]</span>selves in a skirmish which could add nothing +to the glory of their exploit.</p> + +<p>"Does the wolf come back to fight after it +has taken the young buffalo?" demanded Sitting +Eagle. "No, that would be foolish. Sun +Bird has done a brave thing. A good war leader +does not exchange warriors for ponies. We +have a long way to go. Perhaps we will meet +enemies. We must keep ourselves strong. I +have finished."</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art10.png" alt="art10" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art11.png" alt="art11" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER V +</h2> + +<p class="h3">A SURPRISE</p> + +<p class="dropcap">THE Sioux rode until dawn, and then they +took shelter in a dense stand of willows +on the bank of a shallow stream. They knew +that they were far west of the Ute camp, and +as they believed that they had eluded their pursuers +they determined to stop and rest the +ponies until dark. Then as a precaution against +attack they sent scouts to the ridges to watch +the plain.</p> + +<p>The day was more than half gone when a +young warrior named Short Bear brought word +of a large company of horsemen approaching +from the east. He said that they were a long +distance off, and were riding slowly. Nevertheless +the announcement caused great excitement.</p> + +<p>"It is the Black Faces!" cried several of the +war party.</p> + +<p>"No, I believe they are different people,"<span class="pagenum">[67]</span> +declared Sun Bird. "Does a war party ride +easy on the trail of an enemy? See, the ground +is hard. You all have sharp eyes, but do you +see any tracks? No, the ground tells you nothing. +The wolf can follow a trail with his nose, +but a warrior must use his eyes. Are the Black +Faces like the wolf? No, I do not believe they +can follow us. But perhaps we will meet other +enemies in this place. Yes, we must know about +this thing."</p> + +<p>Short Bear and a companion were sent back +to watch the unknown horsemen, and White +Otter and Little Raven galloped away to find +and warn the Sioux scouts. Then Sun Bird +advised his followers to remain in the timber +until they learned something about the plans +of the strangers. He said that the latter might +pass at a safe distance, and that it would be +folly to venture upon the open plain until they +knew that there was no other alternative.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we must wait here until Short Bear +comes back," said Sitting Eagle.</p> + +<p>A short time afterward the scout returned. +He declared that the horsemen had altered their +course and were riding farther toward the<span class="pagenum">[68]</span> +north. Short Bear said that he did not believe +the travelers would even come within sight of +the Sioux hiding place. Therefore, as the day +would soon be over, he advised his friends to remain +where they were until darkness made it +safe to resume their journey across the plain.</p> + +<p>"Do you know about those people?" inquired +Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>Short Bear said that although he and Lean +Wolf, his companion, had crawled as near as +they dared on the open plain they were unable +to approach sufficiently close to identify the +riders. However, they felt quite sure that they +were not Utes. Lean Wolf, who had remained +behind to watch, believed that the horsemen +were Pawnees, but Short Bear did not agree +with him.</p> + +<p>"No, my heart tells me something different. +I believe those people are Kiowas," he told Sun +Bird.</p> + +<p>"Well, we must know about it, my brother," +replied Sun Bird. "I will ask you to follow +those people until they camp. Then you must +come back and tell us about it."</p> + +<p>Short Bear was scarcely out of sight when<span class="pagenum">[69]</span> +another scout rode in from the north. He, too, +had discovered the horsemen. He had also seen +Lean Wolf following cautiously on their trail, +and after making sure that the scout was one of +his own people he had set out to warn his companions. +This warrior had seen nothing of +White Otter and Little Raven. While he was +talking, however, those very riders returned. +They said that they had found and warned the +two remaining scouts.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Sun Bird. "Now we will +wait here until we know where those people +have stopped."</p> + +<p>Just before dark the other scouts arrived, +but Short Bear and Lean Wolf had not yet returned. +The riders who had been watching to +the south and west of the camp said that they +had seen nothing but antelope and prairie +wolves. Therefore, the Sioux waited in considerable +suspense to hear what Short Bear and +his companion had learned about the travelers.</p> + +<p>Night had already fallen when the two scouts +finally returned. They said that they had followed +the riders until sunset, when they stopped +and made camp at a water-hole some distance<span class="pagenum">[70]</span> +to the north. Waiting until it was dark, Short +Bear left his pony with Lean Wolf, and approached +sufficiently near to identify the horsemen +as Kiowas. He learned furthermore that +they were armed and painted for war.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," declared Sitting Eagle. "Perhaps +those people are going to steal Sioux +ponies. We must hurry away from here, and +go back to our village."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is the best thing to do," agreed +Feather Dog. "The Kiowas are our enemies. +If they are traveling toward our village we +must get ahead of them and warn our people."</p> + +<p>"What you say is true," declared Sun Bird. +"I will tell you what it is in my mind to do. I +will ask my brother Sitting Eagle, and my +brother Lean Wolf to ride ahead and tell our +people about this thing. We will follow with +the horses."</p> + +<p>A few moments later the two warriors who +had been selected to ride ahead of the war +party mounted their ponies and rode away. +Their companions followed soon afterward. +Sun Bird and White Otter rode together at +the head of the company, and the others fol<span class="pagenum">[71]</span>lowed in single file, leading the captured ponies. +They rode some distance farther toward the +west and then they turned toward the north +and hastened along at a brisk canter. They had +not gone far, however, when they were halted +by a wide stream which the spring freshets had +transformed into an impassable barrier. Even +the most daring among them saw at once that +it would be sheer madness to attempt to swim +the ponies through that raging flood. However, +they soon learned that their dilemma was +not as serious as it appeared, for Feather Dog +and Spotted Elk both knew the stream. They +declared that if they followed it toward the +east they would find that it turned abruptly +toward the north, and they could travel along +parallel with it.</p> + +<p>"But if we go over there perhaps we will +meet the Kiowas," suggested Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"No, we will not go so far," replied Feather +Dog. "But we must be very cautious."</p> + +<p>They changed their route, and rode swiftly +along beside the swollen stream. Short Bear +declared that they were a long way west of the +spot where the Kiowas had encamped. How<span class="pagenum">[72]</span>ever, the Sioux determined to take every precaution, +and after they had gone some distance +they stopped and sent Short Bear and Feather +Dog forward to reconnoiter. They soon returned +and said that a short distance farther +on the stream turned toward the north. Short +Bear told his companions that he had crawled +to the top of a ridge to look for the Kiowa camp, +but had been unable to find it. He had recognized +the general contour of the plain, however, +and he said he felt sure that their foes were +too far away to cause concern.</p> + +<p>Encouraged by the report of the scouts, Sun +Bird gave the word to advance. The little company +rode along in silence, for they were suspicious +and apprehensive of an attack. They +knew that if the Kiowas were on a war expedition +they would be almost sure to resume their +journey before daylight, and the Sioux feared +they might encounter them somewhere along +their route. They reached the abrupt turn in +the stream, and had ridden an arrow-flight toward +the north, when White Otter suddenly +stopped his pony and placed his hand on Sun +Bird's arm.<span class="pagenum">[73]</span></p> + +<p>"Stop!" he whispered. "My ears tell me +there is danger."</p> + +<p>The Sioux brought their ponies to a stand, +and listened anxiously to learn the cause of +White Otter's alarm. For some moments they +heard nothing but the sullen roar of the torrent +beside them, and then directly ahead of +them they heard the approach of a pony. As +they fitted arrows to their bows and peered +eagerly into the dark the sound ceased. It was +evident that the rider had stopped. They wondered +if he had discovered them. Then one of +the ponies snorted, and an instant later they +heard the mysterious horseman galloping wildly +across the plain.</p> + +<p>The perplexed Sioux remained silent as the +hoofbeats of the racing pony echoed through +the night, for they were anxious to make sure +which way the rider had gone. Still they realized +that they could not place much confidence +in such a hint, for they knew that an experienced +scout would alter his course to fool them. +Therefore, when the hoofbeats finally died away +in the north the anxious listeners were unable +to place much faith in the clew.<span class="pagenum">[74]</span></p> + +<p>"It is bad," said White Otter. "Whoever +that rider is, I believe he has gone to tell his +people about us. Perhaps he is a Kiowa."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe he is with the war party," replied +Sun Bird. "My brothers, I will tell you +how the thing is in my mind. If we wait here +that scout will bring his people to fight us. If +we go back perhaps we will meet the Black +Faces. We cannot cross this water. If we go +the other way we will find the Kiowas. There +is only one thing to do. Come, we will go +ahead. If we find our enemies there then we +must fight. I have finished."</p> + +<p>His words received the hearty approval of +his companions, and as there seemed to be no +other alternative they resumed their way toward +the north. They rode in pairs with the +captured ponies between them. Having been +discovered, they feared that an attack was unavoidable, +and they prepared to make a valiant +defense. While they could not be sure of the +identity or whereabouts of the people who +threatened them, still they believed that they +were Kiowas, who were advancing from the +west. The fact that the lone scout had galloped<span class="pagenum">[75]</span> +toward the north without attempting to conceal +his flight made the Sioux suspicious. They felt +quite sure that the maneuver was a clever ruse +to mislead them. Hoping that the way before +them was unguarded, therefore, they raced +through the night at top speed.</p> + +<p>A short distance farther on, however, they +collided with a large company of horsemen who +had been awaiting them at the top of a shallow +ravine. As the Sioux slackened their pace to +cross the gully the unknown war party rushed +upon them. For a moment all was confusion, +and Sun Bird saw his little force hesitating on +the verge of panic. Then as he called upon +them to be men they recovered themselves, and +began to fight furiously.</p> + +<p>"Stop! Stop! These people are not Kiowas. +They are our brothers, the Cheyennes!" cried +Feather Dog, after the skirmish had continued +a few moments.</p> + +<p>"Cheyennes, hold your arrows! We are +fighting our brothers, the Sioux!" shouted a +warrior of the opposing force.</p> + +<p>Then the conflict ended as suddenly as it +began, for the two war parties had quickly<span class="pagenum">[76]</span> +recognized each other. Fortunately no one +had been killed, and beyond the loss of several +ponies and the slight wounding of a Cheyenne +warrior no serious damage had been +done.</p> + +<p>Once the blunder had been discovered order +was soon restored, and the two forces met to +offer apologies and pledge their friendship. It +was then that Sun Bird and White Otter learned +that the Cheyenne war party was under the +leadership of an old friend, a warrior named +Red Dog, whom they had saved from the Pawnees +the year previous. At that time the two +young Sioux had joined forces with a large +Cheyenne war party, which had ultimately met +defeat and disaster at the hands of a great +company of Pawnees. Now as the Cheyennes +came forward to see the people whom they had +mistaken for Kiowas, the two lads were speedily +recognized. As both had established an enviable +reputation among the Cheyennes they +soon found themselves surrounded by a host of +enthusiastic admirers.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, this thing has made clouds in +my heart," Red Dog assured the Sioux, in their<span class="pagenum">[77]</span> +own dialect. "We have done a foolish thing, +but I do not believe your hearts are black +against us. No, we have not killed any of your +people. It is good. If we have killed some of +your ponies we will give you others. You have +not killed any of my people. It is good. The +Great Mystery does not wish brothers to kill +each other. But I see that you have wounded +my brother Running Buffalo. Well, I will tell +you that the sting of an arrow is nothing to a +Cheyenne warrior. My brothers, our hearts are +peaceful toward you."</p> + +<p>"I have listened to the words of my brother, +Red Dog," replied Sun Bird. "Yes, you have +done a foolish thing, but we have wiped it out of +our minds. It is true that the Cheyennes are +our brothers. We have smoked the peace pipe +together. It is good that the Great Mystery +put the great black robe between us so that +our arrows went past. I see that there is some +blood on the arm of Running Buffalo, and my +heart is heavy with shame. I do not know what +arrow did that. But I will tell you that I am +the war leader, and I will ask Running Buffalo +to draw his knife and take some blood from<span class="pagenum">[78]</span> +my arm. Yes, then the thing will be wiped out +of our hearts. I have finished."</p> + +<p>There were few of the Cheyennes who understood +the Sioux tongue, but Red Dog translated +Sun Bird's words, and it was apparent +that the listeners were much impressed. When +he had finished there were many signs of approval. +Then all eyes turned upon Running +Buffalo. The latter advanced to meet Sun Bird, +speaking earnestly in the Cheyenne dialect, +which Red Dog translated into Sioux.</p> + +<p>"Running Buffalo says that he has listened +to the words of his brother, Sun Bird," said +Red Dog. "He says that they have taken the +sting from his arm. He says that his heart is +peaceful toward his brothers, the Sioux. He +says that Sun Bird's words must be carried out, +so that the thing will be forgotten."</p> + +<p>Then Running Buffalo drew his knife, and +turned to Sun Bird. The young Sioux smiled +and offered his arm. The Cheyenne pricked the +flesh just enough to draw blood. Then they +clasped hands.</p> + +<p>"It is good; now the thing is forgotten between +us," said Sun Bird.<span class="pagenum">[79]</span></p> + +<p>"Yes, Running Buffalo says that he has +wiped it from his heart," declared Red Dog.</p> + +<p>After this formal ceremony had been completed +the two war parties gathered in council. +As the Cheyenne war leader dismounted to talk +the Sioux saw that he was badly crippled in +both legs. He walked with considerable difficulty, +and once off his horse seemed quite helpless. +White Otter told his companions that +Red Dog had been desperately wounded the +year previous, when in a fierce encounter with +a roving band of Pawnees he had been pinned +beneath his dying pony and left for dead. Some +time later White Otter and Sun Bird, who had +witnessed the battle from a distant ridge, +visited the battlefield to learn the identity of +the combatants. They discovered the wounded +Cheyenne hiding in a clump of sage. After +convincing him that they were friends, they +carried him to a stream and attended him until +his people returned with reënforcements under +cover of the night.</p> + +<p>"That is why Red Dog has the legs of an +old man," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>Red Dog told the Sioux that he and his war<span class="pagenum">[80]</span>riors had left the Cheyenne village to intercept +a large war party of Kiowas, who were advancing +to attack the Cheyenne camp. He said that +when scouts brought word of the intended attack, +the Cheyennes had decided to organize a +war party and advance across the plain to surprise +their foes. Red Dog said that one of the +scouts had discovered a dust-cloud along the +stream late in the day, and believing that their +enemies were advancing along the water, the +Cheyennes followed the stream in the hope of +surprising the Kiowas under cover of the dark. +When the lone scout reconnoitering in advance +of the war party collided with the Sioux he believed +that he had found the enemy, and raced +back to warn his companions. The war party +determined to attack their foes at the ravine, +and it was thus that the blunder had occurred. +Red Dog declared that several other scouts were +riding farther to the east, and he believed that +they would soon bring word of the Kiowas.</p> + +<p>"I will tell you about those people," said Sun +Bird, when the Cheyenne had finished speaking.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen them?" Red Dog inquired, +eagerly.<span class="pagenum">[81]</span></p> + +<p>"No, I have not seen them. But I will ask +my brother, Short Bear, to tell you about it," +replied Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>Short Bear told how he had discovered the +Kiowa war party, and how he and Lean Wolf +had trailed them until they camped at the water-hole. +When Red Dog translated the talk to his +companions they became greatly excited, and +were eager for Short Bear to lead them to the +camp of their enemies. While they were talking, +however, two of the Cheyenne scouts returned +and said that they had found the Kiowas. +They said that the latter were still at +the water-hole, and that by riding fast it would +be possible to reach the camp-site and make an +attack before daylight.</p> + +<p>When the Sioux learned that the Cheyennes +were going to fight the Kiowas, they held a +council among themselves, and most of them +wished to enlist in the war party. Sun Bird at +first talked against it, but when he found White +Otter and several of his closest friends determined +to go, he yielded.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, a good war leader must always +listen to the words of his friends. You<span class="pagenum">[82]</span> +say that you will go to fight the Kiowas. You +say that those people have many good ponies. +You say that the Kiowas are our enemies. You +say that the Cheyennes are our brothers. You +say that a Dacotah must help his brother, and +fight his enemy. Well, I will tell you that those +words are true. But we have taken some good +ponies from the Black Faces. Yes, we have +done what we set out to do. I did not ask you +to come out to fight the Kiowas. I am not +going to fight those people. No, I am going on +with these ponies. I will show my people that +we have done what we set out to do. It is +enough. If any of you go to fight the Kiowas +I will tell you that I have nothing to do with +it. I have brought you through what we set +out to do. Now if you get killed I have nothing +to do with it. My brothers, I will ask some of +you to help me take the ponies to the village. +I have finished."</p> + +<p>When Sun Bird had finished speaking all but +five of his companions agreed to abandon the +idea of fighting the Kiowas. Those who persisted +in their determination to go with the +war party were White Otter, Little Raven,<span class="pagenum">[83]</span> +Short Bear, Feather Dog and Spotted Elk and +Sun Bird said nothing further to deter them.</p> + +<p>"My brother, it is in my heart to do this +thing, and I must go," said White Otter. "I +believe we will bring back some fast ponies."</p> + +<p>"You are very brave, and I will not ask you +to hold back," replied Sun Bird. "I will go +to my people, and tell them that a great warrior +is coming to see them."</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes were already mounting their +ponies, and when Red Dog learned that five of +the Sioux had decided to join his company he +was overjoyed. He knew that White Otter was +looked upon as a great warrior, and he believed +that the presence of the young Sioux would +stimulate the Cheyennes to deeds of great valor. +When he told his followers that White Otter +and four of his companions were going to fight +the Kiowas, the Cheyennes greeted the announcement +with shouts of approval.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, the Sioux have brave hearts," +said Red Dog. "It is good that you are going +with us to fight the Kiowas. Yes, we will count +many coups, and bring back some good ponies."</p> + +<p>Both war parties were mounted and ready to<span class="pagenum">[84]</span> +depart. Before riding away, however, Sun +Bird called Little Raven and White Otter to his +side.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, you are going to fight our enemies, +the Kiowas. It is good. I believe you +will bring back some ponies. White Otter, you +are a great warrior. The song of the arrow is +sweet to your ears. Little Raven, you are very +young, but you are brave. You have taken +some ponies, but you have never fought in a +great battle. I will tell you to keep close to +White Otter, and do what he tells you. I will +ask the Great Mystery to help you. Now, my +brothers, I will take you by the hand. Then +I will go to the village to wait for you," said +Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"I will keep your words in my heart," declared +Little Raven.</p> + +<p>Then White Otter and Little Raven rode +away toward the east in pursuit of the Cheyennes +who had already departed, and a few moments +afterward Sun Bird and his companions +resumed their journey toward the north.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art12.png" alt="art12" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VI +</h2> + +<p class="h3">A FIGHT IN THE DARK</p> + +<p class="dropcap">WHEN White Otter and Little Raven overtook +the Cheyennes they found their +three companions riding with Red Dog at the +head of the war party. It was an unusual +honor, and the Sioux were much impressed. The +Cheyenne scouts had gone on in advance, and +Short Bear was acting as guide. He told Red +Dog that his force was superior to the Kiowas, +and assured him that he would win an easy +victory.</p> + +<p>"Those are good words," said Red Dog. +"Yes, I believe we will drive those people back +to their village."</p> + +<p>It was evident that the Cheyennes shared his +confidence. They rode along in high spirits, +chanting their war songs and making all sorts +of boastful threats against the Kiowas. If they +had any doubts about the result of the encoun<span class="pagenum">[86]</span>ter they were sufficiently experienced to conceal +them.</p> + +<p>"These people are very brave," said Little +Raven.</p> + +<p>"Yes, our brothers, the Cheyennes, know how +to fight," declared White Otter.</p> + +<p>A short distance farther on they were intercepted +by one of the Cheyenne scouts. He said +that the Kiowas were still at the water-hole. +This news greatly pleased Red Dog and his followers. +They had feared that their foes might +desert the camp, and hurry forward under cover +of the dark. Now it seemed that they intended +remaining until daylight. It was evident, therefore, +that they were sparing their ponies to have +them in good condition when they attacked the +Cheyenne camp.</p> + +<p>"The Kiowas think they are doing a good +thing. Well, we will fool them," laughed Red +Dog.</p> + +<p>The Cheyennes had suddenly turned serious. +They had learned that they were close upon +their enemies, and the thought sobered them. +They knew that a war party had the ears of a +fox, and they advanced in silence until the scout<span class="pagenum">[87]</span> +cautioned them to halt. He declared that they +were within sight of the Kiowa camp, and +pointed out its exact location, but they were unable +to find it in the darkness.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, you have heard the words of +Standing Hawk," said Red Dog. "We are near +our enemies, the Kiowas. Pretty soon we will +begin to fight. But first we must surround the +camp. Then we will close in, and when I make +the cry of the prairie wolf we will rush upon +our enemies. My brothers, I will tell you to +look at these Sioux. They are very brave. I +want them to tell their people about this fight. +Cheyennes, I will ask you to be men."</p> + +<p>While Red Dog was speaking another Cheyenne +scout joined the war party. He said that +the Kiowas were apparently sleeping, but he +felt sure that the camp was surrounded by wide-awake +sentinels. This was to be expected, and +the announcement seemed to give the Cheyennes +little concern. They knew that it was the duty +of a war leader to overcome or sweep aside such +barriers, and they felt confident that Red Dog +would lead them to sure and speedy victory.</p> + +<p>When the scout had finished speaking, there<span class="pagenum">[88]</span>fore, the Cheyennes gathered about Red Dog +to receive final instructions for attacking the +camp. As the night was well advanced he said +that they must proceed without further delay. +Red Dog told his followers that they must advance +until they saw the little stand of timber +which sheltered their foes, and then they must +encircle the camp. Having done that, he ordered +them to ride slowly forward until he +raised the cry of the prairie wolf. "Then you +must rush in, and fight," he concluded.</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward the war party advanced +cautiously in the direction of the Kiowa +camp. The two scouts rode on ahead, Red Dog +followed with the Sioux close behind him, and +then came the gallant force of Cheyenne fighting +men. All moved forward in grim silence, +ready and eager to grapple with their foes. +When they finally saw the little patch of timber, +they stopped to listen.</p> + +<p>"See, there is the place where our enemies +are sleeping. Now we will surround them," +said Red Dog.</p> + +<p>The war party separated into two companies +which filed away in opposite directions, to meet<span class="pagenum">[89]</span> +behind the camp and draw the fatal circle about +their enemies. Red Dog remained where he +was, and requested the two scouts and the little +company of Sioux to attend him. The latter +realized that his request was a compliment to +their courage. They knew that he would lead +the attack against the camp, and that they +would be sure to participate in the fiercest fighting.</p> + +<p>"I believe that Red Dog will take us into +great danger," White Otter told Little Raven. +"When we rush in to fight the Kiowas you must +stay close by me. If you go ahead alone you +may be killed."</p> + +<p>"I will do as you tell me," replied Little Raven. +"I have never fought in a great battle, +but I have done other things. Yes, I have led +ponies out of the Pawnee camp, and I have +taken ponies from the Black Faces. Now I am +going to fight the Kiowas. Well, I will tell you +that I am not afraid."</p> + +<p>Red Dog waited until he felt sure that his +warriors were on every side of the camp, and +then he began to advance. The Cheyenne scouts +and the Sioux accompanied him. White Otter<span class="pagenum">[90]</span> +and Little Raven kept close together. They +realized that the Cheyennes were closing the net +about their foes, and they knew that the fight +might begin at any moment. Then a wild yell +echoed across the plain, and it was evident +that some of the war party had encountered a +Kiowa sentinel. Aware that further caution +would be useless, Red Dog raised his voice in +the dismal howl of the prairie wolf, and raced +his pony toward the Kiowa camp.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward the night reverberated +with the defiant yells of the attacking Cheyennes. +They rode recklessly into the Kiowa +camp, and attempted to gain possession of the +ponies. In spite of having been completely +surprised, however, the Kiowas soon rallied +and fought desperately. The little patch of +timber was now the scene of a terrific conflict. +The fighting was at close range, and as +darkness made it difficult to distinguish between +friend and foe, the wildest confusion followed. +To add still further disorder, many of +the Kiowa ponies pulled the picket stakes and +raced madly among the excited combatants. +The Sioux soon found themselves in the thick<span class="pagenum">[91]</span> +of the combat. They kept close together, and +fought with great bravery. White Otter and +Short Bear had their ponies killed beneath +them, but both secured new mounts and continued +the fight. Then the superior numbers +of the Cheyennes began to tell, and the Kiowas +were forced to give way. They had lost many +of their ponies, and almost half of the warriors +were fighting on foot. They fought stubbornly +until they were driven from the timber, +and then they scattered and fled across the +plain.</p> + +<p>"See, the Kiowas are running!" cried White +Otter. "Come, we must take some ponies."</p> + +<p>At that instant, however, several mounted +warriors dashed forward and attacked the +Sioux with great ferocity. In the desperate +hand to hand fighting which followed Little +Raven was dragged from his pony, and would +surely have been killed but for the timely assistance +of White Otter. Then the Sioux vanquished +their foes, and captured three ponies. +They had escaped unharmed, and as they heard +the Cheyennes whooping excitedly on the plain +they galloped from the timber to join them.<span class="pagenum">[92]</span></p> + +<p>"Come, we have chased away the Kiowas, +now we will ride around and look for ponies," +said White Otter.</p> + +<p>Once on the plain they separated, and began +to look for horses. They soon learned the folly +of this maneuver, however, for White Otter had +barely left his companions when he was attacked +by three mounted Kiowas. After a +desperate running fight he finally escaped with +another Kiowa pony. Similar encounters were +being fought everywhere, for the crafty Kiowas +had separated into small bands and were +lurking in the dark to attack their foes +whenever they could catch them at a disadvantage.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," White Otter declared, as he rejoined +his companions. "Yes, we must keep +together. We are in great danger. The big +fight is over, but perhaps we will be killed. The +Kiowas are all around us. They are like the +wolves, which wait in the dark to pull down the +elk that goes out alone. We have helped our +brothers, the Cheyennes. We have taken some +ponies for ourselves. There is nothing else to +do. It is foolish to wait here. Come, we will<span class="pagenum">[93]</span> +find Red Dog, and talk with him about this +thing."</p> + +<p>"It is the best thing to do," agreed Feather +Dog.</p> + +<p>Then they heard the call of the prairie wolf a +short distance to the west of them, and they +believed that Red Dog was summoning his warriors. +Still they determined to act with great +prudence, for it was possible that the Kiowas +were attempting to decoy them into a trap. +However, when the signal was repeated they +determined to investigate. They had not gone +an arrow-flight, when they heard a company of +horsemen racing directly toward them. Scorning +to avoid an encounter, the Sioux fitted arrows +to their bows, and sent their war cry ringing +through the night. The approaching riders +stopped at the sound, and the Sioux heard the +low murmur of their voices.</p> + +<p>"Come, we will ride over there and fight +these people," proposed Short Bear.</p> + +<p>"No, we must wait until we know who they +are," cautioned White Otter.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward his caution was rewarded. +They heard themselves addressed in<span class="pagenum">[94]</span> +their own tongue, and learned that the horsemen +were their allies, the Cheyennes. The latter +instantly joined them, and the Sioux saw +that they were leading a number of captured +ponies. The warrior who spoke the Sioux dialect +assured them that the Kiowas had been decisively +beaten, and were in full flight toward +their village.</p> + +<p>"It was a great fight, but I believe that some +of our people were killed," he said soberly.</p> + +<p>Then they galloped across the plain to join +Red Dog. When they reached him they found +the balance of the war party with many Kiowa +ponies. The Cheyenne war leader was thoughtful +and serious, and the Sioux believed that +some of his friends had been killed in the fighting. +They saw that Red Dog himself had been +severely wounded, but he appeared to be unmindful +of his injury. When he saw the Sioux +he called them to him and complimented them +upon their courage. Then he addressed his +warriors.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, we have fought our enemies, +the Kiowas. Yes, we have chased them away +like rabbits. We have taken many ponies. Now<span class="pagenum">[95]</span> +our village is safe. The old men and the women +and children can sleep without fear. But my +heart is filled with clouds because some of our +people have been killed. We will wait here +until it is light, and then we will go and tell +our people about this fight. I have finished."</p> + +<p>When Red Dog had ceased speaking a warrior +called out the names of four Cheyennes +who had lost their lives in the encounter, and +then their friends rose and rendered glowing +tribute to their memory. Among those killed +was Standing Hawk, the scout, a close friend +of Red Dog, and a man of prominence and influence +in the tribe. A number of warriors had +been more or less severely injured, but, like +Red Dog, they made light of their injuries and +scorned the concern and sympathy of their companions.</p> + +<p>Having rendered the customary honors to +their dead, the Cheyennes turned their attention +to celebrating the victory over the Kiowas. +The captured ponies were paraded in a circle, +and the warriors rushed forward and counted +coup upon them as they passed. Other trophies +were exhibited with much pride and boasting<span class="pagenum">[96]</span> +on the part of the warriors who had taken them. +The Sioux, too, were invited to take a prominent +part in the ceremonies. They had heard +themselves complimented and praised by all +the speakers, and they saw that Red Dog and +his followers desired to show them every possible +honor. White Otter, Short Bear and +Feather Dog all made speeches in which they +highly commended the Cheyennes for their +bravery, and promised to tell the great chief, +Curly Horse, and his people about them. The +celebration finally ended with a dance. Then +sentinels were posted about the camp, and the +tired Cheyennes wrapped themselves in their +robes to rest until daylight.</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art13.png" alt="art13" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + <img border="0" src="images/art14.png" alt="art14" /> + CHAPTER VII + <img border="0" src="images/art14.png" alt="art14" /> +</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE MINNECONJOUX CAMP</p> + +<p class="dropcap">THE Sioux traveled with the Cheyennes until +late the following day. Then, as the +latter turned toward the east to reach their +camp, White Otter and his companions left them +and continued toward the north. Red Dog presented +each of his allies with two ponies, and as +they had taken a number from the Kiowas they +felt very well repaid for having joined the war +party.</p> + +<p>"We have done a good thing," said Short +Bear. "Yes, we will show our people some +good ponies."</p> + +<p>"Sun Bird has brought back what the Black +Faces took away. Now we are bringing more +ponies. Our people will talk about it a long +time," declared Feather Dog.</p> + +<p>The Sioux made their way across the plain +with great caution, for they were fearful of +losing their prizes to a superior force of foes.<span class="pagenum">[98]</span> +As a precaution, therefore, White Otter and +Feather Dog proceeded some distance ahead +of their companions, reconnoitering from the +ridges and keeping a sharp watch for enemies. +However, they saw only antelope and wolves on +the plain, and deer and elk in the swales and +along the base of the foothills. The third day +after leaving the Cheyennes they came in sight +of their destination.</p> + +<p>"See, there are the lodges of my people," +said Feather Dog, as he and White Otter +stopped on the crest of a low ridge to wait for +their comrades.</p> + +<p>Some distance farther to the west the plain +ended at a range of low pine-clad foothills, and +within their shadows was the great Minneconjoux +camp. It was located beside a wide stream +that flowed down from towering snow-topped +peaks still farther to the west. The young +Ogalala saw many lodges, and great numbers +of ponies grazing on the fertile plain near the +village.</p> + +<p>"My eyes tell me that this is a great camp," +said White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you will find many people in that vil<span class="pagenum">[99]</span>lage," Feather Dog assured him. "But see, we +have been discovered."</p> + +<p>White Otter saw that he and Feather Dog +had caused a sudden stir in the Minneconjoux +camp. A great crowd had gathered at the edge +of the village, and seemed to be regarding them +with considerable suspicion. Several horsemen +were riding excitedly about the plain driving +the ponies toward the camp, and it was evident +that the Sioux feared an attack.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps your people believe that we are +Crow scouts," suggested White Otter.</p> + +<p>"No, it is not so. My people have eyes like +the eagle, but they are very cautious," laughed +Feather Dog.</p> + +<p>A few moments later Short Bear and his two +companions rode to the top of the ridge with +the captured ponies. Their appearance instantly +reassured their tribesmen and threw +them into an ecstasy of delight, for the riderless +ponies proclaimed the success of the gallant +little company who had parted from Sun +Bird to join the Cheyenne expedition against +the Kiowas.</p> + +<p>Aware that they had been recognized, Feather<span class="pagenum">[100]</span> +Dog and his companions galloped toward the +camp, shaking their weapons and yelling triumphantly. +A company of warriors raced to +meet them, and the plain reverberated with +the shouts of the excited throng at the edge +of the village. As the horsemen approached +one another White Otter saw that the riders +from the camp were led by Sun Bird, and his +heart filled with emotion. Both companies rode +at full speed until they were only several bow-lengths +apart. Then they pulled their ponies to +their haunches, and stopped in a choking +smother of dust.</p> + +<p>Sun Bird greeted Little Raven with much affection, +and praised him for bringing ponies to +the camp. Then he turned to his friend, White +Otter.</p> + +<p>"My brother, I have waited for you. Now +you have come. It is good; my heart is filled +with sunshine. I see that you have taken some +more ponies. You are a great warrior. I have +told the great chief, Curly Horse, and Rain +Crow, my father, about you. They have told +the people about you. Now they are waiting +to see you. Come, we will ride into the vil<span class="pagenum">[101]</span>lage, and I will take you to my father's lodge," +said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Sun Bird, it is true that you are my +brother," replied White Otter. "Your people +are the brave Minneconjoux and I am an Ogalala, +but we have the same blood. Yes, we are +Dacotahs. I have listened to your words, and +I am glad I came here. It is bad when I am +away from you. Now we are together. It is +good; I can sing again. You say you have told +the great chief, Curly Horse, about me. Well, I +will tell him the words of my grandfather, the +great chief, Wolf Robe. You say you have told +the great medicine-man, Rain Crow, about me. +Well, when I take his hand then I will talk about +it until I am an old man. Yes, I will go to your +village with a good heart. The Minneconjoux +are my brothers."</p> + +<p>As they neared the camp they heard the people +singing songs of welcome and shouting their +names, and they thrilled with pride. A few +old men and most of the boys ran out on the +plain to meet them, and count coup on the captured +ponies. When they entered the village, +however, they were greeted with more dignity<span class="pagenum">[102]</span> +by the warriors who had assembled to receive +them. It was apparent that the Minneconjoux +fighting men had determined to maintain a +proud reserve before their famous young tribesman +from the Ogalala village.</p> + +<p>However, Sun Bird gave them little opportunity +to satisfy their vanity, for he rode past +them and escorted White Otter directly to the +lodge of Curly Horse. They dismounted before +the entrance, and the young Ogalala tied three +ponies, which he had brought from the Cheyennes, +to the picket-post. Then he waited outside +while Sun Bird entered to announce him to +the Minneconjoux war chief.</p> + +<p>"Curly Horse says that he is waiting to see +his young brother," Sun Bird said, when he rejoined +his friend a few moments afterward.</p> + +<p>Then Sun Bird and White Otter entered the +lodge. They saw two warriors seated opposite +the entrance. One, a middle-aged man of massive +physique, wore a splendid head-dress of +eagle feathers, and White Otter had little difficulty +in recognizing him as Curly Horse. The +other, who looked somewhat older and less robust, +wore a head-piece of beaver ornamented<span class="pagenum">[103]</span> +with the horns of a bull buffalo, while his dress +and insignias proclaimed him a medicine-man. +White Otter felt sure, therefore, that he was +Rain Crow, the father of Sun Bird. The two +lads advanced around the left side of the lodge +until they finally stood before the warriors. +For some moments the older men remained silent, +while they peered searchingly into the face +of the Ogalala. Apparently impressed with +what they saw, they exchanged a few words in +an undertone, and then the chief addressed Sun +Bird.</p> + +<p>"Tell him who I am," he said, curtly.</p> + +<p>"My brother, I will tell you that you are looking +at Curly Horse, the great war chief of the +Minneconjoux. He has fought in many battles. +He has killed many enemies. He has taken +many ponies. He has given his people good +words. When Curly Horse speaks you must +open your ears, for he is a great man," said +Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>When the eulogy was finished Curly Horse +rose and offered his hand to White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Now you know who I am," said Curly +Horse. "It is good. I have taken your hand.<span class="pagenum">[104]</span> +Now I will tell you what I am thinking about. +First I will tell you that I am glad you have +come here. I have heard about you. You are a +young man, but you have done some good +things. I have talked with your father, Standing +Buffalo. Yes, a long time ago he came here +with some young men to help us fight the Black-feet. +He was a very brave warrior. I know +about your grandfather, the great chief Wolf +Robe. The Minneconjoux and the Ogalalas are +brothers. Our lodges are always open to our +brothers. Perhaps you will stay here a long +time. Then I will talk to you again. Now I +am going to tell you about this great man who +is standing beside me. He is Rain Crow. He is +a great medicine-person. He has done some +great things. Some time I will tell you about +it. I have finished."</p> + +<p>"I have listened to the words of a great +chief," replied White Otter. "I have taken the +hand of Curly Horse. I have painted these +things on my heart. You say that the Ogalalas +are your brothers. It is true. Now I will tell +you the words of the great chief, Wolf Robe. +He said, 'The Minneconjoux are our brothers.<span class="pagenum">[105]</span> +Curly Horse, their chief, is a great man. You +will see many brave warriors in that camp. +Sun Bird and Little Raven are your friends. +They will tell their people about you. Go, and +tell the Minneconjoux that Wolf Robe is thinking +about them.' I have brought you these +words. You say that you have talked with my +father. Then you have seen a man. But I must +tell you that he has gone on the Long Trail. +Now I will talk to that great man beside you. +Rain Crow, you are a great medicine-person. +My people know about you. You are the father +of my brother Sun Bird, and my brother +Little Raven. I will call you my father. Now +I have taken your hand. Well, I will tell about +it a long time. Now I will tell you something +else. I have tied three ponies out there for +Curly Horse. Well, I took some more ponies +from your enemies, the Black Faces. One of +those ponies belongs to my brother, Sun Bird. +But I will give three other ponies to my father, +Rain Crow. This is how it is in my heart +to do. I have finished."</p> + +<p>"My son, you talk like a man," said Rain +Crow. "It is good that you have called me<span class="pagenum">[106]</span> +your father. Yes, Sun Bird has told me about +you. I know that you are as cautious as the +fox, and as brave as the bear. It is enough. +You will be a great war chief, like your grandfather. +I am glad you have come here. Perhaps +you will stay many days. It is good. I +may tell you some great things. I have +spoken."</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward the lads left the +lodge. They found a crowd gathered to see +them. As they appeared the people ceased +talking, and the warriors came forward to greet +White Otter. They welcomed him with great +warmth, and several of the principal men of +the tribe announced feasts in his honor.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I see that you are great warriors," +replied White Otter. "I have heard +my people talk about you. Now I have taken +your hands. You have told me something good. +You have called me your brother. Yes, it is +true. It is a good thing I came here. Now I +see what kind of people you are. I know I will +have plenty to eat here. I know I will have +a good place in my brother's lodge. I know +I will hear some good talks. When I go<span class="pagenum">[107]</span> +away from here I will tell my people about +it. But perhaps I will stay here many days. +My brothers, my heart is peaceful toward +you."</p> + +<p>Then Sun Bird took him to Rain Crow's +lodge. It was located in about the center of the +village. As it was decorated with two figures +of the mysterious Thunder Bird, White Otter +knew that Rain Crow had seen these things in a +dream or vision. He knew the custom governing +these sacred dreams, which entitled the +dreamer to decorate his personal property with +the symbol of his dreams. At his death the +privilege was inherited by his oldest son, who +might make four copies of the mysterious emblem. +Unless the latter happened to see or +dream the same vision, however, the privilege +of using the symbol ended with his death. The +young Ogalala had been taught to reverence +these mysterious dreamers of visions, and he +looked with superstitious awe upon the crude +red emblems which announced Rain Crow's +mysterious powers to the people. The medicine-man's +buffalo-hide war shield was suspended +from a tripod of poles beside the lodge,<span class="pagenum">[108]</span> +and White Otter particularly noted the two red +pipes which had been painted on it.</p> + +<p>"My brother, I see that your father is a +very great man," he told Sun Bird. "He has +seen the mysterious Thunder Beings. That is a +wonderful thing to happen to a man. I see two +pipes on his war shield. Now I know that he +has led two war parties. It is a great thing to +sit in his lodge. I will tell my grandfather +about it."</p> + +<p>When they entered the lodge they found Little +Raven and his mother, Dancing Fawn. It +was evident that the youthful warrior had been +relating a vivid account of his exploits.</p> + +<p>"My mother, I have brought you another +son," said Sun Bird. "White Otter is my +brother. I have told you about him. He is a +great warrior. The brave Ogalalas are his people. +I have lived in their lodges. Now White +Otter has come to talk with his brothers. Make +him welcome."</p> + +<p>"My son, I have listened to your words. +What you have told me is good. Your brother, +White Otter, shall be my son. He shall spread +his robe in Rain Crow's lodge. I will make<span class="pagenum">[109]</span> +his moccasins and cook his meat," declared +Dancing Fawn.</p> + +<p>"Mother, I will keep your words in my +heart," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>Sun Bird showed him where to spread his +robe, and thus establish his place in the lodge. +Then the two lads sat down beside each other +to talk. Believing that they wished to be alone, +Dancing Fawn and Little Raven immediately +went outside. Sun Bird told White Otter that +as soon as it grew dark the Minneconjoux would +celebrate the triumphant return of the war +party. Even while he spoke they heard criers +walking about the village calling to the people +to assemble at nightfall. Soon afterward +the odor of smoke and the fragrance of broiling +meat told the lads that the day had ended, +and the women were busy with the evening +meal.</p> + +<p>"Come, we will go out and see what our +mother has for us," proposed Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>They found Dancing Fawn and several other +women broiling antelope meat over the glowing +embers of a cooking fire. The fire was shared +by the occupants of several lodges, and while<span class="pagenum">[110]</span> +the women prepared the food the warriors sat +together smoking and telling stories. Rain +Crow was in the party, and he immediately invited +the lads to join him. Similar fires were +twinkling in all parts of the camp, and about +each sat a little company of men and boys. The +meal was the occasion for much light-hearted +mirth, and the village resounded with song and +laughter. The success of Sun Bird and his war +party had fired the pride of the people, and +they were prepared to celebrate the victory with +customary enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"See, my people have good hearts because we +have done this thing," said Sun Bird. "They +will talk about it a long time. Pretty soon +Curly Horse will call the warriors. Then we +will sing the war songs, and dance the medicine +dances."</p> + +<p>"It is good. I will tell my people about it," +replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>Soon afterward they heard the familiar +throbbing of the buffalo-hide war drums, and +they knew it was the signal to assemble. At the +summons the people sprang to their feet and +hurried to the center of the village, where they<span class="pagenum">[111]</span> +found Curly Horse and a number of prominent +men awaiting them.</p> + +<p>The warriors formed a circle about two great +fires which blazed fiercely. Behind them stood +the old men, and still farther in the background +were the women and children. The war chief +and prominent men of the tribe stood together +outside the circle, and close by them were the +musicians with their buffalo-hide drums. When +all were ready to begin the ceremony Curly +Horse stepped forward to deliver the customary +address.</p> + +<p>"People of the great Dacotah nation, we have +come together to sing about a great thing. Our +young men have returned from the war trail +with many ponies. The Black Faces took some +horses, but our young men went to their camp. +Now we are laughing about it. Our enemies, +the Kiowas, have lost some good ponies. Do +you know where they are? Well, if you look +around you will see them. Now I will ask my +young brother, Sun Bird, to tell us how they +came here," said Curly Horse.</p> + +<p>Sun Bird advanced into the center of the +circle, and gave a vivid account of his adven<span class="pagenum">[112]</span>tures. When he had finished the musicians began +to beat the drums, and the warriors began +to dance. They circled slowly about the fires, +waving their trophies and singing boastful +songs against their foes. From time to time +a dancer would rush excitedly into the center +of the circle and tell his part in bringing success +and glory to the expedition. Each moment +added to the general excitement, and the +people seemed to have been roused into a nervous +frenzy. The dance was continued until many +of the older warriors were completely exhausted, +and then it was temporarily stopped.</p> + +<p>While the dancers rested from their strenuous +efforts, White Otter was asked to speak. +He told of the expedition against the Kiowas, +and rendered glowing tribute to the courage of +Little Raven and the other Sioux who had +joined the war party. His words touched the +vanity of the Minneconjoux and roused them +into resuming their wild celebration. Thus the +ceremonies were continued until the night was +three-quarters gone, and then the people succumbed +to their fatigue and retired to the +lodges.<span class="pagenum">[113]</span></p> + +<p>"Well, my brother, you have seen a great +thing," said Sun Bird, when he and White Otter +reached Rain Crow's lodge.</p> + +<p>"It is true. Those songs will stay in my +ears a long time," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Well, you will see something else when the +next sun comes," declared Sun Bird. "My people +will dance the great Buffalo Dance. You +will see how they do it. You will see scouts go +away to watch on the ridges. And I will tell +you another thing. Our brothers, the brave +Uncapapas, are coming to hunt with us. You +will see a great camp. Many things will happen +while these people are with us. Yes, we +will run races, and ride horses, and try our arrows. +The Uncapapas are great warriors. +They have fought in many battles. You will +hear about it. All the people will sing the buffalo +songs, and you will see how my father +brings the buffaloes to his people."</p> + +<p>"When I have seen all these things, then I +will tell my grandfather about it," said White +Otter.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art15.png" alt="art15" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VIII +</h2> + +<p class="h3">VISITORS FROM THE NORTH</p> + +<p class="dropcap">AT dawn the three lads stole noiselessly +from the lodge and raced away to the +stream, lured on by the shouts and laughter of +a jolly little company who were already in the +water. The first plunge into the icy current +from the mountains dispelled the last traces of +drowsiness and sent the blood bounding through +their veins. Then followed a few moments of +wild frolicking, for all the boys and most of +the younger men of the tribe were assembled +at the stream. When they emerged from the +water they chased one another about the plain +until they were thoroughly dry and glowing with +health. Then they ran to the camp to eat bountifully +of the food which the women were already +preparing.</p> + +<p>At sunrise the warriors who had been selected +to dance in the Buffalo Dance walked to the<span class="pagenum">[115]</span> +center of the village. Each of the dancers wore +the skin of a bull buffalo, including the head +and horns, and about his ankles were tied tufts +of buffalo hair. Their faces and bodies were +streaked and spotted with clay of various colors, +and fastened to their backs were small bundles +of willow branches. They carried their +hunting weapons, and small rawhide rattles +filled with pebbles.</p> + +<p>While the dancers were assembling, a number +of scouts mounted their ponies and galloped +away to watch from the ridges about the camp. +At the same time Rain Crow made his way out +on the plain with the sacred medicine-pipe, and +seated himself beside a painted buffalo skull +to smoke and petition the Great Mystery to send +the great herds of buffaloes near the Minneconjoux +camp.</p> + +<p>The beating of the war drums drew the people +to the spot selected for the ceremony, and +when the tribe was finally assembled the dance +commenced. About twenty warriors took part, +and as the old men sang the sacred buffalo songs +the dancers began to imitate the animals which +they were supposed to represent. Keeping<span class="pagenum">[116]</span> +time with the drums, they moved slowly around +in a circle, performing all the antics of the great +beasts which they believed they were luring to +their hunting grounds. Once begun, the dance +might be continued for several days, unless the +animals suddenly appeared and abruptly ended +the ceremony. When a dancer became tired +he stooped over, and one of the onlookers, who +were waiting to take advantage of such an +emergency, immediately pretended to drive an +arrow through him. Then the exhausted dancer +fell and was dragged from the circle, and the +fresh recruit gladly surrendered himself to the +strenuous exertions of the dance.</p> + +<p>"That man who is throwing dirt over himself +is Kicking Bull. He is a great hunter," +Sun Bird told White Otter. "Once he sent +his arrow right through a bull buffalo. Another +time he killed three bears that were bigger than +his pony. You will see him do some great +things when we go out to hunt the buffaloes."</p> + +<p>"I will keep close beside him," declared +White Otter.</p> + +<p>White Otter was thoroughly familiar with +every detail of the interesting ceremony, for<span class="pagenum">[117]</span> +he had seen the Ogalalas dance the Buffalo +Dance many times. Like all his people, he had +deep reverence for these mysterious medicine-rites, +and he believed implicitly in their alleged +power to bring about the desired result. +He had little doubt, therefore, that the combined +efforts of Rain Crow and the dancers in the +present ceremony, would soon bring the buffaloes +within sight of the village.</p> + +<p>"Come, now we will go and watch my father," +Sun Bird proposed, after they had spent +some time at the dance.</p> + +<p>When they arrived at the edge of the village +they saw Rain Crow standing rigid and immovable +some distance out on the plain. He held +the sacred medicine-pipe before him at arm's +length.</p> + +<p>"See, my father is pointing the pipe toward +the place where we first see the buffaloes," +said Sun Bird. "Now he is looking up and +singing to the Great Mystery. He is making +strong medicine. Pretty soon he will bring the +buffaloes."</p> + +<p>They would have liked to approach sufficiently +near to hear the words of the mysterious medi<span class="pagenum">[118]</span>cine-songs, but they knew better than to make +the attempt. To have intruded upon Rain +Crow at that time would have broken his power, +and invited the censure of the entire tribe. +Therefore, they curbed their curiosity, and contented +themselves with watching him from the +border of the camp. They had not been there +long when they were approached by a prominent +member of Sun Bird's war party, who invited +them to his lodge to partake of a feast +which he had prepared in honor of White Otter.</p> + +<p>"My brother, you have opened your lodge. +It is good. I will go in and eat with you," said +White Otter.</p> + +<p>When the young Ogalala parted from his host +some time later he was immediately invited +to accept the bounteous hospitality of another +admirer. Aware that a refusal would be interpreted +as an insult, White Otter saw nothing +to do but to accept. As the etiquette of his +people required a visitor to eat heartily at each +lodge to which he was invited, and as each host +invariably endeavored to offer a more sumptuous +repast than his neighbor, White Otter foresaw +embarrassing complications ahead of him.<span class="pagenum">[119]</span> +By the time he had fulfilled his obligations at +three of these feasts he found himself almost +helpless from the effects of his enforced gluttony. +Sun Bird and Little Raven were in a +similar state of discomfort, for they had felt it +a matter of duty to accompany their friend to +each lodge to which he had been invited. As +the day was but half over the situation looked +serious. Having accepted the first invitations, +they realized that it would be impossible to refuse +those that were sure to follow. Still, they +knew it would be equally impossible to consume +more food, and they were aware that to attend +a feast and slight the repast would be a greater +insult than to stay away. They were searching +their brains for a way of escape, when they +were unexpectedly delivered from their awkward +dilemma.</p> + +<p>"See, Feather Dog is returning. He has +something to tell about," cried Sun Bird, pointing +toward a solitary horseman who was galloping +toward the camp.</p> + +<p>The cry was echoed through the village, and +the people rushed from the lodges in a state of +wild excitement. Some feared that he was<span class="pagenum">[120]</span> +bringing warning of an impending attack by +the Crows, others declared that the buffaloes +were in sight, and still others that the Uncapapas +were approaching from the north. Determined +to be prepared for an emergency, Curly +Horse instantly assembled the fighting men and +held himself in readiness to defend the camp. +When Feather Dog finally came within shouting +distance, however, he called out that a great +company of Uncapapas were approaching the +village. The news filled the Minneconjoux with +delight, and when Feather Dog rode into the +camp they crowded eagerly around him to inquire +about the famous people who were coming +to visit them. Then Curly Horse called the +warriors in council, and made an address.</p> + +<p>"My people, you have heard the words of +Feather Dog. He has told you that our +brothers, the great chief Laughing Bird and his +people, are coming here. It is good. I will ask +you to open your lodges to them. Pretty soon +you will see Laughing Bird and some great warriors +come across the plain. We will go to meet +them. Feather Dog, I will ask you to go back +and tell Laughing Bird that Curly Horse will<span class="pagenum">[121]</span> +ride out to meet him. I have finished," said +the Minneconjoux war chief.</p> + +<p>As Feather Dog raced away with a message +of welcome, Curly Horse went slowly about the +group of Minneconjoux fighting men selecting +the warriors whom he wished to accompany +him. He chose twenty-five of the most renowned +men of the tribe, and ordered them to +prepare themselves to meet Laughing Bird and +his escort. The warriors rushed to their lodges +to array themselves in all their finery, while the +boys brought in their fastest ponies, which the +women proceeded to decorate with feathers and +strips of fur.</p> + +<p>When the escort for Curly Horse finally assembled +in the center of the village they made +a striking appearance, and the people greeted +them with shouts of approval. They were a +splendid-looking body of men, and the eyes +of the Minneconjoux chief flashed with pride +as he inspected them. Then he called Rain +Crow to his side, and together they led the gallant +little company from the camp. As they +cantered slowly across the plain, the people +watching from the border of the village saw<span class="pagenum">[122]</span> +another company of riders appear on the summit +of a ridge to the north. These horsemen +watched the Minneconjoux a few minutes, and +then they galloped forward to meet them.</p> + +<p>"See, Laughing Bird and his warriors are +coming to talk with our people," said Sun +Bird, as he stood at the edge of the camp with +White Otter. "When those people come here +you will see a great man."</p> + +<p>The two chiefs advanced with their escorts +until they were less than a bow-shot apart, and +then each halted his followers and rode forward +alone. They met and clasped hands, and +after a complimentary exchange of greetings +they signaled their warriors to join them. The +latter appeared to splendid advantage as they +moved slowly forward in perfect alignment, +each rider sitting erect and dignified on his +prancing pony, with his great war bonnet of +eagle feathers reaching almost to the ground +behind him. They had streaked the upper part +of their bodies with colored clay, and had +dressed themselves in their finest ceremonial +attire. Each warrior carried his coup-stick +with its complement of fluttering eagle feathers<span class="pagenum">[123]</span> +so that all who saw him might instantly recognize +him as a man of courage and valor. The +two companies of fighting men stopped a short +distance apart while Curly Horse and Laughing +Bird addressed them. The former welcomed +the Uncapapa war chief and his escort and invited +the Uncapapas to make their camp beside +his village. Laughing Bird accepted the +invitation with proper courtesy, and immediately +dispatched a courier to bring his people, +who were waiting far out on the plain. Then, +after all the warriors had greeted one another +and exchanged the customary compliments, the +entire company cantered toward the Minneconjoux +camp.</p> + +<p>"Now you will hear some good words," said +Sun Bird, as he and White Otter hurried to +join the warriors who had assembled before the +council lodge to receive the visitors.</p> + +<p>Laughing Bird and his warriors received a +royal welcome from the Minneconjoux. Much +time was consumed in making speeches and +exchanging greetings, but White Otter gave +little attention to the talk. He was more interested +in studying these distant tribesmen<span class="pagenum">[124]</span> +whom he had never seen. He saw that the Uncapapa +chief was a young man, tall and wiry, +with an alert, fearless face which was somewhat +disfigured by a great scar extending entirely +across the left cheek from ear to chin. The +young Ogalala believed that it was the record +of some thrilling combat, and he hoped to hear +the story. The warriors who accompanied +Laughing Bird were superb specimens of manhood. +They were slighter and considerably +taller than the Minneconjoux, but they had the +Dacotah characteristics, and White Otter would +have recognized them as his people even before +they spoke.</p> + +<p>However, White Otter's attention was suddenly +diverted by the shouts of some boys at +the edge of the camp. "The Uncapapas are +coming! The Uncapapas are coming!" they +cried excitedly. Rushing to the border of the +village, the Minneconjoux saw a great company +of people advancing slowly across the plain. +It was an impressive spectacle. In front were +the warriors, each leading one or more ponies +besides the animal he rode. Behind them came +the slower pack animals, carrying the women<span class="pagenum">[125]</span> +and children and dragging the lodge poles, to +which was lashed the property of the owners. +Then followed the herd of unburdened animals +in charge of a noisy company of youths and +boys. The interesting cavalcade was flanked on +all sides by stray companies of dogs of various +sizes and colors, many of the larger animals +dragging small loads behind them like the +ponies.</p> + +<p>Curly Horse sent a delegation of warriors to +meet and welcome the Uncapapas, while Laughing +Bird and his escort galloped along the +stream to find a suitable camp-site. They selected +a spot some distance below the Minneconjoux +village, and a few minutes afterward +it was the scene of bustling activity. The +women soon had the horses unpacked and the +lodge poles in place, and then the great buffalo-hide +covers, each composed of from fifteen to +twenty skins of the bull buffalo, were wrapped +about the frame and the shelter was completed. +In the meantime the older women and the children +were searching through the timber for +fuel, while the warriors walked about giving +orders to the boys who were busy picketing the<span class="pagenum">[126]</span> +riding ponies, and stretching rawhide lariats +between the trees to form a temporary corral +for the pack animals. In spite of these various +activities, however, there was little confusion, +and by the time the evening shadows settled +upon the plain the great Uncapapa camp was +entirely in order.</p> + +<p>At nightfall the Minneconjoux and the Uncapapas +began to exchange visits, and as both +camps vied with each other in the number and +bounteousness of their feasts, the people had +little chance to rest. In the meantime the Buffalo +Dance drew fresh recruits from the Uncapapas, +and the entire night was passed in +ceremony and celebration. Dawn was already +breaking in the east as Sun Bird and White Otter +finally stole away to Rain Crow's lodge for +a few winks of sleep.</p> + +<p>The following day the scouts again rode away +to watch on the ridges, and Rain Crow took the +sacred pipe and went out on the plain to pray +to the Great Mystery. The Buffalo Dance, too, +was continued with undiminished enthusiasm. +However, as but few were able to participate +in the ceremony at one time, the majority of<span class="pagenum">[127]</span> +the people occupied themselves with less serious +affairs. The people from the two camps mingled +together with less evidence of reserve, and +more jolly comradeship than on the previous +day. The warriors met to trade ponies and +boast of their exploits; the old men sat in the +shade and recalled the days that had gone; the +women gossiped and compared their handiwork; +and the boys met on the plain to play +their games. Thus the morning passed, and at +midday criers went through the camps announcing +the sports that had been arranged to while +away the time until the buffaloes appeared. +The announcement was received with shouts of +enthusiasm, for there was keen rivalry between +the tribes and each was eager for an opportunity +to prove the superiority of its champions.</p> + +<p>The sports began soon afterward, and were +so hotly contested that the results were always +in doubt until the last moment of the contest. +There were foot races, and jumping contests, +and games of shinny and ball, and pony races, +and various competitions for the women and +girls; but neither tribe was able to secure much<span class="pagenum">[128]</span> +of an advantage, and when these sports were +finally ended the total scores were exactly even. +Then came the final, and perhaps the most +popular event of the day, which was known as +the Arrow Game.</p> + +<p>When White Otter heard it announced his +heart began to beat excitedly. It was a favorite +game of his people, and one at which he excelled. +He had been forced to practice it from the time +he received his first small bow and blunt wooden +arrows. Now there were none in his tribe who +could equal his skill, and the Ogalalas proudly +acknowledged him as their champion. Therefore, +as he realized that the result of this contest +would give the day's victory to the tribe of +the winner, he determined to enter the event on +the side of the Minneconjoux.</p> + +<p>Two teams were soon selected, and the rival +contestants marched solemnly to the spot which +had been set apart for the event. Sun Bird as +well as White Otter had secured a place on the +Minneconjoux team. The object of the contest +was to see who could shoot the most arrows into +the air before the first one reached the ground. +It was a sport which demanded agility as well<span class="pagenum">[129]</span> +as skill, and only the most expert took part.</p> + +<p>When the rival teams reached the meeting +place they formed in two lines some distance +apart. Then Curly Horse and Laughing Bird +walked between them urging the warriors of +their respective tribes to do their utmost to win +the victory for their people. The words of the +Minneconjoux war chief filled White Otter with +enthusiasm. Having already won the championship +of his own tribe, he was anxious to +establish his title among the other tribes of the +great Dacotah nation. Besides, he was equally +eager to crown the strenuous efforts of the Minneconjoux +with final victory. Therefore, as +he strung his bow and took his place beside +Sun Bird, he raised his eyes to the sky and offered +a silent petition to the Great Mystery to +aid him in securing the coveted victory.</p> + +<p>The first warrior to try his skill was an Uncapapa, +who succeeded in discharging six arrows +before the first returned to earth. He +was followed by the warrior at the head of the +Minneconjoux line, who fumbled at the fourth +arrow and scored only five. The next Uncapapa, +a great, powerful fellow of striking appear<span class="pagenum">[130]</span>ance, sent eight arrows into the air and caused +enthusiastic rejoicing among his tribesmen. +The Minneconjoux who was his rival scored six. +The following Uncapapa was so anxious to surpass +his comrade that he splintered his bow and +eliminated himself from the contest. Then a +Minneconjoux named Little Rabbit succeeded +in tying the score with eight arrows in the air +at once, and his people went wild with joy. +Their delight was short-lived, however, for a +few moments afterward an Uncapapa discharged +nine arrows in the allotted time.</p> + +<p>"That is a great thing to do," Sun Bird told +White Otter, with apparent uneasiness.</p> + +<p>White Otter made no reply. He was at the +very end of the Minneconjoux line, and he began +to realize that perhaps the final result might +depend upon him. The thought startled him. +He watched each contestant with intense interest. +More than half of the warriors on each +side had already made their attempts and the +honors still rested with the Uncapapas.</p> + +<p>Then a Minneconjoux shot ten arrows from +his bow before the first one struck the ground. +The feat threw the entire assemblage into a<span class="pagenum">[131]</span> +frenzy of excitement, friend and rival alike +yelling approval of his skill. It seemed that +victory was about to fall to the Minneconjoux, +and Curly Horse and his warriors made no attempt +to conceal their delight. Their hopes +were rudely shattered, however, when an Uncapapa +duplicated the remarkable achievement. +Once again the score was tied. As only four +remained to try for each side, it looked as if +the all-day struggle between the tribes was +doomed to end in a deadlock.</p> + +<p>White Otter awaited his turn with feverish +impatience. If the other contestants failed to +better the score he believed that he might still +win for the Minneconjoux, for on two occasions +he had surpassed the score of the Uncapapa. +Both times he had succeeded in having eleven +arrows in the air at one time. However, the +young Ogalala knew that such a record was not +easily duplicated. The slightest mishap would +ruin his chances. He dared not hope.</p> + +<p>A few moments later an Uncapapa sent +eleven arrows into the air in the specified interval +of time. The people were now beside themselves +with excitement. The Uncapapas were<span class="pagenum">[132]</span> +yelling and waving their robes in a delirium +of joy, while the crestfallen Minneconjoux +were calling upon all sorts of mysterious powers +to save them from defeat. But three more +contestants remained to try for victory, Sun +Bird and White Otter on the Minneconjoux +side, and one Uncapapa.</p> + +<p>Sun Bird felt the responsibility that was resting +upon him, but he knew that he was powerless +to save his people from defeat. He had +never done better than eight arrows in the air +at once. He determined to make a supreme +effort, however, and succeeded so well that he +actually bettered his record and scored nine. +The Minneconjoux accepted his gallant attempt +with a murmur of approval, but their hearts +were filled with gloom.</p> + +<p>The remaining Uncapapa scored only six, +but his people were well satisfied with his indifferent +performance, as they were now sure of +their victory.</p> + +<p>Then White Otter prepared to make his attempt. +He was the target for every eye in the +great assemblage as he stepped out to make the +final effort for the Minneconjoux. The young<span class="pagenum">[133]</span> +Ogalala appeared calm and confident, but his +heart was beating furiously and his blood raced +through his veins. He knew that to save the +Minneconjoux from defeat he must duplicate +his best performance, and under the circumstances +the odds all seemed against him. For +a moment he lost confidence. Then he heard a +mocking laugh over among the Uncapapas, and +it drove the hot fighting blood to his brain. His +eyes flashed a challenge along the line of Uncapapa +warriors, and he slowly drew twelve +arrows from his quiver and held them in his +left hand. There was something in his manner +that commanded respect, and the Uncapapas began +to ask one another his name. They saw +that this cool young warrior intended to make +a determined effort to steal their victory, and +the idea caused them considerable uneasiness.</p> + +<p>"My brother, if you do this thing my people +will make you a great man," Sun Bird said, in +a voice trembling with eagerness.</p> + +<p>White Otter remained silent. He had tested +his bow, and was ready to fit the first arrow. +Then as an expectant hush settled upon the +throng of tense spectators, the lad raised his<span class="pagenum">[134]</span> +face toward the sky and stood a few moments +with closed eyes, while he asked the aid of +the Great Mystery. When he had ended his +simple appeal, he crouched and raised his bow +in his left hand, while he tightened the bow-string +until the point of the arrow was almost +even with the weapon. He held it an instant, +and then he sent it whizzing toward the sky. +As it soared upward his agile hands worked +with a speed that actually baffled the onlookers, +and caused them to cry out in admiration of his +skill. The humming arrows sped from his bow +in such rapid succession that it was difficult to +count them. One, two, three, four, five, six, +seven, eight, nine, ten, Eleven—TWELVE! +soared into space before the first one returned +to the ground. Then, flushed with the pride of +victory, the young champion straightened and +smiled triumphantly into the eyes of his friend.</p> + +<p>Having turned what seemed like sure defeat +into a glorious victory, White Otter found himself +a hero among the Minneconjoux. Curly +Horse was the first to greet him.</p> + +<p>"My son, you have done a great thing," said +the Minneconjoux chief. "You have filled the<span class="pagenum">[135]</span> +hearts of my people with the song of victory. +It has been a great day, but you have done the +best thing. Yes, we will have something to tell +about when people come to our lodges."</p> + +<p>Even the vanquished Uncapapas crowded +eagerly forward to praise the young tribesman +who had defeated them. The sting of their +unexpected downfall was relieved by the pride +they got from assuring themselves that none +but a Dacotah could have performed such an +exploit.</p> + +<p>"My young brother, you have done the best +of all. You are as quick as the panther, and as +steady as the rock. You have done a good thing +for our brothers, the Minneconjoux. But I will +tell you that our hearts are glad about it. Yes, +you are a Dacotah. It is enough. We will talk +about you at the council fire," said the famous +Uncapapa war chief.</p> + +<p>Sun Bird kept his praise until they reached +the seclusion of Rain Crow's lodge. Then he +seized White Otter's hand and spoke with great +feeling.</p> + +<p>"My brother, you have done a great thing. +You have heard many good words. What you<span class="pagenum">[136]</span> +have done makes me feel like a great chief. +When I think about it my heart is very big. I +cannot say any more. But you know how my +heart is toward you," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have heard many good words," replied +White Otter. "But I will tell you that the +words of Sun Bird, my brother, are the sweetest +to my ears."</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art16.png" alt="art16" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art17.png" alt="art17" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER IX +</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE GREAT BUFFALO DRIVE</p> + +<p class="dropcap">EARLY the following day the Sioux saw +several of the scouts who had been sent to +the ridges to watch for buffaloes racing wildly +toward the Minneconjoux village. It was evident +that they had news of great importance, +and the people became much excited. Rain +Crow was out on the plain continuing his mysterious +ceremony to bring the buffaloes. As the +riders passed they called to him, and he immediately +rose and extended the sacred pipe toward +the heavens. Then a joyous shout went +up from the village, for the Minneconjoux knew +that his appeal had been answered, the Great +Mystery had listened to their prayers.</p> + +<p>"The buffaloes have come! The buffaloes +have come!" the scouts cried, eagerly, as they +approached the lodges.</p> + +<p>The cry was soon ringing through the camps, +and all who heard it were thrown into wild<span class="pagenum">[138]</span> +transports of joy. Shouting and laughing, the +delighted Sioux ran to make preparations for +the great buffalo hunt, the most important +event in their lives. The boys were sent to +bring in the ponies, while the warriors hurried +to the lodges to collect their weapons and decorate +themselves for the occasion. The women +were as busy as the men, for their task was to +follow after the hunters to cut up and pack in +the meat. Even the aged veterans who were +too old to participate hobbled about chuckling +gleefully in anticipation of the feasts which +were now assured. It was indeed a time of +general rejoicing, and the villages were in a +noisy uproar.</p> + +<p>The buffaloes had been discovered feeding on +a vast rolling plain to the south, and the scouts +declared that it would be easy to circle around +behind the ridges and surround the herd.</p> + +<p>"My people, you have heard about this +thing," said Curly Horse. "The Great Mystery +has listened to our words. Yes, he has +taken pity on us. He has sent the buffaloes. It +is good. We will have plenty to eat. We will +have plenty of hides for robes and moccasins.<span class="pagenum">[139]</span> +Now I will tell you what to do. You must get +your best ponies, and go out there and kill +some meat. I have finished."</p> + +<p>Soon afterward the Minneconjoux and the +Uncapapas united in a great hunting party +which included every active warrior in both +tribes. It was a noble assemblage. As the +great host of warriors galloped away the very +earth seemed to tremble beneath the thundering +hoofs of their ponies. Only the old men and +the women and children were left behind. They +stood together at the edge of the camps watching +the imposing cavalcade until it finally +passed from sight over a swell of the plain, and +left a great yellow cloud of dust to roll back +toward the deserted villages.</p> + +<p>Curly Horse and Laughing Bird rode together +at the head of the warriors. Far in advance +of them, however, was a company of +picked scouts whose duty was to locate the buffaloes +and reconnoiter the country over which +the hunters would advance to surround the +herd. On either flank of the hunting party rode +the Dog Soldiers, whose task was to maintain +order and system. These warriors were men<span class="pagenum">[140]</span> +of courage and wisdom, whose sound judgment +and impartial justice qualified them to act as +the guardians of peace and discipline in their +respective tribes. Their insignia of office was +a raven skin which they usually wore attached +to their belts. Their power was unquestioned, +and at all times they commanded the respect +and ready obedience of their comrades.</p> + +<p>The Sioux cantered across the plain in high +spirits. The return of the buffaloes assured +them an abundance of meat for many days, and +the thought filled them with enthusiasm. Light-hearted +laughter, and snatches of song, made it +evident that the stern Dacotah warrior had +thrown off his reserve and softened his heart +to enjoy the gentler excitement of the chase.</p> + +<p>White Otter rode with Sun Bird and Little +Raven. He was mounted on a fiery little buckskin +which he had captured from the Kiowas. +His two companions rode the splendid hunting +ponies with which he had presented them when +they visited the Ogalala village the year previous. +All three lads were eager and excited, +for the hunt promised plenty of thrills.</p> + +<p>The sun was some distance past the meridian<span class="pagenum">[141]</span> +when the Sioux finally came in sight of the buffaloes. +Then the chiefs and the Dog Soldiers +immediately held a council, while the hunting +party waited behind a low ridge. When the +plan of attack had finally been decided upon, +the force was divided into three companies. +Curly Horse took command of one, Laughing +Bird of another, and Rain Crow of the third. +The latter was told to hold his warriors behind +the ridge until the chiefs and their followers +had advanced along both flanks of the herd. +Then at the proper signal the three companies +of hunters were to charge forward and surround +the buffaloes.</p> + +<p>The young Ogalala and his two friends remained +with Rain Crow. In this party were +some of the most famous Minneconjoux hunters. +White Otter was particularly pleased +when he saw Kicking Bull, the warrior of whom +Sun Bird had told him so many wonderful +things.</p> + +<p>"It is good. I see that Kicking Bull is here," +said White Otter.</p> + +<p>"If you watch him you may see something to +talk about," replied Sun Bird.<span class="pagenum">[142]</span></p> + +<p>"Look, my brothers, something has happened!" +cried Little Raven.</p> + +<p>The scouts who had been looking over the +crest of the ridge were gesticulating excitedly, +and calling to the hunters. They said that the +buffaloes had discovered Curly Horse and his +warriors, and were already fleeing across the +plain.</p> + +<p>"That is bad. But come, my brothers, we +must go after them," shouted Rain Crow, as he +raced his pony to the top of the ridge, and the +others urged their horses after him.</p> + +<p>Then the hunt began. As Rain Crow and his +companions swept over the ridge they saw the +buffaloes thundering away in a stifling smother +of dust, pursued on both flanks by long lines +of whooping horsemen. The latter were riding +furiously in an endeavor to get far enough +ahead to turn the animals at the front of the +herd.</p> + +<p>"Come, we must ride fast!" cried White Otter, +as he galloped away from his friends.</p> + +<p>Sun Bird and Little Raven raced after him, +with the other riders close behind them. Yelling +excitedly, the Sioux urged their ponies to<span class="pagenum">[143]</span> +top speed, and for the moment the hunt became +a mad break-neck scramble across the rocky +plain. A false step on the part of a pony +meant severe injury or death for itself and its +rider, but the nimble little beasts kept their feet +and soon overtook the clumsy animals ahead +of them. Once within arrow-range, Rain Crow +and his warriors began a furious attack upon +the rear of the herd, while Curly Horse and +Laughing Bird closed in on them from the +sides.</p> + +<p>White Otter soon found that his confidence +in the pony which he had taken from the Kiowas +was well placed. He had no difficulty in +keeping up with the fastest animals in the company, +and he believed that the buckskin had +still greater speed in reserve. When the buffaloes +were overtaken, the Kiowa pony quickly +proved that it was familiar with every detail of +the exciting sport. It seemed to know exactly +which animal the rider wished to attack. Having +maneuvered to a favorable position, it +would run beside the doomed buffalo until the +twang of the bow-string gave warning that the +fatal arrow had sped to its mark; then the<span class="pagenum">[144]</span> +clever little beast would instantly swerve aside +to avoid the death lunge of the animal it had +helped to kill.</p> + +<p>"That is a very fast pony," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe it belonged to a great buffalo +hunter," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>Then the warriors began to ride recklessly +into the herd, and the three lads became separated. +White Otter saw Kicking Bull, and +immediately turned to follow him. The famous +Minneconjoux hunter was talking to his pony +and laughing with boyish glee as he drove his +arrows into the helpless buffaloes. As each of +his victims fell to the plain he dismounted beside +it and recovered his arrow. Then he +leaped upon his pony and raced after the retreating +herd.</p> + +<p>The Sioux had already killed many buffaloes, +and the plain was dotted with carcasses. Some +of the warriors had deserted the main hunt to +run down the wounded animals that had been +left behind in the wild stampede. At the same +time the horsemen on both flanks, having failed +in their efforts to turn the leaders, were breaking +into the herd and killing as many animals as<span class="pagenum">[145]</span> +possible before the buffaloes ran too far from +the camps.</p> + +<p>Having followed Kicking Bull some distance +into the herd, White Otter found himself in +close quarters. The buffaloes had crowded so +closely together that there was danger of the +pony and its rider being crushed to death in +the jam. It was not a new experience for the +young Ogalala, however, for he had passed +through a somewhat similar trial once before. +Although he was fully alive to his peril, he had +little fear. He believed that the Kiowa pony +had learned to care for itself in just such an +emergency. The thought gave him confidence, +and he began to shoot his arrows at the animals +behind him in the hope of opening an avenue +of escape.</p> + +<p>Then he saw Kicking Bull a short distance +ahead of him. It was evident that the noted +hunter was in a similar predicament, and White +Otter watched anxiously to learn how he would +extricate himself. He saw two huge bulls +crowding the Minneconjoux pony between them, +and it looked as if both horse and rider were +doomed to instant destruction. For a moment<span class="pagenum">[146]</span> +or two the active little beast kept on its feet, +and then it stumbled and disappeared beneath +the great brown avalanche of frenzied buffaloes.</p> + +<p>As the unfortunate pony went to its death, +however, Kicking Bull grasped the coarse shaggy +mane of the nearest bull, and succeeded in +drawing himself upon its back. It was all done +so quickly that White Otter could scarcely believe +his eyes. However, when the daring +hunter turned and shook his bow at him, the +young Ogalala realized that what he saw actually +had happened.</p> + +<p>Having escaped death by the slightest margin, +Kicking Bull was still in a desperate predicament. +The great beast upon which he had +taken temporary refuge was making frantic +efforts to dislodge him, and he was in imminent +danger of losing his grip and falling from its +back. To make matters worse, the buffaloes +on either side were crowding so closely that the +bull was liable to stumble and share the fate +of the missing pony.</p> + +<p>In the meantime White Otter was making an +heroic attempt to reach his tribesman. He +realized that if he could ride his pony up be<span class="pagenum">[147]</span>side Kicking Bull he might be able to carry him +safely from the herd. He knew that it was a +desperate undertaking which might end in +bringing both of them to a sudden death, but +he was willing to risk his life in the attempt. +Strive as he might, however, he was unable to +clear a way for his pony, and as he knew that +it would be fatal to kill the buffaloes directly +in front of him he saw little chance of rendering +aid to the unfortunate Minneconjoux. His +heart filled with dismay as he realized his utter +helplessness to save the famous hunter whose +daring career was about to come to a tragic +end.</p> + +<p>The buffaloes were crowding closer together +each moment, and White Otter suddenly realized +that unless he found a way to escape from +the jam he, too, was sure to suffer a similar +fate. He again turned his attention to the animals +behind him, and when he had opened a +gap he slackened the speed of his pony, hoping +that the buffaloes might run past him. It was +an old trick of the Sioux hunters, and one which +the young Ogalala had already used successfully. +However, as he thought of abandoning<span class="pagenum">[148]</span> +the brave man who was still clinging to the +back of the great bull, all his instincts rebelled. +Although he knew that for the moment he was +powerless to help him, still the loyal lad believed +that the opportunity might present itself +at any moment. Therefore, he determined +to forfeit his own chance in the hope of saving +his tribesman.</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward the animals ahead +of him separated, and White Otter forced his +pony into the gap. At that instant Kicking +Bull turned his head and saw that the courageous +lad was attempting to help him. Fully +aware of the peril, the gallant Minneconjoux +waved his hand toward the rear of the herd, +as a signal for White Otter to attempt to save +himself by that avenue of escape. The latter +shook his head, and made it plain that he was +determined to remain where he was while there +was a possibility of rendering aid.</p> + +<p>Realizing that each moment of delay only +lessened the chance of escape for both of them, +White Otter again attempted to open a way to +the Minneconjoux hunter. Laying vigorously +about him with his heavy riding quirt he suc<span class="pagenum">[149]</span>ceeded in crowding several more animals from +his path, and advancing considerably closer to +Kicking Bull. They were now sufficiently near +to call to each other, and the Minneconjoux +turned his head and addressed White Otter.</p> + +<p>"I see what you are trying to do," he said. +"You are very brave. You cannot do this thing. +No, if you stay here you may be killed. Perhaps +I will not come out of this. But I am not +afraid. See how the buffaloes crowd against +my legs. Pull back your pony, and keep your +life. You are a young man. I have told you +the best thing to do."</p> + +<p>"I am a Dacotah," cried White Otter. "I +have closed my ears to your words. I will stay +here until something happens. Perhaps I will +find a way to help you."</p> + +<p>Roused by the possibility, White Otter redoubled +his efforts, and crowded forward until +he was on a line with Kicking Bull. There were +a number of animals between them, however, +and they were so close together that it was impossible +to separate them. It looked, therefore, +as if his gallant attempt at rescue had +been made in vain. Instead of being able to<span class="pagenum">[150]</span> +save his tribesman, it began to look as though +White Otter was doomed to share the same +tragic fate. As he peered anxiously through +the blinding smother of dust he saw that he was +entirely closed in, and he had slight hope of +opening a path through the closely packed ranks +of panic-stricken beasts that imprisoned him.</p> + +<p>Then he heard a warning shout from Kicking +Bull. A moment later the daring Minneconjoux +made known his intention of reaching +him over the backs of the intervening buffaloes. +For a moment White Otter was dazed by the +very boldness of the plan. It seemed like the +wild whim of a madman, and he wondered +whether Kicking Bull had actually lost his +senses. As soon as he had recovered from his +astonishment, therefore, White Otter called out +to warn his tribesman against attempting something +which he felt sure would end in certain +death.</p> + +<p>"No, it is the only thing to do," declared +Kicking Bull. "I will do this thing. Now I +am getting ready. You must watch me. Then +you will know how to save yourself from the +buffaloes. Now I am going to start."<span class="pagenum">[151]</span></p> + +<p>Before White Otter could offer further remonstrance, +the Minneconjoux slung his weapons +across his back and prepared to make the +desperate attempt at escape. Seizing the long +hair which covered the shoulders of the great +bull, Kicking Bull rose to his knees. He balanced +himself in that position a moment or +two, while his flashing eyes studied the dusty +backs of the buffaloes between him and White +Otter. Then, having decided what to do, he +rose to his feet, still clinging to the coarse mane +of the infuriated beast beneath him. For an +instant he hesitated, while he caught his balance. +Then, as White Otter called a warning, +the Minneconjoux relaxed his hold, and half +straightened. The next instant he stepped +lightly to the back of the next buffalo, steadied +himself a moment, and then sprang to the one +beyond, and then moved quickly from one to +another until he dropped upon the animal beside +White Otter. The marvelous exploit was +performed so quickly, and so skillfully, that the +astounded young Ogalala scarcely realized what +had happened.</p> + +<p>"Now you have seen something to tell about,"<span class="pagenum">[152]</span> +laughed Kicking Bull, as he threw his arm about +White Otter and drew himself upon the pony.</p> + +<p>When White Otter realized that Kicking Bull +had actually reached him he was overwhelmed +with joy. He felt repaid for having risked +his life, and he determined to make a desperate +attempt to escape from the herd. The Kiowa +pony seemed unmindful of its double burden, +and despite the odds against it, the young Ogalala +believed that it would eventually carry them +to safety. The buffaloes had run a considerable +distance since the beginning of the hunt, +and most of the Sioux had already abandoned +the chase and turned back to claim a share of +the spoils. It seemed, therefore, that the panting +beasts would soon slacken their pace, and +White Otter believed the safest plan would be +to continue with the herd until the tired buffaloes +finally slowed down sufficiently to allow +the pony to escape from their midst. Kicking +Bull destroyed his hope, however, by warning +him that not far ahead was a rocky stretch of +plain which would cause sad havoc if the buffaloes +attempted to race over it. He said that +many of the awkward brutes would be sure to<span class="pagenum">[153]</span> +fall, and the pony would be powerless to save +itself from sharing their fate.</p> + +<p>Aware that every moment was precious, the +Sioux immediately attempted to open a way of +escape. While Kicking Bull drove his arrows +into the buffaloes directly behind them, White +Otter began an attack against those that were +crowding from the sides. After a few minutes +of vigorous fighting they finally opened up a +small gap, and before the buffaloes could close +it White Otter pulled the buckskin into the +opening. Then they continued to attack the +animals behind them, and at last they succeeded +in turning them to either side. Once started, +the gap continually widened until the little buckskin +was soon dropping slowly back toward the +rear of the herd, while the buffaloes galloped +past on either flank. When they finally escaped, +the two Sioux slid from the lathery pony, and +looked searchingly into each other's eyes.</p> + +<p>"You have done the bravest thing I ever +saw," said White Otter. "Now I will have +something to tell my people."</p> + +<p>"Well, I am glad you saw it. But I will tell +you that you are very fearless. You brought<span class="pagenum">[154]</span> +me out here. That was a great thing to do. I +will tell the Minneconjoux about it," declared +Kicking Bull.</p> + +<p>The buffaloes had already disappeared over +a swell of the plain, and the two Sioux again +mounted the buckskin and rode slowly back to +join their comrades. They found the course of +the hunt marked with the bodies of dead buffaloes, +and at each carcass were several hunters +who were busy removing the pelt and cutting +out the choicest meat. Farther back they +found the women and some of the old men who +had followed after the hunters with the pack +horses. They were already loading the meat +upon the ponies and the scene was one of bustling +activity. White Otter found Sun Bird and +Little Raven cutting up a fat yearling cow, and +he stopped to help them.</p> + +<p>The purple twilight shadows were already +settling upon the plain when the great Sioux +hunting party finally set out for the camps beside +the stream. The warriors returned on +tired, sweat-caked ponies, but the hearts of the +riders were filled with joy. They rode along +singing songs of thanks to the Great Mystery<span class="pagenum">[155]</span> +who had sent them an abundance of meat to +nourish the old people and the children, and +make the warriors bold and strong. Behind the +hunters followed the women, leading the pack +animals loaded with buffalo meat. There was +a great quantity, and the Sioux attributed their +success to the efforts of Rain Crow and the +Buffalo Dancers, who they believed had gained +the favor of the Great Mystery.</p> + +<p>"You have been very brave; Kicking Bull has +told me about it," said Sun Bird, as he and +White Otter rode along together.</p> + +<p>"Kicking Bull is a great man," replied White +Otter, affectionately stroking the neck of the +faithful little buckskin.</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art18.png" alt="art18" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art19.png" alt="art19" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER X +</h2> + +<p class="h3">AN ADVENTURE AMONG THE PEAKS</p> + +<p class="dropcap">SEVERAL days after the great buffalo +drive, White Otter and his two friends set +out to explore the gigantic snow-clad peaks +which showed against the sky, a day's journey +to the westward. Sun Bird and Little Raven +had told the Ogalala many wonderful tales +about a mysterious rocky cave, whose walls +were decorated with all sorts of queer drawings +representing animals and birds and reptiles. +These fanciful stories had aroused White +Otter's curiosity, and he was anxious to see +this strange place, which Little Raven solemnly +declared was the abode of all sorts of uncanny +monsters.</p> + +<p>"I have never seen it, but I have heard the +old men tell about it," Little Raven said, very +seriously. "Yes, old Spotted Face was there +a long time ago. I have heard him talk about +it. He says he met some funny little people way<span class="pagenum">[157]</span> +back there in the darkness. He did not see +them, but he saw their eyes shine and heard +them squeak like ground dogs. He says they +told him if he came any nearer he would be +killed. Then he ran out."</p> + +<p>"Yes, what Little Raven says is true," +agreed Sun Bird. "My people know about this +place. Short Bear once went far inside. Then +he heard a great noise, and he ran out. I have +seen this place, but I have never gone in so +far."</p> + +<p>These superstitious tales made a deep impression +upon White Otter. Like all his people, +he had implicit faith in the weird stories +which the old men told around the fires on winter +nights, and he had no doubt that the queer +hobgoblins of their imaginations really existed. +It was part of his life and faith. To have +doubted the existence of both those good and +evil spirits which his people believed were constantly +interfering in their daily affairs, would +have made him an object of ridicule and distrust +among his tribesmen. Therefore, having +had his mind filled with these simple superstitions +since early infancy, White Otter saw no<span class="pagenum">[158]</span> +reason to doubt the stories about the rocky den +on the distant snow-capped peak.</p> + +<p>The three lads left the village soon after sunrise, +and made their way to the foothills. They +followed the elk trails over the low ridges, and +descended into a beautiful wooded valley that +extended to the base of the great peaks they +wished to reach. It was watered by the stream +which flowed past the Minneconjoux village, +and well timbered with aspen, birch and pine. +This sheltered vale fairly teemed with game, +and the Sioux found themselves in a veritable +"Happy Hunting Ground." They saw many +elk, the cows with long-legged spotted calves +beside them, and the bulls with their short, +knobby velvet-covered horns of early spring; +deer bounded from the thickets; wild turkeys +rose from beside the stream; antelope appeared +in the open parks; beavers swam about the +flooded meadows; song birds filled the balmy air +with melody; and far above in the azure sky a +great golden eagle, the war bird of their people, +soared about on motionless wings.</p> + +<p>The Sioux traveled slowly through this wonderful +valley, and at the end of the day they<span class="pagenum">[159]</span> +camped in the timber at the base of the mountains. +Just before dark White Otter killed a +yearling black-tail deer, and they immediately +made a fire and broiled some of the meat. Then, +as the night closed in about them, they sat in +the ruddy glow of the fire, talking about the +great peaks among which they intended to venture +on the following day. Sun Bird had explored +their grim fastnesses many times, but +White Otter was a lad of the open prairie, and +had only reached the mountains on one other +occasion, when he unexpectedly met Sun Bird. +Little Raven had never been above the foothills +and pine-clad ridges.</p> + +<p>The night passed without incident, and shortly +after daylight the lads picketed their ponies +in an open park half-way up the steep wooded +slope, and set out to explore the snow-topped +peaks that towered above them. They followed +a well-marked game trail up through the timber +until they reached the desolate reaches of +slide-rock. Then they climbed laboriously over +the confused jumble of slabs and bowlders until +they were halted by a great precipitous field +of snow. Sun Bird said that the mysterious<span class="pagenum">[160]</span> +cave was above it, and the lads stopped and +gazed thoughtfully at the rugged pinnacles of +rock that rose from the treacherous white barrier +like the warning fingers of some buried +giant.</p> + +<p>"Have you been up there?" White Otter +asked Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have been there many times," replied +Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Then we will go," declared the Ogalala.</p> + +<p>Sun Bird led the way, Little Raven followed, +and White Otter brought up the rear. It was +slow, difficult climbing, and to guard against +accident Sun Bird continually tested the uncertain +footing by thrusting his bow into the snow +ahead of him. When they were half-way to the +top they stopped to rest. As they stood gasping +for breath they heard an ominous rumble +above them, and looking up they saw a large +bowlder bounding down the incline directly toward +them. For an instant they seemed paralyzed +with fear. Then Sun Bird called a warning, +and moved carefully to one side. Little +Raven and White Otter followed his example.</p> + +<p>However, in his eagerness to escape from the<span class="pagenum">[161]</span> +bowlder, Little Raven threw caution to the +winds, and promptly lost his footing. With a +wild cry of alarm he sped down the steep descent, +toward the rocks below. His dismayed +companions realized that he would be dashed +to death unless he checked his wild slide in time +to save himself. They shouted instructions, +but the terrified young Minneconjoux failed to +hear them. Instinct, however, came to his aid, +and, pressing with his feet and clutching with +his fingers, he finally stopped himself two-thirds +of the way down the slide. Then, waiting +until he had regained some of his confidence, +he again began the laborious climb. +Warned and encouraged by his anxious comrades, +he finally reached them without further +mishap.</p> + +<p>Once at the base of the massive granite +peaks, the lads hurried on in the direction of +the mysterious cave. As they were moving +carefully along a narrow ledge, Sun Bird suddenly +stopped and stooped to examine something +which had attracted his attention. He +saw by several indistinct marks on the rock, +and several dislodged fragments of stone, that<span class="pagenum">[162]</span> +something had passed across the narrow trail +ahead of him.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, something has gone along +here," he said, soberly.</p> + +<p>The announcement instantly aroused the interest +of his comrades. Having failed to discover +a trail on the snow-field, they were at a +loss to account for the evidence discovered by +Sun Bird. As they stopped to study his find, +they immediately began to think of the weird +tales connected with the rocky den.</p> + +<p>"We have seen no footprints. Perhaps we +have found the trail of the mysterious people +who live in the cave," suggested Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps it is so," replied Sun Bird. +"But we will go on and find out about it."</p> + +<p>They moved cautiously along the narrow +ledge, and although they examined every foot +of the rocky trail with great care they failed +to discover any further clews. Then a sudden +explanation flashed across White Otter's +mind.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I have been thinking about +that thing," he said. "I will tell you about it. +Perhaps the great war bird made those marks.<span class="pagenum">[163]</span> +See, he is flying up there above us. I believe +his lodge is near this place."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is true," replied Sun Bird. "But +we have not seen the thing. What we see we +know about. Perhaps you have told how it happened. +I do not know about it."</p> + +<p>"No, I do not believe it is that way," declared +Little Raven. "I believe that some of the mysterious +Thunder People went along there."</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward they came to a +wider shelf of rock, and Sun Bird stopped and +pointed to a large cavern, which he declared +was the mysterious cave. They stood and +gazed upon it for some time, and then Sun Bird +led them toward the entrance. When they +reached it they found that it apparently extended +some distance into the granite cap of +the mountain. The smooth rock sides were decorated +as described by Sun Bird. White Otter +saw all sorts of queer emblems and crude imitations +of animals, birds and reptiles. These +mysterious picture-writings appeared to have +been chiseled into the rough granite, and some +of them were apparently very old, as they were +dim and scarcely discernible. The lads exam<span class="pagenum">[164]</span>ined them with eager interest, for they had little +doubt that they had been made by the wonderful +beings who were believed to dwell upon +the bleak, inhospitable peaks of these great +mountains. Sun Bird declared that his people +had no knowledge of their origin, but he said +that his father had often told him that he understood +their meaning.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he will tell us about it," suggested +White Otter.</p> + +<p>"No, that would break his medicine," Sun +Bird assured him. "It is bad to tell such +things. My father is a great medicine-person. +That is why he knows those things. But he +will not talk about it."</p> + +<p>After they had spent some time studying +these baffling decorations, the lads advanced a +little farther into the cavern. They moved very +cautiously, peering expectantly ahead of them, +and straining their ears to catch some of the +strange noises which they had heard described. +At first they were able to stand upright, but +after going a short distance they found the +dimensions of the cave shrinking, and they were +compelled to crouch to avoid striking their<span class="pagenum">[165]</span> +heads on the rocky roof. Sun Bird said that he +had never penetrated farther than that point, +and he showed no inclination to continue.</p> + +<p>"If we stay here and listen, perhaps we will +hear something," he said, somewhat uneasily.</p> + +<p>They squatted down close together, and +waited in considerable suspense to hear some +strange sound from the interior of the cave. +Ahead of them all was dark, and still and mysterious. +Behind them they still saw the light of +day streaming in at the mouth of the cave, and +weakening as it followed the rocky passageway +until it faded to a dim, misty twilight at the spot +where they had stopped. When they had waited +some time without hearing anything, White Otter +proposed that they should proceed to explore +the black recesses beyond them.</p> + +<p>"No, my heart tells me that it would be a bad +thing to do," declared Sun Bird. "I have never +gone beyond this place. Back there in that +black place are the Evil People. Yes, I have +heard my father tell about them. If you go +back there, I believe something will happen to +you."</p> + +<p>"Well, now I know how you feel about this<span class="pagenum">[166]</span> +thing," said White Otter. "You must do as +you find it in your heart. But, my brother, I +must tell you that I am going back there. Yes, +it is in my heart to do this thing. Perhaps if I +hear something I will run out. But I am going +to start in there. Perhaps I will meet those +Evil People. I believe that this is a very mysterious +place, but I am going to find out something. +Now I am going ahead. My brother, Little +Raven, how do you feel about this thing?"</p> + +<p>"I believe that you are very brave, but it is +a foolish thing to do," replied Little Raven. +"You do not know about this place. I have +heard some very brave warriors tell about it. +If you go in there, I believe that you will surely +come to harm. No, I will not go any farther."</p> + +<p>"Well, my brothers, I must do what it is in +my heart to do," declared White Otter, as he +prepared to advance into the black depths of +the cave.</p> + +<p>Aware that it would be useless to attempt to +dissuade him, Sun Bird and Little Raven remained +silent. Their hearts filled with gloomy +misgivings, however, as White Otter drew several +arrows from his quiver, and crawled slowly<span class="pagenum">[167]</span> +forward into the dark, forbidding interior of +the cavern. When he had disappeared from +their sight they sat in glum silence, listening +fearfully for some sound which might warn +them of the fate of their comrade. When they +heard nothing their fears increased, and Sun +Bird called softly into the darkness. Then they +waited in nervous suspense as the moments +passed and their eager inquiry went unanswered. +Tortured by a multitude of alarming +possibilities, Sun Bird again sent an anxious inquiry +into the black depths of the cavern. This +time they received a short, indistinct reply. It +assured them that for the moment their comrade +was safe, and their hearts bounded with +joy.</p> + +<p>"White Otter is very brave to do this thing," +declared Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is very fearless, but it is a bad +thing to do," replied Sun Bird. "Perhaps he +will make the Evil People mad. Then they may +bring trouble to our people."</p> + +<p>In the meantime the young Ogalala was advancing +cautiously into the unexplored depths +of the cavern. As he continued he found that<span class="pagenum">[168]</span> +the cave shrunk greatly in height, while it lost +little in width. Therefore, although he was +compelled to crawl painfully along on his hands +and knees, he still had plenty of room if he +cared to turn around. White Otter found himself +in a smother of darkness, which made it impossible +to see a bow-length before him. As his +eyes were of little avail, he depended upon his +ears to warn him of peril. Keeping in mind the +tales which he had heard from Sun Bird and +Little Raven, he moved forward very slowly, +stopping after every short advance to listen for +the strange noises which he expected to hear at +any moment.</p> + +<p>Then from somewhere in the impenetrable +blackness came a peculiar whimpering cry that +sent a thrill through him, and made his heart +beat wildly. After waiting some moments in +trying suspense he again heard the uncanny +sound, and located it some distance ahead of +him. For some time White Otter was undecided +just what to do. His first impulse was to +turn about, and retreat from the weird place +into which he had so rashly ventured. Then +curiosity overcame fear, and he determined to<span class="pagenum">[169]</span> +at least have a look at these unknown demons +that created such fear among the superstitious +Minneconjoux. He recalled that whoever +claimed to have ventured into the depths of the +cave had escaped unhurt, and old Spotted Face +even declared that he had actually seen the eyes +of these mysterious creatures before he was +warned to retreat from their stronghold. +Therefore, White Otter believed that he, too, +would be equally fortunate, and he decided +to hold his ground and await further developments.</p> + +<p>Convinced that whatever threatened him was +still in front, White Otter peered anxiously forward +into the darkness. The sounds had ceased, +however, and he wondered whether he had been +discovered. Fitting an arrow to his bow, he +waited to be attacked. Then, as nothing came +to disturb him, he became bolder. Determined +to learn what had made the strange noise, he +again crawled forward to investigate.</p> + +<p>White Otter had not gone a bow-length when +the same strange whimpering cry brought him +to a stop. Then, as he listened to hear it repeated, +another sound reached his ears. It was<span class="pagenum">[170]</span> +a low rumbling growl, and the young Ogalala +immediately read defiance in the tone. At first +he failed to recognize it, and all sorts of superstitious +fears crowded into his mind. He wondered +if he had actually invaded the home of +some great Thunder Being. His confidence +weakened at the thought, for he knew that the +bravest warrior could not survive an encounter +with one of those terrific monsters. Then he +again heard the angry challenge, and at once +it became familiar. A few moments later he +saw two spots of greenish light shining in the +darkness, and he realized that he was confronted +by one of the great mountain cats. Once +before he had fought a fierce encounter with one +of these savage creatures, and he knew what +to expect. However, he was greatly relieved +to know that he was threatened by an adversary +that was without magic power to turn +aside his arrows, as the mysterious Thunder +Beings were said to do.</p> + +<p>Realizing that this fierce beast had its den +somewhere in the back of the cavern, the young +Ogalala believed that the strange noises had +been made by the kittens of the great cat. He<span class="pagenum">[171]</span> +felt sure, therefore, that the latter would attack +him with great fury, and he determined to kill +it before it came sufficiently near to spring at +him.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the weird glowing eyes had +disappeared, and White Otter wondered what +had happened. He wondered whether the +snarling brute had slunk farther back into the +cave. Then a more alarming possibility entered +his mind—perhaps the great cat was attempting +to slink past him to make an attack from +the rear. He looked anxiously on both sides +of him, but saw nothing. Then he heard +the whimpering cries ahead of him. Holding +his arrow ready for instant use, he +peered expectantly forward into the blackness. +In a few moments he caught a flash of the blazing +eyes; they were considerably nearer. However, +they disappeared before he could release +his arrow. Long, anxious moments passed before +he again saw the glowing signals. Then, +as he aimed his arrow, a defiant, deep-throated +growl warned him that the fearless creature +was about to attack him. Aware that a moment's +hesitation might prove fatal, White Ot<span class="pagenum">[172]</span>ter released his bow-string and sent his arrow +at the tempting target.</p> + +<p>The next instant the cave echoed with the +piercing scream of the dying lioness, and Sun +Bird and Little Raven looked at each other in +wild alarm. For an instant they hesitated, as a +confused babel of sound came from the black +interior of the cavern. Then, as they realized +that something was happening to their comrade, +they overcame their fears and determined to go +to his aid.</p> + +<p>"Something has happened to White Otter!" +cried Sun Bird. "Perhaps he has met the Evil +People. I am going in there to help him. If I +do not come out, you must tell our people about +it. Now I am going."</p> + +<p>"Well, I am going with you," declared Little +Raven. "I am afraid of those Evil People, +but I will go in there to die with you. You are +my brother; White Otter is my friend. It is +enough."</p> + +<p>The excited lads hurried back into the cave, +calling nervously to White Otter. However, +their frantic appeals were drowned by the fierce +bedlam of sound ahead of them. Screams,<span class="pagenum">[173]</span> +snarls and choking sobs were echoed along the +rocky passageway, and it really seemed that the +mysterious black cavern was indeed the abode +of all the demons with which the vivid imaginations +of the Minneconjoux had peopled it. Still +the loyal lads continued to advance. They had +little doubt that they were going to some horrible +death, but they were unwilling to save +themselves by abandoning their friend.</p> + +<p>Then the sounds ceased as suddenly as they +had begun, and Sun Bird and Little Raven +stopped in bewilderment. For a moment the +unexpected stillness was even more alarming +than the wild outburst that had preceded it. A +sickening fear gripped their hearts. They believed +that White Otter had met some terrible +fate. As they lay one behind the other in the +low black passageway, they felt that the last ray +of hope had fled. They would not retreat, and +yet they had little doubt that to continue meant +death.</p> + +<p>"We must go on," Sun Bird declared, resolutely.</p> + +<p>"I will follow you, my brother," Little Raven +said, quietly.<span class="pagenum">[174]</span></p> + +<p>As they crawled slowly forward, Sun Bird +again called the name of the Ogalala. The next +instant he heard his friend's voice from the +blackness directly ahead of him.</p> + +<p>"Ho, my brother, you have come to see about +this thing," cried White Otter. "Well, I will +tell you that I have had a great fight, but I am +alive. Yes, I will show you something."</p> + +<p>"Have you met the Evil People?" Little Raven +asked, excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Ho, Little Raven, you are very brave to +come in here. No, I have not seen those mysterious +people. But I have killed a very fierce +animal," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>When his companions crawled to him, he +told them how he had killed the lioness. He said +that the latter had destroyed her two kittens +in her dying rage. As Sun Bird and Little Raven +could not see the great beast in the impenetrable +darkness, they crawled forward +and passed their hands over the carcass. Then +White Otter said that after killing the lioness +he had crept forward to the den, which was in +a rocky recess at the end of the cave. A short +distance beyond the body of his victim he had<span class="pagenum">[175]</span> +found the mutilated bodies of the two kittens.</p> + +<p>"Now we will pull this animal out of here," +proposed the young Ogalala.</p> + +<p>It took them a long time to drag the heavy +body of the mountain lion to the mouth of the +cave. Once outside, however, they each counted +coup upon the carcass, and danced joyfully +about the trophy. Then White Otter cut off the +claws, and removed the coarse tawny pelt. He +also cut out the heart, which he said they would +eat at their fire, as old Yellow Horse, the Ogalala +medicine-man, declared it would give the +hunter the strength and courage of the great +cat itself.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is true," declared Sun Bird. "I +have heard my father say it is a good thing to +do."</p> + +<p>The day was far spent when the lads finally +returned to the ponies. Realizing that they +could not reach the Minneconjoux village until +long after dark, they moved farther down the +wooded slope, and camped at the spot where +they had passed the previous night.</p> + +<p>"I am thinking about that mysterious place +up there," said Sun Bird, as they sat before<span class="pagenum">[176]</span> +their fire. "I have heard my people tell how +the Evil People change themselves into animals. +Perhaps that great mountain cat was one of +those people."</p> + +<p>"I believe it is true," Little Raven declared, +impulsively. "White Otter, perhaps you have +done a bad thing. Those people may find out +that you have killed a great chief. Perhaps +they will do something bad to our people."</p> + +<p>"No, I do not feel that way," replied White +Otter. "We cannot kill those people with our +arrows. No, I am not afraid about that."</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art20.png" alt="art20" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art21.png" alt="art21" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XI +</h2> + +<p class="h3">A CALL TO WAR</p> + +<p class="dropcap">LATE the next day, as the lads came within +sight of the Sioux camps, they were astonished +to hear the ominous booming of the war +drums. As they stopped to listen they heard +the people singing and shouting, and it was evident +that the camps were in a wild commotion.</p> + +<p>"My ears tell me that our people are getting +ready for war," said Sun Bird. "Perhaps our +enemies, the Crows, are coming to fight us."</p> + +<p>"Well, we will go and find out about it," proposed +White Otter.</p> + +<p>They galloped toward the Minneconjoux village +at top speed. When they reached the camp +they found the people in an uproar. Then White +Otter saw High Eagle, a warrior from his own +tribe, and his heart was immediately filled +with grave misgivings.</p> + +<p>"It is bad; something has happened to my<span class="pagenum">[178]</span> +people," he cried, as he dismounted and ran to +question the Ogalala scout.</p> + +<p>"My brother, our enemies, the Pawnees, have +come to fight us," declared High Eagle. "They +are on every side of the camp. It is a great +war party. They are like the grass. When +Wolf Robe saw so many warriors he said: +'High Eagle, when it is dark you must crawl +away and go and ask the Minneconjoux to help +us.' Well, I will tell you that I got away when +it was dark. Now I have told this thing to the +great chief, Curly Horse. He has told his warriors +about it. See, they are ready to fight. +Yes, the Uncapapas are dancing. Laughing +Bird, their chief, has talked to them. They will +go to fight the Pawnees."</p> + +<p>"High Eagle, your words have filled my heart +with clouds," declared White Otter. "Perhaps +my grandfather has been killed. Perhaps the +Pawnees have captured the village. Perhaps +they have killed my grandmother. Do you +know about it?"</p> + +<p>"No, I do not know about it," replied the +scout. "But I will tell you that I do not feel it +in my heart. I did not see the fight, but I<span class="pagenum">[179]</span> +believe our people drove the Pawnees away."</p> + +<p>Somewhat reassured by High Eagle's confidence, +White Otter hurried away to tell Sun +Bird what he had learned. The young Minneconjoux +had already heard the story from his +father, and White Otter found him preparing +for the war trail.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know about this thing," said Sun +Bird. "I will go with you to fight our enemies, +the Pawnees."</p> + +<p>"You are a brave warrior, and a true +friend," White Otter declared with considerable +emotion.</p> + +<p>As the Ogalala left the lodge to find Curly +Horse, he met Little Raven. He saw at once +that the latter, too, was preparing to join the +war party.</p> + +<p>"My brother, I have heard the words of High +Eagle," said Little Raven. "The Pawnees are +our enemies. Yes, the great chief, Curly Horse, +and his warriors are going to help their brothers, +the brave Ogalalas. And I will tell you that +I have heard the Uncapapas singing their war +songs. Yes, those fearless warriors are going +with my people. Now I will tell you that I am<span class="pagenum">[180]</span> +going with my brother, White Otter. I have +finished."</p> + +<p>"You are very brave, like your brother, Sun +Bird," declared White Otter, as he clasped Little +Raven's hand.</p> + +<p>When White Otter reached the center of the +village, a few moments later, he found a number +of warriors already engaged in the war +dance. The company was composed of both +Minneconjoux and Uncapapas, and his heart +filled with gratitude toward the brave men who +were willing to risk their lives to help his people. +It was a splendid exhibition of the loyalty +that existed between the various tribes of +the great Dacotah nation, and it made White +Otter thrill with pride. He saw High Eagle +participating in the ceremony, and, as he heard +the dancers calling him, he hastened to join +them.</p> + +<p>The dance was stopped, soon afterward, by +the appearance of Curly Horse and Laughing +Bird, accompanied by the most prominent men +in both tribes. These famous warriors had been +sitting in council to decide the best way to deal +with the unexpected emergency, and the people<span class="pagenum">[181]</span> +were anxious to learn their verdict. Therefore, +as they advanced slowly from the council-lodge, +and took their places inside the circle of warriors, +a sudden hush fell upon the camp. The +drums were stilled, the songs ceased, the dancers +stood quietly in their places, and the vast +assemblage waited silently to hear the decision +of the great war chiefs. In a few moments +Curly Horse began to talk.</p> + +<p>"People of the great Dacotah nation, you +know what has happened," he said. "Our +brothers, the brave Ogalalas, have asked us to +help them. There is only one thing to do—we +must go. But I will tell you that we must think +about another thing. Our enemies, the Crows, +are somewhere about. We must not leave our +women and children behind us. We cannot take +them on the war trail. Well, I will tell you how +we must do this thing. I will lead half of the +warriors to help our brothers, the Ogalalas. +Rain Crow will stay behind with the other half +of the warriors to guard the camp. It is the +best thing to do. I have finished."</p> + +<p>The plan of the Minneconjoux war chief met +with the instant approval of his people, al<span class="pagenum">[182]</span>though the warriors immediately began to debate +about who should go to fight and who +should remain behind to guard the camp. As +all of them were eager to meet the Pawnees, +the selection of the war party threatened to be +a serious problem. While they were discussing +it, however, Laughing Bird began to speak, +and the argument was temporarily halted.</p> + +<p>"Men of the Uncapapas, you have heard the +words of the great chief, Curly Horse," said +Laughing Bird. "He has told you the best +way to do this thing. Now I will ask you to +listen to my words. The Minneconjoux are +our brothers. They are going to fight the +Pawnees. The Ogalalas are our brothers. +They have asked us to help them. We are Dacotahs. +Does a Dacotah stay back when his +brothers go to war? No, we will go to help these +brave men. I will lead our people to fight the +Pawnees. But I will tell you that we must follow +the advice of Curly Horse. Yes, we must +leave some warriors here to guard the camp. +I will tell you how to do this thing. First, I will +ask Two Dogs to stay here. Yes, he will be the +leader. Now I will call out the name of a war<span class="pagenum">[183]</span>rior. That man will go with me to fight the +Pawnees. Then Two Dogs will call out the +name of a warrior. That man will stay here +with him to guard the camp. Then we will keep +calling out until every one is taken. It is the +only way to do. I have finished."</p> + +<p>Thus the diplomatic Uncapapa chief quickly +settled the dispute over the selection of the war +parties. His plan offered no chance for argument. +Everyone saw at once that it was the +wisest and fairest way of arranging the matter, +and there was no further discussion. The Minneconjoux +accepted it as willingly as the Uncapapas, +and the four leaders immediately began +to select their men. It was a time of intense +excitement, as the people of both camps +crowded eagerly around the rival bidders to +learn the names of the men they had chosen. +The warriors listened with breathless interest, +each hoping that he might be sufficiently fortunate +to be enrolled in the war party. The men +who won the honor immediately withdrew from +the throng, and rushed away to get their favorite +ponies, and array themselves for the war +trail. Among these lucky ones were White<span class="pagenum">[184]</span> +Otter, Sun Bird and Little Raven. As each +tribe contained a great host of fighting men, the +day had ended and the evening shadows were +already settling upon the plain when the last +warrior was called.</p> + +<p>Then several great fires were started in each +camp, and the warriors whom fate had forced +to remain behind attempted to overcome their +disappointment with the strenuous exertions +of the war dance. While they were thus employed +their more fortunate comrades appeared +in full war regalia. They looked like weird +demons from another world, as they led their +decorated ponies into the light, for they had +blackened their faces with charcoal, and +streaked and spotted their bodies with red and +yellow clay. Their scalp-locks were ornamented +with the feathers of the eagle, and some of the +more famous warriors wore splendid war bonnets +of those coveted plumes, whose trailing +streamers touched the ground behind them. +Each member of the war party carried his favorite +weapons, his buffalo-hide war shield and +his robe.</p> + +<p>When the two forces had finally assembled,<span class="pagenum">[185]</span> +they united before the Uncapapa camp. Then, +as the Minneconjoux were somewhat stronger +in numbers, Curly Horse was chosen as the +leader of the entire force. It was an honor for +even one as famous as he, for the combined +company numbered hundreds of warriors, each +one a veteran of the war trail. They were men +accustomed to hardship and indifferent to +peril; men for whom death had no terrors. +Their stern faces, and bold, defiant eyes proclaimed +their fearlessness. As crafty and cautious +as the fox, they possessed the unconquerable +courage of the bear. Once aroused, they +would fight to the death. Willing to sacrifice +their lives for their friends, they were unforgiving +and merciless to their foes. These were +the men whom Curly Horse was leading to the +rescue of Wolf Robe and his people.</p> + +<p>"Dacotahs, I will only give you a few words," +cried the Minneconjoux chief, as the war party +was about to ride away. "You see many brave +warriors. Some are Minneconjoux. Some are +Uncapapas. But we all are Dacotahs. You +see the great war chief, Laughing Bird. He is +a great man. Well, you know what we are going<span class="pagenum">[186]</span> +to do. Perhaps some of these brave men will +not come back. But you must not think about +that. Now I will tell you that many brave men +have been left here. It is good. Our hearts +will be easy. Yes, we will know that the Crows +will be afraid to try to get into the camp. But +if those people come, then Rain Crow must send +a rider to tell us about it. Then we will send +some of these fearless men back to help you. I +see two great leaders staying here with you. +Rain Crow is a brave man. Two Dogs is a +great Uncapapa leader. Now we are going +away. Yes, I hear the calls of my brothers, the +Ogalalas. Come, my brothers, we will go to +help those brave people drive away the Pawnees."</p> + +<p>Then the great host of fighting men raised +their voices in the thrilling battlecry of their +nation, and thundered away into the night. As +they raced across the plain, their shouts were +echoed from the camps, where their comrades +were dancing, and singing the war songs, to +bring success to the expedition. Once beyond +hearing of the camps, however, the Sioux slackened +their pace, for they had several days' jour<span class="pagenum">[187]</span>ney before them, and they were anxious to save +their ponies. Most of the warriors were provided +with two animals, a good horse for ordinary +riding, and a fiery war pony for use in +battle. After the first flurry of excitement had +passed, Curly Horse called White Otter and +High Eagle to ride beside him.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, you are Ogalalas. You know +about this country. I will ask you to go ahead, +and see what you can find. If you want anyone +to go with you, tell me about it. You must +keep in sight of us. If you see the Wolf people, +you must ride back here and tell us about it. +Now you know what to do," said the Minneconjoux.</p> + +<p>"I have listened to the words of Curly Horse; +they are good," replied White Otter. "We +will do as you say. Now I will tell you that +I will ask my brother, Sun Bird, and my brother, +Little Raven, to go ahead with me."</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Curly Horse.</p> + +<p>Then White Otter turned back to find his +friends. They were riding some distance in +the rear.</p> + +<p>"Come, my brothers, we are going ahead to<span class="pagenum">[188]</span> +watch out for our enemies," White Otter told +Sun Bird. "The great chief, Curly Horse, has +told me to do this thing. I will ask you to go +with me. High Eagle will go with us."</p> + +<p>"My brother, we will go with you," replied +Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we will keep together," declared Little +Raven.</p> + +<p>Then the four scouts urged their ponies to a +faster pace, and made their way to the front of +the cavalcade. They stopped a few moments to +talk with Curly Horse and Laughing Bird, and +then they galloped away and disappeared into +the night.</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art22.png" alt="art22" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art23.png" alt="art23" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XII +</h2> + +<p class="h3">A NIGHT OF UNCERTAINTY</p> + +<p class="dropcap">HOLLOW BEAR and Little Wolf were a half +day's journey south of the Ogalala camp, +looking for buffaloes, when they suddenly discovered +a heavy dust-cloud rising above a low +ridge to the east of them. It suggested a number +of alarming possibilities, and the Sioux determined +to take every precaution. Riding hurriedly +into a nearby ravine, they muzzled the +ponies with buckskin, and then crawled cautiously +to the top of the steep embankment to +watch.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," said Hollow Bear. "If that dust +is raised by buffaloes, then they are running +hard. Perhaps the Kiowas or the Pawnees are +chasing them. We must be very cautious."</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps what you say is true," replied +Little Wolf. "But I must tell you that I +believe it is different. I believe that dust is +raised by the hoofs of many ponies."<span class="pagenum">[190]</span></p> + +<p>They watched anxiously, hoping each moment +to learn the answer to the riddle. Nothing appeared +on the summit of the ridge, however, and +as they noticed that whatever caused the dust +was moving directly north, in the direction of +the Ogalala village, their fears increased. They +wondered if it were a hostile war party. The +thought roused them to action. They knew that +if the fear proved true there would not be a moment +to spare. The slightest delay might bring +disaster to their people. Therefore, they determined +to leave their hiding place, and ride +boldly to the ridge to reconnoiter.</p> + +<p>"Come, perhaps our people are in danger; +we must know about this thing," declared Hollow +Bear, as he descended into the ravine for +his pony.</p> + +<p>They mounted and rode boldly out upon the +plain. They knew that they were placing themselves +in great peril, but concern for their people +made them daring. However, the possibility +that keen-eyed scouts were lying concealed on +the crest of the ridge made them watchful and +wary. As they neared the perilous swell of +ground that concealed what they wished to see,<span class="pagenum">[191]</span> +they slackened their pace and approached with +great caution. Then, before they finally ventured +within arrow-range, they stopped and +searched the ridge for evidence of hidden foes. +They saw nothing to rouse their suspicions. +Therefore, they determined to investigate. +Aware that it would be folly for both to expose +themselves, Little Wolf dismounted and hurried +to the base of the ridge, while Hollow Bear +remained a short distance away with the ponies.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf crawled quickly up the grassy +slope, and peered cautiously over the crest of +the ridge. What he saw sent his heart into his +throat. A great company of horsemen were +cantering rapidly across the plain, in the direction +of the distant Ogalala village. The scout +instantly recognized them as Pawnees, and his +sharp eyes soon told him that it was a war +party. He had little doubt that these hated +foes were on their way to attack the Sioux +camp. The thought enraged him. For a moment +he glared defiantly at the long line of distant +horsemen, and his heart burned with a desire +to fight. Then he realized that he had no +time to waste on such futile thoughts. He knew<span class="pagenum">[192]</span> +that his first duty was to carry a warning to his +people. The day was not yet half gone, and he +felt sure that the Pawnees would make their +attack against the Ogalala village that very +night. Realizing that he must act at once, he +withdrew behind the ridge and hurried down +the slope.</p> + +<p>"That dust is raised by many ponies," Little +Wolf told his companion. "There is a great +war party of Pawnees over there. I believe +that they are going to fight our people. Come, +my brother, we must go and tell Wolf Robe +about it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we will go," agreed Hollow Bear. +"But first I must go up there, and see this +thing."</p> + +<p>Hollow Bear left his pony with Little Wolf, +and hurried to the top of the ridge. He watched +only a few moments, however, and then he ran +down to join his tribesmen. Little Wolf saw at +once that he was greatly excited, and he wondered +what he had seen.</p> + +<p>"Come, we must go fast!" cried Hollow +Bear. "Two riders are galloping toward this +place."<span class="pagenum">[193]</span></p> + +<p>"Well, we will hide here, and kill them," proposed +Little Wolf, as the fierce glow of hate +showed in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"No, that would be a bad thing to do," declared +Hollow Bear. "If the Pawnees know +that we are here, then we will not get away. +Come, we will ride over there and hide in that +gully until those scouts go away. Then we will +go and tell our people about this thing. My +brother, it is the best way to do."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe it is true," agreed Little +Wolf.</p> + +<p>They leaped upon their ponies, and raced toward +the ravine. Once they reached it, they +again muzzled the panting beasts, and crept +to the top of the embankment to watch the +ridge. For some time they saw nothing, and +they began to wonder whether the Pawnee +scouts had changed their plans. Then Hollow +Bear thought he saw something appear for +an instant above the summit of the ridge.</p> + +<p>"I believe someone is looking over that +place," he told Little Wolf.</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward they saw the suspicion +verified, as a small black dot appeared<span class="pagenum">[194]</span> +against the sky. They knew at once that it was +the head of a warrior. It remained in sight +some time, and it was evident that the cautious +scout was carefully reconnoitering the plain. +Then he disappeared, and the Sioux wondered +whether he had actually gone.</p> + +<p>"We must be very cautious," declared Hollow +Bear. "The Pawnees are as sharp as the +wolf."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we will stay here and watch until we +know about this thing," replied Little Wolf.</p> + +<p>As they waited, however, they saw the disturbing +clouds of dust continually rising farther +to the north, and they became uneasy and +impatient. The thought of the hostile war +party drawing nearer to the Ogalalas each moment, +while they lingered in concealment, drove +them into a frenzy. They looked anxiously +toward the ridge, and wondered whether the +Pawnee scout was still watching. At last they +determined to run the risk rather than lose +more time.</p> + +<p>"Come, we will ride away," proposed Hollow +Bear. "We are far enough from that ridge, +and our ponies are fast. We will get away."<span class="pagenum">[195]</span></p> + +<p>"My brother, I believe it is the best thing to +do," agreed Little Wolf.</p> + +<p>They waited a moment longer to search the +crest of the ridge with eager, straining eyes. +Then, as they saw nothing of the scout, they +mounted their ponies and rode from the ravine. +Once on the open plain they turned toward the +west, and rode away at a furious gallop. They +glanced backward many times, but saw nothing +to arouse their suspicions. When they finally +rode over a rise of the plain, and passed from +sight of the distant ridge, they felt somewhat +easier.</p> + +<p>"Now we must look back and see if anyone +is following us," said Hollow Bear as he +stopped his pony.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf dismounted and crawled cautiously +to the top of the slope behind them. +He remained there some time, watching their +back-trail. Then he hurried down to his companion.</p> + +<p>"My eyes tell me nothing," he said.</p> + +<p>"It is good," replied Hollow Bear. "Come, +now we will ride toward our people."</p> + +<p>Having made the wide detour toward the<span class="pagenum">[196]</span> +west to deceive anyone who might have been +watching, the crafty Sioux now turned toward +the north. They forced the ponies to a desperate +pace, for they realized that they must +reach the Ogalala camp without a moment of +unnecessary delay. They had not gone far, +however, when they saw what looked like the +heads of several prairie wolves, above a rise of +ground to the west. There was something +about them that instantly roused the suspicions +of the Ogalalas. They felt sure that the +"wolves" were disguised scouts.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," cried Hollow Bear. "Those +things are not wolves. No, they are Pawnee +scouts. We have been discovered. We must +keep watching that place. I believe there is +another big war party over there."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe it is so," declared Little +Wolf. "Those people are watching for their +brothers. I believe that all the Pawnees are +coming to fight our people. They will come up +on both sides of the village. See, those scouts +have gone away. I believe that they have gone +to tell their people about us."</p> + +<p>"Well, there is one over there," replied Hol<span class="pagenum">[197]</span>low Bear. "See, he is looking over that rock."</p> + +<p>"Your eyes are like the eyes of the great war +bird," said Little Wolf. "Now I see him. Yes, +he is watching us."</p> + +<p>The Sioux were much depressed by what they +had seen. It was evident that a vast force of +Pawnees were approaching the Ogalala village. +The two scouts felt sure that their people would +be greatly outnumbered, and as the Ogalala +camp contained many women and children, besides +the aged, they dared not think what would +happen if the pitiless Pawnees once forced their +way into the village. They realized that they +must reach the village far enough ahead of +their foes to give Wolf Robe and his warriors +time to prepare for the attack. Roused by the +thought, they urged their ponies to the limit of +endurance. Then, as they glanced uneasily over +their shoulders, they saw a small company of +horsemen watching them from the ridge to the +westward.</p> + +<p>"We are too far away; they will not ride +after us," declared Hollow Bear.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they do not know that we are Dacotahs," +suggested Little Wolf.<span class="pagenum">[198]</span></p> + +<p>"They cannot see our faces, but they will +say: 'See, those riders go very fast. They +are running toward the camp of our enemies, +the Sioux. They are scouts. If they were +Kiowas they would go the other way. If they +were Black-feet they would ride over this way +to go around their enemies, the Sioux. The +Crows do not come down so far. No, they are +Sioux.' Yes, that is how the Pawnees will +know about us," declared Hollow Bear with +conviction.</p> + +<p>"You are as wise as the fox," said Little +Wolf.</p> + +<p>As they looked back they saw several horsemen +galloping wildly across the plain toward +the east. For a moment the unexpected maneuver +baffled them, and then they suddenly realized +the object of it.</p> + +<p>"Now I know about it," declared Little +Wolf. "Those riders are scouts. They are +going over there to look for their brothers. +They will tell them about us. It is good. Perhaps +the war leaders will come together to talk +about it. Then our people will have time to +do something."<span class="pagenum">[199]</span></p> + +<p>"I believe you have told the thing as it is," +agreed Hollow Bear.</p> + +<p>The western sky was ablaze with the glories +of the sunset as they finally came in sight of +the Ogalala camp. It was still some distance +away, however, and the eager scouts lashed +their ponies without mercy as they raced across +the plain to warn their people. They believed +that the Pawnees were following swiftly on +their trail, with the hope of attacking the Sioux +before they had an opportunity to prepare +themselves.</p> + +<p>The great Ogalala camp was the scene of +peaceful tranquillity. The herds of unprotected +ponies grazing on the plain, the smoke rising +lazily above the lodges, the absence of sentinels +from the ridges, all these things proclaimed +the fancied security of the unsuspecting +Ogalalas. The excited scouts groaned as +they realized it. As they neared the lodges +they began to shout at the top of their voices, +and in a few moments the people rushed to the +edge of the camp. Hollow Bear and Little +Wolf pointed excitedly toward the south, and +then toward the herds of ponies, at the same<span class="pagenum">[200]</span> +time sounding the piercing war cry of the Dacotahs.</p> + +<p>"The Pawnees are coming! Drive in the +ponies. Get ready to fight!" they cried when +they came within shouting distance.</p> + +<p>The warning instantly caused a commotion +in the village. The warriors rushed for their +weapons, the women dragged the frightened +children to the lodges, and a company of boys +ran out on the plain to drive in the horses. The +war ponies, as usual, were picketed in the camp. +Then, when the riders dashed into the village +and told their story, a number of scouts leaped +upon their ponies and raced away to watch for +the Pawnees.</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward Wolf Robe, the +Ogalala war chief, called his warriors together +in council. He realized at once that the situation +was serious, and he was troubled and fearful +of the outcome. The presence of the women +and children filled his heart with gloomy misgivings, +for he saw no way of getting them +away. Ordinarily they would have been sent +to the hills under a strong escort of warriors, +but in the present emergency he knew that<span class="pagenum">[201]</span> +such an attempt would be almost sure to end +disastrously. The nearest foothills were far +away to the west, in the country of the Minneconjoux, +and the experienced old chief realized +that the first maneuver of his foes would be to +surround the Ogalala camp. But even if the +women and children were taken from the village +before the way was barred, Wolf Robe +knew that it would be folly to send them across +the open plain under as feeble an escort as he +could spare for their protection. Hollow Bear +and Little Wolf both assured him that there +were at least four Pawnees for every Ogalala, +and Wolf Robe believed that in the face of such +overwhelming odds the village itself would be +the best safeguard for his people. Protected +somewhat by the lodges, he believed that they +might hold off their foes until help could arrive. +Therefore, he determined to keep the +women and children in the camp, at least until +he learned the actual strength and disposition +of the Pawnee forces.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, you have heard about this +thing," he told the warriors. "Our enemies, +the Pawnees, are coming to fight us. But the<span class="pagenum">[202]</span> +sharp eyes of our scouts found them. It is +good. Now we know about it. We are ready +to fight. But our women and children are in +this camp. We cannot get them out. No, the +Pawnees are all around us. There are many +warriors. We must keep them out of the village. +Perhaps it will be a hard thing to do. I +will ask you to be men. When it is dark I will +send a scout to our brothers, the brave Minneconjoux. +They will come here to help us. +White Otter will come. I believe the Pawnees +are doing this thing because White Otter +brought the Red Arrow from their medicine-lodge. +Now it is in the lodge of Yellow Horse. +Now the Pawnees will try to take it away again. +Well, we are Dacotahs. I will ask you to make +your hearts brave against these boastful Wolf +People. You have heard the words of Wolf +Robe."</p> + +<p>The Ogalalas received the speech with enthusiasm. +All of the warriors were eager to +fight, and, although they knew that they were +greatly outnumbered, there was not one among +them who had any doubt of their ability to keep +the Pawnees from entering the village. Hav<span class="pagenum">[203]</span>ing endorsed the words of their chief, therefore, +they were now ready to obey his commands.</p> + +<p>Wolf Robe immediately made preparations +for the battle. The ponies were driven in from +the plain and picketed in the center of the village; +the women and children were sent to the +inside lodges; and the warriors took their places +along the edge of the camp. Then the stern +old war chief waited impatiently for word from +his scouts. Darkness was already settling +upon the plain when several riders returned +to the village to report. They said that the +Pawnees were divided into three great war parties, +each composed of more warriors than +were in the Ogalala camp. The scouts declared +that the enemy had halted some distance out +on the plain, but they warned Wolf Robe that +the camp was entirely surrounded. They said +that they had little doubt that Pawnee scouts +were already creeping forward to reconnoiter +the village.</p> + +<p>"Then we must watch," replied the Ogalala +war chief.</p> + +<p>After the scouts had ridden away, Wolf<span class="pagenum">[204]</span> +Robe hurried around the edge of the camp, +telling his warriors what he had learned. He +warned them against the Pawnee scouts, and +urged them to be as watchful as the fox. Then +he stopped beside High Eagle, one of the most +famous warriors of the tribe.</p> + +<p>"My brother, there are a great many Pawnees +out there," said Wolf Robe. "Our women +and children are in the lodges. They cannot +get away. The village is surrounded by the +Wolf People. Perhaps there will be too many +against us. I am troubled in my heart. You +have done many great things. You are very +brave. Now I will ask you to risk your life."</p> + +<p>"My ears are open—I am waiting for your +words," replied High Eagle, as the old chief +hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Well, I will ask you to take your best pony, +and go to tell our brothers, the brave Minneconjoux, +about this thing. Perhaps you will be +killed. But if you get away you will do a +great thing," declared Wolf Robe.</p> + +<p>"I will go," said High Eagle. "If I get +away I will give the call of the prairie wolf. +But if you do not hear it, then you will know<span class="pagenum">[205]</span> +that I have been killed. Then you must send +another scout to do this thing. Now I am going."</p> + +<p>"You are a great warrior," declared Wolf +Robe.</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward High Eagle led his +muzzled pony from the village and disappeared +into the night. The people waited anxiously. +It was a long time before they finally heard the +dismal call of the prairie wolf, far away toward +the west. Then their hearts filled with joy, and +they began to shout and sing their war songs.</p> + +<p>"It is good. High Eagle has crept past the +Pawnees. Now he will bring our brothers, the +Minneconjoux, to help us," declared Wolf Robe.</p> + +<p>Then the bark of the little gray fox sounded +close to the edge of the camp, and the Ogalalas +knew that one of the scouts was returning. +When the signal had been repeated the proper +number of times, it was answered from the village. +A few moments afterward Crooked Dog +rode into the camp. He said that the Pawnees +to the south of the village were advancing. +While he was talking another signal sounded +through the darkness and a scout rode in from<span class="pagenum">[206]</span> +the west. He, too, declared that the war party +on that side of the camp was moving forward. +Then the other scouts returned and gave warning +that their foes were closing in on all sides +of the village.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, the Pawnees are coming to +fight us!" cried Wolf Robe. "You must watch +with the eyes of a fox; you must fight with +the heart of a bear. Do not run out to meet +them. No, that would be foolish. Keep close +together, near the lodges. Then the Pawnees +cannot get into the camp. Listen! I hear the +great war cry of the Dacotahs. Yes, it is what +I am listening for. We must drive off these +boastful people until our brothers come here to +help us. Then we will run out and chase the +Wolf People back to their lodges. Dacotahs, +I will ask you to fight like men. Now I am taking +my weapons. I am going to the edge of the +camp to kill many Pawnees. I have told you +what to do."</p> + +<p>Roused by the fearlessness of their aged +chief, the Ogalala fighting men raised their +voices in a mighty shout of defiance that rang +out across the somber black plain, and carried<span class="pagenum">[207]</span> +an ominous warning to the ears of the advancing +Pawnees. Then, having sent their challenge, +they subsided into grim, silent watchfulness. +Crouching close beside one another at +the edge of the camp, they peered anxiously into +the night, straining their ears to catch the first +warning of their crafty foes.</p> + +<p>For some time the stillness was unbroken, +and the Sioux waited in trying suspense. Then +the cry of the great gray wolf sounded a short +distance to the west of the camp. The Dacotahs +knew at once that it was a signal, and +they believed the attack was about to begin. +A few moments later a similar signal sounded +from the south. The eyes of the Sioux flashed +angrily as they listened. Then a third call +came from the east.</p> + +<p>"The Wolf People are all around us," said +Wolf Robe. "When the next call sounds above +the camp, then they will rush ahead and the +fight will begin."</p> + +<p>It was evident, however, that the company +of warriors who were to attack the Ogalala village +from the north had been longer in reaching +their position, for as yet no signal had<span class="pagenum">[208]</span> +come from that direction. While the Sioux +waited expectantly for the final signal another +cry sounded from the west. It was apparent +that the Pawnees were impatient at the +tardiness of their comrades. Again an answer +came from the east, and, a few moments afterward, +another from the south. The north was +still silent.</p> + +<p>"I do not know about that thing," Wolf Robe +told Yellow Horse, the medicine-man.</p> + +<p>Before the latter could reply, however, the +weird, long-drawn-out howl of the timber wolf +rose in the north. Every Dacotah's heart +bounded at the sound. They knew that the circle +had been completed, the last gap had been +closed, the camp was surrounded. The thought +steadied the warriors for the fight. They realized +that upon them depended the fate of +their women and children, and they told one +another that they must fight to the death to keep +the Pawnees from the village. Then they waited +calmly for their foes to appear.</p> + +<p>It was not long before a piercing yell sounded +to the west of the village, and a moment +afterward it was echoed on all sides of the<span class="pagenum">[209]</span> +camp. Then the great horde of frenzied Pawnees +charged. Instantly all was confusion. +The shouts and whoops of the warriors, the +hysterical screams of the terrorized women and +children, the barking of the dogs, the neighing +of the frightened ponies were combined in one +deafening uproar that turned the besieged camp +into a bedlam. Darkness added to the disorder. +In spite of the tumult, however, the fearless +men at the edge of the village continued +calm and undismayed. They faced the furious +assault without a tremor, and fought with a +sullen ferocity that bewildered their foes.</p> + +<p>Once within arrow-range of the Ogalala +camp, the Pawnees thronged out of the night +like a great swarm of angry bees. Realizing +the importance of making their first onslaught +successful, they risked themselves with foolhardy +recklessness, and charged to the very +border of the village. Then they found themselves +face to face with a foe as determined as +they, and a terrific hand to hand conflict ensued. +In spite of their superior numbers, however, +the Pawnees were unable to gain a foothold +in the camp. The Sioux held their ground<span class="pagenum">[210]</span> +with a dogged stubbornness that frustrated all +attempts to break through them. Partly sheltered +by the lodges, they inflicted severe punishment +upon their enemies, with slight loss to +themselves. The Pawnees were quick to realize +that the fight was going against them. +The idea roused them to a frenzy of rage, and +they fought like demons. Again and again +they strove to break through the impenetrable +circle of grim Dacotah warriors, and each time +they were hurled back with heavy losses. Here +and there a hostile warrior did succeed in gaining +a temporary foothold at the edge of the +camp, but in every case he forfeited his life +to his valor. Aware that their efforts were +proving futile, the Pawnees finally became demoralized, +and withdrew in confusion. As they +retreated into the night, their ears rang with +taunts and challenges of the triumphant Ogalalas.</p> + +<p>When the Pawnees had gone from hearing, +the Sioux took account of their losses. A number +of warriors had been killed, and many more +had been wounded. As the names of the dead +were called out great wailing and lamenting be<span class="pagenum">[211]</span>gan among the women. The more desperately +wounded were carried to the center of the camp, +and their places were filled by the older boys, +who were delighted at the opportunity to participate +in the fight.</p> + +<p>The Sioux realized that they were in a desperate +plight. They had little doubt that the +Pawnees would renew the attack at dawn, and +the thought suggested all sorts of alarming +possibilities. In spite of their temporary success, +therefore, the Ogalalas were depressed +and doubtful.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, you have made a great fight," +cried Wolf Robe, as he walked along the edge +of the camp. "We have kept the Wolf People +out of the camp. They have carried away many +dead warriors. But I must tell you that they +will come again. When the light comes over +there in the sky then you must watch like the +fox. We must keep them off. Our brothers, +the brave Minneconjoux, will come to help us. +We must keep alive until they get here. It will +be a hard thing to do. Perhaps it will be a +long time. But I will ask you to make your +hearts strong to do this thing. I have finished."</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art24.png" alt="art24" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIII +</h2> + +<p class="h3">RACING TO THE RESCUE</p> + +<p class="dropcap">AS White Otter and his companions raced +through the night in advance of the war +party, the troubled young Ogalala turned his +eyes to the vast, star-lit heavens, and asked +the Great Mystery to help his people. His +mind was filled with all sorts of vague fears +for the safety of the Ogalala camp, and he regretted +that he was not there to share the peril +with its gallant defenders. Then he suddenly +realized that he might be able to render still +greater aid in his present position, and he +sought to comfort himself with the thought.</p> + +<p>"My brother, I see that you feel bad in your +heart," Sun Bird said soothingly.</p> + +<p>"It is true; my heart is filled with clouds," +replied White Otter. "I am thinking about my +grandfather, the great chief Wolf Robe. I am +thinking about my grandmother, the good Singing +Wind. I am thinking about my friends.<span class="pagenum">[213]</span> +High Eagle has told me something bad. The +Pawnees are on every side of the village. They +are like the grass. It is bad. The Ogalalas +are very brave, but many wolves can kill a +bear. I do not know what has happened. Two +suns have passed since High Eagle left that +camp. We are riding fast, but another sun +will pass before we come near that place. Perhaps +my people have been wiped away. My +brothers, I am thinking about these things. +Yes, I feel bad in my heart."</p> + +<p>White Otter's gloomy words were received +in silence. His companions found nothing to +say in reply. High Eagle felt quite as hopeless +as his tribesman, and Sun Bird and Little +Raven dared not fill the Ogalala's heart with +false hopes. The four anxious scouts galloped +along in silence, therefore, each hoping that his +fears for the Ogalala camp would prove groundless. +They rode thus until the first gray hint +of daylight showed in the eastern sky, and +then White Otter seemed to rally from his +gloom.</p> + +<p>"See, my brothers, the Great Mystery is wiping +away the darkness," he said eagerly.<span class="pagenum">[214]</span> +"Pretty soon it will be gone. Then the sun +will come. That makes me feel good again. +Yes, I will wipe the clouds from my heart. I +will be a warrior. See how the Great Mystery +does this thing. I am thinking about it. When +the darkness is gone, then everything is good. +The birds sing. Yes, my brothers, it is a great +thing to do. Well, I will wipe the darkness out +of my heart. Then the sun will come there. +It is good. I will sing my war songs. Yes, +I will be strong to help my people. Ho, my +brothers, we are Dacotahs! It is enough."</p> + +<p>This unexpected display of cheerfulness had +an instant effect upon his comrades. Stimulated +by his fortitude, they, too, roused themselves +from their depression and became light-hearted +and hopeful. The dawn of a new day +restored their confidence.</p> + +<p>"White Otter, you have spoken brave +words," said High Eagle. "Now I feel different +in my heart. I believe our people will +keep the Pawnees out of the camp. Pretty +soon this great war party will come to that +place. Then the Wolf People will run like +rabbits."<span class="pagenum">[215]</span></p> + +<p>As the light strengthened they saw that they +had left the war party far behind, and they +realized that they had ridden desperately. +However, except for their rapid breathing and +lathery sides, the wiry little ponies showed no +effects of the strenuous pace, and their riders +felt greatly relieved. They rode to the summit +of a rocky knoll and dismounted to watch the +plain.</p> + +<p>It was not long before they saw the dust +from the war party rising some distance away +to the west. Shortly afterward the foremost +riders galloped into view. They immediately +discovered the four scouts and stopped to study +them. Then Sun Bird mounted his pony and +rode rapidly in a circle. Assured by the +maneuver, the great company of Sioux warriors +thundered across the plain to join their +tribesmen.</p> + +<p>When Curly Horse and Laughing Bird +learned that the scouts had seen nothing to +arouse suspicion, they led the war party to +a distant grove of aspens, which High Eagle +said marked a water-hole. White Otter and +his companions accompanied them, but as soon<span class="pagenum">[216]</span> +as they had refreshed themselves and their +ponies at the little pool they galloped away to +reconnoiter in advance of the company.</p> + +<p>The alert scouts proceeded with more caution +as the day wore on, for although they knew +that they were still a long distance from the +besieged camp, they feared that the Pawnees +might have sent riders far out on the plain to +watch for reënforcements from the Minneconjoux +camp.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the Wolf People know about this +thing; we must keep watching ahead," declared +White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if they see us it will be a bad thing," +replied Sun Bird. "Then they will tell their +people, and they will get away before this great +war party can catch them."</p> + +<p>"I do not believe that the Pawnees know +about this thing," High Eagle said hopefully. +"No, I crawled away as easy as a snake. I +do not believe that the Pawnees will know +about this great war party until we come to +fight them."</p> + +<p>The day passed without incident, and at sunset +they came in sight of the grove where White<span class="pagenum">[217]</span> +Otter had encountered the Ute war party. His +heart beat fast with emotion as he saw the +little patch of trees, and realized that he might +reach the Ogalala village before daylight. All +his anxiety returned at the thought, and once +more he became a prey to all sorts of doubts +and fears.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, we are getting close to my people," +he said soberly. "Over there is the place +where I heard the Black Faces. It is not far +from the Ogalala camp. Our ponies are fresh. +Perhaps we will get to that place before another +sun comes. But we must be very cautious. +Perhaps some of the Wolf People are +hiding over there among the trees. I will ask +my brother, Sun Bird, and my brother, Little +Raven, to wait here behind this ridge to watch +for Curly Horse and his people. Come, High +Eagle, we will go over there and see if anyone +is hiding in that place."</p> + +<p>"Well, I will wait here with Little Raven," +agreed Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>Then White Otter and High Eagle mounted +their ponies and rode toward the timber. As +they approached it they dropped to one side<span class="pagenum">[218]</span> +of their mounts and advanced very cautiously. +They found the grove free of enemies, and immediately +signaled the news to Little Raven, +who was watching from the ridge. Soon afterward +the Dacotah war party galloped across the +plain. The two Ogalalas thrilled with pride +as they watched the great force of Sioux fighting +men approach. They felt certain that they +would soon vanquish the Pawnees, and their +only fear was that they might be too late. +They realized that three days had passed since +High Eagle had crawled safely through the +Pawnee lines, and they feared that the battle +had been won or lost in the meantime. The +latter possibility filled them with dread, for +they knew that defeat meant death for most +of the people in the Ogalala camp.</p> + +<p>"If our people have been wiped away, then +I will go and let the Pawnees kill me," declared +White Otter.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you do that, then I will go with +you," said High Eagle.</p> + +<p>When the war party reached the grove, the +warriors dismounted from their sweating +ponies and threw themselves upon the ground<span class="pagenum">[219]</span> +for a few moments of rest. However, Curly +Horse had no intention of loitering longer than +was actually necessary for the tired ponies. +He knew that every moment was precious in +such an emergency, and he was eager to reach +the scene of the conflict as soon as possible.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I must tell you that we are +near the place where the brave Ogalalas are +fighting the Pawnees," he told his warriors. +"It is true that we have come a long way. But +we must not stay here. No, if we wait here +the Wolf People will get into that camp and +kill many of our people. Our brothers are +waiting for us. They are listening to hear the +war cry of the great Dacotah nation. It will +make them strong to fight. I believe that we +are as many as the Pawnees. We will wait +here a little time so that our ponies will be +fresh. Then we will go on. I have spoken."</p> + +<p>The Sioux remained at the water-hole until +the ponies had recovered from their violent exertions, +and then they mounted and galloped +away toward the east. The thought that they +were actually nearing the besieged camp made +them eager and impatient to come within strik<span class="pagenum">[220]</span>ing distance of their foes, and they raced on at +a desperate pace. White Otter and his companions +rode some distance in advance of the +war party.</p> + +<p>"Look!" cried Little Raven, as the four +scouts raced over the summit of a low ridge.</p> + +<p>They were dismayed to see two horsemen +suddenly appear from a ravine directly ahead +of them and ride furiously toward the east. +They had little doubt that the unknown riders +were Pawnee scouts who had been watching +the advance of the Sioux war party. As they +were too far away to be overtaken, there was +nothing to do but report the discovery to Curly +Horse.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," said High Eagle. "Those scouts +will tell their people about this great war party. +Perhaps the Wolf People will rush into the +camp before we get there."</p> + +<p>"I will ride back and tell Curly Horse about +this thing," cried Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is the best thing to do," replied +White Otter. "We have found out something +bad. But I will tell you that I believe my people +have kept the Pawnees out of the camp.<span class="pagenum">[221]</span> +When I think about it my heart grows strong. +If the Pawnees got into the village those scouts +would not be watching in that ravine. I believe +that the fight is still going on. Go, Sun +Bird, my brother, and tell your great chief to +come as fast as the wind. The Pawnees know +about us. Now they will do some brave things +to get into the village. We must help the brave +Ogalalas. Now I am going ahead to do something."</p> + +<p>A moment afterward the loyal lad raced +away, with High Eagle and Little Raven beside +him, while Sun Bird wheeled his pony and galloped +back to meet Curly Horse and the great +company of Sioux fighting men.</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art25.png" alt="art25" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art26.png" alt="art26" /> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIV +</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE PLIGHT OF THE OGALALAS</p> + +<p class="dropcap">TWO anxious days and two terrible nights +had passed since High Eagle had crawled +successfully through the Pawnee lines. During +that time the great host of Pawnee fighting +men had made many desperate attempts to enter +the Ogalala village. In each attack, however, +they had been compelled to recoil before +the heroic defense of the Sioux. At the dawn +of the third day, therefore, the camp was still +in possession of its gallant defenders.</p> + +<p>In spite of their apparent success, however, +the Ogalalas were in a desperate plight. Many +of the warriors had been killed, and many more +had been wounded. Thus the Sioux force, +which was outnumbered four to one at the beginning +of hostilities, had been still further +weakened, and most of the boys and all the +old men had been called upon to take part in<span class="pagenum">[223]</span> +the fight. The food supply was exhausted, and +they had already killed several ponies for meat. +Fortunately the pool which supplied the water +was located close to the edge of the village, +and as yet the Pawnees had been unable to +gain possession of it.</p> + +<p>"My people, over there you see the first light +of a new day," Wolf Robe told the Ogalalas +as the dawn crept slowly above the rim of the +plain. "Two suns have passed since the Wolf +People came here to fight us. Well, we are still +alive. The Pawnees have made many boasts, +but we have laughed at them. Our women and +children are safe in the lodges. We have killed +many of our enemies. Pretty soon our +brothers, the Minneconjoux, will come here. +Yes, I am listening for the noise of their +ponies. White Otter will lead them to this +place. Then you will see how the Pawnees can +run. My brothers, we have made a great fight. +But I must tell you that it is not over. No, +the Wolf People will keep trying to get into +the village. Perhaps another sun will pass +before the great chief, Curly Horse, and his +warriors come here. Yes, perhaps two suns<span class="pagenum">[224]</span> +will pass. Well, we will keep off our enemies. +They are many more than we are, but that is +nothing to a Dacotah. We have plenty of +ponies. We can give meat to our people. We +have water. The Pawnees cannot get that. Yes, +we will keep up the fight until our people come. +You have heard the words of Wolf Robe."</p> + +<p>"Ogalalas, you have listened to a great war +chief," cried Yellow Horse, the medicine-man. +"Wolf Robe has led us in many battles. We +will keep his words in our hearts. Yes, we will +show the boastful Pawnees that it takes many +wolves to kill the bear in his den. We are +Dacotahs! It is enough. Now it is getting +light. We must watch."</p> + +<p>As the narrow streak of light gradually +broadened and reached across the sky, the Sioux +listened expectantly for the first warning yell +from their foes. They felt sure that they +would make another attack before sunrise, and +each moment's delay increased the suspense. +However, when darkness finally merged into +twilight, a long, quavering cry rose in the +south. Then the Ogalalas knew that the expected +assault was at hand. An ominous silence<span class="pagenum">[225]</span> +followed the signal. The Sioux looked anxiously +for their foes. Their efforts were fruitless, +however, for the light was still too weak to +disclose objects beyond bow-shot, and it was +evident that the cautious Pawnees were safely +beyond that distance. The stillness was baffling. +The Ogalalas were perplexed. They +wondered why the Pawnees were delaying their +attack. The maneuver made them suspicious.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, we must keep watching," +cried Wolf Robe. "The Wolf People are very +sly. Perhaps they are moving forward like +the fox. Then they will rush ahead. If we +are not ready, then——"</p> + +<p>At that instant he was interrupted by a wild +outburst of piercing whoops, and a multitude +of yelling horsemen emerged from the shadows +and swept toward the camp. Having entirely +surrounded the village, they charged with a +reckless fury that might have temporarily demoralized +the bravest foes. However, the +Sioux faced them with the same calm determination +that had made their resistance so effective +in the previous attacks. Reserving their +arrows until the Pawnees were close upon them,<span class="pagenum">[226]</span> +their deadly volleys took costly toll of ponies +and riders. Although they exposed themselves +with great bravery, the invaders were again +prevented from reaching the village. Realizing, +at length, that they were sacrificing themselves +in vain, the Pawnees wheeled and raced +from danger. Once beyond bow-shot, they +rode furiously around the camp, shaking their +weapons and shouting idle threats at the jeering +Sioux.</p> + +<p>The Ogalalas had repulsed this last attack +without losing a man, although a number of +warriors had been more or less severely wounded. +They knew that they had inflicted heavy +punishment upon the Pawnees, and they believed +that the latter would be slow to renew +the fight. The thought gave them considerable +relief. They hoped that a strong force of +tribesmen were racing to their aid, and they +realized that if they could hold out another +day they might be saved.</p> + +<p>The Pawnees soon tired of riding around the +village, and finally withdrew far out on the +plain. Then, leaving a sufficient number of sentinels +on each side of the camp, the several<span class="pagenum">[227]</span> +war parties united and rode from sight over +a distant ridge. The Sioux knew at once that +they had gone to hold a council of war, and +they hoped that they might decide to abandon +the siege.</p> + +<p>"No, I do not believe that they will go +away," said Wolf Robe. "They have come +here to do a great thing. We have killed many +of their people. Their hearts are very black +against us. We must watch them. Perhaps +they will wait until it is dark. But I must +tell you that I believe they will make another +great fight. Perhaps our brothers, the Minneconjoux, +will come before that time. If they +do not come here, then I do not know what will +happen. I have spoken."</p> + +<p>Soon after sunrise the Pawnees reappeared. +Once more they separated into four companies. +The suspicious Sioux watched them with much +anxiety. However, it was soon evident that +for the moment, at least, they had no intention +of attacking the camp. They sat quietly on +the ponies, watching the village like a pack of +hungry wolves around a herd of buffaloes.</p> + +<p>"Those people are thinking about some<span class="pagenum">[228]</span>thing," said Yellow Horse. "We must be very +cautious."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe they will try to fool us," declared +old Crying Wolf, a warrior who had +seen more than ninety winters.</p> + +<p>However, as the day wore on, and the Pawnees +made no further attempts against the +village, the Sioux began to take heart. They +believed that their determined foes were waiting +to make one supreme effort under cover +of the night, and they comforted themselves +with the thought that their tribesmen would +come to their assistance in the meantime. +They felt sure that High Eagle had reached +the Minneconjoux and delivered his appeal for +aid. They peered anxiously toward the west, +therefore, hoping each moment to see the dust +signal that would tell them that help was at +hand.</p> + +<p>Then, when the long day finally passed, and +the sun disappeared below the plain, their +hopes began to dwindle. The thought of night +filled them with dread. They had a gloomy +premonition that unless the Minneconjoux arrived +before dark, their own efforts would at<span class="pagenum">[229]</span> +last prove ineffectual. They believed that the +vastly superior strength of their foes would +eventually give them the victory. As yet the +Pawnees had withdrawn before the deadly volleys +that met them at the edge of the camp, +but the Sioux feared that in the final attempt +they might make one supreme sacrifice to +achieve their object. In that event the Ogalalas +realized that it would be impossible to +keep them from the village. Once they had +gained a foothold, their superiority in numbers +would soon give them the victory. The +bravest Sioux heart faltered at the possibility. +They knew that it would mean torture and +death for themselves, and captivity and slavish +drudgery for their women and children. The +peril appalled them. They turned their anxious +faces to the sky and asked the Great Mystery +to help them. Then they waited calmly +for the falling of darkness, determined to meet +whatever fate awaited them with the undying +courage of their race.</p> + +<p>"My people, I must tell you that my heart +is heavy," said Wolf Robe, as the light slowly +faded from the plain. "I have looked for<span class="pagenum">[230]</span> +something, but it has not come. I have listened +for something, but I have not heard it. +Curly Horse and his warriors are not here. +Pretty soon it will be dark. I feel bad about +it. Some of our bravest men are dead. Some +are hurt and cannot fight. We have used +many arrows. The Pawnees are very strong. +They are like mad wolves. Their medicine-men +will talk to them. They will tell them to +do great things. When it is dark I believe +they will rush ahead to fight us. Perhaps they +will leave their ponies and crawl close to the +lodges. We must watch with the eyes of the +great war bird, and listen with the ears of the +deer. But if they get into the camp, then we +must fight until we die. Our women and children +are in those lodges. I will ask you to keep +thinking about it. Perhaps something has happened +to High Eagle. The Minneconjoux have +not come. I do not know about that. I have +finished."</p> + +<p>When Wolf Robe had ceased speaking, several +famous warriors ran to the center of the +camp and called out in a loud tone so that all +might hear. They urged their comrades to<span class="pagenum">[231]</span> +be brave, and declared that the odds against +them were not sufficient to cause defeat. They +reminded their listeners that having successfully +repulsed every attack of their foes, there +was no reason to believe that they would not +be equally successful in the final assault. They +declared that they had no doubt that a great +Minneconjoux war party was racing to their +aid. They recalled many desperate battles +with these same hated foes in which they had +turned apparent defeat into victory. In this +way these stout-hearted men infused their own +heroic confidence into the hearts of their tribesmen, +and roused them from the depths of gloom +to the highest pitch of enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I have listened to the words +of those brave men," cried old Crying Wolf. +"I am a very old man. My arms are weak. +My eyes do not travel far. I am like a crooked +stick. But those great words have made me +strong. Yes, I am anxious to fight the Pawnees. +I cannot send my arrows far, but if any +of those people rush into the village I will +count another coup before I die. My people, +listen to the words of a very old man. Well,<span class="pagenum">[232]</span> +I must tell you what is in my heart. I believe +that White Otter will do another great +thing. Yes, I believe he will bring the great +chief, Curly Horse, and his people to help us. +I do not believe I will come out of this battle. +But I will tell you that I am not afraid. No, +I have been in many fights. I have killed many +enemies. I have lived a long time. It is +enough. Now I will do the best I can. I have +finished."</p> + +<p>The simple heroism of this famous old warrior +found a ready sympathy in the hearts of +his people. As he tottered toward the edge +of the camp to take his place in the fighting +line, his loyal self-sacrifice fired the resolution +of the warriors and filled them with a determination +to uphold the splendid traditions for +which this aged veteran was willing to die.</p> + +<p>As the evening shadows gradually closed in +about the camp the Pawnees showed sudden +signs of renewed activity. They approached +nearer to the village, as if they feared that +the Sioux might attempt to send away scouts +under cover of the dusk. Then riders began +to race about the plain, apparently carrying<span class="pagenum">[233]</span> +instructions to the various war companies. +This maneuver made the Ogalalas believe that +their foes had become impatient, and intended +to attack them without further delay.</p> + +<p>"Those riders are telling the war leaders the +words of the great war chief," said Wolf Robe. +"Pretty soon they will rush ahead to fight +us. Curly Horse and his people are not here. +We must make this great fight alone."</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward the Pawnees faded +from sight in the gathering gloom, and the +Sioux increased their vigilance. The thought +of what might happen before the dawn of another +day filled them with many disturbing +misgivings. Still they knew that it would be +fatal to give way to those dismal premonitions. +Therefore, they fought down their doubts and +fortified themselves with the determination to +administer a final, crushing defeat to their +foes.</p> + +<p>During the day Wolf Robe had ordered the +women to collect the supply of fire-wood and +distribute it in a number of piles along the +edge of the camp. Now, as darkness closed +down, he appointed a lad, with a buffalo horn<span class="pagenum">[234]</span> +containing tinder and several glowing embers, +to stand beside each pile of fuel. In the event +of the Pawnees dismounting and attempting +to steal into the camp under cover of the +night, the crafty Ogalala chief planned to ignite +his beacons and flood the village and the +surrounding plain with light.</p> + +<p>Wolf Robe's precaution was a timely one, +for the wily Pawnees did exactly what he +feared they might attempt. Dismounting some +distance from the village, they left their ponies +under a strong guard and advanced noiselessly +on foot. They were within bow-shot of the +camp before the Sioux discovered them. Then, +as they heard the alarm, they rushed forward, +yelling at the top of their voices to confuse +their enemies.</p> + +<p>However, the Sioux had already called to the +boys with the embers, and before the Pawnees +actually reached the edge of the village the +dry fuel was blazing fiercely, and the camp was +flooded with light. The unexpected illumination +completely surprised the invaders, and for +a moment they hesitated in bewilderment. The +Sioux took advantage of the opportunity, and<span class="pagenum">[235]</span> +delivered a furious volley of arrows at short +range. Attacked at the very moment when +they were attempting to rally from their sudden +surprise, the Pawnees fell back in dismay. +Then, as the arrows of the Sioux continued to +thin their ranks, they recovered from their bewilderment +and rushed recklessly to the border +of the camp. A desperate struggle immediately +followed, as the opposing forces met in +a deadly hand-to-hand encounter. Warrior +grappled with warrior, and the fight became +a series of personal combats. The Sioux were +greatly handicapped by the odds against them, +but the terrorized cries of the women and children +in the lodges gave them courage, and they +fought with a strength and courage that astounded +their foes. The old men and the boys +fought as heroically as the warriors. For a +time their gallant efforts seemed of little avail, +for the Pawnees were determined to enter the +village. In spite of their superior numbers, +however, they were unable to fight their way +between the valiant Ogalalas. The latter were +resolved to die rather than yield a foot of +ground, and their indomitable courage made<span class="pagenum">[236]</span> +them invincible. At last their heroic struggle +was crowned with success, for the Pawnees began +to give way. Fearing a trap, Wolf Robe +called out and warned his people against leaving +the camp to follow them. There was one, +however, for whom the caution had no meaning. +It was old Crying Wolf. He seemed to +have suddenly gone mad from excitement. +Whooping shrilly, the aged warrior left the village +and hobbled boldly after the retreating +Pawnees. As several Ogalalas rushed to his +rescue he fell, a bow-shot from the camp, with +a Pawnee arrow through his heart.</p> + +<p>When their foes had retreated into the night, +the Sioux took account of their loss. They +found that the encounter had cost them dear, +for many prominent warriors had sacrificed +themselves to keep the Pawnees from the village. +The death of old Crying Wolf filled them +with gloom, and they recalled his ominous +prophecy on the eve of the battle.</p> + +<p>"He was a great man," said Wolf Robe, who +had survived the encounter unharmed. "Crying +Wolf did many things for his people. But +he was very old. He died like a warrior. I<span class="pagenum">[237]</span> +believe it is the thing he wanted to do. Now +he has gone on the Long Trail. Well, we will +talk about him a long time."</p> + +<p>However, the Ogalalas found little time to +either eulogize the dead or attend the wounded, +for it was not long before the night again rang +with excited whoops. It was evident that the +Pawnees intended to make another attempt to +enter the camp. The Sioux threw fresh fuel on +the fires, and watched anxiously for their foes +to appear within the great circle of light that +surrounded the village. The yells were quickly +followed by the thunder of hoofs, and the Ogalalas +realized that the Pawnees were again relying +on their ponies to force their way into +the village.</p> + +<p>This time the fighting was even fiercer than +in the preceding attacks. The reckless bravery +of the invaders soon made it evident that +they were staking everything on one great final +assault. The thought nerved the Sioux to fight +as they had never fought before. In spite of +their heroism, however, some of the Pawnees +found a weak spot in the line of defense, and +gained a foothold in the village. Before they<span class="pagenum">[238]</span> +could reach the ponies, or the lodges which sheltered +the women and children, Wolf Robe led +a picked company of warriors to attack them. +They fought with a wild fury that finally forced +the invaders from the camp. In the desperate +encounter, however, Wolf Robe and Yellow +Horse were separated from their companions, +and surrounded by their foes. The Pawnees +instantly recognized these two famous warriors, +and, instead of killing them, they made +them prisoners, and carried them away before +the Ogalalas knew what had happened.</p> + +<p>A few moments later word of the capture +was carried through the entire force of Pawnees. +They immediately abandoned the attack +on the camp, and raced away, yelling in triumph. +The unexpected maneuver caused wild +rejoicing among the Ogalalas, who were still +ignorant of the desperate plight of their unfortunate +tribesmen.</p> + +<p>The Pawnees had already ridden beyond +hearing when the first inquiry for Wolf Robe +was made. Then, as they were searching for +him among the warriors at the edge of the +camp, they suddenly missed Yellow Horse.<span class="pagenum">[239]</span> +When they failed to find them, the Ogalalas +were thrown into a frenzy of despair. At first +they believed that both these great men had +been killed, but when they did not find them +among those who had fallen in the fight, the +truth suddenly flashed into their minds.</p> + +<p>"Wolf Robe and Yellow Horse have been +carried away by the Pawnees!"</p> + +<p>When the terrible announcement rang +through the camp, the Ogalalas were stunned +into silence. It was the crowning shock of the +great disaster which had befallen them, and +they were unable to rally from the blow. They +realized the hopelessness of attempting an immediate +rescue, and they feared that to delay +would mean certain death to their famous +tribesmen. While the principal men of the tribe +were gathered in gloomy council, attempting to +determine the wisest plan of action, they were +roused by a joyous shout from the warriors +along the west side of the camp.</p> + +<p>"We have heard the bark of the little gray +fox!" they cried, excitedly. "Yes, our people +are coming. Listen, someone is leading ponies +to the camp."<span class="pagenum">[240]</span></p> + +<p>"We must be cautious; perhaps they are +Pawnees," warned Spotted Dog, a famous war +leader, who had assumed command.</p> + +<p>"Well, pretty soon they will come into the +light. Then we will see who they are," declared +the impatient watchers.</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art27.png" alt="art27" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art28.png" alt="art28" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XV +</h2> + +<p class="h3">WHITE OTTER'S BOLD RESOLVE</p> + +<p class="dropcap">WHITE OTTER'S anxiety for his people +made him indifferent to his own safety, +and he rode recklessly through the night, risking +ambush and sudden death at the hands +of his foes. High Eagle and Little Raven +seemed equally unconcerned. They were willing +to take desperate chances to get within +sight of the Ogalala village and learn the answer +to the question that was torturing their +minds. As they actually neared the vicinity, +however, White Otter himself advised greater +caution.</p> + +<p>"We are coming close to our enemies," he +said. "If they kill us then what we have done +will be foolish. A scout must save himself to +help his people. Now we will go ahead easy. +We must watch, and listen like the fox."</p> + +<p>They slackened their ponies and advanced +very cautiously. For a long time they heard<span class="pagenum">[242]</span> +nothing to rouse their suspicions, and the very +stillness added to their fears. They wondered +whether the Pawnees, having achieved their object, +had already ridden away. Their courage +weakened at the thought. Then, as they stopped +on the crest of a ridge, they heard a wild outburst +of yells, far away toward the east. Their +hearts beat frantically as they turned to one another +with flashing eyes.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" cried White Otter. "The fight is +still going on. Yes, the Ogalalas are keeping +the Wolf People out of the camp. Come, we +will ride over there and try to do something."</p> + +<p>They galloped away in the direction of the +Ogalala camp. However, when they again +stopped to listen, the noise had ceased. They +listened anxiously, hoping to hear something +that would tell them that the Sioux had successfully +withstood the attack. The silence +troubled them. It made it evident that the +fight was over. The thought suggested a number +of alarming possibilities.</p> + +<p>"Come, my brothers, we must go near to the +camp," declared White Otter. "Then we will +know about this thing."<span class="pagenum">[243]</span></p> + +<p>As they started away they again heard a wild +clamor in the direction of the Ogalala village, +and they believed that the fight had been renewed. +The thought filled them with hope, for +they knew that the Sioux had repulsed the first +attack successfully. As the confused babel of +sound echoed faintly across the plain, the three +scouts stopped and made an earnest appeal to +the Great Mystery. Then they lashed their +ponies into a furious sprint, and raced away +to aid their tribesmen.</p> + +<p>"I believe those scouts have told their people +about us," cried White Otter. "Now they +know about the war party that is coming to +fight them. They are making another great +fight to get into the camp. Perhaps they will +do this thing. I am thinking about it. It is +bad."</p> + +<p>A short time afterward they rode to the top +of another low ridge, and saw the glow of the +Ogalala fires. As they were watching them, +however, they heard the shouts and whoops of +the Pawnees rising some distance south of the +camp. Each moment the noise sounded farther +from the village, and it soon became evident<span class="pagenum">[244]</span> +that the Pawnees were withdrawing. A mighty +chorus of yells from the camp convinced White +Otter and his companions that the Sioux had +finally been victorious. The thought sent them +into an ecstasy of joy.</p> + +<p>"Listen, my brothers!" White Otter cried, +delightedly. "The Pawnees are running away. +Yes, my people have made a great fight. The +Wolf People know about this great war party. +They are running away before our people come. +But we will follow them. Yes, Curly Horse +and Laughing Bird will chase them. Now we +will go ahead, and find out about this thing."</p> + +<p>"My brother, I believe that what you say is +true," replied Little Raven. "If your people +have chased away all those Pawnees they have +done a great thing. Pretty soon we will know +about it. But when our people come here, then +we must go on to fight the boastful Wolf People. +Yes, I believe I will count many coups, +and take some good ponies."</p> + +<p>"Yes, the Pawnees are going away," declared +High Eagle. "But it has been a great +battle. I believe many of our brothers have +been killed. Yes, I am proud about this thing,<span class="pagenum">[245]</span> +but I must tell you that my heart is heavy. I +believe that something bad has happened to +our people. I do not like to talk about it. I +have been in many battles. When I feel like +that in my heart it is always bad."</p> + +<p>The older warrior's gloomy prophecy instantly +sobered White Otter and Little Raven. +They began to realize that the victory might +have been a costly one. The thought increased +White Otter's anxiety, and he determined to +learn exactly what had happened without further +delay. He felt certain that the Pawnees +had really departed, and he raced toward the +camp with little attempt at concealment.</p> + +<p>"We must be cautious when we come near +the village," High Eagle warned him. "Our +people will be watching. When they hear us +perhaps they will take us for Pawnees. Perhaps +they will send their arrows through us."</p> + +<p>"Yes, what you say is so," agreed White Otter. +"But we will stop before we go near +enough to be killed. Then I will make the +sound of the little gray fox. When our people +hear that they will feel good again."</p> + +<p>When they finally came close to the camp,<span class="pagenum">[246]</span> +they stopped, and White Otter imitated the +bark of the prairie fox. In a few moments an +answer sounded from the border of the village. +Then he repeated the signal three times, +and, when he received a reply, he and his companions +rode boldly toward the lodges. As +they showed themselves in the glow from the +fires, they were immediately challenged by the +suspicious guards at the edge of the camp.</p> + +<p>"Ho, my brothers, we are Dacotahs; we have +come to tell you something good," cried White +Otter.</p> + +<p>"It is White Otter!" cried the delighted Ogalalas. +"He has brought Curly Horse and his +people to help us."</p> + +<p>When the three scouts rode their exhausted +ponies into the village, a few moments later, +they saw all the evidences of a tragedy. It +was apparent that the Sioux loss had been +even greater than they had anticipated. White +Otter and High Eagle recognized many loyal +friends among the dead and wounded, and as +they gazed upon them they were filled with a +wild desire for vengeance. Then White Otter +turned to search the great throng of people<span class="pagenum">[247]</span> +who were crowding eagerly about them. When +he failed to discover his grandfather, a great +fear entered his heart. He had grave doubts +of Wolf Robe's safety, and he feared to ask +for him. Before he could frame the difficult +inquiry, however, he was startled by a series of +piercing screams from one of the lodges. The +next moment Singing Wind, his grandmother, +rushed toward him, frantically waving her +arms, and crying out hysterically.</p> + +<p>"My grandfather has been killed," White Otter +told High Eagle.</p> + +<p>As Singing Wind reached his side she fell +to the ground, prostrated by her grief. White +Otter and High Eagle raised her with great +tenderness, and attempted to comfort her. The +loyal old woman was beside herself, and it +was some moments before she could speak. +Then she threw her arms about White Otter +and sobbed out her story.</p> + +<p>"Ah, my son, I must tell you something +bad," she cried. "Your grandfather, the great +chief, Wolf Robe, has been taken away by the +Pawnees. Yes, there is a great hole in my +heart. Perhaps they have killed him. You<span class="pagenum">[248]</span> +must find out about it. If he is dead, then I +will die. You have done some great things, +my son. Now I will ask you to do the greatest +thing of all. Yes, I will ask you to go and +find out about your grandfather. If the Pawnees +have killed him, then you must come back +and tell me. But if he is alive in that camp, +then you must take him away. You are the +son of Standing Buffalo—I believe you can do +this thing. That is all I can say."</p> + +<p>As Singing Wind ended her frantic appeal +she tottered backward and would have collapsed +had not White Otter thrown his arm +about her. The Ogalalas watched in silence +as the striking young warrior and the frail +old woman looked searchingly into each other's +eyes. Then, when Singing Wind finally recovered +her strength, White Otter made his reply.</p> + +<p>"My mother, I have heard your words; they +have cut into my heart like Pawnee arrows," +he said. "But I am a Dacotah. Yes, I am the +son of Standing Buffalo. It is enough. I know +what to do. I will follow the Pawnees and find +out about my grandfather. If he has been +killed, then I will not come back. No, I will<span class="pagenum">[249]</span> +rush into the camp and fight until I die. But +if he is alive I will bring him away. Spotted +Dog has told me about Yellow Horse. Well, +I will find out about him. Now I must tell +my brothers, the Ogalalas, that a great war +party is coming behind me. Yes, pretty soon +you will hear a big noise, like the Thunder +Birds flapping their wings. It is the sound of +racing ponies. They are carrying Curly Horse, +and a great war party of Minneconjoux. But +I will tell you something better. They are +carrying the great war chief, Laughing Bird, +and a great war party of Uncapapas. Pretty +soon these people will come here. Then you +must tell my brother, Sun Bird, about me. Perhaps +he will tell Curly Horse about it. Then +our people will go to the Pawnee camp to fight. +I will watch for them. Now I am going to +take a fast pony. Yes, I am going away. My +mother, you must keep your heart strong. If +I come back I will bring my grandfather. If +you do not see me again, then you will know +that I have done what I told you about. I have +finished."</p> + +<p>White Otter was immediately besieged by a<span class="pagenum">[250]</span> +host of volunteers, who were eager to accompany +him on his perilous mission. He refused +them, however, and told them to wait for the +great war party which he felt sure would follow +him to the Pawnee camp. Still, there was +one who would not be denied. It was Little +Raven.</p> + +<p>"My brother, it is true that I have not done +many great things," said the loyal Minneconjoux +lad. "But I am not afraid to die. You +say if you do not find your grandfather you +will go into the Pawnee camp and fight until +they kill you. Well, it is a brave thing to do. +But I will go with you. If we go together, +we will kill more Pawnees. If the great chief, +Wolf Robe, and the great medicine-man, Yellow +Horse, are alive, perhaps I will help you. No, +my brother, I will not stay back. I am a Dacotah. +Yes, I am the son of Rain Crow. I +must carry out what it is in my heart to do. +I will ask you for a fast pony. Yes, I am going +with you."</p> + +<p>"Little Raven, your words make me feel big +in my heart," White Otter replied, with genuine +emotion. "But I must tell you that you<span class="pagenum">[251]</span> +are doing a foolish thing. You are very brave, +but you must keep your life. Wolf Robe is +my grandfather. He has given me many good +things. There is only one thing to do if he +is alive: I must try to get him away. There +is only one thing to do if he is dead: I must +go into the camp and kill as many Pawnees +as I can. You say you will go with me. Well, +I must tell you another time that it is a foolish +thing to do. But I know that you are a Dacotah. +Yes, you will do what it is in your heart +to do. Perhaps this thing will make you a +great man. Perhaps you will be killed. I have +finished."</p> + +<p>"White Otter, I must go with you," declared +Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"Ogalalas, I must tell you something," cried +White Otter. "Little Raven, the son of Rain +Crow, the great Minneconjoux medicine-man, +is going with me to the Pawnee Camp."</p> + +<p>Then the two fearless young warriors rode +away on two of Wolf Robe's fastest ponies. +The Ogalalas were too heavily burdened with +grief to rouse themselves sufficiently to make +a demonstration, and except for the wailing of<span class="pagenum">[252]</span> +the women and the excited cries of a few old +men, the lads were permitted to depart in +silence.</p> + +<p>"White Otter is very brave. Yes, he is as +cautious as the fox. He has done a great thing. +But I believe he will be killed," Spotted Bear +declared, gloomily, as the hoof-beats of the +ponies died away in the distance.</p> + +<p>The Ogalalas endorsed his words with their +silence. There were few among them who expected +to again see the courageous youths who +had just ridden away.</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art29.png" alt="art29" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art30.png" alt="art30" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVI +</h2> + +<p class="h3">A BAFFLING TRAIL</p> + +<p class="dropcap">WHITE OTTER felt certain that the Pawnees +had been warned of the approaching +Sioux war party, and he believed that they +would ride furiously to reach their own territory +before the Dacotahs overtook them. He +realized, therefore, that it would be foolhardy +to attempt to come up with them before they +arrived at their permanent camp. However, +the thought of what might happen to Wolf +Robe and Yellow Horse in the meantime filled +him with despair. He knew only too well the +intense hatred that the Sioux and the Pawnees +held for each other, and he feared that the latter +might take sudden vengeance upon their +helpless captives. His one hope was that the +war chiefs would insist that the prisoners be +spared until they reached the camp, so that +the entire Pawnee nation might participate in +their punishment and death. Still, he realized<span class="pagenum">[254]</span> +that even if his unfortunate tribesmen reached +the Pawnee village in safety his chances for +saving them were slight indeed. He feared +that the Pawnees would waste little time in +putting them to death, and he knew that unless +he arrived at the hostile camp soon after his +foes he might be too late.</p> + +<p>"We must keep near the Wolf People," he +told Little Raven. "If they take those two +brave warriors to the camp, perhaps they will +kill them before we come to that place. Well, +we must be near enough to do something."</p> + +<p>"You are the leader," replied Little Raven, +"I will listen to your words."</p> + +<p>At daylight they searched the plain for +signs of the Pawnees. When they failed to +discover them, they separated and reconnoitered +in different directions. It was not long +until White Otter found the fresh tracks of +the Pawnee ponies. He immediately called Little +Raven, and they hurried away on the trail.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps some scouts are watching," suggested +White Otter. "We must look sharp."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we will keep watching ahead," replied +Little Raven.<span class="pagenum">[255]</span></p> + +<p>The day was more than half gone before they +saw anything to awaken their suspicions. Then +they suddenly discovered that the trail divided +into three distinct branches. The main trail +continued toward the south, another trail +turned abruptly toward the west, and a third +trail swerved toward the east. White Otter +regarded them in dismay. He instantly recognized +the unexpected maneuver as a wily bit +of stratagem to confuse the Sioux war party. +It was evident that the crafty Pawnees feared +pursuit, and hoped in this manner to throw +their enemies from their trail. However, it was +also possible that they hoped to induce the +Sioux force to separate into smaller companies +to follow them. Then they might suddenly +unite, and attack one of the weakened commands. +But whatever was the reason for the +ruse, it completely bewildered the anxious +young Ogalala.</p> + +<p>"This thing fills my heart with clouds," he +told Little Raven. "I do not know about it. +The Wolf People have fooled us. It is bad. +I do not know what to do."</p> + +<p>Little Raven remained silent. He realized<span class="pagenum">[256]</span> +that in such a predicament he must submit to +the greater experience of White Otter. The +loyal Minneconjoux had implicit confidence in +the ability of his friend. He believed that the +sharp-witted Ogalala would eventually think of +a way to overcome the difficulty. Many moments +passed while they sat quietly on their +ponies, gazing gloomily at the confusing trails. +Then White Otter determined on a plan of action.</p> + +<p>"There is only one thing to do," he said. +"We must find out if these trails go far. You +must go one way and I will go another way. +Perhaps we will come together. But if these +trails do not turn before the sun goes away, +then we will come back here and talk about +it. Perhaps the Pawnees are watching to see +someone do this thing. I will tell you to be +very cautious."</p> + +<p>"I will use my eyes," Little Raven promised.</p> + +<p>A moment later they separated. White Otter +followed the trail toward the west, and +Little Raven turned toward the east. They +rode until sunset, and then, as the tracks<span class="pagenum">[257]</span> +showed no signs of turning to join the original +trail toward the south, the discouraged young +scouts returned to the place where they had +parted. It was dark when they finally met.</p> + +<p>"My brother, I must tell you something bad," +White Otter said, disconsolately. "That trail +does not turn around. There is only one thing +to do. I must follow it."</p> + +<p>"White Otter, I must tell you that I saw the +same thing," replied Little Raven. "I went +a long way but those tracks went straight +ahead. When the sun went away I thought +about your words. Then I turned around and +came here. Now you must tell me how to do +this thing."</p> + +<p>For some moments White Otter remained silent. +It was evident that the baffling maneuver +of his foes had greatly upset him. He knew +that it meant a delay, and he realized that each +lost moment weakened his chance of saving the +Ogalala prisoners. Still, he knew that it would +be fatal to give way to his fears.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I will tell you how to do this thing," +he assured Little Raven. "We must wait here +until it is light. Then we will go different ways.<span class="pagenum">[258]</span> +We will follow those trails and find out where +they go. If they come back to this straight trail, +then we will leave three stones in three tracks. +That will tell us that we are both on that trail. +If I find those stones, I will keep going until +I come up with you. If you find those stones, +then you must keep going until you find me. I +have finished."</p> + +<p>"My brother, I have listened to your words—now +I know what to do," said Little Raven. +"But I must tell you that I am heavy in my +heart. Perhaps we will not see each other +again. Perhaps the Pawnees will kill us. Well, +I will not think about it."</p> + +<p>"You are a warrior," White Otter reminded +him. "A warrior wipes those things from his +heart."</p> + +<p>Fearing that Pawnee scouts might follow the +trail back under cover of the night, to learn if +they were followed, the wily young Sioux made +a long detour and camped farther to the west. +They muzzled and picketed the ponies, and took +turns watching until the faint gray streak in +the east finally ended their suspense.</p> + +<p>"Now we must go away," White Otter said<span class="pagenum">[259]</span> +soberly. "Little Raven, you are my brother. +You are very brave. You are going to do a +hard thing. Perhaps you will be killed. I will +take your hand."</p> + +<p>"White Otter, you have called me your +brother—it is true," replied Little Raven. +"Yes, we are going away from each other. +Perhaps we will never meet again. Well, I will +do the best I can. Now I will take your hand."</p> + +<p>They stood a moment, silently clasping hands. +Then they mounted their ponies and rode +away. The eastern sky was tinged with gray, +but the plain was still dark. They rode rapidly +toward the place where each had abandoned +his search the day before.</p> + +<p>Darkness had already given way to daylight +when White Otter reached the grassy swale +where he had ended his reconnoissance the +previous day. He immediately set out on the +trail, riding slowly, and keeping a sharp watch +for Pawnee scouts. There was constant peril +of running into an ambush, and, wherever the +plain offered suitable concealment for his foes, +he made a wide detour, and kept safely out +of arrow-range. As the trail continued di<span class="pagenum">[260]</span>rectly toward the west, he feared that this company +of Pawnees were actually from another +village. The possibility caused him much concern. +He realized that once the main force of +his foes divided into different bands, it might +be necessary to visit each camp before he could +locate his tribesmen. In that event he felt +certain that his efforts would be useless, as he +had little doubt that Wolf Robe and Yellow +Horse would have already met their fate before +he could even find them. Therefore, the anxious +lad rode along with a heavy heart, and +a mind filled with all sorts of disquieting misgivings.</p> + +<p>The day was far advanced when he finally +learned that his long detour had been in vain. +The trail suddenly ended in an intricate maze +of tracks, which scattered in all directions. As +White Otter realized how easily he had fallen +into the wily trap that had been set for him, +a great rage entered his heart, and his eyes +flashed threateningly. He knew at once that +the Pawnees had simply separated temporarily +to delay their pursuers. Having lured them a +day's journey from the real trail, they had<span class="pagenum">[261]</span> +scattered and gone to join the main command. +White Otter saw it all plainly enough now, +but he feared that the trick had already +achieved its purpose. He believed that the delay +would prove fatal to Wolf Robe and Yellow +Horse.</p> + +<p>For a moment the discouraged Ogalala lost +heart. It seemed mere folly to continue in the +face of the unexpected difficulties that beset +him. Still, he banished all idea of turning +back. He had given his word to his grandmother, +and even if he could not save Wolf +Robe, he was determined to rush into the Pawnee +village and avenge him. The frantic appeals +of old Singing Wind rang in his ears, +and the memory of her grief restored his confidence. +He told himself that he might still +save the Ogalala war chief. The possibility +drove him to action. Wheeling his pony, he +raced madly toward the east.</p> + +<p>White Otter knew that there were two things +to do. The first was to return to the main trail +of the Pawnees and leave a sign to warn the +Sioux war party from repeating his blunder. +The second was to find Little Raven. He felt<span class="pagenum">[262]</span> +sure that the false trail which the Minneconjoux +had followed would either end in a hopeless +tangle of tracks, or eventually return to +the original trail. Therefore, he hoped to find +Little Raven somewhere along the route taken +by the main company of Pawnees.</p> + +<p>It was almost dark when White Otter again +returned to the place where the false trails +began. His heart burned with anger as he realized +the time he had lost, each precious moment +a link in the chain that was dragging Wolf +Robe and Yellow Horse to their doom. Still, +he hoped that in spite of the delay he might +yet arrive at the Pawnee village in time to +aid his tribesmen. It was barely possible that +the Pawnees might spare the captives for several +days, and White Otter strengthened his +confidence with the thought.</p> + +<p>Aware that there was not an instant to lose, +he proceeded to leave a warning for the war +party. Riding to a little patch of willows, he +selected a long, slender branch, and peeled the +bark from one end. Then he stuck it in one +of the hoof-prints, with the peeled end pointing +in the direction of the Pawnee village. Next,<span class="pagenum">[263]</span> +he placed a barrier of small stones across each +of the false trails. Then he mounted his pony +and galloped along the original trail.</p> + +<p>When night finally closed down, White Otter +dismounted to follow the tracks of the Pawnee +ponies. He moved slowly forward, listening +and watching for some evidence of Little Raven. +As time passed and he failed to find him +he began to worry. He wondered whether the +fearless lad had fallen into the hands of the +Wolf People. He tried to reassure himself +with the possibility that the trail toward the +east had actually continued to another camp.</p> + +<p>Then a sound came out of the night, a short +distance ahead of him, and he instantly drew +his pony from the trail, and prepared his bow. +As he listened the noise was repeated, and +he recognized it as the attempt of a muzzled +pony to call to one of its kind. His own horse +tried to reply, but he instantly grasped its nostrils +and smothered it with a heavy fold of +buckskin. Then he imitated the bark of the +little gray fox. In a few moments he received +a crude reply. He knew at once that it came +from Little Raven.<span class="pagenum">[264]</span></p> + +<p>"Ho, my brother, I see that you have come +back; it is good," White Otter called softly.</p> + +<p>"My ears tell me that you are my brother, +White Otter," replied Little Raven.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward they met. Little Raven +said that the tracks which he had followed +had rejoined the main trail at that very spot. +He declared that he had seen nothing but antelope +and buffaloes and some stray prairie +wolves.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they were Pawnee scouts," White +Otter suggested.</p> + +<p>"No, I came close to those animals, and I +know that they were wolves," Little Raven assured +him.</p> + +<p>"Well, now we know about this thing," said +the Ogalala, "we must go on. Perhaps the +Pawnees have reached their camp. Perhaps +they have sent Wolf Robe and Yellow Horse +on the Long Trail. But we must not wait. +Now I will go to that village and do the thing +I have set out to do. If my grandfather is not +there, then I will rush into the camp and throw +myself away. But I will kill many Pawnees +before I die. My brother, this is how it is in<span class="pagenum">[265]</span> +my heart to do. If you feel different, then you +must turn back. I have finished."</p> + +<p>"My brother, you have spoken brave words," +declared Little Raven. "But I must tell you +that I will not turn around. Perhaps we will +help Wolf Robe and Yellow Horse. But if +they have been sent away, then I will go into +the camp to die with you. This is how the thing +is in my heart."</p> + +<p>"You are as brave as your brother, Sun +Bird," said White Otter. "If you come out of +this thing, you will be a great warrior. Yes, I +will tell all the Dacotahs about you. Now we +will go."</p> + +<p>As they cantered boldly forward into the +night, the long, dismal wail of the prairie wolf +sounded some distance away toward the west. +White Otter instantly stopped his pony to +listen. In a few moments an answer came from +the east. The calls were so perfect, however, +that the keen ears of the Ogalala could find +no reason to suspect them. Still, he was suspicious. +He was unable to overcome a disturbing +premonition that had worried him throughout +the day; he felt almost certain that both<span class="pagenum">[266]</span> +Little Raven and he had been watched by Pawnee +scouts.</p> + +<p>"I believe that the Pawnees are telling about +us," White Otter whispered, uneasily.</p> + +<p>"Do your ears tell you that?" inquired Little +Raven.</p> + +<p>"No, my ears tell me that it is the cry of +the wolf, but my heart tells me a different +thing," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>They waited some moments longer, but the +calls were not repeated. Then the two daring +young scouts resumed their perilous advance +through the darkness. They had not +gone far, however, when the lonely cry in the +west was repeated. This time they did not stop, +but listened anxiously as they cantered along. +There was no answer from the east, and Little +Raven felt somewhat reassured.</p> + +<p>"I believe it is a wolf," he told White Otter.</p> + +<p>The Ogalala made no reply.</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art31.png" alt="art31" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art32.png" alt="art32" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVII +</h2> + +<p class="h3">A PEEP INTO THE PAWNEE CAMP</p> + +<p class="dropcap">THE lads rode continuously throughout the +night, guiding themselves by the stars, +and traveling toward the south. At dawn they +again found the tracks of the Pawnee ponies. +However, they feared to follow the trail in +daylight. They had little doubt that alert +Pawnee scouts had been stationed on the ridges +to watch for the Sioux war party. There +seemed nothing to do, therefore, but to spend +the day in concealment, until darkness again +made it safe to venture forward in search of +the Pawnee camp. It meant another perilous +delay, and White Otter's heart sank at the +thought of the possible consequences. Still, he +knew that it would be foolhardy to risk being +seen by hostile scouts. He felt sure that such +an unfortunate mishap would destroy the last +chance of the prisoners whom he wished to +save.<span class="pagenum">[268]</span></p> + +<p>"Yes, we must wait here until it is dark," +he told Little Raven. "It is bad. But I believe +it is the only thing to do. If we go ahead, +perhaps the Pawnees will see us. Then they +will know what we are trying to do. It is +enough. They will kill Wolf Robe and Yellow +Horse. They must not know about us. +We will wait here. Now we must look around +for a good place to hide in."</p> + +<p>"Well, if that is how the thing is in your +heart, then we must do it," replied Little +Raven.</p> + +<p>The plain was still shrouded in the dim, +misty half-light of dawn, and they had little +fear of being seen. Riding a short distance +west of the Pawnee trail, they came upon the +dry rocky bed of a stream. As it was considerably +below the level of the plain, it offered +an ideal place of concealment. Furthermore, it +led away in a general southerly direction, and +the eager young scouts hoped that by following +it they might eventually come within sight +of the Pawnee camp.</p> + +<p>Once in the bottom of the ravine, the Sioux +immediately set out along the tortuous, rocky<span class="pagenum">[269]</span> +stream-bed. As daylight strengthened, White +Otter crept up the bank to reconnoiter. A long, +undulating sweep of the plain obstructed his +view toward the south, but in every other direction +he saw to the horizon. The ground was +open and bare of cover, and he discovered nothing +to awaken his suspicions. The south, however, +was still a mystery. The low ridge that +barred his vision suggested many alarming possibilities, +and White Otter regarded it with +much distrust. He saw that the stream-bed +apparently cut through it, in a deep ravine, +farther to the west. It looked like an ideal +spot for an ambush. He wondered whether +Pawnee sentinels were concealed at that perilous +pass. Then, having learned all that it was +possible to know for the moment, the Ogalala +descended into the gully to join his companion.</p> + +<p>"Well, I have looked around and I will tell +you about it," he told Little Raven. "I did +not see any Pawnees. No, on both sides, and +back there where we came from, I saw everything. +There is no place to hide, and there is +nothing to harm us. But ahead of us it is +different. Yes, that way I saw a ridge. Per<span class="pagenum">[270]</span>haps some scouts are watching there. Perhaps +the Pawnee camp is behind it. I do not +know about it. But I will tell you that this +gully goes through it. Yes, over there I saw +the place where it crawls through. I believe +we will be in great danger if we go over there +before it is dark. But if we wait, perhaps it +will be too late to help Wolf Robe. Yes, I am +going ahead to find out about this thing. +When we come near that place I will ask you +to stay behind with the ponies. Then I will +crawl ahead as easy as the fox. I believe it +is the only thing to do."</p> + +<p>"I will listen to your words," agreed Little +Raven.</p> + +<p>They advanced cautiously along the dry watercourse +until it made an abrupt turn toward +the west. Then White Otter again crawled carefully +to the top of the bank. He saw that the +bed of the stream continued still farther toward +the west, and then turned sharply toward the +ravine that cut through the ridge. He believed, +therefore, that it would be perilous to take the +ponies any farther until he had made a thorough +reconnoissance.<span class="pagenum">[271]</span></p> + +<p>As White Otter was about to descend into +the ravine to announce his plan to Little Raven, +his sharp eyes discovered something +against the sky, above the crest of the ridge. +For several moments he was unable to convince +himself that he had actually seen it, and +he watched anxiously to learn whether his eyes +had played him a trick. Then he saw it again, +more distinctly than before, and his heart beat +wildly. It was smoke. Aware that he was +within a short distance of the great Pawnee +camp, White Otter scrambled frantically down +the rocky bank of the ravine to tell Little Raven +of his discovery.</p> + +<p>"My brother, my eyes have found a great +thing!" he cried, excitedly. "Yes, I saw +smoke rising behind that ridge. We are close +to the great Pawnee village. We must be very +cautious. I believe it would be foolish to go +any nearer before it is dark. We will wait here +and watch. Then, when it is dark, I will go +ahead. I will crawl through that ravine, and +try to get near the camp. Perhaps I will find +out about Wolf Robe and Yellow Horse. Now +I am going to crawl up there to watch."<span class="pagenum">[272]</span></p> + +<p>"White Otter, I have listened to your words," +replied Little Raven. "You have told how you +will do this thing. Well, I must tell you that I +will go with you. If you do not find your people, +then you will rush into the camp to die. I +will not stay behind. No, I have told what I +will do. I must go through with it. I have +spoken."</p> + +<p>"What you say is true," declared White Otter. +"I will not keep you from doing what you +have set out to do. But first I must find out +about this thing. I will tell you that if I do +not see my people in that camp, then I will come +back. Yes, I will tell you what I am going to +do. If you feel like going into the camp to die +with me, then you must do it. But perhaps I +will find my people. You must wait here until +I know about it. I am the son of Standing +Buffalo, and I have spoken."</p> + +<p>"You say that you will come back here," replied +Little Raven. "It is enough. I will wait. +But I must tell you something different. Perhaps +the Pawnees will come here and find us +before it is dark."</p> + +<p>"When the fox hides, it is hard to find him,"<span class="pagenum">[273]</span> +declared White Otter. "We will be very cautious."</p> + +<p>Although the lads watched steadily until +night-fall, they failed to see anything of their +enemies. However, they had little doubt that +a number of Pawnee scouts were concealed +along the summit of the ridge. The possibility +made them extremely wary, and they waited +until the last ray of light had faded from the +plain before they ventured to advance. Then, +when they reached the sharp turn toward the +south, White Otter left his pony with Little +Raven, and disappeared into the night.</p> + +<p>The young Ogalala moved cautiously along +the rocky bed of the stream, with the swift, +noiseless tread of a panther. He advanced until +he saw the sharp, clear-cut edge of the ravine +showing against the sky. Then he stopped. +For some moments he crouched in the shadow +of the bank, listening for some warning of his +foes. The stillness failed to quiet his suspicions. +He felt sure that the narrow pass was +guarded by keen-eared sentinels. He feared it. +For a moment or so he was undecided just how +to proceed. Then he made his decision, and<span class="pagenum">[274]</span> +climbed noiselessly up the side of the gully.</p> + +<p>Once on the plain, White Otter made a short +detour toward the east. Then, when he was several +arrow-flights from the stream, he turned +directly toward the ridge. As he came within +bow-shot of it, he again stopped to listen. +Hearing nothing to arouse his fears, he advanced +through the darkness as quietly as a +shadow. He reached the low, grassy slope in +safety, and crawled cautiously to the summit. +As he peered carefully over the crest of the +ridge, he saw the fires twinkling in the great +Pawnee camp. It was scarcely more than a +bow-shot away, and the anxious Ogalala fairly +trembled with eagerness.</p> + +<p>Fearing that a moment's delay might prove +fatal, White Otter crept slowly over the summit +of the ridge, and descended to the level +plain on the other side. Then he hurried toward +the Pawnee village. As he neared the +edge of the camp, he sank to his hands and +knees, and crawled forward with the stealth and +caution of a lynx. He advanced to the very +border of the village. Then he concealed himself +in the heavy shadows from the lodges, and<span class="pagenum">[275]</span> +peered anxiously into the camp. It was brightly +illuminated by a number of great fires, and +White Otter was able to study his foes at close +range. The entire tribe seemed to be assembled, +and he believed that the people were discussing +something of importance. Then, as his +eyes traveled swiftly over the great company of +warriors, he started, and almost cried out in his +excitement. With the Pawnees were Wolf Robe +and Yellow Horse. Both were securely bound, +and closely guarded, but neither seemed to have +been harmed. White Otter looked upon them +with amazement. His great joy bewildered him. +He had approached the camp with little hope of +finding them alive. Now, as he saw them apparently +uninjured, he could scarcely believe his +eyes. He wondered why the Pawnees had +spared them. However, he lost little time attempting +to solve the riddle. His one thought +was how he might take advantage of the temporary +respite that had been granted to his tribesmen.</p> + +<p>White Otter was soon convinced that no matter +what the final fate of the prisoners might +be, they were to be spared for the night at<span class="pagenum">[276]</span> +least. The thought filled him with hope. If +the Pawnees would only wait until the following +night, he believed he could save the captives. +He felt sure that by that time the great +Sioux war party would be within striking distance +of the camp, and he believed they would +surprise and completely overwhelm their foes. +Still, he knew that unless he could think of a +way to protect the helpless prisoners, the Pawnees +would kill them at the first warning +of an attack. He waited, therefore, until he +saw Wolf Robe and Yellow Horse taken to +one of the lodges. Then he withdrew from the +camp, and made his perilous return to Little +Raven.</p> + +<p>"My brother, my heart is filled with the songs +of birds," White Otter cried, joyously, as he +finally rejoined the loyal Minneconjoux. "Yes, +I have seen my grandfather, the great chief, +Wolf Robe, and Yellow Horse, the wonderful +medicine-man. They are alive in the Pawnee +camp. I watched until I saw them taken into +a lodge. Then the camp quieted down. Now I +know where they are. I do not believe that the +Pawnees will kill them before another sun goes<span class="pagenum">[277]</span> +by. I believe we will get them out of that +camp."</p> + +<p>"Your words have filled my heart with sunshine," +declared Little Raven. "You have done +a good thing. I believe we will take your people +out of that camp. But I must tell you another +thing. After you went away, I heard +something. I listened a long time. Then I +heard someone coming. I tried to lead away +the ponies. But someone was right behind +me. Pretty soon I heard two people talking. +They were speaking Sioux words. Then my +heart was glad. I called out and told them my +name. Pretty soon Short Bear and two Uncapapas +came here. Yes, the great war party +is back there on the plain. The Uncapapas +have gone away to tell about us, but Short Bear +will take us to Curly Horse."</p> + +<p>"Where is Short Bear?" inquired the Ogalala.</p> + +<p>"I am here, my brother," replied the famous +Minneconjoux, as he suddenly appeared out of +the night.</p> + +<p>"It is good. We will go," said White Otter.</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art33.png" alt="art33" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art34.png" alt="art34" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVIII +</h2> + +<p class="h3">A DARING ATTEMPT</p> + +<p class="dropcap">THE night was almost gone when Short +Bear and his companions finally reached +the great company of Sioux warriors. They +were concealed behind a high ridge, about half +a day's journey from the Pawnee camp. White +Otter found that Spotted Bear and a strong +force of Ogalalas had joined the war party. +The lads went directly to Curly Horse, and told +him what they had learned. When the Ogalalas +heard that their two famous tribesmen +were still alive, they were beside themselves +with excitement. Some of the more impulsive +warriors wished to attack the Pawnees at once, +but the war chiefs and the older men advised +them to wait.</p> + +<p>"Men of the Dacotah nation, you have heard +good words," said Curly Horse. "Yes, White +Otter has found his people in the Pawnee camp.<span class="pagenum">[279]</span> +It is good. We must try to get them away. I +will tell you the best way to do this thing. +Pretty soon it will be light. Well, it would be +foolish to go ahead when the Pawnees can see +us. Then the scouts would ride into the village, +and tell about us. If the Wolf People see us +coming to fight them, I believe they will kill +those two brave Ogalalas. No, we must not let +them see us. We will wait here until another +sun passes. But we will send out scouts to +watch. Then, when it is dark again, I will send +some brave men to crawl into the camp. They +must go to the edge of the village, and wait. +Then this great war party will go ahead. When +we come near the lodges, we will rush forward. +When we make our great war cry, then those +men at the edge of the village must run into +the camp, and save the Ogalalas. I believe it +is the best way to do this thing. But I will ask +my brother, the great chief, Laughing Bird, to +talk about it. Yes, I will listen to the words of +the brave Ogalala leader, Spotted Bear. I have +finished."</p> + +<p>"Dacotahs, you have listened to a great +man," declared Laughing Bird. "What Curly<span class="pagenum">[280]</span> +Horse says is true. He is a good leader. Yes, +I know that he has been in many battles. I believe +he has told the best way to get our brothers +out of that camp. I will not say anything different. +I have spoken."</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I am an Ogalala," said +Spotted Bear. "Our great chief, Wolf Robe, +and Yellow Horse, the great medicine-man, are +in that camp. I have come here to help them. +I am the leader of my people in this fight, but +I am not a great chief. No, many of our great +men have been killed. That is how I was made +the leader. I have fought in many battles. But +I will listen to the words of those great chiefs +who have just talked. I believe that they have +told the best way to do this thing. No, I will +not say anything against it. I have finished."</p> + +<p>The plan suggested by the Minneconjoux +chief was quickly adopted, and Curly Horse immediately +called a council of the principal men +in each tribe, to work out the final details of +the attack against the Pawnee camp. When +they finally completed their task day had already +dawned.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I will tell you what we have<span class="pagenum">[281]</span> +decided to do," declared Curly Horse. "First, +we will send scouts to watch the Pawnees. Then +we will wait here until it is dark. When it is +dark, I will ask Spotted Bear to send some of +his people into that camp. Then this great +war party will separate. Laughing Bird and +his warriors will go on one side of the camp. I +will lead the Minneconjoux in the center. +Spotted Bear and the Ogalalas will come up on +the other side. We will ride ahead until we +find the Pawnee scouts. Then we will rush into +the village. I have told you how we must do +this thing."</p> + +<p>When he had finished speaking, Curly Horse +selected a number of warriors to act as scouts. +These men, most of whom were Minneconjoux, +immediately mounted their ponies and galloped +away to watch the Pawnee camp. Then +the great host of Sioux fighting men picketed +their ponies, and threw themselves upon the +plain to rest until the time for attacking the +hostile camp arrived.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Spotted Bear had made +White Otter the leader of the gallant little +company who were to invade the Pawnee vil<span class="pagenum">[282]</span>lage in an attempt to save the Ogalala prisoners. +It was a great honor, and the fearless +young warrior determined to justify the confidence +reposed in him. He chose three famous +Ogalala warriors to accompany him; they were +Little Wolf, High Eagle and Black Moccasin. +Besides, he asked Sun Bird and Little Raven.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my brother, I will go with you," declared +Sun Bird. "It is a great thing to do. +If I come out of this fight, I will have something +good to talk about."</p> + +<p>"You have asked me to go with you to do a +great thing," said Little Raven. "That makes +me feel very brave. I will do the best I can."</p> + +<p>The Sioux waited impatiently while the tedious +day dragged slowly along. The scouts returned +at frequent intervals, and reported about +their foes. They said that the Pawnees had +stationed watchers on all the ridges in the vicinity +of the camp. It was evident, however, that +they thought it quite unnecessary to send riders +farther out on the plain to reconnoiter beyond +sight of the sentinels. The Dacotahs hoped, +therefore, that failing to see anything to rouse +their suspicions, the Pawnees might somewhat<span class="pagenum">[283]</span> +relax their vigilance and make it easier for +the little company of Ogalalas to enter the +camp.</p> + +<p>As twilight finally gathered upon the plain, +Curly Horse sent for White Otter and the warriors +who were to accompany him in his perilous +undertaking. They found the stern Minneconjoux +war chief and Laughing Bird waiting to +receive them.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I have called you here to tell +you what is in my heart," said Curly Horse, as +the Ogalalas stood before him. "Pretty soon +you are going ahead to do a hard thing. You +will be in great danger. White Otter, you are +the leader. You are a young man. It is true +that you have done some great things. But I +have seen many more winters. Yes, I have been +in many more battles. You must listen to my +words."</p> + +<p>"When the great chief, Curly Horse, speaks, +my ears are open," replied the young Ogalala.</p> + +<p>"It is good," resumed Curly Horse. "Now +I will tell you what to do. If you live to get +to the edge of that camp, you must wait there +until you hear the great Dacotah war cry.<span class="pagenum">[284]</span> +When you hear that, you must rush into the +camp. After that you must do whatever comes +into your heart. If you get your people away, +then you must keep shouting, so that we will +not kill you. Yes, we will be right up to the +camp. Then we will go in and take some +ponies. I believe it will be a great fight. Now +I have told you all I know about it."</p> + +<p>"Curly Horse, I will keep your words in my +heart," White Otter assured the Minneconjoux +chief. "I see that the great chief, Laughing +Bird, is standing beside you. Well, I will ask +him if he has any words."</p> + +<p>"My young brother, I am not the leader of +this great war party," replied Laughing Bird. +"Curly Horse has told you what to do. It is +enough. But I will tell you that if you do this +thing, it will be something to talk about. You +are standing here with those brave men who +are going with you. I see that two of them are +very young. It makes me feel sad. Perhaps +I will never see any of you again. I see that +four of you are Ogalalas, and two of you are +Minneconjoux. I am an Uncapapa, but you all +are my brothers. Yes, we are Dacotahs. The<span class="pagenum">[285]</span> +Dacotahs have hearts like the bear. It is good. +Go. I have finished."</p> + +<p>Soon afterward White Otter and his gallant +little company rode away to risk their lives in +the desperate attempt to save the Ogalala captives. +Night had fallen upon the plain, and +they had little fear of being discovered before +they actually neared the Pawnee camp. Still, +they determined to take every precaution, for +they fully realized the heavy responsibility that +rested upon them. White Otter and Sun Bird +each led an extra war pony, for the use of +Wolf Robe and Yellow Horse. They had gone +some distance when they were suddenly stopped +by the sharp bark of the little gray fox.</p> + +<p>"It is a Sioux," said White Otter.</p> + +<p>After he had repeated the signal three times, +they heard the slow, measured hoof-beats of a +walking pony. A few moments afterward a +Minneconjoux scout appeared out of the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Ho, my brother, Big Weasel," said Sun +Bird. "You have the ears of a fox."</p> + +<p>"Ho, my brothers," replied the Minneconjoux. +"I see that you are going ahead to do<span class="pagenum">[286]</span> +something. Well, I will tell you that there are +Pawnee scouts watching on the ridges near the +village. Now I will ask you what you are going +to do."</p> + +<p>"We are going into that camp, to help Wolf +Robe and Yellow Horse," White Otter told him. +"Yes, we will wait near the lodges until we hear +the great war cry of our people. Then we will +rush ahead to keep the Pawnees from killing +our brothers."</p> + +<p>"Well, it is a brave thing to do, but I believe +you will be killed," declared Big Weasel.</p> + +<p>"We are Ogalalas," boasted High Eagle. +"Wolf Robe is our chief. Is a Dacotah afraid +to die for his chief?"</p> + +<p>Then Big Weasel left them, and they continued +their perilous journey toward the south. +They had gone but a short distance, however, +when they heard the Minneconjoux imitate the +bark of the prairie fox six times in rapid succession. +They knew at once that he was advising +his companions, in other parts of the plain, that +a company of six Sioux were passing.</p> + +<p>When White Otter finally came upon the dry +stream-bed where he and Little Raven had con<span class="pagenum">[287]</span>cealed themselves, he warned his companions +that they were nearing the ridge that hid the +camp. They advanced with great caution until +they came within sight of the long slope itself. +Then they stopped, and, after they had muzzled +the ponies, the young Ogalala issued his instructions.</p> + +<p>"The great Pawnee camp is behind that +ridge," he said, softly. "Our people are in +that camp. We have come here to help them. +Now I will tell you how to do it. First, I will +ask my brother, Little Wolf, and my brother, +Black Moccasin, to wait here with the ponies. +Then I will lead Sun Bird, and Little Raven, +and High Eagle to the edge of the camp. I believe +that Little Wolf and Black Moccasin would +like to go with us. Well, I will tell you that +someone must be ready to help us with the +ponies. When you hear us make the long howl +of the big gray wolf, then you must rush ahead +with the ponies until you find us. If you do +not do this thing, then we will surely be killed. +I have finished."</p> + +<p>"My brother, it is true that I would like to +go with you," declared Little Wolf, striving<span class="pagenum">[288]</span> +to conceal his bitter disappointment. "But I +know that you have told us the best way to do. +Yes, I know that we will have a hard thing to +do. I believe that we will get into the fight. +Well, I will wait here with the ponies."</p> + +<p>"White Otter, I have listened to your words. +You are the leader. I will do as you say," said +Black Moccasin.</p> + +<p>"It is good," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>Then the four daring scouts who intended to +enter the camp surrendered their ponies to Little +Wolf and Black Moccasin, and advanced +fearlessly into the darkness on foot. They +knew that each stride forward was placing them +in greater peril, and the thought made them +as wary as deer. White Otter led, and the +others followed in his cautious footsteps. He +knew that hostile scouts were on guard along +the summit of the ridge, and he realized the +difficulty of crawling between them without being +discovered. Therefore, when he finally came +within bow-shot of the low slope that caused +him so much uneasiness, he asked his companions +to wait while he crawled forward to investigate.<span class="pagenum">[289]</span></p> + +<p>He was gone a long time, and his three anxious +comrades were growing impatient when he +finally returned. He told them that he had actually +crawled to the top of the ridge, and looked +upon the flickering Pawnee fires. Then he asked +them to follow him.</p> + +<p>When they arrived at the foot of the slope, +they stopped and spent some time listening anxiously. +As they heard nothing to furnish them +with a clew to the whereabouts of their foes, +they saw no reason for further delay. Dropping +to their hands and knees, they followed +White Otter up the ridge. Just as they reached +the top, however, they heard someone talking +a few bow-lengths to the west of them.</p> + +<p>Warned by a low hiss from White Otter, the +alarmed Sioux prepared their weapons, and began +to wriggle slowly down the south side of the +ridge. They feared to move rapidly, for they +knew that careless haste would be almost sure +to betray them to their enemies. Their one +hope was to get far enough down the slope +to avoid being seen if the speakers should advance +in their direction. But it soon was evident +that the Pawnees were moving in the op<span class="pagenum">[290]</span>posite direction. The Sioux' hearts filled with +relief at the thought. Still, they knew that the +danger had not passed. A dislodged bowlder or +the tell-tale rattle of sliding gravel would be +quite sure to reach the sharp ears of the suspicious +sentinels who had just passed. Therefore, +they continued down the ridge with the +greatest caution, feeling carefully with their +hands and feet before they attempted to move +their bodies.</p> + +<p>Once at the base of the slope, they lost little +time in advancing toward the camp. As they +eventually crept within bow-shot of the lodges, +White Otter again asked them to wait, while +he went forward to reconnoiter. It was not +long before he returned, and told them that the +Pawnees were holding an important council.</p> + +<p>"I believe that they are talking about Wolf +Robe and Yellow Horse," he said.</p> + +<p>"Did you see our people?" High Eagle asked +anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No, I did not see them," replied White Otter. +"But my heart tells me that they are +alive."</p> + +<p>Then he led the way toward the hostile camp.<span class="pagenum">[291]</span> +They crept cautiously forward, one behind the +other, keeping in the heavy shadows, and moving +toward the spot from which White Otter +had made his reconnoissance. It was a low, +bushy knoll within leaping distance of the edge +of the village. When they finally reached it, +they sank to the ground and peered eagerly into +the camp.</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art35.png" alt="art35" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art36.png" alt="art36" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIX +</h2> + +<p class="h3">A SPLENDID VICTORY</p> + +<p class="dropcap">THE Sioux watched the Pawnees with +breathless interest. The intense emotion +of the speakers, and the apparent excitement +of the audience, soon convinced them that the +entire tribe was on the verge of an hysterical +outburst. The anxious scouts at the edge of the +camp had little doubt that the fate of the unfortunate +captives was the topic of discussion. +The prisoners themselves were nowhere in +sight. However, White Otter pointed out the +lodge into which they had been taken the previous +night. The Sioux looked upon it with longing +eyes. The same thought was in the mind +of each. Still, they knew that it would be impossible +to reach the shelter without being seen. +It was located some distance from the outside +of the village, and the brilliant light from the +fires illuminated every inch of the ground about<span class="pagenum">[293]</span> +it. They realized, therefore, that for the moment, +at least, there was nothing to do but to +wait.</p> + +<p>"I know that man," whispered Little Raven, +as a new speaker rose to address the people. +"Yes, he is Yellow Cloud. He is the great war +chief of all the Pawnees."</p> + +<p>The Sioux saw a tall, broad-shouldered warrior +of wonderful physique. He wore a trailing +head-dress of eagle plumes, and carried a beautiful +robe of the white buffalo. His appearance +and manner marked him as a man of great distinction. +As he began to talk, the Pawnees listened +with an eager attention that promised +ready obedience to his commands. The Sioux +regretted that they were not nearer to him, for +Little Raven had been a prisoner of the Pawnees, +and was familiar with their dialect. They +watched the chief with great anxiety, hoping to +gain a clew to his thoughts.</p> + +<p>When Yellow Cloud finally ended his harangue, +the Sioux saw that the people had been +greatly impressed. They began to talk earnestly +among themselves, and it seemed as if +most of them endorsed the ideas of their chief.<span class="pagenum">[294]</span> +Then several other warriors spoke, and as the +last rose to his feet, Little Raven seized White +Otter's arm with much agitation.</p> + +<p>"That man is Standing Elk; he is a great +medicine-man!" he whispered, excitedly. "Yes, +I knew him when I was a prisoner in the village +of the great chief, Two Moons. But Two +Moons was killed by our brothers, the brave +Cheyennes. Now I believe that Standing Elk is +a great chief. I will tell you that his people +will listen to his words. His heart is black +against the Dacotahs. I believe he will ask the +Pawnees to kill our people."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they will not kill a great medicine-man +like Yellow Horse," White Otter said, +hopefully.</p> + +<p>The idea had sustained him ever since he had +learned of the plight of his tribesmen. He +knew that even the most bitter enemies often +spared the lives of these powerful men of mystery, +and he had hoped that Yellow Horse's +great gifts of magic would protect Wolf Robe +as well as himself. Now he began to doubt. +Having learned the identity of the warrior who +was apparently working himself into a perfect<span class="pagenum">[295]</span> +frenzy of excitement, the young Ogalala +dreaded the effect on his audience. It was soon +apparent that his words were changing the opinions +of many of the warriors. As he proceeded +with his wild harangue, a number of the +younger men began to call out in approval of +his talk. Their enthusiasm quickly spread to +their companions, and it was not long before the +vengeful medicine-man had injected his own bitterness +and hate into the hearts of his listeners. +The Pawnees were fast losing control of themselves. +It was evident that Standing Elk was +deliberately rousing them into a fury.</p> + +<p>"That man will make it bad for our people," +whispered White Otter, as his eyes flashed dangerously.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is putting fire into the hearts of the +Wolf People," replied Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>The Sioux longed to drive their arrows into +his heart, but they knew that it would only +hasten the death of the men whom they wished +to save. They realized that it would be folly to +act until they learned what the Pawnees really +planned to do with the prisoners. Their one +hope was that Standing Elk's talk would lead to<span class="pagenum">[296]</span> +further discussion, and more delay. The night +was already half gone, and each moment gained +strengthened the chances of Wolf Robe and Yellow +Horse. Therefore, although they saw that +his words were rousing the wrath of the people +to uncontrollable bounds, the Sioux were eager +for him to continue.</p> + +<p>"If that man keeps talking, perhaps we will +get a chance to do what we came here to do," +said Sun Bird. "But if he stops, then I believe +we will have to die with our people."</p> + +<p>"Well, I believe that we will hear the great +Dacotah war cry pretty soon," High Eagle declared, +hopefully.</p> + +<p>Then Standing Elk suddenly ended his talk, +and all hope fled from the hearts of the anxious +watchers at the border of the camp. The people +were carried away with excitement, and the +camp was instantly in a turmoil. A number of +warriors had already begun to dance and sing, +and others quickly joined them. As the excitement +increased, several men rushed toward the +lodge which the Sioux believed contained the +prisoners.</p> + +<p>"Come!" White Otter cried, recklessly. "We<span class="pagenum">[297]</span> +will rush into the camp, and die with our people."</p> + +<p>"Wait," cautioned High Eagle. "Perhaps +we can do something better."</p> + +<p>The next moment proved the wisdom of his +caution, for Yellow Cloud cried out in a tone of +commanding authority, and the warriors who +were about to enter the lodge stopped short at +his challenge. As they turned, the chief beckoned +for them to return, and they obeyed without +a moment's hesitation. Then Yellow Cloud +again addressed the council. He spoke with a +ringing eloquence that compelled instant attention. +The Pawnees listened in respectful silence, +and it was only a few moments before he +had the vast assemblage completely under his +control. The Sioux looked upon him with admiration. +It was a remarkable exhibition of +the influence and power which this great chief +exercised over his people, and the Dacotahs +were much impressed.</p> + +<p>"He is a great man," said Sun Bird.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe that the Pawnees will do what +ever he says," replied White Otter.</p> + +<p>Yellow Cloud did not talk long. He spoke<span class="pagenum">[298]</span> +with an earnestness that carried conviction, +and the Sioux would have given much to know +what he said. However, they read a clew from +the face and manner of Standing Elk, the warlike +medicine-man. He soon made it plain that +the Pawnee chief was talking against him. The +Dacotahs wondered, therefore, whether Yellow +Cloud was actually pleading for the lives of his +captives. It seemed too much to hope, and still +they realized that he might fear to kill a man +possessing the mysterious powers credited to +Yellow Horse. At any rate the Sioux felt quite +sure that he would at least prolong the delay, +and for the moment it satisfied them.</p> + +<p>When the Pawnee chief had finished speaking, +his tribesmen maintained an impressive silence. +As they waited, the warriors turned their +eyes upon the glowering face of the medicine-man, +but Standing Elk made no attempt to resume +his talk. Then Yellow Cloud called several +stalwart warriors, and sent them to the +lodge which apparently sheltered the Ogalalas.</p> + +<p>"Now we must be ready to do something," +White Otter told his companions.</p> + +<p>The lodge into which the Pawnees had disap<span class="pagenum">[299]</span>peared was between the great assemblage of +warriors and the border of the camp, and the +Dacotahs realized that if they would help their +tribesmen they must act while Wolf Robe and +Yellow Horse were being taken from the lodge +to the council-fire. Still, uncertainty as to what +the Pawnees planned to do with the prisoners +made them hesitate. The talk of the Pawnee +war chief had filled them with hope, and yet +the fact that he had actually sent for the captives +had awakened their distrust. They knew +that a word, a look, a gesture might suddenly +rouse the passion of that great company of +warlike people, and bring instant death upon +the helpless prisoners. To delay, therefore, in +the hope that Wolf Robe and Yellow Horse +would survive the interview unharmed, seemed +like abandoning them to their fate. White Otter +and his companions realized that once the +Ogalalas were engulfed in the great throng of +Pawnee fighting men, all attempts to save them +would be futile.</p> + +<p>"No, there is only one thing to do," White +Otter whispered, excitedly, as he watched the +entrance of the lodge. "We have come here to<span class="pagenum">[300]</span> +help our people. When they come out of that +lodge, we must do something. I will give the +bark of the little gray fox. Then Wolf Robe +and Yellow Horse will know that we are here. +Perhaps they will try to help us. But we must +be ready to rush into the camp, and do the best +we can. I have told you what I am going to do. +Now I will ask you to follow me."</p> + +<p>"You are the leader; we will follow you," +Sun Bird said, calmly.</p> + +<p>Aware that the fateful moment was at hand, +the Sioux nerved themselves for the desperate +attempt to rescue the Ogalalas. Each member +of the heroic little band knew that he was probably +going to his death, and still there was not +a trace of fear in the heart of any of them. Fitting +arrows to their bows, they fastened their +attention upon the lodge, and watched anxiously +for the prisoners.</p> + +<p>Their suspense was soon ended, however, for +in a few moments the wolfskin over the entrance +of the lodge was drawn aside, and two +of the three Pawnee guards came out. Then +Wolf Robe appeared, and a moment later Yellow +Horse followed. The third Pawnee brought<span class="pagenum">[301]</span> +up the rear. The Sioux saw that the arms of +the Ogalalas were bound, but their feet were +free. At sight of them the Pawnees began to +shout and jeer, and it was evident that the captives +were in considerable peril of violence. +They walked fearlessly forward, however, accompanied +by their stalwart guards.</p> + +<p>The prisoners had not taken three strides, +when a piercing yell rose through the night, +some distance to the south of the camp. The +next instant the plain reverberated with the +ringing war cry of the Dacotahs and the thunderous +hoofbeats of their ponies.</p> + +<p>"Come!" cried White Otter, as he sprang to +his feet, and drove his arrow through the Pawnee +behind the prisoners.</p> + +<p>Sun Bird and High Eagle had already disabled +the other guards, and, as Wolf Robe and +Yellow Horse seized their opportunity and +dashed behind the nearest lodge, their determined +tribesmen at the edge of the camp covered +their retreat with a deadly volley of arrows. +The captives reached the border of the +village in safety, and were instantly freed from +their bonds by their delighted rescuers.<span class="pagenum">[302]</span></p> + +<p>"Listen, our people are here!" White Otter +cried, delightedly, as the Dacotah battle cry +rang out on all sides of the camp.</p> + +<p>Rushing wildly out on the plain, the little +band of Sioux raised their voices in the thrilling +cry that was striking terror into the hearts of +the demoralized Pawnees. They had not gone +much farther than a bow-shot from the camp, +when they encountered Little Wolf and Black +Moccasin, racing forward in advance of the +war party, with the ponies.</p> + +<p>Once mounted, Wolf Robe and Yellow Horse +dashed away toward the east, to lead their +people in the attack on the Pawnee village. +White Otter followed them, whooping triumphantly, +and with him went Sun Bird and Little +Raven.</p> + +<p>Having been taken entirely unawares, the +Pawnees were thrown into terrific confusion. A +company of them rode recklessly out on the +plain in pursuit of the escaped Ogalalas, and +were soon surrounded and almost annihilated +by a great force of Minneconjoux. The few +who escaped rushed into the camp and told the +people that the plain was actually covered with<span class="pagenum">[303]</span> +Sioux. Then Yellow Cloud rallied his warriors +for the defense of the village.</p> + +<p>"This is the work of that great Sioux medicine-man!" +cried the superstitious Pawnees, as +they heard their foes yelling savagely on all +sides of the camp.</p> + +<p>A few moments later the Sioux made their +attack. Led by their famous war chiefs, each +tribe tried to outdo the others in recklessness +and bravery. They raced their ponies to the +very border of the camp, and quickly fought +their way into the village. Then the panic-stricken +Pawnees fled before them in an effort +to secure the ponies, and escape into the protection +of the night. The Sioux followed close on +their heels, however, and fought with a ferocity +that knew neither fear nor pity. It was +Yellow Horse who overtook Standing Elk, the +Pawnee medicine-man, and killed him in a savage +hand to hand encounter.</p> + +<p>"Come, my brothers, these people have called +us women; now we will show them how to +fight!" cried Wolf Robe, as he led his warriors +into the camp.</p> + +<p>The Sioux were entirely successful, and it<span class="pagenum">[304]</span> +was not long before they found themselves in +possession of the village. Unable to beat back +the furious assault of their foes, the Pawnees +had fled in wild disorder, leaving most of their +ponies and all their lodges in the hands of their +enemies. The Dacotahs pursued them far out +on the plain, inflicting still greater punishment, +and taking many prisoners. Having made their +attack a complete surprise, their own losses +were comparatively light, and they were wild +with joy over their splendid victory.</p> + +<p>"Men of the Dacotah nation," cried Curly +Horse, as the triumphant war party gathered +in the Pawnee camp, "I will tell you that we +have done a great thing. It is something to +tell about. When the next sun comes, we will +start back to our people. We will bring them +many ponies and many prisoners. When our +brothers see what we have done, they will say +some good things about us. Yes, they will sing +about it a long time."</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art37.png" alt="art37" /> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img border="0" src="images/art38.png" alt="art38" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span></p> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XX +</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE CROWN OF EAGLE PLUMES</p> + +<p class="dropcap">SOME days later as the victorious war +party approached the vast Sioux encampment, +where the Ogalalas had joined the Minneconjoux +and the Uncapapas, a great company +of warriors galloped across the plain to meet +them. When they saw Wolf Robe and Yellow +Horse, alive and unharmed, they raced madly +back toward the Ogalala lodges, shouting the +good tidings at the top of their voices.</p> + +<p>"Wolf Robe and Yellow Horse are alive! +Yes, they are coming with the great war +party!" cried the couriers.</p> + +<p>The three camps were soon ringing with the +welcome announcement, and the people were +thrown into a delirium of joy. The warriors +immediately began to beat the war drums, and +sing their boastful songs of victory. The +women, too, shouted and sang, and the entire +nation united in the wild rejoicing.<span class="pagenum">[306]</span></p> + +<p>The war party halted several bow-shots from +the camps, and then Wolf Robe and Yellow +Horse rode toward the Ogalala camp. As they +neared the lodges, the people rushed out on +the plain to welcome them. When old Singing +Wind saw Wolf Robe riding to meet her, she +became delirious from joy.</p> + +<p>"You have come back; it is enough!" she +cried, hysterically, as she ran to meet him. +"White Otter, my son, has kept his word. He +has done what he set out to do."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is a great man," declared Wolf +Robe, as he dismounted to greet Singing Wind.</p> + +<p>Then the entire war party paraded around +the border of the great encampment. It was +a wonderful spectacle, and the Dacotahs realized +that it might never be equalled. It was the +first time that these powerful tribes had combined +in one vast war company, and the oldest +man in the nation could not recall having ever +seen anything like it.</p> + +<p>"Men of the Dacotahs, look at this thing a +long time," cried Rain Crow, the Minneconjoux +medicine-man. "Many winters have passed +over my head, but I have never looked at any<span class="pagenum">[307]</span>thing like this. I do not believe I will ever see +so many great warriors together again. Look, +Dacotahs, and keep this great sight in your +hearts. It is something to talk about as long +as you live."</p> + +<p>The great host of Sioux fighting men circled +slowly around the camp, counting their coups +and singing their war songs. They were led +by the famous chief, Curly Horse, who shared +the honor of the victory with White Otter, whom +he invited to ride beside him. They were followed +by the sub-chiefs and warriors of the +Minneconjoux tribe. Then came Laughing +Bird, and with him rode Little Raven, to whom +the honor had been accorded in recognition of +his courage and loyalty. They were followed +by the great force of Uncapapas, men whose +valor and fearlessness made them the idols of +the Dacotah nation. After them followed Wolf +Robe and Yellow Horse, with Sun Bird riding +between them. Their appearance was the signal +for an enthusiastic demonstration from the +throng of spectators along the border of the +camp. The Ogalala fighting force had been +sadly weakened in the two furious engagements<span class="pagenum">[308]</span> +with, the Pawnees, and many famous warriors +were missing from the company. Still, these +lion-hearted people sang their songs of triumph +with as much spirit as their more fortunate +tribesmen.</p> + +<p>After the Dacotahs had ridden about the +camp, the prisoners and the captured ponies +were taken into the Minneconjoux village. Then +the great company of Sioux warriors rode out +on the plain, and formed in a huge square, with +the three war chiefs and Rain Crow and Yellow +Horse, the medicine-men, in the center. +Rain Crow lighted the sacred pipe and smoked +to the Great Mystery, to the earth, and to each +of the four winds. Then he passed the pipe to +Yellow Horse, who repeated the ceremony, and +passed the pipe to Curly Horse. After each +chief had smoked, the pipe was returned to +Rain Crow, who emptied it, and wrapped it in +the sacred medicine-bundle. Then Curly Horse +addressed the Dacotahs.</p> + +<p>"My people, my heart is filled with brave +thoughts," declared the distinguished warrior, +as he looked proudly upon the great throng of +stern Sioux fighting men. "We have won a<span class="pagenum">[309]</span> +great fight. We have brought back many prisoners +and many ponies. It is a great thing to +tell about. Our people have been very brave. +Yes, those brave Ogalalas and those two brave +Minneconjoux who went to the Pawnee camp +are great warriors. They got those two great +men out of the camp. It was a wonderful thing +to do. It makes me feel strong in my heart. +Well, you will hear about it when we sit together +at the council-fire. Yes, you will hear +about some brave things. We will all camp together +many days, and sing many songs about +this great fight. Now I will ask the great chief, +Laughing Bird, to say something. I have finished."</p> + +<p>"Dacotahs, you have done a great thing," +said Laughing Bird. "I have been in many +battles, but that fight was the greatest of them +all. My people fought very hard. But I must +tell you that the great chief, Curly Horse, is a +good leader. His people did some big things. +Yes, I must tell you that Wolf Robe and his people +were as brave as the bear. But those fearless +warriors who went to the Pawnee camp +were the bravest of all. When I think about it,<span class="pagenum">[310]</span> +I feel good in my heart. I am going to give some +ponies to those brave men before I go away. I +see the great chief, Wolf Robe, with us here. +Well, I will ask him to tell you something."</p> + +<p>The venerable war chief of the Ogalalas was +greeted with shouts of approval as he prepared +to speak. It was some minutes before the noisy +ovation finally subsided. Then Wolf Robe began +to talk.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, you see me sitting on my pony, +and you hear my voice," he said. "Do you +know how I come to be here? Well, I will tell +you about it. My brother, Curly Horse, and +his people came to help me. They were very +brave. My brother, Laughing Bird, and his +people came to help me. They were very brave. +My brother, Spotted Bear, and my people came +to help me. They were very brave. All those +great warriors rode a long way to get me out +of that camp. But I must tell you that White +Otter, and Sun Bird, and Little Raven, and +High Eagle, and Black Moccasin and Little +Wolf were the men who saved my life. Yes, +they came to the edge of the camp, and drove +their arrows through the Pawnees. They made<span class="pagenum">[311]</span> +it easy for us to run out of the village. I am +going to ask those brave men to ride out here +in front of me."</p> + +<p>As the heroic little company rode into the +center of the square to meet the chiefs, they received +a stirring ovation from their tribesmen. +As they lined up before the Ogalala chief, he +turned and spoke a few words with his associates. +Then he asked Yellow Horse to address +the six heroes.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, you have heard some good +words from Wolf Robe," he told them. "Well, +they are true. You have saved my life. You +are very brave. Three of you are young men. +It was a great thing to do. Now I am going +to do something good. I am going to give three +fast ponies to each of you. I have finished."</p> + +<p>"Well, you have heard Yellow Horse," said +Wolf Robe. "Now I am going to tell you +something good. I am going to give Little Raven +ten fast ponies, because he is very young, +and he has done a great thing. I am going to +give Sun Bird, and High Eagle, and Black Moccasin +and Little Wolf each five ponies because +they have saved my life. Now, Dacotahs, you<span class="pagenum">[312]</span> +must listen to what I am going to say. I am +getting old. I have fought in many battles. I +have led my people to many victories. It is +enough. Pretty soon a young man must take +my place. I have no son. But the son of Standing +Buffalo, who has gone on the Long Trail, is +my grandson. He has done some great things. +He is as sly as the fox and as brave as the +bear. He has saved my life. He has done a +great thing for his people. Now I am going to +take off this war bonnet. See, Dacotahs, I am +going to give it to my grandson, White Otter. +He is brave enough to wear it. He will lead +the Ogalalas to many victories. I have spoken."</p> + +<p>As he concluded his speech, the Ogalala war +chief asked White Otter to dismount. Then +he, too, slid from his pony. For a moment or +so the battle-scarred veteran and the famous +young warrior stood, clasping hands. Then +Wolf Robe smiled, and placed the coveted head-dress +of eagle plumes upon the lad's head. The +Ogalalas sanctioned the deed with a mighty +shout of approval, and a moment afterward the +entire company of Dacotahs acclaimed the +young leader with the nation's ringing war cry.</p> + +<div class="trnote"> + +<p class="h4">Transcriber's Notes</p> + +<p class="noin"> +p. 10: "canght" corrected to "caught"<br /> +p. 112: "seemd" corrected to "seemed"<br /> +p. 227: quotation marks supplied before "You have done"<br /> +All other text retained as in original including words with multiple +spellings such as "Blackfeet and Black-feet", "hoofbeats and hoof-beats" +and "nightfall and night-fall." +</p> + +</div> + +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of White Otter, by Elmer Russell Gregor + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHITE OTTER *** + +***** This file should be named 36044-h.htm or 36044-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/0/4/36044/ + +Produced by Tor Martin Kristiansen, Matthew Wheaton, Michael +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://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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