Elmer Russell Gregor

“ The wolf had discovered the fox and was bristling and growling, as it walked stiffly toward the pony. Awed by the threats of its formidable rival, the fox slunk to the edge of the timber and sat [Pg 140] upon its haunches to watch until the wolf left the carcass. The wolf feasted ravenously, tearing large pieces of flesh from the bait and growling savagely as it ate. It was one of the great gaunt timber wolves, and the Sioux longed to pierce it with their arrows. They resisted the temptation, however, for they knew that Matohota might become suspicious at the scent of fresh blood. ”

“ Led by their great war chief, Many Buffaloes, they rode recklessly out upon the plain to overtake the daring foes who had run off their ponies. They had not gone an arrow flight, however, before they collided with the Sioux.
"Come, my brothers, it is time to fight!" cried Sun Bird.
The resolute band of Sioux fighting men charged furiously upon their foes. They were outnumbered three to one, but the fierceness of their attack deceived the Blackfeet and threw them into confusion. ”

“ The war cry again rang out across the plain, and before the sound had died away the warriors had assembled for the war dance. They formed a large circle about the fire, and stood awaiting the word from Sun Bird, their leader. A number of aged men had come forward with the war drums, and taken places near the dancers. A hush fell upon the vast assemblage, as the Minneconjoux watched eagerly for the interesting spectacle to begin. ”

“ Are we like old women who cackle like foolish Magasapa, the goose?"
The Minneconjoux instantly subsided into silence. They knew that it was not the part of warriors to give way to their emotions, and they felt guilty and ashamed. As Sun Bird showed no inclination to tell them anything more about the Blackfeet camp, most of them threw themselves upon the ground and resumed their slumbers. The three young scouts who had just returned from the top of the ridge followed their example, and it was not long before all except the vigilant sentinels about the edge of the camp were sleeping soundly. ”

“ In the meantime Sun Bird and the Minneconjoux war party were fighting a thrilling battle with the main force of their foes. The latter had again rushed to close quarters, and the Sioux were in desperate straits. Greatly outnumbered, they fought with a reckless courage that astounded their enemies. Try as they might, the Blackfeet were unable to break through the heroic company that confronted them. Led by Many Buffaloes himself, the bravest warriors in the Blackfeet nation hurled themselves against the Sioux with a daring abandon that would have speedily routed less valiant foes. ”

“ White Otter, as a famous war chief of the Ogalalas, was entitled to stand with Curly Horse and the prominent men of the tribe. He declined the honor, however, and took his place in the circle of dancers. The Minneconjoux watched him with approving eyes as he threw himself into the spirit of the dance. When the ceremony was finally brought to an end toward daylight, Curly Horse called the Ogalala to his lodge.
"White Otter, you are a great warrior," said Curly Horse. "A great warrior must have a good horse. The Pawnees have killed your war pony. ”

“ The Minneconjoux looked gravely into each other's faces. They realized the peril to which they were exposed, and they waited for the war leaders to speak. All eyes were turned upon Sun Bird.
"My friends, Running Dog has told you about those warriors over there behind that ridge," said Sun Bird. "We are in great danger. Something must be done. We must try to find a place to hide in until it grows dark. Then perhaps we can get away from here. If we meet our enemies we must fight them. We are Dacotahs. It is enough."
"My brother, I will tell you about a place to hide in," said Dancing Rabbit. ”

“ I believe everything will be good. I believe you will overcome the Blackfeet. Listen, my friends, I hear the noise of many ponies running. Yes, yes, those are Sioux ponies. Yes, I hear some Blackfeet ponies. They are running toward the Minneconjoux camp. I see these brave young men riding behind them."
His prophecy roused the Minneconjoux. Men, women and children united their voices in the war cry of the Dacotahs. It rang through the camp, and echoed off across the plain as a challenge to their foes. Rain Crow laughed, and shook his clenched hand toward the north. ”

“ Sun Bird cried, impulsively.
"No, no, you must keep going ahead!" Lean Wolf shouted, fiercely. "If the Crows come close we will fight them back. Pretty soon we will reach our brothers. Then these warriors will turn back."
He had barely ceased speaking before Little Raven and Feather Dog and Many Feathers and Running Dog swept over the ridge some distance to the northward of the ponies. Yelling savagely, they raced to the assistance of their tribesmen and at sight of them the Crows stopped in confusion. The odds had suddenly turned against them and they lost courage. ”

“ Beside him rode Little Raven. Allowing their ponies to run at will, the Minneconjoux soon found themselves at the front of the herd. Then they suddenly realized their peril. Their lives depended upon the agility of their ponies. A fall meant instant destruction beneath the hoofs of the panic-stricken beasts behind them. However, there was little time to think of the danger. The foremost ponies had swerved toward the west and Sun Bird and Little Raven tried to turn them back.
"We must not let them go that way!" Sun Bird shouted, anxiously. "The Crows and the Flatheads are over there." ”

“ Then they heard a shout from the base of the ridge, and the horsemen cantered briskly toward the timber. The Sioux realized that it was time to move from the plateau. They believed it would be easy to return to the top of the ridge and escape from their enemies. Sun Bird, however, showed a desire to linger.
"Those look like good ponies," he told White Otter, as his eyes twinkled mischievously. "The Flatheads are our enemies. They have killed some of my people. I feel like taking away some of those ponies." ”

“ White Otter was astonished to see a huge gray lynx clinging to the buck. As it reached the park, the deer was dragged to its haunches. Then, apparently unmindful of the interested young hunter, the lynx relaxed its hold and sprang at the throat of its victim. The cruel fangs sank deep into the flesh, and although the buck struggled desperately it was soon overcome.
Then White Otter drove his arrow through the lynx. It fell dead with the arrow through its heart. A second arrow ended the agony of the blacktail buck. Elated at his luck the Sioux ran forward to examine his game. ”

“ Feeling sure of escape, therefore, he sat erect and shook his bow defiantly at the helpless Pawnees. They replied with wild yells of rage, and White Otter laughed mockingly.
The Pawnees continued the chase until darkness finally blotted them from sight. Then White Otter turned sharply from his course, and rode directly toward the north. Feeling confident that the maneuver would baffle his foes, he slackened the pace of his pony to an easy canter. Thus he rode until the night was half gone, and then he stopped and dismounted from the tired little buckskin. ”

“ As quick and sinewy as mountain cats, the young warriors pranced about the fire in a frenzy of enthusiasm. Each tried to surpass his fellows in the mad antics of the dance, and their maneuvers brought yells of approval from the fascinated onlookers. At one moment the dancers would stoop near the ground, and dance forward with short, mincing steps, shading their eyes with their hands, as if searching for the trail of their foes. ”

“ Otter. "A warrior must always be ready to die. Those men were very brave. It is enough. We will tell our people about them."
"Yes, we will call out their names when we ride through the camp," replied Sun Bird. "We will tell our people that we sent many Blackfeet to walk behind our brothers on the Long Trail."
Then their thoughts were diverted by the sudden activity of the Blackfeet. They were advancing slowly across the plain, singing their war songs, and shouting boastful threats against the Sioux. ”

“ At that instant White Otter raised the war cry, and raced toward the Blackfeet chief. The latter waited until the Ogalala was almost upon him, and then he turned his pony and rode furiously toward his yelling tribesmen. A moment afterward he [Pg 221] twisted about and laughed shrilly, as he shook his war club at the Sioux. Enraged by the taunt, White Otter struck his pony with the heavy rawhide quirt. The piebald bounded forward at a speed which caused the Minneconjoux and the Blackfeet to stare in silent amazement. With each stroke of the lash the wonderful little beast ran faster. ”

“ They feared that the crafty Crows would make an attempt to creep into the cañon under cover of the darkness, and they determined to be prepared. Crouching behind the bowlders, they peered anxiously into the night, listening for the sound of stealthy footfalls at the entrance to the cañon. Then, as time passed and the stillness was unbroken, they began to wonder. Had the Crows suddenly departed? The Sioux had grave doubts.
"No, they have not gone away," Lean Wolf told Sitting Eagle. "I believe they took us for Blackfeet. They are very mad at those people. ”

“ Still they were somewhat fearful about leaving the timber. They realized that either the Crows or the Blackfeet might have surrounded the grove and sent the scout forward as a decoy to lure them upon the open plain.
"Well, my brothers, that rider knows that some one is at this pool," declared Sun Bird. "If he is a scout he will tell his people about it. I believe if we wait here something bad will come of it. If we go away our enemies will not know that the Dacotahs were here. If we expect to get to the great Blackfeet camp we must not let our enemies know about us." ”

“ Where were Feather Dog and Proud Hawk? Why had Running Dog failed to warn them of the approaching war parties? Had those brave scouts been trapped and destroyed by their foes? The Sioux weakened at the thought.
Sun Bird was particularly disturbed at the possibility of harm having come to his friend, White Otter, and his brother, Little Raven. The hot fighting blood surged to his brain as he pictured his tribesmen in the hands of his foes. He soon dismissed that possibility, however, for he knew that [Pg 107] neither White Otter nor Lean Wolf would ever permit themselves to be taken alive. ”

“ The Blackfeet were beginning to stir. The Sioux saw them moving about between the lodges. They looked like dwarfs at the distance. Then smoke began to rise above the camp. Some people were running toward the river. The Sioux [Pg 180] believed they were boys. The splashes were distinctly visible as they threw themselves into the water. The faint, far-away sound of their voices came up from the plain. Then a shadow swept across the ledge. The Sioux looked into the sky. Huya, the great war bird, was soaring out over the Blackfeet camp.
"Hi, there is our brother, Huya!" said Sun Bird. ”

“ Sun Bird said, anxiously. "Come, we will go."
At that moment one of the ponies whinnied, and the Sioux were astounded to hear it answered [Pg 126] from the plain. Then they heard a horse galloping toward the west. They turned to one another in alarm.
"Our enemies have caught us!" they cried.
"Wait," White Otter counseled, calmly. "I believe that rider is a scout. Perhaps he is alone. We will listen. If he is with a war party then we will hear signals. If he keeps quiet there is nothing to fear."
"It is good," agreed the Minneconjoux. ”

“ Finding themselves completely overwhelmed by the ferocity and strength of their crafty foes, the Crows were thrown into a panic. They had lost all sense of order and discipline, and each man was fighting for himself. Their one idea appeared to be to escape from the relentless Blackfeet, who seemed determined to annihilate them. Aware that they were facing destruction, the Crows were making frantic appeals to their comrades to come to their assistance. The latter abandoned the pack ponies and the hard-earned supply of meat and rode wildly across the plain to assist their tribesmen. ”