A PERILOUS RECONNAISSANCE
They found the war party camped in a secluded ravine which led far back
into the foothills. Having ridden throughout the night, most of the
Minneconjoux were sleeping when Sun Bird and White Otter arrived at the
rendezvous. The spot was strongly guarded by sentinels, however, who
took turns at keeping watch. Sun Bird and White Otter immediately asked
for water, and Dancing Rabbit led them to a splendid spring on the side
of the ravine. Then they supplied themselves with generous rations of
dried meat and ate heartily. In the meantime their arrival had awakened
most of the war party, and they gathered about the famous young scouts
and waited anxiously for them to speak.
"Well, my friends, I have something good to tell you," Sun Bird said, at
last. "We saw the Blackfeet camp. It is close by. There are many
lodges. There must be many people to live in them. We saw many ponies.
Some belong to our people. We have come to take them away. We will take
them. Then we saw the fast ponies. They are near the lodges. We will try
to take some of those. But, my friends, I must tell you that it will be
a hard thing to do. There are many warriors in that camp. They are
brave. Perhaps we will have to fight hard to get those ponies."
"My brothers, I have listened to your words," said Sitting Eagle. "You
say that the Blackfeet are brave. It is true. I have fought many battles
against them. They are braver than the Pawnees. They are braver than the
Kiowas. They are braver than the Crows. Now you know that they are very
brave. Well, my friends, the Dacotahs are braver than the Blackfeet.
Yes, the Dacotahs are the bravest of all. We will go to that great camp,
and take away those ponies. Sun Bird is a good leader. Our brother,
White Otter, is a great chief. I see many brave warriors sitting here.
We are very strong. Yes, my brothers, we will take away those ponies."
The boastful assurance of Sitting Eagle roused the Minneconjoux to a
great pitch of enthusiasm. For the moment their ardor overcame their
caution, and they began to talk loudly and utter wild threats against
their foes.
"Come! come!" Lean Wolf cried, impatiently. "We are making too much
noise. Are we like old women who cackle like foolish Magasapa, the
goose?"
The Minneconjoux instantly subsided into silence. They knew that it was
not the part of warriors to give way to their emotions, and they felt
guilty and ashamed. As Sun Bird showed no inclination to tell them
anything more about the Blackfeet camp, most of them threw themselves
upon the ground and resumed their slumbers. The three young scouts who
had just returned from the top of the ridge followed their example, and
it was not long before all except the vigilant sentinels about the edge
of the camp were sleeping soundly.
The day had ended and twilight had fallen upon the plain when Sun Bird
and White Otter finally awakened. They felt rested and refreshed, and
were eager to begin the great adventure which lay before them. As the
entire company was awake, Sun Bird prepared to carry out his plans for
advancing upon the Blackfeet camp. He called the sentinels who had
watched through the night, and asked if they had seen or heard anything
of their foes. They assured him that the night had passed without
alarm.
"It is good," said Sun Bird. "Now, my friends, I will tell you what I
propose to do. See! the light has almost gone. When it gets dark I am
going away to find out about that great camp. I am going to creep up
close. Then I will find out what we want to know. Then we will know how
to get those ponies. Now I am going to ask White Otter to go with me. He
is a great scout. He has been to the Pawnee camp. He has been to the
Crow camp. He has crawled up to the lodges of the Kiowas. Now I will ask
this great scout to go to the Blackfeet camp with me."
"I will go," White Otter told him.
There were many others who were anxious to risk their lives for a peep
into the great Blackfeet camp, but Sun Bird refused them. He knew that
numbers increased the chances of discovery, and he determined to run no
unnecessary risks. Besides, there were few, if any, warriors among the
Minneconjoux who could match the scouting abilities of the Ogalala. As
Sun Bird realized that the success of the undertaking might depend upon
the thoroughness of the reconnaissance which he planned to make, he
determined to rely solely upon White Otter and himself to carry it
through.
It was barely dark when they left the war party and set out for the
Blackfeet camp. Their companions watched them depart, in silence, for
they knew the danger to which they were about to expose themselves, and
many alarming possibilities flashed through their minds.
"They are very brave," said Sitting Eagle, as Sun Bird and White Otter
disappeared into the shadows.
Believing that it would be easier to accomplish their purpose if they
traveled on foot, they left their ponies with their companions. Once at
the edge of the plain, they hurried away in the direction of the low
sage-grown ridge. When they finally saw it looming up before them, they
realized that they must advance with more caution. If the Blackfeet
expected an attack it was probable that they had posted sentinels at
that spot, and the Sioux determined to take every precaution. The
discovery of the warrior in the tree led them to believe that the ridge
was a favorite watching place of their foes.
Once at the base of the slope, the Sioux stopped and spent some time
listening for the sound of voices. Then as they heard nothing to rouse
their fears, they moved cautiously up the side of the ridge. When they
reached the top they instantly located the camp by the glow from the
fires. For a moment or so they watched silently. Then they descended
through the sage, and moved out across the grim, black plain.
"Now we must watch out," warned Sun Bird.
Side by side, they sped through the night as swiftly and noiselessly as
wolves on the trail of their prey. Their eyes were fixed on the alluring
glow from the Blackfeet fires, they relied upon their ears to warn them
of danger. The plain, however, was steeped in silence. They heard
nothing but their own soft footfalls, and the gentle rustling of the
grass against their buckskin leggings.
"It is good," whispered Sun Bird. "The Blackfeet are in the camp eating
buffalo meat. There is no one to stop us."
"We must not be too sure about it," White Otter cautioned him.
Then they heard something which brought them to a sudden stop. The dogs
were barking furiously in the Blackfeet camp. The Sioux listened
uneasily. Several disturbing possibilities entered their minds. Had the
dogs caught their scent? It seemed impossible. White Otter raised a
moistened finger to test the breeze. It blew from the camp. They felt
relieved. Then another thought presented itself. Perhaps the Crows had
moved against the Blackfeet camp. The Sioux listened for sounds of an
attack. They heard only the savage baying of the dogs.
"I believe the dogs are fighting for meat," said Sun Bird.
"It is bad," White Otter replied, seriously. "If those dogs keep moving
around, it will be hard to get near the camp."
The thought troubled them. They knew that if one of those gaunt,
wolf-like creatures caught their scent it would instantly skulk out upon
the plain to investigate. Once it found them it would set up a racket
that would soon draw the rest of the pack upon them, and the Blackfeet
would be quick to realize the significance of the commotion.
"There is only one thing to do," said White Otter. "We will wait here
until the dogs quiet down. Then we will wait until they lie down to
sleep. Then we will creep up to the camp. If we go ahead now, those dogs
will find out about us."
"Yes, I see that it is the only thing to do," agreed Sun Bird.
It seemed a very long time to the impatient Sioux before the dogs
finally became silent. However, as they had heard nothing to indicate
alarm in the Blackfeet camp, they decided that the uproar had been
caused by the dogs fighting over the scraps of buffalo meat which the
Blackfeet had thrown them from their feast. In spite of the stillness,
however, the Sioux feared to approach the camp until they had allowed
the dogs time to gorge themselves and settle down to sleep. They waited,
therefore, watching the twinkle of the camp fires, and listening for
sounds from their foes.
"Come," Sun Bird said, suddenly. "Everything is still. I believe the
dogs have gone to sleep. We will creep up to the camp."
"I am ready," White Otter assured him.
Again they moved cautiously through the night until they were actually
within bowshot of the lodges. Then they suddenly heard the solemn
booming of the war drums, and the sound of singing. For a moment they
turned to one another in alarm. Were the Blackfeet preparing for war?
Then they guessed the truth.
"It is the hunters," whispered White Otter, "They are dancing the
Buffalo Dance."
"It is good," Sun Bird told him. "All the people will be around the
dancers. We can get close to the lodges."
"Watch out for the dogs," cautioned White Otter.
They advanced within half a bowshot of the camp, and then they dropped
to the plain to watch. The camp was brightly illuminated by the light
from the fires, and the Blackfeet were clearly visible as they passed
between the lodges. The booming of the war drums and the singing
continued, and the Sioux could hear even the short, sharp exclamations
of the dancers as they kept time with the music. Still they were unable
to see into the camp, and they determined to advance still closer.
Slowly, a bow length at a time, they crept toward the nearest lodges.
They moved with great caution, and stopped many times to make sure that
the way was clear. They were in constant fear of the dogs. Although they
had seen nothing of them, they realized that at any moment they might
encounter them prowling about the borders of the camp.
The Sioux had almost reached the lodges when they suddenly heard
something moving directly behind them. They turned in alarm. Had a dog
circled about them, and caught their scent? Their hearts beat wildly at
the thought. Each moment they expected to hear the first savage yelp
which would announce their approach to the Blackfeet. Then, as they
listened, they heard footsteps. Some one was walking directly toward
them. They were seized with panic. Discovery seemed certain. There was
not a moment to spare. Pressing themselves close against the ground,
they prepared to drive their arrows through their foe before he could
utter an outcry. At that moment he turned from his course and passed
without seeing them. His bent form, and slow, faltering gait convinced
the Sioux that he was an old man. As he emerged into the firelight at
the edge of the camp they saw that their guess was correct. A moment
afterward he disappeared behind a lodge.
"I believe he is a Medicine Man," whispered Sun Bird. "Perhaps he was
out there making Medicine."
"Perhaps," replied White Otter.
Having recovered from their alarm, they crawled to the edge of the camp,
and hid in the shadow of a lodge. Then they looked upon their enemies.
The Blackfeet were gathered in the center of the camp. They were
watching the wild antics of a company of dancers who were circling about
the fire. The Sioux studied the assemblage with great care. White Otter
was particularly curious, as it was the first time he had seen those
people.
The Blackfeet presented an interesting spectacle, as they celebrated
the success of their hunters. The latter were especially picturesque.
They had painted their faces and bodies and decorated themselves in a
most weird and grotesque manner. Many wore the entire skin of a buffalo
bull, including the head and horns. Others had fastened buffalo feet to
their ankles so that they rattled and clacked at each stride of the
dancer. Thus arrayed, they cavorted wildly about the fire, imitating the
antics of the buffaloes. They pranced, and reared, and kicked, and
roared. Some pawed the ground, and then lay down and wallowed as the
buffaloes would do to rid themselves of flies. Others imitated the
fierce encounter between two great rival bulls, pushing and jostling
each other, and butting their heads together until the spectators
shrieked with delight. It was a clever exhibition of mimicry, and more
than once the Sioux were forced to smile.
Then they turned their attention upon the spectators. Men, women and
children had assembled in a great circle about the dancers. The Sioux
made special note of the men. They were dark and tall, and powerful,
with deep, broad chests, and wide sloping shoulders. They compared
favorably in physique and bearing with the gallant Dacotah fighting men,
and the two young scouts realized that they had come upon worthy foes.
Closer to the dancers were the musicians, six old men, who thumped the
war drums and sang the Buffalo Song in high, cracked tones. The Sioux
gave little attention to them. Their eyes were focused on a small group
of men who stood together some distance to the right of the singers.
Their dress and manner proclaimed them men of importance, and the Sioux
knew that they were the chiefs and counselors of the tribe.
"That warrior who wears the bear robe is Many Buffaloes," Sun Bird
whispered, excitedly.
White Otter nodded understandingly, as he concentrated his attention
upon the man whom Sun Bird had designated. The great Blackfeet war chief
was a man slightly past the prime of life, whose massive frame, and
bold, fearless features well confirmed the stories of his marvelous
exploits on the war trail. He wore a great trailing war bonnet of eagle
plumes, and carried a long coupstick decorated with the trophies which
he had taken from his enemies. He carried himself with the dignity and
hauteur of a great leader, and the Ogalala looked upon him with respect.
"He looks like a warrior," White Otter told Sun Bird.
"He is a great chief," declared Sun Bird.
Many Buffaloes took no part in the ceremony. He stood apart with several
of his associates and showed little interest in the wild capers of the
dancers. His keen eyes, however, noted every action, and it was evident
that his apparent indifference was largely assumed. He appeared to
consider it beneath the dignity of a great war chief to show emotion
upon so trivial an occasion.
"Where is his black pony?" White Otter asked, eagerly.
"I cannot tell you," said Sun Bird.
"Come, we will try to find it," White Otter told him.
Sun Bird looked uneasily into the eyes of his friend. White Otter's bold
resolve filled him with alarm. A disturbing possibility swept through us
mind. Did the daring Ogalala plan to enter the Blackfeet camp in search
of the famous war pony? Sun Bird feared that it would be a fatal blunder
to make the attempt at that time. Even if White Otter should succeed in
leading away the pony without being seen, the loss would rouse the
entire Blackfeet nation. They would immediately send strong war parties
to search the plain, and the long, perilous journey of the Minneconjoux
would have been in vain. Sun Bird appeared reluctant to agree to the
proposal. White Otter instantly guessed the reason.
"I see that you do not feel good about it," White Otter said, quietly.
"I am a war leader. I am not going to do anything foolish. I am not
going to try to take away that pony. I am going to find out where it is.
Then I will wait until our brothers have run off the other ponies. Then
perhaps I will try to take away that black pony."
"It is good," Sun Bird said, with evident relief.
They began to circle cautiously about the camp. It was perilous work.
Bow in hand, they crept stealthily along in the shadows from the lodges,
stopping every bow length to watch and listen. Where were the dogs? They
would have given much to know. They knew that at any moment they might
stumble upon them. They had gone about an arrow flight when they
suddenly discovered one of the dogs lying beside a lodge. Was it asleep?
they wondered. It was lying with its back toward them, and was only five
or six bow lengths away. The Sioux watched it with bated breath. They
realized that the slightest sound might rouse it. They feared to move.
Still, it seemed equally perilous to loiter.
"Come," breathed White Otter.
For an instant Sun Bird hesitated. It was caution, not fear which held
him back. It seemed folly to risk discovery when they had already
learned so much about their foes. White Otter, however, was already
creeping noiselessly into the shadows, and Sun Bird determined to follow
him. Inch by inch they dragged themselves forward until they were
opposite the dog. Then for a moment they hesitated. It had every
appearance of being asleep, and the Sioux passed on.
Then they discovered what they were risking their lives to see. Beside a
great decorated lodge was a strongly made log corral, and above it
appeared the long slender head and graceful neck of the famous black war
pony. It was watching the glow in the center of the camp, and nervously
twitching its ears at the noise. White Otter gazed upon it with eager,
fascinated eyes. It was a noble trophy, and he longed to possess it. The
opportunity seemed before him. Impulse urged him to act. He paused to
consider. Loyalty held him back. He realized that his own ambition must
be sacrificed to insure the success of the Minneconjoux. They had
suffered a great loss at the hands of the Blackfeet. They had made a
long and perilous journey to recover the stolen ponies. Their success
depended upon keeping the Blackfeet in ignorance of their approach
until they were at the camp. White Otter made a quick, and final
decision.
"Come," he whispered. "I have found out what I wanted to know. We will
go."
"It is good," said Sun Bird.
They crept slowly from the edge of the camp. Then when they were a safe
distance from the lodges they rose to their feet and sped away into the
night.