"There are fifty hostiles!" he exclaimed in an undertone, "and they are only a little way off!"
CHAPTER IV.
"WE ABE ENEMIES."
Brinton Kingsland, after peering over the crest of the elevation for a few brief moments, turned and hastily descended to where his pony awaited him. Without touching his bridle, he spoke, and the obedient animal followed him, while the parents and little sister anxiously listened to the report of what he learned.
"It's the very party of Indians that we have been trying to get away from," added the youth to his first explanation; "there are seven of them, and Wolf Ear is among them."
"Is he?" eagerly asked Edith, from her wrappings on the saddle in front of her mother "oh, let me see him! Tell him I am here."
"Keep quiet! Don't speak," said her father sternly. "Wolf Ear is with bad Indians, and is a bad Indian himself"
The child would have protested, but for the manner of her father. He could be firm when he chose, and she knew better than to disobey him but she pouted just a little, as she nestled down by her mother, who shared to some extent her faith in the Ogalalla who had spent so many hours under their roof.
"What are they doing?" asked Mr. Kingsland of his son.
"They act queerly; the party are drawn up together, and looking off in the direction of the trail to the agency, over which they expect us to pass."