"That's what I would like to know; I am worried to death, Nick; can't you help us?"
"I'll do anything I can, my lad, but what is it?"
The newcomer was Nicholas Jackson, serving as a scout for General Miles. It will be remembered that it was he who stopped at the home of the Kingslands a short time before and warned them of their danger. Had his advice been heeded, they would not have been in such sore straits at this time.
Brinton quickly told of his strange experience of the night before and his perplexity as to what he should do.
"I don't think anything has happened to them," was the reassuring response of Jackson, "for the darkness was in their favour. They are hiding somewhere in these gullies, just as you did, and dare not show themselves."
"But how are we to find them?"
"There's only one way I know of—look for them."
"What are you doing here, Nick?"
"We learned at Wounded Knee that a company with supplies was to come from Rapid City, and I have been sent out on a scout; an escort is coming to bring them into camp. You have heard of the battle at Wounded Knee Creek, I suppose?"
"Not a word."