"The Thunder Birds are talking—it is bad," Sun Bird said soberly, as he seated himself beside White Otter.
"Yes, my brother, it is bad," agreed White Otter.
Then for some time they sat in gloomy silence, watching the sky. A great mass of ominous black clouds rose steadily out of the west and blotted out the stars. Sharp, jagged streaks of lightning cut through the night. A fresh breeze stirred across the plain. The thunder sounded louder. It was evident that the storm was approaching.
The possibility filled the Sioux with alarm. They looked anxiously toward the herd of ponies. They knew that it would be difficult to hold them under control when the storm broke upon them. Once thoroughly alarmed they might stampede, and race wildly across the plain. Then it would be necessary for the Sioux to ride recklessly through the night in an attempt to keep possession of the herd. It was a perilous task, in which many brave riders might lose their lives.
"My brothers, the Thunder Birds are coming—it is bad," cried Sitting Eagle, as he came to find Sun Bird. "The ponies are sniffing the wind. They are uneasy. Some of them are running around."
"We must hold them," said Sun Bird. "Every one must go out there and keep riding around them."
"It is good," replied Sitting Eagle, as he galloped away.
The war ponies had been either picketed or hobbled and left to feed, while the riders threw themselves upon the plain to rest from their exertions. Now, as the storm approached, there was great confusion as each warrior rushed to find his pony. Those who had picketed their ponies had little difficulty, but the hobbled animals had wandered some distance away, and their owners spent many anxious moments searching for them. White Otter and Sun Bird had picketed their ponies and they found them at once.
"White Otter, you have done some big things—it is enough," said Sun Bird. "You must stay out of this. You have taken away the great black war pony. You must not lose it. When the Thunder Birds fly over us you must hold fast to that pony. Do not try to do anything else. I am your brother. Listen to my words."
"I will do as you tell me to do," agreed White Otter.