"We could not hold them all together," said Sitting Eagle. "I saw some ponies breaking away and when I rode after them some more ponies got away."
"Yes, that is how it happened," declared Lean Wolf. "I saw two ponies turning away, and I chased them. When I was driving them back, I saw a big bunch of ponies turning around. Then I rode after them and brought some of them back. Then I stayed close by the herd. I saw it was the best thing to do."
"Well, my friends, it is bad, but I see that you did the best you could," Sun Bird told them. "We had a hard time getting those ponies. We must not leave them for our enemies. There is only one thing to do. Sitting Eagle, you must keep going ahead with these ponies. When you get near our village you must stop and wait for us. Do not let our people see you until we come. My brothers, most of you must go with Sitting Eagle to help him fight our enemies. Some of us must stay here until it gets light. Then we will go out and look for the ponies that got away. I believe we will find them close by. Now I will call out the names of the men who must go with me to find the ponies. Listen, my brothers, I am going to call those names: Lean Wolf, Little Raven, Feather Dog, Running Dog, Falling Eagle, Brave Bear, Two Elks. These men will go with me. The rest of you must go with Sitting Eagle."
As he finished speaking they heard two ponies galloping toward them. A few moments afterward White Otter appeared. The piebald and the Blackfeet pony were lathered with sweat. Neither, however, showed the slightest trace of exhaustion.
"I have been a long ways," said the Ogalala. "These foolish ponies ran the wrong way. It was a long time before I could turn them around. Then I came very fast."
"Now White Otter is here," said Sun Bird. "It is good. I am going to ask him to be the leader of the men who go with Sitting Eagle."
Then the Sioux separated. Sitting Eagle and his escort of warriors rode away toward the south with the ponies while Sun Bird and his company of scouts remained behind to search for the missing horses.