Then Sun Bird and his companions rode to the top of the low ridge to the westward. They saw the rest of the ponies gathered in a small herd some distance out on the open plain. The sight filled them with joy. As they were about to go after them, however, they suddenly discovered two riders watching from a ridge beyond the ponies.
"Hi, hi," Sun Bird cried, excitedly. "Someone has found the ponies. Now they are watching us."
"It is bad," said Lean Wolf.
Feeling certain that they had already been seen, the Sioux made no attempt to hide. They remained in open sight and tried to identify the distant horsemen. The latter were too far away to be recognized. The Sioux took hope at the thought. They knew that if they could not identify their foes, the latter would find it impossible to recognize them.
"They must be Crows or Flatheads," said Sun Bird. "Anyway, I believe they are scouts."
"It is bad," said Running Dog. "They will bring their people here to get those ponies."
The Sioux were greatly disturbed by the possibility. As their little company numbered only eleven, they knew that they would be powerless before a strong force of their enemies. Aware that the unexpected emergency demanded quick action, they held a hurried council to decide what should be done. They saw many difficulties. In the first place they realized that if they rode directly toward the ponies they might drive them toward their foes. Still, to circle around behind the herd it would be necessary to approach close to their enemies. Then, too, the Sioux knew that if they succeeded in running off the ponies they would probably be followed by a strong force of their foes. As the ponies were already fatigued from their strenuous exertions, another long race might cause them to collapse.
"It will be hard to get them away if our enemies try to stop us," Running Dog said, gloomily.
As he spoke the horsemen suddenly disappeared from the ridge. The Sioux looked at one another in alarm. They felt certain that one of the scouts had gone to warn his people, while the other concealed himself to watch. Sun Bird realized that it was time to act. Delay might prove fatal.
"Come, my brothers, we must do something," cried the bold young war leader. "I am going to circle around behind those ponies. I will ask Lean Wolf to go with me. The rest of you must hide behind this hill until we drive the ponies to you. If our enemies come after us do not wait to help us. Go to our brothers and help them drive away those ponies. Send some one ahead of you to bring back the war party. Come, Lean Wolf, we will go."