"Perhaps the Crows are keeping quiet until they get across that gully," suggested Lean Wolf. "Perhaps they believe that some of us are waiting there to fight them back."
At that instant a shrill yell of triumph rang through the night, and a moment afterward the Sioux heard the quick, sharp hoofbeats of galloping ponies directly behind them. The Crows had been deceived. They were following blindly on the false trail. The Sioux were wild with joy. Unmindful of their own peril, they were satisfied to know that their comrades and the ponies were safe.
"It is good! It is good!" Sun Bird cried, joyfully. "We have fooled the Crows. Now our brothers will get away with the ponies."
They continued to make a great noise, lest the Crows should suddenly discover their blunder. They rode furiously toward the west, and rejoiced in the thought that each stride of the ponies was luring their foes farther from those whom they wished to overtake. It was not long, however, before the Sioux realized that the Crows were gaining upon them. The discovery aroused them to their peril. They knew that if the Crows came up with them there would be little chance of escape.
"Come, we must ride faster," Sun Bird cried, anxiously.
They lashed the ponies into a terrific burst of speed and slowly drew away from their enemies. They knew, however, that it would be impossible to maintain the pace. They also realized that each moment was taking them farther from their course.
"Now we must try to circle around," Sun Bird told them. "Do not make any more noise."
They suddenly subsided into silence and turned sharply toward the south. Then their hearts bounded with joy as they heard the Crows blunder from the trail and continue toward the west. Having once lost them in the night, it seemed doubtful if the Crows would be able to find them before daylight.
"We have got away," Sun Bird said, confidently. "The Crows cannot find us. Pretty soon they will go back."
"Yes, I believe we are safe," replied Lean Wolf.