"Perhaps the Crows are coming, we must be ready," said Sun Bird.
Roused by the possibility, the hot-tempered Minneconjoux immediately got ready to fight. Then, as Running Dog finally came within shouting distance, they began to cry out and question him.
"Are the Crows coming?" they inquired eagerly.
"No! no!" shouted Running Dog.
Then he dashed up to them. As he threw the panting pony upon its haunches, his companions gathered about him to learn what had sent him racing across the plain.
"Listen, my brothers, I will tell you about it," said Running Dog. "The Crows and the Blackfeet are getting ready for a big fight over there behind that ridge. I was watching them. Then I saw you coming that way. Then I came over here to tell you to hold back. Do you see that smoke up there? Well, the Blackfeet are calling the people to fight. You must watch sharp. I saw many warriors over there behind that ridge."
The words of Running Dog were received in silence. The Minneconjoux looked gravely into each other's faces. They realized the peril to which they were exposed, and they waited for the war leaders to speak. All eyes were turned upon Sun Bird.
"My friends, Running Dog has told you about those warriors over there behind that ridge," said Sun Bird. "We are in great danger. Something must be done. We must try to find a place to hide in until it grows dark. Then perhaps we can get away from here. If we meet our enemies we must fight them. We are Dacotahs. It is enough."
"My brother, I will tell you about a place to hide in," said Dancing Rabbit. "I found it when I was running away from the Blackfeet. It is a place where water used to run. Now it is dry. It is deep. It goes a long way across the plain. We can ride into it, and no one will see us."
"Where is this place?" Sun Bird asked anxiously.