"I do not see many Blackfeet—it is bad," said White Otter. "They have left many warriors to guard the camp."
When Running Dog brought word of the impending battle, the Sioux had hoped that the Blackfeet would send a sufficient force against the Crows to weaken the defense of the Blackfeet camp considerably. White Otter realized, however, that the hope was false. It was evident that the crafty Blackfeet had left most of their fighting men at the village.
"Perhaps they are waiting for our people to come for those ponies," said Lean Wolf.
"Yes, I believe it is true," agreed White Otter.
He had barely ceased speaking when the Blackfeet suddenly began their attack. Whooping fiercely, they rushed upon their foes and made desperate attempts to frighten and stampede the Crow ponies. The Crows, however, had prepared for just such a maneuver, and the alarmed ponies were unable to break away. In the meantime the Crows sent a deadly volley of arrows against the Blackfeet, and the latter recoiled before the fierceness of the defense. A number of warriors had already toppled from their ponies, and it was evident that the loss somewhat discouraged their comrades. For a moment they wavered, and then a reckless war leader on a pinto pony rallied them and led them against their foes.
They rode close up to the Crows, and fought with great bravery. The Crows, however, had the double advantage of numbers and shelter, and the Blackfeet soon realized that they were fighting a losing fight. The fearless war leader had already forfeited his life to his gallantry, and a number of his followers were either killed or wounded. In return, the Blackfeet had done little harm to the Crows, except for killing a few ponies, and wounding one reckless young Crow who had rushed from behind his horse to attack them. Thoroughly disheartened, they became demoralized and raced away in bad disorder.
"See, see, the fierce Blackfeet are running like rabbits!" laughed White Otter.
"The Crows are too strong for them," declared Lean Wolf.
Encouraged by their success, many of the Crows leaped upon their ponies and set out after the fleeing Blackfeet. The maneuver threw the Blackfeet into a rage. They immediately wheeled about and raced back to meet their pursuers. Their boldness confused the Crows, and before they had recovered from their surprise the Blackfeet were upon them. As less than half of the Crow force had joined in the pursuit, the advantage had suddenly turned to the Blackfeet. Smarting with the humiliation of their recent repulse, the Blackfeet determined to take full vengeance upon the misguided company of Crows who had blundered into their power.
"They have fooled the Crows," White Otter cried, excitedly. "They will wipe out that war party before their friends can come to help them."