"The Blackfeet are sharp," laughed Lean Wolf.
The Sioux suddenly realized that the wild flight of the Blackfeet had been a clever bit of stratagem to deceive their foes. It was apparent that the trick had been entirely successful, as the Blackfeet seemed to have the Crows entirely at their mercy.
"See, those poor Crows are calling their brothers to help them," White Otter told Lean Wolf.
Finding themselves completely overwhelmed by the ferocity and strength of their crafty foes, the Crows were thrown into a panic. They had lost all sense of order and discipline, and each man was fighting for himself. Their one idea appeared to be to escape from the relentless Blackfeet, who seemed determined to annihilate them. Aware that they were facing destruction, the Crows were making frantic appeals to their comrades to come to their assistance. The latter abandoned the pack ponies and the hard-earned supply of meat and rode wildly across the plain to assist their tribesmen.
"Now we will see a big fight," White Otter cried, enthusiastically.
"Yes, yes," agreed Lean Wolf, as his eyes flashed with excitement.
The Crows who had come to the aid of their tribesmen fought with great courage, but the Blackfeet were thoroughly aroused and they seemed invincible. The Sioux were amazed at the bravery and skill displayed by those hardy warriors from the north. Having duped their foes and gained the advantage, they appeared determined to follow it through to a complete victory.
Although the Crows still outnumbered them, the Blackfeet pressed the attack with a reckless ferocity that completely demoralized their foes. Time after time the Crows tried to rally from their confusion, but each attempt was the signal for a still fiercer assault by the Blackfeet.
"Hi, the Blackfeet know how to fight!" White Otter whispered, tensely.
The fighting was at close range, and many riderless ponies gave evidence of the result. The Sioux witnessed many deeds of heroism. They saw a wounded Crow warrior on a white pony ride recklessly at three of his enemies, and overcome all three of them before a company of Blackfeet finally killed him. They saw a Blackfoot dash among a company of astounded Crows and rescue his comrade who had been desperately wounded. They saw many thrilling hand-to-hand encounters which were fought to the death. They saw dismounted warriors running boldly into the thick of the fight in the hope of killing an enemy and securing his horse. Most of them were killed. A few achieved the exploit, and galloped from the encounter in triumph.