The words of the famous Minneconjoux scout created a deep impression upon his comrades. He was a man whose daring achievements made him the idol of his people, and his counsel was seldom disputed. His daring challenge to their ability and manhood instantly roused the fighting blood of the Sioux, and they immediately accepted the task of bringing the fractious ponies under subjection. It was not easy, but the Minneconjoux were on their mettle, and, as White Otter had already won control over the piebald, they persevered until the ponies were finally quieted.
Order having been restored, many of the Sioux crept up the side of the ravine to watch the distant stand of cottonwoods which they hoped to reach at dark. They were suffering keenly from thirst, which had been greatly aggravated by their desperate struggle with the ponies. Some of them chewed mouthfuls of grass in an attempt to suck moisture into their burning throats. Others placed small pebbles beneath their tongues to increase the flow of saliva. All of them, however, bore their discomfort without complaint. It was a common occurrence for a warrior to endure both hunger and thirst, and they had been trained from infancy to suffer in silence.
"See, the day is passing," Sun Bird said, cheerfully, as the sun sank slowly toward the west. "Pretty soon we will be under those trees, drinking that water."
"It is good," the Minneconjoux murmured, thickly.
Although they watched closely until the grove finally faded from sight in the evening shadows, they saw nothing of their foes. They were quite convinced that the Crows had eluded the Blackfeet, and that the latter had gone to their village to boast of their victory.
"We will go," Sun Bird said, as darkness at last fell upon the plain.
They moved eagerly along the ravine, and once more the parched ponies tried to bolt from the control of their riders. The latter were still smarting from the rebuke of Sitting Eagle, and they soon brought the unruly little beasts under subjection. However, it was impossible to quiet them. They snorted and squealed and whinnied, and the Sioux realized that it was hopeless to try to reach the grove without being heard.
"Well, if our enemies are over there they know that we are coming," Sitting Eagle declared, irritably.
"It is true," agreed Sun Bird. "But they do not know who we are. If the Blackfeet are over there they will take us for Crows. If the Crows are over there they will take us for Blackfeet. It is good. When we get near that place we will stop. Then we will send scouts over there to find out about it. If our enemies are there we will find out who they are. Then we will run away before they find out about us."
"It is good," said Sitting Eagle.