"Perhaps we will find out something about that pony," suggested Sun Bird, as they moved slowly down the game trail.
"See, here are the tracks of Imutanka," said White Otter.
The trail of the lion was plainly visible. The Sioux gave little attention to it. Their interest in fierce Imutanka had ended with his death. They were curious, however, to learn more about the unfortunate pony. They watched closely to find its tracks. They were faint and far apart, and although Sun Bird and White Otter were expert trailers they could gain little information from the unsatisfactory trail.
Then the game trail suddenly led them to an open plateau which offered an extended view of the plain. They saw a small company of horsemen riding toward the ridge. They studied them closely. There were eight.
"Perhaps our friends are looking for us," said Sun Bird.
White Otter remained silent. His whole attention was concentrated upon the approaching horsemen. They were a considerable distance below him and some distance from the base of the ridge. It was difficult to identify them, but the Ogalala was straining his eyes in the attempt. He was particularly noting the ponies, as he had become thoroughly familiar with the color and type of every animal in the Minneconjoux war party. He failed to recognize any of the ponies which were approaching the timber. One was a buckskin, and there were two pintos. There were several such animals in the Sioux war party, but they differed in type from the ponies on the plain. White Otter was suspicious of the approaching horsemen. Sun Bird, too, was becoming uneasy about them.
"Who are they?" he asked, anxiously.
"They are not our people," White Otter assured him. "I do not know who they are. Do you know them?"
"No," replied Sun Bird.
They watched anxiously while the riders drew nearer the base of the ridge. As they finally came within bow range of the timber, they stopped and began to watch the ridge. For a moment the Sioux wondered if the horsemen had discovered them. It seemed impossible, as they had hidden themselves in the undergrowth the moment they discovered the riders.