"You are the leader, I will follow you," White Otter said, quietly.
"It is good," Sun Bird declared, enthusiastically.
Their first thought, however, was to conceal themselves sufficiently near the game trail to see the Flatheads if they passed. It was a bold resolve, and the eyes of the daring young Sioux flashed with excitement. They had been taught from infancy that the noblest aim of a warrior was to inflict punishment upon his enemies, and they determined to make the most of their opportunity. They concealed themselves within easy bowshot of the trail, and waited anxiously for the Flatheads to appear. It was not long before the Sioux heard them approaching.
"They are coming," whispered Sun Bird.
They watched in breathless suspense, and in a few moments they saw the first horseman appear at the edge of the plateau. His companions followed closely behind him. The Sioux were greatly surprised when the Flatheads stopped their ponies in the center of the open park and began to dismount. Then the ponies were left with two warriors and the other members of the company passed up the game trail on foot. The Sioux had a splendid view of them at close range. They were tall, muscular men, whose high, flattened skulls gave them a weird and sinister expression. As they were not painted for war, the Sioux believed they were hunters.
"Perhaps they will find our tracks," Sun Bird whispered, uneasily, after they had passed.
White Otter looked serious. The possibility had already flashed through his mind, and he was troubled about it. He knew that even one indistinct impression of a fresh moccasin track would arouse the suspicions of the Flatheads, and send them hurrying to the plateau to investigate. Then it would be impossible to capture the ponies, and difficult to get away.
"The ground is hard," Sun Bird said, hopefully. "We did not make many tracks."
"The eyes of a hunter are sharp," White Otter cautioned him.
Realizing that there was nothing to be gained by worrying over the possibility of the Flatheads discovering their tracks, the Sioux dismissed the thought from their minds and turned their attention upon the warriors with the ponies. The latter had incautiously turned loose the ponies to graze in the center of the park and had stationed themselves on opposite sides of the plateau to watch them. The Sioux instantly saw their opportunity.