At that moment, however, the Cheyennes heard shouts behind them. Looking back in alarm, they saw Black Beaver and Fighting Wolf racing after them. They were lashing their ponies and riding at a furious pace.
"Watch out, I believe the Pawnees are close behind them!" cried Red Dog.
"Run the ponies! Run the ponies!" cried the scouts. "Many Pawnees are coming!"
The two riders had barely reached them when the Cheyennes saw a great company of horsemen ride over a hill. They knew at once that they were Pawnees. When the latter discovered the herd of ponies they began yelling excitedly. They raced across the plain at break-neck speed, and the Cheyennes realized that they would soon be overtaken.
"Come, we will ride back there and fight them off," proposed several young warriors.
"No, no," cried Red Dog. "Stay where you are. We must keep together and try to hold the ponies. Keep them running. Stay on all sides of them. Do not fight until the Pawnees try to rush in. Perhaps they will be afraid to come close."
The Pawnees were gaining with each stride of the ponies, and the Cheyennes knew it was hopeless to attempt to escape. Aware that an encounter was inevitable, they had surrounded the ponies, and were prepared to fight off their foes. The Sioux rode together at the head of the herd.
"It looks bad," said Sun Bird. "The Cheyennes made a big fight to get these ponies, but I believe the Pawnees will run them off."
"We must fight them back," White Otter told him.
"See, see, they are trying to get ahead of us," cried Little Raven.