CHAPTER III
OLD ENEMIES
They watched until the grove finally faded out in the twilight. Then they listened for sounds which might warn them of the arrival of a war party. It was barely dark when they heard signals passing across the plain. The cry of Ma-ya-sh sounded faintly from the west. It scarcely died away before an answer rose from the vicinity of the grove.
"The war party is coming," said Sun Bird.
"Listen!" cautioned White Otter.
They listened closely. Many moments passed. The stillness was unbroken.
"What was it?" inquired Sun Bird.
"I heard something, far away," White Otter told him. "It sounded like a pony. I believe some one stopped the noise."
As time passed and they heard nothing further, they felt sure that a company of foes had arrived at the grove. The thought made them uneasy. They feared that the two scouts would be sure to tell their companions about the pony tracks which crossed the ravine and led away toward the east. The Sioux recalled that the mysterious riders had spent some time looking toward the ridge.