"Now we know that those ponies carried riders," said White Otter. "They are not our friends, the Cheyennes. They are warriors."
"I believe they are Pawnees," declared Sun Bird.
At that moment White Otter discovered something far away to the northward. A column of smoke was rising against the sky. They watched it until it finally faded from view. They believed it had been a signal from the Kiowa war party. Then White Otter suddenly guessed the truth.
"My brothers, I believe those people are Kiowas," he said. "I believe they are going to help their friends fight the Cheyennes. I believe those Kiowas near the Cheyenne camp sent up that smoke to tell their friends where they are. Come, we will see if it is true."
A short distance farther on the trail turned abruptly toward the north. They felt certain that a company of Kiowas had gone to participate in the attack on the Cheyenne camp. The thought roused them to action. They realized that the little force of Cheyennes were in a desperate plight.
"My brothers, we must try to find the hunters," cried White Otter. "There is no time to spare."
They left the trail and cantered away toward the south. The day was far gone, and they were eager to find the Cheyennes before darkness fell. They feared that the Kiowas would attack the camp some time during the night. Would the Cheyennes be able to hold them off until their tribesmen came to their aid? The Sioux had grave doubts. They looked anxiously across the plain, hoping each moment to see the hunters come in sight. The day passed, however, and the Cheyennes failed to appear. The Sioux gave way to despair.
"It is bad," White Otter said, soberly, as they abandoned the search at dark.
They found a little spring at the base of a solitary cottonwood tree, and decided to remain there until daylight. After they had picketed the ponies they sat in gloomy silence, staring thoughtfully into the night. The Cheyennes had given them some dried elk meat, but they had no desire to eat. Their hearts were filled with fears for the people in the Cheyenne camp.
"If the hunters were close by I believe they would come here for water," said Sun Bird. "I believe they are far away."