At that moment a warrior sprang upon the pony, and disappeared over the top of the hill. The Sioux had been unable to identify him. His appearance, however, caused them considerable anxiety. They realized that if he was a Cheyenne he had probably mistaken them for foes. In that event he would warn his companions, and they might race away before the Sioux could get in touch with them. If he was a Pawnee the possibilities were more alarming.
"It is bad," said Sun Bird. "If we go ahead, perhaps we will run into the Pawnees. If we hold back perhaps our brothers, the Cheyennes, will ride away from us."
"We will go ahead," said White Otter.
They approached the hill with great care. They watched closely before they ventured up the slope. When they reached the top they saw a large company of horsemen, far away across the plain. They appeared to be watching the hill. The Sioux believed the scout had warned them.
"Come, make the signal," said Sun Bird. "We will see what comes of it."
"Yes, make the signal," urged Little Raven. "I believe they are Cheyennes."
White Otter raised his hands high above his head. It was the sign for peace. He repeated the signal several times. Then he rode his pony part way down the hill, and returned to the top. In the meantime Sun Bird had waved his robe up and down, and then spread it upon the ground. He, too, repeated the signal. It was an invitation to come and talk. Having thus proclaimed their peaceful intentions, and invited the strangers to meet them, the Sioux watched for an answer to the signals. The horsemen made no reply.
"They are cautious," said Sun Bird. "Perhaps they take us for Pawnees."
"Perhaps it is the Pawnees after all," declared Little Raven.
"Well, they are far away, they cannot catch us," White Otter told them. "We will go toward them. Then we will see what they propose to do."