"Well, my brothers, I believe Ma-ya-sh came to find us," White Otter laughed, softly, when they were beyond earshot of the ravine.
"Yes, White Otter, I believe your words were true; I believe scouts were peeping over that ridge," Sun Bird told him.
"Do you believe they saw us?" Little Raven asked, anxiously.
"No," replied White Otter. "Perhaps they found out about our ponies."
Although they realized that it might be perilous to linger in the vicinity, the Sioux determined to remain within sight of the grove until they learned if their suspicions were real. When they reached a low ridge, a considerable distance to the eastward, they decided to stop and wait for daylight.
"See, pretty soon it will be light," said Sun Bird. "Then we will find out if there is any one over there in that place."
When the night shadows finally lifted from the plain, White Otter and Sun Bird concealed themselves below the crest of the ridge to watch, while Little Raven waited at the base of the slope with the ponies. The grove was in plain sight, and the Sioux watched expectantly.
"If there are hunters over there, pretty soon they will ride out to look for buffaloes," said Sun Bird.
"Perhaps they are watching," White Otter reminded him.
A few moments later they saw two horsemen ride from the grove, and turn toward the ravine. They rode across the plain at an easy canter, and showed little caution. As they drew near the ravine, however, they became more careful. Once within arrow range, they stopped, and it was apparent that they were watching the top of the gully. Then they rode slowly forward.