"Fighting Wolf says that he heard the call of the great gray wolf," Running Crow told White Otter. "It was far away."
"The Pawnees made that call," declared White Otter. "We will be cautious."
At dawn the scouts returned to the grove. With the exception of Fighting Wolf and his companions who had heard the wolf call, they declared that the night had passed without alarm. White Otter felt considerably encouraged. He believed that the Kiowas had failed to guard their trail. It was evident that they had little fear of being overtaken before they reached their camp.
"I believe they will keep a sharp watch around their village," White Otter told Running Crow.
The sun had not appeared when the war party left the grove and cantered away toward the Kiowa camp. White Otter asked Running Crow to select the most expert warriors to ride in advance, as he believed there was great danger of encountering Kiowa scouts. When half of the day had passed, White Otter began to notice familiar landmarks which told him that he was approaching the vicinity of the Kiowa camp. He became more cautious.
"We are getting close to our enemies," he told Running Crow.
Soon afterward they saw the famous scout, Painted Weasel, racing toward them. White Otter immediately called a halt. They watched the scout with considerable anxiety. He was lashing his pony, and pointing behind him.
"Perhaps the Kiowas are coming," they told one another.
When Painted Weasel came within shouting distance he called out to White Otter in the Sioux tongue.
"So-ta, so-ta!" he cried.