"You have done the bravest thing I ever saw," said White Otter. "Now I will have something to tell my people."
"Well, I am glad you saw it. But I will tell you that you are very fearless. You brought me out here. That was a great thing to do. I will tell the Minneconjoux about it," declared Kicking Bull.
The buffaloes had already disappeared over a swell of the plain, and the two Sioux again mounted the buckskin and rode slowly back to join their comrades. They found the course of the hunt marked with the bodies of dead buffaloes, and at each carcass were several hunters who were busy removing the pelt and cutting out the choicest meat. Farther back they found the women and some of the old men who had followed after the hunters with the pack horses. They were already loading the meat upon the ponies and the scene was one of bustling activity. White Otter found Sun Bird and Little Raven cutting up a fat yearling cow, and he stopped to help them.
The purple twilight shadows were already settling upon the plain when the great Sioux hunting party finally set out for the camps beside the stream. The warriors returned on tired, sweat-caked ponies, but the hearts of the riders were filled with joy. They rode along singing songs of thanks to the Great Mystery who had sent them an abundance of meat to nourish the old people and the children, and make the warriors bold and strong. Behind the hunters followed the women, leading the pack animals loaded with buffalo meat. There was a great quantity, and the Sioux attributed their success to the efforts of Rain Crow and the Buffalo Dancers, who they believed had gained the favor of the Great Mystery.
"You have been very brave; Kicking Bull has told me about it," said Sun Bird, as he and White Otter rode along together.
"Kicking Bull is a great man," replied White Otter, affectionately stroking the neck of the faithful little buckskin.
