By this time the Sioux were pouring into the cave.
"Quick!" exclaimed the old man. "Git inter ther menagery!"
He began at once releasing the hungry animals, and then Kelly understood the horrid doom to which Bear-Paw was about to consign the Sioux.
"Here, Barnum, yer kin go first! Fight, scratch, bite, any way ter kill; only kill all yer kin! An' here, yer, Andy Jackson, pile out thar an' help yer brother!"
The other animals were let loose, and with fearful screams they sprung for the opening, closely followed by the scout and Bear-Paw.
The work of carnage was soon ended in the cave, but the infuriated animals did not pause here.
Down they dashed upon the horror-stricken Sioux, who mingled their yells of despair with the fearful screams of the panthers, and the roar of the grizzlies.
Those of the Sioux who were not disabled mounted their horses and sped away over the plain, to carry the tale of their fearful, inglorious defeat to the Sioux village.
The animals did not pursue them very far, but fell to eating the huge hams of buffalo, which the Sioux had brought in for an altogether different purpose. They were soon gorged to their fullest extent, and of their own accord returned to the room in the cave which they had so long occupied.
"I'm er goin' down ter see what ther critters hev left," said Bear-Paw. "I won't be gone but er minit."