The strange Indians were soon in sight, and halted within a hundred yards. Their leader then rode to the middle of the space, and stopping, signified to Red Pine that he wanted to talk with him.
The Sioux chief rode out to meet him, alone and unarmed, as was the stranger. The stranger was the first to break silence, which he did by demanding:
"Who are you?"
"I am Red Pine—"
"A Sioux?" interrupted the first.
"Yes, a chief of the Sioux! Why do you ask?"
"Is the great chief of the Blackfeet with you?"
"Gray Eagle, the Blackfoot chief, is the prisoner of Red Pine," he answered. "But who are you that asks?"
"I am White Wolf, the great chief of the Pawnees, and I want your prisoner!"
The mention of the name, Pawnee, struck a chill to the heart of Red Pine; for it is a fact that nearly all the western Indians stand in wholesome fear of them, and would as soon meet a spirit of evil as a Pawnee. I can not say why this is so, but give it as the facts in the case.