"Kem, gal, it's time ter go ter bed. This yer young feller hes got all he kin do ter court one gal, an' he's proberbly thinkin' that yer room is better nor yer company, eh? An' jest make a good bed fur ther leetle gal while yer about it."
The old woman did as she was bid, and soon all hands had sought their respective couches.
But did any of them sleep? Doubtful!
As the firelight flickered about, making strange and grotesque figures upon the wall, all were awake, and trying, amid the dim shadows, to solve the problem of life—to work out the destiny in store for them.
It is needless to say that in the doctrine of manifest destiny they were firm believers; and, as they have all night before them, we will leave them for awhile, and record the events transpiring in another quarter.
The runners who had been sent out by Red Pine were particularly fortunate in meeting several large parties of Sioux, who, in view of the reported fun and plunder ahead, hastened to join the chief.
So we find him all ready for marching, on the evening of the same day that Gray Eagle and his band were about changing their quarters to the top of the hill, within the dark recesses of which our friends lay castle-building.
As the darkness began to envelop the earth, Red Pine, at the head of his warriors, cautiously approached the camp of the Pawnees.
He was aware of their being there, and congratulated himself that now he would have a glorious revenge.
But White Wolf was watchful, and his warriors were in readiness to meet the Sioux as soon as they came in sight.