Both Dolores and Ni-ha-be were to be of the party.
"Rita," said Murray, in a low voice, the morning they rode out of the village camp, "take a good look back. That's the last you will ever see of it."
Then for the first time it came into the mind of Rita that she loved not only Ni-ha-be, but all those wild, dark, savage people among whom she had been living ever since she was a little girl.
"Father, will I never see any of them again?"
"I think not, Rita."
"You will let me send them presents, will you not?"
"As many as you please, Rita."
"Then I will make the whole village happy some day."
On arriving at the fort they were fortunate in finding a trader who had bought a great many more ponies than he knew what to do with. Fifty of them were promptly secured and turned over to Many Bears.
Even while that was being cared for, Murray sought and obtained two or three important interviews. One was with the United States army officer in command of the post, to whom he told his story.