"They will not catch us again," laughed White Otter, as he turned still farther to the southward.
Daylight was close at hand when the Sioux suddenly heard the dogs barking furiously in the Cheyenne village. The sounds filled them with alarm. Had they arrived too late to warn the Cheyennes? Had the Kiowas beaten them to the goal? Had the fight begun? The possibilities tried their courage. Lashing their exhausted ponies into a final, heart-breaking sprint they raced recklessly toward the camp.
As they came within bowshot of the village they heard a company of horsemen riding to meet them. They drew in the ponies, and listened in trying suspense. Had they encountered friends or foes? They determined to take no chances. Drawing their bows, they waited for the riders to approach. They had stopped. They, too, were suspicious and cautious.
"Ho, Cheyennes, we are Dacotahs," cried White Otter. "We have come to help you."
They heard the murmur of voices. A pony called. Then all was still. The Sioux waited impatiently. Many moments passed. They became suspicious.
"I believe it is the Kiowas," said Sun Bird.
As he spoke a voice sounded from the darkness. It addressed them in the Sioux dialect.
"Ho, Dacotahs, tell us who you are," it said.
"Watch out, perhaps the Kiowas are trying to catch us," said Sun Bird.
"I am White Otter; ask your chief Red Dog about me," White Otter called out.
"Ho, my brother, we will come to meet you," said the stranger.
"Wait," cried White Otter. "First tell me who you are."
The Sioux advanced and found a small company of Cheyennes waiting a short distance from the village. Painted Weasel was an old friend whom the Sioux greeted warmly. They found a number of other acquaintances in the company that had ridden out to intercept them. Painted Weasel, however, was the only one who spoke their words.
"Your ponies have run fast," said Painted Weasel. "Has anything bad happened to you?"
"My brother, the Kiowas are coming to fight you," White Otter told him. "We found out about it, and came here to tell you. They are close by. There is little time. Ride to the camp and call your warriors."
Painted Weasel addressed his companions. When he finished speaking, three Cheyennes rode silently into the night. The Sioux knew that they had gone to watch for the Kiowas.