The Sioux followed a deep ravine until
they came almost up to the second row of
terraces.
"Whoo! whoo!" came the blood-curdling
signal of danger from the front. It was no un-
familiar sound--the rovers knew it only too
well. It meant sudden death--or at best a cruel
struggle and frantic flight.
Terrified, yet self-possessed, the women
turned to fly while yet there was time. Instantly
the mother looked to Nakpa, who carried on
either side of the saddle her precious boys. She
hurriedly examined the fastenings to see that
all was secure, and then caught her swiftest
pony, for, like all Indian women, she knew just
what was happening, and that while her hus-
band was engaged in front with the enemy, she
must seek safety with her babies.
Hardly was she in the saddle when a heart-
rending war-whoop sounded on their flank, and
she knew that they were surrounded! Instinct-
ively she reached for her husband's second
quiver of arrows, which was carried by one of
the pack ponies. Alas! the Crow warriors were
already upon them! The ponies became un-
manageable, and the wild screams of women
and children pierced the awful confusion.
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