Quick as a flash, Weeko turned again to her
babies, but Nakpa had already disappeared!
Then, maddened by fright and the loss of her
children, Weeko became forgetful of her sex
and tenderness, for she sternly grasped her hus-
band's bow in her left hand to do battle.
That charge of the Crows was a disastrous
one, but the Sioux were equally brave and des-
perate. Charges and counter-charges were
made, and the slain were many on both sides.
The fight lasted until darkness came. Then
the Crows departed and the Sioux buried their
dead.
When the Crows made their flank charge,
Nakpa apparently appreciated the situation. To
save herself and the babies, she took a desperate
chance. She fled straight through the attack-
ing force.
When the warriors came howling upon
her in great numbers, she at once started
back the way she had come, to the camp left
behind. They had traveled nearly three days.
To be sure, they did not travel more than fifteen
miles a day, but it was full forty miles to cover
before dark.
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