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nor will they compensate you for the risks you have taken in their service。
They will not give you so much as one eagle feather for what you have
done！'
〃The next day I was sent for to go to head… quarters； and there I related
my all…day pursuit by the hostile Sioux。 The commanding officer
advised me to remain at the fort fifteen days before making the return trip；
thinking that by that time my enemies might cease to look for me。
〃At the end of the fortnight he wrote his letters； and I told him that I
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was ready to start。 'I will give you；' he said； 'twenty Rees and Gros
Ventres to escort you past the hostile camp。' We set out very early and
rode all day； so that night overtook us just before we reached the camp。
〃At nightfall we sent two scouts ahead； but before they left us they
took the oath of the pipe in token of their loyalty。 You all know the
ancient war custom。 A lighted pipe was held toward them and each one
solemnly touched it； after which it was passed as usual。
〃We followed more slowly； and at about midnight we came to the
place where our scouts had agreed to meet us。 They were to return from
a reconnaissance of the camp and report on what they had seen。 It was a
lonely spot； and the night was very cold and still。 We sat there in the
snowy woods near a little creek and smoked in silence while we waited。
I had plenty of time to reflect upon my position。 These Gros Ventres and
Rees have been our enemies for generations。 I was one man to twenty！
They had their orders from the commander of the fort； and that was my
only safeguard。
〃Soon we heard the howl of a wolf a little to the westward。
Immediately one of the party answered in the same manner。 I could not
have told it from the howl of a real wolf。 Then we heard a hooting owl
down the creek。 Another of our party hooted like an owl。
〃Presently the wolf's voice sounded nearer； while the owl's hoot came
nearer in the opposite direction。 Then we heard the footsteps of ponies
on the crisp； frosty air。 The scout who had been imitating the wolf came
in first； and the owl soon followed。 The warriors made a ring and again
filled the pipe； and the scouts took the oath for the second time。
〃After smoking； they reported a trail going up a stream tributary to the
Missouri； but whether going out or coming in it was impos… sible to tell in
the dark。 It was several days old。 This was discussed for some time。
The question was whether some had gone out in search of meat； or
whether some additional men had come into camp。
〃The Bunch of Stars was already a little west of the middle sky when
we set out again。 They agreed to take me a short distance beyond this
creek and there leave me； as they were afraid to go any further。 On the
bank of the creek we took a farewell smoke。 There was a faint glow in
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the east； showing that it was almost morning。 The warriors sang a
'Strong Heart' song for me in an undertone as I went on alone。
〃I tried to make a wide circuit of the camp； but I passed their ponies
grazing all over the side hills at a considerable distance； and I went as
quietly as possible； so as not to frighten them。 When I had fairly passed
the camp I came down to the road again； and I let my horse fly！
〃I had been cautioned at the post that the crossings of the creeks on
either side of the camp were the most dangerous places； since they would
be likely to watch for me there。 I had left the second crossing far behind；
and I felt quite safe； but I was tired and chilled by the long ride。 My
horse； too； began to show signs of fatigue。 In a deep ravine where there
was plenty of dry wood and shelter； I cleared the ground of snow and
kindled a small fire。 Then I gave the horse his last ration of oats； and I
ate the last of the pemmican that the Ree scouts had given me。
〃Suddenly he pricked up his ears in the di… rection of home。 He ate a
mouthful and listened again。 I began to grow nervous； and I listened； too。
Soon I heard the footsteps of horses in the snow at a considerable distance。
〃Hastily I mounted and took flight along the ravine until I had to come
out upon the open plain； in full view of a party of about thirty Sioux in
war…paint； coming back from the direction of Fort Rice。 They
immediately gave chase； yelling and flourishing their guns and tomahawks
over their heads。 I urged my horse to his best speed； for I felt that if they
should overtake me； nothing could save me！ My friend； White Elk； here；
was one of that war… party。
〃I saw that I had a fair lead and the best horse； and was gaining upon
them； when about two miles out I met some more of the party who had
lingered behind the rest。 I was sur… rounded！
〃I turned toward the north； to a deep gulch that I knew I should find
there； and I led my horse along a narrow and slippery ridge to a deep hole。
Here I took up my position。 I guarded the pass with my bow and arrows；
and they could not reach me unless they should fol… low the ridge in single
file。 I knew that they would not storm my position； for that is not the
Indian way of fighting； but I supposed that they would try to tire me out。
They yelled and hooted； and shot many bullets and arrows over my head
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to terrify me into surrender； but I re… mained motionless and silent。
〃Night came； with a full round moon。 All was light as day except the
place where I stood； half frozen and not daring to move。 The bot… tom of
the gulch was as black as a well and almost as cold。 The wolves howled
all around me in the stillness。
At last I heard the footsteps of horses re… treating； and then no other
sound。 Still I dared not come out。 I must have slept； for it was dawn
when I seemed to hear faintly the yelling of warriors； and then I heard my
own name。
〃'Zuyamani； tokiy