ow," suggested the trapper.

"Yes, we must act; and I ask counsel of my brother, because it may be
that Manitou shall cause wisdom and light to flow from the lips of the
white man."

"Well, I don't know as to that, Whitewing, but my advice, whatever it's
worth, is, that we should try to fall on the reptiles in front and rear
at the same time, and that you and I should go out in advance to scout."

"Good," said the Indian; "my plan is so arranged."

Without another word he gave the rein to his impatient horse, and was
about to set off at full speed, when he was arrested by the trapper
exclaiming, "Hold on? here's some one coming after us."

A rider was seen galloping from the direction of the burned camp. It
turned out to be Brighteyes.

"What brings my sister?" demanded Whitewing.

The girl with downcast look modestly requested leave to accompany them.

Her brother sternly refused. "It is not woman's part to fight," he
said.

"True, but woman sometimes helps the fighter," replied the girl, not
venturing to raise her eyes.

"Go," returned Whitewing. "Time may not be foolishly wasted. The old
ones and the children need thy care."

Without a word Brighteyes turned her horse's head towards the camp, and
was about to ride humbly away when Little Tim interfered.

"Hold on, girl! I say, Whitewing, she's not so far wrong. Many a time
has woman rendered good service in warfare. She's well mounted, and
might ride back with a message or something o' that sort. You'd better
let her come."

"She may come," said Whitewing, and next moment he was bounding over the
prairie at the full speed of his fiery steed, closely followed by Little
Tim and Brighteyes.

That same night, at a late hour, a band of savage warriors entered a
thicket on the slopes of one of those hills on the western prairies
which form what are sometimes termed the spurs of the Rocky Mountains,
though there was little sign of the great mountain range itself, which
was still distant several days' march from the spot. A group of wearied
women and children, some riding, some on foot, accompanied the band. It
was that which had so recently destroyed the Indian village. They had
pushed on with their prisoners and booty as far and as fast as their
jaded horses could go, in order to avoid pursuit--though, having slain
all the fighting men, there was little chance of that, except in the
case of friends coming to the rescue, which they thought improb