but, fortunately, they met none. The swelling host continued its
march a second day, a third, and a fourth through sunshiny
weather, increasing in warmth, and over country that changed but
little. Dick and Albert saw Bright Sun only once or twice, but
he had nothing to say to them. The others, too, maintained their
impenetrable silence, although they never offered any ill
treatment.

They were joined every day by bands of warriors, sometimes not
more than two or three at a time, and again as many as twenty.
They came from all points of the compass, but, so far as Dick and
Albert could see, little was said on their arrival. Everything
was understood. They came as if in answer to a call, took their
places without ado in the savage army, and rode silently on.
Dick saw a great will at work, and with it a great discipline. A
master mind had provided for all things.

"Al," he said to his brother, "you and I are not in the plan at
all. We've been out of the world two years, and we're just that
many years behind."

"I know it's 1876," said Albert, with some confidence, but he
added in confession: "I've no idea what month it is, although it
must be somewhere near summer."

"About the beginning of June, I should think," said Dick.

An hour after this little talk the country became more hilly, and
presently they saw trees and high bluffs to their right. Both
boys understood the signs. They were approaching a river, and
possibly their destination.

"I've a feeling," said Dick, "that we're going to stop now. The
warriors look as if they were getting ready for a rest."

He was quickly confirmed in his opinion by the appearance of
mounted Indians galloping to meet them. These warriors showed
no signs of fatigue or a long march, and it was now obvious that
a village was near.

The new band greeted the force of Bright Sun with joy, and the
stern silence was relaxed. There was much chattering and
laughing, much asking and answering of questions, and soon Indian
women and Indian boys, with little bows and arrows, came over the
bluffs, and joining the great mounted force, followed on its
flanks.

Dick and Albert were on ponies near the head of the column, and
their troubles and dangers were forgotten in their eager interest
in what they were about to see. The feeling that a first step in
a great plan was accomplished was in the air. They could see it
in the cessation of the Sioux reserve and in the joyous manne