rty caught his breath.
They focused their glasses upon their back trail, and upon the country
north.

They had no need of glasses. There they were--the Sioux, riding up the
valley. Little bunches of warriors appeared: advance scouts mounting
the high ground here and yonder, surveying before. Their figures, in
full war costume, were outlined against the sky. Down they rode, and
the others followed, until the low hills and the draws seemed to be
covered as the wide front cantered forward in a half circle extending
from the north into the east.

"Haven't seen us, I think," Scout Gruard remarked. "Don't act like it.
If they don't strike our trail, we may be all right."

The four among the boulders could only wait. The Sioux were closing
in. It was scarcely possible that they would miss the fresh trail of
the thirty-one horses. The advance warriors riding southward were
almost at the spot where the trail had turned in flight for the
foothills. Reporter Finerty heard his heart beat furiously. They all
stiffened. A few moments would tell the tale.

Aha! An Indian in a red blanket had reined his pony short, and was
staring at the ground. Now he began to trot in a small circle. A
signal! The Indians on right and left of him hastened in.

"Here's where we'd better look out," Scout Gruard sharply warned.
"That fellow has found our trail, and they'll be after us in five
minutes."

"What's the best thing to do, then?" coolly asked Lieutenant Sibley.
The scouts knew the country, and in a pinch their advice was good.

"Well, we've just one chance of escape. That is, to make into the
mountains and try to cross them. But we'll have to prepare for the
worst."

There was no escape into the open; the Sioux blocked the way. They had
the detachment pocketed against the mountains, fifty miles from help.
To attempt a running fight, or a stand, would result in a surround,
with the enemy pouring in a fire from every rise or else cutting off
the water supply.

"Very well," the lieutenant agreed.

They went down to where the troopers and Packer John Becker were
waiting and wondering.

Lieutenant Sibley spoke briefly. They had read bad news in his grave
young face.

"Men, the Indians have discovered us. We'll have to do some fighting.
If we can make an honorable escape, all together, we'll do it. But if
that proves impossible, let no man surrender. Die in your tracks, for
these Indians will show no mercy."