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finally seven young men went to search for the missing herder。 All
night long they searched the hillsides for the horses and herder；
and when it had grown light enough in the morning they saw by the
ground where there had been a fierce struggle。
Following the tracks in the sand and leaves； they came to the chasm
where the combatants had fallen over； and there； lying on his back
staring up at them in death； was their herder。 They hastened to
the camp and told what they had found。 Immediately the warriors
mounted their war ponies （these ponies are never turned loose； but
kept tied close to the tepee of the owner）； and striking the trail
of the herd driven off by our young friend； they urged forth their
ponies and were soon far from their camp on the trail of our young
friend。 All day long they traveled on his trail； and just as the
sun was sinking they caught sight of him driving the drove ahead
over a high hill。 Again they urged forth their tired ponies。 The
young man； looking back along the trail； saw some dark objects
coming along； and； catching a fresh horse； drove the rest ahead at
a great rate。 Again all night he drove them； and when daylight
came he looked back （from a high butte） over his trail and saw
coming over a distant raise； two horsemen。 These two undoubtedly
rode the best ponies； as he saw nothing of the others。 Driving the
horses into a thick belt of timber； he concealed himself close to
the trail made by the drove of horses； and lay in ambush for the
two daring horsemen who had followed him so far。 Finally they
appeared on the butte from where he had looked back and saw them
following him。 For a long time they sat there scouring the country
before them in hopes that they might see some signs of their stolen
horses。 Nothing could they see。 Had they but known； their horses
were but a few hundred yards from them； but the thick timber
securely hid them from view。 Finally one of them arose and pointed
to the timber。 Then leaving his horse in charge of his friend； he
descended the butte and followed the trail of the drove to where
they had entered the timber。 Little did he think that he was
standing on the brink of eternity。 The young man hiding not more
than a hundred yards from him could have shot him there where he
stood； but wanting to play fair； he stepped into sight。 When he
did； the enemy took quick aim and fired。 He was too hasty。 Had he
taken more careful aim he might have killed our young friend； but
his bullet whizzed harmlessly over the young man's head and buried
itself in a tree。 The young man took good aim and fired。 The
enemy threw up both hands and fell forward on his face。 The other
one on the hill； seeing his friend killed； hastily mounted his
horse and leading his friend's horse； made rapidly off down the
butte in the direction from whence he had come。 Waiting for some
time to be sure the one who was alive did not come up and take a
shot at him； he finally advanced upon the fallen enemy and securing
his gun； ammunition and scalp； went to his horse and drove the herd
on through the woods and crossing a long flat prairie； ascended a
long chain of hills and sat looking back along his trail in search
of any of the enemy who might continue to follow him。
Thus he sat until the long shadows of the hills reminded him that
it would soon be sunset； and as he must get some sleep； he wanted
to find some creek bend where he could drive the bunch of ponies
and feel safe as to their not straying off during the night。 He
found a good place for the herd； and catching a fresh horse； he
picketed him close to where he was going to sleep； and wrapping
himself in his blanket； was soon fast asleep。 So tired and sleepy
was he that a heavy rain which had come up； during the night；
soaked him through and through； but he never awakened until the sun
was high in the east。
He awoke and going to the place where he had left the herd； he was
glad to find them all there。 He mounted his horse and started his
herd homeward again。 For two days he drove them； and on the
evening of the second day he came in sight of the village。
The older warriors； hearing of the young man going on this trip
alone and unarmed； told the parents to go in mourning for their
son； as he would never come back alive。 When the people of the
village saw this large drove of horses advancing towards them； they
at first thought it was a war party of the enemy； and so the head
men called the young warriors together and fully prepared for a
great battle。 They advanced upon the supposed enemy。 When they
got close enough to discern a lone horseman driving this large
herd； they surrounded the horses and lone warrior； and brought him
triumphantly into camp。 On arriving in the camp （or village） the
horses were counted and the number counted up to one hundred and
ten head。
The chief and his criers （or heralds） announced through the whole
village that there would be a great war dance given in honor of the
Lone Warrior。
The whole village turned out and had a great war dance that was
kept up three days and three nights。 The two scalps which the
young man had taken were tied to a pole which was placed in the
center of the dance circle。 At this dance； the Lone Warrior gave
to each poor family five head of horses。
Being considered eligible now to pay his respects to any girl who
took his fancy； he at once went to the camp of the beautiful girl
of the tribe； and as he was always her choice； she at once
consented to marry him。
The news spread through the village that Lone Warrior had won the
belle of the nation for his bride； and this with the great feat
which he had accomplished alone in killing two enemies and bringing
home a great herd of horses； raised him to the rank of chief； which
he faithfully filled to the end of his days。 And many times he had
to tell his grandchildren the story of how he got the name of the
Lone Warrior。
THE SIOUX WHO MARRIED THE CROW
CHIEF'S DAUGHTER
A war party of seven young men； seeing a lone tepee standing on the
edge of a heavy belt of timber； stopped and waited for darkness； in
order to send one of their scouts ahead to ascertain whether the
camp which they had seen was the camp of friend or enemy。
When darkness had settled down on them； and they felt secure in not
being detected； they chose one of their scouts to go on alone and
find out what would be the best direction for them to advance upon
the camp； should it prove to be an enemy。
Among the scouts was one who was noted for his bravery； and many
were the brave acts he had performed。 His name was Big Eagle。
This man they selected to go to the lone camp and obtain the
information for which they were waiting。
Big Eagle was told to look carefully over the ground and select the
best direction from which they should make the attack。 The other
six would await his return。 He started on his mission； being
careful not to make any noise。 He stealthily approached the
camp。 As he drew near to the tent he was surprised to note the
absence of any dogs； as these animals are always kept by the Sioux
to notify the owners by their barking of the approach of anyone。
He crawled up to the tepee door； and peeping through a small
aperture； he saw three persons sitting inside。 An elderly man and
woman were sitting at the right of the fireplace； and a young woman
at the seat of honor； opposite the door。
Big Eagle had been married and his wife had died five winters
previous to the time of this episode。 He had never thought of
marrying again； but when he looked upon this young woman he thought
he was looking upon the face of his dead wife。 He removed his
cartridge belts and knife； and placing them； along with his rifle；
at the side of the tent； he at once boldly stepped inside the
tepee； and going over to the man； extended his hand and shook first
the man's hand； then the old woman's； and lastly the young woman's。
Then he seated himself by the side of the girl； and thus they sat；
no one speaking。
Finally； Big Eagle made signs to the man； explaining as well as
possible by signs； that his wife had died long ago； and when he saw
the girl she so strongly resembled his dead wife that he wished to
marry her； and he would go back to the enemy's camp and live with
them； if they would consent to the marriage of their daughter。
The old man seemed to understand； and Big Eagle again made signs to
him that a party were lying in wait just a short distance from his
camp。 Noiselessly they brought in the horses； and taking down the
tent； they at once moved off in the direction from whence they had
come。 The war party waited all night； and when the first rays of
dawn disclosed to them the absence of the tepee； they at once
concluded that Big Eagle had been discovered and killed； so they
hurriedly