"Not so! Decidedly not so!" the old man signed on. "They have watched there for several days--at least five men. They sneaked away when they saw us coming. Why did they do that when they could easily have surprised and killed us? Because they are the scouts of a multitude coming to attack us, and are to tell the chiefs just how to do it." "I believe that the old man is right!" Abbott exclaimed. "He may be, but I doubt it," said my uncle. "Up there is the lookout place for all the war parties passing along this great trail. I doubt not that one was recently there. I can't believe, however, that five or six enemies withdrew from the point upon the approach of these two old men. Had they been there at that time, they would certainly never have overlooked such an easy opportunity to count two coups." "Well, whether you believe they are right or not, I advise you to keep a good guard round the barricade to-night and to keep the horses in, too," said Abbott. "The horses must go out to feed as usual. In any event, they will be safe off there upon the dark plain." Abbott threw out his hands with a gesture of despair. "All right, you for it! I've said my say." Old Lame Wolf, of course, understood nothing of what was being said. He waited until the talk apparently was ended, got my uncle's attention once more and signed, "What shall you do?" "We shall some of us stand watch with you to-night," my uncle answered. "That is good. Be sure that the loud-mouthed gun is well loaded and ready to fire," the old man concluded, and the two went out to their evening meal. When supper was over, my uncle called the engagés together, told them the old Mandans believed that the enemy might attack us during the night, and ordered them to look well to their guns. He then called the names of those he wanted for extra guard duty, and of those who were to help him with the cannon. But to this plan Tsistsaki made strong objection. "No," she said; "let each man use his rifle. We will help with the gun." And my uncle promised that she should have her way. As Pitamakan and I were preparing to take the horses out, I had a last word with my uncle. "If you are attacked to-night, what shall we do?" I asked. "I would not be sending you out if I believed that was to happen. However, if it does happen, you must do the best you can; your own judgment must guide you," he answered. CHAPTER IX BIG LAKE CALLS A COUNCIL