Blind Dog looked at Great Owl and his father, Black Dog, who stood waiting for his answer. Just then they heard the clopping of a single pony’s hoofs. Peering into the darkness, they could make out the figure of a lone horseman riding wildly toward the standing group. As the rider came nearer, Blind Dog saw that it was his friend. Deerfoot jumped from his pony and stood, breathless and bleeding, before the chieftains, waiting for silence so that he could report what had happened. When everyone was quiet, Deerfoot began his story. For the moment, Blind Dog was forgotten. “Blind Dog and I were on guard here at the horse herd,” Deerfoot said, “when we heard a strange noise. We found that it was only a stray dog that had wandered down here to the horse herd. We went back to our guard posts and settled down again, keeping careful watch. “After some time had passed, I heard another noise much like the dog had made so I did not pay any attention. Suddenly, the horses became uneasy. When I went to see what the trouble was, I was struck a blow on the side of my head. It was not too hard a blow and only made me a little dizzy. As I shook off the shadows from my brain, I spotted a small group of warriors who were cutting some of our best ponies loose from the herd. Then I called for Blind Dog and started after the raiders. By the time I had reached the place the raiders had been, they were already heading back into the night, driving several of our ponies before them. I quickly mounted a pony and started to chase the thieves, but I lost them in the darkness. Perhaps I was closer to them than I realized because they let some of the stolen ponies go. I have been able to round up some of the ponies, but I believe there are still a few missing. I will mount up again and start after them immediately.” But Chief Great Owl stopped Deerfoot with a wave of his hand and said, “No, Deerfoot, let some of the other braves round them up. You are hurt and need rest. But first we must speak with Blind Dog. Who has seen Blind Dog?” Without any hesitation, Blind Dog stepped from the circle of braves and stood next to Deerfoot. “You summoned me, Chief Great Owl?” he asked politely. “Blind Dog, were you on herd guard duty tonight with Deerfoot?” “Yes, Great Chief, I was.” “When Deerfoot called you to assist him, why did you not answer?” “Because I was not where I could hear Deerfoot.” “Where were you then?” “When Deerfoot called for help, I was in my tepee just about to go off to sleep.” Great Owl glared at Blind Dog. “Do you mean that you had left your guard post to sleep in your tepee, leaving Deerfoot here alone to watch the herd?” Black Dog waited for his son to answer. “Speak, my son,” he pleaded. “Tell Great Owl that you did not desert your friend and leave him alone on duty.” “I am sorry, father, but what he says is true. I was not at my guard post when the raiders came in the night. I did neglect my duty and for that I shall take proper punishment.”