Page:Lost with Lieutenant Pike (1919).djvu/97

 V

THE CHASE OF THE BIG ELK

Bang!

One of the American guards, stationed on a little rise, had fired his gun, as an alarm signal.

It was noon, of the second day, and Chief Pike had halted his men to eat, and graze the horses. At the signal, everybody looked.

"Injuns!" cried the Americans, while the guard pointed and called.

Scar Head likewise looked.

"Pawnee," he said. He knew them instantly, although they were still far off.

Chief Pike and the young sub-chief shouted orders. The soldiers seized their guns and formed to protect the horses; the guards came running in. Scar Head strung his bow and plucked a good arrow from his quiver. The "doctor" or medicine-man, standing with gun in hand, smiled and asked him a question, in French.

"What are you doing? Making ready to fight?"

"Yes."

"Good," praised the medicine-man. "You will fight for the Americans?"