The tops of the lodges were crowded with the inhabitants, all earnestly looking towards the hills, and keeping up a vehement chattering.

Presently an Indian warrior galloped past the camp towards the village, and in a little while the legions began to pour forth.
The truth of the matter was now ascertained.

The Indians upon the distant hills were three hundred Arickara braves, returning home from a foray.

They had met the war party of Sioux who had been so long hovering about the neighborhood, had fought them the day before, killed several, and defeated the rest with the loss of but two or three of their own men and about a dozen wounded; and they were now halting at a distance until their comrades in the village should come forth to meet them, and swell the parade of their triumphal entry.

The warrior who had galloped past the camp was the leader of the party hastening home to give tidings of his victory.
Preparations were now made for this great martial ceremony.