As she could do nothing else, Jennie rode alongside of the Sioux chief, and the band at once started upon the retreat for the Bad Lands, going by the upper trail, while the wicked young settler, from his hiding-place, saw them ride off with their captive, and muttered to himself with malicious glee:
"Now she is safe for awhile, and when I go for her she will gladly come to my terms."
As he felt his dangerous position, now within a country where he might dash upon a party of cavalry, Red Hatchet moved rapidly along the trail he had decided to return by to reach the Bad Lands with all dispatch.
His only desire was to get Jennie safe within the hostiles' retreat, for he believed that their camp was impregnable, and no soldier dare come there.
Of the camp of the Cheyennes under their soldier captain, Kit Carey, he did not know, and not until he suddenly heard wild cries and beheld a party of horsemen dash out of a ravine in pursuit, did he realize that he had a deadly foe near.
"It is the White War Eagle! He is like a wolf on a trail," the Chief Red Hatchet said to his fair captive and braves, as he beheld at the head of the Cheyenne soldiers their gallant captain, Kit Carey, coming on in hot pursuit.
[Footnote 6: The Indian sign language is almost as expressive as words, and most tribes can understand it, though not knowing each other's tongue.]
A short while before the band of Red Hatchet dashed into view, with their captive, a Cheyenne scout had arrived in the little camp of the Indian soldiers bearing dispatches from headquarters.
There was a letter from the general thanking Lieutenant Carey for his valuable services rendered thus far, and giving certain instructions for his future guidance, while he was ordered to do all in his power to ascertain the force of the hostiles in the Bad Lands, now intrenched, and the chiefs who were urging them to resistance.
A letter also came from Major John M. Burke, at the Pine Ridge Agency, which was as follows:
"MY DEAR CAPTAIN CAREY.--You see I anticipate your title, for I know it will come in return for the services you are rendering in this war.
"The Sioux here known as Friendlies, and the hostiles in the Bad Lands, are very uneasy at your being on the trail with your Cheyenne soldiers, and a greater security is felt by the army all along the line, knowing that you will head off any move the Sioux may make of importance.