The two Cheyenne sentinels perched up among the pines upon the rocks were watching the country lying between them and the Bad Lands.
That there was a foe to come from their rear they had no thought, for in that direction lay the homes of settlers, the land of civilization.
Then, too, they could not see but a few hundred yards over the broken country in the rear of their camp, while for miles the eye stretched away in the direction of the retreat of the hostiles.
And suddenly from the rear came the rapid clatter of hoofs, and before the sentinels could hardly have time to signal down to their comrades in the ravine, a party of Sioux horsemen swept by like the wind, heading for the retreat of the hostiles.
It was the same band that Lieutenant Carey had seen the night before, and the chief was now discovered to be Red Hatchet, while riding by his side, a captive, was Jennie Bernard.
Jennie Bernard had had good reason for sending the letter to Lieutenant Carey, which she had given to Owl Eyes to hand to him.
Just before the arrival of the Indian courier at the ranch, Mr. Bernard had called to her to accompany him to a favorite retreat of the young girl's upon the bank of the creek, where Herbert had erected a rustic arbor.
The face of the settler was pale and stern, more so than Jennie had ever seen it before, and she wondered why it was so.
"Sit there, Jennie, and hear what I have to say to you," he said, sternly.
She obeyed in silence, dropping upon the rustic seat in the arbor, while he stood in the door, leaning with folded arms against a post.
"Why, father, why do you appear so stern to me? Have I done aught to offend you?" she asked.
"No, but it is the fear that you may do so, that causes me to speak to you now."
"Child, have I not always been a kind father to you?" he said, with sudden emphasis.
"Yes, father, though I could have wished that you would let me show my affection more, and not rebuff me as you have often done."
"Do not speak of that, child; but tell me if your mother has not been all that a mother could be to you?"
"Everything, father, only I wish mother would have let me help her to bear the sorrow I know she carries in her heart. Ah! yes, mother has been ever so loving and kind."