In Cowboy Land. 437 



thunder-clouds gathering on the horizon threatened one 

 of those cloudbursts of extreme severity and suddenness 

 so characteristic of the plains country. While still trying 

 to make arrangements for a parley, a horseman started 

 out of the Crow ranks and galloped headlong down 

 towards the troops. It was the medicine chief, Sword- 

 Bearer. He was painted and in his battle-dress, wearing 

 his war-bonnet of floating, trailing eagle feathers, while 

 the plumes of the same bird were braided in the mane 

 and tail of his fiery little horse. On he came at a gallop 

 almost up to the troops and then began to circle around 

 them, calling and singing and throwing his crimson sword 

 into the air, catching it by the hilt as it fell. Twice he 

 rode completely around the soldiers, who stood in uncer- 

 tainty, not knowing what to make of his performance, 

 and expressly forbidden to shoot at him. Then paying 

 no further heed to them he rode back towards the Crows. 

 It appears that he had told them that he would ride 

 twice around the hostile force, and by his incantations 

 would call down rain from heaven, which would make the 

 hearts of the white men like water, so that they should 

 go back to their homes. Sure enouorh, while the arrange- 

 ments for the parley were still going forward, down came 

 the cloudburst, drenching the command and making the 

 ground on the hills in front nearly impassable; and before 

 it dried a courier arrived with orders to the troops to go 

 back to camp. 



This fulfilment of Sword-Bearer's prophecy of course 

 raised his reputation to the zenith and the young men of 

 the tribe prepared for war, while the older chiefs, who 



