As soon as their silent invocation was ended, the Osage braves stalked gravely towards their richly-caparisoned steeds, and mounting them, rode slowly from the camp.  For some miles, their course was along a wide-spread rolling prairie; but soon the presence of trees gave sign of their approaching a river.  It was not, however, until nightfall that they gained the banks of the Arkansas.  Hitherto, their progress had been open and bold, being within the hunting-grounds of their own people; but now the frontier line of the Pawnee Picts lay before them, in the shape of the dark rolling waters of the Arkansas, and it was time to use caution and artifice.  It was determined, as their horses were somewhat fatigued, and as they depended on them for escape in case of need, that they should seek repose upon the friendly side of the river, and cross the Arkansas in the morning.  Their horses were accordingly tethered, a diminutive fire lighted in a deep dell or hole, and every other needful preparation made to pass the night.  A frugal repast was consumed, and then each warrior leaned against a tree, and, smoking his pipe, gravely conversed upon the best mode of acquiring distinction and renown.  Many opinions were given:  but nothing less than surprising a whole Pawnee village, slaughtering the inhabitants, and returning to their homes loaded with scalps, appeared to the heated imaginations of the youths a sufficiently glorious enterprise to satisfy their ambition.  At length the fatigues of the day overpowered them, and the three friends fell into a deep sleep.

The sun had just tipped with gold the summits of the trees, the wild-cock was crowing in the woods, the thousand choristers of the forest were pealing in rich harmony, when the Osage warriors awoke.  They smiled grimly on one another, and then started, each man mechanically placing his hand upon the back and crown of his head.  Their scalp locks, helmet crests, and eagles’ plumes had all disappeared.  Petrified with astonishment, they started to their feet.  Who could have done so daring a deed?  Not an enemy surely, or they would have taken the lives thus placed within their power.  The friends wasted their thoughts in vain conjecture, and then, burning with indignation, turned to seek their horses.  The long sweeping tails of these animals had also been cut off.  That it was the Pawnee Picts, they no longer doubted; and fearful was the ire of the Osages at the contempt with which they had been treated.  The trail of their night visitors was plainly marked, and led towards a copse, where they had evidently left their horses.  It then turned to the river-bank, and was lost.  Nah-com-e-shee, however, glancing his eye over the opposite plain, gave a cry of delight, and pointed out to his companions the flashing of spears in the morning sun.