three o'clock
muttered the trooper nearest him . But Dean 's young face was grave and clouded . Certainly the Indians acted as though they were totally unaware of the presence of troops , but the more he thought the more he knew that no big body of Sioux would be traveling across country at so critical a time -LRB- country , too , that was conquered as this was from their enemies , the Crows -RRB- , without vigilant scouts afar out on front and flank . The more he thought the more he knew that even as early as three o'clock those keen-eyed fellows must have sighted his little column , conspicuous as it was because of its wagons . Beyond question , he told himself , the chief of the band or village so steadily approaching from the northeast had full information of their presence , and was coming confidently ahead . What had he to fear ? Even though the blood of settlers and soldiers might still be red upon the hands of his braves , even though fresh scalps might be dangling at this moment from their shields , what mattered it ?