This was indeed the chief cause of their rage, for it seemed as if all further attempts at united effort among the Western tribes had been frustrated by the discovery of their plans, by the flight of their leader, and by the treachery of the Blackfeet Chief, Running Stream, in surrendering their fellow-tribesmen to the Police.
To them that treachery rendered impossible any coalition between the Piegans and the Blackfeet.

Furthermore, before their powwow had been broken up there had been distributed among them a few bottles of whisky provided beforehand by the astute Sioux as a stimulus to their enthusiasm against a moment of crisis when such stimulus should be necessary.

These bottles, in the absence of their great leader, were distributed among the tribes by Running Stream as a peace-offering, but for obvious reason not until the moment came for their parting from each other.
Filled with rage and disappointment, and maddened with the bad whisky they had taken, they poured into the encampment with wild shouting accompanied by the discharge of guns and the beating of drums.

In terror the girls clung to each other, gazing out upon the horrid scene.
"Whatever is this, Mandy ?" cried Moira.
But her sister-in-law could give her little explanation.

The moonlight, glowing bright as day, revealed a truly terrifying spectacle.