provide for their animals.  The second was to prepare their arms.  As soon as it would do for them to move, they started, eager for the strife.  It was judged best first to make a half circuit and then approach the Indians from the direction they themselves were travelling, as from this source, they wisely judged the red men would be less apprehensive of an attack.  Their movements were made slowly and with great care in order not to alarm the savages.  Having obtained a position close enough to observe the strength of their enemies, they stopped to reconnoitre.  The men then crept for a long distance on their hands and knees until finally they obtained a full view of the Indians, which showed them that the savages had erected two rough forts and that they were now divided into two parties.  A dance was in progress in honor of the robbery so recently perpetrated, which proved conclusively, that they were without even a suspicion of danger.  Just outside one of the forts, the nine stolen animals were securely tied.  This sight did not tend to allay the wrath of the trappers.  They resolved that come what might the attempt to regain their property and punish the Indians should be made notwithstanding their strength.  To insure success in spite of their weakness, they determined to conceal themselves and wait quietly until the Indians had lain down for sleep.  During this time of suspense the trappers were subjected to great suffering for the weather was intensely cold and they possessed but a scanty allowance of clothing fit for such work.  But as there is an end to all things, there was an end to the dance and other festivities and the savages sought their rest.  At last the time for action arrived.  Kit Carson and five of his companions commenced crawling towards the stolen horses, which, on reaching, were easily set free by cutting their halters.  They then threw snow-balls at them and by this means drove them away without disturbing the sleeping Indians.  The trappers who acted as a reserve party soon after joined Kit and his companions; and, after retreating some distance in order to be out of the hearing of the enemy, they held a council to obtain the views of each member of the party as to their next step.  It appeared that a difference of opinion existed; some of the men were in favor of returning, having recovered their property and sustained no damage.  The remainder, those who had lost no animals, wanted satisfaction for the trouble and hardship they had undergone while in pursuit of the thieves.  Kit Carson and two others composed this latter party and thus were determined to punish the thieves, let the consequences of the attempt be ever so fatal.  The more peaceful party, seeing this earnestness, could not do otherwise than lend their aid in the fight and cheerfully did so.

There always existed such a feeling of brotherly love among the old trappers of the Rocky Mountains, that the hour of peril was never the hour for separation or desertion.  This instance affords a fair example how the minority could easily rule the majority when the minority held to the side of danger.  The whole band were now unanimous in favor of the attack.