itter
hostility of the Cheyennes, but when they went into council, and he
overheard some expressions, he saw that something was wrong. He warned
his men to be ready for instant attack, never permitting the Indians to
catch them off their guard for a single moment.

The warriors fell behind, but after awhile, a number rode up on
horseback. They were in their war paint and there could be no doubt of
their hostility. Carson spoke in a conciliating manner and invited them
into his camp to have a smoke and talk. The invitation was accepted.
The hypocritical ceremony continued some time, when the warriors began
talking among themselves.

They spoke in Sioux at first, their purpose being to lay the impending
massacre against those people, but in their excitement, they dropped
back to their own tongue and the whole appalling truth became speedily
known to Carson and through him to his companions.

He sat on the ground with the furious warriors, and heard them agree
that at the moment the leader (as they recognized Carson to be), laid
down his arms to take the pipe in his mouth, they would leap upon and
kill him. They would then massacre all the rest. Inasmuch as they were
powerful enough to carry out this diabolical plan, it will be admitted
that Carson's nerves were pretty thoroughly tested, when the pipe
passing from one to the other was within a few minutes of reaching him.

Most of the men with the mountaineer were Mexicans, very deficient in
courage and in a hand to hand encounter, the Cheyennes could overcome
the party in the space of a few minutes.

It was in such crises as these that the remarkable fertility of
resources possessed by Kit Carson displayed themselves. He seemed to
perceive by intuition the wisest course to adopt and that perception
came to him the instant the demand for it appeared.

Rising to his feet and grasping his weapons, he strode to the middle of
the group and astounded them by beginning his address in their native
tongue. He reminded them that that was proof he comprehended every word
uttered by them. He spoke as if grieved by their course, for he insisted
he had never wronged any one of their tribe, but on the contrary had
been their friend. He then commanded them to leave the camp without
delay or they would be riddled with bullets.

Carson's blue eyes flashed and his face was like a thunder cloud. It was
the Cheyennes who were surprised and they could but obey orders, though
from their