s life." In the end, he wound up his discourse by giving
peremptory orders for them to leave his camp, and should any one
refuse, he would be shot. The Indians were completely nonplused, and
not feeling inclined to risk a fight without their usual accompaniment
of a surprise, after saying something about returning, to which they
were answered "that if they did they would be received by a volley of
bullets," they departed to join their friends who were in swarms upon
the neighboring hills. It is supposed that a grand council was called,
in which the proceedings that had transpired in the camp of the
white men were fully reported, and perchance, many of the braves, in
refreshing their memories, began to recollect some of the daring deeds
which Kit Carson had performed when he lived in their country.
This, doubtless, led them to the conclusion that they had caught
an experienced traveler; for, certain it was, that afterwards their
actions became somewhat disconcerted and not so rash as they had
been. No sooner had the savages retired from the camp, than Kit Carson
ordered his men to harness their animals to the wagons so that they
could resume their journey.

As the train moved on, the Indians were once more left behind,
although they had, by no means, formed the idea of allowing the white
men to depart in peace. They were busy concocting some scheme whereby
they could accomplish their ends without loss to themselves. The
muleteers, as they walked beside their teams, by order of Kit Carson
held in one hand their rifles, while in the other were their whips,
which, from time to time, they were obliged to apply freely to their
animals in order to keep the caravan in compact order. Mounted on a
fine horse, with his rifle and pistols so adjusted that he could lay
his hands on them at a moment's notice, Kit Carson rode from one end
of the line to the other, inspiring his men with his own courage. He
felt that upon him was rested the responsibility of saving the lives
of his companions, and that it was to him they all looked to be
rescued from the perils that surrounded them. As he rode along, his
eyes were busy scanning the prairies in every direction. Now and then
he rested from this duty as his mind became somewhat relieved, when he
could discover nothing except bands of antelope, or, here and there,
a hungry wolf, who, with his white, canine looking teeth, seemingly,
spoke volumes of the empty condition of his stomach. For th