o the right or left, but found their way back
without difficulty, and the chase was continued for several hours in
this singular fashion.

After a time, the trail became so fresh that it could be readily
detected and no doubt was left in their minds that they were close upon
the marauders. Inasmuch as Carson and Godey had pushed their horses to
the utmost, and they were showing signs of weariness, they concluded, in
view of these facts, to halt and wait until daylight.

The night was unusually cold, but they dared not start a fire, lest
it should apprise their enemies of their presence. So they suffered in
silence, miserable, wretched and as uncomfortable as it was possible to
be, while watching for the growing light in the east.

When at last, morning appeared, they were so chilled that they could
hardly walk; but making their way to the bottom of a ravine, they
kindled a fire, and with the help of some violent exercise, managed to
start their blood in circulation.

In a very brief time, their horses were resaddled and they were
galloping along the trail again. Within an hour, they caught sight of
the Indians and the stolen animals. The warriors were in camp and were
enjoying a breakfast of horse meat, several of the stock having been
killed to furnish the food.

Before the Indians could detect their pursuers, the latter dismounted
and hid their steeds where they were not likely to attract notice. They
then started to crawl in among the stolen animals, which were grazing a
short distance from camp. This was an exceedingly delicate task, for
the horses were likely to give the alarm, even if the warriors did not
detect their presence; but patience and skill succeeded, and, after a
time, they were among the drove.

But the very thing they dreaded took place. They had scarcely reached
the animals, when one of them became frightened by the appearance of the
strangers, and began rearing and snorting. This caused such confusion
among the others that the Indians became alarmed and sprang to their
feet. Carson and Godey emitted a series of yells that must have made the
red men envious, and dashed at full speed toward the thirty Indians. The
moment they were within range, both fired. Carson killed his man, but
Godey missed. The latter reloaded with great quickness and fired again,
bringing down his man.

Meanwhile, the warriors were thrown into a sort of panic by the
amazing audacity of their assailants. They could not h