manner, it was clear the trouble was not yet ended. They
withdrew and went into council, while Carson and his friends pushed
rapidly forward.

The peril in which this little command was placed could not be
overestimated. There were not twenty men all told and except two or
three, were Mexicans who in no respect were the superiors if indeed
they were the equals of the Cheyennes. Had Carson been absent a score of
warriors could have charged into camp and slain every one. Instead of
a score there were several hundred of them: if they chose to make the
attack he knew there was no escape.

The horses, therefore, were lashed to do their utmost. The train pushed
forward with all speed, while the apprehensive leader continually
glanced back over the prairie, almost certain of seeing the Cheyennes
galloping toward them. When night came, there was little sleep in camp.
Nearly every one stood on guard, but the night and the following day
passed without molestation.

Convinced beyond question that the attack would be made unless some
extraordinary means was taken to avert it, Carson took one of the
fleetest footed Mexican boys outside the camp, and, pointing in the
direction of the ranche of himself and Maxwell, nearly three hundred
miles away, told him he must make all speed thither, and tell the
soldiers that unless they hurried to his help he and all his companions
were doomed to certain death at the hands of an overwhelming war party
of Cheyennes. Everything depended on the quickness with which the
Mexican youth brought assistance. The latter being promised a liberal
reward, bounded away with the fleetness of a deer, and quickly vanished
in the gloom. He went on foot because he could travel faster and last
longer than could any animal in camp that he might ride.

Carson went back to his friends and kept watch until morning. As soon
as it came to light, the animals were hitched to the wagons and urged
forward again to the fullest extent of their ability.

Some hours later, several Cheyenne horsemen were seen riding rapidly
toward them. When a hundred yards distant, Carson compelled them to
halt. Then he allowed them to come closer and told them he had lost
patience with their annoyances, and the night before had sent an express
to Rayado (where his ranche was built), asking the troops to see that
the persecution was stopped. Should it so happen that the soldiers
came and found the party massacred, they would take the trail