lly inflict upon
an inquisitive traveller are somewhat startling; nevertheless, what
this amphibious animal really performs is truly astounding, and
oftentimes the truth fails to gain credence.

During the winter the trappers had many very pleasant times, for they
had little work beyond the task of making themselves comfortable.
The snow fell to a great depth, which proved rather hard for their
animals. By dint of cutting down cottonwood trees and gathering the
bark and branches for fodder, they managed to prevent them from dying
of starvation. The buffalo existed about there in great abundance;
and, early in the winter, they had taken the precaution to kill and
prepare a large supply of this kind of game, while it was in good
condition. As the season advanced therefore, the trappers found
themselves living quite sumptuously.

In the month of January, the daily routine of their lives was
rather unpleasantly disturbed. A party of fifty Crow Indians made an
unfriendly visit to their camp on one very dark night. They succeeded
in stealing nine of their loose animals, with which they escaped
unperceived. Early the next morning, the _signs_ of the Indians were
discovered. Kit Carson, with twelve of his companions, immediately
saddled their horses and started in pursuit. It was very difficult
to follow the trail of the Indians from the fact that many herds of
buffalo had crossed and repeatedly recrossed it during the night,
making the tracks very indistinct. Having traveled forty miles, their
horses, which were very poor in flesh, became fatigued, causing them
to think of making a halt. After due consultation, it was agreed that
they had best go into camp. With this object in view they traveled
towards some timber which was near by. On arriving at the woods,
the advance of the party, to their surprise and not less to their
satisfaction, discovered the smoke of their enemies' fires. The
distance between the parties was inconsiderable; but, in order that
their movements might be made unobserved, the trappers retreated to
a secluded spot where they awaited the night, judging it best to take
the party by surprise. Their first care was to secure and 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