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 have suspected
the truth -- that is that no others were near. They must have
believed that a strong reserve was close at hand and that if they
tarried in camp they would be overwhelmed by a party of avengers.
Accordingly they broke and ran, leaving the daring mountaineers
masters of the field.

In accordance with the savage spirit of the border, Godey scalped
the two Indians who had been shot, after which the horses were
gathered together and driven to where the steeds of the mountaineers
had been left.

But when this point was reached, Carson expressed himself as not