each other when they fell into an earnest discussion as to what
the next step should be.

Some were in favor of withdrawing with the least possible delay,
but Kit Carson and a couple of daring spirits were bent on going
back and punishing the thieves who had given them so much trouble.
As they could not be argued out of their purpose, the others, as
a matter of course, agreed to give them their aid.

Three of the trappers were sent to take the recaptured animals
to where the saddle horses were secured while the others advanced
directly upon the Indian camp. They moved cautiously as was their
custom and were almost upon the Crows, when one of their dogs gave
notice of danger by a vigorous barking. On the instant, the warriors
leaped to their feet and the fight opened. So many of the Indians
were shot down and the advantage was so strongly against them, that
the survivors hastily ran into the nearest fort, from which they
returned the fire of their assailants. The latter, however, had
stationed themselves behind trees, where they were safe against
the whistling bullets, and in their attack they threw away very
few shots indeed.

It began growing light in the east, and, as soon as the Crows
discovered how few composed the besieging force, they in turn became
the assailants, and rushed out of their fort with their frightful
war whoops, but they were met by such a destructive fire that they
scurried back again.

The second attack of the savages was so furious that the trappers
were forced to fall back, but the reserve, as it may be called,