CHAPTER XIV.
A Strange Occurrence--Arrival of Friends--Carson Joins a Large Company--Trapping on the Yellowstone--The Blackfeet--A Dreadful Scourge--In Winter Quarters--The Friendly Crow Indians--Loss of Two Trappers--On the Head Waters of the Missouri.
A singular occurrence took place a few nights after the return of Carson and his friends from an extended bison hunt.

Their horses and mules were corralled near the post and a sentinel was on duty at all hours of the night to prevent the animals being stolen by the Indians who were always prowling through the neighborhood.
In the dim uncertain light, just beyond midnight, the sentinel saw two men walk forward from the darkness, and without any appearance of haste, let down the bars and drive out the stock.

Very naturally he concluded they were his friends who intended to take out the animals to graze.

As there was nothing more for him to do, he sought his quarters, lay down and went to sleep.
In the morning not a horse or a mule was to be found.

The two individuals who had let down the bars and driven them out, were Blackfeet Indians, whose complete success was due to their amazing audacity.