CHAPTER XXXII.
The Wounded Herder--A Successful Pursuit--An Atrocious Plot--How it was Frustrated--Gratitude of the Gentlemen Whom Carson was the Means of Saving From Death.
Carson returned to his ranche where he spent the winter.

One day in spring a wounded herder managed to reach the place with the news that he and his companion, stationed a few miles away, had been attacked by Apaches, who wounded both, and ran off all the horses and mules.
A squad of ten dragoons and a sergeant were on guard near Carson's ranche.

They and three settlers, including Carson, started at once in pursuit.

It was so late in the day that when they came to the place where the outrage had been committed, it was dark and they went into camp; but they were astir at the earliest dawn, and soon striking the trail of the thieves, put their animals to a keen gallop.

Some twenty miles further, the Apaches were described a long distance away.