When night came, there was little sleep in camp.
Nearly every one stood on guard, but the night and the following day passed without molestation.
Convinced beyond question that the attack would be made unless some extraordinary means was taken to avert it, Carson took one of the fleetest footed Mexican boys outside the camp, and, pointing in the direction of the ranche of himself and Maxwell, nearly three hundred miles away, told him he must make all speed thither, and tell the soldiers that unless they hurried to his help he and all his companions were doomed to certain death at the hands of an overwhelming war party of Cheyennes.

Everything depended on the quickness with which the Mexican youth brought assistance.

The latter being promised a liberal reward, bounded away with the fleetness of a deer, and quickly vanished in the gloom.

He went on foot because he could travel faster and last longer than could any animal in camp that he might ride.
Carson went back to his friends and kept watch until morning.

As soon as it came to light, the animals were hitched to the wagons and urged forward again to the fullest extent of their ability.
Some hours later, several Cheyenne horsemen were seen riding rapidly toward them.