They had no idea that there were any white men in that part of the country.

We got the lay of their camp, and then held a council to consider and mature a plan for capturing it.

We knew full well that the Indians would outnumber us at least three to one, and perhaps more.

Upon the advice and suggestion of Wild Bill, it was finally decided that we should wait until it was nearly dark, and then, after creeping as close to them as possible, make a dash through their camp, open a general fire on them, and stampede the horses.
This plan, at the proper time, was most successfully executed.

The dash upon the enemy was a complete surprise to them.