Nearly all the horses were there, and all the treasures of furs which they had gathered in their long and laborious excursion.

As the animals were turned out to graze, the packs, which were taken from them, were arranged in a circular form so as to enclose quite a space, like a fortress.

These bundles of furs not even a bullet could penetrate.

Thus Kit Carson reared for himself and men a rampart, as General Jackson protected his troops with cotton bags at New Orleans.
Scarcely was this work completed, when a band of five hundred Indians was seen approaching.

As usual, they stopped at a short distance from the fortified camp, and a few of the warriors, laying aside their arms and expressing by words and gestures the utmost friendliness, came forward and were admitted into the camp.