Carson thought it necessary to go into camp till morning, that the horses might be refreshed and recruited.

There was a grove near by.

Just as they were entering it for their sheltered encampment, Kit Carson saw the smoke of Indian fires at no great distance in advance of him.

He had no doubt that the smoke came from the encampment of the party he was pursuing.
The Indians had fled from the north.

Of course it would be from the north that they would look for the approach of their pursuers.