The savages outnumbered the trappers many to one.
They were also armed with rifles and had learned how to use them skillfully.

Thus, in view of a battle, the odds seemed fearfully against the trappers.
It was a dark night in January, and a piercing winter wind swept the prairie.

Even savage muscles will get weary in the frenzied dance, and the continuously repeated war-whoop will exhaust the most stentorian lungs.
Carson ordered his men to remain perfectly quiet in their concealment.

As they had but a scanty allowance of clothing, they suffered much from the intense cold.

Soon after midnight the savages threw themselves down around the fires and most of them were soon soundly asleep.
Kit Carson then, with five of his companions, cautiously crept towards the horses, drew out the picket-pins and led them a short distance to a place of concealment nearer their own camp.