After a few moments' deliberation it was decided that the valuable property must be recovered if possible, and the Indians chastised for such insolence.
The unanimous voice called upon Kit Carson to lead the enterprise, and to select his men.

He took eleven.

In a few minutes they were all mounted; a blanket their only baggage; their rifles and ammunition their only stores.
The ground was covered with snow.

These veteran mountaineers knew well when and how to spare their horses for a continuous pursuit.
The Indians being more numerous, having horses to lead, and with their steeds somewhat jaded with the long journey from their own country, could not travel as fast as their pursuers were able to do with their fresh animals.

Still the savages had so much the start that it required fifty miles of sharp riding before they were overtaken.