The number of the Indians, their position, their weapons, and the nature of the ground upon which they had met, rendered the result of a battle very doubtful.

It would not do for Carson to manifest the slightest trepidation, or the least doubt of his ability to recover the stolen property, and to chastise the marauders.
After some pretty severe questioning, he suggested that since they were friends, they should all meet in council unarmed, and smoke the calumet of peace.

There are generally some points of honor, which will bind the most abandoned men.

Such was the smoking of the pipe of peace with the savages.
A large fire was built.

The two parties met around it.