Keeping carefully concealed, they watched every movement of the unconscious hunters.

When the party commenced its return they dogged their steps; in the darkness creeping near their encampment at night, watching for an opportunity to stampede their animals and to rob them of their treasure.

Though Kit Carson had no suspicion that any savages were on his trail, his constitutional caution baffled all their cunning.
The fort was reached in safety, and the abundance which they brought was hailed with rejoicing.

The party of hunters encamped just outside the pickets of the fort, where there was good pasturage for their animals, and where they could watch them.

The inmates of the fort had fenced in a large field or barnyard which they called a _corral_.