In accordance with the word of the leader, it was not long before the few wagons in which the trappers had brought their provisions, in addition to the supplies which had been carried on the backs of their ponies and mules, were loaded with the furs which had been secured after the cache had been made. Then following the course which already had been decided upon, the men slowly made their way down the Colorado, trapping as they went, until they at last arrived at the Gila. Then, turning once more in their course, they trapped along the banks of the latter river and finally, well laden with the skins they had taken, set forth on their journey to Taos. After their arrival there and in the days that followed, Reuben Benton made many visits with his friend Kit Carson among the Indians, until he, too, had learned much of their language and also had learned enough Spanish to express his wants in that musical tongue. He shared fully in the feeling of respect and love which the Indians manifested for the young scout, who now was becoming famous among the scattered people on the border. In this manner the days passed until at last the time had come when once more the trappers were to return to the region from which they had recently set forth. As they advanced, the friendly Indians gave place to those who were more hostile. The fame of Kit Carson already had preceded their coming, and many of the redmen, although they hated the whites, nevertheless were fearful of an encounter with them. Indeed, the trappers were not molested throughout their long journey, until at last there came a night which was long remembered by Reuben. At that time, when the trappers had gone into camp, they had established a guard for their horses. This guard was on duty throughout the hours of the day, being shifted several times so that no one man would be compelled to serve an undue length of time. When night drew nigh the horses were hobbled. Frequently, however, the fear of the prowling Indians caused Kit Carson to direct his men to tie the animals to stakes which had been driven into the ground. All these precautions, however, did not avail. There were times when prowling Indian bands stealthily crept near the camp, and while the men were sleeping the redskins cut the ropes by which the horses were fastened to the stakes and either led them quickly away or tried to secure a larger number by driving some of their own horses directly through the camp, the Indians themselves closely following the frightened animals and yelling in their loudest tones. At such times there was danger that even the picketed horses would break away and join the herd that was rushing upon them. And this very event occurred on a never-to-be-forgotten night. Before morning dawned Carson, having discovered the loss, quickly selected a half-dozen of his followers and upon the backs of the horses that were still left in the camp hastily followed the fleeing Indians.