Rough as was this announcement, we soon became satisfied that it was but too true. On reaching the place where the _cavallada_ had been picketed, we found not the semblance of a horse. Even the pins were drawn, and the _lazoes_ taken along. Far off on the prairie we could discern dimly a dark mass of mounted men, and we could plainly hear their triumphant shouts and laughter, as they disappeared in the distance! We never saw either them or our horses again. They were a party of Pawnees, as we afterwards learned, and no doubt had they attacked us, we should have suffered severely; but there were only a few of them, and they were satisfied with plundering us of our horses. It is just possible that after securing them they might have returned to attack us, had not Lanty surprised them at their work. After the alarm they knew we would be on the look-out for them, and therefore were contented to carry off our animals. It is difficult to explain the change that thus so suddenly occurred in our feelings and circumstances. The prospect before us--thus set afoot upon the prairie at such a distance from the settlements, and at such a season--was perfectly appalling. We should have to walk every inch of the way--carry our food, and everything else, upon our backs. Perhaps we might not be too much burdened with food. That depended upon very precarious circumstances--upon our hunting luck. Our "stock" in the waggon was reduced to only a few days' rations, and of course would go but a few days with us, while we had many to provide for. These thoughts were after-reflections--thoughts of the next morning. During that night we thought only of the Indians, for of course we did not as yet believe they had left us for good. We did not return to sleep by the fire--that would have been very foolishness. Some went back to get their arms in order, and then returning we all lay along the edge of the bluff, where the path led into the bottom, and watched the prairie until the morning. We lay in silence, or only muttering our thoughts to one another. I have said until the morning. That is not strictly true, for before the morning that succeeded that _noche triste_ broke upon us, another cruel misfortune befel us, which still farther narrowed the circumstances that surrounded us. I have already stated that the herbage of the creek bottom was coarse. It consisted of long grass, interspersed with briars and bunches of wild pea vines, with here and there a growth of scrubby wood. It was difficult to get through it, except by paths made by the buffalo and other animals. At this season of the year the thick growth of annuals was now a mass of withered stems, parched by the hot suns of autumn until they were as dry as tinder. While engaged in our anxious vigil upon the plain above, we had not given a thought either to our camp or the large fire we had left there.