commander and companions. In a small company of men, such as these
expeditions were composed of, where every member becomes intimately
known and admired by his companions, the loss of one would be greatly
felt; but, when three such were thus suddenly taken, it caused a gloom
to be cast over the remainder, not easily to be dispelled. The only
consolation left to the living was, that they had been instrumental
in saving Lieutenant Gillespie and his four companions; therefore, in
sacrificing their comrades, they had saved more lives than had been
lost.

There were no more thoughts of sleep in this camp for that eventful
night; but instead, the men selected positions behind neighboring
trees and fallen logs, and were ready to receive the enemy should they
see fit to visit them again.

The Indians, however, as Kit Carson predicted, had come to the wise
conclusion not to attempt so unsatisfactory a business as another
attack, for the grey light of the following day came without their
reappearance. Before the sun had fairly risen, Fremont had broken
up this camp, which had become odious to the men from its unpleasant
associations. With their packs, and with the bodies of their dead
companions, the party started to find their rear guard. They had
proceeded about ten miles on their journey, when, by unanimous
consent, they resolved to halt and inter the remains, which they had
wished to carry until they united their forces, so that all could
participate in the funeral rites; but, the woods through which they
were traveling were very thick, and already the bodies had become
greatly disfigured, on account of their frequently striking against
the trees, as they were fastened on the backs of three animals.