These gentlemen, at first were astounded, but they soon became assured
of the truth of what they heard. They then selected fifteen men whom
they knew to be innocent, and ordered the remainder of their escort,
numbering thirty-five souls, to leave their camp instanter, which
command was promptly obeyed. To Kit Carson, they offered any sum of
money that was in their power to bestow, in return for the invaluable
service he had rendered them. Kit Carson replied, "that it was reward
sufficient for him to have been instrumental in saving the lives of
two worthy citizens, and that he could not think of receiving one cent
of money."

A long colloquy was held that night around a good camp fire, that was
freely fed with "buffalo chips."[21] At midnight, most of the party
were asleep, and nothing could then be heard except the barking of
wolves and the heavy tread of the guard, as they walked to and fro
on their respective beats. On the first appearance of day-light, all
hands were up and preparing to strike their tents. Soon after the
parties separated, but, before doing so, the traders again expressed
their thanks, and then resumed their journey. Fox was first taken
to Captain Ewell's camp, then he was turned over to Kit Carson, who
conveyed him to Taos, where he was imprisoned for some time; but was
finally released, as nothing positive could be proved against him,
chiefly because he had committed no overt act, but had only, thus far,
engaged in plotting the double murder and robbery. This is always a
difficult crime to establish. In this instance, the difficulty was
greatly augmented from the fact that the witnesses in the case, as
soon as they heard of Fox's capture, scattered and left for parts
unknown. He was finally set at liberty.

[Footnote 21: Buffalo chips form the principal fuel of the plains. It