"Perhaps they have. But it may be that others have been out spying, and they have brought in the same report that Potts and his crowd were carrying."
As they advanced the firing died away for half an hour, but then it was renewed with vigor.
Coming to another hilltop, they could see the flashes, of fire as the rifles and cannon were discharged.
The Indians and desperadoes had approached Fort Carson in the darkness, hoping to catch those inside napping.
But the regulars had opened the firing, and two Indians were killed at the very outset.
The red men had brought forward a large quantity of brush, and at the risk of their lives they heaped this against the wooden stockade.
When Joe and the others who were with him gained the plains surrounding the stronghold they saw that the brush was burning at a lively rate.
"They are firing the fort!" cried Darry. "Heaven have mercy on those inside!"
"I see nothing of Indians or desperadoes," said Joe. "Where have they gone, Benson?"
"Reckon they didn't like those last signals," answered the old scout.