Feeling with my fingers I was quite sure I could distinguish ox tracks, and then was quite sure that we had overtaken the Jayhawkers, or at least were on their trail.

And then I thought perhaps they had fallen among the Indians, who now might be feasting on their oxen and it became necessary to use great caution in approaching the little smoke.
We took a circuitous route and soon saw that the persons were on a little bench above us and we kept very cautious and quiet, listening for any sounds that might tell us who they were.
If they were Indians we should probably hear some of their dogs, but we heard none, and kept creeping closer and closer, till we were within fifty yards without hearing a sound to give us any idea of who they were.
We decided to get our guns at full cock and then hail the camp, feeling that we had a little the advantage of position.

We hailed and were answered in English.

"Don't Shoot" said we and they assured us they had no idea of such a thing, and asked us to come in.

We found here to our surprise, Ed Doty, Tom Shannon, L.D.Stevens, and others whom I do not recollect, the real Jayhawkers.