From the impenetrable darkness which surrounded the camp fire, an arrow would come winged with death, piercing the heart of some mountaineer whose body was clearly revealed by the firelight.

Kit Carson would never thus expose himself.

He would always spread his blanket where the firelight would not reveal him.
"No, no boys," he would say to his often reckless comrades, "you may hang around the fire if you will.

It may do for you, if you like it.

But I do not wish to have a Digger Indian slip an arrow into me when I cannot see him." A gentleman, who was guided over the plains by Kit, writes, "During this journey I have often watched Carson's preparation for the night.