About ten o'clock
A heavy belt of timber fringed the northern horizon , and towards this we directed our course . As we were now liable to come in contact with hostile parties of other tribes , Stonhawon exercised great caution . Nearly a hundred runners or spies were sent in advance , while the main body advanced slowly ; the chief receiving frequent reports from the scouts . About ten o'clock we halted on the banks of the _ arroyo _ , and while watering our animals , one of the scouts returned and made some communication to our leader . In a few moments it became known to the entire band that a large war party of Arrapahoes had been discovered ahead . Beyond the belt of timber was a large grass prairie , a favorite haunt of the buffalo and upon this the Arrapahoes had halted to hunt , and after getting a good supply of meat , were engaged in converting it into tasajo , preparatory to an extended raid upon the tribes to the southward . It is probable that we , ourselves , were intended to receive their polite attentions , but if this had been their object it was frustrated by the fact that we were out upon the same errand as regarded themselves .