About noon
He was followed by Antonio and a pack-mule loaded with provisions . They passed down the valley , and struck out in the direction of the Llano Estacado . On the following day a new incident created a fresh surprise among the inhabitants of San Ildefonso , already excited by an unusual series of `` novedades . '' About noon a party of lancers passed through the town on their way to the Presidio . They were returning from a scout in search of the `` assassin '' -- so Carlos was designated . Of him they had found no traces ; but they had fallen in with a large body of `` Indios bravos '' among the spurs of the mountains , with whom they had had a terrific conflict ! This had resulted in the loss of great numbers killed on the part of the Indians , who had contrived , as usual , to carry off their dead -- hence , the soldiers had returned without scalps !