The Life and Adventures of Kit Carson, the Nestor of the Rocky Mountains, from Facts Narrated by HimselfPeters, De Witt C. (De Witt Clinton)
History
The Life and Adventures of Kit Carson, the Nestor of the Rocky Mountains, from Facts Narrated by Himself
Peters, De Witt C. (De Witt Clinton)
Carson Kit, 1809-1868; Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.)
Soon after the two volunteers came in, Fremont resumed his journey and
continued it without anything transpiring to disturb the equanimity
of the party until they reached a point on the Virgin River where the
Spanish Trail leaves it. It became necessary to change camps here, in
order that the animals might take advantage of better grass. As the
party were enjoying a day's rest, one of the men, a Canadian by birth,
missed his riding mule from the herd. Without informing any of his
friends of his intentions, he started out in quest of the animal. His
absence, at first, was not noticed; but, soon, inquiries were made for
him, and when an unusual length of time had passed without his return,
Fremont became anxious for his safety. He directed Kit Carson to take
three men and go in search of him. On arriving at their last camp,
Kit found a spot where, undoubtedly, the man had fallen from his horse
wounded, as, about the place, there were pools of coagulated blood.
It was now believed that their companion was dead. Kit immediately
ordered the party to search for his body, but they could not find it.
They then followed the trail of the Canadian's horse, which it was
very evident he had caught and mounted before being shot. It led to
where the animal had crossed the river. There, all signs disappeared.
After a faithful search for the trail, Kit returned to camp, and
informed his commander of the result of his day's work. The next
morning the search was renewed by all of the company. They discovered
Indian signs, yet could not trace them to where the body was. After
looking in every conceivable hiding-place in the neighborhood of the
signs, they gave up the hunt. Kit Carson was much affected by the loss
of this man. He had been his friend. They had been associated in many
trapping expeditions, and knew each other most intimately. He felt
assured that, if the Canadian had not been surprised by any enemy in
ambuscade, he would have killed one or two Indians before he himself
fell; for, besides being a very brave man, he was well versed in
Indian mode of warfare, and was considered a fine marksman.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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