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.)
There chanced, near by to the camp, to be an Indian village belonging
to the Utah Tribe. The whites were on friendly terms with the
inhabitants of this village, which determined Carson to seek out, from
among their warriors, one active and intelligent brave, and get him to
join in the chase. This was the more easily accomplished as Carson's
reputation for skill, courage and experience was already well known in
this tribe. He, himself, had made a large circle of acquaintance among
the braves, and many of them had become strongly attached to him. Some
of these attachments have existed for years and are still maintained;
for, a fact well known, the American Indian warrior, as a general
rule, is true and unchangeable in his friendships. With this object
in view, Carson, putting his horse to his speed, started for the Utah
village. On making his errand known to such of the braves as enjoyed
his confidence, he found no difficulty in engaging a well-known
warrior, and one on whom he knew he could rely, to accompany him. The
wily savage was soon ready for the march, when Kit gave the word to
start. Both men were splendidly mounted. Their pace was that of no
sluggard. The high-conditioned animals which they rode seemed to
catch the eager spirit of their masters, and entering into it, bent
themselves to their work with determination accordingly. To discover
the trail of the deserter and to study its various characteristics,
a science of no mean or useless order in the matter of a woodman's
education, required the two men to slacken their pace for a short
time. The tracks made by the stolen animals, however, were well
marked; and, to such practised eyes, afforded a certain indication
as to their route. Again putting their horses to their speed, with
compressed lips and eyes directed to the trail before them, Carson and
the Indian warrior dashed on, feeling confident, that, if the rascal
escaped with his ill-gotten booty, the sin would not be laid upon
their shoulders. The trail led down the Green River. This fact made
Carson conclude that California was the destination aimed at in the
deserter's calculations. Kit and his Indian brave had accomplished
about one hundred miles, having, not once, lost sight of the trail,
when, most unfortunately for Kit, the horse of the Indian was suddenly
taken sick and his strength gave out completely. The Indian could go
no further except on foot, and this mode of travel he was unwilling to
adopt, refusing absolutely Carson's request made to him to do so. This
was an unpleasant predicament, especially as the rascal, who formed
the chase, was a dangerous antagonist even to an experienced fighter
and in an honest cause. Goaded on by the fear of punishment for theft,
Carson well knew that he would require all of his own address to
purchase success; for, the rascal would not fail to make a most
desperate resistance. But Kit Carson's courage arose, as the
difficulties of the adventure seemed to multiply. With a farewell word
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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