Kit Carson's Decision--A Hot Pursuit an and Unexpected Discovery--Weary
Waiting--A Snow Balling Party--A Daring Attack--Brilliant Exploit.
Instinctively every one turned to Carson to learn what he had to advise
and yet each was certain what he would say.
"It'll never do, boys, to let them steal our horses in that style,"
he remarked in his quiet fashion, compressing his lips and shaking his
head, while his eyes flashed with a dangerous light.
All knew what his words and manner meant, and in a twinkling the
thirteen men were in their saddles, and, with their gallant leader at
their head, galloped forth off in pursuit.
It would be supposed where the ground was covered with snow to such a
depth, that it was the easiest matter imaginable to follow the trail,
and yet Kit and his companions found it one of the most difficult tasks
they had ever undertaken. Hundreds of bison had repeatedly crossed the
tracks since they were made and less experienced eyes than those of the
trappers would have given over the search in despair.
But no one thought of turning back, and the pursuit was pushed
unflaggingly for fully forty miles. Not the first glimpse had been
obtained of the Indians, and the horses that had been pushed so hard
finally gave out. They were in poor condition, and, when the company
came to a halt, showed such exhaustion that it was evident they could
not be forced much further. It was decided, therefore, to go into camp.
Accordingly, they turned the heads of their panting animals toward a
piece of woods a short distance away.
Before the shelter was reached, the trappers were astonished to observe
a column of smoke rising above the trees. They looked in each others'
faces with a smile of gratification: inasmuch as the trail led into the
grove and it was evident a camp fire was burning there, it followed
that they were close to the thieves whom they had followed such a long
distance.
The discovery infused new warmth into the blood of the hunters, who were
fairly atremble with eagerness to attack the unsuspecting Indians.
But all were too experienced in the ways of the wilderness to allow
their impatience to betray them into any indiscretion. They deemed
it necessary their assault should be a surprise and they, therefore,
withdrew to a secluded place in the woods and waited for night.
This was trying to a painful degree. The weather which had been bitterly
cold during the day, grew still colder, until the animals shivered as if
with the ague. They were carefully tied where the trees partly sheltered
them from the cutting wind and the hunters made sure their arms were
ready. Then, when the sun went down and darkness crept over the snowy
landscape, the men moved around so as to approach the camp from the
direction opposite to that from which the Indians would naturally look
for pursuit.
When close enough to catch sight of the flames among the trees, the
hunters sank on their knees and crept noiselessly forward until able to
gain a full view of the dusky thieves. They were surprised at what they
saw. The savages had thrown some logs and stones together so as to make
a couple of rude forts and had divided themselves into two parties. It
was characteristic of them that they were holding a dance and feast in
honor of the brilliant style in which they had outwitted the trappers
forty miles away.
The scene was quite interesting, especially when our friends plainly
saw their stolen animals tied near one of the forts. The sight of their
property was anything but soothing to the wrathful trappers, who were
resolved not to go back to their own camp without taking the horses
along.
But the Crows were strong in numbers, well armed and ready to fight on
the briefest notice. It would have been an act of the greatest rashness
to charge upon their camp, while they were excited to an unusual degree
by the rejoicing in which all took a hilarious part. The whites decided
to wait several hours longer until most of their enemies would be
unconscious in slumber.
All this time the weather was growing colder, and, toughened as the
trappers had become by years of exposure, they suffered greatly. They
dare not move about to keep up the circulation of their blood, for the
slightest noise was liable to attract the suspicion of some of the Crows
who might be prowling through the grove. More than once Carson feared
his limbs were freezing, but he held out like the genuine hero he was,
and his companions were all worthy of him.
At last the dance was over and the tired warriors wrapped their blankets
around their forms and stretched out to rest. Their manner showed they
had no thought that a foe was anywhere in the neighborhood. Although
such men sleep lightly, they do not remain long awake when courting
sleep, and in a brief while all were unconscious except the sentinels
on duty. Even they were so confident that nothing threatened, that they
became less vigilant than usual.
"Sh! now is the time," whispered the youthful leader. They had decided
long before upon their plan of action, so that no time was now lost in
consultation. Kit and five of his men began slowly creeping toward their
horses. This was anything but a pleasant occupation, for the snow, it
will be remembered, was deep on the ground; but such veterans cared
nothing for a trifle like that, and they speedily reached their animals.
Such an attempt is always a dangerous one, for the horse of the Indian
or white hunter often proves his most skilful sentinel. He is able to
detect the stealthy approach of a scout, long before the straining ear
of his master can catch the slightest sound. If the beasts should become
frightened by the shadowy figures crawling over the snow, they would be
likely to alarm the camp; but Carson and his companions managed it so
well that there was not a single neigh or stamp of a hoof.
Silently rising to their feet, they cut the halters which held the
horses fast, and then, withdrawing a slight distance, began throwing
snowballs at them. These feathery missiles fell among and struck against
them, until, to escape the mimic bombardment they moved out the wood
altogether, where they were taken charge by the others who were waiting.
All this was accomplished without attracting the attention of a single
Indian.
Having met with such success, common prudence and sense suggested that
the trappers should make all haste to their own comfortable quarters, so
many long miles away; but they had scarcely joined each other when they
fell into an earnest discussion as to what the next step should be.
Some were in favor of withdrawing with the least possible delay, but
Kit Carson and a couple of daring spirits were bent on going back and
punishing the thieves who had given them so much trouble. As they could
not be argued out of their purpose, the others, as a matter of course,
agreed to give them their aid.
Three of the trappers were sent to take the recaptured animals to where
the saddle horses were secured while the others advanced directly upon
the Indian camp. They moved cautiously as was their custom and were
almost upon the Crows, when one of their dogs gave notice of danger by a
vigorous barking. On the instant, the warriors leaped to their feet
and the fight opened. So many of the Indians were shot down and the
advantage was so strongly against them, that the survivors hastily
ran into the nearest fort, from which they returned the fire of their
assailants. The latter, however, had stationed themselves behind trees,
where they were safe against the whistling bullets, and in their attack
they threw away very few shots indeed.
It began growing light in the east, and, as soon as the Crows
discovered how few composed the besieging force, they in turn became
the assailants, and rushed out of their fort with their frightful war
whoops, but they were met by such a destructive fire that they scurried
back again.
The second attack of the savages was so furious that the trappers were
forced to fall back, but the reserve, as it may be called, speedily
joined them, and once more drove the Indians into their fort. Several
of the whites had been wounded though not dangerously, and both parties
having had enough of fighting, the battle ended.