The British and American Trapper--Hunting on the Laramie--The
Deserters--The Vain Pursuit--Arrival of Friends--The Return Journey--The
Night Alarm--The Attack Upon the Camp--Pursuit and Recovery of Horses.
A half century ago the vast region beyond the Rocky Mountains was
comparatively unknown and unexplored. Its general features of course
were understood, but the interior was like the central portion of
Australia or Africa. Clarke and Lewis made their famous expedition to
Oregon during the early days of the century, and helped to turn general
attention in that direction. Its growth and development since then is
one of the wonders of the age.
But there was one class (if the word may be used), who never hesitated
to penetrate the wildest and most dangerous recesses of the far West
and Northwest: those were the hunters and trappers. As we have already
stated, the employees of the venerable and all embracing Hudson Bay
Company ranged over British America and through Oregon, to which vast
territory they possessed the clear legal right, besides which they and
the trappers of the American Fur Company frequently trespassed on each
others reserves, and not infrequently came in bloody collision with each
other.
Far to the northward, the Indian drove his birch canoe across the silent
Athabasca and Great Bear Lakes, on his way with his peltries to the
distant factory or post of the Company; along the frozen shores of the
lone Mackenzie (the only American river flowing into the Arctic Ocean),
the trapper glided on his snow shoes, or with his sturdy dogs and
sleigh, fought his way over the snowy wastes of Prince Rupert's Land;
the brigades in their boats rounded the curves of the Saskatchewan,
keeping time with their paddles to their own cheery songs; their camp
fires were kindled in the land of the Assiniboine and they set their
traps in the wildest recesses of the Rocky Mountains where the whirling
snow storms almost carried them off their feet; but north of the
dividing line, the hunters had little if anything to fear from the red
men. Though they encountered in the loneliest and most desolate distant
regions, they generally met and separated as friends. Among the perils
of the trapper's life in British America was not reckoned that from the
hostile natives.
It was far different within our own territory. Those who left our
frontier States and pushed westward, and those who penetrated northward
and eastward from the Mexican country, knew they were invading the
hunting grounds of the fiercest Indians on the American continent. We
have already told enough to show the intense hostility of the red men;
between them and the hunters and trappers raged a war that never ceased
or slackened, except when policy held it for a time in check.
The little group of horsemen, who rode out from Independence or
Westport, or who took steamer at St. Louis up the Missouri, often came
back with several of their number missing. Up among the mountains, they
had gone out to visit their traps and had never come back to camp. The
lurking Blackfoot, or Sioux, or Crow, had aimed all too well, and, as
he bounded whooping away, he swung aloft the scalp of his victim whose
trapping days were ended forever.
After recovering their horses from the band of Crows, Carson and his
companions returned to camp, where they remained until spring, when they
cached their furs and made their way to the Laramie River on another
hunting expedition. While thus employed, a couple of the men deserted
taking several of the best animals. Kit Carson and a single companion
were sent in pursuit, the rascals having a good day's start. A desperate
fight was sure to follow a meeting between the parties, for Carson would
never forgive such treachery, and the deserters were not the ones to
permit themselves to be despoiled of their booty without doing their
utmost to prevent it.
It was suspected that they were on their way to the place where the
beaver had been cached; and disregarding the trail, therefore Carson
made all haste thither. It need not be said that he lost no time on the
road, but when he reached their old camp, he found the deserters had
preceded him. They had stolen several thousand dollars worth of furs and
departed.
Carson was more anxious than ever to overtake the scoundrels. He and his
companion made diligent search, but failed utterly to find them. They
were never seen or heard of again, and Carson was convinced they had
fallen victims to the Indians who in turn made off with the stolen
peltries.
It will be borne in mind that Kit and his friend were several hundred
miles from the main body of hunters, and in one of the most dangerous
countries they had ever visited. So dangerous, indeed, did they consider
an attempt to return to them, that they decided not to make it, but to
stay in the old camp. Inasmuch as it would be impossible to keep their
presence from the knowledge of the Indians, they threw up some rude
fortifications and never relaxed their vigilance. When Carson wrapped
his blanket around him, and lay down to rest, he knew his companion was
on guard and would not slumber. It was the same with his friend, their
watchfulness undoubtedly preventing the attack which scarcely could have
failed to be effectual.
It was needful now and then that one of them should venture out to
procure game, but that was so plentiful that he was never compelled to
go far, and he used such extreme care that he was not even so much as
fired upon.
Thus the time passed, until at the end of several weeks, the hunters
were surprised and delighted by the arrival of more than a dozen men on
their way with a complete outfit to join the main body. Carson and his
friend were glad enough to go with them and the long journey was begun.
They had not gone far, when they exchanged shots with hostiles and there
were almost daily skirmishes with them. By sunset they had travelled a
long distance, and went into camp, feeling certain that though Indians
had not shown themselves, they were in the vicinity. To prevent a
stampede of their animals, the long ropes around their necks were
fastened to stakes driven deep into the earth. This arrangement allowed
them to graze over sufficient ground and opposed an almost insuperable
obstacle to the success of the dusky thieves prowling around.
It was yet early in the evening when one of the dogs belonging to the
camp began barking. A score of causes might have caused this but Carson
believed the incitement in that instance was the one most dreaded.
Several men were added to the guard and the rest lay down, too uneasy to
gain much slumber, however.
The trappers were right in their suspicion that savages were near but
they could not have failed to note what precautions had been taken by
the whites against surprise and they withdrew without molesting them.
The party were in a beaver country, and Carson and three of his men went
up the stream some distance to learn whether it was worth their while to
set the traps.
They had not been gone long when a party of Indians, who were probably
awaiting such an opportunity, charged upon the camp and drove off all
the loose horses. Four of the hunters instantly saddled the swiftest
of those remaining and started in hot pursuit. So hot indeed was the
pursuit that they speedily came up with the marauders and opened a
running fight. One of the hunters was badly wounded, while a warrior
was shot from his horse pitching headlong to the earth with a screech
of agony. The remaining ones were pressed so hard that they were glad
enough to abandon the property which came back to the rightful owners,
probably before an animal was able to comprehend what had taken place.
The promptness and daring of the hunters had prevented a serious loss,
and though one of their number was severely hurt, his wound was not
mortal. It may be said that he suffered much but fully recovered in
time. Men with such iron constitutions and rugged frames rallied from
injuries that would have swept off those accustomed to less stirring
lives.
Having righted matters, so far as possible, the trappers picketed their
horses and awaited the return of Carson and his companions. They were
much disturbed by fears for their safety, as in truth they had good
cause to be.