Carson Visits St. Louis on Business--Encounter with Cheyenne on
his Return--His Sagacity Does not Fail Him--Carson's Last Beaver
Expedition--His California Speculation.
Maxwell, the mountaineer and intimate friend of Carson, was quite
wealthy and was of great assistance in several schemes which they
undertook in partnership. One of their enterprises was that of sending a
train of wagons belonging to the two to the States. Carson took charge,
and, jogging along at a comfortable rate, they reached in due time the
Missouri, where he went by steamboat to St. Louis. There he purchased
a large amount of merchandise which was taken up stream on the boat,
transferred to his wagon train, and the faces of all were then turned
toward New Mexico.
Everything went well until they approached the fording of the Arkansas,
when they came upon a large village of Cheyenne Indians. Unfortunately
some days before, a company of recruits had shown such cruelty toward
several warriors belonging to that tribe, that they were roused to the
highest point of fury, and were only waiting an opportunity to visit
punishment on the first whites that came in their way.
Carson knew nothing of the occurrence nor did he know of the bitter
hostility of the Cheyennes, but when they went into council, and he
overheard some expressions, he saw that something was wrong. He warned
his men to be ready for instant attack, never permitting the Indians to
catch them off their guard for a single moment.
The warriors fell behind, but after awhile, a number rode up on
horseback. They were in their war paint and there could be no doubt of
their hostility. Carson spoke in a conciliating manner and invited them
into his camp to have a smoke and talk. The invitation was accepted.
The hypocritical ceremony continued some time, when the warriors began
talking among themselves.
They spoke in Sioux at first, their purpose being to lay the impending
massacre against those people, but in their excitement, they dropped
back to their own tongue and the whole appalling truth became speedily
known to Carson and through him to his companions.
He sat on the ground with the furious warriors, and heard them agree
that at the moment the leader (as they recognized Carson to be), laid
down his arms to take the pipe in his mouth, they would leap upon and
kill him. They would then massacre all the rest. Inasmuch as they were
powerful enough to carry out this diabolical plan, it will be admitted
that Carson's nerves were pretty thoroughly tested, when the pipe
passing from one to the other was within a few minutes of reaching him.
Most of the men with the mountaineer were Mexicans, very deficient in
courage and in a hand to hand encounter, the Cheyennes could overcome
the party in the space of a few minutes.
It was in such crises as these that the remarkable fertility of
resources possessed by Kit Carson displayed themselves. He seemed to
perceive by intuition the wisest course to adopt and that perception
came to him the instant the demand for it appeared.
Rising to his feet and grasping his weapons, he strode to the middle of
the group and astounded them by beginning his address in their native
tongue. He reminded them that that was proof he comprehended every word
uttered by them. He spoke as if grieved by their course, for he insisted
he had never wronged any one of their tribe, but on the contrary had
been their friend. He then commanded them to leave the camp without
delay or they would be riddled with bullets.
Carson's blue eyes flashed and his face was like a thunder cloud. It was
the Cheyennes who were surprised and they could but obey orders, though
from their manner, it was clear the trouble was not yet ended. They
withdrew and went into council, while Carson and his friends pushed
rapidly forward.
The peril in which this little command was placed could not be
overestimated. There were not twenty men all told and except two or
three, were Mexicans who in no respect were the superiors if indeed
they were the equals of the Cheyennes. Had Carson been absent a score of
warriors could have charged into camp and slain every one. Instead of
a score there were several hundred of them: if they chose to make the
attack he knew there was no escape.
The horses, therefore, were lashed to do their utmost. The train pushed
forward with all speed, while the apprehensive leader continually
glanced back over the prairie, almost certain of seeing the Cheyennes
galloping toward them. When night came, there was little sleep in camp.
Nearly every one stood on guard, but the night and the following day
passed without molestation.
Convinced beyond question that the attack would be made unless some
extraordinary means was taken to avert it, Carson took one of the
fleetest footed Mexican boys outside the camp, and, pointing in the
direction of the ranche of himself and Maxwell, nearly three hundred
miles away, told him he must make all speed thither, and tell the
soldiers that unless they hurried to his help he and all his companions
were doomed to certain death at the hands of an overwhelming war party
of Cheyennes. Everything depended on the quickness with which the
Mexican youth brought assistance. The latter being promised a liberal
reward, bounded away with the fleetness of a deer, and quickly vanished
in the gloom. He went on foot because he could travel faster and last
longer than could any animal in camp that he might ride.
Carson went back to his friends and kept watch until morning. As soon
as it came to light, the animals were hitched to the wagons and urged
forward again to the fullest extent of their ability.
Some hours later, several Cheyenne horsemen were seen riding rapidly
toward them. When a hundred yards distant, Carson compelled them to
halt. Then he allowed them to come closer and told them he had lost
patience with their annoyances, and the night before had sent an express
to Rayado (where his ranche was built), asking the troops to see that
the persecution was stopped. Should it so happen that the soldiers
came and found the party massacred, they would take the trail of the
Cheyennes and punish them for what they had done.
The cunning Indians, before accepting the statement of the leader, said
they would examine the prairie for the trail of the messenger. Carson
assisted them in the search, and it did not take long to find the
moccasin tracks. A brief scrutiny also satisfied the warriors he had
started so many hours before, that it was useless to try to overtake
him.
The result was the attack and massacre were not made, and, though the
assistance which was asked was sent, yet it was not needed. One of
the two experienced mountaineers with Carson on that eventful journey,
declared afterward, that had any other living man than he been at the
head of the party not one would have escaped. The achievement certainly
ranks among the most extraordinary of the many performed by a most
extraordinary man.
It would be thought that after such an experience, Carson would be
content to settle down and give his entire attention to his ranche.
While it cannot be said that he neglected his duties as a farmer, yet
he loved the mountains and prairies too well ever to abandon them
altogether.
He and Maxwell, his old friend, determined on having one more old
fashioned beaver hunt, such as they were accustomed to a score of years
before. They did not mean it should be child's play and they admitted no
amateur hunters and trappers: all were veterans of years' standing, and,
when the party was fully made up, they numbered about a score.
The expedition was a memorable one. They fixed upon one of the longest
and most dangerous routes, which included many Rocky Mountain streams
and involved every possible kind of danger.
In one respect, the party were pleasantly disappointed. Years before the
beavers had been so effectively cleaned out that they expected to find
very few if any; but because the business had been so little followed
for so long a time, the animals had increased very fast and therefore
the trappers met with great success.
They began operation on the South Fork of the Platte and finally ended
on the Arkansas. They were gone many weeks and when they returned to
their homes, nearly if not all felt that they had engaged on their last
trapping expedition.
Carson had not wrought very long on his ranche, when he learned of the
scarcity and high prices of sheep in California. He at once set about
collecting several thousand, hired a number of men and drove the herd
to Fort Laramie: thence he made his way by the old emigrant trail to
California where he disposed of the sheep at prices which brought him a
profit of several thousand dollars.
While in San Francisco, he visited a prominent restaurant where he
ordered a good substantial dinner for six persons. When it was ready he
surveyed it for a moment with satisfaction, and, seating himself at the
table, disposed of it all. His journey across the plains had given him a
somewhat vigorous appetite.