CHAPTER VI.
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 wascomparatively unknown and unexplored. Its general features of coursewere understood, but the interior was like the central portion ofAustralia or Africa. Clarke and Lewis made their famous expedition toOregon during the early days of the century, and helped to turn generalattention in that direction. Its growth and development since then isone of the wonders of the age.
But there was one class (if the word may be used), who never hesitatedto penetrate the wildest and most dangerous recesses of the far Westand Northwest: those were the hunters and trappers. As we have alreadystated, the employees of the venerable and all embracing Hudson BayCompany ranged over British America and through Oregon, to which vastterritory they possessed the clear legal right, besides which they andthe trappers of the American Fur Company frequently trespassed on eachothers reserves, and not infrequently came in bloody collision with eachother.
Far to the northward, the Indian drove his birch canoe across the silentAthabasca and Great Bear Lakes, on his way with his peltries to thedistant factory or post of the Company; along the frozen shores of thelone Mackenzie (the only American river flowing into the Arctic Ocean),the trapper glided on his snow shoes, or with his sturdy dogs andsleigh, 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 campfires were kindled in the land of the Assiniboine and they set theirtraps in the wildest recesses of the Rocky Mountains where the whirlingsnow storms almost carried them off their feet; but north of thedividing line, the hunters had little if anything to fear from the redmen. Though they encountered in the loneliest and most desolate distantregions, they generally met and separated as friends. Among the perilsof the trapper's life in British America was not reckoned that from thehostile natives.
It was far different within our own territory. Those who left ourfrontier States and pushed westward, and those who penetrated northwardand eastward from the Mexican country, knew they were invading thehunting grounds of the fiercest Indians on the American continent. Wehave already told enough to show the intense hostility of the red men;between them and the hunters and trappers raged a war that never ceasedor slackened, except when policy held it for a time in check.
The little group of horsemen, who rode out from Independence orWestport, or who took steamer at St. Louis up the Missouri, often cameback with several of their number missing. Up among the mountains, theyhad gone out to visit their traps and had never come back to camp. Thelurking Blackfoot, or Sioux, or Crow, had aimed all too well, and, ashe bounded whooping away, he swung aloft the scalp of his victim whosetrapping days were ended forever.
After recovering their horses from the band of Crows, Carson and hiscompanions returned to camp, where they remained until spring, when theycached their furs and made their way to the Laramie River on anotherhunting expedition. While thus employed, a couple of the men desertedtaking several of the best animals. Kit Carson and a single companionwere sent in pursuit, the rascals having a good day's start. A desperatefight was sure to follow a meeting between the parties, for Carson wouldnever forgive such treachery, and the deserters were not the ones topermit themselves to be despoiled of their booty without doing theirutmost to prevent it.
It was suspected that they were on their way to the place where thebeaver had been cached; and disregarding the trail, therefore Carsonmade all haste thither. It need not be said that he lost no time on theroad, but when he reached their old camp, he found the deserters hadpreceded him. They had stolen several thousand dollars worth of furs anddeparted.
Carson was more anxious than ever to overtake the scoundrels. He and hiscompanion made diligent search, but failed utterly to find them. Theywere never seen or heard of again, and Carson was convinced they hadfallen victims to the Indians who in turn made off with the stolenpeltries.
It will be borne in mind that Kit and his friend were several hundredmiles from the main body of hunters, and in one of the most dangerouscountries they had ever visited. So dangerous, indeed, did they consideran attempt to return to them, that they decided not to make it, but tostay in the old camp. Inasmuch as it would be impossible to keep theirpresence from the knowledge of the Indians, they threw up some rudefortifications and never relaxed their vigilance. When Carson wrappedhis blanket around him, and lay down to rest, he knew his companion wason guard and would not slumber. It was the same with his friend, theirwatchfulness undoubtedly preventing the attack which scarcely could havefailed to be effectual.
It was needful now and then that one of them should venture out toprocure game, but that was so plentiful that he was never compelled togo far, and he used such extreme care that he was not even so much asfired upon.
Thus the time passed, until at the end of several weeks, the hunterswere surprised and delighted by the arrival of more than a dozen men ontheir way with a complete outfit to join the main body. Carson and hisfriend 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 therewere almost daily skirmishes with them. By sunset they had travelled along distance, and went into camp, feeling certain that though Indianshad not shown themselves, they were in the vicinity. To prevent astampede of their animals, the long ropes around their necks werefastened to stakes driven deep into the earth. This arrangement allowedthem to graze over sufficient ground and opposed an almost insuperableobstacle to the success of the dusky thieves prowling around.
It was yet early in the evening when one of the dogs belonging to thecamp began barking. A score of causes might have caused this but Carsonbelieved the incitement in that instance was the one most dreaded.Several men were added to the guard and the rest lay down, too uneasy togain much slumber, however.
The trappers were right in their suspicion that savages were near butthey could not have failed to note what precautions had been taken bythe whites against surprise and they withdrew without molesting them.The party were in a beaver country, and Carson and three of his men wentup the stream some distance to learn whether it was worth their while toset the traps.
They had not been gone long when a party of Indians, who were probablyawaiting such an opportunity, charged upon the camp and drove off allthe loose horses. Four of the hunters instantly saddled the swiftestof those remaining and started in hot pursuit. So hot indeed was thepursuit that they speedily came up with the marauders and opened arunning fight. One of the hunters was badly wounded, while a warriorwas shot from his horse pitching headlong to the earth with a screechof agony. The remaining ones were pressed so hard that they were gladenough 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 notmortal. It may be said that he suffered much but fully recovered intime. Men with such iron constitutions and rugged frames rallied frominjuries that would have swept off those accustomed to less stirringlives.
Having righted matters, so far as possible, the trappers picketed theirhorses and awaited the return of Carson and his companions. They weremuch disturbed by fears for their safety, as in truth they had goodcause to be.
The Life of Kit Carson: Hunter, Trapper, Guide, Indian Agent and Colonel U.S.A. Page 6
