New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-03-03
THE FLIGHT OF THE ANTELOPE
An EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF KIT CARSON.
rwou.n or Tie Trieun. by David L. B'oTH J

IWrti.n .0r Tie Tribune by DAVID L. bfoNaI
twill be recolected that, at the beginning oil
This sketch ausion was made to the prolonged
absence of Fontainelle from the camp, the general
imnression of his death and the efforts OF Kit Car
son to ascertain something definite respecting his
fate Fontanele LETT the main party, as he now
informed me- accompanied by Joe Meek, with the
intention OF being absent only few days. 1t was
early in the morning when they set out, and, hav-
ing ridden all day without finding Beaver in any
of the numerous small streams which they crossed,
they encamped for the night on the Muscle She'll
having travelled as he supposed, about 20 miles
Upon an examination of this river in the morning,
finding plenty Of sign, he and his companions
concluded TO trap it both ways-Fontainele follow
ing the stream up to its source in the mountains,
and Meek taking the opposite course TO its juno
ton with the Madison Fork Of the Missouri
Fontsinelle was fortunate beyond his most san
guine expectations, and being elated with his
good luck, he proceeded, after having thoroughly
trapped this stream, TO another about fifteen miles
distant where his efforts was again crowned with
success He now resolved to return to camp, from
which he had been absent ten days with the &C
cumulated spois of the hunt. During the whole
of this time, he had neither seen any Indians, nor
any sign Of their having been at any time in his
neiehborhood He was not, however, lulled into
false feeling Of security 10y these apparently
auspcious circumstances Caution aud vigilance
are prominently the characteristics OF a uapper :
and the peculiar dangers and difficulties which
continually surround him, stimulate into life and
activity those particular faculties and instincts
which man shares in common with the lower AMI
mails. but which the tendency OF civilization is to
repress and render latent though it cannot wholly
eradicate them. These, however are only found
in all their pristine vigor and acuteness IN the
savage; though the superior Intelligence OF the
white man. so circumstanced, goes FAR to compen-
safe him for his admitted nierorty in the quail
ties referred to-
Fonianelle started early in the morning from
the base of the mountain, where he had encamp-
ed during the night, and rode diagonay across the
country ia the direction OF the Madison; along the
northern banks Of which he intended TO proceed,
in order 10 reach the camp. As he approached
the Mascle Shell near its junction, bis alert and
practced eye, detected slight motion among the
willows that lined its banks, and he had barely
time odraw the cover from his rife, on; sailed
a number Of Blackieet, whooping aud yelling, az
he expressed il, like SO many devils. They were
ul mounted and armed with long English u7ees
which they discharged rapidly as they came 90
ward him. with the evident intention OF taking hi,
life. Fontanelle, who had on the first glimpse o
the Indians wheeled his horse round, intending /,
escape BY the route he had come, perceived 10 hn
dismay, that number OF ssvages-wh no must hAv,
been concealed In hollow, OF rsyine, ,hrougI
which he had passed without perceising them
were rapidly advancing, cutting OF the possibilit!
Of retreat in that direction. Al this passed In
moment As ye, he was unwounded Quick a
thought he buried his spurs in his horses TANKS
which bounded forward in the direction Of tn
Madison,-the only course left open to flight
One Of the ssvages, who appeared 70 be bette
mounted and more daring than the rest, attempte,
20 ca, him "a, and succeeded in getting betw eel
him and the river. As Fontsinele advanced, IN
Indian took deliberate aim, and fired. The hunte
felt himself spring in the saddle, as the ball too
eifec, il his thigh. Nerving himself by stron
effort though deathlike sickness was eatherin
at his heart he remained firmly seated and bring
ing bis rifle to his eye he drew rapid bat sur
lead on the BlsckioOt,-whO VAS now in "a
flight hoping thereby to dersnge bis aim--au
fired The savage bounded spasmodically in hi
saddle fell iorw ard on the neck of his horse vher
he clune convulsively for few seconds and the
dropped heavily to the ground liieless corpse. o
witnessing his late the savages uttered hideous an
terrscyells and redoubled their efforts to oyertak
Fontainelie ere he attained the river. Notwitl
standing the high, Of the bank. which was some
thing Ike ten or fifteen feet sheer descent For
tainene gave spur 10 his noble animal, whc
bounded over il into the river, and SWAN for d
opposite shore, with as much vigor and ease as
the water were his native element. Havin
crossed over in safety, he continued his flight
the Wiad River Mountain, along whose base b
proceeded in a north western direction. for th
space OF FIVE days, with such speed as the strengt
OF his horse and the condition Of his wound-noy
grown exceedingly Painial-wosld adam; Of
Nj
On the sixth day he crossed the mountains il
the region Of perpetual snow, and descended int
Pierre's Hole. Here, the hunter hoped he had 8
length bstfed his Pursuers; and here he intende
TO remain until the Camp should come CD, as h,
was Sware il had been the Intention Of those nav
ing control Of its movements % proceed by thi
rOa,e into the Oregon Territory.
The escape Of Fontsinelle from the Blackfee
wasavery narrow one Nothing but the spec,
AID bottom ofhis horse, joined 20 bis own iron con