New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-02-28
THE FLIGHT OF THE ANTELOPE.
An EPISODE IN TIE LIFE OF KIT CARSON
VITA 81 n. Tus-z. sy Da,A L s'o-A


having passed through some Of the most sublime
scenery on the whole range Of the Rocky Mountains
We encsmped AZ the Lake Of the Woods, a smal
though most beautiful sheet Of water surrounded
by scenery whose very remembrance Is enchan,
ment. Since our encounter with the Blsckfeet
We had seen sign Of Indians and the country
was fairly alive with buffsoes As We were pro-
cseding up this magnificent valley. we observed
about a nile ahead of IS, the top OF bur- In
dano horseback. with a buffalo robe stretched out
which We knew u be token Of peace, and a
wish for Al interview with the leader OF our par
iy. Several Of our men put spurs TO their horses
and galloped up to where ne was stationed. anX
ous 70 ascertain what a circumstance S. unusual
as a flag Of truce from our mortal foes might por
tend On coming up, We learned from this ln-
dian. who was Blackfoot subchiei, or brave,
that he had come on behalf Of bis people, villsgc
Of whom were encamped few miles up the val
ley. 70 desire to be at peace with US
We here learned, for the first time. that the
small pox hal committed such dreadful rsvsges
upon this devoted tribe. After a couple of hours
moderate riding, we came in sight Of the village.
The tents OF which il was composed were nearly
concealed from view by an immense fence or bar
rcade of felied trees which had been hastily cut
down and piled around it in this manner only =
few hours previous. We knew this from their
foliage being as fresh and green as if they had
been still growing in all the pride and yigor
Of vegetable lie We halted and encamped
about mile from the village. Shortly thereafter
We were visited by its chief, very fne.looking
savage though much marked with the small pox.
and vergng upon the gigantic in stature. He
made a great many protestations OF friendship for
Us. which we however, attributed most probably
to their right cause, g. fear of being attacked by
our men, who were now in the very mood for a
hostile demonstration This however did not pre-
vent as from forming a circle round him, and
smoking the pipe OF pea,e which after the usual
preliminaues Of filling the same with mixture
OF tobacco and kiHm kmRiek, and pointing the
stem in a slanting direction upward as a votive
the Universal Mother, he passed round among us,
each one taking Whit a pledge Of amity.
After this customary and invariable ceremony
had been gone through with, the majority OF our
men rode up to the village, for the ostensible pur
pose Of trading for tobacco our camp being nearly
destitute Of this, to q hunter, indispensable COM
modify | say osteHsi5le purpose, for the real in
teutions OF a number Of our men, maurais suysts,
in going there were 10 put every Indian to death
that the village contained by general massacre,
and seize upon their women. At the head OF
this party was Mark Head, a man OF usually
quiet temper except when inhamed by real or
supposed injuries, when he became as inhexible
as steel and ruthless as a tiger. Luckily, how
ever this project was known to some Of the bet
ter disposed AMONGST US, who used every Precau-
ton 10 Illustrate a scheme so atrocious.
VII
On arriving at the Blackioot village, We found
It 10 be composed principally Of women aud chill
dren. which accounted for their wish 10 be on
peaceful terms with US. They informed us that
most Of their braves were out on a hunting expe.
dition. but as we shrewdly suspected waylaying
such OF our men as were absent from our party,
trapping on the numerous sire aboundIng IN this
and the neighboring regions Many Of as bad en-
iertained sanguine hopes that here stprobably,
We would be able to obtain some Information
relative to the fate OF showena and Fontanelie,
and even OF finding the former prisoner among
this very party. The latter We had no expecta-
ton OF seeing alive, being well aware, from our
knowledge Of Indian character and usages, that
If he had been so unfortunate as % tall into the
hands Of these merciless beings, death-not cap
long ere this been his portion But ie
male captves were sometimes, though rarely
spared 20 become the wives OF their captors aud
such We had hoped IL might be in the present In
stance We were however disappointed. Neither
by coaxing nor threats could we obtain the slight.
est clue, either 10 confirm dispel our fears on
their account. They rcsolutely denied all knowl-
edge respecting them and they did this with so
great an appearance OF sincerity and good faith,
that many OF these among uswho were the least IN.
-lined 10 give them credit tor truth or honesty,
began 10 believe that such might be the case. At
any rate, we were compelled 70 be satisfied, If
pot convinced, only too thankful, that reasonable
ground OF hope was still left us.
To turn 70 other matters | observed with a
great deal Of pleasure that the lowering brows
with which many Of our men had entered the
village, had with few exceptions, gradually re-
axed into good humor and even tiiH as they sue
,eeded in accomplishing their much priced object
II procuring some tobacco, as the price Of which
many OF them had stripped the very shirts which
we're either Of red flannel or calico Of glazing
,ed-curtain patterns Of their backs The smiles
md Establishments Of their Blaekieet women, had
LIKEWISE no little effect in subduing aud notify
ng the bitter spirit by which many Of Us were
lctuated.
We had here an opportunity OF observing some OF
he effects which the small pox had eft behind It 70
ttest The cruel nature Of is ravsges The faces OF
many OF these people were dresdiully marked, |
nd showed unmistaksbe evidence OF having been |
at recently released from the loathsome grasp Of
hat horrd disease.
Everything having thus passed Of good humor- |
div. thanks TO the conservative influence exerted |
y some sensible and rejecting men in our band
nd we were about 70 depart, having mounted our |
orses for that purpose, when the attention Of the
Whole party was arrested BY an extraordinary |
ound. which resembled distant thunder, or more |
roperly the rushing Of an approaching hurricane
nr0agh some mighty forest. We looked up 20 the |
ks. bat not cloud was 70 be seen IN rs azure
epths We scanned the mountain in our front /
..-.s -oyaraf a ~ ocaan III nine and Il