The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-08-19
"reminiscences of Old Bob Carson,

son, yet lives; is hale, stout and
hearty, able and willing to make
many more like trips. He is full Of
anecdotes, and gives us many hair
breadth escapes from mountain
storms and Indian fights.
He says tie last tight place he
got into was in the year 1910, during
the Mexican war. The MeXicans
were committing depredationS, and
had stolen some of our government
horses and mules. Captain Price
afterward Gen. Sterling Price-was
in command of a company of United
States volunteers, who were ever
ready for a scout or fight. He was
ordered to make a detail of twelve
of his best men and send them in
search Ofthe stolen property. Twelve
choice and tried men were chosen.
Then came the query-who is able
and willing to take command of this
squad? 1t must be some man who
can talk with the different Indian
tribes through which they may have
to pass in pursuit Of the MeNicans.
Luckily for the squad, at this mo-
ment Bob Carson rode up, well
mounted on his favoritc hunting
horse, Leo. 4 shout from the twelve
brave men bid him welcome; their
object stated and requesting linn to
take command. Nothing suited Car
son better than this.
He told Capt. Price that he could
follow a cold trail as fast as any
living man could, and to give him
self no uneasincSS, that he would
bring his twelve men back and not
lose a scalp.
The sequel shows how he succeed
ed.
The second day ont they struck
the trail; late in the evening they
saw in the distance a large party of
Indians, and as they were on friendI
ly terms with the different tribes,
Carson and his band hurried to over
take them, hoping to gain some in
formation concerning the stock.
The Indians saw them approach
ing, and halted for them to come up,
AS Carson, and his men came up,
his keen eye discovered that they
were Oh the war-path, but knowing
no fear, he rode up, and the In
dians, four hundred strong, closed
wings, and completely surrounded
them. Sandivere, the chief, rode up
to Carson, eXclaiming:
"Yeds teddy YOU are my pris-
Oner.
Carson, after questioning the chief
a short time, found that they were
also in pursuit of lost stock, stolen,
as they considered, by the United
States troops.
The Mexicans had told him this
tale to screen themselves. But all of
their intrigue could not induce San
diyere to release him and his twelve
men.
The next morning the old chief
commenced making preparations
to shoot and scalp his prisoners.
Carson called him aside for a
talk, and finally persuaded him to
send one Of his best runQers to Cap
tain Prices camp, and if things were
not found just as represented, that
on the fourth day of departure of
said runner, at twelve o'clock, he
might do with his prisoners as he
pleased. The runner started. Carson
and his men, sanguine that every
thing would prove satisfactory to the
chief, remained theirprisoners cheer.
fully and happy.
On the morning of tie fourth day
all were momentarily expecting the
runner to appear. Ten O'clock came
and no runner in sight; II and no
runner insight. Everythingin camp
was excitement and commotion. San
divere was certain that his runner
had been foully dealt with, and in
his anger made preparations tor
summary vengeance. Twelve o'clock,
and no runner in sight as far as the
eve could reach.
Carson thought his hour had
come, as preparations were made;
and, well knowing the terms would
be complied with, he called sandiyere
and told him he would like to have
a talk with him before he and his
men were shot. Carson and Sandiyere
commenced their talk, Carson in the
meantime walking slowly and leis-
urely from the camp, telling the chief
that the horses, saddles, blankets,
etc., were all donated or wiiled to
him, the great chief, and that he was
not compelled on account of this
donation to divide them among his
warriors.
The chief was much interested and
pleased with this donation, and by
this time they were eighty OF one
hundred yards from the Indian camp,
when Carson, with the dexterity OF
an old mountaineer, pulled from his
boot. leg an ugly-looking holster
pistol, cooked and presented it di-
rectly at the face Of the old chief,
exelaiming; -
"stand, sir, you are a prisoner"
"What do you mean ?" asked
Scandivere. ....... . --
"I mean just what | say-if You
move one inch you are dead man."
The Indians, seeing their chief in
danger, started to his rescue, but
Carson told him to motion his men
back, or he would shoot him on the