The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-09-15
Selftt Shry.
HAND TO HAND.
BY JOSEPH L. BADGER, JR.

"'Twas in "a that Kit Carson and ]
Joined Fontenelle's company" said old
Pierre Lajoie, one bright afternoon, as
we reclined at ease upon the cool green
sward beneath the huge, gnarled and
wide spreading elm tree that overhune
his little log cabin. "We struck out fol
the Yellowstone River, though well
knowing that the Blackfeet were unusu
ally bitter against the pale-faces, because
a captive they took, and contrary to theil
usual custom, spared his life, caught the
smallpox, and the loathesome disease
spread through the entire tribe, and they
vowed bitter vengeance.
1--WE could afford to laugh at these
threats, for we now formed the strong
est trapping party that ever entered the
Blackfeet country. All told, we mum.
bered over hundred men, for the mos,
part old experienced hands. Among
these were a good manv whom l knew,
and some of whom you have heard me
speak Of There were Black Harris
Killbush, Ben Cotton, La Bonte, Dick
Wooton and others. T
"We had some little trouble during
the winter with the redskins, but moi
much, for they we're shy about stirring
up such healthy hornets nest. Two
or three of the boys lost their hair by
heing shot from ambush by skulkins
Blackfeet, and as often we would send |
Iparty out in chase of the litter, though
generally we had our trouble for oul
pains. 2j
"Well, when winter began to breal
up, we concluded to strike for the fort;
to fit out for the spring hunt, as we hai
been unusually successful, taking severa
loads Of pelts. Indian signs. had beer
found on all sides of late, fresh and plen
ty of il, so the boss told Kit Carson t.
pick three or four men and take scout
along the trail we intended to follow il
order to get out of the broken grounds
"Kit, Of course, chose me as one O
his comrades, for we were always lik,
two brothers, and Black Harris was an
other. We had not gone far when W,
struck fresh trail, and following it NJ
we saw that it was joined from time te
time by others, until full dozen, hat
passed by together, taf
! "'True as you live, boys said Kit
earnestly, there's mischief brewing
These tracks all come from our valley
yet we never heard from any Of the rec
devils, though the boys were so scatter
ed that some of them could have beer
easily picked off with arrows. The var
mints are getting ready to springs tral
on u.s. -....i.....
Reckon we can stan it, said BlacI
Harris we kin jest nat'ally clean ou
the hull tribe O. Blackfeet.' 4 -,
"sWell, we'll follow on and see wha
we can learn, anyhow added Kit, strik
ing ahead. a
.We followed the trail for a couple O
miles, and then from small hill w
looked down upon the Blackfeet village
half-hidden in snug little valley. l
was now all hustle and confusion. Th
lodges were being struck and the squaw
were loading theil ponies as if for
grand move The bucks were in thei
war.paint, as we could tell, even from
that distance. -ga..
"'Boys,' said Kit, his eyes sparkling
there's glorious chance for whole
sale hair-lfting. l know short trai
along which can bring up the boys in
side of an hour, and those varmint
won't be ready for steady work unde
twice that. You stay here and keep al
eye on them. If they make suddel
move send up smoke signal. If no
don't let them smell your presence
exit didn't wait for an answer, but raj
off toward camp like goat, while w
waited for his return with such patienc
as we could command, which was it'll
enough, when the hated Blackfeet wer
so close at hand, and we remembered S,
many of our friends and comrades hat
been rubbed out by their hands.
"Tne village was large one, and W.
Judged that it contained at least tw
hundred and fifty braves, beside tn
young and old who would not be o
much account either way. Yet the pres
ence of their squaws and pappooses W
knew would embarrass them, and pre-
vent their making as good fight as the
might under more favorable circumstan
ces, so the odds were pretty nearly bal
anced after all.
sin less time than he had said, Ki
Carson returned, ,and with him were thin
ty-eight picked men. The others, unde
command of Fontenelle, were also CON
ing up with the pack animals, to act as
rear guard and sort of reserve for us t
fall back on if worsted in the attack
Our party were all mounted, and K
brought along horses for US, we havin
been scouting afoot. a..4.
"'Now, boys said Kit, addressing u
in short, quick tone, you see the wor
that is cut out for US. There are tn
varmints, the same that have rubbed ou
and lifted the hair of many good an
true man. They outnumber us, bu
you've all met bigger odds and raked tn
stakes. We can do it again, if we onl