The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1875-02-25

Mexican lines, and, if he succeeded he
would carry immediate word to the Com.
modore at San Diego, and thus bring them
succor
Lieutenant Beale, of the United States
Navy, instantly volunteered to accompany
him, and General Kearney at once accepted
the heroic offer, as it really was the only
plan which afforded the least hope.
The Mexicans were more numerous hot.
ter mounted, and had demonstrated their
courage so unequivocally, that it was Ger.
tain, II the Americans left the hill, they
would be instantly attacked, and, in all
probability massacred.
Few preparations were necessary. and
these were Immediately made by the two
men, and they only waited for the coming
OF night to make the attempt.
There was no moon, although the sky
was clear and the darkness was great
enough to favor the effort. Before start
ing, 1t was recalled that the moon would
rise after few hours, so that it would not
do to make any delay in the matter.
Sinking down upon their hands and
kness, they began creeping forward in the
most silent manner, moving very slowly
and with their senses constantly on the
alert, to detect the first appearance of
danger.
They had moved but short distance in
this manner, when the dark outlines of a
horse was seen, and closely by him stood
his master. The two heroes sank lower
upon the ground and scarcely moved. The
great fear was that the intelligent horse
might scent them and give the alarm but
both he and his master remained motionless,
and they were soon left in the darkness.
At this Juncture the men discovered that
In spite Of their utmost precaution, their
shoes would occasionally make a grating
noise over the pebbles and ground. To
guard against betrayal, they removed their
shoes, and fastened them to the belt around
their waist, and then crept on again
The Mexican sentinels were all mounted
and three rows deep. 1t looked very much
as tho they were expecting something like
this, and had done their best to guard
against it.
1t was found impossible to keep out of
sight these men, and both Carson and Beale
dare not relax their precaution for second,
as there never was a moment when they
were not In the most imminent danger of
discovery.
Not word was uttered Carson was a
few feet in advance upon him chiefly
depended the avoidance of peril by discover
ing themselves to the sentinels, who ap-
peared to be all about them.
A mile was passed in this tedious, painful
manner, and they were not yet out of
danger, so they crept on, foot by foot, and
IN utter silence, their senses on the alert,
while the keen eye of Carson pierced the
darkness in every direction. The result
might be fatal, yet it could not take the
prince of guides by surprise.
Near y another mile was passed, and
hope was beginning to rise, when they
were startled by the tramping of horses
feet,and the next instant he was discerned
rapidly galloping toward them in the gloom
Both men sank fat upon their faces and
lay still. Rather than expose themselves
they were willing to lie motionless and
allow the horse to ride over them.
But when few yards away and in full
view, the horse paused and the rider dis
mounted and proceeded very. leisurely to
light cigarette
Suddenly his match flashed up, and look
ing at the starlike point of light, they could
distinguish the swarthy face of the Mexican,
lit up for the instant, and then all was blank
darkness again.
During these fearful moments ofsuspense,
while the two forms were stretched motion
less as death, Kit Carson, as he always
affirmed afterward, distinctly heard the
beating of Lieut.. Beales heart.
They were trying moments indeed, and
for time it looked as though all was lost :;
but providentially, the Mexican finally
mounted his horse and rode away in an
opposite direction.
Again the painful march was taken up,
and when fully two miles were passed, they
could discern nothing of their enemies, and
found they had, at last eluded all the
sentinels in safety, and rising to their feet,
they grasped each others hands During
the excitement of the last hour or two, they
had both lost their shoes from their belts,
and were now compelled to 60 barefoot. 1t
was too late to recover them and they were
yet in danger.
Carson's familiarity with the country
enabled him to take the right route to San
Diego. He avoided the regular trails and
roads, as he knew these were all well guarded
and it would be almost impossible to escape
capture.
His way led him over hills, rocks and
stony tracts, where the prickly pear grew
n such abundance that their feet were soon
put in torture from the many wounds re-
,eived
All the next day they journeyed forward.
Their feet were hurt and bleeding from the
pears, so numerous that it was found i'm
possible to avoid stepping upon them. They
lad not particle of food with them, but
IL