The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-08-15

them"
"It that Is so, there Is still a chance
OF coming across the thieves"
The leader replied in tie affirmative,
and after scanning every portion OF the
I sky, added:
"But ii we just missed them-that is,
il they were ahead of us in reaching the
passive may as well give up the chase
and go back TO camp"
With this conviction they rode qui-
etly along, until the greater portion OF
the forenoon was passed; but not sign
of the runaways did they discover.
Gradually the conviction forced itself
upon them that they were engaged upon
| a fruitless errand, and that the prudent
course was now for them to return to
camp. The pursuit. had led them into
the most dangerous portion of the Nava-
Joe country, where the greatest care was
| necessary to escape collision With their
implacable enemies.
| When the sun reached meridian, with
out any signs OF the deserters, the chase
was given up entirely.
They've got ahead Of us, that's GER
taln," said Kit, as they turned their
horses heads homeward.
"There isn't any use in pursuing them
further"
"No, the time Is all lost. When we get
back to Taos we may meet them, and we
will then settle this account"
With this consolation, they continued
on their journey toward camp. In the
afternoon they crossed a small stream
where, to their surprise, they detected
the trail Of the deserters. The foot
prints showed that their animals were
at full speed, and more extended scru-
tiny of the soft earth along the stream
revealed the fact that the party un-
doubtedly had been hotly pursued by
Indians at the time.
The trail led toward a wood about half
a mile to the left; and, under the con-
Viction that fight might have taken
place at that point, the two hunters rode
at a gallop toward il. They were not
mistaken in their supposition; for, less
than a hundred yards from the edge OF
the wood, all three of the horses were
found stretched upon the ground per-
feetly riddled with bullets.
"But where are they? asked the hunt.
er OF Carson, alter tney had surveyed
the sickening sight for a few minutes.
"Let Us look about U.s." was the re.
ply, as they moved on with their horses.
Thinking that the bodies of the trap
pers must be somewhere near at hand,
They searched awhile for them, but dis
" Went through the entire wood, with no
better success. The conviction OF both
Carson and his companion was, that
they had been captured by the Nayajoes,
carried away, and put to terrible
death. 1n this they were undoubtedly
correct, as not one of the men Was ever
heard OF atterward.
The trappers now took the most direct
route homeWard, riding along at an easy
gallop, ana saving Ihe strength of their
horses as much as possible. AS they
were in constant danger of an encoun-
ter with Indians, this was no more than
prudent. Every now and then they
came across signs OF savages, but, BY
great care, they avoided them until they
had passed over the greater part of the
distance. They were riding along IN
careless manner, chatting and laughing
with each other, when there suddenly
appeared four Indians ahead Of them.
They were all we'll mounted, painted
and docked out in their gaudy manner
with feathers, showing unmlstakably
chat they were on the war-paGA.
Kit Carson now did something which,
to an inexperienced person, would look
| like the height OF rashness, but which
| demonstrates his extraordinary quick.
ness of comprehension as to what Is the
best to do in a sudden crisis like the
present. The very instant he caught
sight of the Indians, he exclaimed, in a
suppressed undertone, "CAarxeW
The command had scarcely escaped
his mouth when both had struck tneil
spurs deep into their horses sides, anC
were laundering forward at a tremen.
dous rate. The Indians instantly
wheeled, and rode away at the same
furious rate, while the trappers, shout
ing and yelling az the top OF their lungs
dashed after them. About ity role
were passed In this manner, when fully
sixty warriors suddenly came in view
from beneath hill, where they hat
been waiting in ambushs
| Carson's companion looked inquiring.
ly at him, and he nodded his mead tc
signify that the chase must be kept UP
Retreat was now certain death, wnie e x
advance looked almost as bad. But tn,
two trappers dashed straight forward
their horses at the highest rate of speed
1t was the charge OF the Light Brigade
at Balaklava on a small scale.
When the Indians saw that the white
i intended no retreat, they separated int,
two divisions, by about the distance o
hundred yards, aud, holding thei
rifles ready, awaited the moment t
empty two saddles.
Bending down their heads, the,
pressed their spurs into tho fanks q
their horses, and the latter strainet
every nerve. Each Of The trappers heI,
. his loaded gun i'll hishand, but he did n,
fire, for, IN d running fight, the great fea
of the hunter is thatne may find bimsel
dismounted, with an empty gun in hi
hand.
1t was fearful ride. In one place
they were Within twenty yards Of tn
Navajoes, VINO sent the bullets whls
!, ling about their ears. Their clothe
were pierced, and several sleigh
wounds made; but, by u wonderfl
Providence, neither was seriously il
t jured, nor were their horses more tina
r scratched.
\ They continued their fl ight at the sam
T. lheadlong rate. The Indians continue
n the pursuit for short distance, b,
!. finally Withdrew, and the trappeI
Y reached camp without iultner d istur
l. ance.