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

| Some thirty odd years ago, Kit Car.
son was at the head OF party who were
trapping near the upper waters OF Ar
lkausas. Before the season was over
they had collected such a quantity oil
peltries that they were incommoded in
carrying them from place to place, and,
as a matter of convenience, they re-
solved to cache them. This is done by
| digging large, deep hole in the ground,
placing the furs therein, and then cover
| ing them up 80 securely that there is no
danger of their being discovered by any
other hunters or Indians. A careful
| look at the immediate surroundings Is
always sufficient to guide the rlgltful
owners to their cache.
| Having concealed their furs in this
manner, the party changed their course,
and visited some streams about hum
dred miles to the west. Here they were
engaged about a week, when one morn
| ING it was found that two of the party
! had deserted, taking three OF the best
horses.
At the time this discovery was made
Kit Carson was absent from camp, and
did not return until near the middle of
the day. Supposing the deserters had
taken this method OF avoiding the rough
work OF trapping through the winter, the
hunters thought nothing of it until it
was mentioned to Kit, who Immediately
demanded their names.
"Whelan and Gubbins."
"Both couple OF villainsw added the
hunter. "You ought to have signaled
me TO return to camp the minute you
found 1t out"
"Are we not lucky in getting rid of
them?" inquired one Of the hunters
I'd nf ~
furs. Those two men have gone back
tor the purpose of breaking open the
cache and stealing our turs."
NO Que mad thought of this, but Kit
was positive on the point; and, select
ing one of his best mounted men, the
two started at once in pursuit OF the
thieves.
"They're nearly a day ahead of u.s."
remarked Carson, as they started away,
land they'll reacn the cache before us;
but we may overtake them before they
get far away"
Their intimate knowledge of the coun-
try enabled them to take the shortest
route, and they put their horses to their
best speed. They rode until tar into the
night, and then only paused because
their hard-ridden animals absolutely de-
manded it. At earliest dawn they were
in the saddle again, and gaIioping at the
same furious rate, their eyes constantly
on the strain, sweeping the field OF Wis.,
ion ia front, in the vain hope OF catching
| some sign OF the deserters.
| 1t was near the middle of the after
noon of the second day that the cache
was reached, and The suspicious of Car
son confirmed. 1t mad been opened, and
about five hundred pounds OF the
choicest furs removed.
The hunters made careful examina-
ton OF the place, and concluded at the
thieves had lett The spot early that morn
ling, 50 that they were still halt day
ahead Of them.
"They've got a load to carry now, and
can't travel 30 fast" said Kit. 81 think
there is a good chance OF oYerhauling
Lhem."
The first duty, however, was to re.
store the cache to Its former condition
| The remaining furs were carefully GOV.
cred, and the ground smoothed over
and the sod replaced, SO that none who
had not Witnessed the work, or helped
| in performing it, could be able to find
the place.
Time was of the utmost Importance
and, although the hunters worked will
might aud main, yet several precious
hours were consumed before the work
was flushed. When, at last, it was com
pleted, darkness had begun setting oVel
the prairie.
Yne trail, or rather the route-for there
was no regular trail-which led intt
New Mexico, and which it was supposed
the thieves would take, followed a direc
ton nearly due south from the cache
An examination, however, revealed thu
rather curious TACT that the deserterI
had gone 10 the northeast.
"rnat has been done to throw US OF
the track" said Kit Carson. 1.-The,
have changed their course after going
short distance, and think we can Aea(
them Off"
Instead OF following the trail, there
tore the pursuers headed to the south
east, calculating that they would inter
cept the thieves near pass leading
through the Chevenure Hills. The ridg
ran nearly due east and west, and bein
very rugged and precipitous, was gen
, orally crossed by means OF these natura
openings, which were separated by dir
tances varying from twenty TO hui
. dred miles. The pursuers urged thei
, horses TO the utmost, for they were e1
. ceedingly anxious to come up with tn
. scamps who had played this trick upo
i, them, While they, on their part. were a
, desirous Of keeping beyond their reacl
The penalty OF death is the one mol
generally prescribed on the frontier fc
4. such exploits as this; and Kit Carso
= and his friend were prepared to sho'
: tue two runaways the instant they cou
: bring them within range OF their rifle
,. There was bright moon, and the sk
:. was clear, so that there was no dlfticu
v W in keeping up the pursuit. Ne'
a midnight they reached the vicinity
a tue pass, and were not little elatel
n. catching the glimmer OF campfire.
II think they are there" said Carso
in low tone to mis- friend, land if S
we shall make them pay dear for the
a whistle"
,e They rode quietly forward, un'
., within few hundred yards, when tn'
IS dismounted, tied their horses in gle
i'd and made the rest OF the journey Oh lo'
AT Advancing with the caution characte
Ell lstlc of men at such times, they SO
le were near enough 10 the Campfire
3. gain fair view OF those around IL.
OF White men were there; but In th'
'., places were a dozen NayaJoe India
id quietly encamped, and 50 unsuspiclo
Id ot danger, Luat nothing Of amy sentlh'
Ms could De seen. .., '...i 49,. .s -.
az Having fully satisfied themselves up
he this point, The pursuers steaithIIy WI
Ut drew to Wnere they MAD lew Tn
IL horses.