Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-12-23
CARSON'S NIGHT WATCH.
THE OLD HUNTERS ENCOUN-
TER WITH a GRIZZLY.
Lieutenant Lazeiie's Scare and Lucky
Shot-He Was "a Greenhorn, But
Number One Fighter
Caught Mapping.


military and often secuted in company
with single companion. being furn-
ished by the government with n horse.
arms and provisions. 1T was whilo
on one OF his trips across the desolate
and trackless solitudes along the east
ern breaks OF the Rocky mountains in
company with a second lieutenant by
the name of Lazelle a fresh recruit
from West Point that he experienced
one OF the most perilous adventures
OF his whole frontier life
They had provided themselves with
sufficient supplies for "a weeks scout
for the purpose of locating the rem
devious OF n rowing band OF Apache
marauders. After being out three DAYS,
they had reached point probably
100 miles from Santa Fe and in one OF
tho most desolate and inhospitable
parts OF that uninviting wilderness.
About two hours before shutdown
they discovered a small spring. the
stream which soon lost itself in
small pool twenty steps away. They
came suddenly upon small band OF
antelope among the cacti near the
spring and killing they soon pre-
pared sumptuou5 supper off the
broiled steaks and having secured
their horses by their strong forty foot
stake ropes they turned in quite
comfortably for the night
Lieutenant La ellie being wholly
inexperienced in such life ana unac-
quainted with the nature and habits
of wild beasts seemed to feel quite at
ease and unconcerned about the night
disturbances. Many of the most fe-
rocious animals of the wilderness do
not venture out for water till dark
Carson. well acquainted with the dan
gers of their position proposed that
one should stand guard while the
other slept each two hours alter
nately. and informed azelle that
they would probably witness the
most stirring scene OF their lives
toward the middle OF the night as
that seemed to be great resort for
ferocious beasts 70. water and prey.
Lazelle readily consented to stand
sentinel on the first watch and not
realizing the true nature Of the dan
ger of the situation he was anxious
and in fact eager for something 10
'furn up to drive away the monot-
ony OF the dull tramp they had so far.
But the arduous ride of twelve
hours without water or food was too
m uch for his untutored nerves ne
had unconsciously fallen asleep soon
after entering upon his watch and
was harder to arouse than the in
domitable arson. who had been so
accustomed to sleep with one eye open
that the unusual sound which soon
broke in on their slum ber5 aroused
him to a full realization OF their peril
The full moon was Just peering over
the opposite wall OF the canyon and
lit up the whole valley. Kits prac-
ticed eye was quick to take in the
situation. and as forewarned is fore.
armed he vas always ready at a mo-
ments warming TO enter upon the most
! deadly Tray. The horses were in a
perfect state Of frenzy snorting and
! plunging in the greatest desperation
TO free themselves from their fasten.
ings and the hungry aguars which
! ba beset them in force Nit charged
upon the tigers with such desperate
energy. dischargIng his carbine the
report OF which sounded down the
: valley like small cannon. that he
/ scared the beasts away for time.
On looking around for his com.
panion he was nowhere TO be seen
and be was beginning to feel some
alarm when to his surprise the
| lieutenant called out from the top OF u
large cactus KIT did you kill any.
thing?"
arson told him no. but he would
/ soon be compelled to kill something
or be killed as he heard the roar OF
an approaching griz ly. and the safest
place for il m was on the ground as
the bear would break that cactus
stalk with ono desperate grasp.
/ Lazelle was soon at his side. per-
/ forming the nimrod act in grand
/ style
The approach OF the grizzly seemed
to be the signal for the departure Of
all other beasts and the field was
/ soon cleared OF all other dangers and
| left to the monster OF the canyon. lie
was not long in putting in an appear
ance to the great CONSERVATION OF
the Lieutenant and Kit said he felt
crowded to the wall closer than ever
before 1t so happened that they
had placed themselves between their
horses and the approaching beast
which somewhat quieted the poor
beasts approximations and they be.
came less FESTIVE.
The lieutenant seemed thoroughly
panic stricken but seeing no chance
OF escape he suddenly braced up to
the inevitable contest and actually
advanced 10 meet the monster. / his
maneuver had the effe of stopping
the advance OF the bear and no
seemed about to change his tactics
when rather hasty shot from Lazclle
brought on an immediate engagement
The shot took elect in the forearm
OF the bear. shivering the bone and
crippling him in such manner that
Carson was quick TO perceive the adj