Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1893-11-11

CHAPTER I.
"Back, menl Back to covert Don't
lose sight of the women" shouted the
captain of our train as we were hurry
ing toward the advanced position by the
side of deep canyon where he had come
70 q standstill.
We knew our leader-the renowned
Kit Carson---too well to lose moment in
idle questioning, soall turned at once and
scurried back to the line of wagons, in
the center one of which sat Tom Secord's
pretty wife and her still prettier sister,
Helen Douglas.
Rallying by the side of the women, or
girls rather, neither being yet 20 years
of age, we looked ahead to see what Kit
was doing. Much to our surprise, that
veteran scout. instead of riding swiftly
in, as we expected, had dismounted from
his horse and was walking quietly in
front of the animal, thus making its body
shield his own from any attack in TIL
rear.
What's mp, cap?" three or four Of us
asked in breath as Carson, calm as the
summer day itself joined rs.
Nothing of much account, boys. But
il we'd once got into the canyon reckon
none Of us-only the women, maybe
would ever have come out alive"
ooh. Mr.. Carson! What is it? Are
tie Indians there? Is there much dan
gtr?" exclaimed Mrs. Secord.
Danger! Bless your sweet heart, not
mite for you or the girl so ION IS sin
gle man of us is lett, and we amt any
of us going under just yet" Kit gallant
ly replied. "But, boys, you might as
well put things in shipshape. It's kind
of half likely that We'll have n little
scrimmage. Near as can guess, there's
well on to 80 Apaches liling in the can
yon. | csugIt sight of a pony or two
and half ado. n warriors, and-v Il, the
red devils have got their warpaiHt on
They've rec..ongl to wipe us out as We
went chrolgh the pass, but they'll I've
to wait awhile"
1t wa in 1850. We were On our way
from Missouri TO California-were now
passing through Arizona and had ar
rived at Canyon Diablo Qhe Deyi.i
canyon), in the vicinity of Ii lie Colo
RADIO river, when our guide had so op
portunely discovered the ambrscade.
Besides KIT Carson, then in his pr.ul,
and about 40 years of age, there wer' L
men in our party, all stout fellows unCel
80, and the two young women. CJl
outfit consisted of five covered wagons
afterward known as 'prairie schooners,
and Is horses-i. e., an extra horse fol
each wagon or available for the sadC. 4
while hunting buffalo and other game
sit was yet quite early in the season
we had found good grass all along th'
route. Our cattle were consequently IL
first class condition, and we had mucl
enjoyed our trip, Notwithstanding the
constant watchfulness we had beer
obliged to maintain ever since entering
Indian territory.
So far nothing very serious had oc
Cured, though on several occasions it was
only our complete state Of preparation
that saved us from attack, but now that
we had reached the stamping ground oi
the bloodthirsty Apaches we could hard
ly expect to escape molestation.
We were well armed for those times
having full supply of muzzle loading
rifles, double barreled shotguns and tt
each man heavy Colts revolver, then &
very costly weapon.
In less than five minutes after Carson
had given the command the wagon;
were drawn into a rough circle and the
horses brought within the inclosure.