The Opelousas courier., 1893-09-09

VIM hHSHksdASNS NNSO ~ &AAILol
I'M TSAAy$AS One forenoon w
W8Ga ~. were ploddinI
NA slowly along whel
G@zzZxaaaFs ahead on the trai
we saw a single horseman ridin.
swiftly towards us.
"a white man, by thunder! ant
alone, boys" exclaimed our guide
Sam Lount. 'A mighty risky tricl
for these parts. We're on tn,
stamping ground of the Apaches ant
they're always on the warpath
ravening for scalps. Well likely heal
some news, boys. That mans got
business on hand. That kind of 6
fellow don't hurry for nothing"
By this time the lone rider had
reached the head of our line, and
singing out the guide, he courteously
saluted him. "You had better bring
your wagons close together, and be
ready to form q corral at a moment's
notice." he said, including us eli.
s'There's e big band of Apaches, led by
THAI young villain, Geronimo, laying
for you behind Baby Range, about
eight miles further on. They intend
to stay there until you get into the
pass, but may change their minds and
attack in the OPEN"
"Much obliged, stranger" said our
guide. my name is Sam Lount +;
might I ask yours and how you got
clear of the reds yourself?".
"Well," smilingly responded the
man, "my Sunday name is Chris.
topher, but I'm generally called Kit
kit Carson, at your service"
exit Carson! Kit Carson!" the
familiar name ran down our extended
ranks like a cheer. We all hurried to
the front to shake hands with the
famous scout.
Carson was at this time in tie prime
of life-about forty years old, / think.
A casual observer, noting his rather
under-sized form, peaceful appearance
and modest, unassuming manners.
would never have dreamed of selecting
him from out a crowd as the most dar.
ing rider, fearless explorer and success
full Indian fighter known to Western
fame.
Carson went on to answer the guides
question: "I had no trouble to keep
clear of the redskins, because, though
! was often much nearer, none caught
sight of me at a less distance than sixty
rods, and they know Lightfoot" This
celebrated thoroughbred mare) "too
well to waste time in a chase"
GIVE got men and horses camped
down on the Little Colorado he went
on, ''but I have been riding alone for
q week trying to select the shortest and
easiest wagon route through this part
of the country. Three days ago / ran
on Geronimo's warriors just after
they'd wiped out q party of emigrants.
The remains of four wagons were still
smoking, and, as nearly as I could
judge, sixteen bodies had been piled
up with them. Eight mules lay dead
around. Looking down on their camp
yesterday [ discovered they had five
American horses and men," he added
slowly; They've got q young white
woman prisoner
ssThere were log Indians in the band.
There are 80 now. Most are armed
with bowsand arrows, tomahaws, lances
and knives. About thirty carry old
smooth bore flint lock guns"
"And You think they know that we're
coming?" asked Lount.
Tim sure of it," answered Carson.
ssThey have scouts ont. You haven't
seen them, but they've counted you
and over again"
"But they must know that you'd
warn us?" / observed.
"What do you take me for, young |
laughed Carson. ssNot a red has
had sight of me for the last twenty
four hours. It was from their motion
that I knew q train was coming"
"And now continued the scout.
becoming serious, sit must never be
that thirty-six American men al
a countrywoman of theirs to be
carried off by a band of savages. If
you'll join in and do exactly as [ say,
we'll rescue that girl before tomorrow
morning. Who says yes??"
Is" shouted every man of us.
ssVery well, then" said Carson with
0 sudden sunny smile. aUnhitch for
now, and We shall not start
again until the middle of the after.
noon. The plan is to reach Baby
just before shutdown and camp q
this side"
Carson managed 90 that we arrived,
seemingly in the ordinary course of
at the appointed spot shortly
ssstsr the sun had disappeared behind
range. In order TO avoid all
chances Of his dreaded presence being
deserted by the Indians he hal dis
mounted when within 4 mile ote the
mountain, placed his famous horse in
rear amoung our led animals aud
concealed himself in one Of the cor.
cred wagons.
Everything IN hsvicinaty va. quiet
i tls grave, bit the rsIonbted seouE
~ that, lying hehinI liz
'roWning heights, we're i've scors sav-