Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-09-16
Overland With Kit Carson
BIZ ". THOMSON.
Copyright, 1890, by American Press Assccia-
fin.,
CHAPTER l.

Copyright, 1905 by American Press Assccia-
ton.
CHAPTER /.
'sBack, men, Back to cover! 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
to 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 cur 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 the
rear
What's up, cap:' three or four of us
asked in q breath as Carson. calm as the
summer day itself, joined us.
Nothing Of much account, boys. But
if we'd once got into the canyon reckon
none Of us-only the women, maybe
would ever have come out alive"
"Oh, Mr.. Carsonl What is it? Are
the Indians there? Is there much dan
ger." exclaimed Mrs. Secord.
Danger! Bless your sweet heart, not
mite for you or the girl SO longs a sin
gle man Of us is left. and we amt any
of US going under just yet" Kit gallant
~ replied. But, boys, you might as
we'll put things in shipshape. It's kind
OF half likely that we'll have a little
scrimmage. Near as can guess, there's
well on to 80 Apaches hiding in the can
yon. caught sight Of pony or two
and half dozen warriors, and-wen, the
red devils have got their warpaint on
They've reckoned to wipe us out as we
went through the pass. but they'll have
to wait awhile
1t was in 1850. We were on our way
from Missouri to California-were now
passing through Arizona and had ar
rived at Canyon Diablo (the Devils
canyon), in the vicinity of Little Colo
RADIO river, when our guide had SO op
portunely discovered the ambuscade.
Besides Kit Carson, then in his prime
and about 40 years of age, there were is
men in our party, ali stout fellows under
30, and the two young women. Oui
outfit consisted Of five covered wagons
afterward known as prairie schooners,
and - horses-i. e., an extra horse fol
each wagon or available for the saddle
while hunting buffalo and other game.
sit was yet quite early in the season
we had found good grass all along the
route Our cattle were consequently IL
first class condition, and we had mucf
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 wa!
only our complete state of preparation
that saved MS from attack, but now thai
we had reached the stamping ground o.
the bloodthirsty Apaches we could hard
ly expect to escape molestation.
We We're well armed for those times
having a full supply of muzzle loading
rifles, double barreled shotguns and tt
each man a heavy Colts revolver, then {
very costly weapon.
In less than five minutes after Carson
had given the command the wagons
were drawn into a rough circle and thu
horses brought within the Enclosure.