The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1893-09-14

We %" eAoe GuCy n6u uOL advanced IN
inch since Carson's leap, but had con.
verged so as to form one body, and
were evidently preparing to retreat.
Before turning, however, each warrior
crouched low on the side of his pony,
and the whole band delivered mixed
volley of arrows and bullets
Ten of the former fell among us, and
the latter, being fred from old flint
lock, smooth bore buffalo guns, did no
execution.
STEADY men, steady" enjoined Kit
Carson. ''Shoot to kill"
AT that time, repeating rifles had not
come into general use, but we all car.
ried first-class muzzle leaders, and al:
though somewhat blown by our race,
each man of us stayed his rapid breath
ing for moment and braced h himself to
fire effectively:
"Now boys, now!'' prompted the vet
eran fighter, as the cloud of ponies
turned tail to us, thereby partially ex-
posing the ir riders
Thirty rifles crack ed at the word, and
four mustangs and nine braves went
down; bpt before we could r, ,ad,
every dead or wounded Indian was
caught up between two of his unhurt
comrades and, with demoniacal wells of
rage, the whole crowd skurried awav.
Then we brought our wagons down
to the ravine, made q temporary bridge
with their poles dashed together end to
end in pairs, and quickly recovered Kit
Carson's weapons.
''How was it, Mr.. Ca rson?' asked
Carroll, 1.-THE reds seem to have got the
start of you this timc?'
YES" quietly replied the renowned
pioneer. II was fairly surprised for
once. I've been out for some days try
ing to locate an easier road through
the foothills Having seen no Indian
sign about these parts, rode careless
~ round bluff this morning and ran
almost on top of that band of ApaQhes.
They were coming straight toward me,
not more than forty rods of, and moth
ing but the speed of my horse saved me.
They've paid pretty dearly for their
fun, though. You'll see no more of
them this trip
But why did you take the chances
of such q jump, instead of riding off in
another direction?" inquired another of
our party.
"Wen." replied Carson, lit was
risky. But knew the width of that
narrow spot to an ipch, and believed
Blackbird could clear it, thus in a mo-
ment gaining three miles The reds
would have given up the chase then,
even 1t your party hadn't been in
sight, for they would have been
obliged to ride y mile and half twice
over to get round the ~avine; whereas
it I'd taken to the open country they
would have followed me for days.
Those wiry mustangs have NO end of
my poor horse did jump more than
far enough. but as you can see bv the
marks of his hoofs on the other side.
he started fully four feet from the
edge, and so fell short in his landing.
Still, he would have saved himself II
he'd been perfectly fresh, for. he has
more than once, with me heavily armed
on his back, cleared space of twenty.
i've measured feet"
Kit Carson. with whom I afterward
became acquainted, was at this time in
the prime of llfe-.about. forty-two
years of age, I think; and from his
rather slight form, low, soft voice and
modest demeanor was the last man in
the world casual observer would have
pitched upon as one Of the most ad.
venturous pioneers, daring scouts and
successful Indian fighters known to
American frontier history.
He remained with us two days, but
on the third day we overlook q large
party Of emigrants, from one Of whom
he purchased . thoroughbred Kentucky
mare, and bidding MS hearty God.
speed. rode OF toward his temporary
headquarters on the Rio Verde as nm.
concernedly as though totally unaware
that everywhere in that region lurked
ruthless enemies thirsting for his blood.
w. Thomson. in N. Y. Ledger.