Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1894-11-14


MHxR&SG One forenoon We
&&eG4 ~ were plodding
a. slowly along when
eMAzz ahead on the trail
ve saw single horseman riding
swiftly towards us.
s'A white man, by thunder! and
alone, boys" exclaimed our guide,
Sam Lount. "a mighty risky trick
for these parts. We're On tha
stamping ground of the Apaches AMI
they're always on the warpath,
ravening for scalps. Well likely hear
some news, boys. That mans got
business on hand. That kind of
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 courteeusly
saluted him. "You had better brin,
your wagons close together, anil be
ready to form a corral at a moments
notice." he said, including us all.
"There's big band of Apaches, led by
that young villain, Geronimo, laying
for you behind Baby Range, about
eight miles further on. They intend
to stay there until you get into tne
pass, but may change their minds and
attack in the open"
"Much obliged, stranger" said our
guide. "Iy name is Sam Lount;
might I ask yours and how you got
clear of the reds yourseif?"
"Well," smilingly responded tho
man, "my Sunday name is Chris
topher, but I'm generally called Kit
kit Carson, at your service"
Exit Carson! Kit Carson," ths
familiar name ran down our extended
ranks like cheer. We all hurried to
the front to shake hands with the
famous scout.
Carson was at this time in the primo
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 q crowd as the most OAR.
ing rider, fearless explorer and Success
full Indian fighter known to Western
fame.
Carson went on to answer the guides
question. 81 had no trouble to keep
clear of the redskins, because, though
/ WAS often much nearer, none caught
sight of me Mt less distance than sixty
rods, and they know Lightfoot" This
celebrated Thoroughbred mare) 600
we'll to waste time in a chase"
ave got men and horses camped
down on the Little Colorado" he went
on, 'but 1 have been riding alone for
II week trying to select the shortest and
easiest wagon route through this part
of the country. Three days ago ran
on Geronimos warriors just after
they'd wiped ont party of emigrant-.
The remains of four wagons were Still
smoking, and, as nearly as 1 could
Judge, sixteen bodies had been piled
up with them. Eight mules lay dead !
around Looking down on their ca MP
yesterday discovered they had five |,
American horses and men," he addel
slowly, "they've got a young white !,
woman prisoner.
"'There were loo Indians in the band. J
There are SO now. Most are armed
with bows and 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. |
'I'm sure of it," answered Carson. |
'They have scouts out. You haven't !
seen them, but they've counted you |
over and over again"
"But they must know that you'd
warn u.s." 1 observed.
"What do you take me for, youn-
sir" laughed Carson. "Not red hes .
had sight of me for the last twenty
four hours. 1t was from Their motion
that | knew u train was coming"
"And now," continued the scout,
becoming serious, st must never be
said that thIrty-six American men al
lowed n countrywomsn of theirs to be
carried of by band of savages. l.
you'll join in and do exactly as say,
we1l rescue that girl before to-Morro"
morning. Who says yes?" :
81" shouted every man OF us.
every well, then" said Carson with
a sudden sunny smile. "Unhitch for
dinner, now, and we shall not start
again until the middle of the alter
roon. The plan IS to. reach BABY !
I.ange just before sundown and camp . !
Nttle this side
seemingly in the ordinary course OF |
:ravel, at the appointed spot shortly !
s:ter the sun had disappeared behind
the range. In order to avoid all
chances of his dreaded presence being !
deserted by the Indians he had dis.
mounted when within a mile OF the
mountain, placed his famous horse in ,
the rear amoung our LED animals and ,
concealed himself in one of the COW :
cred wagons. /
Everything in the vicinity was quiet !
as the grave, but the redoubted scout
assured us that, lying behind the
frowning heights, were five score sav.
ages, and that probably one or twd
were looking down upon us. !
We formed corral in the leisurely
manner of men unconscious of danger. !
Night came on with cloudless sky,
By the light of full moon objects
would be quite distincly seen, while a
strcng wind blowing from the west, l.
e., directly from the enemy's position
to ou-s, etfectually drowned the noise
OF en7 movements we might maze.
After supper Carson gathered US
a, ound him and said in his peculiarly
soft low voice: "Near the south ell OF
this little range there is, as your
guide knows, a deep, ragged ravine
winding around to the west and finally
running out on the open plain quite
closo to the trail.
"Geronimo's S men won't make moyo
while this wind is blowing to carry n
sound to US, but they know that it
will die away just before dsybreak.
They propose then to steal through
the pass, form up on this side, make a
rush and take you by surprise; if they
could do that, not man of you would
escape. |,
"Now, I propose about midnight,