Morris tribune., 1895-05-08
KT Carson

Mt Carson. the journey
Joined for few days each time by Xii
Carson.
At this time Carson was in the prime
of Efe-a man rather under the medium
size. ~ rrrs * fek
Ours was large, strong and well.
armed party, consisting of more than
thirty men, and our outfit comprised
six wagons, twelve mules and sixteen
horses, the latter adapted to either
draught or saddle.
With the exception of Carson, each
of us carried muzzle-loading rifle and
heavy revolver; while, besides pair
OF exquisitely Unfinished revolvers, he
was armed with one of those ten-cham-
bered repeating rifles, invented, think,
by Col. Colt. fl
Among our crowd were two especial
sly five young fellows, one an English
vnan named John Moulton, and the
other fiery Virginian called Gerald
Woodville. These two, though sinSu-
1arly alike in disposition, or perhaps
for that very reason, could never agree.
Lately there had been such bad blood
between them that neither would
speak to the other.
One afternoon. after striking the old
4 Spanish trail, we were going slowly
+, down the Pacific slope of the Windy
mountains, when large elk broke
cover somewhat out of rifle shot and
trotted Ieisurely away.
Moulton, an arSent sportsman, was
riding his own horse, an extremely
valuable animal, and now, without con-
'rsulting spyone, he set off in pursuit of
THE elk. Just as he was leaving Carson
said:
Remainder, we're in hostile coun-
try, young man. Don't go far away,
even if you have to come back without
aneat."
We went on for about two miles and
:flnally made camp on a small stream
among the foothills, where was abund
aauce of good grass, while the stream it
self, Carson informed us, was we'll
stocked with trout.
After we had corralled the wagons,
spieketed the animals out to Craze and
put everything in shape to repel any
possible attack, we delayed supper for
awhile in the hope that Moulton would
come in, rs we had heard one report
srom his rife and had no doubt that he
had killed the elk.
Two hours more passed away with
out bringing a sign of the young hunt
ger; we now began to feel seriously
alarmed, out, very strangely, no one
appeared so much distressed as did
Gerald Woodville.
t'What do you think of it, Mr.. Car
son?' he anxiously inquired. do you
suppose that Jack has lost himseH?'
we glanced significantly at each
other, for this was the first time we
had ever heard the Virginian use the
familiar name by which we usually ad-
dressed John Moulton. E
Il hardly know what to think of it.
replied Carson. ''The young man has
either become lost among the puzzling
scavines. or" and the bold scout re-
sapsed into ominous silence.
my God!' feelingly exclaimed Ger
aid, surely you don't think the In
dians have got him; poor Jaclx!!''
''1t's hard to say" rejoined Kit; ''but
there are lots of the Digger tribe wan
saering through the mountains just
ROW. Their. principal village is on a
branch of the Sacramento, about sixty
miles from here, and if stray party of
them has captured our friend, without
killing him on the spot, they'll keep
his horse as a great prize and reserve
him to be tortured to death when they
reach the main band"
''Great heavens! What can we do to
save him?" gasped Woodville.
Nothing until morning" grayely
answered Carson. IF Mr. Moulton
don't come in before daybreak, I'll
start out to look him up, and want
only one man to go with me. more
svould be hindrance.
That man shall be myself, then,n
said the warm-hearted Virginian. I'D
risk my life a hundred times over to
save Jack from such fate"
When the first streak of dawn APP
g,eared Carson and Woodville, after
taking hasty breakfast and packing
up days supply of food, mounted |
their horses preparatory to setting out |
ON theirperilous quest.
AJf we're not back by this time to-
'rnorrow, boys, you'll know we've gone
under observed Carson as coolly as |
though he were going to d picnic.
But I rather think we'll come in.
Stay right here until to-morrow's suns |
AN hour high and if there's no news of
as then go ahead on your journey, for
well be past help"
Ut seems that shortly after leaving |
rus Moulton had come within range of |
'and had killed his elk, and was stoop-
ing Down to cut off the hind quarters
for bringing to camp, when, before he
could fire another shot, he was
apouneed snpon by a score of Digger
Indians, who gagged him and bound
his-arms in the twinkling of an eye.
' Then, loading the carcass upon his
horse and forcing him to walk along
they set off ON their retreat, travelling
fast until night, when they bivouacked
by q spring and had glorious feast,
sahe prisoner being meantime secured
eGo a tree.
Next morning, after another big
feast the savages resumed their march
Gu a ieisurely manner, and before sun
= Il. 4 \