Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-05-01
The Story Teller.
THE OLD SPANISH TRAIL.
Another Story of Kit Carson's Daring,

Another Story of Kit CarSon's Daring.
On my first trip across the Great
Plains in 1850, we were, at two differ
ent points on the journey, Joined for
a few days each time by Kit Carson.
At this time Carson was in the
prime of life-a man rather under the
medium size.
Ours was a large, strong and we'll
armed party, consisting of more than
80 men, and our outfit comprised six
wagons, IL mules and 16 horses, the
latter adapted to either draught OF
saddle.
With the exception of Carson, each
of US carried muzzleloading rife and
heavy revolver; while, besides g
pair of exquisitely finished revolvers
he was armed with one of those 10
chambered repeating rifles, invented
I think, by Colonel Colt.
Such man, aside from the prestige
of his name, was a little army in him
self, and we were extremely glad Of
his company, as in the country where
be last joined us we were every mo-
ment in danger from predatory In
dians, two small bands of which we
had, several days before, beaten of
without loss to ourselves, and now we
might look for reprisals.
Among our crowd were two espe
cially fine young fellows, one an Eng
lishman named John Moulton, and the
other a fiery Virginian called Gerald
Woodville. These two, though singu,
larly 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
Spanish Trail, we were going slowly
down the Pacific slope of the Windy
mountains, when a large elk broke
cover somewhat out of rifle shot and
trotted leisurely away.
Moulton, an ardent sportsman, was
riding his own horse, an extremely
valuable animal, and now, without
consulting anyone, he SET off in pur.
suit of the elk. Just as he was leav'
ing Carson said:
"Remember, we're in hostile coun'
try, young man. Don't 60 far away
even if you have to come back with
out meat" :
We went on for about two miles
and finally made camp on a small
stream among the foothills, where
there was an abundance of good grass
while the stream itself, Carson inform
ed us, was we'll stocked with trout.
After we had corralled the wagons
picketed the animals out to grass and
put everything in shape to repel any
possible attack, we delayed supper fol-
a while in the hope that Moultor
would come in, as we had heard one
report from his rifle and had no doubt
that he had killed the elk.
Two hours more passed away with
out bringing sign of the young hun
ter; we now began to feel seriously
alarmed; but, very strangely, no one
appeared so much distressed as did
Gerald Woodville.
"What do you think of it, Mr.. Car
son ?" he anxiously inquired. "Dc
you suppose that Jack has lost him.
self ?"
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
addressed John Moulton.
II hardly know what to think Of
it," replied Carson. "The young man
has either become lost among the puz'
zling ravines, Or" and the bold scout
relapsed into an ominous silence.
"My God !" feelingly exclaimed Ger.
aid, "surely you don't think that the
Indians have got him poor Jack ~
"It's hard to say" rejoined Kit
"but there are lots of the Digger tribe
wandering through the mountains just
now. Their principal village is on a
branch of the Sacramento, about 60
miles from here, and if stray party
of them has captured our friend, with.
out 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." gravely
answered Carson. eff Mr.. Moulton
don't come in before daybreak, I'll
start out to look him up, and 1 want
only one man to 60 with me. More
would be hindrance."
"That man shall be myself, then,"
said the warm-hearted Virginian. "rd
risk my life a hundred times over to
save Jack from such fate"
When the first streak of dawn ap-
peared Carson and Woodville, after
taking hasty breakfast, and packing
up a days supply of food, mounted
their horses preparatory to starting
out on their perilous request.
eff we're not back by this time
tomorrow, boys, you'll know we've
gone UNDER" observed Carson as coolly
as though he were going to a picnic.
"But 1 rather think we'll come in.
Stay right here until tomorrow's sun
is an hour high, and if there's no news
of US then 60 ahead on your journey,
for we'll be past help"
1t seems that shortly after leaving
us 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
oonld 6ra another shot he WAS nnnnred