The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-17

here, my boy" he said, in such q kindly
tone TINT my confidence was instantly
won and I walked up to him, feeling
that he was my friend. When he asked
me where my parents lived 1 told him
they were dead. He asked me if I had
no one to advise me or to take care of
me, and I told him that 1 had left the
only friend I ever had, Gen. Jacl1on,
who was my neighbor while living on
farm near Nashville, Tenn. Carson
= said:
How would you like to go with me
to the Rocky mountains and learn to be
a hunter, trapper and guide?"
Bully" said I.
Carson then asked me where had been
staying since 1 came to town told him
with a Mrs. Beckett widow, who had a
boy about my age.
Let's go and see Mrs. Beckett" said
he, and in a few minutes we sat down
in her parlor. He asked Mrs. Beckett
how much I was indebted to her, but
met with the reply that she had a boy
who might be left alone some day, and
that owed her nothing. Carson turned
to me and said: willie, get your
clothes and Wen 60" When we were
ready to leave Carson pulled a S. gold
piece from his pocket and threw it into
her lap saying: This will help you
some, dear lady, and rest assured that l
appreciate the kindness you have shown
this boy, whom I am going to take to the
Rocky mountains. The time will come
when he will look back with appreciation
7 upon your kindness to him.
In few days We started for the West
In the party were Kit Carson, James
Hughes and myself This was probably
the smallest party that had ever started
across the plains at this time.
w e went by way of Fort Scott. and
when we crossed the Missouri line we
bade farewell to civilization. Our next
stop was at Council Grove, Kan, where
there were troops stationed, and there
we struck the old Santa Fe trail leading
up to the Arkansas river. Up above the
big Arkansas, just as we were ready to
go into camp one evening, Carson saw
some Indian signs, which he said were
made by Comanches. Said he: Bows.
were going to have trouble with Indians.
and that soon. We'd better prepare for
it right now"
We took the packs from our horses
backs, piled them up to serve as breast
works, picketed our horses in the bend
OF the river in the rear and then sat
down to a supper which I cooked. Sup
per that night was a broken UP meal,
one man sitting down while the other
one watched. Shortly after dark Car
son said: Get ready. 1 believe they re
coming now" The reader will understand
that at this time we had nothing but
Misunderstanding guns and single-barreled
pistols. Carson gave us the order: BE
careful. Don't waste your ammunition.
and fire when 1 give the word. If they
crowd on US too strong after firing your
guns and pistols, draw your hunting
knives and use them lively"
After waiting in suspense a few min
utes 1 peeped over the breastworks and
saw what I thought to be wolves COM
Ing up to our camp. Carson laughed
when I spoke to him about it, and said:
Boys, take good aim, and fire at the
wolves" To my utter surprise, at the
crack of the guns, the wolves" sprang
to their feet and made off into the DARK
ness. 1t was but few minutes until the
Indians, twenty-five or thirty in number,
renewed the attack. We fired, dropping
three, but they advanced steadily upon
US We drew our pistols and fired again,
three more Indians dropping, when they
turned and ran, yelling like a band OF
demons. For the rest of the night we
were left in peace. Carson said the next
morning that for the next 100 miles we
must watch carefully, as we were likely
to be attacked any time. So every night
each man took his turn at picket duty.
We had no more trouble with hostile
Indians until we reached Bent's Fort.
Col, where we were camped and spent
the winter in trapping and hunting,
watching from day to day for the ar
rival Of Col. Fremont and his men, who
were on the way to the Pacific coast,
hunting for new route across the Rock
les. Carson had previously agreed to
pilot the colonel across, and was simply
awaiting his arrival When the colonel
and his men arrived in the spring we as
certalned that the cause of his delay
vas that the, colonel had been mlsled by
q man who claimed to be guide, but
proved to be traitor, and who led them