Christopher Carson - John S. C. Abbott (most popular novels TXT) 📗

PREFACE


It is a prominent object of this volume to bring to light the wild adventures of the pioneers of this continent, in the solitudes of the mountains, the prairies and the forests; often amidst hostile Indians, and far away from the restraints and protection of civilization. This strange, weird-like life is rapidly passing away, before the progress of population, railroads and steamboats. But it is desirable that the memory of it should not drift into oblivion. I think that almost every reader of this narrative will be somewhat surprised, in its development of the character of Christopher Carson. With energy and fearlessness never surpassed, he was certainly one of the most gentle, upright, and lovable of men. It is strange that the wilderness could have formed so estimable a character. America will not permit the virtues of so illustrious a son to be forgotten.

JOHN S.C. ABBOTT.


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER I.

Early Training.

Birth of Christopher Carson.
Perils of the Wilderness.
Necessary Cautions.
Romance of the Forest.
The Far West.
The Encampment.
The Cabin and the Fort.
Kit an Apprentice.
The Alarm.
Destruction of a Trading Band.
The Battle and the Flight.
Sufferings of the Fugitives.
Dreadful Fate of Mr. Schenck.
Features of the Western Wilderness.
The March.


CHAPTER II.

Life in the Wilderness.

A Surgical Operation.
A Winter with Kin Cade.
Study of the Languages and Geography.
Return towards Missouri.
Engagement with a new Company and Strange Adventures.
The Rattlesnake.
Anecdote of Kit Carson.
The Sahara.
New Engagements.
Trip to El Paso.
Trapping and Hunting.
Prairie Scenery.
The Trapper's Outfit.
Night Encampment.
Testimony of an Amateur Hunter.


CHAPTER III.

Among the Trappers.

The Discomfited Trappers.
The New Party Organized.
A Battle with the Indians.
Trapping on the Colorado.
March to the Sacramento.
The Friendly Indians.
Crossing the Desert.
Instinct of the Mule.
The Enchanting Valley of the Colorado.
The Mission of San Gabriel.
Vast Herds of Cattle.
The Mission of San Fernando.
Adventures in the Valley of San Joaquin.
The Meeting of two Trapping Bands.
Reasons for Kit Carson's Celebrity.
A Military Expedition.
The Indian Horse Thieves.
The Pursuit and Capture.


CHAPTER IV.

Conflicts with the Indians.

The American Trapper.
The Trapper of the Hudson's Bay Company.
The Return Trip.
Polished Life in the Wilderness.
The Spanish Gentlemen.
Council of the Trappers.
Self-possession of Kit Carson.
The Camp Cleared of Intruders.
Robbing the Robbers.
Sale of the Furs.
Mr. Fitzpatrick's Expedition.
Pains and Pleasures of Rocky Mountain Life.
Pursuit of Indian Horse Thieves.
Extraordinary Battle.


CHAPTER V.

Marches and Encampments.

The Encampment Among the Rocky Mountains.
The Attempted Stampede.
Retreat and Pursuit by the Savages.
The Alarm.
Loss of the Horses.
Their Recovery.
Enterprise of Kit Carson.
Fight with the Indians.
The Litter for the Wounded.
Union of the two Trapping Parties.
Successful Return to Taos.
Carson joins a Trading Party.
Chivalric Adventures.
Attacked by Bears.


CHAPTER VI.

The Rendezvous.

Fair in the Wilderness.
The Encampment.
Dispersion of the Trappers.
Hostility of the Blackfeet.
Camp on the Big Snake River.
The Blackfeet Marauders.
The Pursuit.
The Calumet.
The Battle.
Kit Carson wounded.
The Rencontre with Shunan.
The Defeat and Humiliation of Shunan.
Remarkable Modesty of Carson.
Testimony to Mr. Carson's Virtues.


CHAPTER VII.

War with the Blackfeet Indians.

Unsuccessful Trapping.
Disastrous March to Fort Hall.
The Feast upon Horse-flesh.
The Hunting Expedition.
Its Rare Attractions.
Dogged by the Blackfeet.
Safe Arrival at the Fort.
All their Animals Stolen by the Indians.
Expedition to the Blackfeet Country.
Winter Quarters with the Friendly Indians.
Sufferings of the Animals.
Return to the Blackfeet Country.
Battle with the Indians.
Incidents of the Battle.


CHAPTER VIII.

Encampments and Battles.

The Renewal of the Battle.
Peculiarities of the Fight.
The Rout.
Encampment in the Indian Village.
Number of Trappers among the Mountains.
The New Rendezvous.
Picturesque Scene of the Encampment.
The Missionary and the Nobleman.
Brown's Hole.
The Navajoes.
Kit Carson Purveyor at the Fort.
Trapping at the Black Hills.
Again upon the Yellowstone.
Pleasant Winter Quarters.
Signs of the Indians.
Severe Conflict.
Reappearance of the Indians.
Their utter Discomfiture.


CHAPTER IX.

The Trapper's Elysium.

Trapping on the Missouri.
Attacked by the Blackfeet.
The Battle.
Persevering Hostility of the Indians.
The Trappers driven from the Country.
Repair to the North Fork.
Cheerful Encampments.
Enchanting Scene.
Village of the Flatheads.
The Blessings of Peace.
Carson's Knowledge of Languages.
Pleasant Winter Quarters on the Big Snake River.
Successful Trapping.
Winter at Brown's Hole.
Trip to Fort Bent.
Peculiar Characters.
Williams and Mitchel.
Hunter at Fort Bent.
Marriage.
Visit to the States.


CHAPTER X.

Fremont's Expedition.

Carson's Visit to his Childhood's Home.
On the Steamer.
Introduction to Fremont.
Object of Fremont's Expedition.
Joins the Expedition.
Organization of the Party.
The Encampment.
Enchanting View.
Fording the Kansas.
The Stormy Night.
The Boys on Guard.
The Alarm.
The Returning Trappers.
The Homeless Adventurer.
Three Indians join the Party.
First sight of the Buffaloes.
The Chase.


CHAPTER XI.

The Return of the Expedition.

Beautiful Prairie Scene.
Fate of the Buffalo Calf.
Vast Buffalo Herds.
The Fourth of July on the Plains.
Journey up the South Fork of the Platte.
Visit to Fort St. Vrain.
Remonstrance of the Chiefs.
Second Marriage of Mr. Carson.
New Engagements.
Perilous Ride to Santa Fe.
The Successful Mission.
The Noble Mexican Boy.
Conflict with the Savages.
Discomfiture of the Indians.
Fremont's Second Expedition.
Carson joins the Party.
Course of the Expedition.
Arrival at the Great Salt Lake.


CHAPTER XII.

Marches and Battles.

Entering the Lake.
Dangerous Navigation.
The Return to Camp.
Feast upon Horse Flesh.
Meeting the Indians.
Joyful Meeting.
Return to Fort Hall.
Feasting at the Fort.
The Party Diminished.
The Journey down Snake River.
Crossing the Sierra Nevada.
Carson Rescues Fremont.
Fort Sutter.
Heroic Achievement of Carson.
Disbanding the Party.
The third Expedition.
Crossing the Desert.
Threatened by the Mexicans.
Fight with the Indians.
The Surprise.
Chastisement of the Indians.


CHAPTER XIII.

The Dispatch Bearer.

Colonel Fremont.
Hazardous Undertaking of Kit Carson.
Carson's Courage and Prudence.
Threatened Danger.
Interview with General Kearney, and Results.
Severe Skirmish.
Wonderful Escape of Carson.
Daring Adventure.
Fearful Suffering.
Lieutenant Beale.
Carson's Journey to Washington.
Adventures on his Return.


CHAPTER XIV.

The Chivalry of the Wilderness.

Injustice of the Government.
Heroic Resolve of Mr. Carson.
Indian Outrages.
The valley of Razado.
Barbaric Murders by Apaches.
An Exciting Chase.
An Attractive Picture.
Plot of Fox Overthrown.
Gift of Messrs. Brevoort and Weatherhead.
Adventure with the Cheyennes.


CHAPTER XV.

Recollections of Mountain Life.

Character of the Native Indian.
The Caravan.
Interesting Incident.
Effects of Cholera.
Commission of Joe Smith.
Snow on the Mountains.
Government Appointment.
Adventure with three Bears.
Journey to Los Angelos.
Mt. St. Bernardino.
The Spring.
Character of Men.
Insubordination Quelled.
Suffering for Water and Relief.
A Talk with Indians.


CHAPTER XVI.

Recollections of Mountain Life.

Position of The Spring.
The Cachè.
Kit Carson's Character and Appearance.
Cool Bravery of a Mountain Trapper.
Untamed Character of Many Hunters.
The Surveyor's Camp in an Indian Territory.
Terrors from Indians.
Joe Walker.
A Mountain Man.
Soda Lake.
Optical Illusion.
Camp on Beaver Lake.
The Piyute Chief.
Conversation with Him.
An Alarm.
A Battle.


CHAPTER XVII.

Frontier Desperadoes and Savage Ferocity.

Original Friendliness of the Indians.
The River Pirates, Culbert and Magilbray.
Capture of Beausoliel.
His Rescue by the Negro Cacasotte.
The Cave in the Rock.
The Robber Mason.
His Assassination.
Fate of the Assassins.
Hostility of the Apaches.
Expedition of Lieutenant Davidson.
Carson's Testimony in his Favor.
Flight of the Apaches.


CHAPTER XVIII.

The Last Days of Kit Carson.

The Hunting Party.
Profits of Sheep Raising.
Governmental Appointment.
Carson's Talk with the Apaches.
His Home in Taos.
His Character.
Death of Christopher Carson.


CHAPTER XIX.

The Last Hours of Kit Carson.


CHAPTER I.

Early Training.

Birth of Christopher Carson. - Perils of the Wilderness. - Necessary
Cautions. - Romance of the Forest. - The Far West. - The
Encampment. - The Cabin and the Fort. - Kit an Apprentice. - The
Alarm. - Destruction of a Trading Band. - The Battle and the
Flight. - Sufferings of the Fugitives. - Dreadful Fate of Mr.
Schenck. - Features of the Western Wilderness. - The March.


Christopher Carson, whose renown as Kit Carson has reached almost every ear in the country, was born in Madison county, Kentucky, on the 24th of December, 1809. Large portions of Kentucky then consisted of an almost pathless wilderness, with magnificent forests, free from underbrush, alive with game, and with luxuriant meadows along the river banks, inviting the settler's cabin and the plough.

There were then many Indians traversing those wilds. The fearless emigrants, who ventured to rear their huts in such solitudes, found it necessary ever to be prepared for an attack.

But very little reliance could be placed even in the friendly protestations of the vagabond savages, ever prowling about, and almost as devoid of intelligence or conscience, as the wolves which at midnight were heard howling around the settler's door. The family of Mr. Carson occupied a log cabin, which was bullet-proof, with portholes through which their rifles could command every approach. Women and children were alike taught the use of the rifle, that in case of an attack by any blood-thirsty gang, the whole family might resolve itself into a military garrison. Not a tree or stump was left, within musket shot of the house, behind which an Indian could secrete himself.

Almost of necessity, under these circumstances, any bright, active boy would become a skilful marksman. A small garden was cultivated where corn, beans and a few other vegetables were raised, but the main subsistence of the family consisted of the game with which forest, meadow and lake were stored. The settler usually reared his cabin upon the banks of some stream alive with fishes. There were no schools to take up the time of the boys; no books to read. Wild geese, ducks and other water fowl, sported upon the bosom of the river or the lake, whose waters no paddle wheel or even keel disturbed. Wild turkeys, quails, and pigeons at times, swept the air like clouds. And then there was the intense excitement of occasionally bringing down a deer, and even of shooting a ferocious grizzly bear or wolf or catamount. The romance of the sea creates a Robinson Crusoe. The still greater romance of the forest creates a Kit Carson. It often makes even an old man's blood thrill in his veins, to contemplate the wild and wondrous adventures, which this majestic continent opened to the pioneers of half a century ago.

Gradually, in Kentucky, the Indians disappeared, either dying off, or pursuing their game in the unexplored realms nearer the setting sun. Emigrants, from the East, in large numbers entered the State. Game, both in forest and meadow, became scarce; and the father of Kit Carson, finding settlers crowding him, actually rearing their huts within two or three miles of his cabin, abandoned his home to find more room in the still more distant West.

Christopher was then the youngest child, a babe but one year old. The wilderness, west of them, was almost unexplored. But Mr. Carson, at his blazing fireside, had heard from