The Life of Kit Carson

Hot Pursuit an and Une

g Party-A Daring Atta

on to learn what he had to advise and

le," he remarked in his quiet fashion, compressing his lips and

g the thirteen men were in their saddles, and, with their g

il, and yet Kit and his companions found it one of the most difficult tasks they had ever undertaken. Hundreds of bison had repeatedly c

at had been pushed so hard finally gave out. They were in poor condition, and, when the company came to a halt, showed such exhaustion that it was evident they could not be

ooked in each others' faces with a smile of gratification: inasmuch as the trail led into the grove and it was evident a

d of the hunters, who were fairly atremble wit

etray them into any indiscretion. They deemed it necessary their assault should be a surp

e carefully tied where the trees partly sheltered them from the cutting wind and the hunters made sure their arms were ready. Then, when the sun went down and darkness c

hieves. They were surprised at what they saw. The savages had thrown some logs and stones together so as to make a couple of rude forts and had divided themselves into two

ied near one of the forts. The sight of their property was anything but soothing to the wrathfu

greatest rashness to charge upon their camp, while they were excited to an unusual degree by the rejoicing in which all took

ut to keep up the circulation of their blood, for the slightest noise was liable to attract the suspicion of some of the Crows who might be prowling throug

thought that a foe was anywhere in the neighborhood. Although such men sleep lightly, they do not remain long awake when courting sleep, and in a brief

consultation. Kit and five of his men began slowly creeping toward their horses. This was anything but a pleasant occupation, for the snow,

approach of a scout, long before the straining ear of his master can catch the slightest sound. If the beasts should become frightened by the shadowy figures cra

ls at them. These feathery missiles fell among and struck against them, until, to escape the mimic bombardment they moved out the wood altogeth

e all haste to their own comfortable quarters, so many long miles away; but they had scarcely

pirits were bent on going back and punishing the thieves who had given them so much trouble. As they cou

their dogs gave notice of danger by a vigorous barking. On the instant, the warriors leaped to their feet and the fight opened. So many of the Indians were shot down and the advantage was so strongly against them, that the survivors hastily ran i

besieging force, they in turn became the assailants, and rushed out of their fort with their f

as it may be called, speedily joined them, and once more drove the Indians into their fort. Several of the wh