The Life of Kit Carson

dian Horse Thieves-Ca

vages-Arrival at Los A

s-A Singul

er, antelope or bear, he hastily reloaded his rifle, listening meanwhile for sounds of the stealthy footprints of his enemy. He knew not when the treacherous shot would be sent from behind the rock or clump of

s a horse and is caught, his case is hopeless. It may be said that the value of the animal to the hunter or trapper is beyond all calculation, and, inasmuch as the red man is equally appreciative, Carson

the alarming truth became known, the employer of the trappers asked Carson to take twelve of the men and do his utmost to recover those that were stolen. Carson

or peril. A party of brave white men were pursuing a company of Indian horse thieves and the chances of escape and ca

atened. They would keep a keen watch of the back trail and would be quick to detect the approach of enemies. If pressed hard, they would act as the Ap

f the country serve him so well. Many a time, during the career of Kit Carson, did he outwit the red men and white criminals, not by galloping along with his eye upon their footprints, but by reasoning out with unerring skill, the destination or refuge which the criminals had in mind. Having settled that all

could only take their trail. Where there were so many animals in flight, it was impossible to hide their tracks and the thieves made no attempt to do so. They struck the horse

ut out all possibility of concealment. Nowhere could they detect the faint smoke climbing toward the sky from among the trees nor could they gain sight of the line of

ardent hipophagi as was the club of advanced Parisians a short time ago. The roasted meat tasted as fine to them as though

n upon them. Carson and his men had overtaken the thieves and they now swept down upon them with resistless fury. The fight was as short as it was fierce. The red men fell on the right and left, and those who escaped the wra

ief while at the Mission of San Fernando, they arrived at Los Angeles, which like the rest of the country as the reader knows, belonged to Mexico. As it was apparent that the horsemen were hunters and trappers, the authorities demanded their wr

ming the white men: they began giving them "fire water" to drink, refusing to accept pay therefor. Those who lead lives of hardship and peril are generally fond of such indulgence, and, though the trappers coul

e done at once or everything would be lost. Carson had be

t of the place. I will join you as soon as I can, but you mustn't linger for me. If I fail to j

is attention to the rest of the men. It was high time that he did so, for they were fast succumbing to their appetites. Despite

on and slightly wounded a native of the place. The act threw the Mexicans into a panic of terror,

getting his half intoxicated men together and out of the place. The horses were forced to their utmost a