Scouting with Kit Carson

by Everett T. Tomlinson

His surmise proved to be correct, for within a few minutes all their weapons and belongings had been packed on the backs of their horses and they were ready to start. For a moment Reuben was hopeful that he was about to be left behind, but this was not to be, for one of the Indians approached and motioned for him to follow. Obedient to the command, Reuben accompanied his captor, who led the way to the spot where several of the Indian ponies were standing. Altogether there were not more than twenty of the Indian braves. How they had been able to secure so many horses and to return to their camp without any one having been injured was still a puzzle to Reuben. In obedience to the motion of his captor he leaped upon the back of one of the horses and took the reins in his hands.

The excitement of the band increased when at last it set forth from the place. Every rider was leading two or three horses. It was plain, too, that the Indians were fearful of pursuit. Frequently they would glance behind them, as if expecting an attack. They had not gone far, however, before a brief halt was called and three of the braves were sent back to form a rear guard.

Throughout the day the flight was continued, with only two or three breaks, when the men and horses stopped to quench their thirst at a running stream. Even when night fell the march was continued. Occasionally the band halted, while the men who formed the rear guard joined them and a brief conference was held. In every case, however, either the guard or those who were to take their place returned to the rear and the journey was resumed.

There were only slight and occasional rests during the second day. It was becoming increasingly plain to Reuben that the men were not only in desperate haste, but were in great fear of pursuit.

Grimly the young prisoner assured himself that their fears were well grounded, if their horses had been stolen from the band of which Kit Carson was the leader. Still Reuben was not ill-treated, although his conviction became stronger that if he should try to escape his fate would be quickly sealed.

The way over which they had come had been rough, and in places it was only with great difficulty the horses were able to advance. The ride was hard and all the braves by this time were showing the effect of their almost continuous ride. The distance which they had covered, however, had been much less than if they had been fleeing over the plains.

When the darkness of the third night fell the wearied warriors halted, and Reuben suspected from their actions that now a longer time for rest was to be granted. It was also plain that much of the fear which had urged the Indians forward was gone. And even Reuben did not dare to hope that his friends would follow the redmen so far. One hundred miles or more had been covered in the three days, he assured himself. With a sinking heart he was beginning to believe, with his captors, that the possibility of pursuit no longer existed. Evidently the Indians all felt now that they were safe. The silence which had rested over the party gave place to noisy calls and shouts.

Not long after the halt had been called, Reuben was startled when he saw that the Indians were preparing for a feast. Two of the poor beasts that had carried them safely throughout their flight and were nearly exhausted were taken apart from the others and killed. The skins were stripped from the bodies, and then over the fires, which were speedily kindled, the flesh was roasted, and a wild feast followed.

With strength restored by the food they had eaten and their fears of pursuit now gone, the Indians were like children. They laughed and even played pranks upon one another.

After the hunger of the band had been appeased Reuben was given a portion for his own needs. It was almost impossible for him to bite through the tough flesh, but hunger provided a strong incentive and soon he, too, was sharing in the changed mental attitude of the entire group. As he glanced behind him at the hills among which they had passed he saw that the moon had risen and that night was at hand. There was still sufficient light, however, to enable him to see distinctly all about him as he watched the antics of his childlike captors.