Waiting—A Snow Balling Party—A Daring Attack—Brilliant Exploit.
Instinctively2 every one turned to Carson to learn what he had to advise and yet each was certain what he would say.
"It'll never do, boys, to let them steal our horses in that style," he remarked in his quiet fashion, compressing his lips and shaking his head, while his eyes flashed with a dangerous light.
All knew what his words and manner meant, and in a twinkling the thirteen men were in their saddles, and, with their gallant3 leader at their head, galloped4 forth5 off in pursuit.
It would be supposed where the ground was covered with snow to such a depth, that it was the easiest matter imaginable to follow the trail, and yet Kit and his companions found it one of the most difficult tasks they had ever undertaken. Hundreds of bison had repeatedly crossed the tracks since they were made and less experienced eyes than those of the trappers would have given over the search in despair.
But no one thought of turning back, and the pursuit was pushed unflaggingly for fully6 forty miles. Not the first glimpse had been obtained of the Indians, and the horses that had been pushed so hard finally gave out. They were in poor condition, and, when the company came to a halt, showed such exhaustion7 that it was evident they could not be forced much further. It was decided8, therefore, to go into camp. Accordingly, they turned the heads of their panting animals toward a piece of woods a short distance away.
Before the shelter was reached, the trappers were astonished to observe a column of smoke rising above the trees. They looked in each others' faces with a smile of gratification: inasmuch as the trail led into the grove9 and it was evident a camp fire was burning there, it followed that they were close to the thieves whom they had followed such a long distance.
The discovery infused new warmth into the blood of the hunters, who were fairly atremble with eagerness to attack the unsuspecting Indians.
But all were too experienced in the ways of the wilderness10 to allow their impatience11 to betray them into any indiscretion. They deemed it necessary their assault should be a surprise and they, therefore, withdrew to a secluded12 place in the woods and waited for night.
This was trying to a painful degree. The weather which had been bitterly cold during the day, grew still colder, until the animals shivered as if with the ague. They were 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 crept over the snowy landscape, the men moved around so as to approach the camp from the direction opposite to that from which the Indians would naturally look for pursuit.
When close enough to catch sight of the flames among the trees, the hunters sank on their knees and crept noiselessly forward until able to gain a full view of the dusky thieves. They were surprised at what they saw. The savages13 had thrown some logs and stones together so as to make a couple of rude forts and had divided themselves into two parties. It was characteristic of them that they were holding a dance and feast in honor of the brilliant style in which they had outwitted the trappers forty miles away.
The scene was quite interesting, especially when our friends plainly saw their stolen animals tied near one of the forts. The sight of their property was anything but soothing14 to the wrathful trappers, who were resolved not to go back to their own camp without taking the horses along.
But the Crows were strong in numbers, well armed and ready to fight on the briefest notice. It would have been an act of the greatest rashness to charge upon their camp, while they were excited to an unusual degree by the rejoicing in which all took a hilarious15 part. The whites decided to wait several hours longer until most of their enemies would be unconscious in slumber16.
All this time the weather was growing colder, and, toughened as the trappers had become by years of exposure, they suffered greatly. They dare not move about 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 through the grove. More than once Carson feared his limbs were freezing, but he held out like the genuine hero he was, and his companions were all worthy17 of him.
At last the dance was over and the tired warriors18 wrapped their blankets around their forms and stretched out to rest. Their manner showed they had no thought that a foe19 was anywhere in the neighborhood. Although such men sleep lightly, they do not remain long awake when courting sleep, and in a brief while all were unconscious except the sentinels on duty. Even they were so confident that nothing threatened, that they became less vigilant20 than usual.
"Sh! now is the time," whispered the youthful leader. They had decided long before upon their plan of action, so that no time was now lost in consultation21. Kit and five of his men began slowly creeping toward their horses. This was anything but a pleasant occupation, for the snow, it will be remembered, was deep on the ground; but such veterans cared nothing for a trifle like that, and they speedily reached their animals.
Such an attempt is always a dangerous one, for the horse of the Indian or white hunter often proves his most skilful22 sentinel. He is able to detect the stealthy approach of a scout23, long before the straining ear of his master can catch the slightest sound. If the beasts should become frightened by the shadowy figures crawling over the snow, they would be likely to alarm the camp; but Carson and his companions managed it so well that there was not a single neigh or stamp of a hoof24.
Silently rising to their feet, they cut the halters which held the horses fast, and then, withdrawing a slight distance, began throwing snowballs at them. These feathery missiles fell among and struck against them, until, to escape the mimic25 bombardment they moved out the wood altogether, where they were taken charge by the others who were waiting. All this was accomplished26 without attracting the attention of a single Indian.
Having met with such success, common prudence27 and sense suggested that the trappers should make all haste to their own comfortable quarters, so many long miles away; but they had scarcely joined each other when they fell into an earnest discussion as to what the next step should be.
Some were in favor of withdrawing with the least possible delay, but Kit Carson and a couple of daring spirits were bent28 on going back and punishing the thieves who had given them so much trouble. As they could not be argued out of their purpose, the others, as a matter of course, agreed to give them their aid.
Three of the trappers were sent to take the recaptured animals to where the saddle horses were secured while the others advanced directly upon the Indian camp. They moved cautiously as was their custom and were almost upon the Crows, when one of 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 survivors29 hastily ran into the nearest fort, from which they returned the fire of their assailants. The latter, however, had stationed themselves behind trees, where they were safe against the whistling bullets, and in their attack they threw away very few shots indeed.
It began growing light in the east, and, as soon as the Crows discovered how few composed the besieging30 force, they in turn became the assailants, and rushed out of their fort with their frightful31 war whoops32, but they were met by such a destructive fire that they scurried33 back again.
The second attack of the savages was so furious that the trappers were forced to fall back, but the reserve, as it may be called, speedily joined them, and once more drove the Indians into their fort. Several of the whites had been wounded though not dangerously, and both parties having had enough of fighting, the battle ended.
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1
kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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3
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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4
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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5
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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6
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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7
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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8
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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9
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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10
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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11
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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12
secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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13
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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14
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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15
hilarious
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| adj.充满笑声的，欢闹的；[反]depressed | |
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16
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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17
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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18
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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19
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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21
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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22
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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23
scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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24
hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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25
mimic
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| v.模仿，戏弄；n.模仿他人言行的人 | |
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26
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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27
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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28
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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29
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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30
besieging
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的现在分词 ) | |
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31
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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32
whoops
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| int.呼喊声 | |
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33
scurried
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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