This old camp, the reader will please bear in mind, was on the
Arkansas River. Kit Carson and his comrade, after finding that the two
deserters had thus succeeded in stealing the fur which had been buried
by the company, made every further effort which lay in their power
to recover it. As has also been seen, they were unsuccessful. It now
remained for them to determine their future course. The country was so
infested with hostile Indians that it made their position, thus
alone, very precarious. To regain their commander's company was almost
impracticable; at least, without a more important object to make the
risk necessary, it was a foolhardy attempt. Time in learning the loss
was of no great importance either to their leader or their party.
Sooner or later this, as a matter of course, would be fully shown. Kit
and his comrade, therefore, determined to remain where they were, in
the old camp; and, to this end, immediately arranged everything so
that they could make a successful defence in case they should be
attacked by the savages. They did not dare to venture out far from
their fortifications; but, this was no great trial to them, as game
existed in great plenty and came very near their fortifications. While
one slept, the other stood on guard. It was their intention to await
the return of their party; but, at the expiration of one month,
they were quite happily relieved from their perilous position. Mr.
Blackwell, Mr. Gaunt's partner, arrived from the United States. He was
accompanied by fifteen men, and brought with him a complete outfit
for the entire band. Kit and his comrade had been expecting and were
anxiously looking for this party. They were also made quite happy in
obtaining the articles of outfit which would render their wild life
more agreeable and easy. Shortly after this arrival, four men from
the trapping party came into camp and brought the news as to the
whereabouts of Gaunt and his men. They were overjoyed at finding Kit
and his comrade, as they said that they had hunted for them in all