But to escape from these pleasing digressions, Kit Carson and his men
concluded their summer's work with unusual success. Their exertions
had been crowned with rewards which surpassed their fondest
anticipations. As the wintry months were again fast coming on, Kit and
his men determined to rejoin Bridger's' command. The return trip,
was therefore commenced and duly prosecuted. Late one afternoon,
just after the little party had gone into camp, Kit, having lingered
somewhat behind, suddenly rode into the camp ground and leaped from
his horse, giving it in care of one of the men. With his rifle, he
then started in pursuit of game for supper. He walked on about one
mile from the camp and there came upon the fresh tracks of some elk.
Following up the trail he discovered the game grazing on the side of
a hill. In the neighborhood of the animals there were some low and
craggy pine trees. Moving along with great care, he finally gained the
cover of the trees, which brought him in close proximity to the
elk, and within certain range of his rifle. This care was the more
necessary as his party had been without meat diet for some time and
began to be greatly in need thereof. These ever wary animals saw, or
scented him; or, at any rate, became conscious of approaching danger
from some cause, before he could reach the spot from which he desired
to take his aim. They had commenced moving; and, in another instant,
would have bounded away, out of all reach of his rifle. His eye and
piece, however, were too quick for them; for, bringing his piece into
position and without dwelling upon his aim, he sped a bullet after the
largest and the fattest of the noble game before him. He had wisely
allowed for the first leap, for his shot caught the nimble animal in
mid air and brought him to the earth, writhing in his death agony with
a fearful wound through the heart and lungs, from which there was
no escape. One quiver ran through the frame of the beautiful animal,