The life of Kit Carson, hunter, trapper, guide, Indian agent, and colonel U. S. A.

Chapter I

Kit Carson's Youth— His Visit to New Mexico— Acts as Interpreter and in Various Other Employments — Joins a Party of Trappers and Engages in a Fight with Indians — Visits the Sacramento Valley. . . 5

CHAPTER 11.

California— Sufiferings of the Hunters— The Mission of San Gabriel— The Hudson Bay Trappers — Characteristics of Carson — He Leads the Party Which Captures an Indian Village and Secures some Criminals. . 1 1

CHAPTER HI.

Tfe- Trapper's Life— Indian Horse Thieves— Carson's Skilful Pursuit and Surprise of the Savages — Arrival at Los Angeles — ^Trouble widi the Authorities — A Singular Eiscape 1 7

CHAPTER IV.

An Alarming Visit — Carson's Resources — On the Colorado and Gila

Capturing a Herd of Horses and Mules— The Raiders— Turning the Tables— Caching their Peltries— Return to Santa F6— Carson Goes mpon a Second Trapping Expedition — Hunting with an Old Mountaineer — A Visit from Crow Indians 23

CHAPTER V.

Kit Carson's Decision — A Hot Pursuit and an Unexpected Discovery

Weary Waiting— A Snow Balling Party— A Daring Attack— Brilliant Exploit 29 ii. CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VI.

7 he British and American Trapper — Hunting on the Laramie — Th« Deserters — The Vain Pursuit — Arrival of Friends — The Return Journey — The Night Alarm — The Attack Upon the Camp — Pursuit and Recovery of Horses. -^ . . .35

CHAPTER VH.

An Unexpected Meeting — The Ambush — A Daring and Perilous Ride- Return to Camp — Disappointments — The Beaver. . .41

CHAPTER VIII.

Carson and Two Companions set out on a Trapping Expedition of Their Own — They Meet With Great Success — Is Engaged by Captain Lee — Carson's Pursuit of an Indian Thief. . . .48

CHAPTER IX.

A Hot Pursuit — An Unexpected Calamity — Carson Continues the Chase Alone— The Result. . . . . . .53

CHAPTER X.

Carson Returns with the Recovered Property — Journey to Snake River- Starts on a Trapping Expedition with Three Companions — Carson's Stirring Adventure with Two Grizzly Bears > . .59

CHAPTER XI.

On the Green River — In the Blackfoot Country — The Blackfeet — An Unwelcome Visit — The Pursuit and Parley — Dissolution of the Peace Congress. , . . . . .65

CHAPTER XII.

Carson Badly Wounded — A Drawn Battle — An Ineffectual Pursuit — The Summer Rendezvous — Carson's Duel. . . -71

CONTENTS. 111.

CHAPTER XIII.

On the Yellowstone— Repealed Disappointments — Carson Enters the Employ of a Hudson Bay Trader — Poor Success — A Trying Journey — Arrival at Fort Hall — The American Buffalo or Bison. '77

CHAPTER XIV.

A Strange Occurrence — Arrival of Friends — Carson Joins a Large Company — Trapping on the Yellowstone — The Blackfeet — A Dreadful Scourge — In Winter Quarters — The Friendly Crow Indians — Loss of Two Trappers — On the Head Waters of the Missouri. . 83

CHAPTER XV.

A Fierce Battle with the Blackfeet — Daring Act of Kit Carson — ^Arrival of the Reserves and End of the Battle. . . .89

CHAPTER XVI.

At Brown's Hole — Trading in the Navajoe Country — Carson Serves as Hunter at Brown's Hole — Trapping in the Black Hills — On the Yellowstone — Fight with the Blackfeet — Their Retreat to an Island — Their Flight During the Night — An Imposing Array of Warriors. . 95

CHAPTER XVII.

Tlie Morrow — ^Withdrawal of the Indian Army — At Fort Hall — In the Blackfoot Country — The Ambush — The Trappers Decide to Withdraw — Trapping in Other Localities — Carson Decides to Abandon the Business — ^Visits Bent's Fort Where He Serves as a Hunter for Eight Years, . . ..... loi

CHAPTER XVIII.

Carson Visits His Old Home in Missouri — He Goes to St. Louis— Voyage up the Missouri — Makes the Acquaintance of Lieutenant John C. Fremont — Is engaged as a Guide for Fremont's First Expedition — The Start Westward — Various Mishaps — The Emigrants — The False Alarm. ■. • ... .107

IV. CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIX.

On the Platte — A False Alarm — The Cheyennes — Fremont's Account of his Buffalo Hunt — Division of the Party — Fremont's Journey up th« South Fork— The Band of Indians— Arrival at St Vrain's Fort—Tht Journey to Fort Laramie. . . , .114

CHAPTER XX.

Alarming News— Fremont Presses Forward and is Not Molested — Arrival at South Pass — Fremont's Account of the Ascent of the Highest Peak of the Rocky Mountains — The Return to Fort Laramie — Carson Starts for New Mexico— End of Fremont's Plrst Exploring Expedition. I30

CHAPTER XXL

Carson Starts for the States — The Encampment of Captain Cook and his Dragoons — Carson Undertakes a Delicate and Dangerous Mission — Tht Perilous Journey — Return of Carson and the Mexican Boy — Encounter with Four Utah Indians — Arrival at Bent's Fort. . .127

CHAPTER XXII.

Kit Carson Hears Surprising News — He Visits Fremont — Is Re-engagei as Guide — Fremont's Account of his Visit to Salt Lake. . 133

CHAPTER XXIIL

The Return— Suffering for Food — A Royal Feast — On the Lewis Fork — Fort Hall — Division of the Party — Arrival at Dallas — The Sierra Nevada — Preparations for the Passage Through the Mountains — Fra. mont's Account. . . . . • '47

CHAPTER XXIV.

Continuation of Fremont's Account of tKt Passage Through the yonn. tains. ...... 158

CHAPTER XXV.

The Start Homeward^The Visiton in Camp and Their Story— Caraoa and Godey Start to the Rescue— Trailing the Enemy by Night— H Camp— The Attack— An Amaring Smccesi — Tlia Return. . iM

CONTENTS. V.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Aniv«l at Bent's Fort — Carson goes to Taos and Decides to Become » Fanner — Arrival of a Messenger from Fremont — Carson and Owen6 Repair Again to Bent's Fort — Carson Engaged as Guide for Fremont's TTiird Exploring Expedition — On the Great Divide — Division of the Parties — The Journey Acrctts the Desert — A Singular Meeting — Aboriginal Horse Thieres. .... 173

CHAPTER XXVII.

AJuming Sounds — Danger of the Scouts — Fremont Goes to Their Rescue — Arrival at Sutter's Fort — Ordered out of California by the Mexican GoTernor — Fremont's Refusal — Withdrawal to Sacramento River — Arrival of Despatches from Washington — War with Mexico— Meeting with Lieutenant Gillespie — Night Attack by Klamath Indians. 179

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Retaliatory Measures — Fremont's Return to California — Capture of Sonoma — Sutter's Fort Placed Under Military Rule — Monterey Taken by Commodore Sloat — Capture of Lx)s Angeles by Fremont and Commodore Stockton— Carson Sent East as a Bearer of Despatches — The Meeting with Apaches — General Kearney — Bravery of the California Mexicans. . . . . 1S5

CHAPTER XXIX.

Daring Exploit of Kit Carson and lieutenant Beale — General Keanvy Saved. . . . . . .192

CHAPTER XXX.

Capture of Los Angeles — Court Martial of Fremont — Carson Appointed a Bearer of Dispatches to Washington — His Journey to St. Louis — Visits Washington — Appointed Lieutenant by President Polk — Ordered Back Across the Continent — His Joumev— Assigned to Duty at Tajon Pass- Again Ordered to Washington — P/s Appointment not Confirmed by the United States Senate — ^VisiJ *» Washington — Return to New Mexico. • • • . . 197

VI. CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Hostility of the Apaches — Colonel Beale Sends an Expedition Against Them — Nothing Accomplished — Colonel Beale Leads an Expedition with Carson as Guide — Capture and Release of Two Chiefs — March to the Arkansas — Another Failure — Carson and Maxwell Build a Ranche — Fremont's Fourth Expedition — The Murderous Apaches — A Fruitless Pursuit . . . . . .204

V

CHAPTER XXXn.

The Wounded Herder — A Successful Pursui*; — An Atrocious Plot — How it was Frustrated — Gratitude of the Gentlemen whom Carson was the Means of Saving From Death. . . . 211

CHAPTER XXXni.

Carson Visits St. Louis on Business — Encounter with Cheyennes on his Return — His Sagacity Does not Fail Him — Carson's Last Beaver Expedition — His California Speculation. . . .216

CHAPTER XXXIV.

In San Francisco — The Return Homeward — The Mormon Delegate Gives Carson Some Interesting Information — Carson's First Stirring Duties as Indian Agent — The Affection of the Red Men for Father Kit. 223

CHAPTER XXXV.

Trouble With _ the Apaches — Defeat of the Soldiers — Colonel Cook's Expedition Against Them — It Meets With Only Partial Success — Major Brooks' Attempt to Punish the Apaches — A Third Expedition. 229

CHAPTER XXXVL Discovery of the Trail — Prairie Detectives. • • 235

CHAPTER XXXVII.

ThePursuitand Attack— "Two O'clock." » .241

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Letter from General W. T. Sherman, and from General J. F. Rusling. 248

Introduction

Christopher Carson, or as he was familiarly called, Kit Carson, was a man whose real worth was understood only by those with whom he was associated or who closely studied his character. He was more than hunter, trapper, guide, Indian agent and Colonel in the United States Army. He possessed in a marked degree those mental and moral qualities which would have made him prominent in whatever pursuit or profession he engaged.

His lot was cast on the extreme western frontier, where, when but a youth, he earned the respect of the rough and frequently lawless men with whom he came in contact. Integrity, bravery, loyalty to friends, marvelous quickness in making right decisions, in crisis of danger, consummate knowledge ot woodcraft, a leadership as skilful as it was daring ; all these were distinguishing traits in the composition of Carson and were the foundations of the broader fame which he acquired as the friend and invaluable counselor of Fremont, the Pathfinder, in his expeditions across the Rocky Mountains.

Father Kit, as he came to be known among the Indians, risked his life scores of times for those who needed, but had no special claim upon his services. The red men were quick to learn that he always spoke with a

"single tongue," and that he was their unselfish friend. He went among his hostiles when no one of his race dare follow him; he averted more than one outbreak; he secured that which is impossible to secure — justice for the Indian — and his work from the time, when a mere boy he left his native Kentucky, was always well done. His memory will forever remain fragrant with those who appreciate true manhood and an unswerving devotion to the good of those among whom he lived and died.

LIFE OF KIT CARSON.

CHAPTER I.

Kit Carson's Youth— His Visit to New Mexico— Acts as Interpreter and in Various Other Employments — Joins a Party of Trappers and Engages in a Fight with Indians — Visits the Sacramento Valley.

" Kit Carson," the most famous hunter, scout and guide ever known in this country, was a native of Kentucky, the scene of the principal exploits of Daniel Boone, Simon Kenton, the Wetzel brothers and other heroic pioneers whose names are identified with the history of the settlement of the West.

Christopher Carson was born in Madison county, December 24, 1809, and, while he was still an infant, his father removed to Central Missouri, which at that day was known as Upper Louisiana. It was an immense wilderness, sparsely settled and abounding with wild animals and treacherous Indians. The father of Carson, like most of the early pioneers, divided his time between cultivating the land and hunting the game in the forests. His house was made strong and was pierced with loop holes, so as to serve him in his defence against the red men that were likely to attack him and his family at any hour of the day or night. In such a school was trained the wonderful scout, hunter and guide.

No advantages in the way of a common school education were within reach of the youth situated as was Kit Carson. It is to be believed, however, that under the tutilage of his father and mother, he picked up a fair knowledge of the rudimentary branches, for his attainments in that respect were above the majority of those with whom he was associated in after hfe.

While a mere stripling, Kit became known as one of the most skilful rifle shots in that section of Missouri which produced some of the finest marksmen in the world. It was inevitable that he should form a passion for the woods, in which, like the great Boone, he would have been happy to wander for days and weeks at a time.

When fifteen years old, he was apprenticed to a saddler, where he stayed two years. At the end of that time, however, the confinement had become so irksome that he could stand it no longer. He left the shop and joined a company of traders, preparing to start for Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, one of the most interesting towns in the south-west. The majority of its population are of Spanish and Mexican origin and speak Spanish. It is the centre of supplies for the surrounding country, and is often a scene of great activity. It stands on a plateau, more than a mile above the sea level, with another snow-capped mountain rising a mile higher.

Tht climate is delightful and the supply of water from the springs and mountains is of the finest quality.

Santa Fe, when first visited by the Spaniards in 1 542, was a populous Indian pueblo. It has been the capital of New Mexico for nearly two hundred and fifty years. The houses of the ancient town are made of adobe, one story high and the streets are unpaved, narrow, crooked and ill-looking. The inhabitants are of a low order, scarcely entitled to be ranked above the half-civilized, though of late years the infusion of western life and rugged civilization has given an impetus and character to the place for which, through three centuries, it waited in vain.

The company to which young Kit Carson attached himself, was strongly armed and it made the perilous journey, across rivers, mountains and prairies, through a country infested with fierce Indians, without the loss of one of their number. This immunity was due to their vigilance and knowledge of the ways of the hostiles who, it may be said, were on all sides, from the beginning to the end of their journey.

After reaching Santa Fe, Carson left the party and went to Taos, a small station to the north of Santa Fe. There he stayed through the winter of 1826-27, at the home of a veteran pioneer, from whom he gained not only a valuable knowledge of the country and its people, but became familiar with the Spanish language — an attainment which proved invaluable to him in after years.

S LIFE OF KIT CARSON.

In the spring, he joined a party which set out for Missouri, JDut before reaching its destination, another company of traders were met on their way to Santa Fe. Young Carson joined them, and some days later was back again m the quaint old capital of New Mexico.

The youth's engagement ended with his arrival in the town, but there was nothing indolent in the nature of Carson, who immediately engaged himself as teamster to a company about to start to El Paso, on the Rio Grande, near the frontier of New Mexico. He did not stay long before drifting back to Santa Fe, and finally to Taos, where he hired out as a cook during the following winter, but had not wrought long, when a wealthy trader, learning how well Carson understood the Spanish language, engaged him as interpreter. This duty compelled the youth to make another long journey to El Paso and Chihuahua, the latter being the capital of the province of the same name, and another of those ancient towns whose history forms one of the most interesting features of the"" country. It was founded in 1691 and a quarter of a century later, when the adjoining silver mines were in full operation, had a population of 70,000, though to-day it has scarcely a fifth of that number.

The position of interpreter was more dignified than any yet held by Carson, and it was at his command, as long as he chose to hold it ; but to one of his restless nature it soon grew monotonous and he threw it up, making his way once more to Taos. The employment most congenial to Carson's nature, and the one which he had been seeking ever since he left home, was that of hunter and trapper. The scarred veterans whom he met in the frontier and frontier posts gave him many accounts of their trapping experiences among the mountains and in the gloomy fastnesses where, while they hunted the bear, deer, beaver and other animals, the wild Indian hunted them.

Carson had been in Taos a short time only when he gained the opportunity for which he was searching. A party of trappers in the employ of Kit's old friend had just come to Taos, having been driven from their trapping grounds by the Indians. The employer set about raismg a party strong enough to return to the trapping grounds, chastise the hostiles and resume business. Knowing the skill and bravery of the young Kentuckian, the gentleman made him an offer to join the party and Kit eagerly accepted it.

The Mexicans have never been particularly friendly toward their neighbors north of the Rio Grande, and at that time a very strict law was in force which forbade the issuance of any license to American citizens to trap within Mexican territory. The company which mounted their horses and rode out of Taos gave the authorities to understand that their errand was simply to chastise the red men, whereas their real purpose was to engage in trapping. With a view of misleading the officers, they took a roundabout route which delayed their arrival in the section. Nevertheless, the hunters wers lO LIFE OF KIT CARSON,

desirious of punishing the Indians who had taken such Uberties with the small party that preceded them. On one of the tributaries of the Gila, the trappers came upon the identical band whom they attacked with such fierceness that more than a dozen were killed and the rest put to flight. The fight was a desperate one, but young as Carson was, he acquitted himself in a manner which won the warmest praise of those with him. He was unquestionably daring, skilful and sagacious, and was certain, if his life was spared, to become one of the most valuable members of the party.

Having driven the savages away, the Americans began or rather resumed their regular business of trapping. The beavers were so abundant that they met with great success. When the rodents seemed to diminish in number, the hunters shifted their quarters, pursuing their profession along the numerous streams until it was decided to divide into two parties, one of which returned to New Mexico, while the other pushed on toward the Sacramento Valley in California. Carson accompanied the latter, entering the region at that early day when no white man dreamed of the vast wealth of gold and precious metals which so crowded her soil and river beds that the wonder is the gleaming particles had not been detected many years before ; but, as the reader knows they lay quietly at rest until that eventful day in 1848, when the secret was revealed by Captain Sutter's race-way and the frantic multitudes flocked thither from the four quarters of the earth.

Chapter II

California — Sufferings of the Hunters — The Mission of San Gabriel — The Hudson Bay Trappers — Characteristics of Carson- He Leads the Party which Captures an Indian Village «i.dL Secures some Criminals.

California, one of the most magnificent regions of the earth, with its amazing mineral wealth, its rich soil and "glorious climate," has its belts of sterility and desolation, where the bones of many a traveller and animal lie bleaching in the sun, just as they fell years ago, when the wretched victim sank down and perished for want of food and water.

The hunting party to which Carson was attached, numbered eighteen and they entered one of those forbidding wastes, where they suffered intensely. All their skill in the use of the rifle was of no avail, when there was no game to shoot and it was not long before they were forced to live on horse flesh to escape starvation. This^ hov/ever, was not so trying as might be supposed, provided it did not last until the entire party were dis* mounted.

Fortunately, in their straits, they encountered a party^ of Mohave Indians, who sold them enough food to remove all danger. These Indians form a part of the Yuma nation of the Pima family, and now make theif

S2 LIFE OF KIT CARSON.

Iiome on the Mohave and Colorado rivers in Arizona. They are tall, well-formed, warlike and industrious cultivators of the soil. Had tney chosen to attack the hunters, it would have gone ill with the whites, but the latter showed commendable prudence which might have served as a model to the hundreds who came after them, when they gained the good will of the red men. .sExtricating themselves from the dangerous stretch of

---country, the trappers turned westward until they reached the mission of San Gabriel, one of those extensive establishments formed by the Roman Catholic clergy a hun-

%dred years ago. There were over a score, San Diego

fateing the oldest. Each mission had its priests, a few

Spanish or Mexican soldiers and scores, hundreds and

sometimes thousands of Indian converts who received a

•scant support and some religious instruction.

The Mission of San Gabriel was by no means the

largest in California, and yet at the time of Carson's visit

•it owned 70,000 head of cattle, 200 horses, 3,000 mares,

liundreds of mules, oxen and sheep, while the vineyards

,^roduced 600 barrels of wine every year.

Those old sovereigns of the soil dispensed hospitality -without stint to all who knocked at their gates. When •the trappers caught sight of the Mission, as they rode vi3ut from the wilderness, they knew what awaited them TjSn the way of entertainment. They were treated right :j'oyally, but remained only one day.

i«Jot far away they reached another Mission of less extent than the former, but, without halt, they pressed steadily forward toward the Sacramento River. The character of the section changed altogether. It wasexceedingly fertile and game was so abundant tl it the>^ feasted to their heart's content. When fully rest- J, they proceeded to the San Joaquin river down which they began trapping.

While thus employed, they were surprised to discover signs of another trapping party near them. They wondered where they came from and it did not take thent long to learn that their neighbors were a company oi trappers belonging to the Hudson Bay Company — that enormous corporation, founded two centuries before^ whose agents and employes tramp over British America^ far to the northward of the frozen circle, and until a. recent date hunted through Oregon.

The two parties were rivals in business, but they showed excellent sense by meeting on good terms andv treating each other as friends. They trapped near eachs. other until they came to the Sacramento once more^ when they parted company. The Hudson Bay trappersstarted for the Columbia River, while the one to which: Carson was attached went mto camp where they were for the rest of the summer. With the approach of warm weather the trapping season ended and they devoted themselves to hunting and making ready for cold weather.

It will be borne in mind that Kit Carson was still 9 youth, not having reached his majority. He was of short, compact stature, no more than five feet, six inches tall, with light brown hair, gray eyes, large head, high forehead, broad shoulders, full chest, strong and possessing remarkable activity. Even at that early age, he had impressed the veteran hunters and trappers around him as one, possessing such remarkable abilities, that, if his life was spared, he was certain to become a man of mark. If we should attempt to specify the particular excellencies in which he surpassed those around him, it would be said that while Carson was one of the most fearless men who lived, yet he possessed splendid judgment. He seemed to know instinctively what could be accomplished by himself and friends in positions of extreme peril, and lie saw on the moment precisely how to do that which often was impossible to others.

His knowledge of woodcraft and the peculiarities of the savage tribes around him was as perfect as it could be. He was a matchless hunter, and no man could handle a rifle with greater skill. The wilderness, the mountains, the Indians, the wild animals — these constituted the sphere in which nature intended Kit Carson should move and serve his fellow men as no one before or after him lias done.

Added to these extraordinary qualifications, was the crowning one of all — modesty. Alas, how often transcendant merit is made repelling by overweening conceit. Xit Carson would have given his life before he would have travelled through the eastern cities, with his long hair dangling about his shoulders, his clothing bristHng with pistols and knives, while he strutted on the mimic stage as a representative of the untamed civilization of the great west.

Carson was a superior hunter when a boy in Missouri, and the experience gained among the experienced hunters and trappers, soon caused him to become noted by those who had fought red men, trapped beaver and shot grizzly bears before he was born. And yet it could not have been that alone : it must have been his superior mental capacity which caused those heroes of a hundred perils to turn instinctively to him for counsel and guidance in situations of extreme peril. Among them all was no one with such masterful resources in that respect as he.

While the trappers were encamped at this place, a messenger visited them from the Mission of San Rafael,, with a request that they would help chastise a party of Indians, who, after committing some outrages at the Mission, had fled to an Indian village. When a demand was made for the surrender of the refugees, the villagers not only refused to give them up, but attacked the party and drove them off. Appreciating the importance of upholding their authority, the priests sent to the trappers for assistance in bringing the guilty ones and their friends to terms.

As soon as the request was made known, Carson and eleven of his companions volunteered to help their visiters. Thus reinforced, the company from the Mission set out again for the Indian village.

Nothing can attest more strongly the skill and bravery of Kit Carson, than the fact that he was at once selected to lead the party on its dangerous errand. While tie was as modest as a woman and with a voice as gentle ^nd persuasive, he could not be ignorant of his own capacities, and he assumed charge without any pretense :of unfitness.

It is easy to understand the great care required in this expedition, for the warriors in the village, having beaten off their assailants, naturally looked for their return with reinforcements, and, in order to insure success, it was necessary that the attack should be a surprise.

Having brought his men quite close to the village unperceived. Kit gave the signal and the whole company swept through the place like a cyclone. There were a few minutes of terrific fighting, during which a score of warriors were killed, and then the entire village was caplured. Carson as the leader of the assailants, demanded the surrender of the offenders against the Mission. Not Mdaring to disobey such a summons, they were delivered up to the authorities, and Carson, seeing nothing more to do for his friends, returned with his companions to 'camp and resumed hunting and their preparations for >£old weather

Chapter III

The Trapper's Life — Indian Horse Thieves — Carson's SkilfuC Pursuit and Surprise of the Savages — Arrival at Los Angeles- Trouble with the Authorities — A Singular Escape.

The trappers being in the heart of the Indian country^ ■with hostile on every hand, were cautious in all their movements. When one of the grizzled hunters in the depths of the wilderness fired his gun at some deer, 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 bushes, but he had learned long before, that, when he penetrated the western wilds and followed the calling of trapper, he took his life in his hands and he was ready to " go under," whenever the fate so decreed.

The most flagrant crime on the frontier is horse stealing. He who shoots one of his fellow men has a chanceof escaping punishment almost as good as that afforded' in civilized communities, but if he steals 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 always warned his friends to be oir the watch against the dusky thieves. Sentinels were on* 2 17 guard while others slept, but the very calamity against which they thus sought to protect themselves overtook them.