A TRUSTED SCOUT FOR CARSON AND FREMONT
On a spring trapping expedition in 1833 Kit Carson and five handpicked men were en route to the southwest corner of what would become Colorado when set upon by 200 Comanches. With no chance of escape, the trappers drew their knives, slit the throats of their mules and used their bodies as temporary breastworks. While repelling sporadic charges and volleys, they carved out earth and added it to their “mule fort.” At dusk the Comanches withdrew, and Carson and the others crept away on foot. They headed west, traveling all night and through the following day. While they made it safely out of that scrape, there would be others.
Among Carson’s chosen few that tenuous day were Delaware Indians Tom Hill, Manhead and
