While on the south fork of the Platte, two of the party deserted, taking with them three of their best animals.  Suspecting their design, Gaunt sent Kit Carson and another man in pursuit of the fugitives, who had one day the start.  As was suspected, the two deserters had gone to the camp where the beaver fur was concealed and buried.  They had succeeded in digging it up and stealing about three hundred pounds of this valuable property, belonging to the company in general, share and share alike.  Carson and his companion failed entirely in their efforts to find the two men.  Doubtless they never lived to enjoy their ill-gotten wealth; for, notwithstanding careful search was made, the men were never heard from afterwards.  It is probable that they were killed by Indians, a fate which they, at least, richly merited.

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 directions; and, finally had given up all hopes of ever seeing them again.  The whole party now began the march to join Gaunt at the Ballo Salado.[3]